Cambridge News | May 4, 2023

Royal marathon ahead

Half a century in New Zealand, and he considers himself a Kiwi – but Roger Gordon is very much a royalist.

And he expects to be on breakfast duty at some point this weekend while

New Zealand born wife Jo enjoys a television marathon watching King Charles’ coronation.

Gordon, a Waipā district councillor, believed many would have at one time questioned Charles’ credentials to be king, but he had matured “in terms of Regality” and the public would continue to warm to him.

Charles would certainly be most pleased to know the council is following “guidance” from the Department of Internal Affairs around planning initiatives that have a focus on promoting sustainability.

From tomorrow buildings including the Te Awamutu library and Cambridge Town Hall and clock tower will be illuminated in royal purple to mark the coronation of King Charles III.

On Saturday two Tilia Cordata - European limes –said to be a favourite of the King – will be planted, one in Victoria Park, Te Awamutu at 9am and the other in Victoria Square, Cambridge at 11am. The events will be open to the public.

The ceremonies will be

a combined effort from Waipā District Council and the Cambridge and Te Awamutu Boards.

Cambridge Community Board chair Jo DaviesColley said the board looked forward to welcoming the Cambridge community to join in celebrating “this historical event”.

“Alongside the significance of the tree planting ceremony, we are thankful to have the support of the Cambridge RSA and the participation of the Cambridge Brass Band with singer Chris Gale.”

For Gordon, royalty is part of his heritage.

“I grew up with the Queen always being a figure to give direction and stability.”

On returns to England, he enjoys the royal events which capture the imagination of the public – and sat along the Windsor mile – The Long

Walk - for the wedding of Harry and Meghan and on another occasion, when arriving slightly late for the

Trooping of the Colours, found himself 20 rows back. That underlined his view that revenue generated

by the Royal Family was “something you could not put a value on”.

“I think the Royal Family

still has a place in New Zealand, though some may disagree – but history is important,” he said.

Marc van den Heuvel Partner

Margie Brittin from Victoria Station dressed up the shop window ahead of the coronation – and was even flying the flag in Victoria Street this week.

Roger Gordon

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Bureau plans for 40th

By Viv Posselt

Cambridge Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is about to mark its 40th anniversary and those organising the knees-up want to hear from anyone associated with the bureau during that time.

June 14 has been set aside for a celebratory event. Bureau chair Caroline Kitching and manager Marie Payne say the branch has much to celebrate and they want former helpers to join them in marking the occasion. Those keen to do so should either phone the bureau or visit their Alpha St office.

The nationwide network of not-forprofit bureaux came to New Zealand on the back of an organisation established in WW2 England to help people cope with the dislocation and trauma of war. The first bureau in New Zealand opened in Ponsonby in October 1970 – there are now more than 80 nationwide.

It was in June 1983 that the Cambridge Citizens Advice Bureau opened, initially in the old courthouse/museum. It shifted to Alpha St in early 1993.

Vera Fisher was one of the first Cambridge CAB volunteers. When her youngest left home, she took up golf and scanned the horizon for something else to fill her time… CAB fit the bill.

“I came in once a week for a few hours … we had stacks of files in those days and it sometimes took ages to find what you were looking for,” she said, “but I enjoyed working with people and finding solutions for them. Things were a lot simpler then.

On the beat with

It was the pre-Google era. People wanted help with anything from finding a lawyer to asking how to make strawberry jam, or just asking what time it was.”

Relationship issues rarely featured back then, she said.

They are commonplace today, Caroline said, along with a host of other complex problems: “One of the biggest we see now are custody issues which go through the family court. We introduced a special ‘family court navigator’ late last year… that has made the information more accessible and the environment more relaxed for the client.“

Other problems they see relate to trees, bonds and boundaries… everyday issues

Senior Constable DEB HANN Reminders and new faces

First of all, I again have some reminders for the community. I’d like to remind everyone to secure your vehicles whenever you are not in them.

We continue to have an increased trend of cars being stolen or broken into, with items taken from them. Some of these were prime targets for opportunistic thieves, due to car doors being left unlocked or high value items being left in plain sight. Please protect your property and belongings. Crime prevention is a community responsibility.

Secondly, on a road policing note, speaking with young drivers of late, it is clear that not all are aware of the rules for those on their restricted driver’s licence. In order to carry passengers, a restricted driver must have a full licenced driver - who has held that licence for at least 2 years - seated in the front passenger seat beside them. If they don’t, not only can they receive a fine

and demerit points, but if their passengers know the driver is on a restricted licence, they are also liable to a fine. And lastly this week, I’d like to highlight a couple of our newest constables to have joined the team in Cambridge.

Constable Rodrigo dos Santos Mino joined the team as a probationary constable early 2023. He was born in Montevideo, Uruguay and moved to New Zealand with family in 2004. He settled in Hamilton and has remained in the Waikato ever since. Rodrigo joined the police because he liked the idea of not knowing what each day would bring. He also had friends who were already working in the police, who gave him a bit of an insight into the job and motivated him to follow the same path. Like most of us, Rodrigo likes to stay fit and active outside of work. He plays soccer and goes to the gym. Rodrigo has settled in well. He is looking

that rile people up.

“Sometimes they come in hoping we will validate the action they want to take… it’s just a case of suggesting other solutions to the problem.”

Marie joined CAB in 1997, volunteering for a year before being offered the first ‘staffing’ job there. “I remember coming out of training and being chucked in the deep end. My knees were knocking … I was terrified.”

Today’s comprehensive training and buddy system eases new volunteers into the role, meaning those armed with empathy, staying power and real desire to help others find they can gain as much satisfaction as they give.

forward to getting know Cambridge and working within the community.

Constable Scott Harris joined the team as a probationary constable in mid-2022. He grew up in Te Aroha. Scott always regarded policing as a profession he could see himself in, even when serving in the New Zealand Army with the 1st Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. He says, “I looked around at the society that we live in now, which has changed a lot from my younger days growing up in Te Aroha. I wanted to join to the police to play my part in helping the people in the community so they too can work and play in a safe community.”

In his spare time Scott is a keen Chiefs supporter, enjoys running, the gym and listening to a wide range of music. Have a good week and stay safe.

Marie Payne, Vera Fisher and Caroline Kitching are calling on others to join the CAB anniversary celebrations.

Dog policy

A revised Dog Control Policy is going out to consultation in Waipā for a month. Changes in the draft include prohibiting dogs from exercising behind vehicles, tethering rules for dogs on vehicles, a change to certain neutering decisions, a limit on the number of dogs which may be taken into an exercise area – and the creation of eight exercise areas. Submissions close on June 16.

Weather report

Another month another lot of rain… that’s NIWA’s assessment of early May. It’s season outlook through to July opens with a period of tropical weather followed by “variable”, slightly warmer than usual temperatures.

Notices issued

The council’s enforcement team has been busy issuing nine littering infringements where it was obvious who the offender was and 190 parking infringement notices. Most were for “overstaying” in Cambridge and Te Awamutu’s town centres.

Donations made

Cambridge’s Cruisers Rock n Roll Club has presented $7800 to both the Cambridge Community House and Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, from the $15,600 raised from its March dancing with the stars event. Representatives of the two organisations, Gabby Byrnes and Norma Taute respectively discussed how donations would be used.

Website visits

Website visits for April to cambridgenews.nz smashed all previous monthly records thanks to the story about our Super Gran who foiled ram raiders. John Hansen standing firm on his Piarere flyover campaign was next followed by Where’s the Playground Susan?, Me and my Kiwi Momma and in fifth, The Women strike back about dragon boat competitors.

Housing need detailed

By Mary Anne Gill

Waipā has an immediate shortfall of 560 houses while there are 87 families

considered at risk and with severe and persistent housing needs.

The facts have been laid bare in a report from

Waikato Housing Initiative chief executive, and former Waikato deputy mayor Aksel Bech.

He spoke to the Waipā District Council’s housing subcommittee this week.

The figures in his report show the district will need another 6051 homes built in the next 20 years to keep up with demand.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Social Development’s waiting list as of December last year had 96 eligible applicants – down from 108 three months earlier –including 87 in situations that need addressing immediately.

Deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk who chairs the housing subcommittee told The News there was a growing need for more houses.

“We’re looking at how we can enable affordable housing options,” she said.

“We’ve done a good job with housing for the elderly. Lots of councils ditched those and we didn’t, and we’ve continued to grow that portfolio.”

But the housing need was still widespread, she said.

The council was in regular touch with Crown agency Kāinga Ora – ‘Homes and Communities’ around its plans for Waipā. The agency owns land in Cambridge

North and is looking at opportunities in Te Awamutu.

In Cambridge, the council is keeping a close eye on developments, said Stolwyk.

“We’re very keen to see the urban design around that.”

Through an expression of interest process, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has received eight tenders for its land portion in Cambridge North. Peake Mews, Brian Perry Charitable Trust’s compact development in Cambridge West, is also under construction.

In Te Awamutu, the council has already signalled it is looking to sell a 3.7ha parcel of land in Cambridge Road to Kāinga Ora for affordable housing because of the dire shortage which was impacting some of the district’s most vulnerable citizens, said Stolwyk.

Waipā council has a legal obligation to promote community wellbeing and through its vision has agreed to build connected communities.

Access to shelter in warm and dry housing with security of tenure is at the heart of community wellbeing and a basic human right, she said.

Bech said Waipā had already committed to being

part of a system change and not continue to wait for someone else to step up.

“The official data along with our lived experiences tell us that the lack of affordable housing is a significant barrier to achieving council’s vision and its focus on community wellbeing,” Bech said in his report.

Someone had to fix the affordable housing issues prevalent in Waikato. Local councils hold the key “be that someone at scale, at least to provide the leadership,” he said.

The Waikato Housing Initiative had been given a mandate by the Mayoral Forum to lead the conversation with councils and get Waikato councils working better together. Across the region 75,000 new homes will be needed in the next 20 years.

…but building consents fall

By Mary Anne Gill

Development activity across Waipā appears to have slowed down this year with only 30 subdivision consent and 46 land use applications in the first three months.

Deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk, who chairs the council’s Strategic Planning and Policy committee puts that down to a number of businesspeople and developers across the district taking a conservative approach during the current economic environment.

“People are holding back, keeping an eye on interest rates. I keep in

contact with developers. It’s a small slowing, it’s not significant and not to be of any concern,” she told The News.

The figures were in District Growth and Regulatory Services group manager Wayne Allan’s report to the committee this week.

The number of resource consents lodged with the council this quarter was 50 down on the previous quarter’s 134 consents.

But 139 consents had been processed, all in the allowable statutory timeframe.

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(LIM) reports were also down slightly to 223, he said.

The council issued 42 development contribution notices worth $6.08 million – 13 from building, 10 from land use and 19 from subdivision consents.

There were 368 building consents issued – worth $77.9 million - down on the 122 for $113.8 million from the same three-month period last year.

The significant building consents this quarter are:

• 1498 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu, Construction of an Ammonia Water Chilling Plant

Room Building and a MCC Building on an existing site.

• 181 Hannon Road, Cambridge, Proposed Commercial workshop and office.

• 86 Hautapu Road, Cambridge, Camex New Warehouse and Office - Stage 1 Civil and Structural.

• 68 Duke Street, Cambridge (Masonic Hotel) refurbishment and fitout of existing building to create three hotel rooms.

• Matos Segedin Drive, Cambridge, construction of office and warehouse.

Aksel Bech

Housing under construction in Leamington – but much more is needed.

Council settles building claim

By Mary Anne Gill

A $6.8 million claim against Waipā District Council and several contractors over a commercial building with weathertightness defects has been settled before it got to a High Court trial.

The council’s share of the confidential settlement to Erinic Investments Ltd – a company owned by Justine and the late Sir Patrick Hogan – was $1.95 million. It paid an additional $475,000 plus GST on legal and building expert fees. None of the costs are covered by insurance.

