No vacancies at College
By Chris Gardner
Te Awamutu College has announced it will not accept students from outside its year-old zone – because it’s full.
Acting principal Wayne Carter said the school was predicting a roll of more than 1400 in 2025 – including significantly more year 13 students than usual
The news is not so good for families outside the school zone, but it is for Ōtorohanga College, which has a considerable smaller roll.
The college zone was introduced last year by the Ministry of Education and covers up to Ngāhinapōuri School in the north, down to Arohena School in the southeast and Ngutunui School in the west. The college offered a small number of places this year by ballot.
“We realise that this will be very disappointing for some families,” said Carter.
“However, when we developed our enrolment scheme, the Ministry of Education agreed that our capacity is 1400 students. We are predicting to start the year with 1455 students next year. Having a roll over 1400 puts pressure on rooming and staffing, so based on our current new enrolments and predictions, we simply don’t have space or capacity to offer spaces for out of zone enrolments.”
In a statement the school acknowledged the announcement would be a significant disappointment for some families.
“We have large cohorts at all levels next year,” Carter said. Usually, the numbers decline for Year 13 as some students move into employment, but next year, this cohort looks to be significantly larger than usual. This is, in part because they were our largest cohort on Year 9, so they will be our largest cohort for Year 13. This contributes to overall, more students being at school.”
The decision means siblings of existing
pupils from outside of the zone will need to find a different school.
It was difficult to forecast 2026 roll number, Carter said. Economic situations play a part in pupils’ decisions about either continuing their schooling or seeking employment.
“Last year, when there was plenty of employment opportunities, our numbers in the senior school were slightly lower than now, because more chose the work option,” he said.
“In terms of future Year 9 enrolments, numbers will continue to be strong, based on contributing school data.”
Asked whether Te Awamutu needed another high school, Carter said the Ministry of Education would not consider it.
“There is available space at the college for more classrooms, which would increase capacity. Discussions have been had about this and extra classrooms are in scarce supply for growing schools in the current
government spending cycle. However, the Ministry of Education only provides classrooms for in zone roll growth, not to cater for out of zone enrolments.”
Meanwhile, 30 minutes down the road south at Ōtorohanga College, the staff and board have been preparing for such a time as this.
Board chair Duncan Coull said the situation had been anticipated for about 18 months and a lot of work had been put into the college’s facilities and curriculum.
“This is positive news for the college,” he said. “We welcome any students that wish to attend Ōtorohanga College, we have had a lifting roll for the last two years.”
Ōtorohanga College’s roll dropped from 367 in 2017 to 260 in 2023 and 340 this year.
School principal Lindsay Kurth told a recent Ōtorohanga District Council meeting how students were benefitting from the school’s use of $1.64 million from the first tranche of better-off funding.
Te Awamutu College is expecting its roll to top 1450 in 2025.
Daffodil Day
On August 30, the community of Te Awamutu came together in support of Daffodil Day.
You may be aware that Daffodil Day is the Cancer Society’s most important fundraiser. The funds we raise together help us continue our services for another year in the region, ensuring we are there to give support at the time it is needed the most.
But Daffodil Day is important for another reason as well. It unites the community, bringing us together to wear our daffodils in solidarity with those we know and love on the cancer journey.
I’d like to personally thank the Te Awamutu community for the support they have given us this Daffodil Day. I’d also like to acknowledge the many volunteers who donated their time to be on our collection stands.
government is forcing a referendum on whether or not to continue with them where councils vote to do so. Is she saying she is comfortable denying New Zealanders the opportunity to have a say in the decision making around this?
The Government has taken this action to allow New Zealand the opportunity to have a say, something we were denied when the Māori Wards were introduced by the previous government.
Ice breaker at Ngā Roto
I’d also like to express my gratitude to Julie Gregory who put in dozens of hours of her time as volunteer coordinator in Te Awamutu and who is responsible for making sure the town was painted yellow.
Thank you all so much for being there for us this Daffodil Day. With your support, we can be there for the 1 in 3 with cancer with cancer in Te Awamutu.
Helen
Carter
Chief
Executive, Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty
Māori wards
In regard to Waipā mayor Susan’ O’Regan’s comments on the Māori ward issue and her resentment that the
The Mayor refers to the benefits of Māori Wards including ‘seeing yourself have a place around the table, rather than be excluded’. ‘A Māori voice’, valuable Māori perspective’. This is all common sense stuff and highlights the rationale for a Māori perspective. No problem with any of these comments, but we do not need Māori wards to achieve any of this. Māori have the same opportunity to seek representation and offer these unique qualities as anyone else. Why do we think they need a special designated seat? Is the Mayor suggesting Māori would not have the ability to be elected on their own merit?
The comments are insulting and akin to that of a helicopter parent who think ‘they know best’ guiding a child to think a certain way, denying them the opportunity to think for themselves. The wording suggests anyone who does not agree is racist. I don’t buy it and neither do a lot of people in spite of the ‘apparent support’ for Māori Wards. The referendum will decide and all I can say is bring it on.
Gwynneth Purdie Te Awamutu
By Chris Gardner
Scouts Aotearoa national commissioner Raani Kelderman called it a fantastic ice breaker.
More than 200 scouts and kaiārahi (leaders) from 14 scout groups in the upper North Island region started the boating season with the 48th Alistair Kerr Waikato Zone Spring Regatta at Lake Ngā Roto on Saturday. Boating, paddling (kayaking) and water safety are three of the adventure skills offered to all youth members by the Scouts Aotearoa Youth Programme. Not just the traditional Sea Scout groups.
Youth competed in Sunbursts, Scout Standard Cutters and kayaks in junior, intermediate and senior races. Regattas are typically highly competitive events, but the late Kerr had a different vision in 1972. He wanted to start the season with a fun get together where scouts could learn from their mistakes with no pressure to win. Kerr’s son Roddy, a scout when the regatta started, attended the event.
Kelderman, who travelled from Auckland for the event, said: “We had over 170 youth out on the water, with many of the juniors learning the ropes for the first time!”
Ngā Roto Sailing Club hosted the event alongside its Brass Monkey event, and the Waikato team led by zone water activities advisor Dave Smith organised the event. Shakleton Sea Scout Group travelled the furthest for the event, arriving late Friday from Whangarei and leaving early Sunday.
last week panned out for
A male was arrested at a family harm incident, police recovered a stolen motor vehicle, attended four family harm incidents, a sudden death and attended a motor vehicle collision. Police investigated a threating behaviour incident and trespassed a female from a residential address
Tuesday
Two males were trespassed from Tokanui Hospital grounds, police attended two family harm incidents, received a driving complaint, forbid a male from driving until he obtains a drivers licence and attended a burglary. Police located cannabis during a search, attended a road rage incident and a learner driver crashed his vehicle on Fairview Road.
