New Zealand Newspapers

$690m health underspend

Health New Zealand says “timing changes” have stopped $690 million from going out the door in the nine months to March 2026 and being spent on high-profile projects, such as the new Dunedin Hospital and Christchurch Hospital’s tower 3 building. The...

Beware ‘excuseflation’ Businesses using cost pressures to hike prices

PART OF NEW ZEALAND’S HERALD First there was “shrinkflation”, now Northlanders have noticed another phenomenon as severe costof-living pressures continue to squeeze families. With everyday expenses such as insurance, rates, fuel, and groceries...

Tap woes hit homes

Some Castlecliff residents have been dealing with water issues for several days, with tankers brought in to provide an alternative supply. Whanganui District Council was notified on Monday that tap water was discoloured, had low pressure and, in some...

Four directors, one mission

“Marlborough Waters will be judged by whether people can trust the water from their tap,” says board chairperson Warren McNabb. McNabb was speaking at the water services organisation’s first board meeting on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by all...

THE CROWD GOES WAHS!

Fans set for battle, not a party

Candidates get creative

Political candidates running in this year’s general election have had their artistic skills and education policy knowledge put to the test. Primary school teachers union New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa held an election hui at Focal Point...

Climate debate draws crowds

Any thoughts the general election might fail to ignite interest in the New Plymouth electorate were dispelled on the night of the first meaningful debate on Wednesday. Voters arrived at the former Tasman Bowling Club well before the start time, with...

‘Deceptive’ and ‘disingenuous’

An application to allow a 257unit development in Wānaka to be used for yearround visitor accommodation has been described as ‘‘deceptive’’ and ‘‘incredibly disingenuous’’ by a councillor. However, the developer behind the proposal said the...

GUILTY VERDICT

WARNING: This story mentions sexual abuse. Rachael Eddy has been found guilty of murdering her “best mate”, Ross Kennedy, in Tauranga’s Gate Pā Reserve. The jury returned its verdict in the High Court at Rotorua yesterday after a short...

Omarama ‘forgotten town’

‘‘If you say nothing, nothing happens.’’ That sentiment motivated Residents Association of Omarama chairman Stephen Grundy to pen a letter to the Ahuriri Community Board asking for support in advocating for the town. Mr Grundy wrote the letter on...

‘Difficult decision’

Prestigious Hawke’s Bay winery Sileni will close at the end of this year after almost three decades. Sileni was established in 1997 by Sir Graeme Avery. The winery has been based in a stunning building and property near Hastings since 1999, in the...

Abuse, bomb scare: Threats to staff soar

More than 150 incidents of abuse, intimidation, threats and violence have been directed at Rotorua Lakes Council staff over the past five years, according to newly released records. The incidents included alleged assaults, weapon-related threats and a...

Candidates challenged over ‘broken’ system

Healthcare workers want East Coast election candidates to address what one says is a “broken system with broken nurses”. Emergency department nurse and New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) delegate Camille Collier says “we’re taught as nurses that...

Lobbyists rallying as one

A group called One Wairarapa has organised a petition and public rally to lobby the Government for one unitary authority for Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa. The move follows South Wairarapa District Council’s recent decision to throw its...

GOING THE DISTANCE

‘Bully battler’ faces $40k bill after legal stoush

A long-running legal battle with Hamilton City Council has left workplace advocate and self-styled “bully battler” Allan Halse facing a $31,000 bill – on top of another $9300 he already owes the council. The Employment Court ordered Halse to pay...

Ex-ABs in reunion group

Six former All Blacks will feature as part of a special Rugby Southland reunion at the Ascot Park Hotel on Saturday. Bob Barber, Leicester Rutledge, Ken Stewart, Steven Pokere, Ash McGregor and Brian McKechnie, who all earned All Black selection while...

Celebrating 70 years of Otago Opera a

IT is all about the music, the performing and coming together to produce something you love. That is what makes Opera Otago, New Zealand’s oldest opera company, something special, Dunedin singer Clair Barton says. Barton is just one of nearly 4000...

