Ōtorohanga has a new ambulance and we have the story behind it. See Page 11
A couple of scholars
Two Piopio teachers have won scholarships which will see them back in the classroom –as learners. See Page 12
So berry busy.
Parking was at a premium on Sunday and the berries were selling like… can we say hot cakes? Jon Rawlinson catches up with the news from Piopio’s Berry Orchard on Page 5.
On the nose.
Seven pou in Kawhia erected to reflect the community’s diversity have been attacked by an element no one wants to reflect on –vandals. See story, Page 3.
Council rethinks its logo
By Chris Gardner
Ōtorohanga District Council is considering changing its logo again, and this time it will consult the community.
Councillors at a workshop on Tuesday knocked around the idea of reverting back to the previous kiwi logo, retaining the new Te Ōhanga or The Nest logo adopted last December, adding a kiwi to The Nest, or offering a scholarship for a new logo in a competition.
The workshop was held in response to a 380-signature petition collected by Brian Pitts-Brown and Frances Rawlings objecting to the lack of public consultation before the council replaced the kiwi logo.
Council strategy and community group manager Nardia Gower sought council direction at the workshop as to what options to include in her report being prepared for a December 9 meeting.
“It’s important we own up when we get something wrong,” she said. “I am not saying that the decision to change the logo was wrong, but the decision not to consult.
“It will be the staff recommendation that we should consult. Ask the public their logo preference and then feed that into the final decision.”
The new logo was created for the 2024-34 Long Term Plan 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 mayor Rodney Dow – who voted against introducing the logo last year - said the logo change had become quite an issue in the community.
“There’s a lot of misunderstanding, there’s a lot of miscommunication,” he said. “Good decisions are a lot cheaper in the long-term than bad ones.”
Deputy mayor Katrina Christison said a part of the community had been vocal on the current logo - but “there’s a part of the community that does not give a frig”.
Councillor Kit Jeffries couldn’t see why the council couldn’t switch back to the old logo and avoid costly consultation.
“I sometimes think we are using a hammer to crack a walnut,” he said.
Councillor Andrew Barker suggested the fourth option.
“Why don’t we open it up as a competition with an $8000 to $10,000 scholarship for a student?”
Gower said the council could provide a design brief.
Councillor Michael Woodward was worried more options would splinter public opinion but said if a kiwi were added to The Nest its beak should be yellow.
“The old logo looks like it’s stuck in the eighties,” he said.
Councillor Shane Carr said he had spoken to two of the initiators
The old black and white logo – and the new one introduced at the start of last year.
of the petition around the idea of placing a kiwi in the nest.
“They said that was quite a good compromise,” he said.
There was further debate
over whether burrow was a better name for the logo if it were to contain a kiwi.
Councillor Tayla Barclay was keen for the council to present the community with three options.
St John Health Shuttle
Providing transport to medical and health related appointments.
Call our local office to find out more: 0800 846 9992 or email wakaora@stjohn.org.nz
COSTAR FLORALS
A day for hats and high tea
By Jesse Wood
More than 50 women wearing hats, had high tea in the heat at Mike and Debbie Glasson’s Ōhaupō property last Thursday.
There were small hats, colourful brims and prim, proper headwear.
The Lawn & Turf owners’ immaculate garden hosted the Te Awamutu and District Memorial RSA Women’s Section general fundraiser.
“It’s great to see you all with your hats on. You all look amazing,” Mike said.
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Debbie’s mum Val Phillips had the idea and put it to her fellow women’s group committee members.
“I’ve been part of RSA women’s section for about five years but this is my first year on the committee,” Val said.
“I’ve always wanted to have a garden party. When I lived in Ōtorohanga, we had quite a big section at the back of the house.
“I could always picture tables and umbrellas around there, but we never got around to it.
“It’s so wonderful to have a beautiful day. Many hands made light work. It was lovely.”
First place for the best hat
went to Karen Duxfield, Maree Kewish was named second with her little pink number and Loma Sattler placed third.
Spirits were high among the group and they’re keen to make it an annual occasion.
“I would be nice if we could do it again, because people know what it’s about. I think it would be great,” Val said.
“They’ve had the best of everything today.”
Women’s section vice president Lois Knight was overjoyed with how the event and weather turned out.
“It’s been absolutely fabulous and all through one lady. We don’t do things like this today, it’s been special,” Lois said.
“It’s beautiful here and the weather was 10 times better than we expected. It was meant to be.
“It was such a mixed group and they all mixed well. There are people from the garden club, Val’s exercise group and our RSA ladies. We’ve even catered for it ourselves.
“People are welcome to come and join us at the RSA. We have two meetings per month. We’re also there to support the RSA in any way we can.”
On the beat with Constable Chris Aspin
Public help appreciated
It has been a productive week in the King Country, with our team making several arrests and recovering firearms and other items of interest.
Over the weekend, a 60-year-old male was arrested following an assault on a family member in Te Kuiti. During the arrest, the male was found to be in possession of methamphetamine.
Police recovered a stolen side-by-side vehicle at an address in Benneydale. The vehicle had been stolen and has been returned to the victim. This matter is under investigation it’s likely charges will follow.
A 25-year-old male, wanted in relation to a family harm assault in Te Kuiti, was located and arrested out of district. The male had attempted to hide within the rear seats of a vehicle.
We thank members of the public who reported concerning driving behaviour in Ōtorohanga. It was reported that one vehicle was chasing another, resulting in both traveling at high speeds through the township and putting the public at risk. Police have identified and followed up with the parties involved.
Police executed a search an address in Piopio following a family harm assault. Methamphetamine, drug utensils, sawn-off shotguns, rifles, and ammunition were seized. A 35-year-old male was arrested
and faces multiple charges, including breach of protection order, possession of firearms and ammunition, assault on a person in a family relationship, and impeding breathing. The male has been remanded in custody and will appear in court this week.
Police responded to a family harm incident in Te Kuiti. During the attendance, a 31-year-old woman, experiencing a mental health crisis, attempted to strike staff. She was safely transported by police to mental health services in Hamilton for further support.
A 24-year-old male self-presented at the Ōtorohanga station last week and was charged in relation to a serious assault that occurred in Waitomo.
Police responded to reports of two males engaged in an altercation on the street using pieces of wood. The incident appears to have originated from a nearby residential address and ended before police arrived. The individuals involved have been identified and spoken to. This behaviour is extremely disappointing, particularly as it occurred outside a childcare facility.
As always, we appreciate your continued support. Please keep reporting crime and suspicious activity.
Be well, stay safe.
Free replacement filter cartridge (worth $190) with every Davey High Flow under-bench filtration
Hato Hone St John’s purpose:
Val Phillips has always wanted to host a garden party. Photo: Jesse Wood
Upper cutters
Te Kūiti’s Jack Fagan claimed the Wagga Wagga Speed Shear men’s title at the weekend while Wagga Wagga-based Sacha Bond (Piopio) won the women’s event and Arahia Tuwhangai (Kāwhia) secured the woolhandlers’ Quick Throw. Fagan’s victory follows his open title win at the Corriedale Champs, Christchurch, where Piopio’s Tia Manson claimed the woolhandling senior final.
Marae games
Whakamārama Marae won the Whānau Ki Waenganui Games at Te Awamutu College last weekend. Maungatautari Marae came second and Rāwhitiroa and Parawera Marae joint third. Aotearoa, Pōhara, Mangatoatoa and Te Kōpua Marae also participated in the long-running event.
Carrying on…
Businessman Zane Beckett says it’s “business as usual” at ZB Homes. “We have been doing a tidy up with our accountants, winding up non trading entities, such as Zane Beckett Construction,” he said. “…it did trigger the standard “in liquidation” adverts in the newspaper classifieds. We can assure you it is business as usual here and there is no change to our ZB Homes business at all.”
Cat attack
Conservation Minister and Hamilton East MP Tama Potaka’s announcement that feral cats will now join possums, rats, stoats, weasels, and ferrets on the national target species list has been welcomed by local bodies. Waipā District Council. District growth and regulatory services group manager Wayne Allan said at present there is no national law for cat management and that limited councils’ ability to respond to public concerns.
‘An affront to our people’
By Jon Rawlinson
Vandals have raised the ire of the Kāwhia community.
Carved pou in Kāwhia have been defaced – the noses of approximately seven figures have been removed.
The damage is thought to have been inflicted overnight last Thursday–Friday at Omimiti Reserve along Jervois Road.
As a result, people are up in arms said Ōtorohanga District Councillor and KāwhiaTihiroa Ward rep, Christopher ‘Kit’ Jeffries.
“Locals are very upset and pretty disgusted –it’s just so disappointing,” he said.
“I really don’t understand what goes through some people’s minds as to why they would deface something like this.”
By master carver Te Kūiti Stewart, each carving represents an aspect of culture, heritage, history or the community in general. The pou were intended to reflect the diversity of the Kāwhia community and promote unity.
The project was blessed in December 2016 when a five-metre-tall pou maumahara (remembrance pillar) was unveiled at Omimiti Reserve.
