Matahui School is hosting a school-wide fundraiser today for the Breast Cancer Support Services Tauranga Trust, which was inspired by Year 4 student Gaige Aitchison-Budd, centre
Gaige, aged 9, decided three years ago to grow his hair to donate to people experiencing hair loss
Back then, in 2023, his family had no idea that
his mother and a close relative would both be diagnosed with breast cancer a year later
Kristine Aitchison’s breast cancer diagnosis rocked the small school family of 50 students
She is the school’s marketing contractor and volunteers on the PTA and as a grants administrator
Principal Mary Woods said the school chose to
fundraise for BCSSTT because the service had supported Aitchison – an “integral part of the school” – through her cancer journey
Year 0-8 students, teachers and the wider school community would participate today with a pink-themed mufti day, bake sale and Givealittle page
“Empathy is what we ’ re fostering,” Woods said
“It’s about the ability to think about somebody else’s journey and walk in their shoes ”
Aitchison said her family chose to cut Gaige’s hair as part of the fundraiser because of the school’s strong values programme of empathy, courage and perseverance “It aligns really well with that ” Find out more on page 3
Photo / Merle Cave
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Western Bay of Plenty District Council will talk with its communities in coming weeks about changes signalled by central government on how local government could work in the future.
The Government recently announced a new ‘Head Start’ pathway for local government reform. Under that framework, councils who choose to submit an outline proposal through the Head Start pathway process must do so by August 9
The reform signalled a move toward fewer, larger councils, including the creation of unitary authorities that would combine regional and local council responsibilities
Western Bay Mayor James Denyer said the issue goes to the heart of how the district had grown, been represented, and made decisions for more than three decades
“Since local government reforms in 1989, the Western Bay has worked hard to build a council that reflects the distinct needs of our communities – from Katikati and Waihī Beach, through our rural heartland, to Te Puke and Maketū,” Denyer said
“That’s why it would be untenable
to make decisions on an issue this fundamental without first having a proper conversation with the people we ’ re here to serve ”
The upcoming community conversations were not a vote or a referendum and will not bind a final outcome, he said, but were an important way for the council to understand community priorities as wider changes unfold
“The future shape of local government will ultimately be determined by central government, but our responsibility is to make sure the voice of Western Bay is clearly heard and understood before those decisions are made,” Denyer said
“We won ’ t sit back and do nothing We want to front-foot this conversation, test our thinking, and invite challenge where it’s needed ”
Denyer said the Western Bay’s mix of rural and urban communities, strong primary industries, and growth pressures meant the district was very y different from cities
“We’re made up of many distinct communities, each with their own needs, priorities and ways of life That local context matters, and it needs to be part of any discussion about how local government could look in the future ”
Community conversations will take place from May 25- June 14, with information shared through the council’s Your Place Tō wāhi online platform, alongside in-person opportunities for people to take part, and an online webinar featuring Denyer and his council’s CEO Matt Potton For more information, visit: www westernbaygovt nz/council/supportinggrowth/head-start-pathway
Information about the Government’s ‘Head Start’ pathway is available at: www dia govt nz/diawebsite nsf/ Files/Local-Government-2026/$file/ Head-Start-pathway-policy-documentsimplifying-local-government pdf
Western Bay Mayor James Denyer. Photo / Alan Gibson - Gibson Images Ltd
Gaige’s empathy inspires school-wide fundraiser
A 9-year-old Matahui School student who has grown his hair for three years to donate to people with hair loss will cut his locks in a school-wide fundraiser today
What makes Gaige Aitchison-Budd’s act so special is that when he decided in 2023 to grow and donate his hair, he had no idea cancer would soon touch his family
His mother and a close relative were both diagnosed with breast cancer a year later
Their journey touched his school community so much that it is running a fundraiser to support the Breast Cancer Support Services Tauranga Trust
Gaige’s mother Kristine Aitchison said her son ’ s 2023 plan to grow his hair came from talking about how beautiful it was “ and how lovely it would be if he wanted to donate it to somebody experiencing hair loss” “He was about 7 at the time it was just a conversation and I guess it was kind of me wanting [to instil] the values I want for my children [to practise] in future”
