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Latest FromSamantha Olley

Kathleen Albert's had five laser sessions so far. Photo / Stephen Parker

NEW ZEALAND

Woman gets gang tattoos removed: 'I didn't want people to make judgments'

25 Mar, 2019 5:00am
3 minutes to read

On Kathleen Albert's left hand there is a gang patch, a swastika, and layers of names.

Tattoo removal specialist Michelle Washington, with one of her clients, Kathleen Albert (left). Photo / Stephen Parker

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Free gang tattoo removals offered to women

23 Mar, 2019 10:30am
3 minutes to read

In Michelle Washington's opinion, 'Your past shouldn't define who you are today'.

Ali Nazmi with his wife Anna and child Aria, 5. Photo / Stephen Parker

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Anger and sadness over shooting turns to Kiwi pride

23 Mar, 2019 7:30am
3 minutes to read

"At work people just come up and give me a hug or give me a pat on the back."

Cody Fane appearing via audio-visual link. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Gang member who shot gun near playground successfully appeals sentence

23 Mar, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

Cody James Fane has successfully appealed sentence for Kuirau Park shooting.

Mitch Chubey (top) and Scott Thornhill in the speed and style qualifying round. Photo / Stephen Parker

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Rotorua residents relishing Crankworx

22 Mar, 2019 8:00am
3 minutes to read

Crankworx visitor numbers are 15 per cent above the same period last year so far.

Zahide Aydin and her daughter Sila, 4. Photo / Stephen Parker

NEW ZEALAND

'One stupid person can't change our view'

20 Mar, 2019 6:19am
2 minutes to read

A Muslim family is among Rotorua's newest citizens and says they feel like New Zealanders.

Iftikhar Khan and Sajeela Malik. Photo / Ben Fraser

NEW ZEALAND

'Through the good and the bad, we love this country'

18 Mar, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

"The attack looked just like a game. Most of the time since, we have just wanted to cry."

Sandro Schmidt (right) and Rilana Heinemeier at the Rotorua Walking Festival. Photo / Ben Fraser

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Rotorua Walking Festival attracts hundreds from all over the world

17 Mar, 2019 3:46pm
2 minutes to read

"After all, the whole basis of the festival is bringing people together."

Mourners hug in Hagley Park in front of the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch. Photo / AP

NEW ZEALAND

Samantha Olley: The search for solace after Christchurch attack

17 Mar, 2019 1:04pm
2 minutes to read

COMMENT: Two of New Zealand's darkest days, in the same city, just eight years apart.

Gareth Marriott embraces the elbow grease. Photo / Stephen Parker

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Standing in the work shoes of a cleaner in Rotorua

17 Mar, 2019 8:00am
2 minutes to read

The cleaning industry employs 40,000 in New Zealand.

Bridge over the Waioeka River in Ōpōtiki. Photo / Supplied

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Residents unite over 'derelict' gateway to Ōpōtiki

17 Mar, 2019 6:00am
4 minutes to read

Ōpōtiki residents want a spruce up of the Waioeka River Bridge, the "gateway" to the town.

NEW ZEALAND

'Defeated' nurse fears for rest home residents

15 Mar, 2019 8:00am
3 minutes to read

"I have thought about leaving many times but the problems will still be there."

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Families, representatives, call for urgent action after In Safe Hands report

14 Mar, 2019 9:00am
4 minutes to read

The report, In Safe Hands, was released by the New Zealand Nurses Organisation and E tū.

St Mary's Catholic School students (from left) Te Ariki Rogers, 10, Chloe Jarmey, 9, Lily Morris, 10, and Gabbi Guevarra, 9 with their morepork boxes. Photo / Andrew Warner

THE COUNTRY

Rotorua students build moreporks new homes

13 Mar, 2019 11:00am
2 minutes to read

The Department of Conservation believes the morepork population is in gradual decline.

Crankworx Rotorua event director Ariki Tibble at the Skyline Rotorua Crankworx site. Photo / Stephen Parker

NEW ZEALAND

Calls for more public cash for Crankworx

12 Mar, 2019 7:18am
4 minutes to read

Rotorua has a contract to host part of the annual Crankworx World Tour, through to 2027.

