Latest from Bay of Plenty

Courthouse crisis has lawyers insisting 'we need a new one now’

Lawyers say some murder-accused are getting bail purely due to trial delays.

‘World-class’: How Tauranga became the Bay’s next big stage for sport and live entertainment

What’s driving this surge, and what does it mean for the local economy and community?

How do architects design homes when they are for themselves?

Could architects say they are the 'perfect client' when they design their own new homes?

Arson, stabbing and shrapnel: Police Minister Mark Mitchell’s health battle

An arsonist, Samurai sword and the Mongrel Mob left their marks on the Police Minister.

Weather: SH35 partially reopens, motorists urged to be cautious

The highway near Tolaga Bay was closed overnight due to flooding.

Beyond the bookshelves: How independent bookstores keep turning the page

Xanadu Exchange keeps every book under $5 and trades titles for store credit.

How a fallen Kiwi rock star found healing, hope and his musical spark again

Former Dead Flowers guitarist Riqi Harawira now helps men overcome family violence.

Heavy hail in Auckland, torrential rain, lightning on way for upper North Island

A swathe of weather watches and warnings cover the top half of the North Island.

Positive night: Bay party hotspots busy but largely well-behaved

Ambulance callouts fell to 177 between 10pm and 3am, down about 40% on previous years.

NY Day weather: Thunderstorms, floods and slips loom in the south, ‘quite nice’ up north

Downpours of up to 40mm/h may trigger flash flooding, slips and poor driving.

Revealed: Our Heroes of 2025 – the Herald's top picks

We honour the best in news, sport, business and entertainment.

Rising river forces festival evacuation but New Year mostly calm, 41 arrests across NZ

Police helped move up to 100 Twisted Frequency campers from rising floodwater.

The three Fs that helped former Black Cap launch a new innings in life

For Lou Vincent, life is about giving back and enjoying the small moments with family.

Tourism outlook: Rising arrivals, big events and new venues set up 2026

Rene de Monchy and Rebecca Ingram give their insights ahead of an optimistic 2026.

Auckland faces risk of severe thunderstorms on New Year’s Eve

A North Island region is forecast to finally catch a break after a week of poor weather.

Drink-driving, impatience, fatigue top Bay police fears as New Year nears

Bay police target drink-driving and impatience as 2025 road toll hangs in the balance.