Fraser: back with a band
Home backed by the Royal New Zealand Navy Band in the Cambridge Town Hall on Sunday, the tuba player could be forgiven
Petty Officer Fraser Robertson is the only Waipā member of the band and there were plenty of family members in the sell-out
Robertson, 30, was born in Te Awamutu and attended
Intermediate and Te Awamutu
Robertson got his start in the Te Awamutu Brass Band, not surprising really as the whole family plays in it and sister Sarah is the musical director.
auditioned for the New Zealand Army Band but heard there was
a navy band as well which played more of the music he liked.
It is a decision he has never regretted. “I’ve been all around the world with the band,” he said, including to Gallipoli this year and in the Pacific Islands.
“We do a lot of stuff for communities as part of defence diplomacy.” That is when the military pursue foreign policy goals through the peaceful employment of defence resources and capabilities.
“It’s an awesome job. You get to meet a lot of people, and we play music for kids who have been nowhere near any instruments.”
“Playing in the Cambridge Town Hall is pretty big, plus it’s a sell-out.” It was also the first time in 15 years the band had played in the hall.
Robertson’s choice of the tuba came after he tried the cornet and hated it.
“Worse decision ever and I saw Dad playing the tuba and I said, ‘I want to play the biggest one’ and the rest is history.”
Success includes playing in national bands
and winning New Zealand titles.
A personal thrill was playing Mahler’s Requiem in an Auckland cathedral.
“It was absolutely beautiful, lots of long notes. It was a big moment – playing something brassy in a big cathedral.”
Wife Zoe is a musician as well – they live in Devonport.
The set included some big band numbers –one called Hayburner especially for Cambridge because of its horse meaning – Duke Ellington, a 1970s set with 19 songs from the decade, Moon River from Breakfast at Tiffany’s movie and the Dave Dobbyn Welcome Home classic sung by Fotu, a Waikato boy who attended Hamilton Boys’ High School.
“That’s the fun thing about the navy band, there is so much variety and versatility,” said Robertson.
The band was on day nine of a 10-day tour of the central North Island – which included performances in Te Kūiti, Marton, Taihape, Huntly, Waiouru and Taupō.
• More photos teawamutunews.nz
Petty Officer Fraser Robertson, left from the Te Awamutu Brass Band is now in the Royal New Zealand Navy Band with Chief Petty Officer Michael Miller playing his clarinet solo during the band’s concert at Cambridge Town Hall.
Photos: Mary Anne Gill.
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Signs and roundabouts
By Chris Gardner
It’s signs and roundabouts for Te Awamutu.
Jill Taylor has fought a four-year battle to have plantings on a roundabout north of Te Awamutu maintained.
Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board members have put pressure on Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to take responsibility for vegetation at the SH3 and SH21 roundabout.
“It has not been weeded for at least four years,” Taylor said. “There’s been car crashes because they can’t see around it.”
Waka Kotahi’s Crash Analysis System (CAS) shows one minor crash in 2019, two
non-injury crashes in 2019, one non injury crash in 2020, and two non-injury crashes in 2021, on or near the roundabout.
When The News visited last week broken glass and pieces of vehicle could be seen on the roundabout.
Waka Kotahi West Waikato maintenance contract manager Joanne Towler told Taylor, in an email last month, that “an application will be submitted for more funding, to bring the vegetation to an acceptable standard. Then it will be passed to a different team for on-going maintenance.
“Unfortunately, the vegetation will remain in the current state while the funding is sought. I’m sorry this is not the message you would like to hear, but the end is in sight.”
On the beat with Constable Ryan Fleming
The week in review
Ryan Fleming reviews the week for Te Awamutu police.
Monday - A group of males were disturbed attempting to steal a car, a male was arrested for driving while disqualified, a male made threats to Winz staff and police attended three family harm incidents.
Tuesday - police received a report of serious offending as a result of long-term family harm matter, investigated a burglary and attended two mental health matters. A construction site burglary was reported.
Wednesday – A male was arrested for offensive behaviour and breach of bail, a car was broken into in Kihikihi, police uplifted a child as a result of care and protection concerns, an Eftpos card was found and used by two teenagers, a vehicle failed to stop for police, police attended two family harm incidents and investigated a burglary.
Thursday - We received a report of a
burglary and an assault. A male was arrested for serious offending relating to a family harm matter.
Police attended another two family harm incidents and a self-harm incident. A made was taken to a mental health facility.
Friday - A burglar was found and arrested, police attended a family harm incident, a theft was reported from an outdoor supplies store, six people were processed for a variety of drink driving offences.
Saturday - We attended three mental health incidents and two family harm incidents, received a report of wilful damage to some cameras and two males were arrested for trespass.
Sunday - A male taken into mental health care, we attended two family harm incidents, a male threatened his ex-partner, and we attended another mental health incident.
Taylor was not impressed with the impression given to visitors arriving in
region at Hamilton Airport.
“The first thing they see is this mess,” she said.
Community board chair Ange Holt agreed with Taylor.
“It’s pretty messy, that’s all I can say as a person driving past that,” Holt said. “It certainly could do with a little bit of love.”
But Holt felt Te Awamutu’s roundabouts were more deserving of attention.
“It does not stand out as much as our ones stand out,” Holt said.
Te Awamutu’s Sloane St roundabout, for example, was gravelled and attracted weeds that went unattended, she said.
Holt is also spearheading a campaign to tidy up the welcome sign at the entrance to Te Awamutu, telling the board the Ōhaupō Rd sign looked very dated and tardy.
A faded sign carrying the moto “For home and country” is all that remains of the town’s Women’s Institute, the Waikato having three institutes in Hamilton and one in Te Pahu. Another sign is completely lost, with no clue of what group it commemorates, leaving a blank white plaque behind.
When the sign was considered alongside the roundabouts, Holt said, Te Awamutu was looking scruffy. She’s had comments in person and read them on social media too.
“I have got to find the right people to talk to,” Holt said. “It will come up at our next meeting to see if the rest of the community board want to do anything with the sign.”
Taylor was encouraged to ask high school students to design a new welcome sign at the last community board meeting in June.
Meanwhile, the Haere Mai Ki Kihikihi road sign outside Kihikihi Bowling Club appears to have been the victim of a hit and run. Holt hoped the council would fix it up quickly. There are plans to replace it within two weeks.
Kihikihi’s welcome sign is damaged.
