Robin Martin
Kowhai Park in line for six-million-dollar revamp
Whanganui's iconic Kowhai Park is a blast from the past - with play equipment inspired by the likes of Old Mother Hubbard and Goldilocks.
But the playground, that's been an attraction for more than… Audio
Jury out on state of residential construction sector
The jury is out on what the slowdown in the residential construction industry means for the hundreds of thousands of people working in the sector.
Industry insiders say companies are pivoting to… Audio
Polling booth closures 'disadvantage' rural voters
Thousands of rural voters could miss out on their right to cast a ballot in next week's general election because hundreds of polling booths will be closed on election day.
More than 2,600 polling… Audio
Around the motu: Robin Martin in Taranaki
Robin Martin is in Taranaki, where a series of proposed cycleways are causing an uproar in New Plymouth. The initial plans would involve removing around 900 on-street carparks, which nearby businesses… Audio
Cooking classes prove popular at a Taranaki food bank
A Taranaki food bank is rustling up savings and nutritious grub at a series of popular cooking classes.
The Waitara Pataka Kai's nine-week pilot programme is catering for 16 people - most from family… Audio
Sarjeant Gallery redevelopment poses challenges at every turn
The man in charge of the Sarjeant Gallery earthquake strengthening and redevelopment project in Whanganui says it's been one of the most complex and challenging of his 40-year career.
More than a… Audio
Council gets maths wrong over cycleway costings
The New Plymouth District Council has had to eat humble pie at the beginning of three days of submissions on its controversial cycleway plans.
It got its maths wrong and rather than costing $17… Audio
Meta charges for non-existent 'support' function
Tech giant Meta is under fire from a New Zealand-based businesswoman who's been locked out of Facebook's support function for a year.
Adding insult to injury, when she paid for the platform's new… Audio
Couple cry foul after being locked out of Facebook Marketplace
A New Plymouth couple are crying foul after being locked out of a Facebook Marketplace account from which they run their business and generate their livelihood.
They say Meta has offered no… Audio
Surfers make a wave for good cause
Surfers from around the country will be taking to the ocean on Friday as part of the Make A Wave challenge.
Rookies through to full-time professionals are aiming to surf every day of September - come… Audio
'Art' or 'desecration'? Mystery carved skull turns heads in South Taranaki
Mystery surrounds the appearance of a stylised skull carved into the sandstone cliffs at Waipipi Beach near Waverley in South Taranaki. The creation is reminiscent of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith… Audio
New Len Lye sculpture unveiled in New Plymouth
The Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth has unveiled a new work from the acclaimed New Zealand kinetic sculptor and film-maker.
Storm comprises three pieces - two never before seen in this country - and… Audio
Two-horse race in New Plymouth electorate
The contest for the New Plymouth electorate is shaping up as a two-horse race between Labour incumbent Glen Bennett and newcomer for National David MacLeod.
National held the seat - which stretches… Audio
Safe cycling proposal divides opinion in New Plymouth
A proposal for $17 million worth of safe walking and cycling routes in New Plymouth is dividing the city.
Schools say dedicated cycle lanes will improve children's safety, but businesses fear loss of… Audio
Farmers tightening their belts as dairy prices crash overnight
Going to work to lose money.' Dairy farmers around the country say they'll be tightening their belts after international diary prices crashed to their lowest levels in nearly five years overnight… Video, Audio
Group behind offshore wind farm trying to win-over locals
The group behind a potential $5 billion offshore wind farm in the South Taranaki Bight has opened an information office in Hāwera to help convince locals of the project's value.
Taranaki Offshore… Audio
Government heavy hitters in campaign mode today in Taranaki
The government's heavy-hitters hit full campaign mode today when they visited Taranaki. Both the Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and his deputy Carmel Sepuloni played on their family histories as they… Audio
New Plymouth suburb celebrates removal of power towers
Residents of a New Plymouth suburb are celebrating the imminent removal of 16 power pylons - some erected in backyards - which have towered over the neighbourhood for about 50 years.
National grid… Audio
Vandals running amok in historic nurses home
Heritage enthusiasts and former residents are horrified vandals are running amok in a historic building in New Plymouth while its future is still up in the air.
The Barrett Street Nurses' Home has… Audio
MoH refuses to correct 'anomolies' in Paritutu study
The Ministry of Health is refusing to correct mistakes in its Paritutu Serum Dioxin study and has instead shut down access to data revealing the errors.
From the 1960s through to 1987, Ivon Watkins… Audio