Latest fromTauranga

Fatal crash kids released from hospital
Two children seriously injured in a Bay of Plenty crash that killed their mother will today be released from Starship Hospital and will soon be heading home.

Woman survives car plunge over bank
A 58-year-old woman suffered a broken leg when her car left the road in Tauranga, smashing through a fence and falling several metres over a bank into a property below.

Woman injured after car falls over bank
A 58-year-old woman suffered a leg fracture when her car left the road in Tauranga, breaking through a fence and falling metres over a bank into a property below.

150 years since the Battle of Gate Pa
One of the most infamous battles of the Land Wars has been remembered in Tauranga this morning - the Battle of Gate Pa.

Family: Better systems needed
The family of Tauranga man who died after alleged medical misadventure is calling for better communication between Tauranga Hospital departments.

Island hapu 'not against' leaving Rena wreck behind
An island hapu off the coast of Tauranga has come out as "not against the possibility" of leaving part of the wrecked container ship Rena on nearby Astrolabe Reef - and has distanced itself from an another island group which wants it gone.

Crash on Tauranga's main arterial route
A crash involving a logging truck and car has shut down the northbound lane of Tauranga's Takitimu Drive this morning.

School bus crash: Three hospitalised
Traffic is backed up after a crash involving a school bus and car this morning at Welcome Bay in the Bay of Plenty.

Motorcyclist dies following crash
A motorcyclist is dead after crashing near Tauranga this afternoon.

Police hunt after aggravated robbery report
Police are searching through Gate Pa in Tauranga after a report of an aggravated robbery this morning.

Man admits causing bridge crash
A Tauranga man has admitted causing the fatal head-on crash which killed Tauranga father Greg Woledge after his work van plunged off Maungatapu Bridge and into the river.

Waterfront dispute between top ports
A waterfront dispute has broken out between two of New Zealand's biggest ports, arguing about who is the best.

Teenage girl leads police on 19km pursuit
A 14-year-old girl led police on a 19km pursuit through Tauranga last night, police say.

Jailed for tourist bashing
A Tauranga man found guilty at trial of robbing two French hitchhikers in 2012 has been jailed for four years nine months - but maintains he's innocent.

'It was my first rescue'
A 9-year-old Papamoa girl who dragged a young boy from the surf has shrugged off her hero status and says she was just doing what she has been trained to do.

Tornado blows through Papamoa
A tornado has blown through a popular beach resort outside Tauranga this morning, causing damage to house roofs.

Police raid Filthy Few gang pad
Tauranga Police have raided the Filthy Few Motorcycle Club's property in Birch Ave, Tauranga, following ahome invasion in Whakamarama in which two people received serious injuries.

School closed as police investigate suspicious death
A house and part of a school remain cordoned off in Tauranga this morning, as police investigate a suspicious death.

Mum 'furious' after son's kindy escape
A mum is demanding answers after her 3-year-old son escaped from his kindergarten unnoticed by staff and walked alone across a busy Tauranga road.

New community social housing projects announced
Community social housing projects in Wellington, Tauranga and Hamilton have been announced by Housing Minister Nick Smith.

New Zealand: Lunchtime legends
Egg sandwiches, a thermos of Milo and slightly soggy carrot cake.

Teacher sentenced for stealing student's medication
A Tauranga Intermediate teacher found guilty of stealing 11 tablets of a young student's ADHD medication has been sentenced to nine months supervision.

Man's body found in water at Pilot Bay
The body of a man has been found in shallow water at Pilot Bay, Mount Maunganui.

Neighbour, 89, fights fire
"It was a shock", said 89-year-old Edna Harrison, but it didn't stop her walking into her neighbour's burning home to try to help him put out the blaze with a garden hose.