Te Awamutu News | November 23, 2023

TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 1

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

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She said, Time for a selfie they said

By Roy Pilott

Readers of Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board agendas get questions and answers and a debate all in one go.

Board chair Ange Holt’s monthly reports are now followed by a “staff response” where comments are made on what she had reported.

The first response was posted in August and in a second, in September, staff called her comments disingenuous and questioned her accuracy.

Holt did not provide a report last month, but for November it’s there – with a staff response.

It doesn’t happen in Cambridge - but it is no secret Holt has been at odds with staff over some issues.

One of her monthly columns in The News caused sufficient angst earlier this year that she agreed to acknowledge errors in the following edition and an edited version of the column was posted online.

Both Holt and her deputy Kane Titchener were diplomatic when The News raised the staff response issue this week and said efforts were being made to build relationships.

But Holt isn’t shying away from writing what she thinks – this month reporting that “we would like to record our concerns that this playground [at Rewi Maniapoto Reserve, Kihikihi] in its current proximity to the road with an inadequate barrier is potentially an unsafe place for children…”

Staff response: There will be no parking adjacent to Rewi Maniapoto Reserve once the cycleway has been constructed… which will help address safety concerns.”

And on the Memorial Park playground: “…we were given the impression we would see some concept plans to comment on and seek community feedback before they were finalised.”

Staff response: “…staff did not signal the playground design would include any further feedback or wider community consultation…”

On member Jill Taylor’s work with school activities: “Jill thinks it would be fantastic if we could add some equipment for teens in our parks, eg John Rochfort Park in Kihikihi, Swarbrick or beside the Pop n Good park…”

Staff response: “Not all sites named in the chair’s report are appropriate, so staff will work with member Taylor…”

The community board holds its monthly meeting today at 6pm.

Jim Goddin JP and Helen Carter Funeral Directors

From left, Tracy Griffin, Lynne Dodds, Naomi Peterson and Central Kids chief executive Christine Hall pictured with their Waikato business award trophy Photo: Stephen Barker.. See story page 2.

Photo: Stephen Barker

Who could it be now?

Each year The News in Cambridge and Te Awamutu asks readers to help us select two very special people.

The News person of the year award is entering is fourth year as a twin award – with one person honoured in the Cambridge News and another in the Te Awamutu News.

So, in the words of Aussie band Men at Work – who should it be now?

Cambridge has had five people of the year – in order, Linda Roil, Jan Nesbit, Rosemary Hill, Julie Epps, Don Gerrard and, in a break with tradition, a school – we gave the

award last year to Karāpiro School in recognition of its work to reduce speed limits on the State Highway 1 in Karāpiro.

The award was first given by the then newborn Te Awamutu News in 2019 to Ryan Fleming – whose weekly columns appear on page 2 of the Te Awamutu News - then Chris Graham, Mandy Merson and, last year, Special Olympics coach Shelley Blair.

So, who should be next, readers?

Who is that that outstanding sports person, the community worker, the

politician, the business leader, the behind the scenes worker, the teacher, the emergency worker – the person who you think is deserving of being celebrated in our last edition of 2023 on December 21?

Editor Roy Pilott is putting out the challenge to his team – Mary Anne Gill, Jeremy Smith, Viv Posselt and Steph Bell-Jenkins to come up with two names – and he wants our readers’ input.

Do you have a contender for the 2023 awards? Email Roy at editor@ goodlocal.nz

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2 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

‘Special rate’ rejected

Petition launched

Te Awamutu landlords have rejected taking on a special rate which would have provided funding to promote retail business in the town centre.

Voting forms went out to 96 business owners, and when voting closed at 5pm on Monday, 29 had responded.

Of those, 18 owners had said no to the proposed Business Improvement District rate, 11 said yes.

All told, 67 landlords did not respond, and to have jumped the first hurdle and have the proposal included in the draft Long Term Plan, the Te Awamutu Business Chamber-backed proposal required a 30 per cent response rate with 60 per cent support from within that cohort.

A proposal to paint eight murals on the walls of various skate features at Te Awamutu’s year-old skate park in Centennial Park is to be put before the Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board tonight. The report by museums and heritage director Anne Blyth said Ngāti Apakura artists have been engaged to design and paint the murals.

By Jeremy Smith

Letters Museum millions

It is time to rein in the council spenders. Some time ago I was amazed that over $4 million was spent on a library, now over $33 million on a museum. Stop now, say goodbye to the millions wasted on consultants, designers and other hangers-on. It started at $7 million a few years ago as the Te Awamutu Museum, lately with the blow-out it has received a new name to cover a very small part of Te Awamutu history. Also (according to a comprehensive report by Mary Anne Gill) it will cost $2.5 million a year to run, not including the $12,000 paid annually to a local church for lease of the land. This white elephant will only be five to six times the size of the average New Zealand home, for $33 million.

Don Conway Te Awamutu

CONTACTS

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Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome. Publication of contributions are entirely at the discretion of editorial staff and may be edited. Contributions will only be considered for publication when accompanied by the author’s full name, residential address, and telephone number. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers.

The Te Awamutu News is published by Good Local Media Limited.

While the responses received did represent the required 30 percent response rate, only 37 percent of respondents voted in favour, therefore scuttling the proposal.

Chamber chief executive Shane Walsh knew the writing was on the wall when he spoke to The News last week.

Walsh – who took on the chamber chief executive role last year and now also chairs both Go Waipa and Destination Te Awamutu – said on Tuesday he was disappointed, but respected what business owners had told the chamber.

He said the chamber wouldn’t rule out another vote on the proposed rate in the future “when the timing is better”.

“There is a large group of progressive, forward-thinking retailers in town who are passionate about ways they can promote and enhance Te Awamutu businesses. I’m disappointed for them.”

He still believed the concept of a Business Improvement District rate was a good one which was working well in other centres around New Zealand.

“While we didn’t quite get there here in Te

Awamutu, the results were closer than initial returns suggested. As a chamber we will take these results and analyse them to see what we can learn from them.”

Deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk, who last month told Walsh at a Finance and Corporate committee meeting she hoped he and the chamber had done the background work because staff spent time investigating the proposal, said she applauded any initiative to help create vibrancy in central business districts.

“However, on this occasion the support from landlords just wasn’t there. It is unfortunate that the level of business support wasn’t gauged before staff invested time in the process, but asking for feedback from property owners was the right thing to do,” she said.

At the heart of the plan was a suggestion that central business landlords accept an eight per cent rate rise to raise $50,000 in its first year which would be administered by the chamber to run promotions such as this week’s Black Friday Blow Out event.

The chamber argued the rate would be an investment which would pay for itself.

By Mary Anne Gill

Preparedness matters. That is the theme of a Waipā District Council-organised workshop in Ōhaupō for lifestyle blockers.

The facilitator is Hayley Squance who has a PhD in emergency management and is a veterinarian with extensive experience as a first responder.

She also founded Massey University’s veterinary emergency response team.

The support, recovery and resilience workshop gives participants tailored

information and resources on how to address specific lifestyle block needs and encompasses the safety and well-being of animals.

Squance runs the workshops around New Zealand.

“We know that the majority of New Zealanders don’t have a plan. So just thinking about your animals and what you’re going to do with them is important.

“If you’re planning for your pets, you’re planning for yourself.”

The workshop is at the Ōhaupō Sports & Recreation Centre from 2pm on Sunday.

Waipā’s My Mortgage, Treadlite NZ, Central Kids Early Education and the New Zealand Fieldays Society were among the major winners at last weekend’s Waikato Business awards.

The awards, presented at a gala night at Claudelands, brought together finalists from a field of 77 entries.

Waikato Chamber of Commerce chief Don Good said it was heartening to see a raft of small and medium enterprises taking out category awards.

“The increased number of entries and the impressive diversity of participants demonstrates the flourishing entrepreneurial spirit within our region,” he said.

Head judge Heather Connolly from the University of Waikato’s Management School

said there were record entries for the People and Culture and Innovation Awards.

“Awards entries showcased the strength of the export community in the Waikato,” she said.

There was also an acknowledgement of the work of one of the judges – Cambridge’s Dick Breukink for 10 years’ service in the role.

Central Kids, a double winner, has delivered early childhood services across the Central North Island for half a century and the not-for profit organisation operates 52 centres including three in Kihikihi and Te Awamutu.