“The pou are a gift from Kāwhia Community Projects Trust,” Jeffries, then chair of the trust, said at the time. “They recognise 150 years of Kīngitanga and the arrival of the first Europeans in Kāwhia in 1864. They are going to be part of the face of Kāwhia and the harbour for many years to come.”
More than $250,000 was sourced through donations, grants, businesses and members of the community, in addition to time and mahi.
“The pou were blessed by kaumātua and then someone comes along and defaces them – it is really an affront to our people,” Jeffries said. “But the most curious part to me is why they cut off the noses. I just don’t know what the significance is.”
From evoking utu and karma to calling on the Babylonian law code of an eye for an eye (or a nose for a nose), some online comments appear to be baying for blood. One such comment read: “The saying ‘to cut off your nose to spite your face,’ to do something that harms yourself in the
process of trying to hurt someone else often out of anger or revenge… [the perpetrator] may have cut off more than he can chew!”
While a little anger may be warranted, it should be directed towards helping police catch perpetrators, Kāwhia’s Constable David Kraay said.
“It’s a common for people on Facebook to talk about ‘street justice’ but they could end up in
trouble if they take matters into their own hands.”
People with details should call 105.
“The investigation is in the early stages, but with no report it’s difficult to identify the time frame for CCTV canvassing,” said Kraay. “Anyone with information about this matter should contact us. There is no such thing as too much information – it all can paint the final picture.
Going down – property values take a dive
By Chris Gardner
Property values have dropped an average of 8.8 per cent across the Otorohanga district.
Quotable Value New Zealand Upper North Island general manager Joe Holmes told Otorohanga District Council on Tuesday that the revaluation of 5453 properties had been conducted across the district on July 1.
Almost half of the properties, 2031, were residential and homeowners saw a 15.4 per cent drop in value.
The smallest decline in value, 1.9 per cent, occurred on 584 dairy properties. In comparison, 382 pastoral properties recorded a 9.8 per cent decline in value, nine horticultural properties fell 21.9 per cent and 94 forestry properties 12.4 per cent.
The 120 commercial properties across the district dropped 14 per cent decline in values, and the 101 industrial properties fell eight per cent.
Holmes told the council changes in valuation had been notified to property owners who had been given until last week to object.
Quotable Value New Zealand had received 40
objections, about half the number expected for the size and population of the district.
“It would have been 41,” said councillor Jo Butcher. “I found this process does not have enough time. I have various properties and two of them do not make sense. Is there an opportunity to look at that?”
Holmes said the deadline had been extended already, but he would follow that up.
Butcher said the organisation’s website was also not helpful for anyone who wished to object to a revaluation.
Carved pou (posts) have been defaced in Kāwhia. Photos Kit Jeffries
How Dot Ball held the court
By Jon Rawlinson
The life of a King Country sporting legend has been celebrated.
She wasn’t a Silver Fern, a Black Fern or any other form of fern, but Doris ‘Dot’ Ball was an all-round good sport.
From hockey, softball and basketball to netball, her love of the game and her community underscored her life. Generations have been influenced by Dot, her son Wayne Ball said.
“She was all about service to others as opposed to herself. She sacrificed plenty of her own time to help,” he said. “In particular, Mum had a substantial effect on netball. Prior to the last 5-10 years, anyone taking part in Te Kūiti would have had some relationship with her.”
Dot died recently, aged 90. At her service at the Les Munro Centre, she was surrounded by her husband of 64 years, Tukairangi William (Bill) Ball, her children, Wayne, Greg, Maureen, Dean and Davina, and their partners. Most of her 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren attended.
Considering Dot’s extensive community involvement – for which she was recognised through a Queen’s Service Order (QSO) – it’s not surprising there was standing room only.
“It was a funeral and celebration,” said Wayne. “We put out roughly 350 chairs the day before, but they still needed more – there were at least 400 people there on the day.”
Both Dot and Bill have received a number of life memberships – including with the Te Kūiti and Districts RSA.
In her youth, Dot represented Waikato
in basketball and King Country in softball; however netball was her lifelong passion.
“She joined the United Netball Club in 1961. She was an umpire, a selector and a player, even into her sixties or seventies. She was also the main driver behind the extension of the Maniapoto Netball Centre.”
In addition, Dot ran the centre’s canteen for 20 years, with Bill’s help for 18.
“They worked there together for free, because someone had to. There was a lot of work to prep, organise and serve the food. They only retired from the canteen about 10 years ago.”
Dot was driven to serve from an early age.
“She was born in Taumarunui, raised in Waimiha in what would have been the back blocks of the Pureora Forest,” Wayne said.
“Her parents acquired a block of land and broke it in, felling trees with axes and saws, and I don’t mean chainsaws.”
After leaving Te Kūiti High School, Dot joined the Royal New Zealand Airforce in 1953.
During this time, she represented the force in hockey, softball and basketball before retiring as a corporal.
Dot’s life changed forever when she met a man similarly devoted to sport and his community.
“She met Dad about 1958,” Wayne said. “They were both softball players. She walked into a social and it was love at first sight. Dad saw her and said ‘I’m going to marry that woman,’ and in January 1961, he did just that.”
The following year, the family settled on Gadsby Road, Te Kūiti, when Wayne was just six months old. It is still the family’s
home after more than 60 years. Bill and Dot became partners in business as well as life, working together for their painting and decorating enterprise.
In the mid-1990s, Bill hung up his paintbrush. The couple then opened two retail businesses – first, On the Ball Drycleaners, followed by a haberdashery. They finally retired aged 75.
Regardless of the objective – in business, sport, community and family – Dot gave everything her best effort, Wayne said.
“All her life, Mum was a worker. My grandfather had six children but he used to say that she was the most helpful on the farm because she’d always get stuck in. I think a lot of people admired her for how hard she worked over many years.”
Pūhoro At Ōtorohanga College
By Principal Lyndsay Kurth
As the 2025 academic year draws to a close it marks the end of Ōtorohanga College’s fourth year of involvement with the Pūhoro STEMM Academy. Pūhoro was launched in 2016 in response to national low engagement of Māori in STEM-related career pathways that subsequently leads to lower numbers of Māori representation in science and technology industries in Aotearoa. Pūhoro seeks to change this space and recognises that a STEM workforce is required for an innovation-focused future society. Every week a number of Kaihautū and tutors come into the College for an hour-long session with the tauira in Years 11, 12 and 13. The activities that the tauira engage in each week vary between academic tutorials, life skills
and Te Ao Māori lessons. The tauira find these sessions engaging and fun. Three times a year the tauira attend Wānanga at the University of Waikato where they have the opportunity to engage in practical STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Māori) activities led by Māori who are employed in these industries. These Wānanga are a powerful opportunity for tauira to build networks amongst their peers and in industries in which they are interested in pursuing a career. During the College holidays at the end of Term 2, Year 12 and 13 tauira have the opportunity to attend a Defence Force Camp held on the base of one of the Armed Services. Selected tauira in Year 13 are also provided the opportunity to travel overseas to
destinations such as Singapore and the United States to experience STEM careers in other parts of the world. The data clearly shows that tauira who whakapapa Māori have better academic outcomes in NCEA when they are supported by Pūhoro than those who are not. The anecdotal evidence from tauira, whānau and kaiako shows that tauira are happier and more engaged at College and that the tauira have more pride in their identity when they are part of the Pūhoro kaupapa. College Kaiako and tauira, alongside Pūhoro Kaihautū, are already excited about the relationship continuing and strengthening in 2026 a er the recent introductory session that was presented to an enthusiastic group of 37 Year 10 tauira.
Bill and Dot Ball, life members of, among other things, the Te Kūiti and Districts RSA.
Christmas crop on course
By Jon Rawlinson
They may have wondered whether the fruits of their labour were destined to be sent down the river, but Piopio Berry Orchard held tight.
The October storms that ravaged parts of the King Country were not enough to send the orchard’s balance sheet into the red. Instead, there will be no berry shortage this Christmas, shop manager Jessie Loomans said.
“We were actually very lucky. While the flooding was the highest it has ever been here, it was before our season had started so we were
fortunate to not have any long term repercussions for our crops.
“We did have some anxious moments, but didn’t we all? It was pretty unbelievable weather.”
Founded by Angela and Mike Roy in the early 1990s, Piopio Berry Orchard is a family affair. All four of couple’s children (including Jessie) as well as some of their partners and their children are involved with various aspects of the business – and business is good.
When The News editor Roy Pilott called in for an ice cream, strawberries and asparagus last Sunday as the sun beat down, there
was a queue to get a park.
“It’s looking like a really good year for us,” Loomans said. “We grow strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. Overall, we pick around 85 tonnes with almost all of the berries sold through our roadside shop.”
Not all berries are created equal. There are notable differences between this orchard and others.
While the weather – especially cold snaps – can impact berry growers throughout the country, Piopio’s generally cool climate is beneficial, and as it’s the only berry farm for 100km, pests and diseases are less problematic, Mike Roy told The News last year.
In addition, because the orchard’s fruit is not all destined for supermarkets, it need not be picked before it’s at its best to ensure survival along bumpy country roads.
