Peter de Graaf

4 days ago | radionz.co.nz | Peter de Graaf

Ongoing erosion, accelerated by Cyclone Tam's big swells and high winds, is threatening to wash away the waterfront of one of New Zealand's most historic towns. Russell resident and former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley said options for protecting Russell's vanishing beachfront were already being investigated when last month's wild weather suddenly gave the project urgency.

6 days ago | radionz.co.nz | Peter de Graaf

Hundreds of people are expected to gather at Northland's Lake Ōmāpere on Saturday to remember a battle that event organisers say is as pertinent today as it was 180 years ago. The Battle of Te Kahika, one of the early confrontations of the Northern War, began on 8 May, 1845. Ngāti Hine leader Pita Tipene said British forces were unable to take Hone Heke's pā at Te Kahika but they did inflict heavy losses. The dead included Taura, the son of Kawiti, Hone Heke's most important ally.

1 week ago | 1news.co.nz | Peter de Graaf |Susan Edmunds

The home of a Whangārei man in his 80s has been destroyed after a car travelling at high speed flew off the road, sailed over a neighbour's unit and crashed through his roof. The man's distraught partner said he was in hospital at the time and only found out this morning. The car smashed through a barrier on Mill Rd and landed in the man's living room on Millers Lane just after 11pm last night, completely destroying the unit. Police said it was incredibly fortunate no one was killed.

1 week ago | radionz.co.nz | Peter de Graaf |Susan Edmunds

The home of a Whangārei man in his 80s has been destroyed after a car travelling at high speed flew off the road, sailed over a neighbour's unit and crashed through his roof. The man's distraught partner said he was in hospital at the time and only found out on Wednesday morning. The car smashed through a barrier on Mill Road and landed in the man's living room on Miller's Lane just after 11pm on Tuesday night, completely destroying the unit.

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Peter de Graaf

A few of the whai ora ("people seeking health") and staff at Whakaoranga Whānau Recovery Hub, from left, Ngatama, Te Whetu, Toa, Rhonda Zielinski, Wayne Cresswell and Dee Kopa. Photo / RNZBy Peter de Graaf - RNZWayne Cresswell hit rock bottom three years ago. After decades of drug use he was locked up in Christchurch Men’s Prison, his wife was on home detention at the other end of the country, and their five children were in Oranga Tamariki care.