Rafaella Melo
Reporter
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Check out Rafaella’s latest content
'Be like John': Businessman's five years with a brain tumour and what it's taught him
O'Sullivan was told only 10% of people with his brain tumour live longer than nine months.
Our 'most under-reported crime’
'If you ask a male whether they’ve been sexually abused, they’ll say no.'
'Unjustifiable': Dyslexic children to lose 109 specialist teachers after Budget cut
'For those with severe difficulties reading or writing, there’s nothing to replace them.'
Watch: Fly-through provides first glimpse of Hawke’s Bay Expressway four-lane plan
Construction is expected to begin in late 2025, subject to funding and consents.
'Most beautiful display': Locals marvel at southern lights spectacle
The Aurora Australis lit up Aotearoa's skies with orange, red and purple hues.
Mental health facility with crisis beds opens in Hastings
Waiorua should help to ease pressure on Hawke's Bay emergency departments.
'Look up': Public urged to report missing monarch clusters in Hawke's Bay
No winter clusters have been recorded in Hawke’s Bay, which once had multiple known sites.
Teen launches nationwide campaign to combat period poverty
Phoebe Driscoll chose Flaxmere College as one of the campaign’s first recipients.
From prison to gospel rap: Napier influencer Gzilla turns pain into purpose
'Nobody’s too far gone ... If God can save me, he can save anyone.'
'Frankly stupid': Police say issues 'ongoing' after 8-year-old hit by dirt bike
Police have received some footage of an 8-year-old boy being struck in Flaxmere.
When StarJam fell silent, Hawke's Bay found its voice
HB Jammers now host about 60 participants and plan to expand to Flaxmere.
76-year-old completes Hawke’s Bay Marathon, nears 200th race milestone
'Crossing the line is the ultimate achievement - finishing is winning.'
Meet the first husband and wife to represent NZ at world 8-ball champs
The couple are seeking sponsors to help cover the $8000 per person cost.
Cancer test delayed for over a year — now his business is gone
A test that should have been done in 45 days instead took more than 365.
'I'll just carry on': 94-year-old's inspiring marathon journey
Nearly 8000 participants are expected for this weekend's Hawke’s Bay Marathon.
How Napier's lunch walks are transforming midweek networking
What began as a simple 'excuse' to get out for a walk has grown.
From Wairoa to being an Antarctica ice driver
Corporal Brian Jane, 27, led the day-shift transport at McMurdo Station in Antarctica.
'It was like an inferno': Third fire in a year destroys Napier home
A neighbouring home was also blackened by the roaring blaze.
Napier Aquatic Centre open again after repair of hazardous floor
A man slipped on the newly installed flooring on opening day.
On The Up: Digger driver clears 37 tyres from a beach in one day
Tim Dodge thought he'd never walk again. Now he's back, and he's determined to help.
Catfishing and strange approaches: Social media's a scary place for under 16s, parents say
'The big problem is the invisible stuff that we as parents don’t see or even know about.'
National introduces bill to ban social media for under-16s
'Right now, we aren’t managing the risks for our young people well.'
Six people injured in two crashes near Dannevirke
Six people were injured, two of them seriously, after two crashes near Dannevirke.
'We breathe what you burn': Council warns as burning ban takes effect
Barbecues and hāngī fires are still allowed despite the burning ban.
$24k win: Napier resident among nine lucky Lotto winners
The ticket was purchased online via MyLotto.
Getting a grip on the problem: Aquatic centre's floor 'upgrade' retested
The floor debuted to the public with an unwanted bang on Monday.
The newspaper written by youth that writes only happy stories
Writer and podcaster Mia Sutherland, 17, has been getting valuable experience.
On the Up: Dozens come together to preserve a region's history, one click at a time
'Sometimes we just need to stop a little bit and learn from the past.'
Aquatic centre closes hours after $4m upgrade opening, patron taken to hospital
'We are very sorry to those concerned and have made the decision to close.'
Sandwich press assault, hot water thrown: Prison attacks injure four staff
Sugar may have been mixed with the hot water, but Corrections hasn't confirmed it yet.
'A lot brighter': Job programme offers hope for young workers
He joined a programme helping young people aged 18 to 24 find work.
Collision of 'two different worlds': Cultural centre's ambitious Māori-Indian show
The show blends Indian dance and te ao Māori storytelling, featuring sacred water themes.
‘We want our mountain back’: Hundreds climb Mt Kahurānaki to support Ngāti Kahungunu land return
About 150 people climbed Mt Kahurānaki, some on foot, others on horseback.
On The Up: Lower Kingsgate Reserve reopens after repairs from Cyclone Gabrielle
Five footbridges were repaired, and a culvert was replaced during restoration.
On The Up: How a 2400km journey in a Mini transformed a Wairoa couple into heroes
The McNabbs raise over $40k for KidsCan in epic Pork Pie Charity Run.
On the Up: The young builder from Flaxmere aiming for national glory
Goulton will compete in the national in Hamilton for the Ken Read Trophy and a $10k prize.
'It’s really moving': How music therapy helped teen through the grief of losing dad
Nicola Harrison said hearing her son's original song was heartbreaking and healing.
On The Up - Volunteering from home: The trend adding even more value to NZ's $4b industry
Helping others remotely has surged since the Covid pandemic.
Flaxmere welcomes new supermarket after year-long wait
Flaxmere's new supermarket opens tomorrow at the Flaxmere Village Centre.
Hawke’s Bay paramedic facing terminal cancer needs $80k for unfunded life-extending treatment
'It’s just amazing how two different oncologists have totally different perspectives.'
'From growing up in Flaxmere to stepping onto one of the world’s greatest opera stages'
Rising star from Hawke’s Bay secures opportunity with Royal Opera in London.
