Latest fromBay of Plenty

Shane Te Pou: Where to next for Tauranga - a developers' dream or a city for everyone?
OPINION: The first time I ever got called a 'black bastard' was in a pub in Tauranga.

Speed, blind and double dates return as singles fall out of love with apps
Dating today requires courage: 'People are terrified at the moment about rejection.'

Dancing for Hospice couples’ profiles - Kelly Hemana and Justin Wilkinson
Kelly Hemana and Justin Wilkinson talk about their Dancing for Hospice experience so far.

Tauranga mayoral candidates size up Govt's new housing rules
Mayoral hopefuls give their views on how the changes fit with the growing city's needs.

Gear up for Tauranga’s first Cyclocross
Summerhill MTB Park is preparing to host the event on July 21.

$20m project: NZ paper mill switches from gas to geothermal steam
Mill decarbonisation 'equivalent to removing over 2200 cars from the road'.

Truck driver speaks after fatal SH2 crash: 'I had no time to react'
The speedway legend says his leg is 'munted' and he's 'lucky' to still have his foot.

Drugged driver admits killing retired Rotorua couple in high-speed crash
A driver has appeared in court charged over the deaths of John and Janice Christensen.

Tauranga election: Early voter turnout surpasses 2019
New orange voting bins and candidate videos are thought to be helping.

'Hugely inappropriate': $110k trial gives Kāinga Ora tenants free use of e-bikes
NZTA says a library of e-bikes and pushbikes is having 'significant positive impacts'.

Popular tourist attraction closes, 10 staff affected
Bay Karts, at Mount Maunganui, will be closing its doors on July 21.

SH2 fatal crash victim named
Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash on Monday afternoon.

'All hell broke loose': Jury to decide if woman and teen had murderous intent
Taku Manu Paul was killed after being struck twice by a car.

Tauranga mayoral hopefuls want to rewrite major plan
The candidates fronted a public meeting in Pāpāmoa.

Vote now! Rotorua in running to host Six60 show
Fans are set to decide where the 'One More Show’ tour finale will take place.

Watch: Impressive plumes seen from Whakaari - but what's causing them?
Social media flooded with photos of the plumes taken from the Bay of Plenty coast.

Who's best in the BoP? Finalists in hospitality awards announced
The awards celebrate the best dining establishments in the region.

Driver confirmed dead in SH2 crash
Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash on Monday afternoon.

Serious injuries: Police issue black ice warning after multiple crashes
Three people were injured, two seriously, after two crashes along State Highway 38.

Rotorua building finalist in world architecture awards
Architecture Festival the largest global live awards event for architects and designers.

'Desperate': Mum confirmed for $180k surgery in Germany this month
Pam Coburn is preparing for surgery and a 'brutal' recovery.

NZ Post services to return to Pāpāmoa
Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford says the closure had 'left a huge gap in our community'.

Support service Te Tuinga Whānau closes after 30 years
Chairwoman said the decision had come after much consideration.

Serious injuries after two crashes on BoP highway
Four people injured in two crashes and the road is blocked.

SH2 in BoP reopens after serious crash
A witness at the scene said he could see a car and truck appeared to be involved.

Te Puke win Tai Mitchell Shield without conceding a point
The team's culture stems from a school's rugby academy.

SH2 in BoP remains closed after serious crash
Police were called to the crash about 1.55pm.

Whakaari owners want to grant scientists access
'If they're not monitoring that risk, that's not fair. I don't care who owns it.'