The eruption on the volcanic island appears to have deposited material over north side of the crater floor.

An inquest into the forestry death of 19-year-old Eramiha Pairama has begun at Te Uru Taumatua in Taneatua.

Waikato police are investigating how the caravan 54-year-old Lydia Kiri was travelling in caught fire while driving along State Highway 24 near Te Poi.

A former Whakatane man has died in a motorcycle crash while in the middle of a High Court trial where he faced 49 sex offence charges relating to young girls.

In just two weeks Makeda Soper-Wirangi went from working at her local mall to walking in fashion's biggest shows.

A man has died after a workplace accident near Opotiki.

Elisabeth Easther's doing her bit to save the kiwis.

Investigations are set to continue into the blaze on board a tourist vessel just off Whakatane.

Elisabeth Easther takes a trip back to a time when flight was an adventure.

A man has been arrested after crashing into a police car near Whakatane this morning.

An officer activated their patrol car's flashing lights and siren, but the motorcyclist did not stop and sped away.

Whakatane police pull over driver who was more than eight times the legal limit.

A fire at Whakatane Intermediate School last night caused serious damage to one classroom.

Find out which New Zealand towns have grown the fastest over the past 80 years.

Tauranga and Whakatane have been New Zealand's fastest growing towns over the past 80 years.

It is "highly unlikely" anyone would have felt a strong quake that rattled an offshore area east of the country this morning.

The school attended by a teenage boy who shot himself in a tragic hunting accident will close on Thursday as a mark of respect.

A 25-year-old man is being worked on by paramedics after he was hit by a car in Whakatane this evening.

Justine McLeary and her young family enjoy an adventurous weekend in Whakatane.

A former Mr New Zealand and Whakatane gym owner jailed for sex offences is a threat to "little innocent souls", according to one of his eight victims.

A 12-seater pane with three people on board has made an emergency landing at Whakatane Airport after reports of smoke on board.

Three officers were attacked in two incidents over the weekend - one in Whakatane only ended because a member of the public came to his aid.

It seems the sun always shines on the East Coast, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Which town looks set to keep its crown as New Zealand's sunshine capital? A new climate report shows one place well out in front.

Wild winds brought down a large palm tree at a Whakatane property early this morning, narrowly missing the house.

A Whakatane gang member is upset he has been told by his son's school he can no longer be a parent helper at his son's school camp.

A police officer used excessive force against a man who attempted to flee and resisted arrest, the police watchdog has ruled.