Te Awamutu News | May 28, 2020

TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 1

THURSDAY MAY 28, 2020

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Feds back rates freeze Federated Farmers has told the Waipā District Council to “resist the temptation to try and stimulate the local economy.

In a joint submission to the council’s annual plan, Federated Farmers said a total rethink was required as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic “which has shifted the goal posts significantly and in a way that could have never been predicted or modelled against”.

The submission was in the name of Waikato provincial president Andrew McGiven, and branch chairs John Searle (Cambridge) and Kerry Gray (Te Awamutu).

“These are unprecedented times, and Council can’t simply continue with business as usual. We urge Council to review current income and expenditure to identify areas of savings and work to reduce the proposed rate increases,” the wrote.

District councillors have this week being hearing submissions on its annual plan – initially pitched with a 4.2 percent rate increase.

Ahead of the hearing, and after the Waikato Regional Council announced a freeze on rates, mayor Jim Mylchreest said rates needs of the two were different and

MAY 28, 2020

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Face to face…

Councillors listen to Te Awamutu Community Board chair Ange Holt speaking to its Waipa District Council draft Annual Plan 2020- 21 submission on Tuesday. This is how more than 40 submissions have been considered over two days of hearings this week. For a snapshot of what some submitters wanted, see page 8 likened them to apples and pears (See story, Page 3) A total of 42 submissions were being heard this week as councillors were on one hand implored not to spend, and on the other to support worthy causes in the district.

Down on the farm: Federated Farmers say their members are already facing a pending crisis through compliance costs and drought conditions.

Federated Farmers said they anticipated commercial and residential ratepayers would struggle with rates where income has been lost.

The cost of “expansionary local spending frequently lands on farms through property value rates, which in turn adversely affects the rural economy”, the submission argued.

The rural economy was facing its own pending crisis in the form of significantly increased regulatory and compliance costs and managing the ongoing and persistent drought conditions heading into winter.

“We ask Council to resist the temptation to try and stimulate the local economy.

Local Government cannot stimulate growth through spending in the way central government can. The cost of expansionary local spending frequently lands on farms through property value rates, which in turn adversely affects the rural economy.

“The rural economy is facing its own pending crisis in the form of significantly increased regulatory and compliance costs

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which are proposed under draft National Policy Statements and managing the ongoing and persistent drought conditions heading into winter.”

It encouraged the council to back a zerorate rise.

“We also understand there are some community projects which are nearing final stages of completion and clearly these works need to be finished. However other ‘nice to have’ projects need to be parked until the full economic and social impacts of Covid-19 are known and communities are given time to reassess priorities.

In a separate submission Federated Farmers National President and Local Government Spokesperson Katie Milne asked council to consider the impact of Covid-19 when setting rates and said her organisation would ask the Government to consider using taxpayer money to meet some local government costs, particularly relating to water.

More on the submissions, see Page 8.

2 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

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THURSDAY MAY 28, 2020

It was a happy bee day

By Viv Posselt

New Zealand joined global beekeepers on May 20 to mark World Bee Day, a United Nations-supported day launched in 2018 to raise awareness around the importance of honeybees and commemorate the birthday of the 18th century Slovenian apiculture pioneer, Anton Janša.

By all accounts, Kiwi bee populations are thriving, due largely to strict regulatory protocols around risk factors, most particularly those posed by the varroa mite and a bacterial disease known as American Foulbrood (AFB).

The latter is highly transmissible, and hives found to have AFB are torched to avoid it spreading.

The measures must be working - the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation is said to rate New Zealand seventh in the world for bee population growth over a decade. An increasing number of hobby beekeepers across the Waikato suggests that the positive trend is seen equally among those electing to keep bees for pleasure rather than profit.

Brian Karl, president of the Waikato Domestic Beekeepers Association (WDBA), said the organisation has around 350 members stretching from Otorohanga to Te Kauwhata.

Letters Rates debate

The mayor says that he cannot see a rates freeze. His drive for population growth is at the expense of the character and quality of life. We have congested roads and roads breaking up fairly soon after being repaired. The water supply from Pirongia is insufficient for the town, so we now have the expense of a water pipeline, multimillion dollars, to sustain this population growth.

Cambridge North growth cell is having roundabouts and other road extensions for that area to access the expressway, the cost due this population growth and is unnecessary. From all the housing around the lake and now there is runoff. All the concrete and roading associated with this housing causing environment problems all due to this must-have a big population.

Waipa loaned the velodrome $1 million to be repaid over 20 years. They are now saying it was a grant and that the increase in rates paid it off. Which is correct?

Bernie Fynn Te Awamutu Editor’s note: Ken Morris, Group Manager Business Support responds: “Council made a $1 million grant to The Home of Cycling Charitable Trust, who built and own the Avantidrome. This grant has been financed by way of a 20-year loan. Council has always been clear that it is a grant, and of the financing mechanism.

He believes there are more than 1500 registered hives in and around Hamilton alone; it is likely, he said, there will be numerous others operating ‘under the radar’.

“We are maintaining a healthy number of hobby beekeepers. There were probably over 100 people at each of our meetings last year … and while some are there just to see whether they are interested in taking it further, the numbers of people who go on to keep hives is growing.”

Rudy Scheepens is a Waipa-based committee member and beekeeper of some 30 years. He said when he joined the WDBA after moving to the Cambridge area about nine years ago, there were around 60 members.

Like his association colleague Terry Storer, who has been a member for six years, Rudy finds that keeping bees is an enthralling and entertaining pastime, one that brings rewards far beyond the honey they harvest each year.

Beekeeping is not a money game for the hobbyists. They do it because they are consumed by it. They find bees fascinating … some, like Rudy and Terry, become inventive geniuses as they create new ways to improve their hives and work more harmoniously with their bees’ natural rhythms.

There is a constant need for vigilance, they said, not only from wasps and other natural enemies of the bees, but for signs of the dreaded varroa mite and American Foulbrood.

Terry Storer and Rudy Scheepens say the Waikato is doing its bees proud.

Maintaining strict levels of hive hygiene is paramount - a bee’s range is generally 5-6km, which means problems can easily transmit from one hive to another.

“You would probably find hives every 6km or so in this region,” said Terry.

Rudy started out by looking for ways to pollinate the macadamia trees he planted on a 10-acre block in Albany. Once into the beekeeping fraternity, he was hooked, despite the fact the bees preferred the neighbouring manuka to his macadamia.

“I’ve been keeping bees ever since,” he said, “and no matter how long I do it, I never stop finding bees really interesting. Besides, it is the most tremendous fun.”

On the beat Get your support going with Ryan Fleming

As you may have read already, Te Awamutu police conducted a series of Search Warrants recently in relation to a string of burglaries in and around Te Awamutu. This highlights to me the absolute need for communities to form Neighbourhood Support groups.

Neighbourhood Support is a free resource communities can tap into in order to protect themselves from criminals. I know I harp on about this a lot and I make no apology for that as these groups are the single biggest factor in prevention.

These groups work better when they are not too large and the contact between neighbours is maintained. I am actively looking to recruit people in Te Awamutu to become Neighbourhood Support coordinators for their respective area.

The commitment is minimal and really only involves maintaining a list of people in the respective group and keeping lines of communication open to neighbours. It’s all about getting involved and looking after each other. If you are interested, please email me at ryan.fleming@police.govt.nz Another resource that we are lucky

to have in Te Awamutu and Waipa is Commsafe.

Commsafe maintains Neighbourhood Support in Waipa, administers the Community Patrols and assists by monitoring the CCTV system installed by Waipā District Council. To add your details to the database it is simple as going to www.commsafe.co.nz.

While I’m on the topic of Commsafe, I would like to pay a tribute to Darryl Nix who recently finished working with Commsafe.

Darryl and I had a close working relationship and as a result of sharing intelligence I had a couple of great catches in relation to burglaries over the past few years. Darryl also completed the heavy lifting with respect to organising public meetings at the more remote rural locations and as a result was instrumental in getting smaller communities to self-fund CCTV. Darryl I wish you all the best in your endeavours.

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TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 3

THURSDAY MAY 28, 2020

Holding rates as the district emerges from Covid-19 will cost jobs, Mylchreest warns.

Zero to hero? Why mayor has doubts

By Jeremy Smith

Waipā mayor Jim Mylchreest has warned against comparing apples with oranges following a regional council freeze on rates.