Wednesday
Police attended two family harm incidents, received cannabis located at a home by a caregiver and arrested a male for breaching bail. A child was taken during a family harm and reported missing.
Thursday
Police attended a suspicious incident on a farm, received a fraud complaint, attended three family harm incidents and received a report of trespass. A vehicle was stolen from an address in Te Awamutu.
Friday
cannabis and utensils for consumption and a male was arrested for breaching bail.
Saturday
Police attended a burglary, a youth was found to be driving over the limit for alcohol, a vehicle was broken into at Pukeatua, a vehicle was tampered with at a residential address in Te Awamutu and police attended a family harm incident.
Sunday
A vehicle was stolen from a residential address, police attended three family harm incidents, a male stole a box of alcohol from a licenced premises. The same male then went to a second bottle store and stole again. Police stopped a vehicle due to a driving complaint and located methamphetamine,
Police attended a violent family harm incident, a female was found to be driving with excess breath alcohol for the seventh time, a male assaulted his partner and breached his bail at a family harm incident, police attended four family harm incidents and received reports of boy racer activity.
Ngā Roto hosed more than 200 scouts on the water over the weekend. Photos - Becky Payne.
Power upgrade
Te Awamutu’s ageing electricity infrastructure is to have its capacity increased to keep the network reliable.
Waipā Networks will lay new 11kV underground cables along Racecourse Road between Mangapiko Street and Factory Road – the first new cables since 1966 when they served 5000 people compared to 13,500 today.
Bridge opens
Traffic is now flowing over Hamilton’s new Te Ara Pekapeka Bridge. An opening was held earlier this month.
Voting open
Nine candidates are vying for six roles on Waipā Networks Trust. Incumbents Marcus Gower, Sarah Matthews, Dave McLean and Ray Milner are standing again while Philip Coles, Jarrod Godfrey, Pip Kempthorne, and Rollo Webb have put their hats in the ring. Long standing trustee Judy Bannon is not seeking re-election. Voting opened last week and close on October 1.
Church leaders’ call Waipā religious leaders have backed a letter opposing the ACT party’s Treaty Principles Bill. News faith columnist Murray Smith, of Bridges Church, said it is an affiliate of a national church network (LinkNZ) that has commitment to the treaty “as it stands”. “Our view is that the Treaty does not need any ‘re-definition’, rather it needs but to be understood and implemented in terms of its original intention from the outset,” he said.
Notification needed
Public notification will be required for a giant 27ha quarry in a rural zone on the outskirts of Cambridge, Waipā District Council has advised interested parties. Fulton Hogan - the holding company for the proposed quarry’s operators RS Sand Ltd – wants to run the quarry 3.5kms east of central Cambridge and about one kilometre from new housing to the northeast of the town.
Ōhaupō speed bumps on way out?
By Chris Gardner
The Government is scrapping plans for 29 speed bumps on state highways, as motorists complain about the severity of three of them in Ōhaupō.
“Kiwis are sick of seeing money go into expensive speed bumps while the roads aren’t being maintained to the standard they expect,” said Transport minister Simeon Brown.
Brown was responding to questions from The News on the future of the three speed bumps installed by Waipā District Council on State Highway 3 in Ōhaupō over six months last summer.
While the speed bumps have earned praise from the business community for slowing down traffic, motorists are complaining about their severity according to Waipā PirongiaKakepuku Ward councillors Clare St Pierre and Bruce Thomas.
“People don’t like speed bumps,” St Pierre said.
“There are residents in that community who are really disappointed that the pavement rehabilitation was not done throughout the CBD.”
“I have heard complaints from different people,” said Thomas. He thought the speed bump
warning signs were in the wrong place and did not give motorists adequate warning.
“There’s a speed reduction sign right by the speed bump.”
He had mentioned it to council, but the sign had not been moved.
Road Haulage Te Awamutu owner Warren Whittaker said Ōhaupō’s speed bumps were too severe, disrupting livestock and cargo.
“The are a pain in the arse,” he said.
“They are too savage; they need to make them not as savage. We have got livestock on board.”
Federated Farmers Waikato provincial vice president Andrew Reymer, who lives locally and is on the Pirongia ward committee, agreed Ōhaupō’s speed bumps were too severe but thought the council had done everything right.
“The job was not finished,” he said. He was looking forward to NZTA finishing the job.
“The community has been asking for a pedestrian crossing for years, now the kids are crossing safely. That’s the win.”
Waipā Transportation manager Bryan Hudson - in a report that went before the council’s Pirongia Ward committee yesterday that substantial “tempering of traffic speed” had been
achieved.
“Following project completion, the community sentiment towards the upgrades has been very positive,” he said.
“The Government is changing that by ringfencing funding for resealing, rehabilitation, and drainage maintenance works on our roading network to prevent potholes and improve the maintenance of our roads.”
The cost of last summer’s construction works was $2.1 million.
Residents are bracing for more disruption as Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency completes the job before Christmas with full rehabilitation of the state highway pavement.
Brown said since the release of the Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS), 29 speed bumps on state highways that were proposed under the previous government’s GPS had been cancelled.
“Additionally, our GPS removes funding for speed bumps on local roads from the National Land Transport Fund - an activity which had become profligate under the previous government’s transport policies and simply just frustrated motorists and incurred significant
costs to ratepayers and taxpayers.” Brown said projects that had already received funding would continue, but no further Crown funding would be available for these types of projects which he said simply inconvenience motorists.
“If local councils want to spend ratepayers’ money on speed bumps, they are free to do so, but they won’t receive National Land Transport Funds to help pay for it,” he said.
The mysteries of waterways
Students from four primary schools – Ōhaupō, Rukuhia, Kaipaki and Tamahere - joined residents of Hamilton’s Bupa Foxbridge Village to find out more about Waikato’s waterways.
Using environmental “eDNA” technology with AquaWatch’s Waka monitoring equipment, the team collected samples from the Mystery Creek Catchment.
They evaluated key health indicators, including dissolved oxygen levels, turbidity, temperature, pH, conductivity, and the presence of various organisms.
eDNA is a scientific method that extracts organisms from water samples for analysis against
a species list. The results help researchers and catchment groups identify present or missing native species and detect unseen invasive pests in our streams.
The event was hosted by the NZ National Fieldays Society at Heritage Village, Mystery Creek Event Centre, NZ Landcare Trust and the Bupa Foundation. It was organised as part of the national Junior Landcare programme, an initiative which aims to foster intergenerational connections through a shared commitment to environmental stewardship.
Students from the four school, alongside Bupa residents, participated in activities focused on eDNA, river water monitoring, and the Adopt-a-Stream
programme. They explored initiatives around the recovery of abandoned vehicles from the Waikato River.
