Six great reasons to visit the Far North this summer

Kerikeri's famous Rainbow Falls, framed by native bush. Overlaid with the caption "Greetings from The Far North"

From golden beaches to lush kauri bush, a visit to Te Tai Tokerau offers a true showcase of New Zealand’s natural splendour. We’ve put together a list of all you need to know before you explore the Far North this summer.  If you’ve got friends or relatives visiting Aotearoa, top of their list should be … Read more

The motley crew trying to overthrow the old guard in the Far North

For decades, local politics in the Far North has been dominated by conservatives. This election, a gang leader-turned-Man Up organiser, a former Green Party MP, and the lead singer of Opshop are among those trying to take down what they call the ‘old boys club’. Hayden Donnell heads to the winterless north. The Spinoff local … Read more

“Some say, ‘Where are you gonna bury yours? Inside or outside the urupā?’”

A new film following five courageous families healing in the wake of suicide premieres at the NZ International Film Festival this month. Kayne Peters meets the Albert whānau of Maui’s Hook. Content warning: suicide. Suicide is a topic many Kiwis shy away from but the reality is, every three days a young New Zealander takes … Read more

‘We want to wear this building to bits’: Te Ahu, the beating heart of Kaitāia

Kaitāia’s Te Ahu centre is a lot of things to a lot of people – a taonga, a service, a symbol of progress, a happy distraction.  Te Ahu looms large in the relatively small Kaitāia township, but it does so with its arms flung open wide, welcomning you inside. The 2300-square metre complex is a … Read more

Ricky Houghton and the whare that love built

Many of the children abused in state care facilities over the past 40 years have grown up lost in the system. Ricky Houghton decided to overthrow the system completely.  He Korowai Trust CEO Ricky Houghton comes from the Pita Sharples school of style – a perfectly moussed mullet, a sharp leather jacket and a gentle … Read more