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By Chris Gardner
Waipā District Council is going begging for votes for this Saturday’s local body election, despite a hotly contested mayoral race.
Incumbent Susan O’Regan is facing challenges from councillors Mike Pettit and Clare St Pierre.
Voter turnout was only 21.35 per cent by October 3, according to figures provided by chief returning officer Warwick Lampp.
Lampp’s figures showed 8793 voters had turned out to vote with just a week to go.
Up until the latest figures were released, Waipā’s turnout had been steadily declining with a week to go.
Waipā voter turnout was 22.28 per cent by October 3 in 2016, 19.46 per cent by 2019 and 16.3 per cent by 2022.
Last election Waipā district’s total turnout at the election’s end was 36.24 per cent.
Te Awamutu’s Kaia Hayward said it was easy to hand your voting papers in around town, including the Te Awamutu Events Centre.
The News’ On the Hustings columnist Peter Carr asked whether the Waipā electorates wanted a well-led councils or a totally dysfunctional headless jelly.
“Voting is your absolute right but there are plenty of people who do not vote yet are prepared to complain,” Carr said.
“Sorry folks - this is ‘put up or shut up’ time. The people who are
prepared to serve you to the best of their ability deserve much better than mediocrity in voting terms. This is your council which should be supported and cherished by your vote.”
Lampp’s figures are considerably lower than the turnout achieved by its neighbouring councils.
Further south, Waitomo District Council voters are leading the charge with the highest turnout of the local authorities in Good Local Media’s readership.
Turnout was 28.88 per cent by October 3, accounting for 1728 voters, compared to a 43.07 total turnout for the 2022 local body elections.
It’s Waitomo’s best performance since the 2019 election when 35.08 per cent of voters had turned out by October 3. In 2019 23.47 per cent had turned out in Waitomo with a week to go, with 19.4 per cent at this stage in 2022.
Four candidates are contending for Waitomo’s mayoral chains.
Incumbent John Robertson is facing challenges from councillor Janette Osborne and council newcomers Richard Ross and Natasha Willison-Reardon.
Ōtorohanga District Council voters were a close second to Waitomo with 1799 votes or 28.3 per cent compared to Ōtorohanga’s total turnout of 44.05 per cent in 2022.
It’s Ōtorohanga’s best turnout yet, with 20.7 per cent turnout by October 3 in 2022. 27.6 per cent in 2019 and 17.36per cent in 2016.
A trio of incumbent councillors
are vying for the mayoral chains after multi-term mayor Max Baxter decided to step back from local body politics.
Rodney Dow, Cathy Prendergast, and Jaimee Tamaki are all vying for the district’s top job.
Voters leave it late
Issues are similar across all districts, with the cost of living crisis biting and councils having to watch their spending.
Lampp said it was hard to compare turnouts to the same period last election thanks to a
longer voting period and more orange bins collecting voting papers.
“Some up, some about the same,” he said. “Overall, my gut feel is that it will end up about the same in the end.”
110 Jack Russell Drive, Te Awamutu
“Just vote”, says Te Awamutu’s Kaia Hayward.
Photo: Jesse Wood
Invites members and friends to: Waipa Workingmen’s Club, Albert Park Drive.
Thursday 16 October, 1pm for a 1:30 start
Guest speaker: ASB Cyber Crime Team
To educate us about fraud and scams
$4 door charge includes ra e and tea/co ee
Our End of Year Dinner will be 20 November
For further info contact Michael 021 2424 220
Māori wards
Three candidates have thrown their hat into the ring for mayor in the Waipa District council elections. Each one of them, according to their manifesto, supports Māori wards. Really?
So are we to believe each candidate is ok with voting someone onto the council because of their race? When did we begin to stoop so low as a country that we think it is ok to treat certain sectors differently to others? We are slowly but surely departing from the true meaning of democracy where everyone is treated equally and has the same rights and duties.
segregate, and divide New Zealand.
I applaud David Seymour and the ACT Party for having the guts to bring this matter to the point of referendum. It forces a clear choice: either endorse representation by race or defend equal citizenship for every voter. A ‘yes’ vote institutionalises division and weakens the principle that public office should be won on merit and ideas, not race.
A ‘no’ vote rejects racial preference and preserves democratic equality, where every voice carries the same weight. Which will you choose?
Gwynneth Purdie
Te Awamutu
much more unsafe will it be if 100 or more big trucks a day want to do that turn? If the prohibition on that turn continues, those trucks will need to go down to the roundabout by the low level bridge and come back on the other side of the road in order to enter Newcombe Road.
Third, when I came to drive out of Newcombe Road and turn towards Cambridge I found that you did not have a long line of sight. I pulled out to cross the road and a car suddenly appeared. The other car did not need to slow down, but if I had been driving a large truck and trailer unit there is no way I would have got the vehicle across the road before the other vehicle arrived.
