Te Awamutu News | April 27, 2023

Coming up roses

By Mary Anne Gill

Rose Town is likely to remain the brand name for Te Awamutu after 60 per cent of the people surveyed said it was still a relevant tag line for the town.

But the ‘Who are we Te Awamutu’ survey reveals a lack of knowledge about the town’s history and culture with 41 per cent saying they had no idea what the town’s name means.

And 55 per cent did not know Waikato’s oldest surviving building is Te Awamutu’s Old St John’s Church and that it was built by Māori and pakeha in 1853.

The results were tabled at last night’s Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board – after The News went to press.

A working group comprising board chair Ange Holt, deputy chair Kane Titchener, Chamber of Commerce chief executive Shane Walsh, Ngāti Apakura Runanga Trust chair Bill Harris and Te Awamutu Museum Trust chair Dean Taylor have reviewed the results and made recommendations.

They include retaining Rose Town, re-establishing a heritage trail and developing an iwi-driven master plan to acknowledge and treasure Te Awamutu’s Māori stories.

In her report, governance officer Keryn Phillips said if the board accepted the working group’s recommendations, it would need to work with council staff, mana whenua and residents.The survey results could also feed through into Ahu Ake – the Waipā spatial plan, she said.

Just over 700 people responded to the survey – 69 per cent were female, 13 per cent were Māori and over two thirds were from Te Awamutu. More than 20 per cent were over 65 and 19 per cent under 18. Over a third felt not enough was done to celebrate and highlight Te Awamutu’s history, 41 per cent said Māori history was acknowledged and celebrated and nearly half said the town’s identity as a farming town was not showcased enough.

An analysis of the survey included in the board agenda noted there was very poor awareness of Te Awamutu history.

Only 59 per cent knew the meaning of the name Te Awamutu which refers to the end of possible canoe navigation of the Mangaohoi Stream due to snags – literally the end of the river.

C ontinued on page 2

Here’s our winner…

James Clark should have been on stage twice last week.

He missed his graduation ceremony on Wednesday at Hamilton Boys High for completing Level 5 Māori at Te Wananga o Aotearoa because a flight home was delayed.

But on Friday he was called up

again – this time to collect an award at the Waipā Networks Business Awards at Mystery Creek.

Fresh Choice Supermarket in Te Awamutu won the people’s choice award sponsored by Good Local Media – publishers of the Te Awamutu News.

He received the award from Roy Pilott, editor of The News.

“It was disappointing to miss the graduation ceremony earlier in the week, but great to win this award,” Clark told The News.

See pictures and the story from the awards on Pages 6 and 7 today.

James Clark, pictured with wife Vanessa celebrate their win on Friday.

Photo: Christine Cornege

Anzac accent on youth

Te Awamutu’s Anzac ceremony on Tuesday attracted a crowd hundreds strong – and it was an inspiring mix of old young and old.

That would have warmed Peter Watson, the Te Awamutu RSA president who in his address spoke of connecting with young people.

Te Awamutu College student Stella Quigley presented her account of Anzac and shared the story of her great great grandfather Walter Sims, before reciting the John McCrae

Playground finished

Work to transform John Rochfort Park on the corner of Hall and Bryce Streets began in February this year.

Community services manager Brad Ward said John Rochfort Park was a great spot in the heart of Kihikihi surrounded by residential housing.

The brand new playground will be a popular spot for the community and visitors, especially local tamariki, he said.

poem In Flanders Field.

The school’s kapa haka group, led by Tawhaki Waaka, performed a haka on the green while Tahliana Berggren was among the young cadets standing at the memorial and newly erected flagpole.

The service, led by Lou Brown, included an address from Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan.

The prayer at the conclusion of the service was led by Reverend Murray Olson.

Coming up roses

While 402 people (60 per cent) of those who answered the question wanted the Rose Town moniker to remain – with another 83 people not caring – only 373 people knew anything about the Rose Gardens which led to the name’s adoption in 1969.

“The working group accepted that the majority were not ready for a change of identity,” said Phillips in her report.

The group recommended the Te Awamutu brand would benefit from an acknowledgement of its history and culture.

Elsewhere in the results, respondents gave Te

Awamutu’s main shopping centre a poor rating saying there needed to be more planting, seating and gardens, improved car parking, better shops, more art sculpture and rid the main streets of trucks.

The survey respondents thought the town’s entrances needed replacing and enhancing.

Asked what Te Awamutu’s main claim to fame was, roses garnered more than half the votes with rural/farming second on 22 per cent. The Finn brothers – Tim and Neil who went on to become Split Enz and Crowded House – attracted 14 per cent of the vote.

Continued from page 1

Te Awamutu’s population in June last year was 13,550 making it Waikato’s fifth-largest urban area behind Hamilton, Taupō, Cambridge and Tokoroa. The population of its Waipā sister town Cambridge – known as the Town of Trees – was 21,600 just under a year ago.

But not surprisingly, nearly two thirds of survey respondents said Te Awamutu was the most liveable town in the Waikato with Cambridge second on 24 per cent and Kihikihi third on seven per cent.

A third live in Te Awamutu because they were born there or because of family and friends.

The crowd applauded the Anzac parade.

Tawhaki Waaka, centre, led the Te Awamutu College kapa haka group.

Children watch the laying of wreaths.

Cadet Tahliana Berggren at the First World War memorial.

Te Awamutu RSA president Peter Watson speaks.

Church full for Anzac service

By Viv Posselt

About 20 motorcyclists and their partners joined residents, RSA members and the clergy at Pukeatua War Memorial Church on Sunday for the 2023 Anzac memorial service.

