Ilona Hanne
Ilona Hanne is a Taranaki-based journalist and news director who covers breaking and community news from across the lower North Island.
Review: Carl Nixon's playful pantomime captivates at Limelight Drama's year-end show
Nixon's reimagined Owl and the Pussycat delights all ages at Limelight Drama's pantomime.
How Guiding in Taranaki has shaped a century of empowering young women
Girl Guiding offers girls fun, leadership, and life skills, vital in today's busy lives.
Taranaki Diocesan announces 2025 student leaders
The two young women are part of the student team guiding Taranaki Diocesan in 2025.
'Do everything': Top students share advice at Taranaki graduation
Stratford's Kings Theatre hosts Taranaki Diocesan School's prizegiving and graduation.
Armed police respond to Stratford incident on Monday evening
The callout ended at around 9pm last night.
Christmas cheer lights up Stratford at successful parade
SBA chair Matt Dimock: 'Delighted with the turnout' at Stratford's festive parade.
Thousands in Stratford weather four seasons in one A&P show
15,000 people and smiles all round as families enjoy a great day out.
Edward Lear's adventures to come alive in Taranaki pantomime
Limelight Drama pantomime The Owl and the Pussycat features at 4th Wall Theatre.
Christmas SOS: A modern nativity tale with local flair
Helen Snook's 'Christmas SOS' mixes comedy, music, and heartfelt performances.
Protoje to light up Womad Aotearoa with reggae revival hits
Tickets for Womad Aotearoa on sale now; three-day adult pass at $395.
Captivating performances shine in Così at Cue Theatre
Kharaiz Kiriona shines as Lewis, delivering a powerful monologue in Cue Theatre's 'Così'.
Stratford-Eltham Rugby crowned club of the year at Taranaki awards
Jack Jordan wins senior sportsman for the second year at the Taranaki Sports Awards.
From songs to superpowers: Lucy Peach connects with her audience
REVIEW: A beautifully explained journey into the world of the menstrual cycle.
Taranaki festival's standout: Garry Starr brings joy and absurdity
REVIEW: Garry Starr delivers absurdity and laughter, redefining clowning.
Review: Love and Mistletoe is a most wonderful play for the end of the year
Director Christine King balances farce and serious themes in 'Love and Mistletoe'.
Stratford Community Foodbank in need of donations as Christmas approaches
Stratford Foodbank: 'Every single person who donates something is helping others.'
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.
Megan Brown on the magic of live theatre and her TAFT journey
Spiegel Fest 2024 kicks off in Taranaki with 35 performances over 11 days.
From shy kid to master illusionist: Cosentino's magic journey
Catch Cosentino in NZ this Nov-Dec, blending stunning illusions with real-life stories.
Stratford council weighs regional vs solo water service plans
Councils have a year to develop a water services delivery plan for ministerial approval.
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.
Supporting local easy to do at arts and crafts fete
Fall for Fancy has been a regular stall holder at the fete since 2017.
Teens join stallholders at Under the Mountain Arts and Crafts Fete
Teen entrepreneurs showcase crafts at Stratford fete; gold coin entry, Oct 26, 10am-3pm.
Trick-or-treat fun awaits at Taranaki Pioneer Village
Enjoy lollies, games and a disco at Pioneer Village's Halloween event.
Highway 3 work at Burgess Park completed ahead of schedule
State Highway 3 at Burgess Park reopens; speed restrictions remain post-reseal.
Under the Mountain fete returns bigger than ever for its 10th year
Taranaki fête celebrates 10 years with 120-plus stall sites and live music this Saturday.
Historic gun battle and car show kick off spring at Taranaki Pioneer Village
Join the Hod Rod scavenger hunt and enjoy train rides at Taranaki Pioneer Village event.
Fijian Indian community in Stratford celebrates Fiji National Day with joy
Ten-year-old Aliza shares Fiji's beauty and unity at Stratford's National Day celebration.
Dark and delightful: Oliver Jr captivates with powerful performances
Review: With all shows booked out, we ask: please New Plymouth Rep can we have some more?
Young Kiwi wakeboarder wins world title amid stormy conditions
Annabel Stevenson, 11, wins World Wake Association U14 girls title in Australia.
Crossings not nice-to-haves, says Stratford mayor
Mayor Volzke: "No cost to ratepayers"; new crossings funded nationally, improve safety.
The Lady Killers wow New Plymouth with Divas tour debut
Sharon Emirali shines as she fills in for Tina Cross.
Taranaki projects fast-tracked under controversial government bill
Minister Bishop: 'Some projects will be controversial, but will turbo-charge the economy.'
Creative costumes and laughter shine in Badjelly the Witch Glow Show
Review: Clever costumes, talented actors and a classic tale make for a great show.
Taranaki photographers showcase talent in Stratford exhibition
Guest speakers will include award-winning photographers
Time to spring forward: Daylight saving starts this Sunday
Change clocks this Sunday; remember to check smoke alarm batteries too!
Womad Aotearoa 2025: First artists announced
The first artists to perform at next year's Womad include Queen Omega and Nitin Sawhney.
German comedy, Greek myths and a Samoan party all part of festival line-up
Samoan culture, Greek myths and more will be in the spotlight in this year's Spiegel Fest
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.
Stratford Croquet Club to stay put as relocation request denied
Councillors voted unanimously to decline the club's request for space beside Wai o Rua.
Diesel spill on SH3 between Inglewood and Egmont village causing delays
Traffic management is in place while the road is cleared
Review: Urinetown the Musical
OPINION: The show is weird, wacky and downright wonderful.
Calling all bakers: Sweet treats needed for cancer fundraiser
The luncheon in Stratford has run for around 30 years.
Stratford District Council votes to retain Māori ward
"It sucks". One councillor had blunt words for the legislative change
Stratford's finest: Citizen Award recipients honoured at ceremony
The awards began 34 years ago and just over 100 people have since received one.
Ten Taranaki players win Lotto Second Division
One of the 10 also won Powerball Second Division.
Battle for Chunuk Bair remembered
Wreaths were placed at the Malone Gates in Stratford.
R18 circus show heading to Taranaki for Spiegel Fest 2024
The show is coming to Taranaki fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe.
Review: Hāwera Repertory's Joyful and Triumphant is exactly that
REVIEW: Kathryn van Gameren shines on stage in a challenging role.
Review: A play that will delight the senses of any theatre fan
OPINION: Cast and crew have served up a delectable piece of theatre in this play.
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.
Stratford Z petrol station robbed
The event was originally described as a ram raid by police
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.
All that jazz: NPOS announces two musical productions for 2025
Broadway's longest running musical and a magical children's tale are both in the works.
It's tinsel time - 23 weeks to Christmas
Untangle the tinsel and start putting up the lights - 23 weeks until Christmas.
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.
Mānawatia a Matariki - Stratford celebrates Puanga
Lights were glowing brightly in Stratford on Thursday night for the community event.
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.
Winter Fest 2024 to deliver packed and diverse arts programme
Taranaki Arts Festival’s line-up of shows might give punters FOMO.
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 Kyokushin Karate fighters excel
Kyokushin karate club members do well in tournament
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.
Q&A with Brendan Dugan of the NZ Highwaymen
The NZ Highwaymen are about to get back on the road, touring across NZ in June and July.
Eleven-hour work day for Stratford councillors
A tight deadline meant elected members were working against the clock last week.