Latest fromWhakatane

433 per cent! Plans to raise sports clubs ground rental to eyewatering amounts
Submissions can be made on the council’s website.

Fire in high school art block today deemed 'accidental' - FENZ
The fire forced the evacuation of the school.

Uni student assaulted four women - he claimed 'sexsomnia'
Four women were victimised by the defendant.

Potential for contamination causing harbour project hold-up
No action has been seen at the site for more than a year.

Maat suspends returns from four property investment schemes - Tuffin
Investors poured around $180m into 11 Maat property schemes - what next?

Whakaari/White Island owners relied on GNS Science to monitor and manage island
The judge-alone trial resumed on Wednesday.

Search for missing kiwi continues
“People from all over the place want to help. It’s amazing."

'Massive potential for change': Investment fund takes on housing crisis
'Why wouldn’t an investor choose social good over another investment of equal risk?'

East Coast MPs unite to help whānau burials
Burials have been delayed for up to six months because of the water table.

'It’s a wicked thing to do': Second pohutukawa dying, poisoning suspected
“This is the fifth or sixth tree poisoned like this in the last few years.”

Two arrested after Rotomā and Whakatāne burglaries, one man still sought
The burglaries happened on Monday morning.

Mystery location for Whakatāne Stop Co-Governance meeting
The venue is still secret and its owners may not know it is a Stop Co-Governance event.

Letters: Govt spending, party policies, and what about a grand coalition?
OPINION: Letters on debt, fast-food diplomacy, home detention, and the St James Theatre.

Body down bank: Identities suppressed for three men accused of murdering Claude Takao
Third man faces a murder charge after a man's body was found down a Whakatāne bank.

Third man charged with murder of Claude Takao
Five people are now facing charges in relation to the death of Claude Takao.

'Sounds I never want to hear again': Young Whakaari victim gives evidence
Jesse Langford lost his mum, dad and sister on Whakaari.

Wilde's double success in Hamburg a 'great birthday present' for proud mum
"Hayden was clearly in the hurt box when he crossed the finish line."

‘Skin was falling off’: Whakaari chopper pilot comforted burns victims
Brian Depauw piloted his first solo chopper trip to Whakaari on the fateful day in 2019.

Watch: Food truck catches fire at youth rugby tournament
Footage showed black smoke billowing from the truck at Rugby Park.

'We're going to die today': Whakaari victims recount the horror visit
The force of the blast pushed hard hats and respirators off the American tourists' faces.

Local Focus: Freshwater policy changes are coming
Katikati growers, farmers and residents discuss water quality with the regional council.

Gateway to White Island signs expected to be gone by summer
White Island Tours has said it will not be returning to the island.

'Move, move, move': Terrifying raw footage of Whakaari eruption shown at trial
The island erupted in 2019, killing 22 people and injuring another 25.

‘Fanaticism’: Mayor reacts to district's 30km/h speed limit plan
A plan to lower the speed limit has been described as fanatical by Mayor Victor Luca.

Tai Mitchell 2023: West beats Gold in both finals
The 2023 edition of the Tai Mitchell tournament is being played in Whakatāne.

Strong wind watch for BoP, orange warning for Coromandel
Strong wind warnings issued for Bay of Plenty and Coromandel.

Body down a bank: Two adults accused of murder, teen charged with kidnapping
A homicide investigation was launched after man was found dead.

Mongrel Mob death: Man charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice
The 49-year-old was scheduled to appear in Whakatāne District Court today.