A 22-metre long blue whale washed up on a private Far North beach has excited a marine mammal expert but also sparked a health warning as the giant sea creature decomposes.

Police have arrested three young men following a number of burglaries in the Kerikeri region over the past couple of weeks.

The two people who died, Vernon Lawrence-Samuels and Ryan Wikaira, both 23, had been at rugby training before the accident.

On the way out to Moturua Island, our guide pointed out a spectacular mansion on the sprawling hillsides of Russell.

The completion of a settlement of major Treaty of Waitangi claims is in the balance after a hui was held to resolve issues over its management.

Jane Jeffries discovers the places that say 'yes' to dogs.

A Tauranga family has been reunited with their beloved cat 16 months after it went missing.

Firefighters had to lift a car off a man who was thrown halfway out of the driver's window and trapped under the vehicle when it crashed.

Bottlenose dolphins could disappear from the Bay of Islands if nothing is done to halt a decline apparently caused by too much interaction, a report warns.

Five walks that highlight the historic significance of Waitangi and nearby areas

Guided trip up Waitangi Estuary is a great introduction to kayaking, says Donna McIntyre.

Going walkabout is a great way to experience the winterless north, says Donna McIntyre.

INCREDIBLE PHOTOS: Woman saves two-metre-long sevengill shark after it became stranded while fleeing hungry orcas.

Another slice of Kiwi coastal paradise could be headed for the open market after the Department of Conservation turned down the chance to buy it.

An upstream river paddle is fun and games on a budget for all the family, writes Rob Cox.

Catherine Smith discovers a vibrant dining scene in the gastronomic capital of Northland.

A waterfront mansion built for NZ's most notorious drug lord, complete with helicopter pad and mythical "escape tunnel", is again for sale.

A veteran yachtsman spent two cold, wet hours perched on the mast of his heritage yacht after it hit rocks and sank in the middle of the night.

More than 500 people gathered on a hilltop in the Bay of Islands yesterday to celebrate the bicentenary of Pakeha settlement in New Zealand.

A great boys' trip up north is about golf and sleep not babes and beach for family man Rob Cox.

Elisabeth Easther visited Russell for a sneak preview of the Bay of Islands Walking Weekend and found a wealth of wanders on offer.

The lovely Bay of Islands has something for all, writes Penny Lewis.

A bottlenose dolphin thought to have lost its calf has adopted a baby of another species.

The sky is the limit as a Northland town turns on the charm for a winter festival, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Rachel Grunwell finds plenty to keep her busy on a weekend in Russell.

Danielle Wright discovers clubs happy to welcome you in out of the cold.

Ewan McDonald completes a personal triathlon in the Far North.

Fire services were called to a fire at a geothermal power plant in the Bay of Islands last night.