2009 Media releases

Five members of Taupo’s Civil Defence Emergency Response Team were in action last night rescuing a family pet perched above a 150 metre drop, out towards Kinloch.

After a year of planning, a historic agreement will be signed between iwi and local government next Saturday [17 January] when Taupo District Council grants Ngati Tuwharetoa decision-making powers in resource consent decisions - the first time a New Zealand local government has transferred powers to an Iwi.

Arts and cultural projects in the Taupo district have the opportunity to receive grants as Creative Taupo welcomes applications for its six-monthly funding distribution.

Taupo District Council and Environment Waikato are introducing a brand new bus and improved bus routes and are encouraging residents to try the improved service out for free on Tuesday 3 February.

Outdoor water use in the summer puts real demands on the water system for treatment and supply. As a result, Taupo District Council is encouraging residents to use less water and to make sure they don’t waste it.

Taupo District Council’s Principal Rural Fire Officer is warning residents to be aware of the dry weather as it is forecast to continue through until mid February.

Dig out the bike pump, dust off the helmet and get rolling – BikeWise month is here! For the month of February 2009 pedal-pushers of all ages, shapes and sizes will get behind a nationwide campaign to get more Kiwis on their bikes and celebrate what is becoming a way of life for many.

Council will be visiting holiday settlements at the southern end of the lake over Waitangi Weekend to provide information and get comments on three key projects.

Superheroes was the theme of Taupo Library’s Summer Reading Programme which empowered dozens of children to keep reading during the school holidays.

Local youth entertainers will be performing down at Riverside Park during the long weekend, providing FREE entertainment for visitors and residents.

Exuberant dogs and their owners enjoyed an excellent day at Riverside Park last Saturday for the 17th annual ‘Dogs are Fun’ event.

Public barbeques in prime lakefront locations are proving popular with those wishing to enjoy an al fresco dinner on Taupo’s lake edge.

Local Taupo resident Sid Lane will be undertaking a once in a lifetime challenge this month in his gyrocopter to raise money for cancer.

Visitor numbers at the Genesis Energy Turangi Aquatic Centre continue to rise with a surprising number of adults also making use of the facilities.

Taupo District Council’s Principal Rural Fire Officer is warning residents to be aware of the dry weather as it is forecast to continue through until mid February.

Preparatory work for the East Taupo Arterial (ETA) roading project is well underway with the completion of the new wastewater land disposal site at View Road and the removal of trees from the planned route.

If your garden is looking particularly parched this summer, it might be time to re-evaluate what you’ve got planted.

Get the popcorn ready and make yourself comfortable in front of the TV this Sunday night to catch the first episode of Top Town and see our Unison Taupo Lakers Team in action.

An official sod turning ceremony was held today to mark the commencement of earthworks for the East Taupo Arterial, a key link in the national roading network and significant piece of infrastructure for the Taupo District and the region.

Mayor Rick Cooper and Council CEO Rob Williams will be back again this Wednesday 18 February for their monthly morning coffee sessions at Sierra.

Mothers and Fathers get their own special day – now there is a day for kids too! National Children’s Day is being held on Sunday 1 March to celebrate, nurture and treasure our young ones.

Turangi/Tongariro Service Centre Manager John Campbell has just celebrated 25 years as a Council employee.

The National Trout Centre has been granted approval to connect to Taupo District Council’s wastewater network in Turangi.

At this time of year, water use in the Taupo district is at its highest which puts extraordinary demand on the region’s water treatment and supply equipment. As a result, Taupo District Council is encouraging residents to use less water and to make sure they don’t waste it.

Following safety concerns raised, Council has roped off an area close to the carved Maori gateway on Lake Terrace to look at carrying out stability improvements to the area.

Mayor Rick Cooper wants the biggest turn out ever this week at the Mayoral Challenge ‘Go by bike’ day so pump up your wheels, dust off your helmet and get down to the Great Lake Centre this Wednesday (25 February).

Taupo Public Library will soon extend its opening hours by almost five hours a week to meet the needs of library users.

At today’s Council meeting, Councillors gave the go ahead for the draft ‘Sale of Liquor’ policy to go out for community consultation.

Taupo Public Library is hosting a free monthly programme for booklovers with the aim of promoting all the library has to offer.

Over 250 locals turned out for the Mayoral Challenge ‘Go by Bike’ day last Wednesday down at the Great Lake Centre.

