Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan says pausing the council’s Long Term Plan (LTP) process last year in favour of a one-year one was wrong. She made the comments ahead of three days of LTP hearings, which began on Tuesday. The hearings included presentations from 42 of the 143 submitters.
By later today (Thursday) the plan is expected to confirm average rate increases of 15.5, 10.7 and 6.9 per cent over the next three years.
These follow a 14.8 per cent increase last year - significant hikes for a council that traditionally avoids going beyond inflation.
In an exclusive column for The News today, O’Regan said she had instructed staff to “sharpen their pencils” even further.
“I wanted to be absolutely sure that every proposed dollar was necessary.”
Reflecting on the decision to defer the LTP and adopt an enhanced annual plan instead, she acknowledged it was the wrong call.
Star performers
“But you know, hindsight’s a beautiful thing, right?
"At the time, we had hoped we would get greater clarity on a handful of things - and the reality is, we didn’t. Looking back, we probably ought not to have made that decision.
“It was a unanimous decision, so we have to collectively take that one on the chin and deal with it,” she told The News.
The decision added pressure to an already strained council grappling with rapid growth and rising debt, all in the lead-up to a
Mayor regrets plan pause
local body election and following an unfavourable Audit Office decision.
O’Regan admitted to feeling under pressure personally but said she was elected mayor three years ago on a mandate of change both around the council table and within the organisation.
“I always wanted to be a mayor that included and drew on the expertise of the people around the table and that is borne out through the course of the process.” She said elected members were involved at every stage
and unanimously supported the council’s direction.
“It doesn’t mean to say that we all love where we’re at.
“At the end of the day, we’re all human, we all want what’s right, the best things for our communities.
“The fact is our collective decisions that were unanimous the whole way through have got us to where we’re at.”
O’Regan described Waipā’s unprecedented growth and unusually high inflation as a
Te Awamutu Intermediate School’s kapa haka group perform the haka on Monday for Jetstar JQ165 passengers from Sydney on the first international flight to Hamilton Airport in 13 years. The News reports on a significant day on page eight today. More photos teawamutunews.nz.
Photo: Mary Anne Gill
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• Planting, edging, mulching, and
Replace or restore?
So, we have vandals doing good work in the Memorial Park? Is it a question of replacing at the cost of $58,000 or having volunteers restoring the seats for less than $500?
Going back in time a bit when the plans were discussed did council even consider involving locals to help restore the seats, or did they want to replace them at any costs?
Vandalism claims both ways are alarming. I do think though that the restoring of the seats actually honours the people who fought in the war. In regard to the “not” spending of the $58,000 and it would be spent somewhere else is wrong. I am of the opinion that any savings made should be going back towards the rates. Would that be a prudent thing to do? If you can save money on a project, why wouldn’t you? Too often a budget is not spent by April 1 and then departments are still wanting to spend it all, possibly afraid of losing money in the next budget.
Woe on those councillors wanting to spend and good on those supporting the community efforts and saving money.
Bernard
Westerbaan
Te Awamutu
In agreement
Having read the Te Awamutu News (June 5, 2025, and then Darryl Nix’ comment regarding the “seat debate”, we fully endorse his comment along with that of Janet Smith of Te Pahu.
On the beat with
We can’t understand how the powers that be can take this upon themselves to make these decisions. We have just had Anzac Day for goodness sake. Seems it has very quickly been forgotten and then we draw attention to the volunteers who out of the goodness of their hearts tried to do the repairs themselves. $58,000 is one heck of a lot of money for the council to splash out on when $500 or thereabouts would have been sufficient.
Editor’s note: the $58,000 quoted in stories in The News relates to a renewal programme which included seats and also rubbish bins.
What value?
Congratulations Waipa District Council you certainly do know what you are doing. It is obvious volunteers aren’t valued. Didn’t realise you had so much disposable income. The people who originally built those seats back in the 1950s would be appalled.
Bev Harris, Scotty Curnow.
Te Awamutu
Brochure brickbat
The recent colourful Waipa District Council brochure to households includes lots of words about Local Water Done Well, but no financial figures on which the claims have been made - apart from a small chart headed “The dollars and cents - about the finances” which supposedly shows Waikato Waters Ltd savings.
It seems to me the Waipā District Council
Senior Constable Ryan Fleming
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There is a lot of good work that goes on in the police. A lot of it never makes the news - or is deemed not newsworthy by the staff who attend - however each week I do scan incidents attended looking for something to share and show a small snapshot of what we do. With retail crime being topical recently I thought I would highlight an incident from last weekend.
Police were called to a large retailer where three shoplifters were in the store. They left prior to police arriving, however a registration number of the vehicle they were travelling was given to police. This assists us greatly in following up with and locating offenders.
Police located the vehicle travelling south on SH3 near the Te Awamutu Golf Club.
Police signalled the vehicle to stop and after being given false details by the occupants one of the males was found to have active warrants to arrest. After a brief struggle which involved pepper spray, the male was
arrested as were the other occupants. All are now before the court on a raft of charges including assaulting police and theft.
One of the many hats I wear in my role is Police Liaison Officer for community patrol. With June being volunteer month I am seeking more volunteers to join our Commsafe Community Patrol. Volunteers are the extra eyes and ears for our town and do a great job.
CommSafe needs more volunteers to help in both patrolling and as CCTV operators. In a perfect world we would like to see them involved day and evening seven days a week, so the community needs to join and help. It is simple to get involved, a police vetting is completed and then your training can begin. If you have four hours spare a month and think you would like to volunteer, send an email to info@commsafe. co.nz for more information.
Thank you to all our volunteers who put in the time to help our community be safer.
chart showing calculations of increases in water charges has very obvious errors. The chart comments “Water charge increases of about four per cent for the eight years from July 2026 to the end of June 2034 are indicated” and shows two four years periods. A four percent annual increase would take the annual charge to $2568 not their $2260. Further, the WDC chart shows the annual rise on the first four years is 4.45 per cent (I calculate) to reach $2234, and over the next four years a total of only $26. Look at the WDC chart - are they kidding? The WDC brochure has a part headed “We’ve done our homework”. I don’t think so. This is the council which has lost on their so called arbitrage deal. Why are there these mistakes, and what are our likely charges with this Waikato Waters Ltd proposal?
