New Zealand Newspapers

New quake faults uncovered

New research has uncovered new earthquake faults in the Wairarapa valley – four of which are close to some of the region’s towns. Wairarapa’s Emergency Management Office controller, Simon Taylor, said the findings were not a surprise and could help...

Civil Defence defends Rotorua emergency call

Civil Defence has defended its decision to include Rotorua in last month’s state of emergency after the district was left largely unscathed by the deadly storm that struck the wider region. Rotorua, along with the entire Bay of Plenty region, was...

Top river spot for Regatta

Fresh hospitality investment is set to lure diners to the banks of the Waikato River at a spot that’s long been eyed for projects to show off the city’s biggest natural asset. A bar and restaurant - Regatta - is set to open late autumn in the former...

Drink-driver dices with jail

A “belligerent” repeat drink-driver has avoided having her home detention sentence changed to jail after promising a judge she would pull her head in. The 58-year-old Timaru woman, who was sentenced to five months’ home detention on December 17, was...

Sights on Munro Rally

Fresh off becoming New Zealand under 21 solo motorcycle speedway champion, Southland’s Hayden Brookland is set to show off his skills at the Burt Munro Rally, which runs from tomorrow until Sunday. And Brookland hopes to see plenty of fans at the...

Companies avoid conviction

A group of development and construction companies have avoided conviction after building dozens of retaining walls without having obtained authorisation first. Nelson City Council regulatory services head Mandy Bishop said the council discovered...

Community rallies to save Hā wera cinema

Zaryd Wilson

Private funding sought as Peters pushes back at contractor doubts

Private finance appears crucial to get the Marsden Point rail spur built, as Rail Minister Winston Peters’ ambitions come up against a tight Budget and the 2026 election. KiwiRail has, since December, been seeking expressions of interest from...

Inquest spend questioned

Wellington City Council spent nearly $200,000 on lawyers and experts for a coroner’s inquest where a spotlight was shone on waterfront safety – only to backtrack on its pledge for significant fencing and lighting improvements. The inquest looked into...

Snapshot of city’s migrants

Smiles, stern faces and personal experiences – diverse photographs in a new exhibition tell the story of migrants living in Palmerston North. Photographer Gerry le Roux is running an exhibition at Square Edge Community Arts from tomorrow to March 1...

South Island gets denser

Townhouses are quietly changing what it means to build a home in the South Island, and the latest consents data shows the shift is no longer just a Christchurch story. Numbers suggest the building downturn has eased, with new dwelling consents up 11%...

‘Wake-up call’ for personal data

All public service chief executives have been directed to review arrangements that Government agencies have with third parties to hold personal information and data. The directive, from Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche, follows the data...

New Zealand Walk: Greytown to Woodside a popular walk or bike

The Greytown to Woodside Trail in the Wairarapa, is a short walk that feels much bigger than its numbers. On a bright autumn morning I set out from Greytown with nothing more ambitious than a daypack, decent shoes and a curiosity about what lay along...

Katsu and karaage, with side of waves

When Kenji Hiyama decided on the menu for his food truck, he had to change the dishes slightly to appeal to Kiwi taste buds. Hiyama – along with his wife Mayami and daughter Cocone, 13 – takes his food truck Cocozo to markets around the maunga. His...

Art Under The Bridge:

Masterton was where Matt Turner found his footing as an artist – and where he dreamed of giving back to those in need. His life was sadly cut short, but the artworks he left behind are set to make a lasting difference for the town’s homeless...

BACK TO SCHOOL

The 2026 school year has begun and schools and childcare centres in Tairā whiti are among those throughout the country dealing with the effects of an increase in the cost of living. The Gisborne Herald talked to principals from some of the city’s...

Precious gift unites generations

A mystery gift is helping a Waikato youngster carve out her future. Hamilton’s Whitiora School recently featured in a TVNZ Seven Sharp bulletin about the its Tipu Ake carving programme run by Te Kōhao Health and taught by Whakairo Master Rei...

FROM FLUFFY TO FIERCE!

How cute snowy owl chicks grow up to become powerful predators Watch out, here I come!

Caulerpa die-back spotted since last summer

An invasive seaweed described as the world’s worst marine pest has mysteriously died off on a huge scale in Northland and the Hauraki Gulf. Fast-growing caulerpa blanketed huge areas of seabed around the Bay of Islands and Aotea Great Barrier after it...

STEP-BY-STEP

A storybook setting for an historic homestead in • Roses, woodlands, paths, lawns & more in • Composting on a 500sqm site in • A tree-loving octogenarian tending a 109-year-old garden • An plantsman’s picks for summer colour food grower recommends the...

