Te Awamutu News | August 10, 2023

We can’t get no …satisfaction

By Mary Anne Gill

Welcome to Waipā: Home of the Sceptics, for we are champions no more.

That’s been confirmed in the latest annual Waipā residents’ survey with 54 per cent of the respondents described as sceptics and a third as champions.

It’s the 18-29 year-old age group driving the sceptics’ group. They say they do not value or recognise performance and have doubts and lack of trust.

And, in a significant twist, the ones with the least pride in their district are in mayor Susan O’Regan’s ward.

The 33 per cent across the district who see council as competent and with whom they have a positive emotional connection are in the older age groups.

O’Regan - who lives in the rural Kakepuku ward and was its councillor until October last year - and chief executive Garry Dyet were in no mood to sugar coat the result when they spoke exclusively to The News about the survey.

The survey was completed by Tauranga-based Key Research and cost $30,220. It is mandatory for the council to report qualitive data and it has done so since 2016. But the

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results have worsened year by year.

O’Regan and Dyet said they want to engage with the disaffected so

there is an understanding around what the council does.

O’Regan describes the survey as

the “three Rs” – roads, recycling and rubbish.

“There were no big surprises with

some of the issues.

“Most of the elected members, most of staff and people who run our comms team and our customer service people are all aware of the challenges in that space, so we completely accept the criticism in respect of the three Rs,” said O’Regan.

The survey polled 422 people in four quarters starting July 1 last year and ending June 30. The margin of error is +/- 4.2 per cent.

The council’s reputation gained an overall pass – down from 30 per cent last year to 25 per cent - but there was a “significant decline” in satisfaction with services and facilities, particularly roading infrastructure and footpaths. Residents want to see more services to collect and reduce waste.

Nearly a quarter of those polled were “dissatisfied” with council’s overall performance with only 19 per cent satisfied - that satisfaction figure plunged in the Te Awamutu ward to 12 per cent.

Chief executive Garry Dyet said the council would not know how good or bad the result was until it could be peer compared with other councils.

“The people in this organisation are genuinely committed to doing

Continued on page 2

Mayor Susan O’Regan and chief executive Garry Dyet look through the district’s worst-ever residents’ survey.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

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AWAMUTU

This is your invitation to join fellow members and potential members at our next meeting.

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Loss of hearing is one of the many concerns that members have. Come along and listen to Paul’s presentation, it could be the start of a new chapter in your life journey.

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KIRIKIRIROA ROPU TAUTOKO HAMILTON SUPPORT GROUP

ki te kore nga putake e mākukungia e kore te rakau e tupu If the roots of the tree are not watered, the tree will not grow.

We invite all people living with a brain injury, their family/whanau and carers to join us. Support groups can provide a sense of belonging, make social connections, and share ideas, issues, and worries. It is a place to share, listen and support surrounded by people who understand or are walking a similar path.

Everybody welcome

When: Tuesday 15 August 2023

Where: Community House, 193 Shakespeare Street, Cambridge

Time: 10.30 am till 12

We look forward to seeing you for a hot drink and biscuit and a chat. A gold coin donation is appreciated.

Please RSVP

Phone: (07) 839 1191

Marion 022 128 4154 admin@braininjurywaikato.org.nz www.braininjurywaikato.org.nz

We can’t get no satisfaction

Continued from page 1

the best they can for their community.”

They took it seriously and were disappointed, he said, noting Waipā was copping the blame for central government reforms.

“It’s like they are shooting the messenger,” he said about issues like Three Waters, Resource Management Reforms and intensified housing.

The signals emanating out of government could be a reason for going from champions to sceptics.

“There’s a lot of stuff going on in the national scene that will affect people’s perception,” said Dyet.

“I’m personally more concerned about the dissatisfied group – it’s the movement in that group that has my attention,” said O’Regan.

“The bit that jumped out to me is the piece around levels of greater dissatisfaction among younger people.”

The council was hoping to engage more with that group, move into a better space.

School praised

By Jeremy Smith

Te Awamutu College staff have been praised for making “good progress in general” amid reports of bullying at the school - and concerned parents feel they’re being listened to.

