New Zealand's Latest Breaking News, Business, Sport, Weather, Entertainment, Politics

Latest FromLaurilee McMichael

Coastguard Tūrangi volunteer Allan Turia was awarded a National Search & Rescue certificate of achievement at a candlelit ceremony in Tokaanu. Photo / Supplied

Search and Rescue honour in candlelight ceremony

11 Aug, 2020 7:59pm
4 minutes to read

He calls himself 'a bossy bugger' but he's a good one.

National Party leader Judith Collins with Taupō MP Louise Upston (left) and Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown (right) at a public meeting in Taupō on Tuesday, August 11. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

Standing room only as Collins holds court

11 Aug, 2020 2:33pm
2 minutes to read

Judith Collins was preaching to the converted at a packed public meeting of supporters.

Bob Neville of Direct to Consumer / Design Test Centre provides a virtual creative service to brands around the world. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

'Don't be afraid of change' advise entrepreneurs

6 Aug, 2020 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Game-changing ideas to disruptive technology, innovation the theme at Tech Week in Taupo.

Jane Saunders with her two favourite artworks from her upcoming fundraising exhibition Jane's First Term. On the left is Pink Hearts. One Wish is on the right. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

Poignant art exhibition from teacher's journey

6 Aug, 2020 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Taupō teacher with terminal cancer creates beautiful artworks for cancer rehabilitation.

Rosalind Burnett has set up a Taupō branch of women's networking group WINGS for newcomers to the town. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

New woman in town? WINGS is here to help

6 Aug, 2020 5:00am
2 minutes to read

WINGS is a friendly group providing support and settlement advice for women new to Taupō.

The Londons present the concert proceeds to Greenlea rescue helicopter staff. From left, pilot Bernie McQueen, paramedic Tony More, Angie and Garth London, crewman Libbie Faith. Photo / Supplied

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Good karma comes back to lodge owner after bike crash

3 Aug, 2020 5:00pm
4 minutes to read

They fundraise for the rescue helicopter but never dreamed they would need it themselves.

Taupō District Council chief executive Gareth Green at one of the intersections to be upgraded as part of a $20 million shovel-ready Taupō town centre transformation. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Shovels at the ready for $20 million Taupō town makeover

29 Jul, 2020 11:46am
7 minutes to read

Two-year shovel-ready project funded by Government ready to kick off.

Children at an orphanage in Moldova with some of the blankets produced by Operation Cover Up knitters in New Zealand. Photo / File

Twenty years and more than a million items of love

27 Jul, 2020 11:00am
4 minutes to read

It began in 2000 with the aim of supplying 67 blankets to a freezing orphanage in Moldova.

A Traveller's Guide to Turkish Dogs is this year's Malcolm Flowers Insurances Taupō Winter Festival's key theatre event.

Popular festival to return to Taupō in October

23 Jul, 2020 5:00am
3 minutes to read

The Malcolm Flowers Insurances Taupō Winter Festival returns for a second round in October

From left: Employment Minister Willie Jackson with Waiariki MP Tāmati Coffey, Taupō Pathways chair Gaeleen Wilkie and Taupō district mayor David Trewavas at the funding announcement. Photo / Supplied

Boosting young people's work skills and confidence

23 Jul, 2020 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Taupō Pathways excited with funding for programme that will get young people into jobs.

A jar of the high MGO Zealandia honey, which sold for $3100. Photo / Supplied

THE COUNTRY

At $3100 for 200g, it's strictly for the wealthy

23 Jul, 2020 5:00am
6 minutes to read

A limited-range premium honey with high anti-bacterial properties fetches $3100 per 200ml.

Land Search and Rescue volunteers on a training exercise south of Turangi. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Plane crash trio found uninjured near Desert Rd

22 Jul, 2020 10:47am
2 minutes to read

Three people and a dog survived a plane crash in poor conditions.

The Otumuheke Stream, pictured in November 2017, is a Taupō thermal stream popular with tourists and locals. Photo / File

Death by misadventure: Coroner rules in death of tourist

16 Jul, 2020 9:00am
4 minutes to read

Chinese tourist overcome by heat in a thermal stream fainted and drowned, Coroner finds.

Local employers at a Taupō Pathways event last year. Photo / Supplied

Looking for a career change? Job Expo is the place

16 Jul, 2020 5:00am
2 minutes to read

With rise in number of unemployed,Taupo Pathways to connect jobseekers and employers.

Easton Trueman, 3, has a rare subset of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Photo / Supplied

Town gets behind 3-year-old with rare cancer

9 Jul, 2020 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Easton Trueman has a rare form of childhood cancer. Locals are rallying to support him.

