Robin Martin
Cut off Waitotara Valley residents take isolation in stride
Torrential rain in Taranaki last week caused the upper reaches of the Waitotara River to breach its banks covering the Waitotara Valley Road in places with debris and silt. Taranaki Whanganui reporter… Audio
Council 'typo' could've cost it $20 million
An apparent typo could have cost a North Island council $20 million in lost revenue. At a meeting last month, the New Plymouth District Council passed a resolution saying rates figures in its annual… Audio
Book club with a difference reviving memories, sparking joy
A book club with a difference is turning heads at Puke Ariki in New Plymouth. Our Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin went to take a look. Audio
Felling of 100-year-old pohutukawa 'a travesty'
An award-wining landscape designer has weighed into a stoush over the felling of a 100 year old pohutukawa to clear it from powerlines in New Plymouth. Our Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has… Audio
Passengers trapped in fatal Taranaki capsizing
A witness to Sunday's tragic capsizing in Taranaki, which claimed two lives, has said the small pleasure boat was side-on to breakers at the Patea bar before being swamped. Paul Mandela said the… Audio
Two dead after boat capsizes in Taranaki
Witnesses to a boating tragedy in Taranaki have described seeing the boat overturn and a desperate attempt to rescue those on board. Reporter Robin Martin spoke to Charlotte Cook. Audio
Former New Plymouth mayor remembered as a 'visionary'
Former New Plymouth mayor David "Daisy" Lean is being remembered as a "visionary" who injected a youthful energy into the role. Robin Martin reports. Audio
Taranaki couple win bid to appeal compulsory land acquisition
The Supreme Court will hear an appeal from a Taranaki farming couple who are fighting the compulsory acquisition of 11 hectares of their land for the Mt Messenger Bypass. But in its decision granting… Audio
Contractors offer sneak-peak of Mt Messenger bypass tunnel
Contractors have offered a sneak-peak at two of the main features of Te Ara o Te Ata - the Mt Messenger Bypass on State Highway 3 in Taranaki. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin went to take a… Audio
Around the motu: Robin Martin in Taranaki
Robin discusses the latest events in Taranaki including a new high-spec Pouakai Hut replacement built to withstand extreme winds. Audio
Pouākai Hut replacement built to withstand 300kmh winds
The unique challenges of building high on a mountain has meant everything including the kitchen sink has to be helicoptered onto the site of a new trampers' hut in Taranaki's national park. Taranaki… Audio
Taranaki boasts giant 30 year-old fungus near Eltham
Taranaki reporter Robin Martin goes mushroom hunting and tells us about a YUGE schnapper. Audio
Vulerable coastal bird returning to Taranaki
Community-based trapping efforts are being credited with two vulnerable coastal birds returning in increasing numbers to Taranaki. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin went birdwatching. Audio
New Plymouth rough sleepers using council car park as hang out
A group of rough sleepers in New Plymouth are backing a propsoal to allow them to use a council car park as a place to hang out. But they warn a police crackdown on their antics in the CBD will only… Audio
Carpark, prison suggested as places for homeless to hang out in New Plymouth
The subterranean level of a council car park, a derelict night-club and a prison dating back to the 1870s have all been suggested as a temporary place for New Plymouth's rough sleepers to hang out in… Audio
Earthquake standards risk turning Stratford into 'ghost town'
Businesses in Stratford say stickers slapped on dozens of buildings warning they are quake-prone, risk turning the Taranaki provincial hub into a ghost town. Our Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin… Audio
Speed limit increase on stretch of SH3 'non-sensical': Crash survivor
A Waitara community board member and crash survivor says it makes no sense to reinstate a 100kmh speed limit on a stretch of State Highway 3 in Taranaki. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has… Audio
Javanese puppet theatre star turn at Shakespeare festival
In a twist the Bard himself would've be proud of, a Javanese shadow theatre is a star turn at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Taranaki. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin went to a… Audio
Around the motu: Robin Martin in Taranaki
Around the Motu: Robin Martin reports from Taranaki Audio
Children remain in hospital after Taranaki crash
Four children remain in hospital after a crash in South Taranaki yesterday which injured eleven students and two adults. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin spoke to Corin Dann. Audio