The Buzzy Bee of Ōtorohanga is part way through a refurbishment at the hands of the town’s Menz Shed and should be back inaction in a matter of days. Sheddie Darcy Lupton said some “keyhole surgery” had been required because a pipe going through one of Buzzy’s wings had broken off.
New premises
Ōtorohanga’s
development
board Elevate has moved to new premises on Maniapoto Street and is rebranding as ‘information services’ having dropped the I-site brand. The organisation also has a new business development coordinator, Meela Bhatti.
Taupo goes solo
Taupō District Council has decided not to join Waipā and five other district councils in handing its water services over to Waikato Water Done Well and will recommend the stance to its community.
Ōtorohanga mayor Max Baxter said it would be extremely beneficial to all Waikato Waters Done Well councils if Taupō were to join them later and Waitomo mayor John Robertson noted Taupo’s preferred option, and they intended revisiting it in 2027.
Anzac winners
A Māori Women’s Welfare League entry won a shop front competition in Ōtorohanga run in the lead up to Anzac Day. Mitre 10 Ōtorohanga and Beattie Home and Hospital also impressed the judges – their displays were recognised as highly commended.
Correction
Piopio Cosmopolitan Club’s annual Wild Hunting Competition is underway from today, May 8, finishing on Saturday. We apologise for getting our days wrong last week.
Our centurions
They celebrated a 103rd birthday at Beattie Home in Ōtorohanga - and a 100th at Te Kūiti’s Hillview Home. We catch up with Mary and Laurie.
It’s a double party for Laurie
By Jon Rawlinson
Laurie Cowan required two birthday parties to ensure everyone on the guest list could celebrate his latest milestone with him.
“It went well,” daughter Erin Freeman said soon after the first party on May 3.
“He made a nice little speech and said he would see everyone at his 105th, so he missed a year... He loved his party and said the people who came to celebrate with him have been special throughout his life.”
Laurie is short and to the point when asked how it feels to be one of the oldest elders in New Zealand at 103.
“I felt the same today as I did yesterday... so there’s no difference really.”
Ask about his secrets to such longevity and his brevity is the soul of wit.
“I’ve never smoked, enjoyed everything in moderation and I’ve surrounded myself with good people.
“Staying busy and active while planning things to look forward to has also been important to me in my retirement years.”
Known for his sense of humour, Laurie enjoys interacting with his caregivers at Ōtorohanga’s Beattie Home, Erin says.
“They are just wonderful,” she says. “The ladies there are always having a joke and a laugh with him.”
When aged a mere 100, Laurie shared a story with The News about an army medic during the Second World War who said he would never make ‘old bones’ due to health conditions. Although he spent years recovering from rheumatic fever, Laurie has well and truly proved his critic wrong.
“We have laughed about that story often,” Erin says. “The army doctors said he wasn’t fit for service, but the army didn’t want to pay him out either, so they didn’t know what to do with him. Eventually, he offered to sign something to say they didn’t need to pay him out and they discharged
Laurie Cowan
him.”
Laurie marked his 100th birthday with a fishing trip. Although he has since hung up his rods, Erin says he has accumulated quite the haul of fishing stories over the years.
“That was the last trip. In recent years, he would charter a boat up at Thames and would make up numbers with friends and family. He has always had a love for fishing – for trout in the rivers and lakes or sea fishing at Kāwhia, Mayor Island or Thames.”
Laurie raised sheep for most of his life at his Rewarewa farm. After a lifetime of work for most, he slowed down but did not stop.
“He did a range of jobs over the years as well, including as a driver for Ōtorohanga Transport and a stint as a buyer for the Wool Board,” Erin said. “He even drove a bus for Ōtewā and Rangitoto schools, finally giving up work after he celebrated his 90th birthday.”
Laurie was reluctant to move from his own home until just a couple of years ago.
“He said they would have to catch him first. When he was admitted to Waikato Hospital (aged 101), he was told it was no longer tenable for him to live alone. In typical fashion, he realised that he had no choice and moved into Beattie Home. In no time at all, he loved it there and couldn’t ask for better carers saying: ‘The girls do a marvellous job and are very caring’.”
Laurie has four grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren.
Land girl marks a century
By Chris Gardner
A tireless King Country campaigner to have members of the Women’s Land Army recognised with service medals has celebrated her 100th birthday at Hillview Home.