The News has been following the case since the Hogans’ Cambridge-based company initiated proceedings in the High Court in 2020 against the council and four other defendants alleging the council was negligent in issuing building consents, inspecting the building work and issuing Code Compliance Certificates for a commercial building the company owns.

Erinic Investments was initially claiming at least $2 million in damages with additional losses such as interest and costs.

The Companies Office website still shows Sir Patrick as a 50 per cent shareholder despite his death in January.

The company directors are his wife, two daughters Erin and Nicola and grandson Liam Hunt.

The fixture was due to get underway at the High Court in Auckland last week and was set down for a four week trial but was vacated at the request of Erinic Investments’

Hay gets to the bay

By Viv Posselt

counsel Grimshaw & Co. Its website describes the firm as dispute resolution experts.

Senior associate David Powell said the firm did not have instructions to provide information to The News “or any other person in the media regarding our client’s claim.”

In a statement, the council said it disputed that it was responsible in any way for the alleged defects.

“Following a mediation between the building owner, the council and the construction parties, the parties have entered into a confidential full and final settlement agreement.

“The council has reviewed, and is continually reviewing, its consenting processes,” the statement said.

The council is facing another longstanding legal action filed at the Te Awamutu District Court five years ago.

It involves Kihikihi couple Wayne and June Atkinson and dates to 2001 when the council completed stormwater system work in the town.

The action before the High Court in Hamilton says council has been negligent, breached its statutory duty and created a nuisance in relation to a private drain on the plaintiffs’ property in Kihikihi. The Atkinsons are seeking more than $2.5 million in damages, interest and costs.

That case is set down for a five-day fixture starting May 27 next year at the High Court in Hamilton.

A motley convoy of vehicles last week drove tonnes of hay and sileage from Cambridge to Napier for distribution to cycloneravaged farmers in Hawke’s Bay.

The 600 km round trip was deemed a success by one of their organisers, Te Miro’s Denis Beech. The eight vehicles hit heavy weather and a few bumps along the way, the latter explained by two sizeable earthquakes that rocked the Hawkes Bay area during their April 26 trip.

Denis’ partner Bronwyn Cameron – who was also one of the drivers – said she wondered what was happening when she heard the ‘loud buzzing noise’ on her phone.

“It was the earthquake alert. It certainly explained the bumps I noticed as I was driving,” she said.

The convoy came about after one of Denis’s mates found he had too much cut grass for his own needs and suggested donating it to farmers hit by February’s Cyclone Gabrielle.

“It grew from there,” said Denis. Friends were quick to come on board; Noel Yearbury was among

the first. He and Denis have known each other for 63 years and agreed that it was a no-brainer to get the surplus hay to where it was needed the most.

Bronwyn, who has contacts through her job teaching agri-business, acted as a liaison with recipient organisers in Napier and a team of volunteers in Napier was on standby to help unload.

The convoy included Denis’ 1928 Essex truck, a vehicle he lovingly built a couple of years ago. They drove to the speedway grounds in Napier, which has been made available to receive donated hay and other items for local farmers. The dozen large hay bales, 18 sileage bales and some 250 smaller hay bales were well received at the other end.

Bronwyn said many

Hawke’s Bay farmers were still desperate for help.

“Some of them lost huge areas of pasture in the cyclone and floods … their land just collapsed. There are people there who are still without power, without access, who are still struggling to get stock out. It is going to take years to recover.”

She said any Waikato farmers wanting to donate feed for Hawkes Bay farmers could get information through the RDA Napier Facebook page, or on 021 133 5516.

Driving down the feed donated by a raft of locals, the convoy drivers included Cambridge’s Bronwyn Cameron, Denis Beech, Brian Scott, Noel Yearbury, David Civil, Wallace Hall and Paul Gordon, and Te Awamutu’s Don Wise.

Resting up while loading their ‘Hay to Hawkes Bay’ vehicles are Brian Scott, Noel Yearbury and Denis Beech, with BB the dog.

Alan will remember them With a little red tape…

By Mary Anne Gill

Cleaning up the headstones in Hautapu, Leamington and Pukerimu cemeteries is a labour of love for Alan Sherris of the Cambridge RSA but he used to have problems finding the ones he had been working on.

After all there are literally hundreds of gravestones dating back to the 1800s, so

he needed a system.

“When I first started doing some work on the services grave, I had to locate them.

“A month later I had to locate them all again.”

So, he decided to put red tape on the gravestones. It was that red tape which bemused Cambridge Museum staff and participants on a recent The Dead Tell Tales event around Hautapu Cemetery.

Karen Payne was also puzzled about who had cleaned up Irish businesswoman Mary Teresa Murphy’s headstone since she started researching her two years ago.

And now both mysteries have been solved.

Soon after last week’s Cambridge News came out, Merv Cronin popped into the museum to see Payne and told her it was he who

had cleaned Murphy’s headstone.

Her maiden name was Cronin and he felt there could be a tenuous family link.

“So, he got some Wet ‘n’ Forget a couple of months ago and cleaned up her headstone,” said Payne.

“He was very surprised to see it come up so white. It was probably the first time it’s been cleaned for 110 years.”

The RSA project mystery has also been solved. Sherris is working on a project aimed at protecting Cambridge’s war graves and protecting the resting places of those affiliated with New Zealand’s military past. It was launched three years ago by the New Zealand Remembrance Army and coordinated by the RSA.

“The red tape is a clear highlight that I can see from some distance away,” said Sherris.

“As I complete a headstone restoration the red tape is removed.”

“It becomes very clear that over time families have moved, died away because the future generations

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have given their all, so the restoration of military gravesites is to ensure the service and sacrifice these young Kiwis made is not lost and forgotten.” Sherris said while seeing great numbers attending Anzac Day services is good, his motivation is to assist in ensuring those who lost their lives and then died after that, are also recognised.

“In restoring some of the family headstones one gets a profound awareness of the contributions made by many of the families in Cambridge – not just the loss of a son or brother –but also the suffering of the whole families that, in some cases, lost their future generations,” he said.

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Mystery solved: Merv Cronin, who cleaned up Mary Teresa Murphy’s headstone, popped in to see Karen Payne at Cambridge Museum.

Before and after: Willie Rose and William Saxby’s gravestones at Leamington and Hautapu.

Government backs lilies scheme

Cambridge company Lilies by Blewden has won a government grant to help it go greener.

The company – established 30 years ago - has turned away from using waste oil as a fuel and the reduction in emissions will have multiple benefits.

For two decades Lilies by Blewden has used 120 litres of waste oil an hour and could consume up to two tonnes on cold nights as it kept greenhouse temperature right.

The waste oil burners have been decommissioned and a network of hot water pumps will provide heat for greenhouses – the project helped by the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry (GIDI) fund.

“This helps to create a more stable environment in the greenhouses, meaning no extreme temperatures throughout our wintery nights,” owner Mary Birch said.

In turn, that will help to standardise growth time, lead to a reduction in pesticide use and a better crop.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and energy and resources minister Megan Woods discussed the latest round of funding last week in Auckland. It involved partnerships with 15 high energy users to help them reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

“So far we have co-funded 66 major industrial decarbonisation projects in total, with all set for completion by December 2027,” Woods said.

The GIDI fund is a government and business partnership aiming to reduce carbon energy-related emissions.

“Applying for the fund was a robust and demanding process that included thorough research, statistics, and analysis to prove the long term benefit of this change,” Birch said.

“This co-funding helps businesses meet an investment hurdle that is preventing or

slowing down a valuable decarbonisation project from getting started.

“Not only is this good for the environment and for our lilies, this is great for our team,

our neighbours, and other growers. She said systems can be reversed in summer to cool the greenhouses, meaning a better working environment for the team

Back in the saddle

and less wastage of products.

“Our neighbours will no longer have the noises and fumes associated with burning of fuels, leading to a nicer environment for all.”

PICTURED

LEFT: Many happy returns: Cambridge constable Paul Bevan helped make Troy Johnson’s day last week when he returned a stolen bike.

Troy’s son Maddox, 16, had been working at Burger Fuel in Cambridge when the bike was stolen, and it was one of two discovered by police when they searched a property.

Troy, pictured with daughter Mieke, is a joiner who owns Huis Joinery. His advice: get your bike engraved, and always lock it.

Out riding for research

By Mary Anne Gill

Natalie Gauld knew there was something seriously wrong with her when two years ago she could not lift a kayak onto the top of her car.

The pharmacist – recognised in the New Year’s Honours for her work on improving access to medicines - initially put it down to the type one diabetes she had been diagnosed with three years’ previously.

She was on a low carbohydrate diet because of her diabetes and getting multiple muscle cramps. But when the cramps morphed into other parts of her body and she could not undo a button on a pair of shorts, she took to Dr Google.

Motor neurone disease was top of the list. Doctors initially ruled it out though. And while part of Gauld wanted that to be so, she knew in her heart they were wrong.

People don’t want to jump into motor neurone. You try to cut out everything else you possibly can first. They thought because of the diabetes it was some sort of neuropathy.”

An official diagnosis came in March last year. Motor neurone disease is a degenerative terminal disease which affects the brain and nerves progressively damaging the nervous system leading to muscle weakness and paralysis. There is no cure.

Cambridge

Gauld, who has always been physically active, was in Cambridge with husband Matt Rees-George on Saturday.

The Auckland couple are experiencing many of the country’s Great Rides while she can and helping raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease New Zealand. They have already gone past the

$15,000 goal and ridden more than 1100 kms.

She uses a custom-built electric all-terrain three-wheeler called a Motom Trilobite – top speed 35kph - which was designed by Auckland University Bachelor of Engineering graduate Andrew Nash, who has a progressive disability himself.

Rees-George has had to buy an

WINDING UP

By Sir Roger Hall

Following last year’s sold-out season of “Conjugal Rites”, we are pleased to present the (stand-alone) sequel, “Winding Up”, with Jo Bishop and Steve McMurray reprising their roles as Gen and Barry Mase eld in this latest Roger Hall theatrical gem.

Barry was a dentist. Gen was a lawyer. Now they are both in their seventies and retired. Retirement has gone swimmingly so far with the usual

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international cruises, yoga classes, attendance at funerals, dealing with body corporate issues and the occasional fall. But when Barry is diagnosed with leukemia, the two need to deal with the prospect of death.

A witty Roger Hall play that captures the essence of married life in retirement, in contemporary times. Though a sequel, it is a stand-alone production with no need to have seen Conjugal Rites.

Venue: Gaslight Theatre

29 April - 13 May

E-bike to keep up. They started in January with a ride on the Ohakune Old Coach Road before heading to the South Island where they road 500km of cycle trails.

“I’m slow progressing so I’m doing all I can to enjoy life, including riding as many trails in New Zealand as I can and

still getting great pleasure out of work.”

She was joined on the Te Awa ride by several friends including Tamahere dentist Karyn Taylor and Cambridge financial planner Carey Church. Her sister Tracey Gauld was an optometrist in Cambridge several years ago.

“I enjoyed the crunch of the autumn leaves under my tyres, the kotare flitting along the track in front of me at one point, piwakawaka in the trees and the Waikato River alongside. The boardwalk through the trees was nice and wide and it felt great to be amongst the trees,” said Gauld.

Gauld is an honorary senior lecturer in pharmacy at Auckland University, a paediatrics senior research fellow and has a PhD. She led a huge catalogue of drug reclassifications in collaboration with primary care organisations, government and fellow researchers and was influential in getting many medicines reclassified so they can be dispensed in pharmacies - including oral contraceptives, and Viagra which is also known as Silvasta.

She is currently evaluating a pilot of midwife-prescribed, pharmacist-administered anti-D immunoglobulin to pregnant women who are Rh-negative to prevent Rhesus disease and working on a study to assess the rates of hepatitis C in needle users.

