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Young BMX Star Amelia de Thierry Racing Toward the World Stage

At just 11 years old, Amelia de Thierry is already making a big name for herself in the world of BMX racing. With determination, talent, and a packed racing schedule, Amelia has been competing at the highest levels both in

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Huntly Mourns the Loss of Beloved Entertainer Jools Topp

Huntly has lost one of its brightest lights with the passing of beloved entertainer and proud local daughter, Jools Topp. Born and raised in Huntly, Jools alongside her twin sister Lynda, became one half of the iconic Topp Twins, bringing

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Campground on the horizon for rising Kimihia Lake

A new campground is in the works for Huntly as the long anticipated Kimihia Lake development is checking more and more boxes off their project plan The project, which includes filling the Kimihia open cast mine with fresh water to re-form

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National award for Huntly’s Spencer Flooring

Huntly’s Spencer Flooring Ltd has been recognised at the annual Flooring Industry Apprentice Awards, winning three major awards at this year’s event. The business received the 2025 Wayne Young Employers Award, while two of its apprentices, Ryder Brown and Christian

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Bryce Mounsey ‘ special people in a special role”

He’s one of the most well-known figures in the North Waikato, but what’s behind the sharp suit and empathetic manner?  The Chatter asked Bryce Mounsey to let us know a little more about the man behind the image  You’re well

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Colours of the Land – Just for you!

Te Whare Taonga o Raahui  Pookeka Huntly Museum has received funding from Matariki Ki Waikato to bring exciting Matariki events to the Huntly. The first event will be on Matariki Day and the museum will be gold coin entry for

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Month delay worth the wait for North Waikato medical centre says GP

It will be another month until North Waikato will see its new medical centre, but it’s well worth the wait according to one GP who will be practicing out of the new location. Dr Noorwan Noordin, a general practitioner at

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How to go off-grid in just one year

Marlene Bain had a dream: to live an off-grid life of peace and quiet on the outskirts of Huntly. With a small plot of gorse-invaded land, some helping hands and some determination, she made that dream a reality in just

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Matariki ki Au – A Celebration of Creativity, Connection and Community

As the Matariki stars rise once again, NGĀ ART warmly invites the Ngāruawāhia and North Waikato community to gather, reflect, and celebrate at this year’s Matariki ki Au, a textile and fibre exhibition. Opening on Friday 3 July at 6pm,

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Life Uncomplicated: When Effort Travels Further

Reflections on work, life, and the little things that make a difference This column explores the small changes that quietly shape our everyday lives – drawing meaning from ordinary moments and experiences. It doesn’t promise answers but hopes to offer

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Huntly Garden club May report

42 Members attended the May meeting at the Huntly RSA with 46 entries into the competition The RSA has planted conifers along the fence line and have requested the garden circle to recreate the garden by the front door. Which

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Te Kauwhata Quilters Stitch Together Support for Community

Te Kauwhata Patchwork and Quilting Club have been busy making quilts and have donated them to Aged Concern and also some to Women’s Refuge.  The members come from Huntly, Te Kauwhata and further afield. They meet on the 1st and

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Issue 35 of Rex Hohaia History of Rugby LeagueThe Waikato Cougars …. Chapter 7

The beginning of the 1996 Lion Red Cup season came with a lot more certainty than 1995, and the players responded accordingly. The Tainui Trust Board were the second-year major sponsors, although you would not have known it.  A ‘silent’

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Pink Shirt Day

Huntly College Dresses Up in a Sea of Pink to send this important message out for consideration for two days… at kura and at Lake Puketerini during school cross country day. On Friday, 15 May 2026, schools joined with communities,

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Ben Purua Presentation – School Assembly

We had a magnetic presentation from one of our young, award-winning Māori farming leaders in the Waikato, who now leads one of the most effective farms in Aotearoa. Ben talked about being one of nine children to a single-parent mum,

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School Cross Country-2026

Our Huntly College 2026 Cross Country took place on Friday, May 15th, for the third year in a row as part of our Sports, Culture, and Leadership. Participating in Cross Country builds our school’s sporting culture, improves health and wellbeing,

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Huntly College Sports Update

Basketball Huntly College has entered three teams into the 2026 Waikato Secondary Schools Basketball Tournament, which runs from April through to August. The teams include the Junior Boys Basketball Team, the Senior Boys Basketball Team, and a combined Senior Girls

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Huntly College Student Leaders Focused on Culture, Connection and Change

The Chatter caught up with Huntly College student leaders Naia Vaka, Alexander Harbottle, Maipi Whirihana Kemp, Fellon Gillies and Patrick Kaihe Wichman to chat about leadership, school life and their hopes for the future at the kura. Naia Vaka Hi,

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From the Te Kauwhata Community Garden: Winter Veg and Healthy Habits

June marks the start of winter here in Aotearoa. Night temperatures drop low and day temperatures are cool. We adjust our eating to the vegetables that can be grown in these cold conditions.  Our harvest crates are now full of

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Te Kauwhata Stands United in Remembrance on ANZAC Day

Te Kauwhata came together in strength, reflection and unity on Saturday 25 April 2026, as the community marked ANZAC Day through three meaningful services held across the township and wider district. From the stillness of dawn through to a sunlit

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Working together to keep tamariki safe

Road changes have made it safer for Te Kauwhata students, says the local primary school. Last year, Te Kauwhata Primary School contacted Waikato District Council because they had safety concerns about Wira Street, where parents drop off and pick up

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Where (nearly) Everybody Knows Your Name

Te Kauwhata is growing, slowly but steadily.  Long-time locals lament they “don’t recognise anyone in the village anymore”.  So, we spoke to some new faces to see what made them decide to call Te Kauwhata home. For many it’s the

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Good People Make Great Events

Behind every good event, is a great group of people.  The Chatter talked to Te Kauwhata’s Community Events Committee about what goes on behind the scenes. What does the Committee do? It was set up many years ago, to mastermind

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Collecting 30 Years of Love

“My late husband died early. So I put my love into my house.” Those are the words of Christine Manukau, owner of arguably one of the most decorated homes in Huntly.  Having lived in the one bedroom house for over

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  • About Us

  • Kia ora and welcome to your online edition of the northern Waikato community news.
    As the new owners of the Chatter News we look forward to continuing the great work of Jim and Karen but also adding to the publication through our 20 years experience with another community newspaper in the Waikato.
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  • We feel the responsibility to keep delivering you a publication that you can be proud of. We view community papers as having a strong future and a continued vital role in communities. They are a trusted information source, an excellent way to promote local business and they keep communities connected by information about how to come together for shared interests. They celebrate all the positive aspects of a region and there is a never ending source of content when you decide to focus on achievement and progress.

  • We have valued contributors but we also look forward to capturing more local stories by contracting local writers and photographers.

  • With nearly 9000 copies delivered to letter boxes in Te Kauwhata, Huntly, Taupiri, Ngaruawahia and surrounding areas every fortnight as well as an online presence The Chatter News reaches many urban and rural households.

  • This is your paper, the voice of your community so feel free to send in suggestions. It might be a 'good sort', doing 'good stuff' in the community who we should meet and interview. Let us know about achievements across the generations, innovative businesses/farming, creative journeys and environmental matters.

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    • Young BMX Star Amelia de Thierry Racing Toward the World Stage
    • Huntly Mourns the Loss of Beloved Entertainer Jools Topp
    • Campground on the horizon for rising Kimihia Lake
    • National award for Huntly’s Spencer Flooring
    • Bryce Mounsey ‘ special people in a special role”