Stories by Susan Botting
News
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.
'Like a plague of locusts swarming in' - Labour Weekend off-roaders on Ripirō Beach
A family relation of Daisy Fernandez who was killed by a motorbike at Ripirō Beach is worried about what might happen when hordes of off-roaders pour onto the coastline over Labour Weekend.
Mature mangrove forest cut down for new $20 million Okara marina
Hundreds of mature mangroves have been cut down for Whangārei's new $20 million Okara marina, angering environmentalists who campaigned against their removal 30 years ago.
An invasive seaweed threat: Everything you need to know about caulerpa
Northland is facing an at least 10-year-long battle to eradicate the new marine seaweed superspreader, caulerpa.
Coastal retreat may be best long-term option for some storm-hit communities
A council specialist is warning it may be the best option for those facing expensive and ultimately short-term fixes to deal with foreshore sand dune erosion in Northland.
Northland east coast iwi Ngātiwai fear caulerpa already in rohe
Te Tai Tokerau east coast iwi Ngātiwai is concerned about what they say will undoubtedly be undetected caulerpa along their Northland coastline.
New Zealand-first caulerpa treatment trial set up in Bay of Islands today
Northland Regional Council divers have today set up a New Zealand-first caulerpa attack tool in the Bay of Islands.
Ban now in place to fight caulerpa spread
The government and mana whenua have put in place an anchoring ban to fight the growing threat of one of the world's most invasive marine seaweeds.
Northland dam's emergency spillway threatened by large slip
Whangārei District Council infrastructure committee chairman Simon Reid said the situation at the dam was "quite a concern".
North Island councils combine in urgent call to govt for caulerpa support
Councils representing more than half NZ's population are calling on the government for more money and support to be thrown at one of the world's worst invasive marine seaweed pests recently discovered…