Megan Wilson is a Multimedia Journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post.
Megan Wilson started working as a journalist for NZME based in Tauranga in 2021. She writes for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts and from the London School of Journalism in 2021 with a post-graduate diploma in journalism. Since starting as a journalist, she has primarily covered health and general news, writing about COVID-19, staff and resourcing issues in the public health system, and the battle Kiwis face for unfunded, life-saving drugs, treatments and health screening in New Zealand.
![Cheap 'knock-offs': Move to protect national Māori flag's legacy](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Cheap 'knock-offs': Move to protect national Māori flag's legacy
'They have no understanding of what it means. And often our people are drawn to buy that.'
![Truck driver speaks after fatal SH2 crash: 'I had no time to react'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Truck driver speaks after fatal SH2 crash: 'I had no time to react'
The speedway legend says his leg is 'munted' and he's 'lucky' to still have his foot.
!['Desperate': Mum confirmed for $180k surgery in Germany this month](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Desperate': Mum confirmed for $180k surgery in Germany this month
Pam Coburn is preparing for surgery and a 'brutal' recovery.
!['My strength had gone': Mum in remission after cancer diagnosis](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'My strength had gone': Mum in remission after cancer diagnosis
Marena Gregory was diagnosed with cancer after getting a 'stabbing pain' in her breast.
!['Shocked': How human papillomavirus (HPV) led to a throat cancer diagnosis](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Shocked': How human papillomavirus (HPV) led to a throat cancer diagnosis
Graeme Simpson's symptoms included a 'bulge' on his neck and a 'persistent' cough.
![She lost one daughter. Surgery saved another. Now she fears for her youngest](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
She lost one daughter. Surgery saved another. Now she fears for her youngest
A mum shares her family's battle with some rare conditions.
!['Very stressful': Union claims Health NZ hiring pause impacting frontline](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Very stressful': Union claims Health NZ hiring pause impacting frontline
Health NZ says regional forums will approve recruitment 'where appropriate'.
!['Significant damage': What caused a 'chaotic' train derailment](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Significant damage': What caused a 'chaotic' train derailment
The train derailed near Te Puke during the Auckland Anniversary weekend floods.
![Dad diagnosed with fatal condition on birthday: 'I’m pretty much a body in a chair now'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Dad diagnosed with fatal condition on birthday: 'I’m pretty much a body in a chair now'
'My whole life’s changed. I was a pretty active person .. now I’m pretty much chair-bound'
!['It was everywhere': Single mum's fight to survive 'aggressive' cancer for her children](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'It was everywhere': Single mum's fight to survive 'aggressive' cancer for her children
'There were so many times I just wanted to give up - and I didn’t because of my kids.'
!['Reduced scale': $400m Mt Maunganui retirement village granted consent](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Reduced scale': $400m Mt Maunganui retirement village granted consent
Council reveals price paid for its former elder housing village site.
!['My life changed in one second': Kiwifruit worker hit by forklift loses lower leg](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'My life changed in one second': Kiwifruit worker hit by forklift loses lower leg
'Everyday tasks like dressing, showering, and walking have become challenging.'
!['Blocked': Surgeon 'battling' to introduce life-changing surgery in NZ](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Blocked': Surgeon 'battling' to introduce life-changing surgery in NZ
Dr Chris Holdaway hopes to see the surgery offered in NZ before he retires.
!['Death sentence' living in NZ: Mum paying $180k for surgery in Germany](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Death sentence' living in NZ: Mum paying $180k for surgery in Germany
'If we didn’t go ... within the next five years I’ll die.'
![Missioner's late wife would be 'over the moon' about his King's Birthday Honour](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Missioner's late wife would be 'over the moon' about his King's Birthday Honour
Joseph Huta said his late wife and children had been a 'huge support' during his career.
!['The unthinkable': A decade on from news that changed family's lives](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'The unthinkable': A decade on from news that changed family's lives
'You never think that that’s going to happen to you or to your kids.'
![Parent says rent rise will absorb tax cut, Mayor says extra police 'may not scratch the surface'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Parent says rent rise will absorb tax cut, Mayor says extra police 'may not scratch the surface'
Power bills would outstrip 'any kind of tax break' for pensioners, they said.
