Shauni James is the Rotorua Weekender reporter
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.
Nine-year-old busker raises hundreds for cyclone relief
Effie Palfreman has been busking to raise money for the Central Hawke’s Bay relief fund.
Sir Howard Morrison Centre prepares for grand opening next month
Grand opening gala and free whānau open day coming up at Sir Howard Morrison Centre.
Schoolteacher receives Support Staff Member of the Year award
"All I want to do is get them excited and create a passion in them for learning.”
Late entertainer's whānau get peek at new Sir Howard Morrison Centre
Members of the Morrison family visited the Sir Howard Morrison Centre to see the progress.
Klepto-cat with shoe fetish collects treasures
Sox is a cat who loves shoes and bringing home his shoe finds to show off to family.
Sir Howard Morrison Centre: Opening weekend programme in the works
Janelle Bish and Hinerongonui Kingi excited for roles with Sir Howard Morrison Centre.
Raukura Choir competing in Cadenza
The two-day Cadenza competition finishes with a Gala Concert the public can enjoy.
Kharl WiRepa's designs to grace runways in Paris and London
Kharl WiRepa will be showcasing 20 looks on the catwalk in Paris and London.
Abundance of events coming up to celebrate Matariki
Matariki, this year celebrated on June 24, is the nationally recognised Māori New Year.
School's biosecurity work and dedication recognised
Lynmore Primary School took home the Kura (School) Award at the 2021 Biosecurity Awards.
Missing doctor a 'lovely soul' - hundreds join search to find him
Hundreds of volunteers join search for Pāpāmoa 31-year-old.
Rotorua to New York: Powley reaching new heights in music journey
At the end of last year her music on Spotify had 7.6 million streams.
Bilingual news section, Kāhu ki Rotorua, about to be launched
The Rotorua Weekender won New Zealand on Air funding to produce a bilingual news section
Honour to share story as a Māori woman scientist in NZ
Soltice Morrison returned to her home town for the filming of a documentary series
'We can't sleep at night': Two stores burgled, one the second time in eight days
'We can't sleep at night worrying if they will come again': Shop owner
Suicide and grief: 'Six months after we lost Mike, I couldn't stop bloody crying'
Rotorua man John Richards shares his story about his son's suicide.
Covid casualty: Jet boat operation closing for at least 18 months
"It was inevitable": Rotorua tourism operator.
Storytelling: Kiwi film 'Cousins' to premiere in Rotorua
The 'Cousins' premiere is being hosted in Rotorua at Reading Cinema on March 3
New name and premises launched for school
Te Āhuru Mōwai celebrates its new name and premises at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology.
Story of taonga Hinemihi o Te Ao Tawhito told in book
The launch of Hinemihi: Te Hokinga - The Return was held at the Rotorua Library.
School's back! Teachers and students eager to return
Rotorua schools are excited to be opening for their students to attend again.
Seoul a stimulating city of experiences and culture
The South Korean capital is a feast for the senses, writes Shauni James.
Join in the buzz of Bee Aware Month
An interactive storytelling theatre piece around bees is coming to Rotorua.
Destination Dining: Pacific Land
Shauni Jones finds an impressive array of seafood and an even more impressive view.
Community comes together at Hīkoi 4 Life
Members of the community have come together for awareness and support around suicide.
Gravestones damaged in 'disgusting' act
Gravestones have been damaged at Kauae Cemetery this week.
Unlocking the 'healing powers' of tattoos
Rotorua's Joycelia Hyde is excited to be taking part in Miss Tattoo NZ this weekend.
Water bursts from ground after blown main
Water sprouted from the ground on Froude St after the fitting on a main blew off.
Heatwave: Head for the lake or the trees?
People make the most of a hot, sunny long weekend for Auckland Anniversary Weekend.
Rotorua man marks 100th on Christmas Day
Rotorua's Noel Peterson will be turning 100 on Christmas Day with family.
Rotorua comes together for Armistice Day
The Rotorua community came together to commemorate the centenary of Armistice Day.
Sports mad teen's new shot at life after brain bleed
Jadon Probert's wish came true when he had a photography session in Rotorua with his hero.
Coastguard invited to Buckingham Palace
Coastguard Rotorua Lakes president Barry Grouby is visiting Buckingham Palace this month.
Volunteers spend weekend searching for Nigel Peterson
Volunteers have spent the weekend searching for missing autistic man Nigel Peterson.
Three Miss Rotorua contestants heading to Las Vegas
Three Miss Rotorua contestants are competing internationally in Las Vegas this June.
Love a duck! Here's a rare pair indeed
Two whio have been welcomed to their new home at Rainbow Springs.
Nesting falcons attack people on cycle track
Two nesting falcons have been swooping down on people who cross paths with them.
Families gather to see out 2017 at Glo Festival
Big crowd descends on Village Green to see in the new year in Rotorua.
