On the cover: Huntly Fishing Club Annual two-day competition, 2026. Junior Heaviest Snapper, Louie Matatahi, with a 5.016 Kg biggie. Full story on page 6.
Marlene Raumati
Waerenga-Whitikahu
General Ward Councillor
aakiri tuu Te Matatini, a celebration of excellence in kapa haka, a beacon of te reo Maaori and Maaori arts, a showcase like no other of the cultural identity of Maaori, is set to hit our district, February 2027.
Weare living in times of heightened global uncertainty, in terms of both trade and security, the likes of which has not been experienced in many decades. Such uncertainty is destabilising and reinforces the need for a small country like ours to build and maintain positive trade partnerships and enhanced security relationships. Just last week we saw conflict break out in the Middle East.
Chatter Community Newspaper is published fortnightly on a Wednesday and circulated throughout the North Waikato.
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Contact Jacqui Phone: 021 428 808
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The 2025 event, hosted in Taranaki, resulted in a $25 million direct economic contribution. At a recent WaikatoTainui and All of Councils JMA Partnerships Hui, held at Hopuhopu, Waikato-Tainui
CEO Donna Flavell, made the announcement and invited all partnership Councils to contribute, through infrastructure, and therefore make the event as seamless and unforgettable as possible.
The economic impact for our communities, and region, will be incredible and immediate. With Waikato District Council being the host council, we can expect up to 50,000 visitors per day, for a total of six days. Mrs Flavell is already in discussions with Kiwirail, regarding bespoke train services, to and from the event. Local and regional marae look set to host the competitors, while our local motels, hotels, camping grounds, and air b-n-b’s can expect to see an increase in accommodation hireage. Our districts freedom camping locations can also expect to see an increase in usage.
As a ward, we have a unique opportunity to showcase our community. Waerenga-Whitikahu plays an important role particularly in terms of providing both competitors and visitors with accommodation, food, petrol, diesel, indeed all manner of commodities, which will make their stay and experience in our ward, and district, memorable. National and international visitors will flood our district.
Elected members were recently asked to provide direction regarding expanding a planned wheelie bin consultation to include Pookeno. While approximately 2,100 Tuakau households currently receive a user-pays kerbside rubbish service, the costs are shared across the district, excluding Raglan, resulting in a district wide subsidisation of a bespoke wheelie bin service via a standardised targeted rate for rubbish and recycling. Following a rigorous debate, the motion, to consult with Pookeno, was lost 8 - 5, potentially saving the district an annual subsidised sum of over $200,000 per annum.
Following another difficult debate, WDC’s membership in LGNZ has been maintained. Opinions for and against covered Council’s incapacity to respond to the tsunami of submissions driven by central government, research impacts, networking value vs cost value in terms of information received and advocacy, the heavy lifting that LGNZ does for the local government sector, national and international opportunities, Te Maruata the vehicle for Maaori local government representation and participation, actual vs perceived benefits, and the young elected members forum. With the range of opinions tabled, the vote, however marginal, was in favour of retaining WDC’s membership.
Finally, along with the relevant Council units/teams, I continue to work on resolving the following ward wide matters, the accumulating rubbish at the Rangiriri Bridge, the unusable toilets in Rangiriri, overgrown berms in other parts of the ward, the Woodlands estate, and the establishment of a Whitikahu Community Committee. If you have a council related concern, please feel free to contact me either by email at marlene.raumati@waidc.govt. nz or by phone on 020 - 40012548.
Regards
Marlene Raumati Councillor Waerenga-Whitikahu
Sadly, while those in close proximity to the conflict will be grappling with immediate risks, there are other implications bringing challenges more broadly, such as possible increases to oil prices increasing costs of commuting to work and for recreation, and critically, for transporting freight both domestically and overseas. International travel routes, shipping, and flights availability are impacted by conflict zones. I know this has affected some Waikato families with relatives overseas unable to return home. If someone you love is experiencing these distressing circumstances, I urge them to register with SafeTravel www.safetravel.govt.nz –the government travel advisory service and the best source to receive official updates from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Around the world, we New Zealanders are renown for our warmth, genial spirit, and consideration for others. With our reputation for innovation, tenacity, and fortitude, we’re known to be creative problem solvers, hard-working, and world leading entrepreneurs. Our Kiwi businesses are well respected, and our export products, particularly from our primary sector, are recognised for their quality and are in high demand. My colleagues and I in Government understand the importance of showcasing our merits, promoting the opportunities for mutual benefits when partnering with New Zealand. We’ve been working hard here in New Zealand and overseas to foster and develop diplomatic and trade relationships as we further New Zealand’s appeal as a trade partner and build a broader base for our export markets. It’s encouraging to see this effort paying off, with the latest quarterly trade data showing $29.2b of exports, up $2.2b from the same time last year.
As Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (FADT) Select Committee, I have recently participated in a delegation visiting Latin America. Strengthening our mutually beneficial relationships in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay has been a fantastic opportunity to profile the mighty Waikato and highlight the appeal of its landscapes, tourist attractions, businesses, export products, and wonderful communities. Our Pacific neighbours, like our relationships with countries in Latin America, are part of our wider network too. As good neighbours, we look after each other, trade, visit to work and play, compete in sports, and enjoy each other’s cultural attributes. We deeply value these vital international societal and trade connections.
While the FADT Committee Chair role sometimes takes me away from the electorate and Wellington, this Parliamentary work is important for Waikato and more widely for all of New Zealand. It’s a privilege to represent Waikato and New Zealand in this role, undertaking this essential work. International trade, diplomacy, and the security relationships our Government fosters and supports are vital to our resilience and strength, particularly in times of conflict. Tim van de Molen – MP for Waikato.
Lakeside came alive on Saturday 21st February as more than 250 members of the community gathered to celebrate the official opening of the new Lakeside Matariki-themed park.
