Jean Bell
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 Jean’s latest content
Coronavirus: Bay business expect $500k loss, others focus on domestic market
One business is hoping the domestic market will be a saving grace.
Bay of Plenty visitors 'spoilt for choice'
See our top 10 things to do and a local's recommended activities.
Coronavirus: Tighter rules for rest homes, possible school closures
No cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the Bay of Plenty.
'We're going to lose money': Tauranga tourism hurting after pause in cruise ship season
Princess Cruises has halted global operations of 18 cruise ships for two months.
Remember the victims, not the 'black day': Tauranga mosque leader
A Tauranga Muslim leader says we should not mark March 15. Here's why.
Coronavirus: How to stay healthy if you have a compromised immune system
Autoimmune disease and heart disease are among conditions decreasing immune strength.
The Big 'R': Is a recession looming and what would it mean for the Bay?
Experts say a recession is possible, but what does this mean for the Bay?
Coronavirus: Bay of Plenty doctors say call ahead if you have symptoms
No cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the Bay of Plenty area.
Witness in 'pure shock' after pedestrian versus car at Tauranga Crossing
"As soon as I saw her roll underneath [the car] I had to turn my head and close my eyes."
'More likely to win Lotto than buy face mask': Stores feel coronavirus panic buying
Health experts and shops are discouraging people from panic buying and hoarding items.
Coronavirus: 'All hands on deck' at Tauranga businesses
The Government has earmarked $4m to help struggling businesses.
'You just have to accept it': Coronavirus fallout hits Bay businesses
Impact felt as cruise ship diverted to Tauranga.
Whakaari aftermath: 22 hospital staff members take leave after eruption
A report on Whakaari White Island has revealed new information on December 9.
Tauranga terror: Mob member heckled, police guard Bridges' public meeting
Tauranga 'one step from tragedy', National leader tells public meeting.
'Lucky nobody has ever been hurt': Car smashes into Bellevue fence - again
"If they kept to the speed limit they'd be alright."
''Horrendous sight and abysmal dust'': Te Puna residents rally against dumping proposal
More than 400,000 cubic metres of dirt could be dumped if the application is approved.
Te Puna business set to open doors later this year after smoke damage
''We're really thankful that no one was hurt.''
Twenty-six people in self-isolation for coronavirus in Bay of Plenty
Pharmacies and medical suppliers are busy handling inquiries related to the virus.
'LA-style gang warfare': Local leaders react to Tauranga turf war
But a gang expert says not to worry.
Miracle outcome: Toddler escapes permanent head injury after serious fall
The girl proved to be too smart and strong for her own good.
'Hurt and outraged': Parents upset at school parking surveillance
But the principal says there are good reasons for the cameras.
'We need to get building': Bay has highest demand for public housing
The public housing waitlist in Tauranga has continued to climb.
'An honour': Work starts soon to restore 102yo building to 'former glory'
'Saving a piece of Tauranga's history is important for the local community.'
Showjumper runs ultramarathon to aid leukaemia-stricken boy
Lucy Olphert felt like she needed a challenge and found the ideal cause to inspire her.
Boy versus leukaemia: Oscar gears up to battle the 'baddies'
Flared-up tonsils and night sweats turned out to be every parent's worst nightmare.
No excuses: Bay authorities clamp down on bad boatie behaviour
'No one ever has their day ruined by wearing a lifejacket.'
No excuses: Bay authorities clamp down on bad boatie behaviour
Our growing population means more people are out on the water.
Bay health authorities prepare in case of outbreak
The DHB activated its Pandemic Response Plan on Friday.
'Panic buyers' clean out face mask stock amid Coronavirus spread
This comes as foreign travellers from China have been barred from entering NZ.
Hey big spender: Rising prices of fruit and veg explained
This comes as kiwifruit doubled in price last December.
More than 200 people attend Bill 'Mr Tuna' Kerrison's final swim home
Bill Kerrison died "doing what he loved".
'Pretty freaky': Shark spotted in shallows at Ōhope beach
Beachgoers got more than they bargained for at the beach today.
Fire risk warning: Don't be fooled by cooler summer
Water restrictions might also be on the cards for some areas.
Police visit rapper on his birthday after music video concerns
''People don't know anything about it, so they can't judge me.''
Up in smoke: Dairy owners' income worries amid calls to ban ciggie sales
Tobacco sales make up a bigger proportion of a corner shop's income than you might think
Between the Flags: Day in the life of a Mount Maunganui surf lifeguard
What do lifeguards do in a day?
Bay firefighters lend helping hand to fight Australia bushfires
It's all hands on deck in the Bay for our Australian cousins.
In the red: Report reveals local schools in 'serious financial difficulty'
Seven schools were flagged as being in 'serious financial difficulty' in 2018.
