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Maryana Garcia
Multimedia Journalist
Hamilton

Maryana Garcia is a multimedia reporter based in Hamilton, covering Waikato stories of national interest.

Maryana Garcia is a live news reporter working with the Waikato Herald team. She studied a Bachelor of Arts with a major in History at the University of Auckland. Maryana also earned graduate diplomas in English literature from the University of Waikato and communications from Wintec. Maryana has been with NZME since 2021. She started as a regional reporter for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times writing about health and crime. During her time in the region, Maryana covered the Covid-19 pandemic, Cyclone Gabrielle and the local effects of the war in Ukraine, troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and protests in Iran. Maryana is also a poet and essayist. Her creative writing has been published in The Spinoff, Turbine, Poetry New Zealand, Takahē, Mayhem and Australia’s Meniscus Literary Journal. Maryana’s poetry has been featured on the walls of Auckland Hospital as part of Ara Manawa’s Poetry in Place exhibition and in the collections A Clear Dawn: New Asian Voices from Aotearoa New Zealand and Ko Aotearoa Tātou | We Are New Zealand.

Check out Maryana’s latest content
'Technology has come so far': Drones could be coming to farms and beaches near you
Bay of Plenty Times

'Technology has come so far': Drones could be coming to farms and beaches near you

18 Jun 06:00 PM
'Life-changing': International flights return to Hamilton Airport
Bay of Plenty Times

'Life-changing': International flights return to Hamilton Airport

18 Jun 05:23 AM

Jetstar's first planes to Sydney and Gold Coast have taken off from Hamilton this week.

'Game changer': Corrections Minister opens Waikeria Prison's new 596-bed facility
Bay of Plenty Times

'Game changer': Corrections Minister opens Waikeria Prison's new 596-bed facility

06 Jun 03:21 AM

The jail's extension spans about 21 hectares and includes 28 new buildings.

$51m boost for forensic mental health services
Bay of Plenty Times

$51m boost for forensic mental health services

05 Jun 05:00 AM

Health Minister Matt Doocey announced the four-year funding increase at Waikato Hospital.

On the Up: Meet teen fire brigade and road safety hero Mila
Bay of Plenty Times

On the Up: Meet teen fire brigade and road safety hero Mila

15 May 05:00 PM

'Making a small change, that’s enough for me.'

'Very worried': Police search harbour area for man missing since Anzac Day
Bay of Plenty Times

'Very worried': Police search harbour area for man missing since Anzac Day

30 Apr 01:40 AM

He left an address on Tobie Place around 11.15pm on Anzac Day.

SH29 reopens follow truck breakdown
Bay of Plenty Times

SH29 reopens follow truck breakdown

03 Apr 10:15 PM

The truck's cargo of chlorine was 'reacting due to the inclement weather'.

More than 12 times the police force, 60 arrests: Holiday data from summer hotspot revealed
Bay of Plenty Times

More than 12 times the police force, 60 arrests: Holiday data from summer hotspot revealed

28 Mar 04:00 AM

Charges included assault of police, threatening to kill and dangerous driving.

SH25 cleared after after logging truck hit power pole near Whangamatā
Bay of Plenty Times

SH25 cleared after after logging truck hit power pole near Whangamatā

06 Mar 09:59 PM

Police said contractors were at the scene and there were no reports of injuries.

'Round and round': One letter sent six times but never received
Bay of Plenty Times

'Round and round': One letter sent six times but never received

30 Jan 05:00 PM

Robyn Bronlund-Stads sends mail to the same address monthly. She knows it's correct.

Police officer nearly hit by truck after driver ignores road closure
Bay of Plenty Times

Police officer nearly hit by truck after driver ignores road closure

08 Jan 12:37 AM

One police officer was forced to jump out of the way.

'Highly probable' 16-year-old's wrist broke during unlawful arrest, IPCA finds
Bay of Plenty Times

'Highly probable' 16-year-old's wrist broke during unlawful arrest, IPCA finds

30 Oct 10:18 PM

Police arrested teen for breaching alcohol ban after he refused to give his details.

Man accused of murdering 8yo Hamilton boy appears in court
Bay of Plenty Times

Man accused of murdering 8yo Hamilton boy appears in court

02 Sep 05:15 AM

The victim of Sunday night's alleged assault was Zahquiel Taipeti, 8.

‘Give mummy big hugs’: Child, 8, killed after group attack in Hamilton has been named
Bay of Plenty Times

‘Give mummy big hugs’: Child, 8, killed after group attack in Hamilton has been named

02 Sep 01:36 AM

Zahquiel's family paid tribute saying he could rest in his late mother's arms.

