Nukuhau, Taupo

Have you got your tickets yet?

Have you got your tickets yet?

For just $15, you could win a fully furnished home in Clarks Beach, Auckland worth over $1 million. Buy your tickets today!

1267 days ago

Age Concern freephone line 0800 65 2 105

The Team from Age Concern New Zealand

If you have safety concerns for yourself, or an older friend or family member you can call us for free and confidential advice and support.


There are many reasons why elder abuse occurs. It often stems from attitudes that are ageist, and disrespectful of older people.

The majority of cases … View more
If you have safety concerns for yourself, or an older friend or family member you can call us for free and confidential advice and support.


There are many reasons why elder abuse occurs. It often stems from attitudes that are ageist, and disrespectful of older people.

The majority of cases that Age Concerns work with involves older people living in their own homes. In most instances it is family members like adult children who perpetrate elder abuse or neglect.


Call 0800 65 2 105 to contact your nearest Age Concern

Image
M
1259 days ago

Holiday Music for Visitors

Mark from South Taupo

If you're entertaining music-loving visitors to theTaupo area this weekend, you might care to check out the Kinloch Music Group's ceili-style jam sessions on Sunday 18 July from 3-5pm at the Kinloch Hall, Mata Pl opposite the marina. BYO instruments, your voice or just sit back and enjoy … View moreIf you're entertaining music-loving visitors to theTaupo area this weekend, you might care to check out the Kinloch Music Group's ceili-style jam sessions on Sunday 18 July from 3-5pm at the Kinloch Hall, Mata Pl opposite the marina. BYO instruments, your voice or just sit back and enjoy a fun-filled couple of hours with music you're bound to know.

The sessions are held regularly on the 3rd Sunday of the month and are hosted by a local band - The Algae Blooms.

Image
1259 days ago

This week's latest Blueprint

Hamilton Harcourts

View Hamilton Harcourts' latest interactive Blueprint.

If you'd like to receive Blueprint in your inbox each week, subscribe here.
Read More

Image
1259 days ago

Coffee meet with Louise Upston MP in Taupo, Saturday 17 July

Louise Upston from Louise Upston MP

I'm planning to be in Taupo on Saturday 17 July and we are getting together at Baked with Love at 9am. If you are out and about, why not pop by and join us for a hot cuppa and a chat?   Hope to see you there. :)  Louise

LUN Press Ad 126x90mm (Baked with Love 17 July 2021).pdf Download View

1261 days ago

Well-traveled carer has experience but not the pieces of paper

The Team Reporter from Taupō Times

Sheree Petersen has had an interesting and full working life but a lack of formal qualifications is holding the 58-year-old back from finding work.
This, despite three decades working as a professional carer in England and the United States.
“I spent nine years in England, 23 years in Los Angeles… View more
Sheree Petersen has had an interesting and full working life but a lack of formal qualifications is holding the 58-year-old back from finding work.
This, despite three decades working as a professional carer in England and the United States.
“I spent nine years in England, 23 years in Los Angeles and then I got the offer of a lifetime to go to Hawaii, my flight would be paid, I would have my own room, own bathroom, floor to ceiling ocean views, convertible Camaro and to name my price. And this man had two weeks to two months to live and with my sole care he lived for another seven and a half years.

“Now I can’t get a job because it’s all agencies... I don’t have any piece of paper that says I have the qualifications.”

Her experience has made her contemplative rather than bitter.

“My message to young people today is that school doesn’t work for all of us, but if you find what you love, some kind of employment that’s never like working... do it well and you get better at it.”

She was hopeful for herself and others, she said.

“I am currently homeless, from having an awesome, awesome life and travelling, I have come back to New Zealand to a very different scene. And I am starting from the bottom again, but I definitely know this is not a forever situation... I think going through this gives one humility, so when you are up to the next level and the next, you are better able to help other people because you identify.”

Petersen’s father drowned when her mother was pregnant with her, she said, and she moved to Taupō in her early teens to escape an abusive step-father.

She soon left school and found a job at stationers and toy store Leisure Time.

“I drank after hours and in the weekends rather excessively. I never drank to enjoy a drink. I drank for the oblivion it would give me from what I didn’t want to remember.”

At 16 or 17, she was sent to Hanmer Springs.

“I hitch-hiked down there. Truck drivers picked me up… It was a whole lot safer than now.”

Since that short two months of treatment in the early 1980s, she has not drunk since.

But a desire to then study nursing fell flat when she wasn’t accepted into the small class at Tauranga Hospital.