!['Young, resilient, and rapidly growing': Third in BOP of Māori descent](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Young, resilient, and rapidly growing': Third in BOP of Māori descent
Plus, how much the Tauranga and Rotorua populations have grown in five years.
![Use of police dog on man 'hiding in the bush' from police justified: IPCA](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Use of police dog on man 'hiding in the bush' from police justified: IPCA
The man suffered injuries to his face and needed surgery on his ear after being bitten.
!['Really powerful': Why tomorrow's Māori descent Census data release matters](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Really powerful': Why tomorrow's Māori descent Census data release matters
'We should move beyond measuring desperation and deprivation … towards our aspirations.'
![What I eat every day: A physio's tips to optimise your diet and exercise](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
What I eat every day: A physio's tips to optimise your diet and exercise
Advice for how to harness your health and live better for longer.
![Mount residents 'furious' at decision on high-rise rules](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Mount residents 'furious' at decision on high-rise rules
'If ... it was a normal democracy, there’s no way that that would get ruled in.'
![Tauranga election: Who's running and what you need to know about voting](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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.
![Thief with a conscience? Widow in tears as stolen ashes returned](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Thief with a conscience? Widow in tears as stolen ashes returned
'I’m just so glad that they did the right thing and brought him back.'
!['We’re just shells now': Jewellers targeted by thieves 9 times in 2.5 years](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'We’re just shells now': Jewellers targeted by thieves 9 times in 2.5 years
'I watched people run around in my shop at bloody 4.30 in the morning.'
![Rongoā Māori: How treating an ankle injury 'snowballed' into self-care](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Rongoā Māori: How treating an ankle injury 'snowballed' into self-care
ACC says more than a third of clients using the traditional healing method are non-Māori.
![Tauranga Boys’ College board apologises, refunds ex-student $1k after Ombudsman's OIA ruling](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Tauranga Boys’ College board apologises, refunds ex-student $1k after Ombudsman's OIA ruling
The former student requested information relating to a teacher who propositioned him.
!['Reliant on locums': Region spends $8.6m on outsourced specialists in a year](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Reliant on locums': Region spends $8.6m on outsourced specialists in a year
'Higher rates' are paid to attract locums amid staff shortages, the union says.
![Specialist shortage: Te Whatu Ora Lakes spends $5m on locums in a year](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Specialist shortage: Te Whatu Ora Lakes spends $5m on locums in a year
'Higher rates' are paid to attract locums amid staff shortages, the union says.
!['Soul-destroying': Nurses 'distraught' about hospital understaffing, says union](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Soul-destroying': Nurses 'distraught' about hospital understaffing, says union
Data shows 1 in 4 Te Whatu Ora hospital shifts, on average, were understaffed in 2023.
!['Overwhelmed': Mum and sick child raise $2500, given new laptop after home burgled](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Overwhelmed': Mum and sick child raise $2500, given new laptop after home burgled
'The kindness has pretty much dulled the ugly.'
!['Through the roof': Spa-lover spending hits $277m in steamy city - and growing](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Through the roof': Spa-lover spending hits $277m in steamy city - and growing
This is expected to reach $408m by 2028 as global interest grows.
!['Common sense finally': Bid to lift building height limits in Mount Maunganui hits hurdle](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Common sense finally': Bid to lift building height limits in Mount Maunganui hits hurdle
A decision will be made by Tauranga City Council commissioners on May 20.
![A luxury spa and a 'calming' home: Architecture Awards winners announced](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
A luxury spa and a 'calming' home: Architecture Awards winners announced
The jury convenor said Māori-influenced architecture was 'thriving' in the region.
![Mum with sick child burgled while having cancer treatment at Starship](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Mum with sick child burgled while having cancer treatment at Starship
'I don’t think I’ll ever get over this ... we’re already vulnerable.'
!['Cynical and devious behaviour': Migrant sentenced over false refugee claims](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Cynical and devious behaviour': Migrant sentenced over false refugee claims
She charged workers up to $600 each to facilitate these applications.
![Downloads spike for app helping EV owners track road-user charges](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Downloads spike for app helping EV owners track road-user charges
The platform will soon launch a feature that automatically buys road-user charges.
!['Thrown' on to stone ballast: Rail worker hospitalised after collision on track](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Thrown' on to stone ballast: Rail worker hospitalised after collision on track
The worker suffered bruising and required stitches in a finger.
