Katee Shanks
Multimedia journalist
Multimedia journalist
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.
Check out Katee’s latest content
Two boys orphaned after parents killed in North Island crash
The 9-month-old is recovering from a crash which killed both his parents.
Rotorua's regional economic confidence soaring
'There seems to be a lot happening in Rotorua.'
Ōpōtiki to officially gain macrons: 'It's business as usual' says mayor
District name now aligns with name of the town.
E. Coli in the water: Three possible causes for Kawerau scare
Backflow preventers to be installed at every residential property.
Katee Shanks: I'll never look at Whakaari the same way again
It's during the downtime when thoughts of December 9 come to the fore.
'Together we will get through this' - Whakatāne one month after eruption
The eruption left the community reeling and for many the grief remains.
River tragedy: Emotional scenes as man dies while swimming
CPR was carried out for at least 45 minutes.
Kawerau residents urged to keep boiling water despite second clear test
Investigation of cause of bacteria in water continues.
Grandparents pay high price as meth rips apart families
Methamphetamine is being blamed for the skyrocketing numbers.
Bodies have been pinpointed on and around White Island
Six of the eight bodies to be retrieved from Whakaari can be seen from the air.
Teen tour guide has burns to 80pc of his body, long road to recovery
Jake Milbank turned 19 on Monday - the day he suffered serious burns in the eruption.
'Incredibly traumatic': Nana's belongings vanish from car after she dies in fatal smash
Vehicle wreckage and roadside searched but to no avail.
Father son duo deny charges over fatal stabbing
The two men charged share the same first and last names.
US rugby club's moving gift to Kiwi teammate with cancer
Boydy Wikeepa has received messages from all around the world.
Illegal rubbish dumping becoming a bigger problem
Councils ask community to help find rubbish dumpers.
Firefighters rescue sheltering dog from Torere blaze
A dog in a kennel was found surrounded by a burning building, fences and grass.
Bridges: Legitimate income or no dole for patched gangsters
If you can't say where the money came from, don't expect a Government benefit.
Father and son lose fight to keep names secret after fatal stabbing
More charges laid after Edgecumbe murder earlier this month.
Who dunny it? Shameless thief swipes portaloo - and it was full
A trailer would have been needed for the toilet heist.
Why gang member numbers have risen 30 per cent
Political leaders and senior police speak out.
'A terrible experience': Dairy manager robbed three times in a month
Dairy manager Charanpreet Singh had a knife held to his throat during one burglary.
School told to take potential measles contact seriously
Te Puke's Te Ranga School have been told to take a measles case at church seriously.
Cop callout culminates in time with kids
Police spend time with Taneatua school kids after armed incident.
'Weapons, drugs, violence': Moteliers cop it all
A meeting to discuss Rotorua's housing crisis brought interested parties to the table.
Toddlers come away from crash without a scratch
A Rotorua mum believes rear-facing child car seats helped in crash.
Catch a lift? Hitchhiking seal climbs aboard fishing boat
Whakatāne anglers share boat with a seal.
Minister of Health in Whakatāne to announce new parental service
New mental health service for Eastern Bay women announced in Whakatāne.
Accidental Whakatāne candidate: 'It is absolutely imperative people don't vote for me'
Whakatāne District Council candidate Kay Boreham hopes people won't vote for her.
From NZ's Next Top Model to charity worker
Danielle Hayes announces retirement from New Zealand Fashion Week.
Edgecumbe timber worker thanks Prime Minister
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces more money for work programme.
Goalkeeper with 'monster' frame: Kiwi teen signs with Aston Villa
Whakatane's Jamie Searle has signed with professional club Aston Villa.
Whānau hopeful of finding missing Whakatāne man
The family of missing Whakatāne man Joseph Webb remain positive.
Quick-thinking youngster rescues toddler from pool
Ōpōtiki 6-year-old rescues toddler from pool at Whakatāne Aquatic Centre.
Opinion: Sharing the journey with Matatā fan head residents
We have walked alongside residents in this saga from the very beginning.
Matatā property owners yet to decide whether to take buyout offer
Majority of Awatarariki fan head residents unhappy with acquisition package.
Awatarariki fan head saga: What you need to know
It's been a 14-year rollercoaster of emotions for Awatarariki residents.
D-Day for Awatarariki fan head property owners
Awatarariki home and land owners to find out next step in 14-year saga.
Howard Morrison Quartet member Wi Wharekura dies
The last member of the Howard Morrison Quartet has died.
Messages of joy for Tāmati Coffey and husband's new baby
Labour MP Tāmati Coffey and husband Tim Smith welcome son.
Gang wars in Whakatāne: Brawl erupts over body at funeral parlour
A gang clash outside a Whakatāne funeral home caught on camera prompted a fresh outcry.
