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Alyssa Smith
Multimedia journalist - Lower North Island

The New Zealand Herald has more than 200 journalists across the country, bringing you the stories that matter on our website and app, in print and across our social media platforms.

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 Alyssa’s latest content
Charbelle Tatoo Pix wins top award
The Country

Charbelle Tatoo Pix wins top award

01 Dec 10:25 PM
Young handlers shine at show
The Country

Young handlers shine at show

01 Dec 07:01 PM

The rain didn't dampen the spirits of the young handlers.

Green-thumbed community plants 4000 natives
The Country

Green-thumbed community plants 4000 natives

20 Nov 07:00 PM

Marco School pupils were out on the hills, planting 4000 natives in the republic.

Elemental Cider wins awards for locally-made cider
The Country

Elemental Cider wins awards for locally-made cider

12 Nov 01:37 AM

Carmen Gray, NZ's only female cider maker, earns international recognition for her ciders.

New Forest Farm opening for public tours
The Country

New Forest Farm opening for public tours

07 Nov 11:46 PM

Glenn and Lynda Howatson to showcase sustainable farming, offer advice in Taranaki tours.

Join Team HOPE's 10th birthday bash with Matt Chisholm
The Country

Join Team HOPE's 10th birthday bash with Matt Chisholm

25 Oct 03:00 AM

Central Taranaki charity Team HOPE is celebrating its 10th birthday in November.

Tulips thrive in Midhirst, garden now open by appointment
The Country

Tulips thrive in Midhirst, garden now open by appointment

21 Sep 02:00 AM

John Vernon’s tulip garden in Midhirst is starting to bloom.

Apprentice crossing the ditch for technician awards
The Country

Apprentice crossing the ditch for technician awards

02 Aug 04:00 AM

'I’m a bit nervous but I think it’ll be pretty cool.'

Prestigious accolade for Alton farmers
The Country

Prestigious accolade for Alton farmers

04 Jul 04:00 AM

Their efforts to protect biodiversity were recognised at the national awards ceremony.

Midhirst local inspiring positive change
The Country

Midhirst local inspiring positive change

29 Jun 10:00 PM

The 19-year-old World Vision youth ambassador taught 40 tricks to a group of dogs.

Course graduates ready to work: 'Thank you for giving me an opportunity of a lifetime'
The Country

Course graduates ready to work: 'Thank you for giving me an opportunity of a lifetime'

14 Jun 10:00 PM

The graduates are now qualified for the forestry and conservation sector.

Warmer June, less rain for lower North Island
The Country

Warmer June, less rain for lower North Island

06 Jun 03:00 AM

The latest Niwa outlook report covers what's expected over the next three months.

Foodbank drive to meet the need
The Country

Foodbank drive to meet the need

28 May 11:15 PM

The two farmer-led initiatives ensure those in need get meat and milk.

Supply chain opportunities for Whanganui
The Country

Supply chain opportunities for Whanganui

23 May 11:49 PM

BlueFloat Energy wants to hear from Whanganui businesses.

Taranaki loader driver wins national champs
The Country

Taranaki loader driver wins national champs

15 Apr 10:00 PM

Stratford's Travid Young came out on top against 12 other machine operators.

Former Stratford student wins big at industry awards
The Country

Former Stratford student wins big at industry awards

03 Apr 09:00 PM

Monique Radford, who grew up in Stratford, now lives in Ashburton.

Top placings for Stratford woodchoppers
The Country

Top placings for Stratford woodchoppers

18 Mar 11:00 PM

Stratford brothers Shane and Jack Jordan went head to head at the national competition.

Twilight Gala to support Lepperton School
The Country

Twilight Gala to support Lepperton School

06 Mar 09:10 PM

Money raised at the gala will go towards funding activities and supplies for the school.

Rare breeds on show at Huiroa farm
The Country

Rare breeds on show at Huiroa farm

24 Feb 09:00 PM

From llamas to clydesdales, creatures great and small are on show at the Taranaki farm.