Te Awamutu’s welcome sign needs updating.
Jill Taylor wants the vegetation on the State Highway 3 and State Highway 21 roundabout maintained.
the
Medals for butcher
Expleo Butchery in Te Awamutu has scooped three medals in the 100 per cent New Zealand Bacon and Ham Awards. Expleo was category champion for their dry cured streaky bacon and sliced ham and won a silver medal for their boneless ham.
History book
A book revealing the history of 30 Te Awamutu commercial buildings has sold 210 copies prepublication and is close to breaking even. A Bricks and Mortar Legacy – Stories of Commercial Buildings in Te Awamutu 1890-1997 tells the story of the economic history of Te Awamutu. A print date is expected to be announced soon.
Nifty shades of Gray
Hamilton Operatic Society life member and regular Waipā repertory supporter Francie Gray was farewelled on stage this week at the Clarence St Theatre - two days after the Hunchback of Notre Dame opened and with the set in place. Society chair Caroline Gill said she could not think of a more appropriate farewell for Gray than for her to have one last audience. The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which features several Waipā people in the cast, runs till August 10.
Help at hand
Outdoor enthusiasts will put up their hands to bring more local knowledge to search and rescue operations in the King Country bush. At a meeting held at Waitomo last week 20 people put down their names to assist LansarNZ Land Search and Rescue. Some will train as Lansar members, while others will join search teams as guides.
Shaky Ground
Janine Krippner’s On Shaky Ground column will return next week.
Health expo draws the men
By Roy Pilott
They were regaled with an All Black lock’s story of playing Elephant Polo in northern Thailand and fed a diet of sizzled sausages and health tips.
More than 60 people attended the inaugural Menz Shed health expo in Te Awamutu’s Baptist Church on Saturday.
And aside from the stories and food, the consistent message was to communicate.
Te Awamutu born All Black Steve Gordon asked the gathering “how many adventures start with g’day?”
Gordon, 57, told his pensioner-packed audience, “time is running out – what are you going to do?
“It’s all about getting conversations started, participating, having adventures – and don’t forget about your mate stuck in the lounge watching television. The onus is on us to get out.”
And he added that as men “we look forward to bullshit and banter”.
The expo was a step into the unknown for the Te Awamutu branch and it landed on firm ground.
So much so that national chairman David Broadhead said he would be keen to see it run by Menz Sheds all over the country.
The audience was mostly, but not entirely, made up by men – among the women there for most of the four-hour event was Taranaki King Country MP Barbara Kuriger.
The event featured an expo with health group representatives available to discuss issues and a sit-down session for a little over an hour where invited speakers shared information and health tips.
There were speakers on the subjects of heart health, strokes, prostate cancer, diabetes and dementia.
Several explained that their organisations relied on volunteers and had gone through restructures.
Te Awamutu branch head Richard Cato, concentrating on the communication theme, told how he has been discussing writing the memoirs of Steve Gordon’s father Brian.
Gordon senior had subsequently been admitted to hospital in January 2023 after becoming unwell and told Cato the staff were wonderful – “but I just want to talk to a man”.
Gordon senior died a couple of months later
aged 82 and Cato said he had never forgotten his words.
David Broadhead told the audience he had endured three operations for kidney stones and gone through enormous pain – and his message was to follow the best way to avoid then - drink lots of water.
Ron Greenwood summed things up nicely by encouraging men to get regular health checks.
“Get a warrant of fitness – we take our cars in and neglect ourselves.
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Ron Greenwood spoke at the health expo as a support coordinator for the Cambridge Prostate Cancer Support Group. He was pictured with Garry Botting from Te Awamutu.
Former All Black Steve Gordon, a Hamilton based regional business development manager for NZ Carbon Farming, was a popular guest speaker at the health expo.
Ivan Feshchenko from, Te Kawa, discussed heart health with Hamilton based Alina Jose of the Heart Foundation.
The Sings of Paterangi
The Paterangi residence known as ‘Swancote’ once resounded to the hustle and bustle of the large Sing family. Named after Frederick Sing’s hometown of Swancote, England, the farm would become home to the 13 children of Frederick and Margaret.
But by 1908 Margaret, 57, had become unwell. For the previous two years she had suffered much through the loss of eyesight before becoming totally blind. Despite this she was seldom missing from her place in church or from social gatherings.
Eventually though, rheumatism and other ailments prevented her from leaving home, and she spent much of her time in bed. Although she received the most loving attention and nursing from her affectionate family she gradually sank and died. Mary
had been a good neighbour, a kind friend and a loving wife and mother. Her sons were all prominent footballers, and her daughters noted for their faithful training in the home circle.
Margaret and Frederick had come to Paterangi in the early 1870s, Frederick having arrived in New Zealand in 1864, initially spending six years in the South Island. Margaret had come from Scotland in the early 1860s as a young child with her family who settled at Raglan. Margaret and Frederick married in 1871 when she was 18 and he 31.
At Paterangi they took up an area of militia land, experiencing all the hardships of the early pioneers, and although not in active service, Frederick was called out on many occasions when trouble arose.
TALKING ECONOMICS
Policy at the crossroads
By Peter Nicholl
Monetary policy in New Zealand is at an interesting crossroads. The June quarter Cost Price Index (CPI) data on the surface looked positive. Overall, the CPI rose by 3.3 per cent in the year to June 2024. This was less than the Reserve Bank and most commentators were expecting. It is getting close to the top of the bank’s policy target range of 1-3 per cent. The CPI for the June quarter 2024 was only 0.4 per cent. That gives an annualised rate of just 1.6 per cent, which is below the mid-point of the reserve bank’s policy range.
Based on this positive news, many commercial banks didn’t wait for the reserve bank to start lowering interest rates, they started lowering their mortgage and deposit interest rates themselves. It is interesting that as recently as February this year, some of those same banks were predicting that the reserve banks would raise their official cash rate at least one more time.
They have had a sharp change in their outlook. Is this change justified? It is certainly justified to believe that the reserve bank won’t raise the cash rate further. But there are still some elements in the CPI picture that may cause concern. The main one is that most of the downward pressure in New Zealand’s inflation rate was due to downward pressure on prices from overseas. Inflation in tradeable inflation was only 0.3 per cent in the year to June 2024. On the other hand, non-tradeable inflation, which is the inflation we are producing within New Zealand, was 5.4 per cent for that year, and had fallen only marginally from 5.8 per cent in the year to March 2024. This should worry the reserve bank.
