Michaela Gower is a Multimedia Journalist with the Hawke's Bay Today.
Michaela began as a reporter at Hawke's Bay Today in October 2023 after completing three years of study towards a Bachelor of Communication majoring in journalism and minoring in media studies. She is particularly passionate about sharing positive and progressive stories about the farming industry and getting the stories of the back blocks into places where people read and can understand and learn more about the farming lifestyle. Michaela grew up on a sheep and beef farm and it had a real impact on who she is and what she likes to write about. She wanted to combine her passion for rural life with her passion for writing so decided from a young age she wanted to be a journalist, and pursued that dream ever since. Michaela hopes with each story she writes she can make a difference. You can contact Michaela at michaela.gower@nzme.co.nz.
This cider was an 'act of desperation' - now it's NZ's best
Paul Paynter’s plum orchards fell into a 'watery grave and died' so he had to pivot.
From seeds to giants: The transformation of Hawke's Bay's Little Redwoods
Little Redwood Grove at Te Mata Park turns 50.
Watch: Increasingly loud highway bridge becoming 'unnerving' to cross, truckie says
New decking is to blame for the 'increased noise'.
Yummy Fruit Company turns 50 amid cyclone recovery
John Paynter reflects on 50 years, noting 'I wouldn’t have changed too much'.
Meteorologist says Hawke’s Bay is the place to be this weekend
As the A&P show wraps up attention turns to the rest of the long weekend.
Show stunner in Hawke’s Bay: A&P Society's new format kicks off with sunny skies and big crowds
Wear sunscreen, a hat and take water, organisers advise the thousands.
Freestyle motocross debuts at show amid 27C heat
Fan favourites and high temperatures for the town meets country fun.
The science behind Dannevirke's odourless shelter of steaming cow poo
A farmer uses the manure from its 650-cow-shelter to make its own fertiliser.
Selaks, a 90-year Hawke’s Bay winemaking institution, says low alcohol is the trend
The winery reflects on its humble beginnings to embrace innovation and the future.
'With me and pork, it just clicks': Butcher apprentice mastering his trade
Butcher apprentice to take his skills to Paris and compete in World Butchers’ Challenge.
Proposed Tararua District Council bylaw gives power to deal with complaints
Council bylaws are causing a stir with the A&P Show Association in Dannevirke.
Rural ladies who lunch: Gemma McCaw coming to Dannevirke
Tararua Rural Support Trust encouraging ladies off the farm for day of connection and fun.
'It winds the whole community down': Rural school bus changes kick in
'You've got potentially 400 kids sitting on the side of the road next year.'
‘I saw some terrible stuff’: Retired rural hero reflects on Cyclone Gabrielle
When the cyclone struck one retired farmer knew he had the skills to lend a hand.
'They were part way up the tree': Sheep surrounded by flood water lifted to safety
'I drove past and looked at them and thought ‘crap they are going to have to move’.'
Escaped sheep alert people to theft of tools, fuel and machinery at Showgrounds
Sheep out on the football field alerted people to a theft at the showgrounds.
Purple patch after theft: Bay Blueberries bounces back with industry security advice
Events and workshops will attract growers, exporters and suppliers.
Keeping it Smedley: Trees grown on farm transformed into education facilities by cadets
The cadets built an education hub. Now their attention is focused on a six-stand woolshed.
Central Hawke’s Bay residents feel ‘ripped off’ by fuel prices
Andrew Northe says 91 prices are consistently 30c/l higher than in neighbouring Hastings.
'It had to be done': Why a section of Napier-Gisborne railway line is being taken away
A railway line in northern Hawke's Bay is being removed to move the eroding road over.
Exhibition hopes for a revival in art of woollen crafts
'Unless we get young people to come on board and show an interest, these crafts will die.'
'Getting the cows, learning lines': From a dairy hamlet to Shakespeare
A rural actor who learns lines amongst cows is set to be front stage at the Globe.
'Came out the other end': One of NZ's top organic farmers on how she healed the land and herself
It took a life-changing diagnosis for Charlotte Heald to realise what she should focus on.
