Kiri Gillespie is the Assistant News Director and a Multimedia Journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times, covering local politics in Tauranga.
Kiri Gillespie is the Assistant News Director and Multimedia Journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times. You could say she’s a people person. She worked in hospitality and tourism in Rotorua before embarking on a career in journalism. Having cut her teeth in newsrooms in Rotorua, Wellington and Gisborne, Kiri joined NZME in 2010, based in Tauranga. In 2011, she led coverage of the Rena sinking and the environmental disaster that followed. She has covered some of the biggest issues affecting the Bay of Plenty. Kiri mostly covers Tauranga's civic and political landscape and the growing pains the city is experiencing as its population grows. Being a voice for the underdog is a big part of what drives her. As the whakatauki goes: He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. “What is the most important thing in the world? The people, the people, the people.”
Olympian Mahé Drysdale weighs joining election race: 'There’s opportunity there'
The grandson of Sir Bob Owens already has a family member in the race.
'Truly disturbing': Ex-mayor slams commission’s request to Simeon Brown for hybrid council
'There is genuine concern that history may repeat itself' - report.
Tears and triumphs: Tolley on rebuilding Tauranga and what she'll do next
'I’m a bit of a sook, really.'
Six years, four emails, and a petition: Why is it so hard to get a rainbow crossing in Tauranga?
Now a rainbow community advocate has started a petition.
'Colossal waste' or 'Godsend'?: Verdicts in on $1.78m crossings
Safety concerns for local schoolchildren had been “alleviated considerably”.
'System failure': Whakaari response review reveals 'confusion'
It also found little or no national recovery co-ordination and no solid plan.
Rotorua or Katikati: Where should the Bay's next regional park go?
If approved, the parks could preserve public green spaces in perpetuity.
Democracy 'at times ... fails': Tolley backs 'hybrid' model ahead of city election
'Angst' in Tauranga as elections approach, 'old guard' angle for re-election.
Iwi has 'major concerns' as council weighs selling chunk of port shares
Iwi leader claims there's already 'lots of interest from overseas companies'.
Calls grow for minister to curb Tauranga commission's powers
What Local Government Minister Simeon Brown said in response.
Boomtime: The city bucking NZ's building consent 'slowdown'
There's so much going on that there's concern whether the construction industry can cope.
'Premature mortality': Review backs report linking suburb's poor air to deaths
Review highlights the 'scale of impact' of Mount Maunganui's polluted airshed.
Buses on-demand: City battling congestion trials new scheme
The buses operate like Uber and could be expanded to the rest of the city, if successful.
Crankworx Rotorua: Female athletes mark major milestone with 'dazzling array of tricks'
'So many little girls in the stands ... this is probably one of my career highlights.'
'Finally': Owners of homes hit by landslide from reserve may get buyout offer
'If [the council’s] reserve hadn’t fallen down on our house, we’d be happy as Larry.'
Mount Maunganui’s surprise smiley-face roundabout vandalised
The cheerful spot has already been restored - it's just missing one thing...
'Don’t know how we can cope': Building consents plunge in 'most unaffordable city'
'We are nowhere near where we should be.'
13 German shepherds, 40 cats removed from residential home
Seizure of dogs - all underweight and some with parvo - council's 'largest-ever'.
'Expensive flop': $75k in public funding for app downloaded 2200 times
Authorities say the ratepayer-funded project is worthwhile and feedback has been good.
Death, evacuations and gunfire: Inside Tenby Powell's warzone mission
'You wander around the grave sites wondering how people can do this to other people.'
Not enough cash: Major city projects delayed amid three waters woes
It comes as Tauranga's council grapples with 'budget limitations'.
'Perfect sense': $147m hotel and conference centre poised for CBD
The council says the project could be worth $58.8m in benefits to the city.
Pot plants in potholes: 'Creative' ploy to get road fixed successful
It comes after roundabout grass was baled by a rogue farmer in the same community.
Failed bid to have newly elected council monitored revealed
But those behind it are considering trying again.
'Cross': Tolley says she did not have 'anything to do with' disinviting election event speaker
A council executive says she made the call to change the event speaker – and stands by it.
'Great concern': Mayor's worry for people using congested SH2 as new route delayed
'You do it one day and it takes one hour and the next day it takes two hours, it's hard.'
Council cans ratepayer leader's speech invitation after critical survey
'I just don’t know what the hell’s going on.'
'Fobbed off': Man injured on 'horrible' track calls for safety changes
Peter Rawstron says the Waiere Stream is popular but dangerous.
'Ruins it for generations': Protected Bay pōhutukawa trees felled
The damaged trees at the regional park were estimated to be 20 to 30 years old.
‘Overwhelming' resistance: Residents want city to trim $4.75b budget
The city needs that money to fund proposed projects over 10 years.
'Tough call': About 40 Warehouse staff to find new roles as central site closes
"Our main focus right now is making sure they’re taken care of." - Warehouse boss.
Deemed too risky: ‘Crucial’ housing plans delayed 10 years
The housing development is expected to offer homes for 15,500 people.
Bella Vista saga: Review finds evacuated home was not dangerous as deemed by council
But the council says it made the right decision at the time.
'Cannot pay': Charity could close if council's fee hike plan goes ahead
Men’s Shed says it can’t afford council plans to introduce ‘fairer’ fees.
Man's journey with 'miracle drug' on hold after brain tumour found
The father still hopes to reach his goal of getting back on the treatment.
Western Bay among busiest areas in NZ for ambulance call-outs
Weather events and Covid-19 are considered to be among reasons why.
Man survives 8m fall on to rocks, hasn't 'broken anything'
Swimming hole leap goes horribly wrong: 'It was too late. I knew I was going to hit it.'
