Latest from Bay of Plenty

243 Covid cases - the highest since start of pandemic

The record was 222 daily community cases on November 16 last year.

Cannabis drug bust: Linesman sentenced to prison after rerouting electricity meters

Duane Simon rerouted wiring to steal thousands of dollars worth of electricity.

From dreams to jail: Why cannabis growers got involved in 'massive' $4.2m syndicate

Why they did it. The masterminds behind a massive drug-growing syndicate are sentenced.

'Catastrophe' brewing: Six-month wait on some building materials

Small building firms could go bust: 'It's bloody sad to see this unfolding, to be honest.'

'I'll never forget you': Hero saves drowning family

A man who had been watching some swimmers heroically saves four from drowning in a rip.

'A real nightmare': Used condoms, human poo and drag racing plague Lake Rotomā residents

Vandals at Lake Rotoma are making residents' lives 'a real nightmare' they say.

Long weekend traffic: When the roads are expected to be the busiest

NZTA predicts the busiest traffic times as long weekend approaches.

Man who sexually exploited an impaired woman lured her with the promise of takeaways

Judge: "The Department of Corrections is going to rule your life for the next little bit."

Couple trapped in Aussie must repay $16,000 in pensions

The couple have been stuck in Australia for nearly a year.

Tauranga pig farmer remanded in custody after sentencing hearing delayed

Tio Faulkner dumped around 1500cu m of steel and concrete into Tauranga Harbour.

Local Focus: Ocean sports are just a Friday Float away

Accessible water sports for people with disabilities on offer at Mount Maunganui.

Sisters will defend charges in relation to Tauranga boy's death

Two sisters charged over the death of a five-year-old Te Puna boy are heading to trial.

Trial date set for David Kuka murder accused

Two men who deny murdering Tauranga father David Kuka are heading to trial.

'Absolute breaking point': Midwife says shortage in the Bay is 'critical'

One midwife from Central Otago has been working in the Bay since November.

Want a job? 24,000 kiwifruit workers needed as labour shortage bites

Last season harvesting roles paid an average of $27 an hour rates vary and can reach $40.

Rotorua's shortage of rental properties at 'crisis' point

Rotorua rental market prices increase four per cent, supply drops 15 per cent in a year.