2023 has not been short of memorable events. NZ Herald video covered them all. Video / NZ Herald
As the year draws to a close, Waikato Herald is taking stock of 2023. What moved readers most? As part of a 12-day series, Waikato Herald reporter Danielle Zollickhofer looks at the top stories each month. Welcome to day five: May.
New Zealand’s oldest man, Jack Coe, a resident at St Johns Wood Care Centre in Taupō, celebrated his 107th birthday.
He lived almost his whole life in Marton and Bulls, except for military service during World War II, when he trained for service in Blenheim and Porirua before being shipped off to the Pacific.
One could have assumed an attack on the iconic sculpture, but it turned out it was just being prepared in anticipation of a resplendent new look.
The original bottle sculpture began as a replica space rocket for Paeroa’s 1967 Christmas promotion.
Paeroa's iconic L&P Bottle was whitewashed in May. Photo / Jim Birchall
Married couple both forge careers in NZ Army
Thames-raised Lieutenant Kate Heynes never imagined that just three months after returning from maternity leave to her job as an accountant, she would embark on a new career as a Learning Development Officer in the New Zealand Army.
Her husband Lieutenant Seth Heynes serves as a psychologist based at Linton Military Camp.
“I didn’t think I was fit enough, or young enough, to become a soldier. But my husband explained there’s far more to the Army and encouraged me to take a closer look,” Lieutenant Heynes said.
“I could see my skills and experience could translate well to the Learning Development Officer position, so I decided to take the plunge.”
Lieutenant Kate Heynes with her husband Lieutenant Seth Heynes and their daughter Theodora. Photo / New Zealand Defence Force
Danielle Zollickhofer is a multimedia journalist based in Hamilton. She joined NZME in 2021 and is writing for the Waikato Herald.
