News

Making public transport attractive

By Andy Baker, Franklin ward councillor Politicians used to be accused of being willing to go to the opening of an envelope; that isn’t...

Master Builders House of the Year – awards for Franklin homes

Some of Franklin’s finest homes have been recognised at the recent 2026 Master Builders House of the Year Auckland/Northland/Coromandel regional awards. While missing the supreme...

Eagle, dog help corner fleeing driver

An alleged fleeing driver was cornered in a bedroom last night with the help of a police dog unit and the Eagle chopper. Police signalled...

Flat Bush crash fatal, police confirm

A person has died following a road crash between a car and motorcycle in nearby Flat Bush yesterday afternoon, police have confirmed. The crash was...

Magnificent views, wonderful community

Nestled in the heart of the Hokianga, Rawene is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most charming harbour towns. An opportunity to own a lovely...

Principal in person with Roger Goulstone, Valley School

How long have you been an educator, and where did you train? I started my training at Auckland Teachers College in 1985, so I have...

My Local: Whangarata Community Hall

Nearly halfway between Tuakau and Pokeno is the Whangarata Community Hall. The hall was originally the Whangarata School, built in 1926 to replace the...

Jan Maree Vodanovich – imagination runs wild

Wild horses couldn’t drag Jan Maree Vodanovich away from New Zealand’s Kaimanawa wild horses. In her new book – titled Heart and Soul –...

Best new books

ANOTHER DAY LIKE YESTERDAY, RRP $40 A collection of rollicking tales from Guy Clapshaw’s early days flying for Air New Zealand. Back in the mid-1960s,...

What we are watching

AGATHA CHRISTIE’S SEVEN DIALS Netflix England. 1925. At a lavish country house party, a practical joke appears to have gone horribly, murderously wrong. It will be...