https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/rss NZME Keep up with the latest in Upper North Island news with Newstalk ZB. Tue, 10 Mar 2026 21:23:37 Z en https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/far-north-festivals-get-boost-from-government-tourism-funding/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/far-north-festivals-get-boost-from-government-tourism-funding/ The Far North is set to benefit from an injection of regional tourism funding, with the Government supporting local festivals through the Regional Events Promotion Fund. Mon, 02 Jun 2025 03:57:40 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/far-north-council-to-landfill-190-tonnes-of-plastic-waste/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/far-north-council-to-landfill-190-tonnes-of-plastic-waste/ A year’s worth of plastic waste, once collected for recycling, may now end up in the landfill. Sun, 25 May 2025 23:51:11 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/patients-miss-whang%C4%81rei-hospital-appointments-over-parking-woes-staff-struggle/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/patients-miss-whang%C4%81rei-hospital-appointments-over-parking-woes-staff-struggle/ A lack of car parking at Whangārei Hospital is forcing staff to arrive an hour early for shifts and means some patients are missing appointments. Sun, 25 May 2025 22:51:21 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/parakao-homicide-northland-police-launch-fresh-appeal-for-information/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/parakao-homicide-northland-police-launch-fresh-appeal-for-information/ Police have launched a fresh appeal for information in relation to the death of Geoffrey Ware earlier this month. Mon, 19 May 2025 02:50:37 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/plane-crash-at-whang%C4%81rei-airport-but-no-serious-injuries-reported/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/plane-crash-at-whang%C4%81rei-airport-but-no-serious-injuries-reported/ Emergency services called to a plane crash at Whangārei Airport on Monday morning were quickly told they were not required. Mon, 12 May 2025 00:17:36 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/road-safety-week-2025-urges-caution-after-eight-northland-road-deaths/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/road-safety-week-2025-urges-caution-after-eight-northland-road-deaths/ Road Safety Week starts today with a message to motorists about driving safely after eight deaths in Northland road crashes this year. Sun, 11 May 2025 23:42:47 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/northland-s-meth-crisis-there-s-no-magic-wand-for-any-of-this/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/northland-s-meth-crisis-there-s-no-magic-wand-for-any-of-this/ By Peter de Graaf of RNZ Sun, 04 May 2025 23:17:33 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/cost-of-living-crisis-more-northlanders-seek-food-aid-as-prices-soar/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/cost-of-living-crisis-more-northlanders-seek-food-aid-as-prices-soar/ More Northlanders are seeking help to put food on the table as their struggle with the cost-of-living crisis gets “exponentially worse”. Sun, 04 May 2025 22:58:06 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/far-north-fluoridation-expansion-on-the-horizon-as-non-compliance-continues/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/far-north-fluoridation-expansion-on-the-horizon-as-non-compliance-continues/ More than 30,000 Far North residents could eventually be drinking fluoridated water at a cost of more than $6 million, as the Government looks to expand its public health mandate. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 01:11:00 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/kait%C4%81ia-fire-serviceman-of-over-50-years-david-mckenzie-qsm-remembered/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/kait%C4%81ia-fire-serviceman-of-over-50-years-david-mckenzie-qsm-remembered/ Former Kaitāia volunteer firefighter David ‘Squid’ McKenzie has been remembered as a humble man who loved serving his community. Sun, 27 Apr 2025 22:45:10 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/weather-clean-up-to-cyclone-tam-begins-in-northland-as-winds-ease/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/weather-clean-up-to-cyclone-tam-begins-in-northland-as-winds-ease/ About 4600 homes and businesses in Northland are still without power, down from a peak of more than 24,000. Fri, 18 Apr 2025 01:23:58 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/green-light-for-whang%C4%81rei-roading-project-set-to-unlock-3000-homes-supermarket/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/green-light-for-whang%C4%81rei-roading-project-set-to-unlock-3000-homes-supermarket/ A roading project set to unlock land for up to 3000 houses, plus a new supermarket and shopping centre, is going ahead in Whangārei. Sun, 13 Apr 2025 22:26:47 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/tauranga-manslaughter-trial-jury-retires-to-consider-verdict/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/tauranga-manslaughter-trial-jury-retires-to-consider-verdict/ Geoffrey and Karen Boucher were killed when they were struck by a motorcycle while crossing State Highway 2 in July 2022. Fri, 11 Apr 2025 03:41:47 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/mount-maunganui-street-dining-fee-plan-leaves-sour-taste-for-eateries/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/mount-maunganui-street-dining-fee-plan-leaves-sour-taste-for-eateries/ New alfresco dining fees in Mount Maunganui have been slated as “unfair” for businesses “struggling just to keep the doors open”. Fri, 11 Apr 2025 03:02:37 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/kerikeri-18-year-old-faces-drug-charges-after-failing-to-stop-for-police/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/kerikeri-18-year-old-faces-drug-charges-after-failing-to-stop-for-police/ An 18-year-old who failed to stop for