Treadlite NZ, another double winner from Cambridge, was the major winner in the Waipā business awards earlier this year.

Tips for lifestylers

Briefs…

The Waipa District council has received a petition about safety in Te Awamutu’s main street following the death of a woman who was hit by a truck in Alexandra Street last month. Transportation manager Bryan Hudson told the Service Delivery committee he was looking at ways to make the street safer.

Skatepark murals

Plane launch

A multi-million dollar aircraft designed

by Waipā-based aeronautical engineers and to be used to save lives during natural disasters was launched at Hamilton Airport yesterday (Wednesday). The SuperPac aircraft designed by NZ Aero, the country’s only commercial aircraft maker, cost more than $10 million and took seven years to develop.

Holmes Garage

A feasibility study on the proposed Holmes Garage community market centre project in Mahoe St will be tabled at next week’s Waipā District Council’s Finance and Corporate committee meeting. Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board chair Ange Holt has had two meetings with Te Awamutu Business chamber CEO Shane Walsh and former council Economic Development Manager Steve Tritt to discuss the project.

Waipā in the awards

Tree Awamutu 2023

DAT

Award winners: Supreme winner Invivo Wines (Te Kauwhata), CEO of the Year - Lisbeth Jacobs, Gallagher Animal Management, Emerging Leader of the Year Jenni Falconer, Emergency Consult, People’s Choice – Central Kids Early Education (Te Awamutu), For Purpose - Central Kids Early Education (Te Awamutu), Marketing - Pure Lighting (Taupō), People and Culture - Ninja Valley (Hamilton), Innovation - Emergency Consult (Hamilton), Sustainability - Fieldays Society, International Trade - Invivo Wines, Micro Business - Wyreframe (Hamilton), Community Contribution - South Waikato Investment Fund (Tokoroa), Service Excellence - My Mortgage (Cambridge), Business Growth – Treadlite NZ (Cambridge).

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TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 3

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

Briefs…

Photos fixed

A selection of photos in Te Kōpua Marae’s wharenui have been catalogued by Te Awamutu Museum staff. The 233 Ngāti Unu and Ngāti Kahu tupuna photographs are now digitised as part of a collaborative outreach project. The marae is on Morgan Road, Pokuru.

Faulty seats

A recent checkpoint in Te Awamutu found 11 baby car seats with minor faults and in one case a child was unrestrained.

The checkpoints run by Waipā’s road safety staff were held in conjunction with Baby on the Move, Police and Te Pae Oranga. Thirty restraints were checked over two hours.

Bug off

Toilets at Hicks Road (Maungatautari), Karāpiro, Waipuke and Ngā Roto have been treated for an ongoing bug problem.

Warmer weather enticed the bugs back.

Review delayed

A report on lease models for Waipā sports’ fields has been delayed a fortnight to allow for additional information.

Several council leases are up for renewal giving the council an opportunity to look at the planning and development of reserve grounds.

Bus travel

Regional bus statistics for last month are mixed – Te Awamutu services are trending upwards while Cambridge ones are static.

There were 9431 passengers on the 24 Te Awamutu service – up on September but just over 1000 shy of March’s 10,565 record.

Passenger numbers on the Tokoroa and Te Kūiti connectors, which stop in Kihikihi, Ōhaupō, Cambridge and Te Awamutu, have nose-dived to 336 and 351 respectively.

Profit plan ‘not Decision stands in the DNA’

By Mary Anne Gill

By Mary Anne Gill

A councillor has broken ranks over proposals to charge ratepayers a raft of new fees to raise money.

Mike Montgomerie was vocal in his opposition after workshop talks about cutting community grants, increasing fees and charges by 10 per cent, introducing a bed tax on Airbnb operators, levying cycleways and public toilets and finding alternative revenue schemes.

Councillors have even looked at a proposal to charge people to spend a penny.

The talks were revealed in a live-streamed committee meeting last week.

Montgomerie told colleagues the proposals were doomed to fail.

“I would be super unkeen for this council to get into business to generate revenue. Business is hard, capital intensive, highly risky, it’s not in the DNA of this place at all to turn a profit,” he said.

“This council is in the business of being a council and so any time you take away staff time and management head space to pursue any sort of alternative revenue scheme, be really careful what you’re wishing for.”

The ideas are all part of balancing a challenging budget in the face of a cost of living crisis and rising interest rates to ensure.

Much of the work has been permeating behind closed doors.

Finance chair Andrew Brown agreed with Montgomerie, saying council-owned infrastructure companies around the country

Clare St Pierre

Andrew Brown

had gone broke at the expense of ratepayers.

“We’re a council and let’s be a council and be as efficient as we can.”

It was Cr Clare St Pierre who raised the alternative income stream suggestion at the start of the workshop, referring to comments she had made in the workshop hidden from public view the week before.

“At a previous workshop I raised that, and I thought that I got agreement that we would look at new revenue streams like a visitor levy for cycleways or public toilets or recreational, things that are used by visitors,” St Pierre said.

She also said she was nervous about reducing community grants distributed by community boards Cr Roger Gordon revealed he had raised, at the workshop, a suggestion that staff levels be reviewed.

He said the expectation of the community was that council will have reflected the downturn and have done some reassessment of staff levels and vacancies.

Bloody good news – we told you so!

By Mary Anne Gill

ineligible to donate blood because at that time there was an epidemic of the human variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, also known as ‘’mad cow disease’’.

When the ban was lifted in Australia last year, there was an eight per cent increase in numbers of people who donated blood or plasma.

We revealed 12 months ago the NZ Blood Service was going to make a submission to Medsafe recommending this restriction be removed, and it has.

I have pre-registered my interest, dug out my old Blood Donor card and am ready to make a difference in somebody else’s life.

The email arrived in my inbox at 12.53pm on Thursday November 16 – 46 years and 11 months since New Zealand Blood Transfusion Services last accepted my blood.

I have tried - but I am one of the country’s thousands of people whose blood is not accepted because of Mad Cow disease. It is because I lived in the United Kingdom between January 1, 1980 and December 31 1996 for a period of six months or more.

It was in fact 10 months – the tail end of my overseas experience but time enough for me to be banned from rolling up my sleeves and giving blood or plasma.

People like me were made Mary Anne Gill’s card from 47 years ago.

•Has the Mad Cow ban affected you? Tell us your story editor@goodlocal.nz

You and your family are invited to:

A Service to Remember Our Loved Ones Sunday 10 December, 3.00pm at Rosetown Chapel, 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu RSVP with numbers attending by Friday 8 December to 07 870 2137

In conjunction with:

Papers and presentations Waipā councillors are privy to at public workshops are not shared in advance or during the meetings.

While that makes it virtually impossible for the public to follow what the councillors are talking about – particularly when they are referring to a document several pages long – deputy chief executive Ken Morris Ken Morris is standing firm.

“We have never made papers or presentations available to the public prior to workshops,” he said.

The News watched the November 14 workshop and briefing day on You Tube but found it difficult to follow the debate on the draft financial strategy and fees and charges without the documents presenters and councillors were referring to.

The News asked why that information could not be provided so the public could follow the debate.

The suggestions being canvassed will have significant impacts on residents and ratepayers, we argue.

Some of the documents held back related to plans to introduce alternative revenue streams, such as charges for using the region’s cycleways and increasing fees and charges.

Councillors referred to pages 11, 29 and 31 – all something of a mystery to the public.

Comments made by councillors suggested some of the information had been formulated at a secret workshop the week before, something Morris denied.

“A workshop is an opportunity for elected members to discuss upcoming matters and provide guidance to staff and any papers provided to inform them have been considered an internal communication, as until guidance is provided to staff it is likely the information will change,” said Morris.

He reminded The News workshops and briefings are not meetings under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and as such no agenda is prepared.

Councillors are influenced in their decision making at behind-closed door workshops. It’s a process which is counter to transparent governance and ombudsman Peter Boshier said so in a report released last month.

Having opened the doors to a workshop but refusing to release related documents in a timehonoured manner, the council scooped The News.

It released its own meeting report after the workshop, soon after we went to press, with details we could not have shared with readers. The council issued a media release, posted it on its website and social media platforms.

Morris said it was the chairperson’s prerogative on how the workshops would be conducted.

“No decisions are made on topics until they are presented at a formal meeting. At that point, all information becomes available to the public along with background to provide context, and recommendations.”

