Latest fromManawatu-Whanganui
![Pākaitore Day 2022 turns focus to Covid](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Pākaitore Day 2022 turns focus to Covid
Iwi health services were handing out products and information at Pākaitore Day.
![SH3 South Taranaki near Mokoia blocked following crash](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
SH3 South Taranaki near Mokoia blocked following crash
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.
!['She's very special': Te Ara a Maria visits Whanganui](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
'She's very special': Te Ara a Maria visits Whanganui
"She's like an icon really. She's very special."
![Local Focus: Dumplings tea and CCP](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Local Focus: Dumplings tea and CCP
La Fiesta activities include classes on cooking, papermaking, music, art and wellbeing.
![Judge slams Hell's Angels code of silence after violent attack: 'you chose to protect extreme violence and cowardice'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Judge slams Hell's Angels code of silence after violent attack: 'you chose to protect extreme violence and cowardice'
Three Hell's Angels associates refused to talk about a man who was beaten into a coma.
![Is Whanganui an employees' market?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Is Whanganui an employees' market?
It's no longer a case of a "rigid nine-to-five in an office".
![50 years on: The day Maadi Cup underdogs Whanganui High School made history](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
50 years on: The day Maadi Cup underdogs Whanganui High School made history
In 1972, Whanganui High School upset cross-town rivals Collegiate in the Maadi Cup.
![Schools urged to not let Covid 19 cancel traditional camps](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Schools urged to not let Covid 19 cancel traditional camps
The Y would like to see schools work harder to ensure "invaluable" camps can go ahead.
![Groups work together for better Māori employment outcomes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Groups work together for better Māori employment outcomes
Māori employment plan works alongside advances in education, health - Katarina Hina.
![Local Focus: Colour for Cross St](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Local Focus: Colour for Cross St
Community initiative to make Whanganui route more people-friendly in the short term.
![The Auckland problem: Higher infection rate, lower booster uptake](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
The Auckland problem: Higher infection rate, lower booster uptake
Unboosted Aucklanders eligible for their third jab need to get it now, expert says.
![Live: Police warning - 'serious concerns' over safety at concert at Parliament protest](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Live: Police warning - 'serious concerns' over safety at concert at Parliament protest
Meanwhile, mayor is calling for urgent financial support for affected businesses.
![Live: 1901 new Covid-19 cases as Omicron continues its surge](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Live: 1901 new Covid-19 cases as Omicron continues its surge
That brings the number of active community cases across the country to 11,601.
![Is esports the next big sport in the region?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Is esports the next big sport in the region?
"There is a draw card between healthy gaming and unhealthy gaming."
!['It's a tough time': Te Manu Atatū's plan to help businesses through Covid](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
'It's a tough time': Te Manu Atatū's plan to help businesses through Covid
"It's a tough time to be in business without any external support."
![Ngāti Maika welcomes restoration of Pākaraka name to settlement](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Ngāti Maika welcomes restoration of Pākaraka name to settlement
Ngāti Maika sees the decision as "an acknowledgment and tribute to our tupuna".
![A North Island town's name has officially changed - here's why](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
A North Island town's name has officially changed - here's why
"None of the reasons given against changing outweighed the case to right this wrong."
![Massive effort given to clear downed trees and to restore power to homes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Massive effort given to clear downed trees and to restore power to homes
Most of the power should be restored to the remaining homes today.
![Cyclone Dovi: Households without power; trees damage cars; slips, road closures](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Cyclone Dovi: Households without power; trees damage cars; slips, road closures
Wild weather caused havoc across the country - now the clean-up has started.
![Big boost for Big Boost - Kiwis flock to get booster job as Omicron surges](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Big boost for Big Boost - Kiwis flock to get booster job as Omicron surges
The equivalent of one Kiwi city's population got their booster over 28 hours.
![Officer bashed, person stabbed at gathering of 'anti-social road users'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Officer bashed, person stabbed at gathering of 'anti-social road users'
Police are calling for witnesses after a 'volatile' early-morning encounter.
![Local Focus: Live at Lads for the kids](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Local Focus: Live at Lads for the kids
Lads brewery fundraising for Starship Children's Hospital with live band this Saturday.
![Burglary victim told he'd inherited debt from previous owner](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Burglary victim told he'd inherited debt from previous owner
"He turned up and said the debt is yours."
![Offender turns life around after stealing horse float](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Offender turns life around after stealing horse float
Financial strife caused Wayne Maunder to turn to crime but he's since got back on track.
![Recidivist disqualified driver threatened with jail term](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Recidivist disqualified driver threatened with jail term
Andrew Springfield was warned continuing to flout the law by driving could result in jail.
!['Devastating' dog attack kills at least 80 lambs, many more injured](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
'Devastating' dog attack kills at least 80 lambs, many more injured
Cost of shearing and burying adds to financial loss from dog attack on lambs.
![Heavy rain hits North Island - new warnings of more to come](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Heavy rain hits North Island - new warnings of more to come
Adding to the humidity, intense rain is forecast for east from Hawke's Bay to Coromandel.
![Car crashes into powerpole in Foxton, police attending](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=870)
Car crashes into powerpole in Foxton, police attending
Diversions are in place as crews work to restore the powerlines.