Susan Botting is the Local Democracy Reporter for Northland.
Susan has been working at the Northern Advocate as Local Democracy Reporter since November 2019. She is part of the national Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) project and her work focusses on Northland democracy. Susan has been a journalist for 20 years in a career that has mixed communication and education. That time includes working at the Northern Advocate agricultural editor. She has a Bachelor of Education and a Diploma in Journalism. Susan is a registered teacher and worked at Northland Regional Council for more than 15 years as a kaiako taio encouraging teachers and students around Te Tai Tokerau how to get involved in looking after the world around them. Susan was also part of Northland Civil Defence for several years while at the council, working in communication and education. She was also council volunteer co-ordinator. Susan has a passion for storytelling and loves photography. She loves Northland and enjoys sailing plus anything to do with the ocean and is a former Tūtūkākā South Pacific Yacht Club commodore.
'Posed little to no risk': Sand mining company defends operations
The sandspit has lost 420,000 tonnes of sand in six years.
‘Economic disaster’: $100m threat if Mangawhai sandspit breaches
Mangawhai sandspit has lost more than 420,000 tonnes of non-replenishing sand.
Kaipara’s ‘Trump of the North’ Jepson exits mayoral race, endorses deputy
Craig Jepson won't seek a second term as Kaipara Mayor in October.
Northland Regional Council: Ratepayers not providing huge money needed for caulerpa fight
The seaweed now covers about 280 rugby fields around 20 Bay of Islands locations.
Bay of Islands boat anchoring ban unlikely to expand despite caulerpa spread
Biosecurity NZ under pressure as invasive caulerpa expands.
Over 300 expected for NZ's first major caulerpa webinar
It has been organised by Northland’s Conquer Caulerpa Trust.
Northland divers start New Zealand-first elimination work on invasive seaweed
'Time is of the essence in the fight against caulerpa.'
The $9.4b seaweed threat: Unchecked caulerpa risks economic havoc
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has challenged the $9.4b economic impact figure.
Conservation Minister visits Bay of Islands to see caulerpa’s 'catastrophic' impacts
Tama Potaka said it was worse than he had imagined.
Far North fluoridation expansion on horizon as non-compliance continues
The Ministry of Health is paying the two towns’ initial fluoridation infrastructure costs.
Aucklanders with Northland homes can vote in local elections
Only one non-resident vote is allowed per property.
Fencing for Kaitāia's campervan dump station after ongoing sewage spills
People ignoring closed signs at the Kaitāia dump site are causing a public health hazard.
Whangārei Matariki festival organisers call for participants to boost event
Puanga is the star that guides Matariki to the New Year.
Northland leaders urge ongoing caution as ex-tropical cyclone blasts region
About 24,000 Northlanders are currently without power.
Northland Civil Defence leader: Govt must 'wave the big stick' over telcos' storm failure
Thousands are without phone connections and power in the north.
Kaipara council's demise feared amid water reforms
Kaipara mayor fears council's end under new water reform plans.
Local elections: Northland mayors could face in-house rivals
The elections are set for October 11.
Drone survey reveals massive sand loss from Mangawhai sandspit
The sand loss is equivalent to 26,000 truckloads over six years.
Judge rejects Whangārei’s bid to halt water fluoridation
Fluoridation of Whangārei's water will begin on March 28.
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.
Whangārei District Council backtracks on staunch fluoridation resistance
Fluoride will be added to Whangārei's water on Wednesday, pending a court ruling.
Whangārei District Council meeting on Monday to vote on fluoridation
Whangārei may start water fluoridation on Wednesday, pending council approval
‘Win for transparency’: Emergency Whangārei fluoridation meeting canned
A new meeting is set for Monday with fluoridation on the agenda.
Whangārei District Council to hold sudden closed-door fluoridation meeting
The council's closed meeting is set for 9.30am.
Northland mayors lead the pack for popularity
Moko Tepania was voted the country's most popular mayor.
20,000 people attend Northland Field Days
Hundreds of hours of volunteering went into making it happen.
‘Disheartening to hear’: Caulerpa spreads to major tourist hotspot
Caulerpa has been found at six new locations near Paihia.
Future energy, tourism lead Northland’s economic development plan
Opportunity sectors are energy, tourism, primary manufacturing and marine manufacturing.
‘Biggest threat’: Northland fears Gene Technology Bill may erode GMO-free protections
Local councils want to keep decision-making powers over gene technology.
Whangārei fluoridation order sparks backlash from Winston Peters
Winston Peters called the fluoridation mandate a 'despotic Soviet-era disgrace'.
Whangārei District Council risks jail over defying fluoridation order
The council defies a government order to fluoridate water by March 28.
Kaipara Council seeks $24k costs after Māori ward court challenge
Mayor Jepson said defending the challenge cost over $160,000.
‘Double economic production’: Plans for Northland’s growth unveiled
Four key opportunities were identified at a workshop in Whangārei on January 31.
Top health official threatens to override Whangārei fluoridation refusal
The Health Act could force fluoridation if district council refuses compliance.
‘Bloody horrific’: Worm pest gains stronghold in Northland
'It is a definite threat and concern'.
The community mission to protect Northland’s iconic surf beach dunes
Native dune plants thrive in constant movement.
‘We’re not out of the woods yet’: Rain brings limited relief as Northland continues to dry out
Report says the region is classified as very dry.
