Megan Wilson is a Multimedia Journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post.
Megan Wilson started working as a journalist for NZME based in Tauranga in 2021. She writes for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts and from the London School of Journalism in 2021 with a post-graduate diploma in journalism. Since starting as a journalist, she has primarily covered health and general news, writing about COVID-19, staff and resourcing issues in the public health system, and the battle Kiwis face for unfunded, life-saving drugs, treatments and health screening in New Zealand.
From dental nurse to beauty queen and budding swimsuit model
She has been asked to attend Miami Swim Week in May for casting.
‘We’re back’: Bay duos chase another bite at Pork Pie Charity Run
Fifty teams are driving their Minis down the country in the movie-inspired fundraiser.
How author Vanya Insull built an ‘empire’ from posting recipes online
She is going on a book tour to celebrate the release of her third cookbook.
US $550k surgery removes ‘95%’ of 27-year-old’s aggressive brain tumour
Rotorua woman 'blown away' by the donations she received to help pay for the surgery.
‘Potentially magic’: Supergroove starts reunion tour with two shows in Rotorua
'There’s a certain frisson and nervousness and excitement ... on those first nights.'
‘Catastrophic impacts’: Possible Kaituna River dam project faces pushback
Concerns included the fast-tracking of the project and a 'perceived lack of consultation'.
Heart and sleep tests available at new Rotorua clinic
Patients will no longer need to travel to Hamilton for two private diagnostic tests.
In by Christmas: Building of 28 subsidised rentals on track
The rentals will target essential workers in healthcare, education and emergency services.
‘A new frontier’: How supercritical geothermal could change NZ energy
About $12m to $15m has already been spent on investigative work.
Teen’s ‘out of this world’ expedition
Zoe Parker said it was the best two weeks of her life.
‘I was in bed for a year’: Cancer survivor calls for $220k-a-year drug to be funded
Other patients consider moving overseas or starting a Givealittle to pay for the drug.
Revealed: Hundreds of children escaped from early childhood centres in NZ in five years
Four children were found 'running around on the road'; another was found near a highway.
Doctor shortage: How long could it take to recruit for Whakatāne’s maternity ward?
Plus, how many overseas doctors are being considered for the positions.
‘A rite of passage’: Skyline Rotorua celebrates 40 years
More than 15 million passengers have ridden the gondola in four decades.
‘Incredibly exciting’: Plans for luxury waterfront hotel
The hotel will feature a pool, rooftop bar, gym, conference rooms and 197 guest rooms.
'Didn’t get what we wanted': Pathlab workers strike for second time in two months
Members didn't like striking 'but it's ... our only means to enact any sort of change'.
‘Tennis ball-sized lump’: 3-year old with head injuries waits 5 hours in ED
'Nobody should have to wait for hours when they need medical care,' says his mum.
‘We’ve had no one apply’: Teacher shortage hits region
The Bay could be short of 180 primary school teachers in 2025, according to projections.
‘High operating costs’: Toi Ohomai to close campus, move courses
Affected courses include wood manufacturing, saw doctoring, and forest management.
‘Undervalued’ social workers strike: ‘Who’s going to look after the kids?’
Seven week-strike planned after union says Oranga Tamariki offered members 0% pay rise.
‘Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’: 16yo set for voyage to subantarctic islands
'They’ll encounter wildlife most people will never see in their lifetime.'
‘A full and very positive life’: Funding to begin for life-extending cancer drugs
Rhys Drayson passed his given life expectancy after taking the drugs in a clinical trial.
Tutor's job saved, 48 students to keep learning at Toi Ohomai
Changes were made to a proposal to axe the programme and role.
A ‘war cry’ for sexual assault survivors: One-woman play comes to Bay
High school and tertiary students are being offered free tickets.
'Deeply disappointing': Proposed job cuts will worsen access to palliative care - doctor
Public money would be spent on hospital admissions for people with 'nowhere else to go'.
‘Hard decision’: Woman, 27, heading to US for $550k cancer treatment
Amelia Branson and her family are fighting to extend her life.
'Critical decisions need to be made quickly': Iwi concerned about maternity service change
Bay of Plenty iwi met with Health NZ to discuss 'urgent challenges' for Māori.
Overseas-born students driving roll growth in Rotorua
'We're getting an even spread of New Zealand-born and overseas-born students.'
'I heard all my bones break': Runner loses leg in farming accident
The 'shattered' bones in his leg were 'like Weet-Bix', he said.
'Not sustainable': Tauranga worker would earn extra $30k for same job in Hamilton
'We do the same job as the Te Whatu Ora labs, but we’re paid significantly less.'
'This is going to kill someone': Midwife's fear after maternity service 'downgrading'
Higher-risk births were sent to a hospital more than an hour away after specialists quit.
'Wanted for years': Australian child physical therapy service to open NZ clinic
'Hundreds' of NZ families have travelled to Australia for intensive therapy.
How surfer Ollie Dobbin bought three Ōhope businesses before the age of 24
His first business was a surf school which he bought when he was still in high school.
'Soft and spongy' deck, roof that 'would lift with the wind': Landlord fined $6k
An inspector said the general state of the house was 'unmaintained' and 'shocking'.
New year, new job? Farmer switched to stacking shelves - and aims to own a supermarket
He started again at the bottom, and is working his way up.
ADHD: The regions where assessments are 'a lot faster' than in other places
A support organisation says it's important to diagnose and treat ADHD 'before it spirals'.
Watch: Truck’s 'shocking' overtaking on Kaimāī Range prompts investigations
'Pretty bloody scary,' said one comment.
Health NZ redundancies: More than $251k paid out in Bay of Plenty, Lakes
'We’ve lost people ... all vital to making sure a hospital functions accordingly.'
