Ngapuhi co-chairman Rudy Taylor said he would be talking to marae trustees about increasing security on Friday and Saturday if necessary.

Friends and team mates of the 20-year-old Kaikohe man who died while swimming at Charlie's Rock, Kerikeri, last week have paid tribute to his skills on and off the field, his cheekiness, ready smile and sense of humour.

Another year of gymnastics classes are all ready to go at the Kaitaia Gymnastic Club beginning with a pre-enrolment afternoon on Monday, February 8, at 3.30pm followed by the first classes beginning on Tuesday, February 9 for Term 1.

His lawyer sought a term of home detention, but the prosecution took a different view when 21-year-old TJ Fletcher appeared before the Kaitaia District Court last week.

Government wants settlement and to pay out for past wrongs to Ngapuhi. Money can never compensate for their losses, but it's the best that can be done.

THERE is no questioning Selwyn Clarke's belief that he did not commit an offence when he took part in the occupation of Kaitaia airport last year. Like the others who were arrested and charged with trespass, he believes he had every legal right to be the

Fishing boats and pleasure craft are not an unusual sight off Ahipara, but last week's visitor was well and truly out of the ordinary.

A 61-year-old Auckland woman who was bitten when a dog attacked her Welsh terrier on January was "saddened but not surprised" to hear that the Far North District Council would not be taking action against the owner.

That's the call from a Kaitaia businessmen who's keen to see the sport grow in the Far North. If anyone is qualified to promote the game, likened to an informal but still intensely competitive version of indoor hockey, it's Daniel Fasnacht.

Heritage Northland has embarked upon a process of recognising 'local heritage heroes,' and could hardly have chosen a better candidate for recognition than Olwyn Ramsey.

A Czech artist has given up fame and a steady stream of commissions in his homeland for a new life in the Far North.

Ngati Kahu has vowed to continue supporting war veteran Selwyn Clarke for as long as it takes after his war pension was stopped because he failed to respond to an arrest warrant issued in the Kaitaia District Court in October.

A truck driver is dead after an early morning crash in the Far North, police say.

Kiwi couple Chris Hoffmann and Danielle Mills are getting married 10 years to the day after first meeting on an Air New Zealand flight.

The weather played ball when the Far North RSA Bowling Club hosted the Northland Age Open last Tuesday.

THE sense of entitlement that pervades our society is one of the major hindrances to achieving the prosperity to which we all aspire.

A letter to St Mary's Pukenui steering committee and Pukenui community representatives.

A group of overseas visitors haven't been able to wipe the smiles off their faces after a pod of dolphins frolicked with them for hours in the Bay of Islands last week.

Another hikoi to Te Tii Marae will leave Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) early on Monday morning, with the focus this time on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is scheduled to be signed in Auckland on Thursday.

A Kaikohe businesswoman who only began racing ATV class competitively 18 months ago hasn't taken long to come to grips with her local track, and now plans to give her far more experienced male opponents a good run for their money.

Greg Robertson, whose partner Deanna Trevarthan is fighting pleural mesothelioma (asbestos cancer), is pleased that ACC Minister Nikki Kaye plans to review ACC entitlement legislation, but is pleading for a greater sense of urgency.

IT WAS the attire - "the veil, white stockings, red cardigan and white starched uniform" - that captivated the attention of 8-year-old Jenny Nilsson (later Subritzky), and set her on the path to becoming a dental therapist.

Far North District Council animal management officers will begin patrolling a number of popular beaches in the district on Saturday, in response to complaints that some dog owners are flouting the council's dog control bylaw.

Police investigating the murder of 35-year-old Kaitaia man Lee Rata are appealing to the public for sightings of a silver 1994 Nissan Primera car (pictured), registration YD7680.

A keen Kaitaia kayak fisherman, Kerry Flowers, has recently returned victorious from the 2015 New Zealand Kayak Fishing Series, bringing home a new kayak as part of his winnings.

The Open Juniors Fishing Contest hosted by the Whangaroa Sport Fishing Club earlier this month proved a relaxed and successful affair.

The Kaitaia Far North Pharmacy, in Kaitaia's main street, is under new ownership but the faces are very familiar.

At home, on our own property, we have very strict legislation/regulation governing our use with quad bikes. These include:

THE process adopted by the Anglican Church in Kaitaia to sell St Mary's at Pukenui is nothing short of shameful.