Northern Advocate
  • Northern Advocate home
  • Latest news
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Property
  • Video
  • Death notices
  • Classifieds

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • On The Up
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
  • Sport
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Residential property listings

Locations

  • Far North
  • Kaitaia
  • Kaikohe
  • Bay of Islands
  • Whangārei
  • Kaipara
  • Mangawhai
  • Dargaville

Media

  • Video
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-Editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

Weather

  • Kaitaia
  • Whangārei
  • Dargaville

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In

Peter de Graaf
Reporter
Kerikeri

Peter de Graaf is a 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 Peter’s latest content
Kerikeri gum tree felling on hold over concerns kiwi are living in the area
Northern Advocate

Kerikeri gum tree felling on hold over concerns kiwi are living in the area

20 Oct 08:56 PM
Historic Ngāpuhi Waitangi Tribunal report into injustices delivered to the iwi at Waitangi
Northern Advocate

Historic Ngāpuhi Waitangi Tribunal report into injustices delivered to the iwi at Waitangi

09 Dec 09:55 PM

Ngāpuhi's Waitangi Tribunal report will aid iwi's stalled Treaty claims.

Premium
Paihia’s Pipi Patch bar closed after it was refused an on-licence
Northern Advocate

Paihia’s Pipi Patch bar closed after it was refused an on-licence

20 Jul 05:00 PM

The owner said he would not appeal the decision.

Te Hiku revitalisation head fires parting shot at North’s ‘keyboard warriors’
Northern Advocate

Te Hiku revitalisation head fires parting shot at North’s ‘keyboard warriors’

05 Jul 05:00 PM

The three-year project has given Kaitāia, Awanui, Ahipara 80 new assets and attractions.

Community-built bike path aims to keep riders safe and boost health
Northern Advocate

Community-built bike path aims to keep riders safe and boost health

26 Jun 05:00 PM

Once complete, the shared path will stretch from Russell to the ferry landing at Ōkiato.

Taumatamakuku strikes back: How one small Far North community made its roads safer
Northern Advocate

Taumatamakuku strikes back: How one small Far North community made its roads safer

23 Jun 05:00 PM

Locals fought for generations for footpaths and lower speeds without success. Until now.

Ōkaihau mums on a mission to reopen abandoned playcentre
Northern Advocate

Ōkaihau mums on a mission to reopen abandoned playcentre

22 Jun 05:00 PM

Playcentre closed when the town had few kids. Now there are lots with nowhere to go.

Man facing more than 100 sex charges
Northern Advocate

Man facing more than 100 sex charges

21 Jun 09:34 PM

Charges relate to two complainants, one of whom was underage.

Time traveller from the age of dinosaurs returns to Bay of Islands
Northern Advocate

Time traveller from the age of dinosaurs returns to Bay of Islands

20 Jun 05:00 PM

Wētāpunga, the world’s second-biggest insect species, can weigh as much as a small bird.

Pedestrian critical after incident on SH12, Kaikohe
Northern Advocate

Pedestrian critical after incident on SH12, Kaikohe

20 Jun 05:15 AM

Driver swerved and crashed in attempt to avoid pedestrian, police say.

Homes left in the dark as ute demolishes power pole
Northern Advocate

Homes left in the dark as ute demolishes power pole

19 Jun 11:04 PM

Driver allegedly left Puketona crash scene before emergency services arrived.

Rugby legend shares tips with Northland club Whangaruru
Northern Advocate

Rugby legend shares tips with Northland club Whangaruru

18 Jun 10:17 PM

The once-struggling club is now booming with new facilities and 'huge' player growth.

Seatbelt could have saved Takahue crash driver — police
Northern Advocate

Seatbelt could have saved Takahue crash driver — police

18 Jun 03:31 AM

Passer-by, St John medics and firefighters all attempted CPR but driver died at the scene.

Let there be light: Matariki festival returns to Oromahoe
Northern Advocate

Let there be light: Matariki festival returns to Oromahoe

17 Jun 11:57 PM

Lantern trail, music, costumes, kai and crafts showcased at school fundraiser.

Matariki goes global: Northlanders join celebrations in Europe
Northern Advocate

Matariki goes global: Northlanders join celebrations in Europe

16 Jun 05:00 PM

Two days of festivities, activities planned as Dutch museum marks Matariki.