Open

Nicola McKenzie, Natalie Gauld, Andrew Newman, Matt Rees-George, Carey and Peter Church, Karyn Taylor, Janet and Mark Hanlon.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Repertory Society Presents

Actors Jo Bishop and Steve Mc Murray

Scammers’ three pin plug

Commsafe is warning Waipā residents to be alert to a wave of scams.

Mandy Merson, Te Awamutu’s Community Safety Officer, says scammers are using a variety of tactics to snare people – and take their money or identity.

One woman’s suspicions were aroused when, after talking to scammers posing as Amazon staff, they called back seeking the three-digit code on the back of her credit card.

A call to her bank put an end to their game – but not before they had been able to view private details.

The case is one highlighted by Merson in her April report, where she says she has seen an email

trail which had started the chain of events.

“Basically, the resident had done an online Amazon order and then by coincidence she has received an email.”

She made a call and was convinced to let the “Support Team” help her set up a program on her cell phone so she would no longer need to phone them.

The scammers had the woman download an app which gave them access to personal details.

“The only reason she realised they had scammed her is they phoned back asking for her three-digit ID for the card.”

Realising what was going on, she phoned her bank and was able to stop any transactions from occurring.

Merson said she was “happy to say” the woman had shared the information with Neighbourhood Support and her plea was to share the experience, so others don‘t get caught out.

Scammers rely on good nature and coincidences and the surprise factor.

One scam email doing the rounds suggests people owe a road toll fee – and risk huge fines if they don’t follow instructions. One

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example shown to The News went to a 15-year-old who didn’t have a licence, let alone a car – but the scammers will be banking on success elsewhere.

“We are being targeted by the opportunist scam messages via text and email,” Merson said. “There have been several reports

and many people across the country have, unfortunately, been victims to these.”

She said text scam messages usually came from a very long number or an area code that is unusual.

“Email addresses look similar at a first glance but if you actually look at the entire address it is only

using part of a company’s name. If you click on the link sent in a text or email, they do often look similar to the real websites but have an overseas abbreviation.”

Organisations most often mimicked by scammers discussing fake bills and parcels – or seeking detail verifications - include Waka

Cyclone fundraiser

Kotahi, NZ Post, banks and Inland Revenue.

“I urge people to check in with family and friends, especially elders to make sure they are aware of these. Do you have a scam story to share with us? Email editor@goodlocal.nz For more details go to cambridgenews.nz

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Participants have the opportunity to grow and develop their leadership networks through being part of a cohort of emerging leaders, expanding their network of Rotarian contacts and meeting a range of prominent local leaders.

Participants have the opportunity to grow and develop their leadership networks through being part of a cohort of emerging leaders, expanding their network of Rotarian contacts and meeting a range of prominent local leaders.

is held at Epworth Recreation Centre, on Lake Karapiro in April each year and is run by a committed group of Rotarians.

RYLA (Rotary Young-Person Leadership Awards) is a weeklong leadership development programme for 20-28 year olds. It is held at Epworth Recreation Centre, on Lake Karapiro in April each year and is run by a committed group of Rotarians.

is held at Epworth Recreation Centre, on Lake Karapiro in each year and is run by a committed group of Rotarians.

Mandy Merson

A St Andrew’s Craft Fair and Gala in Cambridge has raised funds for victims of Cyclone Gabrielle. Organiser Ian Dunn says it will be some days before the total sum raised is known. All payments for the 135 site or stall fees went to the fund. Photo: Mary Anne Gill

A brand new look

Noisy times

Waipā noise control officers were kept busy during the first three months of the year responding to 440 complaints. Thirty-six people were issued with written directions and 17 issued with verbal instructions to reduce excessive noise. No equipment was seized.

Dog gone

Only 127 dogs remain unregistered with Waipā District Council – which is 1.3 per cent of all dogs in the district. The council will continue pursuing owners. Meanwhile 54 dogs impounded in the quarter ended March 31; 43 were claimed by their owner, three put down and one rehomed. Seven dogs were still in the pound at the end of the quarter. Twelve of the 17 reported issues to Animal Control were reports of dog bites – 12 on other animals and five on adults – with most being relatively minor.

No Planet B

Readers will spot Peter Matthews’ regular musings are absent this week. Peter will produce his No Planet B column for the rest of the year on an occasional basis. His past columns are on our website cambridgenews. nz

Show goes on

St Peter’s School senior musical production Anastasia, which was to open on April 29, will now open tonight (Thursday) due to a variety of illnesses among the cast and crew. The show will now end its four-day run on Sunday with a matinee performance.

Chopper Fundraiser

Bob Laws of Cambridge had his 80th birthday at Te Awa Retirement Café recently and used the opportunity to raise $1038 funds for the Westpac Waikato rescue helicopter. Laws would not have made his birthday had the helicopter not transferred him to Auckland Hospital in 2019 after he had a stroke. He presented the money last week at the chopper’s Waikato Hospital hangar.

Cambridge Town Hall’s new branding had its debut ahead of the first production under its moniker last Friday night.

At a special reveal 30 minutes before Les Voisins – a journey into French music through the ages – Town Hall trust chair Kirsty Johnson and trustee Jason Tiller unveiled the new-look.

Tiller explained the window, stairs and font were taken directly from the Town Hall’s 1909 frontage while the colour blue represented water and the red the earth.

Mana whenua gifted the name Whare tapere oo Te Oko Horoi. Whare tapere was the name given to sites used for entertainments such as storytelling, dance, music and games. Te Oko Horoi is the name of the Cambridge lake where the second Māori King Tāwhiao symbolically washed his face in a gesture of healing the grief and sorrow that followed the land wars of the early 1860s.

The Town Hall’s second production under the new branding will be held on

May 26. Double Shot, in partnership with Chamber Music New Zealand, is a duo providing a colour mixture of percussion instruments based around marimba and vibraphone.

“We take great pride in showcasing exceptional talent and providing a platform for them to share their art with the wider community. We are committed to building a thriving facility that serves as the heart of the district and contributes to the cultural richness of the community,” said Brew.

Your Vision. Our Expertise.

Jason Tiller, chair Kirsty Johnson and general manager Simon Brew.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Join our Morning Tea Tours every Thursday in May

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Our single-storey villas are warm, modern and designed with everything you could need for the perfect retirement lifestyle. There are no worries about maintenance or upkeep as we do it all for you, and pets are also welcome. Plus, with six months to sell your home, help with your legal fees, a complimentary moving package, and no weekly fees for six months# – it’s never been easier to make the move.

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Love the life you choose

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2019-2023

What happens after the storm?

By Murray Smith, Pastor, Bridges Church

The true story of a 70-foot longliner Andrea Gail - lost off Canada’s Grand Banks on October 29, 1991 - is told in the movie ‘Perfect Storm.’

The vessel was on day 40 of an extended commercial sword-fishing trip when three shockingly brutal storms converged on their position. The National Weather Bureau could not warn the crew of the storm’s magnitude. Data buoys indicated waves 30 metres high as the boat was hit with winds measuring 80 knots, or 150 kph.

Andrea Gail’s captain, Billy Tyne, radioed to area fishermen - “She’s coming on boys, and she’s coming on strong.”

Tragically the crew of six young men in their twenties and thirties never made it home, leaving behind families and a small town in mourning.

The Andrea Gail’s emergency beacon washed ashore off the coast of Nova Scotia, but the boat was never found.

‘Perfect storm’ conditions also collide with cultures. That’s evident by taking just a cursory glance at history. Threatening trends arise incrementally - sinister forces that culminate in a ‘tipping point’ to unleash explosive storms which impact not just nations, but the whole world.

Maybe the current heaving layers of global sociological disorder and evil sweeping the planet point to an imminent convergence of a ‘perfect storm’ in our time? I wonder.

I’ve visited the Palace of Versailles near Paris. This residence of the French “Louis” kings was the pinnacle of European royal elegance. To me, its sheer opulence offered partial explanation for the boil-over that triggered the French Revolution from 17891799.

A ‘perfect storm’ of factors had accumulated, inflaming and propelling French society towards revolt after years of inequality, feudal oppression and brutal taxes. The populace rose up, fuelling the trial and execution of Louis XVI on the grounds of treason in 1793.

It’s claimed a galvanising factor for the French Revolution was the American War of Independence (1775-1783). It signalled to the French people that revolt could be successful - even against a major military power such as England, whose strangling lack of empathy and understanding of the American population was a ‘perfect storm’ in itself.

The British Empire’s staunch, colonial

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domination provided the motivation to rebel.

Another movie brought tears to my eyes this week - the true account of a different type of ‘revolution’. One that occurred in my late teenage years. “The Jesus Revolution”, showing in cinemas, features turbulent ‘perfect storm’ events preceding a revolutionary period of time from the mid 1960’s to early 1970’s when tens of thousands of young people in the US found life’s meaning and purpose in a personal relationship with Jesus - and it spread worldwide.

Time Magazine’s cover story in June 1971 portrayed this ‘revolution’ exceptionally well.

With civil rights and Vietnam War protests raging, the free-love, drug culture of the hippy movement disenchanted with society’s hypocrisy and materialism desperately searched for truth. It led to a transformed younger generation coming out of darkness into light as they found reality in Jesus.

A song of the day described this as “a loving revelation, not a violent revolution…” Having endured ‘perfect storm’ conditions, it heralds hope for a grace-filled ‘revolution’ in our day.

Tamahere rate plan

Tamahere ratepayers being asked to consider paying an annual nature rate have a couple of days left to respond.

Submissions on a plan which would levy ratepayers $1 a week close on Sunday.

The targeted annual rate, to run for five years, would contribute to conservation work in the Tamahere gully network.

The Tamahere Mangaone Restoration Trust has been working in the Mangaone, Mangaharakeke and Mangaonui gullies for over a decade on a voluntary basis. Grants and donations have covered costs and the trust has been supported by Waikato District Council since 2021 when a memorandum of understanding was signed and annual funding of $3000 was agreed to.

The rate would be applied to properties in what was the Tamahere ward before 2022 and fund work on council land and reserves, or on land which the public can access.

Works would include gully restoration and maintenance, and community education and awareness.

For more details go to cambridgenews.

Record high for festival grants

By Viv Posselt

Just over $37,000 raised at last year’s Cambridge Christmas Festival has been distributed to 12 separate Waikato charitable organisations.

Cambridge Christmas Festival Society president Deb Robinson said the figure was the highest for an annual grants distribution since the festival started more than 20 years ago.

The grants were given in differing amounts. They went to Cambridge Community House (CCH), Hato Hone St John, La Leche League, the Greater Waikato Railway Modellers, Waikato Rivertones Chorus, Octopus for Preemies, Achievement House, True Colours, the Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade, the Cambridge Toy Library, Waikato Family Centre, and Interlock NZ.

The society raises the funds through the Christmas Festival held each December in the Cambridge Town Hall. Society members work throughout the year to craft handmade decorations and gifts to sell, with other offerings including choral and other entertainment and Christmas teas.

PICTURED RIGHT: Christmas Festival Society president Deb Robinson, right, with representatives of some of the recipient groups. Pictured, back from left, Dawn Harpur (Octopus for Preemies), Adrienne Windsor (Waikato Rivertones), Paul Murphy (GW Railway Modellers), Phil Johnson (Volunteer Fire Brigade), Marilyn Bird (CCH), Selby McClelland (Achievement House) and Peter Wright and Richard Crease (Voluntary Fire Brigade). Front, Sally Hall (Cambridge Toy Library), Jo Simpson (La Leche League) with Charlotte and Samantha, Heidi Gleeson (True Colours) and Gabby Byrne (CCH).

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AGE OF REASON

Anzac reflections

By Peter Carr

On Tuesday of last week, I forewent my annual warm-coated pre-dawn visit to the Cambridge cenotaph to take part in a very simple yet moving gathering at our village in Lauriston Park. It was at the more reasonable time of 8.30am and a cooked breakfast followed for all attendees.

