It would be sobering to many Others may feel an overwhelming sense of sadness
But that is the intention of Western Bay Museum’s new exhibition Unexpected Heroes –to show the reality of war
Launched March 28 and set to run for a few months, Unexpected Heroes tells the stories of
five Kiwis – with strong local connections – who experienced the world wars in different ways It also shines the light on other unexpected heroes of the wars – animals – with millions dying alongside the men and women they served
War
was known as ‘The
and I believe
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Construction of the roundabout at the intersection of State Highway 2 and Ōmokoroa Road is now largely complete, according to Western Bay of Plenty District Council.
In statement at the start of April the council said while drivers would notice a temporary 60km/h speed limit remained on the approaches to the roundabout, it looked finished with line marking, landscaping and safety barriers in place
Remaing work included a final, skid-resistant road surface, which still needed to be applied but couldn’t be done until spring when weather is warmer and drier, the council said Council infrastructure growth and delivery
manager Annelie Badenhorst said the specialised surface provides extra grip on approaches to intersections, tight b bendds and d rounddabbouts, and d would pllay a an important role in improving safety –p particularly in wet conditions
“Due to a combination of wet weather conditions and industry-wide supply issues, this final layer is now scheduled to be installed in spring, when conditions are more suitable, to ensure it performs as intended,” Badenhorst
said In the meantime, the roundabout was fully operational, Badenhorst said Ōmokoroa road works
“The temporary signs are there to encourage drivers to slow down when approaching and travelling through the roundabout, helping to keep everyone safe We appreciate the community’s patience until this final step is completed”
Badenhorst said the project was significant for council, and once fully complete, the upgrades would improve safety and efficiency at the intersection while supporting continued growth and access to Ōmokoroa
“The council would like to thank everyone involved in delivering the project, including HEB Construction, Beca, NZ Transport Agency and the many service providers, whose work has been critical in bringing it to life
“We also want to acknowledge all those whho travel thhrough h this intersection, for their patience during construuction We know the disruption hasn’t been e easy at times, and we appreciate the support shown while this important work was carried out ”
While the roundabout marked a major milestone, work on Ōmokoroa Rd will continue Stage 1, between SH2 and Prole Rd,
is expected to be completed in May, with Stage 2 continuing for several more months as the wider upgrade progresses
For updates on the ongoing work, see: yourplace westernbaygovt nz
Funding
The council said the roundabout and associated interim works represented an estimated $20-$24 million of the overall $43 million SH2/Ōmokoroa Rd upgrade This included construction of the SH2/Ōmokoroa Road roundabout, and four-laning into Ōmokoroa
The wider project is supported by significant Crown investment Council said it was allocated $38 million from the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund, originally administered by Kāinga Ora on behalf of the Crown, now managed by the National Infrastructure Funding and Finance
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi was also contributing $5 million toward the upgrade, as well as providing land valued at $1 49 million, said the council
Designed as an interim solution with a 10-15 year lifespan, the upgrade would operate until future connections to Takitimu North Link Stage 2 are confirmed
Western Bay of Plenty Anzac Day services
The Western Bay of Plenty will host Anzac Day services at seven locations across the district on April 25 Waihī Beach RSA will host a Dawn Parade and Service from 6am.
Tuapiro Marae’s Dawn Service begins 6am at 24 Hikurangi Rd. Katikati’s Dawn Service begins 6am outside Katikati War Memorial Hall. Ōmokoroa’s Dawn Service will
be at the Remembrance Cairn in Gerald Crapp Reserve. Oropi will host a service at 10.30am at Oropi Memorial Hall and Community Centre. Te Puke will host a Civic Parade at 9.50am and a 10am service at Te Puke War Memorial Hall. At Waitangi, a Dawn Service will be at the war memorial gates at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Matai at 6am.
Work on Ōmokoroa Rd will continue with Stage 1 to be completed in May. Photo / Kelly O’Hara
Discover unexpected heroes in new exhibition
A new exhibition sharing the stories of five unexpected heroes and shining a light on the plight of animals in two world wars has opened in Katikati.
The exhibition – titled Unexpected Heroes – offers an interactive and immersive experience to visitors, to vividly bring the stories to life
Launched March 28 and set to run for a few months at Western Bay Museum, manager Paula Gaelic said the aim of Unexpected Heroes was to show the reality of war
“The exhibition would be very heartfelt and sobering to many, while some would feel an overwhelming sense of sadness from the imagery,” Gaelic said.
