Latest fromFar North District

Up in smoke: Police foil large cannabis operation in Whangārei Heads
A large contingent of police vehicles was seen headed towards Whangārei Heads.

Prisoner jumps out Whangārei Hospital window three storeys up in a bid to escape
The woman is currently in a stable condition after jumping out of the hospital window.

All drowning deaths are males: Northland prevention strategy non-existent
Eight people died in preventable drowning incidents in the Northland region in 2021

Emergency agency defends not issuing tsunami alert
Tutukaka boaties unhappy with lack of warning; Nema says alerts reserved for risk to life

GP practice reports smooth start to children's vaccine rollout
Children aged 5-11 have been eligible to get the Pfizer paediatric vaccine since Monday.

Falling international log prices hurting Northland forestry contractors
A glut in log supply to China means an uncertain future for Northland forestry crew.

Photos: Fun in the sand at Paihia beach dig
Up to 100 kids took part in a day of games and dug for prizes in the BOI Rotary Beach Dig.

Honey company stung with $18K fine
Employment Relations Authority orders Northland company to pay sacked worker $18,000.

Tutukaka's tsunami-hit marina clean up continues, with bill expected to be in the millions
Civil Defence defends not triggering tsunami sirens, saying Tutukaka damage unexpected.

'We are at the start of a marathon' Northland DHB plans for Omicron outbreak
Northland DHB is planning for up to 85 Covid cases a day.

Wind, heat and low humidity challenge firefighters
Three homes effectively remain evacuated north of the fire ground.

Red light puts stop to Bay of Islands Music Festival
Bay of Islands Music Festival is victim of Covid uncertainty with the event cancelled

It's da bomb: Pukenui stages Far Far North's first bomb contest
Ahipara's Parker Ashley, 15, has been crowned the Far Far North's inaugural bomb champ.

Ratha Yatra Parade through Whangārei for Hare Krishna celebration
Northland's Hare Krishna community held its annual Ratha Yatra Festival on Saturday

Kāinga Ora to either remove or deconstruct existing old homes
Consent sought to build 11 new state homes in Whau Valley and Raumanga.

'No warning': Eruption surges sink 12 boats, smash marina
Northland - just recovering from lockdown - takes another hit.

PM reacts to Tonga eruption; Tutukaka marina evacuated after boats destroyed
Cyclone Cody and Tonga's volcanic eruption have combined to produce surges.

There are two epidemics in the fat west. One is of vanity, the other of longevity
Have the wowsers no grasp of happiness, no notion of the good it does?

Kaikohe man Christopher Moohan graduates as Air Force officer
Kaikohe man becomes Air Force officer after following in family's footsteps

Huge demand for free swim lessons after two water-related deaths
TikiPride free swimming classes in Whangārei have attracted an overwhelming response.

Carolyn Hansen: How to manage your stress levels
The negative health effects of ongoing, unchecked, chronic stress are many.

Family remembers 'funny, gentle' man lost after battle with depression
Isolation from family and friends caused by Covid contributed to death, family says.

Grass mown and plan for working bee at Whangārei's Jubilee Park
A cash donation has come from a retiree who used to live beside the park in its heyday.

News snippets from Northland
Firefighters brace for big day at Kaimaumau blaze; and Cody means beach volleyball canned.

Jonny Wilkinson: Q & A with epidemiologist Dr Amanda Kvalsvig
Disability is diverse and complex and it pays not to make assumptions.

Cyclone Cody could bring 8m swells to Northland's east coast beaches
Beachgoers warned of sea surges and possible closures.

Wheels and water and finding love: Meet the Whangārei Town Basin residents
A glimpse inside the lives of the Whangārei Town Basin marina residents.