Maryana Garcia is a multimedia reporter based in Hamilton, covering Waikato stories of national interest.
Maryana Garcia is a live news reporter working with the Waikato Herald team. She studied a Bachelor of Arts with a major in History at the University of Auckland. Maryana also earned graduate diplomas in English literature from the University of Waikato and communications from Wintec. Maryana has been with NZME since 2021. She started as a regional reporter for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times writing about health and crime. During her time in the region, Maryana covered the Covid-19 pandemic, Cyclone Gabrielle and the local effects of the war in Ukraine, troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and protests in Iran. Maryana is also a poet and essayist. Her creative writing has been published in The Spinoff, Turbine, Poetry New Zealand, Takahē, Mayhem and Australia’s Meniscus Literary Journal. Maryana’s poetry has been featured on the walls of Auckland Hospital as part of Ara Manawa’s Poetry in Place exhibition and in the collections A Clear Dawn: New Asian Voices from Aotearoa New Zealand and Ko Aotearoa Tātou | We Are New Zealand.
'We're here to grow value': Govt announces grass-fed cert scheme, $17m resilient pasture programme
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said agriculture was leading NZ out of a recession.
Gates open for Fieldays 2025
Fog, family, fun and gumboots abound at Mystery Creek, just outside Hamilton.
'Coldest nights': NZ braces for another bone-chilling night as cold snap continues
MetService has issued road snowfall warnings for Porters Pass and the Crown Range Rd.
'Game changer': Corrections Minister opens Waikeria Prison's new 596-bed facility
The jail's extension spans about 21 hectares and includes 28 new buildings.
$51m boost for forensic mental health services
Health Minister Matt Doocey announced the four-year funding increase at Waikato Hospital.
Four-lane Ruakura road gets $4.1m design stage funding
Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the NZTA board has endorsed the project.
Top-tier: Peter Carty honoured for services to flyfishing
'When the world seems to be against you, flyfishing can bring you back to reality.'
Failed outfall pipe led to treated effluent gouging Raglan Harbour dunes
Waikato District Council doesn't know when the pipe failed.
Hamilton family 'terrified' as tornado wreaks havoc on homes
A resident on Ranui St claimed she saw a trampoline swirling above a house.
Waikato firewood injuries rack up $2.4m ACC bill
Nationally, 8374 firewood injury claims cost the country $19.9m in 2024.
Watch: Three injured fishermen rescued from rocks after boat capsizes
As swell pushed the boat toward jagged rocks, they were forced to abandon the vessel.
One seriously injured, one in custody after Hamilton assault
The incident was reported to police at about 1am.
$6.4m construction material recycling plant to be built in Waikato
The plant is expected to process 187,200 tonnes of waste annually.
Wine, cheese, crepes and movies: French Film Festival comes to Waikato
Opening night will kick off in Hamilton with a screening of Monsieur Aznavour.
On the Up: Meet teen fire brigade and road safety hero Mila
'Making a small change, that’s enough for me.'
Homicide investigation launched after crash kills 30yo woman
Police were alerted to the Hamilton incident at 9.30am.
200 new retirement homes coming to Putāruru as Overdale Estate hits stage two
Ground first broke on the $200m, 400-home Overdale Estate development in 2022.
'Their responsibility': Harbourmaster warns skippers against dangerous bar crossings
The warning comes after two Raglan rescues carried out in three days.
Raglan Coastguard rescue four clinging to chilly bin in the water
A vessel in distress was reported at about 11.45am.
'Kick in the teeth': Hamilton workers join protest for pay equity
The bill, announced on Tuesday, was passed under urgency on Wednesday night.
Spilled milk: Fonterra tanker rolls in Arapuni
The road is blocked. One person received minor injuries.
Seven dead on Waikato roads in April
The news comes as the provisional national road death toll for the month almost doubled.
'Major' gas leak contained, schools out of lockdown
The 'major' gas line rupture happened at a construction site.
Precautions in place after intensive care unit babies test positive for bacteria
Waikato Hospital would not say how many babies were affected.
Green Party proposes $8b strategy to create 40k jobs
"We can take control of our economy."
Two people charged with arson after Hamilton fire
A man, 46, and woman, 39, are due to appear in court next week.
'Very worried': Police search harbour area for man missing since Anzac Day
He left an address on Tobie Place around 11.15pm on Anzac Day.
One dead, one injured after SH3 crash
State Highway 3 at Awakino remains closed. No detour is available.
Watch: Dramatic video footage captures Taupō mum's 50m cliff fall
Louisa Redward, 43, wanted to thank the emergency services staff who rescued her.
State Highway 1 north of Waiōuru: Five injured in two car crash
Motorists were warned to expect delays.
SH1 reopened: Waikato crash critically injures one
The person has been flown to Waikato Hospital.
SH1 accelerated roadworks hit halfway milestone
The project was first announced in August.
Jesse Carlson named as Horsham Downs fatal crash victim
Jesse Carlson, from Silverdale, was 34.
Flavour, quality, consistency: The secret behind bakery's award-winning hot cross buns
'If we can punch you in the face with a burst of flavour, I’m quite happy.'
One dead, road closed after Hamilton crash
Police said the road may be closed for some time.
Taupō Ironman event generates $23m visitor spending for the region
Taupō District Council estimates the December event earned $50m for New Zealand.