Peter Clapham
Whitehall
* Waipā District Council responds: The consultation document refers to water charge increases of about four percent per year for the eight years from July 2026 to the end of June 2034 being indicated. The table shows the water charges per residential connection for the 2025-26 year, as per the draft Long Term Plan, and then the increases in two four year increments based on the cost at the start of the 2026-27 year when water assets would be transferred over to the CCO.
The financial modelling to date assumes existing pricing structures and work programmes included in each of the council’s Long Term Plans will stay the same after the transition of water services in the short to medium term. The CCO board and management will be responsible for future pricing. The Commerce Commission will be responsible for providing independent oversight to ensure prices are reasonable, benchmarked and sustainable.
Site visit
The Environmental Protection Authority hearing of a bid by Global Contracting Solutions to build a waste to energy incinerator in Te Awamutu has started. A site visit was scheduled yesterday – the second day of a three-week hearing.
In the frame
A photographic exhibition by Professor Tom Roa - a regular columnist in The News and Dr Rodrigo Hill developed from the research project ‘Te Nehenehenui - The Ancient Enduring Beauty in the Great Forest of the King Country’ will open at Waikato University on Friday next week.
John Bishop dies
John Bishop, a man with years of association with Waipā District Council and groups including Cambridge Rotary and the Friends of Cambridge Resthaven, has died. His funeral service will be held at Mighty River Domain’s Don Rowlands Centre at 1.30pm on Monday.
Peace rose planting
A ‘Peace Rose Planting’ commemoration service at the Sunken Cross in Te Awamutu’s War Memorial Park will take place at 10am on Tuesday. The service has been organised by Waipā District councillor Lou Brown in conjunction with the Te Awamutu Rose Society on behalf of both the council and the Te Awamutu RSA.
Specially-grown roses have been donated for the occasion, and members of the Te Awamutu Rose Society will be in attendance.
Party pooper
An Air NZ plane stole the limelight from Jetstar when it left Hamilton Airport for Christchurch 14 minutes later than it should have on Monday. The ATR 72-600 was parked in front of the terminal when the Jetstar Airbus from Sydney landed at 11.07am, spoiling the shot of Hamilton’s first international flight for 13 years for hundreds gathered in the upstairs viewing area.
More candidates show hand
By Mary Anne Gill
Whitehall farmer Stu Kneebone will seek a sixth term as one of two WaipāKing Country representatives on Waikato Regional Council.
He made the announcement at Fieldays last week saying his experience and understanding of what makes the regional council work was still needed.
He has been a Crown representative on the Waikato River Authority for five years which he now cochairs with Danny Loughlin.
Kneebone is the second in the constituency to confirm he is standing. Current Waipā deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk announced she would stand and step down from the district council.
Clyde Graf, the current regional councillor, told The News in March he would not but in recent weeks he has been part of a block vote of councillors who fell out with chair Pamela Storey over her use of the casting vote.
Storey voted against reducing next year’s rates by
1.7 per cent and then used her casting vote when it was locked at 7-7 to defeat the motion.
Meanwhile some former Waipā District Council and community board
representatives are having another go at elected office.
In Te Awamutu Graham Jull, who was on the council from 2004-2010 and is now a retired dental surgeon, says the council
needs his experience and vision. Former Te Awamutu Courier editor Dean Taylor, who formerly chaired the Te Awamutu Community Board, will stand for council citing his extensive
community experience. They join Marcus Gower, Shane Walsh, Lou Brown and Bernard Westerbaan in declaring their intentions to The News for one of the three seats.
Claire St Pierre and Mike Montgomerie remain the only confirmed candidates in Pirongia-Kakepuku and Maungatautari.
Incumbents Ange Holt, Jill Taylor and John Wood are standing for Te AwamutuKihikihi Community Board.
In Cambridge Jo DaviesColley, Philip Coles, Roger Gordon, Hope Spooner and Andrew Bydder have all said they are standing for one of the four seats in the Cambridge ward for council.
Andrew Myers is the only one confirmed for the Cambridge Community Board. He will restand as the Maungatautari representative.
• Are you standing? Let us know editor@ goodlocal.nz and send us a high resolution photo of yourself.
Old coins by the tub full
By Viv Posselt
A fistful of ladies from Te Awamutu’s Rosetown Lions Club spent an afternoon recently poring over and sorting old coins… all in the name of helping young people live out their dreams.
The group was going through coins collected in Te Awamutu as part of the Lions Clubs New Zealand’s ‘Heads Up for Kids’ project. The initiative, started in 2010, turns discarded and obsolete currency into cash to fund education programmes for young Lions clubsaffiliated Kiwis who may otherwise not get the opportunity for such experiences.
The Rosetown ladies gathered as usual around Janet Louw’s dining room table, decked out with ice cream tubs full of old money, either sorted or yet to be identified, magnifying glasses, and information sheets on how to identify the occasionally inexplicable coin.
Funeral Director: Helen Carter
Stu Kneebone helping out on the Waikato Regional Council stand at Fieldays. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Looking over some of the unusual coins are, from left, Raewyn Hoskin, Jennifer Maughan, Elizabeth Schmidt, Janet Louw, and club president Nellie Harris. Photo: Viv Posselt
ON SHAKY GROUND
The volcano and WWII
By Janine Krippner
A few years ago, I stood at the summit of Vesuvius, gazing into its steep-sided crater—almost perfectly cylindrical—and feeling the awe that comes with being atop one of the world’s most famous volcanoes. But the experience was about more than just geology. The ground I could see around the volcano buried the remains of once-thriving communities.
Vesuvius is best known for its catastrophic eruption, in 79AD, which destroyed Pompeii. But it wasn’t just Pompeii—other towns, including Herculaneum, were also obliterated. In fact, some say Herculaneum is an even more impressive archaeological site to visit today, due to the remarkable preservation of its structures and artefacts.
What many don’t realise is that Vesuvius sits right next to another giant: Campi Flegrei, a caldera capable of producing very large eruptions. Its landscape is dotted with cones and craters, evidence of its more frequent smaller eruptions over time.
What makes Campi Flegrei particularly dangerous is not just its eruptive potential, but its location—parts of the caldera that lie on land are densely populated. I remember standing within it, watching an ambulance struggling to navigate a tight corner. I lost count of how many turns it took. In that moment, it struck me just how chaotic and tragic a large-scale evacuation could be if... or when, the volcano erupts again.
In recent years, Campi Flegrei has entered a heightened state of unrest, appearing often in dramatic headlines labelling it a “supervolcano.” This is inaccurate. Its past eruptions do not meet the scale associated with that term. Still, even a small eruption within a crowded urban area could be catastrophic.
