What they read online

Our profile of Pieta Bouma who comes from a big Dutch, Catholic, farming immigrant family and who grew up on a lifestyle block in Ngāhinapōuri was the best-read online story after News in brief last month.

Pieta Bouma in Hamilton’s Fairfield Park. Photo: Steph Bell-Jenkins.

Steph Bell-Jenkins’ piece ran in the February 29 edition but was still getting hits well into the month as was her article about the health struggles of Fionnlagh Adams’ – proving readers love people stories.

But bubbling away is the burning issue of the planned incinerator in Te Awamutu and our column by Fencourt farmer Andrew Johnstone certainly got people talking.

Sometimes the statistics surprise us and the appearance of a story from September last year on Te Awamutu Tennis Club’s John Robinson being named Administrator of the Year at the Waikato Tennis Trust’s 2022/23 awards did just that.

Another Bell-Jenkins special, Kicking the money to touch, about touch rugby coach Matiu Paraone, which appeared last week, showed readers go online for the latest stories as well.

Rounding out our top 10 was Cracking idea creates new hen-ergy – Central Kids Hazelmere Kindergarten’s chicken story.

The top five news stories for the month were: News in brief, I was outraged …. And still am, Fionnlagh’s cancer journey, Examining the burning issue and Kicking the monkey to touch.

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