Cambridge News | October 13, 2022

Celebrating

Facing up Council to check slip by bridge

Susan O’Regan thought she knew what was in the Waipā mayor’s office – after all she has been in there many times in the past few years catching up with Jim Mylchreest.

But when she opened one of the doors on Monday morning – 43 hours after she learned she had won the mayoralty and become Waipā’s first female mayor – she discovered she had her own bathroom.

And then behind another door she found she had a kitchenette.

Both were installed when John Hewitt was mayor back in 1995. The upgrades done for the Te Miro farmer are the last staff can recall in the office for more than 25 years.

So, while it is not an immediate priority for O’Regan to put her stamp on the office in the same way she intends to do on the district, you get the feeling the next time The News gets an invite, things will look different.

The News’ senior writer Mary Anne Gill captured this photo of the new mayor on Tuesday, when O’Regan was midway through gruelling meetings with her councillors – and also with her family and friends at her Roto-o-Rangi farm on Saturday when the news came through of her victory.

Read Gill’s report on page 5 – the start of our review of the weekend election results.

Part of the river bank between Fergusson (Low Level) Bridge and Achilles Avenue in Cambridge has slipped into the Waikato River.

While Waipā staff say the slip is “not significant” compared to other slips on the riverbank, they will still meet Waikato Regional Council staff next week to see if any remedial works are required.

Because of its proximity to the bridge, the slip has been given “extra scrutiny”.

It has likely been caused by several factors including soft soils, the saturation of ground through a very wet winter, and potentially the river undermining the lower slope during high water flows.

Funding available for creative projects

Open from 12 September - 14 October

Tribute to a historian

Te Awamutu’s Delysse Storey understood, through personal interest and study the historic importance of the phrase “Lest we Forget”.

It was an interest fostered in Cambridge, which in a New Zealand context is uniquely qualified through its association with Les Quesnoy as a place which remembers and commemorates this country’s service and sacrifice during WWI.

In that environment Delysse’s belief that the past matters was broadened from local history to one of national interest. She became the custodian of a shoe box of correspondence and photographs, filled with letters from “Somewhere in France” which traced the lineage of one of the many families whose future was extinguished when their only son died on active service.

In 2008 several members of the Cambridge Le Quesnoy Friendship Association, including Delysse, joined my by now annual 11-day, battlefield tour of the Western Front.

It became clear from our conversations that her experience with the contents of this shoe box representing loss of an entire family, had awakened an empathy for a generation of women, who were burdened

with grief for a lost son or a loved one.

On Anzac Day in 2012 I was present when Delysse made a presentation at Talbot House in Poperinge, Belgium. It was the contents of the shoe box of family effects and memorabilia, created by the death of 9/1777 Sapper Hugh Lisle Birkett on May, 11, 1917.

It was a symbolic act of remembrance for a New Zealand soldier who having died on active service, was now having the details of the family’s demise returned to be with him in a place of rest in Belgium.

It was an act which also made us aware of a country’s failure to recognise the gender imbalance in our post war assessment of the impact of that war on the nation’s womenfolk, that was to be felt in 250,000 homes.

For Delysse, as an historian with a social interest in military affairs, the years in visiting France and Belgium had also created new friendships and at home further involvement occurred when with Elizabeth Morey we co-edited the book A Strong Sense Of Duty recording the life and times of a chaplain to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) during WWI. He was Reverend Clive Mortimer Jones of

St Andrews Church in Cambridge.

During the Covid pandemic Delysse, husband, Reverend Keith Storey, and the Storey family were to endure the tragic loss of their youngest son Edward in Peru.

Over the past few weeks, as she faced the consequences of a terminal illness, it was remarkable to witness her strength of character and courage and fortitude.

Delysse died at her home on Sunday. A private service at St Paul’s Church was held for Delysse, who was laid to rest at Rangioawhia.

In lieu of flowers, the family said donations would be appreciated in aid of the re-establishment of a Ngati Apakura Marae adjacent to the early mission site at Rangiaowhia.

It is said history is not made by what you thought, but what you did. In that respect, Delysse delivered in a small but important way to our military heritage.

up…

Dishonesty offences are on my radar this week, specifically commercial and rural burglaries of which we have had a few in recent weeks. It is common for offenders based outside of Cambridge to come into our area and commit crime.

Target hardening of your business place, ensuring security is high, makes it less attractive to thieves and also means that any attempt to break in will take longer, offering more forensic evidence opportunities and increasing the likelihood of them being caught in the act.

Ensure the security at your location is tight. Lock gates, all building access points, utilise monitored security alarms and consider engaging random mobile security patrols. Keep a close control on the number of people who have access to keys and alarm codes and change them as required to keep that circle tight. Install CCTV and check on a regular basis that your systems are fully functioning. Check for holes in your CCTV coverage area and ensure you keep cameras

clear of obstructions and insects. The higher quality CCTV footage you can record, the better. Ensure that staff know how to access it. From a crime prevention through environmental design perspective, reduce opportunities for offenders to have natural cover on your work site.

Keep trees trimmed to a high level to remove lower level foliage. Keep shrub plantings low and away from buildings where they may provide cover for an offender attempting to break in. Don’t leave items around a work yard that an offender could either easily move and use to gain access to higher level windows or use to smash their way inside. Have good exterior security lighting.

When it comes to assets, record serial numbers, the make, model and a description of high value assets such as tools and trade equipment. Tracking and recovering stolen items such as power tools is extremely difficult without these key identifiers. Have the information readily accessible so you

can provide it to police as soon as possible after any theft.

in store now

If you are unfortunate enough to be the victim of a burglary, notify police as soon as possible. Preserve any forensic evidence opportunities. Also keep an eye on Facebook Marketplace for your stolen items. Consider making second hand dealers such as Cash Converters aware of the stolen item serial numbers. The more people are aware, the ‘hotter’ the property and the harder it is for the thieves to get rid of the goods.

As members of the community, we should all be alert for suspicious behaviour, especially late at night and after-hours activity around our commercial and retail businesses. Note descriptions of people and vehicles. If in doubt, report it. Police would much rather have the information than miss out on an opportunity to catch a burglar and prevent a crime spree from continuing. Be burglar aware and stay safe.

New Spring Arrivals

Proud supporters of KRI and Maadi rowing

Herbert Farrant, President New Zealand Military Historical Society, pays tribute to Delysse Storey, who died last week.

Delysse Storey

Film premiere

The Waipā premiere of When the Cows Come Home will be held in Cambridge and Te Awamutu next week.

Filmmaker Costa Botes, best known for his work with Peter Jackson on Lord of the Rings and the hoax documentary Forgotten Silver, filmed Fencourt resident Andrew Johnstone picking up litter and tending to his cattle on adjacent grazing land. The result is described as a beautiful and edifying film about a bloke and his cows.

Burden to Howick

Dale Burden, the former principal of St Peter's School in Cambridge who resigned last year amid an investigation into bullying at the school has been appointed principal at Howick College.

Helping neighbours

Cambridge Neighbourhood Support is to launch a campaign to increase the number of “Capable Community Neighbourhoods”. Cambridge’s Community Engagement Lead Eileen Hawkins said the organisation will host neighbourhood communities to help them create plans which can be actioned in the event of a civil emergency.

