Rotorua Weekender

Kia ora. With the closure of the Rotorua Weekender we will continue to shine a light on our local iwi issues and people with our weekly bilingual news section, Kāhu ki Rotorua, now appearing in Friday's edition of the Rotorua Daily Post and free online at www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz. Ngā mihi.

A festive touch of ruby red reflected the warmth and sparkle of the Rotorua Writers Group 40th anniversary celebration.

Rotorua Writers Group celebrates 40 years of memories and writing achievements - NZ Herald The Rotorua Writers Group recently celebrated 40 years with a high tea.

There has been no pause on incoming paws at the Rotorua SPCA centre, which is currently jam-packed and has many animals waiting for their forever homes.

No pause on incoming paws: Rotorua SPCA brimming with animals in need of homes Rotorua SPCA has many lovely animals in need of loving homes.

For 35 years the Rotorua Weekender has been helping to keep the community in the know and celebrating local successes.

Highlights and memories with Rotorua Weekender It has been a privilege to meet many amazing local people and share their stories.

The Rotorua Weekender community newspaper publishes its last print edition today.

Haere ra! Rotorua Weekender publishes final edition The first Rotorua Weekender was printed in 1988 as part of the Rotorua Daily Post.

Where the present St Faiths Church stands today is a humble piece of land called Muruika. The space features significantly in Te Arawa history and, more so, to the people of Ngāti Whakaue.

Muruika housed kainga, pataka and sacred altars Where the present St Faiths Church stands today is a humble piece of land called Muruika.

This musical is a stage adaptation of the 2001 film Legally Blonde and takes the audience on an empowering journey packed with a range of emotions.

Review: Talented Rotorua Girls’ and Rotorua Boys’ High cast bring high energy to Legally Blonde: The Musical - NZ Herald The cast brought a fun, high-energy performance to the show.

: Teen leaders shared ideas with city elders at U3A forum earlier this week that aimed to bridge the generational gap.

Rotorua youth tell elders their hopes for future Head students from local Rotorua schools meet with elders at U3A forum

Seven Rotorua high school students are seeing their app designs become a reality, after being chosen as the winners of an app design contest held for Techweek 23.

Rotorua youth innovators’ designs becoming reality Fifty-five app submissions were received altogether during the contest.

There was an abundance of enthusiasm from Mamaku School pupils and their whānau as they got stuck in to an initiative all about conservation, learning and fundraising.

In the hunt for possums, wallabies, rabbits and hares Mamaku School recently held its Mamaku Marsupial Madness Challenge.

: To help our people stay connected to their taonga council staff take items of particular significance to a hapu out to their marae and invite whānau to come and share korero.

Opinion: Iwi shed tears of joy and grief as kuia returns Items of particular significance are taken to hapu to keep a connection to taonga.

She says she wasn’t expecting the award at all and was shocked when the announcement was made.

Cynthia Clark receiving special Altrusa International lamplighter award Cynthia Clark loves being able to help the Rotorua community through Altrusa projects.

Rotorua teenager Elijah Fonotia is one giant leap closer to his dreams of playing professional basketball.

Hoop dreams! Rotorua teen accepted into prestigious US school Elijah has been focused on going to the NBA since he was 11-years-old.

A day of fun and giving back is in store for those who head along to the Ngongotahā Railway Park on Saturday, as Ray White Real Estate holds a fundraising event for the Ngongotahā Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Track along to rail trust fundraiser for volunteer fire brigade Get into the garage sale and sausage sizzle too.

A few talented locals involved in this!

Māori movie makes entrance at prestigious French film festival Ka Whawhai Tonu stills on show at Cannes.

Tutus, wings, wigs, hats and shirts of all kinds were just some of the pink items Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Koutu students and teachers dressed up in for Pink Shirt Day.

Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Koutu turns pink to get behind Pink Shirt Day Pink Shirt Day is about reducing bullying by celebrating diversity in all its forms.

A Rotorua artist’s dream project has come true and is now completed, with a new mural adorning the side of the Advocate Print building.

‘Dream project come true’: Rotorua’s Mark Noble completes eco-friendly mural Mark Noble worked with a team of youths over six weeks to paint an eco-friendly mural.

Rotorua Girls’ and Boys’ High Schools’ upcoming production will be taking the stage by pink storm, sharing a fun, upbeat story of self-discovery.

Fabulously fun: Two schools bringing Legally Blonde The Musical to stage The bright, upbeat musical is an antidote to the toughness of the last couple of years.

As part of celebrating New Zealand Music Month, the Sir Howard Morrison Centre will be presenting a mini music festival packed with talented artists, followed by an industry panel for emerging performers.

Mini music festival to mark NZ Music Month in Rotorua There will be a Koiora Live Sessions music gig and an Industry Panel.

The reality has set in for this year’s Harcourts Dancing for Hospice dancers, who all met this week - they will be dancing in front of a crowd of more than 2000 people in a few months.

This year's Dancing for Hospice couples revealed The dance instructors have now paired up the 20 locals chosen for the event.

: Te Pukeroa is where Rotorua Hospital stands, and because of its strategic and commanding position tribes fought over it leading to the deaths of many people.

Kāhu ki Rotorua: The battle of Te P**a o Tongara - NZ Herald Ancient battle site at Pukeroa, where Rotorua Hospital stands.

There were bursts of colour at schools around Rotorua this week as donated warm winter woollies were eagerly pulled on.

Knitting for Cool Kids in Rotorua Knitting for Cool Kids Rotorua has been delivering packs with winter woollies to schools.

How many tennis balls does it take to make an awesome and unique chair? Find out here: https://bit.ly/3Mly0oM

: John Paul College’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar is an unforgettable show.

Review: John Paul College’s amazing Jesus Christ Superstar features talent galore John Paul College’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar is an unforgettable show.

Representing New Zealand and his culture at the coronation of King Charles III was a privilege for Ben Appleton, Rotorua born-and-raised.

Rotorua's Ben Appleton was in Kiwi delegation at King's coronation Ben was invited to join the NZ delegation by the New Zealand High Commission in London.

Taumata was approached and commissioned by Ngāti Whakaue to bring Taiea to life.

Exhibtion features 'the 11 leaders of Te Arawa' If people feel the wairua the artist has achieved his aim.

Music and the performing arts seem to have taken over the life of Tiana Hunter.

Songstress dreams of career on Broadway Tiana Hunter is looking for a future on the stages of the world.