New Zealand Newspapers

Congestion worsening

Little more than a decade after the bridge over the Waiwhakaiho River was widened to ease congestion between New Plymouth and Bell Block, traffic is once again banking up – and community leaders are warning it will only get worse. Puketapu-bell Block...

Residents adapt as water runs low

Kairakau residents have now spent nearly two months under Level 4 water restrictions, with strict limits still in place as the small coastal settlement waits for its spring and bore to fully recover. The restrictions mean two-minute showers, reduced...

Bijou Johnson

This weekend marks Elizabeth (Betty) Gilgen’s first 100th birthday — her son Phil Gilgen says she has another 100 years to go. Betty’s family will mark the first occasion with style — she’ll take a birthday drive in her favourite classic car, the 1934...

Council warns motels

two Rotorua motels have been operating as Ministry of Social Development emergency housing without proper resource consent, the local council says. Rotorua Lakes Council has confirmed it will approach the motels to become compliant, something the...

King slams election funding

A former city mayor has slammed the arrival of political sponsorship in the city’s local elections, saying the practice risks biased decision-making at the council table. The criticism comes after it emerged that Act and the Green Party spent a...

Word Wheel

School crossing ‘like Russian roulette’

Hundreds of people crossing Queens Drive to and from the James Hargest Junior Campus each day are facing dangers akin to Russian roulette, the school has told the Invercargill City Council. At peak arrival and departure times, the crossing is...

TIMARU

With the main construction phase of Timaru’s $47.2 million Theatre Royal and Museum project under way, a job offer has been made for the role of theatre manager. A status report on the project would be provided to Timaru’s councillors at a meeting...

Finding “THE ONE” for your skin

Meet the suitors The Palmer’s body oil trio Each Palmer’s body oil brings its own unique personality, charm and skin-loving strengths: the key is finding ‘the one’ that feels right for you and your skin’s needs. • Cocoa Butter Body Oil – the...

‘Explore every avenue'

Taylor Nikora says he will “explore every avenue” to keep an NZ Post centre in Whanganui East. Nikora, the owner of Lindsay’s Lotto, Post & More at the Whanganui East Shopping Centre, bought the shop last October and received a phone call about the...

Rebate delays leave residents out of pocket

AFar North pensioner is “frustrated” and out of pocket after council delays processing his rates rebate. Far North District Council (FNDC) said it has “recognised the need to improve turnaround times for processing rates rebate applications”. Kerikeri...

South coast remains off-limits

Early water sampling around Wellington’s south coast has delivered mostly encouraging results, but public health officials are keeping beaches closed, saying the risk remains too high as screened but untreated wastewater continues to be discharged into...

School backs ‘superheroes’

Whenever Kelly Stickle thought she could not run any further, the memory of her daughter Indie’s determination to overcome trauma and play like the other kids provided inspiration. Once a happy, thriving baby, at 14 months old Indie was suddenly...

New beach beckons but don’t pack your togs

Christchurch is about to get a new beach, butyouwon’twanttoswimatit. A 180m long “soft beach” is among a suite of work planned to help protect South New Brighton and Southshore from erosion and flooding along the Ihutai Avon-heathcote Estuary. The...

Super Bowl’s Kiwi connection

The biggest event on the American sporting calendar will have a significant South Pacific flavour when Super Bowl LX kicks off this afternoon, including New Zealand-born running back George Holani. The 26-year-old’s Seattle Seahawks will attempt to...

WHAT RAZOR’S SACKING MEANS FOR CERTAIN SUPER RUGBY PLAYERS

Sensational summer salads

GRAMMYS GOLD

GRAMMYS GOLD WD3

COVER UP!

Did a female reporter’s liaisons with powerful NZ figures risk national security at the height of the Cold War?

Finding “THE ONE” for your skin

Meet the suitors The Palmer’s body oil trio Each Palmer’s body oil brings its own unique personality, charm and skin-loving strengths: the key is finding ‘the one’ that feels right for you and your skin’s needs. • Cocoa Butter Body Oil – the intensely...

‘HEAVEN-SENT’

In the moments before Zire-Kane Watson was born, a familiar voice was calming his mum-to-be Jasmine Cooke. In an Auckland maternity suite, Cooke says she heard the voice of Kane Watson, her beloved partner who died when a family outing to Muriwai Beach...

Taking the slow route through New Zealand

Sometimes, the best seat in the house isn’t a window at 30,000 feet – it’s the one that lets you see every bend, bay and bridge along the way. ‘Slow travel’ is all about taking the scenic route and making the most of the journey itself. Whether it’s by...

KARORI

Tender closing 26 February 2026 at 1pm This spacious property boasts a generous 2102sqm land area and a 340sqm building area. The charming home has four well-appointed bedrooms and three modern bathrooms. The open-plan living area is perfect for...

Water works: A guide to home filtration

TAP OR WHOLE HOUSE Tap: Fllters water at one location, usually the sink, via benchtop units, undersink filters, or filter jugs. Suit renters, those on a budget, or people who only want filtered water for drinking and cooking. Whole house: Installed...

Mum walks to thank Starship for saving baby

AGisborne mother is to pound the pavement next month in a grateful bid to raise money for “the superheroes” who saved her baby’s life. Ariel Kururangi has joined the Starship Foundation’s Kilometres for Kids virtual challenge to support the Auckland...

Dark sky reserve put at risk

Wairarapa’s dark sky reserve – and the multimillion-dollar tourism economy it supports – could be under threat from the biggest shake-up of the country’s planning laws in a generation. In December, Resource Management Act (RMA) Reform Minister Chris...

BISHOPDALE

86A Gardiners Road Price: On application Open home: February 8, 4pm-4.30pm Agent: Cameron Bailey 027 555 7079 Harcourts eolu Licenseu Agent REAA 2008 Designed with comfort and practicality in mind, this sunny, warm, and dry home enjoys a desirable...

Water works: A guide to home filtration

TAP OR WHOLE HOUSE TAP: Fllters water at one location, usually the sink, via benchtop units, undersink filters, or filter jugs. Suit renters, those on a budget, or people who only want filtered water for drinking and cooking. Whole house: Installed...

Quiz

1 English singer Rachel Agatha Keen is known professionally by what name? 2 Nazare´ , Portugal, is a mecca for competitors in which sport? 3 Plantar fasciitis can cause a lot of pain, where in your body? 4 Camp David, the US presidential retreat, is...

Love, set, match

Couples who court

“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...

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...

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...

Good healthspecial

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

Know-how in spades for every gardener

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 &...

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.