It could worry the bank enough that they don’t lower the OCR at their next review on October 9 and instead wait to
see if there is more downward movement in non-tradeable inflation when the figures for the September quarter CPI come out.
One other reason that they may wait until their OCR review on November 27 is that by themselves to pre-announce dates for reviewing their OCR, they have locked themselves into a very odd situation in October. Monetary policy is at a turning point with the question now being when will the turn actually occur?
The information that will be contained in the September quarter CPI will be important, possibly critical, for this decision. But the September quarter CPI data will not be released by the Department of Statistics until October 16 – seven days after the preannounced date for the next OCR decision. This seems very odd to me. Policy-making should be influenced by economic conditions and changes in these conditions don’t fit neatly into pre-announced timetables. A policy decision on interest rates is needed now. Given the reserve bank feels they have to wait until October 9, the commercial banks have decided to step in and take action. It is the commercial banks rather than the reserve bank that have decided that the turning point in New Zealand’s monetary policy cycle will be now. So far, the reserve bank has not said or done anything to indicate they are unhappy with the commercial banks reducing interest rates. They have done this on at least one occasion in the recent past so I hope they are being consistent and we can interpret their silence to mean they do not object to mortgage rates coming down and that the turning point for monetary policy has arrived.
2025 Enrolments OPEN
The board invites applications from parents who wish to enrol their children at Te Awamutu Intermediate for 2025.
Online enrolment forms for all students are available on our school website www.teawamutuint.school.nz
Although we will continue to accept enrolments, we strongly encourage you to enrol by 27 September 2024. This will assist us to plan appropriately for your child in 2025.
An information evening will be held for all prospective parents and students on Thursday 15th August 2024 at 6pm
By Meghan Hawkes
Margaret, too, had much to contend with in the early days. She took part in all district events whether it was church, school, or social gatherings and gave her services cheerfully and willingly.
In 1895 one of the small Sing daughters was playing with others in the yard near a fire when her clothes accidentally ignited. One of her sisters ran to help, enveloping her in her dress but this did not extinguish the flames. Her mother’s help was also unsuccessful, and then another sister came on the scene with a bucket of water and subdued the flames. Dr Pairman was at once sent for and in the meantime Vaseline and afterwards olive oil and lime water were applied to the child’s burns. Dr Pairman who was away from home nevertheless heard of the accident and at once came over 12 miles.
On examination he pronounced the patient to be in no immediate danger, although she had sustained a severe shock.
Six years later, Willie, the eldest son, 24, became so seriously ill that his life was despaired of. Eventually, with careful
nursing, he began to recover. It was a terrible trial for the whole family, and the greatest sympathy of the entire district was with them.
In 1914 Frederick, 73, was helping one of his sons cart material on the farm. A portion of the load shifted, and Frederick was thrown heavily to the ground. His condition was not considered serious, and doctors Hall and Henderson anticipated a full recovery. For two weeks he improved until he showed signs of collapse and died very suddenly. Frederick had been a member of the first district school committee. It was only the year before due to his advancing age that he retired. He was a highly respected settler, and his death very deeply regretted by all.
Continued on page 10
FAITH IN WAIPĀ
More than Sunday…
By Sam Pullenger, Ministry Assistant, St John’s Parish
When my wife and I got married we moved away to Tauranga for a few years, which meant also moving away from family. We enjoyed the sense of adventure it gave us, making new friends, joining new communities and being in a big city.
It offered freedom and opportunity for a new direction in life. We found we both grew a lot with all that we had to learn to do when we did not have the comfort of our family community around us. However, once we decided we wanted to have kids we decided we also needed to be nearer to family, for the support they are able to offer, so we ended up moving to Te Awamutu.
As the old saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” When I was growing up, one set of my grandparents lived overseas, so I was only able to see them once every few years. My other grandparents were close by until they decided to move away for a more relaxed pace of life. For my parents, then, their support came mainly in the form of the local church.
The church provided childcare through programmes they ran, mentoring and coaching in parenting, as well as a place to build life-long friendships.
The local church is not meant to just be a place you go for a Sunday morning worship service. In the Bible the church began with a small group of people who decided to live together in community, caring for and looking after all people, especially the marginalised. Jesus’ work, as he walked
around various villages, was characterised by care for those who were marginalised through sickness, mental health, status, age or ethnicity.
Jesus then calls those who would follow him to live the exact same way. The church has not always done a great job of this, though it continues to be what we are called to and what we strive for. Here in Te Awamutu the churches work together, encouraging each other in the different ways that we seek to care for the community. Although I feel incredibly lucky to have family close by to support us, I find that being part of a community where I can build friendships and share experiences is really important. If you would like to find a community to join there are many groups the churches of Te Awamutu offer support through.
We have a community meal at St John’s on a Monday evening, then there are mainly music and mums and bubs groups at the Bible Chapel, St John’s and the Baptist church. There is a community cafe on Wednesday mornings at the Bible Chapel, as well as youth groups at many of the churches.
Life is meant to be lived in community, with people we can rely on. I encourage you to contact any of the churches in Te Awamutu and find out what groups they offer.
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Council backs number cut
By Mary Anne Gill
Waipā councillors have voted three of their colleagues out of a job in a move mayor Susan O’Regan says will result in better governance.
But Roger Gordon, Philip Coles and Mike Pettit remain unconvinced and voted this week against the proposal to slash elected members’ numbers down from 11 to eight.
Pettit told the Finance and Corporate committee meeting this week it was unlikely he would meet the new criteria required of councillors - skill, diverseness and time commitment –and would probably not stand for
re-election next year. He is principal at Cambridge Primary School.
The proposal to divide the district into four wards – Cambridge, Te Awamutu-Kihikihi, rural and Māori – will now go out to consultation by the community.
Feedback closes on September 5 and a final decision will be made by council the following day.
Under the proposal there would be three councillors in the Cambridge ward, which would include Karāpiro and its 190 electors who are now in the Maungatautari ward.
ElectionNZ’s Stephen Hill said the decision to bring 78 Karāpiro properties into Cambridge passed the fair
representation community of interest requirement under the Local Government Act.
Te Awamutu-Kihikihi would have two councillors while a new rural ward taking in Ngāhinapōuri, Pirongia, Ōhaupō, Kakepuku and Maungatautari would also
have two elected members.
