Doug Laing, Multimedia Journalist at Hawke’s Bay Today, covers all aspects of provincial journalism including local government, sports, major events, social and justice issues.
I’m Doug Laing – Multimedia Journalist at Hawke’s Bay Today. You could say journalism ran in my blood - my father, Les Laing, was a journalist who while working for the NZBC and then Radio New Zealand mentored and helped train broadcasters on-station throughout New Zealand. Journalism is a life-long 24/7 calling for me. I followed in Dad’s footsteps from a young age, writing stories for the local weekly rugby programme while at primary school in the 1960s, and Junior Kiwi - a newspaper for schools. As a 14 year old, I worked as a reporter at the Wairarapa Times-Age during school holidays and began my fulltime career at the Central Hawke’s Bay Press, Waipukurau, in July 1973. I’ve also worked at the Daily Telegraph, had a short stint in public relations in Auckland, worked at The Dominion/Sunday and New Zealand Times, before returning to the Daily Telegraph in May 1987 as Chief Reporter. In 1999 the Daily Telegraph merged with the Hawke’s Bay Herald Tribune to create Hawke’s Bay Today, and I’ve been here ever since. I continue covering all aspects of provincial journalism, including local government, sports, major events, social and justice matters. I've been involved in two books, "Cavaliers in South Africa 1986" (rebel rugby tour) and "Shear History" (Golden Shears 50 years). Finalist Qantas Awards breaking news category (Flaxmere police shooting 1996), Napier Pilot City Trust Awards for "Outstanding Contribution to the Quality of Life for all Napier Citizens" and 2020 NZ Rural Sports Award for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Sports
Sunny HB Christmas Day, but keep an eye on the fire
Outdoors Christmas Day cooking is allowed, but the warning is: Be careful.
History: Pat Parsons dies aged 82
Pat Parsons was made an honorary member of the multiple Napier hapu.
Sale of Hawke’s Bay forest nets $4m for council
Tararua District Council has sold a forest. Now other assets are headed for the market.
Homicide inquiry after 'gentle soul' street dweller killed in Napier CBD
Street dweller Boy Taylor died in Napier's CBD on Wednesday morning.
Work to start on approaches for new expressway bridge
Two bridges alongside each other will ease congestion on the Hawke's Bay Expressway.
Vanuatu Earthquakes: Hawke’s Bay rescuers head for Port Vila
Specially trained Urban Search and Rescue staff have been sent Vanuatu.
More rain forecast for northern Hawke's Bay
Over 150mm of rain has come at a good time, as long as it doesn't flood.
Heavy rain hits Wairoa again, flooding seen as drains struggle to cope
More thann 100mm has fallen around Wairoa in 24 hours.
The chase is over – rain ends Napier hopes of schools cricket title
Napier went into the last match unbeaten in five consecutive run chases.
The right Paige - Dobson steps up after national schools win
Coach Snell is predicting big things over long distances from this Napier youngster.
Napier's assets, including its airport share, moved to new council company
'We can’t keep doing things the same way and expect a different result,' mayor says.
Mercury hits thirsty 30s again in Hawke’s Bay
It was a warm welcome for one of the bigger cruise-liner visits of the summer.
Havelock North movie theatre saved after Event Cinemas draws curtain
Matt Bell said there had been a real prospect the Havelock North cinema would close.
'So loud': Napier deluge floods shop's Christmas display, roadworks signs float down street
Deluge flooded the Christmas display in at least one store and poured down hilly streets.
Half-kilometre of SH2 in Waipawa set for rebuild
A 500-metre stretch of State Highway 2 will get a makeover starting on January 13.
The mystery disappearance of Fiona Wills: ‘We never found a thing’
Fiona Wills went to feed the chickens on December 9, 2014. She hasn't been seen since.
Hawke's Bay heatwave: Two girls taken to hospital, three others treated after rippa rugby faintings
'We had a few students who felt the effects of the high temps,' a Napier high school says.
Napier pushes 34C in early-summer sizzler
Temperatures came on a day with a strong wind watch in place for all of Hawke’s Bay.
