Latest fromBay of Plenty

Live: Long queues form at shops as Aucklanders flock back to stores
It is expected today's relaxation of restrictions in Auckland would see cases grow.

$100k of free dental care 'barely scratched the surface'
Some 223 people in Tauranga that received free dental care last month.

125 Covid cases; PM responds to protests across NZ
The new cases come as Aucklanders prepare to hit the shops tomorrow?

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.

Thunder rolls: Wild weather kicks in for parts of Auckland
Flooding warning as thunder storms strike parts of Auckland region

'Incredibly worrying': Intermediate principals plead for school counsellors
There is a 'worrying number of young people with serious mental health worries".

'Life-changing and horrific': Mum raises mental health awareness after losing son
The couple believe school counselling support is needed to assist student mental health.

'Real wake-up call': Principals plead for funded counsellors
'Teachers don't have the time to sit down and unpack what is going on.'

Iwi buys apartments for homeless: 'I dropped to my knees and cried'
'I grew up in a flea-ridden shed in South Auckland.'

State of Emergency declared in Gisborne, Sponge Bay residents left without power
A month's worth of rain has fallen in just 24 hours, with homes under threat.

Cruisin' for a bruising: Mega cruise ships banned in Tahiti from 2022
Mega cruise ships gear up for a long-awaited season, but they won't be sailing to Tahiti.

'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.

Vaccine mandate: Half of teachers at some schools don't want jab - principal
There are concerns for schools with large numbers of staff who did not want the vaccine.

'Failures test us': Rotorua trainer of last-placed horse eyes 2022 Melbourne Cup
"Failures test us but it's learning from them."

Local Focus: Walking with the rhythm of Mauao
Experience the rhythm of Mauao - Mount Maunganui - through a soundscape app.

'Old system': Some Bay schools phase out streaming for junior students
Streaming at John Paul College will stop from the start of next year.

'Low belief and low self-esteem': Bay schools phase out class streaming
Tauranga Boys College is making the switch to mixed-ability junior classes.

Black Power gang rallying for Covid vaccination event
An organiser says he hopes the event will give people the reassurance to get the vaccine.

Tauranga port optimistic for stronger FY2022 earnings
Good news for Tauranga port's shareholders at annual meeting.

Man facing raft of charges after gunpoint car theft and AOS callout near Taupō
Dramatic arrest in the bush near Taupō after alleged gunpoint car theft.

Bore quenched: Geothermal activity breaks through another Rotorua road
It is related to a nearby bore.

Local Focus: Pest checks on boats are ramping up as weather warms
Biosecurity officers to patrol Bay of Plenty boat ramps to stop the spread of pests.

Inside the Te Awamutu cluster - epicentre of the Waikato spread
As Delta spreads to the Waikato, we look closer at cases rising in Te Awamutu.

Landlords say tax loophole is 'bribe' to switch to social housing
Tax breaks a huge incentive for landlords to evict hard workers - rent to social housing.

Live: Positive Covid case in Blenheim the 'kick up the backside' the South Island needed
Infected person isolating and believed to be connected to Te Awamutu cluster.

Homeless say trying to survive is a 'full-time job'
Men who have been rough sleepers for years speak about their struggles.

Tributes like kids' emotion haka for Wainui a way to show we care in Covid times
OPINION: Restrictions on funerals have been one of the hardest parts of the Covid era.

Repeat drink-driver jailed for killing 'life and soul' of community
Ismael Mitai has been sentenced to jail after causing the death of a New Plymouth man.

'Direct attack': Māori Party demands apology from Mallard over vax comments
"We expect a retraction ... and a public apology to both Mr Pem Bird and Te Pāti Māori."