Jack Riddell is a multimedia journalist with the 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.
How a Year 11 student conquered the NZ Scholarship Te Reo exam
Maieke Thompson ranked in top 0.04% for Te Reo Māori Scholarship.
‘Sacrificed his life’: Man killed trying to stop fight, family says
Tulasunu’i Keith Alapati was a 'humble, loving guy' who moved to the area two weeks ago.
‘Taking back control’: Police spent $75,000 patrolling gang funeral
Eighteen arrests were made as out-of-town cops and the Eagle helicopter swooped.
Historic Hastings church hall columns up for grabs
The columns were salvaged from the demolished Wesley Methodist Hall.
Hawke’s Bay singer's debut single on Six60’s label
Hawke’s Bay artist Makayla wants to define what it means to be a Māori popstar.
Kiwi chiropractor for billionaires shares their longevity secrets and their odd requests
'A friend of mine used to work for a prince who would bathe in liquid gold.'
Hitchhiking students: Daughter finds ride, 15yo son still thumbing it after school bus axed
Mike Brown’s son, Chamon, still hitchhikes along State Highway 2 to and from school.
The 'scars' of Cyclone Gabrielle could linger on hillsides for decades
'Chances are that it’s going to take decades to 100 years, if at all, to patch up.'
Rare beaked whale dies after stranding on Hawke’s Bay beach
Two large sea mammals spotted by a dog walker are a species of the elusive beaked whales.
Desperate dad teaches kids to hitchhike 45km due to school bus cuts
When Mike Brown took his children to the bus stop, there was no bus waiting.
From Zimmer frame to triathlon: Rocco’s amazing athletic journey
'I’m going to be breakdancing over the finish line.'
Six60 vow to have new music for delayed Hawke’s Bay show: ‘We loaded our gear into the studio yesterday’
The Kiwi music kings have revealed they're working on their next release in between shows.
Hawke’s Bay teen runner wins gold at Oceania Orienteering Champs
She also earned a silver in the W18 long distance, boosting her world ranking.
'Big s*** storm': Teacher quits job to homeschool child after ministry cuts bus route
'I'd love to be working; I don't get pure satisfaction sitting here at home doing this.'
The two teen brothers who blitzed the NZ pinball championships
'You don’t expect to get all the way to the final and play your brother.'
Police find missing Napier teen siblings
In a statement released on Friday, police said the brother and sister had been located.
A place to call home: Cyclone-smashed school rebuilt in time for new year
'I can’t wait to see the look in their eyes when they walk through the gate.'
Govt invests $67m in Hawke's Bay Hospital upgrades
The radiology department will be upgraded, and a new cancer treatment machine added.
Napier festival cancelled as ticket sales fall short for Queen tribute
Queen tribute band couldn't save Napier's Revival Festival from cancellation.
One region, four highways, 32 hours of closures: Police urge caution after tragic week
'The speed limit is not a target, and we want people to drive to the conditions.'
‘Empowering and therapeutic’: Award-winning musical set for Hastings
'Therapy: The Musical' will play in Hastings on March 5 and 6.
‘Reject this bill’: Denis O’Reilly’s call at Treaty Principles hearing
Submitters met at Waiohiki Marae for a karakia before heading to Wellington.
AMI reveals Hawke’s Bay's top 10 stolen car models for 2024
Has your Nissan gone missing? Car thieves' favourite vehicles to nick are revealed.
Don't forget your route closures: Six60 concert needed council green light for roadblock
The Six60 concert in Hawke’s Bay has been postponed to October 25.
'Dreadfully Divine': Canadian brings mobile dreadlock service to NZ
Dreadlocks? Redheads get it the worst.
Six60 concert postponed for eight months: 'The venue wasn’t up to scratch'
Concert venue says they're 'unable to present the show as we want' at this time.
Mystery as urn swept into Hawke’s Bay orchard found two years after cyclone
Shanae Tong saw something sticking out of the grass and realised it wasn't just debris.
