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Sandra Conchie
Multimedia Journalist, Bay of Plenty Times
Tauranga, New Zealand

Sandra Conchie is a Multimedia Journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times based in Tauranga.

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 Sandra’s latest content
Burning wiring in 'old, clapped out' fire truck fills cab with smoke
Bay of Plenty Times

Burning wiring in 'old, clapped out' fire truck fills cab with smoke

14 Jun 02:00 AM
Te Puke man in court over 25-year-old's death
Bay of Plenty Times

Te Puke man in court over 25-year-old's death

12 Jun 03:40 AM

A Te Puke man has been charged with dangerous driving causing death.

Premium
60 jobs gone: Ballance boss tells of 'very difficult' announcement
Bay of Plenty Times

60 jobs gone: Ballance boss tells of 'very difficult' announcement

06 Jun 08:31 PM

'I really feel for all those impacted by this decision, including their wider families.'

Ballance confirms 60 job losses, end of manufacturing at Mount Maunganui
Bay of Plenty Times

Ballance confirms 60 job losses, end of manufacturing at Mount Maunganui

05 Jun 11:28 PM

Ballance will cease manufacturing in Mount Maunganui, cutting 60 jobs.

'Questions we need to answer': School trip to backcountry hut ends in group being airlifted out
Bay of Plenty Times

'Questions we need to answer': School trip to backcountry hut ends in group being airlifted out

05 Jun 07:00 AM

The group set off despite a weather watch, which turned into a warning en route.

Man installed stolen ambulance gear in his vehicle
Bay of Plenty Times

Man installed stolen ambulance gear in his vehicle

05 Jun 06:00 AM

He also admitted possessing police gear, including a spike used to deflate tyres.

Couple forced to 'watch our home burn' overwhelmed by support
Bay of Plenty Times

Couple forced to 'watch our home burn' overwhelmed by support

04 Jun 06:04 PM

'I really didn't realise the extent of damage I would be coming home to.'

What two household budgeting experts think of Budget 2025
Bay of Plenty Times

What two household budgeting experts think of Budget 2025

26 May 07:30 PM

One says it will do 'little' to help clients, the other says it's too soon to tell.

Prominent figure denies family violence charges
Bay of Plenty Times

Prominent figure denies family violence charges

26 May 05:21 AM

He has interim name suppression.

'Lifting a dark cloud': Bar thrives after ditching pokies
Bay of Plenty Times

'Lifting a dark cloud': Bar thrives after ditching pokies

26 May 02:14 AM

Owners report no financial loss; dining space and food sales have improved.

Police 'urgently' seek ute driver after road-rage knife incident
Bay of Plenty Times

Police 'urgently' seek ute driver after road-rage knife incident

23 May 02:58 AM

The aggressive incident in Tauranga this week was caught on dashcam.

Salvage divers face wind, waves and sharks - sunken launch recovered
Bay of Plenty Times

Salvage divers face wind, waves and sharks - sunken launch recovered

20 May 07:00 PM

Salvage divers used air lift bags to raise the vessel, working in choppy conditions.

14 rescued from launch sinking off Tauranga coast
Bay of Plenty Times

14 rescued from launch sinking off Tauranga coast

16 May 04:06 AM

'Fourteen people on board are all accounted for and back on dry land.'

No pokies for pool hall: Venue struggles after liquor license loss
Bay of Plenty Times

No pokies for pool hall: Venue struggles after liquor license loss

15 May 05:00 AM

Welcome Bay Tavern reopened as an alcohol-free pool hall, then lost its gaming licence.

How a terminal cancer patient gives back to a hospice facing funding 'crisis'
Bay of Plenty Times

How a terminal cancer patient gives back to a hospice facing funding 'crisis'

12 May 05:00 PM

Waipuna Hospice has an $8.1 million funding shortfall this financial year.

Prevention pays off: Lifeguards make waves with fewer rescues
Bay of Plenty Times

Prevention pays off: Lifeguards make waves with fewer rescues

10 May 05:00 PM

There were just 29 rescues at Bay beaches this summer.

'We've had enough': Red Square protest opposes pay equity changes
Bay of Plenty Times

'We've had enough': Red Square protest opposes pay equity changes

09 May 07:21 AM

Opponents say the changes will make it harder to successfully bring pay equity claims.