This difference aside, there is no special recipe as such for Piopio Berry Orchard’s success.
“We don’t have any secrets – we have the same varieties as other growers throughout the country,” said Roy. “We do things in a more traditional way and we don’t cut any corners. That’s what our customers expect, and that’s what we enjoy growing.”
Located on SH3 near Piopio, the orchard’s store sells ice creams, smoothies, preserves and berry muffins in addition to fresh and
frozen berries.
The company expects to be able to meet orders up until Christmas and beyond, but there is no official cut-off, and the family’s famous ice-creams, ideal for hot holiday travellers, will be available all summer long.
Not too far afield, Monavale Blueberries (near Cambridge) is also expecting a bumper season.
“It’s looking good – so far, so good, but don’t tempt fate, please!” company director, Kathryn (Kathy)
De Groot said.
The northern King Country bore the brunt of the storms in October, while Waipā experienced more rain than usual, but Monavale did not sustain serious losses.
“Well, we may have lost some berries in the storms but nothing significant,” Kathy said. “Storms always come at the wrong time, but this year we’ve not had anything really catastrophic at all. So, it’s looking wonderful and we’re very happy.”
TUESDAY 2 DECEMBER 2025, 6PM
Hospice Waikato, in partnership with V J Williams & Sons, warmly invite you and your family, whaanau and friends to remember loved ones in a shared community remembrance service. This service is for family and friends to remember and reflect on their recent loss. We encourage you to have photographs, flowers, candles or other momentos of your loved one with you when you join the service.
V J Williams & Sons, 33 King Street West, Te Kuiti Please do not hesitate to contact V J Williams & Sons on 07 878 6100 with any queries
The orchard’s founder, Mike Roy, inspects the family’s crop
Jessie Loomans serving Piopio Berry Orchard’s famous ice-cream
French’s life story shared
By Jesse Wood
Karl French knew little of his father’s story, now he’s sharing it with the world via Tainui Kāwhia Incorporation.
Tom French was a Māori All Blacks player, coach, life member of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union, referee and onearmed World War I veteran who was born under a pohutukawa at Waipapa Marae, Kāwhia.
He was proudly of Tainui-Ngāti Hikairo descent.
“His father John was tasked with putting the road through from Kāwhia to Ōtorohanga. Before that it was a goat track. You could understand how isolated and rural it was,” Karl said.
Nobody knows when he was born, not even Tom, but 1889 or 1890 is assumed.
Tom died in 1970 when Karl was seven and lies at rest in the Waikumete Cemetery.
“I remember him being a very kind person and recall my brother Tony once remarked, ‘we were lucky to have a father like that’,” Karl said.
“On January 1, 2007,
listening to the radio I heard what the prime minister had on the years agenda. One task was to attend the 90th commemoration of the battle of Passchendaele, Belgium in October.
“I remember thinking my father had a link to that battle and a switch was flicked on in my mind. Who was my father and what had he experienced in that far away land so long before?
“Ten years later, in October, I was on the Broodseinde battlefield at Aviatik farm at 6am, as the sun rose 100 years to the second after my father and the Auckland battalion launched their attack against the Germans.
“I’ve often wondered about getting Dad’s life history out into the world. I have always thought it would make a great movie.”
Rugby fans may have heard of the Tom French Cup, awarded to the best Māori player of the year since 1949. But who was Tom?
Much of Tom’s journey has now been shared on the Tainui Kāwhia Incorporation website. TKI evolved from
concerns about sand dune encroachment on the township of Kāwhia in the early 1960s.
Maram grass was trialled to stabilise the dunes before a forestation project was established.
Tom was a founding member of TKI committee of management and there is Tom French Grove near Te Puia Springs, Kāwhia.
Current members Stacey Whitiora and Kenneth Riddell wanted to tell Tom’s story as a starting point for a history project about those who were instrumental in forming TKI.
“I had contacted Kenneth about getting Tom French Grove officially recognised on Google and Trip Advisor,” Karl said.
“Stacey and Kenneth’s vision coincided with the twin biography project I have been writing about my father.
“This project would never have come about but for the vision of Stacey and Kenneth.”
One version is a shortened display, arranged on the website by Riddell. The longer form is still to be polished.
Since March, Karl and Riddell have worked to
refine the story to be more suitable to the web-based format.
“I crafted the design and layout of the page, laying down text boxes and illustrating them with Karl’s wonderful pictures of his father,” Riddell said.
“We at TKI are thankful that Karl has entrusted us with these precious accounts of his father.”
“We believe we have created something truly remarkable and are very proud to present this taonga of our tūpuna, Tom French, to the world.”
Whitiora helped edit the story.
“The journey to uncover Tom’s story was collaborative. Karl and Kenneth worked together seamlessly to piece together the life of a man whose story was waiting to be shared.”
The site has become a sanctuary for Tom’s story – a place where his legacy could be expressed and celebrated.
“Tom’s life connects the past and present, ancestor and descendant of our whenua,” Whitiora said. “We discovered not just his story, but whakapapa, connection and belonging.”
Young Karl and Tom at Te Puia Springs Kāwhia in about 1967-1968.
The Trench Blacks beating French Services 40-0 for the Somme Cup at Parc Jacques Anquetil, Paris on April 8, 1917. Tom is pictured centre behind the ball. From Free Lance Magazine 1917.
Tom French in touring kit for 1913 Māori All Blacks.
Briefs…
Road on track
A full road replacement on Lawrence Street is progressing and should be completed by Schick Civil Construction on or ahead of schedule. A basecourse had been laid but it has required time to dry fully before chipseal is laid. Weather permitting, the work is still on track to be completed by mid-December.
Waste not
Although the 2009 Solid Waste Bylaw remains in place, a full review is expected to consider modernisation, compliance and how to improve waste-minimisation in the Waitomo District. The review will be completed before June 2026, the council expects.
Lane gains
Improving Waitomo’s transport network is on the agenda for the recently-elected council. The council was briefed by the NZ Transport Agency last week regarding work to be undertaken within the district on both local roads and state highways. The council also discussed extensive repairs required due to storm damage sustained in July and October this year.
Mayors welcome reform talk
By Chris Gardner
A Government proposal delivering the biggest changes to local government since 1989 could see Waikato Regional Council replaced by a mayoral board.
“An announcement on the future of regional councils was expected, but the proposal that was delivered by the ministers had not been anticipated,”
Waitomo mayor John Robertson told The News.
“This leadership group of mayors, called the Combined Territories Board, will be expected also to find ways for local government in the region to work together more effectively.”
Robertson said the region’s councils were already working together with many shared services and the creation of two regional drinking and wastewater companies.
“A lot is going on already, in the words of the Ministers ‘to simplify’ local government. In fact, this is all major reform.
“What Ministers have not announced are their thoughts on whether they would support some local councils merging together,” Robertson said.
“In reality the announcements just made are steps along this pathway. As further infrastructure and compliance services are regionalised, the case for reviewing the administrative
and operating structures of councils becomes another imperative.”
Ōtorohanga may Rodney Dow was supportive of the proposal.
“People I talk with are very interested in cutting back on bureaucracy, so if this helps, we will be very keen on looking at the proposal. There has been a lot of talk from the government about rate capping, The government needs to help with funding if they expect us to do more.”
Dow said he did not have a mandate from ratepayers for amalgamation and thought continuing with shared services was the way to go.
“The role of mayors will be more important,” he said.
Dow was yet to discuss the proposal with his council.
Newly elected Waipā King Country regional council member Liz Stolwyk said change was needed in local government.
“I say bring it on,” she said. ““But it must be done well. Communities should be at the centre of designing any new model, armed with good information and a clear understanding of what will best serve the Waipā and Waikato. I genuinely welcome the opportunity to improve outcomes for our communities.
“Over the past few months I have strongly advocated for meaningful change and reform in
local government, so I am pleased to see momentum and leadership in this space. At the same time, we must ensure the delivery of essential services continues smoothly throughout any transition.”
Stolwyk said regional councillors played a crucial role in environmental management, flood protection, biosecurity, public transport and longterm regional planning.
“These are not optional responsibilities – they are core to the wellbeing and resilience of our communities.”
Her colleague, and immediate Waikato Federated Farmers past president Keith Holmes, was also supportive of reforms if they saved the ratepayer money.
“The Government is not being definitive, they are saying these are some of the issues, and asking us to come up with the solutions,” he said.
“I am not worried. In the Waikato region I am really optimistic that we will get a good outcome.”
The Public Service Association said the government’s proposals lack detail and robust analysis of the problem they are trying to address.
It fears the reforms sparked by the proposed changes will cause significant disruption and expensive restructuring to the 5000 regional council workers across the country.
National Secretary Duane Leo says the proposal raises more questions than it answers.
“There is no clarity around the reform. The regional reorganisation plans create uncertainty at a time when we need to be focused on preparedness and protections in the face of increased extreme weather events,” he said.
Federated Farmers says “localism” must sit at the heart of local council reforms.
Local government spokesperson Sandra Faulkner. Said the organisations “strongly supports” a single layer of local government based on communities of interest.
