Cambridge News | February 9, 2023

Build and be damned

We say:

This is the new view from on high of rural Waipā.

These shade covers block views at ground level –and for that reason residents across the district are up in arms as huge unauthorised structures crawl over hectares of pasture for kiwifruit orchards.

This photograph is of one in Parallel Rd between Ōhaupō and Cambridge. There are more.

Waipā District Council - already guilty of an almost mute response to the exposure by The

News of a giant illegal sand quarry last year –appears to regard these cloth covers as being “minor support structures”.

Neighbours say elected councillors have kept their distance. Residents in Ōhaupō, Maungatautari, Ngāhināpouri, Hautapu and Cambridge have taken legal action, and councillors have been told they should be circumspect if commenting because a judicial review is underway.

In the meantime, the council appears content to quietly deal with “retrospective” consent applications – applications made by people who elect to build and be damned.

We say it’s not good enough and it’s time for mayor Susan O’Regan and her council to make a stand.

• The owner of the house next to these covers tells of his worst fears today on page 5. Also, see letters, Page 2 and more photos cambridgenews.nz

Marc van den Heuvel Partner

More disputes

In regard to “Getting a taste of kiwi “ (The News, January 26), I am also in dispute with kiwifruit growers that bound my property.

I have employed a barrister to handle my grievances also and to ensure that Waipā District Council must enforce their district plan which they have completely ignored or disregarded to this time.

I bought my property 11 years ago for the awesome views. They span extensive views that encompassed the Bombay hills and over to Mt Te Aroha, Cambridge hills, Kakepuku and Mt Pirongia. The view included extensive farmland and we could watch aeroplanes coming and going from Rukuhia and trains passing through the main trunk line.

Now with the screen netting and shelter belt trees, I have lost about 50 per cent of my beautiful views and they have informed me that they intend growing shelterbelts to 10 metres, which will completely obliterate the rest of the views I still have.

Because the council appears quite unwilling to enforce council laws, expensive lawyers seem to be the only alternative.

I believe the owners of the kiwifruit orchard, that bounds my property, believe they will win any dispute involving us as they have more money. And I believe that the other kiwifruit orchardists believe the same and that they are able to disregard any neighbours’ disruptions or objections or abide by council laws.

The council appears to have a very large too-hard basket.

Thank you for allowing me to express my feelings - and those of many of my neighbours.

Brian Larsen Ngāhinapōuri

A taste of kiwifruit

We strongly think kiwifruit canopies should not be allowed to proceed around the Waipā district. We live and farm directly across the road from the 383 Parallel Road development.

This is the entire length of their northern boundary. This development when completed is planning to cover 70 hectares of land.

The development so far has obliterated all views across formerly pleasant rural land to Mount Pirongia. The canopies are ugly, invasive and of immense size and scale. All existing vegetation including hedges and large old significant trees will be destroyed. All biodiversity is erased. This is a hugely significant land use change that is being allowed to happen with seemingly little consultation to Waipā residents.

The Waipā district is known for its beautiful landscapes, green grass pastures and trees. It is part of its much admired rural character and charm. Protection of its rural character and scenic vistas is outlined in the district plan. These immense invasive structures do not fit in the Waipā rural landscape, and definitely should not be allowed to proceed.

They seriously affect the enjoyment of our locality for us and neighbouring homes of

other long-time residents.

The Searle family and Scott Mathieson

Consenting the consent

Questions need to be asked - like who checks the conditions of a resource consent? If conditions are not met, who is responsible for rectifying this? Is it the person who objects to the conditions or the people who are not keeping to the conditions or is it council?

A big example is the poles being put five metres from the boundary where the conditions clearly state that they have to be 25 metres from the boundary. Also, the height would be a matter to be looked at, is the level too high.

Was there an under arm bowl being delivered with the planner leaving council and now being employed by the kiwifruit people?

Is it that easy to “not keep to the consent rules” by just asking or doing a retrospective resource consent application? If so, this will open a big can of worms as a precedent will be set by allowing “breaking” the rules. Council should have declared a ‘conflict of interest’ with the consent, as the planner’s position with the applicant has now created a conflict, and an audit and review of such should have been undertaken immediately . Just where is regulatory governance?

Please council, be transparent. (Abridged)

Bernard Westerbaan

Te Awamutu

This week I have some good news stories to share. The first started with a simple traffic stop. Some people think that traffic policing has a narrow focus, but this is not the case. All criminals use vehicles, both when offending and when transporting stolen property and drugs across the district. Traffic stops are a major source of intelligence and great opportunities to solve crime.

Between November and January, a Waipā business under renovation was burgled on three occasions. Copper wire and power tools were stolen. One day recently, a vehicle was seen by one of our strategic traffic constables driving straight through a stop sign. She pulled it over and spoke to the driver.

The driver was found to have been previously disqualified from driving, so she should not have been driving at all. A second officer recognised the vehicle as one seen on CCTV footage of the recent burglaries. The driver also matched the description of the alleged offender.

The vehicle was searched and some of the stolen property was recovered. The driver now faces charges not only for her driving but also three burglaries. It just goes to show the value of what seems a simple traffic stop in locating offenders and holding them to account.

Secondly, last weekend a woman stole items from Briscoes Cambridge. Eagle eyed staff had also seen two other people waiting with a suspicious car in the carpark outside. The female left the store with items concealed underneath her child’s stroller and left in the vehicle. The two other people had already walked away.

Police stopped the car, arrested the female and recovered the items taken from Briscoes. We also located in the car items stolen from a different retail outlet in Tirau. Moreover, the female was wanted for another previous theft from Hamilton. While dealing with her, a male previously seen with her car, was located walking a trolley load of stolen

groceries away from Countdown and duly arrested. Quick reporting and great observations by staff at Briscoes resulted in four crimes being solved and the offenders being held to account. This shows how criminals rarely limit their offending to one business, so the earlier we hear about them and catch them, the better.

On a final note, in addition to the motorcycles mentioned last week, trailers have been hot on the shopping list for thieves. Please ensure your trailer is stored out of sight of the road if possible and if not, that it is secured with a wheel clamp and in a well lit area. CCTV cameras are also a good deterrent and provide great evidence in the event a thief manages to steal the trailer. Take a photo of your trailer and especially note any marks or damage which would help identify it if the registration plate were to have been removed.

Car conventions

The Triumph TR national convention will be hosted in Cambridge from February 16 to 19. The event will feature a display of 64 vehicles on Victoria Park on Friday February 17. The Sunbeam Car Club of NZ will host its annual meeting in Cambridge from February 24 to 26 in Cambridge. The cars will be on display outside Hidden Lake Hotel on February 25.

