Doug Laing, Multimedia Journalist at Hawke’s Bay Today, covers all aspects of provincial journalism including local government, sports, major events, social and justice issues.
I’m Doug Laing – Multimedia Journalist at Hawke’s Bay Today. You could say journalism ran in my blood - my father, Les Laing, was a journalist who while working for the NZBC and then Radio New Zealand mentored and helped train broadcasters on-station throughout New Zealand. Journalism is a life-long 24/7 calling for me. I followed in Dad’s footsteps from a young age, writing stories for the local weekly rugby programme while at primary school in the 1960s, and Junior Kiwi - a newspaper for schools. As a 14 year old, I worked as a reporter at the Wairarapa Times-Age during school holidays and began my fulltime career at the Central Hawke’s Bay Press, Waipukurau, in July 1973. I’ve also worked at the Daily Telegraph, had a short stint in public relations in Auckland, worked at The Dominion/Sunday and New Zealand Times, before returning to the Daily Telegraph in May 1987 as Chief Reporter. In 1999 the Daily Telegraph merged with the Hawke’s Bay Herald Tribune to create Hawke’s Bay Today, and I’ve been here ever since. I continue covering all aspects of provincial journalism, including local government, sports, major events, social and justice matters. I've been involved in two books, "Cavaliers in South Africa 1986" (rebel rugby tour) and "Shear History" (Golden Shears 50 years). Finalist Qantas Awards breaking news category (Flaxmere police shooting 1996), Napier Pilot City Trust Awards for "Outstanding Contribution to the Quality of Life for all Napier Citizens" and 2020 NZ Rural Sports Award for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Sports
Young star shines as Turkeys win national title again
Three days of indoor cricket saw the Hawke's Bay Turkeys retain their national title.
Basketball dream for teen Hawke’s Bay ballers
Pahlyss Hokianga and Graecyn Parahi off to basketball camp in Perth.
Hawke’s Bay bounces back at the national netball championships
Hawke's Bay did not play in the tournament last year.
Irene van Dyk hoping to lead a Hawke's Bay renaissance at NZ's national champs
'My idea is to create a culture. I think we can upset a few teams.'
Emma Twigg still has an oar in the water - this time winning bronze for Hawke's Bay
Emma Twigg's rowing career isn't over yet as she adds another medal to collection.
Shield blockbuster awaits: Magpies top of the table, but outsiders to retain the Log o' Wood
A clash of two unbeaten titans is coming to McLean Park.
Tasman planning Shield parade, a week before battling Hawke’s Bay
The Magpies and the Mako are set to clash in a Log o' Wood blockbuster.
New deck needed for temporary Waikare bridge
Two nights of closure will be needed for the work.
Magpies paying $1.09 to continue NPC run against Manawatū
Pouri Rakete-Stones has been named as captain in an expected raft of changes.
Man charged with stealing 50 temporary roadworks signs from Hawke’s Bay highways
The man was arrested after a crash, and “several" reports of dangerous driving.
Top of the table: Magpies' dream season start continues with victory over Canterbury
The Magpies scored four tries to hit the top of the NPC ladder.
Art Deco Trust's new home: Napier's historic women's rest rooms get a makeover
Renovation of the near century-old former War Memorial Women's Rest rooms has begun
He broke his ankle against the All Blacks - now the Magpies are preparing to unleash him
From being stretchered off in the Rugby World Cup, to getting a chance with the Bay.
'No justification': Thieves make off with dozens of temporary speed limit signs
At least 30 temporary speed signs have been taken from highway roadworks in Hawke's Bay.
Wairoa in Focus: Bring on the Barry Cup
Wairoa face the first Barry Cup defence of 2024 on September 8.
Battle of the Bays looms for Hawke’s Bay Tui
The Tui scored eight tries to knock over the Kauri.
Hawke’s Bay Netball Super Club final: HHSOG Huia win the big night out
Hastings HSOG Huia had only nine players this season. It was still good enough to win.
