Recent stories
We are pleased to bring you the latest from around the Taupō & Tūrangi communities. Reporting local, supporting local.
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Kinloch Kindy takes first step
A generous gift from a developer and an innovative use of development contributions by the Taupō District Council means a new kindergarten for Kinloch is almost a reality.
High School Musical treads Tauhara’s boards
The much-loved story of High School Musical will be top billing at Tauhara College in early June.
All aboard the walking bus
Students arrive at school to a warm welcome after taking part in the Wednesday Challenge.
Keeping an eye on Taupō
Earth Sciences New Zealand opened its doors to local students last week for Earth Day, showcasing the advanced research capabilities housed at its Taupō laboratory.
Country school going strong after 70 years
When Mihi School opened 70 years ago, Lesley Handcock, Stephen Neville and David Leslie were amongst the first students to walk through the door.
Messages provide boost to athletes
Taupō primary schools have been given barbecues as a thankyou to pupils who wrote more than 1,500 motivational letters to welcome athletes to this year’s Anzco Foods Ironman New Zealand.
Youths charged with arson
Police have charged two youths with arson following a fire that destroyed Taupō-Nui-a-Tia’s N Block on Sunday.
Taking confidence to a new level
Tūrangi teen Amy Smith has completed two Blue Light programmes, and her coinfidence is sky-high.
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.
Budding scientist beats the odds
This year’s dux at Taupō-nui-a-Tia College has overcome a major obstacle to gain the top award.
A legacy of teaching and sport
Alongside a 35-year career in teaching, including 18 years as principal of Waipahihi Primary School, Bevan Arthur Choat will be remembered in Taupō for his unceasing dedication to reporting on sport in the district and recording its history.
Taupō awash with junior rugby players
Thousands of junior rugby players kick-started their school holidays in style by taking part in the country’s largest junior rugby festival in Taupō over the weekend.
Seeking a sporting chance
The journey of Amelia Twiss (13) and George Fisher (12) to draw attention to what homeschoolers see as unsporting treatment has resulted in a very public lesson in politics and geography.
Orienteering’s Big Day Out
About 450 primary and intermediate school students from ten schools in the Taupō and surrounding districts took part in an Orienteering Big Day Out at Owen Delany Park on June 25.
Bird is the word at this show
We couldn’t feature all the events going on over the next three weeks, but we couldn’t resist Taupō’s very own puppeteering, amateur ornithologist Jeffrey Addison.
Movie night funds sevens trip
There is only a slight parallel between the 1993 film Cool Runnings which depicts the Jamaican bobsleigh team’s efforts to get to the 1988 Winter Olympics and a team of college girls from Taupō heading to Hong Kong to play sevens.
Boys’ basketball team riding high
Basketball coach Darryl (Daz) Karipa may not be sure how far his 2025 Lake Taupō Basketball Under 16 boys’ team will get in their basketball journey but he’s hoping they will have developed assured, confident personalities along the way.
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.
Retracing the ancestors’ journey
A 20-strong kapa haka group from Taupō-nui-a-Tia College, including one Tauhara College student, will head to Rarotonga on a journey of reconnection in late June and early July.
Strong prospects for Taupō tri-sport
Tri-Sport Taupō Junior Development Team has had a summer of success, capped off with outstanding results at the recent Secondary School Triathlon Nationals.
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