Find out which New Zealand towns have grown the fastest over the past 80 years.

Tauranga and Whakatane have been New Zealand's fastest growing towns over the past 80 years.

It is "highly unlikely" anyone would have felt a strong quake that rattled an offshore area east of the country this morning.

The school attended by a teenage boy who shot himself in a tragic hunting accident will close on Thursday as a mark of respect.

The father of a 15-year-old Whakatane boy who was killed while out duck shooting says his son accidentally shot himself.

A 25-year-old man is being worked on by paramedics after he was hit by a car in Whakatane this evening.

Justine McLeary and her young family enjoy an adventurous weekend in Whakatane.

Three officers were attacked in two incidents over the weekend - one in Whakatane only ended because a member of the public came to his aid.

It seems the sun always shines on the East Coast, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Which town looks set to keep its crown as New Zealand's sunshine capital? A new climate report shows one place well out in front.

Wild winds brought down a large palm tree at a Whakatane property early this morning, narrowly missing the house.

A Whakatane gang member is upset he has been told by his son's school he can no longer be a parent helper at his son's school camp.

A police officer used excessive force against a man who attempted to flee and resisted arrest, the police watchdog has ruled.

Whakatane residents do not need to be concerned for their safety, police say, as roads near the airport are closed for a manhunt.

Four of the five people charged with aggravated robbery for a Boxing Day attack on two German tourists in Whakatane have been sent to jail.

Visiting Whakatane, Elisabeth Easther discovered two isles literally fizzing with fabulousness.

A Kaitaia family were on their way to Gisborne to see if they could start a new life there when the car crashed into an oncoming truck, fatally injuring a 5-month-old baby.

A father frantically smashed car windows to get to his young children after the vehicle, which he had been following, crashed head-on with a truck.

Whakatane police on district court duty abandoned their posts inside the Whakatane District Court after a brawl erupted on the street outside this morning.

A person is dead after the car they were driving collided with a tree before bursting into flames in Bay of Plenty this morning.

A German couple beaten and robbed in their tent in Whakatane early this morning have received an "overwhelming'' number of offers of help.

Family of a boy missing after falling into the Whakatane River are holding a silent vigil on the river bank this morning.

A 27-year old woman will appear in the Whakatane District Court today facing charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after a man was stabbed in Whakatane last night.