Kelly Makiha, a Multimedia Journalist at the Rotorua Daily Post, specialises in court and police reporting.
I started work as a Multimedia Journalist at the Rotorua Daily Post as an 18 year-old in 1996 and I am still here, loving every single day. I wanted to be a journalist since I was a child and remember making my mum follow the flashing lights of emergency services so I could see what was happening. I started writing for my local newspaper in Timaru when I was a young teen and knew then that this was the job for me. I made the move to the Rotorua Daily Post and it was meant to be a stepping stone but I fell in love with this city, got married and we are now raising our three children here. I have covered all rounds but specialise in court and police reporting and have been chief reporter or assistant editor for most of my career. I am now back doing what I love – writing stories that matter, holding people and organisations to account, celebrating heroes, paying tribute to amazing lost loved ones and using my role to highlight issues to make a difference. Each day I’m honoured to be surrounded by a group of professionals who work hard and believe in what we do.
Police station axe attack-accused denies charges
The attack incident sparked an armed police response.
Hunting death: Minginui man denies manslaughter charge
Mark Jefferson, 46, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter in the High Court at Rotorua.
Sex crimes case: Why an entertainment figure’s identity is still secret
It has been six months since a Court of Appeal hearing about name suppression.
Fake cop: Teen impersonates police officer at hospital
He parked his ex-cop car in a police spot and probed staff for a security guard's details.
Man’s drink-driving conviction overturned on appeal after lawyer, police errors
Zebulon Lawrance was more than twice the legal drink driving limit but has been let off.
Man charged with manslaughter, unlawful hunting after Kawerau man’s death
A man will appear in the Rotorua District Court accused of Stuart Stobie's manslaughter.
Mother jailed for live-streamed crash causing baby’s brain injury
Her 12-week-old baby suffered severe brain damage in the accident.
‘Legend’: ‘Bloody good cop’ who targeted gangs dies
Dennis Murphy was known for his dedication to catching gang members and drug dealers.
‘Profoundly disturbing’: Men who paid for sex with 13-year-old sentenced
Three men were sentenced in Rotorua on Friday to home detention.
'Bland' school lunches arrive up to three hours late, just before home-time
Principals had to buy food to tide students over or pull them out of class to eat late.
Auckland Anniversary Day: Should the Bay of Plenty ditch it for its own day?
Why does most of the North Island celebrate Auckland Anniversary Day?
‘No chance of him surviving’: How a hot pool visit ended in death
With no body found, his disappearance was a mystery. Now a coroner has ruled.
Nia Glassie's murderer: 'Still using drugs, still being violent'
Michael Curtis has served more than 17 years for the murder of Nia Glassie.
'Patterns of behaviour': Schools fight to get more students attending class
'It’s addressing the habit of attending ... fronting up in a timely fashion'.
'Wholly unnecessary': Bay road toll rises after horror December in Rotorua
Too many people have died on local roads, say police.
Nia Glassie's murderers up for parole
It's been 17 years since Nia Glassie was killed. Now her killers want out of jail.
Retailers cashing in on customers' happy vibes
Boxing Day shoppers in Rotorua and Tauranga are happy to be spending.
Revealed: The items Bay people are trying to sneak into court
A disregard for authority could be why those attending court are thumbing their noses.
Man admits causing hunter's death in Te Urewera firearms incident
A man charged with careless use of a firearm causing death has appeared in court.
‘I hope you rot’: Fugitive rapist finally faces justice in a NZ court
'He needs to be held accountable for his evil, despicable actions.'
Why Rotorua is getting funky
What's in store for next year's Rotorua Lakeside concert?
Rotorua teen prostitution ring: Five men admit being customers
Details have been revealed about five men caught up in an underage prostitution ring.
'Kill' Bill: Rotorua hīkoi leg sends strong message to Parliament
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti is just the start of the call to action, organisers say.
'Watching pornos a reason to go to jail': Barbs fly between senior Māori MPs over haka row
Rawiri Waititi defends party's MP after she copped criticism from Shane Jones.
Saluting and farewelling Tā Bom - the reluctant war hero
It was a fitting ceremonial farewell that Sir Robert Gillies would have dodged.
'I’ll take the rap': Witness in murder trial to claim men confessed to shooting
The Crown's key witness was ruled immune from prosecution in exchange for his evidence.
'They are going to f***ing kill us': Woman's final words on 111 call
Credence Malcolm and another man who can't be named say they didn't murder Korrey Whyman.
Man appears in court over hunter's death
Sean Kavanagh appeared in the Rotorua District Court today.
Sold: Why this man bought a child's painting for $600
Rotorua's Child Cancer Foundation charity breakfast has raised $20,000.
'Dreams do come true': Kiwi country singer making it in Nashville awarded
'I’ve never forgotten where I’ve come from.'
Why a gravel road where a tourist died is under the spotlight
A coroner has released findings after a tourist drove off a gravel road and died.
Police give update on injured couple linked to Rotorua homicide
The dead woman was discovered by police on September 23.
Man charged with Rotorua murder faces further charges
A neighbour says police told her the victim suffered a 'terrible violent death'.
'She didn't deserve to die that way': Woman in Rotorua homicide died 'violent death'
A neighbour says police told her the victim suffered a 'terrible violent death'.
Country music awards hit high note with renowned guest artists
Country music singers from throughout New Zealand are vying to be the best.
Convicted rapist extradited from Australia
Lee Josey has appeared in the Rotorua District Court.
'Tragic accident': Coroner rules child died after oven tipped on her
'Dearly loved' girl’s death a reminder of need for constant adult supervision - Coroner.
