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
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.
Council starts 'process' to remove beach shelter
Council says the shelter has to come down as it breaches bylaws.
Back home 19 months after Cyclone Gabrielle ravaged Wairoa
Whānau who have been out of their homes for 19 months get back the key to the door.
Keeping Barry Cup and grassroots rugby alive
Wairoa scored seven tries to beat Tihirau Victory, who came 300km to play.
One of NZ's oldest rugby trophies on line in Waipukurau
Napier are chasing their third Ross Shield title in a row.
Wairoa hopeful Barry Cup defence will go ahead on Sunday
Four challenges were accepted this year, but none so far have gone ahead.
Call for fewer vape shops to enable better enforcement
Advocates say a Hawke's Bay prosecution highlights the need for more control.
Changes as Magpies plot beating Auckland on the rebound
Hawke's Bay have rung the changes from the side that stalled on a frightful Friday.
Teen Tall Fern Pahlyss becomes an All Star
Pahlyss Hokianga, aged just 16, is the youngest to have played for the Tall Ferns.
A bit of cricket at McLean Park this summer
A cricket season at McLean Park is coming together, with CD Stags games announced.
The code at the counter: How a Hastings vape store sold cigarettes for $5
An undercover agent used the code, leading to a prosecution and thousands in fines.
About 30 jobs on the line at port and KiwiRail in Napier
Both Napier Port and KiwiRail are negotiating over job futures in Napier.
1824 battle of Te Pakake Pā recognised with new highway sculpture
The sculpture symbolises the connections and partnerships that bind people together.
Generation after generation – 90 years of Wattie's in Hawke's Bay celebrated
'Who else loves their job like this after 22 years?'
Hawke's Bay Tui pull a stunner out of the hat, beating Auckland at Eden Park
Hawke's Bay needed something uplifting and it came in New Zealand's biggest stadium.
The biggest rugby stage: Hawke’s Bay Tui get a game at Eden Park to finish their season
The Tui have staved off relegation, so can they cause an upset on the big stage?
Decision time nearing as Hawke's Bay Sports Awards ponder changes
It could be among the most challenging years to pick in the awards' 60-year history.
NPC final rematch: Smarting Magpies plot a path to revenge
Taranaki beat the Magpies in last year's final. It's payback time in Napier on Friday.
Young star shines as Turkeys win national title again
Three days of indoor cricket saw the Hawke's Bay Turkeys retain their national title.
Basketball dream for teen Hawke’s Bay ballers
Pahlyss Hokianga and Graecyn Parahi off to basketball camp in Perth.
Hawke’s Bay bounces back at the national netball championships
Hawke's Bay did not play in the tournament last year.
Irene van Dyk hoping to lead a Hawke's Bay renaissance at NZ's national champs
'My idea is to create a culture. I think we can upset a few teams.'
Emma Twigg still has an oar in the water - this time winning bronze for Hawke's Bay
Emma Twigg's rowing career isn't over yet as she adds another medal to collection.
Shield blockbuster awaits: Magpies top of the table, but outsiders to retain the Log o' Wood
A clash of two unbeaten titans is coming to McLean Park.
Tasman planning Shield parade, a week before battling Hawke’s Bay
The Magpies and the Mako are set to clash in a Log o' Wood blockbuster.
New deck needed for temporary Waikare bridge
Two nights of closure will be needed for the work.
Magpies paying $1.09 to continue NPC run against Manawatū
Pouri Rakete-Stones has been named as captain in an expected raft of changes.
Man charged with stealing 50 temporary roadworks signs from Hawke’s Bay highways
The man was arrested after a crash, and “several" reports of dangerous driving.
Top of the table: Magpies' dream season start continues with victory over Canterbury
The Magpies scored four tries to hit the top of the NPC ladder.
Art Deco Trust's new home: Napier's historic women's rest rooms get a makeover
Renovation of the near century-old former War Memorial Women's Rest rooms has begun
He broke his ankle against the All Blacks - now the Magpies are preparing to unleash him
From being stretchered off in the Rugby World Cup, to getting a chance with the Bay.
'No justification': Thieves make off with dozens of temporary speed limit signs
At least 30 temporary speed signs have been taken from highway roadworks in Hawke's Bay.
Wairoa in Focus: Bring on the Barry Cup
Wairoa face the first Barry Cup defence of 2024 on September 8.
Battle of the Bays looms for Hawke’s Bay Tui
The Tui scored eight tries to knock over the Kauri.
Hawke’s Bay Netball Super Club final: HHSOG Huia win the big night out
Hastings HSOG Huia had only nine players this season. It was still good enough to win.
Chiller stolen from marae that was devastated in Cyclone Gabrielle
Don't let this theft of a chiller become a cold case.