Laurilee McMichael
Editor
Laurilee McMichael is editor of the Taupo & Turangi Weekender
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Check out Laurilee’s latest content
A unanimous thumbs down from Taupō to Three Waters proposal
Council seeks immediate stop to the Government's Three Waters reform programme
Māori scholar works on US college fellowship from Taupō
Hemopereki Hoani Simon says some people find his work on political philosophy challenging.
'There are now a billion people able to understand our stories'
From puppets to audio books - meet the creative couple taking Māori stories to the world.
'Every Māori family wants to have a kākahu'
Artist and designer Paretuiri Simeon makes kākahu that go on to become family heirlooms.
Long-term outlook for damaged Taupō college still unknown
Education Ministry won't release report that assessed whether classrooms worth repairing.
Noted artist wanted to pass on love of NZ's heritage
A landmark collection was her beautiful pencil drawings of all 23 Ngāti Tūwharetoa marae
Lost trust: Teen's cancer journey leaves emotional and physical scars
Ainsley Tonks is facing life after barely surviving treatment for lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Court says company failed to respond to warnings
Wellhead discharge ended up in Waikato River after Contact's system alarms went unheeded.
Balcony tragedy: How a Kiwi Olympic hero fell to his death
Coroner's ruling released under the Official Information Act.
Family float trip turned to tragedy on Waikato River
A man who drowned in the Waikato River on a float trip may have had a cardiac event first.
'Nothing would ever hurt as much as this': Mum honours lost daughter
'I want Imogen to be remembered for who she was, not how she died.'
Taupō councillor to be censured for racist slur
Both parties had accepted there had been a breach of the council's Code of Conduct.
Student-led initiative leads to drop in waste
From its own little farm to a recycling centre, Tongariro School is aiming for zero waste.
Plane crash trio found uninjured near Desert Rd
Three people and a dog survived a plane crash in poor conditions.
Collapsed in a river, her breath stopped for 18 minutes
Heather Macdonald was dead when pulled from the freezing Tongariro River. CPR saved her.
Inappropriate racial comment prompts Taupō council Code of Conduct complaint
The comment came from a councillor at this afternoon's Taupō District Council meeting.
Crash survivor: 'I spat my teeth into someone's hand'
Kelsey Tarrant is held together by surgical rods and pins. But her recovery is astounding.
'Heartbreaking' tragedy: The driving mistake that tore three families apart
Devastated family members speak out after coroner's ruling made public.
Five crashes, 23 deaths: Grim toll for Taupō's roads
The Taupō /South Waikato road toll last year was 33, many of them multiple fatalities.
Man breaststrokes length of Lake Taupō
Darwin man Michael Wells is the first person to breaststroke the length of Lake Taupō.
Taupō locals asked to donate in Grace's name
Taupō woman wants to support Grace's family, and help other women.
Tertiary education boost for Taupō with new polytech campus
Toi Ohomai Taupō is moving around the corner to a bigger site.
Wastewater pipe broken, spilling sewage into Lake Taupō
The second smaller leak followed an initial 800,000l spill on July 2.
He found two lost teens on icy face. That was the easy part
When Terry Blumhardt was asked to find teens stranded on an icy face, he was on his own.
No regrets: Policeman's 38 years on the thin blue line
Taupō crime prevention manager Senior Sergeant Tony Jeurissen wraps up a 38-year career.
'Business as usual' in Taupō as cleanup continues after wastewater spill
Taupō schools and businesses operating normally following 800,000 litre wastewater spill.
'Very disturbing': Tūwharetoa board on Lake Taupō spill
The Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board will be calling for a full investigation.
Driver remorseful, says lawyer, but family says it's 'too little, too late'
A truck driver who caused a crash that killed two children has been sentenced.
Taupō mayor seeks third term after transplant
Despite undergoing kidney transplant earlier this year, mayor to have crack at third term.
Obituary: Ian Gillard's distinguished career
Ian Murray Gillard, who died recently, was former Deputy Chief of Air Staff in the RNZAF.
The rundown town demanding a better deal
Residents complain about uneven footpaths, untrimmed trees. and shoddy buildings.
Two charged with arson after Taupō blaze
As many as 50 firefighters were called to the fire that spread across three shops.
Cop honoured for saving man from fire that killed mum and baby
The severely-burned man lit the fire to kill his ex-partner.