Returning to Vesuvius—there’s a side of its
history that fewer people know. The volcano has erupted many times since it buried Pompeii, sometimes with deadly consequences. In 1631, pyroclastic flows once again surged down its flanks, killing at least 4000 people. It is also mentioned that there was deadly volcanic lightning.
And in a strange twist of history, Vesuvius made its presence known during World War II. In March 1944, it erupted again, damaging a nearby U.S. airbase. Sergeant McRae recorded the chaos in his diary: “
At 8am all hell broke loose. Black stones of all sizes, some as large as a football, fell in great quantity, completely covering the ground, breaking branches from trees, smashing through tents to break up on their floors, tearing through metal, fabric, and Plexiglas of the airplanes.” He counted the total loss at 88 aircraft.
Photos of that eruption show towering ash plumes, and the larger rocks McRae described are ballistic ejecta - chunks of rock blown out at dangerous speeds and often high temperatures, usually landing within several kilometres. For a world already deep in the chaos of war, Vesuvius added another layer of destruction.
Vesuvius is a striking example of how much remains overlooked about volcanoes. The most dramatic eruptions tend to capture all the attention, but there is far more to learn from the forgotten stories, evidenced by the layers of ash and rock around them.
These are not just geological curiosities, they are part of the landscapes we live in, part of our history. To truly understand volcanoes is to look beyond the spectacle and into their full, complex lives.
In the interest of others
By Karla Rose, Zion Church
In a recent article in The News, Jesse Wood described the newly redeveloped Te Awamutu Presbyterian Church as a “central asset” to our community. Thanks to the generosity of gifts, pledges, insurance, donations, and grants, the church has created an impressive and welcoming space designed with our wider community in mind.
As a woman of faith who grew up attending both services and youth group at this very church, and having now celebrated dedications, birthdays, and Sunday services in their new building, I can confidently say: they have done more than build a facility — they have embodied the spirit of Philippians 2:3–4, which urges us to “do nothing out of selfish ambition” and to “look to the interests of others.”
The new building is stunning — but what’s even more beautiful is the church family’s unwavering commitment to serve Te Awamutu.
Their investment isn’t just in bricks and mortar, but in people.
Despite the fresh walls and modern touches, stepping into St Andrew’s still feels like coming home.
The heart of this church — once wrapped in Hinuera stone, stained glass, and fleurde-lis carpet — hasn’t changed. The love for God and community is just as alive now as it was then.
And St Andrew’s is not alone. Across Te Awamutu, churches of all denominations are serving our town in unique and meaningful ways.
As families face growing pressures from financial strain, job insecurity, and the rise in mental health challenges, the local church
is quietly and faithfully standing in the gap — doing what it can to care for others.
As people of faith, we are called to be part of God’s kingdombuilding work — and our mission field starts right here, in our hometown.
The new Presbyterian facility is just one expression of community love in action. You can also see it in places like the Citizens Advice Bureau (tucked in the arcade between Ray White and Caroline Eve), offering help with everything from budgeting to legal guidance and tech support.
You see it in the quiet faithfulness of community groups like Kāinga Aroha, Lions, Rotary, and the RSA — all working to meet the needs of our most vulnerable.
So, is the church an asset to the community? Absolutely. And maybe now is the time to ask: where do I fit in? If you haven’t yet connected with a church family, maybe now’s the moment
Briefs…
Curtain up
The curtain is going up on Te Awamutu Intermediate’s production of High School Spoofical — a parody of the classic Disney high school musicals. Its latest stage production, involving 85 students, will run from next Tuesday to Thursday. The production is directed by mother and daughter duo Tracy and Paige Ellis, choreography is by Maddy Hogan and musical direction by Sue Germann.
Accord call on industrial land
By Mary Anne Gill
A long-term shortage of industrial land in and around Hamilton has underscored the need for strong collaboration between the city council and neighbouring authorities, such as Waipā District Council.
City council Strategic Growth and District Plan committee chair Sarah Thomson highlighted the issue in a report last week. She urged councillors to provide clear direction to city council staff ahead of the upcoming local body elections.
Among the land identified for industrial development by the city council -and included in a Fast Track application to the Ministry
for the Environment - is a 35-hectare parcel located in Waipā.
“It’s really important for our local economy that we have affordable industrial land,”
Industrial land prices in the city have surged by 250 per cent over the past decade — compared to a 49 per cent increase in residential property prices.
“That’s a startling number,” Thomson told The News. “It’s why I’m passionate about addressing this issue now.”
In her report Thomson said if the upward trend continued, businesses would be priced out of the city, robbing it and the Waikato region of services and jobs.
The council has supported the SL1 Fast Track application, along with two others: a 66-hectare site bordering the Waikato District and a 140-hectare area in Te Kowhai East.
The current capacity assessment understates future need, she said.
“With the long lead time between identifying future industrial land and actually delivering it, we need to plan ahead and err on the side of caution when it comes to ensuring adequate supply.”
The Waipā industrial
land is within 440ha of land stretching from south of Frankton to the south western area of the Peacockes subdivision. It is partially bound by SH3 in the south east, the North Island Main Trunk Line to the north east and the Southern Links designation to the west.
Currently zoned as rural under Waipā’s district plan, the area includes pasture, rural lifestyle properties, equine facilities, and preindustrial land.
A consortium of developers said in the Fast Track application they felt the SL1 land would be a significant economic enabler and support the Southern Links transport corridor, which has also been fast tracked by the government as a road of national significance.
Rob Dol, project director at Colliers Hamilton, said in the application that the development could help revitalise lower socioeconomic areas such as Glenview, Deanwell, Melville, Fitzroy, and Bader. The entire SL1 growth cell would generate billions of dollars in economic activity, he said. The consortium was also aware of the need to provide affordable housing and was committed to
working with Waipā and Hamilton city, he said.
“We do need to go into greenfield areas,” Thomson told her committee.
Waipā introduced changes to its district plan in Cambridge last year when it rezoned 75ha north and south of Hautapu Rd from
rural to industrial.
Strong growth had created a demand which was not expected for another decade, group manager District Growth and Regulatory Wayne Allan said at the time.
South Waikato District Council, in partnership with the South Waikato
Investment Fund Trust and the government, have developed a business park in Tokoroa.
