Susan Botting is the Local Democracy Reporter for Northland.
Susan has been working at the Northern Advocate as Local Democracy Reporter since November 2019. She is part of the national Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) project and her work focusses on Northland democracy. Susan has been a journalist for 20 years in a career that has mixed communication and education. That time includes working at the Northern Advocate agricultural editor. She has a Bachelor of Education and a Diploma in Journalism. Susan is a registered teacher and worked at Northland Regional Council for more than 15 years as a kaiako taio encouraging teachers and students around Te Tai Tokerau how to get involved in looking after the world around them. Susan was also part of Northland Civil Defence for several years while at the council, working in communication and education. She was also council volunteer co-ordinator. Susan has a passion for storytelling and loves photography. She loves Northland and enjoys sailing plus anything to do with the ocean and is a former Tūtūkākā South Pacific Yacht Club commodore.
Far North Mayor Moko Tepania outlines recovery plans at first state-style address
Mayor Moko Tepania outlines Far North's recovery plans at first state address in Kerikeri.
Students inspired at first te reo Māori immersion careers workshop
About 8000 students have been through the Inspiring the Future programme.
Kaipara councillor wears a Mickey Mouse T-shirt to meetings over 'worrying state of democracy'
The mayor disagrees with the councillor's comments.
Four Northlanders honoured for over 100 years of community service
Honours recognise 'the aroha the community has for these four'.
Northlanders help survey wetland bird at risk of extinction
Hundreds of people have signed up for the first national citizen's-science bittern count.
Freshwater focus for Northland education events
An estimated 25,000-plus students are involved in the programme.
Thousands turn out to Whangārei’s second annual maritime festival
Thousands descended on the Town Basin for the Maritime Festival
Far North’s cyclone damaged properties in line for buyout and relocation
Council staff have started working with the affected owners.
Hugely popular Whangārei Maritime Festival to set sail this weekend
The free festival celebrates the district’s maritime spirit.
Whangārei's fledgling cruise ship industry expected to boom
The first cruise ship season brought $420,600 to the district.
Ngāpuhi hapū leader calls for $8 billion Treaty redress during Govt visit
Minister Paul Goldsmith said his purpose at the hui was to listen.
'We had always held out hope': Kaipara council axes iwi relationship agreements
One of the canned agreements had been in place for more than 20 years.
Kaipara council keeps political review despite pending Māori ward ruling
Judge yet to rule on legal challenge on whether Māori ward remains in place for election.
Northland's biggest solar farm major boost for regional resilience: Mayors
New Zealand's first battery energy storage site is expected to be in action by late 2026.
Northlander’s te reo Māori journey: From opera singer to council interpreter
Opera singer Kawiti Waetford converts council meetings from te reo Māori to English
Far North council meeting heralds new te reo Māori dawn
A council meeting held in 80% te reo Māori heralds ongoing growth in the language’s use.
Kaipara Council says Māori ward should not return, if consultation breach found
Kaipara District Council defends decision to abolish Māori ward in court
Kaipara District Council face Māori ward legal challenge in High Court
Rūnanga applies for judicial review into process council used to abolish Māori ward.
Far North council sticks with Māori ward, but challenges polling requirement
The Far North District Council is the last of 45 to decide on its Māori ward.
Far North Māori ward decision postponed to respect Kiingi Tūheitia's burial
Far North District Council’s Māori ward decision meeting is being postponed
Bay of Islands invasive caulerpa battle gears up with $10m boost
World-leading caulerpa eradication trials are taking a major step forward.
Former Mayor Sheryl Mai speaks out against Whangārei’s Māori ward polling move
Whangārei District Council voted to keep its Māori ward.
Northland Regional Council keeps Māori seats but pushes back against polling
Northland Regional Council pushes back against polling
Councils challenge new Māori ward polling law
Over 80% of councils at today's meeting opposed being forced to hold a poll on the wards.
'Do the right thing': Northland Māori leader calls on PM to ‘sack’ Act from coalition
Pita Tipene said the Kaipara meeting felt unsafe at times.
Kaipara ratepayers face $25k bill after Māori ward abolished
The review is required under new government legislation.
Kaipara District Council votes to disestablish Māori ward
Mayor Craig Jepson said he was elated at the decision.
Māori leader calls for Kaipara mayor’s resignation over Māori ward move
Dame Naida Glavish says push to scrap Māori ward is unacceptable.
Kaipara council poised to become first to can Māori ward
Mayor Craig Jepson said he would be voting to remove the ward.
Far North council calls for parts of fast-track bill to be wiped
Council fears mining on historic Māori sites under fast-track bill.
NRC warns fast-tracked legislation lacks adequate focus on adverse effects
The regional council says the fast-track bill is too focused on projects' benefits.
Māori ward polling requirements becoming law this week
Compulsory Māori ward polling to become law this week.
Northland councils want changes as fast-tracked future looms
The one-stop shop consenting legislation aims to cut red tape and speed up major projects.
Controversial rescue helicopter base to stay in Kensington for another year
Northland Emergency Services Trust (NEST)’s Kensington to run till 2026.
Te Tai Tokerau tertiary scholarship winners named
The 2024 winners will each get $4000 and paid NRC work experience..
Northland leaders double down on Northport expansion after ruling
Boosting transport infrastructure connectivity is one of the key goals.
Kaipara waste to energy plant investigation ends with no report
The council’s role in any future local WtE plant will be purely regulatory.
