Samantha Motion is a Multimedia Journalist and News Director at the Bay of Plenty Times.
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
![Samantha Motion: Back from the brink - Maketu Pies' extraordinary survival](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Samantha Motion: Back from the brink - Maketu Pies' extraordinary survival
Opinion: There are fringe and rural towns around New Zealand teetering on the edge.
![Pet food company cops $66k fine over big stink](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Pet food company cops $66k fine over big stink
Judge: 'Being in an industrial area is not a licence to discharge offensive odour.'
![Coo-pling up? Senior kererū proves its never too late to find love](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Coo-pling up? Senior kererū proves its never too late to find love
'It's cute, the two of them have been cooing back and forth to each other.'
!['People are angry': Mounties speak out on methyl bromide](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
'People are angry': Mounties speak out on methyl bromide
Forestry export industry seeks reduction in coming standards to avoid economic loss
![No 'cock-fighting': Council 'acting like babies' despite $36k lakeside leadership course](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
No 'cock-fighting': Council 'acting like babies' despite $36k lakeside leadership course
'They should have gone to antenatal class instead because they are acting like babies.'
!['Nightmare': How a walk on a beach ended in horror and heartbreak](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
'Nightmare': How a walk on a beach ended in horror and heartbreak
'This was a tragic outcome for all of us'.
![Good omens: Kaituna's freshwater flows return to estuary](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Good omens: Kaituna's freshwater flows return to estuary
'The current literally personifies the lifeforce coming from the Kaituna.'
![Fighting fatbergs: Blockages down 40pc after campaign](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Fighting fatbergs: Blockages down 40pc after campaign
"Wet wipes lurk in pipes and bind with fat to create rock-hard fatbergs."
![Sand mining protesters 'just stirrers', says trust chairman](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Sand mining protesters 'just stirrers', says trust chairman
Protesters brave rain over mine concerns
![Horticulture to housing: Trust's new beginning](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Horticulture to housing: Trust's new beginning
'This is a new beginning for us as a trust.'
![Should fixing the Mauao base track be community project?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Should fixing the Mauao base track be community project?
Why can't we all just get together and build a new track?
![Matapihi residents want answers after raw sewage leak](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Matapihi residents want answers after raw sewage leak
How a "minor" leak might have a major impact.
![Erosion maps 'frightened the hell out of a lot of people'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Erosion maps 'frightened the hell out of a lot of people'
Harbourside homeowners say councils should do more to help people defend their properties
![Housing on racecourse land would be 'a travesty'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Housing on racecourse land would be 'a travesty'
Trust chairman, MPs weigh in on relocation proposal.
![Racecourse eyed for housing, club in talks with Government](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Racecourse eyed for housing, club in talks with Government
'That is prime land for building houses'.
!['Brainwashed': Councillor slams climate crisis declarations](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
'Brainwashed': Councillor slams climate crisis declarations
The comments come as the Bay of Plenty considers declaring a climate change emergency.
![Harbourside erosion risks in Tauranga, Western Bay revealed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Harbourside erosion risks in Tauranga, Western Bay revealed
Maungatapu, Matapihi and Matua among areas of the city most prone to erosion.
![Rena lessons used in West Coast 'eco-disaster' cleanup](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Rena lessons used in West Coast 'eco-disaster' cleanup
Lessons from Rena cleanup used after flood spreads landfill rubbish on West Coast beaches.
![Tauranga fisherman lands 300kg marlin](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Tauranga fisherman lands 300kg marlin
Adam Milnes snares two great catches on day one of the Stoney Creek One Base tournament.
!['My worst nightmare' - Fletcher leader on crash that killed three workers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
'My worst nightmare' - Fletcher leader on crash that killed three workers
Three men lost their lives in a crash on Monday while working to clear a culvert on SH2.
![Fires in Tauranga rail corridor 'unprecedented'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Fires in Tauranga rail corridor 'unprecedented'
'The fires seemed to be starting up behind it as it went by'
![Comment: Drought or tempest on a farmer's land may fall](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Comment: Drought or tempest on a farmer's land may fall
As extreme weather events become more common, resilience will be the word.
