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Gavin Ogden
Video Journalist, Tauranga, NZH Local Focus

Video Journalist, Tauranga, NZH Local Focus

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.

Check out Gavin’s latest content
Local Focus: Freshwater policy changes are coming
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Freshwater policy changes are coming

12 Jul 02:00 AM
Local Focus: Rescues Palooza event to help animals in need
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Rescues Palooza event to help animals in need

06 Dec 07:08 AM

Rescue homes of all shapes and sizes to benefit from unique fund-raising market

Local Focus: Indigenous tattoos showcased in Bay
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Indigenous tattoos showcased in Bay

23 Sep 08:36 AM

Indigenous artists descend on Whareroa Marae for a unique cultural tattoo showcase.

Local Focus: Nick Chater on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Nick Chater on Candidate Camera

15 Sep 05:00 PM

Rotorua Lakes Community Board member eyeing seat at Council.

Local Focus: Don Paterson on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Don Paterson on Candidate Camera

15 Sep 05:00 PM

Tourism is the biggest issue, says Rotorua Lakes Council candidate.

Local Focus: Karen Barker on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Karen Barker on Candidate Camera

15 Sep 01:51 AM

First time candidate Karen Barker explains why she's running for a rural seat.

Local Focus: Rawiri Te Kowhai on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Rawiri Te Kowhai on Candidate Camera

15 Sep 01:15 AM

RDRR's Te Kowhai discusses being homeless and why he attended the Wellington protest.

Local Focus: Merepeka Raukawa-Tait on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Merepeka Raukawa-Tait on Candidate Camera

15 Sep 01:04 AM

Long-standing councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait discusses the big election issues.

Local Focus: Hana Tapiata on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Hana Tapiata on Candidate Camera

14 Sep 07:00 PM

Hana Tapiata explains what she hopes to achieve by running for a Māori ward seat.

Local Focus: Potaua Biasiny-Tule on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Potaua Biasiny-Tule on Candidate Camera

14 Sep 04:00 AM

Community has bigger dreams than council, says Māori ward candidate Potaua Biasiny-Tule.

Local Focus: Rawiri Waru on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Rawiri Waru on Candidate Camera

14 Sep 02:00 AM

Rawiri Waru explains why he's running for a Māori ward seat in the upcoming election.

Local Focus: Lani Kereopa on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Lani Kereopa on Candidate Camera

14 Sep 12:00 AM

Housing intensification in Māori communities is a concern for candidate Lani Kereopa.

Local Focus: Brendan Davis on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Brendan Davis on Candidate Camera

13 Sep 10:18 PM

Local school teacher says housing and homelessness are his top election issues.

Local Focus: Rob Lee on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Rob Lee on Candidate Camera

13 Sep 06:38 PM

RDRR member Rob Lee explains why he decided to get off the couch and run for council.

Local Focus: Steve Pinder on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Steve Pinder on Candidate Camera

13 Sep 12:42 AM

People are losing faith in Rotorua, says first-time general ward candidate Steve Pinder.

Local Focus: Mercia-Dawn Yates on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Mercia-Dawn Yates on Candidate Camera

12 Sep 09:00 AM

Mercia-Dawn Yates discusses why she decided to run for a second term on council.

Local Focus: Kariana Black on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Kariana Black on Candidate Camera

11 Sep 08:00 PM

One Party co-founder and Voices for Freedom member runs for Rotorua's general ward

Local Focus: Kaya Sparke on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Kaya Sparke on Candidate Camera

06 Sep 08:00 PM

Community and climate top council candidate Kaya Sparke's list of priorities.

Local Focus: Conan O'Brien on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Conan O'Brien on Candidate Camera

06 Sep 08:00 PM

Community safety tops list of local issues for general ward candidate Conan O'Brien

Local Focus: Ryan Gray on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Ryan Gray on Candidate Camera

06 Sep 01:48 AM

Rotorua's lack of affordable housing needs addressing says council candidate Ryan Gray.

Local Focus: John Chetty on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: John Chetty on Candidate Camera

06 Sep 12:29 AM

Restore Rotorua as a tourist destination, says first time RDRR candidate John Chetty

Local Focus: Gregg Brown on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Gregg Brown on Candidate Camera

31 Aug 06:36 PM

Pig & Whistle owner Gregg Brown on why he decided to run for council.

Local Focus: Fisher Wang on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Fisher Wang on Candidate Camera

30 Aug 07:46 PM

Tourism is top priority for Rotorua General Ward candidate Fisher Wang.

Local Focus: Shirley Trumper on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Shirley Trumper on Candidate Camera

30 Aug 03:00 AM

Rotorua Rural Ward candidate Shirley Trumper discusses the big rural issues.

Local Focus: Trevor Maxwell on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Trevor Maxwell on Candidate Camera

27 Aug 12:00 AM

Housing and Three Waters top priorities for Māori Ward candidate Trevor Maxwell.

Local Focus: Kalaadevi Ananda on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Kalaadevi Ananda on Candidate Camera

26 Aug 04:06 AM

Mayoral candidate Kalaadevi Ananda discusses her plan for Rotorua.

