Students top academy
By Jon Rawlinson
Whether by lining up a target through the sights of a sniper’s rifle, saving someone from a burning building, stopping speeding motorists or even just by instructing the young, there are many ways to serve our society.
While Joel Bradley has undertaken two of these roles, he says his students in Te Kūiti High School’s Services Academy will each find their own path.
“It’s not a recruitment agency for the NZ Defence Force (NZDF). It’s a lot more one-on-one based, focused on teamwork, discipline, physical fitness, leadership and all sorts of stuff that gets the kids outside of their comfort zone,” the academy’s director says.
“I’m here to support them with anything they want to do. It’s more about helping them find a career pathway and work with others in the school to help them reach that goal.”
The academy aims to encourage students to serve their communities, but this could involve joining the police, fire brigades or even simply by being good citizens.
Serving as a sniper with a reconnaissance platoon in Iraq, Joel appreciates the value of ‘path finding’ and he’s also an expert when it comes to training.
“We were training the Iraqi forces, giving them the skills they needed to take back their country from ISIS,” he says.
In the last year of his military career, he was part of the NZDF Youth Development Unit with his wife Deeanna Bradley.
“We ran Service Academy courses which gave me a lot of skills.”
Approximately 30 such academies are now running nationwide. While students are given a taste of military life, they are not boot camps.
However, perceptions towards careers in the military have changed, Joel says.
“The kids went through a two-week induction course with the NZDF recently. They were straight into a strict military environment. We were all up at five with military physical training and drill. It was just amazing – the kids thrived!
“When we started, I think only one student put their hand up when asked if they wanted to join the military. Now, after seeing what military life can give them, more than half are interested and there’s been no pushing from me.”
The high school’s Services Academy mobilised at the beginning of term one, but it’s not a new initiative and Joel has practiced what he teaches.
Continued on page 2
Otorohanga
Sisters in arms: Andrea Hughes-Faiao (left) and Nikia Harris, Te Kūiti High School Services Academy, class of 2025. Photo: Supplied
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Students top academy
“It first ran in 2010. When I was a student in the academy, it gave me the skills I needed to join the army, ones I was lacking such as academics.”
The school lost the programme about eight years ago.
Joel has been working with the principal Gareth Williams to bring it back.
The key to any successful programme run along military lines is willing participation.
“We provide guidance but the students really build the culture through their own
Appeal for pyjamas
An annual appeal has kicked off with a $400 donation which will see 46 pairs of new winter pyjamas purchased to keep King Country families warm.
The donation by The Lines Company staff to Maru Energy Trust’s Kahumoe Kaupapa PJ Project appeal lays the challenge down for other staff at businesses as well as families.
The appeal began in 2022 with 497 pairs of pyjamas donated, doubling in 2023 to more than 900 pairs, and last year saw 1067 pyjamas distributed to people in need.
Maru Energy Trust chair Brian Hanna said he was hoping the community could help.
“It’s heartbreaking, but the sad reality is that there are some people in our
communities - young and old, who go to bed cold,” he said.
Hanna says that Maru’s focus is to support homeowners to have healthier and warmer homes through insulation and heating but also knows that it is hard to sleep when you’re cold.
“A good night’s sleep is crucial for children to excel at school and for adults to give their best each day. The PJ Project is a way for everyone to give just a little bit.”
Maru promotes the Kahumoe Kaupapa PJ Project, collects the pyjamas on behalf and provides them to community organisations who then distribute them to whānau in need. Parkes said the appeal is for brand new pyjamas, sized from newborns to adults.
camaraderie.
“If you try to force people into it and they don’t want to be part of it, you’ll be banging your head against a brick wall. I won’t take students that don’t want to be here,” says Joel.
Te Kūiti High School Services Academy, class of 2025
Cosy in pyjamas, two-year old Mosese Tangilanu of Te Kūiti will be snuggly warm this winter thanks to a gift of new pjs from Maru Energy Trust’s appeal.
Briefs…
Racers response
Police will attend the next Waitomo District Council meeting next week to explain their response to boy racers doing burnouts in Te Kūiti. Their promised attendance follows rural councillor Gavin Tood’s call at the March meeting for police to come and explain how they are keeping law and order in the town.
Timber…
Three large, mature melia trees, more than five metres tall, that have been causing a nightmare on Ballance St in Ōtorohanga are for the chop.
The trees required regular trimming while their leaves created slipping hazards on the footpath. Left standing, the tree’s bases and roots structure would continue to cause damage to the footpath.
Race is on
Road workers are racing to complete as much work as possible before winter, Waitomo District Council GM (infrastructure services)
Shyamal Ram says. Three roading projects recently finished with three more now underway – on Walker, Te Anga and Te Waitere Rds. Otherwise fine?
Almost 130 people driving through the greater Ruapehu and upper Rangitikei areas have been hit with tickets during a recent police sting. Police manned 20 checkpoints issuing tickets for speed, not wearing seatbelts, using cell phones as well as other vehicle related offences.
Rural women
Waikato Provincial Rural Women NZ is searching for historic photographs of King Country farms to use in a slide show celebrating a century of the organisation. The Women’s Farmers Union started in 1925, became Women’s Division Federated Farmers in 1945, and assumed its current name after 1999. The organisation is celebrating 100 years of rural women and 132 years of women’s suffrage in New Zealand on September 19.
Schoolhouse to move?
By Chris Gardner
The abandoned Rewarewa Schoolhouse could soon join Ōtorohanga Museum’s buildings after the town’s Lion’s Club promised to pay the relocation costs from Ōtewā.
Ōtorohanga District Council is considering selling the 1917 Barber Road building for removal and relocation after director Liz Cowan asked at the council’s September meeting if the building could be moved to the museum in Kakamutu Road
Cowan has been quoted $18,022 to move the building from Rewarewa Reserve, 18 km east of Ōtorohanga, by a building removal company that has also offered to do some of the work for free.
Ōtorohanga Lions Club past president Fred Scott told The News last week the club had decided to cover the moving costs.
“Rewarewa Schoolhouse is available, Ōtorohanga
Museum need more room, what better way could we grow the museum? It’s a no brainer,” Scott said.
The building, which has no electricity or water connected, had not been used for 20 years. If relocated to the museum, creative co-ordinator
Rebecca Ngapo said the schoolhouse could be used as a creative space.
Scott and fellow Lions Club member Malcolm Lister drove former pupil Laurie Cowan out to the school from Beattie Home last week to meet The News. He is the uncle of the museum director’s husband.
Cowan, 102, was educated in the building on a nearby site from 1927 before it was moved to its current location in 1936. Back then, he said, he couldn’t wait to leave school and engage his passion working with animals.
“I was a bit distracted and got into lots of trouble,” he said with a twinkle. “One of the teachers was going to teach me how to behave.”
But Cowan, brother of renowned conservationist Arthur Cowan, was quite comfortable sitting and reminiscing about his school days and later life.
Cowan, who spent his life farming, did Santa Claus duty at the school many times at the request of his late wife Joan who also taught there.
Their daughters Joy, Lynne and Erin, attended the school.
“They used to have dos here. Picnics, sports meetings, games.
“I would like to see the schoolhouse brought into town and used as a museum,” he said.
“I would love to see it used.”
He was concerned it would rot away if it was left.
As well as selling the schoolhouse for removal and relocation, councillors
will also consider gifting the building to Ōtorohanga Museum or appointing Rewarewa resident Bruce Bolt of The Bolt Trust as caretaker of it in situ.
The council has been wrestling with the fate of the building since assuming responsibility from the Rewarewa Reserve Management Group in 2014.
“In recent times a disproportionately large amount of time and effort has been invested by council elected members and staff in matters relating to Rewarewa Reserve,” said chief executive Dave Clibbery in 2013.
“A clear objective outlined by council was to limit its future involvement with the reserve.”
