Sandra Conchie is a Multimedia Journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times based in Tauranga.
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.
Bars hope boost from Steamers' win 'bodes well' for long weekend
Steamers' historic run underlines support from some for a new stadium in central Tauranga.
'A noose with your name': Man guilty of making Jacinda Ardern death threats
He represented himself in court with what the judge called 'legal gobbledygook'.
Woolworths strike: Bay of Plenty and Rotorua staff served suspension notices
Claims more than 40 Woolworths staff in Bay were issued suspension notices.
Rotorua Woolworths workers walk off job
"We are still miles apart from the company."
'Highly careless or even negligent': Farm manager fined $52k for effluent pollution
An experienced Bay of Plenty farm manager has been fined for illegal effluent discharge.
Digger operator deaths: Forestry industry issued with fatality alert
Two digger operators died at work within 10 days in July.
Huge $333k windfall for BoP Lotto punters
A Lotto player from Tauranga has won $333,333.
Digger operator who died in Kaingaroa Forest incident named
WorkSafe is investigating the Ōpōtiki man's death on Wednesday.
WorkSafe investigates digger driver's 'tragic' death in Kaingaroa Forest
Work at the forestry processing site has been suspended since Wednesday.
11th person denies murdering Tauranga father ahead of trial
A jury trial is set for early September.
Judge grants powers to sell 'idyllic' properties occupied by gangster
Mongrel Mob senior figure refuses to obey court orders to leave waterfront properties.
'Obviously deliberate': Landlords illegally piped human waste to riverside drain
The offending continued for nearly four years despite orders to stop.
Dame Susan Devoy one of first inductees into PSA Hall of Fame
Devoy was born in Rotorua and lives in Tauranga.
Dentist hit by drink-driver metres from his door describes 'huge toll'
'My next memory was waking up on the road in a haze with blood running down my face.'
Three people taken to hospital after tractor and car collide
The road was closed due to debris and an oil spill.
'Pretty skilled gardener': Mother of eight busted for growing 300 cannabis plants
Woman had all the necessary equipment to 'grow cannabis discreetly', police say.
'Taking the p**s': Charity boss hits out at op shop rubbish dumpers
Frequent clean-ups of soiled goods and rubbish are taking a toll on store team members.
Three arrested after vape store burglary
The store manager says the burglary was 'shocking and upsetting'.
Facial recognition: Mum's 'horrible' mistaken identity ordeal at New World
The supermarket says it was a 'genuine case of human error'.
Identity of man who denies murdering Mob boss revealed
A trial date has been set for 2025.
'Unbreakable spirit': Why this Kiwi baker is braving missile strikes in Ukraine
A Tauranga woman and her partner's fundraising mission for Ukraine.
Jailed serial groper who did indecent act on parole to be released again
Disgraced former senior representative cricket player 'will not pose an undue risk'.
'Flak' and 'shenanigans': Truckie tells how she fought her way to the top
It was a bumpy road but now she's in the 'best job ever'.
'Flying high in heaven': Tributes flow for pilot and speedway identity who died in crash
'We nicknamed him Waterboy. But he was no boy. He was da man.'
'Make them help clean up the mess': Upset ram-raid victim wants tougher penalties
'We shouldn't let young offenders off scot-free just because of their age'.
Chicken shed fire 'not flagged as suspicious'
Forty firefighters battled the blaze for about six hours.
'Very difficult': Fire destroys Inghams farm chicken shed in Matamata
Forty firefighters battled the blaze.
Arson attack at a Kawerau school under investigation
A Kawerau school's playground fire is being treated as an arson.
Check your tickets: Tauranga Lotto punter $700k richer
A Tauranga Lotto punter won $700,000 with lucky Lotto strike ticket.
Man who died at home after crash was 'disorientated' at the scene, says witness
St John says the patient refused their staff's recommendation he be taken to hospital.
Chaos and violence: Mobster's crimes 'inevitable' from an early age, says judge
The drug dealer fled police for more than an hour, speeding through residential areas.
Fleeing drivers ‘deliberately taunting’ police by live-streaming their escapades
Trend emerges amid a dramatic increase in drivers fleeing police.
Harley Shrimpton case: Alleged kidnapper now faces murder charge
The accused has been granted interim name suppression.
'Such a joyful event': Annual Sikh parade draws crowds in Tauranga
"It’s cool people are happy to embrace our culture."
130km/h in a 50 zone: Drug dealer with gun, meth flees police for an hour
Dramatic chase one of more than 800 BOP fleeing driver incidents in nine months.
Cha-ching! Big Lotto wins for Tauranga, Rotorua punters
One $333K win and two $15K wins coming to the Bay of Plenty.
'Shattered': Friends mourn woman and mother-in-law killed in Taupō crash
There has been an outpouring of grief after the pair died in a road smash.
Rise in roaming dogs sparks fears for livestock owners
A rise in the number of roaming dogs increases fear among Rotorua Lakes livestock owners.
'Lives were saved': Lifeguards at region's holiday hotspots make 50-plus rescues
Safety advice for swimmers also follows slew of shark sightings in the area.
