Sandra Conchie is a Multimedia Journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times based in Tauranga.
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.
Tina Barrett receives King's Service Medal
Rotorua identity Tina May Barrett's community service honoured with KSM.
What two household budgeting experts think of Budget 2025
One says it will do 'little' to help clients, the other says it's too soon to tell.
Trio deny murdering man found dead on a Kawerau doorstep
One of the three can be named after suppression lapsed.
'Highly careless’: Nomar Farms effluent discharge ends in big fine
A Whakatāne dairy farm owner has been fined $48, 750 for effluent discharge.
Farmers fined $77k for discharging effluent into stream
Judge Tepania noted both defendants were careless for different reasons.
‘Horrific experience’: Canadian hockey coach admits causing crash that injured players
Her name suppression was dropped when she appeared in court in Tauranga today.
SH5 crash: Driver appears in Tauranga court facing 11 charges
She has not entered pleas to the charges.
Juicy Fest, Timeless Summer Tour companies owe more than $2.4m
One ticketholder fears the chances of a refund are 'extremely low'.
Music event companies put in liquidation, ‘gutted’ ticketholder fears for refund
The Timeless Summer Tour has been cancelled three months after being postponed.
‘Great NZ: Family Court pioneer and legal giant dies at 89
Sir Peter Trapski 'wrote the book' on family law in NZ.
'Same costly mistake': Driver's warning after $150 bus-lane fine
More than 6500 tickets were issued for breaching the 50m rule last year.
Owed nearly $150k: Rotorua crime victims believe reparation payments an 'absolute joke'
Nearly $4.6m in fines and reparation is owed by Rotorua offenders.
Mum’s ‘hellish’ fight to recover after motorcycle crash
'I was high-sided into the air and landed on the cheese-cutters.'
'She had all of her life to live': Parents fight for 'justice' after 15yo dies in crash
'He’s destroyed our lives.'
'Worst nightmare': The NZ region with the most fleeing drivers
More than 10,000 drivers fled police in New Zealand during 2023.
'Noose with your name on it': Warrant issued for man who threatened to 'hang' PM
'I’ve got a noose with your name on it,' he wrote of Dame Jacinda Ardern during her term.
Honoured power sector leader on pouring his 'heart and soul' into 55-year career
'It’s important to find your passion as when you love what you do, you do your best work.'
$165k in seatbelt fines: 'Too many' kids not properly buckled in
Police target factors that decide whether people walk or are carried away from crashes.
Mixed Christmas sales for Bay retailers amid cost-conscious shoppers
Bay of Plenty retailers report mixed Christmas spending figures, but some remain upbeat.
'More rescues': Swells spark rip warning for holiday hotspots
It comes as holidaymakers begin flocking to eastern beaches.
National hīkoi to descend on Rotorua
The hīkoi's purpose is to show unity against proposed policy changes.
28 people, 99 charges: All the names and details from massive Mob bust
Nearly 100 charges have been laid against 28 people.
Bars hope boost from Steamers' win 'bodes well' for long weekend
Steamers' historic run underlines support from some for a new stadium in central Tauranga.
'A noose with your name': Man guilty of making Jacinda Ardern death threats
He represented himself in court with what the judge called 'legal gobbledygook'.
Woolworths strike: Bay of Plenty and Rotorua staff served suspension notices
Claims more than 40 Woolworths staff in Bay were issued suspension notices.
Rotorua Woolworths workers walk off job
"We are still miles apart from the company."
'Highly careless or even negligent': Farm manager fined $52k for effluent pollution
An experienced Bay of Plenty farm manager has been fined for illegal effluent discharge.
Digger operator deaths: Forestry industry issued with fatality alert
Two digger operators died at work within 10 days in July.
Huge $333k windfall for BoP Lotto punters
A Lotto player from Tauranga has won $333,333.
Digger operator who died in Kaingaroa Forest incident named
WorkSafe is investigating the Ōpōtiki man's death on Wednesday.
WorkSafe investigates digger driver's 'tragic' death in Kaingaroa Forest
Work at the forestry processing site has been suspended since Wednesday.
11th person denies murdering Tauranga father ahead of trial
A jury trial is set for early September.
Judge grants powers to sell 'idyllic' properties occupied by gangster
Mongrel Mob senior figure refuses to obey court orders to leave waterfront properties.
'Obviously deliberate': Landlords illegally piped human waste to riverside drain
The offending continued for nearly four years despite orders to stop.
Dame Susan Devoy one of first inductees into PSA Hall of Fame
Devoy was born in Rotorua and lives in Tauranga.
Dentist hit by drink-driver metres from his door describes 'huge toll'
'My next memory was waking up on the road in a haze with blood running down my face.'
Three people taken to hospital after tractor and car collide
The road was closed due to debris and an oil spill.
'Pretty skilled gardener': Mother of eight busted for growing 300 cannabis plants
Woman had all the necessary equipment to 'grow cannabis discreetly', police say.
'Taking the p**s': Charity boss hits out at op shop rubbish dumpers
Frequent clean-ups of soiled goods and rubbish are taking a toll on store team members.
Three arrested after vape store burglary
The store manager says the burglary was 'shocking and upsetting'.
