The death of Ray Columbus last Wednesday has added another music icon to what many see as a swingeing cull on pop stars in 2016. David

I know some traditions die hard but there comes a time when even the most hallowed tradition has to adapt to the modern world. Twelve

by Craig Cooper, editor The failure to sell Northland outdoors education centre and camp Trefoil Park could be a blessing dressed

The women, dressed as suffragettes; bonnets and long frocks - held placards that read: "I can't believe I'm still fighting this s***"

by Craig CooperEditor In his own words, John Key is a "commercial guy". As a leader, he certainly had more of a "presidential" air

As I write this there is rain falling which is good for the gardens and excellent for the burgeoning bottled water marriage between

When John Key became our 38th Prime Minister on November 8, 2008 it was an extraordinary turnaround from the previous election. In

Another White Ribbon Day last Friday, supporting the cause of ending domestic violence against women. It is an enterprise few would

by Craig Cooper, editor I never took cricket too seriously as a young man. Often, I'd front for the game after a few hours of sleep

Nothing seems to embody the cyclic nature of the seasons more than roses. I know you might suggest the cosiness of a log fire or

by Craig CooperEditor Before the chorus of outrage over a seemingly light sentence handed out in a Whangarei court begins, there are

The pohutukawa is in its first tentative reddening along the coast on the way to the funeral. An unlikely time for tangi - I pass

PS29112016PARKER.JPG Joseph Parker's WBO Heavyweight title with Andy Ruiz is the biggest bout New Zealand has hosted, but the public

by Craig Cooper, editor Ask around any workplace and you won't have to go far to find people who have been burgled. In the Northern

The sixth anniversary of the Pike River disaster has been and gone with some new information exposed. Radio New Zealand's Checkpoint

It is effectively summer and I know this because for the past fortnight, if I'd been passing a school or grassed public domain, there

COMMENT: There are people who truly believe journalism is a dark art practised by latter-day witches who seek only to deceive readers by telling them glorious lies.

The Whangarei, Far North and Auckland communities recently celebrated our respective councils' decision to protect our productive

Over the years I've dedicated a lot of column inches to quoting people far more brilliant than I in order to push my point with polish. A

With guests coming the next day, it was time to mow the lawns. Isn't it funny how visitors prompt all sorts of alien behaviours: dusting

by Craig Cooper Editor The roadside dump that has polluted a reserve for 11 months is also littered with several ironies. The illegal

You have no hope. Face the facts: you are keen, work hard and want to own your own property but will never be able to in Auckland. Here's

Back in the May of 1960 I was five years and eight months old and school had been an interesting new diversion in my life, as it would

A campaign to clean up Whangarei's Hatea River is continuing the good work of environmentally-minded Northlanders who have long fought

Part of my life, as survivor of a chain of dead people, is custodian of family flotsam loaded with memories that become more fragile

So much of our livelihoods are now linked to the digital space. Our primary industries compete globally using information and communications

by Craig CooperEditor There are some moments in sport that stay with us for life. You know the ones, those memories that bring us

It has been an upsetting week. Expectations got turned upside down, uncertainty about the future now abounds and (in the opinion of

I'm not prepared for a natural disaster - the only time I ever have been is when a flatmate took it upon herself to set up a flat

Trade Me can help you with your Christmas shopping. No, of course it's not too early, especially when you consider New Zealand