Megan Wilson is a Multimedia Journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post.
Megan Wilson started working as a journalist for NZME based in Tauranga in 2021. She writes for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts and from the London School of Journalism in 2021 with a post-graduate diploma in journalism. Since starting as a journalist, she has primarily covered health and general news, writing about COVID-19, staff and resourcing issues in the public health system, and the battle Kiwis face for unfunded, life-saving drugs, treatments and health screening in New Zealand.
She was meant to be in Europe. Instead, she paid $36k for a cancer drug
'I never expected to get sick in my retirement like this.'
On The Up: 'Desire to innovate' - Kiwi fitness app wins global prize for Harry Potter challenges
Plus: Tauranga gin distillery's big UK win and Pāpāmoa skincare start-up's Goop deal.
'Serial entrepreneur' Wayne Wright honoured for services to education, philanthropy
Wright co-founded BestStart - the country's largest early childhood education provider.
Health NZ approves company's bid to become its own primary health organisation
About 80,000 enrolled patients will move to the new Health NZ contract by July 1.
Watch: Small plane makes 'hard landing' at Tauranga Airport
One person suffered minor injuries as the plane's front landing gear collapsed.
'Persistent meh': Why a couple in their 30s, including a senior doctor, are leaving NZ
They are seeking a lifestyle where 'everything’s at your fingertips'.
'Putting lives at risk': The barriers facing Māori from getting immunised
Māori vaccination rates lag behind European children in Bay of Plenty and Lakes.
He thought his back pain was just him 'getting old'. Instead, he had cancer
Pāpāmoa father Blair Harrison now has a curve in his spine and is 5cm shorter.
'Taken far too soon': Crash victim who died just weeks from 3rd birthday named
'This loss is not only profoundly painful - it is unimaginable.'
'Fragmentation': 140,000-patient GP network to leave regional funders
'We think that is the best way to be able to rapidly increase funding for the front line.'
'Impossible position': Principals alarmed by cuts to youth mental health service
Concern that cuts put 'enormous pressure' on GPs, schools, families, and hospitals.
'A privilege to get old': Why a 79yo retiree volunteers for St John
'If I just sat at home in front of the TV, well, I wouldn’t see a soul.'
The Doctors Bayfair opens new 'purpose-built' medical practice
The new space allows staff to better support the needs of the 'rapidly growing' community.
On The Up: The 'iconic' Mount Maunganui building getting 'a makeover'
'I would love something to go in here that is an asset to the town ... '
'Most urgent needs only': Youth mental health service cut by 90%
Health NZ has had 'significant difficulties' recruiting for two psychiatrist vacancies.
Concern 'patients will suffer' as practices with 46,000 enrolled switch funder
The centres say changing their primary health organisation will help avoid fee increases.
On The Up: How growing up 'on the stage' has led to an 'incredible' career
The model and artist is walking in New Zealand Fashion Week this year.
On The Up: 'Sleeping in garages': How a charity is helping children in need this winter
'There’s lots of families sharing one house to try and save money.'
On The Up: How a 'little gem' in the CBD helps older people live fuller lives
Parksyde in Rotorua offers 45 activities for people aged 55 and older.
On The Up: Two new 'destination' eateries to open in Historic Village
'I think that what we’re bringing is a young, fresh approach to a historic sort of site.'
'Further industrial action' may follow 24-hour doctors' strike
Health NZ is ‘committed’ to settling the collective agreement with the union.
Sexual health clinics cut as specialist retires, leaving one left
The specialist said 'delays in advertising' meant his colleague hadn't been replaced.
Doctors' strike: Appointments postponed, some clinics to close
More than 5000 senior doctors are striking, including 206 in Tauranga and 100 in Rotorua.
'Stretched' health system 'getting quietly worse' - striking anaesthetist
He says he works 'well in excess' of his contract and the hospital faces staff shortages.
