Regional News

MetService say the area can expect a further 180 to 240mm of rain on top of what has already accumulated, with peak rates of 25 to 40mm/h from this evening.

MetService has issued an orange heavy rain warning from 1:00pm Wednesday until 9:00am Thursday.

Heavy rain caused up to 40 slips along the road between Matawai and Opotiki, forcing it to close.

Emergency services responded to a single vehicle crash around 3:40pm on Saturday.

Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash on State Highway 30 around 4:20am, Thursday 15 January.

The road between Ōpōtiki and Matawai closed yesterday following heavy rain in the area, which caused a number of slips and flooding.

Career firefighters are striking between 12:00pm and 1:00pm today.

Emergency services were called to a serious two vehicle crash between State Highway 33 and Matahi Road around 4:20am today.

Fisheries New Zealand's Gisborne/Whakatāne district manager, Jordan Cooper, says offenders will be prosecuted.

St John says it was notified of the incident around 3:03pm yesterday.

On the second Saturday of each month, the Apanui Salt Marsh care group and volunteers come together to tidy up the Whakatāne Riverbank.  

Temperatures across the Bay of Plenty are forecast to be above average this weekend, as the remnants of an Australian heatwave cross the ditch.

The drive to Ōpōtiki will be filled with roadworks again from next week as construction resumes on the Matekerepu roundabout and starts on two new roundabouts at the Waiōtahe River Bridge.

MetService says afternoon and evening thunderstorms are expected for inland parts of the Bay of Plenty, east of Rotorua.

The event features varying track lengths to encourage people of all abilities to participate, says Matthew Bryson, event organiser and Edgecumbe local.

A 47-year-old man is set to appear in the Whakatāne District Court on January 6, charged with arson and assault on a person in a family relationship.

Emergency services received reports of a two-vehicle crash around 10am, between Hawera Street and Nelson Street. 

Around 3pm on Thursday, Police were notified of a woman who had died at an address on Old Coach Road.