Articles by Kelly Makiha
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National
Rotorua homicide victim remembered as 'ray of sunshine'
Friday, 22 August 2025, 12:07pmA man who died at a Trigg Ave house in Rotorua this week is being remembered as a loved kapa haka performer who entertained...
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Crime
Twelve charged with murder in Zain Taikato-Fox case
Thursday, 21 August 2025, 3:44pmPolice have today charged 12 people for the murder of a Rotorua man last month – seven of those charged are from the small...
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National
Man in court for drugged driving causing toddler's death
Thursday, 14 August 2025, 1:56pmA man has appeared in the Rotorua District Court charged with drugged driving causing the death of a 2-year-old girl at Mamaku. The...
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National
Homeless woman blames medication for public sex act
Tuesday, 12 August 2025, 8:30pmA homeless woman has admitted doing an indecent act in a public place after she and a man were caught having sex near Rotorua’s...
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National
'Tragic consequences': Rhythm and Vines road-trip tragedy ends in court
Saturday, 9 August 2025, 8:12amJade Richards was only 20km from making it home safely to Rotorua after four nights partying at the Rhythm and Vines music...
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National
Family outraged as kuia's image used on Hobson's Pledge billboard without consent
Wednesday, 6 August 2025, 2:01pmThe family of a Rotorua kuia whose image was used on a Hobson’s Pledge billboard without her permission say the political...
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National
Man involved in daylight gang shooting breaches home detention
Tuesday, 5 August 2025, 3:36pmAn offender who vowed to change his ways and was spared a jail sentence for his role in a Rotorua gang shooting has breached...
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National
Snapchat predator raped teen while on bail for similar offending
Tuesday, 15 July 2025, 7:06amWarning: This story deals with details of sexual violence and may be distressing. A sexual predator who groomed a Rotorua...
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National
Tearful hunter admits shooting and killing friend
Saturday, 12 July 2025, 8:11amMark Kelvin Jefferson said the word “guilty” through tears as he admitted causing the death of a friend in a hunting incident. Stuart...
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National
'Horrible': Memorial for deaf, blind man killed in alleged hit-and-run is destroyed
Wednesday, 9 July 2025, 11:14amFlowers laid in tribute at the spot where a deaf and blind man was killed in an alleged hit-and-run in Rotorua have been...
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National
How a routine traffic stop exposed a Snapchat rapist who attacked a 13yo Rotorua girl
Tuesday, 8 July 2025, 9:17amWarning: This story deals with details of sexual assault and may be distressing. A 13-year-old Rotorua girl befriended by...
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Crime
Rotorua teen prostitution ring: Farmer and prostitute sentenced
Friday, 4 July 2025, 3:17pmWarning: Distressing content Two people involved in a Rotorua teen prostitution ring that has been described as “social dysfunction...
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National
Blind and deaf man dies after hit-and-run, police release new images of suspect
Thursday, 19 June 2025, 1:23pmThe blind and deaf man critically injured after a hit-and-run at a Rotorua pedestrian crossing has died. Paige Johnson was...
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National
CCTV of rider released after blind, deaf cancer survivor struck in hit-and-run
Tuesday, 17 June 2025, 3:44pmPolice have released a security camera image of a motorcyclist they say ran over a blind and deaf cancer survivor on Edmund...
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National
Rotorua hit-and-run victim was deaf, blind and a cancer survivor
Tuesday, 17 June 2025, 11:04amThe Rotorua man struck by a motorcyclist in a hit-and-run on Edmund Rd fought brain cancer as a child and is deaf and blind. The...
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National
'Bums in the air': Homeless in CBD 'pee' on cars, accused of doing drugs
Saturday, 7 June 2025, 1:40pmHomeless people camped in Rotorua’s CBD are behaving like “dogs”, doing drugs and peeing on cars and in doorways with “bums...
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National
Do not pass Go: Farmer, 75, must report to jail after losing appeal
Friday, 23 May 2025, 4:11pmWarning: Disturbing content Mangakino farmer Warren Koberstein must surrender to prison after losing his appeal against...
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National
'Drop-kick losers': Outrage as masked gang of trail bikers tear up kids' rugby fields
Friday, 16 May 2025, 7:09pmSix masked trail bike riders caused disruption at Rotorua rugby fields, intimidating parents and children. Parents attempted...
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National
Teen killer attempts to appeal murder conviction 23 years later
Thursday, 8 May 2025, 3:58pmJohn Michael Wharekura’s appeal against his murder conviction for killing Tanya Burr has been dismissed. Wharekura, who was...
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National
Tyre slashing spree: CCTV footage shows two girls, knife
Tuesday, 29 April 2025, 5:45pmCCTV footage shows two girls possibly involved in slashing tyres in central Rotorua. Police are working to identify the pair, with...
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National
Man charged with abducting 3-year-old from daycare
Thursday, 24 April 2025, 12:04pmWarning: This article contains distressing content. John Tekuru, 19, appeared in court today charged with abducting a 3-year-old...
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National
Sex crimes case: Appeal court declines man's bid to keep name secret
Thursday, 17 April 2025, 1:11pmThe leading entertainment figure found guilty of serious sexual assault charges will have his identity revealed next month,...
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National
Pattern of deception: Woman scams Facebook users
Sunday, 13 April 2025, 9:36amTania Joy Whiteman admitted scamming Facebook Marketplace users and selling stolen jewellery. Whiteman pleaded guilty to...
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National
Man’s drink-driving conviction overturned on appeal after lawyer, police errors
Saturday, 5 April 2025, 12:51pmA Whitianga man driving with more than twice the drink-driving limit in his father’s Jaguar has had his conviction quashed...
