Waipā has welcomed the announcement that feral cats will be added to New Zealand’s Predator Free 2050 strategy.
Last week conservation Minister Tama Potaka confirmed feral cats will join possums, rats, stoats, weasels and ferrets on the national target species list.
The announcement comes ahead of the Predator Free 2050 strategy review results, expected early next year.
Following strong public support and a submission from the Waipā District Council in June to the Department of Conservationreflecting community concerns about the threats posed by feral cats - it’s a boost for native wildlife and local communities.
Feral cats prey on birds, bats, lizards, frogs, and insects such as wētā, and have contributed to the extinction of several native bird species.
District growth and regulatory services group manager Wayne Allan said the inclusion gives communities and councils stronger support to manage feral cats.
“It gives local efforts the support they need, with legal backing, guidance and funding to ensure they are coordinated and effective,” Allan said.
“Currently, there is no national law for cat management, limiting councils’ ability to respond to public concerns.”
A national framework will help clarify responsibilities, promote responsible ownership, and distinguish clearly between pet, stray, and feral cats.
Taiea te Taiao Ecological
Corridor project coordinator Bexie Towle said she’s supportive of this initiative “which will help us to move towards an Aotearoa where people and nature can thrive together”.
“Communities both rurally and in our towns have struggled to find an agency that can support feral cat control,” Towle said.
“When I have received enquiries through Predator Free Te Awamutu, I have been unable to offer advice or support for landowners trying to deal with feral cats.
“I have spoken to vets and agencies both locally and nationally and often end up with ‘sorry I can’t help’, when asking for advice. We hope that we can encourage responsible pet ownership in Aotearoa.
She said with new technology and techniques for predator control, such as microchip-sensing automatic traps, there would always be ways to ensure safe pets and safe wildlife.”
Bernard Westerbaan aired his concerns to the Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board earlier this year.
The Kihikihi resident and “cat lover” hopes that it’s not too late for the initiative.
“I would like to see a limit of cats on a property. But you have to be registered as a breeder to have more than, say, three cats on the property,” Westerbaan said.
“We adopted a cat. We had her spayed, microchipped and everything else, and she’s doing really well.
“We caught another one, that went to another home as well. But there’s still a lot of scruffy ones
floating around.
“But the other thing I don’t want is more council staff to monitor the cats. Because it’s a waste of money.”
He said the fewer feral cats would be better for the environment, but was sceptical the
Feral cat call gets support
results would be 100 per cent, even by 2050.
“Ideally there’s a limit on the number of cats people can have. But how do you monitor that?” Westerbaan said. “If you do it by registration, I know for sure people are going to say, well, we don’t
A night of tributes
own that cat.
“They’re different than dogs and a piece of paper called a bylaw does not make much difference. People own dogs, but cats have owners.
“They come and go as they please. They go everywhere.”
Deane and Ange Mark have been recognised for their outstanding support for Te Awamutu’s volunteer fire brigade. And they were not alone. The brigade and supporters gathered recently to acknowledge decades of support and work in the community. We list the award winners today on Page 6.
Photo: Kwiksmart Photography.
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Care. Create. Transform.
In business… Wintec’s fightback
By Mary Anne Gill
After years of upheaval under Te Pūkenga, Hamilton’s Wintec - the regional polytechnic serving Waikato, Waipa and King Countryis reclaiming independence.
Once burdened by $19.4m losses and fading identity, it now promises a bold reset: locally led, flexible, and built on iwi and industry partnerships.
With Waikato’s ageing Pākehā workforce and fastgrowing young Māori and Pacific population, the stakes are high.
Sports Club, a police officer, Waikato Chamber of Commerce members, former MP Martin Gallagher and Community and Enterprise Leadership Foundation graduates.
We were also in Hamilton at the unveiling of Mesh’s fifth piece of public art in Hayes Paddock and we hear from former Hamilton mayor Margaret Evans who wants to see some Dollars and Sense from local body politicians.
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Operations lead Warwick Pitts told Waikato Chamber of Commerce members last month, even 250 more graduates could inject $300 million into local households.
The story about Wintec’s comeback, lead in this month’s Waikato Business News, is about more than survival - it’s positioning itself as a cornerstone of regional prosperity.
Elsewhere in the Good Local Media business publication’s December issue are several award winners including Pirongia
On the beat
With the festive season approaching and Christmas lists eagerly being assembled, a word of caution for parents considering an E-scooter for their children.
Riding an E-Scooter comes with risks and responsibilities for which not every child or young person may be ready. We have had reports of irresponsible riding, including a youth doubling their friend on an E-scooter at speed downhill, with neither wearing helmets - a risky combination. Some E-scooters can reach speeds equal to or exceeding traditional (motorised) scooters. This means that younger children may not be able to react in time to avoid a crash, due to their speed simply outrunning their ability.
E-Scooters should be ridden in a considerate manner; speeds should be kept low out of consideration for pedestrians, leaving a good distance between the scooter and other pavement users. People and cars on pavements and driveways can be unpredictable. For safety reasons, it is strongly recommended that all riders wear helmets (clipped up) to reduce the risk of injury.
In police catches this week, Cambridge police recently received two reports of indecent behaviour at lakeside reserves. With the assistance of local community, the alleged offender’s vehicle was reported to police when it returned to one of the locations later. Staff responded quickly and arrested the male without problem. He will be appearing in court. Such intervention
Over the Kaimai Range, sister publication the Bay of Plenty Business News asks questions about the Marine Precinct’s future. Tauranga City Council sold the prime harbour real estate and local MP Sam Uffindell says that is “a terrible outcome for ratepayers.”
And there are glimmerings of an upturn, economists say.
All in Waikato Business News and Bay of Plenty Business News, out now goodlocal.nz
Online checks
After the heady numbers our Te Awamutu News website experienced during the local government election period, last month’s statistics settled down.
is important to prevent escalation of offending.