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Do the candidates truly believe their thinking on this? Or is it possible they have the same affliction as a growing number of New Zealanders who have either lost their tongue and are too afraid to speak out against this growing trend or worse, been brainwashed by the current ‘flavour of the month’ jargon used to justify it? Terms such as addressing the inequities, inequalities, having a place at the table, inclusion to name a few - all designed to trick the foolhardy into accepting a law that only serves to separate,
Quarry worry
Given Newcombe Road has had a lot of publicity recently I decided to take a look at it. I got a few surprises. First, the road is very short – about half a kilometre - and no exit. Second, as you come off State Highway 1 to go to Cambridge past the golf course, there is a sign that says ‘trucks continue to the roundabout’. That means that the Transport Agency regards that turn as unsafe for trucks to turn right into Newcombe Road. How
Roger Gordon is trying to get a decision that trucks from the quarry not be allowed to turn north as they come out of Newcombe Road. The reason was just to prevent those trucks from driving through the middle of Cambridge. But there is a very strong safety reason for that prohibition too. It would be hard to think of a more dangerous road to have 100 to 200 large trucks crossing it a day.
Peter Nicholl
Cambridge
People often assume family harm is physical abuse. It encompasses emotional, psychological, financial, and sexual abuse, however, normalisation of behaviour is where a person is in an abusive situation for so long or so intensively, that what they are experiencing feels normal, and their level of acceptance or threshold for tolerating it becomes unhealthily high.
We notice this in children exposed to family harm, where adults in the house yelling, screaming, or hurting each other no longer phases the child, who is reported as ‘calm and happy’ when Police arrive. That is more a sign that the frequency of incidents is such that it has become their base line normal home life.
In the past few weeks, I have supported victims of family harm who have endured psychological abuse for years, before fully realising the situation and reaching out for help. Sometimes, without a hand being laid on a victim, power and control is maintained.
Examples of such behaviour include isolating the victim from family and friends (an insidious process that occurs over a period of time). Thereafter, tracking their every movement, often via phone applications or even an air tag on their vehicle, phoning them when they go somewhere unplanned or take longer that the perpetrator thinks it should to travel somewhere or complete a task, accompanying them everywhere possible,
removing privacy through demanding access to email and messaging accounts and questioning their interactions with friends.
It can include the installation of cameras to remotely monitor a victim’s behaviour in their own home, having sole financial control and access to banking accounts and always blaming the victim for causing arguments or abuse from the perpetrator. As an outsider, such things are clearly unacceptable and unhealthy.
As the target of the behaviour, often steadily escalated over a period of time, it is often not so visible, but even where it is, the fear of upsetting the perpetrator can be paralysing. It is important to be able to recognise these patterns in our own relationships and those around us and to know that support is available.
NZ Police and agencies such as Waitomo Waipa Women’s Refuge and Cambridge Community House will support victims through the process of making a safety plan at home and when ready to leave the relationship, obtaining legal advice, protection orders (along with parenting, occupation and furniture orders where appropriate), counselling and ultimately moving forward on a healthier path.
If you or someone you know is in this situation, please reach out.
Return of the Datsuns
Cambridge’s own garage rock legends The Datsuns will tour Aotearoa New Zealand in March 2026, their first full NZ tour since 2018. The tour includes stops in Gisborne, Auckland, Lyttelton, and Hamilton’s Homegrown Festival. The band will perform career-spanning sets and debut material from their upcoming eighth studio album, including the single Ugly Leather.
DEB HANN
Road works ahead
Waipā District Council has unveiled a list of 50 roads which will be part of the summer season’s resealing programme. The longest project is Cambridge Rd in Te Awamutu at 8.225km and the shortest 15 metres of sealing in Orchardist Way, Ngāhinapōuri.
Christmas parades
Te Awamutu will run with the theme of Christmas Movies at its annual festive season parade on December 6. In Cambridge the following day the theme will be a sporty Christmas.
Flamenco flavour
Cambridge will host a Flamenco Feria on Saturday as a party with dance and music comes to town.
Cambridge based organiser Pepa Torre, who grew up dancing flamenco and looking forward to the feria season in Andalucía, Spain, is bringing a version to the town hall.
“Flamenco is a street art, it's like whānau art,” she said.
"You find the little kids dancing with the grandparents, everybody's included... that's exactly what I want to bring, that philosophy."
Reserve transfer
A 30ha scenic reserve south of Maungatautari is changing hands. Ngāti Koroki Kahukura has gifted Te Reti reserve - one of four reserves in Waipā vested in Ngāti Koroki Kahukura as part of a 2014 claims settlement - to Parawera Marae.
Kaimai closure
State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range will close for five nights from Sunday, between 7.30pm and 3.00am as maintenance work including clearing drains, sign maintenance, road marking and surface repairs is carried out.
Tributes paid
Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan has paid tribute to the work two outgoing colleagues – Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate and Ōtorohanga’s Max Baxter, who are not seeking re-election.
From drought to a deluge
By Jesse Wood
There are mixed reviews from farmers across the greater Waikato region, following the transition from a drought to high rain fall.
Kaipaki farmer Zane Kite said the drought was devastating.
“We took a financial hit. It was hard on the animals and on the humans trying to look after the animals,” Kite said.“I did dry off a month earlier, to look after the animals and I think I’m benefitting from that now. “
“You put it behind you and move forward. Spring has been pretty kind to us this year.”
