Zoe Hunter
The New Zealand Herald has more than 200 journalists across the country, bringing you the stories that matter on our website and app, in print and across our social media platforms.
Zoe Hunter is a former NZME journalist.
Check out Zoe’s latest content
'I have got nothing': Boat owner left homeless now liable for disposal of wreck
'I am out of pocket. I have got no boat, I have got no home, I have got nothing'
'Invaluable': How one woman's research is helping bee populations
'If this trend continues it will make a great difference to the health of bee colonies...'
The 'trendy' fruit that packs a punch in the Bay and the call to eat more of it
'We know 60% of all avocados grown in NZ are eaten by just 5% so there's huge potential.'
'Serious state': The sting in the tail of Cyclone Gabrielle
“New Zealand is relying on apiculture. Beehives pollinate kiwifruit orchards, apples..."
Kiwifruit e-Bin innovation to help ‘exacerbated’ labour shortage
“The industry is suffering serious labour shortages... we’ve come up with this solution."
'Crying all morning': 'Tornado' hits farm, killing animals and destroying structures
But a swift community response is helping the distraught family pick up the pieces.
From food waste to bioenergy: The $30m-plus 'gamechanger'
Seven commercial building consents valued at $3,870,000 were issued last month,
1000 homes: Why Kāinga Ora paid $70.4 million for 95ha in Tauranga
As of November 19, Kāinga Ora is the new owner of Ferncliffe Farm in Tauriko.
Ratepayers call Three Waters reform an 'April Fool's joke' and an 'insult'
A full report will be presented to the council along with community feedback on October 4.
Gravy, pork bun, kūmara and meringue. The possible cancer-fighting sea sponges exciting scientists
They sound like the makings of a nice meal but these sea sponges could help fight cancer.
Whakatōhea Mussels' new $37m mussel processing factory officially opened
So far 42 staff have been hired with plans to recruit a further 66.
Our blue economy: Bay growing 'world-class' aquaculture industry
The eastern Bay, in particular, could become "a powerhouse" for New Zealand aquaculture.
Maketu Pies back and busy with new jobs, initiatives and flavours
Te Arawa Management Limited took over ownership of Maketu Pies in November 2019.
Build begins on $30m food waste to bioenergy facility
There were 94 building consents worth about $19m issued in February.
'Biggest fish I've ever seen': Angler catches 434.5kg black marlin
It is the biggest black marlin landed by a member of one Tauranga club in nearly 60 years.
Summer read: World's largest fish spotted in Tauranga waters
Bay explorer skipper Nik Weyel: 'I had never seen anything like it'
Business investment, strong forestry sector offer Covid relief
Infometrics: Rotorua economic activity fell 3pc in the September quarter
Mainfreight: A sneak peek inside the company's largest transport branch in NZ
The 90-odd staff moved in to the new $40m facility on September 12, 2020
Meet Bryce Heard: Farmer, forester, fisherman - and businessman
Meet Bryce Heard - the farmer, forester and fisherman
'We've had to make some really tough calls': Comvita cuts 90 jobs, but significantly narrows financial losses
Comvita released its audited results for the year to June 30.
Survey: Bay economic confidence slips but 'better than expected'
According to the survey, regional economic confidence in the Bay fell 2 per cent.
'It is very special': Volunteers give Tauranga Sport Fishing Club a makeover
Bagshaw said they helped to rip up carpets, paint the walls and fit new lights
Construction boom: Industry creates $349m and 3000-plus jobs
The construction industry has created more than 3000 jobs in the sub-region in 10 years.
Regional economic confidence in Bay set to continue to climb
A net 28 per cent of Bay households expected the region's economy to improve
Medicinal cannabis to be grown on Matakana Island
Mahana Island Therapies has been granted a medicinal cannabis licence to grow on island.
Green light: Company gets approval to grow medicinal cannabis
Medical cannabis firm based in Katikati gets two Medsafe cultivation licences.
Maketu Pies: Workers keep their jobs, are new pies planned?
Maketu Foods Limited took over Maketu Pies on November 12.
Former employees of Maketu Pies react to new owners
Maketu Pies changes hands on November 11.
Maketu Pies: Sale expected at end of week
The dust has settled after the initial receivership shock and an announcement is imminent.
Local iwi show interest in buying Maketu Pies
The deadline for expressions of interest ends October 7
Iconic Bay company Maketu Pies in receivership
Maketu Pies was placed into receivership last week.
