Michaela Gower is a Multimedia Journalist with the Hawke's Bay Today.
Michaela began as a reporter at Hawke's Bay Today in October 2023 after completing three years of study towards a Bachelor of Communication majoring in journalism and minoring in media studies. She is particularly passionate about sharing positive and progressive stories about the farming industry and getting the stories of the back blocks into places where people read and can understand and learn more about the farming lifestyle. Michaela grew up on a sheep and beef farm and it had a real impact on who she is and what she likes to write about. She wanted to combine her passion for rural life with her passion for writing so decided from a young age she wanted to be a journalist, and pursued that dream ever since. Michaela hopes with each story she writes she can make a difference. You can contact Michaela at michaela.gower@nzme.co.nz.
A farming mother thought her sore leg was a sports injury - it was a potentially terminal cancer
Alicia Brough was fighting fit – now she is fighting for her life.
'I couldn't make it better': Brave 3-year-old's terminal cancer battle
Laura Taylor has 1420 beads of courage and turns 4 in July. That alone tells the story.
On The Up: Gown on the farm - teen fashions ball dress from feed sacks and baling twine
On The Up: Eve Hunter wanted to show the versatility of 'pre-loved farm waste'.
NZ’s $800m new stretch of state highway opens to traffic
Just how important this highway is "cannot be overstated", project manager says.
16yo accepted as volunteer firefighter, puts out his first flames alongside dad
It’s rare to be accepted at just 16, but Tyler Parkinson's waited his whole life for this.
'The ultimate outdoorsman': Napier man dies tramping South Island's Te Araroa Trail
'Being out in nature and tramping was where he was happy.'
On the Up: An ode to the crews keeping the lights on through our worst weather
When you think ‘I’m glad I’m not at work’, that's when Hamish Weir is at his busiest.
2.2 million gone: Sheep numbers almost half what they once were in Hawke's Bay
'It’s looking like it’s going to become an industry that is not sustainable.'
'An eerie feeling': The jetboater honoured for his daring rescues in Hawke's Bay floods
Phil Bayens rescued more than 100 people and their pets from flooded homes.
Waipawa chef with global experience chooses Elephant Hill for his next menu
Conor Mertens has cooked in Michelin-starred restaurants in Tokyo.
Wild-born kiwi find causes a buzz in Hawke's Bay
'Sure enough, here is this beautiful little bird hunkering down in a hole.'
On The Up: 'Positive vibes only' - Kids' football festival set to paint Park Island pink
More than 1000 kids and parents will dress in pink to promote positive sport behaviour.
From farm roots to vet career: New graduate's journey to change farmer perceptions
Sarah Fannin wants to work alongside farmers as an asset and an ally for animal health.
'It's pumping': How a rural mother's catering venture became a community staple
A restaurant-quality meal, without travelling to town – it's a thriving business model.
'Take a calendar to time us, not a stopwatch': Three brothers, six new hips, one epic challenge
'We pulled each other through it, we are lucky as brothers.'
With his late nephew's photo on his back, nothing could stop Mark Bean scaling the Sky Tower
'He was a really neat kid, had a heart of gold, and he would've had a pretty good future.'
'Incredible role': The pioneering nurse helping victims of sexual violence
Lei Johnson was the first nurse practitioner to become an accredited forensic examiner.
'Most significant thing I'll ever do': The photo sessions capturing memories for bereaved families
When Jackie Lowry is called to Hawke's Bay Hospital she knows it won't be a normal shoot.
Dead against it? Freedom camping at cemeteries set for a crackdown
Freedom campers seeking a dead quiet sleep may have to look elsewhere.
'Tragic loss': Talented teen rugby player killed in crash mourned
'Rhys was a skilled sportsman and an exceptional young individual.'
Community event raises $53k for Hawke's Bay Rescue Helicopter
Claire Wilson says her 'little horse event' is punching above its weight.
'Life or death': $900 surgery needed for blind rescue kitten
Hastings miracle kitten survives alone and blind, before SPCA intervention.