Blessed with perfect weather and a strong community turnout, the event marked a special milestone for Te Kauwhata. The celebration was attended by representatives from Ngā Muka, the Mayor, and many local whānau who came together to honour
Matariki and enjoy the new space designed for connection, reflection, and play.
The park, inspired by the values and stories of Matariki, has been thoughtfully designed as a place for gathering and celebration. Saturday’s opening reflected those same values, bringing together culture, creativity, and community spirit.
A highlight of the morning was the giant bubble performance, which captivated tamariki and adults alike. Laughter echoed across the park as enormous shimmering
bubbles floated across the crowd, creating moments of pure joy. Families also enjoyed free vegetable seedlings to take home and plant - a fitting nod to the season of renewal and growth that Matariki represents. Ice blocks were a welcome treat in the sunshine, and complimentary face painting was a huge hit.
The atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming, with children quickly claiming the new play areas and families settling in to enjoy the morning together.
The opening of the Lakeside Matarikithemed park represents more than just a new playground - It reflects the continued growth of the Lakeside community and a commitment to creating meaningful public spaces that bring people together.
Saturday was a true celebration of place, culture, and connection, and judging by the smiles across the park, the new space is already well-loved.
Local families in Te Kauwhata are benefitting from the hard work of a bunch of green fingered volunteers who built and care for the community garden in the village.
The idea was kicked around for a number of years, with the council agreeing to its establishment in part of the Domain, but languished until it was picked up by a team of volunteers encouraged by a greenfingered community stalwart and under the governance of the Community House.
The garden is a showpiece not only for the wide variety of herbs and vegetables (and seasonal flower borders) but also as a gathering spot for an increasing band of hard-working volunteers.
But it’s not all ‘heads down, weeds up” for the Tuesday morning group. There’s plenty of camaraderie and new friendships amongst the gentle planting, pruning, staking – and of course, stopping for a chat or catchup on the week’s news.
New volunteers are always welcome, and no gardening experience is necessary. According to the group, “There’s always watering and harvesting to be done, and everyone is welcome to pop in when they can; we are there on Tuesdays from 9am11am summer and 10am – noon in the winter. And, we often go for a coffee afterwards. It’s a great way to meet new people and do something for the whole community.”
Additionally, students from the neighbouring Te Kauwhata Primary School turn up most Tuesdays to help with mulching, weeding and planting a native garden with guidance from volunteer, Spencer Drinkwater. The project aims to grow a new generation of young gardeners whilst helping the community with the
garden harvest and the ever-expanding –but still yet too young - fruit forest in the domain.
The Community House governs the garden, supports the volunteers, sources funding, liaises with stakeholders and distributes the produce. LLauren Hughes, Community House manager explains; “We distribute it via the pataka kai in batches throughout the day for fairest distribution. If we are also making up food bank parcels while the harvest is in some fresh items may also be added to them. It all goes back to the community.”
Locals are discouraged from impromptu ‘harvesting’ in the community garden, thus giving young crops time to grow. For fairness to all, produce is readily available through the pataka kai or the Community House.
Lauren says the Community Garden is a treasure for Te Kauwhata. “ It is a beautiful, sensory pleasure in the heart of the village for all to enjoy; it produces quality food for local families, it is a place of learning where local students and volunteers can develop their knowledge of plants and gardening and it is a place where volunteers can build social connections and give meaningfully to their community.
“We are very proud of what our local gardeners have achieved and grateful for the many hours of love and toil they invest so we can all enjoy this wondrous garden in Te Kauwhata.”
And the last word from the gardeners themselves: “we are always looking for seeds, so if anyone has unwanted seeds hiding in their cupboards or garage, please drop them into the Community House for us to use for the community.”
By Claire Simpson
A ll community boards have met for 2026. In Taupiri, the board followed up on bridge cleaning, rugby field lighting and AED matters, and was updated by the Taupiri Community Charitable Trust where a board member was appointed as a trustee. The board has moved to electronic agendas for their meetings.
Upcoming Meetings
1. Tuakau Community Board meets Monday, 17 March 2026
2. Raglan Community Board meets Wednesday, 18 March 2026
3. Ngaaruawaahia Community Board meets Tuesday, 24 March 2026
4. Rural–Port Waikato Community Board meets Thursday, 26 March 2026
5. Taupiri Community Board meets Monday, 30 March 2026
6. Huntly Community Board meets Tuesday, 31 March 2026
We drink and use fresh tap water every day, but where does it come from? John Cunningham, chair of the Te Kauwhata Water Association turns the tap on our water.
The start point is the Waikato River, and for Te Kauwhata this is where the TK Water Association comes in. TK Water Association (TKWA) is a long-standing charitable trust that holds the consent to take water from the Waikato River and supply direct to participating users, as well as the council.
The water is drawn directly from the river and pumped through filters and given a light touch chlorination before distribution.
Irrigation water is piped directly to users where it is used for gardens, animal troughs and washing cars. It is not potable (drinkable), but some people filter and sterilise it on their own sites for their household use.
Water from the TKWA filters is also sent to Waikato District Council for full treatment and chlorination that meet the correct water quality standards and then pumped into the tanks you see up by the expressway.
Those tanks hold about three days’ supply, and this fully treated water is distributed through the council’s water pipes into houses and users in TK, Rangiriri and Meremere. This water is potable and suitable for drinking and any household use.
Recent downpours in Otorohanga flooded the Waipa River and brought silt into the Waikato River at 15 times the normal sediment level. The alarms at the TKWA filters went off at 1am and our TKWA staff went in to alter the filter cycle to reduce
blockage and ensure we were still able to supply water. Alarms seldom go off at convenient times in the day.
With a combination of altered filter backwash and bypassing the waterflow, levels were maintained and, after 48 hours, sediment returned to normal and filters resumed a normal cycle.
