Latest from Bay of Plenty

Local businesses have their say as Ōhope secures win for NZ's Best Beach 2021
Local businesses give Kiwis a glimpse of Ōhope and why it's the best beach in Aotearoa.

Stephanie Worsop: Am I in danger of becoming an entitled 'Karen'?
Opinion: A situation at a restaurant had family members labelling me as a 'Karen'.

Aucklander dominates North Island Stockcar Champs
The North Island Stockcar Championship was held over two nights at Baypark Speedway.

Wanted: 'Dangerous' Mongols gang member on the run from authorities
Police renew appeal for 'dangerous' Mongols gang member.

NZ's Best Beach 2021: Winner revealed . . .
One beach to rule them all - but which one did readers vote for?

Local Focus: Tauranga hosepipe ban imminent
New restrictions "within a week" unless things change. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Food, wine, good times: Thousands turn out for First We Eat festival
Sunhats and sunglasses were the must-wear of the day.

Diesel spill in Tauranga Bridge Marina
Maritime staff were on-site monitoring the situation.

Back-to-school stress to be 'amplified' this year
The budget advisory service is busier this year as families prepare for back to school.

Man bitten by shark at Papamoa: DoC warning over great whites
People should be aware and avoid swimming in the main channels of the harbour.

42 years, 413 dead bodies: Police photographer retires
In more than 25 years as a forensic police photographer, you see a lot.

Homeownership dreams slip away for retirees
As more elderly remain in the rental pool, demand is outstripping supply.

Fitting farewell for surf life savers Sid Salek and Lester Phelps
The Omanu Beach Surf Lifesaving old boys were honoured with a paddle-out on Thursday.

'Your day is done': Conflict erupts at controversial Māori ward meeting
A number of the protesters held signs saying 'I support Māori Wards'.

Beach safety: Learn how to look out for rips
Learning how to identify rips could save lives.

'Humiliating and depressing experience': Councillor quits, prompting byelection
'I've felt relief that I didn't have to go and battle again'.

Family relieved son's body will be returned from Australia
Titan McCall died in a car crash on January 8 in Western Australia.

80 drivers to line up at North Island Stockcar Championship
The championship will be held over two nights.

'Chaos': Motorists frustrated as SH2 delays mount
Waka Kōtahi admit some delays were more significant than anticipated.

Don Brash to speak against Māori wards in Tauranga
"A lot of people are unhappy. We were asked to speak at a meeting about the issue."

Water use spikes as dry spell bites for fourth year running
Lingering drought conditions stem from long-term rainfall deficits going back to 2019.

Person seriously injured after crash in Te Puke
The incident happened at the intersection of Jocelyn and Jellicoe Sts.

35th Blue Lake Multisport Festival has options for all
Six events will be held over two days.

Be vigilant: Spate of vehicle thefts in Tauranga
Small and valuable items such as tools, wallets and cell phones are being targeted.

NZ Championship series fires up at Woodville GP
Woodville hosts the first major event of the 2021 motocross season.

Boulders 'bigger than a car': Quake suspected cause of landslide
A Rotorua local discovered a landslide while paddle boarding on Lake Okataina.

Hot, hot, hot! Temperatures soar in Bay of Plenty
"Although by no means record-breaking, it'll definitely be warm."

Road cleared after car engulfed in flames blocks State Highway 29, Lower Kaimai
There were no injuries but the road was blocked for a time.