Latest Bay of Plenty news

Chatham Islands residents encouraged to apply for Government cash
Minister Shane Jones will be leading a delegation on Wednesday for a regional summit.

A 'spectacular display': Yatton Park set to be filled with daffodils
The Cancer Society initiative aims to raise funds for its 'crucial' services.

Ferrari-driving gang member admits importing 613kg drugs, faces losing $7m in assets
The main target in Operation Weirton has pleaded guilty on the eve of High Court trial.

Warnings upgraded: 140km/h gales, torrential downpours to lash upper North Island for 41hrs
Thunderstorms, 180mm of rain from tonight in upper NI, tree and powerline damage likely.

On The Up: Motorised duck wins race in front of record crowd
The Great Tauranga Duck Race 2025 has raised nearly $35,000 for local organisations

'Hallelujah': Driving instructors react to proposed licence changes
Practical licence set to be scrapped described as 'a joke' and 'not good'.

Revealed: Motorcyclist who killed couple on pedestrian crossing has rap sheet
A jury has found motorcyclist Mark Kimber guilty of manslaughter.

Tauranga man accused of stealing ambulance equipment
He is also charged with unlawfully possessing police property.

Icy plunge: Temperatures to drop 10C as snow hits south
A cold, punchy southerly is set to bring a cold snap over much of the country.

'Really good test': Apprentice challenge winners head to nationals
Apprentices had eight hours to construct a planter box using traditional joinery.

On The Up: Golf club invests $3m into new facilities, including field-sized practice green
The club says the 6000sq m green is among the biggest in the world.

Jordan Cup returns to Tauranga Sports after tight match
Whakarewarewa remained unbeaten, defeating Greerton Marist 57-28 at home.

Holiday washout: Subtropical low set to batter NZ with heavy rain, severe gales
Heavy rain is expected in Northland, Auckland, and Coromandel on Wednesday.

Opinion: What Trump's tariff shock means for investors globally
The S&P 500 fell 10.5% over two days after Trump's tariff announcement.

Grieving grandparents 'numb' after death of 4-year-old attacked by dogs
They are trying to focus on the good memories of the boy they raised from a baby.

'Sea of yellow': Thousands of ducks set to race in Tauranga today
Around 5000 rubber ducklings will race at Tauranga's waterfront.

A-maize-ing: Young photographer puts farming life in frame
Lucy Penellum's photos highlight the resilience of the farming community.

'Claims are weak': Court dismisses bid to halt marine precinct sale
An injunction stopping the sale of Tauranga's Marine Precinct is no longer in force.

'Wanton disregard' or 'human fallibility'? Jury to decide rider's culpability in double fatal
Geoffrey and Karen Boucher were killed when they were struck by a motorcyclist in 2022.

‘We’re going to give it everything’: Tauranga dance crew’s world bid
The Space Pro Team will debut a new, fun routine at the WDCC in Auckland.

'She died in my arms': Dog's death sparks road safety campaign
Surf instructor wants the speed limit on a coastal road reduced to 30km/h.

‘Unfair’: Mount businesses struggle with proposed street dining fees
Businesses say the plan is 'flawed' and 'bizarre' at a time when eateries are hard-hit.

Armed police incident: Charges after police station windows smashed
Police allege a pickaxe was found nearby; the suspect is due in court today.

Peter Burling parts ways with Team NZ
Burling was at the helm for the past three America's Cup wins.

Air Chathams faces $1m loss, may exit Whakatāne route without support
The airline has lost over $1 million on the Whakatāne route since April 2023.

Homeless summit in Tauranga to tackle housing crisis
About 4000 people in Tauranga experience some form of homelessness.

'Cool experiences': How one organisation transforms young lives
The charity, formed in 2002, supports more than 500 people annually.

On The Up - Auckland private school buys multimillion-dollar waterfront farm
Saint Kentigern students will grow food and study ecosystems on the land.

Paid Grindr meet-up with teen in public toilet reported when relationship ended
The man, in his mid-20s, started a relationship with the teen after their first encounter.