Stories by Peter de Graaf
News
Power boat skipper who crashed into ferry must pay $130k to victims
The ferry's skipper was left with critical head and spinal injuries while a passenger was thrown into the water before the vessel sank.
Well-known red elephant finds new home in sea-side town
A life-sized elephant statue - familiar to generations of Aucklanders - has traded its home of more than 30 years next to a traffic-clogged central city road for a quiet life.
Celebration as key Northland connection reopens
"The sun's shining. We're open in Northland. Come on up," locals say as SH1 reopens after four-month closure.
Stuff pulls plug on Northland community newspapers
The Northern News and The Whangārei Leader will cease publication this week, along with a weekly property lift-out.
Businesses may band together to seek power outage compo
Northland's Chamber of Commerce says the Consumer Guarantees Act only applies to retail customers, not businesses.
NZ's only high school steel band set to make history this weekend
New Zealand's only high school steel band is winning fans with a genre-defying repertoire, ranging from pure 1970s pop to hard rock. Audio
Brynderwyns reopening: 'It's been a very stressful journey'
"Incredibly relieved" - that's the reaction of a Northland business leader to news that State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyn Hills will reopen in just under a week's time.
'Celebration': News Brynderwyns to reopen welcomed
What was meant to be a gathering Wednesday to support struggling Northland business owners is set to become a celebration instead.
Far North council's request to delay putting fluoride in water denied
The council now has just two weeks to start adding fluoride to its Kaitāia and Kerikeri water supplies after the Ministry of Health's refusal.
Invasive seaweed proves elusive for divers
The patch of caulerpa was found north of Auckland during routine surveillance.
What to expect from 'seal silly season'
Vomiting in public, snoozing on busy roads, hanging out in KFC car parks, and waking up on strangers' couches - just some of the antics seals could get up to.
Far North's first fixed speed camera attacked
The damage is disappointing because the camera was installed at the behest of the community, a spokesperson says.
Millions spent reopening mothballed Northland railway line
More than $30 million was spent fixing a railway line before the partly-completed project was put on hold.
New Northland legal clinic to address an 'access-to-justice crisis'
A new service is offering Far Northerners free legal clinics - alongside mental health support - in a tikanga Māori setting.
'World's worst marine pest' found near marine reserve
Caulerpa has been found at Leigh, north of Auckland, just a short distance from the famous Goat Island Marine Reserve.
Far North District Council slashes expected rates increase by about 12 percent
The reduction was partly achieved by councillors and staff trawling through budgets line-by-line to find $8.5 million in savings, the mayor says.
Relief on horizon as Northland's freight rail set to restart
The only other major freight route between Auckland and Northland remains closed at the Brynderwyn Hills.
New fixed camera to cost speeding drivers in Northland
The camera is on State Highway 1, in an 80km/h zone between Kawakawa and Moerewa.
Kaitāia's big day decades in the making
There are big days in Kaitāia, and there are absolutely enormous days. Wednesday was one of the latter.
Mangamuka Gorge to reopen by Christmas after two-year closure
The nation's most troublesome stretch of State Highway 1 will be driveable in a matter of months - if no more major storms hit.
Whangārei Budget Day hīkoi draws 1300
More than 1300 people have marched through Whangārei as part of a national day of action protesting government policies affecting Māori.
Enchanter trial ends, but verdict could take months
Five people aboard the Enchanter died in 2022 and the skipper, Lance Goodhew, has been on trial for breaches of safety law for the past three weeks.
Northland Regional Council to elect new chair
It was be the organisation's third chairperson in six months.
Council passes motion for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
There were emotional scenes in the Far North today as district councillors passed a motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Kaumātua's vow to stay on island as DOC tells him to leave his home
The Department of Conservation has ordered Matutaera Te Nana Clendon to dismantle his illegal dwelling but he says he's not going anywhere. Audio