New Zealand
From school caretaker to blueberry farmer
Des Samuels never intended to get into blueberries; he now manages 11,000 plants.
Latest from Zoe Hunter
Stories and analysis from The Northern Express Herald.
Best of Premium 2023: 'It isn't easy, but it is possible': 27yo builds her first home
Five years, two jobs and working 70 hours a week later, Steph George is a homeowner.
'Incredible memories': Aims Games wraps up for 2023
"So many competitors will leave with the most incredible memories."
'I've been in their shoes': U20 champ relives history at AIMS Games
“This was my first ever competition,” says speed climbing champion Julian David.
NZ's worst congestion city: How to avoid the 'gridlock'
Find out which days are best to work from home to avoid the worst traffic.
'The Aims Games are special to me': Dame Susan Devoy cheers on great-niece
“I think it is amazing. It is like the Olympics for them.”
'History': Fiji team welcomed to Aims Games, gets tips from rugby sevens great
“It was cool for them to meet a legend."
'I want to win': Afghanistan refugee part of AIMS Games 2023
“I feel good. I am very excited to do AIMS Games.”
'I felt like I was in jail': More roadworks pain for main street - but end in sight
Other businesses fear construction disruption will impact the busy Christmas period.
'Unsung heroes': The clean-up team behind AIMS Games
'They are ambassadors for visitors to Tauranga.'
'Biggest-ever' AIMS Games to descend on Tauranga
This year also welcomes back international schools from the Cook Islands, Fiji, and Samoa.
'Heartbreaking': Roadworks blamed as 20yo business shuts after 18 months in CBD
'I just can’t do it anymore … I am sinking into a black hole.'
Watch: Hip-hop crew Outkasts win bronze at world champs
'Hard work truly does pay off,' says Space Studios director Cameron Smith.
'Big fan of K-pop': Student to feature in Korean reality TV show
Students will be filmed over eight days as they stay with a host family.
'Blown us away': Rotorua business awards finalists announced
'We look forward to a great night of celebrating Rotorua’s successes in November.'
Extreme weather: 54 flood warnings issued in five months
That's 10 more than for the entire year to June 2022.
'Showing up everywhere': Concerns as homeless exempt from freedom camping rules
A fed-up Pāpāmoa man claims a house bus stayed a year, on and off, in a 'pristine' spot.
Welcome Orange Lionesses: How Bay Oval transformed to host World Cup team
'We want them to be able to train on the best facility possible,' the groundskeeper says.
'I have got nothing': Boat owner left homeless now liable for disposal of wreck
'I am out of pocket. I have got no boat, I have got no home, I have got nothing'
'I have got nothing': Boat owner left homeless now liable for disposal of wreck
"I am out of pocket. I have got no boat, I have got no home, I have got nothing."
'Invaluable': How one woman's research is helping bee populations
'If this trend continues it will make a great difference to the health of bee colonies...'
'Impressive addition': Superstructure for council's green build taking shape
“It is another great step forward towards the bustling city centre we are aiming for.”
‘I am going to be homeless’: Pilot Bay boat owner speaks out after sinking
“Everything inside was just floating, all of my clothes.”
Zoe Hunter: Changes to skilled migrant visas letting all sides down
Bosses are desperate for skilled workers.
'There is an art to it': Top tips for selling your home at auction
'It is not as simple as just standing up there... there's an art to it'.
'Raising the bar': Build starts on luxury $280m retirement village
The clubhouse will house a bar, cafe, dance floor, and state-of-the-art movie theatre.
'Going for gold': Father eyes boxing gold for daughter
"I have done all the hard work, and now it is time to claim what is mine."
The top three events Tauranga stands to make money from
"The city is ready and able to capitalise on the pent-up demand ..."
Revealed: The suburbs where every home sold made a profit
Homeowners who sold from January to March make hundreds of thousands.
Revealed: The suburbs where everyone selling their home made a profit
First-quarter data also shows some sellers made hundreds of thousands.