Ballance proposal to cut 62 jobs: Workers feel 'blindsided'
Bay of Plenty Times

Ballance proposal to cut 62 jobs: Workers feel 'blindsided'

06 May 04:00 AM

Ballance Agri-Nutrients worker says there a lot of anxiety over potential loss of jobs.

Trio deny murdering man found dead on a Kawerau doorstep
Bay of Plenty Times

Trio deny murdering man found dead on a Kawerau doorstep

30 Apr 07:00 AM

One of the three can be named after suppression lapsed.

Premium
'Butchered': Pruning of pōhutukawa in reserve sparks outrage
Bay of Plenty Times

'Butchered': Pruning of pōhutukawa in reserve sparks outrage

29 Apr 09:01 PM

The council condemned the act, saying it harms the environment and community.

'Extremely concerning': Liquor stores caught selling booze to minors
Bay of Plenty Times

'Extremely concerning': Liquor stores caught selling booze to minors

27 Apr 08:58 PM

Five liquor stores in and around Tauranga have been caught selling booze to minors.

Leading refrigeration and aircon business reveals new Tauranga centralised hub
Bay of Plenty Times

Leading refrigeration and aircon business reveals new Tauranga centralised hub

19 Apr 05:00 PM

McAlpine Hussman NZ officially opens new centralised Tauranga hub.

'Highly careless’: Nomar Farms effluent discharge ends in big fine
Bay of Plenty Times

'Highly careless’: Nomar Farms effluent discharge ends in big fine

19 Apr 02:00 AM

A Whakatāne dairy farm owner has been fined $48, 750 for effluent discharge.

Potential loss of 62 jobs at Ballance plant a 'concern for Tauranga’
Bay of Plenty Times

Potential loss of 62 jobs at Ballance plant a 'concern for Tauranga’

17 Apr 05:02 PM

Ballance Agri-Nutrients' proposal could mean 68 roles disestablished, with six new jobs.

Tauranga man accused of stealing ambulance equipment
Bay of Plenty Times

Tauranga man accused of stealing ambulance equipment

14 Apr 05:07 AM

He is also charged with unlawfully possessing police property.

Grieving grandparents 'numb' after death of 4-year-old attacked by dogs
Bay of Plenty Times

Grieving grandparents 'numb' after death of 4-year-old attacked by dogs

12 Apr 08:08 PM

They are trying to focus on the good memories of the boy they raised from a baby.

Fatal dog attack: Community begins 'healing process' after child's death
Bay of Plenty Times

Fatal dog attack: Community begins 'healing process' after child's death

09 Apr 11:41 PM

A blessing has been given at Katikati Medical Centre, where staff tried to save Timoti, 4.

Bottle store and tavern close after being stripped of liquor licences
Bay of Plenty Times

Bottle store and tavern close after being stripped of liquor licences

09 Apr 09:38 PM

The closures have some Welcome Bay locals and businesses concerned.

Fertiliser company ‘committed to learning’ from worker’s tragic death
Bay of Plenty Times

Fertiliser company ‘committed to learning’ from worker’s tragic death

08 Apr 06:00 PM

WorkSafe says safety practices at the factory failed to account for workers' reality.

Name suppression lifted for woman accused of Gate Pā murder
Bay of Plenty Times

Name suppression lifted for woman accused of Gate Pā murder

04 Apr 04:02 PM

Rachael Eddy, 50, denies murdering Ross Kennedy in Gate Pā, Tauranga.

‘Ticking time bomb’: Family speak out on factory worker’s ‘horrifying’ death
Bay of Plenty Times

‘Ticking time bomb’: Family speak out on factory worker’s ‘horrifying’ death

04 Apr 12:00 AM

Wesley Tomich, 37, died in July 2023 at a Mount Maunganui factory.

Dogs euthanised after fatal attack on boy weren’t ‘menacing’ breeds
Bay of Plenty Times

Dogs euthanised after fatal attack on boy weren’t ‘menacing’ breeds

02 Apr 06:06 PM

Three dogs were seized from the scene after Timothy Tu’uaki Rolleston-Bryan's death.

Nan’s ‘unbearable’ grief after 4yo moko killed by dogs
Bay of Plenty Times

Nan’s ‘unbearable’ grief after 4yo moko killed by dogs

01 Apr 04:26 AM

He was her 'last connection' to her late daughter, a Givealittle page says.

