Latest fromWhakatane

How a $48.7m boost is shaping the future of kapa haka
Finance Minister Nicola Willis received a rock star welcome at Te Matatini's opening day.

Overnight fire in Ōpōtiki spreads through two commercial buildings
The fire started around 11:20pm on Church St.

Small town New Zealand is really upping its food and coffee game
Worthwhile places to stop on a roadie through the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty.

China begins second military exercise in Tasman Sea
China notified NZ Defence of the live firing via radio channels on Saturday.

‘Pure heartlessness’: Man laundered $44k, from 22 victims, for scammers based in Kenya
Patrick Neho claimed he did it to feed his children. In reality, he fed his addictions.

'Same costly mistake': Driver's warning after $150 bus-lane fine
More than 6500 tickets were issued for breaching the 50m rule last year.

Fire crews tackle house blaze in Kawerau
Fire crews have left the scene of a house fire in Kawerau.

Up to 1000 rally against hospital downgrading health services
Obstetrics and gynaecology services at Whakatāne Hospital have been downgraded.

Hamiltonian to walk in Relay for Life to help people 'open up' about diagnosis
Kezia Kurian's mother suspected she had cancer - but told no one.

'Deeply disappointing': Proposed job cuts will worsen access to palliative care - doctor
Public money would be spent on hospital admissions for people with 'nowhere else to go'.

'Kill him': Armed mobster on meth-fuelled rampage held 74yo man hostage
He was fleeing police when he broke into the pensioner's home and assaulted him.

Cardboard caskets and native trees: How to give your loved one a natural burial
A desire for simplicity and a return to tradition has driven a rise in natural burials.

Honda’s father-son duo dominate opening NZ Superbike round
Mitch and Tony Rees dominated the opening round of the NZSBK in Southland.

Woman 'really lucky' obstetrician available for emergency caesarean
‘Baby could die – those were her words.'

'Critical decisions need to be made quickly': Iwi concerned about maternity service change
Bay of Plenty iwi met with Health NZ to discuss 'urgent challenges' for Māori.

‘A great mix of cultures’: Rotorua’s vibrant Waitangi Day festivities
The Waitangi Day event in Rotorua attracted up to 10,000 visitors.

‘Huge relief’: Kiwi scam victims get some of their life savings back
The victims claimed Westpac failed in its duty of care by not conducting proper checks.

Waikato town named among 'Most Welcoming Cities on Earth'
The destination received the accolade as part of Booking.com's Traveller Review Awards.

'Forever 8': Women deny killing young boy in alleged assault
The pair accused of killing Rickah'Shae Keefe-Haerewa plan to take the charges to trial.

Licence lost: Elderly man fights doctor's claim he's not fit to drive anymore
The man had dementia and a condition that put him at risk of falling asleep in the day.

'Not sustainable': Tauranga worker would earn extra $30k for same job in Hamilton
'We do the same job as the Te Whatu Ora labs, but we’re paid significantly less.'