Kiri Gillespie is the Assistant News Director and a Multimedia Journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times, covering local politics in Tauranga.
Kiri Gillespie is the Assistant News Director and Multimedia Journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times. You could say she’s a people person. She worked in hospitality and tourism in Rotorua before embarking on a career in journalism. Having cut her teeth in newsrooms in Rotorua, Wellington and Gisborne, Kiri joined NZME in 2010, based in Tauranga. In 2011, she led coverage of the Rena sinking and the environmental disaster that followed. She has covered some of the biggest issues affecting the Bay of Plenty. Kiri mostly covers Tauranga's civic and political landscape and the growing pains the city is experiencing as its population grows. Being a voice for the underdog is a big part of what drives her. As the whakatauki goes: He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. “What is the most important thing in the world? The people, the people, the people.”
$40,000 cocktail party: Council decision to withhold guest list goes to Ombudsman
Internal emails show staff debated releasing names of attendees and funders.
Mayoral candidate threatens to take Tauranga council and marina to High Court
It comes amid a years-long dispute that has already cost ratepayers nearly $70k.
Climate change efforts a 'crock': Mayoral hopeful ranks lowest in environment survey
He says people have to have 'rocks' in their heads to think humans can change the climate.
Tauranga election: Which ward is struggling with voter turnout
It is hoped some voters are taking their time to better analyse candidates before voting.
Tauranga election: Early voter turnout surpasses 2019
New orange voting bins and candidate videos are thought to be helping.
Private cocktail party cost $40k but details of who attended still under wraps
The event was held to celebrate the city.
Mayoral contenders Brownless, Drysdale, Hall, and Salisbury face off at business event
Business community feels 'anxiety' and 'excitement' ahead of election, says chamber boss.
'Unlock the unheard voices': Election hopeful pushes new way to include community
Citizens’ assemblies are about 'empowering communities' - candidate.
Property company helped pay for invite-only Council cocktail party
Prominent developer says event celebrated 'overdue' CBD work kicked off by commission.
Authority rules on claims Tauranga 'now hiring' election ad was misleading
The council says the advert was intended to be tongue-in-cheek.
Election candidate was jailed for drug crime: 'I've learned from my mistakes'
Convicted offender Ashley Hillis wants to show that people can change for the better.
Election hopeful already a councillor elsewhere
Sarah-Jane Bourne grew up in Mount Maunganui, and is keen to return despite Waikato role.
'Tauranga is ready': Trans woman running for council aims to make history
'If I do get elected, [it] would kind of be a victory for the entire city and NZ.'
'Non-core business': Tauranga council sells Marine Precinct
The buyer must develop the balance of the precinct, council says.
Watch: Potential 'tragedy' avoided as launch comes to aid of struggling waka
The small vessel was being blown out to sea with a torn sail and six on board.
'Never seen it so quiet': Developer says commercial build dry spell worst in decades
'All of these growing costs aren’t making it attractive for anyone.'
Mayoral contender Mahé Drysdale to commute from Cambridge if he wins
'I’m still very passionate about the city. I love it, being where I grew up.'
Tauranga election: Who's running and what you need to know about voting
It's the first election since 2019 when councillors were replaced by commissioners.
Election hopeful accused of 'dog-whistle politics'
Response to complaint about page user's moko kauae 'barcode' comment criticised.
'Tidal flow' lane considered for Turret Rd traffic chokepoint
Council commissioners will decide on Monday whether to go ahead with improvements.
'First of their kind in NZ': 100 seapods installed to create living seawall in Tauranga's CBD
The seapods create habitat for marine life to thrive and add to wider waterfront plans.
Sacked council: Who’s running again and why one hasn't had a haircut since 2020
One mayoral candidate says he has 'unfinished business'.
