Planners, housing providers and submitters debated at the hearing how emergency housing accommodation should be treated under the district plan.

From 62 motels to one: Rotorua emergency housing crisis 'behind us'

Rotorua now has about a dozen households supported at one motel, as increased public housing and easier access to private rentals eases demand.

8:22am

1:28

Mayor Mahe Drysdale said he supported funding an investigation into congestion charging, calling it a 'good investment'.

Tauranga council debates $300k bid to probe congestion charging

Tauranga councillors have shut down a $300,000 study into congestion charging, despite claims it could save hundreds of millions on future transport projects.

Sat, Oct 17

A makeshift shelter being used by Māori wardens at the base of Mauao.

'We've been spat at': Wardens abused at Mauao cordon, build own shelter

Wardens say the job has brought verbal and physical abuse, dangerous breaches and difficult working conditions, including having to build their own makeshift shelter against the weather.

Sat, Oct 17

Arras Mayor Frédéric Leturque and Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell at the signing of a twinning arrangement between the two cities.

Century after Māori soldiers served in France, cities sign sister-city pact

Rotorua and Arras have become sister cities more than a century after Māori soldiers and New Zealand tunnellers served beneath the French city.

Sat, Oct 17

The water pictured off Chapel Street in Tauranga, near the Bay Central shopping centre.

Body recovered after car crashes into water in Tauranga

The body of the female passenger was recovered shortly after 8am, following the crash on Chapel Street around 12.30am.

Fri, Oct 16

The Ōmanu Beach "no dogs" signage.

'Waste of time' dog walkers flouting Ōmanu Beach ban, says local

There is a “no dogs” sign at the beach entrance, and a Ōmanu Beach carpark sign specifies “strictly no dogs” within 200m of the surf club.

Mon, Oct 12

Rotorua Airport has objected to a neighbouring school's expansion plan.

Rotorua Airport opposes Māori immersion school plans on safety grounds

Airport chief executive said the decision was “not a reflection” on the school Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruamata.

Mon, Oct 12

The intersection of Te Puke Highway and Rangiuru Rd.

Man charged with murder after fatal Te Puke crash

A homicide investigation has been launched after a crash in Te Puke on Saturday left one person dead and another seriously injured.

Mon, Oct 12

One person was taken to Tauranga Hospital in a serious condition.

Police appeal for information after fatal Te Puke crash

One person died and another was seriously injured in the crash on Te Puke Highway yesterday morning.

Sun, Oct 11

One person was taken to Tauranga Hospital in a serious condition.

One dead, another injured following crash on Te Puke Highway

Emergency services were called to the scene near the corner of Rangiuru Rd around 10.50am.

Sat, Oct 10

Tauranga Councillor Rick Curach believes introducing a new toll road to Tauranga would be unfair.

National Party’s pledge to fund Christchurch road project under fire

Tauranga councillor Rick Curach said he was “triggered” after hearing about the party’s election promise.

Sat, Oct 10

One of the motorbikes impounded by the Police after arresting two men.

Two motorcyclists riding 150km/h near Tīrau arrested

One of the men was caught in Auckland after failing to stop when police signalled to him.

Fri, Oct 9

Snell Road, near Ōpōtiki and Otara River.

Body of woman who leapt into river to avoid police found

The body of the 36-year-old was found near Moutohorā Island, north of Whakatāne, this afternoon.

Tue, Oct 6

Snell Road, near Ōpōtiki and Otara River.

Search ongoing for second person who leapt into river to avoid police

A man who jumped into a river while fleeing police near Ōpōtiki early on Sunday morning is due to appear in court today, as police continue to search for a woman who also entered the water.

Tue, Oct 6

Snell Road, near Ōpōtiki and Otara River.

Search ongoing for pair who jumped into river while fleeing police

The man and woman entered the Ōtara River near Ōpōtiki early on Sunday morning.

Mon, Oct 5

Tauranga City Council's Gareth Green. (Source: New Plymouth District Council)

Tauranga City Council names acting CEO amid landslide failures

Marty Grenfell resigned last week after a review in August found the Mount Maunganui landslide that killed six holidaymakers was preventable.

Mon, Oct 5

Snell Road, near Ōpōtiki and Otara River.

'Extensive' search underway for pair who fled into river from police

The men escaped on foot after their pursued car encountered police spikes overnight.

Sun, Oct 4

Police at the scene on High St in the Rotorua suburb of Glenholme.

Rotorua triple homicide: Man charged with assault bailed

Emergency services found the bodies of two young children, along with a critically injured woman who died at the scene, at a property in Glenholme last month.

Fri, Oct 2

Tauranga City Council chief executive Marty Grenfell.

'Golden handshake': Council refuses to say if Grenfell will receive payout

Tauranga City Council and its leadership are refusing to answer questions including Grenfell’s reasons for resigning and whether he will receive a payout.

Thu, Oct 1

September 2026
Maketū Pies.

Maketū Pies up for sale, 21 jobs on the line

The Montana Group is proposing to close the Bay of Plenty factory when its lease ends in December.

Wed, Sep 30

Tauranga City Council's chief executive Marty Grenfell told Breakfast he knew the organisation "better than anybody" and maintained he was "best placed" to address the issues uncovered in the review.

Tauranga City Council CEO resigns after damning landslide failures

A review found the Mount Maunganui landslide that killed six holidaymakers was preventable.

Tue, Sep 29

Construction to strengthen Rotorua Museum has now been completed. (Source: Rotorua Lakes Council)

'Very close': $2m boost brings Rotorua Museum reopening in sight

While the $73.35m restoration is complete, exhibitions still need to be developed, built and installed before visitors can return.

Tue, Sep 29

The median barriers on State Highway 2 in Aongatete.

'Poor decisions': Committee criticises NZTA over SH2 barrier project

NZTA left locals feeling ignored and disrespected after a controversial median barrier stopped them from turning into their road, a parliamentary select committee found.

Sat, Sep 26

The pump price squeeze is hitting Nelson hardest, with 91 jumping 46c a litre in just over three weeks.

The region where petrol prices are rising faster than anywhere else

One region has jumped from an average of $2.85 to $3.31 a litre as global oil supply fears drive prices higher across the country.

Fri, Sep 25

Police (file image)

Man charged after election hoardings damaged in Tauranga

It's the second such incident allegedly involving the damage of election hoardings in the area.

Thu, Sep 24