Kite said it’s been an “easy spring” so far.
“There’s not much mud, so that’s been a blessing,” Kite said.
“Production is up compared with last year. We’ve got pretty good grass cover and the cows are in good nick.”
Waikato Regional Council figures show Te Awamutu had 153mm of rain, Te Kūiti 179mm, Waitanguru
352mm, Otewa 203mm and Hamilton 134mm in the 30 days to Monday this week.
For Hamilton that compared to a September average of 100mm and for Te Kuiti 133mm. Much of that rain came in very heavy bursts.
Down the road in Ōhaupō, Andrew Reymer echoed Zane Kite’s remarks.
“I went into winter with low feed, but we’re going through one of the best springs we’ve had for a while. Nature has a way of correcting itself,” Reymer said.
Although they’ve had plenty of rainfall, it hasn’t been continuous.
“The drains are full, they’re flowing, but the ground isn’t wet and unmanageable. This time last year, it was slush,” Reymer said.
“Touch wood, it’s a good spring. Hopefully it’ll carry on.”
Roto-o-Rangi farmer
Richard Myers said farmers should adapt their systems to work around the weather.
“It’s just weather and
we’ve got to take it as it comes. Our whole system exists on sunshine and rain,” Myers said. “We’re quite used to droughts and high rainfall at different times of the year. We can’t control it.” Ōtorohanga-based sharemilker Chris Ferguson said their maize yield was down due to an early
harvest, but they’re starting to adapt.
“Ōtorohanga was about as dry as most places over summer. We went for oncea-day milking to de-stress the cows,” Ferguson said.
“Farmers are starting to prepare for drier summers. They’re looking at hitting 60 to 70 per cent of their production before Christmas - especially farms that don’t buy as much feed in.
“Traditionally, Christmas was your halfway point of your season production.”
Ferguson said they’ve been lucky with the rainfall and don’t get a lot of flooding.
“But we have noticed a little less grass growth. This time last year, we were probably doing our first cut of silage.”
South of Ōtorohanga, Michael Woodward’s farm is also a week behind in grass growth.
“The drought came on a lot faster than usual with the winds in early January. That meant we more of our supplement feed sooner,” Woodward said.
“Coming into winter, we needed to top up the soil moisture levels. We
got away with some of the bigger, heavier rains earlier on because the soil was dry and it got soaked up.
“We’re definitely not in a deficit, but more rain is needed to encourage that grass growth going forward.”
Kirwyn Ellis, 2024 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year, said his family farm near Pirongia has bounced back well.
“The dry conditions were certainly testing. The lack of grass growth meant there was a lot of stored nitrogen in the soil. When the rain finally did come in the autumn, it set us up nicely for winter and spring,” Ellis said.
“At times over winter, it did feel like every rain was a weather event. It wasn’t uncommon for the forecasted 50mm to turn into 100mm, particularly for us being in the foothills of Mt Pirongia.
“We had our share of frosts too. We were lucky to be in the feed position we were in May because grass growth over June, July and August was impacted.
“Despite this, we are very grateful to still be in a good position.”
Funeral Director: Teri Keir
Kirwyn Ellis says the family farm near Pirongia has bounced back well after the drought.
Ōtorohanga sharemilker Chris Ferguson said farmers are starting to prepare for drier summers.
Photo: Jesse Wood
The interests of others
By Karla Rose, Zion Church
Through my role at Zion I have had the opportunity to interact with and work alongside some of the most incredible people.
I have both heard about and seen the mahi of groups like Ko Wai Au, Lions, Rotary, the Te Awamutu Business Chamber (who despite their name, are invested not only in the businesses of Te Awamutu, but also in the wider community), and these groups speak to just a small portion of the incredible groups who uplift our men, women, children, elders, families, and our most vulnerable.
They are the people who tirelessly invest their time, energy and money building a Te Awamutu where no individual is left to fend for themselves.
They are living out Philippians 2:4, taking care not only of themselves, but the people around them.
Despite how easy it may appear, the work these groups undertake is not without challenge.
In particular, as you may have read in the previous issue of the Te Awamutu News that funding has become increasingly difficult to access, with our local funding pool being halved.
I can also attest to the reality that reduced funding is widespread and has forced many charities to close their doors, as running costs increase.
You may have noticed that events like Black Friday, where local stores stay open until the wee hours and the main street is shut off to allow pedestrians, food trucks and carnival rides space in the centre of town, have been absent the last few years.
This isn’t due to lack of interest from
local businesses, but largely due to the cost of road closures, similar to those mentioned in a recent Te Awamutu News edition that completely changed how a Cambridge running event was facilitated.
In their case they were able to creatively pivot and run a successful event.
But in the case of Black Friday, the financial requirements simply cannot be met, and so the event has made a quiet exit, which as you may imagine impacts our local businesses who are already working double-time to stay open, and for some, even that isn’t enough to prevent closure.
Despite these challenging economic times, it seems we have choices laid before us.
If we value the service a business provides or the work community group does, if we want to see them continue to serve our people, then, as it says in Hebrews 13:16, we should share what we have.