Five ‘ghosts’
Visitors will find the stories of five unexpected heroes with strong connections to the Western Bay region inside a reconstructed trench
“People will be able to see and hear the stories of these five heroes of the Western Bay via use of hologram illusion, a technique called Pepper’s Ghost.
“They appear as ghosts and tell their own stories,” said Gaelic.
Private Winiata Rewi Tapsell from Maketu volunteered for war at age 22 and became part of the first Māori contingent to sail to Dardanelle Peninsula on the troop ship SS Warrimoo Tapsell’s bravery and contributions during World War I had been recognised and honoured through various commemorations and exhibitions, Gaelic said.
19th Mounted Reinforcements He was drafted into the 15th NZ Company of the Imperial Camel Corps and later was co-opted as a semi-official war artist
Katikati man George Henry volunteered as a rifleman and went to France where he was wounded, evacuated and lost his lower leg to defeat life-threatening gangrene.
Back home, Te Puke’s No1 Road School pupil Winifred Best was one of 175 students to give a concert at Alliance Hall to raise funds to send Christmas billies to the school’s ex-pupils serving in the war
Unexpected Heroes was last shown publicly back in 2015, when the Western Bay Museum hosted the exhibition to commemorate the armistice signed
“His story, particularly his role in the liberation of Le Quesnoy, is celebrated in the NZ Memorial Museum, in France and other historical sites.
“We must remember Māori service people were not acknowledged in any shape or form on their return and have only been recognised in recent years. It’s sad, but true, ” Gaelic said.
Mary Dobbs of Te Puke features for her service aboard the hospital ship HMNZS Maheno, which arrived in Anzac Cove on August 25, 1915, to aid the wounded; and in the NZ Army Nursing Service. The daughter of a Bay of Plenty minister, she left for war on June 15, 1915.
Pongakawa farmer Arnold Watson signed up at the age of 34 with the
between the Allies of WWI and Germany on November 11, 1918.
11 animals
To complement the history of these heroes, Gaelic said the exhibition also tells the stories of 11 animals which served in the world wars.
“During the First and Second World War animals were a crucial part of the war effort,” said an exhibition board.
“Not just companions, they were comrades who changed the course of history”
It’s estimated more than 16 million animals served in WWI “An estimated eight million horses, donkeys and mules, one million dogs and many hundreds of smaller animals died alongside the men and women they served ”
The exhibition board said it was
impossible to know how many animal died in WWII but the number was likely to be in the tens of millions including pets, zoo animals, wildlife and livestock.
Ideal time
“Unfortunately, this is reality – and I believe WWI was known as ‘The Great War’ because it was meant to be the war that would stop all wars, ” Gaelic said “How little we have learned, as here in 2026 we are still doing it!
With Anzac Day approaching Gaelic said it was an ideal time for Western Bay residents to visit the exhibition and learn more about the sacrifices of all in the two
world wars.
“With Anzac Day approaching I felt it was important to truly reflect, have we learnt anything? I want our audiences to feel, see and read the reality!”
Unexpected Heroes will be on display at Western Bay Museum at 32 Main Rd, Katikati, for the next few months.
Western Bay Museum is open 10am4pm Monday-Friday and 11am-3pm weekends. On Anzac Day, April 25, the museum will open at 12 noon
Merle Cave
Manager Paula Gaelic with a horse sculpture, recognising how millions of animals served and died in the world wars – part of Unexpected Heroes on display at Western Bay Museum. Photos / Kelly O’Hara
A reconstructed trench at the museum, displaying the stories of five unexpected war heroes via hologram illusion.
One million dogs and many hundreds of smaller animals died alongside the men and women they served in WWI.
Rise in diesel thefts from machinery and farm tanks
Police are noticing a rise in diesel thefts from machinery and farm tanks in the district, which no doubt relate to the increased price of fuel.
Please remember – if you see something, say something! Look out for your neighbours – and if you don’t lock it, you could lose it Call 111 if an incident is happening, or call 105 afterwards.
Katikati policereport
Sergeant Steve Hindmarsh
the petrol tank of a vehicle parked at Francis Drive, Katikati, in order to steal petrol. An arrest is imminent.
I’m pleased to say that we have a new member of the staff for the Katikati District. Olivia Henderson has joined our crew as our new station support officer. This is a non-sworn position that entails attending the public counter and a whole raft of administration duties that will free up frontline staff to spend even more time on the streets from Wairoa to Tahawai. Olivia transferred from a similar role at the Paeroa Police Station.
