Latest fromWhakatane

Murupara ATM theft accused faces raft of charges
Accused also faces two charges of assault with intent to injure and threatening to kill.

Flooding and closed roads aftermath of heavy rain
Although the weather is set to improve, precautions are still in place.

Kings' first nationwide tour includes Tauranga
Kings includes Tauranga in first nationwide tour

Whakatāne mayor quits for new real estate role
Tony Bonne reflects on four terms as mayor. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Whakatāne mayor quits for real estate
Tony Bonne reflects on four terms as mayor. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Deputy mayor announces run for mayoralty and that she is 'purple'
More jobs, no help for Matatā and political leanings. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Survivor's story: Floating log saved him after Google Maps sea shortcut
Remopita Pongi owes his life to a piece of driftwood and his waterproof iPhone.

Hot car baby death: Appeal against manslaughter sentence thrown out
'She had no reason to expect that anyone else would ensure Isaiah's safety' - top judge.

Frustrated principal: 'I don't care if I break the law'
At least 54 schools forced to extend board elections due to NZ Post delays.

Air Chathams: Next flight for the little airline that could
Airline filled in when others pulled out and is preparing for one of its biggest moves.

Queen's Birthday Honours: Bonnie's doing it for Matatā
Matata's Bonnie Dobson honoured in the Queen's Birthday 2019 list.

Swarm of almost 200 quakes rock White Island
A swarm of earthquakes has rocked White Island, with 196 recorded since Thursday.

Game of Thrones author hints at trip to Rotorua next year
The author will be returning to New Zealand year for Worldcon.

Shane Jones says sorry: I wasn't attacking individual farmers
Forestry Minister Shane Jones says sorry to farmers for referring to them as 'moaners'.

Government announces $2.2 million investment to combat unemployment in the Bay
The funding came as a result of economic growth in the region.

Crash driver in serious condition after fleeing from police
Police attempted to stop the vehicle a few minutes prior to crash.

Horror crash killed three Rotorua road workers: Man admits careless driving
A man is in Whakatāne District Court in relation to the deaths of three Higgins workers

1.6 million Kiwis set for tax refunds: Are you one of them?
The Inland Revenue is shutting down its online services from Thursday for a week.

One person seriously injured following crash in Whakatane
"Initial indications are one person has been injured."

Lionel Nowell remembered by neighbour
Lionel Nowell died in hospital aged 73, after a fall on Moutohora last week.

Swimmer snagged in fishing longline at popular beach
Emmeline Taylor was swimming with a friend when she suddenly felt "excruciating pain".

SH30 closed after serious crash in Rotoma, near Rotorua
Police were alerted to the two-vehicle crash at around 2.15pm.

Edgecumbe flood two years on: Loneliness, trauma and hope
The town's 1600 residents have coped in different ways since the major flood.

Man charged over deaths of three Bay of Plenty road workers weeps outside court
A man has appeared in court charged with dangerous driving causing death.

Teachers step up to ease students' anxiety
New programme found 48 per cent of children "at risk of mental distress".