Al Williams is the editor of the HC Post, based in Whangamata.
Al Williams has worked in daily and community titles in New Zealand and overseas. Most recently he was the deputy editor of Cook Islands News.
Operator cautious as Thames welcomes new information centre
Thames has a new information centre but there are challenges ahead, its operator says.
Sinkhole threatens main artery road to Pāuanui
The tomo is being monitored 24/7, Thames-Coromandel District Council says.
Mystery crash: Car rolls off road, occupants disappear
Police are still investigating while Fenz confirmed they attended the scene two weeks ago.
His dog returned; he didn't: Missing man's family seek answers one year on
Family say there are two people who may have information but are yet to be located.
Cathedral Cove track repair work hampered by visitors bypassing signs and barriers
The Cathedral Cove access track is closed for repairs because of cyclone damage.
More than half of Hauraki ratepayers happy with council performance
The results of the council's annual satisfaction survey are out.
Tairua fisherman slams Hauraki Gulf marine legislation
The bill was supported by Coromandel MP Scott Simpson.
New council catamaran to expand team's maritime patrolling range
Waikato Regional Council’s new $230,00 vessel, Tūtaia, has been launched in Whitianga.
'The books are a bit grim': Council faces $17m deficit
The council was presented with a dire 2023/2024 annual report.
'It’s Jason Momoa, let me in': Aquaman star hits the Coromandel on Harley
Momoa rocked up to the Coroglen Tavern, banged on the window and said 'let me in'.
Slice of Whangamatā history set to hit the road... again
A house built in Hamilton in 1929 and moved to Whangamatā in 1930 is set to move again.
DoC staff 'stressed' by appalling visitor behaviour at tourism hot spots
Regional tourism organisations are running on 'the smell of an oily rag'.
Parking goes, visitors must use shuttle to access popular Cathedral Cove track
DoC says there will be no parking at Cathedral Cove when it reopens.
Coromandel bridge project wins consultancy award
'Reconnecting communities safely and quickly following natural disasters is critical.'
Community must splash the cash on swimming pontoon resource consent
Environmental assessment costs were overlooked in the original pontoon proposal.
Dad and daughter bring home the medals
The Kautai-King family brings their meaning to playing and staying together.
Tairua-Pāuanui Coastguard anticipating busy summer
Tairua-Pāuanui Coastguard looking to educate boaties.
Homeowners warned over potential flooding hot spots
More than $9 million has been budgeted for stormwater improvement in Whangamatā.
Council flags support for Pāuanui-Tairua scenic trail
The new trail includes a 120m suspension bridge across the Tairua River.
Tourists causing headaches for Cathedral Cove track repair workers
International tourists have been turning up to the must-see destination to find it closed.
The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes star shares young onset dementia experience
Lois Wolkers speaks candidly about her young onset dementia experience.
Emergency services exercise turns into dramatic real-life rescue
Real-life search and rescue mission called in during exercise.
Four fire brigades spend four hours tackling Coromandel blaze
“It is a very fragile eco-system; don’t leave a fire unattended.”
Adventurers hit Whangamatā for multisport race
Running, walking, mountain biking and orienteering featured in the multisport challenge.
Four Go Flatting star ‘Lil Henry’ embraces newfound fame, starts clothing label
Henry Stilwell talks life after television series Four Go Flatting.
Tough few years for Hauraki-Coromandel tourism
The Coromandel tourism sector is still shaking the effects of cyclones and Covid-19.
Tiny Thames train attraction at risk from sea level rise project
The track runs along a seawall that protects $1 billion in assets.
Boaties asked to stay clear of Hot Water Beach during search and rescue exercise
Emergency services to converge on Coromandel for training event.
Fishery lobbyists and Fisheries NZ tangle over Coromandel dredging survey
Fisheries New Zealand says they will only be dredging 0.01% of the scallop beds.
Whangamatā to host 'orienteering on steroids' multisport event
This weekend's challenge involves running, walking, mountain biking and orienteering.
Work to commence on Tairua to Pāuanui trail after consent granted
A long-awaited trail connecting the towns has gained resource consent.
Transfer station charity shop targeted in overnight raid
Thames store missing $7000 in electrical goods after unwanted visit.
Surf club needs extra $300k for base upgrade
Whangamatā Surf Life Saving Club is still $500k short of the revised target.
Thames-Coromandel retains title of oldest average age
Thames-Coromandel the oldest population with high home ownership rate.
Roading resilience projects to be announced soon
NZTA Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is set to announce $100m for resilience projects.
Council flags roaming dogs as ongoing issue
Roaming dogs can "frighten, intimidate or annoy others".
Hauraki towns outline their 'better off' funding wish lists
Plans are designed to reflect aspirations of iwi partners and communities.
Coromandel misses out on $250m transport resilience funding
Coromandel not included in the 2024 National Land Transport Programme.
