Mikaela Collins is a reporter for the Northern Advocate
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.
Harper continues to smash goals from her wheelchair
Harper was left paraplegic after a back bend went wrong.
Tauraroa Area School's jaw-dropping gym opened
There is a world of difference between the new gym and the school's old 1970s one.
$1.4m to extend self-administered cervical screening research
The new test is considered "gold-standard" and enables women to test themselves.
Back to school: Costs put pressure on Northland families
Needing to buy uniforms, stationery and bags can put pressure on families.
Back to school: Northland school rolls growing
Kamo High School is estimated to get an additional 129 students.
Back to school: Mya can't wait to see friends again
Mya Dickens, 7, is ready for school.
Covid checkpoint group keeping mum on location, timing
Group urges people to stay home until lack of spread confirmed; ex-MP says action illegal.
Safety measures in place for Waitangi Day and Ruapekapeka commemorations
There will be precautions in place at the commemorations to keep everyone safe.
Waitangi Day, Battle of Te Ruapekapeka events to go ahead but Iwi Chairs Forum held virtually
Commemoration events in Northland will still go ahead.
Ngāpuhi woman leading UK supermarket giant Ocado made CBE
Smith accepted the honour on behalf of her team at Ocado.
Youth enjoying learning at filmmaking workshop
The workshop is running all week in Whangārei.
Whangārei student happy with exam results
Thousands of Northland students were able to check their NCEA results yesterday.
Whangārei student feeling good about NCEA result release
Around 140,000 students in New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Niue sat exams last year.
Want to be the next Taika? Filmmaking workshop on in Whangārei
The workshop will give youth the chance to try their hand at filmmaking.
'Your results don't define how far you'll go': Message to NCEA students
NCEA exam results will be available online next week.
New Year Honours: Bishop of Te Tai Tokerau, Te Kitohi Pikaahu recognised
Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu said the New Year Honour was humbling.
New Year Honours: Professor Cindy Kiro made a dame
Kiro's ultimate goal is to ensure every child born in this country is loved and cared for.
Home bakers can turn passion into career with new baking course
A shortage of bakers means many businesses have had to order in pre-made products.
Adrenaline junkie dolphins need 'rehab' after numbers dwindle
Bottlenose dolphin numbers in the Bay of Islands has dropped from 278 in 1999 to 26 today.
Real life elves: Whangārei couriers deliver thousands of parcels
The New Zealand Post team are doing their best to get presents delivered before Christmas
Turbulent childhood no barrier for Whangārei scholar
Skyla Anderson-Wynn will study law as well as arts and commerce at university next year.
Morningside School's beloved Mrs Thomas retires after 30 years
Briar Thomas has worked there since 1990 and people she knew as pupils are now parents.
'I am a mana wahine': A journey from trauma to lawyer
Kristina Green says it's okay that it's taken 20 years to get her life on track.
200 dancers keep calm and dance on at end of year show
The annual show at Forum North will feature 200 dancers aged 2 to 21.
Student conference hoped to build kids' confidence
The conference will be attended by 80 students from eight schools.
Teen's olive oil extract gets big YES from judges
Young Enterprise Scheme sees youth create and run their own businesses.
Kids at Morningside School quackers over Coby
Morningside School's pet duck Coby is one of the students.
Northland schools come together for kapa haka festival
Whangārei Primary School principal Danny Jewell hopes to hold the festival annually.
Northland schools get $4.5m for new classrooms
The funding is part of a $164m Government investment.
Exams kick off after difficult year for students
There have been changes for exam-sitters this year after school closures during lockdown.
School wellbeing initiative in Northland gets $50,000
The initiative has been praised by the Ministry of Education.
Whangārei could get its first Steiner school
Prime movers, sisters Amy Kirk and Tessa Lagerstedt, hope the school will open in 2022.
Kamo High School student awarded AUT scholarship to study culinary arts
Raivyn-Skye Tangariki-Pou has been in the kitchen from a very young age.
Photos: Te Tai Tokerau primary/intermediate kapa haka regionals
Photos from the Maranga Mai E Te Iwi Mana Kuratahi Regional Kapa Haka Competition.
The Luke Bird Experience returns
Luke Bird said punters can expect a show full of glam, fun, songs to get you amped.
Davis says Oranga Tamariki failing kids, commits to 'getting it right'
Kelvin Davis is the new Minister for Children.
Students to perform Othello - but not as you know it
The reworked play is being performed this week at Whangārei Girls' High School.
