Maryana Garcia is a multimedia reporter based in Hamilton, covering Waikato stories of national interest.
Maryana Garcia is a live news reporter working with the Waikato Herald team. She studied a Bachelor of Arts with a major in History at the University of Auckland. Maryana also earned graduate diplomas in English literature from the University of Waikato and communications from Wintec. Maryana has been with NZME since 2021. She started as a regional reporter for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times writing about health and crime. During her time in the region, Maryana covered the Covid-19 pandemic, Cyclone Gabrielle and the local effects of the war in Ukraine, troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and protests in Iran. Maryana is also a poet and essayist. Her creative writing has been published in The Spinoff, Turbine, Poetry New Zealand, Takahē, Mayhem and Australia’s Meniscus Literary Journal. Maryana’s poetry has been featured on the walls of Auckland Hospital as part of Ara Manawa’s Poetry in Place exhibition and in the collections A Clear Dawn: New Asian Voices from Aotearoa New Zealand and Ko Aotearoa Tātou | We Are New Zealand.
Two people injured in three-vehicle crash
Emergency services called to South Waikato crash.
The NZ health district where there is one GP to 1900 people
And how one practice is 'revitalising' its GPs' passion for the job.
'Genuinely cared for': School family united after lightning strike, hall fire
The school's performing arts centre and new-entrants class were demolished after the fire.
Presentation to offer wastewater discharge solutions for Raglan
Council proposal has been put together after years of community consultation and research.
Ironman World Championships will mean busy roads for Taupō
About 6000 competitors plus their supporters are expected from overseas.
'I was a wreck': Man rescued by helicopter after ridge collapse
Plus: Why the service needs over $460k in 2025 to continue vital work.
How this month's Waikato roadworks could affect you
Full closures on SH1 Ngāruawāhia this month; expect delays and detours.
Wider, longer alcohol bans could be on the way for Raglan
Huntly, Tuakau, Pōkeno, Mercer and Taupiri could be affected by proposed bylaw changes.
Two helicopters dispatched to Buckland after van and motorbike crash
One person in critical condition was transported to Auckland Hospital.
'Highly probable' 16-year-old's wrist broke during unlawful arrest, IPCA finds
Police arrested teen for breaching alcohol ban after he refused to give his details.
Waikato school struck by lightning before hall fire
A man bravely emptied up to five extinguishers on the fire while students were evacuated.
Carbon released from Waikato wetland fire worth up to $9.6m
The fire, which burnt through 1039ha over five days, has now been fully contained.
Crews to monitor Meremere fire over long weekend
“There will still be some fire activity at the site for the foreseeable future."
'Globally rare' habitat could take hundreds of years to recover after massive fire
Since Monday, 1039ha of Whangamarino Wetland has gone up in flames.
Witness describes 'bloody mess' after truck and car crash near Taupō leaves one critical
Emergency services were called to the scene about 1pm.
Watch: Footage shows early stages of Waikato fire getting 'out of control'
Drones will monitor hotspots overnight and firefighting operations will resume tomorrow.
Smoke from Waikato scrub fire moves up and across Coromandel
Public has been asked not to fly drones near where Fenz is fighting fire.
Watch: Aerial footage shows extent of growing Waikato wetland fire
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze off Island Block Rd about 1.15pm on Monday.
20-hectare scrub fire burning swampland in North Waikato
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze off Island Block Rd about 1.15pm.
'Complacency can cause accidents': NZTA’s advice for SH1 detours
NZTA is warning people to take care on detours as SH1 works ramp up.
Taupō school in lockdown after threatening email
Police at the school as a precautionary measure.
Two men injured after boat capsizes off Taharoa
Coastguard launched rescue after 7 boaties were reported to be in the water.
Police release two people arrested after Te Awamutu homicide
A post-mortem examination of the victim will take place on Friday.
Police seeking dashcam footage in relation to Hampton Downs incident
A man was found fighting for his life on Hampton Downs Rd early on Monday morning.
Man found fighting for his life on rural Waikato road
The man was found with critical injuries on Hampton Downs Rd early this morning.
Seven arrested after Greenpeace activists scale dairy factory
The protesters unfurled a 160sq m banner and abseiled down the building.
NZTA advises Auckland to Wellington motorists to avoid SH1
A detour of 23km or about 16mins will be in place.
The city with the lowest home ownership rates in NZ
Housing is relatively inexpensive compared with other cities but ownership rates are low.
'Made me feel like I was 90 years old': Trish Mitchell shares her breast cancer journey
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Three people injured after truck and car crash on SH3
One man was seriously injured and was transported to hospital by helicopter.
Fixed-wing aircraft used in continued search for Luke Berwick in Waikato
Berwick, 31, was last seen in Raglan and has not had contact with family since Tuesday.
Man pulls body from the water near Raglan Holiday Park
The man spotted the body from the footbridge and went in the water to pull it out.
Police charge 22yo man after fatal vehicle incident in Taupō
The man is due to appear in the Taupō District Court next week.
One dead after crash in Hamilton East
The crash was reported to emergency services at 12.09pm.
What you need to know about road closures on SH1
NZTA says motorists can expect 'roadworks galore' on SH1 due to major projects.
