News stories

**UPDATE – 8.30pm**

Contractors say they remain on track to reconnect water by midnight, potentially a little earlier.

At 9pm the number of water trucks will be reduced to one at Boswell Road. This will remain until 10.30pm. A water truck will return to Boswell Road at 6am tomorrow.

The actions of quick-thinking Hokianga Ferry staff who pulled a swimmer to safety after he was swept into the harbour, made national news over the weekend

The Far North’s ‘go to’ arts venue  hosted 460 events last year which drew international and local performers to the district, while also supporting local artists and communities.

Ngā Tai o Tokerau Māori Ward Councillor Hilda Halkyard-Harawira has claimed first place in the Master 70 Women – W1 500-metre sprint at the 2025 Waka Ama Sprint Nationals held this week at Lake Karāpiro.

Tighter water restrictions – including Level 4, the highest level – may need to be applied to council water supplies if demand for water continues to remain strong despite calls to conserve this precious taonga.

A new footpath that gives Far North locals pedestrian access from Haruru all the way to Waitangi and Paihia, was completed in December last year.

Vandals have targeted a number of Far North toilets over the holiday period, causing around $2000 of damage.