Dan Hutchinson is Waikato - BOP Communities team leader and news director.
Dan Hutchinson has been a journalist since 1997 and has worked for daily newspapers, news websites and community newspapers in the North and South Island of New Zealand. He is Waikato news director and the Waikato and Bay of Plenty Communities team leader.
Stolen wheelchair van puts an end to family road trips
Life hasn't been the same since the van was stolen.
Community development advisor shares the secrets to a good charity
With more than 300 community groups operating in Taupō, coordination is key.
Fishing takes patience but the boat took five years
The little clinker boat has taken about two years of fulltime work to complete.
New hot pool complex being built at Taupō's Huka Prawn Park
The new facilites are for families and will complement the adults-only Wairakei Terraces.
Critical infrastructure project nears completion
The push is on to get the Taupō sewer line buried before the big events hit town.
Californian artist brings the moa back from extinction
The exhibition is a tribute to those who have been loved and lost.
Potential new $500m industry for Central North Island
Scientists have worked out how to create protein from microorganisms in geothermal gases.
App allows people to buy food cheap before it's thrown away
Cafes can retain some value in products that would otherwise get thrown away.
To the guinea pigs go the spoils from show - as hundreds turn out to see them compete
There's nothing like a good rodent show to pull the punters.
Life gave her MS but her husband gave her wheels
The couple have tailored a campervan to ensure travel is still an option.
School's only male teacher is a winner with students
Trevor Harvey explains what it's like to be the only male teacher at his school.
Erosion found on both sides of Waikato River control gates
The banks on either side of the Lake Taupō bridge need stabilising.
Lake Taupō shrinks away as dry winter takes its toll
The lake is more than one metre lower than it was at the beginning of the year.
Tūrangi deaths: Woman identified, described as loving mum
Maxine Puhi was one of two people found dead in a Tūrangi home this week.
Neighbour saw police leading children from Tūrangi home after pair found dead
'She was just the most beautiful person. Whoever did this to her needs to rot in hell.'
Neighbour saw police leading children from Tūrangi home after pair found dead
“She was just the most beautiful person. Whoever did this to her needs to rot in hell."
Homicide investigation launched after two deaths at Tūrangi property
An adjacent walkway is blocked off.
In a pickle? We've got the constable for you
Taupō's 'Good Sort of the Month' is a face painter, DJ and community cop.
16 months of diversions: Major State Highway 1 roadworks begin next month
Maintenance work will be done on a large proportion of SH1 in Waikato by the end of 2025.
Line in the sand drawn over last Lake Taupō foreshore campground
Foreshore camping is under review at last remaining Lake Taupō water's edge site.
Taupō CBD open for business again after contractor hits gas pipe
Cordons were in place in an 800-metre radius from the affected area.
Vehicle takes scenic route, crashes into clifftop viewing platform
The lookout is popular with sightseers and hides a water treatment plant underneath.
Taupō light festival out to nail its place amongst the stars
It's all about location for Taupō's 'magical' Winter Festival light show.
New Waikato River bridge for Taupō brought forward
Detailed planning for a second Waikato River bridge in Taupō to get under way soon.
Taupō florist delivers more than just flowers
When florist Sally Cox comes to visit you might just get a cup of tea with your flowers.
'Left for dead': E-scooter rider badly injured in hit-and-run
Rider's wife thankful for Good Samaritan who came to his aid.
Dream moves closer for Taupō's ecological corridor
More than 1000 children took part in the environmental carnival.
Passers-by pull person from car after it crashes into Lake Taupō
“There was a group of young guys who went in and grabbed him straight out of the car.”
Council flogs off number one licence plate to pay the bills
'It was either this or that giant metal fish' - something had to go.
A free feed is the signature dish in this town
Twice a month the Tūrangi community sits down to dinner.
Perfect gift for the town with everything - an ambulance
The generous donation is a way of saying thanks to the town that's been kind to them.
Kiwi Blokarters battle it out on dry Nevada lake bed
The dry Ivanpah Lake is one of the best places in the world for blokarting.
Special RSA bar leaner is the place to share stories
Southeast Asia vets have a table to call their own in the Tokaanu-Tūrangi RSA.
Kaimanawa muster: Wild west comes to Waiouru
The wild horse muster didn't go ahead last year because of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Taupō Supercars round looks set to be permanent fixture
Supercars Championship organisers say a second NZ round is not out of the question.
NZ approach to youth driver training 'the definition of insanity'
Motorsport park owner says the death of a child takes a long time to heal.
Pedestrian dies after being struck by car near Taupō Pak'nSave
Two other pedestrians and the driver have been transported to hospital.
Waikato River boaties banned from launching at popular Lake Taupō marina
Boaties have to comply with a strict cleaning regime before launching at this marina.
Family picks up the pieces after house destroyed by fire
"It's like being on holiday except you forgot to take everything."
