Lindy Laird is a reporter for the Northern Advocate
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Northland suicide numbers exposed
An unwaged man with mental illness and a dairy farmer speak out about Northland suicide
Paddling the freshwater waka
A hui in Whangārei about improving water quality called for everyone to get in the waka.
Northland's failed water test
A freshwater river report reinforces that Northland Regional Council ''Must do better''.
Owning Titoki store far cry from life as chef in Austria
A former Austrian chef is a general storekeeper in one-shop-stop Northland farming valley.
Future-proof fence posts - made with milk bottles
Millions of plastic milk bottles are going back to farms to keep cows in the paddocks.
GE Free Northland asks public to help it fight NRC
Another Northland organisation is appealing NRC's GMO stance and also appealing for funds
Community plays fairy godparent to fairy terns
New Zealand's most endangered bird is getting another helping hand in Northland.
Kaipara catchment first to get Govt new clean-water funding
The huge Kaipara catchment is the first to benefit from a new Government clean-water fund.
Winners are grinners: Cheesemakers win international award
"The International Cheese and Dairy Awards are like the Olympics of Cheese."
Email 'explains' NRC members' GMO decision
The four councillors who scrapped anti-GMO rules in NRC Plan send email explaining why
Who gives a butchers? The Mangawhai Meat Shop does
Mangawhai Meats invites customers to bring their own containers to reduce plastic waste.
Council GMO stance 'flawed, a betrayal and undemocratic'
NRC turns its back on provisions that would prohibit GMO being introduced to Northland.
Oceania Marine trims its interiors operation
Oceania Marine has ''let go'' of its Hewlett St boat refit operation.
Zego boats help clean up the seas
Zooming along the Waipū River like a rubber ducky on steroids - meet the Zego.
Marsden Pt rail link more a promise than a maybe
Geotech study on proposed Marsden Pt rail line complete but no start date yet.
Golden harvest for kiwifruit growers
Northland kiwifruit crop earned growers more than $50 million in exports this year.
Rail lines checked for use beyond Marsden Point
Trainspotters are waiting to see the condition of the Auckland to Northland railway line.
Great white sharks - what's luring them to Northland?
Lindy Laird looks at two rare dramas on Northland's Ripiro Beach this year.
Ambulance staff hired out for private events
St John says it's providing appropriate care despite paramedic shortage.
Stranded whale too weak to be saved, to be killed today
The surviving humpback whale of two stranded on Ripiro Beach will be euthanised today.
Beetles found in Indonesian stock food
Beetle-infested palm kernel product in lock-up near Whangarei after needing fumigation.
Whangārei Harbour dredge approved
Dredging Whangārei Harbour means full super-sized tankers could access the oil refinery.
Giant fish visits Bay wreck
A fish rarely seen in NZ has taken temporary command of the sunken navy ship, Canterbury
Northland's kauri dieback fight hits the ground
Aerial survey has covered more than 3 million hectares looking for kauri dieback
Otangarei resident heard kiwi call
Verna Andrews knows what a kiwi sounds like and she recently heard one in Whangarei
Lemon's Hill limited opening sour for some
The blocked road between Paihia and Kawakawa has hit business on both sides of the divide.
The word is out - and Northland GMO ban is in
Animals are now included in the Northland policy banning genetically modified organisms
'No swimming' signs to go up as eels die in algal bloom
Crossover of council and health board roles may have delayed warning given to water users.
New marina to boost berths by 40 per cent
$11m marina with 115 berths is planned near Whangarei's Te Matau a Pohe bridge.
Maps show coastal homes under threat
New charts mark where 13,500 properties are in the way of tide and time.
Sandy Bay logs to be cleared before storm
Exposed logs and chains being removed from Sandy Bay ahead of more bad weather.
Super-fibre Hawaiki cable makes landfall
The 15,000km super-fibre Hawaiki Transpacific Cable has landed near Mangawhai Heads.
Storms wash away $70k sand dune repairs
Dune and stream remedial work at Sandy Bay has been ripped apart twice this summer.
Kiwi release planned on Whangarei's urban fringe
People in the heart of Whangarei could soon hear the call of kiwi from just up the road
Dirty water thwarts river protest plunge
Run-off from rain could dampen a mass plunge to highlight Hatea River's pollution
Windy, hot, wet summer for Northland
A heads-up about Northland's summer: wet, windy and wickedly hot.
Grant helps Waipoua Trust meet giant ambitions
The Waipoua Forest Trust steps-up the assault on pests through a $6212 QE II Trust grant
Horse cavalcade to promote safety on roads
A cavalcade of horses and riders will trek the streets of suburban Whangarei on Sunday.
Dying native forest needs kiss of life
Forest & Bird to talk in Whangarei about Russell State Forest on the brink of collapse
Boatie upset about fanworm costs
A Whangarei man says NRC rules aimed at preventing spread of marine pests are punitive.
Fed Farmers ditch appeal against Northland's GE policy
Fed Farmers ditch Appeal Court hearing against Northland's GE-free policy at 11th hour.
Zodiac drops Poroti plant plan
Govt announces water export royalty and Zodiac pulls plug on Poroti bottling plant plan.
Kiwi kids and weta productions in backyard
Kiwi and 'smugglers' met with good intentions on Saturday as a kids conservation activity.
Whangarei organic gardeners cop spray drift
Retired couple upset their large, rural organic garden has been poisoned.
Maori forestry success will endure
A Maori company with a 30-year forest rotation under its belt has accomplished its mission
Heavy fanworm infestation in Bay of Islands
Heavy infestation of Mediterranean fanworm on Bay of Islands boat causes alarm
North's wall of wood disappearing
Industry says a major money earner for region is under threat.
Entry turns possums into burning issue
When it comes to possums some people see red and some just see an ash-toned grey.
Who killed Laura?
Police are appealing for sightings of car that may have been involved in a fatal crash.
Ruakaka water tables tested for fuel
Quick action at failed oil pipeline appears to have prevented widespread contamination
Locals fear possum, rat cull poisons pigs
Poisoned bait in a Mt Tiger Rd forest has some locals and pig hunters concerned
Onerahi School shows green is good as gold
Onerahi School is only the fifth Northland school to earn Enviroschools' Green-Gold
Seabird-smart fishing seminar held in city
Strong turnout as local industry seeks to keep birds from harm
Pohutukawa Coasters take a bow
A programme designed to make the coast a blaze of pohutukawa red marks 27 years.
Govt adds $2m to Northland river and lakes clean-up
Government pipes $2 million into Northland freshwater quality projects
NRC study scopes future irrigation schemes
A study scoping new irrigation schemes for Northland could soon be up for public scrutiny
Shockwaves through Mt Tiger families
People gathered at pub and evacuation centre, waiting for cordons to be lifted.
North's kiwifruit labour 'well regulated'
A Maungatapere kiwifruit grower doubts if Northland labour hires are breaching standards.
Navigation lines drawn for Kai Iwi Lakes
People interested in water-activity rules at the Kai Iwi Lakes are encouraged to speak up.
True Tales author tells of Whangarei's rich past
Maori chief had Belgium-sized land, smugglers used local trails and women were revolting.
Mayor to fly the coop - at Birdman Fest
Russell Birdman Fest: Is Whangarei mayor just a Crazy Old Bird and can she fly?
Is this the worst road in New Zealand?
Glinks Gully residents are shocked over the condition of their crater pocked road
Dog and owner reunited after three years
A rottweiler ended up on a Whangarei doorstep three years after going missing in Auckland
Whangarei Heads rate weeds out problems
A special Whangarei Heads rate to wage war on weeds and pests achieves good result