Storm fallout

Three February meetings scheduled for Alexandra Park have been transferred to Cambridge Raceway after last week’s deluge of rain washed part of the Auckland course away.

Quarries on hold

Two quarry applications in Ōhaupō and Maungatautari remain on hold while Waipā council waits for further information. Rukuhia Land Company has applied to operate a sand quarry in the Ōhaupō rural zone while Beacon Hill Contracting, which had been unlawfully operating a sand quarry at Oreipunga Road, is seeking resource consents to authorise the activities.

Parking tickets

The pre-Christmas parking crackdown in Cambridge and Te Awamutu by Waipā District Council resulted in 93 parking infringement notices - mostly for motorists overstaying their time. Parking in Waipā is free but there are time restrictions in place in the Te Awamutu and Cambridge central business districts.

Dog numbers

There are about 270 unregistered dogs in the Waipā district. The animal control team is working through the list and issuing infringement notices which carry a $300 fine. Staff impounded 68 dogs in the three months up to Christmas. Owners claimed 49 of them, seven were put down and six rehomed.

Lifeline for festival carnival

By Mary Anne Gill

Cambridge Autumn Festival’s iconic Main Street Carnival has secured funds so it can go ahead next month.

Organisers of the 10 day long festival feared they would have to cancel the carnival when they failed to attract a grant from the Waipā District Council administered Creative Communities scheme.

But Te Awa Lifecare Ltd, a longtime supporter of the festival, has stumped up with the cash so the Sunday carnival can go ahead on March 26 in Cambridge’s central business district.

Thousands are expected to attend as the national secondary school rowing championships – also known as the Maadi Regatta – will be held at Lake Karāpiro from March 27.

Competitors will take part in a street parade and then be welcomed

to the district at Victoria Square.

Festival chair Alana MacKay would not disclose how much Te Awa Lifecare contributed to what she described as “the biggest public day of the festival.”

The festival, which started in 2009, had regularly attracted funding from the creative scheme and so it was “a kick in the guts” when no money was forthcoming last year.

“Once we had that news, it was a tough time for all of us,” said MacKay who dealt with the disappointment at the same time she and husband Phil welcomed their first child, a daughter Mia Christina McCathie MacKay.

“In the past Te Awa have helped up out by letting us use some of their facilities so now they’ve added a cash component to it and it’s such a big help.”

The festival programme will be released in The News later this month and is expected to reveal the

Our very own storm trooper

A Cambridge student is using spare time ahead of her Wintec classes resuming by helping collect donations for victims of the Auckland floods.

Charlotte Peake and her sister Mikaela are collecting items daily to deliver to Hamilton organisations who send them north.

“Charlotte and I had a conversation at breakfast just after the flood about how we should scrounge around the house to find good quality items to donate and that if everyone gave a little bit this would relieve the pressure for those that have lost everything,” mum Fiona said.

“Charlotte then just ran with the idea, making calls and organising groups to help donate.

“Charlotte spoke to her grandmother, Kathy, who did an SOS to village residents at Bupa Cambridge… two massive car loads of near new bedding and towels have been delivered.”

She is also getting support from her old school, St Paul’s in Hamilton.

Items can be dropped off at the Salvation Army, 27 Williamson Street, Monday to Friday between 10 am – 2pm, and Windy Ridge Function Centre, 101 Great South Road, Ōhaupō, Monday – Friday 9 am – 2 pm.

In Te Awamutu the appeal from Charlotte has been heard by lawyers Edmonds Judd.

“We don’t have a drop off point in Te Awamutu so we are collecting from Te Awamutu people who we know and taking it ourselves to the Cambridge and Hamilton places,” Fiona said.

arrival of international artists – from the UK and Canada – jazz and blues musicians, painters, stilt walkers and the ever popular face painting.

Mapping the future

By Mary Anne Gill

What is arguably the biggest engagement of its type for the Waipā district gets underway this week for two months.

Ahu Ake, the Waipā Community Spatial Plan, is a 30-year blueprint for the district mapping out what towns and villages will look like, how residents will move around and what services will be available.

Strategy group manager Kirsty Downey told the council’s Strategic Planning and Policy committee this week that for the plan to be finalised it needs extensive community consultation.

She and project manager Vanessa Honore will attend a number of events around Waipā over the next two months including the Tainui Games at Hopuhopu this weekend.

“We have not engaged with the community like this before. We are very excited,” said Downey.

There will be 22 events and 12 presentations between this week and March 27 in Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Te Miro, Karāpiro, Kihikihi, Pirongia, Ōhaupō, Rukuhia, Pukeatua and Ngāhinapōuri.

Marae based hui will also take

place as will staff drop in sessions, online stakeholder workshops. A briefing with council Customer Service team members has already taken place.

Honore said staff were excited about the spatial plan and had volunteered to attend the community meetings.

Mayor Susan O’Regan, deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk, councillors and community board members will also be at several events.

“To achieve buy in and work alongside the community, we need to make sure this is the future they (residents) want to see for themselves and their children.

“It’s going to be quite an interesting engagement – within their village, their street and withing their day to day commute,” said Honore.

“Now all we need is our community to engage,” said Stolwyk who believed the mix of in person, online, community newspapers and mailbox drops would ensure everyone would be part of the process.

When the road shows finishes, strategy staff will capture and address community feedback into a consultation report.

Kirsty Downey

Another consultation process will take place in June and July, a final draft spatial plan produced in August and adopted by council in September.

Dog rules

Waipā’s dog rules will be reviewed following an initial engagement period which resulted in more than 300 people providing feedback. Now a draft policy and bylaw will be drafted and go out for public consultation in April.

There is also a new performance area near the Duke St roundabout. The festival will run from March 24 to April 2.

Scene from a previous Autumn festival.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill

Landowners see red ‘I’ll be surrounded…I’ll be in prison’

By Mary Anne Gill

If an independent commissioner approves a retrospective land use consent for a giant kiwifruit orchard at 582 Parallel Road in Ōhaupō, Nick Jennings says everyone in the district is “doomed”.

He and his family will face being boxed in on three sides of their property by six metre high shade cloth and intrusive shelterbelts.

It will also send a clear message to other horticulturalists they can do what they like in Waipā, he says.

And some already have. Rural residents have contacted The News since we revealed poles and

up around the district without the required council resource consents to protect newly-planted Ruby Red kiwifruit orchards.

Kiwifruit Investments Limited has applied for retrospective and prospective resource consents to establish vertical and horizontal artificial kiwifruit shelters and to plant shelterbeds in Parallel Road. The hearing will be on February 22 before Alan Withy.

The council says it is aware of the district-wide activity and the concerns of neighbouring landowners.

