https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/rss NZME Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:52:21 Z en https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/whanganui-district-council-rejects-funding-request-from-quartz-ceramics-museum/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/whanganui-district-council-rejects-funding-request-from-quartz-ceramics-museum/ The Quartz Museum of Studio Ceramics’ plea for $60,000 in annual funding has been denied by the Whanganui District Council. Mon, 02 Jun 2025 04:04:36 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/bay-of-plenty-real-estate-veteran-julene-foster-renews-licence-at-81/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/bay-of-plenty-real-estate-veteran-julene-foster-renews-licence-at-81/ Julene Foster, 81, renewed her real estate licence and has no plans to retire. Mon, 02 Jun 2025 03:55:32 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/king-s-birthday-honours-2025-hariata-vercoe-recognised-for-40-years-of-service-to-m%C4%81ori-health/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/king-s-birthday-honours-2025-hariata-vercoe-recognised-for-40-years-of-service-to-m%C4%81ori-health/ Hariata Vercoe has been made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori, health, and the community. Mon, 02 Jun 2025 03:06:38 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/tauranga-man-critically-injured-by-falling-tree-in-pyes-pa/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/tauranga-man-critically-injured-by-falling-tree-in-pyes-pa/ A man was airlifted to hospital after being critically injured by a falling tree in Pyes Pa on Friday night. Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:56:40 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/police-and-coastguard-retrieve-body-from-whanganui-river-death-referred-to-coroner/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/police-and-coastguard-retrieve-body-from-whanganui-river-death-referred-to-coroner/ A body has been retrieved from the Whanganui River by police and Coastguard. Fri, 30 May 2025 03:13:22 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/bigger-may-be-better-late-advice-shake-up-forces-councils-to-rethink-water-reform-plans/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/bigger-may-be-better-late-advice-shake-up-forces-councils-to-rethink-water-reform-plans/ Plans for the future of water services in the Whanganui, Rangitīkei and Ruapehu districts are in disarray after late advice from government agencies. Mon, 26 May 2025 01:56:49 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/lotto-napier-and-clive-stores-sell-large-second-division-ticket-wins/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/lotto-napier-and-clive-stores-sell-large-second-division-ticket-wins/ Two Hawke’s Bay Lotto players must have had their lucky socks on when they bought their tickets, after striking larger than usual Second Division wins in Saturday‘s draw. Mon, 26 May 2025 01:54:20 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/hastings-deputy-mayor-tania-kerr-stepping-down-after-long-tenure/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/hastings-deputy-mayor-tania-kerr-stepping-down-after-long-tenure/ Hastings Deputy Mayor Tania Kerr will not be seeking re-election in October and plans to spend evenings talking to her husband rather than reading council papers. Mon, 12 May 2025 02:30:18 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/suspicious-fire-destroys-napier-house-neighbour-says-it-s-the-third-fire-at-the-same-building-within-a-year/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/suspicious-fire-destroys-napier-house-neighbour-says-it-s-the-third-fire-at-the-same-building-within-a-year/ Neighbours say a suspicious fire that destroyed a house and damaged the house next door in Napier on Sunday is the third to affect the same property within the past year. Sun, 11 May 2025 23:39:39 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/hastings-e-scooter-crash-leaves-man-critically-injured/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/hastings-e-scooter-crash-leaves-man-critically-injured/ A man has been critically injured in a late-night e-scooter crash in the Hastings CBD. Sun, 11 May 2025 22:47:55 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/raetihi-recycling-bins-set-to-stay-for-now/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/raetihi-recycling-bins-set-to-stay-for-now/ A decision by a community board to close a well-used recycling station in Raetihi has been revoked despite “outrageous” unbudgeted costs. Sun, 11 May 2025 21:51:25 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/investigation-into-fire-at-bremworth-s-whanganui-plant/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/investigation-into-fire-at-bremworth-s-whanganui-plant/ An investigation is under way after a fire at carpet manufacturer Bremworth’s Whanganui plant in Castlecliff. Sun, 04 May 2025 22:34:28 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/tauranga-assault-case-man-pleads-guilty-to-attacks-harmful-posts/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/tauranga-assault-case-man-pleads-guilty-to-attacks-harmful-posts/ A Tauranga man has admitted his role in a series of assaults and posting videos of them online. Tue, 29 Apr 2025 02:54:38 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/two-vehicle-crash-near-taup%C5%8D-causes-delays-serious-injuries-reported/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/two-vehicle-crash-near-taup%C5%8D-causes-delays-serious-injuries-reported/ Emergency services are at a serious two-vehicle crash near Taupō. Tue, 29 Apr 2025 00:56:31 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/schools-are-asking-for-more-rangit%C4%ABkei-children-benefit-from-bikes-in-schools-programme/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/schools-are-asking-for-more-rangit%C4%ABkei-children-benefit-from-bikes-in-schools-programme/ An in-school programme has Rangitīkei children feeling more confident on two wheels thanks to the help of the council and sporting bodies. