Sandra Conchie is a Multimedia Journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times based in Tauranga.
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Woolworths strike: Bay of Plenty and Rotorua staff served suspension notices
Claims more than 40 Woolworths staff in Bay were issued suspension notices.
Bay Woolworths staff walk off jobs to protest wages, staffing levels
Some staff can't afford to shop where they work, a delegate says.
Devastated Tauranga mum remembers 'precious son' killed in Kaimāī Range crash
'He had so much potential and never got the chance to see any of that come to fruition.'
'Highly careless or even negligent': Farm manager fined $52k for effluent pollution
An experienced Bay of Plenty farm manager has been fined for illegal effluent discharge.
Boating companies in liquidation owing IRD $1.5m in unpaid taxes
The businesses owe unpaid taxes and loans, according to the IRD's statements of claim.
Man accused of violent attack fights extradition to Australia
He is accused of attacking a man at a hospital.
'I can rent it to anyone I want': Builder censured for letting tenants live in shed
Board says the Bay of Plenty builder showed a 'disregard for regulation'.
Alleged vigilantes in court accused of filming and posting assaults
One is accused of claiming a person was on the child sex offenders register.
'A good guy': Long-serving lawyer and coroner's 'immense' service remembered
'A doer rather than a talker, and our community owes him a huge debt of gratitude'
Digger operator deaths: Forestry industry issued with fatality alert
Two digger operators died at work within 10 days in July.
'Traffic hazard': Residents, road users demand safety barriers be removed
People have spoken out, saying the concrete separators do more harm than good.
'Murder': 64 chickens slain, council hunt killer dogs
“That’s what this is - the murder of my defenceless poor chickens by killer dogs."
Cancer, landslide, crash: Injured forklift driver's 'hellish' years
The Mount Maunganui man says he is still 'so thankful' despite his harsh experiences.
'We all tried to lift': Witnesses rush to help driver 'pinned' under forklift
'I don’t think I have ever heard someone scream like this in my life before.'
Rolled forklift: Person taken to hospital after getting trapped
Crews were sent to an address about 11.49am.
Digger operator who died in Kaingaroa Forest incident named
WorkSafe is investigating the Ōpōtiki man's death on Wednesday.
WorkSafe investigates digger driver's 'tragic' death in Kaingaroa Forest
Work at the forestry processing site has been suspended since Wednesday.
11th person denies murdering Tauranga father ahead of trial
A jury trial is set for early September.
'Dirty water': Kiwifruit orchard earthworks contaminate stream
Three Bay of Plenty companies have been fined for earthwork consent breaches.
Family feud: Olympian clashes with uncle in Tauranga mayoral race
Owens claims his Olympic champ nephew is a 'patsy pawn' for a property group.
Judge grants powers to sell 'idyllic' properties occupied by gangster
Mongrel Mob senior figure refuses to obey court orders to leave waterfront properties.
'Obviously deliberate': Landlords illegally piped human waste to riverside drain
The offending continued for nearly four years despite orders to stop.
How you can support Tauranga baker's next Ukraine 'tour of duty'
'Help is needed more than ever.'
139 jobs lost as mussel processing plant in Tauranga set to close
The joint venture is 'unable to profitably process mussels in Tauranga'.
Dame Susan Devoy one of first inductees into PSA Hall of Fame
Devoy was born in Rotorua and lives in Tauranga.
'No blood on my hands': Man accused of Ardern death threat faces trial
Judge-alone trial date set for BOP man rearrested 20 months after warrant issued.
'Significant hazard’: Crashes involving roaming livestock on the rise
Police are urging livestock owners to secure their fences after a spate of crashes.
Dentist hit by drink-driver metres from his door describes 'huge toll'
'My next memory was waking up on the road in a haze with blood running down my face.'
'Underwhelmed': What Tauranga locals and leaders say on Budget 2024
One mum says Govt must do more to reduce inflation and offset the high living costs.
Virtues of a 'simple, peaceful life' marked on 100th birthday
Her secret to longevity? No smoking or drinking plus lots of fruit, veges and family time.
Decent tax cuts, affordable groceries: What young family wants from Budget
'We are paying too much tax and the cost of living... is going up all the time.'
Three people taken to hospital after tractor and car collide
The road was closed due to debris and an oil spill.
Mount Maunganui assault accused appears in court
Police said a man with torso injuries was recovering in hospital.
Boatie plucked from dinghy after abandoning burning boat
A man was found in a rubber dinghy after abandoning a burning boat.
'Pretty skilled gardener': Mother of eight busted for growing 300 cannabis plants
Woman had all the necessary equipment to 'grow cannabis discreetly', police say.
'Taking the p**s': Charity boss hits out at op shop rubbish dumpers
Frequent clean-ups of soiled goods and rubbish are taking a toll on store team members.
Teen accused of stabbing girl at Bayfair enters plea in Youth Court
The incident left the victim with deep cuts to her abdomen.