And if we aren’t or can’t be invested in what they do, then we have to be prepared for those services and events to become unavailable.
As we navigate this season, each discerning what we value, and what we are willing to invest into our families and communities all I can truly say is “kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui”, - be strong, be steadfast, be willing and trust that, as Luke 1:37 says, with God nothing shall be impossible.
Authorised by Stu Kneebone, 271 Baker Road, RD4 Cambridge
Paewira: MP calls minister
By Chris Gardner
Environment minister
Penny Simmonds is being called in to resolve Global Contracting Solutions’ suspended resource consent application to build and operate a waste to energy plant – Paewira – in Te Awamutu.
Simmonds, who called in an independent board of inquiry to decide the matter, is now being asked to step in after the Environmental Protection Authority suspended the application on August 13 - two weeks
before the decision was due to be released.
The authority said the process would be resumed after the applicant had paid undisclosed costs.
Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger contacted Simmonds’ office seeking a resolution after nearly two months of uncertainty.
“There is no process in place to resolve this,” said Kuriger.
“The minister’s office is looking at how there’s money not paid, and the money needs to be paid
for the process to continue. It’s in limbo, caught up in red tape, and it’s a metaphorical red tape pain in the . . . I won’t say what. It’s damn frustrating for the community.”
A spokesman for Simmonds office confirmed the minister was receiving advice on the matter.
“There will be more information available in due course,” they said Don’t Burn Waipa spokesperson Angie Barrowcliffe said the submitters deserved a decision whether the
company had paid or not.
The EPA received 2173 submissions on the application and 64 per cent cited concerns about pollutant like dioxins and nano particles.
“We have all endured so much anguish and financial uncertainty over the past few years, and the best outcome would be to finally put this behind us,” she said.
“The decision was only days away from being released when it was put on hold, so surely it wouldn’t take much more to issue a final ruling and make it
public. The community deserves to hear the outcome just as much as the company does.”
If the application was approved, Barrowcliffe said Don’t Burn Waipa would continue working to hold the company accountable to whatever conditions the Board of Inquiry deems acceptable.
“A pause is better than a yes, but the best outcome would be a firm no. That is what we are asking the minister to push for. A no gives us a strong precedent moving forward, for all the future companies that may try to do the same thing again and again.
“This is another New Zealand Nuclear-Free moment—a time for us to stand united and say for
the good of this country, we say no to emitting toxins into our air, land, and water. There are far better ways to produce power, and reduce, reuse, and regeneration are the keys to the earth’s survival—and ours—for generations to come.”
EPA senior communications advisor Julia Scott-Beetham told The News: “We are continuing to work with the applicant to resolve the matter and ensure the outstanding costs are paid. As these discussions are commercially sensitive, we won’t be commenting further at this time.”
Global Contracting Solutions project manager Adam Fletcher did not respond to requests for comment from The News.
An artist’s impression of the proposed waste to energy plant planned for Te Awamutu.
Barbara Kurider Penny Simmonds
Coming to Te Awamutu
Our new clubhouse is on the way – join us for a sneak peak.
Friday 10 & Saturday 11 October, 10am – 2pm. Arvida Whai Mauri Ora, 319 Manaia Road, Te Awamutu.
We’re thrilled to share that construction has begun on our stunning new residents’ clubhouse at Arvida Te Awamutu. To celebrate, we’re inviting you to come along and see the beautiful plans and visuals for what’s to come, and tour our friendly community.
Our architecturally designed clubhouse will have a large dining area, kitchen, library, an indoor pool, gym, generous outdoor spaces, bowling and croquet green, outdoor fire and bbq area. With plenty of room to socialise and unwind, it’s the perfect place for residents to gather, connect, and enjoy themselves.
Whether you’re seeking space, serenity, or a vibrant retirement community to call home, you’ll find it all at Arvida Whai Mauri Ora. Secure your spot now.
For more information, call Juliet on 07 444 4023 or scan the QR code.
Artist Impression
Artist Impression
Write on! Amy’s well read
By Viv Posselt
Waipā-based author Amy Harrop is tickled pink yet slightly surprised at just how well her children’s picture books are doing.
Her recently-released fifth published book ‘Goat on a Tractor’ debuted nationally at number one on a Kete Books’ bestseller list last month. Those lists are updated weekly to give readers an in on what’s happening in terms of Kiwi books and authors.
As September progressed, Harrop learned she had two books listed in the latest Whitcoulls Top 50 Children’s Books, a list based on readers’ votes. That 2025 list, published on September 19, listed ‘Goat on a Trampoline’ at number 40 and ‘You Can’t Come in, Kunekune!’ at number 47.
‘Goat on a Trampoline’, now on its fourth or fifth print run, was also in last year’s top 50 children’s books. The extra fillip came when she found out her Kunekune book had joined it this time.
“One on the list is fantastic… you just don’t expect to have two in there. It’s very exciting, particularly as that list is international, so you’re up against some big names in children’s literature.”
Those names Amy Harrop now sits alongside include JK Rowling, David Walliams, Roald Dahl, Dr Seuss and New Zealander Lynley Dodd. It’s no wonder she’s a little starstruck.
