Northland
Whangārei District Council votes against scrapping Māori ward
Whangārei District councillors have voted down a motion to abolish their Māori ward in a two-hour, often emotional debate.
Whangārei councillors defeat motion to axe Māori ward
Instead, the council will keep its two-seat Māori ward at the next election, and hold a referendum.
Whangārei District Council to vote on Māori wards, supporters plan rally
The council currently has two Māori ward councillors, Phoenix Ruka and Deb Harding, elected at large across the district.
Poorest New Zealanders paying highest power prices
The city with the highest average income has the cheapest electricity, data reveals.
Man who tried to escape police by swimming out to sea appears in court
Levi Johns spent an hour in the sea before surrendering on a Coastguard vessel.
Unexplained death: Have you seen this white hilux?
A white Hilux with no registration plates, an orange hazard light on the roof and dog cages on the back was seen in the area Jo Sione-Lauaki's body was found.
Far North's biggest community housing development to open
Te Kohekohe will provide 60 homes in an area where accommodation is in desperately short supply.
Suspected boat burglar swims away in slow-motion police chase
Police say the man missed his calling: "He should have been a marathon swimmer."
Tropical fruit tree seedlings in high demand as climate changes
Warmer weather means people can now grow fruits like pawpaw and bananas as far south as Invercargill. Audio
Dargaville Hospital to remain open despite nurses strike next week
The strike has been planned to highlight the fear nurses have about working in a hospital with no doctors after-hours.
Four arrests after shot fired during store robbery
Two others are being sought after robbers entered the store armed with an axe and a long-barrelled rifle.
Man arrested after fatal house fire in Northland
August Lemon was arrested this week and appeared in Whangārei District Court, charged with knowingly endangering life by setting fire to property.
Councils to vote on challenge to Māori ward polling rule
Far North mayor Moko Tepania says he will support a challenge to a new rule around polling on Māori wards.
Nurses to strike over concerns about lack of doctors after-hours
Stressed-out nurses in Dargaville are going on strike over fears for staff and patients while there is no doctor at the beleaguered hospital.
Toxic mould at ambulance site adds to health woes in Bay of Islands
Kawakawa's ambulance service has already been under extra pressure due to recent staff shortages at the hospital.
Woman faces 14-hour round trips to doctor as shortage bites
Tangipo Ryder returned home to family land a year ago, but can't enrol with a doctor anywhere nearby. Audio
Operation Freya: Final four sentenced for roles in Whangārei $8m drug empire
Thirteen people linked to the Head Hunters and Mongrel Mob were arrested in 2021 as part of Operation Freya.
Whangārei in desperate need of new hospital after 'Code Black', mayor says
The Whangārei mayor says Northland has needed a new hospital for the last 20 years.
'Never seen this before' - Hospital ED hits 'Code Black'
This afternoon the Whangārei Hospital's ED was at 156 percent capacity.
Doctors speak out as new patients turned away from hospital
"The employed staff already work 40-60 hours per week, plus additional shifts," doctors say.
