Latest from Otorohanga District

Missing Marokopa family: Stolen ute found, Tom Phillips and kids still missing

Police say the stolen ute was found just off Marokopa Rd in Te Anga.

Man in prison for part in fatal attack says he should be home with kids

The children are being cared for by grandparents after their mother died in a crash.

Bitter(n) end for rare wetland bird

A rare wetland bird had to be euthanised after being shot near Kāwhia Harbour.

‘Exaggeration and fabrication’: Road-rage attackers jailed

Frank and Ben Sweeney were sentenced in the High Court at Hamilton to jail today.

Fatal fight: Jury finds one of two cousins guilty in road-rage death

The jury deliberated for almost 10 hours to reach their verdicts this afternoon.

Jury retires to deliberate verdicts in Ōtorohanga road-rage manslaughter

The jury began its deliberations about 11.15am today.

Death at a service station: A dad of six and the encounter with two gang members

Defence says it was a fast-moving scene and Crown must prove assault was intentional.

'Violent, flurry of blows': Witness describes assault before death

The manslaughter trial for Frank and Benjamin Sweeney continues at the High Court.

'39 seconds': CCTV reveals fatal fight between gang members and father-of-six

Two brothers are on trial for manslaughter over the death of a Te Kūiti man in Ōtorohanga.

Hosea Gear selects Coffin for East Coast

Josh Coffin leaves king Country Rams to play for Ngāti Porou East Coast in Heartland comp.

Hetet honoured to fly flag for Fiji

Ōtorohanga's Haereiti Hetet was part of the inaugural Fijian Drua Super Rugby side

Police believe missing Ōtorohanga family in Marokopa bush

Thomas Philips made a brief visit to a family member in early February.

Police 'frustrated' in search to locate Marokopa family

Police believe people that know Thomas Philips may have vital information.

Ōtorohanga dad Tom Phillips briefly returns home for supplies

A warrant for his arrest is outstanding after he failed to attend court in January.

Ōtorohanga homicide: Police investigating road-rage attack appeal for dashcam footage

No arrests in homicide which saw man die in road-rage incident.

Road rage homicide victim a 'hard-working' father of 6

Witnesses said the man was attacked on the town's main street.

'Missing' again: Dad charged after search goes bush with kids for second time

Tom Phillips and his three children appear to have gone bush again.

205 new Covid cases today; man in his 40s dies in hospital

A man aged in his 40s has died in Middlemore Hospital.