Waikato Herald
How Bea built a business from backyard fruit
Bea Spraggs grows heirloom fruit to feed her year-round preserving.
Latest from Rural business
Stories and analysis from The Northern Express Herald.
Teacher turns lockdown hobby into new distillery business
'The environment has played a key role in what we’re about.'
Dairy expo returns to Bedford Park in February
The two-day expo runs at Bedford Park, Matamata, on February 18 and 19.
'Our cows really surprised us': Why less is more on this dairy farm
The Burgesses' 320-cow Friesian herd now averages 700kgMS from 550kg cows.
Small Business: The best of the wurst with Frank’s Sausages
Sheryn and Frank Nagel built the brand from a laundry kitchen in 2008.
Mega property deals: The 11 biggest commercial sales of the year
Who's still got money to buy $1.8b of properties in 2025? An exclusive list answers that.
From ink guns to online: Woolworths lifer marks 50 years on the job
She once had to memorise prices for about 250 items each week to keep her job.
Rentals to realising the dream: The road to first farm ownership
Their strict budgets, low early interest and off-farm income reduced debt fast.
How a Waikato orchard is testing a new way to keep prime farmland in fruit
Annie Perkins has bought into the business, learning alongside John Woolford.
From Labubus to robots: The quirkiest things we bought this year
Manurewa featured in six of the 11 top quirky products bought through Afterpay.
The stories, scandals and showdowns that defined 2025
From Trump’s return to AI fears, 2025 reshaped global and Kiwi life.
Billy bookcases in Bulls? How to shop at Ikea if you don't live in Auckland
Ikea products can be collected from 29 pick-up points across the country, from this week.
Kiwi authors caught in US$1.5b AI book piracy payout
Thousands of Kiwi books were scraped, but most will get no payout under US rules.
Glittering promises: What New Zealand’s new planned gold mines will deliver
Gold prices have surged past $7000 an ounce, driving new mine projects.
Air NZ electric plane pilot teacher in town
Energy costs for a Wellington to Blenheim flight are about $20.
'Significant public benefit': Watchdog backs Huntly power station plan
The 10-year deal secures Huntly's back-up power supply until 2035.
Breeding the 'wagyu of lamb' in Waimai Valley
Alastair Reeves has turned his eye to new sheep traits sought after by the modern farmer.
'Let's wait and see': Mayor urges calm over Starbucks, Burger King plans for small town
In public feedback, 104 opposed the plan and 39 submissions were in support.
Air NZ’s first electric aircraft takes off from Tauranga ahead of inter-island summer trips
New battery-powered aircraft has a range of nearly 400km.
Starbucks, Burger King get go-ahead for tiny Waikato town – but there's a catch
The approval comes despite overwhelming opposition from submitters.
Decision looming on Tīrau Starbucks and Burger King plan
The council received 148 public submissions, with most opposing the plan.
'One punch after the other': Community reels from Carter Holt closure news
A small number of roles will remain to process imported timber.
Dry year cover: Commission backs deal to keep Huntly generators online
Genesis had warned it would retire Rankine Unit 2 in January 2026 without a deal.
'Strong position': Milk production hits August record
Waikato and Taranaki led the gains, while growth in the South Island was more subdued.
'One has to ask when it will end': Tokoroa plywood factory marked for closure
Mayor says it had been a tough year for the district.
Taupō geothermal zone potential spurs $10m in Govt funding for exploration
The project could be 'globally groundbreaking' for 'supercritical' energy generation.
New Woolworths Taupō opens with special pou
The supermarket and the pou have a history dating back to 1961.
'Efficient and sustainable': $220m expansion at geothermal station '90%' complete
Annual output would power 158,000 homes, exceeding Christchurch’s residential total.
Ex-Kitchen Things employee on turning up to work to find they no longer had a job
'It has put quite a strain on my partner and I financially,' the staffer said.
'Nothing like it in NZ': Why this couple swapped Auckland for the Coromandel
The couple left their corporate finance jobs and moved to a community with 50 residents.