The following year Clibbery added: “Despite previous extended deliberation, council has never been able to identify a solution to issues at
Rewarewa that is to the satisfaction of all parties and should not expect that further deliberation will have greater success, as there are deep philosophical differences between these parties.”
A rates impact assessment prepared by council community projects lead Sahndra Cave showed selling the schoolhouse for removal and relocation was the best option for the council from a financial perspective.
Handing the building over to The Bolt Trust would cost the council $8000, Cave said.
Retaining council responsibility on site would cost an initial $40,000 plus $7000 per year.
Moving the building to Ōtorohanga Museum would cost the council $125,000 plus $5500 per year.
The council will decide on the schoolhouse’s fate next week.
Former Rewarewa Schoolhouse pupil Laurie Cowan, 102, pictured centre with Ōtorohanga Lions Club past presidents Fred Scott, left, and Malcolm Lester.
Photo: Chris Gardner
Rewarewa Schoolhouse could soon be moved into Ōtorohanga.
Photo: Chris Gardner
Linton wartime loss recalled
“It is no easy work tramping about the Sahara Desert with a full pack on,” wrote Andrew Linton, 19, from Egypt to his parents at Mangapiko on Boxing Day, 1914.
“I have no idea how long we are to stay here. It may be till the end of the war, or we may go any time.”
Andrew was one of several children born to
Francis and Emma Linton of Feilding. Francis, a Scotsman, was a farmer and stock dealer and the family lived in the district till around 1911 when they moved to Oeo, South Taranaki.
Two years later they moved to Mangapiko.
When World War One broke out there were two Linton boys of military age, Robert - ‘Bert’- 24, and Andrew - ‘Willie’.
They enlisted on 14 August, 1914.
Their sister Jessie, 26, left home around the same time to take up nursing at Thames Hospital. The brothers left New Zealand together with the Main Body in October 1914.
Andrew wrote regularly to his parents.
“Five of us Te Awamutu boys went out to the pyramids, and had a good look round.
"The workmanship in connection with the Sphinx and all the ancient
temples and tombs is simply marvellous… On our way back we had a look through the Zoological Gardens . . . there is practically every kind of bird and beast imaginable there.”
By January 1915 the routines of military life had become established.
“We are doing some very solid work now, tramping about the desert and digging trenches… Our butter ran out about three weeks ago…we have to cook all our own food.
"Every man has a mess tin, a sort of combined billy and frying pan. It is not the warmest place in the world for sleeping out at night, even with a couple of blankets.”
On 25 April, 16,000 Australians and New Zealanders, together with British, French and Indian troops, landed on the Gallipoli peninsula. Turkish resistance was fierce. Andrew told his
parents it was “a day I am not likely to forget.”
June 1915 found Andrew in hospital with a wounded hand “which no doubt makes my writing hard to read. I was seven weeks in Turkey before I got hit. The fighting has been pretty fierce at times, but my good fortune has always stuck to me.
"The New Zealand nurses are in the hospital here now, and they are finding plenty to do.
"I have been promoted to corporal already, and I hope to do better than that before I am finished.”
By July Andrew observed it was “terribly hot in Egypt now, and everyone has to wear a helmet and drill suit. The sand is hot enough to cook bread.”
In late 1915 he wrote “The flies are something awful - in fact, the campaign now is more against the flies than against the Turks.
"I went down to the sea last night for a swim — the first wash I have had for over a month. I am having biscuits and jam for dinner today; it’s not too bad, but I would rather have the same as you are having.
"However, there is a good time coming, but it is still a good way off.”
The good time, though, did not come.
Robert was killed in action in 1916 at the Somme, France, aged 26.
Andrew was wounded at the Somme and invalided to England.
In April 1917 he rejoined his unit in France and was continuously in the trenches.
On 14 August, 1918 Andrew, now a sergeant, was killed in action, aged 23.
It was exactly four years to the day after he had enlisted for war.
Jessie fell victim to the deadly influenza epidemic which swept
through New Zealand shortly afterwards having administered to the sick at Thames Hospital in the days leading up to it.
• Read a longer version teawamutunews.nz
Andrew Linton
Jessie Linton
Lake reserve wildlife die
By Chris Gardner
Wildlife is dying at Huipūtea Reserve lake in Ōtorohanga.
Dog walkers said ducks, geese and eels have been found dead after an oil-like substance entered the waterway via a drainage pipe at the north end of the lake.
But Ōtorohanga District Council has so far been unable to find contamination at a level that requires further investigation.
One dog walker, who asked not to be named, said she had stopped
walking her dog there after she had begun vomiting after a swim in the lake.
Another dog walker, Eoin Lenehan, said the lake has been hit by an almost constant flow of pollution since he began walking his dog there in 2023.
“Initially the council had staff using sponge-type barriers to restrict the flow,” he said.
“I spoke to one of the employees who stated that they were unable to locate the source of the pollution. It has continued and recently has
The latest addition to the Industry Training Works (ITW) network, the purpose-built centre runs a comprehensive range of courses, the company’s sales and marketing manager, Jenna Daniels, explains.
“Our founders, Alan Mycroft and Bob Durham, were both in the NZ Fire Service for more than 20 years. During that time, they witnessed so many preventable workplace accidents and injuries that they knew they had to do something about it. So, in 2008, they founded ITW.”
From basic health and safety through to working at heights, working with hazardous substances, first aid and occupational health checks, ITW’s courses cover various specialist industries and tasks.
“We train teams from solo tradies through to large, heavy industrial businesses. Our courses are developed for high-risk industries, including factories, mills and manufacturing plants as well as the construction, rural and forestry sectors. ITW’s training centres are designed to replicate a wide range of industry environments and common workplace scenarios. Each space is adaptable, ensuring training can be tailored to meet
led to the deaths of the wildlife there.”
Lenhan is blaming the deaths of several ducks, a goose, and an eel on the slick.
“This has to stop,” he said.
“A business premises is most likely to be the culprit so please check with your employees that they are not dumping waste oil products into the drains.”
“With the very low rain levels in recent months, the water quality had become poor with algal bloom as well but certainly the deaths of many birds and the eels which can live in very poor water systems would point to something bad.
“Maybe it was similar to the bacterial infection that was killing birds in Napier waterway recently but either way the pollution should not be coming into the lake?”
Otorohanga District Council communications and engagement manager Helen Williams said the council had received two service requests this year in relation to a noticeable discolouration of the water which could be described as oil slick in appearance.
“On both occasions we have sampled and tested the water which did not reveal any levels of contaminants to warrant any further investigation,” she said.
“Any discolouration that has been observed is as a result of stagnant water, from low water flows.
“As with many urban
environments, Lakes such as Lake Huipūtea often received run-off through stormwater networks from the urban roads, houses, industrial areas etc, this lake in particular also receives farm run off from farmland to the north of Otorohanga.
“Run-off in general from urban areas can contain oil, grease, and all manner of contaminants that are on the surfaces of roads, yards, parks, footpaths and rooves of buildings and when it rains that run off makes its way through
our stormwater systems to our lakes and rivers, and Otorohanga township is no different.
“As part of our future upgrades, we are working on diverting more of the stormwater flow through the nearby wetland to improve the treatment process and we have done educational notices in the past to inform the public of what the effects are of water that goes down the stormwater drains.”
The News has also sought comment from Waikato Regional Council.
the specific needs of individual clients.
“Our courses are never ‘one size fits all’,” says Jenna. “Everything we do focuses on delivering the right mix of knowledge, hands-on training, and equipment for each unique workplace.”
The centres feature practical training bays that simulate working at heights, working in confined spaces, and working with machinery – among other high-risk tasks. However, the setups are flexible, allowing ITW to customise training to suit different industries, sites, and teams.
Many courses are also available online, and ITW’s team of subject matter experts can deliver training on site when required.
