A hero remembered
By Jon Rawlinson
Saving civilian lives cost James Stellin his own.
Now the heroics of this Second World War pilot are being remembered thanks, in part, to King Country’s Maraea Lammas.
Originally from Oparure, Maraea, aged 80, has lived in France for the past 16 years.
While watching a television programme about the Second World War, she was inspired to learn more about Stellin, an RAF pilot from Wellington.
“What moved us most about James Stellin’s story was his bravery shown by saving the village of Saint-Maclou-la-Brière and its people,” she said.
“Recently, we went to the village in Normandy and James’ resting place.”
“I looked online and found information about him. I discovered what an interesting story he
has and I thought why had I not heard of him?”
Stellin’s is a captivating saga. This flying Kiwi was killed on August 19, 1944, in the wake of the D-Day landings.
His damaged Hawker Typhoon fighterbomber was on course to crash into of SaintMaclou-la-Brière. Rather than bail out and save himself, Stellin manoeuvred his plane away, saving civilian lives at the expense of his own.
Stellin’s parents received a heartfelt letter from a C Jacobs from the French resistance, it read:
‘On realising the great destruction his plane would cause if it were to crash in the centre of the village, the pilot straightened up his plane with a vigorous and supreme effort, made a half-climb, then turning sharp left at an acute angle, it fell rapidly, crashing less than a mile away.
‘We placed the bier in state at the doors of the mayor’s office. Everyone brought armfuls of
flowers picked lovingly in the gardens and left them with deep respect and infinite gratitude.’
Stellin was posthumously awarded the French Croix de Guerre avec Palme (cross of war with palms) for performing heroic deeds in combat.
Maraea Lammas (nee Paki) appreciates the value of civic responsibility – her mother, Rora Paki, was a foundation member of the Māori Women’s Welfare League and received an MBE for services to her community.
Maraea’s first visit to a little piece of Normandy, which is ‘forever New Zealand’, won’t be her last.
“On November 11, Armistice Day, we will return to Saint-Maclou-laBrière to remember this brave pilot,” she said. “Every Anzac Day and Armistice Day we will remember James and all the other brave men and women who served our country.”
Former King Country resident Maraea Lammas has lived in France for 16 years.
This picture of Stellin appears in the memorial James Stellin’s memorial at Saint-Maclou-la-Brière, France
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A former Tauranga mayoral candidate has warned the private ownership of an essential service is the only likely outcome of the planned council controlled water authority.
Piopio resident Chudleigh Haggett, spoke out this week against the Waitomo District Council’s preferred option to join up to eight other Waikato councils in the Waikato Water Done Well organisation. He addressed Wednesday’s hearing committee meeting. Waitomo District Council’s proposal to hand around a quarter of its operations over
“The country voted not to have Three Waters and yet here we are with local authorities pushing the same agenda under a different name. Stop it,” he said in his submission.
The Waikato Water Done Well proposal covers drinking water and wastewater, leaving stormwater in the hands of local authorities.
“The only thing that will happen as a result of council’s preferred option is private ownership of an essential service, run for profit of the shareholders and once again ratepayers shut out from an essential service, that
will have value only to rich listers and greedy wealthy people who have no regard for the ratepayer only profit,” he said. “The formation of a council-controlled organisation will enable that to happen and must not become the preference.”
Under the proposal, the shareholding councils appoint an independent board. Councils retain ownership and set expectations of the board through a statement of expectations.
Haggett told mayor John Robertson his main objection to Waikato Waters Done Well was the fear it could lead to privatisation.
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Concrete evidence provided
By Mary Anne Gill
The operators of a Cambridge recycling plant have rejected claims they are disposing of toxic materials in a former sand quarry.
A $6.4 million project, alongside the new Cambridge Waste and Water Treatment plant and less than 350m from the Waikato River, will divert 51,000 tonnes of construction waste from landfill, ResourceCo director Henry Fullerton-Smith of Piopio says.
Waipā District Council issued a resource consent last year to the company, previously called Wasteworx, to operate in the rural zone on 3ha at 3831 Cambridge Rd.
Conditions include employing a suitably qualified and experienced practitioner if contamination is found and a list of daily truck movements.
The company has since been renamed Resource Co and been awarded $2.57 million from the government’s Waste Minimisation Fund to build New Zealand’s first dedicated construction and demolition recycling plant.
Once fully operational, the plant will process up to 187,200 tonnes of waste annually turning timber, concrete, gib, plastic and metal into biofuel, fertiliser, roading aggregate and landscaping material.
In a statement, Fullerton-Smith said 14 jobs
had been created and engagement with local iwi Ngāti Korokī Kahukura undertaken.
ResourceCo was working towards a memorandum of understanding that reflects shared values around environmental care, skills training, and youth development, alongside progressing a cultural impact assessment, the statement said.
“This isn’t just about managing waste better, it’s an initiative that supports both the community and employment,” says Fullerton-Smith.
“We’re proud to have the government’s backing to turn waste into value and leave a cleaner legacy for our region.”
Prison work almost done
By Chris Gardner
The Department of Corrections has nearly completed a 21-hectare building project to add nearly 600 beds in 28 new buildings at Waikeria Prison.
Increasing the size of the prison also comes with a staff increase – a total of 216 jobs are being created.
And there are already plans to add another 810 bed extension bring the total projected increase to more than 1400 beds.
The present capacity of the prison between Te Awamutu and Ōtorohanga is 460 and includes 96 beds in a dedicated mental health and addictions services unit.
The new facility, due to open later this year, is within the existing prison’s 1200-hectare
footprint.
The new facility is entered via a gatehouse outfitted with X-ray scanners and walk-through metal detectors.
It includes a visitors building with two main indoor visiting areas and an outdoor visiting area if the weather permits. It has multiple family rooms, a suite of non-contact booths and audiovisual link suites.
There is also a medical centre designed to cater to primary health needs.
A programme building serves as an education and rehabilitation hub. The ground floor features a large learning area comprising 10 classrooms split across three separate courtyards.
A new industries building
offers industry training to gain qualifications.
A kitchen provides prisoners with the opportunity to learn cooking for instructors and help them find jobs on release.
The project includes a 1.7km secure perimeter fence with anticlimb technology.
Biometric security to strengthen the site’s overall safety
Acting deputy chief executive of infrastructure and digital assets
Tom Baker said the development represented a significant investment in increasing prison capacity, strengthening mental health services and providing more rehabilitation, education, and training space for prisoners.
“It is a critical part of our plan to meet anticipated prison
population growth and ensure New Zealand has sufficient prison capacity and modern, fit-for-purpose infrastructure that supports the safe and effective delivery of services in prison,” he said,
The new facility is being completed under a public-private partnership, with the Department of Corrections contracting Cornerstone Infrastructure for the build.
