Rotorua is a ‘ghost town’ due to emergency housing crisis, commissioners hearing told
Rotorua has become a "ghost town" because of the rise of motels serving as housing.
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Latest fromRotorua
'Negative perceptions' blamed for $17m tourism loss
About $17 million in tourism spending has been lost due to 'negative perceptions'.
'We feel unsafe': Rotorua motel hearing told of discarded needles, drugs, public vomiting
"Motel rooms are not places for people to grow up. They deserve better than that."
$129k fence and security cameras: Locals take action to protect against homeless, hearing told
"My family are telling me to move out of town."
Iwi networks stronger in wake of Covid
Kāhu ki Rotorua: Rollout of marquees signals wrap-up of a year-long project.
Tour de Koutu has whanau on the go
A whanau affair, from kohungahunga to koeke getting active around the streets of Koutu.
Stories abound of giant tupuna's conniving ways
Kāhu ki Rotorua: Giants once abounded in Waiariki district.
More eco warriors sought in fight for healthy lakes
Kāhu ki Rotorua: The jobs on offer cover a wide spectrum.
Police arrest eight and seize guns, cash and meth in drug operation
Police believe operation will be a major disruption to meth supply in district.
'We have been sacrificed': Rotorua residents tell of life around 'MSD Mile'
'I just feel so sad for our beautiful city. In two years, this is how it's become.'
'A true leader': First wāhine Māori marine professor welcomed
Kura Paul-Burke is one of only three Māori marine professors in New Zealand.
Drugs, Bitcoin and the dark web: Son of former drug lord in court
Billy Macfarlane's son has admitted running a drug syndicate in Rotorua and Tauranga.
'Catastrophic consequences': Hospitality owners protest over immigration issues
Local hospitality businesses shut down in protest over staff and immigration issues.
Back from Covid brink : From 600 students to 9 English language school re-opens
'We had to salvage what we could.'
Local Focus: Crossroads for Rotorua Motors
The Rotorua Vintage and Veteran Car Club is working for the future of historic cars.
Comment: Māori Boy from Awahou - the MBA that matters
OPINION: So how does one qualify for their honorary MBA qualification?
From Kuirau Park to being homed: 'Street mum' turns her life around
Missy Rehu has got off the streets and into housing.
'Best birthday present ever': Rising teen star performs with Sol3 Mio
Rotorua teenager Nikau Chater performed with Sol3 Mio at Spark Arena this week.
Family of man missing since May suffer second blow
"I struggle every day - mentally, physically, everything."
The region where armed offenders squad callouts have spiked
A sign Government has let gun crime get out of control, or that it's taking a harder line?
Kāhu ki Rotorua: Degraded Little Waihi symptom of big problem
"When the land and water are well – the people will be well."
Opinion: Tough job ahead but Tania up to the task
Our once-thriving town is a shadow of its former self - but things are looking up.
Kāhu ki Rotorua: Waka remains a testament to skills of builders
Te Wharau o Iroiro, the name of the tree, was transferred to the vessel itself.
Local Focus: Hotrods and Hogs
A two-wheeled traveller has been revving up Rotorua's roads for a good cause.
Seagulls, porta-loos, back pockets: The $13.5m cost of Kiwis' broken phones
State Insurance has revealed the Bay of Plenty tied first for losing and breaking phones.
'Like a nightmare and I haven't woken up': Grieving fiance tells of horror collision
'He had so much more to give and so much life to live.'
Local Focus: Calling all creatures great and small
West Rotorua's St Barnabas church is opening doors to worshippers on two feet or four.
40 days on the snow: Olympic kayaker Mike Dawson on his 1000km South Pole expedition
The expedition is expected to take at least 40 days.
Rotorua's highest-polling candidate also its youngest
Wang has been elected to a second term, preliminary results show.
Wāhine Māori mayors welcome the challenge to make a difference
Two wahine Māori mayors take control in Rotorua and Wellington.
Beating the stigma of limited vision: Why Haehaetu is sharing her story now
Haehaetu Barrett has had visual impairment for most of her life. Few have known until now.
'Appetite for change': New mayors elected in most major centres in strong election for right-leaning candidates
Tory Whanau's mayoral win in Wellington bucked a national trend of right-leaning mayors.
'Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart': Tania Tapsell claims victory
Tania Tapsell is the first Māori woman mayor of Rotorua