Kiri Gillespie is the Assistant News Director and a Multimedia Journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times, covering local politics in Tauranga.
Kiri Gillespie is the Assistant News Director and Multimedia Journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times. You could say she’s a people person. She worked in hospitality and tourism in Rotorua before embarking on a career in journalism. Having cut her teeth in newsrooms in Rotorua, Wellington and Gisborne, Kiri joined NZME in 2010, based in Tauranga. In 2011, she led coverage of the Rena sinking and the environmental disaster that followed. She has covered some of the biggest issues affecting the Bay of Plenty. Kiri mostly covers Tauranga's civic and political landscape and the growing pains the city is experiencing as its population grows. Being a voice for the underdog is a big part of what drives her. As the whakatauki goes: He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. “What is the most important thing in the world? The people, the people, the people.”
'Fobbed off': Man injured on 'horrible' track calls for safety changes
Peter Rawstron says the Waiere Stream is popular but dangerous.
‘Good as an airport runway’: 48 patches later, there's hope a pothole plague is over
It’s taken three years, seven complaints, 48 patch-up jobs and an apology to happen.
'Cruel and disgusting': Expanding foam attack on beehive causes heartbreak
'That’s the murder of thousands of bees.'
'Fix it properly': 80yo fed up after potholes patched 11 times in 2.5 years
'You can’t just shovel gravel in there and leave it.'
'Now...not in 30 years': Leaders ask Govt to fast-track Golden Triangle highway
The highway is a key arterial route linking Auckland, Tauranga and Hamilton.
Myrtle rust outbreak: Hundreds of sightings in the Western Bay
The infectious airborne fungus has the potential to damage many significant tree species.
'Please do not touch it': Mauao track closures likely as Myrtle rust spreads
Local track closures have and will need to take place to allow for removals and research.
Invasive disease found on Mauao
Myrtle rust has the potential to be a serious threat to pohutukukawa and manuka.
'Largely unintelligible': Tio Faulkner's High Court appeal rejected
Tio Faulkner was jailed after dumping demolition waste into Tauranga Harbour.
Help or hindrance? Ex-mayor questions Civil Defence's donations advice
People want to help cyclone victims, but Civil Defence says it's not always helpful.
Out the gate: Cow swept from paddock, ends up at KFC
The cow was swept up in floodwaters and eventually hoofed it to Te Puke's KFC.
‘Stonewalled’: Rural community upset over plans for offender halfway house
Location of the new facility is said to be partly due to Tauranga's housing shortage.
Residents given 'raw end of the deal' in final Pāpāmoa reserve decision
But the compromise has been considered "fair" by others.
Final decision looms for controversial Pāpāmoa reserve planting plan
Part of the project has already sparked outcry from residents.
Lake weed stench prompts 13 complaints, $35k bill
New efforts to remove the weed from the lake have been undertaken.
Rotorua streams at record lows, water restrictions loom
After three dry summers, local waterways have reached low levels not seen before.
Parau Farms proposal prompts fears of 'ghetto' neighbourhood, lack of greenspace
About 22.4ha of land would transform into affordable housing, but not everyone is happy.
Calls for resignations at last-ditch attempt to fight Three Waters
The issue has sparked clear divide among councillors.
Three Waters mandate upset: Mayors draft joint letter to PM
The mayor is still considering whether to sign a letter calling for a meeting with the PM.
'Huge expectation and hope': Iconic attraction's reopening buoys tourism leaders
The reopening comes on the cusp of summer, tourism providers hope for eased restrictions.
'We are vulnerable': Tauranga set for water shortage and 'stricter' rules
Dwindling supply levels prompt warning to treat water as precious taonga.
Kiri Gillespie: 'Three Waters mandate makes laughing stock of councils'
Opinion: The Government steamrolling Three Waters will only end in tears.
Housing crisis: City leaders eyeing land for affordable housing
Council seeking feedback on a plan to use 22.4 hectares for affordable housing.
'Significant' changes for methyl bromide use underwhelm
Changes are coming for use of the gas at the Port of Tauranga but locals aren't impressed.
Parts of Tauranga 'sinking' as councillor calls for greater information access
Areas built on old river beds are among the areas of Tauranga now sinking.
Exclusive: The rise, and demise, of Todd Muller's political career and what's next
Todd Muller talks about quitting politics and what he really thinks of Simon Bridges.
Bay of Plenty economy outperforms rest of NZ post Covid-19, despite job concerns - report
The Bay of Connections report highlights growth in concerns and house values.
Howl of a Protest: Threat to mount Parliament steps if things don't change
"People have come out in force." Made with funding from NZ On Air.
'Enough's enough': Bay rural sector to protest Govt EV scheme
The Government's push to penalise ute owners and rebate EV owners sparks anger and protest
Truckie manager haunted by fatal crushing wishes he 'could have done more'
I live every day like something like that is going to happen in a workplace, ex-boss says.
Bay's export success a 'saviour' after Covid-19
And a new report suggests the region will continue to be a top performer.
Tauranga kiwifruit contractor faces exploitation charges
Exploitation case the result of joint efforts between agencies.
Anti-phosphate trading protest hits busy Mount intersection
Protesters are blocking Hewletts Rd this morning.
Impassioned pleas to save Tauranga avocado tree fail
The council has voted for the mature tree's destruction despite opposition.
'Shocked': Neighbours clash over 44-year-old avocado tree
Neighbours say the tree has supplied them with avocados for years.
