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🐋 Whales off New Plymouth - 📸 Thanks to Sean Dent for sending in via our community group Photos of Taranaki - now with 8...
12/12/2025

🐋 Whales off New Plymouth - 📸 Thanks to Sean Dent for sending in via our community group Photos of Taranaki - now with 80,000 members - see and share photos from all around Taranaki 🗻

🚨🚔 NPDC press release: Family, fun and good times in New Plymouth district are back for the summer, and NPDC and the Pol...
12/12/2025

🚨🚔 NPDC press release: Family, fun and good times in New Plymouth district are back for the summer, and NPDC and the Police are working together to keep it that way.

With big events like the TSB Festival of Lights and concerts at the Bowl of Brooklands, great parks and some of the best beaches in the country, the district will be buzzing over the next few months.

New Plymouth District Mayor Max Brough doesn’t want to see a few people’s bad behaviour ruining the summer and says there will be zero tolerance to “drunken and anti-social nonsense”.

“We’re not putting up with any crappy behaviour in town this summer,” says Mayor Max. “It makes a mess of our city and is turning people off going to places like Puke Ariki.”

Mayor Max says the issues have prevailed for too long despite many efforts to assist NPDC.

“We’ve got too much invested in our district to let a few people ruin it for everyone. Ratepayers’ money has gone into making our city centre a better place, such as work to open up the Huatoki, set to start in the new year, and creating safe spaces and supporting projects providing storage for rough sleepers’ property.”

NPDC is also bringing back its City Safe Compliance Officers for 12 months from 13 January following positive feedback from local businesses last year, to work alongside Police to make sure the celebrations stay peaceful.

New Zealand Police Acting Taranaki Area Commander Inspector Darin Haenga said officers would continue to enforce the alcohol bylaw which bans public drinking in the city centre, central Waitara, as well as Pukekura Park outside of exempted events.

“The summer holiday period brings with it a few more alcohol related challenges. We will be taking a zero-tolerance approach, and any time we identify a ban being breached, we will be taking appropriate action,” said Haenga.

NPDC’s three City Safe Compliance Officers will work closely with local support agencies, the YMCA and the Police. If required they can trespass individuals from private property, remove possessions and enforce Freedom Camping Bylaws.

📸 Photo caption: Inspector Darin Haenga and Mayor Max Brough plan to tackle bad behaviour in the city centre.

Gotta love Taranaki at this time of year! 140+ homes from all around the Maunga (and even a few cars!) have embraced the...
11/12/2025

Gotta love Taranaki at this time of year! 140+ homes from all around the Maunga (and even a few cars!) have embraced the festive spirit with Christmas-themed lighting and decorations.

Find them on the "Taranaki Media Christmas Light Trail" interactive map where you can see all the homes, get info and directions for each one, and bring up a list view by opening the sidebar which then allows you to filter down by location.

👇 Info below:

Taranaki Base Hospital’s new East Wing building (NEWB) has passed a major milestone, with more than 1 million work hours...
10/12/2025

Taranaki Base Hospital’s new East Wing building (NEWB) has passed a major milestone, with more than 1 million work hours logged on-site since construction began in mid-2022.

The six-storey, 20,000 square metre building is part of a wider hospital upgrade that now carries a total budget of more than $460 million.

Once opened, it'll bring together many services that are currently spread around older buildings on the site, including the Emergency Department, an acute assessment unit, Intensive Care Unit, maternity and primary birthing facilities, a neonatal unit, radiology, and laboratory services, as well as an Integrated Operations Centre coordinating activity across the campus.

The new building will provide 151 patient spaces (55 more than the current capacity), plus 34 laboratory workstations along with bridges linking each floor directly to the existing Acute Services Building that opened in 2013.

👇 Full story & timelapse video below:

As part of a presentation at a council workshop today, officers announced that $545,374 of cost savings have been identi...
10/12/2025

As part of a presentation at a council workshop today, officers announced that $545,374 of cost savings have been identified with the Queen Street development project, which would reduce the cost from the budgeted $3.5m down to ~$2.9m.

👇 Full story below with an outline of where savings were found:

🌊 Lake Rotomanu will be drained this week as scientists move to understand the full extent of a freshwater gold clam inv...
10/12/2025

🌊 Lake Rotomanu will be drained this week as scientists move to understand the full extent of a freshwater gold clam invasion in one of New Plymouth’s most popular lakes.

The invasive clam Corbicula fluminea, also known as freshwater gold clam, was confirmed in Lake Rotomanu on 8 November - the first time it has been found in New Zealand outside the Waikato River, where it was first detected in 2023.

The lake’s outlet is due to be opened on Thursday 11 December. Taranaki Regional Council expects it will take around four days for the 10-hectare lake to empty. During that period, fish will be harvested in partnership with local hapū Ngāti Te Whiti, with as many as possible to be used.

