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Latest FromCaroline Fleming

Meth seized as a result of the search warrant. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

$36m Rotorua drug bust 'biggest we've had in the Bay': Police chief

16 Aug, 2019 5:58am
3 minutes to read

A Rotorua man was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine for supply.

A Mount Maunganui company has been issued an abatement notice after complaints of an

THE COUNTRY

Neighbours kick up stink over industrial odour

15 Aug, 2019 12:48pm
2 minutes to read

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council received seven complaints about the smell

Jemima Helm, 11, (left) and India Gray, 10, really got stuck in the mud. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

1600 in Junior Tough Guy and Gal Challenge

14 Aug, 2019 7:00pm
2 minutes to read

Not a single child went home clean.

Emma Sellwood (left) getting shown how it's done by truck driver Dayna Callender. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Big rigs tempt students to truckie life at career expo

11 Aug, 2019 11:13am
2 minutes to read

The two-day event attracted thousands of local students and families.

Tauranga principals Matt Skilton (left), Shane Cunliffe, and Craig Wallis will vote next week on whether to go ahead with strike action. Photo / Andrew Warner

NEW ZEALAND

Principals share their side of the story

10 Aug, 2019 12:03pm
6 minutes to read

Six Bay principals share their concerns - and two are leaving the profession for good.

Taumata School Principal Genavier Fuller said the exceptional roll growth of the new school came as one of the biggest challenges. Photo / Andrew Warner

PREMIUM

Bursting at the seams: Thousands of new students fill Tauranga classrooms

10 Aug, 2019 8:00am
5 minutes to read

Over 700 new students have been enrolling in the district's schools yearly since 2014.

Happy Puku's Stephen Wilson wants more people to walk up and around Mauao. Photo / Caroline Fleming

PREMIUM

Wave of couples choosing to tie the knot on Mauao

7 Aug, 2019 8:00am
2 minutes to read

The latest Mauao annual report was presented at the Tauranga City Council on Tuesday

Aquinas College principal Matt Dalton says he is

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

How does your child's school rank?

4 Aug, 2019 7:00am
5 minutes to read

Some colleges ranked higher thank the national average, while others ranked lower.

Farmer Burr with Te Puna Kindergarten pupil Hannah Pomfrett, 4. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Community gem: Gordon 'Farmer' Burr

3 Aug, 2019 10:00am
5 minutes to read

Farmer Gordon Burr has made a difference to hundreds of Te Puna children's lives.

John and Wendy Slade at a wedding around 10 years ago. Photo / Supplied

PREMIUM

Well-loved Rotorua teacher loses battle with cancer

3 Aug, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Wendy Slade was one of Rotorua's most loved and respected educators.

Davinder Singh, of Kings Dairy, says he will consider imposing an age restriction on energy drinks. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Tauranga dairies considering energy drink age restriction

30 Jul, 2019 5:46am
3 minutes to read

Countdown will put an age restriction on energy drinks from September.

Susan Mills helps Helen O'Hara at Waipuna Hospice, which has been donated $70,000. Photo / George Novak

THE COUNTRY

Growers give back: Hospice, charities to benefit from trust's gift

29 Jul, 2019 8:00pm
3 minutes to read

Growers have raised close to $200,000 for local charities.

Senior pupils Ezekial Bevan (left) and Lachlan Dawson with the damage. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Outpouring of support for school following playground vandalism

25 Jul, 2019 10:35am
2 minutes to read

Specialist students came to school yesterday to find their custom-made trampoline slashed

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Special needs students devastated after beloved trampoline 'slashed'

24 Jul, 2019 1:08pm
2 minutes to read

The slashes left one large hole and two smaller holes.

The Mount Maunganui night sky. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Bay of Plenty night sky lit up by 'spectacular' meteor

24 Jul, 2019 5:22am
3 minutes to read

The meteor lit up the sky for around 14 seconds

NEW ZEALAND

Stranger 'angel' helps homeless family at supermarket

23 Jul, 2019 4:44pm
2 minutes to read

Grateful family 'overwhelmed and speechless' at generosity.

Sacha and Julio Masigan with their children Levi, 8 (left), Caleb, 10 and Jordan, 7. Photo / Caroline Fleming

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Ngā Pōtiki donates safe passage to beach for Pāpāmoa residents

23 Jul, 2019 10:06am
3 minutes to read

The track is surrounded by a conservation area, farm animals and even a small pond.

