New Zealand
Western Bay severe storm relief fund tops $200k
Western Bay Emergency Response Fund donations top $200,000, include $100,000 from Zespri.
Latest from Western Bay of Plenty District Council
Stories and analysis from The Northern Express Herald.
Family displaced by landslide 'lucky' to find new home
Their former Pāpāmoa rental remains red-stickered and is unsafe to enter.
'Nowhere to live': Home of family forced to flee deadly slip red-stickered
The landslide narrowly missed mum Becks Smith's bedroom in the Welcome Bay Rd rental.
Community centre opens as Bay mourns deaths
He Maimai Aroha is a place where people can come to grieve together.
Tauranga man dies in Poripori water hole incident
The person is the second local to die at the swimming spot in as many summers.
Roaming dog reports rise 80% in district
'Unrestrained animals in our communities are posing a threat to people daily.'
New Bethlehem College Ōmokoroa primary school planned
The primary school is expected to open by 2029, next door to the new preschool.
James Denyer sworn in as Western Bay Mayor again after 'toughest' term
'It has not been easy, and yet there’s much still ahead of us.'
Voter turnout up despite council's $70k cut to election spending
Voting bins at supermarkets saw strong support and boosted last-day returns.
Denyer confirmed as Western Bay mayor after final count
Voter turnout was 38.06%, slightly up from 37.6% in 2022.
'Every emotion': Candidate in close race describes tense 48-hour update wait
Kat Macmillan overturned a five-vote deficit to lead Andrew von Dadelszen by 192 votes.
Updated election results increase lead for Denyer
The results show just one change for the Western Bay of Plenty.
'Really overwhelming': First-time Māori ward councillor reacts to poll result
Darlene Dinsdale says she has three years to ensure Māori voices are heard.
Western Bay mayor starts second term with focus on change and water reforms
A regional deal could unlock funding for key housing and road projects.
'It was worth it': After challenging term, Tapsell wins Rotorua in landslide
The mayor says she's ready to lead Rotorua again after first-term 'hate and threats'.
James Denyer re-elected as Western Bay Mayor
Denyer said he was “extremely happy and relieved” to be re-elected.
Local elections: Your last-minute voting guide
Voting closes at midday Saturday, with results expected from 2pm.
Smaller Bay of Plenty districts lead in voter turnout
'Embarrassing' dancing and more social media focus are among tactics used to boost voting.
Family who fought council over unconsented dwelling have 'significant change of heart'
They originally claimed they should be able to do whatever they wanted with their land.
Why a 19-year-old Aucklander wants to be Western Bay's mayor
Danielle Borell-Faa’soo says she would move back to Western Bay if elected.
Murray-Benge aims to scrap regional council if elected mayor
Her goals also include cutting SmartGrowth and Priority One to curb council costs.
A new cycleway and a kiwifruit traffic solution on Dally's agenda if elected
Grant Dally wants a Te Puke to Tauranga cycleway if funding can be secured.
'Bottom line': Regional deal must benefit Western Bay, says mayor
Denyer backs a Katikati bypass, a project locals have sought for more than 100 years.
Reforming council culture the focus for mayoral candidate Suaree Borell
She says council culture must shift to make 'impactful decisions'.
Mayoral hopeful Rodney Joyce wants Ōmokoroa school in regional deal
He says finding a new chief executive will be the new council’s first key task.
'Impacted for life': 79yo badly injured man among dog attack victims
Details revealed as new figures show more than 100 people attacked.
Don Thwaites pledges to sell council HQ if elected Western Bay mayor
He says two new offices in Ōmokoroa and Te Puke would be cheaper.
Ex-council CEO seeking mayoralty wants district to 'partner for progress’
John Holyoake says the Western Bay needs to embrace change rather than fight it.
New expressway project north of Tauranga hits 'important milestone'
Takitimu North Link Stage 2 will extend four-lane highway from Te Puna to Ōmokoroa.
Former mayor claims mayoral hopeful missed 'financial mistakes' as CEO
Former council chief executive John Holyoake said the issues dated back 10 to 15 years.