Last year the government announced a further 810 bed extension at Waikeria Prison.
“This means a total of 1,406 beds are being added to Waikeria Prison, ensuring safety, security and capacity across the prison network in the Waikato region,” Baker said.
Councillors were deliberating on submissions to the draft
Chudleigh Haggett
’75 – plus 50
Saturday marks the 50th reunion of the 1975 Waitete Rugby side that toured South Africa led by Colin “Pinetree” Meads. The team is celebrating the event with a function at Waitete RFC on Saturday where they will take in the King Country Premiership match between Waitete and Piopio.
Dogs… gone?
Every dog will have its day when Waitomo District Council considers changes to dog bylaws. Proposals include making Ward Street Reserve an on-leash area and prohibiting pooches from Centennial Park.
Trial for Hodge
Waikato Regional Councillor
Kataraina Hodge of Te Awamutu is participating in a surgical trial run from Waikato testing whether women with early breast cancer and a small amount of spread to one to two lymph nodes can safely avoid further armpit treatment, such as surgery or radiotherapy. Hodge believes it’s important for Māori women to be involved in clinical research –especially with breast cancer being so prominent in Māori communities.
Service to extend
Plans to offer faster, more accessible healthcare could benefit King Country and Waipa. Extended afterhour services are expected at hospitals throughout the central North Island including Te Kūiti, minister of health Simeon Brown said in a pre-budget release.
Lifesaving airlift
A mission by the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter to Taumarunui Hospital to get a patient to Hamilton was one of 30 by the helicopter across the Central Plateau and Lakes region in April. Missions included 13 hospital transfers, two medical events, 10 rural incidents, three motor vehicle crashes and two billed as miscellaneous.
Beached vehicles a hot topic
By Chris Gardner
Almost 500 people have signed a petition calling for alternate access to Kawhia’s Te Puia Springs.
Vehicles driving to and from the Ocean Beach springs from the boat ramp near Maketu Marae are being cut off by the tide as often as three times a week.
There have been incident of vehicles rolling on the shellfish bed at Mouth of Te Arai O Te Wiwini, also known as the lagoon. Te Taiao o Kāwhia Moana Incorporated
Society members are worried about the impact on kai moana and the threatened dotterel shorebirds in the area.
They have collected signatures in the petition which asks Ōtorohanga District Council to work with landowner Tainui Kāwhia Incorporation to create a road at Tom French Grove to provide more direct access to the beach.
The grove is at the end of Te Puia Road and provides pedestrian access to the beach.
Kawhia has a population of approximately 380 people, but resident and beach patroller Horahaere Scott said the petition had also been signed by others who whakapapa back to the Tainui waka buried near the marae.
“On Thursday there was another vehicle that got stuck out there while they were having a hui down at the marae,” Scott said. “For that to happen, it’s just not on.
“There would be at least one incident in a week, sometimes two or three.”
Scott provided The News with countless examples of photographs of stranded and overturned vehicles.
Society secretary Jacqueline Margetts said it was not just the weight of the vehicles on the shellfish bed, but the “toxic juices” that they spilled when they rolled.
“It happens all the time,” she said. “It’s not just visitors; it is locals too.
She fears one such incident could claim a life.
Kāwhia councillor Kit Jeffries is among those who have signed the petition.
“I acknowledge the ecological and traditional cultural reasons for wanting to restrict vehicular access along the foreshore, even more so now with regular incidents of vehicles having to be rescued, but only on the understanding that a financially viable alternative access to Ocean Beach is provided,” Jeffries said.
“Tainui-Kawhia has generously offered alternative routes off Tom French Grove and these are currently being investigated. How those alternatives will be funded is a discussion yet to be had. There will be future ongoing maintenance of the chosen route that will also require funding, so a lot yet to happen before any action on alternatives can be progressed.
“This has been, and will continue to be, a difficult but not insurmountable conversation.”
Tainui Kāwhia Incorporated forest manager Hano Ormsby confirmed the landowner was in talks with the council over creating an easement to allow beach access near the hot springs.
Council regulatory and growth group manager Tony Quickfall said the council was working with Waikato Regional Council which had statutory responsibility for managing all environmental effects below high tide, including environmental effects from vehicles, and Maketu Marae and Tainui Kāwhia Incorporation as the main landowners of Māori land titles which extend into the “hard sand” area.
In February, Kāwhia Community Board agreed to install improved advisory signage at Kāwhia boat ramp and investigate a feasibility study on alternative beach access through Tainui Kāwhia Incorporation forest land. Depending on the outcome of the feasibility study, the board will review the current Traffic Management Bylaw which allows vehicle access onto the beach, with a 20kph speed limit.
Taiao o Kāwhia Moana Incorporated Society secretary Jacqueline Margetts worries about the “toxic juices” that vehicles spill when they roll. Photo: Chris Gardner
An Ōtorohanga District Council warning spells out the hazards to vehicle users at the boat ramp near Maketu marae.
Kāwhia resident Horahaere Scott has collected photographs of vehicles which have come to grief in the inner Kāwhia Harbour.
Calls to remove Mōkau seawall
By Chris Gardner
Waitomo District Council has been told it can’t hold back the waves forever at Mōkau.
Residents Neil Wackrow and Gregory Tuffey appeared before the council’s hearings committee last week to speak against the council’s proposal to spend more than $900,000 to replace its rock revetment at the mouth of Mōkau River at the end of Point Road.
The proposal was included in the council’s draft annual plan after Point Road residents called for a public-private partnership.
Tuffey told the council his parents had avoided buying in Point Road in the 1970s because there was an understanding the sand spit would eventually be washed away.
“People bought down there at a fire sale price,” he said. “They got it cheap, believing it could go. Unfortunately, it’s going to go. There’s nothing we can do.”
Wackrow said a Mōkau Museum document showed that the spit was expected to have eroded away by now.
“Some of the landowners have brought it knowing that the sand spit can go,” he said. “No more money should be wasted on the point seawall as it will only fail in short time. Enough money has been wasted already,” he said.
Tangata whenua representative Mārama Henare-Waho told the
council the building of baches and homes on the sandspit, known by her people as Te Naunau, should never been allowed to happen as the sandspit was a burial ground.
“In the 1950s the predecessor of today’s council was granted ownership of most of Te Naunau, except two half-acre sections set aside as burial reserves. Excluding these reserves, the council sold most of Te Naunau for residential lots. Te Naunau is a wāhi tapu, a sacred place. Ancestors of local hapū were interred there.”
Henare-Waho said some ancestors were exhumed and
reburied elsewhere, but many were left at Te Naunau.
