Stories by Diane McCarthy

An Eastern Bay council is revisiting its poultry policy after social media highlighting of its chook rules backfired, bringing more angry squawks than happy clucks.

Hundreds turned out to pay their respects at the funeral of community leader and former Ōpōtiki district councillor Louis Rāpihana yesterday.

Ōpōtiki District Council has decided, against recommendations from staff, to install a sign on the side of Te Tāhuhu o Te Rangi explaining that it is a library.

Multiple slips have been reported in Bay of Plenty after a swarm of quakes shook the region over the weekend and earlier this week.

A new skin cream made from starfish collagen could save more than just people's skin - it could also save our mussels. The cream was developed by Cawthron Institute research...

As well as being an important habitat for marsh birds and other wildlife, improving water quality and flood resilience, salt marshes may also have implications for combating climate change.

The 10km stretch of the Rangitaiki River is a mild ride, but getting to it has not been easy - until now.

Some submitters have asked for a total ban of audible bird scaring devices in the Whakatāne district - but Horticulture New Zealand says any further restrictions could harm the industry.

The beach area in Whakatāne was closed on New Year's day after a contractor discovered the broken sewage pipe.

Malcolm Campbell has been made a Member of the NZ Order of Merit for his services to local government and the community.

All the Bay of Plenty couple want for Christmas is for the rain to stop, and with it the gradually-rising water under their home.

Families of some of the Australian victims of the Whakaari eruption were welcomed to Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae for the memorial.

Whakatāne has been known as the Kiwi Capital of the World for over a decade, and now it has its own walk of fame.

Former Kawerau mayor Malcolm Campbell says military-style interventions with youth offenders did work, but did not go far enough - they needed to be followed up with pastoral care.

Waka Kotahi has told Ōpōtiki District Council it is aware two state highways in the area have 'significant issues' and it is assessing whether the alternative routes relied on in emergencies are fit…

Whakatāne Police have spoken out against median barriers between Whakatāne and Awakeri and say Waka Kotahi is listening, however, others feel they are not.

A software tool that revolutionises how the Bay of Plenty Regional Council records its pest data and one of its developers are both finalists in the Biosecurity New Zealand Awards.

Three local government candidates in Whakatāne district have the support of anti-vaccination mandate organisation Voices for Freedom.

More than 61 percent of voters have said 'no' to Te Ūpokorehe being removed from the Whakatōhea Treaty settlement.

Kawerau District Council has received legal advice against allowing alcohol at private events at its swimming pool complex.

Whakatāne mayoral candidate Nándor Tánczos has asked people to stop making alterations to opposing candidates' election signs on his behalf.

The expense of a by-election for the Tāneatua Community Board could have been avoided if prospective candidates had followed advice not to leave their applications to the last day.

Whakatāne District Council has its first Māori ward councillor in Toni Boynton, who has been elected unopposed in the Kāpū Te Rangi Māori ward.

Differences representing an increase of more than 40 percent have been calculated for some ratepayers, while the regional council says others will be paying less.

Murupara GP Dr Bernard Conlon has likened treating his patients without access to ivermectin to entering a boxing ring with one hand tied behind his back.