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Photos: Russell to Opua Snorkel-Scuba Race

Beginners keen to try hand at art

Arty folk love visiting Whangarei’s Quarry Arts Centre. As well as the wonderful creations on show, the centre also holds open days where budding artists can learn how to create their own works. On Saturday the centre held another open day and Northern Advocate photographer Tania Newman went along to see the artwork being produced.

Candidates on edge as results come in

While many Northlanders were keeping a close eye on the television or websites as Saturday’s election night results came through, the politicians themselves were also waiting eagerly. Candidates held their own election night events across Northland and the emotions ebbed and flowed as the winners, and losers, became apparent as the night progressed. Northern Advocate photographers were at some of the events as the action unfolded.

Whangarei Town Basin

Whangarei Town Basin seen through the lens of Northern Advocate photographers Michael Cunningham.

Weekend sport: Players and horses turfed into action

While the weather couldn’t decide what it was doing, FC Whangarei created history in Tikipunga and the Whangarei Racing Club hosted another successful race day in Ruakaka. FC Whangarei’s premier team won the Cup 4-2, while their second division team won the Bowl 4-0 and their first division side won 2-1. Advocate photographer Michael Cunningham visited both Ruakaka and Tikipunga to capture these shots

New home for Alzheimer’s Society

There was a full house at the opening of Northland Alzheimer's Society’s new premises in Corks Rd where about 70 people celebrated the move into a larger, smarter, future-proofed building. The society shifted home a month ago but officially opened its new premises on Friday. Based on a house plan and built by Whangarei company Homeworld Design and Build, it houses offices and has increased room for dementia day programmes and carer support groups, while the large grounds will provide a relaxing atmosphere for clients and their families. Alzheimer’s Northland provides services to about 450 non-residential clients. Predictions are that the number of people suffering form the most common form of dementia would double over the next 15 years. Photos by John Stone.

NorthTec Bachelor of Applied Arts exhibition

NorthTec Bachelor of Applied Arts students have opened a photo exhibition of their work at The Shutter Room in the Old Library. Students from years one, two and three of the applied arts course are exhibiting work at the Old Library, with the show opening on Friday. Northern Advocate photographer John Stone went along to the opening and was impressed with what he saw. He also captured these images from the event.

Bee Aware Month: Whangarei Bee Club

September is Bee Aware Month and it’s causing a buzz among the hundreds of members of the Whangarei Bee Club. The month is about promoting and protecting the humble honey bee, says club spokesman and past president Kevin Wallace. The national awareness week comes with the theme, Be Good to Bees. “It’s totally critical that everyone understands how important bees are and we look after them in hives because they no longer live in the wild,” Mr Wallace said. On Saturday a club open day at Whareora Hall attracted plenty of people interested in bees. Northern Advocate photographer John Stone went along too.

Chickshaw Blues photos: Rice paddies, rubbish and elephants

Rubbish, rice planting, elephants and Buddha's place of enlightenment: Houhora police officer Tracee Knowler and Advocate reporter Kristin Edge (aka the Chickshaw Blues) are racing the length of India in a tuktuk to raise money for Whangarei's Miriam Centre and counseling for sexual abuse survivors.

Chickshaw Blues photos: Colour and squalor

Houhora police officer Tracee Knowler and Advocate reporter Kristin Edge (aka the Chickshaw Blues) are racing the length of India in a tuktuk - that's 3500km in two weeks in a three-wheeled vehicle described as a glorified lawnmower. Their aim, as well as getting to the finish line, is to raise money to provide counseling for Northland sexual abuse survivors. Photos by Kristin Edge.

The Rugby League Northland Multikai Premiership Grand Final

The supporters’ applause and cheers from Toll Stadium could be heard echoing throughout Whangarei on Saturday. The Rugby League Northland Multikai Premiership Grand Final saw Otangarei Knights reign supreme over Hikurangi, while Otaika Eagles took on Marist Brothers in an U18 finals and Muriwhenua faced Otaua Valleys in the U16 final. Northern Advocate photographer Tania Newman captured the action.

Be Free youth music festival

Top young musicians from all over Northland took part in the Be Free Youth Music Festival at Kerikeri’s Turner Centre on Saturday. Participants got to play on the main stage, were critiqued by established musicans, learned about careers in the music industry, and danced to guest bands Swamp Thing and Auckland’s Strangely Arousing. One of the youngest bands, Alien Weaponry, made up of pupils from Bream Bay College and Otamatea High, was also the loudest. Their frontman is just 12 years old but they’re already touring the North Island with heavy metal band Devilskin. Be Free is a music and lifeskills mentoring programme for Northland youth. Photos by Peter de Graaf.

Photo gallery: Haruru Falls rescue

Images from Saturday morning's rescue when party-goers were swept away by a flooded Waitangi River at Lily Pond Lane. One man was rescued on a jetski, another by tractor, and a third by helicopter from a shed roof. Tragically, the body of a 28-year-old Wellington woman was found when the river level dropped the following day.

Festival flies by as weather lets up

Russell’s Birdman Festival went ahead on Saturday as the sun came out after one of the worst storms to hit Northland in a decade. Three days of events were compressed into two and the famous Birdman jump was cancelled, but organisers still deemed the festival a success. Photos by Peter de Graaf.

Birdman Festival drag race 2014

As always Russell served up some lovely... er... ladies to compete in its Birdman Festival drag race. This year's winner was Kim Kardashian (aka Paul McBride of Auckland). Photos by Peter de Graaf.

Birdman kids' dress-up contest

One of the new events at this year's Russell Birdman Festival was a kids' dress-up competition. With more than 30 children dressed as everything from a Belgian superhero to pirates, princesses and a cavewoman, the judges had a tough job picking the winners. Photos by Peter de Graaf.