High-performance coach for Golf NZ Jay Carter was a frequent traveller and said the upgrade was

PREMIUM

Jet setters eye up Tauranga as passenger numbers boom

23 Jul, 2019 9:00am
4 minutes to read

475,000 passengers walked the Tauranga tarmac in the last year

Club manager Nic Haldezos said gyms across the country had a responsibility to advocate for both their members mental and physical health. Photo / Caroline Fleming

ROTORUA DAILY POST

The local gym taking members' health further

22 Jul, 2019 11:45am
3 minutes to read

The gym's members have full say in what charities will get the monthly donation.

Bruce Farthing is hanging up his hat after 45 years in the teaching profession. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

'One of the best': Long-serving Tauranga school leader retires

20 Jul, 2019 5:12pm
7 minutes to read

The deputy principal's 45-year-long career ends "without a single regret".

Tahana Jackson-Williams was chosen to be the ball-kid for this weekend's big game. Photo / Caroline Fleming

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Local boy gearing up to share the field with Māori All Blacks

20 Jul, 2019 10:00am
2 minutes to read

The Māori All Blacks have their second shot against the Fijian-side tonight.

Highly qualified Melanie Bruna Veliz has struggled to use her degree here in Tauranga. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

Close to 7000 people underemployed in Bay of Plenty

20 Jul, 2019 6:00am
5 minutes to read

"Lots of people want to move here but there aren't sufficient jobs to accommodate them."

Beau-William Stuart (left), Sol Osbourne, Josh Osbourne, Harry Black, Aidan Soper with Tauranga Sports Under 10 Blue co-coach James Black will be down at the game in support. Photo/Caroline Fleming.

PREMIUM

'One for the history books': Rugby fans gear up for Baywide final

19 Jul, 2019 1:01pm
4 minutes to read

The Baywide Men's Club Rugby premier final will see two Tauranga teams battle it out.

Police officers were at the scene for a number of hours. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

Tauranga stabbing: 'I've never seen anything like this around here'

15 Jul, 2019 4:59pm
2 minutes to read

Police are speaking to someone in relation to the incident.

Mount cricket fans Fraser Tustin, 10, and brother Gus, 12, plan to stay up all night to watch the cricket World Cup on Sunday. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Tauranga cricket fans gearing up for World Cup face-off

13 Jul, 2019 10:00am
4 minutes to read

The game starts on Sunday night and will go through to early Monday morning.

Tauranga Plumbing apprentice Tom Buhr said he wished he had been encouraged into the trades back when he was at school. Photo / Andrew Warner

NEW ZEALAND

'No relief in sight': Trade leaders concerned as worker shortage bites

13 Jul, 2019 8:30am
5 minutes to read

The worker shortage is described as a looming problem that is only going to get worse.

Lorilee de Jong and her children Maisy, 5, and Noah, 8, have 10 free-range chickens on their property and sell their eggs to the community.

THE COUNTRY

Looming egg shortage sends locals scrambling

12 Jul, 2019 12:51pm
3 minutes to read

Flocks numbers have dropped and farmers are leaving industry over government changes.

SPCA worker Hannah Cobb getting some kisses from Webster. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

The bright-eye, paralysed pup given another chance at life

12 Jul, 2019 8:00am
3 minutes to read

The SPCA's largest annual fundraiser will take place at the start of next month.

Katikati artist Paora Ariki Martin with his sculpture 'Te Hokioi'. Photo / Caroline Fleming

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Te Puna Quarry park's inspirational new sculpture

11 Jul, 2019 8:00am
2 minutes to read

The artwork, named Te Hokioi, was a "koha" to the park.

Scott Illingworth and Megan Clarkin are both strongly against the NZTA's decision to shut the underpass with no option of another one. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

'Someone is going to get hurt': Safety concerns arise as NZTA scrap Bayfair underpass

10 Jul, 2019 6:00am
4 minutes to read

Some residents have even penned an open letter to the Government opposing the closure.

Sally Holbrook and daughter Wendy, 30. Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Tauranga Special School chairwoman to step down after 26 years of service

9 Jul, 2019 8:00am
3 minutes to read

The school has seen major growth since Sally Holbrook got behind it.