The Māori ward would have one councillor elected across the district, but the future of that ward remains uncertain pending the outcome of the Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies
Amendment Bill which went through its third reading in
Parliament this week.
If the bill is adopted, council would have to decide whether to scrap the ward or have a referendum at next year’s local body elections.
The decision was a victory for O’Regan who had championed a representation review. She argued the days of part time councillors spending a day a week on council business had long since passed. There would be minor boundary changes to the two community boards in
Kennedys' post case off to court
By Chris Gardner
Former Waipā posties Danny and Ian Kennedy are taking a claim for damages against New Zealand Post to the High Court.
The couple sold their Te Awamutu home and moved to the South Island in June after NZ Post cancelled their contract to deliver “all mail” in the RD3 Tamahere district in November 2023.
The cancellation followed the Kennedys’ complaint to NZ Post that some mail was being delivered by other contractors.
Although the couple failed to get a High Court injunction preventing the cancellation of
the contract in November, Justice Ian Gault said there were questions around the termination notice and the Kennedys’ claims they had been promised an exclusive territory. These were best addressed by damages claim, he said.
“We are seeking substantial financial damages against NZ Post for unlawful termination of our contract, and failure to provide us with ‘exclusivity’ within the RD3 territory we purchased,” Danny Kennedy said.
“We believe NZ Post deliberately withheld its plans, for what it later in 2022 called its Multi Run Courier Business model and its more
recent One Network model, the nationwide Courierisation of mail and parcels into a single van, before we interviewed with its senior Waikato executives in December 2018 and February 2019.”
After conducting due diligence and fully reliant upon the contractual and verbal assurances from its senior executives, the couple mortgaged their house and purchased the RD3 run in April 2019.
They have sought extensive ‘discovery’ through the court and provided what they say is evidence of removal and re-allocation of their freight to third party couriers.
Last week the couple heard their request for a ministerial inquiry had passed from State Owned Enterprises minister Paul Goldsmith to Chris Bishop and onto Simeon Brown before it was dismissed in favour of a NZ Post board review.
Taranaki-King Country National MP Barbara Kuriger told The News the case needed to be looked at.
The News approached NZ Post for comment. Senior external communications advisor Sarah Jarvis said: “NZ Post politely declines to comment on this matter, especially given it’s before the court.”
Susan O’Regan
Dale-Maree Morgan
Mike Pettit
Clare St Pierre
FINAL WEEKS
Waipā charter school planned
By Mary Anne Gill
A Waipā couple hopes to set up one of 15 charter schools the coalition government approved in this year’s Budget.
The environment would suit teachers who wanted to teach outside of the box and children struggling in traditional schools.
Charter schools aim to provide teachers and parents with more choice.
Ray and Maxine Nelson - founders and directors of Ignite Arts Academy in Cambridge - are working with education consultant and former principal Alwyn Poole on an application due August 9.
If successful, the charter school would open in term one next year.
An average school day is split with academic work in the morning – English, maths, science, technology and science studies - and arts and activities in the afternoon which would include learning and service in the community.
The government has set aside $153 million for charter schools over the next four years.
Maxine Nelson said the couple had put feelers out to lease suitable premises able to accommodate 120 students aged from 11-15 years.
There would be a maximum of 15 students in each class and 40-minute lunch breaks. The new school would be fees-free and government-funded.
Poole, who moved from Cambridge to Auckland earlier this year, said if successful it would be the third charter school he helped establish.
It has been a dream for them to establish a charter school since their return to New Zealand from the United States in 2011.
They started Ignite which delivers music, dance, drama and holiday workshops for children and provides the community with a place to discover and nurture their performing arts passion.
“We see so many different kids that don’t fit in the box,” she said. “We need to do something – it’s a sense of calling (for us).”
The two are committed Christians but that would not mean they would be Bible bashing in the classroom.
“Children are very, very capable. When children are having fun, they learn like crazy,” she said.
Twenty years ago, he wrote a projectbased curriculum model that resulted in Mount Hobson Middle School, where he was principal for 18 years.
Two more schools based on the same system were later opened in south and west Auckland, following charter school legislation in 2012.
The first charter schools opened in 2014 but four years later then education minister Chris Hipkins shut them down saying they were a “failed expensive experiment.”
Poole said the Nelsons’ track record with Ignite and their background made them ideal candidates to run a charter school.
“Their reputation is very good,” he said.
Fewer board regional buses
By Mary Anne Gill
Waikato-King Country regional bus passenger numbers in June and figures for July may continue the trend.
Fares for Busit and Te Huia train services increased from July 1 and with the month having two weeks of school holidays, the numbers using public transport are unlikely to reach the heady days in May when records fell as services increased.
Figures supplied to The News by Waikato Regional Council showed 10,476 people used the 24 Kihikihi-Te Awamutu service in June – down 2535 on the previous month – and 9419 hopped on board the 20 Cambridge run – down 2211.
But disturbingly for the regional council, numbers on the 32 Tokoroa and 26 Te Kūiti connectors continue to plummet. Only 800 passengers travelled on the South Waikato
service and 817 on the King Country run.
Both are heavily subsidised services and local authorities in South Waikato, Waitomo and Ōtorohanga will be asking questions of the regional council as their budgets tighten.
Government subsidies for age-based public transport fares – part of the extended Community Connect scheme - ended nationwide on April 20 but the regional council maintained the fares until June 30. Free fares for children aged 12 and under and half-price fares for people aged 24 and under ended then.
Half-price fares on Total Mobility services and for Community Services Card holders will remain as they were part of the original Community Connect scheme. So too will free travel for SuperGold card holders.
When passengers use
The numbers 20 and 24 regional bus services side by side at the Hamilton Transport Centre.
Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Helping our guardian angels
By Mary Anne Gill
Naomi Carter was 10 when she contacted the Coast Guard to help her father who was scuba diving and having trouble getting back on the family boat.
So, it was a no brainer for her 25 years later to participate in The Big Swim to raise funds to help save more lives on the water.
Naomi is one of at least four Waipā-King Country - and 1200 across the countryswimming a million metres in July to raise $1 million for Coastguard Tautiaki Moana.
The challenge finished yesterday (Wednesday) but when The News caught up with the four swimmers including Trina White, Richard Hill and David Wybourne at the weekend, they had raised just over $4500 and swum nearly 100kms.
