Samantha Olley
Multimedia journalist
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.
Check out Samantha’s latest content
Mental health mentors tackle forestry's 'harden up' culture
"If you're coming to work with a clear head then your mind is going to be on the job."
Untapped aquaculture resources explored at iwi meeting
Hatcheries, aquaculture technology and workforce training explored.
Iwi hui to talk aquaculture opportunities
A new report shows mussel, oyster, scallop, kingfish, snapper and seaweed opportunities.
Asbestos confirmed in Waimana River dumping
The roofing was found in the water at Wardlaw Glade, Waimana just over two weeks ago.
$12m Government boost to start work on geothermal power plant
The 25-megawatt plant is expected to create 190 jobs.
'Over it': Whānau who lost home to fire, living in caravans awaiting building consent
In April last year, the whānau lost their home when an electrical fault started a fire.
Bay of Plenty dairy worker killed in motorbike crash
Police believe the handles of two motorbikes locked together, causing the crash.
Revealed: The region with 'stubbornly high' greenhouse gas emissions
Overall, emissions in the Bay of Plenty grew by 11.9 per cent from 2007 to 2018.
'Incomprehensible': Suspected asbestos dumped in river
'I just didn't honestly believe such people could exist': Deputy mayor Andrew Iles.
Investigation launched after hundreds of tyres dumped
An investigation has begun into a spate of tyre dumpings in the Bay of Plenty.
Forestry hub build delayed by a year
The hub was supposed to be finished this year but work hasn't started yet.
Don't pick 'wood-first' favourites - Concrete NZ
Favouring one industry could cost jobs in others, the Government has been warned.
'Wood-first' policy could create 3000 jobs nationwide
Business chambers and forestry leaders want new publicly-funded projects to use wood.
$100 monthly bonuses for drug-free staff
"It's not just about health and safety. It's about the quality of the work too."
Govt rules out relaxing drug testing in forestry industry
A shortage of tree planters has been threatening the Government's One Billion Trees goals.
Bites, quad bikes, butchering: Farm injury rates well above average
In the Midland area, 28 people died from agricultural-work injuries from 2012 to 2018.
Suspected poaching: Divers' legal crayfish takes tipped out
"Locals have taken the kōura catch and tipped it back into the water."
Want to be let in on Rotorua's Secret Spot?
The hot tub and bar complex has been drawing between 70 and 250 visitors a day.
Bitter battle: Lobby group threatens legal action against council over cleaning up lake
A leaked letter and legal opinion threatened new court action against Rotorua's council.
'Totally undemocratic': Gun owners hit back over proposed law changes
'This will determine how we will all vote in the next election.'
Nuts? 'Radical' idea for new Rotorua crops could be worth $20m
Currently, just 430ha of trees contribute to New Zealand's hazelnut industry.
'About time': Mamaku thankful for bus after long campaign
Mamaku's first bus service since the 1980s will roll into town next Tuesday.
Wallaby numbers 'dangerously high'
"They are like giant rabbits that eat their way through native bush."
Regional council approach chosen over Lakes Council's
Federated Farmers hailed the decision as a "slam dunk".
Microbubbles leaving dairy sheds 'clean as a whistle', for less
New gadget to significantly lower milk production costs. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Provincial Growth Fund gives to Rotorua again
"I genuinely feel this kaupapa has to outlive my role as a minister and a politician."
Extinction threat: Rotorua volunteers rally for taonga
'We need an army of New Zealanders to roll up their sleeves,' warns ecologist Cam Speedy.
Billion trees snag? Contractors face 'drastic' shortage of planters
"We used to have hundreds putting their hands up," CNI director Stewart Hyde says.
'Heartbroken': Catfish nets stolen including schools
Kaitao pupil Alyssa Mansner said it was disappointing, "Now we can't find as many fish."
Rotorua students build moreporks new homes
The Department of Conservation believes the morepork population is in gradual decline.
