Te Awamutu News | March 30, 2023

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

Councillors given 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

• 480 grams of raw prawns

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

Continued on page 2

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.

Continued on page 2

Waipā councillor Mike Pettit, mayor Susan O’Regan, waste minimisation officer Sally Fraser and deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk look at some of the food waste collected from Te Awamutu homes on Monday. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Owner/Publisher David Mackenzie david@goodlocal.nz

Brown takes museum post

It owns a multimillion-dollar 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

Councillors given food for thought

Continued from on page 1

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 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 till April 23 to have their say.

More details teawamutunews.nz

Before I start my round up of the events of last week, I would like to make a public service announcement. I have been asked by several staff to remind everyone of the road code and the rules around emergency vehicles.

If an emergency vehicle (such as an ambulance, fire engine or police car) is coming towards you or behind you, and is using sirens and/or flashing red, blue, or blue and red lights, you must pull over and, if necessary, stop and allow it to pass. Rant over.

This week police attended a mental health incident and a breach of electronically monitored bail which turned out to be a technology issue. Police also arrested a male with an active warrant to arrest after a minor car collision on Arawata Street. Later in the day police attended a serious assault incident at a supermarket involving two customers. Enquiries are ongoing for this.

On Tuesday police recovered a stolen

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

over…

motorbike, attended a family harm incident and arrested a male for multiple breaches of a protection order. There was also a mental health incident and a firearms related incident at a rural property. Later in the evening police attended an incident at Kawhia. A suspicious male was seen at an address in Te Awamutu. A male from Auckland was arrested for breaching bail.

On Wednesday police attended incidents in Cambridge, Ōtorohanga and Te Awamutu.

On Thursday police attended a mental health incident which took a considerable amount of time to resolve, arrested a male in relation to family harm matter and assisted in taking a male from Kihikihi to the Hamilton cells for his impending court appearance.

Police also served a protection order on a male issued by the courts.

On Friday police attended a motor vehicle collision on Paterangi Road, and a family

Continued from on page

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.

harm incident at a rural property. Police also had an incident where a male has been arrested for breaching bail. He had run from police straight to an associate’s address where a large number of cannabis plants were subsequently located.

On Saturday police assisted with the transport of a prisoner, conducted a traffic stop of an unlicensed driver and travelled to Te Kuiti to assist with a critical incident. Police also assisted Te Kuiti staff with the arrest of a person involved in the incident.

On Sunday police attended a family harm event involving a significant amount of alcohol, located a highly intoxicated male in his vehicle asleep, travelled to Raglan to assist staff there with a family harm event involving a stolen vehicle, dealt with disorder at a property in Te Awamutu and conducted enquires to locate a male breaching bail.

& ALL JOINERY

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Please include copies of the article and all correspondence with the publication.

Marcus Gower Lou Brown

Andrew Brown

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.

Victim identified

The man who died after being hit on a pedestrian crossing two weeks ago in Te Awamutu was Jonathan Hood, 29, of Ōtorohanga. Police say they have viewed CCTV footage of the incident, having earlier reported the vehicle involved failed to stop, but have not released any further details.

Correction

Destination Cambridge and Destination Te Awamutu are both incorporated societies and not charitable trust boards, as reported in Te Awamutu News last week.

Play time

Te Awamutu’s newest playground opened on Tuesday. Construction began on the $370,000 neighbourhood playground, in Swarbrick Park along Swarbrick Drive, in October. The play space addresses some of the community needs that Waipā is seeing with development and population growth.

Record contract for council

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 countrywill be running by June 2026.

Plans are also in place to upgrade the wastewater plant at Te Awamutu. Work on an upgrade could begin in 2035.

Cambridge is now served by a 50-year-old plant in Matos Segedin Drive which treats wastewater from Cambridge, Leamington, Hautapu and Karapiro Domain.

The new 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.

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.

“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).

Pam’s pic of the bunch

By Mary Anne Gill

When Pam Thomson saw the theme for a Waipā photography competition was A Hard Day’s Work, she 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.

Thomson won the open

section in the Cambridge Autumn Festival’s photography competition.

