Powerful poem Just Because by Shania Howard

19 Dec, 2013 09:51 PM

In tomorrow's Northern Advocate we talk to Kaikohe teenager Shania Howard about shattering stereotypes. Justine Lyden captured her delivering a powerful performance of her poem that is making waves in Northland.

Kaikohe hīkoi

Northern Advocate

Kaikohe hīkoi

A hīkoi in Kaikohe paid tribute to 3-year-old Catalya Remana Tangimetua-Pepene. Video / Jenny Ling

2025 King's Birthday Honours List

2025 King's Birthday Honours List

Celebrating the Knights and Dames appointed in this year's King's Birthday Honours list. Video / NZ Herald

Kaipara water break

Northern Advocate

Kaipara water break

Dargaville is desperately short of water thanks to significant main breaks in the raw water line, such as this one on Kaihu Woods Rd. Video / Supplied

On The Up: Wedding bells ring at Whangārei rest home

Northern Advocate

On The Up: Wedding bells ring at Whangārei rest home

Romance is in the air for 99-year-old Felicia and 88-year-old Dennam Dette. Video / Brodie Stone

On The Up: Bocky Boo Gelato's sweet success

Northern Advocate

On The Up: Bocky Boo Gelato's sweet success

Bocky Boo Gelato stores have popped up in Rangiora and Blenheim since the first store opened in Whangārei over five years ago. Video / Brodie Stone

Whangārei North Tech' evacuated as fire breaks out at Otaika Accommodation Park next door

Northern Advocate

Whangārei North Tech' evacuated as fire breaks out at Otaika Accommodation Park next door

North Tech' students were evacuated after a fire broke out at the Otaika Accommodation Park this afternoon, Monday April 28, 2025. Video / Chelsea Peek

Rare kiwi fight in daylight captured in Northland garden

Northern Advocate

Rare kiwi fight in daylight captured in Northland garden

Two kiwi birds engaged in a fight during daylight hours, offering a rare glimpse into the territorial behaviour of the elusive, nocturnal birds. Video / Karin Matthews

Bream Bay sand mining boat protest

Northern Advocate

Bream Bay sand mining boat protest

More than 50 vessels took to the water south of Whangārei to oppose McCallum Brothers' Bream Bay sand mining proposal. Video / Geoff Reid

Fire burning near Brynderwyns, State Highway 1

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Fire burning near Brynderwyns, State Highway 1

The blaze is beside the northbound lane on the Brynderwyns. Video / Patrick Klijn

Protesters stand against charges faced by Northland green fairy 'Gandalf'

Northern Advocate

Protesters stand against charges faced by Northland green fairy 'Gandalf'

Peaceful protesters gathered outside the court in Whangārei on Monday to support well-known green fairy Paul 'Gandalf' Smith. Video / Brodie Stone

Fiona Heenan on her record setting sailing attempt in Northland, February 2025

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Fiona Heenan on her record setting sailing attempt in Northland, February 2025

Fiona Heenan on her quest to set a world record for longest distance sailed single-handedly in a dinghy. Video / Fiona Heenan

Department of Conservation team responds to stranded whale entaglement

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Department of Conservation team responds to stranded whale entaglement

A Department of Conservation team responded to a report of an entangled Arnoux’s beaked whale in oyster farm infrastructure in Whangaroa Harbour. Video / Department of Conservation

Whangārei suburb on edge as police and ambulances flood Onerahi streets

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Whangārei suburb on edge as police and ambulances flood Onerahi streets

A police cordon on Beach Rd, Onerahi, where a shooting in a waterfront reserve was reported. Video / Denise Piper

Rescue crews winch patient off fishing charter north of Spirits Bay

Northern Advocate

Rescue crews winch patient off fishing charter north of Spirits Bay

The offshore winch rescue happened on Sunday, February 16 in moderate sea conditions. Video / Northland Rescue Helicopter

Retired Northland ferry Bay Belle begins makeover to become a floating pizzeria

Northern Advocate

Retired Northland ferry Bay Belle begins makeover to become a floating pizzeria

Kate Farrant bought the Bay Belle - a retired ferry - to turn into a floating pizzeria. But the boat needed lots of work first. Video / baybellenz and Kate Farrant

'I'm lucky to survive': Northlander Jaden Parker relives crash

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'I'm lucky to survive': Northlander Jaden Parker relives crash

Emergency services couldn't believe the 20-year-old was able to walk away from the wreckage of his car after another driver hit his vehicle on State Highway 1. Video / Jaden Parker

Whangārei District councillors risk imprisonment as rebel fluoride stance continues

Northern Advocate

Whangārei District councillors risk imprisonment as rebel fluoride stance continues

Whangārei District Council today voted to keep going with its refusal to fluoridate, risking imprisonment and more. Video / Susan Botting

Cruise ship rescue success

Northern Advocate

Cruise ship rescue success

When a crew member aboard cruise ship Diamond Princess suffered a serious eye injury, the Northland Rescue Helicopter was tasked with winching them off the ship.