Car fire blocks eastbound lane of SH29 on Kaimai Range
Bay of Plenty Times

Car fire blocks eastbound lane of SH29 on Kaimai Range

12 Aug 04:44 AM

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said the fire was reported at about 2.56pm.

'All of Tūrangi heard us': Meet Olympic medallist Hayden Wilde's biggest fans
Bay of Plenty Times

'All of Tūrangi heard us': Meet Olympic medallist Hayden Wilde's biggest fans

02 Aug 10:05 PM

Bruce and Nita Wilde cheered their grandson on from their home in Tūrangi.

Body found near Wairere Falls: Family of Pauline Grey thank police, iwi for search
Bay of Plenty Times

Body found near Wairere Falls: Family of Pauline Grey thank police, iwi for search

18 Jun 12:08 AM

A rāhui is in place on the Wairere Falls Track for the next seven days.

'Did not return': Drone deployed in search for missing woman, 67, near Wairere Falls
Bay of Plenty Times

'Did not return': Drone deployed in search for missing woman, 67, near Wairere Falls

16 Jun 10:34 PM

Police want to speak to the person who located a jacket on a walk in the area.

Two-truck crash on State Highway 29 leaves debris blocking road
Bay of Plenty Times

Two-truck crash on State Highway 29 leaves debris blocking road

10 May 01:09 AM

The road was reduced to one lane for several hours but has since reopened.

'Increasing buyer activity': Tauranga's average property value rises to $1.09m
Bay of Plenty Times

'Increasing buyer activity': Tauranga's average property value rises to $1.09m

18 Feb 08:08 PM

The three-month rise was above the NZ average, with two beachside suburbs leading the way.

'Dark numbers': Fear housing crisis 'normalised'; region with most need revealed
Bay of Plenty Times

'Dark numbers': Fear housing crisis 'normalised'; region with most need revealed

15 Feb 11:13 PM

The charity delivers 92,000 food parcels in a year: 'That’s not a flex'.

One day life was 'sweet'. The next, his 'head was gone' - Why he says the system's 'broken'
Bay of Plenty Times

One day life was 'sweet'. The next, his 'head was gone' - Why he says the system's 'broken'

15 Feb 04:00 PM

'Right now, unless you know where you’re looking it’s hard to find help.'

'Significant risk':  GP practice could have to reduce services due to pay equity claim
Bay of Plenty Times

'Significant risk': GP practice could have to reduce services due to pay equity claim

12 Feb 04:00 PM

'If the funder does not act on this urgently, we are likely to need to restructure.'

'Great show' guaranteed as world's best riders compete in NZ's first BMX World Cup
Bay of Plenty Times

'Great show' guaranteed as world's best riders compete in NZ's first BMX World Cup

04 Feb 11:32 PM

'It will be full of action, full of crashes and full of big jumps.'

One Love 2024:  Wet weather hasn't dampened 'perfect vibes'
Bay of Plenty Times

One Love 2024: Wet weather hasn't dampened 'perfect vibes'

28 Jan 01:42 AM

“We’re all here for the same reason. It’s all about the music and everyone was excited."

What's on in the Bay of Plenty this Auckland Anniversary long weekend
Bay of Plenty Times

What's on in the Bay of Plenty this Auckland Anniversary long weekend

26 Jan 02:33 AM

Discover upcoming events in the Bay of Plenty region this long weekend.

One Love 2024: 15k concertgoers to attend from over 20 countries
Bay of Plenty Times

One Love 2024: 15k concertgoers to attend from over 20 countries

25 Jan 08:00 PM

Plus all you need to know about road closures and noise control

'Damn lucky': Ex-truckie, 83, believes driving habit gave him cancer
Bay of Plenty Times

'Damn lucky': Ex-truckie, 83, believes driving habit gave him cancer

22 Jan 04:00 PM

Richard Lyons was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma in September.

'Most painful time in our lives': Family call for help after deaths of dad, mum and son
Bay of Plenty Times

'Most painful time in our lives': Family call for help after deaths of dad, mum and son

19 Jan 09:07 PM

'No one should have to lose so many people in such a short time.'

Watch: 'Lock your door' - prowler filmed peering in mum’s kitchen window
Bay of Plenty Times

Watch: 'Lock your door' - prowler filmed peering in mum’s kitchen window

16 Jan 04:00 PM

Horror movie phone call: 'Just lock your door and call the police. Act casual.'