Simple, in that the organiser, in concise terms, explained the rationale of Anzac memories and how it means different things to different people. Those who travelled and fought (or not) prior to 1950 have possibly a different memory to those who made the journeys to Korea, Vietnam, East Timor and Afghanistan. Yet their input is just as important - even if the perceived risk to New Zealand was possibly less than the two world wars. Nevertheless the (mainly) men and latterly women deserve our gratitude just as much as those of earlier conflicts.

At our village service, complete with the sweet notes of the cornet, I had the role of reciting The Ode - one of the verses of which commences with “They shall not grow old….”. In rehearsing this important and poignant poem I researched the two verses that I was asked to enunciate clearly into the microphone. In doing so I undertook some research of the original stanzas that were written in 1914 - with the author sitting on Cornish cliffs staring out onto the often-wild western ocean Atlantic waters.

The writer was Laurence Binyon and his meaningful rhyme was first published in The Times during September 1914. When the first trench warfare in France was building up but before Winston Churchill condemned many fine young New Zealand and Australian soldiers to attempt to take the impossibly steep and barren cliffs of

A focus on nature

Mike Keir, Waikato District Councillor, Tamahere-Woodlands Ward

Gallipoli away from the resident Turks. All this to provide a side show to attract the Turks from guarding the narrow water strip of the Dardanelles as the British wished to take their fleet into the Black Sea.

Back to Binyon – he first wrote the “They shall not” verse before preceding and succeeding those lines with three other verses. And it was verses three and four that I was asked to deliver. The whole poem is well worth reading and parts of it are uttered daily at the Menin Gate in Belgium and at RSAs. Stand To is a very important time of the day for RSA members - many of whom have lost the use of their regular and owned premises as their numbers dwindle and finances become strained. Poppies made in Christchurch this year numbered 1.3 million and it was a pleasure to see the loyal and helpful services provided by the poppy sellers in Victoria Street on the Friday before Anzac Day.

Larger services - especially at main city centres - are still well supported (and rightly so). However, it is interesting to note the swelling ranks of younger people who have never felt the terror or angst of war first hand. For the first three years of my life, I spent most nights in the damp and chilly concrete bunker of the next-door neighbour listening to the bombers overhead as they transited from and back to Germany. And then later witnessed the glowing tail exhausts of the V1 and V2 rockets - but with a mind that had no comprehension of what was really happening. Except that my father was absent overseas on national naval duty until I was three years old.

We have begun the process of updating our Long Term Plan starting with the community outcomes that will shape our focus. Our current plan runs through to the end of June 2024, and we will be looking at confirming our budgets and planning for the period from July 2024 through to June 2027.

What we lock into this plan will determine what works the district council will undertake in the next three year period. We have started consultation with our local community boards and committees to get their input into this process and, over time, will be undertaking wider community consultation to help shape this plan.

There are many areas the council will look at in doing this - however an area I would like to highlight is our strategy for Taiao, or nature, in the Waikato, which is being developed out of a review of our conservation and esplanade strategies. The district council aim is to better manage plant and animal pests and work with landowners to increase native plantings and restoration, particularly in areas of marginal land. Some people may be familiar with the Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) which have been highlighted in the draft National Policy Statement on Indigenous Biodiversity.

As a bit of context, the Waikato District comprises nearly 420,000ha of land of which some 16 per cent has been identified as potential SNA. Most of these areas have not been ground tested yet and the real figure of actual native vegetation is probably under 10 per cent or 40,000ha. Our most recent data shows that we are still showing net annual loss of indigenous biodiversity in our district. One of the aims of our strategy is to try and reverse this trend and start increasing our coverage of

indigenous biodiversity.

To do this we will first need to understand exactly what our current situation is and a key component to any success is the cooperation and assistance of our communities and ratepayers.

Some people have expressed concern about having SNAs designated on their properties as they fear losing control of their own lands. This is not the intent of these designations, the purpose is to work with landowners to protect and enhance our environment by limiting further loss of forest, restoring marginal lands into forest where possible and managing plant and animal pests better.

Another piece of context is that Japan, a country with population densities 16 times higher than NZ still has 75 per cent coverage in forest and trees. That is a choice Japanese people made and likewise we can also choose to alter our focus and priorities by considering how we value these things. There are also added benefits in increasing our forested areas of helping to stabilise slip prone lands and carbon sequestration. A very good way to kick start this process off is to support the proposed targeted rate for gully restoration in the previous (pre2022) Tamahere Ward. The rate will be $1 per week to support significant conservation work in the Tamahere gully network over the next five years by the Tamahere Mangaone Restoration Trust.

This work was identified in the ‘Tamahere Blueprint’ as a top priority for the community and may also help with progress on the Tamahere gully walkway projects. Submissions on the proposal closes on the May 7, please have your say.

ON SHAKY GROUND

Viewing misinformation

By Janine Krippner

Over the years I have responded to eruptions by giving information through social media and over 200 media interviews around the world.

This has meant that I have seen a lot of what is posted and shared online, what goes viral, and what is splashed across headlines. It is scary just how much “information” shared online is somewhere between inaccurate to total junk.

Working with many reporters I have only had a couple of instances where I feel that what I said was skewed or misrepresented. Every other reporter or journalist has worked hard to grasp a complex topic in a short amount of time, under pressure, to get out accurate information to the world. I spent 10 years in universities getting three degrees, with additional experience, to become a volcanologist. There is no reasonable way that I can expect anyone outside of my field to accurately report on volcanoes 100 per cent of the time, no matter how valiantly they try.

Then there are tabloids (especially from the US and UK in my experience) and social media users, who seem to have much less strict fact-checking ethics. I have seen the most rubbish and harmful claims go viral, while experts have a much smaller reach and are left trying to keep up.

Sadly, documentaries and tv shows can also be surprisingly inaccurate. All of this results in masses of misinformation living permanently across the internet. When you are trying to find the truth, the odds are not in your favour. Volcanoes are a generally benign topic, there aren’t a whole lot of conspiracy theories, and they usually aren’t a political rage point, yet misinformation is

rampant and so casually thrown around as fact. This intensifies when a volcano or eruption hits the news, and even more so when there are terms like “supervolcano” in the mix.

Not that far back there was a news cycle with several set press conferences to give updates on a volcano. Now we have 24/7 global news and social media, and with that an insatiable impatience for more. The landscape has totally changed in a very short time. If there is no new information fast enough, misinformation fills the gap.

This has taught me to have a healthy scepticism for everything I read. I pay attention to who is giving the information and where it came from.

We all saw that during a crisis like a pandemic, our best knowledge can be constantly improving. I want the best information available at the time, while being open to that information evolving as we learn more. There appears to be an impatience or even intolerance to this process. When a volcano starts to wake up, we are constantly getting more data as the activity evolves. More information means better advice as time goes along, but that doesn’t mean that the earlier information was bad.

My friendly reminder to my community is to be careful what you read and share. What might seem harmless to share here might spread to a place where it truly can put others in danger. People are actively trying to take advantage of the internet in harmful ways, and you do not deserve to get caught up in it.

The chief who really cares

Justin Butcher, father, occasional hockey player and when needed, critical care flight paramedic is eight months into the role of chief executive of Pinnacle Inc.

Pinnacle is the Te Manawa TakiMidlands primary health network of around 85 general practices across Waikato, Lakes, Tairāwhiti and Taranaki.

There are 30 primary health organisations and Pinnacle is one of the four largest.

Butcher’s journey to chief executive took some twists and turns.

He was born at Waikato Hospital and raised in Mātangi and says he fell into healthcare by accident.

He enrolled in a Bachelor of Management at the University of Waikato in around 2000, and near the end of his degree began volunteering with St John in Cambridge.

After graduating and one month before he was due to start in the Deloitte graduate programme in Auckland, he gave up the placement in favour of working full time in the St John education programme and training to become a paramedic.

It was the start of a varied health sector career that has included further studies, and primary care services and leadership roleswhile continuing to moonlight on the frontline of emergency response.

Ten years ago, when he saw his future in the ambulance service,

he was in Christchurch visiting his wife’s family when the second major earthquake hit.

Butcher ended up based at the CTV building, where 115 of the 185 people who died during the earthquake had been when it struck.

“I probably saw too much and got a bit burnt out from that experience.”

He joined Pinnacle as a project manager looking at primary options and an acute demand strategy and 10 years later was

appointed CEO.

He also resumed working on the frontline, first in the ambulance then the rescue helicopter. These days Butcher still works when needed with Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter as a Critical Care Flight Paramedics, who are trained to provide critical care interventions and work in a helicopter environment.

“I still really enjoy it – I get a lot out of it. It fills my cup; it’s a change of pace and mindset from what I’m doing at Pinnacle,” he

says.

“I see the inequities firsthand, if I go into an emergency motel unit where people are trying to raise their kids, it’s very grounding and it motivates me to sit there and say, what can we do differently, how can we change the system to help these people more?

He says the country is going through an unprecedented and ambitious reform of the health system and calls it an exciting time.

He also says it’s probably one of the most frustrating times.

“Nationally we’ve seen the announcement that 5000 nurses have registered to work in Australia since August and there are hundreds more every month.

“To truly want to make a difference on health equity we need to look at how we grow our own workforce rather than relying just on international imports,” he says.

Added to the workforce crisis he says there is pay disparity, inequitable funding for primary and secondary care.

Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) may hold the answers, but Butcher says while the vision is clear, there is still no action plan or detailed road map to share with staff and stakeholders.

“We’re operating a bit on blind faith; we know we’re heading in the right direction but all we can ask is for people to come with us, and all will be well.”

He is passionate about leading Pinnacle on a journey to becoming a bicultural organisation, and where diversity and incusion are embraced - because it’s the right thing to do.

“We have 93,000 Māori and 9,000 Pacific people enrolled with us across the network, so with that comes a lot of responsibility to provide services in a culturally appropriate manner. That’s hard to do if you don’t understand the culture. I’m not where I need to be, and there’s a long way to go – this is all a journey."

Justin Butcher, during an Anzac Day shift as a critical care flight paramedic with the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

World champs for Jodie

Cambridge teenager Jodie Blackwood has been selected in a nine-strong group of promising cyclists to compete in the UCI Track Cycling Junior World Championships in South America in August.

The sole sprinter in the squad, Blackwood rode successfully for the St Peter’s School, Cambridge team winning two golds and a bronze in the under 17 girls’ event at the track national champs last year.

Earlier this year she won the sprint title at the Australian championships along with a silver at the Oceanias following a come-from-behind performance in the junior women’s sprint as a first year rider at under-19 level.

“This is an encouraging group of young riders with five of them first-year juniors who could compete again next year,” said Cycling New Zealand’s Graeme Hunn of Cambridge.

“After the disruptions with Covid, this year we have had the benefit of returning to competition across the Tasman, which has provided a solid litmus test for our riders, and also some understanding of international competition before they travel.”

The team will be headed by lead coach Elyse Fraser along with Andrew Williams (men’s endurance) and the national assistant sprint coach Fionn Cullinane. The group will

Colts march on

be managed by former Olympian Rushlee Buchanan.

The team to compete in the UCI Track Cycling Junior World championships in Cali, Colombia from 23-27 August is:

Female: Meg Baker (Christchurch), Jodie Blackwood (Cambridge), Caitlin Kelly (Invercargill), Georgia Simpson (Feilding).

Male: Matthew Davidson (Christchurch), Marshall Erwood (Invercargill), James Gardner (Dunedin), Magnus Jamieson (Invercargill), Austin Norwell (Auckland). Coaches: Elyse Fraser (Christchurch) lead & female endurance; Andrew Williams (Christchurch) male endurance; Fionn Cullinane (Cambridge) sprint; Rushlee Buchanan (Cambridge) manager.

