Stories by Susan Botting
News
Twenty million trees for NZ's biggest harbour restoration project
More than 20 million native trees and other plants will be planted around New Zealand's biggest harbour in the ground-breaking $200 million Kaipara Moana Remediation project.
Mangawhai’s $750 million urban intensification moves a step closer
A Northland residents' group is opposing a green light for higher density housing in the middle of their coastal hamlet.
Far North councillor forces extraordinary meeting to reconsider Māori wards
Far North District Council will next week go back to the table on Māori wards as its Te Ao Māori lead forces an extraordinary meeting on the subject.
'Like a freight train': Emergency rescue helicopters upsetting residents
Northland's emergency rescue helicopter base in Whangārei is being forced to move after growing noise complaints from neighbours.
Daring rescue returns historic shipwreck to Mangawhai
The historic wreck of a schooner built in Mangawhai 158 years ago will soon return to the Northland town.
Councillors want more time to consider major Mangawhai development
Kaipara District Council has taken the unusual step of putting off its decision-making on plans for Mangawhai central's $750 million urban development.
Three waters provision could mix contrasting needs in Northland and Auckland
Northlanders could find themselves thrown in with Auckland's watercare as New Zealand's biggest-ever restructure of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater management plays out.
Whangārei District Council Māori wards to go ahead after councillors’ challenge fails
The shape of Whangārei's political landscape is set to dramatically change after a clutch of district councillors today failed in their bid to block the introduction of Māori wards.
Whangārei district councillors challenge council's Māori wards decision
Five Whangārei district councillors are seeking to overturn their council's vote for Māori wards.
National tsunami alert process 'too slow', but Northlanders back local alerts
Civil Defence leaders have traded blows over who should have been calling the shots on Northland's tsunami evacuation alerts, and the national body has admitted acting too slow.
Tsunami siren failures due to power outage to be investigated
Four Far North tsunami sirens that experienced problems during yesterday's tsunami evacuation alerting will be investigated, Far North Mayor John Carter says.
Tsunami evacuation traffic gridlock to be investigated: Whangārei Mayor
Whangārei Mayor Sheryl Mai says problems with people being able to exit the gridlocked city centre during this morning's tsunami evacuation will be looked into.
Whangārei District Council staff evacuation went well - Forlong
About 500 people evacuated to Whangārei Primary School today, among them were about 100 Whangārei District Council staff and central city workers.
Summer freedom camping to be banned in Tutukaka Coast hotspots
Peak season summer freedom camping will be banned along Tutukaka Coast under a new bylaw of Whangārei District Council.
Search on for koi carp in NZ's largest dune lake
Alarmed Northland authorities are searching for the unwanted freshwater pest fish after Zeke Voschezang, age 10, reported seeing it in Kaipara's Lake Taharoa.
Overnight Northland rain brings welcome relief
Good overnight rain is boosting Kaitaia's Awanui River drinking water supply.
Injured cyclist complains to council after crashing into security chain
A disgruntled cyclist wants Whangārei District Council to better identify hazards after crashing into an unmarked chain across his Pohe Island route.
Kaipara’s most prolific council meeting attendee: 'All about communicating'
Dot Gorrie reckons she's not addicted to attending council meetings. But she's been to about 60 in the past three decades, is now seeing Kaipara District Council's sixth mayor in action and has…
Eight candidates for Northland Regional Council byelection
Northland Regional Council's Whangārei urban constituency byelection comes after longtime councillor John Bain resigned over its pending Māori seats vote.
Councillor fears fatalities as off-roaders flood Northland beach
A toxic cocktail of speed and too many vehicles is increasingly threatening lives - and the environment - on New Zealand's longest driveable beach.
Hundreds show support for Māori seats in Northland
Hundreds of people have signed up to a new Northland campaign fighting for Māori seats on the region's councils.
Strong interest in Whangārei freedom camping bylaw review
Whananaki North residents are calling for freedom camping to be banned from their local seaside reserve after complaints of urinating in the sea and nudity
Pouto residents rejoice in news of $1.8m wharf
Construction of the Kaipara Harbour's newest wharf, in one of Northland's most challenging harbour environments, is expected to begin in April.
Water poverty in drought-prone Northland a 'human rights issue'
Water poverty is challenging Northland's ability to handle future severe drought, a council boss says.
Systemic racism at heart of Māori wards debate - ex-mayor
Systemic racism is at the heart of New Zealand's current council Māori wards debate, according to a leading campaigner for their establishment who spoke in Whangārei last night.