The Waikato Local
Destination park changes hands
Over the course of 34 years, a former quarry has been transformed into a place of recreation and inspiration and become a Waikato visitor attraction. John and Dorothy Wakeling created the Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum in the 17.5ha...
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Carrying Mia through hardest days
Ten-year-old Mia Irwin was a fit, active kid who loved netball and biking, until a series of unexplained symptoms led to a cancer diagnosis in July last year. Her mum, Renee Irwin, said life turned upside down overnight. She has to work remotely so...
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Matamata’s taste of local goodness
Matamata is hosting the newest farmers’ market to open in Waikato with the aim of promoting local produce and giving the economy a boost. Behind the new Sunday market is Shayna Gaskell, who said when she moved to Matamata a little more than two years...
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Ruru takes flight in Putāruru
A new mural on a prominent wall of Woolworths Putāruru was inspired by a 10-year-old’s musings over ice cream. Daniel Kritzinger was cycling through Putāruru with his grandmother Haidee Kritzinger in mid-2024, when they stopped for an ice cream by...
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