Latest fromManawatu

'Wrecking ball': Ex-All Blacks midfielder signs with Moana Pasifika
It comes as the Auckland-based side announced the mass departure of 15 players.

First XV wrap: Scoreboard drama as Sacred Heart clinch last-gasp victory
Palmerston North edged Hamilton 21-19, their first win since 2011.

Wellington leads in income, South Island shines in low unemployment
Wellington now ranks high in housing affordability due to falling prices.

'It means a lot': Hunting contest's crucial role in rural rescue
'Pongaroar' brings together hundreds of hunters, farmers, locals and spectators.

On The Up: 'Desire to innovate' - Kiwi fitness app wins global prize for Harry Potter challenges
Plus: Tauranga gin distillery's big UK win and Pāpāmoa skincare start-up's Goop deal.

On The Up: Former Olympic swimmer dives into business with waste venture
PortaSkip provides mobile skip bins for easy rubbish removal in Hawke’s Bay.

Sarjeant Gallery visitor numbers revealed
Of the 83,000 visitors, 60% are expected to be from outside Whanganui.

What you need to know about the new Manawatū Tararua Highway
Locals got a test drive over the new highway over the southern Ruahine Range.

Ten players win almost $33k each in Lotto Second Division – where lucky tickets were sold
Three players shared $1 million in last night's First Division draw.

Child predator was fresh out of prison when he struck again, targeting 10 girls
Karl Salmon has a history of child sex offending. He now faces an indefinite prison term.

Australian navy ship disrupts NZ internet and radio services
HMAS Canberra's radar blocked Wi-Fi from Taranaki to Marlborough.

Trainer upbeat as Pacific Breeze aims for 2YO Championship Final
Pacific Breeze aims to qualify for the $60,000 2YO Winter Championship Final.

Permit reduction likely for Gisborne truck route
New maps exclude Ormond Rd from the NZTA’s ‘H’ permit system.

'Human error' behind massive Lower North Island internet outage
The outage, caused by human error, lasted over an hour, affecting 118,000 services.

Wellingtonians back online after 90% of network goes dark
A rough estimate from the Chrous site is that 8500 customers were affected.

School's shearing and woolhandling contest a hit
The school held its own version of the iconic Golden Shears championships.

Editorial: 'Run it straight' games deserve condemnation
OPINION: The activity has horrified those who work so hard to prevent head injury.

Teacher denied request to 'retire with dignity' after having sex with student
The woman was more recently teaching at one of the country's top private girls' schools.

Study reveals main cause of lepto outbreak after Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay farmer says he was surprised by how hard the disease impacted him.

Lawyer claims she took $200k of client funds to escape abusive relationship
'This is a story of a long shadow of domestic violence,' she told a disciplinary tribunal.

Opinion: Scots College rugby default raises serious concerns
OPINION: St Peter's Cambridge seek first Central North Island title since 2020.