The Country
  • The Country home
  • Latest news
  • Audio & podcasts
  • Opinion
  • Dairy farming
  • Sheep & beef farming
  • Rural business
  • Rural technology
  • Rural life
  • Listen on iHeart radio

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • Coast & Country News
  • Opinion
  • Dairy farming
  • Sheep & beef farming
  • Horticulture
  • Animal health
  • Rural business
  • Rural technology
  • Rural life

Media

  • Podcasts
  • Video

Weather

  • Kaitaia
  • Whāngarei
  • Dargaville
  • Auckland
  • Thames
  • Tauranga
  • Hamilton
  • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Tokoroa
  • Te Kuiti
  • Taumurunui
  • Taupō
  • Gisborne
  • New Plymouth
  • Napier
  • Hastings
  • Dannevirke
  • Whanganui
  • Palmerston North
  • Levin
  • Paraparaumu
  • Masterton
  • Wellington
  • Motueka
  • Nelson
  • Blenheim
  • Westport
  • Reefton
  • Kaikōura
  • Greymouth
  • Hokitika
  • Christchurch
  • Ashburton
  • Timaru
  • Wānaka
  • Oamaru
  • Queenstown
  • Dunedin
  • Gore
  • Invercargill

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Stuart Whitaker
Te Puke

Stuart Whitaker is editor of the Te Puke Times

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 Stuart’s latest content
Kiwifruit legacy: Te Puke’s drive for heritage hub continues
The Country

Kiwifruit legacy: Te Puke’s drive for heritage hub continues

16 Dec 07:00 PM
Businesses rally for Te Puke High's innovative garden project
The Country

Businesses rally for Te Puke High's innovative garden project

09 Dec 07:00 PM

Te Puke High School thanks supporters with engraved chopping boards.

Te Puke arborist claims world title after four attempts
The Country

Te Puke arborist claims world title after four attempts

13 Nov 03:00 PM

Steph Dryfhout wins ITCC title, adding to her NZ and Asia-Pacific championship victories.

Te Puke celebrates 65 years since kiwifruit got its name
The Country

Te Puke celebrates 65 years since kiwifruit got its name

03 Sep 07:00 AM

New town crier and citizen of the year revealed.

Sally Gardiner aiming to be Zespri’s first female grower director
The Country

Sally Gardiner aiming to be Zespri’s first female grower director

07 Aug 06:00 PM

Sally also sits on NZKGI's executive committee.

EastPack sets new trays-packed record, topping 50 million
Horticulture

EastPack sets new trays-packed record, topping 50 million

06 Aug 02:00 AM

Landmark tray packed at Quarry Rd plant.

Couple say goodbye to Te Puke Truffles
The Country

Couple say goodbye to Te Puke Truffles

06 Aug 01:42 AM

When they planted their trees, they’d never even tried a truffle.

Record 2024 kiwifruit harvest follows meagre 2023
The Country

Record 2024 kiwifruit harvest follows meagre 2023

11 Jun 04:00 AM

Good weather and labour availability major contributors to record crop

Te Ranga School's hunting pests
The Country

Te Ranga School's hunting pests

05 Jun 06:00 PM

Rural school event has new focus and new messages

Special maimai a winner for hunters who use wheelchairs
The Country

Special maimai a winner for hunters who use wheelchairs

15 May 06:00 PM

'Normally I’m a bit limited in what I can have a blast at.'

School revives pest hunt
The Country

School revives pest hunt

08 Apr 06:00 PM

The Te Ranga School event will have more of a conservation focus than in the past.

'House is shaking all the time': Anger and frustration in Te Puke road rehabilitation delay
The Country

'House is shaking all the time': Anger and frustration in Te Puke road rehabilitation delay

20 Mar 07:25 PM

Resident: 'I'll believe it when I see it.'

Two more Bay of Plenty environmental awards finalists
The Country

Two more Bay of Plenty environmental awards finalists

06 Mar 03:00 AM

Mangorewa and Te Ranga farms are both family affairs.

Paraiti Catchment Care Group under spotlight
The Country

Paraiti Catchment Care Group under spotlight

05 Mar 11:00 PM

Group established in 2020 by members of the Te Ranga community.

Motorkhana and fencing competition new attractions at Te Puke A&P Show
The Country

Motorkhana and fencing competition new attractions at Te Puke A&P Show

07 Feb 03:00 AM

Te Puke A&P Show is to take place on Saturday.

Diesel thieves target rural Te Puke properties
The Country

Diesel thieves target rural Te Puke properties

24 Jan 03:00 AM

Fuel, generators and batteries have been taken, police say.

Red Knights riding for animal charity RRR
The Country

Red Knights riding for animal charity RRR

15 Jan 10:48 PM

It is the local chapter's first charity ride.

