Uretara Island, in Ohiwa Harbour, is now free of rats, and native birds are thriving, thanks to the work of dedicated volunteers. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

The junior doctors' strike which began yesterday continues until tomorrow morning, with local public support for the striking doctors

Trojahn Tuna is 23, covered in tattoos and boasting so much sex appeal Iggy Azalea could barely contain herself.

Check out these mussels! New Zealand's first commercial open ocean marine farm, off the coast of Opotiki brings in its first harvest. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Opotiki beekeepers are worried too many hives are now being placed in the region by corporate newcomers, threatening the survival of the pollinating bees required for the local kiwifruit industry. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

John Forbes' early blunder didn't diminish his election result. And he admits his opponent Les Keane ran a good campaign after all. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Tony Bonne believes strong marketing was behind his weaker majority, so he is determined to communicate better this term. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Tony Bonne believes strong marketing was behind winning the mayoralty with less votes, so he is determined to communicate better this term. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Incumbent mayor Tony Bonne looks to have regained his position.

Armed police have swarmed to a Whakatane address.

Watch NZH Local Focus: Banned from sailing further until authorities deem him safe to travel, renegade South African yachtie, is apologetic.

Banned from sailing further until authorities deem him safe to travel, renegade South African yachtie, is apologetic for the inconvenience he has caused everyone involved. made with funding from NZ on Air

A large slip has blocked SH3 in North Taranaki, flooding and slips have closed roads in Wellington and hampered the capital's World War I centenary events.

Aftershocks have continued to shake the North Island after it was hit by one of its biggest earthquakes in decades.

The New Zealand Transport Agency is asking motorists in the Eastern Bay of Plenty to be aware of the risk of rock-falls and slips after the earthquake and aftershocks this morning.

This morning's M7.1 quake is the biggest to hit the north of the North Island in more than 20 years, when a M7.2 quake struck in a similar spot in 1995.

Locals wanting to help care for land, air, water, or wildlife are can apply to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Environmental Enhancement

A newborn baby has been flown to hospital with serious head injuries.

An elderly man has been picked up by rescue helicopter after he severely injured himself when his quad bike rolled.

A shipping container has been airlifted to White Island to provide visitors an emergency shelter in case of an eruption. The New

Whakatane police are looking for a masked man who robbed a dairy this afternoon armed with a knife.

A distraught mother screamed in fear as a man stole her car with her infant son asleep in the back, a court has heard.

Icy conditions have been blamed for at least three crashes between Rotorua and Whakatane this morning.

The Bay of Plenty parents accused of causing the death of their 8-month-old baby boy will defend the allegation at a jury trial.

The Bay man accused of attempting to kill two police officers and also allegedly shot at four others is heading to trial.

One person has been killed in a crash near Whakatane this morning.

A toddler has been reunited with its caregiver after it was inside a car stolen in the Bay of Plenty.

The eruption on the volcanic island appears to have deposited material over north side of the crater floor.