Aleyna Martinez is a multimedia journalist at the Rotorua Daily Post and the Bay of Plenty Times
Aleyna Martinez is a multimedia journalist at the Rotorua Daily Post focussed on human-centred stories. Identifying as a third-culture kid she is passionate about empowering young people to believe in themselves, embracing indigenous values to reverse climate change, hauora in public policy, and planting your feet in the grass when the universe won't stop serving lemons. Born in Malaysia, grew up in Wellington, but feeling most at home when there's thunder and lightning in Hamilton, she is excited to discover Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty region.
'We get together and we smash goals': Mamaku backs brigade's foodbank drive
Volunteer fire brigade starts the giving season right.
What the foodbank does (and doesn't) need this year
'We have a very generous community that is always willing to give whatever they have.'
Zimbabwean saxophonist amped for Totara Street
Thabani Gapara will play in Mount Maunganui, touring his album, Dzindza.
'Buzzing': Orca close to shore thrills locals
A local media company says orca sighting made "once in a lifetime" footage.
The last soldier: Thousands expected to farewell NZ war hero
The funeral and burial services for Sir Robert 'Bom' Gillies are to take place today.
A coffee fix for a good cause: Baristas-in-training back foodbank
Donate a can and enjoy a steaming hot cup of holiday cheer.
'A very big need': Referrals to Salvation Army services double in a year
'Every little thing counts, every can of baked beans counts.'
‘End of an era’: Tangihanga for Sir Robert ‘Bom’ Gillies begins
The last standing member of the Māori Battallion, Sir Bom Gillies, has died, aged 99.
Taonga pūoro revivalist follows ancestors’ footsteps 100 years later
Jerome Kavanagh Poutama is on a mission to revive the Māori musical traditions.
'Worst I've ever seen': Charity store left with huge mess to clean
Over 20 black bags were rummaged and left strewn across Mount carpark.
'Rotovegas you're in trouble, baby': Momoa warms up for Rotorua show
The Hollywood star is keen to introduce his bandmates to sulphur and 'group bathing'.
Why A Night Before Christmas event was cancelled
The organisers say they did not want to charge admission to the free family event.
Raising a village: Hopes 100 houses could be built on returned land
Neighbouring businesses helped clear gorse to support the papakāinga aspirations.
The curious case of the fuel station that hasn't sold fuel in months
'Out of fuel', says a sign taped to a yellow bin in the forecourt – locals wonder why.
Iconic Rotorua business Duck Tours up for sale
Peter and Trevor Weir started Duck Tours after Christmas lunch and a few beers in 2002.
City's 'budding and burgeoning' art scene gets two new leaders
'To connect with others... through performance and art is vital for people’s well-being.'
Carrington in Rotorua for Kupu Māori Writer’s Festival
Forty distinguished authors, scholars, and writers from across Aotearoa will attend.
'Dark feeling': Retired NRL players open up on mental health
Roy Asotasi, Jason Nightingale, Louis Armstrong and Sione Faumuina visit a workplace.
Eco-breakthrough: Award for Rotorua firm's polystyrene alternative
Rotorua sustainable solution company produces polystyrene alternatives for the world.
Rotorua bird lover 'amazed' by kākā visitor
Rotorua bird lover spots rare kākā in her backyard.
'A life-threatening condition': Kiwi boy, 6, fighting sepsis in Brisbane
Friends are rallying round the family, who moved from Rotorua last year.
Rainbow Fish Musical makes a splash
Lakes Performing Arts Centre collaborates with Otonga Primary on their latest production.
'Coming home': Rotorua Boys' High appoints new principal
Former head boy and staff member returns for the top job.
Homage to a legend: New mural takes shape in Rotorua CBD
Taumata Solomon pays homage to kapa haka legend Wetini Mitai Ngatai.
The team trying to protect youngsters from sexual assault
Tauranga City rolls out child protection prevention programme We Can Keep Safe
'Gutting': Charity garage sale may be canned after alleged burglary
It has raised more than $100,000 for local charities over the years.
Every girl's 'dream': Rotorua singer makes Disney debut
Te Waimarie Ngatai-Callaghan voices the lead character in Encanto Reo Māori.
'I know they'll love it': Tāme Iti takes the stage
Review: Voices in the Shadows examines Māori, Pacific and Palestinian indigeneity.
Rutene Spooner gets serious impersonating Billy T. James
Musical comedic storytelling by a modern Māori entertainer.
Cutting edge: Forestry experts to present to Nasa
Scion scientists develop cutting-edge pipeline for accurate tree carbon measurements.
Are Bay rentals affordable for low-wage families?
Rental property prices per week in the Bay of Plenty rise while salaries stay the same.
'Crap to cash': Start-up nominated for breakthrough technology
The significance of these achievements is "massive".
'It is a long game': Meet NZ's fittest boy
Hunter Nepia ranks third fittest boy in Oceania after the CrossFit Championship in Texas.
