Craig Cooper
Editor
Craig Cooper is editor of the Hawke’s Bay Today
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Check out Craig’s latest content
Time for WDC to leave Forum North
WDC has a wonderful opportunity to construct something more than office space for staff.
Comment: Park development not a smart move
A Maunu state housing development could create more social issues than it solves.
War biscuit's urban myth
The realities of war should not be romanticised, says Craig Cooper.
Stop and think about other's views
Sometimes, stopping to think isn't a bad thing, contemplates Craig Cooper.
Dame Val's golden speech for silver medal
Valerie Adams delivered the best Kiwi speech of the Games. Sam Gaze didn't.
Up and down week for Warehouse workers
Closing Kaikohe's Warehouse would be bad for the town.
Young eco warriors just the ticket
Luckily we have kids like Charlie and Quincy Carpenter in our community.
'Will he, won't he' Obama debate good for North
Even if Obama doesn't play golf in Northland, the speculation is good for the region.
Tourist road safety learning in too-hard basket
We entice tourists but struggle to communicate the deadly risks on our roads.
Have/have-not gap grows with house prices
Positives and negatives in having strong property market, writes Craig Cooper.
Editorial: Viagogo becomes Vianogo for Northland pair at Bruno Mars
Stop using Viagogo, writes Craig Cooper
Who thought this was a good idea?
How did a cute bungalow overlooking a playground end up housing four child sex offenders?
Whangarei growing up as an event destination
$6.2m from an investment of $250,000 - not bad.
Fall of shame, no Hall of Fame for Parkin
Arthur Parkin should be removed from all "hall of fames", writes Craig Cooper.
Hoping Joey will show up out of the blue
It would be wonderful to see Joey Lloyd-Jones turn up out of the blue.
Seeing red over bluebottles on Northland's coast
Stay well clear of bluebottles, says Craig Cooper.
Editorial: Swamp marlin bad look for game fishers
Four marlin have floated onto a farmer's property
Editorial: Road safety cops - it's a thankless job
Who'd be a road safety cop, asks Craig Cooper.
RIP DVD stores but long live DVDS
May the DVD survive the onslaught of streaming services, writes Craig Cooper.
PM's Waitangi speech: Hold us to account
Jacinda Ardern has asked Maori to challenge her government
Should Jesus Christ stay or should he go?
An all-encompassing reference to God has not gone down well with some.
Crew's beach cleaning job from hell
A Far North group of people who care voluntarily took on a tough cleaning job.
No longer waspish about Daddy Long Legs
Thoughts of war on Daddy Long Leg spiders have dissipated after a wasp attack.
Could cuts have saved Stage Challenge?
Is the Stage Challenge a victim of its own success?
Northland spots on 'best beach' shortlist
Life's a beach in New Zealand's summer but which one is best?
Raglan Roger too obscure for no one in particular
Strange summer encounters on Raglan's main street.
Questions remain over runaway runabout
Runaway runabout highlights need to pay attention to boating safety.
Thanks for your loyal support
Advocate among the best performing regional newspapers in the country.
Unearthing our next Black Caps
Northland may have unearthed a couple of future Black Caps this week.
Rare toys pop up in Christmas appeal
The cowboys and Indians set may be worth hundreds of dollars.
Wanted: Donor of cowboys and Indians toy set
A rare toy has been handed into the Northern Advocate Christmas Toy Appeal
City facing sports and arts imbalance
An arts centre isn't enough to redress the imbalance with sport, says Craig Cooper
We need to have faith in CAA
CAA should rethink its approach to a skydiving accident, says Craig Cooper
Common sense should prevail in mobility parking bylaw review
Common sense suggests there won't be changes to Whangarei parking bylaws
Woodman quick on field and humble off it
Best female rugby player in the world and not a bad public speaker either.
36 jobs to go in NorthTec restructure
It's traumatic but the NorthTec upheaval is necessary, says Craig Cooper.
Whangarei suburb finally gets a playground
Finally, OT kids are getting a playground
North's three cabinet ministers confirmed
Finally, after lots of hui, it's time for the "do-ey".
Denby election starts via post on Nov 15
Seventeen candidates for Denby voters to ponder
Festival move ignores Kaikohe's needs
Moving the Ngapuhi festival from Kaikohe doesn't make sense, says Craig Cooper
Queues and sellouts at night markets
Food market proves Whangarei locals have an appetite for night events.
Spending time in the presence of a legend
NZ sporting legend shares his memories with a Northland audience
Worst advice could be best for teen band
Great opportunity for Northland teen band as they head to Europe to play.
Northland's natural playground deserves ongoing respect
Nature's playground deserves wary respect
Should Ash Holwell stand for council now?
What next for Northland's successful and unsuccessful election candidates?
Celebrate your democratic freedom - dig a hole
What better time to dig a hole, than this weekend?
Black Ferns' parade moment has passed
The lack of a public event or official recognition for the Black Ferns is embarrassing.
Buried fuel pipeline- how did it get hit?
How did someone damage a potentially explosive pipeline, asks Craig Cooper.
Samaritan detective finds tourists' stolen gear
A Samaritan detective in Kerikeri has helped restore Northland's reputation
Finally, some positive election noise in Northland
Northland could be a potential powerhouse in the Beehive. Who would have thought?
Northland suicide deaths are worst on record in past decade
Our worst 12 months of suicide in a decade needs to be talked about
Speed-limit activist changes signs from 100kmh to 80kmh
The Far North District Council could earn PR points by not prosecuting Nicole Roach.
Pukeko echo steals kiwi's thunder
It's plump, can't fly and at ground level, it's an easy target - but it's ours.
We're only guessing why the youth don't vote
Until we know why young people don't vote it's not going to happen ...
Bring on the new, fresh thinking ahead of the election
Free driving lessons and boot camps ... same old same old says Craig Cooper
Nice view but so is the idea of a life-saving Brynderwyn Hills bypass
Brynderwyn Hill bypass could cut crashes and save lives
Are we stupid giving water away for free to an Auckland company
A water bottling plant has left a sour taste in the mouth of some
If it's good enough for kikuyu, it's OK for kai
Who cares what teenage boys wear out to dinner with their family?
Support and tributes for families of shooting victims
Northland grieves in support of Wendy and Natanya Campbell's families.
Was it all about boxing, or gangs networking?
What were Australian gangs doing at Northland boxing event?
Otaika Valley Rd log truck crashes just keep on coming
Ten years and Otaika Valley Rd log truck crashes just keep on coming
Looking forward to real election issues
The Maori seat debate - what difference would it make to Hohepa Bloggs?
Paid parking a sign Whangarei continues to grow up
Paid parking had to come at popular Town Basin spot.
Don't mess with the ref
Seventy-seven-week ban sends strong message - don't mess with the ref.
Search for owner of cash-stuffed wallet
Thousands in cash yet to be reunited with owner.
At 23, this Northlander is already a soul role model
The voice of a new generation is an old soul
Shock if Jones not announced as NZ First candidate
Whangarei could have two Shanes in Parliament.
Let's sell Marsden City to Larry Ellison
Let's sell Marsden City to Larry Ellison to build on his Cup dream, says Craig Cooper.
Compare road safety spending to suicide prevention
Consider this - why don't we make more noise about suicide?
North has many reasons to cheer
There is much to celebrate about on this Queen's Birthday Weekend.