Kapa Haka

Long-serving Taupō District councillor John Williamson is not seeking re-election in this year’s local elections. Chris Marshall talks to him about being a councillor, council achievements and challenges ahead. John Williamson was elected to the Taupō District Council in 2013, a good decade after his mother Joan had finished her five consecutive terms as mayor in 2001.

The 2025 Unison Great Lake Taupō Business Awards are about to get underway. The Taupō Business Chamber will officially launch the 2025 Unison Great Lake Taupō Business Awards, the region’s premier celebration of business success, innovation, and leadership. Supported by Taupō Airport and Originair, the launch event is designed to inspire local businesses to get involved, learn about the benefits of entering, and register their interest on the night to be in the draw to win a fabulous prize.

Taupō apprentice Ryan Colquhoun has claimed top spot at the Taupō heats of the New Zealand Certified Builders Apprentice Challenge. The competition tests carpentry skills under pressure and is held in partnership with BCITO. This year, apprentices were given eight hours to construct a planter box, which were then donated to the community. Ryan, 33, says the build was challenging, and managing the time was quite hard. “I just tried to keep to myself and focus on what I was doing.