Stories by Charlotte Jones

By making a small change, Whakatāne District Council has reduced the carbon emissions of the town's aquatic centre and saved $35,000 in the process.

The long-awaited container terminal will soon be a reality at Kawerau following a $19.9 million cash injection from the Provincial Growth Fund.

Despite having had until today to opt into the Awatarariki managed retreat, the Whakatāne District Council said it would continue to work with residents who were yet to do so.

A Whakatane resident fears damaged water pipes may be leaching asbestos into her household's drinking water, but the council says it follows procedures to minimise that potential.

A simple Facebook video may have spurred Kawerau residents to participate in local democracy.

Candidates who are yet to file their election donations and expenses returns have until the end of January before their names are forwarded to the police.

A bollard replaced at the Hillcrest Cemetery has upset some visitors, with one woman saying it has stopped disabled and elderly people from visiting their loved ones.

A man whose dog was locked up in the Whakatāne pound over Christmas is questioning why staff didn't scan its microchip and why, when he rang, they told him the dog wasn't there.

Kawerau's recent E. coli outbreak has been narrowed down to three possible causes - but it's unlikely the community will ever know the cause for sure.

If you bought your home in the past five years, you could be paying higher rates than your neighbours.

Residents of a Whakatāne suburb are fuming after a stand of trees, a home to nesting kiwi, was felled without public consultation.

A tanker has arrived in Kawerau to provide residents with water after an E coli scare.

As we enter a new year, we caught up with several elected members from across the Eastern Bay to get their thoughts and reflections on the last year and the year ahead.

Matatā could become a Dark Sky Sanctuary, if one councillor's vision comes to fruition.

Election expenses for the Whakatāne district have been revealed, with some candidates sinking thousands into their campaigns and others nothing.

The Awakeri community can now rest easy knowing its war memorial hall has landed in safe hands.

Sulphur-damaged floodlights have been removed from the Kawerau Skate Park and BMX track due to concerns they could cause serious injury.

A small community is taking their fight against the expansion of a water bottling plant to the High Court.

Kawerau's local body election has shown that money doesn't necessarily buy votes. Three successful candidates spent nothing on their campaign.

Three Matatā homes have been removed with more to go as part of the council's managed retreat from area, making this the last Christmas many Awatarariki residents will spend in their homes.

Whakaari's devastating eruption was a tough start for newly minted Whakatāne mayor Judy Turner, but she says her community and iwi are stepping forward to support victims and their families.

Illegal rubbish dumping has cost ratepayers across the Eastern Bay nearly $90,000 in the last financial year.

In a split decision, the Environment Court has dismissed iwi and residents' appeals against the proposed expansion of the water bottling plant at Otakiri.

Murupara, Ruatoki and other rural areas are responsible for over 70 percent of Whakatane District Council's outstanding rates.

Rabbits burrowing into recent burial sites in Whakatane has distressed a regular visitor who wonders why the council chooses to leave them unplanted.