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She attended last week’s careers evening in the Cambridge Town Hall and met many younger residents.

“Wow, that was impressive. We’ve got a very active, ambitious and aspiration group. We need to find a way of accessing them that is meaningful and genuine and informs our decisionmaking.

“We can’t meet them if they don’t engage with us, and we don’t know what their aspirations are.”

Interestingly the levels of service council provided had not dropped but people’s expectations had increased, she said.

The survey was just one piece of a bigger picture around community perception.

• Download the results at teawamutunews.nz

• Read what they said, page 11

• Taxpayers Union reports on Waipā, page 7

On the beat with Constable Ryan

From Gorst to Marokopa

Here’s a look at what police were involved with last week.

Monday – We received a report of a vehicle being broken into on Gorst Ave, a minor traffic collision, a male breached bail, police

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But there are issues still needing to be addressed, with the school being urged to continue acknowledging the community’s desire for involvement in finding solutions.

That was the sentiment from Lee Smith, one of the representatives of a group of concerned parents, after a follow up meeting held at Te Rahu Hall last week to update people on progress made following a gathering in June.

At the time, the parents asked the school to ensure students’ safety at school, change or limit student access to cellphones during school hours and introduce “hardline” consequences for those caught bullying.

Following the update meeting, Smith told The News it was a “real positive” to hear college staff had since taken steps such as engaging the services of Ko Wai Au Trust, and holding an assembly facilitated by EaseUp, a community service supporting young people experiencing mental health challenges, or dealing with alcohol and drug issues.

In an email, Te Awamutu College Board of Trustees chair Craig Yarndley told The News a “comprehensive overview” on the issue of bullying had been provided to the school community.

attended two family harm incidents, there was a suspicious incident involving a female who appeared to have been assaulted, two shoplifter incidents were reported, an elderly male was found after going missing for a short time.

Tuesday - A theft of petrol was reported, police attended three family harm incidents, a motor vehicle collision and a mental health incident.

Wednesday - Police attended two family harm events, two separate shoplifting events, a breach of peace and a wilful damage. Police also arrested a wanted male for a series of assaults on his partner.

Thursday - A scam was reported to police, a scooter was reported stolen, theft of petrol was reported, two vehicles were reported broken into, and a male breached his electronically monitored bail. Te Awamutu Police also made enquiries in and around Marokopa in relation to a wanted male.

Friday - A male youth breached the curfew conditions of his bail and was later found fighting with another male associate. Police attended two family harm incidents, and Te Awamutu, Ōtorohanga and Te Kuiti staff executed a search warrant at the Mongrel

Mob pad in Te Kuiti. Police staff from across the Waikato attended Marokopa after a stolen vehicle was located there in relation to Thursday’s wanted male.

Saturday - A male was summonsed to court after a vehicle he was driving was involved in collisions with several parked vehicles in Kihikihi.

Police attended three family harm incidents one of which resulted in Police Safety Order being issued. A female was reported for shoplifting and a vehicle was broken into.

A vehicle was stolen from a commercial premises, a male was stopped and found to be driving with excess breath alcohol, a bullying incident stemming from school was reported and police invoked search powers after sighting cannabis utensils at a traffic stop.

Sunday - Police attended three family harm incidents, a male was stopped and found to be driving with excess breath alcohol, we attended a mental health incident and a case of someone being unlawfully on property.

Fleming

Apakura release

Ngāti Apakura and Ngāti

Hinetū will celebrate the screening of a new waiata, Apakura, tomorrow at the Regent Theatre in Te Awamutu.

Fraud follow

Waipā District Council is contacting property owners after confirming at least 62 district building consents have been caught up in allegedly fraudulent engineering sign-offs. It is alleged Jonathan Beau Hall of Kodiak Consulting compromised the consents by signing using the identities of chartered engineers without their permission. Growth and Regulatory services group manager Wayne Allan said the council focus was on supporting those impacted.

