Latest fromWhakatane

Bay buses are running for free, who knew?
Fares will return in Rotorua and regionally on July 20 and in Tauranga on July 27.

Local Focus: Waiariki electorate explained
Will it be Labour or Māori Party for Waiariki? Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Waiariki electorate explained
Will it be Labour or Māori Party for Waiariki? Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Child seriously injured in Whakatāne quad bike incident
Police were called to a property on Matahi Valley Rd about 12.25pm yesterday.

Man arrested after Rotorua to Matatā chase
The man was due to appear in the Rotorua District Court today.

Local Focus: The East Coast explained
What makes East Coast tick and who will they vote for. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: The East Coast electorate explained
What makes East Coast tick and who will they vote for. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Minister unveils new learning support platform
The register will help make sure the kids who need help get it.

'We've had a bit of a hiding': Tornado as Bay of Plenty lashed with wild weather
"Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility."

Government shows 'guts' with Whakatāne economic funding
Peters: NZ about to enter a post-Depression era of having to work together to get through.

Public transport challenge: Use buses while they are free
"We are in times where things are different ... We need to give this a try."

Government backs Te Teko blueberry orchard with $2.1m loan
The Meihana Koata Trust will use a $2.1m loan to develop an 18.8 hectare orchard.

$2.5m 'turbo boost' for Whakatāne to create jobs
The funding will help "speed up" three projects that previously received $36.8m.

Bay of Plenty murder accused court case put off to next month
The man is charged with murder and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Severed hand: Two men arrested in relation to Tāneatua assault
Police were still making inquiries into what exactly happened.

Calls for police station rebuild after man's hand severed
"We have been asking them [NZ Police] about it for I don't know how long."

White Island's Aviation Colour Code now green
This is following the Alert Level moving to 1 last Tuesday.

Hannah Tamaki: 'Why should I be squeezed into a little box?
The controversial leader of Vision NZ says criticism is "water off a swan's back".

Whakaari/White Island: Volcanic Alert Level lowered
The volcano has been at Alert Level Two since November.

Will a new eastern Bay of Plenty funeral home avoid gang clashes at farewells?
Gateway Funerals is renovating a Kawerau building to start the town's only funeral home.

Former cop says he questioned Whakaari risks but 'no action' taken
There are now 27 WorkSafe staff working on the investigation into the eruption.

White Island tour guide's message to 28 strangers: Thank you for saving my life
A simple act of generosity costs about an hour.

Simultaneous raids: Cash, guns, vehicles seized in major organised crime operation
Six people arrested following raids in Whakatāne, Tauranga, Waikato and Auckland.

'Feed them to the pigs': Man admits sending Simon Bridges death threat
He was angered after watching a debate between Bridges and Jacinda Ardern.

'We've been wronged': US White Island honeymooners seek damages
The honeymooners plan to seek damages from both the cruise line and the tour operators.

'I really miss him': Grandmother still grieves for White Island tour guide
'They just shouldn't have been there at all.'

'Very angry': White Island survivor lashes out at authorities over rescue delays
Stephanie Browitt survived but her sister and father were among the 21 who died.

Newlywed tourists recall Whakaari/White Island horror
'I mean it was just the most terrifying moment in my life.'

Appeal for witnesses after fatal crash near Whakatāne
One person died following the two-vehicle crash on State Highway 2.