Bay Of Plenty

MetService said the severe thunderstorms were moving towards the east-northeast, and had been expected to lie near Tolaga Bay, Waimata, Kanakanaia and Tauwhareparae.

A young woman who worked in early childhood told police she has "a serious addiction to disgusting things".

The police have launched a homicide investigation after a man died in the Bay of Plenty overnight.

The blaze is contained but continues to burn along the railway line by Wainui South Road, Whakamarama.

The octopus was a small animal that would have suffered greatly from being punched and kicked, an animal charity says. Audio

Work has begun on Tauranga's first museum, expected to open in 2028, but the city's heritage collection was started in 1969. So what will the museum house, and what's happening behind the scenes?

Heavy rain warnings and watches have been issued, and people are being told to be prepared.

A pedestrian has died following a car crash in Whakatāne, and police are appealing for information about what happened.

A staff member has been assaulted by three young people at a youth justice facility in Rotorua.

Rotorua iwi will regain a seat at the council table this year - but without voting powers.

After more than three years in the role, John Holyoake handed in his resignation on Monday.

Its owner says the expansion will allow the company to improve its control of smells coming from the site.

The process of replacing John Holyoake will occur as the council prepares for the local government elections in October.

The future use of Rotorua's remaining two non-contracted emergency housing motels hinges on "local demand", as the government exits the last of its contracted motels this year.

Police are investigating a fire in which a person had to be rescued from the property.

Residents are being warned to brace for heavy rain and gale-force winds as a subtropical low sweeps down from Northland.

There is a high chance of the heavy rain watch upgrading to a warning in Northland.

Five people have been taken to hospital after a crash that has closed SH2 near Waihi.

Council CCTV camera operators have helped nab a group of young people police say were trying to burgle a shop.