Latest from Napier

Special load: Washing basket kittens saved from doomed dump as SPCA voices desexing plea
It comes as more than 3000 cats remain in the SPCA's care this summer.

Retired Hawke’s Bay judge who presided over more than 600 jury trials dies
His career of 30 years in Hawke's Bay and Gisborne was a colourful one.

School of hard knocks: Kiwi Olympian surfer Saffi Vette on tragedy, dyslexia and bullying
'Whatever is challenging you, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.'

'Team effort': Tropical tuna hauled aboard by family near Cape Kidnappers
Forget tuna in a can, fishers are catching them fresh - and big.

'The NZ disease': Drowning toll spurs fresh call for water-safety awareness
Water Safety New Zealand has released the 2023 drowning data.

Months on, what is happening with investigations into Hawke's Bay's unexplained deaths?
Police are still investigating three unexplained deaths in Hawke's Bay during 2023.

Questions around commercial viability could jeopardise future of Napier-Wairoa rail line
The line was damaged in Cyclone Gabrielle, so is it worth rebuilding?

Nest Fest Hawke’s Bay: Behind the scenes of the popular festival
A look at Nest Fest from behind the stage.

What goes around comes around in special rescue story
Farmer rescued after ute runs down bank.

'I don’t want him forgotten': Details of historic Waimārama drowning emerge
Adele Mohi-McGoverin has cared for an old gravesite for 50 years.

Risible signs raise the ire — and laughter
OPINION: Gratuitous letters spark mirth and mystery.

Surge in shark sightings may be related to El Niño climate shift
'Don’t swim where people are fishing...and avoid swimming at dawn and dusk'.

Little-known banking 'handbrake': Insurance paid them out, then ASB said they couldn't touch it
A change to how insurance funds are paid out feels 'unfair'.

'Very good night' for police in Hawke's Bay as New Year's revelry stays well-behaved
The Soundshell in Napier saw crowds of thousands to usher in the New Year.

Forget a message in a bottle, this is a message in an apple bin
Pen pals across generations celebrate the new year together.

After a tough year people are ready for 2024
Hawke's Bay Today took to the street to gauge emotions ahead of 2024.

'Some people at my age would put their slippers on', New Year honour's recipient says
Anthony Gray, 71, has been recognised for service to accounting and Māori business.

'Xmas ruined': Man barred from flight over special assistance mix-up
He suffered a stroke 21 years ago and requires minor assistance while on a plane.

'Get back to its former glory’: Minister hints that EIT could return to single entity
An EIT lecturer and union rep says 'we have lost a lot of staff' in failed merger.

Rebuild challenges for smashed industrial zone: 'We’ve got to stop being windy'
Hundreds of staff saw their workplaces destroyed. Now they're fighting back.

Hawke’s Bay cruise ship season: No Stats NZ data for biggest ever
There is no Stats NZ cruise ship data, but local businesses say their own numbers speak.

'Back to full strength': Thousands in event funding allocated
This summer in Hawke's Bay is gearing up to be one of the biggest.

Popular holiday destinations pass 30C as Auckland, Northland face thunderstorms
One town reached around 33C.

Napier father of three named as victim of fatal Waipatu crash just before Christmas
The 38-year-old dad was killed on Elwood Rd, Hastings, just days before Christmas.

Committed cookie seller's record-breaking success
The university student has smashed the national sales record by 1611 buckets of biscuits.

Water restrictions in a near record-wet year: 'We need to rethink our approach'
Napier, Hastings and Waimārama are now under water restrictions - is this the future?

NZ’s worst road toll was 50 years ago, but tragedies still haunt our highways
Safety on the roads has come a long way since 1973, but police are desperate we do better.

Christmas Cheer: More than 1000 struggling households in Hawke’s Bay to receive gifts
Santa's helpers give Hawke's Bay people a better Christmas.