Te Awamutu News | February 9, 2023

Build and be damned

We say:

This is the new view from on high of rural Waipā.

These shade covers block views at ground level –and for that reason residents across the district are up in arms as huge unauthorised structures crawl over hectares of pasture for kiwifruit orchards.

This photograph is of one in Parallel Rd between Ōhaupō and Cambridge. There are more.

Waipā District Council - already guilty of an almost mute response to the exposure by The

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News of a giant illegal sand quarry last year –appears to regard these cloth covers as being “minor support structures”.

Neighbours say elected councillors have kept their distance. Residents in Ōhaupō, Maungatautari, Ngāhināpouri, Hautapu and Cambridge have taken legal action, and councillors have been told they should be circumspect if commenting because a judicial review is underway.

In the meantime, the council appears content to quietly deal with “retrospective” consent applications – applications made by people who elect to build and be damned.

We say it’s not good enough and it’s time for mayor Susan O’Regan and her council to make a stand.

• The owner of the house next to these covers tells of his worst fears today on page 5. Also, see letters, Page 2 and more photos teawamutunews.nz

Grey Power

A taste of kiwifruit

We strongly think kiwifruit canopies should not be allowed to proceed around the Waipā district. We live and farm directly across the road from the 383 Parallel Road development. This is the entire length of their northern boundary. This development when completed is planning to cover 70 hectares of land.

The development so far has obliterated all views across formerly pleasant rural land to Mount Pirongia. The canopies are ugly, invasive and of immense size and scale. All existing vegetation including hedges and large old significant trees will be destroyed. All biodiversity is erased. This is a hugely significant land use change that is being allowed to happen with seemingly little consultation to Waipā residents.

The Waipā district is known for its beautiful landscapes, green grass pastures and trees. It is part of its much admired rural character and charm. Protection of its rural character and scenic vistas is outlined in the district plan. These immense invasive structures do not fit in the Waipā rural landscape, and definitely should not be allowed to proceed.

They seriously affect the enjoyment of our locality for us and neighbouring homes of other long-time residents.

The Searle family and Scott Mathieson

Call

More disputes

In regard to “Getting a taste of kiwi “ (The News, January 26), I am also in dispute with kiwifruit growers that bound my property. I have employed a barrister to handle my grievances also and to ensure that Waipā District Council must enforce their district plan which they have completely ignored or disregarded to this time.

I bought my property 11 years ago for the awesome views. They span extensive views that encompassed the Bombay hills and over to Mt Te Aroha, Cambridge hills, Kakepuku and Mt Pirongia. The view included extensive

farmland and we could watch aeroplanes coming and going from Rukuhia and trains passing through the main trunk line.

Now with the screen netting and shelter belt trees, I have lost about 50 per cent of my beautiful views and they have informed me that they intend growing shelterbelts to 10 metres, which will completely obliterate the rest of the views I still have.

Because the council appears quite unwilling to enforce council laws, expensive lawyers seem to be the only alternative.

I believe the owners of the kiwifruit orchard, that bounds my property, believe they will win any dispute involving us as they have more money. And I believe that the other kiwifruit orchardists believe the same and that they are able to disregard any neighbours’ disruptions or objections or abide by council laws.

The council appears to have a very large too-hard basket.

Thank you for allowing me to express my feelings - and those of many of my neighbours.

Brian Larsen Ngāhinapōuri

Consenting the consent

Questions need to be asked - like who checks the conditions of a resource consent?

If conditions are not met, who is responsible for rectifying this? Is it the person who objects to the conditions or the people who are not keeping to the conditions or is it council?

A big example is the poles being put five metres from the boundary where the conditions clearly state that they have to be 25 metres from the boundary. Also, the height would be a matter to be looked at, is the level too high.

Was there an under arm bowl being delivered with the planner leaving council and now being employed by the kiwifruit people?

Is it that easy to “not keep to the consent

rules” by just asking or doing a retrospective resource consent application? If so, this will open a big can of worms as a precedent will be set by allowing “breaking” the rules.

Council should have declared a ‘conflict of interest’ with the consent, as the planner’s position with the applicant has now created a conflict, and an audit and review of such should have been undertaken immediately . Just where is regulatory governance?

Please council, be transparent. (Abridged)

Bernard Westerbaan

Te Awamutu

Looking at the past

The search for history around Te Awamutu’s Anzac Green continues – but with more questions than answers.

As work gears up to renovate the flagpole on the green, district councillor and Te Awamutu RSA member Lou Brown hopes more information about the history of the green will be uncovered.

He understood the flagpole has been in place since 1923.

But information provided to The News suggests it may have been added later. A correspondent reported Te Awamutu’s museum collection has historic photos of the green – but without the flagpole.

The News picked up a copy of the 1984 book Frontier Town – A History of Te Awamutu 1884-1984 at a Hamilton market on Sunday, but a quick scan failed to shed more light on the issue, other than to confirm the cenotaph had been erected in 1923.