We all saw photos of the mud in the Waipa, and Waikato Rivers and this was caused by sediment buildup. The sediment is from the river and is mineral rather than biological so it does not cause problems for animals, but it may overload filters. If you have on site filters you may want to flush them, or replace them, if their flow has dropped down to a trickle.
It’s all back to normal now, but it does show the work that goes on at awkward times to keep water in your taps. Thanks to our team (and especially Mike Peters who was ‘first responder’ to the alarms) in keeping the water supply flowing.
By Chris Davies
Te Kauwhata celebrated Children’s Day on March 1st with a joyful community event at the domain. The sun came out and hundreds of families came out to play. This annual tradition is made possible thanks to an amazing collaboration between funders and volunteers. Special thanks to;
Core Funders
Te Kauwhata Water Association
Kainga Ora
Te Kauwhata Community Committee
Te Kauwhata Lions
St Andrew’s Church
Tindall Rural Events
Wattle Contracting
Signbank
New World Te Kauwhata
Cobb Vantress
Community Collaborators
Te Kauwhata Community House
Toi Ako Artspace
Te Kauwhata Fire Service
Te Kauwhata Playcentre
Te Kauwhata Lions
Te Kauwhata Community Patrol
Te Kauwhata Athletics
Te Kauwhata Library
Te Kauwhata Primary School
St Andrew’s Church
Te Kauwhata College
Te Kauwhata Rugby Club
Waikato District Council
Join us for our next free community event Unity Hoops at the Lakeside Playground on Friday 13 March from 5pm to 7pm.
On 20–21 February the Huntly Fishing Club held its annual two-day fishing competition.
This year the weather was far from fabulous. In fact, even though it was an open competition, there were very few areas that could be safely fished. Amazingly, more anglers than expected still signed in and headed out.
Not as many fish were caught this year. However, as always, our fishers donated as much of their catch as they could. The fish were filleted and delivered to as many “oldies” in the community as possible.
Thanks once again to our anglers and fillet crew for your generosity.
We must also thank our amazing sponsors. Once again we were able to award some great prizes. Bathurst Resources was our major sponsor this year, supporting the Heaviest Senior Snapper prize.
We are also grateful to Hunting & Fishing and FreshChoice Huntly (Heaviest Junior Snapper), and to the Huntly RSA — not only for their donation but also for the use of their clubrooms and the support of their bar staff.
Sadly, The Huntly Meat Company made its final donation this year.
A huge thank you to all our other sponsors and donors — there are many of you, and we couldn’t run this competition without your incredible support.
Heaviest Junior Snapper – Sponsored by FreshChoice Huntly
1st: Louie Matahi
2nd: Nardia Tukiri
3rd: Jesse Lindop
Heaviest Junior Kahawai – Sponsored by The Huntly Meat Company
Winner: Jesse Lindop
Winner: Adam Tukiri
Heaviest Senior Kahawai
1st: Chase Lindop – sponsored by Ian Pepper
2nd: Teresa Pitt – sponsored by CLR Plumbing
3rd: Bruce Lindop – sponsored by Ian Pepper
Heaviest Senior Snapper – Sponsored by Bathurst Resources
1st: James Vincent
2nd: Colin Vincent – sponsored by Huntly RSA
3rd: Bill Baker – sponsored by Huntly Fishing Club
A huge thank you to everyone who took part. We hope to see you all again next year — with better weather!
Following an approach by local parents, the Te Kauwhata Community House has joined forces with Parent to Parent to hold a meeting for parents and caregivers of disabled and neurodivergent children. The initial gathering at 7pm on Thursday 26 March will be an opportunity for parents to meet one another and learn about supports available through Parent to Parent and the Community House.
Attendees will then be invited to consider how a peer support group could look in our community. We want to support one another to navigate challenges, celebrate success and create a safe space for whaanau to share their experiences.
The meeting will be held at the Toi Ako Artspace underneath St Margaret’s Hall at 3 Waerenga Rd. All welcome but we appreciate an RSVP to lauren@ tekauwhata.org.nz
Waikato District Council once again opted to remain within Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) but the fight isn’t over for those who want to see the council striking out on their own.
Tamahere-Woodlands Ward Councilor Mike Keir was beaten in his vote to leave LGNZ, and he wasn’t alone; five other councilors were in his corner.
Just one vote to stay within the group was the tie breaker. This vote was held and lost once before, and Councilor Keir is hoping that the third time will be the charm.
“I will definitely be pushing for this again in the future. That is unless [LGNZ] change their game significantly, but they don’t seem to know how to.”
Keir is frustrated with the group, saying they achieve “very little” in terms of lobbying for change in local government.
“This is my second term as a councilor. When I came in in 2022, LGNZ put out a survey for us to discuss what’s working and what isn’t in local government,” Keir recalled.
He feels the group is not open to change, and focuses too much on the culture and needs of central government, ignoring the needs of councils themselves.
In leaving the LGNZ, the Waikato District staff and councillors would have been required to take on new admin and tasks currently overseen by the association.
Keir believes this could be done and the council often makes their own submissions
anyway, with only a little guidance from LGNZ.
However his counterpart in the Tamahere-Woodlands Ward, Councilor Crystal Beavis, does not feel that council has the capacity to take on such new responsibilities.
During the council’s meeting to discuss and vote on the decision, Beavis said she felt the value of having a community involving other councils was overlooked.
“If you want to step up and have us be independent with our own voice, you are going to have to step up hard,” Beavis said at the meeting.
Beavis said she feels there are opportunities for Waikato District as a high-growth council, such as establishing strong connections with other highgrowth regions and working together to gain government attention for community needs.
She feels the council does not have the size or capacity to achieve this without LGNZ’s assistance.
A Local Government NZ spokesperson said that of New Zealand’s 78 councils, 71 are LGNZ members. One council, The Western Bay of Plenty District Council, has left LGNZ in the past year.
“We want to work constructively with the Government, whoever that may be, and even if we will sometimes disagree.”