Hautapu hooker Shaye Retemeyer was a handful for the opposition in the Colts 57-5 victory over Hinuera at Memorial Park, Cambridge on Saturday.

The unbeaten Colts are now second on the 16-team Waikato Rugby table behind leaders Hamilton Marist on points difference.

Hautapu Sports’ senior rugby teams racked up 155 points between them in a weekend which saw plenty of free-flowing play.

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THURSDAY: Smoke in the vicinity, Pukemoremore Road Building alarm and activation, Cambridge Road

WEDNESDAY:

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55-28 to maintain their second-place in the standings, hot in pursuit of leaders Hamilton Marist who scraped home against fourth-placed Hamilton Old Boys.

The Development team lost 49-43 to Melville in one of the weekend’s highestscoring games.

Hautapu Colts have the second-best attacking record with 176 points scored so far, and have the best defensive record with only 29 points conceded. They play Hamilton Boys High School on Saturday.

Jodie Blackwood, centre, won gold in the 500m time trial last year with Caitlin Kelly, left and Meg Baker.

Photo: Supplied.

The Waikato Premier A side beat Melville

Shaye Retemeyer storms over for a try.

Photo: Jane Thompson

Twigg makes world cup splash

By Steph Bell-Jenkins

Olympic rower Emma

Twigg is using her sporting star power to help rev up

A feast of football

FIFA spokesperson Emma Alsemgeest said the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, the largest women’s sporting event in the world, was forecast to attract 30,000 international visitors.

Co-hosted by New Aotearoa and Australia and involving 32 international teams, it will kick off with the New Zealand Football Ferns’ first pool match against Norway at Eden Park at 7pm on July 20, and run until August 20.

The Ferns’ two other pool matches are against Philippines at Wellington Regional Stadium on July 25 at 5.30pm, and Switzerland at Dunedin Stadium on July 30 at 7pm. Waikato Stadium will host five games, including one between Argentina and Sweden.

support for this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The event, co-hosted in Aotearoa and Australia from July 20 to August 20, is expected to attract two billion global viewers.

“It’s just an exciting event that New Zealanders, I think, are going to be really proud to be hosting,” said Twigg, who lives in Cambridge with her wife Charlotte and one-year-old son Tommy.

“They don’t know quite yet, but they will by the time it’s done.”

The 36-year-old said home crowd support had made racing the world championships on home soil at Lake Karāpiro in 2010 one of the most memorable races of her life.

“I hope that these girls and New Zealanders get so involved that they have that kind of experience as well,” she said. “And I’m sure that will happen. Being at a home world cup or world champs is pretty special.”

Twigg joins a star-studded team of “Beyond Greatness Champions” – which also includes New Zealand’s first Winter Olympic gold medallist Zoi SadowskiSynnott and business leader Dame Therese Walsh – to support and promote the

World Cup.

FIFA spokesperson Emma Alsemgeest said the brand ambassadors were a group of inspirational trailblazers who represented the best

of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand across sport, entertainment, media, arts, politics and business.

“They are a team who are united by their achievements

and commitment for change, history makers who exemplify what it means to go beyond greatness,” she said.

Twigg, who was made

a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2022, finished outside the medals at three Olympic Games before winning gold in Tokyo in 2021. She is now training for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

A former football player herself, she said having the opportunity to promote the Cup and “create some kind of hype about what is going to be an amazing event anyway” was a privilege.

“I think the amazing thing about what these events do – and what we saw again with cricket and rugby – is that young people engage and see themselves out on the field and that inspires another generation.”

She is looking forward to getting to as many games as possible.

“I love live events, the atmosphere, the DJs and what you get versus watching it on TV,” she said.

“It’s entertaining, I imagine the price will be right and you’re supporting kiwis on home turf –you just don’t have that opportunity that often, at a tournament of such status.”

For information about international matches being held in Hamilton, and how to buy tickets, visit cambridgenews.nz.

Emma Twigg is a Beyond Greatness Champion for this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Heatpumps:

Choosing a heating system is a big decision and often requires a signi cant investment. It’s important that you do plenty of research into all of the available options so you can make an informed purchase.

Heat pumps are one of the most popular heating options for many home owners, but like all systems they have their advantages and disadvantages. There are a number of factors behind the increasing popularity of heat pumps as a heating and cooling solution for homes and businesses.

Heat pumps are versatile and can be installed in a variety of ways. They can be integrated into existing or new ducted

systems or mounted on the oor, wall or ceiling.

They are very cost a ective as they use external heat and cold to e ciently regulate temperature in a building. As

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a result, they are 50 per cent more cost e cient than gas heaters and use less power than other electric heating and cooling systems.

Heat pumps lter your air while they operate, reducing the presence of pollen, humidity and airborne pathogens in the building. Other types of ducted heating on the other hand often spread dust and other contaminants around.

The e ciency of heat pumps means less energy is used, which means less pollution and fewer carbon emissions. Heat pumps can be an extremely energy-e cient form of space heating and cooling – provided they are sized, installed, and used properly.

There are also some factors behind why many people have decided to move away from heatpumps to other systems.

Compared to many heating and cooling solutions available on the market, the initial cost of the product and installation can be much higher. Heat pumps are more about long term cost-savings.

The reason heat pumps are so e cient is because they extract external heat to

heat your property.

This can be a downside in areas that are extremely cold where the heat pump might not be able to get enough heat. In this situation, an auxiliary heater or combined system may be needed to address this issue.

Heat pumps operate on very similar principle to a fridge. Refrigerant ows through connected indoor and outdoor coils.

In heating mode, as the liquid refrigerant ows to the outdoor coil, it passes through an expansion valve that creates rapid expansion of the liquid, causing it to become a gas.

This results in very rapid cooling of the refrigerant.

Then as it ows through the outdoor coil, it is able to absorb heat energy from the air. Before it ows through the indoor coil, it passes through a compressor where the gas is compressed, increasing both the pressure and the temperature. As it moves through the indoor coils, the gas condenses, releasing latent heat.

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the pros and cons of a popular heating system

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Sherry Herkes

Residential sales 027 223 4335 sherry@cambridgerealestate.co.nz

Eilish Page

Residential sales 027 300 0002 eilish@cambridgerealestate.co.nz

Alison Boone

Residential sales 027 277 8726 alison@cambridgerealestate.co.nz

Sacha Webb

Residential Sales 021 363 387 sacha@cambridgerealestate.co.nz

Graham Ban

Residential Sales 027 448 7658 graham@cambridgerealestate.co.nz

Paulette Bell

Residential Sales 021 245 6888 paulette@cambridgerealestate.co.nz

Rachael Seavill

Residential sales 027 722 4235 rachael@cambridgerealestate.co.nz

Kylie Lee

Residential sales 021 183 9210 kylie@cambridgerealestate.co.nz

Debbie Towers Residential sales

Cover

027 689 8696 debbie@cambridgerealestate.co.nz

Trevor Morris Residential sales 027 205 3246 trevor@cambridgerealestate.co.nz

Rural & Lifestyle: David Soar

Rural/Lifestyle sales 027 284 9755 david@cambridgerealestate.co.nz

Matt Seavill

Rural/Lifestyle sales 027 444 3347 matt@cambridgerealestate.co.nz

OFFICE PHONE 07 827 7188

Gerda Venter

Residential/Lifestyle/Rural sales 027 311 3722 gerda.venter@ljhooker.co.nz

Scott Saunders

Residential/Lifestyle sales 022 024 5404 scott.saunders@ljhooker.co.nz

Tony Mills

Residential/Lifestyle sales 021 35 34 34 tony.mills@lugtons.co.nz

Lenie Senekal

Residential sales 027 247 1900 lenie.senekal@lugton.co.nz

Janine McWhannell

Residential sales 021 487 112 janine.mcwhannell@lugtons.co.nz

OFFICE PHONE 07 823 2300

Peter Tong

Residential/Lifestyle sales 021 987 867 petert@more-re.co.nz

Wendy Tong

Residential/Lifestyle sales 027 555 0633 wendyt@more-re.co.nz

Lily Hooker

Residential/Lifestyle sales 027 870 3317 lilyh@more-re.co.nz

Jason Tong

Rebecca Napier

Residential/Lifestyle sales 020 404 74120 rebeccan@more-re.co.nz

OFFICE PHONE 07 823 0647

Camron Meade

Waikato/King Country Sales Manager 027 420 1881 camron.meade@pggwrightson.co.nz

Martin Lee

Rural & Lifestyle Sales 027 497 0830 martin.lee@pggwrightson.co.nz

Scott Borland

Lifestyle & Rural Sales 027 486 4893 scott.borland@pggwrightson.co.nz

Alison Nicholson

Residential & Lifestyle Sales 022 621 0942 alison.nicholson@pggwrightson. co.nz

Sean Senior Business Owner

Residential/Lifestyle sales 021 023 17949 sean.senior@raywhite.com

Shirley Haycock

Residential/Lifestyle sales 021 941 872 shirley.haycock@raywhite.com

Peter Matthews

Residential/Lifestyle sales 0274 905 383 peter.matthews@raywhite.com

Michael Burnett

Residential/Lifestyle sales 027 596 8983 michael.burnett@raywhite.com

Ron Bradley

Residential/Lifestyle/Rural Sales 027 496 7004 ron.bradley@raywhite.com

Stephen Fair

Residential/Lifestyle sales 027 336 3412 stephen.fair@raywhite.com

OFFICE PHONE 07 827 4163

Matt Gilray Sales Manager 021 809 822 matt.gilray@lugtons.co.nz

Residential/Lifestyle sales 027 755 2902 jasont@more-re.co.nz

Cary Ralph

Residential/Lifestyle sales 021 139 4000 caryr@more-re.co.nz

OFFICE PHONE 07 827 0222 Fraser Coombes Managing Director 021 990 117 fraser.coombes@raywhite.com

Mark Keesom Principal 027 533 7661 mark.keesom@raywhite.com

Brenda Donaldson Director/Sales 027867 9953 brenda@riserealestate.co.nz

Kylee Graham Residential/Lifestyle Sales 021 296 3315 kylee@riserealestate.co.nz

Pros and cons as property market slows

The heady days of having a residential property on the market for a week and having multi offers have definitely gone, Cambridge Real Estate’s Sherry Herkes says.

For most of the Waipa region, it’s taking longer to sell properties than it did a year or so ago, and she believes it’s more a case of “things getting back to normal.”

“The reasons for buying and selling haven’t changed. We have a good selection of offerings for the markets we have, ranging from the 500s for a unit or two bedroom, through to family homes. Cambridge is a destination choice.

“We have those who want to retire here so will downsize their home and move into retirement living, through to the high end homes.”

For all that, she says vendors need to be prepared to meet the market.

“As long as buyers are working within that four to five percent of what the vendor is asking, those kinds of offers shouldn’t be turned down,” she says.

“There are those who will offer too low – but generally, most offers are within target and we are still getting the odd multi offer,” she says. “Our open home number are increasing, which is good.”

Where the market tends to be flat in both towns however, is with section sales.

“We are finding a lot go on [the market], sit and then come off. Builders won’t guarantee the end price [to build] and banks aren’t happy to loan on that basis, so it’s become a lot harder for new builds,” she says. The other market proving tougher to move for both towns are the high end properties. These traditionally take longer to sell and appear to have settled back into that

groove in recent months.

Te Awamutu Property Brokers’ sales manager Rebecca Fraser says homes are staying on the market longer than they used to in the town.

”A good four to five weeks or so for those that are well priced and presented, and up to eight to 12 weeks or more for others.”

New market appraisals are showing the impact of combined bank interest rates, stricter criteria for loaning, uncertainty in where the national and global economies are going, and a natural increase of listed properties. It can be difficult for some vendors to understand the big prices of the past two years have eased right off in today’s tighter economic times, Rebecca says.

However, there is a plus side in all this, the “huge influx” of first home buyers in the Te

Awamutu region particularly being one.