Enforcement team leader Ken Danby recently told a landowner there was likely to be a lot more in the district in the coming years.

Jennings told The News: “if they get my one over the line, I will be surrounded by white shade cloth, I will be in prison. It’s like they are saying catch me if you can.”

The shelters will block light and warmth, he says.

Waipā planners concede the Jennings will experience “significant visual effects, a change of outlook and open rural character”.

But in their recommendation to Withy to approve the retrospective application, they said the property will

be adversely affected in a “minor capacity”.

Two organisations at either end of the district – the Lake Karāpiro and Environs Protection Group and the Ngāhinapōuri Protection Society – have brought in lawyers to fight the spread towards them.

Jennings has a barrister acting for him while other Parallel Road residents are also using lawyers to communicate with the council.

One resident has taken the council to the High Court for a judicial review of Withy’s decision to grant retrospective consent for a kiwifruit orchard development at 383 Parallel Road.

“Professional kiwifruit growers investing millions in development are fully aware of the district plan rules,” says a spokesperson for the Karāpiro group.

But Kiwifruit Investments Ltd director Parmvir Singh Bains said in his evidence to the application that he “had no idea resource consent was needed”.

The Karāpiro spokesperson claimed growers know that Waipā either turns a blind eye or supports them to apply retrospectively, and they then seem to get an easy ride though the consent process.

“They also know that usually they can simply outspend residents via planners, reports and legal resource.”

The Ngāhinapōuri group says the council knows residents are vehemently opposed to the screens and canopies and are aware of the environmental effect but seem reluctant to get involved.

The group has 25 landowner members and plans to hold a community meeting to discuss any further action.

Bay of Plenty kiwifruit growers are eyeing up Waikato land because of land and labour shortages in Te Puke, the kiwifruit capital of the world.

“We just want to grow good kiwifruit and make the most of

these high quality growing soils,” Bains said in his evidence. The overhead shelters are six metres high with timber poles and string attached to the structure which the kiwifruit grow along. They protect the crop from birds, light hail and wind damage while also preventing spray drift. Bains and other kiwifruit orchardists are planting the Ruby Red variety which are susceptible to wind rub and require shelter protection.

Other varieties, such as Hayward – an older green kiwifruit – do not need overhead shelter protection.

Nick Jennings, left, pictured with Margaret and Grant Walker, are unhappy with the arrival of imposing kiwifruit orchards.

among a host of kiwifruit varieties.

Education centre opens on maunga

By Roy Pilott

“Education has always been a core purpose,” Jim Mylchreest says of Maungatautari Sanctuary Mountain.

So it was fitting that at the opening of the $846,000 Manu Korokii Education Centre on the maunga last week the Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan acknowledged Mylchreest’ s role in the success story the conservation venture has become.

Mylchreest is a former chief executive of Sanctuary Mountain and was subsequently mayor of Waipā until last October - and he sat next to his successor at the powhiri.

“I think about the speed today people, and children particularly are learning about biodiversity and reflect on the day 20 years ago when the Northern Enclosure was opened and 3500 children were there,” he told The News.

“Most of them will now be paying taxes and rates, and many will have children of their own.”

Ngāti Korokī Kahukura Trust cochair Karaitiana Tamatea, a former co-chair of the Maungatautari trust, welcomed about 100 guests into the new building, designed by Cambridge’s Antanas Procuta of Paua Architects.

The importance of exposing young people to what is happening on the maunga was underlined in an emotional presentation by its lead educator Tali Jellyman

who said up to 4500 young people stepped off a bus to be introduced to Maungatautari each year.

“It’s important to combine formal classroom learning with experienced base learning,” she said.

She said research showed “experiential based learning” for children aged 6-12 about biodiversity and conservation on the mountain had an impact on behaviour extensions to adulthood.

At 13 up, students became actively informed citizens - “they are our future leaders”.

“I am grateful for this building I it feels inviting,” she said.

Newly appointed chief executive Andrew Packham, in one of his first formal engagements, said the new building will allow tens of thousands of students to start their learning.

He acknowledged the “incredibly diverse” range of supporters who

assist Sanctuary Mountain – from corporates to schools who raised money through the sales of bait. Work on the new learning centre began early last year, and it endured some Covid enforced delays.

It is at the Southern Enclosure of Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari – where 47km of predator proof fence protects 3400 hectares of forest and native wildlife enjoy an environment

which nurtured flora and fauna before the arrival of mammals.

Kaka were flying overhead, tieke were in the trees and pitoitoi, the North Island robin – which are also breeding on Mt Pirongia - could be found at every turn on Thursday. The new centre will be key to Sanctuary Mountain’s Conservation Education Programme catering for individuals, schools, tertiary and community groups.

Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan paid tribute to the work of her predecessor Jim Mylchreest for his work on Sanctuary Mountain. They were pictured with Linda Te Aho (Ngāti Koroki Kahukura).

Council responds to faster pace

By Mary Anne Gill

The first step towards changing 125.3 hectares of land in Hautapu from rural to industrial has started ahead of schedule.

The land is part of Waipā council’s C10 growth cell and is intended for industrial development after 2035.

The cell already contains 56.7ha of industrial zone covered by the Bardowie industrial precinct structure plan.

District Plan and Growth manager Tony Quickfall told the council’s Strategic Planning and Policy committee this week Fonterra was the largest landowner in the C10 cell and wanted to advance rezoning of the land.

“Waipā District Council has sufficient plan-enabled industrial zoned land to cater for industrial growth for short term and the medium term,” he said.

Activating the cell was not on council’s work programme.

But a regional unitary plan under the Natural and Built Environment Act threatens to thwart the council’s C10 plans.

What’s

going on with

C1: The developer was granted consent for the most northern section and construction is mostly completed. Expected completion was last month.

“This process and timing creates considerable uncertainty for council’s programme of activating and rezoning post 2035 growth cells, and like some of the residential growth cells owners, the landowners of C10 are seeking to proactively advance the rezoning of this cell,” said Quickfall.

Enabling development would expand the land choice, opportunity and availability for a range of industrial activities.

The council previously preferred a private plan change paid for by the landowners.

But collaboration between the landowners was unlikely because they are trade competitors, he said.

The approach agreed with landowners is a draft plan change prepared by them and then handed to the council to progress through the statutory process of notification, submissions and decision.

That would provide landowners with a very high certainty of outcome and give them confidence to prepare the plan change and deliver it to the council by the end of this year.

C2: Progressing with development. Work on the retirement village on the site has commenced, Stage 1A and Stage1B of the 3M’s development has been completed within the cell.