Destination Great Lake Taupō is responsible for marketing the Taupō district to domestic and international visitors. Photo / Destination Great Lake Taupō

Tourism slump hits Taupō marketers' jobs

2 Jul, 2020 11:37am
4 minutes to read

Job losses as Destination Great Lake Taupō looks to operate with $500,000 less.

Heather Macdonald pictured last year on her 74th birthday. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Collapsed in a river, her breath stopped for 18 minutes

1 Jul, 2020 11:00am
3 minutes to read

Heather Macdonald was dead when pulled from the freezing Tongariro River. CPR saved her.

A Code of Conduct investigation is to be launched following a comment from a councillor in Taupō. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Inappropriate racial comment prompts Taupō council Code of Conduct complaint

30 Jun, 2020 3:36pm
3 minutes to read

The comment came from a councillor at this afternoon's Taupō District Council meeting.

There is a shortage of affordable home ownership opportunities for low and middle-income families in the Taupō district. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

Severe shortage of affordable homes and rentals

30 Jun, 2020 12:00pm
8 minutes to read

Report finds there is a severe shortage of affordable housing in the Taupo district.

Kelsey Tarrant, 20, says staying positive despite horrific injuries from a car crash four months ago has helped her recovery. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

NEW ZEALAND

Crash survivor: 'I spat my teeth into someone's hand'

30 Jun, 2020 7:00am
8 minutes to read

Kelsey Tarrant is held together by surgical rods and pins. But her recovery is astounding.

The Barrett whānau with the remains of their family home. From left: Richard with Eliana, 4, and Shannon with Caylee, 7. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

Building a sustainable place to reconnect and thrive

24 Jun, 2020 10:35am
7 minutes to read

They lost everything in a fire but take heart from starting afresh and leading the way.

Angler Chris Pritt, happy with her catch. Photo / Supplied

THE COUNTRY

Back for more: female anglers return to Tūrangi

18 Jun, 2020 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Tongariro River Motel's second annual women's fly fishing tournament kicks off next week.

The wreckage of two motor vehicles that were involved in a crash on State Highway 1 north of Taupō in 2017 that killed four people and injured a further eight. Photo / John van de Ven

NEW ZEALAND

'Heartbreaking' tragedy: The driving mistake that tore three families apart

17 Jun, 2020 10:02am
8 minutes to read

Devastated family members speak out after coroner's ruling made public.

Improving the Taupō District's water and wastewater systems is one of the projects on the Taupō District Council's shovel-ready wish list. Photo / File

Taupō 's shovel-ready projects

17 Jun, 2020 9:00am
4 minutes to read

Council, Hillary Outdoors waiting to hear results of applications for shovel-ready money.

College-age students enjoying improvisation activities at their first Act 2 lesson after lockdown ended. Photo / Supplied

End of year show in jeopardy thanks to Covid-19

11 Jun, 2020 11:00am
3 minutes to read

Performing arts school's income hit during lockdown means it can't afford end-of-year show

Mike Bowie, Enterprise Great Lake Taupō's Tūrangi development lead.

'There's really good community spirit in Tūrangi'

11 Jun, 2020 7:00am
5 minutes to read

Mike Bowie has gone to leading economic development for Turangi to supporting its recovery

Tūrangi community constable John Malpas shares a joke with Tūrangi Holiday Park owner Albert de Buys. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

Outdoors lifestyle drew constable to Tūrangi

11 Jun, 2020 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Love of outdoors plus affordable homes attracted John Malpas from Huntly to Tūrangi .

Taupō author Andrew Lacey has just published his first novel, Bridge of Honour. Photo / Supplied

Wales,1282: Taupō author's setting for tale of conflict

11 Jun, 2020 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Bridge of Honour: two men who forge unlikely bond amid the bloody Welsh uprising of 1282.

Taupō's District Council's meeting last week included reports on how it had been affected during the lockdown. Photo / File

Forecast shows Taupō District Council will end year close to budget

3 Jun, 2020 3:00pm
3 minutes to read

Council poised to come out of Covid-19 crisis on track to meet budget after spending cut.

Alice Thompson (left) and Julie McLeod of Towncentre Taupō installing one of the first sets of vinyls on a shop window in Ruapehu St. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

Your picture here - Taupō's post-lockdown project

29 May, 2020 2:48pm
4 minutes to read

'It's so much more beautiful and inspiring than empty shop windows."

Tūrangi Fire Brigade along with fire crews from Taupō and Omori attended a scrub fire on State Highway 32 near Waihaha on April 10. Photo / Supplied

Fires, crashes, medical calls for brigade in lockdown

28 May, 2020 9:00am
3 minutes to read

The Tūrangi Fire Brigade had a steady stream of work during lockdown.

