Jean Bell
Multimedia journalist
Multimedia journalist
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.
Check out Jean’s latest content
Bay of Plenty visitors 'spoilt for choice'
See our top 10 things to do and a local's recommended activities.
Coronavirus: Loss of cruise ship visits could impact Rotorua tourism industry
Princess Cruises has stopped global operations of its 18 cruise ships for two months
'Flow on effect': Tourism not the only sector in coronavirus crisis
Businesses in Rotorua say a Government support package is good, but more needs to be done.
Coronavirus: Rotorua healthcare workers say call ahead if you have symptoms
No cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the Bay of Plenty area.
Coronavirus: Stores feel 'tension and paranoia' of hand sanitiser panic buying
Health experts and shops are discouraging people from panic buying and hoarding items.
Coronavirus: Major tourism operator suffers 6000 customer cancellations
The Government has earmarked $4m to help struggling businesses.
'It's very worrying:' Coronavirus fallout hits businesses and tourism operators
One Rotorua tourism owner is trying his best to keep his business going.
Whakaari aftermath: 22 hospital staff members take leave after eruption
A report on Whakaari White Island has revealed new information on December 9.
Coronavirus: Bay of Plenty Chinese restaurant plates empty as customers drop off
Both local and tourist customer numbers have dropped.
Lakes DHB pandemic action plan 9 years old but officials unfazed
DHB says tried and tested plans can deal with any cases which pop up.
Public housing shortfall continues to plague Rotorua
The public housing waiting list in Rotorua has continued to climb.
Showjumper runs ultramarathon to aid leukaemia-stricken boy
Lucy Olphert felt like she needed a challenge and found the ideal cause to inspire her.
No excuses: Bay authorities clamp down on bad boatie behaviour
'No one ever has their day ruined by wearing a lifejacket.'
Coronavirus: How Rotorua health authorities are preparing in case of an outbreak
No cases have been confirmed in New Zealand to date.
Hey big spender: Rising prices of fruit and veg explained
Prices for fruit and vegetables were noticeably up this season.
More than 200 people attend Bill 'Mr Tuna' Kerrison's final swim home
Bill Kerrison died "doing what he loved".
'Pretty freaky': Shark spotted in shallows at Ōhope beach
Beachgoers got more than they bargained for at the beach today.
'Like a war zone': Bay of Plenty woman escapes Aussie bush fires
''When we walked back we didn't expect to have a house.''
Fire risk warning: Don't be fooled by cooler summer
'It just takes one person to make a mistake.'
A look at how Mother Nature will usher in the Bay's New Year
High temperatures and low rainfall swept the region in 2019. What will 2020 bring?
White Island tragedy: Business-as-usual for Bay geothermal tourist attractions
'Safety should be a fluid thing and you should always be looking for ways to improve it.'
Ōpōtiki birthing unit: Local MP presenting petition to Parliament
"We're glad that we had an MP that wanted to help out."
Samoa measles tragedy sparks concerns in Bay
More than 60 people have died in Samoa due to the measles outbreak.
Death with dignity: How a Rotorua club is helping Samoa during the measles outbreak
Reports of children being buried in sheets prompted effort.
Rotorua reacts to draft to legalise recreational cannabis
The Government released a draft of what legalising recreational cannabis could look like.
'My whole life was gone': Woman tells of surgical device nightmare
The woman lived with extreme pain for six years.
'Save our unit': Ōpōtiki birthing facility temporarily shutdown
The unit will close on December 1 to March 30, 2020.
Counsellor: Hostage ordeal trauma will have lasting impact
"The survival part of the brain gets extremely heightened through traumatic events."
Hostage tragedy: Man shot by police 'trying to turn his life around'
Neighbours describe the 'terrifying' events that unfolded on Oriana Cres.
Rotorua Local Heroes react with great humility to nomination
"We do what we do not for recognition, but because we believe in a cause."
Mamaku gives more than 600 items to Christmas Appeal
The Salvation Army Foodbank says the appeal is off to a great start this year.
Healthy land, healthy people: What the Lakes DHB is doing to be environmentally-friendly
Rotorua Hospital alone produces 360,000kg of waste each year.
Bay of Un-plenty: People struggling to afford doctors, fruit and veg
We reveal how financial wellbeing in the Bay changed between 2016 and 2018.
'Historical baggage' cause of male Māori physical trauma rate - health advocate
"Māori men start at negative 10 while European men start at zero."
We want you: Big jump in Bay of Plenty healthcare job advertisements
We look into new statistics showing what jobs are most advertised.
What population increases mean for Rotorua
The number of elderly people is also increasing.
Flip of a coin could determine election winner after tied result
"Whatever will be will be," one candidate said.
Rotorua emergency department kept busy with winter illness
We look into new data revealing the number of hospital visits over the winter period.
Lakes DHB redundancy payouts hit $260k
Some redundancies were made in mental health services.
'I'm tired and I'm grumpy': Radiographers walk off the job
The second strike this week is planned for Wednesday.
Brace yourself: Pain at the pump as fuel prices set to rise
Prices have already risen and are expected to rise more.
'Literal zombies': Calls for education on synthetic drugs
Synthetic drugs are blamed for dozens of deaths during the last two years.
Measles in Rotorua: Suspect cases told to stay in car as health clinics clamp down
Health clinics are handling an increase in measles-related enquiries.
Top of the class: Rotorua's best performing suburbs
We reveal Rotorua's best suburbs.
Pukehina Beach dog owners told to stay vigilant after seal pup attack
This comes as five dead seal pups were found washed up on Pukehina Beach yesterday.
'That's my baby': Cat owner finds arrow embedded near pet's spine
An Alison St resident said her tabby cat, Sativa, appeared to be shot intentionally.
Shop owner gets apology from star of 'name and shame' video
"He just wanted to show he's sincerely sorry."
Local politicians reveal their vote on abortion law reform
Rotorua MPs have differing approaches to conscience vote.
'Kick to the guts': Rotorua Bike Festival's trailer stolen
Call for public's help to find trailer stolen over the weekend.
Firefighters rescue huge pup from ravine
The big Leonburger pup was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
'Great start': Dame Patsy Reddy's Bay of Plenty tour kicks off
The Governor-General is on a four-day tour of Tauranga, Whakatāne and Rotorua.
Wastewater pipe broken, spilling sewage into Lake Taupō
The second smaller leak followed an initial 800,000l spill on July 2.
Rotorua's hottest suburbs revealed
The country gem enjoyed solid growth in property values over the last year.
Matariki - more than Māori New Year for Tauranga artist
Tauranga artist takes on past, present and future in an exhibition.
Immunisation rates decline: Mum on why she chose to vaccinate
Mum says choosing to vaccinate her children was a 'no brainer'
Rotorua Museum in finals for national award
The museum was a finalist in a new and popular category
Artists show winning strokes at mural fest
The two artists were up against nine others from around the globe.
Measles outbreak among young adults at Mount Maunganui
One young adult remains in Tauranga Hospital after contracting the measles.
Measles in Mount Maunganui
A case of the measles has been confirmed in Mount Maunganui
School ban over beard: 'It's like giving a child a weapon'
Special needs student barred from class and sent home from school with razor, says father.
Hollywood, Wellywood, now Boppywood?
Investigation into the viability of a film studio in the region will begin in March.
Polytech mega-merger will have 'major implications' - Toi Ohomai
The government proposes a new national body would manage the institutes.
Hot and dry start to the year lingering in Rotorua
It has been a dry start to 2019 for Rotorua, and the dry weather is looking to continue.
Big dry lingers in the Bay of Plenty
Bay of Plenty region urgently needing rain to break long hot spell