“We have a great deal of sympathy for those caught up in this issue.” Have you been affected? Contact us editor@goodlocal.nz

Pokies update

The online version of our report on Pokies (The News, July 27) differs from the printed version to reflect the fact that a Department of Internal Affairs presentation, not a council report as we reported, said 10 per cent of the $10.71 million put into Waipā machines in the 12 months to March 31 was returned to the district in the form of community grants. The council report referenced a six-month and not a 12-month period.

More clams found

Freshwater gold clams, a pest discovered in the Waikato River around Karāpiro in May, have been found further north and – and south in Lake Maraetai. The clams have not been found in any other waterway in New Zealand but regional councils are on alert for the small molluscs, which are prolific breeders. A total of 25 monitoring sites have been set up on the Waikato River.

We’ve got slices of the pie…

By Jeremy Smith

Two Te Awamutu entrants in the 2023 Bakels New Zealand Supreme Pie Awards have secured respective slices of success. The competition attracted almost 500 pie makers nationwide across 11 categories.

Both Red Kitchen HQ owner Megan Priscott and Central Café owner Murray Peterson placed in the top 10 in the award’s biggest category - café boutique.

More than 100 of this year’s entries were in that section alone.

Red Kitchen HQ’s pie – a chicken and leek creation – was highly commended, essentially fourth nationwide, while Murray’s entry - a steak cheese and bacon pie - placed sixth.

Established in 1996, the annual awards aim to help New Zealand’s baking industry continually improve.

Megan and her husband Mathew previously owned

Red Kitchen Café and Store for 14 years.

Roughly five years ago, Red Kitchen HQ was established as an independent operation –supplying both the café and other retailers around New Zealand.

In June – with both arms of the business growing rapidly - the couple sold the Mahoe St café so Megan could focus solely on the HQ operation.

It’s the fifth year the team has entered the awards, having previously placed as high as runner up - though it’s the first time the chicken and leek pie has made an appearance.

“Honestly, the whole team is pretty proud,” Megan told The News on Monday, quick to point out entries were a team effort.

“I’d like to think we don’t just cook food at Red Kitchen HQ, we make it with love.”

“We think our pies are pretty good,” Red Kitchen HQ manager Jen Read

added with a smile.

“So, of course, we’d like other people to know that too. Recognition in these

awards is awesome, positive reinforcement,” she said.

Jen said chicken and leek was chosen this year because, through a process of elimination, it “came out on top as a staff favourite”.

What’s the secret to one of the country’s best pies then?

“Every step of the process is carefully thought out,” Megan said.

“To me, a good pie is almost like a satisfying meal, it should have a generous amount of filling.”

Jen agreed, adding that completing each individual step well ultimately adds up to a well-rounded finished pie.

The approach, it seems, is working.

Megan said Red Kitchen HQ gets lots of good feedback.

Next up, the team’s keen to give a curried vegetable and cashew pie with kumara topping a “whirl”.

Meanwhile, Murray marked 11 years of owning Central Café alongside his wife Reanna on Sunday, and descried their placing as the

“perfect” birthday present.

It’s the sixth year he’s entered, the fourth occasion one of his pies has placed.

“I’ve always enjoyed cooking. I like to make pies I’d personally love to eat as well. I think my criteria is it’s got to be delicious,” he smiled.

“A pie, I think, can’t be too flaky and can’t be too runny,” he said, describing eagerly anticipating this year’s results.

“It was delightful when we found out.”

A tiler by day, Murray said award recognition for a “part time cook” like himself means a lot.

“Being able to enter something like this is honestly the highlight of the year.

“I love what we’ve got here at Central Café, and – for me – hitting the competition field with the big time and placing is reassurance we’re doing well.”

Looking ahead, Murray said some type of venison pie had crossed his mind.

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Central Café owner Murray Peterson with his steak, bacon and cheese pies.

Red Kitchen HQ owner Megan Priscott, left, and manager Jen Read with a batch of chicken and leek pies fresh from the oven.

Hawkes looks at the Waipa news – from 1885.