Don’t miss the Unison Taupo Lakers live this Sunday night on TV2 at 7.30pm, battling it out to be named the Top Town in the country.

Village Well are an internationally acclaimed company that specialise in placemaking. They facilitate urban regeneration and sustainable planning of communities – or in layman’s terms, enhance the quality of life a place provides for its people.

Hundreds of kids and parents made it along to the Taupo Events Centre on Sunday 1 March to celebrate National Children’s Day.

Switch off for an hour and see your world in a whole new light – join 1 billion other people from around the world next month by flicking of lights and appliances during Earth Hour to support action on climate change.

At this time of year, water use in the Taupo district is at its highest which puts extraordinary demand on the region’s water treatment and supply equipment. As a result, Taupo District Council is encouraging residents to use less water and to make sure they don’t waste it.

Councillors were very pleased with the response from the public to the draft ten year plan ‘Towards 2019’ with nearly 300 submissions received and a high number of positive feedback on some of the proposed activities

Autumn is the ideal time to look at revamping your garden. By choosing plants that grow naturally in dry areas and by using generous amounts of mulch you can minimise the amount of watering your garden requires, saving yourself a job and saving water.

Taupo’s new wastewater land disposal system in View Road was officially opened today and has been described as ‘industry leading’.

On Wednesday 18 March 2009, thousands of people across New Zealand will be leaving their cars at home and walking to work with friends, family and colleagues - why not dig out your sneakers and join them!

Mayor Rick Cooper and Council CEO Rob Williams will be at Sierra to catch up with the community on Wednesday 25 March.

Don’t miss the Unison Taupo Lakers live again this Sunday night on TV2 at 7.30pm, battling it out against Ashburton and the wildcard team for a place in the Top Town final.

As part of Earth Hour 2009, the Taupo AC Baths and the Events Centre will be giving away free eco bulbs, thanks to Energymad.

Get down to the AC Baths this Sunday (5 April) from 5pm to watch the final of Top Town and to see if the Unison Taupo Lakers can prove that Taupo is the Top Town in New Zealand.

The Unison Taupo Lakers have won a place in the finals of Top Town 2009.

Engineering experts from around New Zealand are in Taupo this week attending an engineering conference and looking at Taupo district’s state of the art wastewater treatment systems.

The Unison Taupo Lakers have won a place in the finals of Top Town 2009.

Youth Ambassador Marcus Akuhata-Brown was recently in Taupo to motivate and inspire our young people and community groups and organisations who work with young people as part of Council’s Community Development Youth Action Plan.

Last week Taupo District Councillors listened to members of the community provide feedback on the draft ten year plan ‘Towards 2019’

At today’s Council meeting Councillors gave the go ahead for the draft water supply bylaw to go out for the public to review and provide feedback.

FREE ENTRY - Get down to the AC Baths this Sunday (5 April) from 5pm to watch the final of Top Town and to see if the Unison Taupo Lakers can prove that Taupo is the Top Town in New Zealand.

Last night on TV2, the Unison Taupo Lakers fought a fierce battle in the final of Top Town, gaining Taupo the title of New Zealand’s Top Town.

After considering the extensive submissions received on District Plan Change 23 regarding the Mapara Valley Structure Plan Area, Council has notified decisions to the plan change.

Taupo Venues have recently launched their new website to provide the community with interactive and current information about Taupo’s local recreational venues.

Taupo District Council will begin to replace the remaining flagstones with Holland pavers in Tuwharetoa Street next week (20 April 2009). The work will take a month to complete.

Last week Taupo District Councillors listened to members of the community provide feedback on the draft ten year plan ‘Towards 2019’.

With development of the East Taupo Arterial route well underway and the Fulton Hogan project team established in Taupo, noticeable flow on effects are benefiting the local economy.

Due to unforeseen delays with the delivery of materials, the start date for the replacement of flagstones with Holland pavers in Tuwharetoa Street, has been deferred to 4 May 2009 (instead of 20 April). The work will take a month to complete.

The Turangi/Tongariro Community Board is sending out an open invite to the community to attend a workshop aimed at boosting Turangi’s town centre. The workshop is being held on Monday 27 April.

Key agencies led by Taupo District Council have joined forces and put in place a plan to make the Taupo district a safer place by reducing injury, preventing crime and improving safety in all areas.

As part of its on-going commitment to actively seek public opinion and involvement, the Taupo District Council is to conduct a survey of its residents and ratepayers.