The Waikato District Council voted to remain within LGNZ at last week’s meeting, with seven votes to remain and six votes to leave.
In the late 1990s, when the fertiliser industry in NZ was undergoing a significant amount of consolidation, Waikato dairy farmers Ross Karl, Rob Phillips, and Ken Titchener bucked this trend by forming Fertco.
They employed chemical engineer Frank King and opened a factory at Mt Maunganui to manufacture dicalcic phosphate, a fertiliser they believed would improve soil, plant, and animal health.
They didn’t expect the company would last very long. But last it has. And 26 years on, Fertco operates two sites: the Mt Maunganui factory, and a site in Te Awamutu which houses a second fertiliser factory along with a plant that makes Mineral Boost, a feed supplement to overcome livestock deficiencies.
When asked how Fertco has survived when many start-ups fail, the founders will tell you that they weren’t afraid to try new things and to innovate when things weren’t going right. Their success with dicalcic phosphate encouraged further innovation. They tried granulating lime and coating urea which no one in NZ was doing at the time. When the ‘big’ companies began to copy them, they knew that they were on to something.
Today, the product offering includes a full range of conventional fertilisers, and the largest range of organic fertilisers in NZ. There is an emphasis on products that look after soil health and the environment, and new products that are scientifically proven to do so are continually being added to the range. The latest is a dicalcic phosphate (DCP-Max) that has twice the phosphate content (17%) as standard dicalcic phosphate (8%), reducing cartage and spreading costs for farmers.
Because of its origins, the company understands that all farmers and growers have unique requirements. So Fertco customers are looked after by a team of sales representatives who visit, and every order is customised to suit the client.
Many farmers will know Tony and how he helps farms become more sustainable and profitable using Fertco's industry leading Controlled Release fertiliser products
Products like Dicalcic Phosphate and N-Smart are less prone to nutrient losses and are plant-available longer, meaning you grow more with less inputs
Less in, more out = more profit
At Fertco we base our personalised fert programme on testing, so call Tony, book a test or two, and maybe twist his arm for one to be free!
An update from Councillor David Whyte and Mayor Aksel:
At the start of this triennium, we committed to address the brown water issue in Raahui Pookeka Huntly, adding support to ward councillor David Whyte whose work has had this focus for the past three years. There is work underway to improve long standing water discolouration issues in Raahui Pookeka Huntly, this updates you of our progress
Discoloured water is caused by naturally occurring iron and manganese in the Waikato River source, influenced by flows from the Mangawara Stream. The current water treatment process does not fully capture these minerals. The process of adding chlorine, as a protective barrier to kill germs and bacteria in the network, can cause the iron manganese to come out of solution and the iron manganese then builds up inside pipes. Changes in pressure within the pipes can then cause that build up to appear as brown water at the tap.
While the water remains safe to drink and meets health standards, we know it looks unpleasant and is frustrating.
Progress in water quality improvements already delivered includes:
• More than 4,000 metres of ageing water pipe renewed since 2021, with a further 7,000 metres planned this financial year
• Booster pump station upgrades to stabilise pressure across the network
• Two full NO DES specialist cleaning passes of the network, completed in August and September 2025 and February 2026, and are now planned to take place regularly for the rest of this year
In March 2026, Watercare will award the contract to upgrade the Huntly Water Treatment Plant. This upgrade will remove the iron and manganese from the source water. This upgrade is expected to deliver significant improvement within the next 24 months.
Longer term, through the draft IAWAI Water Services Strategy, a new sub regional water treatment plant based in Ngaaruawaahia is planned from 2029. This will serve Hamilton, Ngaaruawaahia and Raahui Pookeka Huntly and represents an estimated $60 to $80 million investment.
We know this has been frustrating. The important point is we are not standing still. Network renewal, pressure stabilisation and treatment upgrades are all underway.
This photograph shows one of the many buckets of tomatoes harvested at the Te Kauwhata Community Garden this summer, on its way to the Pātaka Kai at the Community House.
Our tomatoes begin their cultivation with their stems tied to upright stakes. However, as the season progresses they tend to grow wild. This is partly due to the nature of summer. Christmas is a time when our volunteer workers take some
leave, and attention given to the garden can be intermittent.
Because our tomatoes grow a bit on the wild and bushy side, there are often lots left in the soil at the end of the season. These regrow themselves all over the garden. You will see quite large areas of tomato vines growing densely across the ground. Harvesting is a long and patient process, but a very rewarding one. We are proud to provide so much free food for the community.
Fresh, outdoor-grown tomatoes are a seasonal delicacy and are best eaten raw in a salad or on bread. If you find yourself with more tomatoes than you can eat, they can easily be cooked into a sauce. To make a simple tomato sauce, cut the tomatoes into small pieces and put them in a large pot with sliced onion and a little oil or butter. Cook this down into a pulp and season with salt, pepper and a little sugar. This sauce can be served with freshly cooked pasta, used for pizza, or added to gravy for extra flavour. If you end up with too much sauce, you can put it into small containers and freeze it.
Tomatoes like to grow in a spot with plenty of sun. Look around your place and, if you find a suitable spot, remember to have a go at growing your own next summer.
Residents should already be seeing improvement, and more is coming but if you see brown water, please report it promptly via 0800 492 452 or the Antenno app so crews can respond quickly.
We’re proud to back local project s in the communities around our wind farms and hydro stations with our Power Up fund. Power Up Te Uku provides grant s for project s in Raglan, Te Mata, Waitetuna and Te Uku that support sustainable community development
How to apply
Applications are open until midnight on Sun 26th April 2026 For more information and to apply:
• visit www.meridianenergy co.nz/community
• call 021 980 565 scan the code
As International Women’s Day approaches, we speak with Port Waikato’s Fiona Gower, third-generation member and former National President of Rural Women New Zealand. From informal dinner groups in Mercer to representing New Zealand at the United Nations, Fiona has seen firsthand the power of women backing each other.