'Smells revolting': What it's like in a burnt-out house
'This is a rare chance to walk through a fire-damaged home.'
Rotorua and Taupō's weweia species need votes for Bird of The Year 2024
A lot of the endangered species can be found in Rotorua and Taupō.
International beauty pageant win for Rotorua teen
Riley Roebuck advocates for Irlen Syndrome at the Miss Teen Tourism pageant.
'I’ve been soaking-in everything': Indigenous youth on learning journey
Aboriginal and First Nation youth are inspired by Māori leaders during a Rotorua exchange.
'Definitely not Bollywood': Old meets old for carnatic-jazz fusion show
'Just like jazz is old, carnatic is old'
Rotorua Business Award finalists announced
'The number and quality of entries have blown everyone away', says business leader.
Upcycling: Rest home residents fix broken bikes to gift to kids
Retirement village upcycling discarded bikes to give away at Christmas
Watch: Whakaari/White Island crater after recent eruption
The marine volcano had a minor eruption on Friday and a 'continuous' eruption on Sunday.
'Continuous minor eruption': Whakaari/White Island emits ash plume
Satellite data showed the plume contained a minor amount of volcanic ash.
Aspiring young Rotorua Olympians smash swimming records
'They are breaking NZ records and are on the pathway to go to the Olympics' - coach.
How a school competition is helping to create Olympic champions
Selestino Ravutaumada and Ngarohi McGarvey Black were in the Rotorua Boys High 1st XV.
Indigenous economies exchange knowledge in Rotorua business summit
The global summit will host leaders in Rotorua from July 25-27.
'Big American' film crew spotted in Rotorua
Signs at the entrance to the reserve said “private event”.
Miss Rotorua crowning a win for shy girls
Miss Rotorua 2024 winner Simran Kaur says she's an introvert at heart.
Town's water supply trucked in after 40-year-old water bore fails
Aged water bore breaks down in Kaingaroa Village
Miss Rotorua pageant aims to deconstruct American idea of beauty
Beauty queens set to take the crown for Miss Rotorua 2024.
'Really special': Local and international choirs join for regional concert
300+ World Choir Games choristers to descend on Sir Howard Morrison Centre.
Hitting the refresh button: New look for hotel's guest rooms
Millennium stays committed to sustainability during refurbishment
'Heartfelt': Community celebrates the rising of Matariki
Tohunga reo Mataia Keepa is proud to have been raised in the Kōhanga Reo environment.
'Smashed the whole shop up': Robber with hammer threatens retailer, witness
The store is increasing security after the incident.
Disgraced cricketer and serial groper jailed again
Jason Trembath pleaded guilty to breaching his bail conditions.
'Storytelling at its best': Delegates get sneak peek at Matariki drone light show
Meetings delegates treated to Matariki drone show
'Huge opportunity': Rotorua hosts major events trade show
'It’s just so good for us as an industry to know each other.'
Activist tells of racism, acid attacks and needing a soldier protect her at school
'If you people are willing to do all this to keep me out, I should be here.'
Firefighting family following in father's footsteps
'I mean, we love doing it. We wouldn’t do it if we didn’t want to.'
Thunderstorms set to hit Bay of Plenty; drivers warned to take care
MetService has issued a weather watch.
'He shouldn’t have died like that': Family dog fatally mauled in street
Owner feels at fault for small pet being out but says dangerous dogs shouldn't be roaming.
'We have more work to do': Use of traditional Māori healing soars – ACC
In 2020, 472 people made claims for rongoā healing. In 2023, 6103 did.
Bayley Martin to take on fittest on earth at CrossFit Games
Rotorua CrossFit Champion heading to world games.
"Sustainability ... is important to me": Local designer to represent NZ at global sustainability congress
Taupō-born designer heading to Global Sustainable Development Congress in Bangkok.
'You don’t treat a picture, you treat a patient': Rotorua doctor honoured for services to radiology and education
Making pictures with ultrasound: Barbara Hochstein recognised in King's Birthday Honours.
Budget 2024: 'I want my taxes to go to making sure kids don’t starve'
What Rotorua locals and leaders want from Budget 2024.
'We managed to save a life': Linesmen recall rescue of woman from sinking car in floods
'As I got closer, I could see that she was starting to reach for air.'
'I could lose them right now': Man's urgent plea to get family out of war-torn Gaza
A Palestinian man wants special NZ visas to be available during the Israel-Hamas war.
‘Hiding in plain sight’: Call for law targeting coercive control abuse
Victim advocates argue New Zealand should follow the lead of two Australian states.
A lifetime of protest: 95-year-old is still fighting for the rights of others
His first act of protest was to learn te reo when he arrived from England in 1950.
'Full of ideas': 11-year-old fashion designer prepares for Auckland runway
Essjay Bennett and mum Angela Doherty are off to Auckland for Dress for Success
Rotorua real estate agent offers te reo signs in bid to encourage Māori homeowners
'I have always believed in working from the bottom to the top.'