Recent stories
We are pleased to bring you the latest from around the Taupō & Tūrangi communities. Reporting local, supporting local.
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Man missing in Waiotapu thermal area
Police are asking people near Waiotapu Loop Road to search their property for anything that may relate to the search for Jayleb-Che Dean, 36, who has been missing since Tuesday, September 30.
Councillors sign off with fond memories
A combined 30 years of service to the Taupō District Council and its communities came to an end yesterday as three councillors attended their final council meeting.
Māori Wards panel discussion
Whether the referendum on Taupō’s Te Papamārearea Māori Ward results in it continuing in 2028 or not, the need to encourage understanding and for a Māori voice in local affairs will not be going away. This was one of many takeaways from Monday night’s panel discussion at Waiora House featuring Kim Manunui, Traceylee Hooton, Wahine Murch and Rhieve Grey, chaired by Ben Westerman.
The view from the top table
It’s the business end of local elections with just over a week to go to get that vote in and the contest is reaching a bit of a fever pitch.
Invoice Finance – the smart way to control cashflow
Kicking off our sector on business finance is Invoice Finance, also known as factoring. While popular overseas, it’s a highly underutilised facility in NZ.
Hangmen–dark and funny in turn
“I cannot believe I am laughing at something that two minutes earlier was so dark.”
Director Sharon Shanks describes Centre Stage’s upcoming production ‘Hangmen’ as beautifully written “about such a dark or intense subject, but then the playwright puts intense comedy into it as well.”
Sika and you will find
A hunting contest with more than $80,000 in prizes has been launched to help reduce the sika deer population in the Kaimanawa and Kaweka Forests.
Ngāti Tūwharetoa announces new paramount chief
After four days of mourning, the Ariki (Paramount Chief) of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Sir Tumu te Heuheu Tūkino VIII, was laid to rest on Monday, at Little Waihi. Following his interment, Te Rangimaheu te Heuheu Tūkino IX, the firstborn son of Sir Tumu, was installed as Ariki in a simple ceremony.
Sneaky stickers rankle candidates
Two incumbent Taupō District councillors believe the campaign in this year’s local elections has taken a turn for the worse and are urging voters to make their own minds up.
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
It’s all downhill from here
It’s the most fun you can have on four wheels and it’s rolling up fast on the calendar.
Rangatahi are busy putting their go-karts together, while adults scheme up new ways to foil their opponents in the upcoming Blue Light Trolley Derby at Spa Park on November 15.
Crash causes road closure at Tauranga-Taupō
The highway is closed at Tauranga-Taupō after a crash on the bridge.
Manuhiri begin journey to farewell Sir Tumu Te Heuheu
Manuhiri from around the motu will begin making their way to Tapeka marae at Waihī on the southern shores of Lake Taupō on Friday for the tangihanga of Sir Tumu Te Heuheu.
What we’ve learnt since the last big Mt Ruapehu eruption
Thirty years ago on Tuesday, Mount Ruapehu exploded in spectacular fashion, triggering headlines overseas and a somewhat haphazard emergency response at home.
Tuning in to youth music
A day of learning and then presenting five pieces of music to a packed Great Lake Centre hall. The 2025 incarnation of Taupō School of Music’s Big Music Day also included the participation of six members of the Royal New Zealand Navy Band with Leading Musician Pricilla Scanlan conducting one of the pieces.
Equestrian gets underway in Taupō
More than 200 horses from the North Island attended the first major horse trials event of the spring season at the Fiber Fresh National Equestrian Centre at Aratiatia, Taupō, over the weekend.
Winter Festival funds distributed
The 10th annual Malcolm Flowers Insurances Taupō Winter Festival has been hailed a huge success again this year, not only delivering a vibrant programme enjoyed by thousands, but also generating funds that are now going back into the community.
Fishing for answers
Troy Taylor is tackling mental health one angler at a time.
Celebrating 10 years of planting
Kids Greening Taupō’s 10th birthday on Saturday (September 20) at Spa Park was an opportunity for those who helped establish the organisation and those running it now to muse on how it had survived and its success today.
Insurance and moral risk
While it’s great to have access to insurance facilities and indeed essential to many parts of our lives, there are guidelines we need to adhere to in order to protect our access to it.
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