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.'
!['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.
![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.
!['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.'
![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.
!['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.
!['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.
!['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.
![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.
![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.
!['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'.
![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.
![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.
!['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.
!['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.
![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.'
![Man sentenced for 'slashing' victim during burglary at Indian restaurant](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Man sentenced for 'slashing' victim during burglary at Indian restaurant
The defendant stated he did not remember doing any of the actions he committed.
!['Seen in 30 minutes': New 'hybrid' medical clinic opens in Pāpāmoa](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Seen in 30 minutes': New 'hybrid' medical clinic opens in Pāpāmoa
'It was just about seeing someone ... and not having to wait for a GP to be available.'
![They gave her a new liver as a baby - 30 years later she's racing 243km to celebrate](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
They gave her a new liver as a baby - 30 years later she's racing 243km to celebrate
'Despite everything I’ve been through with my health, look how far I’ve come.'
![Traffic 'through the roof': Kardashian plugs NZ mum's skincare products online](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Traffic 'through the roof': Kardashian plugs NZ mum's skincare products online
'To have someone like her attached to our brand ... is just really powerful.'
!['Rollercoaster': Teen given 9 months to live a year ago now heading back to school](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Rollercoaster': Teen given 9 months to live a year ago now heading back to school
A tumour 'the size of a golf ball' in Chastiny Malone's brain has shrunk to half the size.
![Advocate calls for principal, board to resign after 'damning' report into safety of LGBTQIA+ students](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Advocate calls for principal, board to resign after 'damning' report into safety of LGBTQIA+ students
The report found some students believed they were bullied due to their sexual orientation.
!['Getting done over': Frustration after Air NZ cuts back daily service](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Getting done over': Frustration after Air NZ cuts back daily service
The lack of options impacts domestic and international connections, customer says.
!['Hundreds' of seizures a day: Boy, 7, to undergo brain surgery](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Hundreds' of seizures a day: Boy, 7, to undergo brain surgery
'Our children haven’t had a normal life for seven years,' mum says.
!['Freak' injuries and $11m in claims: How to keep kids safe on the trampoline](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Freak' injuries and $11m in claims: How to keep kids safe on the trampoline
Plus, an NZ trampolinist prepares for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
![Tauranga records its hottest day this year at 30.3C as locals enjoy the beach](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Tauranga records its hottest day this year at 30.3C as locals enjoy the beach
The warmest temperature on record for a January in Tauranga was in 1983: 33.7C.
![Accommodation 'full' over the long weekend as festivalgoers flocked to Tauranga](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Accommodation 'full' over the long weekend as festivalgoers flocked to Tauranga
Despite heavy rain on Sunday, most attendees stayed until the end of the festival.
!['Your confidence takes a hammering': Nurse speaks out about verbal abuse from patients](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Your confidence takes a hammering': Nurse speaks out about verbal abuse from patients
It comes as assaults on staff at Bay of Plenty hospitals have been rising.
![Trapped for almost 30 hours: A quake survivor lost her legs - now she can dance again](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Trapped for almost 30 hours: A quake survivor lost her legs - now she can dance again
Kate Liao was the only survivor in her building after 2008 Sichuan Province earthquake.
!['Absolutely livid': Mum of drowned teen's call after lifeguards abused](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Absolutely livid': Mum of drowned teen's call after lifeguards abused
"Take care of them ... they save so many people every year."
![Disgraced teacher case: School fails to release documents it should have - Ombudsman](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Disgraced teacher case: School fails to release documents it should have - Ombudsman
The school says it spent $45,000 on legal costs responding to the requests.
!['Emergency': How getting strep throat led to three open-heart surgeries](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Emergency': How getting strep throat led to three open-heart surgeries
'I wouldn’t want anyone to go through it'.
!['Substantial' Auckland interest in sale of $200m Tauranga towers apartments](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Substantial' Auckland interest in sale of $200m Tauranga towers apartments
'We haven’t seen anything of this scale before in our city.'
![Teachers at top school 'welcome' to use ChatGPT in student reports](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Teachers at top school 'welcome' to use ChatGPT in student reports
Achievement, learning behaviours and attendance data are used to generate comments.
![He bought a 32ft yacht instead of a house. Now, he's planning a two-year mission to Wales](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
He bought a 32ft yacht instead of a house. Now, he's planning a two-year mission to Wales
Sailor most excited to 'see how I react when situations aren’t going that well'.
![The place serving 2000 free meals a week](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
The place serving 2000 free meals a week
'People can come any time if they’ve got no food.'
![Why the Mount's UV level isn't as blistering as it may appear](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Why the Mount's UV level isn't as blistering as it may appear
Popular beach's index sign to be fixed after showing high reading.