Watch: Pro tips for rolling the perfect summer icecream scoop
Bay of Plenty Times

Watch: Pro tips for rolling the perfect summer icecream scoop

12 Jan 03:30 PM

Seasoned scoopers share the secrets of a delicious trade.

Explainer: How to safely forage for mushrooms - and poisonous ones to avoid
Bay of Plenty Times

Explainer: How to safely forage for mushrooms - and poisonous ones to avoid

31 Dec 09:00 PM

However, the National Poisons Centre warns against eating wild mushrooms.

Mt Maunganui crash victim named as holiday road toll rises to 11
Bay of Plenty Times

Mt Maunganui crash victim named as holiday road toll rises to 11

29 Dec 04:21 AM

Brayden Tawa, of Pāpāmoa, died after a car and truck crashed on Hewletts Rd.

Mount Maunganui fatal crash brings holiday road toll to eight
Bay of Plenty Times

Mount Maunganui fatal crash brings holiday road toll to eight

27 Dec 09:19 PM

One person died after a crash last night at a Mount Maunganui intersection.

Firefighters extinguishing 'flare-ups' on Matakana Island
Bay of Plenty Times

Firefighters extinguishing 'flare-ups' on Matakana Island

27 Dec 02:57 AM

Firefighters expected to stay on Matakana Island until the end of the week.

Mobster sentenced for 'execution-style' 2018 murder of innocent man
Bay of Plenty Times

Mobster sentenced for 'execution-style' 2018 murder of innocent man

14 Dec 03:35 AM

Victim David Kuka was 'simply in the wrong place at the wrong time', a judge says.

'Absolutely chilling': Maungatapu home engulfed in flames within minutes - witnesses
Bay of Plenty Times

'Absolutely chilling': Maungatapu home engulfed in flames within minutes - witnesses

03 Dec 01:11 AM

Phil and Chontelle Strang saw the blaze from their kitchen window.

'Dirty, old mutton': Pet food factory fined $70k for smells
Bay of Plenty Times

'Dirty, old mutton': Pet food factory fined $70k for smells

24 Nov 04:00 PM

Residents complained of 'putrid, acrid roasting smell' like 'rotten, stinking, dead meat'.

‘I don’t want to shoot you': Cop tells of moments before he fired fatal shots
Bay of Plenty Times

‘I don’t want to shoot you': Cop tells of moments before he fired fatal shots

23 Nov 05:15 PM

Officer breaks down while giving evidence at a coronial inquest in Rotorua.

'Won’t let me sleep': Cops were 'tormenting' man later killed by police
Bay of Plenty Times

'Won’t let me sleep': Cops were 'tormenting' man later killed by police

21 Nov 06:11 AM

Inquest hears from officer whose car was attacked by Shargin Stephens before shooting.

Shargin Stephens was 'actively' targeted by police, inquest hears
Bay of Plenty Times

Shargin Stephens was 'actively' targeted by police, inquest hears

20 Nov 05:09 AM

'With that criminal group, our priority was to actually get them off the street.'

'Bounce back': Most suburbs saw average values increase over past three months
Bay of Plenty Times

'Bounce back': Most suburbs saw average values increase over past three months

19 Nov 11:00 PM

OneRoof's latest property report paints a picture of how suburbs have performed.

Edgecumbe flood: Hundreds may be eligible to join legal case as five sue for $3.95m
Bay of Plenty Times

Edgecumbe flood: Hundreds may be eligible to join legal case as five sue for $3.95m

14 Nov 10:48 PM

Law firm says if it becomes a class action, it could cover another 350 plaintiffs.

A 'big holla' summer: Meet two Bay bands marking milestones at One Love 2024
Bay of Plenty Times

A 'big holla' summer: Meet two Bay bands marking milestones at One Love 2024

05 Nov 10:00 PM

Appearing on One Love a milestone for two Kiwi bands

Victimised again: Jailed mobster got victim to change her testimony
Bay of Plenty Times

Victimised again: Jailed mobster got victim to change her testimony

02 Nov 11:00 PM

Jason Rex Maney sentenced for wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Message in a bottle: Fisherman in Canada finds Coromandel man's 2014 letter
Bay of Plenty Times

Message in a bottle: Fisherman in Canada finds Coromandel man's 2014 letter

01 Nov 08:08 PM

'Well, well, well. I’ll go eat my hat,' the letter's author says. 'You’ve made my year.'

'Intense' and 'gutting': Bay spectators on the Rugby World Cup loss
Bay of Plenty Times

'Intense' and 'gutting': Bay spectators on the Rugby World Cup loss

29 Oct 05:04 PM

Spectators described the final as 'intense' and 'gutting'.

