Tauranga and Bay of Plenty

Lifeguards on an Inflatable Rescue Boat.

Surf lifeguards scramble to patrol a week early after crowds hit beaches

The Paid Lifeguard Service is set to roll out in Tauranga from Monday December 1, with volunteer patrols commencing from Saturday, November 29.

5:49pm

Christine Larsen and Vernette Shelford are both keen to have one walking area in Kawerau where dogs must be leashed.

Plea for on-leash dog area in Kawerau after child bitten in the face

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.

10:03am

1:30

Both seizures were found in refrigerated containers on board a vessel that originated in Ecuador and transited through Panama before arriving in Tauranga on November 20.

Thirty-three kilo bricks of cocaine seized at Port of Tauranga

Seventeen bricks were uncovered in one container, and 16 in another, worth an estimated $11.5 million.

Thursday 12:27pm

he race is on to remove the rotting material as complaints - and dead fish - pile up.

Rotorua lakefront stench lingers as seaweed and dead fish pile up

Rotting lake weed is casting a funky fog over the city's lakefront as a 70 tonne-a-day clean-up of Lake Rotorua continues.

Thursday 7:33am

1:30

'Bit of a daze': Kawerau woman claims final $18.3m Powerball prize

"Sharing the news with my family was amazing and felt like such a weight had been lifted," said the woman.

Wed, Nov 26

Surf lifeguards scramble to patrol a week early after crowds hit beaches

The Paid Lifeguard Service is set to roll out in Tauranga from Monday December 1, with volunteer patrols commencing from Saturday, November 29.

5:49pm

Plea for on-leash dog area in Kawerau after child bitten in the face

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.

10:03am

1:30

Thirty-three kilo bricks of cocaine seized at Port of Tauranga

Seventeen bricks were uncovered in one container, and 16 in another, worth an estimated $11.5 million.

Thursday 12:27pm

Rotorua lakefront stench lingers as seaweed and dead fish pile up

Rotting lake weed is casting a funky fog over the city's lakefront as a 70 tonne-a-day clean-up of Lake Rotorua continues.

Thursday 7:33am

1:30

'Bit of a daze': Kawerau woman claims final $18.3m Powerball prize

"Sharing the news with my family was amazing and felt like such a weight had been lifted," said the woman.

Wed, Nov 26

New Zealand's largest reggae festival, One Love, has been cancelled for 2026.

One Love music festival cancelled, organisers cite economic climate

"As we take this pause, please know that we are continuing to work diligently on what comes next."

Wed, Nov 26

Volcanic activity on Whaakari- White Island today.

Volcanic ash from Whakaari leads to flight cancellations

GeoNet had the volcano at Alert Level 3, denoting a minor volcanic eruption.

Tue, Nov 25

Four trees have been cut down on Amohia St, Rotorua.

'Too old and dangerous': Rotorua businesses back tree removals

Central city businesses have welcomed the removal of four large trees, despite social media backlash regarding the environmental impact.

Sat, Nov 22

Four lanes of State Highway 30A had reopened Tuesday morning after backlash over traffic chaos caused by roadworks on Monday

Gridlocking roadworks pushed out to 2026, MP says Rotorua 'let down'

NZTA cops a dressing down from Rotorua’s MP and mayor over the impact SH30A’s closure had on businesses, schools, medical providers and general road users.

Wed, Nov 19

Drenching downpour rain storm water is overflowing off the tile shingle roof.

Flooding risk from downpours in Bay of Plenty, surrounding regions

A heavy rain warning will remain in place for the Bay of Plenty until 11pm today, while rain can be expected to ease across the Coromandel, Waikato, Taupō and Tongariro National Park.

Wed, Nov 19

Residents fear a citywide downgrade of all street surfaces.

'Pāpāmoa now, Bethlehem next': Residents confront council over roading

Asphalt costs about five times more than the proposed chipseal.

Wed, Nov 19

MetService meteorologist Silvia Martino says the collision of two fronts has caused them to become "stuck" over Canterbury and Westland.

'Stuck' weather system brings heavy rain warnings to parts of NZ

Two slow-moving fronts are expected to deliver downpours and strong winds across both islands, with MetService urging caution as watches and warnings expand.

Tue, Nov 18

The three lucky ticket holders who won a share of Saturday's $55 million Jackpot have come forward to claim their prize.

Winners claim share of $55m Lotto Powerball prize

Saturday night's must be won draw saw three lucky ticket holders win the top prize.

Mon, Nov 17

A steam and gas plume from White Island rose to about 3km above sea level. (Source: Supplied / GeoNet)

White Island plume 3km above sea level, visible from mainland

An aviation colour warning for the island remains at "orange" to warn aircraft that a volcanic eruption is underway.

Fri, Nov 14

Shopping trolleys left dumped on Lytton St, Rotorua.

Trolley thefts in Rotorua plunge after council crackdown

Rotorua Lakes Council introduced a waste bylaw in August aimed at curbing the issue.

Thu, Nov 13

Papamoa Residents and Ratepayers Association chair Philip Brown says residents living in a number of Papamoa roads do not think they need to be resealed at all.

Papamoa residents call chip seal resurfacing 'road vandalism'

Locals say they want their roads left as they are and say the council's plan is "bloody minded".

Tue, Nov 11

There are several vacant units at the Kahikatea St pensioner housing block.

Empty Rotorua council-owned pensioner units spark concern

Dozens of council pensioner homes lie empty as residents grow uneasy.

Sat, Nov 8

Popular summit forced to close due to 'reckless' fireworks

Tauranga City Council said the closure would protect the maunga and ensure public safety.

Fri, Nov 7

Police said the crash on Te Ngae Rd, Ōwhata involving a bus and a car was reported to police at 9.15pm. (File image).

School kapa haka group involved in bus-car crash that left one dead

St John said it sent five ambulances and two helicopters to the scene in Ōwhata late Thursday night.

Fri, Nov 7

Jack Karetai-Barrett is proud of his mum, Mawera Karetai, becoming the Kōhi Māori ward councillor at Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

How a teen's passion for Māori wards led to a shock win for his mum

Mawera Karetai didn't have a single billboard or spend a cent on her Māori ward election campaign in the Bay of Plenty.

Wed, Nov 5

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Kōhi Māori councillor Mawera Karetai and Whakatāne District Council Kāpū-te-rangi Māori councillor Toni Boynton have both received threats and harassment during this year's election.

'I know where you live': Councillors ramp up security after threats

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.

Wed, Nov 5