![Consent wait for new Mauao base track section](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Consent wait for new Mauao base track section
There is no estimated start date for construction of the new track
![Inflatable boat nearly mowed down by cruise ship 'ran out of fuel'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Inflatable boat nearly mowed down by cruise ship 'ran out of fuel'
Rescuer saw 'look of fear' on faces of young people nearly run over by cruise ship.
![Year in Review: Retired dairy farmers make money from idle motorhome](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Year in Review: Retired dairy farmers make money from idle motorhome
Looking back at one of the most popular stories on The Country in the past 12 months.
![Deadly beauty spot may become commercial tourist attraction](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Deadly beauty spot may become commercial tourist attraction
Iwi group interested in working with council on tourism venture for paying customers.
![Vegan activists protest horse racing in Tauranga](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Vegan activists protest horse racing in Tauranga
This year's Christmas at the Races was attended by 3500 people
![Green light for Tauranga Northern Link](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Green light for Tauranga Northern Link
Plans welcomed but frustration at lack of timelines for construction.
![Professor talks up marine research centre](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Professor talks up marine research centre
A 7000sq m section of Marine Park may have its reserve status revoked.
![Two years, no title: family's wait to build on Pyes Pa section](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Two years, no title: family's wait to build on Pyes Pa section
Developer assures couple the 'challenging' development is going ahead.
![Retirees make money from idle motorhomes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Retirees make money from idle motorhomes
Retired Pāpāmoa couple have made thousands from an asset they already owned.
![Nudity OK, bonfires not so much on Tauranga beaches](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Nudity OK, bonfires not so much on Tauranga beaches
New rules for vehicles, longlines, fires, drones and structures on the beaches.
![SH2 protesters: 'Fix the bloody road'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
SH2 protesters: 'Fix the bloody road'
Protest options discussed during an at-times heated public meeting today.
![NZ's highest average rates - again](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
NZ's highest average rates - again
This district has topped the list since it began in 2014 and easily outstrips Auckland.
![Port accused of discharging 'thick brown sludge' into harbour](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Port accused of discharging 'thick brown sludge' into harbour
Port of Tauranga is appealing an abatement notice issued over discharge incident.
![Dog walkers have bone to pick with canine cap](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Dog walkers have bone to pick with canine cap
Professional dog walkers say proposed new rule is barking mad.
![Controversial pathway plan progressed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Controversial pathway plan progressed
The council also moved forward with plans for the Wharf St upgrade and a new carpark.
![Cow hit by logging truck after 'wandering beast' reports](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Cow hit by logging truck after 'wandering beast' reports
The first caller reported large black beasts on the highway
![Kiwifruit industry body predicts severe labour shortages](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Kiwifruit industry body predicts severe labour shortages
This season's labour shortage hit harder and earlier than expected
![Cellphone charger may have started fire that destroyed house](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Cellphone charger may have started fire that destroyed house
The homeowner suffered burns while trying to put out the blaze.
![Watch: Up close with orca in Tauranga Harbour](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Watch: Up close with orca in Tauranga Harbour
The orca were feeding on a buffet of eagle rays leaping out of the water.
![Waimana Gorge near Whakatane closed after slip](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Waimana Gorge near Whakatane closed after slip
A large slip blocked the road late last night
![Transpower's massive power-poles opposed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Transpower's massive power-poles opposed
The largest power poles proposed for Maungatapu will be 35 and 45 metres tall.
!['Life's short; why not?': He's 93 - and still flying](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
'Life's short; why not?': He's 93 - and still flying
Ninety-year-old Eileen Pearson is 'always looking for an adventure'.
![$20m marina expansion proposal for Sulphur Point](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
$20m marina expansion proposal for Sulphur Point
The expected waiting time for a berth in the marina is 20 years.
![Hangar residents and workers protest over industrial dust](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Hangar residents and workers protest over industrial dust
Protesters say the dust is making them sick
![Council considers extinguishing beach bonfires](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Council considers extinguishing beach bonfires
Kontiki users and quad bike joyriders would also face new limitations.
![Labour shortage hits kiwifruit industry](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Labour shortage hits kiwifruit industry
The Bay of Plenty urgently needs 1200 pickers to harvest this season's kiwifruit crop.
![Train driver retires after 54 years](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Train driver retires after 54 years
"It's a job with a lot of responsibility but it's very rewarding."