Support meeting

The Cambridge Prostate Cancer Support Group will host a Health and Wellbeing event at Te Awa Lifecare Cambridge to boost awareness of the importance of early prevention next Wednesday. Speakers will include Waipa pharmacists Kevin Burgess and Jordan Hinton, Hamilton urologist Glen Devcich, and Auckland’s Dr Afraz Adam, chief medical officer of CannaPlus and an advocate of medicinal cannabis.

Valuations delayed

Waipā rating revaluations, due to be finalised this month, have been delayed until early next year. Waipā’s property values will be based on the most likely selling price as at August. Valuations will be used by council to help set rates.

The cost of a killer frost

By Benjamin Wilson

The coldest October morning in half a century is likely to trigger a national berry shortage – and have longer term effects.

Temperatures reached negative 2.9 degrees at the Hamilton Airport last Friday, but at Waipā’s Monavale Blueberries the temperatures were closer to minus five.

“We have never had a frost like this before, we have never walked out and thought ‘there is nothing left’ before,” said Monavale Blueberries orchard manager Oliver de Groot.

MetService New Zealand said it was the coldest morning of the year, and the coldest October since records began in 1972.

The plunging temperatures caught out home gardeners who had put their vegetables out early – and left berry farms, kiwifruit orchard and asparagus growers counting the cost.

In a midnight bid to save their crops, the blueberry growers at Monavale used helicopters to blow the warmer air that sits at a higher altitude down onto their crops to stop them from freezing.

But this warmer air eventually froze as well, and Monavale’s orchards of white flowers turned brown overnight. An estimated 90 per cent of their working crops were destroyed.

It’s a loss equivalent to 250 tonnes of blueberries.

“Not only that, but we have damage to our new growth which could potentially affect next year’s growth as well,” said managing director Marco de Groot.

Blueberries flower and produce

fruit once a year.

“It is almost as if a close person has died, that is how it feels. I am struggling to keep my tears back because we have put so much passion, work, and energy into this, and now it is gone,” said Marco.

If the frost had happened a week or two earlier, their crops would have been fine.

“It happened at the worst possible moment, when the flowers were the most open, the most sensitive, and just as the berries were forming, it couldn’t have happened at a worse time.” He says this is the third bad

year in a row for the family-owned business.

In 2020 and 2021 Covid restrictions left the farm short of seasonal workers to harvest their crops, and at the start of this year, the crops were a victim of the damage caused by Cyclone Dovi.

“We are making a bit of noise about this because it is not just our finances, it is our livelihoods, it is our mental wellbeing... I do not think in general people have an appreciation of how difficult it is to grow.”

Marco said they hope the

government will declare the frost as a severe weather event to pave the way for assistance, and possibly tax relieve.

There is a flow on effect for work in Waipā. Monavale normally employs over 100 seasonal staff in summer. This year it will be no more than 15.

“It is not only disappointing for ourselves, but for a whole range of other people,” said Oliver. He said transport and packaging companies will also miss out, and the Australian importers, who buy 90 per cent of Monavale’s berries, will not be getting any this summer.

“Nearly all the blueberry growers in the Waikato have been affected, to different extents. We predict that there is going to be a lack of supply, and that will affect the pricing,” said Marco.

It is unlikely that Monavale will be allowing “pick your own” blueberries this summer either.

“I think the key message that we want to get out is we will put our café first. We will try to continue with the Cambridge and Hamilton farmers’ markets, and if there are any more blueberries left then they would go to selective selected supermarkets in New Zealand,” said Oliver.

New name, same care.

Cambridge

Funerals.

Father and son blueberry growers, Oliver and Marco de Groot (right). Photo: Benjamin Wilson

Ninety per cent of Monavale's working crops were destroyed overnight.

O’Regan’s win was down to business

By Mary Anne Gill

When the call to Susan O’Regan came at 1.30pm on Saturday from Waipā chief executive Garry Dyet that she had been elected mayor, her first reaction was relief.

But that was soon replaced by euphoria as Dyet confirmed she had beaten Jim Mylchreest and Chris Woodhams comprehensively enough for him to call it only 90 minutes after polling booths closed.

The 50-year-old, who secured 6793 provisional votes as of Tuesday, becomes Waipā’s first female mayor and Mylchreest the first incumbent voted out.

During the campaign, it was always Woodhams and not Mylchreest she worried about.

She was sensing people wanted a “bit of change” and someone with stability and experience.

She campaigned on “A Time for Change” and so fitted that bill, but would voters see that?

Woodhams, with no local body experience who described himself as an evangelist for the district, went after the Cambridge vote - the ‘pro third bridge’ and ‘woe is us missing out in favour of Te Awamutu’ group.

Ironically, it is likely Woodhams lost the vote of the powerful Cambridge business community the night of the Chamber of Commerce’s Town Hall meeting last month.

Then he said Cambridge businesses had nothing to offer by way of employment opportunities.

Cambridge Chamber of Commerce chief executive Kelly Bouzaid’s presence at O’Regan’s house for the election party spoke volumes at how that claim went down among the town’s business powerhouses.

O’Regan was in the tired looking

mayoral office at Waipā District Council’s Te Awamutu headquarters at 8.30am on Monday with a notebook full of ideas she has been compiling in her head for years.

O’Regan often talks about applying her lawyer’s mind to things. She was a practising barrister in Te Awamutu before she was elected to the council in 2016.

“I’m quite big on process and a lot of people will know that.

“The process has delivered a result and I’ve come out on top, and I’m really flattered.”

She has what she calls a “stable” team around the council table which makes choosing her deputy mayor and committee chairs relatively easy.

The News expects to see Mylchreest’s loyal deputy Liz Stolwyk installed as deputy mayor with Andrew Brown and Marcus Gower put in charge of Finance and Regulatory committees.

The retirement of Grahame Webber leaves a vacancy as Service Delivery chair. Pirongia’s Clare St Pierre, now into her fourth term on council, looks odds’ on favourite there. Her studious approach to issues will translate well into the committee’s work.

Residents saw another side of St Pierre late into last term when she publicly criticised the “parochialism” shown by Cambridge councillors Roger Gordon and Phillip Coles over a third bridge across the Waikato River and she will not tolerate any hint of conflict by the men in that space.

It is the Strategic Planning and Policy committee which O’Regan will find difficult to fill. She chaired it the last three years which included overseeing the exhausting Long Term Plan hearings.

O’Regan, ever the politician, will be aware of a perceived Te Awamutu bias with St Pierre, Gower and Andrew Brown as chairs so favourites for the powerful Strategy committee include Cambridge school principal Mike Pettit and Stolwyk.

O’Regan went to Waikato Diocesan School for Girls where

Local Government minister Nanaia Mahuta was a year ahead of her. But that schoolgirl friendship will not get her any favours in Wellington, she surmises, but at least it means Mahuta knows who she is as do other bureaucrats in the Beehive where O’Regan once worked in MP Murray McCully’s office.

