Stories by Susan Botting
News
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.
Call to ban non-self-contained freedom camping vehicles in Whangārei
Whangārei should be banning all freedom camping vehicles that are not self contained, a local residents' group leader says.
Petitions launched to scupper Northland councils' Māori wards
Hundreds of Northlanders opposed to Māori wards have already signed up to New Zealand's biggest opposition polling demand campaign.
Govt urged to prioritise Māori ward laws ahead of Northland polls
A leading New Zealand Māori wards advocate, Andrew Judd, is calling on the prime minister to take immediate action over a major impediment to their establishment in Northland.
Mahuta vows to clear obstacles to creating Māori council wards
Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta is vowing to remove a requirement for public polls when councils want to create Māori wards.
Councillor abruptly resigns after votes for Māori constituencies
Northland Regional Council today voted to bring in new Māori constituencies - in a controversial move that led to a long-term councillor resigning.
Former Whangarei Mayor Craig Brown dies suddenly
Long-time local body politician and former Whangārei Mayor and Northland Regional Council chairman Craig Brown has died.
Councillor to speak only te reo Māori during meetings
Far North District Council will this month likely become the first council in New Zealand with a councillor participating solely in te reo Māori at a full council meeting.
Three waters reform will mean extra costs for consumers, councillor warns
Thousands of Northlanders can expect to pay more for their drinking water in the wake of councils being 'bullied' into major post-Havelock North 'three waters' reform sign ups.
Hundertwasser Art Centre faces losses as international tourists disappear
New Zealand's $33.2 million Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangārei will be hard hit as the global Covid-19 pandemic means the disappearance of thousands of international visitors.
Whangārei district: 20,000 new homes forecast in 30 years
Up to 20,000 new homes are forecast for Whangārei district in the next three decades.
Punters focused on water for Northland's future
Healthy water is emerging as a clear frontrunner for what locals say Northland Regional Council should be paying attention to into the next 10 years.
Whangārei freedom camping sees huge growth, bylaw review likely
Northlanders could get a chance to have their say on Whangārei freedom camping in a major bylaw review.
Kaipara mayor warns of costs in water reform
A Northland mayor fears water sector reform could mean marae, churches and halls facing huge extra costs, but the head of the committee says it's necessary.
Council considers limits on freedom camping as numbers soar
Some freedom camping spots around Whangārei could be in for the chop as the district grapples with a 160 percent increase in freedom campers in just three years.
Battle to take land for $40m power line reaches Appeal Court
Top Energy's long-running battle to build a $40 million power line from Kerikeri to Kaitaia has reached the Court of Appeal.
Stronger Māori participation for Whangārei District Council
Hapū on a Whangārei District Council Māori input governance group are working to strengthen local democracy participation.
Far North jobs would be at risk if rates rise reduced - mayor
Cutting next year's rates in a post-Covid-19 reset would mean local job losses according to John Carter, Far North District Council Mayor.
Saturday catch-up surgery to clear Northland DHB’s 900-strong backlog
Whangarei Hospital will start doing weekend catch-up surgery to clear a 900-strong backlog due to Covid-19.
Far North council considers Māori wards
Far North District Council is looking to strengthen Māori participation in its local government decision making, with Māori wards one option being considered and another Māori seats with voting rights…