Cambridge News | March 30, 2023

Welcome to Cambridge

Wood backs cycleways

By Mary Anne Gill

The latest $10.4 million investment in safer Waipā walking and cycling pathways is money well spent, says Transport minister Michael Wood.

Speaking exclusively to The News at a celebration for the completion of a 65-kilometre Te Awa shared path from Ngāruawāhia to Karāpiro, Wood said investments like those into communities gave people choices.

But he was unable to provide any news on whether the government planned to fast track a 16km four-lane extension from south of Cambridge to the Piarere turnoff.

“Waka Kotahi are still working through the business case process,” he said.

A new Labour Party policy on transport was being developed and the government would consult on that in the next couple of months.

“Having a good resilient road network is important and then we balance it with other networks like this one (Te Awa).”

Opponents of Waka Kotahi and Waipā’s investment into cycling and walking at the expenses of roads and bridges has dominated the news cycle in recent years with opponents saying a third Cambridge bridge and an extension to the expressway were more important.

Three months ago the government announced Waipā would receive up to $10.4 million, on top of the council’s contribution, to help build safer pathways. All up, around $8.6m will be spent in Cambridge and around $7.2m in Kihikihi.

“In response to the events we’ve had recently – extreme climate change – we need to build a resilient roading network but we also need to give people transport choices so we reduce our carbon emissions,” said Wood.

“We know when we make these investments and give people choices, more people will take them up. We don’t need everyone all of the time to get on their bike, but if more people more of the time do, we’ll reduce our emissions, we’ll reduce traffic congestions and make it a better community for everyone.”

Wood said the government faced huge challenges in repairing the roading network post Cyclone Gabrielle.

“We know it’s going to be very, very significant. We intend to stand by those affected communities. At the same time we can’t lose momentum with the other important investments.”

Wood said Waikato was a growing region “and we need to put the infrastructure in to meet that growth. We’re going to be smart about those investments and get the best bang for buck.”

The severe wet weather had seen an increase in potholes which Wood said needed to be fixed as part of standard maintenance. The final 20 kilometre section of Te Awa linking Cambridge and Hamilton was jointly funded by Waka Kotahi and the Government’s Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund, managed by Kānoa, the Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit. It was built in four stages by Waka Kotahi, Waipā, Waikato and Hamilton City councils.

A celebration event on Sunday involved hundreds of cyclists who collected ride passports at 27 points along the way and collected stamps to mark their progress. More than $13,000 worth of spot prizes, including two e-bikes and children’s bikes, were handed out at prizegiving in Hamilton Gardens held as part of the celebration.

• See Loving the River Ride, page 33.

Waipā deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk greets competitors and supporters in Cambridge’s Victoria Square on Sunday to those attending this week’s National Secondary Schools Rowing Championships at Lake Karāpiro. Thousands of visitors have been in or are still in Cambridge – the Town of Trees - for a series of events including the Autumn Festival opening and prizegiving in Cambridge Town Hall, X-Race at Lake Te Koo Utu, Cambridge Football Club’s 75th anniversary, the Main Street Carnival and Art Market, the Maadi Cup Parade through the town, a celebration for Te Awa River Ride and the rowing. The News was here, there and everywhere to capture the action.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

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Book launch

Cambridge mortgage advisor and rookie author Claire Williamson is launching her ultimate guide for first-home buyers at The Raceway tonight (Thursday). Smashed Avo to Smashed Goals not only targets first-home buyers but those associated with the property industry.

With a twist

Waipā singer-songwriter and author Holly Christina provided an entertaining entrée to this year’s Autumn Festival when she talked about her first book ‘Harp and the Lyre’ at the Cambridge Library last week. Much of the presentation was musical because the book includes 14 songs which are embedded or unlocked for readers via QR codes.

Exhibition highlight

Cambridge fauve artist Carole Hughes and landscape artist Kirsten McIntosh will join forces this weekend for ‘Just the Two of Us’, a two-day exhibition coinciding with the town’s Autumn Festival. Both artists will exhibit at their home studios and will have an item from their exhibition go into a draw to win a work from each studio.

Council posts

Mayor Susan O’Regan, deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk, councillors Roger Gordon and Marcus Gower have been appointed to the Community Boards Project Control group which is being set up to measure processes, successes and/or failures of operational matters associated with the community boards review undertaken last year. The Strategic Planning and Policy committee will provide oversight and direction.

On the beat

It’s food for thought

By Mary Anne Gill

Waipā councillors were given a vivid illustration this week of the rubbish residents put out for collection which is organic waste.

They were served up for morning tea an example of largely food items rubbish contractors picked up in Te Awamutu on Monday.

The idea to serve it up on the table for councillors to see came from waste minimisation officer Sally Fraser, mayor Susan O’Regan and deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk.

It is part of an education programme while council considers ways to minimise waste over the next six years.

A total of 154kgs of food waste collected from 100 houses included:

• 224 bread slices, buns and rolls

• 21.9 kgs of meat

• 146 serves of meat

An unopened gift box of three BBQ sauces

• 79 crackers

• 3 unopened chocolate bars

• 3 hollow easter eggs and one headless easter bunny

• 2 ½ frozen cheesecakes

with

• 480 grams of raw prawns

That amounts to 48,000 wasted slices of bread for all 21,700 homes in Waipā, said Fraser.

O’Regan said she was appalled at what was collected. Half of it should never end up in landfill.

“It’s challenging because as our population grows, our waste is increasing. There are huge costs

Senior Constable DEB HANN

Young riders and rules

It has been great to see everyone enjoying the Aon Maadi Regatta this week. Town has definitely been busy and we have welcomed the visitors for the event.

One thing that has come to my attention this week is around our young cyclists. With many children riding their bikes to school, their road safety awareness and knowledge is sometimes lacking.

While travelling off duty in the mornings, I have seen students on their way to school riding in the middle of the road, cutting corners in front of cars and barrelling straight across pedestrian crossings. I have also had reports again of students cycling down Victoria Street after school on pavements at speed. This puts pedestrians at risk as well as the cyclists and is against the road code.

I ask everyone to remind their children to use cycleways wherever possible and look

Tim van de Molen

involved in dealing with that waste which ratepayers right across the district pick up,” she said.

Council is about to embark on consultation starting next week in Cambridge and Te Awamutu farmers’ and produce markets.

Residents have untill April 23 to have their say.

• More details: cambridgenews.nz

out for traffic. This is for their own safety as well as that of other road users. Cyclists should also stop, dismount and walk their bikes across pedestrian crossings. If they ride straight from the footpath onto and over the crossing, there is a risk that vehicles may not have time to stop or pre-empt the cyclist’s actions. Collisions between bicycles and cars rarely occur without injury.

I spoke to one young cyclist who was riding on the footpath without his helmet the other day. Where was it? In his backpack. Laws around cycle helmets exist to prevent serious trauma. Parents, please set the example and also encourage your child to wear one. Let’s make cycle helmets cool again.

In good news, last week Cambridge police executed a search warrant in Orini following the theft of a set of golf clubs from Cambridge East. The owner spotted the golf

clubs being sold on Trade Me and advised police.

When we went to the seller’s address, as is often the case, it was not just golf clubs that were found. Two females now face charges relating to cannabis, methamphetamine and possession of restricted weapons as well as receiving stolen goods.

Receiving is the offence of being found in possession of stolen property, knowing the items were stolen or illegally obtained or having been reckless as to whether they had been stolen or illegally obtained.

Confirmation of ownership of the golf clubs was made possible due to specific identifying details known only by the owner. The golf club owner was understandably elated to get them back. A good result all round.

Until next week, cycle safe.

Cambridge Community Board chair Jo Davies-Colley and Waipā waste minimisation officer Sally Fraser look on in disgust at the some of the food waste collected from rubbish on Monday. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Nominations open

Nominations open today (Thursday) for a new Waipā District Māori ward councillor. The vacancy has arisen following the resignation of Te Awamutubased Takena Stirling earlier this month. Only voters registered on the Waipā Māori electoral roll will be able to vote. Close to 2400 people are on the roll but it is not too late for potential voters to be enrolled and cast a vote.

Council finances

Waipā’s financial statements show an operating surplus of $23.6 million - $21.6m lower than the $45.2m budgeted for – for the eight months ended in February. A $13.7m decrease in development and reserve contributions is the major reason followed by a $5.2m shortfall in subsidies and grants. Finance costs, due to higher interest rates, are up nearly $900,000. The council has loans of $191m which it expects will increase by $39 m by the end of June.

Science show

The Science Roadshow, currently touring New Zealand in 115 locations and to 46,000 students and 450 schools, will be hosted by Cambridge Middle School today (Thursday) and tomorrow. The roadshow, an annual event since 1990, seeks to inspire and make interactive science experiences accessible to students from all corners of the country by enlivening the science curriculum.

Mitch to sing

New Zealand’s only $1 million harness racing event

The Race, by Grins has confirmed singer-songwriter Mitch James will perform at the event on Friday April 14 at Cambridge Raceway. The news came as the final field closes up with only three vacant slots following Copy

That’s victory at Alexandra Park last week. One of those could go to Kango after Cambridge reinsman David Butcher drove it into second place.

07 827 7649

Brown takes museum post

By Mary Anne Gill

Andrew Brown has been appointed one of two Waipā District Council representatives to the Te Awamutu and District Museum Trust Board following the resignation of Māori ward councillor Takena Stirling.

Brown joins Lou Brown while a third councillor, Marcus Gower, sits on the trust in a personal capacity although he queried that during the council meeting this week.

“I’m confused why I sit on that. Was I an elected member?”

Mayor Susan O’Regan told Gower he was not representing council on the trust.

Andrew Brown’s appointment comes as it has been revealed the relationship between the council and the trust has been chequered since 2017 when lawyers were brought

in to sort out ongoing issues, many of which The News understands still remain.

The trust has not publicly filed an annual financial return nor published its trustees and, according to sources, has not formally met for several years.

Companies Office Business Registries national manager Bolen Ng said the trust was not a registered charity on the Department of Internal Affairs Charities Services register. If it was, there would be annual filing requirements.

Instead the trust is registered under the Charitable Trusts Act which does not require the information.

It owns a multimilliondollar collection on behalf of the community. The council plans to establish Te Ara Wai, a $27 million facility, to house the collection.

Andrew Brown also chairs the Te Ara Wai Governance committee which aims to

deliver a new museum facility in Arawata Street, in what was the former Bunnings building.

At the council meeting, councillor Roger Gordon asked whether the trust board was required to report to council and when was the last time a report had been received from it.

O’Regan said the trust board was independent of the council while Governance manager Jo Gread said council made appointments to a number of groups.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean there is any reporting back,” she said.

“Why do we need two representatives then?” asked Gordon to which O’Regan said she was unsure what the trust’s constitution required.

“Last term there were three representatives, now it has dropped down to two,” she said.

Gread said she was

unaware of any request from the trust to reduce its councillor membership further.

The News asked the council through a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) request about the ongoing relationship between the council and the trust and whether the collection was in safe hands.

In her response Customer and Community Services group manager Sally Sheedy said the collection was a valuable community asset with “enormous community value”.

“Only museum staff, not board members, have day-to-day access to the collection. Any deaccession of any pieces within the collection, through sale or otherwise, must be undertaken in strict accordance with a procedure jointly agreed by council and the trust board.”

Professional museum staff with capability, professional skills and experience look after the collection according to recognised museum standards, she said.

The News asked trust chair Dean Taylor for its financial accounts, the chair’s report to the annual meeting and a list of its trustees in February this year and between November 2019 and October 2022.

“I’m talking to trustees and taking legal advice about what questions even need to be answered,” he said.

Andy’s tale is a winner

By Mary Anne Gill

Anne Wilkins knows she must be doing something right after winning the Cambridge Autumn Festival Short Story competition.

As she wiped away tears during a photo shoot with judges, former Waikato Times editor Venetia Sherson and columnist Denise Irvine, at the festival opening in the Cambridge Town Hall last week, Wilkins spoke of how writers needed to have thick skins and be used to rejections.

Cambridge parents-in-law Jackie and Phill Shakesby are the Auckland school-teacher’s biggest supporters and have always encouraged her to enter the festival competition.

Her story Cracks was about Andy, an autistic child, dealing with loss. The theme for the competition was A Hard Day’s Work.

“For Andy he sees the world a little bit differently and he has a hard job to do, but also the adults around him have hard lives as well. I haven’t

had anyone in my classes like Andy, but I certainly know of children like him. I do however have an elastic caterpillar that can be pulled and stretched, like the one in the story,” she said.

“There are not many opportunities for writers here in New Zealand. Most competitions cost money, it seems many magazines and publishers don’t allow unsolicited submissions of manuscripts or have limited time periods where you can submit, and some magazines even require a ‘reading fee’ to read your short story before they consider whether they will accept it or not. Writing is not something you do to get rich. It is something you do because you enjoy it.”

That is the beauty of the Cambridge competition, it is free to enter, said Wilkins.

There were 190 entries which compares favourably to the first year when there were only 52.

“Any of these stories is worthy of publication for a wider audience,”

said Sherson who said Wilkins’ story shone.

“Beautifully written, spare language, restrained. Very poignant and right on topic.”

Fellow judges Hamish Wright and Jill Carter said the standard of entries was exceptionally high.

Wellington’s Lucy Mouland was second with Lifelong Learning and third equal went to Joseph Janiszewski of Auckland with The Fireman and Dunedin’s Nethmi Peiris with Cicada’s Song.