They did not know each other prior to the challenge but are now talking about getting a
team together for next year’s challenge.
Naomi’s effort is especially significant. Five months after a September 2017 accident in Cambridge, she had her left leg amputated below the knee.
She had been unloading her car parked on a grass verge in Bracken Street when a distracted driver hit her. She was put her in the care of the trauma team at Waikato Hospital in a critical condition with multiple fractures and injuries.
The physiotherapist now lives north of Ōtorohanga with husband Richard and children Hope, 3, and Bonnie, 2.
Her first experience with the Coast Guard was at Ōkiwi Bay in the Marlborough Sounds on a family holiday.
“I’d learned how to contact the Coast Guard from Dad so when we felt he was getting pushed out to sea (when scuba diving), I contacted them.”
In fact, the boat was closing in on the rocks
and the Coast Guard coordinated a successful rescue.
The family have a bach at Cook’s Beach now. “The Coast Guard provides such a great service and do amazing work,” said Naomi who always hated swimming before the accident.
“I was a runner. Swimming is gentle on the injuries and is very good for my mental health. I love it (swimming) now.”
Since the amputation she has faced “countless” surgeries because of what she describes as a “difficult” stump.
She has that in common with William Pike who lost his right leg after the September 2007 eruption on Mount Ruapehu when he got penned in Dome Shelter near Crater Lake.
They both want something more from their prosthetic legs –the ability to swim long distances, in Naomi’s case, and for Williamto climb, run, swim and scuba dive. They compare notes regularly, she said.
Her medical background means she can do her own rehabilitation and knows if the surgeons are trying to hide something from her. But because of ongoing issues and pain she is unable to wear the prosthetic as much as she would like.
She is a regular competitor in New Zealand Ocean Swim events effortlessly swimming kilometres with the use of one leg, which even she admits takes some balancing.
Her sprint swimming has improved during The Big Swim – she can now complete 100m in 1m36s.
Trina, Business Development manager at Waikato Construction Management Ltd – the company owned by her and husband Gary – lives in Te Awamutu and usually racks up her metres at the Aquatic
The family regularly holiday at Whitianga where they have seen the Coast Guard in action.
“It’s a pretty essential
“I know several people who have used the Coast Guard and as a lover of spending time both on and in the water, it is a great peace of mind knowing the Coast Guard is there should things go wrong,” said
“As a country surrounded by water and full of people who love to head to the beach or lake for a long weekend/ holiday, the Coast Guard can be kept pretty busy.”
• More photos teawamutunews.nz
amend
LEFT: Naomi Carter is swimming for the Coast Guard.
Photo: Supplied.
Big Swim time: from left Trina White (Te Awamutu), Richard Hill and David Wybourne (both Cambridge) at the Cambridge Pool. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Adjusting to barefeet and pyjamas
By Viv Posselt
Most people just called her Louise… the feisty Rotary exchange student from northern France with the seemingly impossible-
to-pronounce surname of Zakrzewski.
Louise has just departed New Zealand, nimbly dodging the global tech blowout that disrupted so much travel. She had
been here for a year, the 2023/24 International Youth Exchange (IYE) student hosted by Te Awamutu Rotary Club. Thanks to Rotarian and aviator Murray Smith and his wife Laurel, she has spread her wings far beyond Waipā.
“I’ve been so lucky,” she said. “They have flown me all over New Zealand. We went to Warbirds over Wanaka. I climbed Roy’s Peak… I really loved that.” Weeks after arriving here, Louise told The News how certain things about Kiwi
culture struck her as odd; their love of being barefoot, and carpets in houses were an initial few.
She has now added school uniforms and a lighter school workload to the list, plus some Kiwis’ preference for venturing out in their pyjamas.
Cambridge), ski-biscuiting, a bit of partying and a lot done to support Rotary projects.
She reckons she has become more resilient, more confident around people.
“We don’t do that in France – we always go out properly dressed.”
Louise started off at the home of hosts Carol and Ross Turner, then moved in with Gill and Allan Johnston. Gill, who is the immediate past president of Te Awamutu Rotary Club, said Louise seems to have packed in more than most exchange students.
There has been a lot of fishing, boating, cycling (mostly at the velodrome in
Gill said: “We worked together with the Cambridge Rotary Club to make it easier for Louise to pursue her interests over there –mostly her involvement with cycling. It is something very unusual, but opportunities came up there and we worked with Cambridge to make it happen and Louise switched from Te Awamutu College to Cambridge High School at the start of this year.”
She also said Louise makes
“the best crêpes ever” and said she and husband Allan now considered Louise another daughter.
Cambridge’s Riding for the Disabled is one of two organisations which will benefit from the Hamilton Lego User Group’s ninth show next week.
The August 10-11 event at Claudelands will feature 78 exhibitors and highlights are expected to include the Waikato Schools Brick Masters competition and a Lego Star Wars 25th Anniversary display.
Almost 6000 people attended the 2023 show, and profits will also assist Clothe Our Kids Waikato.
Sunday will also feature an hour-long morning sensory session where there will be no noises or lights operating on the displays, reduced lighting in the venue and reduced numbers of people.
Exchange student Louise Zakrzewski with one of her two Te Awamutu ‘mums’ Gill Johnston and the Rotary jacket she has now covered with her Kiwi momentos. Picture by Viv Posselt
Clear winners in Kihikihi
A Pirongia trio scored a clear win in the latest tournament at the Kihikihi Bowling Club.
Skip Denise Te Mono steered the team including Lynda Bennett and Nevenka Drnasin to four successive wins – and chalked up a massive 61 points along the way.
It was case of lightning striking twice – the team won the club’s previous tournament in similar fashion.
The two Cambridge clubs also had a good day, Cambridge Central represented by Robby Davidson (Skip), Mary Hughes and Chris Denton came home second with three wins and a draw, 23 ends won and 52 points.
A Cambridge Bowling Club trio of Bill James (skip) Dave Lewis and Bill Edge secured fourth place with three wins and a draw also.
Wedged in between these two, for
third, was Frankton Junction led by Steve Liddington with Dean Te Mono and Eddie Knox.
The event was held on a perfect winter’s day – it was sunny with no wind – a welcome combination at a club situated on a ridge and exposed to all quarters.
Two tournaments next month complete the winter programme, the first next Wednesday.
