New Zealand Newspapers

Highway reopens as rivers begin to recede

A weekend of persistent rain has caused rivers to burst their banks and closed a state highway near Gore, but river levels are now beginning to fall. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advised State Highway 90 had reopened yesterday morning between...

Hope all Cossie club creditors will be paid

All former Timaru South Cosmopolitan Club staff members have been paid as the liquidation of the troubled organisation continues, and it is hoped all creditors will be paid in full and a surplus distributed to charities. In his latest six-monthly...

We’re facing erosion of local voice, says mayor

Rangitīkei Mayor Andy Watson says local government is entering a period of unprecedented upheaval. He warns councils are losing decision-making power, with major decisions shifting to regional planning bodies and water entities, and rapid, centrally...

State of emergency set to be reviewed today

whangā rei’s mayor would like to see the district’s state of emergency lifted this afternoon. Emergency response leaders are reviewing the state of emergency today as its week-long tenure expires. Ken Couper said his inclination would be to lift it so...

Cash for regions battered by storms

Cabinet will today be asked to sign off on immediate funds to help the regions damaged in last week’s wild weather to recover. Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell will make the request at the Cabinet meeting that will be held ahead of...

Parents eye own solution

Some Manawatū parents are trying to launch their own bus service to ensure their children can get to high school from rural areas where routes into Palmerston North have been cancelled. The effects of a long-running saga about changes to the city’s...

‘It’s something that never goes away’

The rain over Napier during last week’s tragic storms stirred painful memories for Steve Miller of three years earlier — the day his son was swept away and killed during the Auckland Anniversary floods. On that January 27 evening, Miller watched from...

Carter a contender

Green Party list MP Kahurangi Carter has declared her intention to win the Christchurch Central electorate seat in this year’s general election. She says the Greens have shown that they can be effective electorate MPS.

‘I can’t go back’ Mum faces visa deadline after husband dies of heart attack

Afamily moved across the world to Hawke’s Bay for a better life, but fate had other ideas. Now, a single mother is trying to keep her young family in New Zealand after her husband suddenly died. Indika Wadu Gedara and her husband Indika Lokuappu...

Assessments to be carried out at local campgrounds

Inspections are being carried out at Taranaki’s seaside campgrounds, with engineers checking slopes and cliff faces following the Mount Maunganui landslide. A number of campgrounds in Taranaki, including those in New Plymouth, Ōakura and Ōpunake are...

Council backtracks on CEO’s claim about 111 call

Trust House breaks ground

The next stage in a multimillion-dollar housing renewal programme in Wairarapa broke ground in Masterton yesterday amid news it had received a $10 million government boost. At a ceremony and site blessing at Matai St in Lansdowne, Trust House chief...

Council to weed out eyesore, safety risk

Ajungle of weeds and overgrown plants on the centre and side verge gardens along Rotorua’s Te Ngae Rd are to get tidied up after years of neglect. The state of the gardens prompted Eastside retiree Brian Pickering to complain, which raised questions...

Meth contamination embedded in housing

New residential methamphetamine testing data suggests that meth contamination remains a persistent and structural housing risk in New Zealand as half of homes tested positive. National testing data from Safe & Healthy Home Solutions showed that about...

A hero who lost her life

A Morrinsville teacher has been credited as the hero who saved lives by urging other campers to evacuate before the deadly landslide hit Mt Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park. Waikato man Lance McFarlane said Lisa Maclennan woke him and his daughter...

Death of vet being treated as homicide

THE tightknit community of rural Milton is staying silent following the death of a local veterinarian in a suspected homicide on Friday. Bunches of flowers were laid at the foot of a sign reading ‘‘The Country Vet’’ outside the Crichton home of...

ON THE COVER

A couple make an old shed on the family farm their new home – see page 26. Photograph by Jane Ussher

Tasman third in MDMA use

Tasman’s consumption of MDMA is the third-highest in the country, surpassing that of both Auckland and Wellington, according to the police’s latest wastewater testing results. Released in December 2025, Tasman’s MDMA consumption was detected at an...

AYRBURN CLASSIC – BREAKTHROUGH EVENT OF THE YEAR

The prestigious Breakthrough Event of the Year part of the International Historic Motoring Awards was presented in London on 14 November to the Royal Automobile Club Concours. The Ayrburn Classic 2025 was nominated for the award alongside Concours of...

4WD and SUV buyer’s guide

The new vehicle market in New Zealand is a 4WD buyer’s paradise. Utes and SUVs are as popular here as anywhere in the world, and our new car sales have been dominated by SUVs and 4WD utes for ages. It’s widely known that Ford’s Ranger is top dog in...

Food tastes better shared

The world has become disconnected with technology and since the pandemic we have retreated into ourselves, become more individualistic in nature and independent in status. Our life expectancy is declining with stress; our connection to how our food is...