NZ Landcare Trust Waikato catchments coordinator Ric Balfour said watching as children learn more about what is in their environment and waterways was inspiring.
“I’m excited about advancing the Mystery Creek Junior Landcare Legacy project.
“It’s crucial for us to encourage our youth to connect with their local catchment. By empowering them with education, we aim to provide them with mindfulness tools that enhance their health and well-being. Being connected to our land, our whenua, is
crucial for all children.” New Zealand National Fieldays Society Community and Sustainability executive
Janine Monk said it was wonderful to have everyone working together, learning more about the waterways that run through the venue.
Jim Goddin JP Funeral Director
One of the speed bumps in Ōhaupō.
Year 8 students from Rukuhia School, Max Goodson and Tarn Joritani (right), are engaging with the Adopt a Stream pack provided by Natalie Jessup, General Manager of Tāngaro Tuia te Ora, the Endangered Species Foundation.
Photo: Supplied.
Te Awamutu Volare Unveils New Look
Talk about Volare, located in the heart of Te Awamutu - and the fabulous artisan bread, traditionally baked goods and co ee it’s renowned for.
So much so, the seven-year-old walkin shop is one of five bustling outlets across the Waikato.
Retail manager Amy Berryman says the Alexandra Street location will be featuring the fresh new colours of the rebrand.
“Our Te Awamutu store is special because it’s a hub for many of our Waipa families and locals, it’s their go-to for their morning tea or lunch and daily chat with our lovely sta .”
As well as the amazing artisan bread, traditionally baked goods - and the fantastic Ozone co ee – it is also the home of the recent award-winning custard square.
“We won first place for our custard square at the 2024 Great Square
O , which we are very proud to have done – this underlines the exceptional focus we have on providing the best of ingredients for our traditionally made products,” Amy says.
And that’s not all. Kaipaki Milk, based just out of Te Awamutu, has long been a feature of all the stores and Volare is excited to be a part of their swap a bottle initiative, also now available in Te Awamutu.
“We’ve set up the ability to be able to o er our customers the opportunity to buy one litre glass bottles of Kaipaki Milk, and aside from our Cambridge location, is a first for this store and one it will soon be available in our other stores as well,” Amy says.
Despite the new look, Volare’s commitment to beautifully handcrafted breads and bakery goods remains unchanged.
“We specialize in handcra ed sourdough,”
says Amy. “It’s a 48-hour process we are well known for, and the end result is much sought a er. Whether it’s pastries, cakes, or our famous sourdough, It’s all beautifully fresh in our stores ready
for our customers every morning.”
The store will continue to o er its extensive range along with the popular Ozone co ee, prepared by trained baristas. The opening hours remain the same 7.30am to 2pm –Monday – Saturday and 8am – 2pm on Sundays.
Founded in 2009 by school friends Ed and Ryan, Volare was created with a vision of producing small batches of handcrafted bread and bakery goods. As a fourth-generation baker, it was important to Ryan that all products be made with traditional techniques and the best ingredients, free from preservatives and additives found in mass-produced products. This philosophy has remained strong, earning Volare numerous awards as an artisan bakery. Initially starting at Farmers Markets, Volare’s main bakery is based in Hamilton, with products delivered fresh daily to its five stores in the Waikato region and many stockists, including cafes and restaurants.
Amy says it’s the second-to-last of the five stores to have the exciting new refit and a step forward in Volare’s journey, reflecting their dedication to quality products and service to our wonderful community.”
High-school friends Ed Hemming and Ryan Simmons co-founded Volare back in 2009
Volare's famous sourdough is baked fresh daily and available in stores every morning.
Volare’s amazing range of handcrafted breds is fresh in stores every morning.
Applause for Arikinui
By Sigrid Christiansen
News of the appointment of Te Arikinui Nga wai hono i te po as new leader of the Kīngitanga was greeted with joy amongst the tears from the tens of thousands at Tūrangawaewae, who farewelled her father, Kīngi Tuheitia last week.
The 27-year-old also follows in the footsteps of her highly respected grandmother Dame Te Atairangikaahu. The latter had been the first to use the term “Arikinui” (the highest ariki or leader) rather than the transliteration kuini, which echoes the English word “queen.”
Maniapoto kaumātua and former Waipā District Council iwi relations advisor Te Makau (Shane) Te Ruki felt that support for the new queen was immediately noticeable across the marae, from the instant the news was announced.
As soon as her face became visible to onlookers, applause began.
“The moment the tekau mā rua and the whānau pani (the leadership council and the bereaved family) turned around the corner, and we saw the face of our new queen with them, the
reaction was one of joy in the hearts of our people, although it was a very sad day.
“We could all see that.”
He said her appointment was a continuation of that work for many years, since the inception of the Kīngitanga.
“I think [the applause] says a lot about the support for her; that the choice was the right one for the people.
Going forward, they will support the new queen.
He said there was still much work to be done, but that the Arikinui already had a strong base of support, especially among her own generation.
“She is already a leader in her own right. She has inherited the mana of the Kīngitanga: of her grandmother, and also her father.”
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A thought after Turangawaewae
By Tom Roa, Tikanga Advisor, Waikato University
Te marama ahunuku; Te marama ahurangi; Te marama ka takoto i te hau o Tū – Te taueke; te marere kura; te marere pae. Tēnā te whaitua nui, Ka pū te taha wānanga, He āpiti nuku; he āpiti rangi. He whakaotinga aroha ki Te Kīngi Māori Tūheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII. Te tōtara haemata o te Wao-tapu-nui a Tāne. Me tana tira haere – A Mahoe, a Hinau, a Patatē. Haere koutou – haere mai Te Arikinui Kuīni Ngawai hono i te pō. Tātou te hunga ora ki a tātou
Te Motu – the Māori nation – AotearoaNew Zealand, parts of the Pacific, and of the indigenous world were glued to their television sets and various devices watching the farewell of the Māori King Tūheitia Potatau VII, and the ascension of Te Arikinui Kuīni Ngawai hono i te pō to his throne.
Those of us who have lost a beloved parent will know of the pull at the heartstrings. How much greater must be the emotion of losing one’s father, and then have to carry the weight of expectation not just in the Māori world, but I daresay, nationally, indeed internationally?
Kīngi Tūheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII has left a legacy of aspiring to ‘kotahitanga’ – unity – to which every spokesperson who attended the tangi - on their own behalf as well as their various groupings, many of whom also there in person, - expressed a wish to see the fulfilment of his inspirational aspiration for unity not just amongst Māoridom, but nationally and internationally.