Three dogs euthanised after fatal attack on 4-year-old child
Bay of Plenty Times

Three dogs euthanised after fatal attack on 4-year-old child

31 Mar 01:57 AM

The breeds of the dogs have not been 'fully confirmed'.

Farmers fined $77k for discharging effluent into stream
Bay of Plenty Times

Farmers fined $77k for discharging effluent into stream

30 Mar 04:02 PM

Judge Tepania noted both defendants were careless for different reasons.

Premium
Long-running social services trust in liquidation owes IRD $200k
Bay of Plenty Times

Long-running social services trust in liquidation owes IRD $200k

28 Mar 04:02 PM

Te Tuinga Whānau once had assets and revenue worth millions of dollars.

‘Horrific experience’: Canadian hockey coach admits causing crash that injured players
Bay of Plenty Times

‘Horrific experience’: Canadian hockey coach admits causing crash that injured players

26 Mar 11:19 PM

Her name suppression was dropped when she appeared in court in Tauranga today.

SH5 crash: Driver appears in Tauranga court facing 11 charges
Bay of Plenty Times

SH5 crash: Driver appears in Tauranga court facing 11 charges

24 Mar 04:03 AM

She has not entered pleas to the charges.

Premium
Juicy Fest, Timeless Summer Tour companies owe more than $2.4m
Bay of Plenty Times

Juicy Fest, Timeless Summer Tour companies owe more than $2.4m

17 Mar 10:05 PM

One ticketholder fears the chances of a refund are 'extremely low'.

Fined 30 times in 12 months: Vehicle mechanic fears losing clients after cars ticketed
Bay of Plenty Times

Fined 30 times in 12 months: Vehicle mechanic fears losing clients after cars ticketed

14 Mar 04:00 PM

‘Ridiculous’: Wardens have been ticketing unwarranted cars in for fixing.

Pumice quarry owners, land owner fined $272k for consent breaches
Bay of Plenty Times

Pumice quarry owners, land owner fined $272k for consent breaches

12 Mar 07:59 PM

Paengaroa pumice quarry and landowner fined $272,000 for resource consent breaches.

Mother of missing Tauranga doctor makes fresh plea for help
Bay of Plenty Times

Mother of missing Tauranga doctor makes fresh plea for help

11 Mar 04:45 AM

'Three years on from one of the worst days of my life as a mother and as a person.'

Premium
‘Very busy road’: Bus lanes that racked up $1.4m in fines may become T3
Bay of Plenty Times

‘Very busy road’: Bus lanes that racked up $1.4m in fines may become T3

09 Mar 04:00 PM

Mount Maunganui road responsible for about half of all bus-lane tickets over two years.

Music event companies put in liquidation, ‘gutted’ ticketholder fears for refund
Bay of Plenty Times

Music event companies put in liquidation, ‘gutted’ ticketholder fears for refund

07 Mar 06:29 AM

The Timeless Summer Tour has been cancelled three months after being postponed.

Premium
‘Great NZ: Family Court pioneer and legal giant dies at 89
Bay of Plenty Times

‘Great NZ: Family Court pioneer and legal giant dies at 89

06 Mar 04:00 PM

Sir Peter Trapski 'wrote the book' on family law in NZ.

'Disgraceful': Ratepayers pick up $5m waterfront playground bill
Bay of Plenty Times

'Disgraceful': Ratepayers pick up $5m waterfront playground bill

05 Mar 09:07 PM

The NZ Taxpayers Union breaks down the costs for the Tauranga destination playground.

Bystanders rescue struggling swimmer in ‘rough’ Pāpāmoa surf
Bay of Plenty Times

Bystanders rescue struggling swimmer in ‘rough’ Pāpāmoa surf

03 Mar 01:51 AM

'This could have easily ended in a fatality,' lifeguard warns.

'Same costly mistake': Driver's warning after $150 bus-lane fine
Bay of Plenty Times

'Same costly mistake': Driver's warning after $150 bus-lane fine

21 Feb 09:00 PM

More than 6500 tickets were issued for breaching the 50m rule last year.

Son was insane when he stabbed his father to death as he washed dishes, judge finds
Bay of Plenty Times

Son was insane when he stabbed his father to death as he washed dishes, judge finds

18 Feb 08:03 PM

'He was incapable of knowing his actions were morally wrong.'

