A Hamilton man has died at a Northland campground after being electrocuted when he tried to cut the power of a noisy caravan.

An Auckland boy who was killed in a go-karting crash at the weekend has been remembered as an energetic and lively boy who had "joy in his eye".

A Russian billionaire's workers are helping Maori plan a new Northland meeting house after a devastating fire.

The battle of the berms is back - this time in Northland, where two residents are refusing to mow a berm 'the size of a council reserve' outside their homes.

A shortage of sheep north of Auckland has placed Kaikohe's shearing competition under pressure - but organisers are confident they can make it click.

Family and friends have farewelled a 16-year-old boy who was swept out to sea at Ninety Mile Beach on December 27, remembering him as their 'miracle boy'.

An 11-year-old boy who died after being caught in a rip at a Northland beach yesterday has been named.

Rescuers were unable to resuscitate an 11-year-old boy after two children were caught in a rip at Waipu River mouth.

A report of a light plane crash at a Northland beach was a false alarm.

A 25-year-old Auckland man drowned at Uretiti Beach, near Ruakaka in Northland yesterday, while setting a crab pot.

Two adults and two children are dead after a 'catastrophic' crash in Northland today, the result of a split-second error of judgement.

Two launches collided in Whangarei Harbour last night, leaving them both significantly damaged.

They call it Magical Mangawhai, and with its beautiful beach, great food and proximity to Auckland we can see why.

Thirty-eight Head Hunters gang members are facing methamphetamine-related charges after a major drug bust culminating in 13 arrests this morning.

One person died and another was trapped in a two-car crash in Northland this afternoon.

Police top brass have admitted mistakes were made when the detective who blew the whistle on his drug-dealing boss was investigated himself after he raised concerns.

A former senior police officer who admitted to supplying drugs has suffered the humiliation of a significant "fall from grace", a judge has found.

A former police detective who admitted to supplying drugs has been sentenced to almost five years in prison.

The family of slain up-and-coming rugby league star Luke Tipene are gathering for another farewell after his second cousin was killed in a car crash.

Auckland is in for a wet and windy start to the week, with heavy rain, gales and possible thunderstorms forecast for today.

This isolated Northland community is an ideal spot for a weekend break, writes Holly Jean Brooker.

A 6-year-old boy died during a horror day on North Island roads yesterday.

Boy racers punched a 68-year-old man in the head, smashing his hearing aid after he photographed them sliding all over a gravel road near a popular Northland beach.

Economists have written them off and their educated young are leaving. Still they refuse to die quietly. Some are reinventing themselves in a bid to breathe life into our zombie towns.

Deep within the Hokianga is a quiet settlement adrift from the rat race, writes Hannah Sperber.

Be sure to check out these terrific spots next time you're up north.