Whanganui news
Councillor says Govt 'abdicating' housing responsibilities
'We are not seeing an improvement on the availability of stock in town.'
Highway roadworks pause to ease holiday traffic
Roadworks will pause from 12pm Thursday until Tuesday morning over the next two weekends.
'Memory, culture, and nostalgia': Master Chef winners' 'immersive' food experience
'It’s nice to come home and bring this dinner which is really special to us.'
On The Up: The full 100 – New Zealand's greatest sporting moments of the past 25 years
Celebrating 25 years of New Zealand's greatest moments.
How this teacher aide is helping a small rural school thrive
Ashley Steedman has 'fallen in love with the job'.
‘Proud and stoked’: Prisoners transform old mattresses into dog beds for SPCA
'They are really proud and stoked.'
'Constrained' Ruapehu council sticks to 9% rate rise
'If things unfold positively, we pass it on to the ratepayers. It’s as simple as that'.
'Strike a balance': Central city trees get chop
Replacing them with native species could be considered in the future.
New Zealand news
Watch: MetService issues fresh weather warnings, heavy rain to hit, Coromandel reopens
A potential low-system is set to form on the northeast coast of New Zealand.
'Amazing experience': Man tows stricken crane truck driver away from 10-metre drop
The truck had been repairing a downed power line during the storm.
'Memory, culture, and nostalgia': Master Chef winners' 'immersive' food experience
'It’s nice to come home and bring this dinner which is really special to us.'
Editor's Picks
‘Roofs over heads’: Marae-led housing project starts
'It is a different approach and we are quite comfortable and like that approach.'
‘Best day ever’: Suzy Cato inspires music teacher’s journey from superfan to educator
Suzy Cato's photo throwback revealed Curtis Bunker as a devoted fan.
User pays an option to fund Dublin St replacement
The bridge is regularly inspected for safety.
'Pretty much destroyed': Investigation opened into South Taranaki blaze
A fire investigator will return to the scene this morning
Folklore-inspired sculpture honours trust founder
The sculpture will be unveiled on Sunday at Rotokawau Virginia Lake.
'Extremely proud': Whanganui-raised Justine Smith's career milestone
Justine Smith has been appointed chief executive of the Office of Treaty Settlements.
Police respond to potential firearms sighting in Whanganui
Officers were active on Guyton St and Wicksteed St about 10.30am on Thursday.
‘They just don’t care’: Fit for Surgery patients gutted by funding cut
The programme has referred 116 people for surgery since 2018.
Highway roadworks pause to ease holiday traffic
Roadworks will pause from 12pm Thursday until Tuesday morning over the next two weekends.
Govt commits up to $600m to upgrade Ōhākea base
The Ōhākea Infrastructure Programme is expected to be completed between 2025 and 2028.
Whanganui athletes shine at inaugural Manawatū/Whanganui awards
George Beamish won the Molly Dorne Cup as MWA athlete of the year.
Premium
Kevin Page: Hospital gowns, undies and a thwarted car thief
OPINION: I scared off a car thief while standing on crutches in my new undies.
Opinion: Why autumn is perfect for planting citrus in your garden
Opinion: Gareth Carter's top tips for growing citrus.
Nicky Rennie: Navigating the ups and downs of modern dating
OPINION: The unanimous chorus from friends has been to give dating another try.
Comment: When anaesthesia leads to unexpected hilarity
Kevin Page shares some tall tales ahead of his hip replacement surgery.
Editorial: New NZME campaign aims for a better today and better tomorrow
OPINION: We hope that On The Up’s stories will challenge, motivate and uplift.
'Strongest since 2017': New Tropical Cyclone Tam warning for strong winds, giant swells
Tam is moving at 35km/h south towards New Zealand.
'Out of hand': Firefighters battle Waverley blaze
The fire, measuring 300m by 200m, is burning grass, scrub, and pine trees.
Councillor says Govt 'abdicating' housing responsibilities
'We are not seeing an improvement on the availability of stock in town.'
Kai Hub over halfway to donation goal
The Kai Hub is facing closure in May if it does not receive regular financial donations.
'Explosive': Chemical spill led to daycare evacuation, bomb squad call
A daycare centre next to Whanganui Hospital was evacuated.
'A difficult process': Bremworth cuts 15 staff from Whanganui plant
'There was a lot of anxiety and stress waiting for that confirmation.'
Muggy Easter weekend expected as subtropical system hits Whanganui
Taihape, Taumarunui and parts of Taranaki are under a strong wind watch.
House prices down in most regions in year to March
Prices either static or falling throughout NZ, only six areas had price rises lately.
Sport
Rugby: Kaierau hold off new-look Border in season-opener
Around 10 new players made their Premier debut for Border.
Club rugby: Taihape beat Marist to retain Challenge Shield
Rātana top the table after defeating Marton 108-12 in week one of the competition.