Young activists lead Waitangi Hīkoi through Kaitāia

Northern Advocate

Young activists lead Waitangi Hīkoi through Kaitāia

The young activists of tomorrow are leading the Waitangi Hīkoi as it marches through Kaitāia on Wednesday on its way to Waitangi Day commemorations in the Bay of Islands.

Summer seed gathering sets up future generations of Northland dune plants

Northern Advocate

Summer seed gathering sets up future generations of Northland dune plants

Thousands of sand dune plant seedheads are gathered from Northland beaches in summer, and propagated so locals can return the plants to their coastline.

Bream Bay sand mining protest

Northern Advocate

Bream Bay sand mining protest

Around 1500 people said "say no" to the fast-track project by McCallum Bros to mine sand from Bream Bay over 35 years. Video / Nigel Yellowlees

Paradise shelduck maimed with a blow dart

Northern Advocate

Paradise shelduck maimed with a blow dart

A paradise shelduck recovering from injuries received by a blow dart. Video / DoC

Delays on SH12 Northland after Taheke truck crash

Northern Advocate

Delays on SH12 Northland after Taheke truck crash

Motorists are experiencing delays after a truck rolled between Kaikohe and Waima about 11am today. Video / Miria Henry

Auckland woman reunited with dog after three years

Northern Advocate

Auckland woman reunited with dog after three years

Aucklander De-Anna Kitto was reunited with her dog Baby, who was presumed stolen, after three years. Video / De-Anna Kitto

Whangārei Hospital on track

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Whangārei Hospital on track

Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says all stages of the Whangārei Hospital redevelopment are on track. Video / Denise Piper

Shane Reti and Lester Levy announce funding to help boost Health NZ's clinical workforce

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Shane Reti and Lester Levy announce funding to help boost Health NZ's clinical workforce

Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Health NZ Commissioner Professor Lester Levy say the new roles are aimed at reducing waiting times. Video / Denise Piper

Whangārei laundromat fire

Northern Advocate

Whangārei laundromat fire

A fire has ripped through a Whangārei laundromat. Video / Da Racoon

Fisheries call for better dumping habits

Northern Advocate

Fisheries call for better dumping habits

Nine Lemonfish [also known as Rig] and an Eagle Ray were found at Onerahi this week. The species are unprotected but should not be dumped close to shore, fisheries says.

Humpback breaches in Northland

Northern Advocate

Humpback breaches in Northland

Kyle Taylor says seeing the humpback breaching off Whangārei's Ocean Beach was a special experience. Video / Manaia Marine

Wanaka St opening

Northern Advocate

Wanaka St opening

Tikipunga Primary School students greet visitors at the opening of Kāinga Ora's 55-home Wanaka St development, at the former Tikipunga Tavern site. Video / Kāinga Ora

Curious kiwi visits Russell home

Northern Advocate

Curious kiwi visits Russell home

The North Island brown kiwi managed to get in through the cat flap. Video / Brodie Stone

Detective Inspector Al Symonds appeals for the public's help

Northern Advocate

Detective Inspector Al Symonds appeals for the public's help

Detective Inspector Al Symonds appeals for the public's help in solving the homicide of Dargaville mum Jo Sione-Lauaki. Video | Northern Advocate

Far North house fire

Northern Advocate

Far North house fire

Well involved house fire on Mangakahia Rd in Kaikohe.

Flooding on Far North farm due to drains not being cleaned

Northern Advocate

Flooding on Far North farm due to drains not being cleaned

This is what happens on Paul Harvey’s Far North farm when it rains, due to Far North District Council not cleaning out drains near the farm. Video / Supplied

Students perform haka in support of Whangārei District Council’s Māori ward

Northern Advocate

Students perform haka in support of Whangārei District Council’s Māori ward

Students from Te Kāpehu Whetū school and the Leadership Academy of A Company performed a haka when the decision to keep the Whangārei District Council’s Māori ward was announced.

Southern right whale in Northland

Northern Advocate

Southern right whale in Northland

This southern right whale spotted at the entrance of Whangārei Harbour on August 22 is a promising sign for the species. Video / Alan Hall

Feeding sharks in the Mangonui harbour

Feeding sharks in the Mangonui harbour

Feeding sharks in the Mangonui harbour has raised concerns and divided opinion. Video / Auditing New Zealand

A rat eating shortjaw kōkopu eggs in Waipoua Forest

Northern Advocate

A rat eating shortjaw kōkopu eggs in Waipoua Forest

Footage captures a rat eating shortjaw kōkopu eggs in Waipoua Forest, Northland. Video / Fern Donovan

Kaipara Harbour's newest wharf opens at Pouto

Northern Advocate

Kaipara Harbour's newest wharf opens at Pouto

New $2.9 million wharf opens, offering new opportunity for Northland, Auckland and beyond. Video / Susan Botting

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