Pothole ends morning school bus run
Northern Advocate

Pothole ends morning school bus run

14 Jun 09:31 PM

Giant potholes highlight maintenance backlog caused by wet weather, deputy mayor says

‘Transformational’ business park opens, hundreds of jobs beckon Kaikohe
Northern Advocate

‘Transformational’ business park opens, hundreds of jobs beckon Kaikohe

14 Jun 12:53 AM

So far the park includes 10ha berry farm, two training institutes, and an ‘innovation hub’

Northland kids brave mud, hills in cross-country champs
Northern Advocate

Northland kids brave mud, hills in cross-country champs

13 Jun 05:00 PM

More than 200 students aged 8-12 competed in the annual Far North event.

‘So much to be hopeful for’: Why Kaikohe’s future looks better now than for decades past
Northern Advocate

‘So much to be hopeful for’: Why Kaikohe’s future looks better now than for decades past

09 Jun 05:00 PM

Social housing, indoor sports centre, hundreds of jobs on the horizon for struggling town.

Premium
‘It was time to show it a bit of love’: Mystery donor’s $100,000 gift for Paihia
Northern Advocate

‘It was time to show it a bit of love’: Mystery donor’s $100,000 gift for Paihia

08 Jun 05:00 PM

New park features slide, waterfall, bbqs, gardens, upgraded loos and disabled beach access

Man, 52, in court charged with killing dialysis patient Linda Woods
Northern Advocate

Man, 52, in court charged with killing dialysis patient Linda Woods

06 Jun 11:37 PM

Judge refused name suppression but accused can't be identified while decision is appealed.

Community group ‘surprised’ by consent for controversial Kerikeri social housing block
Northern Advocate

Community group ‘surprised’ by consent for controversial Kerikeri social housing block

04 Jun 05:00 PM

But Kāinga Ora seems to have taken some community concerns on board, group says.

Iwi, education leader Toa Faneva recognised for services to Māori
Northern Advocate

Iwi, education leader Toa Faneva recognised for services to Māori

04 Jun 05:00 PM

He credits his grandparents with instilling values of manaakitanga, tautoko and service.

Humble kaumātua's lifelong work for the environment, Māori and health honoured
Northern Advocate

Humble kaumātua's lifelong work for the environment, Māori and health honoured

04 Jun 05:00 PM

The plight of the kukupa, or native pigeon, sparked Prime's life's work.

Kaikohe firefighter Geoff Mayall honoured for lifetime's service
Northern Advocate

Kaikohe firefighter Geoff Mayall honoured for lifetime's service

04 Jun 05:00 PM

The life member has held almost every role in the brigade since signing up in 1972.

Police release photos of shorts, shoes in hunt for dialysis patient's killer
Northern Advocate

Police release photos of shorts, shoes in hunt for dialysis patient's killer

03 Jun 03:13 AM

The killer is believed to have fled barefoot and left his shoes at the scene.

Hunt for killer: Kaikohe dialysis patient attacked in home she shared with whānau
Northern Advocate

Hunt for killer: Kaikohe dialysis patient attacked in home she shared with whānau

03 Jun 12:49 AM

The killer is believed to have fled barefoot and left his shoes at the scene.

‘So proud’: Hokianga’s stand against harbour sewage praised
Northern Advocate

‘So proud’: Hokianga’s stand against harbour sewage praised

02 Jun 05:00 PM

Commissioners to return for extra day of hearings before deciding on wastewater consent.

'Fighting for their lives': Killer ripped out dialysis patient's breathing tubes
Northern Advocate

'Fighting for their lives': Killer ripped out dialysis patient's breathing tubes

02 Jun 05:00 PM

“My daughters were there. They were the ones trying to fight him off.”

Manhunt: Police seek intruder who fled barefoot after elderly woman's death
Northern Advocate

Manhunt: Police seek intruder who fled barefoot after elderly woman's death

02 Jun 05:43 AM

Far North Mayor Moko Tepania, who lives nearby, describes incident as "incredibly tragic".

Kāinga Ora shrinks plans for controversial Kerikeri social housing
Northern Advocate

Kāinga Ora shrinks plans for controversial Kerikeri social housing

01 Jun 08:24 PM

New plan will see 3-storey block reduced to 2 storeys with 8, not 12, apartments.