She and husband John Hayward are award-winning dairy farmers in Roto-o-Rangi and have five children between them – Emily, George, Ben, Lily and Jack.

• Read more: cambridgenews.nz

Susan O’Regan with husband John Hayward moments after they received the news of her election as mayor.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill

Family and supporters celebrated at Susan O’Regan’s house on Saturday. Photo: Mary Anne Gill

60 up, new era ahead for centre

By Viv Posselt

The Cambridge Health and Community Centre took its first steps along a future-forward path on Sunday when it unveiled its new name – the Taylor Made Community Space.

The public launch of a new name and vision for the centre coincided with a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the maternity hospital around which it grew.

The event was attended by people with connections to the centre, and community groups and organisations who rent space there opened their doors to guests.

The Cambridge Maternity Hospital opened in October 1962 and closed in 1989 after services were centralised by the then Waikato Area Health Board. The Cambridge Health and Community Trust was formed in March 1989, a move which led to the centre being established as venue for traditional and alternative health practitioners and a range of community services.

Cambridge Health and Community Trust chairperson Lloyd Buscomb said acknowledged those who played a part over the decades. Among those present were original trustee Kiri Grey, and Rosemary Hill, who served as trust chairperson for 25 years.

Lloyd said the trust had gone through many struggles in its early years.

“But the tenacity of the original trustees created a strong, charitable, community organisation which has seen the centre thrive and remain relevant over its 30-year history.

While the original vision for the centre remains pivotal, community needs and the provision of other facilities and services demanded that we revisit our fitness for purpose.”

He said a new, reworked deed outlined a direction for the future planning and function of the centre.

“The key word that remains a constant is ‘community’. We want to promote our uniqueness and expand our community reach,” he said. “We want this to be a community hub that has a focus on shared learning, is a neutral space for everyone, offers flexible spaces for groups and support services, and is the foundation of the maternity hospital heritage.”

Speaking on behalf of Waipā District Council, Liz Stolwyk said the centre had a special place in Cambridge’s heart, and said she had no doubt it would continue to be of service to the local community.

“Evolving to meet the need of the community is the key to longevity,” she said. “I acknowledge the role of the many trustees and special contributors through the years. If not for people such as yourselves, these places simply would not exist.”

She said the council looked forward to continuing its relationship with the centre.

Farewell to buried treasure

By Grace Odlum

days when people would bury their old plates and crockery to dispose of them.

Ken Sheldrick

Then antique collecting became popular.

“We were the first recyclers,” the octogenarian, who has owned Colonial Heritage Antiques for one year shy of half a century says.

At the end of the month Ken will shut the till for the last time in his Duke Street shop – he’s decided to retire. The shop has been sold and will continue to sell antiques.

Australian born Ken’s interest in antiques grew after he met his future wife Beverley on board a ship bound for England.

The couple spent time in London. It was the 1960s, and antiques were enjoying a wave of popularity.

His interest was in old books. Beverley sought old jewellery and clothes.

Evening classes on antiquing and a proposal followed – complete with an antique engagement ring.

They returned to Australia, where antique collecting was also gaining popularity – then moved to Cambridge in 1973.

It was familiar territory for Beverly, who grew up on a Waipā farm.

The couple had owned the shop for just over 40 years when Beverley died.

Ken recalls travelling around the country to attend auctions to source stick, but today he says people come from all over the North Island to bring him items.

Cambridge based Ken will continue to follow his interest in antiques and art – and he is looking forward to an overseas trip too.

For more than a decade Cambridge children have delighted in seeing the front window of the shop turned into a Christmas display with items Beverley had purchased in the United States.

Ken says he understands the new owners will ensure the model train that goes through mountains and villages, passing Santa and his reindeers, will remain on track.

Ken Sheldrick with all his treasures

Being consistent with rules

By Murray Smith, Senior Leader, Bridges Church

An objection I sometimes hear regarding Christian faith is that there’s too many ‘rules’. Actually it’s not like that. It is true however that our freedoms and safety are protected by laws that we must all abide by. But sometimes the lack of wisdom and consistency in applying rules is baffling.

This was highlighted for me over a situation involving two New Zealand school teachers. I’m grateful for amazingly dedicated teachers who devote time and energy into our kids’ lives beyond the call of duty or what they are remunerated for. It’s a tough job and their exposure to being criticised and

In both sets of circumstances, these teachers were likely earnest and sincere in their intentions and motivation to fulfil the responsibilities and expectations of their roles. Both were described as long standing and experienced classroom practitioners.

The first of these teachers was brought before the Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal and found guilty of serious misconduct which was likely to adversely impact student’s wellbeing and it was deemed his actions could bring the teaching profession into disrepute.

His ‘unreasonable and unjustified use of force’ was censured and conditions were imposed on his employment for two years. His crime was that he intervened during a maths class when two Year-10 students were listening to music on a phone. The students were sharing a pair of ear buds. One of the students was bumping and drumming on a table, and declined to stop when requested to. The teacher tried unsuccessfully, to take the phone away. So he removed the ear bud

This teacher of 40 years chose to retire following a Court of Appeal’s refusal to hear

his defence against being charged with serious misconduct.

The second teacher was exonerated for activity also worthy of being deemed a breach of conduct, that equally risked bringing ‘the teaching profession into disrepute’. Her classroom activities provoked significant parental complaint. She had completed a Family Planning course on teaching sexuality, which encouraged teachers to be open in answering students questions, however explicit. She subsequently created a handout for pupils aged 11-13 which graphically detailed a wide range of sexual activity.

The revelation of what their kids had been exposed to, ignited shocked responses among parents… some saw it as straight out ‘abuse’ and offensive in law. Their devastation lay in the feeling that children had been exposed to ‘irreversibly damaging material’. Outraged parents complained the teacher had taken their children’s innocence.

It became a volatile, polarising situation but in the end resulted in the school principal, the NZTSA (New Zealand School Trustees Association) defending the teacher’s classroom suitability and competence. The Teaching Council of Aotearoa NZ said no complaints regarding this situation had been brought to them.

It appears great disparity exists in how these two situations were judged. Which scenario offered greatest potential for harm, constituting ‘serious misconduct?’

Good governance requires the applying of fair guidelines and rules for everyone’s protection and wellbeing— not in indiscriminate, purposeful advancing of a pre-determined agenda.

Would the real Slim Shady stand up?

By Archer Miller

Maija Vance is used to the calls she gets asking about the dead horse on her Leamington property. She gets these calls when people ring the Waipā District Council about her horse, Slim Shady, who sleeps with his legs straight out and stiff.

Maija assures the council, who are also used to the calls, that while the horse looks dead, he is in a stable condition. It’s not the biggest of her worries when it comes to the unruly horse.

Slim Shady’s story began four years ago. Maija, a top jockey in New Zealand and Australia with close to 80 wins under her belt, already owned Slim Shady’s big brother Panda.

When Maija heard Panda had a baby brother, she wanted the pair.

“Panda was so easy, I thought I’d buy his brother and he’d be the easiest foal, but he’s turned out to be the hardest horse I’ve ever had in my whole life.”

“But he’s funny”, she adds.

