NZ Gumboot Day

14/10/2026

🗳️ CANDIDATES NIGHT – TAIHAPE 🗳️

📣 TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT, TAIHAPE!

The Taihape Community Development Trust invites everyone along to a Candidates Night, where candidates standing for the Rangitīkei and Te Tai Hauāuru electorates have been invited to speak.

This is a great opportunity for our community to hear from the candidates and find out where they stand on issues that matter to us! 🙌

📅 Thursday 15 October 2026 🕖 7.00pm 📍 St Davids Presbyterian Community Church 19 Huia Street, Taihape

💬 HAVE YOUR SAY!

Come along, listen to what the candidates have to say and hear their responses to questions submitted by our local community.

🤝 Whether you're interested in local issues, want to learn more about the candidates, or simply want to be better informed, everyone is encouraged to attend!

💛 Let's get our Taihape community involved!

📢 Please share this post and help spread the word!

22/09/2026

Ben from Comms here. Well... The Hoff rumours were true!

We've got more photos and videos, but we'll hold off sharing these until the show he's filming airs.

A day that Taihape will remember for a long time! (And probably one he will too in fairness)

30/08/2026

15/04/2026

❤️

15/04/2026

We would like to extend a big congratulations to our 2026 Gumboot Day Scavenger Hunt winners.

First up we have Jenn, with the help of Georgia, Caleb and Cooper, they were the only participants who went to all 13 sites!

Max Collings, Leticia Jones, Ruby (Pat Haitana), Dominic Skelton, Hollie Hamilton, Corinne Hunt, Cole Thompson, Thor Duxfield and Monique Sole have also all won a prize.

We also have some spot prizes for kids for Kiwa, Koa, Luciana, Miliana and Harvey.

Emails have been sent to the emails used during the hunt. Please check spam if you can't see them or DM me here.

We'd also like to take the opportunity to thank our wonderful sponsors for the prizes.
In no particular order:
- Hautapu Haulage
- Anna's
- New World Taihape
- Majestic Theatre
- Ruapehu REAP
- The Hair Shop
- Taihape Towing/ Giggles
- Taihape Producer's Market
- Taihape Honda/Stihl
- Homely and Co
- Countryman Restaurant

12/04/2026

What an incredible weekend for our community.
We are so proud to celebrate the success of the Gumboot Day Home Industries Competition. With 185 exhibits entered, this was an outstanding turnout and a truly special milestone as our first competition in five years. The quality, creativity, and effort across every section was inspiring to see.
A huge congratulations to all of our trophy winners. Your dedication and talent shone through and you should be incredibly proud of your achievements.

Large Historic Trophy Winners

W.N. Anderson Esq
Most points Sections A to H
Sue MacArthur

Ediriweera Cup
Most outstanding needlework
Robyn Horton

Handcraft and Needlework Trophy
Most points in machine made article
Carolyn Richards

Pukekaka Cup
Most points in knitting
Sue MacArthur

Jenny Abernethy Cup
Homespun wool class
Jenny Abernethy

Pinenga Plate
Most points in Jams, Pickles and Preserves
Sandra Spier

Sims Cooper Cup
Most points in home cooking
Lorraine Dickie

J Webb Cup
Most points in Agriculture
Monique Garnett

Infield Cup
Photography
John Gerrie

C.O. Mortland Esq Floral Art Section
Most outstanding exhibit
Shona Campbell

Bellamy Haitana Whanau Cup
Most points in children’s section
Ruby Boyer

We would also like to sincerely thank every single person who entered, judged, helped set up, and supported the competition. Events like this only happen because of the people behind the scenes.
A special thank you to our incredible volunteers
Helen Cooper, Robin Horton, Wendy Morris, Jan Byford, Leslie Down, Pania Winiata, Veronica Yardley, Dr Katarina Gray-Sharp, Vanessa Witt, Ali Fargher, Jenny Abernethy, Debora Toal, Pub Charity, and so many others who gave their time and energy to make this event possible.
This competition has truly brought our community together again, and we are already looking forward to building on this for next year.
Thank you Taihape for making it such a success.

11/04/2026

🚂🚂❤️❤️