The results were announced at the festival’s formal opening in the Cambridge Town Hall last week.

Sylvie Davies-Colley, 9, of Cambridge Primary School photo of her brother Lansley, 7, stacking wood found along the roadside after Cyclone Gabrielle, won the youth section.

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 Cambridge Town Hall.

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

Pam Thomson’s photo of Jarrod Mitchell.

Pam Thomson of Te Awamutu and Cambridge Primary School student Sylvie Davies-Colley after the award ceremony. Photo: Mary Anne Gill

A tragedy in September

By Meghan Hawkes

Taskforce needs more tools

As darkness fell on a late September night in 1906, the Hutt family of Te Awamutu began turning in for the evening. Henry, manager of the local creamery, his wife, Edith, and their nine children lived in an old cottage somewhat eccentrically laid out, which belonged to the New Zealand Dairy Association.

Henry and his eldest son, 13-year-old Charles, came into the kitchen together from the shed where they had been doing some carpentry. They sat talking for about 20 minutes before Charles went off to bed. The other children were asleep - four girls in one room and two of the boys in their room which opened off the kitchen. Sixyear-old Hector had been sick and had been put to bed in his parents’ room. One-year-old Linda also slept in her parent’s room at the top end of the dwelling.

Edith, who had had a busy afternoon baking and sewing, spent her time after tea relaxing in the sitting room. She and Henry headed for bed around the same time as their eldest boy. Henry put out the dining room’s hanging lamp before the couple passed through two other rooms to get to their room. The family never closed bedroom doors and the parents could see that all was dark

and quiet.

Around 20 minutes later something woke 12-year-old Eileen. A fire was blazing in the corner of the room. She leapt out of bed and tried to put the fire out with a blanket, screaming for her father. Henry rushed into the room and saw fire in the ceiling. He told the girls to get outside and began picking up children and carrying them out, then returning for another. He couldn’t get to Ethel as the ceiling fell in.

By this time the boys’ room was all smoke and flames. Henry initially hadn’t known an unwell Hector was in their room. He tried to get to Hector but was driven back by smoke and flames. Heroic efforts were made by neighbours and others, including Constable Lander, who worked like Trojans, but the old cottage burned like matchwood and its peculiar construction made escape difficult.

At the inquest Henry said the family had lived in the cottage for three years and five months. He had never noticed any signs of the chimney being defective. He was wary of fire. They never allowed the children to have a candle in the bedroom. He had experienced a bad fire 14 years previously about a fortnight after he was married.

Edith Hutt said she had had

a good fire going all day long as she was baking. It was put out at about 6.30pm. On a shelf right up alongside the chimney she kept bottles of vinegar, oil, and medicine. That afternoon when she took the oil down she noticed that it was heated. This often happened and she sometimes remarked that someday the chimney would catch fire.

Constable Lander was of the opinion that the fire originated through a faulty chimney. The jury’s verdict was that Charles, 14, Hector, 6, Edith, 5, and Willie, 3, met their deaths through the accidental burning of their parents’ residence and no blame was attachable to anybody.

The children were buried together in one coffin at Te Awamutu’s St John’s Anglican cemetery. Despite heavy rain there was a large attendance at their funeral. Their memorial stone mentions two siblings who died as infants, an earlier heartbreak for the family.

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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. 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”.

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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.

“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 Te Awamutu 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.

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.

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

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

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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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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

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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.

Rebuilding after a disaster

By Christine Bryant, Lay Minister, St John’s

Around 30 years ago I used to listen to Alistair Cooke’s weekly broadcast, Letter from America. These letters were an eclectic mix which often took as their starting point a small event which he teased out until he got to the big idea.

Recently I chanced upon a copy of his book of the same name. As I scanned it, I came across an article from 23 September 1988, entitled Hurricanes. Cooke refers to a massive storm which did frightful damage from Jamaica through Mexico to Oklahoma. The worst hit areas received six months’ rainfall in 24 hours, the flooding was unbelievable and there were over 200 deaths, mostly in Mexico.