police in Northland had his car searched and was found with cannabis and LSD, police say. Mon, 07 Apr 2025 01:48:42 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/morrinsville-road-closed-after-vehicle-collides-with-gas-main/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/morrinsville-road-closed-after-vehicle-collides-with-gas-main/ A vehicle has hit a gas main in Morrinsville and a road is closed. Sun, 06 Apr 2025 22:39:29 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/person-in-custody-after-firearm-report-in-mata-northland/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/person-in-custody-after-firearm-report-in-mata-northland/ A person has been arrested after they reportedly had a firearm during an argument at a property south of Whangārei. Sun, 06 Apr 2025 21:57:56 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/men-charged-in-unrelated-northland-murder-cases-appear-in-court-mental-health-reports-ordered/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/men-charged-in-unrelated-northland-murder-cases-appear-in-court-mental-health-reports-ordered/ Two men facing unrelated murder charges have been unable to enter pleas due to concerns around their mental health. Fri, 04 Apr 2025 05:18:34 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/northland-police-deliver-woman-in-labour-to-whang%C4%81rei-hospital/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/northland-police-deliver-woman-in-labour-to-whang%C4%81rei-hospital/ Two Whangāreicommunity officers were in the right place at the right time last week when a woman in labour needed to be transported to hospital. Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:06:06 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/northland-two-unrelated-homicides-lead-to-murder-charges/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/northland-two-unrelated-homicides-lead-to-murder-charges/ Two men have been charged with murder after two unrelated deaths in Northland at the weekend. Sun, 16 Mar 2025 23:56:56 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/hundreds-in-northland-protest-fast-tracked-sand-mining-operation/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/hundreds-in-northland-protest-fast-tracked-sand-mining-operation/ By Victor Waters - RNZ Sun, 16 Mar 2025 22:37:00 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/proposed-cuts-at-northtec-prompt-dive-in-staff-morale-and-concerns-for-unskilled-workforce/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/proposed-cuts-at-northtec-prompt-dive-in-staff-morale-and-concerns-for-unskilled-workforce/ NorthTec staff are on edge as Northland’s leading polytechnic proposes to stop 11 programmes across several industries. Sun, 16 Mar 2025 22:09:29 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/fire-crews-battling-blaze-in-far-north-soon-after-drought-announced/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/fire-crews-battling-blaze-in-far-north-soon-after-drought-announced/ A section of State Highway 15 is closed following a 2ha scrub firein the Far North this afternoon. Fri, 07 Mar 2025 03:12:27 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/whang%C4%81rei-s-claphams-clock-museum-burgled-overnight/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/whang%C4%81rei-s-claphams-clock-museum-burgled-overnight/ Whangārei’s Claphams Clock Museum is closing for five days during peak tourism season after an early morning burglary. Mon, 03 Mar 2025 01:26:43 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/mangawhai-tornado-survivor-tina-johnson-shares-miraculous-tale/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/mangawhai-tornado-survivor-tina-johnson-shares-miraculous-tale/ Northland woman Tina Johnson was asleep in bed when a tornado tore through her Mangawhai home, sucking her and the mattress she was on into its vortex. In an exclusive interview with reporter Brodie Stone, Johnson shares her miraculous story of survival at a time when she thought “everyone else was dead”. Sat, 01 Mar 2025 02:57:48 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/northland-eyes-economic-boost-with-regional-deal-proposal/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/northland-eyes-economic-boost-with-regional-deal-proposal/ Future energy, tourism, primary manufacturing and marine manufacturing are all highlighted in a regional deal proposal that is to land on the Government’s desk before the end of the week. Sat, 01 Mar 2025 02:12:16 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/waipoua-river-fire-humbling-community-response-for-evacuees/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/waipoua-river-fire-humbling-community-response-for-evacuees/ Evacuated residents remain unable to return home as the Waipoua River Fire continues to grow, spreading to 100ha. Fri, 28 Feb 2025 03:06:10 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/%C5%8Dpononi-businesses-fear-losses-as-level-4-water-restrictions-loom/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/%C5%8Dpononi-businesses-fear-losses-as-level-4-water-restrictions-loom/ An unexpected water outage caused some Far North businesses in coastal holiday hotspots to lose income as they had to close or cancel bookings. Sun, 23 Feb 2025 22:14:25 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/new-lease-on-life-for-old-northland-ferry/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/new-lease-on-life-for-old-northland-ferry/ A kauri launch that ferried passengers and cargo around the Bay of Islands for 50 years is facing an exciting future as a floating pizzeria. Sat, 22 Feb 2025 00:23:38 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/police-appeal-for-information-after-aggravated-robbery-in-northland-store/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/upper-north-island/police-appeal-for-information-after-aggravated-robbery-in-northland-store/ Police are appealing for witnesses and sightings of a white car, after four men armed with a hammer and tyre iron held up a Northland store. Fri, 21 Feb 2025 02:43:40 Z