Stories by Robin Martin
News
New Plymouth mayor fears site may harbour a 'cocktail of chemicals'
There needs to be independent oversight of multi-national agrichemical company Corteva's promised testing of its controversial Paritutu site in New Plymouth, mayor Neil Holdom says.
A purr-fect ending for Rio's two-week tree adventure
A Whanganui moggy has used up one of its nine lives and gotten a new nickname after being rescued from a Phoenix palm in Gonville where it was stuck for more than two weeks.
Taranaki Retreat marks fifth anniversary
Not long after completing a mental health qualification a New Plymouth barber realised the perfect place to use his new skills was at his barber's chair.
Te reo advocate Hana Te Hemara celebrated in mural
A five-storey mural of te reo advocate Hana Te Hemara will be unveiled in Ngāmotu / New Plymouth this week as part of celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the Māori language petition to…
Pātea marks 40 years since freezing works closed
Commemorations being held this weekend to mark the 40th anniversary of the Pātea freezing works closing will be bittersweet for former workers attending.
Taranaki rivers in need of 90 percent E. Coli drop to meet 'swimmable' standard
The amount of E. Coli in Taranaki rivers will have to drop between 60 and 90 percent to achieve the government's "swimmability" targets, according to a new report.
E coli discovered in 21 private groundwater bores in Taranaki
Taranaki Regional Council is warning people using private bores for drinking water to make sure they are secure from surface runoff contamination and the water is adequately treated.
Why Taranaki tyre shops are doing a roaring trade
Taranaki tyre shops are doing a roaring trade replacing bent and buckled wheel rims and tyres blown out on the region's pothole-riddle roads - but it's business they'd rather not have.
Pulling stumps on Pukekura Park 'would be a tragedy', ex-player says
New Zealand Cricket may abandon New Plymouth's Pukekura Park - one of the country's best-loved provincial grounds.
Waka Kotahi siphons $500m out of Taranaki to spend elsewhere
The mayor of New Plymouth says Waka Kotahi has siphoned off half a billion dollars from Taranaki over the past decade while the region's state highways are falling apart.
Mt Messenger bypass: Protesters occupying area make 'last stand'
Waka Kotahi representatives were a no-show at a hui to try and resolve an occupation at its Mt Messenger Bypass site on State Highway 3 in North Taranaki today.
New Plymouth Māori ward yet to get any nominations
A former New Plymouth mayor says he can understand why no one has put their hand up to stand for the city's Māori ward.
Campground murder case not closed despite arrest - police
Police investigating the murder of a man at a remote campground say despite their relief at an arrest, the case is not closed.
Alphorn group adds music to Swiss national day celebrations
In the early 20th Century more than half the Swiss living in New Zealand lived in Taranaki; now a new generation is celebrating its Swiss heritage by taking up the traditional alpine instrument. Audio
From cellar-dwellers to NBL title contenders: 'Amazing feeling' for Airs veteran
The Taranaki Mountain Airs basketball team couldn't have scripted a better home send-off for retiring veteran Aaron Bailey-Nowell aka 'Aunty'.
Campervan set to be ultimate arthouse experience
The world's first art gallery in a campervan is the star turn of the Coastal Arts Trail which is being launched in Taranaki today.
'Good to have a bit of a competition' - Whanganui mayoral race heats up
Local body elections tend to induce a zombie-like stupor - but not so in Whanganui where there's a quiet excitement about actually having a race for the mayoral chains.
Hundreds turn up for behind scenes look at Whanganui Port revamp
Crowds of people have taken a behind-the-scenes look at Whanganui Port, ahead of its planned $50 million revamp.
New Plymouth mayor's future uncertain as he rules out three waters' role
Neil Holdom is refusing to declare if he will seek a third mayoral term, fuelling speculation he is after a three waters' job.
Rat numbers triple on New Plymouth's Coastal Walkway
Rat numbers have tripled on New Plymouth's popular Coastal Walkway this year, posing a threat to kororā/little blue penguin, but experts say the long-term trend continues to be downwards.
Judge warns compost plant owners may walk away leaving a hefty clean up bill
Remediation NZ is appealing a Taranaki Regional Council decision not to renew its consents to discharge contaminates to land, water and air.
Council in hot water for lack of transparency over CEO's absence
A former New Plymouth mayor has criticised the council for lack of transparency about why its chief executive is absent from his post.
Friction after forestry companies blamed as roads 'fall to bits'
The decision to introduce a targeted rate to help repair roads damaged by logging trucks is winning few friends in Taranaki.
Council boss on leave following secret meeting
The chief executive of the New Plymouth District Council is on leave following a secret emergency meeting held last week.
Theories abound on how endangered snail ended up in Tōtara Reserve Regional Park
The hunt is on for clues to solve the mystery of how several shells and a live powelliphanta marchanti snail ended up in a Manawatū reserve.