Northlanders issued infringement notices for breaching environmental rules will find the experience more costly from early September after central government significantly increased the penalties involved.

Biosecurity experts are asking for the public’s help to identify the locations of an invasive plant hiding in gardens around Kerikeri, Opua and Mangonui and in other Far North areas.

Twenty-three people have put their names forward for nine seats on the Northland Regional Council at October’s local body elections.