Autumn house fires spark safety warnings ahead of winter
A Flaxmere house fire was caused by residual heat in folded tumbled-dried clothing.
'We wanted more': Four mums start their own health hub in rural town
The clinic's family-friendly flexibility could help solve healthcare worker shortage.
'Paris fashion week worthy': Show combines cancer research and catwalk
The Fashion for Cure event raised $49,900 for cancer research.
Her husband died years ago. Then she found a 'miracle' in her house's charred ruin
'For the unluckiest people, we are very lucky.'
'10 billion web threads': The mysterious spider webs coating Hawke's Bay
'Rolled up into a ball, it has the consistency of cotton string.'
On The Up: The club reclaiming the night for women runners
As the sun drops, dozens of women arrive, laughter ringing out in the dusky gloom.
'Blindsided': No more visiting the Viking building for information about Dannevirke
Tararua council's mission to 'save money' upsets locals, spurs petition for answers.
'Colder' trend continues: Hawke's Bay braces for winter's arrival
Cooler weather for Hawke's Bay weekend and rain and wind expected near exposed coast.
'That teacher’: The creative genius who left an influence on all students
'Every time you saw him was a good one': quirky Tamatea High teacher's life celebrated.
'Opens the river': 1889 rabbit weir removed for fish passage
Built to slow a rabbit plague, the weir was removed but a 3D digital version will remain.
On The Up: How opening a farm up to horses became a fundraising powerhouse
What started as an opportunity for riders to get together grew into a fundraising 'beast'.
'Almost smell' new highway: Mayor ready for pending opening
Highway costing $824.1 million to be open from June to motorists.
On The Up: 11-year-old dishing out 32 fillets after landing huge kingfish from beach
'No one deserved something like this to happen to them more than Clancy.'
Tararua mayor set to be challenged for top spot by a councillor
Tracey Collis is facing a challenge for the top position from Scott Gilmore.
Hawke's Bay Easter plans disrupted with wet and warm weather
"Napier and Hastings will be reaching up into the 25C to 26C," but rain is expected.
'Each one had their own story': Author explores WWII experiences
'Don’t know what you don’t know until you go digging': Dannevirke man's historic journey.
'I want their story known': Author on a mission to tell story of NZ Land Girls
Lynda Taylor's book details the story of land girls and depicts life in World War II
'We see a lot of tears': Hastings opens social supermarket for those in need
Social supermarket set to address food insecurity in Hastings.
On The Up: Musician with Down syndrome finds voice through transformative therapy
'Music is the most powerful thing in the world,' says Eskavan McCartney.
'A lot of people are going without': Strain on community food hub
Mangaroa Marae's food hub supports 400 families from Wairoa to Pōrangahau.
Dozens of earthquake-prone buildings on Dannevirke’s main street given extension
Almost 40 buildings on the township's main street require earthquake strengthening.
'Life in all places’: Showing Bay's thriving underwater world to a new generation
The 'middle of nowhere' turns into the middle of everywhere - just dip your head under.
Region protected by ranges: Why Hawke’s Bay is missing the rain
Hawke's Bay dodges wet weather, enjoying better conditions this weekend.
Watch: ‘It’s an engineering marvel’: $824m highway completion draws closer
'The thing that jumps out is it feels like a highway now.'
‘Bring the world’: Sisters have a vision for Napier beauty event
Raising eyebrows - Renee and Miriam Sciascia want to elevate beauty professionals.
Selling stations: Farm developer on why he's moving on from his 'happy place'
'I feel like that place needs to go now to someone who can take it to the next level.'
‘Puppy dogs of the spider world’: Huntsman sightings increase in Napier
Experts confirmed the spider as a Huntsman, highlighting its growing presence.
The farmer ending the awkwardness of borrowing from bank of mum and dad
Lending to friends and family can be fraught business. Tom Aitken's created the solution.
'Shoulder to cry on': Amy Domper on the emotional rollercoaster of firefighting in a small town
Woman's dedication to her community recognised with a long service, good conduct medal.
