Mark Dawson is editor of the Whanganui Chronicle
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.
![Bennett a hero to some as he owns up to leak](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Bennett a hero to some as he owns up to leak
Bennett a hero to some for his part in leak of iwi claims document
!['I leaked iwi claims document', says councillor](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
'I leaked iwi claims document', says councillor
Councillor who leaked sensitive iwi claims document has no regrets
![Editorial: Mike King delivers message every student should hear](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: Mike King delivers message every student should hear
Former comic puts on another great show, this time talking to students about mental health
![100 and out as Castlecliff Bowling Club closes its doors](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
100 and out as Castlecliff Bowling Club closes its doors
Bowls club folds -- prime development site up for sale
![Editorial: Support participation in sport -- sure. But make it girls AND boys](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: Support participation in sport -- sure. But make it girls AND boys
It seems women and girls will continue to be treated as "the weaker sex" in sport
![Editorial: Ardern's mothering feat is not unusual](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: Ardern's mothering feat is not unusual
A baby at the UN is unusual, but working mums juggle child care all the time.
![New Zealand's oldest daily newspaper changes its name](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
New Zealand's oldest daily newspaper changes its name
New Zealand's oldest daily changes its name
![Editorial: Despite shooting, 'gang town' label is still way wide of the mark](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: Despite shooting, 'gang town' label is still way wide of the mark
Someone gets shot and, for a brief spell, it's all about the gangs
![Our view: Politicians the real dodgy characters](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Our view: Politicians the real dodgy characters
Malcolm Turnbull is the fourth prime minister in a decade to be ousted by colleagues.
![Editorial: Shock departure casts a cloud over Whanganui's economic agency](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: Shock departure casts a cloud over Whanganui's economic agency
Out-of-the-blue resignation not a good look for Whanganui's economic agency
![Special Chronicle offer for stunning new glossy book on Whanganui](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Special Chronicle offer for stunning new glossy book on Whanganui
Whanganui in all its glory -- super book offer for Chronicle readers
![Editorial: University vice-chancellor eats her own words with Brash ban](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: University vice-chancellor eats her own words with Brash ban
It takes a heck of a lot to trump the right to freedom of speech
![Editorial: School is only guilty of naivety](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: School is only guilty of naivety
Mark Dawson on the fallout of boxer Joseph Parker's controversial visit to a city school.
![Editorial: Predictable attack on Borrows by hardline law-and-order lobby](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: Predictable attack on Borrows by hardline law-and-order lobby
Tougher "punishment" tends to produce hardened people more likely to offend again
![Metro colts favourites to nail their third trophy of the season](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Metro colts favourites to nail their third trophy of the season
Metro favourites for Saturday's final as they bid to complete triple crown
![Bizarre tales of Whanganui prove truth is stranger than fiction](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Bizarre tales of Whanganui prove truth is stranger than fiction
Stranger than fiction -- these quirky tales from Whanganui's bygone era are all true.
![Editorial: Not so simple for Simon to bridge the gap](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: Not so simple for Simon to bridge the gap
Time to check what odds you can on Judith Collins leading National sometime late 2019.
![Editorial: Security cameras become a murky problem](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: Security cameras become a murky problem
Security camera concerns - who sees what and is privacy at risk?
![Editorial: Doing without what you couldn't do without](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: Doing without what you couldn't do without
Shame of being spotted with a plastic shopping bag - like being caught smoking in public
![Editorial: Please be careful what you 'accept', Jacinda](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: Please be careful what you 'accept', Jacinda
Ardern learning the language - and lessons - of international diplomacy
![Euthanasia debate to be fought out in Whanganui](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Euthanasia debate to be fought out in Whanganui
The man behind the euthanasia bill heads to Whanganui to make his case.
![Editorial: Police and Immigration over the top in treatment of Mark Middleton](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: Police and Immigration over the top in treatment of Mark Middleton
Heavy-handed action reflects badly on police and Immigration NZ
![Opinion | Why John Key should have flagged his legacy project](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Opinion | Why John Key should have flagged his legacy project
John Key's biggest regret - hoisted by his own flag petard.
![Jones spot on about our so-called 'national carrier'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Jones spot on about our so-called 'national carrier'
Air NZ has turned its back on the regions and taxpayers are right to be upset
![Editorial: National's women - nothing for Bridges to brag about](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: National's women - nothing for Bridges to brag about
Bridges emphasis on female roles looks tokenist and naive.
![Review: Brilliant Tempest produces a storm of laughs](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Review: Brilliant Tempest produces a storm of laughs
Great cast, great setting -- another Shakespearean triumph at the botanic gardens
![Editorial: Money talks ... and only it will change US gun laws](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: Money talks ... and only it will change US gun laws
Gassroots action offers a slim chance of changes in US gun laws
![Social enterprise business expo kicks off](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Social enterprise business expo kicks off
Social enterprise expo goes plastic free - thanks to prisoners' efforts.
![Editorial: Re-think on state housing to be applauded](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: Re-think on state housing to be applauded
New houses represent a U-turn by Housing NZ -- and it is most welcome.
![Editorial: Bob Jones -- Knight in shaming odour](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: Bob Jones -- Knight in shaming odour
White, unelected empire-builder ... the knighthood sits fine with Bob Jones
![Editorial: Winter Olympics bridges gaps and brings hope](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: Winter Olympics bridges gaps and brings hope
It's not peace in our time but it is cause for hope as sport brings two Koreas together
![English just keeping the seat warm](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
English just keeping the seat warm
Why does Bill English stay on ... it's only a matter of time
![Editorial: Good Lorde, what a dilemma](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: Good Lorde, what a dilemma
Remember when some people thought sport and politics shouldn't be mixed? How about music?
![Editorial: Why they want us in driverless cars](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Editorial: Why they want us in driverless cars
Driverless cars - another chance to sell you something you don't need or want
![Bennett recalls her Whanganui court appearance](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
Bennett recalls her Whanganui court appearance
Paula Bennett back to Whanganui for the first time since her court appearance as a witness
![1080 blackmailer was 'a bit tricky'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=785)
1080 blackmailer was 'a bit tricky'
Retired Whanganui farmer Colin Cox thinks Jeremy Kerr, who was jailed for threatening to poison infant milk formula with 1080, was a bit tricky.