It does note that Teasdale St – the green in on the corner of Teasdale and Bank streets – was named after John Burgess Teasdale, a Waipā county councillor who died in 1927. The town’s first Bank of New Zealand building was on the junction of Bank and Alexandra streets.

• Do you know more? Email editor@ goodlocal.nz

As promised, this week I’ll speak to what you can do when you are unable to get home in Civil Defence emergency.

Most likely you will be at work; therefore each business ought to have a plan. These should include:

• Emergency procedures for fire, earthquake, tsunami and other hazards.

• Assembly points, wardens and first aid training.

• How to contact staff, suppliers, clients and insurance providers.

• Alternative arrangements if you are unable to access your premises, files, etc.

• Talk to disabled staff. Find out what support they might need if there’s an emergency. Also think about how you might need to help any visitors who have a disability.

Employees may be unable to travel home. They may have to shelter at work and will need supplies, they will also have great concern for loved ones and pets that they cannot contact. Plans need to made on how to accommodate for this.

If you are trapped in your vehicle, do you have an emergency kit? An emergency kit should contain at least a torch, batteries,

some form of shelter and ideally some basic food and water and be easily accessible within your vehicle.

During a Civil Emergency, news updates will be provided regularly on the main news/ radio channels.

It is important to monitor these channels. The information provided will be the same messaging to ensure consistency of information. This can also be accessed online through Civil Defence’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.

Quarries on hold

Two quarry applications in Ōhaupō and Maungatautari remain on hold while Waipā council waits for further information. Rukuhia Land Company has applied to operate a sand quarry in the Ōhaupō rural zone while Beacon Hill Contracting, which had been unlawfully operating a sand quarry at Oreipunga Road, is seeking resource consents to authorise the activities.

Parking tickets

The pre-Christmas parking crackdown in Cambridge and Te Awamutu by Waipā District Council resulted in 93 parking infringement notices - mostly for motorists overstaying their time. Parking in Waipā is free but there are time restrictions in place in the Te Awamutu and Cambridge central business districts.

Dog numbers

There are about 270 unregistered dogs in the Waipā district. The animal control team is working through the list and issuing infringement notices which carry a $300 fine. Staff impounded 68 dogs in the three months up to Christmas. Owners claimed 49 of them, seven were put down and six rehomed.

Funds available

The second ground of applications to Waipā District Council’s Community Discretionary Fund opened this week. Funds are administered by the Pirongia Ward Committee, Cambridge and Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Boards, and support community activities or projects in the Waipā district.

New playground

Work to revamp John Rochfort Park on the corner of Hall and Bryce Streets in Kihikihi will begin this month as part of a new $300,000 playground.

Education centre on maunga

By Roy Pilott

“Education has always been a core purpose,” Jim Mylchreest says of Maungatautari Sanctuary Mountain.

So it was fitting that at the opening of the $846,000 Manu Korokii Education Centre on the maunga last week the Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan acknowledged Mylchreest’ s role in the success story the conservation venture has become.

Mylchreest is a former chief executive of Sanctuary Mountain and was subsequently mayor of Waipā until last October - and he sat next to his successor at the powhiri.

“I think about the speed today people, and children particularly are learning about biodiversity and reflect on the day 20 years ago when the Northern Enclosure was opened and 3500 children were there,” he told The News.

“Most of them will now be paying taxes and rates, and many will have children of their own.”

Ngāti Korokī Kahukura Trust co-chair Karaitiana Tamatea, a former co-chair of the Maungatautari trust, welcomed about 100 guests into the new building, designed by Cambridge’s Antanas Procuta of Paua Architects.

The importance of exposing young people to what is happening on the maunga was underlined in an emotional presentation by its lead educator Tali Jellyman who said up to 4500 young people stepped off a bus to be introduced to Maungatautari each year.

“It’s important to combine formal classroom learning with experienced base learning,” she said.

She said research showed “experiential based learning” for children aged 6-12 about biodiversity and conservation on the mountain had an impact

on behaviour extensions to adulthood. At 13 up, students became actively informed citizens - “they are our future leaders”.

“I am grateful for this building I it feels inviting,” she said.

Newly appointed chief executive Andrew Packham, in one of his first formal engagements, said the new building will allow tens of thousands of students to start their learning.

He acknowledged the “incredibly diverse” range of supporters who assist Sanctuary Mountain – from corporates to schools who raised money through the sales of bait.

Work on the new learning centre began early last year, and it endured some Covid enforced delays.

It is at the Southern Enclosure of Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari – where 47km of predator proof fence protects 3400 hectares of forest and native wildlife enjoy an environment which nurtured flora and fauna before the arrival of mammals.

Kaka were flying overhead, tieke were in the trees and pitoitoi, the North Island robin – which are also breeding on Mt Pirongiacould be found at every turn on Thursday.

The new centre will be key to Sanctuary Mountain’s Conservation Education Programme catering for individuals, schools, tertiary and community groups.

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Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan paid tribute to the work of her predecessor Jim Mylchreest for his work on Sanctuary Mountain. They were pictured with Linda Te Aho (Ngāti Koroki Kahukura).

Tahau Thompson and Maihi Bennett (right), Ngāti Hauā, blessed the new education centre.

