New Zealand Newspapers

Red warning

Today’s forecasted weather bomb is the “last thing” Whangārei needs, says district mayor Ken Couper. MetService yesterday issued a red heavy rain watch — the most serious — for the east coast of Northland, from Doubtless Bay south to...

NOSTALGIA

TO SERVE: MAKES 10 CRÊPES COOK'S NOTE: BATTER ²⁄¶ cup (100 grams) plain flour 1 teaspoon caster sugar pinch table salt 1 large egg 1 large egg yolk 300ml milk 1 tablespoon butter, melted and cooled butter or neutral oil, e.g. canola, for cooking TO...

Diesel crunch forecast by Easter

Only two fuel ships are expected to arrive in New Zealand in the next fortnight, according to the Government’s latest update, showing declining stocks. As of midnight Sunday, New Zealand had 48.7 days cover of petrol, down from 49.9 days last...

Changed man

The last time the Hurricanes lost to the Queensland Reds in Wellington, Athletic Park was still in commission and rugby greats Christian Cullen, Tana Umaga, John Eales and Tim Horan went toe to toe. Two of the form sides in Super Rugby Pacific 2026...

Iwi housing input rejected

The Government has approved a district plan change to allow a large new housing development in Levin, but aspects relating to iwi involvement have been rejected. The Horowhenua District Council proposed to rezone 22 hectares of land on the northwest...

TAKARO

Price By Negotiation Built in 2018, this home offers modern, easy-care living with stylish finishes and a smart layout. The kitchen, with butler’s pantry, flows through to open-plan living and dining. Double doors open to a private, sunny courtyard;...

Fill me in

The cover story for this issue has been brewing for a while. It started as so many articles do: several separate conversations follow the same arc and it’s apparent an idea’s time has come. In no particular order, I was hearing: so much marketing...

The cereal medallists of Taranaki

A couple of laps around their school field was all that was needed for schoolmates Flynn Semenoff and Fletcher Elliot to prepare for the Weet-bix Tryathlon. The two 9-year-olds from St Joseph’s School were among about 1400 Taranaki children who took...

McCain closure

AHawke’s Bay crop grower says McCain’s Hastings plant closure could be a chance to overhaul a food processing industry in “crisis”. McCain New Zealand announced on Tuesday that it would be closing its Hastings vegetable processing plant by January 31...

Te Puke house destroyed by fire

‘Get out!” Christian Grey yelled at his “in shock” neighbours as flames rapidly “engulfed” their home in Te Puke. Fire crews battled the house fire on Boucher Ave in Te Puke for five hours from 5pm on Tuesday. A Fire and Emergency New Zealand...

Building dreams: Pick the right design pro

Planning to build or renovate? Selecting the right design professional early in the piece is crucial; a well-chosen designer can make all the difference in turning your dream into reality. The three main options are architects, architectural designers,...

Fuel spike hits aviators

Some flight schools, tour operators and pilots crucial to farming are facing huge fuel cost increases they can’t pass on, an aviation group says. Regional operator Air Ruatōria’s avgas costs were up from $3.17 a litre before the Iran war to $4.21 this...

Vacant and almost forgotten:

Lynn Phillips still feels “f .... d up” after three generations of her whānau were evicted from their government-owned home just before Christmas 2024. For 16 years, the Masterton local rented a property on Kibblewhite Rd from Toitū Te Whenua Land...

Hamilton hosts kids’ film festival

Hamilton is the last stop for a children’s film festival that is embarking on its inaugural national tour. The Sunny Side Up Children’s Film Festival was created by 15-year-old Milli Banbury and arrives in time as a family friendly activity for the...

Te Arawa trust buys Rotorua Duck Tours

Aleading Rotorua iwi entity has made an “exciting” move to buy one of the city’s most iconic tourism businesses. Te Arawa Management Ltd, the commercial arm of Te Arawa Lakes Trust, has bought Rotorua Duck Tours –a 23-year-old business involving...

School nurses facing cut

Wairarapa principals are “shocked and concerned” by a proposed 60% reduction in school-based nurses, saying it will harm student health and impact attendance. Tū Ora Compass Health, which is funded by Health New Zealand to deliver the School Based...

Power cuts disrupt trade across Far North

Power cuts in Kaita¯ia and the wider Far North are becoming more frequent, according to local businesses, who say the outages are disrupting trade and creating uncertainty. The Kaita¯ia Business Association said it has been contacted by multiple...

Fuel cost increases having a ‘real impact’

Business leaders are warning increasing fuel costs are having a very real and compounding impact on South Canterbury’s economy, and if the conflict in the Middle East continues the challenges could broaden. Venture Timaru chief executive Nigel...

Beckenridge didn’t fake murder-suicide: Coroner

John Beckenridge was vindictive, desperate and self-obsessed enough to commit murder-suicide, but not intelligent, resourceful or well prepared enough to fake it, coroner Marcus Elliott has decided. More likely than not, on March 20, 2015, a...