Ōtamarākau dairy farmer taking part in global master class
The Country

Ōtamarākau dairy farmer taking part in global master class

28 Nov 07:00 PM

The 2023 event started in Hamilton this week and will finish in Queenstown on December 6.

Some luck, more skill: How Air Force veteran survived the war and reached 100
The Country

Some luck, more skill: How Air Force veteran survived the war and reached 100

01 Nov 05:00 PM

His love of flying was sparked at just 5 years old and he grew up to be an Air Commodore.

Te Puke Club proudly steps into 100th year
The Country

Te Puke Club proudly steps into 100th year

05 Oct 07:00 PM

In its heyday it was a very affluent club, says president Chris Treloar.

Ups and downs in 20 years of Otanewainuku Kiwi trust
The Country

Ups and downs in 20 years of Otanewainuku Kiwi trust

25 Jul 08:00 PM

Starting from scratch, the trust has established a population of about 30 kiwi.

Drivers play 'dodge cars' to avoid potholes
The Country

Drivers play 'dodge cars' to avoid potholes

07 Jun 07:00 PM

Council has received 44 complaints about the No 1 Rd pavement since May 1.

Pāpāmoa school's grassroots biosecurity
The Country

Pāpāmoa school's grassroots biosecurity

07 Jun 04:00 AM

Growing their own fascinates school's pupils.

Tree climber Steph targets the top
The Country

Tree climber Steph targets the top

25 May 04:00 AM

Competitive tree climbing began at Wintec.

A taste of kiwifruit science for high school students
The Country

A taste of kiwifruit science for high school students

24 May 08:00 PM

Succesful pilot leads to second Te Rito Cadetship.

Bank staff put in the hard yards
The Country

Bank staff put in the hard yards

03 May 08:00 PM

The bush area is part of the corridor between Ōtānewainuku and Kaharoa forests.

'Very busy': New $28m grader another step forward
The Country

'Very busy': New $28m grader another step forward

12 Apr 08:00 PM

Old grader repurposed across the post-harvest operator's other packhouses

Young Farmers wants to boost ranks
The Country

Young Farmers wants to boost ranks

21 Mar 07:00 PM

Membership covers farming and horticulture.

Premium
Now hiring: Thousands of kiwifruit workers needed for harvest
The Country

Now hiring: Thousands of kiwifruit workers needed for harvest

09 Mar 05:00 PM

'Projected lower fruit volumes meant there is likely to be a shorter post-harvest season.'

Testing the waters
The Country

Testing the waters

08 Feb 09:00 PM

Water's nitrogen levels can be checked out on Saturday

Mara kai feeding people
The Country

Mara kai feeding people

23 Nov 09:00 PM

Almost 300 people are benefiting from kiwifruit bins being converted to vege gardens.

Te Puke Truffles makes it to TV
The Country

Te Puke Truffles makes it to TV

21 Sep 08:00 PM

Truffiere's story is more than just getting truffles out of the ground.

Fungi: The fabulous food source
The Country

Fungi: The fabulous food source

27 Jul 07:30 PM

Mushroom growing can be a low-cost way of adding a powerhouse food to the menu.

Laura is the cream of the crop
The Country

Laura is the cream of the crop

26 Jul 11:00 PM

Contestants demonstrate what great talent there is in the horticulture industry.

RSE workers giving back to the community
The Country

RSE workers giving back to the community

07 Jun 08:00 PM

The community board chairman's approach has brought positive results for Te Puke township.

Te Puke's feel-good fruit
The Country

Te Puke's feel-good fruit

25 May 07:00 PM

Kiwifruit slices bring a feel-good factor to Te Puke

Premium
Red letter day! Kiwifruit season starts with sweet milestone
The Country

Red letter day! Kiwifruit season starts with sweet milestone

23 Feb 07:00 PM

Season stars with the first RubyRed kiwifruit being picked in Te Puke.

Seeka's $20m investment in packline, coolstore under way
The Country

Seeka's $20m investment in packline, coolstore under way

29 Sep 05:55 PM

New facilities are expected to be in use by next year's kiwifruit harvest.

ANZ branch closure disappointing
The Country

ANZ branch closure disappointing

17 Feb 08:04 PM

Leaders say ANZ Bank branch closure is disappointing and will hit the disadvantaged

Win-win in pork handout
The Country

Win-win in pork handout

27 May 11:00 PM

Massive demand for food parcels continues

New attraction: Te Puke's kiwifruit slices now in place
The Country

New attraction: Te Puke's kiwifruit slices now in place

01 Mar 11:34 PM

New kiwifruit-themed attraction for Te Puke

Strong speaker line-up for Effluent & Environment Expo
The Country

Strong speaker line-up for Effluent & Environment Expo

13 Nov 11:23 PM

The New Zealand Effluent & Environment Expo is on in Hamilton later this month.

