Latest from Te Puke

Te Puke win Tai Mitchell Shield without conceding a point
The team's culture stems from a school's rugby academy.

Kiwifruit industry 'booming', licence and orchard prices fall
Fewer orchards staying in families as syndicate ownership picked as a growing trend.

Taonga pūoro to open Te Puke’s Matariki celebrations
House of Shem will headline Friday's festival

'Significant damage': What caused a 'chaotic' train derailment
The train derailed near Te Puke during the Auckland Anniversary weekend floods.

'God ... steered us to his plan': Housing development for elderly under way
Te Puke property development providing housing for elderly entering next stage of project.

Record 2024 kiwifruit harvest follows meagre 2023
Good weather and labour availability major contributors to record crop

'My life changed in one second': Kiwifruit worker hit by forklift loses lower leg
'Everyday tasks like dressing, showering, and walking have become challenging.'

'No blood on my hands': Man accused of Ardern death threat faces trial
Judge-alone trial date set for BOP man rearrested 20 months after warrant issued.

'Humbling' King's Service Medal for decades of fire service work
Te Puke fire chief recognised for services to Fire & Emergency NZ and the community.

Virtues of a 'simple, peaceful life' marked on 100th birthday
Her secret to longevity? No smoking or drinking plus lots of fruit, veges and family time.

Disc golf sets its sights on a new town
"Golf is fun but not everyone can afford a $500 membership to play."

Phone data, text message seal meth-making man's fate
Cellphone data put accused man at property where methamphetamine was being made.

'It was very peaceful': Woman recalls near-death experience
'I'm sure there’s a greater plan for me,' says the nurse, who wasn't expected to live.

'We’re just shells now': Jewellers targeted by thieves 9 times in 2.5 years
'I watched people run around in my shop at bloody 4.30 in the morning.'

'Pretty skilled gardener': Mother of eight busted for growing 300 cannabis plants
Woman had all the necessary equipment to 'grow cannabis discreetly', police say.

In the doghouse! Fence-jumping feline survives canine caper
The pet's family say 'bula' to Bula after his doghouse adventure.

Te Puke High School group’s calm response to emergency
“No one panicking, everyone was really calm."

Council faces big byelection bills after three reps quit, one dies
Costs to fill the empty seats could hit up to $83,600.

Paws-itively amazing career in animal services
Betty Hall was once told by a teacher she would never get a job after finishing school.

Western Bay Council, Kāinga Ora slammed for lack of consultation
Council says no parties adversely affected by the development.

‘The real deal’: Councillor remembered as visionary leader, devoted to town
Richard Crawford suffered a heart attack while cycling in the Redwoods.

'Rare human': Tributes flow for tireless 'community champion'
His death on Sunday after a heart attack in Rotorua on Saturday was a 'huge shock'.

Colleagues 'shattered' as 'incredible' local leader dies
'Huge shock - He will be sorely missed.'

'Vicious attack': Bashed girl's parents say school 'failed to protect' her
The school is investigating and 'unequivocally condemned' violence in its community.

New planning rules allowing more housing for Te Puke signed off
Density standards include allowing three homes on a site and houses up to 11m high.

Five orchardists fined nearly $200k for illegal water take
All pleaded guilty to the charges relating to the unlawful takes at their orchard.

'Huge impact': Bottle-O owner 'angry' and 'frustrated' after ram-raid
Police are investigating a ram-raid burglary at the Bottle-O Te Puke store

‘Totally reckless' planning rules on hold
Dangerous intersections and heavy traffic on SH2 not addressed - councillor.

Three rushed to hospital after crashes in Te Puke, Welcome Bay
An e-bike rider and two motorists have been injured.