Another male was seen by another member of the public in the process of attempting to steal a car in Leamington. Police arrived to find him continuing his actions. The person was found to be in breaching court bail conditions in addition to his attempted unlawful taking of the vehicle. He was arrested with Police opposing bail, appeared in court and was remanded in custody until his next hearing.
In Te Awamutu, staff terminated an investigation into multiple residential burglaries where outdoor and garden equipment were taken. A female was successfully arrested and faced five charges in court.
Te Awamutu has also had a spate of construction site burglaries reported. Builders’ tools, paint and construction materials were targeted. As always, we encourage tradies to secure their vehicles and tools whenever left on site. Mark your tools with an identifier (such as your driver’s licence number) and record details such as make, model and serial numbers. If storing equipment in a shipping container onsite, invest in high quality locks, install motion activated audible alarms inside the container and CCTV inside and out. If you do discover a theft, be sure to preserve the scene for forensic opportunities and report it to Police immediately. As indicated by the burglary arrest above, one offender is usually responsible for a series of offences.
Most visited news story was the November 14 edition of News in Brief subsequently updated in the days afterwards.
Ryan Fleming’s final column as community constable came in at second, Viv Posselt’s wrap up of the Te Awamutu Rose Show was third while Jesse Wood’s story about Pirongia Sports taking out the club of the year title was fourth.
In fifth was his piece about 18-year-old Lily Houben heading to Greece for the junior world mixed martial arts event.
The two most visited pages are Home and the e-Editions, where the full Te Awamutu News edition can be found.
with Senior Constable DEB HANN
Rotary competition
Christmas parade organiser
Te Awamutu Rotary has launched a shopping competition to support retailers affected by the road closures for this year’s parade to be held on Saturday. Shoppers who make a purchase at a participating store between December 1 and 7 will get tickets into a prize draw.
Dining out
Plenty of theories have arisen as to why actor and comedian Simon Helberg who plays aerospace engineer-astronaut Howard Wolowitz in CBS sitcom Big Bang Theory was in the Waipā on Sunday. The American actor, 45 on December 9, dined at Fahrenheit, a restaurant and bar on the main street of Te Awamutu.
Sun up
The Te Awamutu District War Memorial Park is set to regain a missing feature for 70th birthday celebrations. A replacement sundial has been made to replace the original one missing from its stand since about the mid1990s. Weather permitting it will be fitted to coincide with the commemoration celebrating seven decades since the opening of the park – Sunday, December 4, 1955.
Remembering them
Remembrance services are being held across the district to remember loved ones. Rosetown Chapel in Ōhaupō Road, Te Awamutu, is holding a remembrance service on Sunday, December 7. Trinity St Paul’s Union Parish in Queen Street, Cambridge, is hosting one on Wednesday, December 10.
New sculpture
Rock, a striking bronze sculpture by artist Francis Upritchard, has been unveiled at Hayes Paddock in Hamilton. The artwork was donated by Tamahere’s Dallas Fisher and Helen Gleeson in memory of their late friend Glennis du Chatenier who lived nearby.
Parade gets express delivery
By Aysha Finlay
Te Awamutu is getting ready to roll out the tinsel once again, but and behind the festive magic is a small army of volunteers working hard to bring Saturday’s Christmas parade to life.
This year’s town centre parade is built around the theme of Christmas movies, challenging entrants as they design and build their floats.
One of the entries comes from Bayley McOnie and her team at Impressions Childcare, who have spent the past eight weeks planning to make sure their float captures the theme perfectly.
Inspired by the movie The Polar Express, the team has transformed a truck into a train nicknamed the Impressions Express with plans for all children and staff to dress in pyjamas.
“Obviously, The Polar Express is an iconic movie. We’ve really unpacked the key themes, and we’re trying to be as authentic as possible,” McOnie says. “We were trawling through the list of Christmas movies and trying to find something we’d be able to manage with a whole lot of little people, and we
landed on The Polar Express.”
Being based in Pirongia adds an extra layer of logistics. The team will do a practice run on Wednesday to assemble the float, since it’s not possible to drive the truck fully decorated into Te Awamutu.
“It’s a bit of a puzzle at the moment, but it’s all coming together day by day,” McOnie says.
This isn’t the team’s first parade. They participated in a float pre-Covid but with a recent business rebrand, McOnie says this year is also about showcasing their new logos and designs to the community. “It’s sort of our comeback to the parade,” she adds.
For McOnie, the highlight of the day is seeing the community come together.
“We are quite a decent-sized childcare centre and we have lots of families who travel to us from Te Awamutu and Kihikihi. Sharing the Christmas magic and seeing our people in the crowd, and connecting with that wider community, is really special,” she says.
The parade will start at 11am.
• Aysha Finlay is a Wintec journalism student.
Martha gets a view of Pluto
By Ronella Felizardo
Martha Newland has capped off a big year with an original performance as the dwarf planet Pluto at Hamilton’s The Meteor.
The first year Wintec Performing Arts student from Te Awamutu was taking part in the Creative Showcase Exhibition, a celebration of students’ work.
The News reported in July 2023 the then Te Awamutu College student was among a group of seven students preparing to take part in the inaugural National Youth Theatre performance in Hamilton.
This time last year, though, was a different story - Newland learned several courses in Wintec’s School of Media Arts, including her one, was disappearing.
“I remember feeling a bit helpless. By that time applications and auditions for
similar programmes had all closed so I knew that if this didn’t work out, I did not have many other options up to my sleeve.”
Wintec reversed the decision following a consultation period and a year later Newland says she has learned a lot honing her craft.
“I just feel so fortunate knowing that I’m in such good hands with my tutors.”
She said the best part of her year was building bonds with her peers.
“It always feels like such a privilege to be surrounded by so much talent lately - to call these people my friends is so special.”
