Cambridge News | April 10, 2025 by Cambridge News, King Country News, Te Awamutu News & Waikato Business News

Library fully booked

By Mary Anne Gill

Cambridge’s library desperately needs more space, and the answer could lie short term with a shipping container.

This is one of the suggestions made by Cambridge Community Board chair Jo Davies-Colley and deputy chair Elise Badger in their final reports as board members.

Speaking at Waipā District Council’s Strategic Planning and Policy committee meeting last week, they highlighted the current cramped library environment, with books stacked on the floor, lack of space during programmes, and safety concerns for staff and the public.

Staff produce “amazing programmes” that make the library an important part

of the community, despite working in a compromised environment, said Badger.

“The pressure on our library is going to continue to increase and if action is not taken in the short term, not the medium term, not the long term, the solutions are only going to get more expensive, more difficult,” said Badger who is not standing for re-election to the board later this year while Davies-Colley will stand for council.

“I urge you to take an innovative and creative problem-solving approach to this issue,” said Badger.

“The more we kick this can down the road, the more difficult it’s going to get to deliver the service our community deserves.”

One solution is to bring in a shipping container and install it alongside the council’s

service centre on Wilson St, next to the Japanese Garden, or to find space in another building in town for part of the collection.

Creative thinking could help find an affordable option in the short term while council staff had the time and space to investigate longer term solutions. A goldstandard solution suggested by a recent library feasibility study would not meet service delivery standards by the time it was built due to the town’s growth.

“Timely investment in a solution is critical.”

Cambridge Library has occupied 822 square metres of the council’s Wilson St Service Centre since 1998 while Te Awamutu Library, opened nine years ago, covers 1468 square metres.

“This discrepancy in the sizes of our

libraries across the district is the result of overlooking and underinvesting in the Cambridge Library not just recently, but over many years, and we all know that this problem is not going to resolve itself,” said Badger.

Cambridge outstrips Te Awamutu in book issues – in a usual week there are between 5700 and 6700 from Cambridge and 3200 and 3700 at Te Awamutu.

Badger said that after a two-week closure during December and January, Cambridge issued 3064 items on the first day back and 8040 in the first week, which comprised three days.

Te Awamutu had half the number on day one and 3780 fewer for the week.

The environment is cramped, with books on the floor and lack of space – but residents continue to join and use the Cambridge library.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill

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We say that neighbours are the best guardians to help keep our local community safe. Last Wednesday that was the case, when an eagle-eyed member of the community saw an unknown male on a nearby property. The witness knew the address to be vacant. Having soon determined the male was up to no good, they quickly rang 111 with a description of the person and his vehicle.

This quick action enabled responding police to locate the vehicle and arrest the male just a short time later. As a result, drugs, drug utensils and an offensive weapon were also located in the vehicle. The male has appeared in court facing charges related to these and the original burglary.

Remember that a Neighbour Support Group can easily be established in your neighbourhood if not already in place.

Again last week, police responded to a report of dangerous driving after a vehicle weaved across the road and almost caused a crash.

The informant maintained observations, providing consistent location updates. Police located the vehicle and stopped it on Albert Street, Cambridge.

Roadside breath test procedures were carried out and the driver blew almost three times the legal limit. She is appearing in court on related charges.

This week marks the end of school term ahead of two weeks school holiday combining with the Easter break. In the past month, police have attended over 30 traffic crashes across the Western Waikato area. The upcoming break will see many head away for a holiday, meaning there will be more traffic than usual on the road.

As always, I encourage you to plan your journeys well and allow extra travel time, with plenty of rest breaks built in. Be patient with other drivers and vigilant for risky driving behaviours.

If you see dangerous driving such as vehicles driving at excessive speed, crossing the centre line, overtaking on blind corners or into oncoming traffic, please call 111. The last thing we want is for that car to cause a crash further down the line.

Be a responsible driver yourself too. I often see people driving one handed, with the other hand holding their phone, or looking down into their lap at a phone screen sitting there. Any time you look at or pick up your phone, your attention is taken away from the road and your surroundings. This removes your ability to react to dangerous situations that can arise. No phone call, text message, app or google map is worth risking your own or others’ lives in a crash. Please be safe on our roads.

Continued from page 1

Chief executive Steph O’Sullivan said there was an opportunity to do something innovative and did not rule out using a container.

“I know other towns have done that while they’ve had less than ideal situations as well. So, I am absolutely up for the conversation with my team.”

She acknowledged the work library staff did, noting that there were a lot of people in the library for such a small space.

Mayor Susan O’Regan said the council still had a new Cambridge library in its planning.

“I just wanted to underline or accentuate that our current draft plan does make some provision for operational funding to keep what we refer to around this table as our cornerstone projects alive, of which, of course, the library is one of those.”

She acknowledged the frustration of users and the community.

“Whoever said that books and printed word is dead, eh? They misjudged that one certainly in Cambridge.”

Māori ward representative Dale-Maree Morgan said her Cambridge constituents told her housing, poverty and employment were their three biggest concerns and the library did not feature.

Cambridge Library is 153 years old and has a history of continually outgrowing itself. It started inside the Cambridge Primary School building in 1872 and was moved to the main street and then into the Town Hall when it was built in 1909. There the Carnegie Free Public Library stayed until 1977 when it moved into premises where Robert Harris Café and LouLous Salon now operate.

New Arrivals

with Senior Constable DEB HANN

The space in the council’s service centre where Cambridge Community Board suggests a shipping container could be placed.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill

Buses go

Lack of patronage has prompted the cancellation of late night inbound and outbound regional bus trips to and from Hamilton to Cambridge and Te Awamutu. The Te Awamutu service will no longer go via Rukuhia School in the afternoons while morning and afternoon trips from Leamington and Hamilton have been added going via Cambridge High School.

Let’s dance

Waipā dancers will be part of a crew of two teams from Hamilton based dance studio Street Dance competing at World Dance Crew Championships in Auckland starting on Sunday.

Lake name

The renaming of Waipā lake Ngā Roto to Wairoto is not cut and dried, as we suggested last week. The name change is part of the Reserve Management Plan which is in a consultation process running to April 18. Waipā District Council is expected to make final decisions on the plan in July.

Brown to chair

Veteran Waipā councillor Lou Brown has been appointed Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management Group joint committee chair. Brown has represented Waipā on the committee for the past two terms and was the deputy chair until Taupō councillor Anna Park resigned. The committee provides leadership in delivering coordinated and collaborative Civil Defence Emergency Management arrangements within the Waikato Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group area.

Online coverage

Good Local Media’s websites and apps in Cambridge, Te Awamutu, King Country and Waikato often publish more copy and photos from events we cover than appear in the printed version. To ensure you don’t miss out go to www. wbn.co.nz

Nicky’s Crazy armchair ride

By Mary Anne Gill

Nicky Chilcott only had two drives at Cambridge Raceway on Friday night –the first just before 6pm and the last at 9.26pm.

She failed to create some local history in the Dorothy Cutts Ladies Invitational in the earlier race – settling for her 747th third placing as a driver - so she nipped home around the corner for a snooze in the armchair and to watch Night of Champions action on television.

When the 53-year-old got back she told The News in the stables she felt no pressure to get win number 700 behind the sulky – three months after 699.

Her win a few minutes later driving the aptly named Crazy was so relaxed it was like she was still sitting at home in her armchair.

A fist pump as the eight-

year-old rank outsider crossed the finish line showed this was one monkey Chilcott was pleased to get off her back. And to do it for trainer Tim Hall, who used to work at her White Star Stables in Cambridge, made it even more special.

In a career spanning more than 30 years, Chilcott has developed a reputation as a trainer who can take cast offs and underperforming horses and get something out of them that makes owners happy.

She clearly has those skills as a driver too from her 7916 starts. Crazy is a wayward horse, without a win for three years in both New Zealand and Australia, and a driver’s nightmare who the previous owners lost patience with. Hall now owns the bay gelding who in March got a stewards’ warning for his racing manners.

The Australians looked to have taken ownership of Cambridge Raceway winning the night’s two richest events. Leap to Fame won the $1 million The Race smashing the New Zealand record over 2200m in the process despite persistent rain throughout the night.

Another Aussie winner was Arcee Phoenix in the Trot, in another record time, a testament to the work track staff did in the 24 hours leading up to the Night of Champions when the Waikato drought finally broke.

The night’s noisiest win came when Romeo Foxtrot – trained by Susan Branch for a Cambridge syndicate of family and friends, including Raceway chief executive Dave Branch.

It was a nervous Branch who earlier had told The News he hoped all would go well on the night, a reference to a hearing in February

when police and Waipā liquor licensing officials opposed the Raceway’s licence because of the behaviour of patrons at previous events.

Security guards and police were posted throughout the sell-out crowd – a portion of which were clearly there for the entertainment, country pop singer Kaylee Bell.

Cowboy boots and hats gave the game away.

Police were ready for patrons who drank too much and then drove –breathalysing drivers as they left the venue.

Fortunately, Chilcott saved her celebrations for later –she was stopped twice in her car on the way home and got the all clear.

Raceway is on the right track

By Mary Anne Gill

Australian harness racing breederowner, administrator and benefactor Kevin Seymour praised Cambridge Raceway management and staff for the way they looked after him and his horse last week.

Leap to Fame, in the hands of trainer-driver Grant Dixon, took out the $1 million The Race at the Night of Champions on Friday night and in doing so smashed the track and New Zealand record over 2200m.

