Michaela Gower is a Multimedia Journalist with the Hawke's Bay Today.
Michaela began as a reporter at Hawke's Bay Today in October 2023 after completing three years of study towards a Bachelor of Communication majoring in journalism and minoring in media studies. She is particularly passionate about sharing positive and progressive stories about the farming industry and getting the stories of the back blocks into places where people read and can understand and learn more about the farming lifestyle. Michaela grew up on a sheep and beef farm and it had a real impact on who she is and what she likes to write about. She wanted to combine her passion for rural life with her passion for writing so decided from a young age she wanted to be a journalist, and pursued that dream ever since. Michaela hopes with each story she writes she can make a difference. You can contact Michaela at michaela.gower@nzme.co.nz.
‘It broke my heart’: Firefighter’s emotional encounter with child trapped in house by floodwaters
'We weren’t leaving you darling, we were waiting here for you.'
‘High time we had a bylaw’: Freedom camper defecates on grass outside their vehicle
'We don’t want people setting up camp and staying for months at places.'
'It wasn't about me any more': Former student honours legacy of beloved teacher with terminal cancer
One message he wants to share through the doco is for men to be proactive with health.
'Warmest it's been in a while': Hastings to hit 31C as run of hot days begins
It is unusual that Napier and Hastings have only had one day above 30C this year.
Pretty with a purpose: How sunflowers are helping bring back the goodness to cyclone-hit soils
The crop will never be harvested, but it serves a very important purpose.
The history behind Makotuku’s restored gates and their significance
The restored gates in Makotuku honor the history of the village's former church.
The cowboy challenge: From Yellowstone to Dannevirke
Popular series has helped to create a buzz for this weekend's event.
‘Flat tack’: Flower vendors gear up for Valentine’s rush
Hawke's Bay Floral Collective expects to double sales as Valentine's Day nears.
‘We love CHB’: Small-town campaign aims to draw shoppers back to main street
On Ruataniwha St, 80% of shops are taking part in the event.
Bluebird day expected for Waitangi Day events in Hawke’s Bay
Sun set to shine on celebrations, where unity and pride will be on show.
End of a '60-hour weekend' for vets: New clinic set to transform after-hours care, prevent burnout
Some vets had worked 60-hour weekends, from Friday evening to Monday morning.
'Laughter is so important': Dai Henwood on cancer and making people giggle rather than cry
'It’s my funniest show, it’s my most heartfelt show, it’s got a bit of everything.'
'Nuts': Concerns over speed increasing to 100km/h on road beside disability centre
'They haven’t thought this through whatsoever.'
Ministry removes clause restricting schools from talking about new lunch programme
'If schools want to speak about their school lunches ... they are free to do so.'
Warm and wet as weekend weather approaches
Weekend weather is expected to be warm, but the wet still lingers.
Central Hawke’s Bay pet owners fear long journey for care as after-hours vet hub opens in Hastings
Dedicated Hastings vet clinic 'crucial for sustainability of the veterinary profession'.
‘Nothing has changed, we have just added to it’: A&P show excitement builds
Dannevirke A&P Show returns in 2025 'bigger and better', with new events.
Flaxmere Supermarket: The independent breaking into the Hawke's Bay market
Six aisles of shelving and 27m of freezers and chillers will be packed with fresh stock.
‘Stabilised on scene’: Critical rescue after Ngāruroro River incident
A man has been left in a serious condition after boating incident on the Hawke's Bay river
‘It’s everywhere’: Influencers push back at $20,000 offer to promote online gambling
'We are counteracting that and saying to our people there is another way.'
Tales from the back road: Charms and ruts of the 'scenic' route from Hawke's Bay to Wairarapa
Simon Burt decided to take the road less travelled. He found a book to write.
‘In the right area’: Mayor says new Dannevirke mill is compliant after seven noise complaints
'It’s a new business and they have invested heavily and it’s in the right area.'
‘Normally we are assisting people’: Hawke’s Bay Coastguard's helping hand for albatross
The bird was found weak, underweight with worms, and battered by the weather.
