Danielle Zollickhofer

5 days ago | nzherald.co.nz | Danielle Zollickhofer

Former New Zealand National Fieldays Society chief executive Peter Nation at Mystery Creek. Photo / Stephen Barker PhotographyA rural legend has been recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours. Former Fieldays chief executive Peter Nation, 64, was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to agricultural industry and governance. Nation, born in the Rangitikei district into a longstanding farming family, has contributed to the rural sector since the 1980s.

6 days ago | nzherald.co.nz | Danielle Zollickhofer

The Kings Birthday Honours list 2025 is out. Photo / Max Mumby, Getty ImagesWaikato community stalwarts have gained royal attention; at least 15 people with connections to the region have been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours. Overall, 188 Kiwis have been recognised, the majority located in the Auckland and Canterbury areas. The highest honour awarded to a Waikato local is the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Danielle Zollickhofer

The community has started to send Boom Boom on adventures around town. Image / Lakeland Marine Services Facebook pageBoom Boom the dinosaur might be unpopular with a lot of local ratepayers, but parts of the community seem to be embracing the frenzy about the town’s latest addition. The nearly 10m tall, $200,000 sculpture, made from mirror-polished stainless steel and corten steel, was unveiled at Taupō’s Riverside Park earlier this month and has attracted a flood of comments.

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Danielle Zollickhofer

Hamilton Airport welcomes domestic jet services from September. Photo / Hamilton and Waikato TourismIt’s all go at Hamilton Airport which has just announced it will welcome back domestic jet services after 25 years. Air New Zealand revealed this week that it would operate a 171-seat Airbus A320 on a Hamilton–Christchurch afternoon route from September. The news comes as Hamilton Airport amps up for its first international Jetstar flights to Sydney and the Gold Coast next month.

2 weeks ago | newstalkzb.co.nz | Danielle Zollickhofer

International flights will return to Hamilton Airport after a 13-year hiatus. Danielle Zollickhofer checks out the upgraded terminal before travellers start checking in. It’s almost time for Hamilton Airport’s first international boarding call since 2012 - and the airport is more than ready. An empty duty-free space, a bit of sawdust, and no queues in front of the customs or security check are the only hints that there are still a couple of weeks to go until the airport’s new chapter starts.