New Zealand Newspapers

“Big Summer Sounds” Manfeild LIVE proves Feilding can throw a concert

I’ve been to a lot of events at Manfeild over the years, motorsport, expos, community days, but standing there on Saturday night with thousands of people singing along under a golden Manawatū sunset, it felt like something had shifted. Manfeild LIVE...

Waste site dumped

Mobile homes have one fewer designated public place to dump liquid waste in Gisborne after a volunteer-run facility closed last week. The public waste station on Awapuni Rd has been run by a volunteer since 2009, but they say it’s time for the council...

Waitangi Day 2026

READ MORE INSIDE: ▮ Heckles and boos greet politicians, NATIONAL ▮ Waitangi, cohesion and the challenge to our major parties, IN DEPTH ▮ Overcoming our Treaty fear, IN DEPTH

Rafting merger faces scrutiny

Aproposal to merge all of Rotorua’s commercial rafting operators is before the Commerce Commission. The application has the backing of Rotorua Lakes Council’s tourism arm, Rotoruanz, but the commission is examining whether the deal could reduce...

READ MORE INSIDE:

▍ Heckles and boos greet politicians, NATIONAL ▍ Waitangi, cohesion and the challenge to our major parties, IN DEPTH ▍ Overcoming our Treaty fear, IN DEPTH

Dahlia renaissance funding charities

DAHLIAS, once only found at the back of your grandmother’s garden, are now highly sought after. New varieties and an increased presence on social media have turned this once easily dismissed flower into a plant which can sell for $25 a...

Waitangi Day 2026

Today marks the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 1840, a time for all New Zealanders to reflect on our history, partnerships and shared future.

READ MORE INSIDE:

■ Display of unity, NATIONAL ■ Waitangi, cohesion and the challenge to our major parties, IN DEPTH ■ Overcoming our Treaty fear, IN DEPTH

Waitangi, cohesion and the challenge to our major parties,

Last year, Ngāi Tahu hosted Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and other senior National Party ministers at our annual Waitangi Day commemoration event in Te Waipounamu. Much was made of the prime minister supposedly “running away” from Waitangi to hide...

Living with cancer

“I’m living with advanced breast cancer – I’m not dying of it.” That’s the mindset Waikato grandmother Diana Wood lives by as she faces a disease many people still see as a death sentence. The 67-year-old is living with stage four breast cancer, but...

Lake rescue hero recalls close call

Seconds made all the difference for a family of four who were saved from drowning at Kai Iwi Lakes, their rescuer says. Earlier this month, Haruru local Aaron Stott, his wife Katy and their friend were taking an evening walk along Lake Taharoa on Pine...

Chateau revival talks

The Government is considering steps to do up Chateau Tongariro, while confirming demolition remains an option on the table. A response to a petition from Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton, calling for assistance to “save” the derelict Chateau Tongariro, has...

Sewage alert

Wellington is facing a long, sunny Waitangi weekend with millions of litres of raw sewage flowing to the sea, closing south coast beaches and ruling out swimming for months. At its peak on Wednesday morning, 3300 litres of water and sewage...

Judge tells offender he’s ‘too old for this’

A labourer grieving the death of his father and brother thought a woman stole his mother’s car so broke into her home and trashed it while police watched on, too scared to intervene. Judge Jonathan Krebs told the Palmerston North District Court on...

INSIDE: Your Waitangi weekend weather

Your Waitangi weekend weather

Life Savings

Teachers Cherie Boyd and Angela Paxon were shocked when Water Safety New Zealand instructors tested their year 6 class from Christchurch’s Te Kura o Rātā Templeton. Out of their 24 students, only eight could swim competently when tested at Templeton...

Familiar beat for new boss

After more than three decades policing some of New Zealand’s busiest and most high-risk environments, Inspector Mark Miller is returning to his roots as Taranaki’s new area commander. Miller started on Monday and replaced previous commander Belinda...

Driver behaviour key to reducing our road toll

Northland’s road toll dropped last year, but with the number of deaths the fifthhighest in the country — and almost 40% from not wearing seatbelts — far more needs to be done, a road safety campaigner said. And while almost half the deaths are in the...

With Editor Lifestyle Magazines Frances Morton

There’s something quietly thrilling about a familiar face walking back into a familiar place. Shortland Street delivers exactly that with the return of Rachel McKenna (played by Angela Bloomfield, story p4). It isn’t just a nostalgic treat for...

DISH SUBSCRIBER OFFER

Subscribe to dish from $40* and be in to win** one of five Ninja Stealth IQ Kitchen System Power + Processor Pros, each valued at NZ$349.99

HOKOWHITU

Price by negotiation Agents: Stu Fleming 027 444 1594 Lynysey Elliott 027 446 2886 ray hite Palmerston North Licensey Agent rEAA 2008 Tucked away in a sought after location, enjoy sun-splashed living, four bedrooms, a study area, and two...

Look! Up in the sky!

James Owen might just have the best job in Kiwi aviation. His title is Standards and Training Project Pilot for Air New Zealand’s NextGen Aircraft Programme. His dayto-day is taking to the skies in cutting-edge planes which represent the future of the...

Island Bay - 17 Southern Cross Crescent

SUN, SPACE AND IMMACULATELY MAINTAINED 4 A perfect family home, spread across 166sqm of generous versatile family living. Offering up to five bedrooms or four with a separate living / rumpus room for the children. After 40 cherished years this...

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...

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...

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!

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...

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...

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...

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.