Our Māori Queen will have seen the heavy burden her father bore. She will be aware of the burden and the legacy she now bears as Māori Queen, and the expectation on her to realise her father’s dream. She will also be aware of her mother’s grief, her brothers’
sadness, the Royal Family mourning the loss of their cousin, brother, uncle, grandfather –this and everything else on her very young shoulders – or should I say on her head with the placing of the Holy Bible there?
My hope is that she might be given time to heal from that grief. And that the support systems around her will see that through, and then allow her to grow into her job.
The Rangatira o Te Motu, the chiefs of the land have deemed her worthy of this position. They will have committed themselves and their iwi to supporting her in this huge responsibility.
The tangi for her father was a splendid example of kotahitanga, with everyone working in concert at so many different levels. There we saw the model of best business practice, of agile teams, of a working in concert, each playing their part, knowing their role, and how they should fulfil their responsibilities in contributing to the success of the event.
Kei taku Arikinui Kuīni Ngawai hono i te po, kua riro i a koe te torōna o tō matua, o ngō tūpuna e moe mai nā ki tua o te ārai. Kia tuia, kia honohia te ao ki te kotahitanga ki te Kuīni Māori. Whiti ki te tika! Whiti ki te ora! Whiti ki te whai-ao, ki te ao-mārama. Paimārire.
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Living on the edge
By Janine Krippner
One thing I missed living in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, USA, was the changing landscape in New Zealand.
Over there you could drive for ages and the view did not change much at all. Here in Waipā, you can drive in any direction, and it won’t take long to have very different and beautiful sights. This is partly thanks to the ground slowly moving below our feet because of enormous forces that begin below our oceans.
Through faults, or fractures, in the Earth’s crust we have land pushing towards itself, sliding alongside itself, and pulling apart. The biggest of these are where tectonic plates meet. Here we have the Australian plate to the west and the Pacific plate to the east. We break this huge boundary down into zones.
Very significant to us is the Hikurangi Subduction Zone (HSZ) located offshore from Gisborne to Kaikōura, and it is potentially our biggest source earthquakes and tsunamis. These two enormous chunks of Earth’s crust are slowly pushing towards each other, with the Pacific plate moving down (subducting) below the Australian plate because it is heavier. We can measure this movement through time using GPS sensors, it is about the same speed as your fingernails grow. We can also use geophysics techniques to sort of “see” the plate far below the surface, dipping westward. Through this we know that the top of the plate is about 15 km below Napier and 25 km below Wellington.
One plate subducting below another forms a long valley or trench across
the ocean floor. To the east of us is the Hikurangi Trench and that transitions north-eastwards into the Kermadec Trench, which reaches around 10 km deep and is about 2000 km long. Alongside it, the uplifted edge of the Australian plate forms the Kermadec Ridge where we find submarine volcanoes and volcanic islands including Raoul Island. Because we have mapped our ocean floor you can see these features on Google Maps. In the South Island our two plates move past each other along the roughly-600km-long Alpine Fault and they form our picturesque mountain ranges. South of the South Island things switch up again and the Australian plate subducts below the Pacific plate, forming the Puysegur Trench. Even for geology this is a very complex region!
Our subduction zone also leads to our volcanism on land and is the reason we have the Taupō Volcanic Zone, a rift zone where the landscape is slowly pulling apart and the crust is thinning. This contributes to why we have so much volcanism and geothermal activity. Even though our volcanoes act independently of each other, on a much larger scale our processes are interconnected. Some of our most beautiful, our most fascinating, and awe-inspiring landscapes are thanks to living on the boundary of two tectonic plates. To us it looks eternal, like our solid mountains have always been there and always will be. In reality, our land is constantly evolving, and we must evolve along with it.
TALKING ECONOMICS
‘Open banking’
By Peter Nicholl
The Commerce Commission has recently published its report into competitiveness in the New Zealand banking system. Their focus was on personal banking services. Their study took 14 months, and their report was 382 pages long. I have to admit I only read the report’s executive Summary, which was a much more manageable eight pages.
The commission concluded that New Zealand has a two-tier banking system with the four big banks, ANZ, ASB, BNZ and Westpac, comprising tier-one and acting as an oligopoly. The definition of an oligopoly is “a state of limited competition in which the market is shared by a small number of participants”.
The combined market share of the big four banks has been close to 90 per cent for a long time and their respective market shares have not changed a lot either. So our banking sector certainly fits the definition of an oligopoly. Kiwibank sits between the two-tiers and does impose some competitive constraints on the larger banks but lacks the scale or capital to do a lot.
The analysis in the report is okay but most of their recommendations are likely to have little impact on banking sector competition. They put a lot of stress on the potential competitive impacts of “open banking”. Open banking gives customers the ability to share their banking data, including all of their transactions data, with third-party providers such as Fintech companies. The expectation (hope) is that this will allow customers to get bettersuited and cheaper products and to switch banks more easily. Open banking has become a buzz phrase. Its promoters attach large potential benefits to it.
But open banking has been available in the United Kingdom and Australia for a few years already.
A recent review of its progress in UK concluded that the open banking regime had flopped. The reasons they gave for this is that there is insufficient demand for open banking services from both customers and Fintechs.
Customers are nervous about sharing their banking data with companies they don’t know well. Consumers worry about just how open their data could become. Most new UK Fintech firms have struggled to grow and make a profit. I have been told that the few new firms that did make progress in Australia were then bought out by the banks.
I am not sure why our Commerce Commission thinks open banking will have a bigger impact in NZ than it has so far done in the UK and Australia.
“There is some thinking and terminology in the report that worries me. For example, it says there is currently no maverick in the sector - they describe a maverick as a “particularly aggressive or innovative provider”. In several places it says there is need for disruptive innovation. Elsewhere, it says competitors should be constantly trying “to injure each other”.
We need to be careful what we wish for. These sorts of market behaviours may be fine in many markets, but they could be very risky and expensive in a country’s banking sector.
From my experience of working on banking supervision issues in a number of countries overseas, maverick banks have an unfortunate tendency to collapse, and banking sector collapses have an unfortunate tendency to cost citizens and governments a lot of money. This makes the banking sector different from most other sectors.
Media release in the gun
By Mary Anne Gill
A Cambridge Community Board member has taken a swipe at Waipā District Council for championing debt rather than reducing rates’ inflation.
Andrew Myers, who is also a member of the Fonterra co-operative council, was responding to a media release Waipā put out last month - which The News chose not to publish but other media outlets published in full.
In it, the council said it was set to net nearly $400,000 profit in a low-risk arbitrage deal.
Arbitrage is the simultaneous purchase and sale of the same asset in different markets to profit from a difference in its price.
Deputy chief executive Ken Morris said the council had borrowed $50 million from the Local Government Funding Agency and then invested it in term deposits at the ANZ and BNZ banks at a higher rate than what it had borrowed it for.