Newland’s most challenging yet rewarding part of the year was the showcase as it was the most difficult material she had worked with.
For her theatre cabaret character, she devised a piece about how planet Pluto reacted losing its planetary status and
being reclassified as a dwarf planet.
“Pluto was such a fun character to personify and play with. Discovering her arc as a character, finding her quirks and flaws, and being to amplify this through storytelling with a bit of comedy was a blast.”
Now the semester has finished, Newland has a few auditions coming up and is looking forward to being part of the theatre scene in Hamilton.
“We are spoiled with talent here in the Waikato, but I would love to be in a production with some of my fellow Wintec students.”
Newland dreams of performing in well known plays.
“I absolutely love Chicago, performing in Roxie would be a dream. But so would Eurydice in Hadestown or even Daisy in The Great Gatsby.”
• Ronella Felizardo is a Wintec journalism student.
Kylah McVerry and youngsters Mila McVerry (left) and Laya Virk paint the letters to go on the bath sides of the float.
Playing Pluto – Martha Newland.
Photo: Geoff Ridder
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Artist impression
Artist Impression
Closing credits for Regent
By Jesse Wood
The inaugural manager of The Regent Theatre Te Awamutu, following the creation of the Allan Webb Theatre Trust, is moving on before Christmas.
Paige Larianova started in April 2022 as the Regent celebrated 90 years and both she and her assistant Lindenberg Gomes are departing.
The trust board have agreed to dissolve both roles and proceed with a theatre operations manager.
“Helping bring vibrancy back to this five-cinema complex and seeing that energy ripple out into the community has been an absolute highlight,” Larianova said.
The Hamilton-based former Lido Cinema manager remembers applying for the dream job.
“Steve Tritt, who supported me through starting the film office in the region, Waikato Screen, sent me the job link for the position,” Larianova said.
“He’s continued to support me and has come to all seven Misty Flicks film festivals, three of those at the Regent.
“I had an interview here in the 140-seater cinema one. It was quite daunting. The board members were sitting in various rows within this big auditorium and I was sitting awkwardly at the front looking up at them all.”
She gave a presentation about her vision for the cinema.
“I told them what my goals and dreams were. All the things I said that I was setting out to achieve in that interview, I have done.”
Coming into the role after Covid was a challenge in itself.
“I had to understand how Allan Webb had been operating the cinema and I began learning all the nooks of the place,” Larianova said. “I started updating small things such as a new point-of-sale system that connects to the website, which is why you can now buy tickets online.”
With so much history on the walls, Larianova has been a guardian of the theatre and the collection.
“My job has been to take care of what is here, not to move it too much, make sure it’s not getting damaged and it’s kept clean.”
The Barbie movie was one of the top selling movies after Larianova started.
“There were 45-minute lines out the door. We had several cinemas open, playing the same movie. We hosted the Ka Whawhai Tonu iwi screening, and due to the local connection, it helped The Regent have its most successful year.”
“We get to host events and be part of something that means something to people. We create a memory they can share,” Larianova said.
She enjoyed being part of people’s cinematic journeys – right from the start.
“Our tiny tot sessions have been popular. One day they’re likely to come back and repeat the stories about going to the cinema for the first time,” Larianova said.
“The same goes with our community sessions. This year, we have 12 Christmas classics being played. All of them are backed by a community sponsor.
She’s grateful for her involvement in the latest chapter of the town’s beloved Regent Theatre.
“I’ve loved every moment of connecting with people, building excitement and helping create a place we could all be proud of.”
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Paige Larianova has been The Regent Theatre manager since 2022.
Photo: Jesse Wood
Michelle Rolley
Sam Blatchford Andrew Flexman
Nick Kavanagh, CFA
Brigade honours announced
About 130 brigade members, partners and guests attended the Te Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade honours evening.
Lisa Atkinson, not for the first time, was named firefighter of the year by the brigade.
The year was summarised by MC senior station officer Danny Smith and a video presentation was compiled by firefighter Hels Wilkes.
The brigade had responded to more than 460 alarms since the last honours evening, when there had been 409 in the 12 months prior.
Members had again seen successful in national and international firefighting competitions and the brigade completed one of the largest fundraising events in its history to fund a replacement response vehicle.
Members participated in local and national football competitions, clay bird shooting and the Sky Tower stair climb and memorial climb.
The year has seen significant improvements to the station, while brigade numbers remain strong with a continued focus on training.
Brigade support Ken Calendar and deputy chief fire officer Karl Tutty were recognised at separate functions with the United Fire Brigades Association “Gold Star” 25-year service medals.
A high profile was maintained at a wide range of community events including numerous school and pre-school visits.
Chief fire officer Ian Campbell said 2026 was looking positive with several new projects and initiatives
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being considered. The United Fire Brigade Association Awards recognise members service with a certificate after three years, a silver medal after five years, with a silver medal bar every additional two years.
Recipients were: Three year certificates - operational support Scott Stapleton, brigade support Addy Mark, firefighters Kayden Mackenzie-Griffin and Josh Orzecki. Five year medals - firefighters Ngawaka StojanovicSwift, Lisa Atkinson, Ben Gulliver, Ngaia Henry. Two year silver bar, 11 years’ service, station officer Lale Stapleford, 13 years’ service - firefighter
Christie Anderson, 23 years’ service - firefighter Geoffrey Baker.
After 25 years’ service a member is awarded the United Fire Brigades Gold Star 25-year service medal and receives a gold bar for every subsequent two years.
Recipients were: 27 years - station officer Colin Munro, senior station officer Glenn Anderson, 35 yearsfirefighters Rob Willey, Dave Shaw, 39 years - volunteer support officer Grant Mitchell, 43 years - chief fire officer Ian Campbell, 45 years - senior station officer Lex Soepnel.
