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.
![Who's responsible for taming Northland's wild cattle problem?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Owner of exclusive Northland home ordered to remove illegal 52m seawall
Northland Regional Council has prosecuted...
![Northlanders react with mixed feelings on 2024 Budget](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Will Three Strikes be any different a second time around?
"There’s a high risk ... people will come out of prison more dangerous."
![Rugby great Sid Going farewelled in Northland rain](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Rugby great Sid Going farewelled in Northland rain
About 1000 people turned out in the rain for the funeral of NZ legend 'Super Sid' Going.
![Final farewell for Northland rugby legend 'Super Sid' Going](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Final farewell for Northland rugby legend 'Super Sid' Going
One of New Zealand's greatest ever rugby players, Sid Going, has died aged 80.
![Paint attacks hit Stop Co-Governance signs in Whangārei](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Paint attacks hit Stop Co-Governance signs in Whangārei
How do you explain anti-co-governance signs to a Māori child?
![Guilty verdict: Fall from grace for talented local sportswoman and former physio](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Guilty verdict: Fall from grace for talented local sportswoman and former physio
The former Whangārei physiotherapist stood trial for theft and defrauding a sports store.
!['A really big deal' Rare birds make their home in Whangārei bush](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'A really big deal' Rare birds make their home in Whangārei bush
Kakariki have returned to a patch of bush where war has been declared on predators.
![Driver pleads not guilty to causing fatal collision](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Driver pleads not guilty to causing fatal collision
The incident between a car and a motorcycle happened on November 7 last year.
![A growing concern: experts plan new strategy to eradicate moth plant](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
A growing concern: experts plan new strategy to eradicate moth plant
Conservation group's aim to up community efforts in the ongoing war against moth plant.
![Gisborne cockroach and corpse loving ‘coffin fly’ identified in Whangārei man’s supermarket cheese](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Gisborne cockroach and corpse loving ‘coffin fly’ identified in Whangārei man’s supermarket cheese
MPI is still investigating a pensioner's 1kg block of cheese.
![Victim of freak bridge incident says council, contractor, haven't apologised](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Victim of freak bridge incident says council, contractor, haven't apologised
The wife of a man injured on a council bridge says their lives have been dreadful since.
![Should ratepayers foot the bill to ensure freedom campers stick to the rules?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Should ratepayers foot the bill to ensure freedom campers stick to the rules?
Whangarei District Council reviews need for monitoring of freedom camping.
![Irate residents sound off about new tsunami sirens](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Irate residents sound off about new tsunami sirens
Coastal views from a couple's Parua Bay home ruined by new tsunami siren.
![Council silent since cemetery dispute with grieving families](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Council silent since cemetery dispute with grieving families
Families were previously told they needed to clear tributes from the cemetery's lawns.
![Fast track approvals bill a 'beast that needs to be slowed down': conservation board chair](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Fast track approvals bill a 'beast that needs to be slowed down': conservation board chair
Northland's Conservation Board is concerned about proposed fast track legislation
![MPI take cockroach contaminated cheese from shopper](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
MPI take cockroach contaminated cheese from shopper
MPI officers have taken away a cockroach-infested block of cheese from a shopper.
![Man's bug horror find in late night snack](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Man's bug horror find in late night snack
Whangārei man finds cockroach in a block of Woolworth's supermarket brand cheese.
!['Pretty remarkable': 600 native frogs rehomed during Brynderwyns roading project](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Pretty remarkable': 600 native frogs rehomed during Brynderwyns roading project
There are strict protocols for construction in the environmentally sensitive Brynderwyns.
![Govt’s cellphone ban in schools: What Northland principals think](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Govt’s cellphone ban in schools: What Northland principals think
Schools say ban has had a positive effect but question whether it needed to be imposed.
![Motorheads revved up to see downtown street sprints in action](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Motorheads revved up to see downtown street sprints in action
Thousands line streets in Whangārei's CBD for Northland Street Sprints.