C3: Design planning for the St Peter’s School/3MS joint venture block is progressing. Earthworks has commenced under a Land Use consent. Neighbouring Chartwell Developments have submitted an application to complete the next stage.

C4: Consent has been granted for Kotare Properties, engineering designs have been accepted, and are progressing for other parts of the cell. Land use earthworks on the adjoining development, Sanderson, started last month.

C8 Industrial: Development of part of this area will be completed this summer.

Airport area: The airport area continues to be developed. The western precinct is mostly fully developed.

Rotary Making a Further Investment in our Next Generation

Feelings For Life Tractor Trek 2023

Cambridge : Te Awamutu : Putaruru : Roto-O-Rangi : Te Kuiti : Ōtorohanga : Waitomo Caves: Matamata : Morrinsville

More than a dozen tractors are leaving the farm and heading out on the roads in the Waikato for a two-week trek supporting a children’s mental health programme. This trek, being launched at Cambridge Middle School on February 14th is coordinated by Cambridge Rotary. Through a series of school visits, the programme teaches children how to manage and regulate their feelings. This learning experience is followed by a fun, interactive hands-on chance for the children to get up close and personal with the tractors participating in the Trek.

growth cells?

Luxon outlines National plans

By Viv Posselt

Opposition leader Chris Luxon has told business owners a National-led government would respond better to their needs, shrink wastage and seek wider global connections.

He told those at last Thursday’s Cambridge Chamber of Commerce lunch meeting the Labour government’s overspending and wastage, reluctance to open immigration settings and inability to get a grip on inflation was taking New Zealand in the wrong direction.

He said National would apply an approach to governance that set targets and expected outcomes in much the same way as applied within the business sector. It would return the country’s education and

health systems to a world-class standard and create a life for New Zealanders of all ethnicities that was no longer dogged by a spiralling cost of living and high crime levels and offered skilled workers a viable alternative to other similar-sized countries now attracting them in droves.

Luxon attacked Labour for having spent more over the past five-and-a-half years than any previous government. Much of that was wastage, he said, citing the appointment of 14,000 more bureaucrats and consultants in Wellington. He said the money could be better spent on nurses and teachers.

He also said the removal of targets – other than those intended to lower the numbers in jails and reduce waiting times in hospitals

– reduced incentives to produce outcomes.

He suggested the government’s tendency to blame everything on international factors such as the war in Ukraine and the global fuel shortage was skewed.

“In the last quarter, only about half of the blame lies with those international factors, with the other half lying with this government’s decisions. While larger economies can weather global challenges, our size means we are a small boat in a big ocean of choppy seas. We must be more efficient in managing our economy than they are in larger countries.”

Luxon outlined several areas of focus for National. One was to reduce the cost of living without passing additional costs on to businesses and another was to “open up immigration settings, big time”.

“We have had 12,500 people leaving New Zealand… more are leaving than coming in, and at a time of massive job shortages. That is not maximising our potential,” he said.

“We must stop wastage, such as the costly light rail project for Auckland and the TVNZ/RNZ merger. That money needs to go into health and education. We need to give people more of their own money via tax relief and get a grip on inflation.”

New Zealand had failed over the past 30 years to raise its income

levels, he said, and New Zealanders worked an hour to earn what Australians earn in 45 minutes.

“We can improve incomes by generating higher value products and services. We have to work smarter, not harder, and we must invest more in education. Today, 60 percent of our kids are not attending school regularly… if you can’t get kids into school, you have a big problem.”

He said improving infrastructure such as roading, and removing constraints such as the RMA was

important, as was restoring law and order by being tougher on gangs and ensuring young offenders face more serious consequences than is currently the case.

Luxon also said it was crucial to improve New Zealand’s connectedness with the wider world by seeking out more international markets for Kiwi products and doing more to attract global investment.

Earlier in the day, Luxon spent time observing activities at the Grassroots Trust Velodrome.

Council focus on housing

By Mary Anne Gill

Housing is such a significant issue for Waipā that the newly-elected council has escalated its importance by establishing a new housing subcommittee.

The decision was made at this week’s Strategic Planning and Policy committee and the new committee replaces the Housing Working Group which had reported to the Finance and Corporate committee.

Strategy group manager Kirsty Downey said the sub-committee would focus on matters relating to housing for the elderly and affordable and social housing.

Liz Stolwyk will chair the subcommittee of Clare St Pierre, Andrew Brown, Roger Gordon and Susan O’Regan.

Its first job will be to develop and

deliver an implementation plan for the Waikato Regional Council’s Housing Initiative and Waipā Plan on a Page.

The regional strategy vision is that every person and family in the Waikato is well-housed.

Waipā’s vision is that every person in the district is well-housed, living in sustainable, flourishing and connected communities.

The forerunner to the sub committee was a Pensioner Housing working group established seven years ago. Last term the council decided its remit needed to expand to include wider social and affordable housing considerations.

“As part of the induction of the new council in late 2022, housing was recognised as a significant issue affecting our Waipā communities,” said Downey.

Chris Luxon, right, pictured at the Chamber of Commerce lunch with Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan, Taupō MP Louise Upston and chamber chief executive Kelly Bouzaid.

A MORNING WITH PETER HILLARY RYMAN PRESENTS

WEDNESDAY 15 FEBRUARY 10AM

Hosted at Grassroots Trust Velodrome, 15 Hanlin Road, Cambridge

Join us for a morning with Peter Hillary as he shares insights into his outstanding mountaineering adventures and achievements.

Peter comes from one of the great families of mountaineering and has a history of world-class achievements in climbing. Like his father, the late Sir Edmund Hillary, Peter has also summited Everest twice making them the first two generations of one family to climb the world’s highest peak.

Peter continues to climb in the Himalayas and raise funds to support schools and hospitals for the people of the Everest region in Nepal.

Refreshments will be provided.

Spaces are limited and RSVP is essential.

Call David or Joanne on 0800 600 446

CAMBRIDGE RETIREMENT VILLAGE

23 Hugo Shaw Drive, Cambridge

Caron trained at Oxford Brookes University in the UK and has over a decade of experience in NZ. ACC registered - Up to 40 minute follow up consultations. Osteopaths

Gilmore Girls – what do I know?

I don’t watch Gilmore Girls. Never have. You probably don’t even know what I’m talking about.

It’s a fairly pithy American TV show from the early 2000s which follows the lives and loves of a mother and daughter.

The show gained a reputation for fast-paced and witty dialogue, and ran for a total of seven seasons. I can confirm that the dialogue is fast - so much so, it often sounds like a chipmunk’s tea party.

From a distance of course - I don’t watch it. The humour is predictably American; you can sense the punchline coming from so far away that by the time it arrives you’ve already moved on.

