Written by Susan Botting
Boaties launching at Lake Taharoa must use a new automated gate and PIN system as Northland steps up action against the invasive freshwater clam.
Households could face higher bills as Northland's councils push the new water provider to prioritise affordability over investment pressures.
Council staff have proposed a smaller Uretiti South exclusion zone after public backlash, preserving more vehicle access on Whangārei's beaches.
An eleventh-hour mental health plea has prompted Whangārei District Council to pause action that could have left Brian Meadows homeless on Friday.
Fears over noise, dust and air quality have prompted calls to shift the fast-tracked project away from homes in Marsden Bay.
Drier spring weather is now the most likely outcome for Northland as a strengthening El Niño starts to bite, the regional council says.
Northland residents could see the first open-ocean treated wastewater outfall in over a decade, with final approvals due before year-end.
Councillors face a petition-backed push to spend GBP £100,000 on design for a safety fix at Waipu's busiest junction.
Noise complaints and lease talks are mounting as a Whangārei intensive care specialist says the airport base adds delays without improving transfers.
Nearly 30 older residents learnt simple preparedness steps as Northland councils and emergency services urged stronger community links before disasters.
Council enforcement against unregistered owners drove infringements up more than threefold, as dog control complaints and call-outs nearly doubled.
The review could identify quick wins for Northland residents, while weighing privacy, security and ethical risks before any rollout.
