Eleven pilot whales have been successfully transported and refloated at Matai Bay after a mass stranding on Karikari Beach near Kaitaia yesterday.

The number of whales to have perished on Karikari beach has now reached 44 - but rescuers are trying to save 14 survivors.

Police have named a woman who was killed in a quad bike accident on a Northland farm on Monday.

In 2004's Kaikohe Demolition, German-born New Zealand-bred filmmaker Habicht got to know the stars of a dodgems-to-the-death demolition derby in the Northland town of the title and then filmed the hilarious showdown.

Delectable nibbles to keep the soiree swinging.

An elderly teacher found dead in her Kataia home 'died brutally' in an act of foul play, police said after a post-mortem examination.

A group of widows arriving at their friend's home for drinks and nibbles instead found her dead, the victim of an apparent home invasion.

Police are talking to a 17-year-old man about a 70 year-old woman found dead in her Kaitaia home.

More than 50 people have been arrested in two separate large-scale drug operations targeting cannabis in Northland and Hawke's Bay.