Stories by Peter de Graaf
News
First annual State of the Far North address held in Kerikeri
A multimedia show with waitata and student performances rounded out the night.
Whangārei hapū in court to stop subdivision - again
In 1996, they won a ruling that said land next to Onoke Pā is sacred. Now they're back in court in a real-life version of Groundhog Day.
Dawn karakia launches national Hīkoi mō te Tiriti
Participants are beginning a nine-day journey to Wellington, with thousands expected to join the convoy as it makes its way across the country.
In pictures: Crowds enjoy NZ's oldest country show
Thousands turned out on Saturday for the Bay of Islands Pastoral and Industrial show, which has been held on the same site in Waimate North since 1888.
Patients carried up stairs all week after hospital lift breaks
The only lift at Bay of Islands Hospital has been out of order since Saturday.
Battle to kill toxic species begins
A toxic plant that can temporarily cause blindness and quickly invade coastal areas has been found in large numbers established on a remote beach.
Ancient, inconspicuous plant voted New Zealand's favourite
Forget the voting happening somewhere overseas - here in Aotearoa the winner of another hotly contested, knife-edge election has just been announced.
Road sign vandalism costing ratepayers tens of thousands
The latest wave of sign vandalism in the Far North is believed to be connected to new speed limits.
Northland's new mobile ENT clinic inspired by Māori Battalion
A surgeon from the legendary Māori Battalion has inspired a mobile clinic designed to bring health services to the remotest corners of Northland.
Scrapping sunblock GST will 'save taxpayers' in long run - expert
A skin cancer expert is calling for sunscreen to be made cheaper - either by removing GST or offering prescriptions - to reduce New Zealand's sky-high melanoma rate. Audio
Section of SH1 closed for more than two years to reopen
The 13km section of State Highway 1 has been closed since August 2022.
Fears hospital has become a 'political football'
Health New Zealand says patients at Dargaville Hospital were safe and well-looked after.
Leaked email shows staff wanted hospital closed if no doctor on
Nurses and local managers have now agreed to keeping Dargaville Hospital open.
Far North car fire victim airlifted to Middlemore Hospital
It was believed the man had burns to 80 percent of his body.
Man spent night trapped under quad bike after crash
The man may have been trapped under the rolled bike for 24 hours before being spotted by a boatie.
NZ region makes National Geographic's Best of the World list
Northland makes it onto the list on the strength of its rare wildlife and "excellent diving".
The new crop that's puzzling locals
The sight of a crop never grown before in New Zealand has been baffling residents.
Tree felling on hold over concerns about kiwi
RNZ understands the developer has received a formal letter requesting a sweep of the property with a kiwi-detecting dog.
An hour of terror - What happened inside the Abbey Caves
The full terror of what happened in the caves - and acts of heroism that almost certainly saved students' lives - has been revealed.
More moisture, more severe - Climate scientist's prediction for future ex-tropical cyclones
A top climate scientist says damaging storms such as Cyclone Gabrielle may not become more frequent as a result of climate change - but they will become more intense.
Council buy-out for flood-damaged homes could end years of stress and suffering
The Far North District Council is considering opting in to the government scheme, which would see the council and central government split the cost of buying out desperate home owners.
Photographer Frank Habicht dies, aged 85
A Northland photographer whose images immortalised the social upheaval and flower power movement of London's 'Swinging Sixties' has died aged 85.
Pylon collapse: Upgraded lines and big batteries considered
Beefed-up transmission lines allowing more energy to be produced in the Far North, and a grid-scale battery to keep the lights on if the national grid fails again, are among options being explored…
Northland Tarara reconnecting with roots on Croatia rugby trip
The descendants of some of Northland's earliest European settlers are using rugby to reconnect with family left behind more than a century ago. Audio