Lois Williams
Russell Anglicans welcome first gay priest
History's been made in the Bay of Islands over the weekend. Christ Church in Russell has welcomed its new priest, Chris Swannell. He's openly gay, and his parishioners couldn't be happier with their… Audio
Successful Māori charter school to lose staff in move
A successful Māori charter school in Whangarei has gained approval to become a state school. Te Kāpehu Whetū - the Maori Star Compass - is bilingual and coeducational - and was named by legendary… Audio
Locals take heart at setback for Tegel mega farm in Northland
Northland residents who dread the prospect of living near New Zealand's biggest chicken farm are celebrating after the project struck a serious glitch. Audio
Boat builder loses access to coastal reserve
A Bay of Islands boat-builder has lost his long-running battle to be able to work on boats on a coastal reserve. The Court of Appeal has quashed easements the Far North District Council granted to… Audio
Protest in Kaikohe over leadership of Ngapuhi runanga
About 50 people marched down the town's main street, banners flying and placards waving, with hapu members saying they're fed up with the leadership of the Ngapuhi runanga and want change. Video, Audio
Ngāpuhi hapū challenge Andrew Little over Treaty settlement
Hapu leaders in the north are challenging the Treaty Negotiations Minister Andrew Little to come back and front up to them over the deadlocked Ngapuhi settlement. Mr Little's been in talks since April… Audio
Meth pipes removed from Northland shop shelf
A Northland couple campaigning against meth say they will take a petition to Parliament to ban p-pipes from being sold in shops. Two stores that were selling the so-called pipes in the Far North have… Audio
Old army barracks in Whangarei to be used as shelter for the homeless
The govt. has given permission for a charity to use the barracks' kitchen, bathrooms and living space to provide meals, showers and doctors. Video, Audio
Northland health services call for aid to tackle meth
Far North communities are crying out for more support to tackle the meth trade - and protect its victims. Despite heroic efforts by Northland health services and police to reduce demand - the signs… Audio
Waipoua Forest at tipping point for kauri - scientists
Scientists are calling for urgent action to save iconic kauri in Northland's Waipoua forest. They say kauri dieback is now rampant in the forest and giant trees including Tane Mahuta could be infected… Audio
Northland farmers deplore cow bashing captured on video.
Northland farmers are reacting with revulsion to the video of a Mangapai sharemilker, seen bashing his cows with a metal bar. Audio
MPI easy to deal with over fallen kauri - Epsom man
On Monday on Morning Report we heard from a woodworker who says he's been unfairly treated by the Ministry for Primary over some swamp kauri he bought from a subdivision developer. Kerry Scott's being… Audio
Conservation challenges to Far North avo and peat projects
Forest and Bird is poised to go to the High Court over peat-mining plans at Kaimaumau, while the Department of Conservation is appealing consents granted to avocado growers to tap into the Aupouri… Audio
MPI taking wood-worker to court over swamp kauri
An Auckland wood-worker says he's been unfairly targeted by the Ministry for Primary Industries for milling swamp kauri. Kerry Scott says the Ministry's prosecuting him after he applied on the wrong… Audio
Te Arai iwi disappointed foreign buyer exemption cut
Iwi Te Uri o Hau at the border of Auckland and Northland lobbied hard for a US billionaire to be exempt from a ban on foreign speculators buying houses. They convinced Labour to put in a special… Audio
Farmers query privacy rules re Mycoplasma Bovis
Northland farmers are worried stock sales this spring could spread the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis. More than 400 farmers attended an information meeting held by the Ministry for Primary… Audio
Homeless mums hide out for fear of losing kids
Whanau support workers in Whangarei say they're worried about mothers hiding the fact that they're homeless - out of fear they'll lose their children. NGO's are reporting record numbers of homeless in… Audio
Homeless crisis in Whangarei sparks call for day shelter
The Mayor of Whangarei is appealing for help to set up a day shelter for the city's growing number of homeless people. Sheryl Mai says high rents are forcing families out on the street - and the… Audio
"Suck it and see" avo water consents a worry
Northland is poised to become the avocado capital of New Zealand after growers north of Kaitaia received the green light for irrigation. But DOC is considering challenging them in the Environment… Audio
$46 million for Northland - housing, transport, jobs
The government has announced it will spend $46 million on Northland projects, including on job creation, forestry, housing and $7m for Whangarei's Hundertwasser gallery Video, Audio