Stories by Robin Martin
News
Activists pitch camp on boundary of former chemicals plant
Community activists have pitched camp on the boundary of a former chemicals plant in New Plymouth to advocate for it to be turned into nature reserve.
Facility upgrades for FIFA 'a big step' for community players too, officials say
There has been a $20 million investment in 30 sporting facilities ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup, including $5m to create gender neutral changing rooms.
New Plymouth housing crisis: 'Council is part of the problem'
A New Plymouth emergency housing provider says a council survey asking what can be done about the city's housing crisis feels like a cruel joke.
Former worker of controversial chemical plant raises questions over his baby's death
The ex-employee of the former Ivan Watkins Dow site in New Plymouth wonders if the death of his first child from spina bifida was related to his time working there.
'Shocking' truck dashcam footage shows dangerous driving on Taranaki roads
Dashcam footage has captured a series of nears misses as Taranaki drivers overtake trucks on blind corners, ignore double yellow lines and in one case, park in the middle of a state highway. Video
'A load of crock': Ex-employee, chemical plant neighbour dismiss Dow survey
A former employee at a controversial chemical plant in New Plymouth has described working inside a reactor wearing little more than overalls and rubber gloves for protection.
'It's taken away community use': Open-top Whanganui velodrome a missed opportunity - contractor
The contractor laying the new track at the Whanganui Velodrome says the city missed an opportunity by not putting a $20 million roof over the complex.
'Just a bit of fun': Wacky Wednesday at the indoor bowls champs
It has been Wacky Wednesday today at the National Indoor Bowls Championship being played out in New Plymouth this week.
Owner of controversial former chemical plant wants to hear from former staff, contractors
The owner of a controversial former chemical plant in New Plymouth wants to quiz people with links to Ivon Watkins-Dow ahead of remediating the site.
Crowd unleashes fury at New Plymouth councillors over rates hikes
The New Plymouth District Council has pushed ahead with an average rates rise of 12.4 percent. Audio
Yarrow Stadium owners stay mum over project update
The Taranaki Regional Council is holding its cards close to its chest ahead of an announcement on the rebuild of the east stand at New Plymouth's Yarrow Stadium.
First piece of potentially NZ's first offshore wind farm to be installed off Patea coast
A device that can measure wind speeds, waves and currents will be the first physical piece of offshore wind technology deployed in New Zealand.
Christopher Luxon proves to be a traffic-stopper in New Plymouth
The National leader hastily added a second session to the party's Get New Zealand Back on Track roadshow in the city today.
From rugby to the art of charcuterie: The story behind Mikaera Te Whata's love for french cuisine
Following a decade-long professional rugby career in France Mikaera Te Whata's love for French cuisine saw him enrol at university to study the art of charcuterie.
Busted meters no barrier to issuing parking fines
Drivers in New Plymouth are crying foul over the council continuing to issue parking tickets in the central business area despite almost half its meters not working correctly. Audio
Heating NZ's homes: 'We're really still lagging way, way behind'
The poor condition of many New Zealand properties has been identified as one of the biggest factors affecting households struggling to heat their homes.
Taranaki whānau living in cold to deal with energy costs, iwi says
A significant number of whānau from a Taranaki iwi are struggling to heat their homes and living in the cold, says Ngāti Maru's chief executive.
Family-run beef farm cuts out the middleman
A boutique Taranaki beef producer is hoping to cut fresh export deals at a summit for young business leaders in Thailand.
'It's the first time maybe I will die' - Dairy owner feared death as armed teens ransacked his store
The owner of a New Plymouth dairy feared for his life when three young people - one armed with a knife and another, a hammer - stormed his business at the weekend.
NZ company plans raid on Australia with Viking superfood
A Taranaki business is the first in the Southern Hemisphere to make skyr - and they're about to expand across the Tasman.
Petition against new Taranaki bypass held up by court action
Parliament has put on hold its consideration of a petition seeking to halt construction of Taranaki's Mt Messenger bypass.
Stratford landmarks declared earthquake-prone
Three prominent council-owned buildings in Stratford have been issued with earthquake-prone building notices.
EPA criticised for not releasing information on discharge at Kupe
The Environmental Protection Authority is under fire for withholding information about a leak at a suspended oil and gas well-head at Kupe off the coast of Taranaki.
'Bloody cool eh': Super Rugby returns to Yarrow Stadium
Super Rugby returns to Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth tomorrow for the first time since 2017.
'It's crazy': Rates protest turns violent as dead animal, chopped tree found
A protest against rates rises is causing a stink in Stratford after a disgruntled ratepayer dumped the rotting corpse of a goat at the council's front door.