News
Couple shocked after Facebook Marketplace business shut down
A New Plymouth couple are crying foul after being locked out of a Facebook Marketplace account from which they run their business and generate their livelihood.
Surfers make waves for good cause
Surfers from around the country will be taking to the ocean today and every day for the rest of the month to raise funds for communities in Indonesia and across the South Pacific.
Womad 2024: Ziggy Marley announced as first headline act
Jamaican superstar Ziggy Marley has been announced as Womad's first headline artist for the 2024 festival.
Carved skull turns heads at Waipipi Beach in South Taranaki
Mystery surrounds the appearance of a stylised skull carved into the sandstone cliffs at Waipipi Beach in South Taranaki.
A storm's a-coming: Late sculptor's work strikes a spark in New Plymouth
The Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth has unveiled a new work from the acclaimed New Zealand kinetic sculptor and film-maker. Audio
'Racism is definitely alive and well here': Response to vandalism of Te Pāti Māori billboards
The vandalisation of hundreds of election billboards feels like a targeted campaign, Te Pāti Māori says.
New Plymouth voters weigh in on Labour, National candidates
The contest for the New Plymouth electorate is shaping up as a two-horse race between Labour incumbent Glen Bennett and National newcomer David MacLeod.
'I'm in a no-win situation': Businesses, some cyclists reject proposed cycle lanes
A proposal to create $17 million worth of safe walking and cycling routes in New Plymouth is dividing the city.
Dairy farmers prepare for 'tight times' as GDT prices crash
Dairy farmers still carrying debt fear for their viability while more established players are going over their budgets with a fine-tooth comb. Audio
Windfarm backers open outreach office in Hāwera
The group behind a potential offshore wind farm in Taranaki has opened an office in Hāwera to help convince locals of the project's value.
'Chippy' serves up burgers in Waitara
A planned fish and chips run was dropped, with gags about 'Chippy' being in chippy shop put on the backburner. Audio
'Like a big electric neighbour': Relief over removal of 50-year-old power pylons
Residents of a New Plymouth suburb are celebrating the imminent removal of 16 power pylons - some erected in their backyards - which have towered over the neighbourhood for about 50 years.
'It's a sin' - Historic nurses home defiled by vandals
Heritage enthusiasts and former residents are horrified vandals are running amok in a historic building in New Plymouth while its future is still up in the air.
Council looks to cut quarter of senior management in restructure
The New Plymouth council's chief executive, who started in March, says council is not delivering some services successfully which required change.
New Plymouth council meeting to take place on marae for first time
For the first time ever, New Plymouth's council will meet on a marae - and it's a case of "about time", the district's first Māori ward councillor says. Audio
Ministry cuts access to flawed data in Paritūtū serum dioxin study
The Ministry of Health is refusing to correct the mistakes, and has instead shut down access to data revealing the errors. Audio
Council proposes to take pothole problems to the people with poll
It's spearheading an unusual attempt to draw attention to the nation's pothole-riddled highways.
FIFA World Cup fever brewing in the regions
New Plymouth is about 240 kilometres away from the nearest FIFA Women's World Cup venue, but that has not stopped World Cup fever gripping the city.
Zambia women's football team welcomed at Tūrangawaewae Marae
Two cultures came together as the Zambian women's football team was officially welcomed to Aotearoa with a powhiri at Tūrangawaewae Marae at Ngāruawāhia.
Water fluoridation fires up opponents in New Plymouth
Passionate scenes erupted at the New Plymouth council chambers as councillors came under attack for allowing fluoride to be put back in the district's water supply.
Mum throws out mattress, furniture with mould but rental passes inspection
A New Plymouth solo mum, whose three kids are camping out in the living room to avoid their cold, damp and mouldy bedrooms, is dismayed her rental passed a Healthy Homes inspection.
Activists pitch camp on boundary of former chemicals plant
Community activists have pitched camp on the boundary of a former chemicals plant in New Plymouth to advocate for it to be turned into nature reserve.
Facility upgrades for FIFA 'a big step' for community players too, officials say
There has been a $20 million investment in 30 sporting facilities ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup, including $5m to create gender neutral changing rooms.
New Plymouth housing crisis: 'Council is part of the problem'
A New Plymouth emergency housing provider says a council survey asking what can be done about the city's housing crisis feels like a cruel joke.
Former worker of controversial chemical plant raises questions over his baby's death
The ex-employee of the former Ivan Watkins Dow site in New Plymouth wonders if the death of his first child from spina bifida was related to his time working there.