Recent stories
We are pleased to bring you the latest from around the Taupō & Tūrangi communities. Reporting local, supporting local.
If you have news to share contact news@tauponews.co.nz
Spa Park in a spin
Almost 200 disc-golfers, including 64 professional players will have Taupō’s Spa Park in a spin next weekend for the 2026 Discraft Australasian Open.
Boy left swimming for life as rescue helicopter call delayed
A boy with no lifejacket spent an hour swimming away from his burning boat on Lake Taupō while rescue helicopter calls were delayed by police, RNZ has learned.
Sailing into 2026
From the editor Dan Hutchinson: Survive ‘till ‘25’ was the call this time last year and that was always going to be too many punctuation marks.
Floaters warned to be careful
People are being warned to prepare well if they intend to drift down the Waikato River in Taupō this summer.
Making an impression for 40 years
Shawn Vennell who celebrated 40 years with Quality Print this month can’t quite believe where the years have gone. From starting as a sheet-fed printing apprentice in the mid-1980s – sweeping out under the machines, he jokes – to now owning and running the business seems to have gone past in the blink of an eye.
Market returns to Northcroft Reserve
Kaz Cederwall, owner operator of Market Central says the local market and its summer evening add-on – Dinner at the Lake – is going from strength to strength.
It’s glow time
The town fireworks fizzled at Guy Fawkes’ leaving a community group holding a huge cache of glowing rings, bracelets, wands and ‘Thunder Sticks’. Taupō Community Patrol uses glow-stick sales as its main fundraiser each year, so now it’s setting sights on New Year fireworks celebrations, with a stall on Titiraupenga Street, not far from the prime lakefront viewing areas.
GLC gets a makeover
She turned 30 in 2022, officially opening in August 1992, and now the Great Lake Centre is getting a make-over.
Is it flying or boating?
A Taupō family has imported an electric hydrofoil boat that they will use for tours on the lake.
Lighting fast visit for electric plane
Air New Zealand flew its new electric plane into Taupō last week as part of a reconnaisance trip down the country.
A shot at the Commonwealth Games
Taupō boxer Connor Campbell has won through to the New Zealand Elite Team, meaning he will travel overseas in 2026 to continue the selection process for the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC).
Feeling the love
Taupō tourism professionals were celebrated at an end-of-year awards evening hosted by Love Taupō.
What’s On in Taupō & Tūrangi
Inspiration and ideas for what to do around the district.
Change of guard for VGLT
The JB behind VGLT is stepping sideways.
A message from the Mayor
Newly-elected Taupō District Mayor John Funnell took up the mayoralty in October after a career as a rescue helicopter pilot and business owner. He shares his reflections on his first two months.
The OCR and the year ahead
Byline: Insights with InFinance by Brian Coogan
Speed limit to lower at Motutere
The speed limit on State Highway 1 at Motutere will be lowered following public consultation.
A mother’s wish
Four members of Cherie O’Carroll’s family will be competing in the Special Olympics this week, but she can’t make it this time.
Christmas ‘angels’ hard at work
The ‘Awhina Christmas Angels’ have been hard at work this week sorting hundreds of donated Christmas presents to give to children all over the district.
Tūrangi spared rooftop mayhem
Threatened black-billed gulls are again nesting on the rooftops in Tūrangi town centre, but the town shouldn't see a return of previous disruptions.
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