Latest fromTongariro National Park
Major North Island route closed for two months
Ground temperatures above 13C needed to carry out work.
Memoir reveals Lord of the Rings secrets, and inside Sir Peter Jackson’s mansion
A new book reveals the body part belonging to Gandalf, now kept in a fridge.
Tennis club marks its 100th birthday in style
The clubhouse has had a $270k upgrade and celebrates 100 years this weekend.
Property Insider: Largest new retirement village opening; Auckland cladding inspection failures
Auckland Council's building inspection boss reveals shocking numbers on cladding failures.
Polkinghorne trial and e-scooters | Focus Morning Bulletin September 24, 2024
How sex worker Madison Ashton reacted to 'botched' Polkinghorne case, last-ditch effort to save the iconic Chateau Tongariro and high hopes for new e-scooter contracts.
Police call for sightings of missing Australian tourist
Elizabeth Wielga is thought to have left her accommodation in Tongariro on August 30.
Two contrasting sides to the Tongariro River Trail
There are two sides to the story of this popular walk along the Tongariro River.
Rain, snow and wind to blast the country
Heavy rain, snowfall and strong wind warnings and watches are in place across the country.
Showers hitting Whanganui this weekend
'The best chance for any outdoor excursions would be Saturday morning.'
Greenlea rescue heli wraps up 'busy' July
The crew carried out 38 missions across the Lakes and Central Plateau region.
Long days and freezing nights in search of the perfect photo
The magic happens in the 'blue hour' just before dawn.
Stunning capture of Milky Way over Tongariro National Park
Photographer Larn Berge talks about his journey to take a 180-degree panorama of the Milky Way over the snowy caps of Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngāuruhoe. Video / Larn Berge
Waikato work week off to frosty start with sub-zero temperatures
The coldest temperature recorded in the region this morning was -2C at Taupō Airport.
Man suffers gunshot wounds while hunting in Tongariro Forest
Due to the remote location, the man was winched out by helicopter.
Lodge owner praised for spotting guests’ invasive clam collection
An Ōwhango business owner found a collection of freshwater gold clams left by guests.
Rotokura Reserve walk had 'precious' experience in store for local walkers
The reserve is in the Tongariro National Park.
‘Beautiful person’: Woman who died climbing Mt Ruapehu was young Auckland uni scientist
Wednesday Davis graduated in 2022 with a Masters in Marine Science and worked at the uni.
Woman dies after Mt Ruapehu climbing accident
A group were climbing on the eastern side when the tragedy struck today.
Grassroots Rescue Helicopter helps cyclist
The Grassroots Helicopter Trust helped a woman injured on the Timber Trail.
'Instagram-worthy vistas': Tongariro Crossing one of world’s busiest hikes
A new ranking shows the popular walk is up with the world's big guns.
Boy with chronic lung issues scales Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Priests were called to Aiden's bedside. Now he wants to give back to those who helped him.
'Magical' book wins festival award
Desmond Bovey's book has been deemed 'of immense value'.
Four people treated by emergency services after car crash in Ruapehu district
'We sent two ambulances and we treated a total of four patients.'
Minister to decide on village name change proposal
Te Korowai o Wainuiārua wants National Park Village to be named Waimarino.
Souffle wins inaugural carrot cook-off competition
The first-ever carrot cook-off in NZ saw a carrot souffle crowned number one.
Goat control: Helicopters search Tongariro National Park for feral pests
DoC eradicated the local wild goat population last year and hopes to keep it that way.