Latest fromRotorua

Okawa island holds much history
Motutawa Island sits in the bay of Okawa, located north of the Rotorua township.

'I will always belong': Roar of bikes carries message of hope to smaller hapori
Ride for Life is raising awareness about suicide.

'Need to pull out the big guns': The major mahi of creating healthy wetlands
There is no one step to put to rights what generations of us have squandered and spoiled.

The next Rotorua? Govt likely to pass Ngāi Tahu bill
The Government looks set to pass a bill giving Ngāi Tahu rights to appoint councillors.

Buffets, bubble tea, thrills in nature: What to do this long weekend
The city's accommodation will be almost full, Rotorua NZ says.

'High trust': Library going fines-free
The library director says the move is about "enablement" over enforcement.

Heavy rain prompts warning around cliffs and steep slopes
Whakatāne District Council says to be mindful of landslides.

Next stage of Te Ngae Rd upgrades: What it means for you
Stage two will be completed in three phases.

Premium Debate: the merits of early childhood education
OPINION: Premium subscribers have their say.

Gang members in prison: Numbers hit 7-year low
But the proportion in prison compared to non-gang members is at a 12-year high.

Stolen patches and violent attacks: Police 'put the hammer down' as gang tensions rise
In one incident Black Power members stole Mongrel Mob patches.

Reported truck on fire a false alarm, vehicle located
Police have been called to a truck fire on SH30 this evening.

Back to black: Council books return to surplus
The last surplus was $600,000 in August 2021.

Grandma allegedly three times over booze limit on school pick-up run
Police respond to report of swerving vehicle in Edgecumbe.

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: Where have all the children gone?
OPINION: There's no quick fix, and parents are not failing.

Premium Debate: On emergency housing motels, a stranger's gift and a sector in crisis
Subscribers have their say.

'I think it's fair': BOP regional councillor moves to Christchurch
Stacey Rose says he will have better time management from the South Island.

Letters: Rotorua a dumping ground for other towns' homeless
Our readers have their say.

Ngongotahā resident: 'We were damn lucky it stopped raining when it did'
It was a nervous night for Ngongotahā residents as the Ngongotahā Stream quickly rose.

Opinion: Abusing people just for doing their job is not okay
Angry people should instead try a bit of kindness.

'Extremely harmful': Daunting snapshot shows extent of wallaby problem
The regional council wanted to show the impact populations had on farmers.

'Big win' for public say on emergency housing future
Locals can have their say on about controversial contracted emergency housing motels.

Revealed: The courts where privacy was most often breached
Data details Ministry staff viewing court documents without justified reasons.

Opinion: Just do something - massacres need to stop
OPINION: US, just do something - anything - to stop the massacres.

Serious crash: Six injured after two vehicles collide near Whakatāne
Fire fighters extricated two people trapped inside vehicles following the crash.

'Waves of rain' for NZ, severe thunderstorms possible for North Island
Rainfall of up to 40mm an hour is forecast in Northland this evening.

Life 'going to change utterly': Lessons for people with long Covid
Chronic Fatigue patients say long Covid patients could benefit from their experiences.

Bachcare owners pocket nearly $14,000 in a year
In the past 12 months the average Bachcare owner income per booking was $663 in Rotorua.