Taupō & Tūrangi 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.

Good Sort: Stacy works tirelessly for dumped animals
Orphans on the doorstep are all part of a day's work for Tūrangi good sort Stacy Lewis.

Massive spate in vehicle thefts in Taupō
Multi agency response to Mt Ngauruhoe climbing party where one person slid to their death.

Straight to #1 in NZ: Fuss-free baker and social media influencer publishes recipe book
#1 in NZ is @VJCooks new cookbook with 70 classic and affordable recipes for your family.

Time penalties for triathletes
Taupō athletes competing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Firefighters burgled while out on job
Tūrangi firefighters to get compensated from Mayoral Fund after their cars were burgled.

Wanted: Industry that needs 1-2MW and can toe the quadruple bottom line
A Māori trust, industry, and business get steamed up over geothermal energy in Taupō.

Strong local connection to series cast and crew
Local film buffs can look forward to an evening showcasing home-grown Taupō talent.

Two fatalities on Taupō SH1 last week
Tarawera fatality in 80km zone on SH5 Napier-Taupō Rd.

Opportunity to see Taupō community progress
Nominations open for candidates to represent the Taupō District as mayor or councillor.

Swashbuckling adventure for the whole family
The Sea Beast is a heartwarming tale about a stowaway on a sea-monster hunting ship.

70-year-old proves it's never to late to learn to ride a bike
The regret of the stubborn child who said no: 70 years later he learns to ride a bike.

Three Waters strikes at the 'heart of democracy'
Council releases strongly worded submission information on Three Waters.

Taupō student run-walks 160km in 37 hours 50 minutes
Raising money for fresh drinking water by running around the biggest lake in New Zealand.

How you can experience a night on the snow fields of Whakapapa
Planning a school camp? There is affordable mountain accommodation at Iwikau Village.

Council health and safety: 70 incidents logged
Organisation of 356 employees publishes 3 months of near misses, accidents, and incidents.

Obituary: Jock McNab 'made friends wherever he went'
Long-time Tokaanu angler and advocate for the environment dies - 100 years of Jock McNab

Three Waters: 'Like trying to design an aeroplane while they're flying it'
Three Waters: Taupō agrees for the need to change but says the proposed model is flawed.

'Get up and do things': Advice from a 90-year-old good sort
Tips on leading a meaningful retirement from 90-year-old Taupō volunteer.

Get out your ukulele, The Nukes are coming
Calling all Taupō ukulele players, or wannabe players, workshop and concert are coming.

Healthy lifestyle for Tūwharetoa health providers
Taking their health into their own hands, or feet, Taupō Iwi health workers walk the lake.

Taupō offers geothermal power option for industrial businesses
Taupō hapū trust taps into the fire within, He Ahi, and creates new industrial lots.

Photographer shares Matariki night sky video
Taupō photographer stays up all night to film the stars and the wonders of nature.

Blankets Without Borders sending warmth to Ukraine
Taupō couple make annual appeal for clothing and blankets to send to Eastern Europe

Good Sort: Giving unique adults a sense of purpose
Taupō creates a safe and inclusive environment for unique adults who work and learn skills

Over 50 volunteers manage 15 trap lines beside Waikato River
Taupō volunteer group started 4 years ago, notches up 5000th rat and 100th stoat.

Leonardo da Vinci picture book: 'The coolest, sexiest guy in Italy'
Catfights with Michelangelo and more, an entertaining insight into Leonardo da Vinci.

Environmental group's student membership grows
Greening Taupō Arbor day event sees 4500 trees planted beside football fields.

South Auckland deputy principal to head up Taupō high school
New principal to bring knowledge of Pasifika and Māori student achievement to Taupō.

40 years as a lawyer: 'I'm enjoying it more than any other time in my legal career'
Medical treatment in another town forced Taupō lawyer to work remotely, and he loves it.

Awards a thrill for local authors
Two authors and three children's books from the Central Plateau in book awards.

TV personality dives into Surviving and Growing Through Grief
Talking about painful things with humour. Grief and healing with entertainer Pio Terei.

10-year-old artist unable to wear incredible cork creation
Outgrown costume made for cancelled Lake Taupō Hospice catwalk events donated to school.

Rachel Canning: Hoping for a busy ski season, despite volcanic activity
OPINION: Government regulations, natural forces and media are shaping Ruapehu tourism.

Grown in the school garden then cooked by mini master chefs
Young Taupō students learn about growing and cooking nutritious fresh food.

Bullying-free: Turning bystanders into upstanders
New Zealand schools are third worst for bullying in the OECD

Tourism operators ready and waiting for international visitors
Taupō mayor excited about Air New Zealand forward bookings, but older travellers hesitant.

Lifestyle block bonanza, subdivisions allowed down to 2ha
Resource consent rules for Taupō being looked at, informal feedback called for.

Final credits roll: Cinema owner steps down after four decades
Community-minded Taupō businessman sells cinema to cleaning contractors daughter.

'Don't doubt yourself': Taupō women lead the way on dairy farms
Pāmu Farms proud of three women who worked their way up from bottom to running the show.

