The Northland Age
Overgrown paths push walkers onto road
Overgrown footpaths are pushing pedestrians onto a busy Far North highway, after the council confirmed vegetation control in parts of pononi and ma¯pere is not covered by its maintenance contract. Residents in pononi and ma¯pere said they have raised...
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Push for rodeo ban after runaway bull incident
An animal welfare group says the escape of an 800kg bull at a Kaita¯ia rodeo highlights the urgent need for the sport to be banned. A bull named Thunder broke through a fence at the Far North rodeo in Kaita¯ia on January 2. He was promptly returned,...
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Paihia’s tap water ‘smells like a swamp’
When the Far North District Council announced a treatment upgrade in 2023, it told residents the unpleasant smell and taste of the water would soon be a thing of the past. At the time the council said the unpleasant odour in the Paihia-O¯puaWaitangi...
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$7m of airport upgrade contracts out for tender
Amuch-needed upgrade of Kaita¯ia Airport to guarantee its future has moved closer with contracts for work worth more than $7 million out for tender. Last year the pathway for Kaita¯ia Airport to return to Ngai Takoto and Ngati Kahu hapu was cleared,...
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Historic Day for Kororipo Pā and Ngāpuhi
It was a privilege to speak in Parliament on the passing of the Kororipo Pā Vesting Bill—a moment of deep significance for Te Tai Tokerau, for Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Rēhia, and for Aotearoa. This bill is more than legislation; it is a milestone in our shared...
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‘It’s utterly fantastic’
The Crown’s relationship with Nga¯puhi has taken a significant step forward with legislation which returns the historic Kororipo Pa¯ passing in Parliament yesterday. The passing of the bill ends a 20-year quest by Northland iwi Nga¯puhi. To the...
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Mayor handed petition to halt demolition
Far North Mayor Moko Tepania has received a petition urging the council to rethink its plans to demolish the old Warehouse building in Kaitaia, as locals push for transparency and a chance to shape the site’s future. The petition was handed over by...
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Restaurateur vindicated by licence appeal win
Northland restaurateur Richard Guthrey feels vindicated after winning an appeal against a declined liquor licence application that deemed him “not a fit and proper person”. The Remarkable Seafood Restaurant in Mangonui will soon reopen after being...
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Christmas event back on after last-minute lifeline
Organisers of a volunteer-run Christmas event in Kaita¯ia are breathing a sigh of relief after a last-minute rescue ensured the celebrations can go ahead. Last week it was announced that the Christmas Parade and the Christmas in the Sky event were...
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Stonemason pocketed $124k from small business
Atrusted associate of a small family business abused his position by diverting $124,000 through fake invoices and hidden cash dealings. Now, Colin Gillies, 68, has been jailed for two and a half years on five charges of defrauding the Kaita¯iabased...
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Meth use rises in North
Muriwhenua has been in a meth crisis for well over a decade and wastewater testing has shown use is now exploding. In the last 18 months wastewater testing showed that consumption has shot up by 200%. Behind those numbers are families drowning in...
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Forest coming back to life
Pests are a major problem to our native forests, but in the Bay of Islands, a conservation group is making big inroads in pua Forest, with 12,000 rats, possums, stoats and feral cats removed over autumn. Bay Bush Action, which looks after the forest...
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Wise water use urged
Northlanders are being urged to lock in good water habits now, before water treatment plants are pushed to their limits. The Far North District Council’s Water Shortage Management Committee (WSMC) said water restrictions over the next few months will...
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Hundreds of dog attacks recorded over three years
Dogs have attacked nearly 270 people in the Far North in three years. Council data revealed more than 770 attacks between 2022/23 to 2024/25. Attacks on people, pets, livestock and wildlife were recorded. The information was revealed by the Far North...
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Rural ambulance gaps widen as demand surges
The Far North’s secondlargest town has one ambulance based there overnight, highlighting concerns about gaps in Northland’s ambulance service. Worry has mounted after Hato Hone St John marked its busiest winter on record. However, the service said it...
