Jenny LingMultimedia Journalist·Northern Advocate·19 Jun, 2026 05:00 PM5 mins to read‌Oral health therapist Jess Korach, from The Smile Clinic in Kerikeri, loves Northland’s bushwalks, beaches, and thriving farmers’ markets. Photo / Jenny Ling

Tourism, forestry, farming, horticulture and marine engineering are widely considered the backbone of Northland’s economy. But finding specialised professionals such as chartered accountants, dental hygienists, senior tech workers or civil engineers willing to move outside major hubs remains a challenge for employers. Senior journalist Jenny Ling speaks to three professionals