Tom Kitchin
Napier bar owner criticises govt after gang-related shooting
The owner of a Hawke's Bay bar where a stray bullet from a shootout injured a staff member says the government is "delusional" about its efforts to quash gangs.
There have been several gang related… Audio
Upset over art deco festival cancellation
The Napier Art Deco festival was set to take place last week, but after the latest Covid-19 scare it was cancelled for the first time ever. Audio
Napier businesses not happy with art festival cancellation
Businesses in Napier say they are angry, upset and out of pocket after an art deco festival was cancelled due to last week's Covid-19 scare.
They're saying it was a knee-jerk reaction by organisers.
…Hawke's Bay Regional Council, iwi at loggerheads over dry streams
Iwi and the regional council in Hawke's Bay are at loggerheads over why streams are drying up this summer.
The council first told RNZ it's just a natural occurrence, but admitted there was more to it… Audio
Apple growers wary as peak harvest nears, but workers few
Apple growers fear they're about to face carnage as the picking season hits its peak in the next few weeks.
With borders closed, overseas workers are slim pickings, and locals are just as hard to… Audio
90 years since the Napier earthquake
A special service has been held in Napier today to mark 90 years since the deadly magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck. Audio
Hawke's Bay marks 90 years since deadly earthquake
Today marks 90 years since New Zealand's deadliest natural disaster.
The Hawke's Bay earthquake on February the 3rd, 1931 killed 256 people, turning Napier and Hastings to rubble.
The cities were… Audio
Ninety years since Hawke's Bay earthquake
Today marks 90 years since the Hawke's Bay earthquake.
At 10.47am on Tuesday, February the third 1931, a 7.8 magnitude shake all but levelled Napier and Hastings. Hamilton Logan, who was six at the… Audio
Business Hawke's Bay warns closure may hit local economy
A Hawke's Bay council review has found the region has a mess of business support groups trying to do the same thing.
One of the groups fears its days are numbered and its removal could hobble Hawke's… Audio
Poverty casts a shadow over start of school year
Many students will start the school year next week with no shoes, an empty tummy and dirty clothes.
Schools say this has been exacerbated by Covid-19 and there are a myriad of challenges faced by… Audio
Hawke's Bay 1080 legal challenge fails
A legal challenge to stop a 1080 drop on Maori land in Hawke's Bay has failed. Tataraakina is a 14,000 hectare block in inland Hawke's Bay, near the highway between Napier and Taupo. RNZ Hawke's Bay… Audio
Rural communities oppose the phase out of cheques
Some rural communities fear the phasing out of cheques this year is coming too fast, too soon. They say reliable internet must come first before they rip up their chequebooks. RNZ's Tom Kitchin… Audio
Rioters protesting dire conditions - Waikeria Prison sources
Sources inside Waikeria Prison say the men who started a riot are protesting about terrible conditions and a poor Corrections strategy for Maori. Disorder started Tuesday, when fires were set in an… Audio
NZ Dairy industry unhappy with Brexit
The dairy industry wants export tariffs scrapped as it tries to get the best bang for its buck overseas - and doesn't think the new post Brexit trade deal will help. New Zealand is in the throes of… Audio
Ship fire at Napier port clears area with toxic fumes
A burning ship at Napier's port sent thick, black clouds of smoke billowing into the sky - while police forced pedestrians to clear the area due to potentially toxic fumes.
About 60 fire fighters… Audio
Floods disrupt busy hospitality season in Napier
Travellers heading to Napier for the holidays might have to try a little harder to find a bed as the busy summer season hits town. That's all thanks to the floods last month. One of the city's largest… Audio
Hawke's Bay apple exporter got 200 kiwi applications, hired 55
A Hawke's Bay apple exporter has told the Government an advertising campaign to attract 300 New Zealand workers got more than 200 applications - but only 55 people ended up with jobs.
Those figures… Audio
Horrific scenes following fatal Hawke's Bay crash
A witness says people were screaming and crying after yesterday's Central Hawke's Bay crash, which killed three people.
Silver Fern Farms has confirmed they were all their employees
They died after… Audio
Growers say fruit may still rot despite RSE worker exemption
Growers say fruit may still be left to rot, despite the Government promising that 2,000 seasonal workers from the Pacific can come through the border to help with the harvest.
They're saying… Audio
Beer accessory company: turn your fridge into a Kegerator
A Hawke's Bay beer accessory company was stuck without product this year, after Covid-19 stopped shipping dead in its tracks. But not wishing to deprive anyone of a Beer-Dispensing Fridge, they've… Audio