Te Awamutu News | December 1, 2022

It’s Fieldays weather…

By Mary Anne Gill

It was Fieldays, but not as you know it. Or was it?

Fog greeted northern visitors heading over the Bombay Hills towards Waikato yesterday morning and heavy rain meant gumboots were the order of the day.

Opening the event soon at 6am, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor thanked New Zealand National Fieldays Society president James Allen for making farmers feel at home with the weather.

Fieldays is usually held in mid-winter but moved to November-December after Covid mandates prevented this year’s event going ahead.

O’Connor was joined for the opening by Small Business minister Stuart Nash, Customs minister Meka Whaitiri and Climate Change minister James Shaw.

Also on hand were the three Waipā-based MPs Louise Upston, Barbara Kuriger and Tim van de Molen; Waipā and Hamilton mayors Susan O’Regan and Paula Southgate.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrived in time for lunch and confirmed the next steps to develop a strategy for on-farm carbon sequestration.

She confirmed the government would bring scientifically robust forms of sequestration into the Emissions Trading Scheme, starting from 2025.

“This will be done at full value, rather than at a discount, so farmers can realise the true potential of the vegetation on their farms.”

Letters…

Kiwifruit hearing

An application to establish kiwifruit shelters at 582 Parallel Road in Cambridge is heading for a hearing. A date for the limited notified resource consent application has not been set.

LIM numbers up

The number of Land Information Memorandums processed from July 1 to September 30 has increased from 231 the previous quarter to 293. All were processed within timeframes and took an average of 4.73 days.

Airport development

The industrial part of Hamilton Airport continues to be developed. The western precinct is mostly full while development of the southern and eastern precincts is progressing. A private plan change for the northern precinct is underway with concerns about the implications for the sub-regional wastewater facility and roading connections.

On the beat

Looking ahead to Christmas

As Community Liaison Officer, I am not only based at Cambridge station, but also part of the wider Western Waikato Police prevention team. This team is composed of other community liaison officers, school and community officers and youth aid officers from Huntly down to Te Kuiti.

Part of our combined role is event policing and this week will see me heading out to Fieldays at Mystery Creek. I am looking forward to the opportunity to work the event and meet members of the wider rural community. If you see me there, do stop and say hi.

With the silly season upon us and many companies now having Christmas celebrations, I want to remind people about host responsibility. If you are booking a private function, planning needs to include how your staff will get to and from the location. Consider nominating a sober driver, utilising a courtesy van or taxi chits. Where alcohol is involved, be sure to provide adequate food and be aware of

intoxication levels.

My experience shows this is especially important if your work function involves bussing staff to team building activities out of town, where celebrations span several hours. Every year, alcohol is a key contributor to disorder and assault type offending.

If we take responsibility not only for ourselves, but also for our friends and colleagues, we can keep this to a minimum and reduce harm and those avoidable calls for police. If ever you see someone about to drive when drunk or drugged, take steps to intervene if possible and call 111 if they have already left, providing vehicle and driver details plus a clear direction of travel or intended destination. Your call could enable us to prevent a serious crash.

Key takeaways from me this week: be a responsible party host and if you stop a mate from drink driving, you’re a bloody legend.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern joins, from left, Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan, Bruce Wright and Judi Lady Gallagher for the Primary Leaders lunch at Fieldays. Photo: Mary Anne Gill

Cutting the ribbon: from left, Fieldays president James Allen, Tumuaki Hone Thompson, compere Te Radar and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill

Award winners

Two Waipā companies were among the winners at last weekend’s Master Builders House of the Year Awards.

Kit Markin Homes was successful in the National New Home up to $500,000 category and J A Bell Building won the National Builder’s Own Home category.

Mayor’s invite

Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan has invited a government minister to see first-hand the potentially negative impacts of law changes aimed at building more houses, faster. She wants Minister for the Environment David Parker to hear concerns about changes council planners say could dramatically change the district’s character.

Dam dates

The road across Mercury’s Karāpiro Dam which has been closed since August as part of the $75 million, sixyear upgrade to the station will re-open at different periods over the summer. The dates are December 23January 8, January 15-23 and February 4-6. The road will remain closed after Waitangi Day while work on the replacement of the turbine headgates continues.

Parking warning

Parking wardens will be on the beat in Te Awamutu and Cambridge over Christmas to ensure shoppers and retailers get a fair go when it comes to parking. Council will be stepping up parking enforcement during December to discourage people from overstaying their welcome in popular carparks. Those who do overstay risk being hit with a $15 ticket fine.

Rainy days

More than 250mm of November rain had been recorded at Hamilton Airport up to yesterday morning. The average is 85mm and the showers over Mystery Creek before 9am will ensure the total is more than three times the norm.

Council wants more data

By Mary Anne Gill

A feasibility study presented to Waipā’s Strategy Planning and Policy committee this week to establish a youth business incubator hub in Te Awamutu lacked key information needed to obtain council funding.

The proposal has the backing of the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce but committee chair Liz Stolwyk told its chief executive Shane Walsh while councillors could see the opportunity, there was not enough information for council to provide $65,000 a year over three years.

