It had all the elements of a tense drama – a signal for help from a hunter somewhere in remote bush, perhaps lost, maybe injured, and the weather closing in with Cyclone Vaianu threatening to wreak havoc.

Work is set to begin on a replacement for the Major Jones swing bridge over the Tongariro River in Tūrangi.

Volunteer Taupō has appointed Phillip Purvis as its new operations manager.

The Garden Exchange and Community Secondhand & Car Boot Marketplace held its first event on Saturday, at the Timebank Community Gardens. The event has a vision of “creating a regular community space that encourages reuse, sharing, and practical sustainability” says event organiser Julian Bishop. Photos by Dan Hutchinson

Home and Garden Show, wine tasting, speed golf and conservation week are just some of the events happening around the district over the next few weeks. Check out the full listings below.

The biggest names in New Zealand speedgolf will converge on Taupō Golf Club on April 18–19 for the 2026 TORO New Zealand Speedgolf Open.

We emerged from our cosy cocoons, aka bus and van, just as a little splash of blue appeared in the sky and the mist curtain lifted.

With the distraction of another Gulf war and resulting fuel prices it’s easy to lose sight of the actual state of the NZ economy.

With modern printing technology and online marketplaces, becoming a published author has become much more accessible. 

The iconic Taupo Home and Garden Show is back at Taupō’s Great Lake Centre this Friday to Sunday and once again is a must-visit event for both exhibitors and visitors.