Susan Botting

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Susan Botting

A surfer on the Pakiri coast is dwarfed by McCallum Bros' sand mining vessel. Photo/ Doug Moores Mangawhai sandspit has recently been confirmed to have lost more than 420,000 tonnes of its locally-unique non-replenishing sand. Local Democracy Reporting Northland reporter Susan Botting explores in a two-part series how those connected with the rare landform view its health and what is on the line. Today she explores tensions around sand mining.

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Susan Botting

Community groups, leaders and experts fear for the future of the Mangawhai sandspit. Photo / NZME Mangawhai sandspit has recently been confirmed to have lost more than 420,000 tonnes of its locally-unique non-replenishing sand. Many in the community worry about its future as a result. Local Democracy Reporting Northland reporter Susan Botting explores in a two-part series the rare landform’s health and what is on the line.

2 weeks ago | nzherald.co.nz | Susan Botting

Kaipara District Mayor Craig Jepson has confirmed he will not be seeking re-election as mayor. Photo / NZMEControversial “Trump of the North”, Kaipara Mayor Craig Jepson, will not be standing for a second mayoral term. Jepson announced the shock move today, saying he will not seek re-election as mayor in October’s local election. Jepson, 67, is instead backing Kaipara District Council (KDC) Deputy Mayor Jonathan Larsen, 54, whom he appointed to the deputy role in October 2022.

1 month ago | nzherald.co.nz | Susan Botting

NRC chair Geoff Crawford. Photo / Susan BottingNorthland Regional Council is to stop putting money into the $25 million fight against invasive caulerpa seaweed. Northland Regional Council (NRC) chair Geoff Crawford last night told an online caulerpa hui that the council had already put in $1.25 million since the exotic pest was confirmed in the Bay of Islands in 2023. Crawford said later that funding responses such as for caulerpa was not the council’s role.

1 month ago | nzherald.co.nz | Susan Botting

Urupukapuka Island's Otehei Bay is a popular tourist destination that will soon be surveyed for the presence of caulerpa. Photo / NZME A Bay of Islands boat anchoring ban is unlikely to be extended despite exotic invasive caulerpa now being found outside its 1058ha restricted area. The equivalent of 1525 rugby fields around the eastern Bay of Islands mainland at Te Rāwhiti is currently locked up to boat anchoring, most fishing, and kaimoana gathering under a government-controlled area notice.