On March 23 I read an article, A Poisoned Chalice. It marked 20 years since the invasion of Iraq by the US and UK. It described the “burn pits” at American bases in which anything from batteries to human waste, plastic ration packs and refrigerators were burned. The resultant thick, black air was, unsurprisingly, toxic – both to the people who breathed it and to the soil. The locals are still dealing with ongoing medical conditions and infertile soil. The first goal of the war, to topple Saddam Hussein, was achieved quite quickly. But into the vacuum stepped Isis and a weak, central government unable to control the radicals without American weapons. Iraq is still struggling to achieve viability, as Michael Palin’s latest book, Into Iraq, about his journey along the Euphrates river makes clear.

Whether natural or man-made disaster, the cost to inhabitants and to the environment is long-term and significant. This is what the people of the East Coast are now learning. For many, a catastrophic storm has wiped

out the ability to live in their houses or earn a living off their land for the foreseeable future. They face a long, tough period of reconstruction. In the Old Testament, the kingdom of Babylon (roughly Iraq today), rose to the top, conquered Assyria, Egypt and a rebellious Israel. Nebuchadnezzar took more than 10,000 Hebrew slaves back to Babylon, destroyed their holy city of Jerusalem and captured their holiest possession, The Ark of the Covenant. Into this hopeless situation comes the prophet, Ezekiel. He sees a valley of Dry Bones – there is no way these bones can live. Yet God tells Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones and they will come together: bone to bone, tendons to connect them, flesh and skin to cover them. Ezekiel does as he is commanded, but they are still lifeless.

“Prophesy to the breath, o son of man” God says. Ezekiel obeys. Infused with the breath of God’s spirit, the bones come to life, arrayed like a mighty army. Thus, God shows Israel that the situation is not hopeless. The nation will be restored, step by step, with God’s help.

Likewise, the people of the East Coast should not despair in this current catastrophe. Reconstruction will be possible over time, but God will not wave a magic wand to make it happen. After 70 years of exile, it took a concerted effort by the whole nation of Israel to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple.

Today we also must all play our part to ensure the victims of Cyclone Gabrielle rebuild their lives. The initial outpouring of goods and money has been fantastic, but it is sustained support that is needed now.

waipanetworks.co.nz/aerialsurvey

THE NEW PLACE FOR FIREARM OWNERS

Getting to grips with waste

By Ange Holt, Chair, Te Awamutu Community Board angela.holt@waipadc.govt.nz

Promotion of waste minimisation is an important goal for the Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board.

As one of our key priorities we already support the monthly Urban Miners E-waste events and the recycling of used batteries through our battery recycling station located at Pak’n Save.

Hopefully before too much longer we will also support the inaugural DIY Garage Sale in Te Awamutu, to help repurpose some of the building construction waste.

As a community board we have historically supported the waste minimisation strategies the council has recommended, such as the introduction of our recycling bins, plastic free July and last year’s household hazardous waste collection. We also support aiming for a circular economy where we keep things in use for as long as we can.

I would like to use this opportunity to encourage you too to support the Waste Less – Do More Plan to minimise and manage waste in Waipā.

There are six main questions, which are:

• How can we reduce our food (organic) waste?

• Do we need to change the way we collect rubbish?

• How can we reduce the recycling contamination?

• Can we divert construction and demolition waste?

• Do we need better infrastructure for handling rubbish – for example, a resource recovery centre?

• How can we get the most from the national waste policy to support Waipā

waste minimisation initiatives?

There is lots of background information on the Waipā District Council website to help explain the above and help us all give an informed response.

There is also an opportunity to learn more, ask questions and have your say in person; on April 17 in the main street, outside Peach and Porker between 10am and 2pm, on April 20 at the Twilight Market, Selwyn Park from 1.30 to 5.15pm and on April 21 between 10am and 2pm in the Pak’n Save Carpark.

As a community board we will be doing our best to get out into the community to get an idea of what you all think about this topic so we too can also make an informed submission.

Alternatively, you can give one of the community board representatives a call and let us know what you think. We need to hear from you by April 23.

Finally, Urban Miners and members of the community board will be at the Te Awamutu Rugby and Sports carpark ready to collect your e-waste between 9 and 11am on Sunday.

