With Taupo being one of the world’s supervolcanoes, Central North Island residents are being encouraged to attend a free talk on ‘The Life and Times of Supervolcanoes’ by 2017 Rutherford Medal recipient Professor Colin Wilson. Colin...... Read More

Business could be about to boom for avocado growers in the Bay of Plenty. AVOCO, New Zealand’s largest avocado export group, is predicting a strong fruit set this spring. Because of it, it’s urging Bay of Plenty growers to consider the...... Read More

Horse riders protesting a proposed ban on horse riding at Tuapiro Point, have delivered their petition to the Western Bay of Plenty Council on horseback. The riders have been seen all the way along Cameron Road this afternoon, stretching from the Tauranga...... Read More

An orchard worker is warning others to remain vigilant after catching an alleged avocado thief green-handed in the act. The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, says the orchard he works on has been victim to theft in the past week. “We caught...... Read More

The kiwifruit industry is facing a shortfall of 7000 workers as it predicts it will double in value in the next ten years. The industry body, Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated, has released a report which estimates the $2.1 billion industry will generate...... Read More

“Down-sizing” his products was key to the growth and success of Kings Seeds, the business Ross King founded in 1978. “I was importing seeds and growing herb plants from Methuen in Auckland but it was costly to ship the plants to customers,...... Read More

The fungal disease myrtle rust has been found in two locations on the Coromandel Peninsula. The disease attacks plants and trees in the myrtle family including pōhutukawa, rātā, mānuka, lilly pilly and feijoa. It was first detected in Auckland...... Read More

Glancing to the right, as you drive into Ōpōtiki over the Otara Bridge, an area of bare rock stands out from the green swathe of river stopbank. The recently reshaped section of stopbank, which directly defends the town, is one of 22 sites on the...... Read More

When Mother Nature strikes, pets are often separated from their families in the midst of the chaos. The local heroes - the crisis defence force - come in to pick up the pieces, but who’s there to rescue the friendly neighbourhood cat? Animal...... Read More

Surfcasters can enjoy one last fish on the lower Kaituna River this weekend before road access to Te Tumu Cut closes for six months. Ford Road access to Te Tumu Cut and Maketu Spit will be closed from August 1-December 20 to enable construction work...... Read More