“It’s not always possible to replicate a client’s exact workplace,” Jenna explains. “That’s why we’re ready to go to them. With the opening of our new Harrison Drive centre in Te Awamutu, we’ve expanded our reach and can now deliver training across the King Country, Waipa, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.”
Classified as a Category 1 Private Training Establishment, ITW meets strict New
requirements. Workplace training is regularly reviewed so the company can continue to meet and exceed industry standards. ITW’s three training centres – Tokoroa, Kawerau and Te Awamutu – provide the ideal base for its experienced team.
“No matter the scale or nature of the training you require, the first step is to give us a call. We will discuss your needs and develop a plan to suit,” Jenna adds. “By the time our job is done, we know your workers will thank you for being so committed to their safety.”
Industry Training Works is proud to open the doors to our new Te Awamutu premises — a fresh space to continue empowering health and safety in the community.
Home sweet home — even the scissor lift’s feeling comfy in our new Te Awamutu spot!
A dead goose floats near the Huipūtea Reserve inlet.
The water quality has become poor with algal bloom. Photo: Chris Gardner
Clinical Waitete performance
By Norris Woodbine
Thursday night rugby under lights brought a high level of excitement to a much-anticipated local derby.
Anyone not at the game would see a 69–0 scoreline to Waitete as an indication of a onesided match up with total dominance across the park however the Waitomo pack showed otherwise.
With a blustery wind swirling inconsistently it was Waitomo who kicked off with it supposedly at their backs and after an early Waitete error inside the 22 they tore into their work and mounted the early pressure.
Unfortunately, an error caused a turnover and the ball ended up in the hands of Baven Brown Jnr who applied his after burners and a couple of sensational side steps before flying into the back field and unloading to Jared Crosland who scored in the corner.
Almost immediately it was Brown again surging down the grandstand sideline this time outpacing everyone to dot down himself
for the first of his five tries in what was to become an individual haul of 31 points.
The left flank became a real problem for Waitomo as Brown’s dominance saw him set up Callum Hedley, a second for himself and Phayzen Marshall for tries for a lead of 31 points after 25 minutes.
To their credit the Waitomo pack began to exert some dominance and for the final 15 minutes of the half-spent time on attack and kept Waitete scoreless until the break.
After half time the Brown show soon kicked into gear and he was again on the score sheet this time on the terrace side and he nailed a great sideline conversion seemingly able to do everything.
Over the course of the second half Brown added two further tries, Crosland a second and Raiden Van Herpen a solo effort with Brown converting two.
The Waitomo coach made a few positional substitutions with 20 minutes to go and his big pack began to rumble the ball with 17-yearold lock Tipene Perawiti prominent along with Brooklyn Pye and Kees Muller who are
garnering stature with every game
For long periods the visitors camped in the Waitete 22 and appeared close to scoring on many occasions but the defence remained resolute turning them away.
Finally, the attack wilted and the home side finished with a flurry completing an eight try victory.
In the wash up while the scoreline was impressive, the dominance of Brown was the difference and he is proving to be a class above other players who grace the local fields.
He demonstrates pace, size, and an ability to sidestep off both feet.
In other matches Taumarunui Districts proved too strong for Taumarunui Eels 34–7 and Tongariro United upset Taupo Marist 2314. Leaving Waitete and Tongariro United as the only unbeaten teams.
The games will be played tonight with Waitete off to Taupo to challenge Tongariro for the Hetet Shield, Taumarunui Eels also heading to Taupō to play Taupō Marist while out at Piopio we have another local derby as they host Waitomo.
Celebrations on the island
By Jesse Wood
Ōtorohanga fans had much to celebrate with two home victories at Island Reserve in Easter weekend Waikato club rugby.
The golds beat Fraser Tech, Hamilton 47-22 with help from the steady boot of second five-eighth Hamish Clapcott.
Clapcott added five conversions to his team’s six tries and penalty try.
Pivot Manaaki Rewi-Wetini and centre Manieta Vonovono scored doubles for Ōtorohanga, as did Hakaraia Richards-Coxhead for Tech. Norman Wise, son of Ōtorohanga stalwart Anthony Wise, was one of Tech’s other try scorers.
The blues development team pipped Fraser Tech B 28-27.
Blues captain and halfback Liam Fox scored 18 of his side’s points. His tally consisted of two tries and four conversions.
The Ōtorohanga’s women’s premiership squad and the Kio Kio United Cattle Dogs both had a break for Easter.
Ōtorohanga women host Hautapu tomorrow at Island Reserve.
On Saturday, Kio Kio travel north to face Drury in the Waikato-Counties Manukau under-85kg competition. Kio Kio is eighth on the table, one spot ahead of their opponents.
Action under lights from Waitete and Waitomo.
Photo: Supplied
They need us say Feds
By Chris Gardner
King Country River
Care chair Reon Verry says farmers needs to be seen as stakeholders by Waikato Regional Council.
Verry, also Waikato Federated Farmers Meat and Wool chair who farms south of Te Kūiti, contributed to a debate at this month’s Waikato Federated Farmers executive meeting on how the relationship between the regional council and farmers could be better.
“We need to be seen as a stakeholder,” he said.
“It’s not just regional council, it’s all district councils,” North Waikato Federated branch chair Chris Woolerton said.
Woolerton started the debate by bringing a remit before the executive asking for the organisation to instigate a joint management agreement with the council to ensure that the agricultural sector’s voice was fully heard.
Woolerton said farmers wanted a better relationship with the council.
“They are not getting traction, they are getting bypassed, they are not talking to them,” he said.
Federated Farmers is
expecting the outcome of its appeal against the council’s wide-sweeping set of rules for agricultural land use next month.
“May will see an interim Plan Change One decision which will find the Waikato Regional Council scrambling to get their house in order,” Verry said.
“It will take months for the decision to register with most farmers, if at all, and then there may be some angst.
“I’m not sure there will be anything finalised this year as far as actions from farmers are concerned.”
Plan Change One sought to improve freshwater quality in the Waikato and Waipā River catchments. It will apply to around 10,000 properties and a land area of 1.1 million hectares within the two catchments. The plan change is a requirement from a Parliamentary Act and River Iwi Treaty Settlement.
Federated Farmers appealed against which waterbodies stock need to be excluded from, setback distances, how critical source areas are identified and managed, and how often fertiliser spreaders need to be calibrated.
Waikato Federated Farmers president Keith Holmes said Woolerton’s draft was applicable to all regional councils.
Verry also wanted to know what Woolerton meant by a joint management agreement.
Vice president Phil Sherwood said Woolerton was really after a memorandum of understanding and asked for the remit to be redrafted and brought back to the provincial annual general meeting.
Sherwood also floated the idea of preparing a remit on pest boards.
“I am going to keep on about pest boards, as we have got so many of them,” he said.
“We need to put some thought into a remit for pest control, trying to get some efficiency. The regional council, Department of Conservation and Operational Solutions for Primary Industries (Ospri) all work up to their little boundary and then stop.”
Waikato Federated Farmers vice president and Ōhaupō dairy farmer Andrew Reymer’s remit requesting Federated Farmers be given a seat on
the Ospri board recently failed.
Reymer asked Ospri to explain a $16.6 million writeoff related to the failure of
a major software project in January.
Ospri’s Informations Systems Strategic Programme was meant to
add functionality to the MyOspri portal, integrating new National Animal Identification and Tracing (Nait) functionality.
Kūiti dancers – Alexi Hughes and Patea Tehana – competed at the World Dance Crew championship in Auckland at the weekend performing before 2000 people in Manukau’s Due Drop Events Centre. Patea, 13, pictured with Street Dance Sessions director Miriana Wetere-Ryder, said he was blown away by the experience. The event’s showpiece final – the Super Crew Open Division, where up to 40 dancers took the stage at once – brought the energy to a peak on Saturday night. After a fierce and emotional showdown, The Royal Family, led by Teesha Taulepa of Palace Dance Studio, were crowned world champions.
