Robin Martin
Taranaki students fuming over dropped arts courses
Western Institute of Technology has announced it will not be offering a new suite of art and design courses this year, a decision that has left prospective students fuming. Video, Audio
Cows blamed for closure of popular swimming holes
Dairy cows have been blamed for the high E. coli levels which have forced the closure of popular Patea River swimming holes in Stratford for more than a month. Video, Audio
Weather: Taranaki hit by storm Fehi
At Port Taranaki the lee breakwater, public boat ramp and carpark will remain closed on Friday to allow for emergency repairs. Meanwhile Civil Defence says the properties threatened by the high tide… Audio
Waitara residents urged to stay away from homes ahead of high tide
Residents of about 30 properties at East Beach in Waitara are being asked to stay away from their homes ahead of the high tide at about midnight. Robin Martin spoke to some of them. Video, Audio
The West Coast and Taranaki grapple with rough weather
RNZ's Robin Martin calls into the show from Taranaki where about 30 homes have been evacuated and residents will have to spend the night away from their houses. Audio
New Plymouth mayor sorry over freedom campers influx
New Plymouth has done a flip-flop on its open-door freedom camping policy and is to ban campers from the popular Waiwhakaiho river mouth, and apologised for allowing them to stay there this summer… Audio
Battle lines drawn in New Plymouth golf course sale
Battlelines are being drawn over the proposed carve up of a public golf course in New Plymouth. Mayor Neil Holdom says the council could raise up to $50 million by selling off half the Fitzroy Golf… Audio
Fears for drought-stricken farmers well-being
Fears are growing for the well-being of South Taranaki farmers as drought conditions look set to continue into traditionally the driest part of the summer. Video, Audio
School scraps fees and donations to relieve pressure
The principal of a Taranaki school which has become the latest to scrap voluntary fees and donations says he hopes it will relieve pressure on struggling families. Video, Audio
Freedom camping bylaw's backfired - New Plymouth residents
The Waiwhakaiho rivermouth has been overrun since a new, and more relaxed freedom camping bylaw was introduced late last year, putting a popular reserve and surf spot under pressure. Video, Audio
Rural medical training programme aims to help fix doctor shortage
Eighteen year-five medical students from Auckland University are being trained at Hawera Hospital, and it's hoped some will return to the province to work. Video, Audio
Taranaki tourism booming off back of Lonely Planet gong
Taranaki is enjoying a tourism boom after the travel bible Lonely Planet named it the second best region in the world to visit in 2017. But while visitor numbers are up and they're spending more, not… Audio
Signal fire evokes outbreak of Taranaki wars
Descendents of the original Maori owner of a disputed hill in New Plymouth, have lit a bonfire on it, warning prospective developers of their continued guardianship of Moungaroa, also known as Blagdon… Audio
Waitara leaseholders fear being forced out of their homes
Leases in the Taranaki town have gone from an average of $400 annually to about $4700 - an increase of more than 1000 percent. Video, Audio
Council tells homeowners to protect themselves from ocean
Residents of Onaero say the New Plymouth council's refusal to complete a rockwall at the North Taranaki beach settlement is leaving them at the mercy of the ocean. Video, Audio
Freedom Camping bylaw riles locals
In a surprise move, New Plymouth District Council has scrapped an existing ban on freedom camping in vehicles without toilets and tossed out proposed limits on the number of motorhomes at sensitive… Audio
Māori upset at New Plymouth landmark being put up for sale
Chorus has put Blagdon Hill, or Moungaroa, on the market, but New Plymouth Māori say the company should have spoken to them first. Video, Audio
Sixty year old symbol of friendship poisoned in Taranaki
Authorities in Taranaki are investigating the poisoning of a Pohutukawa planted by two air force veterans as a symbol of friendship in 1951. Video, Audio
Proposal to sell half of New Plymouth golf course angers locals
New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom says selling half of his city's public golf course to develop upmarket housing could earn up to $50m, which could offset rates bills and pay for vital infrastructure. Video, Audio
Traditional Samoan tattooing attracts huge interest
Traditional Samoan hand-tapped tattooing was one of the star attractions at the New Zealand Tattoo and Art Festival in New Plymouth this weekend. Exponents of the ancient art attracted huge crowds at… Audio