Waikato Regional Council chairman Russ Rimmington said residents may be facing long lists of money worries – but his council was adamant rates rises from them wouldn’t be among them.

Mayor Mylchreest though, said a comparison between the district and regional organisations couldn’t be made.

“It’s like comparing apples with oranges – you can’t,” he said.

He said the regional council council had fewer assets to maintain or capital works to undertake. It has approved a $101.94 million budget and a decrease in rates revenue from current ratepayers of 0.1 per cent

compared to the 2019/20 financial year.

The decision is certain to see the volume raised on calls for district council to follow suit.

High on Jim Mylchreest’s radar is the fact the district council is in the midst of the annual plan process - submissions to Waipā’s 2020-21 Draft Annual Plan were heard over two days this week at an extraordinary meeting of council’s Strategic Planning and Policy Committee.

Following the hearings, where members of the community spoke to their submissions, the revised draft will go back to the Strategic Planning and Policy Committee meeting for consideration again on June 9.

The Annual Plan will be adopted

by June 30.

Mr Mylchreest said Covid-19

struck right when Waipā and other councils made announcements on rates for the next financial year.

In February, an average increase in Waipā of 4.2 per cent for 2020/21 went out for community consultation the same day New Zealand went to Alert Level 3.

At the time, Waipā’s forecast increase was similar to many other councils, driven largely by capital works programmes, he said.

“Now though, we are also dealing with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Mr Mylchreest said Waipā business are struggling financially and so are residents.

“We’ve been working hard to review all budgets and revenue to see how we can create some shortterm rates relief without stripping away or pushing back much-needed projects.

“Spending on capital programmes is a really important part of economic recovery because these projects create jobs, necessary infrastructure for growth and future revenue.

“Deciding which activities go ahead and which can be put on hold to provide rates relief is a real balancing act.”

Waipā local body politicians echoed the views that there were big challenges ahead in finding a balance to ensure rate payers could live within their means and an economic stimulus was provided.

Deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk said both were needed.

“We have to find a way to make rates affordable for many who have seen a financial decrease versus getting back and running as a district.”

Cambridge ward councillor Roger Gordon said council had

Jim Mylchreest

been working hard to have a wellbalanced response that works towards Covid-19 recovery.

Te Awamutu ward councillor Andrew Brown said the council was trying to “predict the future with incomplete and uncertain data.”

Bumps in the road A good day – despite high flyers Drivers may find some roads slightly bumpier this winter as a result of the summer drought.

The dry summer and autumn has resulted in peat soils on which several roads in Waipā are built shrinking. That is causing road surfaces to settle unevenly, creating bumps, cracks and ruts in the road.

The areas most affected include Rukuhia, Collins and O’Regan roads in Rukuhia, and Storey and Cambridge roads between Te Awamutu and Cambridge.

Waipā District Council transportation manager Bryan Hudson said it was a common problem around the Waikato region, which contains about half of New Zealand’s peatland.

“Many roads in the Waikato are built on top of peat soils.

These soils are very deep in the earth so excavating them and building a normal road foundation would be extremely costly.

“Instead, we manage the situation by allowing for the reshaping of the surface of peat roads every five to 20 years, but exceptionally dry years mean more repair work. This year, because of the weather, the issue is more pronounced.”

Hudson said Council was monitoring these roads and where necessary would erect warning signs and speed restrictions or smooth the surface with asphalt.

Signs and speed restrictions are in place on Storey and Cambridge roads already.

Some speed restrictions on affected roads could be in place for several months.

Hudson encouraged road users to report any issues and drive to the conditions over the winter period.

By Jeremy Smith

A Waipā duck hunter is reporting his season is off to a flying start.

Te Awamutu’s David Hudson – who owns Hamills Waikato – and a group of friends joined other hunters out in force on opening day last Saturday as the Waikato region’s duck hunting season got off the ground.

“It was a fantastic day, more than anything, I think it was great for people to be out socialising with friends, and be face to face again, rather than on the telephone.”

Mr Hudson reported getting about 40 ducks between himself and six of his friends and noted that the type of ducks they were coming across has shifted.

He also reported though that overall duck numbers were slightly down.

“Starting the season later than we would in other years meant there weren’t as many paradise ducks as we would probably expect to see on opening day,” he said.

Mr Hudson said hunting spots in the Waikato were in high demand, with people usually travelling long distances to hunt in the region.

He was also pleased to see safety being paramount in all hunting activities he was part of over the weekend.

“Again, the social aspects of the day were perhaps even a bigger part of the day than hunting was – I loved seeing people out with their mates getting to catch up again.”

Playing a part in how opening day shaped up was the sunny weather, Mr Hudson said. “Because it was really hot, the ducks were flying higher. If it had been wet and rainy and a little bit colder it might have been better.”

After getting off to a slightly later start than normal, Waikato hunters this year get a week longer than they are normally allowed.

David Hudson on the opening day of the duck hunting season last The 2020 duck hunting season runs until June 28.

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THURSDAY MAY 28, 2020

Waipā project in ‘shovel ready’ mix Cash to upgrade water infrastructure and new housing for Waipā could still come from the Government’s “shovel ready” project fund.

A joint bid for funds was made by Hamilton City, Waipa and Waikato District councils for 23 projects.

It was announced last week 18, primarily for Hamilton, had made the “first cut”.

They have now been sent to the Minister of Economic Development Phil Twyford and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones for further assessment.

They include a plan to improve walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure in Hamilton, enhancements to the Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail service, an upgrade of tourist routes in Waikato as well as sports field development, a new entrance for the Hamilton Zoo and Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park, and development of Hamilton’s gully network and supporting the Ruakura, Peacocke and Rotokauri growth cells.

In Waipa, a proposal for significant upgrades to waters infrastructure and support for new housing areas in Cambridge remain under consideration.

Four other projects sent to the Provincial Development Unit for consideration are

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the development of a Pan Pasifika Hub in Hamilton, the Hamilton to Cambridge section of the Te Awa cycleway, and two projects to upgrade infrastructure at Hamilton Airport.

Only one project put forward from the region has not made the short-list. It will be several weeks before an announcement is made confirming which projects will be supported across the country.

Waipa Mayor Jim Mylchreest said the joint Council approach had paid dividends and Waikato had put up a strong and cohesive case for government support.

“…the fact that so many of our projects are firmly in the mix is testament to the fact that we understood what the government wanted, and we responded accordingly. Now it’s a case of wait and see.”

Waikato District Mayor and Waikato Mayoral Forum Chair Allan Sanson said the announcement was welcome given the grim economic outlook nationally.

He said the region looked to be “well ahead of the national strike rate compared to other parts of the country”.

“That’s a reflection of the very good

planning work around the Auckland to Hamilton corridor and it reflects that spatial planning for our region is very well-regarded in Wellington.”

Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate said the “top-notch” relationships with neighbouring Councils and said strong partnerships would be key going forward.

“I understand less than half of projects put forward across the country have made it through to the next stage, so the Waikato region and Hamilton city have done extremely well to this point.”

The pest fish of the Waikato’s peat lakes was among the first targets as the district’s Department of Conservation (DOC) operational staff returned to field work.

More than 300 catfish were caught in their first two days on a Waipā lake.

After seven weeks of working from home doing online training and planning during the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown, Hamilton-based Rangers Mark Lammas and Jess Roeger were joined by Biodiversity Senior Ranger Nigel Binks at Lake Rotopiko (Lake Serpentine) just south of Ōhaupo.

“It’s great to be back out in the field,” says Mark Lammas. “Everyone is pretty eager for a change of scenery at the moment,” Nigel Binks said. “And some pest fish work definitely ticks that box.”

The trio were greeted by clear blue autumn skies and a touch of frost during several days of work netting pest fish – part of decades of effort to regenerate and restore the environments around the series of peat lakes in the district.

DOC is one of several agencies involved in restoring the lake environments, along with the National Wetland Trust, NZ Landcare Trust and Waikato Regional Council.

The trio’s work - using a small inflatable boat equipped with an outboard motor - has seen them pull catfish, rudd and goldfish from Lake Rotopiko’s southern lake waters using set nets.

Pest fish collected from the lakes are euthanised and turned into pet food or fertiliser.

“We’ve got 33 nets spaced 20 metres apart all around the lake,” says Mark Lammas.

