Doug Laing
Multimedia Journalist
Doug Laing, Multimedia Journalist at Hawke’s Bay Today, covers all aspects of provincial journalism including local government, sports, major events, social and justice issues.
I’m Doug Laing – Multimedia Journalist at Hawke’s Bay Today. You could say journalism ran in my blood - my father, Les Laing, was a journalist who while working for the NZBC and then Radio New Zealand mentored and helped train broadcasters on-station throughout New Zealand. Journalism is a life-long 24/7 calling for me. I followed in Dad’s footsteps from a young age, writing stories for the local weekly rugby programme while at primary school in the 1960s, and Junior Kiwi - a newspaper for schools. As a 14 year old, I worked as a reporter at the Wairarapa Times-Age during school holidays and began my fulltime career at the Central Hawke’s Bay Press, Waipukurau, in July 1973. I’ve also worked at the Daily Telegraph, had a short stint in public relations in Auckland, worked at The Dominion/Sunday and New Zealand Times, before returning to the Daily Telegraph in May 1987 as Chief Reporter. In 1999 the Daily Telegraph merged with the Hawke’s Bay Herald Tribune to create Hawke’s Bay Today, and I’ve been here ever since. I continue covering all aspects of provincial journalism, including local government, sports, major events, social and justice matters. I've been involved in two books, "Cavaliers in South Africa 1986" (rebel rugby tour) and "Shear History" (Golden Shears 50 years). Finalist Qantas Awards breaking news category (Flaxmere police shooting 1996), Napier Pilot City Trust Awards for "Outstanding Contribution to the Quality of Life for all Napier Citizens" and 2020 NZ Rural Sports Award for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Sports
Check out Doug’s latest content
'Not ideal': Overnight Napier health care in the balance as March 1 changes loom
It's just over a week before changes begin but Health NZ can't say what they'll be.
Return of the Tri - athletes from 15 countries race their way to Napier
The World Cup event on Sunday is part of the second Napier Triathlon Festival.
Eskdale Park, gifted a century ago, is reborn after 100,000 cubic metres of silt removed
The seeds of a new future for Eskdale and its flood-ravaged valley are emerging.
Women win three of four finals at Ohura Shears
Laura Bradley, Sarah Bryant and Jodiesha Kirkpatrick dominated at the Ohura Show.
Seeing Sheila more clearly with wheelie bins banished from Napier’s main street
Bins being left on the street outside of collection hours were not a 'good look'.
Cabinet funds Napier-Wairoa highway realignment, Bailey Bridge to remain at least four more years
The cyclone sped up the need for a project in the melting pot for at least 20 years.
One conviction so far after claims of 'network of corruption' of gaming funds
Eight people were alleged to be linked in a network of gaming proceeds corruption.
Napier prepares for first Super Rugby game in four years
The last Super Rugby game in Napier attracted 9226 fans. Can the Bay beat that next week?
Art Deco Festival: Thousands set to roll in as Napier has its day in the sun, two years after cyclone
Art Deco event organisers appear set to get fine weather for the three-day festival.
Remarkable catch wins $20,000 prize – but the fish itself could be worth many thousands more
Northern bluefin tuna are a delicacy in Japan, where they sell for over $5000 a kg.
'Difficult conclusion': Irish pub announces voluntary liquidation five weeks before St Patrick’s Day
Owners say bar is a victim of Covid, the cyclone, and the other business pressures.
Toa Henderson and Pagan Rimene win big at Otago Shears
Pagan Rimene successfully defended her title of New Zealand Woolhandler of the Year.
‘One of the sharpest’: Hawke’s Bay 16yo scores Tall Blacks berth
If he gets on the court, he’ll be the third-youngest in Tall Blacks history.
Kiwi Jack Fagan wins world's richest speed shear
Te Kūiti's Fagan triumphs in a field stacked with talent.
A farm lost over cannabis plants: Could this be NZ's last case with the Privy Council?
Shaun Allen went to jail and had the farm he’d owned for just six months confiscated.
Fishing suspense: 120.8kg tuna holds first place as Megafish heads into final day
The tournament, dating back almost 50 years, has 128 boats at sea.
