Latest fromWelcome Bay

Local Focus: Long-term plan hearings begin
Commissioners meet the community on their own whenua. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Local Focus: Today is ME day
"Chronic Fatigue doesn't do it justice." Made with funding from NZ On Air.

City in 'crisis': Commissioners warned of 5000-house deficit in next decade
"We are behind, there are no two ways about it."

More schools join free lunch programme
Education Minister made an announcement but couldn't avoid Covid-19 spotlight.

Local Focus: Age Concern volunteers rewarded by local travel operator
Volunteers can start friendships that go on for years. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Communities split over free school lunches
Full list: Which schools will get free school lunches?

Free school lunches: North Island (except Wellington)
Full list: North Island schools getting free school lunches (except Wellington).

Local Focus: Bay of Plenty electorate explained
All you need to know about the BOP electorate. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: New greetings on the marae
Hongi, harirū and hugs replaced with bows and words. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Go-ahead given for tsunami siren installations
Tauranga City Council gives go-ahead to install up to 12 tsunami sirens in next two years.

Mistaken identity 'execution': Police seek 'distinctive' car
A new clue has emerged in the "execution style" murder of David Kuka.

Learning local: Stink bug threat turns kids on to science
Told to welcome "a real scientist", a child protested: "But we are all scientists!"

Baby hurt from 'non-accidental' injuries remains in hospital
An injured baby boy remains in hospital in a serious condition as police investigate.

Seriously injured baby boy's injuries 'not accidental'
The serious injuries sustained by a Tauranga baby not caused by an accident, say police.

Police inquiry into baby boy's injuries ongoing
Team of 15 police staff continue to investigate the cause of Tauranga baby boy's injuries

A Kiwi helping kiwi: Wendy Sporle honoured for conservation work
A lifetime of work has seen kiwi conservationist Wendy Splore honoured.

Car crashes into fence and tree, shaking home
A resident heard skidding for a couple of minutes before the car crashed

Tauranga houses reach record $660,000 median
A total 293 houses sold in Tauranga last month, with a 3.9% price rise year-on-year.

Fireworks spectacular planned for Tauranga
Skies to be lit up over Welcome Bay in pre-Guy Fawkes night pyrotechnics display.

Welcome Bay fire probe continues
Neighbours of a house fire in Welcome Bay say the house had been empty for months.