Avina Vidyadharan
Multimedia journalist
Avina Vidyadharan, reporter at Northern Advocate working on all community-focused news, but with a special focus on the education sector.
I'm Avina Vidyadharan – I’ve been with the Northern Advocate since 2021. I grew up in India, in a multicultural town called Vadodara. I studied a Masters in Journalism and Mass Communication from M S University in India, and worked as a digital journalist for a year before moving to Aotearoa in 2019. My journey in New Zealand began with a PG Diploma in Communications from AUT University. My first journalistic experience in the country soon followed in the rural town of Wairoa. I worked as a community news reporter at the Wairoa Star for nine months, where I was familiarised with the crucial role community plays in the media and vice versa. At the Northern Advocate I am the education eye on the ground. I have covered a huge array of news from the education sector – be it vaccine mandates or award-winning students, as well as sharing the voices of 5-year-olds with Government officials. I have a real hunger for new narratives, which pushes me beyond focusing entirely on education. Working in a regional newspaper has again restored the understanding of community-focused news and so I cover and write any story that advocates a human voice. Outside work, you may find me awkward, funny, or maybe like my boss described me - a “straight up gangster”. But honestly, I am still processing my big shift to this country and learning everything it has to offer.
Check out Avina’s latest content
Whangārei youth homelessness needs an 'immediate' solution
Northland youth identify solutions to address homelessness.
Multicultural storytelling is 'weaving the strands of humanity'
Landing in Whangārei is an evolving project to narrate people's belonging to the place.
Students return to school amid 'a mixture of Covid-19, the nasty flu, and disastrous weather'
Northland schools try to keep the doors open despite staff shortages and wet weather.
Will the new Equity Index save Northland's deprived education sector?
A new school funding system reveals Northland as the region with the greatest need.
Afghan families learn how to swim
Afghan families settled in Whananaki find their first swim lessons fun and exciting.
Cost of living has a dampening effect on Northland house buyers' appetite
Northland's median price remains unchanged from June 2021, sitting at $700,000.
'It was funny and very lucky to spot humpback whale so close to home'
Visitors in Northland blessed with the rare sight of humpback whales feeding in the water.
Dairy staff detectives find getaway car, weapons after suspects' social media boast
Tutukaka store robber posts selfie with stolen cigarettes on social media.
Watch: Gone in 60 seconds - thieves loot store's cigarette shelves
Terrified worker hides in back room as four males strip tobacco products.
Cosplay fans gather at the Plunge Pop Culture Convention
Plunge Pop Culture Convention organiser is excited for the first event in Kerikeri.
Save Our Sands protest: 'When every grain of the sand is gone, it will never be replaced'
Around 300 people protest against renewal of sand mining resource consent in Mangawhai.
Northland mum teaches how to save money and still make good, healthy kai
Haurora Wānanga is part of the winter wellness campaign encouraging a healthy lifestyle.
Rise of the anti-social customer: Wife locked man in bedroom to protect delivery driver
Sociologist recommends ways to achieve more tolerance in society.
'Twindemic' of Covid, flu hammering Northland schools
At Kerikeri High, Northland's biggest school, up to 30 teachers are off sick each day.
'They will have one glance at us and will change direction or cross the road': Whangarei queer teens face homophobia
The Library Gays in Whangarei was formed to create a safe space for queer teens.
'Triumphant and symbolic moment for Northland's international education sector'
Northland prepares to welcome international students for the first time since March 2020.
Northland rangatahi claims a double with speech and table tennis wins
Whangārei teen wins big at Race Unity speech contest and secondary schools sports titles.
'It is up to us, as members of Aotearoa, to work towards racial unity' : says Northland teen on winning Race Unity Speech Awards winner
Northland student is named the joint national winner of the Race Unity Speech Awards.
'Changing my food habits has saved my life'
Amber's Kitchen is first of a kind eatery in Northland, now open in Whangārei. .
'We are basically in a crisis': Northland's ECE centre director on the Teaching Council fee and levy changes
Northland's education leaders ponder upon the effects of the Teaching Council fee changes.
