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.

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.

GP practice reports smooth start to children's vaccine rollout
Children aged 5-11 have been eligible to get the Pfizer paediatric vaccine since Monday.

'Having two shots of anything is not a lot of use against Omicron': Whangārei GP
Central Family Health GP Tim Cunningham explains how the booster protects from Omicron.

Vaccination campaign targets low-vax pockets with kai, live music
Vaccination events to hit Kaikohe, Dargaville and Opononi this week.

More Northlanders eligible for booster shot after new regulations kick in
New regulations around the roll out of boosters came into place yesterday.

At rock bottom: Far North tourism firms' future grim as travellers avoid region
Far North businesses are considering hibernation as bookings plummet this holiday season.

More Northlanders eligible for booster shot from early January
Vaccination clinics will be closed on statutory holidays over the upcoming break.

Psychedelic VR cosmos to lure visitors to revamped Whangārei Art Museum
The art gallery was revamped for $70k with improved plan layout and access for public.