Delivering words, not babies
By Mary Anne Gill
Marie-ann Quin delivered more than 1200 babies in Waipā and King Country in the 25 years before she retired two years ago.
She covered thousands of kilometres in that time travelling to Te Awamutu, Cambridge, Kāwhia, Te Miro, Horahora, Arapuni, Arohena, Ōtorohanga and all the remote communities in between.
Quin, 68, who lives in Te Kawa between Ōtorohanga and Te Awamutu, launched her second novel Midwives and Men of War at the Te Awamutu RSA last week.
It is the second in a trilogy spanning midwifery from the time settlers came to New Zealand in the 1840s to the present day.
The first Emerald to Pounamu: A Midwife’s Odyssey sold well and had to be reprinted two weeks after its launch.
She gave an author’s talk and signed copies of the book to midwives, nurses, friends, relatives and patrons at a venue she described as appropriate as the love interest is a WW1 Gallipoli soldier.
Quin trained, worked and practised as a registered nurse at Waikato Hospital and then did her Plunket training when her children were little.
She covered the rural areas around Waipā while Nola Berney looked after Te Awamutu town.
“I had to work as there was a huge dairy downturn in the 80s and it was the only way to keep our heads above water. Most of the families I was caring for were in the same boat so I could really relate to their stresses and support them in the most compassionate way,” she told The News.
In 1990, she did her midwifery training and set up as an independent midwife including shifts at Matariki Maternity.
“The doctors already knew me from Plunket, so they were very supportive and we worked alongside each other to give the women, their babies and their families the best possible care,” said Quin.
Two years ago, she retired, burnt out by the demanding and unsustainable caseload caused by too few midwives.
At one point she was travelling up to 1000kms a week to see families.
She had been unable to work for several years but navigated her way back to good health, picking up casual work at Matariki, and then Te Awamutu Birthing.
A highlight in recent times was when she became a rural and
remote rural locum travelling around New Zealand giving rural midwives a holiday break, which the government partly funded. Before her retirement she was working casual 12 hour shifts at Tokoroa Birthing Unit.
“Covid meant that I was unable to reduce my hours, as the mandate took many of our midwives out of employment and I ended up doing four 12 hour shifts, not the best way to ease into retirement.”
That experience she put into her first book and filled a void when she “finally and reluctantly left the career that I adored.”
Her daughter Kat Quin, who writes and illustrates the Kuwi the Kiwi and Flit the Fantail series helped design the book covers, set up a website and be a selfpublishing mentor.
Another daughter Esther Harcourt, who lives in Wellington and who has a doctorate in English and German literature,
gave some brutal, but necessary guidance with editing before Quin sent her manuscript to a professional editor.
Family history gave her ideas for the by-stories of other characters, especially the love interests. Her grandfather Hubert Matson fought at Gallipoli.
The novel follows Louise, who is studying to become a midwife, while her mother and grandmother, from the first novel remain Class B midwives.
They can now only practice under the supervision of a doctor or a formally trained midwife. The hierarchical system challenges the practice of these women, who Louise has grown up with and admired for their skills and wisdom.
Quin has a busy life with her husband Pat, three daughters and 11 grandchildren, but she took some advice from Stephen King’s autobiography About Writing, to be self-disciplined and sit down every day to write 2000 words. She is travelling to Hanmer Springs for Anzac Day next week where she will wear her grandfather’s medals and attend the re-opening of the newly renovated Queen Mary Soldiers Rehabilitation Hospital where some of the latest novel is set.
Marie-ann Quin with daughter Kat at her book launch at Te Awamutu RSA.
Photo: Supplied.
Clock ticks down to water decision
Waikato and King Country residents are making the most significant local government decision in a generation, and in most cases, they only have days, rather than weeks to decide. Senior writers Chris Gardner and Mary Anne Gill look at what’s involved.
Councillors have had their say, now it’s up to residents. Should half a million people support a proposal to hand over their council’s water operations – up to 30 per cent of its annual operating expenditure – to a council-controlled water organisation?
Or should they stick with the status quo?
The issue is that New Zealand’s water infrastructure is in dire need of upgrades.
Estimates suggest it will cost between $120 billion and $185 billion over the next 30 years to upgrade and maintain these systems.
Waikato’s portion of that has been conservatively estimated at $6 billion.
Hamilton city, Waikato and Waipā districts –all identified as experiencing high population growth and officially categorised as ‘growth councils’ - are struggling to fund infrastructure and the developer cash cow has dried up.
Ratepayers already face double digit rate increases and have no appetite for much more.
Something had to replace Labour’s controversial Three Waters plan which was consigned to a political graveyard last year. The coalition government came up with Local Water Done Well as its replacement and with it came some tough deadlines for councils already grappling with funding their Long Term and Annual plans.
Every city and district council in New Zealand must have developed a Water Services Delivery plan by September 3 after presenting two options to their communities, one the preferred one.
Waikato councils, led by their Mayoral Forum, have been quick off the mark.
Hamilton and Waikato are already telling
residents about their two options. The preferred one is to form a council-controlled organisation owned by the two councils to manage drinking and wastewater.
The second is an in-house business unit which they say is unsustainable. Their residents have until next week to have a say.
Stormwater services – the third of the Three Waters - remain with councils under the government’s direction as they are too linked to roading to split out at this stage.
Council-controlled organisations will give local authorities access to more lending opportunities and spread the debt out across generations, supporters say.
The other Waikato councils – Waipā, Matamata-Piako, Hauraki, Taupō, Waitomo, Ōtorohanga, Thames-Coromandel and South Waikato – are at different stages of the decision making but still a long way ahead of the rest of the country, according to Marlon Bridge from the Department of Internal Affairs.
Bridge is head of Strategy in the department’s Three Waters transition team and chief technical advisor for the government on Local Water Done Well.
Waipā did consider joining fellow growth councils Waikato and Hamilton but as mayor Susan O’Regan told a Waikato Chamber Grow Waikato forum earlier this month, her council felt a level of responsibility to the broader region.
Long-term, she sees all Waikato councils in one council-controlled organisation, a situation Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate and Waikato Mayor Jacqui Church also foresee; but not yet.
“We’ve come to you as a region with a
couple of really good solutions that we are doing by choice because you told us you didn’t want to be told by Wellington.
“We pushed back on that,” said O’Regan, who was joined at the business forum by Southgate, Church and Bridge in a discussion moderated by Kelvyn Eglinton, a former general manager of growth at Hamilton City Council.
Waipā went with a seven-member regional model – eight if Thames-Coromandel comes on board - called Waikato Water Done Well.
South Waikato and Waitomo are at the same stage and like Waipā are out consulting residents already with an early May deadline.
Ōtorohanga and Thames-Coromandel went with their preferred options last week - forming a multi-council-controlled water organisation and gave residents until May 6.
Taupō was expected to choose its preferred choice this week before going to public consultation, while Hauraki and MatamataPiako select their preferred options next week.
“This is probably one of the most significant decisions council’s elected members will make,” said Ōtorohanga Engineering and Assets group manager Mark Lewis.
There was a lone voice, Kio Kio-Korakonui ward councillor Rodney Dow, who favoured going it alone, an option most councils have rejected because it does not solve the huge financial costs water infrastructure requires.
“What you decide as a group is fine, and I will support it,” he said but then voted against adopting Waikato Water Done Well.
Thames Coromandel does want to join up with neighbouring councils. In its case that could be with Bay of Plenty, Hamilton and Waikato or Waikato Water Done Well.
Consultation on Thames-Coromandel District Council’s options opened last week and will run until May 15. They could join three council-controlled organisationsWaikato Water Done Well, Hamilton city and Waikato district or joining in with Bay of Plenty councils.
