On Saturday the TrustPower National Community Awards were held in the Far North for the first time, with 24 regional winners competing for the supreme title in a judging day at Kerikeri's Turner Centre followed by an awards ceremony at the Waitangi treaty grounds that evening. A day earlier the finalists were hosted by the 2010 supreme winner, the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Trust, which put on a presentation at its Kawakawa railway shed and a steam train ride to Taumarere for lunch. More than 140 people, representing volunteer groups from Kaikohe in the north to Invercargill in the south, took part.

Mid-Northern VS Kamo at Hukerenui

Allens Kids Tri at Onerahi

Thousands of people packed into Moerewa's Otiria Marae for Ngati Hine's Te Ahuareka Festival, a two-day, biennial celebration of the reo and culture of the Mid North tribe. On Friday schoolchildren from around the rohe (tribal area) took to the stage to show off their kapa haka skills; on Saturday it was the adults' turn, along with hiphop dancers, singers and classical musicians.

It was petrolhead heaven in the Bay of Islands last weekend with the Kurbside Rodders celebrating their 30th anniversary in Kerikeri and the Classics on Rainbow car and boat show at nearby Waimate North. The Rodders held a show and shine on Kerikeri Rd on Saturday with more than 60 gleaming vehicles ranging from a 1939 Chevrolet Super Deluxe to 1970s classics like the Ford Zephyr and Holden Monaro; one hot road had even been shipped over the USA by its former Kaitaia owners. Classics on Rainbow, held at the P&I Showgrounds after the event outgrew its old Rainbow Falls Rd venue, was unlucky to be hit by the first rain in months but still drew 80-plus cars of every size and shape. Among the clubs taking part were the Kurbside Rodders, Whangarei Classic Car Club, Northland Zephyr Club and the Northland chapter of the FPV/Tickford Owners Club. Proceeds were split between the P&I Association and Bay of Islands Riding for the Disabled.

Relay for Life, Otaika Sports Ground

More than 200 people marched through Kaitaia on Wednesday - the same day disgraced former Pamapuria School deputy principal James Parker was due in court on more than 70 charges - in a show of community solidarity against child abuse. The marchers also hoped the event would also show the rest of the country there was more to the town than what was unfolding at Kaitaia's courthouse.

Northland Secondary Schools track and field champs, Kensington, Whangarei.

More than 70 waka ama and surfski paddlers battled along the Tutukaka Coast in challenging conditions in the 5th running of the Bo Herbert Memorial race. The race finished at Matapouri Bay where the surf provided competitors with one last challenge. Photographer Ron Burgin was onshore to capture the action.

10 Northland Police staff were recognised for their efforts at a ceremony in Whangarei.

Three young street artists have turned what used to be an eyesore into a giant work of art.

A dog named Max once again cleaned up in the canine swimming races at Opua on Sunday, one of the highlights of an annual regatta raising money for the Bay of Islands town's primary school and community hall. Other drawcards included a raft race, swimming races, kayaking without paddles, a market, crazy hair competition, jandal throwing and plenty of kai. The raft race was won convincingly by Double Trouble with the Pirateers in second place. This year's proceeds will also help pay for a sign which used to welcome visitors to Opua but was stolen earlier this year.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy surveys Dargaville dairy farmer Malcolm Welsh's farm after the announcement of Northland being declared a drought area by the government.

Aranga School were the benficiaries of more than $5000 after over 200 trail bike riders descended on the Tutamoe Trail in the Wai o te Kumerau Valley

Maori Rugby Tournament, Old Boys ground, Whangarei.

Project Promises: People in the Park at Kensington Park

Northland Agricultural Field Days

Northland Police, Drug Operation 'Ruth'

Blues Vs Waratahs, Toll Stadium, Whangarei.

Blues at Toll Stadium, Captain's Run and some ripper rugby fun with local schools.

Waitangi Day Celebrations, Northland, New Zealand

Prime Minister John Key made it safely onto Te Tii Marae after a tense stand-off over who should escort him. Photographer Mike Cunnigham was there too.

Hyundai Longboard Tour leg at Sandy Bay, Northland

Super Maori Fullas Green Ribbon Ride

NZ Miniature Horse Association Showcase Show at Ruakaka Racecourse

The turnout might have been disappointing but the same couldn't be said for the music at the Honey Jam Festival near Kerikeri on January 26-27. Held at Kowhai Pt Farm, the festival featured 18 bands and solo artists with a reformed Supergroove - including original frontmen Che Fu and Karl Steven - taking top billing on Saturday night. Other highlights were the Latin sounds of Batacuda Sound Machine and the 22-piece AK Samba, rising star Jamie McDell of Mangawhai, Wellington's Thomas Oliver Band, Bonjah from Australia and Northland reggae band 1814.

Dargaville Speedway

JGEEKS in Dargaville

Russell confirmed its standing as the, er, glamour capital of the North on Saturday with the annual Miss Russell beauty pageant. Eleven ''ladies'' - many of them suspiciously bearded, muscled and tattooed - competed for the coveted crown, which was eventually won by Crack A Woody of Russell competing as Miss Seaport Village. Winner of the people's choice was La Femme Nikita Femme Fatale, otherwise known as Hemi of the Duke of Marlborough Hotel. Competitors came from as far away as Whangarei for the pageant, held at the Duke of Marlborough Tavern with Mal Browning as the MC. Photos by Julie Todd of Signs of the Times Photography.