Recent stories
We are pleased to bring you the latest from around the Taupō & Tūrangi communities. Reporting local, supporting local.
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The gift that keeps on giving
In 1887, the then paramount chief of Ngāti Tūwharetoa Horonuku Te Heuheu Tukino 1V, gifted the sacred summits of Tongariro to the government to protect their tapu, but also, as Sir Hepi Te Heuheu wrote “to be owned by no-one and yet be for everyone”.
Wairakei Resort plots a new course
The future of Wairakei Resort is now being considered following a change of management at Taupō’s largest hotel and convention centre
Grab your dream out of the sky
It is MS Awareness Week and Taupō’s Lynley Paine has prepared some travel advice based on a recent trip to the Artevento Cervia kite flying festival in Italy.
Chateau conversation continues as public storm builds
Ruapehu's mayor has delivered a plea to politicians to save the famous Chateau Tongariro.
Waitahanui, pretty as a picture
Taupō turned on another stunning Monday; perfect for our walk along a section of lake shore and the Waitahanui River.
A rapid ascent to the finals
Tongariro River Rafting is a finalist in two categories of the 2025 New Zealand Tourism Awards.
Rotorua in the spring
Sunny faced daffodils nodded a cheery welcome to us, and to the first day of spring, as we arrived at the Rotorua lakefront.
Golf Challenge with creature comforts
Coffee, kai, jobs and another Ball Blaster is coming to Lake Taupō Hole in One Challenge.
The ‘Dinosaur Forest’
If we were eggs, we would have been cracked and scrambled by the time we arrived at the River Road carpark in the Whirinaki Te Pua-a- Tāne Conservation Park.
Silt removed from Kinloch Marina
A $750,000 dredging operation in the privately owned Kinloch Marina is due for completion in September.
Foreign tourist levy for Tongariro
Foreign visitors will be charged a fee of $20-$40 to walk the Tongariro Crossing and three other popular New Zealand places.
Road works to resume soon
The accelerated roadworks project between Waiouru and Tīrau will start again on September 1 but NZTA Waka Kotahi says there will not be any more 24/7 road closures.
Walking to the centre of God’s Own
The establishment of the 78,000 hectare Pureora Forest Park has long been regarded as a hero story in New Zealand’s conservation history.
Is it falling or flying?
Sitting on the edge of a plane door, 5km in the air, with a guy called Gareth strapped to my back, I’m thinking ‘How the flying fox did I get myself into this situation?’
The dam that disappeared
Another beautiful Monday, how fortunate we have been with the weather.
Full mountain skiing arrives at Ruapehu
Tūroa Ski Area is opening the High Noon Express chairlift this Saturday, marking the first weekend of the 2025 ski season with top-to-bottom skiing on Mt Ruapehu.
Walking into an otherworldly scene
Rainbow Crater, Sulphur Crystal Cliffs, the Lagoon, Sauron’s Eye, Miner’s Lament all names oozing drama and colour.
Popular track off-limits to vehicles
The Department of Conservation is reminding four-wheel drive owners that the 42 Traverse is off-limits over winter to protect the track.
A walk back in time
Today we walked in New Zealand’s largest mainland ecological island, an area protected by 47 kilometers of pest proof fencing situated on Maungatautari.
At peace with nature
Life is a series of changing seasons and Matariki and the winter solstice is a perfect time to remember those and what has passed, celebrate what we have and reflect on the future.
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