Mary Lee, who was born on May 1, 1925, in Aria, received cards from King Charles and prime minister Christopher Luxon and a message from Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association national president Sir Wayne “Buck” Shelford.
Lee, nee Coyle, was educated in Piopio, and contributed to the New Zealand war effort by serving on the family dairy farm as a land girl in the Women’s Land Army throughout World War II while men were away fighting.
She was one of more than 2700 women placed on farms, contributing to increased wartime agricultural production. They took on tough tasks like shearing sheep, harvesting crops, and managing livestock.
Lee was successful in getting such service officially recognised as patron of the Te Kūiti and Districts Women’s Section branch of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association.
Lee lived in Te Kūiti for most
of her adult life and moved into Hillview Home in 2023.
She resigned as patron of the women’s section shortly before her birthday and received bouquets of appreciation from women’s section president Glenyss O’Halloran and branch president Barry Batley.
Lee married The Empire usher Roy Lee in 1948, having worked alongside him at the Te Kūiti venue, and was whisked away to her honeymoon on an Indian motorbike.
“My old man worked out the bike could not carry him and Mum over the Kaimais, so he rode to the top and waited for Mum to walk up,” said her son Graeme who travelled to Hillview Home from Ōhope to celebrate with his mother on Thursday.
His sister Diane Humffreys, of Te Kuiti, also attended with members of the wider family.
The couple operated shoe shops in Te Kūiti and Ōtorohanga for 50 years retiring in the late 1980s. Lee was widowed about 30 years ago.
Asked about the secret of a long life, Lee said: “Do everything wrong.”
Judging by Thursday’s party, the mother of two, great grandmother of 10, and great great grandmother of one, must have done a few things right.
King Country centenarian Mary Lee, centre, was joined by son Graeme Lee and daughter Diane Humffreys on her birthday at Hillview Home. Photo: Chris Gardner
Will $80,000 stop boy racers?
By Chris Gardner
Police should be asked to fund part of the $80,000 Waitomo council will spend preventing dangerous driving in Te Kūiti, says councillor Eady Manawaiti.
“We can’t be seen to be responding to every anti-social or criminal activity in our town or in our district. It’s the job of the police. We should send them part of the bill too,” Manawaiti said at last month’s council meeting.
Manawaiti seconded mayor John Robertson’s motion to spend $80,000 to create car parks and build out kerbs in Te Kūiti Road, Ngarongo Street, Williams Street and Park Street.
The resolution was designed to solve two problems at once: slow traffic down, while better serving
Centennial Park with dedicated parking.
“Effectively, we are receiving angry residents because they are fed up with not being received by the local law authority. I know they do their best, but it’s been commented before, we can all be better,” Manawaiti said.
The council received a delegation of residents in February asking for speed bumps or traffic islands to stop boy racers.
Residents took to hurling sticks and stones at those performing late night and early morning burnouts, and roping streets off, because police did not arrive in time to catch them.
As well as responding to residents’ concerns, Manawaiti said the introduction of car parking was also a positive response to the
development of Centennial Park.
“It feels a wee bit like we’ve let the cops off the hook,” fellow urban councillor Dan Tasker said.
“If it is their obligation to keep our community safe, without being disrespectful the finger needs to be put in their chest. We’re trying to do the right thing, and we want to be seen by our community as being front footing, because there’s been a lot of talk and not a lot of action.”
Tasker was worried the spend would not stop boy racers.
“Hoons are going to be hoons. If that was me, I wouldn’t give a stuff about white lines painted on the road, I would carry on doing what I wanted to do,” he said.
“At some point we’ve got to be able to go to the cops and say we’re putting our trust in you to look after our community, and we need your
Good start to season
A mixed bag of weather conditions equated to a mixed bag of results nationwide as game bird season opened on May 3, but it was good news for Neil Pratt.
“We were just north of Ōtorohanga on the Waipa River,” the Pirongia hunter said. “We were on a flight path so we were off to a good start and managed to get our limits, of paradise and mallard ducks, on the Saturday and almost on the Sunday too.”
This year’s opening day saw a fifth consecutive generation of the Pratt family take part.
