Caroline Fleming
Multimedia Journalist
Multimedia journalist
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Check out Caroline’s latest content
'Not a lot of hope': Children with developmental issues being left 'damaged' by education system
"Our education system is not quite catering for them."
Hot temperatures and downpours: Autumn weather to be a mixed bag in the Bay
The Bay of Plenty could expect more "variable conditions" as autumn hits.
'Lifeline': $1.4m to create up to 30 conservation jobs
Up to 19 staff would be employed from one Rotorua business.
'Only realistic direction': TECT's proposed structural change to hugely benefit community
Changes to trust deed would 'protect the cheque' for 49,000 beneficiaries.
'Truly life-changing': The couple heading back to help in Africa in a global pandemic
In sub-Saharan Africa, only 7 per cent of the population have access to essential surgery.
How have local gyms fared post-lockdown?
As some gym operators shut their doors, others opened new ones.
Family swear at judge as man who killed his best friend jailed
Carden Soole killed Joshua Michael Louis Copestake on January 4 last year.
New Tauranga school opens, will 'ease the pressure'
About 82 students are set to walk through the gates of the new school this morning.
'Buzzing' long weekends provide economic injection
Tauranga businesses are benefiting from great weather and more visitors.
Food, wine, good times: Thousands turn out for First We Eat festival
Sunhats and sunglasses were the must-wear of the day.
'Your day is done': Conflict erupts at controversial Māori ward meeting
A number of the protesters held signs saying 'I support Māori Wards'.
Water use spikes as dry spell bites for fourth year running
Lingering drought conditions stem from long-term rainfall deficits going back to 2019.
Resilience over results - Tauranga students get NCEA marks back
Students would 'not be defined by their results but instead their resilience'.
Remembering Jim Wells - Mountie, butcher, lifeguard in tragedy
The 95-year-old died suddenly earlier this month, having lived at the Mount for 88 years.
Meet cadets starting careers in field 'more complicated' than rocket science
Further intakes into the Jobs for Nature programme will come later this year.
Roll estimates give Tauranga a new biggest school
Principals of fast-growing schools complain the ministry is moving too slow on new builds.
Mouldy sofas, urine-covered goods: Charity stores take hit from dumping
"People are seeing us an alternate option to the dump."
'Enough is enough': Excessive dumping, thefts close community food stall
'We were just trying to do something good.'
Katikati's Avocado Food and Wine Festival brings in thousands
It was the place to be for food, sunshine and fine wine!
Lace up! The central North Island walking tracks to try this summer
Dust off the walking shoes and explore the backyard this summer.
Coromandel beach sees closures after potential 'great white' sighting
Opoutere Beach has been closed and reopened twice today.
'Fight or flight': First-time offenders lash out post-lockdown
Men were also more than two times more likely to first-time offend than women.
Fatal shark incident: Waihī Beach reopens to swimmers
Kaelah Marlow died on Thursday after reportedly being injured by a shark.
Farmers wait on weather gods
A dry spell early last year continues to have flow-on effects.
Omanawa Falls death: Kaitiaki left before incident, visitors not expected in rain
No expectation for kaitiaki to be at the site all day, every day, the council says.
Tauranga shoplifters reaching for more 'valuable' items as numbers spike
New shoplifting figures show thefts are continuing to rise in the city.
Is displaying photos of alleged shoplifters in store wrong?
"If they want privacy they shouldn't do silly things," a local business owner says.
'Good behaviour all round' at The Other Side festival
"The biggest issue was people getting blisters from their new Doc Martens."
Joe's Farm: More than 15,000 head to Whangamatā for New Year's festival
Festival hires 150 security guards and police will also be keeping an eye on revellers
'It's our whenua': Matakana Island community unites as fire rages
Firefighters have been battling the pine forest blaze since it broke out on December 13.
'One of the better places': Bay to see hot, sunny Christmas Day
Get out your sunhat - it's shaping up to be a very warm Christmas Day!
Bay of Plenty paw-lice pup heads into retirement
Amazing Asta queen of the streets for seven years.
'Love you mum': White Island tour guide remembered in heartbreaking service
Survivors, families, first responders, and people of Whakatāne came together yesterday.
Watch: One year after the eruption - Whakaari commemorations
Today marks the one-year anniversary of the fatal eruption.
Whakatāne prepares for White Island commemorations
The eruption "weighs heavily on the iwi".
'Rightful owners': Government publically apologises to Eastern Bay iwi for treaty wrongs
The signing followed approval by 91 per cent of iwi members.
Top cop says deaths of Bay of Plenty children will not be the last
The Bay of Plenty continues to grapple with a serious child abuse problem.
'Massive' shark spotted near the Pukehina shoreline
He had been in "complete shock" and continued filming the shark on its journey.
'Above and beyond': Tauranga Community Foodbank reflects on lockdown
The team worked tirelessly every single day throughout lockdown.
Baby Karlos Stephens murder trial: Jury finds man guilty of manslaughter
The two-week High Court trial has come to an end.