“That means exploring unitary councils that separate large cities from rural and regional areas where appropriate,” she said.
She said rural representation must be maintained under any new local government arrangements.
Pictured: Aria
John Robertson Rodney Dow Liz Stolwyk
WASS.CO.NZ
Tragic timing
By Janine Krippner
On September 27, 2014, Ontake volcano in Japan produced a phreatic eruption, a steam-driven eruption that does not involve rising magma.
This could have been a relatively small event that wouldn’t capture too much international attention, with Japan being a country that has plenty of active volcanoes. We could have seen footage of ash plumes and pyroclastic flows that would have been quickly forgotten by the next news cycle.
But this eruption happened before noon, when around 340 hikers were on and around the summit.
People who had been nearby reported no noises heard with the start of the eruption. It began with new vents opened and within about 10 seconds a cold and dry pyroclastic flow engulfed people nearby. One reporting no burns to his skin, but his hair was damaged and chocolate in his backpack melted.
Ballistic ejecta made of older volcanic rock from past eruptions were blasted from the vent, and throughout the eruption it was these that would turn this event into one to be remembered for the worst of reasons. Sadly, 63 people would lose their lives that day, most because of impact when these ballistic rocks landed. Some would never leave the mountain.
The ballistic rocks were blown out of the vent at speeds of 145 to 185 metres a second as rapidly expanding steam produced the shallow eruption. Along with their velocity, the sheer number of ballistics that can be ejected during an eruption is harrowing. They can also travel far, with impacts often occurring within hundreds of metres out to kilometres from the vent.
There was no warning for the hikers. It was a calm day and there were no signs at the summit that an eruption was about to take place. While they can give some warning, sometimes seen in hindsight, phreatic eruptions do not give the usual precursory signals that a magmatic eruption does. With a magmatic eruption, it is the magma itself rising towards the surface that gives the warning signs.
Phreatic or hydrothermal eruptions occur around the world fairly frequently, but they are difficult to forecast. Work is being done to better understand the more subtle warning signs that tell steam is pressurising, leading to an explosion. There is more to understand about how the system itself pressurises, and at what point this leads to a dangerous event.
A similar phreatic eruption had occurred in 1979 just before dawn, the first known historical eruption of Ontake. Smaller phreatic eruptions occurred again in 1991 and 2007.
Both the 1979 and 2014 eruptions were similar in nature and in size. There were no fatalities during the earlier eruption, so what makes this more recent one different? The 2014 eruption occurred on a Saturday, and because of the midday people had reached the wrong place at the wrong time. The event illustrates how the timing of an eruption is an important factor and can be the difference between a small eruption that doesn’t leave behind much of a record, and a tragedy.
Help for river care
By Roy Pilott
Te Nehenehenui Trust has been granted almost $100,000 in the latest Waikato River Authority funding round.
The funding will support a successful iwiled capability programme involving Swift Water Safety, Manu Monitoring and GIS Mapping.
Waipā based restoration projects were given the two highest single awards.
New Zealand Landcare Trust gets $1.17 million for its work on Taiea to Taiao – the Mangapiko ecological corridor between Maungatautari and Pirongia maunga.
And Pūniu River Care’s Te Manawanui o Waipā – 2025 work was given just under $992,000 from the $57 million pool.
Waikato River Authority co-chair and former Waipā-King Country constituent regional councillor Stu Kneebone said there had been 43 applications in the latest funding round asking for a total of $12 million from the authority for projects with a total value of $22 million.
The Waikato River Authority has allocated $86.3 million to 522 projects supporting the restoration and protection of the Waikato and Waipā Rivers and their catchments since 2012.
For the corridor, the funds will go towards expanding proven work and partnerships.
More than 325,000 trees have been planted and 1200 predator traps set since 2021. The project also involves fencing, habitat restoration and community engagement.
The Mangapiko Stream winds its way from Maungatautari through Te Awamutu and on to Pirongia where it meets the Waipā River.
Project coordinator Bexie Towle told The News the grant provided comfort in planning ahead for the next planting season. The initial funding for the project will expire
next June – this latest grant provides certainty for the immediate future.
Towle said the project was in its early days – “trees take a while to grow” –but the benefits of conservation work was already being seen as birds come out of the mountains.
The Pūniu River work involves riparian restoration where landowners contribute towards costs.
The 83km long Pūniu Rivers flows from the Pureora Forest Park, passes by Kihikihi and Te Awamutu and four marae - Mangatoatoa, Rāwhitiroa, Aotearoa and Whakamāramainto the Waipā river south of Pirongia.
It is where the river flows through farmland that restoration work is being carried out to provide a corridor for native species.
Of the latest grants, Kneebone said it was great to see the level of ongoing collaboration between landowners, iwi, and larger restoration groups to increase the impact of our funding across the catchment.
Waikato River Authority co-chair Danny Loughlin said 40 per cent of project applications were submitted by iwi entities for the 2025 round, and there has been strong engagement with river iwi across most projects.”
Nationally, the New Zealand Landcare Trust – based at Waikato University - reports it has planted almost 75,000 native plants this year.
Programme runs from 1 Dec 2025 - 28 Feb 2026 st th
Stu Kneebone
FOR BLOOMING BEAUTIES AND PLANTS THAT THRIVE
Katrina Christison Tidy Gardens
Letting Veggies Go to Seed
– Why It’s Actually a Good Thing With the hot days we’ve been having lately, some veggies will race ahead and go to seed if they don’t get enough water — spinach, rocket, broccoli, lettuce, and radishes are classic bolters. It can feel a bit frustrating when you see them shooting up a tall flower stalk, but don’t be in a rush to pull them out.
Letting a few veggies flower is one of the best things you can do for your garden.
1. The Pollinators Love It
Veggie flowers are absolutely packed with nectar, and bees, hoverflies, and native pollinators will flock to them.
The more pollinators you have visiting your garden, the better everything else will grow
— because pollinators help move pollen efficiently between flowers. This means:
• more fruit forming on your tomatoes, courgettes, pumpkins and berries
• stronger, healthier plants
• bigger harvests
• fewer “blank” flowers that don’t turn into anything
• More pollinators = a more productive, balanced, thriving garden.
2. You Get Free Seedlings
Once the flowers finish and set seed, you’ve got free plants for next season.
I’ve got spinach doing exactly this at the moment — bolted from the heat, started flowering, and now getting ready to drop seed. It’s such an easy way to keep your garden going without buying new packets every time.
3. More Flowers Bring Beneficial Insects
Not just bees — ladybirds, lacewings and other helpful insects are drawn in by the flowers too. They help keep pests under control naturally, which means healthier plants without chemicals.
4. It Adds a Natural, Relaxed Look Seed heads and tall flower stems add height and movement in your ornamental beds. Mixing a few bolting veggies among your flowers can look surprisingly pretty — that soft cottage-garden vibe that always feels alive.
So next time something bolts in the heat, don’t stress. Let it bloom, let it feed the pollinators, and let it seed. Your garden (and your wallet) will thank you for it.
Council’s pay plan
By Chris Gardner
Ōtorohanga District Council is recommending deputy mayor Katrina Christison be paid $51,328 a year.
The council met on Tuesday to decide recommendations to the Remuneration Authority which allocated the council $296,308 to be divided by councillors.
The mayor’s remuneration, $122,998, is set independently by the authority
The recommendation considers Christison’s new appointment as chair of the Grants and Awards Committee, and recommends councillors Jo Butcher, who is deputy chair and a member of the Risk and Assurance Committee, be paid $33,262.
Grants and Awards Committee member
Tayla Barclay is recommended for a $33,559 salary as she is also serving on Ōtorohanga Community Board and Jaimee Tamaki is recommended for a $29,271 salary.
The council is yet to confirm an independent chair of the Risk and Assurance Committee to work with deputy chair Kit Jeffries, who will also sit on the Kawhia Community Board for the first half of the triennium. Jeffries will be paid $34,461 under the recommendation. Councillors Andrew Barker and Shane Carr will both be paid $30,601 each as members of the committee. Butcher is also a committee member.
Remuneration is calculated based on the base rate of $26,610 for a councillor with no additional duties.
Ōtorohanga mayor Rodney Dow will chair the Chief Executive Review Committee,
deputy mayor Christison is deputy chair and councillors Tamaki and Michael Woodward are members.
Tamaki, one of two Rangiātea Māori Ward members, will represent the council on Ngā Wai o Maniapoto (Waipā River) Co Governance Forum, Te Nehenehenui Joint Management Committee and Raukawa Charitable Trust and Ōtorohanga District Council Joint Management Committee. Dow will represent the council on the Waikato Regional Transport Committee while Woodward will represent the council on the North King Country Development Trust.
Councillors Tennille Kete and Jeffries will represent Dow, if he is absent, on the Waikato Region Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Joint Committee.
Butcher will join the Waikato Regional Council Connections Committee and Jeffries the West Coast Zone Committee if they are established this triennium.
Carr will serve on the Waikeria Liaison Group, Waikeria Community Impact Forum, and the Arohena and Ranginui Water Supply Scheme Committees.
