
Home Away From Home: Taupō's Perfect Escape
Perfect for families, groups, or those desiring extra room to unwind, these homes provide all the comforts of your own place, paired with the charm of lakeside living.
Ranging from modern architectural marvels with stunning lake views to cozy cottages nestled in lush surroundings, each stay promises relaxation and convenience.
Many holiday homes feature fully equipped kitchens, outdoor dining areas, and easy access to popular attractions and outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and boating.
Book holiday homes Taupō visitors adore and experience an authentic Kiwi getaway, enjoying the freedom and flexibility to explore this beautiful region at your own pace, creating unforgettable moments with loved ones.
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Newsweek
42 minutes ago
- Newsweek
The Heartbreak Behind Shane Van Gisbergen's Watkins Glen Win
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. NASCAR driver Shane Van Ginsbergen detailed his father's personal problems over the past year after winning at Watkins Glen. The well-travelled Kiwi captured his fourth win of the season from second place at the start. He won in Mexico, Chicago, and Sonoma this season as well, adding to a successful year with Trackhouse Racing. During the past year, Van Ginsbergen's father, Robert, has not been at the races to celebrate with his son, battling illness and loss in his life. Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #88 WeatherTech Chevrolet, celebrates with his father, Robert van Gisbergen, Jessica Dane and his dog, Ronald in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The... Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #88 WeatherTech Chevrolet, celebrates with his father, Robert van Gisbergen, Jessica Dane and his dog, Ronald in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 10, 2025 in Watkins Glen, New York More Photo byRobert suffered the loss of Shane's mother, Karen Wallace, after she fell ill. Additionally, Robert's sister and mother passed away during this period. Luckily, Shane had his father present for his most recent win. "It's been pretty difficult," the NASCAR driver said after his victory on Sunday. "He lost his wife, my mother, and then his sister, and then his mum a month or so ago. "It's been a really rough run for Dad. It's hard to support him when I'm on the other side of the world. That's probably why I'm the most homesick. "Then my sister has moved away as well, so he's kind of by himself all of a sudden. "I try and talk to him every day. To have him here – like he was almost in tears, too – it's really special to share that because we're a long way from home." Robert is expected to join Shane for the remaining regular season stretch at Richmond and Daytona before the playoffs begin. With his father at his side, van Gisbergen hopes for more success with his support system around him. "It's obviously something to dream about winning on an oval, and superspeedways. I've had some pretty good moments there," van Gisbergen added. "Last year, I think Talladega... Kaulig was a smaller team, Dad was on the front row of the pit box, helping with the strategy, or talking with Travis Mack on the strategy. You know, he loves it. "I'd love to have a good result with him the next couple weeks. "He's driving the bus for me with his friend Jason to those races. I'll probably drive to Daytona with them, and it'll be a good time like we used to do." Van Gisbergen will enter the NASCAR playoffs after his success this season, where he will hope to cap off a fantastic season with a championship. For more NASCAR news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.


The Spinoff
43 minutes ago
- The Spinoff
What is Christopher Luxon doing on top of a mountain?
He's just a man, standing on a mountain, asking a pavlova to love him. Christopher Luxon is a man on top of a mountain. The prime minister of New Zealand is standing high above Queenstown, the soft white powder of fresh snow beneath his feet and crisp blue skies of a winter's day above him. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese stands next to Luxon, wearing a yellow and green scarf around his neck. The view across the Southern Alps is spectacular, but neither leader is looking at it. Instead, both men are busy staring intently at something far more impressive in front of them. They are gazing at a pavlova. Christopher Luxon's social media video about pavlova marked the climax of last weekend's 24-hour political lovefest between Albanese and Luxon. Albanese flew into Queenstown for the annual leaders meeting between Australia and Aotearoa, and boy, did they have fun. They laughed, they cuddled, they hung out at a billionaire's private retreat. In between, they discussed trade and defence issues, talked about 501 deportees and Gaza. Mostly, they just had a lovely time together. The most bromantic moment of all came when they took a helicopter up a mountain, where they dined on a feast of sweet treats arranged on the snow. Even when standing in one of the most peaceful and unspoiled parts of the world, Luxon couldn't resist tackling one last critical political issue: who really invented the pavlova, Australia or New Zealand? The identities of two nations rest entirely on what is about to unfold. 'Well look, to all our Australian and Kiwi friends,' Luxon begins in the video, holding a cream-splattered knife in one hand and a paper plate in the other. 'Anthony and I have resolved…' We're only three seconds in, but already Albanese has had enough. 'Quite clearly, it's half-half,' he pipes up. The Australian prime minister points his finger at the pav, first to one half, then the other. One side is artfully covered in sliced kiwifruit, while the other is topped with strawberries and Tim Tam biscuits. Job done, let's move on. The bilateral dessert sits on a table covered with a black cloth, which was also presumably hoiked up the mountain in a helicopter. Also visible is a platter of date scones and two containers of butter. Put these delicious treats together with all the eggs and cream in the pavlova, and at Queenstown prices, that tucker is valued at approximately eight million dollars. Can you put a price on pavlova? Luxon doesn't think so. 'This is a compromise solution, we all know the Kiwis invented the pavlova,' he continues bravely. 'They stole it, they try and claim it.' It's a killer blow. Australia might be tempting record numbers of New Zealanders over with its superior pay, better living conditions and greater job opportunities, but there's one thing we won't let them get away with, and that's having the audacity to claim they were the first to put cream on meringue and name it after a Russian ballerina. It could be the altitude or the alarming sight of Tim Tams on top of a pav, but Luxon starts to ramble. 'But you've seen pieces broken out of it up here on this mountain today, in the South Island, eh?' he asks Albanese. Albanese is too distracted by which half is his half to answer. 'This is clearly Australia,' Albanese repeats, pointing at the pav again. 'That's Australia with your Tim Tams,' Luxon agrees, as if he's speaking to a confused uncle who thinks a pudding is a world map. 'And that's us with our kiwifruit, see?' Suddenly, all is right with the world. These leaders have never been more relatable and everything bad has faded away: the collapse of the health system, the rising cost of living, the prolonged recession, the increase in unemployment and homelessness, whether or not to recognise Palestinian statehood (Albanese has since gone with yes, Luxon is still solving that problem). Now, there is only pavlova. 'Problem solved,' Albanese cheers. 'We have solved a centuries-old debate,' adds Luxon, surprising even himself. 'And we had to come up here…' 'To do it,' both leaders say in unison. Pavlova deep, mountain high. This is exactly what happens when powerful men dine from a silver platter on a mountaintop: they solve the big issues. Some may say pavlova is an issue that nobody gives a shit about, but when was the last time they took a helicopter up a mountain and stared destiny in the face? Have they ever put two Tim Tams on a pudding and lived to tell the tale? Only losers eat dessert at sea level, anyway. Christopher Luxon has solved the great pavlova mystery, once and for all: both nations invented it, which also means, nobody invented it. What more do you want, New Zealand?

RNZ News
43 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Unmanageable jungle in the backyard? The Practical Kiwi
If your garden has escaped on you these winter months and now resembles more of a jungle, Philip Thomsen is here to help. He's a horticultural expert, and has lectured in the subject, as well as being a City Council Parks Officer. Nine to Noon last spoke to him about his book The Practical Kiwi Gardener - he also has a YouTube channel called Phil the Practical Gardener. Phil's new book is Down-to-Earth Gardening, which is stocked with handy tips on gardening and of all, it's aimed at the average home gardener. Susie talks to him about what's going on in the garden over winter, and what preparation can be done for the spring. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.