Chiller stolen from marae that was devastated in Cyclone Gabrielle
Don't let this theft of a chiller become a cold case.
Majority of submissions support Māori Ward in Napier
Napier was the first council in NZ to consult on the latest changes from the Government.
Shields up: Renton to pull on a Magpies shirt for the first time in seven years
Hugh Renton played for Tasman in a Shield defence in Napier in 2021. Now he's back home.
New era in Hawke's Bay netball? Favourites out as new champ set to be crowned
Both of the most dominant clubs in Hawke's Bay netball are out of Friday night's big game.
An ageing cedar comes down in Tiffen Park
The tree was becoming unstable because of root failure.
Government offers an extra $4.55m for cyclone recovery in Hawke's Bay
Money will provide expertise to speed up Wairoa, Pakowhai and Pōrangahau flood protection.
Former Hawke's Bay Magpies to boost trophy challengers
Hawke's Bay's Māori rugby representatives are on a shield mission.
Hawke's Bay schools bow out of national First XVs rugby early
Both the Napier and Hastings boys' high schools were beaten in regional quarter-finals.
Tui beaten in brave Farah Palmer Cup debut
It was a Tui happy hour, before Counties Manukau took the lead.
Shield Fever is all go - Southland gone, Northland next
A 31-17 win for the Magpies. Bring on Northland.
Over the line: The man behind our most successful Olympics
The man in charge of New Zealand's team at the Olympics is back at work in Hawke's Bay.
Bay in a flap: Tui to play curtain-raiser for Magpies - huge crowd expected
The Tui open their 2024 NPC women's rugby campaign at McLean Park - Home of the Magpies.
Lincoln McClutchie preferred to start as Magpies ready for Southland Ranfurly Shield challenge
McClutchie has scored 461 points for the Magpies since his teenaged debut in 2018.
A new chairman for Shearing Sports NZ
Warren Parker is a Raglan farmer and shearing contractor.
The fight to give an isolated racecourse a future: ‘I’m not going to give up’
It used to be one of the only days each year in the town where 'everyone turned up'.
A Good move: Rugby man gets the job to manage Hawke's Bay Netball
New netball general manager for Hawke's Bay – the fourth-biggest netball centre in NZ.
Hawke’s Bay’s top first XV teams tune up for the business end of the season
Challenges still for first XVs, sub unions and Māori rugby.
Magpies named for Sunday, but Thompson arrival awaited
The Magpies front row has Super Rugby and international players to burn.
'Things in their favour': Former All Black harbours big hopes for Magpies in NPC
Richard Turner played 86 games for North Harbour, but his heart's still with Hawke's Bay.
Last Hawke’s Bay gold medal hopes rest with canoeists
Aimee Fisher and Hamish Legarth are ready to kick-off their games bids.
Wairoa mayor's plea: Don't waste money on a Waikare bridge, get on with a bypass
The National Land Transport Plan goes before the NZTA board this month.
Jack Fagan's shearing world record smashed in England
English shearer Nick Greaves now holds eight-hour strong wool lamb shearing world record.
'Rowing is my personality': Olympic efforts inspire new wave of Hawke's Bay rowers
The medals weren't quite what everyone wanted, but was still fantastic.
Freestyler: Bill Knobloch knocks goal right out of the water
He wanted to swim 20km and raise $350 for the cause. He swam 32km, and raised over $2600.
One of Emma Twigg's boats could bring her a gold medal. Another is already behind the bar
Napier bar The Pavilion will be ground zero for rowing fans for 30 minutes of high drama.
Napier council leads way in new Māori wards review
New legislation passed on Tuesday means some quick decisions have to be made by councils.
Dramatic Polson Banner rugby finish as big schools clash in Napier
The Polson Banner match was a draw - but there were 21 other matches being played as well.
Owner's advice to dirt bikes thieves targeting his store - don't bother
Bikes have security features that mean they cannot be started without Yamaha activation.
'We feel tarnished': Rugby players vow to help ease Wairoa tensions through sport
'Sports has been a huge help in our area bringing unity to a broken community.'