'It rips my heart out': Northland boarding house closure leaves 11 people homeless
Northern Advocate

'It rips my heart out': Northland boarding house closure leaves 11 people homeless

31 May 05:00 PM

Housing trust says it had no warning of closure; FNDC says it gave six days’ notice.

Arson suspected as home destroyed near Kaikohe
Northern Advocate

Arson suspected as home destroyed near Kaikohe

30 May 10:44 PM

Owners about to start renovations with building materials, appliances already on site.

Rāwene man in court after alleged assaults at hospital
Northern Advocate

Rāwene man in court after alleged assaults at hospital

30 May 05:00 PM

Rāwene Hospital patient described it as “like a scene out of a horror movie”.

Two dead after truck crash that closed SH10
Northern Advocate

Two dead after truck crash that closed SH10

30 May 07:04 AM

Motorists urged to avoid the area; diversions are long and on rough roads.

Kerikeri social housing plans on hold, community group says
Northern Advocate

Kerikeri social housing plans on hold, community group says

29 May 05:00 PM

A redesign could be on the way for a controversial high-density social housing complex.

World-leading robot plane venture takes off in Kerikeri
Northern Advocate

World-leading robot plane venture takes off in Kerikeri

29 May 05:00 PM

Venture fulfils a dream of bringing tech opportunities home for Northland youth.

‘Here I can be myself’: Language Days a boost for deaf and hard-of-hearing children
Northern Advocate

‘Here I can be myself’: Language Days a boost for deaf and hard-of-hearing children

28 May 05:00 PM

Deaf get-togethers held fortnightly at Moerewa Scool for kids all over Northland.

Tenants check out, tourists check in
Northern Advocate

Tenants check out, tourists check in

26 May 05:00 PM

Concerns remain for Northland families left at mercy of tight rental market.

Premium
‘Transformational’ dam offers hope for Kaikohe’s future
Northern Advocate

‘Transformational’ dam offers hope for Kaikohe’s future

25 May 05:00 PM

Backers hope dam will do in the west what Kerikeri’s irrigation system did for the east.

'Ludicrous and unsafe': Gym owner says cops could have stopped arsonist
Northern Advocate

'Ludicrous and unsafe': Gym owner says cops could have stopped arsonist

24 May 05:00 PM

Kaikohe gym badly damaged in a suspected arson attack

Motorcyclist, motorist killed in grim weekend on Northland roads
Northern Advocate

Motorcyclist, motorist killed in grim weekend on Northland roads

22 May 03:10 AM

State Highways 1, 11 closed for several hours while crashes investigated.

‘Right place, right time’ as yachtie rescued in Whangārei Harbour
Northern Advocate

‘Right place, right time’ as yachtie rescued in Whangārei Harbour

20 May 06:01 AM

Solo sailor got into difficulties off McLeod Bay around noon on Saturday.

‘They’re good fellas’: Boaties at centre of life-saving rescue drama thank Northland helicopter crew
Northern Advocate

‘They’re good fellas’: Boaties at centre of life-saving rescue drama thank Northland helicopter crew

19 May 03:12 AM

Skipper urges other boaties to be prepared with the right gear, training and communication

Funding to tackle family, sexual violence “brilliant” but system needs to change
Northern Advocate

Funding to tackle family, sexual violence “brilliant” but system needs to change

18 May 05:42 AM

Initiatives aim to support kids and ease victims’ trauma from going through court system.

More funding for frontline cops, but programme to tackle repeat child offenders bypassed
Northern Advocate

More funding for frontline cops, but programme to tackle repeat child offenders bypassed

18 May 05:35 AM

Budget commits an extra $50.8m to maintain frontline police numbers.

‘It’s heartbreaking’: Ōtiria’s close call highlights spillway urgency
Northern Advocate

‘It’s heartbreaking’: Ōtiria’s close call highlights spillway urgency

17 May 05:00 PM

$7m project aims to restore streams' natural paths instead of flooding Ōtiria, Moerewa.

Pro wrestler-turned-comic artist Michel Mulipola heading to Northland
Northern Advocate

Pro wrestler-turned-comic artist Michel Mulipola heading to Northland

17 May 05:00 PM

Michel Mulipola is known for his graphic novel Samoan Heroes and work for Marvel, Disney.