The council would pocket $384,000 when the deals matured in April, he said.
But Myers, a dairy farmer who represents the Maungatautari ward on
the community board, said the council was at its debt ceiling and the media release should have focussed on the position of overall debt and the growing debt burden.
“Explaining why we need more debt and how we plan to reduce debt over time would be very helpful,” he said.
Waipa council has estimated its debt at the end of the current financial year ending June 30 will be nearly $400 million. Earlier this year international rating agency Fitch reaffirmed the council’s credit rating as AA-.
But in a move which is bound to spook Waipā, Hamilton City Council’s rating was downgraded from AA- negative to A+ negative watch. The outlook on the long-term rating was negative, S & P Global Ratings said.
“The negative outlook on the long-term rating reflects the weakening institutional settings in New Zealand's local government sector,” the rater said.
When the Waipā council term deposit expires the loan would incur interest costs of at least $400,000 a year, said Myers.
“Assuming the loan will
be on the books for many years, how can we write a story about profiting from a loan when in fact, like any loan, it will cost money, from next year, and for many years thereafter?
“Interest costs add to a rates burden that isn’t under control. I feel it would be prudent in this economic position to not champion debt. More explanation of how we are going to reduce rates inflation would be a good counter to the released statement.”
The News economic columnist Peter Nicholl agreed saying it seemed too good to be true. The council had pre-funded future debt requirements, he said.
“From my experience, such opportunities seldom exist in established markets and if they arise because of a sudden movement in one interest rate, they disappear quickly.”
Nicholl worked for the New Zealand Reserve Bank for 22 years where he was chief economist, deputy governor and deputy chief executive. He went on to become an executive director on the World Bank board and governor of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“When the deposits mature, the loan won't be paid back, and the arbitrage deal completed.
"The loan will stay in place and the funds spent but probably not all at once,” he said.
“If the council don't need to use all the $50 million immediately, they will need to put some of it back on deposit.
“Deposit interest rates will be lower by then. If they are lower than the borrowing rate that Waipā has 'lockedin, this year's arbitrage profit will turn into a loss next year,” he said.
Waipā had prefunded future spending which would not occur before the end of April.
“Borrowing costs are
almost certain to fall between now and next April. If borrowing costs are one per cent lower next April, then the rate Waipā is paying… will cost (the council) $500,000 more to finance the $50 million of debt than if they had waited and borrowed the funds when they needed them.
“Either way, there is a good chance that this year's gains from the arrangement will be reversed next year,” said Nicholl.
“You can only tell if it is a good deal when both sides of the transaction are complete.”
• What do you think? Email editor@goodlocal.nz
Club toasts new members
Cambridge Tree Town Toastmasters has four prospective new members after an open evening this month.
The club celebrated its 30th birthday in 2023, having opened its doors for the first time in 1993 and if new faces come on board it will have close to 30 members.
Club spokesperson Simon Diplock said most are based in the Waikato, but some members are from further afield in Taupo, the United Kingdom and Spain.
“As a hybrid club, it allows both online and in person attendees, giving their members great flexibility to attend from anywhere,” he said.
Andrew Myers Ken Morris Peter Nicholl
Home kill with a difference
By Mary Anne Gill
A movie filmed around Maungatautari, Horahora, Leamington and Hautapu about two murderous butchers debuts tonight (Thursday) in Cambridge.
And one attendee will walk away with a meat pack, producer Matt Hicks promises, “because why not?”
The seven screenings at Tivoli Cinema in Cambridge with questions and answers are all sold out as were others in Matamata, Putāruru, Hamilton, Whitianga and Thames.
Raglan tomorrow and Te Awamutu on Sunday round out the Waikato screenings.
Hicks, a Cambridge High School old boy as well as DJ, wedding celebrant, actor and director, says the film is a
dark comedy-thriller filmed around the district towards the end of 2022.
“The locals were absolutely amazing and without them coming on board and investing in the idea we wouldn’t have had a hope in hell of achieving what we have on screen in the movie.
“We shot in small towns like Putāruru and Te Puna… we also filmed loads in and around Maungatautari.
It’s beautiful with endless rolling farmland so was perfect for our film’s aesthetic.”
The film’s director Haydn Butler is originally from Kawerau but now lives in Australia and it features a wellknown face in Stefan Dennis who plays Paul Robinson in Neighbours.
“Sometimes you gotta pinch yourself seeing people you’ve grown up watching on the TV doing cool acting
stuff in your own backyard. Rubbing shoulders with the best really elevates your game,” said Hicks.
The movie is about two brothers – Tom (Cameron Jones) and Mark (Josh McKenzie) - struggling to run a home kill and butchery business. They instead resort to offering a new service – killing people to make ends meet.
Next up for Hicks is The Tavern premiere, a movie he shot in the old Masonic Hotel and around town in 2019. The finale features a scene with plenty of local extras.
“The Tavern is the most off the wall, absurd thing I’ve ever written. I can’t wait to release that ridiculousness to the world next.
“Cambridge locals will definitely be able to see a few characters in there.”
Hub plan: tell me more says Kane
By Chris Gardner
Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board deputy chair Kane Titchener is reserving comment on the Kihikihi Community Hub and Sports Hub project until he has received more information.
Speaking at a workshop tacked onto the end of the August board meeting, Titchener told Waipa District Council staffer Gina Scott and consultant Craig Jones of Visitor Solutions that he wanted to know more about the project before commenting.
After the workshop he told The News he had not seen any detail yet.
Visitor Solutions works for the tourism, events, sports and recreation, arts, and community development sectors, and specialises in helping organisations realise their goals.
Scott told the board she and Jones had started engaging with stakeholders for a feasibility study.
“This is the very first step,” she said. “There is no funding for anything other than this first stage of involvement,” she said.
Jones said he participated in a series of discussions with stakeholders, including domain users, the Alpha Restoration Trust, Ratepayers and Residents Group, sports clubs.
Board members spoke in favour of the study, although many of them believed it related to the work of Bill Harris at the Alpha Restoration Group. Scott told them it was not about the Alpha Hotel, but taking into consideration all facilities.
“Can they be used better?” she asked. “We’re looking at what is best for this community to achieve what it needs to achieve.”
Jones added: “Nothing is pre-ordained. It’s about listening at the moment.
Kane Titchener
The crew shoot with Maungatautari in the background.
Photo: Supplied.
Actors and director Haydn Butler discuss a scene under the sunny Maungatautari Mountain. Photo: Supplied
Book fair the ‘best ever’
By Viv Posselt
This year’s charity Book Fair organised by the Te Awamutu Rotary Club raised a record-breaking $22,000 plus.