The church is one of just two in New Zealand built as a memorial to service personnel lost in World War I and II. The other is at Tutira, north of Napier, and both have historic building covenants over them.

For the past few years, members of the Hauraki Chapter of the Patriots Defence Force Motorcycle Club have travelled from around the central North Island to attend the annual Anzac service at Pukeatua War Memorial Church. Mike Neville, the Patriots’ spokesman on Sunday, said club members had come from as far afield as Rotorua, Tauranga and Hamilton for this year’s service, most of them meeting up in Putaruru before riding on to the church.

“We’re all ex or current servicemen and we’ve lost a few of our own over the years. Our club shares an affinity with those who were lost in the wars, so we’ll keep coming here to pay our respects,” he said. “We have also contributed towards this church over time, helping them with a lead-light window and a brass plaque.”

The service was conducted by Te Awamutu RSA padre, Rev Murray Olson, assisted by lay minister Kathie Claypole.

Rev Olson paid tribute to those “who went overseas to fight for freedom and who never returned”, and to those whose lives and communities were forever changed by the experience. He also acknowledged the men and women involved in areas of conflict subsequent to the world wars, and those serving today.

“Each year the poppy reminds us to remember those men and women who gave

up so much in World War One, and in many wars since, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It should remind us to pray for world peace, so that war becomes outdated.”

After the service, several wreaths were laid at the cenotaph, around which four members of the Te Awamutu Community Cadet Unit stood guard.

One wreath was laid by Te Awamutu RSA president Peter Watson, another by Margaret Main, chairman of the church committee, and a third by Martha Bradstreet on behalf of Pukeatua Playcentre.

The service ended with a lament played on the bagpipes by Te Kuiti and Districts Pipe Band member, Craig Wards, and those attending laid sprigs of rosemary at the cenotaph.

Celebrating Life - Your Way

We believe that each funeral service should be as unique as the life you are celebrating. When a funeral is personalised, it creates a special space for sharing precious memories, telling stories, and simply being together with friends and family.

Rosetown Funeral Home are dedicated to providing personalised and meaningful funeral services, and are happy to discuss new ideas, pre-planning and/or pre-paying for your funeral. We are here for you in your time of need, so please get in touch anytime to discuss your options.

Jim Goddin

Te Awamutu RSA president Peter Watson watches as RSA executive member Adan Te Huia lays a wreath at the Pukeatua War Memorial Church cenotaph.

The three wreaths laid at the cenotaph on Sunday were from the church committee, the RSA and the Pukeatua Playcentre.

Some of the motorcyclists and members of the community standing outside the church for the wreath-laying part of the service.

Martha Bradstreet laid a wreath on behalf of Pukeatua Playcentre.

The Bukowskys

A what-if situation

By Janine Krippner

If disaster struck, what would you take with you?

As part of my preparation to go to the Canary Islands in a few months to work in an area that was decimated by lava flows in late 2021, I am sitting here watching interviews of those who were there.

People received very little notice before they had to pack what they could and leave their homes and neighbourhood behind. Some lost their homes quickly; others had an agonising wait to see if the lava flows would claim theirs too.

The lava flows in La Palma average 12 metres thick, reaching 70 metres in the centre.

The hottest measured lava temperature during the eruption was 1140 degrees, it will take years to cool. Over 1300 homes gone, plus around 1500 other buildings and almost 1000 hectares of plantations and farmland. Around 8000 people were evacuated. Residents speak of how unsettling the roar of the volcano was over the 85-day-long eruption.

Over the years I have heard people describe what it is like having just moments to evacuate, looking around their home trying to decide what to take.

What is most important? What does that even mean when you are in the middle of something you never thought would happen to you? Some have described how everything looks meaningless when placed in this stressful situation, we do not think the same during a crisis.

Can you remember a stressful situation when so many things were demanding your attention that you couldn’t really focus on any of it?

I pack for travel a lot. On my phone is a checklist of things to put in my bag so that I don’t forget anything, perhaps this is something we could all do for emergency situations too.

As we have seen, we do have extreme weather events in New Zealand, we do have flooding, we do have significant earthquakes, and we do have fires. All that fun stuff that we don’t want to think about when it’s not impending... What should you have on your list?

Old photographs (before everything was on our phones), important documents like birth certificates, medications for your family - pets included, sentimental things that have been passed down to you, mementos that you wouldn’t want to lose?

We often describe how devastating an event is by the death toll, but there is much more lost than human life.

We only have to look at Cyclone Gabrielle footage, where within many homes the total damage is heart-breaking, as well as in businesses and farms. If the time comes, you deserve to have with you the physical things most special to you. Get out your phone or paper and write down those things, put it somewhere you can easily grab if you are ever in a situation where you need to pack and run.

There are small things we can do that can make a world of difference across a range of scenarios.

I hope that you never experience any of them, but if you do, I hope that learning from the experiences of others can help you through.

By Meghan Hawkes

Anna Bukowsky was a spritely 69-year-old, up early on an April morning in 1906.

As the day began at the family farm at Ōhaupō her son left for the creamery and Anna told daughter, Bertha, 26, that she would get some onions and carrots from the garden. After collecting the vegetables, she took them to the well near the house to wash them.

Half an hour later Bertha realised her mother had not returned and went in search of her. A bucket was at the side of the well with some washed vegetables in it. Bertha then discovered her mother in the well. Anna was taken out of the well which was about 20ft deep with 10ft of water in it, but it was too late. At the inquest a verdict of accidental death was returned by the jury. It was assumed Anna had been seized with a fit of dizziness, which caused her to fall down the well.

