Latest guides
New guides to Taupō’s places, walks, suburbs and local life, newest first.
Thursday 12 November 2 new
NewsGreat Lake Centre’s $1.2 million refurbishment is finishedTaupō's main events venue has had its first major makeover since it opened in 1992, with new sound, lighting and acoustic treatment and a more open exhibition hall.
NewsSupercars confirmed for Taupō on 14 to 16 May 2027, with tickets on sale in late NovemberThe ITM Taupō Super 440 will run at Taupō International Motorsport Park from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 May 2027. Tickets go on sale in the week starting Monday 23 November.
Wednesday 11 November 2 new
Local adviceBalloon Arches and Garlands in TaupōDIY or Professional, and How Long They LastBalloon arches, garlands and pillars explained: making one yourself, when to have it done, how long balloons last and what affects the cost.
Local adviceMarquee Hire in TaupōChoosing the Right Size and Style for Your EventHow to choose a marquee for a Taupō wedding, party or function: sizes and layouts, styles, weather, building consent and what a quote includes.
Friday 6 November 4 new
Local adviceOld Photo Restoration in TaupōWhat Can Be Fixed and How Colourising WorksWhat photo restoration can and cannot fix, how colourising works, professional versus AI apps, and how to get a damaged photo assessed from Taupō.
Local adviceSlide Scanning in TaupōGetting Old Slides and Photos Onto Your ComputerHow to digitise old 35mm slides and photo prints: DIY options versus a scanning service, what affects quality, cost and how to prepare a collection.
Local adviceHow to Remove a Virus From Your ComputerA Taupō GuideSigns of a virus, how to check with Windows Security, how to spot fake virus warnings and scam calls, and step-by-step removal for Taupō computers.
Local adviceWhy Is My Computer So Slow? A Taupō Guide to Speeding It UpWhat slows a computer down, how to tell it from a slow connection, safe clean-up steps for Windows and Mac, and when to get IT help in Taupō.
Monday 2 November 3 new
Historic and Cultural WalksTaupō Street Art TrailGraffiato Murals in the Town Centre LanewaysWalk Taupō's street art trail: more than 80 Graffiato murals in the town centre laneways, how the festival began and where to find the current map.
Lakefront and Riverside ReservesTe Ātea TaupōCarved Pou Where the Town Meets the LakeTe Ātea on the Taupō lakefront: the carved pou by Delani Brown, the thirteen river pou, the Tūwharetoa design and the space's blessing.
Family-Friendly and Educational WalksShort Walks Around Taupō, Tongariro and Pureora8 Walks of an Hour or Less8 short walks around Taupō of about an hour or less, from Huka Falls and Craters of the Moon to Pureora forest loops and Tongariro's Tawhai Falls.
Sunday 1 November 5 new
Kura Kaupapa MāoriTKKM o Whakarewa I Te Reo Ki TuwharetoaZone, Roll & School FactsTKKM o Whakarewa I Te Reo Ki Tuwharetoa's home zone, roll, Equity Index, ERO report and enrolment, from Ministry of Education data.
Secondary SchoolsTauhara CollegeZone, NCEA Results & School FactsTauhara College's home zone, NCEA results, roll, Equity Index, ERO report and enrolment, from Ministry of Education and Education Counts data.
Forest Parks and Scenic ReservesPureora Forest Park near TaupōPodocarp Forest, a Canopy Tower and Logging HistoryPureora Forest Park west of Lake Taupō: DOC podocarp forest, the Forest Tower, logging tramways, the 1978 treetop protest, access roads and Waihāhā Hut.
Forest Parks and Scenic ReservesTongariro National Park near TaupōVolcanoes, Sacred Peaks and Dual World HeritageTongariro National Park: New Zealand's oldest national park and a dual World Heritage area. Volcanoes, Ngāti Tūwharetoa history, plants, birds and rules.
Kura Kaupapa MāoriTe Kura o WaitahanuiZone, Roll & School FactsTe Kura o Waitahanui's home zone, roll, Equity Index, ERO report and enrolment, from Ministry of Education data.
Saturday 31 October 5 new
Forest Parks and Scenic ReservesKaimanawa Forest Park near TaupōBeech Forest, Backcountry Huts and Wild RiversKaimanawa Forest Park near Taupō: DOC's 77,348 ha park of beech forest, tussock and rivers. History, wildlife, huts, road ends, permits and dogs.
Lakefront and Riverside ReservesTongariro River Delta TaupōWetland Birdlife and Quiet Kayak Channels near TūrangiTongariro River delta near Tūrangi: part of Te Mātāpuna / South Taupō Wetland, with dabchick, bittern and swans, kayak access points and restoration work.
Primary SchoolsWairakei SchoolZone, Roll & School FactsWairakei School's home zone, roll, Equity Index, ERO report and enrolment, from Ministry of Education data.
Sports and Event ParksOwen Delany Park TaupōSports Fields, Velodrome and Stadium EventsOwen Delany Park, Taupō's largest sports ground: floodlit stadium, fields, velodrome, netball courts and a new sports hub. History and bookings.
Family-Friendly and Educational WalksWhangamata Stream Trail TaupōEasy Family Ride Through the Forest at KinlochWhangamata Stream Trail, Kinloch: an easy, flat forest path for young kids with fairy houses, a water wheel and pump track. Time, dogs and parking.
Friday 30 October 3 new
Primary SchoolsWaipahihi SchoolZone, Roll & School FactsWaipahihi School's home zone, roll, Equity Index, ERO report and enrolment, from Ministry of Education data.
Mountain Bike Parks and Backcountry RidesTe Iringa Track TaupōExpert Backcountry Mountain Bike Ride in Kaimanawa Forest ParkTe Iringa Track: a remote grade 5 MTB ride in Kaimanawa Forest Park east of Taupō. Access via Clements Mill Road, times, huts and DOC rules.
Freedom CampingClements Mill Road Campsites TaupōFive Free DOC Sites in Kaimanawa Forest ParkFree DOC camping on Clements Mill Road, Kaimanawa Forest Park: Clements Clearing, Te Iringa, Kakapo, Army Road and Road End. Access, fires, water, dogs.