Latest from Tauranga

Jurors hear covert recordings made by undercover cop
WWII veteran Ronald Russell Allison died in a suspicious house fire at Te Karaka in 2013.

'Bounce back': Most suburbs saw average values increase over past three months
OneRoof's latest property report paints a picture of how suburbs have performed.

Jump in foodbank demand means more hours for workers
“When I started working here, it surprised me so many different people needed support."

Two Tauranga Lotto punters each $18k richer
The tickets were bought online and at a local supermarket.

School group gets lost in Bay of Plenty bush, police praise what they did next
The search for the missing students ended in success.

'Absolutely devastated': Missing Tauranga man allegedly forced into a car
He was last seen at a McDonald’s in Mount Maunganui on November 3.

Motorcyclist fuming after Waka Kotahi evades blame after ‘horrific’ crash
Victim believes the road conditions were responsible for the crash that put her in a coma.

'Amazing' first week: Generous donations flow in to foodbank
Regular and new supporters have been donating.

How this former mayor is getting stoves and heaters into Ukraine warzone
'We are doing our best to get ahead of the snowfall.'

Johnathan Thurston's cricket threat and thoughts on Warriors 2024
The rugby league all-time great didn't hold back in his typical, gritty fashion.

Winning rose named in honour of 7-year-old girl who died of a brain tumour
Award-winning rose named after a 'brave' little girl.

What's in a foodbank parcel? And how to donate
The annual six-week Christmas Appeal has been running since November 11.

'Ludicrous' and 'unfair': What locals think about road-pricing idea for Tauranga
$5 a trip in Auckland? What Tauranga's answer to congestion charging might cost.

Armed police at Gate Pā property in Tauranga
A pre-planned operation is under way this morning.

Surf's Up: Businessman selling $200k vintage surfboard collection
'One board went to five, five went to 10, and so on – end of story.'

Edgecumbe flood: Hundreds may be eligible to join legal case as five sue for $3.95m
Law firm says if it becomes a class action, it could cover another 350 plaintiffs.

Port of Tauranga: $15.7m of cocaine found in container of bananas
It's estimated the seizure could have produced about 350,000 individual doses of cocaine.

The Grinch outdoor movie night all set to help foodbank
The Hits Christmas in the Park is in partnership with Pacific Toyota.

Hamilton tech business wins contract with NZ Navy
The company will build a special training software for officers.

It was sold for $1. Now this abandoned CBD building will become a $60m 'landmark'
First three building consents issued for the 14-storey parking and office building.

Supermarket caught selling booze to 17yo cops five-day ban
The supermarket was caught in a controlled-purchase operation.

Christmas Appeal: Foodbank shares donation wishlist
What will you be donating to the Foodbank this year?

'Significant' house fire near Te Puke
Police were called about 1.45pm, firefighters left about 4pm.

Gas main hit in central Tauranga, cordons removed
Fire and Emegency NZ were called just before 12.30pm.

'Destroyed': 83yo faces court for allegedly painting over te reo on bins
The charge has a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment.

Medical ship stranded in Fiji with large repair bill
The crew was providing much-needed medical aid to isolated communities in Fiji.

Truck loses trailer on SH2, nose to tail between two other vehicles
Police say no injuries were reported, but delays are likely.

'Secrecy only benefits the employers': Should people's salaries be made public?
New figures show job listings featuring salaries have risen by about a third in a year.