• See Anne Wilkins’ winning short story, page 32 and 33.

Anne Wilkins, winner of the Short Story competition with judges, Denise Irvine, left, and Venetia Sherson, right.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Cambridge Funerals has changed its name, but we’re still us.

Andrew Brown

Water to get the treatment

Contracts worth $86 million – a record for the Waipā District Council - have been announced for a solar-powered wastewater treatment plant in Cambridge.

Work on a three-year $100 million project is expected to start next month and the plant – which will be among the most advanced in the country - will be running by June 2026.

It will replace a 50-year-old plant in Matos Segedin Driver and treat wastewater from Cambridge, Leamington, Hautapu and Karapiro Domain.

The plant will have a smaller footprint on the 37ha site and

unused land will be “remediated and put to other use” by Waipā District Council.

The plant will include its own solar farm to generate enough energy to power the plant during the day.

Wastewater treatment in Cambridge was a headline issue when soon to be elected mayor

Susan O’Regan uttered “Lordy, Lordy, Lordy” in response to a rival candidate’s warning that Cambridge would “drown in our own poo” without a new wastewater treatment plant and an infrastructure upgrade.

Work on designing the plant

began in 2021. Council has worked alongside a Kaitiaki Advisory Group and a community group.

Group manager service delivery

Dawn Inglis said construction of the plant aligns with work by Hamilton City Council, Waikato District Council, Waipā District Council and tangata whenua on developing a detailed business case for wastewater processing across the Waikato sub-region.

That work has already identified the need to upgrade the existing wastewater plant at Te Awamutu. Work on an upgrade for the Te Awamutu could begin in 2035.

Inglis said the plant will cope

with Cambridge’s fast-growing population and also meet much higher environmental standards and commitments to the Waikato River.

“Our existing plant receives wastewater, treats it and then discharges it to land before the water travels to the Waikato River as groundwater. While this form of treatment has been acceptable in the past, environmental standards are now much higher.

“We also have higher aspirations, and legal obligations to the health of the Waikato River. The new plant will treat wastewater to a very, very high standard using specialised

membrane bioreactor technology. It will be one of the most advanced plants in New Zealand and something to be proud of.”

A resource consent application was lodged with the Waikato Regional Council before Christmas and is now being publicly notified. Contracts have been let for specialist inlet works equipment design, manufacture, delivery and commissioning and staff training to Spirac Pty Ltd, the supply and commissioning of membranes and peripheral equipment to Veolia Water Technologies and Solutions and plant construction (to Spartan Construction).

Dawn Inglis and council’s water services manager Martin Mould on site at the existing wastewater treatment plant in Cambridge.

Crisis? Here’s the evidence

A little over a fortnight ago I experienced shooting pains in both arms and hands which caused some sleepless nights and then became so unbearable one early Thursday morning my wife took me to the Tui Urgent Medical Clinic on Te Rapa Straight in Hamilton. We left our home in Te Kowhai at around 4:30am.

We are fortunate that we could afford the $90 fee so were quickly tended to by an excellent medical staff, the doctor diagnosing a probable osteopathic cause but concerned that there might be a neurological condition, recommended that my wife take me to the Emergency Department (ED) at Waikato Hospital.

We had the option of his referral to a specialist but that would most likely involve weeks of arranging an appointment and then tests, however if I went to the ED, I would probably be seen to that day.

We arrived at the ED at around 5:30am.

There were already more than 20 people there – at least half of whom were clearly there seeking help, all of whom my wife and I could see were worse off than me. I joined the queue.

I could see how busy the staff there were, how they went about their business efficiently, effectively, professionally.

I was seen within 15 minutes of my arrival, a minor miracle given the queue, and a triage nurse saw to me in a room separate from the waiting room within the next 15 minutes, catching my details, taking my temperature and blood pressure, all the while with a personable, reassuring, manner, noting my pain and offering and administering paracetamol which, at the time, I felt wasn’t that effective! But I appreciated the attention. My wife and

By Tom Roa, Tikanga Advisor, Waikato University

I went back into the waiting room which by then had attracted probably another 20 people or more.

I watched and marvelled at how the staff coped with this procession of people with various ailments, clearly from all walks of life, of all shapes and sizes, young and old and all ages in between, some in wheelchairs, on crutches, some bandaged, all with pained expressions on their faces, suffering.

All of the staff were magnificent. Their patience with all of their patientssome of whom were less than patient - was a poetry in motion.

Doctors, nurses, orderlies, cleaners, clearly all were not just ‘doing a job’. They were each and every one of them efficiently and effectively going about their ‘business’. It was clear to me that each of them was committed to providing the best care they could for each and every one who came into that space.

By 6am I had been triaged, all my details taken, only in pain if I moved suddenly or awkwardly, seated comfortably, with a cup of tea.

For the next six hours I continued to observe and marvel at the dedication and diligence of the staff in the treatment and attention they gave to those seeking their help.

And interestingly, met with people we hadn’t seen for years, reconnecting in this most unlikely of meeting spaces, and making new acquaintances in the process.

However, I wasn’t seen by a doctor until 12:30pm. He also was excellent, but clearly worked off his feet.

Within 15 minutes he had reviewed my paperwork, gleaned from me my family

history, made connections through people we knew in common, and reassured me that he would arrange a bed for me and for appropriate blood tests, an MRI scan, and X-ray tests to be conducted. I went back to the Waiting Room.

By 6pm, I had still not been admitted to a ward, nor had a bed been found for me. The hospital was chokka!

I made my way to the nurse when there was miraculously no-one in the queue.

I remarked on how I could see how busy they were, and reflected with her on my observations of their work ethic but that my wife and I had been there since 5:30am and were exhausted.

If they couldn’t find a bed for me then perhaps we were better off going home and coming back in the morning – although that most likely would mean I would lose my place in the queue for MRI scanning and X-ray testing.

She showed an immediate appreciation for my plight, explained that the hospital was at capacity, that the ward the doctor had recommended I be admitted to was full, and they were seeking another space for me. I was at the top of their priority list.

I thanked her and suggested that we might wait for another hour, and if there was no space for me then we might head home. I suggested to my wife that she might call our daughter to come sit with me, and she head off home.

By 7pm our daughter had joined me and my wife had gone home.

There being a gap in the queue I made my way again to the charge nurse who then immediately arranged a bed for me in ED, where, as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out!! My primary message is that of an

appreciation of our health professionals.

Moreover we see and hear reports of a health system which is in dire straits, and that health professionals in particular nurses and doctors have long been asserting a crisis in the need for better attention to the retention of our health professionals and to the training of more doctors and nurses.

I have a first-hand experience of this crisis. A principal step in that direction in this region could be in the support of the introduction of a Medical School at the University of Waikato in collaboration with Waikato Hospital and Te Whatu Ora. Tihei mauriora!

• Tom Roa is a professor in the University of Waikato’s Te Pua Wananga ki te AoFaculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies.

• The university has been endeavouring to establish the country’s third medical school since 2016.

• It established Waikato’s second nursing school in 2021.

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NEWEST DIRECTOR MAKES FIVE

Right from the start, Accounted4’s Jamie Fisher has taken an impressively measured approach to crafting his career. Each decision made from the time he left university over a decade ago to his official appointment as the company’s fifth director, effective April 1, has been purposeful and confidence building. Colleagues and clients are left in no doubt that Jamie is exactly where he wants to be, working to a professional framework that started taking shape in high school.

Jamie’s early interest in accountancy was piqued at Tauranga Boys’ College. He went on to complete a Bachelor of Commerce & Administration from Victoria University of Wellington, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He also completed a graduate diploma in professional accounting. When casting around for a job to fit his newly-minted qualifications it was the award-winning Cambridge firm, Accounted4, that caught his eye.

“It was clear from the start that they provided the opportunities in career development and professional development I was looking for. I didn’t have a set timeframe, but straight away knew the firm would offer me the opportunities I wanted,” he says. “I came in as an accounting team member in 2011 … it’s been

everything I hoped for and more.”

Jamie completed his Chartered Accountancy qualifications in 2016, setting him on the trajectory he had anticipated. In the same year, he became a senior accounting manager, and in 2021 was appointed associate.

While today’s readily-available technology has made the financial side of accounting services more accessible, it is regular face-to-face contact with his clients, both rural and commercial, and planning for the longer term that Jamie rates as being particularly important. He enjoys getting to know their story, finding out where they want to take their business and working together to find solutions.

“That is something I find very rewarding … helping clients identify their goals then working alongside them to achieve that growth. I feel I’ve hit the trifecta with Accounted4. They’re a fantastic team, have a good working culture and have great clients. I consider myself very lucky.”

The fact the Tauranga-born and educated accountant and his equinefocused partner Kim really like Cambridge as a town is simply the cream on the top. They’ve bought a house with a piece of land and settled in for the long haul.

Jamie Fisher becomes Accounted4’s fifth director on April 1.

Down on Main

Among the many events in and around Cambridge last weekend was the Main Street Carnival and Art Market. Mary Anne Gill was there to soak up the atmosphere. See cambridgenews.nz for more.

Crowd favourites during the festival were the dancers from K.S. School of Dance seen here acknowledging the vocal support.

Face painters were kept busy as queues of children wanted to add some colour to their palates.

The inimitable Graeme Cairns of the McGillicuddy Party of Te Pahu and partner Adrienne Carthew ran a sewing machine powered by a bicycle ridden by a member of the public.

Belly dancer Karen Walworth, front, entertained the crowds with members of her troupe, in this instance watched on by two bystanders.

Free Lunch stilt walker Sandra Jensen in Empire Street.

The importance of controls

By Peter Nicholl

The News published a story on March 16 headed ‘Audit rebuke for council’. Audit NZ had reviewed the spending controls of the Waipā District Council and found some areas that concerned them. The Cambridge News story obviously was of interest to readers as it was the second most viewed item on the paper’s website in the week after its publication.

Problems can occur in organisations where risk and spending controls are either absent or exist but are ignored or not taken seriously. It is not that long ago that serious breaches occurred in the Waikato District Health Board. More recently, a senior council executive of the Westland District Council was found guilty of taking bribes in relation to procurement contracts.

The first thing that can be said about the Audit Department’s rebukes of the Waipā District Council is that most of the breaches they found were not that serious. For example, one case was that expenses that were justified were signed off by the wrong person.

But another breach was that the information on the register of councillors’ interests had some gaps. That surprised and disappointed me. It is less than a year ago that the Cambridge News uncovered that one councillor was a shareholder in a Maungatautari quarry that had been operating for five years but had never applied for a resource consent. They only applied for consent after the Cambridge News story.

Given this major breach occurred less than a year ago, I would have thought that every Waipā councillor would have been careful to ensure they made full disclosures on the

Spoilt for choice

By Murray Smith, Pastor, Bridges Church

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interests register this year – but it seems some were not.

It is good that the Audit Department has drawn attention to the issue, that Cambridge News has published the story and that readers have taken it seriously.

From my experience, the risk of minor breaches being ignored or minimised is that a culture can develop in the organisation that some rules don’t matter.

When that happens, the list of rules that the staff believe don’t matter can spread slowly but steadily. Staff and councillors need to believe that all rules matter and to act on that belief. If there is a rule that the staff think is inappropriate or difficult to implement, they don’t have the right to ignore it. The appropriate response is to go to the person or body that set the rule and give them the reasons why the rule should be changed or dropped.

Early in my tenure of the position of governor of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Head of the Bank’s Foreign Reserves Department breached one of the investment guidelines set by the board. It was not a serious breach but the response of the person was completely the wrong one. He said the breach didn’t matter as the institution he had invested more of our reserves in than the limit permitted was a strong one. In order to convince not just him but all of the bank staff that all rules set by the board did matter, I demoted him and shifted him to another department. We had no more breaches of these investment guidelines in the seven and a half years that I was governor.

Back in 2018 a friend counted up places in the Cambridge area where you could buy a coffee. Stimulating information, right?

It surprised me back then, that even with Cambridge’s well recognised growth, he found our town supported over 40 cafes and coffee ‘servers’. And now, five years on, there’s even more places serving coffee. With that comes seemingly endless choices as to how to enjoy our coffee - flat white, long black, latte, cappuccino, espresso, Americano, red eye, mocha, with almond milk or soy, decaffeinated, iced coffee, Irish coffee….

There’s nothing wrong with having lots of options but I find myself wondering if the vast selections of absolutely everything our hearts may happen to desire, encourages us to become quite entitled and spoilt. Visiting the supermarket seems to support this… we enjoy many ‘first world’ privileges. Although recent supply shortages have impacted on our need for variety, I’ve counted 94 different varieties and brands of crackers… cheese, bacon or chicken flavoured, with sodium, sodium-free, fat-free, normal size and bite size. Nearby 86 varieties of chocolate cookies beckoned, plus, can you believe, 109 types of milk to wash them down with? Even our pets are spoiled for choice, being presented with an assortment of tinned food options that defies counting… my cockatiel has a favourite from nine seed-mix choices.

Has pampering our tastes, whims and requirements, trained us to adopt a certain sense of entitlement? Having preferences is fine and of course personal rights certainly matter, but there’s a clamorous current emphasis on individual rights that seriously jeopardises society.

Simply put, we can’t just make whatever self-centred choices we feel like in life without considering others. The assertion of personal ‘rights’ and choices goes too far when an individual’s demands are detrimental to others.

