Mike Dinsdale is the editor of the Northland Age
Mike Dinsdale is the Editor of the Northland Age and also writes for the Northern Advocate. He has been a journalist in Northland for almost 35 years, working mostly at the Advocate, where he was News Director before moving to the Age. In that time he has covered most general news topics and has managed to cover virtually all of the region and visit almost all of its communities. He has interviewed thousands of Northlanders to tell their stories and is always eager to hold those in power to account. Mike has a passion for Northland and loves living in the region, after arriving from the UK in the 1980s. He enjoys the North’s stunning scenery and amazing people, and its world-class beaches. He loves music, football - and sport in general - and his family and friends. If you have a story to tell or something that needs investigating contact Mike at mike.dinsdale@nzme.co.nz OR editor@northlandage.co.nz
On The Up: Kaitāia teen Levi Ashwell is leading the way at St John Hato Hone
Kaitāia St John Hato Hone's Levi Ashwell is best Drill cadet in NZ
Kaitāia's Quarry Rd bridge upgrade should be finished by end of July
Quarry Rd bridge upgrade in Kaitāia behind schedule due to weather.
Council votes for independent review of Far North Sweetwater project
FNDC Sweetwater project - council calls for independent examination of project
Stunning art on show at Whangārei's Sculpture Northland this weekend
Sculpture Northland brings 45 artists and 125 works to Whangārei Quarry Gardens.
Mayor backs hapū in Bay of Islands marina battle
A hapū and many community members oppose the fast-tracking of Waipiro Bay Marina plans.
Do your bit for Northland Rescue Chopper Appeal
After almost 1000 missions in Northland last year rescue helicopter appeal starts.
Far North soldier-firefighter spends summer on frozen continent
Far North soldier Nathan Laurie is back from 24/7 sunshine and -30C in Antarctica.
80-year-old kuia at coalface of Northland's meth crisis as iwi works on plan
Ngāpuhi leader Mane Tahere says we all need to join the fight against the meth crisis.
Record rainfall for parts of Northland in sodden April
Wet wet wet! April was one of Northland's wettest on record.
Far North flood prevention scheme proves its worth
Flood protection works saves Far North homes from further flooding
Sweetwater Project: Far North councillor Mate Radich wants judicial review
The Far North's controversial water project needs a High Court review, a councillor says.
'Massive impact for us': Hapū oppose marina plan going through Fast Track process
The hapū want the project to go through the RMA for community input.
SH1 over Far North's Mangamukas open again after latest slip cleared
Contractors have cleared the second of two slips that closed the road.
Kaikohe's Whata Kai social supermarket providing hope to many
New social supermarket opens to help iwi feed dozens of families.
Mangamuka Gorge closure: SH1 expected to reopen on Friday after latest slip cleared
The road has been closed twice in three days due to two slips.
Far North orchard burglary sees hapless thieves steal dodgy diesel
Tainted fuel stolen from Far North orchard could ruin vehicles that use it
Far North's Mangamuka Gorge closed again after second slip in three days
Three storms in two weeks too much for Far North's Mangamuka Gorge as slip closes road.
Kāeo rest home criticised for elderly woman’s care
Kauri Lodge under fire from Health and Disability Aged Care Commissioner.
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua backs importance of injury prevention
Silver Ferns coach warns Northland's netball community over injury risk
Kerikeri students running competition to help eradicate moth plant
Cash prizes for Northlanders to remove pesky moth plants
New social supermarket in Kaikohe to address food insecurity
The social supermarket will provide additional resources, including a whānau space.
Far North will not forget - Anzac Day commemoration events in the district
Plenty of Far North Anzac Day events to remember the fallen.
Northland’s thin blue line getting nine new police recruits
Nine new police officers for Northland, with three in the Far North
Groundbreaking Te Hiku programme puts 13 new teachers into Far North
Far North man Takawai McMath swaps building for teaching on Te Hiku programme
Plenty of stonewalling at Far North stonemasonry workshop
Five-day Kerikeri stonemasonry course gives insight into ancient craft.
Sinking health system inspires doctors' Hīkoi for Health Reform from Kaitāia
Hīkoi for Health Reform taking protesting doctors from Kaitāia to Parliament.
Local legend Dot Sowry turns 103 in Far North rest home
Bay of Islands resident Dot Sowry celebrating 103rd birthday in style
90m litres of groundwater allegedly illegally discharged into Far North wetland
Council and contractor charged with 90 million litre discharge into Far North wetland
Prestigious Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award has five Northland finalists
Five Northlanders among 41 finalists in Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award
Food Hub part of network feeding 500,000 a month, but more support needed
Northland Food Hub reports an upsurge of low-income families needing food to survive.
'We cannot do this by ourselves': Ministers listen to iwi leader's plea over meth crisis
Police Minister Mark Mitchell plans to visit Northland for further discussions.
Three stretches of Far North state highway may keep lower speed limits
Stick or raise - Far North folk asked if lowered state highway limits should go up again
Teen’s supreme unity speech wins spot at national final
Talk on significance of equity wins Northland Race Unity Speech Awards
Northland moves to restricted fire season, Far North remains under ban
Most of Northland has moved into a restricted fire season but Far North rules still apply
14 new social houses opened in Kerikeri by Kāinga Ora
Kāinga Ora opens 14 new Far North social houses
Country’s top environmental watchdog takes Far North District Council to court
Environmental Protection Authority prosecutes FNDC over Sweetwater Aquifer discharges.