Waitomo mayor John Robertson, front right, and beside him Ōtorohanga mayor Max Baxter with other Waikato Water Done Well mayors and representatives at the Beehive, from left: Taupō deputy mayor Kevin Taylor, Adrienne Wilcock (Matamata-Piako), Susan O’Regan (Waipa), Toby Adams and David Speirs (Hauraki), Hamish Daine (South Waikato), Tony Hale (Taupō), Tanya Winter (Ōtorohanga), Steph O’Sullivan (Waipa) and Wiki Cortesi (South Waikato).
Lest We Forget
Lest We Forget
Lest We Forget
Lest
ON SHAKY GROUND
The muddy kind of volcano
By Janine Krippner
As we are well aware, volcanoes erupt molten rock and volcanic gases released as magma rises from deep within the Earth. But what about mud volcanoes?
Like their magmatic cousins, mud volcanoes can also be dangerous and devastating. The Lusi mud volcano in East Java began erupting in 2006, displacing 40,000 people and destroying 15 villages, with damages estimated around $US3 billion. This disaster, which deposited mud up to 40 m thick in some areas, remains controversial, with drilling activities likely triggering the ongoing eruption.
So, how does this happen?
Below the Earth’s surface, pressures build pretty quickly the deeper we go. Fluids and gases can accumulate, become trapped, and pressurise. If a fault or fracture provides a pathway to the surface, these materials can escape. When sediments are involved, the result is mud.
The mud isn’t just typical post-rain mud. It can contain hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and even microbes brought up from depth.
While magmatic volcanoes don’t produce fire or smoke, mud volcanoes can. The muddy mixture can contain flammable gases that can ignite from sparks caused by rocks colliding. This incredible phenomenon isn’t limited to land. In 2021, an inferno formed above a mud volcano in the Caspian Sea, located near a natural gas field. Mud volcanoes in Azerbaijan are known for their violent nature, with several large eruptions each year, many involving fire. However, mud volcanoes aren’t always so dramatic. They can be quite small, starting at the centimetre scale and reaching up to kilometres in size.
You might be surprised to learn that New Zealand hosts mud volcanoes. In December 2018, one erupted on a farm in Tairāwhiti/
Gisborne, ejecting mud, gas, and rocks. A volume of around 16,900 m³ of mud flowed away from the vent and out to about 160 metres.
Volcanoes of the mud variety often occur near hydrocarbon reservoirs, magmatic volcanoes, or tectonically active areas – settings where fluids are present, and conditions allow them to pressurise. Then they just need a path to the surface. Earthquakes can trigger their formation, which was the case for the 2018 Gisborne event.
The future of the
Speaking of depth, the mud mixture can originate from hundreds of metres to several kilometres below the surface, not from the much greater depths where rock can melt.
Unlike magmatic volcanoes, mud volcanoes don’t form mountains. Magmatic volcanoes build mountains or cones by depositing layers upon layers of rock around one or more vents. Mud, being more susceptible to erosion, doesn’t accumulate to form large features. The largest mud volcano structure is several hundred metres in height over in Azerbaijan.
While I have a rather clear personal preference for the magmatic kind, mud volcanoes are fascinating geological processes that offer insights into the Earth’s subsurface dynamics.
Given that we have them here in New Zealand – near Gisborne and also in Northland – they’re another remarkable aspect of our beautiful and dynamic country to appreciate.
For those interested in learning more about these phenomena, I recommend exploring the work of scientist Mark Tingay, who has shared informative videos and content online explaining their mechanics and global occurrences.
AGE OF REASON
Far from the real world
By Richard Steele
People seem to be fixated on coffee. I’ve never understood that.
It’s just a drink. Not even a particularly good one. Not a very efficient thirst quencher, and when mixed with milk and sugar, probably not even that good for you.
Tea is similar, but more benign, seems less addictive, though it does a better job of wetting the whistle.
I couldn’t care actually, the outbreak of cafes in my lifetime, quite long, is a phenomenon future generations will look at askance, and wonder what came over us during the years from 1975 to 2025.
Then I saw in the news, that the new Tauranga council has invested $470,000, on a coffee machine, so that they and their staff can drink endless cups of coffee all day, at the ratepayers’ expense.
And I thought whoop tee doo!!
These folk have really got their electorate at heart.
How many jars of instant coffee is that, at eight or nine bucks a jar, that 53,333 jars of the stuff, their life blood over five years. Good lord I thought, I hope the tea, and chocolate drinkers are being looked after.
So there’s all this hullabaloo about school lunches, and the cost of providing them, when it turns out we are providing drinks for the parents of the children we are providing lunches for. Where does it all end up?
What ever happened to looking after yourself, and those who you are responsible for.
I’m not talking about not providing food for hungry children, but surely no-one in the council offices needs feeding by the ratepayers. It would appear that I’ve led a sheltered life.
A parallel existence if you like. Because if I ever needed a drink or lunch at work, there was never another option, than make it, and take it.
Then one of life’s small pleasures is eating out. For remote rural folk like us, it’s a real treat to go to a cafe or restaurant, when on the way to, or in town, though I’d never seriously considered, that anyone else should have to pay for it for me.
Imagine if you will, how my already fragile reputation would suffer, if I requested free coffee at my favourite cafe. The towns around New Zealand are service centres, the money we producers spend in our towns ensures their very survival, where as our councils produce absolutely nothing.
My concern was only prompted by the coffee.
What it really means is far more serious, for I fear that nationwide our councils are taking ratepayers to the cleaners.
With entitlements, that us mere mortals do not have.
That ratepayers to councils, are that mythical creature, who provide all the money, for them to do with whatever they want.
And that’s the worry.
Even though throughout our beautiful country, rates have been rising far faster than the rate of inflation, infrastructure is still being neglected. Water systems are failing, every city pours sewerage into the sea, and the roads are a shambles that’s getting worse.
The mayor though, will have a new car, the coffee will be provided, and all will be well between the hallowed walls. So far from the real world.
• Mōkau Seawall
• Waitomo District Landfill
• District Wide Benefit Rates for water and wastewater
• Where should our rubbish go?
• What should happen to the seawall in Mōkau?
• When should we remove the District Wide Benefit Rates for water and wastewater?
Council is putting together their budgets and projects for the 2025-26 financial year and they would love to have your feedback on some important topics.
The viability of our landfill is increasingly becoming questionable, the seawall in Mōkau is failing and either needs to be removed or re-built, and we need to decide if we should begin to remove the District Wide Benefit Rates for water and wastewater.
We look forward to your feedback on this draft plan, and in particular your thoughts on the questions that we ask.
Scan the QR code to read about Council’s plans and to make a submission. Consultation ends at 5pm on 30 April 2025.
Other Consultations
We are also seeking feedback on other consultations:
• Our proposed Fees and Charges for 2025-26. Due to the increased operating costs most fees and charges are being increased by 3% Changes to the Rates Remission Policy
• Changes to the Revenue and Financing Policy
• Our new Draft Alcohol Fees Bylaw 2025 Visit our website to make a submission www.waitomo.govt.nz
Who should provide our water services?
Waitomo District Council has a big decision to make about how water and wastewater services are delivered in the future.
They are inviting submissions on the creation of a joint Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO) with other Waikato councils.
Do you agree with the proposal?
Scan the QR Code to read more about Waikato Water Done Well and to make a submission. Consultation ends at 5pm on 30 April 2025.
Are we better together?
RAUMATI TOA SUMMER LEGENDS
MONTHLY ROAD MAP
A fun, interactive reading programme for tamariki (children) ages 0-18, which has now opened and runs until 31 March 2025. There are 15 unique cards to collect, including 12 common cards and 3 rare ones, each wrapped in mystery envelopes to keep the excitement alive. Find out more on our website or come in and see one of our friendly staff.