‘Dynamic situation’: Summer snow stunner in Hawke's Bay won't last
January snow as cold creeps into Hawke's Bay, but there's plenty of time for summer yet.
'Nobody knows who we are': The dying profession that can earn roughly $45 an hour
'You get to be an extraordinary part of someone’s life, even though you never meet them.'
‘Never a time to be a hero’: What to do if you’re first at a crash
Police have advice for people who come across a crash scene.
'We are trying to farm worms': Farmer fighting his way out of drench resistance 'disaster'
Farmer says he’s not just farming sheep any more, he’s “trying to farm worms”.
Hawke’s Bay communities host Christmas lunches for those in need
Hawke's Bay hosts Christmas lunches for those seeking company and support.
Water-efficient orchards: How tech is helping Hawke’s Bay growers
'It is a much more efficient way of getting twice as many apples using a lot less water.'
Hawke’s Bay teen secures Rod Drury’s backing for second-hand uniform website Get Uniformed
'It’s a great initiative', young Hawke's Bay entrepreneur backed by Rod Drury.
How two tiny at risk geckos paused a roading repair project
Works have been on hold since early November after the discovery of a protected species.
'Really hard-to-kill cancer': Much-loved culinary teacher in a fight for his life
This Hawke's Bay teacher touched the lives of many, now they're rallying to save his.
'You can’t tell over the music that she is ticking': Young girl's journey to dance gold
For 10-year-old Faith Minhinnick, hip hop's more than fun, it's an outlet.
Revealed: The independent grocery operation taking a punt on vacant Flaxmere supermarket
'We are happy to have someone who believes in the people and community of Flaxmere.'
Record Christmas Cookie Time seller faces a challenge for the title - from his brother
Brother versus brother: That's the way the cookie crumbles
'This is one of the hardest years': 3900 gift sacks for those in need in Hawke's Bay
Gifts focus on STEM learning, fun and practical items for children in need this Christmas.
Crowds near 20,000 as Hawke's Bay jingles all the way into Christmas celebrations
Thousands turned out to Christmas events in Hawke's Bay.
Hawke's Bay has first division Lotto win, $333,000 prize still unclaimed
Staff are prepped in case the winner comes back into the store.
‘You couldn’t sit on that’: Toilet-goers furious as long drops vandalised
'We do not want to close these, but if they continue to be damaged we may be forced to.'
The Hawke's Bay company building affordable school classrooms in eight weeks
The offsite classrooms cut costs by more than half.
Man sets boat on fire, crashes another boat through fence, rams vehicles, steals caravan - with a swim in between to escape
The locals tried to box the man in to bring an end to a coastal community crime spree.
'Mōrere is finally reawakened': Beloved hot springs to reopen after two years of closures
The Mōrere Hot Springs will be open in time for Christmas.
Hastings shed blaze: Firefighters dial Australia for guidance
The call to Queensland was for advice on chemicals stored inside.
Woman 'frozen' after man's nude approach at Hawke’s Bay beach
'I turned my head and there are just genitals, that I didn't want to see, nor ask to see.'
Hamish Pinkham’s tips for festival success: The music, the venue and the vibes
Black Barn will be a 'natural home' for the event, with a 'pulsing bassline' thrown in.
Turning niche to neat with property styling Refined Spaces
Katie Kettle was once a Navy chief now she transforms homes by refining and rearranging.
Lucky escape: Owner scrolling social media spots her dog stuck in a poo pond
The power of Facebook - and help from a lasso - saved a dog from a stink situation.
Givealittle funds raised to support man's cancer battle shifts to buy his coffin
Tens of thousands raised for cancer battler Jason Hooker used to make him comfortable.
Police investigate staffer's conduct at Hawke's Bay primary school, 'multiple' pupils involved
Police ask school parents to 'check in' on their children.
Teen takes on 28km run in high heels: 'Represents the pain men are feeling'
A personal journey with mental health inspired 18-year-old to break stigma in heels.
Getting Through: New Farmstrong resources for farmers after severe weather
Hawke’s Bay farmers share recovery stories in book and website launch.
