Te Awamutu News | April 20, 2023

Rangiaowhia, time for:

The resurrection

By Roy Pilott

Plans to resurrect Rangiaowhia as a world heritage site – and home to iwi again, have been unveiled.

Labour MP Angela Roberts travelled north from her Taranaki base to meet iwi representatives at Kihikihi last week – and hear what Ngati Apakura and Ngāti Hinetu have planned for their traditional home 4kms east of Te Awamutu.

The details were provided in

a verbal briefing by Anglican archbishop Sir David Moxon who spoke of the historic links between iwi and the church and the thriving horticulture and agricultural business Māori had developed more than 150 years ago.

“The orchards were feeding Auckland, fruit and vegetables were being traded with Sydney, and trading was starting with California.”

Between 1838 and 1864 98 per

cent of workers there were Māori, it was a success story, and in Moxon’s words “it was going places”. The orchards and vegetables covered about 400ha and the village was described as being 3km long with a population of 700.

But on February 21, 1864, that came to an end as colonial solders raided the community.

The dawn attack has been described as one of the worst war crimes perpetrated by the Crown

against Māori.

Harris says Māori were taking part in a service in a whare karakia – a house of prayer - when the building came under fire. A kaumatua came out waiving a white sheet – and was shot. He says those left inside were then too frightened to come out – and died when the punga and canvas whare was set alight.

What was clearly a strategy to destroy the Rangiaowhia economy was a success. Ngāti Apakura and Ngāti Hinetu were left homeless and provided with shelter by neighbouring iwi – and have never gone back to live at Rangiaowhia.

Moxon spoke of the grief and huge burden felt by the church which had close relationships with the community before the attack – and how in the last year it had played a part in securing 4.7ha of land at Rangiaowhia back, with a view to presenting it to the iwi.

The land had been auctioned, and the church’s efforts to buy it fell short. But following discussions, the successful party agreed to sell the land to the church.

“I couldn’t believe it - I was deeply moved,” Moxon said.

He also revealed the involvement of ministers Nanaia Mahuta, Kelvin Davis and Andrew Little in assisting with steps to enable the iwi to return.

Some of that information has been reported previously in The News – but the extent of the planning for what Moxon called a

murray hunt

furnishers

$69.99

resurrection, was fleshed out at last week’s meeting.

There are plans for the iwi to return to Rangiaowhia, plant new orchards and set up kaumatua housing.

When that happens, one constant from the 1800s will be there - St Paul’s Church, which was built between 1852–1856.

But the handover of land has yet to be done – and Moxon was keen to hear from Roberts what steps could be taken in anticipation of that happening, given there had been strong support from government ministers already.

The MP saw a number of potential allies who would probably want to be involved in the project and provided advice.

She said the development would be a good example of how partnerships would like with cogovernance – “every example will be different”.

David Moxon

Rangiaowhia, a possible world heritage site.

Waipa Supergran ‘humbled’

By Roy Pilott

Supergran says she has been overwhelmed by support she has received since The News told readers how she had thwarted a ramraid.

The Cambridge grandmother was on an early morning Easter Monday coffee run when she saw a ramraid in progress at the Spark shop in Victoria St Cambridge – so she took matters into her own hands and rammed the rammers’ stolen getaway car.

She spoke to The News on condition we would not identify her.

Her story and recounting how the ram raid crew, all masked, came running out of the Spark building and made off in the damaged car caught the imagination of the country –and was followed by readers overseas. Media picked up our story and referred readers to our website – which received a whopping 230,000 in a matter of days.

This week Supergran told The News she had been unsettled when a Give a Little Page was set up to help meet her costs to repair her damaged car. About $10,000 had been pledged by Tuesday.

She had received all sorts of help from other organisations and individuals who wanted to see her Rav 4 repaired.

But she was torn about the setting up of the donations page and how to respond - initially taking the view that there were far more worthy causes.

Supergran, though, does think of others.

“I want to receive the money with gratitude, fix my car and then help fix the car I rammed.

“There were two other people whose cars were damaged on the day, and I can’t help thinking about them,” she told The News.

“And we also should be mindful that there are a group of young people who must be held accountable for their actions.”

The owner of the rammed car said he

On the beat

appreciated the offer from Supergran – but if money was made available, he would probably donate it to an animal related charity in Cambridge.

Spark told The News it has “reached out” to Supergran to say thank you.

Despite an apparent time difference in Supergran spotting the raid and police being alerted, Spark was comfortable police were alerted when the ram raid happened.

“As soon as any of our stores are damaged, this triggers our monitored alarms and security systems. Police and our security firm were on site shortly after,” a spokesperson said.

While Supergran’s decision to tackle the ram raid burglars was lauded, the police stance is that members of the public should not put themselves at risk.

Spark echoed those views.

“While we appreciate and share the frustration of the lady who intervened in the ram raid on our Cambridge store … we would

Looking back over the week

Police had a busy week last week – here’s how it went day by day.

Monday - police attended a ram raid in Cambridge and six family harm incidents with one of them resulting in a Police Safety Order being issued to a male. A Police Safety Order (PSO) is an order that police can make when attending a family harm incident. It directs an aggressor to leave a property immediately and not make contact with any of the named parties for a period of up to 10

days. This order does have some checks and balances and there is a requirement for oversight by a non-commissioned staff member. They are usually issued when we believe there is a threat of violence but did not meet the evidential threshold of an arrest.

Tuesday – We assisted with a search warrant in relation to a burglary in Karāpiro and attended an employment dispute that turned violent. Multiple bail checks were conducted. When police are not attending incidents we are generally out proactively

not want anyone to put themselves in harm’s way on our behalf.”

Meanwhile Supergran will be happy when the noise around her ram raid efforts dies down and is trying to keep a low profile.

patrolling including conducting bail checks to ensure offenders on bail are compliant with bail checks.

Wednesday - Family harm incident, and assisted Cambridge with an arson. Multiple bail checks conducted.

Thursday - Assisted in a fatal farm incident in Piopio, attended a collision in Roto-o-rangi.

Friday - Attended Cambridge Raceway. A lot of disorder reported after the event.

Saturday - Policed a ceremony at Te Mawhai, attended a

family harm incident. There was an incident where a male fled from a traffic stop. We attended a suspicious event in Racecourse Road that likely prevented a burglary. One male was stopped and spoken to at the scene. We Attended a commercial burglary.

Sunday - Breach of the Peace at a commercial premises, a family harm incident and multiple bail checks

Banged up: Supergran’s car took the brunt of the damage when it was used to ram the ram raiders.

with Constable Ryan Fleming

Tritt retires

Waipā business development manager

Steve Tritt has retired after nine years at the council. Tritt’s role involved leading business growth and investment in Cambridge and Te Awamutu.

Rates owing

Ratepayers owe Waipā District Council $77,000 in outstanding rates from before July 1 last year. The final instalment of this year’s rates will be levied on May 22. Outstanding water rates stand at $933,000.

Land sales

Waikato Regional Airport Ltd, owned by Hamilton city, Waipā, Waikato, MatamataPiako and Ōtorohanga district councils, has made a half year operating surplus of $17.7 million. Land sale profits have driven the increase from the previous year. The results include Titanium Park, Hamilton & Waikato Tourism and Jetpark Hotel.

Market to CBD?

Les Velutich, has banned plans to re-establish a street market in Cambridge’s main shopping centre after the Lions Trash ‘n’ Treasure market post-Covid move to Memorial Park. The Lions have applied to renew its permit to operate on the second Sunday of each month in the CBD.

Web statistics

Our story on Ruby Webb wanting to know Where’s the playground Susan? was the top visited page on teawamutunews.nz in the last week with 35 per cent of all page views. Keeping the stories alive about Richard Cato and Kingsley Field was second, the story of John Rochfort third and New waters model fails to address key issues and museum collection faces review rounding out the top five.

How we will observe Anzac Day, 2023

Anzac Day commemorations in and around Te Awamutu will start with the annual Poppy Day collections around town tomorrow.

That will be followed on Saturday by an Anzac Day service at Albert Park, just before the premier rugby game between Te Awamutu Sports and Hamilton Marist which kicks off at 2.45pm.

