Stories by Susan Botting
News
Kaitāia’s $15.3 million Sweetwater project brings new water resilience
Water restrictions are expected to be a thing of the past with the start-up of Kaitāia's major new $15.3 million Sweetwater supply.
More than 1000 expected to protest Pakiri seabed sand mining ahead of consent hearings
More than 1000 Pakiri seabed sand mining protesters are expected at an event at Mangawhai Heads ahead of company Auckland company McCallum Bros' resource consent application hearings.
Paihia waterfront storm project meeting should be public, community says
More than 270 people are calling on Far North District Council to move Wednesday's extraordinary council meeting discussions on the $13.45 million Paihia waterfront storm project into the public…
Whangārei Mayor says her council will not fluoridate unless government pays
Whangārei Mayor Sheryl Mai says the government needs to get a loud and clear message that her council would not be fluoridating its water unless the government pays.
Residents call for council to cut down avenue of magnolia trees
Residents in a Kamo cul-de-sac want the 34 magnolia trees cut down in the wake of two broken arms, a twisted ankle, falls and more.
Hikurangi Swamp farmers aim to set up trust to helm $50 million council drainage scheme
Hikurangi Swamp farmers are looking to a new management system for the $50 million Whangārei District Council drainage scheme.
Kaipara Mayor seeks National Party Northland seat, not seeking re-election
Kaipara Mayor Dr Jason Smith is seeking National party candidacy for Northland.
Likely government fluoridation decree for Northland councils pending
Fluoride will likely soon be added to thousands of Northlanders' drinking water - as the government moves to impose the controversial additive's inclusion in council water supplies.
Potential $150 million Ruatangata airport clouds Patuwairua Stream future
Residents say Patuwairua Stream's Jurassic World-like spaces are threatened by the proposed $150 million Ruatangata airport.
First region-wide local govt climate change adaptation strategy announced
Seventy Northland towns and localities projected to be significantly affected by coastal flooding, erosion and permanent inundation through sea level rise are involved.
Whangārei council moves towards formal airport site protection from July
Whangārei District Council will move closer to protecting the future use of its chosen new $150 million airport site from July.
Legal fight launched over Northland rescue helicopter base shift
Opponents of shifting the Onerahi emergency rescue helicopter are set to legally challenge Whangārei District Council to stop the service's base shifting from Kensington to the airport.
Northland local government leadership faces seismic leadership change
Northland local government is facing its biggest leadership change this year.
Local Government Commission warns remuneration concerns not best representation review driver
Capping councillor numbers to ensure adequate remuneration is not the best way to approach a representation review the Local Government Commission has told Northland Regional Council.
Roading leader calls for judicial review after government cans Whangārei's four-lanes
A Northland roading leader is calling for a judicial review of June's government decision to can the multi-million four-lane highway from Whangārei to Port Marsden.
Ruatangata frontrunner for new $150m Whangārei district airport
A new airport would be Whangārei District Council's single biggest infrastructure project, replacing Onerahi airport which started operating in 1939.
Whangārei water rates to increase 30 percent
Water rates are to potentially climb by more than 30 percent as Whangārei District Council faces a $3.4 million double hit from the end of Marsden Point oil refining and extra three waters costs.
Northland councils voice strong support for renewable energy zone pilot
Northland local government is strongly in favour of Tai Tokerau becoming New Zealand's first renewable energy zone pilot.
Councillor quartet rejects Northland regional landfill's statement of intent
A quartet of councillors has refused to fully support the operation of Northland's major regional landfill south of Whangārei.
Ruling on Whangārei council 'sad indictment', says former councillor
New Zealand's Local Government Commission ruling against district-wide voting for Whangārei's upcoming elections is a "sad indictment" on council decision-making, a former councillor says.
Neighbours want proposed $450m Dargaville racecourse development canned
Awakino Point opponents are calling for the proposed $450 million Dargaville Racecourse development to be canned.
Three waters: Auckland could emerge as new consumer of Marsden Point water
Auckland could emerge as a new user of millions of dollars of Whangārei water formerly taken by Marsden Point Oil Refinery.
New tsunami alert in works for NZ after Tonga eruption
A new national Civil Defence tsunami alert category is being worked up following the huge impact of the Tongan volcano eruption on Northland's coastline.
Mayor dismisses councillor from meeting for breaching council rules
A Kaipara District councillor was temporarily ejected from the council's first 2022 meeting for contempt of council.
Councillor's protest participation risks constituents' health - Mayor
A Kaipara District councillor's almost week-long participation in Wellington's anti-Covid-19 mandate protest is jeopardising the safety of Kaipara residents, Mayor Dr Jason Smith has warned.