New Zealand Newspapers

‘He understands dad’s gone’

More than 7000 melanomas are diagnosed in New Zealand every year, and about 300 people die from this type of skin cancer annually. This summer, as Hawke’s Bay residents face some of the region’s highest temperatures, one Eskdale family became part of...

Bus stop plans spark confusion

New Plymouth residents are being asked for feedback on the proposed placement of new bus stops despite new bus routes not being released until March. The new bus routes start on April 1 along with the region’s new public transport brand, Te Pahi, and...

3 dead in 48 hours

Police are calling for people to stay safe on the roads after two separate crashes near Rotorua have left three people dead and several others injured in the space of 48 hours. Two people were killed and another person was injured in a collision...

Vandalism of cell sites puts lives in danger

Repeated attacks on rural cell towers in Northland are not just causing costly damage, they are cutting lifelines to isolated communities that depend on the coverage. More than 25 incidents of vandalism across 15 rural cell sites have been reported,...

SEEDS, SKINKS AND A CARBON SINK Low-mow zones to stay

Whanganui District Council is keeping low-mow areas in three reserves, but there are no plans for more. In 2021, the council announced that Te Mana Park in Aramoho, Bastia Hill Water Tower reserve and Montgomery Rd water retention area at Otamatea had...

Nice guys finish last: Players push Razor out

Aproven winner with the Crusaders, Scott Robertson has fallen victim to the NZR Razor Gang - for losing games and the hearts of his players. An All Blacks internal review of the charmingly twitchy Robertson was scathing, with failings found across his...

Whanau to farewell Aydan

For four months, Aydan Brown’s anguished whānau wondered where he was. On Monday they got an answer when his body was found in his ute in the Waikato River. It was minutes away from Chartwell, where Brown, 39, was last seen leaving his cousin’s...

Feel full for longer

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

EDITOR’S LETTER

Period dramas are perennially popular and we have two to look forward to this week with the return of Bridgerton and a reboot of television classic The Forsytes. While the past was not without its problems, it’s easy to get swept up in the romance of a...

Optimism rising among local construction

DUNEDIN builders say work on the new Dunedin hospital inpatient building could spread to all corners of the construction industry and support the city for the next decade — all as signs of a recovery begin to show. Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora...

Rodeo has real family feel for the Perkins

The Perkins family love attending a rodeo together, so much so it’s been part of their family for at least four generations. Johnny Perkins, a life member of the Mataura Rodeo Club, competed for nearly 40 years, his son Anthony competes and his two...

EB Games to close NZ stores

New Zealand’s hobby and gaming communities swamped EB Games stores across the country as the company prepares to close all 38 stores by the end of the month. The company’s announcement on Wednesday follows a consultation period earlier this month,...

Paddlers, boarders at risk

Stand-up paddleboard ( SUP) and other small-vessel users are getting caught out in dicey situations without lifejackets, while those who are buying inflatable boards online may be missing out on the safety advice they need to keep them out of...

Enduring repairs sought for bridge cables

Cables on what remains of the historic Ōpiki bridge over the Manawatū River urgently need to be lifted out of the water. One set of cables has been dangling in the river since the end of December, when they most likely succumbed to high winds,...

Steep rise, steeper fall

Breakdancing across the Waikato Stadium turf after the Crusaders’ 2023 Super Rugby Pacific title, Scott Robertson was on top of the world. The man dubbed “Razor” had just guided the red-and-blacks to a seventh championship in as many seasons in his...

‘I am gutted’

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is departing the role at the crucial mid-point of the four-year World Cup cycle. The announcement came a day after the Herald reported a possible revolt involving star players and a critical evaluation of Roberston’s...

Remarkable residence in world-class grounds

Comfort, space, and practicality make this a very special property. Inside, a warm, vibrant palette creates a welcoming atmosphere, while spacious living means ample space for the whole family. The 911sqm section is more than large enough for children...

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...

The threads of tradition:

A keen band of Wairarapa crafters is working around the clock to stitch together New Zealand’s shearing history – in wool, of course. Masterton’s Te Āwhina Community Hub is co-ordinating two expansive knitted art installations, each crafted from...

Carrying Mia through hardest days

Ten-year-old Mia Irwin was a fit, active kid who loved netball and biking, until a series of unexplained symptoms led to a cancer diagnosis in July last year. Her mum, Renee Irwin, said life turned upside down overnight. She has to work remotely so...

You may have noticed a few changes to your Sunday Star-Times over these summer holiday weeks.

Sunday magazine and the Travel lift-out are enjoying a well-deserved summer break and will return next week for our January 18 edition. In the meantime, we have boosted our pages of quizzes and puzzles, and will run our Pitch Perfect series on the...

Probe launched into school exorcism claims

An investigation is under way into claims “deliverance and exorcism” rituals to rid students of “demonic serpents” were performed by staff at an embattled Auckland school. Two staff members at Wesley College have been suspended amid concerns the...

Region tipped to hit 33C

Gisborne residents might be looking for ways to cool down this weekend as temperatures soar. MetService has issued a heat alert for the region tomorrow, which is expected to reach 32C, and a “muggy” 19C overnight low. Heat alerts are issued the day...

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 &...

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.

Summer hacks for happy pot plants

Plants add life and charm to a home, making spaces more appealing, but they can suffer in the heat. To keep your pot plants lush over summer to impress prospective buyers, or enjoy a stress-free break, these simple strategies will help ensure they...

CHRISTCHURCH CENTRAL

Price: $ 899,000 Open home: Sunday 21, 1.45pm-2.15pm Just steps from Victoria Street’s cafés, Hagley Park, and the city’s dynamic dining, retail, and cultural scene, this property represents the best of modern urban living. Expansive open-plan living...

Easy living, elevated outlook in Fitzroy

Fitzroy’s lifestyle options of beach and surf, walkway, cafe, and golf are enviable, and an address in this New Plymouth seafront suburb has long been sought-after by property buyers. Add an easy-care, elevated setting to those lifestyle attractions,...

Quiz

1 Formula One driver Oscar Piastri comes from which country? 2 Where does a traditionally dressed Scot wear their sgian dubh? 3 What does a cetologist study? 4 The Bride pursues the Deadly Vipers in which movie? 5 Adipose tissue is another name for...

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

HOMES Rhythm and soul

A hand-built home near Raglan embodies the spirit of manaakitanga.

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

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR CHRISTMAS

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...

Robur Hire

Attachment specialists

Melanie Bracewell

Beyond the punchline.