The 737,000 people who follow Maija on Tiktok would agree – videos of Slim Shady and Panda reach up to 36 million views. The brothers are often seen on the app expressing their political views,

desire to eat children, and general antics.

Slim Shady is part of what Maija estimates to be around 0.5% of horses that can’t be broken in, having been through several breakers before coming to Maija.

“There are so many people invested in his journey to get broken in, because he’s been through three different breakers now and no one’s been able to break him in.

“I don’t know if he’ll ever get to the point where you could ride him, but I honestly just love him so much. He’s just so cool and so funny.”

Maija isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. In a race in Rotorua in 2018, her horse launched too early on a jump, throwing Maija over the reins and onto the track, where she landed on her head and shoulders.

She was told by doctors she may never walk – or ride – again. For Maija, this simply wasn’t an option. Three months in a spinal rehabilitation unit, a four-hour spinal operation and countless hours of rehab and recovery later, Maija is back in the saddle, with Panda.

She may never ride Slim Shady, but his friendly and eccentric nature mean she’ll never let him go.

CAMBRIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE CALLS OVER THE LAST WEEK

MONDAY:

Car re, Waikato

:

MVC, Victoria Road

Leaking Gas, Findlay Road

Medical, Cardiac arrest, Lockley

Stroke, Scott St

Power Plynth

WEDNESDAY:

MVC, Tirau Road

Roseleigh Drive

LIST WITH THE TOP TEAM,

VOTED BY CAMBRIDGE!

Crazy horse: Slim Shady’s sleeping position is a constant course of discussion.

City thieves strike

Of doves and hawks

By Peter Nicholl

The terms doves and hawks are drawn from foreign policy. Doves take a diplomatic approach to foreign policy problems, hawks favour an aggressive approach.

Recently, these terms have been often used often to describe central bankers. A central banking dove is more relaxed about inflation, partly because they think it will come back down without them having to raise interest rates further, and is more concerned about growth and employment. A central bank hawk believes the bank’s main goal is fighting inflation and is prepared to take an aggressive approach to get inflation back within their target range.

Two recent articles described central bankers as hawks. One in the New Zealand Herald said ‘while the rapid end of monetary stimulus and a steep rise in interest rates was clearly needed, the momentum is now so hawkish that we risk over- correcting’. The other article was in Newsroom under the title “Central Bank Hawks Unnerve Markets’. I was a long-term central banker. Based on my experience, I wouldn’t describe any of the world’s main central banks as hawks at present. In response to their concerns about the impacts of Covid, most of them moved well beyond being doves into the realm of being Father Christmas.

They threw enormous amounts of almost free money into the financial markets. The US Federal Reserve, for example, injected around $3.3 trillion. Most central banks are still a long way from reversing those liquidity injections. Until they do, they are still partly doves.

Also, when I worked in the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, research work was done

to estimate what the ‘neutral’ real interest rate was. This is the interest rate at which monetary policy is neither contractionary or expansionary. It wasn’t possible to come up with a single number –economics isn’t that precise. But the RBNZ research came up with a range of +2.8 to +5.6%.

Around the same time, an American economist came up with the Taylor rule that assumed a neutral level for the US Federal Reserve’s policy rate of +2%.

The policy interest rates set by the central banks in the USA, Europe, UK, Australia and New Zealand are all still well below their countries’ inflation rates. In real terms they are still negative and therefore still well below a ‘neutral’ rate.

Central banks have become a lot less dovish this year. But it is unrealistic to describe them as turning into hawks.

What happens to inflation in the next few months will be important for determining whether central banks have to turn into real hawks to beat the current inflation surge or whether being ‘less dovish’ will be enough. The next important inflation number is the USA which will come out on the day this this column will be published.

The CPI rate in the US in year to August, 2022 was 8.3%. If the September number is lower, the central bank doves will relax a bit and the pressure on them to turn into real hawks will ease.

I expect the US September CPI number to be a little higher than August. But I won’t be unhappy if I am wrong as a lower number will be much better for the world economy.

Thieves who were thwarted by locks when they tried to steal tools from a container at the under-construction Cambridge skatepark last Saturday sprayed the ramps with graffiti. And video footage shows the thieves –who appear to be adults – showed their alliances by spraying the word “H-town” – Hamilton’s moniker.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill

A new way of living

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST NOW in CambridgeSELLING SOON

The wait is almost over – Ryman Healthcare’s brand-new Cambridge Retirement Village is selling soon! Be amongst the first to hear when townhouse plans are released in the coming months.

Located at 1881 Cambridge Road, just 5 minutes drive from the centre of Cambridge, our village will offer you the opportunity to live independently alongside a supportive community in one of our 185 two or threebedroom townhouses. Once completed, the village will also offer the extra support of 60 serviced apartments, and 80 resthome, hospital and specialist dementia care rooms, all within the same village community. You’ll love the security of a Ryman village, the feeling of camaraderie, and the endless activities and events available. Plus our amenities mean there’s always something to do or someone to meet. It’s a lifestyle you can thrive in, and for those local to the area, it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy our village within your local village.

QR

Artist impressions may differ from final designs.

Better late than never

The last person to vote in Cambridge was Pip Roderick who arrived very flustered just after 11.55am.

“I leapt out of shower and into the car and came in from Karāpiro,” she said.

“I knew what I was doing, I’ve done a lot of research.”

Pip had been away with her grandchildren during the holidays and they kept asking her when she was going to vote.

Brian Dunstan, a regular letter writer to The News, posted his and his wife’s vote at 11.45am.

Others came after him – a young couple, a woman who said: “Don’t want to do anything ahead of time,” and a woman who had come in from Te Miro who was keen to set an example for her children.

Spare a thought for the man who pulled up at 12.02pm with two envelopes. His wife had told him to get them in before noon but he missed out.

To keep him out of trouble, we’ll keep his identity to ourselves…

We say… Goodbye Jim, hello Susan

The first unplanned changing of the guard in Waipā district’s local body history comes with the knowledge that the baton is passed into a safe pair of hands.

Jim Mylchreest’s service to Waipā has been exemplary. He bowed out on the weekend of his 70th birthday and with Covid.

It was one campaign too many for this political heavyweight who is a strong, ethical and knowledgeable leader.

By convincing the electorate to give her the mayoral chains, Susan O’Regan has achieved what her late mother Katherine tried and failed to

do in 1995

Waipā’s first female mayor comes well-equipped for the role, and we suspect it will be three “steady as she goes” years as the council battles inevitable difficulties caused by the pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and inflation.

Of the four candidates, only Bernard Westerbaan could be safely placed in the no chance of winning category. He tried for seats at every level and failed.

The absence of any reliable polling left us up in the air during the campaign.

A lot of money was on Mylchreest,

despite the fact that he ran a campaign bereft of advertising in print.

That is something he might regret. We wondered whether he and O’Regan might be seen as too similar – to the point that the fourth candidate, Cambridge based Chris Woodhams would get the nod.

But the electorate didn’t vote “local” when it came to the top job. Of the 15,695 votes cast, the only Cambridge-based candidate got just under 20 per cent.

Woodhams ran the most energetic, if not most expensive, campaign and presented some bright ideas.