Once costs are deducted, the figure will likely sit around $21,000, said Book Fair convenor Laurel Smith. That is significantly higher than the $18,000 netted through last year’s event.
Smith’s fellow Rotarians celebrated the achievement with her at the recent club meeting, declaring it to be the ‘most successful Book Fair so far’ and presenting her with a certificate of appreciation marking her ‘outstanding leadership and commitment to the event’.
The charity Book Fair has been going for over 20 years, starting out as a biennial event before settling into an annual one.
It was held this year from August 22-25.
Money raised through the sale of hundreds of books, magazines, CDs, puzzles, DVDs and other items goes towards a range of charities.
Smith said proceeds from this year’s event would be channelled through to Te Awamutu-based Loving Arms, and the Pirongia Forest Park Lodge. It will also continue to bolster the
Book Fair’s regular support for Kainga Aroha’s holiday programme and other local programmes supporting youth, as well as educational programmes run by Kihikihi’s Space Dave. “We are absolutely delighted with the response this year,” she said. “We had a steady flow of people through… there were no slack periods at all. One Rotarian couple from Tauranga came specifically for children’s and young adult books which they
collect and distribute to some of our Pacific Island neighbours. Overall, this year’s fair was quite exceptional.”
Te Awamutu Rotary president Kylie Brewer said it was an outstanding result and she appreciated the “generous support” of the community.
“I’m really proud of what our club has achieved with the Book Fair this year. Laurel and her team have done a fantastic job with the book collection and sorting.”
Clubs call on town sign
By Chris Gardner
Te Awamutu’s service clubs and organisations are being asked to help “zhuzh up” the Ōhaupō Rd sign at the town’s northern entrance.
“It does need a little bit of a zhuzh up,” said Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board chair Ange Holt at last month’s board meeting after similar discussions at the two previous board meetings.
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.
In a throw away comment at the June meeting board member Jill Taylor suggested Te Awamutu College students could get involved.
In July’s meeting Holt said the sign looked very dated.
“I am not quite sure where to go with that at the minute,” Holt added in August. “So, if anyone’s got any bright ideas, that we could do something to make it a little bit more attractive without having to spend a lot of money there.”
Holt said feedback she had read on Facebook reacting to previous stories suggested the community did not want the sign replaced.
“I just said it needed a bit of love and attention,” she said.
“There’s a bit that’s sort of come off it. I’m not sure what was there. There are some roses under it, so when the roses are out it looks a bit nicer. The Lions emblem has been replaced, and that’s quite nice and new, but a couple of the others have got very worn, and one of them you can’t even really read it.”
Board member John Wood asked, “If we do that sign up, is it possible to put the RSA sign up there? The RSA does put a lot of work back into the community.”
Holt will approach Waipā District Council to seek permission to improve the sign.
After the meeting, Holt told The News such projects were hard work.
“It’s hard when you haven’t really got a budget.” Holt said she would welcome help the town’s service clubs and organisations.
Book Fair convenor Laurel Smith, pictured here at an earlier book fair, is delighted with the record-breaking response this year. Photo: Viv Posselt
The welcome to Te Awamutu sign heading in from Ohaupo is in need of some TLC.
New homes for pre-loved phones
By Viv Posselt
A ‘Happy Phones’ initiative that sees school students use repurposed old mobile phones in ways that expand their learning platforms is winning fans at Cambridge East Primary School.
Students have been using the pre-loved phones to take photos on field trips or film each other doing presentations or making speeches. They’re now busy filming snippets of daily life at their school for students of a similar age at a school they partner with in Japan.
It’s helping the children become digitally savvy in a safe environment. They are able to share what they’re doing at school with parents and get extra-creative as they come up with ideas on
different ways to use them.
The ‘Happy Phones’ initiative is the brainchild of Waipā digital and sustainable tech educator Geoff Bentley. Impressed by what he saw when volunteering with the e-waste recycling project run by Rotary Cambridge, Urban Miners, he figured there had to be a better after-life for old phones than was evident through his efforts to rescue and refurbish mobile phones and tablets for sale at Cambridge Lions’ Trash & Treasure Market.
“Older phones were not selling well at the market, but I knew that these devices were still useful. I had an idea that they could be used in school classrooms and field trips, giving students the ability to take photos and videos and use
them in projects,” he said.
He kicked off with the Happy Phones idea in 2022, and after securing funding from Waipā District Council, conducted trials with three schools in the second term of last year. He followed that by doing further testing with five schools in term three … the feedback was all positive.
The project’s success has led to additional funding coming in from Technology Education New Zealand to create ‘Happy Phones DIY’, a step-by-step guide to support school communities around the country.
“I realised that this was something other communities could do, and with the 3G shutdown happening in 2025, there will be millions of phones discarded as people upgrade. E-waste is a huge problem in New Zealand, and this is part of the solution.”
Bentley rescues and cleans up the old smartphones, then configures them for use in schools. He packages them into class kits available for hire to schools. Each kit contains 15 Happy Phones, 15 USB cables, one 15-port USB charging station, lesson plans, user guides and resources aimed at different age groups.
The phones aren’t connected to a network and are under teacher control when being used – so they are unaffected by student cell phone bans. By having them available, students can learn how
to take good photographs and videos, create their own podcasts, learn how to transfer files to a computer and learn basic video and photo editing skills.
Bentley ducked into Cambridge Primary recently to see how they were being used. Assistant principal and Year 5/6 teacher, Kathy McIsaac, and Year 3/4 teacher Renae Townsend both said the phones were being increasingly used in ways that expanded the ways students could learn and got them thinking creatively.
Some of the older students are
launching into a new relationship with a Japanese school and have plans to regularly share videos of their schools and activities. Use of the phones is being incorporated into various learning areas with students also coming up with novel suggestions of their own.
Bentley said most phones are used for only around three years before being recycled or tossed in the rubbish.
“This is a massive waste of energy and resources. The best thing we can do is extend the life of our phones.”
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Geoff Bentley with one of the ‘Happy Phones’ classroom kits gaining popularity in local schools. Photo: Viv Posselt
Geoff Bentley and Cambridge East Primary’s assistant principal and Year 5/6 teacher, Kathy McIsaac, with two of the youngsters helping with phone use in the classroom –Connor Button and Paxton Schoppe.
Photo: Viv Posselt
Community Connect
Sept. 12 2024
Haere mai to our new CEO
Almost everyone in Waipā has got the hang of the new recycling rules.
Waipā District Council has audited its recycling collection routes and found that 95 per cent of
residents are getting the right things into the right bins. Waste minimisation advisor Shelley Wilson said she is pleased with the result and wants people to keep up the good work.
“We are stoked that so many people are getting recycling right because it keeps our locals on the sorting line safe and keeps costs down for everyone.”
