Latest fromWhakatane

'Hallelujah': Driving instructors react to proposed licence changes
Practical licence set to be scrapped described as 'a joke' and 'not good'.

'She died in my arms': Dog's death sparks road safety campaign
Surf instructor wants the speed limit on a coastal road reduced to 30km/h.

Armed police incident: Charges after police station windows smashed
Police allege a pickaxe was found nearby; the suspect is due in court today.

Air Chathams faces $1m loss, may exit Whakatāne route without support
The airline has lost over $1 million on the Whakatāne route since April 2023.

Nervous for survival: Māori ward councillors prepare for critical elections
Forty-two councils will hold a poll for Māori wards in 2025 elections.

Teen's 160km hīkoi backing Māori wards referendum
Jack Karetai-Barrett's inviting others to join the walk, aiming to raise awareness.

On The Up: Air Chathams and Air NZ in partnership talks
'Smaller operators play a critical role and do an excellent job.'

Man’s drink-driving conviction overturned on appeal after lawyer, police errors
Zebulon Lawrance was more than twice the legal drink driving limit but has been let off.

Up close with a Black Hawk: Apanui students celebrate end of logging
Apanui students explored a Black Hawk helicopter during a school visit.

‘Part of me died’: Sole survivor of triple-fatal crash says goodbye to three mates
Jeremy Capper lost an arm, a leg and three friends in a triple-fatal motorbike crash.

‘Treated like an animal’: Gang member involved in mob killing kept in kennel as a baby
The three-day sentencing came to an end with lengthy jail terms handed down.

Eruptions, quakes, tsunamis: Barry's journey to policing legend
His contributions include work on the Christchurch earthquake and the Whakaari eruption.

Man accused of axe attack on police station faces court
Mark Christiansen, 55, faces charges including burglary with a weapon.

Man charged with murder after Kawerau death
The accused will appear in Hamilton District Court tomorrow.

Man charged after alleged break-in at Murupara police station
A man broke into the unmanned Murupara police station at 6:45am yesterday.

Man in custody after allegedly forcing his way into unmanned police station
Armed police were called to the scene but police say there was no public danger.

New automated gate to guard Lake Ōkataina against gold clam
The gate cost $32,669, and was funded by local councils and Biosecurity NZ.

‘I am a strong person but I am scared’: Food charity volunteer attacked
She and her husband run a food service that feeds up to 3500 people a week.

‘Explosive activity’ at Whakaari: Ballistic blocks ejected 600m
Vent temperatures rose from 220C in January to 360C recently.

Man charged with manslaughter, unlawful hunting after Kawerau man’s death
A man will appear in the Rotorua District Court accused of Stuart Stobie's manslaughter.

'Tragically taken': Tributes flow for 'beautiful man' killed on hunting trip
Stuart Stobie was 'tragically taken in a hunting accident'.