Open Justice multimedia journalist, Northland
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.
Man's bug horror find in late night snack
Whangārei man finds cockroach in a block of Woolworth's supermarket brand cheese.
'Pretty remarkable': 600 native frogs rehomed during Brynderwyns roading project
There are strict protocols for construction in the environmentally sensitive Brynderwyns.
Govt’s cellphone ban in schools: What Northland principals think
Schools say ban has had a positive effect but question whether it needed to be imposed.
Motorheads revved up to see downtown street sprints in action
Thousands line streets in Whangārei's CBD for Northland Street Sprints.
Court only option after councils clear Semenoff of subsidence concerns
Developer Stan Semenoff has been cleared of a nearby resident's concerns
Odd visitor to supermarket carpark keeps shoppers guessing
An odd-looking gull is causing bird-watchers to do a double take.
Brynderwyns to be retired, replaced by new highway within 10 years: Brown
Roading work is expected to last up to 10 years, Transport Minister says.
Injured man's wife says council, contractors need health and safety 'shake-up'
The wife of a badly injured man says an unsafe footbridge should have simply been closed.
'Heartless': Grieving families upset over request to remove graveside tributes
A grieving Whangarei family have been told to clear tributes from a gravesite lawn.
Resident despairs over former Whangārei mayor’s earthmoving activities
A Manuka Place resident fears his property might be the next to be condemned.
Northlanders watching their pennies as retail spending tanks nationally
Retail spending continues to fall in the region, shop owners and economists confirm.
Brynderwyn road closure: nearly 100,000 tonnes of soil cut so far
Kiwi sniffer dog among the 520 workers on massive SH1 project.
Man's anguish after dogs go missing from backyard
A dog owner fears the worse after his mastiffs went missing from their fenced yard.
Trucking company chasing former mayor Stan Semenoff for unpaid debt
The Multispares claim was advertised last week in the NZ Gazette.
Third person arrested in Mangamuka homicide investigation
Police have made another arrest in relation to the death of a man in Mangamuka
Does a criminal's 'appalling upbringing' require softer punishment?
Some judges question whether commissioned written cultural reports are really necessary.
Trial date set for two men accused of central city murder
Two men will stand trial in November for the murder of Haze Peihopa in Whangārei in 2021.
Harassment case: The tourist obsessed with her ex-boss - judge overturns conviction
Sand-duning accident led to mental ill-health and obsession, says appeal judge.
'You used your daughter as a sex toy': Man jailed for 10 years, judge expresses shock
Man who sexually abused his primary-school-aged daughter, jailed for more than 10 years.
Frustrated dad repeatedly pounded daughter's head into cupboard door
A judge says the man "simply lost it" when the 11-year-old wouldn't go to bed.
Convicted teen rapist wins sentence discount
Denial does not necessarily preclude the possibility of rehabilitation, Appeal Court says.
Wealthy Northland property owner admits his dog killed a kiwi
Brian Angliss will oppose the mandatory destruction of his dog.
Ex-Whangārei mayor fined $15,500 for air pollution, refused discharge without conviction
The judge said Stan Semenoff took two years to finally school his staff on handling fires.
Decision soon on whether teens accused of Northland man's murder are fit to stand trial
Youths charged with murder of Northland man await decision on fitness to stand trial
Starving animals suffer for months on Tangowahine farm
A Dargaville lifestyle farmer has been fined for failing to care for several animals.
Drug dealer says rehab changed his life as he escapes jail term
Court says addict drug-dealer, facing 77 charges, genuinely realised harm meth causes.
Man jailed for 30-years of 'monstrous and ongoing' sexual offending
Man's sexual abuse of relatives continued even after he was given a chance to stop.
Bucket of toheroa proves expensive takeaway for man
People caught unlawfully in possession of toheroa can face fines of up to $20,000.
Youth walks on 10 charges, judge criticises tardy health service
Youth walks free from another 10 charges due to delayed psychological report.
Man stomped on his partner's ankle, then beat her the next day with the crutch she was using
Sentence a 'reward' for man with 100-plus convictions who joined rehab programme.
Children's life in squalor
A jury has accepted children's claims of years of abuse by their meth-using mum
Watch: Mask refuser tasered, arrest captured on CCTV
Store's mask policy negated Health Ministry's guidelines, Northland man Brad Flutey says.
Illegal supply of two-way radios a serious problem, authorities say
A man caught illegally importing and selling two way radios faces fine of up to $30,000.
Inmate lights fire in cell, disabling prison block's sprinklers
When asked why he destroyed his cell, Fraser said he was 'sick of being dicked around'.
Judge says drink-driver's case a rare exception to those normally resulting in prison
Judge accepts drink driver a good person who made a "terrible, terrible" decision to drive
Girl says abuse accusations against mum all lies
Asked by a prosecutor why she previously lied, the girl said, 'dunno - can't remember'.
'I got kicked three times': Mother on trial for ill-treatment of her nine children
Mother on trial accused of assaulting, neglecting, and ill-treating her children.
Access to ancestral land essential to cultural identity: Māori Land Court judge
Judge says Far North case highlights land as an important ancestral treasure for Māori.
Teen roped into knifepoint dairy robbery by his older brother
Younger of two brothers sentenced for his part in aggravated robbery of Whangārei dairy.