“We need to see a business case, kpis [key performance indicators] around that, financials etc… all that you need in a feasibility study,” she said.

Earlier this year, the chamber was granted $15,000 by the council from its Economic Development Activity budget to produce a feasibility study.

Council’s Business Development manager Steve Tritt provided guidance and liaison to the chamber and was present in support at the meeting. The chamber engaged Impact Hub Waikato to complete the feasibility study as it had already established an incubator hub in Tokoroa.

Walsh said operational funding had been secured from Trust Waikato and with evidence of community support from the council, the project could start immediately and more ongoing funding secured.

A building with a big space had been found in Te Awamutu and was available he said. The News understands the building is the former Brent Kelly Law Office in Market Street.

The chamber would move into the building and provide support, guidance and oversight, Walsh told the meeting.

After a presentation by Impact Hub co-founder and director Nanise Ginnen and shareholder Emma Emery-Sinclair, Walsh became frustrated when it appeared likely the council would not fund it.

“This is the third time we’ve come to council,” he said. “If we want to do something about youth in Te Awamutu, it’s on a platter.

“These girls work really, really hard. They’ve got other things they can be doing,” he said.

“We would rather have a quick no, than a drawn out no.”

Emery-Sinclair, founder of the now defunct Emma’s Food Bag, said the proposal did rely on support from the council. The hub would be financially sustainable in its own right within three to five years, she said.

Stolwyk said the council had funded a feasibility study and it was not what they got… “you can sense our frustration”.

She said the chamber had to identify other funding sources and sponsorship opportunities. Ginnen said they could provide a full disclosure of financials but not in a public setting.

The study said the business hub would have an emphasis on professional and youth development in Te Awamutu and support the whole Waipā district.

Cambridge Chamber of Commerce chief executive Kelly Bouzaid said after the meeting there was a need to develop a youth strategy and support school leavers to find their pathway with meaningful employment or entrepreneurial aspirations.

“What has been highlighted at this stage in my mind is that there are number of organisations within our district that are dedicated to our youth and a collaborative approach would be a good starting point,” she said.

Helen Carter Funeral Director

Te Awamutu Intermediate students were pictured just before their performance at last Friday Celebrating Waipā event at Karāpiro. Guests joined mayor Susan O’Regan, councillors and community board members at the Don Rowlands Centre for the event. Pictured from left with Matua Matiu were Divah Edwards, Pokaia Heke, Kylisea Waitere, Natascha Kelly, Amilia Kirikiri, Fayze Tangohau, Lily Benecke, Taelah Whitiora-Te Uira, Destiny Tunoho, Casi Rewha, Lilly Milham, Lily Uden and Eva Pivott.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

The Pokuru rose mystery

By Roy Pilott

It’s not much a rose by any other name as a rose with no name.

When Lorraine Flynn moved into her Pokuru St home in Te Awamutu 36 years ago the garden boasted six rose bushes.

Today there are considerably more.

One of those six was judged best in show when the Te Awamutu Rose Society shook off the Covid blues to hold its first spring show in two years last week.

Lorraine, a lover of roses, admits she has no idea what name of the successful rose it.

She does know that it’s prolific – and to her surprise,

it’s now champion stock.

Lorraine said she had entered the competition in past years but this was her first win.

The society’s 58th annual show, in the Baptist Church Hall in Teasdale St, was a successful event despite Covid enforced time off –and the fact that the weather was hardly kind.

The late frost which cost Waipā berry growers a sizeable slice of their crop in October also battered the roses.

And on the day the show opened a strong wind threatened to play havoc with the displays and certificates carefully laid out on table each time a certain door was opened.

Tess Smith, who was among the winners, noted that the society was lucky to have a show after a two year hiatus.

The society has thrown out a challenge to the community this year as it looks to reinforce the town’s Rosetown moniker. It is running competition encouraging the public to count the number of rose bushes in the town.

Society newsletter editor Linnie Jones says Te Awamutu is a fantastic place to grow roses and it is known worldwide – but the numbers of growers in the town has slipped in recent times.

“We’ve got perfect conditions and great growers,” she said.

Murray Downs, with Matawhero Magic and Selena Horn-Jones with Alyssa Pearl won the senior and junior sections of the public entry class where residents were invited to bring along a rose from their garden.

Jan Lusty collected the greatest number of points in the show.

Major results: Champion of champions Lorraine Flynn, Best exhibition bloom Jan Lusty, Best decorative bloom Jan Lusty, Best fully open bloom Linnie Jones, Best small stem Lorraine Flynn, Best large stem Jan Lusty, Best vase of roses Laurel Smith, Best exhibit bloom or stem novice Linnie Jones.

Miniature rosesChampion of champions Jan Lusty, Best exhibition bloom Irene Taylor, Best decorative

bloom Jan Lusty, Best fully open bloom Irene Taylor, Best small stem Jan Lusty, Best large stem Jan Lusty, Best vase of roses Diana Jones, Best exhibit novice Marc Dawson.

