The country's local government map has been redrawn in a dozen different ways, some regions united, others deeply split, and a handful of councils refusing to move at all.

Who's merging with who? Councils reveal their amalgamation picks

From mergers to standoffs, councils nationwide raced to finalise Head Start proposals before Sunday's deadline.

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Police (file image)

One arrested, another in hospital following Rotorua assault

The victim was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

Sat, Aug 8

A Facebook fan page dedicated to Steps kept supporters updated on any possible sightings since Monday,.

'Tears of joy' as Tauranga Hospital's resident cat found safe

The 12-year-old tabby, Steps, went missing on Monday night — sparking a city-wide search and pleas for information on his whereabouts.

Thu, Aug 6

A dusting of snow over the Remutaka Hill lookout.

'Couple of degrees colder': Severe frosts to grip New Zealand tonight

MetService meteorologist John Law said people would "definitely need those extra layers, those gloves, and those woolly blankets" over the next few days.

Wed, Aug 5

Opium in a bottle. (Source: NZ Police)

Three charged after Customs busts 24kg opium smuggling attempt

Parcels containing the Class B controlled drug were stopped at the border between June 1 and July 19.

Wed, Aug 5

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks to the Rotorua Business Chamber.

PM's small business remark caused 'a lot of hurt' - National minister

But Nicola Willis suggested today that Luxon's apology "reflected his integrity".

Tue, Aug 4

Judea resident Chris Brazendale says in the 16 years he has lived at his house, cars have crashed into his fence four times.

Fourth crash into family's fence sparks call for Tauranga roundabout fix

Chris Brazendale said he worried a car might hit the house, or worse – one of his three boys or his wife, Koralee.

Tue, Aug 4

Police say no children have been identified in any of the recordings.

ECE teacher accused of making intimate recordings faces 21 new charges

Police say no children have been identified in any of the recordings.

Tue, Aug 4

Illustration of cold weather.

Coldest morning of winter ahead as snow to fall to sea level in south

MetService says snow and icy roads could disrupt travel early this week before bitterly cold mornings settle in across much of New Zealand.

Mon, Aug 3

Police were called to Rotoehu Forest, northeast of Rotorua, at around 10.15pm on July 31.

'Determined to get answers': Man dies after incident in Bay of Plenty forest

Harry Burlace, 24, was found in a critical condition and subsequently died from his injuries in Rotorua Hospital.

Mon, Aug 3

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Emergency services at the scene in Hamurana, near Rotorua.

Five injured, two seriously, after two-vehicle crash near Rotorua

Police said the crash occurred on Oturoa Rd in Hamurana at about 3.55pm on Thursday.

Thu, Jul 30

Of the 21 residential properties searched across Rotorua, 14 had active and significant cannabis grow houses operating in them.

Sixteen arrests after 14 cannabis grow houses busted: 'Packed to the brim'

Police shut down 14 grow houses in Rotorua, removing up to $6.5 million worth of cannabis from the black market, and resulting in the arrest of 16 people.

Thu, Jul 30

Six people lost their lives when the hillside plunged into the Bay of Plenty campground.

Timeline: Mt Maunganui landslide, inquiry and the road to reopening

Experts were assessing the site on Monday after Tauranga City Council warned of a "major regression" at the site of January's deadly slips.

Tue, Jul 28

Empty seats outside a Mount Maunganui cafe, as ongoing landslip closures keep foot traffic away from the strip below Mauao.

'Stumble along in the dark': Mount café owner on months of uncertainty

Michelle Craig says repeated landslip closures have left her business and neighbours along the strip with no idea when, or if, things will return to normal.

Mon, Jul 27

Upper Hutt's possible exit from a proposed Wellington "metro" authority has complicated the region's amalgamation plans.

'A giant dating game': Where councils stand as merger deadline looms

Some districts are close to a deal. Others have walked away entirely. Here's where every part of the country stands with two weeks to go.

Mon, Jul 27

Fresh land movement at the base of Mauao in Mount Maunganui has forced road closures.

Fresh Mt Maunganui slip a 'reactivation' of January's fatal landslide

Tauranga City Council says January's fatal landslide has reactivated over the weekend, with a fresh 20-metre regression at the site triggering a higher alert level.

Sun, Jul 26

Generic toll road signage (file image).

Tauranga motorists wrongly redirected onto toll road and charged

Drivers were given incorrect detour information during overnight works at the Wairākei (Pāpāmoa East) Interchange on the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Rd.

Thu, Jul 23

Police say Jeremy Robertson, pictured, is in his 50s and is of solid build.

Police complete search for missing man sought over mother's death

Jeremy Robertson was the sole person of interest in relation to the investigation into the death of his mother in October last year.

Thu, Jul 23

Police are investigating after a man was hit and his wife allegedly punched in the face during a road rage incident partially caught on camera in the Bay of Plenty yesterday.

Watch: Pāpāmoa dad struck by reversing car during road rage attack

Police are investigating after a man was hit and his wife allegedly punched in the face during a road rage incident partially caught on camera in the Bay of Plenty yesterday.

Wed, Jul 22

Mitchell Park in Whakatāne.

Man charged after WWI and WWII plaques in Whakatāne stolen twice

"It is sad to see them treated in such a disrespectful way, given the profound meaning they hold for so many of us in our community."

Mon, Jul 20

Police say Jeremy Robertson, pictured, is in his 50s and is of solid build.

Final search planned for missing man sought over mother's death

Police believe Jeremy Robertson died shortly after arriving at the Blue and Green Lakes area, where his mother's car was found last October.

Mon, Jul 20

Landslide damage on the Motukauri summit track.

Mauao summit track repairs complete as base track recovery begins

Recovery works on the summit track of Mauao are complete, but a timeline for reopening has yet to be determined.

Fri, Jul 17

A Tauranga motor vehicle trader agreed to buy back a car sold by his own company after being convicted of tampering with its odometer in the first successful prosecution of its kind.

Dealer agrees to buy back car after odometer tampering conviction

The MBIE prosecution marked the first successful case against odometer fraud, with dealer ordered to pay reparation and company fined $5000.

Wed, Jul 15

Waihi Beach Coastguard

'A kick in the guts': Fuel thieves target BoP volunteer Coastguard

Waihi Beach Volunteer Coastguard says thieves stole 1200 litres of petrol within days of its tank being refilled, leaving the charity thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Sun, Jul 12

Potential plans to redevelop Lucas Place have drawn ire from residents.

Rotorua pensioners face uncertainty as council eyes redevelopment

A resident of the Lucas Pl site in Fenton Park said some tenants do not want to move, and feared they could be "homeless by Christmas".

Sat, Jul 11