Latest FromWhakatane
![Car stolen with toddler inside, police say](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Car stolen with toddler inside, police say
A toddler has been reunited with its caregiver after it was inside a car stolen in the Bay of Plenty.
![White Island erupts overnight](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
White Island erupts overnight
The eruption on the volcanic island appears to have deposited material over north side of the crater floor.
![Inquest into teen's forestry death under way](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Inquest into teen's forestry death under way
An inquest into the forestry death of 19-year-old Eramiha Pairama has begun at Te Uru Taumatua in Taneatua.
![Opotiki woman killed in caravan fire](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Opotiki woman killed in caravan fire
Waikato police are investigating how the caravan 54-year-old Lydia Kiri was travelling in caught fire while driving along State Highway 24 near Te Poi.
![Crash victim was on trial for sex offences](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Crash victim was on trial for sex offences
A former Whakatane man has died in a motorcycle crash while in the middle of a High Court trial where he faced 49 sex offence charges relating to young girls.
![Plucked from mall for NY Fashion Week](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Plucked from mall for NY Fashion Week
In just two weeks Makeda Soper-Wirangi went from working at her local mall to walking in fashion's biggest shows.
![NZ's highest breath alcohol reading?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
NZ's highest breath alcohol reading?
Whakatane police pull over driver who was more than eight times the legal limit.
![School to close for day to honour shot pupil](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
School to close for day to honour shot pupil
The school attended by a teenage boy who shot himself in a tragic hunting accident will close on Thursday as a mark of respect.
![Sunshine capital full of surprises](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Sunshine capital full of surprises
Justine McLeary and her young family enjoy an adventurous weekend in Whakatane.
![School bars gang dad from camp](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
School bars gang dad from camp
A Whakatane gang member is upset he has been told by his son's school he can no longer be a parent helper at his son's school camp.
![Support for beaten tourists](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Support for beaten tourists
A German couple beaten and robbed in their tent in Whakatane early this morning have received an "overwhelming'' number of offers of help.
![Woman charged with Whakatane stabbing](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=800)
Woman charged with Whakatane stabbing
A 27-year old woman will appear in the Whakatane District Court today facing charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after a man was stabbed in Whakatane last night.