Ōropi local discusses why she's running for the Leighton Baker Party.

Democracy, crime and homelessness are big issues for Tauranga's Vision candidate.

The cost of living and crime are the big issues for Act's Pāpāmoa-based candidate.

National's Bay of Plenty candidate discusses the electorate's big issues.

Transport, skill shortages and equal access to Tauranga are important issues for Tinetti.

Crime, cost of living, and a new highway are top of mind for Uffindell.

Katikati College students help feed the community through Kura Kai.

Infrastructure, housing and climate change top of mind for the new Labour candidate.

Charitable trust helps young people leave their troubled pasts behind.

Wairarapa's Labour candidate answers questions put forward by the local electorate.

Wairarapa's National candidate answers questions put forward by the local electorate.

Wairarapa's Green candidate answers questions put forward by the local electorate.

Act's Wairarapa candidate discusses the electorate's big issues.

Tauranga's Mae Cunningham, 16, and her family share her adoption story.

Three Gisborne friends lost over 200kgs between them following weight loss surgery.

The Judds Road proposed closure is causing concern for local residents.

'Don’t let them tell you you can’t. Show them you can.'

Surfing, furniture-maker Peter Claydon now shapes wooden surfboards.

Cory Scott is heading to Slovakia next month for the 2023 World Fly Fishing Championships.

Tatapouri Thistle Marist football team get treated to the World Cup quarter-finals.

This year's Welly Burger competition includes an 'oozy' entry from Union Bar and Bistro.

A football match and a close shave net $5000 in less than one week.

Now she's creating a Wall of Courage.

Gisborne is not as far away from the FIFA Women's World Cup as they thought.

Mark Belchamber wrote a book to help him deal with the dark side of the job.

Private cars account for 90 per cent of journeys in Tauranga and it’s causing headaches.

Freddy Salgado is using bamboo, flax and carbon fibre to build a unique bike.

The rail crossing accident on Norfolk Road opens up a safety discussion.

Kitini Taihuka prepares for the Oceania Junior Championships in Samoa this October.

Matariki in Wairarapa unveils a modern pou honouring a Māori chief and a midwinter dip.

'We want them to be able to train on the best facility possible,' the groundskeeper says.

Take a tour of the traditional Thai temple tucked away in Welcome Bay.

The 30-year story of how an urban wasteland became Masterton's native forest reserve.

Katikati growers, farmers and residents discuss water quality with the regional council.

Gisborne farmer Sam Gemmell completely cut off after Cyclone Gabrielle destroys bridge.

Students are taking time out of their school holidays to help protect the dune system.

How a replica of the English Stonehenge was built in a Carterton paddock.

We work towards it all our lives, but adjusting to retirement can take time.

The state of emergency has been lifted in Tairāwhiti but the rain continues to fall.

With inflation and recovery bills going up, rates rises are happening around the region.

A 93-year-old film-maker, Fred Holloway, documents the people of Wairarapa.

Hawke’s Bay's ethnic community will take centre stage in Napier this Saturday.

Local abstract artist Kelly Shrimpton talks about using art to deal with grief.

Local Focus: Five games will be played at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.

They've been flipping kids since 1972, so Local Focus' Renae Lolohea gave it a go too!

Local food and wine festival is great news for Hawke’s Bay hospitality.

Horopito, kawakawaka, miro berries and stamens of pōhutukawa are fun to find and distil.

Inside Masterton's teen parent unit.

Volunteers at Coffin Club Hawke’s Bay have been making baby coffins since 2015.

Chiefs Manawa star Luka Connor believes the future is "huge" for tomorrow's players.

Rotorua’s reputation as a technology hub is attracting professionals to the region.

'It’s an opportunity to connect with organisations that we didn’t know existed.'

Diversity comes out at Featherston's annual book event.

At 91, Michael Tunnicliffe is the oldest competitor in the 2023 Masters Swimming Champs.

Koha Apparel is on a mission to help the vulnerable look good and feel great.

The Alexander's family home was destroyed by flooding after Cyclone Gabrielle.

Hundreds of ‘bucket gardens’ are being given away to rebuild cyclone-affected gardens.

Nine local films set to be showcased as part of the Wairarapa Film Festival.

Meet the volunteers who bake home-cooked treats for locals doing it tough.

For many impacted by the cyclone, the best accommodation option has been family.

Taranaki breast cancer survivors paddle on to the world stage.

Roller skaters are flocking to Carterton's A&P Showgrounds for a smooth ride.

Knitting for Cool Kids Rotorua will be donating over 800 packs of hand knitted clothes.

The one-woman furniture restoration business turning something old into something new.

Three months after Cyclone Gabrielle, a bridge to connect Hawke's Bay is almost ready.

Former Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown restores Wairarapa land to its natural state.

Napier's Repair Cafe is fostering a fix-it culture.

Inside the programme showing seniors how to cook for themselves after losing a loved one.

When the Bonithon Petroleum Company dug for oil, it found something completely different.

Flaxmere residents upset plans for a new supermarket have been canned.

More than 50 young people have passed through The Village since it was set up in 2019.

Rotorua rider Megan Williams takes it up a gear ahead of Paris 2024.