Tauranga university staff take pay cut for students facing 'hardship'
Some students were choosing courses in line with job opportunities in a post-Covid world.
Bay of Plenty gift-giving business to benefit struggling tourism operators
The new Kiwi start-up aimed to boost the New Zealand tourism industry.
Driver may have suffered medical event in crash that killed nurse, court hears
Members of McMillan's family sat in the public gallery throughout his appearance.
'Walking on a tightrope': Charities feel Covid crunch
But it's not all "doom and gloom", says one financial specialist.
From Cape Runaway kid to MP: Rawiri Waititi's path to Parliament
'Democracy has never worked for our people as the majority always rules.'
Judy Yorke cold case: Earthmoving contractor believes police did not search orchard properly
But police say they carried out a 'thorough' investigation into her disappearance.
Referendum results: 'Sad day' for hospice chief, but principal relieved at cannabis result
The final results for the referendums will be released next Friday.
'Retaining walls up first': New subdivision set for former Bella Vista site
A conditional agreement for the sale of the land had been reached.
'We need to keep telling this story': 156-year Battle of Gate Pā commemorations held
The battle was one that devastated generations yet made Tauranga the city it is today.
'Unresolved grief': Remembrance event for those unable to hold lockdown funerals
The event called the All Souls Service – A Time to Grieve is on Sunday at 9am
'Never truly leaves you': Lead investigator in murder still seeking clues
Judy Yorke disappeared from a party at a Matapihi packhouse in 1992.
'Exceptionally busy summer': Labour weekend to kick off busy Mount season
People were getting out to make the most of the long weekend!
Covid-19 testing foreign seafarers not practical, Port of Tauranga says
It comes after calls for testing of all seafarers entering New Zealand waters.
Complaint about Hannah Tamaki signs on election day
Vision NZ had thought the office signs could stay up, a party spokeswoman said.
Travel itch: Tauranga campervan sales spike post-Covid
'New entrant' buyers in their 40s are heading the surge of interest in campervans.
Is this the new leader of the Māori Party?
Waititi says it could "naturally fall that way" but he wasn't his party's only leader.
'Revved up': Hannah Tamaki vows to come back 'stronger'
'I am quite excited for the future of Vision NZ.'
Caroline Fleming: Māori Party's possible re-election a win for Māori
Opinion: A victory for Waititi could well be a win for Māori representation in Parliament.
'Elated': Māori Party on cusp of return - Waititi on his lead against Coffey
The final result may be decided by special votes.
Small rise in first-time offenders as Covid 'impact' felt
But the district commander says it is only a "blip" and crime as a whole is down.
'Supercharged': Bay of Plenty median house prices reach all time high
But despite the rising prices, houses are selling.
Future of Kawerau mill 'up in the air', job losses feared
About 160 people work at the mill, a major employer in the small town.
'No such thing as a safe seat': Waiariki candidates hit ground running in last weekend
The pair both put on a show at Waiata in the Pa, a suicide awareness event in Ngongotahā.
'Flying solo': Criminals with mental health issues stuck in 'cyclic system'
But the health board says it provides 'continuity of care' for those fresh out of prison.
Charge dismissed for woman who snuck into Sudima Hotel
The Tauranga woman was seen on the grounds of a Rotorua managed isolation hotel in August.
Hungry and anxious: Teacher dreads looking in children's lunchboxes
More than 500 local children are waiting for help from KidsCan.
The $2m cover-up: Man steals nearly $400k of art - then torches lakefront house
Thief says the numbers for the security alarm came to him in a dream.
'Depressing, horrible': Man claims isolation hotel had cracked walls, mould, and broken furniture
He also alleges the mattress was badly stained with what looked like blood.
'Crying out': Experts plead for more rehab care
'We have a massive methamphetamine issue in the Bay of Plenty'.
'The party got lame so she left': Tauranga's beloved Nana Holland dies
"She came alive when the beat was right."
National's election promise: $190m for key Rotorua, Tauranga roads
National's Todd McClay and Chris Bishop spoke to local business leaders today.
'Over the moon': 450 Claymark employees jobs secured following company sale
A consortium led by Paul Pedersen has bought the business.
'Dress rehearsal for the future': Higher seasonal temperatures could be new norm
Late spring temperatures could be reaching summer levels this year.
'Scared to go out': Man still reeling months after huge theft
"I thought I'd get over it but I haven't been able to," the longtime business owner says.
Gang member's meth-fuelled rampage: Police cars rammed and officers injured
Man armed with axe confronted innocent motorist during crime spree.
Revealed: Tauranga's worst Covid-19 rule breakers
Did you or anyone you know break Covid-19 restriction rules?
'Unmanageable': Tauranga principal speaks out on Hamilton school's spectator controversy
"You just have to look at the practicality of the rules when judging a school."
'She'd be so proud': Cystic Sister takes on new challenge in memory of lost sister
Kristie Purton and Nikki Reynolds: Well-known in Tauranga as the "Cystic Sisters".