Manu Kokorii has been built to be a learning centre for thousands of students every year.

From flooding to Fawlty

By Peter Carr

The recent horrific rain deluge in Auckland caused me to have several conversations with a good friend who is a leader among residents of a major North Shore retirement village.

She described the mounting carnage and associated horror of two boundary water courses breaking their banks. One was blocked by a shipping container swept off an adjoining property. Almost 40 people were evacuated, several cars towed away, there was a loss of IT records and much stress to a high number of displaced elderly people. Even the grand piano was seen to be moving across the main lounge at about two knots.

When the skies had cleared – and the water subsided – I labelled her Queen Canute – she being the wife of the Danish king of that name who ruled England in the middle part of the 11th century. One of his more famous acts being to sit at the edge of the sea on a beach beseeching the tide not to progress further. It was something to do with God and man showing who had the greater power.

Well Canute (actually Cnut) had a son named Harald (that being the Danish way to spell the name) who also made the headlines at a later date when he fell with an arrow in his head while attempting to repulse the French at the seaside town of Hastings in 1066. The invader, William, successfully attempted to show the superiority of the French. Thankfully, meaningful Francophile incursions into England ceased after that except for good cooking and a sometimes-superb rugby team.

The French have never actually loved their neighbours across the channel even though they had to be bailed out in two world wars by the British with some very late-entry support from the Americans. And I include Commonwealth

countries in ‘British’.

So about 15 years ago my wife and I were wandering along the south coast of England on a journey from Hampshire to Kent. It was taking much longer than I had planned and around 4.30pm I experienced a mounting desire to get out of the car and to find an alcoholic elixir that would balance my temperament. We were crawling along the seafront at Hastings – a first for both of us and found a B&B. The tall and skinny proprietor directed us to a second-floor room overlooking the sea. Having viewed the steep stairs I remonstrated with him that I was getting elderly, had experienced a tiring day and that the bags were heavy, we eventually persuaded him to provide a ground floor room at the back.

Hastings would possibly be described by some as quaint. The aforementioned need for sustenance could be amply rectified by the high number of pubs. The beach is totally stoney (like Brighton and Nice) but there is a lovely historic harbour with some fine and well-maintained fishing craft drawn up clear of the tide. And those fishing boats provided great fare as proved by the evening meal.

The following morning the 15 guests in the B&B came together for breakfast in the basement dining room. Mine host displayed a remarkable likeness to the voluble and physical antics of that well known hotelier Basil Fawlty. He recited tales of how hard he worked and announced his wife would remain in the kitchen. Clearly, he misunderstood her ability to hear through a closed door, which opened to reveal his wife. The subsequent dining-room haranguing of poor Basil was a sight to behold.

Perhaps he will be joined one day by a diminutive waiter from Barcelona.

Reflecting on a red light moment

By Eric Auton

It was stinking hot in Sao Paulo Brazil, so my car window was down. The traffic lights changed to red. I stopped. Two mistakes. Yes, I do mean two mistakes.

The boy must have been under 10 years old but was emaciated.

“Journal?” There were a few tired copies of ‘The Folha de São Paulo’ folded over his left arm. “Nao obrigado”. I replied as calmly as I could.

“Pelo amor de Deus! Eu Nao comi faz Dois Dias.”(For the love of God! I haven’t eaten for two days.) He pushed the newspapers towards me and at the same time revealed that he had what looked like a .38 semiconcealed in his grip.

“I am not looking at you but take what is in my shirt pocket, the one nearest to you, and remember I have never seen you before in my life.”

I tried to always keep some US dollars in a pocket which could be easily reached.

“Deus lhe paga.” (God will pay you back.)

The boy’s timing was such that the lights changed, I accelerated away from the scene and so did any witnesses.

A few Whangarei teenagers are beginning to hang around corners (two exit routes) and some have brazenly begged from me. Yes, I have gone into a nearby dairy, bought them a pie and

Waipā District Libraries

FEB/MAR 2023

Heritage Month

From Then to Now*

Changing Times for Te Awamutu’s 1920’s Commercial Architecture

left. What do you reflect upon when you are faced with a choice to give or not?

The Bible teaches us that God searches our hearts and loves a cheerful giver. My motive at that red light was my desire to survive. Does that make me a loving father or a hypocrite?

Whangarei is changing almost as fast the traffic lights: superb holiday highways and homes, world class beaches without litter and gangs of 10-year-olds ‘looking after your car, Mister?’

Families living in their cars or under the rain covers of the Salvation Army building….

God has blessed me with a home at Te Kawa so that our family can grow together in a loving and patient way patient way.

Moving here has shown me that there is a great deal of love and compassion and neighbourliness in areas of this community. Do you think we are part of a green light traffic?

What I am saying is that there are many chances for us to share and give instead of take and divide: starting with indicating when we go round roundabouts and thanking drivers for letting us in to streams of traffic. God loves drivers who give away to others. By the way, when did you notice that there are no traffic lights in Te Awamutu?

