Dean Taylor is editor of the Te Awamutu Courier and Waikato Herald
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Destination Hospice Shop to rival Frankton
Te Awamutu Hospice Shop aims to be a $1m business within five years.
'Butchered' cherry trees not a pretty sight
Cherry trees on Pirongia Golf Course 'butchered' by contractors.
Sir Bill leaves his mark on cancer research
Te Awamutu College Dux makes his mark in cancer research field.
Service as Justice of the Peace recognised
Te Awamutu Justices of the Peace branch recognises colleagues
Popular book fair bucks the retail trend
Steady sales over four days results in record income of more than $20k.
Monthly breakfast and cruise hits the right note
Te Awamutu Rod & Custom Club run inaugural breakfast and mystery run.
Safety of new Cambridge roundabout raises debate
Council-commissioned post-construction audit gives thumbs-up to contentious roundabout.
Readers' paradise at Rotary Book Fair
Te Awamutu Rotary Book Fair ultimate recycling fundraiser.
Katie Trigg looks to build on Lexus Song Quest success
Ngāhinapōuri mezzo soprano Katie Trigg wins 2024 Lexus Song Quest.
Katie looking to make dream a reality at Lexus Song Quest 2024
Ngāhinapōuri mezzo-soprano takes another step towards a professional career.
Mystery cruise for petrolheads
Te Awamutu Rod & Custom Club inaugural Monthly Mystery Breakfast Run.
Loving Arms reach out to 5000 families in 10 years
After a decade, Loving Arms founder steps down from leadership position.
Waikato showjumper inducted into Equestrian Hall of Fame
A Te Awamutu local and his horse ruled the ring from late 1963 until 1973.
Powerful movie tells important story from Māori perspective
Ka Whawhai Tonu preview for Battle of O-Rākau held at Te Awamutu's Regent Theatre.
Scouts doing best to grow their group
Te Awamutu Scout Group looking for leader, members in rebuilding phase.
Nerf Wars: Holiday fun for Te Awamutu kids
Nerf Wars: A team game that is strategic, energetic and fun.
Housing intensification: Full steam ahead
Minister declines request for extension to medium-density plan change
College Ball: School social like no other
Large number of Te Awamutu College students and guests make most of Senior Ball.
Te Awamutu organisations highlight volunteers
Volunteer Week: local groups thank those who give their time to others.
Gold Star: 25 years' volunteering for his community
Te Awamutu firefighter enjoys getting hands-on and helping others.
Demand for foodbank parcels puts pressure on volunteer pool
High demand for foodbank parcels leaves organisation stretched for manpower.
Arohena ‘kid’ to head Zespri
Young leader from Waikato rises through the ranks to head Zespri organisation.
KSM recipient says honour is for his colleagues, students and family
Ian Campbell says he feels honoured to join the ranks of leaders he admires.
Farmer humbled by King's Birthday Honour
Sam Lewis has been dedicated to farming and associated businesses.
Obituary: Alan Empson remembered as a 'humble achiever'
Former Waipa councillor a man of humility and action.
Former Waipā councillor dies in road crash, remembered as 'complex individual'
Family grieve loss of larger-than-life character and lawyer.
Secure Homes Project expands to Te Awamutu
Bridge Housing buys into Ōhaupō Road development after success in Cambridge.
Ukulele double feature coming to The Regent
Tyrone and The Nukes team up for a double feature at The Regent.
Savings from community spending insignificant: Chamber CEO
Te Awamutu Business Chamber CEO expects more from the council.
Books and boxes to bolster reading
Te Awamutu Altrusa Club is running a suite of programmes to aid literacy among children.
Council reveals huge cost of incorrect recycling
Recycling is sorted by hand, so contamination is a big health and safety risk.
Investment in Corrections: Prison expansion could put pressure on community
Extra funding for prison beds, staff and rehab programmes welcomed.
Dogged determination helps nail a Kiwi record for American treat
Jenga Youth Group work together to build a 100-metre hot dog and feed the whole school.
Tattooist of Auschwitz author talks about best-selling novel's journey to miniseries
Heather Morris on the whirlwind ride with Tattooist of Auschwitz miniseries.
Loving Arms charity hits massive milestone after helping 5000 families
Loving Arms helps new mums and their families.
Opinion: Time to sort out CBD parking
Do one-hour parking restrictions in the CBD take the life out of the town?
Secondary schools do battle over The Bard
Waikato secondary schools come together for inspiring Shakespeare Festival.
New movie to tell story of Ōrākau battle through Māori eyes
Today marks the 160th anniversary of the battle.
Opinion: Scrap the fuel tax in favour of RUCs
OPINION: A mixture of fuel taxes and RUCs is not equitable for road users.
Magical educator honoured for 20 years of service
Waipā King Country Life Education Trust honour long-serving educator.