RATES
eligible. To check your eligibility, please visit www.govt.nz/browse/ housingand-property/getting-help-with-housing/ getting-arates-rebate
UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS
Ōtorohanga Community Board Monday 3 March
SMEAR YOUR MEA CAMPAIGN VISITS ŌTOROHANGA
The Smear Your Mea campaign, dedicated to raising awareness for cervical cancer, made a special stop in Ōtorohanga on Wednesday 19th February as part of the Ride for Talei convoy. The riders arrived at the Village Green, where they were warmly welcomed by Mayor Max Baxter, who thanked them for their incredible mahi in spreading awareness and encouraging cervical screening.
A support crew and purpose-built bus was stationed behind the library, offering cervical screening and selftesting options, alongside important information and promotional materials to support the cause. The story behind Ride for Talei can be found on the Facebook page “Smear Your Mea”
RAVENOUS READERS BOOK GROUP
Join us for Ravenous Readers Book Group on the second Thursday of each month at the Ōtorohanga District Library, 1.30pm - 2.30pm and 5.15pm - 6.15pm.
ANZAC SERVICES 2025
The dates and themes for our 2025 meetings are:
The following services will be held across our district to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served in ANZAC
• March 13 – Young adult graphic novel
• April 10 – eRead
Ōtorohanga Dawn Service Service starts at 6:00am
Maniapoto Street closed 5:45am - 6:45am (setup from 4:00am)
Can’t make it in person? No need to miss out – join the Ravenous Readers Challenge on Beanstack: otorohangalibrary.beanstack.org
SH3 closed from SH31 to Huiputea Dr Hosted by Ōtorohanga RSA
BUZZY BEE HEADS TO THE DOCTOR FOR WING REPAIR
Ōtorohanga Civic Service Service starts at 10:00am Maniapoto Street closed 9:30am - 11:00am
After a busy December full of festivities, Buzzy Bee is taking a short break to visit the doctor for a much-needed wing repair. Unfortunately, during the excitement of the holiday celebrations, Buzzy Bee’s wing took a bit of a tumble. But don’t worry—Buzzy is in good hands!
Phone (07) 873 7175, email library@otodc.govt.nz, or message us on Facebook www.facebook.com/otolib
SH3 closed from SH31 to Huiputea Dr
PLANNING TO BUILD?
March from Village Green to Memorial Park with Highland Pipe Band
Ōtorohanga District Council is implementing a new online building consent application system.
Thanks to the skilled team at the Menz Shed, Buzzy’s wing will be fixed up and back to full working order. The Menz Shed team is well-known for their craftsmanship, and we’re confident they’ll have Buzzy buzzing around in no time.
Hosted by Ōtorohanga District Council
From Wednesday 12 February 2025 applications will be submitted via the Objective Build Applicant Platform.
Objective Build is simple and intuitive to use, with agents and owners having full visibility of how the application is progressing.
We’ve got photos of Buzzy’s journey to the Menz Shed, where his wing will be carefully mended, ensuring he’s ready to continue bringing smiles to the community.
Kāwhia Civic Service Service starts at 1:00pm Roads closed 12:45pm - 2:30pm (setup from 12:00pm)
Stay tuned for updates on Buzzy’s recovery, and let’s all wish him a speedy repair!
Affected: Pouewe, Jervois & Tainui Streets
Read more council news on our website; www.otodc.govt.nz/latest-news#morenews
Note: This closure affects access to the boat ramp
The Objective Build platform covers all aspects of the building consent process including applying for amendments to an approved building consent and applying for a code of compliance certificate when you have finished building. Our website has guides on how to get started. See more: www.otodc.govt.nz/council-services/building-consentsand-information/building-consents
Hosted by Kāwhia RSA
Katrina Christison Tidy Gardens
There’s something therapeutic about taking on a long-overdue garden task, especially on a beautiful fine autumn day., I finally tackled the ficus that’s been dominating my old gazebo — a heavy prune that was well past due.
Planted nine years ago to soften and cover a weathered gazebo roof that had seen better days, the ficus has certainly done its job — and then some.
Over the years, it’s twisted and stretched itself around every corner of the frame, its lush green canopy offering shade in summer and a touch of wild beauty all year round. But lately, it had become more beast than beauty — unruly, overgrown
I used 3 different trimmers the heavy duty petrol ones for the growth on the roof and smaller battery powered ones for the walls to give it the major cutback it needed. This wasn’t a light seasonal tidy — it was long overdue cutback.
Autumn is a good time for this kind of work. The growing season is slowing, giving the ficus time to settle before winter, and it’s far easier to see the structure of the plant once some of the foliage has dropped.
There’s also something deeply satisfying about restoring order — a kind of calm that comes after the chaos.
Now, with the trimmings cleared and the structure breathing again, the whole space feels refreshed. The ficus, though smaller and more bare for now, will bounce back come spring —
hopefully neater, stronger, and ready to reclaim its space with a bit more grace.
Other things in my garden well overdue that also got some love were the pleached Michelia hedges, buxus hedge & 20 buxus balls. So if you are like me and have things that need a trim now is the time as their growth slows for the winter months.
Happy Gardening!
SPOTLIGHT ON OTOROHANGA
Health without surgical intervention
Dr Scott Mouat opened King Country Chiropractic at 27a Maniapoto St in Otorohanga in 2008.
“Whether you are healthy and want to ensure you maintain your current state of wellness, or you are feeling sore or unwell, we can help you, from children to the elderly,” Scott says.
All about your crowning glory
Leanne Massey from Little Scissors at 50 Maniapoto St In Otorohanga knows all about keeping your crowning glory.
She’s owned the business for the past 23 years – 24 next monthher meticulous attention to detail is well known across the region. Little Scissors takes care of all hair needs from perms, sets, cuts and colours, for men, women and children.
Award winning orist
Iona van der Pasch owner of Moss & Co orists at 31 Maniapoto St in Otorohanga for the past ve years, is an award winning orist with 26 years’ experience in providing customers with unique designs suited speci cally to their requirements. From wedding designs to dried oral arrangements, if you want your owers to say everything, Moss & Co is a great place to go.
Dr. Scott Mouat (B.Chiro) Chiropractor
Dr. Alana Sherman (B. Chiro) Chiropractor
The store with everything
The Budget Warehouse, found at 19 Tuhoro St, Otorohanga, is setting a new standard for local shopping, o ering a popular and diverse range of products similar to the main big brand stores elsewhere.
Whether you’re looking for home essentials, kitchen gadgets, or the latest electronics, The Budget Warehouse has it all.
on for wool drives Piopio doyen Positively
Going on an adventure…
By Chris Gardner
Bilbo Baggins would be proud.
Nearly 200 senior scouts will be empowered through adventure and challenge at the Piopio Adventure Camp.
Scouts will arrive at Greenmount Farms in Paekaka Rd next month from scout groups all over the Upper North Island, supported by kaiarahi (or leaders). Each scout section is self-sufficient, bringing its own camping equipment and food.
The location is less than half an hour’s drive from Hairy Feet Waitomo, the location where the protagonist of Sir Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Adventurous Journey found an abandoned farm and encountered trolls who were turned to stone by the wizard Gandalf.
Scouts will participate in small teams of six, or patrols, in a series of activities including abseiling, archery, caving, Frisbie golf, grass skiing, motor biking, mountain boarding, shooting, zip lining and a mystery activity.
Each team will be given instruction in each activity before participating in them for 90 minutes.
The camp will also help scouts increase their competencies in adventure skills as well as tick off achievements for silver and gold awards in the Scouts Aotearoa Youth Programme. To earn such awards they must participate, assist and lead activities in the categories of adventure, community and personal.
Hamilton Scout Olivia Silva, 14, attended the adventure camp last year and has registered to return this year.
“Piopio was great,” Olivia said.
“I liked all the activities, especially the archery. It was fun.
“I am looking forward to doing the activities again and hanging out with my friends.”
Last year’s camp also coincided with the natural light show know as the Southern Lights.
“The Southern Lights were pretty, a cool and new experience.”