•

•

You might be starting to think I don’t like the programme. Well, it’s not for me but it must have something; my wife and daughter have just finished watching all 17,000 episodes from start to finish. For the second time.

Vive la difference, and I’ll stick to English whodunnits and The Oxford Union debates on YouTube.

Having said all that, one of my favourite lines ever was uttered by

Lorelai Gilmore’s mother Emily: “What I do want is even the most perfunctory level of competence from the people with whom I am compelled to interact”. Brava! Nailed it. Who hasn’t languished in a far corner of a restaurant suffering Saharan levels of dehydration while a gaggle of wait staff discuss nail colour, boyfriends, girlfriends, and other such gravitas at the bar?

Or been stuck in the clutches of the only salesperson in the computer store who has never used a Mac, and who has never knowingly released a smothered customer into the hands of a colleague who has?

Another favourite line of mine came from the delightfully clever and twisted character Alice Morgan in the series Luther in which, incidentally, Idris Elba turns in a first-rate performance as the eponymous protagonist.

Alice, who is both nemesis and friend of Luther, said “One of the problems with people is that they continue to believe the future will be better than the evidence of the present can possibly suggest”.

How true that is - and just as

By Peter Matthews

well too. The indefatigable optimism of humans is very often the only thing that gets them through the hardest of times.

One can only marvel at the levels of fortitude, courage, and hope exhibited by the residents of Ukraine.

On the other hand, I could scarcely believe the temerity and audacity of Vladimir Putin seeking to compare Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the fight against Nazi Germany. “It’s unbelievable but true,” he said. “We are again being threatened by German Leopard tanks”. Well here’s a tip: don’t invade your neighbour.

It’s easy to ignore some of the more adverse circumstances in which people struggle to survive, all the while hoping for better times to come, living as we do in Cambridge New Zealand. I guess it’s a bit like Stars Hollow where Gilmore Girls is set. I can’t imagine how I know that - because I don’t watch it.

Art that gives you butterflies

By Viv Posselt

Cambridge artist Kirsten Mcintosh hasn’t let the grass grow under her feet since taking up painting eight years ago.

After training early with Wayne Sinclair, she pursued her own style and has since exhibited and sold her work. She also teaches art – her next series of beginner art classes starts this week – and is on the committee of the Cambridge Society of Arts and a member of the Waikato Society of Arts.

Kristen is also developing her experimental side by dabbling in augmented reality art – or ARt as it is known. Artists embracing augmented reality technology slip into a virtual world where their work can be viewed

in the computer-generated universe, or ‘metaverse’. The technology offers an exciting new platform for creativity that is starting to revolutionise the art world.

“It’s quite exciting,” she explained. “For example, I can add butterflies into a painting and then a viewer, using the augmented reality app, can see them ‘fly off’ the canvas.”

Painting landscapes was a slow burn for Kirsten, but she now enjoys adding unusual elements of light, rock or clouds that makes a piece special. Much of her inspiration comes from scenes she photographs when in the Kiwi landscape, but she also draws on her travels through Europe, Canada, the Middle East and Asia.

For the past few years, Kirsten has

tied her art to a charitable cause. In late 2020 she was invited by Hamilton East’s Welcome Swallow Gallery to take part an exhibition. Since then, she has broadened her involvement with the gallery, helping them raise money for charitable causes, mostly with a child-centric focus. Welcome Swallow is run entirely by volunteers, so at the same time as providing exhibition space it also raises funds for charity by selling their work nationally and internationally, to collectors as far afield as London, Rome and Las Vegas. The fusion of art and charity appeals to Kirsten. “It is so lovely to be able to create something that benefits those who are going through these economic hard times,” she said.

FAITH IN WAIPĀ

The spirit of the treaty

On Monday we commemorated Waitangi Day. For some, this weekend may have just provided a reason for a national public holiday and the fact it was a significant 183rd anniversary, maybe got lost.

Every year on February 6, New Zealand marks the 1840 signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Over 500 Māori chiefs and representatives of the British Crown signed an agreement to exchanges of promises and terms whereby New Zealand would be governed. It is often regarded as our founding document.

The signing of te Tiriti ō Waitangi couldn’t ever deliver a perfect document or eliminate the difficulties in bringing together a partnership that ostensibly protected the rights and concerns of Māori, and at the same time serve the interests of Britain and British subjects. People are people… our shortcomings in accepting and honouring one another in the face of racial and cultural perspectives abound.

But the Treaty’s principles, guided significantly by key missionaries whose heart was for Māori, show an honest attempt to ensure firstly partnership, but also reciprocity, active protection, and

By Murray Smith, Senior Leader, Bridges Church

equal treatment. If it was adhered to.

With people being people, many breaches of the Treaty occurred post signing, as settlers and traders arrived in ensuing years - unscrupulous greed for land through Crown action (as well as immigrants) left many Māori feeling ‘ripped off’… disillusioned and disenfranchised.

It’s important to recognise that difficulties have existed. The Waitangi Tribunal was established in 1975 to consider claims and redress the alienation of Māori land, waters and other resources from their owners. Our challenge is preserving the ‘spirit’ of the Treaty and to see that its honourable intent remains. In the 1970’s, Māori protest about unresolved Treaty grievances was understandably increasing, often taking place outside the law. Complaints to successive governments that the terms of the Treaty were not being upheld, had often fallen on deaf ears.

I see progress and a level of reconciliation since today, over 2500 claims have been lodged. Many have been and are still being reported on. Claims in excess of $2.5 billion have been settled.

Money isn’t the answer nor is it just recompence for wrongs done - but it is an appropriate acknowledgement that indeed wrongs were done. The hoped for, unique relationship between indigenous Māori people, the tangata whenua and immigrant arrivals - those who have now come from the four corners of the earth to make New Zealand their home, is not a vain hope. Perhaps we can learn to celebrate this living document and Waitangi day might become a day that brings us together - willing to reconcile differences; able to honour one another as God intended.

Men of every creed and race, Gathered here before Thy face, Asking Thee to bless this place, God defend our free land. From dissension, envy, hate, And corruption guard our state, Make our country good and great, God defend New Zealand.

Ōna mano tāngata, Kiri whero, kiri mā, Iwi Māori, Pākehā, Rūpeke katoa, Nei ka tono ko ngā hē Māu e whakaahu kē, Kia ora mārire Aotearoa.

CAMBRIDGE VOLUNTEER

FIRE BRIGADE CALLS OVER THE LAST WEEK

SUNDAY:

Te Awamutu College, Smoke showing Alarm activation, Lee Martin Road

SATURDAY:

Alarm activation and evacuation, Alpha St

FRIDAY: Car re, Empire St

WEDNESDAY:

River rescue, Waikato River

Kirsten McIntosh sells much of her work for charity.