The council has also partnered with Waikato Chamber of Commerce to highlight the industrial opportunities available in the district.
Mayor regrets plan pause
Continued from page 1
“perfect storm.”
“I came in on a mandate of change. The organisation needed that change - Waipā needed that change. The things I’ve done in terms of ushering in new leadership are ongoing and we’ll deliver the change that people are wanting.”
O’Regan said public service – contributing to the community you grew up and live in – ran in her blood. Her mother, the late Katherine O’Regan, was a Waipā county councillor and member of Parliament.
She, elected members and council staff did not seek to make lives difficult for residents“it’s just not what public service is about”.
O’Regan acknowledged Cambridge Connections – dubbed the “Blue Blob saga” after staff proposed a third bridge route through an established suburb - will hang over her through the upcoming campaign.
“People may well judge me for it, but I’d like them to see that I had the strength to apologise, understand and show empathy for the predicament a number of people in Cambridge found themselves.
“That is not only regrettable but should never have happened.”
She said her apology was genuine and that she took steps to pause the project and commission an independent review.
“Was it the outcome we were expecting? What were we, as elected members, led to believe? There were a lot of mistakes.”
It was the response from her and other councillors to a situation “not really of my making” which she wanted residents to remember.
“Being accountable is a critical part of this role,” said O’Regan.
• See: Long term plan: the background, page 6.
Sarah Thomson
Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan, writing exclusively for The News, takes readers through the challenges of setting the district’s Long Term Plan.
Long term plan: the background
After five intense rounds of revision, Waipā District Council’s Draft Long Term Plan has taken shape and it’s now $198 million leaner than when we began in May 2024. Despite those significant cuts, I recently asked staff to go back and sharpen their pencils once more. I wanted to be absolutely sure that every proposed dollar was necessary, aligned with our core responsibilities, and, importantly, affordable for our community.
This meant re-evaluating spending on non-essential items projects that could be deferred, business cases for unfunded initiatives, and anything that didn’t pass the common-sense test in a financially constrained environment. If it didn’t meet the ‘sniff test’, it was put back under the microscope.
There’s no question this has been a tough and complex process.
From the outset, I was determined that elected members be involved, not just at the end, but throughout. I wanted every councillor to help shape the plan and understand the decisions being made. That approach has created a more robust, transparent process than in previous planning rounds.
We began with a clear, agreed set of priorities and we’ve stuck to them.
First, we must meet our legislative and regulatory obligations. That’s non-negotiable. Second, we must look after what we already have - our roads, pipes, parks, buildings and reserves. These are the assets our community relies on every day.
We also agreed not to reduce levels of service. That meant for example no cuts to things like library hours and no reductions in mowing contracts. These may seem like small details, but they shape
the quality of life our residents experience and take pride in.
Finally, if a project didn’t meet any of the above priorities, it had to align with our long-term spatial plan, Ahu Ake, which sets the direction for Waipā. Every investment had to earn its place.
There’s no glossing over it, this plan is hard. But what makes this plan particularly challenging is the financial pressure caused by continuing to deliver our waters services in-house. The expense of maintaining and upgrading our water infrastructure has increased sharply with the costs in this sector increasing 52 per cent over the past 10 years.
Added to this are the dual pressures of growth and a national economic downturn. Growth creates demand for new infrastructure all needing funding up front and repaid over time. Central Government requires
The Queen is
us to make land available for development, so growth isn’t an optional notion. At the same time, inflation and interest on increasing debt has pushed borrowing costs to levels we’ve never seen before. This is a sobering reality, and the plan addresses it head-on. We’ve reprioritised projects, delayed non-essential work, and staged investment more carefully. But the long-term affordability of the programme remains a key concern which is why the water reform is crucial.
What’s also clear is that the way local government is funded is not fit for purpose. Waipā is expected to deliver more than 28 critical services using outdated revenue tools rates, fees, and the occasional subsidy. Local Government’s share of the national public funding hasn’t meaningfully changed in more than a century. That must change, and I will continue
advocating strongly for reform. Despite the challenges, we still remain on track to deliver the largest capital works programme in Waipā’s history and confidence is returning to the economy. This plan is a reflection of where we are right now, making careful decisions, staying realistic, and keeping the future in sight. We’re cutting back where we can, without losing sight of what matters. That, I believe, is the balance our community expects and deserves.
dead – long live the King. Meghan Hawkes look back at the news in Waipa from 1901.
Three cheers for Edward
After the death of Queen Victoria instructions were issued to all proper persons in authority to have the proclamation of the accession of King Edward VII read in public. At Te Awamutu, despite the short notice, there was a very large gathering in front of the post office to hear the proclamation read by Mr North, chairman of the Town Board. Three cheers were given for His Majesty, and the National Anthem sung. All the bells in the town rang merrily and flags were flying.
The Education Board was informed by the Kihikihi School Committee that Mr Murray, their master, did not comply with their wishes that he should instruct the children in saluting the flag. The Board told Mr Murray that he must either teach the
children to salute the flag or resign. The committee alleged that his unpatriotic conduct had caused illfeeling in the district. Mr Murray denied that his conduct was unpatriotic, and stated that he could not personally salute any flag as he would a human being, as it was against his conscience. Mr Murray was given three months’ notice of dismissal.
For many years it had been periodically reported that gold had been found in Ngāruawāhia, Pirongia, the King Country, and various other parts of the Waikato. That good colour had been found there was not the shadow of a doubt, but nothing of a payable nature had been discovered. So frequently had the reports been heard that they were usually disbelieved. Now, news came from Pirongia that two
men prospecting for coal at the back of the mountain had struck a fair-sized reef showing gold. Some specimens were put on view at Mr Bathurst’s hotel at Te Awamutu. They had a very promising appearance and it was sincerely hoped that the story was true. At Ōhaupō, Mr Pringle, music teacher, was proceeding to the hall on a rather dark and cloudy night when he fell off the footpath down an embankment, a drop of about six feet. He sustained some injuries and was taken to Mr Edwards, where he remained all night, and next morning the doctor was telegraphed for. This portion of the road was a regular man-trap, and several people had fallen over it, but as the bank sloped away they were not hurt. Lately, though, the water-tables had been
cleaned out which made the bank almost perpendicular. On several occasions the danger of this portion of the road was brought to the notice of the County Council, the last time being a respectfully-worded petition, which was met with the reply that the Council would not spend money for the benefit of non ratepayers. Less than £5 would pay for fences and fix up the most dangerous parts, which was a very small amount. Mr Pringle, being a non-ratepayer, got very little sympathy from the council.