'Kick in the guts': Tradies 'poaching' work from locals 'rife' amid slowdown
'A high volume of tradies [are] jumping in the ute and trying to grab some of the work'
'Incredibly generous': Farmer gifts 103ha with panoramic coastal views for regional park
The generous gift has been called a rarity and 'true legacy' for the Bay of Plenty.
'There's a better way': Why singer Ria Hall wants to be Tauranga's next mayor
'I’m not under any illusion that this is not something that’s not big . . . it really is.'
Revealed: Tauranga council’s private cocktail event to ‘celebrate’ city
But the list of the 150 invitees remains secret, for now.
'Diabolical': $23m plan to ease congestion during roadworks but commuters alarmed
A park and ride shuttle service, T2 lanes and a free toll road are measures proposed.
Chasing millions: Appeal 'likely' as High Court gives council more time
Extension given as council chases $20.5m+ after selling part-built carpark for $1.
'Make a difference': Comedian, MP back call for rainbow crossing in Tauranga
'Yes, it’s lines on the ground - but it’s so much more than that.'
Council faces big byelection bills after three reps quit, one dies
Costs to fill the empty seats could hit up to $83,600.
Chasing millions: Tauranga council considers appealing High Court decision
Council claims more than $20.5m in 'wasted costs' after selling part-built carpark for $1.
Minister rules out hybrid council, Crown observer
'Tauranga’s success is critically important to New Zealand’s success.'
Olympian Mahé Drysdale weighs joining election race: 'There’s opportunity there'
The grandson of Sir Bob Owens already has a family member in the race.
'Truly disturbing': Ex-mayor slams commission’s request to Simeon Brown for hybrid council
'There is genuine concern that history may repeat itself' - report.
Tears and triumphs: Tolley on rebuilding Tauranga and what she'll do next
'I’m a bit of a sook, really.'
Six years, four emails, and a petition: Why is it so hard to get a rainbow crossing in Tauranga?
Now a rainbow community advocate has started a petition.
'Colossal waste' or 'Godsend'?: Verdicts in on $1.78m crossings
Safety concerns for local schoolchildren had been “alleviated considerably”.
'System failure': Whakaari response review reveals 'confusion'
It also found little or no national recovery co-ordination and no solid plan.
Rotorua or Katikati: Where should the Bay's next regional park go?
If approved, the parks could preserve public green spaces in perpetuity.
Democracy 'at times ... fails': Tolley backs 'hybrid' model ahead of city election
'Angst' in Tauranga as elections approach, 'old guard' angle for re-election.
Iwi has 'major concerns' as council weighs selling chunk of port shares
Iwi leader claims there's already 'lots of interest from overseas companies'.
Calls grow for minister to curb Tauranga commission's powers
What Local Government Minister Simeon Brown said in response.
Boomtime: The city bucking NZ's building consent 'slowdown'
There's so much going on that there's concern whether the construction industry can cope.
'Premature mortality': Review backs report linking suburb's poor air to deaths
Review highlights the 'scale of impact' of Mount Maunganui's polluted airshed.
Buses on-demand: City battling congestion trials new scheme
The buses operate like Uber and could be expanded to the rest of the city, if successful.
Crankworx Rotorua: Female athletes mark major milestone with 'dazzling array of tricks'
'So many little girls in the stands ... this is probably one of my career highlights.'
'Finally': Owners of homes hit by landslide from reserve may get buyout offer
'If [the council’s] reserve hadn’t fallen down on our house, we’d be happy as Larry.'
Mount Maunganui’s surprise smiley-face roundabout vandalised
The cheerful spot has already been restored - it's just missing one thing...
'Don’t know how we can cope': Building consents plunge in 'most unaffordable city'
'We are nowhere near where we should be.'
13 German shepherds, 40 cats removed from residential home
Seizure of dogs - all underweight and some with parvo - council's 'largest-ever'.
'Expensive flop': $75k in public funding for app downloaded 2200 times
Authorities say the ratepayer-funded project is worthwhile and feedback has been good.
