Zizi Sparks
Multimedia journalist
Multimedia journalist
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.
Check out Zizi’s latest content
'Blessed': Rotorua's Tapsell to be first NZ mayor to give birth while holding office in decades
Tania Tapsell has already made history in her career, now she will do it again.
'High level of brutality and callousness': Double homicide appeal dismissed
Samuel Fane's lawyer appealed both the convictions and sentence.
Withdraw or pursue? Fate of Māori wards bill on council table - $146k spent so far
This week, Rotorua's council will decide to either scrap or keep pursuing the paused bill.
The 'accessible minister': New Education Minister's goals and focus
Tauranga-based list MP Jan Tinetti has been named the new Education Minister.
'White sand, warm water': BoP to the fore in Best Beach competition
The region took eight of the 15 final placings, and won three of the five categories.
Opinion: Removing GST from medicine could have wider benefits
Opinion: Removing GST from medicine is a simple step which would lead to big benefits.
Mattresses, fridges, biking in heels: Waipa Mill's first female worker turns 100
Aline Douglas used to have to bike home to use the toilet. There wasn't one at work.
'We need to restore the mana of our city': Te Arawa takes emergency housing stand
Two mayoral candidates have also called for action about the issue.
'I thought I was going to die': Woman wakes up paralysed after eating shellfish
Kim Taia had no idea what the cause was, now local iwi have a way to test for it.
'Amazing show of aroha': Family donation means wahine toa's legacy lives on
The diagnosis was a "tough pill to swallow", but Angela Thrupp never gave up.
Peters' sympathy for Uffindell - and what Tauranga voters say
The former MP has some sympathy for Uffindell after the historic assault was revealed.
'Historic day' as council committee takes step to return land to iwi
The final decision will go before the council, 68 years after the land was taken.
Comment | Let MPs share controversial views - then let the voters decide
OPINION: Voters deserve to know where individual MPs stand on controversial issues.
National 'back in business': National's Sam Uffindell Tauranga's next MP
The National candidate received more than double the next candidate's votes.
Zizi Sparks: Why those opposed to compulsory te reo in schools miss the point
Opinion: There are more pros than cons to studying te reo.
'Spirit of a lion': Nahne, 32, dies after year-long cancer battle
"When it was time to go she told us ... She told us she'd had enough and to let her go."
How long is too long? Keeping kids off screens, devices this holiday
Instead of staring at a device, children can read, be creative or be active.
Repeat sex offender jailed for almost five years
Court hears repeat offender showed a lack of insight in relation to his crimes.
Covid 'washing over the entire country': Tauranga could have cases this week, DHB says
The health board chief is warning people Covid-19 could be in Tauranga this week.
'The day we knew would come is here': Covid cases in Rotorua
Contact tracing for the two cases is under way.
Twelve police staff came into contact with Rotorua Covid cases
The staff are all self-isolating and have been tested.
Two bore casings failed in three weeks - coincidence or sign of more action?
A volcanologist explains why bore casings fail.
Employee 'shocked and blindsided' by dismissal awarded $27k
The woman was dismissed just weeks after complaining of discrimination and bullying.
'A rich man's resource': How geothermal changes affected families
Changes have had "significant" impacts on health, social and cultural wellbeing of whānau.
'You can make a better life': Teen who crashed stolen ute given second chance
The sentencing judge said he wanted to give the teenager a chance to 'break the cycle'.
'It feels like half of me is gone': Crash victim's husband gives emotional statement
Pastor sentenced for causing the death of a nurse who cared for Whakaari victims.
'No punishment in this world can be big enough': Life imprisonment for double murders
A jury had found Samuel Fane guilty of murdering Paul Lasslett and Nicholas Littlewood.
'Grave concerns': Engineer struck off professional register
Engineer worked on the failed Bella Vista development, as well as others.
Policeman fined for fishing without licence, giving false details
Constable Zane Roberts, 26, will also be subject to an internal police investigation.
'Emaciated' cows die as farmer says grazing them a 'burden'
Many yearlings in the herd were half the size they should have been at that age.
'He didn't see it coming': Businessman unwittingly laundered meth money
Men responsible for importing 500kg of meth invested in Samuel Brooking's business.
How Trustpower sale would affect local customers and staff
Trustpower has been sold to Mercury for $441m, pending certain conditions.
Tauranga iwi setting 'new benchmark' with curriculum collaboration
'It's for our wider community to be aware of histories that come from our perspective.'
'We can't hold out hope any more': 33-year-old scenic flight business closes
Hope for a trans-Tasman bubble only went so far for the "pioneer" business.
Jobless by June: Whakatāne mill to close, but MP still hopeful
'I'm still hopeful someone from the private sector might see commercial viability.'
Burling calm and relaxed ahead of racing, mum says
'I find this stressful but he loves this, he thrives on it.'
Used needles, fighting, urine prompt temporary liquor ban
The council agreed to a 24/7 ban for 12 months following reports of crime and disorder.
Putting a local lens on Labour's election promises - what are we in for?
With Labour able to govern alone, it's a matter of time before policies are rolled out.