Wednesday 1 March, 10.30am, Te Awamutu Library. Morning tea included. RSVP appreciated.

Stories from the Dead Centre of Town*

Brief introduction then tour of old St Johns Churchyard. Stories from Māori and pakeha burials Saturday 4 March, 10.30am, Te Awamutu Library.

All ages Heritage Scavenger Hunt!

(Win a KoboLibra2 eReader package valued at over $350!) Pick up an entry form from your library or download it from our website from 1 February.

Additional events are available in Cambridge

waipalibraries.org.nz/events waipalibraries@waipadc.govt.nz facebook.com/WaipaDistrictLibraries

Landowners see red

By Mary Anne Gill

If an independent commissioner approves a retrospective land use consent for a giant kiwifruit orchard at 582 Parallel Road in Ōhaupō, Nick Jennings says everyone in the district is “doomed”.

He and his family will face being boxed in on three sides of their property by six metre high shade cloth and intrusive shelterbelts.

It will also send a clear message to other horticulturalists they can do what they like in Waipā, he says.

And some already have. Rural residents have contacted The News since we revealed poles and

up around the district without the required council resource consents to protect newly-planted Ruby Red kiwifruit orchards.

Kiwifruit Investments Limited has applied for retrospective and prospective resource consents to establish vertical and horizontal artificial kiwifruit shelters and to plant shelterbeds in Parallel Road. The hearing will be on February 22 before Alan Withy.

The council says it is aware of the district-wide activity and the concerns of neighbouring landowners.

Enforcement team leader Ken Danby recently told a landowner there was likely to be a lot more in the district in the coming years.

Jennings told The News: “if they get my one over the line, I will be surrounded by white shade cloth, I will be in prison. It’s like they are saying catch me if you can.”

The shelters will block light and warmth, he says.

Waipā planners concede the Jennings will experience “significant visual effects, a change of outlook and open rural character”.

But in their recommendation to Withy to approve the retrospective application, they said the

property will be adversely affected in a “minor capacity”.

Two organisations at either end of the district – the Lake Karāpiro and Environs Protection Group and the Ngāhinapōuri Protection Society – have brought in lawyers to fight the spread towards them.

Jennings has a barrister acting for him while other Parallel Road residents are also using lawyers to communicate with the council.

One resident has taken the council to the High Court for a judicial review of Withy’s decision to grant retrospective consent for a kiwifruit orchard development at 383 Parallel Road.

“Professional kiwifruit growers investing millions in development are fully aware of the district plan rules,” says a spokesperson for the Karāpiro group.

But Kiwifruit Investments Ltd director Parmvir Singh Bains said in his evidence to the application that he “had no idea resource consent was needed”.

The Karāpiro spokesperson claimed growers know that Waipā either turns a blind eye or supports them to apply retrospectively, and they then seem to get an easy ride though the consent process.

“They also know that usually they can simply outspend residents via planners, reports and legal resource.”

The Ngāhinapōuri group says the council knows residents are vehemently opposed to the screens and canopies and are aware of the environmental effect but seem reluctant to get involved.

The group has 25 landowner members and plans to hold a community meeting to discuss any further action.

Bay of Plenty kiwifruit growers are eyeing up Waikato land because of land and labour shortages in Te Puke, the kiwifruit capital of the world.

“We just want to grow good kiwifruit and make the most of

these high quality growing soils,” Bains said in his evidence. The overhead shelters are six metres high with timber poles and string attached to the structure which the kiwifruit grow along. They protect the crop from birds, light hail and wind damage while also preventing spray drift. Bains and other kiwifruit orchardists are planting the Ruby Red variety which are susceptible to wind rub and require shelter protection.

Other varieties, such as Hayward – an older green kiwifruit – do not need overhead shelter protection.

Nick Jennings, left, pictured with Margaret and Grant Walker, are unhappy with the arrival of imposing kiwifruit orchards.

Zespri promotes Ruby Red – branded RubyRedamong a host of kiwifruit varieties.

Council focus on housing

By Mary Anne Gill

Housing is such a significant issue for Waipā that the newly-elected council has escalated its importance by establishing a new housing sub-committee.

The decision was made at this week’s Strategic Planning and Policy committee and the new committee replaces the Housing Working Group which had reported to the Finance and Corporate committee.

Strategy group manager Kirsty Downey said the sub-committee would focus on matters relating to housing for the elderly and affordable and social housing.

Liz Stolwyk will chair the sub-committee of Clare St Pierre, Andrew Brown, Roger Gordon and Susan O’Regan.

Its first job will be to develop and deliver an implementation plan for the Waikato Regional Council’s Housing Initiative and Waipā Plan on a Page.

The regional strategy vision is that every person and family in the Waikato is well-housed.

Waipā’s vision is that every person in the district is well-housed, living in sustainable, flourishing and connected communities.

The forerunner to the sub committee was a Pensioner Housing working group established seven years ago. Last term the council decided its remit needed to expand to include wider social and affordable housing considerations.

“As part of the induction of the new council in late 2022, housing was recognised as a significant issue affecting our Waipā communities,” said Downey.