Susan O’Regan
Kōkako’s flight is delayed
By Chris Gardner
The official welcome for the first of up to 20 adult kōkako to be introduced to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari was held before they arrived last week.
Heavy rain delayed the flight of the kōkako, who are being brought south from the Hunua Range and began arriving this week. Six were released on Monday.
Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan, speaking at the powhiri last week said it was a moment of deep significance — “not only for our environment, but for the relationships that underpin this kaupapa”.
Her council with Waikato Regional Council have been funding stalwarts of the project since day one.
O’Regan acknowledged mana whenua, the iwi of Hunua and Maungatautari, whose aroha for the taonga species made translocation possible.
Auckland council and the Hunua iwi Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Tamaoho, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Whanaunga and Ngāti Tamaterā restored kōkako populations one breeding pair in the Hunua Ranges in the 1990s to more
than 250 pairs today.
“That is an extraordinary achievement,” O’Regan said.
“Your mahi, and the gift of these manu, is deeply respected. Here on Maungatautari, kōkako were first reintroduced in 2015 and 2016, generously gifted by Ngāti Rereahu from Pureora. Since then, the population has flourished — now the fastest-growing mainland population in Aotearoa.”
O’Regan described Maungatautari as a beacon of biodiversity success.
Since the fence was completed in 2006 and pests eradicated, 15 native species had been reintroduced. More than 560 kiwi were on the maunga helping to establish or boost populations across the North Island. Twentyfive takahē chicks have been raised there and the booms of kākāpō were heard here in summer for the first time on the North Island for a century.
“All of this is only possible through a truly unique model — a partnership between mana whenua, landowners, community, and conservationists. I want to acknowledge and thank the Maungatautari mana whenua — Ngāti
Korokī Kahukura, Ngāti Hauā, Raukawa, and Waikato-Tainui — and the entire Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari whānau, including staff, volunteers, supporters, and funders.”
Maungatautari is licensed to receive 20 kōkako.
Moving the kōkako to different parts of the North Island has challenges.
The bird is known to develop its own regional dialects and females prefer males with a song they recognise from their area.
But the males are quick learners – a flock introduced into a Taranaki conservation estate in 2019 from Hauturu – Little Barrier Island - soon picked up the local dialect.
Bodie Tihoi Huitoroa-Taylor, left, welcomes Maungatautari’s guests, excluding the kōkako left behind in Auckland due to bad weather.
Photo: Supplied.
Coming our way – Twenty kōkako will be brought into Maungatautari from the Hunua Ranges.
Photo: Amanda Rogers
In and out...international flights return
By Mary Anne Gill
When Jetstar chief executive Stephanie Tully walked through the international arrivals’ doors at Hamilton Airport on Monday, she admitted she was “nearly” in tears.
Welcoming her and other VIP guests from the inaugural Jetstar JQ165 flight from Sydney were Te Awamutu Intermediate School’s kapa haka group and representatives of Ngāti Hauā.
“I think I’m tired and emotional but it’s just so beautiful,” said Tully. “There is just so much of the New Zealand culture that I just think is incredible.”
Tully, who is building a home in the South Island, said as the flight approached the airport, she noticed how green the grass was.
The flight path took the plane south of Mt Karioi, just north of Ngāhinapōuri, around Hamilton city, turning south at Puketaha and down past Hamilton Gardens and over the Waikato River onto the runway.
“One of our team said it’s the best grass we’ve ever landed into. It’s a beautiful part of the world.
“It was a beautiful
landing, our pilots did an awesome job, it was very smooth, and we were all happy to be on time as we always are. It’s 13 years in the making.”
The flight, crewed by a Sydney-based team including four New Zealanders, had a quick turnaround leaving an hour later for the return trip to Australia, marked Jetstar’s return to Hamilton after 13 years.
“I love New Zealand and seeing that incredible display of culture (at the airport)… I couldn’t have asked for a better welcome.
“I’ve been to a lot of rugby games, but I’ve never seen it that close and the young kids. The diversity of the race and just so much passion.”
Asked later by The News whether Jetstar would add domestic flights into Hamilton, she would not be drawn.
“It’s always an opportunity we’re assessing but I have nothing to announce,” she said other than she always supported growth.
“We’re here for the long run. We’ve very excited about another gateway into the North Island.”
Also on the flight were
Susan O’Regan and Paula Southgate, mayors from Waipā and Hamilton, airport chief executive Mark Morgan and Jetstar executive manager commercial planning Lyle Brownscombe.
There to greet them was Biosecurity and Food Safety minister Andrew Hoggard. Absent due to a family engagement was associate Transport minister James Meager whose name was on the plaque which would be added to others at Waharoa (entranceway) to the Hamilton Kirikiriroa Airport terminal.
O’Regan said the flights
were a “shot in the arm” for Waipā and the Waikato.
“It makes that connection to Australia just that much more attainable and affordable. It makes the world seem a whole lot smaller and it’s wonderful not having to battle traffic going into Auckland.”
Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate said the flights would bring families and people closer together.
“Let’s be honest we all have friends and family in Australia,” she said. Hoggard said good measures were in place to ensure no pests or diseases came through via the
Hamilton border.
“I don’t believe there’s be any difference between here and anywhere else in New Zealand.” Hamilton would have the same processes and standards, he said.
Jetstar will run seven trans-Tasman services a week out of Hamilton: three return flights to and from the Gold Coast, and four return flights between Hamilton and Sydney.
Jetstar flights will add capacity for more than 100,000 international passengers each year and pour an extra $45 million annually into the Waikato economy. More than 60
new airport-based jobs have already been created, and the tourism spend is expected to open the door for around 300 new jobs.
The airport is owned by five councils – Hamilton, Waikato, Matamata-Piako, Waipā and Ōtorohanga – who approved the $75 million spend on upgrading the terminal to cater for international flights.
Airport chief executive Mark Morgan said the councils would get a return on their investment through the $45 million a year economic benefit.
“It’s almost cheap at the price,” he said.
