Stories by Lois Williams
News
Northland vet reveals location of M Bovis infection
A Dargaville vet has told Northland farmers what the government refuses to reveal: the location of the farm confirmed to be infected with mycoplasma bovis.
Waitangi Trust fraud: 'It's been a pretty horrible time for everyone'
The man who hired the Waitangi Trust's financial manager had known the fraudster for 14 years and thought he was the least corruptible person he knew. Audio
Hapu support name change for mandate
Hapū in Hokianga are backing the idea of a name change for Tūhoronuku.
Exclusive golf course subsidising river protection in Kaipara
A private golf course developed by an American billionaire is now subsidising tree-planting efforts across Northland to protect rivers.
Southern members of northern iwi want fresh hapū elections
Ngāpuhi people living in the South Island say there must be fresh hapū elections for people to represent the iwi at Treaty negotiations.
'People were coming up to have one last look'
An eleventh-hour action plan is on the table to save iconic kauri in Northland's Waipoua Forest after intensive discussions between iwi, DOC and scientists.
Whangarei developers eye up council arts fund
Developers keen to build a conference centre in Whangarei are eyeing up council funding set aside for the arts.
Fishing rāhui placed on beach where whales died
Northland's Te Roroa iwi has placed a rāhui on fishing and shellfish collecting on the beach where two humpback whales died this week.
Hapū leader warns Ngāpuhi row could be headed back to tribunal
Ngāpuhi hapū will head back to the Waitangi Tribunal if Andrew Little insists on a single settlement for the whole iwi, a hapū leader says. Audio
Turtles on the loose: Council to deploy trap to capture 'pest'
Bio-security experts in Northland have come up with a new device to deal with growing numbers of turtles in the wild.
Whangārei 'on a roll' as work starts on Hundertwasser centre
Business confidence may be on a slide in national surveys - but it's heading in the other direction in Whangārei, according to those who should know.
Supreme Court rejects Mangawhai Ratepayers' illegal rates battle
The Supreme Court has rejected a bid by Mangawhai Ratepayers to continue their court battle over illegal rates.
Gay priest says ordination offers hope to LGBT Christians
A Russell man who has just become the first openly gay Anglican to become a priest says others can take heart from his ordination.
11 years on a visa rule change sparks departure fear for migrant
Support is growing in the Far North for a popular aged care worker from the Philippines who fears she'll have to leave the country she thinks of as home.
Charter school fears loss of key staff under state system
A Māori charter school in Whangārei says it will lose staff who have been critical to its success when it comes under the state education umbrella.
'Crazy' response to Whangārei homeless centre
Power and water was cut off, part of the building was flooded and there was rubbish everywhere - now volunteers are transforming the old army barracks into a day centre for homeless people.
Small marae could sink massive Tegel mega-chook farm venture
Northland people who dread the prospect of living near New Zealand's biggest chicken farm are celebrating after the project struck a setback.
Boat builder loses battle to access coastal reserve
A Bay of Islands boat-builder has lost his long-running battle to be able to work on a coastal reserve.
Approval given to oil refinery to dredge Whangārei Harbour
The Marsden Point oil refinery has won approval to dredge Whangārei Harbour.
Stores agree to pull P-pipes from sale after plea
Two stores in the Far North have taken glass pipes commonly used to smoke methamphetamine off their shelves, after a plea by locals.
P-pipe sale at shops blasted by Northland couple
A Northland couple are calling out shopkeepers who sell P-pipes - the glass instruments commonly used for smoking methamphetamine.
Campaign against country's largest chicken farm steps up
Kaipara people who don't want New Zealand's biggest chicken farm in their neighbourhood are stepping up their campaign against it.
Regional Council to tackle kauri dieback spread on private land
Northland's Regional Council is ramping up its response to kauri dieback on private land.
MPI face up to kauri dieback programme criticism
The Ministry of Primary Industries is defending its leadership of the kauri dieback programme.
Pine forests could incubate kauri dieback, scientists warn
The government should be cautious about planting pine trees near northern kauri forests because they may be incubating kauri dieback, some scientists say.