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Latest FromIlona Hanne

Oliver, Safphire and Emily are supporting each other as they wait for news of Michael (inset).

NEW ZEALAND

Have you seen Michael? Dad missing for 40 days

18 Oct, 2019 11:30am
6 minutes to read

Family have tried everything, including using drones and consulting a psychic.

Michael Tippett was last seen on Thursday.

NEW ZEALAND

Police concerned for welfare of missing man

18 Oct, 2019 9:00am
Quick Read

He was last seen in the Cardiff area.

Amanda Harris will be travelling from Whangamomona to Council meetings.

STRATFORD PRESS

Local Elections: All the Taranaki results

15 Oct, 2019 7:54am
8 minutes to read

The local elections results from Taranaki.

The cast of the Addams family give life to great musical.

STRATFORD PRESS

Review: The Addams Family is a must-see show

14 Oct, 2019 3:33pm
5 minutes to read

Buy tickets now - you don't want to miss this production.

STRATFORD PRESS

Volzke returned by large majority

14 Oct, 2019 2:21pm
4 minutes to read

With nearly 70 per cent of the vote, Neil Volzke has kept the mayoral chains.

STRATFORD PRESS

Win tickets to Women's Lifestyle Expo

14 Oct, 2019 11:25am
2 minutes to read

The New Plymouth Women's Lifestyle Expo takes place at the TSB Stadium this weekend.

The concept design drawing of the hospital. Picture / Supplied.

STRATFORD PRESS

Major upgrade for Taranaki Base Hospital

13 Oct, 2019 10:45am
4 minutes to read

The project will include a new emergency department and a helipad on the roof.

Re-elected: Neil Volzke has received 67 per cent of votes so far.

STRATFORD PRESS

No change at the top - Volzke re-elected

12 Oct, 2019 2:19pm
2 minutes to read

Incumbent mayor Neil Volzke will remain in the top seat for another term.

Dave and Carol Digby are looking forward to continuing exploring New Zealand together and with their tour groups in the future. Photo / Supplied.

STRATFORD PRESS

Nine years of working on the rail tracks

9 Oct, 2019 2:47pm
4 minutes to read

They've been working on the rail lines for nine years, but are now changing course.

If voters still have their voting papers, they need to be delivered to the ballot box at the Stratford District Council building on Miranda Street by Saturday noon.

STRATFORD PRESS

Local elections: Councillors farewelled

9 Oct, 2019 12:02pm
2 minutes to read

There will be at least two fresh faces at the Council table later this month.

Mary Garlick, Neil Volzke and Margaret Vickers shared the cake-cutting duties, as the three original trustees.

STRATFORD PRESS

Stratford Community House marks 10 years

8 Oct, 2019 6:11pm
5 minutes to read

Ten years on, the Community House still meets the needs of the community it serves.

Police have removed the bike from the scene.

STRATFORD PRESS

Motorcycle crashes into shop in Stratford

8 Oct, 2019 12:39pm
2 minutes to read

One person has been left with minor injuries following a collision in Stratford.

Estella Van Der Lee is appealing for donations of kitten food for local animal charity The Scratching Post.

STRATFORD PRESS

Stratford charity prepares for hungry kittens

6 Oct, 2019 4:30pm
3 minutes to read

As kitten season approaches, a local charity needs help to stock the pantry.

STRATFORD PRESS

A book to revolutionise your parenting

4 Oct, 2019 10:57am
4 minutes to read

Book review: The Real Play Revolution will make these school holidays a lot more fun.

An artistic impression of the proposed new building. Photo / Ardern Peters Architects.

STRATFORD PRESS

Work to start soon on new St John building

1 Oct, 2019 5:11pm
3 minutes to read

The old St John building will be demolished in the next few weeks.

Local Government Elections are underway, with voting papers to be delivered to voters between September 20 -25.

PREMIUM

Stratford mayoral candidates have final say

1 Oct, 2019 11:30am
4 minutes to read

The three mayoral candidates for Stratford make their final pitch for your vote.

