Herald photographer Sarah Ivey recalls a trip to Lake Ellery in the deep south.

Dave Cade is pushing hard to keep didymo - or rock snot - out of Taupo waterways.

There was some sex, a little violence, home improvements and some intimate dining-in - it could have been any night of reality television but in fact these scenarios were being played out among the kotuku.

Jim Salinger lost his job for allegedly ignoring a Niwa policy against speaking to the media without approval.