She asked the council to remove the seawall at the expense of Point Road residents and manage the erosion by planting sand-dune building plants.
Te Whare Mōkau ki Runga and Tama Blackburn also asked the council not to replace the seawall.
Waikato Regional Council asked to join the conversation at the hearing.
Regional councillor Stu Kneebone said: “Our ultimate aim is to create a sustainable outcome for the community.”
Regional council science, policy and information director Tracey May’s submission strongly encouraged the district Council to consider undertaking a wider community adaptation project in collaboration with the regional council and the Mōkau community.
“This would provide the opportunity to explore a series of options that could be implemented in the short, medium and longer term, taking into consideration sea level rise and climate change, and providing for a more resilient Mōkau,” May’s submission said.
The regional council is working
Speak Up and Stand Together
By Hannah Wilson Year 9
Pink Shirt Day is all about anti-bullying. On Friday 16th of March many people around the world wear the colour pink. This all started in Canada in 2007 and has since spread to around 36 different countries. Pink Shirt Day is also about raising awareness about bullying, especially in schools.
Pink Shirt Day started because a new Year 10 student was being bullied for wearing a pink tee shirt. The first stand against bullies started when two Year 12 students bought 75 pink tee shirts and encouraged their classmates to wear them too. The next day, to their surprise, a crazy number of students wore their pink shirts. Unfortunately in Aotearoa the percentages of bullying are much higher than other established countries. 13% of students in New Zealand are being regularly
in collaboration with Hauraki, Thames-Coromandel, and Waikato district councils on plans to increase the resilience of their coastal communities to current and future natural hazards and climate change. Other government agencies working in these projects include the New Zealand Transport Agency, the Department of Conservation, the Ministry for the Environment, and the Department of Internal Affairs.
“Working proactively to plan for the community’s long-term resilience allows Waitomo District Council to implement direction under the Waikato Regional Council Policy Statement,” she said.
“In a 100-year context, repairing a seawall that only lasts approximately ten years does not align with the objectives of the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement. Therefore, we advocate for a wider and more holistic view to natural hazard risk mitigation.”
“Focusing on risk mitigation via structural defences is likely to create an expectation in the community that this can be carried out long-term, however we note that projected increases in erosion rates and sea level rise will make the costs prohibitive for the community in the long term. We also note that the size and location of the sea wall (approximately 60m of the Mōkau sea wall) are likely to limit the proposal’s benefits for the wider community.”
bullied, whereas in other countries it is around 9%. These percentages are outstandingly bad. Compared to 36 other established countries Aotearoa has the third highest bullying rate. Bullying manifests itself in many different forms. Some of the higher rates of bullying affect the rainbow community. Unfortunately over 87% of LGBTQ students have been bullied at least once in their lifetime. Bullying happens more among younger people. Sometimes, when younger people are being bullied, they will not say anything about it. In unfortunate cases this can lead to depression.
Here at Ōtorohanga College in order to celebrate Pink Shirt Day we wore something pink. We also organised activities for the whole College to participate in. One of the activities was a colouring competition. Another
activity was that our Empower Whakamana classes students worked together to create an anti bullying poster. Ōtorohanga College is doing all of this to make everyone feel safe, valued and respected. If you are bullied the best thing you can do is to tell someone. It does not matter who you talk to, if it is a trusted friend or someone from your family. If you see someone being bullied, just talking to them can help.
Ōtorohanga College takes a proactive stand against bullying. Every student has the opportunity to talk to someone, whether it is a family member or a teacher they are always there for you to talk to. Your words and actions matter. The best thing you can do is to be kind. If you are being bullied, speak up and stand together for Pink Shirt Day.
The future of baches and homes on Point Road, Mōkau, dominated submissions at Waitomo District Council’s hearing on its draft annual plan. Photo: Chris Gardner
District’s kiwi leaves the nest
By Chris Gardner
The decision to replace the council’s kiwi logo with one resembling a nest is being questioned by businesses.
The new logo was created for the 202434 Long Term Plan and existed alongside the old kiwi logo, leaving staff uncertain of which one to use.
It and an accompanying brand story cost ratepayers $4830 and was rolled out around the same time as a $100,000 rebuild of the council’s website aligned to the new logo’s colours.
Ōtorohanga mayoral candidate and sitting Kio Kio-Korakonui Ward councillor Rodney Dow was among those who voted against the resolution.
“I am a bit of a traditionalist,” he said. “I thought we were known as the kiwi town. I thought the kiwi was iconic.”
Fellow mayoral candidate and Wharepūhunga Ward councillor Cathy Prendergast voted for the resolution, but told The News she understood the old kiwi logo would also remain in use.
“The new logo definitely reflects the weaving together of everything that we are trying hard for,” Prendergast said.
New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union investigations coordinator Rhys Hurley accused the council of not being up front about its rebranding – but the councillors adopted the Te Ōhanga “The Nest” logo as the council’s sole logo at its December meeting.
Council strategy and community group
manager Nardia Gower said the old logo would slowly be phased out. For example, the old logo would not be removed from council vehicles but when the vehicle was replaced the new logo would be added.
Waipā Ward councillor Roy Johnson voted against changing the logo, saying it would be a disservice to Ōtorohanga Kiwi House.
Ōtorohanga Kiwi House Charitable Trust chair Kim Ingham said the trust had not been consulted by the council and was unaware of the change.”
“The council logo featured the three kiwi species that were originally at the kiwi house and given that Ōtorohanga District Council is a great supporter and partner of the kiwi house and our redevelopment, it is a surprise to know that it will be gone.
“Has Ōtorohanga District Council had proper engagement with iwi around this, given that the logo featured a significant taonga species from our area?
He noted Ōtorohanga had businesses with ‘Kiwi’ or ‘Kiwitown’ embedded in their identity and name.
“I think it is a bit of a loss because we have been identified as the Kiwi capital of New Zealand,” said Marain Hurley, chair of Elevate Ōtorohanga, the trading name of Ōtorohanga District Development Board.
“I can understand that The Nest is about bringing the community together.”
Hurley said the change had not been discussed by her board.
Thinking of
Karam and John Haddad Menswear owner John Haddad was not impressed.
“The Nest? What the hell does that mean? he said.
“I would have thought that they would
have had a lot more to worry about than the council logo. If I had been consulted about it, I would have been able to tell them that it was not a good idea.
“We are the Kiwi town of New Zealand.”
Council praised for road works
It’s a like few headline writers will get to write.
But Waitomo District Council has been given a pat on the back for its work on Mangaotaki Road.
Reader Suzie Denize sent us a two liner... “huge thanks the wonderful folks who have been working on the Mangaotaki Road recently. It’s a real pleasure to drive on now and all your hard work is very much appreciated”.