STRATFORD PRESS

Daffodil Day window displays wow judges

29 Sep, 2019 9:23pm
Quick Read

There were plenty of great entries in this year's Daffodil Day window display competition.

Daylight savings - remember to change your clocks. Photo / 123rf

NEW ZEALAND

Daylight saving: time to change your clocks

28 Sep, 2019 3:36pm
2 minutes to read

Spring forwards, fall backwards: don't forget to change your clocks.

Protesters of all ages joined the march through New Plymouth today.

STRATFORD PRESS

All ages turn out to support climate strike

27 Sep, 2019 12:51pm
2 minutes to read

A School Strike 4 Climate event took place in New Plymouth on Friday.

The Taranaki Steelformers Mountain Airs basketball team need the community's help to be able to play next season.

STRATFORD PRESS | Sport

Basketball - Mountain Airs future up in air

26 Sep, 2019 9:19am
2 minutes to read

Taranaki's National Basketball League team won't play in 2020 if its debts aren't cleared

Dorothy Oakes, Catherine Groenestein, Robin Mischeski, Jade Charman (7) and Ava Charman (9) and Lorraine Kelsen with the trees.

STRATFORD PRESS

Crop swap group gifts trees to community

25 Sep, 2019 7:37pm
3 minutes to read

They've swapped crops and now they have gifted trees.

Thomas Geater at his disco party this year.

STRATFORD PRESS

Commit a fashion crime this Friday

25 Sep, 2019 10:46am
2 minutes to read

The Loud Shirt Day fundraiser helps children like Thomas Geater.

The bike rack / bench seat was formally unveiled by the students last week in front of an invited group of people, including Mayor Neil Volzke,

STRATFORD PRESS

Students build bridge as a bike rack

25 Sep, 2019 8:49am
2 minutes to read

The project is about building bridges, or in this case, a bike rack.

PREMIUM

Q&A with Stratford mayoralty candidates

24 Sep, 2019 9:02pm
4 minutes to read

Stratford's three mayoral candidates answer questions to help you decide who to vote for.

Judy Drummond says tickets are limited, and selling fast.

STRATFORD PRESS

Be fashionable and support Hospice Taranaki

23 Sep, 2019 9:29am
2 minutes to read

Be fashionable, and support a great cause.

PREMIUM

Candidate Q&A - performance and initiatives

24 Sep, 2019 7:09pm
10 minutes to read

Candidates have their say on Council performance and key initiatives.

Holly Baker demonstrates the use of one of the new aqua bikes.

STRATFORD PRESS

New spin classes making a splash at pool

24 Sep, 2019 4:24pm
3 minutes to read

A new fitness craze is coming to New Zealand and the TSB Pool is the first to offer it.

The six mayoral candidates for New Plymouth wait their turn to speak at a candidates evening in New Plymouth last week.

STRATFORD PRESS

Taranaki candidates face questions on range of issues

24 Sep, 2019 3:00pm
2 minutes to read

Candidates face questions on wide range of topics at meetings around region.

You may know when to vote, but do you understand the difference between FPP and STV?

STRATFORD PRESS

Elections 2019: STP and FPP as simple as ABC

23 Sep, 2019 4:35pm
5 minutes to read

Editor Ilona Hanne makes sense of the STV and FPP voting systems for you.

STRATFORD PRESS

Editorial: Have your say or shut up

23 Sep, 2019 1:27pm
6 minutes to read

Editor Ilona Hanne thinks you should vote...here's why.

Ivan Toopi - most likely to save the town in the event of a zombie apocalypse according to the straw poll on the night.

STRATFORD PRESS

Candidate fortunes fluctuate on night

19 Sep, 2019 12:33pm
4 minutes to read

Some candidates won the audience over at the Meet the Candidates evening in Stratford.

Volunteers are needed to help in the search for Michael Tippett.

STRATFORD PRESS

Volunteers needed in search for missing man

19 Sep, 2019 8:53am
Quick Read

A search is planned this weekend for missing Stratford man, Michael Tippett

PREMIUM

Candidate Q&A - issues and bad decisions

17 Sep, 2019 5:21pm
10 minutes to read

Candidates say what council's worst decision is and what big issues face Stratford.

