Latest fromWhangarei

Unborn child dies after crash in Whangarei
The unborn child of a woman who was seriously injured in a car crash in Whangarei last night has died.

Woman's shoulder broken in bag snatch
A woman's shoulder was broken in two places during a daylight bag snatch and assault in Whangarei on Saturday.

Explosions at suspected meth lab seriously injures two people
Two people have been seriously burnt in several explosions and a fire at a rural property near Whangarei.

Fruit fly makes growers 'nervous as hell'
The discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Whangarei has sparked a major biosecurity alert. Up to 50 Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) staff were in the city.

Phil Heatley to retire from politics next year
National MP for Whangarei and former Cabinet Minister Phil Heatley says he will retire from politics at next year's election.

Teen girl tied, gagged in Whangarei
A teenage girl appeared to be tied up and gagged in the front passenger seat of a car near Whangarei yesterday.

Police warn retailers about 'highly strung' offender
Police have warned retailers about an "erratic and highly strung" offender who robbed a Whangarei dairy at gunpoint yesterday.

Rugby career in balance over charge
A Whangarei man will have to wait to learn if he can avoid a conviction for drink driving so he can take up a professional contract playing rugby in Scotland.

IPCA apology on way over inaccuracy
The Independent Police Conduct Authority will formally apologise to a Whangarei family after releasing a report with incorrect information relating to drugs found in a car.

Farmer makes agonising 3km ride
A "stoic old boy" who fell from a stack of hay bales on a remote corner of his Northland farm rode 3km in agonising pain on his quad bike to raise the alarm.

Elderly fire victim sent unreleased novel
A random act of kindness brought 92-year-old fire victim Pearl Sanger close to tears after she received a signed novel from writer Lee Child, not yet released in NZ.

Dial-a-driver thrown from vehicle
A female dial-a-driver was thrown from the vehicle she was called to drive home after a drunk driver tried to steal it in Whangarei.

Gang members hinder police after fire
Gang members hindered emergency staff who were searching for a missing person following a house fire in Whangarei overnight.

Health worker savaged by dogs
A mental health worker was savaged about the head and neck during an attack by two dogs while she visited a client in Whangarei.

Body found on beach to be released to family
The body of a man found in the Hokianga Harbour will be released to his family for burial as soon as his identity is confirmed.

Abuse victim raises alarm on Facebook
A domestic violence victim whose partner took her phone so she couldn't call police managed to raise the alarm via Facebook instead.

Illegal seafood sales hunted
The wasabi sauce wasn't the only hot food item at a Whangarei sushi joint - the paua being used was also hot, having been bought illegally.