At 11am on Sunday, the annual pre-Anzac Day commemorative service will be held at the Pukeatua War Memorial Church, one of just two in New Zealand built as a special memorial to service personnel lost in both world wars. The service usually attracts members of the Patriots Defence Force Motorcycle Club, who attend in acknowledgement of their ties to fallen servicemen.

Also on Sunday, there will be a memorial service at Tokanui Hospital Cemetery near Kihikihi, starting at 2.30pm. Extensive research has shown that among the many hundreds of graves found in the Tokanui field include those of veterans of World War 1 and the Boer War. Anzac Day wreaths were laid there for the first time in 2015.

On Tuesday, Anzac Day itself, the annual Dawn Parade will take place from 6am at the Te Awamutu Memorial Park Sunken Cross. At 7.30am, the flag will be raised at the Te Awamutu RSA Cemetery, and at 11am there will be the annual Anzac Day Civic Parade at Anzac Green in the heart of town.

Te Awamutu RSA president Lou Brown said Kihikihi will mark the day with its annual Anzac Day parade at the Hall Memorial, starting at 9am. An Anzac concert in the Cambridge Town Hall on Monday night will pay a tribute to the Māori contingent who

Fire cost could be a million

served at Gallipoli. The concert, ‘Ake Ake Kia Haka E! An Anzac Salute’ is a musical salute to all three sections of the New Zealand armed forces –army, navy and air force. It has been named in recognition of the 28th Māori Battalion and their marching song entitled Ake! Ake! Kia Kaha E!. The free-to-enter concert will feature the Cambridge Brass Band, the Hamilton Auxiliary Brass Band, and for the first time the Cambridge High School kapa haka group, Te Piringa Māori o Tauiwi. It will start at 7pm and will offer the option of a gold coin donation for the Cambridge RSA.

We Say Get it signed and sealed

Waipā residents are being asked to help fund a $27 million museum in Te Awamutu – but there is no legal agreement in place to actually house the significant collection it is being created for.

For several weeks The News has sought information from the council and the Te Awamutu Museum Trust about the plans for Te Ara Wai.

We have no doubt that there is goodwill and that the trust intends to see the collection it owns in the new building.

But at $27 million, we expect more than an assurance from the chair of the trust, which is basically all the council has.

The trust was established in 1987 to care for the collection originally held in the name of the

Te Awamutu Historic Society on behalf of the community. It has no obligation to report publicly. The funding to care for its collection comes from the Waipā District Council and ratepayers pay for the collection to be looked after. The council museum staff comprises seven full and part time staff.

The council’s website says the collection “remains in community hands under the auspices of the Te Awamutu Museum Trust Board”.

Council appoints members to the trust – but the trust meets rarely and our questions have already exposed a situation which culminated in a councillor being told he had not been a trust member for several years – even though he had still been receiving trust emails.

Waipā district councillors who have sat as members of a trust which plans to hand over the collection, voted as councillors to spend $27 million housing it.

To quote a line from mayor Susan O’Regan from a meeting last year when we raised questions about an old boys’ network – it’s all a bit cosy.

Our questions about the situation have riled the council and led to suggestions The News is intent on undermining the Te Ara Wai project – or is engaged in an attack on chair Dean Taylor because he is the editor of a rival newspaper. Our questions have also coincided with a trust briefing for councillors – which left one, Roger Gordon, asking the same questions we posed.

We believe our questions, and

Police have arrested two young teenagers following Sunday evening blaze which initial estimates suggest has caused $1 million in damage.

The fire caused extensive damage to a commercial building in Ricket Rd which houses a pie shop and a gym

The Te Awamutu Fire Brigade was called out at 9pm on Sunday and had the blaze under control before midnight.

It is understood pallets were placed beside an outside wall of the building and set alight.

raising issues, will ensure the project goes ahead as intended. That is what a real newspaper does.

Housing the collection is something this newspaper endorses and supports as is learning about the New Zealand Land War battles that shaped the region and country.

Ratepayers should have the comfort of a formal agreement, not a verbal undertaking given by one person, that the collection will be made available.

We welcome the council’s statement to us this week they now intend to put a legal agreement in place with the trust covering future arrangements for the collection. We suggest any organisation which is asked to help fund this project would expect nothing less.

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Police tape cordoned of the front of the torched building on Monday.

The annual Anzac Day Civic Parade at Anzac Green will start at 11am.

AERIAL DRONE SURVEY

We’ll be carrying out an aerial drone survey of our network power lines over the next few months.

From April until August 2023 we will be surveying power lines across the Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Kāwhia areas.

For further information, updates on survey dates and timings for your area visit: waipanetworks.co.nz/aerialsurvey

Ambassador walks off

Mystery surrounds why Chinese ambassador Wang Xiaolong left the stage midway through the opening of an international dragon boat festival in Cambridge last week, but sources say he took exception to the presence of the Taiwan flag.

The ceremony in Victoria Square for the International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission (IBCPC) event at Lake Karāpiro was halfway through the flag raising ceremony when Dr Xiaolong got up and did not return.

We asked the embassy to comment. They did not respond in time for our deadline.

Also on the stage was National Party leader Christopher Luxon, Taupō MP Louise Upston, Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan and IBCPC president Meri Gibson.

More than 2500 competitors - who are fighting or have fought breast cancer - from 37 countries, including China - were present for the official Opening Ceremony. Flagbearers took the flags in alphabetical order across the front of the stage and officials set them up behind it.

Sources told The News there had been discussions between organisers and the

ambassador’s officials about the Taiwanese flag prior to the ceremony. China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province and part of its territory under the One China principle. Taiwan considers itself an independent country.

As the Croatian flag bearer walked in front of the stage, Dr Xiaolong could be seen in deep conversation with an aide behind him. He then got up – before the Hong Kong flag was brought up - and went behind the stage where he appeared to be briefed. One female aide seemed particularly upset.

The ambassador then went into the crowd to talk to the Chinese dragon boat team and posed for photographs while the Taiwanese flag was the last moved – out of alphabetical order – past the empty chair.

As Gibson was making her speech, the ambassador left the square. No announcement was made as to why he had left.

Gibson told The News because she was on the stage, she was unaware of what was going on.

“We as an organisation do not discriminate, breast cancer or any cancer does not discriminate, and we do not engage in political conversations.”

Chinese ambassador Wang Xiaolong turns around to talk to an aide watched on by National Party leader Christopher Luxon and European Dragon Boat Federation president Claudio Schermi as the Croatian flag bearer walks past.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Three in

Three candidates have been nominated for the vacant Māori ward seat on the Waipā District Council. They are Raukawa trustee Gaylene Roberts, who also stood in the 2022 election, Barney Manaia of Ngāti Maniapoto and environmental indigenous advocate Dale-Maree Morgan of Te Awamutu. The seat has been vacated by the resignation of suspended lawyer Takena Stirling and The News expects the nomination number to grow beyond three when they close next week.

Pirongia funds

The Koromatua Memorial Hall Association gets $2500 in the latest Waipā Pirongia ward discretionary fund allocations to replaces the hall’s weather boards and beam. Other grants went to the Ōhaupō School Parent Teacher Association ($2750), Pirongia Community Centre ($495.65), Pirongia School 150th Jubilee ($1500), Stewart Reid Memorial Trust Board ($1500), Te Awamutu Brass Band Inc ($400), Te Pahu Hall Society Inc ($1400), The Pirongia Heritage & Information Centre ($1800).

Rowers gather

Te Awamutu Rowing Club will stage its annual masters regatta on Saturday at Lake Ngaroto. It’s expected 130 competitors from clubs as far afield as Horowhenua and Auckland will compete from 9.30am. The club is celebrating its 60th birthday and will host a social event for around 70 past and present members on Saturday night.

Three waters debate

It’s a no from Waipā

Susan O’Regan says the revamped Three Waters plan from the Government does not come with a meaningful change.

And the Waipā mayor says no amount of tweaking to an alreadyflawed Three Waters model will keep Waipā assets under local control.

She and Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate released statements after the Government said it would increase the number of water entities from four to 10 to assuage local body councils.

