Lois Williams
‘King of Waitangi’ farewelled after 4 day tangihanga
Stories, tributes and laughter have flowed thick and fast in the last four days as hundreds gathered in Northland to mourn the death of Waitangi chief Kingi Taurua. Video, Audio
Russell wharf: Far North Holdings launches charm offensive
The council company hoping to take over the Russell wharf in the Bay of Islands has launched a publicity drive over its plans. Far North Holdings wants to revamp the old wharf - and it's applied for a… Audio
Anglican church allows blessings of gay relationships
The Anglican Church has voted to allow the blessing of same-sex relationships - but only if the local bishop agrees. An overwhelming majority of church leaders supported the change this week at the… Audio
Lack of counselling in Hokianga slammed after suicide
Northland man working with newly-released prisoners says the lack of mental health services in Hokianga is putting lives at risk. Arthur Harawira has complained to the Northland DHB after a client… Audio
Pharmacies lead charge to reduce asthma mortality in north
Pharmacists around Northland are leading a campaign to reduce asthma death rates. The incidence of asthma in the region is among the highest in the country. And a high percentage of those with the… Audio
Russell historic wharf upgrade plan gets tense
A row is brewing in Russell over plans that some fear will commercialise the town's historic wharf. The wharf's in line for a million-dollar makeover from the government's Provincial Growth Fund. But… Audio
Whangarei pool inspections after failed saftey checks
Whangarei's council is planning to inspect every swimming pool in town after an audit indicated many might fail safety standards. Council staff found 10 out of 11 Whangarei pools they checked had… Audio
Pork-barrel taunts returned by Northland road advocates
Northland people campaigning for a safe road to Auckland are furious the government has scrapped a plan to build a four-lane divided expressway between the regions. Audio
Northland peat mining consent upsets DoC, Heritage NZ
The Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage is looking at a court challenge to a peat-mining venture in a Far North wetland. The Northland Regional Council has approved plans by an Auckland company to dig… Audio
Peat mining consent granted despite DOC concerns
Northland Regional Council has approved plans by Resin and Wax Holdings to dig up part of the Kaimaumau wetland, but conservationists fear it'll do irreparable harm to the environment. Audio
Hapu celebrate Govt buyout of water bottler Zodiac Holdings
After years of fighting for some control of the aquifer that feeds their springs, the Māori guardians of Poroti Springs are applauding the government buy-out of a water bottling company. Video, Audio
American visitor, 21, denies causing fatal crash
American tourist Reiss Berger has been allowed to leave the country with orders to return, despite police opposition to bail. Lois Williams has the latest. Video, Audio
Relief as Warehouse backs down on Kaikohe closure
The Warehouse said yesterday it would close its Kaikohe store in June, leading to the loss of dozens of jobs, but today did a u-turn and changed its mind. Video, Audio
US driver on wrong side of road in fatal crash
A 21-year-old American man was on the wrong side of the road when he hit a car, killing two people in Northland last night. He has been charged with two counts of careless driving causing death. Audio
Children off school as SH1 repaired after washout
A Pukenui school bus driver from the Far North is thanking her lucky stars her busload of children didn't plunge into a hole in State Highway One on Friday when a 20m section collapsed. Video, Audio
School opens playgroup for at-risk under-5s
A Whangarei school with some of the neediest children in the north has formed a charitable Trust to help them before they start. Hora Hora school is opening a centre today for pre-schoolers who've… Audio
Barack Obama plays golf with Sir John Key
Northland reporter Lois Williams joins Checkpoint live from near Kauri Cliffs, where Barack Obama and John Key have been playing golf. Audio
Fears avocado growers could suck Aupouri aquifer dry
Community groups in the Far North are accusing the Northland Regional Council of bending over backwards to help avocado growers who've been taking water unlawfully. Audio
Bay of Islands welcomes NZ Wars commemoration
The first national commemoration of the New Zealand Wars takes place this weekend in the Bay of Islands. It's a special occasion for a group of Otorohanga High School students who played a pivotal… Audio
Second Far North lake contaminated by algal bloom
Another lake in the Far North has succumbed to an algal bloom. Last month Lake Omapere near Kaikohe turned green and smelly in the summer heat, polluting the Utakura River. And the health warning… Audio