1XX POSTS

Bay of Plenty Regional Council is continuing to assess the potential risk to groundwater quality in the Harbour Road area of Ōhope. It follows confirmation earlier this month of an unauthorised wastewater discharge in a local property.   Baseline water samples were collected last week from five nearby properties with high-risk bores. "These samples are part of a broader groundwater sampling programme in the area that will continue over the next four weeks, to ensure results a

Police are calling for any information from the public after a man was seriously assaulted in his Ōpōtiki home earlier this morning. The incident is under investigation after the man sustained serious injuries from the assault, which Police believe involved several offenders. "The man has been transported to hospital and enquiries are underway to identify and locate those responsible for the assault," a Police spokesperson says. "A scene guard is in place at the house where t

Eastern Bay fire crews were kept busy last night with two vegetation fires across the region. Fire and Emergency were first alerted to a vegetation fire in dunes at Coastlands, Whakatāne just before 9pm. Three fire crews from Whakatane and Eastern Bay responded and left the incident just before 10pm. "The incident is believed to have involved fireworks," a Fire and Emergency spokesperson says. Crews were later alerted to trees on fire in Whanarua Bay, between Te Kaha and Waih

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

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.

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

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

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.

PAK'nSAVE checkout operator Teri Rangi has come first place in the Tauranga Regional Checkout Operator of the Year competition.

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).

Whakatāne Intermediate School has completed the final stage of its auditorium upgrade, with the installation of a state-of-the-art digital wall.

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

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

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.

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

The event, hosted by the Police youth empowerment programme, saw the Whakatāne High School field packed with families and emergency services.

One ambulance responded and transported the woman in a serious condition to Whakatāne Hospital.

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

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

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