Sydney-bound were this family from Hamilton, from left Delani, Mark, Arthur and Maree Thomas, Jaxtyn Danrell, Brodie Thomas, Amy Synes and Katie Coxhead. Photos: Mary Anne Gill, see more cambridgenews.nz
Taking it in, from left Hamilton Airport CEO Mark Morgan, Biosecurity and Food Safety minister Andrew Hoggard, Hamilton and Waipā mayors Paula Southgate and Susan O’Regan and Jetstar chief executive Stephanie Tully. See more teawamutunews.nz
Molly Martin from Hobbiton, left, and Julia Jeanplong from
Fieldays: selling in the rain
By Chris Gardner
It was the worst weather Fieldays has had in its 57 years history – but the crowds still came.
Ticket sales were up 4000 on last year and 110,000 people, buoyed by high dairy and meat prices, came through the gates of the southern hemisphere’s largest agricultural trade show.
“One hundred and ten thousand is a good number, a strong number,’ said New Zealand National Fieldays Society chief executive Richard Lindroos.
That’s not all that was up on last year.
Lindroos said 23 embassies were represented at this year’s event, up from 17 last year. A total of 1054
visitor visas were processed, up from 250 last year.
Ninety-two schools visited, up from 57 last year.
Lindroos said it felt like the event had recovered after the Covid pandemic.
“It was the worst weather we’ve ever had,” said Giltrap AgriZone managing director Andew Giltrap of his 42nd Fieldays held between Wednesday and Saturday at Mystery Creek Events Centre.
Before the event Giltrap, whose agricultural dealership has branches in Cambridge, Ōtorohanga, Rotorua and Taupō, was hoping it would be in the top 20 per cent of Fieldays.
But it wasn’t quite there.
“It was a little bit more cautious
than I expected,” Giltrap said. “It was cautiously optimistic.”
Giltrap said Saturday, the day usually reserved for townies, was one of the better days due to the rain clearing up. His team spent this week on post Fieldays follow up with prospective clients.
Ōhaupō dairy farmer Andrew Reymer marked 50 years of the Fieldays Tractor Pull competition as overall winner of the Pre-1985 six to nine tonne tractor class with his newly imported 2805 Massey Ferguson from Minesota.
“There was only three of us in it,” Reymer said. “It was not really a great win. There was a lot of luck involved.”
Nevertheless, Reymer was happy with his first place having come second in 1987 and not competed for 10 years.
Reymer spent time at the Waikato Federated Farmers rural advocacy breakfast and running the organisation’s stand.
Hamilton’s St Paul’s Collegiate School’s KiwiPrune team of Madeleine Anderson, Courtney Malloy, Libby Meredith, and Casey Purves won the Fieldays Young Innovator Award for entrants 19 years old and under.
KiwiPrune was designed and developed to simplify the labourintensive task of removing the plastic clips used to secure the Kiwi
fruit vine. The device is designed to remove clips from kiwifruit vines on orchards, improving productivity, reducing strain, and enhancing sustainability.
The award entry came as part of coursework for the AgriBusiness in Schools programme.
Predator Free New Zealand’s Trust provided advice to hundreds of people throughout the event.
“People were really hungry for information,” said Predator Free NZ programme manager Bridget McShelly.
“We were really pleased with how engaged everyone was. Big farms and small farms and everyone in between.”
Winners of the Tractor Pull competition, from left Trent Hickford (Palmerston North), Wally Sinton (Cambridge), Thomas Fare (Te Awamutu) and Andrew Reymer (Ōhaupō). Photo: Stephen Barker
Inside Mystery Creek Pavilion on day three of Fieldays. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
From spine fracture to triathlon
By Jesse Wood
After fracturing his spine in 2020, Andrew Ordelheide, 43, thought he would never compete in a triathlon again.
Now the Te Awamutubased dentist is preparing to travel to Pontevedra, Spain to represent New Zealand –an event he didn’t realise he had qualified for.
The 10-day World Triathlon Multisport Championships start tomorrow and Ordelheide will race in the 40-44 age group open cross triathlon.
The event includes 19 world championship races across five levels of athletes including age group, para triathletes, junior, under-23 and elite.
“My whole family is very active and I’ve enjoyed triathlon just to keep me healthy,” Ordelheide said.
“The cross triathlon which I’m doing is like an off-road triathlon.”
Ordelheide qualified for the world event in April.
“There’s an off-road Triathlon series called Xterra. There’s two Xterra races in New Zealand, one in Rotorua and one in Wellington,” he said.
“I remember the guy on the microphone was saying welcome to all our athletes who are qualifying for something. He didn’t say Xterra and I wasn’t really paying attention.
“That was on a Saturday then on Tuesday I got an email from High
Performance New Zealand, ‘you’re qualified for this event in Spain in June. You have until Friday to decide.’
“Of course, I couldn’t say no to that. It’s such a fantastic opportunity.”
Ordelheide said he’s humbled by the selection and to know he still has what it takes after the spine fracture five years ago.
“It’s just an achievement to get back to any sort of competitive level for me.”
Ordelheide immigrated from the United States several years ago and moved to the Waikato.
“I’ve been in New Zealand for three and a half years and I’m looking forward to getting my citizenship in two years.
“I originally moved to Hamilton, but I’ve been working in Te Awamutu the whole time and I live there now.”
He enjoys being part of Te Awamutu Sports Cycling Club and their Tuesday night races.
“Te Awamutu is a great community for cyclists, so it’s been a great fit for me,” Ordelheide said. “I go to the Velodrome to mix it up too. Although, that’s a whole different beast.”
Ordelheide grew up in Oregon.
“We had a really privileged childhood. We had the chance to get out and we had time to do all that, so it set me up well.”
“My parents still run five to seven kilometres every
morning, and they’re in their 70s, so I’ve got to keep up. They now live in Idaho.
“They were here in January and we went mountain biking in the Redwoods in Rotorua. They still love it, so that was really fun.”
Although he grew up on the coast, Ordelheide said they swam in a nearby lake.
Coupled with his passion
for mountain biking, it was the perfect set up. Ordelheide competed in his first triathlon alongside a group of friends while at school.
“[My triathlon career] really ramped up when I got to postgrad school, to balance the stress of studying, I got outside.”
Now at 43 after a major injury, he’s defying the odds
as he prepares to represent his adopted country.
“I love telling people, your age doesn’t really matter, just get out there and enjoy it,” he said.
“Pushing yourself too much and injuring yourself is a real thing as you get older, that’s very true. I give a lot of credit to my trainer and anyone who has a trainer, it’s not really feasible
to do it on your own.
“There’s the thought that you peak in your early 30s as a cyclist, I’m breaking that expectation.