'A bit of banter': Competition on the maimai still high after 35 years of father-son duck shooting
'If someone does a terrible shot we let them know.'
Central Hawke's Bay WWII veteran: 'It’s crazy, isn’t it, killing a human being?'
Veteran says luck was on his side during his time fighting in WWII.
'I sat down and made a personal commitment': Dealing with disaster
Tessa Appleby's resilient nature saw her get through the cyclone and thrive as a leader.
Cunning trout try to evade anglers at Fish & Game open day
Trout fishing is encouraged at the Fish & Game wetland ponds.
'Plague-like proportions': Mice invade homes in Central Hawke's Bay
Pourerere plagued with rodents as cooler temperatures draw mice into homes.
'Pretty useful genetics': Why one region is set for a deer hunting boon in coming years
Farmed animals escaped during the cyclone and will have mated with the wild population.
'Ready to go': Exotic sheep breeder hangs up the gumboots
Wimbledon resident reflects on ups and downs of farming career.
Top gun: HB sharpshooter bags deer, gifts it to soldiers then joins army
A farmer turned sharp shooter can now knock the top off a bottle from 300 metres.
Puketapu still divided geographically, but the community has never been stronger
'You work your way through it and then all of a sudden it seems like a dream.'
At least 50 lambs dead after van and stock truck crash, overturning trailer
The angle of the overturned trailer meant deaths were inevitable, company says.
Hawke's Bay Megafish winner hauls in 104.8kg fish and over $30,000 in prizes
He said it 'hurt' to reel in the fish due to its massive size.
'Team effort': Tropical tuna hauled aboard by family near Cape Kidnappers
Forget tuna in a can, fishers are catching them fresh - and big.
'I don’t want him forgotten': Details of historic Waimārama drowning emerge
Adele Mohi-McGoverin has cared for an old gravesite for 50 years.
The echo of the huntaway will be heard again
Dog trials are now able to recommence in Ākitio after extensive cyclone repairs.
'I didn't care how long it took': Logging boss turns kiwi enthusiast
There were no deaths of the national bird during a delicate pine harvest.
Twice bittern: Trapper spots rare native bird for second time
Conservation group ensuring a safe home for rare bird.
Underwater drone to keep an eye on leaky Dannevirke dam
The council says the cost of the underwater vehicle is expected to be less than $50,000.
'We get less for the wool than what it costs to shear it'
There is hope on the horizon for wool products thanks to a new Government policy.
The easy way to profit from a Tararua farm? Show it to the tourists
Cecil and Mathew Radford created the ultimate holiday spot in the back blocks.
From one farmer to another: 'It's okay to cry'
Matt Holden was at rock bottom, but now he wants to help others in the rural sector.
In darkness, avoiding a sting, a million bees cross the Hawke's Bay border
This was what beekeepers had been desperate for after the cyclone flooded many hives.
Free fencing and the chance to receive a free tractor provides relief for farmers
The Commence the Re-Fence initiative now provides free materials as well as labour.
Two sheep killed in saleyards as dogs attack flock that had just been sold
A man loading more than 300 ewes into a truck watched as dogs sent a flock into a frenzy.
'I haven’t heard them complain': The jobseekers who rebuilt Tararua's cyclone-smashed farm fences
Through the tough winter months, this team kept showing up for the greater good.
'It was a well-supported decision': Tararua Mayor defends donation to France museum
Collis this month attended the opening of the museum on a trip she paid for herself.
Signed ball from Rugby School helps East Coast farmers take the strain
All Blacks have lent their signatures for the charity auction.
Demolition of the old Waikare Gorge Bridge set to start
The old Waikare Gorge Bridge will come down eight months after cyclone.
‘We did it’: First fully certified organic milk leaves Norsewood farm
It's been a 5-year journey to convert from a conventional operation into an organic one.
Cyclone, then tractor accident: How one farming mum picked up the pieces of a tough year
Lou White was juggling a lot: 'Us busy mums, we get through day by day.'
Hawke’s Bay records above average temperatures for September
Wairoa led the way with smashing temperature records last month.