The work was originally programmed for March, but the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown meant it had to be postponed.

With duck shooting season starting the netting’s urgency was heightened and it was a priority job for the district’s operational staff last week.

Although there’s no pest fish quota for the team to achieve, details of the haul will be recorded so data such as size and the number of specimens caught can be analysed.

Nigel Binks says the biomass of the catfish

– the total mass of their population - coupled with the sheer space they take up in the lakes is a particular concern because of their ability to churn up sediment, consequently harming aquatic plants (macrophytes) and impacting on native species’ habitat.

And although being paid to fish might seem like a dream job for many recreational fishers, the desired results for the DOC team are quite the opposite to what most people casting a need or throwing out a line would be after.

“The greatest satisfaction is actually pulling up a net, and there’s no fish in there at all,” Mark Lammas says.

Catching fish, for peat’s sake

From left, Mark Lammas, Jess Roeger and Nigel Binks on Lake Rotopiko where they netted pest fish. Picture: Jeff Neems, Department of Conservation.

Covid testing resource rises New Zealand’s largest private analytical testing laboratory is providing additional testing in the Waikato for Covid-19.

The Waikato lab is one of only three non-District Health Board facilities in the country providing the service and is working with the Waikato District Health Board.

Hills chief Jonno Hill said the DHB assessed the company’s capability and

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laboratory facilities early during the Level 4 lockdown.

The first 20 samples arrived last week and that number wold take about two and a half hours to turn around.

“Our laboratories have a daily available capacity of at least a 1000 samples a day and there is potential to increase that quite significantly,” Jonno Hill said. As we’ve just begun, we are just getting a handle on

how many tests we might be asked to carry out.”

He said the Waikato DHB continues to manage where the samples come from, “we are effectively a bolt on that means the Waikato DHB can increase testing capacity across the region”.

“Waikato DHB engaged with us early on during Alert Level four lockdown, assessed our capability and laboratory facilities and decided to partner

with us,” says CEO of Hill Laboratories, Dr Jonno Hill.

The testing is carried out in a laboratory environment, separate from other testing Hills carries out.

Eilidh Mowat, who leads the Hill Laboratories molecular biology team in Hamilton, will work with Chris Mansell, Clinical Microbiologist at the DHB, to ensure testing is completed to a suitably high standard.

Artists to tackle racism Waikato artists are joining a campaign to express the importance of kotahitanga: unity in the community.

Ten will be selected by mid-June to create 10 commissioned works to be shared to the wider Waikato community.

The project aims to “flatten the curve” on racism.

Creative Waikato is leading the project, backed by the Waikato Community Funders Group.

Creative Waikato chief Jeremy Mayall believes an arts-led response will educate and generate powerful conversations about Waikato being an inclusive region where ethnic diversity is celebrated.

“Creativity and unity are vital parts of a thriving and

innovative society. They are part of our core. This is true at all times, but especially now,” says Mayall.

“The pandemic has caused troubling times and it is clear the future holds ongoing economic hardship, stress, fear, and grief.

“Moving forward, as alert levels continue to lower the creative sector has an opportunity to rebuild our communities and encourage people back into public spaces together.

“We need to remind each other that we are paving a new way together, and that a diverse and inclusive Waikato is the Waikato we want to step into,” he says.

TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 5

THURSDAY MAY 28, 2020

Property market encouraging after Covid

By Jeremy Smith

Te Awamutu real estate agents are looking to build on the “promising signals” they’re reporting in the property market post Covid-19.

While they agree the pandemic slowed the market, they are unanimous in confirming it’s still full of life.

Agents say there’s reason to be encouraged on both the rural and residential front.

At First National, Te Awamutu, director and principal Vayle Hammond said the majority of the business they do is residential and

while they do have fewer listings, that hasn’t dampened overall enthusiasm from prospective buyers.

“We do have slightly less listings yes,” she said.

“But that has been happening perhaps for the past couple of years – not just due to the lockdown.

“In March this year we also had slightly fewer listings than the previous March. But I have to say people are certainly out looking, there’s no doubt about that.”

Vayle said there was a marked spike in online traffic over the lockdown, as peo-

ple still continued to look at homes online, she said “I think the lockdown has most definitely affected people, and everyone in different ways.

“It seems to have given people a chance to perhaps reassess what they want in life – whether that be a first home or looking to downsize an existing house.”

Rural and Lifestyle Sales sales manager Steve Mathis said the market is relatively quiet, but that’s also typical of winter – not just attributable solely to the lockdown.

Lifestyle blocks were gar-

nering interest, he said.

“Everybody wants to live in the country.

“All in all as I see it, it’s looking very positive, there are lots of good signs.”

Te Awamutu’s Property Brokers team manager Mel Cooper-Levin said the business has historically sold mostly rural and lifestyle properties – but had recently shifted to include more residential properties.

She said they don’t yet have data to compare trends with.

“But what I can say is indicators are definitely there.”

As open homes begin again, Mel said there was significant interest from people wanting to be there.

“Potential buyers are perhaps seeing this as their opportunity to get into the market.”

Mel said some of the latest search data logged on the website www.realestate. co.nz indicates traffic from offshore markets has risen steadily since lockdown.

The key markets these users were visiting from included Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom – countries where there

are large expat communities.

Data showed more than half the international users searching on the site were overseas residents interested in moving to New Zealand, she said.

Burglaries: four charged Council unveils an apt app

By Jeremy Smith

Te Awamutu police have issued a warning after more than $1000 was stolen from residents in a spate of credit and debit card thefts.

Cards programmed with pay wave and contactless payment methods were taken in what police are calling “opportunistic incidents” and used on multiple occasions.

The spending spree only came to an end last week after police used search warrants and later

arrested three men and a woman.

The four are now facing more than 30 charges between them.

“Please, lock up your valuables and lock up your home - make it harder to get into,” Te Awamutu community liaison officer Ryan Fleming said.

He said the thefts were opportunistic and the thieves were able to “walk right in”.

He urged residents to report anything suspicious they see by calling police.

“By all means put it on Facebook too, but be sure to call us - at least if we know about it then we can do something.”

In each case, the burglaries happened overnight Constable Fleming said - within a small radius in the same area of town.

Police investigating the burglaries were helped by CCTV footage.

“Often even the smallest incident that people notice can inform part of a wider picture, so please report it,” Constable Fleming said.

From rates reminders to reporting graffiti – a new Waipā District Council app is giving residents an opportunity beconnected.

Antenno, a free mobile app, sends updates about topics like rates reminders, recycling collection, dog registration and community events.

The app is freely available on Apple and Android smartphones and can be installed from the App Store or Google Play. It does not require personal information.

Residents can choose to receive alerts about where they live, work, send their children to school, or any other venues. Antenno will send notifications when something relevant to the user’s chosen locations arises.

“Whether you’re new to Waipā or have lived here for many years, we encourage you to download the app as this is the most immediate

way of getting notifications,” Council’s strategy and community services group manager Debbie Lascelles said.

The app can also be used to report issues and submit feedback to Council’s customer support team.

“If you see graffiti, find a pothole, or spot a street light that’s gone out, you can report it quickly and easily using the app. If you’ve taken a photo, you can add that to your report as well.”

Lascelles said the app was a great way for Council to make itself available to the public.

“Antenno has given us another valuable tool in reaching people quickly and accurately. We want to make it simple for residents to send us important information, and for people to receive information from us.”

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6 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

THURSDAY MAY 28, 2020

Te Awamutu Sports warms up

By Jeremy Smith

Te Awamutu Rugby Sports & Recreation Club Inc could “tentatively” begin to open its doors again soon, after Covid-19 threw it an unprecedented curve ball.

As others did nationwide, the club - one of the biggest in the Waikato - pulled up stumps and cancelled seasonal plans for the more than 10 sporting codes represented under its umbrella.

Now though, club representatives have their eye on that proverbial ball once again.

A government announcement earlier this week that as of midday tomorrow permits

gatherings can be up to 100 people potentially paves the way for trainings and games to resume.

With about 2500 members on its books, sporting codes represented at Te Awamutu Sports Club include everything from rugby to hockey, netball to basketball and miniball.

The winter codes were most affected by Covid-19 summer sports like cricket, touch and women’s lacrosse would have only just finished their season prior to lockdown.

Whatever the code though, acting general manager Linda Sprangers is sure of one thing.

