Ilona Hanne
Ilona Hanne is a Taranaki-based journalist and news director who covers breaking and community news from across the lower North Island.
Councillor urges change: Treat disabled and elderly as equals
Councillor Sam Bennett calls for better accessibility in Taranaki, citing 'second-class' treatment.
Going with the flow: Q&A with Lucy Peach
'Periods are a resource', says Lucy Peach, who is challenging taboos.
From shy kid to master illusionist: Cosentino's magic journey
Catch Cosentino in NZ this Nov-Dec, blending stunning illusions with real-life stories.
Heavy heist: stolen front end loader used in Levin break-in
Loader found on Bruce Road; police seek info on Levin break-in and stolen equipment.
Womad Aotearoa reveals global line-up with 47Soul, The Beths, and more
Barack Obama's a known fan of one of the acts set to perform at Womad Aotearoa 2025.
Young Kiwi wakeboarder wins world title amid stormy conditions
Annabel Stevenson, 11, wins World Wake Association U14 girls title in Australia.
Time to spring forward: Daylight saving starts this Sunday
Change clocks this Sunday; remember to check smoke alarm batteries too!
From Levin to the Philippines: Kiwi team inspires with puppets and culture
Eight Christians to travel 8000km to the Philippines for SCOT Kids Hope's 15th anniversary
Womad Aotearoa 2025: First artists announced
The first artists to perform at next year's Womad include Queen Omega and Nitin Sawhney.
Review: Spotswood Academy of Performing Arts students hit the spot with pinktastic musical
Review: It's pink perfection on the stage at Spotswood Academy of Performing Arts.
Capturing resilience: Portraits of refugee students highlight their journeys
Exhibition in Levin features teenagers' stories in English and Spanish.
Stratford's finest: Citizen Award recipients honoured at ceremony
The awards began 34 years ago and just over 100 people have since received one.
Loved 4 Life seeking Levin volunteers
Babies and their families are gifted a special quilt to remind them they are loved.
Taranaki teen headed to Italy for world ice swimming champs
She's a world record breaker and now she's off to Italy to represent NZ, and she's only 16
Councillors debate change to transfer station hours
An additional change was made to allow for rural residents and shift worker needs.
Stratford District Youth Citizen Awards: Ellie the 'unsung hero' who gets on with it
The 18-year-old has clocked up an impressive number of hours as a volunteer.
Stratford District Youth Citizen’s Awards 2024: Achim Hanne
The Taranaki teenager is equally commited to academics as he is air cadets.
Seven residents to receive Stratford Citizen Awards in 2024
'These are people who help make Stratford a great place to call home' - Mayor Neil Volzke.
Eid Mubarak: Hundreds attend community Eid celebration
Over 250 people enjoyed celebrating the festival together.
Person taken into custody at New Plymouth airport
A witness described the incident as 'frightening'.
Photo captures a women's rugby game back in the 1960s
Wayne Smith took the photos in the 1960s during a women's rugby game.
A fictional version of Ashhurst stars in Palmy author's books
A fictional town near Palmerston North is the location of a cosy mystery series.
Bilingual service for Matariki in Eltham
Nau mai, haere mai - all are welcome to attend the service at Eltham's All Saints Church.
Stratford councillors decide on crossing locations
The current crossing in front of the town's glockenspiel will be removed.
Pedestrian crossing in front of Stratford's glockenspiel to be removed
Public feedback is currently being sought on plans for two new crossings.
Government’s Maori Wards bill opposed by Stratford District Council
The bill was described as being 'a double standard' and 'the very definition of racism'.
'Bloody disgrace': Bridge damage angers councillors
'Ratepayers are paying for the negligence of one company.' - Councillor Grant Boyde
'We walk in unity': Large crowd turn out for Hāwera hīkoi
'We walk in unity today' - Te Aorangi Dillon.
Stratford’s 'Grand Old Lady' claims her heritage crown
The theatre has special significance in New Zealand history as an early 'picture palace'.
Dirty Work: An ode to joy that is joyous to watch
Review: There's plenty of praises to sing when it comes to this show.
Ilona Hanne: Good vets are worth celebrating
OPINION: Vets do a lot more than just treat cats and dogs.
Review: A colourful show that is packed with talent
If you suffer from FOMO when it comes to theatre shows, don't read this review.
Give us a chance: Employers urged to consider deaf applicants
A profoundly deaf woman says deaf people face many barriers in finding employment
Crowned: Taranaki teen has beauty in the bag with pageant win
Shamika Hoeta has won the first beauty pageant she has entered.
Taranaki hardcore: Audrey Cooper turns 102
She's already making plans for her 103rd birthday celebration.
