Lois Williams
Whangarei harbour dredging plan draws fire
Maori, conservationists and fishing interests are sounding the alarm over plans to dredge the entrance to Whangarei Harbour. Refining New Zealand wants to deepen the channel, so oil tankers can come… Audio
Governor-General urges young to learn Te Reo Maori
Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy has been introduced to life in the Far North this week on her first official visit to Kaitaia. Over three days, she's been welcomed by school children, held a… Audio
Opposition to mega chicken farm plan grows
There is growing opposition in Kaipara to plans to build the country's biggest poultry farm in the region. Tegel Foods is seeking resource consents to raise more than one million chickens on what is… Audio
Rangatahi court launched in Whangarei
Judges, police, cabinet ministers and iwi turned out in force in Whangarei on Saturday for the launch of the first Rangatahi Court in Northland. Koti Rangatahi are youth courts held on marae, and… Audio
RNZ Northland correspondent Lois Williams
RNZ's correspondent for the Northland region, Lois Williams, will be at Waitangi covering the news and stories of the people there for the 29th year in a row. Her first outing to Waitangi to cover the… Audio
Pakeha mood on Te Tiriti o Waitangi - from anger to curiosity
At this time of year in towns all over the country, groups of new New Zealanders - often older generations - sign up for workshops to find out more about the Treaty of Waitangi. For decades now… Audio
Patsy Reddy first govt office to acknowledge historic site
Governor General Patsy Reddy made her way up Maiki Hill in Russell today - the first time a government office has visited the site that kicked off the Northern Wars. Audio
Hundreds gather for Hone Heke flagstaff anniversary
Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy is the guest of honour this morning at a ceremony on a famous hill top in the Bay of Islands. It's 160 years since the Northern chiefs replaced the flagstaff at… Audio
Whangarei youth welcome Govt focus on regional unemployment
Northland reporter Lois Williams called in at the city's Youth Space today to ask teenagers their opinion of the $13 million He Poutama Rangatahi project. Audio
Northland's only tertiary art course may be scrapped
The region's polytech has warned it will end the programme unless there's an increase in student numbers, and with only days to go until this year's start date, it's ten students short. Audio
Mystery pollution implicated in rare bird deaths
The fairy tern population usually hovers around just 40 birds, but this year they're down to just six. Heather Rogan from NZ Fairy Tern Trust talks to reporter Lois Williams. Audio
Marsden pipeline rupture: Investigation sheds new light
A report by Refining New Zealand has shed more light on the Marsden pipeline rupture that stopped fuel supplies to Auckland in September. Experts have concluded the pipe was weakened after it was… Audio
Don Brash invited to play after objecting to use of Te Reo
The director of a play about Māori trying to adapt to Pākehā culture says he's delighted Don Brash has agreed to drive from Auckland to Whāngārei tonight to see it. Audio
Insight: Kauri dieback - Can these noble trees be protected?
The fight to save the kauri and protect the noble trees against kauri dieback disease. Audio
Scientist warns extinction looming for kauri
A prominent New Zealand scientist says kauri are heading for extinction because of public stupidity. Dr Peter de Lange a principal research scientist with the Department for Conservation for many… Audio
Andrew Little heads to Waitangi, aims for Ngapuhi settlement
The new Minister for Treaty Negotiations, Andrew Little, is about to try his hand at securing a Ngapuhi Treaty settlement. He's off to Waitangi today, to meet opposing sides in the long-running… Audio
3 suspected suicides prompts mayor's message to youth
Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai is imploring young people to reach out for help after at least three suspected suicides in the city in the past week. Audio
Lone Māori woman candidate victim of billboard vandalism
Huhana Lyndon is wondering whether her support for Māori boards on the council is why her Whangarei by-election billboards are repeatedly being vandalised. Video, Audio
Objections growing over Northtec's plans to cut courses
The chorus of objections is growing in Northland over plans by the region's polytech to scrap its degree courses in arts, sport and recreation. Northtec in Whangarei says student numbers have dropped… Audio