'Baptism of whaea': The boom in women's football
FC Whangārei Women's team takes part in the Northland 2nd Division, first time since 2014.
7-year-old to take part in World Hip-Hop Dance Competition
Northland DDF dance crew qualifies for Hip-Hop International, but there's a catch.
Graduating teachers carry region's hopes
Tai Tokerau's education graduates share their learning experiences
Education leader lauds Government strategy targeting 'disappearing students'
The strategy aims to return vanishing students to classrooms around the country.
'If the wages were liveable, I wouldn't leave' NorthTec nursing graduate moves to Australia
NorthTec holds four graduation ceremonies over two days to celebrate two graduate cohorts.
It's a dog's world: Meet the Helena Bay celebrity
Helena Bay's celebrity big dog Leo knows he is getting all the attention and loves it.
Whangārei's first-ever Pride Festival still happening - just a year later
Whangārei PROUD has big announcements to make in an upcoming community hui.
'The system is broken': Kids falling out of school puts demand on Alternative Education
Alternative education space in Northland is filled with over-capacity and minimal funding.
Grisly discovery of 100 dead penguins horrifies Far North locals
The warmer sea temperatures in Northland make it difficult for little penguins to breed.
Students stranded as school bus firms cancel run at short notice
A severe lack of local bus drivers has left some families scrambling to get kids home.
More youth encouraged to connect with culture through marae-based workshop
Rangatahi Ora is conducting a three-day marae-based workshop from June 17 to 19.
Migrant mental health: Woman stays home for more than a year afraid to ask for help
Demand for mental health support is growing within the migrant community.
Tai Tokerau teen helps Afghan families make a splash
Whangārei school's mufti day fundraiser will help Afghani families in Whananaki.
Queen's Birthday Honours: Noel Birchall's half a century of conservation recognised
Noel Birchall recalls witnessing transformation of the Northland Fish and Game Council.
Histories of NZ can cause friction between cultures if not delivered right
Northland education experts reflect on the teaching of the new NZ history curriculum.
For Whangārei school students, 'drama class is their safe haven'
A Whangārei school drama team fundraises to get to National Shakespeare Drama Festival.
'Northland young kids were getting addicted to vaping, while many parents have no clue'
Northland smoke-free adviser blames the increase in vaping retailers for more kids vaping
'If a week is enough to solve the problems of a 'disturbed child', pigs can fly too'
Northland Principals worry the Interim Response Fund in the region is "just not enough".
Education expert disappointed Northland didn't contribute more in curriculum changes
The new Aotearoa New Zealand's histories and Te Takanga o Te Wā curriculum begins in 2023.
Whangārei students walk more than 20km to raise money
Kamo Intermediate School students and teachers do the Mighty Walk, for fun and a cause.
Ruawai College students revel in overhauled curriculum
Ruawai College gives students the liberty to choose their own learning modules.
Northland's biggest tertiary education provider hopeful Budget 2022 breaks down barriers
NorthTec's chief executive welcomes Budget 2022 investment into vocational education.
Shave for Cure by Whangārei students raises thousands of dollars
Whangārei Boys' High School and NorthTec students come together for a "good cause".
Tai Tokerau Principals' Association president pleased with Budget 2022
$3b is targeting some of the right areas, according to Pat Newman.
School principal goes door-knocking to fight student absenteeism
A Whangārei principal is breaking down barriers between the school and whānau.
Trades training receives $230m boost in Budget 2022
The investment will provide support for another 24,000 apprentices.
Northland family reunited with Ukrainian mum: 'Many happy tears and warm cuddles' followed
Northland man sells his most prized possession to build his mother-in-law a house.
Parua Bay School reflects on 150-year history with celebrations
A Whangārei school celebrates its 150th anniversary in the presence of mana whenua.
Principals fear staff cuts as Covid keeps kids away from school
Northland principals are hoping students begin their return to the classroom.
Onerahi house fire: Pregnant neighbour feared for her home
Four crews responded to a house fire in Onerahi today.
'I had nothing': Teens ditch education to pay the bills instead
University is the least favoured option for Northland students post-school.