A recent court case presented such an example. A dog owner whose unrestrained animal bit a woman seriously enough to necessitate a hospital stay and surgery, claimed that he was the victim and that the court had no right to proceed with charges against him since he held ‘sovereign rights’ -whatever that meant. He also claimed $25000 reparations to ‘deter dog officers’ from acting unfairly. Fortunately, the Court disagreed that the dog owner was the victim. A teen who recently went on a 48-hour car stealing spree told police he could “do what he liked now that he was an adult”. I’m confident the owners of the half dozen cars he broke into, drove around and left badly damaged, did not agree. His selfishness led him to believe that the determinant to what is right or wrong lay in him pleasing himself, disregarding anyone else -that life consists of ‘doing what we like…’

Jesus said the second greatest commandment was to “love your neighbour as yourself”- the greatest being, “to love God with everything we’ve got”.

Most of us have heard this passage at one point or another in our lives but continue to live self-absorbed lives. To obey these words would change everything.

Remaining wrapped up in ourselves makes us very small parcels.

THE BEST BRANDING CHOICE YOU COULD MAKE

have over 50 years’ experience in embroidery and printing, making theirs one of the most skilled teams around.

The team place immense value on customer service. “Customer service is our top priority. We pride ourselves on our friendly, efficient service. Its super important to us that our customers love what we create for them, and that they receive their order as quickly as we can get it to them”.

The recent addition of a new four head embroidery machine gives them the ability to grow that level of service. It increases their capacity to embroider four garments at once, along with their single-head embroidery machine.

Boasting a well stocked showroom, with a wide variety of samples available to try on and buy. There is a comprehensive, but by no means exhaustive, selection of hi vis safety gear and John Bull and Blundstone safety boots as well as jackets, hoodies, shirts, polos and tees, caps, beanies and more. In addition, they can access an exciting selection of

promotional items to put your logo on such as personalised mugs and pens. Behind The Branding Shed and its runaway success is Ange Leigh. She started the business as a home-based hobby before rapid growth saw her take a leap of faith and open in the Shakespeare Street premise in 2018. “Since then, we haven’t looked back,” she says. “We’re expanding

even further, and although our client base is mainly local, we’re extending outwards and now have numerous customers throughout the Waikato district including Hamilton, Morrinsville, Matamata, Paeroa, Tirau and Te Awamutu.”

First to join Ange was Tanz Hutchins; then Kerry Clow and Mandy Rea came on board. Between them they

Pop in and visit the friendly team at The Branding Shed, they would love to help you out with all your branding requirements. They’re based at 65 Shakespeare St, between Cambridge Hire Centre and Petstock (entry through Cambridge Hire Centre gates). Parking is easy and they’re open from 9am to 5pmMonday to Friday.

The Branding Shed founder Ange Leigh, front, with her team left to right, Kerry Clow, Mandy Rea and Tanz Hutchins in their showroom.

Tanz Hutchins and Mandy Rea working on the company’s new four head embroidery machine.

Kerry Clow hard at work on one of the heat transfer machines.

Business Showcase

Taskforce needs more tools

A Waipā resident who spent a fortnight helping with the cleanup in Hawke’s Bay says shovels, spades and bobcats are the items the communities need most.

Colin Parkinson, who is part of Taskforce Kiwi, is a semi-retired heavy machinery operator with almost 20 year’s military service to his name.

He is encouraging residents with emergency service backgrounds to take a week away to help.

Taskforce Kiwi is helping with relief and recovery operations in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle. Its volunteers work for free and the organisations uses its website to invite donation to help meet costs related to getting people there and equipping them.

The not-for-profit organisation has its roots in the US, where the original taskforce was established in 2010, and its funding comes from business

and charitable partners.

Taskforce Kiwi’s National Director is Richard Adams who told The News Parkinson was right.

The organisation has been overwhelmed by the generosity of people who had donated in the wake of the cyclone to be distributed by Civil Defence.

He said the need for material goods had been met – the focus of

Taskforce Kiwi now was manual labour – getting people to help with work on properties, farms and businesses – and giving them the tools to work.

A new team is being prepared to go to Hawke’s Bay on Saturday for three weeks.

Most, but not all of the volunteers are defence force or emergency services veterans.

Safe to cross…

They come from Northland to Invercargill – the donate their time, and Taskforce Kiwi provides the food and accommodation – and work – for them.

Volunteers from Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada have also come to New Zealand to help.

Adams said the need was for equipment – “two trucks are worth their weight in gold”.

Visitors up

Domestic visits to Waipā in the year ended December contributed $151.1 million – up 21.5 per cent on the previous year - and international visitors a further $9.6m – up 162.9 per cent. Occupancy rates in motels and hotels were 54.5 per cent in December while Waipā’s 472 AirBnBs experience 73 per cent occupancy. The information was presented to the council’s Finance and Corporate committee by Hamilton and Waikato Tourism chief executive Nicola Greenwell this week.

Development increase

Waipā development contributions for the Hautapu and Pukerimu catchments in Cambridge will increase from July 1. The increase in Hautapu is by 6.3 per cent – based on the reallocation of actual costs for specific projects - and 1.8 per cent in Pukerimu where the rural roading development contribution has been added. A market slowdown is occurring, seen through lower number of consent applications received, and developers actively bringing less sections to the market, meaning expected income is down..

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St Peter’s Catholic School road patrollers had their twice-yearly training session in Cambridge recently with school community officer senior constable Brenton Irwin. Teacher Susie McCreery supervised the training on the Anzac Street pedestrian outside the school’s front gate. The school has 30 Year Six to Eight road patrollers who rotate each term.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Colin Parkinson

Delay by design

By Peter Matthews

When you turn on the hot tap in the kitchen in our house, you can fill up our common or garden watering can with cold water before it gets hot.

That’s just over 5 litres. And it’s a good idea to do that because we’re on rainwater.

So by the time the water is hot at the tap, there is just over five litres of lovely hot water in the uninsulated pipe between the water heater and the kitchen.

Next time somebody wants hot water it will be lukewarm, and another five litres will need to be drawn before the required hot water is usable.

The reason for this is that the ‘infinity’ gas water heater is 17 metres in a straight line from where the tap is located in the kitchen. Along the way there is the laundry, a shower, and a sink in the bathroom. Granted, the wait in those locations is not as long.

Our house was built in 2005, and no expense was spared; it has high quality doors and windows - all double glazed, it has a beautiful hardwood floor throughout, and yet it takes an age to get hot water to the kitchen.

What was the architect thinking? Not much apparently.

Some years ago, when the new State Highway One was built past the end of Pickering Road at Tamahere, I was surprised to note the new four lane road went up and over, while little old Pickering Road stayed at ground level.

Quite apart from the construction cost of putting the big road over the small one, what about the fuel cost of elevating all that traffic for who knows how many years up to the height necessary to get it over the bridge? Doesn’t make much sense to me. Perhaps

When rocks fly

By Janine Krippner

someone will write in with a compelling rationale for this seemingly irrational situation.

Then there’s the (relatively) new roading arrangement at the roundabout by the white church in Cambridge, which appears not to have solved anything.

How many times have you been caught in traffic coming into town along Victoria Road, only to find that there seems to be some new unwritten rule that traffic coming off Thornton Road from the left has the right of way?

I have counted 27 cars being ‘let in’ to Victoria Road from Thornton Road in the time it has taken to get to the roundabout. Of course, now having mentioned it, I shall have to let the next car in every time I drive past.

It doesn’t pay to upset potential clients and my number plate is a bit of a giveaway. Anyway, coming into town from the Hautapu side I usually go via Carter’s Flatit’s often quicker.

So there we have three things that don’t make much sense. That’ll do for now.

But none of them are half as mad as the T-shirt you could have bought in Texas last weekend with “God, Guns, & Trump, Waco Texas” emblazoned across the front.

The day this comes out I will be in the field with PhD student Amilea Sork, looking at huge rocks that were violently thrown out of the Ngāuruhoe crater during the 1950s and 1970s eruptions.

These are called ballistic ejecta, or blocks if they were solid when they erupted, bombs if they were molten.

During the eruptions this area would have felt more like a war zone than a serene national park.

Amilea and I affectionately refer to one of these areas as the ‘Hulk Smash’ zone because it looks like a battle of giants took place. It is baffling how unrealistic eruptions in movies often are when they are dramatic and scary enough in real life.

Seeing these large rocks, many several metres in diameter that landed over a kilometre away, I have imagery playing through my mind of what this could have looked like.

These hot rocks are flung upwards out of the vent then change track back towards the Earth, some of them still molten and changing shape as they go, then they impact the flanks after reaching speeds of over 100 meters a second.

Some shatter on impact, others bounce and rolled at incredible speeds, likely shaking the ground and kicking up volcanic ash around them as they go. Total chaos. A person would feel incredibly small and fragile.

Countless times I have played these scenarios through my mind, going over what I would do. If I were lucky, I would have a chance to cover my head with what ever I could, if I were even luckier, I would get as many barriers as possible between me and the volcano.

Motorcycle Training Day

Field work helps us to better understand what this scenario might look like at Ngāuruhoe the next time it erupts, especially along the popular Tongariro Alpine crossing, and each project like this adds to our global understanding of eruptions.

Sharing information and learning from each other is critical in our small field of a few thousand volcanologists around the world.

Our own Canterbury volcanology group has done important work firing a cannon at materials to analyse what sort of shelters can hold up to these forces.

One scary aspect is that this is a process that can occur during phreatic eruptions that are driven by steam, not magma, and therefore they do not have the same warning signs that an eruption might be coming.

Several eruptions like this have injured or killed visitors, like Ontake in Japan in 2014 where over 60 hikers lost their lives.

It is important to know what this hazard is and stay out of any exclusion zones.

When Ruapehu is on an elevated alert level the summit area is a no-go zone partly because of these deadly projectiles, not to prevent people from seeing the show.

Many times, I have heard the idea of simply watch it coming to see where it will land, but what to you do when there are dozens in the air?

The best way to survive is to have a warning and not be there in the first place.

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Two bedroom townhouses priced from $815,000

All offer spacious open plan living with contemporary kitchens and bathrooms, and your own private patio. Have certainty about your living costs, knowing your base weekly fee is fixed for the entire time you occupy your townhouse.

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CAMBRIDGE RETIREMENT VILLAGE

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Maadi rowers

Thousands of people from near and far packed Cambridge’s Victoria Street on Sunday to either watch or participate in rowing’s Maadi Cup Parade which ended up in Victoria Square with welcoming speeches. Mary Anne Gill was there and captured these scenes. See cambridgenews.nz for more.

St Peter’s School, Cambridge leads the schools onto Victoria Square.

schools crowded into the centre of Victoria Square.

Imogen Short, 17, Waiuku, of St Peter’s School, Cambridge during the Maadi Cup Parade.

Cambridge High School head out on the Maadi Cup parade.

Bill set for Governor’s role

By Viv Posselt

Cambridge’s Bill Robinson will soon step into a pivotal Rotary International role that will have been two full years in the planning.

On July 1 of 2021 and 2022 respectively, Bill was named Rotary’s district governor nominee, then district governor elect for District 9930. From July 1 a yearlong position as district governor takes effect when he succeeds Te Kuiti’s Kevin Forgeson.

A lead-in that doubles the term of office is viewed by Rotary International as necessary for district governors designate to fully get to grips with their role, and to enable them to familiarise themselves with their district.

In Bill’s case, that is District 9930, one that is centred in the heart of the North Island. In it lie 49 Rotary clubs, one Rotaract club and a soon-to-be revived Interact club at Cambridge High School.

“That is in the process of being reinvigorated,” he said. “It took a bit of a hit during Covid but we’re

getting it back on track.”

While it sounds like a large number of clubs, Bill said it that as districts go it is quite modest. District 9930 falls within Rotary International’s Zone 8, which encompasses thousands of Rotarians in 20 districts across Australia, New Zealand and 14 Pacific countries.

The sheer scale of Rotary’s activities, and the need for operational cohesion is part of the reason for the long lead-in. During that time, Bill has visited clubs across his district and has attended training in both Australia and the United States.

He moves into the district governor role as changes are rippling through the international organisation. After many years of male dominance, this year’s world president is Canadian Jennifer Jones, the first woman to head Rotary International. Clubs all over the world have growing numbers of female members. New Zealand, he said, is doing well in that area.

Covid sped up another area of change, one that saw meetings shift to online platforms. That has in part informed Bill’s choice of theme for his year and the conference he will host in May 2024 – sustainability.

“As I see it, sustainability encompasses everything… from the reduce, reuse, recycle mantra to sustaining ourselves and our mental health,” he said. “There will be less printed material for those coming to the conference. Instead, it will be about lanyards and QR codes that direct people to a website. We’re busy working on that now.”

Bill is also involved at committee level in running a Regionalisation Pilot for Zone 8, likely to run across three years. Rotary International launched a similar pilot in its Great Britain/Ireland zone about 18 months ago – the idea is to explore ways Rotary can streamline its operations, thereby saving money that can be better used in its many projects.

Bill’s experience makes him

a strong candidate for the task. Born in Gisborne, he became a farmer after travelling extensively for seven years. Prior to retiring in 2019, he managed a deer stud outside Cambridge.

He joined Rotary after witnessing the benefits offered to young people through the student exchange programme, both with his own daughter who travelled to Australia and when he and his wife Deb, hosted several international students.

He has been on District 9930’s RYLA committee (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) since 2007, and its co-chair since 2008, and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship in 2015 for his services to RYLA. In 2011/12, he was president of Cambridge Rotary. Bill is unworried about the hard yards that lie ahead.

