Michaela Pointon is a Multimedia Journalist for the Rotorua Daily Post.
Michaela Pointon is a multi-media journalist for The Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times, based in the Bay of Plenty region. She began working for NZME in 2023 after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts double majoring in Communications and Media, Film and Television at The University of Auckland. In 2022 she worked as a feature writer for a magazine company based in Ōtautahi, Christchurch. She moved back to the North Island to work in the daily newsroom in the Bay of Plenty in 2023.
'Silent killer': Nurse battles cancer that has 'no specific screening test'
She had 'always been fit and well' so the diagnosis at age 55 came as a 'shock'.
Stretching the food budget: Working parents skip meals to save money as prices rise
Both parents work fulltime and budget 52 weeks of the year.
Nappies and dead animals: The 'revolting' items being dumped in recycling bins
'You wouldn’t want somebody to come in and throw a dead animal on your desk.'
Muggy nights: Major retailer running low on fans as temperatures soar
Records tumble after 'very hot month' across Bay of Plenty.
'Grooving jazz festival': Thousands set to attend annual music event
About 700 musicians including youth performers will attend the festival in Tauranga.
Warning as families turn to buy-now pay-later for groceries at The Warehouse
Families are using it to cover the cost of groceries.
'Happened pretty fast': Young lifeguard saves girl caught in rip
The rescue came amid “gnarly sea conditions".
Surf update: 'Some big waves' rolling in, praise for beachgoers
The MetService has forecast rough seas.
'On the water... everyone is equal': Meet the 93-year-old competitive rower
He had a taste of the sport as a child before returning to it in his 70s.
'Rough out there': Warning to walkers as 'big waves' surge up beaches
A lifeguard said it was 'pretty rough out there'.
Lifeguards issue warning after dislocated limbs and rescues as 'pretty gnarly' surf hits
The worst ocean conditions are expected to arrive on Monday.
Hot jobs: How people working in 50C are coping
Chefs, air con installers and builders are working in the heat this summer.
Young Kiwis at Harvard University on meeting Jacinda Ardern, campus culture
'It’s awesome to have her joining our little Kiwi Harvard community.'
'Absolutely appalled': Mum of teen vaper says axing Smokefree laws a step back
One parent called for 'moral leadership' from National.
'Electric' scenes as Bay Dreams festival debuts new venue
The crowd of about 8500 was 'pretty well-behaved', the festival organiser says.
What NZ's El Nino summer could reveal about great white sharks
'There is a lot of unknown in the ocean,' shark expert Dr Riley Elliott says.
'People go nuts for them': Berry growers ready for a busy summer season
'It’s looking like it’s going to be a great summer.'
Iwi leader fears lifting pseudoephedrine ban will put more P on the streets
'You’re not doing your country any good to put it on the shelves.'
'It’s like having a child': Owners of diabetic pets face big costs
One vet says pet owners should not “reward the waistline” with treats.
Anxiety, depression, social struggles: 'Dire' shortage of help for some young Kiwis
Kids aged 11-13 grapple with issues previously not faced until 15 or 16, says principal.
A black mark on her brain: Scan after concussion changes teacher's life 'overnight'
Within months, specialists were flying from Australia to perform complex brain surgery.
'I don’t think they need them there': Why dad-of-three backs school phone bans
A Tauranga high school is banning students from using phones during the school day.
Crunch time: Best 'brain' foods to eat for NCEA exams plus top study tips
Experts and students share advice as 145,000 teens prepare for NCEA exams.
'Legal and financial minefield': How blended families can avoid inheritance battles
Every family is unique but blended families have some more complications.
'Shock factor': Teacher-turned-makeup artist shares her Halloween horrors
'I've always just loved creepy things.'
Trick-or-treaters 2023: tattoos, candy and snow queens
“The candy’s pretty great."
Sausage secrets: How butchers came up with banger sangers
"They sliced it open … [and saw] it had all these fresh ingredients"
Tauranga will be 'abuzz with visitors' this Labour Weekend
Many different interactive and local events will be held this weekend in the region.
'There’s a tide turning,' Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi says in Waiariki
Waititi called for a Māori electoral commission after voting issues were reported today.
Te Pāti Māori candidate for Waiariki electorate, Rawiri Waititi
It’s been an honour to serve our people ... I would like that privilege again.'
How to talk about death: Former hospice nurse's advice on facing 'the inevitable'
"The only way to get to those deeper levels is to have those deep conversations."
Rentals 'snatched up within a day of being listed' in Tauranga
Tauranga was in the top 10 most expensive districts to rent in during August.
Vision New Zealand candidate for Waiariki electorate, Charles Tiki Hunia
An insight into Waiariki MP Vision New Zealand candidate Charles Tiki Hunia.
Chronic asthma: Girl hospitalised 23 times for respiratory illnesses
Chloe Crump has been hospitalised 23 times for her respiratory conditions,
'This saved my life': Cancer survivor urges men over 50 to get simple test
He said a simple PSA blood test saved his life and more men should get checked.
'We will continue to do the best we can': Fire station closed for two days due to staff shortages
The station was closed for two days last week due to staffing numbers
This kidney donor saved his dad's life. It almost cost him his own
Tauranga organ donor's plasma plea: 'One hundred and fifty people, they saved my life'
Porch pirates: Police warn of thieves following couriers after $5k delivery taken
Business owner: 'I was home, imagine if I'd seen it and opened the door on this person.'
'Too scared to go to the toilet': Students intimidated by vapers taking over bathrooms
It comes as new vaping rules came into place this month.
'I saw red': Gun owner, 72, says new online firearm registry system is too hard
“[We] should be able to go into the police station and register over the counter.”
New group aims to make space for trans people to 'be their authentic selves'
'We’re workers. We’re students. We’re active members of society with everyday jobs'
Revealed: The region with the highest rate of restricted driving test failures
Learners here need to drive at a 'much higher level' than those elsewhere, an expert says.
'Absolutely terrible': 'Nangs' need stricter regulations, says former meth addict
The nangs epidemic: Should cream chargers be banned for youth?
Pathways not punishment: Youth support workers question Act's new law and order policy
“What we do in our youth justice houses works.”
Te Puna rugby post Premier hometown win
'Having the crowd was a massive part of why we got the win.'
3 top-ranked Rotorua tourism experiences share their secrets to success
It didn't happen overnight, but it did happen.
'He was ... going berserk': Families of teen vaping addicts speak out
Others say vaping 'ripped' a family apart and left a teen looking 'like death'.
'Don’t make us invisible': Plans to scrap Māori Health Authority under fire
Health providers are upset at National's policy plans to abolish the organisation.
'Loophole' fuelling country's youth vaping epidemic
'We have far too many Specialist Vape Retailers in New Zealand.'
National's big promise to get 'private rental market working again'
Luxon said more houses and more roads were the answer for local issues.
'A spanner in the works': First-home buyers brace for interest rates rise
'If you buy a house at 23 you can get through anything.'
'Don’t be mean': Teens tackle the 'snarky and snooty' as they speak up on bullying
Comments range from the sense of 'not fitting in' to finding a future 'free of bullying'.
Too addicted to quit: Teens hooked on vaping speak out
'I’ve tried before to stop. It’s almost impossible, to be honest'
'Charlie's my darling': Kiwi royal watchers revel in coronation 'big party'
Plus, meet the former BOP woman who will be attending the ceremony.