Premium
Sea rescue: Skipper operates on crewmate, guided by surgeon via FaceTime
Northern Advocate

Sea rescue: Skipper operates on crewmate, guided by surgeon via FaceTime

16 May 05:00 PM

Northland rescue chopper crew praised for skill, professionalism.

Hokianga residents take a stand against sewage plant plans saying they want their harbour water to be clean
Northern Advocate

Hokianga residents take a stand against sewage plant plans saying they want their harbour water to be clean

15 May 10:10 PM

Hearings into renewal of Kohukohu, Ōpononi treatment plant consents to last all this week.

Country rock fest returns to Bay of Islands
Northern Advocate

Country rock fest returns to Bay of Islands

15 May 05:00 PM

Last weekend’s festival was the 33rd organised by country music veteran Shirley May.

Dramatic rescue as chopper plucks elderly patient from boat 240km out at sea
Northern Advocate

Dramatic rescue as chopper plucks elderly patient from boat 240km out at sea

15 May 11:11 AM

Northland’s Sikorsky choppers are the only ones with a big enough range for ocean rescues.

Candles blamed for blaze that destroyed Far North home
Northern Advocate

Candles blamed for blaze that destroyed Far North home

14 May 05:00 PM

Fire chief's warning: Make sure candles are secure and far from anything combustible.

Category 1 Historic Place status wanted for Kawakawa’s Hundertwasser toilet block
Northern Advocate

Category 1 Historic Place status wanted for Kawakawa’s Hundertwasser toilet block

14 May 05:00 PM

Iconic toilet block has contributed to transformation of Kawakawa since opening in 1999.

Motorcyclist critically hurt in Whangārei crash
Northern Advocate

Motorcyclist critically hurt in Whangārei crash

14 May 03:36 AM

Western Hills accident just one of three around Northland in a half-hour spate of crashes.

Kaipara towns lead the charge in property resale gain
Northern Advocate

Kaipara towns lead the charge in property resale gain

13 May 11:10 PM

Despite a slowdown, most Northlanders who sold their homes in 2022 still made a gain.

Ōpononi, Ōmāpere residents urged to keep conserving water
Northern Advocate

Ōpononi, Ōmāpere residents urged to keep conserving water

11 May 01:05 AM

Flooding from Tuesday’s deluge has hampered efforts to find the pipe break.

Empty dinghy with outboard running in Bay of Islands sees search operation
Northern Advocate

Empty dinghy with outboard running in Bay of Islands sees search operation

10 May 09:55 PM

Boatie considered himself 'very lucky to be alive', police officer says.

Floods, closed roads a stark reminder of Northland’s vulnerability
Northern Advocate

Floods, closed roads a stark reminder of Northland’s vulnerability

10 May 05:00 PM

Officials feared for Moerewa and Ōtiria but flooding subsided in time.

Far North residents urged to cut water use after flood damages treatment plants
Northern Advocate

Far North residents urged to cut water use after flood damages treatment plants

10 May 03:12 AM

Towns affected by water woes include Paihia, Waitangi, Ōpua, Kaitāia, Ōpononi and Ōmāpere.

Northlanders advised focus on the things they can control as rain pours down
Northern Advocate

Northlanders advised focus on the things they can control as rain pours down

09 May 05:00 PM

SH1, 10 closed yet again; expert describes rainfall in Mid North as “astounding”.

Rain will ease but muggy weather to stay a bit longer
Northern Advocate

Rain will ease but muggy weather to stay a bit longer

05 May 05:00 PM

Relief on way from rain for Northlanders, but humid nights to stick around

Sign reveals Kāinga Ora’s plans for six-storey building in Kerikeri — except it’s a hoax
Northern Advocate

Sign reveals Kāinga Ora’s plans for six-storey building in Kerikeri — except it’s a hoax

05 May 05:00 PM

Resource consent sign added fuel to fire of social housing debate until truth came out.

Kerikeri residents urged to cut water use after pipe break
Northern Advocate

Kerikeri residents urged to cut water use after pipe break

04 May 06:00 AM

Pipes fixed but silt in town's water source means treatment plant struggling to keep up.

Premium
Social housing concerns spark record public meeting in Kerikeri
Northern Advocate

Social housing concerns spark record public meeting in Kerikeri

04 May 03:51 AM

Kāinga Ora a no-show as almost 800 people crowd into venue and another 375 follow online.