Piopio Adventure Camp is made possible by Greenmount Farms owners Bob and Sally Dawson and leaseholder The Wallace Corporation who allow the annual camp.
“Many friends will be made before we send them home on Sunday very tired and with wet clothes as a present for Mum on Mothers’ Day,” said camp director Kevin Cannell.
Olivia Silva enjoys abseiling at the 48th Piopio Adventure Camp.
Abseiling, archery, biking and shooting are among the adventurous experiences Scouts will enjoy at the 49th Piopio Adventure Camp.
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By Paul Walker
It has been an extraordinary month for close competitions started with the King Country championship fours.
Each of the seven teams played four games with the object of scoring at least five points to proceed to post section play.
Two points were gained for a win and one point for a draw.
Considering the relative strengths of the teams on paper, it was a surprise that no team managed to win four games and that only one team managed to win three games.
Brendon Hand, Betty Herbert, Margaret Taylor, and Russell Vincent (Te Awamutu Indoor Bowls Club) won and for all players, it was their first centre title.
Five teams ended up with two wins, and to find a runnerup up a nominated player from each of those teams played one bowl to a jack with the closest deciding that position.
Bruce Grace, Arthur Pitcher, Susan Grace and Diane Udy were the successful players.
Then last week Te Awamutu Indoor Bowls Club held the first of its triples tournaments with 16 teams entered and none of them winning four games.
Six teams had three wins, and the placings were decided on a countback of ends, which saw John Whitehead, Betty Herbert, and Russell Vincent take first place with 19 ends. Three of the other teams all had 18 ends. To find the second and third placings, a tally of points scored was required. Lyn Martin, Carol Lovell, and Richard Beaumont, with 34, were second, and Jim Hill, Marlene Walker, and Margaret Taylor, with 28, were third.
Two days later the Ōtorohanga club held its monthly fours tournament with 14 teams entered and again no team managed four wins.
As three teams all had the same number of ends, it came down to a count back of points scored to find that Lyn Martin, Yvonne Longman, Carol Houghton and Sheryl Whitehead were the winners with Eric Drabble, Paul Walker, Margaret Taylor and John Hansen runners-up. These teams played each other in the final game, with Lyn’s team winning convincingly.
Bruce Grace, Olga Barnes, Arthur Pitcher and Glen Appleton won the Waipā Club’s Cavanagh Cup. Teams from Hamilton, Taupō, Ōtorohanga, Tokoroa and Te Awamutu competed.
Waikato is about to become the focus for the outdoor bowls’ game.
There will be no entrants from the Ōtorohanga club, but secretary John Appleton says the Waikato champs will provide a pathway to higher honours.
The Waikato Area Championships are being held between April 26 and May 10 although the exact location is yet to be confirmed.
Winners from more than 23 bowling clubs within the Waikato and north King Country areas are eligible and could then go on to compete at national championships in July.
Lawn bowls, like indoor bowls, needs young blood to prosper.
“It is difficult to persuade younger players that the sport is as challenging as it is and I am not sure how we change this mindset,” John said.
Age is not a barrier to participation but, as a competition requires players to walk two-three kilometres and deliver roughly 150 bowls, a good level of fitness is required in addition to strategy and skill.
Brendon Hand, Betty Herbert, Margaret Taylor, and Russell Vincent (Te Awamutu Indoor Bowls Club) won the King Country championship fours
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AGENDA
9:30am - Arrival 10am - Karakia whakatuuwhera /Mihimihi/Apologies
10:20am -Morning tea
10:40am - Proposal to Partition - Open floor discussion
- Resolution
11:30am - Karakia whakakapi
11:45am – Ka o te raanui
Pohatuiri Pā Charitable Trust Trustees Hui-ā-Tau Sunday, May 18, 2025
Pohatuiri Pā, Ngatapuwae Road, Waitomo
AGENDA 11am Mihimihi / karakia / apologies
1. Minutes of last AGM
2. Annual Financial Report
3. Chairs Report
Ōtorohanga - 07 873 6385
Te Kūiti - 07 878 5169
Taupo - 07 378 8545
Ōtorohanga - 07 873 6385 Te Kūiti - 07 878 5169 Taupo - 07 378 8545
Te Kūiti - 07 878 5169 Taupo - 07 378 8545
SERVICING THE KING COUNTRY
4. Pā Development Report
5. NMMPT Elections/Confirmation
SERVICING THE KING COUNTRY
24 HOURS, 7 DAYS A WEEK
SERVICING THE KING COUNTRY 24 HOURS, 7 DAYS A WEEK
24 HOURS, 7 DAYS A WEEK
PROMPT & EFFICIENT
ELECTRICAL SERVICES
PROMPT & EFFICIENT ELECTRICAL SERVICES
/ Residential / Commercial / Industrial / Inspections
6. Te Whare Hauauru-ki Uta (Roopu Whakahaere) Rep Elections 1pm Karakia whakamutunga
All enquires to Trust Secretary Dawn Magner (027) 449 4145 Please bring a plate for a shared kai Nau mai haere mai
SERVICES / Residential / Commercial / Industrial / Inspections
/ Residential / Commercial / Industrial / Inspections
P 07 878 8335
P 07 878 8335
P 07 878 8335
E james@marshallelectrical.co.nz W marshallelectrical.co.nz
E james@marshallelectrical.co.nz
W marshallelectrical.co.nz
E james@marshallelectrical.co.nz W marshallelectrical.co.nz
FOUR LARGE DESKS FOR SALE
Will sell individually or together. $100 each including GST, includes drawers and chair.
Payable by eftpos on pick up. Pick up from King Country News office, 18 King St East, Te Kūiti
RANGITOTO SCHOOL Classroom Teacher
We are looking for a passionate educator with the skills and knowledge to teach a multi year level class. We offer a small class size, a well resourced school, beautiful location and supportive school community. School house available if needed. Start date June 9 or by negotiation. Please send your CV or direct enquires to Heather Dallas principal@rangi.school.nz
The Waitomo Club is seeking a hands-on Secretary Manager to lead our vibrant community hub. We’re looking for someone with business or management experience (hospitality a bonus!) and skills in financial, administrative, and operational processes. Key tasks include managing club operations, overseeing the restaurant, and growing membership.
A Bar Managers Certificate and gaming machine approval (or the ability to obtain them within three months) are essential.
If you’re ready to make a difference, send your CV and cover letter to
FOOD FOR THOUGHT WAIUKU LIMITED, 714 Waitomo Village Road, Owner Operator, has made application to the District Licensing Committee at Waitomo District Council, Te Kūiti for the renewal of an off licence in respect of the premises situated at 29 WaitomoVillage Road, Waitomo known as The Tomo Bar & Eatery.The general nature of the business conducted (or to be conducted) under the licence is tavern. The days on which and the hours during which alcohol is (or is intended to be) sold under the licence are Monday-Sunday, 7am-10pm. The application may be inspected during ordinary office hours at the office of the Waitomo District Licensing Committee, Waitomo District Council, Queen St, Te Kūiti. Any person who is entitled to object and wishes to object to the issue of the licence may, not later than 25 working days after the date of the publication of this notice, file a notice in writing of the objection with the Secretary of the District Licensing Committee at Waitomo District Council, PO Box 404, Te Kūiti 3941. No objection to the issue of a licence may be made in relation to a matter other than a matter specified in section 105(1) of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. No objection to the renewal of a licence may be made in relation to a matter other than a matter specified in section 131 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. This is the second publication of this notice. This notice was first published on April 17, 2025.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT WAIUKU LIMITED, 714
Waitomo Village Road, Owner Operator, has made application to the District Licensing Committee at Waitomo District Council, Te Kūiti for the renewal of an on licence in respect of the premises situated at 29 Waitomo Village Rd, Waitomo known as The Tomo Bar & Eatery.The general nature of the business conducted (or to be conducted) under the licence is tavern. The days on which and the hours during which alcohol is (or is intended to be) sold under the licence are Monday-Sunday, 9am-2am. The application may be inspected during ordinary office hours at the office of the Waitomo District Licensing Committee, Waitomo District Council, Queen St, Te Kūiti. Any person who is entitled to object and wishes to object to the issue of the licence may, not later than 25 working days after the date of the publication of this notice, file a notice in writing of the objection with the Secretary of the District Licensing Committee at Waitomo District Council, PO Box 404, Te Kūiti 3941. No objection to the issue of a licence may be made in relation to a matter other than a matter specified in section 105(1) of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. No objection to the renewal of a licence may be made in relation to a matter other than a matter specified in section 131 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. This is the second publication of this notice. This notice was first published on April 17, 2025.