Presentations then moved to the awarding of The New Zealand Fire Brigades Long Service and Good Conduct
Medal.
A member is eligible after 14 years’ service, with a medal clasp awarded every subsequent seven years. Recipients were: 14 yearsfirefighter Shaun Higginson, third clasp for 35 yearsfirefighters Rob Willey, Dave Shaw.
The second part of the evening was devoted to awards from the brigade itself to supporters and members who had made outstanding contributions during the year.
The recipients were Zack and Leigh-Anne Smith for outstanding support and dedication to the brigade, Jude Shaw for outstanding support and dedication to the brigade and capturing
the brigade’s journey and legacy as the photographer for many brigade events and Deane and Ange Mark for unwavering dedication, exceptional commitment and outstanding service, most recently leading the brigades major fundraising event, making a profound impact on the brigade and community.
Brigade members awards: Attendance Cup – senior station officer Danny Smith and firefighter Lochlan Rollinson. Brigade Crew Cup – presented to the Fundraising Committee. Brigade Excellence awards: firefighter Ryan Johnstone, Ray Bailey Trophy for firefighter of the year, Lisa Atkinson
Several accolades came the way of Jude and Dave Shaw. Photos: Kwiksmart Photography
Brigade Firefighter of the year Lisa Atkinson.
Brigade Excellence Award winner Ryan Johnstone.
Zack and Leigh-Anne Smith were recognised for outstanding support and dedication to the Te Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade over many years.
Fatigue: a killer on the road
By Roy Pilott
Coroner Rachael Schmidt-McCleave has issued a warning to motorists ahead of the festive season about driver fatigue.
Scania Rangi Te Whare of Te Kūiti died from injuries suffered in a crash at Ngāhinapōuri in November 2022.
“I consider that, on the balance of probabilities, this death could have been prevented had Mr Te Whare not driven while in a likely fatigued state,” she said.
Te Whare, who had a learner’s licence, worked in Hamilton and had completed 10hour shift.
“He commuted from Te Kūiti, about an hour and a half commute, but sometimes would sleep in his car or at a friend’s house rather than driving home. Mr Te Whare had been putting in a large amount of overtime in the weeks before his death,” the corner reported.
“On the night of October 31, 2022, Mr Te Whare worked a night shift and left to drive home to Te Kūiti.”
At 7.37am the car he was driving along Kakaramea Road, State Highway 39, crossed the centre line and collided with a school bus.
The 27-year-old father of two suffered “nonsurvivable” impact injuries.
Schmidt-McCleave said the Serious Crash Unit recommended education continue regarding the risks of driving fatigued and she found “on the balance of probabilities”, the cause of the crash was Te Whare crossing the centre line in his vehicle, likely due to being in a fatigued state after working a 10hour shift.
“I recommend that the New Zealand public remember and heed the advice of the New Zealand Transport Agency with respect to driver fatigue.
“The NZTA advises that fatigue does not just mean falling asleep at the wheel. That is an extreme form of fatigue. Fatigue can also mean tiredness, weariness or exhaustion and a driver can be fatigued enough for it to impair driving long before the driver “nods off” at the wheel.
“As a driver, fatigue can cause several problems, including reducing attentiveness and alertness to dangers, slowing reaction time and decision-making ability, poor lane tracking and maintenance of speed, and decreasing tolerance for other road users.”
She said being tired could cause a driver to drift in and out of sleep without knowing it - a “microsleep”. Those naps could last between three and five seconds and were the main cause of fatigue-related crashes where the driver ran off the road.
Shift workers were a recognised category of drivers who were more likely to suffer from driver fatigue because they were more likely to have disrupted sleep patterns.
She said the measures recommended by NZTA to counter tiredness should not be relied upon on a regular basis.
“Changes to lifestyle should be considered to enable drivers to get the sleep they need. Measures such as drinking caffeine, getting out of the vehicle to stretch legs, opening the window or turning up the radio volume
do not work and will refresh a driver only for a short while. Once fatigue has set in, no amount of willpower will keep a driver awake.
“The only answer is sleep and the driver should stop for a short nap or seek assistance to get home.”
Tired signs
NZTA identifies the following signs that a driver is entering, or is in, the ‘fatigue danger zone’ for driving:
• Beginning to blink.
• Not being able to stop yawning.
• Having trouble keeping head up.
• Eyes closing for a moment or going out of focus.
• Having wandering, disconnected thoughts.
• Not remembering driving the last few kilometres.
• Missing a gear.
• Missing a road sign or exit.
• Slowing unintentionally.
• Braking too late.
• Drifting over the centre line or onto the other side of the road.
To reduce the risk of having a fatiguerelated crash, NZTA recommends preparing a journey properly and planning where to take a safe break from driving and stopping in a safe place when feeling tired, trying to have a short nap of no more than 15 to 30 minutes (having more than this can lead to waking feeling groggy) and not being tempted to keep driving when tired just because a destination is close.
Pirongia win turf competition
Pirongia Rugby Sports Club have won a $20,000 field upgrade via the PGG Wrightson Turf, Field of Dreams competition - a great boost for the club after winning Waikato club of the year ahead of their 150-year celebrations.
“It’s a pretty exciting time for the club at the moment and couldn’t come at a better time,” club president Cameron Coombes (pictured) said.
“We’ve certainly experienced a lot of growth in the club and the hub itself has just been a hub for the whole community with the other sports that are happening there.”
The rural Waipā town beat the other finalists Horny Rugby Football Club, Mangawhai Football Club and Cheviot Cricket Club, receiving 1300 votes.
“We’re really looking forward to getting stuck into some exciting stuff like subsurface drainage, cultivation and re-grassing. I’m sure that gets everyone pretty excited. It certainly does for me anyway,” Coombes said.