![Court only option after councils clear Semenoff of subsidence concerns](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Court only option after councils clear Semenoff of subsidence concerns
Developer Stan Semenoff has been cleared of a nearby resident's concerns
![Odd visitor to supermarket carpark keeps shoppers guessing](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Odd visitor to supermarket carpark keeps shoppers guessing
An odd-looking gull is causing bird-watchers to do a double take.
![Brynderwyns to be retired, replaced by new highway within 10 years: Brown](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Brynderwyns to be retired, replaced by new highway within 10 years: Brown
Roading work is expected to last up to 10 years, Transport Minister says.
![Injured man's wife says council, contractors need health and safety 'shake-up'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Injured man's wife says council, contractors need health and safety 'shake-up'
The wife of a badly injured man says an unsafe footbridge should have simply been closed.
!['Heartless': Grieving families upset over request to remove graveside tributes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Heartless': Grieving families upset over request to remove graveside tributes
A grieving Whangarei family have been told to clear tributes from a gravesite lawn.
![Resident despairs over former Whangārei mayor’s earthmoving activities](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Resident despairs over former Whangārei mayor’s earthmoving activities
A Manuka Place resident fears his property might be the next to be condemned.
![Northlanders watching their pennies as retail spending tanks nationally](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Northlanders watching their pennies as retail spending tanks nationally
Retail spending continues to fall in the region, shop owners and economists confirm.
![Brynderwyn road closure: nearly 100,000 tonnes of soil cut so far](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Brynderwyn road closure: nearly 100,000 tonnes of soil cut so far
Kiwi sniffer dog among the 520 workers on massive SH1 project.
![Man's anguish after dogs go missing from backyard](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Man's anguish after dogs go missing from backyard
A dog owner fears the worse after his mastiffs went missing from their fenced yard.
![Trucking company chasing former mayor Stan Semenoff for unpaid debt](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Trucking company chasing former mayor Stan Semenoff for unpaid debt
The Multispares claim was advertised last week in the NZ Gazette.
![Third person arrested in Mangamuka homicide investigation](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Third person arrested in Mangamuka homicide investigation
Police have made another arrest in relation to the death of a man in Mangamuka
![Does a criminal's 'appalling upbringing' require softer punishment?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Does a criminal's 'appalling upbringing' require softer punishment?
Some judges question whether commissioned written cultural reports are really necessary.
![Trial date set for two men accused of central city murder](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Trial date set for two men accused of central city murder
Two men will stand trial in November for the murder of Haze Peihopa in Whangārei in 2021.
![Harassment case: The tourist obsessed with her ex-boss - judge overturns conviction](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Harassment case: The tourist obsessed with her ex-boss - judge overturns conviction
Sand-duning accident led to mental ill-health and obsession, says appeal judge.
!['You used your daughter as a sex toy': Man jailed for 10 years, judge expresses shock](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'You used your daughter as a sex toy': Man jailed for 10 years, judge expresses shock
Man who sexually abused his primary-school-aged daughter, jailed for more than 10 years.
![Frustrated dad repeatedly pounded daughter's head into cupboard door](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Frustrated dad repeatedly pounded daughter's head into cupboard door
A judge says the man "simply lost it" when the 11-year-old wouldn't go to bed.
![Convicted teen rapist wins sentence discount](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Convicted teen rapist wins sentence discount
Denial does not necessarily preclude the possibility of rehabilitation, Appeal Court says.
![Wealthy Northland property owner admits his dog killed a kiwi](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Wealthy Northland property owner admits his dog killed a kiwi
Brian Angliss will oppose the mandatory destruction of his dog.
![Ex-Whangārei mayor fined $15,500 for air pollution, refused discharge without conviction](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Ex-Whangārei mayor fined $15,500 for air pollution, refused discharge without conviction
The judge said Stan Semenoff took two years to finally school his staff on handling fires.
