Stories by Peter de Graaf
News
$1m announced for Northland emergency coordination centre
A dedicated Northland emergency coordination centre will be built in Whangārei in a bid to improve the region's response to future natural disasters.
Treating birds 'blimmin' expensive', rescue centre at risk of closing says
Volunteers Robert and Robyn Webb rescue and treat about 1300 birds every years for 35 years - but a lack of funding is putting their work at risk.
Researchers uncover 'crucial' clue on Aotearoa's geology
New research pours cold water on the notion of New Zealand as a geologically young country by suggesting it has an ancient, rocky core more than 3 billion years old.
Northland WWII veteran Bill Guest dies at 101
He served in Egypt and Italy before returning to the family farm at Motukauri, in North Hokianga.
Northland bridge finally opens, nine years after it was promised
One of Northland's most keenly anticipated bridges ha opened, almost nine years after it was promised during a hotly contested by-election campaign.
'Getting the word from the flax roots': Northlanders frank on Covid's impact
Hundreds have taken the chance to share their views with a Royal Commission of Inquiry that's visiting the region.
Sick-looking penguins on beaches likely just moulting, expert says
Scruffy, sick-looking penguins turning up on beaches around New Zealand during summer are undergoing part of their natural life cycle and nothing to worry about, a bird expert says.
Detours in place ahead of SH1 Brynderwyns closure
Trucks with trailers will be banned from one of the detours around the Brynderwyns when the slip-plagued highway between Auckland and Northland closes later this month.
Mystery continues after dead wallabies found in Northland
Despite public calls for information the source of two dead wallabies in Northland is likely to remain a mystery.
New kiwi hospital to care for NZ's icon
A hospital built to cater for our national bird has already had its first patient after a kiwi was found trapped in a swimming pool filter.
'Our people are moving': Hundreds mark significant Treaty signing
It was more significant than usual given the "disruptive and dishonest" interpretation of Te Tiriti being promoted by some, a a hapū kaikōrero says
Far North hapū to mark biggest signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Hapū from around the Far North are expected to gather by the shores of Hokianga Harbour today to mark the second, and biggest, signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Exotic seaweed eradication hopes pinned on suction dredge
A trial in the battle against caulerpa, described as the world's worst marine pest, is underway in the Bay of Islands.
Kaikohe shooting: Police launch investigation after man injured
Armed police are guarding a house in Kaikohe after the town's second shooting in less than 24 hours.
Bumper breeding season for NZ's rarest bird after disastrous season last year
New Zealand's rarest bird looks set for a bumper breeding season this summer with five fledglings already striking out on their own and as many as eight more chicks to follow.
Nearly 400 march through Kaitāia to support Te Tiriti o Waitangi
The peaceful march was part of a much longer hīkoi that left Te Rerenga Wairua, or Cape Reinga, at dawn on Thursday and is due to arrive at the Treaty Grounds on 6 February.
Ruapekapeka Pā road fix opens up history
The sealing of a once perilous road means visitors to significant battle sites no longer have to risk life and limb to get there.
Fairfax archive saga: Tracking down the missing pictures
It is one of the great debacles of NZ history-keeping - an irreplaceable physical collection of more than a million photos almost ended up in a rubbish dump. But some have been even harder to track…
Hīkoi ki Waitangi: 'The purpose is to protect Te Tiriti'
Controversy over proposals about the Treaty of Waitangi is expected to breathe new life into an annual hīkoi.
'Massive effort' to get detours ready for Brynderwyns closure
Northland roading crews have made more than 300 repairs to the scenic and freight routes ahead of next month's shutdown.
How a Northland drug park became a family-friendly destination
People power has triumphed in a once-neglected corner of Northland's top tourist town, where locals have succeeded in driving out drug dealers and "unsavoury" activity.
On your marks, get set ... oink! Pig racing tries to steal the show
Pig racing with contestants named after politicians is expected to be one of the highlights of the Kaikohe A&P Show.
From boat-mad boy to superyacht captain
It has been quite a homecoming for Aaron Clark, who grew up sailing Optimists and left school aged 15 to become a commercial fisherman.
Property listings hit record low
One website has recorded its lowest monthly figure in 16 years, but some regions are still bucking the trend.
'It took out a wheel': Calls to fix SH1 potholes 'pronto'
Vik Olliver was going 100km/h on State Highway 1 when he hit a hole that left him with a $4000 bill. He's not alone. Audio