Papakura Courier

Win a family pass to the cricket

Here's your chance to see the Blackcaps take on South Africa for free.

Pokies pose threat to families

Around $1 million is spent on pokie gambling every month in Papakura, the Problem Gambling Foundation says.

Flying in the bigtime

Wiremu Fautret, Ardmore Flying School instructor, has picked up his dream job as a second officer with international airline Cathay Pacific, starting this week.

Thieves spoil school's opening

Staff and pupils at Papakura's new Hingaia Peninsula School are dismayed they've already been targeted by thieves.

Taylor Shield chase is on

Counties Manukau club cricket's two-day championship for the W. H. Taylor Shield is going down to the wire.

Party in the park to unveil plans

Takanini's Taka Park is getting a $250,000 upgrade and Auckland Council and the suburb's neighbourhood policing team are throwing a party in the park to unveil the plans.

MIT starts work on its Hayman Park campus

More than 50,000 students will flood into the heart of the south next year when the doors open at Manukau Institute of Technology's new campus.

Running for kids' hospital

She spends her days running a charity and her weekends running for charity.

Music scene farewells Yandall sister

A who's who of the entertainment scene will gather in Auckland on Friday to farewell one of its own.

On the Run

Reporter Lisa Honeybone thinks the impending Round the Bays run is the perfect excuse to get in shape and step out for a great cause. Follow her progress here...

Hamilton too strong for Counties Manukau

Counties Manukau failed in its bid to lift the Hawke Cup off holders Hamilton at Galloway Park in Hamilton last weekend.

Triplets celebrate 80th

The arrival of triplets on January 27, 1932 came as a huge shock to parents Nellie and Frank Christie.

Commander farewelled

There are some big boots to fill at Papakura police station as Counties Manukau's southern area commander Gary Hill moves on.

Want to meet Jersey Boys?

Jersey Boys, one of the world's biggest theatre sensations, is coming to Auckland in April and we're giving you the chance to see it for free.

Great white released and tracked

They are the largest predatory fish in the world, growing up to 4.6 metres long, and they've been found in the Manukau Harbour.

Skating champ on a roll

Lenard Tejada spends as much time on his skateboard as the average person does at work.

Legal hero for abused kids

"How does a five-month-old break a leg" is what Sandra Alofivae wants to know.

Are you ready?

Suburban Newspapers, publisher of the Papakura Courier, has a long history with the Ports of Auckland Round the Bays fun run.

Missing pomeranian pup found

The owners of a South Auckland pet shop have thanked the public for helping them safely recover a stolen puppy.

Seafood... and eat it!

Mayor Len Brown has made an early start getting his hands on some of the great cuisine being showcased this weekend on the waterfront.

Auction is a lifesaver

A beautifully framed and signed world cup All Blacks jersey is among items going under the hammer for charity online at TradeMe.

Paul meets rescuer - 44 years later

A fireman and the toddler he helped rescue after a near tragedy have been reunited after more than four decades.

Young performers take on the best

Two top performers have shown they've got what it takes to step up to the big time.

Dog's plight upsets

Lifelong SPCA supporter Trudie Spiers is distressed it took so long for the animal welfare organisation to react to a starving dog's plight.

Great pie heist foiled

The great Papakura pie robbery has been foiled by police after a high-speed chase through the back roads to Pukekohe.

Public's help sought after pup stolen

A little puppy's future is unknown after he was stolen from a pet shop in south Auckland.

Iceman honoured

Tony Herlihy is used to winning titles but this one's a different kind and it came in the mail.

Weekly tests monitor beach water quality

Water quality at more than 60 Auckland beaches is now being tested each week.

Noisy new year antics rile callers

New Year's Eve wasn't a happy time for councillor Calum Penrose who had to field angry phone calls about a lack of response from Auckland Council noise control officers.

Destiny acquires land to build its own 'town'

Destiny Church is understood to have acquired a 10-acre block of land in south Auckland to build its own community.

Live chat with Santa

Hey kids - is there something you really want to ask Santa?

Rotary's help in Vava'u celebrated

Ten years of helping the people of Vava'u in Tonga have been celebrated at an awards ceremony in Papakura.

Four days of fun festival for children

Four days of rides, games and pumping music will be helping raise funds for Kidz First Children's Hospital in January.

Celebrate the buzz

What a year it's been for Auckland. We hosted more than a hundred thousand international visitors for the Rugby World Cup and made them feel truly welcome as we showcased our spectacular city.

Local boards look back at achievements

It's been a landmark year for Papakura and Franklin Local Boards who've signed off on their three-year plans and are now gearing up for the future.

Put a message on the tree for your loved ones

People who've lost a loved one can remember them this festive season by putting a decoration on a Christmas remembrance tree.

A Christmas story

Two self-confessed Christmas addicts have brought a festive wonderland to life.

Very special guests at sports museum

Here's a chance to meet your sports idols before Christmas

Family fun day a blast

Thanks Auckland. That's the message from the Mad Butcher and Suburban Newspapers Community Trust as it closes the door on another great year.

Lights leave city beaming

Random Acts, is touted as an ‘urban, contemporary street theatre programme’ and is currently running in Aotea square and Elliot and Lorne streets.

More FM Xmas factor winner to debut at Christmas in the Park

This year's Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park will be one to remember for a young Auckland singer.

Review: A Criminal Christmas

Festive fun in an old folks home. What could be better?

A visit to the Herald Theatre to see A Criminal Christmas last night provided this reviewer with some light-hearted relief from the daily grind.

Rustling on the rise

Farmers are being forced to tighten security as rustlers take advantage of record meat prices.

Everybody turn up for Christmas

Thousands of pieces of wood have been knocked into shape and are now on show for Christmas.

Turtles can turn to Claris for help

Turtles make great pets – just ask Claris Ford. She runs Turtle Haven, a rescue service for abandoned, abused and injured turtles and reptiles at her home in Papakura.

Feeling dumped on

Illegal rubbish dumping is costing ratepayers thousands of dollars to clean up.

Hollie Smith joins Christmas in the Park

International recording artist, award winning singer/songwriter Hollie Smith will join the star-studded cast of next week's Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park, being held at the Auckland Domain this Saturday.

Tutu hard to say goodbye

It's finally time for the curtain to fall on Val Murray's lifelong passion.

Vets go the extra mile

This week's Thanks a Bunch goes to Dr Isaac Low, Denise Low, Talia Montgomerie and Christine Boldero from the Beach Road Vet Clinic in Papakura. They were nominated by Michelle Haare of Karaka.