Latest fromManawatu

Awapuni relaunch could see Group 1 bonuses next season
The Palmerston North turf track took 19 months and $5.7million to refurbish.

'Government needs to wake up': Ucol proposes to cut 74 roles
Ucol proposes to cut 17% of staff, affecting Whanganui, Palmerston North and Masterton.

'We were the lucky ones': Couple celebrates 73 years married
Ken and Noeline Murray met in 1947 and have been attached at the hip ever since.

Stock car driver stirs from coma after serious Palmerston North speedway crash
Taylor Lampp has begun showing signs of progress and stirring from his coma.

'It can be heavy-handed': Police pull back from mental health callouts
'Really, there needs to be some involvement from everybody.'

SH35 on East Cape partially closed as Cyclone Tam continues to lash NZ
A potential low-system is set to form on the northeast coast of New Zealand.

'Faceless' future: Mark Lundy's nervous return to society after decades behind bars
Friend Dave Jones says people do not need to worry about their safety.

Mark Lundy timeline: The events that followed the deaths of Christine and Amber
The 66-year-old has been granted parole and will be released from prison next month.

On The Up - 'Truly humbling': NZ teacher's four decades of inspiration
At 62, he's taught the children and grandchildren of former students.

Steve Braunias: The enduring questions at Mark Lundy's parole hearing today
Steve Braunias previews Mark Lundy's parole hearing at Tongariro Prison today.

Inside Xero co-founder’s four-year battle to build $50m golf course
Hamish Edwards can finally build his dream golf course in Ōhau after a four-year delay.

'Resorted' to drone: Body corporate wins case against Paraparaumu unit owner
'Drone wash was not as effective as a manual wash would have been' - tribunal decision.

Gun-wielding man jumps into nurse's car, threatens her outside hospital
Police are still looking for a man who jumped into the hospital worker's back seat.

‘Wrongheaded and reckless': Lawyer tried to act as her own secret witness
Lynette O'Boyle's secret witness turned out to be herself.

‘Game-changer’: NZ Spinal Trust’s role in Kiwi teen’s remarkable journey
How a life-changing crash led to a new path on the slopes.

Bystanders rescue police officer in 'dangerous situation'
Police said the lone officer was approached by an 'aggressive person'.

How one man's $80 speeding ticket spiralled into $34k and bankruptcy
Peter Prescott will now have more added to his debt after another failed attempt at court.

Tenant who fled rental property on short notice left behind damage and 500kg of rubbish
The woman had grounds to go early, but she still had a responsibility to leave it clean.

Gisborne speedway’s Clyde McGrory on 53 years of commitment
'I am absolutely passionate about motorsport'.

Cyclist critical after Palmerston North crash
Police are looking for witnesses and any CCTV or dashcam footage.

'Weight can stop a train': Trainer's bold strategy for Whangaehu
Bill Thurlow believes Whangaehu can handle the 59kg topweight at Trentham.