Kelly Makiha, a Multimedia Journalist at the Rotorua Daily Post, specialises in court and police reporting.
I started work as a Multimedia Journalist at the Rotorua Daily Post as an 18 year-old in 1996 and I am still here, loving every single day. I wanted to be a journalist since I was a child and remember making my mum follow the flashing lights of emergency services so I could see what was happening. I started writing for my local newspaper in Timaru when I was a young teen and knew then that this was the job for me. I made the move to the Rotorua Daily Post and it was meant to be a stepping stone but I fell in love with this city, got married and we are now raising our three children here. I have covered all rounds but specialise in court and police reporting and have been chief reporter or assistant editor for most of my career. I am now back doing what I love – writing stories that matter, holding people and organisations to account, celebrating heroes, paying tribute to amazing lost loved ones and using my role to highlight issues to make a difference. Each day I’m honoured to be surrounded by a group of professionals who work hard and believe in what we do.
'Drop-kick losers': Outrage as masked gang of trail bikers tear up kids' rugby fields
Parents and coaches confronted masked bikers at Rotorua rugby fields.
Entertainment figure takes name suppression case to Supreme Court
He was convicted of indecent assault and attempted sexual violation in 2023.
Taser probe: Attack with mystery device prompts hunt for woman
The suspect fired the probe from a black object, possibly a Taser.
Rotorua woman badly mauled by dogs lives with legacy of fear
Suz Guet was attacked by three unregistered roaming dogs in Rotorua.
Police station axe attack-accused denies charges
The attack incident sparked an armed police response.
'About time': Residents sick of 'boy racers' back Govt plan to toughen laws
Ministers announced the changes in Rotorua on Sunday, alongside Mayor Tania Tapsell.
'Vulture': Accounts manager stole $88k, blames grieving boss
Kerryarna Pene stole nearly $90,000 over two years from the Rotorua Citizens Club.
Teen killer attempts to appeal murder conviction 23 years later
The victim's mother says she is shocked by the attempt – and how she learned about it.
'Best decision': Teacher credits group for marathon success
Matthew Liley completed the Rotorua Marathon in five hours and 50 minutes.
'This can't continue': Serial shop thief amasses 129 convictions
Santana Tonihi was jailed for 12 months, but she'll be out in a month.
'Forgotten my shoes': Boy runs mini marathon in Crocs
About 2400 pupils participated in the event today ahead of the Rotorua Marathon.
Hunting death: Minginui man denies manslaughter charge
Mark Jefferson, 46, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter in the High Court at Rotorua.
Girl's fear after hiding during armed store robbery
Police have so far referred one teen to the youth court.
Two 12-year-olds referred to Youth Aid over tyre-slashing spree
Tyres were stabbed on several vehicles in the Rotorua CBD.
Tyre slashing spree: CCTV footage shows two girls, knife
And English tourist pair whose tyres were slashed say they'll still come back to Rotorua.
'Deeply distressing': Tyre slashing spree hits CBD
More than 10 vehicles were hit, with most having all four tyres stabbed.
Man charged with abducting 3-year-old from daycare
A man has been charged with taking a child from an early learning centre in Rotorua.
Sex crimes case: Appeal court declines man's bid to keep name secret
He has 20 days to appeal the decision.
On The Up: From tricycle to triumph - Young BMX champ aims for Olympics
Maddy, 13, is a four-time national BMX champion with sights firmly fixed on the Olympics.
Pattern of deception: Woman scams Facebook users
The offender previously stole $305,000 from her employer.
How a $335k fast-build home aims to tackle NZ's housing crisis
The Living House was completed in Rotorua in just six weeks.
Insanity plea: Triple killing case in Rotorua heads to trial
The accused, Justin Jeffries, is pleading insanity to three murder charges.
Sex crimes case: Why an entertainment figure’s identity is still secret
It has been six months since a Court of Appeal hearing about name suppression.
Payment disputes: Kāinga Ora apartment project hits roadblock
Little has happened at a Kāinga Ora-owned building site in Rotorua for months.
