New Zealand Newspapers

The car versus train: Commuters speak out

Rising fuel prices and costly commutes over the hill are hitting Wairarapa motorists hard, while unreliable train services continue to put off passengers. With 91 octane now topping $3.20 per litre, a 200-kilometre round trip from Masterton to...

Council sorry over loss of popular beach stairs

The Far North District Council has apologised to Taupo¯ Bay residents after removing a set of wooden beach access stairs without informing the community beforehand, admitting the lack of communication “was not good enough”. Council contractors...

Fuel at $3L and rising

We’re taking the bus or the train and trucking companies are getting slammed with price rises to simply stay on the road. Welcome to the world of $3 a litre plus for fuel. As the average price of 91 octane petrol across the country rose to $3.32L at...

‘Huge’ fundraising festival rocks Timaru

From “huge” crowds and an increase in vehicle numbers to more caravans than ever and sellout evening events, the 10th annual Caroline Bay Rock and Hop went off without a hitch at the weekend. The Hospice South Canterbury fundraiser was held over four...

Crash leaves one dead, four injured, and trail of damage

Tyre marks, shards of glass, a small amount of car debris and shorn-off street signs were evident along the Kelvin St footpath yesterday after a fatal crash at the weekend. A person was killed in the single-vehicle crash, shortly before 3am on...

Oil crisis ‘huge issue’ for Nelson

The flow-on impacts of fuel price hikes and potential shortages are a “huge issue” for Nelson, the city’s mayor says. However, Nick Smith said the council was a “small player” and the primary response sat with central government, and he had confidence...

Councillors strike down Sarjeant door charge

Whanganui District councillors have voted against a door charge at Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery. Councillors voted 9-3 against a proposal to charge out-of-town visitors $15. Council strategy and policy manager David Gurney said council officers...

The Shanghai revelation

Why had I waited so long? I’d written off an entire country after two weeks of chaos 15 years ago. My ATM card died in Beijing. I spent an entire day in a bank, miming my way through failed transactions. I was constantly lost, and the smog never...

Dog control overhaul ‘long overdue’

PART OF NEW ZEALAND’S HERALD Areview of the 30-year-old Dog Control Act is being hailed in Northland as “long overdue”. The Government announced a comprehensive review of the 1996 Act on Saturday in a bid to crack down on roaming and uncontrolled...

Why US wants NZ minerals

A proposed critical minerals deal with the United States has been pitched as a potential boost for the West Coast economy, with officials pointing to ports, road and rail links, housing and health services as part of the opportunity. Newly released...

Critical failings found in mental health case probe

Health NZ is pushing ahead with improvements to its Whanganui mental health services after finding the care of an insane man who killed his mother while on a community treatment order lacked clinical oversight and whānau engagement. Leslie Raymond...

‘MY TEARS FOR MY BOY’

Bulletin

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

Answers sought for Kāinga Ora renovation eviction

All 64-year-old grandmother Jenny Mills wants to stay in the Kāinga Ora home she has lived in for 18 years, but she will soon be forced out and barred from returning so the New Plymouth property can be renovated. Mills has lived in the property since...

Push grows for action on Cape Coast erosion

More than $250 million is being spent in Hawke’s Bay to stop rivers from flooding homes in the way they did during Cyclone Gabrielle. But it’s causing a divide in one of the region’s coastal communities, where residents say they want the same respect...

Barber turning cuts into change

Fresh from winning business and community awards, a young Tauranga barbershop owner is being recognised for the impact he is having far beyond cutting hair. Spencer McNeil’s real influence is measured in the lives he’s helped change. For 21-year-old...

Sister heartbroken after memorial disappears

Amemorial tribute to a deaf and blind man killed after a hit-and-run in Rotorua last year has been stripped less than a year after his death. The entirety of the memorial, including hand-crafted items left at the Edmund Rd pedestrian crossing in...

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...

‘He can rest now’

The kauri bust of Ngāti Porou chief Tamati Tamaiwhakanehua – who signed the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi – has been returned to New Zealand after it was bought from a London auction by one of his descendants. Carved out of fossilised resin, the bust of...

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...

TAKARO

Price By Negotiation Step into the warmth and charm of this delightful property, where classic charm meets modern comfort with extensive renovations tastefully completed. Two bedroom plus study, and you could convert the separate lounge to a third...

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...

Men helping men:

When Brett Harvey first sought counselling from Manline, he was in a dark place. Confronting major life changes had caused past trauma to resurface for the then student and young father, leaving him grappling with anxiety and explosive rage. “I’d hit...

A clearer future in sight

A Hamilton medical centre is offering access to low-cost eye care and glasses for children in what it says is a new initiative for health care in the Waikato. The initiative, led by Te Kōhao Health at its Taakiri Tuu clinic, aims to detect vision...

Get amongst it for a great day off the farm

The excitement is building and everyone involved in CDFD is eagerly counting down the days until this year’s event. We can’t wait for you to get amongst it. CDF2026 is the culmination of a year’s planning - bringing you New Zealand’s largest regional...

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

A cup of success as dreams brew

You might drive past the modest sign outside without noticing, but inside, there’s a gentle aroma of steeping leaves as a Western Bay tea hub quietly makes its mark. It’s a story of garage-born ambition, leap-of-faith moves, and a family-driven...

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

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

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...

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.

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...

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.