A selection of weekend sports action around Whangarei this weekend, Images by Michael cunningham

Pre season provincial rugby Northland v Auckland at Maungakaramea

Kerikeri turned on a blue sky day to celebrate the achievements of Olympic Games sailors Blair Tuke, Peter Burling and Andrew Murdoch.

Northland Rugby players make a special visit to the Whangarei hospital childrens ward

Baby Seal hanging out in Whangarei's Town Basin

More than 1500 people lined the streets of Kaikohe to welcome home three local heroes - Chris Huriwai, Sam La Hood and Samuel Tzikoucos - after the trio all but cleaned up in the street division of the world unicycling championships in Italy. Chris, 20, retained his worlds title while Sam, 16, won the world women's title and Samuel, 13, was third in the junior section. The parade was followed by a ceremony in the Kaikohe Memorial Hall recognising their achievements with speeches, waiata and certificates. Photos by Peter de Graaf.

Everything from bottlecaps and leather suitcases to phone books and drop sheets were transformed into wearable works of art for Kaikohe's Trash to Fashion show on Saturday night. About 300 people turned out for the event, which was organised by Kaikohe Community Arts Council and included a makeover of audience members, bridal and op shop fashion, garments made from recycled materials and wearable art. Photos by Peter de Graaf.

The Northland rugby squad play a pre-season game against North Harbour at the Mahurangi Rugby Club grounds, Warkworth, before a good crowd

Sam Warriner and her baby Lola-Rose Bradley

The Black Sticks have given themselves a grand chance of making the semifinals of an Olympic tournament for the first time. Northland's Sue Shepherd was in the crowd when the team beat USA 3-2. She sent back these fabulous photos. She was also there when they lost to Argentina.

Olympic Silver Medalist Dick Quax visits Whangarei Primary School

Long-time Northland hockey supporter Sue Shepherd is in London following the Black Sticks. She has been the Advocate's official photographer at the Games and has sent these great photos back from the latest game against South Africa.

Tough Mid Northern defence persevered in a low scoring classic giving the team the title of Southern Districts Premier Reserve Rugby champions for 2012. The Hukerenui club outpointed the defending champion Western Sharks side 9-6 in a tight, old fashioned encounter in the rain at Toll Stadium on Saturday. Photographer Mike Magill took these great photos.

Club Rugby Final, Mid-Western V Wellsford, Toll Stadium, Whangarei.

Junior sport at Kensington Park, Whangarei.

Secondary Schools National Kapa Haka Contest, Day 4, Whangarei.

More action from day three of Ngakura Tuarua 2012 National Secondary Schools kapa haka competition at Kensington Stadium in Whangarei.

Saturday July 21, 2012

Saturday sporting action in Northland included mens and womens hockey finals at Rosvall stadium, Whangarei, as well as rugby semi-finals at Waipu and Wellsford

Racegoers dressed up in their brightest country and western outfits for the Project Promise Raceday fundraiser at the Ruakaka races

Hundreds of students from throughout New Zealand are in Whangarei this week for the Ngakura Tuarua 2012 National Secondary Schools kapa haka competition

Launch of It’s Not Ok anti violence programme, at Toll Stadium in Whangarei

Nearly a third of the cannabis plants seized and destroyed by police in six month long, nationwide operations targeting drug growers and dealers have been grown in Northland. 40,993 cannabis plants were destroyed in Northland.

Northland Economic Summit, Toll Stadium, Whangarei.

Birdman at Russell, Northland.

Hika V Hora Hora, Club Rugby, Hora Hora sportsground.

Pets in Tartan Parade with the Waipu Highland Pipe band, Waipu.

Regional Hair Dresser of the Year Awards held at Forum North

Matanga Ropu from Glenbervie School Kapa Haka performance at the Pehiaweri Marae's Matariki Festival