The counties power Christmas lights - Trains at night
Glenbrook Vintage Railway will be lighting up Franklin with festive cheer this year with a new Christmas experience.
The Counties Power Christmas Lights – Trains at Night event will see the charitable organisation's trains, station and buildings dressed in Christmas lights, a special Christmas Express train service, visits from Santa, a Christmas market and much more.
The Counties Power Christmas Lights - Trains at Night will run from 14-16 and 20-23 December in the lead up to Christmas from 7pm till 11pm.
The first train is at 7.30, and will run half hourly to the workshops and return.
There will be a Santa's grotto, night markets, train rides, entertainment and lots more.
Book your tickets now:
General Admission $10.00 (Ages 2 and older)
Family Admission $40.00 (Up to 2 adults and 4 children aged 14 to 2 years)
Under 2s free
Your ticket entitles you to 1 Train Ride and site entry. Additional train ride tickets can be purchased on the day.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Will these roadworks affect you?
Don’t expect a quick trip between Cambridge and Tamahere for much of this year, because major roadworks are starting.
Asphalt works on that section of Waikato Expressway will run from March through to late 2026, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says. Motorists are warned to plan for significant delays.
“Unfortunately the pavement, particularly in the slow lanes, has deteriorated faster than expected,” NZTA’s Roger Brady said.
Will these roadworks affect you? Tell us more in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
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