A teenager from Matawaia, west of Moerewa, was last week named runner-up to the Young Mori Sheep and Beef Farmer of the Year at the Ahuwhenua Awards in Wanganui.

According to the Animal Products Act 1999, it is illegal to give away seafood that has been caught or harvested recreationally. The Ministry for Primary Industries has told the Northland Age, however, that that is not the case.

"Principal Jim Luders said he wouldn't keep his dog in that room, so why should he ask students to learn there? There were holes in the walls and ceiling, the buildings are full of wood rot and roofs need replacing."

This was decent entertainment, as good an advertisement for local women's football as anyone amongst the decent sized crowd who braved the wet and soggy conditions could wish to see.

Renee says the dictionary defines 'local' as food grown close (100km) to where it is bought and consumed. But what is so great about buying food locally? Is everything all good or are there some bad parts?

An American-born inventor believes the Far North is home to a number of locations that would be ideal for his award-winning energy-harnessing device.

I want to share a short moment in the life of my baby girl. I never intended to share this story, but I believe it should be told.

A WORLD-CLASS education system that is available to all regardless of class, income or anything else, has always been the foundation of the egalitarian society that is New Zealand. But it has never been free.

The cat and four black kittens that were dumped on Julianne and Aaron Bainbridge's farm at Waiharara were in luck when Mrs Bainbridge found them, but that luck might soon run out.

The above heading is the message for local motorheads from organisers of the Percy Poharama Memorial Queen's Birthday Weekend Meet at Taipa Speedway this coming weekend.

A fundraising challenge that involves running up more than 1000 steps while breathing from an oxygen tank and weighed down with 25kg of gear is not for the faint hearted.

There was sun, there was wind. There was also rain and large swells, but such are voyages aboard the R Tucker Thompson, albeit this time with one big difference.

The current Kaikohe Youth Action Plan reports that: "Northland youth drank more frequently and more heavily than youth in the rest of New Zealand.

Marlene Dawson recognises Phillip Roland Francis, standing second left, in the photograph above, which was sent as a postcard (dated November 1915) to her grandfather Gussie Yates, but would be delighted to hear from anyone who can name any of the others.

Te Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis is hoping he will have plenty of company when he sets off from the bottom of his electorate, West Auckland, tomorrow, bound for the top, Cape Reinga.

Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board member and organic farmer Marty Robinson was arrested on Saturday morning on suspicion of growing a dodgy crop. And he wasn't alone.

A comprehensive win for the competition pacesetters in the only match to take place from round 7 of the Northland Men's Premier Division and played in wet surface conditions at Waipapa on Saturday afternoon.

Mangonui fishing stalwart Bill Dimento weighed in a very respectable 8.40kg snapper, but it was a dad and daughter duo who took out the men's and ladies' sections respectively in the annual Far North ITM Fishing Contest.

What does one do with a jandal that's past its use-by date? It could find a good home with Kaeo artist Brenda, as evidenced by her contribution to the exhibition that opened at the Village Arts gallery in Kohukohu earlier this month.

Centuries from now, when Northlanders look out over a Bay of Islands dotted with thriving native forest and raucous with bird calls, one of the people they'll have to thank is Rod Brown.

Mick Corden was hopeful but not overly optimistic last week that a three-day search for his partner, 49-year-old Leeann Scott, would reveal what had become of her. And he was right not to allow his hopes to get too high.

Golf results from around Northland last week.

A new athletics club for the Bay of Islands will be launched at Bledisloe Domain, Haruru Falls Road, on Saturday (10am-3pm). Everyone will be welcome.

The Mid-North Hospital Group has called for a ministerial assessment and oversight of the Northland DHB's plans to upgrade Kawakawa's Bay of Islands Hospital.

Freedom of the Press is only part of freedom of expression. Freedom of expression includes your and my freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds. Freedom of expression underpins our way of life in New Zealand.

The response to the plight of a Waitangi family who lost their home and grandmother in one night last week has been so overwhelming they have asked for any further donations to go to other families in need.

Northland's first iwi radio station, and the second to go to air anywhere in the country, hoped to be back in business yesterday after its studio, equipment and offices at Mangamuka Bridge were destroyed by fire on Monday evening.

Mick Corden was allowing himself to hope but wasn't confident that he was about to learn what had become of his partner, 49-year-old Leeann Scott, as police and civilian Search and Rescue team members, along with three police cadaver dogs and their handle

Jamie Porter won a professional boxing bout against Australian Joe Lloyd at Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast earlier this month.

An Ayrshire bull bred by Takahue farmer Gavin Travers (Pa Hill Ayrshires) is tipped to become the dairy industry equivalent of the next great All Black.