Chefs gear up for a Hawke’s Bay meatball festival
Hawke’s Bay hosts NZ’s first meatball festival in Hastings.
‘A great social gathering’: Bridge Pā Wine Festival’s sunny success
Organisers plan the next festival for 2026, with tickets on sale mid-September.
‘Phenomenal’ teen cheerleader died of meningitis a week after starting dream job
'She got to live her dream for one week. It was so unfairly taken from her.'
How a 12-year-old Kiwi took home a medal at a world sailing regatta
Sometimes even the smallest people can make the biggest difference.
Bit of a Mission: Why international artists aren’t coming to the Bay in 2025
A lull in Mission and stadium concerts in Hawke's Bay is likely to continue through 2025.
‘Someday a fence won’t hold’: 13 crashes in five years on road to tourist hotspot
'They are speeding, a lot, every hour of the day, every day.'
‘Warm and moist’: Low pressure system may bring rain, summer temps
MetService says one of the first big low-pressure systems of the year is forming.
A sausage to call your own: Butchery aims to make singles' love lives sizzle again
For single Hawke’s Bay residents, Valentine’s Day isn’t usually a banger.
Hawke’s Bay clubs shine at North Island Colgate Games in Hastings
Hastings games hailed success with over 1000 young athletes competing, even more watching.
Who's the best mascot in Hawke's Bay? Feathers fly at region's biggest summer sporting showcase
Hawke’s Bay mascots competed at a Colgate Games challenge for ultimate bragging rights.
Their boy's school bus was canned, so they've bought one to drive him and his friends to class
The Astill's 22-seater bus to Hastings already has 19 students booked for the ride.
Farmer says dog attack by mum and pup killed 95 sheep
'They've drilled them all into a creek, all into gateways, and taken them off one by one.'
Hawkewood: Can Hawke’s Bay become New Zealand’s new film hub?
'There’s so much about our region which is amazing for the industry.'
MetService issues heavy rain watch for Wairoa this Saturday
Expect wet weekend in Hawke’s Bay; southerly winds bring rain and cold.
'I'm destroying the icon of the motorcar': Napier man's two decade quest to invent a better form of transport
A Napier man invents a 'Hydrocarbonanza', a bike-like vehicle aimed at replacing cars.
Police seek victim after assault at Hawke’s Bay racing event
Police seek assault victim for welfare check after incident at Livamol Classic Raceday.
'Humble, loving, patient': Father who died after car-surfing in Napier
Givealittle page supports Reif Cotter's family after his fatal Napier accident.
From bare paddocks to bare bums: The origins of the Hawke’s Bay Naturist Club
The Hawke’s Bay Naturists Club welcomes all, and nudity is actually optional.
‘That’s not normal’: Rescued penguin unable to move on Napier beach
Experts: Climate change pushing penguin food deeper, causing starvation.
Why a Hastings charity pauses to recharge during Christmas
Hastings charity pauses meals over Christmas to ease volunteer workload
Fireworks ban in Hawke’s Bay due to high fire risk
Napier’s New Year’s Eve fireworks still on despite regional firework ban.
Heavy rain watch for Wairoa as prolonged period of dry set to break in Hawke's Bay
Hawke’s Bay to face a wet week; Wairoa district likely to receive the most rain.
Gang leader's funeral: Eight arrests today as some mourners flout patch ban
The funeral is for Napier's Angus Benson, a Mongrel Mob Barbarian chapter president.
Film studio plans change course as Te Awanga site dropped
Hawke’s Bay studio delays: 'Hopefully by the end of next year we should be building.'
Bomb's away: Manu competition set to make a splash in Hawke's Bay
Epic bomb competition returns to Hawke’s Bay this weekend at Havelock North Village Pool.
Saving Hawke's Bay Tourism: Napier council's draft plan includes funding, others less keen
Katie Nimon wants councils to keep the lights on and NCC wants to give $300k.
