Julia Czerwonatis
Reporter for the Northern Advocate
Reporter for the Northern Advocate
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Check out Julia’s latest content
New Kaipara mayor's promise: Looking at every possible way to cut council costs
Mayor Craig Jepson wants to simplify council processes and focus on expenditure.
Ready to book your summer holiday? We've got all you need to know
A travel guide to your summer holiday.
'Misogynist attitudes still exist': Exhibition about obstacles, successes of women in rugby
Women's rugby has come far but misogynist attitudes still exists, says Herstory curator.
From 100 to 30: Whangārei Heads speed limit review gets mixed feedback
The speed limit review of the Whangārei Heads area proposes over 140 changes.
Special abilities students take film worldwide
Lady Penelope's Heirlooms is written and produced by Year 11 special ability students.
Northland art is going under the hammer for Ukraine
Organisers are asking local artists to donate their work for the November auction.
Artists bring (plant) life into Whangārei CBD
The interactive art installation at the Strand Mall will run until October 7.
Tough times for health staff, patients in Dargaville
Dargaville Medical Centre is down half its doctors.
'Third-world disease' in Northland to be tackled with new national register
Northland recorded 12 new cases of rheumatic fever last year.
How Charles and the police dog met the Queen
Police dog handler Charles Payne accidentally met the Queen on Robert Island in 1983.
Summer of certainty for Northland as traffic light system finishes
Three years of Covid restrictions are over - bring on the new era, says Northlanders.
'I get tears when we talk about it' Northlanders join world in mourning the Queen
Her Majesty visited Northland several times during her 70-year reign.
Carruth closure: Did Covid kill boarding schools?
Researcher says boarding schools need to create a sense of belonging and care.
Carruth House closing due to declining student numbers
Whangarei Boys' High School boarding hostel opened in 1927.
Community fund grows food resilience in vulnerable region
Recent adverse weather events and disrupted roads have highlighted Northland's weak spots.
Man waits nearly two years for life-changing hip replacement
266 Northlanders have waited more than 12 months for their orthopaedic surgery.
Where to go for urgent care when Rawene after-hours clinic shuts
Hokianga residents asked to have plan in place in case they need after-hours care.
'Nowhere is too small': Dargaville Little Theatre to perform in Wellington
Productions Out of Mind and If Only will be performed in Wellington in September.
'They know that no one is coming': Do rest home residents still need to be locked down?
People aged 70 and older make up 83.4 per cent of all Covid-related deaths in New Zealand.
Kamo High students win big with animation film
The short film Change is Now is themed around the climate crisis and sustainability.
Hospitals asked to fast-track procedures for waiting patients
Northland asked to actively tackle surgery backlog by Health NZ.
'Devastating impact on the businesses' Lengthy closure likely for Mangamuka Gorge
Just over a year after Mangamuka Gorge re-opened it's closed again following the storm.
Better parking, new toilets part of $3.3m Town Basin upgrade
$3.3 million upgrade to the Town Basin to facilitate for international visitors.
Whangārei fire crew walk off job in nationwide strike action
An 86-hour working week is not uncommon for Whangārei career firefighters.
Whangārei 'gentlemen's club' chipping into region's conservation effort
Men's Shed fix furniture for the community and build traps for conservation.
Aged care on downward spiral: private finance a safety net for the future
Northlanders currently pay up to $64k a year for their aged care.
Historic Māori partnership brings jobs, health services into Far North
Māori health partnership has created 77 new jobs in the Far North.
Onerahi property to become housing subdivision
Property owners had intended to build a retirement village but that wasn't feasible.
Mental health calls from Northland mothers more than triple
Plunket has this year received 56 calls from Northland mothers for mental health support.
'Not equitable'; Whangārei ED nurses demand better winter incentive, overtime pay
Nursing shortage leaves big gaps in Whangārei ED staffing roster.
National legislation to limit vape retail on the cards after push by Dargaville community
Dargaville residents petitioned the council to limit the town's number of vape retailers.
Meningococcal cases in Northland: How to protect kids from dangerous infection
Four cases of meningococcal disease were detected in Northland in the last month.
Five fruit and veg daily 'bare minimum': How to boost nutrients on your plate
How to get more veges into your diet.
Northland grown veggie mince to hit national supermarket shelves
Whangārei business Olive & Ash to supply New World nationwide with meat alternative.
'People are appreciative and down to earth': rural GP on why Northland is an exciting work place
Moerewa doctor says the current health staff shortage is the worst in 50 years.
How the face of Northland's health will change
All Northland health services will initially remain the same from July 1.
Prime Whangārei property prepped for development
A previous resource consent for a housing at the St Mary's site was rejected in 2005.
Improved facilities to offer better mental health support in Whangārei, Far North
Improved mental health services facilities to open in 2023 in Whangārei and Kaitaia.
Patients might have to pay up or lose family doctor after funding shortfall
Funding increase of 3 per cent doesn't cover the cost of running a practice, GPs say.
Flu jab vital as new strains expected this winter
Rates of influenza expected to be higher than in previous years.
Sports field shortage looming as clubs outgrow home turfs
Meanwhile, football clubs worry about ground maintenance at their existing pitches.