Fake cop: Teen impersonates police officer at hospital
He parked his ex-cop car in a police spot and probed staff for a security guard's details.
‘Fully back in the saddle’: How this city’s events sector is thriving
There's something in the air for Rotorua venues and suppliers – renewed confidence.
‘Her energy and enthusiasm was 100%‘: League stalwart, 80, steps down
For nearly 50 years, Jenny Nahu has been the glue that's held Bay rugby league together.
Man’s drink-driving conviction overturned on appeal after lawyer, police errors
Zebulon Lawrance was more than twice the legal drink driving limit but has been let off.
‘Great win for Rotorua’: Homeless motel numbers reduce
From the end of July there will be three emergency housing motels left.
Name of rapist who violated drunk woman in alleyway to stay secret
She was vomiting from extreme intoxication and told him 'no', the judge said.
Man accused of axe attack on police station faces court
Mark Christiansen, 55, faces charges including burglary with a weapon.
‘I am a strong person but I am scared’: Food charity volunteer attacked
She and her husband run a food service that feeds up to 3500 people a week.
Lifetime’s work ‘gone’: Farmer fights animal cruelty jail sentence
A jury found he failed to properly feed 834 pregnant sheep, 86 cattle and 32 heifers.
Man charged with manslaughter, unlawful hunting after Kawerau man’s death
A man will appear in the Rotorua District Court accused of Stuart Stobie's manslaughter.
‘Sick, monstrous desires’: Sexual blackmail victim confronts religious leader
'This is who you are, a small, weak, disgusting man who preys on younger males.'
Man died in armchair four days after crash injuries not detected
Lance Hohaia Houpapa was found dead in his armchair four days after a crash.
‘Did what he loved to do’: Tributes flow for ‘Mr Marathon’
Dennis Kenny was the race director of the Rotorua Marathon for 34 years until 2003.
Questions raised around spa pool death of 3-year-old Travis
Travis Mallett, age 3, died after a spa pool incident in Reporoa.
Mother jailed for live-streamed crash causing baby’s brain injury
Her 12-week-old baby suffered severe brain damage in the accident.
Rotorua pedestrian death: Why a grieving son supports the driver who killed his father
Daniel Rikiti was sentenced to three years' jail but remains on bail during appeal.
Kidnap, blackmail, assault: Mobster holds woman hostage in ‘harrowing’ ordeal
Friend feared next time she would see kidnapped woman was 'at her funeral'.
‘More than happy’: Couple’s $29k bid wins French river cruise at auction
The auction raised funds for Ronald McDonald Family Retreats in Rotorua.
‘Game changer’: $1m funding boost for Rotorua youth mental health
Rotorua's youth centre has been given a funding boost that will benefit 560 young locals.
Teen gang shooter avoids jail due to ‘worst’ childhood judge has seen
The teen fired five shots at rival gang utes in Rotorua.
‘Legend’: ‘Bloody good cop’ who targeted gangs dies
Dennis Murphy was known for his dedication to catching gang members and drug dealers.
How the Love Grace Handbag Appeal can make a difference in Rotorua
Murdered tourist Grace Millane's memory is being honoured through a Women's Refuge appeal.
New twist in Nia Glassie case: ‘I told yous from the start I was innocent’
Second Curtis brother convicted of 3yo's murder makes first Parole Board appearance.
‘A really precious thing’: New owners rally for Rotorua Supper Club
The Supper Club event supports two Ronald McDonald Family Retreats in Rotorua.
Teen needed facial reconstruction surgery after work accident on his birthday
'When I first saw myself, I was in shock … why did this happen to me?'
‘Profoundly disturbing’: Men who paid for sex with 13-year-old sentenced
Three men were sentenced in Rotorua on Friday to home detention.
Fatal fight: Jury reaches verdict on logger who claimed self-defence
A jury has reached a verdict in the Nathan Moscrip High Court manslaughter case.
‘A blameless life’: Teacher supplied drugs to teens, sought to avoid conviction
'He was well-liked and respected in the community, or was until this happened.'
