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.

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.

In just two weeks Makeda Soper-Wirangi went from working at her local mall to walking in fashion's biggest shows.

The school attended by a teenage boy who shot himself in a tragic hunting accident will close on Thursday as a mark of respect.

Justine McLeary and her young family enjoy an adventurous weekend in Whakatane.

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.

A German couple beaten and robbed in their tent in Whakatane early this morning have received an "overwhelming'' number of offers of help.

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.