The e-waste does have a small fee to cover the cost of the recycling. Some items are free, computers and laptops are $2, flat screen TV’s are $10 and CRT TV’s at the most $40.

Remember Waste Less – do more… oh, and have your say!

• For further details go to teawamutunews.nz

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

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

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.

www.firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz

Young AT YoungHeart March

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

there are some great bene ts.

Young AT YoungHeart

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

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

Getting from ATOB

Another is the Te Awamutu Bus 24 service, available through the Te Awamutu Information Centre. The service travels between Te Awamutu and Hamilton seven days a week, with options that t around Kihikihi and some Hamiltonbased schools.

number of services available to help with transport di culties if that arises.

One is the Hato Hone St John Health Shuttle, a koha-based community service that transports people to medical appointments locally and to

and from Waikato Hospital or Hamilton-based specialists. Some shuttle vehicles are tted with hoists to help passengers with restricted mobility. Information around that service is also available through the Te Awamutu Citizens Advice Bureau.

The increasingly-popular Driving Miss Daisy companion driving service has drivers who are happy to collect you, drive you to and from your destination and help you 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.

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 -

Young AT YoungHeart

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 notfor-pro t organisation that is part of a network of 34 councils around the country dedicated to enhancing the life of older people.

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

People looking for ways to ll their days will nd no shortage of things to do in Waipā. Te Awamutu has plenty of welcoming churches as well as active service clubs and organisations including Rotary, the Lions, 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.

Ray White Arcade, 2/213 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu Freephone: 0800 FOR CAB (0800 367 222) Open Mon to Fri 9am - 4pm www.cab.org.nz

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

• 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

Among the services Age Concern o ers is an accredited visiting service to enhance social contact and combat loneliness, a volunteer-driven shopping service, the delivery of a range of courses on health and well-being related to older people, and multiple support services for the more vulnerable. Age

Te Awamutu’s Citizens Advice Bureau has information that will help many seniors access whatever it is they are looking for. They are a hub for Grey Power, part of a nationwide network that 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.

Steady growth in the region has seen a signi cant 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.

We are now proudly part of Sound Care Group, with five homes that provide a high standard of holistic nursing care for older people across New Zealand.

•Personalised care plan

•Yummy, nutritious meals

•Local GP services

• Full activity calendar with games, outings and entertainment

•Hairdresser and beautician visits

•Podiatrist visits

• Church services

•Meals on Wheels

Young AT YoungHeart

Local Groups, Activities and Support for 50+

Knit and Natter

Monday morning 9am to noon. Church Lounge St Johns Anglican Church. Everyone Welcome

Strong and Stable Exercise Classes - Te Awamutu

Rewarding role for all at CAB

Te Awamutu’s Citizens Advice Bureau is one of the town’s most valuable assets.

Manager Jessica Brown and her team of around 20 trained volunteers deal with a huge diversity of people and problems each day, and say they get as much out of it as do their clients. Most of the volunteers are men and women

of retirement age, Jessica says, people who not only dispense advice that can often make a signi cant di erence in someone’s life, but who also help run the bureau itself.

“We’re currently looking for more volunteers, so if anyone wants to come in and be part of an invaluable team, just get in touch.”

Rosehill Village: Thursdays from 9.30am to 10.30am. Anyone from the community can join, you don’t have to live at Rosehill. All levels of mobility catered for with seated and standing options. Leader is Olive 021 162 5510

Freeman Court: Thursdays from 10.30am - 11am. Community is welcome, you don’t have to live at Freeman Court. This is a seated class with the balance work standing. Excellent class if mobility is limited. Cost for non-Freeman Court Residents is $2 per session. Leader is Karen Phillips, phone: 027 223 8417.

Te Awamutu 60’s Up 60s Up Movement is a body of senior members of the community made up of those who are active, usually no

longer in full time employment, who meet in local branches to nd new friends and activities. Meetings are held at the Waipa Workingmen’s Club, 139 Albert Park Drive, Te Awamutu - 3rd Friday of month at 10.30am Ph 871 4097 - President

Evergreens

A short informal service mainly for the elderly in the community, and rest homes is held at 10am on the last Thursday of each month in the church hall.

