Mike Tweed is a Multimedia Journalist for the Whanganui Chronicle, covering arts and sports news to education, health and politics.
A career in journalism was always on the agenda in my teens, but I took a 15-year detour into music with a band I started while at Whanganui High School. We ended up in Berlin for the best part of a decade, and it was there I began writing for a friend’s PR company – bios, press releases, etc. I returned to Whanganui in 2017, finished a diploma of creative writing, and began interviewing artists for NZ Musician magazine. Fast forward four years and I applied for a job at the Chronicle whilst in Kelowna, Canada. I was invited for a Zoom interview and eventually offered the role of multimedia journalist. It’s been a steep learning curve ever since but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve covered a bit of everything over the last two and a half years - the arts, sport, politics, education, health as well as a brief stint as court reporter. Whether it’s the Prime Minister or the guy who insisted on presenting me with a dead octopus he found, telling people’s stories is what I enjoy the most.
'Outdated' rural copper landlines on way out
'There is no need for anybody to be using it.'
Council roading team fighting forestry crunch
Maintaining the seal on rural roads has been under pressure 'for several years'.
Rural residents 'in the dark' about kerbside recycling
'The cost of getting a truck out there is ridiculous.'
'Mountain keeps getting higher': Operational pause at Ruapehu mills
WPI chief executive Mike Ryan says 'some sort of government intervention' may be required.
Bumper season for naked pumpkin seeds
'It’s definitely a labour-intensive operation but we love what we’re doing.'
'Enormous': Illegal rural rubbish dumping rife
'We did witness a person attempting to drop off a couch.'
Duck thefts spark police investigation
'If people are thieving wildfowl from a public place, they should throw the book at them.'
30km of 'peanut butter' at Otairi Station Race
'People definitely needed cups of tea and hot showers.'
'Tough, knuckle-down season' for farmers
“Every time a lamb leaves the farm it takes dollars with it."
30km long and 700m up: Otairi Station Race returns
"If you get to the finish line you’ll be pretty proud of yourself".
Targeted forestry rates set to skyrocket
"I’m going to be bold here and say there is no viable alternative.”
‘Getting riskier': Safety plan on way for river
"Those dangers have been identified and reported and nothing has happened."
Council paying for 'reactive' riverbank approach
“Something needs to be done and we need to be informed."
Targeted rates for Whanganui rural rubbish not recommended
Illegal dumping remains a problem in isolated areas.
Targeted forestry rates 'a blunt instrument'
"It’s about looking for an equitable way of covering that cost.”
Council concern over logging damage to Whanganui roads
'This isn't concentrated to just one area, it's network-wide.'
Funding needed for 'valuable resource' on river road
The area is now “a massive tourist destination”.
Waitōtara farming icon remembered
'He was just so positive, especially in difficult times.'
'Completely depleted': Pests invading Waitahinga reserve
'It’s really getting to be quite a concern at this stage.'
Plans to prepare rural areas for massive weather events
'Being able to tell people you're okay... that is hugely important.'
'Contaminated, big time': Illegal dumping sparks council rethink
'A lot of townies are going out there to drop off waste.'
‘We’re going to miss him forever’: Superstar cat 'went out on his own terms'
Rodney the cat spent his last days "sun-puddling" in Otamatea.
Concern over surface water in Castlecliff an eight-year battle
Is surface water getting worse in Castlecliff?
Rangitīkei's Labour candidate says it's not just a 'farmer's electorate'
"... I’ll be on the road, on the streets, everywhere.”
Say cheese! Rural cameras catch poaching and drug dealing
“That’s my biggest thing - using them for prevention rather than evidence."
'No real appetite': Rural mayors not keen on amalgamations
“Any potential merger will have a detrimental effect on that representation."
Councils given more power in forestry sector
Forestr in the right place definitely has a role to play...."
Fed Farmers hosting roadshow on 'waffley' RMA reform
There is concern about a loss of local control over decisions.
Community invited to rural dinner and catchup
“This is about getting off-farm, checking in with your mates and checking on yourself".
Rates debate: Fed Farmers unhappy with proposed increase
“Unlike many other submitters, we are actually asking you to do less."
Mayor fears impact of carbon farming on rural communities
"....it’s land that should never have been taken out of forestry in the first place".
