A record 150-plus senior students donned their finery for this year's Okaihau College ball, themed 'Heaven and Hell.'

Trying to drive home from Auckland last Friday (to Kerikeri) took six hours. This was due to a fairly average crash on State Highway 1 near Puhoi, which closed the highway.

SOME OBSERVERS amused themselves while awaiting the result of last week's 'Brexit' referendum by picking songs to suit the occasion. The hands-down winner, once the result was known, was Twisted Sister's 1984 classic We ain't gonna take it any more.'

Qualified firefighter Rob Thompson only joined the Kaitaia Volunteer Fire Brigade four years ago, but he's already held the trophy for Firefighter of the Year.

It was hailed by police as a new, more effective means of maintaining law and order in the Mid North, but the 'flying squad' system isn't working according to the communities it is supposed to be serving.

A small crowd gathered outside Kaitaia's courthouse yesterday, as the two people who had admitted the manslaughter of three-year-old Moko Rangitoheriri were appearing before the High Court at Rotorua for sentence.

A seventh person has been arrested in relation to the country's biggest meth bust in Northland two weeks ago.

The Patu fitness movement continues to enjoy strong growth in the Far North judging by the interest generated at the opening of a new facility in Kaikohe last Saturday.

The Maori Party has paid a warm tribute to Ngati Hine Health Trust Emeritus Executive Robin John (Rob) Cooper, who passed away overnight on Monday.

Kaikohe and Kaitaia will join communities around the country when they march for 'Justice for Moko' and an end to the murdering of children, on Monday when Tania Shailer and David William Haerewa will be sentenced in the High Court.

Hamilton authorities are on the hunt for an armed fugitive on the run with his toddler in tow.

Several Kaitaia Primary School students have proven quick learners in the art of lawn bowls after taking up the invitation to head over the road to their neighbouring club on Church Road and enjoy a roll up on Thursday afternoons.

Their school is being pulled apart and put together again around them, but the $14 million rebuild of Northland College is not distracting the kapa haka party.

The days of getting a mate with some building experience to check over a property before buying it are over according to Harcourts CEO Chris Kennedy.

THE BADDIES always seemed to outwit the Keystone Kops in the silent movie era, but the Far North's latest claim to crime fame was more a case of Keystone Krooks, judging by the evidence so far.

Recently we were advised that a property over the road from us, on Col Mould Drive, was to be built upon, and that the building could be a source of irritation given that it had the potential to affect our view and general outlook.

Mana Movement leader Hone Harawira has confirmed that he will take on Labour's Kelvin Davis next year in a bid to win back Te Tai Tokerau.

WWF New Zealand and the New Zealand Landcare Trust's Reconnecting Northland ecological restoration project won the philanthropic and partnership category in the 2016 Green Ribbon awards.

Age Concern New Zealand chief executive Stephanie Clare says her organisation will continue to do all it can to prevent elder abuse. But it cannot do the job alone.

In response to the article 'Drumsticks too?' (June 9), I would like to provide some relevant points in the New Zealand context.

Kathleen Rudolph's car and Harley motorcycle stays in their garage at this time of year.

The seizure of almost half a tonne of methamphetamine in the Far North with a street value of $500 million, earned praise from Police Minister Judith Collins and Customs Minister Nicky Wagner for the community, the police and Customs.

More police dedicated to targeting drugs and organised criminal groups are needed to stem the flood of methamphetamine into Northland.

Mechanic asked to help launch boat says rising unease drove him to involve cops.

A Northland fisherman who tipped police off to suspicious boaties on 90 Mile Beach which led to a record seizure of methamphetamine is fearful of gang retribution.

Inside the police operation that led to record seizure of drugs.

Authorities will decide this morning whether to resume the search for a man washed overboard from a yacht in huge seas north of New Zealand.

More methamphetamine has been found by police among sand dunes in Northland, adding to what is already the largest meth seizure in New Zealand history.