We thought we would get an explanation for the benefit of those not familiar with the road, which runs from Piopio to Waitanguru.
The council – which was delighted with the feedback – noted two roading improvement projects have recently been completed in the Waitomo district.
“Mangaotaki Road in Piopio recently received drainage upgrades, pavement reconstruction and a chipseal by Council contractor Schick Civil Ltd,
while contractor Nicholls and Uttinger completed drainage upgrades and pavement reconstruction on Ngapaenga and Walker Roads.”
The improvement works were in response to previous storm damage. Ngapaenga and Walker Roads were both sealed late March, and further improvements included berm and drain shaping and topsoiling and hydroseeding.
General Manager Infrastructure Services, Shyamal Ram says with roads being a critical infrastructure in all communities, it is always pleasing to see roads improved to a better condition.
“We thank the community for their patience with the temporary measures that have been in place at these sites.
Ōtorohanga District Council’s kiwi logo has been replaced by the Te Ōhanga “The Nest” logo.
A work in progress – a section of Mangaotaki road as it looked in April.
Another show stopper
Waipā’s second Home and Leisure Show has created a raft of new projects and pastimes – from getting the house clean to getting on a bike.
The show – the second run by Good Local Media, which publishes the Waikato Business News, Cambridge News, Te Awamutu News and King Country News, attracted a steady stream of people through the doors from Friday to Sunday.
They included Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan and chief executive Steph O’Sullivan, who took particular interest in the display by Rotary’s Urban Miners. The miners minimise waste sent to landfill through recycling.
About 75 exhibitors were at the Don Rowlands Centre at Lake Karāpiro and autumn weather was kind to those who set up shop outside.
There was a touch of deja vu on opening morning as the first people through the doors were Marlene Prince and Graeme Hopkins from Highfield Retirement Village in Te Awamutu. They were also at the head of the queue for the opening of the inaugural show 12 months ago.
Other visitors included retirement village residents from Ōtorohanga, Te Awamutu and Cambridge.
Feedback from exhibitors was that visitors were genuinely interested in what was on offer and wanted to discuss their requirements. They reported high quality leads and that visitors came out with specific questions and specific exhibitors they wanted to see.
“Exhibitors signed up for next year before they left the building, already talking about new stands they will build for 2026,” Good Local publisher David Mackenzie said.
The objective for 2026 would be to extend the size of the show so there is more to see.
Numbers were slightly down on 2024, which was a reflection of shows numbers across New Zealand to date this year.
Organisers were encouraged by the fact that 95 per cent of visitors people were new to the show and there was strong support from the Te Awamutu, Morrinsville and Ōtorohanga communities.
Day trippers: Residents of Cambridge Resthaven checking out the show included Allan Beets, Des Moodie, Marjorie Woodin, Val Dewish, Cecilia Marais, Lewis Hollands, Tracy Fairhall, Adrianne Begbie and Ronel Pretoroius.
Hayley Hohneck and Shannon Meredith of Treetown Designer Kitchens, back at the show for the second year.
First National’s Vayle Hammond, left, and Kylie Ridley from First National Real Estate in Te Awamutu brought a selection of houses on offer and a Spin the Wheel competition for visitors.
The couple first through the doors on Friday were Marlene Prince & Graeme Hopkins from Highfield Retirement Village in Te Awamutu – and they were also first through the doors in 2024.
Waipā catch up: The district council has been a big time supporter of Urban Miners. Checking out their stand at the show are mayor Susan O’Regan, left, and second right chief executive Steph O’Sullivan with Bill Wilson and David Blewden.
Ōtorohanga based Daniel Odlum. discusses exterior house cleaning
Bone and Body Blueprint’s Heidi Richardson, left, and Lesley Egglestone from Te Awamutu were raising the profile of bone density scanning to detect osteoporosis and other bone health issues.
First timers at the show Simon and Dominique Paduch of G.J. Gardner Waipā.
Sold to the lady in pink. Peter Escher of Ezi Rider bikes with Karen Heffey of Cambridge who does a fair bit of travelling and wanted a fold up e-bike.
Cameron Fraser set up his stall at the entrance to the Don Rowlands Centre and reported steady flow of customers and interest – in this case in six camellia plants. His Pirongia company, Advanced Trees, has operated since 2004.
Spokes, and speaking of BMX
By Jesse Wood
Lee Stevens enjoys leading a club which, he says, can help take the stress out of life.
He’s the president of the Te Kūiti BMX Club and he is encouraging the community to get involved in a sport he says can help all ages improve their mental health.
“It’s about getting people exercising and off the computers and screens. It’s a really good family gathering. Kids and adults all hang out and have fun together,” Lee said.
“It takes about 50 seconds to do one lap around the BMX track. You actually burn your fight-or-flight mechanism.
“If you’re building up stress for weeks. You can go out and thrash it, five laps around the track. You’re burning all those endorphins off. You’re on a bit of a high for a couple of days afterwards. It gives you a mental health lift.
“I’m much happier if I’m regularly riding.”
The Te Kūiti BMX club started in 1986 and is one of six New Zealand affiliated clubs in the Waikato region.
“We’re really lucky in the Waikato because we’ve got Te Kūiti, Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Cambridge, Te Aroha and Paeroa BMX clubs,” Lee said.
“It’s like a hub. If we host an event, we’ll get people from other clubs coming along to help us run it.
“We recently had an open day, a have a go day, and about 80 people came along. It was good.”
Te Kūiti members meet every Tuesday and include training and games to get children used to manoeuvring their bikes on their floodlit track.
“You can turn up with nothing, hire a bike and helmets and get to ride around the track. You just have to be fully covered, no skin showing.”
Lee joined the William St based club in 2019 after several decades away from the sport.
He had previously been involved with the Masterton club in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
As the cliché goes, it was just like riding a bike, he hadn’t lost his passion for it.
“When I found out we had a track here and there’s a BMX shop in Ōtorohanga to get bits and pieces for bikes, I thought that was cool. Then my youngest daughter got into it too,” Lee said.
“It’s an awesome sport and it’s an individual sport. Whatever you put in is what you get back.
“The BMX community is awesome. If you want to meet a really good bunch of people, get a race licence, start racing and you can meet cool people up and down the country.”
He says the Te Kūiti track is good for beginners.
“I race in the 50 plus category and there’s about 25 of us in New Zealand that have race licenses. Then there’s 55 plus and then there’s 60 plus and 65 plus. It goes up every five years.
“I’ve been racing again for about five years and the guys
in our age group, just rock up to the track and have a chat. We race and have a good yarn afterwards.”
Another valuable member in the club is life member Richard Scott, a member of the Te Kūiti BMX Club for 19 years.