Local Focus: Ben Sandford on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Ben Sandford on Candidate Camera

22 Aug 09:23 PM

Local lawyer Ben Sandford discusses his reasons for wanting to be the next Rotorua Mayor.

Local Focus: Tania Tapsell on Candidate Camera
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Tania Tapsell on Candidate Camera

21 Aug 10:05 PM

Long-standing councillor puts her hat in the ring for Rotorua mayoralty.

The programme helping at-risk youth find 'meaningful employment'
Rotorua Daily Post

The programme helping at-risk youth find 'meaningful employment'

20 Jul 04:41 AM

Inside the youth programme helping kids on struggle street find meaningful employment.

Local Focus: Radio Control Car Club roars into 2022
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Radio Control Car Club roars into 2022

12 Jan 07:20 PM

Bay of Plenty Radio Control Car Club set to benefit from future TECT Park upgrades.

Local Focus: Pest checks on boats are ramping up as weather warms
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Pest checks on boats are ramping up as weather warms

25 Oct 05:00 AM

Biosecurity officers to patrol Bay of Plenty boat ramps to stop the spread of pests.

Local Focus: Motiti Protection Area 'makes it illegal for us to be Māori'
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Motiti Protection Area 'makes it illegal for us to be Māori'

10 Aug 07:17 PM

New rule protecting biodiversity comes into effect. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Kaituna Mole getting a facelift
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Kaituna Mole getting a facelift

25 Jul 07:42 PM

Upgrade of popular Maketū fishing spot begins. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Local Focus: Free bus rides for permanently impaired passengers
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Free bus rides for permanently impaired passengers

01 Jul 03:21 AM

Accessibility Concession goes live for buses in the Bay. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Using tech both old and new to tackle wallaby nuisance
Rotorua Daily Post

Using tech both old and new to tackle wallaby nuisance

19 Jun 02:23 AM

Dama wallabies are spreading from Rotorua to the Waikato.

Local Focus: Boules of steel
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Boules of steel

15 Apr 07:52 PM

National pétanque champs set to take place in Tauranga. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Local Focus: Kaituna Cut on the mend
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Kaituna Cut on the mend

16 Feb 10:52 PM

Maketū estuary is showing signs of life again. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Why are there so many drownings?
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Why are there so many drownings?

14 Jan 09:24 PM

Tell each other to stay safe and not push the limits. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Tour operator creates 'feeder forest'
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Tour operator creates 'feeder forest'

03 Jan 07:23 AM

Dansey Road Scenic Reserve overflowing with wildlife. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: V8 Trike Tours to make up lost ground in Rotorua
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: V8 Trike Tours to make up lost ground in Rotorua

24 Dec 02:30 AM

'Cruise ship operation was 80 per cent of our income'. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Building future scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Building future scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians

11 Dec 10:43 PM

Getting kids to solve problems "from the ground up". Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Which party has economic credibility on the East Coast?
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Which party has economic credibility on the East Coast?

11 Oct 05:32 PM

Which party is best-placed to lead NZ out of recession? Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Should we tax the rich more? Waiariki candidates say āe and kāo
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Should we tax the rich more? Waiariki candidates say āe and kāo

11 Oct 04:26 PM

Waiariki election hopefuls discuss the big tax issue. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Business or the environment, East Coast candidates don't all try to have it both ways
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Business or the environment, East Coast candidates don't all try to have it both ways

11 Oct 04:24 PM

Some East Coast candidates willing to take a stance. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Business or the environment? Rotorua candidates want it both ways
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Business or the environment? Rotorua candidates want it both ways

07 Oct 05:50 PM

Can you have one without the other? Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Is the law out of order around the East Coast?
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Is the law out of order around the East Coast?

07 Oct 05:49 PM

Prevention is better than a cure, say three candidates. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Which Waiariki candidates and their parties have credibility?
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Which Waiariki candidates and their parties have credibility?

05 Oct 08:00 PM

Who's best-placed to lead NZ out of recession? Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Workers versus employers in Rotorua - which candidate backs which?
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Workers versus employers in Rotorua - which candidate backs which?

05 Oct 03:53 AM

Rotorua candidates argue it's a balance. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: The East Coast's big election issue
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: The East Coast's big election issue

05 Oct 01:48 AM

Do you think it's housing, jobs or water? Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Jobs and housing are Rotorua's biggest election issues?
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Jobs and housing are Rotorua's biggest election issues?

29 Sep 05:00 AM

They agree on the issues but not how to address them. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Who is Tania Tapsell, National candidate for East Coast?
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Who is Tania Tapsell, National candidate for East Coast?

28 Sep 04:01 PM

National candidate Tania Tapsell's electorate profile. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Who is Meredith Akuhata-Brown, Green candidate for East Coast?
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Who is Meredith Akuhata-Brown, Green candidate for East Coast?

28 Sep 04:01 PM

Green Party candidate Meredith Akuhata-Brown profile. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Who is Fletcher Tabuteau, NZ First candidate for Rotorua?
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Who is Fletcher Tabuteau, NZ First candidate for Rotorua?