'Changed forever': Trainee machine operator's fingers severed in horror workplace accident
Everyday tasks such as showering and writing 'now require patience and adaptation'.
'Huge step forward': New rural 'community base' for Pāpāmoa
Its mission is to 'serve the community' for recreational and educational purposes.
'I’ll just keep going': 76yo school bus driver to mark 40 marathons
Te Arohanui Hira says it is 'the people' who keep him coming back each year.
College 'acted unreasonably' in handling historical sexual abuse complaint - Ombudsman
Ex-Tauranga Boys' College student said his teacher asked him to perform bondage on him.
'Kiwi dream': Designer's unique holiday home hits the big screen
Fifteen years has been dedicated to the design and build of The Chodge in South Waikato.
'Golden opportunity': 56ha of 'prime farmland' rezoned, approved for development
More than 450 homes could be built on the land.
'Total disgrace': Mental health unit upgrade to begin - five years after funding allocated
Updgrade would 'significantly improve' environment for patients and staff, says Health NZ.
'Our promise that we won’t forget': Waiata honours Sir Bom Gillies, 28th Māori Battalion
It is the first Anzac Day without any living members of the 28th Māori Battalion.
'All are welcome': Special requiem mass to honour Pope Francis' life and legacy
'He was a Pope who truly lived the Gospel .. and we will remember him with deep affection'
'The show must go on': Jazz fans embrace wet weather festival
'It’s a good excuse to be social and listen to some music,' one local says.
New mum takes first steps with walker after 2017 spinal injury
Casey Brady, 32, was told she would never walk again after a motocross accident in 2017.
‘I love my life’: How a mother found hope after her darkest days
Lynda Hills struggled with her mental health throughout her youth.
On The Up - 'Memory, culture, and nostalgia': MasterChef winners' 'immersive' food experience
'It’s nice to come home and bring this dinner which is really special to us.'
Everything gone but the bao buns: Thief clears out cafe's food stocks
The owner says it's the second burglary in three weeks and the 'fifth or sixth' this year.
'An honour and a privilege': Local artists shine in prestigious portrait award
'I had a good feeling that it was going to get through and it did. So hard work paid off.'
Scholarship-winning nursing student is the first of her whānau at university
The scholarship is a 'huge' relief for 21-year-old juggling studies, work and placements.
‘His heart belonged to Rotorua’: Paediatrician Dr Johan Morreau remembered
Doctor was leading advocate for investing in children's health and a dedicated family man.
From dental nurse to beauty queen and budding swimsuit model
She has been asked to attend Miami Swim Week in May for casting.
On The Up: The business estate still in hot demand after 20 years
In the past year, $70m worth of building consents have been issued for the development.
‘We’re back’: Bay duos chase another bite at Pork Pie Charity Run
Fifty teams are driving their Minis down the country in the movie-inspired fundraiser.
How a ‘near death’ experience changed one woman’s path to hope and happiness
Hills is giving a free talk on hope beyond suicide on April 4 in Pāpāmoa.
How author Vanya Insull built an ‘empire’ from posting recipes online
She is going on a book tour to celebrate the release of her third cookbook.
US $550k surgery removes ‘95%’ of 27-year-old’s aggressive brain tumour
Rotorua woman 'blown away' by the donations she received to help pay for the surgery.
‘Potentially magic’: Supergroove starts reunion tour with two shows in Rotorua
'There’s a certain frisson and nervousness and excitement ... on those first nights.'
‘Catastrophic impacts’: Possible Kaituna River dam project faces pushback
Concerns included the fast-tracking of the project and a 'perceived lack of consultation'.
Heart and sleep tests available at new Rotorua clinic
Patients will no longer need to travel to Hamilton for two private diagnostic tests.
In by Christmas: Building of 28 subsidised rentals on track
The rentals will target essential workers in healthcare, education and emergency services.
‘A new frontier’: How supercritical geothermal could change NZ energy
About $12m to $15m has already been spent on investigative work.