“A good Rotarian is a busy person. As far as Rotary is concerned family comes first… family, then work then Rotary.”

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Bill and Deb Robinson – Rotarians with plenty in the tank.

Unheard of ‘third’ fair for cyclone relief

By Viv Posselt

When St Andrew’s Church verger Ian Dunn got the goahead to hold a special craft fair on April 29 in support of the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery, nothing could have prepared him for the response he got.

It was around a month ago that Ian first thought of running a third craft fair for the relief effort, but his first step was to clear away all the church requirements.

The X-factor

“Then finally I got the go-ahead. I went on the computer from 7pm that night until 1am the next day and sent out 140 emails to previous stall-holders,” he said. “Even as I was sending them out, I was getting replies back, some with an immediate payment and some with even more as a donation.”

Ian said several Cambridge businesses have also responded positively, providing cut-price or free services to the fair and offering to help where they could.

Ian has run the bi-annual St Andrew’s Craft Fair twice a year for an almost unbroken 27 years and funds go back into church coffers to aid the community. This will be the first he has held for a specific relief purpose, and all the proceeds from site fees will go towards Cyclone Gabrielle relief.

“I did try to organise two Twilight Craft Fairs during Covid but they both ended up being cancelled.”

The fair will be at St Andrew’s Church grounds from 9am to 2pm on April 29.

It was a mystery for most of the competitors as they undertook the Lake Te Koo Utu course in Cambridge on Friday, pictured. But that’s how it was meant to be. X-Rrace is a mystery adventure race where parents and children aged six to 14 race together, locate and complete 10 mystery challenges, racing the clock and other family teams. Nearly 500 competitors started the course and the three-person team of Keeley, Heemi and Avery McDonald finished first in the family event in a time of 40 minutes 45 seconds. Compulsory challenges included a secret handshake and string game. Other games included puzzle in a frisbee, sack races, blindfold challenges, face painting and puzzle solving.

Lockerbie Village “Here’s to life”.

Resort-style living in Morrinsville

Stage Three almost sold out

• Architecturally designed three-bedroom Villas and two-bedroom Duplexes

• Ready for occupancy from July 2023

• Pay just $1000 deposit to secure your future home

• Weekly fee set for life

• Price from $799,000

• Sixty-five plus age group welcomed to the Village

• Viewings by appointment only

The Pavilion:

• Multiple indoor and outdoor seating and entertaining areas with country style kitchen and fire places

• Heated indoor swimming pool and spa

• Gymnasium

• Library

• Theatre

• Activities room

• Bar lounge and pool table

• Outdoor terraces and BBQ area overlooking manicured gardens

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

THE NEW PLACE FOR FIREARM OWNERS

Making Cambridge great

By Jo Davies-Colley, Chair, Cambridge Community Board Jo.davies-colley@waipādc.govt.nz

Art and Sport were well and truly represented this weekend as Cambridge was busy with residents and visitors enjoying the very popular and exciting Autumn Festival, the Maadi Cup regatta and street parade and the incredible Te Awa Cycleway completion celebrations. Cambridge is certainly a great place to live in and visit.

The Cambridge Community Board has been working to develop some strategic priorities that we want to focus on and advocate for over the next three years. Our focus is on the liveability of Cambridge and our priorities reflect our purpose of advocating for Cambridge to continue to be a great town to live in.

Our first priority is to see a new library/ community hub in council’s next Long Term Plan. One of our most used community services, we believe our current library is not fit for our growing town and the opportunity to create a new facility and integrate other associated community services into the community hub, is preferable. We are staying connected with community facilities staff and are working in partnership with them for the future goal of a new library and community hub.

Our next priority is urban mobility but specifically Shakespeare Street. We are pleased and excited to see the Cambridge Pathways Plan underway and know that this will bring great cycling and walking safety improvements to the CBD.

However, we acknowledge that our community is asking for safety improvements to be made in Shakespeare Street, specifically for school children

travelling to and from school. We would like to see safer and better-connected access for active mobility into the existing network and that these changes be permanent and not interim.

A people friendly CBD is our next priority. We are advocating for the Cambridge CBD to be a vibrant, connected and inspired public space with comfortable seating, spaces to rest and play.

We want to see Cambridge have a welcoming town centre that supports active mobility, prioritises people and celebrates its culture and history.

The Cambridge Community Board view the town hall as a significant Cambridge asset that is of a wide benefit to the community, its many diverse groups and events.

We acknowledge that the town hall will need significant ongoing support and we see council’s proposed funding as necessary and timely.

As the upgrades and improvements are made to the town hall, we believe it will bring an increased number of event opportunities to Cambridge therefore becoming an even more important and valuable asset to our community.

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Things you need to know before ‘the roar’ and game bird season

If you’re a firearms licence holder, you’ll need to know about changes to the storage and transport rules for firearms and ammunition, and changes to the seven rules of firearms safety.

Regulations were updated in February 2022, and to help Kiwis make sense of those changes, Te Tari Pūreke, the new firearms regulator, published a Secure Storage and Transport Guide.

You can download a copy of the Secure Storage and Transport Guide from www.firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz/ firearms-safety

Storage and transport for firearms and ammunition, key points

AMMUNITION

All ammunition must now be stored in a locked container. You can now only store ammunition with firearms in a gun safe that has a separate

lockable compartment that has a different key than the key for the gun safe. You must keep these keys separate. And remember to keep those keys in different places, not on the same key ring or hook.

If your safe doesn’t have a separate lockable compartment, you need to store ammunition in its own secure storage container with a key, combination, or padlock, or in a stout locked cupboard.

TRANSPORTATION

If you’re driving to a hunting location,

Te Tari Pūreke and the firearms registry

Te Tari Pūreke – Firearms Safety Authority is responsible for managing firearms in New Zealand.

We want to enable the legitimate use

your firearm needs to be inoperable during your travel and, ideally, concealed from view. This means removing the bolt or an essential part (or if that’s not possible, applying a trigger or cable lock), or transporting the firearm in a locked carry case. The ammunition needs to be separately and securely stored in a locked glove box or similar storage area, if practical. And please, whatever you do, once you’ve finished using your firearm, lock it away. Never leave any firearms in your

There

ute, shed, home or vehicle unsecured at any time.

The only exceptions to the firearms and ammunition transport rules are if you’re using the firearm on a farm for farmrelated activities, or you’re doing legallyauthorised hunting or pest control (such as a regional council employed pest controller) and the licence holder is in the vehicle or the immediately vicinity of the vehicle with the firearms in it.

Make sure you read or download a free copy of the storage and transport guide to keep up to date with the details of the changes:

www.firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz/ firearms-safety/storage-transportation

TAKING A BREAK WHEN YOU’RE TRAVELLING WITH FIREARMS

For those who travel with firearms to hunt locations, your inoperable and secured firearm can be left in your vehicle unattended, for example during a break in a journey, for up to 60 minutes. But you need to lock your vehicle and stay within the immediate area or vicinity of the vehicle and meet other conditions. Read the storage and transport guide for full details: www. firearmssafetyauthority.govt. nz/firearms-safety/storagetransportation.

Under no circumstances can firearms, ammunition or other arms items be left in a vehicle overnight.

Young AT YoungHeart

There will always be justi cation in saying that planning for one’s senior years should be a serious business, and it is. Much needs to be taken care of – how to live on a reduced income, will and estate planning, keeping tabs on health and wellbeing, and so on.

This Young at Heart feature looks at a few of those

Research shows it is just as important to keep a positive mindset, to adopt a ‘glass half full’ view on life and to maintain social connections as it is to tackle the nuts and bolts of retirement planning.

It is something of a privilege to be able to clock o the years … after all, those who can’t have left too early. Embrace the achievement and smile.

As George Bernard Shaw once said: “You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.

Make good use of your gold card

New Zealand’s SuperGold card is available to people aged 65 and over and can be used both in this country and in Australia. There are two versions of the card, both distributed through the government’s Ministry of Social Development (MSD). One is the SuperGold card, and the other a Veteran’s SuperGold card.

Both require you to be 65 and a New Zealand resident, but as the name suggests, the Veteran’s SuperGold card can be accessed if you also have qualifying operational service. More details on the criteria and what documentation is needed can be accessed through the SuperGold website.

Your card will be sent to you automatically when you turn 65, if you get the New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super) or a Veteran’s Pension.

If you don’t get either of those pensions, you can still apply for a card, but certain criteria apply. If for some reason your card does not arrive, you can approach MSD to apply for a card.

Having a SuperGold card adds a little more stretch to your money, both locally and further a eld. It can net you discounts from numerous businesses and o er free or discounted council services and free o -peak travel on public transport. Cardholders also enjoy discounts on things like entertainment, food and healthcare, insurance and fuel. Participating businesses are listed on the SuperGold website.

For more information, either call 0800 25 45 65 or visit www.supergold.govt.nz

Keep your SuperGold card with you – there are some great bene ts.

Young AT YoungHeart

St John o ers range of services to the community

The Hato Hone St John Health Shuttle, and Caring Callers, are two services available in Cambridge that are run by trained volunteers.

The Hato Hone St John’s Health Shuttle service helps people get to health-related appointments such as their GP, dentist, specialist or day surgery appointments in and around Cambridge and at Waikato Hospital.

Sta ed by volunteers, the Health Shuttle runs Monday to Friday. It is funded by voluntary koha from clients, as well as through generous donations from people and organisations

in the community.

Our Caring Caller service connects individuals in need of a friend with other people who have the time to listen and chat.

As partners and friends pass on, family members may not live close by and neighbours may not be able to spend time with you.

While this service is not a helpline, Caring Callers can notify the right people – St John – if their chat friend isn’t well or doesn’t answer the phone.

This service is fully funded by donations from our local community.

Have you thought about leaving a legacy once you pass away?

Leaving a gift in your will, known as a ‘bequest’, to Hato Hone St John is an incredible

way to be remembered. It is a living legacy that will help us look after New Zealand communities now and for future generations.

Hato Hone St John o ers a

We’re here for you in your time of need

range of services for our local community, including medical alarms, rst aid courses and kits, ambulance services and so much more. Visit www.stjohn.org.nz for details.

Health Shuttle

Stress-free and straight forward St John Health Shuttle is a community service that transports people with health or mobility issues to medical and health-related appointments and then brings them home again. These appointments include hospital, dental, optometrist, counselling and podiatry visits. Sta ed by volunteers this service is available for all ages and operates on weekdays (excluding public holidays) from 8.30am to 4pm. A donation is appreciated to cover costs. Phone 0800 846 9992.

Caring Callers

Everyone needs a friend to talk to Caring Caller is a service St John provides for people who live alone or feel a bit lonely. Our volunteers phone clients regularly to check that everything is ok, and asking about your day can make all the di erence to how you’re feeling. It’s even better if that someone shares your interests, like gardening, reading or sport. Looking forward to a good conversation can really brighten up the day. This free service is fully funded by donations. Phone 0800 000 606 and let’s get talking.

Medical Alarms

Providing peace of mind at home

Our medical alarms connect directly to St John, providing peace of mind to support people with a medical or physical condition. With three alarm plans available, there is a plan to t your lifestyle requirements, allowing you to live life with con dence that should you need it, help available. Arrange your free no-obligation trial today - phone 0800 50 23 23 to arrange a freein-home demonstration with one of our St John representatives.

Hato Hone St John has a range of services it o ers to the Cambridge community.

Young AT YoungHeart

New Resthaven development on track

The new Cambridge Resthaven ‘Apartments on Vogel’ development has been steadily taking shape over recent months.

Stage 1 of the development, set to include 33 supported living apartments, a café and a village shop, is on target for completion in early 2024. The shop, which abuts the apartment building, was completed late last year and is currently being used as the project site o ce. The apartments themselves include studios, and one and two-bedroomed apartments. Most will be purchased on an Occupation Right Agreement (ORA) basis with the entitlement to share capital

gains. There will be some studios o ered as rentals.

CEO David Hall said: “We are a community charitable trust and have been providing retirement village living and rest home care for 50 years. Every dollar goes into providing facilities and services for the community.

We know how important it is to plan ahead to provide a range of options for Cambridge seniors. We see supported living apartments as an exciting alternative to the one-size- tsall traditional style of rest home care.”

The supported living apartments have been specially designed to allow for a continuum of care

and support, which means occupants can remain in situ, enjoying the privacy of living as they would in their own home with the added bene t of support provided in familiar surroundings. A range of packages is available, o ering

whatever level of assistance people want with the exibility of adding more support if needed. This means that a couple can continue to stay together in the apartment should one of them need extra care.

Take a virtual tour of the development or pick up an information pack from project and sales manager Sandra Fairhurst on 022 672 1345, or email sandrafairhurst@ resthaven.org.nz.

Cambridge Resthaven project and sales manager Sandra Fairhurst, CEO David Hall at centre, and Livingstone Building project manager Neville Davy pictured on the recently concreted Level 2 of the ‘Apartments on Vogel’ building.

Young AT YoungHeart

Cambridge U3A growing like topsy

When businesswoman Carey Church thought of starting a U3A group in Cambridge, she wasn’t sure how well it would be received.

As it turns out, she needn’t have worried. From an initial 76 who signed on at the rst meeting last May 24, Carey and her team have seen membership balloon to just under 300, with more people expressing interest all the time.

U3A – or University of the Third Age – was founded in France to enable people in their

‘third age’, thinking retirees or empty-nesters, to share in a form of lifelong learning that comes with enjoyable companionship and no exam pressure.

