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.
Northlanders asked to take photos of super-high king tides
'Your photo may help us identify areas that are already at risk from higher water levels.'
$730m Kaipara waste to energy plant moves closer
A plant could be operating by 2028.
Mayor's mum with broken hip waits two hours for ambulance
Mayor Craig Jepson said he planned to lodge a formal complaint and is seeking an apology.
Whangārei ratepayers facing huge 17.2 per cent rates hike
It's almost double the previous highest rates increase of 9 per cent in 2015/2016.
Fight against invasive seaweed caulerpa boosted by $5m Govt funding
Northlanders have been urging the Government to step up its investment to fight caulerpa.
Whangārei Heads' lower speed limits to be reviewed amid backlash
Local councillor reminding people not everybody can have what they want.
Explosive Northland council meeting sparks complaint to Local Government Minister
NRC chair said the process followed at the meeting had been open and honest.
Northland's Three Waters future under spotlight amid Govt repeal
Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo supports the new Government's Three Waters repeals.
'Everybody’s big is big': Dargaville kūmara grower shares lessons from Cyclone Gabrielle
'You can become very vulnerable thinking you’re a bad farmer'.
Mayor hits out at Minister as speed reductions for 300-plus roads go ahead
Council wants to make local decisions rather than the Government.
Cyclone impact prompts first emergency preparedness workshops for farmers
The workshops aim to help farmers and growers prepare for the next big weather event.
Cyclone Gabrielle one year on: How Northland is picking up the pieces
Even though a year has passed, remnants of the storm's destruction remain.
Boats breaching Bay of Islands anchor ban as battle against pest seaweed continues
Around 120 boaties have been spoken to since the summer season started at Labour Weekend.
Why the Kaipara Mayor dressed in an English Victorian costume on Waitangi Day
The mayor says the costumes were well received by many - Māori included.
Far North council changes Māori name ahead of Waitangi Day
The refresh did not alter the council’s legal name.
Far North Mayor hosts first-time Waitangi local government sector presence
'It’s taken a lot of work to get as far as this.'
Groundbreaking caulerpa dredging results expected in next month
The two-week trial began last week.
Whangārei District Council given $3m for flood relief in problematic suburb
$4m is to go towards four flood resilience projects in Whangārei, Ruawai and Kaipara.
Cost of Cyclone Gabrielle recovery in Northland hits $1bn mark
Rebuilding after Cyclone Gabrielle last year is the biggest recovery Northland has faced.
NZ's first caulerpa dredging machine to be used in Northland's fight against invasive seaweed
The new mechanical suction dredge is at the centre of a $650,000 trial regarding caulerpa.
How a youngster is calling on politicians for safer weed-spraying on school grounds
Not only did Henry Bedell present to council, he also wrote to the Minister of Health.
New community climate adaptation pilot for Northland
The Ōākura pilot’s site selection had been based on objective data.
Fluoride fracas flares up again at Whangārei District Council
Residents will be surveyed on what they think about the introduction of fluoride.
'Without water we have nothing': Māori leader angry over call to scrap freshwater principles
Pita Tipene says the crucial principles need to stay: 'Without water we have nothing.'
New council leader wants Govt to scrap Te Mana o te Wai freshwater principles
'You can’t be green if you’re not in the black,' says Geoff Crawford.
Compulsory checks for Kai Iwi Lakes boaties amid clam threat
The possibility of a gold clam invasion from the Waikato River has kaitiaki worried.
Move to lower speed limits hitting bumps after Government changes announced
“The work should still be happening regardless.”
New bans in place for vehicles on some Northland beaches
The change is something many coastal communities have been waiting for, councillors say.
Freshwater gold clam fears for Northland’s busiest tourist lake
NRC warns there is an urgent need to prepare as the spectre of the pest grows.
Landmark community climate pilot paused by council
The Ruawai pilot was a major feature of Kaipara’s climate adaptation work.
Tears and tension as councillors voted out at explosive meeting
A group of five councillors dominated the voting as major changes took place.
Kaipara council warned of legal action over climate move
Canning climate adaption policy could put lives at risk.
Northland Regional Council power shift: Deputy chair facing chop
It comes after Tui Shortland resigned from her role as chairwoman.
Ruawai's $18m drainage scheme would welcome climate pilot money
The pilot’s future looks uncertain.
NZ’s first wāhine Māori chairwoman resigns Northland Regional Council role
Tui Shortland's resignation effective from Tuesday's meeting; she stays on the council.
Kaipara councillor opens meeting with karakia despite mayor's ban
The meeting opened with the words: “Kia hora te marino”.
Ruawai property in spotlight over who gets potential sale funds
The decision will now go to the full council to decide.
Rates due on Monday, but Northlanders are struggling
Northland council rates are due on Monday, but many are struggling to pay.
Think caulerpa doesn't affect you? Think again, ocean ecologist says
A major caulerpa infestation can majorly affect the local fishery, expert says.
