Kelly Makiha, a Multimedia Journalist at the Rotorua Daily Post, specialises in court and police reporting.
I started work as a Multimedia Journalist at the Rotorua Daily Post as an 18 year-old in 1996 and I am still here, loving every single day. I wanted to be a journalist since I was a child and remember making my mum follow the flashing lights of emergency services so I could see what was happening. I started writing for my local newspaper in Timaru when I was a young teen and knew then that this was the job for me. I made the move to the Rotorua Daily Post and it was meant to be a stepping stone but I fell in love with this city, got married and we are now raising our three children here. I have covered all rounds but specialise in court and police reporting and have been chief reporter or assistant editor for most of my career. I am now back doing what I love – writing stories that matter, holding people and organisations to account, celebrating heroes, paying tribute to amazing lost loved ones and using my role to highlight issues to make a difference. Each day I’m honoured to be surrounded by a group of professionals who work hard and believe in what we do.
'Disastrous decision': Drugged driver blames dog's death for crash that killed couple
Crash victims Jan and John Christensen are remembered for their community contributions.
Nia Glassie's murderer: 'Still using drugs, still being violent'
Michael Curtis has served more than 17 years for the murder of Nia Glassie.
Meet the girl who hasn't missed a day of school in 11 years
She says she even turned down a holiday in Hawaii to keep her perfect record.
On a knife-edge: A young boy's fight to stay alive
'He fades pretty quickly but he does his best.'
'Wholly unnecessary': Bay road toll rises after horror December in Rotorua
Too many people have died on local roads, say police.
2024's high-profile court stories: Gangs, illegal prostitution and an infamous murder
We look back on serious court cases and a parole hearing with a twist.
'Happy to be alive': Mum's 'tough year' after freak accident in restaurant
Sian Habgood was hit by a car while sitting inside a restaurant.
How Ngawai's golden ticket has led to a trip of a lifetime
Ngawai Clendon aims to inspire others as she heads to Antarctica with Inspiring Explorers.
Nia Glassie's murderers up for parole
It's been 17 years since Nia Glassie was killed. Now her killers want out of jail.
Retailers cashing in on customers' happy vibes
Boxing Day shoppers in Rotorua and Tauranga are happy to be spending.
350-home project on track despite developer's other company in liquidation
The Government has no concerns about the development on state land in Ngongotahā.
Revealed: The items Bay people are trying to sneak into court
A disregard for authority could be why those attending court are thumbing their noses.
Government to end emergency housing contracts with two more Rotorua motels
Two more motels will stop being contracted by the Government for emergency housing.
Man admits causing hunter's death in Te Urewera firearms incident
A man charged with careless use of a firearm causing death has appeared in court.
'I was his prey': Mobster tortured woman, left her naked in street
Richard Paru was high on methamphetamine when he tortured a woman in her own home.
Up to $10,000 in alcohol and property stolen from sports club
Thousands of dollars worth of alcohol and other items were stolen.
'Hell of a noise': Crash takes out two sets off traffic lights
A woman driving a BMW walked away from the crash, astonishing witnesses.
Four Square robbed by weapon-wielding thieves
The Selwyn Heights Four Square was targeted by weapon-wielding thieves.
‘I hope you rot’: Fugitive rapist finally faces justice in a NZ court
'He needs to be held accountable for his evil, despicable actions.'
Inside story: Plan to house ex-prisoners in 'isolated' valley meets rural resistance
'There’s not very good cellphone service or internet if something was to happen.'
Why Rotorua is getting funky
What's in store for next year's Rotorua Lakeside concert?
Bailed teen gang shooter on the run after cutting off monitoring bracelet
The teen shot at rival gang vehicles a busy Rotorua intersection in the middle of the day.
'He loved it': YouTuber 'absolutely fine' after free-fall injury stunt
Did IShowSpeed really hurt himself at a Rotorua tourist attraction?
'I'm really just so grateful': Four-year housing battle ends
Sixteen new iwi-led affordable rental homes have been officially opened.
Rotorua teen prostitution ring: Five men admit being customers
Details have been revealed about five men caught up in an underage prostitution ring.
Rotorua triple murder accused pleads not guilty but won't go to trial until 2027
He is charged with killing Michelle Schiller, Jessie Currin and Glendon Currin.
No jacket required: How this club has changed over 100 years
The 100-year-old club in Rotorua that's still going strong.
Drug dealer's fear: Why a gang member handed in his patch
Man now has the chance to build a 'productive' life after guns and ecstasy.
'Kill' Bill: Rotorua hīkoi leg sends strong message to Parliament
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti is just the start of the call to action, organisers say.
'Watching pornos a reason to go to jail': Barbs fly between senior Māori MPs over haka row
Rawiri Waititi defends party's MP after she copped criticism from Shane Jones.
'Total invasion': Woman pawned arson-hit couple's stolen sentimental items
The couple were away visiting a close relative with cancer when burglars struck.
Saluting and farewelling Tā Bom - the reluctant war hero
It was a fitting ceremonial farewell that Sir Robert Gillies would have dodged.
'A revered national treasure': Thousands to mourn beloved 'Tā Bom'
The Māori Queen will attend Sir Robert 'Bom' Gillies' tangi tomorrow.
'We saw him as a hero': Last remaining member of Māori Battalion dies, aged 99
Sir Robert (Bom) Gillies was the last surviving member of the 28th Māori Battalion.
'Inspiring example': Iwi to offer cheaper rents in brand new homes
Who can apply to live in Ngāti Whakaue's affordable rental subdivision in Rotorua?
'I’ll take the rap': Witness in murder trial to claim men confessed to shooting
The Crown's key witness was ruled immune from prosecution in exchange for his evidence.