Sergeant Te Reipa Morunga, of Turangi Police, (left) and Turangi Fire Brigade chief fire officer Tangonui Kingi with some of the kai parcels the two emergency services are distributing. Photo / Supplied

Kai and hygiene parcels get Tūrangi families through

28 May, 2020 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Turangi Police have teamed up with foodbank, Fire and providers to get food to families.

Ben Westerman outside the Westerman building in Ruapehu St, Taupo which is about to have a major exterior makeover. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

Distinctive building revamp to take six months

27 May, 2020 2:24pm
3 minutes to read

A re-roof, re-clad and revamp of the Westerman building in Taupo will take six months.

Council Emergency Operations Centre staff. From left: Sarika Meszaros of South Waikato District Council, Emergency Operations Centre controller Doug Wilcox, and Civil Defence Taupō's Ian Connon.

Councillors thank hard-working, tired staff

27 May, 2020 9:14am
4 minutes to read

Staff 'stuffed' after extra lockdown workload; chief executive takes 10 per cent pay cut.

The popular Rapids Jet ice slide will be returning to the Malcolm Flowers Insurances Taupō Winter Festival in July. Photo / Grabb Photography

Taupō Winter Festival back in July - and October

26 May, 2020 11:42am
4 minutes to read

Taupō Winter Festival returns with social distancing in July, other events play in October

David Love of Love Music says he had a run on guitars just before the level 4 lockdown began on March 26. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

Desire to learn guitar in lockdown boosts shop

21 May, 2020 8:00am
3 minutes to read

Would-be guitarists snapped up guitars before lockdown, intending to learn while isolated.

Leigh Lovett (left) was the first-ever user of Taupo's new St John Health Shuttle service to Rotorua. She is pictured with volunteer drivers John Howell and Malcolm Laycock (right). Photo / Supplied

St John Taupō Health Shuttle available to all

21 May, 2020 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Taupō has a new St John Health Shuttle to take people to medical appointments in Rotorua.

Nina Manning (right) delivering Say Thanks Taupō coffees and a card to St John Taupō last week. She is pictured with John Hutchison. Photo / Supplied

Gift and cards support Taupō's local heroes

20 May, 2020 12:35pm
3 minutes to read

Two locals combine ideas of supporting local and saying thank you with new website.

From left: Camilla Baker of Cozy Corner Cafe teamed up with Sue Shaw and Jo Allen of Spacecraft to offer gift and coffee packages at alert level 3. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

Combining forces proves a successful move

18 May, 2020 11:56am
5 minutes to read

Taupo businesses looking for a post-lockdown boost are teaming up to attract customers.

Mayor says Auckland flights will resume in June

13 May, 2020 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Wellington-Taupo flights resume next week while Air NZ Auckland service restarts in June.

Tupara Tupara of New World Tūrangi received 131 nominations for the title of New Zealand's Supermarket Hero. Photo / Supplied

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Supermarket star 'kind, bubbly and thoughtful'

12 May, 2020 7:00pm
4 minutes to read

Tūrangi worker receives the ultimate lockdown accolade - New Zealand's Supermarket Hero.

From left: Pilot Pete Masters, crewman David Bayfield and intensive care paramedic Tony More are three of a permanent crew of nine at Taupō's Greenlea Rescue Helicopter base. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

ROTORUA DAILY POST

'The base nobody wanted' busier than ever

12 May, 2020 4:00am
13 minutes to read

Two years ago, people were fighting to save Taupō's rescue helicopter - now it's flat out.

Students learning in their bubble at Taupō-nui-a-Tia College. Photo / Supplied

School bubbles tiny as most students stay home

30 Apr, 2020 5:00pm
6 minutes to read

Small numbers back at schools but that may change as more parents head back to work.

The Taupō town centre showed the first signs of life in over four weeks yesterday as the country moved to Alert Level 3.

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Takeaway food and coffee a post-lockdown treat

29 Apr, 2020 12:00pm
5 minutes to read

Taupō locals rush to McDonald's for food and the transfer station to dump waste.

Tūrangi furniture maker and restorer David Winterburn has turned his hand to making face shields during the Covid-19 lockdown. Photo / Supplied

PREMIUM

Face shield maker says people just want to feel safe

20 Apr, 2020 4:20am
6 minutes to read

Thanks to Covid-19, David Winterburn has switched from furniture to face masks.

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Taupō council asks for $315 million for 16 projects

19 Apr, 2020 6:00pm
5 minutes to read

Taupō District Council's 16 shovel-ready projects cover drinking water to housing.

