Jack Riddell is a multimedia journalist with the Hawke's Bay Today.
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.
'Overly aggressive' letter from Napier mayoral candidate upsets national motor caravan body
The board removed Nigel Simpson as Hawke's Bay chair just one month into the role.
Alleged Napier pharmacy burglar caught, stolen fragrances returned to store
Similar products were taken in the two other raids, and in break-ins at two other stores.
'Restricted is a lot more intense': Students back overhaul of full driver licence test
Restricted licence test so difficult and complex that full test is 'unnecessary'.
'Pretty cold': Wet weather grips Hawke's Bay before sunny break
Showers and cold temperatures are expected in Hawke's Bay from Friday evening.
On The Up: No mercy – four mothers take on daughters in football match
The teams were almost neck-and-neck on the table – there were other scores to settle too.
'You are on notice': Council pulls Māori ward videos after Hobson's Pledge legal letter
Hobson’s Pledge's lawyer said keeping the posts up could invalidate a referendum.
Mayor unapologetic in face of backlash at council's Māori ward videos
'It’s no different to having rural wards,' the deputy mayor says to the camera.
Hawke's Bay U20 basketball team shines with runner-up finish at nationals
Coach James Henare described their semi close-out as 'the longest 25 seconds of my life'.
'Really cold temperatures': Wet, windy start to winter for Hawke’s Bay
'Break out the gloves and beanies:' Weekend set to chill the Bay.
On The Up: 'A hard thing to pull off' – the argument that made three teens national champs
Hawke's Bay won the secondary school debating champs for the first time in 37 years.
$151k for a bed - but it's not for sleeping on
'It is a very rare piece, not only for New Zealand, but also internationally.'
Cat owner told her missing moggie had been found – it was a lie that cost her hundreds
'I was just so ecstatic that my cat had been found and I wasn’t thinking straight.'
On The Up: 'We are living in peace' – concert celebrates Indian and Pakistani unity in Hawke's Bay
The Virsa Heritage Music Festival promotes peace and unity among cultures in Hawke's Bay.
On The Up: 'Very proud' 94yo credits staff and customers for service station success
'It's something different for a Chinese mechanic to start a garage.'
'One hesitation and you're history': Plea to lower speed limit in Bay View
There have been 127 crashes on Main North Rd since 2015, with five fatalities.
Arrested man claims police beat him, then released him to walk 20km back to Napier
Cops say John Heremaia “actively and violently” resisted arrest, and assaulted an officer.
On The Up: Plumbing apprentice's 100km charity run for mental health
Maggie Higgins is running 100km to raise funds for suicide prevention.
'Te reo belongs on our roads': Iwi demands reinstatement of 'taihoa' roadworks sign
'Te reo Māori is not a translation, a novelty, or a risk. It is official. It is sacred.'
On The Up: Hawke's Bay winery turns noble rot into sweet wine success
Askerne Wines has used Botrytis on semillon grapes since 1999.
Vandal chops down nīkau tree at heart of public picnic artwork in Haumoana
Artist Josh Lancaster designed the table as a place for nature and humanity to co-exist.
'Does not conform': NZTA, minister say 'taihoa' to te reo Māori stop-go sign
The te reo sign read 'Taihoa' and 'Haere' instead of 'Stop' and 'Go'.
Watch: Humpback whale wows fishermen in 5-metre boat
Dave Hulks says his fishing buddy was a bit worried it would breach and land on the boat.
Father lying paralysed on rainy mountain bike track saved by daughter's iPhone hunch
Clayton Hairs is now a tetraplegic. He hopes his survival story will be a wake-up call.
Watch: Deer's ill-fated dash to airport - 'I've hit the darn thing'
It ran across suburban streets and the runway – then authorities intervened.
'Gut-wrenching': Fury as Hawke's Bay pay equity claims dropped
'Money is more important to them than women.'
'Real grumpy': Ex-mayor's clash with inspectors over duck shoot
Inspectors halted the shoot just before 8.30am, and Peter Butler wasn't happy.