“There’s a fairly big catchment of rural kids with mullets that drive fairly big areas from out the coast to come play with their mates for some traditional old-fashioned rugby.
“We’re nothing flashy, but an old-fashioned club where they make mates for life.
“The club itself is humbled at the sheer amount of support and extremely thankful for those that supported us.”
Scania Te Whare had been driving home along SH39 at the time of the crash.
Photo: Google Maps.
Exchange rates and interest rates
By Peter Nicholl
I asked my computer the question ‘what determines a country’s exchange rate?”
The answer from AI overview was ‘a country’s exchange rate is determined by a combination of factors, including interest rates, inflation rates, trade balances, political stability and investor sentiment’. I have no idea who AI Overview is but the answer was a sensible one.
As an example of the impacts, they said ‘higher interest rates… can strenghten a currency’. The inverse also holds true – lower interest rates can weaken a currency, especially if your interest rates are significantly lower than they are in your trading partners.
Official interest rates in New Zealand and Australia were very similar at the beginning of 2025: 4.25 per cent in New Zealand, 4.35 per cent in Australia. Since then, the Reserve Bank has lowered its Offocial Cash Rate six times, the latest on November 26 by 25 basis points to 2.25 per cent. Australia has lowered its official interest rate three times this year, by 25 points each time. Their official rate is 3.6 per cent. The gap is now significant.
The exchnage rate has gone from our dollar being worth 93c in Australia on June 13 to 87.6c on November 28, a devaluation of almost 6 per cent. Given what has happened to our relative interest rates, this devaluation against the Australian dollar should surprise no-one.
It should be good for New Zealand’s economic growth as it’s good for export industries and inward tourism. Tourist numbers are growing and the fastest growth is from Australia. But New Zealanders wanting to holiday in Australia will find it costs a lot more today than it did just six months ago.
The devaluation won’t be good for inflation. Prices of imports will rise. I was surprised when I read the Reserve Bank’s cash rate decision last week that the only mention made of the exchange rate was that ‘the exchange rate has fallen supporting exporters’ income.’
Given that the Reserve Bank now has a sole target of inflation, I expected them to also talk about the inflationary effects that can follow devaluation. The bank still expects inflation to reduce from its current level of three per cent - the top of their target range – to two per cent (he middle of their target range) by the middle of next year. Despite the recent falls in the value of our dollar, they haven’t changed their optomistic outlook.
The tone of their statement last week however was more cautious than previously. They listed seven possible risks to the inflation outlook, including rising house prices, the big capital return to dairy farmers and continued inflationary pressures overseas. But the inflationary effects of a falling exchange rate wasn’t mentioned amongst their risks.
This is very surprising given that New Zealand interest rates are now significanly below those in Australia – and in most of our other main trading partners too.
By the time this column appears the Reserve Bank will have a new governor. It said in its recent decision that it has reduced interest rates as low as they can go in this cycle. They have therefore left the new governor, Anna Breman, with only a one-way option – up. Hopefully, she won’t have to do that for some time.
Reading the room
By Phil Strong, Proprietor Chair, Waipa Christian School
I have one of those friends who just can’t read the room.
He’s socially awkward, not very good in crowds, and just always seems to do the wrong thing.
He’s the kind of guy that would flatulate loudly at a funeral and then laugh because he thought it was funny.
Like I said, he’s not able to read the room.
I’m not perfect by the way. A long time ago, when I was much younger, my father asked me to help him at work.
My father was a funeral director and asked me if I would travel across town to a house where I would be collecting a deceased person to bring back to him at the mortuary. Upon arrival, I reversed the wagon up the driveway, bounced out of the car to greet my dad’s colleague who introduced me to a lovely old man. “Hello sir,” I said, “it’s wonderful to meet you. How are you today?”
Not cool. The man’s wife had died only hours earlier. Like I said, some people are not able to read the room.
Jesus was surrounded by people who were not able to read the room. I mean, he was also a little tricky in the way he explained things, but a lot of people just missed the point. Take Nicodemus, for instance.
He was a scholar, a wise sage, a teacher of the Bible that the Jewish people would study at church.
When Jesus said to him, “In order for you to obtain eternal life, you must be born again,” Nicodemus got confused and asked how a grown man could enter again into his mother’s womb to be reborn. Jesus had to explain he was talking about spiritual rebirth.
Just like Nicodemus missed the point, many of us do the same at Christmas.
Christmas has arrived at my house with a flurry of colour, plastic ornaments, Santa, nativity scenes, tinsel, and loud carols playing on most devices. I thought Bing Crosby was dead - he sure sounds like it.
Whether you celebrate Christmas for faith or family, it’s worth asking: what’s the heart of this season?
Christmas is a time when many people miss the point. They don’t read the room and they don’t grasp what is actually happening. Christmas is not about tinsel. Christmas is not about turkeys. Christmas is about celebrating the person who came to visit earth to connect with us so that we might connect with Him for eternity.
Let’s not misread the room this Christmas. Let’s not make it about something it’s not meant to be. Let’s not get distracted. Let’s not get diverted.
Let’s not deviate from the purpose of celebrating Jesus as the one who loved each one of us so much that he came to earth, gave his life, and made a way for us to be reunited with God as our Father. Don’t misread the room this Christmas. Celebrate the right thing, not the wrong thing. Celebrate with loved ones. Celebrate with neighbours. But make sure you celebrate the right thing.
Friends, Christmas begins with Christ.
New home for racing eyed
By Mary Anne Gill
The search for a greenfield site to house Waikato’s racing industry appears to have narrowed to land immediately south of Hamilton - and an announcement understood to be only days away.
Waikato Thoroughbred Racing chief executive Andrew “Butch” Castles declined to comment citing the sensitivity of ongoing negotiations.
“I can’t be clearer — it is very delicate and I am not in a position to comment,” he said.