Walking Festival: Walking the landscapes: ECHO Walking Festival

The landscape from the Coromandel to Te Puke offers a remarkable diversity of walking experiences, where sweeping coastlines meet lush native bush. From the rugged tracks of the Kaimai Range and the dramatic beauty of Karangahake Gorge to coastal...

FUN, FAST and FABULOUS!

Summer is the season to grow melons, pumpkins, cucumbers, zucchini and their flying saucer shaped cousins. Together, they are the cucurbit family and they're fun, fast and easy to grow from seed.

Many hands

Thousands of decisions go into making a magazine. Not just obvious ones like which topics we include, the people we speak to or the pictures we’ll use, but tiny ones too: that headline should go two clicks to the left and up one... yep, perfect. We...

Relaxed entertaining

Tindalls in their HAPPY PLACE

Australia has become home away from home for Zara and Mike Tindall, who make the trip to the Gold Coast every January for the Magic Millions horseracing carnival. The pair looked suitably glam when they turned up to the various events, with Zara, 44,...

RECIPES, CRAFTS, & GIFTS TO MAKE

EDUCATING ERICA

Erica Stanford defends her rapid reforms in our schools – but critics say they’re too experimental

HOW WE TRAVEL

Because it is important for our journalists to have first-hand experience, it can be necessary to accept assistance from travel operators. However, we never promise positive coverage in return.

Panini, sliders and spirulina: The rise and fall of foodie fads

Who could resist that grilled goodness? Those squished bready ovals scored with perfect char marks, squelching cheesy fat. If it was stuffed with chicken, apricot and camembert, so much the better. Like most food fads, it’s not clear exactly how or...

Pre-purchase inspections a valuable safety net

Buying A property is one of the most significAnt investments you’ll mAke, so it’s cruciAl to ensure you mAke An informed decision. A pre-purchAse inspection By A quAlified professionAl is An essentiAl pArt of your due diligence. Here’s why it’s...

Beat the heat:

Summer is around the corner, and as both the mercury and power bills climb, keeping your home comfortable can feel like a costly challenge. If installing air conditioning on top of an already-stretched budget is out of the question, it is possible to...

KARORI

Tender closing 1pm, February 12 This charming 1930s two-bedroom bungalow at the city end of Karori blends timeless architectural character and modern convenience. Beautifully maintained, it’s a retreat for anyone seeking a tranquil lifestyle in a...

Mount landslide disaster

A scientific probe into the stability of Mount Maunganui — including the area that collapsed on Thursday morning — had already revealed it was prone to “mass movement” slips after heavy rain. As emergency workers, rescue teams and recovery dogs search...

Donors rally to help whā nau

Afundraiser for the East Coast whānau who spent hours trapped on their roof amid flooding, debris and heavy rain this week raised over $23,000 in 24 hours. Huia Ngatai shared the story of how her family of seven climbed on to the roof of their...

Pre-purchase inspections a valuable safety net

Buying a property is one of the most significant investments you’ll make, so it’s crucial to ensure you make an informed decision. A pre-purchase inspection by a qualified professional is an essential part of your due diligence. Here’s why it’s...

A journey to one of the world’s top surf spots

We didn’t build them

Whitebaiters are worried they could be held liable for stands they use but did not build on a waterway near Blenheim after the Marlborough District Council ordered their removal. Retiree John Ward became aware of the takedown notice in October, when...

New emergency management site for Manawatū-Whanganui

Manawatū-Whanganui Emergency Management Group is excited to launch its new website, giving people in the region another trusted source of information before, during and after emergencies. Horizons Regional Council manager emergency management Chay...

Family trapped on roof as water tears through home

A mother has described her traumatic experience of being trapped on the roof of her “creaking” home with children desperate to be rescued from rising floodwaters. Huia Ngatai climbed on to the roof of her Te Araroa home as floodwaters overwhelmed...

Deluge cuts off towns

The severe weather has heavily impacted parts of the North Island this week, including the Waikato region. Coromandel, Hauraki and parts of Matamata-piako District were particularly hit hard, with the weather forcing evacuations and triggering...

Bring us an offer

Tucked away in a sought-after location, this home offers sun-splashed living, four bedrooms, study area, and two bathrooms. Its smart three-level layout is all about easy living. Drive directly into your garage, move upstairs to the first floor to the...

With TV Guide Journalist Sarah Nealon

Have you had a chance to read about about the local TV programmes coming your way? If not, turn to page 4. There is an exciting line-up of shows for 2026. I’m delighted some of my favourites are returning and I’m looking forward to new offerings like...

Solid gold

Warm tones in a limestone spine lend this estuary-side property priceless presence.