The two mayors were on the same page.

Southgate called the announcement a good step towards a stronger local voice for future waters management, “but hasn’t yet assured Hamilton has the

ability to control its own destiny as a high-growth metro council”.

“We have strongly advocated for an entity design which works with existing communities of interest, to champion Hamilton’s best interests,” she said.

Waipā would be grouped with Hamilton, Waikato, ThamesCoromandel, Matamata-Piako, Hauraki, Ōtorohanga, Waitomo, and Taupō under the new proposal – which has won support in Hawke’s Bay.

O’Regan said more effort had been made to recognise and enhance local voice, with each council now given a place at the table.

“But there is no real meaningful change in terms of control of our locally-owned assets. We will

have 10 councils represented with the same number of mana whenua representatives. It’s an improvement on what was originally proposed but will still severely dilute the control of Waipā’s waters infrastructure away from those who own it - and that’s our community.”

O’Regan said the issue of cross subsidisation was not addressed.

“My fear is that Waipā ratepayers will pick up the tab for improved water structure, twice. Our council and its ratepayers have already invested substantially in this space. We installed water meters district-wide in 2015-16 and we’re just about to invest more than $100 million in a brand new wastewater plant in Cambridge. Those investments absolutely must be

recognised.

“I would have felt more comfortable with two waters and not three and I know others around the country feel the same. And given there are now going to be 10 entities, rather than four, I think the savings being bandied about are also looking questionable. It’s clearly going to cost a lot more to run 10 entities and I doubt the savings will be substantial.”

Former mayor Mylchreest stands firm

By Roy Pilott

Former Waipā mayor Jim Mylchreest – a firm opponent of the Government’s Three waters proposal – remains unconvinced by the latest iteration of the plan.

“I’m in the Chris Luxon camp,” he told The News. “You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig”.

Mylchreest was heavily involved in the opposition lobby to Three Waters as mayor and having read and heard the latest media reports on the revamped proposal, still is.

“I see the logic, but in local government you are voted in to look after the interests of the residents,” he said.

The primary concern he had was

that councils which had invested heavily in water infrastructure –and Waipā had - would subsidise those who had not.

“I’m not picking on anyone,” he said

“Waitomo and Ōtorohanga will struggle because of their size – but if you have income redistribution to consider, that’s a central

Government issue.”

He noted the backdrop to that was that Local Government minister Nanaia Mahuta said there was no more central government cash available “so it’s local government that pays”.

But “if Kawhia needs a new water system it’s not up to Waipā to prop it up”.

Susan O’Regan

Returning to your silver screen…

By Mary Anne Gill

Kevin Hanna and Nathan Smith have a huge surprise for members of a trust whose dream it was to restore the only photoplayer of its type left in New Zealand.

The two men will fire up the 1915 ‘K’ style Wurlitzer photoplayer – one of only two in the world – that they’ve spent more than a decade working on, for a special viewing on Saturday at their Pirongia property.

There will be tears, Hanna acknowledges,

particularly when guests hear what the photoplayer sounds like. Photoplayers gave sound to silent movies, previously known as photo plays, before talkies made them redundant. They replace a 15-piece orchestra. The News was given a preview and is not about to ruin the surprise. But suffice to say having a Charlie Chaplain silent movie playing in the background was the icing on the cake.

The four current trustees – John McLeod, Don Paynter, Graeme Duthie and Michael

Wilson – will be there as will Deearna Leshams of Auckland, who gave the photoplayer to the trust in 2010.

Then it was in the back of her property damaged by the weather and a far cry from the model which had pride of place at the Strand Theatre on Queen Street.

Now it is on the Ministry for Cultural and Heritage’s Nationally Significant Object Register after having more than $600,000 spent on its restoration. It cannot be removed from New Zealand.

Another 20 plus supporters will also be there to see the photoplayer and a collection of other mechanical musical instruments owned by the late landscape artist and trust patron Jonathan White, who died nearly two years ago.

Hanna and Smith were given the pick of White’s collection to purchase after his death.

Once the guests get past the photoplayer, they will hear a nickel-controlled banjo orchestra comprising piano, banjo, snare drum, tambourine, triangle, wood block, castanets, bass drum, and cymbal.

The Photoplayer Restoration Trust was formed in 2010 by a group of businesspeople in Opotiki whose aim was to carry out restoration work on the photoplayer, maintain it for future generations and raise funds.

After two years of research and an extensive feasibility study, they engaged Hanna and Smith to undertake the restoration.

“Nobody else in the world knows how to look after and repair that instrument,” says Paynter.

They found missing parts around New Zealand and travelled to the United States

and Australia for more.

Many of the parts and the side cabinets have been made by hand. The plan, once they were finished, was for the photoplayer to be moved to a film museum but Covid put paid to that and the market for the instrument dropped.

Instead, Hanna and Smith have built their own temperature-controlled showroom come museum.

There is another reason for the celebration on Saturday. The trust is transferring ownership of the photoplayer to Hanna and Smith.

The men will celebrate their 20-year anniversary on Queen’s (now King’s) Birthday Weekend – they joke there have been plenty of times in the last decade when the Wurlitzer tested their relationship. Now they own and operate Hamilton Piano Company at their Pirongia lifestyle block. They were formerly based in Chartwell, Hamilton.

Hanna, an experienced piano tuner and technician, is in huge demand and has worked on servicing and rebuilding pianos for years.

Smith is New Zealand’s only full-time piano technician.

They bring in from Japan second-hand pianos which they refurbish and on-sell.

After they get through the weekend –preparation for which has involved weeks of long days – they will turn their attention to adding to the musical room so they can host groups.

It will be appointment only with the maximum number set at 12. They are in the process of adding a storage room, toilets, bathroom and catering facilities.

Continued next page

Kevin Hanna inside the front of the Wurlitzer photoplayer.

“The rest homes are queuing up,” said Smith. The drawcard will be the Wurlitzer. Guests will get to see a silent movie and witness what moviegoers used to queue for early last century.

“This is our legacy, who else is going to do this?” says Smith.

“We got handed this rotten photoplayer. We got a contract to build a piano and look where it’s led to.”

Hanna, 47, and Smith, 40, are conscious there is no-one else who can maintain the Wurlitzer. So skilled are they, they are heading for the US soon to work on another photoplayer.

Asked what is to stop it ending up like it was 10 years ago, they shake their heads in disbelief.

Not on their watch is the answer. So, here’s hoping they live long enough to pass on their skills.

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Kevin Hanna, left, and Nathan Smith with the restored Wurlitzer Photoplayer

One cabinet section hosts the percussion section.

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Meghan Hawkes looks back on the news as reported in 1887.

Ferrets, fighting and wet feet

A ferocious ferret found its way into the Pirongia hotel, having escaped its owner. It promptly attacked Mrs Finch, landlady, who ran into a room and perched upon a chair for safety. The ferret then made for a group of ladies who shrieked and yelled as they bolted out of the hotel and down the street. The footloose ferret was soon contained by its owner. Mr Finch was also vexed when some larrikins smashed the lock and gate of a horse paddock rented by him. The water trough was upset but the horses, fortunately, did not get out.

There was a strong suspicion as to who the delinquents were, and they were warned to stop lest they fall into the hands of Constable Jones. Amusements at Te Awamutu in the form of a boxing match failed to amuse. A sparse audience was at the contest which was not a success financially. Donovan, a professional pugilist, was backed for £l0 to beat in four rounds another professional named Thomas. The gloves were gloves in name only and while an

exhibition of boxing with properly padded gloves was not objectionable, to see men beat each other for the sake of a few pounds was not to the taste of the good people of Te Awamutu.

A ‘no-policeman’ policy at Kihikihi bore unwholesome fruits. The store of Mrs Corboy had its window shutters taken down and a pane of glass removed, evidently with a glazier’s diamond. An iron bar across the window was bent to allow access. The till was emptied but only of small change, the takings having been removed at closing time. Biscuits, tinned meat and fish were taken, as well as a considerable quantity of tobacco, coat and trousers of Kaiapoi tweed, and several pair of English tweed trousers, some saddle stirrup straps, and a stock whip. The same night the stables of Anderson’s Kihikihi Hotel were relieved of saddles and two horses. The Alpha Hotel’s meat safe was also burgled. The nearest policeman lived at Te Awamutu, and as he couldn’t be in more than one place at a time,

the thieves made clear off with their plunder.