The crowd went wild as Te Kura O Te Koutu took the stage. Photo / Caroline Fleming

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Pride of Te Arawa shakes the stage at regional Kapa Haka champs

7 Jul, 2019 9:27am
3 minutes to read

Eight schools from across the region took to the stage in yesterday's competition.

Rotorua Westbrook School principal Colin Watkins says the lack of movement for principals could affect the quality of education in New Zealand. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Bay of Plenty principals firmly reject Government offer

5 Jul, 2019 11:04am
4 minutes to read

The offer was worth more than $64 million.

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Rotorua principals firmly reject Government offer

5 Jul, 2019 10:16am
2 minutes to read

Declined offer worth more than $64 million.

Tauranga Girls' College students Tania Simpson (left) and Parvi Goundar with GirlBoss founder Alexia Hilbertidou (centre). Photo / George Novak

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Young Girlboss planting seeds of confidence in Tauranga girls

3 Jul, 2019 6:01pm
3 minutes to read

Alexia Hilbertidou has a track record that would leave many dumbfounded.

Heili Swart homeschools her three children Conrad, 8 (left), Nina 6, and Ruben, 10. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Homeschool parents going to extreme lengths to cover costs

3 Jul, 2019 8:00am
4 minutes to read

Some homeschool parents are forking out thousands to educate their children.

Katrina Peake homeschools her five children aged between 5 and 13. Photo / Stephen Parker

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Bay of Plenty homeschool parents say funding is not cutting it

3 Jul, 2019 6:00am
4 minutes to read

Bay of Plenty home educators outline the lengths they go to to educate their children

Ben McColgan (left) and Lachie Davidson with their winning medals and trophy. Photo / Supplied

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Tauranga's Ben McColgan takes away 'champion tosser' world title

2 Jul, 2019 9:00am
3 minutes to read

The New Zealand team were feeling 'egg-static' after the win.

Mikaere Webster, 10, was the master toast maker every morning for breakfast club. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

KidsCan filling the tummies of Tauranga kids

1 Jul, 2019 8:00pm
3 minutes to read

KidsCan helps 10 schools in Tauranga, filling hungry tummies and providing clothing, too.

Rotorua Boys' High School principal Chris Grinter would be happy to take on the Government's funding proposal. Photo / File

PREMIUM

Interactive: Bay of Plenty schools' spending habits revealed

1 Jul, 2019 7:55am
4 minutes to read

Bay of Plenty schools spent more than $300 million in 2017 alone

Rotorua Boys' High School principal Chris Grinter said he would be happy to take the Government's funding offer. Photo / File

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Interactive: Bay of Plenty schools spending habits revealed

30 Jun, 2019 10:00am
4 minutes to read

Rotorua schools spent $89 million in 2017

Brian Kelly from the Coast and Will Johnston from The Hits. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

NZME's local radio stations remain on top

28 Jun, 2019 12:02pm
3 minutes to read

Tauranga's Coast and The Hits local announcers' hard work paid off.

Paul Hickey from The Hits is celebrating a rise in listeners. Photo / Ben Fraser

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Hickey's audience continues to grow

28 Jun, 2019 8:17am
3 minutes to read

NZME's Flava breakfast show came out as Rotorua's favourite.

Tauranga mental health and addiction worker Vaughan Cruickshank said stand-downs were not always the best option for children. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

Stand-downs in Bay of Plenty schools hit five-year high

27 Jun, 2019 5:01am
4 minutes to read

Most stand downs happened between the ages of 13 and 15.

Lollipops Pāpāmoa teacher Paula Armstrong (left) and author Rebecca Larsen with Nehemiah Reihana, 3, and Emilia Roberts, 4, and their wishing stars. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Tauranga little ones to do their bit for Matariki

26 Jun, 2019 8:00am
2 minutes to read

The trees would be planted at a Mount Maunganui park this morning

Co-ordinators of the Mount Maunganui ratepayers and residents association Andrew Hollis (left) and Dawn Kiddie were outraged by the cost of repair. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

Three million dollar decision: Fate of Mauao base track to be decided today

25 Jun, 2019 7:00am
4 minutes to read

The proposed cost for repairs would jump to more than $5 million.

