Peter Tiffany is editor of the Waikato News
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.

Mighty effort still needed
Still a need to support your local tourism and hospitality businesses.

RAF war hero celebrates 100th birthday in Hamilton
Bomber Command rear-gunner Eddie Leaf survived 19 World War II missions.

Most submissions in favour of SH1/SH29 safety improvement plan
Waikato's SH1/SH29 intersection among the most dangerous in NZ's roading network.

Pool shuts for a week, bank branch closed due to staff shortages
Staff identified as close contacts but no positives cases have visited pool

Sprinklers banned after city breaks water use record
Compliance staff travelling around city, monitoring usage, and notifying water wasters.

Hamilton breaks water use records – despite restrictions
City council alarmed and warns of possible tighter restrictions on use.

Te Huia adds airport station stop and more daytime trips
Train will terminate in downtown Auckland at The Strand Station on weekdays.

Foodbank in cash drive amid soaring demand
Text FEED to 206 to make a $3 donation to the St Vincent De Paul' Fund A Feed appeal.

A new place where memories will be built and legacies created
New theatre will be at the heart of the Hamilton's creative precinct.

Visitors must be vaccinated at city council facilities
Library click and collect and virtual tours of the zoo or museum available for unvaxxed.

Representation review adds two Māori seats to council table
Hamilton City Council will have 14 councillors, plus the mayor after 2022 elections.

Walk-in jabs now offered in Waikato region
Waikato has 37.2 per cent (over 12) fully vaccinated and 70.5 per cent with one dose.

Peacocke designed to make it easy for residents to walk, bike and scoot around
Plan includes two gully crossing bridges for shared walking and cycling pathways.

Level of govt support for biking and micro-mobility 'disappointing'
'We absolutely must do something about congestion in our city,' Paul Southgate

Lower speed proposed for part of Wairere Drive
New lights and right turn to give better access to supermarket traffic.

Hamilton council reviews representation structure
The council is suggesting 14 councillors plus the mayor is the way to go

City council seat could be won with just 225 votes
Voters urged to do better than the current 12.10 per cent vote return.

District council works urgently to upgrade treatment plant
Increase in population of Te Kauwhata adds to pressure on upgrade plans

Te Huia exceeds 11,000 passengers in just over three months
Train to Auckland proving extremely popular with families in school holidays.

Big yellow River Bus counting down to new city service
Just a 20-minute river run from Pukete to the Hamilton CBD.

Waikato to introduce weekly fare capping on public transport
'New fare products will simplify travel and deliver great value for passengers'

Travel direct from Rotokauri to The Strand without changing trains
For now, ticket prices to The Strand remain the same as those to Papakura.

Rescued dog Odin a four-year-old blank canvas
In search of an experienced owner with the time and patience for a special challenge.

Long-awaited SH1 extension will connect SH29 at new Piarere roundabout
The estimated cost is $635 million but no funding has been allocated yet.

Anyone's race as crowded field lines up for council byelection
Previous byelection saw winner in with fewer than 2000 votes from 55,000 electors.

Premium river run will leave congestion behind
Big yellow River Bus a floating business case for Darren's dream of electric ferries.

Canada geese at Huntly's Lake Hakanoa off death row - for now
Waikato District Council investigating other methods to control the geese population.

City councillors aim to revoke Māori wards vote
Mayor says rifts forming in the community over creation of Māori wards for next year.

Waikato enters historic new era in public transport
Public get a chance for a sneak peak at Te Huia train open days this weekend.

Sprinkler restrictions end in most parts of the region
Communities praised for doing a great job using water efficiently this summer.

Public health nurse Dawn Tamati 'privileged' to be the first
Jabs start today for workers at region's managed isolation facilities.

High demand for Covid-19 testing in Hamilton
No need for Covid test if you don't meet Ministry of Health criteria.

April 6 set as launch date for Te Huia train service
Two return weekday trips to Papakura with pick ups at Frankton, Rotokauri and Huntly.

Too hot to handle: Thieves dump band's stolen gear on Waikato farm
Free show in Hamilton Gardens to thank thousands who helped track down stolen gear.

City's new transport centre opens on Tuesday
Hamilton has a vibrant new asset even before the commuter train arrives.

Band silenced after $100K theft of gear
The Monroes are appealing for sightings of a stolen trailer and band equipment.

Covid-19 coronavirus: Tests available at holiday hot spots
Waikato DHB holiday arrangements for Covid-19 tests are still in place.

