The peoples daily

A tiny coastal Taranaki community known for dairy farms and a natural gas production station could one day become known for its avocados. Oaonui, 8 kilometres north of Opunake, was identified in last year's Taranaki Land and Climate Assessment as an area suitable for growing the fruit. The report was part of the two-year Branching Out collaboration between economic development agency Venture Taranaki and the food and fibre sector to investigate new commercial opportunities for the region. Next month, representatives from the avocado industry will be in New Plymouth for a seminar on growing the fruit commercially. READ MORE: Taranaki's 207,000-hectare horticultural potential Venture Taranaki trying to help the region's landowners branch out and diversify Go Local campaign cost $50k but pays off in other ways Although the main avocado growing regions are in Northland and the Bay of Plenty, areas of Taranaki, including Oaonui, were also suitable for the crop, Venture … [Read more...] about Avocados from Oaonui on your toast?

People living near Taranaki’s Lake Ratapiko have lodged complaints about jetskiers playing fast and loose with maritime rules on the waterway. Maritime NZ (MNZ) central region deputy compliance manager Blair Simmons​ said the organisation was investigating four incidents at Lake Ratapiko, 35km south of New Plymouth, and would decide on appropriate follow-up action once the process was complete. MNZ, which has jurisdiction over all craft on New Zealand lakes, works with the Taranaki Regional Council (TRC) to ensure safety on the water. Simmons said the most common complaint nationally was jet skiers speeding too close to the shore. READ MORE: Eyewitness account of jet-skier dying Jet ski registration not on this summer's regional council watch Jet skiing 'biker gang' frightens beach goers in New Plymouth Regardless of where people go boating, all recreational watercraft users needed to follow maritime safety rules concerning safe speeds and safety, he said. Jet … [Read more...] about Rule flouting jet skiers draw complaints on Taranaki lake

A risky water rescue battling fading light, sharp rocks and strong currents to save four people has won a Taranaki team of surf lifesavers a national award. The Todd Energy Surf Lifesaving Rescue Squad won the BP rescue of the month for the dramatic rescue of four teenage girls from Pararaki Rock at New Plymouth’s Back Beach on January 5. It was dusk when the squad was alerted by police search and rescue to the plight of the girls who found themselves trapped on the rock after the tide changed so called for help on a cellphone. Rescue swimmer Andy Cronin was first on the scene, battling through the strong currents to find the girls and checked them for injuries before moving them to a more sheltered position to wait for backup to arrive. READ MORE: Surf rescue squad saves four females stranded on Sugar Loaf Island 'Very lucky' surfer brought to shore after water rescue at Waitara beach Jet ski proving invaluable to Taranaki Rescue Squad Cronin assessed the safest … [Read more...] about Taranaki rescue squad wins award for saving four teenagers

A New Plymouth café has a tradition of asking well-known visitors to sign plates, which are then hung on one of its walls. Now Elixir Café staff member Betsy Knox is hoping her signature will one day be displayed alongside musicians Scribe and P-money, and former All Black Conrad Smith, after her band won a recording session to kick-start their career. “I said ‘I’m getting an interview with the local paper so give me a plate,'” she laughed. When Knox is not working she is practising and writing music with her band Betsy & the Reckless. READ MORE: New Plymouth band's innovative art show blends sights with sounds Taranaki band hopes to light up region's live music scene NBL Showdown: Otago Nuggets beat Canterbury Rams in southern derby Knox, along with drummer Jarrod Hooper, bassist Matthew Mahood and guitarist Wakaia Tamehana formed the band straight after lockdown last year. They'd only performed live a couple of times when they decided to play in front of … [Read more...] about New Plymouth up-and-coming band plans to release EP after winning recording session

A home in Resolution Pl, Marfell, New Plymouth, caught fire early Friday morning. Firefighters faced a potentially explosive situation while battling a blaze in a house in the New Plymouth suburb of Marfell on Friday morning. The fire is believed to have erupted in a shed at the rear of the property on Resolution Pl about 6.15am. The New Plymouth brigade were alerted to the blaze after multiple neighbours reported hearing explosions coming from the Kāinga Ora property. A fire investigator and police also attended. READ MORE: Large fire destroys shed, spreads to neighbouring property House fire extinguished in Epuni, Lower Hutt Tararua tractor fire claims rural shed The callout was quickly escalated to a second alarm and five fire engines with more than 20 firefighters and support staff were in attendance. Specialist fire investigator Andrew Cotter confirmed it appeared the blaze began in a shed at the rear of the property where gas bottles had been stored, … [Read more...] about House fire under investigation after reports of explosions