Rugby: Whanganui senior competition kicks off this weekend
This year's competition features 10 teams, down from 12 last year.
Rugby: Border, Kaierau kick off Premier season opener
Border face Kaierau in a rematch of last season's grand final.
Athletics: Whanganui long jumper claims secondary schools gold
Whanganui athletes set 50 personal bests at the championships.
‘Once in a generation’ teen gets White Sox call-up
'Her raw talent across all aspects of the game is truly exciting.'
Football: Whanganui sides ‘itching’ to get season started
City start their campaign against Palmerston North United on April 5.
Athletics: Whanganui team set for North Island schools competition
The North Island Secondary Schools Championships will be at Porritt Stadium in Hamilton.
Business news
House prices down in most regions in year to March
Prices either static or falling throughout NZ, only six areas had price rises lately.
‘Intimidated, threatened’: Rogue arborists cause alarm
Police advise residents being targeted to 'close the door and not engage with the person'.
Grand designs: Historic hotel under new management
'I don't believe in doing something quickly and messing it up.'
Lifestyle news
Opinion: Why autumn is perfect for planting citrus in your garden
Opinion: Gareth Carter's top tips for growing citrus.
Opinion: Why March is crucial for winter vegetable planting
Plant winter veggies now to maximise autumn's warm temperatures.
OneRoof property news
Empty field could be worth mega millions in Kāinga Ora sell-off
Is the Government sitting on a goldmine?
First-time buyers priced out of Queenstown find homes for under $1m - but there's a catch
Agents report uptick in interest in district's rural towns.
'Time warp to the 70s': Iconic yacht racer's home for sale again
Waterfront property back on the market less than a year after it was sold.
Car news and advice
Kia announces NZ pricing for Tasman ute
Kia's polarising new ute is set to land with some vrery competitive pricing.
Kia Soundscapes turns scenery into sound for the visually impaired
Soundscapes is an experimental project that transforms real-world landscapes into music.
Navman launches first-ever three camera dash cam in NZ
Navman has launched its 2025 dashcam range in NZ, including a 3-camera 4K beast of a cam.
Rural news
Coromandel towns isolated by flooding, more heavy rain forecast as storm rages on
Roads have been submerged, roofs ripped from buildings and ferries and flights cancelled.
The Country: Arable farming update with Blair Drysdale
Tim Dangen, Jane Smith, Peter Newbold, Blair Drysdale, and Chris Russell.
The big benefit of tree planting on Hawke's Bay farms
“It’s not just theory, it’s happening, on farms and hillsides across Hawke’s Bay."
Whanganui news
Pattillo Whanganui Arts Review returns after two-year hiatus
The top prize is $7000 and a solo exhibition at the Sarjeant Gallery.
Rugby: Kaierau hold off new-look Border in season-opener
Around 10 new players made their Premier debut for Border.
Kevin Page: Hospital gowns, undies and a thwarted car thief
OPINION: I scared off a car thief while standing on crutches in my new undies.
Club rugby: Taihape beat Marist to retain Challenge Shield
Rātana top the table after defeating Marton 108-12 in week one of the competition.
'It's surreal': Law firm's new partner ready for challenge
Jai Stephens was educated in Whanganui before studying in Canterbury for his law degree.
Police crack down on road safety
During the four-day operation, 7755 drivers were breath tested.
Gun-wielding man jumps into nurse's car, threatens her outside hospital
Police are still looking for a man who jumped into the hospital worker's back seat.
Minister directs Health NZ to revive stalled health centre
Minister Simeon Brown says work on the new Waimarino Wellness Centre will be accelerated.
Why a human rights researcher never gave up on Lake Alice victims
Victor Boyd was recognised at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards.
'It’s friendship': Rural Women to celebrate centenary
The organisation has around 1600 members nationally.
Bystanders rescue police officer in 'dangerous situation'
Police said the lone officer was approached by an 'aggressive person'.
‘My life has purpose’: Inside New Zealand’s biggest rehab service
The foundation supports 80 homes and helps 1500 people reintegrate annually.
Ruapehu mayor demands answers over delays to rural health centre
Ruapehu's mayor says the community is being ignored over the Raetihi centre.
Aviation museum could open in 2026
The project needs volunteers, items or financial donations, and specialist knowledge.
DIY crafts to ninja challenges: School holiday events for the family
South Taranaki, Rangitīkei, Ruapehu and Whanganui are jam-packed with family-friendly fun.
‘More than we thought’: Pekapeka discovered near Marton
Pekapeka are still classified as threatened and are declining at a rate of 5-9% a year.
Opinion: Why autumn is perfect for planting citrus in your garden
Opinion: Gareth Carter's top tips for growing citrus.
'Really shabby': Deputy mayor decries state of premier park
The council's boss says Pukenamu Queen's Park should not become a 'bollard farm'.
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