Jeffries will also serve on the Tihiroa Rural Water Supply Scheme Committee while Woodward will serve on the Waipā Rural Water Supply Scheme Committee.
Council chief executive Tanya Winter spoke of how busy the triennium would be.
“We apparently have a tsunami of legislation coming at us that will see us running around like our pants are on fire,” she said.
A day for Nate
Almost $15,000 has been raised for the Child Cancer Foundation thanks to Nathan Anselmi.
Nathan’s “Fun-draiser” was organised by his mum, Emma, as a way of celebrating his birthday.
Nate was just four when he succumbed to an aggressive form of brain cancer.
The recent event at Ōtorohanga’s Windsor Park featured many of his favourite things including superheroes.
“The vibe was on point – everyone who came was there to have a good time and raise money for a worthy cause,” Emma said.
“Friends, family and the
community gathered and gave generously.
It was an amazing day dedicated to one of best kids any parent could ask for.”
From rides on Toby the Train, and with the Ōtorohanga Volunteer Fire Brigade, to face painting, raffles, music and more, the event proved a fitting celebration.
“The day started with not a cloud to be seen and a group of awesome volunteers arrived at Windsor Park with enthusiasm to make it a great day,” Emma said.
“This just couldn’t have happened without the generosity of our community.”
Emma Anselmi with a photo of Nate, “one of best kids any parent could ask for.”
Colleen’s gift to save lives
By Jon Rawlinson
A new ambulance has entered service for Hato Hone St John, Ōtorohanga, thanks to the generosity of a former King Country resident.
Although now living in Auckland, Colleen McKay was born and raised on a Kio Kio farm.
The decals on the fully equipped ambulance feature her maiden name, McDowell, as she still has strong family ties to the region.
The ambulance was the second McKay has donated – the first was gifted to St John in Silverdale, Auckland, in 2023.
“I was at a function when my friend collapsed – it was hair-raising,” McKay told The News. “After a first response unit arrived, we were waiting for an ambulance to take her to hospital and I thought, ‘I’ll donate an ambulance!’ When I came home, I contacted St John and it went from there.”
McKay dug deep again when she heard that her childhood community was also in need.
“I was talking to Suzana from St John’s fundraising team at a function and I said that if Ōtorohanga needs an ambulance, I’ll donate one. I was always going to donate a second one, so it made sense for it to go to Ōtorohanga.”
McKay said it is “an honour and a privilege” to assist St John.
The Generation-4 Mercedes ambulance was formally dedicated during a ceremony at Ōtorohanga’s ambulance station on October 30.
Since then, it has already been at work, St John’s south Waikato operations manager Craig Scott said.
“Thanks to Colleen, it is now serving Ōtorohanga and the wider community,” he said. “The generosity of donors makes a huge difference, helping us replace ageing ambulances and keep our lifesaving equipment up to date so our patients receive the best possible care.”
The vehicle is fitted with a powerloading electric stretcher, permitting safer movement of patients, as well as a defibrillator and breathing support equipment. It replaces another ambulance – donated a few years ago by Sarah and John Oliver – which is now set for service in Te Kūiti.
“We’ve both had rides in St John ambulances at various stages, for various reasons, and we knew they always needed more,” Sarah Oliver said. “We’re pleased that it has helped our community and it will continue to do so.”
After service in communities chosen by benefactors, donated ambulances may then be moved on to other locations based on need and to maximise their lifespans.
St John fundraises to ensure approximately 50 new ambulances hit the streets nationwide each year. In service for (approximately) eight years, the ambulances can travel more than 500,000 kilometres and respond to 30,000 incidents or more.
Koi fishing challenge
By Jesse Wood
Predator Free Te Awamutu and Pirongia is encouraging youngsters to catch pest fish for the 2026 Kids’ Koi Carp Challenge.
“The idea is to bring awareness and improve the state of our Mangapiko Stream and Waipā River which run through both the Te Awamutu and Pirongia surrounds,” Carla Innis said.
“The first challenge was in the April school holidays.
It was low key, but the challenge got loads of enthusiasm from Pirongia children.
“Only one Koi was caught but loads of time was spent out there trying.
“Awareness is the goalhaving good family times in our natural environment is an added benefit.
The hope is that with this challenge being in the summer holidays, the carp might be a bit more visible and in higher numbers.”
Children under the age of 16 can post pictures oto the Pirongia Enviro Group
Facebook page through to February ahead of a prizegiving at the monthly Pirongia market.
“The challenge was started by Pirongia Enviro Group volunteers.
Predator Free Te Awamutu and Pirongia volunteers actively trap land-based predators such as rats and mustelids in public spaces and promote and support landowners to trap in their own backyard,” Innis said.
“We don’t want eels fished, they are not a sport, but a good reflection of the health of our waterways.
They are to be protected, but let’s raise awareness of the pest fish in our waterways - Carp, Catfish, Goldfish, Gambusia, Rudd, Trench and Perch.”
What makes Koi such a pest? “They suck - literally and figuratively”.
“Get out there, try to catch these pests and have fun.
What you do today will make a difference not just to tomorrow but for years to come,” Innis said.
Ambulance 771 has now entered service thanks to philanthropist, Colleen McKay
on for wool drives Piopio doyen Positively
A couple of class scholars
By Jon Rawlinson
Two Piopio College teachers will become students again thanks to a new scholarship.
Deputy Principal Leigh Anselmi teaches English and maths while the school’s careers advisor Jessie-Jo Ball teaches English and social studies.
Both have been granted the opportunity to pursue studies that will help the school grow from strength to strength.
“We’ll be using the scholarship to complete the Accelerated Coaching Certification through Authentic Education Australia, an internationally recognised programme,” Anselmi said. “It develops coaching, communication and mindset skills to strengthen our leadership and teaching. The scholarship will cover course fees and learning materials, enabling us to bring new capabilities back to Piopio College.”
Having two staff members with this qualification will give the school a distinctive edge, she said.
“It allows us to offer professional coaching, supporting individuals to grow in confidence, resilience and direction. Embedding these practices into our culture will help us guide young people toward personal and academic success.”
Both are long-serving staff members and both intend to remain at Piopio College, Ball said.
“We love working at Piopio College. We connect with incredible students and colleagues who are like family. The sense of community
and shared purpose makes our work rewarding. We are proud to be part of such a special place.”
Anselmi’s and Ball’s studies will benefit the school, Ōtorohanga College principal Ben Draper said.
“They will have the chance to upskill, learn and grow in areas they are passionate about while also stepping outside our Piopio bubble.
They will then bring back what they have learned. It’s a win/win and I am thankful we have a community willing to support these types of innovative ideas.”
The scholarship programme was initiated by former Piopio College principal Brian Tegg. It aims to empower staff, increasing their abilities and bringing positive change to the school, Draper said.
“Brian was my principal when I went to school here. He read about a similar scholarship in a newspaper, for a rural school down in Otago where he now lives, and then pitched the idea to me,” he said.
“It wasn’t a tough decision for our board of trustees – they saw the value straight away. They then met with Brian and John Carter [individual and trust funders] who are the main decision-makers.”
Provided by Margaret and Brian Tegg, the Piopio College Trust and the school’s board of trustees, the scholarship – of up to $9000 in funding – will now be awarded annually to staff members who have been at the school for two or more years. It adds to other efforts by the school to attract and retain quality teachers.
Jessie-Jo Ball (left) and Leigh Anselmi
The team at King Country Honda, left to right: Shona Bradley, Connor Tregoweth, Dean Takawe, Chris Stone, Kyle Davis
The team at Stihl Shop Otorohanga, left to right: Kelly Gray, Mark Cumpstone
The Team at Otorohonda, left to right: Darren Lupton, Warwick Rice, Luke Brown, Bree Mudford, Nick Roberts, Daniel Smith
Is your Toyota less than 10 Years old? Has it done less than 150,000kms? Complete your scheduled service with us and receive a 12 Month/15,000km Warranty - On us! For More Information or to book your Toyota for a service, call our Service Department
Matching His &
Jewey Care Guide
Caring for Your Jewellery - Preserve Its Beauty and Longevity
We design and craft our jewellery to be beautiful, timeless, and lasting. However, like all fine items, jewellery requires proper care and attention. To help ensure your pieces remain in excellent condition, please follow these care guidelines.
GENERAL CARE TIPS
- Remove before bed: Always take off your jewellery and watch before sleeping to avoid stress or accidental damage.
- Avoid water exposure: Do not wear jewellery while bathing, swimming, or in hot water (e.g., hot tubs or saunas), as this can damage settings and finishes.
- During physical activity: Remove jewellery before engaging in sports, manual tasks, gardening, or washing dishes. These activities can cause wear or loosen settings.
STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS
- Store carefully: Use a jewellery box or the provided ring box. Lay snake chains and omega necklaces flat to prevent kinks. Store bracelets and necklaces in soft pouches.
- Separate pearls: Pearls should be stored separately from other jewellery to protect their delicate surface (nacre) from chipping.
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
- Regular inspections: Have claws, clasps, and settings professionally checked and cleaned every six months to avoid stone loss or damage.