The Bukowskys were among the earliest settlers in the Ōhaupō district, Anna and her husband Julius having resided there since 1865. Julius, born in East Prussia, had gone to Australia to try his luck on the Ballarat goldfields. He married 20-year-old Johanna Lau at the German church, Melbourne in 1856 when he was in his early

thirties. Julius was successful on the goldfields but found Australia too dry for farming.

The couple came to New Zealand in 1863, a year in which recruitment for the militia was taking place. Immigrants were arriving in large numbers wanting land which Māori were resistant to selling and ultimately war was declared. Julius joined the 3rd Waikato Regiment and he and Anna were among the first Europeans to come to the Cambridge area.

In 1867 the Waikato Militia was disbanded, and Julius was given a grant of 50 acres in Ōhaupō as well as one acre in Cambridge West. Julius and Anna began dairy farming in Ōhaupō and in October 1881 Julius was naturalised. The couple would go on to have a large family which brought with it typical joys and troubles. Their daughter Edith suffered from rheumatism and her treatment at Waikato Hospital was an ongoing financial burden. Over the years the fees were remitted by the hospital board who found Edith to be one of the most deserving cases to come before them. Remedies were not successful and at one stage the hospital board agreed to send her to the Rotorua sanatorium if her friends contributed towards the cost.

By 1897 the family had had a run of misfortune which included stock losses from disease and crop destruction by fire, as well as every member of the family needing long term medical treatment. Despite these challenges Anna was always ready to help a neighbour in time of difficulty or sickness and she would be greatly missed. She was buried at Ōhaupō cemetery, her coffin covered with wreaths and floral tokens.

Astonishingly, six years later, Anna’s daughter Bertha, now aged 32, fell down the same well and was drowned. At the inquest her brother testified that he was at a sale, and when he returned, his father Julius, who was now blind, told him that Bertha was missing. How she got in the well was a mystery. Bertha was in her usual spirits in that day and was to have been married the next month. She was buried with her mother.

More families choose Air Conditioning Group

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

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 Hawes is a well-known New Zealand author, conference speaker, and TV & radio commentator. Martin is the author of 23 books on personal finance. The best known of these are Family Trusts – A New Zealand Guide, 20 Good Summers – work less, live more and make the most of your money (NZ best-seller), and Cracking Open the Nest Egg. Attendees at the seminar will go in the draw to win one of 2 copies of Martin’s bestseller, “Family Trusts” - Revised and updated - covering what you need to know about the new Trusts Act. Martin Hawes is not a Financial Adviser or a Financial Advice Provider. For information relating to Martin Hawes, visit martinhawes.com

Event Details

Date: Thursday 4 May Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm

Venue: Grassroots Trust Velodrome, 15 Hanlin Road, Cambridge.

For more details and to register, visit forsythbarr.co.nz/ffseminars or call Sam Blatchford on (07) 823 0806

Light refreshments provided.

 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 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!

Four chase Māori seat

By Roy Pilott

The second election for a Māori ward member on the Waipā District Council will be at least a four-way race.

As this edition went to press Barney Manaia, Gaylene Roberts, Dale-Maree Morgan and Bill Harris had put their pōtae – and $200 - into the ring.

Nominations close at noon today – Thursday – and voting papers will be posted to people on the Māori electoral roll on June 1.

Voting will run to June 23.

The seat available was vacated in mid-March by Takena Stirling moments after The News learned he had been suspended by the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal of the New Zealand Law Society.

Mayor Susan O’Regan subsequently announced the appointment of mana whenua representatives on four council committee had been put on hold until after the election.

Stirling was a clear winner in the elections last October, getting 309 votes and beating Gaylene Roberts and Bill Harris.

Voting numbers around the country were uninspiring, though Waipā’s total turnout was on a par with three years earlier – but the turnout for the Māori was, 566, was well shy of the numbers who voted in any of the other wards. That’s likely to encourage the four candidates to look for more voters this time.

All four candidates have extensive links to Waipā and Māori organisations.

Barney Manaia has a strong background in the NZEI and Combined Trade Union, the Apakura runanga and Maniapoto Trust Board, while environmentalist Dale Morgan has been a spokesperson for Don’t Burn Waipā – a group formed to oppose a resource consent for a rubbish-burning energy plant in Te Awamutu.

Education on a plate

By Viv Posselt

From the moment Kihikihi School joined the nationwide programme ‘Garden to Table’ earlier this year, children in the area have been elbowdeep in the messy joy of growing then eating their own produce.

The school launched it in term one this year under the eye of school staffer, Erin Keremetakapa. She coordinates the programme, fitting it into the school schedule to enable selected classes to adequately cover all the processes, from preparing the beds then planting and caring for the vegetables, to reaping then helping create delightful treats in the school kitchen. That part is done under the watchful eye of chef Mark Cooper, who also does food technology with the year seven and eight classes.

“We loved the look of the programme and thought it would be good for our tamariki,” said Erin. “We already had a few established garden beds and a school kitchen, but this is more extensive. The kids are learning a lot of lifeskills as they learn about growing and making their own food. They really love it.”

The students do ‘Garden to Table’ sessions on Fridays.

Classes are split to spend the morning in the garden or the kitchen, then swap over the following week. Their tasty offerings include dishes like pickle quiche and basil pesto macaroni, which they enjoy together as a shared light meal.

“We use basic food materials that are in the kitchen, then add to them with the garden produce. The recipes are included in a workbook that our tamariki get to take home… we’re finding that quite a few of them are now enjoying cooking at home.”

Erin said that while teachers are present at all the

sessions, the continuity of the programme is reliant on volunteers. The school also hopes to extend it to cover the entire school rather than just a few classes as is the case now.

