Latest fromWhangarei

Some Kiwis still "sleepwalking through life" oblivious to pest problem, says conservationist
A Northland man is urging gardeners to use dead possums for fertiliser.

Man accused of murder in court after Ripiro Beach body in burning car
Anaru Morunga, 34, faces a total of nine charges, including murdering Jasmaine Reihana.

'Do the right thing' – Police call for information after home invasion
Man suffers facial injuries after three offenders force their way into Northland house.

Downed pylon: Transpower boss says context missing from failures announcement
Transpower says its position in the fallen pylon incident has not been fairly represented

Locals watch from the beach while NZ/US navies hunt for mines in Tauranga Bay
Far North bay the scene of a joint mine-clearing exercise.

Whangārei, Kaitāia and Kaikohe first stops in Mike King's I Am Climate Hope Tour
The tour aims to help youth mental health around climate anxiety.

'Extremely shaken': Whangārei man suffers facial injuries in home invasion
Police say three men forced their way into the man's home.

'We’re not just beaches and water sports': Hospitality sector preps for foodie celebration
Northland foodies have tough decisions to make during the first Savour Northland event.

Whangārei Boys' High School board to be sentenced after student's death
Schoolboy Karnin Petera's grieving parents are among those expected to address the court.

Weather-hit North Auckland rail line reopens after 20 months, $130m repairs
The track had more than 200 slips and damaged bridges from storms in early 2023.

Mangamuka repairs: Major piling work ends and pre-Christmas reopening planned
SH1 over the Mangamukas in the Far North is on track for a pre-Christmas opening.

Mea Motu's world boxing title unification bout off but Aussie opponent lined up instead
Champ stays active after boxing world title unification bout postponed.

Downed pylon 'an act of incompetence and negligence' – Northland leader
Northland leaders have responded to the energy authority's findings about a downed pylon.

Far North pensioner delighted after 32 feral cats removed from around her flat
32 feral cats removed from Far North pensioner flats

Courses and talk encourage women to improve water confidence and safety
Women are being empowered to do more than just tag along in powerboating and sailing.

Funky Monkey and orca friends hanging out in Whangārei Harbour
Seeing the orca back in Whangārei is a good sign, according to expert Ingrid Visser.

Meridian gets go-ahead for Northland solar farm
Meridian has been granted resource consent for 120-megawatt solar farm.

Creativity bursts out of Far North youth art competition
Young Far North artists create colourful images of our place for council competition.

Police drug operation Gambit snares suspect in Northland
A woman has been arrested in Northland for alleged cocaine offences in Waikato

Whangārei painter scoops supreme win with picture-perfect interior colour work
An eye for detail sees the Premium Painting Solutions team named New Zealand's best.

Oranga Tamariki flagged mother twice before serious abuse allegations
Daughter reports mother: The trial reveals years of alleged violence against children.

News briefs from the Far North - new parking fines, copper theft and man in hospital after taking psychedelics
News snippets from the Far North

Auld Mug greeted with pōwhiri and spine-tingling haka in Whangārei
Te Kura o Waikare school students steal the Americas Cup show

Far North barn find motor auction attracts hundreds to Pakaraka
Everything goes at a Far North barn-find auction of classic cars and machinery.

Two taken to hospital with moderate injuries after Northland crashes
Emergency services were kept busy after five crashes at the weekend.

Navy life means touring the world
Whangārei's Cameron Wright loves getting paid to travel in the Navy.

Plenty of experience behind new operators of Far North holiday parks at Ahipara and Hihi
Far North's Hihi and Ahipara holiday parks have new operators with big plans.

Premium Painting Solutions' tip-top painting
Premium Painting Solutions’ work on this complex new-build in Maunu, Whangarei, helped it win the supreme 2024 Master Painter of the Year title.