What’s going on with Te Awamutu-Kihikihi growth cells?

T2: Approved, under development.

T9: Progressing, although issues with landowners on intersection arrangement

T11: Resource consent for subdivision (76 lots) is being processed.

T15: An application for the large lot residential area has been lodged and is being processed.

Pirongia: Engineering plans have been approved for construction on a 45-lot development in Hudson Street.

Amberviews: Constructions has started on another stage.

Ngāhinapōuri: Construction has started on a large lot development.

Airport area: The airport area continues to be developed. The western precinct is mostly fully developed.

Briefs…

Car conventions

The Triumph TR national convention will be hosted in Cambridge from February 16 to 19. The event will feature a display of 64 vehicles on Victoria Park on Friday February 17. The Sunbeam Car Club of NZ will host its annual meeting in Cambridge from February 24 to 26 in Cambridge. The cars will be on display outside Hidden Lake Hotel on February 25.

Storm fallout

Three February meetings scheduled for Alexandra Park have been transferred to Cambridge Raceway after last week’s deluge of rain washed part of the Auckland course away.

Dog rules

Waipā’s dog rules will be reviewed following an initial engagement period which resulted in more than 300 people providing feedback. Now a draft policy and bylaw will be drafted and go out for public consultation in April.

TE AWAMUTU Spotlight on

BEST LITTLE GIFT SHOP OFFERS A RAFT OF SURPRISES

One of the best little gift shops in Te Awamutu can be found at Masons

Giftware and Garden Centre off Ōhaupō Road,

It’s home to an eclectic range of gifts for all ages … from delightful baby and children’s ornaments to all things plant-related, new and restored items and quirky finds sure to remind older folk of days gone by.

Myra Fitzgerald started the shop about five years ago, initially stocking knick-knacks that

dovetailed with the family business with which it was affiliated, Masons Garden Centre. Nicky and Andrew Mason are the third generation of Masons who have run the centre since it opened in 1933. Together with Myra, they have created a fabulous destination gift shop that people often stumble across by accident but wish they had known about sooner.

The flavour is a little bit country chic and a whole lot curiosity shop. There are planters and vases, milk urns and collectables, baskets and wooden boards, dried flowers

and potted plants, refurbished wall hooks and a great range of ceramics. Myra says the cute ceramic rabbits, elephants and birds are particularly popular.

It’s a place where the tables creak with treasures and the floor pops with ideas. Myra keeps things fresh by adding delights she sources from markets, and by infusing the personalities of those involved –including Lou who works the shop with Myra.

This perfect little gift shop is one not to be missed – and it’s open seven days a week.

MASONS GARDEN CENTRE & GIFTSHOP

We pride ourselves on providing people with experienced advice, quality and affordable plants, garden products and gifts that will suit everyone’s needs.

TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE IT GREAT.

www.masonsgardencentre.co.nz

Myra Fitzgerald, left, and Nicky Mason, at the popular Masons Giftware and Garden Centre.

A MORNING WITH PETER HILLARY RYMAN PRESENTS

WEDNESDAY 15 FEBRUARY 10AM

Hosted at Grassroots Trust Velodrome, 15 Hanlin Road, Cambridge

Join us for a morning with Peter Hillary as he shares insights into his outstanding mountaineering adventures and achievements.

Peter comes from one of the great families of mountaineering and has a history of world-class achievements in climbing. Like his father, the late Sir Edmund Hillary, Peter has also summited Everest twice making them the first two generations of one family to climb the world’s highest peak.

Peter continues to climb in the Himalayas and raise funds to support schools and hospitals for the people of the Everest region in Nepal.

Refreshments will be provided.

Spaces are limited and RSVP is essential.

Call David or Joanne on 0800 600 446

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Mapping the future

By Mary Anne Gill

What is arguably the biggest engagement of its type for the Waipā district gets underway this week for two months.

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Ahu Ake, the Waipā Community Spatial Plan, is a 30-year blueprint for the district mapping out what towns and villages will look like, how residents will move around and what services will be available.

Strategy group manager Kirsty Downey told the council’s Strategic Planning and Policy committee this week that for the plan to be finalised it needs extensive community consultation. She and project manager Vanessa Honore will attend a number of events around Waipā over the next two months including the Tainui Games at Hopuhopu this weekend.

“We have not engaged with the community like this

before. We are very excited,” said Downey. There will be 22 events and 12 presentations between this week and March 27 in Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Te Miro, Karāpiro, Kihikihi, Pirongia, Ōhaupō, Rukuhia, Pukeatua and Ngāhinapōuri.

Marae based hui will also take place as will staff drop in sessions, online stakeholder workshops. A briefing with council Customer Service team members has already taken place.

Honore said staff were excited about the spatial plan and had volunteered to attend the community meetings.

Mayor Susan O’Regan, deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk, councillors and community board members will also be at several events.

“To achieve buy in and work alongside the community, we need to make sure this is the future

they (residents) want to see for themselves and their children.

“It’s going to be quite an interesting engagement –within their village, their street and withing their day to day commute,” said Honore.