“Volunteers are key to us being able to continue. All we need is a few people who can support our tamariki when working in the garden or kitchen. The sessions are from 9am to 1pm each Friday during the term.”

The Kihikihi School programme has attracted several sponsors who have provided them with items such as rakes, gloves, garden forks, weeders and the like.

Barney Manaia

Bill Harris

Gaylene Roberts

Dale-Maree Morgan

Teacher Jerreau Tonge helping youngsters Tiriana Heke and Awhinuku Kapa with their planting.

Business on the up in Waipā

Waipā businesses have been give a big tick of approval from the one of two head judges of their major awards.

When the business

community gathered last Friday at Mystery Creek for the Waipā Networks Business Awards night – back after a Covid enforced absence – Howard Davey from

the Waikato University’s business management school was fulsome in praise.

He spoke of the innovation, adaptation to technology and attention to detail shown by entrants, the strategic thinking, the nurturing of workers and investment in staff and successful client relationships.

The quality was high –“better than before” – it was diverse, and a privilege to judge, he told an audience of 350.

Davey’s judging team selected Waipā recycling company Treadlite as the winner of its major award. The company based in Carter’s Flat, Cambridge, has become a national leader in recycling tyres.

The audience heard that the business applies “the rethink philosophy of the waste hierarchy” by stopping waste before it’s created and turning waste into usable products - specifically used tyres.

Company chief executive Brad Pierce said the company hires and trains marginalised people in the community and “we’ve got a team of rockstars”.

There were also regular visits to the stage for Cambridge Rotary

Urban Miners – another organisation which has a proud record of recycling - Squoodles Educational Resources – a one woman operation based in Matangi – and Grinter’s Funeral Home and Rosetown Funeral Home. The Customer Choice awards, sponsored by Good Local Media, publisher of The News, went to Fresh Choice in Te Awamutu and The Smoke Collective Barbecue in Cambridge. The night also saw a “home win”. New Zealand Fieldays Society chief Peter Nation was on stage at the start welcoming businesses to “our place” – and he later

returned after being named the 2023 Leader of the Year.

There was also a tribute to the late Sir Patrick Hogan from Cambridge Chamber of Commerce board member David Natzke.

Hogan was a patron of the chamber and made a life member in 2002.

“Sir Patrick never kept a register of any donations he made and kept a low profile when it came to his philanthropic work… we will never truly know the actual contribution he made through his time, expertise, donations and sponsorship, but there is no doubt that it was significant, and for that,

we will always be grateful,” Natzke said.

Cambridge chamber chief Kelly Bouzaid was delighted with “both the diversity and calibre of applications” for the 2023 awards.

“We are in a privileged position to peek into businesses of all ages and stages and see the calibre of leadership, innovation, culture and sustainability,” she said.

“We have seen resilience and robustness within our business community, and we are inspired and proud of the achievements.”

• A full list of winners appears on Page 14.

The Te Awamutu College kapa haka group, Te Hokai Rangatahi, performed at the awards – pictured from were Honour Takataka, Kylisea Edwards and Haevyn Takataka.

Peter Nation won leader of the year.

Jim Goddin, pictured left with Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan, was a double winner for community contribution and small business excellence.

Overall winners – Treadlite NZ staff, from left, director Blake Richardson, Head of Sales and Marketing Tracy Smith, Operations Manager Richard Upperton, Office Manager and Logistics Tracy Cochrane, chief executive Brad Pierce and director Jo Collins.

Mark Hanlon celebrates a win for Rotary Urban Miners. Photos: Christine Cornege.

Sacha Coburn mixed songs and wit to keep the audience entertained as MC.

Please, have your say

By Ange Holt, Chair, Te Awamutu Community Board

As a community board I often ponder on Council does an amazing job of providing best decisions possible. They even lay out requires very little effort for us to complete,

Les Voisins

Friday 28 April, 7.30pm

Cambridge Town Hall

Prices from $15 – $32.50 + BF

Tickets from www.cth.co.nz or Cambridge i-SITE Door sales available (cash only)

complain about what council has decided to

So, my advice is if you feel strongly about something, if you have an idea you would like to share, or if you just think council has done a great job, take five minutes to let them know.

Ring one of the community board members or a councillor and tell them, post on council’s social media, and/or on the topics that are important to you, make some time and complete a submission.

You can answer the submission questions or you can jump straight to the end and just give your feedback in the space provided.

As elected members we appreciate that you trust our judgement to make good decisions on your behalf and there are lots of times we need to take that course of action.

Equally important is your contribution to voice what you want, because when we have community buy in, we end up with the best results - where we feel we are a part of our community, we are proud of where we live and we can feel heard and valued.

Watch out in midJune/July for the public bylaw submission.

There is a draft copy on the community board agenda for this month if you are interested.

This bylaw includes things like how people use our roads - we are looking at some changes here to slow down the boy racers - use of public spaces, shared walkways and cycleways and street signage - size and number of sandwich boards.

It has many policies that impact us all in a variety of ways so please do have a look as we would appreciate your feedback.

Finally, I am looking forward to seeing lots of Kihikihi residents, especially children, at the opening of the John Rochfort Playground, on the corner of Hall and Bryce streets, on Saturday, April 29, from 2 to 4pm. See you there.

Sponsored by a private company that cares about NEW ZEALAND

A journey into French music through the ages.

Presented by Cambridge Town Hall Community Trust in partnership with Chamber Music NZ

PRINCIPLE SPONSOR

…if you feel strongly about something, if you have an idea you would like to share, or if you just think council has done a great job, take five minutes to let them know

No Hidden Costs

-Day Money-Back Guarantee

We know how important it is for you to have certainty regarding your living costs.