Pomp and ceremony

The turning of the first sod of the new section of the North Island Main Trunk Railway, from Te Awamutu to Wellington, brought hundreds of passengers on the excursion train from Auckland. On reaching Te Awamutu the Volunteer Cavalry were drawn up, and a cavalcade formed which started for the scene of the ceremony, some two miles away over a crossroad to the south bank of the Puniu river, where the sod was to be turned on land belonging to Rewi’s ancestors.

Mr Hales, District Engineer, asked Wahanui, Ngāti Maniapoto chief, to turn the first sod. Wahanui took off his coat, dug out three sods, and placed them in the barrow, Māori onlookers counting out each sod. The operation was completed amidst loud cheers. Rewi Maniapoto then called upon Mr Stout, MP, to wheel the sods. Mr Stout removed his coat and wheeled the sods along some planks laid for the purpose, and tipped the barrow at the end, throwing the sods on the ground amidst cheering and the Te Awamutu band striking up the National Anthem. Mr Waddell, Mayor of Auckland, then called for three cheers for Her Majesty the Queen, which were heartily given. The Premier addressed the gathering and after Wahanui and other chiefs had replied, the assemblage dispersed and the excursionists returned to the city. The barrow used in the ceremony was the same which Sir George Grey used at Shortland when turning the first sod of the Waikato-Thames Railway.

A popular lecture on Charles Dickens was given in the Ōhaupō school house by the Rev H R Dewsbury. A considerable audience gathered on the occasion and thoroughly appreciated the entertain-ment. Several

Protecting our children

Phil Strong, Senior Leader, Zion

extracts from Dickens’ best known works were read by the Reverend generating hearty applause.

Snip in Time

Musical selections also formed part of the entertainment. The lecture was in aid of the Wesleyan Circuit fund, and a fair sum was raised.

Two aspiring highway men at Kihikihi stuck up a man demanding his money or his life. Instead they were arrested and lodged in the lock up. It was hoped their backs would become acquainted with the birch followed by a short residence in jail and a diet of bread and water. But the busted bandits quite enjoyed their situation and laughed as if the whole affair was a good joke. The leniency of the local benches in dealing so tenderly with larrikins, lest a commitment to jail should contaminate them, caused indignation. Many such lads were thought more likely to contaminate the inmates.

A sports day at Alexandra was attended by a numerous assemblage of well-dressed visitors who were all bent on enjoyment. The scene was a most attractive one, and the weather all that could be desired, not too warm with a slight breeze. The Government paddock, in which the sports were held, presented a most pleasant picture, backed by Pirongia Mountain. The Alexandra Brass Band played and not a single unpleasantness occurred, although owing to one of the stewards bringing in the wrong horse and declaring it the winner, some dividends got into the wrong hands.

If you’re not concerned about what’s happening in the direction of the education of our young children, you should be. We are seeing a destructive agenda promoted in the new Physical Education and Health Curriculum, particularly relating to the inclusion of explicit sexual content for young children.

I’ve taken time to hear from concerned family members in our local community on this issue, and there are many who are worried.

I can also tell you, there are many who are prepared to do something about it. Where do you sit on this issue?

I’ve written previously via several media channels and shared openly my personal views on the woke agenda of a minority who wish to divert the culture of our nation’s future.

You may choose to call me a ‘prude’ or ‘out of touch’ with the real world, but I personally believe the fruit of this course of action is not going to be good for future generations.

But that’s my view – what’s yours?

I have no desire to manipulate your views and beliefs. You choose what you believe and live your life according to those beliefs.

My warning to parents is to make sure they know what is being enforced by the Education Curriculum across schools. For parents who have no idea, you may be shocked to see what your children bring home soon.

I wrote in my book, Kids and Money; “The communities we want our children to be a part of in the future come from what we build inside them today.”

This statement is pertinent to the principle

Providing knowledge, support and hope

Brain Injury Waikato is dedicated to suppor�ng both individuals and their whanau who have encountered Trauma�c Brain Injury (TBI). TBI’s can caused by an impact to the head, disrup�ng the way the brain usually works including but not limited to; concussion, stroke/ tumour, assault and/or accident. TBI can affect each person and their loved ones differently, causing distress, loss of sense of belonging and loss of autonomy. Our mission is to provide knowledge, support and hope.