Rafting company 'devastated' after death at Okere Falls
The company has reached out to the family via the police to offer support.
Fitting farewell for boy with 'infectious smile'
Jane Oakley-Hudson, 10, died unexpectedly, his schoolmates gave him a fitting send off.
Mt Tauhara victim 'generous person' and member of Muslim community
A spokesman for the community said her husband was heartbroken.
Calls to support Māori business in Covid 19 recovery
A Facebook page to tautoko such businesses has been widely shared.
League club fought 'hostile takeover': Sports Tribunal awards $4500
The costs were awarded after a hearing last year.
Revealed: How much Claymark owes the bank
Country's largest pine product manufacturer placed into receivership on December 4.
Rotorua reacts to sentencing for record $137m meth bust
"This drug is a scourge in our country," Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick says.
Unusual case of 2018 Lakeland Queen-floatplane collision
Passengers were moved to rear of the vessel in fear of the imminent collision.
The 'life-changing' accident that put one teen in a wheelchair
Oceana Cameron talks exclusively about the day that changed everything.
Kiwi dies after contracting virus in Dublin
"He was messaging us ... the next thing he was no longer messaging. It was heartbreaking."
'Tragic accident': Coroner on death of woman crushed by tree
Coroner releases his findings into the death of tree-crushing victim Trish Butterworth.
Anti-child abuse campaigner betrayed community, court hears
Tracy Livingstone was sentenced for stealing from a child abuse prevention group.
Principal censured for 'vulgar' Nikki Kaye comments
He said he'd follow the policies of "a woman with blonde hair and cleavage".
Tenant stays 229 days after 90-day notice issued
The tenant took the case to the Tenancy Tribunal, District and High Courts.
Teacher censured for doing students' work for them
After returning from sick leave Carel Human passed work "so far off the mark".
New motels and hotels could create price war - operator
Hundreds of beds are due to be added to the accommodation pool in the next two years.
$1.5m tourism venture to create up to 15 jobs
The venture will see people walk suspended among the Redwoods.
League club's future threatened by 'historic tensions' - Sports Tribunal
Tribunal says both sides need to be big-hearted and forgiving to mend relationships.
Eat Streat expansion suggested, businesses divided
A local advocacy group is proposing a three-month trial expansion.
Zizi Sparks: Maketu Pies lifeline hopefully paves way for prosperous future
Maketu Pies was at risk of getting the chop when an iwi trust changed all that.
Where to find the cheapest rentals in Tauranga
Find out where the cheapest and most expensive areas to rent are.
Where to find the cheapest rentals in Rotorua
Find out where the cheapest and most expensive areas to rent are.
'I feel destroyed': Tiny house owner bills council $9600 over toilet anguish
The resident charged the council $24 for 20 hours per week for 20 weeks.
How a McDonald's worker, 19, became Rotorua's youngest councillor
Fisher Wang has been elected to the Rotorua Lakes Council.
Zizi Sparks: Why the All Blacks losing the World Cup won't be so bad
COMMENT: Why dwell on the losses when there's so much to celebrate?
'Education is in a really exciting space' NZEI conference in Rotorua
About 450 NZEI union members are in town for the annual conference.
Fish & Game offences up on previous year
Fish & Game has caught people committing 15 offences including fishing without a licence.
Council candidate subjected to 'disgusting' racial slur
Fisher Wang was putting up billboards when someone driving by yelled out their window.
Crash survivor: Bus turned sharply, spun 360 degrees
Five tourists on the bus died, two were seriously injured and four moderately injured.
Ten strikes in five months hit DHB and patients
Lakes DHB was affected by strike action by midwives, anaesthetic technicians and doctors.
'This is HIV' man says brandishing used needle
Wayne Maney is facing 12 charges including one relating to stabbing someone with a needle.
Rents climb as some landlords still don't meet insulation standards
Some property managers are dropping landlords whose properties aren't up to standard.
Clayton Rd murder-accused named; not guilty plea entered
Name suppression has lapsed for Nicholas Martin Roling, 53, who pleaded not guilty.
Consent granted for Lakefront boardwalk
A $4m consent for a boardwalk makes up a portion of building consents granted last month.
Mayoral candidate lays police complaint over online 'parody'
A mayoral candidate has lodged a police complaint about a parody social media page.
Family of seven living in tent finally get a home
The family, including two disabled children, have moved into a Rotorua house.
Backyard mud pool's 'violent' eruption: 'I panicked'
A resident has described the moment a mud pool opened up on her property at 2am.
Rotorua lawyers welcome $54m for new judges
The Government allocated the money under its Wellbeing Budget.
Woman admits driving caused death of Karli Rowe
Police summary of facts says driver didn't recall being on her cellphone at time of crash.
'You hear the screech and wait for the bang'
Neighbours to start a petition for road changes after two critically injured in crash.
Sentence reduced for employee who stole $140,000
Employer couldn't believe woman's 'scale of deceit' and 'colossal breach of trust'.
Council video featuring defamation claims taken offline
The recording included claims a mayoral candidate wrote a defamatory post while drunk.