We know how important your living costs.

*Some conditions apply

Our deferred management fee is one of the lowest in the sector.

When you join a Ryman village, the last thing you want to think about are your finances. From the day you move in, you’ll know how much you’re paying and what’s guaranteed to be paid back when you move out.

Our range of Peace of Mind Guarantees gives you the certainty to just enjoy life and focus on the things you want to.

Speak with our friendly team to find out more about financial certainty today.

There are no hidden costs when you move in or out of your home at Ryman.

We’re so confident you’ll be happy with your decision to move to Ryman, we will provide you with a 90-day money-back guarantee.*

*Some conditions apply

The finance, the numbers, they all stacked up & compared very favourably.

IAN

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

including but not limited to :

• Postural issues and Pelvic imbalances

• Headaches, Whiplash, Concussion

• Hip, knee, ankle & foot pain

• Shoulder, elbow, wrist pain

• Sinus issues

The price of ‘least regrets’

If there was a budget blowout of $10 billion in the health or education areas, it would be the subject of intense criticism and recrimination.

There has been a $10 billion blowout in the cost of implementing monetary policy and it has received little attention and almost no criticism.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand implemented a Large Scale Asset Purchase programme from March 2020 as a response to the economic impacts of Covid. They purchased low interestbearing government securities from banks and increased the banks’ deposit accounts at the Reserve Bank by the same amount.

It was a programme of money creation and it certainly lived up to the ‘large scale’ part of its name. The amount of government securities held by the bank increased from just under $5 billion in March 2020 to almost $52 billion in March 2021.

The banks’ deposit accounts at the Reserve Bank, which had averaged around $7.5 billion over the decade to 2020, peaked at almost $60 billion in January 2023. Not only were huge amounts of liquidity created quickly –but also, they are still in the system today

despite the surge in inflation.

Since 2020, many interest rates have shot up because of the Reserve Bank’s monetary policy tightening. The Reserve Bank pays the banks the Official Cash Rate on the banks’ deposits with it.

It was only 0.25% in 2020 when the programme started but is now 5.25%. However, the interest rates on the government securities the Reserve Bank bought from the banks haven’t risen. That’s why the programme’s cost is currently $10.5 billion - and will go higher if the Reserve Bank increases the OCR again on 24 May.

Could the Reserve Bank have anticipated that its programme was going to be costly for the government?

Absolutely. They must have thought that their low-interest rate and money creation policies were going to support and raise economic activity, or they shouldn’t have implemented them in the first place.

They must have known that as economic activity increased, they would need to move interest rates back to a more neutral level from their unprecedented low level. Given this, the ‘least regrets’ policy should have been to inject liquidity relatively slowly and to

By Peter Nicholl

turn off the money creation tap as soon as the first signs of rising inflation appeared.

The Reserve Bank did neither. They pumped in huge amounts of liquidity quickly and a lot of it did nothing more than sit in the banks’ deposit accounts at the bank. They didn’t turn off the tap until late 2022, by which time inflation was already over six per cent.

The programme was helpful in maintaining confidence and economic activity in the face of a pandemic. But it didn’t need to cost the country over $10 billion. The cost is only this high because of poor decisions made by the Reserve Bank.

I wonder if they have any regrets about that today. From their public statements, it doesn’t seem they do. But the taxpayers, who are going to have to meet the bill, certainly should have regrets. Imagine the useful ways in which that $10.5 billion could be used if it wasn’t being used to prop up banks’ profits. It could have been spent on things like education or health or government debt could be reduced substantially.

• Sports or work related injuries

• Joint and muscle pain, & strains

• Osteoarthritis pain and mobility

• Digestive and respiratory issues

• Pregnancy & postpartum related pain

A nuclear New Zealand

By Viv Posselt

Nuclear physicist Dr Gavin Wallace describes some approaches to nuclear power as ‘irrational’ and says the radiation that surrounds us most of the time is nowhere near as harmful as many think it is.

Speaking to the Cambridge U3A group, the Scots-born physicist conceded that some level of fear was ‘understandable’ because radiation cannot be felt, smelled or seen.

“However, it is well researched and well understood. It is handled conservatively, the negative health effects are overstated, and New Zealand makes good use of it,” he said. “And in terms of power generation, it must be an option in a world dealing with global warming. I’m not advocating we should go fully nuclear, but it is not something we should rule out either.”

Dr Wallace, QSM, has more than 50 years’ experience in the field. He retired from the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences after 41 years but still contracts for GNS, touring the country delivering radiation safety courses. Away from nuclear physics, he has notched up 50 years as a volunteer firefighter in his home area of Wainuiomata, where he also heads the community’s historical society.

His talk to the U3A group was on New Zealand’s nuclear-free

stance, something he suggested was not founded in fact.

“There is a bit of hypocrisy around Nuclear Free New Zealand. Not many people know, for example, that it is still legal in this country to build a nuclear power station, and that we make good use of nuclear techniques… in medicine, for example. Small, nuclear power plants will come on stream in the next year or two. Regulatory authorities are controlling nuclear waste… it is very tidy when compared to coal.”

He addressed the nuclear science timeline, walking the audience from the 1885 discovery of x-rays by German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen, through Marie Curie’s discovery of polonium and radium to the pioneering studies of radioactivity and atoms done by New Zealandborn British physicist Ernest Rutherford, who went on to became known as the father of nuclear physics. He won a Nobel Prize for his work and is the only New Zealander to be buried at London’s Westminster Abbey.

