Sarah Curtis is a Multimedia Journalist for The Northern Advocate.
Sarah Curtis is a Multimedia Journalist with the Northern Advocate, based in Whangārei, where she focuses on a range of issues. She has been a journalist for about 20 years and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference to everyday people - helping to give them a voice, highlight inequities and hold authorities to account. Much of Sarah's career has been in covering the courts - mainly in Gisborne and on the East Coast. She is especially passionate about Environmental issues. Sarah is qualified with a Certificate in Journalism, from Aoraki Polytechnic in Timaru, and also has a degree in Fine Arts from the Dunedin School of Art and a post-graduate diploma in secondary teaching from Waikato University. In her spare time, Sarah likes to spend time exploring New Zealand's natural spaces, particularly Northland’s beaches. She is also a keen photographer. You can contact Sarah at Sarah.Curtis@nzme.co.nz.
'Weren't even in the country!': Couple overseas woken by NZ police alleging bad driving
Overseas at the time, they've praised keen NZ police work and the power of social media.
Harbourmaster warns boaties must have wreck-removal insurance
Regional council wants divers from wrecked boat to pay for its clean up.
Armed police close major route through Whangārei
Armed police have closed major road through Whangārei as an incident unfolds
Pest infestation at Onerahi could spread to offshore island
Northland's Regional Council cracks down on aggressive, soil-poisoning weed
'Excessive': Supermarket parking policy changes spark outrage
Whangārei's Pak'nSave supermarket comes under fire for enforcing its parking rules.
Stoat-busting duo find no sign of rogue visitor on predator-free island
A stoat that swam to Matakohe-Limestone Island is believed to have gone again.
Young couple left with 44c to pay mortgage after bank card fraud
A young mum is warning anyone who finds a bank card to be careful how they advertise it.
Apology 'not accepted': Conservationists cause outrage by killing pet cat
The difficulties of predator control in conservation areas near housing.
Whangārei Heads residents sick of slow pace want quick change
Should local speed limits be relaxed during school holidays?
Rescued whales still safe at sea today: Public praised for their help
Thousands of people thronged to Ruakākā Beach to help a pod of stranded whales.
Neighbours to the rescue after Whangārei property starts billowing smoke
Neighbours sprung into action safeguarding two teens during a house fire yesterday
One person treated for smoke inhalation after house fire in Raumanga
A person was treated for smoke inhalation after a house fire in Raumunga this afternoon
Dog in car taken from shop injured but reunited with owner
A dog is safely back with her owner after thief steals car.
'Chronically underfunded': DoC asks public to pay to save critically endangered species
DoC has enlisted the help of a fundraising organisation to back some critical projects.
Why a Whangārei rural postie stayed 30 years in the job despite hugely increased workload
Northland postie has delivered her final package after 40 years
Northlanders really need to talk more openly about suicide prevention worker says
Some believe more open discussion about suicide is a vital tool.
'We’re just all really, really broken': Family despair at loss of teen’s memorial sign
A whānau are heartbroken at the loss of a roadside memorial sign.
'He’s a little character': Pūkeko's 29km journey back home
When it comes to finding their way around, pukeko rival homing pigeons
Upper Whāngarei Harbour out of bounds for fishers while man remains missing
A rāhui is in place over part of Whāngarei Harbour in respect of a missing swimmer
Person critically injured in car fire at Ōmāpere
Firefighters also battling scrub fire at Ōmāpere.
Group ignores 'unmissable' signs and walks dog off lead on pest-free Northland island
Dog seen on pest-free Matakohe Limestone Island was not there for conservation purposes
Police appeal for sightings of 83-year-old missing swimmer
The 83-year-old man has not been seen since Saturday and was reported missing on Monday.
Death of rare frogs linked to Brynderwyns roading work
Native frogs were endangered by concrete used in the upgrade, a report says.
Community stepping in to safeguard Doubtless Bay kiwi
There's no doubt about a new kiwi population in Doubtless Bay.
Locally rejected port expansion plan gets fast-track tick
Eleven Northland projects get approval for fast-tracking.
Misspelled road signs called out by residents
The Council and NZTA have both attracted criticism for recent road sign spelling blunders
Some Kiwis still "sleepwalking through life" oblivious to pest problem, says conservationist
A Northland man is urging gardeners to use dead possums for fertiliser.
Downed pylon: Transpower boss says context missing from failures announcement
Transpower says its position in the fallen pylon incident has not been fairly represented
Downed pylon 'an act of incompetence and negligence' – Northland leader
Northland leaders have responded to the energy authority's findings about a downed pylon.
Police drug operation Gambit snares suspect in Northland
A woman has been arrested in Northland for alleged cocaine offences in Waikato
'Why us?': Family's car fire latest in a spate of suspected arsons
Another Tikipunga family's lives have been turned upside down after blaze.
31 dogs snatched from Northland end up in Wellington: Police, SPCA investigating
Thirty-one dogs and puppies were unlawfully taken from a Whangārei property.
Legendary Northland kiwi Sir Ed killed
A 20-year-old kiwi, father to numerous offspring, has been found dead on Matakohe Island.
'Distraught': Police seek help to find Tikipunga’s vehicle arsonist
Three cars have been torched in one week.