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Project to ease housing strain for over-50s
Work on 28 new homes for people aged over 50 is progressing in Kaita¯ia, with the one-bedroom units to provide independent living at the Claud Switzer Residential facility. The new homes will provide shelter for 56 Te Hiku community members, with...
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Kaeo water supply out for two weeks — residents
For over two weeks Ka¯eo residents claim they have been without running water, but the operator of the town’s water scheme has disputed this, insisting the outage has lasted only a few days. Last week the Far North District Council (FNDC) announced...
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Kerikeri Street Party cancelled amid road closures
Alack of funding and sponsorship and looming Brynderwyns closures have caused the “gutting” cancellation of the popular Kerikeri Street Party. Event organiser Jackie Sanders said her company Jacman Entertainment had been taking “full financial risk”...
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Water Services Authority to convene meeting with Wai Care
After years of public frustration and unanswered questions over Ka¯eo’s drinking water, the national water regulator has stepped in, urging the Far North District Council and the supplier to work together on a longterm solution. The Water Services...
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Review pledged after six-month wait over tree
The Far North District Council said it will review how it responds to requests for service after a Ka¯eo resident spent over six months trying to get action on a fallen tree. Janice Ryan sent several requests for service (RFS), visited a council...
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Whānau return home with papakāinga opening
Generations of the Craike family are returning home to Waimamaku in the Hokianga, after the official opening of the Te Papaka¯inga o Te Wha¯nau o Alice me Barry Craike. The papaka¯inga saw four new affordable rental homes established across six...
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Work begins on $1.5m Kaeo River project
Work has begun on a longawaited $1.5 million project to re-route part of the Kaeo River, a move expected to reduce flooding in the township. After years of talks and planning, preliminary digging along the proposed alignment got under way to re-route...
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Tepania back in top job with a landslide win
Far North Mayor Moko Tepania turned a once nailbiting contest to the district’s top job, to a commanding win. Three years after edging out his rival by fewer than 500 votes, Tepania has stormed back in the Far North’s top job and said the results...
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Councillors hit back at interference claims
Claims of election interference in the Far North have been ruled out, following a police inquiry sparked by a complaint that named several council members. A Far North resident sent a letter to the Independent Election Services, and in it accused...
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Kerikeri weighs growth against small-town charm
Northlanders are pushing back against a suggestion to allow six-storey buildings in a Far North town renowned for its village charm. A submission was lodged by Ka¯inga Ora in 2022 on the Far North District Plan, calling for Kerikeri to be rezoned as a...
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Social housing plans floated for Warehouse site
The long-vacant former Warehouse site in Kaita¯ia will finally be demolished, and its future may already be taking shape. The Aupo¯uri Nga¯ti Kahu Te Rarawa Trust (ANT) put forward a proposal to turn part of the land into a development featuring social...
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College board dissolved as commissioner takes over
Ongoing concerns about student outcomes and overall school governance have prompted the Ministry of Education to dissolve Northland College’s board and install a commissioner. The ministry said the decision was based on an Education Review Office...
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EDs swamped by patients seeking dental care
Northland’s Emergency Departments are reporting patients unable to access dental care because of the cost are turning up on their doorstep with more advanced diseases. People who are unable to afford dentists are arriving at EDs with abscesses, sepsis...
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Far North council exodus
About half of the Far North District Council’s staff of about 450 have left in the past three years, costing ratepayers $1.27 million. The figures from a Far North resident’s request under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act...
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Micro-quake hits North
It may not have rattled windows or woken anyone up, but an earthquake recorded in the Far North has sparked curiosity over earthquakes in the region. Northland has long escaped earthquakes and is often seen as one of New Zealand’s quietest regions for...
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Residents pull out own teeth amid dental crisis
Ahidden health crisis is emerging in the Far North, where limited access to dental care driven some residents to extreme measures: DIY self-extractions. Drastic measures born of high costs, distance and a shortage of dental services mean some...
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Council rejects push for judicial review of project
Arenewed push for a judicial review into the Sweetwater Aquifer project has been voted down, a divided Far North District Council choosing not to back councillor Mate Radich’s motion. At a recent council meeting, Radic motioned that the council...