Although Michael’s children – the aptly named Hunter, 4, and Spencer Pratt, 6 – were too young to shoot, they earned their keep by retrieving birds.
A lack of water in fields and ponds encouraged ducks to remain close to the river, Neil said.
“The weather was clear with a nice southerly breeze that kept stirring the ducks up and kept them moving. The ducks were staying on the path of the river, so we saw traffic going up and down the river all day.”
A reduction of hunters on day two was evidence of a successful day one, day one successes the Te Kūiti Cambridge Trap Shooters Club president said.
“There was a lot of people out shooting in the area on the Saturday but not quite as many on Sunday. Obviously some people had a big effort then decided not to go back out.”
help, because otherwise we’re going to have families having to knock on doors which they are already doing. They are trying to make matters into their own hands and that puts them at danger,” he said.
Councillor Gavin Todd voted against the spend.
He previously called for police to attend the meeting and explain what they are doing about burnouts.
“I appreciate what the council is doing, I am not sure that it’s going to make a difference,” Todd said.
“We’re trying to do something, but is this actually going to be value for money? I am not sure.”
The Police Media Team told The News Sergeant Gary Anderson had planned to attend last week’s meeting, but he was stood down by the mayor.
Police declined to comment
on whether they had resourcing issues, or people were simply not reporting antisocial behaviour, but they did say they were working hard to identify and locate those involved in this behaviour. They urged people to report any suspicious, unlawful, or dangerous road activity as soon as possible. One driver has been arrested and charged for failing to stop, they said.
A council report said the option would narrow the road to drivers and slow vehicles down. Extra parking spaces around Centennial Park would create additional benefits for the community. Depending on the results, further work could include small crossing islands and a mini roundabout.
Robertson proposed the resolution after a recent meeting with residents, councillors Manwaiti and Tasker.
Neil Pratt (right) with his son, Michael
Farmers want voices to be heard
By Chris Gardner
Former King Country River Care chair
Reon Verry says farmers should 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 last 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 initiate 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.
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
HE WHAKAWHITIWHITINGA WHAKAARO
Language work honoured
By Tom Roa, Tikanga Advisor, Waikato University
I very much enjoyed graduation at the University of Waikato on April 8 where Te Haumihiata Mason was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate. This is the most prestigious honour a university can offer to a person.
Part of her conferment ceremony included a little biography relating many of her achievements some of which led to her being honoured with her appointment in the 2023 New Year Honours as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
She is credited with a reputation nationally and internationally in the revival of the Māori language as a teacher, a lecturer, and as a translator of literature, like Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and Anne Frank’s Diary of a Young Girl. Her translation of Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida was performed at Shakespeare’s Globe in London in 2013. These translations and her work as the Māori Language expert consultant on the feature film ‘Muru’ about the 2007 police raids on the Urewera and periodic consultancies with the Māori Language Commission evidencing her skill not just as a translator of words but a transmitter, across cultures, of ideas.
In her doctoral address, Dr. Mason quoted Shakespeare in Hamlet’s assertion that ‘There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.’
I particularly enjoyed Dr. Mason’s allying that sentiment from the 17th century with a perception of AI in this 21st century.
Her Māori translation to me was exquisite. She asserted “He tika kei te hē, ki te tika te whāwhāria, he hē kei te tika, ki te hē te whāwhāria”. My free translation is that ‘In bad, there is good, if the treatment of that is appropriate’. Conversely, ‚In good, there is bad, if the treatment is not appropriate... or just plain wrong.’
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 should 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. 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.
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 write-off related to the failure of a major software project in January.
ON SHAKY GROUND
Our world unknown
By Janine Krippner
This week in The New York Times is an article titled “Volcanic Eruption in Deep Ocean Ridge Is Witnessed by Scientists for the First Time.”
Isn’t that amazing — that we can be witnessing one of Earth’s fundamental processes for the first time in 2025?
The researchers were using a submersible to study an area over 2000km offshore from Costa Rica, in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
One day, they were observing an incredible ecosystem 2.5 km below the ocean surface near a hydrothermal vent. When they returned the next day, the seafloor was black and lifeless.
Above the fresh lava — quickly quenched into solid rock — were particles suspended in the water, and they even saw hints of molten lava. They were witnessing the end of the eruption.
