There’s gold in them thar hills and it’s the doggie kind.

Golden retriever meets have become a global phenomenon in recent years and Taupō’s Lynda Gulbransen is making it happen right here in Taupō.

A Taupō couple who won $1million in Lotto on the weekend say they will pay off the mortgage and buy a ute that has cup holders. 

The pair, who wish to remain anonymous, are regular players who have been playing their own numbers for more than 20 years. In last Wednesday’s draw, they won some bonus lines. 

The new manager at Craters of the Moon is encouraging locals to come back for another look at the geothermal park in Wairakei. It’s fitting that Pip Dixon has a background in emergency response management, tourism management and regional council work in Hawkes Bay. 

Tama Blackburn sees himself as a weaver, bringing together the many strands of passion and care for the Pureora Forest Park and surrounding areas, to produce something everyone is proud of. 

Tama, 41, is DOC’s Project Co-Lead for Pureora, a relatively new role in the department’s Maniapoto team.  

Richie Stokes has clocked up four decades with Taupō Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR).

He joined the group in January 1986, bringing a strong hunting and outdoors background that helped strengthen search and rescue capability across the central North Island.

Taupō's Stella Awards are back, with 47 finalists announced this week and a public vote introduced for the first time. 

Organiser Julie McLeod says the awards recognise businesses that deliver outstanding customer experience at every point in the process — from the first social media scroll to the time the customer walks out the door.