Photo / Stuart Whitaker
Te Puke NEWS
Te Puke’s St Andrew’s Church closing after more than 100 years of service
St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church has served the Te Puke community for more than 100 years
But next month its doors will be closed permanently
After many years of significant challenges and after a seven-month period of prayerful discernment and discussion, a commission of the Kaimai Presbytery recently came to the difficult decision that St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Te Puke was no longer able to fulfil the requirements of a Presbyterian congregation
The final service will be held on October
5 and the church will officially close on October 31. The congregation was told of the commission’s decision last month
Interim moderator Rev Sandra Warner said the decision was not made lightly
“As with many other smaller beloved churches, as membership dwindles and grows older there is a deficit of people to assume the leadership roles necessary for a church to function, and very hard decisions are reluctantly made.
“It is very sad that St Andrew’s can no longer serve and thrive as we highly value our local churches.
“We wish that we were able to retain all our churches, and St Andrews has a rich
history
but unfortunately, we are not in a position to do so ”
The Kaimai Presbytery would work through a dissolution process to preserve the history of the church, support parishioners with pastoral care, consider new ministry opportunities, and care for the buildings until a decision is made about their future.
The St Andrew’s Preschool lease has recently been renewed and will be honoured by the Church
There will be a chance to ask questions at the church on September 21.
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filled with treasured memories,
The final service at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church will take place on October 5. Photo / Supplied
Stuart Whitaker
Primary students go out into community for good
Students from Te Puke Primary School have being doing good out of the classroom.
The Year 5-6 Future Force team has been learning about community service and putting what they have discovered into practice.
A week of activities included performing at early learning centres
“For us, as teachers, we ’ ve noticed that kids have a natural inclination towards helping which is what we ’ ve found with the kids in our school, so we wanted them to just take that a little bit further and take it to the community”
Students had demonstrated a pride in being part of Te Puke, said Douglas “We just wanted to build that connection with the community and give them a sense of pride in being where they live and giving back to the community”
Douglas said the unit ties in with the school values of manaakitanga (care, respect, generosity and kindness) and kotahitangai (togetherness).
There was a flyer drop a week before the can drive. “The kids were really excited [about the can drive] It was like a treasure hunt. Obviously some residents didn’t do it, so they were pretty excited to find cans. ”
In preparation for the week, Douglas said students had written different types of letters and designed flyers and posters. The students and elderly people alike appreciated the rest home performances, Douglas said “And for the little kids, seeing the older kids in their space – the older kids just loved it.
Giggles and 4Woods and rest homes CHT Glynavon r House s also a can collect none food for Te Puke’s oodbank and a litter collection Te Puke Primary School associate principal and Future Force team leader Mike Douglas id the Out r Good unit as something ew for the udents
“It was great to see the energy that the kids brought and they were able to encourage each other to get excited about doing what they were doing.”
Many of the students are from cultural groups within the school so it was relatively easy to put the performances together
The next step is for students to learn, under the banner of being an influencer,
how to write influential social media posts
“So we are looking at hash tags and our language around creating positivity in the digital world,” said Douglas “They’ve got their information, how are we going to push it out to everyone?”
Bay Venues awardedcontract to runTe PukeMemorialPool
Western Bay of Plenty District Council has handed over the running of Te Puke Memorial Pool to Bay Venues for the next four years, with a two-year, performance-based extension.
The move to award the pool’s service delivery contract to Bay Venues, along with that of Katikati’s Dave Hume Pool, came after both pools’ former contracts expired in April
The Katikati facility was previously operated by the Dave Hume Swimming Pool Trust and the Te Puke pool by a private contractor
In a statement, WBOPDC said the switch to a new operator would offer an expanded range of activities and swimming programmes when they open for the summer season
The partnership brings new aquatic opportunities for the two communities while keeping the running of the pools local, the council’s interim chief executive Miriam Taris said. “Bay Venues is a not-for-profit organisation that has strong community connections and also provides local jobs They already manage five public pools across the BOP and are well placed to work with Katikati and
Te Puke communities to expand learn-to-swim programmes and support groups that struggle to access pool space elsewhere. This means better access and more effective use of public pools ”
WBOPDC owns the pool plant, changing rooms for disabled people and other equipment at Te Puke Memorial Pool, located at Te Puke High School on land owned by Waitaha iwi and leased to the Ministry of Education
These assets remain under WBOPDC ownership while Bay Venues will be responsible for day-to-day operational expenses, including maintenance – but not capital works
While Bay Venues is a Tauranga City Councilowned Council Controlled Organisation, the finances for Te Puke and Katikati pools will be managed separately, ensuring ratepayers from each council only pay for their own pools, while benefiting from sharing of some mutual overhead costs.