The Sings of Paterangi
Inconceivably, on the first anniversary of Frederick’s death and on her 20th birthday, Vera Sing died at a private hospital in Auckland after an appendicitis operation. Vera with her kindly nature had endeared herself to many, and the utmost sorrow was expressed at her early death.
Four months later a social was held in the Paterangi Hall to farewell to the Sing family. There was a large gathering of friends from local and surrounding districts.
After the musical part of the programme Mr Ryburn presented to each of the Misses Sing a suitably inscribed serviette ring, and to Miss E Sing a number of music volumes as a special
token for services rendered to the church. Mr Ryburn having known the family for forty-four years was indeed very sorry to lose them as neighbours and wished them all happiness and prosperity in their new home. Rev McKenzie endorsed the remarks of the former speaker and regarded their departure a distinct loss. James Sing thanked them for the presents and also the appreciation shown to the family. Miss G Sing feelingly expressed thanks for the good wishes of the gathering and said they would always look upon Paterangi as their home, wherever they may be.
Mai, Ha e Mai
Nau mai Ha e mai
ur school is a community lled with amazing tamariki, dedicated sta , and supportive whānau. Pekapekarau is often described as the “BIG little school of Te Awamutu.” Big on aroha and small enough to know everyone. We o er a welcoming atmosphere with a strong
focus on love, care, and support.
Here’s what students Harley and Erin have to say: Our school is awesome! Ms. Bagley is the best – she’s super funny and makes us feel like we’re part of one big happy family. Our teachers plan cool things for us and we’ve got heaps of fun things to do!
• We are innovators and trailblazers - we grow great leaders who leave as Year 6’s con dent in who they are.
• We have visitors that inspire us and show us who we can be in the future.
• We go on camps, trips to the zoo or other places, be enviro warriors, explore our ngāhere (bush), play
sports or create pieces of art at mosaic club, and we love hanging out with our buddies.
• We have amazing murals.
• Our Kapa haka rōpū is loud and proud.
We’re lucky to have such a great school and we want you to be a part of it, too! Come and visit us!
Awamutu Primary School (TAPS) - Together Achieving Personal Success
When you visit our school you may notice a little bit of magic that sets us apart from the rest. What is the secret charm? It’s a community collaboration. Our wider community works together for the greater good of our taonga - our treasure; that is our children.
At TAPS, we live by 4 main values - Respect, Responsibility, Resilience and Relationships. These attributes allow our community minded vibe to flourish into something enchanting and our students to transform into smart, emotionally intelligent and ethical citizens.
TAPS is a great place to learn, work and be a part of!
I’m proud to be your Principal - Sharon Griffiths
Te Pahu School - Naa te waiaro he taumata tiketike e ‘Attitude determines Altitude’ Inspiring our learners to be their very best in all they do.
Teenaa koutou katoa, I am proud to be the Tumuaki/Principal of Te Pahu School.
Situated at the base of the stunning Mt.Pirongia, we have a strong connection with the mountain. We have a wonderful sta and supportive
community who strive to support our tauira (students) to develop their own unique sense of identity. At our school, you will see, hear, and feel our valuesNau mai, haere mai, we welcome you!
“We want our learners to be engaged, spark their passions, and experience
exciting opportunities. Te Pahu is special, a beautiful setting, with caring students, dedicated teachers, and a real care and connection for the environment”
Louise Handley Tumuaki/Principal
Tumuaki/
The winning trio was Lynda Bennett, Denise Te Momo and Nevenka Drnasin.
Community Connect
August 1, 2024
WAIPĀ FAN FESTIVAL
A celebration of our Olympians and Paralympians!
Join us for an action-packed morning on:
Sunday, August 4, 9am-12 noon at Grassroots Trust Velodrome in Cambridge
We’ll be celebrating our athletes as they take on the world stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics with fun activities for everyone!
WHAT’S ON!
• Kids activities and games
• FREE track have-a-go sessionsbook online!
• Watch the Games’ highlights on the big screen
• FREE Velodrome tours - book online!
• Dress up, we’ve got spot prizes
• Watch the Velo League Racing from 1pm
• Enjoy some food with friends and family!
To get involved and find out more visit: WaipaHomeofChampions Waipa_NZ waipadc.govt.nz/welovewaipa
Countdown to Cambridge pathway completion
The countdown is on to the completion of the new walking and cycling path in Cambridge. Most of the works have been completed down Alpha, Bryce, Duke and Wilson Streets. The remaining construction is set to be finished this month.
Work left to be completed includes:
• planting on Lower Duke Street
• reinstatement works (line marking, signs, tidying up),
• finishing construction of the pathway on Victoria Street just past Bath Street.
The pathway extension on Grey and Clare Streets outside Cambridge Middle School will likely start in October/ November.
We would like to thank Cambridge residents and businesses for their patience and understanding during this project.
A $6 million major upgrade of watermains in Te Awamutu is set to get underway to meet increasing supply needs and to improve firefighting capabilities.
These works are part of our wider plan to future-proof the district’s water supply. Once the works are complete, they should serve the community for around 100 years.
Water services manager Martin Mould said over time the growth of our towns means that we need to provide more water to meet demand.
The project is expected to take up to 11 months and will be broken up into six sections. During the works, there will be some minor disruption but we will be notifying any affected residents and businesses ahead of time.
You can find out more at:
waipadc.govt.nz/teawamutusupply
What else is happening?
• Hall Street, Cambridge: The upgrades are nearly done! There are just the kerbs and footpaths at the main intersections to go, these should be completed in a couple of weeks.
• Kihikihi pathway: Our contractors are tidying up the new cul-de-sacs on Whitmore Street and will be moving on to working on the new roundabout at Herbert Street/ Flat Road and Rolleston Street intersection.
• Victoria Road roundabout, Hautapu: Work is on track to finish in September. Expect some ongoing delays while we finish the construction. Please allow extra time for travel in the area.
• Recycle your e-waste: Waipā Urban Miners will be at the Te Awamutu Sports Club on Sunday, August 4 from 9am - 11am and Cambridge Lions Market on Sunday, August 11 from 8.30am - 1pm.
• Growing your food workshop: A FREE workshop on the gardening basics. Friday, August 23, 1pm -3pm, Te Awamutu Food Forest. Scan the QR code to register now:
• Family History Month, Te Awamutu Museum: Attend the FREE drop-in session and learn how to research your family history on Saturday, August 3, 10am – 1pm.