Glass recycling is temporarily

Driver illness and a nationwide shortage of truck drivers mean we’re struggling to keep up with recycling collections.

To help, we have put a temporary hold on glass recycling services across the district. This is effective immediately. Normal services should return by the end of the month.

A small button… District councils around the country hardly trumpeted the elections – most of their home pages simply had the word “elections” and a link, along side the other services available. Waikato District Council made it even harder – finding the candidates’ name on Saturday was impossible.

What election?

Neither of our Waipā based weekly print rivals –owned by NZME and Stuff - mentioned there was the election in their editions last week.

He distanced himself from Voice for Freedom but his “fake news” claims, inaccurate accounts of discussions and regular threats to complain to the Media Council, backed by an online cheerleading team with anti-council, anti-media overtones, were from the Donald Trump campaign manual. He may have been seen by voters as more nightmare than right mayor.

Mylchreest showed his class by calling O’Regan as soon as the result was known.

We salute the enormous contribution he makes to Waipā –and welcome in a new leader.

Olivia misses out Tamahere export Olivia Wensley was third in the race to succeed Queenstown Lakes mayor Jim Boult. Cambridge architect Andrew Bydder won a seat in Hamilton’s East Ward.

Voters missed

The number of people who did not receive voting forms may never be known – but anecdotal evidence suggests it is high. Opponent of online voting fear it could be abused, but the fact so many forms ended up in the hands of people they were not meant should be of huge concern.

PLEASE DO NOT PUT OUT YOUR GLASS (BLUE-TOP) RECYCLING BIN It will not be collected. If your bluetop bin is currently out, please take it in.

MIXED RECYCLING COLLECTION (YELLOW-TOP) WILL CONTINUE, and you should keep putting your yellow-topped bins out for collection on the scheduled day.

This is temporary. We expect normal, full recycling services to resume by the end of October.

YOU CAN HELP BY:

Only putting out yellow-topped bins if they are at least half-full. (Fewer bins will mean quicker pick up.)

Ensuring there is adequate space between bins, clear from parked cars so they can be easily grabbed by the truck.

Placing all bins on level, stable surfaces.

Being kind to the recycling crews – they’re working really hard!

your patience.

Karāpiro woman Pip Roderick is the last one to get her vote in at the Waipā District Council Service Centre just before midday. Photo: Mary Anne Gill

Getting to know them…

By Roy Pilott

Mike Keir says first things first – the new look Waikato District Council’s first task is about relationships.

He and Crystal Beavis – near neighbours in Tamahere - join the council, with new mayor Jacqui Church, as representatives of the Tamahere-Woodlands ward.

And they agree that it is important the new councillors work together over the next term. Both say they like the council’s vision.

Beavis is optimistic – “I don’t think we have any divisive people.”

Divided council do not perform well, Keir said,

“I hope we get a consensus. We’ve got a lot of new members, I hope we can all get on board.”

Waikato has, like many councils, growing pains - and ensuring the infrastructure is geared to cope will be vital. “Growth is going crazy –how you manage it is the issue,” Keir said.

The new councillors represent a sprawling ward which brushes by the boundaries of Cambridge and Hamilton and pushes north to Gordonton and the duo say they will work to maintain good

communication lines.

“The ward is well served by a number of active district and community committees in the ward and we will aim to meet regularly with them,” Beavis said.

Beavis is a former Waikato DHB member and Waikato District Council senior communications advisor while Keir is managing director of JFK Ltd working in the construction industry.

Bech: ‘world is my oyster’

By Roy Pilott

Tamahere’s Aksel Bech was magnanimous in defeat as his hopes of succeeding retiring Waikato district mayor Alan Sanson were derailed.

Jacqui Church, a third term councillor based in Port Waikato won the race by more than 600 votes.

Bech had served as Sanson’s deputy and was set to take the step up – he also made a point of not seeking re-election as a TamahereWoodlands councillor.

“I wish Jacqui well – it was a professional campaign, courteous and respectful,” he said.

But he made the decision to stand only for mayor to avoid the possibility of a new mayor with a beaten rival around the table for the next three years.

Bech has a history of community service, notably as chair of the St Peters School farm, and of the future without local body politics, he told The News moments after hearing the result: “the world is my oyster”.

Mike Keir and Crystal Beavis were elected as Tamahere-Woodlands ward members, they finished well

ahead of Chris Woolerton and Luke Furborough.

Taupiri dairy farmer Woolerton had represented the former Hukanui-Waerenga ward. A change in boundaries left his farm covering three wards, and he told followers that “with plenty of friends and family in the Tamahere Woodlands General Ward, this became the obvious choice for me”.

Waikato also has its first two Māori ward members - Tutata Matatahi-Poutapu and Tilly Turner. New mayor Church will lead a fresh-faced council boasting nine new members.

Cambridge Life

Aksel Bech

Cheers to the next three years – new Tamahere-Woodlands councillors Crystal Beavis and Mike Keir.

Four didn’t stand, four were voted out, two were returned unopposed – and just four were voted back into power in a day of change for the Waikato Regional Council.

Clyde Graf overcame unwanted reminders of a dark past and allegations of sharing “disinformation” to pull off one of the surprise results of an eventful election.

He replaces Andrew MacPherson who stood down, as one of two

Waipā-King Country ward members.

The other sitting ward member, Stu Kneebone, bolted home.

Graf, who is anti1080, ran for Parliament with United Future in 2011 and has served on the regional council before, so his history has been well documented. Graffiti reminding voters he had been convicted of armed robbery 36 years ago was daubed on at least one of his posters. Stuff reported in the

wash up of the election on Saturday that he frequently shared disinformation about the Covid-19 vaccine on social media.

The successful campaigns by Kneebone and Graf came at the expense of regional council leader Barry Quayle, who was put into the chair in May following the dumping of Russ Rimmington.

Quayle made a fateful late call to switch from Hamilton to WaipāKing Country to reflect

Clyde Graf

the fact he was moving to Cambridge.

But the former Fieldays chief executive polled third – losing his

seat.

It all means six councillors will be joined by eight newbies at table when the new council meets in Hamilton for the first time on October 27 to elect its third chairperson for 2022.

Newcomers are Graf, Bruce Clarkson, Chris Hughes, Mich’eal Doward, Warren Maher, Robert Cookson, Ben Dunbar-Smith and Noel Smith.

The survivors from the election are the

council’s two Māori ward members, Kataraina Hodge and Tipa Mahuta who were elected unopposed, Pamela Storey, Kneebone, Angela Strange and Jennifer Nickel.

Quayle, Rimmington, Fred Lichtwark and Dennis Tegg were voted out, Stu Husband, Hugh Vercoe, Kathy White and MacPherson did not seek election.

Husband was beaten in a close race by sitting councillor, Walton

Stu Kneebone

Last dance for Russ Rimmington

By Roy Pilott

He had been treated well by Hamilton voters, I suggested to Russ Rimmington on Saturday night.

They might have dumped him twice –finally last weekend – but they had also consistently backed the Tamahere dairy farmer and businessman him from the time he entered local body politics in the 1980s. Rimmington, never a step away from controversy, has lost his Hamilton seat on the Waikato Regional Council.