!['Stuck': Pensioner says $90k drop in property value means she can’t afford to sell](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Stuck': Pensioner says $90k drop in property value means she can’t afford to sell
The 77-year-old said it was 'appalling' her rates were increasing on a 'devalued' property
!['We're the ones that are saving the school lunch programme' - David Seymour](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'We're the ones that are saving the school lunch programme' - David Seymour
The Act leader says the Labour Party didn't set aside funds for school lunches after 2024.
![Supermarket closing could result in 'big loss' of mall customers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Supermarket closing could result in 'big loss' of mall customers
One business said the supermarket attracted “a lot” of people to the mall.
!['Disastrous': Rotorua supermarket to close](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Disastrous': Rotorua supermarket to close
'There is a real sense of loss from these workers.'
![Housing market: The city where average capital values have plummeted since 2021](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Housing market: The city where average capital values have plummeted since 2021
Interest rates, inflation, and rising construction costs have been blamed.
![Seven Health NZ staff paid $394k in redundancy in BOP, Lakes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Seven Health NZ staff paid $394k in redundancy in BOP, Lakes
Thirty-six roles have been disestablished in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes since July 2022.
!['No body, no parole': MP lodges Bill to keep murderers locked up if victim’s location kept secret](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'No body, no parole': MP lodges Bill to keep murderers locked up if victim’s location kept secret
But a law expert says a blanket law change would likely lead to 'miscarriages of justice'.
![A tutor donated a kidney to a student. Then they fell in love and planned a wedding](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
A tutor donated a kidney to a student. Then they fell in love and planned a wedding
'Madeline’s an absolute angel. She actually saved my life in more ways than one.'
![Why YouTube star How to Dad is staying up all night to play handball](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Why YouTube star How to Dad is staying up all night to play handball
'Famous celebrity faces' will also be playing.
![Entry-level Pathlab medical staff 'grossly underpaid', senior worker believes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Entry-level Pathlab medical staff 'grossly underpaid', senior worker believes
Up to 60 union members went on strike in protest over their pay.
![What you need to know: Most Tauranga Pathlab clinics closed as workers strike](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
What you need to know: Most Tauranga Pathlab clinics closed as workers strike
Workers are striking for better pay amid rising inflation and living costs.
!['Like getting stabbed': Woman speaks out about 'invisible' condition](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Like getting stabbed': Woman speaks out about 'invisible' condition
When she was formally diagnosed, she thought her 'world was ending'.
![1000 patients a day: 'Essential' healthcare workers to strike for 24 hours](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
1000 patients a day: 'Essential' healthcare workers to strike for 24 hours
A 'full withdrawal' of labour will take place on April 2.
!['Constant' pain, 'horrific' bleeding: Women speak out about endometriosis](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Constant' pain, 'horrific' bleeding: Women speak out about endometriosis
Surgery is Lucy Cooper's 'only option' if the pain becomes too strong.
!['I would be dead': Wife saved husband having heart attack during sleep](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'I would be dead': Wife saved husband having heart attack during sleep
Journalist says his wife's first-aid training saved him after a heart attack at home.
![Man's conviction for obstructing police officer overturned due to impact on his mana](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Man's conviction for obstructing police officer overturned due to impact on his mana
'Powerful evidence' presented to High Court, judgment says.
![Car crashes into restaurant: Six injured](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Car crashes into restaurant: Six injured
One neighbour said the crash sounded like an earthquake or a truck driving past.
!['Unsustainable': GPs working evenings, weekends to meet workload demands](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Unsustainable': GPs working evenings, weekends to meet workload demands
GPs say time for non-clinical work needs to be 'recognised' and 'remunerated'.
!['Huge toll': GP works 6-12 hours on evenings, weekends due to workload](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Huge toll': GP works 6-12 hours on evenings, weekends due to workload
'It’s certainly a factor in thinking about how long I’m going to work for.'
![Woman's 5-year battle for diagnosis after 'horrendous' symptoms](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Woman's 5-year battle for diagnosis after 'horrendous' symptoms
“Pretty much everyone said, ‘We can’t find anything wrong with you’.”
