Stuart Whitaker is editor of the Te Puke Times
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.
![Te Matai School gets long-awaited bike track](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Te Matai School gets long-awaited bike track
Track builder Peter Boomen has saved the school thousands.
![House of Shem headline Te Puke’s Matariki celebrations](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
House of Shem headline Te Puke’s Matariki celebrations
Festival will have a strong focus on Māori kai
![Seed to Plate brings curriculums together at Te Puke High School](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Seed to Plate brings curriculums together at Te Puke High School
Programme will leave a mark in many ways
![Record 2024 kiwifruit harvest follows meagre 2023](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Record 2024 kiwifruit harvest follows meagre 2023
Good weather and labour availability major contributors to record crop
![Maketū author Angie Belcher a children’s book awards finalist](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Maketū author Angie Belcher a children’s book awards finalist
Te Pīkari Pipi is in the running for the Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award.
![Chance for kids to meet Sam Cane in Te Puke](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Chance for kids to meet Sam Cane in Te Puke
Evening dinner will include a Q and A with Sam Cane.
![Te Puke’s future: What youngsters want to see](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Te Puke’s future: What youngsters want to see
Giant map helps explain spatial plan process
![Baywide rugby: All to play for with one round to go](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Baywide rugby: All to play for with one round to go
Te Puke Sports need a win to ensure top spot
![Long-serving JPs' toil recognised](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Long-serving JPs' toil recognised
Rob Blackett, of Te Puke, has retired after 42 years as a JP.
![Te Puke High School remembers Vaishali McNeill](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Te Puke High School remembers Vaishali McNeill
Vaishali was an independent high acheiver.
!['It was very peaceful': Woman recalls near-death experience](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
'It was very peaceful': Woman recalls near-death experience
'I'm sure there’s a greater plan for me,' says the nurse, who wasn't expected to live.
![Still chance to enter Pongakawa School Quiz](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Still chance to enter Pongakawa School Quiz
Teams go all out to win the best dressed competition.
![Western Bay council staff seek volunteer project to tackle](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Western Bay council staff seek volunteer project to tackle
Council workers want to give back to the community.
![Te Puke Sports on top after toppling the Mount](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Te Puke Sports on top after toppling the Mount
Jayden Tane made his mark in his 50th appearance for Te Puke Sports.
![Special maimai a winner for hunters who use wheelchairs](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Special maimai a winner for hunters who use wheelchairs
'Normally I’m a bit limited in what I can have a blast at.'
!['Touchy' subject of cats is the big problem for backyard conservation](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
'Touchy' subject of cats is the big problem for backyard conservation
One way to help endangered native species is to keep cats indoors at night.
![Te Puke Sports hand Te Puna first defeat](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Te Puke Sports hand Te Puna first defeat
Grady Forbes and Kase Meyer each scored a brace in Te Puke Sports' win.
![Pump it up: New Te Puke track gets thumbs up](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Pump it up: New Te Puke track gets thumbs up
The community has lent a hand to create the new bike track.
![In the doghouse! Fence-jumping feline survives canine caper](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
In the doghouse! Fence-jumping feline survives canine caper
The pet's family say 'bula' to Bula after his doghouse adventure.
![New murals grace walls of Te Puke schools](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
New murals grace walls of Te Puke schools
A feature of the town centre, the murals are replaced roughly every four years.
![Te Puke High School group’s calm response to emergency](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Te Puke High School group’s calm response to emergency
“No one panicking, everyone was really calm."
![Te Puke Online app can be downloaded](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Te Puke Online app can be downloaded
Te Puke residents are given the chance to showcase how the app works.
![Baywide rugby: Narrow win for Te Puke on the road](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Baywide rugby: Narrow win for Te Puke on the road
Te Puke into the top four for the first time in 2024.
![Anzac Day: Te Puke remembers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Anzac Day: Te Puke remembers
We seem to struggle with remembering the lessons from these conflicts.
![James Wilkins’ US Coast to Coast odyssey to Motor Neurone Disease NZ](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
James Wilkins’ US Coast to Coast odyssey to Motor Neurone Disease NZ
Ride is to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease New Zealand.
![Women have to battle after getting parking breach notices after visiting McDonald's](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Women have to battle after getting parking breach notices after visiting McDonald's
Mail house fault leads to confusion and worry
![Rugby star Sam Cane to support fundraiser in Te Puke](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Rugby star Sam Cane to support fundraiser in Te Puke
Old Pirates hosting All Blacks captain for Q and A.
![Sport's character-building role a focus](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Sport's character-building role a focus
Development rather than sporting success is Martin Ash's main goal.
![Te Puke Sports’ big Baywide rugby win](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Te Puke Sports’ big Baywide rugby win
Fullback Fletcher Carpenter was the star of the show; Rangiuru draw with Rangataua.
![Novel a beacon on author Ron Murray’s cancer journey](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Novel a beacon on author Ron Murray’s cancer journey
Coromandel love story set in the 70s, a time of transition.
![Western Bay Council, Kāinga Ora slammed for lack of consultation](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Western Bay Council, Kāinga Ora slammed for lack of consultation
Council says no parties adversely affected by the development.
