Latest fromNew Plymouth

Why mau rākau workshops captivated Womad festival attendees
Mau rākau helps youth manage emotions and connect with their cultural identity.

'Felt sick': New Plymouth woman wins $1.5 million in Lotto Strike
The woman normally buys her tickets in person but ran out of time so tried MyLotto.

Woman raped in game of truth, dare or command
Judge: 'He set out this night to have sex with this young woman'.

High school teacher who groomed two students can now be named
The Whanganui teacher was sentenced to home detention last year.

Health NZ apologises over woman’s month-long wait for ultrasound results
A New Plymouth woman's ultrasound results were delayed for a month.

‘Never had a blind person’: Uproar after small-town museum bans woman's guide dog
The museum near New Plymouth says it was a misunderstanding and apologised.

Watch: Rescue helicopter responds to New Plymouth crash in which four people seriously injured
Emergency services were called to the scene of the two-vehicle crash in Burgess Park.

Over 21 million people engaged with the Te Matatini 2025 festival online
Why Te Matatini 2025 was a landmark event for kapa haka enthusiasts

‘The waiata goes into my ears and out my eyes’: Te Matatini magic
Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue won Te Matatini 2025 with a standout performance.

The big stage: Te Matatini’s top 12 head to finals showdown
Saturday's finals will begin at 8.30am, with prizegiving after 5pm.

Woman who gave birth on AirNZ plane planned to deliver at Te Matatini
A family member of the mum says she was in labour for 12 hours before boarding.

From Hawaii to Aotearoa: A legacy of passion and performance
Tama Ali’i Halvorsen has made his seventh pilgrimage from Hawaii to NZ for Te Matatini.

‘Phenomenal’: Te Matatini hailed by First Nations visitors
Thirty First Nations people from Canada joined the festival in New Plymouth.

‘Remembering and honouring’: Kapa haka pays tribute to Māori Battalion
Te Taumata o Apanui featured stars like Rob Ruha and Ria Hall.

‘Desperate conditions’: Drought crisis hits Taranaki farmers
The Government is providing $30,000 to rural support groups in Taranaki.

Labour plane: Woman gives birth on Air NZ flight
Air NZ praised crew and passengers for their quick and caring response.

Ngāti Ranginui thrill audience with performance
'Something special happened when Ngāti Ranginui came on stage.'

‘A huge moment’: Te Matatini’s cultural impact on Taranaki
More than 70,000 visitors are expected in New Plymouth during Te Matatini.

Why Te Matatini 2025 is drawing record crowds
All tickets for the 2025 Te Matatini finals day are sold out.

Editorial: How Māori haka is being commodified by global corporations
Haka is not a corporate exercise or a party trick; it is whakapapa, identity, and history.

Why Te Matatini’s global potential excites the Finance Minister
Ōpotiki Mai Tawhiti's performance honoured past members, including Ricky Mitai.