A mix bag of weather is being forecast for the end of spring. With summer to officially begin on December 1, WeatherWatch.co.nz is taking a look at the forecast for final days of spring and day one of summer on the meteorological calendar. “We...... Read More

First it was roaming horses. Now Opotiki has its own wandering emu, who on Sunday could be seen dodging cars, kids on bikes and local law enforcement. But the unusual escapade did not last long when police swooped to the rescue, walking the bird back...... Read More

Dozens of dolphins have been spotted in Tauranga Harbour this morning. A caller to the 0800 SUNLIVE news hotline says there were heaps of dolphins swimming in the harbour near Welcome Bay. "I was dropping my kids off at school when I saw them....... Read More

4pm Update:  A parade of vintage farm vehicles delighted many Bethlehem residents and visitors this afternoon. Nearly 20 vintage tractors, farm machinery and balers set off to visit three retirement villages in Bethlehem. The parade was put on...... Read More

There are no additional cases of COVID-19 in the community linked to yesterday’s Auckland case. This case has a genomic link to the case of a Defence Force worker at the Jet Park hotel, with the worker spending some time in locations where...... Read More

All people who work in downtown Auckland are being asked to work from home where possible tomorrow after a new case in the community was identified today. COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says there has still been no direct source of infection...... Read More

There are three new cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand today – one imported case and two in the community. The Minister for COVID Response Chris Hipkins and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield provided an update on COVID-19 this afternoon. There...... Read More

UPDATE 7.33AM: Police are saying that four people have been injured following a three car crash in Mount Maunganui this morning. Emergency services were called to the crash on Hewletts Road, near Z Energy, around 7am. A police spokesperson says two...... Read More

The government will contribute $100,000 towards a Mayoral Relief Fund to support those most affected by the recent severe weather in Napier. “I have been in the region overnight meeting with locals and emergency service responders to discuss...... Read More

A Tauranga building has been completely gutted following a blaze overnight. Fire and Emergency New Zealand are investigating the two storey building fire on Cameron Road. Eight fire crews were called to the fire, which used to be the premise of Sam’s...... Read More

There are four new cases of COVID-19 to report in managed isolation today and no new community cases. Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says the first case arrived on October 27 from Austria via Qatar and Australia. The first case...... Read More

Almost 70,000 native plants have been dug into Bay of Plenty sand dunes this winter – by local volunteers. The plantings, part of Coast Care Bay of Plenty, will help regenerate sand dunes and ensure they are not lost to erosion, weather or careless...... Read More

MetService is forecasting today’s turbulent weather to set the trend moving into the coming weekend. Heavy Rain Warnings and Watches are scattered across both islands today as a warm, humid, intense weather system crosses the country. Northeastern...... Read More

A funnel cloud has been spotted in Papamoa this morning, while a waterspout has also been captued on camera in the Bay of Plenty. This comes as the region prepares for heavy rain and strong winds. A severe weather warning is in place for heavy rain,...... Read More

There are five new cases of COVID-19 today – four in managed isolation facilities and one in the community. The community case, reported to the Ministry on Monday afternoon, is a staff member working in a managed isolation facility in Christchurch...... Read More

Piers Zajac-Wiggett and Walter Naera decided that lime scooters were the perfect conveyance to go to an after-work celebration on Friday in downtown Tauranga. “It’s my last day at the Electoral Commission and I’m moving on to a new...... Read More

The hatch of a Kiwi chick has been a ‘parting gift’ from the Bay of Plenty’s last cruise ship passengers. Donations made by cruise ship passengers visiting the Bay of Plenty during the 2019/2020 season have funded the hatching and...... Read More

Update, 12.20pm:  Police report that the lane that was blocked due to a vehicle collision on State Highway 29 on the Kaimai Range is now open.   "One lane initially blocked was clear by 11.50am," says a Police spokesperson.   Police...... Read More

  Two Bay of Plenty butchers have scooped medals in this year’s Great New Zealand Sausage Competition.   The medal winning sausages were announced last night at a virtual awards ceremony which was watched by industry big-hitters up...... Read More