NewsBank (Northland Age, The)

## State of the Far North

Road access to one of New Zealand's most important cultural sites, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, has been upgraded in time for Waitangi Day events, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says.

A large fireball, likely made up of ancient space rock older than Earth itself, tore through the atmosphere over Northland in the early hours, briefly turning the night sky into day.

A familiar walking track through Kerikeri's redwood trees is set to close as council begins an eight-week operation to remove the ageing stand, citing safety risks to nearby homes and a retirement village.

What started as a leap of faith has turned into a shared dream come true for a young Northland couple.

The familiar smell of coffee and fresh baking will soon return to Rāwene's waterfront, with the Boatshed Cafe set to reopen under new family ownership.

Federated Farmers is backing a novel idea to tackle the rural health workforce shortage.

It may not look like much at first glance, but this modest-looking bed is a national oddity.

A childhood fascination with space and a well-written personal statement has earned an Awanui teenager a $10,000 engineering scholarship.

Parts of the Far North remained under close watch yesterday after MetService upgraded Northland's heavy rain warning to red, triggering road closures, restricted access and the opening of an emergency operations centre in Kaikohe.

New residential methamphetamine testing data suggests that meth contamination remains a persistent and structural housing risk in New Zealand as half of homes tested positive.

What started as a backyard weigh station and a simple idea between friends has grown into a 300-member-strong club, drawing anglers from across Northland and beyond.

## Fatal crash

A strange medical device, uncovered during restoration work at Kemp House, is giving locals a rare glimpse into the crude medical practices used in missionary-era New Zealand.

Record temperatures and soaring water use have pushed Kerikeri and Waipapa into Level 2 water restrictions from Monday.

Repeated attacks on rural cell towers in Northland are not just causing costly damage, they are cutting lifelines to isolated communities that depend on the coverage.

Motorists using SH10 near Oromāhoe in the Far North must take a detour from January 13 to 30 while the road is being rebuilt. SH10 will be closed between SH1/SH10 Pakaraka intersection and SH10/SH11 Puketona Roundabout while NZ Transport Agency contractors undertake the roadworks. The road will be fully closed from 7pm January 13 to 7pm January 16. It will also be closed from January 19 to 30...

Waitangi Day is fast approaching and the team at EcoSolutions are gearing up again to support the celebrations in their zero waste goals.

While the Far North District Council said a new partnership with the SPCA will help reduce unwanted dogs, a local rescue group argues the support already exists and bigger barriers for struggling owners remain unaddressed.

While the Far North District Council said a new partnership with the SPCA will help reduce unwanted dogs, a local rescue group argues the support already exists and bigger barriers for struggling owners remain unaddressed.

Northland Inc has appointed Tui Rutherford (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Te Roroa) as its new head of investment. Rutherford joined the organisation on January 19, bringing strong leadership and a deep understanding of investment, economic development and the public sector. Originally from the Hokianga, he also has a connection to Te Tai Tokerau that further supports his alignment with the organisation...

Overgrown footpaths are pushing pedestrians onto a busy Far North highway, after the council confirmed vegetation control in parts of Ōpononi and Ōmāpere is not covered by its maintenance contract.

When your catch weighs nearly 100kg, normal transport rules go out the window.

An animal welfare group says the escape of an 800kg bull at a Kaitāia rodeo highlights the urgent need for the sport to be banned.

When the Far North District Council announced a treatment upgrade in 2023, it told residents the unpleasant smell and taste of the water would soon be a thing of the past.

With a key cut-off date less than a year away, Far North property owners planning new developments are being advised to get familiar with upcoming changes to development contributions.

The quick thinking of three 9-year-old Mangonui students resulted in a classmate making a full recovery and the trio being recognised for their bravery.

There are no shops, motels or buzzing streets between the rolling dunes and calm stretch of the Parengarenga Harbour.

There are no traffic jams, crowded malls or endless queues. The harbours are calm, the nights are quiet and the residents are happy to point visitors in the right direction.

From singing in the car as a child to performing with one of the country's top youth ensembles, Far North musician Noah McBirney has reached a major milestone.