Susan Botting is the Local Democracy Reporter for Northland.
Susan has been working at the Northern Advocate as Local Democracy Reporter since November 2019. She is part of the national Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) project and her work focusses on Northland democracy. Susan has been a journalist for 20 years in a career that has mixed communication and education. That time includes working at the Northern Advocate agricultural editor. She has a Bachelor of Education and a Diploma in Journalism. Susan is a registered teacher and worked at Northland Regional Council for more than 15 years as a kaiako taio encouraging teachers and students around Te Tai Tokerau how to get involved in looking after the world around them. Susan was also part of Northland Civil Defence for several years while at the council, working in communication and education. She was also council volunteer co-ordinator. Susan has a passion for storytelling and loves photography. She loves Northland and enjoys sailing plus anything to do with the ocean and is a former Tūtūkākā South Pacific Yacht Club commodore.
Northland's biggest solar farm major boost for regional resilience: Mayors
New Zealand's first battery energy storage site is expected to be in action by late 2026.
Bay of Islands invasive caulerpa battle gears up with $10m boost
World-leading caulerpa eradication trials are taking a major step forward.
Water tanks installed in response to drought in Northland rural communities
Almost 100 water tanks have been installed to help rural communities.
Fight against invasive seaweed caulerpa boosted by $5m Govt funding
Northlanders have been urging the Government to step up its investment to fight caulerpa.
Boats breaching Bay of Islands anchor ban as battle against pest seaweed continues
Around 120 boaties have been spoken to since the summer season started at Labour Weekend.
Whangārei District Council given $3m for flood relief in problematic suburb
$4m is to go towards four flood resilience projects in Whangārei, Ruawai and Kaipara.
Cost of Cyclone Gabrielle recovery in Northland hits $1bn mark
Rebuilding after Cyclone Gabrielle last year is the biggest recovery Northland has faced.
NZ's first caulerpa dredging machine to be used in Northland's fight against invasive seaweed
The new mechanical suction dredge is at the centre of a $650,000 trial regarding caulerpa.
'Without water we have nothing': Māori leader angry over call to scrap freshwater principles
Pita Tipene says the crucial principles need to stay: 'Without water we have nothing.'
Compulsory checks for Kai Iwi Lakes boaties amid clam threat
The possibility of a gold clam invasion from the Waikato River has kaitiaki worried.
Freshwater gold clam fears for Northland’s busiest tourist lake
NRC warns there is an urgent need to prepare as the spectre of the pest grows.
Tears and tension as councillors voted out at explosive meeting
A group of five councillors dominated the voting as major changes took place.
Think caulerpa doesn't affect you? Think again, ocean ecologist says
A major caulerpa infestation can majorly affect the local fishery, expert says.
Mangamuka reopening hits speed bump
The long-term closure of the state highway was due to end in May next year.
Council cancels key climate change work: 'We are repeating a process that we don’t need to'
“The activities do not deliver any tangible benefits to Kaipara ratepayers.”
Northland’s pest wars: Turtles, wilding pines, wallabies and weeds
A multitude of unwanted invaders has been targeted by the regional council.
Kaipara’s tougher GE stance at risk of being diluted, campaigners say
KDC didn't comment specifically on whethe it planned to soften its GE/GMOs approach.
Maungatapere irrigation company angry with council over water consent
The high-flow consent was not for the year-round take that was traditionally more common.
Trees brought down by cyclone turned into firewood for needy families
Downed trees were identified as the second biggest impact after Cyclone Gabrielle.
'Death by a thousand cuts': Mangrove removal for marina angers enviromentalists
A previous campaign was launched 30 years ago to protect the mangroves.
'We are the kaitiaki of our ocean': Fisherman calls for community caulerpa support
A fragment of caulerpa can grow to cover an area the size of a rugby field.
Anchoring ban, rāhui now in place on caulerpa-infested areas in BOI
Mana whenua and the Government move to fight invasive seaweed.
Discovery of more invasive seaweed could ruin tourism hotspot, biosecurity leader warns
The devastating finds should be a wake-up call to the Government, biosecurity expert says.
Council sounds alarm with Govt over 'worst invasive seaweed' worldwide
The invasive seaweed is considered to pose a great threat to Northland's coastline.
Storms leave Northland roads with $250m repair bill
Bad weather has caused more than 1770 live slips across 5755km of local Northland roads.
Northland views wanted on plan to stop spread of invasive seaweeds and pests
Views sought on plan to stop invasive seaweeds devastating Northland's eastern harbours,
Cyclone Gabrielle: Farmers at Hikurangi Swamp feel wrath of the storm
"I’ve been farming for 25 years and [have] seen floods, but nothing like this."
No call yet on whether Three Waters HQ will be in Northland or Auckland
Some roles will be able to work effectively from anywhere.
Northland mayors support new look at contentious Three Waters push
Three Waters: Northland mayors support re-look at the plan.
Three Waters will erode on accountability - Northland farming leader
Farming leader warns of loss of Northlanders' democratic rights
WDC one of three councils challenging the Three Waters restructure
Councils seeking determination around property ownership rights and interests.
Hikurangi Swamp drainage scheme may be taken over by farmers
Hikurangi Swamp farmers may take over a Whangārei District Council drainage scheme.
