Waikato
Govt loans $10m for Mt Ruapehu gondola
Move over Queenstown and Rotorua, Mount Ruapehu is getting a gondola too...with the help of a $10 million government loan. The government says it could transform the central North Island, but some… Audio
Govt loans $10m for Mt Ruapehu gondola
The government is lending $10 million towards the construction of a high-speed gondola at Mount Ruapehu's Whakapapa ski field.
Gibbes to coach La Rochelle
The former All Black Jono Gibbes is to become director of rugby at French Top 14 club La Rochelle in November.
Psychiatrist critical of man's care - inquest
A psychiatrist who reviewed the care of a mental health patient who walked out of hospital unsupervised and was later found drowned in the Waikato River stands by her criticism of the man's care.
'If Nicky said he was not suicidal, they seemed to accept his word'
The mother of a man who drowned after leaving the mental health unit at Waikato Hospital unsupervised says concerns for his wellbeing were constantly ignored by hospital staff.
Hahei NZ's most expensive beach to visit - travel company
A Coromandel Peninsula beach has been named the most expensive to visit in New Zealand when taking into account the cost of beach "essentials", a online travel company says.
Long-term funding shortage for kura's senior students
A kura kaupapa in Rotorua is sick of being "fobbed off" by the Ministry of Education, which will not fund it for teaching its senior students, the principal says.
Church ponders on $60k raised for poisoned family
The church that raised money for a Waikato family poisoned after eating wild boar says it is exploring options about what to do with the remainder of raised funds, following a six-month delay.
Ground-breaking: first NZ beauty contestant in hijab
Malaysian New Zealander Nurul Shamsul is the first Muslim woman to wear hijab and to become a finalist in Miss Universe New Zealand 2018. Lynda Chanwai-Earle is in Hamilton to meet a trailblazer. Audio, Gallery
Milking it: from cows to sheep
Spring Sheep Milk is setting up two sheep milking pilot farms in Waikato. One is a greenfield development, one a cow farm conversion. Audio
NZ firm fined nearly $75k for breaching UN sanctions
A Hamilton-based aircraft company has been fined for breaching United Nations sanctions by exporting replacement parts to North Korea.
Docs reveal lack of independent testing on highway steel
The lack of independent checking on steel for highways has come to light after a two-year fight to get information off the Transport Agency.
The Golden Ride
No-one really knew if the Hauraki Rail Trail would be successful, but now the trail's hub town Paeroa has a new motel, new cafes and cycle rental businesses. Audio, Gallery
Farmer told 'to watch my back' over M bovis infection
Waikato farmer Henk Smit might leave farming all together now his cattle have to be culled. He tells Zac Fleming about how he ended up with the infected cows, and what he thinks about MPI's process so… Video, Audio
One dead after crash in Waikato
A person has died following a crash in the Waikato town of Mangatawhiri this afternoon.
PM not ready to admit defeat in cow disease battle
The Prime Minister says this country is not yet ready to admit defeat to the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis.
Waikato mega-prison off the table - Govt
Plans to build a new mega-prison at Waikeria have been dropped, but the government has yet to decide what to do instead. Audio
Waikeria mega-prison plan scrapped - Kelvin Davis
The Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis says the Government won't go ahead with plans for a megaprison at Waikeria in Waikato.
In last week's budget, more funds were allocated to build temporary units… Audio
Fog cannon activated in armed Hamilton robbery
A petrol station attendee in Hamilton activated a fog cannon to avoid getting hurt in an armed robbery this morning.
Paul Moon: the history of the Waikato River
Paul Moon is a professor of history at AUT whose latest book is "The Waikato - A History of New Zealand's Greatest River". At 425 kilometres long, the Waikato is the longest river in New Zealand and… Audio