Highest overall points of show Jan Lusty, Highest overall points for miniatures Diana Jones, Highest overall points for novice classes Linnie Jones. Pedestal arrangement Barbara Dench.

Lorraine Flynn’s wining entry in the Te Awamutu Rose Society’s show.

Linnie Jones, pictured with entries in the public section.

Te Awamutu Camera Club member Tess Smith is usually behind the camera – but she picked up six placings, including a win in the miniature exhibition bloom section.

Lisa Fisher was a winner the single large or small stem of rose novice class – but she’s no stranger to the garden, having previously looked after the blooms in what is now Henley Hotel in Cambridge.

A council still divided We say…

By Mary Anne Gill

Woes that thwarted the previous Waikato Regional Council in the debating chamber look set to continue.

Nine discretionary committees were selected at the new council’s first meeting - but it took six hours and 15 minutes of official time and another two hours of behind the scenes activity to agree to them.

The council may have several new faces – but a split down the middle remains.

Waipā-King Country constituency representative Stu Kneebone was appointed onto the powerful Finance and Services Committee and is odds on favourite to become chair. He is also on the Strategy and Policy committee with fellow WaipāKing Country councillor Clyde Graf.

But there was controversy over chair Pamela Storey’s recommendations for the council’s committees which some argued said favoured her supporters.

Claims of stacking and sexism were made. Kneebone said he and other councillors had only found out about Storey’s suggestions when the agenda went out to the public.

“It feels to me like you’re treating us as second-class citizens and you’ve got no respect for us.”

When the two went head-to-head for the chair’s position last month it ended in a seven-seven stalemate and Storey’s name was pulled from a hat to get the job.

Several divisions – a method of taking a vote that physically counts members –were called for throughout the meeting last week and Storey used her casting vote twice when there was a deadlock over membership numbers.

A motion to increase membership of the Strategy and Policy committee from the proposed 10 to all 14 councillors was lost.

Similarly, a motion to increase membership of the Climate Action committee from five to eight was lost. However, the numbers were later increased to seven in a unanimous vote to ensure

Māori involvement in decision making.

While there was discussion on who should sit on each committee, and some changes made, eventually membership was confirmed by way of a unanimous vote. But both Tipa Mahuta and Kataraina Hodge abstained at times.

Councillors delegated decisions on the chairs and deputy chairs to each committee in meetings to be held in the coming weeks.

The Regional Connections committee, established last term, has gone and instead, councillors voted to engage with Future Proof partners over establishing a Metro Public Transport Subcommittee.

The council will now meet Hamilton City, Waikato, Waipā and Matamata-Piako districts – where there is most public transport demand and investment – to confirm arrangements for a subcommittee.

The Regional Transport committee will extend its focus to include public transport in the wider region.

The nine discretionary committees confirmed by councillors are Risk and Assurance, Finance and Services, Chief Executive Employment and Remuneration, Strategy and

Policy, Submissions, Waikato Plan Leadership, Integrated Catchment Management, Environmental Performance and Climate Action.

There was also support for establishing a joint Freshwater Policy Review Committee with iwi partners, as well as the Metro Public Transport subcommittee.

If the behaviour at last week’s Waikato Regional Council meeting is an indication of what’s ahead for the organisation charged with looking after our land, air, water, public transport and biosecurity, let’s bring in a commissioner now.

It took councillors more than eight hours to decide who to put on their various committees and they’ve yet to decide on chairs and deputy chairs because of a split.

Seven councillors support chair Pamela Storey and seven support Waipā King Country constituency member Stu Kneebone.

Nastiness and petty politics were the order of the day and mirrors the tumultuous nature of the council’s previous term. The split threatens to rear its head continually and prevent the council doing what ratepayers expect and deserve.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta must be asking her officials to keep an eye on the council with a view to doing what she so speedily did in Tauranga –call in a commissioner.

Tauranga City Council’s four commissioners were appointed in November 2020 – and sources say the city has never had it so good with warring councillors out of the picture.

But Mahuta’s sister Tipa, a Kneebone supporter, is a member of the council – so the monitoring may be handed to her associate minister Kieran McAnulty.

The Waipā King Country electorate is also divided - Clyde Graf is in the Pamela Storey camp with Chris Hughes, Mich’eal Downard, Warren Maher, Robert Cookson and Ben Dunbar-Smith.

His fellow ward councillor Stu Kneebone is in a camp with deputy chair Bruce Clarkson, Kataraina Hodge, Angela Strange, Mahuta, Jennifer Nickel and Noel Smith.

They clearly do not like each other and if you do not want to take our word for it, buy yourself some popcorn, pour yourself a drink and tune into the council’s You Tube council to watch the meeting.

Putting aside the appalling camera position and shocking sound, some might call it entertainment. We think it’s a disaster movie.

Go to cambridgenews.nz to see who is on the committees.

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Top honours for Lisa

construction business with Gibson Construction in Te Awamutu.

She says she would encourage any woman interested in firefighting to consider joining the Te Awamutu brigade …“and any men too”.