A soiree, concert, and ball

A Snip in Time

to celebrate the opening of the new school at Ōhaupō drew a large attendance, despite the wet night.

A sour spectator described the concert as disappointing because several gentlemen singers, afraid of wetting their feet, did not come. The ladies came bravely though, not afraid of wet feet. The ball was too much like hard work, and the floor was thick with mud. Funds raised were to go towards building a shed for the schoolboys. Just getting to Ōhaupō was a trial for some – rain had made railway lines very shaky, particularly at the Ōhaupō swamp where the oscillation of the carriages was so great as to alarm timid passengers.

See the latest news on the Alpha –and historical photo, Page 9

New Season Arrivals

Roberts gets Alpha insight

By Roy Pilott

Labour MP Angela Roberts was invited to check on the developments at Kihikihi’s landmark Alpha Hotel last week –and it was particularly poignant for one of her staff.

Roberts was invited by Bill Harris and came with afternoon tea to meet many of the key players in the plan to revive the old pub into a community centre.

Her staff member Patsy Sim from New Plymouth took more than a passing interest.

Fifteen years ago, she was in the Alpha with friends and family celebrating her 50th birthday with a dinner of fish and chips.

“There was lots of laughter.”

The Alpha has been closed for several years and it took a visit to owner and former National MP

Arthur Anae in Auckland by Harris to convince him to effectively gift the 180-year-old building to the Kihikihi community.

That story was revealed exclusively in The News on March 3, prompting an outpouring of support.

“The offers from the community amazed me - the response following the Te Awamutu News story blew me away,” Harris told Roberts. “Kihikihi has been lifted by the news.”

Members of the Kihikihi Ratepayers’ Association also attended last week’s afternoon tea and echoed those comments.

From being one of two pubs in the town, the Alpha is poised to become a community attraction of a different kind – a gathering place for a variety of people and organisations where everything

from fellowship to education programmes – such as for food preparation - can be the order of the day.

It will also be a centre which could help people in need.

The support team includes members from well outside the Kihikihi community – Ōtorohanga down to Kihikihi and Tokanui.

Work to date has been on rejuvenating the spacious kitchen, ensuring the building is watertight, replacing broken windows, removing some of the unneeded

outside adornments – such as an ugly fire escape – and working on the newest part of the building which will be the first gathering place to open.

Further down the track it is likely the upstairs area could be used as offices by welfare groups.

Harris told Roberts funding applications were being made with a range of organisations.

But the project had already been lifted by help from other organisations and businesses.

He told Roberts how one young

business couple from Viking Glass in Kihikihi had seen The News story and immediately offered to help.

Across the road from the Alpha, the Anglican Church and Māori Women’s Welfare League was also offering help.

Roberts told The News she was impressed by the way the project was being developed for the community without setting plans in concrete – rather, it would be adapted to suit needs as they were recognised.

Farm Succession Planning

Farming in New Zealand can be rewarding, something that your family can reap the benefits of for generations, albeit with the appropriate succession plans, off-farm investing and/or well-established family trusts. Federated Farmers and Forsyth Barr invite you to join Martin Hawes, who will provide an interesting and informative presentation on succession planning, off-farm investing, and the suitability of family trusts, taking into account changes in legislation to help protect your assets against unforeseen circumstances. Martin

This historic image, borrowed from Meghan Hawkes’ Snip in Time column on Page 8 shows the Alpha Hotel in the late 1800s.

Bill Harris and MP Angela Roberts, pictured behind one of the old bars at the Alpha last week.

The women strike back

By Mary Anne Gill

Dragon boat teams from 37 countries, including more than 2500 competitors who have or are battling breast cancer, were welcomed to Waipā in a moving Opening Ceremony for the international festival on Friday.

The competitors arrived at the ceremony in Victoria Square after a Pink Parade of Nations down Cambridge’s main street where they were cheered by retailers, bystanders and Mooloo cowbells.

Present in the crowd was Rose Print who had travelled from Palmerston North when she heard a friend from the United States who she had not seen for 40 years was competing.

“I just jumped in the car,” she said and headed to the race venue at Lake Karāpiro to book accommodation and ask where Diane Salfelder was staying. The two first met in the US when Print was riding through America on a motor bike and friends put her in touch with another Kiwi.

Salfelder is originally from Kaikoura and met her husband to be when he was a sailor on the nuclear-powered cruiser the USS Truxtun on its controversial visit to New Zealand in 1976. She now lives in Champaign, Illinois and competes for the Prairie Dragons.

“Seeing all these flags here, everybody happy and cheering each other on. The spirit

and the atmosphere was incredible,” said Print.

“We never seem to give these things enough publicity. We get so much coverage of rugby but these events come through, and nothing.”

She had not been to Cambridge “for a long time” but was blown away by how beautiful it was – the trees in particular – and praised the atmosphere in the town during the parade and the wideness of the roads.

“And Karāpiro is just spectacular, an incredible complex.”

In his welcome, Waikato-Tainui’s Rahui Papa said more than 95 per cent of New Zealanders would have some experience of the struggles, trials and tribulations of breast cancer.

“Breast cancer does not know political barriers, it doesn’t know race or creed, or religious denomination,” he said.

“We are a big family from across the world who have come here, yes some competition in there, but it’s the relationships that are

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Anzac Day

ultimate in our gathering.”

International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission (IBCPC) president Meri Gibson, a competitor and breast cancer survivor herself, said the festival represented the biggest contingent of women athletes anywhere in the world this year.

New Zealand had the highest number of dragon boat teams per capita but not because there was more breast cancer but because “we are a water people” and just get on with life in a typical Kiwi way, she said.

Gibson attended her first event in Australia in 2007 and wanted to bring it to New Zealand ever since.

It was to be held last year but was

postponed a year due to Covid, something which was a blessing because they were now match ready.

“My heart is full, it is exploding with happiness, to finally be here.

“We hug, we laugh, we cry, we sing, we dance a lot.”

It showed what an incredible life women could have post a diagnosis, said Gibson.

Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan spoke about her mother Katherine O’Regan, who died five years ago and was diagnosed in 2008 because of a national breast cancer screening programme she helped establish as associate minister of health in 1990.

“If she were here today, she would be

“Breast cancer does not know political barriers, it doesn’t know race or creed, or religious denomination,”

- Rahui Papa, Waikato-Tainui.

Dragons Abreast from Canberra in Australia after the parade: from left front row: Jeannie Cotterell, Maureen Wild, Clare Purcell, Jenny Milward-Bason, Lyndall Milward-Bason, Anne Baynes, Julie Chynoweth, Donna Lennon. Back row, from left: Lucy Cheetham, Denise Brown, Anita Godley, Megan Davis, Gigi Lungu, Elly McGinness, Alison Kesby, Julie Kesby, Clare Smyth.

beyond thrilled to absolutely delighted to see the joy and the veracity on the faces of you all. Today I’m channelling my mother. Your tenacity for being role models, your strength and your fortitude. You are the very people my mother fought for,” said O’Regan.

National Party leader Christopher Luxon said he was inspired by the gathering noting the “unbreakable spirit of camaraderie and team work” required to compete. “He urged competitors to lean on each other, be patient and persistent, keep the banter and jokes going and have fun.

Festival patron Tureiti, Lady Moxon, a breast cancer survivor also spoke about the courage of each competitor.

The teams competing were from: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Fiji, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, Panama, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States and Uruguay.

An extra COVID-19

If

You can get the vaccine if it’s been at least 6 months since your last booster or COVID-19 positive test. Help protect yourself and your whānau.

Book your booster now:

• visit BookMyVaccine.nz

• call Healthline on 0800 28 29 26, or

• contact your doctor, pharmacy or healthcare provider.

Tainui Waka Tourism board member (Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Ngāti Ranginui) Lee Ann Muntz with dragon boat festival patron Lady Tureiti Moxon at rear.

