Anneke Smith is a reporter for Hawke's Bay Today
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
![Te Mata Peak protesters stick it out at Craggy Range Winery despite weather](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Te Mata Peak protesters stick it out at Craggy Range Winery despite weather
Kaumātua says matter is not resolved and there will be more protests.
![Man charged after armed standoff in Hastings](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Man charged after armed standoff in Hastings
The man's arrest followed an Armed Offenders Squad callout on Friday.
![Detective's message: 'You will be caught'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Detective's message: 'You will be caught'
A meth kingpin was yesterday jailed for 13 years.
![Crash victim's mum: 'It can end in a moment'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Crash victim's mum: 'It can end in a moment'
Helen Morris made a routine call to her daughter. She had no idea it would be the last.
![Passerby aids in arrest after aggravated robbery](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Passerby aids in arrest after aggravated robbery
The aggravated robbery was the 39th in the region this year.
![Disgraced Napier lawyer granted parole](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Disgraced Napier lawyer granted parole
Gerald McKay stole $566,900 from his clients between 2005 and 2010.
![Napier teenager jailed for life for 'brutal' murder](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Napier teenager jailed for life for 'brutal' murder
Shaun Karauria will spend at least 12 years in jail for the murder.
![Blind triathlete tackles 10km in marathon](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Blind triathlete tackles 10km in marathon
Shannon Cleave was born with albinism and is legally blind.
![Low blow: Pinnacle Stone family business out of pocket after theft](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Low blow: Pinnacle Stone family business out of pocket after theft
The stolen slabs are estimated to be worth about $10,000.
![Midwives find solidarity in pay march](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Midwives find solidarity in pay march
Hawke's Bay LMC midwives joined a march in Wellington for better pay last week.
![Drowning widow: 'Please let me stay'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Drowning widow: 'Please let me stay'
Widow faced "torturous" cultural prosecution when she returned to India after the tragedy
![Family hugs truck driver who killed cyclist](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Family hugs truck driver who killed cyclist
Ben Den Ouden died after his bike was hit by a truck in April last year.
![Disabled beneficiary desperate to find job](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Disabled beneficiary desperate to find job
Michael Parlane says his life has never felt so empty since he was out of work.
![Peter Wells on finding friends in the isolation of illness](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Peter Wells on finding friends in the isolation of illness
Peter Wells was diagnosed with prostate cancer in November last year.
![Wairoa dominates regional kapa kaka competition](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Wairoa dominates regional kapa kaka competition
Thousands of people flooded the Wairoa township for the regional competition on Saturday.
![Teen, 14, charged with the murder of Kelly Donner](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Teen, 14, charged with the murder of Kelly Donner
He is now before the High Court in Napier.
![Recidivist criminal and killer denied parole](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Recidivist criminal and killer denied parole
Jordan Young has been in the criminal justice system since he was 16 years old.
![Indian widow fighting to stay in NZ](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Indian widow fighting to stay in NZ
Tanvi Bhavsar's husband Hemin Limbachiya drowned at Waimarama Beach on January 14.
![Activists face trial despite Govt oil stance](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Activists face trial despite Govt oil stance
Greenpeace executive and protester Russel Norman declares prosecution counter-intuitive.
![Teen charged after road rage, police seek victims](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Teen charged after road rage, police seek victims
The 19-year-old was charged with dangerous driving.
![Fifth teenager arrested after Flaxmere homicide](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Fifth teenager arrested after Flaxmere homicide
Five teens have now been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
![Boaties left clinging to debris off Cape Kidnappers coast](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Boaties left clinging to debris off Cape Kidnappers coast
Three people were rescued after sending distress signals for help.
![Lines company faces legal action over wildfires](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Lines company faces legal action over wildfires
The fires sparked a state of emergency in February last year.
![Foreman revived by port co-workers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Foreman revived by port co-workers
'We thought initially he was having an epileptic fit, but then he started to go blue...'
