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Gary is a multimedia journalist with the Hawke's Bay Today.
‘Bloody crucified’: Parents of toddler lost in Cyclone Gabrielle angry at flawed warning system
'Someone just had to push a button once and we would still have our baby girl'
'Big deal for rural NZ': More than year after flood, country’s largest wool cleaning plant re-opens near Napier
Seventy sparkies helped get the factory re-opened at the height of the rebuild.
'Abandoned' during a cyclone: NZ needs to develop new warning system for disasters, inquiry finds
'The sense that warnings were insufficient has undermined public confidence.'
The data debate: Have children’s teeth really improved in a city where fluoride was removed?
An expert says an anti-fluoride campaigner's use of Health NZ stats is 'misleading'.
$70M flood plan: 627 Wairoa properties moved out of limbo
Much of Wairoa was in the 2A category post-floods.
Hastings facing one of highest rates rises in country - council could hit $700m debt
Council's 'challenging' draft Long Term Plan could include closing Frimley Pool.
Napier RSA votes in support of leaving national body in extremely rare motion
Napier RSA has voted to potentially leave the national body.
Watch: ‘Amazing’ solo sperm whale sighted off Hawke’s Bay coast
Whale sighting led to flurry of excitement in coastal community.
Joseph Ahuriri mystery: ‘Disappointing’ end to HB beach search
'I want to acknowledge the resilience of his family,'
Four-lane Hawke’s Bay Expressway project will begin this term: Nimon
The plans include potentially building new bridges for northbound traffic.
'Envy' after recreational and commercial fishers shake on it
'Hawke’s Bay really has something special here.'
Napier Port hopes for another big cruise season next summer despite national concern
There is nationwide concern cruise visits may drop next summer. Napier Port isn't worried.
Four sites shortlisted for Hawke’s Bay’s new $15m hospice
Plans for a much-needed new hospice are getting back on track.
Hawke’s Bay could get new crematorium as funeral giant enters region
'A new crematorium is expected to be built within the next year or two.'
Search continues for rock tosser who smashed window of bus carrying 47 kids
A school principal has commended the actions of a bus driver after a 'scary' incident.
Why Easter is both insulting and wonderful
OPINION: What is the message of Easter? And does it matter?
Witness saw gloved man 'loading body into boot'; police confirm car fire death suspicious
”She saw a fellah all dressed in black. Black gloves, black everything.”
Ratepayers' bill: Winery owner, pastor, IronMāori founder in running for costly byelections
Byelection battles are shaping up in Hastings district, at a further cost to ratepayers.
Cyclone review: Hawke's Bay Civil Defence staff told those concerned about flooding they were 'over-reacting'
The cyclone's speed 'quite simply overwhelmed the officials involved in the response'.
'Had the best time': Napier abuzz after hosting best scooter riders in Aus and NZ
The crème de la crème of scooter riders from across New Zealand and Australia competed.
Brothers open new diner in Napier inspired by New York trip
'I couldn’t get the same sandwiches I was eating over there and it was a huge problem.'
Publicans tap out: Rose & Shamrock suds slinger now owns the pub
Iconic watering hole sold to long-term employee.
Firefighter injured as ceiling collapses in Hastings home
The senior firefighter was taken to hospital after falling 2.7m in the blaze.
Four hurt in Napier crime spree: Dairy hold-up, machete attack, group brawl
Four were injured, three were taken to hospital, and a hold-up left a dairy worker shaken.
Poukawa: SH2 re-opens south of Hastings after two-truck crash
A crash involving two trucks blocked major highway south of Hastings.
'Warning shot': Hawke’s Bay stopbanks have 'major inherent weaknesses', report finds
A farmer was so concerned about stopbank failure, he paid $13k for an engineer's opinion.
'We have a short-list': Plan for closed Napier seafood business buildings revealed
"Food shop please” is scribbled on the lease sign. The scribbler might just get that wish.
Napier’s new suburb: First roads near completion for 800-home Mission Hills project
The new suburb will include a 'boutique supermarket' and eateries.
Beach ban: Council to float permanent ban of vehicles at Waimarama
Vehicle use on Waimārama Beach was thrust into the spotlight by a makeshift barrier.
Napier RSA could leave national body amid 'disharmony' claim
'For a large part of 2023 there has been disharmony between RNZRSA and Napier RSA.'
They wanted a backyard pool - as soon as workers arrived, things 'didn't feel right'
Warren Hanger has spent $80,000 on what is currently a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Watch: Boat on fire at Napier marina
A burning boat sent fire into the skies over Ahuriri, Napier.
‘Rugby and politics are not so far removed’: Ex-rugby boss' maiden speech as MP
New Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP shares maiden speech in Parliament.
Delays to two huge Hawke's Bay solar farm projects, but developers say bright future ahead
A solar farm in Central Hawke's Bay and one near Hawke's Bay Airport both face delays.
Kayaker who sank off coast won auction for new one while fighting for survival
Arnie Cave spent hours floating in the ocean, watching sunlight disappear.
30,000 cyclone-smashed apple bins fixed for growers, saving them $3m
Hawke’s Bay grows 70 per cent of NZ's apples and this year’s picking season has begun.
Cyclone-smashed community's bridge re-opens to light traffic after damage
Temporary bridge partially re-opens.
Why 215 scooter riders are taking a trip from Napier to Wellington
'My anxiety was through the roof, but I started practising every day.'
Council adopts rates shake-up despite almost 90% opposition from submitters
Councillor apologises to the public saying the consultation process had 'failed'.