From left: Annabel Prescott of Anamata Cafe, Julie McLeod and Alice Thompson of Towncentre Taupō and Sue van Mierlo of Anamata on the Taupō rainbow crossing. Photo / File

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Taupō youth service launches phone counselling

17 Apr, 2020 5:00pm
2 minutes to read

Taupo youth health service Anamata starts phone counselling for youth in lockdown.

The Taupō District Council's temporary council chambers. The council has been spread around five different buildings around the town since late 2017. Photo / File

New council building on hold while savings search on

15 Apr, 2020 5:00pm
5 minutes to read

A zero per cent rates rise is only going to go part of the way for Taupō District Council.

Sarge is at the Taupō SPCA waiting to be adopted when the lockdown ends. Photo / Supplied

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Rush on pets means 30 found lockdown homes

15 Apr, 2020 11:00am
2 minutes to read

SPCA has 48 animals awaiting forever homes once lockdown ends.

Taupō's AC Baths' indoor 25m pool. Fees for the pools remain unchanged in the upcoming year. Photo / File

Fears of recession mean almost all fees freeze

14 Apr, 2020 7:00pm
2 minutes to read

Taupō councillors vote not to increase fees in 2020/21 - with the exception of waste.

Stacy Lewis of Animal Care Tūrangi with a mother dog and two of her eight puppies. Photo / File

Animals in shelters need homes after lockdown

14 Apr, 2020 5:00pm
5 minutes to read

Bare minimum of volunteers keep shelters running but prolonged animal contact not allowed.

Mixed results after an attempt at homemade hot cross buns.

Pants optional: Standards slip in lockdown life

11 Apr, 2020 6:00pm
8 minutes to read

The Great Covid-19 Kiwi Lockdown of 2020: week two.

House settlements are on hold until after the lockdown ends. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

Agents think market could perk up once lockdown ends

5 Apr, 2020 7:00am
4 minutes to read

Market quiet but agents hope the lull is only temporary.

The Lines Company crews renewing lines around Kuratau last year. Photo / File

Lines Company acts quickly to reduce charges

3 Apr, 2020 7:00am
5 minutes to read

Power consumer advocate hails The Lines Company decision to waive April variable charges.

Some of the family are going to have to do without their favourite foods during the lockdown.

One week down, three to go

2 Apr, 2020 1:00pm
8 minutes to read

The Great Covid-19 Kiwi Lockdown of 2020: week one

Taupō streets are deserted and shops shut. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

'If you can limp your way through, you can start again'

2 Apr, 2020 7:00am
5 minutes to read

Fears that not all Taupo retail businesses will reopen after a month of lockdown.

Nature's colours at a Kids Greening Taupō event. Photo / File

Fun daily nature activities good for wellbeing

1 Apr, 2020 7:00am
4 minutes to read

Struggling to get kids outside? Kids Greening Taupo has lots of nature-connecting ideas.

Taupō Budget House co-ordinator Jan Otsuka. Photo / Supplied

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Taupō budget advisors expect calls for help

31 Mar, 2020 3:00pm
7 minutes to read

Don't panic: Six useful tips to help you budget during the Covid-19 crisis.

Taupō Community Foodbank staff and board members. Back row (L to R): Kevin Taylor, Eileen Devane. Front row: Jade Shortland, Megan George, John Pendergrast. Photo / File

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Lockdown closes foodbank because of virus risk

30 Mar, 2020 1:35pm
5 minutes to read

Taupō Foodbank demand has dropped off as service shuts to reduce risk of virus spread.

DISTRUPTION: Instead of beginning his O.E. on Monday, Kale Grahame (right) has temporarily moved in with his parents and is helping out at McPhail-Grahame Motors. Pictured with his dad Steve Grahame (

Time for community to support each other

19 Mar, 2020 5:01am
6 minutes to read

Taupō community counts cost as the implications of coronavirus unfold.

A couple embrace before beginning their Ironman journeys at the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman New Zealand event in Taupō last year. Photo / Alphapix/Ironman NZ

ROTORUA DAILY POST

Taupō a great place to do Ironman, say the athletes

5 Mar, 2020 9:47am
3 minutes to read

Taupō takes first place in Overall Satisfaction category of athletes' choice awards.

The bend on Wairakei Drive where Mr Stephenson lost control of his motorcycle. The Coroner has found that the reasons cannot be determined. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

Inquest can't determine crash cause

3 Mar, 2020 2:00pm
4 minutes to read

Inquest into motorcyclist death hears theory he swerved to avoid a turning vehicle.