Stories by Peter de Graaf
News
Call for four-lane highway between Auckland and Kaikohe
The government is being urged to upgrade the "dilapidated" SH1 as soon as possible.
Far North councillors vote 9 to 1 to seek delay in adding fluoride to water supply
Fluoride is meant to be added to water for Kaitāia and Kerikeri 30 June - but two councillors put forward a motion to delay it for another two years.
The water tank programme that's changing lives
The iwi-led drought relief programme is also training workers along the way. Audio
Closure of town's only bank leaves elderly residents 'very upset'
The closure of the Kiwibank counter has left elderly residents without vital services and business owners facing long trips by car to do their banking.
Centre that 'put Whangārei on the map' faces financial shortfall
Whangārei's acclaimed, but controversial, Hundertwasser Art Centre could run out of money by October 2025 - which means ratepayers may have to stump up to keep it open. Audio
'Kids with full bellies learn better' - principal
A Northland school is urging the government to rethink its plans to cut back the free lunches programme, saying the meals have greatly improved student attendance and behaviour. Audio
Easter weekend 'felt like Christmastime' - Northland businesses
"We just couldn't keep up", say Northland businesses reporting a bumper Easter weekend.
Motatau students make a splash with their underwater robotics
It's a long way from Motatau to America - but it's a journey a group of kids from this remote Northland valley are determined to make to compete with the best in underwater robotics.
'A horse in a small package': Tiny equines ready to take on big race
Four-legged athletes will thunder down Ninety Mile Beach in what is being called "the biggest miniature horse race in the world". Audio
Droves of workers living in cars due to housing shortage
Working families on two incomes are increasingly among those who can no longer afford rent, charities and advocates in Northland say.
$1m announced for Northland emergency coordination centre
A dedicated Northland emergency coordination centre will be built in Whangārei in a bid to improve the region's response to future natural disasters.
Treating birds 'blimmin' expensive', rescue centre at risk of closing says
Volunteers Robert and Robyn Webb rescue and treat about 1300 birds every years for 35 years - but a lack of funding is putting their work at risk.
Researchers uncover 'crucial' clue on Aotearoa's geology
New research pours cold water on the notion of New Zealand as a geologically young country by suggesting it has an ancient, rocky core more than 3 billion years old.
Northland WWII veteran Bill Guest dies at 101
He served in Egypt and Italy before returning to the family farm at Motukauri, in North Hokianga.
Northland bridge finally opens, nine years after it was promised
One of Northland's most keenly anticipated bridges ha opened, almost nine years after it was promised during a hotly contested by-election campaign.
'Getting the word from the flax roots': Northlanders frank on Covid's impact
Hundreds have taken the chance to share their views with a Royal Commission of Inquiry that's visiting the region.
Sick-looking penguins on beaches likely just moulting, expert says
Scruffy, sick-looking penguins turning up on beaches around New Zealand during summer are undergoing part of their natural life cycle and nothing to worry about, a bird expert says.
Detours in place ahead of SH1 Brynderwyns closure
Trucks with trailers will be banned from one of the detours around the Brynderwyns when the slip-plagued highway between Auckland and Northland closes later this month.
Mystery continues after dead wallabies found in Northland
Despite public calls for information the source of two dead wallabies in Northland is likely to remain a mystery.
New kiwi hospital to care for NZ's icon
A hospital built to cater for our national bird has already had its first patient after a kiwi was found trapped in a swimming pool filter.
'Our people are moving': Hundreds mark significant Treaty signing
It was more significant than usual given the "disruptive and dishonest" interpretation of Te Tiriti being promoted by some, a a hapū kaikōrero says
Far North hapū to mark biggest signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Hapū from around the Far North are expected to gather by the shores of Hokianga Harbour today to mark the second, and biggest, signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Exotic seaweed eradication hopes pinned on suction dredge
A trial in the battle against caulerpa, described as the world's worst marine pest, is underway in the Bay of Islands.
Kaikohe shooting: Police launch investigation after man injured
Armed police are guarding a house in Kaikohe after the town's second shooting in less than 24 hours.
Bumper breeding season for NZ's rarest bird after disastrous season last year
New Zealand's rarest bird looks set for a bumper breeding season this summer with five fledglings already striking out on their own and as many as eight more chicks to follow.