![New lake appears here to stay](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
New lake appears here to stay
More is now known about the growing lake between Wairoa and Gisborne.
![Hawke's Bay kids carrying weapons, youth officer says](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Hawke's Bay kids carrying weapons, youth officer says
Knives, hammers and the odd machete are being carried by kids in Hawke's Bay.
![Flaxmere violence: suburb stands up after horror death](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Flaxmere violence: suburb stands up after horror death
Flaxmere community, rocked by recent violence, collaborates on safety panel.
![Commissioner: kids in cells 'not acceptable practice'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Commissioner: kids in cells 'not acceptable practice'
The comment comes shortly after a teenager was held in a police cell for five nights.
![Sustainability good for both the planet and business](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Sustainability good for both the planet and business
David Trubridge Design has hefty ambitions to cull plastic from its products.
![15yo spends five nights in police cells: 'Totally unacceptable', says judge](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
15yo spends five nights in police cells: 'Totally unacceptable', says judge
The 15-year-old was looking at a sixth night in the cells until yesterday morning.
![She saved his life - by taking a stanley knife to his throat](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
She saved his life - by taking a stanley knife to his throat
Midwife uses a stanley knife to cut an airway into choking boyfriend's throat.
![Maori trust to appeal Hastings District Council decisions](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Maori trust to appeal Hastings District Council decisions
Hearing comes after uproar over the construction of a walking track on Te Mata Peak.
![Two men injured in two-car Hastings crash](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Two men injured in two-car Hastings crash
Two injured in another serious crash at notorious Hastings intersection.
![Brave Kiwi man's life-changing facial surgery](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Brave Kiwi man's life-changing facial surgery
After life-changing surgery Carlos Askew wants to inspire others to be themselves.
![High-speed crash: 'I couldn't believe they were alive'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
High-speed crash: 'I couldn't believe they were alive'
Two men in hospital after street race goes wrong on "treacherous" road.
![Killer's chilling smile as jail sentence handed down](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Killer's chilling smile as jail sentence handed down
Home-brew vodka session leads to a stumble, then a vicious and prolonged beating.
![Car stolen while picking up ill daughter-in-law from hospital](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Car stolen while picking up ill daughter-in-law from hospital
Her car was stolen while she was picking up someone from the hospital.
![Parole declined for murderer Dartelle Alder](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Parole declined for murderer Dartelle Alder
Dartelle Alder had appeared before the Parole Board for the first time.
![Luxury cruise liner bypasses Napier](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Luxury cruise liner bypasses Napier
Welcome party watches as luxury cruise liner passes close to port before pulling away.
![NZ Poet Laureate shares taonga with Haumoana artist](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
NZ Poet Laureate shares taonga with Haumoana artist
NZ Poet Laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh has been writing in Hawke's Bay.
![French backpacker 'stood out from the rest'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
French backpacker 'stood out from the rest'
Pierre Paludet's body was found on a Napier beach last Friday night.
![Arrangements made to return body](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Arrangements made to return body
The seaside community has been through a lot in the past year.
![Body found on Napier beach was missing French tourist](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Body found on Napier beach was missing French tourist
Body found in Awatoto was missing French tourist Pierre Antoine Paludet.
![Knock-off gang patches 'brainless', says gang expert](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Knock-off gang patches 'brainless', says gang expert
Wearing the ultimate status symbol of being in a gang may not be the best idea.
![Body found on beach was male, police confirm](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Body found on beach was male, police confirm
Police could not yet confirm link to missing French tourist Pierre Antoine Paludet.
![Coastal Kiwi waters 'treacherous', Water Safety CEO says](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Coastal Kiwi waters 'treacherous', Water Safety CEO says
New Zealand's coastal waters are said to be more treacherous than most.
![Parole denied for child killer 'in a dark place'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Parole denied for child killer 'in a dark place'
Trent Hapuku killed five-month-old Mikara Reti in January 2011.
!['We are just a joke': Dairy owner](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
'We are just a joke': Dairy owner
Dairy owner wants to see change in the community he's lived in for 16 years.