Julie (front left) and Jenny (front right) are fundraising for new chairs for chemotherapy patients in Taranaki.

STRATFORD PRESS

Friends fight cancer and fundraise together

17 Sep, 2019 3:40pm
3 minutes to read

A shared cancer journey leads to fundraising project for long term friends

Genevieve was treated to a birthday celebration a few days beforehand as well, where members of the Stratford Hospital trust, of which she is patron, held a celebration in her honour.

STRATFORD PRESS

Almost an entire life lived in Taranaki

11 Sep, 2019 3:35pm
2 minutes to read

For all but two of her hundred years, Genevieve has lived in Taranaki.

Carol Spragg is able to create lessons for individual literacy needs.

STRATFORD PRESS

Literacy lessons on offer in Stratford

11 Sep, 2019 2:51pm
2 minutes to read

From job applications to sitting a driving test, literacy skills are important.

The novel is gripping and keeps you guessing until the end.

STRATFORD PRESS

A lot can happen in six minutes

11 Sep, 2019 2:25pm
4 minutes to read

Six Minutes by Petronelle McGovern is a gripping rollercoaster of a book.

Students and their pets attended the chapel service on Friday,

STRATFORD PRESS

School welcomes all creatures great and small

11 Sep, 2019 10:46am
Quick Read

Animals are a blessing, and plenty of them were blessed at a chapel service on Friday.

Destany Robinson pictured standing to the side of her painting of a kereru.

STRATFORD PRESS

Pupils' artwork inspired by NZ creatures

11 Sep, 2019 7:58am
2 minutes to read

The artwork is on display at Fenton Street Art Collective.

PREMIUM

Q&A with Stratford mayoralty candidates

10 Sep, 2019 7:24pm
4 minutes to read

Stratford's three mayoral candidates answer questions to help you decide who to vote for.

International hockey matches will take place at the Stratford hockey turf this year.

STRATFORD PRESS | Sport

Black Sticks to play Olympic qualifier in Stratford

10 Sep, 2019 4:40pm
2 minutes to read

International hockey games to be played in Stratford.

Stratford mayor Neil Volzke caught up with Minister Shane Jones when he was in the region last week.

STRATFORD PRESS

$13m track upgrade gets green light

10 Sep, 2019 1:18pm
3 minutes to read

The new trails are expected to bring in an extra 40,000 tourists to the area.

PREMIUM

Candidate Q&A: What's our identity?

9 Sep, 2019 7:07pm
12 minutes to read

This week, candidates talk about climate change, the town's identity and youth council.

Children at Nature's Wonder Day care in Eltham dyed their own t-shirts for Daffodil Day.

STRATFORD PRESS

T-shirts become artwork for Daffodil Day

4 Sep, 2019 3:45pm
2 minutes to read

Some Eltham youngsters made their own t-shirts for Daffodil Day.

Members of the Stratford Daffodil Day committee.

STRATFORD PRESS

Stratford Daffodil Day a blooming success

3 Sep, 2019 8:21pm
2 minutes to read

Stratford's Daffodil Day was a great success.

There are now six confirmed cases of measles in Taranaki. Photo / File.

STRATFORD PRESS

Two more cases of measles in Taranaki

3 Sep, 2019 2:28pm
4 minutes to read

There are now six confirmed cases of measles in the region.

Rural councillor Graham Kelly is running for the top job this year, as well as a seat in the rural ward.

PREMIUM

Candidate Q&A: Thoughts on the ward system

3 Sep, 2019 1:20pm
6 minutes to read

Council candidates answer questions on the ward system and if a Māori ward is needed.

Eltham Primary pupils Khodie and Krystal presented the award to the teams at Subway Stratford and Central Taranaki Safe Community Trust.

STRATFORD PRESS

Community award for Subway and Safe Trust

3 Sep, 2019 10:25am
2 minutes to read

The pupils at Eltham Primary School knew who deserved to receive a Community Award.