What first inspired you get involved with RWNZ, and what keeps you motivated today?
I grew up with Women’s Division, as it was called before 1999. Mum used to take us along to “Division” meetings. Later, when I became a new mum and wasn’t working, I needed to use my brain, so I joined my local branch and eventually started one for younger women.
Those women were incredibly supportive of me, from being a young mum right through to becoming National President. It’s women like that who keep me involved, and it’s now my turn to give back and help others grow. I’m currently interim Greater Waikato Regional Leader and would love to see more women step into leadership roles.
What does Rural Women NZ do locally in North Waikato?
Greater Waikato covers a large area, including North Waikato. There’s a small branch in Te Kauwhata and Onewhero, but many members don’t belong to branches. That’s why we’ve set up informal dinner groups in Mercer every three to four months. They are open to all women, not just members, to connect and support one another.
Beyond social connection, we are a strong voice on issues affecting rural communities such as health, education, business, connectivity, the rural environment and social challenges.
Our charitable give-back is a big part of what we do. We offer bursaries and grants, run an Adverse Events Fund for those affected by floods or cyclones, and support causes such as ovarian cancer, leptospirosis and local schools. Often it involves food: providing it, sharing it, or fundraising with it. We also work closely with Rural Support Trust during tough times.
For rural businesswomen, we run the Activator Programme, which is a friendly “Dragons’ Den” for start-ups, and the Rural Women NZ Business Awards for established businesses.
What role do dinner groups and informal meet-ups play?
Connection is one of our key pillars. Women are often working hard on farm or off farm, raising families and supporting everyone else. Our dinners and events give them space to step out, recharge and build networks.
What are the biggest challenges rural
right now?
The withdrawal of services is a big one: we’re travelling further for healthcare and other essentials. Connectivity has improved, thanks to advocacy, but there’s still work to do.
Social isolation remains a challenge. Ensuring women have strong support networks is vital.
What does celebrating 100 years of Rural Women NZ mean to you?
As a third-generation member and past National President, I’m incredibly proud. It’s a legacy organisation with a strong history of making real differences in rural communities. Reaching 100 years is something special.
What can people expect form the “Gumboots and Glamour” Centennial Ball in Tuakau?
Fun! Rural people are versatile. We can go from farm to flash. That’s why it’s called “Gumboots and Glamour.” Think redbands with ballgowns, jackets and ties with shorts. LaValla’s dinner will be spectacular, followed by plenty of dancing.
with Annika Stricker
The UN has recognised the International Year of the Farming Woman. Why is that significant here?
So many women in North Waikato are deeply involved in farming and rural businesses. This recognition celebrates the contribution we make, not just to our families, but to the economy and our communities.
You have spoken at the United Nations. How do NZ rural women compare globally?
Representing RWNZ at the UN in New York was a huge highlight. While we still have work to do in supporting rural women and girls, New Zealand is ahead of many countries. That perspective was eye-opening.
What opportunities lie ahead for rural women, and how can they get involved?
There are real opportunities in diversifying on-farm businesses and using improved connectivity to work or study from home.
We’d love more women to join us, the membership is just $50 a year www.ruralwomennz.nz/join-us. You can also follow the Waikato Rural Women NZ Facebook page or contact me directly: fionagower@hotmail.com, 0274283884.
H i, my name is Chrissy Singer and I’ve recently opened a clothing boutique in Rangiriri called Just For You Clothing Boutique, offering a range of clothing for both women and men. New stock arrives every two to three weeks, with winter pieces starting to come through from next week.
I decided to open the shop while working at Mojo Design Store, when the two front rooms became available for rent. This excited me because I could see there was a need — not only for locals, but also for the many travellers who stop in. With the expanding housing growth in Te Kauwhata, as well as the busy foot traffic visiting the wonderful Fixate Café, the locally made and repurposed craft shop Thrifted Secrets Co-op, and the lovely historic Rangiriri Hotel, it felt like a no-brainer.
I’ve been involved in the “rag trade” for many years, previously owning two shops — one in Whangaparāoa in North Auckland and another in Tairua on the Coromandel Coast. Over the years I’ve built strong supplier contacts, allowing me to offer good quality clothing at affordable prices.
I’ve always had a love for clothes and I’m really happy to be back in the industry, helping people find the right outfit. I’m a people person and love meeting the many visitors who come through the shop.
Rangiriri is a great place to stop on your travels — whether for breakfast, lunch, or a bit of shopping. It has a wonderful atmosphere and friendly people… especially Erika, who owns Thrifted Secrets Co-op. She has a great laugh – but don’t tell her I said that.
I’d also like to thank Tina and Owen Michie for getting the room ready for me to set up, and my husband Steve and
his mate for putting up the racks and building my stunning counter. The counter features a heavy slab of pōhutukawa as the top, which incidentally came down during Cyclone Bola in 1988.
Both Mojo Design Store and Just For You Clothing Boutique complement each other nicely, with access through both rooms.
You can find the boutique at: 12 Rangiriri Road, Rangiriri, Te Kauwhata
Phone: 021 165 0053
Email: justforyouclothingboutiquenz@gmail.com
I look forward to seeing you there!
September footy is always an exciting time for players and supporters of sports teams. Most have trained since 1 November the previous year, and many hours of blood, sweat and tears have been expended in the pursuit of excellence.
The Waikato Country Fare Cougars finished the 1994 round-robin with a record of played 22, won 16, drawn 1, lost 5. This placed us second behind minor premiers Counties Manukau ENZED Heroes, with Canterbury Cardinals, North Harbour Sea Eagles and Auckland Vulcans rounding out the top five.
The McIntyre system in play at the time gave the top two teams two lives, while the top qualifier had the first week off. Second played third, and fourth played fifth in sudden death. The Auckland Vulcans travelled to Christchurch to play the Canterbury Cardinals in the elimination final.