Like the thousands of U3A groups that now operate around the world, Cambridge U3A o ers monthly gatherings with engaging speakers and a host of interest groups catering to a wide range of topics.

Joining it is probably one of the most rewarding things you can do. Contact them at u3acambridge@gmail. com

Expand Your Horizons, And Keep Learning Come along to U3A Cambridge

Only $30.00 per annum to join and for that you get monthly lectures, and the option to get involved with a special interest study group (or two) Guest lecturers each month on topics to keep your brain engaged, and socialise with other members

2nd Friday of the month, 10 for 10.30 until 12.00

Upcoming lectures:

Dr Gavin WallaceNuclear New Zealand (from a scientists perspective)

Friday April 14th, 2023

Jackie SmithYou can (and should) craft the life you want, but there will always be surprises, Friday May 12th, 2023

Special Interest Study Groups:

We have over 33 different groups that study topics as varied as Art History, Birds of New Zealand, Philosophy and Current Affairs. These are small groups, you decide how you want to study, what you want to study, where and how often you want to meet - its up to you.

NEW: Limited Series Mini Lectures

These series of four lectures are first in first served on different topics (additional fee of $20 per series).

We would love to see you and have you come and join us. Visit www.u3acambridge.org.nz and find out more, register for a meeting and join. If you would like to know more you can phone Carole on 021 401 951

•Personalised

•Hairdresser

visits •Podiatrist visits • Church services

puzzles,

handy man waiting for the right volunteer to brighten their day. You can chat over a cup of tea/coffee, potter in the garden, go for a walk or head out to one of the local cafes.

Having a friendly face every week for an hour can help eliminate loneliness, improve their wellbeing and yours!

“I look forward to visits each week, makes me feel good when my visitor comes, the visits are good for me.” – Waikato Client

“We are more like friends and having a great time together.” – Waikato Volunteer You may want to become a Friend of Age Concern. Members enjoy weekly day trips, Total Mobility Scheme assessments, seminars and more!. Please get in touch with us, we would love to hear from you.

Cambridge U3A co-founder Carey Church.

WAIKATO’S LARGEST SPECIALIST EYE CLINIC AND HOSPITAL

Our team of highly quali ed and experienced Ophthalmologists have many years of fellowship training in their area of expertise. We pride ourselves on being able to o er our patients a comprehensive range of diagnostic, management, and treatment services inhouse at our clinic alongside our purpose-built Day Surgery – Bridgewater Hospital which is on the same site.

From the rst visit to our clinic, throughout your whole treatment journey with us, your care will be of the highest standard.

If you have concerns about your eye health please chat to your optometrist or GP, they can refer you to one of our specialists for your particular needs. Or you can get in touch below.

Our specialists can help with all the following:

• General Ophthalmology

• Cataract Surgery

• Strabismus

• Medical and Surgical Retina

• Pterygium Uveitis

• Oculoplastic & Lacrimal Surgery

Protect against legal pitfalls

Providing security for your family’s future is usually one of the foremost considerations for people reaching retirement age, which is why approaching trusted Cambridge rm Vosper Law is a sensible rst step.

Director Amanda Vosper has 44 years’ experience in the eld. Together with her partner Vernon Woodhams, the team handles a wide range of legal matters and can be trusted to deal with your will and other legal matters in

such a way that ensures you and your loved ones will be taken care of according to your wishes.

Getting such expert legal advice is not as costly as many believe it to be, Amanda says, and is the best safeguard to secure against pitfalls that may arise when people elect for the sort of online or ‘DIY’ wills or legal agreements available today.

“They can leave a lot to untangle when the time comes,” she said. “It is far better and less costly in the end to get professional advice from the start.”

Getting legal advice is the best safeguard to secure against pitfalls of online or ‘DIY’ wills.

TRUSTED FOR GENERATIONS

• Glaucoma Management

• Acute Eye Conditions

• Neuro-Ophthalmology

• Visual Electrophysiology

• Medical Laser Treatment

• Macular Degeneration Treatment

We are an a liated Southern Cross provider, and can assist with prior approval for surgeries if needed. We are also able to see ACC cases, these do need to come with a letter of referral from your GP.

hamiltoneyeclinic

Amanda Vosper has more than four decades’ experience in the legal eld.

Vernon Woodhams, Amanda Vosper DIRECTORS

Young AT YoungHeart March

Getting from A to B can sometimes be a challenge as you age.

First, there is the licencing factor to consider. A New Zealand driver’s licence needs to be renewed at age 75, 80 and every two years after that, and you will need a doctor’s medical certi cate to do so.

If your doctor recommends it, you will have to sit a 30-minute on-road safety test to ensure you still have a good knowledge of the road rules and practise safe driving skills.

Things like that have a habit of creeping up on us, so to avoid being caught out without a legal driver’s licence it is better to familiarise yourself with the requirements well ahead of time. You can renew your licence on or before its expiry date, but you can’t do that more than six months in advance. Once your application is completed, you will receive a temporary licence that is valid for 21 days.

Whatever information you need, and material to help

Getting from ATOB

you refresh your knowledge before renewing your licence, is available either online or at your local AA o ce.

Not being able to drive for any reason when you have spent a good part of your life doing so can be confronting. There are a number of services available to help with transport di culties if that arises.

One is the Hato Hone St

John Health Shuttle (details are on page 2), which transports people to medical appointments locally and to and from Waikato Hospital or Hamilton-based specialists. There are also a couple of other services you can contact. One is the Cambridge Community House’s volunteer driver service, which was formerly o ered by Red Cross NZ. The service uses vetted volunteer

drivers who will take you to your appointment, manage parking and escort you to your clinic – all for a koha (gift) if you can give one. You can phone 027 667 7076 to book.

Another is the Driving Miss Daisy companion driving service. They are happy to collect you, drive you to and from your destination and help you with if needed – that includes to and from health

appointments or schools, trips to the supermarket, hairdresser, visiting friends, or anywhere you need to go. They are wheelchair friendly and have kiddies’ car seats, and are an ACC approved provider for the Total Mobility Scheme for discounted fares – a scheme you can link up with through the Waipā District Council. Bookings are essential as Driving Miss Daisy drivers cover a wide area across Waipā/ Waikato – phone them on 021 503 623 or contact them via cambridge@drivingmissdaisy. co.nz.

Also linked to the registered Total Mobility Scheme driving service is To and Fro, a Resthaven-run service o ered to everyone in the community, not just Resthaven residents. It is also a companion driving service, taking people to where they want to go and o ering hands-on support if required. You can do one-o trips or become a regular user. Booking is easy, just phone 07-839 4222.

Maintaining independence is vital for the over 50s.

It’s Time to Experience Premium Independent Retirement Living

Family owned and operated, Te Awamutu’s Highfield Country Estate was established in 2012 and is set in beautifully landscaped grounds.

Due to unprecedented demand, we are proud to announce the limited release of an additional 50+ villas with earthwork construction starting soon. Select from a variety of floorplans with the well-appointed two and three bedroom properties featuring spacious, open plan living with quality fittings and appliances.

Our Residents Enjoy the Benefits of:

• A family focused and dedicated Management Team

• Friendly, welcoming and supportive staff

• A comprehensive programme of weekly social outings, events and activities

• A safe and secure living environment

• Beautifully landscaped well-established and maintained grounds

• A vibrant community atmosphere and sense of belonging

• A focus on health, fitness and well-being

• Maintenance free, lifestyle living

“One of the best decisions we made was to move into Highfield, where we know, and our family knows, that we live in a safe, happy, and friendly environment where people look out for one another. We love living here and if you are lucky enough to get the opportunity to purchase a villa, please come and join us and enjoy our retirement.” – Dave & Shona Hollinshead

To learn more about the benefits of independent lifestyle living at Highfield and to organise a personalised tour of our facilities contact General Manager Sheryl Brown - 07 871 2020 (Monday to Friday between the hours of 10am – 3pm) manager@highfieldcountryestate.co.nz | 397 Swarbrick Drive, Te Awamutu

The Lifestyle You Want, the Peace of Mind You Deserve -

Waipā o ers its seniors a great way of life

Waipā is one of the best regions in New Zealand to be a retiree.

Surrounded by idyllic landscapes and farmland, the area rates highly for its easy-to-access liveable towns, close proximity to big city amenities and expanding choice of retirement villages and resthomes.

Many retirees opt to remain in their own homes for as long as possible, while some live out their golden years in a range of other forms of accommodation.

Regardless of where they live, the region o ers a suite of resources to support its population of seniors and enable them

to remain as healthy and happy as possible.

A sensible rst stop in terms of accessing those resources is Age Concern Hamilton, a community based not-for-pro t organisation that is part of a network of 34 councils around the country dedicated to enhancing the life of older people.

Among the services Age Concern

o ers is an accredited visiting service to enhance social contact and combat loneliness, a volunteerdriven shopping service, the delivery of a range of courses on health and

DEXA Bone Mineral Density and Body Composition Scanning

Accurate and Scientific results to assist in your health and wellbeing, including osteoporosis, fracture and chronic disease prevention. No referral needed.

Book online www.boneandbodyblueprint.co.nz

info@bonebodyblueprint.co.nz

P 07 870 4321

Legal Experts in Elder Law

An elder law solicitor can advise on all aspects of future planning and undertake a full review of your affairs to ensure you receive the right entitlements and care, and that your estate is managed according to your wishes.

The team at Lewis Lawyers covers an extensive range of matters including occupation right agreements, succession planning, wills, enduring powers of attorney, PPPR applications (property manager and welfare guardian), capacity issues, residential loans and subsidies, asset protection and elder abuse.

well-being related to older people, and multiple support services for the more vulnerable.

Age Concern also responds to issues around elder neglect and elder abuse, whether it be physical, sexual, psychological/emotional or nancial.

Local seniors can also contact Cambridge Community House in Leamington to access a range of services for people of all ages, many of which have real bene ts for older people, and the town’s Citizen’s Advice Bureau is a good place to source information.

People looking for ways to ll their days will nd no shortage of things to do in Cambridge. There are plenty of welcoming churches here, as well as active service clubs and organisations including Rotary, the Lions, the Cambridge Women’s Club, Altrusa, the Menz Shed, the RSA and a host more.

Great swimming and sporting facilities abound, with most clubs o ering options for seniors, and there are arts groups and crafts clubs suited to everyone. Those seeking to challenge themselves in a di erent way can join the year-old Cambridge U3A (University of the Third Age) group or tie in with SeniorNet to brush up on technology skills in a comfortable environment.

Cambridge Grey Power has about 340 members and actively lobbies with government on issues of interest to seniors – the more members they have, the more clout they have with which to advocate, which means they are always looking to build membership. The group’s monthly meetings, where food is supplied free by Cambridge Resthaven, always feature a speaker of interest to retirees. Join them by phoning 027 231 7609.

Steady growth in the region has seen a signiticant boost to the number of medical and associated clinical centres available in Waipā that easily match a steady increase in the variety of recreational facilities.

LISA LYNCH - Solicitor

LEE - Solicitor

Local wrap-around service makes funerals unique

Finding a funeral home that o ers compassionate care and a professional service you can trust completely isn’t always straightforward when the time comes to reach out.

Contacting Legacy Funerals in Cambridge is an easy rst step. The start could be as simple as a phone call - at any time of day or night - or a drop-in to their Albert St premises for a warm cup of Raglan Roast Co ee and the kind of empathetic welcome you need at such an emotionally draining time.

07 827 7649

Funeral director Jono Gibson believes funerals are for the living as much as they are for the deceased. Knowing your options and ne-tuning ideas is part of the process Jono and his colleague Ian Calvert will take you through, one aimed at ensuring that the funeral service for your loved one will be the respectful and caring farewell they deserve. A comprehensive pre-planning option is also available, meaning that future farewells can be tailored to re ect an individual’s wishes as closely as possible.

Grief. Joy. Nostalgia. Pride.

We’re here for it all, 24/7.

Every one of us has a story. A story created from our first breath to our last. We believe funerals aren’t just a place to tell these stories. They’re a place to embrace them. That’s why every service is bespoke, helping you celebrate your loved one’s life the way they lived it. For memories that live on in your head and in your heart.

Legacy Funerals Cambridge

2 Albert Street, Cambridge 3434

“It is about nding a compromise between what the deceased would have wanted and what the family needs,” he says.

Until it was purchased by the Legacy Trust in 2018,

the company was known as Cambridge Funerals. Once under the Legacy Trust umbrella, it became part of a unique network that returns a large portion of its pro ts to the local community.

Since the changeover, Legacy Funerals in Cambridge has gifted thousands of dollars back into the local community, helping clubs, schools, community groups, charities and other organisations.

Legacy Funerals in Cambridge, run by Jono Gibson, right, and Ian Calvert, is known for its friendly and professional service.

YoungHeart

New gym opens for women aged 50 and over

Women of a certain age are going to love Cambridge’s newest gym.

Femme Fit 50 is tucked down a lane o Albert Street. It welcomes women aged 50 and over into an inviting and comfortable environment in which they can work out and enhance their overall wellbeing.

There is no body-building going on here, no entering of competitions. Instead, the more mature woman can join any of the weekday or

Saturday morning hour-long sessions. Those pressed for time have the option of a halfhour lunchtime session during weekdays.

Co-owners Heather McEwen and Amanda Vosper launched Femme Fit 50 a few weeks ago, keen to introduce local women to all-round tness training in an environment where they felt a sense of appreciation and belonging.