Green exiting Bluewater: Prominent Napier hotelier selling jewel in accommodation crown
At 76, Rodney Green says it's time for someone else to have a go.
Wings, wheels, and waves: Napier festival celebrates transport heritage
Some of the model jets sound like the real thing and can do 300km/h.
Napier overnight and weekend urgent care services centralised at health centre, for now
Staff at health centre told nurse-led overnight service might be 'delivered differently'.
Yellowfin and a 92.2kg marlin dominate first day of Megafish
At least a dozen yellowfin weighed on the first day as 128 boats compete.
Nathan Stratford leads the way in National Shearing Circuit
One qualifying round remains in the PGG Wrightson Vetmed National Shearing Circuit.
Embattled Napier property developer Malcolm Herbert dies aged 61
Developer Malcolm Herbert led construction of several major buildings in Hawke's Bay.
Wally isn't so wayward now, winning two sheepdog titles for CHB farmer
He was named Wally - as in Where's Wally? - for his wayward tendencies in puppy days.
Hunt on for a 3-4 bedroom home to use as Napier homeless shelter: 'This is an issue that is not going away'
'In less than 12 months, we have tragically lost two living on our streets.'
Liquidation: Alpine Drinks in Hawke's Bay unlikely to be able to pay $800,000 to creditors
The amount owed has been cut by two-thirds, but hopes are drying up for creditors.
'Finally got it': Ngaio Hanson's first open woolhandling win
All the shearing and woolhandling results from the weekend.
World’s best teen runner to race against the men in Hastings
Sam Ruthe ran a 4m 1.72s mile at the age of 15 last weekend. He'll run 3000m in Hastings.
Going up in the world - three-storey inner city housing ready in Napier
The lack of parking created some opposition - so what does it look like now it's done?
NZ's top shearers eyeing a black-singlet comeback
The national team selection series takes place over the next 12 months.
Napier powerboat racing carnage: 'Like the Waitemata Harbour on steroids'
Less than half the boats in the Napier racing survived the first two races undamaged.
Speed limits back up to 100km/h by July
The speed limits were lowered almost two years ago.
Supermarkets mystery as Napier lags in Countdown rebranding
A supermarket brand in Napier for 36 years has still got some time to go yet
Kiwi man's rebuild of the famous 'lost Bugatti' to be unveiled at Art Deco Festival
All but three of the country's 15 vintage and classic Bugatti models will be in Napier.
Mysterious collapse of water bottling company owing creditors $2.6m
The firm, established at Awatoto in 2018, closed last July and is in liquidation.
Wave of yellowfin tuna in Hawke's Bay as $20k fishing competition nears
'It is looking like a record number for a season ... it's a bit weird.'
Rowland Smith's second win in shears comeback
Results from the weekend's Taihape Shears and Tapawera Shears.
$17m refurbishment milestone for Hawke’s Bay Hospital outpatients
The Puawānanga Outpatients facility's second refurbishment stage is complete.
Alexia Phillips to attempt shearing world record
World Sheep Shearing Records Society confirmed Alexia Phillips’ February bid this week.
Clubs Hastings committee resigns amid property sale furore
The president and committee of clubs Hastings, formed in a merger in 2016, have resigned.
'Aim high': Teen scores $135,000 scholarship to Australian university, sheds Olympic dream
Hastings Christian School's Lucy Smith chose academics over an Olympic dream.
Closed waters as powerboats surge into the Bay
A fleet of at least 11 boats is expected, mainly from Auckland.
Marine rescue: One person dies after being taken off boat due to medical event
Coastguard, rescue helicopter, and ambulance all called to alert near Cape Kidnappers.
Napier council starts social housing sale process in February
The council decided against selling all its housing.
Rare treble for miracle shearer David Buick
The treble was last achieved in 2016 by 2014 World Champion Rowland Smith.
'Give it a nudge': Shearer sets sights on solo world record
The current record is 872, set by Stu Connor in Cornwall in 2021.
Shearing it around: Huge weekend of action from north to south
Competitions throughout NZ will culminate in solo world record attempt on Monday.
