Kelly Makiha

Bay of Plenty

Multimedia Journalist at New Zealand Herald

Rotorua Daily Post chief reporter and also works regularly as a singer and guitarist.

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Articles

On The Up: Rotorua teen Maddy Newcombe wins fourth national BMX title

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Kelly Makiha

Maddy Newcombe was just 3 when she was on a pink and white plastic tricycle hooning around her parents’ deck, taking corners on two wheels. She’d do lap after lap. If it rained? Even better, because it made skidding around the wooden deck even faster. Eventually, mum Nikki Newcombe took her tricycle off her and gave it to her daycare.
Offender uses Facebook Marketplace to scam buyers

1 week ago | sunlive.co.nz | Kelly Makiha

A womanwho scammed Facebook Marketplace users has admitted taking hundreds of dollars off buyers before ghosting them and failing to hand over goods. Tania Joy Whiteman, 46, from Rotorua, also tried to scam a burglary victim by responding to their online pleas on the whereabouts of stolen jewellery and asking for a reward for its return. When she learned there was no reward, she sold the stolen jewellery.
Rotorua offender Tania Whiteman uses Facebook Marketplace to scam buyers

1 week ago | newstalkzb.co.nz | Kelly Makiha

Tania Joy Whiteman admitted scamming Facebook Marketplace users and selling stolen jewellery. Whiteman pleaded guilty to five counts of accessing a computer system for dishonest purposes. She was remanded on bail for sentencing on August 5 by Judge John McDonald. A woman who scammed Facebook Marketplace users has admitted taking hundreds of dollars off buyers before ghosting them and failing to hand over goods.
Rotorua offender Tania Whiteman uses Facebook Marketplace to scam buyers

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Kelly Makiha

Tania Whiteman appears in the Rotorua District Court and admits dishonesty offences. Photo / Kelly MakihaTania Joy Whiteman admitted scamming Facebook Marketplace users and selling stolen jewellery. Whiteman pleaded guilty to five counts of accessing a computer system for dishonest purposes. She was remanded on bail for sentencing on August 5 by Judge John McDonald.
Rotorua housing pilot showcases rapid-build

1 week ago | sunlive.co.nz | Kelly Makiha

Suburbs can be built in “weeks, not years” with a new low-cost, fast-build, sustainable housing design, its founder says. The Living House is the brainchild of Auckland-based architect Richard Naish, whose team has designed a three-bedroom, solar-panelled home costing $335,000, excluding the cost of land. A pilot home has been built in Rotorua’s Western Heights on Upland Rd and was completed in six weeks.
On The Up: Rotorua housing pilot showcases rapid-build, eco-friendly design

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Kelly Makiha

Naish said he hoped community housing initiatives would pick up the design for future projects and that it could help address New Zealand’s housing woes. Rotorua MP Todd McClay has praised the design, saying it stands “head and shoulders” above a state project in Rotorua that delivered one-bedroom apartments for $630,000 each. Naish, the founder of 20-year-old architectural company RTA Studio, said he took three months off during the Covid-19 pandemic to think about “what next?”.
Rotorua triple murder case: Justin Jeffries pleads insanity to murder

2 weeks ago | nzherald.co.nz | Kelly Makiha

A man accused of a triple murder in Rotorua has pleaded not guilty and is taking the case to trial on the grounds of insanity. The case of Justin Matthew Jeffries, 52, of Mamaku near Rotorua, was called in the High Court at Rotorua this morning. His appearance was excused. He is charged with murdering Michelle Nicola Schiller, 59, on September 19 and Jessie Florence Currin, 78, and Glendon Brent Currin, 77, on September 23.
Why a leading entertainment figure convicted of sex crimes still can’t be identified

2 weeks ago | nzherald.co.nz | Kelly Makiha

He entered the babysitter’s room about 3am, picked her up out of bed and held her against a wall as he touched her body under her clothing and tried to sexually violate her. He stopped when someone entered the room. Justice Layne Harvey sentenced the man to 12 months’ home detention on November 10, 2023, calling his actions “unjustified” and “unacceptable”.
Rotorua Kāinga Ora development halted amid payment, court issues

2 weeks ago | nzherald.co.nz | Kelly Makiha

The troubled Victoria St housing project site, with artist impression (inset). Photo / Kelly MakihaWork on a housing development on Victoria St in Rotorua has stalled due to alleged payment disputes and court action. Developer Realm Victoria Ltd faces legal action from Venture Developments. Kāinga Ora claims no formal payment dispute has been raised by Realm Victoria, despite its assertions.
Rotorua teen admits impersonating a police officer at hospital

2 weeks ago | nzherald.co.nz | Kelly Makiha

A toddler died after her parents left her in a hot car overnight following a Fourth of July party in Florida. Photo / 123RFA teen who impersonated a police officer while questioning Rotorua Hospital staff is known by police as an “emergency services chaser”. Joshua Stuart Avery made inquiries about a hospital staff member while dressed similarly to a police officer, driving a former undercover police car, parked in a police car park and carrying a police notebook.