The Waikato Local
Amazing support for teen Talyn
Talyn Print is a 13-year-old who, like many other Waikato teenagers, has a passion for crafts. The walls of bedroom are plastered in his work. He was also born with two rare genetic conditions. The primary one is KAT6A syndrome, which is so rare that...
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Veges go punk at festival
What is arguably the country’s favourite ukulele band officially launches a song at Hamilton Arts Festival this month to encourage kids to eat more vegetables. The Nukes have recorded Vege Punk ,a new kids’ song that is unashamedly loud, proud and...
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Precious gift unites generations
A mystery gift is helping a Waikato youngster carve out her future. Hamilton’s Whitiora School recently featured in a TVNZ Seven Sharp bulletin about the its Tipu Ake carving programme run by Te Kōhao Health and taught by Whakairo Master Rei...
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Kho kho: New sport for Waikato with serious global ambitions
A relatively unknown game is hoping to break into the local sporting scene and attract players with the aim of taking part in a Commonwealth championship next month. Kho kho is a highly competitive tag game for enhancing fitness and agility that is...
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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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