Lois Williams
The Week in Detail: West Coast's blue flip and hazing rituals
The Detail podcast brings you the issues behind the news every weekday. Here's what we covered this week. Audio
Damien O'Connor's shock loss in West Coast-Tasman
Few pundits flagged the West Coast, birthplace of the Labour Party, to be part of the big blue swing this election. Audio
LDR West Coast:significant natural areas a hot topic
It's time to cast our ears around the country and have a yarn with our one of our Local Democracy reporters. This week we are in the West Coast talking to Lois Williams. SNAs or 'Significant natural… Audio
When nationally significant land is your land
Moves to protect New Zealand's biodiversity have West Coast farmers feeling under attack as they're dictated to over what they can do with their land. Are they carrying the can for the rest of us? Audio
LDR West Coast:leadership coup at regional council
It's time to catch up with the good folks from the Local Democracy Reporting Programme. This morning we head to the West Coast where LDR journalist Lois Williams has been looking into a possible… Audio
LDR West Coast: tourism and rates concerning locals
We have heard a lot lately about the collapse of international tourism and the impact of that on the West Coast glacier towns of Franz Josef and Fox - which relied on it. Franz is still waiting to… Audio
Only two takers for Kaipara mayoralty
From lame-duck council to star performer -- Kaipara District Council's been born again thanks to spectacular population growth - at least according to its mayor. Farmer and environmentalist Jason… Audio
Maori-burgers to fuel Ngati Hine mandate mission
Northland's Ngati Hine people have begun a fund-raising drive to get on the road and seek their own mandate for a Treaty settlement. The large Ngapuhi sub-tribe were fierce opponents of the Tuhoronuku… Audio
Treaty Minister says Ngati Hine could get mandate $
The Treaty Negotiations Minister Andrew Little says Northland's Ngati Hine people could get government funding for its mandate campaign - if it goes through official channels. The Ngapuhi sub tribe -… Audio
Kiwirail using prisoners as track workers in Northland
KiwiRail is planning to take on prisoners as track-workers - in the wake of the government's new investment in Northland rail. The company is advertising for about twenty paid staff as it begins the… Audio
Shane Jones opens new-look Russell wharf
The self-anointed Champion of the Provinces Shane Jones has officially opened the new-look Russell wharf - after its million dollar makeover. The money from the Provincial Growth Fund has paid for the… Audio
Northland couple killed in Philippines plane crash
An elderly Northland farmer and his wife are among the nine people killed in a fiery plane crash in the Philippines.
Tom and Erma Carr from Ruakaka were on board a medical flight to Manila when the… Video, Audio
Northland's controversial 'black gold' exports
The boom times for the controversial swamp kauri trade appear to be declining - just as a Northland environmental group wins a David and Goliath battle to stop the region being pillaged. Audio
Pita Paraone laid to rest in Motatau
'An honest politician and the most civil of servants'. That was just one of the tributes paid to Ngāti Hine elder and Waitangi organiser, Pita Paraone, who died earlier this week.
The three-term New… Video, Audio
Tai Tokerau rocked by death of Pita Paraone
Te Ao Māori is in mourning for one of its unsung heroes. The Ngāti Hine elder, Pita Paraone, died early on Monday morning in Auckland Hospital.
The 73-year-old served for many years as a public… Video, Audio
New Zealand's biggest drug bust: Last pair sentenced
The last two people charged after the massive 90-Mile Beach methamphetamine bust in 2016 have been sentenced on Wednesday to lengthy prison terms.
Stevie Norua Cullen and Selaima Fakaosilea appeared… Video, Audio
Ombudsman's report 'wake-up call' - Far North mayoral candidate
A Far North mayoral candidate says an Ombudsman's report on the council is a wake-up call for its leaders. The report scrutinises the council's openness with the community, and its handling of… Audio
$12m for waterway clean-ups 'a start' on massive problem
A $12 million fund to support community groups that work to clean up rivers and harbours was announced by the government on the weekend. Lois Williams reports. Audio
Whāngarei police defend shut-down of loud hellfire preacher
Police and the Whāngarei council are defending their decision to shut down a 'hellfire-and-brimstone' preacher in the city mall.
The preacher - who is blessed with a loud voice - was asked to move on… Audio
Genetic modification: Northland council chair defends stance
The chairman of the Northland Regional Council Bill Shepherd is defending his role in the decision not to regulate against genetic engineering.
Mr Shepherd used his casting vote last week to defeat… Audio