Video Journalist, Rotorua, NZH Local Focus
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.
Local Focus: From SH1 to shared zone, Taupō upgrade opens town up to the lakefront
The $20 million transformation of Taupō CBD to create a world-class precinct.
Local Focus: Meet Astro Kid - Tama Kaiatea
William Lockwood is the new voice in te reo Maori and he's only nine years old.
Local Focus: The African call rings out
The launch of the Ubuntu African Society Bay of Plenty to promote connectivity.
Local Focus: Learning from big guns underwater
Significant funding boost for five young budding engineers for World Aquabot Competition
Taupō's $10m airport terminal right on track
New terminal is one of the few major construction projects in NZ on time and on budget.
Local Focus: Breaking the silence - real talk
Real-life stories inspire people through Real Talk .
Five Rotorua students head to US for Aquabots World Championship
Five Rotorua Primary School students head to the Aquabots World Championships in the USA.
'They're going to destroy it': New Zealand's fastest road in jeopardy
Landspeed New Zealand wants to protect a record-setting public-road surface in Reporoa.
Coin and stamp dealer encourages more Māori women to take up the profession
Lois Ion is a rare person. She's just about as rare as her stamp and coin collection.
Local Focus: Howard Morrison Junior takes up the mantle
Howie Junior lives life on his terms but honours his father Sir Howard Morrison's legacy.
Local Focus: Marae renovations bring satisfying tūpuna connections
These builders connect to their ancestral links through construction on their marae.
Local Focus: Taupō needs tourists
"Tough times don't last, but tough people do" but times may be getting too tough in Taupō.
Local Focus: Bird-woman selected for prestigious award
Whiti Hereaka's novel Kurangaituku has been shortlisted for the Ockham Book Awards.
Local Focus: Helping others helps you too
Volunteering Bay of Plenty will launch a new hub in Rotorua next month.
Local Focus: More Māori at 'top' Taupō table
Taupo District Council now has an additional two Māori seats for local elections this year
Local Focus: Ngāti Awa take lead for predator free
A wananga bringing two people together in the predator-free 2050 space held in March.
Local Focus: 'Goth Girl' proves an inspiration
Who is Goth Girl from reality show Gowns and Geysers?
Local Focus: Increasing number of Rotorua boaties warned
Swimmers and boaties are being urged to take care around Rotorua lakes this summer.
Local Focus: Dinosaurs to roar at Waimangu
Giant screens, nature walk, and Jurassic Park at Waimangu Volcanic Valley on Saturday.
Local Focus: Cyclone draws surfers to Ōhope
Many enjoyed the big waves that Cyclone Cody brought this weekend.
Local Focus: Another love book for Rotorua's Sharma
Vishal Sharma is raising funds to write his third book about Rotorua.
Local Focus: Christmas positives for Sallies
The Salvation Army in Rotorua feeds hundreds with their annual Christmas Appeal.
Local Focus: Waimana is on a vaccination mission
Waimana in the Bay of Plenty is on a mission to lift its low vaccination rates.
Local Focus: Wāhine Toa Hunting tells her story
Pania Te Paiho shares a deeper side in Real Talk. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Christmas is a time of giving
Schools and businesses Fill the Bus in Rotorua.
Local Focus: Tauranga women tell their homeless stories
Tauranga women and transgender women surviving homelessness thanks to Hine Ngākau.
Local Focus: Thirty day Diwali draws to a close
For Monisha Sharma, Diwali is a celebration with lights, candles, fireworks and family.
Local Focus: AstraZeneca vaccine may bring teachers back, principal says
Alternative vaccine gives those affected by mandate another option to keep jobs.
Local Focus: Weaving people together
People from across the globe join together in the ancient practice of raranga.
Local Focus: Big surge in Māori vaccinations
A Covid case encouraged more people to get the jab.
Local Focus: Empowering women to succeed
Dress for Success client Demi-Lee achieved success. Made with funding from NZ On Air
Local Focus: Māmā, pēpi, whānau and vaccine
Wānanga about Covid and vaccination for Rotorua mums.
Local Focus: 'It doesn't become a coffin until I'm in it'
The Kiwi Coffin Club is making a difference with bespoke coffins at half the usual price.
Local Focus: Lockwood Homes celebrates 70 years
Lockwood has built more than 30,000 homes. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Rotorua's virtual Pink Walk
Rotorua's Pink Walk was held virtually for the first time.