From flooding to Fawlty

The rain deluge in Auckland caused me to have several conversations with a friend who is a leader among residents of a North Shore retirement village.

She described the carnage and associated horror of two boundary water courses breaking their banks.

One was blocked by a shipping container swept off an adjoining property.

Almost 40 people were evacuated, several cars towed away, there was a loss of IT records and much stress to a high number of displaced elderly people. Even the grand piano was seen to be moving across the main lounge at about two knots.

When the skies had cleared – and the water subsided – I labelled her Queen Canute – she being the wife of the Danish king of that name who ruled England in the middle part of the 11th century. One of his more famous acts was to sit at the edge of the sea on a beach beseeching the tide not to progress further. It was something to do with God and man showing who had the greater power. Canute had a son, Harald, who also made the headlines at a later date when he fell with an arrow in his head while

By Peter Carr

attempting to repulse the French at Hastings in 1066. The invader, William, successfully attempted to show the superiority of the French. Thankfully, meaningful Francophile incursions into England ceased after that except for good cooking and a sometimes-superb rugby team.

The French have never actually loved their neighbours across the channel even though they had to be bailed out in two world wars by the British with some very late-entry support from the Americans. And I include Commonwealth countries in ‘British’.

So about 15 years ago my wife and I were wandering along the south coast of England on a journey from Hampshire to Kent. It was taking longer than planned and around 4.30pm I experienced a mounting desire to find an alcoholic elixir to balance my temperament. We were crawling along the seafront at Hastings –and found a B&B.

The tall and skinny proprietor directed us to a second-floor room overlooking the sea. Having viewed the steep stairs I remonstrated with him that I was getting elderly, had experienced a tiring day and tithe bags were heavy. We persuaded him

to provide a ground floor room at the back.

Hastings would possibly be described by some as quaint. The aforementioned need for sustenance could be amply rectified by the high number of pubs.

The beach is totally stoney (like Brighton and Nice) but there is a lovely historic harbour with some fine and wellmaintained fishing craft drawn up clear of the tide. Those fishing boats provided great fare as proved by the evening meal.

The following morning the 15 guests in the B&B came together for breakfast in the basement dining room.

Mine host displayed a remarkable likeness to the voluble and physical antics of that well known hotelier Basil Fawlty. He recited tales of how hard he worked and announced his wife would remain in the kitchen.

Clearly, he misunderstood her ability to hear through a closed door, which opened to reveal his wife.

The subsequent dining-room haranguing of poor Basil was a sight to behold. Perhaps he will be joined one day by a diminutive waiter from Barcelona.

P: 07 827 5002

St John Cambridge Health Shuttle

Across 1. Rub hard (5)

4. Mariner (6)

8. Deadlock (7)

9. Extra (5)

10. Large spoon (5)

11. Repair (5,2)

12. Inconsiderable (6)

14. Sour tasting (6)

17. Stir (7)

19. Little pancake (5)

21. Depart (5)

Last week

-

- Beautiful views

-

22. Level area on a hillside (7)

23. Missive (6)

24. Very small (colloq) (5)

Down 1. Be indecisive (6-6)

2. Swift (5)

3. Implore (7)

4. Drowsy (6)

5. Thing of value (5)

6. Embarrassed (7)

7. In the order stated (12)

13.

CSELBATEGEVNGRAINS

CINAGROCOHCIBCOTBU

KUKMCTEUZSDEEFNFJG

HEALTHWASIDTAKHIQA

MEATDRHFDFFONSTBZR

LULKIAUHIILRSXZRLE

AOINSEMUGELPZSTEWM

EXRCHCARBSFRESHWTO

REOELYOSEIROLACIBS

EENTTAGNOITIRTUNDE

CMTLASCDXESPWRGVAL

RELATSEGIDTLFHPIIO

EYESWLPLLTOSEPETRH

DFDRLNIUOYMJAAMAYW

UKJIFTRAEHYLXENMTR

CURDZTESOTCALHYIYT

EGRECNALABPHIWXNFG

DEMAETSFMOWEVATSAP

Across: 1. Scams, 4. Astute, 7. Pub, 8. Murmur, 9. Rookie, 10. Salt and pepper, 14. Rigid, 15. Alibi, 18. Butterfingers, 23. Afraid, 24. Arable, 25. Gag, 26. Statue, 27. Elder.

Down: 1. Sauna, 2. Admit, 3. Spring, 4. Abrupt, 5. Troop, 6. Twine, 10. Shrub, 11. Light, 12. Poise, 13. Reins, 16. Grudge, 17. Visage, 19. Unfit, 20. Toast, 21. Gland, 22. Ruler.

Pukekura

Karapiro 103 Fergusson Gully Road

5 2 1 1

trees complement the home,  and with 3.65ha of rolling country there’s room for horses/sheep or a few beefies. Concrete floored workshop complete with lean to, provides options for hobbies and storage. With an easy commute to Cambridge or Hamilton and Lake Karapiro nearby this location is sure to impress.

Gary Stokes M 021 351 112

Rare section with

For Sale $660,000 View by appointment www.kdre.co.nz/CB4019

Gary Stokes M 021 351 112

FEATUREDLISTINGS

OPEN DAY OPEN DAY

41 LUCK AT LAST ROAD

MOUNTAIN PANORAMA

Perfect country escape set on 3645m2 close to Lake Karapiro

and handy to Cambridge

$1,350,000

4 2 2

Executive 4 bedroom brick home with open plan living, dining and kitchen

Enjoy a drink under the grapevine while savouring the stunning mountain view!