‘Out of the doldrums’: Battered tourism operator looking forward to ‘crazy’ summer season
Bay of Plenty Times

‘Out of the doldrums’: Battered tourism operator looking forward to ‘crazy’ summer season

27 Oct 03:00 AM

Labour weekend the start of “key” six-month visitor season.

'Blood kept gushing out': Store owner king-hit and left concussed
Bay of Plenty Times

'Blood kept gushing out': Store owner king-hit and left concussed

26 Oct 11:03 PM

'The concussion is the worst part. It feels like a drill bit running through my forehead.'

Extra $26.6m building consent issued for city council's new timber office
Bay of Plenty Times

Extra $26.6m building consent issued for city council's new timber office

26 Oct 07:00 PM

The eight-storey timber office building was also issued an $18.9m consent in July.

Mongrel Mob captain sentenced for destroying evidence in murder case
Bay of Plenty Times

Mongrel Mob captain sentenced for destroying evidence in murder case

20 Oct 02:45 AM

'[The vehicle] may well have contained important forensic evidence.'

She was terrified of the water. Now it's her happy place
Bay of Plenty Times

She was terrified of the water. Now it's her happy place

15 Oct 07:59 PM

Meet award-winning Coastguard Rotorua Lakes and Taupō units volunteer Amy Nattrass.

Who, when, where: What to know about $21.4m boost for affordable rentals
Bay of Plenty Times

Who, when, where: What to know about $21.4m boost for affordable rentals

10 Oct 05:00 PM

'It’s our responsibility to look after those who have provided for us.'

'Just in time for summer': New Four Square opening in Mount Maunganui
Bay of Plenty Times

'Just in time for summer': New Four Square opening in Mount Maunganui

28 Sep 09:16 PM

Foodstuffs is working with local iwi Ngāi Te Rangi to open the store.

Premium
Painful endometriosis battle sparks campaign to pay for others to get private surgery
Bay of Plenty Times

Painful endometriosis battle sparks campaign to pay for others to get private surgery

28 Sep 05:00 PM

'The public waiting list is far too long, and that is why we are helping two young women.'

Jury finds Mongrel Mob trio not guilty of murdering David Kuka
Bay of Plenty Times

Jury finds Mongrel Mob trio not guilty of murdering David Kuka

26 Sep 12:58 AM

One of the trio was found guilty of being an accessory after the fact to murder.

Pharmac offers alternative brain cancer drug - but it's not Medsafe approved
Bay of Plenty Times

Pharmac offers alternative brain cancer drug - but it's not Medsafe approved

25 Sep 02:37 AM

Advocates say the solution does not solve the shortage of treatment options.

'Absolute nonsense': Defence lawyers close case in David Kuka murder trial
Bay of Plenty Times

'Absolute nonsense': Defence lawyers close case in David Kuka murder trial

22 Sep 04:43 AM

The jury has retired to consider its verdict.

Mongrel Mob murder trial: Crown closes case against trio
Bay of Plenty Times

Mongrel Mob murder trial: Crown closes case against trio

21 Sep 05:24 AM

Crown: 'This murder would not have happened without these three defendants.'

Supreme Court denies Bella Vista developer's bid to appeal convictions
Bay of Plenty Times

Supreme Court denies Bella Vista developer's bid to appeal convictions

20 Sep 09:03 AM

The court ruled the appeal application did not have 'sufficient prospects of success'.

'Team effort': How a new one-day testing programme is speeding up the kidney transplant process
Bay of Plenty Times

'Team effort': How a new one-day testing programme is speeding up the kidney transplant process

17 Sep 08:00 PM

One 42-year-old mother-of-four said the programme had been "a great help".

'Exciting phase': Extra classes needed to meet demand for for te reo Māori education
Bay of Plenty Times

'Exciting phase': Extra classes needed to meet demand for for te reo Māori education

12 Sep 12:00 AM

“There is certainly a craving to learn te reo Māori."

'It's about using it on the daily': the 48th Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
Bay of Plenty Times

'It's about using it on the daily': the 48th Te Wiki o te Reo Māori

10 Sep 05:00 PM

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori was first celebrated in 1975.

Premium
'Pretending to be ok': Menopause survey reveals hidden struggle
Bay of Plenty Times

'Pretending to be ok': Menopause survey reveals hidden struggle

02 Sep 06:00 PM

More than half of Kiwi women have severe symptoms, with 84pc impacted at work.

