Latest from Bay of Plenty

Town takes $1m rates hit after mill closes

The rateable value of the Kawerau mill property has nearly halved since it closed.

In the slow lane: Driver licence test waits cause concern

Advocates concerned about impact of long licence test wait times on young drivers.

Ex-drug kingpin on gun seizures: 'The worst guns' are still with 'the worst people'

Gun Safe was introduced in March 2019 to record police encounters with firearms.

'Feeding frenzy': Explosion in people keen to head overseas

Border restriction changes have locals looking to book international trips again.

Simon Bridges' advice for successor, and why he wouldn't change a thing

The National MP hopes his replacement will 'keep it real'.

Search under way for missing fisherman near Opotiki

Police say Coastguard New Zealand is conducting a search.

'It saves lives': Kristie Purton could still be alive if Trikafta was available

The second 'Cystic Sister' died in 2019 from cystic fibrosis.

'I'm trapped': Mum and kids live in camp unit for two years as rents rise

Campgrounds, backpackers, RV businesses inundated with desperate home-seekers.

Secret council proposal to sell 10 reserves for housing revealed

Parties say no decisions made but local MP 'extremely' worried.

Local Focus: The Mauao Ranger: The man with the 'coolest job'

From managing Mauao's walking tracks to its ecology, meet the man with 'the coolest job'.

'They took my son', mother's heartache after accused appear in court over alleged historic kidnapping

The accused all entered not guilty pleas before Judge Robert Spear.

Rob Rattenbury: New Zealanders haven't had their freedom denied

OPINION: It seemed every unhappy soul in the country got together for a major whinge.

Kiwi startup raises $37m, expands business with social media giant

Legal tech takes Manhattan.

Crunch time: Businesses owe $88.5m to IRD - and now face paying interest

'Another nail in their coffin': The interest-free loan period is coming to an end.

One seriously injured in Pāpāmoa football match

Emergency services were called about the incident in Pāpāmoa around 11.30am.

'Ugly underbelly': White supremacist flyers left in mailboxes

An expert describes the flyers as "sad, misinformed and misguided".

Dr Tony Farrell: Why I'm concerned about long Covid

OPINION: You may be playing Covid roulette if you feel you should 'just get it over with'.

'He is dying': Tearful mother faces losing second child

But a 'miracle drug' she can't afford could save him.