News Whakatāne

09/10/2025

We’ve received reports of a road closure at the roundabout near Gull Service Station. Emergency services are at the scene. Thanks Chris for the photos.

05/10/2025

A tornado swept through Awakeri this afternoon, leaving a trail of damage along State Highway 30.

Emergency services were alerted just before 3pm after reports of severe weather hitting the area.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand confirmed that crews from Edgecumbe and Whakatāne were called to assist.

Northern communications shift manager Paul Radden said several properties had been damaged, with some homes losing their roofs as the tornado passed through.

We are getting multiple reports of a tornado in Awakeri.

Everyone okay out there?

Photo taken by Roz Anderson from Piripai

04/10/2025

One person has died and four others have been injured in a crash on Thornton Road near Matatā this morning.
Emergency services were notified of the crash involving two cars at 9.20am.
One person is reported to have serious injuries and three people have moderate injuries.
Thornton Road is closed at the intersections with Greig Road and West Bank Road.
The road is expected to remain closed for the next three to four hours.

BREAKING Reports of a serious crash on Thornton Road, by Walkers Rd, East of Matata township, road will be closed, diversions via Edgecumbe SH2 will be set up!

Emergency services are responding.

28/09/2025

The woman assisting Police with enquiries into a serious incident in Matatā on Saturday has now been charged.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Flax and Matatā Roads about 3.50pm, after a report of two people being injured by a third person while in a vehicle.

The vehicle left the road and crashed.

One of the victims died at the scene.

The second victim is in a stable condition in hospital.

The 35-year-old woman is due to appear in Whakatāne District Court today on charges of murder, and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Police enquiries are ongoing.

28/09/2025

Police are continuing to investigate after a person died during a serious incident in Matatā yesterday.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Flax and Matata Roads about 3.50pm, after a report of two people being injured by a third person while in a vehicle.

During the incident, the vehicle left the road and crashed.

Despite the best effort of emergency services, one of the victims died at the scene.

The second victim is in a stable condition in hospital.

The road was shut while a scene examination was completed and reopened about 2am today.

Detective Inspector Lewis Warner said enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

“This is a shocking event and we are still working to understand why this happened.

Police are providing the injured victim wraparound support, and support has been offered to the members of the public who were first on the scene and did everything they could to help.

“The victims are known to the alleged offender, but at this early stage we are limited in the detail that we can provide.

"A 34-year-old Rotorua woman is assisting us with our enquiries.”

27/09/2025

One person has died, and another has been injured, after a serious incident in Matatā this afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Flax and Matatā Roads about 3.50pm, after a report of two people having been injured by a third person while in a vehicle.

The vehicle has then left the road and crashed.

Emergency services have carried out CPR on one of the victims, however sadly they have died at the scene.

The second victim was transported to hospital with moderate injuries.

The alleged offender was arrested at the scene.

A scene examination is now underway, and the road is expected to remain closed for some time.

Diversions are in place, and motorists are asked to avoid the area.

Emergency are at the scene of a serious incident at the intersection of Flax Rd and Matata Road (SH2), Matata, this afternoon.

Police were called about 3.50pm.

One person has been taken into custody in relation to the matter.

The road is closed, with diversions in place.

Motorists should avoid the area.

19/09/2025

That was a decent amount of hail!! These pics were taken at Poroporo. Thanks Lily 😊 did anyone else manage to capture the deluge?

01/09/2025

🚒 Whakatāne Volunteer Fire Brigade Needs Your Help! 🚒

🚒 Whakatāne Volunteer Fire Brigade Needs Your Help! 🚒

We are on the lookout for old cars that can be donated for use in our motor vehicle accident training. These vehicles play a huge role in helping our team practice important rescue skills that keep our community safe.

✅ We can arrange pickup of the vehicle to make things easy.
✅ Cars don’t need to be running – just something we can cut up and train with.

If you or someone you know has an old vehicle to part with, please get in touch via message or drop a comment below.

Your donation could help us save lives in the future. 🙏

31/08/2025

Yay!!!!!!!

30/08/2025

Congratulations to Ōpōtiki’s new millionaire!

Just three weeks ago, a Christchurch couple took home $20.25m.

18/08/2025

Emergency services are currently at the the scene of a house fire in Awatapu. The road has been cordoned near Farnsworth Cres.

15/08/2025

👨‍🚒🔥After five weeks supporting wildfire efforts in Manitoba, Canada, we’re proud to welcome home our 43-person Bravo Team, which includes our two Eastern Bay Firefighters 👩‍🚒🔥

Ngā mihi nui to our Bravo Team, thank you for your work, we know your whānau will be glad to have you home. ❤

Stay tuned for more updates as our Charlie and Delta Teams continue their deployments. 🔥

📸: Bravo contingent photographed with New Zealand High Commissioner to Canada, Her Excellency Cecile Hillyer.

After five weeks supporting wildfire efforts in Manitoba, Canada, we’re proud to welcome home our 43-person Bravo contingent.

This team brought their skills, strength, and spirit to the front lines of the Cross Lake fire, working alongside Canadian crews in tough conditions. Their mahi has made a real impact, and we’re grateful for the professionalism and dedication they showed every step of the way.

Ngā mihi nui to our Bravo team — thank you for your work, we know your whānau will be glad to have you home. ❤

Stay tuned for more updates as our Charlie and Delta teams continue their deployments. 🔥

📸: Bravo contingent photographed with New Zealand High Commissioner to Canada, Her Excellency Cecile Hillyer.