Following the ‘placemaking’ research carried out earlier this year, Gilbert Rochecouste and his team from Village Well are back in Taupo to present their findings and ideas on how we can create a vibrant, flourishing town centre.

The new look, bright blue bus - the Taupo Connector - has arrived and is now on the road.

Three days have been set aside in June for hearing of submissions to a draft Lake Taupo Erosion and Flood Strategy.

At yesterday’s Council meeting a contract tender was accepted from a local construction company for the new Dog Pound and SPCA building to be constructed, allowing works to begin as early as next week.

To make life easier for library users, you can now return your library book to any Taupo District Library – not just the one you got it out from.

A group of visitors from Taupo’s Chinese sister-city, the Municipal of Suzhou, visited the district last week.

The Turangi/Tongariro Community Board is speaking out on behalf of its community on a number of environmental issues.

Taupo District Council is looking for a suitable person to work with Enterprise Lake Taupo (ELT) – the district’s economic development agency.

A rabbit control programme involving toxic bait is being rolled out to manage the rabbit population in problem areas at Five Mile Bay, Wharewaka, Secombe Park and Kinloch.

Some innovative ideas for a new look Taupo CBD were presented to and discussed by Taupo District Councillors last Friday and options are now available, showing what our town could be like in years to come.

It’s time to celebrate and acknowledge our youth with the ‘Class of 09 Youth Republic Youth Festival’ being held during national youth week in May.

Council is hosting some question and answer sessions in Taupo, Turangi and Mangakino to provide residents with an opportunity to enquire and provide feedback on the draft water supply bylaw currently out for public consultation.

Construction of the East Taupo Arterial is well underway with the timing of works designed to minimise disruption to local tourist operators.

“Spin. Don't Spin. Intersections. It's your call.” This is the slogan behind Taupo District Council's new road safety campaign reminding drivers to take extra care at Taupo’s worst intersections.

Turangi Safer Community Council and Taupo District Council have been working together to launch a project designed to remove graffiti in the Turangi community.

The Turangi-Tongariro Community Board want to hear the views of the community on the use of 1080 poison in the Taupo district.

Some innovative ideas for a new look Taupo CBD will be on display at the Great Lake Centre next week for the community to review and provide feedback.

Taupo District Council have been quick to react to concerns of businesses on Crown Road and have negotiated a solution allowing access from the ETA (East Taupo Arterial) to the Crown Rd area

Taupo’s very own Jayme Fitzgerald will join a host of great bands at what is being billed as “the biggest rock gig in Taupo ever!” at the Taupo Events Centre on 30 May.

Mixed opinions on the use of 1080 poison drops to control possums were voiced at the Turangi/Tongariro Community Board’s meeting yesterday

The Grim Reaper has been in Taupo this week reminding motorists of intersection dangers

A unique glass sculpture is to be installed outside Taupo’s Great Lake Centre – the first of many works of art which may appear throughout the Taupo district.

Over 40 Library Managers from around the North Island attended a two day meeting hosted by Taupo District Libraries last Thursday and Friday

Due to an overwhelming response to last weeks open days displaying options for the future of the Taupo CBD, an extra evening session has been booked in on Thursday 4 June.

Based on feedback from dog owners and officers working with dogs on day-to-day basis, Council are proposing some changes to the dog control bylaw and want to hear the public’s view.

The Joint Management Agreement signed between Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Taupo District Council earlier this year has won a major award at the 2009 New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI) Conference.

Local youth have been getting out and involved this week with the Class of 09 Youth Festival underway, being held in conjunction with national youth week

There will be no increase in the cost of registering a dog in the Taupo district this year

Based on feedback from dog owners and officers working with dogs on day-to-day basis, Council are proposing some changes to the dog control bylaw and want to hear the public’s view

The recent debate held in Turangi around the use of 1080 is to be continued in Taupo

Taupo District Council has appointed a new member to Enterprise Lake Taupo – the district’s economic development agency

Council is taking a proactive stance with the management of stormwater around the district and has approved a draft stormwater strategy to go out for public review

A new transition Lake Taupo Tourism Advisory Board (LTTAB) is to develop a proposal for improved destination marketing for the district

Due to popular demand, an extra session on the proposed options for the Commercial and Industrial Structure Plan is being held on Thursday 4 June, 4.00pm – 7.00pm at the Great Lake Centre.

Coming into the long weekend Council’s road safety team and Taupo Police wish everyone an enjoyable long weekend but also want to remind drivers to take it easy on the roads and be aware of the fatal five – the main cause of road crashes

Local Taupo youth got involved with a wide range of activities, workshops and events at the ‘Class of 09’ Youth Festival held during national youth week.

