A 76-year-old woman who fell in love with orienteering a few years ago is opening up her Pongakawa farm to host the new Team Rogaine course for this year ’ s Zespri AIMS Games. Lexie Tait
McCosh fell in love with the sport years ago after catching a glimpse of what it was like when she competed with her daughters in a 2013 adventure race. Orienteering has since become a family
affair and McCosh said it was a no-brainer when they were asked if Panea Farm could be used for AIMS Games 2025. “We’re more than happy to see a bunch of kids running around, being happy and doing what they like doing It’ll be fun we ’ re so excited.”
furry friends trying out the new
AIMS Games orienteering
more
Pictured is McCosh and her
Zespri
course. Read
on page 5. Photos / Jamie Troughton Dscribe
Te Puke NEWS
A permanent, vital link for the rural community was restored last week
The new No.4 Rd bridge officially opened last week after the crossing of the Te Raparapa-ā-hoe stream had only been possible over a Bailey bridge for more than two years.
A dawn blessing was held to mark the occasion, two-and-a-half years after the original bridge was washed away during a severe weather event in January 2023.
The $6.1m, 30m-long, single-lane bridge across replaces the temporary bridge that was put in place in March 2023.
The Bailey bridge, a portable, prefabricated steel truss bridge hired from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, was removed last week
Western Bay Mayor James Denyer acknowledged the significance of the project and the effort taken to get to this point
“When the original bridge was destroyed, restoring access to this community became an immediate priority,” he said
“The Bailey bridge provided a temporary solution, but we knew a long-term fix was needed The new bridge is the result of a huge team effort, and I’d like to thank everyone who helped make it happen,
The bridge is now open to traffic, but temporary traffic restrictions will be put in place at a later date to allow the final surfacing to be applied $6.1m bridge opens
including Beca, Fulton Hogan and our council staff ”
He extended his thanks to Waitaha and Tapuika iwi for their support throughout the project, and in particular to Luke Whare for his involvement and the blessing of the new bridge
Denyer also thanked the residents of No 5 Rd – a private road off No 4 Rd – for “graciously allowing use of their accessway ” during both the Bailey bridge installation and the construction of the new bridge
He made special mention of resident Peter Bennett for allowing Fulton Hogan to use his land as a depot site, and Stephen McManaway for the use of his packhouse
to host residents’ meetings Calum McLean, the council’s transportation director, said the team was focused on getting the bridge built as quickly as possible, despite the complexities of the site
“We’re really pleased to have the new bridge in place for the community Factors like difficult ground conditions on the southern approach, working in a confined space and some unhelpful weather made it challenging at times, but the team worked hard to keep things moving,” he said
The council’s infrastructure services acting group manager Peter Watson, who officiated at the opening, was the Civil Defence Local Controller the night the bridge washed away
He said attending the opening was a “full circle” moment for him
“We knew it was an isolated community, and reconnecting them was a top priority,” he said
“It was really meaningful to meet some of the people affected, and a good reminder about how important mahi like this is in keeping communities safe and connected ”
The Bailey bridge being removed. Photo / Fulton Hogan
Western Bay Mayor James Denyer cuts the ribbon on the new bridge. Photo / Beca
Volunteer drive service offers lifeline
A new door-to-door Volunteer Drive
Support Service is helping those in and around Te Puke who lack access to reliable transport.
The COLAB initiative started in March after a number of factors made it obvious it was needed.
“We’ve been getting quite a bit of feedback around transport issues in terms of safety and also just about local services which are quite costly for the elderly and also for youth,” said COLAB’s community led development facilitator Hinemoa Wetere
Among the issues for youngsters was getting to and from work.
“Some of them are a bit hesitant about getting employment outside Te Puke because of the transport issues. If they have to go further afield that actually means catching a couple of buses, which can be quite expensive.”
There are no taxis operating in Te Puke, so they must come from out of town, adding to the cost and putting them out of reach of many who want to get to town and back home for shopping or appointments.
Driving services
COLAB looked at other services, with the initial pilot based on a scheme in Whakatāne.
The service must be booked and there are charges – $5 per local trip and $10 out of area and under 50km. Trips of more than 50km are possible, with the price negotiated.
The service has been well received with people using it saying they have regained their independence. Costs are kept as low as possible by using volunteer drivers.
One of them is Rae Hosking.
She decided to volunteer because she had a little bit of time and it felt like meaningful way to contribute to the community
“I’ve had my own experiences in life, not that I’ve benefited from being a recipient of volunteer services, but it’s taken a lot of help from people to get to a point in my life that I’m really happy and comfortable so I think I see the benefit in wanting to help the community in ways that I can. ”
Hosking moved to Mount Maunganui from Adelaide this year, and has no links to Te Puke, but she immediately recognised the need for the service in the town after reading about COLAB’s various initiatives.