Community-funded water safety programme teaches families how to respect the ocean.

Pickleball Gisborne goes from a handful of players to over 150 members.

Scientists are flying in to understand how the region can better prepare for the future.

Gisborne master athletes, Debbie Hutchings and Tamera Nelson, prove age is just a number.

Hawke’s Bay residents tap into $150,000 gift card fund to restock the pantry.

Free getaway packages to Rotorua offered to those impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Wairarapa charity turns old fabrics and plastics into eco-friendly sanitary towels.

Lost footage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana opening Baycourt in 1983 surfaces.

Gisborne resident Josh Grant talks about his lonely brush with death.

Students from Eskdale School enjoy free water safety lessons outside the classroom.

Lack of lifejackets and moored boats causing headaches for the harbourmaster.

The Rotorua Seed Library and Kai Rotorua are helping residents become self-sustainable.

The healing journey of former Māori Television head of hair and makeup, Bianca Fallon.

Community kitchen volunteers master the art of scraping together whatever.

Community effort goes flat out to put smiles on children’s faces.

Shaun and Alia Branson have taken their passion for BBQ to a higher level.

See the membranes that stand between you and nasty bugs in your drinking water.

Up to a thousand free meals a day come from Neela's makeshift kitchen in Napier.

Tolaga Bay local has had quite a journey to the Miss New Zealand pageant.

Nearly half those living in emergency housing in Hawke's Bay are children.

Local hero, Adam Anderson has been collecting litter off Masterton's streets for 20 years.

Tauranga’s multicultural community is preparing to showcase music, food and fashion.

Carterton Mayor Ron Mark spoke to Local Focus about running local government.

Construction of a temporary bridge is under way for cut-off Dartmoor residents.

Whanganui hapū and iwi have 'major concerns' regarding Aotearoa's first war memorial.

Meet the youth mentors helping young people navigate life's big challenges.

Top tips for 121 festival-goers: Bring water and snacks, put on sunblock and be friendly.

What started with a single request for help quickly turned into something much bigger.

A major event of this fast-growing sport hits New Zealand’s shores for the first time.

Whanganui's new high frequency bus service is changing habits.

Champion speaks frankly on her battle with long Covid, depression and survival.

Powerful emotional reaction from Hastings residents overwhelmed by help from strangers.

Junior surf comp relocated after damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in Piha.

Volunteers have spent days cleaning up dead animals in Hastings after Cyclone Gabrielle.

Over 200 volunteers help with the Te Karaka clean-up project after Cyclone Gabrielle.

Masterton’s WaiWaste takes food from landfill and distribute it to hungry whānau.

A lot of goods have been donated and volunteers are busy sorting it out.

Wairarapa farmers discuss climate change and explain how they're tackling it.

Freedom camper Wade Mannell wants to return the favour.

China Friendship Society invites Tauranga locals to learn about Chinese culture.

12 Fernhill residents and 12 Samoa RSE workers have been rescued by helicopter.

Sally Ann Pritchard says Te Aranga Marae requires towels and blankets but has enough kai.

49 Samoan RSEs had to abandon their belongings after camp flooded.

The inaugural Hooves on Drews hobby horsing extravaganza was a hit with locals.

Alastair Needes and other survivors tell of their close calls with rising flood waters.

Mayor Andrew Tripe and WDC emergency manager Tim Crowe discuss civil defence.

Latest on Cyclone Gabrielle in the region.

Mauao base track and Moturiki (Leisure Island) are closed due to high swells.

Dumpling class brings inmates and staff together at Hawke's Bay Regional Prison.

'When the market does turn, it will happen really quickly. Right now, there's a window.'

Local Focus: 28 RSE workers share one kitchen - we went to have a look.

Rotorua Department of Conservation team is undertaking its annual census.

Japanese honeysuckle is beautiful and sweet-smelling, but deadly to native bush.

Differing opinions on hospo pay rates and whether training is needed to wait tables.

Mount Maunganui hailed as “the perfect place” for beach volleyball in New Zealand.

Entrepreneurial Gisborne mum reveals her obsession with inflatables.

The water was flying and the kids were cheering.

Cyclone Hale left Riversdale farms with metre-deep river sediment covering entire paddocks

Rotorua's East Side residents are being encouraged to go to their local parks.

Inside the second-hand book store where people lose track of time.

Dramatic increase in funding means big things for skateboarding in Tauranga.

The Junction in New Plymouth will soon expand and sort through skips of commercial waste.

Managed or planned retreat in some areas is likely an eventual outcome in the long term.

The Airport Cafe is back and Loulou Krebs hopes to make it a reason to go to the airport.

The Bunne-Namdaris, Arpanaeis, Calderons and Iwasakis will be celebrating a Kiwi Christmas

Gisborne's Five Minutes of Fame finalists.

The 1400 sq m skatepark features more than 20 skate elements.

Rotorua's SPCA is at capacity, and is expecting an influx of animals over summer.

"It's a great part of our community. I'm glad it's back."

Tūranga Tangata Rite's new school building to become school syllabus.

Napier dairy was ram raided just one day before the owner's family holiday to Fiji.

Raj Patel says spare a thought for dairy owners.