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'A lot brighter': Job programme offers hope for young workers
He joined a programme helping young people aged 18 to 24 find work.

Collision of 'two different worlds': Cultural centre's ambitious Māori-Indian show
The show blends Indian dance and te ao Māori storytelling, featuring sacred water themes.

‘We want our mountain back’: Hundreds climb Mt Kahurānaki to support Ngāti Kahungunu land return
About 150 people climbed Mt Kahurānaki, some on foot, others on horseback.

On The Up: Lower Kingsgate Reserve reopens after repairs from Cyclone Gabrielle
Five footbridges were repaired, and a culvert was replaced during restoration.

On The Up: How a 2400km journey in a Mini transformed a Wairoa couple into heroes
The McNabbs raise over $40k for KidsCan in epic Pork Pie Charity Run.

On the Up: The young builder from Flaxmere aiming for national glory
Goulton will compete in the national in Hamilton for the Ken Read Trophy and a $10k prize.

Hawke’s Bay teens swap TikTok for rock’ n roll dances
The group will compete in the NZ Junior Nationals in Porirua this Easter.

'It’s really moving': How music therapy helped teen through the grief of losing dad
Nicola Harrison said hearing her son's original song was heartbreaking and healing.

On The Up - Volunteering from home: The trend adding even more value to NZ's $4b industry
Helping others remotely has surged since the Covid pandemic.

Flaxmere welcomes new supermarket after year-long wait
Flaxmere's new supermarket opens tomorrow at the Flaxmere Village Centre.

Hawke’s Bay paramedic facing terminal cancer needs $80k for unfunded life-extending treatment
'It’s just amazing how two different oncologists have totally different perspectives.'

‘Incredibly moving’: Thousands gather for bigger and brighter Lantern Festival opening
This year’s festival features 50% more lanterns, inflatable pandas and dragons.

'From growing up in Flaxmere to stepping onto one of the world’s greatest opera stages'
Rising star from Hawke’s Bay secures opportunity with Royal Opera in London.

On The Up: ‘Life was passing us by’ - why couple chose to sail the world
They sold or gave away nearly everything they owned, packed their car and moved aboard.

One man’s years-long quest to rid Mahia of rubbish: ‘We can all help - we just need to start’
David Waihaki removed four tonnes of rubbish from Mahia in 18 months.

When cancer met Mr Positive’s punch: ‘It’s your attitude that determines your altitude’
'You’ve got to have a reason to live. And I have many.'

What to expect at Hastings’ enchanting Lantern Festival this April
The Lantern Festival runs from April 6 to April 13 at Cornwall Park.

Retirement village turns 50 with its very first staff member still on its books
'They probably have got a bed for me here but no ...'

‘End of an era’: Aching bones of landmark highway house further crippled by fire
The historic house on State Highway 2, abandoned since the late 1960s, damaged in fire.

The rise of the underground food economy
Hospitality NZ says informal food businesses are being emboldened by social media reach,.

Napier urgent care to stay and be enhanced after community pushback, won't include a doctor
Health Minister announces enhanced service, including nurse prescribers and telehealth.

Watch: Napier athlete takes Winter Special Olympics silver, missing gold by 0.1 seconds
'Mum, Dad, I’m here. Dream come true.'

‘Red wine’: Taradale’s woman secret to a long life at 100
'I feel like I’m having my second childhood.'

How to keep NZ water park afloat: ‘Your customers get a bit bored’
Hanmer Springs has turned profits for 25 years, while Splash Planet leaks ratepayer cash.

Banning teens from bars: Is it discerning or discriminatory?
Market St Bar in Napier doesn't let in teens after 9pm for safety reasons.

Meet Tanya, the woman who can open a bottle of beer with a 13-tonne excavator
She’ll be one of the first women competing at the National Excavator Operator Competition.

'We’ve infused the Māori humour': Hastings man given the chance to voice Lord Farquaad
'Doing it through Māori words, Māori flow and language, it's a totally different story.'

Planetary Healing Doctorate: Hawke’s Bay elder's global honour
'We have a responsibility to treasure this knowledge passed on to us and to share it.'

'When you know better, you do better': Cyclone Gabrielle survivors prepare as Alfred bears down on Queensland
Hawke’s Bay residents in Queensland say the preparation is immense compared to Gabrielle.

'Can’t say no to your grandma': 75-year-old convinces daughter and grandson to do an Ironman with her
'We weren’t just racing. We were creating memories as a family.'

Woman charged with manslaughter after 11-year-old cyclist's crash death
The woman also faces charges of driving with excess breath alcohol and failing to stop.

‘I’m hell-bent on winning gold’: Napier skier’s quest at Special Olympics
Nine Kiwis are representing New Zealand among over 1500 athletes.

‘Immoral’: Kiwis brace for power hikes with one woman facing 31% increase
Sharon Sutton's daily charge with Frank Energy will rise 31% from April 1.

National flying championships: Could you drop a bag of sand from a plane and hit a target?
The competition is one of the few times pilots can legally drop objects from an aircraft.

'Might require self-defence classes': Retailers have mixed feelings on new Govt crime measures
'Usually, shoplifters just come, take what they want, and walk away.'

Shopper trespassed from New World supermarket after taking photos of blocked fire exit
'I was followed through the store ... before they trespassed me at the checkout.'

Crime reports up 9.4% in Hawke's Bay as burglaries and thefts hit businesses hard
“I am looking at options – should I get rid of this business? The risk is too high.'

