News

Whakatāne District Council said there is a high likelyhood coastal areas of Ōhope, including West End, will need to be evacuated tomorrow.

Category 2 tropical Cyclone Vaianu is set to hit land on Sunday, April 12, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to the North Island.

With Cyclone Vaianu expected to reach New Zeland on Sunday, more surface flooding and road closures are expected across the Bay of Plenty.

NZTA said due to incoming weather the scheduled qaurterly maintenance on Pekatahi Bridge next week has been cancelled.

The return of the Ocean Ford Kai Ika Charity Tournament went swimmingly this year, raising $39,000 for Eastern Bay Blue Light groups.

State Highway 2 through the Waioweka Gorge will be open 24/7 under stop/go traffic management for the Easter period.

A Bay of Plenty teenager is showing that stepping outdoors can ignite leadership, strengthen communities, and inspire a generation.

Early work is underway at the Whakatane War Memorial Hall, as part of the Whakatāne District Council’s wider Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub redevelopment.

Media Bay of Plenty received three of six national awards for playing more than 20 percent kiwi music in its music rotation over the past year.

Whakatāne District Council said there is a high likelyhood coastal areas of Ōhope, including West End, will need to be evacuated tomorrow.

Whakatāne District Council said the mouth of Maraetōtara Stream will be undergoing urgent stabilisation works on Thursday.

The long-running wastewater project in Matatā has reached a key milestone, with a resource consent application expected to be lodged in the coming months.

The 2026 Whakatāne District Youth Council has been formally welcomed, marking the start of a new term focused on youth leadership and civic engagement.

Four Bay of Plenty councils are continuing discussions on the future of local water services, stressing no decisions have yet been made.

Police said a new team of cops will be regularly patrolling the Eastern Bay on foot, to deter retail crime.

Police said one of the alleged offenders charged with animal cruelty following a video circulating social media has been released on bail as he awaits court action.