'Step up the biosecurity': Hawke's Bay's bird flu fears
Bump up farm bio-security, or inevitable will happen, warns veteran Bay poultry farmer.
Concerts: Aussie tribute group signed for February Sound Shell gig
The city council joins local promoter Hamish Pinkham in a Soundshell promotion.
Hastings home’s near miss after blaze: Open fire ban for twin cities
A prohibited fire season notice is now in place.
Heatwave: The race for top temperature in Hawke's Bay - and NZ
Temperatures in Hawke's Bay's twin cities forecast for 30C-plus.
Handcuffing Napier children 'unjustified', pushing one headfirst into wall 'excessive'
'We haven't recommended a criminal prosecution nor an employment process in this case.'
Hawke’s Bay drought closer as 30C temperatures forecast
Drought looms: It was one of the Bay's driest Novembers.
'A lot has changed': Two centuries since Battle of Pakake shaped Hawke's Bay
Saturday’s gathering included descendants of those killed, including significant chiefs.
Indian Panthers come to Napier for NBL basketball debut
The Hawke's Bay Hawks play new NBL team Indian Panthers in Napier on March 12.
Stolen shipwreck binoculars returned to Napier owners
Binoculars from 1986 shipwreck disappeared from a Westshore verandah this week.
Sprinkler ban in Napier: Usage soars to some of highest in country
Water use in the city is 'out-stripping supply.'
Iwi wants to buy Takitimu Seafoods site after $9m surplus recorded
In 2022-2023 it had a $2m deficit as Takitimu Seafoods collapsed, with 70 job losses.
Happy borough-day: Napier basks in sunshine for its 150th
Free coffee and ice cream as Napier marks 150 years.
Firefighters wary as 31C forecast for parts of already dry Hawke’s Bay
Forecasts suggest the region could hit its highest temperatures of the year so far.
Hawke’s Bay Police get 155 high-risk vehicles off the road
There were 24,318 breath tests recorded in the region in just one month.
Whakatu Freezing Works: The history, the industry and the aftermath
Ewan McGregor, a 79-year-old historian, says he's got "a few books in me yet".
Police chasing culprit behind spate of five Hawke's Bay fires
'We want whoever is responsible to be caught.'
Mixed weather for big weekend of events in Hawke's Bay
Summer Regatta sailing and kahawai fishing are features of a busy weekend.
'Our hearts are shattered': Inspiration for iconic statue dies aged 86
Mei Whaitiri became the model for Pania when she was a 13-year-old high school student.
Six60 headed for Shed 530 Estate in summer 2025
A new Hawke's Bay winery devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle is now set to host Six60.
Helicopter helps quell Mohaka bush fire
Smoke was billowing from a hillside bushfire near Mohaka about 4.50pm on Thursday.
Hawke’s Bay Canoe Club: 50 years of paddling up and downstream
The canoe club was set up for white-water canoeing and rafting in rivers.
Golden water heroes in the Bay
They won at either of the past two Olympic Games. Now they're headed for Hawke's Bay.
Racing back on track, but not in Hawke’s Bay
The Waipukurau Cup will be raced in Woodville on Sunday, with free buses for CHB punters.
Hawke’s Bay weather: Some rain was forecast, but where is it?
The warnings are out; it's not expected to be a drought, but be prepared.
'It was just a holiday': The HB pilot who flew across the world in a Gipsy Moth
'Some people have cats and dogs. We have a hangar,' says the aviator's daughter.
Ceremony marks opening of 11 relocatable homes at Ōmāhu Marae
Dreams and aspirations were realised as 11 new homes opened at Ōmāhu.
Four medals for Hawke's Bay team at World Cup Taekwon-do
One of the team had never before been on an aircraft before flying to Uzbekistan.
Homes wait list shrinking as house builds boom
Hawke's Bay applicants on the housing register are down close to 20% this year.
Temperatures hit 28C in Napier and Hastings, could be hotter Saturday
Hastings hit a forecast peak of 28C soon after 1pm on Friday.
One farmer offloads 1500 of his 2000 ewes as Hawke's Bay-wide dry starts to set in
Drought speculation for Hawke's Bay is premature, but the Bay is vulnerable, Niwa says.
