Regional News from Monday, October 5th, 2026

Bay of Plenty residents could expect a warmer and drier-than-usual spring, with a strong El Niño event expected to influence weather patterns through to the end of the year.

Whakatāne District Council has postponed public consultation on how drinking water, stormwater and wastewater services will be delivered, after two neighbouring councils paused consideration of a proposed shared water services organisation.

Kawerau’s Mountain View Rest Home is set for a major heating and emergency preparedness upgrade, after securing more than $150,000 from Trust Horizon.

Police are urgently renewing their appeal for information to help confirm the safety and whereabouts of two people who entered the Ōtara River in Ōpōtiki early Sunday morning and have not yet been located.