Mike Dinsdale is the editor of the Northland Age
Mike Dinsdale is the Editor of the Northland Age and also writes for the Northern Advocate. He has been a journalist in Northland for almost 35 years, working mostly at the Advocate, where he was News Director before moving to the Age. In that time he has covered most general news topics and has managed to cover virtually all of the region and visit almost all of its communities. He has interviewed thousands of Northlanders to tell their stories and is always eager to hold those in power to account. Mike has a passion for Northland and loves living in the region, after arriving from the UK in the 1980s. He enjoys the North’s stunning scenery and amazing people, and its world-class beaches. He loves music, football - and sport in general - and his family and friends. If you have a story to tell or something that needs investigating contact Mike at mike.dinsdale@nzme.co.nz OR editor@northlandage.co.nz
Four more Northland highway speed limits to be reviewed
NZTA consulting on lifting four more Far North highway speed limits
Osteopath and cancer survivor cycling to raise money for Far North Hospice
Hospice to benefit from Matiu Taingahue’s Inspiring Ride Across Aotearoa
Northland ladies on the march - leisure marching gaining popularity in the region
Leisure marching making big comeback in Northland.
Far North mussels best in the country
Far North smoked mussels win gold at Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards
Kerikeri-based budgeting and family service closing its doors
Far North budgeting and family service closing after 27 years helping struggling families
Pāua rāhui still on the cards for Ahipara after hui agrees action needed
Ahipara hui decides action needed to protect pāua stock, with rāhui possible.
Clouds could block Northland view of blood moon lunar eclipse
Northlanders' chance of seeing blood moon on Friday is cloudy.
Far North drought could lead to more water retrictions
Far North's big dry could mean more restrictions on water use
Northland uni student one of eight scholarship recipients
Te Waiu o Aotearoa Trust scholarship for Northland uni student
Rāhui possible as pāua stocks dwindle
Eight Far North hapū discussing problem of excessive pāua taken at Ahipara.
Local knowledge the winning edge at 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza
Two Far North fishers have landed the biggest fish at the 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza.
Hot, dry conditions tip Northland into drought
Big dry gives Northland its eighth drought in past two decades
Local knowledge leading 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza
Far North fisher leading race for $30k top prize in 90 Mile Beach Snapper comp
Far North could be industrial hemp stronghold if drug law changes
The Far North is ideal for a burgeoning hemp industry, but a law change is needed first.
Brain Aid at the Barn Far North fundraising concert for brain injury
Top line-up of Far North musicians at Brain Injury Association fundraiser
Thousands can give blood again after rule change - Age editor gets back in the chair
NZ Blood Service taking blood again from those who lived in UK previously banned
Hokianga hospital rescue helicopter pad fundraiser hits $20k total in a week
Generous donors give $20k to upgrade Hokianga rescue helicopter pad.
6.395kg fish leads first day of 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza
1200 fishers at 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza in Far North
6.395kg fish leads first day of 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza
1200 fishers are vying for prizes at the 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza in the Far North.
Prohibited fire season for Far North as dry district’s fire risk rises
Waipoua River scrub fire finally brought under control.
Fundraiser to get $20,000 for vital Hokianga Hospital rescue helicopter pad
Hokianga health service $20k short for crucial rescue helicopter landing pad upgrade
Weber Bros Circus coming to Kerikeri and Kaitāia
Two Far North towns to host animal-free performances in March.
Kaitāia road to airport closed 10 weeks for bridge updgrade - detour in place
Bridge leading to Kaitāia Airport getting $1.3m upgrade, but road closed for 10 weeks.
150 years of schooling at Kaitāia Primary, but teaching goes back 190 years
Kaitāia Primary's sesquicentennial marks 150 years of the school
Ngāpuhi bids to own Northport and associated company as part of consortium
Move from Ngāpuhi and others to take total control of region's port.
$330k to upgrade Mitimiti drinking water supply in Far North
Far North's Mitimiti gets funding to upgrade ageing drinking water system.
90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza in Far North hooks 1200 fishers
$200k of prizes up for grabs at annual 90 Mile Beach event in March.
Far North to host first Northland Fired Up Barbecue Festival
The latest Far North food fest is a celebration of all things meat.
New Far North towers give improved broadband/cell coverage
Better coverage on Far North’s Te-Oneroa-a-Tōhē Ninety Mile Beach thanks to new tower
Turtles strand more in Northland than anywhere else in NZ, says DoC
Ten of 19 turtles stranded in Far North survive to be released back into ocean
Sweetwater from aquifer in Kaitāia taps after five years and $17m
After 5 years and $17 million Kaitāia gets Sweetwater from aquifer
Far North’s latest museum telling story of NZ maritime history
Chucks Cove Maritime Experience has a container shipload of exhibits.
Isolated Far North communities get funding for solar and wind projects
Far North's Te Kao and Waimamaku communities to get green power to aid development.
Far North council promises Sweetwater into taps from Tuesday
After several false starts Kaitāia to get Sweetwater into taps
Crown to return significant pā site to Far North hapū
Ngāti Rēhia will celebrate the return of its historic Kororipo Pā in Kerikeri.
Whangaroa hapū get support from Greenpeace for chasing off mining
Whangaroa hapū's successful anti-mining opposition praised
Kaitāia homes could tap Sweetwater this week
Kaitāia residents to soon get water from controversial Sweetwaters project.
Northland’s Waipu Car and Bike Show has 800 cars, 200 bikes
Plenty of classic cars and bikes at Waipu Car and Bike Show.
