Sarah Curtis is a Multimedia Journalist for The Northern Advocate.
Sarah Curtis is a Multimedia Journalist with the Northern Advocate, based in Whangārei, where she focuses on a range of issues. She has been a journalist for about 20 years and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference to everyday people - helping to give them a voice, highlight inequities and hold authorities to account. Much of Sarah's career has been in covering the courts - mainly in Gisborne and on the East Coast. She is especially passionate about Environmental issues. Sarah is qualified with a Certificate in Journalism, from Aoraki Polytechnic in Timaru, and also has a degree in Fine Arts from the Dunedin School of Art and a post-graduate diploma in secondary teaching from Waikato University. In her spare time, Sarah likes to spend time exploring New Zealand's natural spaces, particularly Northland’s beaches. She is also a keen photographer. You can contact Sarah at Sarah.Curtis@nzme.co.nz.
The Good Drop: Warehouse, Salvation Army team up for textile recycling
Donors receive a 10% voucher for clothing purchases over $30 as an incentive.
Kaipara mayoral hopefuls on rates, museums and what they would do differently
Kaipara's rates hike is 8.3%, with a targeted rate of $14 per property for three museums.
'Massive milestone': Rare native geckos, parrots return amid pest-control success
Bay Bush Action has removed more than 21,000 possums and nearly 48,000 rats
Slip closes Mangamuka Gorge as severe weather lashes Northland
Areas affected include Whangaroa Rd, Matangirau and parts of Wainui Rd.
Kaipara museums get first council funding - and a debt wipe for Mangawhai
A targeted rate will generate about $213,000 to be split among three museums.
How a sinking pallet raft set one teen on a journey to sailing success
Aaron aims to become a naval architect and sail to destinations like Antarctica.
'Real uncertainty': Residents question 8.3% rates hike
Dargaville locals are concerned about whether the increase will improve infrastructure.
Why $450k costs award in sand mining case is back in court spotlight
The Environment Court found the original cost award fair and reasonable.
Man who knocked officer unconscious fails to reduce prison sentence
Joseph Graham's appeal was dismissed, with the sentence deemed appropriate.
Kaipara confirms 8.3% rates rise, including targeted fee for local museums
Kaipara announces new rating level lower than the 8.9% previously signalled.
Why 43 Whangārei drivers avoided fines for disability park misuse
Public questions large number of successfully disputed tickets for unauthorised parking.
Northland firm to pay $15.5k for unauthorised marine structures
Judge awarded nearly 75% of costs to avoid burdening ratepayers.
Snow Tane runs for Kaipara mayor, vows to restore trust and integrity
Tane, 64, currently leads the Te Rororoa Development Group, active in multiple sectors.
Former Wimbledon champ's academy set to boost Northland tennis
The academy will offer beginner lessons, squad training, private coaching, and camps.
'It's time to pass the baton': Chorus marks 30 years with leadership change
They’ve performed barbershop and modern a cappella since 1992.
Northland stakeholders cautious on urgent RMA reforms
Northland stakeholders show cautious support for RMA changes but want deeper reform.
Northland woman's plan to tackle boy racer culture gains traction
Ren Haskell is leading a grassroots initiative to tackle burnout culture in Northland.
2000 litres of petrol allegedly stolen from Northland service station
Mani Kaur and her husband confronted the thieves during the second theft.
Northland retirement village residents rally for urgent law changes
Public consultation on the Retirement Villages Act review began in 2023.
Environment Court approves 115-lot rural subdivision near Kerikeri
Neil Construction's development covers 68 hectares of Kerikeri's rural fringe land
New hope: NZ fairy tern population sees promising growth
Post-season monitoring recorded 50 individual tara iti, up from 33 last year.
Pilot study reveals stormwater inflow causing sewage spills at Parua Bay
WDC says it is working with Parua Bay residents to fix private stormwater inflow sources.
Northland wetland case highlights RMA challenges amid reforms
The Environment Court approved an agreement for wetland remediation.
Why Northland is key in NZ's $17m pasture resilience project
Farmers, scientists, and Māori organisations are collaborating on solutions.
'No excuse': High fines fail to deter misuse of mobility parking
The fine for parking in disability spaces rose from $150 to $750 last October.
'We are always on edge': Māori trust's fight against resort development
Local Māori claim the resort has depleted shellfish and fish stocks.
DoC vows wildlife law changes won't let developers off the hook
DoC says ecological planning and protections are not affected by the Wildlife Act changes.
Twelve champions for Northland celebrated in King's Birthday Honours
From family violence prevention to services to Māori, locals' dedication recognised.
Dargaville has almost no water left: Residents told to conserve
Dargaville's 5000 residents were asked to stop using water this morning.
Bargaining over nature: Windfarm got go-ahead after increased funding offer to DoC
Conservationist calls for transparency on $640,000 bittern protection fund.
New solar battery farm could get Northland up and running faster after a blackout
Meridian's new facility can power 60,000 homes, boosting Northland's grid.
Police seek new leads following snatching of 33 designer dogs
Police seek information on 19 dogs, 14 puppies and three parrots taken near Whangārei.
How one man's passion for tradition and giant kūmara is empowering Northland youth
Malcolm Wano and Kiahara Takareki Trust in Moerewa want to inspire young people.
'They're people just like us': Onerahi resident supports vehicle dwellers
Rachel Aldridge defends vehicle dwellers, calling them part of the community.
MP defends against backlash from conservationist over Govt’s changes to Wildlife Act
Shane Jones says protection of wildlife should not disrupt development.
Northland vets warn of botulism risk for dogs
Bay of Islands Vets treated two dogs for suspected botulism recently.