Kaitāia man’s mission to clean up the town’s dumped trash
Kaitāia man cleaning up the town with help from dozens of youngsters
Police Minister and Ngāpuhi to meet over solving meth crisis in North
Ngāpuhi runanga chair meeting Police Minister over meth crisis destroying the region.
Epic journey: 50 Mini teams aim to raise $500k for Kiwi kids
We're taking these cars to Invercargill, boy.
Far North and Kaipara water projects get more Government funding to expand
The Waitangi River and Kaipara water resilience projects get a further $41m.
Youngsters openly smoking meth prompt Ngāpuhi to seek urgent action
Ngāpuhi are calling for the Government to address meth, social and poverty crises.
Kerikeri’s Community Family Service shuts down
Far North budgeting service lacks funds to keep helping hundreds of families
Far North’s Te Āhuareka o Ngāti Hine Festival attracts thousands
The festival, which started in 2008, rocks Ōtiria Marae in cultural celebration.
Far North gets plenty of aroha from Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro
Busy Far North tour for Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro with packed schedule of events
New home needed for Whangārei’s Zonta Great NZ Book Sale
A new venue is needed so Whangārei's Zonta Great NZ Book Sale can hold its 31st chapter.
Skills of sheep dogs and handlers on show in Whangārei
Mount Manaia Sheep Dog Trial Club's annual trial this Sunday.
Kerikeri could almost double with new plan out on how to deal with the growth
Draft plan to manage growth in Kerikeri and Waipapa, public urged to give feedback.
Far North’s Mahoe Cheese tastes more success
Bay of Islands cheesemaker gets gold, silver and bronze medals at national awards.
Every day is Christmas at Far North Christmas Tree Farm
On a Bay of Islands farm thousands of Christmas trees getting ready for festive season
Kerikeri’s Nurture by Nature to party like its 2005 after 20 years open
Nurture by Nature early childcare centre in Far North turning 20.
‘Undermined the system’: Fisher fined for under-reporting catch by more than 2000kg
Daniel Lovell sold 1738kg more spat than reported in the 2021/22 year.
Four more Northland highway speed limits to be reviewed
NZTA consulting on lifting four more Far North highway speed limits
Osteopath and cancer survivor cycling to raise money for Far North Hospice
Hospice to benefit from Matiu Taingahue’s Inspiring Ride Across Aotearoa
Northland ladies on the march - leisure marching gaining popularity in the region
Leisure marching making big comeback in Northland.
Eight students in Northland Race Unity Speech Awards final
Northland rangatahi have say on race relations at Race Unity Speech Awards.
Far North mussels best in the country
Far North smoked mussels win gold at Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards
Kerikeri-based budgeting and family service closing its doors
Far North budgeting and family service closing after 27 years helping struggling families
Pāua rāhui still on the cards for Ahipara after hui agrees action needed
Ahipara hui decides action needed to protect pāua stock, with rāhui possible.
Clouds could block Northland view of blood moon lunar eclipse
Northlanders' chance of seeing blood moon on Friday is cloudy.
Rāhui possible as pāua stocks dwindle
Eight Far North hapū discussing problem of excessive pāua taken at Ahipara.
Far North drought could lead to more water retrictions
Far North's big dry could mean more restrictions on water use
Northland uni student one of eight scholarship recipients
Te Waiu o Aotearoa Trust scholarship for Northland uni student
Local knowledge the winning edge at 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza
Two Far North fishers have landed the biggest fish at the 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza.
Hot, dry conditions tip Northland into drought
Big dry gives Northland its eighth drought in past two decades
Local knowledge leading 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza
Far North fisher leading race for $30k top prize in 90 Mile Beach Snapper comp
Thousands can give blood again after rule change - Age editor gets back in the chair
NZ Blood Service taking blood again from those who lived in UK previously banned
Far North could be industrial hemp stronghold if drug law changes
The Far North is ideal for a burgeoning hemp industry, but a law change is needed first.
Brain Aid at the Barn Far North fundraising concert for brain injury
Top line-up of Far North musicians at Brain Injury Association fundraiser
6.395kg fish leads first day of 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza
1200 fishers are vying for prizes at the 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza in the Far North.
Prohibited fire season for Far North as dry district’s fire risk rises
Waipoua River scrub fire finally brought under control.
Fundraiser to get $20,000 for vital Hokianga Hospital rescue helicopter pad
Hokianga health service $20k short for crucial rescue helicopter landing pad upgrade
Kaitāia road to airport closed 10 weeks for bridge updgrade - detour in place
Bridge leading to Kaitāia Airport getting $1.3m upgrade, but road closed for 10 weeks.
150 years of schooling at Kaitāia Primary, but teaching goes back 190 years
Kaitāia Primary's sesquicentennial marks 150 years of the school
Ngāpuhi bids to own Northport and associated company as part of consortium
Move from Ngāpuhi and others to take total control of region's port.
$330k to upgrade Mitimiti drinking water supply in Far North
Far North's Mitimiti gets funding to upgrade ageing drinking water system.
Far North to host first Northland Fired Up Barbecue Festival
The latest Far North food fest is a celebration of all things meat.
90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza in Far North hooks 1200 fishers
$200k of prizes up for grabs at annual 90 Mile Beach event in March.
Turtles strand more in Northland than anywhere else in NZ, says DoC
Ten of 19 turtles stranded in Far North survive to be released back into ocean
New Far North towers give improved broadband/cell coverage
Better coverage on Far North’s Te-Oneroa-a-Tōhē Ninety Mile Beach thanks to new tower
Sweetwater from aquifer in Kaitāia taps after five years and $17m
After 5 years and $17 million Kaitāia gets Sweetwater from aquifer