We would like to reach out to those who are isolated due to both their injury and loca�on where they may feel alone, misunderstood and feeling a loss of autonomy.

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• Tokoroa Support group/ Te Kaokaoeroa o Petetere rōpū tautoko rōpū tautoko

2nd Thursday of each month

10.30-12pm at TCOSS, Tokoroa Social Services, Gate one Tokoroa hospital

• Cambridge Support Group/ Kemure� rōpū tautoko

3rd Tuesday of the month

10.30am -12pm at Cambridge Community house

• Hamilton Carers Support group/Kirikiriroa kaiiaki rōpū tautoko

4th Thursday of the month.

5.30-6.30pm at 8 Keddell Street

• Hamilton Support group/ Kirikiriroa rōpū tautoko

4th Friday of the Month

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of active parenting that I am advocating.

Instead of filling our children’s heads with rubbish theories that say sex is different to gender, we should be reintroducing timeless wisdom back into our schools.

The Bible is filled with wisdom and truth that would serve our tamariki well, as it’s proven to in the past.

There’s no doubt about it, children are a gift to us from God. Our children, and their children, will be the crown of glory we wear in our later years.

As we impress on their hearts the timeless wisdom and truth God has given us, we will see life go well for them over the long term. As they learn to grasp these truths, they will find their lives filled with peace.

These promises in the paragraph above are quotes from the Bible, written in a way that might mean something to you. What’s my point? To help you see there is a trustworthy and beneficial alternative to the poison being fed to your kids.

Finally, I urge you to work with your local school, as I do.

Support the leaders and the teachers as they wrestle with the best way to nurture and teach your children.

Partner with the school as a family. Be active as a parent in the growth and learning of your child.

Take responsibility to protect your children and contribute to the change you want to see in the community.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Educa�on Session: Maps and Pathways

11th August, Friday 10am-12pm

8 Keddell Street or via zoom

Educa�on Session: Whiki Whi�whi� Kōrero

22nd August, Tuesday 1pm-3pm

8 Keddell Street

Educa�on Session: En�tlements to work

19th September, Tuesday 1pm-3pm

8 Keddell Street or via zoom

Business Showcase

Colleen, Brain Injury Waikato manager (left) with Marion, Brain Injury Waikato Laison o cer.

Cleaning up the corridor

The Maungatautari to Pirongia Ecological Corridor Project Society is helping organise a conservation week event around Te Awamutu’s Mangapiko Stream.

The stream is part of the route of the ecological corridor between the two mountains.

On August 20 society members and supporting organisations will be at Daphne Street Reserve to plant natives and share knowledge on predator control, plant identification and care, rongoa (medicine) and tuna (eel) monitoring.

The restoration of the ecological corridor from covers both biodiversity and cultural aspects and the project has been gifted the name ‘Taiea te Taiao’ by mana whenua.

The five year project, launched in June 2021, aims to link two of the region’s most prominent maunga, Maungatautari and Pirongia via a corridor between the waterways flowing from the mountains - Mangapiko and Ngāparierua streams.

Waipā District Council, New Zealand Landcare Trust and Koroneiki Developments are also involved in the day.

Sign of the times…

By Viv Posselt

The placement on Saturday of a waka-shaped carved lintel at the Kihikihi whare of the Te Awamutu Māori Women’s Welfare League (MWWL) marked the end of a long journey.

The lintel has the name Te Whiringa etched into a totara inlay, with the surrounding matai carrying other carvings of special significance to the whare. The carver did the work when he was part of Waikeria Prison’s Māori focus unit, Te Ao Mārama, and is someone strongly connected to the area.

MWWL president

Rosemary Murray said the project began almost four years ago but had to be halted during the Covid-19 pandemic.

She thanked Mary-Ann and Ruary Laidlaw who donated the matai and were on site to see the final carving put in place, telling them, “Thank you for making our dream come true.”

The lintel represents the MWWL’s desire to ‘tell the stories that came before’, Rosemary said. “We wanted something that represented our whare, our women, our community, and we wanted it to differentiate us from the museum.”

