On Saturday 27 February Jamaine Wharton attended a 21st birthday party at the Waiohau Rugby Clubrooms where he was assaulted and later stabbed. The 31-year-old was taken to the Whakatane Hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning where he tragically died, Whakatane Area Investigations Manager, Detective Senior Sergeant Paul […]
Rotoma Ram-Raid: Police appeal for info
Police are appealing for information following a burglary at a service station in Rotoma yesterday. Police were notified of a burglary at 5:30am yesterday, a red Ford Courier Ute was used to ram the front entrance of the GAS station. Once entry had been gained three people from the vehicle […]
Rotoma GAS station ram-raided
Police are investigating a ram-raid at a Rotoma petrol station in the early hours of this morning. A Police spokesperson said they were alerted to a burglary at a service station on SH30, Lake Rotoma, shortly before 7 am. “Offenders are reported to have fled the scene in a motor […]
Whakatāne Tourism launches cheeky sunniest place in the world campaign
As the rest of New Zealand starts getting their firewood in for winter, Whakatāne is planning to gloat about how its warm summer sun just keeps on giving. The new tongue-in-cheek campaign, launched today, generously offers Kiwis the chance to escape the chill that descends in other parts of the […]
Fatal stabbing in Waiohau
A 31-year-old man has died following a stabbing in Waiohau around 2am, this morning. Police are following lines of enquiry and want anyone to come forward who may have witnessed the incident, a Police spokesperson said. “We encourage anyone to contact us immediately with any information which can assist with […]
Maraenui Scrub Fire: Re-ignited, threatening houses
Fire crews are back at the scene of yesterday’s scrub in Maraenui, near Opotiki. Fire crews were called back to the scene near Haupoto Rd, off State Highway 35, shortly after 2.30pm, Fire and Emergency NZ Shift Manager Mark Richards said. “The fire is at a Second Alarm, and there […]
Toi EDA sees Opportunities in the Whakatāne Board Mill Review
Last nights announcement that the Whakatāne Board Mill’s Swiss owner, SIG, is proposing to close the facility is a significant blow to the local economy. Employing over 200 highly skilled staff and a major processor of NZ wood fibre, the Mill is the backbone of the local Whakatane economy. Toi […]
Scrub fire at Maraenui, 3 buildings involved
Multiple fire crews are battling a scrub fire in Maraenui, about 39 kilometers from Opotiki. The fire, which is 200 by 50 meters has also inundated three farm buildings, Fire and Emergency shift manager Craig Dally said. “Fire crews from Edgecumbe, Ohope, Opotiki and Waihau Bay are at the scene […]