Stories by Peter de Graaf
News
Far North car fire victim airlifted to Middlemore Hospital
It was believed the man had burns to 80 percent of his body.
Man spent night trapped under quad bike after crash
The man may have been trapped under the rolled bike for 24 hours before being spotted by a boatie.
NZ region makes National Geographic's Best of the World list
Northland makes it onto the list on the strength of its rare wildlife and "excellent diving".
The new crop that's puzzling locals
The sight of a crop never grown before in New Zealand has been baffling residents.
Tree felling on hold over concerns about kiwi
RNZ understands the developer has received a formal letter requesting a sweep of the property with a kiwi-detecting dog.
An hour of terror - What happened inside the Abbey Caves
The full terror of what happened in the caves - and acts of heroism that almost certainly saved students' lives - has been revealed.
More moisture, more severe - Climate scientist's prediction for future ex-tropical cyclones
A top climate scientist says damaging storms such as Cyclone Gabrielle may not become more frequent as a result of climate change - but they will become more intense.
Council buy-out for flood-damaged homes could end years of stress and suffering
The Far North District Council is considering opting in to the government scheme, which would see the council and central government split the cost of buying out desperate home owners.
Photographer Frank Habicht dies, aged 85
A Northland photographer whose images immortalised the social upheaval and flower power movement of London's 'Swinging Sixties' has died aged 85.
Pylon collapse: Upgraded lines and big batteries considered
Beefed-up transmission lines allowing more energy to be produced in the Far North, and a grid-scale battery to keep the lights on if the national grid fails again, are among options being explored…
Northland Tarara reconnecting with roots on Croatia rugby trip
The descendants of some of Northland's earliest European settlers are using rugby to reconnect with family left behind more than a century ago. Audio
Hospital again without a doctor most nights this week
There are also "a number of gaps" in the roster for the rest of the month, a leaked staff memo says.
Transpower probe may open way for compensation over pylon debacle
The Electricity Authority has confirmed it is investigating the national grid operator following the collapse of a pylon earlier this year.
Both skippers failed to keep proper watch before 'catastrophic' ferry collision
The collision left one man with critical injuries and sank a historic ferry
Transpower, contractor pay up over pylon collapse blackout
The local MP described the $1 million as a "goodwill payment"because neither Transpower nor Omexom were under any legal obligation to pay compensation.
Northland's fast-track approvals show heavy focus on infrastructure
A Northland business group is welcoming the heavy focus on infrastructure in the government's list of local projects singled out for fast-tracked consenting.
Health Minister quashes rumours hospital could shut
Any such speculation is "utterly wrong", Shane Reti says.
Fire investigators work to establish cause of Far North blaze
Fire investigators are still working to establish the cause of a blaze that scorched almost 180 hectares in the Far North.
New housing development will see loss of Kerikeri's eucalyptus trees
A major new housing development in central Kerikeri will change the face of the Bay of Islands town by removing its distinctive, 90-year-old eucalyptus backdrop.
Whangārei hopes for cruise ship numbers to keep floating higher
The number of vessels calling in to the northern city is going from zero last year to four next season - and possibly as many as 30 by 2044. Audio
Abbey Caves victim's parents call for stricter rules
Karnin Petera's parents say they support outdoor education, "we just don't want any more children or teachers to die".
'I'm here to listen' - Goldsmith meets with Ngāpuhi
Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith hopes to be the minister that finally gets a long-awaited settlement with Ngāpuhi across the line - but how that happens will up to the hapū.
Meridian's Ruakākā Solar Farm set to start producing power by late 2026
Consent has been granted for a solar power station at Ruakākā in Northland that will produce more than three times the energy of the biggest solar farm currently operating in New Zealand.
School board to pay more than $500k after student's death
Andre Petera and Alicia Toki had concerns about the school caving trip - but "had so much trust that the school would look after my son".