Latest fromWhakatane

'Strong heart': Teen's hikoi for Māori wards inspires supporters
'He’s just got such a strong sense of honour and duty.'

Ex-cyclone Tam in BoP Waikato: Boaties advised to cancel Easter plans
Bay of Plenty faces up to 250mm of rain, with warnings in Rotorua and Kaimai Range.

Kawerau death: Second 15-year-old charged with murder
Three people have been charged with murder following the death of Michael Tokona.

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

'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.

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

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.

Comancheros bust: Influential gang member charged with 200kg drug import
The Comanchero was charged months after two men allegedly broke into a shipping container.

Nervous for survival: Māori ward councillors prepare for critical elections
Forty-two councils will hold a poll for Māori wards in 2025 elections.

Man’s drink-driving conviction overturned on appeal after lawyer, police errors
Zebulon Lawrance was more than twice the legal drink driving limit but has been let off.

Up close with a Black Hawk: Apanui students celebrate end of logging
Apanui students explored a Black Hawk helicopter during a school visit.

'Splits us into two': Willie Apiata hands over Victoria Cross over entitlements issue
He gifted his medal to Veterans Affairs minister Chris Penk in the hope of a law change.

Farmers fined $77k for discharging effluent into stream
Judge Tepania noted both defendants were careless for different reasons.

‘Treated like an animal’: Gang member involved in mob killing kept in kennel as a baby
The three-day sentencing came to an end with lengthy jail terms handed down.

‘Bigger and better’: Bay food festival returns with a culinary feast
Highlights include cocktail stories, a progressive lunch, and a pasta class.

Eruptions, quakes, tsunamis: Barry's journey to policing legend
His contributions include work on the Christchurch earthquake and the Whakaari eruption.

Man charged with murder after Kawerau death
The accused will appear in Hamilton District Court tomorrow.

Man charged after alleged break-in at Murupara police station
A man broke into the unmanned Murupara police station at 6:45am yesterday.

Man in custody after allegedly forcing his way into unmanned police station
Armed police were called to the scene but police say there was no public danger.

‘Explosive activity’ at Whakaari: Ballistic blocks ejected 600m
Vent temperatures rose from 220C in January to 360C recently.

Man charged with manslaughter, unlawful hunting after Kawerau man’s death
A man will appear in the Rotorua District Court accused of Stuart Stobie's manslaughter.