Record $300k fine for dairy effluent a ‘wake-up call’
Farming company, company director and farm manager convicted and fined $305,900.
Cyclone recovery work nears completion in Coromandel
More than $170 million has gone into the Coromandel following the cyclones.
Police focus on Thames as fake bank notes pop up at retail outlets
Numerous fakes notes presented in Thames and wider Waikato area.
Fireworks display faces skyrocketing cost increases
Rising transport costs have a lot to do with the need for a boost to the fireworks budget.
Counterfeit cash thought to be circulating in Waikato
Police are urging Waikato people to be on the lookout for fake money.
$18m Tairua development moving forward
An $18 million housing development overlooking Tairua is taking shape.
Council calls on public to assist with dog attack inquiry
The attack last week left a Thames woman injured and her beloved pet dead.
'Pulled around like a rag doll': Woman injured, dog killed on beach walk
A $1000 reward is being offered to find the dog that attacked Oscar.
Guidelines tabled as Waihī residents irked by ‘un-pheasant’ sounds
Loud bangs are used to scare birds away from crops in rural areas.
Speed limit changes paused while council waits on new Government legislation
The community has asked and council agrees but speed changes will have to wait.
All Blacks barefoot kicking legend still celebrated with annual tournament
Hundreds of golden oldies are expected at the annual tournament.
Outgoing chief executive reflects on 30 years at council
Outgoing Hauraki District Council boss reflects on 30 years of service.
Orange river caused by 128-year-old mine shaft
Warnings still in place on Ōhinemuri River with high arsenic levels in sediment.
'Hideously traumatic': Man's battle to bury wife
Widower says there is no excuse for the way council staff handled the matter.
'Seismic shift' in average age of population raises questions
Thames-Coromandel's ageing population highlights what's in store for the rest of NZ.
Thames-Coromandel to have Māori ward at 2025 elections
Thames-Coromandel will have a Māori ward at the 2025 local elections.
Hauraki mayor reaffirms Māori wards for 2025 election
The council unanimously voted to reaffirm its resolution to establish a Māori Ward.
Coromandel golf club to host first pro event in almost 20 years
A golf club which borders the shores of Matarangi Beach will host a group of pro-golfers.
Public walking access to Cathedral Cove to be restored in time for summer
Work to restore Cathedral Cove access will be followed by a more permanent solution.
Mountain biking event returns to Whangamatā
Hundreds of mountain bikers will take on a 20km course in Whangamatā.
Motorcycle enthusiasts to converge on Coromandel town
Kickdown Festival with music and motorcycles set to return to Whangamatā.
Warnings still in place for river that turned orange
Warnings remain in place for the Ōhinemuri River.
Hauraki questions local share of gambling money
Not all of the community share stays in the community.
Niwa sends new research vessel on maiden voyage to Hauraki Gulf
A Hauraki Gulf Marine Park-wide survey of this detail has not been done before.
Helicopter rescues costing at least $8000 an hour
A rescue helicopter service has revealed how much it costs.
Orange river: What early tests revealed
Regional council confirms preliminary results after the river turned bright orange.
People warned to stay away from orange Ōhinemuri River until testing done
More rain could turn the river orange again this week.
Urgency called for in tackling invasive seaweed
Concerns raised Government is not doing enough to tackle caulerpa.
Coromandel ponders problem of shrinking, ageing workforce
Thames-Coromandel population growth driven by older migrants and projected to stall.
Thames-Coromandel reaffirms Māori wards support
'Supporting the establishment of a Māori ward or wards takes nothing away from Pākehā.'
Wilding pines to be removed from Hauturu Motu/Clark Island in Whangamatā
Wilding pines scattered across an island off the coast of Whangamatā will get the chop.
Motorist cut free from vehicle after crashing down bank
Fire crews spent 40 minutes extracting the trapped motorist.
NZ’s youngest MP ‘surprised’ to make preferred PM list
"The thought of being Prime Minister has not crossed my mind."
Vessel salvaged after running aground on Coromandel beach
Maritime NZ confirmed it is investigating after fishing boat beached in the Coromandel.
Pāuanui prepares to paint the town pink
Pāuanui is preparing to paint the town 'pink' with a fundraising effort for breast cancer.
Coromandel on screen at new film festival
Coromandel will hit the big screen at an upcoming film festival.
$22m wharf upgrade set to go ahead
A $21.95 million Coromandel wharf upgrade is set to go ahead.
Thames gym fighting fit and ready to expand
Club punching above its weight and keen to welcome more members of the community.
Paeroa musician hits the right notes and wins national recognition
Annafinau Tukuitoga is strumming up a storm with her brand of bluegrass.
Grandmother wins appeal over $400 freedom camping fine after beach visit
'I'd sooner go to prison than pay for it,' says woman after receiving infringement notice.
Housing shortage: Waikato will need up to 61,500 more homes by 2043
Waikato's housing shortage has gone from bad to worse over the past five years.