As game bird hunting seasons conclude across the country, early indications suggest the 2025 season has been another successful year for New Zealand's hunting community.
With just one month to go until the much-anticipated Manu Samoa v Flying Fijians test match at Rotorua International Stadium, excitement is building - and it’s just been dialled up another level.
Award-winning hip hop legend King Kapisi MNZM has been announced as the official halftime performer, bringing his powerful Pasifika voice and high-energy stage presence to centre field on Saturday 6 September.
In recent years, adult colouring books have exploded in popularity, and it's not hard to see why. These beautifully illustrated books offer a creative outlet that's both soothing and stimulating. But beyond their entertainment value, colouring books have some surprising benefits that can positively impact both mental and emotional well-being.
Gem (My Border Terrier) and I recently took a two-week tour of the Coromandel and Rotorua. We stayed the first week in Thames (New Zealand) at my friends Chris and Shirley’s home. The following article is provided to give people who have not yet visited the Thames a small overview of what to expect when they do. Our hosts spoiled Gem and I, and we are so grateful for their support over the week we were there..
Emerging Global Trends in Fresh Produce: Insights for Aotearoa
As New Zealand settles into the colder months, global insights reveal emerging patterns that are likely to influence what Kiwi shop for, cook with, and think about fresh produce. Here are five key trends to watch for in the second half of 2025.
Entries are now open for Photographer of the Year, New Zealand’s largest and most prestigious photographic event.
AUCKLAND, Tuesday 8 July 2025: Aotearoa's high ranking as one of the world’s most self-sufficient countries is a huge source of pride for our nation’s fruit and vegetable growers who are ramping up our fresh produce supply as global trade tensions escalate.
Last Sunday, Gem and I travelled up the west coast of the Coromandel Peninsula to the stunning little settlement of Coromandel town..
The drive from Thames to Coromandel took about an hour, but was very picturesque. The road up was a bit dodgy (skinny) with loads of vehicles towing large caravans or Boats along the way. I was happy Roxanne (The Caravan) was resting back in Thames for this trip.
The first day of tour where we are staying one night in Tokaanu then a week in Thames, and a week in Rotorua was very eventful and frightening.
All in Rotorua NZ
With just one month to go until the much-anticipated Manu Samoa v Flying Fijians test match at Rotorua International Stadium, excitement is building - and it’s just been dialled up another level.
Award-winning hip hop legend King Kapisi MNZM has been announced as the official halftime performer, bringing his powerful Pasifika voice and high-energy stage presence to centre field on Saturday 6 September.
Festival headliner trio 19-Twenty will perform Saturday night.
The New Zealand Blues & BBQ Festival is already making noise, with early bird two-day passes selling out before the deadline, proving there’s a hearty appetite for this epic three-day celebration of incredible blues music and mouthwatering food, returning to Rotorua this 28-30 November.
Rotorua is standing out from the rest of the country, according to the latest Infometrics Quarterly Economic Monitor, with the district recording positive movement across several key areas, despite a challenging national economic environment.
Photo by Jeanne Rouillard on Unsplash
Rotorua is fast becoming “the” destination to acknowledge and celebrate Matariki, with jam-packed schedule of events, music, activities and a sacred dawn ceremony – all of which enable locals and manuhiri alike to share the tikanga and magic that Matariki brings.
Explore Central North Island (ECNI), a marketing collective of eight regional tourism organisations (RTOs), is proud to announce a bold new trade initiative targeting the North American market, delivered in partnership with Air New Zealand USA.
Rotorua and Hei Āhuru Mōwai Māori Cancer Leadership Aotearoa will bring Indigenous voices, knowledge, and innovations to the forefront as hosts of the World Indigenous Cancer Conference (WICC) 2026.
Rotorua is bursting with pride as three of its premier tourism attractions have been honoured with four prestigious Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, highlighting the city's unparalleled experiences and natural beauty.
Rotorua Canopy Tours’ Original Tour has set an exceptional standard, earning two coveted Best of the Best Things to Do awards. It clinched the number one spot in the Top Experiences New Zealand category and achieved an impressive 10th place in the Nature & Outdoors – World category. This recognition underscores Rotorua Canopy Tours’ commitment to providing unforgettable adventures while showcasing the region's stunning environment.
A new report underscores Rotorua's position as a leading international destination for spa and wellness tourism, drawing attention to the city's rich geothermal resources and diverse offerings. With global interest in health and wellbeing continuing to increase, the report predicts visitor spend by Rotorua spa and wellness holidaymakers, could jump from the $277.6 million spent in 2023, to $408.2 million in just a few years.
The International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) has reconfirmed Rotorua’s status as one of the world’s best mountain biking destinations by renewing the city’s gold-level Ride Centre™ status for another four years. There are currently only six gold-level IMBA Ride Centres in the world.
Lisa was born in Auckland at the start of the 1970s, living in a small campsite community on the North Shore called Browns Bay. She spent a significant part of her life with her grandparents, often hanging out at the beaches. Lisa has many happy memories from those days at Browns Bay beach, where fish were plentiful on the point and the ocean was rich in seaweed. She played in the water for hours, going home totally “sun-kissed.” “An adorable time to grow up,” Lisa tells me.
Lisa enjoyed many sports; she was a keen tennis player and netballer, playing in the top teams for her age right up until the family moved to Wellington. Lisa was fifteen years old, which unfortunately marked the end of her sporting career. Local teams were well established in Wellington, and her attention was drawn elsewhere.