The New Zealand and Chinese governments have signed an upgrade to the free trade agreement between the two countries. Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor signed the upgrade through a virtual signing ceremony with China’s Minister...

Pic’s Peanut Butter founder is hoping to produce a 100 per cent New Zealand made-product if a trial in Northland proves successful. “It has always felt a little weird to be making an iconic New Zealand product with imported ingredients,”...

A recent near miss between a boat and a swimmer at the Whakatāne boat ramp has prompted a stern warning from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Whakatāne District Council.  A joint statement by both councils says swimming near the Whakatāne...

A Red Bull cliff diver has posted footage on social media of a daring jump off a dangerous and closed waterfall near Tauranga. Now, officials want it deleted, saying it could encourage risky behaviour. Omanawa Falls has long been closed – with...

A police chase in Whakatane involved a series of incidents including a vehicle catching fire and a police car being damaged. Police were seeking a wanted male who failed to stop in the Whakatane area this afternoon. According to a Police spokesperson...

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says approval for the Pfizer vaccine could come as early as Wednesday next week. Ministers received an update on the vaccination programme today. Speaking during the first post-Cabinet media briefing of the year, Ardern...

Emergency services are responding to a crash between a car and lamp post in Te Puke.  A police spokesperson says they were called to the incident at the intersection of Jocelyn Street and Jellicoe Street just before 3pm.  "One...

Health experts are concerned thousands of Bay of Plenty Residents living with asthma or allergies such as hay fever may face stigma with new research showing common symptoms of the disease may be inadvertently confused with those of COVID-19. Asthma...

MetService is keeping a close eye on the numbers this week as temperatures tell the story.  Hot weather along the eastern seaboard is the talk of Tuesday, with parts of Canterbury forecast to climb to 36 degrees.  The forecast in Tauranga...

The Ministry of Health says there are no new cases of COVID-19 in the community today, and two new cases in managed isolation facilities.  Sixteen people have been identified as potential close contacts of the previously reported community case...

Tauranga motorists are being urged to stay alert following a spate of car thefts in the area.  A Facebook post on the Bay of Plenty & Taupo Police Facebook page says thefts are happening in Greerton, Welcome Bay, Pyes Pa, McLaren...

Freshly crowned National Champions, eager groms and local hopefuls are among the many young surfers taking part in a sold-out surfing event in Mount Maunganui.  The first event of the Billabong Grom Series takes place at Tay Street this weekend. The...

The Ministry of Health is encouraging Kiwis to provide feedback on draft regulations under the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act through an online consultation.  An amendment to the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act...

A woman inspired to give blood after losing her mum in a road traffic accident is just one of a team of ‘heroes’ at Tauranga Hospital who have been recognised by the NZ Blood Service. The NZ Blood Service presented Tauranga Hospital’s...

Flights to Melbourne and Sydney out of Auckland Airport have been cancelled this morning. It comes as the Australian government suspends all quarantine-free travel for New Zealanders for 72 hours in the wake of the Northland community...

Teachers are preparing for a tough start to the school year as more families than ever struggle with back-to-school costs, due to the fallout of COVID-19. Low decile schools are sourcing cheaper uniforms and stationery and ensuring parents know there...

Police have launched a homicide investigation after a man was found dead at a Omanawa property.  A police spokesperson says they were called to a McLaren Falls Road property at 10pm last night, following a report of a person...

Zespri's bid to buy counterfeit Chinese golden kiwifruit and stem illegal growing in the country has been slapped down by the Government-appointed regulator. The kiwifruit giant signed the beginnings of a commercial arrangement with a Chinese state-owned...

Police investigating a number of recent burglaries in Te Aroha have arrested three men. In relation to two burglaries, one residential and one commercial, three men, aged 20, 23 and 44, appeared in Hamilton District Court on January 23.  They...

As lifeguards powered along in a rescue boat on Christmas morning, they saw a distressed man waving frantically. It was the son of the patient the Waihī Beach guards were searching for - a man “on the rocks" who had a suspected hip fracture. The...

An international internet safety company says it's been attacked, potentially putting New Zealand customers at risk. SonicWall is an American-based firm selling products to keep organisations safe from cyber threats. The company recently found...

More than $1.5 million worth of mattresses has been donated to support Kiwis in need as part of a charitable initiative between The Salvation Army and a local bed supplier.  A total of 1600 near new beds have been gifted through a community support...

People have one week left to voice their opinions on three Tauranga City Council proposed plan changes. Council proposes changes to some City Plan rules to cater for Tauranga’s growth. These changes aid in providing more housing capacity and...

Air New Zealand will require the use of face masks on all international flights to and from New Zealand from tomorrow. This is as a result of updated overseas government border requirements and as a further proactive safety measure to prevent the spread...

UPDATE 5pm: Fire crews have extinguished a "well-involved" car fire on the Lower Kaimai Ranges.  Fire and Emergency New Zealand northern fire communications shift manager Kaisey Cook says they were called to the fire just after...

Mount Maunganui’s Cody Cooper is finding form just when it matters, with the Honda man celebrating a solid win at the annual King of the Mountain motocross in Taranaki. With the Honda New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville now less than...

Fire crews are working to put out a scrub fire at the Whakatane Heads.  Fire and Emergency New Zealand northern fire communications shift manager Kaisey Cook says four appliances and a helicopter arrived at the scene near Kohi Point Lookout...

The government has granted the COVID-19 vaccine suppliers Pfizer and BioNTech indemnity from any claims that may arise from use of the vaccine. Pharmaceutical companies often seek indemnities when developing a pandemic vaccine, because of the need...

Two Tauranga Salvation Army courses aimed at building resilience and improving their relationships are open for enrolments. The Positive Lifestyle Programme and Building Awesome Whānau begin next month at The Salvation Army on the corner of Cameron...