• Mini Makers, Cambridge Library: Get a taste of Markerspace STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) activities on Saturday, August 17, 10am – 11am.
with Jan Bilton
Turkish delights
On a recent trip to Turkey, I enjoyed a couple of days exploring the spice alleys and sampling the street food of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. I’m an avid fan of Turkish food but I like adding my own little innovations mainly because of the difference in even basic ingredients between countries — such as flour. And I assume that the intensity of the spices is greater when purchased fresh from street stalls, so I sometimes increase the quantity in my recipes.
A selection of flavoursome Turkish ingredients:
Sumac: Prepared from a reddish-purple berry with a slightly astringent, lemon flavour. The seeds are dried and finely crushed and add flavour and colour to rice, vegetable dishes, fish and meats.
Cumin: Aromatic and with a distinctive flavour, cumin should be used sparingly in vegetable dishes and sauces. Excellent in curries, pickles and other spicy dishes.
Allspice: Also known as pimento they are the small sun-dried berries of a tropical tree. They have a combined aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves.
Nigella seeds: Little black seeds with a slightly bitter taste — a flavour combo of black pepper, oregano and onions. Excellent in vegetable dishes, sprinkled on breads or with curries.
Pul bilber: A crushed red pepper prepared from dried Aleppo peppers. The Turks sprinkle it over almost everything. Mild to medium in heat, you can replace it with chilli flakes in recipes.
Lamb cooked in yoghurt & cumin seeds
3 tablespoons cumin seeds
1 tablespoon each: chilli flakes, flaky sea salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1.5kg boned and rolled lamb shoulder
1 cup plain Greek yoghurt
1/3 cup olive oil
Preheat the oven to 160°C.
Lightly toast the cumin seeds. Combine with the chilli flakes, salt and pepper. Rub the lamb well with the yoghurt pushing it into any crevices. Sprinkle with the combined spices. Wrap
securely in foil. Place in a roasting pan and cook for 2 1/2 hours, until very tender. Remove from the oven and cover with a towel and rest for 20 minutes.
Place the meat on a platter and using 2 forks, pull the meat apart.
Great served with a bulghur salad and a mint salad. Or Turkish bread. Serves 8.
Turkish bread
This bread could also be sprinkled with nigella seeds.
2 teaspoons dried active yeast granules
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 cups warm water
4 1/2 cups plain flour
2 teaspoons flaky sea salt
1/4 cup olive oil + 1 tablespoon
1 egg, lightly beaten
4 tablespoons whole cumin or caraway seeds extra sea salt to garnish
Place the yeast, sugar and water in a bowl. Stand until the yeast starts to foam.
Place the flour and salt in a cake mixer. Using the dough hook, gradually add the water/yeast combo. Add the 1/4 cup of olive oil and continue kneading with the dough hook
for 8 minutes.
Form into a ball. Place in an oiled bowl and brush with more oil. Cover. Stand in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 250°C. Lightly flour 2 large oven trays. Divide the mixture in half and roll into 2 balls. With wet hands press the dough out to form 2 long ovals about 30cm x 20cm on the oven trays. Using your fingertips, make dimples in the dough. Brush with the egg and sprinkle with the cumin or caraway seeds and extra salt. Bake, one tray at a time if necessary, for 8-10 minutes, until golden. Best served freshly made and hot. Makes 2 loaves.
Mint & parsley salad
Use flat-leaf parsley for best flavour.
4 medium tomatoes, diced
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
2-3 tablespoons sumac sea salt to taste
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 cup each: mint leaves, flat-leaf parsley
Combine the tomatoes, red onion, sumac, salt and olive oil in a bowl. Just before serving add the mint and parsley leaves. Serves 4.
Additional (5) 4. Contusion (6) 7. Operate (3) 8. Fearful (6) 9. Lithe (6) 10. Old-fashioned (8)
University qualification (6)
Hire (6)
Imitate (3)
16. Meddle, 19. Pulse, 20. Open, 23. Nab. Last week Across
Down: 1. Samosa, 2. Git, 3. Atone, 5. Logical, 6. Full-grown, 7. Yuck, 8. Bad-tempered, 12. Rearrange, 15.
Signal, 4. Fluffy, 9. Motto, 10. Angelic, 11. Serpent, 13. Cage, 14. Marshmallow, 17. Area, 18. Expense, 21. Pensive, 22. Lined, 24. Needle, 25. Pebble.
Spaniel,
Lamb cooked in yoghurt & cumin seeds Turkish bread
clubs, baby showers, birthday parties, family get-togethers, wedding receptions and more
bookings@cafeirresistiblue.co.nz to nd out how we can help you make your
Council backs number cut
Continued from page 5
Cambridge and Te Awamutu and those members would provide the on-the-ground representation needed.
Cr Clare St Pierre, while voting for the proposal, said she was disappointed to see one rural ward instead of two.
“I acknowledge the work and the leadership mayor Susan has shown. I’ve been swayed by the comments, it will be useful to consult on it,” she said.
Cr Roger Gordon said there was a risk the ward representation structure would not fairly represent the population distribution. Votes would have greater weight from the west of the district.
“It’s a risk factor we need to assess.”
The council is required to use June 2023 population estimates rather than the final Census numbers. That means there could be more people in the Cambridge ward.
“We have to work with the statistics in front of us,” said Hill.
Cr Mike Montgomerie - who voted in favour of the proposal saying O’Regan’s argument had convinced him – said it was possible the two rural members would come from the west of the district, leaving Maungatautari without a councillor.
“I have found it quite difficult. I can see arguments both ways. The structure we have is quite reasonable.”
not feel they were being listened to. Taking the proposal out for consultation gave them the opportunity to have their say. “Let’s get people talking about what they want.”
O’Regan is part of a Local Government New Zealand working group looking at ways to improve voter turnout.
Within Waipā, there would be ways to work better as a team and take on professional development opportunities.
“This isn’t a one hit wonder. (It is) part of a bigger piece of doing better. That’s the context I wanted to place the discussion.”
Acting finance chair Bruce Thomas said he was concerned about how to engage with people.
Communications and engagement manager Lisa Nairne said while earlier consultation may have seemed disappointing – only 59 people fed back – there were more than 1500 clicks to the council website.
“They just weren’t taking it to the feedback process,” she said.