In November 2024 Aitchison was diagnosed with breast cancer, as was a relative Aitchison received a mastectomy in late-2024 followed by six months of chemotherapy “I’ve since had radiation treatment and a breast reconstruction I basically went through a year of treatment ”
Aitchison said she will be monitored by a specialist for the next five years to watch for signs of recurrence She must also take hormone medication for 10 years “It’s a very big journey”
Aitchison said she was “quite scared” to tell Gaige and his younger sister Jade that she had cancer “It’s amazing how resilient children are and I remember Gaige’s classmates wrapping around him for support when I was initially diagnosed”
Profound effect
Matahui School principal Mary Woods said Aitchison’s diagnosis had a profound effect on the school community “With 50 students, we ’ re a family – every single parent is connected to each other So, it’s very real – I was devastated”
Aitchison is the school’s marketing contractor and volunteers on the PTA and as a grants administrator Aitchison was an “integral part of the school,” Woods said
“When a pillar in your community is injured or broken, you try to make it better – so we did a wrap around” Oodles of meals and practical support came in
“There were people who actually came out of the woodwork in this community that I didn’t expect it from,” Aitchison said
She said the school’s senior students ran a
fundraiser annually, to work towards their leadership goals, “ so we decided to make Gaige’s haircut part of the fundraiser”
Gaige said his mum meant “everything” in his life He wanted to cut his hair as short as possible so he could donate as much hair as possible to someone with hair loss
His light brown hair has grown well past his shoulders “It’s pretty special to be giving it to someone else ‘ cause I know the feeling of cutting it off,” the Year 4 student said “Cutting my
support groups where you meet others who’ve been through the same journey All of this is really valuable stuff to have locally.”
Aitchison was “ so proud of Gaige”, saying completing a three-year goal was a big deal for a person of his age “It’s a lot of perseverance, and it hasn’t been an easy thing for a boy to have long hair people have called him a girl and told him to cut his hair and he’s had to explain, ‘well, I’m doing this for a good reason ’
hair, I have a feeling that I’m getting the same feeling as them, but for them it’s permanent ”
Gaige, who loves handwriting, forest school at Matahui and playing soccer, said the most challenging thing about having long hair was brushing it “and getting the knots!”
While he felt nervous about his haircut – “it’s just been so long” – he was looking forward to his school’s fundraiser
Aitchison and her partner said Gaige had always stepped up as a leader “When I was going through treatment, he picked up roles for his sister He’s quite an empathetic child”
The school chose to fundraise for BCSSTT because the service had supported Aitchison through her cancer journey “When I got diagnosed, one of their staff members, Mel –she was amazing She was so easy to talk to and made me feel so comfortable”
On-the-ground support
Aitchison said BCSSTT gave breast cancer families on-the-ground practical support She’d learned the service was tight on funds and not government-funded “They offer things like petrol vouchers and food They run local
Aitchison said Gaige had said to her, ‘Well, me cutting my hair is only benefiting one person, mum ’ “But what it does is it allows us to have these bigger conversations
“I said to him, ‘It’s not, look at what else it’s done It’s allowed your peers to run a fundraiser which helps them work towards leadership badges they want to earn, it’s helping raise awareness of this cause, it’s helping raise funds for a really amazing organisation – it’s a bigger thing than just a haircut’
Strong values
“ The reason we ’ re having it at Matahui School is because Matahui has a really strong values programme of empathy, courage and perseverance It’s quite integrated into the curriculum and so it aligns really well with that”
Woods said the school’s 50 Year 0-8 students, teachers and wider community would participate in the fundraiser Senior students were writing recipes to bake for Friday’s bake sale “They’re doing their own baking because they themselves – every one of those kids knows someone that’s been affected by cancer, ” Woods said
“Empathy is what we ’ re fostering It’s about the ability to think about somebody else’s journey and walk in their shoes”
All students would dress in pink and be ready for Gaige to reveal his new haircut in the way he chose, Woods said Breast Cancer Support Service Tauranga Trust fundraising co-ordinator Tracey Phizacklea said the trust has never had a child cut for a cause on their behalf before
