Articles by Laura Heathcoate
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National
'Unsettling time': 30 jobs proposed to go at forestry research institute Scion
Tuesday, 14 May 2024, 3:42PMThirty jobs are proposed to be cut at Scion, the forestry-focused Crown research institute based in Rotorua, as it looks...
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National
'Monumental': Funding secured to fix and reopen Rotorua Museum
Wednesday, 1 May 2024, 11:12AMConstruction to reopen Rotorua’s museum will begin in June as the council secures the final funding needed and brings down...
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National
'They have taken us for fools': Councillor hits out over homeless motels
Thursday, 25 April 2024, 9:42AMA Rotorua Lakes councillor says Government agencies have “taken us for fools” over the city’s controversial emergency housing...
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National
'It's a sad day for Rotorua': Iconic tourism business in liquidation
Wednesday, 20 March 2024, 10:25AMIconic Rotorua tourism paddle boat business Lakeland Queen has gone into liquidation. It comes after the company ceased...
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National
'Couldn't move': Allergic woman trapped in home as 'millions' of wasps swarm
Tuesday, 12 March 2024, 12:07PMA Rotorua woman says she is forced to shut herself inside her home as “millions” of wasps from a neighbouring property swarm...
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National
Maggots, rats, poo on the walls: Tenants paid up to $600pw at 'disgusting' lodge
Saturday, 9 March 2024, 9:20AMMaggots on the floor. Human excrement on bathroom walls and floors. Rodents so common one resident gave them names. These...
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National
Boatie fears he may lose foot after boat ramp injury, flesh-eating bacteria
Tuesday, 30 January 2024, 7:54AMWarning: Graphic images A boatie fears he could lose his foot to infection after stepping on corroded metal at a council-maintained...
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News
Rotorua Lakeland Queen owner told to build new jetty then gift to iwi and lease back
Monday, 18 December 2023, 9:02AMFor 36 years, the Lakeland Queen provided tourists and locals with opportunities to cruise and dine on Lake Rotorua. But...
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National
Crumbling teeth or a home? The choice a retired couple say they are weighing up
Saturday, 2 December 2023, 10:38AMFix crumbling teeth or keep their home? A retired couple say they are weighing up their choices in the face of a potential...
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National
Speed limit U-turn: Rotorua moves to 'tailored' approach over blanket rules
Friday, 3 November 2023, 7:31AMRotorua’s council has taken a U-turn from a “blanket” approach to reducing speed limits and will instead work with schools...
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Politics
'Stop our children being a political rugby ball': Teacher's message to candidates
Thursday, 28 September 2023, 2:43PMA Tauranga teacher is pleading for children to stop being used as a “political rugby ball”. Primary school teacher Vanessa...
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National
'Carrot and stick': How town halved early deaths from air pollution
Thursday, 7 September 2023, 2:50PMThe estimated number of Rotorua adults dying early from the impacts of poor air quality has halved in 13 years — contributing...
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National
Pensioner's two-year wait for new windows 'so we can have some warmth'
Monday, 4 September 2023, 3:27PMA Rotorua pensioner has waited more than two years for her landlord — Rotorua Lakes Council — to replace her deteriorating...
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National
Lakeside homeowners fear properties will be uninsurable after months of flooding
Wednesday, 16 August 2023, 4:18PMA flooded Rotoehu homeowner fears future insurance claims won’t be covered after fast-rising lake levels inundated her property. It...
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National
'They really are a problem': Fence aims to stop destructive pest spreading
Sunday, 6 August 2023, 2:49PMKilometres of fence line have been laid in Rotorua as part of an attempt to halt potentially millions of dollars in wallaby...
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National
'They really are a problem': Fence aims to stop destructive pest spreading
Saturday, 5 August 2023, 2:35PMKilometres of fence line have been laid in Rotorua as part of an attempt to halt potentially millions of dollars in wallaby...
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Politics
Candidate claims Labour invested 150 times more than National in Rotorua
Tuesday, 1 August 2023, 1:44PMLabour’s investments in Rotorua since 2017 total 150 times those of the previous National government’s nine years, the electorate’s...
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National
Housing shortage: Homes could be built on cemetery reserve
Thursday, 13 July 2023, 2:37PMCemetery reserve land could be returned to iwi and developed to help address Rotorua’s housing shortage. The Rotorua Lakes...
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National
'The water just goes up': The lakeside community being slowly swallowed
Saturday, 8 July 2023, 9:10AMFlooded homes, threatened highways, and months of anxiety are what Rotorua’s lakeside communities are battling as the ground...
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National
'Getting pestered': Calls for begging ban in Rotorua
Thursday, 22 June 2023, 9:47AMA prominent Rotorua businessman is calling for a ban on begging in the city after customers were “pestered” and staff had...
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National
From 'dream retirement home' to 'worst nightmare': Fast-rising lake inundates houses
Saturday, 3 June 2023, 9:08AMRotoehu homeowner Joan Blair has gone from living her dream to her worst nightmare. She is among those in the small lakeside...
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National
'It is the soul of Rotorua': Guide makes case for full restoration of museum
Tuesday, 9 May 2023, 9:32PMRain or shine, Ann-Elisa Miles continues to share her passion for Rotorua’s museum as a volunteer guide - despite the building...
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National
Doubled parking fees, more paid parks and pricier pool admission proposed
Tuesday, 25 April 2023, 10:24AMRotorua Lakes Council proposes to double parking fees from $1 to $2 an hour and have 200 more paid parks. The change is proposed...
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National
Rotorua Annual Plan: Hundreds give feedback in first week of consultation
Wednesday, 19 April 2023, 4:30PMAn “outstanding amount” of feedback from 450 submitters was received on Rotorua’s draft Annual Plan in the first week of...