Industry sources suggest agents acting for the club have identified flat land near the Waikato Expressway, capable of accommodating a single, purpose-built hub for racing and training.
This move follows a landmark decision at last year’s annual meeting, where members of the newly merged Waikato Thoroughbred Racing - formed from Te Rapa, Cambridge, and Waipā racing clubs - endorsed a grand plan to sell existing assets and secure a “super site” of between 125 and 200 hectares.
The preferred site needed to sit in a triangle from
Hamilton north, down to Te Awamutu, and across to Cambridge, they decided. It needed good access to water, with the right kind of topography and non-peaty.
A new site would eventually replace the racing and training venues in Hamilton, Cambridge and Te Awamutu.
If the purchase proceeds, it would trigger a cascade of property sales, beginning with the 34ha site in Te Awamutu where the Waipā club raced from 1915 until the 2020-21 season and where around 100 horses still train.
Cambridge with 61ha and Te Rapa with 50ha would have to remain operational until the new hub was completed, thought to be by 2035.
The News understands the proposal has high-level government support and would be largely self-funded.
Cambridge – which celebrated its centenary in 2019 - is home to the Southern Hemisphere’s largest thoroughbred training centre, with 1300 horses regularly working on its 13 tracks.
That includes the country’s first synthetic all-weather horse racing track. The Polytrack surface is made from a mixture of silica, sand,
carpet fibres, rubber and wax. Its $13 million cost was partly funded by the Provincial Growth Fund and was opened by racing minister Winston Peters in July 2021.
Te Rapa in Hamilton, meanwhile, is Waikato’s premier racecourse and event centre, once spanning more than 150ha during racing’s heydays when thousands of punters flocked to race days. Racing first started on the course in 1924.
Urban expansion in both Hamilton and Cambridge has steadily encroached on
both venues, making the land increasingly valuable for residential and commercial development.
The club is hoping to secure a private plan change to rezone 6ha for mediumdensity housing.
Board chair Bruce Harvey said after last year’s annual meeting a greenfield site would centralise operations and future proof Waikato’s racing industry.
Challenges at Cambridge - where new housing has added traffic to roads used by horses - and the need to bring
Waikato’s racing fraternity under one roof were key considerations.
For Waikato Thoroughbred Racing, the solution lies in creating a modern super hub - a facility that secures the industry’s future, provides world-class infrastructure, and ensures the region remains a powerhouse of New Zealand racing.
Trainers would be able to either hire or lease land at the super hub while there would be an opportunity for racing-related ancillary businesses.
The main racetrack would be sand-based but there would also be options for synthetic racing and training tracks.
While officials remain tight-lipped, industry insiders describe the proposal as “exciting” and potentially transformative.
With racing already contributing more than $500 million to the Waikato economy and supporting 3800 full-time jobs, a centralised hub could be the game changer that secures the industry’s future.
The purchase could trigger the sale of the Waipā Racing Club site in Racecourse Road, Te Awamutu.
Evans keeps lifting her game
By Jesse Wood
It’s been a big year for Pirongia-based raw bench press specialist Delwyn Evans, 61, travelling around the globe and breaking records on the way.
The former Cambridge High School student has been to Norway, Japan and Christchurch in the last six months and is preparing for events in Poland and Canada events in 2026.
She trains at Zero Limits in Te Awamutu and travels over the Kaimai Range once a week to see trainer Mike Jones in Tauranga.
At the world bench press championships in Norwary in May, Evans gained a fourth placing.
“There were nine in my class and the winners were benching 95kg. I broke my Commonwealth record, came home and then I competed in Japan in July, at the Asian African Pacific champs,” Evans said.
“I got second with an 80kg bench, I lost my Commonwealth record by one, because the Australian lifter weighed in before me – that was out of my control.
“I’ve just come off the Oceania regional powerlifting and bench press championships in Christchurch, where I had the best competition I’ve ever had.
“I got my records back and benched 83kg. It’s been a good year, that was my 64th competition overall.”
Evans is always looking ahead to an event and there’s no sign of stopping.
“I love it. There are days where training is harder than normal, but then it’s meant to be. If it wasn’t, why would I be there?”
“You’ve got to get used to that and be
adaptable.”
Every time Evans lifts, she reads a bit of former All Black captain Richie McCaw’s book to draw some inspiration.
One of her pearls of wisdom is about being more process-focussed. It’s not all about the end result.
“I think we get too caught up in that winning process, the outcome, whereas we should be more processed-focused,” she said.
“People don’t actually see what goes into competing. They see you on the podium, but they don’t see the back story.
“The years of training, four or five days a week, nutritionists, sports psychologythere’s a whole lot that goes on. You don’t just rock up.”
Although bench press has taken her to new countries and experiences, Evans said the most rewarding part of the year was in her own backyard.
She spoke to the Continuing Education group in Te Awamutu.
“I went along thinking there’d be about 20 people, there were 70. They turned up to listen to me speak.
“They’re all over the age of 60. I found it really rewarding. People need to know that age shouldn’t be a barrier.
“They were all quite inspired and wanted to go and try new things.”
Evans said when she started at the gym in 2011, it was a male dominated sport.
“There were hardly any women lifting, but now it’s certainly turned, there’s more women and older women,” Evans said.
“I think whatever you do - it doesn’t matter what it is - it’s got to be a lifestyle, something you’re doing for enjoyment, not because you have to do it.”
Delwyn Evans with her son Rhys in Norway.
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A large Holstein bull caused considerable excitement at Ōhaupō after it escaped from the drover. It rummaged in the post office gardens, crossed the road and scattered a group of people on the verandah of the Ōhaupō Hotel. The bull then rushed to the back of the hotel and entered the building through an open door before running up a hall and bursting into the sitting room. Ladies in the hotel were startled, and their cries of alarm were heard in the street. The bull was finally driven outside, but not before it had broken a large couch.
