Latest fromNew Plymouth
![Man accused of murdering young promising rugby league player appears in court](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Man accused of murdering young promising rugby league player appears in court
Te Omeka Pairama Akariri-Buckley, 17, died after an atercation in Taranaki.
![Woman’s 'meticulously' planned suicide could have been prevented - Coroner](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Woman’s 'meticulously' planned suicide could have been prevented - Coroner
She left notes around her house for those who would eventually find her.
![Former New Plymouth chemical plant site has 'potential for contamination'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Former New Plymouth chemical plant site has 'potential for contamination'
The operator says it could affect human health and the environment.
![Iwi spokeswoman questions if councillor’s ute was shot at over Māori wards](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Iwi spokeswoman questions if councillor’s ute was shot at over Māori wards
Jacqui King optimistic discussions about the wards could be had civilly.
![Migrant caught repeatedly masturbating in public blames being 'lonely and homesick'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Migrant caught repeatedly masturbating in public blames being 'lonely and homesick'
He claimed to be massaging a 'sore testicle' before admitting to pleasuring himself.
!['I'm scared': Councillor's car 'shot at' after Māori ward protest](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
'I'm scared': Councillor's car 'shot at' after Māori ward protest
Murray Chong had campaigned against the introduction of Māori wards in the region.
![Ex-sports star threatens to share woman's nude pics](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Ex-sports star threatens to share woman's nude pics
Woman repeatedly asked New Zealand representative to delete images.
![Rugby mates covertly film threesome with woman, then shared it on Snapchat](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Rugby mates covertly film threesome with woman, then shared it on Snapchat
One of the men plays representative rugby and argued a conviction may impact his career.
![Man accused of murdering his wife on Valentine’s Day unfit to stand trial](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Man accused of murdering his wife on Valentine’s Day unfit to stand trial
Levonne Kaye Wensor, 48, was found dead at her New Plymouth home in February 2022.
!['Disastrous during storms and crashes': Downer power workers face job cut proposal](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
'Disastrous during storms and crashes': Downer power workers face job cut proposal
Union says workers at nine depots across the North Island in talks over job future.
![Eid Mubarak: Hundreds attend community Eid celebration](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Eid Mubarak: Hundreds attend community Eid celebration
Over 250 people enjoyed celebrating the festival together.
![Team-mates band together for tough rowing challenge](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Team-mates band together for tough rowing challenge
The Moana Dogs will take to the seas in a gruelling challenge next year.
!['Screaming for his life': Violent home invasion after brothers booted from Halloween party](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
'Screaming for his life': Violent home invasion after brothers booted from Halloween party
A girl hid under her blanket on the floor after windows were smashed around her.
![Mum wants g-string bikinis banned from public pool](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Mum wants g-string bikinis banned from public pool
The mum claimed the bikinis were 'pornographic' and not appropriate for family spaces.
!['Foolish' dealer filmed himself cooking meth, couriering drugs and cash](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
'Foolish' dealer filmed himself cooking meth, couriering drugs and cash
Now Kodee Kee-Sue has been jailed for more than 13 years.
![Photo captures a women's rugby game back in the 1960s](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Photo captures a women's rugby game back in the 1960s
Wayne Smith took the photos in the 1960s during a women's rugby game.
!['Vigilante, self-help violence': Fisherman's life upended by father and son in jetty assault](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
'Vigilante, self-help violence': Fisherman's life upended by father and son in jetty assault
The man was beaten, knocked off the jetty and held underwater.
![Ex international sports star charged with posting 'nude images' of woman online](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Ex international sports star charged with posting 'nude images' of woman online
The alleged offending occurred on four separate occasions over two weeks.
![Rates to blame for rental price hikes - report](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Rates to blame for rental price hikes - report
Ōakura, New Plymouth, is top of the list with an increase of 68%.
![Man with lung condition dies 40 minutes after 'unsafe discharge' from hospital](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Man with lung condition dies 40 minutes after 'unsafe discharge' from hospital
Patient in his 80s was still struggling to breathe and had no proper care plan in place.
![Rugby talent selected for University of Waikato Chiefs Under-18 camp](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=820)
Rugby talent selected for University of Waikato Chiefs Under-18 camp
The camp also acts as a trial for players to earn New Zealand Schools team selection.