Latest from Whakatane
900km mission: 15-year-old's long ride to Parliament to support Māori wards
Jack, 15, will ride from Whakatāne to Wellington, starting on June 28.
Tribesmen's alleged 'hotbox' murder after gang member's unauthorised online shopping
Mark Hohua, known as Shark, was allegedly beaten to death by fellow gang members in 2022.
'It seemed strange': Pharmacist's concern about ambulance's frequent narcotics orders
A couple who ran a private ambulance service allegedly procured morphine and fentanyl.
'Long-life battery': The 90-year-old standing for council
Sandy Milne, nearly 91, plans to stand in the Whakatāne council elections.
'Drive with care': Major fog, flooding causes highway closure
State Highway 2 is flooded between Kaikokopu Rd and Wilson Rd South.
Pregnant dairy worker thrown to the ground in attempted robbery
The intruder allegedly assaulted a pregnant shopkeeper, throwing her to the ground.
Wellington leads in income, South Island shines in low unemployment
Wellington now ranks high in housing affordability due to falling prices.
Whakaari alert level lowered as volcanic activity decreases
No ash emissions have been detected at the island off Whakatāne recently.
Private ambulance operators accused of doctoring records to obtain morphine and fentanyl
The couple claimed to treat a man who had been dead for three years.
Regional councillor Toi Iti seeks Doug Leeder's seat
He aims to bridge Māori and non-Māori communities on the council.
Rusting car dumped in popular Bay of Plenty swimming hole
Last year, 28 vehicles were reported abandoned in waterways across the region.
Child airlifted after being hit by car in Bay of Plenty
Police were notified of the incident at 8.40am.
Whakatāne residents oppose council partnership with Tauranga, Western Bay
Submitters prefer Whakatāne manage water services alone, citing autonomy.
'Questions we need to answer': School trip to backcountry hut ends in group being airlifted out
The group set off despite a weather watch, which turned into a warning en route.
Watch: 'It's just what we do' - Horseback hero's daring flood rescue
A horse tied to a post in floodwaters would likely have drowned if not for Chase Gage.
Heavy rain, thunderstorms set to impact Bay of Plenty
An orange rain warning is in place for Bay of Plenty, east of Whakatāne.
Rotorua grassroots recycling milestone plants 1000 trees
Monthly collections reach 1300 cans, supporting 400 plus tree plantings annually.
Three strikes: Bins confiscated for repeat recycling errors
Whakatāne plans strict penalties for incorrect recycling in bins.
Why Whakatāne's mayor is cautious about new homes in Matatā
The council spent over $300,000 clearing debris from Matatā catch-pits.
Bay of Plenty All Black, Olympian, philanthropist and master fly-tier make honours list
The King's Birthday honours include famous names and community heroes.
Former cop's dying regret over 50yo Mona Blades mystery
Mona Blades disappeared while hitch-hiking from Hamilton to Hastings on May 31, 1975.
Whakatāne homicide: Women accused of killing 8-year-old boy face additional charges
Rickah'Shae Keefe-Haerewa died after an alleged assault in Te Teko in 2024.
Heavy rain advisories for BoP, thunderstorms possible
Periods of heavy rain could approach warning criteria, says MetService
Culmination of St Patrick's Day drunken flirting, or opportunistic rape while woman slept?
Jurors were unable to reach a verdict in a Tauranga District Court rape trial.
'Symbol of hope': Winning photo 'reclaims Māori narrative' amid cultural unrest
The "powerful" photo allowed people to see their tūpuna in the face of a child.
St Patrick's Day rape-accused claims woman flirted, talked 'dirty' with him
He claims they had consensual sex while the Crown says the woman was asleep.
$20k triumph: How Taniwha Chasers captivated judges at portrait awards
An Ōpōtiki local's photograph Taniwha Chasers was chosen from 41 finalists.