!['They saved this man’s life': Medical staff praised after treating man with stab wounds](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'They saved this man’s life': Medical staff praised after treating man with stab wounds
Medical centre team “saved this man’s life”.
![A 'future slum': Mount Maunganui locals oppose 8-storey apartment building](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
A 'future slum': Mount Maunganui locals oppose 8-storey apartment building
'Do we want the Mount to become a Gold Coast? No. We want it to remain like a village.'
![Closing Pāpāmoa GP clinic to reopen by June under new ownership](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Closing Pāpāmoa GP clinic to reopen by June under new ownership
Its offering includes virtual appointments with an average wait time of 2.4 hours.
!['Flippant': Top school spends $10,000 on principal's farewell](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Flippant': Top school spends $10,000 on principal's farewell
However, the school is defending its spending.
!['Absolutely not viable anymore': GP clinic serving 6000 patients to close](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Absolutely not viable anymore': GP clinic serving 6000 patients to close
The owner says closing site was a difficult decision after it lost 'quite a few' GPs.
![Tauranga Boys’ College spends more than $11k on 'PR spin' in historical sexual abuse case](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Tauranga Boys’ College spends more than $11k on 'PR spin' in historical sexual abuse case
The school says such 'complex' cases require specialist advice to protect all involved.
![Boy with 'crippling disability' denied rehab after five-hour brain surgery](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Boy with 'crippling disability' denied rehab after five-hour brain surgery
'We just do not have enough facilities for the kids in our country,' his mum says.
![Missing 'tiny house pod' found nearly 100km away](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Missing 'tiny house pod' found nearly 100km away
Social media users provided information to help locate the tiny house pod.
![Can't run on the 'smell of an oily rag': Unsuccessful candidate spends almost $14k](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Can't run on the 'smell of an oily rag': Unsuccessful candidate spends almost $14k
'Advertising and the extra travel required is not cheap.'
![Why this candidate poured $27k into a campaign he expected to lose](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Why this candidate poured $27k into a campaign he expected to lose
Bay of Plenty's Taupō Wahed says he has no regrets.
![He had a brain tumour 'the size of a small lemon' - now he works full-time and can drive](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
He had a brain tumour 'the size of a small lemon' - now he works full-time and can drive
But Joshua Coleman still struggles with delayed effects of chemotherapy and radiation.
!['Huge shock to life': Man with tetraplegia now helps others with disabilities](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Huge shock to life': Man with tetraplegia now helps others with disabilities
Timothy Lee 'hit my head open on a tree' when he had a mountain biking accident.
!['Absurd': Fast-growing school hits out after Govt puts 'essential' builds on hold](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Absurd': Fast-growing school hits out after Govt puts 'essential' builds on hold
Education sector should not be the target of 'cost-cutting', says principal
!['Tears' on the start line: Athlete finishes 243km race to celebrate transplant](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Tears' on the start line: Athlete finishes 243km race to celebrate transplant
'As long as I finish it, that was the goal.'
![Fatal police shooting: Sirens, gunshots shock ‘tight-knit’ community](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Fatal police shooting: Sirens, gunshots shock ‘tight-knit’ community
Police said an armed man entered a stranger’s home.
!['Never' been overseas: How students are fundraising for a trip to Tahiti](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Never' been overseas: How students are fundraising for a trip to Tahiti
The school is welcoming sponsorships for the trip, which will cost about $6500 per student
!['Most terrifying thing': Boy breaks neck in 'horrific' diving accident](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Most terrifying thing': Boy breaks neck in 'horrific' diving accident
Whanāu says the keen sailor who dreams of becoming an All Black faces a long recovery.
![He lost his parents and brothers to cancer. Then he was diagnosed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
He lost his parents and brothers to cancer. Then he was diagnosed
The painter says working outside may have caused his melanoma diagnosis.
![Sacked worker demanded $100m of money, gold bullion after refusing to get Covid vaccine](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sacked worker demanded $100m of money, gold bullion after refusing to get Covid vaccine
The ERA found he had been 'doctor shopping' for a medical exemption for the Covid vaccine.
!['Screaming for my life': Man who lost leg in 'horrific' accident now helps amputees](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Screaming for my life': Man who lost leg in 'horrific' accident now helps amputees
'I can’t even describe... how painful that was. Like the pain went through my organs.'