Recent Stories
We are pleased to bring you the latest from around the Taupō & Tūrangi communities. Reporting local, supporting local.
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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.
High up in the search results
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.
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.
Central NI councils left in limbo
Taupō District Council’s decision not to submit an amalgamation proposal has had a knock-on effect for other councils in the wider area.
Snow days are good days
Skiers and snowboarders are already queuing up to take advantage of early season snowfall on Mt Ruapehu.
Supercars spend-up
Supercars estimates its first double header in Taupō and Christchurch resulted in a visitor spend of $21.4 million.
Sika move could boost tourism
The new Herd of Special Interest status of the Kaimanawa and Kaweka sika deer population could have positive effects on local tourism, Destination Great Lake Taupō says.
Possible fireball crosses central North Island
People have reported seeing bright flashes of light and hearing thunderous booms as a fireball crossed over the lower North Island.
Taupō exit sinks merger plan
Rotorua has been left without an amalgamation partner after a previously “locked in” agreement with South Waikato fell apart weeks before councils must submit their proposals under the Government’s local government reform programme.
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.
Central North Island jolted awake
A strong earthquake jolted the central North Island early on Saturday.
GeoNet said the 'severe' magnitude 5.9 quake happened around five kilometres southwest of Taumarunui at 4.51am.
Tūrangi co-governance in the firing line
A Co-Governance committee in Tūrangi is to be scrapped under new Government legislation.
Crossing the river
A new suspension bridge over the Tongariro River is taking shape with almost 70 tonnes of concrete poured and towers set to be erected.
Food for thought on conservation
The Sika deer population in the Kaweka and Kaimanawa Forest Parks is to be managed differently to the wider conservation estate.
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.
Thinking outside the box
A new suburb at the southern end of Taupō township has taken a decidedly Scandinavian approach to lifestyle and town planning.
Playing with fire
The Malcolm Flowers Taupō Winter Festival is in full swing with Taupō’s very own fire artists adding to a spectacular opening evening.
The big bang of 1996
When Ruapehu erupted on September 23, 1995, Korty Wilson wasn't afraid.
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