Richard began racing BMX in 1979, also starting in Masterton. He loves the sport and family environment.
Karl Thurston, a 2024 UCI BMX Racing World Championships rider, has recently run free BMX lessons for children in Te Kūiti. He was born in Te Kūiti but moved to Tauranga in recent years.
“What kid doesn’t like riding a bike? When I was at primary school, high school, I rode everywhere. Even once I got my driver’s license, I’d still ride all over town to go to my mate’s places or to go to the track, becauseespecially in Te Kūiti - you
could do that,” Karl said.
“I grew up in Te Kūiti and no matter what happened in life, I’d always end up back at Te Kūiti BMX. It’s just the nature of sport. When you’re involved in any sort of club, it becomes your family.
“I could go to the track and it didn’t matter who you were riding with. You just got to go hang out, help each other and try things you’re working on to get better.
“Te Kūiti BMX Club was the glue of that, I could always fall back on it.”
Karl said the sport has taught him invaluable life skills. He recommends everyone to give it a chance.
“It’s like a bug when you enjoy it, you just want to keep going,” he said.
“I love team sports, don’t get me wrong, but through life you’ve got to learn to battle out on your own a bit. I got a lot of that resilience from BMX growing up.
“It’s also very positive. You’ve always got people around you that help get you back up and get going again. If you have a crash, it teaches you pretty fast to get up and at least finish the race with pride.
“It’s all or nothing. You can’t blame someone else for what you’ve done wrong and then when you achieve something, you’ve achieved that. It’s satisfying.”
More line up for New Plymouth
It has been a busy few days for indoor bowlers in the King Country, with the main events being the qualifying rounds of the NZ mixed pairs and fours being played at Ōtorohanga on Saturday.
The winners of these events go forward, along with the winner of the Henselite singles winner, Maryanne Tanfield and the winners of our Master Fours event, which will be played next Saturday, to the zone finals at New Plymouth July 4-5.
Four teams entered the fours, and after two rounds, two teams had two wins.
Liz Morrow, Bryan Wooten, Carol Lovell and Lance Chapman ran out the winners by the narrowest of margins, beating Bruce Grace, Jim Parsons, Pat Waghorn and Susan Grace 7-6 with an umpire’s measure required to decide whether Bruce had one ot two shots on the last end.
Had the game finished as a draw, both teams would have had the same number
of ends and points, which would have required them to play another game.
The pair’s event was similarly very close. Only two of the eight teams qualified for post-section play. Warren Davis and Yvonne Longman and Blue Hancock, and Carol Lovell. These two teams had met in the preliminary round, and the result was a draw.
In the final game, Davis and Longman led 4-1 after three ends and 8-4 after seven of the nine ends had been played. Hancock scored three on the eighth end and held three on the last end with Davis having the last bowl. Davis played the perfect shot to briefly hold the win - then his bowl fell over, and Hancock and Lovell had two shots for the win.
Two Club championship events were played during the week. Gordon Lang carried on his winning way at the Ōtorohanga Club, taking out the pairs championship with Mike
Afendoulis. At the Waipa Club, Kevin Marshall and Marion Christensen took out the title.
A representative team that travelled to Kapuni had an enjoyable, if not successful, trip. The King Country players were much less experienced at this level of
competition but competed well in the circumstances. The final result was a win to Taranaki by 80.5 to 27.5
The top individual for King Country was Marlene Walker, and the top team, just, was Brendon Hand, Rod Ward, Margaret Taylor and Russell Vincent.
Te Kūiti BMX Club has been in action since 1986. Photo: Supplied
Blue Hancock and Carol Lovell won the pairs ticket to New Plymouth.
World championships rider Karl Thurston has strong ties to the club and town. Photo: Supplied
The club meets every Tuesday night.
Photo: Supplied
ON SHAKY GROUND
Calm beneath the hype
By Janine Krippner
Lately, headlines have been vying for clicks with dramatic claims. Again.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen splashy predictions like “Mile-wide volcano ready to erupt…” or even better, “Major US volcano predicted to erupt tomorrow (posted six days ago, as I write this). Cue the collective eyerolling.
As I’ve covered before, the size of a volcano — the edifice we see above ground — doesn’t mean much when it comes to what might happen next.
That cone or mountain is simply the accumulation of volcanic material around one or more vents.
They are essentially beautiful piles of lava flows, volcanic ash (which is pulverised rock), and fragmented lava that solidified into rock.
A volcano that’s been erupting for a long time may form a larger edifice, and if the location of vents shifts over time, this can spread the deposits over wider areas. But this doesn’t necessarily tell us anything about how big a future eruption will be.
The recent flurry of clickbait headlines is centred on Axial Seamount, located about 480 km off the coast of Oregon in the northeast Pacific Ocean.
It sits roughly 1400 metres below the sea surface. As the most active volcano in the region, it’s not surprising that it’s rumbling again.
Axial last erupted in 1998, 2011, and 2015, all of which were effusive (lava-producing) eruptions, not of the explosive kind. If the extremely explosive 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai eruption comes to mind, remember that its vent was near the sea surface — a key reason for its different, more violent eruption style.
Any headlines hinting that it could be dangerous or “high-risk” are taking creative license or simply don’t understand the
situation.
The United States Geological Survey doesn’t even monitor Axial closely, because it poses no threat to human life — not even to aircraft, unlike many of the remote Alaskan volcanoes.
That said, it’s a fascinating volcano from a scientific perspective. Several research groups actively monitor Axial to learn more about how submarine eruptions unfold and what precursors they produce.
Axial Seamount is also one of the few submarine volcanoes with a long-term monitoring network in place, offering rare real-time data from the deep ocean. This makes it a natural laboratory for studying undersea volcanic processes and tectonic activity. How cool is that?
The signals detected at Axial include uplift of the seafloor — often, though not always, caused by magma rising — and increased seismicity, both of which have recently been observed.
There is so much we don’t know about the deep ocean, this is a great opportunity to understand submarine volcanic processes.
Studying the range of volcanoes and eruption styles is essential to understanding volcanic activity worldwide.
What we learn at one can often be applied to others elsewhere.
Research at remote, unthreatening locations like Axial Seamount plays a role in improving our ability to forecast eruptions and provide timely warnings to communities.
Be cautious with headlines. Thankfully, there are excellent articles out there featuring volcanologists who actually monitor Axial and can explain what’s happening — and why it’s so interesting.
HE WHAKAWHITIWHITINGA WHAKAARO
The haka in Parliament
By Tom Roa, Tikanga Advisor, Waikato University
Interestingly, the recent expulsion of the members of Te Pāti Māori from parliament for a period of time appears partly to be a result of their performing a haka in the House. It raises questions about what a haka is.
