Latest fromRDP - Whakatane regional news
![Coastguard, rescue helicopter responding to Bay of Plenty mayday call](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Coastguard, rescue helicopter responding to Bay of Plenty mayday call
Coastguard crews from Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki are on their way to the boat.
![Tinder swindler: Victim traumatised, feels like a failure after sex-money scam](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Tinder swindler: Victim traumatised, feels like a failure after sex-money scam
The victim, a father-of-two, thought he was chatting with an alluring blonde.
!['White sand, warm water': BoP to the fore in Best Beach competition](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
'White sand, warm water': BoP to the fore in Best Beach competition
The region took eight of the 15 final placings, and won three of the five categories.
![Increase in unlicensed dirt bike riders leads to police warning](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Increase in unlicensed dirt bike riders leads to police warning
Police have seen an increase in unlicensed riders on unregistered dirt bikes.
![Best Beach 2023: How to vote for the country's top camping beach](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Best Beach 2023: How to vote for the country's top camping beach
There's nothing that says Kiwi summer quite like pitching a tent near the sand and sea.
![Whakaari eruption: Survivors and rescuers attend preview screening of new Netflix documentary](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Whakaari eruption: Survivors and rescuers attend preview screening of new Netflix documentary
Heartrending testimony from survivors and family members and footage appear in film.
![Australian families of eruption victims attend Whakaari memorial](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Australian families of eruption victims attend Whakaari memorial
'You will be part of this whare as long as this whare stands.'
![Three years on - doco to reveal new footage from White Island tragedy](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Three years on - doco to reveal new footage from White Island tragedy
A new Netflix documentary out next week marks three years since the tragedy.
!['Mindless act': Kiwifruit vine vandalism sets back harvest three years, police say](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
'Mindless act': Kiwifruit vine vandalism sets back harvest three years, police say
Police are asking for any information leading to who is responsible.
![5.6 magnitude quake in central North Island - dozens of aftershocks since](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
5.6 magnitude quake in central North Island - dozens of aftershocks since
A 5.6 magnitude earthquake has struck the central North Island overnight.
![Destruction of huts adds to ‘historical trauma’ for Te Urewera Tūhoe](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Destruction of huts adds to ‘historical trauma’ for Te Urewera Tūhoe
The decision to destroy huts in Te Urewera has been challenged and blocked by iwi members.
![Fifth person arrested for alleged murder of man in Whakatāne](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Fifth person arrested for alleged murder of man in Whakatāne
Mark Hohua died in hospital early on June 19 from injuries sustained the previous evening.
![Stream crossing writes off couple’s electric car](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Stream crossing writes off couple’s electric car
They say they have given up on the idea of an electric or hybrid vehicle.
![Man arrested for murder of Kawerau mum near Rotorua](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Man arrested for murder of Kawerau mum near Rotorua
Korrey Whyman was shot inside a vehicle as it travelled on SH33 toward Mourea.
![Taonga stolen during Crown invasion of Maungapōhatu returned](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Taonga stolen during Crown invasion of Maungapōhatu returned
Taonga stolen by the police during the Crown invasion and sacking of Maungapōhatu returned
![Local Focus: QE Health gears up for a new beginning](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Local Focus: QE Health gears up for a new beginning
Rotorua's QE Health celebrates 80 years of service, and prepares for the next 80.
![Police did not delay in responding to fatal stabbing - watchdog](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Police did not delay in responding to fatal stabbing - watchdog
A man was fatally stabbed at the property later the same afternoon.
!['Humble' unsung hero of Whakaari/White Island eruption honoured by family after death](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
'Humble' unsung hero of Whakaari/White Island eruption honoured by family after death
'If it wasn't for Jason doing what he did, [some of the injured] would have died.'
!['It's not just going to stop here': Kaumātua on demolition of Te Urewera DoC huts](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
'It's not just going to stop here': Kaumātua on demolition of Te Urewera DoC huts
Te Uru Taumatua defended its plans in a statement
![Four Olympic-sized pools: Huge amount of material in SH2 slip](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Four Olympic-sized pools: Huge amount of material in SH2 slip
The slip came down last Wednesday.