Acclaimed writer and Duffy Books in Homes founder Alan Duff had some hard-hitting advice for schoolchildren last week.

Brave new world?

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 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.

The 200th anniversary of the first recorded Christian service in New Zealand - and the beginning of a nation where Maori and Pakeha lived side by side - will be marked with two major events.

The Prime Minister says he wants to bring the new Minister for Roading to Northland for a first-hand look at the state of the region's roads.

A bond formed almost 30 years ago between two Pacific peoples has been renewed by the arrival of two voyaging canoes from Hawaii.

Another aviation firm has put its hand up to fly the Kaitaia-Auckland route in the wake of Air New Zealand's shock announcement it plans to pull out of the Far North town.

Residents on three unsealed Far North roads whose health is at risk from clouds of dust thrown up by passing logging trucks can look forward to some relief this summer.

The Kerikeri Croquet Club recently hosted 10 students from Bay of Islands College as part of a Croquet New Zealand initiative.

THE END was clearly coming when Air New Zealand announced a few weeks ago that it would was preparing to introduce 50-seat aircraft for its Kerikeri-Auckland service.

A vast new area of seabed off Northland's west coast is being opened up to oil and gas exploration in the Government's 2015 block offer, announced by Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges.

Few Northlanders can say they've walked the length of 90 Mile Beach/Te Oneroa a Tohe.

Maori chiefs never agreed to give up their sovereignty when they signed Te Tiriti in 1840.

Two aviation companies are now vying for the right to fly from Kaitaia after Air New Zealand's shock decision to quit the Far North town.

A plucky 61-year-old from Northland is returning to the State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series for a fourth time, to continue to show the world that physical disabilities can't stop her.

West coast weather and sea conditions have proved very testing of late for local anglers with large, sweepy seas putting a damper on two recent field days.

John Foster has taken his leave from the Kaitaia Rotary Club, after setting a longevity record that might never be broken.

Regarding Air New Zealand's decision to cancel flights in various locations, I have to say this is an extremely poor business decision on Air NZ's part.

Two ocean-going waka arrived at Opua on Tuesday, one year into a four-year around-the-world voyage.

Paihia's Village Green has taken on a more vibrant look with the completion of Stage 1 of a planned enhancement, thanks once again to a huge effort by the community.

Air New Zealand's review of its regional aircraft operations will cost Kaitaia its twice-daily service to and from Auckland. Whakatane and Westport will also lose their services.