Latest fromFar North District

17 jobs could go at Top Energy
Far North power company says planned cuts due to combination of factors.

Driver smashes power pole, but survives
Police are amazed a man survived a crash that destroyed a power pole near Kerikeri

Most spectacular leg of cycle trail to open at last
The last section of Northland's Twin Coast Cycle Trail will be officially opened next week.

Pristine lake used as a carwash
The environmentally-fragile dune lake near Tokerau Beach on the Karikari Peninsula has been exposed to oil and lubricants as well as fish and weed pests.

Unit offers fresh start for young mums
New unit allows teen mums in Northland to achieve their dreams

Two hurt after quad bike rolls
The quad bike rolled at Wreck Bay Rd in Ahipara this afternoon.

Watch NZH Local Focus: Who designed the Maori flag?
The last-surviving member of the trio of women who created the Tino Rangatiratanga flag speaks out about that important time in New Zealand's history. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Macpherson: Beware this boondoggle for poverty
COMMENT: The mayors of New Zealand's three most impoverished districts have asked the Prime Minister to establish "demarcation zones".

Heavy rain expected in Northland
The MetService has issued a severe weather watch for Northland with heavy rain expected to lash parts of the region today. Incidentally

One seriously hurt in Russell crash
A person has been seriously injured after the car they were in spun out in Russell in the Bay of Islands.

Agent alleges police leak
A Pahia real estate agent acquitted of charges relating to dealing methamphetamine says police are still "aggressively pursuing her" and trying to ruin her life.

Dog-dragging incident: 'Horrible accident'
A dog owner said incident that saw a dog dragged to its death was a "horrible accident".

NZ study reveals effect of porn on youth
A Kiwi woman is helping lift the lid on how pornography consumption is effecting young people in New Zealand.

Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge Paihia
Tina Trenkner-Meade checks into reasonably-priced digs in a great location.

SPCA investigate reports of dog dragging
SPCA investigating a report of a dog being dragged behind an SUV in the Far North.

Hikoi demands end to P scourge
JS050117NADWAI313.JPG: Reti Boynton of Kaitaia leads the anti-P hikoi to Waitangi after a five-day walk from Cape Reinga. PHOTO /

Perfect for some, messy elsewhere
It's a perfect summer's day in Waitangi and Auckland, but messy weather with gales and rain are expected in some parts of the country.

Sunblock needed for Waitangi weekend
The weather's going to be (finally) glorious for most of the country.

The far-reaching wake of the waka
Among the hundreds of waka paddlers taking part in this year's Waitangi Day festivities will be half a dozen who stand out. They'll

Special zones proposed to tackle poverty
Mayors in three of New Zealand's poorest districts - the Far North, Rotorua and Gisborne - want to take over central Government agencies in their areas to eradicate "entrenched poverty".

Alert local leads cops to dairy robbers
Four young women have been arrested for the aggravated robbery of a Paihia dairy thanks to an alert local who noticed a suspicious

Fire breaks out overnight in Far North at Lake Ohia
Fire has raced through native scrubland in the bed of a dried-out lake in the Far North.

Sudden deaths of two young girls
The sudden deaths of two young girls in the past few weeks - in unrelated incidents - are being investigated.

Real estate agent and husband not guilty
A real estate agent and her husband have been acquitted of charges relating to dealing the illicit drug methamphetamine, after a jury found them not guilty.

Labour and Greens won't cut election deals
Labour and the Greens say they have dropped plans to cut electoral "deals" in marginal seats,

Northland briefs
Plea after man punched Police are appealing for information after an 18-year-old was punched in the neck as he worked on his tablet

'Illegal' payments to teachers uncovered
Troubled schools: A school where teachers were allegedly given "illegal" payments is one of nine under Government control.

NZ has new PM 'but no leader' - Little
Andrew Little attacks Bill English, as he reveals his battle with prostate cancer left him determined to strive for a system fair for everyone.

Under-fire yoga movement sets up in NZ
Movement at centre of failed US lawsuits rejects 'cult' claims.