- Keep them sparkling: Clean your jewellery regularly using approved products to maintain shine and reduce wear on clasps and settings.
- Pearl care: Do not expose pearls to perfume, hairspray, or other chemicals. Clean pearls only with a specific pearl cleaner or a soft cloth.
A NOTE FROM DM JEWELLERY DESIGN We’ve created this guide because we often see precious jewellery returned to us damaged due to everyday wear beyond what the item was designed to endure. While we stand by the quality of our craftsmanship, no jewellery is indestructible. Following these care instructions will help protect your investment and preserve its beauty for years to come. If you have any questions or would like advice specific to your piece, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Gift With Purchase
Spend $150 or more on any jewellery or watch this Christmas and receive a complimentary jewellery travel box.
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Vetora Otorohanga invites you to join them for a Lifestyle Evening. All welcome. VETORA.CO.NZ
DATE + TIME
LOCATION
Vetora Otorohanga Wahanui Cres Otorohanga
RSVP Wednesday 3rd December 5:30pm
Limited spaces RSVP by 26th November Phone: 07 873 7089
DISCUSSION TOPICS
• First aid
• Common diseases
• Husbandry
CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH YOUR STAFF THIS CHRISTMAS
Stoked Eatery has been cooking up a storm since 2015 and has transformed into the hottest spot to dine in Te Kūiti Buffet and set menu options available for larger groups. Please phone stoked for further details. To insure you don’t miss out bookings required
Sand and deliver for Olivia
By Jon Rawlinson
Piopio’s Olivia MacDonald and her teammate Shaunna Polley were knocked out of the recent Beach Volleyball World Championships, but not without making a splash.
Off to a rocky start, downed by an American pair, the Beach Ferns secured wins against Italian and Canadian duos before their run was thwarted by a pair from Germany.
“Two wins from three games was pretty good going,” MacDonald said. “It was super emotional when we lost, but messages from home have been incredibly positive and we’ve had a huge crew with us here in Adelaide – our extra cheer squad gave us a few points at least, I think.”
Ironically, MacDonald doesn’t spend much time at the beach as such and during her childhood at least, she was no fan of sand.
“When I was at Piopio Primary, I remember refusing to go into the sandpit because I hated sand. So, yeah, I guess times have changed,” she said. “We actually don’t play on beaches very often, though. They’ll ship sand into a town square in Europe, for example, and they brought sand into a tennis stadium for this tournament.”
Indoor volleyball requires a hard court and teams of six, whereas beach volleyball is played by pairs. As sand slows players down, the game requires more powerful jumping, agility
and ball control.
“Because there are only two of us, there’s nowhere to hide,” MacDonald said.
“You can jump higher on an indoor court and compared to soft sand, the hard surface can be pretty unforgiving so the injury risk is higher.”
Introduced to volleyball while attending New Plymouth Girl’s High, MacDonald didn’t quite take to it like a duck to water.
“I was tall so they thought they could make something out of me. I wasn’t very good at first played, but I just loved it.”
While still at high school, MacDonald turned her game inside out, exchanging indoor for beach volleyball. After first representing New Zealand at under-19 level, she attended the University of Arizona on a sports scholarship, graduating in 2018. Since then, MacDonald has been chasing the sun.
“I haven’t seen a winter in years. I’ve spent most winters trying to crack it on the international scene,” she said.
“It’s been tough, but I’ve just been grinding away.”
This daily grind has paid off especially since pairing up with Polley – the Waikato duo claimed gold medals at two major tournaments in Asia this year alone.
“It’s only our first season together and we’re going good. We also won a couple silvers this year and we came third in a new professional league in Germany,” MacDonald said.
Her game has come along
in leaps and bounds recently, but it’s required a somewhat nomadic existence.
“I don’t actually live anywhere really. I’ve spent most of my time overseas, aside from a few weeks a year at our training centre in Mount Maunganui. All my belongings are still at my parents’ in Piopio so, whenever I come back, Mum and Dad pick me up, then I unpack, repack and head to the Mount again.”
MacDonald and Polley will likely be back at the Mount for January’s NZ Beach Volleyball Tour competition where, all going well, they will be hot favourites.
“We have both won the New Zealand Tour a few times separately, so I definitely would back us to win it again, together this time.”
Polley has represented New Zealand twice at the Commonwealth Games while MacDonald was a non-travelling reserve in 2022.
The sport has since been dropped from the Comms’ programme, but winning Olympic laurels in LA (2028) is still on the cards.
“We’re on track if we continue at the pace, we’re at now. New Zealand hasn’t had a team qualify for the Olympics, so it would be awesome to be the first,” said MacDonald. “Before that, the World Champs in the Netherlands will be crucial.
There’s a huge amount of points on the line, which helps with rankings and Olympic qualification.”
Beach Ferns, Olivia MacDonald (left) and teammate Shaunna Polley (in action during the recent Beach Volleyball World Championships.
Photo: Volleyball NZ.
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Baking powder gives rise to perfect bakes. It’s a combination of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), cream of tartar, and a filler such as cornflour or rice flour.
When mixed with a liquid in a bake, this raising agent releases carbon dioxide, and the rising of the dough commences. More carbon dioxide is released when heated, preventing the bake from becoming a brick. The filler helps control the rising speed, making the finished bake predictable.
Baking powder breads, or quick breads, are easy to prepare. Yeast-raised breads, which usually do not contain baking powder, are time-consuming and not something one would normally whip up for morning tea.
Butter is the traditional emulsifier (fat) in these quick breads. However, oil can be a substitute for butter. One advantage of using oil is that you don’t have to ‘soften’ it first.
When substituting oil for butter, about 20 per cent less oil is required either by weight or measure. The texture may be a little different, but it is acceptable.
Tip: New Zealand recipes use level metric measures. A heaped tablespoon of baking powder in a recipe could change a cake’s texture, flavour and height.
Banana
& Pineapple Loaf
The drained pineapple juice can be reserved for use in an icing for the loaf.
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 medium eggs, lightly beaten 160g mashed banana (about 3/4 cup or 1 large banana)
1/2 cup sunflower oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla essence
1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons mixed spice
75g shelled pistachio nuts, chopped
225g can crushed pineapple, well drained (reserve the juice)
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Lightly oil a 4-cup loaf pan. Line the base with baking paper. Using an electric mixer preferably, beat the brown sugar and eggs until light and fluffy. Add the mashed banana, oil and vanilla. Mix well.
Sift the flour, baking soda and spice together and fold into the banana mixture. Add the pistachios and pineapple. Pour into the loaf pan.
Bake for 45-55 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan then turn out onto a wire rack.
The top can be dusted with icing sugar or iced.
Cheese Bread
Fabulous served with soup or a salad. Or toasted for breakfast.
1 small onion, diced
50g butter
2 cups plain flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup grated tasty cheese
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup yoghurt
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Spray a 20cm x 10cm loaf pan preferably with rice bran oil. Place the onion in a microwave jug with 1 teaspoon of the butter. Cover and microwave for 30-40 seconds until the onion is limp. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a medium-large bowl. Grate the remaining butter into the flour mixture then rub in until smooth. Add the cheese and onion.
Beat the egg, milk and yoghurt together in a bowl. Mix into the flour until just combined. If it’s a bit stiff add a little more
milk. Spoon into the loaf pan. Sprinkle with a little more cheese if preferred.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Best served warm and sliced. Or reheat in the microwave or toaster.
SpiceD Pumpkin Bread
You need to purchase about 1kg of dry butternut or crown pumpkin. Ensure the mashed pumpkin is fairly dry.
2 cups mashed pumpkin
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup each: water, canola oil
4 eggs, lightly beaten
3 1/4 cups plain flour
2 teaspoons each: baking soda, ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon each: salt, baking powder
1/2 teaspoon each: ground nutmeg, ground cloves
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Lightly oil and flour two 23cm x 12cm loaf pans or similar.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin, sugar, water, canola oil and eggs. Beat until well mixed. Sift the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, nutmeg and cloves into a separate bowl. Stir to combine. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, beating until smooth. Evenly divide the batter between the two pans. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool for 10-15 minutes. Remove from the pans. Serve sliced. Makes 2 loaves suitable for freezing.
1500 State Highway 3
with ample parking and a stunning garden backdrop. Lovingly developed over generations, this property carries a rich local history-transformed from humble beginnings into one of the King Country’s truly iconic lifestyle estates. Offering family living, business potential, and rural tranquility all in one, opportunities like this are exceedingly rare. We challenge you to find better.
Ōtorohanga 26 Domain Drive
The Options Are Endless
Occupying a 845sqm corner site in a unique location on a great street, this sturdy three-bedroom home will be someone’s opportunity to get on the property ladder, a great project to add value to and on-sell or, take advantage of the growing number of investors looking to secure property while interest rates are favourable. First timers, DIY’ers, investors and everyone in between. Directly opposite the Otorohanga Kiwi house, this home offers new spouting, a new hot water cylinder, elevation, plenty of solid timber waiting to be enhanced and a family friendly section with plenty of room to play. An easy walk to town, the pools & gym, daycare and medical care.
