Stories by Susan Botting

At stake is the future of the three council's combined $1.76 billion of ratepayer-funded three waters infrastructure servicing 200,000 people. It will have ramifications for all councils.

Whangārei ratepayers against the $136 million Oruku Landing conference and events centre left a public meeting at Forum North last night angry about not feeling heard.

The controversial centre will now cost $136 million - up from $123 million when first announced at the start of public consultation on 18 October.

The battle over Whangārei's proposed new Oruku Landing conference and events centre is intensifying as opposing groups run major advertising campaigns.

Whangārei District Council has formally adopted its new growth strategy with the district's population forecast to grow to 145,000 people by 2051 - a 45 percent increase.

The Department of Conservation is appealing to the Environment Court against controversial Far North Aupōuri Peninsula water consents for avocado growing.

Community leaders are calling for new Auckland Covid-19 bypass flights from Whangārei.

Sea-level rise predictions are increasing the urgency of Northland's first regional climate change strategy.

Under reviews being considered, 20 percent of the region's proposed 44 councillors would come from new designated Māori wards.

The Department of Conservation is today considering an appeal against controversial Far North Aupōuri Peninsula water consents.

A Northland iwi leader is calling for Covid-19 wastewater testing to happen immediately in future lockdowns as regional investigations ramp up.

Northland Māori Covid-19 vaccination rates are almost four times lower than those for Pākehā.

Whangārei Mayor Sheryl Mai has hit out at Aucklanders pouring into Northland in the face of strict level 4 Covid-19 lockdowns.

The Far North District Council is rejecting the government's three waters restructuring plan, with the council last week voting to provisionally opt out.

The design of Paihia's controversial new $13.45 million foreshore storm protection breakwater system has been changed after strong public opposition.

The government has acknowledged wrongdoings in the implementation of the controversial Significant Natural Areas land classifications that were the focus of an impassioned hīkoi in Tai Tokerau.

More than 50,000 hectares of privately owned land around Whangārei district now has controversial new significant natural area zonings to protect natural biodiversity.

Hinerangi Puru will journey in the footsteps of her iconic mother Dame Whina Cooper next week in a hīkoi fighting new Significant Natural Area "land grabs".

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.

A Northland residents' group is opposing a green light for higher density housing in the middle of their coastal hamlet.

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.

Northland's emergency rescue helicopter base in Whangārei is being forced to move after growing noise complaints from neighbours.

The historic wreck of a schooner built in Mangawhai 158 years ago will soon return to the Northland town.

Kaipara District Council has taken the unusual step of putting off its decision-making on plans for Mangawhai central's $750 million urban development.

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.