'Huge step': PSA members to vote on DHB offer after 18 months of pay negotiation
The offer is almost five times more than what the DHBs initially brought to the table.
Northland employee drought: Sawmill forced to scale back operation
Northland has seen a 10 per cent job ad growth from March to April this year.
Values and virtues: What kids learn on Pink Shirt Day
Pink Shirt Day is a fundraiser for the Mental Health Foundation.
Morphine for 'bad days': 73-year-old waits for hip replacement
A 73-year-old man from Whangārei has been waiting 18 months for a hip replacement.
Budget 2022: Funding hopes for aged care already at 'breaking point'
Pay inequity for aged care nurses has left rest home stretched thin for staff.
'We're worth more than the minimum' - Allied health workers on strike
DHBs didn't honour Employment Relations Authority report, PSA union says
Demand for Covid vaccine 'trickling': Māori health provider
Northland received nearly $10.9m in funding for the vaccination rollout.
'The only career path you will hear me bragging about'; nurse of 33 years
The Advocate is celebrating all of the wonderful nurses who help care for Northlanders.
Allied health workers quit for better pay at KFC
This affects allied work force from Whangārei, Dargaville, Kaitaia and Bay of Plenty.
'My story is not unique, nor is it unexpected': Abuse survivor
Jason Haitana uses his past experiences to help whānau and people with their mental health
How the antics of little Mr Chubby Cheeks turned my life upside down
Parenting an energetic toddler isn't always easy but rewarding nonetheless.
Govt numbers for surgical waiting list show only part of the truth
A Northland GP claims the numbers don't reflect the true magnitude of the issue.
Whangārei to Heathrow: Northlanders finally pack their bags for big OE
Whangārei travel agent recommends planning well ahead because of limited flight capacity.
Russo-Ukrainian War: The battle between light and darkness, and how Northland can help
A Northland man, originally from Belarus, share ideas how to support Ukraine.
Kerikeri is sought after as property demand increases
Kerikeri is currently the most popular suburb.
Great Minds: Alienation, anxiety, adversity - mental health outcomes of the pandemic
There is a silver lining: lockdown offered time for reflection and personal growth.
How safe is vaping? - new research suggests there's much we don't know
As vaping grows in popularity among teens, researchers dig into the true extent of harm.
Whangārei Hospital to provide radiation therapy from 2025
Jim Carney Cancer Treatment Centre to be extended.
High-income families less likely to get children jabbed
10 per cent of parents declined to have their children vaccinated.
'Disgusted': Two anglers caught with 138 snapper, boat seized
The pair's catch was nearly seven times the daily limit.
Kaitāia woman breathes easy after quitting smoking for her grandchildren
18.2 per cent of non-Māori in Northland smoke compared to 31.2 per cent of Māori.
Rising costs fuel rate increase for entire region
NRC's annual plan is up for public consultation until April 29.
Loop Rd construction to take at least another three years
Earthworks for a new, southbound lane will start later this year.
Ngāti Kuri: Fishing boat rescue a co-ordination 'nightmare'
Search for fifth missing person continues this morning.
Reduced waiting times for bowel screening could lead to early cancer detection
Several cases of cancer have been detected earlier than usual due to improved services.
Fuel price pain: What you need to know
Fuel prices could reach $3.30 a litre soon, AA principal adviser for motoring policy says.
Ghost town Whangārei: business owners keen on any incentive for more shoppers
Business owners without customers: 'We have definitely seen a big drop".
GPs spat on and sworn at as healthcare pressures mount
Long working hours, staff shortages and financial restrictions puts GPs under the pump.
Northland housing prices crack $900k after strongest quarterly growth across NZ
A 7.9 per cent growth over the past quarter saw the average property value rise to $906k.
Health inequity: Could Northland have done a better job to immunise vulnerable Māori?
NDHB rejects critique that vaccination rollout didn't prioritise Māori health needs.
'Intelligent' wahine with 'awesome sense of humour' celebrated for business success
He Puna Mārama CEO Raewyn Tipene is being celebrated for her business success.
Power crews praised for 'mammoth effort'
'You couldn't stand up the wind was that strong — and we had line crews out in that.'
'The Covid guy': Whangārei teenager keeps community in the know
The Whangārei Boys' High School graduate has over 11,800 followers.
Cyclone Dovi leaves 22,000 without power overnight
Gusts reached speeds of up to 144km/h.
'The more people that we can boost efficiently, the more protected we'll be as a community' - Dr Clair Mills
'Māori got vaccinated later than the non-Māori and are still lagging behind'; Dr Mills.
No end in sight for SH1 Loop Rd construction in Whangārei
NZTA cannot confirm the completion date for the ongoing Loop Rd roundabout construction.
What Northlanders need to know about booking their booster shot
How can I book my booster appointment - a quick guide.
NZ returns to red light setting - what it means for Northland
A Covid-19 case in Kaitaia remains unlinked; genome sequencing results expected today.
Declining scallop numbers spark proposal for urgent harvesting ban
Fisheries have launched a public consultation that looks at banning scallop harvesting.