Latest fromWhakatane
!['Forever 8': Women deny killing young boy in alleged assault](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
'Forever 8': Women deny killing young boy in alleged assault
The pair accused of killing Rickah'Shae Keefe-Haerewa plan to take the charges to trial.
!['Not sustainable': Tauranga worker would earn extra $30k for same job in Hamilton](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
'Not sustainable': Tauranga worker would earn extra $30k for same job in Hamilton
'We do the same job as the Te Whatu Ora labs, but we’re paid significantly less.'
!['This is going to kill someone': Midwife's fear after maternity service 'downgrading'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
'This is going to kill someone': Midwife's fear after maternity service 'downgrading'
Higher-risk births were sent to a hospital more than an hour away after specialists quit.
![‘Nauseating’ worm farm granted consent to expand](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
‘Nauseating’ worm farm granted consent to expand
The smelly farm has been given the green light.
![Pedestrian dies after BoP crash](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
Pedestrian dies after BoP crash
The crash happened at intersection of SH30 and Thornton Rd.
![Pedestrian seriously injured in SH30 crash](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
Pedestrian seriously injured in SH30 crash
A rescue helicopter was sent to the scene.
![Person critically injured in BoP house fire](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
Person critically injured in BoP house fire
Fire and Emergency received a call to the Arawa Rd fire around 4pm.
![How surfer Ollie Dobbin bought three Ōhope businesses before the age of 24](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
How surfer Ollie Dobbin bought three Ōhope businesses before the age of 24
His first business was a surf school which he bought when he was still in high school.
![Edgecumbe flood lawsuits may burden ratepayers with $7m cost](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
Edgecumbe flood lawsuits may burden ratepayers with $7m cost
Edgecumbe was flooded due to the breach of a Rangitaiki River floodwall in 2017.
![Health NZ redundancies: More than $251k paid out in Bay of Plenty, Lakes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
Health NZ redundancies: More than $251k paid out in Bay of Plenty, Lakes
'We’ve lost people ... all vital to making sure a hospital functions accordingly.'
![Man who died after jumping into harbour during Christmas police callout named](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
Man who died after jumping into harbour during Christmas police callout named
Police have said he was evading arrest, but a family member disputed that.
![New Year Honours: Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, Taupō recipients named](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
New Year Honours: Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, Taupō recipients named
Plus - we ask why one city, unusually, has no honourees on this year's list.
![Rāhui updated after body found in Ōhope](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
Rāhui updated after body found in Ōhope
Local iwi offered condolences to the grieving whānau of the man who died.
![Missing man in Ōhope was allegedly retrieving fishing net after arrest, family says](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
Missing man in Ōhope was allegedly retrieving fishing net after arrest, family says
The family disputes the claim he 'jumped in the water' in order to evade being arrested.
![Women charged over violent death of 8yo Rickah’Shae named](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
Women charged over violent death of 8yo Rickah’Shae named
The boy died in November following an alleged assault.
![Cancer survivor, 79, completes 1700km hike for charity](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
Cancer survivor, 79, completes 1700km hike for charity
Duncan Smith, 79, completes 1700km hike of North Island for charity
![Authorities investigate Mount Putauaki blaze](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
Authorities investigate Mount Putauaki blaze
Crews monitored hotspots on Mt Edgecumbe near Kawerau overnight.
!['More rescues': Swells spark rip warning for holiday hotspots](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
'More rescues': Swells spark rip warning for holiday hotspots
It comes as holidaymakers begin flocking to eastern beaches.
![Pregnant women forced to travel 87km for emergency C-sections due to maternity care shortage](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
Pregnant women forced to travel 87km for emergency C-sections due to maternity care shortage
Some in the community were 'devastated' by the change, which will begin in mid-January.
![Whakaari/White Island may be heading into 'new eruptive episode'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
Whakaari/White Island may be heading into 'new eruptive episode'
The aviation colour code for White Island has been raised to orange.
!['Tragic weekend': Four water deaths in 24 hours across NZ](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=877)
'Tragic weekend': Four water deaths in 24 hours across NZ
The rise in deaths is a worry, Water Safety chief executive says.