New Zealand Newspapers

(Almost) all aboard Te Huia

All three Hamilton MPs appear to be united behind the retention of the Te Huia passenger rail service between Hamilton and Auckland, as well as potentially expanding it to Tauranga. But whether Hamilton East’s Ryan Hamilton, Hamilton West’s Tama...

Sun comes out to shine on stars at summer concert

IGGY Pop was not the only star putting on a show in Wānaka at the weekend. The sun also made a rare appearance, just on time. It shone down on the 10,000strong mellow crowd that bopped to the tunes of Pop, Joan Jett and the Black Hearts, Hoodoo Gurus...

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...

Tractor beams

Read more, page 2

BUSINESS Timaru store expanding into Ōamaru

After 45 years in Timaru’s CBD, Andrew Milliken has expanded his business, opening a store more than 85km south in neighbouring Ōamaru. Today, the owner of Milliken’s Furniture and Beds and Beds R Us Timaru will open Beds R Us Ōamaru, at 137 Thames...

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...

A long road to recovery

Unnati Patel’s life was changed in a split second at a highway intersection with a history of serious crashes. On January 23, the Nelson woman was a passenger in a crash at the intersection of State Highway 60, Appleby, and McShane Rd, just before...

Firefighters faced vehicle failures during fire callout

Whanganui firefighters had to deal with multiple appliance failures while a large scrub fire spread at the South Mole. Whanganui New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) secretary Geoff Moore said the frontline MAN truck broke down on...

‘This beast will be back’

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...

Dozens of schools in need

As term one begins, 58 schools remain on a waiting list to receive desperately needed support from a charity to feed and adequately clothe their students. KidsCan already supports 949 schools and if, or when, they manage to get the current schools off...

Barrier keeps trucks out of bus lane after near-misses

Truck drivers using a bus stop in Bulls to bypass an intersection that connects to two busy state highways will have to stick to the road instead, now that the council has installed a boom gate. The Rangitīkei District Council said it was prompted to...

Boat damage ‘worse than anticipated’

Damage to a stranded wildlife cruise boat is “worse than anticipated” as authorities work to minimise the impact of thousands of litres of diesel now thought to have leaked into the sea. Black Cat Cruises says 38 passengers and three crew were...

‘A decision we hope we don’t have to make’

An Otago couple is torn — deciding between fertility treatment for a second child, or moving to Australia to access Trikafta — the drug that could extend their 17-month-old daughter Maya’s life. Maddie and Mackenzie Palmer, aged 29 and 30, are on the...

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

Patients now eligible for 12-month prescriptions

A Hawke’s Bay medical centre is welcoming a nationwide rule change which allows patients to receive up to 12 months of medication on a single prescription, which it says will result in less stress and lower costs for patients. The change kicked in...

Versatile Grazing Opportunity on Ball Road

Positioned alongside SH3, 41a Ball Road, Kakaramea spans 38.38 hectares of predominantly flat, versatile land with gentle contour that’s easy to manage and ready to perform. Currently operating as a reliable cropping and young stock grazing block, the...

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...

The missing:

There’s a photograph on Xanthe Freer’s mantelpiece of her brother Grant decked out in his favourite T-shirt and blowing out the candles on his birthday cake. His 56th birthday had been a special one to remember, with many nice surprises from friends,...

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...

When Pātea was the big cheese

Pātea was once the largest cheeseexporting port on Earth. The South Taranaki Shipping Company handled around 200,000 crates of cheese a year in the 1920s with three ships working full-time to transport it all. This image shows horse-drawn carts...

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...

‘We’re very struck by the huge challenges in the area’

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon touched down in Gisborne yesterday morning for his second visit in a week since the region was devastated by severe weather last Thursday. He was accompanied by East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick, with Minister for Housing...

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...

Off-duty firefighter saves teen caught in rip

Ateen caught in a rip at a Far North bay was saved by a volunteer firefighter holidaying in Northland. Ross Bennett, deputy fire chief at akura Volunteer Fire Brigade in Taranaki, was in the Cable Bay carpark last Thursday when he noticed a crowd...

EXPERIENCE A DIFFERENT KIND OF RETIREMENT AT ARVIDA LANSDOWNE ESTATE.

Whatever you think you know about retirement, think again. Because here at Arvida Lansdowne Estate, we don’t follow the normal rules. We follow yours. Our resident-led approach means you can design the life you want. Whether that’s walking the nearby...

Kho kho: New sport for Waikato with serious global ambitions

A relatively unknown game is hoping to break into the local sporting scene and attract players with the aim of taking part in a Commonwealth championship next month. Kho kho is a highly competitive tag game for enhancing fitness and agility that is...

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...

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

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...

FROM FLUFFY TO FIERCE!

How cute snowy owl chicks grow up to become powerful predators

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.