![Tough start to Baywide rugby season for Te Puke Sports](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Tough start to Baywide rugby season for Te Puke Sports
Pirates turn their attention to Marist St Michael's
![Te Puke Sports flying the flag in the Baywide rugby comp](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Te Puke Sports flying the flag in the Baywide rugby comp
Strong, 13 team, Western Bay senior men's competition.
![Poutiri Wellness Centre’s new disability support service](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Poutiri Wellness Centre’s new disability support service
Service leader's role is part advocacy, part adviser
![Blackbird Records opening in Te Puke this week](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Blackbird Records opening in Te Puke this week
Owners want to create a destination for music lovers
![School revives pest hunt](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
School revives pest hunt
The Te Ranga School event will have more of a conservation focus than in the past.
![Mystery historic photo from Pukehina, 1981](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Mystery historic photo from Pukehina, 1981
Bandits capture a miscreant in this image from the past.
![Pāpāmoa Rotary golf tournament raises over $40,000](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Pāpāmoa Rotary golf tournament raises over $40,000
The tournament was won by the team from Generation Homes
![Te Puke Utd step back into federation football](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Te Puke Utd step back into federation football
Pre-season has been about fitness and building a vibe.
![Bay of Plenty orchid show on this weekend](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Bay of Plenty orchid show on this weekend
Show is popular as it is the first of the year.
![Op-shop fashion show fundraiser for Te Puke Anglican Church](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Op-shop fashion show fundraiser for Te Puke Anglican Church
Women's, men's and children's clothes on the catwalk.
![Students no longer have to go next door to use the library](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Students no longer have to go next door to use the library
Students now have a much better space to read their books.
![Te Puke’s former Mitre 10 building subject of business interest](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Te Puke’s former Mitre 10 building subject of business interest
The owners has worked to make the building suitable as an RSE facility.
![Not very Zen: Residents upset after Buddha statues stolen](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Not very Zen: Residents upset after Buddha statues stolen
Warning to others as garden statues go walkabout.
![Local eatery joins the celebration of region's food and drink](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Local eatery joins the celebration of region's food and drink
Paengaroa restaurateurs partner with Te Puke truffles for foodie event.
![ACC Navigation Service available at Poutiri Wellness Centre](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
ACC Navigation Service available at Poutiri Wellness Centre
Claim accepted: Request, an electric bed.
![Easter fun: What’s in store for Te Puke](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Easter fun: What’s in store for Te Puke
Bike bingo, an Easter egg hunt and market stalls are among the long-weekend offerings.
!['House is shaking all the time': Anger and frustration in Te Puke road rehabilitation delay](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
'House is shaking all the time': Anger and frustration in Te Puke road rehabilitation delay
Resident: 'I'll believe it when I see it.'
![Sarah Clumont's Motherhood a runaway success at festival](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Sarah Clumont's Motherhood a runaway success at festival
The film was submitted 'just to see what happens'.
![Chuni Leang’s traditional Cambodian dance](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Chuni Leang’s traditional Cambodian dance
Chuni began learning traditional Cambodian dancing in 2018
![Western Bay Cricket: Te Puke teams among finalists](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Western Bay Cricket: Te Puke teams among finalists
Te Puke beat Cadets to make division 1 final
![Pāpāmoa Hills walk and talk delves into history](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Pāpāmoa Hills walk and talk delves into history
The walk starts at 6pm and is part of the month-long Sustainable Backyards programme.
![Top School contest: Big cheers for children part of winning teams](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Top School contest: Big cheers for children part of winning teams
The day, like the competition, was hot.
![Te Puke High provisional exam results above national achievement levels](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Te Puke High provisional exam results above national achievement levels
NCEA achievement is not the only measure of success.
![George Crawford in NZ youth ministock team](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
George Crawford in NZ youth ministock team
The Kiwis will take on the Aussies over six races at Rotorua.
![Two more Bay of Plenty environmental awards finalists](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Two more Bay of Plenty environmental awards finalists
Mangorewa and Te Ranga farms are both family affairs.
![Paraiti Catchment Care Group under spotlight](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Paraiti Catchment Care Group under spotlight
Group established in 2020 by members of the Te Ranga community.
![Hand up, not a handout: Pāpāmoa Food Hub up and running](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Hand up, not a handout: Pāpāmoa Food Hub up and running
Food hub model aims to reduce dependency.
![Te Puke Playcentre upgrade completed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Te Puke Playcentre upgrade completed
Two years of fundraising and planning have come to fruition.
!['Nice feel about it': How this BoP town is meeting its housing needs](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
'Nice feel about it': How this BoP town is meeting its housing needs
Te Mania housing development creating a community.
![Pendergrast Memorial Heritage Park celebrates 10th birthday](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Pendergrast Memorial Heritage Park celebrates 10th birthday
The celebration is now part of Sustainable Backyards month.
![Hunt is on for Te Puke Citizen of the Year](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Hunt is on for Te Puke Citizen of the Year
Award created in 2007 in memory of local identity Lorna Treloar.
![Life savers prepare for the worst by throwing themselves into a rip](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Life savers prepare for the worst by throwing themselves into a rip
Reliable rip offers the perfect practise for surf lifesavers.
![Te Puke Rep names first patron since 2017](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Te Puke Rep names first patron since 2017
The new patron will attend the gala openings of shows and events at Litt Park Theatre.
![Te Puke Community Board dips into coffers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=782)
Te Puke Community Board dips into coffers
Wi-fi, mural and shade sail all given funding