Stories by Robin Martin
News
Misinformation, social media could play role in low Māori vaccination rate
Māori health providers in Taranaki fear misinformation spread via social media is partly to blame for the poor vaccination rates among Māori in the region.
Council report gives one-hour free parking plan thumbs down
A council report recommends against a proposal for New Plymouth to introduce one-hour free parking in the CBD in exchange for an extension of paid parking until 7pm.
Delays in police vetting forcing midwives to abandon pregnant mums
Independent midwives are been told they cannot practice or are being forced to work for weeks on end without pay because of delays in getting police clearances.
It's not cricket, but New Plymouth rugby fans don't mind change of scene
Taranaki Bulls play temporary new home due to earthquake repairs, and community celebrates their return.
'Just fantastic': steady demand for vaccinations across all age-groups at Taranaki clinic
Hundreds line up for the country's first rural mass Covid-19 vaccination event in Stratford today.
Thousands expected at NZ's first rural mass Covid-19 vaccination clinic
Thousands of people are expected to turn up to New Zealand's first rural mass Covid-19 vaccination event at Stratford today and tomorrow.
Remembering 100 years of free dental care for NZ children
It has been 100 years since New Zealand started to offer free dental care for children, and while the service has improved, many older Kiwis still recall the dreaded "Murder House" aka the school…
'It's like a lottery': Desperate workers contact mayor over MIQ system
A lack of MIQ spaces means people working on overseas oil rigs must choose between their careers and their families, the New Plymouth mayor says.
Waka Kotahi plans to fill in bats' roosts to force them to relocate
The Transport Agency plans to fill in roosts of long-tail bats along the route of a proposed bypass on State Highway 3, in an effort to force the critically-endangered mammals to relocate.
Washouts, felled trees close tracks on Taranaki Maunga
Trampers are being asked to take care and check in with the Department of Conservation before heading onto Taranaki Maunga after recent storms felled trees, created huge washouts and forced some…
Taranaki dodges another Covid-19 bullet - for now
Taranaki appears to have dodged another Covid-19 bullet, with no cases found after the virus was detected in New Plymouth wastewater.
Covid-19: Uncertainty remains over vessels' requests to dock
It is still unclear where a deep-sea fishing vessel with two Covid-19-infected crew members onboard will be allowed to dock.
Need for immunisation highlighted in latest Covid-19 scare
Taranaki Chamber of Commerce chairman Daniel Fleming says the latest Covid-19 scare shows border controls will never be foolproof and that getting the population vaccinated should be the priority.
Kōkako boost 'insurance population' on Kāpiti Island
The first translocation of kōkako has taken place to predator-free Kāpiti Island for more than a quarter century.
Inside the wrestling club with the unusual Olympic memorabilia
A tiny wrestling club in South Taranaki is nurturing future champions on an unusual piece of Olympic memorabilia that it uses on a weekly basis.
'Tired of waiting' - Frustrated pensioners skip Covid-19 vaccination queue
Tired of waiting to be contacted about Covid-19 vaccination appointments, pensioners and people with underlying health issues are skipping the queue and making their own arrangements.
Covid-19 vaccine roll-out 'daunting task' for rural GPs
Stratford is the only district in Taranaki without a dedicated vaccination clinic, with locals facing a drive of up to an hour to get to hubs in Hāwera or New Plymouth.
Workmates' jibes all part of the fun for Full Monty cast
In a case of art imitating real life - or perhaps vice versa - an engineer, an electrician and a pipeline designer are part of a troupe about to tread the boards in an amateur performance of The Full…
Terminal budget: Airport upgrade cost soars from $9m to $33m
A review of the New Plymouth Airport terminal project has found it went more than $4 million over budget and cost more than three times the amount first mooted for an upgrade at the council-owned…
Coroner finds fugitive drowned in stream he used as escape route
A coroner has found a man involved in two police pursuits in New Plymouth in 2019 drowned in a stream he had previously used as an escape route.
'Straight into crazy mode': Morris West retires as Bulls mascot Ferdinand
After more than 20 years and 132 games as Ferdie, the beloved mascot of the Taranaki Bulls, the man inside the costume is signing off to widespread applause. Audio
Parking parallels: Later charges kerb enthusiasm for free-hour proposal
A plan to introduce an hour's free parking in the New Plymouth CBD has got vehicle and business owners scratching their heads.
Trio fined $105k for 'reckless' dumping of demolition material
A judge has described the actions of a contractor which illegally dumped demolition material from the old New Plymouth Airport terminal on a North Taranaki farm as "reckless" and "deliberate".
Taranaki institute's funding bid soars to $100m for new vision
New Plymouth's mayor has taken issue with the city's MP over comments about its largest tertiary education provider being happy to carry on as is after so far missing out on funding for a…
Yarrow Stadium rebuild may require compromises due to costs - council
The owner of the quake-prone Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth says compromises might need to be made to the $50 million rebuild project if the new East Stand goes over budget.