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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.