The pair go back decades. Their mothers were rm friends who in their middle

years opened a boutique in Empire St selling stylish clothing for older women; their success is what partly inspired Heather and Amanda’s decision to grasp the opportunity to work together.

The premises used to be occupied by Tania McKay’s

Studio Move. Tania is now a casual trainer with Femme Fit 50, while Heather’s niece Madison McEwen is their full time trainer, and Heather’s good friend Carol Paget manages the gym.

Femme Fit 50 has three imported FightMaster boxing

stations in situ, all proving to be popular. The gym will soon introduce information sessions on Saturday mornings with a range of speakers addressing issues of interest to mature women.

Contact Femme Fit 50 for a free trial session.

A

and

gym in Cambridge for women

The team at Femme Fit 50 – Madi McEwen, Heather McEwen, Carol Paget, Tania McKay and Amanda Vosper.

PRICE

PRICE REDUCTION

Loving the River Ride

By Roy Pilott

Auckland’s Dave Hey scoffed at suggestions council should stick to their knitting and leave projects like cycleways to others.

He and wife Kay had headed down from their Howick home to enjoy the Te Awa River Ride on its official opening day.

And as he prepared to buy a couple of coffees, he was quick to point out to The News the fact that visitors like them spent money in the area as a result.

When I took a short pedal-powered journey on the river ride on Sunday, one thing was clear – a lot of people had been attracted from out of town.

Chris and Jane Walkley from Te Kauwhata were with son Sean at Tamahere. Sean is a member of the Hamilton Mountain Bike Club.

A short ride further south and there was a contingent from Hamilton East including youngsters Finnian and Theo Susi.

The celebration of the completion of

the Waikato section of the cycleway from Karāpiro and Ngaruawahia attracted hundreds to get on their bikes in Waipā.

They were almost all faster than me between the 27 stations set up on the day as part of a promotion with prizes.

E-Bikes, with their gentle hum, literally whizzed by me at regular intervals as veteran riders effortlessly cycled at speeds beyond my capability.

But then, the entry price for an electric bike is about 30 time what my pedal-powered model cost.

Little wonder that despite the cost, they are becoming so common.

The biking community who made use of the ride between Tamahere and Cambridge at the weekend had plenty of good things to say about it.

And for those who needed some help being heard, bells were being given away at stations along the way – ensuring that I would hear a soft “ting” to let me know someone was about the ride by me.

I never got to use my new bell but I did get a reminder of cycling rules. Having left one station and negotiated a slight uphill gradient, I realised I was sans helmet. There followed a swift cycle of shame to retrieve it.

Thankfully no one seemed to notice.

Cyclists are a very sociable bunch –there’s none of your quick raised eyebrow acknowledgement here – it’s generally a wave (from those on pedal power) and a “hi” from those getting electric support.

And, for the record, pedal power or electric, this ride is a magnificent addition for the region and I look forward to riding more of it.

Mary Anne Gill from The News quizzed transport minister Michael Wood about the call for the Waikato Expressway, which can be seen regularly from the river ride, to be extended to Piarere and he couldn’t give a definitive answer, which was no surprise.

Wood was on the guest and officials list at Hamilton Gardens where deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk, Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate and Waikato district’s Jacqui Church

celebrated the completion of the $40 million project from Waipā, through Hamilton and into the Waikato district.

It took 14 years – and I suspect that we won’t have to wait anything like that to see the Expressway way extended.

Cambridge Tree Trust

www.treetrust.org.nz

Time for Change

Tree Trust applauds the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Simon Upton, for his recent report on the loss of green space in most of our cities. Struck by the treeless expanse of dark roofs in Hamilton North he worries about how hot and unpleasant these suburbs will become as global warming continues.

In Auckland and Hamilton green space has diminished from 70% of urban areas to less than 55%. As planners have tried to rein in urban sprawl, sections have got smaller while at the same time houses have got bigger, and many outdoor areas paved over.

On Saturday morning radio, Upton said that in general the more leaves in an area the greater the bene t in terms of pollution reduction, slowing the ow of rainwater, and reducing summer temperature.

He is not against densi cation but says we must learn to do it smarter.

Green space needs to be seen as just as essential as wastewater, drinking water, transport and communication networks.

So when land is developed

existing trees should be preserved, roads should be recon gured with one footpath, one cycleway, and one lane for slow tra c with bays for passing and parking, leaving space for shrubs and large trees rather than a grass verge. Yes, it will be costly, but doing nothing will also be costly.

As Waipa District Council considers its 30 year strategic plan (Ahu Ake), Tree Trust will push for recognition of the Commissioner’s suggestion that Green Infrastructure should be given equal weight with other forms of infrastructure in all future planning and development. We encourage others concerned about the future of our town to do the same, while we still have a chance to build a greener, more climate-resilient Cambridge.

Cambridge Tree Trust would like to thank Mitre 10 for their support for these monthly articles which are intended to raise interest and awareness of trees in Cambridge.

E-bikers Dave and Kay Hey from Howick tried the ride north from the Cambridge Velodrome in February – last weekend they set off from Hamilton Gardens.

At your service at St Stephen’s Church, Tamahere were, from left, Cecily Chamberlain, Jane Manson and Glenda Matthews.

Enjoying the fine weather, shortly before a light autumn shower were Charlie Thompson, from Cambridge Primary, and Emily Cameron from Cambridge Middle School.

Advertorial

Inside the mind of Andy

Anne Wilkins has won the Cambridge Autumn Festival’s short story competition with Cracks - and today we publish it in full.

By Anne Wilkins

I hum as I walk to school while little cracks in the pavement try to lick my soul out of me. Tiny tongues of grass reach from the cracks to taste me. I watch them carefully, tricky little cracks. You don’t ever wanna be lookin’ up, cos’ that’s when the cracks are gonna get you.

Step on a crack, marry a rat. Step on a crack, fall head splat. Step on a crack, heart attack.

I’m gonna make sure no one’s gonna die today. It’s hard work cos’ there’s a lot of cracks. Every day I see a new one, and the old ones are getting wider, deeper, like they’re stretching themselves out, trying to make room for me. Sometimes I jump over them to make sure they don’t touch me. You gotta be so careful, not even an itty bitty toe, or the back of a heel can land on a crack.

I’m humming a bit louder now, I’ve got to, so I can be heard over the noise from the cars, the people, and the ants. The ants are noisy today, running over the pavement, busy making homes in the cracks. They don’t seem to mind the cracks so much, they even like living in them, but

ants are strong. Ants can carry fifty times their body weight, that’s how strong they are — I read that in a book.

“Almost there Andy,” says Mama. I hear her voice, but I don’t look up in case I fall into one of those tricky, trickster cracks. Once I stepped on a crack and Dad died. Mama says it wasn’t the crack, but she doesn’t know about the cracks like I do. She can’t hear the ants either, not like me. She says you have to be special to hear them. Do you know only some people can smell dead ants? I can smell them, they’re kinda lemony. Mama can’t. We used to have a lot of ants in our old house, they were living in the little cracks, under the floorboards, in our walls. I told Mama about the noise and smell of the ants, but all she did was cry. We don’t have any ants in our new place, and I kinda miss them. It’s quieter without the ants, and without Dad. The gate opens and we head up the path to school. We haven’t stood on a crack today. That’s good, it means no-one’s gonna die. I see my teacher. She smells too, but not like the ants, she smells of whiteboard

markers. Mama takes my bag and hangs it up for me. We get out my things. I like my things. They all have my name on it, A-ND-Y in big letters, so everyone knows they’re mine. No one’s gonna take my things otherwise bad things happen. Cracks happen in me, and something leaks out. Like that time Billy took my ruler, the one with my name on it, and the cracks came and punches came, just out of nowhere and Billy was on the ground, with blood coming out of his nose like a little tap. There’s been no problem with anyone taking my stuff since then.

Mama wants to go. She gives me a kiss and then I’ve got that teacher aide lady with me, helping me with my things. She smells too, but not like the teacher, not like Mama, and not like the ants. She smells sorta like tired. Like when leaves are just about to drop from a tree.

“You have a good day Andy,” Mama says, and she tries to smile, but her smiles always end up looking sad. I don’t say nothin’. I’m just humming. The bell goes some time later. It’s so loud it hurts my head. We’ve got

to sit on the mat, nice and straight, don’t talk, answer when our name gets read out. I gotta stop humming now, it’s called showing respect, but I’ve got a little thing I can hold if I need to. It’s a squishy caterpillar thing, and I can stretch it out, and it won’t break. The other kids don’t get one, just me, because I’m special, not special as in a good thing, special as in a bad thing.

The teacher aide lady sits close by. Just like me she’s watching for cracks, cracks in me. Dad had cracks in him too at the end, little ones we couldn’t see, in his heart. Ones that couldn’t be fixed. And Mama’s got cracks. Ones in her eyes that leak all

Anne Wilkins

the time, and I think one in her heart too. There’s cracks everywhere now. It’s like they’re spreading themselves out. They’re not just in the ground, they’re in people. Or maybe it’s just I can see them now, cos’ of that special thing.

We’re doing maths. Fractions. I’m playing with my shapes on my table, pieces of a square, pieces of a circle. Other kids have gotta share, but I’ve got my own set. Fractions make sense to me. How there can be a whole, then a half, then a quarter, smaller and smaller pieces. Somehow if you could just put all the pieces back together there’d be a whole again, but sometimes the pieces get lost.

If I hadn’t stood on that crack that day, then a piece wouldn’t be lost, we’d still be a whole. I knew it was bad to stand on cracks, but that day I was pulling on Mama’s arm cos’ we were late, and I didn’t see, and I stood on a big fat crack and next thing Mama’s phone’s ringing with the bad news.

See, that’s what happens when you stand on a crack, it rips through the whole, and then all you’ve got is fractions. I’m playing with my pieces, little shapes, splitting them apart, and putting them back together again when out of nowhere I see an ant crawling up my

arm, its little antennae waving a little hello, like it wants to be friends or somethin’. I didn’t hear this one coming. It tickles me, as it crawls right along. Then it gets down onto my table, curious like, heading over to where my fractions are, when that teacher aide lady just squashes it with her big fat thumb.

Now it’s just a black full stop, but with no capital letter after it. Just a full stop, an end, and that lemony smell.

A crack opens up inside of me, and I push the table over and scream. I didn’t think anyone was gonna die today, but I was wrong. The fractions fall on the floor. A half, a quarter. They’ll never be whole. The little full stop is gone too. Ended.

Later on Mama comes to collect me from school. I’m back to humming again, and I’m holding and pulling and squishing that little caterpillar thing, almost wishing it would break. No one knows what’s wrong. Mama bends down and holds me, so close I can smell her. She smells like the teacher aide now. Like a leaf just barely hanging on.

“It’s okay Andy,” she says, and she’s holding me. More cracks open up. Little ones, and then Mama’s crying, and I’m crying. I wonder if I’ll run out of

water today. I’ve been crying so much.

“We’ll be okay,” she says. Sometime later we’re walking out of school.

Mama’s got my school bag on her shoulder, and I’m humming, watching my step.

“Can you hear the ants, Andy?” she asks. I nod, and I stop humming.

“What are they saying?”

I listen carefully. The ants normally don’t say anything, they’re busy living in the cracks, living in the pieces, the fractions of what is left, but this time I think I can hear them.

“They say they miss Dad.” And this time I look up from the cracks. Mama’s crying again, and hugging me again, pulling me into her fraction. We’re not ever going to be like we were, but maybe we’re a new shape, just a bit smaller, with the chunk of Dad taken out. Mama puts her hand in mine. For the first time I see how our hands fit into each other, like two halves.

The day isn’t over yet. I’ve still got a hard job to do. Holding Mama’s hand I look down on the pavement, and resume my humming. We walk home together, two halves, stepping over the cracks, the best we can.

• Published courtesy of the Cambridge Autumn Festival

Sylvie’s photo stacked up

By Mary Anne Gill

When Sylvie Davies-Colley saw her brother Lansley stacking wood they had found on the roadside after Cyclone Gabrielle, she knew it would make a cracking photograph.

The 9-year-old Cambridge Primary School student won the youth section – one of nine entries - in Cambridge Autumn Festival’s photography competition. The theme was A Hard Day’s Work.

“I’m really happy,” she said when the results were announced at the festival’s formal opening in the Cambridge Town Hall last week.

The winner of the open section was Pam Thomson who immediately thought of her friend Jarrod Mitchell at Pirongia’s 360 Automotive.

“I knew he would make a great subject working on a customer’s vehicle,” the former Te Awamutu businessperson told The News.

Both photos were black and white.

Thomson’s passion now she is retired is photography. She belongs to Te Awamutu Photography Club.

“I knew Jarrod would make a great subject working on a customer’s vehicle,” she said.

“I also knew

that black and white would work the best as there were too many colour distractions and I wanted it to be focused on Jarrod working on the car.”

Fifty photographs were eligible for the competition – other entrants did not follow the rule that they had to be taken in Waipā.

Judges were Antanas Procuta of Paua Architects, sponsors of the event, photographer Michael Jeans and festival trust member David McCathie.

Jodie Hines’ shot of a dog weaving through poles at the Cambridge Dog Obedience Club’s annual Agility Championship showcase was second in the Open section with Susan Seville’s photo of a fallen tree in Oreipunga Road, Horahora, Cambridge was third.

The top 23 photos were selected for the photograph exhibition which finished on Sunday and held in the Town Hall.

