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
Food Hub helping feed 500,000 a month, but more support needed
Northland Food Hub reports an upsurge of low-income families needing food to survive.
'We cannot do this by ourselves': Ministers listen to iwi leader's plea over meth crisis
Police Minister Mark Mitchell plans to visit Northland for further discussions.
Three stretches of Far North state highway may keep lower speed limits
Stick or raise - Far North folk asked if lowered state highway limits should go up again
Teen’s supreme unity speech wins spot at national final
Talk on significance of equity wins Northland Race Unity Speech Awards
Northland moves to restricted fire season, Far North remains under ban
Most of Northland has moved into a restricted fire season but Far North rules still apply
14 new social houses opened in Kerikeri by Kāinga Ora
Kāinga Ora opens 14 new Far North social houses
Country’s top environmental watchdog takes Far North District Council to court
Environmental Protection Authority prosecutes FNDC over Sweetwater Aquifer discharges.
Kaitāia man’s mission to clean up the town’s dumped trash
Kaitāia man cleaning up the town with help from dozens of youngsters
Police Minister and Ngāpuhi to meet over solving meth crisis in North
Ngāpuhi runanga chair meeting Police Minister over meth crisis destroying the region.
Epic journey: 50 Mini teams aim to raise $500k for Kiwi kids
We're taking these cars to Invercargill, boy.
Youngsters openly smoking meth prompt Ngāpuhi to seek urgent action
Ngāpuhi are calling for the Government to address meth, social and poverty crises.
Kerikeri’s Community Family Service shuts down
Far North budgeting service lacks funds to keep helping hundreds of families
Far North’s Te Āhuareka o Ngāti Hine Festival attracts thousands
The festival, which started in 2008, rocks Ōtiria Marae in cultural celebration.
Far North gets plenty of aroha from Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro
Busy Far North tour for Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro with packed schedule of events
New home needed for Whangārei’s Zonta Great NZ Book Sale
A new venue is needed so Whangārei's Zonta Great NZ Book Sale can hold its 31st chapter.
Skills of sheep dogs and handlers on show in Whangārei
Mount Manaia Sheep Dog Trial Club's annual trial this Sunday.
Kerikeri could almost double with new plan out on how to deal with the growth
Draft plan to manage growth in Kerikeri and Waipapa, public urged to give feedback.
Kerikeri’s Nurture by Nature to party like its 2005 after 20 years open
Nurture by Nature early childcare centre in Far North turning 20.
Every day is Christmas at Far North Christmas Tree Farm
On a Bay of Islands farm thousands of Christmas trees getting ready for festive season
Far North’s Mahoe Cheese tastes more success
Bay of Islands cheesemaker gets gold, silver and bronze medals at national awards.
‘Undermined the system’: Fisher fined for under-reporting catch by more than 2000kg
Daniel Lovell sold 1738kg more spat than reported in the 2021/22 year.
Eight students in Northland Race Unity Speech Awards final
Northland rangatahi have say on race relations at Race Unity Speech Awards.
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.
150 years of schooling at Kaitāia Primary, but teaching goes back 190 years
Kaitāia Primary's sesquicentennial marks 150 years of the school
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.
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