The city had previously elected him as their mayor in 1998, then dropped him, and later given him an extended run on the regional council.

The election also saw sitting chair Barry

Quayle fail to get back on having jumped at the last minute from the city to Waipā-King Country.

There, Stu Kneebone was returned with former councillor Clyde Graf making a comeback. He was a member of the Three Waters team compiled by Rimmington, who at least was comforted by the fact that several members were voted in.

Not him though, and it’s two votes in a row that has brought the curtain down on an eventful political career.

But, yes, he agreed that through his political career voters had been good to him.

Rimmington was ousted as regional council chair in May after losing the confidence of a majority of councillors and dallied with legal action to challenge the right of Raglan ward

member Fred Lichtwark – with whom he clashed – to have voted.

At the local body polls voters showed their disdain and ousted both councillors.

Rimmington observed he would be 80 at the end of the present term. He is not the first to take on one fight too many.

“I entered politics at the same time as Tim Shadbolt,” he noted.

He did acknowledge that for all the shenanigans of his political career, hatching his latest plan was “probably the craziest thing I have ever done”.

“The time has come to step aside, the voters have been good to me – but they’ve had their say,” he said. “I’m physically tired – it’s time to put my feet up.”

Wife Edwina was shedding no tears when

The News spoke to her. The Rimmingtons are dividing their time between Auckland and Tamahere and “I told him I was not running up and down from Auckland twice a week… he would have had to make his own dinner”.

She will continue to follow her interest in art, working in the fertiliser shed the Rimmingtons converted into a chapel on their property.

Rimmington wrote in the foreword to his book Hand a man a Spanner he dedicated it to Edwina “who kept the home fires burning and provided constant support as I selfishly pursued my ambitious and sometimes reckless selfish dream”.

Win or lose, an overseas holiday was always on the cards for the couple. This time they can keep politics out of it.

dairy farmer Adrienne Wilcock, in the race to succeed MatamataPiako mayor Ash Tanner.

‘Humbled and privileged…’

By Benjamin Wilson

Takena Stirling will be the first to represent Māori on Waipā’s newest ward.

The 38-year-old commercial lawyer and soon to be councillor picked up more than half of the Māori ward’s 552 votes when voting closed on Saturday.

“It is certainly momentous, I am humbled and privileged to make history for not only the Waipā council, but also for Māori,” he said.

Stirling hails from the iwi Te Whānau-ā-Apanui on his father’s side, and Tūhoe on his mother’s. He was raised in Kihikihi and attended Kihikihi Primary and Te Awamutu Intermediate, before he became a boarder at St Stephen’s School in Auckland.

After he completed a law degree at Waikato University he opened his law firm Stirling Legal in Te Awamutu. He lives in Kihikihi with partner Terri Green and their three tamariki, Takena, 14, Nepia, six, and Mareikura, five.

Stirling ran for the Māori Ward seat to ensure its success and legitimacy.

“For me, the rationale for running for the Māori Ward was to show support for it. Because it is so new, I wanted to make sure that it had a good foundation before pursuing any other type of council position,” he said.

Takena was the only candidate to answer The News’ electoral questions, and believes answering them may have contributed to his victory.

He says he has nothing but respect for Bill Harris and Gaylene Roberts, who were

“Both whaea Galene and matua Bill, they have a lot of experience, years of experience in this realm and in the Māori community of Waipā.

“We certainly shared a number of the same views, wants, and aspirations for the Māori Ward… that is how tikanga Māori works, we look after each other.”

Stirling hopes to find or establish “the perfect comms” to engage with Māori in Waipā.

He says that the ward is necessary to ensure that the concerns, wants, and issues of mana whenua are heard “and at least acknowledged” by the council before any decisions are made.

“Some people would say, why not just run in the general roll, the problem with that is that it is a numbers game. If

every Māori voted for their candidate in their area, they still wouldn’t have the numbers to get a seat in any of the wards,” he said.

Stirling is a supporter of papakāinga (communal living on Māori ancestral land), and hopes to see it better provisioned by backing policies such as Draft Plan Change 23 while he is on the council.

One of Stirling’s main priorities when campaigning was to encourage more Māori to vote, and he applauds the 23 per cent of voters on the Māori Electoral Roll who did,

but hopes for a much larger turnout at the next election.

“It didn’t matter who you voted for, what I wanted to see was a genuine support for the hard work people have put in to get us a Māori Ward, and it’s good that 20 per cent got out there and voted, but we still needed more.”

He fears that administrative blockades – such as being unable to change from the general to Māori electoral roll before the election - may have contributed to this year’s low voter turnout.

Re nancing Your Mortgage

By Gavin Lynch – Yes Mortgages

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Re nancing can involve costs such as break fees from the existing lender, solicitors’ fees, valuation charges etc, but we can help get cash contributions from your new lender to help o set these costs.

At Yes Mortgages, we can outline the costs involved and nd the best new lender to t your current situation from the 25 or so di erent lenders available. In most instances, our service is FREE to you.

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Takena Stirling celebrates his new position with his tamariki, from left, Takena Jr, Nepia, Mareikura, and partner Terri Green. the ward’s other candidates.

And

The local body elections have again highlighted a major disconnect with communities.

In Waipā three-term mayor Jim Mylchreest was voted out and while the voting turnout across the board was above 2019 – 36.87% from 35.62% - a paltry return of 21.47% in the new Māori ward is of concern.

Mayor Susan O’Regan will welcome two newcomers – Mike Montgomerie from Maungatautari and Māori ward member Takena Stirling.

Sally Whitaker and John Wood join the Te Awamutu Community Board, which has had a strained relationship with Waipā District Council in the last term while on the Cambridge board, the only fresh face is Maungatautari’s Andrew Myers.

Hopes of having two mayors in The News’ circulation area were dashed with Aksel Bech’s defeat in the race for the Waikato district mayoralty, but his two Tamahere neighbours – Crystal Beavis and Mike Keir – will look after the TamahereWoodlands ward.

At regional council level Stu Kneebone is joined by Clyde Graf who becomes a councillor for the second time, this time in the Waipā-King Country ward.

Te Awamutu Community Board

Susan O’Regan

Andrew Brown

Pettit

Stu Kneebone Clyde Graf

Liz Stolwyk

Brown Marcus Gower

Crystal Beavis Mike Keir

Takena Stirling Clare St Pierre Phillip Coles

Ange Holt Kane Titchener Jill Taylor Sally Whitaker John Wood

Mike Montgomerie Bruce Thomas Roger Gordon

Sue Milner Alana Mackay

Jo Davies-Colley Elise Badger Andrew Myers

Waikato Regional Council

Waikato District Council

Cambridge Community Board

Martial Art Classes

For

‘What politics is about’

There was an element of irony that Waipā returned all its sitting councillors on Saturday –but not mayor Jim Mylchreest.

Mylchreest, who was among the first to congratulate new mayor Susan O’Regan, was philosophical.

“It is what politics and democracy is all about, there was an election and I lost and there are no hard feelings towards Susan at all. I enjoyed serving the people of Waipā for many years,” he told Benjamin Wilson of The News.