'You’ve come too far not to go further': The young mayor sparking change in the Far North
Moko Tepania said it has been a "hell of a year" but there's plenty more to do.
Council continues with fluoridation plan despite High Court ruling on mandate
The council was still waiting for formal notification from the Ministry of Health.
Petition seeks to save Kaipara’s climate adaptation work
Former mayor fears district council may cancel all of Kaipara's climate work.
Climate change expert quits council in wake of politicians’ decision
“Go and find another at-risk community somewhere else if you want to do that.”
Kaipara mayor on his controversial calls at the helm
Craig Jepson: 'If you have an opinion it can be a dangerous place in local government.'
It’s been 'a hell of a year’ Mayor Vince Cocurullo on first 12 months in the job
Cocurullo has high hopes for the district.
Silver Festival expected to draw more than 1000 people
The festival celebrates the district’s 20,500 people who are aged 65 and over.
Four outstanding women receive Whangārei civic honours
Four influential women have been honoured for their services to the community.
Whangārei's local election voting system debate heats up
A petition is calling for the community to have its say on the council's voting system.
'Stupendously successful': Whangārei Maritime Festival wows 13,000-plus visitors
Organisers are already planning for 2024 after a popular debut.
'It’s only a matter of time until someone ... is killed': Fears child will be hit at notorious school intersection
The community member says the council has dragged its heels on safety work.
Ahoy! Maritime festival anchors in Whangārei
More than 100 different options will be on offer at the free family two-day festival.
Mangamuka reopening hits speed bump
The long-term closure of the state highway was due to end in May next year.
Mayor hits out at Kāinga Ora amid social housing plans
There are more than 200 new Kāinga Ora homes are being built across Whangārei.
Far North Mayor Moko Tepania receives award for being one of world’s top young politicians
Tepania made history last year as the youngest and first Māori Far North mayor elected.
Whangārei District Council baulks over Govt fluoridation mandate
A council that did not comply risked being fined up to $200,000 under the Health Act 1956.
Council cancels key climate change work: 'We are repeating a process that we don’t need to'
“The activities do not deliver any tangible benefits to Kaipara ratepayers.”
Priority lane means two-hour Kamo Rd clearway parking ban
The new 6km bus priority lane will enable more frequent bus trips.
'Low cost parking is no longer sustainable': Car park numbers go down as demand goes up
A reluctance to increase the cost of car parks is being challenged by the city's growth.
Fluoridating Whangārei’s water on cusp of forward step
60,000 residents are on track to be drinking fluoridated water by the end of 2024.
New $2m priority bus lane planned for Te Kamō to Whangārei city centre
Consultation on the new bus lane is currently under way.
Northland’s pest wars: Turtles, wilding pines, wallabies and weeds
A multitude of unwanted invaders has been targeted by the regional council.
Kaipara’s tougher GE stance at risk of being diluted, campaigners say
KDC didn't comment specifically on whethe it planned to soften its GE/GMOs approach.
Tonnes of marine sediment to be trucked away as marina development ramps up
The dredgings go into the 1200-tonne shore-side mud bin.
Caulerpa eradication effort ramps up ahead of boating season start
More than 1000 hectares are now shut to diving, and fishing.
Leaders intensify Brynderwyns action call as $112 million cyclone hit revealed
A new economic impact report details the effects of repeated closures.
Brynderwyns Hills viaduct proposed by transport leaders
The viaduct would be a local solution to an issue that needed fixing.
Maungatapere irrigation company angry with council over water consent
The high-flow consent was not for the year-round take that was traditionally more common.
Dargaville residents hit out at council’s $8 million transport connectivity moves
The town of 5000 is to get up to 17 new pedestrian crossings under the proposals.
Trees brought down by cyclone turned into firewood for needy families
Downed trees were identified as the second biggest impact after Cyclone Gabrielle.
Whangārei Mayor pours cold water on final Three Waters legislation progress
Entity A will be New Zealand’s first of 10 water services entities to be set up.
Hokianga hui first step in new Northland biodiversity protection pilot
Northland has been chosen as one of three Government pilot regions.
Teen's death amplifies community anxiety for safety on Northland beach
The situation has become so bad local residents have taken matters into their own hands.
Thousands of truck trips across busy Whangārei route during marina dredging
Dredging could take up to one year
Government cans $59m funding for Whangārei conference centre
An urgent meeting with the Finance Minister is sought over the Ōruku funding.
'Death by a thousand cuts': Mangrove removal for marina angers enviromentalists
A previous campaign was launched 30 years ago to protect the mangroves.
Northland ratepayers to fork out more than $300m in annual rates
Northland ratepayers' big rates bills revealed.
Govt unveils new measures to protect native biodiversity
The associate minister chose Kerikeri for the announcement after a 2021 hīkoi in Kaikohe.
Whangārei Mayor wants reliable route between regions ahead of $270m SH1 safety improvements
The region needs a reliable road network and access from Auckland, the mayor says.