Robin Martin
Heavyweight bidders line up for photojournalism charity auction
Heavyweight bidders have been manoeuvring behind the scenes ahead of a charity auction of more than 100 examples of New Zealand's finest photo-journalism.
Major corporates and even representatives of… Audio
Taranaki family's lucky escape as car caught in huge slip
A Taranaki family making a last-minute dash to see a dying relative are lucky to be alive after their car was caught in a massive slip near Urenui on State Highway 3.
Rex Wade was driving family… Audio
Whanganui cat rescued from tree after two-weeks marooned
A Whanganui moggie has used up one of its nine lives after being rescued from a Phoenix palm in Goneville where it's been stuck for about two weeks.
Rio was plucked from the tree this morning after a… Audio
Mural unveiled to celebrate Maori language petition anniversary
A five-storey mural of te reo advocate Hana Te Hemara will be unveiled in Ngamotu / New Plymouth this week. It's part of celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the Maori language petition to… Audio
Pātea coolstores owners on notice to do more for safety
The owners of a derelict coolstores building on the banks of the Pātea River in Taranaki are being put on notice that it is structurally unsound and more must be done to keep people out of it. Video, Audio
Patea marks 40th anniversay of freezing works closure
Commemorations will be held this weekend to mark the 40th anniversary of the Patea freezing works closing.
Faced with a downturn in the industry on 3 September, 1982 about 800 staff were laid off in… Audio
Te Atiawa iwi moving ahead on property plans
Te Atiawa is re-establishing its presence on the New Plymouth landscape - in more ways than one - as the iwi realises its property aspirations.
On one side of town an unloved tower block is coming… Audio
Taranaki mayor not happy with road funding spend
The mayor of New Plymouth says Waka Kotahi has siphoned off half a billion dollars from Taranaki road funding over the past decade leaving the region's State Highways are falling apart.
Documents… Audio
Former New Plymouth mayor not surprised no candidates for Māori ward
A former New Plymouth mayor says he can understand why no one has put their hand up to stand for the city's Māori ward.
Andrew Judd championed the establishment of the ward but he questions why… Audio
Taranaki alpine horn players form group
Decorated helicopter pilot Alan Beck can add a further string to his bow - Swiss alp horn player.
The 73 year old - who became an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in January - is the driving… Audio
Community gets preview of plans for Whanganui Port
A crowd of locals have given a behind the scenes look at Whanganui Port, ahead of its planned $50 million revamp.
It's the first community-led management project since the Whanganui River gained… Video, Audio
Speculation rife about New Plymouth mayor's future
The New Plymouth mayor's failure to declare whether he's going to stand for a third term is fuelling speculation he's after a job at one of the new three waters entities.
Neil Holdom said he… Audio
Ex New Plymouth mayor criticses council over transparency
A former New Plymouth mayor has criticised the council for lack of transparency over why its chief executive is absent from his post.
Craig Stevenson, who earns about $370,000 a year, is on leave for… Audio
Stratford introduces forestry rate to pay for road repairs
A decision to introduce a targeted rate to help repair roads damaged by logging trucks is winning few friends in Taranaki.
Stratford District Council says the roads - some of which were designed for… Audio
Taranaki schools welcome road crossing after girl killed by truck
A new traffic-light controlled pedestrian crossing in Taranaki is be being described as a monument to a failed funding model.
Inglewood residents have campaigned for 20 years for the crossing on… Audio
Taranaki DHB enticing staff to get flu shots as it declares itself a 'fortress' against winter illness
A night in a luxury hotel is being used to entice staff at the Taranaki District Health Board to get a flu shot.
The DHB has declared itself a 'Fortress' against winter ailments.
Only about 50… Audio
Some young vapers inhaling as much nicotine as 1.5 cigarette packs a day
An organisation which provides health education to young people says some rangatahi who vape are consuming as much nicotine as someone smoking a pack and a half of cigarettes a day.
The Life… Audio
Intermediate school wants help with vaping issues
A New Plymouth intermediate school is appealing to the community for help with what it says is a growing vaping problem.
Highlands Intermediate has disciplined 17 students so far this year for vaping… Audio
Drag performer on abuse toward Rainbow Storytime show
A New Plymouth drag performer says a torrent of abuse directed at a Rainbow Storytime event at the Puke Ariki Library in the city has left her dismayed.
Sunita Torrance and Daniel Lockett perform as… Audio
Music promoter wants Bowl of Brooklands lake filled
A leading music promoter says a proposal to increase the capacity at the Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth could put it among New Zealand's premier concert venues.
He wants the council to go one… Audio