For the thousands at the track, it was a chance to see one of those very few legendary horses that have graced the Raceway. The six-yearold Queensland pacer nicknamed Larry now has 50 wins from 63 starts and his first in New Zealand.

But Seymour turned the tables and thanked the Raceway for hosting such an iconic event, for treating him and his fellow connections so well and for looking after Alfie – Larry’s best friend and constant travelling companion who proudly wears a horse cover saying Security Guard.

He shares a stable with Larry to

calm him down before he races.

“I don’t know whether you really realise the importance of the way you look after the connections. If you want to get return visits from owners and trainers, you’re certainly going about it the right way,” he said after the race.

“I don’t know whether this is the best race meeting in New Zealand but it’s certainly an iconic event.

It’s right up there with the top prizemoney and if you look at the calibre of horses that raced here tonight. Amazing. If you looked anywhere in Australia or Australasia, you wouldn’t get a better field of horses competing in the one event. That’s a tribute to the sponsorship and support of the industry.”

Another star on the night was Dorothy Cutts, the first woman

in harness racing to win a full totalisator race in New Zealand, when she drove Kenworthy to victory at Cambridge in 1979. Cutts, from Morrinsville, was on hand to congratulate South Island driver Kimberly Butt who drove Ohoka Achilles to victory in the Dorothy Cutts Ladies Invitational race. And she was still around several races later to see Cambridge driver Nicky Chilcott win her 700th race.

Joshua Davine from sponsor N40 Racing said he got behind the event because he realised how important women were in the industry.

The sponsorship allowed South Island women drivers to travel north for the meeting, said the prominent Australian businessman who has interests in several New Zealand horses, some of them trained by Butt in Canterbury.

“It was an easy decision, we wanted to do what we could to support the Night of Champions. What more could we do to support The Race but to support the fantastic horsewomen,” said Davine.

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Cambridge driver Nicky Chilcott wrapped up the Night of Champions with her 700th win in the sulky. Photo: Angelique Bridson

Australian champion Leap to Fame with his connections after the pacer broke the New Zealand record in The Race at a rain-soaked Cambridge Raceway, from left Toby Reath, Kate, Leigh, Kay and Kevin Seymour and trainer-driver Grant Dixon. Photo: Mary Anne Gill

Dani has youths edging ahead

By Mary Anne Gill

Police sergeant Felicity CookJones has got the perfect answer to improving the relationship between young people and the police.

“Clone Dani,” she said, referring to Constable Danica Hibdige, who leads Cambridge’s Youth Aid and Blue Light activities and was part of the team that towed a fire engine 1500 metres from Victoria St to Swayne Rd.

Te Awamutu-based Cook-Jones praised Hibdige’s work on the Blue Edge programme at Cambridge High School, calling it “absolutely

fantastic”.

The goal for Blue Edge (Education, Development, Growth and Empowerment) is to guide young people towards becoming positive leaders in their communities.

Over seven weeks, with two sessions per week, 20 participants aged 14-18 took part in the youth empowerment programme, which ended with “The Longest Day” on Friday, where students carried out various activities for 12 hours.

The challenge was that it coincided with the day the drought broke in Cambridge.

An emotional Hibdige told The

News shortly after they pulled the engine over a speed hump outside the high school and into the bus bay that she was really proud of the youths.

“They’re a good bunch of kids and to see them finish the day was amazing. We had kids at the start that didn’t want to do it, they didn’t want to be here but they all did it.”

Rain fell steadily during the pull, which took 25 minutes, with lots of rope slipping and helping hands from whānau.

“They’re a good bunch of kids and good to see them finish the day. We had kids at the start that didn’t want to do it, they didn’t want to be here. And they all did it.”

Fingers crossed, she will be back next year.

“Parents have come up to me and said they’ve seen improvements with their children at home and school. The programme has been bringing out those leaders and some of those kids that had it in them, but they just needed that push to get it out of them.”

Cook-Jones, who led the fire engine pull in a patrol car, said Blue Edge had been well received by the community and the families.

“Dani has done an absolutely fantastic job with this. The support she has got for the programme and the way the kids are and the commentary from the teachers have been fantastic.”

Blue Edge showed the youths a different side of the police, she said.

“It showed that not every interaction with a blue uniform is going to be a negative one and it’s our leaders like Dani and our PE teachers and stuff who have the capacity to facilitate these changes.”

Developing those relationships means the youths have someone to turn to if something goes wrong.

At a prizegiving afterwards the Blue Edge award went to Gemma James, in recognition of her commitment, attitude, determination and overall performance throughout the programme.

Students were presented with certificates and Blue Edge hoodies. Some of the participants continued the wet theme in Taupō on Monday at the Bungy Jump.

The last hurdle: Blue Edge participants, helped by teachers and fire staff, pull the fire engine into Cambridge High School’s bus bay entrance.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Police sergeant Felicity Cook-Jones wants to clone Constable Danica Hibdige for her work with youth. They are pictured just as the fire engine tow finished. Photo: Mary Anne Gill

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Getting reconnected

By Mary Anne Gill

The Cambridge Connections reset is taking too long, and the public is frustrated and in the dark about where the project is at.

“All they know is they’re sitting in their car.

Cambridge is becoming more congested. They can’t move anywhere,” Cambridge Community Board chair Jo Davies-Colley told Waipā District Council’s Strategic Planning and Policy committee last week.

The board highlighted two issues from its six-monthly report to the council: the inadequate library and Cambridge Connections, the transport infrastructure plan for the next 30 years, which stalled a year ago after the infamous Blue Blob debacle.

Council staff identified a route for a third Waikato River bridge through a long-established central suburb, and the first residents learned about it was by reading Cambridge News.

The board has been acting as the go-between since then had heard little about progress.

excuse for a lack of information, something she addressed within 24 hours of the meeting by updating the council website content and issuing a media release.

A recruitment campaign for a programme director had taken longer than anticipated to find the right person, she said.

“But we’re not far away from that and you appreciate from my perspective, we want to know that we’ve got a team out there that (you, the community board and councillors) have got confidence in, and we can really start to reset not only the community engagement process but the assumptions we’ve made in that project and methodologies,” she said.

‘Gagging’ orders hit two boards

By Chris Gardner

The role of councillors on community boards – where they find themselves limited in how they contribute – will be reviewed in Waipā.

speak on our behalf at the council table, otherwise they cannot vote,” Holt said.

Councillors Brown and Thomas sit on the community board in Te Awamutu – while Mike Montgomerie and Philip Coles are members of the Cambridge board.

“The apology over things that could have done better was a really commendable step and it went a really long way with the community. But that apology was a year ago and we really believe there is not enough information out there on what is happening, and we believe the community is in the dark on where this project is heading,” said DaviesColley.

Chief executive Steph O’Sullivan said the council had to do a reset and as a new CEO she was conscious of wanting to get things right.

However, she acknowledged that this was no

“So it’s not just about the Blue Blob, it’s about the broader picture for transport connectivity in Cambridge.”

Cambridge ward councillor Roger Gordon said the project was the biggest issue facing the town today.

“There is an urgent need for that information.”

Mayor Susan O’Regan interrupted him and said Cambridge Connections was a district wide significant project.

“I’m pretty keen to progress it myself with everybody else around the table,” she said.

In her media release the next day, O’Sullivan said the council would revisit everything about Cambridge Connections.

“It’s not just about a third bridge and where that might be – it’s about the broader picture for connecting Cambridge, and a critical part of the wider district and inter-regional connections.”

Councillors have to choose between debating issues at community board or council level for fear of being censured by staff who warn them to declare a conflict of interest and be silent.

Te AwamutuKihikihi Community Board chair Ange Holt called out the practice at last week’s council Strategic Planning and Policy meeting, saying it often rendered councillors Lou Brown and Bruce Thomas ineffective.

“What we are experiencing is that both our councillors do not take part at the community board table regarding anything that is going to a council meeting. They then do not

Holt called for a meeting with mayor Susan O’Regan, chief executive Steph O’Sullivan and council committee chairs to discuss the issue and come up with a way forward.

Montgomerie said he was looking forward to the meeting happening “and getting a result”.

“This whole conflict of interest things--- I agree, the system from the outside seems… not right”.

He questioned the “slight hybrid” model with councillors on boards, a point Susan O’Regan echoed saying, as a councillor who previously sat on board, it was a “very

odd place to sit”. Holt said she understood the “why” behind the conflict of interest and how it worked – “but if we practice it to the letter of the law, there are times in a small community when it is like having a noose around your neck”.

Building Cambridge's Finest Homes for 20 years.

This front page from the Cambridge News put the Cambridge Connections programme in the spotlight. Photo: Mary Anne Gill

Ange Holt

Mike Montgomerie

Low and behold, the Morgans

By Mary Anne Gill

Ian Taylor was holidaying in Italy when he saw a Morgan car and decided that was the car he wanted.

He was attending the Como to Stresa rally, a famous road rally featuring vintage cars that take a scenic route from Lake Como to Lake Maggiore.

Back home in Cambridge, he rang Allan Duffy, then the president of the Morgan Car Club who interviewed him for 15 minutes – presumably to find out if he was worthy of owning a Morgan – and connected him with a woman who had recently been widowed and was selling her husband’s car.

So, he bought the 2009 Connaught Green Morgan in 2012 for $80,000. It is still worth that today, he reckons.