Dr Wallace spoke about the realities of ‘nuclear New Zealand’ rather than ‘nuclear free New Zealand’. He said many of the earlier risks associated with it –such as the damage done through pedoscopes found in shoe stores but discontinued in the 1960s, where high doses of radiation were used to show the bones of the feet – had long been overcome. Concerns about microwave ovens ‘nuking’ food were groundless, he said, and fears about New Zealand’s ‘shaky isles’ geological character overrated. Investigations into major global nuclear events, such as the 1986 Chernobyl disaster and 2011 Fukushima earthquake and tsunami, implicated other factors. It is cost-effective and plausible for New Zealand to make use of small modular power plants that have the necessary seismic safeguards, he said.

Singers set for Europe move

Cecily Shaw, who spent much of last year teaching singing at Cambridge Middle School, is one of three young Waikato-trained singers set to perform in Te Awamutu on Sunday in support of their move abroad.

The three will perform at ‘Take Flight’, the Te Awamutu Music Federation’s first concert for 2023, and will be accompanied by pianist Francis Cowan. The event is a fundraiser to help them further their studies overseas. Cecily will perform with Hamilton-based baritone Aidan Phillips and Waikato singer Ellis Carrington at St John’s Anglican Church from 2pm.

The programme will offer a variety of family friendly items, including

several operatic arias.

Mezzo-soprano Cecily has competed in several competitions in recent years. She first studied at Waikato University in 2012, completing her first Masters in Music in Vocal Performance in 2019 and going on to sing with several New Zealand choirs. She recently released an album of humorous songs for ukulele. Cecily has been accepted to the Guildhall School of Music in London where she will do a second Masters in Music, and will delve into the experiences of neurodivergent musicians with a view to empowering them with coping strategies.

Both Aidan and Ellis also have experience with Waikato singing competitions. Aidan completed his Masters in Music in Classical Vocal Performance through Waikato University and has performed with numerous groups. He heads to Germany in July where he will be part of the Dramatic Voices Programme Lieder Residency and will perform with the Berlin Opera Academy before going to the Glasgow Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Ellis Carrington recently completed her honours degree through Waikato University and has performed at many prestigious events. She placed third in the Dame Malvina Major 2022 Aria Competition and teaches on the Rotorua Accelerando programme. Her move is to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Nuclear physicist Dr Gavin Wallace believes New Zealand can benefit from nuclear power into the future.

Cecily Shaw, who taught singing at Cambridge Middle School last year, is headed overseas.

Autumnal thoughts

By Samuel Pullenger

Autumn is a beautiful season. The leaves begin to turn various shades of red and brown before falling to the ground, leaving stark bare branches of trees to endure the coming winter cold.

The heat of a sunny autumn day warms you enough to enjoy a short journey into town or work, while the threat of rain and the cool air continuously steers us indoors.

Since I am a person who usually runs quite warm, this time of year is exciting as I am able to comfortably lounge in my housecoat and slippers on a Saturday morning.

Or, more recently, after my one-year-old spilled my coffee on me, I am able to lounge in my wife’s bright pink “oodie”.

Within this beauty that surrounds us in the season of autumn, there is also a theme of death. Autumn signals the end of summer, of holidays and hot lazy days.

It signals the end of long days; darkness closes in on both morning and evening.

The changing of colour in the trees, the end of summer fruits and vege gardens is a literal death; the trees cut off their leaves in order to conserve energy for the winter ahead.

Recently, I attended a peer support group called “Death Cafe” that meets in the St John’s Parish lounge.

Like most people, I have not spent a lot of time thinking about or working through what death is, or how it might affect me.

In fact, I have not had many close friends or family pass away.

Death has always been quite far removed from me, a concept in my head, rather than a reality in my heart. It was for this

reason that I attended; the less you engage with something that is imminent the more frightening it becomes.

Death Cafe is both a solemn and inspiring space.

It was this space that invited me to reflect on the season of autumn; remember the celebration and joy of summer relaxation, grieve and commemorate the pain and hurt within current circumstances, but also to hope and dream of what may happen as the year progresses.

Reflection is something that we struggle to do in this fast-paced age of technology and social media. It is so much easier to continue to look for the next thing, than to contemplate what has led us to the place we are in.

However, we are shaped by our stories, our lived experiences. These experiences shape the way we see ourselves and the world around us.

As a Christian, autumn is the time of the year to reflect on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

To re-think my lived experiences in light of the one who is continually drawing every person into the love and life of God, father, son and spirit.

As we sit and enjoy a warm cup of coffee on a crisp autumn morning, I wonder, what are the stories that we reflect upon? What is it that has shaped us into who we are today? Where could God be leading us, both as individuals and as a community?

Rowing club celebrates

Te Awamutu’s annual masters regatta is establishing itself on the rowing calendar after what club officials call “a few quiet years”.

The club hosted 130 rowers last weekend on Lake Ngā Roto in uninviting weather.

The first regatta of the masters season attracted entries from a dozen clubs –including Waikato Blublokes, Hamilton, Cambridge, Mercer, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty Coast, North Shore and a composite squad from Mercer, Clifton, Hawke’s Bay, Horowhenua, Union Wanganui who were practising for Australian Masters Champs in June

“Te Awamutu Rowing Club has always sought to encourage new rowers into the sport.

“Masters racing starts at age 27, but we allow novices of all ages to enter,” regatta secretary Ann Edmondson told The News.

“BOP Coast brought a squad of 12 teenagers and three of Te Awamutu’s development squad competed for the first time.

The event also served as a warmup for the Legion of Rowers event next month and was a great introduction to racing for novices, she said.

Te Awamutu masters competed in several events

and the club’s novice women’s squad made their debut at a masters regatta.