You may have heard it said that we know more about the surface of the Moon than we do about our deep oceans. Here on the North Island, we can get to the beach within a few hours’ drive and dip our feet in the ocean, while the Moon is 384,400 km away.
We’ve used satellites to map the Moon, landed rovers on its surface, and even brought back samples that have been studied in detail. The lunar surface has been thoroughly mapped and continues to be researched.
In contrast, people are working to map the entire seabed by 2030 — an international collaboration aptly named Seabed 2030. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as of June 2024, only 26.1 per cent of the seabed had been mapped using high-resolution multibeam sonar technology.
Considering about 70 per cent of our planet is covered by oceans, which leaves an enormous area still largely unexplored. There’s so much left to discover — so many exciting breakthroughs in knowledge and understanding still to come.
We have a general map of the seafloor based on satellite altimetry, which measures variations in sea surface height caused by gravitational influences from the seafloor. While this provides a decent broad view, it lacks detail.
That said, we do know quite a bit. We know where tectonic plates collide and pull apart, where major fault zones create trenches and ridges. And as our technology advances, so too does our understanding of what lies beneath.
We don’t know how many volcanoes are hidden beneath the sea surface. In 2011 more than 24,000 were estimated, and in 2023 a study identified another 19,325.
These features were classified as “smaller seamounts,” meaning they were less than 2.5 km tall — still far from “wee little hills.”
Our record of eruptions on land shows a steady increase since 1800, but today we can detect most surface eruptions even when no one is there to report them, thanks to satellites and global monitoring systems.
I hope this sparks a sense of inspiration and awe, knowing there’s so much beauty left to discover on our planet — and so much exciting work still to be done to understand it.
Who knows where our technology and curiosity will take us next?
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Te Haumihiata Mason received Waikato University’s most prestigious honour.
HEART OF THE C MMUNITY
Our Mother
“We have a very special message for you. With Mother`s Day approaching we always tell you stories about jewellery but now we want to write about our amazing mother – the pearl in our business. She always holds us tight and says: “I love you”. I love You –from her heart. Mum who is a great listener, strong, supportive and passionate about our dreams.
Our mother is a wonderful jeweller with lots of creativity and full of amazing thoughts. She is our very special team member who works tirelessly in the background creating special pieces for others. So today we want to thank her for all the kindness and the work she has done for us and for our business.
Mothers are like pearls – they`re unique, strong, special and precious. This Mother`s Day give her a timeless classic symbol of the love and care your mother like ours has given unconditionally.
We cover a wide area, servicing clients from Waitomo and Te Kūiti to Benneydale, Ōhura and west along the coast, travelling as far north as Waikawau and Kāwhia. We are a diverse practice, with a very experienced and skilled production animal team who enjoy working with farmers and helping them maximize profitability.
We also have an experienced team dedicated to companion animal medicine and surgery. Our vets are skilled in a diverse range of species and their associated medical and surgical requirements.
We offer a full range of services and have extensive showrooms stocked with everything from drench, dips and dairy products to pet accessories. Our staff have their areas of expertise and offer up to date information and advice to help you make the right decision for your situation.
Our close team of veterinarians and support staff take pride in trying to achieve the best outcomes in terms of your farm’s animal health and overall productivity. We understand that every farmer runs their farming operation in their own unique way and that advice must be tailored to each client, and each situation.
Our vets spend time getting to know our clients, and are attuned to their individual needs. We realise that one size does not always fit all.
Protect your business: Quality insurance advice from locals
Businesses face exposure to risks every day. That’s why it’s important to have the right insurance in place, to help mitigate risks and enhance your financial resilience for business success.
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We are proud of our success in helping our clients navigate the challenges they face while best protecting their assets.
Please contact Pat, Sheryl, Janice or Hannah today.
“Te hanga tahi o tātou TakiwaShaping our District together”
Waitomo District Council provides services, facilities and infrastructure to support safe and prosperous communities.
We manage services such as local roads, footpaths, water supplies, animal control, library, visitor information, public swimming pool, parks and gardens, cemeteries, playgrounds, recycling and rubbish disposal, building control, and environmental services.
We also provide funding opportunities for community groups and organisations through our community and partnerships fund.
If you are new to our district and would like to find out more about what we do, please read our Long Term Plan 2024-2034 (available on our website) which sets out our plans on how we will shape our district together.