Hopping; 21 years, Karl Tutty; 23 years, Kurt Lawrence, Deane Mark, Colin Munro, Glenn Anderson.

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And Helen Wilkes was also celebrating - she won the Firefighter Excellence Award.

When she joined the brigade Lisa was one of five female firefighters –today there are a dozen.

The mum of three, who was born in Te Awamutu, says her award was a “massive honour”.

The brigade now has about 44 members, and Lisa says the atmosphere there “is why I do it”.

“Everyone has my back – behind the scenes there is core group of officers who put in timeless hours to support us,” she says.

The Te Awamutu brigade is now “almost like family”.

Lisa’s first call out was to a car fire. Thankfully it was only the car which was damaged, but she will never forget the call. Every fire call involved a loss of some type which impacted on people, she said.

“I personally have ways of dealing with that - and we get support too. There is no shame in asking for help, and we run great debriefs.”

Lisa and husband Blair are in the

Awards presented included: Three Year Certificate, Nicole Grayling, Lochlan Rollinson, Helen Wilkes. Five Year Medal, Frank Whitaker, Jarrod Spicer, Isabel Whitaker, Kara Rowland. Two Year Silver Bar (every two years after five year medal), Seven years service, Ngaia Henry, Donovan Horn; Nine years, Christie Anderson, Julius Dranguet, Zach Gillespie; 13 years, Anna Alexander; 15 years, Alan Clark, George Jensen, Danny Smith; 19 years, John Cumpstone, Geoff Baker, Ed

Two Year Gold Bar (every two years after 25 year gold star medal), 31 years, Rob Willey, Dave Shaw; 35 years, Grant Mitchell; 39 years, Ian Campbell; 41 years, Lex Soepnel. 40 years service certificate, Ian Campbell.

Two Year Gold Bar (every two years after 50 year medal) 52 years Murry Gillard. Long Service Good Conduct, medal for 14 years, Allan Clark, George Jensen, Danny Smith; Seven year bar for 21 years, Ken Callander, Karl Tutty. Attendance Trophy, Kelly Bennetto and Danny Smith; Crew Challenge Cup, Tawhiao Crew; Brigade Excellence Award, Helen Wilkes; Firefighter of the year, Lisa Atkinson.

Recipients of long service awards included this group with 14 and 21 years in the service - from left, Ken Callander, Karl Tutty, Allan Clark, George Jensen and Danny Smith.

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Filling in where needed…

By Mary Anne Gill

Penelope Roberts is putting her skills where her mouth is and making a difference in people’s lives by volunteering to provide life-changing dentistry.

The Waipā-based dentist has just returned from Ruatōria with Trinity Koha Dental Services where free fillings and extractions were offered to eligible residents. On previous trips she went to Putāruru, Tokoroa, Tauranga and Ngāruawāhia.

A month ago, she returned from 13 days in Fiji where she had been on the MV YWAM Koha, a 48m repurposed medical ship, providing free dental treatment in remote Fijian islands.

The 51-year-old mother of four could be earning a nice living with her own practice as a dentist but has chosen to do voluntary work from now on.

“This is a first world country, but we have third world dentistry. Sixty eight per cent of kids in this country haven’t been seen in the past five years.”

It is only going to get worse, she says, because oral dental health therapists are providing a catch up service and cannot keep ahead.

“We’ve got a terrible dental health crisis in this country. That’s why we need voluntary services like the one I’m involved with.”

Trinity Koha Dental Clinic

brings mobile dental clinics in a converted caravan to underserved New Zealand communities to help relieve urgent oral health needs.

The clinics are a partnership between Youth with a Mission Ships Aotearoa (YSA) and Trinity Lands Ltd, a charitable trust which owns farms, orchards and forestry in South Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

Three years ago, YSA was given a German built container ship which had been used to carry supplies to Pitcairn Island on contract to the UK Government. When that contract expired, owners Nigel and Brenda Jolly gave YSA the ship to use to travel to some of the Pacific’s remotest islands.

The ship has had a refit and has three containers on board, two of them fully equipped for dental surgery: the other for medical procedures.

Roberts (nee Allen), husband Nick and two daughters Ivy, 17, and Missy, 15, all volunteered for the October trip to the islands. He works in the telecommunications industry and is a former ocean racer and was in his element guiding boats to shore while the girls helped in the clinics having learnt how to sterilise equipment and provide post treatment care.

Triaging took place on shore and the worst taken out to the ship where Roberts, an

experienced oral surgeon and the only New Zealand dentist on the trip, would see about 15-20 patients a day.

“Every patient needed so much, you had to be very decisive about your priorities which was heart-breaking,” she said.

“We had it front in mind this was our first visit. We were going in to build relationships and assess what’s needed.”

When she was growing up in Morrinsville and attending Waikato Diocesan School for Girls in Hamilton and then Nga Tawa School in Marton, she had dreamed of becoming a veterinarian.

In the seventh form (Year 13) she went on a trip to Samoa with Friends of the Pacific which had her thinking more about medicine.

“A lot of my friends were going to (Otago University) Dunedin so I went there.”