“At that time I just saw death or jail. I didn’t see my life going forward.”

However an invitation from an old friend to visit England set her up.

“I had enough money for a one-way ticket… and I clearly remember my mother saying ‘if you get in trouble over there don’t think you’re calling us’.

“Next thing I remember is sitting on the plane saying ‘my life, my rules’ so that was the beginning of some awesome decisions.”

She even bumped into Elton John while working in the private Princess Margaret Hospital in Windsor, just outside of London.

“Even though I didn’t get accepted for nursing here I pursued that path… because I loved what I was doing I asked questions, I showed initiative. And after nine years in England I went on to America and worked in a private hospital in the operating room because of the experience I had.”

Eventually she ended up taking care of people in their own homes, including a doctor’s wife who had fallen off her bike and been in a coma for three months.

“She had a catheter, a feeding tube and a tracheotomy, her eyes couldn’t focus. The husband wanted to bring her home, there was nothing more they could do.”

Petersen cared for her for nine months - “longer than anybody had expected.”

And her reputation led to the offer in Hawaii.

“They said this man had suspected lung cancer, hadn’t been to the doctor in years, had congestive heart failure, a brain aneurysm and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, he was 50 pound underweight and he was six three.

“He lived for seven and a half years and he didn’t die of lung cancer, he had an aortic aneurysm.”

Coming back to New Zealand though hasn’t really met her expectations.

“I was brought up in the Maori culture and it was being among the Hawaians that gave me the desire to come home. If I’d known then what I know now I wouldn’t have come,” she said with a wry smile.

After 18 months in Tauranga she’s treating a return to Taupō as an opportunity.

“What’s happened, has happened, it can’t be undone… how we think about it and the attention we give it, we have the power to change...

“I really want to use what I feel is a gift. I don’t have the pieces of paper but I have a wealth of experience and I’m really looking to help somebody to be able to stay in their own home, be that private carer to help in whatever way is needed.”

Sheree Petersen can be contacted on 021 090 00099.

Image
1260 days ago

Do you know a greenfingered hero in your community?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

NZ Gardener is again looking for greenfingered good sorts – individuals or groups who have used gardening skills to help other people. Five finalists will feature in the October magazine and one will go on to become 2021 Gardener of the Year! There are some amazing prizes up for grabs so if you … View moreNZ Gardener is again looking for greenfingered good sorts – individuals or groups who have used gardening skills to help other people. Five finalists will feature in the October magazine and one will go on to become 2021 Gardener of the Year! There are some amazing prizes up for grabs so if you know a homegrown hero who is using their gardening skills for good, nominate them now!

Image
1260 days ago

Half Price Pay Monthly plans!

Heathcotes

Looking to upgrade your phone? Join an eligible 2Degrees Pay Monthly plan with Heathcote Appliances this month and get 50% off for the first 3 months.*

Get unlimited calls & texts & choose between endless or carryover data. PLUS, all pay monthly plans come with a free data hour each day!… View more
Looking to upgrade your phone? Join an eligible 2Degrees Pay Monthly plan with Heathcote Appliances this month and get 50% off for the first 3 months.*

Get unlimited calls & texts & choose between endless or carryover data. PLUS, all pay monthly plans come with a free data hour each day!

Come and see us at one of our four Waikato stores to explore our huge range of models – including the latest from the big brands like Apple, Oppo & Samsung.
Shop now

Image
1261 days ago

No barriers to learning

Competenz

"Being deaf is no barrier to learning and seeing someone like me achieving qualifications and working in a job that has a lot of responsibility has hopefully encouraged them to give it a go.”

When Erich Krogmann started the Food and Beverage Level 2 qualification, he had to learn how to … View more
"Being deaf is no barrier to learning and seeing someone like me achieving qualifications and working in a job that has a lot of responsibility has hopefully encouraged them to give it a go.”

When Erich Krogmann started the Food and Beverage Level 2 qualification, he had to learn how to balance study with a night job and a young family, but his main challenge came in the form of his hearing disability.

Erich says he thinks he’s inspired other people with a disability to take on training.
Read Erichs full story here

Image
1261 days ago

No barriers to learning

Competenz

"Being deaf is no barrier to learning and seeing someone like me achieving qualifications and working in a job that has a lot of responsibility has hopefully encouraged them to give it a go.”

When Erich Krogmann started the Food and Beverage Level 2 qualification, he had to learn how to … View more
"Being deaf is no barrier to learning and seeing someone like me achieving qualifications and working in a job that has a lot of responsibility has hopefully encouraged them to give it a go.”

