A weak earthquake which hit near White Island this morning has been felt throughout the North Island. The 4.7 quake was recorded

UPDATE: State Highway 35 has reopened between Maraenui and Omaio, following an earlier slip on the western side of the Motu Bridge. Contractors

Tourism is booming in Whakatane. Latest statistics show travellers to the region injected 115 million dollars into the local economy last year. That's an increase of 20 percent over the last three years. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

The wet and windy spring weather looks set to continue but the warm summery temperatures are coming to an end this weekend.

Dreamworld has permanently closed the raft ride that killed four people.

A mini tornado ripped through Ohope Beach, uprooting trees and damaging properties.

One person is dead and another seriously injured after two cars collided in Opotiki last night.

Kiwi Dreamworld victim Cindy Low's distraught family have spoken of their loss for the first time.

Kiwi Dreamworld victim Cindy Low will be farewelled in New South Wales tomorrow.

Martin Rakuraku, the chairman of Tanatana Marae in the Bay of Plenty, explains why the new marae building looks like it does. The building has just won a top architectural award

The chairman of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Doug Leeder explains that the water quality issue is a problem everybody needs to get their heads around, whether they live in a rural or urban environment. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Amid the horror, the survival of two young children was so remarkable that even hardened police put it down to a miracle.

Family members of the Kiwi woman killed at Dreamworld have rushed to the Gold Coast to support her grieving husband and two young children.

Dreamworld is set to reopen on Friday after a horror accident killed four people on one of the theme park's rides.

A Kiwi woman's 10-year-old son watched her die in a horrific accident at a Gold Coast theme park.

Uretara Island, in Ohiwa Harbour, is now free of rats, and native birds are thriving, thanks to the work of dedicated volunteers. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Uretara Island, in Ohiwa Harbour, is now free of rats, and native birds are thriving, thanks to the work of dedicated volunteers. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

The man accused of the Onepu police shootings heads faces trial but not before his yesterday delivered a fired-up challenge to the

Check out these mussels! New Zealand's first commercial open ocean marine farm, off the coast of Opotiki brings in its first harvest. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Check out these mussels, from New Zealand’s first commercial open ocean marine farm, off the coast of Opotiki. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Opotiki beekeepers are worried too many hives are now being placed in the region by corporate newcomers, threatening the survival of the pollinating bees required for the local kiwifruit industry. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

John Forbes' early blunder didn't diminish his election result. And he admits his opponent Les Keane ran a good campaign after all. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Tony Bonne believes strong marketing was behind his weaker majority, so he is determined to communicate better this term. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Tony Bonne believes strong marketing was behind winning the mayoralty with less votes, so he is determined to communicate better this term. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Incumbent mayor Tony Bonne looks to have regained his position.

Police want eyewitnesses to come forward after a man fell from a Whakatane hotel balcony onto a footpath at the weekend.

This will be a good weekend to check out the museum or cuddle up with a book as heavy showers and thunderstorms are forecast for parts of the country.

Banned from sailing further until authorities deem him safe to travel, renegade South African yachtie, is apologetic for the inconvenience he has caused everyone involved. made with funding from NZ on Air

A 45-year-old Bay of Plenty man who first tried P aged 26 says the Bay scene is "the worst its ever been", with meth "easier to score than cannabis.

Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic has announced Associate Professor Dr Leon de Wet Fourie as the new chief executive. WBoPP council