Latest Bay of Plenty news

The grid-scale solar farm installing 1600 panels per day
Plus the big investors behind the private project.

Ramping up: What’s next for a business estate still growing after 20 years
In the past year, $70m worth of building consents have been issued for the development.

Opinion: Markets face uncertain year after volatile first quarter
OPINION: The S&P 500 fell 4.6% in March, its biggest drop since 2022.

Spectators ejected from ODI after Pakistan cricketers allege verbal abuse
Spectators were hurling insults at the Pakistani players.

‘Over the moon’: Playcentre moves from home of half a century after 20-year relocation project
Mount Maunganui Playcentre officially opened its new Golf Rd location on Thursday

‘Fresh energy’: Māori Queen inspires youth at poukai
It was the first poukai for Nga wai hono i te po since her father's passing in 2024.

Winning Lotto locations revealed: One lucky Kiwi wins $1m Strike
Powerball will roll over to next week.

‘Incredible milestone’: Ōhiwa mussel restoration hits 45 million mark
A temporary two-year harvesting ban protects the mussel beds' recovery progress.

Housing project prioritises chronic health sufferers, older tenants
The project includes six units prioritising older people and those with health conditions.

Winston Peters’ former home sells to expats on holiday visit to NZ
The property had been on the market for $2.675m.

‘Test ourselves’: Bay Boardriders prepare for national title defence
The team aims to qualify for the 2026 World Club Challenge at Snapper Rocks.

Name suppression lifted for woman accused of Gate Pā murder
Rachael Eddy, 50, denies murdering Ross Kennedy in Gate Pā, Tauranga.

Letters to the editor: How smart planning made Tauranga a must-see spot
OPINION: Our readers have their say.

Up close with a Black Hawk: Apanui students celebrate end of logging
Apanui students explored a Black Hawk helicopter during a school visit.

Champions prevail: Chiefs’ late surge sinks Reds in tight contest
The Chiefs beat the Reds 27-15 to top the Super Rugby standings.

More of everything at cultural festival
The festival features over 30 food vendors from diverse cultures.

Galloping to victory: Racing Tauranga named top club
The club excelled in financial management, track performance, and marketing.

‘Ticking time bomb’: Family speak out on factory worker’s ‘horrifying’ death
Wesley Tomich, 37, died in July 2023 at a Mount Maunganui factory.

SH29 reopens follow truck breakdown
The truck's cargo of chlorine was 'reacting due to the inclement weather'.

Tauranga byelection: Q&As with the five candidates
Voting for Tauranga's new Māori ward councillor begins on Monday.

Black Caps chase clean sweep at Bay Oval
Black Caps take on Pakistan on Saturday at Bay Oval in third ODI.

On The Up: NZME launches editorial campaign to share stories of Kiwi success
Why NZME is launching this campaign – and how you can help us.

Karl Puschmann: Is Rebecca Gibney’s musical-comedy a show stopper or a bit flat?
Review: Set in the Bay of Plenty, Happiness is familiar but uniquely Kiwi. But is it good?

Watch: Terrifying dashcam footage catches dangerous Kiwi drivers
Transporting New Zealand says impatient driving endangers lives.

How a ‘near death’ experience changed one woman’s path to hope and happiness
Hills is giving a free talk on hope beyond suicide on April 4 in Pāpāmoa.

How author Vanya Insull built an ‘empire’ from posting recipes online
She is going on a book tour to celebrate the release of her third cookbook.

Inside the Chiefs’ plan to replace Clayton McMillan as coach
The Chiefs' plan to replace Clayton McMillan revealed – and his likely successor.

‘Any dog can bite’: Fatal attack spark calls for safety education
There were nearly 3000 dog-related injuries involved children under 15 last year.

‘Worst to come’: Largest weather system of the year to bring a month’s worth of rain
Orange heavy rain warnings have been issued for large swathes of the country.