Stories by Susan Botting
News
Whangārei ratepayers face record rates hike
The figure is almost double the council's previous highest rates increase of nine percent in 2015/2016.
Community backlash over review slower speed limits
Plans are underway to review the controversial new $700,000 Whangārei Heads slower speed zone amid strong local opposition.
Northland’s fight against invasive seaweed boosted
Northland's groundbreaking mechanical caulerpa suction dredge could soon head to Aotea Great Barrier Island to help the fight against the invasive seaweed.
Far North Mayor hits out at Transport Minister
It comes ahead of his council deciding to lower speed limits for more than 300 local roads.
70 boats illegally anchored in Bay of Islands caulerpa ban area
The boats have been breaching the anchoring ban inside the government-controlled area notice (CAN) zone prohibiting anchoring, diving and fishing.
Local government leaders to gather in Waitangi
Far North Mayor Moko Tepania will host a new Waitangi feature where national leaders of the local government sector group will attend the celebrations for the first time.
Groundbreaking caulerpa dredging results expected
The government and others impacted by the invasive seaweed are closely watching the outcomes.
Northland navigating billion-dollar Cyclone Gabrielle hit
Civil Defence says the 2023 cyclone was the biggest event in Te Tai Tokerau in a generation.
Tūtūkākā student lobbies for safer weed spraying near school
An 11-year-old Tūtūkākā student's push for safer Whangārei District Council weed-spraying around his school is paying off.
New community climate adaptation pilot for Northland
A new community-led pilot focused on improving climate change adaptation and resilience in Northland's Oakura district has launched.
Fluoride fracas flares up again in Whangārei
The latest bid to pause fluoridation in Whangārei's water supply has failed after a heated council debate.
Māori leader angry over call to scrap Te Mana o te Wai freshwater principles
A Māori leader has hit out over a call to remove Te Mana o te Wai principles from Northland's freshwater plan.
Freshwater gold clam fears for Northland’s busiest tourist lake
The boat ramp at Northland's most popular recreational lake will remain open to boaties this summer despite fears about a new invasive freshwater gold clam.
Climate change pilot 'paused' in Northland, despite community’s pleas
Climate change work in Northland's Ruawai has been stopped by Kaipara District Council, despite pleas from the community.
Seismic power shift sees deputy chair facing chop at regional council
Northland Regional Council deputy chair Jack Craw is in the firing line as a group of councillors attempt to oust him from his role.
First wahine Māori chair of a regional council resigns
Tui Shortland has quit suddenly as chair of the Northland Regional Council.
Northlanders to shell out $90 million in November rates deadline
Northlanders are finding it harder to pay their council rates - as the deadline looms for the year's second rates instalment.
'A hell of a year': The young mayor sparking change
Far North kahikā (mayor) Moko Tepania says being elected with the support of local iwi means he and his councillors are not alone.
Council pushes ahead with fluoridation, despite High Court ruling
However, a longtime anti-fluoride campaigner wants the council to halt the $4.5 million-plus drinking water fluoride implementation process.
Petition to save Kaipara’s climate adaptation heading to council meeting
A Ruawai leader is taking her community's call to save Kaipara's $1.5 million climate adaptation mahi to the local council.
Petition calls for poll over how Whangārei elects local government
A petition is challenging Whangārei District Council's decision to change its electoral system.
Whangārei District Council baulks over government fluoridation mandate
The move comes amid funding concerns, claims of a loss of democracy and a councillor asking about a potential High Court injunction - which the council lawyer quickly dismissed.
SH1 Brynderwyns viaduct proposed by transport leaders
A kilometre-long Brynderwyns viaduct is the best fix to solve "unacceptable" State Highway 1 closure issues, Two Northland transport leaders say.
Cyclone-downed trees turned into firewood for needy families
Hundreds of thousands of Northland's Cyclone Gabrielle-downed trees are in for the chop in a unique $6.5 million resilience project.
Dargaville residents hit out at council's $8 million transport connectivity moves
An $8m plan to improve transport and connections through Dargaville has been met with criticism by some who say the money should be spent improving current risk areas.