Stories by Robin Martin
News
Whanganui opera school puts aspiring singers to the test
The cream of the country's young opera talent is in Whanganui for a boot camp credited with kickstarting international careers. Audio
Land wars site touted as golf resort
A Taranaki farmer selling an historic property as a potential golf resort is being warned to tread carefully. Audio
Tourist numbers at 'tipping point' on NZ hikes
Tramping groups say tourists are spoiling Kiwis' great outdoors experience. DOC says the wilderness experience is still possible - you just won't have a 20-bunk hut to yourself.
Jobs on the line at Taranaki polytech
The future of about 20 jobs is up in the air at Taranaki's largest tertiary education provider.
Council spends $400k developing rejected bill
The New Plymouth District Council has spent more than $400,000 on consultants drawing up a bill aimed at resolving historical land issues at Waitara, which Te Ātiawa has rejected.
Taranaki roading project threatens kōkako reintroduction
The reintroduction of kōkako into pristine NorthTaranaki bush is being jeopardised by a proposed upgrade to State Highway 3, conservationists say.
Nanogirl and the power of science
It's not every day you get to give your teacher a superpower but that's exactly what happened at Lepperton Primary in rural North Taranaki today.
Shooters urged to adopt environmental-friendly ammunition
Shooters are being urged to adopt environmental-friendly ammunition after a school science project found thousands of plastic shotgun wads littering Taranaki beaches.
Freedom campers overrun surf spot
Local surfers have chained shut the toilet at a Taranaki break and asked freedom campers to leave, but some will not budge.
Iwi takes shot at EPA over 'redacted' mining videos
A South Taranaki iwi has accused the Environmental Protection Authority of not releasing videos it says were redacted from an application to mine ironsands of the region's coast.
Urenui Beach locals come to aid of penguins
A citizens' science initiative is helping keep little blue penguins out of harm's way during the construction of a seawall extension in Taranaki. Video
Ngāti Maru signals interest in DOC land
A Taranaki iwi has signalled its interest in thousands of hectares of Department of Conservation land at a Treaty settlement hui at Te Upoko o te Whenua marae.
Proposed new route for SH3 crosses iwi land
The preferred option for a $135 million upgrade of State Highway 3 in Taranaki crosses iwi land, NZTA has revealed.
Govt commits $10m for Whanganui's Sarjeant Gallery
The Sarjeant Gallery - home to work by McCahon, Hotere, Goldie and Lindauer - will be given public funding for earthquake strengthening.
Gastro bug risk prompts warning for Taranaki swimmers
Gastrointestinal illness after swimming in lakes and rivers could be far more common than reported cases suggest.
Iwi withdraws support for Taranaki land deal
Te Ātiawa has withdrawn its support for a bill designed to end one of the longest and most bitter land disputes in New Zealand.
Long-lost maritime history uncovered in Taranaki
Heavy spring swells have revealed bits of a long-sunken schooner in Taranaki, but they might not be visible for long. Audio
Hungarians commemorate first chink in Iron Curtain
Hungarian New Zealanders have commemorated the 60th anniversary of the 1956 uprising.
'Surf rage' about safety, not aggression
A study into so-called 'surf rage' will find the behaviour is about safety, not patch protection, a regular surfer at one New Zealand's top breaks says.
No Māori councillors, no surprise for Taranaki iwi leader
It is not surprising that no Māori candidates won a seat on the New Plymouth District Council, a Taranaki iwi leader says.
Release full seabed mining application, opponents demand
Opponents of a proposed seabed mining operation in Taranaki are demanding the release of blacked out pages in its resource consents application.
Cafe offers up reo fix with Kapu Kōrero
Keen to try ordering your flat white in te reo Māori? Head to New Plymouth's Green Door Cafe for a taste of its new Kapu Kōrero. Audio
Slip could be costing Taranaki $250,000 a day
Taranaki is paying a heavy price for a massive slip, which has closed SH3 at Mokau and cut the region off from the country's north. Video
First-of-its-kind national surfing reserve proposed in Taranaki
A first-of-its-kind national surfing reserve is being proposed in Taranaki that will encompass many of the region's prime surf breaks. Video
Māori representation treated with caution
Māori representation has become a virtual no-go area for those vying for public office in New Plymouth.