Excerpts from the The Big Sing

Dust clouds batter Esk Valley homes

Dust whips across Lynn Noanoa’s Pohutukawa Drive property in Esk Valley on Sunday, during strong spring winds. Video / Supplied

New director leads Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival with all-female team

After last year’s cancellation, Jade Baker takes charge of the Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival, stepping in with a team of women behind its 10th edition. Video \ Rafaella Melo

Tangihanga: Hastings woman’s solo show born from 1500 funerals

Kristyl Neho brings 30 characters to the stage in Tangihanga, a Māori story inspired by her upbringing inside the world of funerals. Video / Wahanui Productions

'Required to arrest': Inside the new police patrols handcuffing prolific shoplifters

The new Police Retail Crime Unit in Napier and Hastings has made 35 arrests and laid 179 charges. Video / Rafaella Melo

Eddie Peters cold case - what you need to know

The Flaxmere man was killed on Diaz Drive in 2018. Video / NZ Police

Experienced gynaecologist stuck in cleaning job as hundreds of women wait for specialist care

'I’ve seen so many women here desperate for help ... and I can only offer advice.' Video / Rafaella Melo / Hawke's Bay Today

Seal playing in the surf at Te Awanga Beach

Te Awanga local and professional photographer and videographer Michael Farr captured the seal playing in the surf at his local break. Video / Michael Farr

Hawke’s Bay breast cancer survivors to represent NZ at Dragon Boat Festival in France

'It’s not just about competing ... It’s about strength, courage, rehabilitation.' Video / Rafaella Melo

Hawke’s Bay disability fitness programme recognised on national stage

Hawke's Bay disability fitness programme finalist in NZ awards again. Video / Rafaella Melo

Watch solo-duo winner Heaps Moore performing at the Hawkes Bay Smokefree Rockquest Regional Final

The solo-duo winner was Heaps Moore, interpreted by Lily Moore and Thomas Heaps from Havelock North High School.

Te Ahu a Turanga Manawatū Tararua Highway opens to motorists

Watch as the first motorists travel the new highway on opening day. Video / NZTA

Hastings District Council's Māori ward social media videos

Hastings Deputy Mayor Tania Kerr and Takitimu Māori ward councilor Ana Apatu talking about Māori wards. Video / Hastings District Council

Literacy service axed in Budget 2025, leaving 109 specialists jobless

Educators describe the decision as “unjustifiable,” fearing negative impacts on students with complex literacy challenges. Video / Rafaella Melo

Here's what the upgrade of Hawke’s Bay Expressway will look like

The project will expand a 6.5km stretch to four lanes. Funding approval is pending, with a decision expected later this year. Video / NZTA

2025 King's Birthday Honours List

Celebrating the Knights and Dames appointed in this year's King's Birthday Honours list. Video / NZ Herald

On the Up: HB Jammers brings music and joy back to Hawke’s Bay disabled youth

StarJam's collapse in November 2024 affected over 60 young people in Hawke's Bay. HB Jammers was formed three months later to continue the music workshops.

On the Up: Weekly Napier’s Lunch Time Loops blends walking with networking on Marine Pde

Lunch Time Loops in Napier combines wellbeing with networking through a weekly 30-minute walk. Video / Rafaella Melo

Whale 15km off Napier

A whale was spotted jumping from the water 15km off Napier.

Napier house fire

A house in Napier fully ablaze on Sunday night. Video / Supplied

Jet ski speeds through Napier's inner harbour

Hawke's Bay Regional Council says speeding in the harbour puts everyone at risk. Video / HB Regional Council

Volunteering goes digital: Hawke’s Bay charities embrace remote roles

Remote volunteering: "I don’t have to choose between spending time with my children and giving back." Video / Rafaella Melo - HBT

Flaxmere supermarket set to open on Saturday

Flaxmere's new supermarket opens tomorrow at 7am at the Flaxmere Village Centre. Video / Rafaella Melo

Power box fire after crash in Greenmeadows, Napier

A power box caught on fire after a crash in Greenmeadows, Napier, on Thursday. Video / Wiebe Armand Marinus

Boxing coach ‘Mr Positive’ Craig McDougall empowers youth amid cancer fight

For 13 years, Craig McDougall has transformed the lives of thousands of young people in Hawke’s Bay through boxing programmes. Video / Rafaella Melo - Hawke's Bay Today

Napier’s Tim Clayton secures silver at Winter Special Olympics in Italy, just 0.1s from gold

Tim Clayton claimed a silver medal at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin. Video / Rafaella Melo

Hawke’s Bay woman among first females at national digger competition

The competition challenges operators with precision tasks, such as painting, pouring water into a glass, opening a beer bottle and picking up an egg.

Te reo Māori Shrek features Hastings' Jeremy Macleod as Lord Farquaad

A classic film, now told in te reo Māori. Shrek returns to the big screen, with a Hawke's Bay voice bringing Lord Farquaad to life. Video / Rafaella Melo - Hawke's Bay Today

Art Deco Festival: Flyover in one of NZ's oldest passenger planes

Flyover of Napier in one of NZ's oldest passenger planes, a de Havilland DH-84 Dragon, to celebrate Art Deco Festival. Video / Gary Hamilton-Irvine

Eskdale man refuses buyout, stays on ancestral land after Cyclone Gabrielle

Cyclone Gabrielle floodwaters destroyed Waikato Gray’s Eskdale home in February 2023. He refused a council buyout, staying on his ancestral land in a caravan. Video / Rafaella Melo

Watch: Abundance of Marine Life in Hawkes Bay

Harry Machiela captured underwater footage of the healthy marine life off Hardinge Road, Ahuriri. Video / Harry Machiela

Napier’s Bella Hey wins top NZ jazz dance award for fourth year

Young dancer Bella Hey tops NZ jazz exams for the fourth consecutive year. Video / Rafaella Melo

Mascot race delights at Colgate Games in Hawke’s Bay

Swoop the Magpie, Hawky the Hawk, and Seamore the Seagull compete at the mascot race at the opening of the 2025 North Island Colgate Games at Mitre 10 Sports Park in Hastings.

Coastal litter sparks community concern

Awatoto and Te Awanga littered with rubbish, locals call for more bins. Video / Rafaella Melo

The Art Farm

A former mushroom farm turned creative hub for local artists hosts its first night market. Video / Rafaella Melo

Inside the Rovers: Table Toppers

Big guns await as Kieran Richards and Napier City Rovers eye potential National League grand final spot. Video / Neil Reid

Car crashes into The Coffee Club in Taradale, Napier

A car drove through the front of The Coffee Club in Taradale, Napier, causing damage to the front of the store. Video / Supplied

Aftermath of serious bus crash transporting RSE workers to Hawke's Bay

Watch emergency services responding to the bus crash carrying RSE workers. Video / Supplied

Hawkes Bay Today reporter test-drives bridge after truckers 'unnerved’ by creaking noises.

A truck driver says the drive across the bridge is “unnerving" because it creaks and groans. Video / Michaela Gower

Hastings store owner violently pushed to the ground by customer

Han Zheng said the man became angry over a 5G connectivity issue with his phone. Video / Han Zheng

Truck on fire explodes on Napier street

Witnesses say they think a tyre blew during the fire, with an explosion that sent a plume of flame and smoke out. Video / Margie McAleese