Amy, who has been involved in teaching for 20 years, is structured literacy specialist at Te Awamutu Primary School. The News heard of her success via her husband Mark Harrop, who is principal at Ngāhinapōuri School and who described his wife’s recent success as ‘remarkable’.
The pair share three children and live in Pirongia.
Amy, who says she writes ‘in fits and spurts’, has always been a keen reader;
It was around 2014, when she was at home with her baby son, that she thought it was time to try writing down some of the appealing rurally-oriented stories that were bouncing around her head.
She entered a couple of them into a Scholastic Publishing competition that came with a promise the publishers would read each entry. One of Amy’s, ‘There’s a Hedgehog in my Pants’, was picked up and she was paired with illustrator Ross Kinnaird. After she made their requested minor tweaks, that became her first published book.
Scholastic also published her second, ‘Who took the Toilet Paper?’, with illustrations by Jenny Cooper.
“I was feeling like I had imposter syndrome at that stage,” she said.
Her last three have been published with Bateman Books, with Ross Hamilton as illustrator. They have fun rhyming storylines, with plots around the bumbling protagonists ending with potential for a follow-up adventure. The only one Amy has written in prose is ‘You Can’t Come in, Kunekune!’
“I love writing in rhyme … it just sounds good to me. With Kunekune, I just wanted to see if I could write in prose.”
Family support has been strong. Early on, Amy’s mum shouted her an online writing course with New Zealand’s Janice Marriott. It helped validate her, she said, but the best bit is that she can now pay her mum back with proceeds from her writing.
she assigns much of her early interest to a grandmother who loved books and who could recite Dr Seuss’s tales by heart.
And in a stroke of marital genius, Mark arranged for US-based company Budsies to make up a Kunekune soft toy, which Amy now trawls around when she does book launches or readings.
Children’s author Amy Harrop with her picture books and the Kunekune soft toy made to resemble one of her characters.
Photo: Viv Posselt
Three visions for Waipā
By Jon Rawlinson
Experience or fresh approaches? Triedand-true or new blood? Waipā’s mayoral candidates appear to agree that the right balance is crucial.
Susan O’Regan, Clare St Pierre and Mike Pettit were asked about their primary goals should they claim the chains at Waipā District Council.
The incumbent, O’Regan said she plans to continue to put the community’s needs first, while operating efficiency, but change is also on her agenda.
“Council is embarking on significant transformation as the waters team will be migrating out. We’ll need to ensure we manage this effectively, she said.
“There’s lots of legislative change on the horizon, so a really smooth transition, providing services as efficiently as we can, is critical.”
Ensuring council works for residents of all ages is on O’Regan’s ‘to do’ list.
“I will continue work on the seniors’ forum as this is, very much, a growing demographic. Similarly, I’m passionate about an effective youth forum because they’re inheriting the benefits or disadvantages of our decision-making today – we can only do this with young people in the room.”
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She also intends to strengthen ties with central government.
“I’m really hot on continuing to grow existing good relationships with the Beehive, making sure Waipā’s voice is heard. This will strengthen ongoing investment and help us become a strong economic powerhouse. We’ve made some real gains around this.”
Clare St Pierre said she has a different style to that of O’Regan. Transparency
and a more collaborative approach are among her most important goals.
“If I’m elected, more information will be communicated to help people understand what council is doing, where we’re spending their money,” she said.
Controlling rates rises and understanding costs will take priority.
“What would it take to get the forecast rates rise for the next year down to the rate of inflation? I would work on that early on,” she said. “Also, I want forecasts in advance of staff plans to use consultants before commitments are made.”
Improved management of growth cells is also required, St Pierre said.
“When there’s a new subdivision outside the town boundary, where we rezone the land, these are called growth cells. I want to be on top of the growth formula, with individual reporting for debt and depreciation to understand how new growth cells are playing out,” she said.
“I suspect depreciation is kicking in before we have a reasonable number of sections sold, so costs are pushed back on ratepayers and rates are higher than they need to be.”
Mike Pettit is looking to make changes
and improve existing structures. A fresh start and new culture will be required, he said.
“If you have one new person on a team, it’s a new team. I will be trying to set up a new culture, making sure we’re all in it together. We’ll create a plan to upskill councillors, while setting individual and collective goals and expectations for each other.
“I want leadership teams within council and we need evidence that people can lead, not just that they’ve been there however many years or they’re ‘next in line’.”
Pettit also plans to cut costs and push for efficient spending.
“I will try to cut expenses, particularly through staff numbers, and generate more income,” he said. “This also means looking at procurement. A bit like when you build a house, you want to nail down the real costs as much as possible before you start work.”
There is also room for improvement when it comes to communication.
“We need better communication among ourselves, but we also have to be out in the community to get real life feedback about what’s important to our community.”
Susan O’Regan
Clare St Pierre
Mike Pettit
A lack of evidence
By Peter Nicholl
On August 19 I made a request to the New Zealand Transport Agency under the Official Information Act for the data the Ministry of Transport used to reach the conclusion in a report to the Minister of Transport that there had been no significant increase in demand or need for a northbound on-off ramp at the Cambridge Southern Interchange’ since 2013.
