Among the trees that will have to be removed is a 75-year-old phoenix palm, which has stood sentinel on the land since about 1950.
New Zealand
December 9, 2025
Four years after the section of Ngā Tapuwae o Toi walkway was closed by slips, one of two access points to the secluded Otarawairere Bay remains closed.
December 4, 2025
Several incidents with unleashed dogs, including a child recently being bitten on the face, have led a Kawerau woman to request the council create an on-leash area.
November 28, 2025
1:30
Most of the debris is forestry slash but the bloated carcass of a bay-coloured horse was among the trapped debris.
November 26, 2025
1:31
Mawera Karetai didn't have a single billboard or spend a cent on her Māori ward election campaign in the Bay of Plenty.
November 5, 2025
At least two newly elected councillors will be accessing newly available support to have security systems installed in their homes after facing harassment and threats.
1:32
A Whakatāne boat owner says he's had about $30,000 worth of damage to his boat due to build-up around council berths.
October 17, 2025
While rates rises have been blamed for at least 31 regions ditching their mayors, Whakatāne has opted for a mayor more welcoming of nice-to-have projects.
October 13, 2025
The replica volleyballs on Whakatāne mayoral candidate Wilson James' signs appeared to move from one week to the next.
October 8, 2025
The current theory is that the thieves are using fire to strip the cable down to its valuable metal.
October 1, 2025
Bay of Plenty residents reported trouble breathing caused by the "chemical smell".
September 24, 2025
It's the latest Māori ward error to crop up since local election voting packs were sent out on Wednesday.
September 11, 2025
Whakatāne resident Linda Conning doesn’t want the former Harbourmaster’s cottage at 1a Muriwai Drive sold.
September 10, 2025
A Facebook post has been circulating on local community pages advertising the Meet the Candidates event.
Construction on a $300 million wood pellet plant in the Eastern Bay of Plenty is expected to start next month, with hopes it could cut the use of coal in New Zealand.
September 5, 2025
Whakatāne Mayor Victor Luca said he thought the Government had an obligation to do more.
September 3, 2025
2:17
Police and an archaeologist have confirmed that bones found at the Waiewe Street reserve site are human.
August 22, 2025
Key aspect of new Government bill is to remove reference to four wellbeings — social, economic, environmental and cultural — from core council services.
A Whakatāne couple were slapped with a "first strike" sticker on their greenwaste bin despite being meticulous about following the rules.
August 15, 2025
The issues with Matekerepu Bridge turning into a "choke point" during flooding was discussed at an Ōpōtiki District Council meeting this week.
August 7, 2025
Air Chathams has said it may have to discontinue its Whakatāne to Auckland route if it does not receive financial support.
June 15, 2025
2:04
The council plans to bring in strict penalties for those who continually put incorrect items in their recycling and green waste bins.
June 3, 2025
Government committed a total of $19.6 million to the project that was given fast-track consent through the Covid-19 Recovery Act 2020.
May 21, 2025
Exposed screws and broken seal over a wooden plank surface have become a regular feature of Pekatahi Bridge near Whakatāne.
May 14, 2025
Air Chathams warned it was considering withdrawing from the Whakatāne to Auckland route after losing more than $1m on the flight leg since April 2023.
May 8, 2025