Death, evacuations and gunfire: Inside Tenby Powell's warzone mission
'You wander around the grave sites wondering how people can do this to other people.'
Not enough cash: Major city projects delayed amid three waters woes
It comes as Tauranga's council grapples with 'budget limitations'.
'Perfect sense': $147m hotel and conference centre poised for CBD
The council says the project could be worth $58.8m in benefits to the city.
Pot plants in potholes: 'Creative' ploy to get road fixed successful
It comes after roundabout grass was baled by a rogue farmer in the same community.
Failed bid to have newly elected council monitored revealed
But those behind it are considering trying again.
'Cross': Tolley says she did not have 'anything to do with' disinviting election event speaker
A council executive says she made the call to change the event speaker – and stands by it.
'Great concern': Mayor's worry for people using congested SH2 as new route delayed
'You do it one day and it takes one hour and the next day it takes two hours, it's hard.'
Council cans ratepayer leader's speech invitation after critical survey
'I just don’t know what the hell’s going on.'
'Fobbed off': Man injured on 'horrible' track calls for safety changes
Peter Rawstron says the Waiere Stream is popular but dangerous.
'Ruins it for generations': Protected Bay pōhutukawa trees felled
The damaged trees at the regional park were estimated to be 20 to 30 years old.
‘Overwhelming' resistance: Residents want city to trim $4.75b budget
The city needs that money to fund proposed projects over 10 years.
'Tough call': About 40 Warehouse staff to find new roles as central site closes
"Our main focus right now is making sure they’re taken care of." - Warehouse boss.
Deemed too risky: ‘Crucial’ housing plans delayed 10 years
The housing development is expected to offer homes for 15,500 people.
Bella Vista saga: Review finds evacuated home was not dangerous as deemed by council
But the council says it made the right decision at the time.
'Cannot pay': Charity could close if council's fee hike plan goes ahead
Men’s Shed says it can’t afford council plans to introduce ‘fairer’ fees.
Man's journey with 'miracle drug' on hold after brain tumour found
The father still hopes to reach his goal of getting back on the treatment.
Western Bay among busiest areas in NZ for ambulance call-outs
Weather events and Covid-19 are considered to be among reasons why.
Man survives 8m fall on to rocks, hasn't 'broken anything'
Swimming hole leap goes horribly wrong: 'It was too late. I knew I was going to hit it.'
Ex-mayor wants minister to limit Tauranga commission's powers ahead of election
Greg Brownless fears ‘entrenchment’ for the new elected council.
Bagpipes, bad singing: The sounds irking a city and which suburb complained most
'Urban sprawl' on shrinking sections a factor in noise complaints: planning researcher
'Outrageous' contamination: How much recycling ends up in landfill
Once, an entire recycling truck’s contents weighing 4.38t were sent to landfill.
Firefighters spending Christmas on Matakana Island after ‘beast’ of a blaze
The huge fire has been described as 'a beast' and like a 'taniwha'.
Cancer-stricken dad’s Christmas wish - one more round of ‘miracle’ drug
Seven months ago, the 60-year-old wasn't sure he'd live long enough to see Christmas.
'Alarm bells': Legal action threatened over slope hazard maps
The council says the updated maps are valid and more accurate.
Pāpāmoa water: Top health official says no cases linked to drinking supply
Water is deemed safe but some locals have linked it to them getting sick.
Becoming a ‘grown-up city’: Your guide to Tauranga CBD's $1.5b transformation
'People will walk around thinking this is great. They will be proud of this.'
‘Tummy issues’ as up to 20,000 taste 'dirt' in water from new $197m plant
Council says the water is 'safe to drink' and there's no public health issue.
‘Good as an airport runway’: 48 patches later, there's hope a pothole plague is over
It’s taken three years, seven complaints, 48 patch-up jobs and an apology to happen.
Mini golf owner ‘couldn’t be happier’ after Memorial Park decision
He believes 'overwhelming' community support for the business must have helped.