Tongariro tramper died from medical event, not a fall police say
A rāhui was placed on the mountain as a result of the death of the tramper.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing closed after tramper dies
A person has died while traversing the Tongariro Crossing.
The gold that no one wants: Invasive species found in Taupō fun park
Biosecurity NZ finds highly invasive species after tip-off.
'Between a rock and a hard place' Taupō people face big rates and fees rises
Taupō ratepayers are in for a big hike in rates this year.
Auckland to Hamilton motorists told to avoid expressway this weekend
Long delays are expected on the Waikato Expressway for the next few weeks.
Regional routes marginal in some areas says airline boss
The airline says it has been subsidising routes since 2020.
International education sector continues slow road to recovery
Education agents are returning to NZ for the first time since Covid-19 struck.
Waikato disc golf course takes a flying leap in world rankings
Disc golf is soaring to new heights in Taupō.
Taupō manhunt ends in Auckland
A man has been arrested in relation to an alleged firearms incident in Taupō last week.
Taupō hotel future uncertain with land up for sale
Plans for Taupō's tallest building went all the way to the Environment Court.
'It’s time to front-up': Police urge man who locked down Taupō schools to hand himself in
'You know who you are and we know who you are.'
Taupō schools in lockdown as armed police respond to incident
Schools in the Taupō suburb of Hilltop have been placed into lockdown.
Rural and primary care a focus for new medical school
'Stop contemplating" and get on with it says University of Waikato vice-chancellor.
Celtic cross discovered on ancient Kaimanawa wall near Lake Taupō
An amateur historian scraped off moss to discover a carved symbol.
Decades of fundraising finishes in style
She has been fundraising for good Taupō causes for the past two decades.
Fire threatens homes near Taupō foreshore
A fire in Taupō came close to houses overlooking Lake Taupō.
Taupō loses only movie theatre but not through lack of demand
Taupō movie buffs will have to content themselves with streaming services for now.
Thunderbolts and lightning prompt a fitting end to Waikato's Summer Concert Series
Sizzling music on a soggy weekend makes for a steamy Summer Concert Series.
When it comes to horses - happiness has a beat
The therapeutic nature of horses is proving to be an antidote for stress.
Brutal schedule - man attempts to run the length of NZ and Australia
He's not sure it's ever been done before but he'll give it a crack.
Powerboat racers left high and dry by Lake Taupō ban
Boat racing on Lake Taupō has been banned to prevent the spread of gold clams.
Cyclist knocked off his bike, pecked by birds and chased by a helicopter
No challenge is too big for this tough-as-nails librarian.
Mo bros to risk it with the brisket at burger eating contest
Burger eating contest to feed funds into men's health.
Huge garden and native nursery to provide free food and jobs
An ambitious project to grow fresh food for the community is under way in Taupō.
Upston sets her sights on fixing child poverty
Taupō MP Louise Upston is comfortably winning her electorate for the sixth time.
Waikato voters: Here's what you need to know
Who's running and where you can vote in the Waikato.
Bring the noise: Car stereo contest so loud it 'irritates the kidneys'
Car stereo lovers are taking their passion to a newer, noisier level.
Future of popular Lake Taupō reserve to be reviewed by council and iwi
A popular Lake Taupō camping spot is being reviewed to reflect its significance to iwi.
SH1 to close on two days for truck removal, 53km added to journey
SH1 south of Taupō will close yet again for a truck to be removed from Bulli Pt.
Lots of roadworks planned for Waikato highways over the next month
Waikato's roads have been under the weather lately, delaying some works.
White Chapel Jak to open Hamilton's Summer Concert
White Chapel Jak to open Hamilton Summer Concert.
Fire fighters set social media ablaze with hilarious videos
Tūrangi's firefighters have become TikTok stars.
Winston Peters confident of National-Act-NZ First arrangement
Winston Peters says he can work with anyone - except Labour.
Cannabis company buzzing after 'milestone' export
Cannasouth is the first company in NZ to export cannabis API to Australia.
Huge tracts of land retired, fenced or planted to protect Waikato rivers
Massive private and council efforts have gone into protecting Waikato waterways.
Tokoroa ram raids leave business owners frustrated
A Tokoroa service station owner had a rude awakening this morning thanks to ram raiders.
Autumn date announced for Taupō Supercars round
Dates and level of government spending to attract Supercars to Taupō has been revealed.
Battery disposal sparks Hamilton fires
Council is warning people to dispose of lithium batteries correctly after several fires.
Waikato Expressway extension would pump billions into economy
Extending the Waikato Expressway to Piarere would save $487 million annually.
CBD light feature still on despite cost over-run
Taupō's new town centre is about to get a whole lot brighter.
Kmart introduces robots to its NZ stores, opens huge new facility
Robots are coming to a Kmart store near you.