Pests beware: Pirongia on the warpath
Community involvement key to Predator Free Pirongia success
Nightworks as Ōhaupō project moved into final phase
Long-running Ōhaupō CBD street project coming to an end.
Watch: Dramatic attempt to stop alleged thieves after brazen dairy robbery
Superette owner calls time after alleged Monday morning robbery.
Kāwhia tamariki artwork presented to the King
Kīngitanga poukai visit to Kāwhia Moana marae dress rehearsal for 140th celebrations.
Fire quelled by fast-acting neighbour
Neighbours noticed the fire and sprung into action with a garden hose.
Editorial: Why community-run i-Sites are value for money
OPINION: The council is not valuing the contribution from its own community.
Dutch elm disease could have devastating effect on Waipa trees
Infected trees need to be felled, and chipped, burned or buried to limit spread.
Community clean-up promoted by community board
Community Board encouraging volunteers to take pride in their town.
Year 13 students lag behind in NCEA
Year 11 and 12 Te Awamutu College students outshine Year 13 at NCEA
Pōkuru Rural Women celebrate 75-year anniversary
Pōkuru Rural Women aims and goals the same after 75 years since forming.
Historic Waikato bar has liquor licence declined
The operator, Night Pearl Ltd, has already surrendered its off licence.
Theatrical teens take to the stage
Parents form theatre group for creative Te Awamutu teenagers.
Unscheduled power outages affect Waikato residents
About 2000 homes in Glen Massey and Ngāruawāhia residents were affected.
Beating the cost-of-living crisis one chippie packet at a time
Chip Packet Project looking to ease looming winter crisis.
Pirongia cell site chosen but residents say they were 'blindsided' by location
Connexa announces new cell tower site for Pirongia but not all residents are happy.
Flowering beauty puts on a once in a decade display
John Brown said it was the first time he had seen them in flower in 10 years.
Soil scientist Dr Megan Balks: 'If someone offers you a trip to Antarctica, you say yes'
Dr Megan Balks is the latest recipient of the New Zealand Antarctic Medal.
Family clocks up more than 450 years of firefighting service
Ross Fleet follows the family tradition of firefighting service.
Colin proves old adage: You never forget how to ride a bike
Colin Williamson, 88, has tackled Otago Rail Trail and is ready for the next challenge.
Waipa District Council boss to retire after nearly 45 years
Waipā council chief executive is retiring after more than 44 years with the council.
Kakepuku 10 Challenge: Why Ruth conquered the mountain 10 times in one day
Neurological nurse puts her body on the line for disease awareness and fundraising.
Firefighting is a family affair: Third-generation officer celebrates 25 years of service
Career Gold Star firefighter following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.
Taranaki-King Country MP returns to her VW roots with an electric twist
Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger goes EV to get around her large electorate.
'Stubborn optimism': How the Raglan 'vibe' has helped this yoghurt company build success
Meet a Raglan entrepreneur bringing a surfie-speak vibe to her endeavours.
Success on the cards: Student inventor's hopes for new game
Liquidation is 17-year-old Jacob’s third company.
Woman hit by truck in Te Awamutu dies
Te Awamutu's main street closed after woman dies in traffic incident.
Barbara Kuriger: Start with the basics
Fix social structures and the rest will come right, says Barbara Kuriger.
Guerilla Surgeon’s legacy continues: Te Awamutu College dairy farm to be sold
Bequeathed farm for sale by Te Awamutu College, but legacy continues.
Chandrayaan-3 rover exploring the Super Blue Moon
Indian Moon landing joins Space Dave's list of notable space exploration achievements.
Morry Thou packs a ‘Punch’
Educator, artist and filmmaker Dr Welby Ings turns his hand to auto restoration.
Amateur rocketeers set new standards for Kiwi flights
Team Nike take Kiwi amateur rocketry to new heights.
Unique gallery tells region's earliest stories
The dominant display is the model of a fortified pā.
Marae o Taarewaanga launch Ōrākau book and documentary
Attack on Ōrākau documented in book and documentary by descendants.
The students of Ōtorohanga College ensured their history would never be forgotten or repeated
Ōtorohanga College celebrates Ōrākau: E Whawhai Tonu Ana Tātou We Continue The Fight.
Going keto: Why we're sticking with low-carb lifestyle
OPINION: "We don't feel deprived and we enjoy good, tasty food."
Round the world remains repatriated
Soldier's separated remains repatriated 158 years after death from Waikato War wound.
Siblings use own experiences to push for whanau to get the jab
Polio victims sharing story to boost Kāwhia vaccination rates.
Three Sisters next book from Tattooist of Auschwitz author
Story of three sisters who survive Auschwitz about to hit the bookshelves.
Call for 'whakapapa project' over unmarked graves
New calls to connect whanau to unmarked graves at Tokanui Hospital Cemetery