Teen’s ‘out of this world’ expedition
Zoe Parker said it was the best two weeks of her life.
‘I was in bed for a year’: Cancer survivor calls for $220k-a-year drug to be funded
Other patients consider moving overseas or starting a Givealittle to pay for the drug.
'The only one that’s ever worked': Pill funding welcomed by endometriosis patient
'This will really help, especially young women who are learning to manage the disease.'
Revealed: Hundreds of children escaped from early childhood centres in NZ in five years
Four children were found 'running around on the road'; another was found near a highway.
Doctor shortage: How long could it take to recruit for Whakatāne’s maternity ward?
Plus, how many overseas doctors are being considered for the positions.
‘A rite of passage’: Skyline Rotorua celebrates 40 years
More than 15 million passengers have ridden the gondola in four decades.
‘Incredibly exciting’: Plans for luxury waterfront hotel
The hotel will feature a pool, rooftop bar, gym, conference rooms and 197 guest rooms.
'Didn’t get what we wanted': Pathlab workers strike for second time in two months
Members didn't like striking 'but it's ... our only means to enact any sort of change'.
'It’s a perfect area': 89 new homes to be built in Tauranga
Construction will begin on the two-storey development at the end of 2025.
‘Tennis ball-sized lump’: 3-year old with head injuries waits 5 hours in ED
'Nobody should have to wait for hours when they need medical care,' says his mum.
The ‘amazing’ highs and ‘huge toll’ of 38 years in real estate
'I remember going home and saying to the kids ... ‘We’re going to Disneyland'.'
‘We’ve had no one apply’: Teacher shortage hits region
The Bay could be short of 180 primary school teachers in 2025, according to projections.
‘High operating costs’: Toi Ohomai to close campus, move courses
Affected courses include wood manufacturing, saw doctoring, and forest management.
‘Creating capacity’: New private surgical facility anchors $80m development
Pioneering surgeon-led facility will create 100 jobs and is part of a $80m development.
‘Undervalued’ social workers strike: ‘Who’s going to look after the kids?’
Seven week-strike planned after union says Oranga Tamariki offered members 0% pay rise.
‘Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’: 16yo set for voyage to subantarctic islands
'They’ll encounter wildlife most people will never see in their lifetime.'
‘A full and very positive life’: Funding to begin for life-extending cancer drugs
Rhys Drayson passed his given life expectancy after taking the drugs in a clinical trial.
Tutor's job saved, 48 students to keep learning at Toi Ohomai
Changes were made to a proposal to axe the programme and role.
'Attacked' with rocks: Man spends $5k on lights, cameras after council 'inaction'
The damage has been so severe that the resident received a $28K insurance payout.
‘Hell of a fight’: Retiree battles ACC after delayed terminal cancer diagnosis
He was turned down, then offered $19,732, which he said was an 'insult'.
A ‘war cry’ for sexual assault survivors: One-woman play comes to Bay
High school and tertiary students are being offered free tickets.
'Deeply disappointing': Proposed job cuts will worsen access to palliative care - doctor
Public money would be spent on hospital admissions for people with 'nowhere else to go'.
‘Hard decision’: Woman, 27, heading to US for $550k cancer treatment
Amelia Branson and her family are fighting to extend her life.
Mum's drug funding hope for 3yo son with cystic fibrosis
'The earlier children receive Trikafta, the better their long-term health outcomes.'
'Critical decisions need to be made quickly': Iwi concerned about maternity service change
Bay of Plenty iwi met with Health NZ to discuss 'urgent challenges' for Māori.
Second BoP daycare has child escape, found by member of public
The incident sparked a risk assessment and supervision review.
Overseas-born students driving roll growth in Rotorua
'We're getting an even spread of New Zealand-born and overseas-born students.'
Why fast-growing schools are having to say 'No' to new students
'The ministry won’t give you more buildings if you have too many out-of-zone enrolments.'