Yolisa Tswanya

New Zealand

Journalist at The Northern Advocate

Journalist @northernadvocat, expat, forever @Springboks supporter, writer - views are my own. #NZME #NZHerald 🥝

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Articles

Kawakawa’s ambulance base part of national $4.5m push to upgrade stations

1 day ago | nzherald.co.nz | Yolisa Tswanya

Kawakawa's Hato Hone ambulance crews are back under one roof after months apart when the facility was closed for repairs. Photo / Jenny Ling Kawakawa’s ambulance crews are back under one roof for the first time in months, but Hato Hone St John still needs to raise up to $300,000 to finish repairs to the stations.
On the Up: 'We were very humbled': Rural country store wins business hero award

2 days ago | nzherald.co.nz | Yolisa Tswanya

Settlers Way Country Store owners Jacqueline Poole and Annie Blackmore outside their now award-winning store in Ōkaihau. At first, she thought it was a mistake. But when Settlers Way Country Store owners Jacqueline Poole and Annie Blackmore found out they had not only been nominated but won the regional title in Neighbourly’s Local Business Hero awards, the disbelief turned to gratitude and pride.
On the Up: Sports hub set to transform local sports in Waipapa

3 days ago | nzherald.co.nz | Yolisa Tswanya

One of four new fields at Te Puawaitanga in Waipapa that are already seeing heavy use from local clubs. Photo / Far North District CouncilThe newly opened Te Puāwaitanga – Bay of Islands Sports Hub in Waipapa has become exactly what locals have hoped for, a busy and vibrant home for sport. The multi-use facility was recently opened and has been buzzing with sporting activity.
The paketi: NZ’s spotty fish species that can change its sex

3 days ago | nzherald.co.nz | Yolisa Tswanya

Paketi can change sex within an hour, a study reveals. Photo / Sascha Schulz (CC BY-NC)If you have ever dropped a line off a Northland wharf and reeled in a spotty wrasse / paketi, you may have caught a fish in the middle of a dramatic transformation. Research has found that this common coastal species can switch sex within an hour in response to social change, such as a male being removed from its environment.
Tiny particles, big impact: Microplastic concerns for Northland ecosystems

4 days ago | nzherald.co.nz | Yolisa Tswanya

Microplastic particles less than 5mm in size were found in coastal sediments as part of a study that looked at 11 locations in Northland. Photo / David PereirasSome of Northland’s most pristine beaches are carrying the weight of a global pollution problem. A new study has confirmed the presence of microplastics at 11 locations sampled, with Mangawhai recording the highest levels. While levels varied between sites, researchers said the overall contamination was broadly similar across the region.
Twelve champions for Northland celebrated in King's Birthday Honours

5 days ago | nzherald.co.nz | Karina Cooper |Denise Piper |Yolisa Tswanya |Brodie Stone

This year the King’s Birthday Honours List contains 188 recipients, who have been recognised for their contributions to various areas including community, sport, Māori language education, breast cancer treatment and research, Māori, and the Pasifika community. Of this year’s recipients, 12 are from Northland. The Northern Advocate caught up with them to see how they feel about the honour.
Northland pokies swallowed nearly $500m in 2024, sparking concern

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Yolisa Tswanya

Nga Manga Puriri clinical lead, Wini Frood, said gambling is a continuing trend in Northland. Photo / Yolisa TswanyaPokie machines in Northland swallowed nearly half a billion dollars in 2024, with the Far North accounting for nearly half of that. It’s a staggering sum that one Northland gambling support service says reflects the deep grip that gambling has on the region.
Northland social workers overwhelmed as caseloads exceed national average

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Yolisa Tswanya

Child advocates and union concerned as Northland's social workers handle more cases than the national average. Insets: (Left) Chief Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad and PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons. Northland’s social workers are among the most stretched in the country, with caseloads above the national average.
Council to landfill 190 tonnes of plastic waste as recycling market stalls

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Yolisa Tswanya

Far North District Council has moved to landfill a stockpile of No 1 (PET) plastics that were intended for recycling. Photo / NZME A year’s worth of plastic waste, once collected for recycling, may now end up in the landfill. Far North District Council (FNDC) ran out of space for the 190-tonne stockpile, which grew after markets for type 1 (PET) plastic started to fade around three years ago and has not recovered. The council stockpiled the plastics in the hope that the markets would recover.
Far North council seeks public input on alcohol policy review

2 weeks ago | nzherald.co.nz | Yolisa Tswanya

The FNDC is asking residents for their views of where and how alcohol should be sold and consumed across the district. Photo / 123rfShould there be more booze bans in the Far North? Fewer liquor stores? The Far North District Council wants to know what locals think. In a bid to balance support for local business with efforts to curb alcohol-related harms, the Far North District Council has turned to the community to weigh-in on where and how alcohol should be sold and consumed across the district.