I received their reply on September 30. It is underwhelming. I had thought that their phrase ‘no evidence of an increase in demand meant that they had evidence and it didn’t support the need for a northbound on-off ramp. But their reply reveals that their use of the phrase ‘no evidence’ is in fact literal – they have no evidence either way. What they said was ‘we determine our position using a whole-of-network approach to the Waikato Expressway and long-term strategic planning, supported by more specific transport planning assessments related to projects or activity in adjacent parts of the network (for example, the recent resource consent for a new quarry).’
I don’t know what that means. They did attach a document that they say supports their position. It is 252 pages long. I haven’t had time to look through it yet – but I will. But if there are things in that long document that support their conclusion I don’t know why they didn’t include them in their letter. The only data they included in the formal response was for traffic going through the Cambridge Southern Interchange. It hasn’t risen as much in the last 12 years as had been anticipated in the design phase. That is interesting – but it has nothing to do with the question I asked. The two traffic flows I was interested in are, first, traffic
from Leamington and beyond who want to travel north. They don’t go to the Cambridge Southern Interchange as it doesn’t allow them to travel north. They have to go through Cambridge to the Hautapu Interchange. The second flow is traffic coming south on the Motorway who want to go to Leamington and beyond. They also have to get off at Hautapu and travel through Cambridge.
They also say in their reply that ‘NZTA specifically designed the Tīrau Road Interchange for southbound movements only so the expressway would not be used for short trips, for example, on at the Southern Interchange, off at SH1B interchange (Hautapu).
Therefore, in order to prevent some people from making a short trip on the Expressway they are deliberately forcing more people who intend to take long trips to go through the middle of Cambridge in order to get on or off the Expressway in the direction they want to go. Why would someone from Leamington who wants to go to the Cambridge commercial area choose to cross the low-level bridge, drive past the golf club, go north on the Expressway to the Hautapu interchange and enter Cambridge from there?
I was also surprised that they made a reference to the ‘recent resource consent for a new quarry’ as an item they took into account in their advice to the Minister. As I understand it, this decision had not been taken at the time they advised the Minister. I will read the 252-page report to see if it enlightens me more than their letter did.
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CountryLife
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Someone’s watching you
Space age technology will help Kāwhia Constable David Kraay catch criminals.
SpaceX’s Starlink satellite trains are delivering broadband internet enabling the livestreaming of the township’s closed circuit television cameras.
As a result, Kraay can view live footage streamed to his computer or phone from the cameras around the wharf and township.
“The best deterrent is cameras,” Kraay said.
Kāwhia was experiencing problems with boy racers until Kraay was appointed as Kāwhia’s officer in residence in July after a long permanent police presence.
Kraay said there was far less burnouts and careless driving going on in the township. “I am not seeing fresh rubber marks,” he said.
Kāwhia Community Board deferred making a decision on asking Ōtorohanga District Council to install further cameras at Tom French Grove at the end of Te Puia
Springs Road on Thursday.
“Since this request was received by council staff, Kāwhia has now been appointed a full-time police officer and anti-social behaviour has begun to decrease and will continue to decrease over the next few months,” said Ōtorohanga District Council community facilities manager Jared le Fleming.
Kawhia Community Board did not have delegation over the reserve and could only recommend the project be considered by council, he said.
A camera would cost $7000, and annual operating costs would by $900.
Councillor Kit Jeffries said he understood landowner Tainui Kāwhia Incorporation was keen to install a camera at the entrance to Te Puia Road.
Le Fleming said the council wouldn’t want to double up, if that was the case.
Board chair Geoff Good recommended the decision be
David Kraay
Escaping dementors a hit
By Chris Gardner
Waipa visitors enjoyed a Harry Potter themed escape room at Ōtorohanga District Library during the school holidays. Library manager Heather Taylor said the escape room had been created at the request of Ōtorohanga College students. She and her team had borrowed material from ThamesCoromandel District Council, which had previously run its own Harry Potter themed escape room, as well as district council staff.
Taylor said the free experience for up to six people at a time had proved popular with 81 of the 90 available slots booked by the start of the break between Terms 3 and 4. The escape room had attracted visitors from out of the district, including Te Awamutu and Piopio, she said.
As well as doubling school holiday foot traffic in the library, with around twice a many books borrowed, Taylor hoped those who had escaped shopped and enjoyed coffee in town.
“We do always do something for the kids in the school holidays,” Taylor said.
Brothers Asha and Jonah Anderson, of Whibley Road, Otorohanga, aged 12 and 10, were joined by their English au pair Natasha Goforth in puzzling their way out of the escape room.
Goforth had them picking out elements from the fantasy book series before they got into solving the puzzle. “I feel like there’ something going on under there,” said John as he lifted a drape.
Asher was impressed with the lengths library staff had gone to in order to recreate the world of J.K. Rowling.
Darren Danis –the comeback kid
Darren Danis (pictured) is developing a knack for making a comeback from career-threatening injuries, but he is hoping his run of serious injuries is now at an end.