“The transport side of things was particularly appealing because I’ve had my own hardships in life and one of the huge barriers for me when I was younger was trying to get places. I didn’t have a traditional pathway of getting my licence when I was young and didn’t get car [driver] licence until I was 30.
“That was a barrier to lots of things, and I can see that being socially isolated can be really tough.”
Volunteering
Hosking said as well as bridging that gap, she sees volunteering as providing a bit of company for people and creating connections.
“It gives you an opportunity to connect with a diverse range of people and people you might not necessarily have an opportunity to connect with in more organic ways.
“I’m 38 and most people I get to drive around for the transport service are probably in their 60s and 70s. These sorts of social interactions don’t come up in my working life and home life outside
y y y
of family and it’s a really nice way to ust learn so much and it feels ood ”
Wetere said the service is still on the lookout for more volunteers
She said as well as a clean driver’s licence, there is the need to have a cheery disposition, be prompt and honest.
connect different generations across different cultural groups and across different religious groups. ” Hosking would strongly encourage others to find a volunteer role if they are able “I think it’s something that can be so deeply rewarding and [I’d encourage people] just to be open-minded about it and if you have the opportunity to help the community in that way to jump at it because you can j g She said she sees having the capacity to volunteer as a privilege.
“We’re very lucky with our volunteers ” Visit COLAB’s website to find out more about the service or how to volunteer
p g p g g
will get a chance with a series of workshops at Te Puke Library later this month.
e Digital Skills classes will run on consecutive Tuesdays, starting on July 15. People can book a place at individual classes or the whole series.
e first class will look at smartphones and tablets, and would explore the basics of their use and also touch on online safety
e second class would cover useful apps and accessing services such as those provided by government departments and banks.
e final class will look at emails, QR codes, online forms
p g g pp
Library and service centre team leader Amanda-Jane McFadden said the classes are aimed at anyone who has a device they do not know how to use
“So, it’s probably more useful for our senior community, especially as things are going onto apps a lot more now
“How to download them, how to use them and how to set them up is a big thing and we often find with people, their family will give them a phone, but they don’t know how to use it.”
If the classes become over-subscribed, a second series will run in August. While can also
Rae Hosking, pictured with her greyhound Josie, is one o the volunteers or COLAB’s Volunteer Drive Support Service. Josie stays behind when Rae is driving but keeps her company between jobs.
Photo / Supplied
Stuart Whitaker
The digital skills sessions start July 15 Photo / Supplied
Farewell to visionary Te Puke marketing manager
In close to a decade, Rebecca Larsen has had quite an impact on Te Puke
Last week was Rebecca’s last as EPIC Te Puke marketing manager
Community events, promotions, gettogethers and a significant online presence are the legacy of her time in the job
Her first taste of Te Puke came after retailers got together and, with the support of Te Puke Community board, formed Shop Te Puke
“This group of businesses wanted a focus on the promotion of the downtown area for those who might be affected by the Tauranga E astern Link [taking traffic, and customers, away from the town],” she said Having recently returned from Canada and with two young children, the 10-hours-a-week contract was very attractive
In the early days she was finding her feet and trying to come up with initiatives to lift the perceptions of the town centre and create ways to bring people into town
“I did a bit of my own research in interviewing people in the street and interviewing businesses to try and get a feel of the audience market ”
The birth of EPIC
Te Puke Lions had always run the Te Puke Christmas Parade and, when the club folded, an opportunity arose to step in with help of former club members
“There was a meeting with the board at the time and a strategy and brainstorming session to rebrand and rename ”
That’s when the EPIC acronym was born – Events, Promotions, Igniting Community.
“At that point, our contract with council grew and we had to do four events a year ”
The float parade waas one, and the other three ended up being a relaunch of one of the town ’ s Kiwifruit festival favourites, the Great Comedy Debate, an Easter trail; and a Treat Trail to coincide with Halloween “I loved the Halloween experience from Canada and had this idea to have this treat trail involving decorating businesses and handing out lollies,” said Larsen “It was unexpectedly massive ”
It had run every year since.
