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Peter de Graaf
Reporter
Kerikeri

Peter de Graaf is a reporter for the Northern Advocate

We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.

Check out Peter’s latest content
Historic Ngāpuhi Waitangi Tribunal report into injustices delivered to the iwi at Waitangi
Northland Age

Historic Ngāpuhi Waitangi Tribunal report into injustices delivered to the iwi at Waitangi

09 Dec 09:55 PM
GP crisis at Kaitaia rest home averted — at least for now
Northland Age

GP crisis at Kaitaia rest home averted — at least for now

03 Apr 05:00 PM

A brand-new GP clinic in Maungatapere has come to the rescue of Kaitāia's only rest home.

Fishing comp nets $11k for Far North firies
Northland Age

Fishing comp nets $11k for Far North firies

27 Mar 04:00 PM

Whopping $11k raised for Kaitaia firies.

Kaitāia’s GP crisis deepens as medical practice pulls out of town’s only rest home
Northland Age

Kaitāia’s GP crisis deepens as medical practice pulls out of town’s only rest home

08 Mar 05:02 AM

GP shortage leaves 55 elderly Switzer Home residents without access to medical care.

Titewhai Harawira, a lifelong battler for Māori rights, dies aged 90
Northland Age

Titewhai Harawira, a lifelong battler for Māori rights, dies aged 90

24 Jan 10:09 PM

Lifelong battler for Māori rights to return home to Northland for burial.

Record group of Dutch waka paddlers heading to Waitangi
Northland Age

Record group of Dutch waka paddlers heading to Waitangi

23 Jan 04:00 PM

Dutch paddlers have taken part in Waitangi Day waka pageant almost every year since 2011.

Premium
Call for new highway around slip-plagued Mangamukas
Northland Age

Call for new highway around slip-plagued Mangamukas

28 Aug 05:00 PM

Would a new highway around the Mangamukas fix the problem? Or a tunnel underneath?

Te Hiku Pātaka aims to feed whanau while preserving choice, dignity
Northland Age

Te Hiku Pātaka aims to feed whanau while preserving choice, dignity

13 Jun 05:00 PM

Iwi/Foodstuffs 'social supermarket' formally opened on Kaitaia's Commerce St yesterday.

Two hurt in head-on smash south of Kaitaia
Northland Age

Two hurt in head-on smash south of Kaitaia

27 Apr 01:04 AM

Collision blocked SH1 near Pamapuria; motorists advised to avoid the area.

Premium
Breakaway competition rules the roost
Northland Age

Breakaway competition rules the roost

20 Apr 05:00 PM

Rebel league comp started in 2016 with six teams. Now it's the only comp in Northland

Premium
Eyesore no more: Derelict Pak'nSave to become town square, affordable housing
Northland Age

Eyesore no more: Derelict Pak'nSave to become town square, affordable housing

06 Apr 05:00 PM

Deal by Far North Holdings and Foodstuffs ends 11-year wait to renew town centre.

Omicron forces organisers to can Snapper Bonanza
Northland Age

Omicron forces organisers to can Snapper Bonanza

24 Jan 04:00 PM

Tickets to world's biggest surfcasting comp to be honoured at 2023 event or refunds given.

Family overwhelmed by support, aroha after Takahue fire
Northland Age

Family overwhelmed by support, aroha after Takahue fire

19 Jan 11:00 PM

A Givealittle page has been started to help a 'generous, loving and humble' fire victim.

'Just put your bloody seatbelt on': Kaitaia firefighter's appeal after another needless death
Northland Age

'Just put your bloody seatbelt on': Kaitaia firefighter's appeal after another needless death

06 Sep 12:17 AM

Five people were in car that rolled on SH1 with one thrown out and one trapped in wreck.

'Incredibly disappointing': Mask-refuser in court after allegedly coughing on, assaulting police
Northland Age

'Incredibly disappointing': Mask-refuser in court after allegedly coughing on, assaulting police

26 Aug 02:54 AM

Couple allegedly refused to wear masks at a Kaitaia petrol station.