“Sport in general makes up

a priceless part of the fabric of ours, and in fact, any community. We are absolutely committed to abiding by government directives in relation to Covid-19.

“But when we are able to hold sport again, there are so many positives that will obviously come with having it back.”

With a club its size, social distancing will have to be of utmost importance, she said.

While exact plans to reopen aren’t set in stone, the goal posts can’t move too far – sporting codes operate yearround at the club and winter disciplines can’t cross over with summer ones.

At this time of year, the

rugby season - a major winter player in TA Sports’ calendar - is normally in full swing.

Linda said if they can get the ball rolling soon there’s still time for a season, though it may look a little different.

This year, the rugby roster would feature a senior premier team and a B team, she said. Typically, summer sports codes at the club begin in October, though planning starts well before then.

Linda wants to see people back participating in whatever sport they love as soon as they can. “When it’s safe to do so, the social side of sport is obviously a major aspect – the camaraderie. “People enjoy getting together and catching

up with their teammates – not only that but there’s also a great bond that is formed through avenues like the training sessions.”

Te Awamutu Rugby Sports & Recreation Club Inc has a proud history - two rugby clubs came together under the same roof to establish it.

Linda said the present-day club – which she believed has some of the best facilities in the Waikato including function rooms and indoor training facilities – most definitely owes what it has to the foresight shown by its founding members.

“When you think of what was accomplished, all those decades ago, and the fact they

Now though, those wanting to be involved must wait until alert level one is in place before they can take further steps.

Mr Westerbaan, an unsuccessful candidate at the last local body elections, announced the idea for the association in January, but he had to call off a meeting planned for late March to launch it.

He confirmed however that cancellation hadn’t meant there wasn’t

significant interest - he potentially has up to half the desired 15 positions filled.

Mr Westerbaan has previously said the association was not being formed because he always disagrees with Waipā District Council’s decisions.

“But this is about more transparency and keeping council accountable,” he said.

Mr Westerbaan has both council and community board experience, including

roles with Grey Power, Menzshed and the Te Awamutu Intermediate Board of Trustees.

When announcing the idea in February, My Westerbaan said he wanted a new Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association to be forward-looking – one that tackled key issues affecting Te Awamutu.

When a future opportunity did arise to meet with those who were interested in potential

involvement, Mr Westerbaan said the gathering would have certain priorities.

“We’ll look at what our key goals are and assess a proposal for the association’s constitution, forming and finalising our committee and penning a name,” he said.

“We will keep the association positive – ultimately we must remember we are here to help residents and ratepayers.”

For more information

Linda Sprangers

could see the benefit it would bring to future generations here, it’s awesome.

“They literally paved the way for us to have the amazing facilities we have today.”

The club marked its 25th anniversary in 2015.

Lobby group plan still on agenda

By Jeremy Smith

Covid-19 has delayed the establishment of a Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association in the Te Awamutu ward.

The man leading the charge - Bernard Westerbaan – confirmed had it not been for the lockdown, the association would have been off the ground by now and spreading the “strong and positive” message he believes the district requires.

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Bernard Westerbaan

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THURSDAY MAY 28, 2020

Good news for movie fans

By Jeremy Smith

Reel talk – Te Awamutu’s Regent Theatre, has a mid-July re-opening slated post Covid-19.

“There’s been a lot of interest in when we’ll be back up and running, owner operator Allan Webb told the News.

“We’ve made the call – and it’s a tough decision - but we’ve decided to hold back and give people the best experience we can offer.”

He said factors like social distancing which made theatre use impractical, combined with difficulties securing films on a schedule which had practically been wiped clean thanks to the pandemic, made the July call the wisest solution.

A government announcement this week increasing the size limit on all gatherings from 10 to 100 as of noon tomorrow would not change his plans, he said.

While he said he was fully committed to following Covid-19 regulations, he was hopeful such rules would look different by July.

Additionally, as the effects of the pandemic began to be felt world-wide, films dated for release which Allan had been relying on to draw the crowds were either pushed back to later in the year or into 2021. Most had been pulled altogether.

“In a word, if I had to describe how everything feels at the moment it’s ‘uncertain’.

“I had a full slate of movies through until Christmas.”

Films like James Bond: No Time To Die, Trolls, Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway, The Fast And The Furious, A Quiet Place 2, Black Widow and many others were forming a key part of his 2020 plans to draw the crowds.

Te Awamutu’s Regent Theatre owner operator Allan Webb.

“Then, just like that, we started to lose films. The week leading up to lockdown was in all honesty probably the worst week we’ve ever had.”

And that’s saying something – Allan’s been running the Regent for more than 46 years.

After having the probably the “best ever” school holidays the last time students took a break the lockdown, coupled with inclement weather, had meant several key releases normally hugely marketable for Allan had been missed opportunities.

“If we get a good run over school holidays we can get possibly three times the amount of people we do on a normal day.

“But Lockdown also meant we weren’t open for dates like Anzac Weekend and Easter,” he said.

He was grateful for his team of 10 part timers – all of whom had been able to be

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It’s not all doom and gloom though – Allan’s been buoyed by the support Te Awamutu has shown him.

He’s hopeful dates on the movie-going calendar like the July school holidays will help them find their feet swiftly once they’re open.

“We’re determined to be back – over the years there has been so many times when the community has been there for me.

They’re incredibly loyal and I appreciate that.

“So now, I want to be there for them,” Allan said.

In Cambridge, Tivoli Cinema owner operator Karen Focas opened at the start of Alert Level 2.

“We wanted to bring some normality back into people’s lives, we’ve had such a fantastic response from the community.”

TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 7

Park plans on show A proposed redevelopment of Te Awamutu’s Memorial Park is being made clearer via a series of storyboards.

The Te Awamutu News revealed on April 24 that plans to remove the lake and archway were likely to draw opposition.

The draft concept plan was released last week, and submissions are open until July 13.

A series of seven information boards have been erected throughout the park illustrating the proposals.

The concept plan is designed to focus on acknowledging the park’s cultural heritage alongside its war history. It advocates restoring waterways and heritage features and creating play spaces, a wide pathway spine, removing car access from Mutu Street and the erecting gateways.

Six signs have been erected throughout the park and the main overview can be found between the gazebo and pergola at the Mutu Street entrance for Pioneer Walkway.

A proposal to remove the man-made pond is also in the draft concept plan, which has received a lot of feedback since the consultation period opened.

“We understand our community hold fond memories of family time feeding ducks at the pond,” council community services manager Sally Sheedy said.

“However, there are substantial challenges with the pond and its maintenance, which are outlined on the signage and our website. ” For more information go to waipadc.govt.nz/ memorialpark. An interactive map is also online. Hard copy versions are available at Council offices.

Signs at Memorial Park give an insight into development ideas for the area.

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8 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

Kelly’s energy impresses YWCA

By Jeremy Smith

Tamahere’s Kelly Johnson is one of the YWCA inaugural Y25 wāhine toa - warrior women - of 2020.

The initiative aims to support young women doing big things in their respective fields.

Being named means Kelly is part of a final field of 25 women whittled down from 100 who will now receive a year-long mentoring programme to

help with their business endeavours.

She’ll get to develop her presentation skills and get training in goal setting, influencing, marketing and personal branding.

In her case, she’s looking to use the guidance provided to bring positives to her company - Her Energy.

Her Energy is an electricity retailer which gives back a significant portion of its profits to women’s initiatives.

Grants for projects

More than $21,000 has been allocated to seven projects in the latest round of the Waipā Creative Communities Scheme.

The scheme, which is a partnership between Creative New Zealand and Waipā District Council, supports local arts projects and activities.

This year creative groups and individuals were encouraged to put forward projects that respond to Covid-19 restrictions.

Among the groups to receive funding was the Mosaic Waikato Modern Choir for a video project exploring how music has helped choir members cope during Covid-19 restrictions.

Another project given funding support was an online workshop teaching participants how to make a paper mask inspired by the nationwide lockdown.

Council strategy and community services group manager Debbie Lascelles said it was exciting to see groups and individuals apply for funding for projects that responded to Covid-19.

“We’re delighted to see that our arts community has come up with innovative and creative ideas that align with health guidelines and embrace new art mediums,” she said.

“They have shown that they can adapt to change and build resilience - and we’re glad to support that.”

Other projects to receive funding support include a kiln workshop, an interactive musical show, art therapy workshops and the Cambridge Autumn Festival.