Armed police block streets in Hastings during search
Police armed as a precaution and an increased police presence.
Fergus Morunga: From stutter to success, a true Lindisfarne leader
'Comfortable being uncomfortable': as he graduates from Lindisfarne College.
Free fish heads every week: The new giveaway in Hawke's Bay that's making waves
'A few onions, potatoes, coconut cream, and fish heads. Can’t wait.'
'Good neighbours and smoke alarms save lives': 85-year-old Hastings man rescued from flash fire
Peter Murton will keep cooking his sweetcorn fritters, despite the painful experience.
Kiwi nurse of 37yrs on desperate staff shortages: 'We're holding on by the skin of our teeth'
Nurse warns Hawke’s Bay Hospital is “holding on by the skin of our teeth” due to staffing.
Chorus says 'malicious activity' cause of Hawke's Bay outage
Internet outage in Hawke's Bay affects 700 customers.
Air NZ cuts Napier-Wellington flights: What you need to know
Air NZ to cut off-peak flights between Napier and Wellington.
'Death spiral' warning for public transport in Hawke’s Bay as NZTA issues new targets
'The problem with dramatically increasing fares is that fewer people will take the bus.'
Hawke’s Bay basks in early summer heat, hits 30C
Hawke's Bay hits 30°C; Wairoa and Taradale lead with warm temps.
Family's plea: Stolen binoculars hold much sentimental value - originally from shipwreck
'It’s unbelievable how I acquired them'. Beloved binoculars stolen from Westshore home.
'Right combo of wind, waves, tides': Why a pou swept away in cyclone was found 650 days later
'The marae's still alive, the carving is still alive and the people of Tangoio are alive.'
Pou swept from marae during Cyclone Gabrielle washes ashore after 650 days at sea
A hand-carved pou lost in the cyclone has been found on Mahia Beach, 100km from home.
'Would’ve given up months ago': The teacher who cycles over hilly paddocks every day
Cyclone Gabrielle turned the Kererū Gorge road into a chasm.
Children face 10-hour school day as bus route axed
Mum accuses Education Ministry of breaching its own criteria.
Santa's summer grotto and Mrs Claus' bar hop highlight festive fun
Napier CBD to celebrate Christmas with a month of events, starting November 23.
One region expected to be real test for gang-patch ban
'The younger ones are quite likely to be more militant about it.'
Hīkoi at home: Rural school’s stand for tamariki's future
Omāhū School marches for pride and unity.
Firefighters called to Hastings CBD as smoke spotted out top of building
Fire crews were quickly on the scene and it appeared to be under control within minutes.
Treaty bill 'a childish projection': Hīkoi supporters vocal in Hawke’s Bay
Flying out the door: A Hastings store sells close to 1000 tino rangatiratanga flags.
From London to Sydney: Celebrating 90 years of the Gipsy Moth adventure
Jan Chisum flies her father’s restored Gipsy Moth, offering stunning views of Hawke’s Bay.
Napier motorcyclist dies in hospital after Hawke’s Bay crash
A Napier motorcyclist has died from his injuries after the crash.
Meet the 'little legend': Peter’s charity journey up Te Mata Peak
Special Olympian, 53, runs 12.8k to raise funds for local school.
Turtle troubles in Napier: 'It is totally irresponsible to release them to the wild'
Turtles are believed to have been dumped by owners who can no longer care for them.
'We will make a noise': Ngāti Kahungunu backs hīkoi ahead of arrival in Hastings
Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti will be in Heretaunga on Friday as it makes its way to Wellington.
Beam Scooters halt Napier operations after two-year trial
A council spokeswoman confirmed Beam stopped its Napier operation in November.
'It’s pretty special': Community bands together to publish 13-year-old's Cyclone Gabrielle picture book
The book was published with support from her teachers, Hastings' Mayor, and her community.