Councillors put on spot at marae over Māori ward debate
The councillors present were asked to give their personal opinion on one of the topics.
120km round trip for Stratford's mayor and councillors
It's a tradition that mayor Neil Volzke says is a highlight in his meeting calendar.
'Beautiful community' supports puppy rescue mission
Kylee Lawrence said there's a village raising the five puppies.
Fresh new look for Hāwera supermarket
When will other Taranaki and Whanganui Countdowns follow suit?
Winter Fest set to get people off couches and into theatres
No excuses for sitting at home this winter.
Shakespeare? The play's the thing ...
Shakespeare isn't the problem, the delivery is, writes Ilona Hanne
Review: Burning Bridges is an outstanding piece of theatre
A flawed script can become a perfect piece of theatre under the right direction.
Spring forwards, fall backwards - time to move your clocks back
Thanks to a Kiwi and his love of bugs, we get a sleep-in this weekend.
Rent increase for residents of Stratford's pensioner units.
The residents are facing an increase of just slightly less than was originally proposed.
Opinion: Keep the rainbow reading, lose the hate
We don't learn hate and bad behaviour from books, but from people.
Q&A with Penny Ashton who is bringing her one woman show to town
Penny Ashton is bringing a Tempestuous show to a stage near you.
Have your say: Stratford council flags much higher 2024/25 rate increase
"Being in the double digits hurts, and we know it won’t be welcomed by our ratepayers."
Thousands go mad for Womad; Pro-Palestine protest during Marley’s set
It was a 21st party like no other when Womad NZ came to Taranaki.
Pacific travels and a party despite cancer diagnosis
Live life now, don't wait, is the advice from Sharon Robinson.
Councillors remain set on increasing pensioner unit rent
A rent increase of $20+ a week is back on the cards.
Everything was awesome at the Eltham Brickshow
Crowds flocked to the show, which featured amazing builds, including a very famous droid.
Review: Improv Salad as served by Improv Taranaki makes comedy the main meal
Salad is anything but a side dish when it's Improv Salad as served up by this group.
New partner at Govett Quilliam
The law firm was also the first in Taranaki to appoint a female partner back in 1987.
Opinion: Silence is complicit, on social media or in real life
International Women's Day is about equality for all women not just those who look like you
Lego show helps build funds for Eltham Football Club
Daniel Radcliffe, Brad Pitt, Chris Pratt, Anna Kendrick are all fans of Lego.
Residents say rent increase will price them out of their homes
Dental and medical appointments are being put off while tenants wait on a decision.
One councillor votes against Easter trading
As a Christian festival, Easter Sunday should be protected, argued one councillor.
International world day of prayer gives Palestinian women chance to be heard
Rev Kim Wright is pleased this year's service has been designed by Palestinian women.
Rawhitiroa Memorial Pool stars in new book
Harry Wood loved swimming, and often mentioned going swimming in letters to his family.
Stratford District Council: rates rise of 15.53 per cent
Earlier projections sat even higher at over 30 per cent.
Franz is taking recovery one step at a time - all along SH1
Franz Oliver Lindsay hopes to raise awareness of the perils of addictions.
Medical centre's new model cuts wait times for patients
Specialist clinicians have increased the range of services offered to patients.
Ready or not, the mother's nest is emptying
OPINION: The practice of fledging is not entering my nest, writes Ilona Hanne.
The music of Winehouse and the magic of NZTrio both in Winter Fest spotlight
Storytelling, in its many forms and shapes, is at the heart of this year's Winter Fest.
Councillors consider ownership of Stratford's castle
Stratford on Stage has been operating out of The Castle for over three decades.
Stratford student grabs overseas learning opportunity
The camp offers the opportunity to learn new skills in a new environment says Lara.
Editorial: School attendance matters
OPINION: Turning up is the key to a successful school year
Year 12 student earns top academic award
It wasn't the only good news for the student at the school's prizegiving.
Bilingual Waitangi Day service a first for Eltham church
All are welcome to the service, which will be followed by shared kai.
'I was in a terrible place': From meth addiction to modelling
Taranaki woman has become a social media star after charting her meth addiction recovery.
Editorial: Don't just shout pivot - do it
OPINION: Just like Ross from Friends, we all need to learn to pivot at times
Review: Saving the Sun by Emma Pearl
The children's book gently explores a range of themes and ideas.
Stratford mayor plays Santa for a day
A number of Stratford families received an early Christmas gift this year.
Taranaki Diocesan School names student leaders for 2024
The school's head and deputy head girl were named at the whole-school Christmas dinner.