Taris said a new swimming pool development for Te Puke is earmarked for 2030 in the 20242034 Long Term Plan, and that the location and design are yet to be decided. “The existing pools have served their communities well for many years, but with a growing population and evolving expectations of what facilities like these
should provide, now was the right time to review how they could best continue to meet current needs,” Taris said.
“While we don’t know exactly what our future pools will look like, we ’ re focused on making the best use of the facilities we have now so they can continue to offer a wide range of programmes and activities to meet our community’s
Stuart
Whitaker
Dhruv reading to a resident at Carter House. Photos / Supplied
Success for Ashriya at the can drive.
Te Puke Memorial Pool. Photo / File
The Great Te Puke Tidy Up arrives
Spring is here and with it comes, we are told, the urge to clean
Epic Te Puke is hoping that urge can translate into a week-long town clean up beginning on Monday, September 15
A one-day town clean-up has been held, coinciding with Keep New Zealand Beautiful Week, for several years – but in 2025 things are a little different
A one-day spring clean will still take place – complete with giveaways, games and pizza next Friday, September 19 –but this year it will be the culmination of a week of litter collection
Now named the Great Te Puke Tidy Up, the rubbish gathering event will be from September 15-19 again coinciding with Keep New Zealand Beautiful Week
EPIC Te Puke’s Sally Benning said the hope is that schools, community groups and businesses will all become involved, collecting rubbish during the week
Benning said they will be able to audit the rubbish collected and she hoped representatives will go along to the Spring Clean Pizza Party next Friday that will start 3pm at The Daily Café.
The fun event will be a chance to help clean up the town centre, Benning said
All the rubbish collected will be sorted and weighted to gauge how much and what type of litter there is in Te Puke.
This data, along with audit results, will be shared with the Western Bay
Stuart Whitaker
of Plenty District Council to help guide future environmental planning and waste management improvements, said Benning. Among the organisations represented at the pizza party will be MOWS,
Envirohub and the Sea Cleaner Trust The trust is committed to preserving New Zealand’s stunning coastline for the benefit of marine life and for the enjoyment of all
Western Bay of Plenty District Council staff will also be there with the Bin It Right game – a chance to learn more about recycling and rubbish disposal
The Great Te Puke Tidy Up this year is a week-long activity in town. Photo / Supplied
Lyn recognised for leaving her mark on Te Puke
From sports fields to ambulance stations, Lyn Govenlock has left her mark on the Te Puke community
Govenlock has spent 35 years with St John Ambulance and is currently the Te Puke area committee chairwoman
She has been recognised for her contribution to grassroots cricket, to the Playcentre organisation and to St John Ambulance
Recently her dedication to her community was also recognised when she was named this year ’ s Lorna Treloar Memorial Te Puke Citizen of the Year
Cricket
Much of Govenlock’s volunteer work has been tied to the activities of her children When her daughters Claire and Leigh started playing cricket, Govenlock also signed up She became an organiser, gear packer, transport provider and scorekeeper
From 2005 to 2013, she represented Te Puke on the Western Bay Junior Cricket Committee, helped create the Battle of the Bridge tournaments, and championed girls’ cricket with initiatives like Monday night cricket and the Rainbow Cup In 2014, she was awarded the Allan McBride Trophy for Services to Junior Cricket
Playcentre
St John
Her involvement in St John, though, was something that was on the back of her own passion for the community She has led projects that have had a direct impact on health and safety in the community
Govenlock had supported volunteers with first aid resources, and guided the planning and fundraising for Te Puke’s purpose-built St John station
Health shuttle
Under her guidance, the Health Shuttle Service was launched in 2018 She had also overseen Shocktober CPR and AED training, ensuring businesses and locals were ready to respond in emergencies She helped secure a publicly accessible defibrillator at the Te Puke Anglican Church
She is modest about her contribution
“It’s just keeping the community safe because it’s where we live, where our friends and family are ”
Govenlock is also a life member of Playcentre, has sat on boards of trustees and has coached a girls’ football team at the AIMS Games as well as providing first aid cover at the games “I got involved in a lot of things because of the kids But it’s all about making things work because unless you put your hand up, things don’t happen,” she said
She continues to volunteer in a community education role “I’m still active, but I’m not running around on ambulances now – I leave that for the
younger people But I still have a lot of knowledge and to use to make a difference and inspire others to do the same ”
Govenlock said she was proud of the number of ambulance officers who are part of the St John Ambulance service who she has encouraged through the years
At the ceremony, while the citation was read out, Govenlock said: “that person ’ s done a lot, they should probably give it to them”.