![Council knew of glass issues since 2014](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Council knew of glass issues since 2014
Who knew what and when about Tauranga's glass recycling issues?
![Cyclone Hola: what you need to know in the Bay](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Cyclone Hola: what you need to know in the Bay
Gales, rain: Forecasters' best estimates for what Hola could bring to Tauranga.
![Chainsawing of dead whale 'desecration'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Chainsawing of dead whale 'desecration'
The whale's valuable lower jaw was hacked off with chainsaws.
![Mount trio prepare for first BBQ contest](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Mount trio prepare for first BBQ contest
What do heavy metal singer-turned banker, scientist and chef have in common?
![Pohutukawa tree poisoned in Tauranga CBD](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Pohutukawa tree poisoned in Tauranga CBD
The tree doesn't appear to harm or inconvenience anyone - so why has someone poisoned it?
![Massive blue marlin 'once in a lifetime fish'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Massive blue marlin 'once in a lifetime fish'
Blue marlin catch comes just shy of beating 46-year-old club record.
![Orca cruise the coast along Papamoa Beach](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Orca cruise the coast along Papamoa Beach
There were hundreds of people on the beach watching.
![Marine research centre approved for Tauranga](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Marine research centre approved for Tauranga
Sulphur Point location approved but the neighbours have concerns.
![Green light for rates-funded kerb-side rubbish](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Green light for rates-funded kerb-side rubbish
Committee votes to move forward with rates-funded rubbish collection proposal.
![Omanawa Falls slip destroys safety barrier](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Omanawa Falls slip destroys safety barrier
A rockfall has made the treacherous Omanawa Falls track even more dangerous.
![Island rubbish haul frustrates student](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Island rubbish haul frustrates student
"This is nature, it is meant to be protected and treasured."
![Vege plots popular as prices rise](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Vege plots popular as prices rise
Vege prices are up, butter prices are "criminal" - can doing it yourself save you cash?
![Fears for bottlenose dolphins' return](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Fears for bottlenose dolphins' return
The bottlenose dolphins might be back - but how do we keep them safe?
![Mini-tornado rips through Bay of Plenty](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Mini-tornado rips through Bay of Plenty
MetService says the conditions could have produced a localised mini-tornado.
![Orchard sale hits record price](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Orchard sale hits record price
The $500k per canopy hectare price is the highest seen by an NZ rural property expert.
![Fire in ceiling on rural property](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Fire in ceiling on rural property
Firefighters were called to the Pongakawa home about 11.45am.
![Col's sliced ham is NZ's best](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Col's sliced ham is NZ's best
The best sliced ham in New Zealand is closer than you might imagine.
![Affco back in court over meat-hook injury](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Affco back in court over meat-hook injury
A worker's face was caught on a meat spreader hook and dragged into a metal block.
![Crackdown on kiwifruit contractors](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Crackdown on kiwifruit contractors
More than half of the Bay's kiwifruit labour hire contractors failed an employment audit.
![More than 25 cows killed by train](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
More than 25 cows killed by train
Six cows were killed outright and another 20 to 30 had to be euthanised.
![What was container one million?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
What was container one million?
Port of Tauranga the first in New Zealand to handle a million containers in a year.
![Gross: Sea lettuce and swan poo smother beach](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Gross: Sea lettuce and swan poo smother beach
Sea lettuce and swan poo spoiled a family's beach trip this weekend.
![Farmer: Rural theft 'robs you of trust'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Farmer: Rural theft 'robs you of trust'
Rural burglary is an unnerving experience, says one farmer.
![Protest at gold mine reopening](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Protest at gold mine reopening
An anti-mining protester and mine company staff have clashed.
![Dogs suspected of killing sheep](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Dogs suspected of killing sheep
Four pet sheep were killed in the latest in a series of suspected dog attacks in Bellevue.
![Myrtle rust creeps closer to the Bay](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Myrtle rust creeps closer to the Bay
Deadly fungal disease myrtle rust has been found in Waikato, creeping closer to Bay.
![Leafy greens and brassicas still costly](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Leafy greens and brassicas still costly
How about $7 for a lettuce? Stats confirm veges are more expensive this year.