The largest — and most tuneful — band of supporters in the competition were at Carlaw Park on Friday, 2 September 1994 at 7.30pm to cheer on their team in the preliminary semi-final against North Harbour.
The heading in my Tatler Cougar Report of 7 September read:
♫ Oh what a night, late September back in ’94 ♫
The heavens opened, the lights went out, and our bus driver broke a bone in her foot — all part and parcel of an action-packed night of football at the home of Auckland Rugby League (and that was just the off-field action!).
Suffice to say, the Sea Eagles were our bogey team and two losses became three that night. Captain Duane Mann, along with the man-mountain trio of Joe Vagana, Lafaele Filipo and Donny Stewart, proved too big, too strong and too hard to contain on the saturated Carlaw Park surface.
A minor delay prior to kick-off had TVNZ concerned that a couple of floodlights had blown and there wouldn’t be enough light for television coverage.
As for the bus driver, poor Marion had to be “shipped” off to Middlemore Hospital for the night to have her foot put in a cast after slipping in the wet conditions in the Members’ Stand. Luckily, on two counts, there was an ambulance on standby as part of
LRC rules, and yours truly had a bus licence and was able to drive everyone home safely.
Our focus immediately shifted to the following week’s sudden-death match-up with the Canterbury Cardinals at Trust Bank Park, Hamilton. Having beaten them both times in round-robin games, we were quietly confident — but also mighty weary.
Sudden-death footy brings a different beast at the end of the season and, sadly for the Waikato “Pussycats” (ouch!), the Cantabrians brought all four meanings of the word “cardinal” and dealt us the worst defeat of the year — 32–6 — consigning us to fourth place behind eventual grand final winners North Harbour Sea Eagles and second-placed Counties Manukau ENZED Heroes.
Shell-shocked, with in-game injuries and players already looking ahead to the following week’s semi-finals, it was a dismal way to finish the season.
“Mad Monday” had been around footy teams for years and we were about to experience it for the first time — although I can’t remember any specifics about the occasion. Strange, aye!
In reality, the WRL Playoffs were underway and any Cougar whose club team was still “alive” became eligible to play. In previous years there had been rules to stop clubs “stacking” teams with rugby players or recently eliminated players. It affected Taniwharau, Turangawaewae and Vistalite City Tigers, with the eventual WRL Grand Final seeing Turangawaewae defeat the Tigers 30–23.
The inaugural Waikato Country Fare Cougars Prizegiving was held at Hangar 18 at the old Te Rapa Air Force Base (where Te Awa now stands) on Friday, 14 October 1994.
Master of Ceremonies and 1ZH radio announcer Ronnie Phillips was supported by middle-of-the-road rock band Solitaire, and everyone enjoyed the glitz and glamour of the evening.
Player of the Year was awarded to Tukere Barlow, who appeared at the awards ceremony with a shaved head after vowing to cut his hair if the team lost the minor semifinal.
Hekewaru Muru received the Sportsman of the Year award.
Barlow later secured a contract with English club Warrington, while Moana and Hill signed with the DB Bitter Auckland
Warriors for the 1995 season.
The one downside of a fantastic season was rumours surrounding the LRC debt. Journalist Murray Deaker, in his Warming Up column, was quick to criticise general manager Graham Carden, though he also acknowledged the work Carden had done.
Other scribes were also earning their “per-word salary” spinning stories about the debt-laden state of rugby league. While the players thoroughly enjoyed the season, some high-profile players and food vendors were left short-changed.
The big question being asked by the media was: Would the competition continue into 1995?
Here are a few awards that weren’t presented on the night.
TV Moment of the Year went to Beaumont Dawson, who became the team’s first television star when he was interviewed by commentators Greg Clarke and Brent Todd in the changing rooms at Trust Bank Park while lying spread-eagled on a stretcher. He had been carried off near the end of the game but was still awarded Player of the Match.
Try of the Year went to Paul “Porsche” Morrison for his once-in-a-lifetime effort against the Canterbury Cardinals at Trust Bank Park in mid-July. Playing fullback that day, he gathered a bomb 10 metres from our try line in the right-hand corner, set off at speed back toward the middle to create space, beat almost the entire team and — keeping just inside the touchline — out-sprinted the final two defenders to score in the opposite corner. Hence the nickname “Porsche” — silky smooth, speed to burn and sounds like Paul.
Goal of the Year belonged to Gavin Hill, who successfully kicked a penalty from 65 metres out at Davies Park, Huntly in Round 1. He had everyone asking, “Who does this guy think he is?” No one had seen an attempt
from that distance before.
Most Tries: Moana (14), Barlow (12), Rishworth and Tucker (10), Morrison (7).
Most Games Played: Barlow, Rishworth and Muru — each completing the full 80 minutes in 23 of the 24 games.
Aaron “Mouse” Tucker was named Lion Red Cup Halfback of the Year, while Martin “Inga” Moana collected the Loose Forward award.
Cougars 1994 season stats: Played 24, Won 16, Drawn 2, Lost 6 — finishing fourth overall.
The 1994 LRC wooden spoon went to the Bay of Plenty Stags, with a record of played 22, won 2, lost 20.
Special mention must go to the harmonious singing of Janet Haggie and her cohorts in the Davies Park grandstand and at all away games — even at Addington Showgrounds in Christchurch.
Among their repertoire was a song to the tune of “Rivers of Babylon” by Boney M. The “flip side” came when referees made questionable calls, prompting the crowd to belt out a version of Eric Clapton’s “I Shot the Sheriff” with slightly altered lyrics — “but I should have shot the referee!” — all in good humour.
Stay tuned, whānau. There’s still more to come.
Researched by Rex Hohaia
6 November 2025
Huntly Thistle AFC will celebrate a remarkable milestone in 2026 — 100 years of football, community and shared history.
How important is the club to the local community?