Taylor is on the Morgan Sports Car Club committee with fellow Cambridge resident, club president Paul Street.

The club held its annual meeting and 50th anniversary in the town over three days culminating in a display at Victoria Square on Saturday.

About 240 cars and three wheelers are known to exist in New Zealand. About 140 of them are in the club – 20 cars and 50 members attended the event.

Morgan Motor Company was founded in 1909 and its first fourwheeler was built in 1936.

Its factory is in Malvern, Worcestershire, England where each car is handmade.

The styling has not changed for decades.

Nigel Williams of New Plymouth spent nearly $250,000 on his Morgan following a health scare.

“You can have a car that’s 50 years old and one built today, and they haven’t changed a lot.

“Most people when they buy them, they keep them for a long time.”

They are built low to the ground, which Williams says makes it increasingly difficult for him to get in and out, and he must be careful not to burn himself on the exhaust.

“The suspension’s pretty hard, that’s what makes it stick on the road.

“We all laugh. They leak, they’ve got little characteristics, they’re not perfect.”

They use motors from major manufacturers such as BMW, Ford, Cosworth, and Lotus, with older models featuring engines from Triumph, Rover, Fiat, or Ford.

While the annual meeting was on, many of the wives went shopping in town.

“They can’t get too carried away because many of the Morgans don’t have boots, so you learn to travel and pack very light,” said Williams, who took a photo of his car next to a Morgan Rd sign during a run out towards Matamata and Walton.

The Morgan car had developed a reputation as a wonderful car for racing, family and classic touring, said Street.

The club sponsors the Race 4 Life charitable organisation which holds three events a year to provide palliative care patients with the opportunity to drive a Morgan around the racetrack.

Club treasurer Neil Bendall, right, and his red 2004 Morgan with its Rover five speed engine and Mogman personalised plate, with Ian Taylor, left and Nigel Williams.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill

New Plymouth’s Nigel Williams covers up his Morgan as rain sweeps across Victoria Square in Cambridge while the cars were on display.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill

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Community Connect

April 10, 2025

Lest we forget – join Waipā’s Anzac Day services

Anzac Day is a time for communities to come together and remember the sacrifice of those men and women who died serving New Zealand in wartime.

Anzac Day, April 25, marks the anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey in 1915. Rain or shine, Waipā residents are invited to take part in this year’s commemorations to pay tribute to our fallen and to acknowledge returned servicemen and women, past and present.

As a community, we honour the Anzac values of courage, compassion, camaraderie and commitment. In Te Awamutu, the Dawn Service will begin at 6am at the Sunken Cross War Memorial on Mutu Street, with light refreshments afterwards at the RSA Clubrooms. In case of bad weather, the service will move indoors to the RSA Clubrooms.

A flag-raising ceremony with veterans will take place at Te Awamutu Cemetery at 7.45am, and the 11am Civic Commemorative Service will be held at the War Memorial on Teasdale Street. Wreaths will be laid at the cenotaph after the service, with a backup venue at the Te Awamutu Events Centre in case of rain.

In Cambridge, the Dawn Service will take place at 6am at the Town Hall Plaza, with limited seating for

veterans. The Civic Service will follow at the same location at 9am, with wreath-laying at the cenotaph after the service. In case of severe weather, the service may be moved indoors to the Town Hall. Parking for those with mobility needs will be available on Kirkwood Street for both services.

The RSA encourages attendees to wear medals — if wearing medals on behalf of a deceased service member, they should be displayed on the right side of the chest.

Join your community this Anzac Day to remember, reflect, and honour those who served. Lest we forget.

Easter and Anzac Day closures

With two long weekends ahead, here’s what you need to know:

Our offices will be closed on Good Friday (April 18), Easter Monday (April 21), and Anzac Day (April 25). Waipā District Libraries and the Te Awamutu Museum Education and Research Centre will also be closed on these dates.

Recycling collections will continue as usual, so no need to worry if your collection falls on these days.

For urgent enquiries, our 24/7 phone line remains available at 0800 WAIPADC (0800 924 723). Visit waipadc.govt.nz/do-it-online for self-service options.

Anzac Day services

Waipā residents and visitors are invited to come together to attend Anzac Day commemorative services throughout the district.

Services listed are on Friday, April 25

Te Awamutu

Dawn Service: 6am

Sunken Cross War Memorial, Mutu Street

Returned services members will parade outside the RSA clubrooms (381 Alexandra Street) at 5.45am. Light refreshments will follow the service in RSA clubrooms.

Flag raising ceremony: 7.45am

Te Awamutu Cemetery, Picquet Hill Road

Veterans and the public invited.

Civic Commemorative Service: 11am

War Memorial, Anzac Green, Teasdale Street

Returned services and members of the public who would like to parade, assemble at 10.45am at the RSA Clubrooms.

Cambridge

Dawn Service: 6am (muster at 5.45am)

Cambridge Town Hall Plaza, Victoria Street

Civic Commemorative Service: 9am

Cambridge Town Hall Plaza, Victoria Street

Returned services and members of the public who would like to parade, assemble at 8.30am outside Onyx Restaurant

Kihikihi

Memorial Service: 8.30am

War Memorial, Main Street

Ōhaupō

Memorial Service: 10am

Ōhaupō Memorial Hall, Great South Road, followed by light refreshments.

Pirongia

Dawn Service: 6am

Pirongia Memorial Hall, Franklin Street

Returned services and members of the public who would like to parade, assemble at 5.45am in the Five Stags carpark. Light refreshments will follow the service.

Kawhia

Memorial Service: 1pm

War Memorial, Pouewe Street

Returned services and members of the public who would like to parade, assemble at 12.45pm at the Kawhia Town Hall.

Services listed are held on Sunday, April 27

Pukeatua Memorial Service: 11am

Pukeatua Memorial Church, Arapuni Road

Tokanui Memorial Service: 1.30pm

Tokanui Cemetery, 96 Farm Road.

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By Murray Smith, Bridges Church

I’m writing this from Nepal as I set my sights homeward in the next few days. By the time this column is published, I will have my feet planted back firmly on the beautiful land of New Zealand. “Ataahua te whenua o Aotearoa.” I return with a fresh sense of perspective and gratitude for the blessings we enjoy ‘down under’.

I love Nepal and its people. It is a country of such great contrast and diversity in every sense. Socially, culturally, philosophically, geographically, it has both a turbulent and rich history. Tribal loyalties and ties among the many thousands of individual clans and ethnic groups, each with significant distinctives, comprise a complex population mix. This explains in part why Nepal’s political stability has faced many challenges having had 13 governments in the last 16 years.

In addition, fitting its population of nearly 30 million people into a total land mass that is almost the same size as New Zealand’s South Island has inherent issues. With our total population of five million, this reflects a ratio of our 18 people per square kilometre, to Nepal’s 201 people per square kilometre.

We share similarities with Nepal in having beautiful geographical terrain with snowy alpine regions. Nepal’s high altitude trekking, hiking and rugged beauty is world renowned - as are its National Parks and Heritage Sites.

This trip has been a wonderful whirlwind, meeting amazing locals, sharing with them and seeking to bring encouragement and support - it’s all been part of a remarkable experience. I’ve laughed and eaten together with incredible people who endure

difficulties and a standard of living that is so meagre - their endurance and resilience amazes metheir simplicity of life has humbled me often to the point of tears.

The comforts of life don’t abound here, and it appears that correlates with a brooding spiritual intensity that produces a significant burden… religious bondage has ensnared many Nepali people. Fear of displeasing gods and incurring awful outcomes for their families and loved ones, ensnares multitudes in pointless appeasement, creating further depletion.

Our own problems exist with many also losing their way spiritually, ironically seeking answers and fulfilment through acquiring possessions or via achievement. The drive to get more, along with complaints about what we lack and what is defective, finds proportion if we’ll consider just how much we have to be thankful for.

We need to be confronted and reminded of all God’s blessing in New Zealand, for the freedoms we have and everything we take for granted.

So… I’ve been learning afresh to actually practise gratitude. Seeing how others live and seeing their daily challenges, I can’t help but feel grateful.

Being with people who are generous in spite of having little, provides a really good reminder… a reminder to be thankful and to share more liberally - to respond with generosity where there are needs that we might be able to share the burden with… and bring alleviation to the struggles that are other’s daily lot.

Wednesday, 16 April 2025, from 10:00am until 1:00pm. 2 Albert Street, Cambridge.

Legacy

YOUR SPARE ROOM, YOUR CREATIVE SPACE

Spare room, workshop, or hobby room? At Ryman, it’s all up to you. Your space is yours to use how you like – whether it’s a place to get creative, a second home for the grandkids or somewhere to unwind.

With all the amenities and opportunities just steps away, you’ll have more time to do what you love, while still enjoying everything our vibrant community has to offer. It’s not about leaving your passions behind, it’s about having more time for them.

Discover the Ryman lifestyle.

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books or books you wouldn’t want to buy or be given Readers digest abridged books

‘Arbitrage’ deal makes a loss

On April 14, the $50 million the Waipa District Council (WDC) borrowed from the Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA) last August and placed on deposit in two New Zealand commercial banks will mature.

The council will use this $50 million to repay an earlier loan. Last August, the WDC issued a press statement under the heading ‘financial deal set to net nearly $400,000 profit over the next eight months’.

