Latest fromKaipara District

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

Hub a turnaround for small town
Topping the tables for youth suicide rates is not something any community would want to claim.

Bars nabbed in undercover alcohol sting
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.

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

Kia ora: Kauri Coast towns
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.

Great whites set up in Kaipara
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.

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

Gruesome cat deaths disturb residents
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 could be hit for part of Kaipara's $80m debt blowout
Taxpayers look likely to foot at least part of the bill for an $80 million debt blowout which brought down a small Northland council.

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

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