She studied physiology for two years, applied for dental school and got in.

After graduating she moved north to work in hospitals around Auckland.

After working in private practice, she moved to the UK and worked in various hospitals in London including Paddington Hospital.

She was working as a community dentist and heading down the oral surgery or paediatric path when she met Nick, an Australian, got married and then fell pregnant.

Her first son Harry is nearly 22. A year later, when she was pregnant with her second son George, the family decided to move to Sydney to be closer to family in Australia and New Zealand.

She worked as a locum dentist and as a lecturer in the Sydney University Dental School when George told his parents he wanted to go to St Peter’s School in Cambridge.

There was a family connection; previous

headmaster Richard Morris, who retired in 1995, is Roberts’ second cousin and his stories of the school impressed young George, who started at the school in 2015.

Two years later the family moved across the Tasman.

“We just feel Cambridge chose us. Our boy decided to come here and Mum was in Morrinsville. The doors were closing in Sydney and

opening here.”

They moved to Fencourt and she reregistered as a dentist in 2017 doing mostly locum work.

“I’ve never wanted my own practice, so I’ve been happy locuming.

“At the beginning of last year, I found out about this mission ship. I just want to do aid work now. It is incredibly fulfilling.” She will return to Fiji next year.

What Roberts has seen in New Zealand has reinforced her belief in community water fluoridation.

She was stunned when there was opposition to the planned introduction of fluoride into Cambridge’s water supply.

“Anywhere it can go in, it should go in.”

The benefits of community water fluoridation are overwhelming, says Roberts.

Teeing up a fundraiser

Four “golf buddies” plan to play as many courses in a day later this month to raise money for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Cancer Society,

The festive season is a popular time for fundraising on golf courses.

Rodney Prescott, Ed Hopping, George Jensen and Matt Wright have entered the longest day golf competition on December 22.

“We did this event last year also and raised around $5000 for the Cancer Society but had the idea this year to take it to the next level,” Prescott, a tyre technician at Fonterra, Te Awamutu told The News.

The rounds will be played at Waitomo, Pirongia, Stewart Alexandra and Te

A Service to Remember Our Loved Ones

Awamutu golf clubs.

“We are also running a 9-hole Ambrose golf competition at the Te Awamutu course during the day with prizes for closest to the pin and longest drive, for anyone who would like to join the fundraising efforts.”

Items have also been gathered for an auction which will add to the funds raised, Prescott said.

“We have all been affected by this disease in one way or another, whether it be a family member, work colleague or a close friend so it’s amazing to know that there is so much support out there for a group of mates trying to make a bit of a difference no matter how big or small that difference may end up being.”

Penelope Roberts, left, and Helen Wilson performing dental work on Ben Cavu, a Fijian crew member. Photo Caleb Ansley, Youth with a Mission Ships Aotearoa (YSA).

The dental outreach team in Rabi Island, northern Fiji, from left, Nathanael Herman, Shika, Penelope Roberts, Lepani.

Photo Caleb Ansley, Youth with a Mission Ships Aotearoa (YSA).

By Roy Pilott

Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce chair

Maria Heslop rates last week’s Black Friday event as a fantastic success.

The top end of Alexandra St was closed off to enable entertainment to be set up in the town centre, and Heslop was delighted to see a packed street for 90 minutes to 8pm.

“Feedback from our retailers has been that it was a great night for them and stallholders, performers and social media comments from attendees has all been positive,” she said.

The event also escaped the ongoing threat of rain.

Heslop indicated a debrief will look at how to encourage more shops to remain open, and having an early draw for the shoppers competition “but I think Te Awamutu remembered what it feels like to be a community last Friday night which is what the Chamber was aiming for”.

She said the main aim was to support Te Awamutu retailers... “I feel we did just that”.

The event, which enjoyed considerable support from sponsors and volunteers, looks a certainty to be added to the 2023 calendar.

Youngsters from Puahue School warm up for their performance during Black Friday celebrations on the back of their win in the Xtreme category at the Jump Jam North Island Competition. Cooper Buchanan gotface painted. Photo: Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce.

The team outside the Spark shop was keeping in tune…, from left, Chloe Hapi, Aimee Coleman and Dellayne Ratima. The turnout for the event pleased the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce. Photo: Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce.

Ōhaupō of the future

By Mary Anne Gill

Within 30 years Ōhaupō will be a small town growing to the north and Karāpiro will have a new school in a thriving village hub.

The suggestions are two of several scenarios in Ahu Ake, Waipā’s interim draft spatial plan or blueprint for the future.

The spatial plan contains 20 bottom lines which Ahu Ake must deliver to be successful and aims to cater for the district’s accelerated population growth, estimated to increase 25 per cent to 75,000 by 2045.

Strategy manager Kirsty Downey gave an exclusive briefing to The News about the interim draft spatial plan which heads out on a community roadshow from February next year.

“This is the piece of work that’s going to drive everything else we do.”

The roadshow would include topics like village growth, papakāinga, peat lakes and economic opportunities. Every part of the district would be involved in an informal and interactive way, she promised.

