Julie Paton
Northern Advocate columnist
Julie Paton is a Northern Advocate columnist writing about things rural.
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 Julie’s latest content
Goodbye to Bream Bay Ballet teacher Kristin Orr
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Cars and bikes bring community funds
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
New competition team for fire brigade
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
No home advantage for beach volleyballers
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Bream Bay news: Collection to help Aussie animals
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Local beach volleyballers take on country's best
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Bream Bay news: Local heroes recognised
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Santa gets a big welcome in Ruakākā
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Steel pan band perform with big city orchestra
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Ruakākā housing plan meeting cancelled
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Swimmers claim relay trophy at spring carnival
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Caring community raises cash for Hollie McIntyre
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Rose above the rest at garden club annual show
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
College's senior students celebrate end of academic year
A weekly round-up of news, events and oddities from the Bay of Islands and Mid North.
Community rallies in support of Hollie McIntyre's fight
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Tide slightly out on annual college fundraiser
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Football players on the ball in Australia
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Charlie and the Bream Bay Chocolate Factory comes to town
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Steel pan musicians strike right note at festival
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Club celebrates diamond anniversary
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Multi-talented Robinson a keeper
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Football, therapist recognised, beach fun run
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Civic honour for Ruakākā resident
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Showquest performance wins national awards
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Ballet students keep theatre buzzing
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Winter racing at Ruakākā
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Contest to find 'Fastest Milker in the Shire'
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Wearable art wows Waipū yet again
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Bream Bay: Art 'N' Tartan show countdown
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Ruakākā kids 'like to move it, move it'
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Waipū celebrates International Tartan Day
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Annual Winter in Waipū event kicks off
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Under-16 team top table despite player shortage
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
Mangapai Hall needs new blood
The hall was erected in 1903 after the original 1892-built hall burned down.
Mystics foursome visits One Tree Point School
A weekly round-up of community news and events from the Bream Bay area.
School needs play equipment, can you help?
Ruakākā School is fundraising and looking to build new play areas creatively and cheaply.
Firefighters climb to fight leukaemia, blood cancer
They joined nearly 1000 firefighters who toiled up the tower's 1103 steps in full gear.
McGregor putting down the pipes
McGregor led the band for 33 years, and attended hundreds of celebrations in the region.
Firefighters take on Sky Tower Challenge
Firefighters from Refining NZ and Ruakaka Volunteer Fire Brigade are making the climb.
Academic accolade for College's former head girl
Anna Worthington achieved the highest overall grade in her university science degree.
Northcal pipe band keeps marchers entertained
Anzac Day marchers must have legged it a little too quickly down to the cenotaph.
Power boats a crowd-pleaser at Marsden Cove
A well-loved annual Waipū community event is on this Saturday at Caledonian Park.
Dance festival brings out the best
"The bravery needed for dancers to perform as a solo on stage is immense."
Dance schools special guests at Fusion concert
Talented young Bream Bay cast members take on Beauty and the Beast.
School's peace tribute to Christchurch
Bream Bay College students and staff create a visual message and tribute.
Swimmers make big splash in the south
Surfing legend visits Mangawhai, fundraiser for Christchurch, piping and school gala.
Gold for junior life saver
Bream bay-based columnist Julie Paton reports on local news and events in her community.
Community celebrates its sporting best
Bream-Bay contributor Julie Paton reports on the latest events and happenings in the area.
Catch up on all your Bream Bay news
Art 'n Tartan, a beach clean up, the Pukapuka Party and more from the region
Ideal conditions for annual water race
Nearly 90 competitors raced around Snake Bank in Whangārei Harbour on a range of craft.
Car-lovers in heaven at Waipū Car and Bike Show
Ford Skyliner with the number plate "Orgazm" steals the show.
Medals for top junior lifesavers
Marsden Yacht Club's Snake Bank Regatta is back for 2019.
Anything goes for Art 'n Tartan 2019
Freddie Mercury and Queen Tribute Show set to rock Waipū.
Swimmers do hard yards, bring home medals
Storytime for kids, car and bike show, art show and street market coming up in Bream Bay.
Little Luna happy with feathered friends
Most of the chickens followed Luna out to run madly around the garden and resist recapture
IRB, junior surf carnival competitions thrill crowds
All about getting Bream Bay on the map, say organisers.
Busy musician jams at races, tennis
Tug of war competition raises funds for lifesaving during a blistering hot day at races.
Storm clouds fade for Christmas parade fun
Beach remembrance ceremony honours lost loved ones to Alzheimer's.
Firefighter crowned citizen of year for Ruakākā
Terry Baylis has worked in various roles through the 42 years with the fire service.
'Tis the season of Christmas cheer, charity and goodwill
Ruakākā based columnist Julie Paton brings you the latest community news from Bream Bay.
Heads shaved in memory of breast cancer battler
The latest community news from Whangārei District's Bream Bay area.
Bream Bay community news
Bream Bay Community Spirit - pigs dig up sports field and fluoro vests for playcentre
Bream Bay news: Top effort from Bream Bay's firefighters
Competition for 950 climbing spots in annual Sky Tower firefighting challenge intense.
Rural Ramblings: New Life for Bex and Bruce
When you live in the country, you soon see a vast number of feral cats share it too.