Premium
'Done nothing wrong': Long-serving JP retires after convictions revealed
Bay of Plenty Times

'Done nothing wrong': Long-serving JP retires after convictions revealed

16 Feb 04:04 PM

'I feel like the complainant has gone on some sort of witch hunt.'

'Eyes glowing with hatred': Victim bashed in Grindr ambush
Bay of Plenty Times

'Eyes glowing with hatred': Victim bashed in Grindr ambush

14 Feb 04:00 PM

A group of young men attacked the victim and left him traumatised.

'Devastating': Couple watch as fire destroys 'irreplaceable' home
Bay of Plenty Times

'Devastating': Couple watch as fire destroys 'irreplaceable' home

13 Feb 05:50 PM

'You would never be able to build another home like for like.'

Cameras caught them incorrectly stopped while waiting for a park. It cost them $100
Bay of Plenty Times

Cameras caught them incorrectly stopped while waiting for a park. It cost them $100

07 Feb 04:06 PM

The council's decision to enforce the fine is called 'silly and stupid'.

Mum’s ‘hellish’ fight to recover after motorcycle crash
Bay of Plenty Times

Mum’s ‘hellish’ fight to recover after motorcycle crash

02 Feb 04:00 PM

'I was high-sided into the air and landed on the cheese-cutters.'

Premium
'It's a joke': Victim owed nearly $350k reparation
Bay of Plenty Times

'It's a joke': Victim owed nearly $350k reparation

01 Feb 04:00 PM

Victims owed millions - one man wants more done to pursue offenders.

Allegations optometrist still practising despite being struck off register, ordered to pay $25k
Bay of Plenty Times

Allegations optometrist still practising despite being struck off register, ordered to pay $25k

27 Jan 07:53 PM

The Tauranga man has been deregistered and censured for professional misconduct.

'She had all of her life to live': Parents fight for 'justice' after 15yo dies in crash
Bay of Plenty Times

'She had all of her life to live': Parents fight for 'justice' after 15yo dies in crash

17 Jan 04:00 PM

'He’s destroyed our lives.'

School breakfast volunteers ‘ooze care and aroha’ for tamariki
Bay of Plenty Times

School breakfast volunteers ‘ooze care and aroha’ for tamariki

12 Jan 02:00 AM

'It’s so rewarding knowing you’re helping make a difference in the children’s lives.'

'Worst nightmare': The NZ region with the most fleeing drivers
Bay of Plenty Times

'Worst nightmare': The NZ region with the most fleeing drivers

10 Jan 04:05 PM

More than 10,000 drivers fled police in New Zealand during 2023.

CBD waterfront's $42m (so far) revamp: What people think
Bay of Plenty Times

CBD waterfront's $42m (so far) revamp: What people think

07 Jan 08:40 PM

'I love everything about it,' one mum says of the $5 million new playground.

'Noose with your name on it': Warrant issued for man who threatened to 'hang' PM
Bay of Plenty Times

'Noose with your name on it': Warrant issued for man who threatened to 'hang' PM

07 Jan 03:49 AM

'I’ve got a noose with your name on it,' he wrote of Dame Jacinda Ardern during her term.

Honoured power sector leader on pouring his 'heart and soul' into 55-year career
Bay of Plenty Times

Honoured power sector leader on pouring his 'heart and soul' into 55-year career

30 Dec 04:01 PM

'It’s important to find your passion as when you love what you do, you do your best work.'

'Rush hour' driver caught on phone three days in a row on same road - police
Bay of Plenty Times

'Rush hour' driver caught on phone three days in a row on same road - police

29 Dec 04:00 PM

He's among more than 2000 people snapped for the same offence this year in the region.

Mixed Christmas sales for Bay retailers amid cost-conscious shoppers
Bay of Plenty Times

Mixed Christmas sales for Bay retailers amid cost-conscious shoppers

25 Dec 07:00 PM

Bay of Plenty retailers report mixed Christmas spending figures, but some remain upbeat.

Police warn of ‘zero tolerance’ for speeding as Tauranga’s road toll falls
Bay of Plenty Times

Police warn of ‘zero tolerance’ for speeding as Tauranga’s road toll falls

22 Dec 04:02 PM

Police reveal the identity of Tauranga pedestrian fatality injured in Pyes Pa crash.

