Doug Laing, Multimedia Journalist at Hawke’s Bay Today, covers all aspects of provincial journalism including local government, sports, major events, social and justice issues.
I’m Doug Laing – Multimedia Journalist at Hawke’s Bay Today. You could say journalism ran in my blood - my father, Les Laing, was a journalist who while working for the NZBC and then Radio New Zealand mentored and helped train broadcasters on-station throughout New Zealand. Journalism is a life-long 24/7 calling for me. I followed in Dad’s footsteps from a young age, writing stories for the local weekly rugby programme while at primary school in the 1960s, and Junior Kiwi - a newspaper for schools. As a 14 year old, I worked as a reporter at the Wairarapa Times-Age during school holidays and began my fulltime career at the Central Hawke’s Bay Press, Waipukurau, in July 1973. I’ve also worked at the Daily Telegraph, had a short stint in public relations in Auckland, worked at The Dominion/Sunday and New Zealand Times, before returning to the Daily Telegraph in May 1987 as Chief Reporter. In 1999 the Daily Telegraph merged with the Hawke’s Bay Herald Tribune to create Hawke’s Bay Today, and I’ve been here ever since. I continue covering all aspects of provincial journalism, including local government, sports, major events, social and justice matters. I've been involved in two books, "Cavaliers in South Africa 1986" (rebel rugby tour) and "Shear History" (Golden Shears 50 years). Finalist Qantas Awards breaking news category (Flaxmere police shooting 1996), Napier Pilot City Trust Awards for "Outstanding Contribution to the Quality of Life for all Napier Citizens" and 2020 NZ Rural Sports Award for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Sports
Ball by name and ball's his game: The 16-year-old turning heads in the NBL
Jackson Ball has just the name for the game that is his life.
Turkeys from Hawke’s Bay place third in World Series in Sri Lanka
The national men's indoor cricket champions are now third in the world series.
Napier could get its first community board as part of council’s local elections shake up
Five options, all with Māori ward councillors, are also up for debate.
Chris Pollock helps combat Hawke's Bay refs shortage
The high-performance referee manager gets in a club footy game.
Havelock North's own 'Captain Tom' takes first steps for charity
Hammie calls for walkers to join his 100km of walks before his 100th birthday.
Fiery social media - What will it be like at the table ?
The Napier council's draft three-year plan proposes an average 23.7 per cent rates rise
Tributes for former Napier city councillor Mark Herbert
Mark Herbert was a Napier city councillor from 1998 to 2016.
'It hurts the people who are already grieving': Thousands worth of rebuild material stolen from Hawke's Bay school and pre-school
Nuhaka School and a pre-school on-site have suffered a series of break-ins and thefts.
Unity Day: Napier as a Pilot City for positive alternatives to violence
It was the first awards without veteran stalwart Pat Magill.
More than 30 Anzac Day services in Hawke's Bay
The day starts with dawn parades and continues with civic and church services.
Rainy day at Ōtātara but Joe Walsh ain't going nowhere else - he loves it here
Eagles musician Joe Walsh returned to Ōtātara where an epiphany change his life.
Hawks stumble against Rams in NBL - next up are the Saints
The Hawks taking lessons from a 20-point defeat.
Three teams remain unbeaten in HB premier club rugby
Havelock North is making its way back after a few tough years.
Hawks up for it in NBL Ram-raid
Beaten in triple overtime a year ago, robbed in the play-offs — Hawks tackle the Rams.
Ōtātara Pā - such a lovely place, such a lovely place
Joe Walsh sat atop Ōtātara Pā in 1989. What he saw calls him back again, again, and again.
'Leave it to the track': Police curb Supercar fans' need for speed
Motor racing may be like a red rag to a bull - but not on the highway.
How many family can one fit in one race at the speedway?
Three generations of one family were in the same superstocks race at Meeanee Speedway.