Tuesday’s 1080 debate has been postponed to a special council meeting sometime next month so all sides of the argument can be heard

The Taupo Women’s Refuge received a $5,000 cheque from Eyeworks last week thanks to the Unison Taupo Lakers

The East Taupo Arterial (ETA) reached a significant project milestone with the physical digging of the road now underway.

Yesterday Council heard a number of submissions to the draft ‘Sale of Liquor’ policy and due to overwhelming public support for leaving the bars open until 3am, decided not to change the closing time but increase monitoring of host responsibility

Ninety Turangi residents have taken advantage of Taupo District Council's free voucher system for disposing of autumn leaves collected from their street frontages

Council is encouraging those with an interest in stormwater issues to head down to one of the roadshows being held early next week to find out more and provide feedback on the draft stormwater strategy

Mayor Rick Cooper and Council CEO Rob Williams will be at Sierra for a coffee and a chat with the public on Wednesday 17 June

A group of health and safety professionals in the Rotorua / Taupo region have joined forces to try and improve understanding and performance of health and safety in our area

Taupo taxis are doing their bit when it comes to community safety compared with other taxi services around the country

Taupo District Council has found bacteria in the Waihaha water supply and is strongly advising Waihaha residents to boil drinking water

Taupo District Emergency Manager is urging people to think about their “Get Ready, Get Thru” preparations and to get their essential emergency kits together

Taupo District Council has lifted the notice to boil water and given the all clear for Waihaha residents to resume drinking water from the tap

Those wanting to have their say about stormwater need to send in their submission on Council’s draft stormwater strategy by next Tuesday (30 June 2009) at 5.00pm.

Taupo District Council has installed special mixing equipment at the Whareroa wastewater treatment plant which is aimed at reducing odours for local residents

The Genesis Energy Turangi Aquatic Centre has a new pool supervisor.

Council officers are disappointed at recent cases of fly-tipping and the effect on the local environment – especially concerning is the dumping that has occurred in close proximity of Lake Taupo

According to independent Qualmark assessment reports received this week, both Taupo and Turangi i-SITEs are amongst the highest in the country

A letter of congratulations from Environment Minister Hon Nick Smith has confirmed that Taupo District Council (TDC) is one of the top performers in a recent survey of local government resource management activities.

Next month Taupo District Council will begin installing new active warning signs on Kiddle Drive and Invergarry Road adjacent to schools

There is a large thermal area above Waihi Village that poses a threat of landslide.

Media update 1 July 11.30am. Specialist scientists from GNS Science are today flying in to the Hipaua Thermal area above Waihi Village to assess the possibility of a landslip after recent earthquakes and rain.

Media update 1 July 4.00pm. Civil Defence in Taupo will tonight and tomorrow be assessing specialist advice from GNS Science and Opus on the state of the land above Waihi village on the southern shores of Lake Taupo.

Media update 2 July 2009 11.30am. Special teams of scientists are heading back into the Hipaua Thermal area this morning above the Waihi Village on Lake Taupo to continue assessing the possibility of a landslide.

Media udpdate 2 July 2009 6.30pm.State of Emergency in Turangi-Tongariro area to be lifted at 7pm (Thurs, 2 July). SH 41 to open at 7pm also. Waihi villagers able to go home

With the state of emergency at an end, Turangi’s accommodation providers, who earlier this week housed some of the evacuated Waihi Village residents, are now preparing for the busy school holiday period

International visitors to Lake Taupo are set to increase after the region was showcased to the world at New Zealand’s largest travel tradeshow last month

GNS Science yesterday reported no significant new signs of cracking or movement in the Hipaua thermal area above Waihi village, allowing villagers to return to their homes

From the middle of July, Crown Road will be temporarily closed to allow contractors to work on the East Taupo Arterial (ETA) route

Upgrades to the Tuwharetoa St pavers have been complete, just in time for the Taupo Winterfest

News and information about Lake Taupo are being zapped around the world numerous times each day

Destination Lake Taupo’s newly appointed general manager, Scott Pearson, will bring with him a variety of skills from different sectors of the tourism industry

The TT Community Board support the request from Tall Black Paora Winitana to hold a basketball development day for local youth on Wednesday 15th July

A change to ETA construction schedule has allowed Crown Road to reamin open and will no longer close on Monday 13 July as previously notified

