Latest from Bay of Plenty

Woman appears in court charged with murder of 5-year-old boy
The accused was denied interim name suppression.

Six great white sharks in Tauranga area prompt warning
People should remain vigilant when out swimming and report all sightings.

Local Focus: Sam's Skate School donates mini-ramp to Memorial Park
Just in time for the school holiday, there's a new attraction at a Tauranga skatepark

Call for businesses to hire 'Māori cultural advisors' to protect culture
This comes after it was revealed how a controversial DHB Covid-19 pamphlet was approved.

One seriously hurt in Bay of Plenty crash
Police close road after responding to a two-vehicle accident just after 8.30pm.

Two Covid-19 cases in Murupara as just over half of town fully vaccinated
Murupara is one of New Zealand's least vaccinated areas.

DHB staff had reservations about Covid pamphlet - but it was approved anyway
An independent investigation was made into how the brochure was released by the DHB.

'Execution-style' killing: Murder accused given name suppression
Arrested man has appeared in Tauranga District Court.

Large slab of pounamu found in bush in Bay of Plenty
Police are looking for the owner of a large piece of pounamu found in bush.

Calls for resignations at last-ditch attempt to fight Three Waters
The issue has sparked clear divide among councillors.

'Too little too late': Muller on $17.9m funding announced for Tauranga Hospital
The DHB says the funding would be enough to complete Covid-related works at the hospital.

'Posing danger': Reports detail struggles with ageing Fire trucks
Firefighters have been struggling with their big ladder hoses breaking down.

Crash aftermath: Man tasered, peppersprayed by police stole patrol car
Man stole police car after being tasered and pepper-sprayed.

'Amazing' feedback: Support mounts for teen victim of 'racial profiling'
'A lot of people said it was the video (of Aiomai) that really moved them.'

Tauranga death of person with Covid first in region
'Covid has taken a toll on us all ... but the death of a loved one is a terrible burden.'

Councillor's conduct to be investigated
It stems from alleged 'misinformative' comments on a local Facebook page.

'Best Christmas present': Families prepare for tearful reunions with Auckland loved ones
Families are reuniting with their Auckland based loved ones, just in time for Christmas.

Summer deluge: Motorists urged to take care as heavy rain sets in
The upper North Island and Nelson are set for a pre-Christmas drenching.

Vaccine pass checks at funerals could become a 'nightmare'
Holding services under the traffic light system are "challenging", says funeral directors.

Covid-19 case in Rotorua school community
The Ministry of Health informed the school on Sunday afternoon about the Covid-19 case.

Thunder and lightning: Wet weather causes road problems in Auckland
The watch will remain in place until midnight and residents are urged to take care.

Council to launch investigation into Chapel St fatal crash
Tauranga City Council is launching its own investigation into the fatal crash.

'Double vaxxed': Family lived with positive case for two weeks - and didn't catch it
'I couldn't hug my mum': 11-year-old speaks out about having Covid-19.

Hot in the city: Summer scorcher to continue
Beach-lovers rejoice, a scorching Saturday's on the way.

Felix Desmarais: 'Transgender people exist. We are real, we are natural'
Opinion: Parliament supporting transgender rights is a precious, flickering flame.

Live: 95 new community cases as two people in hospital die with virus
One person died at Middlemore Hospital overnight, and another at Auckland City Hospital.

New Fish and Game chairman learnt to fish before he learnt to ride a bike
Ngahihi Bidois is believed to be the first Te Arawa chairman of Eastern Fish and Game.

Pāpāmoa 11-year-old gets Covid after 'fleeting hug' with unvaxxed adult, says mum
The family's lives have been disrupted for three weeks as a result.

'They hurt people': Call for leashed dogs on beaches after local hero injured
"We really are talking to the dog owners of Mount Maunganui."