Latest from Matthew Martin

A long-serving Rotorua councillor is backing the purchase of mud for a new festival.

Resigning Rural Community Board member Euan McLachlan says job offer was too good to miss.

Rotorua's mayor will take another fortnight off after the sudden death of her husband.

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick talks about "her rock", the man who helped her soar.

The body of Rotorua lawyer John Chadwick has been brought on to Te Papaiouru Marae.

John Bond - almost 101 - has become the oldest person to ride the luge at Skyline Rotorua.

AccorHotels will set up a top quality Pullman brand five-star hotel in Rotorua.

A new five-star hotel in Rotorua will be managed by AccorHotels.

Rotorua tourism identity Bruce Thomasen will leave Skyline Rotorua at the end of June.

The short-handled patu paraoa stolen from the council chamber has been returned.

Rotorua MP is up four spots to No 13 in the National Party and he keeps his portfolios.

Armed police swoop in Rotorua after gunshots put innocent bystanders at "very real" risk.

A ratepayer group has called for Rotorua's council to be taken over by government.

Saving hard, not wasting money and making smart buys was this young man's trick.

An Indian couple on their honeymoon in New Zealand have lost faith in our police.

Some of the world's hottest chillies were served up, but who could handle the heat?

Students take on project to try to find the family of a mystery WWI soldier.

Labour and Green party politicians were in Rotorua to discuss issues around elder care.

Becroft thinks lowering the voting age will engage youth in democracy earlier.

But union warns business owners it will be watching.

Some disappointment from local teams but Wetine Mita-Ngatai named best male group leader

Doug Tamaki's influence spread all over the New Zealand tourism industry where he was thought of as an innovator in the industry. Mr Tamaki died on Saturday and tributes to his life and work have been coming in ever since.

By Matthew Martinmatthew.martin@nzme.co.nz A Rotorua businessman has been charged with careless driving causing death, after a fatal

The mother of Nia Glassie, who was jailed for the manslaughter of the toddler in Rotorua in August 2007, will be released on parole next month.

mattmartinserious.epsWhat_do_you_think_circle_3cp.epsSTILL MISSING: The patu paraoa (club) missing from the Rotorua Lakes Council

Police divers have found and recovered a body from Lake Rotoiti, believed to be the person who went missing on the lake on Sunday.

NOT SUSPICIOUS: Fire investigators have revealed the fire at St John's Church last week was not suspicious. PHOTO/FILE A_080217bf20.JPG The

One of New Zealand's most-identifiable buildings closed for at least two years.

mattmartinsmile.epsCircle_see_more_DP.epsFOND FAREWELL: PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER SUPER COOK: Iri Te Kowhai died peacefully yesterday morning

TRUMPED: Rotorua MP and Trade Minister Todd McClay has his work cut out for him after new the US president dumped the controversial

Te Arawa leaders are warning that whoever stole a treasured whalebone patu paraoa could be in serious trouble for breaking Maori protocol.