Burglaries
April 3: A burglary to an Esdaile Rd address in Whakamārama saw two motorbikes, an outboard motor and fishing gear stolen (see apprehensions)
Theft
April 4: A male has drilled a hole in
April 8: Diesel was stolen from a bulldozer and a truck parked in the vicinity of Hikurangi Rd, Tahawai. A vehicle was witnessed at the scene and was located at an Athenree address shortly later with the stolen diesel in a drum inside. Inquiries are continuing
Arrests
April 2: A 32-year-old Katikati man arrested for receiving stolen fencing taken from the Katikati Primary School some weeks ago and possession of utensils for smoking methamphetamine.
April 2: A 42-year-old Katikati man was arrested and charged with cultivating cannabis. A number of large plants were located at his Katikati address during a search warrant.
April 3: A 35-year-old Katikati man was arrested in relation to a burglary to a Esdaile Rd address. Motorbikes and an outboard motor were located at his address. He was charged with burglary A second offender is still being sought.
April 6: A 35-year-old Katikati man was arrested for breaching bail curfew
Colour run
Loud squeals of delight could be heard from kilometres away on April 2. The school’s back field went from green to kaleidoscopic – and students’ faces lit up brighter than the hues of powdered colours being puffed from bottles.
About 500 Katikati Primary students had the time of their lives at their school’s first Colour Fun Run Day on the last day of Term 1, raising both children’s spirits and a chunk of funds for the kura.
About 20 volunteers arrived 8am to set up the obstacle course, which had a prerace dance area, waterslide entrance, tyre step, slime pool, pool noodle jumps, cone maze, hurdles, limbo, cargo net crawls and
streamer-lined finish line.
The fun began 11.40am as students flowed through the course in age groups to a background of lively, dance music.
Teachers and parent volunteers dotted the course armed with colour bottles puffing hues on to students’ T-shirts, while Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade firefighters got the fire hose out and food trucks and a coffee cart offered food for sale.
The day ended with a pre-determined – voted by the students – sliming of two teachers. The unfortunate souls were Karen Cross and Jennie McKeown, who were slimed by principal Andrea Nicholson helped by teacher Ashlee Roche in front of the students.
Hosted by KKPS Parents of the School (POTS) group, students were sent home
The first leg of the run was a water slide. Photo / Kim Buyn
n and funds to primary school
early Term 1 with a permission slip and a guide to create their own online fundraising page to raise funds for the school by taking part.
Afterwards students could order prizes depending on the amount of funds they raised or donate the value of their prize to charity.
POTS president Emma Gillespie said the day had raised $22,275.17 and after the fundraising company took 40%, left $13,365.10 to put back into the school.
“We cannot yet say what the funds will be used for – but watch this space ” Gillespie said she was blown away by how much was raised and the fundraising efforts of the children and their whānau
“Roughly half of the school’s students created online fundraising pages - and three of those children opted to donate the value of their prize to Forest & Bird.”
The highest amount raised came from Room 3 student Quinn Arrow, with $1250.
The classroom that raised the most was Room 3, where 17 students created individual fundraising pages and raise a total of $2675.
Gillespie said POTS had chosen this type of fundraiser because they thought it would be a good money-earner for the school.
“POTS had wanted to hold a colour run for a number of years and the company we worked with was
helpful. They supplied us with all the information on how to run it, promotional templates and we even had an online fundraising coach we could call on.
“We also liked that we could use our school’s back field for the event, and our PE equipment for the obstacle course ”
Gillespie said POTS thanked all of the volunteers, Katikati Volunteer Fire Brigade, food trucks, teachers and whānau that helped with the event.
“It turned out to be an amazing community event full of fun and laughter”
Gillespie said POTS saw merit in running the fundraiser again “We are hoping to make it an annual event to raise funds for the school.” Merle Cave
Teacher Kirsty Graveson colouring students as they navigate the cargo net. Photo / Merle Cave
Teachers Karen Cross and Jennie McKeown were slimed – as voted by the students – by fellow teacher Ashlee Roche and principal Andrea Nicholson. Photo / Kim Buyn
Octavia Backhouse-Smith comes across the finishline. Photo / Kim Buyn
Jimmy Rimon and George Vossen after their turn at their school’s colour fun run day. Photo / Kim Buyn
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