Ex-mayor wants minister to limit Tauranga commission's powers ahead of election
Greg Brownless fears ‘entrenchment’ for the new elected council.
Bagpipes, bad singing: The sounds irking a city and which suburb complained most
'Urban sprawl' on shrinking sections a factor in noise complaints: planning researcher
'Outrageous' contamination: How much recycling ends up in landfill
Once, an entire recycling truck’s contents weighing 4.38t were sent to landfill.
Firefighters spending Christmas on Matakana Island after ‘beast’ of a blaze
The huge fire has been described as 'a beast' and like a 'taniwha'.
Cancer-stricken dad’s Christmas wish - one more round of ‘miracle’ drug
Seven months ago, the 60-year-old wasn't sure he'd live long enough to see Christmas.
'Alarm bells': Legal action threatened over slope hazard maps
The council says the updated maps are valid and more accurate.
Pāpāmoa water: Top health official says no cases linked to drinking supply
Water is deemed safe but some locals have linked it to them getting sick.
Becoming a ‘grown-up city’: Your guide to Tauranga CBD's $1.5b transformation
'People will walk around thinking this is great. They will be proud of this.'
‘Tummy issues’ as up to 20,000 taste 'dirt' in water from new $197m plant
Council says the water is 'safe to drink' and there's no public health issue.
‘Good as an airport runway’: 48 patches later, there's hope a pothole plague is over
It’s taken three years, seven complaints, 48 patch-up jobs and an apology to happen.
Mini golf owner ‘couldn’t be happier’ after Memorial Park decision
He believes 'overwhelming' community support for the business must have helped.
Making a splash: An expert's guide to doing the perfect bomb/manu
Those judged as having the best manu could head to the world championships.
'Massive implications': Council under fire over 'inaccurate' slope hazard maps
Scott Adams says in his view: 'There is a question to be asked around competency here'.
Transport boss leaves council amid restructuring
Transport team restructured, with $1.5b worth of transport projects planned for the city.
Footy club faces $136k bill, croquet $24.5k: Fears big fee hike will sink groups
Tauranga City Council says it wants a fairer fee system for using facilities and reserves.
'Hell of a hill': Removal of car park outside cancer centre 'cruel', says relative
The council says it removed the park for safety reasons.
Three-car crash on Maungatapu Bridge, Tauranga, as traffic avoids protest
The crash happened on an alternative route for those trying to avoid protest on SH2.
Fears for future: Council pushes dog owners out to make way for carpark
Club hits out after being forced to find a new home.
'Foul play' suspected in Harley Shrimpton disappearance, man arrested
Shrimpton was last seen at McDonald's in Mount Maunganui on November 2.
‘Absolute bollocks’: Businesses attack Cameron Rd project report
Feelings run high as the council rejects any chance of compensation.
‘Disruption and distress’: Chief admits controversial roadworks have left city 'scarred'
The review offered 13 ‘vital’ recommendations ahead of other major projects.
'Cruel and disgusting': Expanding foam attack on beehive causes heartbreak
'That’s the murder of thousands of bees.'
Review of Mount Maunganui air quality report to be commissioned
The report linked air pollution in the industrial area to premature deaths.
'Significant uncertainty': Council defers crucial 10-year planning document
Western Bay's Long-term Plan is deferred due to a 'lack of clear national direction'.
'Fix it properly': 80yo fed up after potholes patched 11 times in 2.5 years
'You can’t just shovel gravel in there and leave it.'
Flood survivor, 73, says units found ‘unsafe for elderly’ should be demolished
Future of flood-damaged pensioner units is to be decided this week.
Fountain tragedy: $90k upgrade after 4-year-old's suspected drowning death
The child died just three days before their 5th birthday.
'Ludicrous' and 'unfair': What locals think about road-pricing idea for Tauranga
$5 a trip in Auckland? What Tauranga's answer to congestion charging might cost.
It was sold for $1. Now this abandoned CBD building will become a $60m 'landmark'
First three building consents issued for the 14-storey parking and office building.
Study shows proposed ferry service risks high costs
Projected fares prompt transport boffins to recommend people rely on buses instead.
'Save us': Letters to minister on whether Tauranga commission should stay revealed
Commissioners' reappointment prompts strong views about their tenure.
'Final nail in the coffin': Struggling CBD businesses reveal impact of carpark closure
'We’ve endured very challenging times and shouldn't be penalised for staying in the CBD'.
Tauranga commissioners appointment prompts apology from 'misleading' Govt dept
Internal Affairs said it didn't hold the information requested. The Ombudsman said it did.
Revealed: Plans for 130 new homes to help curb housing crisis
The plans prompt concerns their ‘ad hoc’ nature could undermine other urban developments.
Four-person council commission paid $914k for a year's part-time work
Chairwoman Anne Tolley says the costs are 'considerably less than a full elected council'.
'Surprise' issues add $1m+ to CBD carpark project cost
It comes after surprise issues in another civic project added $3.4m to its cost.
‘So scary’: Top NZ gymnast chasing Olympic spot forced to deal with mum's cancer diagnosis
Reece Cobb learned of the devastating news just before she headed overseas to compete.
Public transport authority spent $3.2m on vehicles and subsided taxi fares
BOPRC frequently encourages people to use greener transport options.
Anne Tolley and ex-councillor John Robson clash: 'See you at the election, Anne'. 'No you won't'
Tolley said it was ironic to be lectured on good governance by Robson.
'Awful situation': Urgent care clinic at risk of closing hikes fees, calls for funding
'A lot of families are going to get hurt by this but we don’t have a choice.'
Controversial plans for more paid parking may be delayed
The changes were set to come into effect in three weeks.