Over 200 paddlers enjoyed competitive sprint racing at Kowharewa Bay on the beautiful Tutukaka Coast. Photographer Peter Smith captured the action at the regatta run by Mitamitaga Ole Pasefika Vaa'alo Canoe Club.

More than 140 Santa's made a run for it in Whangarei to raise money for KidsCan. Visit our Quickpix gallery to view more Northern Advocate photos for sale at www.northernadvocate.quickpix.co.nz

Northland's top athletes have been recognised in the Konica Minolta Northland Sports Awards.

Record numbers flocked to Whangarei's Summer Show before rain forced the early closure. Photographer John Stone was there when the sun was out.

Images from the Kaitaia scrub fire in the Far North.

Northern Advocate photographer Ron Burgin captures some of the weekend sporting action including club cricket, the Kensington club fours championships and the Sam Warriner Triathlon held at Marsden Cove at the weekend.

Northern Advocate photographers capture scenes from a major fire at White Cliffs pine plantation, Horeke, South Hokianga.

Runners in the Fullers Great Sights Kerikeri half marathon were treated to the sight of several dead possums arranged in various poses in a display at a busy roundabout.

Make sure you vote for your ‘Most Wanted Woman’.

Images from readers and Northern Advocate staff photographers from around the region

Organisers were revelling in the success of the Parihaka Hoe Matariki Waka Regatta held in Whangarei at the weekend.

The annual event, hosted by the Parihaka Sports Club attracted a large number of northern clubs along with several crews from well-established Auckland clubs, Parihaka club captain James Barrett said.

Photographer Ron Burgin was on the shore.

So you think the competition in Master Chef is intense and the judges exacting?
Wait till you see Marae Master Chef.

The competition is organised by health provider Te Hauora o Kaikohe and involves a different marae each fortnight competing to do the best job of hosting a group of kuia and kaumatua for lunch. Peter de Graaf caught the cooking action.

If any of these items, handed in to Whangarei police, belong to you please contact Property Officer Jeremy Perkins on 09 430 4703.

A team of high-flyers have spent two days in Northland this week checking conductor joints on Transpower's high voltage transmission lines running from Henderson to Marsden Point. Up in the air with the blades whirling overhead, getting to work is a delicate aerial dance between the pilot, the wires, pylon and the "live liner". Michael Cunningham captured the action.

Larry Jacobson was the man on the spot when a BMW car burst into flames in Paihia.

Harvey Gadd was inside his Reotahi home when the building gave "an almighty shake that felt like a truck had run into it."

A massive piece of rock weighing hundreds of tonnes had fallen from the turreted top of Mt Aubrey behind the house and was plunging down the steep side of the hill toward him.

Here are some more interesting pics

As many as 800 people took part in last Sunday's Mayoral Cycle Challenge from Okaihau to Kaikohe. The 13km route follows an old rail corridor and is the first section of the Twin Coast Cycleway, or Pou Herenga Tai, to near completion. Pictures by Peter de Graaf.

Kaikohe's Northland College hosted powerful visitors recently when Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand and his wife Lady Susan came calling. They were welcomed with waiata, speeches and a rousing haka powhiri, toured the town's primary and intermediate schools, and returned to the college for lunch and to open a royal gala. The visit fulfilled a long-held promise to Northland College principal John Tapene. Peter de Graaf captured the visit.

The Northland Secondary Schools Indoor Bowls Champs involved more than 20 teams from four schools - Kaitaia College, Kamo High School, Whangarei Girls High School and Tikipunga High School. Kamo were the eventual winners.

Northern Advocate photographer Mike Cunningham was at the unveiling of a special memorial for five people killed when minesweeper HMS Puriri struck a mine and sank off Whangarei Harbour.

Northland's top scholastic cyclists performed in road races and time trials on courses just out of Whangarei. Chief photographer John Stone caught the action.

Maungakaramea Sheep Dog Trial Club staged its 99th annual trial over Easter weekend.

Northern Advocate photographer Mike Cunningham was there to capture the action

A camp on a rural Northland farm has pushed a group of talented youth outside their comfort zones and honed their leadership skills. At the Whangarei Blue Light leadership camp, the first in Northland, 30 male students aged between 14 and 19 roughed it on a working farm near Whangaruru for four days.

More than 750 Northland kids from 15 primary schools took part in the Westpac Rippa Rugby Competition at Tikipunga Sports Park.

New Northland Rugby Union junior rugby sponsor Westpac ran a BBQ on the day and also sold drinks as a fundraiser for the Northland Rescue Helicopter service.

Northland ITM Cup players also helped as good will ambassadors.

Photographer Michael Cunningham was there and captured teh try scring action.

Students from 27 schools from Wellsford north took part in the celebration of modern youth and Maori Culture. Photographer John Stone was at day one of the Tai Tokerau Secondary Schools Festival to capture the passion .

Family and friends gathered at Matakohe Museum for a memorial service for former Northland man Lee Sheppard, who died in England eight yeras ago. Photographer John Stone was there.

Northern Advocate photographer Michael Cunningham was at the Blues vs Cheetahs at Toll Stadium and caught some on the turf and off the turf action.

Blues beat Cheetahs 29-22

Hundreds of families turned out at the Whangarei museum Medieval Day and Northern Advocate photographer Michael Cunningham joined in the fun.

Otangarei kids on a hikoi around William Jones Drive to tell parents its okay to inform on crime.

Rain failed to put out the fire at celebrations in Kaikohe for the volunteer fire brigade's 75th jubilee.

Up to 300 people braved the wet weather on Saturday to watch live firefighting demonstrations and a car crash rescue as children queued for fire engine rides.