👇 Full story

📖 NPDC councillor and former frontline police officer John Woodward has released a 400-page autobiography. He describes ...
09/12/2025

📖 NPDC councillor and former frontline police officer John Woodward has released a 400-page autobiography. He describes the book as a story of resilience, service and the realities of policing in Aotearoa, tracing his journey through roles as a frontline constable and supervisor, Armed Offenders Squad member, Diplomatic Protection officer, medic, trainer and bravery award recipient.

The book promises an unfiltered look at life in uniform, taking readers inside armed stand-offs, dangerous pursuits, high-profile incidents and international events, as well as the quieter but often more haunting moments of grief, loss and trauma that come with policing.

Full story 👇

08/12/2025

🎄🎅✨ Bell Block Christmas Parade 2025 highlights video 📹

A stunning Taranaki sunset tonight ☀️📸 Hayden Elmes
08/12/2025

A stunning Taranaki sunset tonight ☀️

📸 Hayden Elmes

Until now, most people needing radiation therapy from Taranaki have had to travel long distances, usually to Palmerston ...
08/12/2025

Until now, most people needing radiation therapy from Taranaki have had to travel long distances, usually to Palmerston North or Whanganui, often for short appointments that lasted only minutes. Now, for the first time, most of that treatment can be delivered here at home with Taranaki's own Linear Accelerator (often called a LINAC) at Base Hospital’s brand new Cancer Centre, treating its very first patient last week.

Full story, photos & video 👇

Dec 9th 4:45pm update: The fire is now fully contained.— Dec 9th 8:30am update: The fire is contained on the northern fl...
08/12/2025

Dec 9th 4:45pm update: The fire is now fully contained.

—

Dec 9th 8:30am update: The fire is contained on the northern flank where it meets the area burnt in last month’s fire. The wind is forecast to change direction this morning, which will push it towards unburnt vegetation and may cause flare-ups in areas that were burnt yesterday. The Incident Controller, Assistant Commander Renee Potae, says they have planned for that and are focusing on that flank of the fire this morning.

--

Dec 9th 6:45am update:

• Mild weather conditions overnight. 3 crews of firefighters monitored the fire overnight and dealt with one flare up.
• The fire size has not changed - still 322ha with an 8.5km perimeter.
• This morning there will be 30 firefighters on the ground with 4 helicopters using monsoon buckets and a 5th coordinating the air attack. Fixed wing aircraft are on standby if needed.

--

Dec 8th 10:30pm update: Some good news to close off the night - the fire is 50% contained and no structures have been damaged. The fire has burnt 322ha of alpine vegetation with a perimeter of 8.5km.

• Firefighters will be on the fireground overnight to respond to any flare ups, with active firefighting resuming in the morning. Air operations finished at 8.30pm. Three crews with a tanker will be working through the night, supported by the command unit.
• The fire has moved towards the area which was burnt last month, and this has enabled the aircraft to contain the southern flank of the fire.
• A wind change forecast for the morning could cause flare ups, and potentially push the fire into unburnt vegetation.
• DOC is providing updates on the status of its tracks and access to other parts of the Tongariro National Park.

--

Dec 8th 8pm update: Aggressive air attack and ground operations will continue until dusk. Crews are hitting the fire hard and making the most of the daylight to try and get it contained.

Here’s the latest information:

• The fire is estimated to have burnt 322 hectares and is about 25% contained.
• About 60 firefighters with 16 fire trucks supported by helicopters are working into the evening, with additional helicopters on the way.
• An incident management team has been established.
• FENZ are working closely with DOC and Manawhenua. DOC has asked visitors to leave the Whakapapa Village as a precaution and has closed the Whakapapa Village tracks. Residents of the village have been advised to prepare for possible evacuation.
• A fire investigation is underway, but initial indications are that it was not caused intentionally. It’s understandable that people want to know how this fire started and they deserve facts, not rumours. FENZ are working with Police to confirm the origin and cause of the fire and will provide more information when it is available.
• If you live in the vicinity of the fire, it's recommend you avoid exposure to smoke from the fire by keeping your doors and windows closed.
• SH47 from Waimarino to Tongariro is closed between the intersections of SH46 and SH48.

--

Dec 8th 3:30pm update from FENZ advises that the fires have spread to cover 110 hectares, after first being alerted at 1:10pm. 5 helicopters, 10 trucks and 6 support vehicles are working to extinguish the fire.

Crews from National Park, Owhango, Whakapapa, Ruapehu Rural, Waimarino Rural, Turangi, Southern Lake Taupo Rural and Whanganui are in attendance.

The fire is on the eastern side of State Highway 47 in the vicinity of Tongariro National Park.