Creative Communities Scheme funding can cover materials for arts activities, workshops, venue or equipment hire, promotion of arts activities and more.

Each project should focus on at least one of the scheme’s three criteria: access and participation, diversity or young people.

The next funding round will open in September 2020.

View the list of successful applicants at www.waipadc.govt. nz/creativecommunities.

For more information, contact: Bethany Rolston, 027 474 2664

Know your

Submissions snapshot

become a strong cohort each year, supporting each other and being visible We take a look at the nub of some of the submissions heard on Waipā annual plan role models for girls this week across New Zealand.”

• St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Te Awamutu filed an extensive submission seeking help in building a $3 million community complex.

• In a mass-mailout The Property Council said it was urging all local authorities to delay their proposed rates increases from July 1 2020, and instead adjust rate increases to the level of inflation for the 2020/21 financial year.

• Christine Howells called for a reduction Kelly Johnson in rates. Regular News letter writers Bernie Fynn, another to make a submission with words in capitals, Bernard Westerbaan and Hayden Woods also asked the council not to increase

By Viv Posselt rates.

• Hospitality New Zealand, also in a mass Aaron Ure has always helped mailout urged councils t consider a no others. Now, with his family’s increase in rates for 12 months “at a help, he has set in motion another project to boost skills and morale minimum’. among people with disabilities.

• Pete McLachlan, Cogswell Surveys Ltd, Aaron, his wife Lois and discussing engineering and planning, their son Tobias (Toby), are said the council’s charge rates were making wooden kitsets for higher than private rates and asked for a free distribution to those review of rates and fees. linked to disability services – • Harriet Dixon, Stuart Matthews and starting off with kits for simple Carolyn Casey (Cambridge Community birdboxes. Using wood donated House Trust) sought annual funding

by Cambridge builder Mike The Ure family – Lois, Aaron and Toby. to help support the trust’s work and Sampson, they are making up the a building extension project. They sets with cut and pre-drilled wooden whose community service previously pieces, nails, sandpaper and full saw him linked to the Cambridge were supported by a range of other instructions. The boys are cutting and Community Garden for years before submissions from community groups. drilling while Lois handles the admin becoming leading a programme at the • Lyall Green, Frontier Developments Ltd, and helps add finishing touches using Avantidrome that helped those battling discussed development contributions, age and disability-related conditions. her own collection of craft materials. saying they were much higher than “The birdboxes are simple to make, Lois has worked with ConneXu anticipated. but I’d like to add other wooden toys in Te Awamutu for five years. The and crafts.”

He would also like to • Sue Milner (Cambridge Community organisation provides personalised Board chair) discussed funding and said disability support services in Waikato, have people come and help, ideally one or two at a time, directed through Cambridge needed a new library and it King Country and Bay of Plenty. should be given “highest priority”. She Within days of posting the project disability services.

The family is now looking for a said refurbishing and upgrading the on Facebook, Aaron had 14 orders for kitsets – some from organisations with small space out of which to run the town all should also be given priority. clients who can’t at the moment attend kitset projects, somewhere they can • Heritage New Zealand (Pouhere Taonga) use the tools they need and safely store their regular day service activities. asked for funds to be allocated for “This is meaningful for them, their supplies. Lois, is also wondering historic heritage assessments and any if people have materials they could something they can do at home, associated regulatory measures. either with or without supervision. donate.

Anyone who can help with either is • The Cambridge Historical Society It is teaching skills at the same time appealed for operational funding for the as providing them with an item they asked to contact Aaron on 021 578 856 – texts are preferable.

Cambridge Museum. can keep for a long time,” said Aaron,

Among those supported by the company during its just over 12-month history so far are The Aunties, Cambridge Community House, Vinnies Hamilton and Te Awamutu’s Loving Arms, which supports mothers and families in need.

She says one of the most valuable aspects of mentoring will be the opportunity to rub shoulders with likeminded people.

“When you look at the

women chosen, every single one of them is achieving amazing things in what they do - for me, I can’t wait for the opportunity to meet with them, discuss things and learn from them.”

YWCA Auckland CEO Dellwyn Stuart said they were pleased with the inaugural list.

She said nominations came from all over the country and from a broad range of industries.

“We hope the Y25 will

THURSDAY MAY 28, 2020

Bird boxes flying

Local

Business

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TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 9

THURSDAY MAY 28, 2020

Know your

Local Business

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Focused Physiotherapy Te Awamutu and Otorohanga Physiotherapy staff are back working in the clinics and the wider community following the countries COVID-19 response. Our team is passionate about helping our community with their injuries and keeping everyone moving.

We are looking forward to our

Our dairy clients enjoy a personal, professional experience which is focused on their business and optimizing animal health. Supported by a team of farm technicians the business provides many on farm services from disbudding to teat sealing.

The small animal clinic offers excellent hospital like facilities for rapid testing and treatment of sick pets. The clinic is a recognized Best Practice Clinic by the New Zealand Veterinary Association.

In the clinic you will find a large range of farm and pet products including food, toys and flea treatments, ensuring all your animal health needs are met.

Pilates and Strength and Balance programs starting again in the clinic (with social distancing requirements) following Queen's Birthday weekend! Give the clinic a call for an updated timetable!

With the talk of winter sports teams getting back on the field in the near future now is the time to get on top of that niggling injury that hasn’t

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10 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

THURSDAY MAY 28, 2020

THE AGE OF REASON

Back to life in the fast lane A number of post-Stage 3 awareness items are now emerging - not the least of which is that road traffic appears to have exceed preCOVID proportions.

Driving over the Kaimai Range last Friday afternoon was almost terrifying, sandwiched between two view-preventing huge trucks (front and back) and the whole entourage clipping along at 100 km minimum. Not for the faint-hearted.

However other matters regarding life after COVID are coming to light. In this case how to handle payments made to airlines and accommodation providers for forward travel. Firstly, the airlines. Could they – should they – return the total payment for seats that cannot now be used or is it appropriate to credit a forward booking yet to be made – and even more importantly – yet to be wanted?

Secondly, accommodation. Friends and relatives have been grappling with bookings made through Air BnB. In the USA two bookings made and paid for months ago have seen one establishment happily refund the money due to the travel restrictions of the virus while another refuses to refund. Meanwhile across in Australia, two establishments, in the same town and operating under the AirBnB banner, are behaving identically. This for a family reunion where closed borders make it impossible to attend. In this same relatively small Australian town Owner A is happy to oblige while Owner B is hanging on to the money. It’s not a good look for Air BnB and one wonders how all these property owners are declaring their income as taxpaying

NO PLANET B

By Peter Carr

landlords.

Generally, people are obligingly keeping their two metre distance where appropriate. Waiting outside the pizza shop (all pre-booked and pre-paid electronically) it was a pleasure to note customers of all ages keeping their distance from each other.

If we have learned anything from the restrictions thrust upon us perhaps it is an increase in common courtesies. Yet having had simple good manners thrust upon me by my parents it is extremely hard not to extend the hand when meeting a friend. The elbow touch just does not cut it and I guess the hongi is also not permitted.

The Government has reviewed – positively – numbers permitted at sports events, church services and other pleasant and enjoyable exchanges of pleasantry where friends, absent for two months of normal social intercourse, are once again face-to-face in an environment that they commonly enjoy. Sadly the ‘numbers’ restrictions will have a correspondingly marked down-turn in socio-economic wealth of the wider community and the nation. Yet all we hear about is commerce re-starting.

And so it should - but a large number of extremely poor examples of alleged hardship payments really do need more than a cursory inspection by the government.

Minister Robertson’s largesse with the big bucks has allowed more than the cat to escape from the bag!

FAITH IN WAIPĀ

The way things were…

By Murray Smith, Senior Leader, Bridges Church Back in my work office, thoughts swirl about the last eight weeks. Inevitably they drift to broader perspectives of past ‘years’ rather than just past weeks. Partly, the catalyst for that is Cambridge Primary School basking in autumn sunlight across the road. I imagine its original structure as the colonial military hospital back in the 1860’s. Dragged up the Duke Street hill from Fort Street, it began its repurposed life in 1874 as a school building.

The historical realities of the town and district where I live, its people and stories from bygone years matter.

Although brief, our history is filled with bloodshed, treachery, courage, bravery, determination, greed and injustice - all within a comparatively brief span of ‘hundreds’ of years.