“I did a triathlon series in Auckland this summer. There were four races, a month or so apart. Every race, I got faster and I’m about 40 minutes faster overall than I was 10 years ago.”
College back in the top flight
By Jesse Wood
Division one rugby has begun for the 2025 Te Awamutu College first XV after impressive pre-season and grading rounds.
Te Awamutu beat St John’s College second XV, Te Kūiti High School first XV and St Paul’s Collegiate second XV on route to making the top under-18 Waikato Rugby division.
Last week they hosted their first official game, just falling short against Hamilton Boys’ High
School senior black 21-19, before a 29-0 loss to Matamata College on Saturday.
Te Awamutu showed they were meant to be in the top division in the opener, and were leading 19-18 in the final two minutes before giving away a kickable penalty.
The squad, once again coached by Willem Poolman, Carl Sheridan and Chris Shields, have been putting in the hard yards since September.
On and off the field they’ve connected as a group and given
the community something to be proud of.
“Making division one is an outcome of all the things they’ve invested in. The kids are committed. They’ve been in the gym and on the field since September. More importantly, they’ve built a great connection,” Sheridan said.
“It means more to the team than anything because they’ve worked so hard. They’re chuffed. I think we embarked on a mission three years ago within the school to kind
of get back to that spot.
“In our changing room there’s photos of the likes of Jono Gibbes, Bruce Reihana and Steve Gordan who went on to international status. They played in division one, for probably a top of the Waikato Te Awamutu College side.
“We want to show the people of Te Awamutu that our college is worth coming to and being a part of. Making division one puts us on the map a little bit.”
Hooker Jacob Sheridan and centre Willem Poolman Jnr are the co-captains in 2025, selected via an election process that included talking to past players, captains and this year’s playing group.
Four year 11, seven year 12 and eleven year 13 students make up the dynamic of the squad, providing plenty more leadership opportunities.
“We’ve had really good conversations with our year 11 boys this year about how nerve wracking coming into the first XV environment is,” Sheridan said.
“It’s all external stuff - there’s years of tradition with that name of the first XV - then there’s blazers, caps and ties. We’ve tried to keep it just rugby and connection, being together.
“Those boys feel and see that, they’re humbled to be part of it. It’s daunting, but exciting at the same time.
“Part of our coaching job is to unlock fear. Sometimes they play to not make mistakes, but we’ve got them into the team to be free, be who they are and bring their game to our game.
The coveted Waipā Cup derby against Cambridge High School will take place at Albert Park on June 27 and the team will also be at the ‘Rugby by the Beach’ tournament in Pāpāmoa at the end of August.
Te Awamutu College first XV 2025: Year
Ordelheide had a love for mountain biking. Photo: Photos4sale
13: Jacob Sheridan (co-captain), Willem Poolman Jnr (co-captain), Teina Beets, Xavier Shields, Corbin Harty, Doug Fonoti, Joel Connolly, Jackson Montague, Reuben Turnbull, Dylan Harpur, Luan van der Merwe. Year 12: Cooper Gedye, Nathan Dale, Zac Green, Liam Watson, Corey Hobbs, Jesse Cox, Taylor Tata. Year 11: Corey McKenzie, Harrison Gubb, Sam Sheridan, Regan Densem. Management: Chris Shields –coach, Willem Poolman – coach, Carl Sheridan – coach, Dom Connolly –manager, Anthony Turnbull – analyst, Kara Thomas – physiotherapist.
The Te Awamutu College first XV attend a Chiefs game at FMG Stadium Waikato as a group.
Photo: Supplied
Kiwi – it’s Waikato for life
By Jesse Wood
It was a who’s who of rugby on Saturday at Ōhaupō Rugby Sports Club as longtime servant Kiwi Searancke was awarded Waikato Rugby life membership.
Searancke’s celebration took place between the Ōhaupō versus Pirongia senior A and B matches.
Everyone had plenty to say about his contributions across the board and across the decades.
Waikato Rugby board members and life members as well as centurions Ian Foster and Pat “Foxy” Bennett were among those in attendance.
Searancke gave a lot to the Waikato colours, first playing for Waikato Māori under-21 in 1970.
Playing and coaching at every level of Waikato Rugby, he was involved for 31 years.
Thirteen of those were as a player across various grades and he represented the senior team on 73 occasions.
He continued in various capacities as an administrator until 2001 when he was Waikato NPC head coach.
Searancke also played club rugby for Kihikihi, Te Awamutu Old Boys, Hamilton Marist and Eastern Suburbs (now Suburbs).
These are just his achievements from within the region, as his playing and coaching career took him across New Zealand and the world.
Surrounded by wife Ruth and grandchildren, Searancke graciously accepted his new Waikato life member blazer in front of a big crowd.
“This is a huge honour and at the same time I feel very humbled because I think there are a lot of people who put just as much into the game. To get this recognition is great,” Searancke said.
“I have to acknowledge my wife Ruth, who spent a lot of time on her own. She’s always behind me and supported me in my rugby endeavours and helped me through.”
He thanked Ōhaupō life member Peter Bloodworth for getting the ball rolling for the award, as well as the Ōhaupō and Hamilton Marist clubs for the nomination and Waikato Rugby for accepting it.
“It’s quite appropriate that today, Ōhaupō are playing Pirongia, my dad played for Pirongia many years ago and as did a great stalwart of Waikato Rugby Harold Sherwin – a fantastic supporter of mine,” Searancke said.
“I’m so proud to be here and to have so many people come and support us.”
Foster said he grew up watching Searancke play for the province.
“That was a legendary time for Waikato. The way they played had a massive impact on us
young people,” Foster said.
“I went from being a bit of a fan to becoming Kiwi’s teammate for three games at the start of my career and the end of his at Te Awamutu Old Boys.
“Then I had the utmost privilege of being coached by Kiwi and then coaching with him.
“I saw the amount of work he did in development. It’s fair to say the development of
young players was probably as rewarding for Kiwi as coaching the top team.
“I learnt a lot about coaching from you as a man. The word that I would use, there’s been lots of flash words, but you were caring. You cared for the team; you cared for the players and that shone through with the relationships you built.”
Foster said it was an honour to
Continued on page 13
Searancke’s highlights
• Played and coached at every level of Waikato Rugby.
• 73 games for Waikato including playing against British & Irish Lions, Australia and Fiji and the cancelled South Africa game.
• Played in three semi-finals as a player and one NPC final as a coach.