Stroke survivor, and marathon runner, Kelvin Mahuika. Photo / Stephen Parker

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Runner thanks fans ahead of last Rotorua Marathon

9 Mar, 2019 2:00pm
3 minutes to read

"I just love doing things that able-bodied people whinge about," Kelvin Mahuika said.

Flooding in Kuirau Park, Rotorua, April 29. Photo / File

ROTORUA DAILY POST

MSD criticisms of Rotorua floods response revealed

9 Mar, 2019 9:30am
5 minutes to read

MSD had granted 166 Civil Defence payments for the flooding in Rotorua, by September 30.

Paradise Valley Rd works in mid-February 2019. Photo / Stephen Parker

ROTORUA DAILY POST

$1m Paradise Valley roadworks facing delays

8 Mar, 2019 10:28am
4 minutes to read

The works were initially expected to finish last month, but that is no longer the case.

Conceptual impression of the Rotorua Lakefront development. Image / Supplied

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Lakefront project includes boardwalk above lake

7 Mar, 2019 3:52pm
4 minutes to read

Key project updates were part of the Operational Report for October 2018 to February 2019.

Ngaria Faulkner, 9, left, and Waemarama Corbett, 7, refreshing themselves with a cold ice block. Photo / Ben Fraser

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Fun in the sun for whānau at Tapuaeharuru Marae

5 Mar, 2019 11:55am
3 minutes to read

More than 400 whānau attended the biennial event to enjoy kai, kapa haka and speed boats.

Post Primary Teachers' Association president Jack Boyle speaks to members gathered in Rotorua. Photo / Ben Fraser

LIFESTYLE

'Mum, doctor, seamstress, counsellor': What it's really like to be a teacher

4 Mar, 2019 8:00am
3 minutes to read

There are around 30,000 secondary teachers in New Zealand, including relief teachers.

(From left) Haki Hiha, David Eparaima and Soul Raroa. Photos / Supplied

Whānau mourn Rotorua workers killed in four-truck crash in Pikowai, near Matatā

3 Mar, 2019 3:32pm
6 minutes to read

Stevie-Lee Raroa headed back in the afternoon to pick her dad up again. He never arrived.

Triple fatality on State Highway 2, Pikowai. Photo / File

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Te Arawa kaumātua pushing for answers after trio killed

2 Mar, 2019 8:00am
3 minutes to read

Haki Hiha, David Eparaima and Dudley Soul Raroa died at their Matatā work site on Tuesday.

NEW ZEALAND

Whānau mourn trio killed near Matatā

28 Feb, 2019 6:00am
5 minutes to read

Haki Hiha and David Eparaima died alongside their colleague Soul Raroa yesterday.

Kristin Dunne, chief executive of Tourism Bay of Plenty, is excited at cheaper flights for Tauranga. Photo / file

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

'Proof in the pudding' for Air NZ's cheaper Tauranga flights

27 Feb, 2019 9:00am
3 minutes to read

Flights in and out of the Bay just got a whole lot cheaper and people are excited.

NEW ZEALAND

Bay of Plenty rejoices at 'long overdue' flight price drops

27 Feb, 2019 7:30am
4 minutes to read

Air New Zealand reduces its lowest fares on 41 domestic routes around the country.

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Rotorua flight prices slashed

26 Feb, 2019 2:29pm
2 minutes to read

Fares between Rotorua and Auckland now start at $39.

Mid City Motors Rotorua. Photo / Stephen Parker

BUSINESS

Holiday pay deducted for school pickups

26 Feb, 2019 8:00am
3 minutes to read

William McLanachan was not paid eight weeks' holiday pay when he resigned last May.

Kura Hingston is a member of the consumers' group championing bowel screening in the Lakes DHB. Photo / Stephen Parker

ROTORUA DAILY POST

'Please do it': Survivor's bowel screening message

26 Feb, 2019 6:29am
2 minutes to read

Take bowel cancer seriously, says survivor. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Aerial view of Rotorua Hospital. Photo / File

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Lakes DHB posts first bowel screening test kits

26 Feb, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

Lakes DHB has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in New Zealand.

LIFESTYLE

Rotorua mother and son front 'When Hunter came out'

23 Feb, 2019 10:00am
4 minutes to read

The Smiths tell the story of Hunter's transformation, and the importance of support.

