Stories by Robin Martin
News
'Rough sleepers' warned to remove belongings or risk confiscation
Their belongings are obstructing footpaths in the New Plymouth's CBD.
Womad visitors invited to try ancient Māori martial art
Hosted at Te Paepae - the cultural heartbeat of the festival - groups of about 20 at a time are being encouraged to connect with te ao Māori through games and drills.
Hospital staff to meet over shortages delaying appointments, scan results
The meeting follows an RNZ story about a New Plymouth woman who waited a month for the results of a semi-urgent pelvic ultrasound.
Mt Messenger bypass blows budget, gets funding boost
The controversial Mt Messenger Bypass project on State Highway 3 has received a funding boost after a $10 million budget blowout. Audio
Ultrasound delay leaves woman feeling like a 'ticking time bomb'
A New Plymouth woman says a month-long delay in getting the results of a "semi-urgent" ultrasound left her feeling like a "ticking time bomb". Audio
Permission to kill protected species ruled unlawful
Waka Kotahi was told it could kill protected species - including kiwi - at its Mt Messenger project. Audio
Evicted daycare centre in race against time
Land Information NZ has been called 'gutless' over no-show at a meeting about the daycare centre's fate.
Te Matatini: Opening a window into te ao Māori
Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga brought thousands of visitors to Taranaki, injecting millions of dollars into the province in the process, and opening a window into te ao Māori. Audio
Parents shellshocked as community childcare centre shuts
52 children who the Waitara centre have been left with nowhere to go and families left reeling .
Home renovation opens surprise window into the past
A Taranaki man's home renovation has opened up a window into the past, dating back more than a century.
Hāngī, paua fritters and Polynesian sweets: What's served up at Te Matatini
In Ngamotu this week you're more likely to see chop suey on the menuboards than burgers and fries. Audio
Tarsealing of country's last gravel highway marks end of an era
Contractors are this week putting the finishing touches to 12km of seal in the remote Tāngarākau Gorge. Audio
Te Matatini a shot in the arm for Taranaki economy
Te Matatini - the national kapa haka championships - kick off in New Plymouth tomorrow, the first time the event has been held in Taranaki for more than 30 years.
Speed limit changes outside schools 'ideologically-driven nonsense' - Mayor
The government is requiring streets outside schools with permanent 30kmh speed limits revert to variable speed limits by July 2026.
Whanganui's iconic paddle steamer celebrates double anniversary
Whanganui's iconic paddle steamer - the Waimarie - is celebrating a double anniversary this year.
Caps and lids recycling coming to Wellington
Eleven Foodstuffs supermarkets in the region are establishing collection points for plastic and metal caps and lids, joining Auckland, Tauranga and Christchurch, in a programme which now has about 50…
Stratford schools collect 135,000 lids in bid to clean up recyclng
Taranaki school children have surpassed the wildest dreams of local council staff who set up a scheme to get rid of cream and milk bottle lids from Stratford's recycling collection. Audio
Threat to whales now from krill industry in Antarctica - activist
An ocean-going vessel from activists Sea Shepherd will call into Wellington later this week on its way to monitor the krill harvest in Antarctica.
Environmental group at odds with regulator over Roundup
"Some people are out there spraying it like it is water, yet it is a hazardous substance that can cause burns," the Environmental Law Initiative says.
15-metre-high trees face chop as part of city makeover
The Italian alders have been blamed for damaging footpaths and causing people to slip and fall.
Growing tension between mayor and MSD boss over rough sleepers revealed
The exchange between Neil Holdom and regional public service commissioner, Gloria Campbell, began in late 2022.
Call to remove barriers for offshore wind energy industry
Taranaki leaders say the Offshore Renewable Energy Bill - which was before a select committee - only goes part way to realising New Zealand's potential.
Roundup tops ACC list for herbicide injuries
ACC has accepted 359 claims for injuries involving Roundup since 1990 and a further 20 where its active ingredient, glyphosate was named.
Farmer pleads not guilty to charge of failing to fix illegal earthworks
Colin Boyd - handed a $95,000 fine for redirecting a stream on his property - has pleaded not guilty to charges of failing to fix the damage.
Cooks Classic a golden chance to meet Kiwi high jump legend Hamish Kerr
A stellar lineup at the Cooks Classic meet has been made all the more shiny by the presence of some Olympians. Audio