Bay Of Plenty
Council backs down on alcohol policy – for now
Pushing pause on policies that affect bars and the sale of alcohol in Tauranga is "positive for the city", a shop owner says.
Concern over council move to extend al fresco dining charge
Street dining in Tauranga will soon cost businesses across the city instead of just some in the centre of town.
Air pollution: Tighter controls imposed around Mt Maunganui
Heavy industry is set to stay in Mount Maunganui despite air pollution problems, but stricter controls have been put in place on what will be allowed in future.
Hunter fatally shot in Ureweras, police investigating
A hunter has been shot and killed in the Urewera Ranges, sparking a police investigation.
Person dies in workplace incident after quad bike rolls in Tauranga
A person has died in a workplace incident where a quad bike rolled in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty.
Public can be 'brutal' - councillors defend use of closed-door workshops
The Ombudsman's call to open council workshops is a "hard nut to crack", a Western Bay of Plenty councillor says.
Holes in the walls, a bin blaze burning for hours and children: Inside Spa Lodge
A fire allowed to burn for hours, a door with four locks, holes in the walls and scattered rubbish - these are some of the living conditions at Rotorua's Spa Lodge described in a council assessment.
'Closer to finish line': Land return pivotal moment for Tauranga hapū
Two Tauranga hapū will be able to reconnect with their whenua with reserve land likely to be returned to them.
'High fire risk': 20 people moved out of lodge that 'dead-bolted' them in at night
The council issued the lodge two dangerous building notices within a week.
Solar farm a waste of elite soil – Edgecumbe farmers
Edgecumbe farmers say large-scale solar farms on some of the Rangitaiki Plains' most elite soil is short-sighted.
David Tamihere appeal: 'I'm just hopeful that they'll look at the facts'
A man convicted of a double-murder more than 30 years ago whose case is back in court is hopeful the facts will be looked at. Audio
Paid parking plans delayed in Tauranga after public outcry
The commission that administers the city has reconsidered after submissions from a business owner.
Storm reaction reviews rumble on
Reviews into how authorities did during the year's biggest storms are carrying on months after defences were found wanting.
Council pauses fluoridation work after High Court judgement on mandate
"I am resisting the urge to say 'I told you so'," one councillor said.
Serious crash in Te Puke
Police say it appears a person has critical injuries after a vehicle crashed in Te Puke.
Shargin Stephens 'constantly harassed' by police, witness tells inquest
Police had relentlessly attempted to "crack" Shargin Stephens by bail-checking him several times a day, a witness revealed in the inquest into his death.
'There's nowhere else for them to go' - Rotorua principals warn new housing will lead to bulging classrooms
Rotorua school principals are concerned their schools will not be able to support burgeoning student numbers from new housing developments in the city. Audio
Inquest into death of Shargin Stephens to begin in Rotorua
More than seven years after he was shot by police, the whānau of Shargin Stephens will finally have their time in court.
Mill workers 'devastated' over sudden job losses
Eighty workers being laid off from a mill in Gisborne say the sudden job loss is devastating.
The time warp turns 50: Rocky Horror’s Richard O’Brien and his Kingdom of Bling
It is 50 years since The Rocky Horror Show premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in London. Audio
