FOCUSED: Rotorua's Mia Wardlaw impressed for her side on the weekend. PHOTO/ STEPHEN PARKER 051116sp10.JPGRuth_Dacey_MAY16_happy.epsTennis Rotorua

Uretara Island, in Ohiwa Harbour, is now free of rats, and native birds are thriving, thanks to the work of dedicated volunteers. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Uretara Island, in Ohiwa Harbour, is now free of rats, and native birds are thriving, thanks to the work of dedicated volunteers. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

The Bay of Plenty has recorded its highest number of suicides in five years, highlighting concerns for the well-being of local teens

The junior doctors' strike which began yesterday continues until tomorrow morning, with local public support for the striking doctors

Check out these mussels! New Zealand's first commercial open ocean marine farm, off the coast of Opotiki brings in its first harvest. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Opotiki beekeepers are worried too many hives are now being placed in the region by corporate newcomers, threatening the survival of the pollinating bees required for the local kiwifruit industry. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

John Forbes' early blunder didn't diminish his election result. And he admits his opponent Les Keane ran a good campaign after all. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

John Forbes' early blunder didn't diminish his election result. And he admits his opponent Les Keane ran a good campaign after all. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Two Auckland teens are appearing in court today after a car was stolen and taken on a joy-ride of more than a hundred kilometres, from Paeroa to Whakatane.

Banned from sailing further until authorities deem him safe to travel, renegade South African yachtie, is apologetic for the inconvenience he has caused everyone involved. made with funding from NZ on Air

A large slip has blocked SH3 in North Taranaki, flooding and slips have closed roads in Wellington and hampered the capital's World War I centenary events.

A pregnant woman has been flown to hospital after a car crash in the Eastern Bay of Plenty today. The 21-year-old was involved in

There is a severe wind watch for Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty tonight. MetService issued the watch saying west to northwest winds

Bay of Plenty-based Surtees Boats is undergoing a major expansion of its production facility with the addition of a 900sq m building

Lisa Carrington has today been sharply reminded how difficult a challenge she'll face tomorrow if she's to complete a golden Rio Olympic kayak double.

WATCH: Kiwi kayak queen Lisa Carrington 'stoked' as she powers her way to back-to-back Olympic gold medals.

A young woman has been seriously hurt and trapped for more than an hour in her car after it crashed this morning. The woman had been

A moderate earthquake has been recorded in the Bay of Plenty. At 11.29pm last night, a magnitude 3.3 earthquake was recorded near

Tourism Bay of Plenty chairman Ian Smith has stepped down from the board after nearly a decade, with Des Hammond taking up the chair

A distraught mother screamed in fear as a man stole her car with her infant son asleep in the back, a court has heard.

A Bay of Plenty mum is using her son as motivation to quit as a free stop smoking service is launched regionally. Drue Harawira

Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett has announced today that the first round of funding for emergency housing beds in the Bay of

The Bay of Plenty parents accused of causing the death of their 8-month-old baby boy will defend the allegation at a jury trial.

The Bay man accused of attempting to kill two police officers and also allegedly shot at four others is heading to trial.