25 Sep 12:30 AM

Fletcher Tabuteau's secret favourites. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Who is Claire Mahon, Labour candidate for Rotorua?
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Who is Claire Mahon, Labour candidate for Rotorua?

25 Sep 12:30 AM

Labour candidate Claire Mahon is a clear Downton fan. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Who is Todd McClay, National candidate for Rotorua?
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Who is Todd McClay, National candidate for Rotorua?

25 Sep 12:30 AM

National candidate Todd McClay's electorate profile. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

'It just builds up and you just keep going further down' - Mental health and ZUU
Rotorua Daily Post

'It just builds up and you just keep going further down' - Mental health and ZUU

24 Sep 12:31 AM

ZUU and bros are there for the good and the bad times. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Workers vs employers – who's more important to Waiariki candidates?
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Workers vs employers – who's more important to Waiariki candidates?

22 Sep 10:04 PM

Waiariki election candidates agree it's a balance. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Can taxing the rich more help poor people escape poverty?
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Can taxing the rich more help poor people escape poverty?

21 Sep 11:42 PM

Very different opinions on tax among candidates. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Rotorua candidates defend party credibility on economy
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Rotorua candidates defend party credibility on economy

20 Sep 11:00 PM

Who's best-suited to lead NZ out of recession? Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Workers versus employers - the big difference between East Coast candidates
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Workers versus employers - the big difference between East Coast candidates

17 Sep 07:30 AM

Three Māori women, three different answers. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Is NZ's justice system out of control? Rotorua candidates disagree
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Is NZ's justice system out of control? Rotorua candidates disagree

17 Sep 02:33 AM

Three Rotorua candidates discuss law and order. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Who is Tamati Coffey, Labour candidate for Waiariki?
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Who is Tamati Coffey, Labour candidate for Waiariki?

14 Sep 10:53 PM

Labour candidate Tamati Coffey's electorate profile. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Who is Rawiri Waititi, Māori Party candidate for Waiariki?
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Who is Rawiri Waititi, Māori Party candidate for Waiariki?

14 Sep 10:48 PM

Who's Rawiri Waititi and why should anyone vote for him? Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Who is Hannah Tamaki, Vision NZ candidate for Waiariki?
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Who is Hannah Tamaki, Vision NZ candidate for Waiariki?

14 Sep 10:44 PM

Nibble the pie - meet Vision NZ's Hannah Tamaki. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Rotorua candidates talk tax
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Rotorua candidates talk tax

04 Sep 01:05 AM

Should Rotorua's rich be taxed more? Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Waiariki's biggest election issue is Covid recovery
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Waiariki's biggest election issue is Covid recovery

11 Aug 04:50 AM

Māori jobs the key focus for Waiariki election hopefuls. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Waiariki candidates put the environment first over business
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Waiariki candidates put the environment first over business

09 Aug 02:32 AM

The environment is more important than business. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Is the law out of order? Waiariki candidates talk about crime and Māori in prison
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Is the law out of order? Waiariki candidates talk about crime and Māori in prison

07 Aug 04:21 AM

Waiariki election candidates talk justice. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Bee ready for new travel card rollout
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Bee ready for new travel card rollout

18 Jul 01:43 AM

One card to rule them all? Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Kaituna Cut to be healed after 64 years
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Kaituna Cut to be healed after 64 years

07 Feb 05:30 PM

Maketū re-diversion finishes ahead of schedule. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Life between the flags
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Life between the flags

11 Jan 12:00 AM

A day in the life of a lifeguard. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: White Island victims remembered in paddle out
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: White Island victims remembered in paddle out

13 Dec 07:02 AM

"People who came to holiday here won't be going home." Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Catfish Killas reel in additional help
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Catfish Killas reel in additional help

03 Dec 08:30 PM

Killing catfish is their business and business is good. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Pāpāmoa groms surf with Aussie hero
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Pāpāmoa groms surf with Aussie hero

13 Nov 03:00 AM

Former world champ Joel Parkinson meets Pāpāmoa groms. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Should private fireworks be banned?
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Should private fireworks be banned?

03 Nov 06:25 PM

SPCA prepares for its busy period. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Fisher's big day: From McDonald's to Rotorua Council with advice from Jacinda
Rotorua Daily Post

Fisher's big day: From McDonald's to Rotorua Council with advice from Jacinda

18 Oct 07:29 PM

Wang took two important phone calls on election day. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Is this Rotorua's next mayor?
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Is this Rotorua's next mayor?

17 Oct 02:38 AM

NZ's first millennial mayor in the making. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Can we ever be mates with rates?
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Can we ever be mates with rates?

10 Oct 09:29 PM

Rates rise as councils must do more for us. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: 'Tick that box or don't moan'
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: 'Tick that box or don't moan'

10 Oct 08:00 PM

Why is voter turnout so low? Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Curtis will 'challenge the status quo'
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: Curtis will 'challenge the status quo'

06 Oct 10:32 PM

"You shouldn't get things wrong with ratepayers' money". Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: 18yo council candidate there for his generation
Rotorua Daily Post

Local Focus: 18yo council candidate there for his generation

06 Oct 01:13 AM

Think about us when making decisions says candidate. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

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