Ahu Ake says all future growth should be contained

in the council’s existing growth cells except for Ōhaupō.

“We anticipate greater growth there which will come about because of increased activity at the airport, Hamilton growing south and the Southern Links transport network.”

Southern Links will link SH1 from Kahikatea Drive in Hamilton to south of Tamahere.

The growth in Ōhaupō will come about because of more employment around the airport hub and an increase in public transport options with provisos around the district’s ability to deliver reticulated systems, water and wastewater.

In Karāpiro, Downey says they have anticipated the Cambridge to Piarere SH1 Expressway extension would provide an opportunity for increased access to the lake.

That then opens tourism and other ventures making Karāpiro a marketable package destination, she said.

“Our feedback is the community feels very disconnected. We’ve heard that people come together and connect at the school or the service station if people want to have discussions.”

Ahu Ake –which broadly

means to move forward and progress - suggests working with Waka Kotahi and the Ministry of Education to move Karāpiro School across SH1 into the village where it would be a community hub.

Creating a park space, an early childhood centre and a small retail area, would fit the ‘Destination Karāpiro’ concept and ensure good walking and cycling connections, she said.

Other smaller communities like Te Miro, Pukeatua and Ngāhinapōuri would be included in the informal engagement along with Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Kihikihi and Pirongia.

“It’s all about connecting with those communities and adopting an informal approach.

“We want the conversations to be meaningful with people who don’t normally front up to a council chamber.”

When it consulted earlier this year with key stakeholders and community organisations, the feedback was that council had predetermined the outcome.

“We know we haven’t. This is a starting point for consultation with the community,” said Downey.

Questions would be open

ended to allow for informal discussion over what the council might have missed or got wrong. The priorities might need rejigging.

“This will be a live document,” she said.

Councillors were briefed on Tuesday at the first Strategic Planning and Policy committee of the term and approved going out for consultation.

Senior Strategic planner Vanessa Honore said Ahu Ake had 20 bottom lines under five themes: collaboration, socially resilient, cultural champions, environmental and economically progressive.

“Ahu Ake will impact all of our Waipā communities, current and future. It will become (our) key strategic planning document. It will drive our future activities and investments with respect to our organisational planning and service delivery, ensuring that we successfully deliver on our Vision, Community Outcomes and Strategic Priorities.”

Following the roadshow completion in March, the plan will be updated for more community engagement and then formal consultation.

A preferred version would go to the council for adoption

in September next year. Ahu Ake’s bottom lines are:

• work and plan together to improve people’s lives

• housing for everyone

• more papakāinga

• roads are safe

• people can access the services they need

• bounce back quickly from extreme environmental events

• day-to-day needs are either a 10-minute walk or bike ride away

• everyone feels at home

• celebrate cultural diversity

• recognise and celebrate mana whenua history

• recognise, protect and enhance culturally significant areas

• connect and improve rivers

• protect, restore and enhance the environment

• provide a network of predator-free ecological corridors

Briefly…

Levies dip

•

lowered greenhouse gas emissions

• residents prefer to walk, cycle and use public transport to reduce vehicle kilometres

• a diverse range of businesses

• more Māori owned businesses

• preserve high quality and peat soils

• manage growth so it is affordable.

Waipa District Council raised 302 development contribution levies for the 2021-2022 financial year totalling $36.5 million. This is down $10 million on the previous year. The council has $54.5 million in development contribution levies outstanding which does not include a recent $13 million agreement signed between the council and 3M developers in Cambridge.

Kirsty Downey

The carriage awaits…

Waikato’s horse drawn vehicles society celebrated fine weather – and the success of new members – at a two-day event at Kihikihi last weekend.

The Waikato Horse Drawn Vehicles Society is the Waikato area club belonging to the national carriage driving. The Waikato society is based principally in the Te Awamutu area and most member live in Waipā and Hamilton.

The events featured a dressage tournament on Saturday and a short dressage test, followed by a cone course - which is likened to the show jumping phase of ridden eventing - and then marathon obstacles, where speed and skill are key on Sunday.

The dressage tournament forms part of a national circuit and contributes to the national championships to be held early next year in Flaxmere.

The club has seen an influx of new members, and it was great to see one, Stacey Bennett, who drove Willow, did exceptionally well in her first outing.

Other successful drivers on Saturday included Jennifer Carew from Te Awamutu who won the Advanced

and Intermediate tests with Willowview Express, Leanne Bertling from Cambridge with Toy Boy.

Bertling and Carew also starred in the Sunday competition – Carew going

AGE OF REASON

Fieldays spring back

By Peter Carr

Next week our roads will be under strain as drivers will arrive at – and depart from –a warmer edition of Fieldays.

That annual – now in its 54th year – event that brings town and country together to celebrate and view the innovative backbone of our country’s prime industry –agriculture.

In 1969 the first event was held after a group of like-minded people listened to the advice and recommendation of the late John Kneebone.

In those days a young Hinuera-based farmer was in England as part of his work under the umbrella of a prestigious Nuffield Scholarship.

