Three Kaitaia teenagers found themselves competing against the best gymsports competitors from all over New Zealand for medals and trophies at the national gymnastic championships.

The Department of Conservation holds grave fears for the safety of New Zealand's most endangered indigenous breeding bird, the New Zealand fairy tern (tara-iti).

I am so upset having learned that Specsavers are closing. My letter to you is the best way of protest I know. A knock to our lovely town we could well do without.

SMALL towns don't like seeing businesses close, so it is hardly surprising that one Northland Age reader (so far) has taken exception to seeing time called for Kaitaia's Specsavers.

Five medals, plus the prize for the nation's best supermarket plunger coffee, is proof that the Far North can foot it with the big boys.

Te Hiku Community Board unveiled plans for a make-over of Kaitaia's Remembrance Park, home of the town's war memorial.

A head for heights helps when it comes to safeguarding the future of a glorious New Zealand native.

It's been a bit of a surprise that Kaitaia - with its proximity to two coastlines offering an abundance of pumping waves and perfect offshore winds.

The Doubtless Bay Tennis Club enjoyed a strong turnout of all ages and abilities at the season opening day held in scorching early summer conditions on Sunday.

The New Zealand Defence Force's Operation Wisdom Tooth, which winds up in Kaitaia today, had been a real success according to Major Suzanne Halligan.

The 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I was marked last week with the planting of 57 crosses, one for each person from the district who served in the Great War, in a Lawn of Remembrance.

A record five players from the Far North featured in the 10-strong Northland team which represented the province in the girls' division of the annual Weir Rose Bowl Tournament in Cambridge.

The Far North has done well in national apprentice competitions over the years, and last week Coastal Homes (Doubtless Bay) added to the record.

It came out this week that Treasury had advised the government that school breakfasts had no measurable impact on educational performance.

THE recent spate of boating mishaps has once again prompted calls from some quarters to make the wearing of life jackets compulsory.

A promise made 30 years ago is taking shape on the banks of a Far North river.

The single most important feature of Te Aupouri's pou, which was unveiled in the atrium at Te Ahu on Friday, was its dedication to the tamariki/mokopuna who were the iwi's future.

Kelly Tarlton's SEA LIFE Aquarium and Auckland Zoo are making every effort to ensure that three sea turtles that came into their care in critically ill condition.

Organisers of the Russell to Paihia Snorkel Scuba Race last month noted the event was not only one of the best in recent memory but it also raised $3900.

Tony Makiha has had more than his share of health issues over recent years, and is not yet entirely out of the woods, but that hasn't slowed him down.

Northlanders have been reassured that a Northland nurse and midwife who has returned from volunteering to care for Ebola victims in Sierra Leone is not contagious.

It's certainly good to read of the co-operation at the Mayoral Forum between our Northland councils as described by Mayor John Carter in his Northland Age column.

The future of Kaitaia's town clock will be one of the subjects on the agenda at a public meeting called by Te Hiku Community Board next week.

Northland MP Mike Sabin has joined Health Minister Jonathan Coleman in applauding Northland's decision to fund free doctors' visits and prescriptions for children up to 13 years.

He's the captain of both the Kaitaia rugby and senior cricket teams, and also cuts a mean deck in bridge by all accounts.

A new type of exercise class has opened up in Doubtless Bay and has local residents kicking up their heels (or more aptly, their bare feet).

General manager Jackie Simkins, her staff and the Claud Switzer Memorial Trust spare no effort to provide the homeliest environment possible for those who live at Kaitaia rest home.

I support Klaus Kurz' comments (Cats too slow, Northern Advocate September 26).

WHATEVER the benefits of the so-called social media might turn out to be, it is doubtful that they will outweigh the negatives.

A Far North District councillor has hit back at claims by Finance Minister Bill English that councils are to blame for soaring house costs, and thereby contributing to poverty.