Northland business making emergency homes for cyclone-hit families in Tairāwhiti
Northern Advocate

Northland business making emergency homes for cyclone-hit families in Tairāwhiti

03 May 05:00 PM

Site Scope has delivered four transportable homes so far with eight more to come.

‘Seatbelts save lives’: Crash victim may have survived if she’d buckled up, coroner says
Northern Advocate

‘Seatbelts save lives’: Crash victim may have survived if she’d buckled up, coroner says

03 May 05:00 PM

The single-vehicle crash on SH1 killed a 26-year-old mum and injured her relative.

Awards celebrate the best of region's hospitality
Northern Advocate

Awards celebrate the best of region's hospitality

03 May 05:00 PM

Awards night an outstanding success for Russell with the town claiming 8 out of 15 titles.

Kāinga Ora won't come to public meeting about Kerikeri social housing plans
Northern Advocate

Kāinga Ora won't come to public meeting about Kerikeri social housing plans

02 May 05:00 PM

The housing agency says it has to be neutral so can’t take part in the 'political' event.

Premium
‘Don’t be an idiot’: Man’s plea after losing mum, little brother in head-on crash
Northern Advocate

‘Don’t be an idiot’: Man’s plea after losing mum, little brother in head-on crash

01 May 05:00 PM

Grieving family wants tougher penalties for fatal crash drivers under influence of drugs.

Double-fatal crash driver had meth, cannabis in his system
Northern Advocate

Double-fatal crash driver had meth, cannabis in his system

01 May 05:00 PM

The judge acknowledged the sentence would not be enough to satisfy the victims' whānau.

Northlanders bracing for more rain this week
Northern Advocate

Northlanders bracing for more rain this week

01 May 04:38 AM

Another northerly flow with several fronts is set to bring more rain to Northland.

Northland mum and three kids suffer burns as homestead razed by fire
Northern Advocate

Northland mum and three kids suffer burns as homestead razed by fire

01 May 12:04 AM

'Devastating' fire sparks urgent reminder of need for working smoke alarms in every home.

Classic car lovers descend on Bay of Islands for three-day auto event
Northern Advocate

Classic car lovers descend on Bay of Islands for three-day auto event

30 Apr 05:00 PM

Big crowds turn out to experience petrolhead heaven in Kaikohe, Kerikeri and Waitangi.

Showers and cloudy periods in store for Northland after storm eases
Northern Advocate

Showers and cloudy periods in store for Northland after storm eases

30 Apr 05:00 PM

A catamaran broke free of its mooring and thousands were without power in Northland.

Kerikeri road closure plan tweaked after outcry over GP access
Northern Advocate

Kerikeri road closure plan tweaked after outcry over GP access

28 Apr 05:53 AM

Road closure would have also stopped some Kerikeri residents driving home.

Premium
Far North’s only indoor pool closes after part of roof falls off, hits staff member
Northern Advocate

Far North’s only indoor pool closes after part of roof falls off, hits staff member

26 Apr 05:00 PM

Swimmers look forward to re-opening after training in chilly outdoor pools.

‘Let us have peace’: Last survivor of 28th Māori Battalion appeals for end to wars
Northern Advocate

‘Let us have peace’: Last survivor of 28th Māori Battalion appeals for end to wars

26 Apr 12:58 AM

Sir 'Bom' Gillies wraps up Anzac Day by gifting a battle memorial flag to Treaty Grounds.

'Let us never forget their sacrifice': Thousands brave cold-snap to commemorate Anzac Day
Northern Advocate

'Let us never forget their sacrifice': Thousands brave cold-snap to commemorate Anzac Day

24 Apr 09:22 PM

As dawn breaks Northlanders commemorates the country's fallen soldiers.

Social housing plans spark town meeting in Kerikeri
Northern Advocate

Social housing plans spark town meeting in Kerikeri

23 Apr 05:00 PM

Organisers say they support more social housing but it needs to be part of a broader plan.

Russell ferry collision sparks calls for mandatory boatie training
Northern Advocate

Russell ferry collision sparks calls for mandatory boatie training

21 Apr 05:00 PM

Opponents of boating licences view the sea as ‘the last bastion of freedom’.

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • The Northern Advocate e-edition
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Subscribe to the Northern Advocate
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The Northern Advocate
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP