Police are today terminating a six month-long investigation into organised crime and the distribution of illicit drugs in the Bay of Plenty region. Operation Notus was launched in October 2017 after the community contacted Police with concerns about the social harm being caused by an organised crime group operating […]
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Awanuiārangi celebrates graduation of nearly 3,000 students
Nearly 3,000 Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi graduands will graduate this year and more than 200 will receive their degrees and certificates during a formal capping ceremony in Whakatāne this Friday. More than 600 iwi representatives, government and local authority officials, academics, staff, students and their whānau and supporters will […]
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Herald best beach competition “flawed”
Whakatāne Mayor Tony Bonne has described the New Zealand Herald’s approach to finding the best beach in the country as “flawed and, frankly, a bit silly”. “When I saw the 10 finalists, I just laughed,” he says. “My first inclination was to ask the SIS to investigate possible Russian vote-tampering, […]
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Council votes in favour of Māori wards
Whakatāne District Council elected members have this evening voted in favour of a resolution that would enable the establishment of Māori wards. The elected members heard submissions from the public before deliberating and voting six to five in favour of supporting the introduction of one or more Maori wards. Whakatāne […]
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Aquaculture and kiwifruit attributed to Opotiki growth
A quiet paper titled ‘Opotiki District Population and Rateable Assessment Projections’ presented at the Opotiki District Council on Tuesday has significant implications for the long term revitalisation of the Opotiki district. Long Term Plans fulfil a legislative requirement and are an important way for Councils to look into the future […]
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The America’s Cup is coming to Edgecumbe
Edgecumbe is in for a boost, with Emirates Team New Zealand bringing the America’s Cup to town during the upcoming September school holidays. This once-in-a-lifetime event has been arranged to allow local businesses affected by the April floods to showcase their products and services and sprea d the news […]
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Years of dedication to Civil Defence recognised
The Eastern Bay was well represented when 19 of the region’s Civil Defence and Emergency Management responders and staff were recognised on Friday. Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management Director Sarah Stuart-Black presented the recipients with their long service awards, with some people being recognised for more than 30 years […]
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Many positives in emergency response review
An independent review of the Whakatāne District Council’s response to the April flooding and storm emergency has highlighted “many positives”, as well as improvement areas for local, regional and national emergency management organisations to consider. The review by Kestrel Group was commissioned by the Council to gain an independent perspective […]