Great choice for family lifestyle living

OPEN DAY: SUNDAY: 12.15PM-12.45PM

CONTACT DAVID

OPEN DAY

19 acres of pasture and extensive native planting

Great location just a short drive to Cambridge 10km distance

4 Bedroom- 4 bathroom- 5 toilets – 3 living -2 offices Cedar -schist -recycled timbers and solar power system

Amazing views

1.00-1.30PM

OPEN DAY

PICTURE PERFECT

Magnificent setting with mature trees with lovely rural views

Low maintenance Brick, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom family home

Choice of Cambridge or Hamilton Schools

6106m2 or 1 5 acres (more or less) perfect for all kids of pets Great shedding

CONTACT MATT

SPACE AND SUN

Relaxed country living on 7929m2 just 10mins from Cambridge

Immaculately presented warm and stylish brick home with

Open plan living with great flow to the outdoors to enjoy beautiful sunsets

Plenty of scope to further develop the grounds

OPEN DAY: SUNDAY: 2 15-2 45PM

SUPERB LOCATION & NO COVENANTS

Superb address between Cambridge and Tamahere

1 5 km from St Peters School and short walk to the Forest Berry Cafe for Sunday brunch

Situated down a long private driveway 9419 m2 (more or less) section

David Soar Matt Seavill

CONTACT MATT

FINAL NOTICE

FINAL NOTICE

PRICE REDUCTION

PRICE REDUCTION

PREMIUM QUALITY, PREMIUM LOCATION, PREMIUM CAMBRIDGE LIFESTYLE

Designed by an award-winning architect - each with a unique floorplan

Elevated views across to the greenbelt

Each has a private outdoor living area and will be fully landscaped

Freehold titles

Exterior features South Island Charleston Limestone and Abodo timber

Luxury interiors with world class appliances

PBN

LOT 33, 3774 CAMBRIDGE ROAD

BUILD YOUR DREAM

Lot 33 – Kotare Park

500m2 section

Covenants and Design Guidelines

Close proximity to Cambridge amenities

$499,000

CONTACT TREVOR OR DEBBIE

CONTACT RACHAEL OR KYLIE

FAMILY LIVING AT ITS BEST

200m² family home in a popular cul-de-sac

Spacious, light-filled living areas with open plan kitchen & dining

Effortless flow to covered gazebo and large backyard

Private gate leading to the popular greenbelt reserve and walking track

Master complete with ensuite and walk-in-wardrobe

PREMIUM CUL-DE-SAC LIVING

Stunning family home perched at the end of a desirable cul-de-sac

Fantastic layout complete with open plan kitchen (with butler’s pantry) dining and living

Covered portico area for entertaining & relaxing Easy maintenance garden with establish vege patch

$649,000

CONTACT ALISON OR SACHA

SMART & SECURE UNIT

Tidy, sunny unit in the popular Leamington Mews

Large open plan kitchen dining and living

Handy single access garage

A wonderful community feel, exclusive to residents 50 years plus

CONTACT ALISON OR SACHA

Low Maintenance, Super Tidy!

- Set off the street, well fenced and gated, the house captures all day sun.

- Living area and main bedroom open to north facing decks. Separate laundry. Separate toilet. The décor is inviting, and a front deck allows for entertaining options.

- Double garage (with auto door), concrete drive and additional off road parking add to the ease of living here.

Deadline Sale (unless sold prior) 23rd February, 4pm

Walk In and Discover Vibrance

Deadline Sale

OPEN HOME SUNDAY 1.00 - 1.30PM

30 Pengover Ave, Cambridge Park

- Quality home built in 2014, features high stud walls, gallery ceiling in open plan living, second lounge, kitchen with scullery, tiled ensuite shower and lots, lots more.

- With the advantage of all the interior (except the garage) been freshly painted, new carpet and attractive window dressings.

- Enjoy the private courtyards (two to choose from) and indoor/ outdoor ease of living.

Deadline Sale (unless sold prior) 16th February, 4pm

Hidden Sanctuary on Shakespeare

Deadline Sale

OPEN HOME SATURDAY 11.00 - 11.30AM

105 Shakespeare Street, Leamington

- Appealing three bedroom home with french doors opening from the lounge to a patio and deck which enjoys the overview of the private back lawn.

- Looking for space–how does a 1131m² section (more or less) sound?

- Comforts include – gas water heating allowing for instant hot water; heat pump and gas fireplace in lounge.

Deadline Sale (unless sold prior) 2nd March, 4pm

A fairer commission rate of 2.8% to first $300,000 then 1.8% on balance + gst Plus FREE, tailor-made marketing worth $2,500+ 4+ 2 2

- Central hub of the home is the gourmet kitchen with breakfast nook, centre island, large walk -in pantry and a suite of quality appliances.

- Large master bedroom with access through double doors to timber deck and spa area, is beautifully equipped with a tailored dressing room and tiled ensuite.

- You’ll be warm in winter, cool in summer with ducted air conditioning throughout, with the addition of a heat transfer system. Adding to this, the majority of the home has been recently double glazed.

Bronte Bonanza - What A Find!

The Finest Location For The Finest Price

A fairer commission rate of 2.8% to first $300,000 then 1.8% on balance + gst Plus FREE, tailor-made marketing worth $2,500+

Corner Section Character Cutie

- Gorgeously modernised throughout - double glazing, new aluminium joinery, fresh interior paint, LED lighting, renovated bathroom combined laundry and gorgeous Hamptons style kitchen.

- Walking distance to Cambridge township.

- Comfortable temperatures maintained by the wetback fireplace and heatpump.

- This low maintenance section is fully fenced and gives you peace of mind that the children and fur babies are safe.

Karapiro Laneway Lifestyle - Two In One

Negotiation

OPEN HOME SUNDAY 3.00 - 3.30PM

27 Richmond Street, Cambridge

- Centrally located, full of character and welcoming ambience.

- Polished native timber flooring through the kitchen, dining & lounge, neutral colour palette, sunny aspect, beautiful led light windows.

- double glazed french doors to covered deck, another deck to the rear of the home.

- Features include: triple door storage down the hallway, 2 toilets, family bathroom with shower & bath, wood burner and heat pump.

Luxury Lifestyle - Minutes From Cambridge

Negotiation

VIEW BY APPOINTMENT

35 Riverside Lane,

4+ 2 2

- Built in 2016, this superbly aspected 428m² home enjoys the benefit of a spacious 106m² one bedroom granny flat.

- Four bedroom home: super floorplan for guests & family alike large spacious bedrooms, master with dressing room & tiled ensuite.

- Quad garaging (6m x 6.5m & 8m x 6.5m) allows for 4/5 car garaging and workshop space.

- With living areas capturing the rural outlook, portico alfresco dining becomes another room with zip track blinds.

Negotiation

- Superb tranquil setting on 2.0687ha (5 Acres) more or less.

- Designed to please 380m² Hinuera Stone homestead.

- Luxury fittings include marble benchtops, italian bathroom tiles and much more.

- 4 large bedrooms, spacious office, hobby room, triple garage, 12 x 6m inground pool, large shed and paddocks, outdoor fireplace and expansive outdoor living areas. -

CRAWSHAW, Christine Ada

– Slipped away very peacefully after a short illness at Waikato Public Hospital on Tuesday, 31st January 2023. Aged 67 years. Dearly loved wife of the late Peter. Loved mother to DebbieJean, and Glen & Teri, and grandma to Kaiden, Lucas, Shay and Riley. The service for Christine has been held. All communications to the Crawshaw Family, c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434.