Stacking wood: Lansley Davies-Colley piles up the wood collected after Cyclone Gabrielle. Photo: Sylvie Davies-Colley.

A weekend of two halves

Cambridge had plenty to celebrate last weekend as it cut the cake on 75 years of football– but the result of their conference league team wasn’t one.

The hosts were beaten 4-1 by Claudelands Rovers at John Kerkhof Park in Cambridge.

It started well enough for the Reds in the new look eightteam Northern League Southern Conference’s Waikato derby match when debutant Krishaant Singh capitalised on Claudelands’ goalie Aizak Howell’s failure to clear a cross from Rahim Nabizada.

But it was all Claudelands in the second half with goals to Henry Stephen, Charlie Young and Harry Christensen-Rose who netted twice.

Cambridge, better known for their red and white striped shirts, turned out in a red and white quarters strip – a nod to the club’s history on a weekend when the 75th anniversary was celebrated.

Waipā neighbours Te Awamutu, playing at home and in

the same conference, edged Ōtūmoetai 3-2 with goals to Moses Glenister, Joel Roil and Braedyn Webber.

The eight-club competition brings together two clubs from last season’s Lotto NRFL division two, and the bestperforming clubs from the WaiBOP Premiership.

In other matches Unicol beat Ngongotaha 4-1 and Taupō won 5-1 at home to Papamoa.

Cambridge and Claudelands Rovers, the two teams from the previous second division, met at John Kerkhof Park, with Rovers coach Paul Richardson returning home to his previous club.

It was also a debut for young new Cambridge coach Jordan Shaw, a former Hamilton Wanderers player in the national league and a guest player for Cambridge’s side at the national U-19s tournament in Napier just over a decade ago.

He replaced last season’s co-coaches Anthony Meiklejohn (now at Te Awamutu) and Bradley Rea (to coach Matamata

Swifts next season).

Both Cambridge and Claudelands have plenty to celebrate this year – Rovers 100 years of football and Cambridge 75.

Caron trained at Oxford Brookes University in the UK and has over a decade of experience in NZ. ACC registered

Club celebrates

Hundreds converged on John Kerkhof Park to celebrate Cambridge Football Club’s 75th jubilee celebrations last weekend.

“We had a meet and greet on Friday night and I was expecting 20 or 30 but I think we got three times more than that, which created a good vibe,” said club president Peter Martens, who teamed up with women’s club captain Selina Oliver or organise the birthday bash.

Three Cambridge teams took on Hamilton club

Claudelands Rovers on Saturday, while past men’s and women’s players dusted off their boots to test their skills against current players. About 120 people gathered at the Sir Don Rowlands Event Centre on Saturday evening to wrap up the celebration, which included video messages from Women’s World Cup legacy and inclusion manager Paula Hansen and Nottingham Forest player Chris Wood, a former Cambridge player.

Cambridge’s Krishaant Singh, who scored the team’s only goal, shields the ball from Claudelands’ Alex Whitehead. Photo: Mary Anne Gill

Seventh heaven in BMX

Seven first places –including three at elite level – were highlights for the Cambridge BMX club at the national championships in Tauranga.

The event attracted almost 600 riders aged from eight to over 50 competing for a national ranking.

Cambridge BMX had a team of 20 riders representing and came away with seven wins and three second place rankings, confirming its standing as ne of the top performing clubs in the country.

Jack Greenough, junior men, Leila Walker, junior women and Rico D’Anvers who beat clubmate Bennett

Greenough to the Under-23 title, scored the top-ranked successes as Cambridge won three of five elite classes at the event.

Other successes were recorded by Holly Nilsson, 12 Girls; Beth Walker, 13 Girls; Lily Greenough, 16 Girls and Luke Brooke- Smith, 15 Boys. There were second places for Brock Nelson,15-16 Cruiser Male and Tim Fergusson, 40-44 Male.

Club spokesperson Sharon Greenhough said the club continues to grow through learn-to-ride programmes starting from pre-school age and club nights for all ages and there were a number of riders at their first national

Back to the rugby

Hautapu’s Premier division rugby season starts on Saturday with a trip south to Ōtorohanga.

The first home game of the season at Cambridge’s Memorial Park will be on Good Friday, April 7, when University visit.

Hautapu made the semi-finals of the Waikato senior competition for the sixth year in a row last season. They played in the final in four of those years and won the title twice, in 2019 and 2020. But last year were narrowly beaten, 24-19, by Hamilton Old Boys in the semi-final.

Hautapu again have a lot of players engaged in Chiefs squads. Luke Jacobson, Ollie Norris, Simon Parker, Laghlan McWhannel and Hamilton Burr are in the Chiefs squad or the Development Squad.

A promising sign for the future of the Hautapu club is that they also have five members in the Chiefs Under-20 squad. They are Andrew Smith, Jonty Short, Senita Lauaki, Waisake Salabiau and Kaleb Saxon.

Division One rugby also starts on Saturday. Leamington will also be playing their first game away from home against Putāruru. Their first home game will be at their club grounds in Leamington in mid-April against Southern United.

champs.

“This involved a qualification process of racing four qualifying race meets throughout the previous year.

“The top club riders have been racing and training at the Lamb St track since they were little and now represent New Zealand internationally, racing at UCI World Cups, United States BMX races and the World Champs.”

The Cambridge riders will be training under lights at the track in preparation for the Oceania Champs in Rotorua on April 16.

CAMBRIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE CALLS OVER THE LAST WEEK

MONDAY:

Building Alarm and Activation, Swayne Road Car Fire, Tirau Road

SATURDAY:

Car Fire, Waikato Expressway

FRIDAY:

Building Alarm and Activation, Pukemoremore Road

Cover move to Te Awamutu Station

Tanker required, Te Awamutu

THURSDAY:

Building Alarm and Activation, Heaphy Terrace, Hamilton

Get Gardening

A monthly gardening column, courtesy of Amber

Autumn is upon us and it's a great time to hit reset on the garden. Summer crops are now done so its time to get those winter crops in if you haven't already. Plant winter vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, silverbeet, spinach, brussel sprouts and beetroot in raised garden beds to help with drainage. Remember to protect your crops with slug bait as they will love to nibble on your Winter greens. Once pip and stone fruit trees lose their last leaves you can prune them on a fine dry day. Follow immediately with a spray of lime sulphate and copper spray to protect them against leaf curl, black spot, leaf spot and blight in Winter. Now is also the time to get those spring bulbs planted. But you don't have to wait until then for some colour. There are so many options for Winter colour - choose from the perfect P's -Poppy, Primlet, Primula, Polyanthus, or Pansies or perhaps try Snapdragons, Foxgloves, Cyclamens or Dianthus.

For all plantings remember to add compost and manure beforehand to replenish your soil after the Summer months.

7 Peake Road Cambridge 07 827 6259

YOUR LOCAL GARDEN CENTRE ambergardencentre.co.nz

Become an Amber Card holder and get vegetable and flower punnets for only �3.20 each. AmberGardenCentre amber.garden.centre

The best of European shoes right here in New Zealand

Garden Centre Happy gardening!

Current age-group World Champion Lily Greenough on her way to winning her 8th National Title

Of the essence with Jan Bilton

Vanilla can add umami (Japanese for savoury deliciousness — the fifth basic taste alongside sweet, sour, bitter and salty) to many dishes. It is produced from a variety of orchid that flourishes in the tropics.

In 2002, Bay of Plenty family Jennifer and Garth Boggis together with Jennifer’s father John Ross, launched an aid programme to help Tonga recover from cyclone Waka. A small vanilla plantation was established in the remote Vava’u Islands. Twenty years on Heilala Vanilla has won numerous awards and is widely sought by international chefs including our own Peter Gordon.

To make the essence, the vanilla beans are chopped into small pieces and undergo a gentle cold-extraction process for several weeks to ensure maximum flavour. Heilala now produces over 15 vanilla products other than just essence. Many are available from delis, some supermarkets or online. Recently Heilala has been helping contribute to the relief effort which followed the Tongan volcanic eruption and tsunami, raising over $160,000 through special purchases and donations which go straight to their Tongan ‘family’. And if you’re wondering how vanilla can enhance savoury dishes, then try these ideas: in creamy sauces with seafood; in salad dressings; mashed potatoes; as a cure for salmon; beurre blanc; a chicken braise; sautéed onions; and in a lamb stew.

VANILLA PRAWNS

Delicious served as a light meal.

2 tablespoons olive oil

250g (20 medium) raw, shelled and deveined prawns

3 tablespoons brandy

1 vanilla pod, halved lengthwise

3/4 cup cream

1/2 cup coconut milk

salt and pepper to taste

Heat the olive oil in a medium frying pan. Add the prawns and pan-fry on low heat until just cooked, about 3 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Wipe the pan clean. Add the brandy and vanilla pod. Heat

gently for 2 minutes. Stir in the cream and coconut milk. Simmer until the liquid is reduce by half. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla pod into the cream mixture. Discard the pod. Season the liquid, return the prawns to the pan and heat through for 1 minute. Serve over rice or noodles. Serves 2.

CRINKLED VANILLA COOKIES

An excellent coffee accompaniment. Or serve with berries and whipped cream as a dessert.

3 cups plain flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 large vanilla bean

1 1/4 cups sugar

250g butter, softened

2 eggs

1 cup icing sugar

Preheat the oven to 160°C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.

Halve the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Place the sugar, butter and vanilla seeds in a large bowl. Beat

35 Surpass (5)

36 Taken to court (4)

37 Stiff paper (4)

43 Advanced very slowly (6)

44 Thrill (5)

46 Space (4)

47 Fishing (7)

for 1-2 minutes until light. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time, until well combined. Beat in the flour mixture until combined. Cover and stand in a cool place for 10 minutes.

Shape the dough into 4cm diameter (30g) balls. Roll each ball in the icing sugar. Place on the prepared trays about 5cm apart.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until light brown around the edges. Stand the tray on a board for 5 minutes then transfer the cookies to a rack to cool for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with more icing sugar. Store in airtight containers. May be frozen. Makes about 35.

SWEET VANILLA POPCORN

A moreish snack.

4 cups unflavoured popcorn

1/2 cup roasted unsalted cashew nuts

2 tablespoons vanilla sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1 tablespoon butter, melted

Place the popcorn in a bowl with the cashew nuts. Sprinkle with the vanilla sugar.

Combine the melted butter and vanilla essence and stir into the popcorn mixture. Toss to coat Serves 4.

(7)

12 Impudent (6)

17 Club bulletin (10)

18 Harass (5)

22 Mourned for (8)

23 Scottish estate owner (5)

24 Cheese type (7)

26 Steel pin (4)

28 Ice cream flavour (7)

29 Alter (6)

30 Marvellous, excellent (6)

31 Starter’s cartridges (6)

33 Tutor (5)

Vanilla prawns

Crinkled vanilla cookies

Across

Meditative discipline

Across: 1. Sugar, 4. Stuffy, 8. Abandon, 9. Scale, 10. Pearl, 11. Article, 12. On edge, 14. Parent, 17. Glimpse, 19. Grime, 21. Erode, 22. Selvage, 23. Redden, 24. Chess.

Down: 1. Sharp-tongued, 2. Guava, 3. Red flag, 4. Sunday, 5. Upset, 6. Fiancée, 7. Nevertheless, 13. Episode, 15. Angelic, 16. Lesson, 18. Plead, 20. Irate.

Wordsearch

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© The Puzzle Company St Kilda

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Cambridge’s gym for women 50+ Ask about our new Low Intensity class Call or email 0275033663 | info@femme50.co.nz Check us out at www.femme t50.co.nz

If not satisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the Media Council P O Box 10-879, The Terrace, Wellington 6143. Or use the online complaint form at www. mediacouncil.org.nz

Quick crossword

Sudoku

Finance offer available on new Nissan Navara models registered between 01/02/2023 and 31/03/2023 or while stocks last. Approved applications of Nissan Financial Services New Zealand Pty Ltd (Nissan) only. Fixed interest rate of 3.9% p.a. only available on loan terms up to 24 month term. No deposit required. This offer includes and establishment fee of $375, PPSR fee of $8.05 and $10 per month account keeping fee. Excludes all lease and some fleet purchases. Nissan reserves the right to vary, extend or withdraw this offer. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Additional terms and conditions apply and can be viewed at www.nissan.co.nz. Maximum Special Price (MSP) $39,990 is for SL 2DW Manual (D23JM) and includes GST but excludes GST Car Fee (CCF) $1,840 and on-road costs (ORC) of $1,340. ORC includes initial 12 month registration and WOF, 2000km RUC fuel and vehicle delivery.

3.9%

APR FIXED | ZERO DEPOSIT | 24 MONTH TERM*

Finance offer available on new Nissan X-Trail models registered between 01/03/2023 and 31/03/2023 or while stocks last. Approved applicants of Nissan Financial Services New Zealand Pty Ltd (Nissan) only. Fixed interest rates of 3.9% p.a. only available on loan terms up to 24 month term. No deposit required. This offer includes and establishment fee of $375, PPSR fee of $8.05 and $10 per month account keeping fee. Excludes all lease and some fleet purchases. Nissan reserves the right to vary, extend or withdraw this offer. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Additional terms and conditions apply and can be viewed at www.nissan.co.nz.

nissan.co.nz

Tamahere 396A Bruntwood Road

decks, a massive 350m2 shed, a fantastic arena and so, so much more. Our low maintenance linear clad home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a gorgeous sunny aspect over much of the property and is all set for quality family living. Call Kevin or Mark today to arrange your viewing!