They described it as a ‘low risk arbitrage deal’ because the interest rate was locked in on both sides of the transaction.

What was not disclosed was that they had locked the interest rate on the deposits in for eight months but had locked the interest rate on the loan in for five.

WDC didn’t need these borrowed funds until April 2025. If they had waited to borrow the funds they could have borrowed from the LGFA for four years at an interest rate of 4.41 per cent today.

They choose to borrow the funds early will continue to pay the fixed interest rate of 4.67 per cent they signed

up to last August for another four years. WDC will pay an additional $520,000 in interest because of this socalled ‘low-risk deal’.

This is more than the additional $400,000 they earned on the deal in its first phase.

It is likely that LGFA lending rates will fall further as the Reserve Bank’s Official Cash Rate has been reduced by 1.5 per cent between last August and today and may fall a little further.

If the WDC could borrow for a term of less than four years now and roll the loan over during the next four years they would be likely to save ratepayers even more money.

But they are locked into a five year fixed-rate loan.

It is often easy to see that a deal is poor with hindsight. But this doesn’t apply in this case.

It was predictable. Last August, households with mortgages were facing the same dilemma – when to borrow and how long to fix the interest rate for?

Most borrowed short or on floating interest rates – and made the correct decision.

By Peter Nicholl

Everybody, including the Reserve Bank, was forecasting that interest rates would fall. The only uncertainties were how fast and how far they would fall.

Despite this, the council, apparently on the advice of their ‘financial advisor’, Bancorp, decided to lock in a fixed interest rate on their borrowing for five years. This was not a ‘low risk arbitrage deal’. In fact, it wasn’t an arbitrage deal at all.

A financial arbitrage deal involves simultaneously buying and selling the same or similar asset in different markets to profit from temporary price differences thus making a guaranteed profit. The two sides of this deal were not ‘simultaneous’ and the two sides of the deal were not ‘the same or similar assets’ either.

An interest rate fixed for eight months is a very different asset to an interest rate fixed for five years. What the WDC did was speculate on interest rate trends. This speculative deal has backfired.

CAMBRIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE CALLS OVER THE LAST WEEK

TUESDAY 5:19, Oven Fire, Racecourse Road

WEDNESDAY 2:04am, Building Alarm and activation, Cambridge Road

THURSDAY 12.01pm, 2 Vehicle MVA, Tirau Road 21:15pm, Medical, childbirth, Williams Street

WEDNESDAY 9:55am, Cardiac Arrest, Bryce Street 1:09pm, Building Alarm and evacuation, Ruakura Road 11:56pm, Building Alarm and evacuation, Hautapu Road

FRIDAY 8:42am, Building Alarm and evacuation. Maungatautari Road

SUNDAY 3:53am, Medical assistance, Karapiro Road

FRIDAY 8:40am, Truck Fire, Hautapu Road 4:32pm, 1 Car MVA, Cambridge Road SATURDAY 5:49pm, Smoke in the vicinity, Peake Road MONDAY 1:18pm, Building alarm and evacuation: Melody Lane, Hamilton

Quarry hearing adjourned

By Mary Anne Gill

Significant changes to a proposal by RS Sand to establish a sand quarry on the southern outskirts of Cambridge has delayed the final decision another month.

A hearing before commissioners Richard Blakey (chair), Ngaire Phillips, and Tim Manukau in Waipā District Council’s Te Awamutu chambers was adjourned part way through the third day last week.

The adjournment followed an application from lawyer Anna McConachy of Gordon and Pilditch, representing Waipā District and Waikato Regional councils, who said officers and advisers needed time to consider the landscaping changes presented on the first day of the hearing.

Rhys and Antoinette Powell, whose property overlooks the proposed sand quarry at 77 Newcombe Rd, had completed their submissions. The quarry plans to extract 400,000 tonnes a year for about 25 years, resulting in 200 truck movements a day through Cambridge.

“As the immediate neighbour, we are directly and disproportionately affected by this proposal. The quarry would introduce a combination of visual, noise, dust, and health-related impacts that would significantly diminish the amenity, character, and overall enjoyment of our property application changes

which related to landscaping,”

Rhys Powell told the hearing on day three.

RS Sand had presented an alternative – a plan to delay lifting the Karāpiro Gully wall - which would have limited the visible impacts on the Powells’ property.

Powell asked for the consent to be declined, saying he could not see how the significant effects on him and his family could be avoided, remedied, or mitigated.

“I am deeply concerned about the sand quarry activity as it is proposed at present, from an operational design perspective and in terms of the impact it will have on my family, home and business.

“The existing riverbank acts as a natural buffer between the proposed quarry operations, the stream, and neighbouring properties. Experts I have engaged have advised that leaving the gully wall of the quarry up, in full and permanently, will largely prevent the air discharge and landscape effects that I and my family are proposed by the applicant to accept.”

Following the adjournment, the commissioners issued a direction telling RS Sand to provide updated staging, vegetation, erosion, sediment, land remediation and management plans for a continuation of the hearing next month.

Former Waikato Regional Council chair and now Cambridge resident Barry Quayle was scathing

of RS Sand’s revised conditions.

He said they represented a very substantive difference.

“As a result, it can be reasonably sustained that it now lacks any sort of transparency, accuracy and openness from what was first enunciated to the people and businesses of Cambridge. In other words, this consent sought is now fundamentally different from what was initially sought.”

Other submissions against the application - either in full opposition or in part - came from the Cambridge Town Hall Community Trust, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Windsor

Park Leasing, landscape, air quality and health and environmental experts.

The Town Hall Trust is concerned about the impact trucks would have on the historic building while the chamber and Windsor Park both favour the installation of on-off ramps at Tīrau Rd which would allow trucks from the quarry to go straight onto Waikato Expressway rather than drive through Cambridge.

Others who withdrew their opposition or felt their concerns had been mitigated by RS Sand were New Zealand Transport Agency, Department of

Conservation, Fish and Game and a neighbour in French Pass Rd.

The commissioners also want to know more about RS Sand consultation with Glenys Miller and her family whose property is next door to the quarry in Newcombe Rd.

The News reported last year Miller and her family were concerned about the silica dust the quarry would produce and the groundwater effects on their property.

RS Sand legal representative Christian McDean told the hearing before the adjournment he maintained the project application should be granted with appropriate conditions.

He criticised the misinformation about 400 truck movements through the town a day, saying that it influenced many of the submissions against the quarry.

McDean said most people, except New Zealand Transport Agency, agreed north facing ramps at Tīrau Rd would be beneficial to the proposal and possibly even the Cambridge community.

“However, the NZTA have made their position clear…. that these ramps have not been considered for construction at any point in the recent past or are going to be in the near future.

“Any further consideration of these ramps as part of this application is beyond the scope of what has been sought by RS Sand,” said McDean.

Design & Build or House & Land

Rhys and Antoinette Powell run an international equestrian operation on the northern side of the proposed quarry and rely on the large, natural riverbanks to exercise and condition their horses.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill

ON SHAKY GROUND

Forecasts, not crystal balls

We don’t predict eruptions – we forecast them. I sigh every time a headline boldly claims that new research will allow us to predict volcanic eruption.

The word predict implies precision: saying exactly what will happen, where, and when. That’s simply not how volcanoes work.

Instead, we forecast eruptions – like meteorologists forecast the weather. Much like weather systems, volcanoes involve complex, ever-changing factors. Forecasts improve as we get closer to an event, but they’re never absolute.

The ongoing eruptions near Grindavík, Iceland, offer an exceptional case study in how effective volcanic forecasting can be. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO), the official monitoring agency, has done a remarkable job. But what makes a good forecast?

The foundation is expertise. We need volcanologists with the right skills and experience, backed by advanced monitoring tools and research technologies.

Take seismic signals, for example. Before an eruption, a volcanic system produces complex seismic activity. Interpreting these signals requires a specialist, typically a volcano seismologist or geophysicist, alongside a well-maintained network of seismometers and the technology to

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decode what those signals mean.

By Janine Krippner

But that’s just one piece of the puzzle. Other monitoring methods must also be integrated - gas emissions, ground deformation, thermal imaging, and more. The IMO’s website, for instance, shares updates on seismicity, volcanic gases and surface movement.

Each volcano has a unique personalitycomplete with its own “mood swings.” To forecast its behaviour, we must understand its history. Past eruptions help us anticipate future ones.

That understanding takes time and collaboration. Volcanology is a diverse field.

My own research focuses on how eruptions interact with the environment and communities. To understand what leads up to an eruption, rely on experts who specialise in those early signals.

Monitoring data makes sense only when placed in context.

Fortunately, Iceland has a rich history of volcanic research, covering a wide range of eruption styles and the deeper magma systems driving them.

This current eruption series is especially valuable because it’s happening in a location where we’ve already seen multiple events -11 eruption episodes since 2021.

This growing dataset allows volcanologists to

compare patterns and refine their forecasts.

The IMO has developed methods to estimate how much magma is accumulating beneath the surface, which helps them forecast the size and likelihood of future eruptions.

One of the biggest challenges? There’s no single signal that guarantees a specific outcome. Magma evolves as it rises through the crust, interacting with different rock types and pressures along the way. Each stage can produce different kinds of activity.

That’s why it’s essential to consider the range of possible outcomes.

Good forecasting isn’t about certaintyit’s about informed probabilities that help communities prepare.