Bike racks on buses banned: ‘We’re very disappointed to be forced into this’
The NZTA says bike racks might not comply, because they partially obstruct headlights.
Hockey: Gutted Black Stick raring to go as Premier League hits Napier
Two matches will be played on Saturday in the new national Premier Hockey League.
Triumphant Rosemary Mair brings World Cup to Hawke's Bay
White Ferns victory tour heads to Havelock North on Wednesday.
Melbourne Cup: Former Napier Boys’ High pupil rides a Kiwi hope
Michael (Mick) Dee has ridden 783 winners, but none yet in the Melbourne Cup.
Club final in Napier as rugby league breaks new ground – again
Driven by a coach with a passion, the Stallions reach the final in their first season.
Gamechanger: New HB clinic to improve access to cancer diagnosis and treatment
'This clinic marks a transformative moment for the Hawke’s Bay region.'
IronMāori headlines huge weekend in the Bay
A second weekend in a row of huge visitor numbers in Hawke's Bay.
Magpies chief becomes an Aussie Knight - Tyrone Thompson joins the NRL
Speculation on Thompson's possible move to rugby league started a year ago.
Into the back-up squad: Flanders gets ABs XV chance
Devan Flanders has played 118 games in Super Rugby or for the Magpies.
A decade without steam - now the train is back for Art Deco Festival
The train will be based in Napier throughout the February 13-17 festival.
Super Rugby returns to Hawke's Bay after break of almost four years
The Hurricanes play the Drua at McLean Park on February 22.
World triathlon stars to go a second round in Napier
Napier will host the first leg of the 2025 World Cup triathlon series.
A patties' cleansweep for Hawke's Bay at national sausage awards
The Bay butchers won both beef patty categories at the annual event.
Ravensdown secures safety of chimney stacks after fire
The landmark red and white chimneys at Awatoto caught fire during demolition.
'Reckless': Boat with man and two kids aboard crossed path of 51,000 tonne container ship
Man charged after recreational boat moved into lane of 294-metres long ship entering port.
Can a lamb be shorn every 37 seconds for nine hours?
The world solo 9hrs lambshearing record is 872 – now there's a challenger.
Kiwi softball legend Owen 'The Fog' Walford dies two days after terminal cancer confirmation
He was 'The Fog', because that’s where the unmatched speed of his pitches came from.
Magpies line-up Battle of the Bays in NPC showdown
Of those who started the last match, only 10 will start Saturday's quarter-final.
Town that introduced NZ’s first Māori ward doesn't seem bothered by it
Just two people made submissions about the under-review ward, both in favour.
Trying out a 'phantom' race day - fashion, music and thousands of punters, with no horses
'Obviously there are some questions that have to be answered.'
Magpies lock Isaia Walker-Leawere is in the All Blacks' frame
The 27-year-old is the only Hawke's Bay player chosen for international duty.
Napier claims third Ross Shield title in a row
Napier has won 19 tournament games in a row since the start of the 2021 competition.
Napier stream crash: Car's lucky dip drags on
A neighbour says he watched someone remove a battery from the still-waterlogged car.
Napier Operatic Society lets the shows begin
If you love Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons, you'll love Jersey Boys.
Big Ross Shield decider expected in Waipukurau
The question at the Ross Shield was: Who can beat Napier?
'It’s a bit naughty': Mural artist’s confession
He's been a driller and a logger - but Nathan James is really a painter.
Super Rugby draw out, with two venues to be confirmed
Two Hurricanes home game venues for 2025 are yet to be confirmed.
Magpies chase a repeat of last year's win in Wellington
The Magpies could end up No 2 with a home playoff next week.
Series of quakes 'a good reminder that we live in the shaky isles'
About 120 quakes have been recorded nationwide in two days.
One slip and it was all over: Hawke's Bay's big race transferred to Te Rapa
When a horse slipped in Race 1 in Hastings on Saturday, it was the beginning of the end,
New national hockey league matches set for Napier
Big year for Hawke's Bay hockey as it prepares to host two games in a new competition.