Regional News from Thursday, March 19th, 2026

An interactive online map has been launched to help communities in the Whakatāne District better understand how climate change could affect where they live.

Police said the fatal crash has left the road closed since around 7am this morning.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand received multiple calls about a building fire in Maraetotara around 5:03am on Friday.

NZTA said from Monday the gorge will be open from 6am to 8pm daily, with only stop/go traffic management in place.

Motorists heading to Gisborne will have to use an alternative route following a serious crash on State Highway 2/Matawai Road, Waipaoa this morning.

East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick said the community is "rightly concerned about the state of the Pekatahi Bridge," as the existing bridge deck deteriorates but significant maintenance is coming.

Whakatāne District Council have opened applications for a reference group to assist planning long term urban expansion of Awakeri.

East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick said the projects provide more jobs and growth opportunities in the geothermal sector, with Eastland Generations' TOPP2 geothermal plant opening tomorrow.

Discussions with community stakeholders will begin today after Auckland University’s Whakatāne Geothermal Temperature Gradient Well Programme received $3 million in Government funding earlier this week.