TALBOT, Rosemarie Joan –

Peacefully passed away at Waikato Hospital surrounded by family on Saturday, 28th January 2023, aged 81 years. Dearly loved wife of Mike, and much-loved mother to Sue and Chris & Mich. Loved nana to Tim, Dylan, and Arabella, and great nana to Ella. At Rose's request a private family farewell has taken place. All communications to the Talbot Family, c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434.

Family Notices

CARAVAN 180 XL 6.5 metres, all aluminium frame, cert, selfcontained with fully enclosed awning, double glazed tinted windows, sleeps 5, microwave, Thetford cassette toilet, 3-way automatic fridge/ freezer (90ltrs), 5 good steel belted radials (8 ply), 90ltrs fresh water, 102ltrs grey, gas cooker & grill, 2 gas bottles, 230 volt & 12 volt lighting, fire extinguisher, excellent storage, beautiful condition. Why would you pay $90,000 or more for a comparable new van when you could have all this for $50,000. Tel 07 8233576 Cambridge to check it out.

Where Waipā gets its News

Section 101, Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012

PUBLIC NOTICE

Of an application for On Licence

Diamondz Food and Beverages Limited, 48 Burns Street, Leamington, Cambridge has made application to the Waipa District Licensing Committee for the renewal of a on-licence in respect of the premises at 48 Burns Street, Leamington known as Royal Cambridge Indian Restaurant.

The general nature of the business to be conducted under the licence is restaurant. The days on which and the hours during which alcohol is sold under the licence are: Monday to Sunday 10am to midnight

The application may be inspected during ordinary office hours at the office of the Waipa District Licensing Committee, 101 Bank Street, Te Awamutu or 23 Wilson Street, Cambridge.

Haere

Any person who is entitled to object and who wishes to object to the issue of the licence may, not later than 15 working days after the date of the publication of this notice, file a notice in writing of the objection with the Secretary of the District Licensing Committee at: Waipa District Council, Private Bag 2402, Te Awamutu 3840.

No objection to the issue of a renewal licence may be made in relation to a matter other than a matter specified in section 131 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

This is the second publication of this notice. This notice was first published on February 2, 2023.

LAND I NFORMATION NEW ZEALAND Notice of Weed Spraying in Lake Karapiro

Property owners and users of Lake Karapiro, including for recreation, are advised that the herbicide diquat (Reglone) in gel form will be applied via helicopter and boat to the following sites at Lake Karapiro:

• Horahora Domain

• Lake Karapiro/Mighty River Domain

• Navigation Safety Zones 1 through to 12

The work is scheduled to begin from Monday 13 February 2023 and may continue intermittently to Friday 24 February 2023, as weather, weed and water conditions permit.

Treatment will not take place during weekends or on public holidays.

As a precautionary measure only, Land Information New Zealand advises users not to take water from Lake Karapiro to consume or for irrigation purposes from the vicinity of the treatment area until 24 hours after treatment has been completed.

Notices will be placed at www.linz.govt.nz 24 hours prior to the planned spray dates. Warning signs will be placed at authorised public boat ramps prior to and during treatment and will be removed 24 hours after treatment. Changeable weather conditions may result in delays to weed spraying. Please scan the QR code below to access the most up-to-date information.

The Hazard classi cation for diquat is 6.1C, 6.3A, 6.9A, 8.1A, 9.1A and 9.3C.

Weed control in Lake Karapiro is supported by the Waikato Regional Council, Waipa District Council, Mercury and Land Information New Zealand

A copy of the Spray Plan can be obtained from Bo a Miskell Ltd during o ce hours on 0800 638 943, by writing to PO Box 110, Christchurch 8140, or emailing biosecurity@bo amiskell.co.nz.

Now Collecting good quality books for BOOKARAMA 2023

May 3 - 7

WE WILL ACCEPT

Good quality books both fiction and non-fiction

• Hardback or paperback

Collectable books

• Vintage comics

Complete jigsaws or board games

• Old textbooks

WE CAN’T ACCEPT

• Damaged books or books you wouldn’t want to buy or be given

• Old library books

• Readers digest abridged books

• Old gardening books or cookbooks

• Any magazines

• Video tapes, CDs, DVDs

Foxed (brown or spotted edges or pages), torn or water damaged books are not acceptable. If you wouldn’t buy it as a gift for yourself or someone you know, then it’s not suitable for BOOKARAMA.

Books can be left at Achievement House, Wilson Street between 9am and 3pm weekdays. Or collection arranged by ringing Ray on 0274-810-777 or Dennis on 027-281-4113.

On the buses

NOTIFICATION OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES

Waip-a District Council will consider an application to close the following roads to ordinary vehicular traffic on Friday 14 April 2023:

Between 1.30pm and 6.30pm:

• Dick Street – between Queen Street and Alpha Street and from Alpha Street to Duke Street

• Alpha Street – between Dick Street and Victoria Street (closed to eastbound traffic)

Between 2.30pm and 4pm:

• Wilson Street – between Duke Street and Victoria Street

Between 2.30pm and 6.30pm:

• Victoria Street – between Alpha Street and Queen Street for the 2023 IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival – Pink Parade event. Arrangements will be made for access by residents, essential services and emergency vehicles during the closure, if required.

Any objections to the proposal must be lodged with Waip-a District Council, in writing, to events@waipadc.govt.nz, before 4.00pm on Friday 24 February 2023. Please include the nature of the objection and the grounds for it. See the Privacy Statement on the Council’s website for further information. For more information, please contact Waip-a District Council on 0800 924 723 or email events@waipadc.govt.nz

Garry Dyet CHIEF EXECUTIVE

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AM 310

Working Area: 1000 m2 - Cutting Capacity: 60 m

A robust robotic mower for small to medium sized lawns and complex gardens up to 1000 m Easily handles slopes and narrow passages. When the job’s done, the triple-search function finds the fastest way back to the charging station. Easy to use and clean, it can be

H AM 405X

Working Area: 600 m2 - Cutting Capacity: 63 m

Mows complicated lawns up to 600 m², handling both narrow passages and slopes with perfect results. Easily cleaned and washed off with a hose and supported by AIM Technology.

complicated lawns, handling narrow passages and slopes with perfect results. Electric cutting height adjustment and weather timer.

LOVE IT OR YOUR MONEY BACK!

LOVE IT OR YOUR MONEY BACK!

Husqvarna are so confident that you’ll love your new Automower® that we are offering a 45-day satisfaction guarantee. Purchase a new Husqvarna Automower®, have it installed by your local dealer and if, after 45 days, you’re not completely satisfied, you will be entitled to a refund of your Husqvarna Automower® purchase price (excluding installation charge). Terms and Conditions apply. Scan the QR code for details.