Whanganui news
New Zealand news

Free trade negotiations to restart with India as Luxon begins visit
Luxon has promised to deliver a trade deal with India within his first term.

'The only one that’s ever worked': Pill funding welcomed by endometriosis patient
'This will really help, especially young women who are learning to manage the disease.'

Children’s Commissioner calls for data on bullying in schools
PPTA president Chris Abercrombie admits there’s some “blind spots” in the current approach
Editor's Picks

First redress payments made to Lake Alice survivors
Fifteen survivors have received $150,000 rapid redress payments so far.

‘Prime location’: Plenty of suitors for sprawling CBD property
'We would hear out any offer that came our way but we want something fitting.'

Obituary: Maritime guru Trevor Gibson a ‘driving force’
'With anything to do with water, he had your full attention.'

‘Best day ever’: Suzy Cato inspires music teacher’s journey from superfan to educator
Suzy Cato's photo throwback revealed Curtis Bunker as a devoted fan.

‘Dreams come true’: Whanganui woman’s cochlear implant journey finally realised
Shona Beamsley cannot wait to hear her grandchildren say the words, 'I love you, Nana'.

Nicky Rennie: I’m kicking melancholy to touch
OPINION: 'I have such a strong connection to wherever I’ve lived.'

Gareth Carter: Berries are expensive to buy, easy to grow
Comment: Escaping to your garden is good for the body, mind and soul.

NZDF prepares medics for disaster relief amid severe weather events
The exercise simulates a severe weather event on a Pacific Island.

‘Up for the challenge’: Rangitīkei council’s new boss sets priorities for first months
Carol Gordon will prioritise central government reforms in her new role.
Premium

Nicky Rennie: I’m kicking melancholy to touch
OPINION: 'I have such a strong connection to wherever I’ve lived.'

Gareth Carter: Berries are expensive to buy, easy to grow
Comment: Escaping to your garden is good for the body, mind and soul.

Kevin Page: The unanticipated workout of chasing a runaway exercise ball
Mrs P believes a big green blow-up ball will boost our fitness routine.

Gareth Carter: Bulbs are like buried treasure for your garden
Comment: Now is the time to plant spring flowering bulbs

Watch – ‘Rallying the greyhound army’: Confidential plan to fight racing ban leaked
The industry will mount a lobbying strategy and consider legal action to save the sport.

Gareth Carter: How to bring your lawn back from the brink
Gareth Carter shares his tips for saving that lawn from the big dry

Cousins family wins Horizons Ballance Farm Environment Awards
Judges said the Cousins had a high-performing, efficient farming operation.

‘Unlikely to improve’: Dry outlook for Horizons region
Drought declared in Horizons region; $100,000 support available.

North Mole regeneration project may need extra funding
The project received $876,250 from MBIE's Tourism Infrastructure Fund.

Desert Road reopens after closure cost freight industry $100,000 daily
The Desert Road closure forced 800 trucks daily on to a 40-minute detour.

Fire started by prisoner in Whanganui Prison; assaults staff member
The prisoner lit a mattress in his cell on fire.

Iwi-Māori partnership unveils plan to boost health outcomes from Taumarunui to Whanganui
The plan focuses on 'culturally attuned and responsive' health and wellbeing outcomes.
Sport

‘Phenomenal’ progress: Young shooter’s rapid rise in two years
'She takes off her pointe shoes and picks up a rifle.'

Whanganui netball stalwart honoured for 50 years of service
Di Tasker began umpiring in 1971 while still at primary school.

‘Pretty fearless’: 16-year-old girl dominates NZ motocross circuit
Karaitiana Horne won three major motocross titles in 2024.

$30 greyhounds bet nets Auckland punter $776k windfall
Chef’s Mate had the longest odds, paying $13 in Race 8.

Athletics: Busy week of track of field
Whanganui's Cooks Gardens hosted six meetings over seven days.

‘Massive win for Whanganui’: Women’s Central Districts T20 tournament debut
The ICC Women's World Cup trophy will be displayed on the first day.

Young athlete shines, selected for NZ team to compete in California
Juliet McKinlay has impressed at events throughout the season.

Israel Adesanya earns spot in UFC Hall of Fame
An iconic moment in Adesanya's career has earned him his spot in the Hall of Fame.
Business news

‘Prime location’: Plenty of suitors for sprawling CBD property
'We would hear out any offer that came our way but we want something fitting.'