'Iconic' 15-year-old pig came with a couple's new home: 'She was on the chattels list'
'Bella isn't just a pet, she’s an icon.'

$3.8m project aims to ease housing struggle for young disabled in Napier
Rowan Apartments will offer two fully accessible two-bedroom units.

Statue honouring WWI warhorse Dolly delayed to 2027
The trust has raised $30,000 of the $300,000 for the Hastings statue.

Life in an isolated valley after a flood: 'The damage took my mind off being hungry'
George waited days in his car for someone to arrive: 'They didn’t even know we were here.'

'Neither of us would be here': Crash survivor's message after 22 unrestrained drivers die in five years
Before the T-bone crash, Klaudia's life flashed before her. Luckily, she had belted up.

‘Like opening a window’: Unearthed phone shows cyclone smashing through Esk Valley
'Looking at those photos now, it’s surreal.'

'Please, let me stay': The cyclone survivor living in caravan on red-zoned land
For Waikato Gray, Esk Valley is more than just a home. It is five generations of history.

Cyclone Gabrielle: The couple who gave up their jobs and moved to Hawke's Bay to help
'This wasn’t just about clearing debris. It was about restoring hope.'

Woman charged with driving with excess breath alcohol after fatal crash with 11yo
Police have not ruled out the possibility of further charges.

'Forever my baby': Parents' heartbreak after 11yo girl hit and killed on bike
'We're not coping, but we've got to hold it together for the rest of our kids.'

Wairoa’s diabetes patients get long-awaited podiatry care
New podiatry service brings relief to Wairoa residents battling diabetes.

94th anniversary of the Hawke's Bay earthquake: Death of Roy MacLennan, his wife injured but alive beside him
Roy MacLennan and his wife were sitting in their car outside a shop when tragedy struck.

Teen's two-year search for a first job: ‘We can’t get experience if they don’t let us have experience’
'For those of us just starting out, it feels almost impossible.'

Rolling hills and a joyful dog: Photo competition winner captures Hawke’s Bay summer spirit
Amy Knight wins photo contest with stunning sunrise shot of her fox terrier Frankie.

‘The grief is heavy’: Driver charged, community mourns after 11-year-old cyclist killed
'Flashbacks of what happened come and go all the time.'

A rare celestial spectacle: How to see the planets align
For those eager to see it, Hawke’s Bay Holt Planetarium is hosting a Sunday observation.

How a Hawke’s Bay police duo conquered the world bodybuilding stage
Police officer wins the Pro Miss Figure world title in Canberra on debut.

'Our happy place': The organisation with a waitlist of volunteers in a tough economy
As large Bay charities are hit by a tough economy, a small op-shop thrives.

Rats in the pantry: Misuse of Dannevirke’s Pātaka Kai sparks concern
Rubbish instead of food: A community food pantry in Dannevirke is being misused.

10-year-old Napier dancer wins top NZ jazz award for fourth year
Young dancer Bella Hey tops NZ jazz exams for the fourth consecutive year.

'We want justice for our girl': Mother seeks answers after people flee fatal crash scene
'Somebody out there knows who caused this. A simple ride turned into a nightmare.'

Euphonium eureka moment: Talented Hawke’s Bay trio join group of NZ's top teen musicians
Hawke’s Bay talents are set to perform with the best musicians of Australasia this week.

Unity and resilience: What to expect at Waitangi Day commemorations in Clive
Waitangi Day at Clive's Farndon Park focuses on moving forward.

All smiles: Taradale man's shot wins farming photo competition
'They always have a big smile on their faces; they are lovely people.'

The Hawke’s Bay connection to every bounce at the Australian Open
NZ wool the secret ingredient in grand slam tennis balls.

'So many hearts broken': 14-year-old killed in crash that injured four others
'Words will never truly express the utter sorry and sadness we feel.'

Hawke’s Bay woman watching minute by minute as ill dad ordered to evacuate LA home
'The last two days have been pretty emotional. I’m just crushed by the whole experience.'

Such a Teddy: Hawke’s Bay’s most popular baby names for 2024
Theodore needed to spend time in the Special Care Baby Unit and shared it with a namesake.

Napier widow finds community support through local initiative
Traffic management business pays staff to help community during downtime.

Health NZ proposes cut to Napier’s overnight urgent care services
A confidential briefing note says the changes could occur by March 2025.

The secret to surviving 70 years of marriage, and what not to do
'Be nice to each other, be patient, and find some nice presents.'

Breaking barriers: No Limits Paratriathlon celebrates inclusion
The No Limits Paratriathlon attracted 67 young competitors.

Mutes from Mars break disability barriers through music
Featuring musicians with disabilities, Mutes from Mars perform in Hawke's Bay on Nov 28.

'Rejection after rejection': Two families who met at flat viewing secure house with novel approach
The couples with kids decided they weren't going to fight each other to get a place.

Forty entries for Napier's Christmas Parade as rebound begins
Community support for the Christmas Parade in Napier is rising after a post-Covid slump.

Hawke's Bay art scene blooms with Art Farm's first night market
Mushroom farm-turned-creative hub for local artists will soon host its first night market.

Art project left at door of Napier museum causes bomb scare
The colourful creation, made of fabric, was found sitting outside the museum’s entrance.

The Hawke's Bay artists creating kiwi sculptures for a trail in Napier
Two local artists join the Kiwi Art Trail's team creating giant sculptures.

Hints of red and purple: Secret location for Enchanted Ball to be unveiled
The Enchanted Ball is coming, and it promises to be 'magical'.