In every age there are those who will give everything for the realisation of an ideal. In April 1835 one such man travelled south into the Waikato, reaching Matamata.

Alfred Nesbit Brown (1803-1884) was a young Anglican missionary and he established a mission station at the headquarters of Te Waharoa, fiery, battlehardened chief of Ngati-Haua. Accompanied by his wife, Brown poured himself into learning the way of Māori to connect meaningfully with them. This contact was among the first recorded between pakeha and Māori in the region.

Alfred Brown left the Church Missionary Society station at Paihia, travelling south to explore the Waikato with a view to establishing an outpost among its tribes.

It would have been difficult to find less promising ‘soil’. From Te Waharoa’s own grim record, this was an environment devoid of “much light’. Alfred Brown’s grasp of “indigeneity” honed his aim to bring the message of reconciliation (Te Ronga Pai -

the Good News) that transcends culture, challenging pride and historical attitudes of unforgiveness, without cultural baggage.

Stories of bloodshed, tribal invasions, cannibalism and violence set the scene into which Brown first came.

During a 22-year period between 1818 and 1840, loss of life was “almost unparalleled in any country. Blood flowed like water and the numbers killed, including those who perished in consequence of tribal wars, far exceeded 60,000 men. women and children”.

(Travers, Life and Times of Te Rauparaha Volume 5,1872).

Brown’s passionate efforts revealed authentic care for the best interests of Māori. Trust led to hundreds embracing his message of peace and reconciliation.

Tragically 1863 saw a truly unjust land ‘war’ begin. Columns of English soldiers marched south from Auckland into Waikato.

For bravely defending their whenua, Māori were labelled as ‘rebels.’

They succumbed to advancing military forces propelled by unthinkable colonial entitlement and greed.

The Crown disregarded the Treaty signed years before vowing to protect indigenous interests. Missionaries were ‘thrown under the bus’ betrayed and shamed before the Māori people by their thoughtless greedy compatriots.

As individuals, our lifetime in the over-all scheme of passing time is miniscule.

Our years are fleeting, and it behoves us to live well. Alfred Brown did. He realised this life is “just a vapour that appears for a little while then vanishes away.” (James 4:14).

Such determination to make one’s life count is inspirational.

Your vote really does count In our house we recycle everything we can, I will ride a bike rather than drive the car if it is practical, and we stockpile soft plastic in the hope that one day, preferably soon, we will be able to recycle that. We try to be vegan but in reality we are merely vegetarians. I don’t think our actions alone will save the planet but one does what one can.

But does one? There are many measures of wealth and many measures of a person’s carbon footprint but overall it seems that a very wealthy person will have a footpint about 10 times greater than that of a normal person.

I have known someone whose boat cost $8000 to fill with diesel, and that was a few years ago. I’m not sure how long that would last but it seems like a lot of fuel to burn in a pleasure boat. I wonder how far someone would have to ride a bicycle to offset that lot.

And what about people who fly around in private jets?

A study at the University of Bern in Switzerland concluded that a person’s carbon footprint is better indicated by their income than their environmental beliefs.

All of which raises the questions: Why should I bother? lf I don’t bother why should you? If you don’t bother why should the next person? And so it goes on.

Globally, New Zealand accounts for less than 2% of greenhouse gas emissions, so we as a nation might well pat ourselves on the back and say we hardly contribute to the problem at all. That view would miss the point entirely though. In fact, amongst

By Peter Matthews

the OECD we have the fifth highest per capita emissions.

Of course it’s tempting to say that rich people should make more effort to be environmentally responsible because they can, proportionally, make more of a difference.

They can also afford to make environmentally responsible choices that might be out of the financial range of others; for example by buying electric cars, locally grown organic produce, and solar panels.

Somebody who flies four times a year could choose to fly twice a year - that’s more of a reduction than many people could make.

The irony is that the poor people of the world will suffer the effects of environmental collapse earlier and more severely than the wealthy.

In my view the answer is still that one should do what one can, and I don’t mean just recycling or eating less meat, although that’s a good start. We should live as though we mean what we say when we talk about being worried about the future of the planet. We should fly less, we should buy local, we should encourage our children to think about solutions. Some of the most amazing technological and societal advances in the field of environmental science and awareness have come from surprisingly young people. If enough ones do what they can there might be enough of a difference made.

OPINION

Facing up to life after Covid

By Russ Rimmington, Waikato Regional Council chair V-E day recently passed, marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

It was not the end, but it was an important step towards the passing of that crisis. Once again, the Waikato region, like the rest of the country – and indeed, the rest of the world – faces troubling times.

Emerging from our bubbles, we could be forgiven for thinking the crisis was passing now too. But it is too soon to be sure about that.

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are in the grips of what may turn out to be the deepest recession in our history.

The number of people enrolling for jobseeker support in the Waikato shot up by nearly 3000 in April – an increase of 26 per cent in the space of a few weeks.

The number of business insolvencies is unclear as yet, but the count is likely to be grim, and can be expected to see a further spike in unemployment.

As incomes and spending fall, more businesses may struggle to survive leading to more job losses and a downward spiral for the economy.

How can we avoid this fate?

The government’s quick response – in the form of wage subsidies and various other schemes – was like applying a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.

The Budget has provided more fiscal first aid with the intention of getting things going again.

And it is clear central government must lead the way in providing the money for this. Their call for ‘shovel-ready projects’ is an attempt to soak up unemployment while at the same time hoping these projects pass the benefit-cost test. In the Waikato region we certainly have our share of these shovelready projects.

But as we look at which projects might be best, we should remember the future will not look like the past. Even before the pandemic, climate change and its effects, deteriorating ecosystems, moribund productivity and freshwater quality, were all issues demanding a response. While our attention has rightly re-focused on public health and unemployment matters, none of these other things have gone away.

Shovel-ready projects to protect or restore our green infrastructure can be a win-win.

They provide work, they ensure the natural foundations of our economy are sound; and they avoid the increasing costs that would result from putting off dealing with these issues.

Good examples of such projects include catchment works like wetland restoration, planting of erosion-prone land, and pest management. Projects to extend the exclusion of stock from waterways will also help speed up our efforts to reach important water quality goals.

The closure of our borders has highlighted another vulnerability – our dependence on immigration to ‘top up’ our labour supply.

Now, dependence on imported skills can be seen as a clear risk to our resilience in a crisis. We need to find a better way to ensure the supply of skills on offer meets the demand.

With youth unemployment typically much worse than the average, now is the moment to make sure the Waikato’s educational institutions can provide the training and development opportunities to equip the young people of the Waikato today with the tools they will need for the economy of tomorrow.

TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 11

THURSDAY MAY 28, 2020

Moving Day Top tips for a smooth move As an estimated 5000 dairy farmers prepare to pack up and move to new farms to be ready for the start of the new dairy season, June 1, DairyNZ is providing practical assistance to help make the move safe and easier.

DairyNZ has worked with sector partners to develop a package of resources to support farmers on Moving Day. “This remarkable move takes place every year incredibly smoothly, given the size and scale of the activity, thanks to the hard work and tenacity of dairy farmers,” DairyNZ people team manager said Jane Muir.

“There will be extra challenges this year with Covid-19 and we wanted to help farmers understand what they need to do to meet the health and safety requirements and give advice on planning and working through checklists to successfully move households, animals, people and equipment.”

New moving day deadlines and templates are now available on the DairyNZ website, https://www.dairynz.co.nz/business/ adverse-events/coronavirus-covid-19information/moving-day/ developed

by DairyNZ with input from Federated Farmers, Fonterra and FMG. “Being prepared means farmers can proceed with confidence," said Jane.

“The resources have been designed to be user-friendly and save farmers time and stress.”

They include guidelines on managing the key elements of the move – covering planning and movement of people, animals and equipment. The guidelines also cover managing contractors and regulatory requirements in the Covid-19 environment.

“We know many farmers love having

templates for key activities they have to carry out, so we have made a number available to help with the move.”

The templates include a Moving Day Planning Document to help plan ahead, and a Moving Day Participation Record (to keep track of who is helping with each move in case Covid-19 tracing is required).

An easy to read Q&A has also been developed covering such things as who can help with Moving Day, which businesses farmers can use for Moving Day and cleaning requirements for houses, dairy sheds and equipment.

