tauranga-bay-of-plenty

Turning Kiwifruit Waste into Sustainable Leather Alternatives

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New Zealand startup Materially Kiwi is in preliminary talks with automotive giants BMW, Rolls Royce, and Volkswagen to integrate its plant-based leather alternative into vehicle interiors. Founded by Shelley Houston, the company processes rejected kiwifruit—fruit deemed too imperfect for export—into a durable, plastic-free biomaterial. Currently, 80 national and international brands are pursuing partnerships with the … Read more

Health NZ Restructure: Significant Frontline Job Cuts Expected

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Health New Zealand has proposed a restructure of hospitals across the Central North Island that the Public Service Association (PSA) says will result in a net loss of 17 positions. The plan involves disestablishing 96 active roles and 30 vacant ones, while creating 108 new positions across Waikato, Tairāwhiti, Taranaki, and the Bay of Plenty. … Read more

New Appeal Seven Years After Rotorua Mother’s Unexplained Death

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Police have issued a fresh appeal for information regarding the death of Melissa Jones, a 25-year-old Rotorua mother whose body was discovered on the shorefront of Lake Rotorua on October 18, 2019. Nearly seven years after she was last seen, investigators remain focused on the unexplained case and are seeking public assistance to identify what … Read more

Severe Weather Warning Issued as NZ Storm Intensifies

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New Zealand is bracing for a significant weather event as a slow-moving, humid trough prepares to sweep across the country, bringing prolonged heavy rain to the North and South Islands. MetService has expanded its alert network, issuing fresh orange heavy rain warnings for Northland and Taranaki Maunga, while placing several regions under new watches. The … Read more

Nationwide Crackdown Targets Illegal Dirt Bike Riders

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New Zealand Police have launched a nationwide crackdown on anti-social and illegal dirt bike activity, following a spike in reports of dangerous behavior across multiple districts. Law enforcement confirms that arrests and enforcement actions have been carried out in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Eastern, Bay of Plenty, and Wellington. In Hamilton, police are currently conducting Operation … Read more

Loss of swimming hole a blow to Eastern Bay of Plenty community

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Earthworks carried out on the Waiaua Stream have left members of the Ōmarumutu community in the Eastern Bay of Plenty dismayed following the loss of a popular swimming hole. Resident Grant Kelly expressed the impact of the changes, stating, “There is no public river beach access and no swimming hole anymore in the Waiaua Stream.” … Read more

An up close look at the widespread damage on Mauao

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The base track of Mount Maunganui has been described as “obliterated” following extreme rainfall in January, leaving a landscape of bare earth and broken trees. Iwi and the Tauranga City Council are now collaborating on a remediation plan for the landslide-stricken path. The region was lashed with more than two months of rain in less … Read more

NZ’s most road-tolled region faces more tolls under 10-year deal

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A new 10-year partnership between the New Zealand Government and Western Bay of Plenty councils has been established to align the planning, funding, and delivery of critical infrastructure and housing projects. The regional deal was signed at Bay Oval by Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop, and Local Government Minister Simon Watts, … Read more

Woman charged after camper stolen with man and cat still inside

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A Whakatāne woman has been arrested after she allegedly stole a camper vehicle while the owner and his cat were still asleep inside. The Incident The event began around 8:50 p.m. On Wednesday near Seaview Rd in Whakatāne. According to police, an individual entered a parked camper and drove away, unaware that the owner was … Read more

Why spider webs have blanketed towns across the North Island

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Gossamer threads have blanketed the North Island in recent days, leaving homes, fences, trees, and reserves draped in silk. This phenomenon has been observed across various regions, stretching from parts of Auckland to Hawke’s Bay. The Science of ‘Ballooning’ The event is known as ballooning, a process where young spiders release strands of silk into … Read more

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