Hastings breast cancer survivor hosts Pink Ribbon Breakfast to support vital charity
The event raises funds for the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.
First highway speed limit rise in Hawke's Bay sparks debate
The speed limit on SH51 was changed from 80km/h to 100km/h overnight.
Celebrated chefs cooking meals to prevent waste
About 60% of discarded food is still considered edible.
On The Up: 50 years of Havelock North High School, and 40 years with one teacher
From typewriter to computers, from School C to NCEA, Glenys Sparling-Fenton's seen it all.
'Special to be here': Thousands attend Anzac Day services across Hawke’s Bay
'The Anzac spirit - born of hardship and forged in battle - continues to resonate.'
Napier-Taupō Rd speed limit returns to 100km/h after public support
The 60% of submitters who wanted all of the Napier-Taupō Rd back to 100km/h will get it.
'We'd like it back': RSA trailer stolen ahead of Anzac Day
Napier RSA's boss says the trailer was empty and was used mainly for dump runs.
'True leader': Hawke's Bay's young leaders set for Youth Parliament
Chris Proctor, Neeve Smith, and Mariah Wakefield-Otene will represent Hawke's Bay.
Mystery of March 28: Why dozens of parcels sent from one region went missing at NZ Post
'NZ Post wishes to thank the Hawke’s Bay Today for bringing this issue to our attention.'
Anzac Day commemorations: Your guide to the services planned for Hawke's Bay
More than 30 Anzac Day services will be held across Hawke’s Bay this Friday.
'Remarkable courage': Hawke's Bay priests honour Pope Francis
'He was a man that was really keen on dying with his boots on and that’s what he did.'
Severe thunderstorm watch for inland Hawke's Bay
Rain rates expected between 25 to 40mm an hour, with hail and lightning.
'You either meet the standards or you don't': Driver educators urge balance in licence reform
Chris Bishop announced changes hoped to make getting a full licence easier and quicker.
'Something for everyone': Napier Lego show brings creativity to life
The Hawke’s Bay Brick Show features 86 exhibitors displaying Lego creations.
'Thankful I’m still here’: Student who lost leg to cancer leads fundraiser walk
Students and staff walked over 2500km around a 500-metre track for the cause.
'Architecturally positive': Demolitions begin for new hotel for Havelock North CBD
'It does take a few months to do this, but the end product’s going to be great.'
'Very special': Glider crash pilot remembered for kindness, teaching others to fly
'I don’t believe you could get any more liked than him.'
Forecasters keeping eye on 100km/h gusts expected for Hawke’s Bay
There is a high chance the watch will be upgraded to a warning.
‘I’m in charge of the chaos’: Inside a St John’s mass casualty training event
'Tonight, you’ll have a broken femur, arm haemorrhage, and head lacerations.'
'Crouch, touch, hold’ before engaging with US: Hawke’s Bay industry wary of tariff scrum
Hawke’s Bay exports in 2023 were valued at $3.23 billion, 31% of its GDP.
‘Turning to fascism’: Napier B&B cancels bookings of American guests
'All New Zealand accommodation businesses must start to resist the Trump and Musk regime.'
Hawke’s Bay couple fear neighbouring motorway extension could endanger home
A Hawke’s Bay couple say concrete safety features need to be considered.
‘Get gone’: Key advice for Hawke’s Bay in quake and tsunami threat
The Hikurangi Subduction Zone could trigger a tsunami within minutes of a quake.
Havelock North dominate for first win of season
Havelock North defeated MAC 77-3 at Flaxmere Park.
Chemical spill at transfer station near Hastings
Two people have been treated by ambulance staff for minor ailments.
Napier electorate could expand into East Coast
Public comments on the proposed boundaries can be made online.
‘24 hours of pain’: Marathon walk for cancer support
Gareth Mentzer plans to walk over 100km in 24 hours around his Mahora block.