Former councillor calls for early Māori ward polls in Te Tai Tokerau
Councils that want to keep their Māori wards should have to poll communities
Whangārei Mayor: Government’s housing push a 'logical approach'
The council will be asking people for their feedback on a new future development strategy.
Northlanders to pay $54.8m in council rates in the coming 2024/2025 year
Council set to increase rate to fund emergency services and sports facilities.
Regional council specialists to work with marae on flood resilience
Marae from near Cape Reinga in the north to Kaipara’s Naumai in the south are involved.
Northland councils stick with Māori wards despite Government push
Two of the four councils will retain Māori wards, while the other two are tight-lipped.
Five councillors irate over not being allowed to debate on Gaza conflict
Councillors are upset the mayor won't allow a debate on Palestine-Israel issues.
Full investigation launched after major power outage in Northland
Parts of Northland were without power after a pylon toppled near Wellsford.
Northland Civil Defence is working with power companies to ensure limited supply is distributed to essential services
Civil Defence powers up in face of Te Tai Tokerau electricity failure
Mayoral leader Vince Cocurullo has called for power to be restored immediately
Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurrullo called for power to be returned by this evening.
Council slammed over continuing with climate funding cuts
Kaipara Mayor Craig Jepson disagreed the council had abused the democratic process.
Kaipara Harbour’s newest wharf expected to boost tourism
New $2.9 million facility at Pouto has officially been opened.
Kaipara waste-to-energy plant opponents: Spare us the sales pitch
Opponents say decision-makers needed to know about the incinerator’s risks.
Musical chairs - Northland council told to sort ‘dysfunctionality’ as chairman survives coup
Game of Chairs: MP Jones said the ongoing ructions had been damaging for NRC.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown bins talk of city’s rubbish fuelling Kaipara plant
Auckland Mayor pours cold water on talk of his council’s rubbish going north.
Northland Regional Council chair facing the axe
If Crawford loses the chair’s role, it will be the third change at the regional council
Te Iwitahi civic centre has been honoured for a “strong tikanga Māori narrative”
Whangārei’s civic centre and other architectural marvels win at awards
Doctors warn: Human health risks from proposed $730m Kaipara waste-to-energy plant
Health concerns included toxins such as dioxins, heavy metals and gases.
Northland policewoman Gail Shepherd remembered for ‘amazing’ emergency mahi
'She was a passionate daughter, mother and grandmother.'
Water tanks installed in response to drought in Northland rural communities
Almost 100 water tanks have been installed to help rural communities.
'A better empowered disabled sector strengthens community resilience'
An empowered disabled community strengthens emergency response
Systems not people cop blame for severe weather responses
Northland’s community preparedness has been highlighted in an inquiry report.
Former Northland councillor says Māori wards fine - if polls held
Former councillor John Bain says the Govt had made the 'right move' regarding Māori wards.
Northland Regional Council pushes back against plan to reinstate binding polls
The council played a key role in getting Māori ward polling removed.
Ruawai leader slams council in David and Goliath battle over $400k property
Proceeds from a residential property should go to the scheme and not the council, he says.
Govt changes risk demise of Māori wards, prominent leader warns
Government changes are rolling back rights, a Northland leader says.
Far North council set to oppose Government's Māori wards changes
Far North Mayor Moko Tepania has hit out at the Government’s proposed Māori wards changes.
Kaipara Mayor wants Māori ward gone before next local elections
The Govt changes signalled this month allow council to reverse Māori ward decisions.
Northland home to NZ's biggest tsunami siren replacement project
The new sirens are not reliant on the region's electricity network to function.
'It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from': Mayor's message ahead of graduation
'You can do anything you make up your mind to do and bring that home to your people.'
Opposition to proposed Kaipara waste to energy plant in grows
Opponents are angry and say such a plant should not be built anywhere.
Record rates rise will hit thousands in the Far North hard: Dover Samuels
Dover says the rates rise would be the defining moment of Far North kahika Moko Tepania.
Brynderwyns' long closure not justifiable, transport leader says
The scale of resilience work over the Brynderwyns has been called bigger than necessary.
Government will need to make Kaipara waste to energy plant decisions: Mayor
Moko Tepania says his support for a feasibility study is not support for the project.
New $7.5m emergency response hub for region
The new centre will be a Northland first.
Northland councillor hits out at 2.9% rates rise option
Concerns low rates rise option will see the council’s work go backward.
Pensioners risk having to sell homes due to rates hike - community leader
The council was also now shouldering $44 million in Three Waters debt.
More slower speed roads for controversial Whangārei Heads review area
Initial slower speed zones have brought loud community backlash.
Northlanders asked to take photos of super-high king tides
'Your photo may help us identify areas that are already at risk from higher water levels.'
$730m Kaipara waste to energy plant moves closer
A plant could be operating by 2028.
Mayor's mum with broken hip waits two hours for ambulance
Mayor Craig Jepson said he planned to lodge a formal complaint and is seeking an apology.
Whangārei ratepayers facing huge 17.2 per cent rates hike
It's almost double the previous highest rates increase of 9 per cent in 2015/2016.
Fight against invasive seaweed caulerpa boosted by $5m Govt funding
Northlanders have been urging the Government to step up its investment to fight caulerpa.
Whangārei Heads' lower speed limits to be reviewed amid backlash
Local councillor reminding people not everybody can have what they want.