Eva De Jong is a Multimedia Journalist for the Whanganui Chronicle covering health stories and general news.
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NZTA cleans up large diesel spill from truck
About 200 litres of diesel spilled on State Highway 1 at Sanson.

Whanganui Corrections staff member critically injured in assault
'This sort of violence against our staff is unacceptable.'

Car crashes into power pole in Bulls, one seriously injured
Police said the road was closed until about 9pm.

‘Intimidated, threatened’: Rogue arborists cause alarm
Police advise residents being targeted to 'close the door and not engage with the person'.

Police investigate suspicious car fire near airport
Police said the car fire occurred 'northwest of the airport'.

Jet boat crash: Support floods in for severely injured woman
'Pam gives so much to the community so we wanted to give back to her.'

Police seek driver who fled after cattle truck crash
No injuries to humans or cattle were reported.

‘Critical condition’: Pedestrian injured in crash
The crash happened late on Sunday night at the intersection of SH3 and Hewitts Rd.

How family violence in Whanganui compares to seven years ago
'I think victims and survivors are reporting more these days.'

‘Could have been different’: Quick response saves school library from fire
The fire was caused by an air ventilation fan.

One injured in roundabout crash
A person with moderate injuries was taken to Whanganui Hospital.

Two men face kidnapping charges after rural shooting incident
Multiple charges have been laid against a 48-year-old man and 67-year-old man.

‘Incredibly, incredibly grateful’: Family praises first responders to Taihape crash
'Without those people, the outcome could have been completely different.'

Seriously injured person airlifted to Christchurch after Taihape crash
'One person was trapped in the vehicle.'

Heating source likely cause of hot tub fire
Firefighters were called to a property in Bulls early on Monday morning.

Whanganui police breath test nearly 10,000 drivers over two days
'Our aim is to prevent tragic incidents on our roads.'

Popular day hike deceptively dangerous
Easter visitors are warned not to be complacent about the Tongariro Crossing.

Bremworth proposes laying off 47 staff amidst major restructure
“It was very quiet ... a lot of people were crying."

Whanganui firefighters warning after double burn-off in Westmere breaks rules
About 10 firefighters responded to the two fires in Westmere.

Two orthopaedic surgeons leaving Whanganui Hospital after 65 years of surgery
'The people you’re operating on tend to be your neighbours, friends.'

Young Hunterville farmer wants to lower environmental footprint of family’s dairy farm
“I get most stressed when the cows aren’t performing well."

Fire started by prisoner in Whanganui Prison; assaults staff member
The prisoner lit a mattress in his cell on fire.

Whanganui fish and chip shop fire caused by oily rag ‘bursting into flames’
'It doesn’t happen often.'

High school teacher who groomed two students can now be named
The Whanganui teacher was sentenced to home detention last year.

Why two men are determined to finish a stranger’s dream boat
'I don’t even know the guy but that boat’s got to be finished.'

‘The grass is golden’: Farmers desperate for rain
'A lot of people are struggling for water to feed their stock.'

Pilot injured after plane makes forced landing inland from Manawatū coast
The pilot activated a personal locator beacon about 12.50pm.

Back-to-work or study slump? Six steps to increase motivation
'High levels of motivation are tied to a deeper sense of wellbeing.'

NZTA faces backlash over rubbish issues on Desert Rd detour
'It doesn't send a good message to tourists.'

‘Serious safety risks’: Whanganui riverboat managers on youth antics
'The roof isn’t designed or made to hold human weight.'

Chemical spill at Whanganui Hospital, daycare evacuated
Fire trucks have been sent to Whanganui Hospital to deal with a chemical spill.

‘I do it for the joy of it’: Meet the 89-year-old woman powerlifting into her 90s
“People even tell me that I shouldn’t be doing it at my age - which is nonsense.”

Bitumen spill wreaks havoc on vehicles along SH47 detour
A courier driver noticed tarseal wrapped around his truck's wheels.

‘You almost feel trapped’: Living with chronic lung disease
Aimee Carruthers, 41, relies on a 7kg oxygen tank due to a rare lung condition.

‘Hugely emotional’: Duo to make 130km hīkoi between marae
'Just the process of walking is also something [our ancestors] would have done.'

How a 21-year-old woman became one of NZ's youngest supermarket owners
'When I tell them my actual age, they do get shocked.'

Delays for check-up colonoscopies ‘putting people’s lives at risk'
'You can never catch up because the demand is so high.'