Cambridge

Karapiro 364 Karapiro Road

This property is only 8 months old and is situated on a spacious 3096 m2 section. With 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, this home is perfect for families or those who love to entertain guests. As you step inside, you’ll be immediately struck by the open-plan kitchen and dining room. The kitchen is fully equipped with modern appliances, making it a pleasure to cook in. The open plan area leads to a portico providing the perfect space for hosting dinner parties or simply enjoying a relaxed evening with your loved ones. Call Gary or Mark today to arrange your viewing!

Gordonton 155 Boyd Road

4

This is a prime opportunity to own your own 2750m2 site in a beautiful rural setting. Upon entering the home, you will be greeted by the light and airy open plan living areas which o er a cosy space for the family. The modern kitchen which is the hub of the home and will inspire your inner chef and is the perfect place for entertaining guests. The kitchen and open plan living area are complimented nicely by the separate lounge. Call Gary today to arrange your viewing!

For Sale Deadline Treaty Thursday 20 April 2023, 12:00pm

Unless sold prior View by appointment or scheduled open home times www.harcourts.co.nz/CB4032

For Sale Deadline Treaty Thursday 6 April 2023, 12:00pm Unless sold prior View by appointment or scheduled open home times www.harcourts.co.nz/CB4033

Executive Residence Premium Location Inspection by appointment

A

• 2,317m² of elevated land; potential for subdivision into 3 titles (Council Consent required)

• 391m² dwelling (approx.); north facing; built for maximum sun and extensive views

• low maintenance with brick and cedar exterior; aluminium ‘Alti’ joinery, double glazing, concrete tile roof; copper spouting and downpipes

• tarseal driveway leading to double garage/workshop with auto door & internal access

• external tiled patio extends along the length of the building; sunny, sheltered and accessed from multiple rooms within; sunny, sheltered courtyard at rear

• a welcoming foyer leads to a formal lounge, connected to formal dining, leading into an excellent modern kitchen and a generous family room

• downstairs includes a sunny master bedroom with ensuite & walk in wardrobe; main bathroom; bedroom (#4); office and laundry

• upstairs features 2 spacious bedrooms offering panoramic views to Maungatautari and Pirongia Mountains, supported by an additional bathroom

• finished to a very high standard; one run carpet & cork flooring; full insulation; security system;

hot water plus an underfloor, hot water

Cambridge 64B Swayne Road

Brand new on Swayne

This brand-new home has just been completed and is ready for you to move into! Designed by Ink Architecture and built by Jay Cowley builders the 209sqm home has a fantastic layout and built with outstanding craftsmanship. Offering a delightful and spacious entrance giving you a classy, modern feel. High-raked ceilings throughout the living, dining, and kitchen area offer a sense of space and luxury. A well-appointed kitchen with stone tops gives a sense of luxury, and with open-plan living. Four doubled sized bedrooms with excellent storage complete this fabulous home, with a family bathroom with access to the fourth bedroom offering easy flow. The master is completed with its own bathroom and spacious walk-in robe. additional features include ducted air conditioning and plush carpet throughout. bayleys.co.nz/2350658

4 2 2 2

Auction (unless sold prior) 2pm, Thu 20 Apr 2023

Lakewood Block C, Unit 1, 36 Lake Street, Cambridge

View 5.30-6pm Thu 30 Mar & 12.30-1pm

Sun 2 Apr & Sun 9 Apr or by appointment

Catherine Hayward 027 562 4598

catherine.hayward@bayleys.co.nz

Cambridge 38 Taylor Street

Excellent opportunity, motivated Vendors

Introducing a fantastic opportunity to acquire a property in a highly sought-after location in Cambridge overlooking the leafy greenbelt, with a generous 900sqm (more or less) flat section and a 150sqm (more or less) residential home built in 1958. The property is well situated to cater for all levels of schooling and easy access to the Waikato expressway. Just down from the property is the Hautapu Sports/rugby grounds and further east more parks and walking tracks.

This home comprises of three double bedrooms with a spacious master room, with an adjoining Living space. Two bedrooms are fitted with built-in wardrobes, providing plenty of storage space for the home. bayleys.co.nz/2350663

bayleys.co.nz

3 2 1 2

Auction (unless sold prior) 2pm, Thu 20 Apr 2023

Lakewood Block C, Unit 1, 36 Lake Street

View 11.30am-12pm Sun 2 Apr & Mon 10 Apr

Catherine Hayward 027 562 4598

catherine.hayward@bayleys.co.nz

Jonte Wright 027 621 2424

jonte.wright@bayleys.co.nz

Tantalizing Inside, Designed To Please BEO $1,250,000

26 William Paul Street, Cambridge

- Style & Comforts- fully ducted aircon, transferable builders & kitchen guarantee, solar-power bills are exceptional, louvered alfresco, open plan living with separate lounge (designed for a 4th bedroom option). Open

- 10.30am

Smell

The Roses...and The Coffee

Negotiation

6/24 Duke Street, Cambridge

- This tidy 2 bedroom (110m²) home is perfect for anyone looking for a low maintenance property within walking distance to town.

- Feature cathedral ceiling in the living creates a very open and welcoming space.

Yes - Low Maintenance

$725,000

8 Robyn Hyde Place, Leamington

- Low maintenance brick home with retrofit (2019) double glazing, enjoys a quiet spot at the end of a short cul-de-sac.

- A large deck off the living room overlooks the back lawn area.

Open Homes Saturday & Sunday 11.00 - 11.30am

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+

Spotless Brick

Deadline Sale

4 Saffron Street, Cambridge

4 2 2

- Open plan kitchen, dining and living creates a welcoming hub as you enter the home.

- Tidy low maintenance gardens, with plenty of space to elaborate.

Open Homes Saturday & Sunday 10.00 - 10.30am

Looking to Downsize?

Deadline Sale

18 Burr Street, Cambridge

2 1 2

- Perfect for retirees or professionals looking to downsize, this spacious brick townhouse offers open plan living, internal access garaging, two large bedrooms plus an office.

- A private patio area perfectly aspected for the sun. Open Home Sunday 11.00 - 11.30am

Classic Style and Comfort on King

$675,000

69 King Street, Cambridge 2

- Tremendous ambience from outside to inside; you’ll discover additional off road parking, garden plantings and deck to suit the style, a secure and private courtyard at the back.

Open Homes Saturday & Sunday 12.00 - 12.30pm 190m² (more or less) - 4 bedrooms + more

Grand, Spacious and Secluded

Negotiation

120 Scott Street, Leamington

- This flowing 190m² (more or less) floor plan offers four sun-filled bedrooms, a generous living space and open plan kitchen/ dining.

- Updates include upgraded carpet, aluminum joinery, modernised kitchen, LED lighting and blinds.

Open Home Sunday 1.00 - 1.30pm

Deadline Sale

65 Swayne Road, Cambridge

5 3 3

- …And yet so central! Nestled up a tree-lined driveway and set on large, beautifully maintained grounds, this prestigious fivebedroom plus office executive home has the all the space a family could ask for.

Open Homes Saturday & Sunday 3.00 - 3.30pm

THOMAS, Donald Christian

– passed away at Waikato Hospital, aged 85 years. Dearly loved husband of the late Lorna. Much loved father & father in-law to Stu & Kim, and popa to Stacey and Mitch. Special thanks to the staff of Cambridge Lifecare for the wonderful care shown to Don over the past 2 years. A celebration of Don’s life will be held at a later date. All communications to the Thomas Family, c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434

THOMPSON, Ann – passed away peacefully at home on Monday, 20th March 2023.

Much loved wife of Richard, and the most adored mother of Andrea & David, Brett, and the late Grant. Loved step mother of Andrea & Nick, Peter & Trish, and Heather & Brett. Loved Nana Ann of all her grandchildren, and great grandchildren. According to Ann’s wishes a private service has been held. All communications to the Thompson Family, c/3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434.

Missed

Section 101, Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012

PUBLIC NOTICE

Of an application for On Licence Kanav Holdings Limited, 3 Oak Avenue, Nawton, Hamilton, has made application to the Waipa District Licensing Committee for the renewal of a on-licence in respect of the premises at 75 Victoria Street, Cambridge known as Prince Albert The Olde English Pub & Restaurant.

The general nature of the business to be conducted under the licence is restaurant/tavern. The days on which and the hours during which alcohol is sold under the licence are: Monday to Sunday, 9.00am2.00am the following day.

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.

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 first publication of this notice.

Call

The Waipa Community Facilities Trust have a current board vacancy and are calling to the public for registrations of interest for a new Trustee.

The Charitable Trust was established to enhance the health and well-being of Waipa District communities by promoting the effective and efficient provision, development and operation of community facilities (Te Awamutu Events Centre and Perry Aquatic Centre) and programmes throughout the District.

The position is voluntary and trustees are expected to attend 11 meetings per year, as well as the Trust AGM. Please send your CV and cover letter to the Secretary at kayla@theofficeproject.net.nz Registrations close Friday 14 April.

Deadline Ahead

Classified

Tuesday 10am for Thursday publication

Run

Monday 5pm for Thursday publication

Ph 027 287 0005

Corner of Queen and Bryce Street

Sunday service at 10am will be lead by Re v. Alistair McBride.

Sunday Service at 10am will be led by Rev. Mohu Lolohea

VACANT

SEEKING FULL TIME (WEEKDAYS)

EXPERIENCED ALL-ROUNDER: GARDENER, FARM HAND WITH A POSITIVE “CAN DO”

ATTITUDE TO JOIN OUR TAMAHERE TEAM: 39-ACRE LIFESTYLE BLOCK WITH A FEW ANIMALS

Farm implement work, operation and maintenance. Upkeep of all gardens

To be successful, you will have: Full NZ driver’s license

Previous experience as a gardener/ general farm hand would be advantageous

A great work ethic, reliable and able to follow instruction

You will receive a well-paid contract rate

Send your CV to: wairua182@gmail.com

Revaluations delayed again

Waipā’s rating revaluations have been delayed for a second time – and the district council is unimpressed.

In October it was reported independent property provider Quotable Value (QV) was not able to provide property revaluations until the middle of this month.

Now council may have to wait until mid-May.

The values provide a benchmark on which councils determine how much individual ratepayers will be billed.

Deputy chief executive Ken Morris called the second delay exasperating.

“It’s not my place to explain why QV can’t deliver but I can say it is very, very disappointing.

OPEN HOMES

CAMBRIDGE OPEN HOMES

“We are very well aware people have been expecting these revaluations and of course we need them as well because they are used by council to help set an equitable distribution of rates for coming years.”

At the same time is has been announced

Ōtorohanga ratepayers can expect their 5287 new property rating valuation prepared by QV in the post soon.

Ōtorohanga district is now valued at $6.6 billion - a 30.3% increase, and the land value of those properties sits at $4.4 billion, a 24.7% increase since 2019.

On average, the value of residential housing has increased by 54% and the average house value is $566,000.

Morris said Waipā District Council was pressing QV hard for a new date and hoped to have more certainty by late next week.

The Office of the Valuer General (OVG), the government body that oversees all rating valuations, is required to certify rating valuations before they can be released.

“That’s another step in the process that is simply beyond Council’s control.”

New property values will be based on the most likely selling price as at August 1, 2022.

New leader at Menzshed

New Menzshed leader Richard Cato has a message for veterans – you’re never too old to spend time with us.

Cato was elected this month to succeed the retiring Steve Mannington who stood down from the Te Awamutu based shed.

The Te Kuiti born Waipā resident has a farming background – he spent 18 years on a sheep and beef farm in Te Kuiti and later almost 30 years with wife Judy in a commercial cut flower business.

The couple, who retired to Te Awamutu five years ago,

also grew vegetables for sale at farmers’ markets.

His focus today is writing books – he’s completed five – and Menzshed, for which he has a passion.

The organisation – something akin to television’s The Repair Shop for Waipā - has enjoyed a high profile in the last couple of years, most recently helping with the repair of the flagpole at Anzac Green in the Te Awamutu central business district.

He’s keen to see the establishment of a ‘recliner” club at Menzshed, replacing some chairs with couches

to cater for older members who will be welcome in for a cuppa and a “yack”.

Cato is thinking of the 80-plus year old members, many who want to remain part of Menzshed but may no longer be able to do the physical work which usually comes with it.

He says their knowledge is still valuable.

“We need them, and they need us,” he said.

Menzshed will hold its annual garage sale next month to help fund winter improvements at the organisation’s Te Awamutu home.

Vernon takes Fieldays post

The first woman to chair the Waikato Regional Council has become New Zealand National Fieldays Society’s first female chair.

Jenni Vernon has held the post of vice president for the past three years. The President-Chair governs the society which runs Fieldays at Mystery Creek.

Vernon, who was elected unopposed at the society’s annual meeting, runs a dry stock unit with husband Gordon at Te Akatea. She has been a board member for 10 years and involved in farming and

governance for 40.

She succeeds James Allen, retired after completing a third, a final year, as president.

“As a volunteer board member, James provided leadership during the incredibly uncertain times of Covid-19 and his tenure was met with a mixture of extreme challenges, but he navigated these while also running his own business,” Vernon said. “James can also celebrate many highlights and areas of growth in his time on the board and as chair of the board.”

“Localjobsforlocalpeople”

Ken Morris

Richard Cato is at the helm of Te Awamutu’s Menzshed.