Stories by Robin Martin
News
Ngāti Maru reaches $30m settlement with Crown
Taranaki iwi Ngāti Maru have reached an agreement in principle with the Crown for a Treaty settlement with a financial redress of $30 million.
Proposal to buy and remove flood-prone Whanganui homes
A Whanganui council is proposing to buy and remove dozens of homes in the most flood-prone areas of Whanganui.
New Plymouth water supply upgrade to cost millions
New Plymouth residents are being asked to fork out between $28 million and $147m to improve the resilience of the city's water infrastructure.
PM's oil and gas comments cause anxiety in Taranaki
The PM's comments about the future of oil and gas exploration is causing anxiety in Taranaki - the only region in New Zealand where hydrocarbons are commercially exploited.
Womad offers chance to brush up on tikanga
Visitors to this weekend's Womad festival in Taranaki will have the opportunity to brush up on their te reo and understanding of Tikanga Māori.
Rental shortage puts squeeze on the vulnerable
First-home buyers are being blamed for a shortage of rental properties in Whanganui that has left some of the city's most vulnerable residents scrambling to put a roof over their heads.
Taranaki park to get $5.9m boost, new bike trail
Pukeiti rainforest park in Taranaki is set to get a $5.9 million boost, which includes creating a mountain bike trail linking the park to the Tasman Sea.
Golf club carve-up: 'Why sell the lungs of your city'
There were emotional scenes at a packed New Plymouth council meeting last night when the public got to have its say on a controversial plan to carve up the city's only public golf course.
Inside New Plymouth's water crisis
From poultry to haircuts, the scale of the economic impact of New Plymouth's water crisis is beginning to hit home.
5000 people still without power in Taranaki
Many Waitara residents are still without power - and now have no running water - as Taranaki continues to struggle with the aftermath of Cyclone Gita.
Cyclone Gita: Water tankers deployed in storm-stricken area
Water tankers have been deployed in New Plymouth after cyclone Gita knocked out a water pipe which supplies 25 percent of the district's population.
Farmers face hefty riparian planting bills
Taranaki farmers could face hefty bills as the regional council toughens enforcement of its riparian planting programme to clean up waterways.
Booming: 'People have discovered Waitara'
Often seen as New Plymouth's poorer cousin, Waitara is experiencing a property boom.
Students fuming as Taranaki art/design course axed
The largest tertiary education provider in Taranaki will not be offering a new suite of art and design courses this year.
Waitara evacuees fear for their homes
Residents at East Beach in Waitara were asked to stay away from their homes last night, ahead of the high tide about midnight.
Battlelines drawn over golf club carve up
Hundreds turned up to a public meeting to vent their frustration over the proposed carve up of the Fitzroy Golf Club in New Plymouth.
Feeling Hot Hot Hot: NZ on track for warmest month ever
The heatwave New Zealand is experiencing has the country on track for the hottest month since records began.
Secondary school scraps voluntary fees
A Taranaki school has scrapped voluntary fees and donations in a bid to help struggling families.
Freedom campers put reserve under pressure
A decision to throw the doors open to freedom campers in New Plymouth has backfired and is putting a popular reserve and surf spot under pressure, residents say.
Palestinian rights group welcomes Lorde's caution
A Palestinian human rights group is pleased Lorde has acknowleged the concerns around playing a concert in Israel next year, it says.
NZ's surprising new tourism hotspot booming
The town in the North Island is enjoying a tourism boom after the travel bible Lonely Planet named it the second best region in the world to visit in 2017.
Waitara residents face massive lease hikes
Taranaki property owners say they fear being forced out of their homes by a lease hike.
Angry reaction to end of freedom camp ban
New Plymouth's decision to throw the district open to freedom campers has angered residents, visitors and local businesses.
Anti-1080 letter claims sika release
The Department of Conservation has received a letter claiming responsibility for the "eco-terrorism" release of deer into Taranaki forest.
Sale of New Plymouth landmark sparks upset
The imminent sale of part of a prominent New Plymouth landmark acquired under the Public Works Act in the 1930s has upset Taranaki Māori.