Tarata's sheep dog trials offer fun for all the family
The Country

Tarata's sheep dog trials offer fun for all the family

24 Feb 05:00 PM

Dogs and their handlers will show off their skills at an annual event in Tarata.

Stratford rural workshops to help farmers
The Country

Stratford rural workshops to help farmers

18 Feb 09:00 PM

Worm management and finance management are the focus of two upcoming events.

Nightmare on Flint Road a horrifying success
The Country

Nightmare on Flint Road a horrifying success

23 Jan 09:00 PM

Fundraiser set to scare the daylights out of you.

Summer Flower Show coming to Hāwera
The Country

Summer Flower Show coming to Hāwera

20 Jan 05:00 PM

The South Taranaki-based society organises a summer and autumn flower show each year.

Family fun coming to Egmont A&P Show
The Country

Family fun coming to Egmont A&P Show

19 Jan 09:07 PM

Egmont A&P Show Association's Dale Mosley says the show will have lots of entertainment.

Kids hammer and nail to make Stratford pest-free
The Country

Kids hammer and nail to make Stratford pest-free

18 Jan 09:00 PM

The traps will be put along Stratford's Carrington Walkway.

Learn a new skill at Egmont A&P Show
The Country

Learn a new skill at Egmont A&P Show

12 Jan 09:00 PM

The area under the grandstand will have workshops, activities and free presentations.

Stratford A&P Show: Plenty to see at this year's show
The Country

Stratford A&P Show: Plenty to see at this year's show

23 Nov 11:00 PM

Stratford A&P Society president Paul Vanner says the show will have plenty of rural fun.

Free show entry for kids under 14
The Country

Free show entry for kids under 14

22 Nov 05:00 PM

The Stratford A&P Show received its first grant from the Toi Foundation in 1995.

Special guest coming to annual show
The Country

Special guest coming to annual show

21 Nov 05:00 AM

Santa and his elves are taking a break from the North Pole to attend the event.

Rabobank gifts rural school farming books
The Country

Rabobank gifts rural school farming books

18 Nov 05:00 AM

Auroa School principal Jared Chittenden says the books are popular at the school.

Stratford A&P Show: Dogs and handlers set to be put through their paces
The Country

Stratford A&P Show: Dogs and handlers set to be put through their paces

16 Nov 05:00 PM

Organiser Murray Austin says the sheepdog trials are open to a range of levels and skills.

Workshop to give farmers dry stock tips
The Country

Workshop to give farmers dry stock tips

04 Nov 09:00 PM

The upcoming workshop will teach farmers drystock nutrition tips.

Fun and games at Midhirst School Pet Day
The Country

Fun and games at Midhirst School Pet Day

21 Oct 09:00 PM

The rain couldn't wash away the smiles on the pupils' faces at the annual event.

Stratford A&P Show adds more fun to the fair
The Country

Stratford A&P Show adds more fun to the fair

17 Oct 08:00 PM

This year's show has a mix of old, new and returning activities, says Vicki Jagersma.

Ball gives farmers a night off the farm
The Country

Ball gives farmers a night off the farm

15 Oct 07:00 PM

Knowing all the right moves isn't a requirement to attend, says Karen Eichstaedt.

Tulips in bloom at Midhirst farm
The Country

Tulips in bloom at Midhirst farm

13 Oct 01:00 AM

The tulips are in bloom and Midhirst and John Vernon says they're amazing.

Going wild for vodka in Waihi Beach
The Country

Going wild for vodka in Waihi Beach

04 Oct 11:15 PM

Daring and friendship results in vodka business

Cannabis company buzzing after 'milestone' export
The Country

Cannabis company buzzing after 'milestone' export

25 Sep 11:07 PM

Cannasouth is the first company in NZ to export cannabis API to Australia.

