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 focusing on human-centred stories. Identifying as a third-culture kid she is passionate about empowering young people, embracing indigenous values to reverse climate change, hauora in public policy, and science and tech. Born in Malaysia, grew up in Wellington, she is excited to discover Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty region.

The ‘dream’ worked: Crankworx wraps with high praise
Rotorua riders give their home town a reason to be proud.

Rotorua actor, 12, lands her first role on iconic show
So much 'beautiful, untapped talent' in the Bay of Plenty.

HIV on the rise for heterosexuals, why Māori wāhine are particularly at risk
People in Aotearoa living with HIV increased by 235 this year, up 74% from 2023.

Rising stars: Young riders shine at Rotorua’s Whip Off Champs
Day three began at 6am with pump track events for the Under 15s title.

‘You’re a god and nothing can stop you': The rush of Crankworx
Elite mountain bikers descend on Rotorua for 2025 event.

‘Poetry in motion’: Te Arawa makes ‘history’ at Te Matatini
Four Te Arawa kapa haka groups placed in the finalist round at Te Matatini 2025.

He shoved his partner. He realised he needed help. His next steps changed his life.
A husband shares why he self-referred to a domestic violence program last Christmas.

Towards a digital future for Māori: Cash boost for tech academy
The grant will help to provide 300 students with upgraded gaming PCs.

Award boosts cycling-mad city’s major event prowess
BMX Rotorua has put the city on the BMX world map.

A ‘privilege’ to perform: Bay kapa haka teams amped for Te Matatini
A translation app including six languages has been set up for Te Matatini 2025.

‘Making our whānau proud’: Bay kapa haka teams amped for Te Matatini
The teams are ready to give their all on the world's biggest kapa haka stage.

The final reunion: Former NZ Forest Products workers set to gather
Forest workers to descend on Tokoroa from far and wide.

Michael Voss lines up alongside world’s top trail runners
The Tarawera Ultra-Trail, New Zealand's premier running event starts in Rotorua.

How Aquabots are leading charge for diversity in tech
Young female engineers from Rotorua will compete at the Aquabots finals in June.

100 cats need new homes after owner’s cancer diagnosis
The family of a man diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer is determined to rehome his cats.

School locked down after alleged attack on students
Family affair sends Girl's High into 20-minute lockdown.

Rotorua sisters' court success after being picked for NZ Māori Volleyball teams
Siblings earn their first ticket overseas with Aotearoa Māori Poirewa.

'Bright lights, big city, black tie': Big changes afoot for beloved event
Rotorua's favourite black-tie fundraiser will become biennial, with a new event in the mix

'Green chicken': 9yo Rotorua coin-tosser cracks up the crowd at Australian Open
The young Kiwi tennis player was invited to perform the coin toss for the fourth match.

$60,000 damage to liquor store ram-raided for ‘couple of bloody Woodstocks’
The owner fears for his and his staff's safety.

'Miracle': Child abuse prevention programme expands after funding boost
The Wright Family Foundation will fund Tautoko Mai for the next three years.

'I was dressed up, he was dressed up': Festival friendship spans 15 years
The reggae fans have attended every One Love festival together – until this year.

'Empower young people': Ngongotahā football club on a mission
The club is to welcome a special international football guest ahead of its community day.

Stay 'vigilant': Warning after out-of-control rubbish fire burns 19ha
'Fires can happen at any time and no one ever expects a fire.'

Large scrub fire near Taupō controlled after helicopters battle blaze
Witnesses earlier said the fire was worrying nearby homeowners.

More than 22 trees vandalised and removed in one year
More than 22 trees were damaged so badly over a year they had to be removed.

NZ's hottest town: Locals stay vigilant
Niwa recorded the hottest temperatures for December in Kawerau at 34.8C.

Record-breaker! Foodbank receives $103,000 in donations during Christmas Appeal
More than 1000 families have been helped thanks to the community's generosity.

'Had a man-look': Dumped remains left rotting for two months despite five reports
Council apologises after twice looking and failing to find the dumped remains.

'All the hard work paid off': Basketballer picked to represent NZ in new team
How sport helped a bullied boy find his happy place after a traumatic brain injury.

Young people tried to save drowning man at Ōmaio - kaumātua
'They tried to bring him back and then get him on to the beach and resuscitate him.'

'Grab your rolling pin': What Tauranga leaders want to see in 2025
A regional deal, a bigger pie, roads, health funding solutions and unity on the wishlists.

'It is time to stand tall': What Rotorua leaders want in 2025
Thriving tourism, a focus on youth — and the end of homeless motels are on the wishlists.

'Incredible band': US music legends The Roots rock Summer Haze festival
Jimmy Fallon's house band is one of the biggest acts visiting the Bay this summer.

'Gorgeous': Travellers on their OE reflect on life in the Bay
'A piece of me will be left here when I leave.'

Skyline Rotorua collaborates with pro athletes and local trail builders on new downhill track.
Three champions give input into the new Crankworx downhill track.

BoP summer music festival guide: Kiwi band reveals 'ridiculous' ritual
The hottest music festivals in Taupō, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Coromandel.

Rotorua’s Tamaora Walker only pounamu carver finalist in sculpture awards
Walker mentors six jade carvers in Rotorua.

'Blew us away': Appeal donations mean some 'get to have a Christmas this year'
Salvation Army sends massive aroha to 'generous' community as preliminary tally revealed.

Food or school uniforms? The tough choices some families have to make
The Salvation Army choice-model supermarket offers a 'practical solution for whānau'.

Rotary boosts Christmas Appeal with 200 donated items
The can drive tally for this week's Rotorua Christmas Appeal is in.

Christmas Appeal: Salvation Army’s choice model supermarket instils ‘mana’
Sally's redesigns the food bank system to a choice model supermarket.

'Absolutely amazing': Fill the Bus donation tally shows care in Rotorua community
The 10th year of Fill the Bus has wrapped and the numbers are in.

'Please return the land': Gifted section proposed to be given back, 60 years on
A new trust would 'use the land for the benefit of the hapu and the community'.

Rotorua Christmas Appeal: A decade later Paul Hickey’s Fill The Bus Christmas Appeal keeps getting bigger
A decade later, Rotorua Hits presenter Paul Hickey is amped for the event.

Why a cafe owner says Rotorua's generosity 'puts other cities to shame'
'If you put a cause before the people of Rotorua, people rise up, and they come out.'

'On a bit of a lean': Truck laden with donations after brigade foodbank drive
Salvation Army foodbank team 'very grateful' for donations as appeal hits week three.

'Good bros and good ears': Mates go golfing for 'Brovember'
How a local businessman put a spin on 'Movember' with his bros.

Can drives ramp up for Rotorua Christmas Appeal
Get a coffee for a can at Scope and donate to the Ngongotahā Fire Brigade this week.

'A trail-blazing partnership': Trust pilots new model for conservation funding
'We will take the [lessons] from this and fast-track more of the same.'

'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.