Kaitlyn Morrell is a multimedia journalist at the Rotorua Daily Post and the Bay of Plenty Times
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.
Home-schooled students ride 755km to Parliament for equal sports access
Amelia Twiss and George Fisher made the journey over 10 days.
'Current hotspot': Back-to-back national titles for Tauranga basketballers
The Under-18 and Under-20 women's teams won their championships.
New sculpture for Tauranga: Artist chosen for bold six-figure CBD artwork
Paul Darragh's piece comes after 7m steel sculpture installed in Red Square last year.
Teen's sudden cancer diagnosis puts close-knit family on 'rollercoaster ride'
Tepora, 14, is fighting acute myeloid leukaemia at Starship kids' hospital in Auckland.
Region's first learning hub for migrant parents a 'transformative step'
The hub is aimed at empowering families to better understand NZ's education system.
'I'm proud of you': Sister's final message before fatal crash
Lily Arabin, 34, died in a car crash on the Tauranga Eastern Link on June 26.
'Where I needed to be': US high school the right move for Kiwi basketballer
Elijah Fonotia committed to Harford Community College to advance his basketball career.
Takitimu House leader Annamarie Angus steps down after 11 years
She said her vision was to always ensure humanity came first.
Glamorous charity lunch raises $26k for rescue helicopter service
Bryce McFall shared his rescue story at the Sisters & Co event.
'Max capacity': Good news for growing school squeezing classes into library
Maungatapu School in Tauranga will receive three new classrooms for its growing roll.
How the 'retail heart' of Pāpāmoa is about to get bigger
The new development will offer 3800 square metres for up to eight retailers.
'Start of something big': Bay tradie named NZ's top building apprentice
Scott Davies, from Tauranga, won the New Zealand Certified Builders Apprentice Challenge.
Why fewer cruise ships may not mean fewer tourists for 'popular' stop
The region expects 87 cruise ships next season across 74 dates.
On The Up: 'Desire to innovate' - Kiwi fitness app wins global prize for Harry Potter challenges
Plus: Tauranga gin distillery's big UK win and Pāpāmoa skincare start-up's Goop deal.
'Shocked, actually': Rotorua healthcare leader reflects on decades of service
Hariata Vercoe has been recognised for her services to Māori, health, and the community.
'I didn't give up on myself': BMX Olympian receives 'special' honour
Sarah Walker is honoured for her services to BMX and sports governance.
Home-schooled athletes denied medals to cycle 800km seeking rule change
School Sport NZ says its events are reserved for students enrolled fulltime in a school.
Hard work pays off: Six young BoP squash players prepare for worlds in Egypt
The young players will be representing New Zealand at the Junior World Championships.
Kiwi Harvard students' futures 'held hostage' in university's battle with Trump
'I'm angry, I'm upset and I'm scared. This decision is just vindictiveness.'
'Good movers': Former Silver Fern driven to cut injury risks as ACC claims rise
Winter sports-related injury claims have consistently gone up over the past five years.
'Won’t be enough': Foodbanks react to $15m Budget boost
One organisation welcomed the money but said it is 'not a full solution'.
Big things, small place: Mount Maunganui drone-maker wins top NZ hi-tech award
The company recently inked a $66.8m deal with the British Defence Force.
'Meet the day as best you can': What Shirley Smith has learned in 100 years
'I just have to oil my brains,' she says, when settling in for some lovely reminiscing.
'Relentless growth': Region's innovators make strong showing in tech awards
Bay of Plenty has six finalists in the NZ Hi-Tech Awards.
'Worst it's been': How cafes are adjusting to soaring butter prices
'Butter-wise, we haven't passed the buck on to the consumer yet.'
On The Up: 'A powerhouse' - looking back at 40 years of Bayfair
It has grown from 27 stores to more than 140 stores and restaurants.
'Anybody can make a difference': Amputee to walk 42km in a day
Tyler Cashmore will walk 42km in one day – and he isn't letting having one leg stop him.
'Fixing the issue is complex': Repairing 5m deep sinkhole in Pāpāmoa
The tomo opened in Pāpāmoa on Thursday morning, opposite Golden Sands School.
'Really awkward': Homeschool student denied medal two years in a row
A homeschool student had medals taken away and given to athletes placed below them
Rugby player in ICU after serious head clash on Anzac Day
The rugby community has rallied, offering immense support to Joey Ah-Sui's family.
'We were the lucky ones': Couple celebrates 73 years married
Ken and Noeline Murray met in 1947 and have been attached at the hip ever since.
Leading into the next chapter: Tauranga Whai appoint new head coach
'He’s absolutely ready to lead this team into its next chapter': Whai GM John Miller.
‘Small beginnings’: Tournament now hosts more athletes than Olympics
Games is the biggest intermediate-school level sports tournament in Australasia.
On The Up: Kiwis accepted into Oxford, Harvard, Princeton and more
Three Bay of Plenty locals have been accepted into the world's most prestigious schools.
Tauranga's Jazz Festival a must-do this Easter weekend
The Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival has something for everyone even in the rain.
On The Up: Golf club invests $3m into new facilities, including field-sized practice green
The club says the 6000sq m green is among the biggest in the world.
Ready to rip on local trails: Mountain biking champs come to Tauranga
Over 650 mountain biking riders from across the North Island will compete at Summerhill.
