Many of the Far North's most talented junior sportsfolk are once again facing the long and cold road into winter to play the sport they love.

SO there he was, The Offsider, headbanging himself into a virtual standstill before an AC/DC covers band at a local pub on Saturday night.

A long-serving member of the Kaitaia Volunteer Fire Brigade is farewelled.

Selling trouble

Kaitaia Veterinary Services and TopVets have launched an agricultural scholarship in memory of the late Heath Harris.

Te Hiku action plan impresses Minister

Ngawha Prison opened in 2005 and in the nine years since there is still no bus service from anywhere in Northland direct to the prison.

An accomplished local swimming athlete is currently in training as he prepares to take on the 1km distance at the King of the Bays swim on Auckland's North Shore later this month.

Friday night fighting returned to downtown Kaitaia as the Howling Wolves' March Madness boxing and kickboxing tournament took place at 103 Gym Central last week.

Dob in the mongrels

The death last week of Murray Rae, one of the original Te Ahu trustees and who was elected to Te Hiku Community Board last year, was described by Mayor John Carter as a huge loss to the North.

The Far North is still home to a thriving cannabis cultivating industry judging by Operation Lucy, which wound up last week.

Dr Lance O'Sullivan confessed to being more nervous at Friday's civic reception at Te Ahu in Kaitaia, in recognition of his being named New Zealander of the Year, than he was immediately prior to receiving the award.

The true identity of Ironman has been revealed and it's not some fictional character - as in the case of billionaire playboy, industrialist, and ingenious engineer Tony Stark - but Jill Bloggs!

Organisers of a successful junior tennis programme in Kaitaia said plans are in place to grow the event to cater to the unprecedented and overwhelming demand they experienced last summer.

No deal.

The pilots and crew of the Northland Electricity rescue helicopter had an extraordinarily busy 48 hours last weekend, flying a dozen emergency missions virtually from Cape Reinga to Wellington.

Northland duck hunters have been assured that there has been no reduction in the length of the season for mallards that will begin on Saturday, May 3.

The owners of New Zealand's oldest service station, in Russell, have said a firm no to selling cigarettes and tobacco, and have won two awards for their stance.

There isn't much difference between taking a tumble on ice or concrete, so new national ice hockey rep Jessi Scott says.

More than 30 players from throughout the district took part in a fun tournament at Broadwood Area School's new covered outdoor facility.

New broom needed

Back to the real world

Two people, two bikes, two islands, two weeks and more than 2000 kilometres.

Te Tai Tokerau MP and Mana Party leader Hone Harawira has rejected any suggestion that he might be about to join forces with Kim Dotcom.

It pays to read the Northland Age. Rena Parangi will attest to that.

The Ahipara Komiti Takutaimoana has received good and bad news about its efforts to restore paua beds at Tauroa (Reef Point), west of Ahipara.

Despite dislocating his shoulder before the fight's midway point, a Northland boxer went on to win his bout in an amateur tournament at the Super City Boxing Gym last Saturday.

A local man has taken the early lead in the Snapper Bonanza surfcasting competition after weighing in a whopping 9.995kg snapper.

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