'More rescues': Swells spark rip warning for holiday hotspots
Bay of Plenty Times

'More rescues': Swells spark rip warning for holiday hotspots

17 Dec 06:03 PM

It comes as holidaymakers begin flocking to eastern beaches.

'Beacon of light': Family's 'powerful message' after 21yo dies at swimming hole
Bay of Plenty Times

'Beacon of light': Family's 'powerful message' after 21yo dies at swimming hole

13 Dec 04:03 PM

'He wanted to make the most of his life, and to make people happy and loved, and he did.'

Retailers upbeat about the lead-up to Christmas
Bay of Plenty Times

Retailers upbeat about the lead-up to Christmas

06 Dec 08:07 PM

The comments come days after shoppers spent more than $11m over Black Friday.

'Everything looks brilliant': Tauranga's newest supermarket opens in Greerton
Bay of Plenty Times

'Everything looks brilliant': Tauranga's newest supermarket opens in Greerton

03 Dec 05:15 AM

The former Woolworths store had a week-long makeover.

Three men deny flouting gang patch ban in Tauranga
Bay of Plenty Times

Three men deny flouting gang patch ban in Tauranga

03 Dec 02:20 AM

A fourth failed to appear in court.

'Heartbreaking': Second Bay of Plenty horse death linked to fireworks
Bay of Plenty Times

'Heartbreaking': Second Bay of Plenty horse death linked to fireworks

01 Dec 05:33 PM

'My emotions are pretty up and down at the moment ... I'm trying to deal with it.'

'We expect a vast improvement': Decision on bar's licence renewal bid
Bay of Plenty Times

'We expect a vast improvement': Decision on bar's licence renewal bid

29 Nov 11:18 PM

There were concerns over inexperienced staff in charge and an alleged serious assault.

'Black Christmas': Devastated orchard owners count cost of fire
Bay of Plenty Times

'Black Christmas': Devastated orchard owners count cost of fire

29 Nov 04:06 PM

'It’s so sad because Christmas is coming and suddenly we have this. It’s unbelievable.'

Tauranga gang funerals: Police make 14 arrests and seize guns, vehicles
Bay of Plenty Times

Tauranga gang funerals: Police make 14 arrests and seize guns, vehicles

28 Nov 01:15 AM

At one point, police were confronted by a kuia who criticised them for parking too close.

Dad describes evacuation as 'intense' wildfire threatened homes
Bay of Plenty Times

Dad describes evacuation as 'intense' wildfire threatened homes

21 Nov 11:15 AM

Firefighters remain at the scene two days later dealing with flare-ups.

'Overwhelming public support': Calls for fireworks ban grow after horse's death
Bay of Plenty Times

'Overwhelming public support': Calls for fireworks ban grow after horse's death

18 Nov 04:03 PM

'The only thing keeping me going is trying to stay strong to fight for the ban': owner

Drink-driver who hit pedestrian fails to avoid conviction despite deportation fear
Bay of Plenty Times

Drink-driver who hit pedestrian fails to avoid conviction despite deportation fear

15 Nov 04:00 PM

He was four times over the limit but initially claimed he only had 2 beers.

'Fed up' neighbours say speed bumps cause 'mini earthquakes' in homes
Bay of Plenty Times

'Fed up' neighbours say speed bumps cause 'mini earthquakes' in homes

10 Nov 04:03 PM

Neighbours in Welcome Bay want speed bumps on their street gone.

'Soul-destroying trauma': Horse's 'brutal' injuries blamed on fireworks
Bay of Plenty Times

'Soul-destroying trauma': Horse's 'brutal' injuries blamed on fireworks

07 Nov 04:00 PM

The animal was euthanised after ripping through a wire fence.

Revealed: FreshChoice to open at site of closed Woolworths
Bay of Plenty Times

Revealed: FreshChoice to open at site of closed Woolworths

05 Nov 09:25 PM

An advocates for locals concerned about having no supermarket welcome the news.

28 people, 99 charges: All the names and details from massive Mob bust
Bay of Plenty Times

28 people, 99 charges: All the names and details from massive Mob bust

30 Oct 04:05 PM

Nearly 100 charges have been laid against 28 people.

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