By monitoring volcanoes during periods of calm, unrest, and eruption, we’re learning what each phase looks like - and how varied the signals can be, even within the same system.

Volcanoes are incredibly complex, dynamic systems. Change happens over time and across space.

That’s why we don’t make predictions. We make forecasts—because understanding what might happen, and when, can save lives.

Briefs…

Police sting

A police sting outside Cambridge Raceway which started towards the end of the Night of Champions resulted in one person being processed for excess breath alcohol levels out of the 1300 drivers stopped. A full house of more than 3400 people attended the race meeting and the concert by well-known country singer Kylee Bell which ended before an 11pm curfew. Two people were ejected by security for inappropriate behaviour.

Wahine memories Today will trigger memories for Cambridge’s Florence Shearman. Long before she became Cambridge’s volunteer community coordinator for the Office for Senior Citizens, Shearman was a nurse who helped survivors of the Wahine ferry disaster in Wellington 57 years ago. The disaster occurred on April 10, 1968, when the LytteltonWellington ferry Wahine sank near the mouth of Wellington Harbour.

Experienced professionals. Local specialists. Quality advice.

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Experienced professionals. Local specialists. Quality advice.

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Jules Duffart, French, 1924- French

Town View, Oil on Board, Signed

Chest of Drawers, Mahogany, Finely moulded Ogee Feet, 104cm high, 119 wide, 52 deep, End 18th, early 19th C, good condition.

James Cook’s 2nd Voyage 1772-1775, A Man from Easter Island. Engraving on Copper, ca 1778. By William Hodges RA 1744-1797.

Charities benefit from festival

By Viv Posselt

Three of Cambridge’s core charities have received $10,000 each from funds raised at last year’s Cambridge Rotary Garden Festival. Kids in Need Waikato, InterlockNZ Trust, and Cambridge Lifeskills received the funding boost.

Representatives from each, as well as many of the homeowners whose gardens were included in the November 2024 festival, attended a Cambridge Rotary appreciation function held recently at the Lauriston Park homestead. Cambridge Rotary president Gary Smith said the event was intended to thank festival sponsors and homeowners and provide an opportunity for recipient charity representatives to outline the work they do in the community. The biennial garden festival had been a great

success, he said. The next one is planned for late 2026.

Kids in Need Waikato founder Linda Roil told The News last week that she was very grateful for the community support they receive.

“It is at the heart of everything we do,” she said. “The $10,000 donation from the garden festival will be used to support purchases of items for children’s care packs. We’re receiving a lot of requests from new carers for ongoing support. It doesn’t seem to be letting up, with 63 new children on-boarded since January. Emergency packs are also on the rise, with 65 packs having gone out the door this year already.”

Kids in Need Waikato was started by Linda and Graeme Roil in 2014, initially through their fostering and delivery of support for newborns, then emergency and respite care for older children. The charitable trust was set up in 2018; the organisation continues to put together and distribute care packs for many young people in need.

The windfall was equally appreciated by The InterlockNZ Trust. One of their trustees, Colin Pierce, said they were ‘incredibly grateful’ for the $10,000 donation, particularly as the charity receives no government funding.

“Our work is made possible solely through the support of community grants and individual donations like this one,” he said. “This grant will allow us to expand our life-enriching programmes, help participants develop advanced life and social skills, build confidence, and strengthen their connection to the community. With this support, we can provide even more opportunities for personal growth, inclusion and empowerment.”

InterlockNZ began small in 2020. It grew in size and scope then established the InterlockNZ Trust in 2021.

Having moved venues several times, it now has a home at the Cambridge Junior Rugby and Community Sports Club at Hautapu and continues to draw people living with disabilities from around the region.

Cambridge Lifeskills board member John Bullick said the donation will go towards the cost of counselling time for children.

“Receiving funds from the Garden Festival is a great example of how our community is supporting these young people in need. ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ is something we see in action.”

Cambridge Lifeskills has been providing a free counselling service to schools in the Cambridge area since 1992, working with children aged 5-15 and their families and supporters. With no government funding, the organisation relies solely on community support and its own fundraising efforts.

Council consults on plans

Waikato Regional Council has opened for community feedback on rating for public transport. Feedback is also being sought on revisions to the council’s schedule of fees and charges, and a rates remission in relation to the primary industry compliance rate.

The proposals are explained in the 2025-26 Annual Plan consultation document, adopted by councillors at their meeting at the end of March.

At a previous meeting in February, councillors set a draft annual plan budget of $152.793 million total rates revenue for the 2025-26 financial year, with a projected 5.9 per cent increase to current ratepayers.

Public transport rates will change in July. The council proposes five rating categories across three geographical areas. What every household pays will be based on whether the household is in a township and if that township is serviced by public transport.

At the same time, the council is also seeking feedback on a new river and catchment programme for the Wharekawa Coast on the Firth of Thames to improve the community’s resilience to extreme weather events.

Chair Pamela Storey said: “It’s important councillors know what our communities think about the proposals to ensure we are making well informed decisions when we deliberate in May.

Consultation closes at the end of the month.

Cambridge Lifeskills’ board member John Bullick speaking to guests. Photo: supplied

InterlockNZ Trust trustee Colin Pierce expresses his gratitude for the welcome windfall. Photo: supplied

Dear diary, laughter really is the best medicine

Love the care around you. At Summerset, there’s always a helping hand when you need it. Alongside our neighbourly community, our villages are designed so that as your needs change, we have different levels of care and support across our villages (subject to availability and eligibility criteria). We call it our continuum of care…but really, it’s about always being there.

Love the life you choose.

Pay less up front for a villa at Summerset Cambridge

Summerset Cambridge is a growing village with a vibrant community. The grand village centre is underway and once complete at the end of 2025, it will offer a range of fantastic indoor and outdoor facilities for you to enjoy.

There are two-bedroom homes available now with flexible pricing from $638,000.* Each home features generous bedrooms, an internal access garage, a contemporary kitchen, and spacious open-plan living - ideal for entertaining friends and family.

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Wednesday 16 April, 10.30am

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cash back, $2,000 towards your legal fees, a moving package, and no weekly fees for 12 months. Simply sign a sales application for a selected villa between 01 April 2025 and 30 June 2025 and then settle by 30 September 2025.#

Join us at our next Morning Tea & Tour on Wednesday 16 April. Or, if you’d like to hear more sooner, just give Nikki Matthews, Sales Manager, a call and she’ll take you on a guided tour. Our sales office is open 7 days so you’re welcome any time.

Love the life you choose.

Full field at RDA fundraiser

By Mary Anne Gill

It was the Mane Event in Cambridge on Sunday where crowd favourite therapy pony Monty led everyone a merry walk to Riding for the Disabled Association’s fundraiser at its Alpha St headquarters behind the Gaslight Theatre.

Stalls, live music and pop up stalls kept the crowd entertained as did New Zealand Thoroughbred’s racehorse simulator, the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere and a valuable tool to promote a career in the racing industry.

Nicholas Collins, 7, of Hautapu School needed little encouragement to hop on and give it a try.

His grandparents Les and Helen Collins have racing in the blood. Les was a well-performed jockey in the 1970s before becoming a track rider and latterly a trainer. The couple own Dear Oh Dear, a seven-year-old mare who loves racing on synthetic tracks rather than turf. All her four wins have been on the artificial surface.

Nicholas’ face broke out in joy as he hopped on the simulator and watched himself on the big screen.

Les and Helen looked on proudly as another generation got the same enjoyment out of racing that they do.

Cambridge RDA president Wendy Morgan said the Mane Event was about inclusivity, connection, and celebrating all abilities while raising much-needed funds for Cambridge RDA’s therapeutic riding programmes.

RDA is a charitable organisation supporting those living with disabilities to experience growth and opportunity through riding and interacting with horses.

Latest Rollie Arrivals

By Jon Rawlinson

A Waikato tourist attraction is one of six poised to get international exposure through a video game.

Featuring in new Minecraft game content could entice players worldwide to become Waitomo Caves tourists, says Discover Waitomo Group general manager Daniel Thorne.

Minecraft goes caving

The game’s release coincides with that of A Minecraft Movie, which was filmed in New Zealand.

�ootloose

Rotorua, Kapiti Island (Wellington), Abel Tasman National Park, Lake Tekapo (Mackenzie Basin) and Fiordland’s Doubtful Sound are included in the Minecraft: Bedrock Edition – Aotearoa New Zealand.

SINCE 1974

Cambridge 46 Duke St 07 827 0405 footloose.co.nz

Shop at Cambridge Tiles and support a locally owned business, and your local tradespeople. Visit our new website which showcases our outstanding range of tiles as well as offering trend and design inspiration, valuable tips and advice on FAQs.

The new downloadable content is part of the best-selling game of all time – more than 300 million copies of Minecraft have sold since its launch almost 15 years ago.

Proud supporters of KRI and Maadi rowing

Players take on the role of filmmakers meeting challenges while capturing images of locations.

46 Duke St, Cambridge 07 827 0405 footloose.co.nz

Last year Jimmy Donaldson, whose MrBeast persona is viewed extensively on YouTube, went caving in Mangapai cave system at Waitomo. His videos have millions of views.

Winning ways at Cambridge

46 Duke St, Cambridge. P 07 827 0405 footloose.co.nz

Cambridge, off to a sound start in the Northern League football championship, will look for a second successive win when it hosts Ōtorohanga in the top Waikato club league on Saturday

The league, an amalgam of last year’s Southern Conference championship and Waikato first division, threw up a couple of surprises last weekend.