ENERGY

Our cover story this issue is on installing solar power – and how many of us have been considering that for years? The attraction of installing solar power is plain to see and there’s a lot to like about it. Harnessing energy from the mighty sun feels...

Travelling: An education for the soul

Travel is more than movement from one place to another; it is a quiet education for the soul. When we travel, we step outside the routines that shape our days and enter spaces where curiosity leads and where adventure awaits. In those moments of...

STYLISH OVATION

They like what they see! The star-studded front row of Chanel’s spring/summer show boasted talents like Tilda Swinton, Charlotte Casiraghi, Vanessa Paradis and A$AP Rocky.

Good healthspecial

● Personalise your wellbeing ● Balance your blood sugar ● Build your strength at home

These airy kings

Against the odds, the magnificent albatrosses of Pukekura/ Taiaroa Head survive.

Valentine’s Day special

Date night bliss & f inding love later in life

Know-how in spades for every gardener

Quiz

1. AA Insurance temporarily stopped offering new home insurance policies in which town because of its flood risk: A) Westport; B) Whanganui; C) Waihi; or, D) Wānaka? 2. Judith Collins announced her retirement from being a politician – but what...

LOTTA FIGHT LEFT IN THIS OLD DOG

Novak Djokovic called it one of his best performances in a decade after outlasting Jannik Sinner early Saturday in a five-set marathon to set up an Australian Open final against Carlos Alcaraz. The 38-year-old Serbian rolled back the years to battle...

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.

Building dreams: Pick the right professional

ARCHITECTS Qualifications & training Architects are trained professionals. To legally use the title in NZ, you must: • Complete a Master of Architecture degree. • Gain 2-3 years’ practical experience. • Pass the New Zealand Registered Architects...

Phase 1 of restoration

Work to reverse changes to Gisborne’s Grey St following a controversial trial will begin next week and could take up to four months to fully complete. Grey St was redesigned as part of a Streets for People trial, funded 90% by NZ Transport Agency Waka...

MERIVALE

2A Church Lane Price: On application Open home: February 1, 12.30pm-1pm Agent: Cameron Bailey 027 555 7079 Harcourts 1olu Licenseu Agent REAA 2008 Discover style, quality, and modern functionality in this brand-new, singlelevel home in the heart...

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...

Quiz

1 Held every two years, the Afcon tournament is more formally known by what name? 2 What did Fred Barnes present to New Zealanders for the first time on March 6, 1966? 3 In Iceland, what is known as a “foss”? 4 “My mum went so far as to call me...

KARORI

Tender closing 5 February 2026 at 1pm This home immediately welcomes you with character and warmth. The main living room flows seamlessly to a deck and into the established garden beyond, a space made for relaxed entertaining, or simply listening to...

Mountain of grief

The Mount Maunganui landslide tragedy has taken lives, shattered families, and had a profound impact on locals and visitors. NZME journalist and Mount local Rosalie Liddle Crawford , who regularly brings out her piano on summer evenings in Pilot Bay to...

Feilding Police arrest burglars, locate ammunition, firearms, and drugs

Feilding Police have arrested 18 people as part of Operation Thor, a targeted operation focused on burglary, theft, vehicle crime, firearms offending and drug activity in the Feilding area. Over the last two months, Police have carried out a series of...

Ministry opts not to insulate existing blocks in college revamp

The Ministry of Education has decided against insulating the existing blocks at Marlborough Boys’ College as it carries out school-wide upgrades instead of building a new school. The ministry says the existing buildings, including the 1930s John...

Community grapples with devastating landslides and floods

The Bay of Plenty has been left reeling after a day of extreme weather brought landslides, flooding, and chaos to the region, leaving communities shaken and emergency services stretched to their limits following 300mm of rain in just 24 hours. Rivers...

With TV Guide Production Editor James Croot

The Winter Olympics, the men’s T20 World Cup, the Superbowl, Super Rugby. February offers a feast of drama and thrills for armchair sports fans. But while there’s perhaps never been more choices on tap, especially for those Kiwis willing to pay for the...

HOKOWHITU

Move in and experience sun, space, simplicity. This well-presented townhouse blends smart design, low-maintenance living, and relaxed modern style. Built in 1990, it’s a place to truly unwind. Generous open-plan living flows to a lovely private, sunny...

Tack the sails, tap the barrels

Like every mariner worth his salt, Tom van der Burgh can tell a story so rich in detail that you can all but feel the splash of the waves. Tom captains Northern Rebel, the vessel he and his wife own and sail in tandem. The yacht is docked at Waikawa...

ON THE COVER

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

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...

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

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

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...

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...

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.