Sensory sanctuary
Students in Te Puke High School’s special learning unit, Te Ringa Awhina, now have their own purpose-built garden space, marking a significant step forward in inclusivity and hands-on learning. The garden, part of the school’s broader Seed
to Plate initiative, features raised beds designed specifically to meet the needs of students with high learning and mobility requirements The first of three beds is now Silvio
students to engage directly with the soil and plants. The garden’s central location reinforces the inclusive values of the Seed to Plate project, integrating ag-hort, 15
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plants last week. Previously, Te Ringa Awhina students had access to a plot in the ag-horticulture area, but it lacked wheelchair accessibility and didn’t cater to sensory needs The new ecessed for wheelchairs,
Te Puke NEWS
Camera tech to monitor parking in Te Puke
Western Bay of Plenty District Council is introducing a vehiclemounted camera to monitor and enforce parking restrictions in Te Puke
The use of Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) camera technology was approved as part of the council’s 2025-2026 Annual Plan The decision followed a successful trial last year that tested the system ’ s effectiveness – although no tickets were issued during the trial.
WBOPDC regulatory services general manager Alison Curtis said staff safety is a key reason for the change.
“Like other councils, we ’ ve seen an increase over time in verbal abuse and threatening behaviour towards our parking officers.
“LPR cameras allow officers to primarily do their job from a vehicle, which reduces the personal safety risks they face on the street ”
Safety and behaviour
As well as improving safety, the camera was expected to improve parking behaviour and increase turnover in available town centre parking spaces, benefiting the whole community, Curtis said
“Parking on yellow lines outside schools at drop-off and pick-up times is also a growing problem, and we hope the LPR system will assist in improving safety for tamariki at these times ”
The system uses a high-resolution camera mounted on a vehicle to monitor parking behaviour in relation to the council‘s Traffic and Parking Bylaw and New Zealand Transport Agency Waka
Kotahi transport requirements, and identify where there is overparking, illegal parking, and unregistered cars
A start date has not been confirmed because the council is still in the process of finalising a service provider.
“Before we get the vehicle into our district, we’ll share all the details of what to expect and when ticketing will begin.”
Community response
EPIC Te Puke chairman Antoine PolSimon said the organisation had discussed the issue and sent a letter to the council expressing its concern at the tendency of people to park in carparks all day, removing their availability to shoppers
He said the retailers were impacted by this and there was a danger they were losing income as people shop elsewhere.
He said at times, cars were parked outside his shop for five, six, seven hours a day
“You can ’ t blame the public because, when it’s not policed, they are going to take advantage of it.”
He raised the issue with the EPIC Te Puke board after several customers told him they had struggled to find a parking space when wanting to collect orders at his store.
While there may be parking spaces elsewhere in town, he said parking further away causes issues for people with mobility issues or makes it an unpleasant walk
weather
EPIC Te Puke board member and Te Puke Paper Plus owner Stuart Gunn said he was happy something was being done, “providing it works”.
in wet
Stuart Whitaker
Parking in Te Puke is to be monitored by a vehicle-mounted camera Photo / Stuart Whitaker
Western Bay gears up for 20225 local elections
Nominations for seats up for grabs at this year ’ s Local Body Elections closed last Friday
In the Te Puke district, elections will take place to find three Western Bay of Plenty District councillors to represent the Maketū -Te Puke ward Voters would also elect four members of the Maketū Community Board and the expanded Te Puke-East Community Board
In the case of the Te Puke-East board, the geographic area has been divided with three representatives to be found from the Te Puke subdivision and two from the Eastern subdivision Nominees
Two councillors from the ward will be appointed to the Te Puke-East Community Board and one to the Maketū Community Board.
For the Maketū-Te Puke Ward, current councillors Andy Wichers, Laura Rae and Grant Dally have again thrown their hats into the ring Wichers was elected for the first time at the 2022 Local Body Elections while Rae was elected in a by-election after the death of councillor Richard Crawford
Dally was first elected to the council in 2016 Former Maketū Community Board chairman Shane Beech is another nominee
Beech had put himself forward in 2022 but withdrew for health reasons
He nevertheless received enough votes to have been elected to the council had he not pulled out, his withdrawal coming too late for his name to be removed from voting papers
The other two candidates for the ward seats are Manvir Singh Mann and John Bowden
Western Bay Deputy Mayor and
long-time councillor John Scrimgeour is running for one of two vacancies in the Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Western Bay constituency.
Community board
There are six people contesting four seats on Maketū Community Board - Sue Elliot, Weina Moko, Stephan Simpson, Cecil (Moki) Thomas, Leni (Beau) Walters and Aleisha Waterhouse
Four people will vie for three seats available on Te Puke-East Community Board from the Te Puke subdivision –current chairwoman Kassie Ellis, and current community board members Dale Snell and Karen Summerhays and Marara Williams
There are only two nominations for the two seats representing the Eastern constituency – Sally Benning and Manvir Singh Mann
There are eight people contesting the district mayoralty, current Mayor James Denyer, Suaree Borell, Grant Dally, Danielle Borell Faa’soo, John Holyoake, Rodney Joyce, Margaret Murray-Benge and Don Thwaites
Three people will battle it out for the single Waka Kai Uru Māori Ward seat: Carlton Bidois, Suaree Borell and Darlene Dinsdale.
