Nicki Harper is a reporter for Hawke's Bay Today
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.
Digital Wairoa war memorial to be unveiled
Touch-screen technology will bring the stories of 900 Wairoa WWI veterans to life.
Home affordability improving in region
From March to June this year, house-price growth fell by 7 per cent in this region.
Former drug and alcohol addict's road to redemption
Recovering addict Ray Knight is planning to walk the country to help others.
Ōtātara Pā reserve plan impresses board
Work is progressing well on the management plan for Otatara Pā Historic Reserve.
Feral and stray cat control a complex issue
Microchipping considered best way to protect pet cats against feral cat control measures.
Possums in headlights of eradication plan
Government funding boost will help step up efforts to rid the region of predators.
Child sick after pond contaminated by birds and cow faeces
Testing of water at Pandora Pond likely to be more frequent this coming summer.
MS sufferer concerned about medicine mix-up
Hastings woman says wrong instructions on medicine bottle could have been fatal.
Legal action lodged over Te Mata Peak track
Environmental Defence Society challenges council decision and seeks order to remove track.
Council to focus more on river berms
Public dissatisfaction with the management of river berms across the region is growing.
Rissington residents seeking flood support
Residents say if nothing is done and the area floods again lives could be lost.
'Wall of wood' brings challenges for roading network
When the forests were planted 25-30 years ago, no one thought of the harvest challenges.
Napier council to consult on three memorial designs
Dalton accuses Wise of politicking with comments that public had lost faith in council.
Research shows many Bay residents fail to fill prescriptions
One in four Hawke's Bay residents fail to pick up prescriptions for varied reasons.
Residents delighted Havelock North green space to be preserved
Hastings council decides on new site to build Havelock North water booster pump station.
Venue packed for Bridges' visit
National Party leader talks about economy, roads, water and law and order on Bay visit.
Hastings council to decide on pump station
Pros and cons of Havelock North sites for water booster pump station will inform decision.
Napier council to adopt ward-only representation
Subject to any appeals, Napier people will be voting for ward representatives only in 2019
Council to consider war memorial options
Council to consider plans for restoration of Eternal Flame, Roll of Honour and signage.
Napier residents favour ward-only system
Submitters say ward-only system of council representation would be more democratic.
The Terrace School on the right track - commissioner
The Terrace School principal resigns, commissioner positive about school's future.
Bay teen finds winning 'face' in China challenge
Annual competition gives students insights into Chinese life and culture.
Hopes mediation can avert nurses strike
NZ Nurses Organisation members feeling exasperated, want recognition, says HB delegate.
Garden birds a 'barometer' of environmental health
While there has been a small increase in kererū, tūī and bellbirds, waxeyes are declining.
Matariki celebrated at Ātea a Rangi Star Compass
Fun, games and learning on the menu for Winter Solstice celebrations.
HB Regional Prison volunteers earn national awards
Volunteer-run yoga classes one of the most popular among prison inmates.
Bay DHB prepares for possible strike action
DHB rescheduling non-urgent hospital services in preparation for industrial action.
Vandals ruin playing field
Damage from burnouts puts field out of action for the rest of the season.
Hastings considers outsourcing parks and properties work
The council has consulted with 58 affected staff and the appropriate unions.
People support wheelie bins over rubbish bags for household collection
More than 6000 people submitted on the joint waste management and minimisation plan.
Calls for public re-notification of WCO application
Special tribunal considers re-notification of WCO application, given new science findings.
Whakakī Lake fencing and planting begins
Whakakī Lake is the largest freshwater lagoon on the East Coast of the North Island.
Roads reopening as clean-up continues
Deluge leads to closure of 26 roads around CHB, 19 of which were still closed yesterday.
HB councils recognised for leadership, community engagement
Hawke's Bay Regional, Wairoa and CHB councils named finalists in LGNZ Excellence Awards.
Gastro outbreak's lessons guide flu pilot
Telephone-based assessments to be used as tool to manage surge in flu cases.
$6.5m upgrade to Wairoa's wastewater scheme proposed
Wairoa LTP focused on core council business and uplifting the community, says mayor.
Alarm over groundwater applications
Eight applications in pipeline to take 15 million m3 of groundwater from Ruataniwha basin.
Vaccination updated to cover new strains
ESR has created a real-time dashboard to track rate and severity of flu across country.
Confidence in drinking water lifting
Inquiry recommendations being adopted by Hastings council, while physical works continue.
Rail vital to alleviate traffic noise on expressway: Pirimai residents
Residents' monitoring records 138 heavy vehicles on expressway between 2am and 5am.
