New Zealand Newspapers

Devastating landslides and a desperate search for survivors

Desperate families could only wait and hope as rescuers searched for people, including children, missing after torrential rain and devastating landslides in the upper North Island yesterday. In Tauranga, rescuers were digging in search of survivors...

Aust coach Whitfort joins Southern Steel

Highly rated Australian netball coach Jess Whitfort will bring plenty of experience to the Southern Steel this season. Whitfort, from Queensland, arrived in Invercargill on Wednesday to link up with head coach Wendy Frew, creating a formidable pairing...

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...

Decision day

Timing is everything. Christopher Luxon seemed clear on this as he announced November 7 as the election date yesterday, telling media that “every day makes a difference” in the kind of economic recovery we are currently experiencing. In other words,...

Safer access petitioned for

A Horowhenua family who have farmed their land for four generations are asking the public to support efforts in getting safer access to their business, which sits on a dangerous state highway. Lewis Farms has fast become a destination for people all...

‘Go through line by line’

The 2026 election will be held on Saturday, November 7. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made the announcement yesterday at the National Party caucus retreat in Christchurch. Luxon said “continuing the recent tradition of announcing the election date...

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...

Huge retirement project

Plans have been lodged for one of Hawke’s Bay’s biggest retirement villages. Summerset, which owns retirement villages across the country, has lodged a resource consent application for its planned retirement village in Napier’s sprawling new...

Veteran coach back for more

Veteran Taranaki rugby coach Neil Barnes has some unfinished business. At a time when provincial rugby unions are screaming out for experienced coaches to help develop the next crop of players, Taranaki have agreed terms with Barnes, who will rack up...

Red rain warning

Alocal state of emergency was declared for the Bay of Plenty yesterday, with a red warning for severe heavy rain in force until 9am. Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management made the declaration just before 2.30pm, saying it had received...

Prepared for worst

Upgraded heavy rain warnings over the Gisborne District as a tropical storm hits the North Island have prompted warnings and disrupted work to clear previous slips on State Highway 2. MetService expanded its red heavy rain warning over Gisborne from...

Building consents double

Masterton District Council issued more than double the number of building consents than the other two Wairarapa councils combined in 2025, new data shows. In the year to November 30, Masterton District Council (MDC) issued a total of 163 consents,...

Red rain warning

Alocal state of emergency was declared in Rotorua yesterday, with a red warning for heavy rain remaining this morning. Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management made the declaration for the wider region just before 2.30pm, saying it had received...

Rain causes road closures

Parts of the Far North remained under close watch yesterday after MetService upgraded Northland’s heavy rain warning to red, triggering road closures, restricted access and the opening of an emergency operations centre in Kaikohe. MetService issued...

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...

EARLY LEARNING CENTRE

Several years of “scrimping and saving” has enabled a Timaru early learning centre to fundraise around $250,000 for the design and construction of a new playground for its children. Creative Corner Early Learning Centre will officially open the...

Solid gold

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

Pic’s crunches competition

Pic’s Peanut Butter is gearing up for another chunky year. The Nelson-based spread manufacturer saw sales reach $40 million and revenue grow by 20% in the 2025 financial year, and it anticipates another 20% increase in sales in the current year. Most...

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

Feel full for longer

Looking for a high-protein breakfast? These oat pancakes with cottage cheese & berries have you sorted.

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...

Quiz

1. The world’s biggest boy band, BTS – from South Korea – announced a global tour, following a four-year break caused by A) burnout; B) getting married and having children; C) military service; D) going to uni? 2. NZ’s highest suspension bridge,...

BACK TO SCHOOL COSTS

The real price of your child’s education

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.

Transform your home with wallpaper

Wallpaper is back, and isn’t going anywhere, transforming plain walls throughout the country into captivating focal points. No longer just a roll of repeating patterns, today’s wallpaper offers everything from immersive murals to tactile surfaces that...

‘Tsunami’ of changes

Discussions included the council’s focus on ensuring staff numbers were “fit-forpurpose”, proposed changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA)and balancing her mayoral title with her new role as president of Local Government New Zealand...

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...

ON THE COVER

Colourful design enlivens this home on Waikanae Beach – see page 24. Photograph by Paul Mccredie

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.