A judge has named a man accused of killing a Bay of Plenty regional councillor and school principal.

A Bay of Plenty regional councillor and school principal killed outside a pub yesterday is believed to have been king-hit by a stranger.

Panic erupts as a fireworks show in Whakatane goes wrong during a hectic night across the country for fire services.

A teenager dies in a crash while driving unlicensed with a passenger in the Bay of Plenty.