EDITOR’S LETTER

Every now and then, TV shows will serve up golden nuggets of comedy that give you a giggle, long after that initial viewing. Taskmaster NZ is one of those shows. I can still replay Madeleine Sami’s alternative national anthem for China in my head and...

Choice to market or park it?

A report laying out the options for the future of Timaru’s oldest watering hole, and the building next to it, will be tabled at a council meeting in October, with the town’s advocate for historic sites still interested in it. The site of the former...

Selwyn at centre of surge in confidence

After some of the toughest years in his 24 years in business, a West Melton winery owner says the tide has turned – with his business growing by at least 25% over the past year. “We’re back in growth mode,” said Philip Caunter of Melton Estate. The...

Butterflies, blood and a family’s gift of hope

Amal means in Arabic. For Hamilton couple Adam Musa and Thoraya Abdulrassol, it is a word that has followed their family through some of their hardest moments. Now it sits at the heart of a simple act of giving. More than 20 friends and family...

MILSON

Price By Negotiation This well presented home offers a great balance of comfort, style and lowmaintenance living. Recent upgrades: • Interior and exterior painting • New Bathroom • New carpet & vinyl • New drapes, curtains and blinds The...

FI MCCAFFERTY

027 899 0703 I’ve been editing GNews since April 2019, and always enjoy bringing the joy and community of this quirky little town to every single edition. I’m also incredibly proud of the reporters who bring those stories to us, and thankful to our...

Our literary smorgasbord

QUEENSTOWNERS Alex Charlick, front, and Chris Harding are pictured part-way through their local ironman-distance ‘FEMALES’ challenge last Saturday — an event they’ll replicate in late March, which they hope others will join. See page 22 for the full...

Strictly successful

Strictly Sumner was a night to remember, with more than 500 people turning out to support the rebuild of Sumner’s sports pavilion. The existing facility is falling to bits, but a group of volunteers have taken on the challenge of raising $3.4 million...

Making waves in lifeguarding

A passion for helping others has earned city council lifeguard Ben Aveyard the 2026 Lifeguard of the YeaTrhaewSatarrd,J. anuary 23, 2025 Aveyard, a senior supervisor at Taiora QEII Recreation and Sport Centre, was presented with the award at the...

World Series awaits for GirlBoss winner

St Margaret’s College’s Lexie Boon once considered walking away from sport because she struggled to find where she belonged. Now the 16-year-old is preparing to represent New Zealand at the indoor cricket Junior World Series in South Africa later this...

World Series awaits for GirlBoss winner

St Margaret’s College’s Lexie Boon once considered walking away from sport because she struggled to find where she belonged. Now the 16-year-old is preparing to represent New Zealand at the indoor cricket Junior World Series in South Africa later this...

Pedalling to tackle cancer

A Timaru man is doing his part to tackle prostate cancer — one kilometre at a time. To fundraise for Blue September, monumental mason Les Jones will be cycling 739km this month — the number of men on average who die of prostate cancer in New Zealand...

Lord Krishna's birthday marked

Celebrating in style are (from left) Priyanka Majumdar, Raven Singh, Divya Sivadas and Deepshikha Rathore. Song and dance came together as many gathered to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna at the recent Shri Krishna Janmashtami festival last...

Region upskills for billiondollar industrial boom

As Southland sits on the brink of a multibilliondollar industrial boom, training organisations are gearing up to prepare the workforce needed for the region’s major developments. SIT chief executive Bharat Guha said the institute had completed a...

‘It sounded like an earthquake’

That is how staff at the Dunsandel Cafe and Bar described the noise when a ute driven by a 16-yearold learner driver crashed through a wall and into the bar. “It was a massive crash. It was almost similar to what I heard during the earthquakes,” a...

Miniatures plan great escape

Small escapees are planning to hide in downtown Ashburton in the upcoming school holidays to raise funds, and awareness, for the Ashburton Toy Library. They will be making appearances around the central business district for amateur detectives to...

End in sight for roadworks

Southern State Highway 1 users should soon see an end to longstanding roadworks in Milton. Residents and those travelling south have expressed frustration at weeks of apparent inactivity at the site of the water infrastructure works in the town,...