• The News has sought the opinion of the Ombudsman on the running of workshops.

4 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

BUSINESS SHOWCASE

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Rhys Kelly is the newly appointed Survey Manager and the first point of contact for Nicklin CE clients. His strengths lie in surveying, planning and engineering. Rhys really enjoys working with clients and formulating creative solutions to their problems.

“We work with a range of clients from one off family property subdivisions to full scale developments and everything in between. Navigating council bylaws, District Plans and requirements can be a mine field and that’s where Nicklin CEs expertise comes in to play. I believe that by involving a surveyor early in the planning of your subdivision you will achieve significantly better outcomes as we are familiar with all facets of land development. Our value lies in early identification of the brickwalls, and knowledge of the processes that will successfully deliver your project through the development process.”

Rhys and his family are new to the Cambridge community, he is looking forward to building strong connections with residents across the Waipa region. As a survey professional, Rhys is focused on applying his wide range of skills to the issues that are faced by clients. The development process will often present a unique set of challenges to clients, and it is the role of a professional surveyor to guide and assist clients in navigating the process through to completion.

“Our team have a diverse range of skills and local experience, which ensures we can send the best person for your project, and we are backed by the RPC Land Surveyors Group (www.rpc.co.nz) which affords us additional resources for large or specialist projects from their offices in Auckland and Mount Maunganui.”

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TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 5

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

Foodbank demand peaks

By Jeremy Smith

A Waipā foodbank is completing its busiest year on record.

The Te Awamutu Combined Churches and Community Foodbank says the increasing need is straining its resources and putting additional pressure on volunteers.

Coordinator Rita Middleton attributed those increases to a challenging economy and high living costs and the National Party’s Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger – elected for a fourth term nearly six weeks ago - has given an assurance she will

look into what can be done to help.

The foodbank is expecting to have distributed more than 600 parcels by the end of the year – a figure not achieved before in its 30-year history.

The total will eclipse the previous high – recorded last year – of 480 parcels – by well over 100.

When The News made Kuriger aware of the foodbank’s situation, she said she would plan to meet volunteers in person. Middleton – who took over as foodbank coordinator about 18 months ago from Ian McLaughlan – said last week alone 25 food parcels were distributed. In a typical seven day

AL HOUSES INTO UD OF. Te Awamutu Combined Churches and Community Foodbank coordinator Rita Middleton, left, with a group from Learning Links Childcare who donated to the foodbank last week. From left, Paisley McGillivray, Beaudie Hogg, Max Wilson, Ember Davies, Kennedy Bagnall Harper Rewita-Peterson, Hudson Gillespie, PJ Kire-Martin, Summer Hansen, Mason Bayley, Isabella Plunkett, Kaiser Cederman-New, Alex Campbell and Learning Links kaiako, or teacher, Jenny Brown.

cycle about 10 parcels are usually filled.

People either call and request a food parcel or are referred by others in the community. Some of the demand is expected at this time of year, Middleton said, and likely attributable to it being a busy time of year for many Te Awamutu families in the lead up to Christmas.

But a bigger picture at play is simply that an increasing number of families were struggling to make financial ends meet. “The need in our community just seems to have grown so much. Everything is so expensive in this challenging economy – just look at the cost of food and petrol, and many people are facing unemployment too.”

Of the 486 food parcels distributed last year, 205 families received one parcel in 2022, 70 received two parcels and 26 received three parcels.

A typical food parcel includes rice, potatoes, tomatoes, pasta, spaghetti or baked beans. Coffee, tea and sugar are often added.

“We do try not to give food parcels out to the same families over and over again,” Middleton said, “…simply because we want to help as many people as we can with resources we have.”

Kuriger encouraged those in the difficult situation of struggling financially to approach services like Work and Income.

Foodbank stocks were topped

Briefs…

Borough minutes

Another eight Te Awamutu Borough Council minute books have been digitised by New Zealand Micrographic Services giving researchers and journalists access to the high-quality digitally preserved files.

Rose gardens

Rita Middleton

up thanks to donations received last week, Middleton said, though those would be used fast.

There had been several occasions when the foodbank’s own cupboard had looked scarce.

Among the latest donations received was one from Learning Links Childcare. The centre donated a supermarket trolley full of food to mark World Kindness Day last week. An additional timely donation of nine other boxes of canned food has also replenished foodbank stocks for now.

“Sometimes though, just as soon as those donations come in they are distributed and we’ll be looking at empty shelves again.

“We will never say no to offers of donations. Every little bit helps immensely, and we are always grateful for the ways in which the community helps us,” Middleton said.

Two new rose beds have gone in at the Rose Gardens in Te Awamutu. Council staff have also completed infill planting at Sculpture Park and removed old planting at Jean Gatton Reserve and renewed plantings on Whitmore Street, Pioneer Playground, Victoria Park, Dalton Avenue traffic island and planted new trees in Centennial Park.

Play space

The Te Awamutu War Memorial Park playground renewal design is being finalised with Waipā staff working alongside mana whenua to include important cultural aspects in the design. New playgrounds are under investigation at the reserve on Hiskens Place and in Kings Garden.

Tired drivers

Fatigue stops in Pirongia and Ngāhinapōuri gave Waipā road safety staff the opportunity to give 300 people free food and hot drinks in exchange for conversations around driver fatigue. Most stopped were travelling south to the ski fields. Police told one female driver to pull over as she was tired while another person had been travelling for five hours without a break.

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6 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

The Frederick Malcomson story

By Meghan Hawkes

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The silence of the tent surprised Rowland Long when he returned to it around 10.30 on an April night in 1865.

Rowland was part of Frederick Malcolmson’s survey party working around the Ngāhinapōuri district and he was accustomed to 45-year-old Frederick’s heavy sleeping which was accompanied by loud breathing and significant snoring.

When Rowland left the tent around 4pm to visit Captain Lewis, Frederick was asleep.

His distinctive snores were later heard about 10pm by a couple of other men who found Frederick sound asleep with his head lying very low. They raised his head by putting a pillow under it.

Now Rowland struck a light and approached Frederick but to his great consternation still heard no sounds of breathing. He felt Frederick’s pulse, which was still.

The inquest jury consisted of 10 civilians made up of nearby survey parties. They viewed the body, which was lying in the surveyor’s camp, precisely in the position in which it had been discovered. Frederick was described as a very stout gentleman, with a short thick neck. The cause of his death was given as heart disease.

Frederick’s wife Martha lived in Auckland but Frederick was buried at Te Rore. His coffin was taken by canoe from Alexandra to Te Rore where eight soldiers of the 40th Regiment carried it to the grave site, followed by a number of the men from various survey parties.

The elaborately named Frederick Prussia Haughton Malcolmson was a civil engineer and land surveyor who had arrived in New Zealand on the ship Aloe with his wife Martha just two years before. He arrived with great fanfare – newspaper advertisements trumpeted that he most respectfully announced to “the Nobility and Gentry, the Municipal and other public bodies of the Colony of New Zealand, that he had taken up his residence in the City of Auckland” where he intended practising in his profession.

A very complimentary address from the members of the Tralee Young Men’s Christian Association was also published testifying that his professional abilities had been highly appreciated by the people of Tralee.

Frederick was very fond of Tralee and was a loquacious letter writer springing to its defence in both Irish and New Zealand newspapers.

He was also very fond of New Zealand and in November 1863 wrote a gushing letter to Ireland’s Kerry Evening Post praising this most beautiful country in the world.

His wrote that house was delightfully situated in the suburb of Parnell. Auckland was set in the very centre of a tremendous volcanic eruption. The climate was the finest on the face of the globe. Nature had done a

STAGE 1 UNDERWAY

great deal for New Zealand where the sun went north instead of south.

He only wished all his Kerry friends were there. He had not seen one person out of employment and in his own employment there was not a matter connected with engineering that he was not consulted upon.

He enclosed three original documents to prove there was “no humbug about the matter” - they would show the position he held although only five months in the Antipodes.

He then added cryptically that he soon would “be in Kerry, on a Government expedition of some importance, of which I shall in time let you know — it has been hinted to me, but a direct offer not made — it may put some cash in your pocket.”

His top-secret government mission is unclear but during his two years in New Zealand he worked on surveying the railway to Drury, investigated the levels of Auckland city and laid out the first military township in the Tauranga district.