“They are still capped at $650,000 [as per housing grants] and we are finding a good number of homes have now dropped into this price bracket,” Rebecca says.

“Hamilton remains too expensive for many to buy a first home, so they still are looking to come to Te Awamutu and its surrounds for a home they can afford.”

“We have good family homes on good sized sections priced at around the $700,000 mark which can be negotiated down to where the capping for the grant sits, and these are selling.

“And it’s a good time for buyers, if people can afford the interest rates and are buying at lower price than expected.

“Buyers today generally don’t want a house to buy and renovate the way they used

to. They want it all done, move in ready. So if a vendor has a house that needs a new paint, for example, they will need to either look at doing it – or be prepared to wait and negotiate down in price.”

She warns the new build market is close to saturation in the town, however.

“We fought the council [against a new development] recently. The section sales are developers, not end home buyers.”

Too many of these on the market could pull prices down too far, especially as investors have yet to fully return to the market despite Government incentives.

“The risk is still too high,” she says, citing such aspects as high building costs, uncertainty in the interest rates which aren’t matching rental yields, the 10-year Brightline test and the much stricter rules

Building permits for the 2022/2023 year to date for Cambridge and Te Awamutu

up until the end of March 2023 and do not include April, May and June figures.

Residential

Cambridge: 374

Te Awamutu: 168

Commercial/Industrial

Cambridge: 42

Te Awamutu: 18

The total for the previous full year were:

Cambridge: 558 (42 industrial)

Te Awamutu: 351 (18 industrial)

The following number of subdivisions are actively underway, with titles yet to be issued:

Cambridge: 34 (5 pending, 38 approved)

Te Awamutu: 67 (7 pending, 69 approved)

Rural: 126 (13 pending, 113 approved).

around tenancies through the Healthy Homes Act and changes to the Tenancies Act. “Not everyone can afford the average $650-$680 a week being asked for home rentals; for a really good tenant we can sometimes get it down to $660-$630, but it’s not easy.” Her advice to buyers is, if they can, to buy an existing home rather than build – even one that needs doing up, because it’s easier to get finance. Both agents say it is important for vendors to listen to what their agent is telling them about where the current market is at.

“If a good cashed up offer comes along that is less than the one you received dependent on a buyers house selling – take it. Because houses listed a few months ago that haven’t sold yet, won’t be selling for the price originally asked for,” Rebecca says.

estate company We have won many Growth to Top Agent, t

passion straight ore values, gives us

Gerda is the franchise owner of LJ Hooker Cambridge She has a straightforward, down to earth, pro-active and totally honest approach to real estate and life in general She has an extensive knowledge in law, marketing and management and a keen eye for detail and the ability to negotiate top outcomes for clients

Having ten years experience in the industry Scott returned to his home town in 2018 with his wife and two children intent on establishing solid and productive relationships with his clientele Since then, he has gained the reputation of being an honest straight talking consultant that achieves the best results possible

Putting people first is in the heart of everything we do

Alison Boone

Residential Sales Consultant

Debbie Towers Residential Sales Consultant

Trevor Morris Residential Sales Consultant

Sherry Herkes Residential Sales Consultant

Eilish Page Residential Sales Consultant

Rachael Seavill Residential Sales Consultant

Kylie Lee Residential Sales Consultant

Graham Ban Residential Sales Consultant

Paulette Bell Residential Sales Consultant

Sacha Webb Residential Sales Consultant

David Soar Rural/Lifestyle Sales

Matt Seavill Rural/Lifestyle Sales

Heather Signorini PA to David

Amy Walsh PA to Alison & Sacha

Gemma Herrington PA to Sherry/Eilish & Paulette/Graham

Angela Jones Branch Manager

Stuart Boone PA to Rachael & Kylie

Brooke Goodman Office Administrator

Taylor Bourke Marketing Co-Ordinator

Claudia Parker Office Administrator

Jason Tregurtha Photographer

More families choose to get back to basics

One of the biggest changes to come from three years of Covid is the realization city life doesn’t have to be the answer moving forward.

And to this end, the lifestyle market in the Waipā district still holds steady, according to Peter Tong from More RE in Cambridge.

“I’ve just sold two in the past couple of weeks and there’s no doubt there is still interest despite banks harder line [on criteria for loaning.]”

“Traditionally, lifestyle blocks will sit for a long time, some will have offers subject to a buyer’s sale or other conditions. But I’m also finding buyers are now more about putting their offers in when they can be close to unconditional – that is, they have unconditional sales on their own property and/or finance is sorted.”

The age group of people who are wanting lifestyle blocks, particularly the ones with paddocks, tend to be those in their 30s and who still need support via finance.

These are also the ones, Peter says, who have decided a more rural and simpler lifestyle is

what they are choosing for their families.

“Gardening used to be a lost art, but it’s coming back and there is a sense of self-sufficiency people are looking at and choosing as a lifestyle,” he says.

“The shed requirement for a block is always there, some may want a paddock for a pony

Growth continues: Waipā commercial market on the rise

The commercial and industrial side of Waipā district is simply on fire, NAI Harcourts Hamilton Commercial real estate agent Theo de Leeuw says.

“Particularly in Cambridge in the Hautapu area since the advent of the Waikato Expressway, growth there has been – and continues to be –fantastic.

“The industrial precinct has seen so many new businesses move in – Mainfreight has just about finished a 6000sqm warehouse, Emmersons has a new base there, Scania is setting up a new depot of sorts – there are so many new agri-businesses coming on board,” he says.

He believes the close proximity and easy access to both the airport and the expressway is the primary reason for the massive growth, particularly in the past two years, that shows no signs of stopping.

“The difference is the diversity of business in the Waikato; something Auckland or Wellington for example doesn’t have.

“From dairy to horticulture,

[sport to foods], if one goes down, another pops up. There’s a good, strong mix of industry across the board.”

It’s not just Cambridge however. He says Te Awamutu’s industrial growth is strong as well and cites businesses like the dairy factory, Manuka Honey, and others in the Bruce Berquist area as creating new opportunities.

“Both Cambridge and Te Awamutu are growing in terms of population, yet they both still retain that village feel. You can walk to town or to the rose garden or to work.

“There are many athletic opportunities from the velodrome, the river, to equestrian facilities,” he says.

“So there is something for everyone from industry to recreation in a village feel that people love.”

Theo says it’s exciting times for the Waipā region as growth continues, particularly in the engine room of commercial and industrial areas which in turn will drive the population growth.

or two or a pool. Everyone is different in what they want –apart from the need for a good sized shed,” he says. His advice to both vendors and buyers is to “have meaningful discussions” about expectations.

“It’s a time for deals for both ends, really. There’s been some

sparks in the market with buyer interest in the past few weeks,” he says.

“People are getting their ducks in a row earlier now and offers are there to be made. “Sellers need to be sure they are listening to their agent – who has listened to the buyers and know what they are looking for

- and taking advantage of those who are ready to sign.”

Camron Meade from PGG Wrightson says it’s the first time vendors have seen a decline in property values across the country in the real estate market for some time – and for some, it’s an “awkward’ time.

“It’s very fair to say that across New Zealand, there’s been an average 20% price drop in what values were seven or eight months ago [in lifestyle blocks].

“This is something that the public can see on any available algorithm.

“In saying that, if vendors are up to speed with todays’ price expectations, have listened to their agents, have presented their properties well, the market is still meeting expectations and there are sales.

“But if vendors aren’t prepared to meet that, or can’t, they are best not to be on the market at this time.

“Of course banks are looking at pricing too. It’s hard – this time last year, a property could have been worth $2million. But if you talk a 20% market value loss such as we’ve had, that’s almost quarter of a million dollars of lost equity – banks are being exposed to that and they are justifiably cautious in their lending,” Camron says.

Waipa Council statistics

 Waipā’s population grew by 1.2% over the last year, led primarily by inward migration which has propelled Waipā to more than 60,000 residents. On average New Zealand growth has been sitting at around 0.2% population growth.

 Employment in Waipā has grown by 4% and the workforce now numbers 26,800. The biggest contribution to employment growth came from construction, professional services, and health care and social assistance.

 Agriculture, manufacturing, and construction are still the biggest contributors to the local economy making up 33% of GDP which now sits at $3.3bn, an increase of 2.5% for the year to Dec 2022.

 Consumer spending sits at $814m, increasing 11.5% over the year to December 2022, well above pre-pandemic level of $681 for the year ended March 2020.

Population

Increased diversification in land use

up 1.2% Employment

 The district has seen a diversification in land use (kiwifruit, berries, and horticulture) with goat and sheep milking also featuring in Waipa’s agricultural landscape.

 The district has seen good growth in the manufacturing and logistic sector, with the arrival of mega store Trade Depot, Mainfreight, Tekplas, Futura Steel, Splice construction, and TOMRA foods to join existing largest companies Visy Board and APL.

 Waipa is home to more than 50% of New Zealand’s carded athletes with international

up 4%

cycling at the Cambridge Velodrome, world class rowing and canoe racing on Lake Karapiro, and the new venue for international events at Takapoto Estate show jumping.

 As of December 2022 the district had a GDP of $3,339m, behind neighbours Hamilton ($12,941), Waikato District ($3,619m) and ahead of MatamataPiako District ($2,366m) and South Waikato District ($1,509m). The district has more than 8,500 businesses across the two major towns and an unemployment among the lowest in the country at 2.3%.

Challenges ahead for rural market

The rural market is providing some challenging times across the board, as farmers settle in to the raft of new policies Wrightson agent Camron Meade says.

“If you look at drystock farms [both in the Waikato and King Country], there have been phenomenal sales in the past [few years] because of carbon farming and the Government’s policies. Many have exited their farms with an unbelievable result.

“But that market is now tapping out, leaving some sellers with expectations that are a lot higher than the market can or will meet.

It’s no better for dairy farmers. “Many of them are almost working for free. Even though the payouts are good, there are escalating costs in terms of investment for the future to meet growing policy changes,” he says.

“For those with smaller farms, that might need capital investment for say, a new milk shed or enviro-required effluent ponds for example, banks are going to look at that and say well, you can afford the farm – but you can’t afford

the millions required to bring it up to policy standards.”

What that means he says, is the market can’t meet the criteria which means sales in the rural area are currently flat – and some will have to adjust their views on what they think their farm will get in today’s market.

Change of land use, such as required for horticulture in the way of kiwifruit and avocadoes for instance, face their own sets of challenges.

“The fluctuating license values, which can change from one year from $800,000-odd to half that as it did this year, are still to be properly understood,

along with the issues of quality of fruit. Avocado markets have dropped, which makes that one harder.”

He says he believes economist Tony Alexander’s latest report in which he says the market has bottomed out, is probably correct.

“Therefore now is a very good time to look at either exiting out of a sticky situation or looking to buy.

“It will be a tough winter, I think with elections traditionally slowing the housing market down to nothing; the sun comes out once a new government’s policies are understood.

Cambridge Ward, Waipa District

• The median price was $950,000 in March 2023, a -10.4% year-on-year

• 28 sales we made in March 2023 – a 17.6% decrease

year-on-year

• The median days to sell a property was 37 days in March 2023 – up from 33 days in March 2022.

Rural and Lifestyle data:

There were no sales in March 2023, and two sales in March 2022 with a total sales volume of $10,475,000.

“The one thing is certain though that “Fear Of Missing Out” is still there and so it’s a perfect opportunity, if your property is priced and presented correctly and if

Pre-purchase checking – a crucial step

Before you buy a house, it makes sense to do some checking to make sure everything is in order. Asking the real estate agent or vendor as many questions as you can is a good start, however it’s critical that you do your own checking as well.

Request a land information memorandum (LIM) report from council, which will tell you what council knows about the property including what building consents have been issued for work carried out on the property.

Make sure it is all fully consented, as if it’s not it could cause you trouble when you come to sell it later.

