Stories by Susan Botting

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.

Five Whangārei district councillors are seeking to overturn their council's vote for Māori wards.

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.

Four Far North tsunami sirens that experienced problems during yesterday's tsunami evacuation alerting will be investigated, Far North Mayor John Carter says.

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.

About 500 people evacuated to Whangārei Primary School today, among them were about 100 Whangārei District Council staff and central city workers.

Peak season summer freedom camping will be banned along Tutukaka Coast under a new bylaw of Whangārei District Council.

Alarmed Northland authorities are searching for the unwanted freshwater pest fish after Zeke Voschezang, age 10, reported seeing it in Kaipara's Lake Taharoa.

Good overnight rain is boosting Kaitaia's Awanui River drinking water supply.

A disgruntled cyclist wants Whangārei District Council to better identify hazards after crashing into an unmarked chain across his Pohe Island route.

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…

Northland Regional Council's Whangārei urban constituency byelection comes after longtime councillor John Bain resigned over its pending Māori seats vote.

A toxic cocktail of speed and too many vehicles is increasingly threatening lives - and the environment - on New Zealand's longest driveable beach.

Hundreds of people have signed up to a new Northland campaign fighting for Māori seats on the region's councils.

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

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 is challenging Northland's ability to handle future severe drought, a council boss says.

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.

Whangārei should be banning all freedom camping vehicles that are not self contained, a local residents' group leader says.

Hundreds of Northlanders opposed to Māori wards have already signed up to New Zealand's biggest opposition polling demand campaign.

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.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta is vowing to remove a requirement for public polls when councils want to create Māori wards.

Northland Regional Council today voted to bring in new Māori constituencies - in a controversial move that led to a long-term councillor resigning.

Long-time local body politician and former Whangārei Mayor and Northland Regional Council chairman Craig Brown has died.

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.