Huntly Thistle AFC has been an integral part of the Huntly community since its establishment in 1926. Along with other clubs in the Huntly area, such as Glenn Afton, Starr Town and Pukemiro. While the club started as nothing more than a shed on the Huntly Domain, it grew to be a landmark where many domestic and international games have been played.
Since it was established, it has been a place where the community could come together, participate and gain a sense of belonging in the wider community outside their immediate family. The club has been a home away from home to many families whose names have echoed within the walls over the decades, since the doors opened. We are also proud to be associated with past players who have represented New Zealand as either players or coaches. This included Michael Main, the current New Zealand women’s coach, who represented the club for a number of seasons.
When did planning for the 100th jubilee begin?
The planning started in October 2025 with a small subcommittee of 6 people who are all current members of the club, with our families’ involvement extending over the past 100 years. An event of this scale requires extensive planning not only of the weekend, but also regarding the budget and funding of the event.
What can people expect from the jubilee celebration?
The event we are hosting will span the whole of Labour Weekend 2026. Starting Friday evening and continuing into both Saturday and Sunday. We will be providing a mix of live entertainment, social and exhibition games and fun elements for the children and families.
Why do you think this club has survived and thrived for a century?
Keeping the club doors open year after year has been no easy feat. The club has had many struggles over the last century, both with operational costs and retaining members and players. From the onset, Huntly Thistle integrated into local competitions, participating in the Waikato provincial leagues to build a competitive presence, including championship wins in 1926 and 1931. Membership grew through strong family involvement, establishing the club as a family-oriented organisation that emphasised community ties. In its debut season, the team achieved early success by winning the Waikato league, earning qualification into the 1926 Chatham Cup, New Zealand’s premier knockout tournament.
At one point, there was only a handful of members, as the 1930s brought significant challenges, such as the Great Depression, which saw many residents, including potential players, migrate elsewhere for work opportunities. However, the love, the dedication and devotion to the club and the game of football (soccer) that people associate with the club have meant that the doors have stayed open no matter what. Throughout our history, the club has thrived, hosting up to 4 men’s teams, a women’s team, an over-30s Sunday league and the junior team in the 70s-80s.
What moments from the club’s history will be honoured during the jubilee?
Celebrating our victories in the Waikato provincial championships, including titles in 1951, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, and 1957. These wins qualified us for the national Chatham Cup competition. Our consistent performances in the lower divisions during the 1960s and 1968 championship of Division Two A earned Huntly Thistle promotion to Division One. More recently, division wins in the last 10 years have resulted in promotions into higher divisions.
We will also celebrate members who are no longer with us and families that have contributed to the club and its success for 10 decades.
What role have volunteers played in reaching this milestone?
Our committee and volunteers are the pillars on which our club stands; they are the reason the door stays open, and daily operations are continued. It was volunteers who established Huntly Thistle AFC 100 years ago, and their tireless efforts, commitment, dedication and countless hours of time have provided us with a rich history and shoes we are continuously trying to fill.
How does it feel to bring together multiple generations of players for this event?
This event will create an amazing opportunity for people of all ages to come together and share their memories and experiences of the club and what it has meant to them over the years. We are fortunate to have a few past members attending who are in their 90s.
In addition to this, families that have been a part of the club for decades will be acknowledged along with their history. We plan to complete a timeline of the last 100 years for the club to capture this and prompt people to share their
HUNTLY THISTLE 100TH JUBILEE
TICKET SALES CLOSE 31 MARCH Labour Weekend
Friday 23rd Oct- Sunday 25th October
Friday Night- Meet and greet
Saturday Day Men’s social and exhibition games
Saturday Night- 4-person comedian show and dinner.
Sunday Juniors games and women’s games
Sunday Night Live Band and dinner
For any questions, contact us at huntlythistleafc@gmail.com OR call Toni Snapes 0274949974
history, priceless memories and experiences with those attending.
After 100 years, what does the future look like for the club?
After reaching this milestone, it is hard to think further into the future. That said, ideally, we would love to see the club grow and flourish so the future generations can create their own memories and experiences on the fields and in between it walls. We would like the club to become more and offer more to the local community than just a football club.
A t Te Whare Awhi & Friendship House the weekly community lunches have become a cherished gathering where whanau come together to share a nutritious meal, connect with others, and enjoy a welcoming space that feels like home.
What began as a simple initiative has grown into a steady, well-loved kaupapa that reflects the heart of the Huntly community. From 12 noon Mondays and Fridays at Te Whare Awhi 14 Fraser Street and Tuesdays at Friendship House.
Much of the kai served is made possible through Te Whare Awhi daily food rescue partnership with Woolworths Huntly. Each day, surplus food that would otherwise go to waste is collected, sorted, and shared with local families. This mahi not only reduces the amount of food going to landfill but ensures whanau have access to fresh, healthy ingredients that help stretch tight budgets.
Whanau regularly share how much this support means to them. One parent told us, “The lunches help so much. It’s not just the kai, it’s knowing there’s a place where we’re welcomed and looked after.” Another whanau member added, “The rescued food makes a real difference at home. It takes the pressure off, especially on tough weeks.”
Behind the scenes, the kaupapa is powered by a dedicated team of volunteers who prepare meals, sort rescued food, and create the warm atmosphere the lunches are known for. As one volunteer shared, “We love being here. Seeing people relax, eat well, and connect that’s what keeps us coming back.” Another said, “It feels good to know we’re helping the community and reducing waste at the same time.”
Together, the community lunch and food rescue programme show how small, everyday actions can create meaningful change. By turning surplus into sustenance and
waste into wellbeing, Te Whare Awhi is helping build a stronger, more connected community one shared meal at a time. 07 8280066 tewhareawhi@huntly.co.nz
Reflections on work, life, and the little things that make a difference
This column lingers on the small moments that quietly influence how we live and work. It doesn’t seek to resolve everything, but to offer perspective – and maybe a little space to breathe.