In July 1864 his letter to the Kerry Evening Post came back to haunt him. Now picked up

by New Zealand’s Southern Cross newspaper scorn was heaped upon his claims. The ‘sun going north’ also caused hilarity. Undeterred, Frederick pushed on and in 1865 surveyed Rangiriri which earned him great praise.

But within eight months he was dead.

Three months later his body was exhumed and taken to Auckland at the request of his wife. Frederick was re-interred at Auckland’s Symond’s Street cemetery, his headstone as ornate as the man himself.

Malcolmson’s grave at Symonds Street cemetery, Auckland.

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TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 7

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

Museum work continues Paving the way

By Mary Anne Gill

The committee behind planning for the $33.1 million Te Ara Wai Museum in Te Awamutu met this week but, as with previous meetings this year, most of it was behind closed doors.

The meeting took place after The News went to press on Tuesday with two agenda items – details of the project structure and a detailed operational project plan – held with the public present.

But those items discussed ensuring operational oversight of the project.

Customer and Community group manager Sally Sheedy told the committee, chaired by Cr Andrew Brown, that a project structure needed to be in place to start detailed design and gain consent applications.

That work uses $5.24 million of Better off Funding the Waipā council secured from the previous government which developed the $2 billion to help pay for projects which help build resilience to climate change or natural hazards, enable housing development or support community improvements.

The fund was developed as part of Three Waters reform which the incoming government has promised to repeal.

“The project structure will support the delivery of the project from the design phase through to construction and finally the operation of Te Ara Wai,” said

Sheedy in a report to the committee.

“It must support reporting requirements and be flexible to evolve through the various stages of the project. Progressing through the various project stages is dependent on the approval of the committee and council along with successfully securing external funding required.”

A 40-page economic report The News obtained through a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) request last month revealed it would cost the council $2.509 million a year to run the museum.

All but $9 million of the $33 million cost would be funded through the council’s Long Term Plan. Existing commitments from organisations such as Trust Waikato meant there was a shortfall of $6.550 million, the report said.

Neil Anderson of Neil Anderson

Consulting presented an overview of the project plan to the committee this week while another consultant, Steve Bramley of SGL Ltd, provided a project structure update before the committee went into public excluded under Section 7 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act. Those items – procurement reviews of Te Ara Wai itself and the museum’s exhibitions – are held behind closed doors to enable the council to carry out commercial activities with prejudice or disadvantage and to protect confidences.

The open part of the meeting was expected to take 35 minutes, according to the agenda.

Committee members including Brown are mayor Susan O’Regan, deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk, Paraone Goyne, Lee-Ann Muntz and Glenda Taithua.

Details of Te Ara Wai Museum’s governance structure.

grips” with a large repair schedule, he said.

“Now that the Three Waipā roads weather is improving and one street will have a more proactive 4.3kms of pavement approach is possible rehabilitated in the and crews are doing current construction deep pavement repairs season starting next in preparation for month at a cost of $1.92 resealing to start.” million.

Meanwhile contractors Hogan Road have poured new (Cambridge), Arapuni Bryan Hudson concrete either Road (Arapuni), side of the Kihikihi Te Mawhai Road (Te Awamutu) and Whitmore Primary School as part of the Te Street (Kihihiki) are either under Ara Rimu pathway project while construction or scheduled for early in Cambridge the ground has next year, Transportation manager been prepared for the pathway Bryan Hudson told the Service construction in Hamilton Road.

“In Ōhaupō, kerbs and old asphalt Delivery committee this week.

In addition, 88kms of chip seal paths have been removed in two pavement repairs throughout the areas ready for new construction.

Working in a constrained area and district will start next month.

A number of roads will also be maintaining access for the public resurfaced this season costing $4.2 and businesses is a significant challenge, but rapid progress is million.

The work is being done in being made,” Hudson told the Ōhaupō Village, Cambridge Road committee.

Speedy work by council’s project (Cambridge), Kihikihi, Victoria Road southern roundabout, team and Waka Kotahi means the Cambridge Pathways, Frontier pathways, part of the $12.8 million Road (Pirongia) and Hall Street Transport Choices programme, (Cambridge) which are all in have been designed and funded in a compressed timeframe. various stages of construction.

Waipā was able to take up the “A big focus these past months has been on inducting and establishing available government funding Downer as the new general road while projects in Hamilton ($14 maintenance contractor,” said million), Matamata-Piako ($1.6 Hudson who said the company had million), Waikato ($1.9 million), already repaired 1937 potholes in Waikato Region ($750,000) and Taupō ($315,000) have paused two months.

The new team started on pending decisions by the new September 1 and has “come to government.

By Mary Anne Gill

8 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

Why Danny loves being a firefighter

By Jeremy Smith

Danny Smith was drawn to the Te Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade because it seemed like it was made up of a great bunch of people – and he wanted to be part of the friendly atmosphere.

“It is great belonging to a place with all backgrounds and characters - because we sometimes spend odd times of the day together as part of being in the brigade, we absolutely form a

unique bond. I love our team.”

The feeling is mutual, Danny – a Te Awamutu station officer - was named firefighter of the year at the brigade’s annual awards evening last week.

The awards were held as part of a celebratory gathering at Te Awamutu Fire Station to award Danny’s firefighter colleague Glenn Anderson his gold star for 25 years in the fire service.

Glenn was also made an honorary life member of the

Senior station officer Lex Soepnel, left, who won the brigade excellence award pictured with Te Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade chief fire officer Ian Campbell.

Photos: Jude Shaw

brigade.

Among other recipients on the night, senior station officer Lex Soepnel was also celebrating – he won the brigade excellence award.

Danny, who joined the brigade 16 years ago, is quick to tell you he is in the Te Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade to help others.

“Awards are not why we all do what we do, but it is a huge honour,” Danny said of receiving the accolade.

Part of Danny’s role includes training and recruitment in the brigade – which now has about 40 members.

“We have such supportive leaders who encourage participation and I love seeing firefighters grow in both their skills and their experience over time.

“I really enjoy those training and recruitment roles, and as well as being a crew leader - it’s a unique opportunity to help other firefighters go further on their own pathways within Fire and Emergency.”

He said being involved in the brigade is only possible because of support from his wife Alannah, who was there to see him awarded firefighter of the year, as well as from his parents Zack and LeighAnne and his in laws Grant and Shona.

His employer - Hammond and Moir - allowed him to attend calls.

“I absolutely value all of the support I have. I’m very lucky.”

Danny Smith, pictured with wife Alannah, was named Te Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade’s Firefighter of the Year.

Award winners Firefighters honoured at the Te Awamutu brigade’s annual awards were: Gold Star for 25 years’ service, lenn Anderson; Three-year certificate, Brandon Horn, Ngawaka Stojanovic-Swift, Jade Cochrane, Lisa Atkinson, Matt Christie and Ben Gulliver.

Two Year Silver Bar, Seven Years, Jarrod Spicer; Nine Years, Ngaia Henry, Lale Stapleford; 11 Years, Christie Anderson; 21 Years, Geoff Baker, Ed Hopping; 23 Years, Karl Tutty, Ken Callendar.

Two Year Gold Bar, 33 Years, Dave Shaw, Rob Willey; 37 Years, Grant Mitchell; 41 Years, Ian Campbell; 43 Years, Lex Soepnel.

Attendance Trophy, Ben Gulliver; Crew Challenge Cup, Tawhiao Crew; Brigade Excellence Award, Lex Soepnel; Firefighter of the Year, Danny Smith.

STAY SAFE NEAR OUR LINES YOUR GUIDE TO RESPONSIBLE WORK PRACTICES We know the importance of safety when working near our power lines. Whether you’re a professional contractor or a homeowner doing a project, here are a few essential tips to ensure everyone’s safety: 1. Follow the four-metre rule for power lines: All activity must be kept at least four metres away from overhead lines. If you need to work closer to our overhead lines, you must get a Close Approach Consent, so you and your equipment can avoid potential hazards.

2. Check before you dig: Always assess the location of underground cables before starting any project to plan your digging work accordingly. Request reference maps from beforeudig.co.nz – indicating the approximate location of underground services. You are responsible for confirming the location of our

underground cabling and wires within your work site before you commence excavation.