‘It’s a bit sketchy, doc': Wairoa Little Theatre to stage first production in five years
It's hoped the production will ignite a passion in Wairoa for performing arts.
Corporate law to the catwalk: Lawyer aims for Miss Universe NZ crown
Meet 2025 Miss Universe New Zealand finalist Dana McNatty.
‘What is there to lose?’ Couple take over one of North Island’s most remote pubs
Five families from the area purchased the pub in 2024 so the community wouldn’t lose it.
A church with just four regular worshippers has held its last service - so now what?
The church sits 'quite regally on top of the hill' but few venture inside it.
The video that shows how Napier residents would flee a daytime tsunami
GNS-created model turns people into red dots as they walk and run to high ground.
In search of a new home: The creepy crawlies moving south from Auckland
Huntsman spiders are not the only insects establishing themselves in new parts of NZ.
Replacing an entire school: Excited kids watch as modular classrooms, admin block arrive in one go
The fleet of trucks and a crane stopped everyone in the community in their tracks.
'Iconic': The big plan for one of NZ's oldest rātā trees
A conservation project the size of 88 rugby fields will surround it.
Stories of heroism unearthed as ‘long unseen' Dannevirke treasures go up for auction
A firefighter's sacrifice, and a Navy man's bravery - the back stories behind the medals.
Huntsman spider finds new home in NZ
A breed of Huntsman spider appears to be establishing itself in Napier.
A life spent 'going towards things that everybody else is running away from'
Te Arohanui Cook is the first woman in a leadership role in brigade’s 110-year history.
Picky eating is in the genes - so how do you know if your child is a 'problem feeder'?
Rose Bertram knows exactly what it is like to clash with a picky eater at meal times.
Free outfits for Central Hawke's Bay women: 'If you present well that’s going to carry you a lot further'
International Women's Day event in Waipukurau gives a chance for wardrobe refresh.
'Broke down with happiness': A 30m cliff fall, a dog left behind, and a heart-warming rescue
His German Shepherd Bee was 'all he was worried about as soon as he got in the chopper'.
Summer's not over yet: 30C coming again for Hawke’s Bay
Hawke's Bay is the place to be for the first three days of meteorological autumn.
Empowering women through hands-on car workshops: ‘Some have never popped the bonnet’
Melissa Hannan is a mechanic on a mission to teach women basic automotive maintenance.
'Huge impact': The farmer surrounded by pines on every side
'The pine trees are taking over - there is not much farmland left.'
Sweet dreams become reality for home baker
Ruby Fogarty has gone from making cakes at home to owning a store in Waipukurau.
Taming the traffic snake: Waipukurau woman aims to revolutionise local carpooling
More than 60% of residents get income from outside the district, and the traffic shows.
Rescue helicopter crew called to emergency minutes into annual open day
The event, and the emergency that interrupted it, underline the service's importance.
‘Hidden and quiet’: The libraries raising eyebrows for their internet search histories
Hastings District libraries reveals the top 10 sites searched-for and blocked.
‘Everything they do will come with a Kahungunu flair’
Four groups with about 160 Kahungunu performers will strive for impact at Te Matatini.
'Don’t steal my fish': Orca battle fishermen who hooked massive competition tuna
'Some orca have clearly learned that fishing lines can equate to an easy meal.'
‘It broke my heart’: Firefighter’s emotional encounter with child trapped in house by floodwaters
'We weren’t leaving you darling, we were waiting here for you.'
‘High time we had a bylaw’: Freedom camper defecates on grass outside their vehicle
'We don’t want people setting up camp and staying for months at places.'
'It wasn't about me any more': Former student honours legacy of beloved teacher with terminal cancer
One message he wants to share through the doco is for men to be proactive with health.
'Warmest it's been in a while': Hastings to hit 31C as run of hot days begins
It is unusual that Napier and Hastings have only had one day above 30C this year.
Pretty with a purpose: How sunflowers are helping bring back the goodness to cyclone-hit soils
The crop will never be harvested, but it serves a very important purpose.
The history behind Makotuku’s restored gates and their significance
The restored gates in Makotuku honor the history of the village's former church.