Tough new water standards could cost Northland ratepayers
Northland councils wonder who pays for tough new water standards
Water shares for councils and ombudsman suggested for Three Waters reform
Auckland could take Whangārei's excess water once oil refinery closes
Water bill hikes likely when Marsden Point Oil Refinery shuts
Whangārei residents face 31% water price hike when refinery closes.
Kaipara District Council's Three Waters staffing and expected costs wanted by Govt
Kaipara District Council looking at Three Waters staffing and expected costs.
Mounting pressures, booming population: a recipe that could treated sewage pumped into Mangawhai waters
Treated Mangawhai sewage could be pumped into the ocean
Northland councils among 24 nationally with counter Three Waters proposal
Govt wants to amalgamate water services of 67 councils into four regional water entities.
Northland councils key to nationwide opposition to Three Waters mandate
Northland leaders unable to attend 3 waters protest at Parliament due to rain
Northland Mayors jointly call for three waters pause
View from the north of the proposed reforms is not favourable, mayors say.
Mayor wants Govt to pause controversial Three Waters plan
Polarising Three Waters reform should not be imposed on councils - Whangārei mayor
Aupōuri Aquifer consent decision to be appealed by DoC
Controversial consent to take water from Far North aquifer being appealed by DoC
Northland council breaks ranks over Government's Three Waters proposal
Three waters proposal rejected by Northland council
Northland avocado growers get consent to take millions of litres of water from Aupōuri aquifer
DoC may appeal consent to take water from Aupōuri aquifer for avocado growing.
Kaipara district councillors slam Govt's three waters reform
Too many unanswered questions, says Mayor Dr Jason Smith.
Three waters plan a 'dog's breakfast'
People could end up paying massive water bills in the future.
Whangārei water could be piped to Mangawhai for $750M development
$750m Mangawhai development wants to use Whangārei's drinking water.
Northlanders to join 'howl of protest' in four marches next week
Four Northland rallies opposing policies against 'rural life'.
'You have sinned against Māori' - SNA hīkoi hits Kaikohe
'We got it wrong' - the admission that came as 2000 protesters descended on Kaikohe.
A guide to the big issue of Significant Natural Areas
What you need to know about Significant Natural Areas - a guide to the controversy.
SNA work facing Far North pause after huge public backlash
Far North Mayor says opposition to SNAs biggest on any issue in decades.
Whangārei land caught up in SNA policy covers 80,000ha
50,000 hectares of privately owned Whangārei land has controversial SNA zonings
SNA opposition grows in Northland with protest hīkoi planned
Northlanders opposed to SNA policy to march in protest.
Hapu wants council prosecuted after eels minced in pump
Eels chopped in Hikurangi Swamp pumps spark call for council prosecution.
Mystery surrounds koi carp's appearance in Northland lake
Authorities were earlier warned of angry trout anglers threatening to release pest fish.
Authorities alarmed after 10-year-old spots koi carp in lake
10-year-old looked down and saw the fish.
Wet weather welcome boost to parched Northland
A Far North town's drinking supply received a boost from yesterday's heavy downpours.
Water poverty a 'human rights issue' in rural Northland
Half of Northlanders rely on rainwater tanks, more than three times the national average.
Rural meets urban in baleage production
The grass is cut, baled and wrapped to be used as feed over winter.
Consultation on freedom camping restrictions to start
The public is being asked for feedback.
Three waters reform will mean extra costs for users warns councillor
'Research has already shown people will be facing significant increases.'
Cost of Kaitaia's water resilience from Sweetwater bore soars
Cost of Kaitaia's water resilience from Sweetwater bore soars
Northland councils don't want Auckland in their three waters restructure mix
Northlanders fear their water needs would get lost among those of Auckland's residents.
Northland pest control continues during Covid 19 lockdown
Northland pest control continues during Covid 19 lockdown
Kaipara Kai to expand food options
Hemp, peanuts, soybeans and seaweed are among the new land use options being considered.
Drought 'crisis costs' expected to rise
The drought is the worst the district has ever faced.
Far North District Council hopes to tap into water storage
Far North District Council hopes to tap into water storage funding
Peters defends multi-million dollar PGF money
It's about ensuring Northland has a reliable water supply, deputy PM says.
Dirty cars 'de rigeur' for Whangārei residents helping Far North users
Whangārei residents have cut their water use by 2 per cent since Monday.
Māori urged to get behind Northland infrastructure projects
Māori urged to get behind Northland infrastructure projects.
More Provincial Growth Fund money for Northland
More welcome Provincial Growth Fund money has been announced for Northland.
1000-plus boat hulls checked in Northland
Vessels checked include recreational boats, fishing vessels and barges.
Northland Regional Council not saying if it has changed stance on GMOs
Northland Regional Council not saying if it has changed its stance on GMOs.
Best of 2019: 90-year-old Northland Kiwifruit grower feeding the world
The orchard was planted by hand 38 years ago.
Northland avocado nursery leads the way
How a Whangarei nursery has become a global leader in a boom industry.
Northland avocado nursery expands into China
Northland business setting up NZ's first joint venture avocado nursery operation in China.
Avocados the focus at Northland field day
The commercial growers' event is being held at Lynwood avocado nursery.