Mayor Susan O’Regan talks emotionally about her late mother Katherine O’Regan’s contribution to the national breast cancer screening programme.

Chinese Ambassador Dr Wang Xiaolong joins the Chinese team for a photo during the Opening Ceremony.

The flags from 37 countries with flagbearers at the Opening Ceremony. The Malaysian team head through the Duke St roundabout.

Celebrating survivors

Gill up for two awards

The News senior writer Mary Anne Gill (pictured) has been named a finalist in two categories in the country’s major media awards.

Gill is in the running for the Community Journalist of the Year award and Best Reporting, Local Government in the Voyager Media Awards.

Gill, who has been honoured with several awards during her career, is a previous two-time winner and finalist in reporter of the year.

“It’s been 22 years since then, so this is pretty special.”

She returned to journalism in 2021 after working for several years as a communications’ advisor.

In 2022 she broke a series of major stories. One series resulted in the resignation of a Waipā district councillor – and it was only then other media began reporting the issue.

She also produced the lion’s share of the 90 exclusive stories Good Local Media produced for the 2022 local body elections.

That was almost 10 times the combined total of stories produced about the Waipā elections by other media.

Good Local Media publisher David Mackenzie said the nominations were just reward for a year of outstanding work, and he noted that The News did it without tapping into the Government’s lucrative Local Democracy reporting fund.

Some of her top stories would never have been reported had The News not been on the scene, he said.

Good Local Media publishes Te Awamutu News and Cambridge News.

Gill said she always wanted to finish her career in community newspaper journalism.

“It’s where I started nearly 40 years ago in Ohakune and then Taumarunui. It’s the ultimate honour for me to be doing this in the community where I live.”

She said of the stories which helped her become a

finalist in the community newspaper category, none was more special than the story she did about Margaret Evelyn, the 81-year-old Cambridge resident who lost her life after a tree fell on her on the edges of Victoria Square, and the subsequent outpouring of community love for Margaret at a gathering called Tea without Marg, which she covered.

Mackenzie said the nominations also underlined the growing profile of Good Local Media publications in a week when one of its stories about a ram raid smashed its online viewing records – clocking up more than 230,000 page views to The News website.

Former Kaikoura resident Diane Salfelder now lives in Champaign in Illinois, USA and had not seen her friend Rose Print of Palmerston North for 40 years until the Opening Ceremony.

Photos: Mary Anne Gill

Members of the Waikato Treasure Chests sang the waiata - ‘Tutira Mai Ngu Iwi’ - calling all people to come together at the festival.

Full of fear and doing it anyway

By Janine Krippner

I clearly remember my last night before I moved out of home to Hamilton for the start of my university education. I was terrified and struggled to get to sleep. Having lived in the same home my entire life, the thought of leaving it was the scariest thing I had faced so far. I have now lived in two other countries, visited around 30 volcanoes in about seven countries, and moved houses on average once per year.

A common reaction to my adventures is “I’m not brave enough to do that”. The thing is, being brave is not the absence of fear. I moved to the USA to start my PhD having never visited the country. I was scared. It was scary moving back home too. My way of coping has been focusing on what could go right.

One of the hardest scary times was heading to Kamchatka, Russia, for the second time to work on a couple of volcanoes. My first trip had gone horribly wrong. A plane was shot down over Ukraine when we were in the middle of nowhere with limited communications and little idea of what it meant. When I was back in the city of Petropavlovsk the pavement collapsed below my feet to expose an entire room below me. I miraculously caught myself with only minor cuts but was left with a lasting fear of walking across underground places like manholes. On top of that, near the end of the trip I experienced throat-tightening anaphylaxis with no help around.

Heading back the following year I was nearly paralysed with fear. I was in such a major state of denial, unable to face returning, that I prepared for the trip

on autopilot, hoping that my visa wouldn’t show up so I couldn’t go. Once the plane took off I settled into a state of acceptance of my fate. I needed the data for my PhD. This ended up being one of the most amazing trips of my life with incredible Russian colleagues, a scalding hot two-year-old lava flow, bear encounters, and a diet of fresh salmon and caviar. I even witnessed a tiny eruption!

A lesson had been deeply ingrained from this experience – even when I’m feeling physically sick with fear, I can put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward. We actually can get through scary things, and we can go forward stronger because of it, once we have done the inner work to recover from the ordeal.

We can do great things even when full of fear. People doing amazing things can still be totally unsure of themselves - we all have our silent battles and challenges to overcome. To understand volcanoes we go to some scary places with everything in place to reduce our risk of harm, knowing well what can happen if things go wrong. This isn’t unique to volcanology - look at our first responders, loggers, the deep-sea fishing industry. When you take a step back and look at humanity, we are far more impressive than we realise.

You can do the hard things, even when you don’t believe in yourself. You are stronger than you think.

Thousands attend the big race

By Mary Anne Gill

The presence of extra police resources from Hamilton and a 50-strong security contingent averted any major issues at Cambridge Raceway on Friday but chief executive Dave Branch said he will still undertake a thorough debrief.

The Race for Grins meeting attracted a record crowd of just under 4000 people – twice what it got last year.

Cheering loudest were Karāpiro couple Wayne and Fiona Keoghan who won $50,000 in Cambridge Raceway’s sweepstake after

drawing champion pacer Copy That. The sixyear-old took out the $1 million feature slot race slashing the 2200m track record in the process in a time of 2m36.3s.

Driven by champion driver Blair Orange, Copy That won $450,000 for his owners Merv and Meg Butterworth and more kudos for trainer Ray Green.

The Keoghans, who paid $100 for a sweepstake ticket and drew Copy That, knew little about the horse.

Wayne, who works for a company that imports motor home equipment, and Fiona who runs the laundry at St Peters School, now

know all about the horse that cost only $7000 as a pony and has won more than $2 million in career stakes.

Before Copy That’s impressive win, the biggest cheer on the night went to the Matthew White Cambridge trained and driven Zlato, a rank outsider which won the race four mobile pace. The Zlato Syndicate owners packed ringside as the three-year-old, with a beaming White, came back to the winners’ circle.

Other Waipā success came with driver Benjamin Butcher, who won the race five handicap pace behind Cos I Can.

Throughout the night police and security guards were kept busy as punters took to the sponsor’s drink with great gusto.

The club had a special liquor licence for the meeting which allowed for transactions of two drinks a transaction, rather than two drinks a person for each transaction. And that, along with an electrical overloading issue in the drinks marquee, resulted in long queues

throughout the night.

“You want some line there to slow down people drinking and the line seemed to be moving, but the long line was not ideal,” said Branch.

“There were a few isolated incidents,” which police and the club’s own security detail were able to clamp down on.

Ambulance staff attended to two incidents –one involving a trainer involved in a car crash on the way to Cambridge and a security guard who had a seizure.

Catering staff struggled to keep up with the food requirements.

“It was an eventful night,” said Branch. “We’ll have our own staff debrief and talk to the police about the night.”

New Zealand singer-songwriter Mitch James, who is about to embark on his first global tour playing 30 dates in Germany, Ireland, France, Netherlands, UK, Australia and 13 shows across New Zealand - wrapped up the night.

Anzac Day

Race for Grins winner Copy That parades in front of the sell-out crowd at Cambridge Raceway.

Photo: Angelique Bridson.

Being inspired

By Christine Bryant, Lay Minister, St John’s

Some years ago I attended a history conference in Wellington. I wasn’t and still am not a historian, but I have always enjoyed reading history and biographies.

The keynote speaker was a Professor of History in northern France. His specialist area was World War I and its impact on French society. He had become interested in the high rate of mortality from Spanish Flu of people in their 60s and 70s. He put out a call for any letters from 1919-1920 which might have a bearing on this.

“Within a week,” he said, “I received thousands of letters. Many had been written, but never sent, to young grandsons who had died in the last weeks of the war.”

He spoke about the overwhelming grief of grandparents who thought it so unfair that their young grandsons, their lives hardly begun, had died, whilst they, whose lives were nearing the end, had survived.

