Latest fromWhakatane
![Person rescued from burning house in Whakatāne](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Person rescued from burning house in Whakatāne
Five fire crews, a rescue helicopter and an ambulance sent to the scene.
![How surfer Ollie Dobbin bought three Ōhope businesses before the age of 24](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
How surfer Ollie Dobbin bought three Ōhope businesses before the age of 24
His first business was a surf school which he bought when he was still in high school.
![Edgecumbe flood lawsuits may burden ratepayers with $7m cost](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Edgecumbe flood lawsuits may burden ratepayers with $7m cost
Edgecumbe was flooded due to the breach of a Rangitaiki River floodwall in 2017.
![New year, new job? Farmer switched to stacking shelves - and aims to own a supermarket](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
New year, new job? Farmer switched to stacking shelves - and aims to own a supermarket
He started again at the bottom, and is working his way up.
![Ash raises aviation code at Whakaari/White Island](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Ash raises aviation code at Whakaari/White Island
Activity at White Island has increased and minor volcanic ash is being emitted.
![Health NZ redundancies: More than $251k paid out in Bay of Plenty, Lakes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Health NZ redundancies: More than $251k paid out in Bay of Plenty, Lakes
'We’ve lost people ... all vital to making sure a hospital functions accordingly.'
![Police identify man found dead in water after fleeing officers at Ōhope Beach](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Police identify man found dead in water after fleeing officers at Ōhope Beach
The circumstances leading to the death of Hikato Maaka, a father of five, remain murky.
![Man who died after jumping into harbour during Christmas police callout named](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Man who died after jumping into harbour during Christmas police callout named
Police have said he was evading arrest, but a family member disputed that.
![New Year Honours: Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, Taupō recipients named](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
New Year Honours: Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, Taupō recipients named
Plus - we ask why one city, unusually, has no honourees on this year's list.
![Rāhui in place as family gather at Ōhope for man who swam from police](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Rāhui in place as family gather at Ōhope for man who swam from police
Police have instructed holidaymakers to stay out of the water.
![Man missing after jumping into water and swimming away while fleeing police](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Man missing after jumping into water and swimming away while fleeing police
The man refused to engage with police and swam away.
![Women charged over violent death of 8yo Rickah’Shae named](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Women charged over violent death of 8yo Rickah’Shae named
The boy died in November following an alleged assault.
![Cancer survivor, 79, completes 1700km hike for charity](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Cancer survivor, 79, completes 1700km hike for charity
Duncan Smith, 79, completes 1700km hike of North Island for charity
![Authorities investigate Mount Putauaki blaze](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Authorities investigate Mount Putauaki blaze
Crews monitored hotspots on Mt Edgecumbe near Kawerau overnight.
!['More rescues': Swells spark rip warning for holiday hotspots](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
'More rescues': Swells spark rip warning for holiday hotspots
It comes as holidaymakers begin flocking to eastern beaches.
![Pregnant women forced to travel 87km for emergency C-sections due to maternity care shortage](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Pregnant women forced to travel 87km for emergency C-sections due to maternity care shortage
Some in the community were 'devastated' by the change, which will begin in mid-January.
![Whakaari/White Island may be heading into 'new eruptive episode'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Whakaari/White Island may be heading into 'new eruptive episode'
The aviation colour code for White Island has been raised to orange.
!['Tragic weekend': Four water deaths in 24 hours across NZ](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
'Tragic weekend': Four water deaths in 24 hours across NZ
The rise in deaths is a worry, Water Safety chief executive says.
![Man dies after jumping from side of boat near Moutohora Island, Whakatāne](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Man dies after jumping from side of boat near Moutohora Island, Whakatāne
The man was pulled unresponsive from the water after the jump.
![Police should not have pursued biker who later crashed and died - IPCA](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Police should not have pursued biker who later crashed and died - IPCA
The officer was pursuing a motorcyclist in Whakatāne on March 16 this year.
![Families gather to mark fifth anniversary of Whakaari eruption](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=871)
Families gather to mark fifth anniversary of Whakaari eruption
A service was attended by more than 180 people, at least 40 of whom were from overseas.