Old McCutcheon truck getting back on the road
The Country

Old McCutcheon truck getting back on the road

22 Sep 10:00 PM

The truck was last used in 1960s as a delivery truck.

Final farming council meeting for Bryan Hocken
The Country

Final farming council meeting for Bryan Hocken

22 Sep 10:00 PM

Bryan Hocken has retired from Beef and Lamb NZ Western North Island Farm Council.

New CD audiobooks for Stratford Library
The Country

New CD audiobooks for Stratford Library

20 Sep 09:00 PM

There is a range of titles suited for every child, Bridget Roper says.

Farm safety at the forefront of challenge
The Country

Farm safety at the forefront of challenge

06 Aug 06:00 AM

The Taranaki Secondary School Agricultural Safety Challenge started 25 years ago.

Course gets people ready for workforce
The Country

Course gets people ready for workforce

04 Jul 11:00 PM

The graduates received a New Zealand Level 2 certificate.

Lame stories make for interesting read
The Country

Lame stories make for interesting read

24 Jun 10:00 PM

The book contains stories all relating to one theme - lameness.

Formal festivities for Taranaki farmers
The Country

Formal festivities for Taranaki farmers

20 Jun 10:00 PM

The event marks the end of a five-event series in Taranaki.

Stratford woodchopper a cut above the rest
The Country

Stratford woodchopper a cut above the rest

19 Jun 10:00 PM

The Stratford woodchopper is a third generation axeman.

Market brings food, craft and more
The Country

Market brings food, craft and more

08 Jun 10:00 PM

The market runs on the third Saturday of each month during winter.

Valais Blacknose sheep ready for open day
The Country

Valais Blacknose sheep ready for open day

08 Jun 02:00 AM

Three speciality sheep breeders are opening their farm gates for the day.

Ratapiko School appoints new principal
The Country

Ratapiko School appoints new principal

03 Jun 06:00 AM

Ratapiko School's new principal says its never to late to follow your dreams.

National Party leader to stop in Stratford
The Country

National Party leader to stop in Stratford

30 May 04:00 AM

This Friday Taranaki farmers have the chance to have a cuppa with Christopher Luxon.

Farmers to get off the farm and into learning
The Country

Farmers to get off the farm and into learning

19 May 02:00 AM

The field day takes place at the back of Stratford.

Splash of colour in Hāwera
The Country

Splash of colour in Hāwera

17 Apr 07:00 PM

The mural is located on Princes Street, Hāwera.

North Island's best sheepdogs vie to be top dog in Taranaki
The Country

North Island's best sheepdogs vie to be top dog in Taranaki

29 Mar 09:00 PM

Taranaki's top dogs will be competing for the top spot at the sheep dog trial champs.

PKW hosts farmers for open day event
The Country

PKW hosts farmers for open day event

26 Feb 07:00 PM

The open day aimed to teach Taranaki farmers about the benefits of sheep milking.

Impact of low-flow hydro studied
The Country

Impact of low-flow hydro studied

15 Feb 08:00 PM

The project will look at whether low-flow hydro is sustainable.

Open day to educate on sheep milk
The Country

Open day to educate on sheep milk

30 Jan 11:00 PM

The special open day will teach farmers about sheep milking.

Eltham's little cheese factory wins big
The Country

Eltham's little cheese factory wins big

26 Dec 11:00 PM

The cheese factory scooped up a number of awards and medals.

Equestrian events a highlight of show
The Country

Equestrian events a highlight of show

27 Nov 08:30 PM

Horse riders and their equine friends travelled from around the country to compete.

Competition brings festive cheer to rural Taranaki
The Country

Competition brings festive cheer to rural Taranaki

25 Nov 08:00 PM

The Taranaki Rural Farm Art and Sculpture competition aims to spread festive cheer.

Young Farmers chairwoman wins Emerging Director award
The Country

Young Farmers chairwoman wins Emerging Director award

03 Nov 05:00 AM

A Taranaki woman will be able to increase her governance skills over the next year.