‘Over the moon’: Playcentre moves from home of half a century after 20-year relocation project
Mount Maunganui Playcentre officially opened its new Golf Rd location on Thursday
‘A love letter to Tauranga’: The musical comedy series coming to NZ screens
The new series Happiness highlights musical theatre in local Kiwi communities
‘A staple’: Activewear brand expands in NZ after milestone launch
An activewear brand known for high-performance sportswear is opening in the Bay of Plenty
SH5 crash: Driver appears in Tauranga court facing 11 charges
She has not entered pleas to the charges.
‘State of shock’: Canadian hockey players injured in serious crash
The visiting U16 and U18 hockey team members were travelling to Tauranga from Napier.
‘Means the world to us’: NZ biking tech joins global cycling programme
The programme connects cycling start-ups with mentors and funding opportunities.
‘On his way’: Running prodigy’s coach on playing the long game
At 15, Sam Ruthe has become the youngest person in history to run a sub-four-minute mile.
Whai basketballers pump up Rotorua for historic game
Whai players court fans in Rotorua ahead of historic game in city.
‘Hunger to learn’: Meet the Kiwis changing the rugby scene in Brazil
'It's accelerating each and every year, which is awesome to see.'
'Absolutely nuts': Three golfers smash aces in 24 hours
Three golfers each scoring a hole in one in the space of 24 hours.
‘A pleasant surprise’: BoP, Rotorua mayors ranked in nationwide poll
A Curia Market Research poll for the NZ Taxpayers’ Union has ranked mayors around NZ.
‘Bulletproof’: Why more Kiwi men die in the water
With the lowest number of drownings since 2018, males accounted for most fatalities.
‘I didn’t know where it was': WNBA player’s journey to NZ league
Ashley Joens has played for three WNBA teams, but a team in NZ ticked all her boxes.
‘Quietly confident’: Whirlwind 10 years to create award-winning plumbing business
After a decade in business, a plumbing business has been recognised for its success.
‘Extreme fluctuations’: What recruiters say as region’s job ads drop 22%
'The job market has become more competitive.'
'A means of expression': Obstacles of chronic fatigue no barrier for student selected in art exhibition
A Rotorua young achiever's hard work has been exhibited across New Zealand
Waitangi Day in the Bay of Plenty: Your guide to events
Annual events will be returning this Waitangi Day to bring local communities together.
Cost of students starting high school soars - parents stung up to $800 per child
Families may face costs upwards of $800 per child for uniforms, stationery, technology.
'No other venue capable': How a 'cherished' cricket oval nabbed a Super Rugby match
Oval game shows need for rectangular stadium, says one of the region's biggest rugby fans.
"It's like rugby on wheels": Bay athletes selected for Team NZ Roller Derby World Cup
Athletes from Tauranga, Rotorua, and Whakatāne have been named in Team NZ Roller Derby.
'Don't let it stop you': Professional basketballer's health battle
'There are people who care for you and will still want you to succeed.'
Record-breaking donations for foodbank as high demand continues into New Year
The Christmas Appeal has ended, raising a record-breaking amount for the foodbank.
How a free service fights loneliness with calls from caring strangers
The free service providing companionship and conversation is staffed by volunteers.
'I can’t find the words': Horror author's ironic take on NY honour
'I’m supposed to be a wordsmith and just can’t get the words out.'
Fifty years of service to conservation: 'The environment does have some value'
Julian Fitter has been contributing to conservation for half a century.
Young Kiwi music artist's career turning point: 'I just feel like I’m in a dream'
Frankie Venter's first headline show in Tauranga was the turning point of her career.
Final year of school to remember: 'I wasn’t thinking I would make it to where I did'
A Year 13 student achieves success – and has big career goals.
‘Extremely honoured’: Rotorua teacher makes history with excellence award
Bryony Edwards has been recognised for her teaching efforts picking up a major NEiTA award
Rainy Christmas forecast for Bay of Plenty and beyond
MetService forecasts warm, wet Christmas for Bay of Plenty, rain easing by Dec 27.
'Most enormous thank you': Appeal raises record-breaking tally for foodbank
Two big business donations capped off the six-week fundraising drive.
Basketball final history in the Bay: 'We're in our groove right now'
'There is no better place than to play at home.'
'A lovely supply': Community garden grows goodness for struggling families
The opening of the Omanu Community Garden is giving back with fresh food where possible.
'Generous donations' near $200k as need for foodbank increases
The Tauranga Community Foodbank has received “substantial support” after week five.
Defending surf lifesaving champions reign successful at monster event
More than 300 competitors took part in the Mount Monster on Saturday.
Annual food drive aims to make Christmas 'lighter and brighter' for families
For 12 years Cooney Lees Morgan has been running a food collection for the foodbank.
Tsunami training: What would you do if a massive wave was on the way?
Think you’d know what to do in an emergency? Put it to the test through virtual reality.
'Changing the conversation': Real estate company raises nearly $20k for foodbank
A Tauranga real estate company is helping feed families this Christmas.
Volunteers unite at Tauranga foodbank amid soaring demand for help
Drawn to helping people, Jessica Stewart works fulltime at Tauranga Community Foodbank.
Foodbank grateful for community's 'hard yakka'
'Your support makes a direct and positive impact on the lives of others,' says the boss.
'We certainly feel the love': Donations pour in from Christmas Movie in the Park
A rain delay didn't stop hundreds of people joining the fun and donating to the foodbank.
Taking truants' parents to court will 'punish' poor families, iwi leader says
The minister says only adults being genuinely obstructive or neglectful risk being fined.
'We give back where we can': Appeal's big boost from sports groups
Halfway through the appeal, donations are tracking well with large donations rolling in.