Photos: Student businesses shine at YES Trade Fair
Northland Age

Photos: Student businesses shine at YES Trade Fair

15 Aug 08:21 PM

Surf school, letterbox light and mosquito repellent the big winners at Kerikeri event.

Premium
Rawene celebrates as ex-NorthTec campus reborn as community education centre
Northland Age

Rawene celebrates as ex-NorthTec campus reborn as community education centre

03 Aug 05:00 PM

Saturday's reopening the result of a 20-year campaign by tireless locals.

Premium
Kaitaia CBD revamp starts next week
Northland Age

Kaitaia CBD revamp starts next week

26 Mar 05:00 PM

The $7m PGF-funded project includes upgrades in Ahipara and Awanui.

Premium
Joint effort to fix Taipā wastewater problems
Northland Age

Joint effort to fix Taipā wastewater problems

24 Mar 04:00 PM

Agreement to work together for best sewage solution ends long-running court action.

Bach destroyed in another arson at Ahipara
Northland Age

Bach destroyed in another arson at Ahipara

23 Mar 02:03 AM

High tide meant firefighters had to use a 4WD ute to reach the blaze.

Snapper Bonanza prizegiving: The $32,000 fish in pictures
Northland Age

Snapper Bonanza prizegiving: The $32,000 fish in pictures

22 Mar 06:51 PM

Dickson Hohaia came all the way from South Taranaki to bag the winning snapper.

Photos: Ōhaeawai celebrates Taiamai Day
Northland Age

Photos: Ōhaeawai celebrates Taiamai Day

22 Mar 06:43 PM

Ōhaeawai, just east of Kaikohe, has been celebrating Taiamai Day for more than a decade.

Tough conditions no match for $30,000 winner
Northland Age

Tough conditions no match for $30,000 winner

22 Mar 04:00 PM

Winner Dickson Hohaia says he'll display his fish in his hallway for the rest of his life.

Topic of FNDC 'mega-consultation': Just about everything
Northland Age

Topic of FNDC 'mega-consultation': Just about everything

21 Mar 04:00 PM

Far North council consulting on four big plans, looking ahead up to 80 years, all at once.

Premium
Cup win a boost for Northland's future sailing champions - sailing veterans
Northland Age

Cup win a boost for Northland's future sailing champions - sailing veterans

18 Mar 04:00 PM

Sailing veterans say sport needs to seize chance to get more youth, girls, Māori on board.

'We're very proud': Elation in Tuke's home town as Team NZ wins America's Cup
Northland Age

'We're very proud': Elation in Tuke's home town as Team NZ wins America's Cup

17 Mar 04:50 PM

Fan zones across Northland erupt as Kiwi boat crushes Italian rival 7-3.

Photos: Promising start to Snapper Bonanza
Northland Age

Photos: Promising start to Snapper Bonanza

17 Mar 04:00 PM

Richard Tepania of Ahipara top of the day one leaderboard with a 6.555kg snapper.

'The epitome of surfcasting': Good start to Snapper Bonanza
Northland Age

'The epitome of surfcasting': Good start to Snapper Bonanza

17 Mar 04:00 AM

Ahipara's Richard Tepania bagged day one's $2000 heaviest fish prize with a 6.555kg catch.

Photos: Northland firefighters tested in combat challenge
Northland Age

Photos: Northland firefighters tested in combat challenge

16 Mar 05:00 AM

The 'toughest two minutes in sport' puts firefighters' skill and strength to the test.

Watch: Car rolls on Kerikeri's main street
Northland Age

Watch: Car rolls on Kerikeri's main street

16 Mar 03:03 AM

Firefighters left wondering how driver managed to roll the car onto its side in CBD.

Premium
Hope for couple waiting to go home eight months after flood
Northland Age

Hope for couple waiting to go home eight months after flood

15 Mar 05:00 PM

Joe and Shirley Reti say recent progress in fixing their flood-damaged home is "awesome".