Stratford lad wastes no time in qualifying as butcher
The Country

Stratford lad wastes no time in qualifying as butcher

19 Oct 07:00 AM

From apprentice to qualified butcher for The Family Butchery staff member.

Hāwera's Dennis fire truck fully restored
The Country

Hāwera's Dennis fire truck fully restored

18 Oct 09:00 PM

The fire brigade has restored a piece of Hāwera's history.

St Joseph's School Stratford pupils visit Dolly's Milk
The Country

St Joseph's School Stratford pupils visit Dolly's Milk

20 Sep 07:30 PM

St Joseph's School Stratford pupils visited Dolly's Milk.

Inglewood Young Farmers Club receives award
The Country

Inglewood Young Farmers Club receives award

07 Sep 04:00 AM

Inglewood Young Farmers Club has received an award for membership growth.

Free spot checks help early detection
The Country

Free spot checks help early detection

17 Aug 12:00 AM

The spot check van was parked at the Stratford A&P Showgrounds.

Project to see if curiosity killed the possum
The Country

Project to see if curiosity killed the possum

02 Aug 03:00 AM

Did curiosity kill the possum? This project will help find the answer.

Course kick starts forestry and conservation career
The Country

Course kick starts forestry and conservation career

22 Jun 11:00 PM

The course helps people kickstart their career in the forestry and conservation sectors.

Taranaki field day teaches value of hill country
The Country

Taranaki field day teaches value of hill country

08 Jun 11:45 AM

The event will help farmers identify resources and the value they have to their business.

Workshop to help farmers get best from ewes
The Country

Workshop to help farmers get best from ewes

08 Jun 11:24 AM

The workshop will teach farmers a range of skills

Community rallies behind farmers after accident
The Country

Community rallies behind farmers after accident

26 Apr 12:00 AM

Thea Schumacher says she has been blessed by real-life angels since the accident.

18-year-old and heading dog win competition
The Country

18-year-old and heading dog win competition

05 Apr 05:00 PM

Rhys and his dog Joy were the winning combination at a recent dog trial.

Three surfboards donated to mental health initiative
The Country

Three surfboards donated to mental health initiative

02 Apr 05:00 AM

Surfing For Farmers have three new surfboards with a special feature.

Scholarships help Taranaki university students
The Country

Scholarships help Taranaki university students

26 Feb 07:00 PM

Two Taranaki students have benefitted from Meat Industry Association scholarships.

Valuable skills taught by parents and farmers
The Country

Valuable skills taught by parents and farmers

22 Feb 05:10 PM

Auroa school pupils learn about the primary sector through the Agri-Kids programme.

Good results at Taranaki Ayrshire Club show
The Country

Good results at Taranaki Ayrshire Club show

15 Feb 02:54 PM

There was good results at the Taranaki Ayrshire Club junior show.

Tractor trek to support children's mental heath
The Country

Tractor trek to support children's mental heath

11 Feb 08:00 PM

The tractors leave New Plymouth on February 14.

Fibre group out to weave friendship
The Country

Fibre group out to weave friendship

05 Jan 07:33 PM

The creative fibre group meets on the first Saturday of each month

Eltham cheeses win at prestigious awards
The Country

Eltham cheeses win at prestigious awards

30 Nov 04:37 PM

The cheeses picked up a number of international awards.

Premium
Company wins gold medal for manuka honey

Company wins gold medal for manuka honey

16 Nov 05:30 PM

Tarata Honey has struck gold with its creamed manuka honey

'Cow poo' garden pulled from festival over complaints
The Country

'Cow poo' garden pulled from festival over complaints

09 Nov 02:17 PM

Owner says some guests at the garden festival don't understand how dairy farms work.

Tamariki enjoy calf and lamb event
The Country

Tamariki enjoy calf and lamb event

01 Nov 05:00 AM

Stratford calf and lamb

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