The search continues for a Tauranga man missing since the stolen dinghy he and four others were in capsized in heavy seas.

The distressed family of a man who went overboard from a stolen dinghy in Tauranga Harbour last night are praying for his safe return.

The Tauranga Hospital carpark was transformed into an emergency decontamination zone after a man came into fatal contact with a toxic herbicide.

The severed foot of a man involved in a grisly accident at the Port of Tauranga this morning was transferred with him to hospital.

Authorities have impounded a fridge that mysteriously exploded to investigate what caused the blast that blew the door off its hinges and smashed windows.

Tauranga woman on trial for bashing her sister and encouraging her pitbull puppy to join in the savage attack told a police detective that she "just went feral".

Police have been heavily criticised for failing to abandon a pursuit that endangered the public and culminated in the deaths of two young men.

Compensation claims by Bay of Plenty businesses for Rena-related losses will exceed the $11.5 million fund proposed by the ship's owners, a claimants' lawyer says.

The scavengers of the sky are now hitting Mount Maunganui's cafe scene, dive-bombing al fresco customers, knocking over coffees and defecating on patrons.

A young huntaway that was seized from its owner after becoming badly malnourished has bounced back in the care of a loving Bay of Plenty family.