Driver's plan to evade checkpoint backfires when police tow his van
Driver who fled checkpoint tried to collect his van the next day but police had towed it.
Two nights of 'bizarre' driving ends in 12 months jail
Driver who evaded police checkpoint one night, led police on high-speed chase the next.
'Warts and all' cultural report outlines woman's violent and abusive upbringing
A woman who stabbed her mother's boyfriend has been jailed for two years and nine months.
Teen killer jailed: Man's search for friendship ends in 'pain and dying alone'
Judge says life imprisonment appropriate for teen who killed mate in brutal knife attack.
Drink-driver rams petrol pump, attacks cabbie with scissors
When passenger leaned forward to drink his coffee, driver knew he was in trouble.
Former mayor allowed colleagues to light polluting fire at his business premises
Former mayor found guilty of air pollution although he did not light large rubbish fire.
Ex-Whangārei mayor convicted of polluting air
Environment Court judge finds former Whangarei mayor guilty of causing air pollution
'I was so scared': Sexual tryst led to knife-point robbery ordeal for man
Man terrified after paying for a sexual liaison that turned into a knife-point robbery
Meth cook guarded drug supermarket with a machine gun
Man caught cooking meth in Northland had powerful firearms including a machine gun.
'In any other country in the world you would be dead': Judge
Police officers left the force after being shot at by a man who also wounded a police dog.
Whangārei at risk of looking lawless after weekend brawl - judge
"What makes this pretty bad ... is the arrogance of it."
$17m Lotto winner alleges woman spent $2.8m on properties for herself
Mark Lipsham gave Kim Helmbright nearly $3m within two months of meeting her
Big Lotto win? Here's what you need to do to protect your money
A $17 million dollar winner ended up in legal dispute with a woman over two properties.
Twist in $17 million Lotto winner's property dispute with woman
Mark Lipsham had only known Kim Helmbright for eight weeks when he gave her $2.8m
Cafe workers owed $150k for abrupt sacking - wealthy US owners can't be made to pay
The Snells Beach café, now in liquidation, was owned by a wealthy American couple.
Lawyer claims seasonal work scheme agreements breach employment laws
Seasonal employment scheme workers take a Hawke's Bay firm to court over pay deductions.
Man denies murdering Hokianga mum Gaelene Bright
The man accused of murdering Northland woman Gaelene Bright can now be named.
Interpreter charged as immigration officials unearth asylum seeker scam
Immigration staff discover group's scheme to exploit refugee and protection system.
'Pull your head in': Judge to woman who breached home detention
Woman who twice breached home detention pleads with judge to let her stay on the sentence
Northland's 'tooth fairy' continues long wait for court hearing
Five days of court time needed for Northland's "tooth fairy" case involving 20 witnesses
Man facing fine for carving up native kauri and tawa
Northlander found guilty of illegally milling native kauri and tawa.
'At some point' teen intended to meet girl for sex: Judge
Man instigated sexually explicit exchange of messages with 12-year-old Facebook friend.
Popular judge will preside for another two years before fully retiring
Northland's Judge John McDonald will preside for another two years before fully retiring
Woman lured from van by man who claimed she had a flat tyre
Intoxicated man tricks woman out of her van and drives away, refusing to stop for police.
Delayed report, Oranga Tamariki's actions enabled more robberies by 14yo - lawyers
The 23 other charges he faces may be dropped due to delay in getting psychological report.
Man caught with child sex abuse publications fights to keep his name secret
Man files appeal against refusal to grant him permanent name suppression.
Gaelene Bright's alleged killer appears in Northland court
The man accused of murdering Northland woman Gaelene Bright appears in court
Woman hits 'rock bottom' after man secretly films sex act
Man told victim he was using his phone for its torch during intimate encounter.
Brad Flutey claims no legislation to support mandatory mask wearing in public facilities
Flutey elects judge-alone trial to defend charges laid after a scuffle with police
Passenger admits aiding driver of fleeing car to shoot at police
Passenger in fleeing car admits steering car while driver fires directly at an officer.
'He looked down the sights at me': Cop shot at in pursuit
Passenger accused of deliberately assisting a driver to aim a gun at pursuing police
Former New Zealand women's rugby league team physiotherapist denied shot at Supreme Court appeal
Northland physio Skye Renes denied Supreme Court appeal against ACC fraud convictions.
Judge tells drink-driver his excuses are 'bulls***'
Judge Greg Davis calls repeat drink-driver out on his excuses for endangering the public.
Judge concerned jail will entrench teen's criminal behaviour and gang links
A judge reluctantly jailed a teen robber, fearing he will be more antisocial on release.
'Had I not had my stroke, had I been on top of my game, that fire would not have been lit' - Semenoff
Former Mayor says illegal rubbish fire was not his doing
Sick baby may have lived if he wasn't sent home from emergency department
The baby died two days after being sent home from a half-hour ED visit.
Uretiti Beach not patrolled despite being known drowning hot spot
Report highlights coroners' comments after four Northland drownings
14-yo armed robbery suspect walks free after police botch arrest
Judge believed police wanted to make sure teen didn't get bail again.
Boy, 8, permanently disabled in crash caused by 11-time drink-driver
Recidivist drink-driver Peter Stringfellow was subject to supervision when he reoffended.