Regional News

Whakatāne SPCA animal attendant Gemma Cahill is urging the community to help break the cycle of unwanted kittens as the annual kitten season begins, with the local animal centre already seeing a surge in arrivals.

Construction will begin next week on a new caravan and motorhome dump station in Ōpōtiki to support the district’s growing visitor economy.

An orange heavy rain warning has been issued for parts of the Bay of Plenty, with heavy downpours expected to continue through Wednesday.

Lorraine Teresa Hoete, 59, from Whakatāne, has been named as the victim of a homocide investigation launched last month.

Motorists travelling between the Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti can now enjoy improved access through the Waioweka Gorge, with two-lane traffic restored at two major slip sites ahead of the busy summer holiday season.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council said it has delivered progress on public transport, flood protection and environmental restoration, while recording an operating surplus of $24.7 million for the 2025/26 financial year.

Earth Sciences New Zealand warns of growing dryness concerns across the Eastern Bay of Plenty, with warmer temperatures and fewer widespread rain events expected over the coming months.

Whakatāne District Council is considering investment options ranging from $20 million to $59 million for the future of the Rex Morpeth Recreation Hub, as it looks to balance community needs with affordability.

Traffic has moved onto two new teardrop roundabouts on State Highway 2 near Ōpōtiki, marking a major milestone in the Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki safety improvements project.

Earth Sciences New Zealand has lowered the volcanic alert level for Whakaari/White Island after no signs of eruptive activity have been detected since October 29.

Two young people have been arrested following a serious hammer attack in Edgecumbe and an alleged vehicle incident in Kawerau.

Whakatāne and Kawerau will be at the centre of New Zealand’s rally scene this weekend as international drivers join the country’s leading competitors for the final round of the 2026 New Zealand Rally Championship.

Whakatāne will host a new reggae and seafood festival next summer, with organisers hoping the event will become an annual fixture for the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Minor eruptive activity continues at Whakaari/White Island, with scientists warning that more explosive eruptions could occur with little or no warning.

Police are appealing for information following the death of a woman in Kawerau over the weekend, with investigators seeking sightings of a silver Mitsubishi Lancer.

Whakatāne’s Boon Street bus station and public toilets are set for a major upgrade, with demolition of the ageing facility expected to begin before the end of the year.

Residents, iwi, hapū and others with connections to Te Kaha are being encouraged to help shape a new masterplan that will guide the area’s future development and investment.

Two people reported being assaulted during an incident at a premises on College Road in Edgecumbe late Friday night, with one person requiring medical attention.

Eastern Bay of Plenty has become the first district in New Zealand to introduce fire restrictions this summer, with permits now required for outdoor fires in several areas.

Police have launched a homicide investigation after the body of a woman was discovered at an address in Kawerau following a serious crash involving a car and a train in Paengaroa.

One person is in a critical condition following a serious crash involving a car and a train on Te Puke Highway in Paengaroa this morning.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is urging Eastern Bay of Plenty residents to stay informed, check fire restrictions before lighting any fires, and prepare for possible evacuations as the region heads into a potentially hot, dry, and windy summer.