“We did bring people into town and got people talking And it became not just about the event itself, but he people who go – they are the stars because everybody had such amazing costumes ”
The Easter trail began as a similar walk around town but has morphed into an art-based event with the Te Ara Kahikatea Pathway transformed into a gallery and an Easter event in Jubilee Park
“Those things are where my heart lies the most – creating memories with the events for kids and their families ”
Te Puke Online
Less obvious has been Larsen’s work in the digital space – and the launch of Te Puke Online
A report prepared by Rose-Anna Feist was a major catalyst “She conducted a very thorough strategic review for us, interviewing local business and the general public about all our activity and it highlighted a few gaps ”
Larsen was working solo at the time
“We didn’t have very good systems in place, I didn’t have an office, didn’t have a filing area. She recommended we needed better customer relations management, a decent directory website where people could put profiles, and an events calendar”
A At community meeting, the idea of a town events calendar had also been raised Whakatāne town ’ s website seemed to have all the bells and whistles Larsen was looking for, so she contacted its developers who agreed to come on board “I had to work really hard to get that across the line – I had to fundraise for it, find sponsorship, find grant money, but once we got it, we were good to go. ”
Business growth
At the time EPIC membership was possibly fewer than 20 businesses
Now, on Te Puke Online, there are 250 profiles and, while not all are businesses, it is an indication of the value of the website, Larsen said
“From that we had an excellent tool for promoting not just our own events and promotions, but everybody’s “It was a massive project huge, but beneficial because now it’s a lot easier to communicate ”
During Larsen’s time, the organisation has grown to a point where it employs two other part-time staff members
She had also overseen the introduction of EPIC dollars – vouchers with a dollar value that can only be used in Te Puke ensuring promotion prizes stay in the community – an annual town summit, an annual town clean up, night markets and work opportunities for Te Puke High School students
“The relationship with the high school is awesome and because of it we ’ ve been able to have a student in the office one
morning a week.”
Students have focused on writing stories and producing videos, social media posts and a blog acknowledging the contributions
p people make to Te Puke
“It gave students the opportunity to learn using real tools, and it grew a portfolio of beautiful stories ”
Innovation and creativity
Former EPIC Te Puke chairwoman Sue Peat, who stood down in 2020, was on the initial promotions group that hired Rebecca She said what Larsen has achieved had been phenomenal
“[She’s] very, very artistic and a fabulous marketer and that’s been her strength right the way through
“She’s been able to market things to the wider community and come up with the ideas that were right outside the square, ” said Peat
“That’s what we needed ” Larsen was also innovative, said Peat “We went and found the resources for her and let her carry out her dreams ” Current chairman Antoine Pol-Simon said Larsen’s creativity was outstanding
“To me she was great – creating new ideas and her dedication to it – she spent a lot of time on things What she did was amazing ”
Te Puke EDG managing director Mark Boyle said in the time Larsen had been with EPIC, there had been a noticeable consistency in the delivery of events for Te Puke
“They have been very well received and had a high level of participation and were generally a positive for Te Puke, particularly for the town centre ”
Rebecca Larsen at one of the Treat Trail events she organised for EPIC Te Puke. Photo / Supplied
Rebecca Larsen with the homepage e of the Te Puke Online website in February 2022.
Photo / Stuart Whitaker
Rebecca Larsen said the Te Puke Christmas Parade was a cheerful event on the Te Puke callendar. Photo / Stuart Whitaker
S Stuart Whitaker
Grandmother on newfound love for orienteering
Trudging through the outdoors on foot or by push-bike and deciphering maps sounds like a weekend of bliss for Lexie Tait McCosh, who loves filling her time with orienteering.
“I wish I had got into it sooner, ” the bubbly 76-year-old said.
She’s now excited to open up her 500-acre Pongawaka farm to host the new Team Rogaine course for this year ’ s Zespri AIMS Games.
McCosh fell in love with the sport years ago after catching a glimpse of what it was like when she competed with her daughters in a 2013 adventure race.
She gradually learned more about orienteering and navigational skills, which are needed to help with the adventure races, and joined Orienteering Bay of Plenty a few years ago “I wish I’d known about it at school; I love it.”
About completing
Although she can ’ t run through the course at the same pace as she sees the “ young ones”, she doesn’t think it matters. It’s about completing it.
“I enjoy it, it’s like a treasure hunt,”
she said excitedly She gets “ a buzz” from discovering the controls, knowing she’s going the right way, the puzzle, using her brain, going to “ neat places” and moving her body
“You’re so busy thinking about where you ’ re going that you forget about the ache in your knee,” she said with a laugh
A family affair
It’s become a family affair, with her grandchildren, their parents and herself sometimes running the same course
“It’s great to have the family involved.
This year ’ s Team Rogaine course will be on Panea Farm, which McCosh and husband Roger have owned since 1985. The land is a run-off for their dairy farm for weaned young stock before going back to the dairy farm.
