Latest fromTe Puke

'Humbling' King's Service Medal for decades of fire service work
Te Puke fire chief recognised for services to Fire & Emergency NZ and the community.

Virtues of a 'simple, peaceful life' marked on 100th birthday
Her secret to longevity? No smoking or drinking plus lots of fruit, veges and family time.

Disc golf sets its sights on a new town
"Golf is fun but not everyone can afford a $500 membership to play."

Phone data, text message seal meth-making man's fate
Cellphone data put accused man at property where methamphetamine was being made.

'It was very peaceful': Woman recalls near-death experience
'I'm sure there’s a greater plan for me,' says the nurse, who wasn't expected to live.

'We’re just shells now': Jewellers targeted by thieves 9 times in 2.5 years
'I watched people run around in my shop at bloody 4.30 in the morning.'

'Pretty skilled gardener': Mother of eight busted for growing 300 cannabis plants
Woman had all the necessary equipment to 'grow cannabis discreetly', police say.

In the doghouse! Fence-jumping feline survives canine caper
The pet's family say 'bula' to Bula after his doghouse adventure.

Anzac Day: Te Puke remembers
We seem to struggle with remembering the lessons from these conflicts.

Council faces big byelection bills after three reps quit, one dies
Costs to fill the empty seats could hit up to $83,600.

Paws-itively amazing career in animal services
Betty Hall was once told by a teacher she would never get a job after finishing school.

Western Bay Council, Kāinga Ora slammed for lack of consultation
Council says no parties adversely affected by the development.

‘The real deal’: Councillor remembered as visionary leader, devoted to town
Richard Crawford suffered a heart attack while cycling in the Redwoods.

'Rare human': Tributes flow for tireless 'community champion'
His death on Sunday after a heart attack in Rotorua on Saturday was a 'huge shock'.

Colleagues 'shattered' as 'incredible' local leader dies
'Huge shock - He will be sorely missed.'

'Vicious attack': Bashed girl's parents say school 'failed to protect' her
The school is investigating and 'unequivocally condemned' violence in its community.

New planning rules allowing more housing for Te Puke signed off
Density standards include allowing three homes on a site and houses up to 11m high.

‘Totally reckless' planning rules on hold
Dangerous intersections and heavy traffic on SH2 not addressed - councillor.

Three rushed to hospital after crashes in Te Puke, Welcome Bay
An e-bike rider and two motorists have been injured.

Fears new Te Puke bridge will hinder trucks
Severe weather washed out the original bridge.

Man survives 8m fall on to rocks, hasn't 'broken anything'
Swimming hole leap goes horribly wrong: 'It was too late. I knew I was going to hit it.'

Man who died at home after crash was 'disorientated' at the scene, says witness
St John says the patient refused their staff's recommendation he be taken to hospital.

Chaos and violence: Mobster's crimes 'inevitable' from an early age, says judge
The drug dealer fled police for more than an hour, speeding through residential areas.

Person who died at home after crash had declined transport to hospital: Hato Hone St John
Police were called to the single-vehicle crash at about 9.30pm.

23,000 jobs on offer: Kiwifruit industry pins hopes on big harvest
After two bad seasons, the industry is forecasting a bumper crop

'Significant height': Two people rescued after separate falls
Busy weekend for the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter.

130km/h in a 50 zone: Drug dealer with gun, meth flees police for an hour
Dramatic chase one of more than 800 BOP fleeing driver incidents in nine months.

Police call for information on Te Puke man possibly carrying gun
Two reported sightings of the man in the centre of town this afternoon.

Builder charged after letting people live in implement shed - again
He claimed it was just a 'smoko room' but later admitted charging a mum and kids rent.