Waitomo District ANZAC Day Services
Friday 25 April 2025
Te
Kūiti
Pā Dawn Service
Members of the Public and Service Organisations are invited to attend the ANZAC Memorial Dawn Service at the Te Kūiti Pā, Awakino Road, Te Kūiti. The itinerary for the Service will be as follows:
SITUATIONS VACANT
5.45am Attendees will assemble at the Awakino Road Entranceway and wait to be called onto the Pā Attendees will then move to the Memorial Monument on the Pā where the Ceremony will take place.
6am ANZAC Memorial Service
A light breakfast will be provided to attendees following the Service.
Te
Kūiti
Civic Memorial Service
Members of the Public and Service Organisations are invited to attend the ANZAC Memorial Service which will be held at the Les Munro Centre, King Street East, Te Kūiti. The programme is:
7am Parade to assemble at The Lines Company, corner of King Street East and Taupiri Streets, Te Kūiti
7.15am March from The Lines Company to the Les Munro Centre
7.30am ANZAC Service at the Les Munro Centre followed by Wreath Laying at the Cenotaph
Attendees not participating in the Parade are requested to be seated in the Les Munro Centre by 7.20am. Service organisations, Guiding and club members, and members of the public are invited to join the Parade. Please assemble behind the RSA contingent.
Te Kūiti ANZAC Day Service enquiries to Waitomo District Council Phone 0800 932 4357.
Piopio Civic Memorial Service
All local Service Organisations and members of the public are invited to join the Returned Servicemen of the Piopio District for the ANZAC Day Memorial Service. The programme is:
10.45am Assemble at corner of Tui and Huia Streets, Piopio
11am March to Village Green for ANZAC Service (or Memorial Hall depending on weather)
Tea and Coffee will be available to attendees following the Service. All are welcome to participate in both the Parade and Service. Members of the public are also invited to bring wreaths to lay at the Cenotaph as part of the proceedings.
Piopio ANZAC Day Service enquiries to Jenny Brodie - 021 141 1243
Awakino Civic Memorial Service
The organisers of this year’s Awakino ANZAC Day Service would like to invite all local Service Organisations and members of the public to join the Returned Servicemen of Awakino and the surrounding District for the ANZAC Day Memorial Service.
11am ANZAC Service at the Awakino Memorial Hall, Briscoe Street, Awakino
A light luncheon will be available to attendees following the Service
Awakino ANZAC Day Service enquiries to Dorothy Lowry - 06 752 9123
PIRONGIA MARKET
Details of upcoming meetings can be found at www.otodc.govt.nz/aboutcouncil/meetings
Tanya Winter Chief Executive www.otodc.govt.nz
AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the Otorohanga RSA Inc is to be held in the Otorohanga Club Inc on Friday 25th April 2025, commencing at 0700hours.
ANZAC Day
Dawn Service Otorohanga
Will be held at 0600hrs on Friday 25th April 2025 at the Otorohanga Memorial Park, corner of Kakamutu Road & State Highway3, near Mobil Petrol Station.
0545hrs - Parade to form up near the Otorohanga Butchers
0550hrs - Parade Marches to the Otorohanga Memorial Park
0600hrs - Service Begins 0630hrs - Service Ends
Waitomo Branch of Federated Farmers
NOTICE OF AGM
Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 7.30pm Venue: Railway Building 3 (next to Stoked) Rora Street, Te Kūiti
Please contact Chris or Hilary for further details and RSVPs: Chris Irons - 07 876 7473 or cirons@wnation.net.nz Hilary Walker - 0274360560 or hilarygubb@hotmail.com
TeKuiti Heifer
St David's Presbyterian Church
Services Sunday 10am
Session clerk
Ph 07 873 8735
Room bookings
Ph Nina 027 237 2382
Date: Saturday 03 May 2025 - 11.00 start
Venue: Centennial Park School
Address: 50 Te Kuiti Road Te Kuiti
AGENDA
• Karakia me nga mihimihi
• Apologies
• Proxies
• 2024 AGM Minutes
• Matters Arising
• Chairperson’s Report & Goals
• Financial Report
• General Business
• Karakia whakamutunga
Tea / Coffee and light kai
All enquiries to 027 273 5769
Proxy Forms, if required email: tewarongaheretrust@gmail.com
WANTED TO BUY
Calf
Ph Deb 027 490 1007
All Saints Piopio 22 Moa St Sunday 10am
St Peter’s By The Sea, 25 Aria Tce, Mōkau 1st and 3rd Sunday 2pm
Piopio contact: 07 877 8097
Mōkau contact: 06 752 9123
Bride's Anglican Church Haerehuka St
Sunday morning service 10am Ph 07 873 7006
FRASER, Peter Alfred Leslie. Late of Honikiwi – Passed away peacefully on 18 April 2025, aged 98 years. Dearly loved husband of the late Margaret Fraser. Treasured father, grandfather, greatgrandfather, and a friend to many. A proud Honikiwi local, Peter will be fondly remembered for a life rich in adventure and the mark he made to beautify this land with trees. A farewell will be held at Alexandra House Chapel, 570 Alexandra St, Te Awamutu on Wednesday, 30th April at 11am followed by a private cremation. Farewell will be livestreamed, email office@ teawamutufunerals.co.nz for the link.
“Forever in our hearts, and deeply missed.” All communications to the Fraser family, P O Box 137, Te Awamutu 3840. Te Awamutu Funeral Services, FDANZ
CALF MILK
WANTED
Funeral Services
Funeral Services
Funeral Services
Funeral Services
Funeral Services
• Casket sprays
• Casket sprays
• Casket sprays
• Casket sprays
• Wreaths
• Wreaths
• Wreaths
• Wreaths
• Arrangements
• Arrangements
• Arrangements
• Arrangements
10 Sheridan St, Te Kūiti An Assemblies of God church 10:30am Sunday 10 Sheridan St, Te Kuiti Pastor Terry & Rowena Bradley 07 878 8694 021 703 008
We welcome you to our 10.30am Sunday service. www.journeychurch.org.nz
• Catering
• Catering 10:30am Sunday 10 Sheridan St, Te Kuiti Pastor Terry & Rowena Bradley 07 878 8694 021 703 008
• Catering 96
• Catering
• Casket sprays • Wreaths • Arrangements • Catering
McNEIL, Leslie James Wilson (Les) – Passed away peacefully on 16th April 2025, aged 74 years. Lover of Anne for 49 years. Devoted father and father in law of Sharn & Phil Williams, Aaron McNeil, Karl McNeil, and Jessica Boyd. Loving Poppa to Makayla, Shayden, Ashiah, Khade, Savanna, Lilly-Anne, Alex, James, Nevaya and special buddy Lani, his four legged friend. A celebration of Les’ life will be held at 32 Turongo Street, Otorohanga (today) 24th April at 1pm followed by burial at the Otorohanga Cemetery.
Te Awamutu Funeral Services, FDANZ
Support when you need it most
Saying goodbye is never easy. Our local, professional, and compassionate team is here 24/7, guiding you with care and respect every step of the way.
Call us anytime – we’re here for you.
07 870 2137
262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu www.rosetown.co.nz
Jordan Goss Funeral Director