Sellout crowd, good forecast and 'rampant' fish promise a bonanza
Northland Age

Sellout crowd, good forecast and 'rampant' fish promise a bonanza

15 Mar 04:00 PM

NZ's biggest surfcasting contest kicks off today on Ninety Mile Beach with 1000 anglers.

Red Knights  mark club's 20th anniversary
Northland Age

Red Knights mark club's 20th anniversary

15 Mar 03:55 AM

Since starting in Hikurangi this firefighters' bike club has spread to every corner of NZ.

Hokianga dunes the backdrop for art projection event
Northland Age

Hokianga dunes the backdrop for art projection event

11 Mar 08:29 PM

Show explores environmental themes such as the kauri dieback afflicting Waipoua Forest.

'This is a warning to us': Ahipara fire under control but risk remains
Northland Age

'This is a warning to us': Ahipara fire under control but risk remains

29 Dec 09:13 PM

The cause of a fire that has burnt 56ha of scrub and native bush is under investigation.

Premium
Landcare group claims Russell spraying 'random, indiscriminate'
Northland Age

Landcare group claims Russell spraying 'random, indiscriminate'

10 Dec 04:00 PM

Outcry in Russell follows similar controversy over sprayed native trees in Waimate North.

Shane Jones takes the 'bongo van' around the roundabout
Northland Age

Shane Jones takes the 'bongo van' around the roundabout

01 Dec 04:00 PM

Ex-minister Jones says the roundabout will improve daily lives but baulks at $24.5m cost.

Marae backs plan for lower speed limits on SH10
Northland Age

Marae backs plan for lower speed limits on SH10

27 Nov 04:00 PM

Proposal would drop100km/h limit to 80km/h or 60km/h as cars enter or exit marae.

Massive fire started by faulty lighter on bed
Northland Age

Massive fire started by faulty lighter on bed

23 Nov 04:00 PM

The fire was so big it took 15 firefighters almost eight hours to put out.

Premium
Grey Power unhappy with closure of vital banking service
Northland Age

Grey Power unhappy with closure of vital banking service

22 Nov 04:30 PM

BNZ says most customers banking online but Grey Power worries elderly will be left behind.

'Unbelievable' heat as huge fire razes buildings
Northland Age

'Unbelievable' heat as huge fire razes buildings

22 Nov 04:00 PM

Heat, lack of water and flammable gas cylinders posed headaches for firefighters.

A starring role for Whangaroa Harbour
Northland Age

A starring role for Whangaroa Harbour

03 Sep 03:04 AM

Harbour's spectacular scenery the backdrop for a series starting on Canadian TV today.

Premium
Ngāwhā hot pools weeks away from re-opening
Northland Age

Ngāwhā hot pools weeks away from re-opening

23 Jul 07:00 PM

Both pool complexes have been closed for upgrades but one is about to throw open doors.

Funding gushes into Northland: $26m for roads, flood protection
Northland Age

Funding gushes into Northland: $26m for roads, flood protection

21 Jul 05:28 PM

A second flood has hit Northland. This time it's government cash that's pouring in.

Funding floods into Northland: $26m for roads, flood protection
Northland Age

Funding floods into Northland: $26m for roads, flood protection

21 Jul 12:00 AM

$14.2m to strengthen Northland roads, $12.5m for "shovel-ready" flood prevention projects.

Women rescued after five hours in flooded river
Northland Age

Women rescued after five hours in flooded river

20 Jul 05:00 PM

The women are believed to have gone over the Otiria Falls on a kayak and a lilo.

Major slips close SH1, reopening date unknown
Northland Age

Major slips close SH1, reopening date unknown

20 Jul 12:24 AM

SH1 hit by eight separate slips in the Mangamuka Gorge south of Kaitaia.

