Stories by Robin Martin
News
Worker shortages: Taranaki businesses thinking outside the box
Some employers are throwing open days to attract staff, while others are offering incentives and going the extra mile to keep the kaimahi they've already got.
New pedestrian crossing a lifesaver, principal says
A new traffic-light controlled pedestrian crossing in Taranaki is being described as a monument to a failed funding model.
'Bribery works, doesn't it?' - Hotel stay offered to raise DHB vax rates
A night in a luxury hotel is being used to entice staff at the Taranaki District Health Board to get a flu vaccination as it declares itself a 'Fortress' against winter ailments.
Young vapers consuming more nicotine than a pack-a-day cigarette habit, group says
Some rangatahi who vape are consuming as much nicotine as someone smoking a pack-and-a-half-a-day of cigarettes a day, a youth health education organisation says.
Worries over teen vaping rise in New Plymouth
A New Plymouth school is appealing to the community for help with what it says is a growing vaping problem.
Online backlash to drag performers shocks community: 'We still have a long way to go'
A New Plymouth drag performer says a torrent of abuse directed at a Rainbow Storytime event at the Puke Ariki Library in the city has left her dismayed.
Bowl of Brooklands could become a premier venue but promoters think iconic lake should go
A leading music promoter says a proposal to increase the capacity at the Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth could put it amongst New Zealand's premier concert venues.
Taranaki crowned as sunniest region in the country
It may come as a surprise to some but Taranaki is officially the sunniest region in New Zealand - and it has the trophy to prove it.
DHB reaches back into its culinary bag of tricks to boost vax rates
Celebrated for its bacon butties initiative, the Taranaki District Health Board has reached back into its culinary bag of tricks to help boost vaccinations rates.
Story behind the photo: Muhammad Ali spars with two New Zealand teenagers
One of the two teenagers pictured sparring with boxing legend Muhammad Ali in a famous New Zealand Herald photograph has come forward with his story.
Angels of the night: 'Brotherhood of photojournalists' answer call to help
Instantly recognisable photographs of Dame Whina Cooper, Muhammad Ali and Prince William are among 100 iconic New Zealand images set to feature in a charity auction for the cash-strapped Taranaki…
Manus and Nauru refugees: 'It is really important that people treat them with dignity'
Kurdish-Iranian writer and political refugee Behrouz Boochani says the refugees due to arrive in NZ from Australia and detention centres in Nauru need to be treated with respect.
Solution to Urenui sewage leaks one step closer
Raw sewage leaks at popular North Taranaki holiday spots are a step closer to being solved after land has been bought for a wastewater treatment plant.
Skyrocketing rents hitting the vulnerable in Taranaki
Taranaki is enjoying one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, but is also having to deal with sky rocketing rents.
Cableway to be built to transport workers and material to Mt Messenger Bypass site
Later this year, motorists travelling over Mt Messenger on State Highway 3 in Taranaki could get a fleeting glimpse of 20-tonne digger seemingly flying through mid-air. Video
Traditional German sausage stall stopping traffic in rural Taranaki
It has been dubbed the "little butchery in the middle of nowhere" - a traditional German sausage outlet that is stopping traffic in remote North Taranaki.
Waka Kotahi no longer filling bat roosts with builder's foam
Waka Kotahi has discontinued its practice of filling potential long-tail bat roosts in the path of the Mt Messenger bypass route with builder's foam.
'I haven't declared mayor of where yet': Muzza the Mullet Man says 2022 is his year
The most visible political wannabe in New Plymouth is keeping ratepayers guessing about whether he'll actually stand for mayor or not.
'Friends who surf together' stoked to challenge world's best
Four Taranaki teenagers are hoping to carve up the opposition at the world junior surf champs in El Salvador this month.
Council considers ways to increase capacity at New Plymouth's Bowl
A watchdog group has rejected a proposal to increase the capacity at the Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth - which includes potentially covering its iconic lake.
Police accused of insensitivity over Kaoss Price's death
A lawyer representing the whānau of a Taranaki man shot and killed by police says their statements about the incident are insensitive.
Govt urged to step in to prevent loss of life in flood-prone areas
An expert in natural hazard planning says the government needs to buy out residents in flood-prone areas such as Anzac Parade in Whanganui, or risk people losing their lives.
Alternative route for Mt Messenger Bypass would have saved forest
Questions are being asked about whether 30 hectares of native forest really needs to be felled to make way for a long-awaited bypass in northern Taranaki.
Police shooting rattles Taranaki community
A lifelong friend of a man shot and killed by police in Taranaki two years ago says he was shocked to hear of another fatal shooting.
'Kiwis not leaving' NZ spend cash and keep regional businesses humming
South Taranaki appears well placed to bounce back from Covid-19 after dodging the worst of the disruption caused by the virus.