Northland

All three of Northland's district councils have voted to create a single, Northland-wide company to manage the region's drinking water and wastewater systems.

Northland police say the odds of getting away with drink-driving have fallen sharply.

Duwaine Johnstone, who was accused of fatally shooting Yvonne Chapman at a Whangārei park in February, has been found deceased at his bail address.

The 81 year old faces multiple sex offence charges including 12 of indecent assault.

A jury has found a man guilty of manslaughter after his dogs fatally mauled his friend to death - the first conviction of its kind in New Zealand.

Bill Elliott was paralysed after his ferry was hit by a power boat travelling at high speed.

Two Northland fishermen say they couldn't believe their eyes.

Abel Wira was accused of owning 21 dogs involved in the fatal mauling of Neville Thomson, who had been his friend for 40 years.

Dargaville Hospital overnight patients are being asked to sign a consent form to confirm they understand there is no doctor on site due to staff shortages. Audio

Abel Wira kept at least 21 dogs confined to a caravan on Neville Thomson's property - until they allegedly broke free and fatally mauled the man he called his brother.

But police and a business leaders are imploring shopowners to report all crime, saying it's essential they have the full picture.

Up to 100 demonstrators came despite driving rain to voice their feelings over marina and offshore sand-mining projects currently going through the fast-track consenting process.

Mayor Craig Jepson claimed the document would serve as a guide for staff, councillors and the public

Matthew Taylor's body was found in Ruakākā Estuary on Monday, a few hours after his upturned kayak was discovered.

The Mandarin language assistant was allegedly threatened with a knife while walking through an alleyway near Onerahi School

Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says the options include seasonal or year-round closures to commercial harvesting of spiny rock lobster.

Kaipara motorists are demanding compensation after their car tyres were ripped up by razor sharp road metal, which they said was wrongly laid, and left them with big bills.

Staci Walkley was less than two months away from her 12th birthday when the people mover she was in was T-boned by a car travelling at speed.

A spate of violent crimes and a significant police shortage has seen more than 90 officers called in to bolster Northland's thin blue line. Audio