A sewage overflow in the vicinity of Seaview Road has caused contamination of the Wairere Stream, which flows into the Whakatāne River at Quay Street. Whakatāne District Council contractors have contained the overflow and are working to address the cause. Council staff are working with the Bay of Plenty Regional […]
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Arrests made following organised crime operation in Whakatane
A number of people are assisting Police with enquiries after drugs, a firearm and ammunition were located at a Whakatane property. Police this morning executed a search warrant at an Alexander Avenue address in Whakatane, with AOS in attendance as a precaution. The search warrant was the result of a […]
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Serious Crash near Matata
Four people have been taken to hospital following a serious crash near Matata. Emergency services including a Rescue Helicopter responded to the crash involving two vehicles at 3.32 pm near the intersection of Mimiha Road and State Highway 2. A St John Ambulance spokesperson said one person sustained critical injuries, […]
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Person dies at Ohope Beach
Emergency services are at Ohope Beach following an incident this afternoon. Police were called to the area about 3.50pm after a person was pulled unresponsive from the water. That person has since died. The death will be referred to the Coroner.
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Public appeal for help following Kawerau arson
Police are seeking several people and a vehicle following an arson at Beyti’s Turkish Café in Kawerau on Tuesday. Emergency services were called to the fire, which caused extensive damage, about 5am. CCTV images indicate the vehicle involved is a Toyota Hilux Surf SSR-X (as pictured). “There appears to have […]
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Tarawera forest closed due to extreme fire danger
The extreme risk of fire has prompted the closure of the Tarawera Forest to the public until further notice. The closure includes Mt Putauaki, Tarawera Outlet and Tarawera Falls. Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) have advised the fire danger level has been raised to Extreme in the district. A spokesperson […]
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Hot, dry weather affecting Whakatāne and Ōhope water supply
Whakatāne District Council is considering the use of water restriction status signs to highlight the need to conserve water as the District experiences a run of hot and dry weather. If required, the signs will be placed at key Whakatāne and Ōhope locations until the weather breaks. For the next few […]
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Whakaari Eruption: Chief Coroner confirms deaths
Two people missing presumed deceased following the Whakaari/White Island eruption have now been confirmed as deceased by the Chief Coroner. The two deceased are Hayden Marshall-Inman of New Zealand and Winona Langford of Australia. The Chief Coroner has ruled that both Winona and Hayden died on Whakaari/White Island. The deaths […]