The application by the Turangi-Tongariro Promotion Society for funds to renew existing street signs is approved by the Community Board

Operation Centreline, a road safety campaign designed to remind drivers of the consequences of crossing the centreline, has been rolled out again

Apirana Taylor is the highlight at the Taupo Public Library for the Montana NZ Poetry Day, 24 July

Passengers flying in or out of Taupo are getting a bird’s eye view of the ETA taking shape after seven weeks of the bulk earthworks being underway

According to a variety of Taupo tourism industry operators, business has been busier than usual thanks to an influx of Kiwi holidaymakers

The Taupo Superloo will be closed from Monday 20 July until the end of the week for programmed maintenance

The installation of a new pressurised water main in Acacia Bay is to begin within four weeks

Mayoral Civic Awards recognise outstanding individuals are on again this year

The ‘My Neighbourhoods’ series of events engaging with residents on local Taupo reserves has been postponed until the end of the year

The July holiday programme run by the Taupo Events Centre was a hive of activity these school holidays

A workshop on Monday, (21 July) was held to provide an update to elected members on progress with the proposed Taupo Urban Commercial and Industrial Structure Plan

Taupo will host New Zealand’s first body art festival this summer

There were record numbers attending Taupo Public Library’s July holiday programme

Taupo District Council has approved a draft Code of Practice for the development of land for public consultation

In conjunction with Maori Language Week a group of new Taupo District Council officers travelled around the district on Wednesday as part of an induction process

Taupo ratepayers and residents have returned a ringing endorsement for the work being done by their Council

The Lake Taupo region has maintained its seven percent national market share in hosting corporate conferences despite the economic pinch

The Taupo District Council’s Information Services (IS) public counter will be decommissioned on Friday and incorporated into the customer service centre of the Lake Terrace office, while on the same day two key staff celebrate 20 years working together

A new ultra violet (UV) filtration system installed in the Learn to Swim pool at AC Baths uses UV lights to sterilise the water, reducing the harsh chlorine smell

The new members for the Transition Lake Taupo Tourism Advisory Board have been appointed by Taupo District Council

As part of a series of upgrades, a group of mainly volunteers planted native trees on the banks of the Riverside Park recently

To combat high youth crash rates, Taupo Nui a Tia College are hosting an information evening this Thursday to teach parents how to “Be the Best Driving Teacher you can for your teenager”

The Taupo Museum’s famous Ora Garden received its annual health check up this week, with help from one of its designers.

Members from the Taupo Community Patrol are assisting with road safety in Taupo town by deploying the ‘Speed Trailer’ device around schools and trouble spots

His Worship the Mayor Rick Cooper swore in 30 new citizens to New Zealand at an official citizenship ceremony at the Great Lake Centre on Wednesday

His Worship the Mayor Rick Cooper swore in 30 new citizens to New Zealand at an official citizenship ceremony at the Great Lake Centre on Wednesday

Mayor Rick Cooper wishes to thank all the Taupo businesses involved in raising over $1,300 for last weekends ‘Big Night In’ telethon event.

The grand finale of Lake Taupo’s inaugural “63.3” half marathon series is drawing closer.

Taupo Library will host the annual Great Debate this Thursday, 20 August 2009, at 7pm

At the end of August, Crown Road will be temporarily closed to allow contractors to work on the East Taupo Arterial (ETA) route

The new group responsible for directing the tourism marketing of the Lake Taupo region met for the first time on Tuesday 18 August 2009

Iconic Kiwi organisation Keep New Zealand Beautiful is organising a nationwide clean-up week and has picked Taupo as one of three special locations to launch the campaign

Award winning author, reviewer, story-teller and history maker of national and international recognition, Kate De Goldi will be at the Taupo Library from 12.30 – 1.30pm on Wednesday 2 September.

