Maddisyn Jeffares is Editor of the Hastings Leader and Napier Courier.
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.
Hastings Boys' High Building Academy excited for changes coming in 2025
Third year of Hastings Boys' High School Building Academy: big success, with more to come.
How one viral photo unlocked the story of a Hawke’s Bay man many ignore
A local photographer didn't expect his photo of a homeless man to go viral.
10 years of Flaxmere College The Teen Parent Unit
10 years of Flaxmere College Teen Parent Unit, Te Tipu Whenua ō Pā Harakeke.
Hastings Santa and his sleigh driver still don't see themselves stopping 25 years in
25 years of Santa visiting every street in Hastings during the lead-up to Christmas.
Award winning Hawke's Bay man praised by governor-general
Young Hawke's Bay man with Down syndrome recognised by governor-general.
Hastings hairdresser says placing third almost better than being first at national awards
Hastings hairdresser third in her category at New Zealand Hairdressing Creative Awards.
Havelock North brothers bring band to the bay for two summer shows
Havelock North brothers return to the Bay for two performances with their band Wet Denim.
Napier class win new ASICS shoes as part of Zespri Young and Healthy Virtual Adventure
A class at Maraenui Bilingual School won new shoes just in time for school camp.
Hundreds to attended Punjabi Language Week celebrations in Hawke's Bay
Several Hastings and Napier events to celebrate Punjabi Language Week.
Saddle up, rodeo is coming back to the Bay
Start planning your cowboy outfits as the national circuit rodeo makes it back to the bay.
Hawke’s Bay Winemakers and Homebrewers Club wins 46 medals at Central NZ competition
Hawke's Bay home brewers and winemakers celebrate more than 40 years as a club.
Bay Batucada only New Zealand drumming group to take part in ‘Drum for Health’
Bay Batucada takes part in global 'Drum for Health' campaign.
Fourty years of stories and speeches celebrated at Pania Toastmasters' birthday bash
One of Hawke's Bay's longest running Toastmasters turns 40 this year.
Students complete challenge of the mind and body
Flaxmere students show teamwork and determination during the Longest Day Challenge.
Dannevirke Toy Library celebrates 40 years with birthday bingo bash
Dannevirke Toy Library celebrates its 40th birthday bash with a big bingo night.
Napier marks 150th with own Monopoly Art Deco board
Pass go, don't collect $200 and go straight to jail with the new Napier Monopoly.
Flaxmere College take out first place and bragging rights at 2024 NZ Defence Force Academy Challenge
Flaxmere College Service Academy wins big inter-academy challenge for the first time.
40 years of 'lost' poetry compiled into one book
Poetry is not for everyone, but Bruce Bisset's book of poems will get everyone thinking.
Hawke’s Bay branch of the Royal Society partners up with House of Science for mini expo
Royal Society's Hawke's Bay branch celebrates 150 years with a mini science expo.
Old unwanted pillows get new life sewn into them for reuse
Pre-loved pillows headed for the dump now have a new life and new home.
Hastings designer selected for WOW finals for the 11th time
Hastings glass artist Keryn Whitney has been named as a World of Wearable Arts finalist.
Memories shared by the prelim nursing class of 1974, 50 years on
13 nurses reunite for lunch 50 years on from nursing training in the 70s.
Napier designer now four-time WOW finalist
Laurel Judd worked in the textile industry for decades.
The story of Herzog and his travelling cart
Popular dog leaves a legacy by giving his custom cart to other dogs with limited mobility.
Last but not least: Taradale RSA Concert Party hits the road
Keeping traditions alive, the Taradale RSA has the last performing Concert Party in NZ.
Local man to take part in Cancer Society’s ‘Walk For Hope’ for the 11th year
From cancer survivor to Cancer Society hero fundraising machine.
Napier Port announces special Behind The Gates Tours
The port is set to offer a limited series of 12 public bus tours for the first time.
150-year-old Frimley Park poplar gets new life as playground flock
150-year-old Frimley poplar tree brought back to life as part of new playground feature.
Zita Smith gifts home made taonga to welcome new neighbours
Well-known kuia welcomes new families into Napier's latest Kāinga Ora housing.
Havelock North's very own murder mystery novel
Wardini Books' owners have penned a murder mystery novel titled 'The Bookshop Detectives'.
Westminister Ave house all lit up for New Zealand Olympians
Napier man keeps the light on in support of the athletes.
Waipukurau solo pup joins abandoned Flaxmere litter of six's pack
A pack of six puppies found dumped in a bag have found a seventh member at the SPCA.
At full capacity Pound Pooches is struggling with more dogs then foster homes
There are too many abandoned and surrendered dogs for Pound Pooches to keep up with.
Air Force medic finds dream job with Hawke's Bay Helicopter Rescue
A local woman returns home from the Air Force to join the team in her dream job.
Big bucks raised at Bunnings motor neurone disease fundraiser
A classic Bunnings sausage sizzle draws in the crowd in support of motor neurone disease.
Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust ready to take off with another lottery to help save lives
Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust sets up another win-win lottery.
The BRIGHT Project is bringing colour to Flaxmere Park
Group behind 'The Bright Project' wants to bring Flaxmere community together through art.
Dormant city church being torn down to make room for social housing proposal
The 'gorgeous' stained glass windows could be yours as Kāinga Ora moves in.