Like ‘toilet paper in Covid’

Sales of electric vehicles in Nelson following fuel price hikes have been “next level”, a car dealership director says, while a charity that restores and re-homes bikes can’t keep up with demand. Car Company Limited / BYD Nelson general manager Ben...

Whanganui aid stretched to limit

Akey support agency in Whanganui is struggling to keep its doors open as food assistance requests soar. Demand at City Mission Whanganui for food services rose more than 30% in January and February – on top of a 100% increase in 2025 from 2024. City...

Wellington's water shake-up

Community call to action: shape the future of sport facilities in Ōmokoroa

Would you like to see Ōmokoroa’s sports facilities expand? Do you think our rangatahi need more dedicated recreation spaces? If you have moved to Ōmokoroa in the last seven years, you may not know that our popular Skate Path was a communitydriven...

Bite-sized buffet

build-your-own CROSTINI This is a fun way to feed a crowd. You can have some crostini ready in advance to inspire your guests and let them do the rest. It’s also easy to make seasonal adjustments. Prep: 20 minutes plus 15 minutes to rest Cook: 40...

You have a voice

After about an hour underground, we started heading back through the cave system. It was properly dark now. The kind of dark where your head torch becomes your entire world. The walls of the cave glowed in the narrow beam of light, wet rock reflecting...

‘MY TEARS FOR MY BOY’

Bulletin

Escaping Washington DC for the uniquely American phenomenon known as Buc-ee’s.

Efore

BFebruary, South Africa wasn’t even on my radar as a travel destination. I had always assumed it was hard to get to from New Zealand and that a safari would feel like nothing more than a visit to a free-range zoo. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The...

KITCHENS 2026

MAKE A DUST EXTRACTOR

‘MARRIAGE, PARENTING & HOW LOVE CHANGED ME’

Did Enid Blyton invent the multiverse?

There’s a lot of upside to marrying a builder. Especially one with the knack of finding spare plots of land on which to create spectacular family homes. Just ask Shinade Cousins. In the past decade, her husband Ben has moved Shinade and their three...

SPRIG + FERN MĀPUA’S KIWI AS SEAFOOD BURGER

As a country, it’s safe to say we have a soft spot for a good burger. Which is why this year’s Burger Nation competition has more entrants than ever before. A whopping 307 venues across the motu are taking part in the competition to find Aotearoa’s...

Govt acts on dog attacks

The Government has ordered a comprehensive review of New Zealand’s Dog Control Act to “crack down on roaming and uncontrolled dogs” after a series of horrific attacks. The review was announced this morning, almost a year after a preschooler was killed...

Protect outdoor surfaces from pots

CULPRIT Water is the primary culprit. When you water plants, excess moisture inevitably seeps from the drainage holes, trapping moisture under the pot and creating a perfect environment for mould, mildew, and algae. On wooden decks, this leads to...

KARORI

Tender closing 1 April 2026 at 1pm Designed to capture the sun, the home is light, bright and thoughtfully laid out across a single level. The smart open-plan living and dining area flows to the adjoining kitchen, where ample storage and an easy...

Plan to scrap minimum fish sizes ‘crazy’

Fishing host Matt Watson is “angry and in disbelief ” at a bill proposing to remove almost all minimum legal-size limits for commercial fishing operators. The Fisheries Amendment Bill expected to progress to Select Committee scraps size limit rules,...

Stay warm with smarter choices

Heat pumps are the preferred heating and cooling solution for the majority of Kiwis, offering versatile options to keep homes comfy all year. The technology is advancing rapidly, and with so many models available, choosing the right one can be...

Sunshine Brewing sold to Taranaki brewery

The sale of one of New Zealand’s oldest running independent craft breweries is a deal worth toasting, according to those close to the transaction. Sunshine Brewing – including its iconic Gisborne Gold brand – has been sold, saving the...

CAMERON BAILEY

Within walking distance of Merivale Mall, this architecturally designed post quake property is situated on a quiet rear section. Bathed in light, open-plan living flows to lush gardens, while second living and two master bedrooms ensures options that...

HISTORY COR NER

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Arrive a little early

Give yourself a few extra minutes before you start work for time to sit in the sun, finish your coffee or people-watch before the day properly begins.

PLUS

In a world addicted to the “instant”, there is a quiet power in the slow burn. This week we celebrate the art of the long game. Deputy editor Laura Hampson meets five New Zealanders – from a chart-topping 50-year-old singer to a champion weightlifter...

BEST OF THE FEST

Top picks for Auckland Writers festival

Whitehaven takes naming rights

Whitehaven Wines will take over the naming rights of Marlborough’s main performing arts venue from April 1, with the ASB Theatre to be renamed the Whitehaven Theatre. Whitehaven co-founder Sue White said she was “keen from the get-go” when she was...

