Robin Martin
Whanganui rental shortage puts squeeze on vulnerable
Emergency and social housing are full in Whanganui and people have resorted to sleeping in cars while landlords are being picky and ramping up rents. Video, Audio
Full gallery for golf club carve-up meeting
There was standing room only at the New Plymouth council last night when the public got to have its say on a controversial plan to carve up the city's only public golf course. The council wants to… Audio
Taranaki takes hands on approach to trades training
Tradespeople and technicians from overseas are being granted more work visas than professionals to keep up with New Zealand's construction demand, but what's being done to train people here? Video, Audio
Economic impact of New Plymouth water outage hits home
Dozens of small businesses lost trade when their water supply was cut off for up to four days, and at least one international food exporter was still out of action this morning. Video, Audio
No power or water in Waitara in wake of ex-Cyclone Gita
Many Waitara residents were still without power today - and now have no running water - as Taranaki continues to struggle with the aftermath of ex-Cyclone Gita. Video, Audio
Water tankers deployed in New Plymouth
Former tropical cyclone Gita knocked out a water pipe which supplies 25 percent of the district's population, forcing schools and businesses to close early. Video, Audio
Farmers face hefty riparian planting bills
Taranaki farmers face hefty bills as the regional council toughens enforcement of its riparian planting programme to clean up waterways. Audio
Eels die as Taranaki streams dry up
A Kaitiaki at Parihaka says poor land management and the effects of climate change are to blame for the mass death of eels in a coastal Taranaki stream. Robin Martin reports. Video, Audio
Going, going, gone: Waitara experiences property boom
The value of consents in Waitara has more than quadrupled over the last financial year to more than $20m and 82 new homes have been built in the town over the last two years. Video, Audio
Taranaki students fuming over dropped arts courses
Western Institute of Technology has announced it will not be offering a new suite of art and design courses this year, a decision that has left prospective students fuming. Video, Audio
Cows blamed for closure of popular swimming holes
Dairy cows have been blamed for the high E. coli levels which have forced the closure of popular Patea River swimming holes in Stratford for more than a month. Video, Audio
Weather: Taranaki hit by storm Fehi
At Port Taranaki the lee breakwater, public boat ramp and carpark will remain closed on Friday to allow for emergency repairs. Meanwhile Civil Defence says the properties threatened by the high tide… Audio
Waitara residents urged to stay away from homes ahead of high tide
Residents of about 30 properties at East Beach in Waitara are being asked to stay away from their homes ahead of the high tide at about midnight. Robin Martin spoke to some of them. Video, Audio
The West Coast and Taranaki grapple with rough weather
RNZ's Robin Martin calls into the show from Taranaki where about 30 homes have been evacuated and residents will have to spend the night away from their houses. Audio
New Plymouth mayor sorry over freedom campers influx
New Plymouth has done a flip-flop on its open-door freedom camping policy and is to ban campers from the popular Waiwhakaiho river mouth, and apologised for allowing them to stay there this summer… Audio
Battle lines drawn in New Plymouth golf course sale
Battlelines are being drawn over the proposed carve up of a public golf course in New Plymouth. Mayor Neil Holdom says the council could raise up to $50 million by selling off half the Fitzroy Golf… Audio
Fears for drought-stricken farmers well-being
Fears are growing for the well-being of South Taranaki farmers as drought conditions look set to continue into traditionally the driest part of the summer. Video, Audio
School scraps fees and donations to relieve pressure
The principal of a Taranaki school which has become the latest to scrap voluntary fees and donations says he hopes it will relieve pressure on struggling families. Video, Audio
Freedom camping bylaw's backfired - New Plymouth residents
The Waiwhakaiho rivermouth has been overrun since a new, and more relaxed freedom camping bylaw was introduced late last year, putting a popular reserve and surf spot under pressure. Video, Audio
Rural medical training programme aims to help fix doctor shortage
Eighteen year-five medical students from Auckland University are being trained at Hawera Hospital, and it's hoped some will return to the province to work. Video, Audio