On The Up: ‘Life was passing us by’ - why couple chose to sail the world
They sold or gave away nearly everything they owned, packed their car and moved aboard.
One man’s years-long quest to rid Mahia of rubbish: ‘We can all help - we just need to start’
David Waihaki removed four tonnes of rubbish from Mahia in 18 months.
When cancer met Mr Positive’s punch: ‘It’s your attitude that determines your altitude’
'You’ve got to have a reason to live. And I have many.'
‘End of an era’: Aching bones of landmark highway house further crippled by fire
The historic house on State Highway 2, abandoned since the late 1960s, damaged in fire.
The rise of the underground food economy
Hospitality NZ says informal food businesses are being emboldened by social media reach,.
Napier urgent care to stay and be enhanced after community pushback, won't include a doctor
Health Minister announces enhanced service, including nurse prescribers and telehealth.
Watch: Napier athlete takes Winter Special Olympics silver, missing gold by 0.1 seconds
'Mum, Dad, I’m here. Dream come true.'
‘Red wine’: Taradale’s woman secret to a long life at 100
'I feel like I’m having my second childhood.'
How to keep NZ water park afloat: ‘Your customers get a bit bored’
Hanmer Springs has turned profits for 25 years, while Splash Planet leaks ratepayer cash.
Banning teens from bars: Is it discerning or discriminatory?
Market St Bar in Napier doesn't let in teens after 9pm for safety reasons.
Meet Tanya, the woman who can open a bottle of beer with a 13-tonne excavator
She’ll be one of the first women competing at the National Excavator Operator Competition.
'We’ve infused the Māori humour': Hastings man given the chance to voice Lord Farquaad
'Doing it through Māori words, Māori flow and language, it's a totally different story.'
Planetary Healing Doctorate: Hawke’s Bay elder's global honour
'We have a responsibility to treasure this knowledge passed on to us and to share it.'
'When you know better, you do better': Cyclone Gabrielle survivors prepare as Alfred bears down on Queensland
Hawke’s Bay residents in Queensland say the preparation is immense compared to Gabrielle.
'Can’t say no to your grandma': 75-year-old convinces daughter and grandson to do an Ironman with her
'We weren’t just racing. We were creating memories as a family.'
Woman charged with manslaughter after 11-year-old cyclist's crash death
The woman also faces charges of driving with excess breath alcohol and failing to stop.
‘I’m hell-bent on winning gold’: Napier skier’s quest at Special Olympics
Nine Kiwis are representing New Zealand among over 1500 athletes.
‘Immoral’: Kiwis brace for power hikes with one woman facing 31% increase
Sharon Sutton's daily charge with Frank Energy will rise 31% from April 1.
National flying championships: Could you drop a bag of sand from a plane and hit a target?
The competition is one of the few times pilots can legally drop objects from an aircraft.
'Might require self-defence classes': Retailers have mixed feelings on new Govt crime measures
'Usually, shoplifters just come, take what they want, and walk away.'
Shopper trespassed from New World supermarket after taking photos of blocked fire exit
'I was followed through the store ... before they trespassed me at the checkout.'
Crime reports up 9.4% in Hawke's Bay as burglaries and thefts hit businesses hard
“I am looking at options – should I get rid of this business? The risk is too high.'
'Iconic' 15-year-old pig came with a couple's new home: 'She was on the chattels list'
'Bella isn't just a pet, she’s an icon.'
$3.8m project aims to ease housing struggle for young disabled in Napier
Rowan Apartments will offer two fully accessible two-bedroom units.
Statue honouring WWI warhorse Dolly delayed to 2027
The trust has raised $30,000 of the $300,000 for the Hastings statue.
Life in an isolated valley after a flood: 'The damage took my mind off being hungry'
George waited days in his car for someone to arrive: 'They didn’t even know we were here.'
'Neither of us would be here': Crash survivor's message after 22 unrestrained drivers die in five years
Before the T-bone crash, Klaudia's life flashed before her. Luckily, she had belted up.
‘Like opening a window’: Unearthed phone shows cyclone smashing through Esk Valley
'Looking at those photos now, it’s surreal.'
'Please, let me stay': The cyclone survivor living in caravan on red-zoned land
For Waikato Gray, Esk Valley is more than just a home. It is five generations of history.
Cyclone Gabrielle: The couple who gave up their jobs and moved to Hawke's Bay to help
'This wasn’t just about clearing debris. It was about restoring hope.'
Woman charged with driving with excess breath alcohol after fatal crash with 11yo
Police have not ruled out the possibility of further charges.
'Forever my baby': Parents' heartbreak after 11yo girl hit and killed on bike
'We're not coping, but we've got to hold it together for the rest of our kids.'
Wairoa’s diabetes patients get long-awaited podiatry care
New podiatry service brings relief to Wairoa residents battling diabetes.
94th anniversary of the Hawke's Bay earthquake: Death of Roy MacLennan, his wife injured but alive beside him
Roy MacLennan and his wife were sitting in their car outside a shop when tragedy struck.
Teen's two-year search for a first job: ‘We can’t get experience if they don’t let us have experience’
'For those of us just starting out, it feels almost impossible.'
Rolling hills and a joyful dog: Photo competition winner captures Hawke’s Bay summer spirit
Amy Knight wins photo contest with stunning sunrise shot of her fox terrier Frankie.
‘The grief is heavy’: Driver charged, community mourns after 11-year-old cyclist killed
'Flashbacks of what happened come and go all the time.'
A rare celestial spectacle: How to see the planets align
For those eager to see it, Hawke’s Bay Holt Planetarium is hosting a Sunday observation.
How a Hawke’s Bay police duo conquered the world bodybuilding stage
Police officer wins the Pro Miss Figure world title in Canberra on debut.