2025 King's Birthday Honours List

Humpback whale encounter in Northland

Some Northland mates are in awe of a curious humpback whale who hung out with them during a diving trip. Video / Matt Alpin, Ocean Hunter Whangārei

Injured kiwi filmed tucking into bowl of worms

A female North Island brown kiwi hit by a car is recovering well - and a bowl of worms gave her a boost. Video / Whangārei Native Bird Recovery Centre

Whangārei family woken to home of 19 years ablaze

Fire and Emergency crews were called to the home in Maunu, southwest of central Whangārei at 3.18am on Tuesday. Video / Brodie Stone

Hikurangi Home Cookery features on Al Brown's new video series

Revered chef Al Brown has started a video series trying - and reviewing - Hikurangi Home Cookery's goods. Video / Brodie Stone

On The Up: The Hunger Monster short film shows students' perspective on hunger

Tikipunga Primary School students were asked - if hunger was a monster, what would it look like, and how would it be defeated? Video / I Have a Dream Charitable Trust

Kawakawa Bowling Club under water in latest deluge

Facilities inundated by floodwaters in last week's deluge - the heaviest rain Pihema. Video / Moerewa Taumatamakuku Community Civil Defence

Northland special economic zone

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones explains how a special economic zone could help Northland, and New Zealand, grow economically. Video / Denise Piper

A life well lived: Celebrating Neil and Zoe Olsen of Peria

Cherished members of the Peria community, Neil and Zoe Olsen, have earned deep respect and affection from generations of locals. Video / Yolisa Tswanya

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fiona Heenan reaches her Guinness World record sailing goal

Fiona Heenan announcing she's just sailed the 600km needed to claim a Guinness World record for the longest distance sailed by a woman in a sailing dinghy. Video / Fiona Heenan

Lucky escape as 400kg dolphin lands in boat

A group of fishermen got the shock of a lifetime when a 400kg dolphin landed in their boat off the coast of Northland. Videos / Dean Harrison

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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