Many of the letter writers, in fact, succumbed to Spanish Flu. And so he spoke of the impact of grief and loss on society in northern France: many young widows with children but few grandparents to support them and few men of working age for the rural and mining communities.

This professor was an inspiring speaker and extremely knowledgeable. Ever since, what I heard then has led me to read history through a different lens, especially how historical events impact women and children.

Two thousand years ago, on the first Easter Sunday, two disciples, one of whom was Simon Peter, were walking from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus, about 11km away, when they were joined by a third man. They discussed the crucifixion that had taken

place three days before and the disappearance of Jesus’s body from the tomb in which it had been laid.

The disciples were very puzzled, so the unknown man began to explain how all the events of the last few days had been foretold by the prophets: the Son of God would be rejected, he would die and rise again, the ultimate sign that God so loved all people that he sacrificed his only son.

When they reached Emmaus, it was evening, so the disciples invited the stranger to eat with them. The stranger broke the bread, spoke a blessing, and then vanished from their sight. Suddenly the two realised that they had walked and talked with the risen Jesus.

“Were not our hearts on fire within us as he talked with us on the road and opened the scriptures to us?” They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem... “It is true! The Lord has risen and appeared to Simon”. (Luke 24)

The Easter egg hunt is over, the chocolate all eaten, but the hope for all in the message of Easter is exciting and for all time. May it inspire you, as it inspired the two disciples.

Eyes on the road

The Cambridge locations of three community closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras containing automatic number plate recognition technology have been changed so police can detect cars coming from both directions.

Waipā District Council approved locations across the district – in Te Awamutu, Pirongia, Ōhaupō, Ngāhinapōuri, Te Awamutu and Cambridge - at its December council meeting.

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Super bowls with Jan Bilton

Soup is the food that suits all seasons — especially winter. This most versatile of all dishes is deservedly a universal favourite with virtually every culture having their own unique version — Spanish Gazpacho, Japanese Miso, Italian Minestrone, Russian Borscht, French Onion, Chinese Won Ton are just a few. Soup is your ticket to a world food tour without leaving home.

Soup is as old as the history of cooking. Archaeological evidence from China indicates the first bowl was served up in 20,000 BC. More recently, in 2010, Chinese archaeologists unearthed a culinary time capsule — a 2,400-year-old cauldron of soup. Remarkably, the contents were still liquid. Presumably it was passed the ‘use by’ date.

And soup can be an ego booster. In the 1700s the French King Louis X1V was so in love with himself that he ordered his chefs to create a soup so clear that he could see his reflection in it. Hence consommé (clear soup) was born. Soup is the ultimate comfort food. As the proverb goes “Worries go down better with soup than without it.” Just ask the Americans — they consume more than ten billion bowls a year.

THAI-STYLE CHICKEN SOUP

Terrifically tasty and quick to prepare.

Paste: 2 shallots, diced

2 tablespoons each: grated root ginger, lemongrass paste

2 coriander plants, including roots if possible, chopped

Soup: 1-2 red chillies, seeded and chopped

400g can coconut milk

2 cups chicken stock

2 tablespoons each: fish sauce, fresh lime juice

400g skinned and boned chicken, julienned

80g thin rice noodles

Garnish: 1/2 cup coriander leaves

2 spring onions, chopped, green part only lime wedges

Place the paste ingredients in a small blender and mix until smooth. Place in a medium saucepan.

Stir in the chillies and half the coconut milk. Bring to a simmer, stirring. Add the remaining coconut milk and the stock, fish sauce and lime juice. Add the chicken and simmer on low heat for 8-10 minutes until the chicken is just cooked. Meanwhile, cook the noodles according to the packet instructions. Drain well. Place in four serving bowls. Top with the soup. Garnish with the coriander leaves and spring onions. Serve the lime wedges on the side. Serves 4.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER & CHIPOTLE SOUP

Tingles the tastebuds. Delicious!

1 large cauliflower (1.6kg), trimmed and cut into florets

3 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for garnishing

1 teaspoon ground chipotle

4 sprigs thyme

1 onion, diced

1 clove garlic, crushed

4 cups vegetable or chicken stock

1/2 cup cream

1/4 cup finely chopped parsley

Preheat the oven to 220°C.

Place the cauli florets in a roasting pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the chipotle and thyme. Toss together well. Roast for 10 mins or until tender. Discard the thyme. Heat the remaining oil in a saucepan. Sauté the onion on medium until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in most of the cauliflower, reserving 4-8 pieces for garnishing.

Add the stock to the pan and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes.

Purée the soup until smooth using a stick blender or food processor. Stir in the cream. Add extra stock if too thick. Ladle into bowls and top with the reserved cauliflower, parsley and an extra drizzle of olive oil. Serves 4.

Thai-style chicken soup

Roasted cauliflower & chipotle soup

CountryLife

Honey couple in clover

By Viv Posselt

Ben and Robyn Stinson’s family business in Horahora, Black Shepherd Apiaries, has been named an award-winner in this year’s Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards.

The gold and silver medals they won for their Pure NZ Manuka Honey MGO 400+, and their Pure NZ Clover Honey respectively place a satisfying stake in the ground for the couple. Now in their fifth production year, and with Covid interrupting a burgeoning export market, the couple are delighted with the wins and hope it will provide the leverage they need to expand the operation and broaden future exports.

This wasn’t their first crack at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards. That was in 2021, when they won three bronze medals for their Kanuka, Tawari and Manuka MGO 286 honeys. Making the 2023 win much sweeter, however, is the fact that they were the only honey producers to be awarded gold this year… and it doesn’t hurt that their silver-medal winning Pure NZ Clover was described by judges as “a sophisticated classic clover that takes you on a journey”.

“We’re thrilled. It’s great to get the recognition, especially as we’re up against so many much bigger commercial operations,” Robyn said. “When you’re a small, all familyrun business like we are, it’s important to take the wins where we can.”

Like their classic clover, the Stinsons’ own journey has been one where they’ve added a little more value with each measured step.

Ben almost ‘fell’ into beekeeping years ago when he took a summer job at the then Cambridge Bee Products. “I had been a snowboarding instructor for three years… got really sick of the cold,” he said. “I took on this job and found I loved it.”

Robyn, meanwhile, was using her fashion design qualification to good effect at the Cambridge store she opened, Ooby Ryn. She and Ben grew up on the same road, it turns out, and when they got together and the first of their two children arrived, Robyn gave up the shop and designed wedding dresses from home. By then they had purchased their

their

home with beekeeping in mind and had started Black Shepherd Apiaries, named after their black German shepherd, Pebbles.

The pair now work side side-by-side for the most part, but with added roles that draw on individual strengths. Ben, who now has 13 years’ beekeeping experience under his belt, is the primary beekeeper while Robyn uses her skills to market the business and does furniture restoration on the side.

Spurring them on are their children, Kiedis, 6, and Juno, 4, who can often be found in bee suits helping their parents. Ben and Robyn see their learning experiences as important, and actively promote the importance of bees at the children’s schools and at community

events.

They also manage every step of the business, covering the hives, and the production and packaging of their products, which is relatively rare in the industry. It ensures they keep their finger on all aspects of the production cycle and that all the honey is traceable to its source.

It all takes place in the North Island, with many of their hives placed with landowners from Northland to Taihape. Honey is harvested at the end of summer, tested to MPI standards and packaged in a recognised food safety standard facility.

The Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, which were first held in 2017, were this year judged by a team of 25 specialist

0.9 % 3YR|3000HRS FINANCE* WARRANTY*

judges who looked closely at product quality, sustainability and the story of each brand.

Environmental considerations are high on the Stinsons’ priority list. The first-class care Ben affords his bees means they are always in good health and free from preventable diseases – they are also used for pollination around the Bay of Plenty and Waikato.

Ben conceded that while the awards have been great for the company, the year so far hasn’t been the best for the bees themselves.

“This has been one of the worst we’ve had in terms of bee behaviour. They don’t respond well to the sort of weather we’ve had, and the hive behaviour reflects that. They are much more likely to come flying right at you.”

