In this week’s edition

News, reviews, recipes and ideas, totally free

Hopefully, everyone made the most of the magnificent weather over Labour Weekend to get out and about to the various events around the district.

For those who love a bit of street art, Taupō ’s CBD has now become a fascinating open-air art gallery with something for everyone hidden away in the back alleys or out in the main thoroughfares for all to see.

In addition to the image on page 1, we have more pictures of some of the artworks either being painted or in their completed state on page 12.

Elsewhere in the paper we look at some of the news and events coming up or just the downright quirky.

In the latter category are the black-billed gulls on page 4, which local conservation workers are hoping will be considered as a candidate for Forest & Bird’s Bird of the Year contest.

These gulls are the rarest in the world, although some of their nesting habits are not always welcomed by lakeside locals. This surely gives them underbird status. Maybe it is just a flight of fancy but I’d love to see them swoop in and claim the big prize.

On page 6 we look at the shuffle going on at the top table of the Taupō District Council with a new deputy mayor favoured by returning mayor David Trewavas.

One thing to be aware of is that all your elected councillors are there to listen to the public before making big decisions or raising issues in their communities. So, if you have a suggestion about something going on in your neighbourhood, let one of your elected representatives know about it, and, of course we are always up for a chat here at the Taupō & Tū rangi Herald as well.

One thing you may not be aware of is that all your local news is published on our section of the NZ Herald website, often before it comes out in print, so be sure to head to www.nzherald.co.nz/ communitynews to keep up to date with what is going on around the lake.

Meanwhile, we have curated a great selection of local news, reviews, recipes and ideas, totally free for your enjoyment in this week’s paper.

Enjoy! daniel.hutchinson@nzme.co.nz