Stories by Diane McCarthy

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.

While Whakatāne District Council plans to lower the decibel levels allowable for bird scaring cannons the new regulation will not apply to orchardists currently using them.

The The Volkner Island Reserve in Ōpōtiki was turned into a lake when the pump station lost power yesterday.

Whakatāne District Council is lobbying for a more balanced, collaborative and equitable relationship between different levels of government.

Excitement is growing for the future of Whakatāne as resource consent is granted for the proposed $29 million boat harbour, Te Rāhui Herenga Waka Whakatāne.

The chronically ill pensioner is seeking arbitration with Kāinga Ora over plans to develop the section he is living on.

GP Dr Bernard Conlon was suspended by the Medical Council of New Zealand four months ago.

Ōpōtiki District Council staff are querying whether they should be mowing berms after receiving social media abuse.

After fighting so hard to have Māori wards established, both locally and nationally, standing in Whakatāne District Council's first election to include them may seem to be a given for Toni Boynton.

Whakatāne District Council's hunt for suitable land to establish a new cemetery has been unsuccessful so far.

It has been almost five years since the Whakatāne Homeless Action Group was formed in response to growing numbers of rough sleepers.

Victor Luca wants to be Whakatāne's next mayor, but first he has another mission to complete.

One man's work to restore native bush on Karaponga Reserve over the past 20 years is being undone by inadequate fencing.

Whakatāne District Council is considering tightening its sinking lid policy on gambling machines as a way to minimise gambling harm.

A lack of consequences for breaking bylaws restricting vehicle access to beaches in the Ōpōtiki district has meant an unsuccessful breeding year for New Zealand dotterel on Ōhiwa beach and spit.

Kawerau District Council ratepayers will have to pick up a rating shortfall of more than $1 million resulting from the closure and subsequent revaluation of Norske Skog mill.

Awakeri Scouts will be able to stay in their den for another 10 years, at a cost of $120,000 to the Whakatāne District Council.

Ōpōtiki district councillor Barry Howe has been found in breach of the council's code of conduct after revealing confidential council information on social media.

An area of the outdoor pool at Whakatāne Aquatic Centre has been set aside for manus (bombing) after a nine-year-old boy nearly drowned last month.

New locations are being considered for Margaret Mahy's lion statue as part of the Civic Centre upgrade.

Fast-track consenting made available for Provincial Growth Fund projects could see work start on a $29.4 million marina in Whakatāne mid-year.

Doctor Bernard Conlon says he has received notification from the Medical Council of New Zealand that it intends to suspend him ahead of the investigation into the various complaints laid against him.

Te Whakatōhea will be initialling its Draft Deed of Settlement with the Crown tomorrow, however, Te Upokorehe, an iwi group opposed to having its claims included in the Whakatōhea settlement, claims…