Robin Martin
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
Taranaki tourism booming off back of Lonely Planet gong
Taranaki is enjoying a tourism boom after the travel bible Lonely Planet named it the second best region in the world to visit in 2017. But while visitor numbers are up and they're spending more, not… Audio
Signal fire evokes outbreak of Taranaki wars
Descendents of the original Maori owner of a disputed hill in New Plymouth, have lit a bonfire on it, warning prospective developers of their continued guardianship of Moungaroa, also known as Blagdon… Audio
Waitara leaseholders fear being forced out of their homes
Leases in the Taranaki town have gone from an average of $400 annually to about $4700 - an increase of more than 1000 percent. Video, Audio
Council tells homeowners to protect themselves from ocean
Residents of Onaero say the New Plymouth council's refusal to complete a rockwall at the North Taranaki beach settlement is leaving them at the mercy of the ocean. Video, Audio
Freedom Camping bylaw riles locals
In a surprise move, New Plymouth District Council has scrapped an existing ban on freedom camping in vehicles without toilets and tossed out proposed limits on the number of motorhomes at sensitive… Audio
Māori upset at New Plymouth landmark being put up for sale
Chorus has put Blagdon Hill, or Moungaroa, on the market, but New Plymouth Māori say the company should have spoken to them first. Video, Audio
Sixty year old symbol of friendship poisoned in Taranaki
Authorities in Taranaki are investigating the poisoning of a Pohutukawa planted by two air force veterans as a symbol of friendship in 1951. Video, Audio
Proposal to sell half of New Plymouth golf course angers locals
New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom says selling half of his city's public golf course to develop upmarket housing could earn up to $50m, which could offset rates bills and pay for vital infrastructure. Video, Audio
Traditional Samoan tattooing attracts huge interest
Traditional Samoan hand-tapped tattooing was one of the star attractions at the New Zealand Tattoo and Art Festival in New Plymouth this weekend. Exponents of the ancient art attracted huge crowds at… Audio
Drowned skipper had history of lifejacket non-compliance
Teiron Jones wasn't wearing a lifejacket when he drowned overnight. He was convicted of manslaughter last year following the death of a passenger on his boat - who had also not been wearing a… Video, Audio
Killer of abusive husband fights deportation in Australia
A New Zealand woman jailed in Australia six years ago for killing her abusive husband is fighting a deportation order so she can stay in Melbourne. Eileen Creamer was the first woman convicted of… Audio
Stoush breaks out over "for rent" sign in New Plymouth
A property management firm says it was told it can't display a 'for rent' sign in New Plymouth's Links suburb because it lowers the tone, but a residents' group says it simply failed to follow the… Video, Audio
New Plymouth visitors to pay Len Lye Centre entry
Out of town visitors to the Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth will have to pay for the privilege from August 2018. At a feisty debate on Tuesday, mayor Neil Holdom broke with convention and used his… Audio
Whanganui doctor walks the talk on seabed mining
An Whanganui doctor upset at the prospect of seabed mining off the coast of Taranaki has been walking the talk to highlight the issue. Athol Steward has trekked about 400 kilometres from Raglan to… Audio