He wrote to the then Farming Editor of the Waikato Times to push the idea that those in the ‘town’ should meet with those in the ‘country’ to share an understanding of what was essentially driving the commercial thrust of a small though rapidly growing nation.

An essential ethos of the initial event was that it be held at a time in the year when those creating the agricultural worth would be able to attend – the attendance of the ‘town’ component being flexible as to the season of the year.

Thus, mid-June sprang off the drawing board being a general downtime for most Waikato farmers as they were immersed in the dairy industry.

In the second year the mid-winter timing was broken to accommodate the visit of the Queen and her family but at no other time did the event depart from foggy, cold mornings until this year.

The emergence of a late spring event has been driven not by adherence to matters of majesty, but by the disruptive fangs of a

home as champion and Bertling reserve champion at the end of the weekend.

The next event on the competition calendar is at Weal’s Property at 149 Kakepuku Rd on December

17 and 18. The second day will feature an international event pitting New Zealand against Australia – with speed courses on either side of the Tasman testing the competitors.

Special effects and prop company Wētā Workshop has created a scale model of a kauri for Waikato Regional Council to help publicise measures to protect the tree.

The 1:82 representation of kauri in the Coromandel Peninsula around 1850 is based on a tree known as Father of the Kauri which stood at Mercury Bay.

Father of the Kauri had a trunk diameter of about 7.5 metres - more than two metres bigger than that of Tane Mahuta in Northland’s Waipoua Forest.

Kauri Protection Lead Kim Parker says the model, along with a virtual reality experience which is still being developed, is part of a mobile educational programme.

“We’ll be rolling it out to community trapping groups, landowners, mana whenua and supporting ThamesCoromandel District Council’s kauri ambassador programme to let them know specific ways they can help protect kauri as individuals, and to inspire a bright future for kauri in the Waikato,” says Parker.

Kauri need protection from a dieback disease caused by a microscopic soil-borne organism called Phytophthora agathidicida that affects kauri through its roots, damaging the tissues that carry nutrients and water and effectively starving the tree. Stopping the movement of dirt around kauri is the best way to protect kauri.

Waikato Regional Council has been helping community groups introduce kauri protective behaviours, such has installing hygiene stations; and supporting farmers to fence off kauri areas to prevent stock incursion.

pandemic that had caused the cancellation of a previous event.

So, no warm clothing this year – shorts will be to the fore.

The traffic congestion, slow-moving crowds and excited children will remain. Those who favour a warmer weather environment should take time to enjoy this one. The 2023 event will revert to the month of June.

The logistics for the event are enormous. As a past president of the Fieldays Society I was privy to the degree by which preplanning to fit in with other events was and is essential.

The event has bloomed - and now accommodates matters not purely agricultural.

An example is the Health Hub grown from a concern regarding the health – and personal pressures – on farmers in more remote areas.

This year it is bigger than ever and draws large numbers of people.

The huge number of volunteers will, once again, provide support - many of them starting every day long before the initial rays of the dawn sun will reach the riverside valley that constitutes the event site.

Free buses will again be available to reduce traffic flows.

Whether you join the bus in Cambridge’s Lamb Street or at the Te Awamutu i-Site the pre-event chatter will centre on what lies ahead.

The homeward journey, hopefully, will reflect a general satisfaction as to what was observed and enjoyed.

FAITH IN WAIPĀ

Christmas past and present

By Julie Guest

When our children were young our family lived in Taradale, a small satellite suburb of Napier.

One Christmas our church ran The Sights and Sounds of Christmas - an interactive experience involving skits, storytelling, cookies, carols and take-home bags with activities and more cookies.

It was great fun to be part of. Schools were delighted as they sent busloads of children who then returned with their families for the evening performances.

The love which is at the centre of the Christmas story was present in the actions and attitude of all the volunteers.

That same love was the motivation in running the event in a slightly different format for several years in a row. People enjoyed being part of a team that just wanted to share their joy in knowing Jesus, whose birth we celebrated.

In that period, there was a pool of “the young retired” who had time and energy to put into such activities.

Fast forward 20 plus years and the world has changed. So much so that such largescale undertakings are no longer feasible.

Work demands have increased, retirement age put back, the need to earn is pressing, grandparents caregiving roles increased… Hence the Nativity Sheep Trail. Introduced to Te Awamutu in 2020 and put on pause because of Covid restrictions in 2021, the Sheep Trail returns for 2022.

Knitting sheep might not be your idea of Christmas fun but for many of the Knit and Natter Group who meet at St John’s Parish lounge each Monday, it was a great challenge.

When church members joined in – Voila!30 sheep were created.

As you have been doing your Christmas shopping lately have you noticed a knitted sheep peeping out from behind the displays? Across

Te Awamutu, retailers have happily received a sheep, carefully chosen a name, labelled and popped their sheep somewhere within their premises.

Your task is to discover it and record its name on the provided form. Then set off to find the others.

There is fun to be had in the discovery, goodwill from all the involved retailers, a prize draw at the end along with carols, celebration and supper. All at no cost except what you’d like to offer.