Robert Webb spends first night away from birds in 20 years for investiture
Robert Webb and wife Robyn went to Wellington last week for his investiture as an MNZM.
The famous Eel McPherson leaves town after storm
Eel McPherson taught kids not all eels were mean.
Northland talent on TV: Pio Terei and Nix Adams
The Māori Television show pairs a longtime star with a social media sensation.
Survey shows principals lack confidence in Oranga Tamariki
The survey showed 44 principals said there has been no dramatic improvements since CYF.
Professional cuddling service launches in Whangārei
Whakarongotai Nikora says professional cuddling provides a safe space for connection.
Storm damage: Million-dollar repair bills, schools close
The storm has passed but the clean-up is just beginning.
Water saving efforts needed despite downpour
Residents are being asked to reduce water usage so reservoirs can return to normal.
Water saving needed as reservoirs fall low after storm damage
While storm damaged treatment plants are back in action, the reservoirs have fallen low.
Lockdown no excuse for winning dancers
The competition featured dancers from around Northland.
From mushrooms to sticks: Lockdown plant photos come alive
The exhibition features nature from people's backyards.
Old Malletts building to become centre to help job hunters
The centre has been established in response to the economic impact of the Covid-19.
John Stone signs off after 38 years as an Advocate photographer
John Stone has many tales to tell after working at the Northern Advocate for 38-years.
Iwi say more time needed for Dome Valley landfill feedback
The iwi say the submission period should be extended due to the impacts of Covid-19.
Kaumātua Hohepa Rudolph will be 'sorely missed'
Kaumātua Hohepa Rudolph died on Sunday.
Budget boost keeps Waitangi Treaty Grounds running
The funding is part of a $900m package supporting Māori.
Seeing friends and playing highlights of first day back at school
Students and teachers were reunited after almost eight weeks apart.
Kids excited to return to school
Today is the first day of school under alert level 2.
School's back! Teachers and students to be reunited
For most students it will be the first time seeing their friends and teachers in weeks.
Revered kaumātua Wiremu Wiremu dies
He was one of the last keepers of waka knowledge of his generation.
Budget 2020: Support for youth needed, says youth space GM
Whangārei Youth Space general manager Ryan Donaldson talks about Budget 2020.
Budget 2020: Northland reacts to the $50b budget
Northland leaders react to the Government's $50b Budget.
Māori artist's work used without permission and sold online
The artist's work has appeared on a duvet cover for sale, and t-shirts and hoodies.
Mummas Kitchen: Whangārei mum's recipes lapped up by thousands
Whangārei's Kirsten Holtz started uploading the videos for her kindergarten parents.
Four Northlanders charged with breaching lockdown
There were also reports of people treating level 3 like level zero.
One per cent of Northland students return to school
Schools returned under alert level 3 this week but attendance was low.
10 days of no new Covid-19 cases in Northland
Milestone for Northland comes as New Zealand moves into alert level 3.
Coronavirus: No new Northland cases in 10 days
Northland's Covid-19 cases stand at 28.
Northlanders proudly honour Anzac Day
Yorke Rd residents brought together by Covid-19 held their own dawn service.
Northland continues streak of no new Covid cases
The number of cases in Northland is 28.
Covid 19 coronavirus: No new Northland cases
Northland's total number of Covid-19 cases stands at 28.
KidsCan send food parcels to Northland whānau
Usually KidsCan send food to schools but lockdown means they've sent them to homes.
Schools to reopen, but not as you know it
Schools will reopen next week under alert level 3.
Coronavirus: Lockdown doesn't stop the music
Students have been enjoying music lessons from home thanks to the internet.
Coronavirus: Cabin turns into classroom at holiday park
The students are being taught by teacher and resident Monique Cassidy.
Covid-19: Police message to rule-breakers, no new Northland cases
Northland has no new cases of Covid-19.
Coronavirus: No new Northland cases; regional total 27
Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield gave the update today.
Coronavirus: Principals concerned about alert level 3 guidelines
Schools and early learning services will partially reopen under alert level 3.
Schools and families tackle remote learning
School holidays are over but the Covid-19 lockdown means kids are learning from home.
School's music initiative shows power of uniting people
Students and staff have been sharing their top three songs for surviving isolation.
Uplift each other says Gumboot Friday founder
Pouto woman Joesephine Nathan is the founder of Gumboot Friday.
Coronavirus: 2000 hygiene packs for whānau
The packs contain hand sanitiser, toilet paper and other hygiene items.
Coronavirus: Lockdown brings out creativity
Northland families are finding lots of ways to keep occupied during lockdown.