Among them, for at least one coach, was news that the competition allows rolling substitutions in a game – enabling players to come off and go back on again.

Claudelands Rovers have two teams in the league – Wallys and Squatters – and they accounted for seasoned southern conference campaigners Te Awamutu and Ōtorohanga on foreign soil last weekend.

Te Awamutu has dropped down from the Southern Conference premier league while Otorohanga won the championship last season.

The championship was abandoned for 2025 because of club withdrawals – including that of Otorohanga which could not meet football league requirements.

Cambridge is buoyant in both men’s and women’s competitions. Its top women teams has opened with two narrow losses on its Northern League championship campaign debt and its WaiBop team beat Tauranga Moana 5-3 last weekend.

Refs’ call

“These aren’t try-outs or interviews — they’re relaxed, friendly sessions where our current refs meet to upskill and share knowledge,” president Gareth Cogan said.

The shortage of referees was evident when club rugby kicked off last weekend. Some assistant referees were required to officiate in more than one game. Referees were also asked to officiate in multiple games in a row during a fast fifteen competition at the weekend.

“For our up-and-coming referees, being part of these shorter formats -and more importantly, getting appointed as assistant referees - can really help build their understanding of the game,” Cogan said.

“ And let’s be honest, they’ve got the best seat in the house…”

Cambridge Rugby Referees are inviting anyone interested in becoming a referee to their regular education meetings on Mondays in the Tom Voyle Lounge, at Cambridge Memorial Park.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing recruitment coordinator Brigitte Corban watches as a delighted Nicholas Collins rides the simulator.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill

City teams celebrate Waipā wins

By Jesse Wood

Both Waipā teams fell short in the opening round of premier club rugby on Saturday, and both return to Hamilton this weekend looking to get off the mark.

On a day when four Hamilton clubs scored three wins and a draw against their country cousins, Hautapu lost at Marist 25-20 and Te Awamutu Sports was beaten 27-22 at Old Boys.

First five-eighth Dillon Martin was on debut for the Cambridge side after transferring after several seasons at Te Awamutu.

The winning Old Boys team contained former Te Awamutu players Niah Church-Jones, Josh Coffin, Dean Ralph and Sean Ralph.

Hautapu B collected a close 29-26 win against Hautapu B, while Te Awamutu’s development side lost 71-7 at the hands of Old Boys B.

Leamington was Waipā’s only successful team in Division 1, winning 24-14 at home to Putāruru.

Pirongia lost 26-20 at Suburbs and Ōhaupō fell 21-11 to Tokoroa’s Southern United.

Of the Division 1B teams, Pirongia was the only success story. They won 14-7 against Suburbs at Flagstaff Park.

Ōhaupō B lost 35-12 to their travelling Tokoroa counterparts and Leamington B were defeated 53-5 by another South Waikato team, Putāruru B.

Women’s rugby is also back for the year. Hautapu fell 41-20 to the

ever-impressive Hamilton Old Boys Huskiez, while Kihikihi had 78 points put on them by University.

This Saturday will see a Waipā women’s premiership battle at Cambridge Memorial Park –Hautapu v Kihikihi – at 1pm.

Women’s championship division team Pirongia, playing in a triple-

header with their men’s sides, fell 34-5 to Suburbs.

Leamington, Hautapu, Te Awamutu and Pirongia are all involved in the young guns under 21 competition this year.

Hautapu under-21 were 58-15 winners against their big town Waipā neighbours Te Awamutu.

lost at home, beaten 28-17 by University, as did Leamington, losing 29-5 in their clash with Morrinsville.

From just south of Kihikihi, the Maihihi-based Kio Kio Cattle Dogs came away with a 10-8 home victory against Bombay in the combined Waikato-Counties

They will face the dominant Morrinsville Sports under-85kg at Campbell Park this weekend before a trip north to Drury.

Thursday 24th, April

10.00am till 4.30pm

Saturday 26th, April 10.00am till 4.30pm Te Awamutu

Please bring your own bags or boxes.

and eftpos

Pirongia

Manukau Under-85kg rugby competition. Forward Max Smithies and fullback Joshua Jolly crossed the chalk for the hosts.

Hautapu put pressure on the Marist line during the 25-20 loss to Marist.

Photo: Matt Gould

French cut makes Brad proud

By Jesse Wood

Second generation butcher Brad Gillespie, is home after competing at the World Champion Young Butcher competition in Paris, France.

The 32-year-old, who works at Pak’n Save Te Awamutu was part of the World Butchers’ Challenge.

Gillespie has been butchering for 12 years and in the competition scene for eight.

“My father was a butcher and I never thought about being one myself. I was working at McDonald’s and wanted a change, so I asked if I could work for him,” Gillespie said.

“He said only if I did an apprenticeship. I accepted and I’ve never looked back. I found the competition scene and took a real liking to it as it seems to keep me engaged in my job with something to focus on.

Upon winning the national young butcher title in 2022, Gillespie qualified for the New Zealand Young Butcher squad to travel to Paris.

“The journey to the challenge was great. I’d practice most days and have learnt a lot thanks to the supportive workplace I have.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did without the support

of my store owner Jeremy and manager Brendon.”

Gillespie was joined in the team by James Smith (Pukekohe), Morgan Clark (Nelson) and Anton Rameka (Mangawhai).

“Unfortunately, I didn’t make the podium but hopefully I have inspired the next generation to get into the competitions and make it to the worlds,” Gillespie said.

“It meant heaps to be invited to compete. The WBC is the pinnacle of butchery competitions in the world and to qualify for this competition means you’re at a world class level with your craft.

He said the hosts team used

“home ground advantage” to their benefit and dominated his category

Gillespie said the trip was a highlight and he’s made lifelong friends from around the world.

“Watching the apprentices compete was huge as I helped Rhys Tamanui on his way to become third in the world apprentice champion. Watching the senior team, the Sharp Blacks, compete was also impressive,” he said.

“[Plus] getting up on the world stage myself, taking on the best in the world, really makes me proud that I have not only done my country proud, but also my family.”

way

ANNUAL PJ DRIVE IS BACK FOR 2025!

Cambridge Real Estate is proud to be running our annual PJ drive in association with Kids In Need Waikato. We are accepting brand new pyjamas in all sizes from infants to teens. We would love your help to collect as many pairs of pyjamas as possible to donate to Kids in Need Waikato. Drop off point is inside the office of Cambridge Real Estate. One donation makes a difference! Get behind this amazing cause.

Young butcher Brad Gillespie with his finished display.

Photo: Supplied

There were dogs aplenty at the Karāpiro Domain over the weekend, including Nathalie Sperling with her white Swiss shepherd, competing in a championship dog show held in conjunction with the Dominion Collie, Leonberger and Waikato and District Collie clubs and hosted by Cambridge Kennel Association. And while the dogs paraded in the upper part of the Domain, down on the water the New Zealand Dragon Board nationals took place with racing over two days culminating with an end of day victory in the open standard boat event to the New South Wales premier state team with Jessica Sharpe in the sweep position.

16. Adept (4)

17. Inspiring (8)

Cambridge Lions

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If not satisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the Media Council P O Box 10-879, The Terrace, Wellington 6143. Or use the online complaint form at www. mediacouncil.org.nz

Please include copies of the article and all correspondence with the publication.

“Trash ‘n’ Treasure”

Cambridge Lions Memorial Park 9AM TO 1PM 8:30am - 1pm

We Welcome Buskers “Trash ‘n’ Treasure” Main Street Cambridge This SUNDAY 8AM TO 1PM Book a stall at: www.cambridgemarket.nz

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Burn or sear, surgically (9)

Disharmony (7)

Memorial Park

Main Street Cambridge This SUNDAY

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8AM TO 1PM

Book a stall at: www.cambridgemarket.nz

NHPNPENURBANEISLUD UIUSERUUNKEMPTWTPN ENZIRNUXORIOUSXITE LEMLMUNSETTLEULMHB CPSAOUUXHUXCKPBARN YURASKRETEUTMOSTUU CKRUTKNNEDRUUNCESI ICFGSOUIEUKELELETU NIUUEUTSAHUPSTAIRS UPUPNNURLYUNDULYHT ONNBUSRUUMPIREDRGK JUCEXUZUVNUNKINDLY UNLAERNUUEDARGPUEJ FIETYEUNRESOLVEDLR

UDDER

Urge on (5) 21. Hundred (colloq) (3)

UKELELE ULTIMATE UMBRELLA UMPIRE UNBEND UNCLE

UNDO UNDULY UNEVEN UNICYCLE UNIVERSE

UNKEMPT UNKINDLY UNLIKE UNMASK UNPICK UNREAL UNRESOLVED UNSETTLE UNSURE UNTIE UPBEAT UPGRADE

UPHILL UPON UPPERMOST UPSET UPSTAIRS UPTHRUST URBANE URCHIN URGE URN

URSINE USED

USHER USUALLY USURP UTENSIL UTMOST UTOPIA UTTER UVULA UXORIOUS

ONCE ON CHUNUK BAIR

By Maurice Shadbolt Produced by Morrinsville Theatre

This play tells the story of the Wellington Battalion of the New Zealand Infantry Brigade and their gallantry at Gallipoli as they take the strategically vital hilltop of Chunuk Bair from the Turks. 25 APR-4 MAY, 2025

Across: 1. Stamen, 4. Caring, 9. Aroma, 10. Arrange, 11. Suspect, 13. Each, 14. Predecessor, 17. Mess, 18. Parasol, 21. Radiant, 22. Titan, 24. Barred, 25. Loathe. Down: 1. Sparse, 2. Ado, 3. Evade, 5. Airless, 6. Innocuous, 7. Glen, 8. Participate, 12. Surrender, 15. Disease, 16. Plunge, 19. Ratio, 20. Drab, 23. Tut.

