Ritchie is only 5 but he's had 77 blood transfusions
Ritchie's condition is one in 165 million - he relies on others to survive.
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Latest fromBay of Plenty
Through the mill: $11m 'fire sale' for closed Tasman paper plant
About 160 workers were made redundant when the mill closed in 2021.
Why more teens are heading down a path of anxiety, depression
Dr Jo Prendergast advocates “benign neglect”, where parents intentionally step back.
Mark Lister: The sharemarket is nothing like a casino
OPINION: For genuine investors, the casino comparison couldn’t be further from the truth.
Why saying ‘I saw it on TikTok’ just doesn’t cut it
OPINION: It's the internet-age equivalent of 'Aunty Margaret’s sister-in-law ... said'.
‘Out of the doldrums’: Battered tourism operator looking forward to ‘crazy’ summer season
Labour weekend the start of “key” six-month visitor season.
'Bedridden' to walking dogs: Zahnee raising funds for charity as she turns 18
She speaks about how surgery has changed her life and her plans for next year.
Sausage secrets: How butchers came up with banger sangers
"They sliced it open … [and saw] it had all these fresh ingredients"
'Blood kept gushing out': Store owner king-hit and left concussed
'The concussion is the worst part. It feels like a drill bit running through my forehead.'
'Hellishly dangerous': Row erupts after two-inch longline hook snags beachgoer
Man, dog and boogie boarder get caught up by fishing line.
Extra $26.6m building consent issued for city council's new timber office
The eight-storey timber office building was also issued an $18.9m consent in July.
Ex-All Black, pro-mixed martial artist and 28th Māori Battalion member join Hall of Fame
'The success range is quite incredible', says principal.
'Nightmare': Bar owner says loss of 147 car parks 'worst thing' for CBD traders
Businesses 'fuming' as council closes popular parking to create green space.
Sirens and Services day brings community together to talk safety
Day a chance to talk about safety in the neighbourhood.
Revealed: Plans for 130 new homes to help curb housing crisis
The plans prompt concerns their ‘ad hoc’ nature could undermine other urban developments.
'I knew it was a gun shot': Ōpōtiki Mayor speaks out on gang violence
He wants the new Government to deliver more police for his town.
'Enough is enough': Student calls for safety measures at rail crossings following tragedy
"School kids have the right to be safe going to and from school," Gia Nelson said.
Shop owner threatened with bar, another business targeted minutes later
Police are investigating the aggravated robberies.
'Overwhelmed with joy': Young couple on pathway to owning home
"I cried. We are so grateful and thankful for the opportunity.”
‘Ingrained hatred’: Should warring Mongrel Mob and Black Power be rewarded for good behaviour?
An expert makes the suggestion as police crack down on gang violence.
Day of violence: Gang members on trial for murder, assault, robbery
Mobsters accused of killing man who wouldn't give them drugs and attacking two others.
Gang crackdown: Weapons, drugs, cash seized by police given special search powers
Police also made two arrests in Ōpōtiki amid gang tensions.
Tauranga to host Te Pūtake o te Riri commemoration of New Zealand Wars
Tauranga is hosting this year's Te Pūtake o te Riri - the commemoration of the NZ Wars.
Heartbreaking: Kids make sacrifices to help mum and dad pay the mortgage
"Every single dollar that one can save is important."
His weekly mortgage payment hit $1000 a week. It was the last straw
About 80 per cent of fixed-term loans due to reprice in less than two years.
Four-person council commission paid $914k for a year's part-time work
Chairwoman Anne Tolley says the costs are 'considerably less than a full elected council'.
'Crisis' predicted as hundreds of new homes planned – but no new schools
'It takes five years to build a new school,' says concerned principal.
Cooper puts Gasgas top of NZ podium on first attempt
Experienced rider snatches top spot from young rising stars at motocross event.
'Surprise' issues add $1m+ to CBD carpark project cost
It comes after surprise issues in another civic project added $3.4m to its cost.
'Risking it all': The couple touring NZ to pitch new cafe app - face to face
'We put everything in storage and sold or donated pretty much everything else'
'What about us?' Treaty settlement leaves home owners fearing they will lose access
Anxious beachfront home owners plead with council and government over Treaty settlement.
Tauranga men's basketball team to join NBL
The Whai will have both elite women's and men's teams in the national league.