Many of those who turned out at Te Kohanga (Shipwreck Bay) for Saturday's StopStatoil protest/festival would have been there for the music..

The gutting of a house in Matilda Place Kaitaia on Thursday afternoon prompted another reminder from the town's senior firefighter that children and matches do not mix.

Authorities have erected a sign at Waiharara's Lake Waiparera, warning that potentially toxic cyanobacteria in the water may be harmful to people and animals who come into contact with it.

The first goal for the recently established Sport Muriwhenua, a group made up of local multisport enthusiasts, was to ensure Far North representation at the Iron Maori in Napier.

Overcast skies, drizzly showers and even a very uneven and bumpy green could not spoil a great day of croquet at the Bay Audio Handicapped Singles tournament held in Kaitaia.

Christmas bonus! A $100 reward is now offered for information leading to the conviction of the thieves who smashed the back window of van and stole my stuff?

A real team effort has culminated in the completion of Coastguard Houhora's first community project, the permanent storage of lifesaving equipment at The Bluff on 90 Mile Beach.

Fifteen Northlanders have been honoured with Local Heroes medals as part of the lead-up to next year's New Zealander of the Year awards.

Police in the Far North are keen to hear from anyone who can point them in the direction of a cannabis crop, and are encouraging people, particularly in rural areas, to keep their eyes peeled.

The success of the Te Hiku Sports Hub Fundraising Boxing Event at the Te Ahu Centre in Kaitaia on Saturday night has made it the talk of the town.

The Far North District Council's new philosophy for dealing with rates on land in multiple Maori ownership is ironing out the district's $28 million accumulated unpaid rates debt.

Who's confused?

The Far North District Council's plan to gauge the entire community's attitude towards the addition of Maori-only seats to the council table is a valid one.

Burying ebola victims in West Africa would, for most people, be as far from a dream job as possible. But not for Houhora's resident police officer, Senior Constable Tracee Knowler.

The time for giving has arrived once again, and the Northland Age invites readers to think of others as the Christmas season begins.

Of all the challenges facing Far North oyster farmers, it is thieves who are driving them to distraction.

The Far North RSA completed its domestic championships titles earlier this month.

The latest report from the Doubtless Bay Croquet Club noted the weather for last Thursday's business house tournament was a marked improvement on that experienced the previous week.

Abuse of disabled parking spaces remains rampant in the Far North, despite a move to paint them bright blue so able-bodied drivers can't claim they didn't notice the signs.

Kaitaia residents by the hundred have taken a symbolic stand against domestic violence by planting white ribbons in a Commerce Street lawn.

Far North voters will have a chance early next year to decide whether the district should have Maori wards in future council elections.

Grabbing the economic pie

There was a fiery end to the day's racing at Taipa Speedway on Sunday after the engine of Ray Dare caught fire while he was contesting the feature saloon all-in event.

Three Kaitaia squash club players were among a 10-strong contingent representing Northland at the NZ Champions of Champions event in Tawa, Wellington from October 31 to November 2.

A man sent to prison for attacking Dutch campers at Matauri Bay with a baseball bat but managing to steal only a frying pan.

A pod of dolphins rescued by locals at Tokerau Beach last week is believed to have re-stranded at the Cavalli Islands with deadly results.

Whichever airline ends up replacing Air New Zealand on the Kaitaia-Auckland route, the town's air passengers are likely to end up with a better timetable.

A highly regarded conservationist and community worker who was taken to court for being late with fisheries paperwork has been discharged without conviction.

Smoking tyres, cars on fire, engines pushed beyond their utmost limits, and scenes resembling something out of a post apocalyptic sci-fi flick.

The Cooper's Beach Bowling Club completed its domestic championship fours titles earlier this month.