A steam and gas plume from White Island rose to about 3km above sea level. (Source: Supplied / GeoNet)

White Island plume 3km above sea level, visible from mainland

An aviation colour warning for the island remains at "orange" to warn aircraft that a volcanic eruption is underway.

Fri, Nov 14

Shopping trolleys left dumped on Lytton St, Rotorua.

Trolley thefts in Rotorua plunge after council crackdown

Rotorua Lakes Council introduced a waste bylaw in August aimed at curbing the issue.

Thu, Nov 13

Papamoa Residents and Ratepayers Association chair Philip Brown says residents living in a number of Papamoa roads do not think they need to be resealed at all.

Papamoa residents call chip seal resurfacing 'road vandalism'

Locals say they want their roads left as they are and say the council's plan is "bloody minded".

Tue, Nov 11

There are several vacant units at the Kahikatea St pensioner housing block.

Empty Rotorua council-owned pensioner units spark concern

Dozens of council pensioner homes lie empty as residents grow uneasy.

Sat, Nov 8

Mauao Mt Maunganui and main beach.

Popular summit forced to close due to 'reckless' fireworks

Tauranga City Council said the closure would protect the maunga and ensure public safety.

Fri, Nov 7

Police said the crash on Te Ngae Rd, Ōwhata involving a bus and a car was reported to police at 9.15pm. (File image).

School kapa haka group involved in bus-car crash that left one dead

St John said it sent five ambulances and two helicopters to the scene in Ōwhata late Thursday night.

Fri, Nov 7

Jack Karetai-Barrett is proud of his mum, Mawera Karetai, becoming the Kōhi Māori ward councillor at Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

How a teen's passion for Māori wards led to a shock win for his mum

Mawera Karetai didn't have a single billboard or spend a cent on her Māori ward election campaign in the Bay of Plenty.

Wed, Nov 5

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Kōhi Māori councillor Mawera Karetai and Whakatāne District Council Kāpū-te-rangi Māori councillor Toni Boynton have both received threats and harassment during this year's election.

'I know where you live': Councillors ramp up security after threats

At least two newly elected councillors will be accessing newly available support to have security systems installed in their homes after facing harassment and threats.

Wed, Nov 5

The entrance of the Mitai Māori Village in Rotorua.

Crews extinguish fire at Rotorua's Mitai Māori Village

Crews from across the region were called to the popular tourist attraction after a fire broke out.

Wed, Nov 5

A plume of steam and gas rising above Whakaari/White Island on November 3, 2025.

Plume of ash rises from Whakaari/White Island after minor eruptions

The volcano's alert level remained at level three.

Tue, Nov 4

October 2025
Whakaari/White Island pictured at 12.30pm today.

Two 'short-lived' eruptions confirmed at Whakaari/White Island

The first eruption took place at 12.30pm on Thursday, followed by a second at 6.40pm.

Fri, Oct 31

The former landfill on Cambridge Rd in Tauranga was closed in 1998 and became Cambridge Park. (Source: Alisha Evans)

'Slip up' costs council $1.49m to fix leaking Tauranga landfill site

The infrastructure upgrades will stop the discharges of leachate and stormwater from the old Cambridge Rd landfill site into the Kopurererua Stream.

Thu, Oct 30

Whakaari/White Island pictured at 12.30pm today.

White Island alert raised after 'possible eruption' unfolds

Earth Sciences New Zealand said the possible small-low energy eruption occurred at around 12.30pm.

Thu, Oct 30

Joseph Yorke (left) and Kanan Clarke (right).

Man fatally shot in Te Puke named, pair sought by police

The man, named today as 29-year-old Tristan Oakes, died in hospital on October 25 after he was shot in his Te Puke home.

Tue, Oct 28

Mayor Mahé Drysdale rated himself a seven out of 10 for leadership.

'Harsh critic of myself': How Mahé Drysdale rates his leadership as mayor

Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale and councillors rate their performance after a year.

Tue, Oct 28

New Zealand bowler Zak Foulkes, right, celebrates after taking the wicket of England batsman Ben Duckett during the One Day international cricket match.

England's Ashes stars struggle in the first ODI against NZ

The Black Caps have taken the early lead in the three-match one-day series against England, with a four-wicket win at Mount Maunganui.

Mon, Oct 27

The Blue Baths are currently fenced off and in disrepair following their 2021 closure.

Building law shake-up gives hope to Rotorua's historic Blue Baths

The Blue Baths were closed in 2021 after the building was determined to be earthquake-prone, but proposed changes to the system could see the site reopened.

Mon, Oct 27

Homicide probe launched after man shot in Te Puke dies in hospital

Homicide probe launched after man shot in Te Puke dies in hospital

Police said it received a report of a person having been admitted to hospital with a critical gunshot wound at about 10.30am on Saturday.

Sun, Oct 26

Police at incident scene.

Cyclist in critical condition after collision with car in Bay of Plenty

Police were called to the crash at the intersection of State Highway 29 and Poripori Road at 11am.

Sat, Oct 25

An X-ray of the 13-year-old's abdomen after he ate up to 100 small magnets.

Boy, 13, has major surgery after eating up to 100 magnets

Surgeons had to remove part of the boy's bowel after he ate up to 100 of banned neodymium magnets, according to a case study in the New Zealand Medical Journal.

Fri, Oct 24

The site of the crash.

Van driver not to blame over fatal logging truck crash – coroner

The coroner criticised a subsequent police investigation into the crash, which suggested one of the men, the driver of a van involved, caused the accident.

Thu, Oct 23

The water fountain in Tauranga's Memorial Park.

Four-year-old drowned after climbing into public fountain

Four-year-old Nia Lohchab's life was tragically cut short when she drowned in the fountain at Tauranga's Memorial Park in 2023.

Tue, Oct 21

Damage from vehicles to the berm on Harbour Dr in Ōtūmoetai.

'Pattern of behaviour': Burnouts, drug use on Tauranga waterfront

Resident Matt McHardy said drug use and dealing happened in cars parked on the grass verge across from homes, at all times of day.

Sat, Oct 18

Byron Smith is refusing to let a cancer diagnosis and intense upcoming surgery stop him from living life.

Brain injury, now cancer - Tauranga man faces 'mother of all surgeries'

A cancer diagnosis eight weeks ago has left Byron Smith facing a major new obstacle.

Sat, Oct 18

Jason Butler with his daughter Maata and mokopuna

Charge laid over disappearance of Jason Butler – family issues plea

Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Wilson said it had been a long and extensive investigation while the whānau waited four years for answers.

Fri, Oct 17