Police focus on grey Honda Civic in Hamilton arson investigation
Police are also seeking video or CCTV footage taken before emergency services arrived.
Down the drain: Ripped out water meters almost cost town drinking supply
Police are investigating and would like to hear from anyone with information.
Crash victim dies from injuries: Police seek witnesses
The crash happened just before 7.20pm on Friday, March 28.
Resealing on Waikato Expressway at Cambridge requires 24-hour lane closure
Motorists can expect delays of up to 30 minutes at peak travel times.
SH29 reopens follow truck breakdown
The truck's cargo of chlorine was 'reacting due to the inclement weather'.
Police seek witnesses after car in service station raid crashes into stream
The alleged offenders fled the scene in two vehicles stolen earlier from Hamilton.
Hamilton schools lockdown ends with imitation firearms seized, person in custody
Police were called to Silverdale Road just before 3pm.
‘Serious injuries’: Emergency services respond to Hamilton crash
Police arrived on Wairere Dr in Queenwood at around 7.12am.
More than 12 times the police force, 60 arrests: Holiday data from summer hotspot revealed
Charges included assault of police, threatening to kill and dangerous driving.
Police appeal for witnesses after Hamilton, Taupō crashes
Seventeen people have been injured in three crashes across the region over the weekend.
The State Highway where Waikato crashes happen most
From 2021 to 2024 there were over 5000 crashes on Waikato state roads.
'He was a sweet boy': Dume the giraffe dies during routine health check
'He captured the hearts of everyone with his gentle and majestic presence.'
Hundreds turn out for festival despite strong winds grounding balloons
The Balloons over Waikato Festival kicked off today.
Tokoroa receives biggest housing boost since the 1970s
Strathmore Park is expected to deliver 187 homes in stages.
‘I just feel sick’: Woman who rescued kids off Matamata train tracks feared death ‘inevitable’
A local woman said she had pulled five toddlers off the same stretch of train tracks.
Mayor vows action after girl dies in train tragedy near Matamata College
Police and WorkSafe are making inquiries following the incident.
Tragedy: Young female student dies after being hit by train near school
Police said the young female died at the scene despite receiving medical attention.
Pre-planned police operation led to school lockdown
One person was arrested. Police remain at the scene.
Fire ban: All permits revoked for North Waikato and Coromandel
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared a prohibited fire season in the area.
One person critical after serious car and motorcycle crash in Pipiroa, Hauraki
Emergency services were alerted to the crash about 2.20pm.
SH25 cleared after after logging truck hit power pole near Whangamatā
Police said contractors were at the scene and there were no reports of injuries.
Police find large knife, $3200 cash and meth at Hamilton CBD arrest
A man was reported for suspicious behaviour on Thursday afternoon.
'I felt like an awful person': Woman's 17-year journey to endo diagnosis
Charlotte, 28, has endometriosis, an inflammatory disease affecting 1 in 10 NZ women.
Number of wildfires on the rise, Fire and Emergency says
In New Zealand, 99% of wildfires are caused by people.
Car and rail maintenance vehicle collide in Matamata
Police say the collision between two vehicles on a railway crossing happened at 8.50am.
MP to meet ministry over 230 job losses at Kinleith Mill
The mill will cease all paper production before July 2025.
Police shoot runaway bull after two people injured in Hamilton
Emergency services were alerted to a 'loose bull running around'.
‘Forever in your debt’: Family speak out after man died saving brother on Lake Taupō
Vincent, 36, died at Acacia Bay while saving his brother’s life in January.
48 firefighters, 1 helicopter battling digger and vegetation fire
The fire was reported after 3pm.
Confirmed: 230 workers to lose jobs as Kinleith Mill shuts paper production
Staff were called to an open-air meeting on the Tokoroa mill’s grounds.
‘Nothing I could have done’: Driver’s plea after fatal crash
In February 2024, the region's road death toll was zero.
Delays on SH25, SH3 closed after separate, serious crashes
SH3 is still closed at Mokau after a truck rolled near Te Mahoe Rd.
Man accused of striking police officer with car appears in court
The incident happened at 8pm on Wednesday in Huntly.
Truck and trailer roll: Person airlifted to hospital in serious condition
The incident happened on a private road off State Highway 3.
Lightning strike at Waikato Hospital affected pagers, internet, fire system
'At no point in time was there any disruption to the delivery of patient care.'
'Long gone': Fugitive escaped locked area outside courthouse, swimming in lake
The man swam through part of Lake Taupō in his attempt to evade police.
Hamilton death referred to the Coroner
The referral comes after a postmortem was carried out today.
‘That was a big one’: More than 50 quakes recorded in Taupō
According to GeoNet the earthquakes recorded peaked at 3.4 in magnitude.
Seeds of hope: Globally rare habitat shows signs of recovery after 1000ha blaze
The October fire released about $9.6m worth of carbon into the atmosphere.
'Round and round': One letter sent six times but never received
Robyn Bronlund-Stads sends mail to the same address monthly. She knows it's correct.
Maritime NZ to investigate fatal jetski incident
It comes as Coastguard NZ and the harbourmaster issued safety reminders to water users.
Watch: Logs fly after trailer dramatically detaches on highway
The video shows cars swerving to avoid flying timber and debris.
One dead after two-vehicle crash outside Putāruru
Emergency services were alerted to the incident at 4.50pm.