Matakana physiotherapist and lifelong hockey player Monique Hatfull is living proof that it's never too late to chase a childhood dream

Matakana-based start-up Aggie is quietly disrupting one of healthcare’s most overlooked categories, with a level of clinical rigour rarely seen in the women’s supplement market.

Equistride Veterinary is the vision of Victoria Beck, a specialist in equine orthopaedics bringing advanced lameness care closer to horse owners in the region.

Ti Point local Nat Torkington has spent decades championing bluegrass music in New Zealand, both on stage and behind the scenes, fostering a community of players and fans that spans generations.

Waipu-based distance runner Denika Clooney has transformed the challenges of training in a small Northland town into a pathway toward international competition and world-stage ambition.

Jono Ridler’s 1,350km swim down the east coast of the North Island is putting ocean protection firmly in the national spotlight.

Recently recognised with the prestigious Blake Award, Riley’s work continues to inspire the next generation to care for Aotearoa’s marine environment.

For 100 years, Wellsford Rugby Football Club has stood at the heart of its community, shaping generations through sport, service, and unwavering local pride.

With a bell in hand and a booming voice, Warkworth’s Town Crier keeps a centuries-old tradition alive.

Just outside Matakana, where farmland folds into a canopy of bush and birdsong, sits a workshop that feels more like a creative observatory than a studio. This is Daedalic Lightworks – and at the heart of it is local maker Mark Lever.

Rugby league wasn’t always part of her plan, but for Moana Courtenay, determination, talent, and hard work have turned opportunity into achievement – and she’s only just getting started.

Turning a community’s dream into reality, the Mangawhai Activity Zone (MAZ) has become the gem of the township – a project guided by a dedicated group of trustees.

Georgia Brierly’s life has always revolved around movement – on the track, the rugby field, and in the gym she calls her second home.

What began as a side project in 2016 has grown into Draken Watches, a highly respected brand founded by Waipu local Michael Blythe.

A new chapter in coastal safety is underway in Mangawhai, with a trial Coastguard unit being established to serve the community and its busy stretch of coastline.

Recognised for her leadership, technical skill, and rapid progression, 26-year-old Courtney West has been awarded the title of Northland Dairy Manager of the Year 2025.

Local mum Emma Hawke has turned bathroom battles into a nationwide mission to change Kiwi smiles.

Rodney Women’s Refuge proudly announces Fiona Frost as its new General Manager, bringing nearly 30 years of leadership experience and an unwavering commitment to supporting vulnerable members of the community.

A small, family-run publishing house with deep roots in Aotearoa’s literary world, Mary Egan Publishing is – one family member at a time – moving north.

When Suzanne McFadden first stepped into a newsroom four decades ago, she never imagined one day helping change the way New Zealand views women’s sport. Now her work has not only reshaped coverage across the media landscape – it’s earned her a place as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.