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.
'Unbreakable spirit': Why this Kiwi baker is braving missile strikes in Ukraine
A Tauranga woman and her partner's fundraising mission for Ukraine.
'Porker invasion': Family of pigs terrorise picnickers in city park
'Mama pig came at us trying to eat our snacks.'
'Saving a life' was his only thought - until 'old habits' crept in
Man who stopped to help with CPR then stole a purse from the victims can now be named.
10-year city deals: The spot PM says will 'likely' be one of the first
Govt wants 30-year infrastructure project pipeline – 'not just ideas but proper projects'.
Jailed serial groper who did indecent act on parole to be released again
Disgraced former senior representative cricket player 'will not pose an undue risk'.
Hospital lockdown: Man accused of gun-related call appears in court
Police allege he said he was 'going to Tauranga Hospital with guns to get answers'.
Judge finds murder-accused fit to stand trial
Police found a man dead at a Tauranga address on the evening of September 7.
'Vicious attack': Bashed girl's parents say school 'failed to protect' her
The school is investigating and 'unequivocally condemned' violence in its community.
'Flak' and 'shenanigans': Truckie tells how she fought her way to the top
It was a bumpy road but now she's in the 'best job ever'.
'Huge impact': Bottle-O owner 'angry' and 'frustrated' after ram-raid
Police are investigating a ram-raid burglary at the Bottle-O Te Puke store
Police probe incident at Tauranga college, deputy principal describes 'scuffle'
Staff intervene after trio come to college wanting to 'confront' student.
200 arrests in six months: How this CBD is turning the tide on crime
'We feel well supported. In the past, we felt that no one even cared.'
'Flying high in heaven': Tributes flow for pilot and speedway identity who died in crash
'We nicknamed him Waterboy. But he was no boy. He was da man.'
'Make them help clean up the mess': Upset ram-raid victim wants tougher penalties
'We shouldn't let young offenders off scot-free just because of their age'.
Chicken shed fire 'not flagged as suspicious'
Forty firefighters battled the blaze for about six hours.
'Very difficult': Fire destroys Inghams farm chicken shed in Matamata
Forty firefighters battled the blaze.
11m-wide tomo: SH29A to close two nights this week for repair work
The cause of the large opening in the ground has also been revealed.
11m wide tomo: SH29A to close two nights this week for repair work
Totara St was expected to reopen today.
Check your tickets: Tauranga Lotto punter $700k richer
A Tauranga Lotto punter won $700,000 with lucky Lotto strike ticket.
Tauranga residents urged to work from home for two days due to ‘severe congestion’
Motorists can expect major delays due to repairs on SH29A near Oropi
'Significant' toll: Ram-raiders leave staff reeling after smashing into liquor store
Alcohol worth more than $10,000 was stolen and the damage was extensive.
Thousands of people came together to mark Waitangi Day across Tauranga Moana in celebration and unity
Hundreds of people gathered at Waitangi Day celebrations events in Tauranga and Katikati.
Worker lived in garage alongside 19 others with no heating or insulation
A Tauranga labour contractor has pleaded guilty to worker exploitation charges.
'It’s like a gut punch': Family reveals harrowing impact of son's worksite death
"We are left with a small urn that holds Ethan’s ashes."
'Financial hit' for Cameron Rd stores as works - now set to cost $110m - continue
Construction began in 2021 with an $85m budget.
Man who died at home after crash was 'disorientated' at the scene, says witness
St John says the patient refused their staff's recommendation he be taken to hospital.
Chaos and violence: Mobster's crimes 'inevitable' from an early age, says judge
The drug dealer fled police for more than an hour, speeding through residential areas.
Watch: Car keeps veering into traffic in 'bloody scary' 25km drive
'We were all trying to get home safely and no one wanted to die on the way home.'
Fleeing drivers ‘deliberately taunting’ police by live-streaming their escapades
Trend emerges amid a dramatic increase in drivers fleeing police.
'Most painful time in our lives': Family call for help after deaths of dad, mum and son
'No one should have to lose so many people in such a short time.'
Harley Shrimpton case: Alleged kidnapper now faces murder charge
The accused has been granted interim name suppression.
'Such a joyful event': Annual Sikh parade draws crowds in Tauranga
"It’s cool people are happy to embrace our culture."
'Totally involved': Bethlehem College fire damages workshop - investigator
The cause of a workshop fire at Bethlehem College is under investigation.
130km/h in a 50 zone: Drug dealer with gun, meth flees police for an hour
Dramatic chase one of more than 800 BOP fleeing driver incidents in nine months.
Cha-ching! Big Lotto wins for Tauranga, Rotorua punters
One $333K win and two $15K wins coming to the Bay of Plenty.
Chopper case: Dog owner's son in court over abusive Facebook pages
'Don’t do anything stupid like that again', says judge.
Neighbours describe 'crazy' scene as fire ripped through Tauranga home
Crews from three fire stations fought the blaze.
'Traumatised' pet owner attacked twice speaks out as roaming dog reports spike
The number of dog-related incidents including dog attacks this year revealed.
'Lives were saved': Lifeguards at region's holiday hotspots make 50-plus rescues
Safety advice for swimmers also follows slew of shark sightings in the area.