'He deserves it': Most-capped cricketer in HB history gains professional contract
'It’s probably been a longer journey for me than most to get to this point.'
Hawke's Bay name more overseas signings, no Tyrone Thompson amid talk of code switch
Lincoln McClutchie is also back as a squad of 40 is named for the Magpies' NPC campaign.
Kiwis end shearing test series in Wales
NZ comfortably beaten by Wales in test series, but good news for Te Kūiti's Jack Fagan.
Finals hopes gone for Hawke's Bay schools in Super 8 rugby
The Super 8 hopes may have gone, but there's still the national championship.
Ranfurly Shield holders go on try-scoring romp: A dozen will be fine, thank you
The new back-three all scored tries in the first half.
Tears of joy: Why 55 teens came back to school for four days in the holidays
It's a crucial step in life, and it should be in the curriculum, those behind course say.
Let Hawke’s Bay’s Olympic Games begin
The slicing of oars through the water will start the Games for Hawke's Bay hopes.
An Aussie, a Welshman and a Highlander walk into the Magpies ...
No jokes here as new fullback and wings prepare for shield defence against Whanganui.
Taradale crash witnesses sought after death of cyclist
A cyclist and another vehicle collided in Taradale about 10.55am on Sunday.
Two of Marine Parade’s iconic Norfolk pines cut down
Two of the landmark trees near the waterfront had been assessed unsafe due to fire damage.
Troubled Napier education provider had debts of $2.6 million
Liquidators have issued their first report to creditors.
Sea hawk becomes a Magpie: A rare NPC rugby signing from Wales
The Magpies are preparing for a second Ranfurly Shield defence of the season on Saturday.
Study shows low health risk from Cyclone Gabrielle silt
Tonnes of silt was spread across parts of Hawke's Bay during Cyclone Gabrielle.
Wairoa rugby gets reward with 11 players in Poverty Bay squad
There's plenty happening as rugby switches to the representative season.
Kiwi shearers beaten in first test in Wales
It wasn't all bad news for the Kiwis, as they both made the five-man Cothi Shears Open.
The golden girl and her special boats - an Olympic dream saved by 'millimetres'
Emma Twigg has planned for years to storm the Olympics in a boat designed close to home.
Golden glint: Hawke's Bay athletes eye a shot at history in Paris
Hawke’s Bay will get plenty of opportunity to cheer Olympics hopefuls in the 2024 games.
Back at the park – international cricket in Napier this summer
McLean Park has been staging one-day international cricket matches for more than 40 years.
A tough front rower at rugby, a dancer, man of the heart.
Norm Hewitt remembered in Hawke's Bay for the Magpies' 1993 win over the British Lions.
New Zealand beat France in rare continental shearing test
Jack Fagan and David Buick beat Frenchmen Pierre Grancher and Gilles Grancher.
Big double for Kiwi shearers at Great Yorkshire Show
Jack Fagan wins Great Yorkshire Open Final, while he and David Buick take out test match.
NPC rugby: Some of the Magpies are flying – away
A squad is being put together for the Magpies NPC campaign, which starts on August 11.
McLean Park not ready for club rugby finals — should oval job have started sooner?
Four club rugby finals have been kicked out of the park.
Napier council proposes one fewer seat at the table
Council representation has to be reviewed every six years.
Just what the doctor ordered for Wairoa: A triple-header at the rugby
Three Wairoa teams did the business one Saturday; now home matches are next.
Many were hit hard by June 26 flooding in Wairoa, including fire brigade
CFO Luke Knight and fellow volunteers were on the job with fellow firefighters at 4.30am.
Hockey One, Hockey Two, Hockey Three: The bully on this week's tournaments.
The men beat South Canterbury in Napier, the women beat North Harbour B in Christchurch.
Napier City Rovers into Cup quarters for first time in five years
A former Rovers got one for the opposition, but the Rovers weren't lying down.
Get off your bike - illegal dirt bike riding slammed by police
Numerous complaints were being received by police.