Mike Dinsdale is the editor of the Northland Age
Mike Dinsdale is the Editor of the Northland Age and also writes for the Northern Advocate. He has been a journalist in Northland for almost 35 years, working mostly at the Advocate, where he was News Director before moving to the Age. In that time he has covered most general news topics and has managed to cover virtually all of the region and visit almost all of its communities. He has interviewed thousands of Northlanders to tell their stories and is always eager to hold those in power to account. Mike has a passion for Northland and loves living in the region, after arriving from the UK in the 1980s. He enjoys the North’s stunning scenery and amazing people, and its world-class beaches. He loves music, football - and sport in general - and his family and friends. If you have a story to tell or something that needs investigating contact Mike at mike.dinsdale@nzme.co.nz OR editor@northlandage.co.nz
Far North orchard burglary sees hapless thieves steal dodgy diesel
Tainted fuel stolen from Far North orchard could ruin vehicles that use it
Kerikeri students running competition to help eradicate moth plant
Cash prizes for Northlanders to remove pesky moth plants
Far North and Kaipara water projects get more Government funding to expand
The Waitangi River and Kaipara water resilience projects get a further $41m.
Skills of sheep dogs and handlers on show in Whangārei
Mount Manaia Sheep Dog Trial Club's annual trial this Sunday.
Far North’s Mahoe Cheese tastes more success
Bay of Islands cheesemaker gets gold, silver and bronze medals at national awards.
‘Undermined the system’: Fisher fined for under-reporting catch by more than 2000kg
Daniel Lovell sold 1738kg more spat than reported in the 2021/22 year.
Far North mussels best in the country
Far North smoked mussels win gold at Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards
Pāua rāhui still on the cards for Ahipara after hui agrees action needed
Ahipara hui decides action needed to protect pāua stock, with rāhui possible.
Rāhui possible as pāua stocks dwindle
Eight Far North hapū discussing problem of excessive pāua taken at Ahipara.
Far North drought could lead to more water retrictions
Far North's big dry could mean more restrictions on water use
Local knowledge the winning edge at 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza
Two Far North fishers have landed the biggest fish at the 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza.
Hot, dry conditions tip Northland into drought
Big dry gives Northland its eighth drought in past two decades
Far North could be industrial hemp stronghold if drug law changes
The Far North is ideal for a burgeoning hemp industry, but a law change is needed first.
6.395kg fish leads first day of 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza
1200 fishers are vying for prizes at the 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza in the Far North.
Prohibited fire season for Far North as dry district’s fire risk rises
Waipoua River scrub fire finally brought under control.
90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza in Far North hooks 1200 fishers
$200k of prizes up for grabs at annual 90 Mile Beach event in March.
Far North’s latest museum telling story of NZ maritime history
Chucks Cove Maritime Experience has a container shipload of exhibits.
Aussie company ends plans to mine Whangaroa as hapū celebrate
Party time for Whangaroa hapū as mining plans shelved
Mangamuka road repairs survive first major storm since reopening
Despite heavy rain, Mangamuka Gorge repairs in Far North survive first big storm
Far North’s huge ‘historic’ privet tree faces the chop
Privet is noxious pest, but NZ's oldest example is in the Far North.
Fire restrictions in Far North follow summer water restrictions
Far North under fire and water restrictions
Taupō Bay Tractor Spectacular rocks Far North holiday spot
Far North's unique Tractor Spectacular motors into bay
Two Northland vets part of Voluntary Bonding Scheme to work in rural practices
The scheme supports graduate vets working in rural practices.
Bay of Islands P&I Show is the oldest in NZ and back on Saturday
Bay of Islands Pastoral & Industrial Show on this Saturday.
Massive Far North wetlands fire produced 515,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions
The 2022 Kaimaumau wetlands fire released a huge amount of carbon into the air.
New plan to get most of Northland's land use and manufacturing sector
Northland’s land use and manufacturing potential under spotlight in new initiative.
Kerikeri's Edmonds Ruins planted with historic fruit trees ahead of open day
Orchard at Kerikeri's Edmonds Ruins propagated from near 200-year-old trees.
Action plan to save Northland's iconic kauri Tāne Mahuta and transform Waipoua Forest
Far North’s Waipoua Forest and iconic tree Tāne Mahuta need saving, with new action plan.
Pickers' paradise: Treasure of classic cars under the hammer from Northland barn find
Barn find uncovers 120 classic cars, planes and machinery.
Far North drains causing farm flooding can't be cleaned until summer
Summer earliest Far North council can clean blocked drains that flood farms
Far North flooding risk to reduce with $1 million Quarry Rd bridge upgrade
Kaitāia's Quarry Rd bridge gets government funding for upgrade to prevent floods.
Far North renewable energy resources soar with third solar farm starting
Far North's third big solar farm to be built at Pamapuria
Flooded Far North farms caused by council inaction - farmers
Flooding from blocked council drains cause consternation for Far North farmers
Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal gives $3.5m to Northland groups for repairs and rebuilds
Northland's allocation is one of the highest in NZ.
Ninety Mile mussel spat on mission to save Hauraki Gulf marine environment
Ninety Mile Beach mussels helping to save Hauraki Gulf marine system.
Daily bag limits raised to tackle kina issue
Those battling Northland’s kina barren problem are getting new tools.
Five gold medals at major international awards for Kiwi winery
Northland winery The Landing Wine wins big at international awards.