Ratepayer challenges council over its Armourguard $12m contract
Ratepayer notifies auditor-general of concerns over the district's animal control service
Police name Kaitāia homicide victim
The suspect, reportedly known to the man, was charged on Sunday night with his murder.
Kaitāia woman charged with murder granted interim name suppression
The suspect, reportedly known to the man, was charged on Sunday night with his murder.
Big shark washes up on Bay of Islands beach
A dive instructor was surprised and saddened by the discovery of washed-up gill shark.
Seriously injured man dropped off at hospital dies, police investigating
The man died shortly after being dropped off at Kaitāia Hospital, police say.
A mystery boat retrieved from sea and several crashes keep emergency units busy
Police incident callouts over the weekend included these more serious ones.
Northland no longer meth capital of NZ, testing reveals
Usage levels have changed across NZ policing districts, and cocaine use was up nationwide.
Property market springing back – but not in Northland
Experts say house prices have finally bottomed out and are on the up... elsewhere.
Could Northland's escapee Water Dragon still be out there somewhere?
Two pet Water Dragons that escaped a Pataua South owner in 2022 were never recovered.
Driver admits fatally injuring motorcyclist
A driver has admitted his carelessness caused the death of a motorcyclist.
'Why penalise the dog owners who do the right thing': Calls for more positive use of registration fees
Dog owners say the council should make better use of their registration fees.
Intoxicated driver killed much-loved policewoman and wants to avoid conviction
Guilty driver had consumed beer and cannabis.
Pet rule changes could help people escape family harm
Victims of family harm could benefit from changes to the Residential Tenancies Bill.
Final week at courthouse for Whangārei JPs
Justices leave court for more peaceful surrounds.
Can you still bag a bargain at op shops?
Shoppers have noticed a marked increase in prices at their favourite opportunity stores.
Kerikeri chef's Double Cheeseburger pie wows judges at pie awards
Three Northland bakers have been recognised as some of the country's best pie makers
Long waits for Family Court time: Northland lags behind rest of NZ
Northland has some of the country's longest wait times for Family Court services.
Landlord ordered to pay tenant $30k
Renting an old property out cheaply doesn't excuse landlords from ensuring it's habitable.
Northlanders take to latest housing trend - the catio
A catio is a dedicated safe space for your cat.
Northlanders flock to be part of record-high bird count
Annual count of the nation's garden birds has ended with record-high participation.
Egg and poultry producers prepare for arrival of avian bird flu
Experts are monitoring a highly contagious strain of bird flu as it nears New Zealand
Suppression for driver charged over death of off-duty policewoman
The man made his first appearance in the Whangārei District Court this morning.
Retirement village issues highlighted in push for law reform
The Act 'has to change': Retirement Village Residents Assoc president.
Call for food safety officials to apologise to cheesed off shopper
Officials should apologise over handling of pensioner's complaint, says concerned reader.
Foul-mouthed tenant evicted after noise complaints from neighbours
Property managers have evicted a loud and foul-mouthed tenant after neighbours complained.
Who's responsible for taming Northland's wild cattle problem?
Hundreds of complaints around Kaipara follow Whangārei Heads Rd report.
'Hearty little buggers': Kākāriki chicks flourishing
Glenbervie man counting Kakariki chicks in Garden Bird survey.
Shopper cheesed off with food authority's verdict on bugs
Authority says lax poor food safety not to blame for bugs found in supermarket cheese.
Motorists reminded to keep eye out for cattle on Whangārei Heads Road
There is no signage or other mode of warning about the risk.
NRC cracks down on defiant firelighter
A Northland council has been granted a court order to stop a resident lighting fires.
Garden bird survey: How you can take part
Pull up a chair and spend an hour in your backyard counting birds.
Toppled pylon: More power supply restored, further outages not ruled out
Northland is expected to get full power again today following Friday's pylon collapse.
Abrupt halt to High Court murder trial in Whangārei
Abrupt halt to High Court murder trial at Whangārei.
Roaming wild cattle: Fears someone will die
Up to 100 wild cattle are damaging bush around Waikaraka and endangering drivers.
The shooting of Bob Kleiman could only have been murder: Crown
Murder accused and two alleged accomplices on trial in High Court at Whangarei
Unlicensed, speeding and high: Young driver kills two, gets home detention
Victim's family question sentence imposed by court.
Three Northland projects in line for new regional funding
All three projects have resource consent, are construction ready.
Pensioner living in car waiting for state house
Increasing numbers of Northlanders sleeping rough in tents and cars
King’s Birthday Honours 2024: Seven Northlanders recognised for their work
Our reporters caught up with the recipients.
Owner of exclusive Northland home ordered to remove illegal 52m seawall
Northland Regional Council has prosecuted...
Northlanders react with mixed feelings on 2024 Budget
Mixed feelings on Budget even though some say Willis delivered what she promised.
Council pulls stumps on tsunami siren installation after locals complain
Residents appalled at NRC's failure to consult them about tsunami siren locales.
Busy nesting: Kākāriki now raising chicks
Both parents had been doing 'absolutely brilliantly' in taking care of their brood.
Dog walkers hot under the collar about proposed changes
Dog owners are hot under the collar about proposed changes to off leash areas at beach.
Kennel cough in Northland: Rise in cases causing concern
Northland vets urge dog owners to be vigilant as kennel cough cases rise around the region
Will Three Strikes be any different a second time around?
"There’s a high risk ... people will come out of prison more dangerous."