Recently at a ceremony in celebration of the life of a friend, I offered a eulogy in Māori which I then translated for those in the congregation who had little or no Māori.
During the subsequent afternoon tea a lady approached me, introducing herself as being Welsh, celebrating the revival of her native tongue with that of our Māori language and seeking advice from me.
She said her son had married a Māori woman, and they had sent their children to a local kohanga reo, and then the kura kaupapa Māori – immersion Māori Language Schools. She had attended their Prize Giving ceremony at the end of the School Year.
A much loved, much respected teacher was retiring. She saw how much the teacher was loved by the interactions she had with her students including how her (my questioner’s) grandson and others interacted with his/their teacher, freely hugging and kissing her and being hugged and kissed back.
When the announcement came of her retirement, the whole school, students, staff, and some parents and whānau erupted into a ‘ginormous’ haka!
She asked me, ‘Why were they so angry?!?’
AGE OF REASON
Give me a (not coffee) break...
By Richard Steele
People seem 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’s 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? 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.
I asked her if she was familiar with the term ‘mana’? She said yes. I said the school community were passionately, enthusiastically, dramatically expressing their mana, but more, recognising the mana of their teacher, colleague, friend. I offered the opinion that what appeared to be anger, was an unbridled passionate expression that we often see today almost anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand in particular the sports fields.
I also gave the opinion that haka are not performed for nothing, nor for ‘nobodies’!
The more passionate the rendition of the haka, the more significant the occasion, and if it is directed at a certain person/people, the more significant that person/those people must be.
When sports teams perform their haka, the more passionate their rendition, the more significant the occasion, and more important the opposition.
Labour MP Peeni Henare has apologised for stepping away from his seat and onto the floor of the Debating Chamber, a clear breach of the rules of Parliament. But he was firm in his commitment to ‘my passion towards seeing this bill defeated [which] I stand by wholeheartedly.’,
It is clear to me that as a society we have much to learn, and to perhaps unlearn, about our interactions with one another. Kia kaha tātou!
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, whereas 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.
Katrina Christison Tidy Gardens
A special Glasshouse at the Chelsea Flower Show
As I write this, I’m in the middle of packing – I’m incredibly lucky to be heading off to join the planting team for Jo Thompson at the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show! It’s been seven years since I last went, so it truly feels like a firsttime experience all over again. This year is especially meaningful as it will be Jo’s final Chelsea garden, and what a special project it is.
She’s partnered with The Glasshouse, a remarkable social enterprise that offers second chances through horticulture. They provide training and employment to women in prison, along with support as they prepare to re-enter society.
The garden is being funded by Project Giving Back and is inspired by real conversations Jo has had with women in The Glasshouse programme. At its heart is a translucent pavilion nestled within lush planting, creating a peaceful, immersive space that reflects the journey of growth, hope, and transformation. What makes The Glasshouse so powerful is its
impact—the programme has achieved a zero percent re-offending rate, proving that with the right support, women can break the cycle and build a new life.
After Chelsea, the garden will be relocated to a women’s prison in the South of England, where it will continue to serve as a therapeutic space for learning, healing, and planning a brighter future.
The design includes sensory features like the sound and sight of water, fragrant plants, and soft, textured foliage.
A winding rill flows through the space into a calm pool, surrounded by a rich mix of planting including Betula nigra, Euonymus alatus, ferns, grasses, roses, and water-loving species. The colour palette—muted pinks and deep reds with gentle highlights—embodies what Jo calls “strong beauty,” making this garden not only moving, but visually stunning.
I feel honoured to be part of such a meaningful project and can’t wait to help bring this powerful vision to life.
Weekend woes for club sides
By Jesse Wood
It was a tough weekend of away games for Ōtorohanga Sports in Waikato club rugby, succumbing to three losses
The Ōtorohanga premier golds and premier B blues travelled to Bedford Park to face United Matamata Sports.
The women’s premiership team played University in Hamilton.
Matamata won the men’s premier game 47-26. The home side scored seven tries to four and Matamata pivot Logan Allen knocked six of the conversions over.
Vereti Peceli, Jake Laurent, Gabriel Simpson and Delane Bell were the try scorers for the golds.
Manaaki Rewi-Wetini converted three of the scores.
The blues development team fell 15-12 in a close encounter with Matamata B.
Siki Bari and Inia Titoko were the two to
cross the chalk for the visitors.
Eseroma Nabalawa had a conversion rate of 50 per cent, missing one of the kicks. Matamata B grabbed three unconverted tries.
University posted a 34-12 win in the women’s premiership game.
Blues Super Rugby Aupiki player Paris Mataroa scored seven of Ōtorohanga’s points.
The women’s squad will head up the road to face Kihikihi this Saturday, while it’s the men’s turn to pay University a visit.
Kio Kio United Cattle Dogs fell 38-0 to Beachlands Maraetai in the combined Waikato-Counties Manukau Under-85kg rugby competition.
This Saturday, they will host the Pukekohe under-85kg team at Maihihi.
It reads as a tough battle as the 11th placed Cattle Dogs facing the second placed visitors.
Two new club champs
The Otorohanga Tennis Club finished the with two new club champions – Donna Russell and George Butcher.
The women’s singles final featured some long rallies between Russell and Joyce Wong who was a first time finalist.
The men’s singles final kept spectators entertained with even longer hard fought rallies with Butcher beating the defending champion Paul Fleming in the third set tiebreaker.
After some close matches the men’s doubles club champs winners were Brendon McNeil and Levi Udy, with runners up Jazz Stafford and Paul Fleming. Women’s doubles club champs winners were Marj Carr and Donna Russell, runners up Dorothy Carr and Jo Leslie.
Mixed doubles club champs winners were George Butcher and Zoe Clapcott, runners up were Holly Carr-Paterson and Marcus Paterson.
Hunt event on target
Top shots were noted for their efforts during the recent annual Wild Hunting Competition organised by Piopio Cosmopolitan Club. Entrants came from as far as Tauranga and Port Waikato, club president Waide Jones said.
“It’s a magic community event and I hope everybody enjoyed it as much as we do,” Jones said.
Entry numbers were similar to last year – 128 adults and 100 children.
This year’s major prize winners were: Heaviest boar: Buster Kerr, 82.9kg, Heaviest red stag: Nathan Marshall, 126kg, Heaviest fallow stag: Donovan Morris, 58kg, Longest snapper: Kevin Stott, 75cm, Heaviest kahawai: Rosie Donald, 1.93kg.
Ōtorohanga, looking for its first win in the Waikato senior men’s football competition, agreed to postpone its home match against Tokoroa, which was stricken with injuries and players unavailable, last weekend.