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 02:34:02 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/whanganui-weather-warm-start-to-the-week-transitions-to-wind-and-cool-air-as-may-begins/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/whanganui-weather-warm-start-to-the-week-transitions-to-wind-and-cool-air-as-may-begins/ People in Whanganui are advised to “keep a close eye on the forecast” this week, with MetService predicting a mixed bag of weather. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 02:16:04 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/whanganui-cottage-built-in-1914-destroyed-by-fire-in-minutes/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/whanganui-cottage-built-in-1914-destroyed-by-fire-in-minutes/ A 111-year-old cottage in the Whanganui suburb of Aramoho has been gutted by a fire, with the blaze destroying the property in minutes. Mon, 21 Apr 2025 02:21:59 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/rotorua-s-air-quality-improves-with-burner-checks/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/rotorua-s-air-quality-improves-with-burner-checks/ The Bay of Plenty Regional Council will conduct wood burner checks in Rotorua to improve air quality. Fri, 18 Apr 2025 02:18:10 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/rangit%C4%ABkei-mayor-andy-watson-to-stand-for-mayoralty-for-fifth-term/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/rangit%C4%ABkei-mayor-andy-watson-to-stand-for-mayoralty-for-fifth-term/ Rangitīkei Mayor Andy Watson will stand for the mayoralty for the fifth consecutive term, saying his passion still lies in local government. Fri, 18 Apr 2025 02:08:06 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/ballance-agri-nutrients-proposal-potential-loss-of-62-jobs-a-concern-for-tauranga/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/ballance-agri-nutrients-proposal-potential-loss-of-62-jobs-a-concern-for-tauranga/ Ballance Agri-Nutrients has proposed converting its Mount Maunganui manufacturing plant to a storage and distribution centre, with a net loss of 62 roles. Thu, 17 Apr 2025 22:44:10 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/hawke-s-bay-mangaroa-marae-food-hub-overwhelmed-by-increasing-need-for-support/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/hawke-s-bay-mangaroa-marae-food-hub-overwhelmed-by-increasing-need-for-support/ Hawke’s Bay’s Mangaroa Marae food hub says it now finds itself turning away new families in need. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 00:42:40 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/hawke-s-bay-fire-crews-fight-large-blaze-from-%C5%8Dmakere-burn-off/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/hawke-s-bay-fire-crews-fight-large-blaze-from-%C5%8Dmakere-burn-off/ A permitted burn-off that turned serious near Ōmakere led to multiple fire crews and dozens of firefighters tackling the blaze. Sun, 13 Apr 2025 23:09:37 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/minister-directs-health-nz-to-revive-stalled-waimarino-health-centre/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/minister-directs-health-nz-to-revive-stalled-waimarino-health-centre/ The health minister has directed Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora to prioritise and accelerate work on a rural health centre in the central North Island, following a local mayor’s demand for action. Sun, 13 Apr 2025 21:57:39 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/tauranga-m%C4%81ori-ward-byelection-voting-opens-for-te-awanui-ward/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/tauranga-m%C4%81ori-ward-byelection-voting-opens-for-te-awanui-ward/ Voting is now open in the Te Awanui Ward by-election to determine who will represent the Māori ward at the Tauranga City Council table. Mon, 07 Apr 2025 02:13:38 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/investigation-into-fire-after-p%C4%81t%C5%ABtahi-home-destroyed/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/investigation-into-fire-after-p%C4%81t%C5%ABtahi-home-destroyed/ The cause of a fire that consumed a house “end-to-end” at Pātūtahi, near Gisborne, on Friday night remains under investigation. Mon, 07 Apr 2025 01:53:32 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/metservice-warns-of-severe-gales-in-hawke-s-bay-with-wind-watch-issued/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/metservice-warns-of-severe-gales-in-hawke-s-bay-with-wind-watch-issued/ Hawke’s Bay faces a week of strong winds, rain, and lower temperatures. Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:23:33 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/%C5%8Dhope-and-auckland-players-share-1m-lotto-first-division-win/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/%C5%8Dhope-and-auckland-players-share-1m-lotto-first-division-win/ A winning Lotto ticket worth $500,000 has been sold at a Bay of Plenty beachside community. Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:30:09 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/%C5%8Dtaut%C5%AB-bay-algae-bloom-at-lake-rotoehu-public-warned-to-avoid-water-contact/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/%C5%8Dtaut%C5%AB-bay-algae-bloom-at-lake-rotoehu-public-warned-to-avoid-water-contact/ A health warning has been issued for Ōtautū Bay in Lake Rotoehu due to a bloom of potentially toxic blue-green algae. Sun, 30 Mar 2025 23:33:44 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/whanganui-district-councillor-josh-chandulal-mackay-announces-mayoralty-bid/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/whanganui-district-councillor-josh-chandulal-mackay-announces-mayoralty-bid/ Local body election season has kicked off in Whanganui with a three-term district councillor announcing his run for the mayoralty. Sat, 29 Mar 2025 00:36:51 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/tauranga-alleged-robbery-police-say-vape-products-taken-appeal-for-footage-info/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-north-island/tauranga-alleged-robbery-police-say-vape-products-taken-appeal-for-footage-info/ Vape products were stolen from a Tauranga dairy in an alleged aggravated robbery, police say. Fri, 28 Mar 2025 01:55:37 Z