Offers under the benchmark price of $460,000 inclusive of GST (if any) and terms more favourable than those offered to Iwi will not be considered by the Vendor. Contact Karen or Kerry today!
Banana & Pineapple Loaf
Cheese Bread
Te Kūiti
TE KUITI 461 State Highway 30
Low Maintenance, Well Located Lifestyle 28.1781ha (more or less). Fantastic opportunity to secure a well-located lifestyle property 4.5km from Te Kuiti.
$1.15M
168 Pao Road
M 027 654 7434 Tony Foreman
E tony.foreman@pggwrightson.co.nz
Bernadette Murphy
M 021 262 4960
Tidy two-bedroom home, one-bathroom, separate toilet and laundry, internal access single garage, and spa. Adjoining the home is a large 14x12m ClearSpan workshop/shed with 4.5m stud throughout. Reliable spring water supply feeds both the dwelling and farm. Easy rolling contour, ideal for cattle grazing, well-fenced and watered. If you’re after a low maintenance lifestyle block with good shedding offering versatile options, don’t delay – this could be just the place. 2 1 1
E bernadette.murphy@pggwrightson.co.nz
pggwre.co.nz/TEK42608
OPEN HOME
PIOPIO Lifestyle - 1246 State Highway 3
Country Charm - Modern Comfort
3 1
Just 9km from Piopio and 13km from Te Kuiti, this beautifully renovated four-bedroom, two-bathroom home offers modern comfort in a peaceful rural setting. Features a stylish kitchen, new carpet, doubleglazed joinery, wood burner, heat pump, HRV system, and internal-access garage. The sunny northerly aspect overlooks a swimming pool and selfcontained B&B cabin, surrounded by immaculate gardens. Set on 11ha (STT), with approx 5ha of QEII native bush and balance in pasture. A natural water source supplies home and stock. Includes a duck pond and tidy implement shed/workshop.
Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 11.00am, Wednesday 10 December VIEW
11.00-12.30pm,
Awatea Farm
Awatea Farm is a well-balanced and productive sheep and beef breeding/finishing property located at 168 Pao Road. Set in a reliable farming district, this expansive 434-hectare (more or less) unit offers a great mix of steeper hill country and easy-contoured finishing land. Of the total area, around 380 hectares are in grass, providing excellent grazing and finishing capacity. Awatea Farm is a genuine breeding and finishing unit that offers scale, solid infrastructure, and versatile contour. It’s a property that supports a flexible and productive farming operation.
pggwre.co.nz/TEK42111
OPEN DAY
$3.7M Plus GST (if any) VIEW By Appointment Only
M 027 473 5855 Peter Wylie pggwre.co.nz/TEK42585
E pwylie@pggwrightson.co.nz
PIOPIO Rural - 1246 State Highway 3
Productive Bare Land - 8 Mile
Located just 9km from Piopio and 13km from Te Kuiti, this 100ha (STT) bare land block presents an exceptional opportunity for farming or investment. 82ha of effective land and the balance in native bush, including approx. 7ha of mowable country. Most of the native bush has been fenced off and registered under a QEII covenant.
Fertile soils support multiple livestock options, including an all-cattle system. Two reliable springs pump to manacan tanks, supplying water to 35 paddocks. Infrastructure includes a tidy woolshed, sheep and cattle yards, and a 5-bay implement shed.
TENDER Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 11.00am, Wednesday 10 December VIEW 11.00-12.30pm, Tuesday 2 December E tony.foreman@pggwrightson.co.nz
ARIA
Ōtorohanga sections (sizes are approximate)
Lot 1, 52 Old Te Kuiti Road, Otorohanga, 1876sqm,
Lot 2, 0 Old Te Kuiti Road, Otorohanga, 2716sqm, power, water at gate, no covenants. Ph John P. $285,000
149A Old Te Kuiti Road, Lot 1, 5517sqm, easy covenants. Phone Lorraine Offers over $250,000
Lot 1, 627 Waitomo Valley Road, Otorohanga, 8105sqm rural lifestyle section. Phone Julie $298,000
Lots 90-108 Harpers Avenue, 486sqm to 962sqm, Westridge II subdivision. Phone John From $220,000ea
576C Mangawhero Road, Otorohanga, 1ha, fenced, sensible covenants. Ph Noldy Offers over $385,000 2/823 Ngahape Road, Otorohanga, over 6000sqm, elevated building site, rural views. Ph Noldy $450,000
Te Kūiti sections (sizes are approximate)
35 Robin Azariah Place, Te Kuiti, 1084sqm, handy to schools and hospital. Phone Buzz $250,000
10 Robin Azariah Place, Te Kuiti, 600sqm level section. Phone Buzz $239.000
CLEANER REQUIRED - for commercial and domestic with own transport and valid license. Contact 0210 2928140/ 021 732609
PIRONGIA MARKET
Pirongia Community Centre, Crozier St Sunday, November 30 9am - 1pm
Last Sunday of every month Email jim1@xtra.co.nz or ph Jim 027 366 5842
To approve the updated Constitution Where: Ōtorohanga Netball Centre When: Tuesday 9th, December Time: 7:00pm Attendance: It is essential that club, school, and team delegates attend. Online attendance is also available. For more information, please contact: Email: otorohanga.netball@gmail.com Phone: 0274 340 904
Waitomo District Council Opening Hours for Thursday 4 December 2025
The WDC
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Notice of Referendum on the Proposal to Close the Drinking Water Component of the Arohena Rural Water Supplies
Ōtorohanga District Council has resolved to work towards closing down the drinking water component of the three Arohena Water Supplies, Kahorekau, Huirimu and Taupaki.
Part of the process requires council to hold a referendum on the proposal in accordance with the Local Electoral Act 2001.
On that basis a referendum of residents and ratepayers within the Arohena Rural Water Scheme area will be conducted under the First Past the Post (FPP) electoral system, by postal vote to consider the following proposal.
I support the proposal to close the drinking water component of the Kahorekau, Huirimu, and Taupaki water supplies (known as the Arohena Rural Water Scheme). Those supplies to then be operated as stock water only water supplies.”
Voter packs will be mailed to residents and ratepayers enrolled within the Arohena Rural Water Scheme area. The voting period for this referendum will be from Friday 30 January to Tuesday 3 March 2026. The referendum result will be binding. Council will use the final poll result to determine whether to continue with formal closure action. It should be noted that even if a positive response to the referendum is obtained, water will continue to be supplied for farm stock and other agricultural purposes.
Inspection of Electoral Roll
The preliminary electoral roll to be used for the referendum will be available for inspection during office hours at the Ōtorohanga District Council office, 17 Maniapoto Street, Ōtorohanga from Monday 24 November to Monday 22 December 2025.
Residential electors may enrol or amend their enrolment details on the electoral roll:
• Online at www.vote.nz
• By texting your name and address to 3676 to get a form sent to you
• By calling 0800 36 76 56 to ask for a form to be sent to you
• By email request to enquiries@elections.govt.nz
Applications for registration as a ratepayer elector are to be made on the non-resident ratepayer elector enrolment form available from the Ōtorohanga District Council office or by downloading from www.otodc.govt.nz/about-council/elections/voters. Updates to the preliminary roll close at 4pm on Monday 22 December 2025.
Inspection of Proposal Information
Copies of the following documents about the proposed closure will be available for inspection during office hours from Monday 24 November to Monday 22 December 2025 at the Ōtorohanga District Council office, 17 Maniapoto Street, Ōtorohanga.
1. the views of The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai
2. documents relating to the proposal prepared by Ōtorohanga District Council staff
3. a map of the area to be subject to the referendum.
The above documents can also be viewed online at engage.otodc.govt.nz/closure-of-arohena-rural-water-scheme
Warwick Lampp Electoral Officer – Ōtorohanga District Council
Ph 0800 666 048 iro@electionz.com
OTOROHANGA RIDING
FOR THE DISABLED
Paid Opportunity - 6 hours per week
We’re looking for someone to join our team as the HELP US TO REACH MORE RIDERS AND CHANGE MORE LIVES CO COACH
Position Purpose:
The development and delivery of RDA programmes to achieve effective rider outcomes. To ensure the safety of all RDA people, riders and visitors involved with the session.
Key Requirements:
Sole responsibility and accountability for making the decision to continue with or cancel riding sessions for all or some riders.
• The development and delivery of RDA programmes to achieve effective rider outcomes.
Assessing potential riders and volunteers for suitability.
• Working with riders, caregivers, specialists and other RDA team members.
If you have the skills and experience required, we want to hear from you!
We are looking to fill the role by January 2026.
Send your Resume and Cover letter to:
Dianna Janett: dianna.janett@rdagroup.nz
More information: 027 554 2227 https://rda.org.nz/about-us/rda-groups/otorohanga/
PUBLIC NOTICES
Clarification and apology for an error of fact on TVNZ Breakfast 18th November 2025
Project Piopio Trust wishes to clarify the traffic management for both the 2023 and 2024 Piopio Christmas Parades was generously sponsored by Vineet and Vibhah Shiriwastow of Specialised TM.
