Plastic discharged into water was 'carelessness to a high degree' - lawyer
The plastic discharged into the water was found 1.5km downstream.
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Latest from Whakatane
Bitten, spat at, hit with axes: Top cop says assaults on police becoming more violent
'We are seeing is a propensity of offenders to increasingly use violence toward police'.
Impounded car, arrest and fines at gang funeral procession
The procession followed a tangi for a senior member.
Bit, spat at, hit with axes: Top cop says assaults on police becoming more violent
Revealed: The number of assaults on police officers over the past five years.
Gang funeral procession: Witness 'scared' and 'angry', police issue fines
Police were monitoring the procession.
Names of four dead in Tāneatua crash released
Three adults and one infant were killed after a crash in a small town south of Whakatāne.
Teacher censured after making students strip and stand with noses against trees
A teacher has been sanctioned for serious misconduct at a school camp.
'Tragic': Firefighters related to victims of crash that killed four
The crash has rocked the small communities involved.
One infant, three adults dead after Bay of Plenty crash
Reports suggest two vehicles collided near Whakatāne around 3pm.
'Forever out fishing': Police formally suspend search for missing fisherman
A rāhui will remain in place along the coast near Tōrere until further notice.
National Emergency Management Agency's legal challenge
The agency has sought a discharge without conviction.
War hero Willie Apiata sells poppies for Anzac Day in Whakatāne
Willie Apiata received the Victoria Cross for bravery under fire in Afghanistan.
Fisherman's boat may have sunk, say police as search suspended
'There is concern the fisherman's boat may have been submerged.'
Missing fisherman Jason Kauta: Chilly bin found washed up on island
The bin was spotted in an aerial search and located by drone.
Missing fisherman: Relative clings to hope man with 'massive heart' will be found
Police reassess plans as bad weather looks set to continue to hamper the search.
'They took my son', mother's heartache after accused appear in court over alleged historic kidnapping
The accused all entered not guilty pleas before Judge Robert Spear.
Two brothers have the same condition. But only one can get $330k 'miracle' drug
One brother says it's a 'kick in the guts' knowing he could not get the drug.
How a man's lonely death led to housing for the elderly homeless
Elderly man found four days after he died.
Exclusive: 'When I woke she was gone' - her newborn girl was taken 57 years ago; finally, an apology
Maggie Wilkinson has received an historic settlement and in-person apology.
Jewellery store owner says burglary is more grief on top of hard times
Whakatāne business owner is "absolutely gutted" by break-in.
'We're open. We're safe. Keep coming': Sector's message as restrictions ease
Meanwhile, accommodation providers believe there is still a hard slog ahead of them.
Cooking drunk and high on meth cost 'adored father' his life
Sky Carson adored her father despite his addictions and 'ratbag ways'.
New Zealand's sexiest - and least sexy - cities revealed
Where are the kinkiest Kiwis? New research reveals New Zealand's sexiest cities.
Gisborne highway reopening briefly ahead of further rain tonight
'There are large areas of flooding, slips, washouts and other hazards along the route.'
Sir Wira Gardiner leaves 'a legacy that cannot be measured'
"Not many...will ever make the kind of contribution to this country that Sir Wira did."
'Caught between his two parents': Judge orders 11-year-old to get vaccinated against Covid
His parents warred over whether their son should get the jab, so the judge chose for them.
'We need to get out!' Holidaymakers jump for their lives as van plummets down bank
"I can't even say I was scared because it happened so fast."
Magnitude 5.1 earthquake felt in Ōpōtiki
GeoNet says the quake may have been felt in Rotorua and Tauranga as well.
A billion bottles a year: Whakatāne iwi challenges water bottling consent
A Chinese water giant's consent to bottle water is being legally challenged once again.
Bucket list: 3-year-old's dying wishes as he battles 'relentless monster'
"The last bit of our boy's life will be spent enjoying things he's always wanted to do."
Mother's bid to have child removed from 'anti-vax' father declined by Family Court
A 12-year-old told his parents that he didn't want to be vaccinated. His mother disagreed.
'Results speak for themselves': Bay's regional council puts abuse, ageism claims to bed
Councillors have been thanked for their professionalism after claims of abuse and ageism.
'Anomaly': Small town's house prices leap almost 50 per cent in a month
Bay of Plenty towns hit record-high house prices.
No trial location yet determined for those charged after White Island disaster
Possible trial locations include a Whakatāne Marae and a number of convention centres.