Latest fromTaupo
![Police hunt man who escaped custody at Taupō court](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
Police hunt man who escaped custody at Taupō court
Belhajjam was wearing green prison-issue shorts and an orange high-vis vest.
![Taupō makes CNN’s 25 best places to visit in 2025 list](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
Taupō makes CNN’s 25 best places to visit in 2025 list
The equivalent ad value for the mention would be $518,000, Tourism NZ estimated.
![Major North Island route closed for two months](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
Major North Island route closed for two months
Ground temperatures above 13C needed to carry out work.
!['A lot of roadworks and disruption': What you need to know about driving through Waikato this month](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
'A lot of roadworks and disruption': What you need to know about driving through Waikato this month
Slow road trips will await some this month.
![Reducing death: Road layout changes under way with Taupō vehicle safety centre construction](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
Reducing death: Road layout changes under way with Taupō vehicle safety centre construction
The changing road layouts and speed restrictions will be in place from January until May.
![One person in critical condition airlifted to hospital after water incident](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
One person in critical condition airlifted to hospital after water incident
One rapid response unit and one helicopter responded to the incident this afternoon.
![New Zealand’s only convicted saboteur released from prison but will still be monitored](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
New Zealand’s only convicted saboteur released from prison but will still be monitored
Taupō man served full prison sentence of three years and one month.
!['Noose with your name on it': Warrant issued for man who threatened to 'hang' PM](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
'Noose with your name on it': Warrant issued for man who threatened to 'hang' PM
'I’ve got a noose with your name on it,' he wrote of Dame Jacinda Ardern during her term.
![The NZ region with the highest road death toll in 2024](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
The NZ region with the highest road death toll in 2024
Roads in this region claimed 192 lives from 2022 to 2024.
![The city with the lowest home ownership rates in NZ](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
The city with the lowest home ownership rates in NZ
Housing is relatively inexpensive compared with other cities but ownership rates are low.
![A year in review: What moved the Waikato in April 2024?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
A year in review: What moved the Waikato in April 2024?
As the year draws to a close, Waikato Herald is taking stock of 2024.
![Glimmer of hope for NZME's Waikato community newspapers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
Glimmer of hope for NZME's Waikato community newspapers
The Taupō & Tūrangi Herald will continue in the new year – what about the rest?
!['Not ready to die': Pilot crushed by loader, loses leg but still flying](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
'Not ready to die': Pilot crushed by loader, loses leg but still flying
He used his belt to stop the bleeding and waited 45 minutes before being spotted.
![Rural Waikato school wins $50k of supplies in national contest](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
Rural Waikato school wins $50k of supplies in national contest
Mangakino School once had a roll of 1800 students, now it has 50.
![Meridian, Todd's Nova Energy plan big solar project](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
Meridian, Todd's Nova Energy plan big solar project
Solar farm should generate enough power for about 100,000 homes.
![Watch: Armed robbers threaten bystanders, flee Taupō jewellers in car after aggravated robbery](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
Watch: Armed robbers threaten bystanders, flee Taupō jewellers in car after aggravated robbery
A member of the public appears to try and slash the car's tyres to prevent escape.
!['I was his prey': Mobster tortured woman, left her naked in street](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
'I was his prey': Mobster tortured woman, left her naked in street
Richard Paru was high on methamphetamine when he tortured a woman in her own home.
![Taupō crowd goes 'Wilde' as Kiwis put on a show at IronMan World Championships](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
Taupō crowd goes 'Wilde' as Kiwis put on a show at IronMan World Championships
The huge international field was treated to stunning NZ scenery.
![SH1 detour route near Tokoroa blocked after truck crashed and rolled](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
SH1 detour route near Tokoroa blocked after truck crashed and rolled
A police spokesperson said the truck would take some time to remove.
![Thousands of iron athletes descend on Taupō](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=867)
Thousands of iron athletes descend on Taupō
Taupō is full to overflowing as 6200 athletes plus supporters arrive in town.