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Friday update

,   and  Jesse Archer
4 min read

Christmas is nearly here and the district is bursting with parades, markets, shows and plenty of summer energy. Before we get into the details, heads up that Lake FM switches to all Christmas music from 7pm each night, which makes a great soundtrack for checking out the Christmas lights, and Victor is keen to hear from you on 551.

🎅🎄 Christmas this weekend 🎄🎅

Santa Parade – Taupō
📅 Saturday 6 December, 10am–12pm
📍 Taupō CBD
Expect road closures around Lake Terrace, Ruapehu Street & Tamamutu Street during the rolling parade - plan ahead!

Christmas Community Carnival
📅 6 December, 12:00pm–2pm
📍 Tongariro North Domain

Christmas Carols in the Park
📅 6 December, 12–2pm
📍 Tongariro North Domain

Mangakino Christmas Festival & Santa Parade + Market
📅 7 December, 11am–3pm
📍 Mangakino Town Centre & School Field

"All Together Now" Taupō Christmas Choir Concert – Supporting Women’s Refuge
📅 7 December, 4–5pm
📍 Taupō Women’s Club, Story Place

🩰 END-OF-YEAR DANCE SHOW – "ONE NIGHT ONLY" (…with three shows!)

We caught up with Iggy Gloy from Dance Central this week - and yes, they're getting nearly 180 dancers on stage from ages 2½ to 65!

Show Dates:
⭐ Fri 19 Dec – 7pm
⭐ Sat 20 Dec – 12pm
⭐ Sat 20 Dec – 5:30pm

GET TICKETS

🛍 IKEA Mania – Taupō Goes Full Swedish 🇸🇪

While Auckland queues for IKEA, Taupō stole the spotlight with clever billboard marketing and a playful message to traffic-trapped shoppers.

The campaign taps into the Taupō lifestyle – nature-first, design-minded, slow-living, sauna-by-the-lake energy.
A fun moment of national brand banter, positioning Taupō as New Zealand’s most Swedish town.
Very clever, very Taupō. 💛

‘IKEA mania’ hits Auckland, Taupō hits back
Destination Great Lake Taupō is hoping to cash in on ‘IKEA mania’ with a little gentle marketing fun.
Lake FM 89.6 Taupō radioChris Marshall

🌿 Mahi Aroha – Summer Nature Adventures (Jan 2026)

DOC + Project Tongariro have launched 30 outdoor experiences for summer:
🚁 Heli-hikes
🐦 Wildlife trips & trap-building
🎨 Nature-art workshops
🚤 Overnight Whanganui River jetboat hikoi
🖼 Art auction & gold clam presentation

Some events free, others low-cost. Book early – they fill up fast.
🔗 tongariro.org.nz/mahi-aroha

Might see you at the parade tomorrow morning.

Jesse Archer
Morning Show Host
Lake FM 89.6 Taupō

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Local news highlights

Starlight Cinema’s three theatres taking shape
Cinema opening getting closer for local moviegoers as work continues on Oruanui Street theatre.
Lake FM 89.6 Taupō radioChris Marshall
Northern Health School officially opens new classroom in Taupō
The new Northern Health School classroom will enhance staff’s ability to help students with medical challenges to transition to tertiary or back into formal education, says unit leader Maaike Clapcott.
Lake FM 89.6 Taupō radioChris Marshall
DOC hopes booking system will end hut overcrowding
A new booking system for huts in Tongariro National Park should help avoid hut overcrowding, says DOC.
Lake FM 89.6 Taupō radioChris Marshall
Large group of Brisbane music students in town
Music students from four Brisbane schools are in town this week to play to local schools as part of a New Zealand tour.
Lake FM 89.6 Taupō radioChris Marshall
Academy’s third all brass day continues the learning
Music students spent a day of rehearsing and then performing to parents and caregivers in the Taupō Brass Academy’s third annual staging of its ‘all brass day’.
Lake FM 89.6 Taupō radioChris Marshall
Adam McGrath - Live in Concert Friday 5th December
Join acclaimed songwriter and storyteller Adam McGrath for an unforgettable evening of music and connection.
Lake FM 89.6 Taupō radioMandy David
KNOW YOUR E-BIKE - 7th December
Learn how to get the most out of your e-bike and ride it confidently. We’ll show you important safety checks and you’ll learn bike- handling and battery management as well as how to ride safely on
Lake FM 89.6 Taupō radioMandy David
Prohibition jazz on midday menu
The final midday concert for 2025 is a chance to hear some prohibition era tunes if you missed them first time round.
Lake FM 89.6 Taupō radioChris Marshall