Graffiti battle: KiwiRail's colourful containers brighten Napier rail yard
The artwork depicts flora and fauna found in the regions the rail corridor passes through.
Journey back in time: 1939 railcar returns for 2025 Hawke's Bay Art Deco festival
An authentic Art Deco period railcar will travel from Pahīatua to delight passengers.
This cider was an 'act of desperation' - now it's NZ's best
Paul Paynter’s plum orchards fell into a 'watery grave and died' so he had to pivot.
From seeds to giants: The transformation of Hawke's Bay's Little Redwoods
Little Redwood Grove at Te Mata Park turns 50.
Tararua council to move chambers, saving ratepayers $91k a year
TCC is relocating its chambers to Dannevirke Town Hall to save ratepayers money.
'Looks like Flash Gordon left it behind': Artist spends $16,000 creating a sculpture
'The theme is about making something out of stuff that people would usually discard.'
Watch: Increasingly loud highway bridge becoming 'unnerving' to cross, truckie says
New decking is to blame for the 'increased noise'.
Watch: Customer attacks Hastings phone store owner over 5G connectivity issue
A Hastings family say they feel “helpless” in the wake of an act of in-store violence.
Spot the $49,000 difference: Demand increasing for lab-grown diamonds
A jeweller's warning: 'They are never going to hold value as much as a natural diamond.'
Yummy Fruit Company turns 50 amid cyclone recovery
John Paynter reflects on 50 years, noting 'I wouldn’t have changed too much'.
Meteorologist says Hawke’s Bay is the place to be this weekend
As the A&P show wraps up attention turns to the rest of the long weekend.
Dannevirke’s Luke Kemeys: Reaching your savings goal in 3 steps
'It’s the lifeblood, money is involved in everything we do'.
Show stunner in Hawke’s Bay: A&P Society's new format kicks off with sunny skies and big crowds
Wear sunscreen, a hat and take water, organisers advise the thousands.
Ava's chance to shine: Meet the 10-year-old Dannevirke girl playing Annie
Ava Te Huki is starring as Annie, despite never singing or acting in front of others.
Freestyle motocross debuts at show amid 27C heat
Fan favourites and high temperatures for the town meets country fun.
Memory walk: 'I'm walking for my dad'
Barbie Knox knows a thing or two about caring for people diagnosed with dementia.
Napier grandmother tackles 14.5km walk for brave grandson
'It affects everybody': Grandmother inspired to walk by grandson's cancer journey.
Aurora lights delight family during coastal getaway in Ākitio
A trip to the family bach turned out to be an experience unlike any other they had seen.
Watch: Residents duck for cover as truck explodes on Napier street
Residents just missed as flying debris hurtled towards them during truck fire explosion.
Suburb's supermarket revival stalls as another food provider closes down
The push to bring a supermarket back to the Hawke’s Bay suburb of Flaxmere continues.
Changing lives: Autistic families finding friendship and acceptance together
Jill Fallowfield's children were often being left out in social situations. Not here.
Surf 'n' turf: Stage set for Ōmakere coastal walk
Event for walkers and runners offers 17km challenge or shorter 13km option.
From radio to motherhood: Ngaire Darby's journey to 100
Ngaire Darby, who recorded a message for King George VI at 14, is turning 100.
Crafting final resting places with love
Hawke’s Bay Coffin Club is marking 10 years with an open day showcasing custom coffins.
Meet Dan: Life-sized 'unicorn' up for auction
Dan the unicorn from Baazar Boutique is looking for a new home.
Cocoa crisis forces Hawke’s Bay chocolatier to raise prices
Cocoa prices hit 50-year high; Silky Oak Chocolates plans gradual price hikes.
New classrooms at Kotemaori School ends learning from kitchen tables
The students were unable to learn on their premises after Cyclone Gabrielle.
Fine start to daylight saving and school holidays
MetService forecasts a warm start to the school holidays in Hawke’s Bay with clear skies.
From Hawke’s Bay to Nashville: 'They call it the toughest two minutes of sport'
Firefighters will tackle challenges representative of a real emergency.