Two utes crash at Tīrau intersection, causing one to tip over
Emergency services were called to the crash about 3.04pm.
'Hefty amount of smoke': Garage fire spreads to house adjacent to school
Firefighter crews from Thames, Tapu, Pururi and Ngatea attended. No one was injured.
Cultural bail check approach may have avoided fatal shooting - psychiatrist
'He was pushed beyond his tolerance.'
'Troubles me': Shooting inquest probes police lethal force 'threshold'
'Is incapacitation a nicer way of saying lethal force or killing?'
'One shot would have been plenty': Inquest into death of man shot by police resumes
'It's not a given that the first shot will do the job.'
Person dies on Mt Ruapehu, rāhui in place
Local iwi has placed a rāhui over the ski area of the mountain.
Electric wheelchair fire leaves one person critically injured
The man was transported to Waikato Hospital in a critical condition by helicopter.
Witnesses sought in fatal accident of Steven Cranston on State Highway 23
Police enquiries into the death are ongoing.
Police searching for white T-shirt, track pants in child homicide investigation
This is the second appeal police have made to residents of the neighbourhood.
Child dies in Waikato driveway incident
Emergency services were not able to revive the child.
WorkSafe opens investigation into child's death after quad bike accident
WorkSafe were advised and inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
'Would be playing with his cousins': Family files complaint against police after alleged murder of 8-year-old
Police also notified the IPCA the alleged killer was trespassed on the day of the murder.
Person injured after being trapped in machinery at Waikato animal feed plant
One ambulance crew responded and treated a patient with minor injuries at the scene.
Hamilton child homicide: Residents urged to keep an eye out for ‘white clothing’
Police are continuing their inquiries in the area, after the boy was killed on Sunday,
Watch: How the NZDF is helping feed mourners at Tūrangawaewae Marae
NZDF has mobilised 28 personnel to support the tangi of Kīngi Tūheitia.
Alleged child murderer was trespassed from Hamilton motel before death of 8yo
Police have notified the IPCA of these events 'in the interests of transparency'.
'Show them heart': How Turangawaewae Marae feeds thousands
'All of it’s enjoyable. The people here are all working for the same cause.'
Man accused of murdering 8yo Hamilton boy appears in court
The victim of Sunday night's alleged assault was Zahquiel Taipeti, 8.
‘Give mummy big hugs’: Child, 8, killed after group attack in Hamilton has been named
Zahquiel's family paid tribute saying he could rest in his late mother's arms.
‘Go rock the heavens’: Family pay tribute to boy, 8, who died following assault
A man has been charged with murder after the incident.
Police believe Hamilton house fire was deliberately lit, three men arrested
Police have now arrested three me in relation to the fire.
Tūrangi deaths: Woman identified, described as loving mum
Maxine Puhi was one of two people found dead in a Tūrangi home this week.
Council yet to establish origins of asbestos at Taupō landfill
The council says it is too early to tell how many customers are affected.
One dead in Waikato motorcycle crash
The road was closed last night while the Serious Crash Unit examined the scene.
Rope tangles in helicopter rotor leaving one person seriously injured in Marokopa
One patient is being transported to hospital in serious condition.
Car fire blocks eastbound lane of SH29 on Kaimai Range
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said the fire was reported at about 2.56pm.
Asbestos found in landfill used to recycle concrete
Concrete recycling at the site has been put on hold. The landfill remains open.
Police, WorkSafe probe death at rural Waikato property
Emergency staff responded to a death at a rural property on Tuesday.
Police investigate 'unexplained death' at retirement home
An increased police presence is expected in the town as enquiries continue.
One person critically injured in SH1 crash near Taupō
The road was closed for over an hour as emergency services attended the scene.
Waikato work week off to frosty start with sub-zero temperatures
The coldest temperature recorded in the region this morning was -2C at Taupō Airport.
Man suffers gunshot wounds while hunting in Tongariro Forest
Due to the remote location, the man was winched out by helicopter.
'All of Tūrangi heard us': Meet Olympic medallist Hayden Wilde's biggest fans
Bruce and Nita Wilde cheered their grandson on from their home in Tūrangi.
Emergency services rescue trapped person after car and caravan roll near Cambridge
The southbound on-ramp on SH1 at Cambridge is closed because of an accident.
'Going on plan B': 85yo Tokoroa man plans to live in garage after house fire
Two fire trucks are in attendance and the fire investigator.
Pipe dream: Man has to pay more than $11k for working as unregistered plumber
Board says fine sends a warning to anyone working unlawfully in the industry.
Council fined after 2.8 million litres of 'raw human sewage' spilled into 'spiritually significant' stream
"Multiple alarms were raised, and their being ignored had serious consequences.”
Rescuers free driver from car after it ends up in university pond
The driver was not injured, a Waikato University spokesperson said.
Truck fire forces temporary closure of southbound lanes on SH27 south of Mangatarata
The fire happened near Mahuta Rd South and Torehape Rd East.
Waikato police spike milk truck after alleged theft
No milk spilt and nobody hurt - but police say things could have been worse.
Police seek pair after Hamilton aggravated robbery
Police want the public's help to identify two males.
Physical search not the focus of latest phase in Tom Phillips investigation, police reveal
"There is a vast area in which Tom and the children could potentially be."