Aleyna Martinez is a multimedia journalist at the Rotorua Daily Post and the Bay of Plenty Times
Aleyna Martinez is a multimedia journalist at the Rotorua Daily Post focusing on human-centred stories. Identifying as a third-culture kid she is passionate about empowering young people, embracing indigenous values to reverse climate change, hauora in public policy, and science and tech. Born in Malaysia, grew up in Wellington, she is excited to discover Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty region.
Towards a digital future for Māori: Cash boost for tech academy
The grant will help to provide 300 students with upgraded gaming PCs.
‘Making our whānau proud’: Bay kapa haka teams amped for Te Matatini
The teams are ready to give their all on the world's biggest kapa haka stage.
'Miracle': Child abuse prevention programme expands after funding boost
The Wright Family Foundation will fund Tautoko Mai for the next three years.
'I was dressed up, he was dressed up': Festival friendship spans 15 years
The reggae fans have attended every One Love festival together – until this year.
More than 22 trees vandalised and removed in one year
More than 22 trees were damaged so badly over a year they had to be removed.
NZ's hottest town: Locals stay vigilant
Niwa recorded the hottest temperatures for December in Kawerau at 34.8C.
'All the hard work paid off': Basketballer picked to represent NZ in new team
How sport helped a bullied boy find his happy place after a traumatic brain injury.
Young people tried to save drowning man at Ōmaio - kaumātua
'They tried to bring him back and then get him on to the beach and resuscitate him.'
'Grab your rolling pin': What Tauranga leaders want to see in 2025
A regional deal, a bigger pie, roads, health funding solutions and unity on the wishlists.
'Incredible band': US music legends The Roots rock Summer Haze festival
Jimmy Fallon's house band is one of the biggest acts visiting the Bay this summer.
Summer Haze music festival at Wharepai Domain, Tauranga
Music fans travel to Tauranga to see legendary US band The Roots and a host of other acts.
'Gorgeous': Travellers on their OE reflect on life in the Bay
'A piece of me will be left here when I leave.'
BoP summer music festival guide: Kiwi band reveals 'ridiculous' ritual
The hottest music festivals in Taupō, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Coromandel.
'A trail-blazing partnership': Trust pilots new model for conservation funding
'We will take the [lessons] from this and fast-track more of the same.'
Zimbabwean saxophonist amped for Totara Street
Thabani Gapara will play in Mount Maunganui, touring his album, Dzindza.
'Buzzing': Orca close to shore thrills locals
A local media company says orca sighting made "once in a lifetime" footage.
'Worst I've ever seen': Charity store left with huge mess to clean
Over 20 black bags were rummaged and left strewn across Mount carpark.
Why A Night Before Christmas event was cancelled
The organisers say they did not want to charge admission to the free family event.
City's 'budding and burgeoning' art scene gets two new leaders
'To connect with others... through performance and art is vital for people’s well-being.'
The team trying to protect youngsters from sexual assault
Tauranga City rolls out child protection prevention programme We Can Keep Safe
Every girl's 'dream': Rotorua singer makes Disney debut
Te Waimarie Ngatai-Callaghan voices the lead character in Encanto Reo Māori.
Are Bay rentals affordable for low-wage families?
Rental property prices per week in the Bay of Plenty rise while salaries stay the same.
'Smells revolting': What it's like in a burnt-out house
'This is a rare chance to walk through a fire-damaged home.'
Watch: Whakaari/White Island crater after recent eruption
The marine volcano had a minor eruption on Friday and a 'continuous' eruption on Sunday.
'Continuous minor eruption': Whakaari/White Island emits ash plume
Satellite data showed the plume contained a minor amount of volcanic ash.
Hitting the refresh button: New look for hotel's guest rooms
Millennium stays committed to sustainability during refurbishment
'Heartfelt': Community celebrates the rising of Matariki
Tohunga reo Mataia Keepa is proud to have been raised in the Kōhanga Reo environment.
Disgraced cricketer and serial groper jailed again
Jason Trembath pleaded guilty to breaching his bail conditions.
Activist tells of racism, acid attacks and needing a soldier protect her at school
'If you people are willing to do all this to keep me out, I should be here.'
Firefighting family following in father's footsteps
'I mean, we love doing it. We wouldn’t do it if we didn’t want to.'
Thunderstorms set to hit Bay of Plenty; drivers warned to take care
MetService has issued a weather watch.
'I could lose them right now': Man's urgent plea to get family out of war-torn Gaza
A Palestinian man wants special NZ visas to be available during the Israel-Hamas war.
‘Hiding in plain sight’: Call for law targeting coercive control abuse
Victim advocates argue New Zealand should follow the lead of two Australian states.
A lifetime of protest: 95-year-old is still fighting for the rights of others
His first act of protest was to learn te reo when he arrived from England in 1950.