The Local Government Commission’s determination on council’s representation arrangements for the 2025 and 2028 elections was made in April this year.
The commission determined a hybrid structure combining key aspects of the model put forward by the council, but retaining and slightly reshaping the current community board set-up to ensure more balanced and inclusive representation
What this means for 2025
Every voter can cast three votes: one for mayor, one for ward councillor(s),
and community board membbers
The council’s structure will c consist of a mayor and a reduced nummber of nine councillors: Katikati-Waihī Beach Ward – two councillors, Kaimai Ward – thhree councillors, Maketū-Te Puke Ward –three councillors
Waka Kai Uru (district-wide e Māori ward) – one councillor
There will be five community boards: Katikati Community Boardd: four elected community board meembers, one appointed councillor from m the Katikati-Waihī Beach Generaal Ward Waihī Beach Community Board: four elected community boarrd members, one appointed couuncillor from the Katikati-Waihī Beacch General Ward
Maketū Community Boardd: four elected community board meembers, one appointed councillor from m the Maketū-Te Puke General Waard Te Puke–Eastern Communnity Board: three elected communnity board members from the Te P Puke Subdivision, two elected commmunity board members from the Eastern Subdivision, two appointed councillors from the Maketū--Te Puke General Ward
Ōmokoroa–Kaimai Commmunity Board: two elected communiity board members from the Ōmmokoroa Subdivision, two elected commmunity board members from the Kaaimai West Subdivision, two electeed community board members from the Kaimai East Subdivision, two appointed councillors from t the Kaimai General Ward
A binding poll would also run alongside the 2025 election, g giving the community the final say on w whether the Māori ward should remaiin in place for future elections
Stuart Whitaker
AATe Pukeboosts team forquicker service
An increased demand for AA services in Te Puke is being met with additional staff.
AA Te Puke, based at Te Puke Library and Service Centre, recently expanded its team to better serve the community
This comes as the local AA agent experiences continued and steady increases in applications and inquiries since opening in 2022.
The increased staffing levels are intended to reduce waiting times and ensure a more efficient experience for all members and customers
“We are thrilled to have a full team, this means the community can expect shorter wait times and quicker
processing for their applications and enquires,” said Te Puke Library and Service Centre team leader AmandaJane McFadden.
AA supervisor Cathryn Bilby said the move would also enable a new service to be provided – Overseas Driver’s Licence Conversions
“This will mean our community will not have to travel to Tauranga or Mount Maunganui to convert their overseas licence to a New Zealand one. ”
The new service will be available from August 11
The AA Te Puke team encourages anyone with motoring, or driver licensing needs to visit the agency during its business hours, Monday-Friday 9am-4.30pm. For any queries, call the AA on 0800 500 444
Increased staffing levels are expected to decrease waiting times AA in Te Puke, Pictured: AA Te Puke staff.
Raised garden brings new opportunity for students
Students in Te Puke High School’s special learning unit now have their own purpose-made garden within the school.
As part of the wider Seed to Plate project, the first of three raised beds is now complete.
The beds allow students from the unit, called Te Ringa Awhina, to take part in the activities in the area.
Based on the school’s ag-horticulture, technology and food technology areas, the Seed to Plate project integrates the teaching of all three.
Year 11 student Silvio Shallcrass, 15, had the honour of planting the first plants in the completed raised bed last week.
Wheelchair access
Te Ringa Awhina students previously had a plot available to them in the school’s ag-horticulture area, but it was unsuitable for their needs and wheelchair access was difficult.
Many of the students have high learning needs and gardening beds had to be designed so assistance can be provided by support staff
They also incorporate a recess for wheelchairs, allowing students in wheelchairs easy access to the planting area.
Technology teacher Matt Park said the creation of a garden for the students reinforced the inclusive values of the Seed to Plate project “by having it placed right in the centre”. “That’s really important for kids. They are part of society and an important part of the school.”
The first bed will feature colour with flowering plants.
Once completed, the second bed will have edible plants and the third will feature a sensory garden with plants known for their texture and scent.
The raised beds project has been made possible thanks to a grant from the Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s matching fund.
Ag-horticulture teacher Saskia Ualesi said it’s exciting to have the Te Ringa Awhina students as an integral part of the wider project.
“It’s so exciting for the Te Ringa Awhina kids to have something that’s theirs and they can actually access. ”
She said Shallcrass had never done anything in the previous plot but had now been able to plant plants in the raised garden.
There are currently three students at the school who use wheelchairs.
Te Ringa Awhina leader of learning Moniqe Eades said students in wheelchairs were unable to access the plot previously assigned to the unit as it was at ground level.
“Matt came up with the design with students having raised beds and it’s going to be life-changing. A wheelchair can go right underneath, he’s been really clever with his design.”
