Recent Stories
We are pleased to bring you the latest from around the Taupō & Tūrangi communities. Reporting local, supporting local.
If you have news to share contact news@tauponews.co.nz
Hospital staffing revived
Taupō Hospital has more than double the number of Senior Medical Officers it had just over a year ago.
You’re not alone, says survivor
A Taupō man who has been battling one of the most aggressive forms of prostate cancer is now hoping to establish the town's first support group for men with the disease.
Fire destroys unique habitat
Last week’s fire at the Broadlands Road Geothermal Reserve has dealt a blow to a sensitive ecological area.
Priorities for another term
In the last of three profiles on the candidates for the Taupō Electorate, Upston admits both projects are not where they need to be.
Make your own choice says PM
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the government is not forcing amalgamation onto councils, and it is “up to you guys” what happens in Taupō.
The only way is up
Taupō's newest hotel is almost ready to open its doors. After almost four years of renovation, developer Murray Jones is putting the finishing touches on a 30-room hotel above Finns Bistro and Beer Garden on Tūwharetoa St. The next stage of the development will involve three apartments above Cobb & Co, attached to the new hotel.
Double unhappy for Taupō fireworks
The cost of putting on events looks like it will hit both of Taupō’s fireworks shows this year. The cancellation by the Taupō District Council of the town’s annual Big Bang New Year’s Eve fireworks display was last week being put down to costs and environmental concerns.
Top notch racing for Taupō’s first listed race
The biggest race at Taupō Racing Club didn’t disappoint on Sunday with a dramatic, come-from-behind win in the listed $100,000 Chittick Family Fillies Classic. It may have been snowing on the nearby mountains, with a chilly wind whipping across the course, but that didn’t deter hundreds of punters keen to see Taupō’s richest race unfold.
NZ extraordinary past
A second book by Taupō writer, Tom Clarke, has just been released. Entitled Great Tales of Aotearoa, it is the second in a series of books by the writer recounting forgotten or unknown stories from pioneering New Zealand and significant events from the early 20th century. Tom is a former journalist and before turning to writing non-fiction books, spent five decades working in broadcasting and media across TV, radio, print journalism, PR, marketing, and business management.
There’s something in the air
It’s back to the future for a local radio station in Taupō with a new face at the helm of Lake FM and Timeless Taupō.
In his mid-30’s Jesse is already something of a veteran in the radio industry having started announcing for Whakatane’s 1XX in 2008.
Geothermal boosts profit
Contact Energy has reported a record net profit of $423 million, driven by the acquisition of Manawa Energy and higher renewable generation, as it looks to future electricity demand with a proposed data centre development in Taranaki.
The ‘mack daddy’ of prizes
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.
Working with the trees
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.
The best in the business
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.
Local body musical chairs
Taupō mayor John Funnell is concerned debt-laden Waikato councils are eyeing up the district as a potential “cash cow”.
The Taupō District Council meets today to finalise its response to the Government’s Head Start process having been caught up in a late Western Waikato proposal.
Power shortage imminent
Transpower has issued a warning that there might be an energy shortfall on Friday morning.
It has put out a customer advice notice, which says a national energy shortfall or low residual generation had been identified on Friday from 7.30am until 8.30am.
Rotorua laments Taupō rebuff
Rotorua Lakes Council looks likely to pursue a proposed amalgamation with South Waikato District Council, with Mayor Tania Tapsell warning Taupō may regret its decision to pursue its own path.
Play hard, stay humble
Taupō’s newest rugby club has gone from relative easy beats to an unstoppable force in just seven years.
Taupō Marist Rugby Club’s premier team won the 2025 KCRU Waitomo Group Meads Shield on Saturday.
Wastewater floods into Waikato River
Last week’s flash flooding has raised several concerns over infrastructure in Taupō, including stormwater drains overwhelmed, and treated wastewater overflowing into the Waikato River.
Glad to be still kicking
Being told over the phone by my neurologist I likely had ‘six months to two years to live,’ was fairly sobering.
Yet, here I am, a little over 15 years later – fortunate to be still alive and kicking.
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