Some of the key information from the guidelines is summarised here but farmers are encouraged to check out the full resources on the DairyNZ website at dairynz.co.nz/movingday.

Moving farm and household items The guidelines for moving farm and household items includes: • Guidance on physical distancing when moving and minimising movements if moving between regions. If the move is local, it is recommended to move items bit by bit as much as possible to reduce

stress – ensure each trip is efficient.

• The guidelines explain it is critical that everything leaves the farm clean and disinfected to manage health and biosecurity risks. The house, dairy shed, vehicles and machinery must also be thoroughly cleaned.

Moving animals The guidelines for moving animals includes what to do for: Buying or selling stock and transporting cows. Animal welfare is a high priority for the move including ensuring the right procedures are followed for feed and water, fitness for travel and – importantly – remaining calm around the cows.

Moving people The guidelines for moving people includes: • Advice on physical distancing, farm inspections, recruitment interviews and the need to keep a record of anyone who has assisted with the move.

• A great tip to check if there is the possibility of having 24 to 72 hours between tenants leaving and arriving.

This can take the pressure off. There are also ideas on how to keep people fresh and motivated for the move.

Admin and regulatory requirements These guidelines include lists and advice to help with: • Regulatory matters such as completing ASD and NAIT requirements, and finalising critical record keeping for on-farm records. There are reminders to update farm policies and procedures for the new farm, and to ensure warrants and registrations for all vehicles are up to date.

• Checklists to cover off things that need to be finalised at the house and on the farm, and even advice for moving with children.

Proudly Waikato owned and operated, Merchants Te

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49 Vaile Street, Te Awamutu 07 870 5151 | merchantcollab@gmail.com

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For all your accounting, taxation, and financial advice phone us on 07 873 8189 or call in to 11 Tuhoro St, Otorohanga Making a positive difference in your life

Welcome

Merchants Liquor welcomes all new arrivals to the district With more than 35 years of experience selling liquor in retail and hospitality settings, the staff at Merchants in Te Awamutu will see you right!

They endeavour to educate their customers and provide a great shopping experience. With some of the best selection of wines and craft beers in Te Awamutu, along with many spirit, beer and premix options, their stock has an obvious emphasis on New Zealand products.

Managing contractors The guidelines for managing contractors includes: • Ensuring excellent communication before and during the move.

• Confirming how the contractors are managing COVID-19 within their business and what this means for the move.

• A checklist of steps to cover off, including advising contractors of farm rules and relevant emergency procedures.

• Information on organisations who can help including DairyNZ, Federated Farmers, WorkSafe and Tenancy Services.

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12 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

THURSDAY MAY 28, 2020

New feds leader sets her priorities

By Jeremy Smith

Federated Farmers’ newlyelected Waikato president Jacqui Hahn – the first woman chosen for the role - has praised famers for their tenacity and resilience during a testing season.

“It’s been a season of a lot of unknowns,” she said.

While being elected president was an amazing opportunity, Hahn told the News she didn’t want to make a big deal of the fact she was the first women chosen.

“I don’t put a lot of stock in that.

I’m just excited to be in the role.

It’s a big province and I will do the best I can by all our farmers.”

Since taking up the three-

year position about a month ago - replacing Te Aroha farmer Andrew McGiven – Hahn has set out clear priorities she believes are paramount in her new job.

At the top of that list is providing farmers with clarity around Waikato Regional Council’s proposed Plan Change 1, Healthy Rivers/Wai Ora policy.

The plan – which the regional council notified the decisions version of at the end of last month - aims to improve the water quality of the Waikato and Waipā rivers.

Essentially, its aim is to reduce the amount of direct contaminants reaching water from land - to do that farmers within those

Quick crossword 1

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Jacqui Hahn

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145

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

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about 50ha of bush and wetland in a QEII covenant.

Hahn has been in the farming industry her whole life – she describes it as her passion.

“I absolutely love it.”

“Honestly, when you get up in the morning and you see these views, who would want to be anywhere else?”.

During Covid-19, Hahn said they’ve been using Zoom meetings to help conduct normal business – a platform she said she could see continued use for in the future.

Federated Farmers’ Waikato province covers 10 branches - from North Waikato in the north to Waitomo in the south.

Sudoku

8 9

catchments must fulfil several environmental requirements.

The plan change affects about 10,000 properties over more than a million hectares of land.

Jacqui said farmers needed clarity so they understand whether they can stay as a permitted activity, or they require a consent.

And she wants to ensure they have that clarity.

“That is key,” she said.

Hahn has previously been Waikato Dairy chair.

She and her husband Sofus run three farms in Waitomo – milking a combined total of about 1400 cows.

Part of their operation is sheep and beef and they also manage

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MEDIUM

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All puzzles © The Puzzle Company

Last week

Wordsearch

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Last week: Across: 1. Steal, 4. Chance, 7. Ash, 8. Winter, 9. Errand, 10. Daybreak, 12. Ever, 13. Adjust, 15. Pretty, 16. Hoop, 17. Ambition, 19. Divide, 20. Rubber, 22. Dot, 23. Chatty, 24. Handy.

Down: 1. Spit and polish, 2. Eat, 3. Large, 4. Checkup, 5. Agreement, 6. Confectionery, 11. Blueprint, 14. Tragedy, 18. Berth, 21. Ban.

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TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 13

THURSDAY MAY 28, 2020

OPEN HOME

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14 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

DEATH NOTICES

Family Notices • Engagements • Weddings • Births • Anniversaries • Bereavements • In Memoriam etc

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Advertising Terms & Conditions Copy deadline for ad make-up is one week prior to publication date (Friday). Advertiser is responsible to advise us of any copy changes before end of day Monday prior to publication date (Friday). Advertising supplied complete deadline is Tuesday midday prior to publication date (Friday).

For advertisers on a regular schedule invoices will be sent at the end of the month and payment is due by the 20th of the following month. For advertisers not on a schedule invoices will be sent at the end of the week and payment is due within 10 days. Accounts in arrears may be subject to a $95 + GST late payment fee per advert. Advertiser is responsible for any and all debt collection fees.

Limitation of Liability: Good Local Media Limited (including its employees, contractors, or agents) trading as Cambridge News shall not be liable for a failure or breach arising from anything beyond their reasonable control e.g. an act of God, fire, earthquake, strike, explosion, electrical supply failure, unavoidable accident or machine breakdown; and shall not be liable in tort, contract, or otherwise for loss of any kind (whether indirect loss, loss of profits, or consequential loss) to the Advertiser or any other person.

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Flavours

TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 15

THURSDAY MAY 28, 2020

with Jan Bilton

Go winter greens My son’s fave joke for many winters was: “What’s green and goes to summer camp?

A Brussel scout.” He had a distinct dislike of sprouts probably because they grew in abundance in our garden. However, after I began halving Brussels sprouts and roasting them with bacon and also thinly shredding them for a slaw, they won him over.

Brassicas — which include Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauli, cabbage, kale and boy choy — are a good source of vitamin C, potassium and dietary fibre as well as containing many healthy phytonutrients. There are differences between the varieties (eg red cabbage

BEST BAKED BROCCOLI A tray-bake of broccoli.

6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 500-600g broccoli 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese Preheat the oven to 200°C. Lightly oil a roasting pan.

Ensure the broccoli is patted dry after washing. Cut into florets leaving some stalk attached. There should be about 4 cups of florets.

Place the broccoli florets in the roasting pan in a single layer. Sprinkle with the garlic and drizzle with 4 tablespoons of the olive oil.

Season well.

Roast for 10-15 minutes, until crisp-tender and the floret

SPINACH NIBBLES 500g orange kumara 1 large shallot, diced 1 teaspoon each: grated root ginger, crushed garlic, finely chopped green chilli 1 cup finely chopped spinach leaves 1/2 teaspoon whole cumin seeds salt and pepper to taste 1 small egg, lightly beaten canola oil Peel, cook and mash the kumara. Cool. Combine with the shallot, ginger, garlic, green chilli, spinach, cumin seeds and egg. Season.

Preheat the oven to 200 °C. Lightly oil a 16-hole mini muffin pan.

Make small balls out of the mixture. Place in the muffin holes. Brush the tops with the oil. Bake for about 15 minutes until lightly coloured

contains more vitamin C and B than the green variety) but they all give menus a healthy boost.

