Latest from Bay of Plenty

Local Focus: Ocean sports are just a Friday Float away

Accessible water sports for people with disabilities on offer at Mount Maunganui.

Sisters will defend charges in relation to Tauranga boy's death

Two sisters charged over the death of a five-year-old Te Puna boy are heading to trial.

Trial date set for David Kuka murder accused

Two men who deny murdering Tauranga father David Kuka are heading to trial.

'Absolute breaking point': Midwife says shortage in the Bay is 'critical'

One midwife from Central Otago has been working in the Bay since November.

Want a job? 24,000 kiwifruit workers needed as labour shortage bites

Last season harvesting roles paid an average of $27 an hour rates vary and can reach $40.

Rotorua's shortage of rental properties at 'crisis' point

Rotorua rental market prices increase four per cent, supply drops 15 per cent in a year.

Tauranga rental market in 'crisis', rents up, supply drops

The median weekly cost of rentals in Tauranga has risen $70 in the past year.

Water-related death near Whakatāne Heads, rāhui in place

Police said a man died in the incident.

North Island motorists warned of delays as people escape the city

Holidaymakers are in luck this long weekend but are being warned to watch out for delays.

Boy, 5, picked up used needle in park 'thinking it was a toy'

Amber's nephew thought a needle he found in an old park footpool was a plaything.

'Unsettling': Early childhood centre closed due to Omicron link

All people present at the centre on January 19 are being treated as close contacts.

'We may never know': Boy undiagnosed after month in hospital

The family say Bowden is making progress but anticipated a 'very long road' to recovery.

'A hell of a mess': Company fined $27K for allowing pigs to foul streams

About 35 pigs spent five months living in the streams, which flow into Lake Rotorua.

Wildfire fears as BOP enters total fire ban

A total fire ban has been put in force for the Bay of Plenty and South Waikato district.

New vaccination centre prepping for Omicron

The new centre has replaced the indoor site for walk-ins in Westgate.

Local Focus: Accessible hotspots 'a game-changer for disabled people's lives'

Tauranga City Council invests $4 million to improve access to local facilities.