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.
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.
Hawke's Bay community rallies to send Napier students to space camp in Canterbury
Students impacted by Actura liquidation treated to trip to space camp in Christchurch.
'Every day is cancer': Blair Tickner on his wife's fight, and what he and his team are doing to help
'She is doing well, but she doesn’t like me saying ‘well’, because every day is cancer.'
Patient strangles healthcare worker in hospital ward; investigation launched
Security staff intervened in a “timely manner”, Health NZ Te Whatu Ora says.
$100,000 cancer fight: 'My 21yo was trying to get loans to keep his dad alive’
Givealittle set up to help fund terminally ill Jason Hooker's cancer treatment.
They ran for election. Now they're running a triathlon.
Mayors and MPs of Hawke's Bay will compete and raise funds for Heretaunga Women's Centre.
Sweet as: Lolly shop venture fulfils childhood dream
A sweet pop of colour is soon to make its debut in Dannevirke's High St.
Wairoa shooting: Resident frustrated after 'one police car' turns up
'You’d think with a shooting ... there would be an immediate response.'
Free visits to the doctor tightened for Hawke's Bay youth amid funding concerns
The programme had the potential to exacerbate the 'postcode lottery' of health care: GP.
Paws out, claws out: The Cat of the Year is about to be crowned in Napier
'It’s not just for bred cats - domestics and companion cats can join as well.'
Piera Hudson hits the accelerator again, after a ski injury that took 12 months to heal
'For the first time in my life, I missed skiing.'
The science behind Dannevirke's odourless shelter of steaming cow poo
A farmer uses the manure from its 650-cow-shelter to make its own fertiliser.
Selaks, a 90-year Hawke’s Bay winemaking institution, says low alcohol is the trend
The winery reflects on its humble beginnings to embrace innovation and the future.
Driver licence wait times: One woman's community testing solution
'We have been able to test our own students, which has reduced failure rates massively.'
Taniwha Daffodil fields a 'labour of love' for years
Iconic daffodil patch in Central Hawke's Bay raises funds for community health.
Highway to success: Dannevirke gears up for new business opportunities
Three Dannevirke wāhine host event to prepare businesses for new highway opening.
Waipukurau Subway closed as franchisee folds
The company was placed into liquidation on the application of Inland Revenue.
Why this Bay couple decided to turn two containers into a home
'It’s the simplest, most lovely way to live.'
'Caused so much stress': The big orange bus and its big parking problem
'I can’t get around how the vehicle is deemed abandoned when I’m right here.'
'Heaven watching over us': Family escape uninjured after tree falls on ute on expressway
'It got closer to the ground. By then it was too late, we were pretty much underneath it.'
Leopard seal basks on Napier beach as August temperature record broken
However, a southerly change is well and truly on its way to chill the region.
New record on the cards as warm weather approaches
Warm air could see Hawke's Bay break a 1973 weather record on Sunday.
Watch: The 'Waipawa prowler' is on the loose, police have a way to stop him
He’s wandering through properties 'looking for something to steal'.
An enduring legacy: 99-year-old attempting to walk 100km in his 100th year dies
A beloved Napier earthquake survivor became Hawke’s Bay’s very own 'Captain Tom'.
Crown manager believes $70m can fix flood-prone Wairoa
'We should be able to fix and find a solution for North Clyde and Kopu Rd.'
'Full-circle moment': Black Fern Liana Mikaele Tu’u returns to former high school
Student wants to be 'wearing the black jersey when I grow up' after meeting Black Ferns.
'With me and pork, it just clicks': Butcher apprentice mastering his trade
Butcher apprentice to take his skills to Paris and compete in World Butchers’ Challenge.
Holi Boli pop-up shop in Napier has ethical edge
A former HB designer is creating ethical fashion, which is for sale in Napier this month.
Vaccine for 'devastating disease' expanded to include more at-risk Kiwis
Thousands of immunocompromised Kiwis to benefit from new vaccine funding.
Four Hawke’s Bay tourism events get Govt funding boost
A welcome financial boost for events that will bring visitors to the region.
Hastings council signs agreement to sell land for new Flaxmere supermarket
Supermarket giants deny involvement with the site.
'It was beautiful:' 104-year-old wedding frock star of show
A celebration of Napier, fashion and love over the weekend.
Proposed Tararua District Council bylaw gives power to deal with complaints
Council bylaws are causing a stir with the A&P Show Association in Dannevirke.
Fishing vessel runs aground: Inner Harbour channel needs surveying, HBRC says
The stuck vessel was 'revving its engine' for two hours, a witness says.
70-year-old inducted into Equestrian Hall of Fame
The honour celebrated a lifetime of dedication for Dannevirke's Maurice Beatson.
Rural ladies who lunch: Gemma McCaw coming to Dannevirke
Tararua Rural Support Trust encouraging ladies off the farm for day of connection and fun.
Cooked chook turns fowl: Hawke’s Bay family get more than they bargain for
Ooze began seeping through the unremoved innards inside.
One dark, rainy day in Takapau: How one of NZ's most iconic pieces of army uniform was born
The hat became known colloquially as the Lemon Squeezer because of its shape.
Police not ruling out further arrests in Dannevirke High St burglary
Burglaries, poaching and letter box destruction keep police busy.
Principal says public transport is not a safe option for young students
Principal says changes could mean young students taking public transport to school.
'It winds the whole community down': Rural school bus changes kick in
'You've got potentially 400 kids sitting on the side of the road next year.'
The fine-sweeper: Hastings’ new warden on wheels armed with $73k of technology
Mobile Licence Plate Recognition technology implemented to lower parking warden abuse.
Young musician set his sights on the big stage and won gold
Gabriel Rodrigues returns from the Los Angeles competition with a golden reward.
EIT Ideaschool break-in 'unacceptable', equipment taken from locked area
EIT was targeted three times over one weekend, institute says it won't impact students.
Burglaries in Dannevirke prompt local to investigate if town has problem with crime
Resident fears Dannevirke has a crime problem after homes repeatedly broken into.
Lotto kiosk not included in Hastings Pak’nSave upgrade
No more Lotto at Hastings Pak’nSave as supermarket renovations don't include the kiosk.
Completion on track for Dannevirke fluoridation plant
The installation and commissioning of a fluoridation plant in Dannevirke is progressing.
Independent supermarket coming to Flaxmere
Plans for independent supermarket to fill deserted New World building in Flaxmere.
‘I saw some terrible stuff’: Retired rural hero reflects on Cyclone Gabrielle
When the cyclone struck one retired farmer knew he had the skills to lend a hand.
Pou saved after harsh swells left it lying on the beach
Mahia locals' call for help answered after pou washes into the sea in big swells.