'Reopening the conversation': Sale of Napier’s $65m of council houses back on the table
Council may about-turn on its decision not to sell its community housing.
Plan scaled back for Waipawa main street upgrades amid Govt review
A major upgrade to Waipawa's main street has now been significantly altered.
Regional council forgives $250k in fees for those trying to revive Ruataniwha Dam
The contentious decision to cancel the debt hasn't gone down well with everyone.
450-home project will expand Flaxmere, orchard and vineyard make way
A large Māori-led housing project planned for Flaxmere has been given approval.
The rubbish highway: Wairoa wants to close its dump and truck trash 125km to Napier
Wairoa Landfill is filling up fast. A surprising solution has been put forward.
'Overwhelming': Havelock North mum’s impressive rise in ultramarathon scene
Mother claims her biggest ultramarathon result yet.
'Big coup for Napier': New Zealand's premier triathlon gears up for Hawke's Bay debut
Some of the world's best triathletes will be on show.
'Threatening': German visitors' motorbike stolen and paraded in front of them
A father and son on a dream motorbike trip were left shaken after the ordeal.
Cyclone-hit homeowners won't have to pay demolition costs
Hastings council's plan would have cost some homeowners about $25,000.
Plans for 600 new homes in Napier still alive despite deadline miss
The project appeared all but dead last year, and has missed another deadline.
In pictures: Art Deco Festival sees 'millions of dollars' injected into Napier economy
The best photos from the beloved festival, which has enjoyed a full return to Napier.
Art Deco Festival beginner’s guide: Five things to try in Napier this weekend
The city has come alive for the Art Deco weekend. Here are five things to attempt.
Rates shake-up: Nearly 90 per cent of submitters oppose HBRC proposal
A proposal which will hit the pockets of homeowners receives heavy opposition.
'The aroha, the manaaki, and the wairua': Thousands turn out to commemorate Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke's Bay
Emotions and community spirit were strong as people from all over came together.
‘Really busy’: Napier florist enjoys surge in Valentine’s Day sales this year
Demand for flowers this Valentine's Day has been extremely high.
'Hero phase': Mental health fallout from cyclone to be felt for years
'What is most important is to keep that strong sense of community.'
'It is not easy': Cyclone Gabrielle survivors still searching for new homes a year on
'Every time it rained I put headphones on and listened to 'Here Comes the Sun'.'
'Pull out all the stops': Reduced rates to get new Flaxmere supermarket?
'Trade-offs' may have to be offered to get deal across the line.
Beachfront property at risk of eroding into the sea sells at auction
A buyer has bought the Haumoana property which boast spectacular views - with a catch.
A car floated upside down into the side of Chris Barber's home. He never found out whose it was
'The car sort of sums it up, how the cyclone just pushed everything around.'
Thieves target traffic light batteries at SH2 road works
The battery thefts could lead to a crash, roading advocate says.
Slow-speed boat chase off Napier beach ends in two arrests
A witness says a man appeared to be trying to paddle away from police prior to the arrest.
Flaxmere mum wins Summer Photo Competition with stunning shot at Waimārama
A day out with family exploring a cave turned into an award-winning photo.
Napier man’s rise from farm life to putting together rockets in the US
Tim Charlton's off to the US to be part of a bold project to launch a new 40m-tall rocket.
'Lot of interest in the Treaty': Thousands attend Waitangi Day events in Hawke's Bay
Maxine Boag said she’d “never seen the hīkoi so big”.
'Cheerio, now I’m off': Grandmum killed in mobility scooter crash
Clasina 'Teddy' Claus-Buijs was a fixture of the local farmers' market and loved to chat.
Sarah’s mum died of melanoma - she has raised over $90,000 to beat it herself
Sarah Barr's own mum died of melanoma - and she won't allow that to happen to her kids.
'Flawed and unfair': Plan to make cyclone-hit homeowners pay for demolition hits hurdle
The plan would save the council $2 million but has been met with fierce criticism.
'It's just tragic': Man killed in crane-jumping misadventure mourned in hometown
The tragedy has affected a lot of people in Jarreth Colquhoun's hometown of Wairoa.
'Obvious trip hazard': Family claim fall into War Memorial pond led to death of grandmother
The council says it will be installing a metal railing at the site after the incident.
'Coming home': EIT rebuild sees more classrooms open for new academic year
More classrooms have reopened at the flood-hit education provider.
'Help us get justice': Police bus to park at Splash Planet in bid to solve nearby homicide
The 'happy-go-lucky' dad is the second person in his family suspected of being murdered.
Watch: Break-in at popular food truck, ribs offered as reward
The tool kit for catching criminals has now been expanded to include flame-grilled ribs.
'Better returns for growers': New fruitgrowers' boss announced
New face with new ideas for fruit-growing industry.
Waipukurau water crisis: Strict water restrictions lift after ‘major’ burst isolated
The emergency led to loudspeakers being used in the streets urging water conservation.
'Accounting anomaly': Forests in Hawke's Bay to pay less in rates than some homes?
Plans to shake-up Hawke’s Bay Regional Council rates is attracting criticism.
Watch: Mass stranding - desperate attempt to save whales at Hawke’s Bay beach
Locals flocked to a beach in Mahia to try to save the stranded pilot whales.
‘Best buds’: Hawke’s Bay’s most popular dog names revealed
The most favoured dog name of last year is released and it may come as a surprise.
‘Stellar end to the year’: Two-year high for house sales in Hawke’s Bay
Owner-occupiers and first-home buyers the 'most active groups' during December.