A time of singing, sharing and fellowship, starting with a cuppa.

They don’t meet over the winter period so meet February

- May then again September

– December. St Andrews Presbyterian Church of Te Awamutu, 80 Mutu Street, Te Awamutu

Te Awamutu Bible Chapel -

Contact Groups

Small Groups are made up of between 5 – 15 people who meet regularly in one

another’s homes. Activities include interactive bible studies, fellowship, fun, food, and social nights. Occasionally these groups get involved in practical projects.

Senior citizens have a daytime group. For more information, please contact the Chapel o ce on (07) 871 8667.

Te Awamutu Menzshed

A group of blokes from a wide range of backgrounds, many retired and with a focus about Men’s wellbeing.

Repairs are carried out for schools, community groups and the public, along with a large selection of toys and wares that are sold at craft fairs, markets and personal projects. They also now have a new metal workshop and lathe, welder, and most hand tools you may need. Woodpecker House, 132 Raeburne Street, Te Awamutu Monday’s, Wednesday’s, and Thursday’s: 9am - 12noon.

Te Awamutu Citizens Advice Bureau manager Jessica Brown, left, with CAB colleagues John Cumpstone and Helen Malcolm.

TOWNHOUSES SELLING NOW

LUXURY LIVING IN CAMBRIDGE

Ryman’s newest Waikato retirement village is currently under construction in Cambridge, and our first stages of two and three bedroom townhouse plans are available to view now.

Once completed, the village will also offer the extra support of 60 serviced apartments, and 80 resthome, hospital and specialist dementia care rooms, all within the same village community.

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.

Call David or Joanne on 0800 600 446 for more details or visit rymanhealthcare.co.nz

23 Hugo Shaw Drive, Cambridge

When rocks fly

By Janine Krippner

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.

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.

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.”

Get Gardening

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.

Happy gardening! Become

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New Season Arriving Daily

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• Sciatica

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The best of European shoes right here in New Zealand

A monthly gardening column, courtesy of Amber Garden Centre

Jenni Vernon

Mastiff, 73 Meagre, 74 Answer, 75 Enmity, 76 Erase, 78 Renew, 80 Route, 82 Step, 83 Weal.

Equine, 55 Adapted, 56 Abuts, 57 Herb, 62 Skein, 67 Reverse, 68 Worship, 70 Utensil, 72

DOWN: 2 Depart, 3 Evict, 5 Iris, 6 Declare, 7 Enigma, 8 Flows, 9 Hastens, 10 Rave, 11 Absorb, 12 Prong, 13 Fallacy, 14 Calibre, 18 Alteration, 23 Rosin, 24 Records, 26 Initial, 27 Amnesia, 29 Buoyant, 30 Domain, 31 Apron, 32 Ceased, 34 Germ, 36 Agree, 38 Spend, 40 Kiwi, 45 India, 46 Chicken, 47 Iota, 48 Exodus, 49 Muted, 50 Retched, 52 Meandering, 53 Tallest, 54

44 Ideas, 45 Inclined, 50 Ra, 51 Admitted, 55 Azure, 58 Driftwood, 59 Tables, 60 Fallout, 61 Etc, 63 Asks, 64 Bumped, 65 Hut, 66 Baked beans, 68 Winner, 69 Refund, 71 Immigrate, 76 Eyelet, 77 Weariness, 79 Entrant, 81 Sir, 84 Sight, 85 Songwriter, 86 Quoit, 87 Issue, 88 Keep a low profile, 89 Kenya.

