Pretty in pictures
Taranaki is featuring in a new photographic competition aiming to show the best places New Zealand has to offer. Ten users of the picture sharing website Instagram have been chosen to explore a different location over the weekend of April 1-2. The photographers, who together have more than 160,000 followers, will highlight their experiences using social media for the chance to be crowned the ‘Choice Hotels NZ TravelGrammer 2017’ winner and score a trip for two to Australia. Jordan McInally, who has more than 26,000 Instagram followers, has been selected to explore this region and will be heading up Mt Taranaki at sunset to take in the views. The competition was designed to encourage Kiwis to explore their own backyards and to boost NZ tourism, spokeswoman and travel blogger Liz Carlson said.
Futures funding
A Taranaki youth development organisation has received funding to help the development of region’s next generation. Taranaki Futures will get $70,000 from the Government to enable 70 young people take part in the Accelerator programme which partners young people with business mentors and provides workplace experience to help formulate potential career paths. The funding was part of a nationwide package of $65,000 announced by Youth minister Nikki Kaye on Thursday. This funding is about supporting more leadership, volunteering and mentoring opportunities for young people across New Zealand,’’ Kaye said. New Plymouth MP Jonathan Young said it was a great opportunity for young people to get involved. ‘‘They can take part in a new challenge and give something back to their communities,’’ Young said.
Paddock crash
One person was taken to hospital after a van crashed into a paddock in coastal Taranaki. Emergency services were called to the scene on South Rd, State Highway 45, near the intersection with Lower Timaru Rd, about 9am. Constable Rhys Connell said the van had come off the road and ended up 50 metres down a bank in a paddock. The driver was taken to Taranaki Base Hospital by St John Ambulance, he said. Connell said the cause of the crash was being investigated. The extent of the driver’s injuries were unknown.