![Decision soon on whether teens accused of Northland man's murder are fit to stand trial](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Decision soon on whether teens accused of Northland man's murder are fit to stand trial
Youths charged with murder of Northland man await decision on fitness to stand trial
![Starving animals suffer for months on Tangowahine farm](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Starving animals suffer for months on Tangowahine farm
A Dargaville lifestyle farmer has been fined for failing to care for several animals.
![Drug dealer says rehab changed his life as he escapes jail term](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Drug dealer says rehab changed his life as he escapes jail term
Court says addict drug-dealer, facing 77 charges, genuinely realised harm meth causes.
![Man jailed for 30-years of 'monstrous and ongoing' sexual offending](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Man jailed for 30-years of 'monstrous and ongoing' sexual offending
Man's sexual abuse of relatives continued even after he was given a chance to stop.
![Bucket of toheroa proves expensive takeaway for man](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Bucket of toheroa proves expensive takeaway for man
People caught unlawfully in possession of toheroa can face fines of up to $20,000.
![Youth walks on 10 charges, judge criticises tardy health service](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Youth walks on 10 charges, judge criticises tardy health service
Youth walks free from another 10 charges due to delayed psychological report.
![Man stomped on his partner's ankle, then beat her the next day with the crutch she was using](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Man stomped on his partner's ankle, then beat her the next day with the crutch she was using
Sentence a 'reward' for man with 100-plus convictions who joined rehab programme.
![Children's life in squalor](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Children's life in squalor
A jury has accepted children's claims of years of abuse by their meth-using mum
![Watch: Mask refuser tasered, arrest captured on CCTV](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Watch: Mask refuser tasered, arrest captured on CCTV
Store's mask policy negated Health Ministry's guidelines, Northland man Brad Flutey says.
![Illegal supply of two-way radios a serious problem, authorities say](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Illegal supply of two-way radios a serious problem, authorities say
A man caught illegally importing and selling two way radios faces fine of up to $30,000.
![Inmate lights fire in cell, disabling prison block's sprinklers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Inmate lights fire in cell, disabling prison block's sprinklers
When asked why he destroyed his cell, Fraser said he was 'sick of being dicked around'.
![Judge says drink-driver's case a rare exception to those normally resulting in prison](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Judge says drink-driver's case a rare exception to those normally resulting in prison
Judge accepts drink driver a good person who made a "terrible, terrible" decision to drive
![Girl says abuse accusations against mum all lies](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Girl says abuse accusations against mum all lies
Asked by a prosecutor why she previously lied, the girl said, 'dunno - can't remember'.
!['I got kicked three times': Mother on trial for ill-treatment of her nine children](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'I got kicked three times': Mother on trial for ill-treatment of her nine children
Mother on trial accused of assaulting, neglecting, and ill-treating her children.
![Access to ancestral land essential to cultural identity: Māori Land Court judge](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Access to ancestral land essential to cultural identity: Māori Land Court judge
Judge says Far North case highlights land as an important ancestral treasure for Māori.
![Teen roped into knifepoint dairy robbery by his older brother](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Teen roped into knifepoint dairy robbery by his older brother
Younger of two brothers sentenced for his part in aggravated robbery of Whangārei dairy.
![Driver's plan to evade checkpoint backfires when police tow his van](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Driver's plan to evade checkpoint backfires when police tow his van
Driver who fled checkpoint tried to collect his van the next day but police had towed it.
![Two nights of 'bizarre' driving ends in 12 months jail](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Two nights of 'bizarre' driving ends in 12 months jail
Driver who evaded police checkpoint one night, led police on high-speed chase the next.
!['Warts and all' cultural report outlines woman's violent and abusive upbringing](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Warts and all' cultural report outlines woman's violent and abusive upbringing
A woman who stabbed her mother's boyfriend has been jailed for two years and nine months.
![Teen killer jailed: Man's search for friendship ends in 'pain and dying alone'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Teen killer jailed: Man's search for friendship ends in 'pain and dying alone'
Judge says life imprisonment appropriate for teen who killed mate in brutal knife attack.