Sandra Conchie is a Multimedia Journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times based in Tauranga.
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Waihī house fire: Probe into cause of man's death
What started a fatal house blaze in Waihī is still being investigated.
What's in store from $1.4m+ changes at popular Mount Maunganui reserve
Tauranga council plans $400,000 pathway, cave barrier works then $1m+ playground upgrade.
Burning wiring in 'old, clapped out' fire truck fills cab with smoke
City's fleet is a public safety issue and 'firefighters deserve better', says union.
Te Puke man in court over 25-year-old's death
A Te Puke man has been charged with dangerous driving causing death.
60 jobs gone: Ballance boss tells of 'very difficult' announcement
'I really feel for all those impacted by this decision, including their wider families.'
'Questions we need to answer': School trip to backcountry hut ends in group being airlifted out
The group set off despite a weather watch, which turned into a warning en route.
Man installed stolen ambulance gear in his vehicle
He also admitted possessing police gear, including a spike used to deflate tyres.
Couple forced to 'watch our home burn' overwhelmed by support
'I really didn't realise the extent of damage I would be coming home to.'
What two household budgeting experts think of Budget 2025
One says it will do 'little' to help clients, the other says it's too soon to tell.
'Lifting a dark cloud': Bar thrives after ditching pokies
Owners report no financial loss; dining space and food sales have improved.
Police 'urgently' seek ute driver after road-rage knife incident
The aggressive incident in Tauranga this week was caught on dashcam.
Salvage divers face wind, waves and sharks - sunken launch recovered
Salvage divers used air lift bags to raise the vessel, working in choppy conditions.
14 rescued from launch sinking off Tauranga coast
'Fourteen people on board are all accounted for and back on dry land.'
No pokies for pool hall: Venue struggles after liquor license loss
Welcome Bay Tavern reopened as an alcohol-free pool hall, then lost its gaming licence.
How a terminal cancer patient gives back to a hospice facing funding 'crisis'
Waipuna Hospice has an $8.1 million funding shortfall this financial year.
Prevention pays off: Lifeguards make waves with fewer rescues
There were just 29 rescues at Bay beaches this summer.
'We've had enough': Red Square protest opposes pay equity changes
Opponents say the changes will make it harder to successfully bring pay equity claims.
Ballance proposal to cut 62 jobs: Workers feel 'blindsided'
Ballance Agri-Nutrients worker says there a lot of anxiety over potential loss of jobs.
Trio deny murdering man found dead on a Kawerau doorstep
One of the three can be named after suppression lapsed.
'Butchered': Pruning of pōhutukawa in reserve sparks outrage
The council condemned the act, saying it harms the environment and community.
'Extremely concerning': Liquor stores caught selling booze to minors
Five liquor stores in and around Tauranga have been caught selling booze to minors.
Leading refrigeration and aircon business reveals new Tauranga centralised hub
McAlpine Hussman NZ officially opens new centralised Tauranga hub.
'Highly careless’: Nomar Farms effluent discharge ends in big fine
A Whakatāne dairy farm owner has been fined $48, 750 for effluent discharge.
Potential loss of 62 jobs at Ballance plant a 'concern for Tauranga’
Ballance Agri-Nutrients' proposal could mean 68 roles disestablished, with six new jobs.
Tauranga man accused of stealing ambulance equipment
He is also charged with unlawfully possessing police property.
Grieving grandparents 'numb' after death of 4-year-old attacked by dogs
They are trying to focus on the good memories of the boy they raised from a baby.
Fatal dog attack: Community begins 'healing process' after child's death
A blessing has been given at Katikati Medical Centre, where staff tried to save Timoti, 4.
Bottle store and tavern close after being stripped of liquor licences
The closures have some Welcome Bay locals and businesses concerned.
Fertiliser company ‘committed to learning’ from worker’s tragic death
WorkSafe says safety practices at the factory failed to account for workers' reality.
Name suppression lifted for woman accused of Gate Pā murder
Rachael Eddy, 50, denies murdering Ross Kennedy in Gate Pā, Tauranga.
‘Ticking time bomb’: Family speak out on factory worker’s ‘horrifying’ death
Wesley Tomich, 37, died in July 2023 at a Mount Maunganui factory.
Dogs euthanised after fatal attack on boy weren’t ‘menacing’ breeds
Three dogs were seized from the scene after Timothy Tu’uaki Rolleston-Bryan's death.
Nan’s ‘unbearable’ grief after 4yo moko killed by dogs
He was her 'last connection' to her late daughter, a Givealittle page says.
Three dogs euthanised after fatal attack on 4-year-old child
The breeds of the dogs have not been 'fully confirmed'.
Farmers fined $77k for discharging effluent into stream
Judge Tepania noted both defendants were careless for different reasons.
Long-running social services trust in liquidation owes IRD $200k
Te Tuinga Whānau once had assets and revenue worth millions of dollars.
‘Horrific experience’: Canadian hockey coach admits causing crash that injured players
Her name suppression was dropped when she appeared in court in Tauranga today.
SH5 crash: Driver appears in Tauranga court facing 11 charges
She has not entered pleas to the charges.
Juicy Fest, Timeless Summer Tour companies owe more than $2.4m
One ticketholder fears the chances of a refund are 'extremely low'.