The public consultation period for the Taupo District Council’s approved draft Code of Practice for the development of land is about to close

After the workshop held at the Great Lake Centre on Monday 24 August, Councillors have asked for more information before moving forward on plans to revitalise the Taupo CBD

Lake Taupo has been awarded the rights to host a trans-Tasman touch rugby series next month

The Lake Taupo region was on show all over Australia last week at a series of travel expos

The installation of a new pressurised water main in Acacia Bay will begin on 7 September on Wakeman Road

The last of 1.3 million pavers were laid at an official ceremony to mark the completion of the Great Lake Walkway on Thursday 27 August at Wharewaka Point

On Saturday 12 September, Taupo District Council and Envirowaste will be holding a free ‘e-waste’ disposal day at the Broadlands Road Landfill and Transfer Station

Taupo District Council have received record nominations for the annual Taupo Times District Youth Awards

A number of local business representatives will visit Taupo’s sister city Suzhou in China in September to further develop business opportunities between our two districts

2009 marks the 50th birthday of the seatbelt. To celebrate Taupo District Council is launching a new seatbelt campaign aimed at encouraging drivers and passengers to wear their seatbelts

Improvements to solve ongoing issues on the Kinloch lakefront reserve, particularly around traffic management, are being put to rate payers and residents in the area.

A group of Taupo District Council officers participated in Keep New Zealand Beautiful’s national “Great New Zealand Spring Clean” last week by picking up litter along the lake front and community reserves

Taupo District Council’s free electronic waste disposal day was so popular that a second shipping container is being brought in to collect the remaining e-waste.

The government intends to release the new road safety strategy ‘Safer Journeys’ in December this year, and the public are encouraged to make submissions on its priorities

Taupo Museum is currently hosting an interactive, science-based exhibition focused on our Great Lake, and school classes from around the district are queuing up to visit the exhibit

Next Wednesday, Taupo Motorsport Park is opening its track to young drivers to encourage them to improve their driving ability

Members of Forest and Bird planted native trees and shrubs in the gully between Harvey Street and Fairview Terrace as part of Conservation Week

Taupo Police were out in force on Thursday and Friday last week checking over 1000 drivers and issuing infringements to those ignoring the message to “Always wear your safety belt”

Waste from septic tanks will be transported to Taupo Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment once the facility for contractors to dispose of waste is constructed

Taupo District Council adopted the new Code of Practice at a Council meeting on Tuesday, which has incorporated a number of changes based on submissions received

Travellers flying out of Auckland’s domestic terminal may have been tempted to redirect their flights in September

Public consultation will be sought to reduce the speed on sections of road in Whakamaru from 100km per hour to 70km per hour

In mid-October a section of Broadlands Road will be temporarily closed to allow a 250 tonne crane to lift the concrete bridge beams into place for the new Broadlands Road bridge

Taupo District Council will advocate to central government to stop the aerial dropping of 1080 forthwith and to find a sustainable alternative to the use of 1080 poison to eradicate possums

Taupo District Council has found bacteria in the Waihaha water supply and is strongly advising Waihaha residents to boil drinking water.

Heavy snow falls have caused the closure of the Napier-Taupo Highway (State Highway 5), trapping dozens of people in their vehicles. Taupo Civil Defence have declared a state of emergency in the area

The Napier-Taupo Highway (State Highway 5) remains closed, with some vehicles still trapped in heavy snow

Civil Defence in Taupo have confirmed that the last of those trapped in vehicles on the Taupo side of the Napier-Taupo highway (SH5) have been rescued and are at the welfare centre in Taupo

Civil Defence and roading contractors OPUS are currently looking at beginning to retrieve cars but this will need to happen in a methodical manner – beginning with the first block of twenty and then working backwards

Taupo Civil Defence report roads will remain closed overnight and roadblocks will remain in place until further notice

Civil Defence Taupo are advising drivers of abandoned vehicles to make their way to the Great Lake Centre by 9am Tuesday, so the co-ordination effort can get underway

Civil Defence in Taupo is busy bussing the drivers of the 168 abandoned cars on SH5 between Napier and Taupo out to retrieve their cars

Most cars trapped on the Napier Taupo Highway have now been recovered and SH5 will be open later tonight (Tuesday 6 October) - hopefully before dark

Taupo Civil Defence lifted the State of Emergency at 1750 hours State Highway 5 is now open as all vehicles have been cleared.

Motorists are asked to take extreme care at this major intersection due to layout changes at the SH1/SH5 Wairakei intersection - with SH1 traffic heading south now having the right of way

Following concern expressed by residents about heavy vehicles and speeding traffic in the Invergarry Road area, temporary speed humps have been installed

Heavy rain forecast for Friday night and into Saturday morning is expected to turn to snow for the Central North Island. Civil Defence urges anyone planning to travel roads in the Central North Island to be prepared with warm clothes and blankets

Changes to the way cafes, restaurants and industrial premises can dispose of waste will be up for discussion, with a new Trade Waste Bylaw going out for consultation

A majority vote by a Council joint committee allows the planning for the urban, commercial and industrial areas in Taupo to progress to the next step