Facial recognition: Mum's 'horrible' mistaken identity ordeal at New World
The supermarket says it was a 'genuine case of human error'.
Identity of man who denies murdering Mob boss revealed
A trial date has been set for 2025.
'Unbreakable spirit': Why this Kiwi baker is braving missile strikes in Ukraine
A Tauranga woman and her partner's fundraising mission for Ukraine.
Jailed serial groper who did indecent act on parole to be released again
Disgraced former senior representative cricket player 'will not pose an undue risk'.
'Flak' and 'shenanigans': Truckie tells how she fought her way to the top
It was a bumpy road but now she's in the 'best job ever'.
'Flying high in heaven': Tributes flow for pilot and speedway identity who died in crash
'We nicknamed him Waterboy. But he was no boy. He was da man.'
'Make them help clean up the mess': Upset ram-raid victim wants tougher penalties
'We shouldn't let young offenders off scot-free just because of their age'.
Chicken shed fire 'not flagged as suspicious'
Forty firefighters battled the blaze for about six hours.
'Very difficult': Fire destroys Inghams farm chicken shed in Matamata
Forty firefighters battled the blaze.
Arson attack at a Kawerau school under investigation
A Kawerau school's playground fire is being treated as an arson.
Check your tickets: Tauranga Lotto punter $700k richer
A Tauranga Lotto punter won $700,000 with lucky Lotto strike ticket.
Man who died at home after crash was 'disorientated' at the scene, says witness
St John says the patient refused their staff's recommendation he be taken to hospital.
Chaos and violence: Mobster's crimes 'inevitable' from an early age, says judge
The drug dealer fled police for more than an hour, speeding through residential areas.
Fleeing drivers ‘deliberately taunting’ police by live-streaming their escapades
Trend emerges amid a dramatic increase in drivers fleeing police.
Harley Shrimpton case: Alleged kidnapper now faces murder charge
The accused has been granted interim name suppression.
'Such a joyful event': Annual Sikh parade draws crowds in Tauranga
"It’s cool people are happy to embrace our culture."
130km/h in a 50 zone: Drug dealer with gun, meth flees police for an hour
Dramatic chase one of more than 800 BOP fleeing driver incidents in nine months.
Cha-ching! Big Lotto wins for Tauranga, Rotorua punters
One $333K win and two $15K wins coming to the Bay of Plenty.
'Shattered': Friends mourn woman and mother-in-law killed in Taupō crash
There has been an outpouring of grief after the pair died in a road smash.
Rise in roaming dogs sparks fears for livestock owners
A rise in the number of roaming dogs increases fear among Rotorua Lakes livestock owners.
'Lives were saved': Lifeguards at region's holiday hotspots make 50-plus rescues
Safety advice for swimmers also follows slew of shark sightings in the area.
Police release names of pair who died in Kaimai crash
Inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
Mt Maunganui crash victim named as holiday road toll rises to 11
Brayden Tawa, of Pāpāmoa, died after a car and truck crashed on Hewletts Rd.
Black Caps hit-out at Mount beach sure to wow fans ahead of Bay Oval T20
Fans get to meet some of their Black Caps heroes at a Mount Maunganui beach cricket event
Former PM speaks out after vandals target nesting colony of endangered birds
'There was no sign of the newly hatched chick ‘George’ ...some of the birds were missing'.
Teen's 'amateurish' fake money scheme used home printer to make $10s, $20s, $50s
A Rotorua teenager has avoided prison after he forged banknotes and distributed them wide
‘Absolutely tragic’: Grieving family, friend pay tribute to granddad shot while hunting
His family say he was well-known in his local community of Paeroa, in Hauraki.
Name suppression for man charged with kidnapping in Harley Shrimpton disappearance case
A 21yo man appeared in Tauranga District Court today, facing kidnapping and other charges.
Two more Bay of Plenty orchardists fined for unlawful groundwater use
The growers are among five prosecuted by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council this year.
'The best of the best': NZ Festival of Squash attracts world-class top seeds
Tauranga is to host the NZ Festival of Squash - and some of the world's best players.
'Absolutely devastated': Missing Tauranga man allegedly forced into a car
He was last seen at a McDonald’s in Mount Maunganui on November 3.
Investigation launched after 13 firefighting crews called to overnight blaze in Tokoroa
Firefighters remain at the scene today.
Motorcyclist fuming after Waka Kotahi evades blame after ‘horrific’ crash
Victim believes the road conditions were responsible for the crash that put her in a coma.
'Significant failure': Dairy farm fined $40k after effluent found in trout stream
A Bay of Plenty dairy farm and a director have admitted illegal discharge of contaminants.
Wife's last words as husband of 60 years strangled her with a tie
They went out for breakfast, sat in the sun and went home, where he prepared to kill her.
Tauranga men's basketball team to join NBL
The Whai will have both elite women's and men's teams in the national league.
Lifeguards launch beach patrols on Labour Weekend
Lifeguards' summer patrols begin this weekend at Bay of Plenty beaches.
'Extremely exciting': Bay set to reap the benefits of busy summer cruise ship season
Tauranga is set to welcome the first of more than 110 cruise ships.