The tourist attraction will remain open despite ongoing concerns about public safety and visitor conduct.
Politics
5:30pm
The Food Organics and Garden Organics bin collection programme which began in October instead of July has drawn some criticism from residents.
New Zealand
12:06pm
1:30
The storms moving across the upper and central North Island were expected to bring torrential rain and hail.
Wednesday 4:25pm
1:32
Emergency services were called to a Campbell Street address following reports of someone being injured shortly after 4am.
Crime and Justice
Wednesday 7:49am
Although staff and members of the community spent over four hours helping to reset the classes, the cost of repairs was estimated to be more than $75,000.
Mon, Nov 9
Rat-infested skulls, an old L&P can and several tyres were among the items cleared by viral environmentalist Brando Yelavich and volunteers in the space of an hour.
Environment
Sun, Nov 8
Police are investigating a "suspicious" blaze in Hamilton's Discovery Park on Thursday night.
Severe thunderstorm watches remain in place for several regions, with forecasters warning more heavy rain and storms are expected through today.
Sat, Nov 7
A coroner's findings into the death of Te Kaihautu Mark Peta Ropata Sadlier in 2023 have highlighted the "devastating" and potentially fatal consequences of huffing.
Wed, Nov 4
If passed, there would be no more free travel from 7am to 9am and 3pm to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, a privilege currently exclusive to Waikato residents.
Tue, Nov 3
Fishery Officers will be able to issue the fines to those gathering shellfish illegally around Auckland and Coromandel intertidal zones from November 26.
Mon, Nov 2
Dead cats in bags, stolen vehicle parts and bottles dating back to the 1950s are among nearly four tonnes of rubbish Brando Yelavich has dragged from the Coromandel bush.
Sat, Oct 31
Three arrested after officers were called to a business on George Street in Tuakau at around 6.10am following reports of an aggravated robbery.
A time capsule of sorts, tucked away in a Waikato school photocopy room, has reunited former pupils with their past and captivated thousands online.
Fri, Oct 30
The farm near Hamilton was found with "significant ponding" of dairy effluent after being irrigated onto already saturated soils.
Wed, Oct 28
As the deadline to enrol to vote looms at midnight, young Māori in the Hauraki-Waikato electorate are urging their peers to take their protest cries to the ballot box.
Te Ao Māori
Sun, Oct 25
Police and Oranga Tamariki are investigating a community-based tutor who provided tuition at several schools and community organisations in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
Sat, Oct 24
Emergency services were called to a Mangatāwhiri property at around 4.30am.
Twenty years before the Kiwiana staple came to be, Waikato neighbours hit lips with L&T.
Fri, Oct 23
The Hahei Beach Short Walk was initially closed in 2023 following Cyclone Gabrielle, before another severe weather event in January 2026 destroyed a planned reroute.
"We used to go and gather about a dozen sacks of pipi for the marae, and they’re no longer there. They are dying," Merv Ranga said.
The off-duty officer had been out drinking when he instigated a fight with a member of the public, with police finding his actions amounted to serious misconduct.
Mon, Oct 19
Matamata-Piako's mayor Ash Tanner is unapologetically himself, in politics and life.
More than one person believed to be behind the thefts – given the number of plants taken and that there’s more than a hundred kilometres between the locations.
Tue, Oct 13
The festival will return to Hamilton's Claudelands Oval on Saturday, April 3, 2027, marking 20 years since the event began.
