Stories by Lois Williams
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Locals picture Whangarei harbourside in a whole new way
Three Whangarei women plan to crowd fund to have a sculpture incorporating ancient camera technology built on Whangarei's harbourside. Video
New court to hear sexual violence cases
A new sexual violence court may mean more people are willing to lay complaints, victim advocates say.
Police continue homicide investigation over Whangarei death
A post-mortem will be carried out today on the man who died of his injuries in Whangarei's St John ambulance station.
Aim to make shingles vaccine free for over-65s
The drug-buying agency Pharmac is aiming to make the costly shingles vaccine free to everyone over 65 within two years.
Council slow to move stock in rivers - campaigner
Campaigners for cleaner rivers in Northland are accusing the regional council of dragging its heels over rules to keep stock out of waterways.
Waitangi Tribunal holds urgent inquiry over Northland's east coast
The Waitangi Tribunal has begun an urgent inquiry into another troubled bid to settle Treaty claims - this time for the Ngātiwai people of Northland's east coast.
PM could get Waitangi greeting away from 'grandstanding'
A Waitangi Day organiser has given elders three weeks to decide whether the Prime Minister will be made welcome at Waitangi marae next year.
Councillor's comments to disabled candidate 'antiquated'
A Northland man says cerebral palsy hasn't stopped him entering local government - and there's no reason it should stop an aspiring Dunedin councillor. Audio
Hapū call for commissioner to oversee Ngāpuhi negotiations
A Hokianga hapū spokesman is recommending an independent commissioner be appointed to oversee the Ngāpuhi mandate restructure.
Making sense of the Ngāpuhi mandate
Analysis - Tūhoronuku says it will now fully accept a plan to hand the reins to hapū in negotiating Ngāpuhi's treaty claim. Lois Williams explains.
U-turn by Ngāpuhi board on negotiation plan
The board that holds the mandate to negotiate Ngāpuhi's Treaty of Waitangi claim says it will now fully accept a plan to hand the reins to hapū.
Ngāpuhi negotiations falter as board members resign
Four Ngāpuhi trustees have resigned from the board tasked with negotiating the iwi's treaty settlement, effectively ending hopes of unity under its mandate.
Crunch time for crucial Ngāpuhi mandate
It's decision time for the Ngāpuhi mandate today, with opposing factions in the long-running dispute set for a show down.
Legal action 'possible' over Ngāpuhi negotiations
Court action is possible if the Ministry of Treaty Negotiations transfers a mandate to negotiate on behalf of Ngāpuhi, an iwi leader says.
Tūhoronuku mandate row reaches crisis point
The row over Ngāpuhi's problematic Tūhoronuku mandate has reached crisis point, with some hapū leaders imploring the Minister for Treaty Negotiations to scrap it.
Northland rates rebels win partial victory
The rebel ratepayers of Mangawhai in Northland have won a partial victory in their fight over certain rates, imposed for a wastewater scheme. Audio
Mayoral candidate says Whangarei needs his business experience
Whangarei's mayor Sheryl Mai is rejecting a claim by David Blackley that Whangarei is missing out on growth because the council lacks business experience. Audio
Tuhoronuku rebellion threatens Ngapuhi Treaty negotiations
The group holding the mandate to negotiate the massive Ngapuhi Treaty settlement is on the verge of losing it.
'Sonny Tau should move on' - Treaty Negotiations Minister
It's time for Ngāpuhi leader Sonny Tau to bow out, the Treaty Negotiations Minister says, and let younger talent take the helm of the tribe's affairs.
Far North criminals becoming brazen, says local
Far North criminals are getting bolder by the day because they know there's little risk of being caught, a Kaitaia farmer and retailer says.
'We don't raise people who are that thick'
Locals in the picturesque Northland town of Mangonui are upset at the Far North District Council's $200,000 plan to put a safety rail on their waterfront boardwalk. Audio
Northland power price hike an economic 'disaster' - mayors
Northland councils are warning that new transmission prices planned by the Electricity Authority would be a deadly blow to the region's economic development.
Swamp kauri exports are 'fossils', court told
A Far North conservation group has argued in court that swamp kauri is a fossil and cannot legally be exported.
MPI had kauri export concerns, say conservationists
Ministry for Primary Industries staff were concerned about the legality of some swamp kauri exports and considered asking for legal clarification.
Northland DHB to continue to fund pepi pods
Wahakura, or pepi pods, for young babies will continue to be funded in Northland, despite Ministry of Health uncertainty over their effectiveness. Video