FESTIVAL OF MOTORING

ALLAN DICK: THE ALLCOMERS SERIES | AUSTIN-HEALEY ‘FROGEYE’ SPRITE MIRANDA’S MOTORS: TOYOTA MR2 | JAGUAR-POWERED SPORTS CARS FORMULA JUNIOR WORLD TOUR | SKOPE CLASSIC: SILVESTER COUPE BILL RICHARDSON TRANSPORT WORLD | WAIMAK CLASSIC CARS

Onlinenow Read Dame

tips

Destination park changes hands

Over the course of 34 years, a former quarry has been transformed into a place of recreation and inspiration and become a Waikato visitor attraction. John and Dorothy Wakeling created the Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum in the 17.5ha...

New Year Joy

Anew year carries its own kind of unspoken promise that life can feel fresh again. This new energy isn’t something that appears automatically at midnight but rather cultivated, perhaps it’s a shift in thinking and the willingness to release what weighs...

Avofest brings summer vibe

The Katikati Avo Fest returned on Saturday 11th January, bringing big tunes, fresh flavours, and the essence of summer to the Uretara Domain. A standout on the local summer calendar, the festival celebrated New Zealand’s Avocado Capital with live...

Safe shelters to help homeless

A combination of fabrication know-how, a tragic loss of a rehabilitation centre, and seeing local homelessness at first hand has prompted a local man to action a micro-camper business idea. Joel Beven has launched the first prototype of Shelter3, a...

RISING BUYER ACTIVITY SIGNALS MARKET OPPORTUNITY

Recent months have seen improving buyer turnout and more realistic vendor expectations, particularly from first-home buyers and owner-occupiers. Well-presented properties tend to attract strong enquiry, while homes needing significant work or priced...

FROM FLUFFY TO FIERCE!

How cute snowy owl chicks grow up to become powerful predators

HOMEGROWN CUT FLOWERS

Fabulous flowers (especially dahlias!), fantastic upcycling & a flying fox off-the-grid in Eketāhuna • A quirky & creative Oamaru garden full of art & colour • Meet the volunteers replanting native trees along Ōtaki River • Brewing peach-flavoured...

Blueberry banquet Savoury ways with summerʼs sweetie

SUMMER STYLE ESSENTIALS

CHORIZO EMPANADAS, CHIMICHURRI VERDE, CHICKEN FLAUTAS, KINGFISH PASTRAMI, PRAWN QUESADILLAS, SNAPPER CEVICHE, TUNA TOSTADA, STRAWBERRY & TOMATO SALSA, PORK KEBABS, SMACKED CUCUMBERS, STEAK LIKE TARTARE, ROASTED PRAWNS, PLUM & MANGO MOCHI, STRAWBERRY &...

FROM THE EDITOR

If you need your footy hit over summer, then watch some sevens, either live or on the box. As I write these words, we are rejoicing that both our national sevens team have, for the first time since early 2024, both won the same tournament. The All...

Wow Factor On Waitoetoe Road

Welcome to 78a Waitoetoe Road. This beautifully presented property offers a diverse mix of flat-to-rolling coastal land, providing both excellent usability and impressive visual appeal. A central race system forms the backbone of the farm layout, with...

Wellington Market Update

Chris describes this year as “a gradual burn” - a market that has reacted quickly to both positive and negative news, but is now beginning to pull through. The recent OCR cut has also provided a welcome lift for buyers. “Every little bit helps,” he...

The smart home seller’s guide:

Selling your home now means navigating A Buyers’ market. With more properties listed than there Are Active Buyers, the power shifts. Buyers can Be more selective, And homes may take longer to sell. In this climate, your choice of real estate company...

What does the market want?

Fonterra, NZ Merino, Atkins Ranch and more weigh in on the changing customer demands and farmers’ efforts to match them

50+ HOMEGROWN RECIPES

• Vibrant salads • Outdoor cooking • Sharing plates • Dips & nibbles • Sweet treats • Cordials, mocktails & cocktails

Fonterra brands gone

Farmer shareholders have said yes to selling off iconic brands to French dairy giant.

DYNAMIC DUO

Universal Cranes recently took delivery of New Zealand’s first two 10x4 S-Ways – one rigid and one tractor unit. A factory-built configuration with competitive tare weight, fitted with Fassi cranes, they are a strong addition to the company’s...

WHAT'S INSIDE?

Rethinking the urban dream What liability law changes mean for landscapers Environmental impacts of compacted soil

Winter a strategic time to buy, sell

When the temperature drops and the days shorten, many buyers and sellers assume the property market hibernates, so they wait for spring to look or list. But for the savvy, winter offers unique opportunities for both buyers and sellers in the real...

Winter a strategic time to buy, sell

When the temperature drops and the days shorten, many buyers and sellers assume the property market hibernates, so they wait for spring to look or list. But for the savvy, winter offers unique opportunities for both buyers and sellers in the real...

Melanie Bracewell

Beyond the punchline.