Second maths error in 2 weeks: 7 months' jail added for double fatal crash driver
Rotorua drugged driver Hemana Morgan-Edmonds will serve seven months longer in jail.
Fatal fight between friends broke out over ‘messages to girlfriend’
Nathan Moscrip, 29, is on trial for the manslaughter of his friend Brodie Ruatara.
Operation FTP goes ahead despite risk of fine
Rotorua's homeless have been given free food in a counter operation to Operation Trolley.
‘Oh my God’: The shocking cost of Kāinga Ora ‘container homes’ revealed
The homes were criticised by locals when they first arrived on the site.
Operation FTP: Crackdown on trolley thefts sparks counter operation
Operation Feed The People launched in opposition to police trolley crackdown.
Yaba Daba Do – Red Stag Timber want two from two
The Red Stag team is determined to give winning the Red Bull Trolley Grand Prix a good go.
Man on trial accused of killing his friend after fight over messages to girlfriend
Moscrip says he was defending himself after Ruatara had confronted him angrily.
Judge’s maths blunder won’t change jail sentence for mobster
Tihema Nuttall's sentence will stay the same despite a judge's error.
‘A great mix of cultures’: Rotorua’s vibrant Waitangi Day festivities
The Waitangi Day event in Rotorua attracted up to 10,000 visitors.
Howzat! Siblings embrace culture with Māori cricket selection
Sadie and Cohen Stewart are having a ball representing their iwi in Māori cricket.
Learn and earn: Rotorua expert leads 'unique' new Māori performing arts degree
Jamus Webster takes up role after nearly 30 years at Rotorua Boys' High School.
Mongrel Mob rapper sentenced for road rage shooting
Rapper Tihema Nuttall, also known as Temm Dogg, has been sentenced.
Motocross rider, 10, would have died instantly, inquest hears
A pathologist says there was nothing any of the first responders could have done.
Geothermal sinkhole injuries: Case against council dismissed
The Rotorua Lakes Council has had a WorkSafe charge against it dismissed.
'Bland' school lunches arrive up to three hours late, just before home-time
Principals had to buy food to tide students over or pull them out of class to eat late.
Revealed: Inside Rotorua's controversial Kāinga Ora 'container' homes
The 'container' homes on Malfroy Rd in Rotorua are ready for new tenants.
'Marae on air': Tributes flow for Papa Ruru, the unsung radio hero
George (Hori) Bennett, aka Papa Ruru, from Rotorua was described as an unsung radio hero.
Operation Trolley: ‘Direct attack’ on homeless or making Rotorua’s CBD safe?
Locals react to the police crackdown on people using shopping trolleys for personal ends.
Auckland Anniversary Day: Should the Bay of Plenty ditch it for its own day?
Why does most of the North Island celebrate Auckland Anniversary Day?
‘No chance of him surviving’: How a hot pool visit ended in death
With no body found, his disappearance was a mystery. Now a coroner has ruled.
'Disastrous decision': Drugged driver blames dog's death for crash that killed couple
Crash victims Jan and John Christensen are remembered for their community contributions.
Nia Glassie's murderer: 'Still using drugs, still being violent'
Michael Curtis has served more than 17 years for the murder of Nia Glassie.
Meet the girl who hasn't missed a day of school in 11 years
She says she even turned down a holiday in Hawaii to keep her perfect record.
On a knife-edge: A young boy's fight to stay alive
'He fades pretty quickly but he does his best.'
'Wholly unnecessary': Bay road toll rises after horror December in Rotorua
Too many people have died on local roads, say police.
2024's high-profile court stories: Gangs, illegal prostitution and an infamous murder
We look back on serious court cases and a parole hearing with a twist.
'Happy to be alive': Mum's 'tough year' after freak accident in restaurant
Sian Habgood was hit by a car while sitting inside a restaurant.
How Ngawai's golden ticket has led to a trip of a lifetime
Ngawai Clendon aims to inspire others as she heads to Antarctica with Inspiring Explorers.