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The Bay's News First is your go-to source for the latest news, videos, and media coverage from Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty region in New Zealand. This service is provided by Sun Media.

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Housing market strained by population boom

4 days ago | sunlive.co.nz | Susan Edmunds

New Zealand's population has increased by roughly twice the size of Hamilton since 2018 - but our housing market appears to have digested the influx, commentators say. Stats NZ data showed the population was 5.31 million at the end of December, up from 4.94 million in December 2018. Natural increase - birth minus deaths - and net migration contribute to the increase, but arrivals from offshore have become a more significant part in recent years.
Volunteer firefighters seek equal ACC cover

1 week ago | sunlive.co.nz | Stuart Whitaker

Local fire chiefs are calling for support for a petition that, if successful, could create a significant safety net for volunteer firefighters. Katherine Lamont, a member of the Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade, has put together a parliamentary petition to change ACC legislation to give volunteer firefighters the same ACC coverage and benefits as their paid colleagues.
Taupō Ironman generates $23m visitor spending

1 week ago | sunlive.co.nz | Maryana Garcia

The world championship edition of an iconic Taupō event that has now been put on hold generated millions in visitor spending in December. Taupō District Council estimates the VinFast Ironman 70.3 World Championship held on December 14 and 15 attracted about 15,000 visitors who spent $23 million in the region and $50m nationally.
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.
BoP man accused of stealing ambulance equipment

1 week ago | sunlive.co.nz | Sandra Conchie

Posted: 06:34am Tue 15 Apr, 2025 | By Sandra Conchie ([email protected]) BoP man accused of stealing ambulance equipment A man accused of theft of equipment from Hato Hone St John and unlawful possession of police property appeared in the Tauranga Registrar's Court on April 14.
Draper claims two titles at junior champs

1 week ago | sunlive.co.nz | Andy McGechan

With the two premier titles safely locked away, Karaka’s Hayden Draper became the obvious stand-out at the 2025 KTM New Zealand Junior Motocross Championships near Pukekohe at the weekend. After three intense days of racing at the Harrisville circuit, the 15-year-old had wrapped up both the 14-16 years 250cc class title and the 15-16 years 125cc title as well, something he’d threatened to do when the junior championships were staged near Foxton in April last year, but he couldn’t quite manage it.
Giant bunny stars at Easter egg hunt

1 week ago | sunlive.co.nz | Rebecca Mauger

Get ready for a hopping good Easter with Binky, the giant Easter egg bunny, at Katikati Bird Gardens. Katikati Bird Gardens is putting on its 21st annual great Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday. Binky, known for his oversized ears and cheeky grin, will be scampering around the 4ha gardens spreading joy and excitement for children. The bunny will be available for photos too.
Why tariffs could mean more Temu for New Zealand

1 week ago | sunlive.co.nz | Susan Edmunds

Retail giants such as Temu and Shein may step up their activity in New Zealand as the United States hits China with punitive tariffs. President Donald Trump has raised the tariff on Chinese imports into the US to 145 percent. Gareth Kiernan, chief forecaster at Infometrics, said there could be a lot of Chinese-based companies left with excess stock they would struggle to sell into the US - "because of the effective doubling in price faced by American consumers".
Homeland pride celebrated in Katikati

1 week ago | sunlive.co.nz | Rebecca Mauger

Thousands came to celebrate all the cultures of the Western Bay of Plenty. Katikati Festival of Cultures was a vibrant celebration of diverse cultural backgrounds and included a flag parade featuring multiple nationalities followed by an afternoon of food and entertainment at Moore Park last weekend. Committee member Kylie Watkins said it was an amazing day with plenty of love and hugs shared.
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.