Hands-on
She said the recess will allow students to work with their hands in the beds “otherwise they are just next to it and it’s not the same”.
“And to have it central, in the heart of the garden, to have produce and be part of the school and part of the ag-hort area
will be amazing ” She said many students from the unit prefer to have things at eye level, sometimes due to because of visual impairment or other sensory needs
The colour, smell and texture of the plants are all important elements, with and the fact that some will be edible also adding adds value to the area for the students.
“[Saskia] has really thought about the different needs of the kids – the sensory needs.”
Like much of the construction side of the Seed to Plate project, building the raised beds was seen as an authentic work experience opportunity for students. Working alongside Te Puke High
provide that opportunity for
Spiritual meaning
The beds are laid out in a Māori Trinity Koru design that has a spiritual meaning, one of peace, tranquillity, new beginnings and positive change.
It also represents the three stages of growth, life, and evolution.
Each koru symbolises the cyclical nature of life and the journey from youth to adulthood to old age.
School careers department teachers Adi Sutherland and Jo Melton, Park Building Services has used the garden bed project to
senior students.
Stuart Whitaker
Ag-horticulture teacher Saskia Ualesi, right, and teacher aide Amanda Gage-Brown help Silvio Shallcrass put the first plants in the raised garden. Photo / Stuart Whitaker
New community board signals change for Te Puke
While the start of voting in the Local Body Elections is still more than three weeks away, two nominees are already preparing to take their seats.
Sally Benning and Manvir Singh Mann were the only people to put their hands up for the two seats available for the Eastern Community Board Subdivsion of the Te Puke-Eastern Community Board, so have been elected unopposed
The Te Puke-Eastern Community Board will be made up of two members from the Eastern Subdivision, three from the Te Puke Subdivision and one of the three Maketū-Te Puke Ward members
Te Puke News’ Stuart Whitaker sat down with Benning to find out a little more about her and will do the same with Manvir next week
Can you tell us a bit about your background: what do you do for work, what have you previously done and where, family, how long you have been in the district and how you came to live here?
I emigrated to New Zealand in 1990 with my husband David, who had secured a role as a dairy farm manager in Edgecumbe David had relatives in New Zealand and had worked here for a year between his studies back in the 1980s With his work we moved to Atiamuri where I helped raise the calves and worked at the local radio station, then to Kaiawa on the Firth of Thames where I raised the calves and progressed from a sales role to general manager of Coromandel FM Radio station. In 1999 we moved to Pongakawa where
once again I reared the calves and had my first role in Te Puke as the Focus Te Puke co-ordinator, where I remained for six-and-a-half-years, helping to reboot the Kiwifruit Festival along with many other events and promotions.
I have subsequently worked as manager at Papamoa Plaza and mainstreet manager in Greerton for eight years before returning to work in my current role as events support at Epic Te P k i September 2023
Back in the UK I roles, around sales, and events, includin Saatchi & Saatchi i and a fun role work Gatwick News, Gat own newspaper, org large-scale events
Puke in had many marketing ng a stint at n London king for the twick Airport’s ganising
Have you previously had an other roles serving the community? If so, what were they?
Not like a community board, no For the last couple of years, I have been one of three ladies who chose to start a small informal group serving our local rural community in and around Rangiuru Rd.
This was mainly to assist as a connector as we saw a need for activities that we could organise and run to bring people in our community together To date, we have run two pumpkin-growing competitions and pumpkin parties, three quiz nights and a decorate-your-mailbox competition last year for Christmas
As a wider group, we meet monthly at someone ’ s house to exchange ideas and ll j k ep our community
generally just kee connected I am a comm MSD and sit committee fo on an “ as and What made to stand for commun It’s so
munity rep for the on a benefit review or that organisation d when” basis e you want a seat on the nity board?
omething I have ught about in the t, having always ad an interest in ocal Government and indeed, politics generally and now working part-time, this seemed the right time to put my hand up Until now the rural area outside Te Puke hasn’t had community board representation –how do you think being included in the area covered by the
community board will benefit that area?
I am hoping that with this change, it will give the community in this area more of a voice and opportunity to be heard y council
What do you hope to achieve as a member of the community board?
Obviously as a newbie to this role, I will have a lot to learn and to establish myself in this role I want to advocate for the community – I am a people person so I hope that I can learn and help by engaging and listening to the community’s needs in a positive and constructive way
What do you think are the main issues facing the wider Te Puke area that the community board might influence?
I think that transportation, parking and roading seem to be issues that face virtually every area and if, as a community board member, I am able to give voice to those issues from the Eastern Subdivision sector, then that will be one of my goals
We need to ensure that the Eastern Subdivision is receiving our share of services, provided by council
Feel free to tell us anything else about you that might be of interest or you would like the community to know.
I would just like to continue to promote Te Puke as a destination town, to see retail and community organisations thrive.
I would like us to be diverse, inclusive and proud of our town and wider community and I believe that the community board have worked hard in that space and have already achieved some good outcomes with more to come in this next triennium
Stuart Whitaker
Sally Benning has already secured a seat on the new Te Puke-Eastern Community Board.
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