The club’s response to being asked to put the game off would not be forgotten, Tokoroa coach Dean Tereu said. The competition intensified at the weekend.
Unbeaten Cambridge fell at Hamilton’s Galloway Park to one of the three Claudelands teams in the league while Te Awamutu made it two wins in a row at Huntly.
The focus will be on Galloway Park again on Saturday. Cambridge is at Claudelands again, to play league leaders the Wallys while Ōtorohanga is also at Galloway to play Claudelands Stallions. Neighbours Te Awamutu hosts Unicol.
George Butcher, left, deposed singles champ Paul Fleming.
Trey Mason of Piopio College, pictured with Barry Stott (right) picked up the awards for best average weight for fallow stag - 47.3k.
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Across 1. Ancient roofing (6) 4. Sew (6) 9. Lay to rest (5)
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11. Make better (7)
13. Midday (4)
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17. Yield (4)
18. Applicable to an entire class or group (7)
Last week
21. Live longer than (7)
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25. Formed (6)
Down
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2. Colony insect (3) 3. Antique (5) 5. Hairstyle associated with samurai and sumo wrestlers (3,4)
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Big wins – but it’s little good
By Norris Woodbine
With the first round of King Country Premiership Club Rugby done and dusted the lop-sided nature of the competition is engineering much concern among club land as to the short-term future of rugby in this region.
Results on Saturday saw the Taumarunui Eels travel to Turangi for a Hetet Shield challenge, which should be a pinnacle event, and return home having been beaten 130–0 (I am reliably informed this was the final score)
Almost as bad was the “match of the round” result in Taupō where a rampant Marist side destroyed a reasonable Piopio side that included quality players in Caleb Foote, Isaac Griffin, Keyen Reymer, and Chey Havea with a 102–0 scoreline.
When in a seven-team competition the gap between top sides and the rest is the stark reality of century points tallies and one-sided affairs supporters begin to question the point.
This could lead to defaults and non-results as the cold foggy frosty King Country weather kicks in and player enthusiasm wanes and under strength sides find recruitment struggles mount.
The King Country Union has announced some radical changes to the make-up of their governing board including a new chairman and vice chairman and it is hoped the refiguration of club rugby is high on their agenda.
Rumours abound that the Taupo clubs are looking toward Rotorua for their future competition which would leave rugby followers in this region and Taumarunui with restricted opportunities.
The one bright spot is the rise of the local Waitete club. A disastrous 2024 campaign has been well and truly turned around and with victory over defending champions Taumarunui Districts last week the team has locked down third place on the ladder.
After leaving Te Kuiti on a cold foggy morning, they were greeted by an outstanding autumn day at the Taumarunui Domain and although without Jared Crosland, Wiremu Harris and Isaac Wana still fielded a powerful side which included a debut for 18-yearold Api Williams.
Another positive saw NZ Māori under 20 rep Rico Bell take the field for the first time
in 2025.
With the battle for third up for grabs the game began in frantic fashion and play swept up and down the field before in the 17th minute a sweeping backline move saw Waitete open the scoring when young Ivan Reid crossed in the corner.
Just three minutes later outstanding hooker Mike Lea ranged up in midfield smashing through defenders and showing real pace to surge across under the bar giving Callum Hedley an easy conversion and a 12–0 lead.
District fought back and scored a converted try before star centre Baven Brown Jnr extended Waitete’s lead to 17–7 as the half time hooter rang out.
The second half started much the same as the first as Districts attempted to exert some dominance however after 10 minutes Waitete sealed their lead as Phayzen Marshall completed another sweeping backline excursion scoring handy enough for Hedley to convert.
Down 24–7 Districts then struck back with a try before the superior fitness and cohesion of the visitors pack saw them take control and put replacement winger
Shannon Yorke over in the corner to post the 29–12 victory.
For Waitete prop Ryan Joyes secured the MVP points and he is in outstanding form anchoring the powerful scrum, the classy Bell, who shone on both attack and defence, secured two points while Lea franked his form securing one point.
This week will see Waitete host Piopio in Te Kuiti, Waitomo is on the road to Taupo Marist and Tongariro United host Taumarunui Districts.
Rugby picks
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Waitete hookers Mike Lea was in good form in Taumarunui
Peter Hurley (16) Waitete Tongariro Taupō Marist
Carl Cressy (18) Waitete Tongariro Taupō Marist
Craig McKellar (21) Waitete Tongariro Taupō Marist
Christen Diamond (17) Waitete Tongariro Taupō Marist
Our tipsters are in agreement this week, and Craig McKellar with 21 remain a clear leader in the King Country match result contest.
Team Kerry & Karen
Piopio 4 Kiwi Street
Piopio 7/5 Kaka Street
Kuiti 3
Piopio 9 Kuku Street
Kuiti
Te Kuiti 52A Hill Street
Te Kuiti 6 Elizabeth Street
Piopio 12 Kea Street
Te Kuiti 9 Craig Terrace
Mahoenui 7 Gribbon Road
163 Old Te Kuiti Road, Lots 1 & 4, 5517-8932sqm, easy
Lot 1, 627 Waitomo Valley Road, Otorohanga, 8105sqm
Lots 90-108 Harpers Avenue, 486sqm to 962sqm, Westridge II
576C Mangawhero Road, Otorohanga, 1ha, fenced, sensible covenants. Ph Noldy
2/823 Ngahape Road, Otorohanga, over 6000sqm, elevated building site, rural views. Ph Noldy $450,000 3/823 Ngahape Road, Otorohanga, over 6500sqm of land, power to boundary, fencing in. Ph Noldy $450,000
Te Kūiti sections (sizes are approximate)
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54A Ailsa Street (Lot 1), Te Kuiti, 2159sqm, end of a cul de sac, STT. Phone Buzz By Negotiation 54A Ailsa Street (Lot 2), Te Kuiti, 1707sqm, end of a cul de sac, STT. Phone Buzz By Negotiation
10 Robin Azariah Place, Te Kuiti, 600sqm level section. Phone Buzz
Other sections (sizes are approximate)
0 State Highway 3, Piopio, 984sqm. Phone Buzz By
171 Ngahape Road, Te Kawa, 5001sqm. Phone Cherie
0 Raglan Road, Kawhia, 2648sqm lifestyle section, no covenants, completely
1961 SH31 Kawhia Road, Otorohanga, 16.95ha, bikes,
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Te Kuiti Lyceum Club, 4 Hinerangi Street, Te Kūiti
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Quick Fire Raffles & Sales Table
Meeting followed by shared afternoon tea
Section 101, Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act
2012
PUBLIC NOTICE
Of an application for Club Licence
PIOPIO RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB INCORPORATED, Rukuhia Domain, Aria Road, Piopio 3912 has made application to the District Licensing Committee at Ōtorohanga District Council, Ōtorohanga for the renewal of a club licence in respect of the premises situated at Rukuhia Domain, Aria Road, Piopio 3912 known as Piopio Rugby Football Club Incorporated
The general nature of the business conducted (or to be conducted) under the licence is club. The days on which and the hours during which alcohol is (or is intended to be) sold under the licence are Monday-Thursday, 7.30pm-10pm, Friday 6pm-12 midnight, Saturdays and Public Holidays, 2.30pm - 12 midnight, Sundays 2.3pm-9pm
The application may be inspected during ordinary office hours at the office of the Ōtorohanga District Licensing Committee, Ōtorohanga District Council, Maniapoto St, Ōtorohanga.