Visiting clubs said the day was challenging because of the weather – but an enjoyable one, and a good opportunity for new rowers – some who had first picked up an oar only this year – to don a uniform and compete

The weekend also saw the club celebrate its 60th anniversary with a function attended by 75 past and present members, including some from crews which raced in the 1970s.

Club President Raymond Ormsby told the gathering how the club had changed since the previous reunion which celebrated 50 years.

The high point in rowing achievements had been Hannah Osborne’s silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Other members have represented New Zealand and won World Cup medals.

Osborne could not attend the celebration but donated her New Zealand row suit from those 2020 games, signed by her and double sculls partner Brooke Donoghue.

A celebratory cake, baked by Jody Oberlin-Brown, was cut by masters rower Wendy Reynolds, who has been a member since 2006 when her children started rowing.

Hautapu triumphs in colts derby

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

Te Awamutu’s Wahine Eight, from left, Tanya McDermott, Kirsty Moffat, Jess Adlam, Roz Harrison, Rochelle Panting, Claire Hood, Pip Leppard, Laura Collier, Nathan Harrison (cox).

Hautapu Colts’ Ihaka Harper-Dent scores a try in the team’s 31-17 against Te Awamutu Colts at Albert Park in Te Awamutu.

Photo: Jane Thompson.

COME JOIN US & HAVE SOME FUN

RESTURANT UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

Quick crossword

Wordsearch

PKYHMFARMERHARROWS

BCGSOLPJCCRKTRACBE

SOPWIRULNRCUEIOABF

LLAOLISNOAOFNMLTJE

IFSCYTCETUIPPAYTSN

MMTDUTYSFEGOSPMLHC

EOUTWRYTHGSHEMREHE

TWRSEADKRTVELSESCN

SEETHCRIJOHOATDSTR

ERAAETUTESUGBODGIU

VGYBFOBNSRIGXOOYDH

RDULPRBRNHOHHBFEGC

AXEESTAOPBCSEEDLNM

HWGRAINCMAADIRQRUE

Sudoku

Across

1. Hitch a ride (5)

4. Tired (6)

7. Self-esteem (3)

8. Slogan (6)

9. Held legally responsible (6)

10. Irritable (5-8)

14. Hours of dark (5)

15. Striped animal (5)

18. Inferno (13)

23. Disregard (6)

Last week

24. Threaten (6)

25. Cut off (3)

26. Miserly (6)

27. Police weapon (5)

Down

1. Coach (5)

SHEARINGBAEGFODADG

MILKINGMQZRREZNBGD

WOLLAFAPIGSEEHENSE

Down: 2. Abandon, 3. One, 4. Sprawl, 5. Seller, 6. Atrocious, 7. Stale, 12. Stevedore, 16. Taffeta, 17. Select, 18. Asleep, 20. Avoid, 24. Tin.

BALES

BARLEY BOOTS CALF CART CATTLE CHURN COMPOST CORN COWS CROPS DITCH DUNG EROSION FALLOW FARMER FEED FENCE FLOCK FODDER GATE GRAIN HARROWS HARVEST HAYSTACK HEDGE HEIFER HENS HERD HORSE LAMB LIME MAIZE MANURE MARE MILKING MOWER OATS PASTURE PIGS PLOUGH REAP SEED SHEARING SHEEP SILO SOIL STABLE STRAW TILTH TRACTOR TROUGH

Last week

Sudoku

Absolute (5) 3. Attractiveness (6) 4. Serious (6) 5. Dodge (5) 6. Throb (5) 10. Relating to sound (5) 11. Church instrument (5) 12. Jewish teacher (5) 13. Sketched (5) 16. Hardly (6) 17. Punctual (6) 19. Should (5) 20. Scowl (5) 21. Barbecue utensil (5) 22. Happen (5) For an information pack contact: Sandra Fairhurst 07 827 6097 E: sales@resthaven.org.nz 6 Vogel Street, Cambridge NEW SUPPORTED LIVING APARTMENTS Enjoy comfort, easy living and the community feel of Apartments on Vogel. In the heart of Resthaven, Cambridge’s 100% community owned retirement village. Take a virtual tour at www.resthaven.org.nz C OMMUNIT Y 100%OWNED STAGE 1 UNDERWAY 381 Alexandra St , Te Awamutu P 871 3707 Courtesy Van available daily from 4pm - Phone bookings ext 4 MEMBER OF CLUBSNZ & RNZRSA Entry restricted to Members, Invited Guests and members of affiliated Clubs www.teawamutursa.co.nz

290 MEDIUM ICECREAMTAFSBJFCKD CSMYIKORICWRMAPRBI EOFAHDXSLNPCUUGIOS BSRCRIGPLATUOIASOP LTIMAGAZINESPUTPKL OBDVETABUNSSCINSSA CUGCJIFRPUUVONETSY KTEHFCPOIGOESATSEI STFELAFEONDGCUPSCR EEQWONISNDEEOMLTAR JRAIWSLHTSTTMIOARI BPLNESMEQKEAILZTDC RULGRNSLWDRBCKEISP EZHGSAAVWDGLSANOEA AZOUBCIESWEETSGNLP DLUMOKNSEMNSFXEEAE NERLCIGARETTESSRTR ESSCONFECTIONERYES

Rice rewards with Jan Bilton

As the Chinese proverb goes ‘The smartest housewife cannot cook a meal without rice.’ And over half the world’s population agree — rice is their staple food and an essential meal maker. In China, Japan and the Philippines, for instance, a meal without rice is usually regarded as simply not a proper meal. Variety is the life of rice. Five of the most popular are arborio, sushi, basmati, jasmine and black.

