Graffiato Taupō 2023

Doctors have told Paige Suisted she has 18 months to live. She is determined to live each moment to the fullest.

The annual House of the Year competition showcases the best in residential buildings and exceptional workmanship on projects across New Zealand. There are seven regional competitions, held throughout July and August, of which the winners feature in the Top 100 list before undergoing a second round of judging. In total, the seven regional competitions drew in close to 300 entries this year.

Locals gathered together to commemorate Anzac Day at the Te Awamutu Anzac Green.

Wild Kaimanawa horses are rounded up on the Central Plateau and sent off to become domestic horses. The horses disturb unique native flora and fauna if the population gets too large so must be thinned out each year.

The festivities kicked off on Thursday in Taupō ahead of the three-day Supercars event, the inaugural year for the town.

Over 20 balloons, including one shaped like a polar bear, are taking to the sky above Hamilton for the festival.

531 children and teens took part in this year's Ironkidz.

Round two of the 31st Te Pahū Twilight 2024 Moto-X Series at Findsen Farm. Photos / Arthur Uden

Boon Street Art Festival brightened up Hamilton East and the CBD on the weekend. Seven artists brought love and colour to blank walls across the city, most of the walls were located near the newly opened Made Market precinct. The artists painting the town not only red were Jesse Mosen, Cinzah, Gary Venn, Kell Sunshine, Haser and Alice Alva and Koryu. The Waikato Herald went along and captured some of the action.

2023 marked Graffiato's tenth year, with ten contributing artists creating murals in Taupō's CBD over Labour Weekend.

Te Awamutu Sports’ dream of a deep run in the inaugural World Amateur Rugby Festival in southern France took a turn in the quarter finals as a spirited Tongan (Kolomotu’a Rugby Club) side rode their size and strong offload game to beat the New Zealanders 13-15.

The Te Awamutu College Rugby Club prize giving was held at the college hall last Tuesday, celebrating an exciting 2023 season of schoolboy footy.

Te Awamutu Sports French touring party cruised through the pool stages of the Inaugural World Amateur Rugby Festival in Port de Bouc, with a perfect three from three record, dispatching France, Belgium and Uruguay in comfortable fashion.

Wednesday afternoon saw Te Awamutu College First XV take on the NZ Barbarians Area Schools team at Albert Park in their final match of 2023. The friendly game saw the NZ Barbarians Area Schools win 34-7. Te Awamutu College scored their points through an impressive Corbin Fleming try and a Thomas Frandi conversion.

Pilot brothers Matt and Tom Otto will work for up to 42 days at a time helping extinguish Yellowknife wildfires.

The fourth MotoFest at Hampton Downs celebrated all things motorbike and racing last weekend. The event was headlined by the Shoei Superbikes and was a highlight for motorbike buffs big and small. The Waikato Herald went along and captured some of the action.

Fans were vocal and primary school-aged girls got to play rugger at halftime during the Aupiki opening game at Levin Domain

Chiefs Manawa convincingly beat Hurricanes Poua in Levin.

Cyclone Gabrielle has caused widespread damage to the North Island, including severe flooding in the Coromandel region.

The New Zealand Classic Motorcycle Racing Register (NZCMRR) farewelled "Puke" last weekend at their 43rd Classic Festival. The whole New Zealand motorsport community is sad to see this piece of its history go and while Supercars said their goodbyes last year, it was now time for the classic motorbike community. Despite the circumstances, every racer and every spectator was in great spirits. The Waikato Herald went along and captured the vibe.

Hamilton-based Pacific Island community trust K'aute Pasifika celebrated the opening of their special K'aute Pasifika Village on Tuesday. The Waikato Herald went along and captured some of the event's colour.