'Shocked and horrified': Pet owner fearful after second cat shot in area
'We fear the person responsible for these two shootings could strike again if not caught.'
Teen mall stabbing accused in court - police allegations revealed
The victim of the alleged incident remains in hospital.
Dog latches on to pig's throat in public reserve, teens rush to help
Authorities are looking for the injured pig and advise people to avoid it.
'Disgusted': Destiny Church member jailed for stealing $377k from employer
'She was a good actor who portrayed herself as a good Christian woman.'
Three arrested after vape store burglary
The store manager says the burglary was 'shocking and upsetting'.
Outrage as 'friendly' pig chased by dogs in park as owners look on
A Welcome resident says a wild boar released into Johnson Reserve was harrassed by two dog
'Very strong' rip at beach where man died evading police
'It must have been a terrifying experience for this man.'
Facial recognition: Mum's 'horrible' mistaken identity ordeal at New World
The supermarket says it was a 'genuine case of human error'.
Identity of man who denies murdering Mob boss revealed
A trial date has been set for 2025.
'Unbreakable spirit': Why this Kiwi baker is braving missile strikes in Ukraine
A Tauranga woman and her partner's fundraising mission for Ukraine.
'Porker invasion': Family of pigs terrorise picnickers in city park
'Mama pig came at us trying to eat our snacks.'
'Saving a life' was his only thought - until 'old habits' crept in
Man who stopped to help with CPR then stole a purse from the victims can now be named.
10-year city deals: The spot PM says will 'likely' be one of the first
Govt wants 30-year infrastructure project pipeline – 'not just ideas but proper projects'.
Jailed serial groper who did indecent act on parole to be released again
Disgraced former senior representative cricket player 'will not pose an undue risk'.
Hospital lockdown: Man accused of gun-related call appears in court
Police allege he said he was 'going to Tauranga Hospital with guns to get answers'.
Judge finds murder-accused fit to stand trial
Police found a man dead at a Tauranga address on the evening of September 7.
'Vicious attack': Bashed girl's parents say school 'failed to protect' her
The school is investigating and 'unequivocally condemned' violence in its community.
'Flak' and 'shenanigans': Truckie tells how she fought her way to the top
It was a bumpy road but now she's in the 'best job ever'.
'Huge impact': Bottle-O owner 'angry' and 'frustrated' after ram-raid
Police are investigating a ram-raid burglary at the Bottle-O Te Puke store
Police probe incident at Tauranga college, deputy principal describes 'scuffle'
Staff intervene after trio come to college wanting to 'confront' student.
200 arrests in six months: How this CBD is turning the tide on crime
'We feel well supported. In the past, we felt that no one even cared.'
'Flying high in heaven': Tributes flow for pilot and speedway identity who died in crash
'We nicknamed him Waterboy. But he was no boy. He was da man.'
'Make them help clean up the mess': Upset ram-raid victim wants tougher penalties
'We shouldn't let young offenders off scot-free just because of their age'.
Chicken shed fire 'not flagged as suspicious'
Forty firefighters battled the blaze for about six hours.
'Very difficult': Fire destroys Inghams farm chicken shed in Matamata
Forty firefighters battled the blaze.
11m-wide tomo: SH29A to close two nights this week for repair work
The cause of the large opening in the ground has also been revealed.
11m wide tomo: SH29A to close two nights this week for repair work
Totara St was expected to reopen today.
Arson attack at a Kawerau school under investigation
A Kawerau school's playground fire is being treated as an arson.
Check your tickets: Tauranga Lotto punter $700k richer
A Tauranga Lotto punter won $700,000 with lucky Lotto strike ticket.
Tauranga residents urged to work from home for two days due to ‘severe congestion’
Motorists can expect major delays due to repairs on SH29A near Oropi
'Significant' toll: Ram-raiders leave staff reeling after smashing into liquor store
Alcohol worth more than $10,000 was stolen and the damage was extensive.
Thousands of people came together to mark Waitangi Day across Tauranga Moana in celebration and unity
Hundreds of people gathered at Waitangi Day celebrations events in Tauranga and Katikati.
Worker lived in garage alongside 19 others with no heating or insulation
A Tauranga labour contractor has pleaded guilty to worker exploitation charges.
'It’s like a gut punch': Family reveals harrowing impact of son's worksite death
"We are left with a small urn that holds Ethan’s ashes."
'Financial hit' for Cameron Rd stores as works - now set to cost $110m - continue
Construction began in 2021 with an $85m budget.
Man who died at home after crash was 'disorientated' at the scene, says witness
St John says the patient refused their staff's recommendation he be taken to hospital.
Chaos and violence: Mobster's crimes 'inevitable' from an early age, says judge
The drug dealer fled police for more than an hour, speeding through residential areas.
Watch: Car keeps veering into traffic in 'bloody scary' 25km drive
'We were all trying to get home safely and no one wanted to die on the way home.'