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 Ōtorohanga District Council, PO Box 11, Ōtorohanga 3940. 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 first publication of this notice.
RANGITOTO TUHUA 2C2B TRUST AGM
and Call for Nominations of Trustee
Date: 14 June 2025 Time: 10am
Venue: Ngakonui Hall 826 Taringamotu Road
Nominations are currently being accepted for two Trustee for Rangitoto Tuhua 2C2B Trust. Nominations will close on Thursday 10th June 2025
Nomination forms can be obtained from the Trust
Email: joepihama@gmail.com azlu@xtra.co.nz
AGENDA: Karakia Apologies
Minutes from last Meeting Chairman’s Report Financial Report Strategic Plan Distribution Policy Trustee Election General Business Karakia Whakamutunga Hakari
District Council
Details of upcoming meetings can be found at www.otodc.govt.nz/aboutcouncil/meetings
Tanya Winter Chief Executive
www.otodc.govt.nz
Waitomo District Rates
Reminder - Instalment 4
This is a friendly reminder that the fourth instalment of your 2024/2025 rates is due by 5pm, Friday 30 May 2025. Rates invoices were posted out in April.
Payments received after 5pm, 30 May 2025 will attract a 10% penalty.
Rates payments can be made at the Customer Service and Visitor Hub, 160 Rora Street Te Kūiti, over the phone by credit card, on our website or by Internet Banking using your valuation number as your reference.
Please contact our friendly Customer Services Team on 0800 932 4357 for further assistance.
www.waitomo.govt.nz
Ben Smit Chief Executive
Rating Information Database Available For Public Inspection
Pursuant to Section 28 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, Waitomo District Council gives notice that the district valuation roll and rates records are available for public inspection at the Customer Service and Visitor Hub at 160 Rora Street,Te Kūiti during opening hours.
The Rating Information Database is also available on our website at www.waitomo.govt.nz (under Our Council –Rates Information – Rating Information Database).
The Rating Information Database contains information required by the Council for setting and assessing rates on each rating unit within the Waitomo District.
The owners’ names and postal addresses of all properties are available for inspection unless Council has received a request in writing to withhold an owner’s name and postal address from the database.
All requests for suppression of names and postal addresses must be made in writing and addressed to Waitomo District Council, PO Box 404, Te Kūiti 3941 or emailed to: rates@waitomo.govt.nz.
Ben Smit Chief Executive
Ph Deb 027
CALF MILK WANTED
GARAGE Sale – Household items, clothing, baby/kids. Otorohanga Girl Guide Hall, 13 Kakamutu Road. 9am12pm.
GREY POWER OP SHOP
– Grocery Raffle: 1st #39 Lea Siosio; 2nd #88 Philip Campbell; Dressed Mutton: #41 Marion K. Thank you all for supporting Grey Power King Country.
PIOPIO ARIA MŌKAU CO-OPERATING PARISH
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
HARRIS (nee Blackcell), Christine Ellen – It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Christine Ellen Harris (nee Blackcell) at Kimahia Resthome aged 76. Born in Australia 14/02/1949, passed 16/05/2025. Devoted wife of Dennis (Des), mother to Justin and Eilaina, stepmum to Caroline. A service to be held this Friday 11am at the Otorohanga RSA. Many thanks to the devoted care of the wonderfull staff of Kimahia Resthome. Any communication please pass on to Seddon Park Funeral Home 49 Seddon Rd, Frankton, Hamilton 3204.
MORRISON, Bryan Peter –
On Tuesday May 13, 2025, at Waikato Hospital, aged 91 years. Beloved husband of the late Jill, dearly loved father of Peter and Carolyn, David and Trish, Kimberley and Michael, and Janine; grandfather of Alice and Mark, Nicholas, Hayley and Lachlan, Belinda, Matthew, Andrew and Samuel; great grandfather of Pypah, Harper, Sophie, Olivia, Isla, Rose, Finn, Bethany, Peter, Charlie and Ava. A private service has been held to celebrate and give thanks for Bryan’s life.
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1.21).
All correspondence to The Morrison family, C/-PO Box 276, Hamilton 3240 or leave a tribute at www. hamiltonfuneralhome.co.nz Woolertons’ Funeral Home.
Bocock ’s Calf Rearing
Pete 027 433 1440 Mark 0274746917
Mōkau contact: 06 752 9123
Ngakawe & Hauraki Wana Whanau Trust
AGM
Saturday, June 14 • 1pm
31 Anzac St, Te Kuiti
St Bride's Anglican Church Haerehuka St Ōtorohanga
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Losing a loved one is never easy, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Our professional and compassionate team is available 24/7 to guide you through every step, ensuring a farewell that truly reflects their life. Call us anytime – we’re here when you need us.
96 Rora Street, Te Kūiti 07 878 8882 or 027 567 1930 bloomsandbrewsnz@gmail.com
96 Rora Street, Te Kūiti 07 878 8882 or 027 567 1930 bloomsandbrewsnz@gmail.com
96 Rora Street, Te Kūiti 07 878 8882 or 027 567 1930 bloomsandbrewsnz@gmail.com
96 Rora Street, Te Kūiti 07 878 8882 or 027 567 1930 bloomsandbrewsnz@gmail.com
96 Rora Street, Te Kūiti 07 878 8882 or 027 567 1930 bloomsandbrewsnz@gmail.com
96 Rora Street, Te Kūiti 07 878 8882 or 027 567 1930 bloomsandbrewsnz@gmail.com
96 Rora Street, Te Kūiti 07 878 8882 or 027 567 1930 bloomsandbrewsnz@gmail.com
96 Rora Street, Te Kūiti 07 878 8882 or 027 567 1930 bloomsandbrewsnz@gmail.com
96b Rora Street,Te Kūiti 07 878 8882 bloomsandbrewsnz@gmail.com
96 Rora Street, Te Kūiti 07 878 8882 or 027 567 1930 bloomsandbrewsnz@gmail.com
to Thursday
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Teri Keir Funeral Director