Raymond Iveagh Jury appeared via audio visual link. Photo / Samantha Olley

NEW ZEALAND

Man pleads not guilty to murder after death of Trevor Rikihana

22 Feb, 2019 1:45pm
Quick Read

Trevor Akuira Rikihana, 69, was pronounced dead on arrival to hospital on January 30.

John Harvey and Kuldeep Singh at the Rotorua Library. Photo / Samantha Olley

Partnership for international students, and the disabled

22 Feb, 2019 4:31am
2 minutes to read

Kuldeep Singh and John Harvey's bond has been one of the initiative's early successes.

Aerial shot of Rotorua Hospital. Photo / File

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Patients transferred from Rotorua Hospital during strike

21 Feb, 2019 3:15pm
2 minutes to read

The DHB has transferred "some patients requiring timely surgery" since Monday morning.

Ninety-one-year-old Albert Matua Rice, known as Diddy Rice. Photo / Stephen Parker

ROTORUA DAILY POST | Property

Plans for 30 lakefront accommodation units upset residents

21 Feb, 2019 6:04am
4 minutes to read

Five of the buildings would be single-storey, and another four, two-storey.

Ngāti Ngāraranui kaumātua Tamahau Palmer Snr in Rotorua Hospital. Photo / Stephen Parker

NEW ZEALAND

Kaumātua battles rare bacterial infection after visiting stream

20 Feb, 2019 7:00am
5 minutes to read

Ngāti Ngāraranui kaumātua Tamahau Palmer Snr has just been discharged from hospital.

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Anaesthetic technicians start five day strike

18 Feb, 2019 12:35pm
2 minutes to read

Lakes DHB employs 11 anaesthetic technicians who mainly work in operating theatres.

Kahukura Waipoua-Bryers, 15, masters a backflip. Photo / Andrew Warner

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Flava NZ Bomb Comp attracts daredevils

17 Feb, 2019 5:05pm
2 minutes to read

The Flava NZ Bomb Comp's purpose-built tower had platforms 2m, 5m, 8m, and 10m high.

Five Mile Bay fire. Photo / Alex Leonard

NEW ZEALAND

Taupō campers return to sites after bush fire

17 Feb, 2019 11:42am
Quick Read

Two helicopters helped fight the blaze, and at least seven appliances.

Fire crews were called to the blaze just before 10am. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Helicopters helping fight fire at Rangitaiki

17 Feb, 2019 11:42am
Quick Read

Crews from Taupō and Hawkes Bay are at the scene, south of the Rangitaiki Tavern.

From left, Renee Gillies, Bella Wharekura, 9, Mercia Wharerau, 10, and Kevin Hay, 13 at Te Rangihakahaka Centre for Science and Technology. Photo / Samantha Olley

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Former charter school's 'mammoth' first year

16 Feb, 2019 12:00pm
4 minutes to read

Te Rangihakahaka Centre for Science and Technology has been open for just over a year.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council's Lucas Macdonald (left) and William Anaru are helping lead the fight against catfish. Photo / File

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Stolen nets a 'kick in the guts' for Catfish Killas

16 Feb, 2019 10:30am
3 minutes to read

The Catfish Killas suspect the thieves stole the nets to catch eels.

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Te Rangihakahaka students share their views

16 Feb, 2019 4:00am
Quick Read

Te Rangihakahaka Centre students describe their favourite parts of school.

A Rotorua Lakes Council Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee meeting in 2018. Photo / File

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Meeting covers parking, freedom campers, and pools

15 Feb, 2019 10:00am
2 minutes to read

The committee also discussed admission charges at the Polynesian Spa, in confidence.

NEW ZEALAND

Fire in Kaingaroa extinguished after evacuation

14 Feb, 2019 2:48pm
2 minutes to read

Fire and Emergency New Zealand was alerted to the blaze at 1.29pm this afternoon.

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Woman charged after Rotorua stabbing in Koutu

14 Feb, 2019 12:14pm
Quick Read

The victim was stabbed in the arm, and was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Aerial shot of Rotorua and Sulpher Point including the floating wetland. Photo / File

THE COUNTRY

Rotorua's geothermal resources, hazards mapped

14 Feb, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

The researchers have covered 366 sites in the Rotorua and Okataina calderas since 2015.

