News stories

Tears, laughter and cultural pride filled council chambers on Monday 31 March as 32 people from 12 different nations became New Zealand citizens in a moving ceremony that celebrated diversity and belonging.

Most parts of the Far North received close to 100mm of rain over the past 24 hours with surface flooding affecting several district roads, and Kāeo Library forced to close today due to flooding. All other council services are open as normal.

Our increasingly popular mobile library van can now connect to the whole world from anywhere in the district after adding a Starlink portable dish to its service offerings.

Members of Our Kerikeri were recognised by the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board with an appreciation award, presented at the board’s March meeting.

How does drinking water get to your kitchen tap and what happens after that?

The fourth hui in a series for Māori landowners, whānau, and anyone interested in preserving and managing whenua Māori will be held on Monday 7 April at Roma Marae, Ahipara.

The council is calling on the government to give Far North home builders a financial break by conceding that the very northern parts of the district are hotter than the rest of the country.

With NIWA forecasting that autumn drought conditions are likely to continue in coming weeks, Level 3 water restrictions are being applied to Kawakawa and Moerewa from next Monday (31 March). The situation in the Hokianga is also worsening.

Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro was welcomed with waiata, gifts and heartfelt embraces this morning as she visited Te Ahu in Kaitāia on the final day of her four-day tour of Te Tai Tokerau Northland.