Lachie Davidson (left) and Ben McColgan will head to England this Sunday for the competition. Photo / Supplied

THE COUNTRY

No yolk: Tauranga's Ben McColgan to give egg throwing world champs a 'crack'

23 Jun, 2019 3:00pm
3 minutes to read

The pair coined it as "the highlight of their international sporting careers"

Ed Weston lost his battle with Mantle Cell Lymphoma on Monday. Photo / Supplied

PREMIUM

'Just a special, special person': Tauranga teacher loses battle with cancer

22 Jun, 2019 12:00pm
5 minutes to read

Ed Weston was a budding artist, a top-class teacher and an incredible friend.

Michelle Ballard will be heading to an American university in January. Photo / Caroline Fleming

PREMIUM

Mount teacher swapping beach for the lecture theatre

20 Jun, 2019 10:00am
2 minutes to read

Michelle Ballard has been selected as one of two teachers in the country for the award.

Rihari Joseph used to sit at a Bethlehem roundabout everyday looking jobs for himself and others. Photo / File

PREMIUM

Bethlehem man to become full-time job seeker

19 Jun, 2019 9:00am
3 minutes to read

The man with the 'job wanted' sign has come a long way

Samuel Taylor, 17, says election systems need to change to get young people interested. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Wellbeing report card: How does Tauranga score?

16 Jun, 2019 1:28pm
5 minutes to read

The framework used 30 indicators across nine areas to measure the city's wellbeing.

Waiariki MP Tamati Coffey spoke at the community meeting. Photo / Supplied

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Murupara community request 'around the clock' police presence

15 Jun, 2019 3:17pm
3 minutes to read

The meeting comes just over a week after an ATM was stolen in the town.

Otumoetai Primary School principal Zara McIndoe says the shortage is putting pressure on principals. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

Bay teacher trainee numbers plummet

14 Jun, 2019 3:07pm
4 minutes to read

With job opportunities plentiful, one student reckons getting a job is almost guaranteed.

Assistant manager at Mount Hot Pools Letitia Sheehan (left) and Aquatic Supervisor Elliot Thomas. Photo / George Novak

PREMIUM

Money, money, money: Tauranga shoppers go on a spending spree

13 Jun, 2019 4:51pm
4 minutes to read

Analysts review the latest economic figures and explain what's driving them.

Tuwharetoa Hapi (left) and Western Bay of Plenty PPTA chairwoman Rebecca Holmes. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

PPTA strike action canned

10 Jun, 2019 9:38am
2 minutes to read

Year ten students can forget tomorrow's planned day off.

The Golden Princess was the second-to-last cruise ship to visit Tauranga in the 2018/2019 season. Photo / File

PREMIUM

Multi-million dollar cruise ship boom for Bay economy

10 Jun, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Tourism BOP is forecasting more cruise ships and passengers with cash-lined pockets.

Gordon and Catherine Scholes will celebrate 65 years of marriage next week. Photo / Andrew Warner

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

The casual remark that sparked a Tauranga couple's 65-year love story

8 Jun, 2019 4:01pm
3 minutes to read

The good, the bad and the busy: Tauranga couple reflect on their long, loving marriage.

Emanuel Runciman (left), 7, and Peter Hart, 7, using Lego to design their drone projects. Photo / Supplied

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Homeschooling: Why Tauranga parents are doing it themselves

5 Jun, 2019 2:56pm
4 minutes to read

After a drop in the number of homeschoolers, numbers peaked in 2018.

Pūkeko are ripping out new council wetland plantings in Pāpāmoa. Photo / George Novak

THE COUNTRY

Pāpāmoa pūkeko rip out wetland plantings

5 Jun, 2019 7:11am
4 minutes to read

More than 100 wetland plantings in Pāpāmoa have been pulled out by the local pūkeko.

An icy vehicle in Greerton Monday morning. Photo / Matthew Wooten

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

'Coldest night of the year' leaves Tauranga shivering

3 Jun, 2019 11:05am
2 minutes to read

Felt the cold this morning? You're not alone.

The New Zealand Transport Agency has projected the long weekend's busiest times on the road, with Monday looking to be the heaviest. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Heading home tomorrow? Times to avoid traffic chaos

2 Jun, 2019 11:40am
Quick Read

Monday homebound traffic is looking to get heavy on Bay of Plenty roads.

Mount Maunganui College student Sam Taylor has high hopes for the future. Photo / George Novak

NEW ZEALAND

Tauranga boy takes away perfect score in global test

2 Jun, 2019 10:00am
3 minutes to read

Only a very small number of the top students managed to lock down the perfect score.