Recent stories
We are pleased to bring you the latest from around the Taupō & Tūrangi communities. Reporting local, supporting local.
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Direct private flights to Australia explored
Taupō Airport is becoming a busy destination for private aircraft, with the possibility of direct flights from Australia.
Nature takes back the land
Big trucks, fast cars, and a fine collection of motor bikes sped past as we gingerly crossed State Highway 1 and ducked into the relative safety of bush on the edge of the Desert Road.
Tourism hot spots join forces
North Island tourism leaders are flexing their new strategic alliance to make waves overseas.
Bridges and bush in the Ruapehu
The call went out early for wet weather gear, a change of clothing and horror of horrors, umbrellas.
Chateau could benefit from rule change
Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton has welcomed the government's overhaul of the earthquake-prone building system, saying it could be a big win for the famous Chateau Tongariro hotel.
Change of pace for Motutere
Roading authorities have decided to take another look at the 100km/h speed limit on a highway through a busy lake Taupō campground.
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?’
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