Police release names of pair who died in Kaimai crash
Inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
Crash victim's grieving brother 'enraged' by rule-breaking on roads
Bay of Plenty road toll drops but a top cop is not celebrating.
Orthopaedic surgeon Richard Keddell recognised in New Year's Honours list
Thirty years of outstanding service in public and private practice has been acknowledged.
Mt Maunganui crash victim named as holiday road toll rises to 11
Brayden Tawa, of Pāpāmoa, died after a car and truck crashed on Hewletts Rd.
Kaimai Range tragedy: One dead after crash between car and petrol tanker
It brings the holiday road toll to nine already.
Black Caps hit-out at Mount beach sure to wow fans ahead of Bay Oval T20
Fans get to meet some of their Black Caps heroes at a Mount Maunganui beach cricket event
Former PM speaks out after vandals target nesting colony of endangered birds
'There was no sign of the newly hatched chick ‘George’ ...some of the birds were missing'.
Dog owner bitten by man after elderly border collie mauled
Molly has had two surgeries and may need more after her throat was 'ripped open'.
New reports sought on Tauranga murder-accused's fitness to stand trial
One report will explore whether she was legally insane at the time of the alleged killing.
Bargain hunter alert: 25 neighbours combine for monster garage sale trail
The Tauranga neighbours have something for everyone and 'loads of bargains'.
Teen's 'amateurish' fake money scheme used home printer to make $10s, $20s, $50s
A Rotorua teenager has avoided prison after he forged banknotes and distributed them wide
'Old, bad habit': Man helped give stranger CPR, then stole his bank cards
The defendant has appeared in the Tauranga District Court on dishonesty charges.
‘Absolutely tragic’: Grieving family, friend pay tribute to granddad shot while hunting
His family say he was well-known in his local community of Paeroa, in Hauraki.
Builder charged after letting people live in implement shed - again
He claimed it was just a 'smoko room' but later admitted charging a mum and kids rent.
Name suppression for man charged with kidnapping in Harley Shrimpton disappearance case
A 21yo man appeared in Tauranga District Court today, facing kidnapping and other charges.
Two more Bay of Plenty orchardists fined for unlawful groundwater use
The growers are among five prosecuted by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council this year.
'The best of the best': NZ Festival of Squash attracts world-class top seeds
Tauranga is to host the NZ Festival of Squash - and some of the world's best players.
Family whose Rottweiler ‘Chopper’ attacked vet ordered to remove ‘threatening’ FB page
A judge ordered the removal of a Facebook page that posted threats against a Tauranga vet.
Son charged with father's murder in Pāpāmoa
The Crown alleges the son fatally stabbed his father with a butcher's knife.
Two Tauranga Lotto punters each $18k richer
The tickets were bought online and at a local supermarket.
School group gets lost in Bay of Plenty bush, police praise what they did next
The search for the missing students ended in success.
'Absolutely devastated': Missing Tauranga man allegedly forced into a car
He was last seen at a McDonald’s in Mount Maunganui on November 3.
Investigation launched after 13 firefighting crews called to overnight blaze in Tokoroa
Firefighters remain at the scene today.
Motorcyclist fuming after Waka Kotahi evades blame after ‘horrific’ crash
Victim believes the road conditions were responsible for the crash that put her in a coma.
Repeat offender: Man sentenced for robbing same store twice in five days
Don't "just walk out of prison and become the same person”, she tells him.
'Destroyed': 83yo faces court for allegedly painting over te reo on bins
The charge has a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment.
'Significant failure': Dairy farm fined $40k after effluent found in trout stream
A Bay of Plenty dairy farm and a director have admitted illegal discharge of contaminants.
'Smell of an oily rag': Murder of wife with Alzheimer's shows need for more dementia support
Experts speak after 'tragic' case of man who killed wife in retirement village.
'Serious accountability' called for over $92m roadworks as businesses fold
The council says 'lessons have been learnt' as it delays the next stage of roadworks.
Wife's last words as husband of 60 years strangled her with a tie
They went out for breakfast, sat in the sun and went home, where he prepared to kill her.
'Bloody ridiculous': Veteran truckie tells of drivers using laptops, maps behind wheel
Fines for using mobile phones while driving have soared in the past six months.
Owner appeals menacing ruling after 'anxious' dog bites Facebook buyer
The owner says her dog did not have a history of aggression before the incident.
Tauranga men's basketball team to join NBL
The Whai will have both elite women's and men's teams in the national league.
Lifeguards launch beach patrols on Labour Weekend
Lifeguards' summer patrols begin this weekend at Bay of Plenty beaches.
'Extremely exciting': Bay set to reap the benefits of busy summer cruise ship season
Tauranga is set to welcome the first of more than 110 cruise ships.
From Pāpāmoa to Parliament, Galatea to government: New MP 'keen to get stuck in'
'I’m so grateful to all those who placed their trust in me with their votes,' says Luxton.
'Strongest advocate': New MP's vow to the Bay of Plenty
The National Party’s youngest MP, Tom Rutherford, is humbled by the election result.
Uffindell: 'We have got a lot of challenges we’ll now be able to focus on'
Roading, infrastructure and law and order are among the key pieces of work.
'Turning away in disgust': Voter turnout 'plunge' sign of 'hollow' campaign - analyst
'This election is the most hollow and unsatisfactory in living memory.'