Latest fromBay of Islands

Safety message for beachgoers, including crabbers, amplified
Ruakākā Beach summer patrols to start next week and volunteers are needed.

Leopard seals' dinner menu stuns local expert
Top predators predating on top predators

'Jacinda, I called 111 for our safety': Cafe owner's plea after death threats
An unvaccinated customer turned away from a Kawakawa cafe launched a campaign of abuse.

Detours in place as emergency services respond to serious crash in Waipū
A person has died in a head-on collision along State Highway 1 in Waipū.

Ute stolen from Ruatangata West farm triggers police manhunt
A horde of police vehicles have been spotted searching the Pipiwai area earlier today.

Little gardeners from Waitangi grow region's biggest sunflower
Waitangi Kindergarten grew a 132cm tall sunflower.

Bay News: Safety concerns close boardwalk, rubbish barge back for boaties
A round-up of news snippets, events and oddities from the Bay of Islands and area

At rock bottom: Far North tourism firms' future grim as travellers avoid region
Far North businesses are considering hibernation as bookings plummet this holiday season.

Warning rent rises in North could push families into poverty
Mixture of policy and market considerations pushing rents up in Northland.

Stevedoring company wrong to deny union rep access
ISO ordered to pay $15,000 in penalty for denying visit by union rep at Northport.

More Northlanders eligible for booster shot from early January
Vaccination clinics will be closed on statutory holidays over the upcoming break.

Parents of Maunu pre-schoolers angry at proposed liquor shop next door
WDC to schedule a hearing in the New Year to hear objections on proposed liquor shop.

Christmas weather forecast promises 'classic, summery day'
Northlanders can expect temperatures in the mid-20s for the Christmas holidays.

Tongan church feeds community with veggie garden
A Tongan church is feeding its community with a new veggie garden in Whangārei.

Northland news in brief: Body of missing man found, MPI spends $700K on peanuts
News snippets from across the region.

$12m truck dealership to drive jobs
New Zealand's largest Isuzu dealership will build $12m dealership in Whangārei

Northland's Mea Motu returns to the gym
Busy 2022 ahead for Northland boxing champion Mea Motu

Travelling carollers bring Christmas to the people
'Carol convoy' part of Our Kerikeri's alternative Christmas replacing cancelled parade.

Sales of adult fun toys nearly doubled in Kaikohe
Kaikohe saw the largest percentage increase in sex-toy sales nationally with 46 per cent.

Whangārei stroke survivors left high and dry as hydrotherapy physio urgently replaced
A stroke survivor was furious the important hydrotherapy sessions were suddenly canned.

Psychedelic VR cosmos to lure visitors to revamped Whangārei Art Museum
The art gallery was revamped for $70k with improved plan layout and access for public.

Northland news in brief: Win with summer photo competition,
Send in your best summer snaps and be in with a chance to win one of three hampers.

Person dies after Far North boaties discover them unconscious in water
Police say they are still looking into the circumstances of the person's death.

Black Power and Head Hunters arrested as police crack down on gang tensions
Police are still investigating two shootings that unfolded in Raumanga last week.

'A family has now lost a loved one just before Christmas': Motorcyclist dies in fatal crash in Dargaville
Police are asking motorists to take extreme care on the region's roads these holidays.

'Much loved' missing Kaitaia man found passed away by police in river
Missing Kaitaia man Loren Ross-Taylor was found passed away by police divers on Friday.

How the Grinch didn't steal Christmas
Santa parade and street party cancelled but there's no stopping Christmas in Kerikeri.

Police to review Northland checkpoints after busy weekend ahead
Police have not yet made a decision about the future of the current Northland checkpoints.

Birds of a feather: Ōkaihau couple busy raising 50 kiwi on farm
The couple's farm is full of celebrity kiwi such as Jacinda and Ashley, Harry and Meghan.