Robyn and Ben Stinson with

2023 award-winning honeys. Horahora

REGIONAL COUNCIL VIEW

Making a stand

By Stu Kneebone, Waipā-King Country councillor

Waikato Regional Council recently adopted a new strategic direction which sets out its priorities for the next three years. It replaces our earlier strategic direction the previous council adopted and reflects there is a new council in place, and priorities change.

A high-level review of progress towards the goals contained in the previous document, a review and refresh of the evidence base the previous document was based on and engagement with various stakeholders all formed the basis on which the new strategic direction was built from.

The 2023–25 Strategic Direction is not significantly different from the previous one. This reflects that many of the priorities contained in these strategic documents are long-term in nature and ongoing, and many of our longer term challenges have not changed significantly during the past three years.

Our council’s vision for the region is “The Mighty Waikato: Caring for our place, empowering our people”. Woven throughout all our priorities is a focus on wellbeing and how we respond to climate change. Our changing climate has significant ramifications for all of us, both from an adaption perspective (for example, rising sea levels and increased weather events) and how we make a just and fair transition to a low emissions economy. This will undoubtedly be a key focus for us going forward. This leads into our purpose which we define as “Working together for a Waikato region that has a healthy environment, vibrant communities and a strong economy”.

We have adopted six strategic priorities. In no particular order, they are:

It’s a lucky dip

Water - We want to achieve clean water and healthy aquatic ecosystems that meet iwi aspirations and community needs within defined environmental limits.

Biodiversity and biosecurity - We want people to be working together to protect and restore our unique native plants and animals and the indigenous ecosystem they live in.

Coastal and marine - Our aim is to have healthy marine ecosystems that provide us all with many benefits, such as recreation, food, improved water quality, increased resilience to climate change and sustainable economic opportunities.

Sustainable development and infrastructure - We want resilient communities that plan for intergenerational wellbeing, develop with nature in mind and are able to respond to and recover from adversity.

Community connections - This is about enabling vibrant communities that are well connected with each other and to services.

Transition to a low emissions economyWe want to work with others to transition to a competitive low emissions economy that’s fair for everyone and enhances community wellbeing for the future.

The document is available on the Waikato Regional Council website. The priorities are listed with a more comprehensive commentary explaining what the goals for success look like.

This document will help form development of our upcoming Long Term Plan, 10-year work programme and associated budget.

A photograph of a young heifer cooling off in a water trough has taken out the People’s Choice Award for the Cambridge Autumn Festival photo competition.

The winning image gained just over a third of the 230 people who voted.

The theme of the competition was “A hard day’s work”.

Theresa Wyber’s winning caption was “After a hard day’s work on a very hot day having been milked at the cow shed, cow number 44 made her way to the paddock with the rest of the gals opting to stop for a quick dip to cool off.”

Wyber, who sharemilks with husband Darryl in Ōhaupō said that the photo was not photoshopped.

“She (cow 44) must have been feeling super hot and decided to cool off in the trough. She was quite happy doing laps of the trough before we got her out.”

Or she could have simply been nudged into the water and needed rescuing, said Wyber. Open to photos taken across Waipā, the competition attracted several rural scenes, and a number of images of the Cyclone Gabrielle clean up among others. The top 23 photos were exhibited in the Cambridge Town Hall.

Lucky, as she is now known, cools off at her Ōhaupō farm in February.

Photo: Theresa Wyber.

Business awards open

Entries are open for this year’s Rural Women Business Awards.

“The awards are one of the highlights on our annual calendar of events and we are expecting this year to be no exception,” says national president Gill Naylor.

“Despite the challenges of the last few years, the number of entrants in the awards has increased every year, as has the diversity of the enterprises represented in their entries.”

The supreme winner last year was Amelia Dunbar who operates both a rural entertainment business and works as an artist from her home in mid-Canterbury.

Serena Lyders, from Whānau Consultancy Services in Tokanui in the South Island, won the rural champion category. Passionate about the shearing industry, she is a sixth generation member of a shearing family and the industry and the people in it were close to her heart.

She knew from an early age she wanted to make a difference in the lives of others, especially women and children, and lead change to address the intergenerational trauma and social issues in the shearing industry.

Although creating industry specific protocols for shearing was her current focus, she hoped they would provide a template for the forestry and fishing industries.

Jody Drysdale, from Balfour, won the innovation category. She decided on hemp after looking for ways to diversify their farming operation to include a value-add, direct-to-consumer product.

Sisters Dayna and Nicole Buchanan, from South Westland, won the bountiful table category. They took over the operation of The Craypot in Jackson Bay in 2018 and, since then, they had transformed the menu

which featured fresh kaimoana and produce from local suppliers.

Other category winners were Amelia Dunbar, of Darfield, from The Bitches’ Box and Amelia Guild Art (creative arts); Kate Cullwick, of Waipukurau, from Foxtrot Home (emerging business), Dianne Downey, of Wairoa, from The Limery, (love of the land), and Sarah Martelli, of Reporoa (strong woman).

Naylor said it was an excellent indicator of the dynamic role entrepreneurial rural women play in building sustainable and resilient rural communities and economies.

“These awards provide a fantastic opportunity for women who own and operate rural enterprises to showcase their creativity and innovation and for us to celebrate and promote their achievements.

NZI’s Executive Manager Agencies and Schemes, Christina Chellew, said the company was delighted to support the NZI Rural Women NZ Business Awards and recognise and promote innovative and hardworking rural women.

Entries for the awards are open to late July.

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CountryLife

Gill Naylor

Choose the right heating system for your family

The thought of the approaching colder months needn’t make you shiver, with the right heating system, you can prepare your home for winter and turn it into a cosy haven for you and your family.

There are many di erent heating systems but over recent years pellet res have seemed to lead the way over many gas and electric options.

Open res are often very ine cient and because they draw cold air in, they can actually make the rest of the house feel colder. However, modern freestanding burners are an excellent choice. If you

have an existing open replace, you may be able to install a retro tted modern wood burner.

To ll that gap of a traditional re you can opt for a wood pellet burner, which looks very similar to a conventional wood burner but requires special wooden pellets.

As much as 90 percent of an open re’s heat can disappear up the chimney. For real heat—and real ames—the choice boils down to either a late model pellet re or woodburner.

More families choose Air Conditioning Group

We are specialists in Heating, Cooling, Ventilation, and Air Purification for Homes, Rentals, Businesses, and Commercial Buildings

Whichever way you jump will ultimately depend on what’s most important to you: e ciency, ease of use, cost, maximum heat output or aesthetics. If it’s purely a question of eco-cred, then pellet res are the standout winners. They’re considered the most environmentally friendly form of heating you can buy, and top pellet res achieve e ciency ratings of up to 88 percent.

The best woodburners clock in at around 77 percent e ciency—not as impressive as pellet res, but still a darn sight better

than open replaces, which might deliver anything from 20 to zero percent. A high e ciency rating means less soot, which means less pollution.

Equipped with a remote control and timer, pellet burners o er more control over how much heat is produced and when.

Furthermore, they are often permitted to be installed in areas where zoning forbids retro tted wood burners.

However, as they use electricity to start up, they’re not completely self-su cient.

Gas res have been a common option in the past and can be fuelled by LPG (propane) or natural gas, however, reticulated gas is predominantly available in the North Island.

They also tend to have high installation costs and may be higher especially if you want a gas line installed.

Even electric heaters may come in handy for use in rooms that need infrequent heating and in small areas where you need warmth quickly they are an expensive option compared to some other methods.

Warm up with Pratt’s

Pratt’s is the trusted name in heating solutions for Waikato homeowners. They provide high-quality wood res and heat pumps that ensure maximum e ciency and performance for your home during winter.

As the Home of Firenzo Fires in the Waikato and Masport Heating Specialists, their showrooms feature the largest heating displays in the region. They are also authorised dealers and installers for Mitsubishi Electric, Fujitsu, and Toshiba Heat Pumps. Choose Pratt’s for all your heating needs, visit their showrooms for expert advice on the right solution for your home.