It’s got a bit of everything to make an exciting course, McCosh explained: it’s hilly, has lots of gulleys, rough and scrubby in some parts, pine trees on steep hill sides and flat and grassy in others They’ve previously offered their farm to Orienteering Bay of Plenty and a few courses have been held on it, but not in the past couple of years
It was a no-brainer when they were asked if Panea Farm could be used
for AIMS Games 2025. “We’re more than happy to see a bunch of kids running around, being happy and doing what they like doing. It’ll be fun we ’ re so excited.”
AIMS Orienteering event controller Dennis De Monchy said they were blown away by the participation in orienteering’s first year last year, expecting 150 kids but getting 280 each day.
Western Bay councilseeks candidates for 2025elections
Western Bay of Plenty District Council is calling on locals to put their name forward for the 2025 Local Body Elections.
Nominations are officially open for mayor, councillors, and community board members across the district
“You don’t have to be a seasoned politician to stand – just someone who cares about their community,” council’s governance manager Robyn Garrett said in a statement
“Our elected members are just everyday people who want to make a difference They’re parents, growers, volunteers, business owners and workers who care deeply about where they live We’re encouraging anyone who’s passionate about their place to consider standing ”
Following a recent representation review, the council structure has changed for the 2025 and 2028 elections This new model will see most residents vote for a mayor, their ward councillor(s), and their community board representatives Matakana and Rangiwaea Islands residents will vote for a mayor and their ward councillor(s) and are not part of a community board area
Voters across the Western Bay will elect:
• 1 Mayor (elected at large)
• 9 Councillors:
-2 in Katikati–Waihī Beach Ward
-3 in Kaimai Ward
-3 in Maketu–Te Puke Ward
-1 in the new Waka Kai Uru Māori Ward (elected by those on the Māori Electoral Roll)
Community Board members across five boards, with new subdivisions introduced in some areas to ensure more localised representation
Subdivisions are smaller areas within a larger ward or community board They help ensure every part of a ward is fairly represented – especially communities that might otherwise miss out
New subdivisions have been created in Te Puke–Eastern (Eastern Subdivision) and Ōmokoroa-Kaimai (Kaimai East and Kaimai West Subdivisions), giving these communities their own elected representatives and a stronger voice at the table
“Standing for council is one of the most direct and powerful ways to represent your community and help shape its future
The simple truth is that local government runs best when everyday people get involved,” said Garrett
How to put your name forward:
Nominations are open now and close at 12pm Friday, August 1
You must be a New Zealand citizen and enrolled to vote
You need two nominators (both must be enrolled in the area in which you wish to stand)
You can pick up nomination forms at any Council library or service centre, or download from yourplace westernbaygovt nz/ elections
Email completed nominations to elections@westernbaygo nz or return in person at any council library or service centr
This year, they planned for around 300 entries across the sprints at Toi Ohomai and the Team Rogaine at Panea Farm, about 40 minutes away in Pongakawa.
“We’re loving seeing the growth in the sport, ” De Monchy said, with the quality of junior Kiwi orienteering now putting the country ’ s youngsters on the world stage.
Smashed windows and arrest warrants
TePuke policerepo Sergeant Mike Owen ort
At the weekend, a 61-year-old Te Puke man was arrested in connection with windows being smashed at a Te Puke town centre church
The man was charged with wilful damage and unlawfully being in an enclosed yard
Te Puke Police have also made a number of arrests in relation to court orders
Five people have been arrested relating to breaches of court bail conditions and two people arrested is relation to warrants issued after they failed to appear in court
Two people have been arrested and are facing charges relating to family harm
Lexie Tait McCosh with her husband Roger and his daughter Kyla. Photo / Jamie Troughton Dscribe Media Services
Cira Olivier / The AIMS Gamer
Pōtitanga Kawanatanga ā Rohe 2025 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
Local government elections are held every three years and this year is an election year
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Below are key dates and contact points for this year’s triennial election for Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Each of these authorities now require candidate nominations, which open soon. Refer below for the nomination period and where you can access nomination forms, candidate handbooks or further information on the election processes.
Electoral Rolls are available for inspection at the Western Bay of Plenty District Council office during the election period.
• 1 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga 1118 Fenton Street, Rotorua
• Elections2025@boprc govt nz 0800 884 880
CONDUCTING ELECTIONS FOR: FURTHER CANDIDATE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE FROM:
Western Bay of Plenty Council
The candidate information presentation for Western Bay of Plenty District Council was held last month For more information contact deputy electoral officer, Robyn Garrett at elections@westernbay govt nz or 0800 926 732
The candidate information presentation for Bay of Plenty Regional Council was held last month. The presentation was recorded and has been made available on the Council’s website and YouTube channel. For more information contact the deputy electoral officer at elections2025@boprc.govt.nz or 0800 884 880
