Te Puke Primary School has taken centre stage on the national performing arts scene, winning the prestigious Showquest Choice Award at this year ’ s national final. After triumphing in the junior section of the Bay of Plenty regional competition in
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June, the school’s creative and energetic performance was selected by judges as a standout among entries from primary and intermediate schools across New Zealand. The award recognises originality, fun, and meaningful messaging rather
than technical scoring alone Their performance explored the imaginative possibilities unlocked when technology is taken away, and featured highlights such as a ukulele band, circus acts, and sword choreography Teacher Millie Rowe, who
co-led the production with Nicole Mills, said the win has inspired the school to aim even higher next year, and is a proud reflection of the school’s commitment to the arts. Read more on page 3.
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Te Puke NEWS
Te Puke police officer moves to lead Putaruru station
TePuke policerepo
Sergeant Mike Owen ort
This will be my final fortnightly column for Te Puke News
I have now moved to the South Waikato as officer in charge at the Putāruru Police Station
I want to take this opportunity to thank the Te Puke community for its support.
I have been officer in charge of the Te Puke Police Station for six years.
However, I began my time in the town as a front-line constable in 2001 and have had around five years away from Te Puke since then.
There are certainly some great people in this community who want nothing but to do good for the community
There is a lot of generosity and goodwill and I’ve met some really awesome people along the way, made some great contacts and Te Puke community and I will always have a soft spot for it as far as policing goes
I was here during the pandemic and it was a testing time for everybody with lockdowns and a new time for policing as well
But by and large, the community was really supportive of one another and really showed what a small community can do at times like that.
rural towns and that is set to continue. I first started policing in 1996 when I went to Wairoa I was there for three years and then moved to Westport, another small rural station, before transferring to Te Puke
The generosity of the town was never more apparent than when we went street to street for the Emergency Services Food drive each year
Over the years I have had some great staff at the Te Puke Police Station and to have their support as well as the support of the community along the way has been really, really special.
Being based in Te Puke brings a mix of urban and rural policing, and it’s true to say a contrast of challenges.
Much of my career so far has been in
You can ’ t bring big city ideas to a small rural town – they all have their own individual uniqueness and that’s been the appealing factor
I will look to bring the same mentality to Putāruru once I get used to the community and embed myself in the community
It will be great to have the police and the community working as one like we ’ ve got in Te Puke
It has been sad to leave Te Puke, but in a good way, and I will always have fond memories of the area.
Sergeant Mike Owen’s time as officer in charge at Te Puke Police Station has come to an end.
Mike Owen on patrol on the highway.
Photo / George Novak
A group of Te Puke Primary School students has won the Showquest Choice Award at a national performing arts competition.
The school won the junior section at the regional final of Showquest in June, leading to participation in the national final – pitting it against the best performances from primary and intermediate schools across the country
Judging was based on the videos of the regional performances with the awards ceremony streamed Students, teachers and parents gathered at the school to watch
When the results were announced, Te Puke Primary was named as winner of the Showquest Choice Award – the judges’ choice award
Teacher Millie Rowe who, with Nicole Mills, oversaw the preparation and performance, said they’re “ over the moon ” with the result
Te Puke students’ Showquest success sparks joy ’ h
She said it’s given her and the school plenty of motivation to do well at the next Showquest.
“And I think it also reinforces our belief in how much the school values the arts and how important it is in giving our kids these opportunities to come out with something like that We are just so proud of all of the time and effort that they put in ”
Rower said the Showquest Choice Award goes to the performance that didn’t necessarily score the highest, but impressed the judges in ways such as being fun, good to watch and having a good message
There was a pause after the award had been announced, but once the students realised what it meant, there was a huge cheer
“The kids saw our reaction then they kind of exploded,” said Rowe
“Maybe they didn’t fully understand what it might mean, then they saw our reaction and they were like ‘hey, this is awesome ’ ”
Showquest is a nationwide performing arts programme and a platform for youth
voices to be heard, with regional events in 11 towns and cities from which the national finalists are chosen
The message of the Te Puke Primary School performance revolved around what is possible if tech, devices and TV are suddenly no longer available to use, and how that could unleash children’s imaginations.
Held at Tauranga’s Baycourt Theatre, the regional competition offered a great opportunity for the students to perform in a big space with theatre lights, a sound system and projections.
Performance time was limited to eight minutes
All the national finalists’ performances were featured at the streamed ceremony, giving Rowe, Mills and the students an opportunity to see what was possible
“There were some phenomenal performances, the intermediate [schools] in particular were just amazing So for our little school in Te Puke to come out with that Showquest award we just
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couldn’t believe it ”
Rowe said seeing the other schools’ performances gave them plenty of food for thought for next year ’ s Showquest
Leona Revell from Centrepoint Theatre was one of the judges.
