Stories by Robin Martin
News
Author captures Motunui Epa's epic journey across the globe
The story of five carved tōtara panels once hidden in a Taranaki swamp before being stolen and taken to New York, Geneva and London is the subject of a new book launched in New Plymouth.
Independent oversight needed on remediation of chemical plant site - advocate
A dioxin researcher says a close eye will need to be kept on the global chemicals company's promise to clean up a controversial plant in New Plymouth.
New Plymouth mayor convinced controversial chemical plant contaminated
New Plymouth mayor Neil Holdom says he'll be insisting the new owners of a controversial Paritutu agrichemical plant fulfil commitments made to thoroughly test and clean up the site.
Protesters attempt to buy site, Land Information says it's not for sale
Opponents of the Mt Messenger bypass project in Taranaki are claiming they have bought an old section of state highway they were trespassed from earlier this month.
New Plymouth embracing power of song as choirs hit the streets
More than 200 singers will perform at three different locations before coming together to sing as one at the Puke Ariki landing, a part of Spiegel Fest.
NZ's largest oil and gas operator to cease production for energy use by 2050
New Zealand's largest oil and gas operator, OMV, says it will reduce fossil fuel production by 20 percent by 2030 and cease production for energy use by 2050.
Decision to terminate Maari deal commercial - NZ Petroleum & Minerals
The oil and gas exploration regulator says it was still considering a deal to transfer the Maari oil field from OMV to Jadestone Energy when the companies withdrew their applications.
$50m Maari oil field deal terminated amid regulatory uncertainty
Jadestone Energy and OMV have agreed to terminate a deal for Jadestone to acquire 69 percent of the Maari oil field off the coast of Taranaki.
'Worst landlord': Homeowner claims Kāinga Ora told her to move to avoid unruly neighbours
An Auckland homeowner who says she was advised to sell up and move out to get away from unruly Kāinga Ora neighbours has taken a complaint to the Ombudsman.
Remote working trend contributing to Taranaki property boom
A Covid effect appears to be behind Taranaki bucking the trend of sliding property prices - at least for now.
Garden Festival offers 'sensory experience' for blind and low vision visitors
For the first time in its 35 year history the Taranaki Garden Festival is offering a tour specifically designed for the blind and those with low vision.
Kāinga Ora under fire for 'broken' promises
A Christchurch woman says the housing agency broke a promise to only house tenants with unblemished records in her neighbourhood.
Public outcry over Taranaki Cathedral whare shocks Dean
An outcry over the contemporary Māori design of the new whare at Taranaki Cathederal in New Plymouth has shocked its Dean.
An exciting mystery: Kākā makes return to 'dead zone'
It has been decades since the distinctive calls of the cheeky native parrot have been heard in New Plymouth, but the bird is back. Audio
'Her nerves are shattered': Mother forced to use hotels to get a break from neighbours
An elderly mother feels unsafe in her own home because of problems with the Kāinga Ora tenants next door, which began about three years ago.
Exploring the 'good, bad and the ugly' of Taranaki heritage
The first Taranaki Heritage Month is being praised for being brave enough to tackle darker elements of the province's colonial history.
Fears of 'a bad heritage outcome' if historic nurses home not restored
Heritage Taranaki is calling for the government to step in and save the historic Barrett St Nurses Home in New Plymouth.
'It's unsellable' - Family in six-year battle to save home
A New Plymouth mayoral candidate is calling on the council to honour a commitment it gave to help a family caught in a six-year wrangle with a property developer.
'Powerful' news images up for auction
Heavyweight bidders have been manoeuvring behind the scenes ahead of this afternoon's charity auction of more than 100 examples of New Zealand's finest photo-journalism.
Threats, rates and mullets in spotlight at feisty mayoral debate
One New Plymouth mayoral candidate was banned from today's debate for allegedly making threats against the media, while another has dropped out of the contentious race.
Family lucky to be alive after being caught in slip, but miss seeing dying relative
A Taranaki family making a last-minute dash to see a dying relative say they are lucky to be alive after their car was caught in a massive slip near Urenui on State Highway 3.
New Plymouth mayor fears site may harbour a 'cocktail of chemicals'
There needs to be independent oversight of multi-national agrichemical company Corteva's promised testing of its controversial Paritutu site in New Plymouth, mayor Neil Holdom says.
A purr-fect ending for Rio's two-week tree adventure
A Whanganui moggy has used up one of its nine lives and gotten a new nickname after being rescued from a Phoenix palm in Gonville where it was stuck for more than two weeks.
Taranaki Retreat marks fifth anniversary
Not long after completing a mental health qualification a New Plymouth barber realised the perfect place to use his new skills was at his barber's chair.
Te reo advocate Hana Te Hemara celebrated in mural
A five-storey mural of te reo advocate Hana Te Hemara will be unveiled in Ngāmotu / New Plymouth this week as part of celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the Māori language petition to…