Taupo District is already a well known cycling destination and a revised Council strategy to encourage walking and cycling in the district is going out for public consultation

The school holidays are over and kids throughout Taupo headed back to school last week. Taupo District Council want to remind motorists to drive with caution around schools, and to take notice of active warning signs

Planned changes to fine tune the Taupo District Plan are currently underway and will be out for public consultation later this year

Following Taupo District Council’s resolution to advocate against the aerial application of 1080, an advocacy group has been formed to carry out Council’s decision

Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper welcomed eighteen new NZ citizens today at an official Citizenship Ceremony in the Taupo District Council Chambers

Taupo District Council has approved the tender from Blacktop Construction Ltd to resurface Ruapehu St with hotmix

The popular coffee morning with Mayor Rick Cooper and Council CEO Rob Williams has been cancelled for October, due to commitments

The ever-changing landscape of the ETA takes shape as the Broadlands Road bridge is constructed

Taupo District Council adopted a new stormwater strategy at a special Council meeting on Wednesday

Will Shirer has been appointed as the new voluntary Rural Fire Controller for Omori at a recent meeting of the Taupo District Council

The first sculpture from the Taupo Sculpture Trust, “The Cloak of Tia”, was unveiled on Friday evening by Mayor Rick Cooper and Sculpture Trust Chairman Ian Smith in front of a very appreciative crowd

On Wednesday 28 October at 8.30am Taupo Primary School in association with Taupo District Council will host “NZ’s Biggest Buckle Up”, a record breaking safety belt attempt

Learn to swim lessons at the AC Baths are now more accessible for school children in Taupo who have respiratory problems thanks to the Taupo Asthma Society

Representatives of the Taupo Community Garden Trust were commended for their excellent initiative and have been given permission to establish a community garden in Richmond Heights on a trial basis

A new electronic system of monitoring parking will keep short term parking flowing freely without the need to install paid parking in Taupo’s CBD

Taupo District Council’s Annual Report is now available. Its balance sheet presents a very healthy picture, reflecting a growing district investing in its infrastructure.

Taupo Public Library held the final school holiday programme for the year earlier this month, attracting high numbers of children

Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper joined with Booster Rooster, emergency services crews, and NZV8 driver Mark Pedersen to promote the safety belt message to the kids of Taupo Primary School in an unofficial NZ first safety belt record

Taupo District Council adopted amendments to the Dog Control Bylaw today, allowing a new dog exercise area for Turangi, while continuing to ban dogs from the Turangi Shopping Mall

East Taupo Arterial (ETA) progress is full steam ahead with the first of 14 welded steel ‘I-girders’ lifted into place over the Contact Energy steam fields

Taupo District Council has adopted a new strategy which will see Council owned venues managed with an increased customer service focus

Professor Doug Sellman delivered a challenging and informative lecture at the Suncourt Conference Centre in Taupo on Tuesday night on the topic “Ten things the alcohol industry won’t tell you about alcohol”

A free seminar focusing on workplace and community health and safety will be held at Owen Delany Park on Tuesday 10 November from 9.00am

Taupo District Council has recently purchased a defibrilltor for the Taupo Public Library, as part of a plan to have these life-saving devices strategically placed in and around the CBD

Taupo Intermediate School signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Collège Jean Mariotti of Nouméa to become ‘sister-schools’

Taupo District Councils TKMP committee have agreed to lease a portion of land to the Alpine Sports Trust so they can progress their plans to build an Ice Rink in Taupo. The lease will be for around one hectare of land on Centennial Drive, bordering the ETA

Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper is pleased that the NZ Transport Agency have approved funding to enable a connector road in the Crown Road area to address the loss of access due to the construction of the ETA

Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper is excited at what is thought to be the remnants of a family of ancient Moa on the ETA highway which is currently being constructed on the outskirts of Taupo

Mayor Rick Cooper formally recognised the recipients of the Mayoral Civic Awards at an official ceremony held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday night

Mayor Rick Cooper and Council CEO Rob Williams will be at Sierra Café for a coffee and a chat with the public on Wednesday 18 November

Hilltop School have shown their support for the environment by joining the national ‘Paper 4 Trees’ campaign, and won a recent competition for their efforts

Taupo District Council Communications Manager says claims from an unknown source about conflicts of interest regarding elected members is disappointing given the effort made to ensure these transactions are open and transparent

