Latest fromWhakatane

From prison to gospel rap: Napier influencer Gzilla turns pain into purpose
'Nobody’s too far gone ... If God can save me, he can save anyone.'

Culmination of St Patrick's Day drunken flirting, or opportunistic rape while woman slept?
Jurors were unable to reach a verdict in a Tauranga District Court rape trial.

'Symbol of hope': Winning photo 'reclaims Māori narrative' amid cultural unrest
The "powerful" photo allowed people to see their tūpuna in the face of a child.

St Patrick's Day rape-accused claims woman flirted, talked 'dirty' with him
He claims they had consensual sex while the Crown says the woman was asleep.

$20k triumph: How Taniwha Chasers captivated judges at portrait awards
An Ōpōtiki local's photograph Taniwha Chasers was chosen from 41 finalists.

'Fragmentation': 140,000-patient GP network to leave regional funders
'We think that is the best way to be able to rapidly increase funding for the front line.'

'Rapid rate': US demand grows for Kiwi beverage product
Wai Mānuka launched in Citarella Gourmet Market's seven New York locations.

Salvage divers face wind, waves and sharks - sunken launch recovered
Salvage divers used air lift bags to raise the vessel, working in choppy conditions.

Man says he walked into a room to see his fiancee being raped
'It's not what it looks like,' the man accused of rape allegedly told her fiance.

The hunt for equity: NZ pushes for renewable investment
Grant Bradley looks at the hot sectors that were promoted at the infrastructure summit.

'This is for Willy': Partner honours fisherman who died at sea
Her team has raised over $3700 for Coastguard, surpassing their $2000 goal.

Police station axe attack-accused denies charges
The attack incident sparked an armed police response.

Concern 'patients will suffer' as practices with 46,000 enrolled switch funder
The centres say changing their primary health organisation will help avoid fee increases.

Ash cloud from Whakaari/White Island cancels flights
Flights from Auckland and Wellington were among those cancelled.

'Sense of injustice': Act minister, National MPs to face protests over pay equity changes
Protests are planned across the country, including outside MPs' offices.

Police name man who died in Bay of Plenty crash
The crash happened on January 23 at Coastlands.

Inmate imported $15m of drugs into NZ - all from behind bars
Gang member Elijah Daveron used phones that were smuggled into prison for the deals.

Top charting Kiwi artists announce North Island tour
The tour kicks off June 26 in Gisborne and ends August 9 in Wellington.

'Raid us': Ngāpuhi leader asks police to crack down as teens smoke meth in main street
Ngāpuhi leader Mane Tahere has asked police to crack down hard like they did in Ōpōtiki

How sergeant's Antarctic posting became the experience of a lifetime
Defence Force Sergeant Cam Sproull of Ōhope watched orcas hunting just metres from shore.

Hunting death: Minginui man denies manslaughter charge
Mark Jefferson, 46, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter in the High Court at Rotorua.