Stories by Robin Martin
News
Company allowed to search for oil and gas off Taranaki coast despite ban
An environmentalist says a decision to allow an oil and gas company to search off the coast of Taranaki shows the 2018 exploration ban is not genuine.
$10m wildlife centre to be haven for native birds
An environmental group is hoping visitors will flock to a multimillion dollar wildlife centre planned for Inglewood.
School looks at its history in bid to move on from 'outdated' block names
A Taranaki school's decision to test opinion on changing the names of its classroom blocks has caused a stir.
Tourist operator's plea: 'Life has to get back to normal'
The Omicron outbreak is causing visitor spending to tank in Taranaki after it held its own during earlier stages of the pandemic.
Shortage of supplies hampering support of isolating Covid-19 cases in Taranaki
Taranaki has been averaging more than 600 new Covid-19 cases a day and there are about 4500 active cases in the community - 10 percent of which need support to isolate safely.
Covid-19 vaccination lessons applied in childhood immunisation programme
Health authorities are hoping to apply lessons learned during the Covid-19 vaccination rollout to boost the country's faltering childhood immunisation programme.
Taranaki composting plant flunks latest environmental report
A controversial North Taranaki composting and worm farming business has flunked its latest environmental monitoring report.
Drilling campaign almost doubles Māui gas field's production - OMV
OMV says its in-fill drilling campaign at Māui A off the coast of Taranaki has almost doubled 2021 production levels, making it the country's largest gas field once more.
Act casts shadow over Maari oil field deal
An energy sector lobby group says applying the Crown Minerals (Amendment) Act retrospectively to deals done years ago is 'bad public policy'.
Taranaki vaccination delivery on a roll in shadow of anti-mandate protest
While attention is focused on the protest at Parliament grounds, Covid-19 vaccinators have been busy delivering booster shots and inoculating under 12 year olds.
Anti-mandate councillors attend protest to 'be part of history'
A New Plymouth mayoral candidate is heading back to the protest at Parliament this weekend - saying he wants to be "part of history". A fellow councillor is also at the protest and says it's an…
$3m bill to clean dioxin out of New Plymouth wastewater treatment plant
A $3 million clean-up operation to remove highly toxic dioxin from the New Plymouth wastewater treatment plant has sparked calls for an investigation into where else the compound may be lurking.
Cyclone Dovi: Cleanup continues after winds down trees, cause power cuts
Damage from ex-tropical Cyclone Dovi has left people stranded in their homes, while power outages are affecting farms and schools.
National Future Energy Centre progress questioned
In its first year of operation Ara Ake - the national future energy centre - burnt through two thirds of its annual revenue, that's $1.7m, in salaries, directors fees and consultants.
'Danger time': E coli detected in Taranaki waterways after rainfall
A new fresh water testing methodology confirms that the region's waterways are contaminated with bacteria after rain, ecologists say.
No-go zones with 400,000 cubic metres of gas to be vented from Maui pipeline
Residents, bach owners and farmers are being told to vacate properties and move stock behind an exclusion zone as urgent repairs are done to the Maui gas pipeline in Taranaki over the weekend.
Expert calls for 'targeted risk assessment' of New Plymouth agri-chemicals plant
An expert in occupational and environmental medicine familiar with a controversial agri-chemicals plant in New Plymouth says a targeted risk assessment of the production facility is a good idea.
Mayor fears 'ticking time bomb' after controversial plant shuts
The government is being asked to step in and force a multi-national agri-chemical business to clean up its New Plymouth production site.
Womad promises international vibe even without overseas acts
Womad organisers say that while there are no overseas artists in this year's line-up, the New Zealand-based acts will still bring the multicultural flavour.
Max is top dog in Whanganui
Continuing a trend of man's best friend coming with a human name attached, Max came out top dog in Whanganui this year with 101 pooches being registered in the district with that moniker.
Children suffering while waiting for dental treatment - parents
Taranaki parents say their children are suffering because of long delays for major dental work under general anaesthetic.
Children on general anaesthesia waiting list akin to abuse, says dentist
A Taranaki dentist has warned that wait times for children requiring dental treatment under general anaesthetic are tantamount to child abuse.
Ōwae Marae in line for $4m new state-of-the-art dining facilities
A whārekai on a Taranaki marae that has provided nourishment to prime ministers and the Kīngitanga alike over the past 100 years is to get a $4 million makeover.
Partner of man who died in custody pleased someone is finally listening
The partner of a Hāwera man who died in police custody in 2019 feels like someone is finally listening after a report found officers failed in their duty of care.
Death in police custody: IPCA finds officers failed in duty of care
Three Taranaki police officers failed in their duty of care to a farm worker who died in custody at the Hāwera police station, the IPCA has found.