Kaitāia’s Bike and Hike Backpackers becoming apartments after local couple buy building
Kaitāia's Juan and Rachel Heemi are developing former backpackers into accommodation
Aussie company ends plans to mine Whangaroa as hapū celebrate
Party time for Whangaroa hapū as mining plans shelved
Kaikohe home building helped by council $39m water infrastructure spend
Upgrade will permit the construction of new homes.
Retiring Hercules say farewell to Northland in twin fly over
Northland gets farewell fly over from NZ's retiring workhorse Hercules planes
Waitangi Day commemorations to draw thousands to Bay of Islands
Waitangi Day to be fine in the Far North with plenty of sun
Plans for Whangārei four-star hotel kept under wraps – for now
An international hotel chain is staying mum on its Whangārei hotel plans – it has to.
No hanging around for Far North’s new national champ hang glider Tom Kellner
Flying like a bird sees Far North man win national hang gliding title
Mangamuka road repairs survive first major storm since reopening
Despite heavy rain, Mangamuka Gorge repairs in Far North survive first big storm
Sweetwater Aquifer getting water into Kaitāia homes soon – council
After two false starts, water from Sweetwater Aquifer is set to flow into Kaitāia homes.
Thermal curtains for Far North homes from $70k energy wellness fund
Far North Energy Wellness Fund putting thermal curtains into homes to make them warmer.
Hokianga club of James Fisher-Harris wants his stolen boots and other taonga back
"To take what he gave us is like taking from him."
Kawakawa’s world famous Hundertwasser loos finalist in national awards
Far North's famous loos only Northland finalist in national competition.
Kaitāia’s Te Hiku Sports Centre hailed a success after first six months
Around 9000 a month using Kaitāia’s Te Hiku Sports Centre.
Far North’s huge ‘historic’ privet tree faces the chop
Privet is noxious pest, but NZ's oldest example is in the Far North.
Far North businesses rejoice after reopening of SH1 after two years
Mangamuka Gorge reopening delights Far North businesses as visitors pour in.
Whangārei’s Lani Daniels to defend world boxing title in April
Daniels heading for rematch with tough Tongan.
Help keep Treaty Grounds clean during Waitangi Day - volunteers needed
Volunteers wanted to keep Waitangi Day commemorations clean in Bay of Islands
Fire restrictions in Far North follow summer water restrictions
Far North under fire and water restrictions
Innovative solution to swans hitting powerlines at Far North lake
Top Energy's solution prevents lines being wiped out by birds' swansong.
Charity close to man‘s heart to gain from 1000km cycle ride from Cape Rēinga
A child charity saved Nuk Korako's family being split up, he's now raising funds for it
Pylon collapse shows need for upgrade of Northland's electricity network
Plans to boost Northland's power network after pylon collapse.
Northland on alert after fruit fly found in Auckland
The main horticulture areas are around Kerikeri and Maungatapere.
Homecoming for Far North tenor on NZ Youth Choir tour
NZ Youth Choir gives Far North tenor chance to perform close to home
Taupō Bay Tractor Spectacular rocks Far North holiday spot
Far North's unique Tractor Spectacular motors into bay
Kaitāia’s Sweetwaters Aquifer project held up by abatement notice
The Environmental Protection Agency stops work on the Far North water supply project.
Kaitāia market stall gathering views and questions for 2025 Far North District Council election
Kaitāia man seeking voter feedback ahead of next year's local body elections
'The world is starting to take notice': Māori sporting champs inspiring next generation
Kaitāia boxing world champ Mea Motu part of nine-strong Māori sports stars panel M9
Two Northland vets part of Voluntary Bonding Scheme to work in rural practices
The scheme supports graduate vets working in rural practices.
Kerikeri Street Party set to finish half-marathon event in style
Thousands expected to let their hair down post-race.
Spring spruce-up for Kaitāia to welcome summer visitors after Mangamuka reopens
Kaitāia gearing up for big town spring clean for state highway reopening.
Bowel cancers detected at early stage in successful Te Tai Tokerau Bowel Screening Programme
Te Tai Tokerau Bowel Screening Programme saving lives with 89 cancer cases detected
Kiwi Christmas Books wants Northlanders to donate new books for region's kids
The charity has three Northland stores collecting books this festive season.
Beautiful Bay of Islands backdrop for Graeme Dingle Foundation's Drop For Youth skydive
The Far North's Courtney Keenan does a skydive for the Graeme Dingle Foundation.
Big turnout to Far North historic site Edmonds Ruins on open day
400 at Edmonds Ruins open day show interest in historic sites still there
Far North pensioner's 'anxious' after council suspends upgrade work, considers selling up
Far North council puts pensioner flat upgrades on hold, considers selling them.
Bay of Islands P&I Show is the oldest in NZ and back on Saturday
Bay of Islands Pastoral & Industrial Show on this Saturday.
National hīkoi opposed to Government bill to start in Far North
Anti-Treaty Principles Bill hīkoi starts at Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua on Monday.
Revealed: True value of cruise ship visits to Northland economy
Full value of cruise ship industry to Northland revealed.
In national first, Far North hosting te reo Māori Inspiring the Future course
Te reo Māori Inspiring the Future course held in Kaikohe for first time.
Massive Far North wetlands fire produced 515,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions
The 2022 Kaimaumau wetlands fire released a huge amount of carbon into the air.
Awanui shines on annual Awanui Day celebrations at new venue
Annual Awanui Day celebrated as thousands flock to Far North town.
Obit: Kerikeri's Doug Turner remembered as man behind town's performing arts centre
Huge efforts of Kerikeri performing arts legend Doug Turner recalled