Multimedia journalist
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.

College may face 'formal intervention' over controversial marriage claim
The ministry has also revealed it told the college a month ago to remove the line.

Meet Pip, 65, who had a slide built into her new Mount Maunganui home
Pip Kay, 65, was inspired by her youth when designing her house with a slide.

Marriage is between man and woman: School under fire for 'discriminatory' statement
But the school says the statement is to "transparently explain" its philosophy.

'Shouting, screeching tyres and a thud': Gangs clash in street, man hit by car - witness
The incident happened in Tāneatua, a small Bay of Plenty town.

Hopes high for Matariki after 'crazy' busy weekend
Tourism operators are looking at the weekend as a sign of what's to come.

Food providers 'stretched' as prices high, demand higher
The fears come as they find themselves in a vicious cycle of more demand and less food.

Tiaras, evening gowns fly off the shelves for platinum jubilee
A royalist of 69 years says the jubilee is a "great excuse for a party"

Stolen patches and violent attacks: Police 'put the hammer down' as gang tensions rise
In one incident Black Power members stole Mongrel Mob patches.

'Nasty virus' and range of illnesses spread through schools
One school had more than 40 absences this week, another had 20 per cent of kids away.

Pain at the pump: Where to find the cheapest gas in town
One taxi driver of 10 years says he may have to look for another job by the end of 2022.

Ngakuru community rallies after house damaged by fire
Firefighters were called around 6.30pm and say the house was "extensively damaged".

Impounded car, arrest and fines at gang funeral procession
The procession followed a tangi for a senior member.

Happy and safe: Starving dogs left to die now on the road to recovery
The animals were found in the Kaingaroa Forest last week.

Homicide inquiry: Colleagues of Rotorua man found dead at campground 'shocked'
He was a "respected and valued" anaesthetic technician of eight years in Rotorua.

'Buyer's market': Rotorua's median house prices falls $70,000
But one real estate leader says "property prices would always increase in the long term".

'Tragic': Firefighters related to victims of crash that killed four
The crash has rocked the small communities involved.

'Ripped off': Elderly struggling to cover basics as living costs soar
Some are missing meals, appointments or becoming homeless as inflation and high rent bite.

Storm in a teacup: Why is the weather forecast sometimes wrong?
Ex-cyclone Fili was expected to do a lot more harm than it did.

Orange for Easter 'fantastic' news for Rotorua hospitality, events
'I can't describe it... seeing people enjoying things again, it's fantastic.'

Rain warning lifted, high winds still a threat
An orange strong wind warning remained in place

Families recovering from flood brace for Fili's fury
'Now when it rains, I don't sleep at all,' says one storm-battered homeowner.

Whakaari survivors have say on future of $40k donated to burn units
It was raised in the annual Whakaari Hayden Marshall-Inman Memorial Golf Tournament.

'Thank goodness': Businesses relieved as vax pass requirement ends
Businesses will not be required to ask for vaccine passes from 11.59pm tonight.

'Too many desperate families': Thousands in need of food as Omicron wreaks havoc
One support service says it has never seen demand as high as during the current outbreak.

Timeline revealed: When Rotorua can see the back of MIQ
The end of MIQ is on the horizon, but what does that mean for Rotorua?

Mayor says one Rotorua hotel to remain as MIQ facility
A decision has been made for Rotorua's MIQ facilities.

Think you have Covid but the RAT is negative? Here's what to do
Some people are testing negative up to six times before a positive result, doctor says.

MIQ decision made but future of Rotorua hotels still unclear
Twenty-eight of the 32 facilities in NZ will return to being hotels by the end of June.

Taking stock: Why are some supermarket shelves empty?
Staffing and supply issues mean shoppers face difficulties buying grocery basics.

Tauranga's biggest international sport event kicks off
Seven matches of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup will be played in Mount Maunganui.

Top runner's 'horrific' accident: 'My body just melted over my head'
Life changed in a split second for the running coach whose job is to help others.

'We're out of options': Rental crisis hits families as rents up, supply down
One mother took two months to find a rental that wasn't rundown', 'damp' or 'mouldy'.

'Boredom's not a thing': What it's like to join the police
Reporoa-born and bred, he is now responding to 111 calls in Tauranga.

'Massive increase': Security company dealing with more gang violence
National has said the number of new police in the region is "not enough".

Four men with screwdriver knock petrol station worker to floor
Police are appealing for any information about the incident.

Omicron phase 2 little relief for businesses struggling in red
Fears a major outbreak could see Rotorua shutting down like Queenstown.

Couple married 70 years share their success secrets
Plus ideas for how to celebrate Valentine's Day with your special someone

How to help Tongan families from here
Several fundraisers hope to get a container of the essentials to Tonga by March.

Revealed: How much you might have in unused gift cards
The average Kiwi has $72 in unused gift card credit, a survey has found.