She said Te Puke’s performance was a creative and playful performance with lovely highlights.
“The ukulele band was a sweet, heartwarming moment, and it was wonderful to see individual student strengths shine through, particularly in the circus work and the sword choreography.
“Your message about the value of imagination, the power of play, and the importance of stepping away from our devices really resonated. It’s such a timely and important reminder for all of us. Tino pai – well done!”
Fellow judge Stormy Kay said: “What a joyful, high-energy adventure! Clever, playful and totally original. A strong reminder to unplug and reconnect, especially to the parents. ”
Stuart Whitaker
Images from Te Puke Primary School’s Showquest performance.
Photos / Chontalle Musson
Model wharenui transforms children’s marae visits
A Te Puke educator has created hands-on resources to teach tikanga and kawa, and they are now helping families and teachers across the region and even Australia.
Shona Ua-Marsh, who owns Giggles Te Puke Early Learning Centre, began making her own learning resource after taking a group of about 50 children on a marae visit.
When they first arrived, more than 20 children didn’t want to continue the visit after seeing the Māori carvings and how they made them feel. Another 23 weren ’ t sure about going further once the karanga began.
“I had only seven children ready to go through the waharoa and venture in. I realised in that moment that I had to normalise the idea of a marae and a wharenui – that I needed that in my classroom,” she said.
Learning resources
Two years ago, Ua-Marsh created a doll’s-house-sized model wharenui to help tamariki/ children learn through play
“Now children are excited to go, and I’ve never had one child actually want to leave the trip since.
“That’s through having that resource in our learning space to be able to give them prior knowledge before they go there ”
young learners Ua-Marsh has also created a paraikete, or learning blanket, so tamariki can learn te reo Māori, waiata (songs) and purakau (stories) in a simple, approachable way
She said it’s not just for kaiako (teachers); it’s for first-time learners who don’t know much about te ao Māori.
“This resource helps learners thread the connection between their ancestors and themselves, deciphering their own whakapapa ”
Te reo Māori is described as a language of identity, and the paraikete helps children communicate deeply and authentically
On the other side of the paraikete is a kakahu – “its intention is you can wrap that knowledge around the child”.
Interactive
Ua-Marsh is working on a new resource called Te Whare o te Auahatanga, a replica of a wharenui that allows artistic tamariki to paint, draw or interpret how they see a wharenui, helping them feel connected in their own way
Importantly, Ua-Marsh emphasised that these resources are for everyone.
“They are not just for Māori, it’s an understanding, it’s a space where everyone can find some goodness of understanding of how the world works and how our system of tikanga and kawa is about caring for others ”
rms
Ua-Marsh is also collaborating with Paper Plus Te Puke owners Stuart and Gloria Gunn
She said much of the learning started in her centre is now reaching the wider community
“A lot of our parents and whānau were going, ‘I want to learn’ or ‘I’m learning through my child,’ and Paper Plus is supporting by providing books and resources that support te ao Māori, what’s going on beyond the classrooms to home and our community
Te ao Māori is part of the curriculum at early learning, primary, intermediate and high school levels.
Community support
The model includes tukutuku panels, atua carvings and images – made to be engaging, not overwhelming for
She’s seen demand grow as families in New Zealand and beyond are using the resources to teach in classrooms and families.
Paper Plus is supporting families beyond the classroom, with more te reo Māori titles and learning aids.
Some of Ua-Marsh’s resources will be displayed in Paper Plus Te Puke ahead
of Māori Language Week, September 15-21, alongside Māori language books, jigsaws and games that help with te reo Māori learning. Or they can be viewed at whatuandco.co.nz
Gunn said the shop is part of a multicultural community and that they are proud to support resources that reflect te ao Māori
“We are part of the community, and this is part of the community so we support anything that’s part of the community It’s so important to us We are a very multicultural town and people want to know about this.”
He said the number of books available in te reo Māori is growing massively.
“I think that’s really important.”
For families and teachers, the message is clear, said Ua-Marsh: Te ao Māori is woven into everyday learning inside classrooms, in shops and across the wider community
Manvir Singh Mann’s vision for Te Puke community
The start of the Local Body Elections just a few weeks away, but 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.
Last week, Te Puke News’ Stuart Whitaker sat down with Benning to find out a little more about her, this week Whitaker spoke with Manvir Singh Mann who has been elected unopposed.
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 was born in Waikato, moved down to the Bay of Plenty at a very little age, my family has always worked in the kiwifruit industry in the Te Puke area. I went to Te Puke High School for some
time, then I studied horticulture at Toi Ohomai. I starting working as an orchard supervisor in Apata. Currently
I am an assistant orchard manager I love growing crops and looking after them all year round.
Have you ever previously had any other roles serving the community? If so what were they
This is my first step to serve the community
What made you want to stand for a seat on the community board?
