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Sarah Curtis
Multimedia Journalist
Northland, New Zealand

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.

Check out Sarah’s latest content
'I didn’t have time to think': Well-known local rescues woman from rising flood
Northern Advocate

'I didn’t have time to think': Well-known local rescues woman from rising flood

16 Jul 06:00 AM
The Good Drop: Warehouse, Salvation Army team up for textile recycling
Northern Advocate

The Good Drop: Warehouse, Salvation Army team up for textile recycling

14 Jul 04:00 AM

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
Northern Advocate

Kaipara mayoral hopefuls on rates, museums and what they would do differently

14 Jul 12:00 AM

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
Northern Advocate

'Massive milestone': Rare native geckos, parrots return amid pest-control success

11 Jul 06:00 PM

Bay Bush Action has removed more than 21,000 possums and nearly 48,000 rats

Slip closes Mangamuka Gorge as severe weather lashes Northland
Northern Advocate

Slip closes Mangamuka Gorge as severe weather lashes Northland

11 Jul 05:46 AM

Areas affected include Whangaroa Rd, Matangirau and parts of Wainui Rd.

Kaipara museums get first council funding - and a debt wipe for Mangawhai
Northern Advocate

Kaipara museums get first council funding - and a debt wipe for Mangawhai

10 Jul 05:00 PM

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
Northern Advocate

How a sinking pallet raft set one teen on a journey to sailing success

10 Jul 05:00 PM

Aaron aims to become a naval architect and sail to destinations like Antarctica.

'Real uncertainty': Residents question 8.3% rates hike
Northern Advocate

'Real uncertainty': Residents question 8.3% rates hike

10 Jul 03:37 AM

Dargaville locals are concerned about whether the increase will improve infrastructure.

Why $450k costs award in sand mining case is back in court spotlight
Northern Advocate

Why $450k costs award in sand mining case is back in court spotlight

10 Jul 12:00 AM

The Environment Court found the original cost award fair and reasonable.

Man who knocked officer unconscious fails to reduce prison sentence
Northern Advocate

Man who knocked officer unconscious fails to reduce prison sentence

08 Jul 02:46 AM

Joseph Graham's appeal was dismissed, with the sentence deemed appropriate.

Kaipara confirms 8.3% rates rise, including targeted fee for local museums
Northern Advocate

Kaipara confirms 8.3% rates rise, including targeted fee for local museums

04 Jul 12:00 AM

Kaipara announces new rating level lower than the 8.9% previously signalled.

Why 43 Whangārei drivers avoided fines for disability park misuse
Northern Advocate

Why 43 Whangārei drivers avoided fines for disability park misuse

03 Jul 11:00 PM

Public questions large number of successfully disputed tickets for unauthorised parking.

Northland firm to pay $15.5k for unauthorised marine structures
Northern Advocate

Northland firm to pay $15.5k for unauthorised marine structures

02 Jul 05:00 PM

Judge awarded nearly 75% of costs to avoid burdening ratepayers.

Snow Tane runs for Kaipara mayor, vows to restore trust and integrity
Northern Advocate

Snow Tane runs for Kaipara mayor, vows to restore trust and integrity

02 Jul 12:00 AM

Tane, 64, currently leads the Te Rororoa Development Group, active in multiple sectors.

Former Wimbledon champ's academy set to boost Northland tennis
Northern Advocate

Former Wimbledon champ's academy set to boost Northland tennis

01 Jul 01:58 AM

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
Northern Advocate

'It's time to pass the baton': Chorus marks 30 years with leadership change

27 Jun 12:00 AM

They’ve performed barbershop and modern a cappella since 1992.

Northland stakeholders cautious on urgent RMA reforms
Northern Advocate

Northland stakeholders cautious on urgent RMA reforms

26 Jun 05:00 PM

Northland stakeholders show cautious support for RMA changes but want deeper reform.

Northland woman's plan to tackle boy racer culture gains traction
Northern Advocate

Northland woman's plan to tackle boy racer culture gains traction

25 Jun 03:00 AM

Ren Haskell is leading a grassroots initiative to tackle burnout culture in Northland.

2000 litres of petrol allegedly stolen from Northland service station
Northern Advocate

2000 litres of petrol allegedly stolen from Northland service station

23 Jun 04:04 AM

Mani Kaur and her husband confronted the thieves during the second theft.

