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Mike Tweed
Multimedia Journalist
Mike Tweed is a Multimedia Journalist for the Whanganui Chronicle, covering arts and sports news to education, health and politics.
A career in journalism was always on the agenda in my teens, but I took a 15-year detour into music with a band I started while at Whanganui High School. We ended up in Berlin for the best part of a decade, and it was there I began writing for a friend’s PR company – bios, press releases, etc. I returned to Whanganui in 2017, finished a diploma of creative writing, and began interviewing artists for NZ Musician magazine. Fast forward four years and I applied for a job at the Chronicle whilst in Kelowna, Canada. I was invited for a Zoom interview and eventually offered the role of multimedia journalist. It’s been a steep learning curve ever since but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve covered a bit of everything over the last two and a half years - the arts, sport, politics, education, health as well as a brief stint as court reporter. Whether it’s the Prime Minister or the guy who insisted on presenting me with a dead octopus he found, telling people’s stories is what I enjoy the most.
Check out Mike’s latest content
How Whanganui's faulty footpaths are ranked
Council told 'not all severity five faults are able to be repaired at the moment'.
Gary Clark on speed skating, Neil Diamond and keeping bugs under his pillow
Golf's his sport these days, but the skating coach still dons the Lycra once a year.
Why Whanganui needs a better bus service
'It’s transformative for lives and it’s transformative for the climate.'
Road extension facing ‘frustrating’ delays
In the meantime, it has allegedly "made a fine airstrip".
Housing? Friends? Religious groups? Wellbeing survey results revealed
The community was "grateful to have the chance to be involved and have their say".
‘No easy answer’: Significant rates hike likely for Whanganui
'My personal preference is that we bear the pain in year one ....'
'We’ve done everything we can to find the right buyer': Pacific Helmets changes hands
"... I’m not going to be carted out of the office on a gurney if I can help it."
What happened to Whanganui’s new Bunnings store?
The proposal included 50 news jobs.
'The fun service': Using sport to tackle issues at school
'Now, we have something we know and believe will work. Let’s go with it.'
'Full monty' upgrade of Opera House could cost $33 million
Council is "forging ahead with improvements but the big, gutsy decisions are yet to come".
Speed limit cuts could relieve 'absolute pandemonium'
“This is a pretty hot topic for a lot of people and a lot of other councils."
‘Getting riskier': Safety plan on way for river
"Those dangers have been identified and reported and nothing has happened."
Tuatara Terrace? Pīwakawaka Parade? New street names could be on the way
New Whanganui roads could be named after animals or plants if a new policy is adopted.
'Blood, sweat and tears' pay off on Taupō Quay
“I can’t live without a challenge.”
Capturing Tarapuruhi Bushy Park’s ‘everythingness’
“When you immerse yourself in Bushy Park, you see how much more there is."
Fish and chip shop fire destroys 40-year-old hair salon
The shopping centre on St Johns Hill is 'like a little village', the salon owner says.
'A lot of work to do': New hospitality areas for hotel following fire
“It’s about what people want now, not what they wanted in the 1960s and 1970s."
Most of St Johns Hill retail building still shut after fire
"There will be a big clean up,” says fish-and-chip shop's neighbour.
Will concerts be coming to Whanganui's velodrome?
'We are heading into the unknown a little bit.'
Fire at St Johns Hill fish and chip shop
'We have no indication whether it was suspicious or not at this stage.'
Roses are... purple? Whanganui growers scoop major award
The Matthews family is "on a good run" after finding success with its blooms.
‘Whanganui v everyone else’: Night of Assassins returns
“I have a revitalised respect for fighters who walk that path and get in there.”
3 Bridges records in danger
Poland’s Wojciech Kopec is lining up and could threaten the course record.
Ranger called after florist dog pops out to see passing pups
Dogs can be in the owner's shop but not on the street in part of Whanganui's central city.
Inside the mind of a cricket umpire
'When people start swearing and yelling you have to knock it on the head.'
Has the pilot academy punt paid off?
'You can’t just pluck pilots out of the air - we put them there.'
Ratepayers stumping up for $19 million cost jump at port
Prices for concrete and steel have 'gone through the roof', with fuel costs also rising.
'Fighting against nature': Kai Iwi Beach cliffs creeping inland
'The amount of people that come here in summer is just phenomenal.'
No surprises as final election votes ticked off
Carl Bates, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Suze Redmayne finished way out in front.
45 years of 'the greatest fun you could ever imagine'
'I stopped and and thought about it and, actually, I’ve never worked a day in my life.'
Make waves while the sun shines in Whanganui East
Is a long, hot summer on the way for Whanganui East Pool users?
Schools of rock: Hitting the road to 'ignite' young talent
“All of a sudden, they are in a rock band making music together and working up a song."
Build it up, tear it down: Attention turns to construction waste
"People want to do better for the environment and be green and innovative."
'Virtue-signalling': Councillor lambasts community climate fund
Rob Vinsen says the money would be better spent elsewhere.
Rangitīkei property and land values up across the board
Average land values for lifestyle properties rose by 52 per cent.
Council paying for 'reactive' riverbank approach
“Something needs to be done and we need to be informed."
The Backhouse 'in a state of limbo'
Its chief executive position has been disestablished.
Council parking revenue higher than expected
"Under the old regime, it was pretty much all coins.”
$300,000 ventilation system needed at Sarjeant
Construction is still on track to be finished by the end of March 2024.
Ancient nuisance on Whanganui's Nixon St
“We’ve consumed a lot more budget than what we anticipated.”
The real Bill Bailey is coming to town - or is he?
Artificial intelligence will be front and centre at Bailey's Whanganui show.
Knock knock! Closed door council meetings in spotlight
Whanganui District Council has been live-streaming its workshops this year.
One-stop enviro shop planned for Whanganui
Annual operating costs would be $225,000.