![Two officers hurt as prisoner lashes out](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Two officers hurt as prisoner lashes out
A police officer sustained a fractured eye socket and a court officer rib injuries.
![Disbelieving family races to see McCartney](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Disbelieving family races to see McCartney
Alison Morley thought her winning Paul McCartney tickets were "a scam". They weren't.
![Tractor fault sets paddock on fire](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Tractor fault sets paddock on fire
Appliances and tankers were called in from Tamatea, Waipawa and Otane.
![Mob tangi procession through CBD](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Mob tangi procession through CBD
A red procession wove its way through Hastings this afternoon for slain mobster.
![Vidal Estate snags esteemed wine award](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Vidal Estate snags esteemed wine award
Vidal Estate awarded Winery of the Year by Raymond Chan.
![Dangerous rips keep lifeguards busy](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Dangerous rips keep lifeguards busy
Several rescues have been made at Ocean, Waimarama and Waipatiki Beaches.
![Dog bites swimmer](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Dog bites swimmer
Four stitches needed in her leg after a dog swum out to bite her in deep water.
![Miss Universe NZ told to cover tattoo by fellow contestants](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Miss Universe NZ told to cover tattoo by fellow contestants
Harlem-Cruz Atarangi Ihaia turned heads with her traditional Maori ta moko.
![How a chance encounter ended in death](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
How a chance encounter ended in death
A Hawke's Bay teenager was yesterday found guilty of murdering Haumoana man Mark Beale.
![Diamond rush for Mission concert lodgings](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Diamond rush for Mission concert lodgings
The Mission Estate Concert and Horse of the Year are being held on the same weekend.
![Police identify 'person of interest' in indecent assaults investigation](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Police identify 'person of interest' in indecent assaults investigation
A number of women have reported indecent attacks in Napier over the weekend.
![Prison staff praised for containing gang fight](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Prison staff praised for containing gang fight
Both prison staff and prisoners sustained injuries as a result of the fight.
!['Concerning' wait times for 111 calls](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
'Concerning' wait times for 111 calls
People throughout the country had long waits when they dialled 111 at the weekend.
![Home invasion victim 'lucky to be alive'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Home invasion victim 'lucky to be alive'
Ian Noble was attacked with a hammer in his Hastings home last year.
![Extensive supervision for sex offender](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Extensive supervision for sex offender
Napier man will be subject to close supervision for the next eight years.
![Norovirus outbreak at Hawke's Bay Hospital](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Norovirus outbreak at Hawke's Bay Hospital
Thirty hospital staff and seven patients believed to be infected by the virus so far.
![Boy left beaten in Flaxmere park](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Boy left beaten in Flaxmere park
A Hastings mother thinks the attack on her son was unprovoked.
![Ex-NZ winemaker fights California fires](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Ex-NZ winemaker fights California fires
A Hawke's Bay man stays in smoke-filled valley to try to help others.
![Weather cancels Golden Princess visit](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Weather cancels Golden Princess visit
Weather has diverted the first cruise ship set to dock in Napier this summer.
![Woman dies after Hastings fire](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Woman dies after Hastings fire
A woman has died after battling for her life after a fire last Sunday.
![Final goodbye to Napier businessman](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Final goodbye to Napier businessman
More than 600 people turned up to pay their respects to Nic Magdalinos.
![Greenpeace protest: Russel Norman committed for trial](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Greenpeace protest: Russel Norman committed for trial
Charges resulted from an oil exploration protest.
![Bay woman's brush with Las Vegas shooting](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Bay woman's brush with Las Vegas shooting
It has been reported as the worst mass shooting in American history.
!['Nasty' home invasion rattles neighbourhood](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
'Nasty' home invasion rattles neighbourhood
Police are still appealing to the community for information.
![Crash claims solo dad of six](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Crash claims solo dad of six
He leaves behind six children, the eldest of which is 11-years-old.