Suspicious behaviour at a coastal holiday home has led to the discovery of a methamphetamine lab in Northland.

Four plumes of smoke at South Head in Kaipara Harbour signalled the Royal New Zealand Air Force's six-monthly live bomb drop.

The Northland ringleader of the operation that produced the largest amount of methamphetamine ever cooked in New Zealand has pleaded guilty to a raft of charges.

When Lee Rata was severely beaten last year, Seddon Beazley took the opportunity to further his standing with the Mongrel Mob. However, his mother knew different.

From Pahi to Shelly Beach, cruising by boat was a perfect family day-trip, writes Sarah Ell.

Topping the tables for youth suicide rates is not something any community would want to claim.

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.

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.

A home invasion in Tinopai, on the Kaipara Harbour, on Saturday evening is being investigated by police.

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.

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.