Their support also extends to the Piopio ANZAC services, where they have provided traffic management and arranged insurance for this event.
This contribution represents a significant cost to their business, and Project Piopio Trust is deeply appreciative of their generosity and commitment to the Piopio community.
Notice of Special Hui
Marokopa Sports Grounds
Friday 13 December
Start time 10 am
He karanga ki te whānau o Mirumiru Pa ki Marokopa for a Special Hui to complete the election of two Trustee positions. Nominations close 5 December and must include a bio. Both the nominee and the nominator must whakapapa to the Pa. send nominations to kiaora@mirumirupa,org
Special Hui Agenda
Karakia
1. Election of two Trustee positions
No other business will be discussed. The Special Hui will close.
Whānau Hui Notice
The Whānau Hui will open immediately after the close of the Special Hui.
Whānau Hui Agenda
1 Mahere Rautaki
2. Updates on Pa matters
3. Mahere Rautaki discussion
4. General business
Karakia whakamutunga
Bring a plate and your aspirational ideas for our Pa.
Waitomo District Rates Reminder - Instalment 2
This is a friendly reminder that the second instalment of your 2025/2026 rates is due by 4pm, Friday 28 November 2025. Rates invoices were posted out in October.
Payments received after 28 November 2025 will attract a 10% penalty.
Rates payments can be made at the Customer Services 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.
These later born shifting hill-country Yearlings are Angus, Angus/Hereford x & Hereford. Angus Bulls have been purchased from Stokman and Waitangi with Hereford from Kokonga and Craigmore. The cattle will be drafted into lines and weighed 10 days prior to the sale with viewing on Sale Day from 9.30am – 12.30pm.
A list of yard addresses will be available upon request from the Auctioneers.
A catalogue will be available on Bidr oand MyLivestock prior to the sale.
A 2% purchasing rebate will be paid to recognised companies making arrangements prior to the sale. The cattle will be shown at the auction via video taken at drafting and weighing.
For more information contact: Marty Cashin (PGW) 027 497 6414 Vaughn Rogers (NZFL) 027 452 1568
Ruapuha Uekaha Hapū Trust (Hauturu East 8)
Early
Childhood
Education (ECE),
Primary, Intermediate & Secondary Grants 2026 School Year
Education Grant Round NOW OPEN
Karanga mai - calling all descendants of Tanetinorau Opataia, Te Aroa Haami Haereiti, Te Riutoto Aihe & Whatakaraka. You are invited to apply for education grants in the following areas; - ECE, Primary, Intermediate & Secondary Grants for 2026 School Year.
You can download an application form from the RUHT website www.ruht.co.nz or by contacting educationgrants@ruht.co.nz.
To be eligible for a grant you must be registered with the Ruapuha Uekaha Hapū Trust.
Before applying if you are unsure whether your children are registered, please email register@ruht.co.nz.
Applications close Friday, 05 December 25 @ 2PM. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
For all queries phone 0800 525 626 (Option 2)or email educationgrants@ruht.co.nz.
2025 Christmas Festivities
Tuesday 2nd December - $15 Pension Day Lunch
Thursday 4th December - 60+ Xmas Lunch $20
Friday 5th December - Entertainment: Catherine 7pm
Friday 12th December - Entertainment: Emerald Brothers after Parade
Friday 12th December - $35 Xmas Buffet
Tuesday 16th December - $15 Pension Day Lunch 12pm
Tuesday 23rd December - Members Merry Grinchmas Night (1st draw 5)
To participate in Merry Grinchmas, must be a financial new member by the 1st of December 2025
The Waitomo Club Inc Phone: 07 878 8263
Email: waitomoclub@xtra.co.nz
REQUEST FOR TENDER –ŌTOROHANGA COUNCIL BUILDING REPAINT (C1166)
Ōtorohanga District Council invites tenders from suitably qualified and experienced painting contractors for the repainting of the Ōtorohanga Council building. The aim of this project is to improve the appearance of the Council building and achieve a standard of presentation that reflects excellent value for money for our community.
Tender documents and information
Tender documents are available on the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS): Website: www.gets.govt.nz
RFx ID: 33071742
Key dates
• Tender opens: Friday 21 November 2025 at 2.00pm
• Deadline for tender questions: Monday 1 December 2025 at 2.00pm
• Tender closes: Thursday 4 December 2025 at 2.00pm
All enquiries regarding this tender must be submitted in writing via email to:
Tenders must be submitted electronically through GETS. No other form of submission will be accepted.
Ōtorohanga District Council
Of an application for Club Licence TE KUITI BOWLING CLUB INCORPORATED, 1 Tammadge Street Te Kuiti has made application to the District Licensing Committee at Waitomo District Council, Te Kūiti for the renewal of a club licence in respect of the premises situated at 1 Tammadge Street Te Kuiti known as Te Kuiti Bowling Club
The general nature of the business conducted (or to be conducted) under the licence is sports club. The days on which and the hours during which alcohol is (or is intended to be) sold under the licence are Monday-Wednesday, 9am-9pm, Thursday-Sunday 12 midnight
The application may be inspected during ordinary office hours at the office of the Waitomo District Licensing Committee, Waitomo District Council, Queen St, Te Kūiti. Any person who is entitled to object and wishes to object to the issue of the licence may, not later than 25 working days after the date of the publication of this notice, file a notice in writing of the objection with the Secretary of the District Licensing Committee at Waitomo District Council, PO Box 404, Te Kūiti 3941.No objection to the renewal of a licence may be made in relation to a matter other than a matter specified in section 131 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
This is the second publication of this notice.This notice was first published on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
WANTED TO BUY
WANTED TO BUY. Any ute, van, 4WD, truck or car. Any condition doesn’t have to be going. Cash paid. Ph/txt Kevin 027 299 6165
TO RENT
HOUSE TO RENT –3-bedroom, 1 bathroom. Otorohanga township. No pets. $520 per week. Available now. Ph 0210 2928140
WORK WANTED
WEED SPRAYING available.
Ute setup, twin auto reels. Pricing upon application. Enquires to 021 041 9642.
ENTERTAINMENT
ENTERTAINMENT
It’s Not Too Late
Carols in the Caves ‘25
Fri 28 , Sat 29 , Sun 30 November, 8pm Titiwai Children’s Choir Fri & Sat only
Wednesday 3rd December, movie 10.30am Christmas lunch to follow All seniors welcome
BATLEY, Joseph Peter November 28, 1985
40 years beyond the stars, remembered with much love always.
HERBERT, Nelson Koha November 24, 2022
We think about you always, we talk about you still, you have never been forgotten and you never will. We hold you close within our hearts, and there you will remain to guide us through our lives, until we meet again. Your loving wife Hana & Whanau.
MILNE,
Terry
26/12/1954 -30/11/2015
It has been 10 long years without you in our lives. We miss all of the fun we used to have, all of the yarns and all of the laughs. We miss you as our camp leader. Our lives have changed so much without you in them. You are always in our hearts, never forgotten. Love from your brother Johnny, sister Christine, daughter in law Kathryn and grandson Logan.
The whanau of the late GRAHAM POTAKA would like to let whanau and friends know that we will be having a service for Graham at Te Kuiti Marae on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 11:00am. His ashes will be interred at Te Kuiti Marae Urupa.
ORMSBY, (Sobye)
Carlisle Moira
The Ormsby family wish to express their deep appreciation to all those who have offered kindness and support on our recent loss. We are deeply grateful to all those that attended the funeral, along with all the cards, flowers and messages of sympathy that were received on the passing of a much-loved wife, mother, nana and great nana. Special thanks to all the medical staff that were involved with her care, and to everyone involved in the preparation of her funeral. Please accept this as our personal thanks.
ANSO, Martin John –
Passed away peacefully on 18 Nov 2025 aged 88 years. Much loved husband of Lyn, father of Kathy, Jenni, Jocelyn, Anthony, Vivienne and Martin. Grandpa to Olivia, Lexi, Ryan, Daniel and Luke. A private family service has been held in Te Awamutu. All communications to the Anso family, PO Box 137, Te Awamutu 3840.
Te Awamutu Funeral Services, FDANZ
BLAKE, Mary Elizabeth (Betty) – Aged 97 years. Passed away peacefully on 15 November 2025. Wife of the late Alan late of Te Kuiti. Mother and mother in law of Carol and Laurence Hancock, Dell and Ross Bawden, Tom and Heather and Jim and Lindsay. Loved grandmother of nine and great grandmother of 14. We thank the staff of Arvida Cascades for the love and care of mum over the last 10 years. Donations to Arthritis NZ would be appreciated. Private cremation has been held.
MY DARLING TOOTS
Two years ago, you left my side, but you’ll never leave my heart. I speak your name every day, you’ll never fade or go away. In my memories, you’ll always stay. I want to thank you for choosing me, thank you for loving me. Until death do we reunite— so until then, I will forever hold you tight.
Miss and love you forever, Deb.
Saying goodbye is never easy. Our local, professional,
compassionate team is here 24/7, guiding you with care and respect every step of the way. Call us anytime – we’re here for you.