Rail Riot wows thousands of spectators

An Alexandra teenager has returned home with a silver medal after competing at the International Cake Show Australia — the largest cake, cookie and sugar craft show in the southern hemisphere. Caja Paulin, 14, and her mother, Tisha, travelled to...

El Nin˜o risks bringing extreme fire danger

Firefighters are ramping up preparations for what could be one of Northland’s most challenging wildfire seasons, as forecasters warn a strengthening El Nin˜o is likely to bring hotter, drier and windier conditions over spring and summer. Earth...

Gun retail rules questioned

Questions have been raised about how a shotgun was able to be stolen before a double fatal shooting in Nelson, igniting debate on whether retail regulations need to change. The incident came just weeks after a man was shot dead by police as he...

Lambs and a plan

An effective lambing action plan is made early, considers the season ahead and includes a range of tools to deliver it. That is the belief of Lee Stream farmer Cameron Doherty who has began lambing on the blocks he leases in the wider district. Some...

Home grown

A disheartened roadside stallholder has created a way to help boost sales and stop honesty box thefts. When keen gardener Em Nesbit from Kekerengu started her roadside stall, she was excited. The mum-of-two made special signs and proudly displayed her...

‘We really can’t wait’

The arrival of scaffolders at the Mataura Railway Station on Monday was a welcome sight for the local community, which has watched the station building deteriorate over the years. ‘‘We’re very excited it’s going to be, at last, renovated,’’ Mataura...

No objections, your honour!

Two University of Waikato law students have put Waikato on the world stage after negotiating their way to an international championship, beating teams from 21 countries to become the world’s best. Fourth-year law students Marnie Gielen and Cara Blom...

It takes a village to say goodbye

It takes a village to raise a child. And when our loved ones’ lives draw to a close, it takes a village then, too. That’s the kaupapa (philosophy) of Kia Āwhina Kia Āroha Compassionate Wairarapa Trust, a community organisation set up to support whānau...

Love, courage and hope

GREAT TALES OF AOTEAROA Tom Clarke Bateman Books More than 40 years ago, Tom Clarke was compiling a Today in History New Zealand resource for broadcasters and ended up with 4500 two or threesentence bites of our past. At the same time, I was...

No bovver, your lordship

THE return of tar-black Netflix crime comedy drama The Gentlemen — about aristocrat Eddie Horniman, the Duke of Halstead, played by Theo James, farming marijuana from his country estate — is a chance to marvel afresh at creator Guy Ritchie’s take on...

BITE SIZE

Where the dish team are eating and drinking, eating nutritiously on a budget, Sarah Todd’s Classic French Bouillabaisse, in conversation with Teresa Pert of Ortega Fish Shack.

Bryn Hall

north Harbour’s seventh centurion talks passion for the team and the union and why his team is playing so much better this season.

The Hewitson Profile

At 90, “big-brained shit stirrer” Hamish Keith, who turned our gaze towards NZ art, retains his sharp wit and love of a good argument.

Bublé’s gone to the dogs!

Michael Bublé and his wife Luisana Lopilato bumped into Goofy while enjoying a Disney cruise with their four kids. “It gets more special every time,” the singer said on Instagram.

IT’S A KIND OF MAGIC!

Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, 62, sure know how to cast a spell over a crowd! The two A-listers lined up with co-stars Joey King, 27, and Game of Thrones siren Maisie Williams, 29, at a photocall for Practical Magic 2 in London. The movie – a...

Winter Blues

Snow, frost and rain seem to be the focus of the weather recently, it makes it hard to get inspired, or to even get out of bed in the morning, and when keeping warm is a priority can affect work and morale. This not only affects you and your staff but...

HUMPHREY’S COUNTER ORIGINAL BEEF DRIP SANDWICH THE BITE

Not much beats a decent sarnie and Humphrey’s Counter has got it down pat. It’s only been open a few weeks but the central Wellington sandwich shop is doing a roaring trade. Just check out the line of punters down the street – that’s music to the ears...