• Won the Ranfurly Shield as a player and a coach.
• Part of three successful Ranfurly Shield challenges and 30 defences of the shieldeight as a player and 22 as a coach/assistant coach.
Part of the development of Waikato Rugby, players and coaches over two decades.
1975 - Waikato juniors’ representative team. 1976-1983 - Waikato senior representative team.
1984-1987 - Coach Te Awamutu Old Boys. 1985-1987 - Waikato under-21 assistant coach. 1985-2002 - Member of NZ Harlequins. Co-club captain in 1986 with Leo Greene.
1988 - Te Awamutu College 1st XV coach.
1989 - Waikato second XV coach.
1990-1996 - New Zealand Rugby Union staff coach - part of the role was to organise and run level one and two coaching courses in the Waikato and throughout the country.
1996-1998 - Waikato NPC assistant coach.
1996 - Waikato Sevens coach - winners’ national sevens.
1997 - Waikato Development XV selector/coach. 1999-2001 - Waikato NPC coach.
Waikato Rugby’s newest life member Kiwi Searancke and Waikato Rugby chair
Diane Hallifax.
Photo: Waikato Rugby
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Rugby’s Peace Cup (pictured) has traditionally had it tough – after some unsympathetic handling it is considered among the less attractive in New Zealand sport, it went missing for several seasonsand as a symbol of subunion supremacy has lost some allure in the last couple of decades.
But the annual planning meeting of the group responsible for the 2025 Peace Cup held recently in Cambridge came with a real boost.
Organisers revealed they had received an offer to play the final at The Rotorua International Stadium as a curtain raiser for The Fiji- Manu Samoa Pacific Cup test match.
This year will be 105th iteration of the time-honoured trophy and holders Hamilton have agreed to forfeit a home final to allow the competition to proceed with planning to schedule games around a Rotorua final on September 6.
Peace Cup chairman Neil Macrae outlined a plan whereby the unions involved would spend four or five weeks of round robin play on a home and away basis throughout August.
The top two sides would qualify for the final.
After the call for entries in the 2025 competition, delegates confirmed that Hamilton will be joined by Central Bay of Plenty, Piako and Maniapoto while the Te Awamutu sub union was given an opportunity to confirm entry as well.
Macrae explained that the tournament has remained stable now for several years and perhaps some consideration could now be given to expansion as other representative opportunities for players slowly shrink.
Hamilton delegate Doug Hawkins also suggested some consideration could be given to relaxing some eligibility rules for players to allow smaller unions to field competitive teams.
This was received favourably and duly passed unanimously.
The Peace Cup competition remains a great opportunity for players to continue to play after the various club competitions are completed and the overall standard is truly representative quality.
Kiwi – it’s Waikato for life
Continued from page 11
attend the ceremony and lots of people were there to thank Searancke for everything he had done for them.
Waikato Rugby chief executive Amy Marfell said a life membership is the highest honour that Waikato Rugby awards.
“It is given to those who have made significant contributions to the game in our region – from players, to referees, coaches and administrators – it recognises the commitment of individuals who have served rugby at all levels of the game and left their indelible mark on the sport in the Waikato,” Marfell said.
“Kiwi is undoubtedly deserving of this award having dedicated decades of service as a player, coach and administrator.
“Kiwi’s contribution and dedication to the sport has been immense and for this reason, his name will forever be etched into the history books of rugby in the Waikato region.
“It’s always a proud day when Waikato Rugby inducts a new life member and we’re certainly pleased to be able to bestow this award on Kiwi for his service.”
New Zealand Rugby president Matthew Cooper, who was coached by Searancke, was unable to attend but Marfell read out his sentiments.
“Reflecting on our time together as coach and player in what was such a special Waikato Rugby era, what stands out most is your unwavering loyalty, your technical appreciation of the game and your inclusive
leadership with the players,” Cooper’s statement said.
“But above all Kiwi, your pride and devotion to the red, yellow and black cause. You have embodied Waikato Rugby in every way. From your excellent playing career to your years shaping players and teams with your wisdom and passion.
“The legacy you have built, is a testament to your drive, ambition and service. Most importantly and one superb trait that I always admire is that you are, and always have been, Kiwi Searancke.
“Congratulations Kiwi, you so deserve this. I also want to acknowledge Ruth and your wonderful family as I know you well Kiwi, this life membership is a partnership of a very special team – the Searancke whānau.”
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Ian Foster addresses his former teammate, coach and co-coach Kiwi Searancke.
Photo: Arthur Uden
The
CARE GIVER
AM and PM shifts
Pursuant to Section 46 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 notice is hereby given that:
Tuesday, June 24
The following meetings will be held at the Council Chambers, 101 Bank Street, Te Awamutu in July 2025:
Wednesday,
Wednesday, July 23
Wednesday, July 30 Service Delivery Committee 9.10am
Wednesday, July 30 Finance & Corporate Committee 1pm
Please visit the Council website for all meeting information. Electronic copies of Council agendas are available on the Waipā District Council website prior to meetings.
Steph O’Sullivan Chief Executive WAIPA DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETING NOTICES
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HANCOCK, Ian Walter –16 October 1942 - 12 June 2025. Passed away at home peacefully. Dearly loved husband and soulmate of Noeline. Beloved father and adored Poppa of Lynley (deceased) & Tim, Guy, Janine & Simon, Tayla, Scarlett, and Brad & Natasha, Poppy, Hugo. A service to celebrate Ian's life has been held. Ian - a true man of the land with a sharp mind, strong values and immense pride in the legacy, children and grandchildren he leaves behind. Messages to the Hancock Family can be sent c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800 or in Ian’s online tribute book at www.rosetown.co.nz
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SUISTED, Sharon Claudia – 1/12/1948 – 1/6/2025. Beloved daughter of Claude and Edna Suisted (both deceased), Te Awamutu, wife of Marko Tabain of Mlini Dubrovnik (deceased), treasured sister of Moira Suisted and Deirdre & Stephen Hensman, aunt and great-aunt to many loved nieces & nephews, including Cushla & Ryan Ward, and Isaac & Caleb Hensman. The family wishes to thank Sharon’s friends and cousins who have faithfully and graciously supported her through her illness. She was interred at Te Awamutu Cemetery on June 6. Her memorial service will be held at Howick Community Church, Auckland, on July 5 at 1.00 pm. Messages to the family: 81 Ferry Road, Clive 4102.
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