He was looking forward to spending a lot more time with family.

“Spending time with the grandchildren will be a lot easier now without the commitments on weekends and nights and things.

“I have a lifestyle block that will need some care and attention, as well as the family, so I will certainly have plenty to keep me busy for a while.”

Mylchreest celebrated his 70th birthday on Friday – but any plans for a celebration party the following day were scuppered before the result was known – he was in isolation after a bout of Covid.

Mike Montgomerie from the Maungatautari ward is one of two new faces on the council. He succeeds Elwyn Andree-Wiltens who resigned in April following an investigation by The News.

The other newcomer

is the first Māori ward member, Takena Stirling.

Turnout in Waipā was reported on Tuesday as 39.63 percent – the highest turnout of the last four elections.

The new Māori ward turnout was 22.8 per cent – a low turnout which reflected the low level of communication with Māori voters. There was no publicity around the fact that they had been moved to the new roll if they were on the Māori roll for general elections.

Good Local editor Roy Pilott said The News led the way with local body election coverage and he believed that was a factor in the vote count improving – but that was tempered by the low level of interest from other quarters, Ōtorohanga’s turnout – more than 44 percent - was significantly higher than Waipā, Matamata-Piako managed 38.74 per cent, Ruapehu 48.92 per cent and South Waikato 42.04 per

Two companies run the elections, so getting access to results from all elections around the country required visits to a large number of websites. The company which ran the Waikato district and regional council elections did not post voter turnout details with results.

Jim Mylchreest

Left out in the cold

By Peter Carr

Well, the great lead-up and excitement heralding last week’s local body elections fizzled out as a damp squib in voter turnout terms.

Pitifully low interest was shown - most of which was possibly attributable to those on the left and Māori (as far as Māori wards are concerned).

But that squib fizzling sadly in the corner of the garden had within it a clear message for the government of the day.

Dominant and possibly domineering ministers with agendas not necessarily in the interests of ‘the people’ - need to take a cold, hard look at the 12 months ahead.

We are now entering national election year.

There were marked changes in Christchurch with a sharp move to starboard (my mariner background showing here).

There is a clearly Green and driven new mayor in Wellington where there has been far too much intra-council squabbling over the recent triennium. And the election for the Auckland mayoralty removes the previously simpering attitudes due to long-held political party beliefs to what is really needed.

Meanwhile back in the capital an MP (also previously an elected councillor) finished fourth - a clear indication that not telling the truth does not necessarily place one in good light.

He previously clearly stated he

would not leave his very safe Wellington seat to contest the mayoralty.

Clearly in our nearest city, the sitting mayor was returned with just enough margin to give a sigh of relief and be not beholden to vote recounting.

Hamilton needs – and is due forcontinuity in the mayoral chair if it is to reach above its nomenclature of being perceived as a bovine paradise. But let us return home to Waipā. I am not surprised by the mayoral result. No suggestion here that mayor Jim did not do a good job. He is patently honest and hardworking, but it was clearly time for a change. And I was present when he promptly phoned the new mayor to offer his congratulations – a measure of the man.

No surprises either in Cambridge and Te Awamutu but there was clearly unrest in the former with regard to the inactions and poor political nous of one of the quartet which criticism showed numerically in the polls.

Nationally the voting – howsoever low – was giving a clear message to the government. Simply put – hands off our patch.

Good luck to the successful candidates. Thank you for standing – it is no secret that the effect on personal and professional life for local body electees is far from a sinecure.

Downsizing?

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IS HEALTH CARE AVAILABLE?

Probably something you don’t want to think about, but over time the subject is going to come up Different villages have differing levels of care available and your known or likely health requirements should have a bearing on any decision you make When you are doing your research, always ask what care is available and what costs are or might be involved.

Some people choose a village with no onsite care but which is closer to a hospital, especially if they know there are going to be regular visits Even if you’re ‘in the pink’ and running marathons, it might add to your peace of mind to know that health care is organised should it be needed And that’s what a carefree retirement is all about

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Council takes glass action

Glass recycling is off Waipā’s agenda – probably for the rest of the month.

The district council says contractor Metallic Sweeping can’t get enough Class 4 truck drivers on the job and has been struggling for three months.

Staff are battling illness and there is a nationwide shortage of drivers with the appropriate licence to step in.

In a statement released this week the council said residents should not put out their blue-top glass recycling bins and those on the roadside should be taken back onto sections.

It says contractors will

pick up mixed recycling yellow-topped bins and that will enable them to get up to date with mixed recycling.

“They have done all they can to keep on top of it, but we’ve had to make a call.

Truck drivers need a break as well,” Transportation manager Bryan Hudson said.

“… we’re better off taking this action now, and getting back on top of things than simply falling further and further behind.

He said residents can help by putting out only yellow topped bins when they are at least half-full, ensuring there is space between bins, they are clear of parked cars, and are on level, stable ground.

Highway plea from mayors

In one of his last acts as Waipā mayor, Jim Mylchreest joined forces with two colleagues to lobby Waka Kotahi.

Responding to the latest road fatality on State Highway 1 at Karāpiro last week, Mylchreest, Waikato’s retiring mayor Alan Sanson and Hamilton’s Paula Southgate told the roading agency they had to invest in more safety measures.

“One person is dead and another seriously injured on this notorious stretch of road between Cambridge and Piarere. Just two weeks ago, two others lost their lives on the same bend, including an ambulance officer,” they wrote.

“The road has an intolerable record of death and destruction. It is shameful.

The trio said they knew designs and safety improvements were already planned “but the reality is that substantial safety improvements are years away. We need immediate action now; our communities are demanding it and we support their call. Something must change.”

They asked Waka Kotahi to “immediately consider” a range of rapid safety measures.

“We are seeking a demonstrable change to the roading environment and ask consideration be given to tools like safe hit posts, rumble strips, reduced speed limits, speed cameras, signage and pavement markings.”

Briefs…

Going for a spin

An enthusiastic group of riders, plus one dog called Molly, took their bikes for a spin around Cambridge Raceway last Friday in a delayed nod to the Day of Older Persons. The event had been organised by Waipā District Council outreach librarian Dee Atkinson for the previous week to more closely align with the October I ‘International Day of Older Persons’ but was delayed due to weather.

Free read

Digital book club Together We Read is offering Waipā library members free access to Cambridge author Nikki Crutchley’s latest novel for a fortnight from today. Readers will be allowed to download an e-edition of the book.

JONES, Zane Albert –

Passed away on Sunday, 9th October 2022. Aged 39 years. Loved husband and soulmate to Julie. Much loved dad to Harry, Storm and Sam. A celebration of Zane's life will be held at Raleigh Street Christian Centre, Raleigh Street, Leamington, Cambridge on Monday, the 17th of October 2022 at 10:30am followed by a private cremation. All communications to the Jones Family, 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434, New Zealand.

