SunLive reporter
Ayla Yeoman is a multimedia journalist for SunLive and The Weekend Sun. Ayla is based in Tauranga and covers general news in the Bay of Plenty region. This includes live and breaking news stories as well as producing in-depth community stories. She is a fourth-year student at the University of Auckland studying for a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Communications and Politics & International Relations. She joined NZME in June 2024. Ayla has a particular interest in reporting stories relating to community concerns, highlights, wins and more. You can contact Ayla at ayla.yeoman@nzme.co.nz
Cancer survivor, 79, completes 1700km hike for charity
Duncan Smith, 79, completes 1700km hike of North Island for charity
Mother and daughter tackle epic 3000km NZ trek to reconnect
Storms, injuries, and new friends haven't stopped the duo's 3000km Te Araroa journey.
SH2 barriers a danger to staff, trucking boss says
Local businesses hit hard by SH2 median barriers as trucking firm warns of safety risks.
How long can you last? New endurance running event comes to McLaren Falls
The event that keeps going as long as you do.
'Hot spots': Fire crews monitoring Welcome Bay scrub fire
The fire started at the top of Waikite Rd on Wednesday; the area remains off-limits.
Hot rods rev up for Toy Run to aid sick children
Bay Rodders collect toys for sick kids in Tauranga's annual Toy Run on December 6.
Jammin! School kids crowned national champs
Mount Maunganui Primary School Jump Jam team are the national champions
'Greatest gift ever': Man given weeks to live thrives two years later thanks to new heart
'That feeling of life, it was just incredible.'
Pāpāmoa bodybuilder wins world championship
A college dance teacher and dean has become the 2024 ICN Fitness World Champ.
Tauranga-born ice figure skater aims for Olympics
Petra Lahti sets her sights on the international stage.
Have a go at canoe slalom with a five-time Olympian
Kids can get advice from a pro and see if they get the slalom bug.
Knockout ambition: Champion teen boxer eyes Olympics
Motekiai commutes from Te Puna to Rotorua to train.
SPCA: The pets waiting longest for a home
“We know their personalities and likes and dislikes."
Car drives through Tauranga store front
A car drove through the front window of a Brookfield barber and coffee shop
Fires, crashes and stuck budgies: Brigade to share stories at 25th celebration
Greerton volunteer firefighters have done it all in their brigade’s 25 years of service.
'Big impact': What the return of cruise ships means for Tauranga
Local leaders welcome the economic prospects as the cruise season's first ship arrives.
Name released for one alleged Tauranga vigilante
Two of the alleged vigilantes appear in court for a third time.
Bubble Walk to remember lost babies
'As much as they say time heals, it’s different for everybody.'
Sea of pink floods Tauranga waterfront
Follow up article on Tauranga Hot Pink Walk for breast cancer
Former cop creates road code board game
A corrections officer created a driving board game for schools and prisons.
Gymnast with Olympic dreams has just one thing holding her back
Azaria Tai is 8 years old and excelled in her first competitive season.
Alleged vigilantes in court accused of assaults, posting harmful videos
One is also accused of claiming a person was on the child sex offenders register.
'Frustrated': Family hit roadblocks getting teen to Italy for lifesaving therapy
They are trying to raise more than $500K and have been denied funding.
Anton out to arm-wrestle his world title back
He can’t wait to “show the world what Kiwis can do”.
Finding love in aisle four: How Cupid struck near the checkouts
Aisle be there for you: Couple found love working at the supermarket.
Tauranga dance studio represents NZ at worlds
Tauranga dance studio represented NZ at the world championships.
SH2 reopens after crash near Te Puna
People are being advised to expect delays in the area.
Alleged vigilantes in court accused of filming and posting assaults
One is accused of claiming a person was on the child sex offenders register.
'Do not enter the water': River turns bright orange
People are urged to treat the Ohinemuri River water as contaminated.
Man in custody after Pāpāmoa police chase
Police pursued a car in Pāpāmoa after the driver allegedly failed to pull over.
Selling Tauranga houses 'for food'
Tremains is doing an initiative to 'Sell houses for food' to support local foodbanks.
'Lots of interest': How Tauranga schooling is promoted in Korea
'Everybody said when they come here, they don’t want to leave after six months.'
Vigilante sites taken down, police issue warning
The accounts posting the videos have since been taken down.
Stripped naked, bashed: Vigilantes attack suspected paedophiles in Tauranga
Police warn 'vigilante actions' could harm investigations.
Official funding for events to lift regional tourism
The Government is giving grants to boost Bay of Plenty and Coromandel tourism.
DoC appeals for info after protected gulls allegedly run over on beach
'The deaths of these protected birds were entirely avoidable.'
Pāpāmoa fire: Givealittle fundraiser set up for Pāpāmoa woman who lost home
The home was destroyed in an electrical fire, an investigator says.
'I just feel numb': Shock after fire takes out Pāpāmoa home
A house fire started by an electrical fault has left the owner devastated and homeless.
'Grim scene' as gulls found dead in tyre tracks
A witness says they appear run over in 'a senseless act'.
Median barriers: Locals 'don't have much faith’ in NZTA u-turn
The transport agency is reconsidering placing barriers on some sections.
'So frustrating': Park petanque terrain trashed twice after $12,500 upgrade
Pentanque terrain has been vandalised twice.
Tips for identifying and avoiding scams
Identifying email scams is getting increasingly more difficult.
Boat ramp parking charge not on, says fisherman
Boaties will now have to pay to park their trailer near some boat ramps in Tauranga.
Gear up for Tauranga’s first Cyclocross
Summerhill MTB Park is preparing to host the event on July 21.
Another protest against SH2 barriers planned
Rain or shine, SH2 residents north of Tauranga are ready to protest once again.
Median barriers: Residents protest on SH2
SH2 residents are protesting after NZTA's decision to resume works for median barriers.
'Outgrown our facilities': Tauranga netball on the move
The move was given the green light at a special general meeting.
NZTA issues warning to SH2 vandals after hearts, 'offensive' tags appear
The tagging, thought to be linked to recent protests, has been reported to police.
'Every minute counts': Why protesting SH2 locals are continuing fight
SH2 median barrier protest and response from mayor, transport minister and NZTA.
Stories from 56 years of fostering: Part two
'The hardest part is when you see them return or go back to the parent...'
Local aids Brazil floods: 'It’s heartbreaking'
A Tauranga local who grew up in Porto Alegre is raising money for the South Brazil floods.
What it take to be a fosterer: A couple's five decades of care
The octogenarians have been recognised for their selfless and tireless efforts.
Tauranga teen heading to Europe for MTB World Series
A Te Puna 17-year-old is one cog closer to achieving his dream.
'Defied the odds': Bay dancers head to worlds
Tauranga dance studio heading to The World of Dance Competition in LA.
Devastating BOP theft: Returned gear a win
"This is a win after a devastating couple of days.”
'It sucks': New gear stolen from dragon boat club
Thieves took a large amount of brand-new gear bought for world championships crew.
Person on quad bike sought after crash with train in BoP
A person has been reported missing after the crash on railway tracks.
Local kids train with All Blacks Sevens stars
Rugby players and fans have flooded Blake Park to watch and practise with their idols.
One person in hospital after paraglider crash
Lifeguards and police responded to the crash.