Local News - Manawatu Standard

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With a little friendly help

Can't draw, but can organise up a storm. Reporter Lee Matthews talks to Manawatu Art Expo organiser extraordinaire Melissa Haywood, who says the expo started with one of those 3am flashes of brilliance five years ago.

Giant steps to win over Australia

New Zealand band I Am Giant are heading to Palmerston North and looking forward to a good reception at The Colosseum next month.

'Too many' being Tasered

Stun guns fired 136 times in less than two years

Seven people have been Tasered by police in Manawatu in less than two years, amid fears officers are using them as "a weapon of first resort".

Partner-bashing man jailed

A partner-bashing, drink-driving 57-year-old has been told by a judge he is a man with potential if he lays off the booze.

Carrot and stick the answer

A leading water scientist is calling on organisations to work together to clean up New Zealand's waterways.

People should speak on MMP

A Manawatu campaigner for keeping MMP is now calling for people to have their say.

Gorge road repair bill could reach $7.5m

The cost of clearing slips in the Manawatu Gorge will be more than $1m above the emergency repair bill for the previous nine years put together.

No-frills rates rise 4.8pc, or 5.8pc for growth

A no-frills draft budget for Palmerston North would cost an estimated 4.8 per cent overall rates rise.

Basement find sheds light on 19th century

JIMMY ELLINGHAM - © Fairfax NZ News

The discovery of an 1881 newspaper has provided some intriguing insights into Manawatu life in the 19th century.

Band celebrates 75 years of making music

Audiences young and old have been entertained by the Ohakea-based Royal New Zealand Air Force Central Band in Palmerston North.

Sallies dig and sow for food bank

MATHEW GROCOTT - © Fairfax NZ News

As fruit and vegetable prices put pressure on family budgets, the Salvation Army in Palmerston North has taken to growing its own.

Housing values stay put

The value of Palmerston North residential properties remains static, with little likelihood of change, according to Quotable Value.

Big love gesture wins the prize

It was love at first sight

JESSICA SUTTON - © Fairfax NZ News

Proposing can be a daunting task for some men, but it was simple for a Pahiatua man who declared his love and popped the question on a city billboard.

Lack of iwi input halts meeting on lake toxicity

A meeting of the board that oversees Lake Horowhenua was postponed for lack of attendance less than a week after it was revealed that drinking water from the lake had the potential to kill.

Minister to look at gorge slip, finally

Palmerston North's MP has claimed victory as the Minister of Transport prepares to visit the Manawatu Gorge slip.

Water issue dominates meeting

The Rongotea water scheme took up most of the discussion at the first community meeting for Manawatu District mayoralty candidates.

Man threatened to kill over internet use

The man who threatened to kill Prime Minister John Key also told his own partner he would send her "six-feet under".

Musical roles keep head boy busy

Blinders and Dragons? Hydro Raspberry? Freyberg High School head boy Sam Seumanu unpacks these musical mysteries.

Second chance for angry partner

As an argument over rent turned violent, a woman fought back – grabbing her boyfriend's testicles.

Rules to protect view challenged

Rules designed to stop houses spoiling the view of an Aokautere ridgeline from the Turitea Valley are being challenged by Palmerston North developer Brian Green Properties.

Fish get a helping hand

Native fish will be able to get around a lot easier after Horizons Regional Council installed 10 fibreglass fish ladders and two ropes near Eketahuna, Woodville Shannon and Foxton.

McCaw puts pen to panties

'Luckily they were red'

Desperate for an autograph and with nothing for him to sign, Pahiatua mum Toni Andersen asked All Blacks captain Richie McCaw to put his name on her knickers.

Pregnant women picking PN for births

Pregnant Whanganui women are already trying to get midwifery care in Palmerston North.

Police find woman's body near tower

The body of a 22-year-old woman who went missing on Saturday has been found.

Woman's body found

The body of a woman believed to be that of a missing 22-year-old has been found in a remote area north of Woodville.

Valentines Day a time to shower gifts

Thousands of dollars are expected to be spent

JESSICA SUTTON - © Fairfax NZ News

Love should be in the air today as Manawatu couples and secret admirers shower their sweethearts with roses, gifts and fancy meals for Valentines Day.

Still waiting on Wendy's

Construction of Palmerston North's first Wendy's burger franchise has been delayed, with the aim now to open in the next six months.

Tower searched for woman

Specialist climbers are searching the top of Whariti Tower, north of Woodville, in a bid to find a missing 22-year-old woman.

Dragon rock for delighted fans

JIMMY ELLINGHAM - © Fairfax NZ News

REVIEW: It takes a big performance to draw a Palmerston North audience out of their seats to sing and dance.

Learn to swim, say instructors

With the drowning toll at an eight year high Horowhenua swimming instructors are pushing a message that you're never too old to learn.

Karters ready for Aussie challenge

MATHEW GROCOTT - © Fairfax NZ News

Some of Australia's top karters will be in the region this weekend, but the locals are prepared after a meet at the KartSport Manawatu track.

UCOL appeals city plan

UCOL wants its central city campus to be recognised in Palmerston North's future planning.

Massey gets four-star rating

Massey University has been given four stars out of five by an international educational benchmarking agency.

Woodville upgrade 'not good timing'

Woodville businesses face another hurdle this month when work begins on an upgrade of the town centre.

'Stadium Mangatainoka' rocks

The home team might have been behind on the scoreboard at fulltime, but for most of the 8000 or so at Mangatainoka, that didn't really seem to matter.