Spinach is also a good source of nutrients and phytonutrients and is a member of the same family as silverbeet (or Swiss chard) — the Amaranthaceae. Both are relatives of the beetroot. Young leaves can be eaten raw and sliced into salads. As a side dish, spinach is best microwaved or steamed without any extra moisture and is great with eggs benny or salmon. It also makes a nourishing soup.

Silverbeet (stems removed) can replace spinach in most recipes.

tips are lightly browned.

Remove and drizzle with the remaining olive oil, the

and cooked through.

Excellent served with chilli

lemon rind and juice and the parmesan. Serve hot. Serves 4.

sauce, sour cream or plain yoghurt as a dip. Makes 16

WINTER SLAW Dressing: 1/2 cup buttermilk 2 tablespoons each: cider vinegar, mayonnaise, diced shallots, chopped chives 1 tablespoon sugar salt and pepper to taste Salad: 4 cups finely shredded cabbage 1/4 cup each: chopped parsley, mint 1 teaspoon green chilli, optional 4 radishes, diced Whisk together the buttermilk, cider vinegar, mayonnaise, shallots, chives, sugar, salt and pepper in a large bowl.

Add the cabbage and radishes and toss. Serves 4-6.

After Waipā, TAB feels the Covid sting On the heels of an announcement that Te Awamutu’s Waipa track is one of 14 not planned for being licenced for next season, the Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) has announced major cuts in response to Covid-19.

A total of 150 permanent staff, and 230 roles will be axed across all areas of the TAB. RITA Executive Chair Dean McKenzie said the organisation was left with no alternative as TAB monthly revenue was almost 50 percent below forecast and customer numbers down more than 35 percent.

The changes impact 30 percent of all roles and are expected to save $11 million year on top of operational cost savings.

Four retail branches will close.

Trackside Radio goes, as does Phonebet betting, though Touchtone remains.

The TAB will move from providing manual, oncourse, betting facilities and increase the number of Self Service Terminals.

Trackside will continue with fewer cameras and presenters.

Earlier this month RITA welcomed the confirmation of funding for two allweather tracks at Riccarton Park Christchurch and Awapuni, Palmerston North, in addition to the first artificial track in the country which is being constructed in Cambridge.

But it then announced its proposed racing calendar for 2020-21, and the list of tracks left out in the cold included Waipā in Te Awamutu.

The others were Avondale, Te Teko, Gisborne, Wairoa, Waipukurau, Blenheim (Waterlea), Motukarara, Waikouaiti and Omakau.

Waipā club president Doug Hurrell has confirmed a submission is being prepared to have the decision reviewed.

While Cambridge gallops and harness racing is active, the Waipā track on Racecourse Road has not been used for a raceday since last June, when racing was abandoned for the fourth time in seven meetings there.

That prompted an announcement that remedial work on the track would be brought forward and the track would continue to be used for training.

Work is under way on Cambridge’s new all weeather track

Film FILM NAME

Fri,Sat, Thu, Thu, Fri, 28 May 14 Mar 29 May 1530Mar May

Sat, Sun, 16 31 Mar May

Sun, Mon Mar 117Jun

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11.15am11.30am 1.00pm 6.15pm 6.20pm

11.30am 4.00pm

11.30am 11.40am

1.10pm

3.30pm

11.15am

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1 hr 58 mins 1 hr 51 mins

3.45pm

DARK WATERS (M)

6.30pm

2 hrs 21 (M) mins2 hrs 6 mins Colette

Film

3.15pm

8.30pm

Thu, 14 Mar

11.00am

3.45pm

Destroyer 1 hr 54 mins(M)

1.30pm

Fri, 15 Mar 3.20pm 1.30pm

2 hrs 16 A mins Dog's Way Home (PG)

8.15pm 11.30am

8.30pm 6.15pm

KENNY (M)

MARIANNE & LEONARD: 1 hr 51 mins WORDS OF LOVE (M)

Green 1 hr 57Book mins (M) 2 hrs 25 mins

1.45pm 3.45pm 6.20pm

1.10pm

Colette (M) 2 hrs 6 mins

8.30pm

MR JONES Hotel Mumbai(M) (M) 2 hrs 14 mins

1.30pm11.15am 3.45pm 1.30pm 6.00pm 8.15pm 2 hrs 16 minsFOR SEARCHING 4.00pm SUGARMAN (M) 1.45pm If Beale Street Could Talk (M) 1.10pm Book (M) 2 hrs 25 mins 1 hrs Green 41 mins 8.00pm 2 hrs 15 mins

Destroyer (M)

2 hrs 20 mins

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG Hotel Mumbai (M) (PG) 1 hr 54 mins Stan & Ollie (M)

11.15am

2 hrs 20 mins

1SPIES hr 53 mins IN DISGUISE (PG) If Beale 1 hr 57 mins Street Could Talk (M)

(M) 1THE hr 52ASSISTANT mins 1 hrs Stan 42 mins !! NEW & Ollie (M) !!

THE INVISIBLE MAN The Guilty hr 40Men mins(M) (R16) 2 hrs(M) 141mins Swimming With 1 hr 52 mins

THE LAST FULL MEASURE (M) 2 hrs 11 mins

1.45pm

Sat, 16 Mar

3.50pm

Sun, 17 Mar

1.35pm

Wed, Wed, 20 Mar 3 Jun

11.15am 2.00pm 3.40pm 11.40am 3.45pm 1.20pm

1.30pm

Tue, 19 Mar

1.15pm

Wed, 20 Mar

3.20pm

6.20pm 11.30am 8.20pm 11.15am 6.00pm 3.40pm 8.30pm 11.30am 1.10pm 3.30pm 3.45pm 8.30pm 3.45pm 1.30pm

8.15pm

8.15pm

3.45pm

3.20pm

3.15pm 1.30pm 8.00pm

6.15pm 11.15am 3.50pm 5.30pm 6.20pm

8.30pm 4.15pm 1.15pm 8.15pm

6.00pm

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8.00pm

4.00pm

4.10pm

6.00pm

1.30pm

11.15am 11.00am 1.40pm 12.45pm 1.35pm 5.30pm 1.15pm 8.10pm 3.20pm 5.50pm 8.20pm 6.00pm 8.30pm 1.45pm

4.00pm

8.00pm

1.40pm

4.10pm

5.45pm

1.05pm

6.00pm

8.15pm

1.30pm 11.15am 1.30pm 11.15am 3.15pm 11.00am 12.45pm 4.00pm 1.45pm 5.30pm 4.15pm 8.10pm 3.45pm 5.50pm2.30pm 8.00pm 5.30pm

6.10pm

11.15am 2.00pm 1.15pm 1.30pm

6.15pm 1.45pm

8.30pm 1.40pm

1.05pm

8.00pm 6.00pm 8.00pm 11.00am 1.00pm 11.00am 8.00pm 11.00am 5.45pm 11.30am8.15pm 12.30pm 11.30am 1.30pm 11.00am 11.30am 11.20am 11.20am 11.45am 1.00pm 4.00pm 1.15pm 8.30pm 4.30pm 2.00pm 5.50pm 4.00pm 5.50pm 4.15pm 6.15pm 1.45pm 2.00pm 3.45pm 2.00pm 2.30pm 2.10pm 6.45pm 4.10pm 6.40pm 4.00pm 6.30pm 4.15pm 6.40pm 8.30pm 8.40pm

2 hrs 15 With mins Men (M) Swimming

1 hr 53 mins

4.10pm 6.00pm 6.15pm

3.20pm

Tue, Tue, Mar 219 Jun

6.15pm

6.10pm

6.15pm

8.30pm

4.00pm 4.10pm 8.15pm 6.00pm 8.45pm 11.30am 6.40pm12.30pm 11.00am 1.00pm 11.00am 11.00am 5.50pm 5.50pm 4.00pm 1.15pm 8.30pm 4.30pm 11.00am 1.15pm 1.45pm 11.00am 11.00am 8.40pm 6.40pm 11.00am 11.00am 6.15pm 6.00pm 5.50pm 1.30pm 1.30pm

www.tivolicinema.co.nz

4.10pm 8.45pm 6.40pm GuiltyBOX (M) 1 (PG) hr 40 mins THE The LUNCH 4.15pm823 5064 – 32 3.40pm Bookings Lake Street, Cambridge 2 hrs

www.tivolicinema.co.nz

Bookings 823 5064 – 32 Lake Street, Cambridge

11.20am

16 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS

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