Stories by Peter de Graaf

Jesse's on the Waterfront, in the historic town of Mangōnui, is making sure people who could have gone hungry today will instead go home full of good food and Christmas spirit.

A Whangārei hapū is describing an Environment Court decision to quash consents for a housing development on significant land as "the best Christmas present ever".

The judges who threw out a consent for a Whangārei subdivision say it is one of the clearest cases they have ever seen of a site that should not be developed because of its significance to Māori.

Power company Mercury will start building Northland's first wind farm next month, using the largest turbines ever seen in New Zealand.

Frustrated Dargaville residents say they are being denied a proper Kiwi Christmas due to the early imposition of water restrictions.

A Northland woman attacked by roaming dogs earlier this month says it pains her to know a child has been mauled on the same beach.

A new boardwalk, viewing platform and bridge have been installed to protect NZ's largest surviving kauri from a deadly pathogen.

The two-and-a-half year closure of part of SH1 cut people off from family members, shops and health services.

For more than two years, locals have faced long detours on rough roads, isolation from friends and family, and higher transport costs. Audio

Health Minister Shane Reti says stage one is still on budget and on track to be completed by 2031.

The land on which Kaitāia Airport sits will be returned to Ngāi Takoto under the agreement, RNZ understands.

Dave Davan died in December 2021 after drinking a mouthful of his favourite fortified wine from a bottle left in his letterbox.

The crucial transport link south of Kaitāia was destroyed by dozens of slips during a storm in August 2022.

Santa was still in attendance, but Hineraumati - the summer maiden of Māori lore - took centre stage.

A Warkworth transport group working to improve an intersection described as the worst in New Zealand says it's "appalled and insulted" by the reasons given for shelving the long-promised upgrade.

Two close calls this week has Fire and Emergency asking Northlanders to avoid lighting fires this weekend.

The Hill Street junction is often described as the worst intersection in New Zealand. Audio

Whangārei District Council says it's looking into reports about councillors' comments on social media relating to the hīkoi - but won't say if any formal Code of Conduct complaint has been lodged.

The test could save people from discovering they had cancer once it was untreatable, when the only option left was palliative care.

A toxic weed spreading like wildfire through Northland pastures can cause "serious health problems" if stock eat it.

"We felt it was worthwhile doing a little bit of mahi around town, having a little bit of a clean up, putting our best foot forward," locals say.

The workers dispute Health NZ's statement on the effect of the lift malfunction.

A multimedia show with waitata and student performances rounded out the night.

In 1996, they won a ruling that said land next to Onoke Pā is sacred. Now they're back in court in a real-life version of Groundhog Day.

Participants are beginning a nine-day journey to Wellington, with thousands expected to join the convoy as it makes its way across the country.