Water shortages in Paihia, Whangārei after floods damage treatment plants
Northland Age

Water shortages in Paihia, Whangārei after floods damage treatment plants

18 Jul 03:29 AM

Whangārei, Paihia residents urge to skip shower, bath, dishes and even flushing tonight

Volunteers trade shipping containers for $2m fire station
Northland Age

Volunteers trade shipping containers for $2m fire station

17 Jul 07:00 PM

Ōkaihau brigade is also getting funding to the tune of $700,000 for a station extension.

Northland volunteer groups recognised for brave rescue missions
Northland Age

Northland volunteer groups recognised for brave rescue missions

15 Jul 09:00 PM

Four people owe their lives to rescuers' skill, bravery.

Volunteers turn wasteland into forest
Northland Age

Volunteers turn wasteland into forest

14 Jul 03:00 AM

Planting day part of a project to create a walkway and wildlife corridor through Kerikeri

Cheap power drawcard for industrial park
Northland Age

Cheap power drawcard for industrial park

13 Jul 07:00 PM

Park hopes to draw tenants with cheap power, secure water supply and ready infrastructure.

Premium
Anger as household rubbish dumped in Far North river
Northland Age

Anger as household rubbish dumped in Far North river

13 Jul 05:00 PM

Utukura River, where 100kg+ of waste was found, drains Lake Ōmāpere, flowing to Hokianga.

Premium
New life for legendary Awanui Hotel
Northland Age

New life for legendary Awanui Hotel

13 Jul 05:00 PM

Two Far North couples hope to turn tired pub into a thriving hub for locals and visitors.

Premium
Rawene's 'Puzzleman' opens Northland's first puzzle museum
Northland Age

Rawene's 'Puzzleman' opens Northland's first puzzle museum

08 Jul 11:00 PM

Bearded giant Louis Toorenburg is one of New Zealand's top puzzlers.

Former mayor brands port move report 'a joke'
Northland Age

Former mayor brands port move report 'a joke'

08 Jul 06:00 PM

New $2m report rejects NorthPort option, picks Manukau Harbour instead.

Premium
Kaitaia bars band together to stamp out bad behaviour
Northland Age

Kaitaia bars band together to stamp out bad behaviour

08 Jul 05:00 PM

Licensees agree to share information about troublemakers after post-Covid spike in fights.

Premium
Aquifer consent delays costing jobs, avocado firm says
Northland Age

Aquifer consent delays costing jobs, avocado firm says

06 Jul 05:00 PM

Historic aquifer level errors and Covid-19 among reasons for delayed hearings.

Photos: Kaikohe's dazzling festival of light
Northland Age

Photos: Kaikohe's dazzling festival of light

02 Jul 09:25 PM

Close to 700 people turned out for the opening night of Bling Bling Toi Marama.

Queen's Birthday Honours: Seven of our finest recognised
Northland Age

Queen's Birthday Honours: Seven of our finest recognised

31 May 05:00 PM

Seven Northlanders have been recognised for their service to the community.

Northland awakes from lockdown hibernation as NZ moves into level 2
Northland Age

Northland awakes from lockdown hibernation as NZ moves into level 2

14 May 05:00 PM

Family reunions, haircuts and a caffeine fix – it was a big day for Northland in level 2.

Oh, the places we go: Northlanders welcome level 2
Northland Age

Oh, the places we go: Northlanders welcome level 2

13 May 08:14 PM

Northlanders out and about as country goes into level 2.

Premium
Driver turned back at checkpoint after 600km trip for 'a bit of fishing'
Northland Age

Driver turned back at checkpoint after 600km trip for 'a bit of fishing'

29 Apr 05:00 PM

The end of level 4 doesn't mean an end to the ban on unnecessary travel.

Kerikeri veteran, granddaughter mark Anzac Day
Northland Age

Kerikeri veteran, granddaughter mark Anzac Day

27 Apr 08:00 PM

'We need to keep remembering because it was awful and we have learnt absolutely nothing.'

Stranded backpackers invited to join Russell family bubble
Northland Age

Stranded backpackers invited to join Russell family bubble

27 Apr 08:00 PM

The two women were lucky to have jobs but faced spending four weeks alone in lockdown.