Vehicle dwellers spark tension at beachside community
Residents claim vehicle dwellers make the Onerahi foreshore unsafe.
'Unsettling time': Police seek info in Northland homicide case
Police have launched a homicide inquiry and are calling on the public for information.
Bird experts at oddsd over native parapara trees
Robert Webb advises removing parapara trees; Ian McLean suggests trimming flowers instead.
Smooth recovery: Emergency services stood down after Whangārei plane crash
The light plane took a nose dive on landing, but the pilot was not seriously hurt.
Court orders removal of unauthorised structures in Bay of Islands
A company ignored requests to remove a pontoon and rubber fenders.
Northland suffers flooding, slips and downed trees with more wet weather to come
A slip closed SH1's Mangamuka Gorge, recently reopened after two years.
'You've got rat bite fever': Northland woman's warning to trappers
She touched a live rat briefly, leading to severe infection and sepsis.
Missing in Northland: 10 people still out there somewhere
Only two of the 10 missing Northlanders are on the police's public list.
Young Northlanders turning out in droves for Anzac Day ceremonies
Round up of today's Anzac Day celebrations around Northland
Subdivision deal clears path for new homes, despite quarry concerns
Houses cut from a Hikurangi subdivision plan in a settlement with a concrete company.
Dazed petrel found under fire appliance at Whangārei Station
Sea birds became disorientated by the storm, landing exhausted in urban areas.
Road closures, power cuts, 12m swells: Cyclone Tam hammers Northland
About 13,000 without power as Cyclone Tam batters North.
Libelle’s school lunch woes predate government changes, ex-worker claims
Far North school lunch worker believes food provider Libelle was mismanaged from start.
Blueberry growers thrive with bumper crop
Packhouse director Patrick Malley points to exciting future for Northland horticulture.
Tsunami siren removed due to lack of community consultation
Northland's new tsunami siren system will be tested at 10am tomorrow.
One dead after car vs truck collision at Haruru
Driver dies at scene of fatal crash at Haruru, near Paihia
Firefighters tackling large vegetation fire near Mangakahia
More than 20 firefighters are onsite at a large vegetation fire at Nukutawhiti
Homecoming match: Trailblazing ref set for milestone game
International rugby referee Natarsha Ganley will finally be on home turf in Whangārei.
‘Tough to prosecute’: Community reels as boat thefts escalate
The owners found their stolen boats hidden in mangroves up the Waitangi River.
'Loved by all' Remembering beloved showman Eddie Hemara
Northland's beloved popular music showman Eddie Hemara died at the weekend.
85yo farmer accused of causing animals suffering
A Northland man has been charged with a number of animal welfare offences.
Hundreds of fish beached at Ninety Mile Beach due to predator chase
Experts advise caution, saying beached fish may be unsafe to eat.
Retirees claim Northland dream property fouled by neighbour’s sewage
Couple believes native trees on their lifestyle block have succumbed to sewage.
Northlanders make finals in Young Māori Farmer Award
Two Northland men are among leading three in this year's Young Māori Farmer Award
Judge reserves decision on Whangārei’s last-ditch effort to stall fluoridation
The High Court has heard Whangārei District Council's application for an injunction.
‘Sky’s the limit’ for overseas kingfish market as demand far outweighs supply
Less than a year open, Northland's kingfish farm is already getting national recognition.
‘What an adventure’: Woman sets sailing world record around Northland
Fiona Heenan has set a world record for the longest distance sailed by a woman in a dinghy
Total fire ban for all of Northland as 11ha blaze in scrub contained
Far North fire crews have managed to contain a large blaze in vegetation at Mangakahia.
‘Making a difference’: Sailor’s 600km Guinness record bid for charity
A woman is in Northland as part of her attempt to set a world sailing record.
Students claim man tried to get them into his vehicle
Police and school staff are warning students not to accept rides from stranger
How a rates breakthrough will help other Māori landowners
Robyn Martin-Kemp will discuss the case at Waitangi, highlighting rates protections.
Planned floating restaurant will be a walk down memory lane for many
Old Northland ferry gets glamorous makeover for new gig as a floating restaurant.
Court again rejects ministry's management plan for Northland's cray fishery
The judge found the revised proposal did not address an urgent marine crisis.
Homeless family camps at Whangārei beach for more than a month, draws complaints
The family camped at Parua Bay Yacht Club for over a month.
‘It’s real bad’: Northland’s shocking rate of vehicle testing failures
More than a quarter of the country's vehicles fail their fitness checks on testing
Missing boat still a big hazard, owner considers court action
A ketch left to drift on police instructions during a rescue last year remains missing.
Final curtain call for much-loved theatre stalwart killed in Kaipara crash
Michael Craig Collins (Mike) died in a single-vehicle crash at Kaipara this month.
Teenager named as victim of shooting at Whangārei layby
Police have released the name of a teenager fatally shot at a layby area in Ōtaika.
Stockman tramples council's claims mustering wild cattle is too dangerous and difficult
A man claims he offered a year ago to deal with wild cattle problem on Whangārei Heads.
Campground visitor fee dispute sparks tension for holidaying family
A woman was charged a $20 visitor fee for an hour stay at Tauranga Bay Holiday Park.
Mooring piracy rampant during windy summer – Harbourmaster
Mooring piracy has been an issue for boaties in Northland this summer.
Northland farmers see golden tourism opportunity
The Northland farming couple turning fields into gold
Police make Whangārei robberies arrest after spotting suspect vehicle
Police have arrested a 16-year-old on suspicion of involvement in two robberies.
Kiwi dies of dehydration amid Northland’s dry conditions, rain offers relief
Ranger Bevan Morgan found the kiwi unconscious on January 11.