Super 1217m² Section-Location & Private

32D Campbell Street, Leamington - Solid 110m² brick home offers plenty of space, with two generously sized bedrooms and a light-filled living area that flows effortlessly into the dining and kitchen plus a handy single garage for parking.

Open Homes Saturday 11-11.30am & Sunday 10-10.30am

Just Minutes From Town

58 Redoubt Road, Cambridge

- Bedrooms are divided into separate wings, with one wing comprising two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a media room.

- Master wing features a well-appointed walk-in robe & a ensuite.

- Outdoor retractable roof with lighting overlooking the saltwater pool.

Homes Saturday 12 - 12.30 & Sunday 10 - 10.30am

$899,000

142 King Street, Cambridge

- Native timber flooring, a true hallmark of this home’s character. - Spacious yard provides plenty of room and the double garage offers ample room for parking, storage, or hobbies/projects.

Home Sunday 12.00 - 12.30pm

Tranquil Setting with River Views

- Separate private master suite serving as a true retreat. Enjoy the luxury of your own balcony, walk in robe, and ensuite.

- Outside, the property continues to impress with its dedicated river viewing platform, tranquil pond and triple garaging.

Homes Saturday 12 - 12.30pm & Sunday 1 - 1.30pm

Graham Ban

Paulette Bell

Debbie Towers

Trevor Morris

Eilish Russell

Marisa Payne

Amy de Clifford

Taylor Bourke

Rachael Seavill

$499,000

Contact Graham

Contact Eilish, Amy or Taylor

Contact Paulette

Contact Eilish, Amy or Taylor

Contact Marisa

Contact Eilish, Amy or Taylor

Contact Paulette

$729,000

$760,000

$785,000 $860,000 $860,000 $890,000

Contact Graham

Contact Paulette

Contact Eilish, Amy or Taylor

Contact Graham

Contact Rachael

Contact Paulette

Contact Debbie or Trevor

Contact Paulette

Contact Eilish Amy or Taylor

Contact Paulette

Contact Eilish Amy or Taylor

Contact Graham

Contact Eilish, Amy or Taylor

Contact Rachael

Contact Graham

Contact Rachael

Sold by Paulette

Contact Paulette

Contact Eilish, Amy or Taylor

Contact Paulette

Contact Eilish, Amy or Taylor

Contact Marisa

Contact Eilish, Amy or Taylor

Contact Debbie or Trevor

Contact Eilish, Amy or Taylor

Contact Rachael

Contact Eilish, Amy or Taylor

Contact Rachael

Contact Graham

Sold by Graham

Contact Debbie or Trevor

Contact Graham

Contact Lenie

Contact Eilish Amy or Taylor

Contact Rachael

Contact Paulette

Contact Eilish Amy or Taylor

Contact Rachael

Contact Eilish, Amy or Taylor

Contact

Karapiro 1053 and 1055 Taotaoroa Road

Lifestyle sections with stunning views

Deadline Sale

Looking for the perfect spot to build your dream home? These two lifestyle sections offer a rare opportunity to enjoy country living while staying close to town.

Lot 1 - 5,020 sqm (more or less)

Lot 2 - 6,949 sqm (more or less)

Both sections feature gently sloping terrain with an elevated outlook and a picturesque gully backdrop. These sites provide easy building platforms, making your new home build a breeze.

Location Benefits:

Positioned between Cambridge and Matamata, offering the best of both worlds - rural tranquility with town conveniences just a short drive away.

Don't miss out on these affordable lifestyle sections - contact us today for more information or to arrange a viewing. Going to Deadline (unless sold prior) on the 1st May 2025 - offers to be presented by 4pm to the Cambridge Property Brokers office.

Deadline Sale closes Thursday 1st May, 2025 at 4.00pm, (unless sold prior), 34 Victoria Street, Cambridge View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/CBL201430

David McGuire

M 027 472 2572

E david.mcguire@pb.co.nz

Teresa Moore

M 027 288 0553

E teresa.moore@pb.co.nz

Maungatautari 1/180 Oreipunga Road

Vendor says sell!

Deadline Sale

Looking for the perfect lifestyle escape This stunning Maungatautari property offers the best of rural living - just 6 minutes off SH1, opposite the world-renowned Takapoto Estate.

Step inside and discover a sunny, spacious family home, featuring open-plan living, a centrally located kitchen, and a cozy wood burner for winter nights. Downstairs, a large bedroom and fully tiled bathroom provide comfort and convenience, while upstairs, you'll find two generous bedrooms, both with walk-in robes, sharing a stylish Jack & Jill bathroom. Plus, a mezzanine lounge or office - the perfect space to relax or work from home.

Enjoy seamless indoor-outdoor flow to a beautifully landscaped garden, ideal for entertaining or unwinding in nature. Or sit, relax and enjoy the views from many parts of the house. Outside, this property is designed for lifestyle and farming, with well-fenced paddock, a creek-fed water supply, and two 15,000L water tanks. A double garage, workshop shed, and extra storage ensure plenty of space for all your needs.

Deadline Sale closes Thursday 24th April, 2025 at 2.00pm, (unless sold prior), 34 Victoria Street, Cambridge 3434 View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/CBL202639

Leamington 65 Shakespeare Street

Development opportunity on Shakespeare

• 1024m2 commercial site • 300m2 (approx) warehouse/workshop/offices • 530m2 sealed yard with street access • Vacant possession • Excellent development potential. Located on busy Shakespeare Street and nestled between Pet Stock and Cambridge Hire, this property presents as an ideal development site in a high-profile location. Whether you're looking to develop or utilise the existing workshop, office space, and large sealed yard, this property presents endless possibilities for a wide range of business ventures. Call today for more information.

Wakelin M 021 569 299 E tony.wakelin@pb.co.nz Alan Copeman M 021 874 222 E alan.copeman@pb.co.nz

Te Awamutu 60 Vaile Street

National Brand - Investment Opportunity

• 1,995m2 site in Te Awamutu's busy commercial centre • 643m2 of retail/commercial premises • Leased to a wellestablished national brand - JA Russell Ltd • Returning $109,000 per annum on a secure, long-term lease. Positioned just metres from State Highway 3, this standout investment offers stability, strong rental returns, and a reputable tenant. With Te Awamutu's commercial sector continuing to grow, this is a great opportunity to secure a high-performing asset. Call today for further details or to arrange an inspection.

Sale By Negotiation

pb.co.nz/CBC202049 Tony Wakelin M 021 569 299 E tony.wakelin@pb.co.nz Alan Copeman M 021 874 222 E alan.copeman@pb.co.nz

PHONE: 0508

Empire Street M: 021 894633 P: 07 827 5002 www.cambridgecarrentals.co.nz

MCMILLAN, William (Bill). RNZAF, Reg No: 78275.

– Passed away peacefully at Waikato Hospital on Saturday, 29th March 2025.

Aged 85 years. Dearly loved husband of Glennis.

Loving father of Leanne & Tom Hooper (N.S.W., Australia) and Jason & Lisa (Cambridge). Loving Pop of Jack & Erika, Alix, Darcy, and Ethan.

‘Thank you to the Ward A2 Staff and Cambridge RSA for your lovely care and support.’

At Bill’s request a private family farewell has taken place. Messages to the McMillan Family can be sent c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434 or in Bill’s online tribute book at www.grinters.co.nz

REDSHAW, Robert “Bruce”

– Peacefully at home on Saturday, April 5, 2025, with family by his side. Beloved best friend of Dolly. Loved Dad of Rob, Vikki and Tim. Beloved Grandad of Danika.

Messages to the ‘Redshaw Family’ can be sent C/Grinter’s Funeral Home, 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434, or in Robert’s online tribute book at www.grinters. co.nz A private cremation has been held.

CALF MILK WANTED

Shakespeare & Browning

Study Each Saturday: 9.30am – 10.45am Worship Service: 11.00am Like us on Facebook: h�ps://www.facebook.com/cambridge.sda.9 email: cambridge.sda.nz@gmail.com

Phone: 027 677 6433 Hope Channel – Freeview Ch 27, Sky 204 We oﬀer detailed study of the Bible and inspiring worship experiences.

WANTED

MAKING and shop fitting, quality work. Ph Tony 0274

QUALIFIED builder – for all your building and painting needs call the professionals. Call Ross 021 079 4514

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE – Queen St, Alpha St, Dick St, Commerce St, Empire St, Duke St, Victoria St, Lake St for the Cambridge Cycling Festival on Thursday 25 April 2025

QUALIFIED builder available for immediate start. Renovations, new builds, decks. No jobs too big or too small. Just ask. Call Jake 022

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE – Victoria Street, Lake Street, Alpha Street and Empire Street for the Cambridge ANZAC Day commemorations on Friday 25 April 2025

Please note that the roads listed below will be closed to ordinary vehicular traffic on Friday 25 April 2025 for the Cambridge ANZAC Day Commemorations.

