Recent stories
We are pleased to bring you the latest from around the Taupō & Tūrangi communities. Reporting local, supporting local.
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Bright lights, big city
A group of senior dance students from Taupo-Nui-a-Tia College got the trip of a lifetime recently with a trip to Los Angeles and New York City.
Hangmen–dark and funny in turn
“I cannot believe I am laughing at something that two minutes earlier was so dark.”
Director Sharon Shanks describes Centre Stage’s upcoming production ‘Hangmen’ as beautifully written “about such a dark or intense subject, but then the playwright puts intense comedy into it as well.”
Tuning in to youth music
A day of learning and then presenting five pieces of music to a packed Great Lake Centre hall. The 2025 incarnation of Taupō School of Music’s Big Music Day also included the participation of six members of the Royal New Zealand Navy Band with Leading Musician Pricilla Scanlan conducting one of the pieces.
Winter Festival funds distributed
The 10th annual Malcolm Flowers Insurances Taupō Winter Festival has been hailed a huge success again this year, not only delivering a vibrant programme enjoyed by thousands, but also generating funds that are now going back into the community.
Upside down Taupō stamp fetches huge price
A New Zealand postage stamp has sold for $260,000 - the highest amount ever paid.
A moment of ‘Lunar Magic’
Local photographer Dave Gallacher took more than a passing interest in the recent Blood Moon.
Creative Taupō launches rebrand
One of Taupō District Council’s major strategic partnership initiatives which was awarded funding earlier this year is set to go public with its aim of supporting and growing the arts sector in the district.
Taupō artworks go public
Four Taupō artworks have been added to the National Register of 20th Century Public Art.
Taupō’s big day of music
The Taupō School of Music’s Big Music Day is back again - this time with a naval twist.
Everyone is invited
Taupō Museum latest exhibition Inclusive opens on Saturday, September 6.
College students take to the stage
Students from both Tauhara and Taupō-nui-a-Tia College will present pieces at the September midday concert.
Award winning splash of colour
The new Tūwharetoa and Taupō District Council administration building – He Whare Hono o Tūwharetoa – is one of four regional winners in the Architectural Design Awards.
Sister act does well in local one act play festival
Student directed and acted play ‘I Know This For Sure’ has won through from the first round of Theatre New Zealand’s annual TheatreFest competition and will now compete at a regional competition.
Colossal squid heads for Lake Taupō
The popular Te Papa exhibition Colossal Squid Ngu Tipua is coming to Taupō Museum next week.
Empowering the dragons
It may sound like a fantastical amalgam of serpent stories but ‘Leonardo’s Dragon: Five Far-flung Dragon Tales’ – award-winning Taupō author Donovan Bixley’s latest book – has emerged from a historical nugget.
Living the life in ‘La La Land’
Taupō’s Peter Winkelmann headed for the bright lights and excitement of Los Angeles in 2020 because he wanted to “go to the source” to learn how to be a screen actor.
Taonga weaved from ancestral wisdom
Taupō Museum is set to unveil Punarua, possibly the largest piupiu ever created, in its Aotearoa debut following a standout international premiere at the prestigious 2024 Biennale of Sydney.
Local music scene in good hands
Young Taupō musicians are celebrating after winning both the band and solo categories at the Rotorua Regional Smokefreerockquest final.
Boom Boom blows up in a media frenzy
Supposedly any publicity is good publicity.
Variety in evening concert
The Taupō Concert Band will once again assume an evening spot in the midday concert series with several members reinvigorated from attendance at May’s Bay of Plenty Music School.
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