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![News briefs from the Far North: Power pole near-miss; art comp for youth; and 15 artists on display](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
News briefs from the Far North: Power pole near-miss; art comp for youth; and 15 artists on display
News snippets from the Far North.
![Suppression for driver charged over death of off-duty policewoman](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Suppression for driver charged over death of off-duty policewoman
The man made his first appearance in the Whangārei District Court this morning.
![Olympic and Comm Games cyclist and Far North District Councillor Laurie Byers dies](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Olympic and Comm Games cyclist and Far North District Councillor Laurie Byers dies
Tributes are being paid to the former FNDC stalwart, who has passed away aged 83.
!['It’s not right': Pensioners and families cancelling insurance policies as premiums skyrocket](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
'It’s not right': Pensioners and families cancelling insurance policies as premiums skyrocket
Northlanders are having to make tough decisions about insurance as premiums soar.
![Caught on camera: Waipoua Forest rats have taste for caviar](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Caught on camera: Waipoua Forest rats have taste for caviar
A discovery in Waipoua Forest is tempered by the presence of caviar-eating rats.
!['A game-changer': Northlanders thrilled with four-lane highway announcement](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
'A game-changer': Northlanders thrilled with four-lane highway announcement
Simeon Brown has announced accelerated work on a new four-lane expressway.
!['Men are useless at talking': Charity Men-Tall has high hopes for changes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
'Men are useless at talking': Charity Men-Tall has high hopes for changes
More than 100 people attended the charity's black-tie event on Saturday.
![Kororāreka or Russell? Name change call stalls](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Kororāreka or Russell? Name change call stalls
'I think Kororāreka is the name it should be, because that's what it was called.'
![Visionary 50-year-old Kerikeri letter had warnings for town's future](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Visionary 50-year-old Kerikeri letter had warnings for town's future
The writer bemoans the impact of the motor car.
!['It doesn’t look like it’ll last long’: Northlander describes nail-biting trip through slip-riddled Brynderwyns](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
'It doesn’t look like it’ll last long’: Northlander describes nail-biting trip through slip-riddled Brynderwyns
The Brynderwyn Hills have been closed again and again - here's why it's such a challenge.
!['Captured by their own hand': Lawyer claims unlawful arrest is caught on camera](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
'Captured by their own hand': Lawyer claims unlawful arrest is caught on camera
The man would not give his details when police asked, triggering a chain of events.
![Shared pathway grant will allow cyclists to go from Russell to Horeke in Far North](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Shared pathway grant will allow cyclists to go from Russell to Horeke in Far North
Work to continue on Russell - Ōpua walking track after $71,500 grant.
![New kaupapa Māori hauora and oranga space opens doors](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
New kaupapa Māori hauora and oranga space opens doors
Kaitāia’s new Māori health and wellbeing space He Kura now open.
![Tears as Enchanter skipper found not guilty of tragedy that killed five](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Tears as Enchanter skipper found not guilty of tragedy that killed five
'No one can control and influence the sea. It is unpredictable.'
![Kāinga Ora's 'battery-hen development' proposed for Ruakākā now under review](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Kāinga Ora's 'battery-hen development' proposed for Ruakākā now under review
State housing builds that can't be finished by mid-2025 are being reassessed.
!['Merchant of death': Four Kiwis who took their own lives linked to Canadian murder-accused](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
'Merchant of death': Four Kiwis who took their own lives linked to Canadian murder-accused
Kenneth Law has been charged with 14 counts of first-degree murder in Canada.
!['Another blow for Northland': Brynderwyns closure highlights need for four-lane highway](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
'Another blow for Northland': Brynderwyns closure highlights need for four-lane highway
The closure of the highway on Saturday shows an urgent need for a Brynderwyns replacement.
![Going to miss the people: Trade Aid Whangārei store to close this month](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Going to miss the people: Trade Aid Whangārei store to close this month
Trade Aid Whangārei has been around for 37 years. Volunteers reminisce ahead of closure.
!['Find me guilty': Cannabis advocate gives jury an easy task](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
'Find me guilty': Cannabis advocate gives jury an easy task
Brian Borland also told the judge 'it's jail or nothing' on growing and trading charges.
![Macular degeneration diagnosis and treatment helps man keep independence](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Macular degeneration diagnosis and treatment helps man keep independence
Peter Copeman, 93, has no doubt he would be blind if he did not have a simple eye test.
![Allegations of debt and financial mismanagement plague wellness festival leader](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=795)
Allegations of debt and financial mismanagement plague wellness festival leader
Franko Heke said he was 'deeply focused' on finding solutions to the issues.