3. Contact us: If your project requires work near our lines or cable, contact us in advance so we can ensure your safety and provide the necessary guidance or service. Refer to waipanetworks.co.nz/ safety for further guidance.

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TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 9

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

Rose gardens praised Christmas comes early

By Viv Posselt

International rosarians Michael Marriott and Paul Zimmerman were quite taken by Te Awamutu when they dropped in with 20 international rose fans last week.

Both offered fulsome praise for the town’s rose beds at the central gardens and at the nearby War Memorial Park, and said they delighted in coming across rose breeds they would never have an opportunity to see in their home countries.

British-based Michael played an integral part in David Austen Roses for 35 years and has worked alongside the man famed for his ‘rose nose’, Robert Calkin.

He has designed many of the world’s top rose gardens and borders, including the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, Hampton Court Palace, and Queen Mary’s Rose Gardens in Regent’s Park.

Fellow rosarian Paul Zimmerman hails from the United States and is one of the original founders of the Tinseltown Rose Society.

He is an internationally respected rose horticulturist, writing extensively on the topic, holding workshops, lecturing and judging international rose shows.

Both are in New Zealand

as co-leaders of a nine-day Botanica World Discoveries Tour to the country. It’s their first time leading a tour together.

Explaining their unfamiliarity with Kiwi roses, Paul said people in the US were not permitted to bring in New Zealand-bred roses, which means they are largely unfamiliar with the range that comes out of this country.

“However, we do know your Sam McGredy roses,” he said. “They were imported into the US in the days before those strict importation rules were applied, and are known to us.”

Sam McGredy was a renown Irish-born

international rose breeder who moved to New Zealand in 1972. He died in Auckland in 2019.

Michael was charmed by the ‘feel’ of War Memorial Park and said they had both been thrilled to see a very rare rose, ‘Souvenir De Leonie Viennot’, climbing over a fence neighbouring the park.

“It was also lovely to see a perfect bloom of ‘Peace’ on the path up to the memorial itself,” Michael said.

They said the concept of local council-supported rose gardens such as those in Te Awamutu was a rarity in both their homelands, and said they were very impressed by what they had seen.

A smiling Te Awamutu Rose Society’s Linnie Jones flanked by international rose experts Michael Marriott, left, and Paul Zimmerman at the town’s central rose gardens last Thursday.

By Jeremy Smith

“Wow.” Put simply, that was Te Awamutu Business Chamber chief executive Shane Walsh’s reaction when he visited Te Awamutu Primary School last week.

He was there with project manager Ken Huberts to survey the work students had put into preparing their contribution to an inaugural Te Awamutu Business Chamber initiative which will see 30 wooden Christmas trees placed outside Alexandra St shops tomorrow, as part of the chamber’s Black Friday Blow Out street party.

Three completed trees were at the primary school when The News visited last week, and deputy principal Kim Tautari-Scott said the students had spent the five weeks of the school term so far working on them.

Alexandra St retailers have adopted the 30 now complete trees from more than 10 Te Awamutu schools which were involved – but the children who decorated them have no idea which retailer has theirs.

Tomorrow night, they and their parents will be

on the hunt in town to find out.

As part of Black Friday Blowout, Alexandra St

will be closed to traffic and there will be food trucks, live music and face painting.

Te Awamutu Primary School students Vivana Perika, left, and Milla Westgate show the tree they and other students were part of creating to Te Awamutu Business Chamber chief executive Shane Walsh, left, and Christmas tree project manager Ken Huberts. Photo: Jeremy Smith

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10 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

Te reo names return Punch bowl or punch bag?

TALKING ECONOMICS

By Mary Anne Gill

Four historic Māori names for parks and reserves have been approved by Waipā’s Service Delivery committee - and more naming decisions await.

Whare marama Reserve in Leamington, Pirongia’s Mātakitaki, Tūrata in Kihikihi and Waipuke, on the edge of the Waikato River at Maungatautari, have all been adopted as part of the first tranche of signage changes by the council.

A second wave of existing parks and reserves in Cambridge are now going through a formal process with Ngā Iwi Tōpu ō Waipā, a collective representing iwi and hapū in the Waipā area, is underway with Ngāti Koroki Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā.

It will include Victoria Square – or the Village Green as Cr Roger Gordon called it at the meeting this week.

“I’m concerned you are going to give one of the parks a Māori name without consultation with the community.”

Gordon’s comments raised the ire of Māori ward councillor Dale-Maree Morgan.

“Anyone would think we are stripping the European names, we are complementing them with the original heritage names before the beautiful European names came in.”

Morgan who has English, Welsh and Scottish heritage, said when English names were adopted for parks and reserves, Māori were probably not consulted.

Waipā was showing great leadership to do this now, she said.

Community Services manager Brad Ward told the committee work began on bilingual signage in 2017. Researchers have engaged with Ngā Iwi Tōpu ō Waipā to undertake the work.

The Māori names identified may be to

restore traditional names to the whenua (land), or a contemporary Māori name to reflect the park or reserve activities or history, said Ward.

Where a park or reserve has an existing English name, the Māori name will sit alongside the existing name. If a park or reserve already has a Māori name, no English alternative will be provided.

Two years ago, the council updated its Naming Policy adding in opportunities to promote Te Reo Māori.

“In some cases, it will be restoring traditional names and in others it may be creating contemporary Māori names,” he said.

By the end of the project, all 260 parks and reserves in Waipā will have signage that includes a Māori name.

Deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk said she was looking forward to seeing the dual signage.

“I’m excited about names which reflect all of our history.”

The change to Whare marama in Leamington involves a lower case m for marama while for Mātakitaki, Crown land administered by Waipā, a macron would be added to the first a.

Tūrata and Waipuke are names previously approved by council and staff will now prepare a formal notice for the New Zealand Gazette and install new signage at the reserves.

Tūrata’s heritage stems from Kihikihi’s preEuropean and early colonial history.

Kihikihi was the headquarters of Ngāti Maniapoto, with buildings such as the Huite-Rangiora built on the southern slopes of the Tūrata’s ridge. Kihikihi was invaded by colonial troops in February 1864.

The old police house, jail and Isabella Temple Cottage were surviving remnants from that era.

Council bought 40ha of land at Waipuke at 953 Maungatautari Road 22 years ago for public use.

By Peter Nicholl

There has been some good news on inflation from overseas in the last two weeks.

In the United Kingdon annual inflation was 4.5 per cent for the year to October 2023, a big fall from the September figure of 6.3 per cent. In the United States the annual inflation rate for the October year was even lower at 3.2 per cent. A sharp fall in fuel prices contributed to the slowdown in inflation in both countries.

Share prices rose strongly in both countries after the positive inflation news came out. Investors were willing to bet that the US and UK central banks would not be raising interest rates further. So did the New Zealand share-market rise, even before additional inflation data came out here. New Zealand investors obviously believed the positive inflation picture emerging overseas would also be seen here. They are probably right. In the past, we would have had to wait until late January or early February to be sure as New Zealand is one of only two countries in the OECD (38 countries) that does not produce the official consumer price index monthly – the other is Australia.

It is not clear to me why New Zealand cannot do it when almost all other countries can. On November 14 the Department of Statistics went part of the way to plugging this significant data gap. They released for the first time monthly data called ‘Selected Price Movements’. It included food, rent, alcohol and tobacco, petrol and diesel, airfare and accommodation prices. These items represent almost half of the CPI so they will give a good steer on the likely future movement in the CPI. This is a big improvement.

What did these selected price movements

show? The annual price movements still looked high for most items. For example, food prices were 6.3 per cent higher and petrol prices 13.6 per cent higher than a year earlier. But the monthly data showed a much more favourable picture. In the month of October, food prices fell 0.9 per cent, petrol prices fell 1.1 per cent, domestic airfares fell 9.4 per cent, and international airfares fell 7.5 per cent. This shows the importance of having monthly data as it picks up changes in price pressures much more quickly.

This new monthly price data will be very helpful for the Reserve Bank in taking monetary policy decisions and for anybody who tries to predict future movements in interest rates. Until recently, there were a few commentators who had still been suggesting the bank would increase the official cash rate one more time this year.

But they have all changed their minds since the overseas inflation data came out.

This doesn’t mean there won’t be future interest rate increases for many people.

There are still many mortgages and other financial contracts to be rolled over and interest rates on the new contracts will be higher.

