Latest fromWhangarei

Disappointment after complaints force removal of chimes from new playground
Musical instruments removed from new $1 million playground after residents complain.

Whangārei Hospital unveils new operating theatres, catheter lab
Facilities will reduce need for patients to travel to Auckland for treatment.

Northland DHB CEO heartened with Covid-19 vaccination response
Community response to vaccination exceeded expectations of Northland DHB.

Northland has highest rate of volunteers in the country
Northland community groups and workers gearing up for Volunteer Week.

Kaitaia Red Cross gets new members to keep up good work
Nine new members for Kaitaia Red Cross.

News snippets from Northland
Stolen cabin found; Lotto luck in Whangārei; and Kaitaia boxer fights tonight.

Let's 'Be Kind' - and that includes you, Pharmac
Advocates should not see services and options diminished as a result of their mahi.

New Northland coastal hazard maps queried in Ruawai
Some Ruawai residents pushing back against Northland's new draft coastal hazard mapping

Man in Northland court on firearms, violence charges
The 27yo was granted name suppression until he appears in an Auckland court on May 26.

Show us your crack Northland: Motorists reveal worst spots for windscreen damage
Northlanders are fed up with forking out for windscreen repairs as roadworks wreak havoc.

Kerikeri set to lose its Kiwibank
From August, Kiwibank customers may have to drive to Paihia, Kawakawa or Kaikohe.

News in brief: QSM for firefighter, CCTV upgrade, wanted man arrested
Catch up on news from around the region.

Men who filmed themselves throwing puppy into Whangārei Harbour later shove teen off wharf
The two men had been filming themselves repeatedly throwing a puppy into the sea.

Men who filmed themselves throwing puppy into harbour later shove teen off wharf
The two men had been filming themselves repeatedly throwing a puppy into the sea.

'Do what's right': Appeal for information to retrieve stolen cabin
Housing charity appeals to the thieves who stole a vulnerable man's portable cabin.

Youth Week 'about getting involved and giving it a go'
Travel on Citylink buses is free to and from the events for the whole week.

Wheelie good news: Bylaw can stop bike bandits
Regulations can put the brakes on riders who don't have a "care in the world".

Northland community-led model for Oranga Tamariki shifts power to Māori
Oranga Tamariki's Children's Team is transitioning to a community-led model in Northland.

Chopper appeal: Rescue service 'hugely grateful' for donations
Westpac Chopper Appeal Month to bring much-needed funds for Northland service.

Trapping pests at Northland's Rangikapiti helping restore reserve
Effects of trapping at Northland's Rangikapiti plain to see.

Improvements to the Awanui flood scheme progressing
Work to protect Kaitaia from floods going well - NRC.

Combating youth violence: How Northland schools are using innovation to cope with challenging students
"Somewhere on the way, we have a responsibility as a village to help these students."

'Violence begets violence' - how family harm is shaping our youth
Data has revealed the notion that youth violence has escalated in Northland is distorted.

Paralympic champion will take on two codes at Tokyo 2020
Northland Paralympic gold medallist Cameron Leslie in two sports at Tokyo 2020 games

Giant skateboard to promote Tokyo Olympics drops in on Northland
Supersized skateboard drops into Northland to promote Tokyo Olympics.

News snippets from Northland
Library closes for refurbishment; and fundraisers galore.