Joseph Ahuriri mystery: ‘Disappointing’ end to HB beach search
'I want to acknowledge the resilience of his family,'
Hawke’s Bay rugby: Ranfurly Shield defence could go out of town
The home of Magpies rugby is closed for four months for turf refurbishment.
Supermarkets tight-lipped on plans in Napier and Havelock North
The Woolworths chain is not revealing its 'store network strategy'.
Two of Hawke's Bay biggest schools without permanent principals
New appointments at the large Napier and Hastings schools are expected in the near future.
Swimmer Emma Godwin off the pace in Olympic dream bid
Godwin finished third in her women's national 200m backstroke final.
Former quarry now a playground
Dozens of children put the Gleeson Park playground to good use as soon as it was opened
Greenmeadows School’s Ukettes strum-up for Joe Walsh gig in Napier
Joe Walsh back in Napier - and Greenmeadows School's Ukettes are ready.
Club of the Year: Hawke’s Bay water polo gets back among the honours
Water polo is back on the go in Hawke's Bay, with 700 enrolled in little more than a year.
No storm, just hot April nights for Hawke’s Bay
Be ready for Thursday night - the minimum temperature is forecast to be 20C.
Miracle win for shearer Buick at NZ Shears
David Buick was almost killed and wondered if he would ever walk again.
Keen-as Keanu kick-starts Hawks' 2024 campaign
The new-look Hawks were beaten by 21 points one week - but won by 27 the next.
Last chance at an Olympic dream: Can home comforts get swimmer Emma Godwin to Paris?
Swimming nationals and Olympics trials will bring NZ's best to Hastings this week.
Tertiary staff resort to foodbank after provider refuses to pay them, then closes
'We recognise that we owe them money and we will be able to clear it.'
Plan to sink Hawke's Bay fishing trawler to provide home for marine life
Retiring to the reef, the Twofold Bay trawler is to be given a second life.
Cyclone emergency management staff resigned due to public ‘backlash’
The Bush report calls for improved resourcing and training across emergency management.
Basketball: Rookie Hawks NBL team, with a new coach, are ready for success
A heap of 2023 Hawks have flown the coop, but hopes remain high.
Cyclone review: Hawke's Bay Civil Defence staff told those concerned about flooding they were 'over-reacting'
The cyclone's speed 'quite simply overwhelmed the officials involved in the response'.
BMX National Championships: Champ hits Hawke's Bay - and wins
Hundreds of riders turned out at the BMX champs in Havelock North.
Here's a toast to St Patrick: Green galore and happy hours a plenty
How bars in Napier were getting into the St Patrick's Day spirit.
It might be chilly at night - but it isn't the worst weather around
Temperatures are forecast to range from a pleasant 22 degrees to just 5 this week.
It's 4-2 to the Saints in the big ball game
The Mets were the favourites, but it was all hail the Saints on finals day.
Power and thunder on Hawke Bay: Grandstand view and standing ovation as racers return
A perfect day on the water for the return of the Napier Offshore 100, last held in 2020.
New bridge plans at Puketapu revealed, Waikare bridge hopes still on ice
A resource consent decision for the Waikare Gorge appears likely to be made in July.
Powerboats thunder into Napier for Saturday's big race
Napier's offshore powerboat race is the country's oldest
Replacement of wharf could be brought forward after missing pile forces immediate closure
The closure bars vessels, vehicles and people from the wharf.
Napier rates hike - 47 per cent over three years ?
Charges and fees targeted as council looks to limit rates hike.
Sheep dogs: From storm to form - Wairoa recovers at dog trials
It was a battle to get the farm ready - but when it was Wairoa celebrated in style
Fourth national title beckons on Hulls' windy road to Paris
She won 200 metres titles in 2021, 2022, and 2023 - but she has a bigger goal.
Stevie Wonder, the Boss, Dolly? Who beckons for the Mission Concert?
Concert promoter coy on future acts.
KiwiRail putting Napier-Wairoa train line options to Government
The Napier-Wairoa railway line has had hardly any trains in the last decade.