A jet of light coming through the floorboards of Te Awamutu’s big twentypassenger International pleasure bus owned by Advance Cars dismayed the driver, Mr Meredith. He was proceeding to Kihikihi
Shocks and surprises Blindsided by responsibility
By Chris Gardner
with the empty bus to bring home some dance patrons. He applied the brakes and jumped to the road, and in a flash the vehicle was ablaze.
Mr Meredith had no time to reach for the chemical fire extinguisher and could only look on while the large benzine tank located near the engine sprayed fuel over the woodwork and then exploded. Nearby residents were soon on the spot, but nothing could be done and in an hour or so just the skeleton of the bus remained.
A couple of days previously the vehicle had been overhauled.
Settlers in the Te Rore district had tried for three years to arrange for a gravitation supply of water for their farms and households by tapping a small stream on the northeastern slopes of Pirongia Mountain.
Waipā mayor Mike Pettit says he was blindsided by the government announcement that a mayoral board would take on the role of regional councillors.
“I expected something along the lines that the regional councils were going,” Pettit said. “What blindsided me was the responsibility of the mayors.”
Pettit would join nine other Waikato mayors on a combined territorial board which would assume the role of regional councillors while developing a regional reorganisation plan.
“That came as a surprise,” Pettit said. Mayors could be allocated votes based on the population of the city or district they represented.
Pettit, yet to hear directly from the government regarding the proposal announced last week by Local Government minister Simon Watts and Resource Management Act Reform minister Chris Bishop, said its implications needed unpacking.
He had no issue with what the
Engineering surveys showed that a very cheap but efficient supply could be secured, the pipeline being led across the Waipā River near the Te Rore traffic bridge. The Waipā County Council gave every assistance but when the project was well advanced more settlers offered to help. As a result, the scheme was enlarged and application made to the Local Bodies Loans Board to raise a loan over a special rating area. The council was confident the loan would be sanctioned by the settlers, who were doing everything possible to have the water supply available by the autumn.
There was an epidemic of surprise parties in Paterangi, and those households who wanted to avoid them were light heartedly warned to take
government was trying to achieve, and he wanted what was best for the region.
“I am conscious that I stood as mayor of being out and about in the community. I am wondering how that is going to affect that.”
He said the region’s mayors were already working together through a forum which had instructed their chief executives to collaborate more efficiently.
Waikato Regional Council WaipāKing Country councillor Garry Reymer, a former Waikato Federated Farmers finance spokesman, said he was not opposed to local government reform as he campaigned on amalgamating regional and district councils.
Reymer said he was not sure leaving it up to a mayoral forum was the right answer.
“I would imagine that at the very least they will include the chair of the Waikato Regional Council Warren Maher and maybe our chief executive Chris McLay. This I think is vital because the Waikato Regional Council has some
early precautions. A bevy of about 20 jovial young people raided the home of Mr and Mrs Bell in the latest amiable ambush and their visit was a complete surprise to the whole family. However, the first shock over, the group was given a hearty welcome and the visitors very quickly took charge of the situation. Furniture was shifted and dancing indulged in, interspersed with games, instrumental music and singing. The visitors provided a delectable supper, and it was a happy crowd that dispersed about midnight, with an invitation to call again in the near future.
key roles that the district councils will have low knowledge levels of.”
He favoured keeping urban centres such as Cambridge and Hamilton separate from other catchments.
Fellow ward councillor Liz Stolwyk said change was needed.
“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.
Long time local government amalgamation campaigner Waikato Chamber of Commerce chief executive Don Good said it was too early to say whether the government’s proposal would deliver on his hopes.
“There’s a lot of devil in the detail.”
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE
Waipā District Council will consider an application to close the following roads to ordinary vehicular traffic to enable organisers to hold the Head and Stokes Roads Bent Sprint:
On Sunday 8 March 2026, from 9am to 5pm
• Stokes Road - between Maungatautari Road and Head Road
• Head Road - between Stokes Road and Maungatautari Road
The application will be considered under the Tenth Schedule of the Local Government Act 1974.
Emergency Services will have complete right of way at all times during closure.
Any objections to the proposal must be lodged with Waipā District Council, in writing, to events@waipadc.govt.nz, before 4.00pm on Friday 19 December 2025. Please include the nature of the objection and the grounds for it. See the Privacy Statement on the Council’s website for further information.
For more information, please contact Waipā District Council on 0800 924 723.
Steph O’Sullivan CHIEF EXECUTIVE
TE AWAMUTU OPEN HOMES
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Contact listing agent prior-visiting as Open Homes times can change.
Advertising booking deadlines for Cambridge News, Te Awamutu News and King Country News is one week prior to publication day. Copy deadline for ad-make up is 5pm Friday prior to publication day. Advertiser is responsible to advise us of any copy changes before proofing deadline – anything not signed off by this time, ad prints as per the last proof sent. Advertising supplied in completed form (finished artwork or camera ready), deadline is Tuesday midday prior to publication day. Public holiday weeks, all deadlines move forward one working day. Cancellation deadline is one week prior to publication. If cancellations are received after the cancellation deadline, then full charge applies. All other publications and products see separate booking and deadline sheet. Advertising setting is free for up to two proofs, further changes will incur a production fee. Advertising copy set by Good Local Media Ltd is the property of Good Local Media Ltd and for use in Good Local Media Ltd publications only. If used elsewhere charges will apply, pricing available on request. If supplied ready to print, copy is owned by the advertiser. Publication day is Thursday for urban
deliveries and Friday morning for rural deliveries. Acceptance of advertising for publication and free productions services is at the discretion of the publisher.
