Uretara Island, in Ohiwa Harbour, is now free of rats, and native birds are thriving, thanks to the work of dedicated volunteers. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Trojahn Tuna is 23, covered in tattoos and boasting so much sex appeal Iggy Azalea could barely contain herself.

Check out these mussels! New Zealand's first commercial open ocean marine farm, off the coast of Opotiki brings in its first harvest. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Opotiki beekeepers are worried too many hives are now being placed in the region by corporate newcomers, threatening the survival of the pollinating bees required for the local kiwifruit industry. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

John Forbes' early blunder didn't diminish his election result. And he admits his opponent Les Keane ran a good campaign after all. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

John Forbes' early blunder didn't diminish his election result. And he admits his opponent Les Keane ran a good campaign after all. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Tony Bonne believes strong marketing was behind his weaker majority, so he is determined to communicate better this term. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Tony Bonne believes strong marketing was behind winning the mayoralty with less votes, so he is determined to communicate better this term. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Incumbent mayor Tony Bonne looks to have regained his position.

Golf Links Road near Whakatane is closed as the Armed Offenders Squad try to locate a man who pointed a gun at another person. A

Banned from sailing further until authorities deem him safe to travel, renegade South African yachtie, is apologetic for the inconvenience he has caused everyone involved. made with funding from NZ on Air

This Sunday is World Rivers Day giving the Bay of Plenty Regional Council a chance to celebrate the regions eight major rivers. In

A large slip has blocked SH3 in North Taranaki, flooding and slips have closed roads in Wellington and hampered the capital's World War I centenary events.

Whakatane's three-day Junior League Festival will give kids an opportunity to play against clubs from around New Zealand.

A graduate of Rotorua's famous carving school and a Taupo-based iwi representative and orator are two of 10 people honoured at the

SWIMMER WINNER: Whakatane's Tarquin Magner with his medal haul from the NZCT AIMS Games swimming finals. Photo by Jamie Troughton/Dscribe

Eight gold medals and a silver were nice but it was a new national record Whakatane swimmer Tarquin Magner was especially proud of

Aftershocks have continued to shake the North Island after it was hit by one of its biggest earthquakes in decades.

This morning's M7.1 quake is the biggest to hit the north of the North Island in more than 20 years, when a M7.2 quake struck in a similar spot in 1995.

Locals wanting to help care for land, air, water, or wildlife are can apply to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Environmental Enhancement

There is a severe wind watch for Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty tonight. MetService issued the watch saying west to northwest winds

The new boating bylaw for Bay of Plenty will now be introduced in 2017 instead of October 2016 as originally planned. General Manager

The Ruatoki community will host a SPCA day to raise awareness on the care and protection of animals. It will also provide options

Bay of Plenty-based Surtees Boats is undergoing a major expansion of its production facility with the addition of a 900sq m building

Police are appealing for information following three suspicious fires in the Te Kaha and Waihau Bay area. Detective Sergeant Darren

A newborn baby has been flown to hospital with serious head injuries.

Lisa Carrington has today been sharply reminded how difficult a challenge she'll face tomorrow if she's to complete a golden Rio Olympic kayak double.

A Whakatane bank has celebrated Lisa Carrington's Olympic victory this morning by wrapping their ATM in gold. ANZ's Whakatane branch

WATCH: Kiwi kayak queen Lisa Carrington 'stoked' as she powers her way to back-to-back Olympic gold medals.

A young woman has been seriously hurt and trapped for more than an hour in her car after it crashed this morning. The woman had been