$150k spent clearing illegal dump sites could pay for community infrastructure instead
Fly-tipping is a problem the district council is struggling to deal with.
SH10 roadworks in Far North should end farmer's safety concerns
Far North farmer delighted highway work finally under way on dangerous surface.
Far North farmer wants urgent work on slippery highway after three vehicles crash into paddock in a week
In the latest crash, three children are believed to have been in the vehicle,
Far North kiwifruit crop up by half to 3.3 million trays
Kerikeri kiwifruit growers produce bumper crop worth $35.5m
Charity delighted with Far North woodchoppers' $400k of donations
Far North woodchopping team have helped the Fred Hollows Foundation for years.
Fast turnover forestry for green energy could transform Northland economy
Short rotation forestry could help reignite Marsden Pt.
Another solar farm for Northland, with 4.8MW produced by new Ruawai facility
'As New Zealand’s weather becomes more volatile, engineering at this level is a must.'
Groundbreaking soil research earns student prestigious award
Kerikeri's Sunny Perry wins Prime Minister’s Future Scientist Prize for soil research.
Northland dairy farms improving effluent discharges, but a third breach consents
Northland dairy farms improving but a third still breaching effluent discharge consents.
New online map shows Northland's storm-ravaged roading problems
Far North’s roading slip repairs available with online tool
Drought help extended to Northland farmers as big dry continues
Dry weather triggers Government support for farmers.
Massive Ruakākā solar farm could provide half of Northland's power
The proposal is to establish a solar farm with around 200,000 photovoltaic solar panels.
Northland's unused forestry waste could fuel major new industry
Almost all of Northland's manufacturing energy needs could come from forestry waste
Kaitāia’s Zane Kaaka takes out $30k top prize at Ninety Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza
Ninety Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza delivers success for local fishers.
NZ's largest solar farm just the start of Northland's renewable energy campaign
The company behind Kaitāia farm in Northland to build an even bigger one.
Great conditions for Ninety Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza this week
Fishing competition brings 1000 anglers and millions of dollars to the local economy.
After $40 million and three years, Kāeo Bridge opens
The journey to the Far North on State Highway 10 is now much easier.
Outlook for Kaitāia A&P Show a sunny day with plenty of family fun
136th Kaitāia A&P Show set to shine, with a glorious Far North day expected.
Huge Kaitāia solar farm powering retail stores across NZ
First user of Kaitāia solar farm energy is Warehouse Group to power its stores
Far North fire risk extreme - restricted fire season across Northland/Auckland
It's hoped the move will prevent Far North wildfires.
Dog owners urged to keep pets under control after Northland kiwi deaths from dogs
High number of Northland kiwi killed by dogs sparks call for dogs to be kept in at night.
Kaitāia A&P Show has all the country attractions for 136th edition
136th Kaitāia A&P Show to go off in style.
Far North iwi leader's win against big polluters significant, law experts say
Court win for Northland leader Mike Smith accepts existential threat of climate change.
Far North group takes up fight against moth plant pest
Rangikapiti Reserve volunteers are busy eradicating vine.
Overseas company spends $25m on 1800ha of Northland farmland for forestry
'We really need to be looking at what is the long-term forestry future.'
Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says fishing is his 'birthright' and offers support for fishing contest
Fisheries Minister wants police to ensure Far North fishing comp goes ahead.
'Deeply impacted whānau': Council to improve road after two young cousins die
After deaths of two cousins in Far North swimming hole, council to make road safer.
Year in Review: Is it a giant log? No it's Joe Oliver's caravan!
Year in Review: Kaitāia mechanic Joe Oliver creates eye-catching log caravan.
Dead wallabies spotted on side of roads: Northland urged to be alert for pest
Evidence suggests the wallaby sightings are genuine.
Far Far North has prohibited fire season as extreme risk hits
No open-air fires will be permitted in Muriwhenua as danger rises.
Far North, Mangawhai at greatest risk of drought and fire bans as El Niño bites
Northland heading for dry summer with risks of drought and wild fires
Electricity from huge Kaitāia solar farm now powering the country
It is New Zealand's largest solar farm.
Shellfish off menu in Far Far North due to toxin which can cause serious illness
Toxins in shellfish in Far North spark health warning
Turnaround sees Awanui named Most Beautiful Tiny Town
Awanui's huge efforts to revitalise itself have paid off.
Kaikohe gets more than three times its normal October rainfall from cyclone's tail
Ex-tropical cyclone Lola dumped record rainfall on the Far North.
Is it a giant log? No it's Kaitāia mechanic Joe Oliver's unique caravan!
Kaitāia mechanic Joe Oliver creates eye-catching log caravan
'One Tear Too Many': Kaitāia road safety mural carries strong message
Kaitāia's 'one too many tears' road safety mural has been unveiled.
Love over lawns - Kaitāia's free community cuts cut for wedding
Kaitāia's Joel Cross is suspending his free community lawnmowing service for love.
Election 2023: Northland back to National - Te Tai Tokerau result yet to be declared
Grant McCallum takes Northland for National - Kelvin Davis clings on in Te Tai Tokerau.
'Humbled and honoured' New MPs ready to get to work for region
There are lots of challenges ahead for the new MPs.
Record temperatures for Far North in warmest September reported
September brought some of the Far North's hottest days for the month.
Project to save Northland's kauri from disease wins major awards
World-leading Northland kauri dieback protection project wins big.
‘Stoked’: $637m Fonterra payout for Northland’s dairy farmers
No big spend up from Northland's dairy farmers despite big payout