If you need assistance with a service, please visit our website waitomo.govt.nz, phone us on 0800 932 4357, email info@waitomo.govt.nz or visit our Customer Service and Visitor Hub on Rora Street, Te Kūiti.
Christine Flexman, Emmah Dempsey and Sue Moys
Janice Haine
Sheryl Sowerby
Pat Hickey
Hannah Youngman
FOR BLOOMING BEAUTIES AND PLANTS THAT THRIVE
Katrina Christison Tidy Gardens
Seven easy steps to planting success with fruit trees
Now’s the ideal time to plant your new fruit trees. Cooler temperatures and autumn rains help young trees establish strong roots before summer. Whether it’s apples, plums, or citrus— get them in the ground now for sweet rewards later. So here are the top tips from Waimea Nurseries one of the largest fruit tree growers in New Zealand.
PLANTING SITE - Choose a position to plant your fruit tree where there is full sun (minimum 6 hours/day) with good soil drainage.
DIG HOLE - Dig a hole at least 30cm wide x 40cm deep. If the soil is quite heavy or clay, chip away at the sides of the hole to make it easier for the roots to grow.
PLANT - When removing the bag or pot, the potting mix may fall away from the roots - don’t worry, this is totally normal for new season fruit trees. Place the tree in the hole, making sure that the graft union is at least 15cm above ground level.
WATER, MULCH, STAKE - Dormant deciduous trees won’t require much watering until growth starts in the Spring, however the trees should be watered in once planted to firm down the soil and hydrate the roots. Apply mulch (for example straw) around the base of the tree, in a donut shape to keep the mulch away from the trunk. Use a strong stake to support the tree,
using soft bands to secure the tree.
PRUNE - It is highly recommended to prune trees immediately after planting, to ensure that the tree grows in the desired tree form and to the desired height. It is much easier to keep a smaller tree small, than to tame a tree which has been left unpruned. The first few years of growth should be to make a good tree form and size, rather than focussing about fruit production - as a good tree form and appropriate size will produce much more harvestable fruit in the long run. A pruning paint is recommended to use on pruning cuts to protect the wounds from disease.
FEED - Young fruit trees should receive regular applications of granular slow/controlled release fertilizer, which is reasonably high in Nitrogen - to focus the growth on vegetative growth (to encourage the strong tree form mentioned above). Once the trees reach their fruiting years, a more balanced fruit tree fertilizer and/or Sulphate of Potash should be used.
SUMMER TREE CARE -. During Summer, encourage branch growth and root establishment with regular feeding and watering, especially during dry spells. Continue to prune for size and shape through the Summer. Remove any rootstock growth which sprouts below the graft union.
Waitete fall short
By Norris Woodbine
A large crowd turned out in perfect rugby weather to participate in the rugby entertainment in Te Kuiti on Saturday as Waitete hosted a fired-up Taupo Marist with both sides looking to secure second place on the points table.
For the second week in row Waitete came up short against a Rams laden opposition but as the 34–29 scoreline suggests the game hung in the balance until the final whistle.
Marist began the game in positive fashion and raced to an early 15-point lead. Waitete struck back with a try to Ryan Joyes before on the 25-minute mark Marist scored another converted try to secure a healthy 22–5 lead.
Once again Waitete fought back and Phayzen Marshall continued his fine try scoring form scooting down the grandstand touchline and dotting down under the posts allowing Baven brown Jnr an easy conversion.
Just before the break Carlos Karaitiana received his marching orders when a retaliatory punch was spotted by the officials and Marist scored another converted try to go to the break in command 29–12.
With second half just five minutes old Marist crossed again out wide, and the 14-man Waitete looked to be in real trouble down 34–12.
Waitete on their home track should never be underestimated and the remainder of the game saw their pack lead by the outstanding Michael Lea, Livai Toofooa and Ryan Joyes
Rugby picks
take control.
Lea who powered his way through brittle defence to score and Brown Jnr slotted the conversion and within five minutes Brown crossed for another after a trademark run to close the gap to 34-19.
Marist was tiring and Waitete side began to believe an upset was on the cards however the defence remained resolute, and they were held at bay.
Finally with just minutes left on the clock Riddick Rangitonga finished off a backline move, crossing in the corner, to set up a frantic ending where Waitete were just unable to complete a tremendous fight back.
