Latest from Bay of Plenty

Former Māori language commissioner Waereti Tait-Wall dies

Her tangihanga is being held at Tūnohopū Marae in Rotorua.

Local Focus: Motiti Protection Area 'makes it illegal for us to be Māori'

New rule protecting biodiversity comes into effect. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Port worker scare: Vaccination levels a 'real weakness', expert says

Vaccination levels among port workers are low, which worries Professor Michael Baker.

Covid: Ship pilot's infection linked to Qld taxi driver, abuse 'not helpful'

Health authorities reveal pilot has same Delta strain as Cairns taxi driver.

Burglars raid Tauranga Crossing jewellery stores

A vehicle was left at the scene and items stolen.

Arson trial: Couple accused of burning down house for $85,000 windfall

A man and a woman are accused of burning a house down to gain money from insurance.

Health Ministry cleared Covid-infected ship for berthing, says Maritime NZ

It happened despite knowing the ship was connected to an Australian Covid case.

Covid on cargo ship, unvaccinated port workers - how high is the risk?

"There are quite a few things that are on our side" - professor Michael Baker.

Port workers angry over 'shambolic approach' to ship with infected crew

Staff were brought back to work after they'd been in contact with the Rio De La Plata.

Local Focus: Rotorua's male midwife says gender is irrelevant

One of only eight male midwives across the country. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Students learn about collaboration and environmental sustainability

Students plant 1500 native trees to protect the harbour and habitat for native birds.

Bay of Plenty nurses 'bordering on unsafe' work conditions

The DHB has sought legal advice, concerned about staffing levels on strike day.

'Baby Royal' killer loses appeal against sentence, minimum sentence

Surender Mehrok was jailed for the manslaughter of a 14-week-old boy.

'Anti-vaxxers' under fire for holding public event

DHB advises people to get vaccination information from trusted medical professionals.

'Mana Māori': Tauranga Moana kaumātua Kihi Ngatai laid to rest next to Maria

'He was ready to go'.

This high school has more Olympic gold than most countries

Lisa Carrington and Stacey Fluhler have more gold medals than most countries competing.

Tauranga Moana mourns as Kihi Ngatai laid to rest

Respected kaumātua Dr Kihi Ngatai, QSM, is being laid to rest today.

Māori flag to fly at BOP regional council buildings

The last surviving designer of the flag says the move is "awesome".