The community of the Far North is in mourning following the death of Tārati Buckley, a 76-year-old former school principal described as a “treasured taonga of Hokianga” and a dedicated champion of te reo Māori. Known to many as Dorothy or Nanny Dot, Mrs. Buckley died during King’s Birthday Weekend. Far North deputy mayor Chicky … Read more
Community Mourns as Homicide Investigation Progresses in Northland Police have formally identified the victim of a homicide in Northland earlier this week as 76-year-old Tārati (Dorothy) Buckley of Ōpononi. Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston of the Northland CIB confirmed that post-mortem and formal identification procedures have concluded, marking a somber milestone in an investigation that began … Read more
The Rising Tide of Maritime Crime: Protecting Your Floating Sanctuary For the Ross family in Northland, their houseboat was more than just a vessel; it was a generational gathering spot, a place to reconnect with whānau and live off the fruits of the sea. But that sanctuary was shattered when thieves stripped the boat of … Read more
New Zealand is bracing for a significant weather event as a slow-moving, humid trough prepares to sweep across the country, bringing prolonged heavy rain to the North and South Islands. MetService has expanded its alert network, issuing fresh orange heavy rain warnings for Northland and Taranaki Maunga, while placing several regions under new watches. The … Read more
FAR NORTH – Far North Mayor Moko Tepania is spearheading a push to shift the final authority on place-naming decisions from central government ministers to local councils, arguing that the current system allows for “bizarre” outcomes that ignore local history and expertise. Tepania’s proposal, submitted as a remit to Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), suggests … Read more
New Zealand Police have launched a nationwide crackdown on anti-social and illegal dirt bike activity, following a spike in reports of dangerous behavior across multiple districts. Law enforcement confirms that arrests and enforcement actions have been carried out in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Eastern, Bay of Plenty, and Wellington. In Hamilton, police are currently conducting Operation … Read more
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown Eyes Kaitāia Timber Mills: A Lifeline for Northland Industry? The future of Kaitāia’s industrial landscape hangs in the balance as Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown confirms he is “chewing over” a potential bid to rescue the town’s beleaguered timber mills. As a private businessman, Brown’s interest offers a glimmer of hope for … Read more
A tropical low is forecast to affect parts of New Zealand’s North Island in the coming days, with weather watches now in effect for strong winds and heavy rainfall. Weather Watches Issued A strong wind watch is in place for the Far North from midday today. Downpours are expected to trigger a heavy rain watch … Read more
A Northland teacher has been struck off after being found guilty of serious misconduct for using physical force against students in his Year 3 class. ‘Didn’t even push him that hard’ Patrick Tokoroa Heke’s registration was cancelled by the Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal. The incidents occurred at a Whangārei school in 2021 and were reported to … Read more
The Rising Tide of Animal Neglect and the Challenges for Veterinary Professionals A recent case in Whangārei, New Zealand, highlights a disturbing trend: individuals repeatedly seeking veterinary care for animals while actively hindering treatment and demonstrating a pattern of neglect. The case, involving a woman presenting animals under aliases and refusing recommended euthanasia for suffering … Read more