Bay Of Plenty

Scientists have lowered the volcanic activity level for Whakaari / White Island after a minor eruption. Video

Residents have been watching smoke and ash rise from the island. Audio

It's the first election since the last council was sacked by the local government minister and replaced with commissioners.

Whakatāne needs to prepare for an earthquake and tsunami similar to the 2011 Japan event which killed 20,000, scientist says.

Ripeka Lessels says a 15.1 percent rates rise on top of increases in the costs of living would be "a double whammy for people already struggling".

The derby star shares her personal story to explain why her hometown needs a new skatepark.

It took a couple hits to shatter the window, before pulling out the woman who was freezing cold, shivering and scared. Audio

Six-storey buildings could be permitted after the recommendations of an independent hearing panel were rejected.

"It is an absolute disgrace we have infrastructure that has failed," one local says.

A clean-up effort is under way with people warned to stay away from the area.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist will have to beat out a number of people - and his own uncle - for the top job in Tauranga. Audio

A section of State Highway 5 near Tapapa in the Bay of Plenty is closed after a crash.

The champion rower says he would bring accounting and financial management to the job.

Tauranga has a population of more than 130,000, but only 14 people have put their hand up to stand in the elections so far, with a week until nominations close.

An applicant has challenged questions about depression, mental health and sick leave asked by a Z petrol station - so where's the line?. Audio

He wants to know how police are adequately staffed, when they're telling a man's family they don't have resources to investigate his disappearance.

WorkSafe alerted officials that it was running out of money to fund its prosecution over the deadly Whakaari/White Island disaster a month before the trial began last year.

Western Bay of Plenty households face paying an extra $300 to $350 per year under the council's long-term plan proposal.

A prominent Bay of Plenty farming family is giving up 100 hectares of farmland that has served them for 60 years.