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Historic ruling made in fatal dog attack case
Ajury has found a man guilty of manslaughter after his dogs fatally mauled his friend to death — the first conviction of its kind in New Zealand. Over the past week, the jury has had the task of deciding whether Abel Wira, 61, was guilty of either...
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‘Policing isn't getting easier’
Policing is not getting easier. From homicides to the daily toll of frontline work, officers are facing traumatic and volatile situations. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers says that is the reality that not only demands better tools like body-worn...
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Proposed fees could shift financial burden
Far North ratepayers could be spared some of the cost of new infrastructure, with the district council proposing to reintroduce development contribution charges for new housing and other projects. The council is looking to shift some of the burden of...
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89yo fends off intruder
John Coleman is 89. Early on Saturday he got out of bed to chase a man on his farm. Coleman was taken to hospital after a confrontation and the alleged offender, 27, was taken into custody by police. It was just before 3am and Northland beef farmer...
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How surcharge ban could affect you
Northlanders will have to steel themselves for yet another price hike when the Government’s surcharge ban comes into play. That’s what some Northland retailers and business leaders believe after the recent Government announcement that will see...
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Northland councils must work together
Two Northland councils with markedly opposing views on Ma¯ori involvement must now successfully work together to deliver Te Tai Tokerau’s biggest water services change. Far North District Council (FNDC) voted 9:2 on Thursday to step into Northland’s...
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‘Rule makes no sense’
Paihia residents say they feel blindsided by a proposed rule that could restrict future developments on their properties. At least 179 Paihia properties could be subject to a “heritage area” (HA) overlay under the Far North District Council’s (FNDC)...
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A home of his own
In Northland’s tight and overloaded public housing system, even the sickest can fall through the cracks. Zaine Logan was one of those people. The 61-year-old, who has a chronic and degenerative lung disease, spent months living in unsafe, cold, and...
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Roading workers ‘thrown under the bus’
Far North District Council’s roading department staff feel like they have been “thrown under the bus” in a restructure which paints them as ineffective, a union says. The PSA is investigating court action over potential employment law breaches with...
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Debate over council focus
New funding from the Far North’s community boards is expected to benefit local businesses and attract offpeak visitors. But the spending has raised eyebrows among ratepayers and a political hopeful who argue the council should focus on infrastructure,...
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Prisoners build homes for families in need
Afamily in Te Tai Tokerau will soon move into a brand new two-bedroom house – the product of hard work, fresh skills and a second chance. The home was built by men serving time at Northland Region Corrections Facility (NRCF), as part of a unique trade...
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‘We need cops’
After experiences with break-ins, car thefts and slow police responses, a Kaikohe resident has penned an open letter calling for action. Justin Harnish has been a Kaikohe resident for over a decade and said he has noticed a shift. Things are getting...
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‘Put food first’
Former Far North District Council deputy mayor Dover Samuels said the 10.95% rate rise for the 2025/25 financial year is pushing residents to the brink and has called for a humanitarian approach. The Far North District Council has signed off on a...
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Northland’s $47m road renewals earn praise
Northland’s state highway network has undergone the largest road renewal programme in a decade. However, road safety advocates believe there is still a lot more to be done to keep drivers safe. The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) recently completed its...
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KiwiSaver raids seen as a sign of desperation
The number of Northlanders dipping into their KiwiSaver funds because of financial hardship has more than doubled over the past three years. Concerns are being raised that many people will be woefully unprepared for retirement. There was a 109%...
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Council ordered to pay ex-CEO $210k in dispute
The Far North District Council has been ordered to pay more than $210,000 to former chief executive Blair King, who resigned in 2023, less than a year into the role. The council’s legal costs relating to King’s departure are even higher, adding up to...
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Fluoride ‘no benefit’
Fluoride is back in the spotlight in the Far North, with residents debating the decision to add fluoride to Kerikeri and Kaita¯ia’s water supplies. Earlier this week the Far North District Council (FNDC) confirmed it is moving ahead with the...
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Gone without a trace
Northland is New Zealand’s worst region for cabin theft, according to a rental business that’s had seven of its units taken. Most of the cabins have been stolen from Kaikohe and Whanga¯rei. Roommate Cabins Northland said thefts have ramped up in...