- Open 7 days, 9am – 4.30pm

- Orchard Shop onsite

- Beautiful views

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- Great outdoor kids play area

- Cabinet food & All Day menu

- Delicious coffee

Cambridge

COME JOIN US & HAVE SOME FUN

WE ARE SEEKING PROPOSALS FROM INTERESTED PARTIES TO OPERATE OUR KITCHEN

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Sudoku

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains

Across 1. Meditative discipline (4)

4. Drink (6)

8. Large jug (7)

9. Float along (5)

10. Flaccid (4)

11. Afterword (8)

13. Obligatory (9)

17. Shopper (8)

19. Fever (4)

21. Shelf (5)

Last week

22. Feast (7)

23. Fume (6)

24. The two (4)

Down

2. Most favourable (7)

3. Dull pain (4)

4. Unique (13)

5. Ill-feeling (3,5)

6. Creature (5)

7. Speak (5)

8. Survey (4)

12. Naive (8)

14. Dairy product (7)

15. Burn with water (5)

16. Warmth (4)

18. Move furtively (5)

20. Social climber (4)

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.

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The History of the World in 100 Plants

By Simon Barnes

From the mighty oak to algae, from cotton to coca here are a hundred reasons why.

As humans, we hold the planet in the palms of ours hands. But we still consume the energy of the sun in the form of food. The sun is available for consumption because of plants. Plants make food from the sun by the process of photosynthesis; nothing else in the world can do this. We eat plants, or we do so at second hand, by eating the eaters of plants. Plants give us food. Plants take in carbon dioxide and push out oxygen: they give us the air we breathe, direct the rain that falls and moderate the climate. Plants also give us shelter, beauty, comfort, meaning, buildings, boats, containers, musical instruments, medicines and religious symbols. We use flowers for love, we use flowers for death. The fossils of plants power our industries and our transport. Across history we have used plants to store knowledge, to kill, to fuel wars, to change our state of consciousness, to indicate our status. The first gun was a plant, we got fire from plants, we have enslaved people for the sake of plants. We humans like to see ourselves as a species that has risen above the animal kingdom, doing what we will with the world. But we couldn’t live for a day without plants. Our past is all about plants, our present is all tied up with plants; and without plants there is no future.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SIMON BARNES is the author of many wild volumes, including the bestselling Bad Birdwatcher trilogy, Rewild Yourself, On The Marsh and The History of the World in 100 Animals. He lives in Norfolk with his family and horses, where he manages several acres for wildlife. He was the Chief Sports Writer for The Times until 2014.

From the author of The History of the World in 100 Animals comes an inspirational new book that looks at the 100 plants that have had the greatest impact on humanity, stunningly illustrated throughout.

with Jan Bilton

Cheers to cooking

Wine is the elixir that can remedy many a cooking problem — besides providing a pleasurable sip while you’re preparing dinner.

As a marinade, wine softens the tissue of tougher cuts of meat. Wine can add liquid pizzaz to casseroles and some cakes and desserts. And it adds flavour to a variety of dishes enhancing but not overpowering them.

To make the most of the flavour, ensure the alcohol is burnt off. It evaporates at about 78 degrees Celsius.

When it is included in a casserole it will take longer to evaporate than when added to a frying pan to deglaze it or to make a sauce. So, add the wine while there is still plenty of cooking time.

If stirred in at the end it could add a raw harshness to the dish.

Heating concentrates the flavour of wine, which is why it’s important to choose the right one. It should blend in and complement the other ingredients.

In general, choose a medium-dry wine for cooking such as a pinot noir or pinot gris. If a recipe calls for a robust red then choose a shiraz or a cabernet sauvignon.

Dry wines suitable for cooking include sauvignon blanc, chenin blanc or a dry riesling.

MULLED WINE PLUM COBBLER

Mulled wine makes a great cooking medium for sweet and savoury dishes.

Mulled Wine: 1 1/2 cups red wine eg shiraz

1/4 cup caster sugar

2 tablespoons blackcurrant or raspberry jam

2 each: star anise, small cinnamon sticks, whole cloves

thinly peeled skin 1 orange

Plums: 8 large red plums, halved and stoned

1 1/4 cups self-raising flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

100g butter

1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 cup plain Greek-style yoghurt

3/4 cup (70g) flaked almonds

To make the the mulled wine, combine the wine, caster sugar, jam, spices and orange peel in a saucepan over medium-low heat.

Cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes until the sugar dissolves. Cook for a further 10-15 minutes, until thickened. Cool completely then strain. Discard the solids. Preheat the oven to 180°C.

