Latest fromTauranga

Father admits murdering and ill-treating his 5-year-old son
Dad who subjected son to prolonged abuse before beating him to death changes his pleas.

'Our family is broken': Community rallies to help whānau of teen battling cancer
'Cancer is a horrible thing for your child to get.'

Ruapehu trails latest challenge for Australian fundraiser
Montana O'Neill is doing Te Araroa Trail to raise awareness and funds for cystic fibrosis.

'We must lead in this space': DHB launch sustainability plan
The DHB acknowledged its carbon emissions were "detrimental" to people's health.

Port of Tauranga bid to fast-track $68.5m expansion rejected
The $68.5m port project could create 368 jobs during construction and more than 81 after.

Luke Kirkness: My night with a secret society
Opinion: What I learnt about my inside look at the little-known Freemason fraternity.

First signs of NZ housing market slowing - report
'There are signs that there are fewer buyers talking to banks about ... mortgages.'

Ōmanawa 'execution-style' double shooting accused on trial in Tauranga
An Auckland man and his partner are on trial after two men were shot dead in Ōmanawa.

Couple on trial after two men shot dead in Ōmanawa
An Auckland man is on trial accused of murdering two men at an Ōmanawa property.

Rob Rattenbury: A reckoning is coming over the history of New Zealand
COMMENT: Many will feel ashamed about what they learn, writes Rob Rattenbury.

Should this New Zealand suburb change its name?
Suburb Spotlight: Well-known Tauranga figures call for the suburb name to be changed.

She could drop dead at any time: Govt to pay for $470k life-saving US surgery
Shock of news from ministry makes 24-year-old feel 'sick'.

Man jailed for posing as teen to lure schoolgirls into the bush for sexual acts
A Mount Maunganui man has been jailed for sexual offences against four teenage girls.

Emergency accommodation support services lack a 'moral failure' by Govt - social housing provider
The Government is now spending nearly a million dollars a day to put people up.

'New look': Mt Maunganui property sells for record $9.5m
The $9.5m sale was a record for the region, says REINZ

Bodybuilder Pohatu Higgs told he could never walk again
Higgs says he hit rock bottom when the condition first occurred.

'Anti-democratic madness': Plans for greater Māori representation on Tauranga council panned
The structure for a new city council committee includes more Māori and some aren't happy.

Bay of Plenty road toll climbs to 16, drivers fined $4.5m for speeding
'Speed is single biggest determinant in whether someone walks away or is carried away.'

Quality of life ... which is NZ's sweetest spot?
Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Porirua, Wellington, Hutt, Christchurch and Dunedin polled.

Man dead after being injured in Tauranga
Police were called to a property just after midnight on Saturday.

Not seen since 'WWII': Shipping delays will hit shoppers in wallet
Sea freight prices have jumped and businesses say imports are being delayed by months.

Assaulted in the line of duty: Rotorua parking wardens attacked
There has been a spate of verbal and physical abuse towards Rotorua parking wardens.

'It was worth it': Abuse survivor gets justice after 39 years
Graham William Morine found guilty on 6 indecency charges against 2 boys from 1981-1984.

She could drop dead at any moment. The mercy mission to save Melody
She was on a ski trip with friends when she noticed a pain in her neck.

Health system shake-up 'great news' for Māori health
Health system changes would start to come into effect in July next year.

Health system overhaul could be 'monumental', GP says
Health system changes would start to come into effect in July next year.

Wastewater overflow: Warning for tidal steps, Matapihi
Council will review maintenance procedures after overflow.