Mike Tweed

New Zealand

Multimedia Journalist at New Zealand Herald

Multimedia Journalist at Whanganui Chronicle

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Articles

Housing: Whanganui councillors lament lack of Govt funding for new homes

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Mike Tweed

Whanganui councillors say the district’s housing crisis is not easing and the Government is “abdicating” its responsibility to build new homes. A report from Whanganui District Council housing adviser Jeanette Te Ua-Hausman said Kāinga Ora, the Government’s housing agency, previously forecast the delivery of 192 homes in Whanganui between 2024 and 2027. That had stopped, with surplus land potentially divested to reduce debt or fund renewals of older housing stock.
On The Up: Rural Women New Zealand celebrating 100 years of advocacy

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Mike Tweed

Claire Adkins (top left) and Leonora Spark (bottom left) with other members of the RWNZ Fordell Mangamahu branch. Photo / SuppliedFor NZME’s On The Up campaign – showcasing stories of inspiration, success, courage and possibilities – Mike Tweed highlights the advocacy Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) gives farming communities nationwide, as the organisation prepares to mark its centenary.
Whanganui Deputy Mayor calls on council to address state of central city park

1 week ago | nzherald.co.nz | Mike Tweed

Whanganui Deputy Mayor Helen Craig has called on the council to address the “shabby” state of Pukenamu Queen’s Park, home to the newly reopened Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery. At a Whanganui District Council operations and performance committee this week, Craig said she encouraged elected members to go and see the park for themselves.
Central Whanganui tree removal and replacement to cost $35,000

2 weeks ago | nzherald.co.nz | Mike Tweed

Whanganui’s council is spending $35,000 to remove and replace trees in the central city, but that will cover more than ”someone with a chainsaw”. Two London planes on Victoria Ave are coming down, with the road closed between Taupō Quay and Ridgway St from 5-7am on weekdays this week. In a statement, Whanganui District Council said London planes were the species selected for the area in the 1880s by James Laird who was mayor from 1886 to 1888.
Ruapehu District Council sticking to forecast with 9% rate rise for 2025/26

2 weeks ago | nzherald.co.nz | Mike Tweed

Ruapehu District Council is sticking to its guns, with an average 9% rate rise expected for 2025/26. At a public meeting in Ohakune this week, chief executive Clive Manley said the council adopted a 9% increase for the first three years of its 2024-34 long-term plan (LTP). “That was to give certainty. Last year [2024/25], we had one of the lowest rate rises in the country.”He said while 9% “sounds like a lot”, budgets had to be stripped to get there.
On The Up: Air Chathams and Air NZ mull interline deal for improved regional connectivity

2 weeks ago | nzherald.co.nz | Mike Tweed

Air Chathams began providing a service between Whanganui and Auckland in 2016. Photo / NZMEAir Chathams is looking to build on its services to regional New Zealand. As part of NZME’s On The Up campaign, chief operating officer Duane Emeny reveals a deal with Air New Zealand is in the works to improve regional connectivity. Partnership talks are under way between Air New Zealand and Air Chathams after Covid-19 scuppered previous plans.
On The Up: Whanganui softball sensation Poppy Priddle makes White Sox

2 weeks ago | nzherald.co.nz | Mike Tweed

Whanganui teenager Poppy Priddle is being hailed a “once in a generation” talent after being named in the White Sox, New Zealand’s national softball team. She is the first 15-year-old to earn a call-up since hall-of-famer Melisa Tupuivao (nee Upu) in 1990. Last year, Poppy played for the New Zealand Junior White Sox Invitational team before trialling with the senior White Sox in February. She said she went to the trials as one of four development players. AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Rangitīkei’s council proposes 9.1% rates increase but figure could drop

2 weeks ago | nzherald.co.nz | Mike Tweed

Mayor Andy Watson hopes the council can get the average rates rise below 9%. Photo / NZMERangitīkei ratepayers are facing an average rate rise of 9.1% for 2025/26, slightly less than forecast. The council’s long-term plan (LTP) for 2024-34 predicted a 9.9% rate rise. Rangitīkei Mayor Andy Watson told the Chronicle he hoped the final figure would be under 9%, with calls to be made on depreciation funding. “That’s very similar to what the Whanganui [district] council did around that,” he said.
Speed limits: Consultation opens for stretch of State Highway 3 in Whanganui

2 weeks ago | nzherald.co.nz | Mike Tweed

The speed limit was dropped to 50km/h under the previous Labour Government. Photo / Mike TweedThe community can now have its say on the speed limit for part of State Highway 3/Great North Road in Whanganui. As part of the Government’s automatic reversal plan, about 770m of road on St John’s Hill from about 200m north of Tirimoana Place to south of Turere Pl, was set to return to 70km/h from 50km/h by July 1.
On The Up: Air Chathams survived Covid and a recession - now it’s planning its future in the regions

2 weeks ago | nzherald.co.nz | Mike Tweed

Air Chathams has survived Covid-19 and the recession. As part of NZME’s On The Up campaign, chief operating officer Duane Emeny tells Mike Tweed why closing down was never an option, and how it is planning to keep our region connected into the future. It has not been easy but Air Chathams remains in the skies and the regions. The airline took on the Whanganui to Auckland route in 2016 after Air New Zealand ended its service.