“We scored three tries in the last half hour and our scrum continues to dominate everyone, so we remain confident moving forward,” Waitete manager Russel Smith
At the Waitomo Domain the home side were comprehensively beaten by defending champions Taumarunui Districts 53–10, with a try to young winger Tum Cassidy a rare highlight.
In a disappointing display the referee warned the Waitomo supporters that their behaviour would not be tolerated, and he would call the game off if it continued.
Piopio travelled to Taumarunui on Friday night and enjoyed a comprehensive 27–17 victory as they continue to march towards a semifinal berth.
This week Piopio host unbeaten Tongariro United while Waitomo travel to Taumarunui hosted by Taumarunui Eels while Taumarunui Districts host Taupo Marist while Waitete enjoy the bye.
Three of the best
By Jesse Wood
Ōtorohanga Sports had a trio of victories at Island Reserve in Waikato Club Rugby on Saturday.
The premier golds side held out Morrinsville Sports 35-21 in front of the home fans.
Ōtorohanga scored five tries to three, keeping Morrinsville at the bottom of the premier ladder.
The premier development blues team ran rampant against Morrinsville B, winning 92-0.
The Blues scored 14 unanswered tries and captain Liam Fox added 11 conversions from the tee.
Fox scored 27 points overall.
Vereti Peceli reeled in a four try haul, while former King Country representative Ross Fenton was among the
other scorers.
In the women’s premiership, Ōtorohanga beat their University counterparts 33-10.
Waikato Farah Palmer Cup players Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Rina Paraone and Emma-Lee Heta all added points to the home team’s tally.
They now sit third on the table behind the dominant Melville women and Hamilton Old Boys Huskiez.
This Saturday, the Ōtorohanga women host northern neighbours Kihikihi, while the men host rivals Te Awamutu Sports.
Maihihi-based Kio Kio United Cattle Dogs defaulted to Karaka in the combined Waikato-Counties Manukau Under-85kg rugby competition.
This Saturday, Kio Kio will host Patumahoe.
Bowls champs start
Maryanne Tanfield won the King Country singles title on a weekend of indoor bowls club championships on Saturday.
She beat 2024 champion Jim Parsons 10-7 having led from the start. We’ll run a list of the club championship winners next week.
The tournament attracted 16 players and Tanfield will represent the King Country Centre singles zone play-off in New Plymouth in July.
A King Country B team will travel to Kapuni on Saturday to play a Taranaki team. The team of 12 is Arthur Pitcher, David Moore, Donna Mills, Andrew Gordon, Marlene Walker, Mike Profitt, Susie Rushbrooke, Cruze Hardwidge, Brendon Hand, Rod Ward, Margaret Taylor and Russell Vincent.
Peter Hurley (12) Piopio Waitomo Taupo Marist
Carlos Cressy (12) Tongariro Taumarunui Eels Taupo Marist
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OTOROHANGA LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
About Graymont
Graymont is a global leader in lime and limestone solutions. Lime is a versatile industrial chemical that is key to vital industrial processes and applications and is an essential element for addressing a multitude of complex environmental challenges.
Our Role
We are looking for a full-time fixed term Laboratory Technician. The role will be responsible for product sampling, testing and monitoring to meet production requirements and administering quality activities in line with company and legislative standards.
Ideally you will have relevant qualifications and/or have worked in a laboratory environment, but this is not essential as full training will be provided. You will be physically capable to undertake field sampling. A valid driver’s licence is required. The role will also require proficient computer skills.
Key Responsibilities Include:
• Conduct required sample quality testing of in-process and final products, submit results for quality control approval and identify non-conforming product.
• Provide guidance to the production
• Full-time, fixed term. • Monday - Friday.
teams around sampling, testing, and knowledge of quality related procedures.
• Participate in quality audits and implement corrective actions arising from identified deficiencies.
• Field sampling.
• Perform and organise laboratory equipment calibrations and maintenance.
• The role would include general lab admin duties such as labelling and packing of tested products, keeping the lab clean and well maintained.
You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this role.