Whole community
Govenlock said while she has been recognised by the organisations she has
helped out, the Lorna Treloar award is a little different because it comes from the whole community
The annual Citizen of the Year award is an initiative of Te Puke Creative Forum
Past recipients include Veena Halliwell, whose energy and heart lifted countless community initiatives; Michael Jones, a leader across sport, the arts, and local government; and the late Rev Rereamanu (Manu) Wihapi, who guided and inspired through faith, tikanga, and service
Each recipient has left a lasting mark on Te Puke. Stuart Whitaker
It’s time for Real Change
Focus
Our council must get back to basics The first job is to appoint a new Chief Executive who wants to work closely with the council and the community We also need a strategic review of the council’s role and purpose. We must involve all of our communities in that process, not do it behind closed doors
Efficiency
We can not afford further big rates increases so the full strategic review must have savings at its core. Our council’s overheads are higher than other similar councils and we can no longer afford “Business as Usual” This will require an open discussion with the community about council services and where you want us to focus
Vote Rodney
Openness
The biggest complaint about council, after high rates, is a perception that council talks down to the public We need leaders who communicate the news of council without spin -- the tough stuff as well as happy news We need a more humble council with a genuine openness to the ideas of others
Transparency
We have made progress with published workshop notes and more open debate at council meetings Next steps are genuine engagement with the public, including ‘no change’ as an option during consultation exercises and an enlarged role for community boards Residents should not be surprised by the council’s decision-making process
JOYCE
Mayor
The Lorna Treloar Memorial Te Puke Citizen of the Year for 2025 is Lyn Govenlock, with, left, Te Puke Creative Forum’s Ann Jones, Lyn’s husband Barry and their daughters Claire, left, and Leigh Roderick. Photo / Supplied
All the action from Te Puke kids
The Zespri AIMS Games are finished for another year – and it was another fabulous week of sport for Te Puke district schools.
There was success for Te Puke Intermediate School’s Mercedes who won the Year 7-8 Athletes with Disabilities cross country and Sophie who won gold in the Tumbling Girls
Twisters section of the gymnastics. Also from Te Puke Intermediate School, Mahy and Dhalia were second in the indoor bowls pairs for Athletes with Disabilities.
Rangiuru School’s Baxter was recognised for his great play in the indoor bowls competition and his sportsmanship and encouragement of players from other schools.
Indoor bowler Molly Meredith from Rangiuru School Photo / Simon Watts
Novah Parsons from Pongakawa School competing in the girls’ Year 8 cross country Photo / Zach Quin/blinkshot Photography
Mason playing for Te Puke Intermediate in the 3 on 3 basketball Photo / Stuart Whitaker
s at AIMS Games
JAMES DENYER
I want effective planning for our future, the right development in the right place and at a cost that is affordable
WHAT’S NEXT:
Major works to fix & upgrade roads
Spatial plan for Te Puke almost complete
Cost saving initiatives
Expanded community board representation
Upgraded and new playgrounds
New bridge on No.4 Road
Rangiuru Business Park progressing to signed tenancies
Finalising Regional Deal for projects like:
- Enabling housing
- SH29 upgrades and access to the port
- TNL2
Seek options to alleviate traffic through Te Puke
Continue local roading repairs and upgrades
Explore options for proposed new swimming pool
New wastewater plant to cater for growth
Te Ranga School student Diane Hollis jumping for the ball. Photo / Supplied
Noah, in blue, battles for the ball in Te Puke Intermediate School’s game against Northcross Intermediate. Photo / Stuart Whitaker
Epeli breaking a tackle as Te Puke Intermediate boys’ sevens team beat Te Awamutu Intermediate. Photo / Stuart Whitaker
Te Puke Intermediate mixed hockey team captain Georgia Photo / Stuart Whitaker
Eye collection looking for new home
What has more than 2500 eyes, can ’ t see, but is looking for a new home? It sounds like a riddle – but it really isn’t
The answer is a basement in Te Puke and the artificial eyes belong to Bruce Brown, who is searching for a new home for them
The eyes were bequeathed to him by his father, James Brown, when he died 29 years ago
James Brown was a prosthetic eye maker who travelled around the North Island offering his services He was also a dental technician at Burnham Military Camp during World War II New method
After the war he went to work at Burwood Hospital in Christchurch A new method of making prosthetic eyes had been developed in the 1930s using used polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), commonly known as acrylic glass.
Prior to that they had been made from glass, which was much more fragile, said Bruce Brown
“When he started working in 1948 1947 in Burwoo Hospital, they had a couple of innovative guys from England who came out because they’d been fixing up the soldiers from the Second Worl War,” said Bruce “The guy [dad] learned off had made them in England ”
After he left the hospital, James still worked with its surgeons, but also began his own business, travelling the South Island.