When Erich Krogmann started the Food and Beverage Level 2 qualification, he had to learn how to balance study with a night job and a young family, but his main challenge came in the form of his hearing disability.

Erich says he thinks he’s inspired other people with a disability to take on training.
Read Erichs full story here

Image
1262 days ago

Push further, defy expectations!

No one dreams bigger than an Olympian, and nothing connects us as a nation quite like sport!
As a proud partner of the New Zealand Olympic Team, we’re getting behind our Olympians so they can turn their dreams into a reality.
Learn more

Image
1264 days ago

Paint a cute cane basket

The Team from Resene ColorShop Taupo

Bring some ordinary storage baskets to life using a few Resene testpots of Resene Nero, Resene Glamour Puss and Resene White and some leafy house plants!

Find out how to create your own.

Image
1266 days ago

This week's latest Blueprint

Hamilton Harcourts

View Hamilton Harcourts' latest interactive Blueprint.

If you'd like to receive Blueprint in your inbox each week, subscribe here.
Read more

Image
1266 days ago

Matariki ki Taupō (Matariki in Taupō)

Darren Petry from Taupō District Council

Celebrate Matariki in Taupō district at Whakanuia! An intimate evening of kapa haka and performing arts featuring Ngā Taikura ō Tūwharetoa and special guest Whirimako Black performing this Sunday, July 11.

Event coordinator Piata Winitana-Murray said the event is supported by Taupō District … View more
Celebrate Matariki in Taupō district at Whakanuia! An intimate evening of kapa haka and performing arts featuring Ngā Taikura ō Tūwharetoa and special guest Whirimako Black performing this Sunday, July 11.

Event coordinator Piata Winitana-Murray said the event is supported by Taupō District Council to offer local Matariki celebrations.

“It’s great to be able to host Ngā Taikura ō Tūwharetoa, the local kaumatua kapa haka group. They usually perform annually at Te Papa in Wellington as part of a nation-wide Matariki celebration but this year they’re performing in their hometown – so the community can enjoy and celebrate the beauty and energy of our kaumatua at home during Matariki.

“Also performing is one of Aotearoa’s most distinctive soul and jazz artist, Whirimako Black,” said Ms Winitana-Murray.

Whirimako Black has been awarded Best Māori Album, Best Jazz Album, a Silver Scroll for Best Māori Composition, and in 2006 was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori music. Whirimako’s career spans eight albums across te reo Māori and English, recording everything from covers of jazz standards, U2 and Stevie Wonder to Ngāi Tūhoe waiata and her own compositions, all in her signature, velvety smooth style.

Local kapa haka group Te Ahi Tipua, female performing art group Tupono Collective, and Matariki kōrero and Kaupapa will kick-off the afternoon’s entertainment.

Sunday, July 11
3 to 6pm
Great Lake Centre

Tickets cost $5 and are available at trybooking.com/nz/HSX

Image
1267 days ago

Meet Chris Luxon MP, guest at our Taupo Friendly Forum

Louise Upston from Louise Upston MP

Christopher Luxon is joining us as our guest in Taupo on Friday 9 July, we would love to see you at our Friendly Forum at 10am at Rotary House, 12 Story Place.  Chris is an award-winning business and family man. He is also the National Spokesperson for Local Government, Māori Development and … View moreChristopher Luxon is joining us as our guest in Taupo on Friday 9 July, we would love to see you at our Friendly Forum at 10am at Rotary House, 12 Story Place.  Chris is an award-winning business and family man. He is also the National Spokesperson for Local Government, Māori Development and Associate Spokesperson for Transport. Read more about Chris' journey and we hope to see you there. christopherluxon.national.org.nz...

RSVP is encouraged to ensure we arrange enough seating and catering.

LUN DLE Flyer (Taupo FF 9 July 2021) - Updated with Chris Luxon.pdf Download View

1268 days ago

Is your business future-ready?

Competenz

We are in a new era of change and an adaptable workforce is the best asset you can have. The right capability can open up massive opportunities for your business.

You may already have ambitious plans. So how do you build capability? By giving staff the opportunity to turn hidden talents into … View more
We are in a new era of change and an adaptable workforce is the best asset you can have. The right capability can open up massive opportunities for your business.

You may already have ambitious plans. So how do you build capability? By giving staff the opportunity to turn hidden talents into new skills!
But it’s hard to know where to start, or even where to turn for advice. That’s where Competenz can help. We’re your industry training partner, turning talent into capability.

Image
Top