On The Up: Napier’s Paisley Stage to Host New Monthly Hawke’s Bay Blues Nights
The Hawke’s Bay Blues Club will host a curated blues night each month at Napier’s Paisley Stage, beginning May 6. Each event gives local musicians a 20‑minute slot to showcase a range of blues styles, from Chicago to a‑cappella. Founder David McCall, a recent transplant from Gisborne, aims to create an accessible, educational environment with $5 tickets and future membership options. He envisions the club eventually drawing national and international talent while nurturing young musicians’ improvisational skills.
Four Admit Manslaughter of Homeless Man Boy Taylor in Napier, but Deny Murdering Him
Four men—Tuarima Alexander, Rua Hune, Takarangi Kumar and a suppressed‑identity defendant—have pleaded guilty to manslaughter but deny murder in the death of 58‑year‑old homeless man Boy Taylor in Napier. The two‑minute assault, captured on more than 40 hours of CCTV,...
Hawkes Bay Expressway Four-Lane Upgrade Right on Track, with a Little Help From the Cyclone Silt
New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay Expressway four‑lane expansion remains on schedule, with completion targeted for 2029. The $600 million (≈$360 million USD) project, part of the Roads of National Significance programme, will duplicate bridges and add a grade‑separated interchange along a 7‑km stretch...
A Bachelor in a Bach: Mahanga Design a Contemporary Charmer
Mahanga Bach, a contemporary‑traditional holiday home in Hawke’s Bay, earned the 2020 housing award from the New Zealand Institute of Architects’ Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay chapter. Designed by architect Harry Croucher of Edwards White, the off‑grid property blends solar power, gas...
Hastings Councillor Threatens Legal Action over Water Services Entity Plan
Hastings District Councillor Gary Gibson has threatened a judicial review to stop the rollout of a new water services entity, arguing that the proposed board – three councillors, three iwi representatives and three appointed experts – was not fully disclosed...
Hawke’s Bay First Prostate LDR Brachytherapy Patient Back on Motorbike Within Weeks
In February 2026, Nick Mardle became Hawke’s Bay’s first patient to receive low‑dose‑rate (LDR) brachytherapy for prostate cancer, a minimally invasive internal radiotherapy previously only offered in Christchurch and Tauranga. The three‑hour outpatient procedure allowed him to resume motorbike riding...
On The Up: Napier Hairstyling Workshop Aiming to Bond Dads and Daughters
EIT hairdressing tutor Courtney Cook is launching a Daddy‑Daughter Hairstyling workshop in Napier on 26 April. The two‑and‑a‑half‑hour session costs $40 NZD (about $24 USD) and will accommodate eight dads with daughters aged 4‑10. Participants will learn three hairstyles—ponytails, braids and buns—while receiving...
Central Hawke’s Bay Mum Has Leg Removed in Fight Against Clear Cell Sarcoma Pain
Alicia Brough, a Central Hawke’s Bay mother, had her right leg amputated to excise a stage‑four clear cell sarcoma that had metastasized to her lungs and lymph nodes. After a three‑week Keytruda regimen in Mexico caused type 1 diabetes and liver...
Whistleblower Sparks Investigation Into Health New Zealand’s Medical Scanning Services
A protected disclosure by consultant radiologist Dr. Bryan Wolf has triggered an independent inquiry into Health New Zealand’s radiology services, led by former Solicitor‑General Michael Heron KC. The board confirmed the investigation after earlier reports revealed patient harm from outdated...
Fresh Probe Into Handling of Former Xero Chief Executive Sir Rod Drury Misconduct Complaint
Xero has launched an independent review of misconduct allegations made by former junior employee Ally Naylor against ex‑CEO Sir Rod Drury. The complaint, first raised in 2016 and formally filed in 2017, resurfaced after Drury received a knighthood and the New Zealander of...
Dannevirke’s Elderly Safer-Driving Course Enabling Independence
Age Concern Palmerston North launched a "Staying Safe" refresher course for drivers aged 65 and older in Dannevirke, aiming to update seniors on recent road‑code changes and renew driving confidence. The classroom‑based program, supported by the NZ Transport Agency, covers...
NZME Celebrates Nominations at Voyager Media Awards
NZME, the owner of the NZ Herald and seven regional papers, has earned a sweeping set of nominations at the 2026 Voyager Media Awards. The company is in contention for top honors such as Digital News Provider of the Year, Metropolitan...
Tiniroto Rd Safety Fears Grow as Rural Gisborne Residents Report Hundreds of Potholes
Residents along Tiniroto Road in rural Gisborne have taken matters into their own hands, filling hundreds of deep potholes with gravel as council repairs stall. Gisborne District Council says permanent resurfacing is on hold until cyclone‑recovery work and the Hangaroa...
Flaxmere Plan Will Extend Road Through Middle of Village as Part of Redevelopment
TW Group plans to extend Henderson Road through Flaxmere, creating a north‑south corridor that links the village centre to a new Woolworths supermarket slated for mid‑2026. The redevelopment will replace most existing structures with affordable housing, upgraded retail, parks and...
R.E.I.D Wellbeing Program’s Reach Extends to 28 Hawke’s Bay Schools
The R.E.I.D Wellbeing Program now serves 28 Hawke’s Bay schools, reaching over 12,000 students with software tools that promote emotional wellbeing and mental‑health resilience. The program is backed by the Reid O’Leary Charitable Trust, which urges modest community donations—about $6...