‘Billy would light up a room’: Fundraiser for family of dead forestry worker
“If you knew Billy you knew the laugh”
Rural connectivity not happening ultra-fast but it is happening
Two new cellphone towers are planned for the Parapara highway.
Perfect conditions for Easter fishing competition
“We look after the smallest boat as well as the biggest boat.”
'Global challenge' of vet shortages affecting Whanganui
Whanganui vet clinics are being affected by the vet shortage.
Award-winner takes family farm into fifth generation
“I just have to back myself. I know I’m capable and I know I can do it.”
Texas doctor fills long-vacant role of GP for Waimarino
'I’ve been really impressed with the amount of backup support we have here.'
Anyone got 20 free hectares for the Whanganui A&P Show?
“I was gobsmacked by how many people turned up, and by how big that community is."
Goodbye to bottlenecks: New expressway plans welcomed
'There are still a few bottlenecks but when they’re gone, it will get better and better.'
‘Down to the deep dark depths’: The battle against hornwort
The pest plant 'has the ability to massively dominate a lake', Horizons says.
Big city mayors' Three Waters plan draws regional support
"If you're going to oppose something you have to seek alternatives".
Bremworth Carpet plant going 'from strength to strength'
A new woolstore is being built at its Castlecliff site.
What's it like hosting a cast of celebrities on a Fordell farm? Ask Spin and Joan Sutherland
Spin Sutherland's pavlova was a hit with the stars.
Wood processor sets up Covid testing lab on site
"You have to pour your heart and soul into it and try hard, and that's what we've done"
Many hands make light work of region's RAT distribution
An average of 12,000 tests are being sent out every day.
Debris from Eastown fire causing concern
"It's concerning because we don't know what it is."
Unwanted visitors threaten wildlife at Ruatiti Domain
A year-round ban on dogs is being discussed
Mystery beach blobs: We know what it is, but where is it from?
A sample from Castlecliff Beach was analysed by an independent laboratory
Rodney the cat to be immortalised in new book
There have already been around 200 pre-sales to all parts of the world.
Beach blob: Will lab test solve mystery of fat-like substance?
A Horizons officer was back on the beach on Tuesday to "assess any ongoing affects".
Chunks of mystery 'butter-like' substance wash up
"I've never come across anything this size before, ever."
Arts and agriculture collide with Rangitīkei residency
"It's a chance to live out here and have the time to work on your practice".
Whanganui farmers well prepared for winter weather
A warm autumn has ensured farmers are well placed to handle winter.
What a whopper! You won't believe how much this pumpkin weighs
Crowds flocked to Sir James Wilson Park on Sunday.
Land Rover Series 1 owners have serious fun in Whanganui
The star of the weekend was the 1955 Oxford Land Rover of "The First Overland" expedition.
Poaching 'a real concern' for rural Whanganui property owners
Unauthorised access to land a "real concern for all rural property owners".
Rodney returns! Famous runaway cat finds next home after latest escapade
Rodney had been on the run since last October.
Fishers urged to clean up after themselves after 5yo gets hooked
Trip to the hospital for 'little fella' after hooks embedded in his calf.
Long-awaited prison stormwater hearing starts
The Department of Corrections is seeking resource consent until 2044.
Graham Christensen's rural recollections on display in Mangaweka
Graham Christensen became "absolutely obsessed" with painting around eight years ago.
Marton's water safe despite taste and odour issues - council
"It has to meet all the standards [or] we get into a fair bit of hot water, so to speak."
Virginia Lake turtle among world's 'most invasive species'
Red-eared slider turtles are regularly dumped as unwanted pets.
Local dairy farmers moving from cows to kiwifruit
Jarrod and Holly Murdoch are keen to diversify their farming ventures.
'Unscientific': Winston Peters hits back on poor Northland poll result
NZ First leader Winston Peters says he can't believe the poll is gaining any currency.
Junior Geros' weekly bonfires 'leave the light on' for lost loved ones
Junior Geros says you don't have to be a "tough guy" to deal with mental health issues.
How farmers are raising money for Cancer Society
Farmers can donate hoggets from their sale stock to the Cancer Society next week.
Cameras to combat rural 'fly tipping'
The Whanganui District Council is installing cameras at rural waste collection points.
Catchment committee hoping to maintain clean water for future generations
George Matthews is encouraged by people coming together for "the greater good".
Local duck shooters kick off 2020 season with a bang
The game bird hunting season runs for the next two months.