Rotorua builder takes out top win in first Ultimate Athlete event.

$12m funding boost welcomed and comes some students are waiting weeks for help.

Can students realistically go to the best university for their future career?

Opinion: The Breakers took home a nail-biting win but the atmosphere was the highlight.

The delays are putting pressure on centres to fill the staffing shortages.

Positive growth means more funding opportunities and greater business confidence.

"One teacher, or person, or role model that the kids would never, ever forget."

The impact of meth across the Bay of Plenty continues to grow, a former addict says.

Millions will be poured into Māori housing to address over-representation in homelessness.

One mum says schools need more support to deal with housing crisis effects on children.

A player was knocked unconscious and airlifted to hospital.

However, Rotorua's economy struggled.

The now-former principal of Lynmore School, Lorraine Taylor, has moved to Upper Hutt.

Michael Voss was stoked to win in his hometown.

Mongrel Mob member never thought he would walk across a graduation stage, but he did.

The intermediate-aged sports tournament will run from September 5 to 10.

They've both served time behind bars - now two gang members are focused on helping others.

Thousands across the region are struggling to the point of needing a Government top-up.

Pauline Tai is now three years clean - and is supporting others in their recovery.

His involvement in the community was widespread, as will the pain be with his passing.

'Children just can't take a short break from cramped living conditions and go for a walk.'

Whakarongotai was missing for four days. After she was found, everything changed.

Charity waitlists are growing as the support they provide relies on donations.

If someone goes to book in Rotorua and can't find accommodation... that is a real concern.

The bubble date with Australia has been set.

One mountain biking venture ran out of bikes on perhaps their 'biggest' weekend ever.

A Bay of Plenty cafe has been called Golliwogs for 18 years.

'We are always very aware though that something could turn at any moment.'

Broken hips are a major concern in falls in the elderly.

'Motels are no places for children,' a local social support advocate says.

Is this how you would chose to have your funeral?

The band's final stop will be in Mount Maunganui, and they're holding out for a big one.

Needles, faeces and violence related to alcohol have prompted an urgent council meeting.

"We desperately need new stock."

He performed in front of a crowd of 20,000 people, and is still pinching himself.

"It's like they didn't want it ... like they'd rather stay in emergency housing."

The median rent in Rotorua was $460 a week in December.

The festival has evolved significantly in a short seven years.

Police are appealing for any information about the attack in Papamoa on Sunday.

Thousands are on the Job Seeker benefit, and jobs are increasingly difficult to fill.

Those who work in health and death are seeing the obesity epidemic first hand.

Shopper numbers were higher before Christmas and retailers are bracing for Boxing Day.

Social agencies in the Bay of Plenty have noticed a rise in homeless youth.

"The sheer volume of critically ill patients ... is something I've never experienced,"

US ex-pats anxious as election results unfold.

The number of people on the jobseeker benefit in the Bay of Plenty is up 62% in a year.

And thousands of those votes were before the election day.

But Piki Thomas says the response was made possible by the team of volunteers he led.

Labour won every electorate in the region for party votes for first time in 18 years.

The region will receive $1.1 million over two years to help with demand for food.

The result? More people sleeping in cars and couch surfing, says expert.

National has announced its $105 million plan to rebuild tourism.

Hosting a Boxing Day test at the Bay Oval will have many benefits for Bay of Plenty.

From changing careers to changing careers, what does tackling mental health look like?

And what other conditions can mental health medication be used to treat?

The call follows the release of a report into Rotorua's problems.

They paid $130 a week for stained mattresses, no insulation, and a leaky roof.

'Elderly who have worked all their life are embarrassed by the situation they're in.'

Otonga Rd Primary School principal Linda Woon has been in education for 50 years.