We can see that in my previous column on the Waipa District Council. At end June 2023 the average interest rate on their borrowings was only 2.46 per cent. That is a long way from the interest rate they will have to pay on new debt or roll-over debt. The actions the Reserve Bank has already taken are still working their way through the economy.

The impact lags from monetary policy are long.

FAITH IN WAIPĀ

Seek random encounters Phil Strong, Senior Leader, Zion

I recently had a random encounter with a woman in a café.

I was rushing to my car and heard someone yell my name across the room, and when I turned, I couldn’t see a familiar face.

My confused look encouraged the caller to shout again, drawing my focus to the one seeking to gain my attention.

Maybe it was my poor eyesight, perhaps it was my distracted mind, but I didn’t find clarity until I stepped closer.

Here I was, in a different town, having a random encounter with one of my best friends from high school.

Many decades have passed since Te Puke High School, we both look a lot different, and yet we connected instantly and were sharing memories, updates and laughs like we were 30 years younger.

The connection for me was life giving and we parted with a promise of catching up with more intent.

As I drove home, I pondered how meaningful long-term friendships are and how powerful and positive they can be for us. We are created to need each other.

We don’t have to go back very far in time to remember the long days and weeks of mandated isolation.

For those of us who are natural connectors, like me, we craved for deeper human connection and quality time with loved ones. Chats on Zoom or Messenger just didn’t cut the mustard and meet my need for connection. As a church family we often say, “isolation doesn’t need to mean disconnection.”

Why do we choose to live our lives inside our comfort zone, pandering to our

obsessions and disorders, remaining completely disconnected from the life, health and happiness that could come from community?

Last weekend I had a random encounter with someone who wanted to end their life because they felt alone.

Thankfully, a friend of mine heeded her (literal) scream for help and gathered her into their home for safety. I was invited into this small, seemingly dark circle, which was heartbreaking and yet warming. Here I was, offering unconditional love to someone who felt unloved. Here I was, witnessing a family embrace a stranger, ensuring that the cries of loneliness did not go unheard.

Friends, here lies our opportunity; to put practical hands to help, provide a safe bed to sleep on and offer connection to bring reassurance that no one need remain disconnected from loving and safe community.

Jesus told a parable most people will have heard of, the story of the Good Samaritan.

It’s a story told to answer the question, “how do I love others as I love myself?” (Which, by the way, is a question worthy of a deep conversation).

Search out the story for yourself if you want to learn more, but for now let me make a simple point.

We need each other. We are created for meaningful connection, and that connection only bears fruit when we get outside of our presumed “safe space” and give ourselves to others. Step closer. Avoid disconnection.

Notice cries of help. And move to show others they matter.

1

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

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14 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

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Knitting Fashion Fabrics Fashion Fabrics Fashion Fabrics Patchwork Patchwork Patchwork

Embroidery Embroidery Embroidery Bernina Sewing Bernina Sewing Bernina Sewing Machines Sales Machines Sales Machines Sales and Service andService Service and Hours: Hours:to Fri 9am to 5pm, Mon Hours: Mon10am to Frito9am to 5pm, Sat 12.30pm Montoto12.30pm Fri 9am to 5pm, Sat 10am

Sat 10am to 12.30pm 91 Market Street, Te Awamutu | Ph 07 871 47 29 | www.stitchinstuff.co.nz 91 Market Street, Te Awamutu | Ph 07 871 47 29 | www.stitchinstuff.co.nz

91 Market Street, Te Awamutu | Ph 07 871 47 29 | www.stitchinstuff.co.nz

Merry Christmas from Te Awamutu frames We will be closed from 24th December till 22nd January 2024

Te Awamutu frames

22 Market Street, Te Awamutu 07 871 4224 www.teawamutuframes.com

SUPPORT TE AWAMUTU

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

7

TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 17

LOCAL

Senior stylists & colour specialists located in the heart of Te Awamutu COME HIDE AWAY RELAX, UNWIND LET YOUR HAIR DOWN Te Awamutu’s first offical sustainable salon, stocking Wella & Pureology products.

Hideaway Hair is owned by a local couple: Amie and Adam who have lived in and around Te Awamutu their whole lives. When not in the salon you can find them spending time with their three young daughters. This year they celebrate three years of owning Hideaway and would love to thank everyone who has supported them on this journey.

As Te Awamutu’s first official sustainable salon. We pride ourselves on being an eco-friendly salon that can offer a large variety of products to cater to all hair & personal needs whether it be vegan, sulfate-free, cruelty-free, or recycled to help minimize our salon footprint we have it all here at Hideaway. Our leading retail and in-salon colour range being Wella who have 140 years of expert knowledge in the hair industry, we believe nothing compares.

If you are looking for a cosy boho style salon with friendly, talented, and most importantly fun stylists, Hideaway is the salon for you. We love the relationships we form with our clients and even better the relationships our clients form with eachother, the salon is often a place you will hear a lot of laughter and chit chat.

LEFT TO RIGHT: SARAH, NICOLE, AMIE, SAM, KRISTAL

Foils & Balayage

Colour & Treatments

It’s a very homely relaxed vibe and we love that everyone can feel this when they walk through our door.

Our wonderful staff is made up of very knowledgeable, experienced senior stylists who go above and beyond to

Haircuts

turn your hair goals into a reality as well as giving luxurious bespoke in salon treatments and preparing and recommending the perfect take-home hair care tailored to each individual we truly believe you will be in the best hands here at Hideaway.

We look forward to seeing you soon!  LOCATION  2/246 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu Access off Churchill Street

 HOURS 

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY

CLOSED 9am – 8pm 9am – 8pm

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

07 870 2225  hello@hideawayhair.co.nz

9am – 6pm 9am – 5pm APPT. ONLY CLOSED

8

SHOP LOCAL THIS CHRISTMAS

18 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

LOCAL

E X T E R I O R P RO P E RT Y WA S H I N G

DO YOU NEED AN AIR CONDITIONER?

Boost your home’s curb appeal with safe, professional so� washing services by Te Awamutu local, Jimmy. + Exterior building washes + Roof treatments + Gu�er cleaning + Spider / Insect control treatments + Deck, pa�o, and fence cleaning + Driveway / pathway cleans

Request a free no obliga�on quote

022 675 9342

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Contact Power Chill for a

FREE VISIT AND QUOTE admin@powerchill.nz 0800868250 437 Rickit Road, Te Awamutu

MAKE YOUR DREAM POOL A REALITY

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We are your property improvement specialists. If you have a building or landscaping project in mind, our team has over 20 years experience to make your vision a reality.

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For all your property needs Call Craig now for a FREE no obligation quote 021 247 0900 Email: improvements@truestyle.co.nz | website: www.truestyle.co.nz

SUPPORT TE AWAMUTU FEATURE

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

9

TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 19

LOCAL

Happy Holidays From your local one stop shop for everything flooring & décor

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20 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

LOCAL

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

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TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 21

LOCAL

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22 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

LOCAL

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13

TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 23

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

LOCAL

We have your Christmas sorted:  Fresh florals  Dried florals  Plants

SUPPORT

OTOROHANGA

Buy local, support businesses in your area & help your community.

Your local independently owned newspaper

31 Maniapoto Street, Otorohanga E: iona@mossandco.co.nz | W: www.mossandco.co.nz Follow our floral adventures on Instagram and Facebook

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24 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

LOCAL

SHOP LOCAL THIS CHRISTMAS

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

Introducing Abbey to the team Abbey is looking forward to meeting you all…

With a wide variety of beauty treatments, and the best sourced products, there is definitely something here for you.

Dermaplaning | Facial Memberships Monthly Specials | Facial Rituals | Massage Eye Enhancements | Micro needling Waxing | Body Treatment Looking for the perfect gift?

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Phone: 020 414 37513 631 Mangaorongo Rd, Otorohanga

It’s beginning to look like Christmas AT THE FAT KIWI

CHRISTMAS MENU Pre order to pick up Christmas Eve PLATTERS/ BREADS Antipasto Platter $65 Volare Bread $8.50 Pre orders for bread need to be in by 20 December

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$55 each

Chocolate cremeux tart $75

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Will come undressed

Ham Sirloin $85

Pumpkin, sundried tomato & feta orzo

Pork Belly $75

Broccoli, cranberry, sunflower seeds & bacon

Champagne Ham 9-12kg $220-$240 Beef Sirloin with a herb, garlic & spice rub $89 Side of Salmon pomegranate glaze with herb yoghurt $85

Passionfruit cheesecake $75

Spiced roasted carrot, lentil & rocket

Rolled pavlova $75

Marinated chickpea, roasted red pepper & feta

Piopio Strawberries pre order to pick up

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Impressive range of

gift baskets

we have you sorted for all occasions. Gift baskets can be custom-made to any dollar value from $80 up.