The other day someone in Huntly told me about their project to replace the back fence of their property. The old one had weathered its time and the obvious solution would have been to build a tall, solid barrier and be done with it.
Instead, they chose something slightly different. A low fence was installed first. It was measured, planned and completed within days. You could step back and see the work done, and there was something satisfying about that kind of certainty.
But to complement this, a line of trees was planted – and this was a different process. There were no immediate results. Just small saplings, spaced carefully along the boundary. They needed watering, watching and adjusting. Some struggled at first and one or two even had to be replaced. Through winter they appeared almost unchanged, and through summer there were small signs of growth.
It took nearly a year before they rose high enough to provide the privacy originally sought. And when they did, the result was something a high fence alone could never have achieved. The natural barrier filtered light rather than blocking it. It created softness instead of shadow. There was privacy, yes, but also air, movement and life.
Listening to that story, I began to notice how often we approach everything in life as if it were a fence. We plan, measure and act. We expect the result to follow quickly and predictably. And for lots of things, that works beautifully. A proposal can be sculpted or the schedule can be organised precisely.
But other parts of life don’t respond well to chisels and straight lines. Trust doesn’t grow because it is declared and confidence doesn’t appear because it is demanded. Those things behave more like trees where conditions respond to patience, and growth unevenly progresses over time.
A Thought to Carry With Us?
This story helped me reflect on how often frustration comes not from failure but from misidentifying what we’re working with. When we try to sculpt what needs growing, or leave untouched what actually requires shaping.
So perhaps the quiet wisdom here is to ask, before we begin… “Is this something to build, or something to cultivate?” The answer may not change the goal. But it will almost certainly change the way we wait for it.
The Huntly Bowling Club team entered the Ngaruawahia Memorial Tournament on Saturday, 21 February. The “old boys” finished in third place — Graham Gunn, Gary Robinson, Phil Giles and Bernie Strawbridge.
A big thank you to the Ngaruawahia Bowling Club for hosting a great day of bowls.
The Huntly Bowling Club also held its Fours Championship on Saturday, 28 February. With six teams entered, it has been a long time since we have had that many teams competing in the fours.
The tournament was won by Lyn Welch’s team of Terry Wells, Shirley Farrar and Robert Clay, with Graham Gunn’s team finishing second. Graham’s team included Carol Rodgers, Puggy and Anne Beadle.
Congratulations to all the teams that took part.
Things are back in full swing at the Te Kauwhata Squash Club, and it’s shaping up to be a great season.
Social squash is on every Wednesday night from 6.30pm: just turn up and jump in. It’s relaxed, friendly, and a great way to meet people (or dust off the racquet if it’s been a while!).
Interclub is kicking off, so keep an eye out for our teams representing the club around the Auckland region.
We’ve also had a couple of great upgrades recently. A big thanks to TTCF (TK Pub) for supporting our new security system. The women’s changing rooms are now nearly finished too, and the upstairs toilet has had a muchneeded upgrade, all making the club a better space for everyone.
Business House is coming up soon which is a fun, social competition for local businesses, workplaces or groups of friends to enter a team and play weekly squash in a relaxed format. If your workplace or group of mates is keen to enter a team, get in touch, it’s always good fun and a great way to be part of the community.
Coaching is back for 2026, running six weeks each term across all four school terms. Perfect for juniors or anyone wanting to give squash a go.
We’ve got some good matches against local clubs coming up as well:
March 2026!
Sithouse Shield vs Huntly at Huntly in April
Sithouse Shield vs Taupiri at Taupiri in May
Golden Ball vs Maramarua & Onewhero at TK in June
If you’ve been thinking about giving squash a go, now’s the time. Pop down on a Wednesday night or flick the club a message on Facebook, we’d love to see some new faces around!
HUNTLY LIONS CLUB wish to advise that because of circumstances beyond our control we will not be able to deliver firewood this year. We would this opportunity to thank all our loyal customers for their sopport over the last few years.
T his courgette loaf is a family staple. We cook it all summer long, and it’s a great way to use up that glut of end-of-summer courgettes. We use a variation of this in our cabinet at The Shack most days.
Ingredients
375g courgette, grated
1 brown onion, finely diced
1 red capsicum, finely diced
1 cup grated cheese
½ cup canola oil
5 standard eggs
½ cup crumbled feta
½ cup grated cheese (extra)
1 cup self-raising flour
Salt and pepper, to taste
Gluten-free option
18/02 20:53 Fire in the vicinity, Te Ohaki Rd, Huntly.
20/02 17:04 Garage/Workshop fire, Fairfield Ave, Huntly.
22/02 08:07 Car into water, Lake Hakanoa, Taihua Rd, Huntly.
23/02 09:53 Medical call, cardiac arrest, Rosser St, Huntly.
25/02 12:47 Fire alarm activation,Hampton Downs Rd, Hampton Downs.
25/02 19:28 Structure fire, Waikorea Valley Rd, Matira.
26/02 15:05 Medical call, cardiac arrest, Harris St, Huntly.
01/03 08:02 Motor vehicle crash, Car v barrier, Waikato expressway, TeKauwhata.
03/03 18:45 Scrub fire, Churchill Rd, Glen Murray.
04/03 07:54 Motor vehicle crash car v truck, Orini Rd, Orini.
06/03 04:23 Motor vehicle crash car v cow, Orini Rd.
Replace the selfraising flour with 1 cup gluten-free flour and 1½ teaspoons baking powder.
Optional addition
Add a couple of chopped rashers of bacon, if desired.
Method
Preheat the oven to 180°C (moderate). Grate the courgette and finely dice the onion and red capsicum.
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
Pour into a well-greased quiche or flan tin. Sprinkle a little extra cheese on top.
Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until golden brown on top and set in the centre.
Saturday Vigil 5:00pm OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH
8 Baird Ave Te Kauwhata