‘We erupted with rage’

A real estate agent on the verge of losing her licence after being denied an exemption from a compulsory Māori tikanga course says if she had her time again, she would still refuse to do it. “It’s totally irrelevant to the everyday work of real...

NOT SO NEIGHBOURLY IN NORTH AMERICA

WHEN United States President Donald Trump first began calling former prime minister Justin Trudeau the ‘‘governor’’ of the ‘‘great state of Canada’’ in December 2024, I remember telling friends we should be concerned. One friend told me I was...

SAVE up to $2,800

*Save up to $1,400 per person, twin share ($2,800 per couple) on selected land only, AAT Kings operated Guided Holidays. Maximum saving is based on the Untamed Kimberley and West Coast tour for departures from 01 July 2027 to 31 August 2027. Savings...

Front row seat to city's revival

One of only six exclusive residences by award-winning architects Warren & Mahoney, this 224sqm townhouse spans three thoughtfully designed levels in the heart of Christchurch. Privacy is built in, with each of the three spacious bedrooms enjoying its...

Building dreams: Pick the right professional

ARCHITECTS Iualifications & 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...

HISTORY COR NER

Jenny Abrahamson, from Canterbury, sent in this image of her first ice skating lesson at her family bach at Mt Enys, in 1951. “Behind is the Torlesse Range,” she says. “From the left, the women are my mother Erica Clark, my great-aunt Minta Brittan,...

The Secret Garden (1993)

Enough flowers to make you want to spend the afternoon digging in the dirt.

PLUS

It’s been two years since art lovers have been able to take in City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi, but after undergoing a refurbishment and earthquake strengthening it’s set to reopen with a bang. Groundbreaking British artist Cornelia Parker is...

Quiz

1 Which sportsman was the “Louisville Lip”? 2 Kiwi performer Fat Papi has featured on what list of 100? 3 Who wrote the Outline trilogy – Outline, Transit and Kudos? 4 If a menu describes something as “en brochette”, how is it cooked or served? 5...

NORTHLAND

Tender closing 17 September 2026 at 1pm Positioned in the highly accessible city end of Northland within 5 minutes to the City, this premium three-bedroom, twobathroom property offers an exceptionally clever layout designed for busy modern lifestyles....

Hospital patient missing for hours found dead in toilet

A patient at Waikato Hospital was missing for up to five hours before he was found dead in a toilet across the hall from his room. It comes one month after Coroner Donna Llewell closed her inquiry into the 2019 death of diabetic Hamilton man Colin...

Peace and Privacy

42 Brown Road 4 / 2 / 2 / Price: $890,000 Open home: Sunday, 11.30am-12pm Storm Gennon 022 592 7725 Todd & Co Realty Licensed Agent REAA 2008 Tucked away up a long, private driveway, this twohectare lifestyle property on Browns Road is the kind...

Primary care uptake lowest in country

Areport by the New Zealand Resident Doctors Association and the specialist union Apex has proposed Health New Zealand establish a primary care arm in underserved areas. Gisborne is an example, with the country’s lowest rate of enrolled patients...

New Zealand Walking Tour: An Unmissable Converge; Four fastastic foray into the geat southern untamed:

Agreat philosopher (or perhaps just a very tired tramper ) once observed that the trouble with walking in New Zealand is that the scenery refuses to stay in the background. It is aggressively spectacular. For those who love the idea of the great...

We made 34 for 35

To celebrate 35 years since the Youtube NZ Marketing Awards started, we made 34 different versions of the cover for the print edition of this issue. Yep, 34 – that’s the number of trophies that were handed out on Awards Night. Keeping with the theme...

MODERN LIVING, STEPS FROM THE VILLAGE 2

If you're looking for a modern home that offers space, sun, convenience and low-maintenance living, 31 Arcus Way deserves a visit. Beautifully presented, this freehold home is spread across two levels and offers 117sqm of easy-care living. With outdoor...