Fined 30 times in 12 months: Vehicle mechanic fears losing clients after cars ticketed
‘Ridiculous’: Wardens have been ticketing unwarranted cars in for fixing.
Pumice quarry owners, land owner fined $272k for consent breaches
Paengaroa pumice quarry and landowner fined $272,000 for resource consent breaches.
Mother of missing Tauranga doctor makes fresh plea for help
'Three years on from one of the worst days of my life as a mother and as a person.'
‘Very busy road’: Bus lanes that racked up $1.4m in fines may become T3
Mount Maunganui road responsible for about half of all bus-lane tickets over two years.
Music event companies put in liquidation, ‘gutted’ ticketholder fears for refund
The Timeless Summer Tour has been cancelled three months after being postponed.
‘Great NZ: Family Court pioneer and legal giant dies at 89
Sir Peter Trapski 'wrote the book' on family law in NZ.
'Disgraceful': Ratepayers pick up $5m waterfront playground bill
The NZ Taxpayers Union breaks down the costs for the Tauranga destination playground.
Bystanders rescue struggling swimmer in ‘rough’ Pāpāmoa surf
'This could have easily ended in a fatality,' lifeguard warns.
'Same costly mistake': Driver's warning after $150 bus-lane fine
More than 6500 tickets were issued for breaching the 50m rule last year.
Son was insane when he stabbed his father to death as he washed dishes, judge finds
'He was incapable of knowing his actions were morally wrong.'
'Done nothing wrong': Long-serving JP retires after convictions revealed
'I feel like the complainant has gone on some sort of witch hunt.'
'Eyes glowing with hatred': Victim bashed in Grindr ambush
A group of young men attacked the victim and left him traumatised.
'Devastating': Couple watch as fire destroys 'irreplaceable' home
'You would never be able to build another home like for like.'
Owed nearly $150k: Rotorua crime victims believe reparation payments an 'absolute joke'
Nearly $4.6m in fines and reparation is owed by Rotorua offenders.
Cameras caught them incorrectly stopped while waiting for a park. It cost them $100
The council's decision to enforce the fine is called 'silly and stupid'.
Mum’s ‘hellish’ fight to recover after motorcycle crash
'I was high-sided into the air and landed on the cheese-cutters.'
'It's a joke': Victim owed nearly $350k reparation
Victims owed millions - one man wants more done to pursue offenders.
Allegations optometrist still practising despite being struck off register, ordered to pay $25k
The Tauranga man has been deregistered and censured for professional misconduct.
'She had all of her life to live': Parents fight for 'justice' after 15yo dies in crash
'He’s destroyed our lives.'
School breakfast volunteers ‘ooze care and aroha’ for tamariki
'It’s so rewarding knowing you’re helping make a difference in the children’s lives.'
'Worst nightmare': The NZ region with the most fleeing drivers
More than 10,000 drivers fled police in New Zealand during 2023.
CBD waterfront's $42m (so far) revamp: What people think
'I love everything about it,' one mum says of the $5 million new playground.
'Noose with your name on it': Warrant issued for man who threatened to 'hang' PM
'I’ve got a noose with your name on it,' he wrote of Dame Jacinda Ardern during her term.
Honoured power sector leader on pouring his 'heart and soul' into 55-year career
'It’s important to find your passion as when you love what you do, you do your best work.'
$165k in seatbelt fines: 'Too many' kids not properly buckled in
Police target factors that decide whether people walk or are carried away from crashes.
'Rush hour' driver caught on phone three days in a row on same road - police
He's among more than 2000 people snapped for the same offence this year in the region.
Mixed Christmas sales for Bay retailers amid cost-conscious shoppers
Bay of Plenty retailers report mixed Christmas spending figures, but some remain upbeat.
Police warn of ‘zero tolerance’ for speeding as Tauranga’s road toll falls
Police reveal the identity of Tauranga pedestrian fatality injured in Pyes Pa crash.
'More rescues': Swells spark rip warning for holiday hotspots
It comes as holidaymakers begin flocking to eastern beaches.
'Beacon of light': Family's 'powerful message' after 21yo dies at swimming hole
'He wanted to make the most of his life, and to make people happy and loved, and he did.'
Retailers upbeat about the lead-up to Christmas
The comments come days after shoppers spent more than $11m over Black Friday.
'Everything looks brilliant': Tauranga's newest supermarket opens in Greerton
The former Woolworths store had a week-long makeover.
'Heartbreaking': Second Bay of Plenty horse death linked to fireworks
'My emotions are pretty up and down at the moment ... I'm trying to deal with it.'
'We expect a vast improvement': Decision on bar's licence renewal bid
There were concerns over inexperienced staff in charge and an alleged serious assault.
'Black Christmas': Devastated orchard owners count cost of fire
'It’s so sad because Christmas is coming and suddenly we have this. It’s unbelievable.'
Tauranga gang funerals: Police make 14 arrests and seize guns, vehicles
At one point, police were confronted by a kuia who criticised them for parking too close.
Dad describes evacuation as 'intense' wildfire threatened homes
Firefighters remain at the scene two days later dealing with flare-ups.
'Overwhelming public support': Calls for fireworks ban grow after horse's death
'The only thing keeping me going is trying to stay strong to fight for the ban': owner
Drink-driver who hit pedestrian fails to avoid conviction despite deportation fear
He was four times over the limit but initially claimed he only had 2 beers.