/media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/infographics/2036/NewstalkZB_logo_NZH_140x170.jpg){kind=logo}
Kelly Makiha, a Multimedia Journalist at the Rotorua Daily Post (part of the Herald network) 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.
Why a Hindu temple in the heart of Fenton St has to close
Why a Hindu temple in the heart of Fenton St is closing its doors to worshippers.
'Extreme violence': He was 17, pulled out a gun and shot an innocent man
How a fun night out for a couple ended in catastrophe.
Emergency housing motel murder accused lose name suppression fight
Two men charged over a murder at a Taupō emergency housing motel can now be named.
'That stabbing didn't need to happen': Witness' regret as 'naked' man wounded
A man was found with a stab wound to the chest on Saturday night.
Emergency housing: Lobby group wins battle over 'unnecessarily difficult' paperwork
Lobby group Restore Rotorua had challenged the process specifying separate submissions.
Strip club stories: Massage parlour closes its doors after 28 years
It's the end of an era in Rotorua with the closing of strip bar Alexandra's.
Why three homeless motels in Rotorua aren't being forced to be compliant
Three homeless motels are not yet being asked to comply with rules - yet.
Well-seasoned: Lynne retires after 43 years at the same KFC
'KFC has been good to me. I'm pretty proud of these 43 years.'
Polynesian Spa death: Coroner urges better supervision
A coroner has looked into why a French tourist died while soaking in a Rotorua hot pool.
'Slap in the face': Shocked road-rage victim 'mind-blown' by attacker's punishment
'No wonder people like this guy act like this, there is basically no penalty.'
Court action against 9 emergency housing motels off - for now
Why the council has backed off taking court action against some emergency housing motels.
Motels for 1000 homeless: Submissions open for resource consent applications
Locations for contracted emergency housing motels and for how many have been revealed.
'Fenton St ghetto': Petition launched to tackle emergency housing
Mayoral candidate Fletcher Tabuteau has launched a petition to Parliament.
'Easy way' to make money sees cannabis grower jailed
He wanted an easy way to make money, so got involved in a cannabis growing syndicate.
Woman fights council for almost 9 years to make home legal
Council says land issues put the property in breach of Building Code.
Rotorua Girls' High School to get new boarding hostel
Rotorua is to get a girls' school boarding hostel - the first in the region.
Drug delivery gone wrong? Black Power gang member's death - coroner's finding
A coroner's finding into death of a 47-year-old motorcyclist has been made public.
Homicide inquiry: Mystery surrounds death of Rotorua man
Mystery surrounds the death of Rotorua man Adrian Humphreys.
Ngongotahā resident: 'We were damn lucky it stopped raining when it did'
It was a nervous night for Ngongotahā residents as the Ngongotahā Stream quickly rose.
'Big win' for public say on emergency housing future
Locals can have their say on about controversial contracted emergency housing motels.
Cockroaches and rodents: Landlords to pay damages for unsafe living conditions
Landlords have been punished for having tenants in unsafe units.
Hard-hit businesses still dig deep for Supper Club
Why two businesses that survived the crash during Covid are donating to Supper Club.
Homeless motel burglar caught red-handed by police
Judge says Rotorua community "sick of people nicking things" like Jason Tihi did.
Council takes legal action: Emergency housing motel 'misery' must stop
Nine motels operating emergency housing in Rotorua are being taken to court.
Fraudster claims to be a drug-free changed woman
Judge questions if Tania Malcolm, also known as Tania Malcolm, has really changed?
Waititi hits out at funding support services that 'live off' homelessness
The move to fund emergency housing in motels for four more years is concerning locals.
Mayor's message to Housing Minister: Rotorua homes for Rotorua homeless
Will the Government make changes to its state housing policy to give Rotorua a break?
Mother who murdered, abused toddler sentenced to life imprisonment
The 18-month-old was malnourished and was covered in bruises, scratches and nappy rash.
Giant sculpture pieces together mill's past with biking future
The landmark is literally made out of Rotorua's sawmilling history and weighs 16 tonnes.
Former Rotorua Trust manager farewelled from city in fundraising style
An outpouring of love has been shown for community man Tony Gill.
MPs clash over homeless report on where Rotorua homeless have come from
Local politicians have exchanged words over a new homeless report.
Motel standoff: Tenants refuse to leave as Govt investigates serious allegations
Government launches investigation into complaint from motel manager.
'Wreaking havoc': Report reveals how many of Rotorua's homeless are locals
Nearly a third of those living in Rotorua's motels don't come from here.
'Go Mum, go': Video captures children's terror during violent road rage attack
A New Zealand man has admitted his "alarming" act of road rage.
Do you want fries with that?: Horsing around in Rotorua's CBD
Three horses and their riders were spotted in Rotorua's central city at the weekend.
Council threatens homeless motels with court action if they fail to comply
Rotorua's council is threatening court action against emergency housing motels. But why?
Gang member gets home detention for $8000 burglary
A gang member involved in an $8000 burglary has been given six months' home detention.
Man jailed for secret sex videos on porn website
He videoed himself having sex with a woman and put it on a porn site to get revenge.
Greed, drugs, denials and elaborate lifestyles: Head Hunters gang wife sentenced
The Head Hunters gang's plans to set up in Rotorua was thwarted when police busted them.
'Forever dedicated': How Laurie Durand's legacy will live on
How youth will continue to benefit thanks to Laurie Durand - even after his death.
'I want out of here': Devastated residents fear proposal to sell reserves for housing
Locals are upset about a council plan to turn reserves into housing developments.
Judge tells drug-dealing mum she should have changed 'two daughters ago'
A drug dealer's request for a lighter sentence has failed with a Rotorua judge.
Top Māori lawyer appointed High Court Judge
Kiri Tahana's love of the law has seen her appointed as a High Court Judge.
Brutal street attacks: Passersby took photos instead of going to help
Other witnesses drove by, watched and took videos. Should they have helped?
Man dies after being hit by car on Fenton St
A man has died after being hit by a car on Fenton St.
Man beaten on Sunset Rd found injured on Turner Dr
Police are piecing together incidents on Sunset Rd and Turner Dr involving an assault.
Straight-shooting iwi leader departs with message for Pākehā
Sir Toby Curtis is stepping down as Te Arawa Lakes Trust chairman.
'All my muscles have withered away': Shock diagnosis for funding trust boss
Rotorua Trust's Tony Gill: 'I was like a hunched old man and couldn't hold my body up.'