Man who was missing for two days in bush will be okay, police say
Scott McPherson 'suffering a bit' after two days lost in bush near Taupō.
Colombian tourists robbed in Turangi
Men with facial tattoos, partly concealed by bandannas, threaten and rob young students.
More medical staff than needed at Tūroa bus crash scene
A number of medical and ski patrol staff who were on the mountain provided extra help.
Tramper: 'I didn't think I was going to make it'
'I went through some pretty heavy thoughts...it was extremely overwhelming.'
Woman rescued from water at Huka Falls
Police have received reports of a woman in the water at Huka Falls, near Taupō.
First synthetic cannabis-related coroner's inquest reveals details of deadly drug
The first inquest into synthetic cannabis-related deaths has been heard in Taupo.
Taupō Great Lake Trail not to be missed
Laurilee McMichael takes on the Great Lakes Trail with her family.
NASO rescue helicopter model 'sloppily prepared'
Advocates and doctors say NASO's new model for air ambulance services is full of flaws.
Shot hunter minutes from death
Gravely injured hunter was winched from heavy bush needing blood immediately.
Thousands protest changes to rescue chopper
A protest against cutting Taupo's Greenlea rescue helicopter attracted 1200 people.
Closure of rescue helicopter service opposed
Residents brave heavy rain to support the continued air rescue operations at Taupo.
Rotorua and Taupo rescue helicopters could be scrapped
Fears lives could be lost if Rotorua and Taupo rescue helicopters are scrapped.
Mayor: Lives will be lost if Taupo rescue chopper goes
Under a new proposal, Taupo would no longer have a rescue helicopter.
Police furious at lake search for men shopping at Pak 'n Save
Men caught in rough conditions on Lake Taupo made it to shore then failed to tell police.
Drowned man was 'legless', Coroner told
Coroner's inquest into death of Masterton man Brent Christoffersen near Taupo.
Anxious, blanket-obsessed dog lights up the internet
Taupo dog Anxiety Girl is a hit online because of her quirky ways.
Heat keeps lake's toxic algae bloom
Lake Taupo's toxic algae bloom is expected to stay around while hot weather continues.
Toxic algae bloom in Lake Taupo
Scientists have been warning for years that Lake Taupo was threatened by human activities.
Midnight Lake Taupo rescue: Warning on inflatables
Four men rescued after getting blown out onto Lake Taupo in their cheap inflatable rafts.
Help Megan reach her dream
While Melissa Hodgkinson is talking about her 15-year-old daughter Megan, she cries.
Armed callout to Taupo school
School calls police after two students were allegedly threatened with pistol.
Huka Falls kayaker had done it before
Woman paddler had tackled the waterway before, but this time was different.
Horror crash inquiry to take months
Early inquiries into crash which killed four rules out passing lane as a factor.
Skier who died on Ruapehu 'pushed the limits'
Close friend talks of an adventurer with an amazing sense of positivity.
Truck rear-ends queue of traffic
Eight vehicles involved after truck crashes in traffic waiting at a stop/go sign.
'We saved his life for sure'
Man sustained broken rib and hypothermia after cliff plunge and hours in the snow.
Freedom camping stand-off headed for court
NZMCA calls proposed freedom camping bylaw "unreasonable and prohibitive".
Council not convinced on Taupo freedom camping
Caravan Association urges Taupo council to rethink proposed freedom camping bylaw.
Pilot bailed out of doomed plane before passengers
Report reveals why skydiving plane crashed into Lake Taupo in 2015.
Taupo schools bursting at seams
Most Taupo schools are either full or expecting more students soon.
New boarding school aimed at Maori boys
The new boarding school in Taupo will be aimed at Maori boys in Years 11 to 13.
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts wants to run own electricity network
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is proposing setting up its own customer electricity network.
Eco-friendly lodge for Timber Trail
The lodge is expected to have spin-offs for tourism in the Rotorua and Taupo districts.
Students 'could have died' on Tongariro
Police call school group errors on treacherous mountain a "debacle", where leader didn't even know students were missing.
Crash victims were a close knit couple
HARD-WORKING AND GENEROUS: Taupo couple Ian and Mary Smith, who died last Friday, are being remembered for making a significant contribution
From loving mother to sadistic killer
Neighbour says convicted killer Tania Shailer was a 'nice girl' who sang and danced with her children prior to the horrific death of toddler Moko Rangitoheriri.