Always get the LIM directly from council, rather than relying on one supplied by the vendor, because if legal action is required due to faulty information there would be no recourse against council if you didn’t get the LIM directly from them.

It’s a matter of creating a contract between you and the council by buying the LIM from them.

You will also need to get a building inspector to go over the property, looking for any potential pitfalls with the home.

They will check for weathertightness, structural defects such as rotting piles, areas where there is damp or mould, and anything that needs repair or repainting.

You can also do some informal checks, including:

 Talk to people you know about the house and the area. It could be that there is some local knowledge you need to be aware of before you purchase.

 Talk to the neighbours. Knock on doors around the property you are considering and have a chat to the occupants. Are they renting, or do they own the property? Ask them if there are problems in the street with boy racers or excessive parties. This may not deter you from buying the property, as it can be hard to find a place with none of these issues but forewarned is forearmed.

Drive past the property at different times of the day to see how the neighbourhood is. What might be a lovely, tree-lined street when the open home is on at 1pm on a Sunday might turn into party central at 11pm on a Saturday night.

They will only check areas that they can access without having to remove wall linings or floorboards, and their findings should be presented to you in a report.

Te Awamutu Ward, Waipa District

• The median price was $657,000 in March 2023, a -14.1% decrease year-onyear

• 20 sales were made in March 2023 – a 16.6^ decrease year-on-year

• The median days to sell a property was 73 days in March 2023 – up from 33 days in March 2022.

Rural and Lifestyle data:

There was 1 sale in March 2023 at $1,600,000 and 0 sales in March 2022.

interest rates remain stable to sell.”

Camron says he hope the market will turn again, “optimistically” by the end of this year.

depend on the skill of the user and are subject to a number of variables, however they are cheaper than hiring a company. Asbestos was commonly used in building products from the 1940s until the 1990s, due to its fire, heat and noise resistant properties as well as its strengthening qualities. Three types were used –brown, blue and white – with importation banned since 2016.

A building inspector will look at the whole building, including the ceiling and under floor spaces, and any fences and outbuildings (e.g. garage).

Every potential buyer should undertake a test for methamphetamine, regardless of whether they think contamination is likely. P is across all of society, so no home can be ruled out.

If council is aware of contamination this will appear on a LIM report, however for obvious reasons homeowners are unlikely to notify council if P clean up work has been done, and there is no legal requirement for them to do so.

Potential buyers can hire a company to carry out this testing or use a do-it-yourself test kit.

The latter method is controversial as DIY kits

Getting an asbestos assessment on the house is also becoming more commonplace for buyers who are planning on renovating the house in the future. Undamaged asbestos will not cause health problems, as it’s only when fibres become airborne that they can pose a health risk.

Getting all the paperwork done when considering buying a new house is just one part of the checking you should do before making what will likely be the biggest investment of your life.

Should you risk selling your own property

Vendors selling privately are usually motivated by the money that can be saved on commission.

But often they fail to grasp the intricacies and understand the risks involved in a real estate transaction.

Disclosure is a big thing. Vendors are obliged to share all relevant information about their property to buyers. These vary but can include weather-tightness issues, unconsented alterations to their property, boundary issues and the impact of proposed developments. Failure to disclose any issues can put vendors in breach of the terms of the agreement they have with the buyer.

This means the sale could fall over or the buyer could seek compensation through the court.

While an easy market may increase the number of private sellers, a more challenging

market is best handled by an experienced professional who knows the ins and outs of the industry, is a competent negotiator and marketing strategist.

Moreover, an agent has access

to a vast network of potential buyers as well as established systems and marketing avenues.

Vendors who sell privately are often left wondering why their home doesn’t sell, especially

when the people who have viewed it say they love it. This is due to a reluctance to provide honest feedback for fear of insulting the vendor.

“It’s much easier to talk to an agent. Buyers are more

comfortable going through a third party.”

Vendors can also find it extremely hard to hear and act on negative feedback about their own home.

This becomes even more difficult in a town the size of Cambridge where there is every chance the owner may know the prospective buyer. Selling privately also raises concerns around the negotiating proficiency of vendors.

Do they have the confidence and know-how to negotiate a top price for their property, which, in all likelihood, is their most valuable asset?

Vendors are under the impression that selling is easy and that real estate agents charge too much money. “The reality is that we are always at risk to put in hours of work and never get paid. Whatever we get is less GST, less 33% tax, less franchise fees and then it is shared with the company.”

What are the bene ts of using a real estate company?

Buying or selling a home will represent one of, if not the, biggest piece of business many people ever undertake. It makes sense to use experts to ensure what you buy, or what you sell, is priced right. Real Estate agents understand the intricacies of buying and selling - literally, they know where the pot- holes are. They are also experienced negotiators.

The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand notes the process of selling and buying real estate can be overwhelming and stressfulespecially when considering the amount of paperwork and preparation involved with these transactions.

Many home owners clearly feel that real estate professionals can help market their homes efficiently and e ectively to attract potential buyers.

It says most sellers in New Zealand still rely on real estate professionals to sell their homes rather than selling privately.

“The reasons for this can vary, but many home owners clearly feel that real estate professionals can help market their homes efficiently and e ectively to attract potential

buyers, help find buyers for their homes in a specified timeframe, help price their homes competitively, advise them on how to improve the value of their homes, advise them on how to better present their homes for viewing and help with the paperwork involved and with the negotiation process.”

In the sales process the agent will provide an evaluation of your property’s value, map out a communications and sales plan, and takes on responsibility for ensuring the process runs smoothly.

Most importantly, the agent will be able to tap into a stream of potential buyers and arrange convenient viewing times.

The importance of marketing

It’s the old adage: you can’t sell a secret. When selling a home quality marketing is paramount, from photos through to method of sale, price and the way a property is presented to the buying public.

Presentation is everything. Homeowners wanting to achieve a premium price for their property will understand that marketing is an investment.

Any good investment will generate a return. Money invested in high quality

marketing at the outset will drive up sales values, generate interest and increase the number of potential buyers.

The majority of buyers use a combination of newspapers and the internet to begin their house hunting quest.

As a result, all good agencies have an active print and online presence as part of their marketing strategy.

The aim is to reach the widest pool of buyers possible and create a competitive

environment as this enhances the chance of attaining the highest possible price for a property.

Although not everyone can a ord a huge marketing outlay, a savvy marketing agent will know how to get the best bang for your buck.

Ideally, marketing programmes should be tailor- made to suit each property.

Every home is di erent and should be showcased to reflect its individual attributes.

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George calls the tune

Matangi racing commentator George Simon enjoyed the final stages of his call on the 1200m Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) on Saturday at Te Rapa Racecourse in Hamilton.

That’s because the Group Three feature race was won by Denby Road, the horse he and wife Maryanne bred and race.

The giant three-year-old son of Shamexpress, who stands over 17 hands high, was having his first start since finishing midfield in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) back in February and paraded in tip top

order for trainer Shelley Hale.

Simon had lost an argument with Hale and his wife as to where their charge should kick off his new campaign and after being over-ruled, he had the pleasure of witnessing rider Ryan Elliot produce a gem to burst between runners at the 200m and hold out the late challenge of Petrucci to collect career win number two and his first at stakes level.

Hale said they have held the horse in high regard since his early days and the victory justified that opinion.

“We’ve always had a pretty big opinion of him, and we know he is quick, but as he wanted to stretch out a little it was the natural thing to try and get him to the Derby (Gr.1, 2400m),” Hale said.

“He was tired after the Waikato Guineas, so we were going to put him away until he was four, but he spelled so well that I said to George and Maryanne ‘what about the Breeders’ Stakes?’ as it is our home race.

“He is just phenomenal, as when we were working him as a twoyear-old, he just did every little

33 Spanish friend (5) 35 Restaurant customer (5) 36 Evil giant (4) 37 Hired car (4) 42 Cluster (5) 43 Wobbly (8) 44 Three-legged stand (6) 45 Maritime force aiding shipping, saving lives, preventing smuggling (10) 46

thing we asked of him, and he is just a natural talent.

“I think he is something a bit special.”

Elliot was delighted with the result and taken by the way Denby Road travelled throughout the contest.

“He travelled up nicely into the race and we managed to get the gap and get through it at the right time,” he said.

“He actually came to the end of his run 50m out, so he had to find the last bit and it was a really good run from him.

“He was able to jump away well with them and he pulled me into the race. We just had to find room as he is a pretty big horse.”

Denby Road is out of the Align mare Dwandaofu, a daughter of Indomitable who is the dam of multiple Group One winner and now successful stallion Turn Me Loose, whom the Simons also bred. He becomes the ninth individual stakes winner for his sire Shamexpress who stands alongside Turn Me Loose at Windsor Park Stud in Cambridge. – NZ Racing Desk

77 Flat, 78 Stun.

76

58 Discourage, 59 Study, 63 Virtuoso, 64 Stork, 65 Airfare, 68 Austria, 69

53

36 Ogre, 37 Taxi, 42 Group, 43 Unsteady, 44 Trivet, 45 Coastguard, 46 Need, 47 Economy, 48 Nutmeg, 49 Naive, 51 Used, 52

Trainer Shelley Hale trains Denby Road for George and Maryanne Simon.

Denby Road held off a late challenge to win on Saturday.

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St Kilda

Last week

Last week

Across: 1. Thumb, 4. Sleepy, 7. Ego, 8. Mantra, 9. Liable, 10. Shorttempered, 14. Night, 15. Zebra, 18. Conflagration, 23. Ignore, 24. Menace, 25. Lop, 26. Stingy, 27. Taser.

Down: 1. Teach, 2. Utter, 3. Beauty, 4. Solemn, 5. Evade, 6. Pulse, 10. Sonic, 11. Organ, 12. Rabbi, 13. Drawn, 16. Barely, 17. Prompt, 19. Ought, 20. Frown, 21. Tongs, 22. Occur.

PKYHMFARMERHARROWS BCGSOLPJCCRKTRACBE SOPWIRULNRCUEIOABF LLAOLISNOAOFNMLTJE IFSCYTCETUIPPAYTSN MMTDUTYSFEGOSPMLHC EOUTWRYTHGSHEMREHE TWRSEADKRTVELSESCN SEETHCRIJOHOATDSTR ERAAETUTESUGBODGIU VGYBFOBNSRIGXOOYDH RDULPRBRNHOHHBFEGC AXEESTAOPBCSEEDLNM HWGRAINCMAADIRQRUE SHEARINGBAEGFODADG MILKINGMQZRREZNBGD WOLLAFAPIGSEEHENSE NCALFLREZIAMDUKDGH

Finance o er available on new Nissan Navara models registered between 01/03/2023 and 31/05/2023 or while stocks last. Approved applicants of Nissan Financial Services New Zealand Pty Ltd (Nissan) only. Fixed interest rate of 3.9% p.a. only available on loan terms up to 24 month term. No deposit required. This o er includes an establishment fee of $375, PPSR fee of $8.05 and $10 per month account keeping fee. Excludes all lease and some eet purchasers. Nissan reserves the right to vary, extend or withdraw this o er. Not available in conjunction with any other o er. Additional terms and conditions apply and can be viewed at www.nissan.co.nz. Maximum Special Price (MSP) $39,990 is for SL 2WD Manual (D23JM) and includes GST but excludes Clean Car Fee (CCF) $1,840 and on-road costs (ORC) of $1,340. ORC includes initial 12 month registration & WOF, 2000km RUC fuel and vehicle delivery.

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.