'Maggot' found in chook identified as just chicken
The "maggot" has been identified as simply, chicken
Machinery suspected in palm kernel fire
Firefighters from as far as Auckland and Hamilton were called to help fight the blaze
Mill mourns deaths of two employees in two weeks
The 66-year-old cyclist was taken to hospital but died overnight on Tuesday.
Orchardists turn attention to commercial sites
Cashed-up kiwifruit and avocado growers are eyeing up commercial real estate in Tauranga.
People snapped defecating in Pāpāmoa dunes
People have been spotted doing number twos in the reserve
Replica Katikati station on display at model railway show
"It is not just about the trains, it is about creating a scene," enthusiast says.
Water restrictions likely in Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty
A large water leak has been identified in the Te Puke area.
Council's plea for residents to conserve water
People are urged to only use water for essential purposes.
Gold kiwifruit orchard sells for $6.1m
Kiwifruit orchard had been owned by Keith Oakley and his family since 1997.
Maketu Coastguard wins national award
Maketu won the National Unit of the Year and Community Relations Activity of the Year
Protester carries grandfather's ashes to block State Highway 2
Protesters from Fix the Bloody Road are blocking State Highway 2 outside Tauranga
Workers celebrate Kaimai Tunnel's 40th
September 12 marks the 8.9km Kaimai Tunnel's 40th anniversary.
New face leading the team of LandSAR NZ
Tauranga's Carl McOnie is LandSAR New Zealand's new chief executive.
Medical cannabis industry aims to match billion-dollar kiwifruit sector
MediCann has exclusive NZ rights to more than 30 medically certified cannabis strains.
Training where the wildfires are
Four Youth Search and Rescue students will stay five days in Yosemite National Park.
Increasing number of seals spotted in Tauranga
There have been a number of seals spotted in the Tauranga area.
Nearly $60m of consents issued
Tauranga City Council issued $58.7m in building consents during June.
Confident in kiwifruit and avocados
A net 45 per cent of Bay households expect the region's economy to improve in 12 months.
Iwi companies buy 98ha kiwifruit portfolio
Te Puke orchards sold by tender for an undisclosed sum to three iwi companies.
Research exploring uses for sea lettuce
$13m algal biotechnology project will bring world-leading researchers to Bay.
'Mini tornado' lifts garages and flips trampolines in Tauranga
A "mini tornado" ripped through a Tauranga property and lifted a woman's double garage.
Bacterial cattle disease mycoplasma bovis edging closer to Bay of Plenty
Mycoplasma bovis is spreading throughout the country – are local farmers worried?
Kiwifruit worker shortage: Too few willing to work
Why are there not enough people to pick kiwifruit?
Dead penguin reports 'biggest in years'
Western Bay Wildlife Trust has had nearly 60 calls about dead penguins in two weeks.
Trash Town: Dumped rubbish danger to marine life
What impact is dumped rubbish having on our marine life?
Local businesses going plastic straw-free
More Tauranga hospitality businesses are ditching the plastic straws.
Businesses pitch in to clean up coast trash
What other businesses are doing away with plastic straws?
Big year for Bay's volunteer fire brigades
Papamoa Volunteer Fire Brigade had a record year for callouts in 2017.
Birds and pufferfish wash ashore
Thirty-eight pufferfish have been collected from Mount beach with more sightings.
Toxic fish at Mount trigger warning
Do not touch pufferfish and keep dogs away from these poisonous creatures.
Search for missing man scaled back
Searchers have scoured rugged terrain for missing Waihi man Grant Ridley.
Boaties urged to have 2 ways to call for help
The regional council is hosting a safer boating workshop at Sulphur Point on October 14.
New Zespri chief focuses on year-long supply
Meet Zespri's new chief executive Dan Mathieson.
Thieves grab classic motorbike at festival
A Tauranga man is using social media to help find his classic motorcycle worth $15,000.
Beehive thefts take huge toll on industry
Police are investigating hundreds of stolen beehives in the Western Bay of Plenty.
Water alert after malfunction at plant
A water warning was issued for residents of Pyes Pa and The Lakes on Thursday.
Zespri chief goes out on a high, $2.26b in sales
Kiwifruit company Zespri has netted a record $2.26 billion in sales.
Harbour study reveals new species
Chris Battershill speaks about sea lettuce at Tauranga's Blue2Green conference.
Slip victims still unable to go home
Council is still working to repair slips in Omokoroa.
New fruit trees for Gate Pa School
Gate Pa Primary School have been gifted 10 fruit trees from Donor's Choice.
Kiwi woman's life transformed by rescue dog
Tauranga woman Tracy Pepper and the heartwarming tale of her rescue dog, Blue.