View their range online at www.pratts.co.nz or call 0800-772-887

We only use quality, premium brands including Daikin

End-to-end service: from FREE Design/Quotes to Installation to Ongoing Servicing  Expert installation: our Installers are highly trained technicians

We are a long-established local business, and stand behind our 5-Year Warranty

Whether you are you are looking for a single heat pump, a multi-split, or a whole-house ducted system, contact Air Conditioning Group to get your job done right, and at the right price!

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Proud to support Anzac Day

Last week

Across: 1. Ultra, 4. Insist, 7. Den, 8. Offend, 9. Smarts, 10. Pretence, 12. Halt, 13. Superb, 15. Titbit, 16. Bait, 17. Impaired, 19. Oedema, 20. Unfair, 22. Dud, 23. Myrtle, 24. Earth.

Down: 1. Unfortunately, 2. Tee, 3. Add-on, 4. Inspect, 5. Spaghetti, 6. Satellite dish, 11. Treatment, 14. Brigade, 18. Prude, 21. Fur.

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TE AWAMUTU OPEN HOMES

Cambridge

Cambridge Owned & Operated

Cambridge Owned & Operated

HOUSE WASHING - ROOF TREATMENTS

HOUSE WASHING - ROOF TREATMENTS GUTTERS - MOSS REMOVAL

- MOSS REMOVAL

100’S OF SATISFIED CLIENTS www.ewash.co.nz

SATISFIED

OF SATISFIED CLIENTS www.ewash.co.nz

Quote 870 3081 | 027 432 2412

3081 | 027 432 2412

Mark for a

SECURITY DOORS

WAIPA ALUMINIUM

WAIPA

ALUMINIUM

WAIPA ALUMINIUM

WAIPA ALUMINIUM

SECURITY DOORS AND FLYSCREENS

SECURITY DOORS AND FLYSCREENS

ANZAC DAY SERVICES & NOTICES

BOYD, Elizabeth Ann (Liz) –1.10.1937 - 9.4.2023. Dearly loved wife of the late Lyall. Much loved Mum to Michael, Rachael, Jason, Elizabeth, Danielle and Robert. Adored Nana and Great-Nana to many.

SECURITY DOORS AND FLYSCREENS

SECURITY DOORS AND FLYSCREENS

• Locally owned and operated

Locally owned and operated

• Locally owned and operated

• Locally owned and operated

• Locally owned and operated

Over 25 years experience in aluminium

• Over 25 years experience in aluminium

CAMBRIDGE, TE AWAMUTU & DISTRICT

Over 25 years experience in aluminium

Over 25 years experience in aluminium

• Over 25 years experience in aluminium

Call us today for your free quote

Call us today for your free quote

• Call us today for your free quote

• Call us today for your free quote

Call us today for your free quote

Window and Door Repairs

• Window and Door Repairs

• Window and Door Repairs

Window and Door Repairs

TUESDAY 25 APRIL 2023

Residents and visitors to the Waip¯a district are cordially invited to attend the ANZAC Day Commemorative Services.

PUKEATUA – 24 APRIL

Simon Whale 022 469 2423 waipaali@gmail.com www.waipaaluminium.co.nz

Simon Whale 022 469 2423 waipaali@gmail.com www.waipaaluminium.co.nz

Simon Whale 022 469 2423 waipaali@gmail.com www.waipaaluminium.co.nz

The Pukeatua Memorial Church service will be held Sunday 24 April at 11.00am

Simon Whale 022 469 2423 waipaali@gmail.com www.waipaaluminium.co.nz

CAMBRIDGE DAWN & CIVIC SERVICES

The Dawn Service will be held outside the Cambridge Town Hall commencing at 6.00am, muster at 5.45am on the eastern side of the Town Hall Piazza. There is no indoor wet weather option. We will parade regardless of weather.

The Civic Commemorative Service will be held inside the Town Hall commencing at 9.00am, followed by placing wreaths at the Cenotaph. Families who wish to lay a wreath are welcome to do so after the official wreaths have been laid.

Members of the public and community who wish to participate in the Civic Commemorative Service Parade are asked to assemble on Alpha Street outside Onyx Restaurant at 8.30am. Group Leaders and Markers are to report to the Parade Marshal at 0820 outside Cambridge Vets. Parking will be available for the aged and infirm in Kirkwood Street for both services. Please note that there will be limited seating for older veterans at the Dawn Service.

KIHIKIHI

Returned and Service personnel and members of the public are invited to a memorial service to be held at the War Memorial, Main Street, Kihikihi at 9.00am.

OHAUPO

Returned and Service personnel and members of the public are invited to a memorial service to be held at theOhaup¯o Memorial Hall, Great South Road,Ohaup¯o at 10.30am.

PIRONGIA

Returned and Service personnel and members of the public are invited to a dawn service to be held at the Pirongia Memorial Hall, Franklin Street, Pirongia at 6.00am. Organised groups that would like to march assemble at 5.45am at the Five Stags Car Park. Light refreshments will be served in the hall after the service.

KAWHIA

Returned and Service personnel and members of the public are invited to a memorial service to be held at the War Memorial, K¯a whia at 1.00pm. Returned service and members of the public that would like to march assemble at the Town Hall at 12.45pm.

Dearly loved, arohanui. A memorial service to celebrate Liz’s life will be held at the Te Awamutu Baptist Church, Teasdale Street, Te Awamutu on Monday 17 April at 11.00am. All communications to the Boyd Family, c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800.

TE

AWAMUTU - DAWN PARADE & CIVIC COMMEMORATION SERVICE

The Dawn Service will be held at the Sunken Cross War memorial, Mutu Street at 6.00am. Ex service personnel will parade outside the RSA Clubroom, 381 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu at 5.45am. Light refreshment will be served at the RSA Clubrooms after the service.

Wet weather venue RSA Clubrooms.

The Civic Commemorative Service will be held at the War Memorial, ANZAC Green, commencing at 11.00am. Members of the public are invited to join the returned and service personnel there. Returned, service and members of uniformed groups are requested to parade at the RSA Clubrooms, 381 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu at 10.45am.

Wet Weather venue Te Awamutu Events Centre.

RSA requests that medals be worn. Medals worn by family on behalf of deceased service personnel should be worn on the right chest. Wreaths will be laid at the memorial and organisations desiring to place official wreaths will report to the Marshall in Teasdale Street on arrival at the Cenotaph. The RSA Clubrooms will be open for all members, invited guests and members of affiliated clubs from 1.00pm. Entertainment at 2.30pm. Restaurant open at 1pm.

Lou Brown Parade Organiser Te Awamutu & District RSA

Col (Ret) Tony Hill, MBE President Cambridge RSA

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.

VACANCY

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

We are looking for volunteer drivers for Meals on Wheels 1h from 11.30am. Delivering meals around Te Awamutu. Great way to give back to the community!

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.

Clean up with Husqvarna Pressure Washers

125

Designed for excellent results on demanding jobs. Features a Low Force grip for easy activation. Supplied with: 10m hose, foam sprayer, variable at jet and rotary nozzles.

$299

Husqvarna Genuine Pressure Washer Accessories

L PW 490

2400W - Max Pressure 160 Bar / 2321 PSI | Water ow 470-520 Ltr/Hr

Top of the range, high performance with out-standing durability. Features a brass pump and integrated detergent tank. Supplied with: 15m hose,premium at jet and rotary nozzles.

$1,299

H WDC 220 Wet & Dry Vac

1000W - 3600 l/m - 72 dB(A) - 7.4 kg

Compact and user-friendly cleaner, with washable PET lter, a smart lifting handle on the container, and a robust design. 20L container capacity (11 L liquid), 2.5 m hose length.

$399

H WDC 325L Wet & Dry Vac

1000W - 3700 l/m - 72 dB(A) - 8.5 kg

$599

Stone & Wood Cleaner 2.5L & Vehicle Cleaner 2.5L $29.90 rrp Fleece Filter Bags (5 pcs) $39 rrp Floor Nozzle (270 mm switchable) $84 rrp Vehicle Cleaning Kit $99 rrp Foam Sprayer $69 rrp Rotating Brush Kit $139 rrp Vehicle Cleaning Kit $139 rrp Surface Cleaners SC300 $135 rrp SC400 $199 rrp