Media releases 2025

February 2025

• Project Future Proof: Stage Two gets underway
• Supporting Tauranga’s growth with a dedicated bus layover facility
• Regional Council agrees parameters to enable Port share sell down
• Regional Council celebrates the power of partnerships at Rangiuru Business Park milestone
• New fare system brings simplicity and balance to Bay of Plenty public transport
• ...

March 2025

• Feratox pest control substance found at Waiōtahe Beach: Recovery and disposal
• Fiona McTavish reappointed as Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chief Executive
• Challenging salvage operation recovers sunken boats from Lake Rotoiti

April 2025

• Durham Street bus stops move to improve access
• Baybus OnDemand fare changes confirmed
• The voices of Cutwater Road
• Smoke signals: A call for cleaner burning
• New wetland for popular Te Puke park
• ...

May 2025

• Spillway opening marks completion of major capital works for the Rangitāiki River
• Putting an economic value on the Kaimai Mamaku diverse ecosystems
• Baybus OnDemand changing the way we travel
• Paula Thompson resigns from Bay of Plenty Regional Council
• Mowing the lake: Tackling invasive lake weeds in Lake Rotoehu
• ...

June 2025

• Regional Council Chair Doug Leeder not seeking re-election
• Caring for the environment, caring for each other
• School-led sustainability projects set to roll out across the Bay
• Role of council on agenda at candidate information webinar
• Clams, seaweed and turtles included as part of refreshed Regional Pest Management Plan
• ...

July 2025

• Bike racks reinstated on Cityride buses in Rotorua
• Western Bay of Plenty moves closer to an infrastructure and growth partnership with the Government
• Baybus OnDemand stays on the road into 2026
• Restoring the Waitawa Stream
• Act today, don’t delay – Regional Council’s message to potential candidates
• ...

August 2025

• Candidates finalised for upcoming local body elections
• Stop, collaborate and listen: Creating space for good governance
• Rangatahi innovate for the future of te taiao
• Derelict boats in Tauranga Harbour a growing cost to ratepayers
• Lifelong coastal champions honoured with national award
• ...

September 2025

• The route to improvement
• Gentle reminder for whitebaiters to help look after flood protection structures
• Bay of Plenty urban bus fares updating from January 2026

October 2025

• Constructed wetlands project receives national award for environmental sustainability
• Bay of Plenty Regional Council purchases land to support Lake Rotorua water quality goals
• Regional Council secures second round of central government co-investment into flood protection
• New faces, new experience, new council
• Protecting people and the waterways this summer
• ...

November 2025

• Ōhope groundwater contamination
• Thank You Driver
• Te Mauri o Te Orini finds a home alongside the Whakatāne River