Stunned and humbled: Todd Muller overwhelmed with response to mental health battle
"There's something that has changed for the better."
'I had panic attacks': Muller opens up about mental health journey
"The anxiety arrived very early on," the former National Party leader has acknowledged.
Calls for more business support as butchers fight for trade
"I know it's had an impact on all business but ... it's just been a real disaster for us."
Regional council meeting over lowest river flows on record
Bay of Plenty leaders are coming together amid fears of a potential water crisis.
Kiri Gillespie: Water hoggers need to heed Bay's water restrictions
Their actions could affect us all.
SH2 roadworks sparks ire ahead of kiwifruit season
"There's nothing worse when you have 45 people standing around waiting for the truck..."
By the numbers: How Tauranga's soaring demand resulted in water ban
Water restrictions are on the cards for Tauranga and the Western Bay.
Mills Reef move: New venue for casualty of Tauranga's urban sprawl
It has taken a long time to find new venue.
'Hugely significant': Court of Appeal rules in Motiti Island decision
The future of a controversial move to introduce a marine reserve has been decided on.
Medicinal cannabis venture eyes up Tauranga
A venture planning to set up a cannabis cultivation facility has sights set on the Bay.
Giant kiwifruit plan to highlight Te Puke on tourism map
Resource consent has been granted for a bold new tourism scheme in Te Puke.
Firefighters struggling to respond to more callouts
'Once or twice ... we haven't been able to get a crew out the door'
Female horse trainer faces nine new child sex charges
Woman accused of grooming and sexually violating young girls faces more charges.
Muller 'thrilled' to give voice to farmers in primary industries portfolio role
Todd Muller explains how significant a reshuffle to National's caucus is for him.
Say cheese: Pat Lam reveals secret to NZ's best pie
Pat Lam may be King of the Pies but Tauranga is home to another award-winning pieman.
One pie to rule them all - Pat Lam crowned Lord of the Pies
Pie king Pat Lam takes crown as NZ's best baker, for the seventh time.
Warnings as seals arrived in Tauranga's weird and wonderful places
More seals showing up in strange locations is something people should expect, some say.
Yolkers crack the big time
New Zealand's Yolk Ferns have been crowned world champions at egg throwing.
Paying NZ's highest rates but fighting for a sealed road
Ratepayers are pleading again to have their road tar-sealed.
Pāpāmoa residents' victory in ongoing tree battle
It's a victory for the people of Papamoa who have long fought for the removal of trees.
Tauranga councillor dubs NZTA 'incompetent' after road closure
An unexpected shut down of a new road will remain closed "for the foreseeable future".
'It was so scary': Residents fight fires with garden hoses
Fight to contain six separate grass, shelter belt and scrub fires along railway lines.
Biosecurity minister announces crackdown after stink bug find
Biosecurity Minister Damien O'Connor announces a crackdown on transitional facilities.
Rotorua streams among unsafe swimming spots
Some of the Bay's most popular swimming spots are considered too unsafe to swim in.
Bay of Plenty's popular poo-contaminated swim spots revealed
Some of the Bay's most popular swimming spots are considered too unsafe to swim in.
Cluster of rats at Bay of Plenty picnic spot disgust local
A Maketū man who encountered a plague of rats says more needs to be done.
Person killed in crash south of Rotorua
A fatal crash south of Rotorua follows 2018's horrific road toll.
Summer catch-up: Rare twin foals homeward-bound
Six months after a set of rare twin foals were born, they are homeward bound.
Comvita's sweet donation to those in need
Comvita staff have offered their usual Christmas goodies to Bay of Plenty's hungry.
Muppets racing lawnmowers at Omokoroa 'all about the fun'
The sun and crowds did not disappoint at the Omokoroa No 1 School Lawn Mower Racing Gala.
More migrant workers ease kiwifruit labour shortage
Up to 1750 extra migrant workers will be made available for the Bay's horticulture sector.
Stuff me! Bidders line up for rabbit with doll face
Unusual taxidermy pieces for sale on Trade Me are gaining attention for Tauranga man.
Fighting Bay of Plenty's billion-dollar threat
The impact of brown marmorated stink bugs on the economy could cost billions.
Tauranga walking tracks among 21 to fully close - Minister
Six Tauranga walking tracks will be closed to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback
Underwater pests in the spotlight
More than 40 marine pests are lurking in the waters of Tauranga Harbour at any one time.
Strawberry growers fear effects of needles
A Bay of Plenty strawberry provider hopes locals will continue to support growers.
Early recyclers asked to stop, for now
Keen recyclers have prompted a plea for people to stop putting their bins early.
Fatal crash victims crossed centre line
Grieving grandmother says drivers are becoming complacent to the dangers on the roads.
Cattle beast butchered in 'primitive killing'
A cattle beast is believed to have been butchered while still alive on a roadside.
Bay man's 'bizarre' calling to grandfather's war footsteps
When Warren Dawson named his property, he had no idea what a "bizarre" journey had begun.
The Mane Priority building bonds
A youth event with horses is being held to help teach valuable skills to horse-mad teens.
Man throws stones at seal's head
Marine animal advocates are imploring people to take greater care when they see seals.
Waikareao Estuary walkway works nearly finished
Major works to improve the Waikareao Estuary walkway are on track to finish within a week.
The jobs no Kiwi wants any more
More businesses are employing people from overseas to fill jobs New Zealand don't want.
Avocado thieves on the prowl - police warning
Police are warning avocado growers of an increase in thefts from Bay orchards.