Twelve sizes smaller, 3kg removed: Mum speaks of 'life-changing' breast reduction surgery
'Oh my god, they’re beautiful,' she said when she saw her new breasts for the first time.
Abuse survivors' group backs man’s move to reject King’s Service Medal
Fears survivors of abuse in faith-based institutions will be 'ghosted' in redress system.
The four summer activities that racked up $16.5m in ACC payouts in one region
'You don’t want to spend your summer holiday in A and E.'
New Year Honours: Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, Taupō recipients named
Plus - we ask why one city, unusually, has no honourees on this year's list.
‘Shock diagnosis’: She had no symptoms. Then she was given one year to live
She has outlived her one-year life expectancy and focuses on the positive: 'I am living'
'Huge impact': Local cancer trust receives 'generous' $13k donation from Rotary club
The money will help fund 'supportive cancer care and integrative medicine' retreats.
Arrest after German tourists track theft suspect using AirPods
Couple 'happy' something has been done after criticising initial police response.
Medical 'mistakes': Widower wants answers after losing wife, 25, to cancer
'Ultimately, it cost us time with Tasha,' her family says.
Tourists track thief using stolen AirPods after $7000 in gear swiped from campervan
A man was seen wearing one of their stolen shirts after they tracked their missing tech.
Wildlife park celebrates 85 years in business with foodbank collection
Its donations will help people have a 'nice, festive, happy Christmas'.
'Blessing in disguise': How failing an eye test saved a man from vision loss
He says there 'isn’t enough knowledge' about the disease. A surgeon hopes to change that.
'Much-needed excitement': Children at Rotorua Hospital receive donated gifts
The children's ward is now 'stocked up' with presents thanks to the local Ulysses club.
'Way overdue': Mental health unit budget rises by $17m, completion further delayed
The unit was initially expected to be finished in 2023.
'Could’ve lost my child': Mum's reaction after toddler escaped over daycare fence
The centre offered an apology to the mother and has taken 'full responsibility'.
'Great news': New jobs as big new store opens in Rotorua
The store is opening in Rotorua Central in time for people doing their Christmas shopping.
Rotorua man with terminal cancer seeks help to tend garden that feeds struggling families
The retired Baptist minister says he's had a 'fabulous life'.
'Emotional rollercoaster': Teen beats cancer twice in three years
'The true meaning of Christmas has become more profound for us – cancer has changed us.'
'He didn't walk there': Missing man's mother has questions after remains found on isolated farm
She is grateful 'he's not lost any more' but has few answers about how her son died.
'Unusual circumstances': Remains identified as Tokoroa man missing for two years
Police are appealing for information - 'even the smallest detail could be crucial'.
Students 'in tears': Proposal to axe 'invaluable' apprenticeship
The Waipā campus in Rotorua is 'the only facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere'.
'Everyone deserves warm kai': Kmart supports foodbank
The wishing tree appeal is in its 31st year and the need for it 'has never been greater'.
'Really happy': Community donates thousands to Christmas Appeal in first week
The foodbank has collected $5560 in donated food, money, and gifts in week one.
How a 'horrific' hunting accident in 1982 led to a terminal cancer diagnosis
A patient is 'disgusted' National didn't fund 13 cancer drugs it promised.
'Incredible': Heart transplant recipient outlives life expectancy by nine years
He is 'living proof' of what can be achieved through people donating their organs.
'Invaluable aid' for buyers: Three BoP suburbs make OneRoof’s ‘Hot 100′ list
'We all want to buy at an affordable price and to live in a suburb that’s on the rise.'
'I thought she would be disadvantaged': How surgery transformed a schoolgirl's life
Six years on from surgery, Te Waiwaha is trilingual and loves to sing and play sports.
'I wouldn’t have made it': 27yo says 111 bags of plasma saved her life
It's been a week since she was diagnosed with an 'extremely rare' blood disorder.
Visitors eye Rotorua and Bay for school holidays
Plus, top things to do in the Bay this school holidays.
'They kept that a secret': Man finds out at age 48 he was adopted
‘You didn’t fit into my plans’: Mum's reason for giving him up.
'Huge difference': Twenty-eight 'affordable' rentals to be built
'This new development will also free up much-needed rental accommodation.'
'It’s supported me in so much': Nursing student wins scholarship
She wants to make it 'easier' for people living in rural communities to get healthcare.
'How can this be real?' Two sisters diagnosed with breast cancer two years apart
'I just want to do everything I can to obviously prolong time and quality of life.'
Cancer patient spends $36k on treatment: Without it, 'I’d be dead by Christmas'
He was told this year he could not be treated further in the public system.
Victim speaks of 'horrific' dog attack: 'I was screaming hoping someone would come help'
'It was like they were taking turns, biting into my arms and lower legs.'
'They buried their teeth into me': Walker attacked by three dogs
Man was left with some “gouges” on the top of his leg and bottom.
Green mould, leaks, no heating: Landlord fined $12k in damages
Stephen Bhana must also pay a tenant more than $8700 in backdated, overpaid rent.
'Hundreds of thousands of dollars to $19 an hour': Faumuina's event to support mental health
Sione Faumuina hit 'rock bottom' when he retired.
'Mighty dream': Bid to build cancer lodge near hospital hits hurdles
Some people 'compromising' on cancer fight due to costs, logistics of getting to Tauranga.
Parents thought 4yo had constipation - then she was diagnosed with leukaemia
'You never wish it on your worst enemy, to feel so helpless'
'Freaking out': Toddler found near state highway after escaping from daycare
'We sincerely regret the distress this incident has caused,' the centre says.
'Broke every bone in his body': Teen survives being hit by two cars
The teen was walking home sober on a rural road at night when he was hit.
'I have survived. I can give others hope'
Daffodil Day: How a cancer survivor found a new purpose after pain and loss.