“If people are unsure whether an item is acceptable in their kerbside recycling, they can head to our website and use the handy sorting tool. It has loads of information specific to Waipā and can help with where to recycle tricky items, like batteries.”
To find out more about recycling in Waipā visit wastelesswaipa.co.nz
A rousing pōwhiri [ceremony] at Lake Karāpiro has welcomed new chief executive Steph O’Sullivan to Waipā. Steph is the former CE at Whakatāne District Council but is no stranger to the Waikato, having grown up on a Tokoroa farm.
Her upbringing there instilled the value of hard work as well as the importance of giving back to the community, and Steph said it was a privilege to be raised “in such a community of riches” where people’s differences and diversity were celebrated.
She saw her role as creating a high-performance environment within the organisation, focused on delivery
and purpose, and to make the community proud. Steph paid tribute to her predecessor, Garry Dyet, who had been a friend and mentor throughout her career.
Mayor Susan O’Regan said Steph is “unashamedly a people person” who will lead Waipā District Council with courage, accountability and innovation at a time of crossroads for local government.
The rubber has hit the road for antisocial drivers in rural Waipā.
Signs advising the ban on light motor vehicles on several rural roads are now up, giving police more tools to stamp out anti-social driving in the district.
A register has been created under the Public Places Bylaw, confirming the roads where the light vehicle prohibition is in place. It is an
offence for light motor vehicles (weighing less than 3.5 tonne) to be on those roads between 9pm-4am unless drivers can prove they have legitimate business.
Transport manager Bryan Hudson said now that the signs are in place, police will have powers to issue warning notices and even impound cars of rule-breakers.
Law-abiding motorists won’t be affected.
Stella is one of our pound pooches who needs a safe and loving home – could you be her person?
Stella is a six-month-old mix-breed, who will grow into a medium sized dog. She is very affectionate and a calm, low-energy pup. Though shy at first, she is friendly with other dogs and loves food so is picking up training well.
Interested in adopting Stella or want to save another dog? Visit our animal control FB page, contact us, or fill out our online adoption form.
Facebook.com/WaipaAnimalControl
aco@waipadc.govt.nz
Waipadc.govt.nz/dogadoption
The story of Edward McMinn
By Meghan Hawkes
Edward McMinn felt so sleepy he was afraid he would fall off his dray on the way home to Harapepe.
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The 40 year old bachelor had been up late the past two or three nights while away on business. His last task was taking a plough to be repaired to James Sinden, blacksmith, at Pirongia. It was March 30, 1883 and while Edward was having tea with James early in the evening he began complaining of feeling very low and depressed.
James advised him if he felt so bad not to go home but wait for the morning and sleep in the township. Edward agreed and the men took the plough off the dray again. But when the moon came up Edward changed his mind and decided to go home. “It will only give you trouble to help me catch my horse in the morning,” Edward said. He would walk home, that would keep
him awake.
Once home, Albert Cogswell, Edward’s servant, served his supper. Edward then read the newspaper. Before retiring for the night about 10pm Edward remarked that he felt very tired and hoped to get a good night’s rest. They went to bed at the same time, Albert occupying the adjoining room. He woke briefly at 1am and heard Edward snoring as usual. By 6am Albert was up and milking the cows. At 7am he went to call Edward to get up. Receiving no response he took hold of Edward’s hand and found that he was dead.
Albert ran at once for the neighbours, about half a mile distant, but there was nothing they could do. At the inquest Dr Blunden stated the sudden death was caused by some internal lesion of the brain. The jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes.
Few men in the Waikato
were better known or more universally respected than Edward, and news of his death was met with genuine regret. Edward, an Irishman, had arrived in New Zealand on the Mermaid in 1859 when he was just 16, accompanying the family of Dr Aicken. His mother had died the year before and his father would die a year later. His siblings ended up scattered across the world. At the age of 20 Edward joined Gustavus Von Tempsky’s company of Forest Rangers, a small unit of handpicked men. He was quickly promoted to Corporal then Staff Sergeant, taking part in battles on both the east and west coasts.
along with others, was denied the New Zealand War Medal, despite qualifying for it during his service in the Forest Rangers. He returned to his Harapepe farm and became prominent in the settlement as chairman of the Pirongia Highway Board and a Raglan County Councillor. A bid for parliament was unsuccessful but he became the MP for Waipa in 1878, before losing his seat in the 1879 general election. He had been an ardent worker for the welfare the community, and the road over the Hakarimata range owed its existence to his energy.
Under New Zealand’s military settlement policy the Rangers were entitled to Land Grants and in 1866 Edward took up one at Harapepe. In 1867 the Forest Rangers were disbanded and the Armed Constabulary formed. Edward joined, serving under Von Tempsky again. He was present at the battle at Te Ngutu O te Manu when Von Tempsky was killed. Members of the Armed Constabulary were vocal about decisions made during the battle and Edward wrote a letter on behalf of his men. He was considered to have participated in a mutiny. No 5 Division was disbanded, its members dishonourably discharged and abandoned in Whanganui. Edward,
His funeral was attended by friends from all parts of the district and residents from Harapepe and Alexandra were present almost without exception. Over 200 were on horseback, in carriages, and on foot, showing the great respect in which Edward was held. His headstone at Pirongia cemetery reads “Faithful and True. This stone was erected by a few admiring and personal friends as a tribute to his memory.”
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This photo of Edward Graham McMinn hangs in the corridors at Parliament.
DEMODAY. BRANDT
Date: Saturday 5 October
Location: 33-43 Parakiwai Road, Cambridge
Time: 10am-3pm
Demo a range of John Deere compact tractors, mowers, consturction, compact construction and agriculture equipment.
Food vendors, bouncy castle & kids zone!
O er available at Brandt 9am - 12pm FRIDAY 11TH OCTOBER. BBQ shout is on us!
Let your kids work on a trade this ‘Trade a Toy’ while you join the Brandt team for a BBQ.
Donna – and a mitre at 10
The death of Catholic bishop Denis Browne earlier this month has brought back memories of a special day for Donna McHugh (nee Thurston).
It was nearly 25 years ago that McHugh, then only 10 and in Standard Four at St Peter’s Catholic School, got to try on the newly installed bishop’s mitre.
A mitre is the traditional ceremonial head dress of bishops and cardinals and as Browne revealed at the time the two sides represented the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
McHugh, now 39, and teaching music at St John’s College in Hamilton, lives in Cambridge with husband Philip and their two children
Sophia, 5, and Vincent, 3. Browne, 86, died in Auckland on September 1 and was farewelled at two requiem masses in Auckland and Hamilton last week and was buried at Ōhaupō Catholic Cemetery.
He was Hamilton Diocese Catholic bishop from 1994 to 2019.
