Robin Martin
New Plymouth Council backing Local Electoral Act changes
The New Plymouth District Council has signaled its support of expected changes to the Local Electoral Act, which would scrap the provision allowing for citizen-initiated referenda, after Councillors… Audio
Pukekura Park protection needed
A watchdog group says New Plymouth's Brooklands and Pukekura parks are paying a heavy price for their popularity and it's calling for boardwalks to protect ancient pukatea trees in the reserve. The… Audio
New Plymouth signals introduction of water meters
New Plymouth has signalled it wants to begin installing residential water meters next year and start charging households for water usage within four years.
The meters are included in the city's draft… Audio
Festival of Lights overcomes Covid-19 limits to put on show
While WOMAD has pulled the plug because of Covid-19, New Plymouth's famous Festival of the Lights has overcome the challenges of the pandemic to put on a show.
This year, 15 brand new installations… Video, Audio
International cargo crew skip Covid-19 protocols
A bungle by Taranaki health officials has resulted in the crew of an overseas cargo vessel being allowed shore leave before they completed Covid-19 isolation protocols.
The District Health Board's… Audio
Council officer taken to task over New Plymouth liquor ban
A mass brawl and numerous serious alcohol-related incidents in New Plymouth have been pinned on the city's alcohol control bylaw lapsing.
Police learned the bylaw was unenforceable in March - but it… Audio
Deeper meaning to rural sounds
Move over Rock'n'Roll, forget Hip Hop and so long Soul music.
The new hot scene emerging out of rural New Zealand is Farm music - improvised compositions from hitting items found in the shed, garage… Audio
New Plymouth liquor ban blunder sees rise of boozy brawls
A New Plymouth council blunder means the city's liquor ban is no long longer enforceable.
A local government act amendment required all councils to review their alcohol control bylaws and if they… Audio
Alder trees face the chop in New Plymouth
After years of complaints, the avenue of Alder trees lining New Plymouth's main street are undergoing a heavy trim before they get the chop completely.
Retailers blame fallen leaves and flower… Audio
Energy watchdog wins precedent-setting battle over safety zones
After a four-year fight an energy sector watchdog has won a precedent-setting battle to have safety buffer zones around oil and gas installations included in the South Taranaki district plan. The… Audio
Keen interest in Marfell Kiwibuild homes, locals sceptical
A steady stream of potential buyers -- along with the merely curious -- have taken advantage of the first advertised open homes at the 23 million dollar Kiwibuild project in the New Plymouth suburb of… Audio
Godwits smashing speed records en route to NZ
A migrating bird species is blasting towards New Zealand at record speeds, with strong tailwinds propelling them along.
Godwits or Kuaka are on their 11500 kilometre migration from Alaska to New… Audio
Taranaki fans look on the bright side of Shield loss
The Ranfurly Shield didn't linger long in Taranaki.
Just over a week after ripping it from the grasp of Canterbury, the Taranki Bulls have surrendered the log o' wood to Otago.
About 4000 spectators… Audio
Economist on 'zombie towns' thriving in pandemic
Famously labelled zombie towns, regional centres are bearing up well through the Covid-19 crisis off the back of the strong rural economy and extremely low case numbers.
They are also having new life… Audio
Mayor wants oil and gas business cases stress tested
The mayor of New Plymouth says drilling companies wanting into the oil and gas industry in Taranaki should be forced to let banks stress-test their business case.
An industry whistleblower yesterday… Audio
Whistleblower concerned about Maari oil field sale
When Tamarind Taranaki abruptly abandoned the Tui Oil Field in December, it left taxpayers facing a bill of at least $155 million to plug the undersea wells.
Now a whistleblower inside the oil and… Audio
Concerns raised over sale of Maari Oil Field
When oil company Tamarind Taranaki abruptly abandoned the Tui oil field in December, it left taxpayers facing a bill of at least 155 million dollars to plug the undersea wells. Now a whistleblower… Audio
'Smell it and you want to vomit': Taranaki locals kick up a stink over remediation plant consent renewal
A tour of a plant treating oil and gas drilling waste in North Taranaki meant to soothe nieghbours concerns about foul smells and environmental damage has ended up reinforcing their worst fears.
… Audio
Taranaki's Green School considers changing grant to loan
The Green School is open to paying back some of the near 12 million dollars its set to receive from the government's fund for shovel ready projects. Following widespread outrage, Green Party co-leader… Audio
Land under controversial plant needs testing for dioxin, expert says
An expert in occupational and environmental medicine says land a controversial chemical plant in New Plymouth is built on should be thoroughly tested for dioxin contamination before ever being used… Audio