Where the jobs are: Top region, industries looking for workers
Which industries had the biggest boost?
Tokoroa teacher killer 'happy to die' in prison as he goes before parole board
The man who killed Tokoroa teacher Lois Dear has applied for parole for the first time.
'Terrified': Mobster on meth carjacks couple, speeds off sitting on driver
Woman pinned to seat by tattooed gangster struggled to breathe, says judge.
Tribesman killed by 'hotbox' beating after secretly using gang account, Crown alleges
Five men are standing trial for murder in the High Court at Rotorua.
Race to find bone marrow match: 'There is a little boy here who needs your help'
'If they can’t help my son, we are hoping they might be able to save other kids.'
'It happened so fast': Mum hit by car in a restaurant tells how she survived
She and her husband had just finished their garlic bread when they heard a bang.
Eruption victims will be paid despite company going bust - helicopter boss
Volcanic Air Safaris' insurance will pay reparation, a liquidator says.
Rotorua hot pool mystery echoes 1980 search for man's remains
Police are trying to find out if a man has fallen into a 'near-boiling' geothermal pool.
Ultra-Trail apologises after some runners struggle to get water on hot day
4500 starters ran distances up to 160km in 'hot' weather for the weekend's event.
Rotorua hot pool mystery: Did a man fall in? Why police can't find a body
Why searchers are struggling to confirm their suspicion in the near-boiling pool.
Rapist on the run in Australia after Rotorua jury convicts him of attacking teen girls
He fled to Australia while on bail but his trial went ahead without him anyway.
Watch: 'A slap on the hand': Fed-up store owners call for crackdown after latest raid
'What do you do? It’s your business, you have invested money in it.'
Best of Premium 2023: Drug kingpin 'learnt from the best' - his father, court told
He would illegally buy the drugs using the dark web, paying for it with Bitcoin.
‘You can’t dream if you can’t see it’: How biking stars are growing world champs
Julian Dean, Tuhoto-Ariki Pene and Sammie Maxwell are tapping into raw talent.
High honour for master carver who was once told he was a 'failure'
Master carver Clive Fugill has been made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Sex stabbing trial: Jury enters third day of deliberations
The jury has been out since Monday afternoon.
'Highly manipulative': Sex stabbing attack pre-meditated, Crown says
The jury has retired to consider its verdict.
Sex stabbing trial: Wife describes controlling and violent marriage
Jurors watch two police video interviews with the defendant as trial progresses.
'Traumatic': Babysitter indecently assaulted says court trial worse than the crime itself
'I felt like the defendant ... I’m the victim in the matter.'
'Get off', children heard dad yell after mum stabbed him during sex
Children give evidence in the trial of their mother who allegedly attacked their father.
'You're killing me': Woman on trial after stabbing husband with scissors during sex
She claims she acted in self-defence, the jury has been told.
How this woman lost 50kg naturally - and still eats hot chips
'There’s no fasting, no pills, nothing like that.'
'Disgusting and repulsive man': Leading entertainment figure sentenced
'I do not accept that she encouraged in any way the conduct that occurred,' judge says.
Pāpāmoa and Tauranga Lotto players strike first and second division
Check your Lotto tickets if you live in Pāpāmoa or Tauranga.
Private investigator eyes controversial security business
Details have been revealed in a licensing authority decision.
'I knew it was a gun shot': Ōpōtiki Mayor speaks out on gang violence
He wants the new Government to deliver more police for his town.
‘Ingrained hatred’: Should warring Mongrel Mob and Black Power be rewarded for good behaviour?
An expert makes the suggestion as police crack down on gang violence.
Gang crackdown: Weapons, drugs, cash seized by police given special search powers
Police also made two arrests in Ōpōtiki amid gang tensions.
Police given special search powers after woman shot amid simmering gang violence
A woman was shot in Ōpōtiki.
McClay: Work starts now to restore Rotorua's reputation
Rotorua MP Todd McClay says he will work hard to get back the Rotorua that once was.
Kirkpatrick says local roots crucial in win over Coffey
East Coast electorate reverts back to blue with Dana Kirkpatrick's election win.
Lotto players in Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki among winners
Check your tickets if you're in Ōpotiki and Whakatāne.
Lotto loot for Tauranga and Rotorua players
Tauranga and Rotorua Lotto players strike it lucky.
'The buggers': Visitor gutted after car stolen, dumped — then stolen again
Not only is the car gone, but 'irreplaceable' photos have also been lost.
Serial groper breached parole before indecent carpark act
The Parole Board found his excuse for the carpark act 'utterly implausible'.
'Stunned': Jury returns verdicts in leading entertainment figure trial
After a three-month High Court trial, the jury took just over two days to reach verdicts.
Leading entertainment figure trial: Jury retires to consider verdicts
The trial is nearing the end of its 12th week after originally being set down for six.
'Sexual deviancy': Serial groper Jason Trembath jailed again
His lawyer said Trembath was 'wound up' after playing tennis before his latest offending.
Lizzo, Kylie lyrics quoted to jury in sexual assault trial
"First and last time I get to refer to the authority of Lizzo in a court," lawyer says.
'Absolutely ravaged': Ram-raiders drove vehicle 60m through mall
A ram raid at Rotorua Central mall has left devastating impacts.
Well-known New Zealander appears in court on violence charges
The man's lawyer says the charges are 'domestic-related'.
Secret recording played to jury in trial of leading entertainment figure
'Playing with someone’s life': Witness makes claims about his ex and rape complainant.