Northland retirement village residents rally for urgent law changes
Northern Advocate

Northland retirement village residents rally for urgent law changes

22 Jun 05:00 PM

Public consultation on the Retirement Villages Act review began in 2023.

Environment Court approves 115-lot rural subdivision near Kerikeri
Northern Advocate

Environment Court approves 115-lot rural subdivision near Kerikeri

18 Jun 05:00 PM

Neil Construction's development covers 68 hectares of Kerikeri's rural fringe land

New hope: NZ fairy tern population sees promising growth
Northern Advocate

New hope: NZ fairy tern population sees promising growth

18 Jun 04:00 AM

Post-season monitoring recorded 50 individual tara iti, up from 33 last year.

Pilot study reveals stormwater inflow causing sewage spills at Parua Bay
Northern Advocate

Pilot study reveals stormwater inflow causing sewage spills at Parua Bay

18 Jun 12:00 AM

WDC says it is working with Parua Bay residents to fix private stormwater inflow sources.

Northland wetland case highlights RMA challenges amid reforms
Northern Advocate

Northland wetland case highlights RMA challenges amid reforms

11 Jun 05:00 PM

The Environment Court approved an agreement for wetland remediation.

Why Northland is key in NZ's $17m pasture resilience project
Northern Advocate

Why Northland is key in NZ's $17m pasture resilience project

10 Jun 11:30 PM

Farmers, scientists, and Māori organisations are collaborating on solutions.

'No excuse': High fines fail to deter misuse of mobility parking
Northern Advocate

'No excuse': High fines fail to deter misuse of mobility parking

09 Jun 05:00 PM

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
Northern Advocate

'We are always on edge': Māori trust's fight against resort development

05 Jun 03:27 AM

Local Māori claim the resort has depleted shellfish and fish stocks.

DoC vows wildlife law changes won't let developers off the hook
Northern Advocate

DoC vows wildlife law changes won't let developers off the hook

03 Jun 02:29 AM

DoC says ecological planning and protections are not affected by the Wildlife Act changes.

Twelve champions for Northland celebrated in King's Birthday Honours
Royals

Twelve champions for Northland celebrated in King's Birthday Honours

01 Jun 05:03 PM

From family violence prevention to services to Māori, locals' dedication recognised.

Dargaville has almost no water left: Residents told to conserve
Northern Advocate

Dargaville has almost no water left: Residents told to conserve

30 May 01:44 AM

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
Northern Advocate

Bargaining over nature: Windfarm got go-ahead after increased funding offer to DoC

30 May 01:17 AM

Conservationist calls for transparency on $640,000 bittern protection fund.

New solar battery farm could get Northland up and running faster after a blackout
Northern Advocate

New solar battery farm could get Northland up and running faster after a blackout

25 May 03:51 AM

Meridian's new facility can power 60,000 homes, boosting Northland's grid.

Police seek new leads following snatching of 33 designer dogs
Northern Advocate

Police seek new leads following snatching of 33 designer dogs

24 May 05:00 PM

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
Northern Advocate

How one man's passion for tradition and giant kūmara is empowering Northland youth

23 May 05:00 PM

Malcolm Wano and Kiahara Takareki Trust in Moerewa want to inspire young people.

'They're people just like us': Onerahi resident supports vehicle dwellers
Northern Advocate

'They're people just like us': Onerahi resident supports vehicle dwellers

22 May 05:00 PM

Rachel Aldridge defends vehicle dwellers, calling them part of the community.

MP defends against backlash from conservationist over Govt’s changes to Wildlife Act
Northern Advocate

MP defends against backlash from conservationist over Govt’s changes to Wildlife Act

19 May 08:05 PM

Shane Jones says protection of wildlife should not disrupt development.

Northland vets warn of botulism risk for dogs
Northern Advocate

Northland vets warn of botulism risk for dogs

19 May 05:00 PM

Bay of Islands Vets treated two dogs for suspected botulism recently.

Vehicle dwellers spark tension at beachside community
Northern Advocate

Vehicle dwellers spark tension at beachside community

16 May 05:00 PM

Residents claim vehicle dwellers make the Onerahi foreshore unsafe.

'Unsettling time': Police seek info in Northland homicide case
Northern Advocate

'Unsettling time': Police seek info in Northland homicide case

12 May 03:28 AM

Police have launched a homicide inquiry and are calling on the public for information.