The short-grained arborio has a chalky texture which is especially suited to risottos and other Mediterranean dishes. It can absorb large amounts of water while remaining firm. Sushi rice —also short grained — is high in pectin which enables the grains to stick together. Basmati is a long grain rice favoured by Indian cooks for its flavour and for being dry and fluffy when cooked. Jasmine is a soft, delicately fragrant and aromatic long grain rice, the perfect match for many Asian dishes. Black rice is high in antioxidants and fibre. According to a US university study black rice contains more anthocyanin antioxidants than blueberries.

SUPER SEAFOOD RISOTTO

Superbly morish.

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 each: cloves garlic, small fennel bulbs, finely sliced 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 cup arborio rice

3/4 cup white wine

1.25 litres fish (preferably) or chicken stock

8 cherry tomatoes, halved

Seafood: 1 cleaned squid hood, cut into 2cm rings 150g skinned and boned salmon, cut into 3cm cubes 200g raw prawns, deveined and shelled

Seasonings: 50g parmesan cheese, finely grated 25g butter, chopped

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/2 cup chopped parsley

Heat the oil in a large heavy frying pan on medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and fennel and cook until soft. Add the fennel seeds. Cook for a few seconds then add the tomato paste.

Stir in the rice and cook for 2 minutes until the grains are coated in oil. Add the wine and simmer for 2 minutes. Bring the stock to the boil in a saucepan. Add a ladle of hot stock to the rice and stir until it has been absorbed. Repeat the ladles until the rice is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Add the cherry tomatoes.

Add the squid and prawns to the rice, stir gently, then add the salmon. Cook on low until the prawns turn pink. Stir in the parmesan and butter, until melted. Add more stock if necessary. The mixture should be saucy. Drizzle with lemon juice and garnish with parsley. Serves 4.

TRAY-BAKED BUTTERFLIED CHICKEN WITH LEMON RICE

A one-dish meal. Two tablespoons of dried dill leaves could replace the fresh dill. I used 90-second basmati rice.

1each: large onion, garlic clove, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon each: cumin seeds, ground cinnamon, turmeric

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 tablespoon olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

1.1kg butterflied chicken

8 large Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved 250g 90-second basmati rice or cooked leftover basmati

30g dill sprigs, chopped Preheat the oven to 190°C.

Place the onion, garlic, spices and lemon juice in a roasting pan just large enough to hold the chicken snugly. Add the oil and seasonings and stir well. Place the chicken on top, breastside up. Cover loosely with foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Arrange the Brussels sprouts evenly

next home

around the chicken. Cover and bake for a further 30 minutes. Remove the foil. Lift the chicken onto a plate. Stir in the rice and most of the dill, mixing well into the pan ingredients. Return the chicken to the pan. Continue roasting –uncovered – for 15 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining dill on top. Chopped tomato can be added for extra colour. Serves 4-6.

BRAISED VEG & BLACK RICE

A one-dish meal to serve as a main or side. Cut the pumpkin into approximately 2cm cubes.

1 large onion, diced

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cups peeled, seeded and cubed pumpkin freshly ground salt and black pepper to taste

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1 red or green capsicum

1 cup peas

2 cups cooked black rice

Sauté the onion in the olive oil on medium heat until softened. Add the cubed pumpkin and seasonings. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pumpkin is just tender.

Seed the capsicum and remove the ribs. Cut into 2.5 cm squares. Add to the pan with the peas. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.

Stir in the black rice adding a little water if too dry. Heat through.

Great served topped with toasted cashew nuts, chopped hard-boiled eggs or diced feta. Serves 2 as a main or 4 as a side.

Super seafood risotto

Tray-baked butterflied chicken with lemon rice

VACANCIES

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

MATURE Nikau palm trees for relocation. Cash paid. Ph/txt 021 888 708.

• Volunteer Position

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.

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!

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

LINDSAY, Andrew Bruce (Andy) – Passed away suddenly at home on Monday, 17th April 2023. Aged 49 years. Very devoted husband to Yvette. Adored and loving father to Grace and Holly. A private family farewell has taken place. All communications to the Lindsay Family, c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu, 3800.

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.

Newspaper Deliverer Wanted

for delivery of the Te Awamutu News, your local weekly community newspaper.

Deliveries are to occur every Thursday. Are you honest and reliable and would like to earn some money while keeping fit? Our runs are suitable for either youth (minimum age 11 years) or adults.

Delivery runs available in the following area:

• Pirongia township

Please contact us on E: admin@goodlocal.nz

Provide your name, phone number, and the area you are located.

TE AWAMUTU OPEN HOMES

a total ink level of approximately 220%.

Rate card: Rates are based over a 12-month period starting from the date the first ad publishes. Rate bracket e.g. 6 insertions, 12 insertions etc. chosen allows ad sizes to vary within the rate bracket. If the number of insertions chosen is not met then a bulk charge will be applied at the end/cancellation of your schedule based on correct rate reflective of the number of ads published e.g. if you have chosen the 12 insertion rate and only publish 6 insertions, the bulk charge will be the difference in price between the 6 insertion rate and 12 insertion rate multiplied by the number of ads published. You pay the rate reflective of the number of ads you actually publish.

Invoicing and Payments: For advertisers on a regular schedule invoices will be sent at the end of the month and payment is due by the 20th of the following month, otherwise payment is required by end of day Tuesday in advance of publishing. Accounts in arrears +60 days may be subject to a $95 + GST late payment fee per month. Advertiser is responsible for all debt collection fees. Cancellation deadline is one week prior to publication. By confirming and

Contact listing agent prior-visiting as Open Homes times can change.