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.”
'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.
'Welcome to the 1% Club’: Man's heart stops, doesn't breathe for eight minutes and lives
Eddie Gudopp survived a cardiac arrest, but still hasn’t been able to thank his saviours.
Intensification plans for Mount Maunganui ‘extremely irresponsible’, hearing told
"Slowly being poisoned": Marae rep concerned at intensification, air quality.
'Better have a lot of paint': Message to vandals who painted over te reo Māori
'Most New Zealanders ... see te reo as something that is part of their identity.'
'Racist behaviour': Te reo painted over on 40+ waste bins in Tauranga
'This is not who we are, or who we want to be' - Tolley
More bus 'troublemakers' coming, driver warns as security bill hits $1.7m
'The risk is that it could blow up at any time.'
Regional council spends $7m on consultants
A breakdown of who has been paid for what has been revealed.
'High-risk hazard': Revised tsunami maps would have most in some suburbs flee to higher ground
An area previously listed as 'safe' is now at risk of inundation - but new refuges found.
'Aggression, violent threats and theft': Concern over rise of antisocial behaviour at community facilities
Incidents ranged from swearing and intimidation to violent threats.
‘No real thought’: CBD workers facing 'tough choices' ahead of parking changes
CBD workers consider whether their jobs are worth it amid sweeping parking changes.
Extra $3.4m approved for Historic Village building work after issues found
Other village buildings may close in the future if found to be 'unsafe'.
‘You guys are all we’ve got’: Mount air quality report sparks plea
A report on premature deaths and pollution could be a tool in BOPRC’s kit to clean the air
'Monster': Gangster's victim slept with a bat after being kidnapped and beaten
'I’m going to go and get the clean-up gear and a gun,' Filthy Few member told victim.
‘There will be conflict’: Paid parking eyed for Mount beaches, town centre
Council considers charging to free up car parks, locals say the move will hurt businesses.
‘Living life again’: Donations give dying dad 'miracle' drug
'Now all of a sudden I believe I’m going to live.'
'Nigh-on impossible': Housing development for 15000 people stalls
Delay may cost ratepayers millions with $300m needed for roads, pipes.
How much Tauranga ratepayers are set to pay for $300m+ CBD revamp
Funding plan would stop future councils from interfering, commissioner says.
Organiser of cancelled festival One Love pays nearly $250k for venue damage
About 2.5ha was significantly damaged after extreme rain and heavy machinery use.
Bongard Centre no longer being considered for social housing, uni expresses 'interest'
University of Waikato may pick up building Kāinga Ora no longer wants.
'Legacy to the city': Mini-golf course to stay at Memorial Park
Community support helped secure the mini-golf course's future.
Riparian rights row: Legal clash over coastal pathway may go to court
The council has been working on the pathway idea for nearly two decades.
'You have to take a stand': Deputy chair quits over Māori ward decision
Alan Kurtovich says his decision was 'absolutely' the right one in spite of the cost.