Between 5.30am and 11am

• Victoria Street - between Queen Street and Alpha Street

• Lake Street - between Queen Street and Alpha Street

Between 8.00am and 9.00am

• Alpha Street - between Empire Street and Lake Street

• Empire Street - between Kirkwood Street and Alpha Street Arrangements will be made for access by emergency vehicles during the closure, if required.

For more information, please contact Waipa District Council on 0800 924 723 or email events@waipadc.govt.nz

Steph O’Sullivan CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Victoria Street

• Alpha Street – between Victoria Street and Empire Street

Arrangements will be made for access by emergency vehicles during the closure, if required.

For more information, please contact Waipa District Council on 0800 924 723 or email events@waipadc.govt.nz

Steph O’Sullivan CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Helen Carter Funeral Director

with Jan Bilton

Pacific pleasures

I was on a surprise birthday trip to Aitutaki, the gem nominated by the founder of the Lonely Planet travel guide as “the world’s most beautiful island.” A bonus surprise for me was the innovative food and flavour combinations of the cuisine at the Pacific Resort Aitutaki — dishes that could grace any top city restaurant.

A prime Cook Islands’ attraction, Aitutaki is a 45-minute flight from Rarotonga. I’ve travelled extensively in the Pacific and always enjoyed the fresh tropical delights such as pawpaw and pineapples and the abundant local seafood. But rarely have I discovered such artistic food presentation as those created in this island’s hotel kitchen.

It began with the initial lunch at the beachside Black Rock Café. Burgers and salads were on the menu, but it was the sashimi platter that attracted my attention. I relished the lightness of this staple Japanese dish.

Dinner at the resort’s Rapare Bay Restaurant which overlooks the spectacular lagoon, included an inventive take on the local wahoo (fish) with sautéed asparagus drizzled with lemon and lime. And for dessert, ‘Tears of Joy’ — a hollow teardrop of blue ice surrounding mango and banana cubes, Baileys pâté, dried lime and a dollop of ice cream.

Enjoy my selection of tropical delights.

Chicken, avocado & pawpaw platter

Honey Lime Dressing: 1 teaspoon grated root ginger

1/2 cup lime juice

4 tablespoons honey

salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon pawpaw seeds

Salad: 1 firm, ripe avocado, peeled, stoned and sliced

1-2 cups mixed baby salad greens

1/2 ripe medium pawpaw, peeled, seeded and sliced

3 cups sliced, cooked chicken

1 tablespoon chopped basil

Garnish: basil leaves

lime wedges

Whisk the ingredients for the dressing, until the honey is dissolved.

ACROSS

1 Take place (5) 4 Matching siblings (9,5)

Game fish (5)

Body organ (5)

Place the salad greens on a serving plate. Top with the avocado and chicken. Place the pawpaw around the salad.

Drizzle with the dressing and garnish with the basil and lime wedges. Serves 4.

Salt & pepper squid salad

Add some Vietnamese mint leaves to the salad, if available.

Salad: 2 large gherkins

1 long red chilli, seeded and thinly sliced

2 cups baby salad leaves

1/2 cup coriander leaves

1/2 cup honey roasted peanuts

Squid: 2 teaspoons black peppercorns

1 teaspoon flaky sea salt

400g squid tubes, thawed

2 tablespoons canola oil

1 tablespoon cornflour

Using a potato peeler make long slivers of gherkin. Toss in a bowl with the chilli, salad leaves, coriander leaves and peanuts.

Chill while preparing the squid.

Dry roast the peppercorns in a small heavy frying pan for a few seconds, until aromatic. Tip into a mortar and coarsely crush with a pestle. Or use a small food processor. Stir in the salt. Cut along one side of each squid tube and open it out flat. Remove any cartilage. With the tip of a small, sharp knife, score the inner side in a diamond pattern and then cut into 5cm squares. Pat the squid dry and dust with cornflour.

Heat the oil in a wok over a high heat until hot. Stir-fry half the squid for 1-2 minutes, until tender. Tip into a paper towel lined bowl, then cook the remaining squid.

Sprinkle the squid with the salt and pepper mixture to taste. Divide the salad evenly between four serving plates and add the squid. Serve lemon wedges on the side. Serves 4 as a light meal.

Tropical gamberoni

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 dried chillies, crumbled

20-24 whole large raw prawns, peeled, tails and heads attached

3 tomatoes, diced

4 garlic cloves, diced

1 tablespoon coarsely chopped parsley

4 pitted black olives

2 cups baby spinach leaves

1 cup cubed mango

Heat the olive oil in a frying pan. Add the chillies and the prawns. Pan-fry — turning the prawns frequently — for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, garlic and parsley and heat through for 1-2 minutes. Stir in the olives and spinach, heating until the spinach is just wilted.

Serve in medium bowls. Top with the mango. Great served with crusty bread to mop up the juices. Serves 4 as a starter or light meal.

32 Of the kidneys (5)

34 Nearby (5)

Walking track (4)

36 Security box (4)

Change genetically (6)

38 Wildebeest (3)

Ban (6)

42 Hackneyed (5)

43 Restyle (anag) (7)

in Israel (7)

Factual TV programme (11) 16 Fort troops (8)

77 Gender (3)

80 Keen (5)

19 Comfort someone in disappointment, loss (7) 20 Upper leg (5) 21 Impudent, brazen (9)

81 Growing old (7,2,2,5)

82 Happen again (5)

83 Flashing light (6)

84 Tarried (8)

24 Fictitious name (9)

26 Rugged (6)

85 Censure angrily (5)

DOWN

27 High-pitched and piercing (6)

2 Fair and impartial (9)

3 Topic (5)

31 Characteristic (5)

5 Wild sex party (4)

32 Royal daughter (8)

34 In an exhaustive manner (10)

38 Firmly loyal (7)

39 Horse barn (6) 40 Restless (6)

41 Cipher (4)

6 Flat crisp cake (7)

7 Takeaway meal (4,3,5)

8 Science of reasoning (5)

9 Nonattendance (7)

10 Stinging insect (4)

11 Acid indicator (6)

12 Prepared (5)

13 Suntanned (7)

14 Mollycoddled (7)

16 Highest in quality or degree (11)

22 Quit (6)

23 Greet (7)

24 Quickest (7)

25 Glowing coals (6)

27 Condition in a contract (7)

28 Music style from the West Indies (6)

30 Delight (4)

44 Thoroughfare (4)

Firm determination (7)

Without caution or prudence (10)

46 Meat sauce (5)

45 Of the backbone (6)

48 Booking (11)

42 Takes receipt of (7) 45 Philanthropic (10) 50 Came to rest (7)

Direct carefully and safely (8)

Receded (5)

49 Aged (7)

Technical talk (6)

50 Zero (3)

51 Prosperous (7)

Off course (6)

52 Rough huts (6)

53 Preliminary part (12)

Downtrodden, subjugated (9)

54 High cards (4)

Filtering (9)

57 Polluted (6)

Evil spirit (5)

Gain ground (7)

64 Not changed (9)

65 Coach (7)

See you later (2,6)

66 Spare time (7)

68 Roof tile (7)

Keyboard instrument (11)

70 Cuddle up (7)

Sailing vessel (5)

71 Move about restlessly (6)

Not intoxicated (5)

Quite crazy (2,3,2,1,6)

72 Precise (5)

Revolution (5) DOWN

74 Inn (5)

76 Tree (5)

78 Threesome (4)

79 Long ago (4)

68 Shingle, 70 Snuggle, 71 Fidget, 72 Exact, 74 Hotel, 76 Beech, 78 Trio, 79 Once.

44 Road, 45 Spinal, 46 Gravy, 48 Reservation, 49 Matured, 50 Nil, 51 Wealthy, 52 Shacks, 53 Introduction, 54 Aces, 57 Fouled, 64 Unaltered, 65 Trainer, 66 Leisure,

12 Ready, 13 Browned, 14 Spoiled, 16 Superlative, 22 Resign, 23 Welcome, 24 Fastest, 25 Embers, 27 Proviso, 28 Reggae, 30 Glee, 32 Renal, 34 Handy, 36 Safe, 38 Gnu, 42

DOWN: 2 Equitable, 3 Theme, 5 Orgy, 6 Biscuit, 7 Fish and chips, 8 Logic, 9 Absence, 10 Wasp, 11

Chicken, avocado & pawpaw platter

Salt & pepper squid salad

ACROSS: 1 Jetty, 4 Doubtful, 9 As well, 14 Sheer, 15 Sure as eggs is eggs, 17 Set up, 18 Dew,

19 Attempt, 20 Sugar cane, 21 Purify, 24 Forfeited, 25 Eleven, 26 Helped, 29 Persuading, 31 Hub, 32 Racket 33 Moth, 35 Ewe, 37 Ogre, 39 Innkeeper, 40 Migration, 41 Scare, 42 Buttress,

47 Ceremony, 51 Wires, 55 Narrative, 56 Handcuffs, 58 Tile, 59 Via, 60 Leek, 61 Waylay, 62 Cur, 63 Sauerkraut, 66 Layers, 67 Chases, 69 Disregard, 72 Elixir, 73 Nightclub, 75 Kibbutz, 77 Sex, 80 Eager, 81 Getting on in years, 82 Recur, 83 Strobe, 84 Lingered, 85 Chide.

Litmus,

Banal,

Tersely,