“Now all we need is our community to engage,” said Stolwyk who believed the mix of in person, online, community newspapers and

mailbox drops would ensure everyone would be part of the process.

When the road shows finishes, strategy staff will capture and address community feedback into a consultation report. Another consultation process will take place in June and July, a final draft spatial plan produced in August and adopted by council in September.

Cambridge Life (formerly Lifecare Cambridge) is under new management.

We are now proudly part of Sound Care Group, with five homes that provide a high standard of holistic nursing care for older people across New Zealand.

We are now proudly part of Sound Care Group, with five homes that provide a high standard of holistic nursing care for older people across New Zealand.

•Personalised care plan

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•Local GP services

• Yummy, nutritious meals

• Local GP services

• Full activity calendar and entertainment

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We are a local Charitable Trust and that makes us quite different from most retirement villages. Quite simply, we don’t have shareholders. We are a community-owned organisation, providing a wide range of retirement living and care options, and the added benefit of shared capital gain for our apartments, cottages and villas. Come and see the Cambridge

difference for yourself.

Protecting bush in and around Mt Pirongia will be part of the spatial plan’s brief.

BUSINESS AWARDS 2023

Entries now open

For more information and to enter the 2023 Awards please visit www.waipabusinessawards.co.nz

Quick crossword

Wordsearch

Excellence Awards

• Emerging/New Business

• Small Business

• Medium Business

• Large Business

Stand-alone Awards

• Leader of the Year

• Employee of the Year

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Category Awards

• Community Contribution

• Innovation and Adaption

• Digital Strategy and E-Commerce

• Waste Minimisation

- Environmental

• Contribution to Tourism or Hospitality

Sudoku

Fill

Across 1. Rub hard (5)

4. Mariner (6)

8. Deadlock (7)

9. Extra (5)

10. Large spoon (5)

11. Repair (5,2)

12. Inconsiderable (6)

14. Sour tasting (6)

17. Stir (7)

19. Little pancake (5)

21. Depart (5)

Last week

22. Level area on a hillside (7)

23. Missive (6)

24. Very small (colloq) (5)

Down

1. Be indecisive (6-6)

2. Swift (5)

3. Implore (7)

4. Drowsy (6)

5. Thing of value (5)

6. Embarrassed (7)

7. In the order stated (12)

13. Ape (7)

15. Nightclub entertainment (7)

16. Become septic (6)

18. Watchful (5) 20. Daft (5)

Across: 1. Scams, 4. Astute, 7. Pub, 8. Murmur, 9. Rookie, 10. Salt and pepper, 14. Rigid, 15. Alibi, 18. Butterfingers, 23. Afraid, 24. Arable, 25. Gag, 26. Statue, 27. Elder.

Down: 1. Sauna, 2. Admit, 3. Spring, 4. Abrupt, 5. Troop, 6. Twine, 10. Shrub, 11. Light, 12. Poise, 13. Reins, 16. Grudge, 17. Visage, 19. Unfit, 20. Toast, 21. Gland, 22. Ruler.

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DEMAETSFMOWEVATSAP

BALANCE

BEANS

Last week

Sudoku

All puzzles © The Puzzle Company

Wordsearch

WHOLESOME

YEAST

ZINC

DAIRY

The Lego Story

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The definitive history of LEGO, based on unprecedented access to the company’s archives and rare interviews with the founding family who still owns the company

It’s estimated that each year between eighty and ninety million children around the globe are given a box of LEGO, while up to ten million adults buy sets for themselves. Yet LEGO is much more than a dizzying number of plastic bricks that can be put together and combined in countless ways. LEGO is also a vision of the significance of what play can mean for humanity.

This book tells the extraordinary story of a global company and a Danish family who for ninety years have defended children’s right to play— and who believe grown-ups, too, should make the time to nurture their inner child. The LEGO Story is built on Jens Andersen’s unique access to LEGO’s own archives, as well as on Andersen’s extensive conversations with Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, former president and CEO of the LEGO group and grandson of its founder, Ole Kirk Christiansen.

A riveting cultural history of changing generations’ views of childhood and the importance of play, The LEGO Story also a fascinating case study of how innovation and creativity helped leaders transform LEGO from a small carpentry business into the world’s largest producer of play materials and one of the most beloved brands in the world. Richly illustrated with never-before-seen photos from the family’s private archive, this is the ultimate book for fans of LEGO, revealing everything you ever wanted to know about the brand.

“Absolutely essential reading for every LEGO fan.” – Blocks

by Jens Andersen

with Jan Bilton

Stir it up

We have the Chinese to thank for creating one of the world’s most popular methods of cookery — stir-frying. With fuel expensive and living conditions cramped, Chinese cooks sliced vegetables, meats and fish into thin strips so they could be cooked quickly in one pan. Distinctive halfmoonshaped pans — woks — were designed to channel the heat up the sides of the pan as it nestled on the burning wood or coal.

Special flat-based woks have been developed for electric hobs. However, they must be heavy so they retain heat. An alternative is a heavy frying pan.

