Latest from Far North District

Not-guilty plea: Murder accused remanded over Catalya's death
The accused, Drummond Leaf, pleaded not-guilty to murder and assault.

Kaipara’s ‘Trump of the North’ Jepson exits mayoral race, endorses deputy
Craig Jepson won't seek a second term as Kaipara Mayor in October.

73-year-old man charged with Northland murder
Police said the 73-year-old would appear at Kaikohe District Court via video link today.

Snow-like sighting creates a flurry as temperatures plummet
A bitterly cold front moving north delivered temperatures of less than 4C.

'Another blow': Shrinkflation creeps into shoppers' baskets
Northland shoppers say the practice is spreading, but they have sympathy for businesses.

Thousands of school meals uneaten in Northland every week
Nationally, 34,878 surplus meals went uneaten for the week of March 28.

Far North residents fear logging slash threatens roads amid bad weather
A Far North couple have fears logging slash will threaten roads as winter nears.

On The Up: 'We were very humbled': Rural country store wins business hero award
Settlers Way Country Store won the regional 2025 Prospa Local Business Hero Award.

'Significant loss of history': Paihia fire devastates Kelly Tarlton's old ship
The fire began on the ship - converted into a building - near Waitangi Bridge.

Police name 21-year-old man killed in Whangārei crash
Seth Dundass, 21, has been remembered as a 'keen young worker'.

The rising toll of pokies and online gambling in Northland
About $40.4 million was lost by players, over three times Kaikohe Library's budget.

Rest home romance: Wedding bells chime for 99-year-old bride
Dennam and Felicia wed at rest home, proving love has no age limit.

'No other persons sought': Homicide probe continues over 77-year-old man's death
A man died after being found critically injured in Hōreke in the Far North.

'Disappointing': Historic Russell's te reo Māori name bid rejected
The consultation saw 52% support the change and 48% oppose it.

Murder charge laid over Northland man's death, police seek further information
Police are still seeking sightings of a 1999 blue and silver Mitsubishi L200.

Investigation under way after 'unexplained' death of 3-year-old girl
Police say a post-mortem will be carried out over the next couple of days.

'Top dollar for no services': Residents decry council neglect
Residents in the Far North pay up to $5000 in rates but get few services.

'Very tight': Builders struggle in Northland's falling market
New building consents in the region dropped 31% in the year to March 2025.

'Radical change': Possible crayfish ban for Northland's east coast
Shane Jones says crayfish can't keep declining in the popular fishing area.

'Not worth it': Crash survivor's message this Road Safety Week
He suffered a traumatic brain injury after a crash in June 2021.

On The Up: Kaitāia teen Levi Ashwell is leading the way at St John Hato Hone
Kaitāia St John Hato Hone's Levi Ashwell is best Drill cadet in NZ