New Zealand-first $200m education-arts hub on the cards for Whangārei
Whangārei plans $200m KEA hub to boost education and arts in city centre.
Meet Kaipara's fishing-mad mayor - the “Trump of the North”
'I’m not scared to confront issues we need to discuss.'
Mitimiti magic for Far North Mayor, at the end of the winding gravel road
'This is the birthplace of New Zealand. Welcome home.'
Whangārei Mayor's waistcoats add style to summer gardening
It is a time for family and friends for the mayor.
Court rejects challenge to Kaipara's ditching of Māori ward
The district council's Māori ward will disappear for the local elections next year.
Whangārei council challenges fluoride mandate with High Court threat
WDC risks $200,000 fines, seeks deadline extension amid legal battle.
Te Tai Tokerau iwi marks 'significant milestone' in council relations
'We are adamant we must cut a path forward.'
Mayor pays for $8k video pushing for mangrove removal in Mangawhai
Craig Jepson's documentary-style film states case for clearing 20ha of mangroves.
Government criticised over caulerpa plans as boating season peaks
Ngāti Kuta's Louise Clarke calls for urgent caulerpa surveillance as summer boat influx begins.
Whangārei’s fluoridation fracas flares as deadline nears
The council is required to add fluoride to its water by March 2025.
Far North Mayor Moko Tepania outlines recovery plans at first state-style address
Mayor Moko Tepania outlines Far North's recovery plans at first state address in Kerikeri.
Students inspired at first te reo Māori immersion careers workshop
About 8000 students have been through the Inspiring the Future programme.
Kaipara councillor wears a Mickey Mouse T-shirt to meetings over 'worrying state of democracy'
The mayor disagrees with the councillor's comments.
Four Northlanders honoured for over 100 years of community service
Honours recognise 'the aroha the community has for these four'.
Northlanders help survey wetland bird at risk of extinction
Hundreds of people have signed up for the first national citizen's-science bittern count.
Freshwater focus for Northland education events
An estimated 25,000-plus students are involved in the programme.
Thousands turn out to Whangārei’s second annual maritime festival
Thousands descended on the Town Basin for the Maritime Festival
Far North’s cyclone damaged properties in line for buyout and relocation
Council staff have started working with the affected owners.
Hugely popular Whangārei Maritime Festival to set sail this weekend
The free festival celebrates the district’s maritime spirit.
Whangārei's fledgling cruise ship industry expected to boom
The first cruise ship season brought $420,600 to the district.
Ngāpuhi hapū leader calls for $8 billion Treaty redress during Govt visit
Minister Paul Goldsmith said his purpose at the hui was to listen.
'We had always held out hope': Kaipara council axes iwi relationship agreements
One of the canned agreements had been in place for more than 20 years.
Kaipara council keeps political review despite pending Māori ward ruling
Judge yet to rule on legal challenge on whether Māori ward remains in place for election.
Northland's biggest solar farm major boost for regional resilience: Mayors
New Zealand's first battery energy storage site is expected to be in action by late 2026.
Northlander’s te reo Māori journey: From opera singer to council interpreter
Opera singer Kawiti Waetford converts council meetings from te reo Māori to English
Far North council meeting heralds new te reo Māori dawn
A council meeting held in 80% te reo Māori heralds ongoing growth in the language’s use.
Kaipara Council says Māori ward should not return, if consultation breach found
Kaipara District Council defends decision to abolish Māori ward in court
Kaipara District Council face Māori ward legal challenge in High Court
Rūnanga applies for judicial review into process council used to abolish Māori ward.
Far North council sticks with Māori ward, but challenges polling requirement
The Far North District Council is the last of 45 to decide on its Māori ward.
Far North Māori ward decision postponed to respect Kiingi Tūheitia's burial
Far North District Council’s Māori ward decision meeting is being postponed
Bay of Islands invasive caulerpa battle gears up with $10m boost
World-leading caulerpa eradication trials are taking a major step forward.
Former Mayor Sheryl Mai speaks out against Whangārei’s Māori ward polling move
Whangārei District Council voted to keep its Māori ward.
Northland Regional Council keeps Māori seats but pushes back against polling
Northland Regional Council pushes back against polling
Councils challenge new Māori ward polling law
Over 80% of councils at today's meeting opposed being forced to hold a poll on the wards.
'Do the right thing': Northland Māori leader calls on PM to ‘sack’ Act from coalition
Pita Tipene said the Kaipara meeting felt unsafe at times.
Kaipara ratepayers face $25k bill after Māori ward abolished
The review is required under new government legislation.
Kaipara District Council votes to disestablish Māori ward
Mayor Craig Jepson said he was elated at the decision.
Māori leader calls for Kaipara mayor’s resignation over Māori ward move
Dame Naida Glavish says push to scrap Māori ward is unacceptable.
Kaipara council poised to become first to can Māori ward
Mayor Craig Jepson said he would be voting to remove the ward.
Far North council calls for parts of fast-track bill to be wiped
Council fears mining on historic Māori sites under fast-track bill.
NRC warns fast-tracked legislation lacks adequate focus on adverse effects
The regional council says the fast-track bill is too focused on projects' benefits.
Māori ward polling requirements becoming law this week
Compulsory Māori ward polling to become law this week.
Northland councils want changes as fast-tracked future looms
The one-stop shop consenting legislation aims to cut red tape and speed up major projects.