Stories by Robin Martin

A new fresh water testing methodology confirms that the region's waterways are contaminated with bacteria after rain, ecologists say.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Taranaki parents say their children are suffering because of long delays for major dental work under general anaesthetic.

A Taranaki dentist has warned that wait times for children requiring dental treatment under general anaesthetic are tantamount to child abuse.

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.

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.

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.

A Covid-19 cluster has cropped up in the South Taranaki town of Eltham - with 16 confirmed cases in the community.

An isolated case of Covid in the Taranaki township of Eltham has grown into a full blown cluster involving a single class at the local primary school.

Organisers of the Womad festival in New Plymouth have returned about 500 early-bird tickets to people unwilling to show a Vaccine Pass to gain entry to the event.

It could be a week or two before case numbers show what impact the new traffic light system is having, says microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles.

The New Plymouth Positive Ageing Trust says allowing people open access to many council facilities in the city without the use of a vaccine pass is putting lives at risk.

Despite having no active cases of Covid-19 in the community Whanganui woke to find itself in the red zone today.

The mayor of Whanganui is supporting an iwi leader's call for holidaymakers to steer clear of the region this summer.

The boss of an iwi healthcare provider in Taranaki is worried a shortage of oximeters will hamper its ability to help whānau isolating at home with Covid-19.

The District Health Board says police are now being warned in advance of vaccination events in an effort to keep staff safe, while iwi health providers have beefed up mobile vaccination teams to help…

A multi-million dollar marae makeover is breathing new life into one of Taranaki's most celebrated pa sites. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin went along to take a look.

Groups of rangatahi are going door-to-door in towns and suburbs with high Māori populations in Taranaki in an effort to boost flagging vaccination rates.

It's feared a deal to get the Mt Messenger bypass built in North Taranaki could see more native forests bulldozed for new roads.

There has been a significant decline in the public's perception of recreational water quality in Taranaki.

New Plymouth councillors will consider a report which recommends scrapping a $6.5 million plan to build a shared trail on the Kaitake Ranges.