Police have advised that the road between State Highway 48 and Mangatepopo Road is now closed. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

This photo attached is from the November wildfire, which ended up burning around 3,000 hectares in the same area, lasting multiple days before rain helped to extinguish it.u

🔥🚨 FENZ advises that crews are responding to multiple vegetation fires in the vicinity of Tongariro National Park near S...
08/12/2025

🔥🚨 FENZ advises that crews are responding to multiple vegetation fires in the vicinity of Tongariro National Park near State Highway 47.

There are two fires measuring 30 metres by 200 metres on the eastern side of the highway heading towards Mt Ngauruhoe. Crews are also responding to a third fire on State Highway 47, which they have had some difficulty reaching.

There are currently five fire trucks in attendance with support from three helicopters. More trucks are on the way, with a further two helicopters on standby if needed.

--

Dec 8th Update 3:15pm: Police advise State Highway 47, Tongariro is currently closed between State Highway 48 and Mangatepopo Road.

--

Dec 8th Update 3:30pm: FENZ advises that the fires have spread to cover 110 hectares, after first being alerted at 1:10pm. 5 helicopters, 10 trucks and 6 support vehicles are working to extinguish the fire.

Crews from National Park, Owhango, Whakapapa, Ruapehu Rural, Waimarino Rural, Turangi, Southern Lake Taupo Rural and Whanganui are in attendance.

The fire is on the eastern side of State Highway 47 in the vicinity of Tongariro National Park.

Police have advised that the road between State Highway 48 and Mangatepopo Road is now closed. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

This photo attached is from the November wildfire, which ended up burning around 3,000 hectares in the same area, lasting multiple days before rain helped to extinguish it.

--

Dec 8th 8pm update: Aggressive air attack and ground operations will continue until dusk. Crews are hitting the fire hard and making the most of the daylight to try and get it contained.

Here’s the latest information:

• The fire is estimated to have burnt 322 hectares and is about 25% contained.
• About 60 firefighters with 16 fire trucks supported by helicopters are working into the evening, with additional helicopters on the way.
• An incident management team has been established.
• FENZ are working closely with DOC and Manawhenua. DOC has asked visitors to leave the Whakapapa Village as a precaution and has closed the Whakapapa Village tracks. Residents of the village have been advised to prepare for possible evacuation.
• A fire investigation is underway, but initial indications are that it was not caused intentionally. It’s understandable that people want to know how this fire started and they deserve facts, not rumours. FENZ are working with Police to confirm the origin and cause of the fire and will provide more information when it is available.
• If you live in the vicinity of the fire, it's recommend you avoid exposure to smoke from the fire by keeping your doors and windows closed.
• SH47 from Waimarino to Tongariro is closed between the intersections of SH46 and SH48.

--

Dec 8th 10:30pm update: Some good news to close off the night - the fire is 50% contained and no structures have been damaged. The fire has burnt 322ha of alpine vegetation with a perimeter of 8.5km.

• Firefighters will be on the fireground overnight to respond to any flare ups, with active firefighting resuming in the morning. Air operations finished at 8.30pm. Three crews with a tanker will be working through the night, supported by the command unit.
• The fire has moved towards the area which was burnt last month, and this has enabled the aircraft to contain the southern flank of the fire.
• A wind change forecast for the morning could cause flare ups, and potentially push the fire into unburnt vegetation.
• DOC is providing updates on the status of its tracks and access to other parts of the Tongariro National Park.

--

Dec 9th 6:45am update:

• Mild weather conditions overnight. 3 crews of firefighters monitored the fire overnight and dealt with one flare up.
• The fire size has not changed - still 322ha with an 8.5km perimeter.
• This morning there will be 30 firefighters on the ground with 4 helicopters using monsoon buckets and a 5th coordinating the air attack. Fixed wing aircraft are on standby if needed.

--

Dec 9th 8:30am update: The fire is contained on the northern flank where it meets the area burnt in last month’s fire. The wind is forecast to change direction this morning, which will push it towards unburnt vegetation and may cause flare-ups in areas that were burnt yesterday. The Incident Controller, Assistant Commander Renee Potae, says they have planned for that and are focusing on that flank of the fire this morning.

—

Dec 9th 4:45pm update: The fire is now fully contained.

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Taranaki Photos, News, Giveaways & More

On this page I share photos from all around Taranaki, community news, local events, giveaways and more.

I’m a real estate consultant based in Stratford, Taranaki. My hobbies include landscape photography and travel.

Check out the Facebook group I run called "Photos of Taranaki." It's an active place for people to see and share photos from all around Taranaki. Visit the group and join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/photos.of.taranak

I hope you enjoy the photos and other content I share. All feedback is welcome - you can contact me at (020) 486 6975, email [email protected] or PM me.