Councillors Andrew Brown and Lou Brown of Te Awamutu were not at the meeting. Their previous comments suggest the vote was likely to have been 8-5 rather than 8-3, but still a majority.
bookings@cafeirresistiblue.co.nz Open Daily, 9am-4.30pm
But he said he was always keen on improving performance at the council table and a smaller group could be an improvement.
Cr Dale-Maree Morgan said there were many in the Waipā community who did
CLASSIFIEDS
PROPOSAL TO GRANT NEW LEASES OF RESERVE LAND
Waip-a District Council (“WDC”) proposes to grant the following community leases in respect of land owned and administered by WDC as Recreation Reserves under section 54(1)(b) of the Reserves Act 1977:
Albert Park
Lessee: The Te Awamutu Brass Band Incorporated
Meanwhile Waikato regional councillors have voted to change the Waihou and Thames-Coromandel constituency boundaries. Population statistics indicated non-compliance with fair representation guidelines in Waihou which will now include the Waihi and Paeroa rural areas – currently in the Thames-Coromandel constituency.
Leased Land: Approximately 356m2 forming part of the Albert Park recreation reserve at 420 Albert Park Drive, Te Awamutu which is registered under Record of Title 610909 and legally described as Section 1-3 SO 423469.
Term: 5 years with 2 rights of renewal of 5 years each.
Rent: Initial annual rent of $27.00 plus GST
Permitted Use: Use of band rooms.
Mangahoe Street
Lessee: Te Awamutu Netball Center Incorporated
Leased Land: Approximately 0.7 hectares forming part of a recreation reserve at 153 Mangahoe Street, Te Awamutu which is registered under Record of Title 653684 and legally described as Part Lot 10-11 Deposited Plan 27334 and Lot 5 Deposited Plan South Auckland 72219 and Section 2 Survey Office Plan 45597.
Term: 5 years with 2 rights of renewal of 5 years each.
Rent: Initial annual rent of $73.00 plus GST
Permitted Use: Netball and related activities.
For more information, please contact Waip-a District Council on 0800 924 723 or email info@waipadc.govt.nz.
Anyone wishing to make a submission or objection may do so in writing by post or email, to be received no later than 5 pm Monday, 2 September 2024. please state in your submission if you wish to be heard in person.
Address all correspondence to:
By Post:
Waip-a District Council
Private Bag 2402
Te Awamutu 3840
By email:
Email: info@waipadc.govt.nz
For more information, please contact Waip-a District Council on 0800 924 723 or email info@waipadc.govt.nz.
Privacy Statement: Any personal information you provide as part of your submission or objection will be used for the purpose of the engagement process, including informing you of the outcome of the consultation. All objections/submissions (including names and contact details) may be provided in full to elected members and Council officers for this purpose. Objections/ submissions (including names but not contact details) may be made available to the public at our office and on our website. All information collected will be held by Waip-a District Council, 101 Bank Street, Te Awamutu with submitters having the right to access, and request correction to, their personal information. You can read our full privacy statement at waipadc.govt.nz/privacy-statement. A
PACKHOUSE WORKERS REQUIRED
Boyds Asparagus is well established in the industry, and we have vacancies available for our upcoming season.
Based in Hautapu, Cambridge, we require seasonal workers who are hardworking, honest, reliable, and willing to work on a roster basis, including weekends. We have positions available in our packhouse for: PACKERS/GRADERS approx. 45 to 50 hours per week
The asparagus season runs from Mid September to 22nd December 2024.
Experience is not essential as full training will be provided.
Please email your interest along with your contact details to: admin@asparagus.co.nz
WALKER, Ramsay George – Passed away at Waikato Hospital on Friday, 26th July 2024, aged 90 years. Dearly loved, cherished husband and best mate of Elizabeth (Beth). Loving and cherished father of Sue & Merv, Peter & Michelle, Maree, and Scott. Special Pop to Terry, Hayden, Jenna, Tyler, Claudia, Kelly, Corbin, Stacey, Ra, Campbell, Alice, Bianca, Matt, and Brandon. Loving Poppa to his great grandchildren, Morgan, Lincoln, Skyler, Kiara, Cole, and Carden. A great man who always lived life to the fullest. A celebration of Ramsay's life will be held at Te Awamutu Bible Chapel, Chapel Drive, Te Awamutu on Friday, the 2nd of August 2024 at 1:00 pm followed by the burial at The Te Awamutu Lawn Cemetery. Donations to St John Ambulance would be appreciated and may be left at the service. All communications to the Walker Family, c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800
BUTLER, Jonathon James – Sadly passed away at home on Saturday, 27th July 2024, aged 68 years. Dearly loved father and father in-law to Cassidy-Jean & Marius, and Liam & Krystle. Adored Grandpa Jonathan to his four grandchildren. Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.
John 16:22
At Jonathon's request a private farewell has taken place. All communications to the Butler Family, c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800.
JONES, Paul – born 6/8/1956. Passed away peacefully in Waikato Hospital. Adored son of the late John & Ella, stepmum Jessie, brothers Brian & Geoff, nieces & nephews. A special person loved by all. A service will be held for Paul & to recognise the outstanding care & devotion given to him by caregivers & support staff. 11am Tuesday Aug 6th at the Burchell Pavilion (Te Awamutu I site) 1 Gorst Avenue Te Awamutu.
JOYCE, Racheal Lee –Passed away peacefully after a long illness surrounded by her family at Waikato Hospital on Wednesday, 24th July 2024, aged 40 years. Devoted mother to Phoebe and Ezra. A special thanks to the ICU team of Waikato Hospital for the love and care shown to Racheal and her family over the past few days. A celebration of Racheal's life will be held at The Hamilton Park Chapel, Morrinsville Road, Newstead on Thursday, the 1st of August 2024 at 1:00 pm. In memory of Racheal, please wear bright colours. All communications to the Joyce Family c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800.
POLLOCK, Marlene Isobel, (nee Blackler) – Peacefully slipped away at home, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, 23rd July 2024, aged 85 years. Loving wife of the late Bob. Adored and cherished mother to Annie and Craig. Devoted Nana to Allie, Shaun, Kerry, Jack, David, and the late Danielle. great grandma to 5 great grandchildren. The family extends their heartfelt thanks to Hospice Waikato and the District Nursing staff for their compassionate care and support during Marlene's final days. In accordance with Marlene's wishes, a private farewell has taken place. All communications to the Pollock Family c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800.