'Super proud': Tauranga Boys’ College First XV to play-off for third
Bay of Plenty Times

'Super proud': Tauranga Boys’ College First XV to play-off for third

01 Sep 06:19 AM

“Another five minutes and it could have been our game but not today.”

'We're pumped': Historic game for Tauranga Boys' First XV
Bay of Plenty Times

'We're pumped': Historic game for Tauranga Boys' First XV

31 Aug 04:00 AM

The team will play in the National 1st XV Championship semifinals on Friday.

Premium
Out of options: No funded treatments for brain tumour patient
Bay of Plenty Times

Out of options: No funded treatments for brain tumour patient

24 Aug 06:00 PM

Stacey's plight comes after an important funded drug is no longer available.

'I wanted to kill you': Victim lashes out at her rapist
Bay of Plenty Times

'I wanted to kill you': Victim lashes out at her rapist

24 Aug 04:00 AM

"You became a thief of the worst imaginable kind."

Explainer: How to safely forage for mushrooms - and poisonous ones to avoid
Bay of Plenty Times

Explainer: How to safely forage for mushrooms - and poisonous ones to avoid

19 Aug 04:00 AM

However, the National Poisons Centre warns against eating wild mushrooms.

'Golden rule': The top threats to your online safety and how to avoid them
Bay of Plenty Times

'Golden rule': The top threats to your online safety and how to avoid them

13 Aug 12:29 AM

'Information is the most valuable asset anyone can have.'

'Distasteful': Crown hits back at suggestion case is 'MeToo fest'
Bay of Plenty Times

'Distasteful': Crown hits back at suggestion case is 'MeToo fest'

28 Jul 06:44 AM

The prosecutor says the evidence showed a clear 'pattern of behaviour' by the defendant.

'Everyone was using': Defence witnesses reveal entertainment figure's drugs of choice
Bay of Plenty Times

'Everyone was using': Defence witnesses reveal entertainment figure's drugs of choice

24 Jul 05:15 AM

“I know the effects of these drugs. When you see everyone super-hyped-up, you know."

'Reaching out to people all across the world':  Teen mental health advocate honoured
Bay of Plenty Times

'Reaching out to people all across the world': Teen mental health advocate honoured

21 Jul 02:00 AM

When Claire first arrived from China five years ago, she struggled to fit in.

Premium
Top three reasons for WoF fails revealed: Mechanics' tips on what to watch out for
Bay of Plenty Times

Top three reasons for WoF fails revealed: Mechanics' tips on what to watch out for

18 Jul 06:01 PM

More than half of vehicles inspected over the past five years have failed at least once.

Premium
'It was all an accident': Dame Lynley Dodd on how Hairy Maclary was born
Bay of Plenty Times

'It was all an accident': Dame Lynley Dodd on how Hairy Maclary was born

24 Jun 09:02 PM

'I absolutely didn’t think I’d still be talking about Hairy 40 years later.'

'Quiet and cold': Town at centre of homicide very different to days earlier
Bay of Plenty Times

'Quiet and cold': Town at centre of homicide very different to days earlier

16 Jun 05:32 AM

'I just hope the police are able to find some answers now for the family.'

Mongrel Mob death: PM hits out over gang disruption in towns
Bay of Plenty Times

Mongrel Mob death: PM hits out over gang disruption in towns

14 Jun 10:48 PM

'It’s not okay that schools ended up being closed because of safety concerns.'

'I was his. I was property. I wasn’t a human': Woman tells jury of 'wild' affair
Bay of Plenty Times

'I was his. I was property. I wasn’t a human': Woman tells jury of 'wild' affair

14 Jun 05:29 AM

"Physically I was his puppet," woman says at trial of leading entertainment figure.

'Unacceptable': Schools close as gangs descend on Ōpōtiki - PM
Bay of Plenty Times

'Unacceptable': Schools close as gangs descend on Ōpōtiki - PM

12 Jun 08:30 PM

"This is a situation that police need to get on top of," Hipkins said.

Mongrel Mob homicide: Gang members line street where slain leader lies
Bay of Plenty Times

Mongrel Mob homicide: Gang members line street where slain leader lies

12 Jun 03:38 AM

Schools have also closed, citing 'heightened emotions'.

'Unhelpful' and 'inflexible': Early childhood leaders slam new subsidy rules
Bay of Plenty Times

'Unhelpful' and 'inflexible': Early childhood leaders slam new subsidy rules

05 Jun 06:00 PM

'It’s going to put pressure on the staffing which is a major concern for us.'

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