New homes bring fresh start for Feilding whānau

Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities has delivered 22 new warm, dry homes for whānau in Feilding, with residents now beginning to move in. Four more homes are due to be completed next month. These new homes are part of Kāinga Ora’s nationwide housing...

Lift-off time again

Colour will flood Hamilton’s skies this week as Balloons over Waikato lifts off again at Hamilton Lake. Thousands of people will head out before dawn throughout the festival to watch the mass ascensions, when dozens of balloons rise together and drift...

Hello Havelock

Sun, seafood and strong community spirit combined for another successful Havelock Mussel and Seafood Festival, with about 4500 people soaking up the atmosphere. Event contractor Kara Fielding says the wide mix of ages enjoying the day was a highlight....

STEVE CARELLL’S SWEET DAD MOMENT

Seatoun - 34 Seatoun Heights Road

Tender Closes 1pm Tuesday 31/03/26 209 Victoria St, Te Aro, Wellington (Unless Sold Prior) ELEVATED VIEWS, POOL, EXCEPTIONAL SCALE Positioned to capture sun and sweeping views of Seatoun and out to Eastbourne, the harbour entrance and the Rimutaka...

BRAKES

• BRAKE PADS • DISC ROTORS • BRAKE DRUMS • BRAKE SHOES • WHEEL CYLINDERS • BRAKE FLUID • BRAKE CLEANER

Grow apples, pears, medlars and quinces.

When it comes to pip fruit, it pays to do some research to figure out which variety is best suited to your garden. Even a modest-sized section can make room for a small specimen or an espaliered pip fruit tree, and double-grafted trees can give you...

VISIONARY SPACES

New Zealand Walk: New Plymouth’s Coastal Walk way from the port to Bell Block

The first time I set out to walk from Port Taranaki to Bell Block along the Coastal Walkway, I expected a pleasant seaside stroll. What I experienced instead was four unforgettable hours immersed in the shifting moods of the Tasman Sea, the quiet...

A SYMPHONY OF STYLE AND SPIRIT

The Maritimo S50 Sedan Motor Yacht represents the next evolution of the brand’s commitment to design excellence, engineering precision, and an enduring connection to the sea. Every line, surface, and space has been shaped with purpose - to deliver a...

POKÉMON LOOKALIKES!

Meet seven sea slugs with extraordinary ‘superpowers’…

GRANDE DAME

A pathway at the side of the house runs past one of two ornamental pear trees, Pyrus salicifolia ‘Pendula’, and a double hedge of corokia and Lonicera nitida. Two blue-grey Hosta ‘Silver Knights’ flank the path and to the right are the purple-red...

AUTUMN COLOUR

Trees, shrubs and flowers for seasonal drama

TRUE CRIME The highway from HELL

Lettuce be friends

Let tuce be friends

Mosgiel

At Elm Grove, the next generation of Kirklands are blending heritage and innovation on the 173-year-old, Taieri, low-cost dairy farm with an A2 colostrum-based skincare range designed for sensitive skin

A Quiet House

Irecently read about a 98-year-old mother who moved into a care home to look after her 80-yearold son, saying, “You never stop being a mum.” Continuing to care for him as she always did, checking on him daily and ensuring he felt loved and secure, it...

BOOK BIND

Times change … back in the day I used to receive dozens of review books from all over the world – some of which are now highly prized and priced collectibles such as Rodolfo Mailander’s famous photographic book Ferrari by Mailander. Limited to page...

AYRBURN CLASSIC 2026

As we prepare this issue of New Zealand Classic Car for the printer, it’s a good time to reflect on what has been a year of significant changes, working with the Ayrburn Classic staff, and a lot of hard work as the 2026 event unfolds. This issue of New...

MAKAN MAKAN LET’S EAT!

COCONUT & KUMARA LAKSA, BEEF SATAY, ROTI PRATA, BUTTERED TOFU, SINGAPORE SPRING ROLLS, PORK & PRAWN SOUP, NONYA CHICKEN CURRY, HOT & SOUR FISH, YELLOW RICE WITH COCONUT & PANDAN, CHICKEN NASI LEMAK, COCONUT & PANDAN CUSTARD, NONYA PINEAPPLE TARTS

Wildly Intentional

IN THE EARLY morning light, before the nor’wester has a chance to pick up and the heat settles into the valleys of Central Otago, Sarah Rutherford and Jen Clark are already in their gardens. Yet these are not gardens like you and I have in our...

IMPROVING PASTURE PRODUCTIVITY

A deep dive into utilising pasture well

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...

WHAT RAZOR’S SACKING MEANS FOR CERTAIN SUPER RUGBY PLAYERS

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...

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.

Solid gold

Warm tones in a limestone spine lend this estuary-side property priceless presence.

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...

Fonterra brands gone

Farmer shareholders have said yes to selling off iconic brands to French dairy giant.

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.