A flood 'like Niagara falls' derailed their retirement plans - then a customer stepped in
Peter and Mary Vujcich are finally getting the retirement they thought had disappeared.
Grandstand empty but no shortage of seating
Thousands are expected in the last days of the Horse of the Year Show.
Trev Terry Marine boat business trades on in receivership
Potential buyers are showing interest in Trev Terry Marine
The storm facing the 2023 NPC finalists in 2024
Tui get a dream start, Magpies face testing schedule
Severe thunderstorms, strong winds to hit Hawke's Bay
Adverse weather watches have been issued for late Monday and early Tuesday.
'From the depths of hell': Young Kiwi runner stuns world to win 1500m title
It caps a remarkable day for NZ athletics after Hamish Kerr won gold in the high jump.
Wairoa schoolgirl wins as youth dominate first day of Golden Shears
Results from day one of competition in Masterton.
Injury forces shearing champion Rowland Smith out of Golden Shears
The reigning Golden Shears open shearing champion is out.
Napier's new highway roundabout under budget, as disruption continues into March
Softer aggregate than expected has been discovered where the road will be realigned.
Party time for Napier's big innings: Marking a century and a half
Napier's first borough council was installed in 1874 — with 493 electors.
Grandad's life changer: 'Hearing children singing is the most beautiful sound'
Adrian Rowlands had “never been a phones man", now he loves it.
Big chance for young Napier yachties with Sailing GP fever
Young Napier sailors are following the family love of sailing.
Quick work by council after Napier mural vandalised
'There is always a risk of putting works in public places.'
Biggest annual event in Pahīatua expected to attract 150 competitors
Competitors are expected from New Zealand, Australia and as far as Scotland.
Hopes for no hitches in Waikare highway rebuild
Consent for a 4km highway deviation between Napier and Wairoa is being considered.
Redclyffe switched on, but what's the future?
Transpower expects to reveal the future of the Redclyffe station within two months.
By-election in Hastings after two councillors resign
Third-term councillor Redstone and first-termer Renata Nepe have both resigned.
'People make mistakes': Plea for drivers to slow down after 9 crash deaths in 9 weeks
There are many factors behind a spike in fatalities, police say.
Chorus stretches Hastings’ urban-rural fibre network
Broadband fibre is being extended in HB, with 731 more homes and premises to gain access.
Bay's Beamish tackles 1500m at world indoor champs
New Zealand will have a record eight athletes in Glasgow.
Two highways between Napier and Hastings to have disruptions in February
It's the height of the road maintenance and construction season.
'The aroha, the manaaki, and the wairua': Thousands turn out to commemorate Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke's Bay
Emotions and community spirit were strong as people from all over came together.
Olympic Games still in sights: Sprinter Georgia Hulls makes dash for Paris
The Hawke's Bay sprinter's goal is 22.57s for 200 metres.
Celebrating volunteers a year after Cyclone Gabrielle's devastation
It was a big day out at the showgrounds.
Hawke's Bay athlete so close in gruelling Coast to Coast
Campbell Gray was Elite Youth runner-up, beaten by less than a minute.
'This was different': The text that stopped two radio hosts in their tracks
Adam and Megan didn't know if anyone could hear them. But a flood victim was listening.
Triathlon in Hastings set to be a sentimental race for many kids
Two siblings are ready for a sentimental day out at the park for the triathlon.
Arrests follow Clive Four Square ram-raid and vehicle theft
Police say a tyre iron was used in robbing a man of his car, then used in a ram-raid,
Seventh open win at Dannevirke for Rowland Smith
The win heralded the champion Hawke's Bay shearer's return to competition.
CBD crime: Cakeshop, pub, cathedral hit in Napier vandalism
Windows were smashed but there was no entry to the three premises.
'A whole village behind her': Bay teen on verge of Tall Ferns history
Named after a rugby league star, Pahlyss Hokianga is poised for a basketball first.