Top cop leaves the force to tackle issues on the street
A cop for 36 years, Sam Aberahama will now run a mental health and wellbeing trust.
Rotten summer: Wairoa A&P Show cancelled for the third time in four years
'Another good thing that’s not happening': Wairoa's series of weather blows continues.
Father and son win big at Peninsula Duvauchelle Shears
North Otago farmer Justin Meikle and his teenage son Tye are on a roll.
Call for support for crash first responders
It comes as a crash in Havelock North brings the holiday road toll to 13.
April date and change of venue for Hawke's Bay Sports Awards
More than 20 sports have produced winners of the Hawke's Bay Supreme sports award.
Napier offshore race gets prime January date
Auckland Anniversary weekend is a popular time for the city's boat race fans to visit HB.
Six clubs to hit water for Hawke’s Bay Cup rowing regatta
Up to 180 rowers are set to compete in the annual event on Friday and Saturday.
Rain disappears as fireworks light up Napier
The fireworks were explosive but it was otherwise a quiet New Year's Eve.
From Napier to Navy chief, to an ONZM
Retired Navy chief the second ex-Richmond School pupil on the honours list in three years.
Services to Māori and education recognised with ONZM
Heke Huata has been involved in the cultural performing arts and education for 4 decades.
Havelock North’s Prue Lamerton made ONZM for services to nuclear medicine
An ONZM for a pioneer in medical science and a gift to Hawke's Bay.
Making the show tick over - 57 years behind the scenes honoured
A star of theatre is acknowledged in the New Year 2025 Honours.
A day or two late for a white Christmas in Hawke’s Bay
Hail has been reported following MetService forecast.
Hawke's Bay set for New Year's Eve
Public New Year's Eve celebrations in Napier were canned for years.
Severe thunderstorm warning for Hawke’s Bay
Hail warnings could be issued at any time and at short notice.
A month of Hawke’s Bay summer holiday events
North Island Colgate Games will draw more than 1000 budding athletes.
The island that disappeared in Napier: 'They took it'
Taape Tareha dived into hundreds of pages of court notes and found an unusual theft.
Four men face murder charges after man found dead in Napier CBD
Two 19-year-olds are among four arrested in the Boy Taylor homicide inquiry.
Sunny HB Christmas Day, but keep an eye on the fire
Outdoors Christmas Day cooking is allowed, but the warning is: Be careful.
History: Pat Parsons dies aged 82
Pat Parsons was made an honorary member of the multiple Napier hapu.
Sale of Hawke’s Bay forest nets $4m for council
Tararua District Council has sold a forest. Now other assets are headed for the market.
Homicide inquiry after 'gentle soul' street dweller killed in Napier CBD
Street dweller Boy Taylor died in Napier's CBD on Wednesday morning.
Work to start on approaches for new expressway bridge
Two bridges alongside each other will ease congestion on the Hawke's Bay Expressway.
Vanuatu Earthquakes: Hawke’s Bay rescuers head for Port Vila
Specially trained Urban Search and Rescue staff have been sent Vanuatu.
More rain forecast for northern Hawke's Bay
Over 150mm of rain has come at a good time, as long as it doesn't flood.
Heavy rain hits Wairoa again, flooding seen as drains struggle to cope
More thann 100mm has fallen around Wairoa in 24 hours.
The chase is over – rain ends Napier hopes of schools cricket title
Napier went into the last match unbeaten in five consecutive run chases.
The right Paige - Dobson steps up after national schools win
Coach Snell is predicting big things over long distances from this Napier youngster.
Napier's assets, including its airport share, moved to new council company
'We can’t keep doing things the same way and expect a different result,' mayor says.
Mercury hits thirsty 30s again in Hawke’s Bay
It was a warm welcome for one of the bigger cruise-liner visits of the summer.
Havelock North movie theatre saved after Event Cinemas draws curtain
Matt Bell said there had been a real prospect the Havelock North cinema would close.
'So loud': Napier deluge floods shop's Christmas display, roadworks signs float down street
Deluge flooded the Christmas display in at least one store and poured down hilly streets.
Shearing: Digger Balme, 60, wins at Rotorua Show
Age ain’t doing nothing to slow down this veteran competition shearer.