Local Focus: Fourth MIQ in Rotorua would 'impact' tourism industry
Rumours flying about where another MIQ will be. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Kia kaha te Wiki o te reo Māori
Rotorua is at the forefront of reo Māori integration. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Rotorua cafes and takeaways welcoming level 3 with gusto
Move to level 3 includes fear of another MIQ in Rotorua. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: How this lockdown is impacting differently than before
Rotorua Canopy Tours has been impacted by Covid again. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Māori fashion affected by Fashion Week postponement
New Zealand Fashion Week's cancellation impacts locally. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Bilingual fitness class lockdown lifeline
Silver lining in lockdown for bilingual fitness classes. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Whāriki and Facebook join forces
Māori businesses in Rotorua get social media savvy. Made with NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Rotorua's male midwife says gender is irrelevant
One of only eight male midwives across the country. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Mother and son build successful business in hardest of times
Nomination for the NZME Peoples Choice Business Award. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
'I imprisoned myself': Miss Rotorua contestant's inspiring story
Pageant contestant Anita Paul is a single mother of six children.
Local Focus: Aliens invade Bay of Plenty
A group of youngsters produce their own theatrical play. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Miss Rotorua all about beauty on the inside
Koji So is one of 25 Miss Rotorua contestants. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Locals targeted for deer velvet
Claims that deer velvet helps boost immune system. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Making the rainbow community feel safe in Rotorua
Making everyone welcome to Rotorua. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Ensuring Te Arawa arts and ancient practices survive
A collective of Te Arawa artists collaborate. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: School lunch volunteers do it for the kids
Volunteers like Judith are the backbone of Ka Pai Kai. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Covid vaccination rolls out to protect whakapapa
Te Arawa Covid Response Hub vaccinates bubbles. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Breakers' first NBL game in Rotorua
The Breakers scout for the next Tom Abercrombie. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: A day in the life of a kiwi keeper
Looking after New Zealand's most iconic bird. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Landmark decision for Whakatāne District
Whakatāne District Council voted yes for Māori wards. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Escaping from Covid, the new game business launching in Rotorua
Escapade pivots in a post-Covid world. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: The power of koha in business
A new microloan platform aims to help Māori businesses. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: More kaumātua protests against Te Uru Taumatua
Kaumatua assert their territorial sovereignty. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Ko Taua set to charm the Aronui Arts Festival
A bilingual musical showcasing two worlds. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Miss Rotorua to become a reality series
These days it's a bit different with ages 15 to 48. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Covid pushed them out of school, this programme pulls them back in
Helping youth who dropped out of school in lockdown. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Rotorua restaurants get social media savvy
Foodies check out socials before going to a restaurant. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: What 100 real women look like
Exhibition represents Rotorua's diverse women. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Kia ora to our Aussie cousins
And 'thank you' to Kiwis for the support. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Māori mountain biker inspiration to young sportspeople
"It doesn't matter what sport you do, just do it." Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Pounamu combines Chinese and Māori art forms in fashion show
Waka huia and Chinese bowl-forms on display. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Bilingual tourism campaign launches
A bilingual digital map proves popular for visitors. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Campervans coming to Rotorua for Easter
Expect an Easter influx of campervans and motorhomes.. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Roto-vegas or Roto-wood?
Rotorua aiming to become a film production hub. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Waka experience a key to learning
Rotorua Primary learn the history of Te Arawa waka. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Cousins world premiere held in Rotorua
The movie of three wahine Māori premiered in Rotorua. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Taupō mayor says Māori wards law change a landmark decision
Māori wards to go through despite petition numbers. Made with funding on NZ On Air.
Local Focus: From hui to zui, iwi sees added benefits from treaty negotiations
Digital capacity is vital to rangatahi. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Covid 19 level 2 impacts Rotorua fashion event
The Chinese Fashion Show Rotorua likely to be postponed. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Tarawera Ultramarathon put elite long distance runners to the test
Thousands gather for Tarawera Ultramarathon. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Free trade agreement beneficial to Māori business
The Māori economy revving up in a post Covid world. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Local Focus: Former Green candidate fighting climate change one coffee at a time
A family turned vegan opens new cafe in Rotorua. Made with funding from NZ On Air.