I’m putting my name forward for a seat on the Te Puke Eastern
Subdivision because I really care about this place and the people in it Te Puke has been through a lot of change, and while that brings opportunities, it also means we need strong local voices to help guide that change in a way that works for all of us
For me, it’s about doing the right thing for the community I want to see better support for families, local businesses, and the everyday things that make life easier and more connected for people here. I believe in being approachable, listening properly, and making sure decisions reflect what the community actually needs and wants
Until now, the rural area outside Te Puke hasn’t had community board representation – how do you think
being included in the area cov by the community board will that area?
Previously, residents may have overlooked or disconnected fro decision-making Community representation gives them a dir to local government, ensuring needs, concerns, and ideas are h What do you hope to achiev member of the community bo As a member of the commun board, my goal is to be a strong practical voice for our commun especially for those who haven’ been heard. I want to help ensu decisions made at the board lev the real needs and values of the who live here.
What do you think are the m issues facing the wider Te Puk that the community board m influence?
Infrastructure and roading. Many rural and urban roads ar under pressure from increased traffic, heavy vehicles, and development. The board can advocate for safer roads, better maintenance, and more investment in footpaths, crossings, and signage – especially in high-use rural areas and around schools.
vered l benefit e felt om board rect line their heard ve as a oard? nity g, nity –’ t always ure that vel reflect e people main ke area ight re
Stuart Whitaker
Giggles early learning centre owner Shona Ua-Marsh with Te Puke Paper Plus owner Stuart Gunn. Photos / Stuart Whitaker
Shona’s model wharenui is a key element for learning about tikanga and kawa.
Manvir Singh Mann wants to be a strong, practical voice
$200,000
Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade has had 219 calls for the calendar year to August 18.
seating position gives them a clear view into the cabs of vehicles on the road
plaza transformation complete
Te Puke’s Heritage Plaza upgrade is now complete.
The refurbishment outside Te Puke Jewellers and My Pharmacy, on Jellicoe St, includes nikau palms, garden beds, lighting, seating nooks and a raised level area.
The $200,000 project was a joint initiative between the Te Puke Community Board and Western Bay of Plenty District Council, with funding drawn equally from the board’s roading account and council’s transportation budget.
When the project was given the green light back in June, then Te Puke Community Board chairwoman Kassie Ellis said the board’s commitment to improving public spaces and supporting a more vibrant town centre – while acknowledging that not everyone will see it the
same way “Like any town project, there are always a range of views,” said Ellis.
“But the board believes this upgrade will add real value – creating a people-friendly space where locals and visitors can pause, connect and enjoy what our town centre has to offer”
Designs were developed in 2024 by Bay of Plenty-based landscape architect Nichola Vague, and the final design approved in April 2025. Future artworks are also planned, with the support of local iwi – Tapuika and Waitaha. These will be developed to reflect a shared vision, upholding the identity, values and histories of man whenua through appropriate kōrero and artistic elements within in the space. Work began in June and was completed by early August
There have been 11 calls in the past fortnight. There has been one false alarm and one medical to assist with a person on Pāpāmoa Hills track who was airlifted to hospital by rescue helicopter
The brigade had two urban rubbish fires, and seven motor vehicle crashes. The latest involved a vehicle in a Pāpāmoa suburb crashing into a house and rupturing a natural gas line. Upon arrival, the brigade was not required as Greerton and Pāpāmoa trucks were on scene
The number of vehicle crashes that occur on relatively straight pieces of road with no obvious contributing factors from the roads themselves is amazing. These crashes are almost always driver error – even if alcohol or drugs are not involved, they are almost always caused by distractions leading to a lack of concentration, not driving to the conditions, or a combination thereof Crew see it regularly from the fire truck as the elevated
The number of people on their phones while driving is truly startling as most try to hold them below the windscreen line in the belief they can ’ t be seen.
Another interesting observation is drivers who seem to think a rear-vision mirror is for applying make-up or doing hair
The number of drivers who do not see a fire truck coming under lights and siren until we sound our horn right behind them is incredible.
Often drivers see a car in front of them pulling over and seem to think they are doing so for them to pass – there is no thought given to checking their mirrors before doing so
Our young drivers are taught to constantly scan their mirrors in order to obtain a driver’s licence – is this a habit that gets discarded as soon as they receive their full licence?
Don’t forget to check out the brigade’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ Te.Puke Fire.Brigade
Dale Lindsay, Chief Fire Officer
In Memoriam
WALKER, Cole Joseph.
Ten years ago today We lost a special sole Our loving son and brother.
"We miss you so much Cole"
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We’re looking for an experienced and capable digger/dozer operator to join our team currently based in Pukehina. Whether you’re seeking full-time, parttime, or occasional work, we can be flexible with hours and days to suit the right person.
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