Latest fromWhangarei

What you need to know about the new Manawatū Tararua Highway
Locals got a test drive over the new highway over the southern Ruahine Range.

'I've paid the price': Illegal gasfitter claims laws need to change
John Arthur falsely advertised himself as a registered professional.

The big return: Why the Sunday roast is back in fashion
The Sunday roast is becoming a symbol of connection and tradition.

Thousands of school meals uneaten in Northland every week
Nationally, 34,878 surplus meals went uneaten for the week of March 28.

Luxury resort trial ends as ex-manager defends actions in court
Belle Mumby is accused of theft, deception and forgery.

Far North residents fear logging slash threatens roads amid bad weather
A Far North couple have fears logging slash will threaten roads as winter nears.

'A Swiss army knife': Genesis CEO extols new Huntly battery project
The project will boost the key station's flexibility, says chief executive Malcolm Johns.

The Spring of Water: Māori-owned birthing unit reopens on East Coast after cyclone closure
The new unit, Te Puna Wai, is the only Māori-owned birthing unit.

'Significant loss of history': Paihia fire devastates Kelly Tarlton's old ship
The fire began on the ship - converted into a building - near Waitangi Bridge.

'It's rocked us all': Community mourns loss of beloved toddler
At least 400 people gathered in Kaikohe to mourn 3-year-old Catalya.

NZ's smokefree 2025 ambitions ‘up in smoke’, health group claims
'We’re just chasing a new kind of addiction and calling it progress.'

New retailer The Outlet set to open next week
The Outlet opens on June 3 online and in store, offering off-price retail.

'I didn't do it': Convicted rapist's outburst as judge delivers 31 guilty verdicts
Five ex-partners testified he raped, beat, and assaulted them.

Police name 21-year-old man killed in Whangārei crash
Seth Dundass, 21, has been remembered as a 'keen young worker'.

'All sorts of destruction': Tornado strikes Hamilton, thunderstorms buffet upper north
Civil Defence warned Waikato weather remains 'highly dynamic'.

McDonald's gets green light for Ōrākei site despite objections
The new application had 381 submissions, of which 331 were against the project.

PM Luxon open to ‘Anzac’ visit to Ukraine amid Russian war
Luxon says he'd ideally tee up other meetings in Europe to pair with a potential visit.

Police Commissioner says controversial shoplifting directive 'inconsistent with his expectations'
The directive sparked backlash, giving the impression lawbreakers had a free pass.

'She told me lies': Luxury resort CEO says ex-manager's actions were 'terrifying'
Operations manager Belle Mumby allegedly forged CEO Jing Ma's signature to claim overtime.

Police directive on $500 thefts sparks call for urgent clarification
Retailers are seeking clarity on police directives about low-value theft.

Heart patients worse off in Northland than Auckland – specialist
Health NZ data show huge variations in wait times between regions.