Staying vigilant to defeat M. bovis
The Country

Staying vigilant to defeat M. bovis

13 Nov 11:18 PM

Livestock Improvement Corporation is continuing its heightened biosecurity measures.

Accolade for Te Puke Young Farmers
The Country

Accolade for Te Puke Young Farmers

13 Nov 11:15 PM

Te Puke Young Farmers was named best club in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty area recently.

Conservationist's dream needs more hands
The Country

Conservationist's dream needs more hands

13 Nov 11:08 PM

Staff from the Skin Centre in Tauranga went bush last week.

Fungi fascination attracts the Birds
The Country

Fungi fascination attracts the Birds

24 Jul 09:00 PM

Truffle hunts at a Paengaroa property are spreading the word about the prized fungus.

Kiwifruit ambassador role resurrected
The Country

Kiwifruit ambassador role resurrected

17 Jul 11:00 PM

Te Puke to have its fist Kiwifruit Ambassador since 2011.

Possums beware! Pig and possum hunt on again
The Country

Possums beware! Pig and possum hunt on again

19 Jun 08:00 PM

Bush classroom adds to rural character of Te Ranga School

Dogs blamed for sheep deaths
The Country

Dogs blamed for sheep deaths

29 May 09:00 PM

Western Bay council urging residents to notify them about roaming or wandering dogs.

Kiwifruit workers scramble for accommodation amid housing 'crisis'
The Country

Kiwifruit workers scramble for accommodation amid housing 'crisis'

13 Apr 10:00 PM

Accommodation 'crisis' comes as council clamps down on freedom camping.

Fruit breeder's kiwifruit contribution
The Country

Fruit breeder's kiwifruit contribution

03 Apr 10:00 PM

In 50 years of fruit research, Russell Lowe has had his fair share of success.

Students learn biosecurity lesson in Te Puke
The Country

Students learn biosecurity lesson in Te Puke

24 Oct 09:00 PM

Students from Bay of Plenty learned the biosecurity threat to horticulture is very real.

Thief uproots seedlings and leaves
The Country

Thief uproots seedlings and leaves

13 Sep 01:30 AM

Plucking thief takes the shine off the salad days for community garden.

Woolly visitor at home in Te Puke art space
The Country

Woolly visitor at home in Te Puke art space

29 Aug 11:30 PM

Ewe wouldn't have believed your eyes had you visited Te Puke's community art space.

Farm bikes fixed up for Minginui township
The Country

Farm bikes fixed up for Minginui township

23 Aug 02:30 AM

A Papamoa man has enlisted friends in Te Puke to make a difference in Minginui.

Hoofing it: Wayward sheep causes ruckus in town
The Country

Hoofing it: Wayward sheep causes ruckus in town

04 Jul 10:39 PM

For a sheep that is never heard, Mallory has caused quite a disturbance in Te Puke.

Te Ranga School bags $20,000 from Pig and Possum Hunt
The Country

Te Ranga School bags $20,000 from Pig and Possum Hunt

04 Jul 08:00 PM

Te Ranga School's recent Pig and Possum Hunt raised over $20,000 for the school.

Local pride on the line in charity boxing
The Country

Local pride on the line in charity boxing

16 May 09:17 PM

You don't let losing rung through your mind says charity boxer

Inside story: Seasoned crews behind the kiwifruit boom
The Country

Inside story: Seasoned crews behind the kiwifruit boom

29 Mar 08:30 PM

Seasonal work is a fun way to top up retired couple's income

Trevelyan manager Danni van der Heijden wins Young Grower competition
The Country

Trevelyan manager Danni van der Heijden wins Young Grower competition

21 Feb 06:30 PM

Danni van der Heijden has won the region's young fruit grower contest for the second time.

Te Puke A&P show cattle a labour of love
The Country

Te Puke A&P show cattle a labour of love

25 Jan 12:41 AM

Much of Liz Milsom's donkey work will have been done when Te Puke A&P Show day dawns.

Runaway dogs on a merry spree
The Country

Runaway dogs on a merry spree

23 Nov 01:23 AM

Like a something out of a movie, dogs Chica and Joy gave plenty of people the slip

Possum hunt in no danger
The Country

Possum hunt in no danger

21 Sep 05:00 AM

Te Ranga School's main annual fundraiser isn't under any threat of being cancelled.

New EastPack grader opened
The Country

New EastPack grader opened

23 Mar 08:10 PM

The 14-lane Compac grader is the first sorter in the industry has more than ten lanes.

Taupo hosts dressage champs
The Country

Taupo hosts dressage champs

26 Sep 06:00 PM

Ottilie Upshall and Debbie Barke will be competing in the North Island Dressage and Championships, hosted by Dressage Bay of Plenty

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP