Latest fromWhakatane

Local Focus Special Report: Alternative fertiliser could solve all environmental problems
Growing pasture with biological matter and less nitrogen. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Bio fertiliser: Is the proof in the pasture?
Growing green pasture with biological matter. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Mongrel Mob raids: More arrests in police crackdown
New raids as national organised crime detectives monitor new players in town's drug trade.

Police name Pukehina crash victims
The two people killed in a crash on SH2 last week have today been named.

Pak'nSave staff to strike over minimum wage dispute
First Union claims workers are on minimum wage regardless of skills and experience.

Dairy farm faces hefty fine after illegal effluent discharge
Bay of Plenty dairy farm faces a hefty fine after effluent flowed into a nearby stream

Whakatane cafe shooter jailed for 5 years
Redmond Eruera Huirua, of Whakatane, fired his shotgun at members of the public twice.

Woman killed in shooting was grandmother
Fatally shot woman was a mother-of-four and grandmother from Whakatane.

Hopes for ill Whakatane girl, 11, to be home in two weeks
It's hoped Whakatane girl Alyssa Ledbetter will be home from the US in about two weeks.

Ex-cop loses grievance appeal after cell bashing trial
Daniel Ramkissoon testified against four officers accused of beating a man in custody.

Police push for social worker team for child protection
'Staff resourcing a challenge,' emails show, but new team could 'relieve some pressure'.

Local Focus: Driving lessons to solve unlicensed drivers problem in Ōpōtiki
Reducing road deaths is on the minds of Ōpōtiki locals. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

New Anzac memorial honours Kiwi heroes
Words of Kiwi soldier can be heard at memorial at Maryborough, Queensland.

'Not one dreamed of leaving his post'
Heroic efforts of Kiwi troops at Gallipoli honoured in new Anzac memorial.

Couple urges others to rid their towns of P pipes
Discount stores pull meth pipes after approach by Moerewa couple

Reports of thick fog at site where car and train collided
The collision happened just before 8.30am and a person was seriously injured in the crash.

Mixed bag of verdicts for gang trial in Rotorua
The jury has returned verdicts for gang members on trial in Rotorua.

Jury released for the day in gang trial
A jury has been released until tomorrow while the court deals with unrelated matters.

Black Power gang trial enters second week
Six gang members are on trial in the High Court at Rotorua.

Police launch homicide inquiry after 2yo's body found in river
Police are speaking to a person of interest.

Reports of person and child in lake sparks police callout
A young child is missing in an incident at Lake Matahina in the Eastern Bay.

Horse hit by car near Whakatāne
A police spokesman said a collision between a car and horse was reported at 1.53am.

Trial under way for shooting at gang funeral
Senior Kawerau Mongrel Mob member Tahu Kingi's funeral cortège sparked an armed riot.

Trial over gang shootout begins
A trial over gang members' shooting at a Mongrel Mob funeral began today.

Gang member jailed for Mongrel Mob funeral ambush
Gang member Tuterangi Moeke jailed for ambushing Mongrel Mob funeral.

Gang member jailed for funeral confrontation
Sequel to a gang confrontation rolled out yesterday in the High Court in Tauranga.

Man falls off balcony in 'vicious' attack by 'wannabe' gangsters
He called them 'wannabe' gangsters. Now Kodie Waitapu suffers from a life-long injury.

One dead after crash near Whakatane
Police are still working to formally identify the man and inform next of kin.

Motorist critical after single-car crash near Whakatane
Part of Taneatua Rd is closed following the single car serious crash