Premium
Kaikohe checkpoint still operating as police spell out rules
Northland Age

Kaikohe checkpoint still operating as police spell out rules

26 Apr 06:00 PM

Northland MP Matt King declines Hone Harawira's invitation to join checkpoint for a day.

Haruru Falls street marks Anzac Day its own way
Northland Age

Haruru Falls street marks Anzac Day its own way

26 Apr 06:00 PM

'As we stand two metres apart we stand together as one', street service organiser says.

Premium
Lockdown's silence could help tūī reclaim musical mojo
Northland Age

Lockdown's silence could help tūī reclaim musical mojo

25 Apr 12:00 AM

Biggest winner of lockdown likely to be little blue penguin because of drop in boat noise.

Premium
Kerikeri duo give away 1700 meals to essential workers
Northland Age

Kerikeri duo give away 1700 meals to essential workers

24 Apr 11:00 PM

Pair tried to keep their lockdown efforts quiet but have been outed by grateful cop.

Harawira: Covid-19 checkpoints need to stay
Northland Age

Harawira: Covid-19 checkpoints need to stay

23 Apr 08:00 PM

Level 3 will mean easing of travel restrictions but Harawira says it's not safe yet.

Premium
400,000 fewer pests munching Northland kiwi, forests
Northland Age

400,000 fewer pests munching Northland kiwi, forests

22 Apr 10:00 PM

About 150 groups working Northland-wide to protect kiwi by trapping invasive pests.

Kai packs ease lockdown pain
Northland Age

Kai packs ease lockdown pain

22 Apr 07:00 PM

The lockdown is compounding existing transport and poverty issues, kaumatua says.

Ngāpuhi delivers 8000 food packs to vulnerable whānau
Northland Age

Ngāpuhi delivers 8000 food packs to vulnerable whānau

22 Apr 06:00 PM

Goal is to make sure the elderly don't have to leave home, even to go to the supermarket.

Ngāpuhi defends Covid-19 checkpoints after shutdown call
Northland Age

Ngāpuhi defends Covid-19 checkpoints after shutdown call

22 Apr 06:00 AM

Iwi boss says no one has complained to rūnanga to back up checkpoint intimidation claims.

18yo dies after her parked car is hit: Driver should have been at home in lockdown
Northland Age

18yo dies after her parked car is hit: Driver should have been at home in lockdown

20 Apr 06:04 PM

Vehicle was on wrong side of road when it hit woman's parked car.

MP calls on police to shut down 'vigilante' checkpoints
Northland Age

MP calls on police to shut down 'vigilante' checkpoints

19 Apr 06:00 PM

Matt King, MP and ex-cop urges police to "uphold the law".

Premium
Birdlife rebounds as lockdown empties Northland roads and beaches
Northland Age

Birdlife rebounds as lockdown empties Northland roads and beaches

19 Apr 05:00 PM

The lockdown might be tough on humans but it's a boon for New Zealand birds.

Premium
Backpackers 'grateful to be here' despite lockdown
Northland Age

Backpackers 'grateful to be here' despite lockdown

18 Apr 12:00 AM

They came here to see NZ's natural wonders. Instead all they're seeing is their dorms.

More hold-ups for  Kaikohe emergency water supply
Northland Age

More hold-ups for Kaikohe emergency water supply

16 Apr 11:00 PM

Kaikohe's emergency water supply originally expected to start flowing last month.

Kaikohe checkpoint to stay at least to end of lockdown
Northland Age

Kaikohe checkpoint to stay at least to end of lockdown

16 Apr 10:00 PM

Checkpoint set up as deterrent to people considering non-essential travel, Jay Hepi says.

Northlanders among NZ's best-behaved in lockdown, cellphone data shows
Northland Age

Northlanders among NZ's best-behaved in lockdown, cellphone data shows

15 Apr 06:00 PM

Northlanders leading the way in lockdown's 'stay home, stay safe' mantra.

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