For best results, prepare all the ingredients before you start stir-frying. Cut meats and vegetables into thin strips or pieces of about equal size. This applies especially to vegetables that are dense in texture such as carrots, cauli and beans. Blanch first, then pat dry if preferred.

Prior to cooking, heat the wok or heavy frying pan for a couple of minutes before adding the oil. Begin with the dense ingredients, a little at a time, stir-frying continuously to ensure they don’t ‘stew’. Sometimes, vegetables take more time to cook than meats so cook these first, remove from the pan then cook the meat. Return the vegetables to heat through.

DUMPLINGS WITH STIR-FRIED VEGETABLES

The dumplings are available from Asian food stores and supermarket freezers.

1 tablespoon rice bran oil

250g pork and prawn dumplings

1/2 cup water

3 cloves garlic, crushed

1/2 medium red capsicum, seeded and cubed

3/4 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels

100g snow peas, trimmed

2 small bunches bok choy, chopped

Sauce: 1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons each: oyster sauce, Chinese cooking wine, plum sauce

2 teaspoons brown sugar

Place half the oil in a large non-stick frying pan or wok Add the dumplings and stir to coat in oil. Cook until one side is golden. Turn them over, add the water and cover and simmer for 5 minutes, until cooked through. Place aside. Clean the pan. Heat the remaining oil. Add the garlic, capsicum and corn. Stir-fry for 3 minutes. Add the snow peas and bok choy. Stir-fry until the bok choy is wilted. Combine the sauce ingredients well. Stir into the pan. Return the dumplings and heat through. Great garnished with sesame seeds. Serves 2.

CAULIFLOWER & SHIITAKE MUSHROOM STIR-FRY

5 shiitake mushrooms

2-3 tablespoons rice bran oil

1 small cauliflower, cut into small florets

1 onion, sliced

1 tablespoon brown sugar

2 cloves garlic, chopped

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon sesame oil

Remove the stalks from the shiitake mushrooms. Thinly slice the caps.

Heat half the oil in a wok or non-stick frying pan. Add the cauliflower and stir-fry gently until browned. Remove and place aside. Add the remaining oil to the pan. Add the onion and brown sugar. Stir-fry until caramelised. Return the cauli to the pan

together with the mushrooms, garlic and soy sauce. Stir well. Cook for 3 minutes then add the sesame oil. Serves 4 as a side.

SINGAPORIAN BEEF

Cook the rice and prepare a salad while the meat is marinating. The satay sauce could be replaced with peanut butter and a dash of curry powder.

500g sirloin steak

2 teaspoons each: soy sauce, sesame oil, cornflour

2 tablespoons each: water, canola oil

Sauce: 1 medium onion, sliced

1 clove garlic, crushed

2 teaspoons each: satay sauce, Shaoxing (Chinese) cooking wine, soy sauce

1 teaspoon each: curry powder, sugar

2 tablespoons water

Discard any fat from the meat then slice into 5mm pieces. Flatten any thick pieces. Place in a bowl with the combined soy sauce, sesame oil, cornflour and water. Marinate for 15 minutes. Drain off any excess marinade.

Heat the oil in a wok or heavy frying pan and sauté the meat quickly in batches, until browned. Remove to one side. To make the sauce, sauté the onion until tender. Combine the remaining ingredients and add to the pan. Stir until boiling. Return the meat to pan to heat through. Serve immediately with rice and salad. Serves 4.

Meals on Wheels

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469 2423 waipaali@gmail.com www.waipaaluminium.co.nz

Our very own storm trooper

A Cambridge student is using spare time ahead of her Wintec classes resuming by helping collect donations for victims of the Auckland floods.

Charlotte Peake and her sister Mikaela are collecting items daily to deliver to Hamilton organisations who send them north.

“Charlotte and I had a conversation at breakfast just after the flood about how we should scrounge around the house to find good quality items to donate and that if everyone gave a little bit this would relieve the pressure for those that have lost everything,” mum Fiona said.

“Charlotte then just ran with the idea, making calls and organising groups to help donate.

“Charlotte spoke to her grandmother, Kathy, who did an SOS to village residents at Bupa Cambridge… two massive car loads of near new bedding and towels have been delivered.”

She is also getting support from her old school, St Paul’s in Hamilton.

Items can be dropped off at the Salvation Army, 27 Williamson Street, Monday to Friday between 10 am – 2pm, and Windy Ridge Function Centre, 101 Great South Road, Ōhaupō, Monday – Friday 9 am – 2 pm.

In Te Awamutu the appeal from Charlotte has been heard by lawyers Edmonds Judd.

“We don’t have a drop off point in Te Awamutu so we are collecting from Te Awamutu people who we know and taking it ourselves to the Cambridge and Hamilton places,” Fiona said.

NO PLANET B

Gilmore Girls –what do I know?

By Peter Matthews

I don’t watch Gilmore Girls. Never have. You probably don’t even know what I’m talking about. It’s a fairly pithy American TV show from the early 2000s which follows the lives and loves of a mother and daughter.