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Hours: Monday -Tuesday 7.30am-4.00pm | Wednesday-Saturday 7.30am-4.00pm | Sunday 8.00am-4.00pm

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

SUPPORT OTOROHANGA

FROM LEFT: Abby, Brooke and Sheere

Soul is a team of passionate stylists to give you the hair of your dreams. We specialise in all aspects of hairdressing services for children, women and men including cuts and stunning colours and textures.

We pride ourselves on listening to our clients and giving you our professional advice along with our top service using our Redken range of colours and products We are a sustainable salon which means it reduces their impact on the planet and invests in local communities. This means that instead of all our foils and bottles and hair, ending up in landfill they are repurposed to help the wider community.

Come and see us: Monday 9-5 | Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9-8 Friday 9-5 | Saturday by appointment

Phone 07 873 8387

23 Maniapoto Street, Otorohanga

15

TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 25

LOCAL

16

26 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

LOCAL

SHOP LOCAL THIS CHRISTMAS

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

Winger Motors Hamilton 1 The Boulevard, Te Rapa Hamilton 07 838 1249 | winger.co.nz MY23 Subaru Forester offer available exclusively at Winger Motors Hamilton. 3 Year Manufacture Service Plan, On Road Costs and Government Clean Car Tax to be paid by Winger Hamilton. This offer is not in conjunction with Subaru New Zealand. Offer available until stocks last. Winger Hamilton has the right to cancel the offer at any time.

Offer applies to Swift Hybrid GLX and all Vitara Hybrid models. Offer available from 10 November to 31 December 2023 or while stocks last.

Excludes fleet purchases, demonstrator vehicles and all other promotions.

TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 27

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

Trainer says ‘do some research’

By Jeremy Smith

Claims greyhound racing is animal cruelty and a blood sport which belongs in the past hurt everyone in the industry to their core, a prominent Waikato trainer says.

Te Awamutu’s Te Mawhai Racing Kennels owner Wayne Steele was commenting on the views of four protesters who were at a Cambridge meeting recently.

He said the best way to refute the protesters’ claims was “to get the right information out there”.

Steele said the industry saw animal welfare as paramount and his message to protestors was “do some research”.

“I want common sense to prevail.”

Steele has run Te Mawhai

Racing Kennels near Te Awamutu with his wife Tracy for more than 25 years.

The Greyhound Racing New Zealand board member races his own dogs, and trains them for other owners.

He has 40 dogs under his care and 18 are racing. Some are retired and live with him.

Greyhound racing in New Zealand is a $92 million industry which employs 800 people and has 40 registered trainers.

New Zealand is one of eight countries in which greyhound racing is seen.

Races are held at tracks in centres which include Cambridge, Whanganui, Palmerston North and Christchurch.

“I was born into greyhound racing,” Steele said. “My dad had dogs and I got involved in the industry myself as a

teenager.”

Wayne and Tracy’s son Corey is now the third generation to be involved in greyhound racing.

“I’m involved because I love the dogs and I joined the board five or six years ago because I felt it was important to have a role to play in our industry’s future.

“Greyhound racing is honestly one of the most regulated industries in New Zealand when it comes to animal welfare - everything from kennel sizes to the way we transport dogs to the races, is monitored.

“As owners - both collectively and individually, we are doing all we can and taking steps - with the best for our dogs in mind.

“All the trainers and owners I know just really love their animals, full stop.

And you get that satisfaction

by figuring out how to get the best out of them.”

He said he didn’t know of any trainer “who wouldn’t invite you to their place to see everything regarding

how they do what they do”.

Significant steps had been taken in recent years by the industry, one of those being a programme to house dogs after their racing days, he

said.

He said about $6.5 million of roughly $11 million in stake money received by the industry every year was put towards rehoming costs.

Golfers chip in with funds

By Jeremy Smith

A $50,000 paragolfer cart could be in use at Te Awamutu Golf Club within a year.

Money for the cart were raised at a golf tournament last week organised by Mick Henderson.

Henderson and John Troutbeck were instrumental in bringing the Disability Golf New Zealand Open to Te Awamutu for the first time.

The News reported in August that Henderson was helping drive fundraising efforts towards buying the cart, designed to help golfers living with a disability play.

The only cart in use in the country at present is in Turangi.

The plan is for Disability Golf New Zealand to buy a paragolfer cart and make it available at golf courses around New Zealand, including Te Awamutu.

Henderson, 74, had both legs amputated below the knees after being diagnosed with a hereditary blood circulation problem.

About $25,000 – half the money needed for the cart - has been raised. The total has been boosted by $11,000 from funds raised at the open in Te Awamutu and a donation from Eves Real Estate.

“Having it here will be absolutely life changing for so many people,” Henderson said.” There are some people who have never stood up in their lives who we will be able to give the opportunity to play golf.”

Wayne Steele, with one of his racing greyhounds, Amber.

Photo: Jeremy Smith

Why not have your Christmas Function at Café Irresistiblue?

Great options for day or evening.

Minimum of 30 guests applies for evening functions.

Check out our website: https://cafeirresistiblue.co.nz/functions/christmas/ Phone or Email to make your booking

156 Turkington Road, Monavale, Cambridge Signposted off the Cambridge-Te Awamutu Road Only 15-minute drive from central Te Awamutu P 07 834 3501 E bookings@cafeirresistiblue.co.nz

Mick Henderson at Te Awamutu Golf Club during last week’s 2023 Disability Golf New Zealand Open.

Photo: Jeremy Smith

www.cafeirresistiblue.co.nz

28 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

Waipa Real Estate Ltd, MREINZ Licensed REAA 2008

We’re a small team but We’re BIG on service

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eves.co.nz

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Waihi 686 Waihi Whangamata Rd Attractive Dairy Unit With Location Outstanding and well established dairy unit on 84 ha (more or less) located in a strong dairy farming area just 6.8km northeast of Waihi. Infrastructure includes a 19 aside herringbone shed with excellent flow, and ample shedding.

Contour varies from easy to rolling with some steeper sidlings serviced by the well maintained central race with water reticulation provided by bore to all troughs, the dairy, and home. Complimenting the farm is the expansive home on landscaped grounds with an enviable vantage point offering beautiful views of the surrounding vista and caters for all with spacious living, kitchen and dining, four bedrooms, an office and swimming pool. Self contained workers room offers further options. Enquire now, call Lester today. To be sold plus GST (if any).

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Tender Closes 1pm, Thurs 14 Dec 42 Seddon Street, Waihi (unless sold prior) View 11am-12pm Fri 24 Nov & 1-2pm Tues 5 Dec or by appointment Lester Mullan 021 121 4940 lester.mullan@eves.co.nz

eves.co.nz/ewa17191 EVES Realty Ltd, Licensed under the REAA 2008

TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 29

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

COME JOIN US & HAVE SOME FUN

Pensioner Lunch Thursdays BOOK YOUR WORK 381 Alexandra St , Te Awamutu FUNCTION AT RSA P 871 3707 Courtesy Van available daily from 4pm

HALF PRICE Membership - Phone bookings ext 4 Deal during Nov, Dec, Jan MEMBER OF CLUBSNZ & RNZRSA

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1 DECEMBER, RAYMOND & THE CUT 9 DECEMBER, MEMBERS CHRISTMAS DINNER. Bookings essential

Quick crossword 1

2

3

Wordsearch 4

5

6 7

9

8

10

11 12 13

14

15

16

17

19

18 20

21

22

23

24

Across 1. False god (4) 4. Rebuke (6) 8. Aid in time of need (7) 9. Char (5) 10. Parched (4) 11. Military accommodation (8) 13. Costly (9) 17. Actor’s lines (8) 19. Repast (4)

7. Logic (5) 8. TV serial (colloq) (4) 12. Adversary (8) 14. Immortal (7) 15. Grown up (5) 16. Delight (4) Down 18. Dwelling (5) 2. Turn down (7) 3. Weaving machine (4) 20. Powdery carbon (4) 4. Garage sale aficionado (7,6) 5. Hold back (8) 6. Pick-me-up (5) 21. Slack (5) 22. Soundly defeat (7) 23. Trusted adviser (6) 24. Plough (4)

Last week Across: 1. Detach, 4. Inform, 9. Roost, 10. Apricot, 11. Nostril, 13. Ages, 14. Kiss of death, 17. Isle, 18. Outrage, 21. Fragile, 22. Arena, 24. Reefer, 25. Seldom.