RATE CARD: Rates are based on advertising space only and are over a 12-month period starting from the date the first ad publishes. Rate bracket e.g. 6 insertions, 12 insertions etc. chosen allows ad sizes to vary within the rate bracket. If the number of insertions chosen is not met then a bulk charge will be applied at the end/cancellation of your schedule based on correct rate reflective of the number of ads published e.g. if you have chosen the 12 insertion rate and only publish 6 insertions, the bulk charge will be the difference in price between the 6 insertion rate and 12 insertion rate multiplied by the number of ads published. You pay the rate reflective of the number of ads you actually publish.
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payment is due by the 20th of the following month, otherwise payment is required by end of day Tuesday in advance of publishing. Accounts in arrears +60 days may be subject to a $95 + GST late payment fee per month. Advertiser is responsible for all debt collection fees. Cancellation deadline is one week prior to publication.
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LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: Good Local Media Limited (including its employees, officers, or agents) shall not be liable for a failure or breach arising from anything
Apology
I Nick Bartosiak, of Te Awamutu, would like to apologize, to my former wife Carol, for things said, in our community, which were untruths, causing her pain and stress.
CLEANER REQUIRED - for commercial and domestic with own transport and valid license. Contact 0210 2928140/ 021 732609
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WAIPA DISTRICT WAR MEMORIAL PARK
70 years – Officially opened 4 December 1955
PARISH OF ST JOHN
Sat 6th Dec: 6pm: Carols • St Saviours
Sun 7th Dec: 6pm: Carols Christ Church Kihikihi
Sun 14th Dec: 7 pm: Lessons and Carols • St Paul’s Hairini
Fri 12th Dec: 6pm:
Family hour with Jesus’ family, food and prayer Thurs 18 Dec: 7pm:
Blue Christmas St John’s (A quiet service of Hope)
Christmas Eve: 11.15 pm: Carols and Midnight Mass St John’s Christmas Day: 9am Family Christmas St Paul’s Hairini
9.15am Family Christmas St Saviours, Pirongia
9.30 am Family Christmas St John’s, Te Awamutu
Sun 29 Dec: 9.30 St John’s 4.30pm St Paul’s Te Reo service
Our Unique Park was dedicated:
“To the Memory of Those Who Gave Their Lives”
Our men of the Army, Navy and Air Force who died in WWII
Unveiling a replacement Sundial
Three Bagpipers Lament and Tribute Walk
Join us Sunday 7 December 2025 11am at the Sunken Cross Mutu Street Te Awamutu
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE
Waipā District Council will consider an application to close the following roads to ordinary vehicular traffic, to enable organisers to hold the Kairangi Loop Bent Sprint:
On Sunday 19 April 2026, from 9am to 5pm
• Kairangi Road - from start of Robinson Road to end of Robinson Road
• Robinson Road entire Road
Hewson Road, Rahiri Road, Dillion Road and Griggs Road will be affected by the road closures.
The application will be considered under the Tenth Schedule of the Local Government Act 1974.
Emergency Services will have complete right of way at all times during road closure.
Any objections to the proposal must be lodged with Waipā District Council, in writing, to events@waipadc.govt.nz, before 4.00pm on Friday 19 December 2025. Please include the nature of the objection and the grounds for it. See the Privacy Statement on the Council’s website for further information.
For more information, please contact Waipā District Council on 0800 924 723.
Steph O’Sullivan CHIEF EXECUTIVE
SINCLAIR, Richard John (Rock) – Passed away suddenly in the bush on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, aged 52 years, doing something he absolutely loved. Dearly loved best friend, soul mate and husband of Mairi. A caring and supportive father and father-in-law to Cameron & Leah, Kate & Joel, and Alex. Adored Poppa Rock to Chayse and Austyn. A celebration of Rock’s life has been held. Messages to the Sinclair Family may be sent c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800, or left in Rock’s online tribute book at www.rosetown.co.nz
SINCLAIR, Richard (Rock) – Passed away suddenly, leaving us far too soon. A much-loved brother-in-law, son-in-law and uncle whose humour, mischief, warmth, and unforgettable presence brought joy to all who knew him. Hunt on, Rock- just as you loved. Forever in our hearts: Rodney and Helena, Iain and Dana, Demelza and Norm, Roger and Polly, Alistair and Sarah, and their families.
SINCLAIR, Richard "Rock"
– Aged 52 years. Greatly loved brother & brother inlaw of Rob & Sue, Andy & Mel, and loved uncle of Jen, Jess, Mark and Anna. We will forever miss your smiling face and humour.
SINCLAIR, Richard John – 15.02.1973 - 26.11.2025, aged 52 years. Greatly loved youngest son of Nan & Dave. Doing what he loved bestpig hunting. Forever in our hearts.
CALL FOR TRUSTEE
The Waipa Community Facilities Trust have a current board vacancy and are calling to the public for registrations of interest for a new Trustee.
The Charitable Trust was established to enhance the health and well-being of Waipa District communities by promoting the effective and efficient provision, development and operation of community facilities (Te Awamutu Events Centre) and Perry Aquatic Centre) and programmes throughout the District.
The position is voluntary and trustees are expected to attend 11 meetings per year, as well as the Trust AGM.
Please send your CV and cover letter to the Secretary ruby@offsiteadmin.co.nz Applications close Friday December 19th 2025. Garth
LICHTWARK, Grant James – On 30th November 2025, aged 76 years, with his family beside him. Dearly loved husband of Sue (nee Morrison). Much loved father and father-in-law of Russell and Nic & Carl Moon. A special Poppa to Ellie, Jack, Indie, Hunter & Mia, Charlie & Livvy. Loved brother and uncle of Mark & Sue, Julie and their families. A celebration for Grant’s life will be held at Alexandra House Chapel, 570 Alexandra St, Te Awamutu on Friday, 5th December 2025 at 11:00 am. The service will be livestreamed please email office@ teawamutufunerals.co.nz for the link. All communications to the Lichtwark family, PO Box 137, Te Awamutu 3840.
