Libby Kirkby Mc Leod

Think running a household is expensive? Try running a city. A report commissioned by Local Government New Zealand has found that rates have gone up an astonishing average 15% this year. The reason… Audio

Visitors to Hamilton gardens can go reptile spotting at Turtle Lake, so named after its population of abandoned pet red-eared slider turtles.

Unfortunately, they are one of the world's worst invasive… Audio

Hamilton ratepayers face their highest-ever rates increase if a proposal goes ahead this year.

Property owners could have to fork out another 19.9 percent, which is less than the 25.5 percent rate… Audio

Time now to get the latest from the mighty Waikato from RNZ reporter Libby Kirkby-McLeod. She started by telling Nathan Rarere all about the Hamilton Arts Festival. Audio

Wintec in Hamilton had a 100 percent pass rate in Enrolled Nursing last year, and advocates say these courses are helping with the country's acute nursing shortage.

One hundred and fifteen candidates… Audio

Libby gives an update on the two-year search for fugitive Marokopa man Tom Phillips and his three children. Audio

This week's first-ever piano festival in Hamilton attracted international stars to the city.

It was held at the University of Waikato's Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, where 40 piano students… Audio

A Hamilton community feels bitterly betrayed about two schools being closed, only to be reopened on the same site, with the same facilities but with a new name.

Hamilton's Melville High junior… Audio

Residents in the Waikato town of Cambridge were literally and figuratively shaken Thursday morning.

Just after eight a loud explosion rocked the area when an oil drum ignited at a shop on the main… Audio

As the cost of living bites, people aren't taking in as many furry companions as they used to. And as kennels fill up, greyhounds whose racing days are over aren't being adopted. Libby Kirkby-McLeod… Audio

If you've got a craving for a plum crumble, or want a bit of preserved plum with your yogurt, or some easy home-made plum ice cream - you're out of luck.

Watties Hawke's Bay Black Doris Plums have… Audio

The general election might be behind us, but some people will be heading straight back to the polls as local councillors leave to become MPs.

Do people have the stamina for going to the ballot box… Audio

If you're in Hamilton get your phone out, because on Monday you'll be able to download a new app to help you discover natural areas in the city. The Nature In The City App has been designed by… Audio

Questions continue to be raised about Waka Kotahi's approach to safety issues, after RNZ reported that despite being aware other passenger trains were running red lights, the agency only sanctioned… Audio

The first distribution centre at New Zealand's biggest inland port has opened in Waikato.

An inland port operates like a coastal port, with containers moving in and out - only they are moved on… Audio

After languishing for a decade, there is a new sense of momentum in the centre of Tauranga.

The city council is pumping $400 million into plans to redevelop the waterfront and build a civic precinct.

RNZ Waikato reporter Libby Kirkby-McLeod discusses passenger train Te Huia, which is back up and running its full route from Hamilton to Auckland after a temporary halt due to safety concerns. And the… Audio

Members of the public set up a roadblock at the Kawhia Lookout on State Highway 31 on Wednesday night in an attempt to catch wanted man Tom Phillips.

Mr Phillips disappeared with his three children… Audio

Coromandel has seen the biggest drop in visitor spending of any tourism region in the country.

Electronic card transactions are down 20 percent compared to last year.

The government last week… Audio

Hamilton's Women's World Cup gets underway tomorrow night when Zambia take on the mighty Japan. The Zambian team is based in the city, and although locals might not be able to find Zambia on a map… Video, Audio