To prepare the plums, place cut-side up in a 4-5-cup (30cm x 15cm approx) baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes, until softened.

Meanwhile, sift the flour and cinnamon into a bowl. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. (Use a food processor, if preferred.) Stir in the brown sugar, egg and yoghurt, until combined. Remove the plums from the oven. Drizzle with a 1/2 cup of the mulled wine then drop heaped tablespoons of the dough over the plums. Scatter the almonds evenly over the top.

Bake for 30 minutes or until golden. Great served with the remaining mulled wine and whipped cream or ice cream.

Serves 6-8.

TIPSY OLIVE OIL CAKE

Excellent served with coffee or tea, or with fresh fruit and whipped cream for dessert.

3 large eggs

3/4 cup caster sugar

finely grated rind 1 each: large orange, lemon 1/4 cup each: extra virgin olive oil, pure olive oil

1 1/2 cups self-raising flour

1/2 cup late harvest white wine

icing sugar to dust

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Lightly oil a 20cm round cake pan and line the base and sides with baking paper. Whisk the eggs and caster sugar in a large bowl for about 3 minutes, until pale and thick. Add the orange and lemon rinds and both the oils. Beat until well combined. Fold in the flour alternately with the wine, until combined. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 30-40 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Turn onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Dust with icing sugar to serve. Can be stored in an air-tight container for 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Mulled wine plum cobbler

Tipsy olive oil cake

DEADLINE

Executive Residence Premium Location

• 663 Bank Street, Te Awamutu

• 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

Peacocke 021 373 113

Beef Finishing Dairy Support Lifestyle

• 103(B) Jury Road, Koromatua, R D 10, Hamilton

• 14.4576 hectares

• lovely flat to gentle rolling contour enhanced by pristine presentation

• 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; solar hot water plus an underfloor, hot water heating system.

TradeMe search # R1422

Sale by Deadline: Thurs, 20 April 2023 4.00pm

• subdivided with a mix of very good fencing complimented by all gates swinging

• water currently supplied from the adjoining property owned by the vendor

• currently utilised for grazing dairy heifers; ideal also for beef finishing / growing maize

Brian Peacocke 021 373 113

Open Day: Tuesday, 4 April 1.30pm 3.00pm

• first class cattle yards; concrete base in main working area; very good loading facilities

• fully enclosed shedding plus a lockable storage building

• aesthetically pleasing with deciduous shade trees scattered throughout

• no dwelling excellent north facing options with panoramic views for a new residence

• a great range of primary and secondary schooling options, some within close proximity

• a dream opportunity for farmers or for those seeking a special lifestyle environment

TradeMe search # R1421

Sale by Deadline: Thurs, 20 April 2023 4.00pm

A superb opportunity to acquire a first class residential dwelling built with an emphasis on quality throughout, situated in a p remium location within close walking distance to medical facilities and shopping in central Te Awamutu further development opportunities is the bonus.

Ph

A delightful smaller, high quality and versatile property featuring excellent presentation, situated in a quiet, private, no exit road location, approx. 10 kms from Dinsdale, the western suburb of Hamilton City.

2/213 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu Ph: 07 871 4111 or 0800 367 222 Email: teawamutu@cab.org.nz

VACANCY

John's Anglican Parish

SERVICES

Palm

In

In the heart of Te Awamutu, Freeman Court makes independent living affordable and a little easier for older people. We have one vacant position to start as soon as possible. COVID-19 vaccination required.

heart of Te Awamutu, Freeman Court makes independent living affordable and a little easier for older people. We have one vacant position to start as soon as possible. COVID-19 vaccination required.

• Caregiver (Casual)

Open: Mon-Fri 9am to 4pm St

Caregiver- casual position. Rostered shifts covering 24 hours and seven days a week

For more information, please feel free to contact Tricia Ball (residential manager) at tricia.ball@habitat.org.nz or call 07 871 5260.

For more information, please feel free to contact Tricia Ball (residential manager) at tricia.ball@habitat.org.nz or call 07 871 5260.

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