'They are going to f***ing kill us': Woman's final words on 111 call
Credence Malcolm and another man who can't be named say they didn't murder Korrey Whyman.
Rotorua police on high alert as gangs swarm to teen’s tangi after fatal pursuit
The community was fearful of what could happen at the teen’s tangi.
EVES and McDowell Professionals form new bigger company
Why a big name in Rotorua's real estate circles, McDowell's Professionals, is no longer.
$3m spent on 64 Kāinga Ora homes that may not be built
"As bad as it sounds, sometimes you have to put the brakes on," developer says.
Rotorua rides high on Whaka 100 success
Taupō's Sammie Maxwell has reclaimed her title.
'Didn’t think I’d make it': Rider returns from major cricket injury for 100km race
He is among 3000 mountain bike riders in Rotorua for the Whaka 100 this weekend.
Man appears in court over hunter's death
Sean Kavanagh appeared in the Rotorua District Court today.
'Come back to us': Whānau of missing man fight for answers
Three years on, Jason Bulter's family returns to his hometown to keep his memory alive.
Rotorua walkers go pink to raise thousands of dollars for charity
Annual event helps support Rotorua Breast Cancer Trust's work.
Drugs, prostitution, poo in carparks: Locals plead to end emergency housing in motels
Residents fight Government applications to keep seven motels going another year.
Dame Lynda Topp: Why she doesn't call cancer a battle, and loves a (pink) walk
'If you think of it as a battle, life will be a battle.'
'Meth bender': Man jailed for sparking bomb-squad callout
He yelled at police: 'I’m the one who planted the bomb'.
Sold: Why this man bought a child's painting for $600
Rotorua's Child Cancer Foundation charity breakfast has raised $20,000.
Triple homicide case: Accused murderer and victims named
Interim suppression relating to the names of those involved lapsed today.
It's back: Memorial sculpture for Harawene unveiled
Harawene statue 2.0: Memorial to much-loved Rotorua stray dog reinstated.
Guilty: Rotorua rapper shot stranger through window with kids in his car
'I got my patch on and I’ll be ready to blast anyone talking s***,' he raps in one song.
'The statue represented so much more than just a dog': Pilot to pay for security camera
Hong Kong pilot Ross Dawson says protecting Rotorua's new Harawene sculpture is key.
'Dreams do come true': Kiwi country singer making it in Nashville awarded
'I’ve never forgotten where I’ve come from.'
'Everything went white and I went blind': Shot driver takes stand at man's trial
On trial: Tihema Nuttall denies he shot another driver in the face on a main Rotorua road.
Replacement statue of Rotorua's icon dog to be revealed
A sculpture dedicated to beloved Rotorua dog Harawene is to be unveiled this week.
You beauty: Why botox is booming
The 20-year-old business helping make Rotorua more beautiful.
'I’ve got mice coming through the walls': Man's plea for help
Graeme Hewitt says he's living among rodents in his Government-funded flat.
Cultural breakthrough in prisons: MP's tribute to Sir Norman Perry's legacy
Former MP's book recognises the prison reform leader's unacknowledged contributions.
Kebab shop boss made underpaid migrant staff repay pay rises
Ripped-off workers owed thousands in unpaid wages, holiday pay and for the repayments.
Three injured in crash near Rotorua
Two people were seriously hurt in the single-vehicle crash.
Why a gravel road where a tourist died is under the spotlight
A coroner has released findings after a tourist drove off a gravel road and died.
'Emotions are still raw': Sons' surprise meeting with man who killed their father
'My appetite is not to keep him in the system,' says victim's son after guilty plea.
His dream became a 'nightmare' - but he'd do it all again to house the elderly
Rory O'Rourke's work to get three new homes for the elderly has been rewarded.
What owners plan to do with prime Lakefront site
Work started on the empty section last week.
Police give update on injured couple linked to Rotorua homicide
The dead woman was discovered by police on September 23.
Covid conviction: Court throws out mask-refuser's appeal
Rotorua man convicted and discharged in 2021 still wants the conviction overturned.
Man charged with Rotorua murder faces further charges
A neighbour says police told her the victim suffered a 'terrible violent death'.
'She didn't deserve to die that way': Woman in Rotorua homicide died 'violent death'
A neighbour says police told her the victim suffered a 'terrible violent death'.
'Voice in a million' silenced after cancer battle
Legendary singer Eddie Low had a voice like no other.
'Keep that flame alight': How rising teen beat the odds and wrote a song about it
Why Nikau Grace's latest single is a bit special.
Maccas takeover: Couple sell three McDonald's restaurants - but eye up another nine
They've had the 'time of our lives' but are ready for a new challenge.
'Reprehensible and inexcusable': PTA treasurer sentenced for stealing from school
She stole more than $15,000 from a school when she was supposed to be fundraising.
Victim's mother - 'I’m just livid': Why a man is appealing his murder sentence 22 years later
He murdered a young pregnant stranger by stabbing her 15 times.
Explosive pie-eating scenario discovered as pupils learn media skills
Lynmore Primary School pupils have got a new-found love of the role of the media.
Country music awards hit high note with renowned guest artists
Country music singers from throughout New Zealand are vying to be the best.
'Trump on steroids': The argument to keep convicted entertainment figure's name secret
A leading entertainment figure sentenced for sexual offending wants his name kept secret.
What it's really like inside a courtroom
Girls' High students have had a taste of working in the criminal courts.
Mountain bike community rallies after friend's shock diagnosis
Tour de France rider Julian Dean donates bike to Parkinson's New Zealand fundraisers.
Pipeline work halted after sacred site protest
The council says it needs more direct discussion with iwi and mana whenua.