Matatā crash sentencing leaves sister of killed road worker distraught
Sister of killed worker openly distraught as man responsible was not sent to jail.
'Leave your lights on': Tribute to truckie goes viral
Tributes have been pouring in for a truck driver killed on SH3 last week.
Third heart surgery and only 8 months old
Rotorua baby Royal Lemalie-Lewis is one of New Zealand's 'heart kids'.
'Trapped in his own body': Toddler's family in desperate plea for help
Heath can't even crawl due to his condition, treatment for one year would cost $660,000.
Murupara may become a cashless banking community
In the early hours of Sunday a stolen front-end loader was used to smash through a wall.
Queen's Birthday Honours: Bonnie's doing it for Matatā
Matata's Bonnie Dobson honoured in the Queen's Birthday 2019 list.
Hīkoi for Homeless solved the crisis or created a new one?
Leaders reflect one year on: "There is still so much to be done."
Moutohorā Island re-opened for tours after man's death
Tours of Moutohorā Island had been suspended after a person was seriously injured.
Council staff hope to meet toddler's family
Whakatāne councillors and staff want to offer condolences to family of drowned toddler.
Family urged to take part in restorative justice
David Cox has pleaded guilty in relation to the deaths of three Rotorua Higgins workers.
Horror crash killed three Rotorua road workers: Man admits careless driving
A man is in Whakatāne District Court in relation to the deaths of three Higgins workers
Lionel Nowell remembered by neighbour
Lionel Nowell died in hospital aged 73, after a fall on Moutohora last week.
Man charged over deaths of three Bay of Plenty road workers weeps outside court
A man has appeared in court charged with dangerous driving causing death.
Hospital chaplain's cancer shock after retiring
Retired Rotorua Hospital chaplain Ray Bloomfield has been diagnosed with cancer.
Whakatāne lad Harrison Hata disrupts Heartbreak Island
Whakatāne's Harrison Hata is on Heartbreak Island looking for money not love
New homes for Housing New Zealand tenants
Housing New Zealand complete the first four of 36 planned homes in Whakatāne.
Young, vibrant woman Karli Rowe mourned after crash
Tributes are flowing for the young woman killed in a road crash near Tikitere on Sunday.
Man killed in Kawerau roadside shootout named
The man shot and killed by police on Thursday has been described as a cheeky youngster.
Bank robbery shooting: Dead Mongrel Mob member on meth, fired at police
The man was shot by officers after reports of family harm incident, bank robbery.
Horror rail death: 'I still have nightmares about holding my brother's broken body'
Report into the death of Whakatāne man Wayne Faga highlights sight-line issues.
Obscured sight line issue for truckie killed at rail crossing
Report into the death of Waste Management driver Wayne Faga released today.
Heartbreak Island star: Rotorua's dating pool 'shallower than my bathwater'
Heartbreak Island contestant asked whether local boys weren't good enough.
Girl, 14, misses connecting bus at Bulls
A young Whakatane girl had a short stay in Bulls after missing her connecting bus
Elephant seal departs Whakatāne for deeper water
Momoa the elephant seal has not been seen for a week.
Foodstuffs distribution centre moving to Auckland
Staff at Foodstuffs Rotorua Distribution Centre are looking for alternative work.
Momoa the elephant seal still drawing a crowd
Momoa the elephant seal remains in Whakatāne and is enjoying the crowds
Amazing pictures: Elephant seal visits Eastern Bay shores
An elephant seal causes a stir in Whakatāne.
Elephant seal draws Whakatāne crowds
An elephant seal has been spotted at different Eastern Bay beaches this week.
Furious mum: Gang member told my son to try and get his bike back
Mum furious with patched gang members who bullied her son then ripped away his bike.
Ōpōtiki murder accused appears in court
Man accused of the murder of an Ōpōtiki man two years ago has appeared in court.
$25m announced for Eastern Bay
More than $25m of funding has been announced for Eastern Bay of Plenty
Multi-million dollar build planned for Scion
'Our intent is to open it up to the public and showcase what we do.'
Dog stolen from inside owner's vehicle
Whakatane couple Lorna and Cliff Walker are gutted after their dog was taken today.
Brothers to walk bride down aisle after father's death
John Lickfold was supposed to be giving his daughter away this weekend.
Driving programme aims to keep offenders out of prison
Supporters says getting a driving licence is a key step to keeping people out of prison.
Historic Ōpōtiki death now treated as homicide
Police are now treating a death of an Ōpōtiki man in 2016 as a homicide.
Tiny Deane's plan to set up Auckland homeless shelter
Rotorua's Tiny Deane is helping to set up a homeless shelter in Auckland.
Remembering baby Karter: Tournament raises awareness of SUDI
Tournament a chance to remember Karter Kapu-ai-waho Jarmie Fraser and other SUDI babies.