Latest fromFar North District

An orca family captured by drone in the Houhora Harbour
Video shows what appears to be a large male, a female and a calf playing in the water.

Best of 2019: Dark future of Whangārei city centre
There are 48 empty shops in the Whangarei CBD.

'Chockablock': Holidaymakers at standstill on SH1 north of Auckland
Traffic at a standstill north of Auckland as holidaymakers head away.

Northlander's appeal against jail for wounding his neighbour dismissed
Peria man fails in bid to challenge the legality of his imprisonment.

Woman dies after boat flips in festive season's fourth water tragedy
A woman in her 60s after the boat she was in flipped in the Far North.

Best of 2019: Ice cream does make you happy, says dairy owner
Dieticians NZ head says messages around ice cream need to be responsible.

New Year's Eve weather: Outlook good for summer-starved Kiwis
It'll be a dry - weather-wise at least - welcome into 2020 for most.

Best of 2019: The arsonist within the ranks
He should have been putting out fires, but instead he was lighting them.

Land owners block vehicle access to beach amid 'hoon' concerns
Waikato Bay, next to Maitai Bay on Karikari Peninsula, is a popular boat-launching spot.

Drug addled youth now running rehab programme
A Kaitaia youth that went through a drug rehab programme, is now helping to run it.

Higher honours on Cooper's horizon
Could we see Onerahi Central's Henry Cooper in a Black Caps uniform in the near future?

Gun buy-back: Criminals and gangs should be focus of police - sport shooting representative
Government rushed process and should have waited for inquiry to be completed - opinion.

Hapu irate at breaches of rāhui at Mermaid Pools
Hāpu to seek police help in enforcing a rāhui over the Mermaid Pools.

Householders could lose homes after rating arrears
Far North homeowners could lose their properties due to long-overdue rates.

New Zealand's One Mile Championship is back
Country's elite will contest Mile titles for the first time since 1968-69 season.

Dehydrated monkey discovered in container of wood from South America
Dead monkey found in a container of wood products shipped from North America

Three decades of milk processing at Fonterra Kauri site
Fonterra Kauri has been processing milk from Northland farmers for 30 years.

Homes evacuated as car crash sparks massive fire
Five homes evacuated; four helicopters still at work this morning to control 80ha fire.

St John told to scale back sausage sizzles
St John in Paihia have been told to scale back their sausage sizzles after a complaint.

Wayne Brown: 'Once in a lifetime' port move must be seized
The lead architect of the plan to move Auckland's port North writes on what it promises.

Four men involved in Ōtangarei riot sentenced
Dominque Ormsby landed a coward punch to the back of a policeman's head during a riot

Residents call for more police presence to catch speeding drivers
Proposal to reduce speed on a number of high-risk Northland roads.

Chemo pump unhooked but Grayson's fight continues
Grayson was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma when he was eight months old.

United: We want the port, say Northland's elected leaders
Kaipara mayor Jason Smith: "There is nothing stronger than an idea whose time has come."

Northland hotel room intruder turns out to be a kiwi
Extras at a hotel room in Waitangi included a free visit by national icon.

Road to redemption: Roswell's remarkable Black Sticks return
It's been four years out in the cold, now Dwayne Rowsell is back with a point to prove.

York proving mind over matter
Steve York did just three road rides before tackling four laps of Lake Taupō in 33 hours.

Scammer ordered to pay back $7000 to victims in online ticket scam
A Whangārei woman has been ordered to pay back money to victims she "ripped off".