How missing teen kayaker survived the night
The teenage kayaker missing on the Kaituna River has been found alive this morning.
Firearm found, police searching for man after AOS call-out
Tania Cres was closed for more than 90 minutes after reports of a man with a gun.
Fire damages Che Chorizo kitchen
A fire has ripped through the kitchen of a popular Rotorua eatery, forcing it to close.
Harry Potter star in Rotorua
English actor Tom Felton, best known for his role in Harry Potter, has visited Rotorua.
Rubbish dumping an issue for charity shops
Local charity shops say they are not a dumping ground for people's rubbish.
Coastguard and police search for kayaker on lake
Police and Coastguard are searching Lake Rotorua after reports a kayaker is in trouble.
More drug-related emergencies over weekend
There's been another 15 incidents believed to be linked to a potentially contaminated drug
Murupara man's mischief-making as Ellen intern
Murupara's Fabian Anderson talks about getting up to mischief interning on Ellen.
Local artistic roller skaters compete
Rotorua competitors clean up more than 20 medals at weekend competition.
Mother struggling to find rental
A Rotorua mother with two toddlers never thought it would be this hard to find a house.
Rubberneckers told to go away or volunteer
Rubberneckers are hampering the efforts of the 150 volunteers helping in Edgecumbe.
Lake Rotorua erupts again
An Ohinemutu resident has witnessed what is now the fourth eruption to occur in Lake Rotorua, describing this latest one as being a lot wider.
Caravan meet showcases unique model
Circle_see_more_DP.epsShauni_James_JAN16_happy.epsMEET: Roger and Kristina Belfield from Tirau with their '59 Chevrolet Apache and
Gallipoli pine falls
A memorial tree in the Government Gardens has succumbed to an insect infestation and been removed. Although locals are saddened by
Time of year rife for rubbish dumping at op shops
RUBBISH: SPCA Fairy Springs Op Shop manager says people have been dumping their rubbish at the store. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER 090117sp1.JPG With
SPCA 'flat out' over busy Christmas period
The Rotorua SPCA has been "flat out" over the holiday period, with the kitten season in full swing. SPCA shelter manager Karen Rolfe
Daredevil tot sets Skyswing record (+ video)
BRAVE TOT: Christopher Cunningham (left), Finn Cunningham, 2, and Danielle Cunningham took part in the adrenaline of Rotorua's Skyswing
Kids have blast with Nanogirl
SCIENCE: Dr Michelle Dickinson (left) with Glenholme School teacher Morag Owen who was trying out the hoverboard with a leaf blower
Quake ensures 'memorable' birthday
SHAKEN: NZME Radio sales manager Justine Knowles in a shaken supermarket in Kaikoura. PHOTO/SUPPLIED 151116xx07.JPGDAMAGE: Justine
Group focuses on sharing fruit
GIVING BACK: Sue White is starting the Community Harvesting Rotorua group. Pictured with Olivia Macmillan, 2, and Flynn Huruhanganui
Rotorua man reaches Pokemon Go level 40
Rotorua 's Eruera Samuels is said to be the second person in the world to reach level 40 in the app craze Pokemon Go.
Camp lets kids with Tourette's be themselves
Making friends and memories while taking on what Rotorua has to offer is what children attending Camp Twitch 2016 are most looking
Tears shed as fallen police remembered
Tears were shed and memories shared as Bay of Plenty police gathered to commemorate fellow officers who lost their lives in service.
Motorcyclist killed in Ngakuru crash
A motorcyclist has been killed in a crash in Ngakuru. In a statement, police said they were are at the scene of the crash between
Locals speak out on new cat ownership plan
By Shauni Jamesshauni.james@dailypost.co.nz / Circle_see_more_DP.eps / CATS: Katie Hickey, pictured with her cat Bugsy, thinks cats
Cricket calamity: The ball that felled me
After being hit in the head with a ball six months ago, Rotorua cricketer Karl McKnight is now back at work full time and looking
Petrie St fire investigated (+video)
Fire crews are currently at the scene of a large house fire in Rotorua.
Young girl impaled on goal post
The mother of a 7-year-old girl who suffered leg injuries after getting impaled on a hook on a soccer goal post has described the accident as scary.
Have fun, Curtis tells dancers
Cliff Curtis says as a judge for the upcoming Harcourts Dancing With Rotorua Stars he will be looking for contestants who are having
Harnessing the 'power of numbers'
A Rotorua woman is hoping "power in numbers" may result in lower power prices for Kiwis.
Devilskin release new single
Rotorua's Jennie Skulander says it feels "pretty great" to have come as far as she has with her rock and metal band Devilskin. The
Muslims sit down to a meal with homeless
Members of Rotorua's Muslim community prepared food for those in need this week before eating together to show "the homeless were not invisible".
Smokefree areas up for discussion
A fully smokefree Eat Streat restaurant is encouraging the council to consider banning smoking in outdoor dining areas.