‘A huge moment’: Te Matatini’s cultural impact on Taranaki
More than 70,000 visitors are expected in New Plymouth during Te Matatini.

Why property investors are turning to short-term rentals for gains
Auckland's average daily rate for Airbnb is just over $290, the highest in NZ.
Lifestyle news

Gareth Carter: Berries are expensive to buy, easy to grow
Comment: Escaping to your garden is good for the body, mind and soul.

Gareth Carter: Bulbs are like buried treasure for your garden
Comment: Now is the time to plant spring flowering bulbs

Gareth Carter: How to bring your lawn back from the brink
Gareth Carter shares his tips for saving that lawn from the big dry
OneRoof property news

NZ’s most affordable city - how much cheaper is the mortgage bill?
The five things you need to know about the housing market this week.

The dark side of having a big mortgage (the one you didn’t think about)
Leverage is a double-edged sword.

‘Devastating’ twist - Young family heartbroken after dream home snatched at the last minute
Tears in the auction room.
Car news and advice


Next-gen Mercedes-Benz CLA revealed: sleeker, smarter, AMG-quick
Electric and hybrid powertrains, AI and sharp new looks define Mercedes' next-gen CLA.

BMW celebrates 50 years of Art Cars with a huge world tour
After 50 years and 20 cars, the BMW Art Car collection is hitting the road.

Ferrari F80 hypercar makes downunder debut at Melbourne Grand Prix
Ferrari's most powerful road car has wowed the crowds at this weekend's race.
Rural news

‘Prepare for heat stress’: Extreme heat streaks expected to rise in one NZ city
Scientists warn Hamilton's once-in-a-decade February heatwave is sign of what's to come.

'It’s still very new in NZ': Horses help transform lives in Ōropi
A Tauranga woman is using her own experience to help others with anxiety and depression.

‘Sky’s the limit’ for overseas kingfish market as demand far outweighs supply
Less than a year open, Northland's kingfish farm is already getting national recognition.
Whanganui news

Whanganui fish and chip shop fire caused by oily rag ‘bursting into flames’
'It doesn’t happen often.'

Desert Rd to reopen, further work required later
The state highway has been closed between Tūrangi and Waiōuru since January 13.

Desert Rd to reopen after two-month closure for major upgrades
SH1 between Tūrangi and Waiouru was closed, forcing a 40-minute detour.

User pays an option to fund Dublin St replacement
The bridge is regularly inspected for safety.

High school teacher who groomed two students can now be named
The Whanganui teacher was sentenced to home detention last year.

Weterman wins national squash volunteer award
The 35-year-old has been involved in squash since the age of 12.

Athletics: Whanganui athletes bring home gold from New Zealand Track and Field Champs
The Manawatū-Whanganui team punched above its wait

Catholic schools comp to bring hundreds to city
280 students plus supporters will flock to Whanganui for the speech and drama contest.

Scrapped: Food waste service bites the dust
Councillors voted 9-4 in favour of ending the service before it even began.

‘Get paid to join’: 300 sign up for first Whanganui citizens’ assembly
Participants will be paid $500 for attending four to five meetings.

Abuse towards ‘vulnerable’ council staff not slowing down
Council boss David Langford is "happy to front up" to people angry with the council.

‘Lives in their hands’: Iwi blasts Govt over bowel screening age change for Māori
Te Oranganui Trust says this change will increase Māori deaths.

Kevin Page: The unanticipated workout of chasing a runaway exercise ball
Mrs P believes a big green blow-up ball will boost our fitness routine.

‘Entirely avoidable’: Farmer jailed for neglecting more than 3000 livestock
The defence argued he was overwhelmed by farm work, not motivated by profit.

State-integrated school’s optional $10,000 fee shocks parent
The fee for day students nearly doubled from $5585 since 2020.

Teen Whanganui kayak sprinters headed for Japan
Zoe Anderson and Alexis Toy will compete internationally for the first time in May.

Why two men are determined to finish a stranger’s dream boat
'I don’t even know the guy but that boat’s got to be finished.'

How a bike initiative is changing youth-police relationships in Whanganui
'The biggest reward is seeing happy faces.'