Bird experts at oddsd over native parapara trees
Northern Advocate

Bird experts at oddsd over native parapara trees

12 May 12:00 AM

Robert Webb advises removing parapara trees; Ian McLean suggests trimming flowers instead.

Smooth recovery: Emergency services stood down after Whangārei plane crash
Northern Advocate

Smooth recovery: Emergency services stood down after Whangārei plane crash

11 May 11:15 PM

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
Northern Advocate

Court orders removal of unauthorised structures in Bay of Islands

06 May 03:29 AM

A company ignored requests to remove a pontoon and rubber fenders.

Northland suffers flooding, slips and downed trees with more wet weather to come
Northern Advocate

Northland suffers flooding, slips and downed trees with more wet weather to come

27 Apr 03:51 AM

A slip closed SH1's Mangamuka Gorge, recently reopened after two years.

'You've got rat bite fever': Northland woman's warning to trappers
Northern Advocate

'You've got rat bite fever': Northland woman's warning to trappers

26 Apr 05:00 PM

She touched a live rat briefly, leading to severe infection and sepsis.

Missing in Northland: 10 people still out there somewhere
Northern Advocate

Missing in Northland: 10 people still out there somewhere

25 Apr 05:00 PM

Only two of the 10 missing Northlanders are on the police's public list.

Young Northlanders turning out in droves for Anzac Day ceremonies
Northern Advocate

Young Northlanders turning out in droves for Anzac Day ceremonies

25 Apr 02:10 AM

Round up of today's Anzac Day celebrations around Northland

Subdivision deal clears path for new homes, despite quarry concerns
Northern Advocate

Subdivision deal clears path for new homes, despite quarry concerns

24 Apr 05:00 PM

Houses cut from a Hikurangi subdivision plan in a settlement with a concrete company.

Dazed petrel found under fire appliance at Whangārei Station
Northern Advocate

Dazed petrel found under fire appliance at Whangārei Station

17 Apr 11:00 PM

Sea birds became disorientated by the storm, landing exhausted in urban areas.

Road closures, power cuts, 12m swells: Cyclone Tam hammers Northland
Northern Advocate

Road closures, power cuts, 12m swells: Cyclone Tam hammers Northland

17 Apr 04:46 AM

About 13,000 without power as Cyclone Tam batters North.

Libelle’s school lunch woes predate government changes, ex-worker claims
Northern Advocate

Libelle’s school lunch woes predate government changes, ex-worker claims

10 Apr 03:00 AM

Far North school lunch worker believes food provider Libelle was mismanaged from start.

Blueberry growers thrive with bumper crop
Northern Advocate

Blueberry growers thrive with bumper crop

04 Apr 04:00 PM

Packhouse director Patrick Malley points to exciting future for Northland horticulture.

Tsunami siren removed due to lack of community consultation
Northern Advocate

Tsunami siren removed due to lack of community consultation

04 Apr 04:00 PM

Northland's new tsunami siren system will be tested at 10am tomorrow.

One dead after car vs truck collision at Haruru
Northern Advocate

One dead after car vs truck collision at Haruru

31 Mar 03:06 AM

Driver dies at scene of fatal crash at Haruru, near Paihia

Firefighters tackling large vegetation fire near Mangakahia
Northern Advocate

Firefighters tackling large vegetation fire near Mangakahia

31 Mar 02:27 AM

More than 20 firefighters are onsite at a large vegetation fire at Nukutawhiti

Homecoming match: Trailblazing ref set for milestone game
Northern Advocate

Homecoming match: Trailblazing ref set for milestone game

28 Mar 03:00 AM

International rugby referee Natarsha Ganley will finally be on home turf in Whangārei.

‘Tough to prosecute’: Community reels as boat thefts escalate
Northern Advocate

‘Tough to prosecute’: Community reels as boat thefts escalate

27 Mar 04:00 PM

The owners found their stolen boats hidden in mangroves up the Waitangi River.

'Loved by all' Remembering beloved showman Eddie Hemara
Northern Advocate

'Loved by all' Remembering beloved showman Eddie Hemara

25 Mar 11:00 PM

Northland's beloved popular music showman Eddie Hemara died at the weekend.

