Nine To Noon Around the motu: Robin Martin RNZ's reporter in Taranaki
Mar 30, 2026
Robin Martin, RNZ reporter based in Taranaki covering local stories and community life. He talks about the landmark Ngāmutu marae project and what it means for local identity. He outlines investigators’ findings on the Tongariro fire’s cause and ecological recovery. He also celebrates the Opunake theatre revival after community fundraising.
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Ngāti Te Whiti Rebuilds A City Marae
- Ngāti Te Whiti hapū have started building Ngāmutu marae at Port Taranaki after 150 years without a functioning marae in New Plymouth city.
- Groundbreaking began for a $15m staged build; phase one aims to finish in ~15 months with a wharenui for 80 and wharekai for 100, and public visibility for civic welcomes.
Project Resilience After Embezzlement Setback
- The marae project recovered from major setbacks including embezzlement and ballooning costs from ~$4.5–6m to $15m.
- Despite past theft by a former chief executive, the hapū raised $9m so far and adapted plans for staged and dual-use spaces to proceed.
Fire Traced To Vehicle Dragging On Road
- Investigators concluded the large Tongariro fire started when a vehicle dragged on a rim and showered sparks, igniting dry roadside vegetation.
- Forensic scrape-mark and magnetic testing linked the damaged undercarriage to the fire's ignition near State Highways 40/47.