Stories by Libby Kirkby-McLeod

Is it possible writers who don't live in Aotearoa's main centres are disadvantaged when it comes to awards and literary festivals?

On the Ockham Book Awards shortlist, for example, all of this year's… Audio

The pressure is on the rail service Te Huia, which runs between Auckland and Hamilton.

The government says it's one of the most heavily subsidised public transport services in the country - and… 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

More than 500 children live in emergency housing in Hamilton city.

The effect of unstable housing on their education can be profound.

And community groups who support whānau want more consistent… 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

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

Libby Kirkby-McLeod's claims to being a 'Cochabambina' are flimsy, but the dusty streets of this small town high in the Andes feel like her spiritual home.

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

Communities along the Firth of Thames have come up with 100 recommendations for a 100-year strategy to deal with the impact of climate change.

It's just the second time such a community-lead plan has… 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

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

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

Waitomo Hotel. Chateau Tongariro. Rotorua Museum and the Blue Baths.

Across central New Zealand many iconic historic buildings are sitting empty while their owners, both private and public, grapple… Audio

Tourism to Waitomo's glow-worm caves is quietly picking up but the area is struggling with the impact of extreme weather on the roads.

Before the global pandemic, Waitomo hosted more tourists than… Audio

Last year, the Anglican church purchased ten acres at Rangiaowhia outside of Te Awamutu, with the intention of enabling its return to Ngāti Apakura.

The hapū is currently leasing the land from the… Audio

Dip down into a valley south of Hamilton and you arrive at one of New Zealand's most unique environments - Waitomo.

Covid lockdowns gave scientists an unexpected opportunity to learn more about the… Audio

Wearing fluffy cat ears which spin around translating your brainwaves isn't what a farmer would do on a normal day in the yards. And growers are more likely to walk between crop rows, not through the… Audio