As part of getting to
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know parishioners in the sprawling Hamilton diocese – which was formed in 1980 and covers a huge chunk of the North Island from Whangamatā and Gisborne in the east to Kawhia and Raglan in the west, north to Te Kauwhata and south to Taumarunui and Turangi –Browne visited schools and parishes.
Little wonder his visit to Cambridge in 1995 happened several weeks after his installation, but it was worth the wait, said McHugh.
“Hearing the news of his passing brought back lots of memories from that visit and the times he came and took Mass in Cambridge over the years.
“It was such an exciting visit, and I was very excited to be picked to wear the mitre.”
Evidence of that special moment had to be trawled out of storage by McHugh’s mother Robyn.
The photo was taken by a Cambridge Edition photographer, and it can now be revealed the words were provided by The News senior writer Mary Anne Gill who was working at the Waikato Times.
Her three children Caroline, James and David were pupils at the school but did not get chosen to wear the mitre.
But James has other memories of Browne who used to play golf on a Monday at Cambridge Golf Club, sometimes with Anglican Bishop David Moxon.
The two were playing one day when James – who went on to represent New Zealand at two Eisenhower Trophy World Amateur golf championships and played professionally in Europe – turned up at the course looking for a game.
They agreed – golf typically pits kings against paupers and youngsters against older people – and they played several holes.
“When he got home and I asked him who he had played with, he said ‘two guys called Denis and David’.
"It was only a few days later that I found out it was the two bishops,” said Gill who sought assurance from her son that he hadn’t sworn and said any blasphemies at any time during the game.
“He said no, and Bishop Denis never told me otherwise,” she said.
He asked the two men at the first tee, who he did not recognise without their religious garb, whether he could join them.
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Bishop Denis Browne lets St Peter’s Catholic School pupil Donna Thurston try his mitre on for size during his visit to Cambridge in 1995.
Bishop David Moxon
Donna McHugh (nee Thurston) today.
Board wants booze ban relaxed
By Chris Gardner
Waipā District Council has been asked to relax its alcohol ban plan at Lake Arapuni campsites.
Reacting to Waipa District Council’s draft alcohol policy and bylaw Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board chair Ange Holt called for the council to relax the rules at Arapuni and Bulmer’s Landing campsite where an 8pm to 8am permanent alcohol ban is in place.
Public submissions on the policy close at 5pm today (Thursday).
“Loads of people are there over the summer, sitting there having a drink, not causing any bother, it’s daylight saving,” Holt said at the August board meeting.
“They’d often be sat there having a drink after 8 o’clock, not causing any bother, and it’s going to mean that they’re having an illegal drink while they are there camping.”
Holt said she also understood there was a “really big problem with the clowns that go out there”.
Deputy chair Kane Titchener spoke in favour of retaining the 12-hour ban.
“It will discourage people going out there and having bonfire parties and doing whatever they like.”
Board member Jill Taylor was disappointed the council had ignored the community’s wish in its draft to reduce off-licence opening hours from the current 7am until 10pm.
“Everybody had a different time,” Taylor said. Feedback included 7am until 9pm, 8am until 9pm, and 8am until 10pm.
“I would just like it recorded that I feel that members of the public weren’t heard. I know there were
reasons. The supermarkets were asked how they felt about it.
Taylor suggested Waipa supermarkets should be banned from selling alcohol all together in May and gained support from The Salvation Army.
Holt asked graduate Strategic
Policy adviser Mieke Heyns for the reason why the council didn’t listen to the feedback and incorporate it into the draft.
“The feedback, to be fair, was pretty even, a little bit all over the show, but the reduction of hours came out on top, just in terms of
numbers,” said Heyns.
“The main reasoning, if I remember it correctly, for keeping the current hours was that councillors believed that there was not that much problem with the current hours. It’s worked so far, and then the difficulty for the supermarkets to manage that reduction when it doesn’t line up with their opening hours.”
Holt said she had consulted with off licenses who tended to open at 8am, rather than 7am.
“They were quite supportive of having shorter hours,” she said.
“They said that if they have trouble, it’s that last hour between 9pm and 10pm.”
Taylor said: “The supermarkets over Covid didn’t sell alcohol and they managed fine. So, they can do it if they have to.”
Holt asked if others supported reducing hours.
“I haven’t seen enough information about it,” her deputy chair replied.
“I don’t think it would make any difference, if you’re an alcoholic you’re going to get your booze anyway,” said board member Sally Whitaker. “I’m quite happy with it.”
Board member John Wood agreed with Whitaker.
Holt suggested they leave it.
“We’re here for the community, and they were saying they don’t want the same hours,” Taylor reminded them. “I just want it recorded in the minutes that I don’t agree with it.”
Lake Arapuni is a popular summer spot for campers.
CITIZENS ADVICE
Monday 16th September 2024
AGM start at 1.30pm followed by Afternoon Tea
Te Awamutu Bible Chapel
110 Chapel Drive
Te Awamutu
All welcome
Please note: the CAB will close at 1pm for the AGM
Notice of AGM CAMBRIDGE TOWN HALL COMMUNITY TRUST
The Annual General Meeting of the Cambridge Town Hall Community Trust will be held as follows:
Date: Tues, 8 Oct, 2024 Time: 7pm
Place: Edwardian Room, Cambridge Town Hall –entrance off Lake Street. All welcome.
PARSONS, Evelyn Morrison (nee Craig) – Passed away peacefully at Waikato Hospital on Thursday, 5th September 2024, aged 78 years. Beloved wife of the late Cecil. Evelyn is now reunited with her husband, cherishing the love they shared. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. At Eve's request, a private cremation has taken place, and she will be laid to rest alongside Cecil. All communications to the Craig Family may be sent to c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800.
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Family Notices
• Engagements • Weddings
• Births • Anniversaries
• Bereavements
• In Memoriam etc
SPOONER, Raymond Ian, (Ray) – It is with a broken heart that his wife Sharon lets you all know that she lost her best friend on Thursday, 5th September 2024, and his dear children Oliver, Jackson and Paige lost their dad. Loved son of Vicki & Gavin, and brother of Sam, and Tim. Ray left this earth doing one of the things he loved the most, riding his beloved bike. A celebration of Ray's life will be held at Te Awamutu Rugby Sports & Recreation Club Inc, 420 Albert Park Dr, Te Awamutu on Thursday, the 12th of September 2024 at 11:00 am. In memory of Ray, donations to https:// givealittle.co.nz/cause/inmemory-of-ray-spooner would be appreciated. All communications to the Spooner Family, c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800.
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.
Delivery runs available in the following area:
• Sinclair Tce, Caxton Place
• Pakura Street, Tainui Tce, Mahana Lane
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