Take a bow: 18-year-old thespian to perform at Shakespeare's Globe
Darius Martin-Baker, 18, is fundraising to get to the UK for intensive theatre training.
Save your chip packets and reduce 80 years of landfill decomposition, and also help someone with a warm night's sleep
Each survival sheet uses 44 chip packets, equivalent to 3520 recycling years.
'It is time for some tough love' to address Northland's truancy issue
In term 1, Northland schools see the lowest attendance averaging 73 per cent.
Covid in schools: How does Northland cases compare nationally?
Data suggests Northland schools may have fared far better than elsewhere in the country.
A new era for Whangārei Boys' High School
Whangārei Boys' High School's new building is fit for modern education outcomes.
Whangārei cyclist wins big at national para cycling competition after almost cancelling the trip
Cyclist Kyren Andrew's eventual goal is to compete in the Paralympics.
Plunge Pop Culture Convention ready for a trip to Far North
Plunge Enterprise director Aruneshwar Singh excited for fourth convention in Whangārei,
Northland DHB asks families to assist with hospital care
Northland hospitals request patients' family members to ease some pressure off the staff.
'We just needed to get together, share some stories': Principals enjoy much-needed get-together
Northland principals revitalise at a three-day conference in Waitangi.
Northland's highest level rider finishes fifth at National One Day Championship
Around 200 top riders headed to Whangārei for the National 4 Star One Day Championship.
A damp end to Easter weekend for Northland
Monday will bring more rain and wind to Northland.
Kaikohe's local heroes look forward to the booming opportunities coming to town
Kaikohe community has bounced back from the recent gang violence, says community heroes.
Kiwi kids urged to stay clear of TikTok's 'potentially life-threatening' new craze
'Teenagers since the dawn of time have done stupid things but this is another level.'
Principals reflect on mandates after vax requirements dropped
Northland school principals welcome the removal of vaccine mandates.
'Closing schools as a last resort is not flattening the curve', says epidemiologist
The best protection for immunocompromised children might be online learning.
What was the point? The impact of vaccine mandates in Northland and their purpose
Covid-19 modeller explains the need for introducing and removing vaccine mandates.
'We are living in the renaissance period of Whangārei', says GiraGlob designer
The backstory of Whangārei's GiraGlob - the first of many to be created worldwide.
'As a parent, it is a really degrading situation, both financially and mentally': Northland mum
Northland kids are missing out on healthy food as the cost is too high for some families.
TikTok's 'dangerous blackout' trend can be life-threatening, doctor warns
Kiwi teen suffered a seizure when attempting 'blackout' due to social media trend.
'We can start the healing process': Northlanders react to Government overhaul of Covid restrictions
Northland is 'moving in the right direction', say those impacted by Covid restrictions.
Mahi Pai's Northland tour: spreading magic and uplifting tamariki wellness, not to influence whānau's vaccine choice
Mahi Pai's Northland campaign to promote tamariki hygiene will continue till April.
Huanui College scores big at Cambridge International assessment
Principal "proud' after six students score at Cambridge International assessment.
Northland students are ready to fight the Aquabots war
Northland year 6 to 13 students will compete their underwater robots next month.
GiraGlob: A world-first sculpture right in Whangārei's backyard
The peculiar blue addition to the Town Basin seats seven people.
Pūtahi Park's interactive water feature becomes Whangārei hot spot
Kids have time of their lives playing in Town Basin's water jets.
Tribesmen and Killer Beez gang members arrested after 'violent' clashes in Kaikohe
Eleven people, as young as 15, were arrested with police not ruling out more to follow.
Ukrainian mum safe in Slovakia, family in Northland worries for how long?
Tetiana Torbina has crossed the Ukrainian borders and awaits to unite with family in NZ.
Basketballer Kendell Heremaia's grandparents 'over the moon' at her US success
Northlander Kendell Heremaia is having major success on international basketball courts.
'Families have to choose between fuel and food': Will 25c off a litre help Northlanders?
Fuel has become slightly cheaper following the Government announcement on Monday.