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‘Deeply disappointing’
The Environment Court has green-lit the next stages of a major rural subdivision on the northern edge of Kerikeri, just three years after local commissioners rejected it. Neil Construction can now proceed with developing 115 residential lots across...
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‘Still a long road’
Plastic bottles, tyres and old fishing gear are still piling up on Northland shores with local crews collecting over 106,000 litres of litter in just three months. Between February and May, thousands of Sea Cleaners volunteers hauled the litter from...
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Council seeks input on waste reduction plan
Aplan to reshape the Far North’s approach to waste has been given the green light for public consultation. The motion to start with public consultation on the draft Solid Waste Strategy (SWS) was carried out in a recent council meeting, setting the...
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‘I want people to see and hear a difference’
From kapa haka classes to te reo Ma¯ ori in local businesses, Kerikeri’s journey to becoming the Far North’s first bilingual town is well under way. The newly renamed Te Rauora (The Revitalisation) Strategy is an agreement between the council Te...
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Fire razes historical ship
Ahistorical ship in the Bay of Islands destroyed by fire yesterday morning has been described as a significant loss of history. Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews have brought the fire on The Tui in Paihia under control after being called to the...
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Plastic paradise
Some of Northland’s most pristine beaches are carrying the weight of a global pollution problem. A new study has confirmed the presence of microplastics at 11 locations sampled, with Mangawhai recording the highest levels. While levels varied between...
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The $452m gamble
Pokie machines in Northland swallowed nearly half a billion dollars in 2024, with the Far North accounting for nearly half of that. It’s a staggering sum that one Northland gambling support service says reflects the deep grip that gambling has on the...
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Caseloads exceed safe limit for social workers
Northland’s social workers are among the most stretched in the country, with caseloads above the national average. In a recent response to a parliamentary question, the Ministry for Children’s Karen Chhour responded, saying that more than a dozen...
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Far North weighs tightening booze laws
Should there be more booze bans in the Far North? Fewer liquor stores? The Far North District Council wants to know what locals think. In a bid to balance support for local business with efforts to curb alcoholrelated harms, the Far North District...
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‘These roads are just going to get worse’
Far North residents claim they are paying up to $5000 a year in rates but get nothing for it. People living on Cable Bay Block Rd, Coopers Beach, say the council is “missing in action” as they deal with unsafe roads and no rubbish collections. The Far...
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‘Gotcha’ exercise?
Far North District Council will hold an independent investigation into its controversial Sweetwater Aquifer project but pulled back from holding a judicial review into the scheme. Te Hiku ward district councillor Mate Radich, a long-time critic of the...
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Storms set wet records
It may come as no surprise, but last month was one of the wettest Aprils on record for many Far North towns as big storms, including ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam, battered the region. The region was hit by three big rain events, including ex-Tropical...
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Legal storm brews over water aquifer blowout
AFar North District councillor wants a judicial review of the controversial Sweetwater Aquifer project, saying costs have spiralled out of control and an independent body needs to look into it. Te Hiku ward district councillor Mate Radich, a long-time...
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Landslide closes Mangamuka road again
Three storms in two weeks have been too much for State Highway 1 over Mangamuka Gorge, with the road again closed because of a slip on Tuesday. It’s the second landslide in a few days to close the gorge highway. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said...
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Mangamuka Gorge slip cleared, SH1 reopens
State Highway 1 over the Mangamuka Gorge in Northland has been reopened after a slip that blocked the road over the weekend was cleared. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said engineers had been on site to carry out assessments prior to the...
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Kai Hub kindness
The Far North’s second social supermarket will open in Kaikohe next week to help address food insecurity for those struggling to make ends meet. Nga¯puhi Iwi Social Services (NISS), with support from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD), has...
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‘I wanted to show him it was possible’
Arainy-day conversation with an ex-building buddy proved pivotal for Far North man Takawai McMath, so he swapped his toolbelt for study and last week graduated with a Bachelor of Teaching from the University of Waikato. McMath, a father of three,...
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