In 2017, Danis broke his back in a race fall, but made a relatively quick recovery, returning to raceday riding just eight months later, while last November, he was met by a similar fate when involved in an incident at the Waipa trials where he sustained a fractured C4 and C5 vertebrae, leading to a lengthy time on the sidelines.
It has been a slow and steady road to recovery, and for a time Danis wasn’t sure if he would make a return to the saddle, but the determined rider did just that at Matamata last month, and was rewarded with his first win aboard the John Bell-trained Muscovado at the Waikato venue on Saturday.
“When we got close to the line, he gave me his all and we both really wanted it,” Danis said. “When we got across the line in first it was just a relief.
“It’s a lot of weight off my shoulders. All of that hard work, perseverance and grit finally paid off.
“It’s been good to be back and it’s just good to be out there with the rest of the jockeys.”
While pleased to be out competing once again on raceday, Danis said his return took a little longer than anticipated.
“I was meant to come back in August but unfortunately my neck was still giving me quite a bit of problems,” he said.
“The bones were just too jarred up and stiff, so we had to go back to the drawing board and find a better plan for the next couple of months to get it moving right again and to come back as soon as possible.
“I have worked with the people at Matamata physio, Recharge therapy in Cambridge and my chiropractor. They are all good at what they do and each of them helped the progress of getting my flexion back. I had to do it religiously and they were really good and helped a lot.
“I am still seeing them. It has to be an ongoing thing.”
Asha, 12, and Jonah, 10, Anderson enjoyed Ōtorohanga District Library’s Harry Potter themed escape room.
Photo: Chris Gardner
Ōtorohanga District Library manager Heather Taylor with a Harry Potter artefact. Photo: Chris Gardner
Across 1. Cite (5) 4. Cool and damp (6) 7. Spin out (3) 8. Seller (6) 9. Stand firm (6) 10. And so on (Latin) (2,6) 12. Pace (4) 13. Woollen ball for decoration (6) 15. Almost (6)
Last week
16. Formerly (4) 17. Habitual greed (8) 19. Swimsuit (6)
Across: 1. Septic, 4. Action, 9. Muted, 10. Arrange, 11. Relaxed, 13. Nice, 14. Acquiescent, 17. Lass, 18. Repress, 21. Grimace, 22. Aisle, 24. Deepen, 25. Legend. Down: 1. Sombre, 2. Put, 3. Index, 5. Chronic, 6. Innocence, 7. Need, 8. Hard-hearted, 12. Lucrative, 15. Upstage, 16. Ascend, 19. Peace, 20. Aged, 23. Sue.
RALGOLNDNWEDDINGSS OFPMGBLACKANDWHITE OVCAMERAPOSTUDIOQT FDIPREXPOSUREBLYPE IONEGATIVEHIWKOYHL HMCRWWZRLDCOCPCOOE
AEORFFONBLOWUPSRGO SLUEROEYDVEHWEEKRT HCRSAYCHEESETPURAO PZREMVYUPSRAVRPOPL WOOEEATJSLLVPIIOHE FGSOELKFFPDGINBMYN SAWEMNSHUTTERTHJNS CSGFASTRANSPARENCY APERTURES BLACKANDWHITE BLOW-UP BOOTH CAMERA CASE CLOSE-UP COLOUR DARK-ROOM DEVELOPS EXPOSURE FILM FILTER FLASH FOCUS
REELS SAYCHEESE SCREEN SHUTTER SNAPSHOT
STUDIO
TELEPHOTOLENS
TIMERS
TRANSPARENCY
VIEWFINDER WEDDINGS ZOOMS
Red hot favourites with Jan Bilton
Strawberries — nearly everyone loves these popular berries, and they seem to appear on shelves earlier each year. They provide a cheerful splash of colour after a bleak winter. The same might be said for raspberries. Plus, it’s nearing the end of the tamarillo season, so you might find a bargain. Everything looks rosy.
Red fruits and vegetables are coloured by phytonutrients called ‘carotenoids’—which include valuable antioxidants, vitamins (like C and A), minerals and fibre.
All are beneficial for your heart, immune system, skin and digestion.
Another current favourite of mine are the red seeds, or arils, of the pomegranate. They are currently sold in small pots in the fresh produce section at my local supermarket. I often freeze some seeds to use as colourful garnishes for sweet and savoury salads throughout the year.
New season’s red rhubarb stalks are tender, and their tang and texture can be enjoyed raw (in moderation), sliced into salsas or savoury salads, or in bakes.
Mature stalks become woody and require stringing before cooking.
Rhubarb leaves are unsafe to eat because they contain high levels of oxalic acid, a crystalline substance used as a bleach and cleaning agent for metals. The stalks, however, are nontoxic.
Tamarillo & coconut popsicles
I used silicone ice block moulds available from most kitchenware stores. You could also use silicon muffin cases and shorter sticks.
4 tamarillos
3 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons water
500g vanilla dairy-free coconut yoghurt
Peel and slice the tamarillos. Place in a saucepan with the sugar and water. Poach until tender. Cool. Drain. Cut the tamarillos into smaller pieces.