LIGHT SEAFOOD CHOWDER

25g butter

1 onion, diced

2 each: bay leaves, cloves garlic, crushed’

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

500g potatoes, peeled and cut into 2cm cubes

2 tablespoons plain flour

3 cups good fish or chicken stock

250g each: skinned and boned white fish, shelled and deveined raw prawns, smoked fish, mussel meat

4 mussels in their shells

1/4 cup finely chopped parsley

fresh herbs and lemon wedges to garnish

Melt the butter in a large saucepan on low heat. Add the onion and sauté until tender. Do not brown. Add the bay leaves, garlic and cinnamon. Stir for 1 minute. Add the potatoes and sauté for 5 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour and stir for 1 minute. Add the milk and fish stock. Simmer for 25 minutes, stirring often, until the liquid has reduced to the consistency of thin cream and the potatoes are tender. This can be prepared a day ahead. Cut the white fish into 3cm pieces. Break the smoked fish into pieces. Finely chop the mussels.

Place the white fish, prawns and smoked fish into the hot milk mixture and poach for 3 minutes. Stir in the mussel meat and heat through gently, about 3 minutes. The seafood should be cooked through but not rubbery. Serve in bowls, garnished with the reserved mussels in their shells and fresh herbs. Serve the lemon wedges on the side to squeeze into the chowder. Serves 4 as a main.

For Sale $590,000

Thai-style chicken soup

Roasted cauliflower & chipotle soup

Oh Yes On Oaklands

$969,000

35 Oaklands Drive, Cambridge

- This low maintenance home offers comfort & enjoyable family living all on a 702m² (more or less) section.

- Built 2003, you benefit from an HRV, heat pump and a gas fireplace.

Open Home Sunday 11.00 - 11.30am

Cul De Sac Living with Green Views

Deadline Sale

8 Eliot Place, Leamington 4 2 2

- Features include: open plan dining with ranch slider to large deck, kitchen offers plenty of bench space and storage. Family bathroom with separate toilet, separate laundry and reading nook.

- Huge 8.8m x 6.8m garage, loads of space for tinkering & storing toys.

- 12.30pm

Gully Outlook - Private and Warm

BEO $1,150,000

22 Kingdon Street, Cambridge Park

- Features include: a clever floorplan which suits family living; a sense of privacy and space in the open plan living; walk-in pantry; a separate lounge framing window views of the gully.

Open Homes Saturday & Sunday 1.00 - 1.30pm

Often Admired - Here Is Your Chance!

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

Looking to Downsize?

$735,000

18 Burr Street, Cambridge 2 1 2

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

Open Home Sunday 11.00 - 11.30am

High Spec For Your Comfort And Delight

Negotiation

15 Kereruu Street, Cambridge 4 2 2

- Completed in 2021, this 191m² (more or less) home offers ducted heating and master with classy walk in robe and ensuite.

- Enjoy the large north facing deck affording you privacy and easy access from the two separate living areas.

Open Homes Saturday & Sunday 12.00 - 12.30pm

Your Own Private Oasis

Negotiation

53 Coleridge Street, Leamington

3 2 2

- Down your own private driveway, a tidy, brick and tile home. A great layout for families and downsizers alike. Two living areas and open plan kitchen/dining area.

Open Home Sunday 1.00 - 1.30pm

Popular Neighbourhood - Light & Modern

Deadline Sale

31 Jarrett Terrace, Cambridge Park

- Light, welcoming open plan living with vaulted ceiling, effortlessly links to the covered outdoor entertaining space and private garden.

- Spacious separate lounge and tech nook easily closed away. Master with walk in robe and bespoke ensuite tiled shower.

Open Homes Saturday & Sunday 2.00 - 2.30pm

BEO $1,200,000

58 Jarrett Terrace, Cambridge Park 4 2 2

-Entertaining is made easy; spacious kitchen, breakfast bar, two living spaces (one which closes off, the perfect media or children’s play room) and open plan layout.

-Easy flow to the outdoor area, ensures alfresco dining can be enjoyed.

View By Appointment

FEATUREDLISTINGS

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

Lovely low maintenance modern family home

its own slice of native bush

property with undeniable wow factor set Open-plan kitchen and living areas with stunning views and beautiful sunsets Private and secure with walking track through bush and fenced paddock

kms to town centre, zoned for Goodwood school - a great option for families seeking a country lifestyle

galore, workshop + stables, storage etc Spacious living areas with great outdoor living

11 00-11 30AM

shed - will accommodate motor homes etc

for BnB

maintenance gardens with a large orchard and vegetable garden

formal hedging

LOCATION LIFESTYLE AND LUXURY Private stately home on 2 4ha set amongst established trees Triple car garage plus separate 4 bay shed

location close to town

Sherry Herkes

OPEN HOME

FINAL NOTICE

COXON, Isobel Maria –

Passed away peacefully at home on the 25th April 2023 aged 84, surrounded by her family. Dearly loved wife of Reg for nearly 65 years. Mother and motherin-law of Heather and Peter Entwisle, Alan and Linda Coxon, Paula and Wayne Brown, Gavin Coxon, and Raelene and Russell Grinter. Adored Nana of 13 grandchildren and 17 greatgrandchildren. A celebration of Isobel’s life has been held. All correspondence to Legacy Funerals, PO Box 844, Cambridge.

MacLAREN, Anne Joyce

– Died in Cambridge on 29 April 2023, 2 days short of her 89th birthday. Loving wife of the late John Maclaren. Elder Sister of the late Christine Calveley. Loving mother to Helen, Ken, Lesley, Frances. Loving Granny to her 9 grandchildren, Great Granny to 10. Her funeral has taken place at the Cambridge Baptist Church.

SUTHERLAND, Mona

Athalie, (nee Ross) –

Passed away peacefully at Cambridge Life on Tuesday, 25th April 2023. Aged 98 years. Much loved wife of the late Gordon. Beloved mother and mother-in-law to Diane & Stephen, Caroline & the late Chris, Stephen & Trini, and Andrew. Beloved Nan to Daniel, William, Anna, Pip, Christian, Jamie, Melissa, and Lauren. Special thanks to the staff at Cambridge Life for the love and care shown to Mona. A private family service has been held followed by a burial at Leamington Cemetery. All communications to the Sutherland Family, c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434. Now at rest with Gordon. Reg RIDLEY

28.04.1938 – 06.05.2015

Memories are not forgotten. They are deep within our hearts forever.

Karyle, Justine, Wayne, and Kim

Qualified Builder

About The Company

Rob May Builders is a family owned and operated building company based in Cambridge. We have a proven reputation for producing a high standard of work and outstanding customer service, and we’re looking to expand our friendly team.

The Role Builder - Qualified

• Cambridge based

• Great team environment

corrected with 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 placing advertising in Good Local Media Ltd publications you are agreeing to our terms and conditions of trade.

Limitation of Liability: Good Local Media Limited (including its employees, contractors, officers, or agents) shall not be liable for a failure or breach arising from anything beyond their reasonable control e.g. an act of God, fire, earthquake, strike, explosion, or electrical supply failure, unavoidable accident or machine breakdown; and shall not be liable in tort, contract, or otherwise for loss of any kind (whether indirect loss, loss of profits, or consequential loss) to the Advertiser or any other person.

• ‘Build yourself a career’

Who We’re Looking For

The person we are looking for will be highly motivated, reliable, focused and eager to put what they know about building into practice. This is an opportunity to join a great team who can tackle any building job with passion and motivation while having fun along the way.

How To Apply

If this sounds like you please go to our careers site www.people4success.co.nz for more information and to apply.

ASA.co.nz

PRACTICE NURSES – FULL TIME & CASUAL

We seek fully qualified RNs or ENs to join the team at our large Te Awamutu GP practice. Our busy practice provides quality family medicine as well as urgent care in our Casualty drop-in clinic. We are Cornerstone accredited and have a supportive and collegial workplace.

Both full time and casual roles are available. Work includes treatment of both urgent and long term chronic conditions. If you have relevant experience and want to be part of a dedicated team delivering quality healthcare, then we’d like to hear from you. Hours and remuneration are dependent on experience.

To apply, email your covering letter and CV to the Nurse Team Leader, Janet Johnson. Janet@tamc.co.nz

Got a job to fill?

Marsh following formula with 2YOs

Stephen Marsh has made a successful practice of targeting Saturday’s blacktype feature at Te Rapa as a springboard to future success.

The Cambridge trainer has won the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1200m) four times and strength in numbers will give him a fine opportunity to add to his tally.

Debut placegetter Glamour Tycoon, last-start winner Tower Flypass and first starter and trials performer Moet Down will represent the stable.

Marsh prepared No More Tears to win the race in 2015 and Ugo Foscolo, Ardrossan and Santa Catarina claimed the next three editions.

The quartet all went on to further stakes success, most noticeably Ugo Foscolo who triumphed in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) while Ardrossan later won at Group Three level and was a top-flight placegetter.

Marsh has high hopes of Saturday’s representatives following suit with the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) already a likely early target next season for Glamour Tycoon.

The daughter of Written Tycoon was a $220,000 purchase out of Highline Thoroughbreds’ draft at New Zealand

Health & Safety Administrator - Cambridge

About The Company

Rob May Builders is a family owned and operated building company based in Cambridge. We have a proven reputation for producing a high standard of work and outstanding customer service, and we’re looking to expand our friendly team.

The Role

We’re on the hunt for a Health & Safety Administrator to support the efficient operation of the business, by completing administrative functions for the business. Typical daily duties would include (but are not limited to) the following:

On site & Company Health and Safety Administration

• Accounts administration

• Vehicle maintenance and registration schedules

• Training and Competency Register

• Managing tool inventory levels

• Support in preparation of client documentation

• Administration support to the managers within the business

Who We’re Looking For

Our ideal candidate is someone with high levels of energy and a positive can-do attitude. While previous experience is not essential, we are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• High levels of organisation and ability to prioritise

• Good attention to detail

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• A good grasp of digital skills, such as the Microsoft Office suite

If you tick these boxes, and are reliable, motivated and friendly, then we want you on our team!

Hours of Work

The position is 40 hours per week with some flexibility. The nature of the business means that work outside of these normal hours may be required from time to time. The role requires the employee to maintain a full NZ Drivers licence. Sound like an opportunity worth exploring? To apply or find out more about this role visit our careers site www.people4success.co.nz.

Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale and was runner-up at the first time of asking.

Glamour Tycoon ran second behind Viva Vienna, who beat subsequent stakes winner Ethereal Star in the spring and then finished runner-up behind the Listed Karaka Million (1200m) winner Tokyo Tycoon.

Bred and raced by brothers Cam and Chas Stewart, U S Navy Flag youngster Tower Flypass is from a family Marsh knows well having trained the dam’s brother Barbaric to win eight races, including two at Listed level.

“Tower Flypass placed at Wellington and then won at Tauranga and was pretty green right-handed and going

back left-handed on Saturday will be ideal for him, he’s going really well,” he said.

The third member of the Te Rapa party is Moet Down, who was a A$200,000 yearling purchase for Marsh.

She is a half-sister by Pierro to the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) winner Madame Pommery and their dam is a sister to the former Australian Champion Two-Year-Old and Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) winner Earthquake.

Marsh will also have black-type runners at Riccarton on Saturday in the Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m).

Glamour Tycoon red silks Viva Vienna Te Akau Silks Te Rapa.

Clean up with Husqvarna Pressure Washers

H PW 125

1500W - Max Pressure 125 Bar / 1813 PSI | Water ow 320-460 Ltr/Hr

Our most compact and lightweight model, ideal for easy and convenient cleaning of patios and garden equipment. Supplied with: 7m hose, foam sprayer, variable at jet and rotary nozzles.

$299

L PW 360

2300W - Max Pressure 160 Bar / 2321 PSI | Water ow 420-500 Ltr/Hr

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.

$799

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

Husqvarna Genuine Vacuum Accessories

H WDC 325L Wet & Dry Vac

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

Strong and reliable turbine with high capacity, intuitive operation and smart storage makes the 325L prepared for heavy daily cleaning. 25L container capacity (16 L liquid), Power tool capable, 3.5 m hose length, certi ed to Dust Class L.

$599

15 Albert Street, Cambridge Ph 07 823 5522