The peddling penciller: An Ironman artist
Lives in Taupō and makes chuckling out loud art that is a commentary on things Kiwi.

Taupō programme gives unique adults new found confidence
Programme sees 3 special needs adult men leave home for first time, live independently.

An evolving artist: From acoustic to commercial pop
Taupō artist makes splash in Auckland, new singles from Roonie and upcoming EP.

Win a $1500 travel voucher when you spend $20 in Taupō
Dreaming of a holiday? Taupō businesses band together to run shopping promo

Tūrangi's SH1 underpass: 'Infamous and iconic at the same time'
Tūrangi locals scared to walk into town through "dark, wet and stinky" underpass.

Free divers take 314 catfish out of Lake Taupō
Divers used a pole spear also known as a Hawaiian sling.

New fundraiser for one of New Zealand's busiest community patrols
Taupō Community Patrol fundraising for running costs after pandemic closes usual sources.

Tauhara College students sleep in a box to show empathy for the homeless
Taupō students and teachers slept rough for a night to support the homeless.

2200 flags donated to local school by enthusiast
Taupō school flies different flag each day after being given flags from around the globe.

Pacific Islands uplifted by bra donations
Bargain box $5 bra? Not in the Pacific Islands where bras are expensive.

'There are plenty of deer': Taupō specialist says animal numbers have built up
"Bigger than Christmas", deer hunters head into the Kaimanawa Ranges for an Easter hunt.

Second year building apprentice wins regional challenge
Staying focused for 8-hour competition where "one wrong cut can muck you up".

All aboard! Secondary school sailors battle it out in Taupō
Action from day two of the secondary school's NI yachting comp held on Lake Taupō.

Easter in Taupō: Bunny hunt, street performers and church services
Taupō puts on free entertainment for Easter 2022, outside and family focussed.

Taupō hairdresser bowls them over at national awards
Judges love re-imagined Beatles-era hairstyle.

From 111 response to leading Taupō District Police
New Taupō Police area commander is humbled to have been chosen for top position.

Quiet achiever finishes ninth out of 200,000 in language competition
Tauhara College placed 11th in New Zealand in an international language competition.

A freak crash and spleen removal, then two podiums
Injured for five months, Mia Cameron takes silver at home then gold in Australia.

'Not their first rodeo': Kayakers take on Huka Falls
Kayakers "battling" through the chute, taking aim for the left-hand side of Huka Falls.

Taupō homes fail to sell at auction for first time in four years
Taupō's median house price hit $850,000 but sellers should manage expectations.

Future-proofing Taupō Airport for the next 50 years
New Taupō Airport facilities for travellers under construction, opening December 2022.

Cat-astrophe avoided: Crane called in to rescue furry friend from tree
Cat stuck in 20m tall tree for at least four days, possibly seven, rescued by crane.

Taupō principals ask for community support if omicron closes a school
Taupō teen leaders share learning from home insights for those in isolation.

Meet New Zealand's fastest under-19 cross country mountain biker
Taupō to Europe, James Officer, 17, is the New Zealand U19 XC mountain biking champion.

'Your skirt's too short': Taupō women breaking the bias
A day to reflect on gender bias in corporate NZ and ask why girls drop out of sport.

From psychological first aid to Meals On Wheels
Pandemic inspires charity to bring back the WW2 era Red Cross Parcel.

'As an organisation we are not very good at receiving praise'
Taupō fire brigade were asked three times before they finally accepted the nomination.

Demand for RATs sees Taupō librarian directing traffic
Taupō District Council warns of service disruption as pandemic causes staff shortages.

Covid-19 escalating: Hundreds of cases in Taupō District
Taupō doctor gives tips for caring for Covid-19 infected family members at home.

World's second oldest geothermal powerstation facing closure
World's 2nd geothermal power plant at Taupō is 64 years old and set to close before 2031.

Memories 'defaced' as picnic table becomes target for vandals
A Taupō couple feels defeated by vandals and questions the economics of repairs.

Portrait of an artist: Seven decades of works reflect Val's passion
An exhibition celebrating one of Taupō's finest artists is at the museum until March 28.

Taupō student leaders want to build culture within school
Taupō head student leads kaikōrero for Year 9 pōwhiri & aims for national volleyball title

From farming to funeral directing: Taupō couple celebrate 60-year marriage
Taupō funeral directors clock up 50 years of industry service and 60 years of marriage.

On-the-job learning: Taupō teens explore career options
Taupō high school students are getting real-world experience in the workforce.

Taupō holiday park among top three campgrounds in NZ
Hard work pays off for Taupō Top 10 Holiday Park owned by two brothers and their wives.

Medicinal cannabis drastically improving eight-year-old's life
Taupō family fundraising for life-changing cannabis medicine that costs $700 a month.

Taupō's black-billed gulls are rare but stubborn
Taupō's endangered black-billed gulls make life tough for themselves by nesting on boats.

Back to school: 'We've got plans A to Z'
Taupō schools are preparing for multiple scenarios as they welcome children back.