In a covert exercise by police and the Northland District Health Board, minors attempted to buy booze at four bars or pubs, two of which served them.

Chase the sun north to a proud town where Elisabeth Easther finds a warm welcome and a fascinating history.

Maungaturoto, Paparoa, Pahi, Tinopai, Matakohe, Ruawai and Tokatoka are a hop, skip and a jump from each other, and Elisabeth Easther found plenty in these tiny towns to delight.

Eleven great white sharks have been spotted at a single site in the Kaipara Harbour - the largest concentration of the species yet seen in the upper North Island.

They call it Magical Mangawhai, and with its beautiful beach, great food and proximity to Auckland we can see why.

It's a marine ecological gem on the doorstep of our biggest city and it's not the Hauraki Gulf.

Several gruesome dead cats have been found this week draped over the rail guard and fences near the main road leading to Tapora, east of Kaipara Harbour.

Taxpayers look likely to foot at least part of the bill for an $80 million debt blowout which brought down a small Northland council.

Danielle Wright spends the night in a little red caboose, before climbing Northland's iconic Tokatoka Peak.

There's plenty to see and do - and eat - in nearby Mangawhai, discovers Graham Hepburn.

Jim Eagles explores Northland's amazing rock formations.

Sometimes you wonder just what could be achieved in the world if small-town enthusiasm was harnessed, writes Colin Moore.