85yo farmer accused of causing animals suffering
Northern Advocate

85yo farmer accused of causing animals suffering

25 Mar 11:00 PM

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
Northern Advocate

Hundreds of fish beached at Ninety Mile Beach due to predator chase

23 Mar 11:00 PM

Experts advise caution, saying beached fish may be unsafe to eat.

Premium
Retirees claim Northland dream property fouled by neighbour’s sewage
Northern Advocate

Retirees claim Northland dream property fouled by neighbour’s sewage

21 Mar 07:00 PM

Couple believes native trees on their lifestyle block have succumbed to sewage.

Northlanders make finals in Young Māori Farmer Award
Northern Advocate

Northlanders make finals in Young Māori Farmer Award

20 Mar 11:00 PM

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
Northern Advocate

Judge reserves decision on Whangārei’s last-ditch effort to stall fluoridation

18 Mar 05:05 AM

The High Court has heard Whangārei District Council's application for an injunction.

Premium
‘Sky’s the limit’ for overseas kingfish market as demand far outweighs supply
Northern Advocate

‘Sky’s the limit’ for overseas kingfish market as demand far outweighs supply

16 Mar 04:00 PM

Less than a year open, Northland's kingfish farm is already getting national recognition.

‘What an adventure’: Woman sets sailing world record around Northland
Northern Advocate

‘What an adventure’: Woman sets sailing world record around Northland

10 Mar 03:00 AM

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
Northern Advocate

Total fire ban for all of Northland as 11ha blaze in scrub contained

09 Mar 01:36 AM

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
Northern Advocate

‘Making a difference’: Sailor’s 600km Guinness record bid for charity

01 Mar 02:00 AM

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
Northern Advocate

Students claim man tried to get them into his vehicle

28 Feb 05:00 AM

Police and school staff are warning students not to accept rides from stranger

How a rates breakthrough will help other Māori landowners
Northern Advocate

How a rates breakthrough will help other Māori landowners

24 Feb 09:56 PM

Robyn Martin-Kemp will discuss the case at Waitangi, highlighting rates protections.

Planned floating restaurant will be a walk down memory lane for many
Northern Advocate

Planned floating restaurant will be a walk down memory lane for many

21 Feb 05:00 PM

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
Northern Advocate

Court again rejects ministry's management plan for Northland's cray fishery

21 Feb 05:00 PM

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
Northern Advocate

Homeless family camps at Whangārei beach for more than a month, draws complaints

18 Feb 05:00 PM

The family camped at Parua Bay Yacht Club for over a month.

‘It’s real bad’: Northland’s shocking rate of vehicle testing failures
Northern Advocate

‘It’s real bad’: Northland’s shocking rate of vehicle testing failures

07 Feb 05:00 PM

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
Northern Advocate

Missing boat still a big hazard, owner considers court action

04 Feb 05:00 PM

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
Northern Advocate

Final curtain call for much-loved theatre stalwart killed in Kaipara crash

02 Feb 11:00 PM

Michael Craig Collins (Mike) died in a single-vehicle crash at Kaipara this month.

Teenager named as victim of shooting at Whangārei layby
Northern Advocate

Teenager named as victim of shooting at Whangārei layby

01 Feb 11:13 PM

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
Northern Advocate

Stockman tramples council's claims mustering wild cattle is too dangerous and difficult

31 Jan 04:00 PM

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
Northern Advocate

Campground visitor fee dispute sparks tension for holidaying family

31 Jan 04:00 PM

A woman was charged a $20 visitor fee for an hour stay at Tauranga Bay Holiday Park.

Mooring piracy rampant during windy summer – Harbourmaster
Northern Advocate

Mooring piracy rampant during windy summer – Harbourmaster

25 Jan 05:00 PM

Mooring piracy has been an issue for boaties in Northland this summer.

Northland farmers see golden tourism opportunity
Northern Advocate

Northland farmers see golden tourism opportunity

24 Jan 04:00 PM

The Northland farming couple turning fields into gold

Police make Whangārei robberies arrest after spotting suspect vehicle
Northern Advocate

Police make Whangārei robberies arrest after spotting suspect vehicle

24 Jan 02:20 AM

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
Northern Advocate

Kiwi dies of dehydration amid Northland’s dry conditions, rain offers relief

20 Jan 02:00 AM

Ranger Bevan Morgan found the kiwi unconscious on January 11.

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