Stories by Libby Kirkby-McLeod
News
Spend on coffee, not Netflix - cafe owner
Lisa Quarrie says recent years for her Hamilton businesses have been even harder than during the global financial crisis.
Council debates funding of Tokoroa Santa parade
South Waikato District Council next week will debate whether Anzac memorial events and Christmas parades are core council business they should help fund - or not. Audio
Fears over DOC budget cuts after river turns orange
The department responsible for managing contaminated sites on public land has had $8m slashed from its budget over the next four years.
Should we be concerned about Whakaari/White Island?
The volcano is going through an "extended active period". What does that mean?
Tauranga trials on-demand public transport
The city will use electric vans with no set stops to replace large diesel buses.
Rotorua council wants to collect dog DNA to help in prosecutions
It will help accurately identify dogs that are - and are not - involved in attacks, it says.
Asbestos in concrete - can it be safely recycled?
Asbestos found in concrete earmarked for recycling in Taupō has raised questions about the viability of concrete recycling across the country.
'Scary and dangerous': Live bullet goes through recycling plant
The ammo could have blown up at several points with catastrophic results, a staff member says. Audio
'We do not and will not identify as Paeroa': Rural Hauraki reject representation changes
Hauraki District Council mayor Toby Adams said the community has spoken.
Former Olympic champion Mahé Drysdale to become new Tauranga mayor
Only one of the six candidates from the council sacked by the government in 2021 has returned to council.
Just 26% of Tauranga residents have voted as polls set to close
Many are still doing their research before selecting the city's first mayor and councillors in years.
The mayoral candidate who lives 100km from the city he hopes to run
But Mahé Drysdale says he has worked in the city, grew up there and, if elected, will move at the end of the year.
'Not NIMBYism' - Neighbours upset over new retirement village
A new retirement village in Mount Maunganui is upsetting neighbours and drawing attention to fast-tracking legislation.
Tauranga mayoral candidates face off as election looms
Voting papers will start going out this weekend to residents of Tauranga for the city's first local body elections in nearly five years, with four of the mayoral candidates facing off in a debate last…
What to know about the tiny town caught in the hunt for Tom Phillips
Many people have opinions about where Tom Phillips and his children have been for the past two years, but few could tell you much about the tiny settlement of Marokopa.
A timeline of the search for the missing Marokopa family
Tom Phillips and his three children have been missing since December 2021. Here's what we know so far.
Anger as commissioners push housing change ahead of election
On the same day that nominations for the council election closed, unelected commissioners sent a letter to the government asking it to overrule independent planning recommendations.
Top plumbing apprentice wants to see more women in the industry
Maria Contreras Huerta was the only girl in her Wintec training classes. It'd be great to see that change, she says.
NZTA not planning any upgrades to scene of 'horrendous' Waikato crash
The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi says seven years ago it improved the road where five people lost their lives last night. Audio
Ministry intervenes in college one term after opening
It comes after the school was put in lockdown following a school brawl.
Nominations closing for Tauranga City Council election
It's the first election since the last council was sacked by the local government minister and replaced with commissioners.
Te Huia train funding: 'Auckland is being a little bit precious'
Supporters of the Waikato to Auckland train Te Huia say Auckland Council is not doing its part to support the passenger service.
NZTA board to determine Te Huia's fate
A petition to save the service has gained more than 4000 signatures in less than four days.
Te Huia Auckland committee finally includes Waikato council after three-year wait
But it might be too late to make a difference to the Waikato to Auckland passenger train service.
Success for giant wētā breeding programme at new lab
The critically-threatened Mahoenui giant wētā has been bred in captivity for the first time in decades - at a new centre especially set up for the task.