Maryana Garcia is a multimedia reporter based in Hamilton, covering Waikato stories of national interest.
Maryana Garcia is a live news reporter working with the Waikato Herald team. She studied a Bachelor of Arts with a major in History at the University of Auckland. Maryana also earned graduate diplomas in English literature from the University of Waikato and communications from Wintec. Maryana has been with NZME since 2021. She started as a regional reporter for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times writing about health and crime. During her time in the region, Maryana covered the Covid-19 pandemic, Cyclone Gabrielle and the local effects of the war in Ukraine, troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and protests in Iran. Maryana is also a poet and essayist. Her creative writing has been published in The Spinoff, Turbine, Poetry New Zealand, Takahē, Mayhem and Australia’s Meniscus Literary Journal. Maryana’s poetry has been featured on the walls of Auckland Hospital as part of Ara Manawa’s Poetry in Place exhibition and in the collections A Clear Dawn: New Asian Voices from Aotearoa New Zealand and Ko Aotearoa Tātou | We Are New Zealand.
Transport minister takes to social media over Waikato Expressway delays
Motorists spent hours getting to their destinations. Others simply gave up and went home.
Foodstuffs to fund new intersection at site of future Pak’nSave Te Rapa
Hamilton City Council gave the project the green light this week.
Emergency services respond to death at Huka Falls Rd
Police say the incident appeared to be a medical event.
'Disappointed': Hamilton City Council cancels 10 transport projects
The decision includes stopping four safety improvement projects at crossings near schools.
'Frustrating': Hamilton City Council's online flood mapping tool crashes after new data released
The new data identified 650 properties could have an average one metre of flooding.
Homicide investigation continues on Ohautira Rd
Motorists are advised to avoid the area or take an alternative route.
'Through the roof': Power pole crashes into Hamilton home
Police were called after a car hit the pole, causing it to topple on to the house.
'We don't always get it right': IPCA finds police wrongfully arrested, used force on man with facial tattoos
Officers 'wrestled' the man to the ground, put him in a headlock and pepper-sprayed him.
Homicide investigation launched, area cordoned off after man found dead on Raglan road
Area searches where the man was found are under way.
'Increasing buyer activity': Tauranga's average property value rises to $1.09m
The three-month rise was above the NZ average, with two beachside suburbs leading the way.
'There’s a lot of confidence': Rotorua's average house prices rises to $746k
The average price of a house in Rotorua has risen to $746,000.
'Dark numbers': Fear housing crisis 'normalised'; region with most need revealed
The charity delivers 92,000 food parcels in a year: 'That’s not a flex'.
A good egg: Kiwi chicks 'race' to be national facility's 2500th hatched
'It was down to the final three...'
One day life was 'sweet'. The next, his 'head was gone' - Why he says the system's 'broken'
'Right now, unless you know where you’re looking it’s hard to find help.'
'Hot as hell': Air Force veteran remembers war in the Pacific as he turns 100
Eric Hogg served in the Pacific during World War II.
'Significant risk': GP practice could have to reduce services due to pay equity claim
'If the funder does not act on this urgently, we are likely to need to restructure.'
'Disturbing': Four burglaries in five days at Rotorua's Cash Converters
'We believe these break-ins have been carried out by the same group.'
'Great show' guaranteed as world's best riders compete in NZ's first BMX World Cup
'It will be full of action, full of crashes and full of big jumps.'
Well-known New Zealander awaiting trial on violence charges
The man has been charged with threatening to kill a family member.
Man pleads not guilty to setting Spa Lodge blaze
The man appeared in the Rotorua District Court facing five charges.
Man pleads not guilty to two charges in relation to alleged prowler incident
The man appeared in the Rotorua District Court today.
New One Day School for gifted kids set to open: What are the signs of giftedness?
'Being different doesn’t make you popular.'
One Love 2024: Wet weather hasn't dampened 'perfect vibes'
“We’re all here for the same reason. It’s all about the music and everyone was excited."
What's on in the Bay of Plenty this Auckland Anniversary long weekend
Discover upcoming events in the Bay of Plenty region this long weekend.
What's on in Rotorua this Auckland Anniversary long weekend
From live music performed by local artists to a multisport festival, Rotorua has it all.
One Love 2024: 15k concertgoers to attend from over 20 countries
Plus all you need to know about road closures and noise control
Brawls, vomit, rioting, and assault: Why Rotorua Sports Bar lost its alcohol licence
"Security had no control over the premises."
'Damn lucky': Ex-truckie, 83, believes driving habit gave him cancer
Richard Lyons was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma in September.
'Most painful time in our lives': Family call for help after deaths of dad, mum and son
'No one should have to lose so many people in such a short time.'
Nine tips for keeping yourself and your home safe
Tips include good quality deadbolts, networking with neighbours and an escape strategy.
Concerns of 'vigilante justice' raised after Rotorua man charged for prowler incident
The alleged victim received a phone call saying a man was outside her house.
'Financial pressure': Chemist Warehouse store sparks concern among pharmacists
Return of $5 fee could affect how community pharmacies compete, says spokesman.
Watch: 'Lock your door' - prowler filmed peering in mum’s kitchen window
Horror movie phone call: 'Just lock your door and call the police. Act casual.'
Watch: Pro tips for rolling the perfect summer icecream scoop
Seasoned scoopers share the secrets of a delicious trade.
'Love will find you too': Final Christmas tally 'an awesome outpouring' of kindness
The final amount raised in the 2023 appeal has been revealed.
Govt-contracted housing service provider declares $15.6m in revenue
Other income sources included rent payments and donations.
