Recent stories
We are pleased to bring you the latest from around the Taupō & Tūrangi communities. Reporting local, supporting local.
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Answering the call
Taupō’s Anneke Jacoba Dinnington has been honoured with a King’s Service Medal in the New Year Honours List 2026.
The cost of getting elected
Mayoral winner John Funnell and runner-up Zane Cozens were the big spenders in last year’s local body election race.
Kids on the frontline of clam fight
There’s an environmental disaster looming and people are being encouraged to grab their phones and start filming.
Christmas spirit alive and well
Dozens of children in Tūrangi got a Christmas present his year thanks to the last-minute generosity of the Rotary Club on Tūrangi and The Warehouse Taupō.
Sailing into 2026
From the editor Dan Hutchinson: Survive ‘till ‘25’ was the call this time last year and that was always going to be too many punctuation marks.
Market returns to Northcroft Reserve
Kaz Cederwall, owner operator of Market Central says the local market and its summer evening add-on – Dinner at the Lake – is going from strength to strength.
It’s glow time
The town fireworks fizzled at Guy Fawkes’ leaving a community group holding a huge cache of glowing rings, bracelets, wands and ‘Thunder Sticks’. Taupō Community Patrol uses glow-stick sales as its main fundraiser each year, so now it’s setting sights on New Year fireworks celebrations, with a stall on Titiraupenga Street, not far from the prime lakefront viewing areas.
Change of guard for VGLT
The JB behind VGLT is stepping sideways.
A message from the Mayor
Newly-elected Taupō District Mayor John Funnell took up the mayoralty in October after a career as a rescue helicopter pilot and business owner. He shares his reflections on his first two months.
Christmas ‘angels’ hard at work
The ‘Awhina Christmas Angels’ have been hard at work this week sorting hundreds of donated Christmas presents to give to children all over the district.
Tūrangi spared rooftop mayhem
Threatened black-billed gulls are again nesting on the rooftops in Tūrangi town centre, but the town shouldn't see a return of previous disruptions.
Service with a smile
People are getting a little more than fast food when they turn up to the drive through at McDonalds Taupō these days.
Learning with a twist
The opening of a new Northern Health School (Te Kura Awhina Ora o te Raki) classroom in Taupō marks a significant milestone for the local unit, says teacher and unit leader Maaike Clapcott.
Tauhara student leaders look ahead to 2026
Tauhara College’s head students for 2026, Maya Williams and Harrison Pool and deputies Angela Schur and Isaiah Apiti feel it is good to already have the support of students, evidenced by winning through the selection process.
Head students ready to help out
Taupō-nui-a-Tia College’s head students for 2026, Leroy Walker and Samara Thatcher and deputies Will Mortimer and Adah Williams are glad to have got through the selection process.
‘Belief’ builds $10 million fund
A vision that began with a conversation nearly two decades ago has now grown into a $10 million success story
The healing power of trout fishing
A global trout-fishing movement for those undergoing treatment or living with cancer is providing relief for Kiwi men.
The house built with love
The community came, it built a house and now Hospice is $220,000 better off.
Rescuers seek night vision superpower
Superpowers are not cheap but the crew of Greenlea Rescue Helicopter really want to see in the dark.
Top students set sights on the future
Tauhara College dux for 2025 Mikayla Turley was “definitely surprised” to get the top student award.
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