A group of 18 Kanak women, visiting from Noumea, exchanged arts and crafts techniques with local art groups at Wairakei Terraces on Thursday last week

The public of Taupo is being urged to get involved and have their say on the Draft Taupo Urban Commercial and Industrial Structure Plan

Students from schools around the region took part in this year’s first inter-regional school cycle skills contest in Taupo

A temporary new two-lane road is now in use to allow traffic to flow around the section of the Napier-Taupo Highway where the ETA construction is underway

Taupo’s iconic Superloo celebrated its four millionth visitor yesterday. Mayor Rick Cooper presented the lucky loo-goer with a special prize pack full of vouchers and gifts donated by local retailers

The Great Lake Centre has once again been recognised as a quality venue by being licensed to use the Qualmark – New Zealand tourism’s official quality mark

Taupo District Councillors and other officials gathered yesterday morning to mark the official opening of the new Taupo District Animal Management Centre on Centennial Drive

In mid-December a small section of Centennial Drive will be temporarily closed to allow a 220 tonne crane to lift the concrete bridge beams into place for the new Centennial Drive bridge

The AC Baths’ Aquatic Programmes Team won the inaugural New Zealand Water Safety Awareness Award for its Swim for Life and Lake Taupo Water Safety programmes

The draft Taupo Urban Commercial and Industrial Structure Plan has been approved for consultation by Taupo District Council with a comprehensive consultation process to get underway in early December

The inaugural Radio Network and Taupo District Council ‘Choice As’ business awards culminated last night with an awards and recognition evening for the winning businesses

Taupo residents and visitors will be getting a blunt reminder over the next few weeks that drinking and driving don’t mix

A series of events organised by Taupo District Council are giving people the chance to meet their neighbours in a fun and friendly atmosphere at nearby reserves

Businesses across Taupo District that discharge waste water into the Council sewers are reminded that they have until 5pm on Friday 11th December to make submissions on Council's draft Trade Waste Bylaw

Councillor Bernhard Chrustowski, a long time dedicated cyclist, has accepted the job of being the champion for walking and cycling in the Taupo District

The Mere Rd Reserve ‘Our Neighbourhood’ event scheduled for last Friday has been postponed due to bad weather, and will be held this Friday 11 December from 5pm

First time drivers need a minimum of 120 hours behind the wheel before hitting roads alone, according to NZTA

For the second year running, the men of Taupo’s Rural Fire Force have bared almost everything in a calendar to raise money for fire fighting equipment

Good local knowledge, civic minded, mature, non-confrontational, and a common sense attitude are the prerequisites sought for people to become Taupo Community Ambassadors

Next years Annual Plan consultation will include a statement of proposal to change the way destination marketing is delivered in the Taupo District

On Tuesday Council agreed to amend the speed limit along a length of road in Whakamaru

Reid's Farm, the recreation reserve on Huka Falls Road popular with informal holiday campers, has been added to the list of places where the possession and consumption of liquor is banned during the New Year period

The first in the continued Our Neighbourhood event series held at Mere Rd Reserve on Friday evening was a ‘cracker’ according to organisers

Taupo District Council today announces the development of a new garden suburb in Taupo that will provide around 2200 new homes, a wide range of living styles and housing types and benefit Taupo district ratepayers and community for generations to come.

Taupo District Council today announces the development of a new garden suburb in Taupo that will provide around 2200 new homes, a wide range of living styles and housing types and benefit Taupo district ratepayers and community for generations to come

The South African, Welsh, and Irish international rugby teams will all be calling Taupo home during parts of the 2011 Rugby World Cup

NZTA have put up an extra $3.8 million to fund the use of ‘foam bitumen’, a longer lasting road surface, for the East Taupo Arterial

In mid-January 2010, Broadlands Road will be temporarily closed to allow contractors to complete road widening and re-alignment work as part of the East Taupo Arterial construction

Councillor Christine McElwee has this morning resigned her position as Deputy Mayor of the Taupo District, but will continue her role as a Councillor for the district

Since January Taupo roads have claimed the lives of 18 people, with alcohol and speed being amongst the major contributing factors. The message from emergency services these holidays is simple "don't drink and drive".

Taupo District Council want to know what your favourite natural space or reserve is, for a chance to go in the draw to pick your own prize.

New parking eye monitors recently installed in the Taupo town centre are causing confusion for some motorists.

A new weather station on the Gascoigne Reserve is now able to tell the rest of New Zealand how hot (or not) it really is in Taupo.