'Doubled' capacity: Inside the new home of NZ's largest kiwi hatchery
The first kiwi chick has already been born at the new facility.
'The power of womanhood': Te Arawa legend to tour NZ as aerial dance and kapa haka performance
Hatupatu | Kurungaituku premieres as part of the New Zealand festival of Arts in February.
Explainer: How to safely forage for mushrooms - and poisonous ones to avoid
However, the National Poisons Centre warns against eating wild mushrooms.
'Making a difference': Rosemary Cathcart made an officer of the NZ Order of Merit
Cathcart has spent 40 years working towards better education outcomes for gifted children.
Mt Maunganui crash victim named as holiday road toll rises to 11
Brayden Tawa, of Pāpāmoa, died after a car and truck crashed on Hewletts Rd.
'Smashed': String of overnight burglaries at Rotorua shops
Two vehicles believed to be involved were located abandoned on Mangakakahi Rd.
Mount Maunganui fatal crash brings holiday road toll to eight
One person died after a crash last night at a Mount Maunganui intersection.
Firefighters extinguishing 'flare-ups' on Matakana Island
Firefighters expected to stay on Matakana Island until the end of the week.
'Look at what we’ve managed to do together': Christmas appeal sets six-year record
And that is just the provisional tally with donations continuing to pour in.
Sleepwalking defence rejected for man who raped sleeping woman
Offender led from the dock in tears after hearing judge's sentence.
Maryana Garcia: When the going gets tough, the tough keep giving
OPINION: have never been so happy to be proven wrong.
Appeal donations reach $81k with one week to go
The appeal has surpassed last year's total tally.
Mobster sentenced for 'execution-style' 2018 murder of innocent man
Victim David Kuka was 'simply in the wrong place at the wrong time', a judge says.
Soak for the Salvation Army: Waikite Valley Hotpools host can for a swim day
"We hope we can get as many donations as we can."
Company raises hundreds of dollars worth of donations in two hours
'It shows the generosity of the community.'
'Our community amazes me': Scope Cafe collects over $1k in Christmas appeal donations
'It was the best year we’ve had so far.'
Mamaku Volunteer Fire Brigade raises $1500 for Rotorua Christmas Appeal
“The crew love getting out and seeing the locals and the kids love the siren of course.”
You beauty Rotorua! Fill the Bus sets new record
One school donated an incredible 1236 items.
'Beautiful kaupapa': Fill the Bus greeted with generous donations
One 12-year-old boy donated 120 cans to the campaign.
Fill the Bus live: Student's whopping donation to foodbank
Today we fill the bus for the Salvation Army Rotorua's foodbank.
Festive generosity to be rewarded with fun experience at Zorb
The iconic attraction has started a waitlist for its locals day.
'Absolutely chilling': Maungatapu home engulfed in flames within minutes - witnesses
Phil and Chontelle Strang saw the blaze from their kitchen window.
Over $27k raised by Christmas Appeal so far but Salvation Army says more is needed
The Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal has three weeks to go.
Christmas spirit: Sir Howard Morrison concert raises donations for foodbank
'It’s a real privilege for us to support the artistic community and the foodbank.'
'Shoot me. Shoot me': Cop says he heard man ask to be shot
'I very clearly remember him saying that. He said it calmly.'
'Huge': Donations already rolling in ahead of Fill the Bus
Last year 10,041 items or more than $25,000 worth were collected during Fill the Bus.
Lights, sirens and heroes: Ngongotahā Volunteer Fire Brigade raises $5.4k for Christmas appeal
By 9pm, the Salvation Army bus was so heavily laden with donations it could hardly move.
'Dirty, old mutton': Pet food factory fined $70k for smells
Residents complained of 'putrid, acrid roasting smell' like 'rotten, stinking, dead meat'.
‘I don’t want to shoot you': Cop tells of moments before he fired fatal shots
Officer breaks down while giving evidence at a coronial inquest in Rotorua.
'Absolute chaos', adrenaline, tunnel vision: Cop describes minutes before man shot
Inquest: Officer who responded to colleague's call for help gives evidence.
Mobility scooter driver dies in crash involving motorcycle
The crash closed a major intersection for several hours.
'Won’t let me sleep': Cops were 'tormenting' man later killed by police
Inquest hears from officer whose car was attacked by Shargin Stephens before shooting.
'I did a little prayer': Witnesses hear 'bang' as mobility scooter, motorbike crash
Emergency services were called around 10.20am.
Shargin Stephens was 'actively' targeted by police, inquest hears
'With that criminal group, our priority was to actually get them off the street.'
'Bounce back': Most suburbs saw average values increase over past three months
OneRoof's latest property report paints a picture of how suburbs have performed.
Revealed: The suburb where average property values have risen the most
OneRoof's latest property report paints a picture of how suburbs have performed.
Meet Rosa the robot: The new surgical assistant for knee replacements
Rosa stands for Robotic Orthopaedic Surgical Assistant.
Edgecumbe flood: Hundreds may be eligible to join legal case as five sue for $3.95m
Law firm says if it becomes a class action, it could cover another 350 plaintiffs.
'Massive confidence boost': Trust donates $10k to Christmas Appeal
"Together we can make a difference, and Rotorua Trust is pleased to be part of it.”
'This is everyday': Why Darnielle Hoods loves working at the Salvation Army
Darnielle has enjoyed helping to make a difference somewhere.
More people with jobs, mortgages struggling to afford meals: Foodbank leader
Rotorua Daily Post and The Hits Rotorua 97.5FM launch 2023 Christmas Appeal for foodbank.
'Insanely excited': BMX World Cup athletes keen to compete on home turf
'We wanted to get a World Cup here and we’ve done it.'