Down: 1. Daring, 2. Too, 3. Cater, 5. Narrate, 6. Orchestra, 7. Mate, 8.

Cauliflower, 12. Shipshape, 15. Sterile, 16. Becalm, 19. Tease, 20. Afar, 23.

End.

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Sudoku

L R E N A W C I E V M W R R G W Y R S L C M C W E S T O N E O A V I E A N H U É G K W D R S F B U R G L L B Z N T K Z B B R E F E G P E T L N N I R P O A A I D A S U M U L B I A U G N U O Y S N H O I M R O L Y A T D P Q F S S E S N N U U O Z Ü D M S J K I O E I O N W E S G D N M P S T G L C Y F F M R T B R R L N D S D O O M E A O X S O V R E E K A H H L O C U A P R Q U I N I A A V N S A E K I V N S D R Q O S Q N C W E T R I E L A A R S U A E R T K O C A R V F Y L H M E N O R C N E A P I M D E O L A O W G U X N E S A H R S U F Y C Y G G E D P D R Y I N U T K L E E S N A A N O K I E D N A S A S T R A N D X N N R U H R T M M S E N I A L R E V

ANKA CARRACK CÉZANNE DESMOND DOUGLAS DUKAS DUNBAR FORD GALLICO GAUGUIN HARVEY HEYSE

Entry restricted to Members, Invited Guests and members of affiliated Clubs

REISER REVERE ROBESON RODGERS SAND SCOFIELD SHAFFER SIMON SORVINO STANLEY STOOKEY STRAND

TAYLOR THEROUX VERLAINE WANER WESTON WILLIAMS YOUNG

318

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

MEDIUM

All puzzles © The Puzzle Company

Last week Sudoku

Wordsearch T K D A U T J O U T T T T O S D V M E A J W F B E O X E L A V O N M B T A B E E F T T E N I T R W Q I X G R P K H T T I T E T N G T T G T L V Y O T U O U N T E A T H W A R T R E S T K W U X R T U V I V D T A O W O T X Y W T H I R S T C Q X H H F U T T I G R I A T E E A K D T T F R S T F C T S A S Y A G T E M P T R U I M P A L X I N T T A T T C O F R I O F N U U P Z H T I S F T C Z H N N V Z T K Y J G E T A N E Y O T A T X W E P T V U P E O L L T T A I N T C U R T A A P G T A B P C C D E E T I G H T T A R O T A T U M U L T T R U S T T T A K U T Q U O S A L Y D A U C U X T E N A N T T N T T E S T K A A Z X T H R O A T S N T H R E A T T S K M

30 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

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Your local heating specialist

021 800 286

office@paintergirl.nz | www.paintergirl.nz

A division of Pratts

AVAILABLE FROM: 10 Albert Street, Cambridge 07 827 5400 | cambridge@pratts.co.nz | www.pratts.co.nz

Other Showroom Locations: 6 Main North Road, Otorohanga | 100 Roche St, Te Awamutu

• Drain camera surveying up to 2m diameter • Drain jetting trucks • Drain camera vans • Septic Tanks

TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 31

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES

EXPERTS

FUNERAL SERVICES

Garth Williams

TOWING

Towin owinG G W A I PA

0 8 0 0 1 WA I PA

Anywhere - Anyday - Anytime LOCAL TOWING

starting from $90

• Approved towing service for all insurance companies • NZ Police Approved

WATER DELIVERIES

Formerly Waikato Water & Cartage - still the same owners!

Your Local Water Delivery Company

• Bulk Water Delivery • Water Tank Cleaning • Swimming Pool Filling

0800 23 74 65

office@cstgroup.co.nz | www.cstgroup.co.nz

NOTIFICATION OF TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES

Waipa- District Council will close the following roads to ordinary vehicular traffic on Sunday, 3 December 2023 Between 7.00am and 1.30pm: • Mahoe Street - between Arawata Street and Selwyn Lane • Alexandra Street - between Mutu/Rewi Streets and Sloane Street • Churchill Street - between Mahoe Street and the squash club (335 Churchill Street) • Selwyn Lane - whole Street • Gorst Avenue - whole Street Between 10.00am and 1.30pm: • Mahoe Street - between Churchill Street and Selwyn Lane Between 10.30am and 1.00pm: • Arawata Street - between Mahoe Street and Alexandra/ Sloane Streets • Sloane Street - between Arawata/Alexandra Streets and 35 Sloane Street To enable the organisers to hold the Te Awamutu Christmas Parade 2023 The application was considered under the Tenth Schedule of the Local Government Act 1974.

Emergency Services will have complete right of way at all times during closure.

For more information, please contact Waipa- District Council Garry Dyet CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Jim Goddin JP Funeral Director

Celebrating Life - Your Way Dedicated to providing personalised and meaningful funeral services.

Locally owned and operated

Our team is caring and compassionate.

We give the utmost attention to detail in all aspects of our service.

07 870 2137 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu www.rosetown.co.nz

SITUATIONS VACANT

BUILDER WANTED Labour only for new out shed and villa renovations.

Te Awamutu Phone 021 834 248

HOUSES WANTED Houses Wanted for removal Great prices offered

Call us today 07 847 1760

PROPERTY SERVICES

FOR Property Management call James Parlane phone 027 380 9233

SERVICES

SERVICES

SITUATIONS VACANT

Newspaper Deliverer Wanted for delivery of the Te Awamutu News, your local weekly community newspaper.

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.

For a look you will love Call Dave Rowe • Interior painting • Wallpapering • Exterior painting • Spray painting

Delivery runs available in the following area: • Pirongia area Please contact us on E: admin@goodlocal.nz Provide your name, phone number, and the area you are located.

WANTED

by 12 year old boy

You should be able to trust the ads you see.

If an ad is wrong, the ASA is here to help put it right.

ASA.co.nz

744100-1_AASA_ASA_NZ_Ad2_v1_182x126.indd 1

decorator@daverowe.co.nz www.daverowe.co.nz

BIGGLES BOOKS WANTED

PUBLIC NOTICES

CALL LIZ ON 027 809 9933 or email liz@goodlocal.nz

Funeral Director, Owner

on 0800 924 723.

YOUR BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE EXPERTS

FUNERAL SERVICES

Have you got any Biggles gathering dust?

Would you like to see them treasured & read repeatedly?

Send a text to my mum Becks 021 579 585.

I will gladly give Biggles books a good home.

EXTERIOR PROPERTY WASHING

Boost your home’s curb appeal with a safe professional so� wash.

• Exterior building washes • Roof treatments • Gu�er cleaning • Spider / Insect control treatments • Deck, pa�o, and fence cleaning • Driveway / pathway cleans

Learn more www.bigso�y.co.nz

022 675 9342 Request a free no obliga�on quote from TA local Jimmy

OPEN HOMES

TE AWAMUTU OPEN HOMES FIRST NATIONAL Saturday 25 November 2/255 Turere Lane $709,000 30 Wynyard St $669,000 80 Wetere Drive $1,425,000

12:30-1:00pm 12:30-1:30pm 2:00-2:30pm

Sunday 26 November 2/255 Turere Lane

11:30-12:00pm

$709,000

Contact listing agent prior-visiting as Open Homes times can change.

22/08/2018 12:38

32 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2023

Harvest Centre

y l n o y a d 1

SUNDAY 3 2 0 2 R E B M 26 NOVE nish 9am until fi

MURRAY HUNT

BACK DOOR ENTRANCE Y A D E H T N O E K A MUST T s d l o h o N , s n r u No ret

70 OFF % or

or more

Smoke/fire damaged goods Includes Beds, Bedding, Small Furniture, Linen, etc

63 Maniapoto St Otorohanga. Back Door Entrance only. Sunday 26 November