A look at how Mother Nature will usher in the Bay's New Year
High temperatures and low rainfall swept the region in 2019. What will 2020 bring?
Breast cancer 'no death sentence' for Labour list MP
'I do need to get well to support people,' Jan Tinetti says.
Tauranga will feel impact after cruise ship skips stop
The ship was due to make a stop in Tauranga today.
Christmas Day baby 'the best present'
One mum was lucky enough to fit in Christmas dinner before giving birth.
What happened next: Man's life after breast cancer scare
The surgery left the Pāpāmoa resident with "Zorro"-like scars.
Feast or famine? The outcome of living on a food parcel for three days
There is one more week left in the Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal.
White Island tragedy: Business-as-usual for Bay geothermal tourist attractions
'Safety should be a fluid thing and you should always be looking for ways to improve it.'
Christmas Appeal: Can-do attitude sees food pile up for Tauranga Foodbank
Businesses are stepping up to the plate to fill another person's empty bowl.
Christmas Appeal: Bay businesses practice 'art of giving' for Foodbank
'It's about practising the art of giving.'
Ōpōtiki birthing unit: Local MP presenting petition to Parliament
"We're glad that we had an MP that wanted to help out."
Mount Maunganui Bridge Club up to play with Tauranga Community Foodbank support
The club members see the Christmas Appeal as a necessity.
Samoa measles tragedy sparks concerns in Bay
More than 60 people have died in Samoa due to the measles outbreak.
Death with dignity: How a Rotorua club is helping Samoa during the measles outbreak
Reports of children being buried in sheets prompted effort.
Christmas Appeal: Donations by the dozens keep rolling in for foodbank
"People are just so thoughtful."
Tauranga reacts to draft plan to legalise recreational cannabis
What does Tauranga have to say about the legislation?
No coal to be seen: Bay general practices get in giving spirit
'Supporting the foodbank is very much in the spirit of Christmas'
Meet Robbie, the foodbank volunteer pushing 30 years of service
"Everyday is a good day here."
Christmas sing-along to support the Foodbank
'It's a typical Christmas sing-a-long and it will be extremely funny.'
Car club gives to those who can't 'A-Ford' it
'We don't just drive around in our old cars all day.'
Christmas Appeal: Bay businesses give big donation
Businesses have got into the "good habit" of giving every year.
DHB: Planned playground for mental health unit will now be a garden
DHB says technical standards required for playground would've exceeded size of donation.
'It's the new real estate': How you can make money by renting out your driveway
The new app that will have the kids' pocket money sorted.
Christmas Appeal: The eclectic Baked Bean Burger proves to be a winner
I like baked beans and I like burgers so I thought, what could go wrong?
'My whole life was gone': Woman tells of surgical device nightmare
The woman lived with extreme pain for six years.
'Save our unit': Ōpōtiki birthing facility temporarily shutdown
The unit will close on December 1 to March 30, 2020.
Christmas Appeal: What's in a Tauranga Community Foodbank food parcel?
Why is canned fish so special?
Counsellor: Hostage ordeal trauma will have lasting impact
"The survival part of the brain gets extremely heightened through traumatic events."
Investigation likely after man fatally shot in Tauranga
An investigator was at the scene today.
Hostage tragedy: Man shot by police 'trying to turn his life around'
Neighbours describe the 'terrifying' events that unfolded on Oriana Cres.
Cash or can: Tauranga Te Papa Rotary Club collection begins today
"If all you can manage to put into the box is a 70 cent can of spaghetti, please do so."
'There is no hope for me here': Mum dying of cancer makes desperate decision
'It's pretty horrific when I think of the girls,' Erin McDonnell says.
'Good buzz': Christmas appeal hits $10k donation mark
Delight as Tauranga digs deep to help others.
Tauranga father and daughter take on Parliament with petition for cancer drug funding
"I will never forget the hideous day of his terminal diagnosis."
Durham St upgrade blessed in morning ceremony
Durham St upgrade has been blessed in a ceremony.
Cancer petition: Tauranga family calls for drug to be funded
The Dunne family has spent more than $120,000 on treatment.
'You just know you're doing something good' - Tauranga Community Foodbank volunteer
"We're doing more parcels and bigger parcels": Need has grown in past five years.
Gilmours Tauranga sponsors foodbank Christmas appeal
Gilmours has donated goods to the Foodbank on a monthly basis for a number of years.
Cheerleading trials have a generous twist
The Bay of Plenty Times annual Christmas Appeal is on now.
'Making the world a better place: Pride Picnic returns to Tauranga
"Pride is for everyone and pride looks different for everyone."
Tauranga Foodbank Christmas Appeal off to ripper start
"People are reacting to the plight of the community:" Foodbank manager.
'Is this spam?' Local Hero's reaction to surprise nomination
"I thought, 'What on earth is this? Has my email been hacked?"