No need for chlorination, say LTP submitters
Guardians of the Aquifer call for public referendum on drinking water chlorination.
Digital devices new way of communicating
As a society we may need to adjust our thinking on what being social is - Netsafe.
Firewood theft hits families in need
About four to six tonnes of wood were stolen from a secured paddock on Saturday last week.
Iwi, winery sign new track deal - but not everyone's happy
Ngāti Kahungunu and Craggy Range yesterday agreed to explore an alternative track.
Watch Video: Agreement signed on Te Mata peak track
Ngati Kahungunu Iwi and Craggy Range have purchased extra land to build a new track.
Bay panel welcomes climate change report
New climate change report supports need to address global warming, beyond sea level rises.
Bay all fired up for Winter F.A.W.C!
Winter F.A.W.C! kicks off this weekend with an eclectic menu of food and wine experiences.
Hundreds respond to Napier council's LTP
Most support new pool complex and aquarium expansion, but not chlorine-free water stations
DHB tells schools to cut alcohol at events
Schools asked to avoid selling alcohol or using alcohol sponsorship for fundraising.
Watch Video: New gastroenterology unit build on time and on budget
State-of-the-art building will bring all gastroenterology services under one roof.
Case highlights gaps in RMA, says academic
Senior law lecturer says there could be a role for the Crown in settling such disputes.
Multiple celebrations for 100th birthday
Jean Foster's contribution to Waipawa Golf Club and CHB Red Cross ahead of her birthday.
Regional council approves LTP with minor changes
Council agrees to continue funding tourism at higher level than proposed in long term plan
Plastic gets the boot from group of Bay eateries
Cafes ditch the plastic straws, and bring in compostable cups, plates, cutlery and napkins
Council to mull Long Term Plan submissions
Most submitters supported the HBRC's LTP proposals, except cutting tourism funding.
Unbearable suffering can be avoided with good, safe laws
Dr Libby Smales says people no longer fear pain so much as hopelessness and suffering.
Opinion polarised on End of Life Choice Bill
More than 300 people attended a recent meeting in Havelock North on voluntary euthanasia.
Debate an opportunity to explore our relationship with death
From the moment we are born we are dying - we need to prepare ourselves for that reality.
More protests over Te Mata track
Hastings council says it is working with stakeholders to find a solution to satisfy all.
Bay's Labour MPs laud 'people centric' budget
Hawke's Bay's National MPs claim government has over-promised and under-delivered.
Health services hoping for Budget boost
Growth in acute hospital presentations putting pressure on finances at HBDHB.
Te Mata track row: Craggy Range insists it took 'principled approach'
A marketing expert says Craggy Range needs to take the lead on solving track issue.
Locals build landing pad for rescue chopper
Porangahau locals armed with shovels have built a new rescue helicopter landing pad.
Rain here to stay for the rest of the week
Overnight temperatures set to hit single figures as week progresses.
Bay's live music venues need your support
The biggest competition for live venues is the likes of Netflix, say Bay bar owners.
Mother's Day special for first-time mum
For one new Napier baby, her birthday and Mother's Day will be forever closely linked.
Songstress credits family for inspiration
Toni Huata keeps up with her Bay connections, performing at local events such as Matariki.
Emergency rock wall to protect Clifton coast
Threat of winter storms prompts call for emergency wall to protect access to Clifton camp.
Garth McVicar's police shooting praise results in tax office scrutiny
A document has raised questions over the tax structure of the Sensible Sentencing Trust.
Iwi speaks out over Te Mata track proposals
Iwi unhappy Craggy Range has backtracked on a pledge to remove the Te Mata walkway.
Controversial Te Mata track to stay?
Craggy Range denies Environmental Defence Society claims it is misleading the public.
Common sense a valuable farm safety tool
Hawke's Bay Farmer of the Year David Danks says self-responsibility is a must for farmers
Kiwis' 'get on and do it' attitude putting them at risk
Worksafe says culture change needed to reduce risk taking behaviour.
Seven months hunting for a rental
Ministry of Social Development says it is doing all it can to help find suitable housing.
CHB council backtracks on water rate plan
District-wide water rate rejected, but thumbs up for Waipawa pool upgrade and town plans.
Council considers drug testing all staff
All staff, not only those working in dangerous roles, will be subject to random drug tests
Te Mata Mushrooms odour meeting tomorrow tonight
Te Mata Mushrooms owner says it has been working as fast as possible to find solution.
Splish, splosh, splash at Country2Coast
Despite the rain they came, they walked and they ran at annual family fun challenge.