The show gained a reputation for fast-paced and witty dialogue, and ran for seven seasons. I can confirm that the dialogue is fast - it often sounds like a chipmunk’s tea party. From a distance of course - I don’t watch it. The humour is predictably American; you can sense the punchline coming from so far away that by the time it arrives you’ve already moved on.

The programme is not for me but it must have something; my wife and daughter have just finished watching all 17,000 thousand episodes. For the second time.

I’ll stick to English whodunnits and The Oxford Union debates on YouTube.

Having said all that, one of my favourite lines ever was uttered by Lorelai Gilmore’s mother Emily: “What I do want is even the most perfunctory level of competence from the people with whom I am compelled to interact”. Brava! Nailed it.

Who hasn’t languished in a far corner of a restaurant suffering Saharan levels of dehydration while a gaggle of wait staff discuss nail colour, boyfriends, girlfriends, and other such gravitas at the bar? Or been stuck in the clutches of the only salesperson in the computer store who has never used a Mac, and who has never knowingly released a smothered customer into the hands of a colleague who has?

Another favourite line of mine came from the twisted character Alice Morgan in the series Luther. Alice, both nemesis and friend of Luther, said “one of the problems with people is that they continue to believe the future will be better than the evidence of the present can possibly suggest”.

How true that is. The indefatigable optimism of humans is very often the only thing that gets them through the hardest of times. One can only marvel at the levels of fortitude, courage, and hope exhibited by the residents of Ukraine.

On the other hand, I could scarcely believe the audacity of Vladimir Putin seeking to compare Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the fight against Nazi Germany. “It’s unbelievable but true,” he said. “We are again being threatened by German Leopard tanks”. Well here’s a tip: don’t invade your neighbour.

It’s easy to ignore some of the more adverse circumstances in which people struggle to survive, all the while hoping for better times to come.

It’s a bit like Stars Hollow where Gilmore Girls is set. I can’t imagine how I know that - because I don’t watch it.

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Deliveries are to occur every Thursday. Are you honest and reliable and would like to earn some money while keeping fit? Our runs are suitable for either youth (minimum age 11 years) or adults.

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$399 RRP $349 $529 RRP $479 H 125B $419 28.0 cc - 0.8 kW - 76 m/s - 4.26 kg An e cient hand held leaf blower that combines high blowing power with user friendliness. 5 High quality leather, all-weather protective boots providing comfort and durability, with composite toe cap for maximum protection. Certified to: EN ISO 20345, S3, SRC, RO. High Vis Work Shirts Available in unisex sizes: S to XXXL. Short Sleeve $75 RRP Long Sleeve $85 RRP Made from high-quality polyester/ cotton twill. Sizes: S to XXL. 122HD45 21.7 cc - 45 cm Bar/28 mm Teeth Opening - 4.7 kg The ideal hedge trimmer for home use. Light weight, low noise and easy to use with Smart Start® technology. H 125B 28.0 cc - 0.8 kW - 76 m/s - 4.26 kg An efficient hand held leaf blower that combines high blowing power with user friendliness. H Clean up with ease Blowers from $349 24.50 RRP $399 RRP $349 H 125BVX 5 durability, with composite toe cap for maximum protection. Certified to: EN ISO 20345, S3, SRC, RO. High Vis Work Shirts Available in unisex sizes: S to XXXL. Short Sleeve Long Sleeve Made from high-quality polyester/ cotton twill. Sizes: S to XXL. Low noise, lightweight hedge trimmer with adjustable rear handle and Smart Start® technology. 122HD45 21.7 cc - 45 cm Bar/28 mm Teeth Opening - 4.7 kg The ideal hedge trimmer for home use. Light weight, low noise and easy to use with Smart Start H 125B 28.0 cc - 0.8 kW - 76 m/s - 4.26 kg An efficient hand held leaf blower that combines high blowing power with user friendliness. H Clean up with ease Blowers from $349 X-series feature scratch resistant lenses with extendable frames and angle adjustable lenses. Available in $399 RRP $349 27.6 cc - 0.85 kW - 4.5 kg Make tough jobs easy. A robust curved shaft trimmer that combines high power with a focus on ease of use. PremiumEarmuffs $65RRP 122C 21.7cc-0.6kW-4.4kg Trimminglawnedgesaroundthehomeissimplewiththiseasy startinggrasstrimmerfeaturinglowweightandlownoise. H 325L 27.6cc-0.85kW-5.0kg Builttotakeondemandingtasks.EquippedwithT35trimmerhead whichincludesTap-n-Go for convenient line feed. L $589 RRP $519 129R 27.6cc-0.85kW-5.4kg Versatile,powerfulbrushcuttercompletewithtrimmerhead,grass blade and double-harness. H $575 129C 27.6cc-0.85kW-4.5kg Maketoughjobseasy.Arobustcurvedshafttrimmerthatcombines highpowerwithafocusoneaseofuse. H $429 RRP $389 $319 RRP $289 fromTrimmers $289 Tap-N-Go TrimmerHeads Getagreatresultwithanoriginal grasstrimmerheadfrom Husqvarna.Durableand designedtominimise FoldableHandsaw

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