Latest fromWhakatane

'Rapid rate': US demand grows for Kiwi beverage product
Wai Mānuka launched in Citarella Gourmet Market's seven New York locations.

Salvage divers face wind, waves and sharks - sunken launch recovered
Salvage divers used air lift bags to raise the vessel, working in choppy conditions.

Man says he walked into a room to see his fiancee being raped
'It's not what it looks like,' the man accused of rape allegedly told her fiance.

'I'm a recidivist offender': Woman's journey from criminal to mentor
Allen has 178 convictions and has devoted herself to helping Northland addicts recover

$10m-plus supreme Master Builders' commercial prize to LT McGuinness
Construction business erected one of NZ's most complex buildings at the university campus.

The hunt for equity: NZ pushes for renewable investment
Grant Bradley looks at the hot sectors that were promoted at the infrastructure summit.

'This is for Willy': Partner honours fisherman who died at sea
Her team has raised over $3700 for Coastguard, surpassing their $2000 goal.

Police station axe attack-accused denies charges
The attack incident sparked an armed police response.

Concern 'patients will suffer' as practices with 46,000 enrolled switch funder
The centres say changing their primary health organisation will help avoid fee increases.

Police name man who died in Bay of Plenty crash
The crash happened on January 23 at Coastlands.

Inmate imported $15m of drugs into NZ - all from behind bars
Gang member Elijah Daveron used phones that were smuggled into prison for the deals.

Top charting Kiwi artists announce North Island tour
The tour kicks off June 26 in Gisborne and ends August 9 in Wellington.

'Raid us': Ngāpuhi leader asks police to crack down as teens smoke meth in main street
Ngāpuhi leader Mane Tahere has asked police to crack down hard like they did in Ōpōtiki

How sergeant's Antarctic posting became the experience of a lifetime
Defence Force Sergeant Cam Sproull of Ōhope watched orcas hunting just metres from shore.

Hunting death: Minginui man denies manslaughter charge
Mark Jefferson, 46, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter in the High Court at Rotorua.

Trio deny murdering man found dead on a Kawerau doorstep
One of the three can be named after suppression lapsed.

'Blown away': Auckland Harbour Bridge may close as severe winds hit rush-hour commute
Auckland faces severe gales at rush hour tomorrow, with harbour bridge closures possible.

'They've taken my soul': Burglary strips man of father's WWII medals, heirlooms
Coppell urged the thieves to return his belongings anonymously if needed.

'Milestone' solar farm: Genesis powers 13,000 homes with new site
Genesis says its new solar farm will produce enough power to supply Ashburton.

Motorists back to 100km/h speed limit on SH30 Whakatāne-Rotorua
A widower has mixed feelings about the change after losing his wife in a 2019 crash.

SH2 now clear after truck tips
Emergency services were called about 6.30am to SH2 at Pikowai.