'Pleasantly surprised': Hawke’s Bay students enjoy new meal programme
'Bottom line is it just works better for our school than I thought it was going to.'
Campervan lovers fill Hastings racecourse with their trusty steeds
'Our only regret is we didn’t get ours earlier.'
‘Complete lack of understanding’: Govt's online casinos plan threatens sports funding
If you depend on gambling for funding, it creates a 'perverse incentive', Minister says.
Teen rugby league prodigy joins Knights, balances school and sport
Maddison Seumanutafa, 15, plays for Newcastle Knights in the Lisa Fiaola Cup.
‘Stay alert’: Orange heavy rain warning for Wairoa
Wairoa residents should clear drains and avoid low-lying areas.
‘Something to keep an eye on’: Heavy rain watch for Wairoa
Wairoa and northern Hawke's Bay are under a heavy rain watch from 8am Thursday.
‘Shockingly bad’: Closed post boxes 'overflowing' with mail
Vandals have ripped off the signs showing the boxes are closed, NZ Post says.
School transforming their 'chicken and chips kids' with healthier lunches
'This programme has been awesome in introducing new tastes and textures.'
‘Escaping the hood’: He wanted to be a gangster - then he went to a comedy show
'You can come from humble beginnings and grow up poor - you can still make it out.'
Hunt for NZ’s 11th meteorite is on
A fireball lit up the North Island night sky on Wednesday, exciting meteorite hunters.
‘Most exposed I’ve ever seen it’: Swells uncover near-century-old shipwreck
Despite no crew perishing, a man died after a fall at the wreck a few months later.
Love at first meatball: 'There was chemistry across the bakery'
'As we were both quite young some of the conversations were a bit raunchy.'
School giving most of its 'inedible' lunches to a pig called Crackles
Critics of the school say it should invest in some salt and pepper to make them tastier.
Reversing truck topples Napier streetlight
The pole has been removed and will be reinstated at an NZTA contractor's cost.
Apples that can grow in 40C, dragon fruit for NZ - scientists preparing our fruit for a warm future
Both projects are finalists for the Science New Zealand Awards 2025 in March.
'Best of the Bay': Hawke’s Bay couple spot gap in market for premium gift boxes
'We just want to make it easier for everyone to experience the best of Hawke’s Bay.'
A Boy’s Own Adventure - Dick Frizzell on his new memoir
Featuring stories from Frizzell's childhood Hastings, the book is released March 13.
High waves hit Hawke’s Bay, Napier closes viewing platform
A low pressure system east of the North Island is causing large swells.
Gene technology bill: Hawke’s Bay apple CEO says it’s needed, but critics remain
'The only way we are going to continue to compete globally is through innovation.'
‘First taste of autumn’: Storm approaching Hawke's Bay could bring hail, MetService warns
MetService issued a 12-hour heavy rain watch for Wairoa from 9pm Tuesday.
Health NZ pays close to $900k for voluntary redundancies in one region
The PSA argues health cuts are risking patients' lives and should be stopped.
Riding a scooter from Napier to Wellington: 'I was bricking it'
HB Today reporter Jack Riddell took on a mammoth challenge. 300 others joined him.
Hawke’s Bay Hospital receives $28.3m for new 28-bed unit
The new unit aims to improve patient flow and reduce ED wait times.
Honouring Mason's legacy: Taking on a 50cc scooter ride from Napier to Wellington for a departed mate
'Mason was the type of guy who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.'
'Hell on earth': Any Kiwi soldiers in Ukraine must be battle-hardened - fighter
The warning comes as Luxon mulls sending NZ peacekeeping troops to the war-torn country.
How a Year 11 student conquered the NZ Scholarship Te Reo exam
Maieke Thompson ranked in top 0.04% for Te Reo Māori Scholarship.
‘Sacrificed his life’: Man killed trying to stop fight, family says
Tulasunu’i Keith Alapati was a 'humble, loving guy' who moved to the area two weeks ago.