Our Workplace
Graymont derives its competitive edge in large part from more than 1,600 employees who bring their diverse skills and energy to work every day at o ce and plant sites across North America and AsiaPacific. In return, we provide competitive wages and benefits, a safe and healthy work environment, and opportunities to grow and develop the skills and experience to realise your full potential.
BERGERSEN, Lorraine Gladys 5/10/1946 – 6/5/2020
TURNER, John William Thomas
20 R2yr S/Devon x strs
It only seems like yesterday, but in reality it’s been five years. Life is not the same but the memories will last forever. Always missing you. Aub.
50 R2yr Angus & Angus x strs
30 R2yr Ang Fries x strs
20 R2yr Hfd Fries x strs
25 R2yr Hfd x strs
These cattle are being sold due to farm being leased. Approx weight range
A/c
40
16
Services
Sunday 10am
Session clerk
Ph 07 873 8735
NIKORA, Willie
In memory of Willie who passed away on May 9, 1987. Words are few, feelings are deep, memories of you we will always keep. Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Remembered with love always. Bernie, Renee, and whanau.
LONGDEN, Alan 22-11-1951 – 29-04-25
Two years since you have left us. We don’t need a special day to bring you to mind, the days we don’t think of you are very hard to find. Each morning when we awake we know that you are gone and no one knows the heartache as we try to carry on. Our hearts still ache with sadness and secret tears flow, what it meant to lose you no one will ever know. Our thoughts are always with you, your place no one can fill…
In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still.
Forever April, Kat and James
HOHEPA-REIHANA, John (Inky) – Passed away in Dunedin on April 19, 2025 in his 60th year. Much loved son to the late Hinga and Peggy (Potaka) Hohepa. Loved brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend to his whanau in Kawerau and Te Kuiti. Inky’s funeral was held in Dunedin on April 23, 2025. Love you to the moon and back our one and only Inky Boy xxx
Room bookings
RATANA
CHURCH
Ph Nina 027 237 2382
Whakamoemiti
Oparure Paa 11am
Sunday, May 11
Nau mai haere mai
Contact: Waikura Jacobs 022 329 0512
Richard, Jason and Paul would like to express their gratitude to everyone who shared, expressed, and provided support throughout the loss of their father. A special thanks to Garth Williams (Te Awamutu Funeral Services), Maree Tregoweth, Steve McQuilkin, Vivien Katipa-Maikuku, the members of the Te Kuiti Motorcycle Enthusiast Club, Lorraine, and her family for keeping everyone fed and well looked after, and all the grandchildren for doing their grandfather proud.
Rest In Peace Dad.
This day, Wednesday 1st of May 2024 our Dad, Tom Ngatai aka ‘Boy’ left this world. There are no words to express our grief but we know Dad is at peace beside our Mum and those he has missed over the 82 years of his life. We invite all of Dads friends and our family to join us to unveil Dads headstone at Tawataha Urupa (353 Mangatea Road, Te Kūiti) on Saturday, 25 Oct 2025 at 11am. Lunch will be held at the Quota Club on 71 Taupiri Street to celebrate Dads life. We hope you can join us. Haere mai rā ki te whakanui te hurakōhatu o tō tatāu rangatira a Tame Ngatai, whakapiripiri mai, whakatatatata mai e.
NORTHCOTT, Harold “Neal” – In Devon, England, as a result of a fall in December that left him paralysed, he slowly declined and passed away peacefully April 27, 2025. Late of Aria. Aged 77 year. Partner of Sue Teaque, Son of the late Dell and Stan Northcott. Loved Brother of the late Valma and Don Bennie, Graham Old, Raewyn and the late Dave Mortensen (Te Kūiti), Wayne and Rosemary (Hamilton) Margaret and Colin Kenny (Tauranga), Robyn and the late Jim Ratima (Wagga Wagga), and Karen and Wayne Rattray (Wanganui). Service to take place at the Devon Crematorium, Barnstaple on Friday May 30 at 1.30pm. Hearse to process from the Town Arms at 12.30. If you are unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed and recorded via https://watch.obitus.com Username yapo7814 Pin 916121
Guiding you with care
In life’s hardest moments, you don’t have to be alone. Our caring, experienced, and local team offers support, guidance, and a
that truly honours your loved one.
Available 24/7 – call us when you need us.
The Rosetown Funerals team L to R: Jim Goddin, Teri Keir and Jordan Goss