Tongan community fundraising to send supplies back home
The public is urged to donate as well before the container is shipped on March 1.

'That water out there is not your friend': 'Epidemic of stupidity' as drownings rise
More than one in 10 drownings in New Zealand were in the Bay of Plenty.

Charity founders could end up on the streets as living costs rise
It comes as the annual inflation hit a 30-year high in December.

Black Clash buzz: Streakers, raving fans, a tumbling coach
The Hot Spring Spas Black Clash T20 match saw a "sensational" end to the "buzzing" night.

'Heinous, sick, twisted': Meth-fuelled family violence 'more blatant'
The number of callouts has increased over the past five years.

'They said it felt like the end of the world': Stories from Tonga trickle out
After days of no communication, loved ones have finally heard from those in Tonga.

'Frustration' from Rotorua chamber boss as return to red looms
New Zealand will move to the red traffic light setting once Omicron enters the community.

Rotorua woman hasn't heard from Tongan family since eruption
Tongans in New Zealand desperate for news of families: "I can't sleep at night."

Caught on camera! Tauranga locals grateful for amazing ocean encounters
A few Tauranga residents got close and personal with some impressive sea life.

Revealed: Full line-up of all players for T20 Black Clash
The latest member has been revealed completing the full line-up for both teams.

'Intense itching': Maulers and larvae plague beachgoers
'I could feel tiny little egg-like creatures hitting against me as I swam'.

Great white knocks small boat as shark sightings increase
A shark expert warns there could be more encounters to come.

Rotorua holiday boom welcomed but concerns at how long it will last
While traveller numbers are better than earlier in the year, it's not expected to last.

Opinion: The Bay's most scenic playgrounds
The playground is just one part of what makes each of these places so great.

Boozed-up and banged-up: ACC pays out millions for alcohol-related injuries
Fights, falling over and broken glass contributed to millions in ACC injury claims.

Mum 'teary' after Santa delivers gifts in emergency housing
Hundreds of children in Rotorua emergency housing will be treated this Chirstmas.

Revealed: 15 motels in one city paid more than $1m for emergency housing
It coincides with the growing number of people on the housing register.

'Quackery': Medical centre slammed for promoting alternative Covid first-aid kit
But its lead GP says the practice believes in a 'variety of approaches'.

Early learning sector in 'dire straits' before mandate
The Covid-19 vaccine mandate deadline ended yesterday.

Jab mandate: Doctors, lawyers, teachers contact food charity
A food support service has had requests from professionals who will lose their jobs.

Rugby, cricket, teacher: Who's the latest Black Clash player?
The game is set for January 22, and tickets are expected to sell out before Christmas.

Indefinite hibernation: 15 staff lose jobs on iconic tourism boat
The ride and dine is a tourism casualty of Covid-19.

First stop Rotorua! Six60 announces NZ's first stadium tour
The six-stop tour will begin at Rotorua International Stadium in March next year.

Early morning visit: Two Tokoroa bakeries locations of interest
Two Tokoroa bakeries are locations of interest after a person who tested positive visited.

Rotorua business owners' pain over Labour weekend
A usually a busy long weekend for the city has been anything but.

Health expert's concerns after positive case travelled through Rotorua
An unvaccinated person was at Rotorua Airport twice before flying to Blenheim last week.

'Disappointing': Rotorua Airport a location of interest after Covid case's flight
Staff confident it's done everything it should have to keep everyone safe.

'Disgusting': Nearly 70 per cent of booze shops in poorest areas
Sixty-seven per cent of Rotorua's alcohol off-licences are in the most deprived areas.

'Public health crisis' calls to overhaul booze laws
Health leaders are calling for changes to laws around the substance more deadly than meth.

They help you at rock bottom, but who helps them?
Their full-time job is to help everyone at rock bottom, but how is their mental health?

Market organisers consider options to keep public safe
Markets either don't have many visitors or can't open with tight restrictions.

Covid testing capacity monitored in Bay after infected truckie visits
Visited a location of interest in Tauranga and need a test this weekend? Where to go

'Not adequate': Concern about Auckland border after truckie who visited Bay tests positive
A truck driver who recently travelled to Tauranga has tested positive for Covid-19.

Aucklander found in BOP let through checkpoint due to safety concern - police
Police found the Aucklander overnight on Monday and the person was taken into custody.

Te Pāti Māori petitions to reinstate names - what's the Bay's?
The petition calls for towns, cities, places and the country's names to be restored.

'It's a slow death': Rotorua suffering without Aucklanders
Rotorua is still at level 2, Auckland still at level 4, and businesses still suffer.

'Desperate': Demand for food quadruples in lockdown
The numbers of people needing help since lockdown in August have reached new heights.

Jobseekers spike by hundreds in lockdown
Business leaders say the recovery won't be as swift as last year.

Rotorua + level 2 = plants, eggs benny, gyms and road cones
Rotorua comes back to life under Delta level 2.