“What Gaige is doing is so admirable He’s amazing – it’s a lot of dedication [to grow your hair for three years] and so thoughtful because he was doing it off his own bat without having his mum going through the service,”
Phizacklea said
“We are incredibly grateful to him and his school community for their support ”
Local charity for locals
Phizacklea said BCSSTT was an independent local charity funded by grants and donations
“So anyone that goes out and fundraises on our behalf we ’ re very grateful for because times are tough, and what we do – not every region in the country has a local support service and we support 330-ish women and men every year ”
Phizacklea said the support was throughout every stage of their breast cancer journey, offering care practical, emotional and deeply personal care “We provide this support across the Western Bay of Plenty, from Waihi Beach to Maketū, ensuring people can access trusted, local care close to home when they need it most ”
To support the fundraiser, visit: https:// givealittle co nz/fundraiser/gaige-is-cuttingfor-a-cause-at-matahui-school Merle Cave
Nine-year-old Gaige Aitchison-Budd with his mother Kristine Aitchison at Matahui School.
Photo / Merle Cave
Gaige Aitchison-Budd with his long hair. Photo / Supplied
St John Katikati reinstates its youth division
After more than a decade hiatus, Katikati will again have a St John youth programme running locally in school terms for children aged 5-18
Hato Hone St John Katikati Area Committee is restarting the programme – and invites the community to an information night on May 27 from 5 30pm at Katikati Christian Centre
Hato Hone St John Katikati Area Committee chair Trevor Burgess said the youth division had run in Katikati in the past but he was unsure how many years ago it was operational “I’m not sure It’s been quite a long time.”
Burgess said four people from St John Katikati Area Committee – Glenn Burt, Jan de Faye, Donna Hannah and himself – had put their hands up to reinstate the programme
“It’s a very popular programme with youth around the different areas We’ve got a large contingent of people in Tauranga, Waihī and Waihī Beach who go through St John training ”
Burgess said the move to reinstate the programme was to offer another accessible and affordable community group for youth to learn skills away from screens
“Like a lot of youth activities, it’s getting kids back out into doing things and learning through action and experience Like other groups, our youth programme has badges the kids work through – and with being St John there is an emphasis on caring and first aid
“But, again, it’s about getting them off their phones and away from the digital world and back into the reality of learning through leadership and experiential programmes ”
Burgess said the information night is for families of those aged 5-18 interested in the programme but people who want to volunteer to help run the programme are invited too
“We’ve got our first stage of team leaders to get it up and running, but we’d like to start generating the next generation of team leaders who can take over in the longer term
“That may be parents, caregivers or others aged 18-plus No medical background is needed – just a genuine interest in youth development – and training is given.”
Burgess said programme would run Wednesday nights “The early part will be for penguins, the young kids, then the older ones will start about 6 o ’clock and there will be an overlap to run combined drill sessions ”
Burgess said the programme would be run out of the Katikati Christian Centre on Henry Rd
“That location has got more space to spread out, and space outside and under cover so it’s nicely suited ” Participation is a paid activity but fees are kept low to allow accessibility
“If anybody has difficulties we have a process separate from the group where people can go through St John to sort it out in the background
“While everybody is a paid-up member the aim is that no kids should lose
out because they can ’ t afford to come along ” Any travelling associated with the programme is paid for by St John, Burgess said Children who join will learn life-saving first aid skills and leadership qualities, make new friends, build confidence and resilience – all while contributing g to community wellbeing
“From hands-on first aid training to community service projects, this programme empowers young minds to become future
leaders and compassionate community members,” Burgess said “The intention is to make sure it is life skills that the kids go away with [alongside having fun] ”
The programme provides participants with a uniform and opportunity to attend reggional and national competitions e atikati outh Division of St John information evening is 5 30pm on Wednesday, May 27, upstairs at Katikati hristian entre, 11 Henry d Or email: youth stjohn org nz
Hato Hone t ohn Katikati rea Committee member onna annah will lea the new St ohn Youth ro ramme in town.
