Peter Fowler

An email circulated to senior Department of Conservation staff says the Minister Nick Smith wanted to see the submission DoC proposed to make on the Ruataniwha dam before it was lodged. Audio

Hundreds of tractors chugged into a field between Hastings and Havelock North for a lunchtime protest against the Hawke's Bay Regional Council's management of water. Audio

The Department of Conservation has raised serious red flags about a controversial Hawkes Bay dam but is keeping those concerns secret. Audio

Hawke's Bay agribusinesses have launched a political campaign to get rid of the incumbent regional councillors and install their own preferred candidates. Audio

A Mongrel Mob member has been arrested after a stabbing in the Napier courthouse this morning. Audio

The contenders for the Labour leadership focused on the Gisborne to Napier rail line, the proposed Ruataniwha Dam and even the Ranfurly Shield during the leadership candidates meeting in Hawke's Bay… Audio

Thousands of people have thronged the streets of Napier to congratulate the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team on winning the Ranfurly Shield for the first time in more than 40 years. Audio

Building owners in Hawke's Bay are asking why they are getting wild variations in engineers assessments of how earthquake-proof their buildings are. Audio

Some Napier businesspeople fear the city's art deco heritage may be lost due to new earthquake strengthening requirements. Audio

An East Coast iwi says it is looking at legal action and street protests over what it says is a lack of consultation with Maori over a proposed oil exploration site north of Gisborne. Audio

Egypt military clears protest camps in deadly raids; Pamapuria teacher to be sentenced today on sex-offence charges; Fonterra managing director falls on his sword; Real risk with Christchurch rates… Audio

Front line police say using new technology such as smartphones and tablets is allowing them to spend more time in the community fighting crime. Audio

An international expert on dams and earthquakes says dams the size of the proposed Ruataniwha water scheme in Hawke's Bay can trigger earthquakes. Audio

A Hawkes Bay Regional Council report says if the proposed 600-million-dollar Ruataniwha Dam failed in an earthquake it would have catastrophic consequences for the Central Hawke's Bay town of Waipawa.

A Hawke's Bay resident who stumbled onto a report detailing the catastrophic consequences for her town if a proposed dam is breached during a major quake, says she's horrified at the discovery. Audio

Maori have heralded the unveiling of 18 pou or carved poles during a dawn ceremony in Hastings this morning as an historic moment for the region. Audio

Central Hawke's Bay Maori say they will withdraw their support for the $600-million Ruataniwha dam if there's evidence it will be harmful to the environment. Labour MP's Maryan Street, Ruth Dyson and… Audio

A group opposed to oil drilling in Hawke's Bay says landowners are worried about oil and gas exploration permits granted in the area. Audio

A Flaxmere community leader says the welfare system is not working and more intervention is needed in the home to help people get jobs. Audio

A Hawke's Bay environment group says an important habitat of the endangered long tailed bat will be destroyed if the proposed $600 million Ruataniwha water storage dam goes ahead. Audio