Latest fromWhakatane

Grateful patient gives taonga to hospital
A singer and kapa haka performer creatively expressed his gratitude to hospital staff

Swarm of almost 200 quakes rock White Island
A swarm of earthquakes has rocked White Island, with 196 recorded since Thursday.

The First XV battle of the Te Kani Shield has begun
The team won the shield for the first time last year.

Game of Thrones author hints at trip to Rotorua next year
The author will be returning to New Zealand year for Worldcon.

Bay of Plenty Bridge open full-time, maintenance finished
The work was initially expected to take four nights.

Shane Jones says sorry: I wasn't attacking individual farmers
Forestry Minister Shane Jones says sorry to farmers for referring to them as 'moaners'.

NZTA closes Bay of Plenty bridge for maintenance
The bridge will be closed overnight next week

Government announces commitment to accelerate horticulture in the Eastern Bay
The investment will accelerate a skills, training and employment programme.

Half a dozen people protest water bottling plant plans
Protest against Murupara's water bottling plant goes ahead.

Dramatic night moves in Kopeopeo Canal project
Night moves marked a significant milestone for the Kopeopeo Canal remediation project.

First fatal house fire prompts warning
The fatal house fire occurred in a house which did not have any smoke alarms

Bay of Plenty buildings big winners in architecture awards
The winners included buildings in Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Whakatāne, Taupō and Rotorua

Police call on public to find woman with arrest warrant
Police are looking for 37-year-old Angela Pidduck

Police investigating sudden Whakatāne infant death
The death was not being treated as suspicious

Crash driver in serious condition after fleeing from police
Police attempted to stop the vehicle a few minutes prior to crash.

Rāhui in place at Sullivan Lake after toddler drowning
A rāhui has been placed on Sullivan Lake in Whakatāne.

Environmental impact report highlights issues needing attention
Environmental Aotearoa 2019 report welcomed by Bay of Plenty Regional Council

Game bird hunters reminded of firearm safety messages
Firearm safety messages as game bird hunting season sets to open next month,

Horror crash killed three Rotorua road workers: Man admits careless driving
A man is in Whakatāne District Court in relation to the deaths of three Higgins workers

Rubbish burnoff sets alight shelter belt
An out of control rubbish burnoff torched about 100m by 20m of a shelter belt in Galatea.

1.6 million Kiwis set for tax refunds: Are you one of them?
The Inland Revenue is shutting down its online services from Thursday for a week.

Lionel Nowell remembered by neighbour
Lionel Nowell died in hospital aged 73, after a fall on Moutohora last week.

Te Puke Sports only team to win all three games
Te Puke-based clubs are only unbeaten teams in Baywide premier competition

Swimmer snagged in fishing longline at popular beach
Emmeline Taylor was swimming with a friend when she suddenly felt "excruciating pain".

Promising Bay teens selected for environment forum
Two students from the Bay of Plenty have been chosen to attend the forum next week.

Whakatāne health recruitment programme wins award
Whakatāna-based programme wins award.