Half fill the ice block moulds with the coconut yoghurt. Add
the tamarillo then add more yoghurt. Cover and insert the sticks, or as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Freeze until solid. They will keep in the freezer for several weeks. Makes about 8 popsicles using the ice block moulds.
Strawberry croissants
Fab snacks to serve with bubbles at brunch or five o’clock. I used Sopresso salami, which is soft and sliced very thinly into 10cm rounds.
6 mini croissants, slit open
6 thin slices salami or ham
100g fresh mozzarella, grated
3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
16 strawberries, cut into 2mm slices
Preheat the oven to 170°C. Or preheat an air fryer. Fill each croissant with the grated mozzarella, salami, a dash of mustard and the sliced strawberries.
Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes until the cheese starts to melt, or about 6 minutes in the air fryer. Remove and serve hot. Makes 6.
Kio Station Road
Quality Land in Prime Location
This is a rare chance to secure an exceptional block in one of the district’s most sought-after locations. With fertile soils and enviable contour this outstanding property is just a 5-minute commute North of Otorohanga and ready to impress you.
• 56.9000 hectares (subject to survey)
• Fenced into 35 paddocks
• Raced laneways to all paddocks
• Large portion of land area suitable for mowing/ cropping.
• Practical
GF raspberry friands
Use fresh or frozen raspberries.
1 cup icing sugar, sifted
2/3 cup almond meal
1/3 cup gluten-free self-raising flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
125g butter, melted
4 egg whites
18 fresh or frozen raspberries
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Lightly butter a 6-hole friand pan. Chill. Mix the dry ingredients together. Add the melted butter and stir until combined.
Whisk the egg whites with a fork until lightly combined. Fold into the butter mixture until well mixed. Pour half the mixture into the friand holes, add 1 raspberry to each then top up with the remaining batter until 2/3 full. Place two raspberries on the top of each friand.
Bake for about 20 minutes until firm to the touch. Run a knife around the edge and tip out while still hot. Makes 6.
Tamarillo & coconut popsicles
Strawberry croissants
CARE GIVER
COW
TE AWAMUTU OPEN HOMES
Speaker: Dr Jacqueline Rowarth
WILSON, Murray Speer –Passed away on 3rd October 2025. Dearly loved Husband of Anne. Loved father and grandfather of John (dec) and Belinda, Sophie, Victoria, Tessa & Libby; Paul and Felicity, Tom, Cate & George; Rob and Sarah, Anna, Sam & Phoebe; and Alan. A service for Murray will be held at Alexandra House Chapel, 570 Alexandra St, Te Awamutu (today) Thursday, 9th October at 1pm followed by private cremation. All communications to the Wilson family, PO Box 137, Te Awamutu 3840.
Te Awamutu Funeral Services, FDANZ
BUCKLEY, Doreen –
Passed away peacefully at Feilding on Saturday, 27 September 2025. Dearly loved wife of John for 70 years. Cherished mother and mother-in-law of Denise and George Powell, Jacinta (deceased), Robert and Michelle (both deceased), Jane and Dean Fitzgerald, Patricia and Graeme Barnes (deceased), John and Sharon. Treasured Nana to her 17 grand and 29 great grandchildren. A memorial mass will be held at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church 625 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu on Wednesday 15th October 2025 at 11am.
FROGGATT, Trevor Alexander – 18 October 1944 – 3 October 2025.
Passed away after a short illness at Waikato Hospital. Loving husband of the late Margaret, and partner of Alice Bosch. Father of Frances & the late Gary, father-in-law of Paull Chunn and Julie Jepson Grandad to Shanelle & John Blanck (Melbourne), Peter & Jamie, Katrina and Darcey & Alanah, Harley & Krystal, and Dayna great grandad to Maisie, Bessie, Maggie & Jack, Ainsley & Keeley, Harper & Marlie, Miles, Brax, Leila & Meyah-lee. Friend to Alice’s children and their families.
‘Headed off to a great new fishing spot’ Donations in lieu of flowers to donate.stjohn.org.nz would be appreciated. A service for Trevor will be held at Alexandra House Chapel, 570 Alexandra St, Te Awamutu on Monday, 13th October at 11am followed by a private burial at the Te Awamutu Cemetery. All communications to the Froggatt family, PO Box 137, Te Awamutu 3840.
Te Awamutu Funeral Services, FDANZ
DENCH, Malcolm John – Sunrise 28.2.1938 Sunset 1.10.2025. RNZ Army Service No. 465887. Passed away peacefully at Beattie Home & Hospital, Otorohanga surrounded by love. Heartfelt thanks to the staff for their loving care of Dad. Most devoted and much-loved husband of Barbara for 66 years. Cherished father and fatherin-law of Philip & Sharon, Linelle & Barry, Jeanette & Gino. Adored grandfather of six and great grandfather of 15.
“Home is the hunter, home from the hills” As per Malcolm’s wishes a private cremation has been held. A memorial service will be held at a later date. All communications please to the Dench family, PO Box 137, Te Awamutu 3840.
Te Awamutu Funeral Services, FDANZ
Jordan Goss Funeral Director