Young piper hears the call from Canada
Teen bagpiper needs help to raise funds for once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The American yogi who is bring more than downward-dog to Hawke's Bay
American yoga teacher left her fast-paced life in LA to settle in Havelock North.
CHB teen inspired by BLAKE Inspire programme
Hannah Webster is keen to change the world after attending the programme.
'Thought the boat would turn around': The 18-year-old conscripted to occupy nuclear-bombed Japan
'Everything the bomb touched had died and there was hardly anything left standing.'
Florist business blooming as it celebrates 10 years
The owner of Napier florist beauKayes loves to make someone's day with flowers.
Father of two needs financial help in stage 4 bowel cancer battle
Central Hawke's Bay man needs more than $50,000 for additional life-saving medications.
Taradale Pottery Group reflects on love and support after Cyclone Gabrielle
Pottery group finds the silver clay in the silt as it reopens cyclone-hit clubroom.
Could Henry Houdini be Hawke’s Bay’s Hairy Maclary?
The true story of a little dog named Henry and his Houdini-like escapes.
Sir John Kirwan mental health speech brings tradies to tears
TW Group brought Sir John Kirwan in to talk mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
Core blimey! Hastings apple art installation vandalised
$25,000 public artwork in the CBD now in two pieces.
Auto Extravaganza and Swap Meet to raise big bucks for local St John
Car expo icon moves to the Bay and brings his Auto Extravaganza fundraiser with him.
Students raise more that $600 for cancer society in one night
Flaxmere College host relay for life event after Hawke's Bay relay event was cancelled.
Boy genius begins university after completing high school at 16, with back-to-back Dux awards
Havelock North High's Tapas Kant enjoys scholarship success.
Te Whānau Puoro rising up into NZ music scene
Hawke's Bay teen band Te Whānau Puoro releases their first music video.
Lorelei Powell's long life and secret to turning 100
Daughter makes sure mum celebrates 100th birthday with a week full of events.
Three beautiful female dogs up for adoption in Napier
Fur-ever homes wanted for three very different but very friendly dogs.
Bay Espresso's life saving coffee for a good cause
Bay Espresso partners with Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter via a special blend of coffee.
Hawke’s Bay Tui player starts portable sauna business with dad
Hurricanes Poua player teams up with dad to bring a different kinda of sauna to the Bay.
Bay Batucada bringing batucada to the bay for 10 years
Bay Batucada band celebrate a 10th birthday by dancing to the beat of their own drums.
Inside Pan Pac's step-by-step cyclone recovery, and the workers who got it this far
"We had a marathon in front of us, not even a 10k run.”
UK polo player says nothing else like the Birchleigh polo in schools programme exists overseas
UK polo player who dreams of going professional spends summer in Hawke's Bay.
Check out these four pretty pups, ready to be adopted
Four friendly pups are looking for a permanent place to park their paws.
Orange team win Napier Libraries' first Amazing Race
Summer school holiday programme amazing time for families.
Taradale Primary School robotics team off to Houston for World Champs
NZ Blackbots with Taradale Primary School kids take on the world in 'sport of the mind'.
Centenarian celebrates 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends
Family and friends say 100-year-old Lady Margaret Harrison is ageing backwards.
Couple bringing Christmas spirit to Maraenui every year
Local Santa sets up a small grotto in Maraenui every year to help spread Christmas spirit.
Kids from a Napier Fairhaven school fly to Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
Local business owners helped fund an Auckland trip for a Napier Fairhaven school.
Napier dogs in need of a Merry Woofmas
Three local pups have a fur-ever family and home on their Christmas list.
A tasty tribute to the Art Deco heritage of Napier up for auction
Art Deco Trust in the Christmas mood, with an iconic gingerbread building up for auction.
Hawke’s Bay kids excited as Weet-Bix TRYathlon returns
11-year-old Napier boy excited to finally take part in the Weet-Bix kids TRYathlon.
Hundreds turn out for Punjabi language celebration in Hastings
More than 450 people attended the Hawke's Bay Punjabi language celebration held at Toitoi.
A shack that became an unofficial landmark is slowly falling apart
My 23-year-long love affair with a faraway house is about to come to an end.
Tom Husband celebrates 100th birthday surrounded by family
Napier man Tom Husband looks back on his long life.
Following in her mothers footsteps, daughter picks up a brush and helps conserve Hastings war mural
Like mother like daughter: artistic duo help save Hastings War Memorial Library war mural.
Hawke’s Bay bikers turn out in droves to support Birthright HB Twin City Ulysses Toy Run
Hawke's Bay bikers gather to give to those in need
With 258 kids on the waiting list Omni Gymnastics Centre needs to expand
Napier's Omni Gymnastics club asking the community for help to fund new gym expansion.
Couple's garden care extends beyond their own home
Pirimai couple have been spreading plants throughout public spaces for the past 11 years.
Hastings wins Recreation Aotearoa awards thanks to Flaxmere facilities
Flaxmere Park and the skate plaza pick up more Recreation Aotearoa awards.
New Kiwiana-themed decals a big hit at Hawke’s Bay Hospital
Your Decal Shop works with Hawke's Bay Hospital to brighten up the children's ward.
Could one of these four pups be your new best friend?
Four lively Napier canines are seeking a permanent place to call home.
Kai Co-op rooted in Māori traditions to help build people's relationships with food
Kai Co-op food box looks to support and educate whānau to grow and cook nutritious food.