In the news lately there have been dire warnings about the coming recession and the need to be thrifty.

We also constantly hear of the need to use less of the planet’s resources, to recycle or upcycle and to buy local and ethically.

Last week Black Friday sales were splashing across our media, encouraging careless spending and “buy now, pay later offers”. With such contrasting messages coming at us, what can we do?

In the past, when thrift was, of necessity, a way of life, churches provided simple opportunities throughout the year and especially leading up to Christmas to gather, to have fun and to rejoice in the promise of love and hope that Jesus’ birth brings.

The sheep nativity trail is designed to offer exactly that.

A message of hope and love, at no cost but in a way that is benefits all involved. Join the hunt.

Jennifer Carew and Willowview Express on their way to winning the Champion Performance Award for the weekend.

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The TE AWAMUTU NEWS is a weekly community newspaper that is independently owned and has a passion for serving the Te Awamutu community.

Does the following sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.

• I always listen to news on radio and read news online and in print.

• I think on my feet, I can produce copy quickly and accurately – and I am a skilled interviewer.

• I’m comfortable taking pictures.

• I know my community – from sports clubs to local body politicians.

• I’m computer literate and proficient with MS Office. The Te Awamutu News reporter will report to the news editor and discuss job assignments, how stories will be presented and how to make the most of resources available. For the right candidate, this position could either be full time or part-time, but the hours will be flexible and often determined by the timing of events and the availability of contacts.

It is expected the successful applicant will have had experience in working in media. This is an all-rounder position – the successful applicant will generate stories and be adept at reworking supplied copy and assist with proof reading. This position will require the reporter to be out in the field regularly, but also able to work collegially with a small team of sales and layout staff. Applicants for this position must have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa. You will need a reliable vehicle and a clean driver’s licence.

We offer a competitive salary based on the skills and experience of the successful applicant.

If this sounds like the role for you, please email your C.V. and letter of application to Roy Pilott on editor@goodlocal.nz

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He tūranga e wātea ana ki te Wharekura o Ngā Purapura o Te Aroha. E kimi ana mātou kia rua ngā kaiāwhina mō te kura, e mōhio ana ki ngā mahi whakaako tamariki. Me ū te kaitono ki te reo māori me ōna tikanga. Me matua mōhio hoki te kaitono ki ngā mahi whakahaere i te akomanga, me ngākaunui hoki ki ngā mahi whakaako tamariki.

E whakapono ana mātou, he taonga te tamaiti, ko rātou hoki te pūtake o tā mātou kaupapa. Ka kati tēnei tono hei te 02 o Hakihea, 2022 Tukua tō Tātai Oranga (CV) ki te Tumuaki: tari@npota.school.nz

Tukua mai mā te poutāpeta rānei ki: attention: Te Wharekura o Ngā Purapura o te Aroha. Enquiries 021 225 7577

PUBLIC NOTICE

Act 1991

Waipa District Council gives notice of the availability of the summary of decisions requested by persons who made submissions on Proposed Plan Change 17 Hautapu Industrial Zones to the Waipa District Plan under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA).

The summary of decisions requested by submitters and the submissions received on Proposed Plan Change 17 may be viewed at:

• Online at www.waipadc.govt.nz/planchanges

• Waipa District Council offices in Te Awamutu and Cambridge

• Waipa District Council public libraries in Te Awamutu and Cambridge

Making a further submission

The following people may make a further submission: (a) any person representing a relevant aspect of the public interest; and (b) any person that has an interest in the proposed policy statement or plan greater than the interest that the general public has; and (c) the Waipa District Council itself.

A further submission must be limited to support of or opposition to a submission that has been made on Proposed Plan Change 17 and must seek that the submission be allowed or disallowed (in whole or in part).

A further submission needs to contain all of the information detailed in Form 6 of the Resource Management Forms, Fees and procedures Regulations 2003. A copy of Form 6 can be downloaded from www.waipadc.govt.nz/planchanges or is available from the above-listed places.

Lodging Your further submission

You may send your further submission to Waipa District Council by one of the following methods:

• Fill out the online further submission form 6 at www.waipadc.govt.nz/planchanges

• Download and print a form 6 and either:

• Email to: districtplan@waipadc.govt.nz

• Post to: Private Bag 2402, Te Awamutu 3840

• Deliver to: Waipa District Council, 101 Bank Street Te Awamutu OR 23 Wilson Street, Cambridge

A copy of your further submission is also required to be sent to the submitter to which your further submission relates, no later than 5 working days after lodging your further submission with the Waipa District Council (refer clause 8A, Schedule 1, RMA).

Dates

The Summary of Decisions requested is publicly notified on December 5th 2022. Further submissions must be lodged with Waipa District Council by no later than 5pm Monday 19th December 2022, which is 10 working days after the day on which public notice is given.

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Clause 7 of Schedule 1, Resource Management

Public Notice of Availability of the Summary of Decisions Requested in Submissions on Proposed Plan Change 17 Hautapu Industrial Zones