WATKINS, Eileen Lillian, (nee Higgins) – Sunrise: 1

November 1930. Sunset: 8 October 2022. Peacefully passed away at Metlife St Andrew’s, aged 91 years. Dearly loved wife of the late Ted. Much loved mother and mother in law to Kris & the late Clint, Rosanne & Rodderz, and Erin & John. Adored Big Nana to Amy, Andy, Jono, Alisha, Quentin, and Great Nana Lingling to Paige, Indie, Grace, Zoe, Arlen, and Juliet. A special thanks to the staff of Metlife St Andrew’s for the wonderful love and care shown to Eileen over the past 4 years. A celebration of Eileen's life will be held at Trinity St Paul's Union Parish of Cambridge, Queen Street, Cambridge on Friday, the 14th of October 2022 at 11:00am, followed by a private cremation. All communications to the Watkins’ Family c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434

St Andrews Church Labour Day Craft

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Monday 24 October 2022

until 2pm

at 10am the Cambridge Brass Band

Cambridge Seventh-Day Adven�st Church

Worship Service:

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COULD CARTERS CAMBRIDGE BE YOUR NEW WORK-FAMILY?

We are looking for a physically t person to continue the serious mahi my awesome team do to keep our local tradies happy.

If you enjoy working in a hands-on role where you will do it once and do it right, this could be the opportunity you have been looking for. It’s a bonus, if you have forklift experience that is F-endorsed, however the opportunity to be trained to do this is available too - if you have a full and clean NZ drivers licence.

Enjoy variety on the job as you pick orders, load and unload deliveries, serve customers, put stock away and keep the yard clean and tidy whilst learning our extensive product range!

In return, we o er:

• A top hourly rate

• A 7.5% Bene ts Plan which includes Superannuation, Southern Cross Medical Insurance not to mention a voluntary savings scheme

If interested, please APPLY NOW using the below link or drop in a copy of your CV to your local Carters branchAttn: Vic or call me to discuss on 021 145 3357.

More drop-offs ahead

gets

BAYLEYS

Be at the heart of it.

you have interest in working in Aged Care?

you heart for the elderly?

you someone who wants to rejoin the cause to provide and improve the quality of life and serve the elderly in need of love and care?

Bupa St Kilda Care Home, located Cambridge, is HIRING NOW

Great opportuni

to work close to home, avoiding the hustle & bustle of the city.

The Care Home Manager, Penelope Dine, is seeking interest for compassionate, empathetic Caregivers to provide love, care & support to our residents to enrich their lives. Yes, it is hard work but very

is a community, and together,

work in

and

share a purpose

a better

would love to hear from you - to express your interest, into the St Kilda Care Home for a chat with the Care Home Manager, Penelope Dine, email your CV to ernest.fancuberta@bupa.co.nz, or apply through the Bupa Careers page https://www.bupa.co.nz/careers/

THU

LYLE,

THU 11:00,

THU 5:30 FRI 7:25

was

MIA & ME: THE

5:25, 7:30

3:25, 5:30 WED 7:40

MOONAGE DAYDREAM | M

through

5:40 TUE 5:50

OF CENTOPIA

5:10

REAL ESTATE

CAMBRIDGE OPEN HOMES

KARA THOMAS

A

fter identifying a need

community

for supporting services for those suffering from neurological conditions, Focused Physiotherapy’s managing director Kara Thomas launched a neurological suite of services based out of the Cambridge clinic. Kara and her team are pleased to be able to offer these services that enable a higher level of care for patients in the area suffering from a range of neurological conditions, such as those associated with stroke, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s Disease. This service enables people to get treatment locally, and minimises the need for travel into Waikato hospital.

Another area of care that has been identified as lacking in the local community is dedicated paediatric physiotherapy services. Now, from the Cambridge clinic, the team can offer an extensive range of services in the paediatric area, and this includes support with congenital disorders (CP, Down syndrome, Club foot, Spina bifida, etc), childhood development (school-going children) and motor development delay/ impairment (toe walking).

These services are heading up by one of the new Senior Physiotherapists in the team, René. René originated from Pretoria South Africa and moved to New Zealand with her husband in 2021. She graduated from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University with a Bachelor of Health Sciences, Physiotherapy. She has experience in the private and public health sector. René enjoys working with children and adults to ensure they reach their goals. She is looking forward to furthering her knowledge in both Paediatrics and Neurology. Her main aim for her patients is to be able to live their lives to the fullest. Apart from Physiotherapy, René enjoys photography, music and spending time with her family.

Kara says having a high level of neurological support on a patient’s doorstep right from the onset means that patients with those conditions are better able to manage their own physiotherapy. Similarly, having support for parents with children who required the higher level of support required from paediatric physiotherapy, ensures that these kids can quickly and

regulary access the services to improve their lifes.

Through careful one-on-one assessments, the team at Focused Physiotherapy can put a wraparound management plan in place for all its services, whether clinicbased, home visits or when making use of community facilities such as the hydro-pool at Cambridge swimming pools.

The clinic is an ACC registered provider, which ensures its services are accessible to all. As such, it provides treatment for both ACC-related injuries and private conditions. When required, clinic staff will help people complete their ACC paperwork. They also work closely with GPs and specialists and can refer patients to specialists, or send them for an X-ray or Ultrasound if needed.

Theirs is a modern, tailor-made approach to streamlining injury

Coming soon, a 340sq metre new Neurological Clinic

The skilled team of physiotherapists at Focused Physiotherapy is led by the clinic’s senior physiotherapist and founder, Kara Thomas.

With 17 years in private practice and high-performance sport under her belt, all of it in the Waikato and King Country, Kara’s initial move from Hamilton to Ōtorohanga led her to the realisation that some smaller communities had a real need for better access to quality physiotherapy services. With that as her prompt, she expanded her Focused Physiotherapy network to include Te Awamutu and Cambridge. Experienced in a range of areas, she has a particular interest in workplace injury prevention and the role of physiotherapy in cancer rehabilitation.

Kara leads a team of talented physiotherapists, hand therapists, occupational therapists and admin support who keep the wheels turning in all three clinics.

MELISSA PAGE

A home-grown Waikato girl, Melissa Page is another senior physiotherapist working with the Cambridge team.

She grew up in Hamilton before graduating from AUT in Auckland with a Bachelor of Health Science, Physiotherapy degree, and is leading Focused Physiotherapy’s neurological services across the Waikato and King Country.

Her interests lie in supporting those seeking help for neurological conditions, vestibular and concussion conditions, as well as helping with older persons rehabilitation.

prevention and rehabilitation. Through their proficient gathering and interpretation of information, the physiotherapists can optimise treatment in order to improve each patient’s mobility and help them get the most out of life.

Kara’s extensive experience as a physiotherapist has seen her work around the Waikato and King Country for the past 18 years. She started Focused Physiotherapy in Ōtorohanga some eight years ago, and has since opened additional clinics in Te Awamutu and Cambridge.

Each embraces the mantra ‘Movement for Life’, and strives to help patients enhance their mobility for a more fulfilling life.

For any of your Physio needs come in and see the team.

The Cambridge clinic is at 1913 Cambridge Rd – give them a call on 07-823 1393.

Senior Physiotherapist René van den Berg at work in the Cambridge Clinic Gym

Come in and meet Senior Physiotherapist René van den Berg

MEET

REST

OUR