PREMIUM

Q&A with Stratford mayoralty candidates

2 Sep, 2019 4:17pm
3 minutes to read

Stratford's three mayoral candidates answer questions to help you decide who to vote for.

Once the scroll has begun to curl, Joe uses his hammer to shape it to perfection.

PREMIUM

Forging art from fire - a blacksmith's skill

2 Sep, 2019 3:00pm
5 minutes to read

Local blacksmith Joe Parkes keeps an ancient craft alive.

PREMIUM

Stratford candidates talk attendance

1 Sep, 2019 7:32pm
4 minutes to read

Council candidates answer questions regarding attendance.

A gun buy-back event is underway in Stratford.

STRATFORD PRESS

Stratford gun buyback event underway

31 Aug, 2019 10:16am
3 minutes to read

On the first day of the two-day event, over 100 firearms were processed/

Margaret Dalziel (far right), who owns and operates Dolly's Milk with her husband Peter, gave the students a tour of the milking shed and the business.

THE COUNTRY

Japanese students visit Stratford

28 Aug, 2019 11:44am
2 minutes to read

The group of students was in town to learn about agriculture.

The Stratford District Council building.

PREMIUM

Stratford District Council candidates on amalgamation

27 Aug, 2019 2:25pm
5 minutes to read

Candidates for a seat at the Stratford District Council answer some questions.

Shaun Keenan in the dock for his sentencing. Photo / Ilona Hanne

NEW ZEALAND

Marae dream in tatters: Ex-cop jailed over $480k theft

20 Aug, 2019 6:42pm
6 minutes to read

Shaun Keenan served as a police officer for more than 20 years prior to the offending.

A man was arrested outside the Stratford dawn service for driving this beat up car while drunk. Photo / Ilona Hanne

NEW ZEALAND

Drink driver arrested at dawn service

25 Apr, 2019 7:14am
Quick Read

The car had no windows, no seats except for driver's and no seatbelts.

The American Confederate flag should be banned from some events. Photo / 123RF

STRATFORD PRESS

Opinion: Ban Confederate flag from event

27 Feb, 2019 9:52am
4 minutes to read

Editor Ilona Hanne doesn't understand why people still fly the Confederate flag

The republic of Whangamomona was packed as people came to celebrate the township's 30th year as a republic

THE COUNTRY

Herlihy wins Whangamomona presidential election in tight race

19 Jan, 2019 8:01pm
3 minutes to read

Small township of Whangamomona celebrates 30 years of being a republic

Little Mia is only three-and-a-half months old but already has a big personality, says Karma. Mia is ready to find her new home after passing her vet health check. As well as being litter trained, Mia is desexed and has had her vaccinations, worm and flea treatments. Call into The Scratching Post to meet Mia and the other kittens currently in need of homes.

STRATFORD PRESS

Stratford's Scratching Post is on the move

16 Jan, 2019 11:00am
2 minutes to read

Cat sanctuary The Scratching Post is looking for a new home in Stratford.

The members of Taranaki band Laconic Zephyr are celebrating after a third song of theirs has hit the No 1 spot on the New Zealand iTunes rock chart. Back: Jason Olsson, Glenn Smith and Joe Caldwell. Front: Kama Antrobus and Joss Bines.

STRATFORD PRESS | Lifestyle

Laconic Zephyr song hits number 1 in charts

9 Jan, 2019 4:00pm
3 minutes to read

A Taranaki rock band have produced a number 1 hit song.

Tarek Amin opened his restaurant on Christmas Day to feed those in need.

STRATFORD PRESS

Stratford restaurant opens doors on Christmas

9 Jan, 2019 1:59pm
2 minutes to read

A new Stratford restaurant has opened its doors to the homeless over Christmas.

Cows with the dreaded blue Mycoplasma bovis ear tags are herded away for culling from a Taranaki farm. Photo / Ilona Hanne

THE COUNTRY

Year in Review: M. bovis cull - Wretched day for young farmer

5 Jan, 2019 7:00am
5 minutes to read

Looking back at one of the most popular stories on The Country in the past 12 months.