Robin Martin
Mayoral candidate threatens to move local rough sleeper
A rough sleeper in Hawera has unwittingly found himself front and centre of the South Taranaki mayoralty race.
Mayoral aspirant Craig Baylis says if he has his way the man known to most locals simply… Audio
Former police officer jailed for stealing $500k from his hapu
Members of a Te Atiawa hapu have stood up in a Taranaki court room to pour scorn on a former police senior sergeant who stole almost a half a million dollars from his own relatives. Many were in tears… Audio
Legendary back country pub on the market for $2.1m
If you've ever fancied owning one of New Zealand's archetypal back country pubs now's your chance. Whangamomona Hotel in eastern Taranaki is more than 110 years old, and it's on the market for a cool… Audio
Tornado slams woman into house
A woman has a suspected broken collarbone after being slammed into the side of her home during a tornado in New Plymouth this morning. Video, Audio
Port Taranaki boss praises staff for rescue effort
The head of operations at Port Taranaki, Ashley McDonald, has praised the quick actions of staff who rescued a man swept out to sea off a New Plymouth beach today. He spoke to reporter Robin Martin. Audio
Len Lye visitor numbers plummet after door charge introduced
Attendance to the Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth has more than halved a year after a controversial door charge was introduced for out-of-town visitors. Audio
Whanganui migrant advocate rebukes iwi leader over comments
A Whanganui migrant advocate says local Maori should concentrate on dragging themselves out of poverty rather than worrying about the small number of refugees due to be resettled in the city.
But… Audio
New Plymouth council roofing project blows budget
Questions are being asked about the $2 million blowout of a roofing and maintenance project at the New Plymouth District Council.
Nicknamed the "purple palace", the council building has been swathed… Audio
Permanent resident threatened with deportation over e-visa fail
A 78-year-old New Zealand permanent resident says she feared being deported back to the UK after officials in Brisbane couldn't read her electronic visa. And she says staff at the airport scoffed at… Audio
Electric blanket fire a timely reminder – Fire Service
A Taranaki woman says she's lucky to be alive after an electric blanket burst into flames on the bed she and her baby were lying in. The 24-year-old and her one-year-old son escaped unscathed, but… Video, Audio
Need for letters and e-visa raises questions
Questions are being asked about Immigration New Zealand issuing electronic permanent resident visas and, in the same breath, insisting people carry a letter confirming they have those very same visas.
…Trucks trample on Taranaki woman's hotel dream
A Taranaki photographer says her dream to refurbish an old hotel in Normanby has been ruined because of the constant noise of heavy vehicles rolling past her front door. Video, Audio
Coroner, family call for road-side drug testing
A family who lost three people in a horrific car crash almost exactly one-year ago say it's time for the government to stop dragging its feet on roadside drug testing. The family's call comes after… Audio
Citizen scientists undertake first survey of Taranaki penguin
A first of its kind study of little blue penguin in North Taranaki is being credited with giving the at-risk bird a better chance of survival in the region. "Finding Little Blue" is the brainchild of… Video, Audio
Parishoners divided over plans for NZ's oldest stone church
Final plans have been revealed for the earthquake strengthening and redevelopment of New Zealand's oldest stone church - the Taranaki Cathedral in New Plymouth. Audio
Priscilla costumes make splash in New Plymouth
More than a decade after they appeared in London's West End, the award-winning costumes from the musical Priscilla - Queen of the Desert are gracing the stage of the Showplace in New Plymouth. Video, Audio
Yarrow Stadium deal approved amid 'blackmail' claims
Amid accusations of "blackmail' and "bullying" an extra-ordinary meeting of the New Plymouth council has approved a $50 million repair and upgrade to the quake-prone Yarrow Stadium.
Not doing so… Audio
Pop culture time-capsule mystery solved
The McIsaac sisters, Ann and Peggy, travelled from Stratford and Auckland respectively today to be reunited with their childhood home - and the wall-to-wall posters they put up as kids. Video, Audio
Waitara land sales 'unfair' - leaseholders
The cost to Waitara leaseholders of settling one of New Zealand's longest running land disputes is becoming clearer - and many are not happy about it.
They say the prices they are being quoted to buy… Audio
Renos reveal pop-culture treasure trove
A 1960s pop-culture treasure trove has been uncovered during the renovations of a turn of the century (1901) villa in New Plymouth. When Katey Pittwood removed gib lining a bedroom in the Lemon Street… Audio
