

Police Appeal for Information on Last Month’s Ram Raid at Whakatāne Dairy
Police are asking for the public’s help to identify and locate two people following the ram raid at Whakatāne's Town Centre Dairy last month. Around 1am on Friday, October 24, the pair forced their way into the Boon Street store, causing significant damage. Police were called several hours later, but the offenders had already fled. Town Centre Dairy Owner Julie Perez says the store was closed for repairs for more than a week, costing more than $2000 a day in lost revenue. She

Jessica Doney
16 hours ago1 min read


Earth Sciences New Zealand Records Second Short-Lived Eruption On Whakaari/White Island
Earth Sciences New Zealand are keeping an eye on Whakaari/White Island following a further eruption last Thursday (30th October). Observations from the GeoNet cameras showed another small-low energy eruption occurred around 6.40pm Thursday evening, following the eruption recorded earlier in the day at around 12:30pm. "From the webcams, the second of those eruptions deposited ash close to the island over the short period of the eruption," Duty Volcanologist, Agnes Mazot says.

Jessica Doney
3 days ago1 min read


Volcanic Alert Level Raised For Whakaari/White Island
Earth Sciences New Zealand have raised the Volcanic Alert Level for Whakaari/White Island following a possible eruption yesterday afternoon. Observations from the GeoNet cameras showed that a possible small-low energy eruption occurred yesterday at around 12:30pm. "Our colleagues at MetService have not detected volcanic ash in the observed plumes using satellite imagery. The event seems to have lasted for a few minutes and is now over," Duty Volcanologist, Agnes Mazot says. T

Jessica Doney
6 days ago1 min read


BOPRC Searches for Missing Life Ring Taken from Harbourmaster Vessel in Whakatāne
Bay of Plenty Regional Council's Senior Maritime Officer Daniel Bramley is asking the public for any information regarding a life ring and light which was removed from the Harbourmaster vessel in Whakatāne over the weekend. The vessel, 'Te Kauika' is berthed at C2 on the main commercial wharf (Gibbo’s Wharf). Bramley says he has narrowed down the time the items went missing to 1200 Friday 24th to approximately 1900 Saturday 25th. "The life ring is bright orange with the name

Jessica Doney
7 days ago1 min read


New Ōtūmahi Reservoir holds 4.2 million litres of water
A major new water reservoir above Ōtūmahi Lane in Te Teko is now complete, marking a significant milestone in water resilience for the Edgecumbe and Te Teko communities.
Kieran Watkins
Oct 292 min read


Whakatāne Checkout Operator Wins Regional Title
PAK'nSAVE checkout operator Teri Rangi has come first place in the Tauranga Regional Checkout Operator of the Year competition.
Kieran Watkins
Oct 231 min read


Senior Health Leader Acknowledges Challenging Eight Months For Eastern Bay Mothers
Senior leaders from Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora are meeting with Eastern Bay communities this week, providing updates on their progress toward restoring secondary maternity services at Whakatāne Hospital. The first of three community hui was held at the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall last night (21st October), led by Te Manawa Taki Executive Regional Director, Cath Cronin. Further meetings are scheduled for Kawerau tonight (22nd October) and Ōpōtiki tomorrow (23rd October).

Jessica Doney
Oct 222 min read


$67,000 Digital Upgrade Transforms Whakatāne Intermediate Auditorium
Whakatāne Intermediate School has completed the final stage of its auditorium upgrade, with the installation of a state-of-the-art digital wall.
Kieran Watkins
Oct 222 min read


Five Arrested As Police Target Drug Dealing In Ōpōtiki
Five people have been arrested and are due to appear in court on multiple charges following four search warrants in Ōpōtiki on Wednesday. Search warrants were carried out at Ōpōtiki addresses which were understood to be involved in the sale and supply of drugs. Five people were arrested, and Police seized drugs along with evidence of drug dealing. Police were also seriously concerned about dealing from one address, where children and young people were present and implicated

Jessica Doney
Oct 172 min read


Government Announces Significant Funding Boost For Bay Of Plenty Flood Resilience Projects
Four flood resilience projects across the Bay of Plenty are set to receive a significant funding boost, following a Government announcement today. Regional Development Minister Shane Jones has confirmed the Government's Regional Infrastructure Fund will contribute $9.12 million towards priority projects in the region, which will protect more than $5 billion of capital value during severe weather. Jones says it will help protect more than 5,000 houses and around 20,000 hectare

Jessica Doney
Oct 161 min read


Air Chathams and Air New Zealand Join Forces
Air Chathams has signed an interlining deal with Air New Zealand which will allow travelers to book flights for the Whakatāne service on the Air New Zealand website.
Kieran Watkins
Oct 152 min read


Man Due In Court After Blowing Around Three Times Legal Limit In Galatea/Murupara
A man is due to appear in court on Thursday after being caught around three times the legal limit in the Galatea/Murupara area. Police received a 111 call around 6pm on Sunday of someone allegedly driving dangerously along Troutbeck Road. Police responded and later pulled the vehicle over on Kopuriki Road. "A routine breath alcohol test was administered, to which the driver has blown around three times the legal limit," Rotorua Area Commander, Herby Ngawhika says. "Police wou

Jessica Doney
Oct 141 min read


Police Blue Light Youth Event a Success
The event, hosted by the Police youth empowerment programme, saw the Whakatāne High School field packed with families and emergency services.
Kieran Watkins
Oct 131 min read


Pedestrian Struck by Concrete Truck
One ambulance responded and transported the woman in a serious condition to Whakatāne Hospital.
Kieran Watkins
Oct 101 min read


Police Urge Rural Residents To Report Suspicious Behaviour
Rural residents across the Eastern Bay are being urged to stay in touch with neighbours and Police amid a rise in reports of suspicious...

Jessica Doney
Oct 82 min read


Clean Up Underway Following Awakeri Tornado
Clean up is underway in Awakeri following a small tornado which moved through the area yesterday afternoon. Fire and Emergency were...

Jessica Doney
Oct 62 min read


Six Injured Following Waiotahe Crash
Six people have been left injured, including one in a critical condition, following a two vehicle crash in Waiotahe last night. Emergency...

Jessica Doney
Oct 31 min read


Second Roadworks Site to Begin Next Week on State Highway 2 Between Whakatāne and Tauranga
Commuters travelling between Whakatāne and Tauranga are being advised to allow more time for their journey with a second area of...

Jessica Doney
Oct 21 min read


Whakatāne Soldier, Sergeant Shaun Taylor Builds Around The Pacific
The New Zealand Army’s Sergeant Shaun Taylor from Whakatāne has jumped at the chance to return to the Cook Islands as he grows his resume...

Jessica Doney
Oct 12 min read


Whakatāne Doctors Stretched, Tired and Horribly Understaffed
Cumbersome systems and uncompetitive pay is fueling a lack of doctors and medical staff, leading to doctors who are tired and stretched.
Kieran Watkins
Sep 263 min read