Police release names of pair who died in Kaimai crash
Inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
Mt Maunganui crash victim named as holiday road toll rises to 11
Brayden Tawa, of Pāpāmoa, died after a car and truck crashed on Hewletts Rd.
Black Caps hit-out at Mount beach sure to wow fans ahead of Bay Oval T20
Fans get to meet some of their Black Caps heroes at a Mount Maunganui beach cricket event
Former PM speaks out after vandals target nesting colony of endangered birds
'There was no sign of the newly hatched chick ‘George’ ...some of the birds were missing'.
Teen's 'amateurish' fake money scheme used home printer to make $10s, $20s, $50s
A Rotorua teenager has avoided prison after he forged banknotes and distributed them wide
‘Absolutely tragic’: Grieving family, friend pay tribute to granddad shot while hunting
His family say he was well-known in his local community of Paeroa, in Hauraki.
Name suppression for man charged with kidnapping in Harley Shrimpton disappearance case
A 21yo man appeared in Tauranga District Court today, facing kidnapping and other charges.
Two more Bay of Plenty orchardists fined for unlawful groundwater use
The growers are among five prosecuted by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council this year.
'The best of the best': NZ Festival of Squash attracts world-class top seeds
Tauranga is to host the NZ Festival of Squash - and some of the world's best players.
'Absolutely devastated': Missing Tauranga man allegedly forced into a car
He was last seen at a McDonald’s in Mount Maunganui on November 3.
Investigation launched after 13 firefighting crews called to overnight blaze in Tokoroa
Firefighters remain at the scene today.
Motorcyclist fuming after Waka Kotahi evades blame after ‘horrific’ crash
Victim believes the road conditions were responsible for the crash that put her in a coma.
'Significant failure': Dairy farm fined $40k after effluent found in trout stream
A Bay of Plenty dairy farm and a director have admitted illegal discharge of contaminants.
Wife's last words as husband of 60 years strangled her with a tie
They went out for breakfast, sat in the sun and went home, where he prepared to kill her.
Tauranga men's basketball team to join NBL
The Whai will have both elite women's and men's teams in the national league.
Lifeguards launch beach patrols on Labour Weekend
Lifeguards' summer patrols begin this weekend at Bay of Plenty beaches.
'Extremely exciting': Bay set to reap the benefits of busy summer cruise ship season
Tauranga is set to welcome the first of more than 110 cruise ships.
From Pāpāmoa to Parliament, Galatea to government: New MP 'keen to get stuck in'
'I’m so grateful to all those who placed their trust in me with their votes,' says Luxton.
'Turning away in disgust': Voter turnout 'plunge' sign of 'hollow' campaign - analyst
'This election is the most hollow and unsatisfactory in living memory.'
Voting is open and thousands are not enrolled - but it's not too late
Younger voter enrolment rates lag behind those of more senior citizens.
'We have lost a man of great mana': Ngāti Whakaue kaumātua Pita Anaru remembered
'He was quite fearless and had a very strong Christian faith and strong faith in mankind.'
Bay of Plenty teacher denies charges of indecent assault
The teacher has been granted interim name suppression.
'Excessively low': Questions raised over Waka Kotahi pothole damage payouts
Motorist who fought for a payout believes that agency makes it as “difficult as possible”.
How 'Sideline Sherrifs' are tackling bad spectator behaviour at junior rugby games
Why lollipops are their number one trick for calming 'out of control' supporters.
'Pretty much ashes': Te Kaha home gutted by fire
A Te Kaha couple's two-bedroom home was 'totally gutted' by fire.
SH2 reopened after serious Bay crashes, one dead, six in hospital
Two serious Bay crashes resulted in road closures of several hours.
'Suspicious' fire in Tauranga and 'well-involved' Te Kaha blaze keep firefighters busy
The cause of a fire at a Mount Maunganui building is under investigation.
Poo-lution: Reporoa farm owner cops fine after effluent reaches stream
The owner of a dairy farm in Reporoa has been fined for illegal effluent discharges.
Rotorua family home extensively damaged in blaze
A fire investigator was working to establish the cause of the fire.
Lotto punter $500k richer but prize unclaimed
The winner shared the first-division prize with another player.
Body down bank: Identities suppressed for three men accused of murdering Claude Takao
Third man faces a murder charge after a man's body was found down a Whakatāne bank.
Wilde's double success in Hamburg a 'great birthday present' for proud mum
"Hayden was clearly in the hurt box when he crossed the finish line."
Fire guts family's new home near Taupō
If not for smoke alarms, 'we could easily be talking about multiple losses of life'
'Financially devastating': Woman off work since May, flu left her struggling to breathe
The woman says her bout with the flu has been 'devastating'.
Strong wind watch for BoP, orange warning for Coromandel
Strong wind warnings issued for Bay of Plenty and Coromandel.
BoP Lotto players in the money again
Lotto players from Mount Maunganui and Rotorua win second division prizes .
Rape trial: Kiwi musician witness tells jury he confronted 'sex addict' defendant
'Bro, I have heard a couple of things, I’ve seen some things, we need to talk.'