He later moved north and did the same throughout the central North Island, Taranaki, the Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay
By hand
He would add bits of red velvet to mimic veins in the whites of the eyes too, said Bruce
While he was at university Bruce would help his father with jobs such as polishing the eyes and later he sometimes travelled with hm too
But it wasn ’ t just prosthetic eyes for humans that James made, he also supplied artificial eyes for taxidermists, provided eyes for a wax work exhibition in Christchurch in the 1970s and for exhibits at Waiouru Army Museum
He carried cases of artificial eyes around with him whenever he travelled
“If someone showed up he would say:
‘This one fits’ and he would sell it to them for a reasonably small amount:
$300-$400 Now they are about five or six thousand,” said Bruce
The divine right
He said that often people couldn’t even afford that, but James still made sure they could have their artificial eye
“He did it because he enjoyed it and he enjoyed seeing people who were thinking ‘It’s the end of my lif ’ d all of a sudden could look human e of his quotes was t: Everyone has the vine right to look uman ’ ” The eye making ook plenty of nowhow and James ways used Winsor d Newton paint ecause it didn’t de” “The painting ok a bit of skill, but en there was also tting it into the eye ocket and getting t comfortable Everyone’s eyes are different,” said Bruce For almost every patient James would make two artificial eyes, even though many people only bought one This is the reason the collection is so large
Bruce said it is surprising how many people lose eyes either through accidents or something like cancer
two because they’d go swimming or something and lose an eye Other times they were quite happy to have the one ” There is an order to the collection and Bruce is confident that if someone had gone back to his dad asking for a replacement, he would quickly be able to find the second eye he had made
New home needed
Bruce has decided he needs to find a new home for the collection because he is downsizing
any firm ideas who might want the collection “There’s no real reason why they all need to go to the same place ” He wonders if there is a medical museum where they might be welcome, or perhaps an optometrist might like to have a tray on display
Each eye he made was unique and he would paint the irises by hand
sometimes sitting in front of the patient
“Over the years he thought he had about 4000 patients – he always made two and sometimes people bought
He has advertised in the South Island and in the NZ Herald with little response He said he doesn’t have
“Really seems such as shame for them just to effectively be put into storage or biffed ” Bruce said if people are wanting to make money from the eyes, he wanted people to purchase them However, if he can find a worthy cause, he would gift them f f T B e il faberb a
A small part of the collection.
Bruce Brown with one of the trays from the prosthetic eye collection. Photos / Stuart Whitaker
Online videos let voters get feel for candidates
Western Bay of Plenty voters have a new way to get to know their Local Body Election candidates this year, with short videos now available online.
Of the 55 people standing for the Mayor, councillor and community board positions in the WBOP district, 40 have recorded a 90-second video introducing themselves and answering four questions
The questions are: What’s the biggest challenge facing the Western Bay? Why do you think you ’ ve got what it takes? What’s one local issue you’d focus on in the next 12 months – and why? Lastly, in five words or less, how would you describe the Western Bay?
The videos sit alongside candidate statements online at: yourplace westernbay.govt.nz/elections
The website allows to browse candidates by ward, community board area, or community board subdivision, said Western Bay of Plenty District Council governance manager Robyn Garrett Easier
Printed candidate booklets with statements would also be sent out with voting packs, which would arrive in letterboxes between September 9 and 22 The candidate video profiles are one of several ways in which council is making it easier for people to participate this election year – alongside an interactive, mobile-friendly digital dashboard and bright orange voting bins at key community locations, said Garrett
She said the videos give candidates a chance to speak directly to voters in their own words – and is a simple, accessible way for people to get a feel for who the candidates are
“They are a chance for people to see and hear the people who want to represent them, not just read about them,” said Garrett
“We know that a lack of information about candidates is one of the main reasons people don’t vote We want people to feel confident about casting their vote, and this is another way of helping people to feel informed and engaged ”
Structure changed
Following a recent representation review, the council structure changed for the 2025 and 2028 elections This year, most residents will 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), because they are not part of a community board area
Voters across the Western Bay will elect: one Mayor (elected at large); nine councillors including two in Katikati-Waihī Beach Ward, three in Kaimai Ward, three in Maketu-Te Puke Ward, and one in the new Waka Kai Uru Māori Ward, which would be elected by those on the Māori Electoral Roll Community board members would be across five boards, with new subdivisions introduced in some areas to ensure more localised representation
Voting packs will be delivered to letterboxes from September 9-22
Voting closes midday on Saturday, October 11
Western Bay of Plenty District Council uses the First Past the Post (FPP) voting system That means you simply tick the name of the person(s) you most want to represent you in each category – and the candidate with the most votes wins
Binding referendum
A binding referendum will also be included in voting pack – asking voters to decide whether the Māori Ward continues for the 2028 and 2031 elections This referendum would sit alongside voting materials when voting opens from September 9-October 11
If not enrolled by August 1, residents are still able to enrol and vote in the election by way of a special vote To cast a special vote, visit any of council’s five library and service centres, complete a declaration and be issued special voting papers to complete View candidate videos, visit: yourplace
Western BOP voters can get to know candidates online this election. Photo / Alex Cairns
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