World title bout beckons for Muay Thai pro

There’s an adage in sport that you have to lose one to win one and, while it probably doesn’t stand up to much scrutiny, Emma Diprose is hoping it works for her. The pro Muay Thai fighter from Te Puke was second best to Brazilian Rosemary Amorim in a...

Hello

Ihave to admit, the first time I took a day excursion to Piopiotahi Milford Sound, the boat was so packed with people and the return bus trip felt so excruciatingly long and uncomfortable I swore that despite the truly aweinspiring, literally...

Hello,

As we head further into the second half of the year, welcome to the latest edition of Allied Media’s Your Healthcare Providers 2026, your handy guide to the health professionals and services supporting the wellbeing of Christchurch...

Welcome

Being someone’s true love means that you accept them for the person they are, and that you do not wish to change them. Saying ‘‘I love you’’ in front of the world is what your wedding day is all about. It means standing by the one you love during those...

‘Today is your day. You’re off to great places. You’re off and away. Oh the places you’ll go.’

Inland from Lake Coleridge, Canterbury

PEPPERED FILET MIGNON WITH SAUCE AU POIVRE

A classic filet mignon never goes out of style. Wrapping the eye fillet in bacon before portioning keeps each steak beautifully shaped and adds richness as it cooks. Finished with a silky brandy and pepper sauce, it’s a timeless combination that’s just...

Beef + Lamb NZ awaits Trump’s OK

New Zealand is well placed for its beef to be picked up as part of an emergency tariff-free quota being ushered into the United States by President Donald Trump, but Beef + Lamb New Zealand say it is too soon to tell if local product will benefit from...

Southland

Deer farming and dairy grazing couple, Tony & Michelle Roberts, proudly built their farming business from the ground up and this year took home the title of 2026 National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing.

CAMELLIAS & COUNTRY CHARM

- An amazing tour of a special plant collection and Hurunui haven.

Don't leave home ‘til you've seen the country

There are a number of adverts from the early 1980s that live long in the memory, but the classic tourism one particularly resonates. Imploring New Zealanders to explore their own backyard before travelling overseas, it made a powerful point about what...

NEW CHAPTER FOR HURST FAMILY

On a wintry day, the faintest of sea breezes wafts along the yard as Colin Hurst opens the office door to the cow shed. Inside, his son, Nick, and contract milker Jamie Harris are on a video meeting, ticking off a work list from a propped up...

Looking ahead

Welcome to the latest issue of NZ Landscaper, packed with practical ideas, industry news and inspiration to help you build a stronger business. Our theme for this issue is the next generation – from developing tomorrow’s landscapers to shaping the...

THE WORST OF TIMES

As well as being a touch chilly weatherwise, the overall atmosphere of July wasn’t exactly great. Most Kiwis felt the loss of Sam Neill very keenly – I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching him in Reilly Ace of Spies...

SEPTEMBER TASKS

Plan your summer vege garden Plant a grapevine Replenish raised beds Plant summer bulbs Grow herbs for pollinators

Picton plunge for cancer

A chilly new fundraiser saw Marlborough residents brave cold water in support of the Cancer Society, with the Daffy Dip campaign launched on Saturday by 13 brave souls at the Picton Foreshore. As Daffodil Day approaches, Cancer Society Marlborough is...

ORCA SECRETS!

Wahey! Us orcas know how to have a good time!

FIRE

In all emergencies phone 111. If you ring to report a local fire in a rural area you will be asked your RAPID number, so that the appropriate fire service can be alerted. At certain times of the year, there will be restrictions on lighting fires. Ring...

Visiting a doctor

• It’s free to enrol It’s free to register or enrol with a GP — but they may charge a consultation fee each time you go to see them after that. GPs normally charge a higher fee, often called a casual rate, for patients that aren’t enrolled at their...

THE REID MARTINI

A rich and characterful vodka, The Reid is the best vodka you will ever taste. Delicately nuanced with notes of pear drops, lemon, toffee and malt biscuits. The Reid shines in spirit-forward cocktails, particularly in our signature martini, adding...