Kaumātua battles rare bacterial infection after visiting stream
Ngāti Ngāraranui kaumātua Tamahau Palmer Snr has just been discharged from hospital.
Helicopters helping fight fire at Rangitaiki
Crews from Taupō and Hawkes Bay are at the scene, south of the Rangitaiki Tavern.
Fire in Kaingaroa extinguished after evacuation
Fire and Emergency New Zealand was alerted to the blaze at 1.29pm this afternoon.
Rotorua's geothermal resources, hazards mapped
The researchers have covered 366 sites in the Rotorua and Okataina calderas since 2015.
String of pet shootings continues in Mamaku
The SPCA is investigating and seeking clues from the public.
Wasps happening to Rotorua? Creepy crawlies out in force
"I am getting calls coming in every hour about them," Rhys Wolfgram said.
Reporoa locals 'scared and ripped off' by crime spate
Police are investigating, and encouraging neighbours to look after one another.
A&P Show draws crowds from far and wide
The Rotorua A&P Show hosted everything rural and more, once again this year.
Stag-gering! Young deer roams streets and school
"What the hell am I seeing?", Garth Campbell said to himself as he spotted the young stag.
Year in Review: Lake Rotoiti catfish cull
Looking back at one of the most popular stories on The Country in the past 12 months.
Catfish eradication hopes questioned
Catfish were caught in Lake Rotorua for the first time on Tuesday.
Rotorua group working to reinstate rescue helicopter
Rescue helicopters in Taupō, Tauranga and Hamilton, began servicing Rotorua six weeks ago.
Widespread concern over sewerage scheme costs
The latest estimated capital costs for each property were $14,000 to $15,000.
'No respect for clean, green NZ'
Current approach to waste focuses on community education while dumping continues.
Family 'devastated' by waste
"The stench, it was incredible. It is just so gross," Jules Hira-Batt said.
Virtual reality could replace field work
"The target is to be able to assess plots in the office in one year's time."
Catfish cull: 'The population just went boom'
Nearly 35,000 catfish were caught in Lake Rotoiti in the year to June.
Kaituna River closures leave rafters 'struggling'
Sam Sutton estimates he would've refunded more than $450,000 in the last 18 months.
'Heartbreaking' vandalism at Rotorua tourism attraction
'I just want to talk to them and try to explain to them what we are doing here.'
Federated Farmers asks rural schools to ban calves
Schools are being asked to exclude all breeds of calves from their 2018 Ag Day Programmes.
'Scum of the earth' dump waste on rural road
Illegally dumping costs the Rotorua Lakes Council an average of about $100,000 per year.
Clean-up businesses see 'a flood of work'
"We have been working seven days a week since," Chem-Dry Rotorua owner Amanda Steer said.
Council still finding flood-affected families 'accidentally'
"The character of rural communities is that they are quite stoic people," Andy Bell said.
Ngongotaha scrub fire follows floods
The blaze was first reported at 12:24pm this afternoon on a hill off Brake Rd.
Rotorua flood clean-up begins
Rotorua had its wettest hour in 54 years when 51.8mm of rain fell from 10am yesterday.
Future forestry: Drones, 3D scanners, and satellites
"How do we go from where we are to where we could possibly be? It is no man's land."
Scant details on 'Ministry of Forestry'
Jones said he faced "rehabilitating the status of the New Zealand forestry sector".
'The most stupid boat ramp in New Zealand'
Fluctuating lake levels are worsening issues with sand, slipperiness and the ramp's width.
All 22,332 cattle on 28 farms to be killed to halt Mycoplasma bovis
Cattle on 28 properties in New Zealand have tested positive for Mycoplasma bovis to date.
Weather behind fruit and vege price hikes
Fruit and vegetable suppliers in Rotorua are feeling the pinch, with shoppers also hit.
Neighbours pleased at planned removal of 23 trees
Trees coming down across Rotorua to stop safety, leaf fall and shading concerns.