Kahukura Waipoua-Bryers, 14 in last years' competition. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Set up begins for Float, Bomb Comp

13 Feb, 2019 8:00am
2 minutes to read

Thousands are expected to visit Blue Lake over the next four days.

Rotorua Southern Cross Hospital manager Michael Ludbrook. Photo / Stephen Parker

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Lakes DHB calls for help to handle strikes

13 Feb, 2019 6:00am
4 minutes to read

The DHB estimated it was eight weeks behind on non-urgent elective theatre procedures.

Animal welfare inspector Talia Jenkins. Photo / Stephen Parker

THE COUNTRY

String of pet shootings continues in Mamaku

12 Feb, 2019 10:00am
3 minutes to read

The SPCA is investigating and seeking clues from the public.

Labour MP Tamati Coffey and his partner Tim Smith at the 20th anniversary Big Gay Out. Photo / Peter Meecham

NEW ZEALAND

Tāmati Coffey and Tim Smith's family, marriage hopes

11 Feb, 2019 5:05pm
3 minutes to read

"If we work out how to do it the first time, we would love to raise a couple of kids."

Four fire trucks fought the blaze on Brookdale Drive on Saturday. Photo / Supplied

ROTORUA DAILY POST

No initial signs of foul play in garage blaze

11 Feb, 2019 1:15pm
Quick Read

Four fire trucks fought the blaze on Brookdale Drive from 2pm to 5.30pm on Saturday.

Chug, a 1930 Kauri clinker, at the start of Saturday's parade. Photo / Stephen Parker

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Wooden boats parade to isolated bay

11 Feb, 2019 7:00am
3 minutes to read

The annual wooden boat parade has celebrated labours of love since 1998.

Tim Smith (left) and Tāmati Coffey outside their new bar Our House on Eat Street, Rotorua. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Waiariki MP and partner expecting baby

10 Feb, 2019 3:23pm
2 minutes to read

Tāmati Coffey, a former TV host, proposed to Tim Smith in 2010 in Rotorua.

Rotorua woman, Doreen Baker. Photo / Supplied

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Missing woman Doreen Baker found safe and well

10 Feb, 2019 10:20am
Quick Read

Doreen Baker had been missing since Thursday, February 7.

Police in attendance after the aggravated robbery at the Lynmore Junction BP service station on Te Ngae Rd. Photo / File

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Security grilles brought in after alleged robbery

9 Feb, 2019 10:00am
2 minutes to read

Two men allegedly robbed the Te Ngae Rd BP Connect branch on December 10.

Rotorua Aquatic Centre redevelopment, initial draft plan. Image / Supplied

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Pool prospects: 'Manu' bomb pool and hydroslide

8 Feb, 2019 8:14am
3 minutes to read

The Long-Term Plan set out $7.5 million over three years for the centre's redevelopment.

Safe City Guardian Marcelle Morrison (left), Constable Marc Van Krieken, Watchdog Security staff member Trevayze Wairepo and VR Security staff member Hemiora Riki. Photo / Supplied

ROTORUA DAILY POST

CBD crime drops 17 per cent over holiday period

8 Feb, 2019 7:29am
3 minutes to read

CBD crimes between December 14 and January 13 decreased 16.9 per cent to 210 in 2018/2019.

The fire service dampens down hot spots in the Whakarewarewa Forest, near Sala St. Photo / Stephen Parker

NEW ZEALAND

Fire in Whakarewarewa Forest in Rotorua

6 Feb, 2019 10:00am
2 minutes to read

A fire broke out in the Whakarewarewa Forest on Tuesday.

Claymark's Vaughan Rd site in Rotorua. Photo / File

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Timber company fined $600,000 for injuries

5 Feb, 2019 8:52am
3 minutes to read

Workers sustained serious hand injuries while operating machinery on two occasions.

Skids and police markings show where the motorcyclist came off the highway. Photo / Stephen Parker

NEW ZEALAND

Motorcycle stolen from crash scene minutes after young rider's death

5 Feb, 2019 6:00am
3 minutes to read

A 24-year-old man died at the scene near the corner of State Highway 38 and Kopuriki Rd.

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Rotorua pooches swelter in hot vehicles

2 Feb, 2019 11:30am
2 minutes to read

Sue Kinsella said: "Pets cannot be left in cars in summer even for just a few minutes."