Christmas Day at Whanganui Prison; prisoners to prepare Xmas meals
Corrections provides 'basic and nutritious meals' for prisoners on Christmas Day.

'I remember calling her mum at work once': Mother and daughter graduate together
'I feel humbled and proud to have that moment.'

'It works better than anything': Medicinal cannabis popular for ageing and chronic pain
'My pain levels are just so low compared to what they used to be.'

'Let's do this for mum': Funeral home revamps Harley Davidson into hearse
Bike fits into trend towards more personalised, bespoke ceremonies.

After 10 years in Bali jail, new hope Kiwi man could be brought home
Antony de Malmanche has lost all his teeth, suffers depression and is down to 50kg.

Male offenders help restore gardens for terminally ill patients
'Our staff are always looking for projects where offenders can make a difference.'

How a couple turned an abandoned public pool into their award-winning dream home
“It was basically ruined."

‘Never heard of it’: Kiwi develops eating disorder after severe morning sickness during pregnancy
“I couldn’t even keep water down."

Spike in dangerous virus for dogs prompts warning
'I can't stress enough that once your dog has signs, you're too late.'

'Catastrophic fall from grace': Whanganui teacher groomed two students
The man went on to have sex with one of the teenage girls.

Police find body in Whanganui River
The body was located in the water near the City Bridge.

Search for man missing in Whanganui River
'Inquiries are currently being carried out to locate the person.'

'Extremely sad situation': Dog euthanised after attacking 5-year-old at school
The dog was surrendered to the council by its owners and euthanised.

Drug bust uncovers 19.3kg of meth in a remote wool shed
At a minimum, the 19.3kg of meth had a wholesale value of over $3.5m.

Kiwi freeride skier big victory on world stage
'You just have no idea what it’s going to look like on a camera.'

Council steps in after residents complain about rats, flooding
'This has been happening for years and years.'

'We lost everything': Fire destroys family's home
'I would really like to shake his hand because he saved my dog.'

Fears for knock-on effect of Health NZ proposal for hospital
'We don’t want to see any dilution of services in Whanganui.'

‘Don’t have a loved one coming home’: North Island communities in shock after four deaths in crashes
'My heart goes out to those people and families.'

Four dead in two 'horrific' North Island crashes
Four people have died on North Island roads today, in two separate crashes.

‘We were inundated’: Almost 400 people given free dental care
The clinic was unable to meet all the demand for its services.

'It's always been a problem': How her sibling's struggle inspired a new project
'People don’t really understand that the power is taken away from that person.'

More than 100 cases in NZ this year: Health NZ issues warning to gardeners
Legionnaires’ disease can be caught from bags or bulk loads of potting mix and compost.

'Quite frankly, insulting': Backlash over seabed mining being fast-tracked by Govt
'We have only just begun,' Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui Trust says of its opposition.

'A strain on everyone': More people seeking pharmacists' advice on medical conditions
“Pharmacists are really seeing a lot more serious health concerns."

'One of the kindest, softest people': Family mourns victim of Manawatū crash
'She was our baby sister and she was taken too soon.'

Survivor says ballot system for Abuse in Care apology events would be 'insulting'
'It’s a slap in the face': Lake Alice survivor

GPs say specialist shortages at Whanganui Hospital adding to strain
"These shortages are having a tangible impact on patient care."

SPCA rehomes large number of rats from Whanganui home
Some rats travelled via ferry to Christchurch in a custom-built, air-conditioned vehicle.

Non-acute patients choose urgent service as GPs juggle wait times
'People will fall through the gaps and end up being sicker.'

Chance of 'squally thunderstorms' in Whanganui
MetService is forecasting a mixed bag of weather for Whanganui this week.

‘No safe amount’: The push to raise Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder awareness
'Any amount is harmful, it is pretty much like Russian roulette.'

Truck carrying 'dangerous goods' catches fire
Fire crews returned to the scene to make sure the fire wasn’t going to reignite.

Mt Ruapehu life pass holders 'devastated' at losing their $4k passes after liquidation
'The majority of life pass holders have had a very sour taste left in their mouth.'

Young equestrian to compete on international stage
'She’s come a long way in a short time.'

Jigsaw Whanganui’s Tim Metcalfe retires to battle terminal illness
'Every day since then I’ve counted as a blessing.'

'Rollercoaster' outlook for spring weather
'For Whanganui, a La Nina would potentially favour warm and dry conditions.'

South Taranaki iwi takes students to Silicon Valley
20 students will have a whirlwind tour of San Francisco’s tech sector.