GREAT RESPONSES

There were some pleasant surprises last month as entries flooded in for the Star Insurance 2027 Calendar photo competition. From Trikes and Hot Rods to Pickups and Racing Saloons, there was everything across the classic community submitted for...

CABIN IN THE WOODS

On a 1400sqm property with a stunning view overlooking Rio de Janeiro’s Pedra da Gavea mountain and the city’s coastline, engineer Breno Bulus built a cabin inspired by Scandinavian aesthetics with a tropical landscaped garden. Surrounded by a forest...

Angel of Death: Is Lucy Letby a brutal serial killer or was she wrongfully convicted? We examine the arguments

Milestone Memories

Welcome to your Readers’ Issue! We asked you, our readers, questions about what you’d like to see in this Special Edition. Follow the special logo designed by our Art Director, Richard, throughout the pages to see how you helped the MiNDFOOD team...

Resene paint and wallpaper for maximalist interiors.

Alayered, personality-filled home is having a moment. Intentional clutter, or maximalism, is less about mess and more about meaning. The antithesis of classic minimalism with its pared back palettes, intentional clutter is the art of surrounding...

105

TO STREAM RADIO AND VIDEO

YOU CAN’T TRULY KNOW IT WITHOUT EXPERIENCING IT.

Some experiences stay with you. They linger in the mind, long after the moment. They move you in ways words can’t, and quietly change you in ways you don’t expect. The taste of the ocean. The electric hum and stillness of the city at night. The...

ON THE COVER

A mother and daughter join forces to work their magic on an Auckland villa

In cash and prizes

1 / Forward Motion that show progress into uncertainty. Movement with intent, timing under pressure and moments that cannot be repeated. 2 / Next Line photographers whose work signals direction and potential. Fresh perspective backed by substance and...

DEMOCRACY RULES

Inote that Jude Woodside, the founder of The Shed magazine and YouTube sensation, writes in his Back ’o column this issue that he has joined a political party to help out with the upcoming general election. Good on him, I say. I applaud him and...

Caring for your baby lemon tree

Water regularly, but let the top 2cm of potting mix dry out between each watering. Feed your tree with a fertiliser made for citrus trees, such as Yates Thrive. When your tree outgrows its pot, move it to a bigger pot or plant it in a sunny spot in the...

A GARDEN-LOVER’S GUIDE TO WINTER, FROM RECIPES TO WELLBEING

1 PRUNE & PLANT ROSES & FRUIT TREES Pruning roses maintains the plant’s shape, stops it from looking straggly and prevents heavy branches from breaking, and will get rid of dead, damaged and diseased growth. It also opens the plant up to airflow,...

Win! GREAT PRIZES AND GIVEAWAYS THIS ISSUE

EDITOR DESIGNER ADVERTISING PRINTER PUBLISHER STOCK PHOTOS: COVER PHOTO: Sue Linn Lee Kretschmar Debbie Pascoe, phone 0274858562 Inkwise New Zealand Plant Producers Inc email [email protected] Adobe Stock Adobe Stock

THE COST OF KIWI CULTURE

Walk into any snow shop and the walls are full. Jackets, skis, boots, helmets, goggles, packs, base layers, socks, gadgets, apps, passes and promises. There is no shortage of product. There has probably never been more. The problem is not the gear....

INSIDE:

SHIPS’ FIGUREHEADS – A SAFE PAIR OF EYES WHICH CATAMARAN IS BEST FOR YOU? CONTRACTING A BOAT YARD RUAMAHANGA DIVERSION THE CATCH: BLOW THE WIND FUTURE OF CARIBBEAN BOATS STAYING PUT FOR CYCLONE SEASON FUEL CRISIS EFFECTS THE AUCKLAND WOODEN BOAT...

A RECIPE FOR HEIFER MATING SUCCESS

Glenaray Station successfully mate yearling heifers, increasing their reproductive potential

A historic lifestyle opportunity

This is not only a stunning piece of history, but what a place to live! In the heart of Maraekakaho perched just above the historic woolshed is the Gardeners Cottage from Maraekakaho Station. A lovely two bedroom cottage plus two bedrooms detached from...

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...

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...