Bags of support for school cyclone relief effort
More school bags needed for start of the new term

Joint Waikato approach to welcome back international students
International students add significant economic contribution to the region.

Saturday sausage sizzle will help send school bags to Fijian children
Hamilton woman's family in Fiji will fill donated bags with school stationery.

Look after your mental health
Mental wellbeing platforms offer help dealing with the extra stress in your life.

Celebration of spring returns despite Covid limitations
Different national theme each day featuring music, dance and culture.

Waikato Cherry Tree Festival blooms again
Multicultural celebration of Spring features flowers, food entertainment and activities.

The growth industry that shouldn't be
Growing demand for food parcels includes many people with steady jobs.

Pacific families encouraged to get tested whether or not they have symptoms
In conjunction with Waikato DHB a pacific testing station is now operating in Hamilton.

Pan Pacific Community Hub in Hamilton will be a first for New Zealand
A space for Waikato's Pacific people to celebrate and maintain practices and traditions.

Take a walk in the Hamilton Gardens and look to the future
Hamilton Gardens rethink on show at Sunday open day.

Bevan and Margaret Bradding's community service recognised
Like the Braddings, the Hamilton Group RDA is still going strong.

The show will go on at The Meteor
Live-streaming of local arts a way to keep theatre audiences.

City's new draft annual plan delayed until July
Covid-19 "fundamentally changed the landscape", says mayor

Te Waka pushes for key Waikato projects
Bold thinking on productivity and connectivity presents a unique window of opportunity.

New health and safety rules as road works begin
Work will also resume this week on some of Hamilton City Council's capital projects.

Raglan business offering free coffee for health workers
Saying thanks and showing appreciation to frontline health workers.

Wet weekend, gaming upgrades raise demand
UltraFast Fibre ready for an influx of fibre connection requests when lockdown eases.

Funders unite to help provide essential food and services
Most applications to the $3.25 million fund so far, relate to emergency food requests.

Shovel-ready projects must reduce carbon impact, says environmental group
Go Eco says solutions to epidemic should support a path towards a carbon-zero future.

Injured jockey's gritty drive to walk again, and then some
Vance says climbing a mountain is symbolic of her journey to be able to walk again.

Festival cancelled: Incorrect form used for permit
Heritage festival permit application not processed because wrong form used.

All-women team puts new roof on elderly units
The New Zealand Women in Roofing teamed up with Habitat for Humanity for the project.

City heading for 29 degrees on Sunday
Sprinkler monitors are on patrol; if you see water being wasted report it.

Create a driveway safe spot
Parent to Parent and Bunnings hosting free workshops on Saturday.

Rob Somerfield dominates Rose of the Year awards
New rose Everlasting Hope wins three top awards.

Secret garden gift for former mayor
The Julie Marguerite rose will get its first public reveal on Friday at the Rose Festival.

The roofer aiming for an all-female team
'A shining example of the younger generation of roofers' - Roofing Association of NZ.

Longswamp night works to rectify seal - expect delays
High temperatures and slowing traffic causes seal to lift on new stretch of Expressway.

Hamilton's Riding for Disabled opens new classroom
A new classroom has been opened at the Hamilton's Riding for the Disabled grounds.

Claudelands Bridge slower and safer
City council says it is the beginning of a new era for transport in Hamilton.

Rail puts Waikato growth on track
The service from Hamilton to Papakura is due to roll out for the first time in June 2020.

Regions work together for growth
The plan includes possibly extending rail to places such as Cambridge and Te Awamutu.

Answer Sir Graham Henry's call up
Fresh call made for more blood donors to help create the world's biggest reserve bench.

Rose breeder Sam McGredy dies
Sam McGredy was an icon of roses in New Zealand and around the world.

Trophy honours Hamilton Half Marathon stalwart
John competed for over 40 years in distances from the 10km to the marathon.

What's driving Huntly: The town that's fighting back
The future is bright for Huntly according to local residents.

Families needed to help raise assistance dogs
The trust aims to enrich the lives of people living with disability.

Two minutes silence at Civic Square and Claudelands Park
Hamiltonians united with the Muslim community, joining them in Friday prayers.

Stage star visits Hamilton before War Horse heads to Auckland
Broadway and West End star drops by to visit New Zealand's war horse.

First class teachers gather for reunion
Some of those at the reunion had travelled from as far away as England.