Photo / Merle Cave
Merle Cave
Be vigilant after person scammed out of thousands
Early this month an elderly person was scammed out of thousands of dollars after a fake call purporting to be someone from Spark, stating that they needed to upgrade the person ’ s network.
After two hours on the phone and giving instructions – which gave scammers access to the customer ’ s account – money was transferred out. The scammer also convinced the victim to place their bank cards in an envelope at their front door
A number of people have been receiving text messages from a fraudulent party claiming to be the New Zealand Police The messages claim that the recipients have unpaid fines that must be paid and ask the recipient to follow a link to pay the fine. These are scams. Police do not send such texts. Please ignore them
Burglaries
May 6: A 5m by 7m Prescott trailer was stolen from a Pahoia Beach Rd address.
May 7: A Webber barbecue was stolen from a Heron St property in Katikati.
May 8: A large tank containing diesel was stolen from a barn situated in Crawford Rd, Minden.
May 8: A male offender disturbed inside a Tanners Point Road address (see apprehensions).
May 10: Scrap metal was stolen from a Boyd Rd property in Katikati.
Theft
May 1: A light bar stolen from a vehicle parked at the Dave Hume Pools on Carisbrooke St.
May 10: An electric Easy Rider Cruiser bike was stolen from Francis Drive, Katikati, after the owner advertised it for sale on Facebook The prospective buyer took it for a test ride and never came back.
Unlawfully taken motor vehicles
May 8: A 2007 Toyota Avensis was stolen from Haumarama Ave, in Ōmokoroa after the owner left it briefly with the keys inside.
Other
Another Facebook scam was reported where the seller required a deposit for an item they were selling. Once paid the scammer wanted more and then ceased contact once the buyer refused to put more money down. It’s not a good idea to put down deposits before obtaining property
Katikati policereport
Sergeant Steve Hindmarsh
Arrests and apprehensions
May 5: A 73-year-old Katikati man was arrested on a court-ordered warrant to arrest.
May 5: A 41-year-old man of no fixed abode was arrested at Ōmokoroa for wilful damage and driving a vehicle while forbidden to drive. His vehicle was impounded for 28 days.
May 7: A 40-year-old Tauranga man was arrested at Minden after a brief pursuit by police in the Whakamārama area. A police vehicle was damaged in
the incident The Tauranga man had been remanded in custody facing charges of assault with a weapon, threatening to kill, failing to stop, reckless driving and possessing an offensive weapon.
May 7: A 43-year-old Katikati man was arrested for breaching his bail conditions.
May 11: An 18-year-old Tanners Point man was arrested for burglary of a Tanners Point address.
May 11: A 34-year-old Katikati man was arrested on warrant for failing to appear at court.
May 12: Two Katikati women were arrested after a stolen Volvo vehicle was spotted on Lindermann Rd, Katikati,
evaded police but numerous reports were received from the public relating the vehicle being driven dangerously from Te Puna into Tauranga. The vehicle was eventually road spiked and the two women were apprehended A 29-year-old Katikati woman was charged with reckless driving, receiving stolen property, three counts of unlawfully interfering with motor vehicles, and possessing methamphetamine A 25-yearold Katikati woman was charged with unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle.
May 13: A 34-year-old Katikati man was apprehended in relation to two cases of
