A Kaitaia woman who was sacked partly for refusing to take a bus to work, has lost her claim for unjustified dismissal.

It's definitely not a winterless spot, but there's warmth in Northland's history, says Pamela Wade.

The impacts of the global financial crisis hit are ingrained in our communities.

Just over a fifth of all working-age Northlanders were on welfare benefits at the end of March.

One man died and another person was badly injured when a gyrocopter crashed north of Kaitaia.

Far North fire victim Hugh David Aarons yelled for help as his Kaitaia flat burned and neighbours frantically tried to break down his door to get him out.