MWWL vice president Rangi Paraha said it was important to reference the house’s history as part of an early pa and former police constable site. She said the carving would be a visual connection between the past and the future.

Te Whiringa was the

name gifted to the whare by former MWWL president, the late Billie Crossley. She and another former president, the late Jean Green, were both honoured at Saturday’s ceremony. The name references a place where people can share tasks to benefit all and make

decisions … a place for ‘the plaiting, weaving and exchanging of words’.

Blessing the lintel before it was fixed into place above the deck was Kainga Aroha Community House manager, Kane Rangitonga. He told guests that the slabs of donated wood had been

turned into a taonga. “This is not just a piece of wood… it is about representing the whare and its people.”

Helping fix the heavy lintel into place were Te Awamutubased building brothers, Phillip and Skip McGough, who said they were delighted to be part of the project.

Lifting the lintel into place were Skip and Phillip McGough and Rosemary Murray, watched by Kane Rangitonga QSM.

Council keeps mum on payments

By Mary Anne Gill

Waipā District Council has declined to say how many consultants and contractors it uses and how much it costs the council.

The request came from an activist group which supports lower taxes, less waste and more accountability.

The Taxpayers Union last week released its latest Ratepayers’ Report which analysed the 2021-2022 financial reports of the country’s 78 local authorities.

Hamilton had the highest expenditure on consultants and contractors out of any council at $314.97 million – almost three times more than Auckland. Waipā was one of 12 councils to refuse the request.

However, the council’s 2021/22 annual report did say contractors were used to assist where there were staff vacancies. It also noted an audit recommendation to establish a central register for contractors working at the district council that is reconciled against payments made to contractors and the network.

Taxpayers’ Union national campaigns manager Callum Purves said the activist group’s report provided transparency for ratepayers and allowed them to compare their council against others.

The average residential rates across the country were $2781 – Waipā was above the average on $3194.51. Carterton and Manawatu were the highest on $3938.91 and $3713.23 and Buller the lowest on $2155.98.

Auckland’s net debt per rating unit of $17,451 represented 525 per cent of the rates’ income and its interest of $673 per rating unit was also the highest.

Waipā’s $6225 was 218 per cent and $83.48 of interest per rating unit.

South Waikato and Selwyn councils have the highest number of staff on a per-household basis – a staff member for every 24 and 25 households, respectively. In contrast, Thames-Coromandel District Council serves 120 households for each of its staff members.

Waipā serves 62 households for every one of its 339 staff. Purves said each council was able to review and check the information for any errors.

The report was first published in 2014 and this year was the first time regional councils were included. Other Waipā responses:

• Population served: 59,500

• Number of households: 21,168

• Area (square km): 1470

• Average residential rates: $3,194.51

• Average non-residential rates: $4,191.64

• Full-time Equivalent Staff (FTE): 339

• Number of performance related dismissals: 0

• Staff over $100,000: 70

• Proportion of staff earning over $100,000: 20.65%

• Staff over $200,000: 4

• Management: 14.60

• Infrastructure: 67.65

• Regulatory: 41.10

• Customer service: 97.3

• Average salary of managers: $147,000

• Median salary of managers: $148.000.00

• Communications and marketing staff: 7

• Average salary of comms staff: $67,540

• Median salary of comms staff: $71,200

• Payments to third parties - Chamber of Commerce: $2,418, Local Government New Zealand: $65,795, New Zealand Society of Local Government Managers $38,724.

• Debt - Net debt % rates income: 218%, debt per rating unit $6,225, interest paid per rating unit $83.48.

Home price fall slows

Waipā home values are an average 8.1 per cent below what they were 12 months ago at a tad under $830,000.

The Quotable Value House Price Index for July indicated the decline is easing and is just under $890,000 nationally.

The 8.1 per cent fall compared to a national average of 10.2 per cent, the values dipped by 0.7 per cent last month and are down 2.9 per cent in the quarter.

QV’s rolling three-month rate of reduction in Waipā have been influenced by reduced sale activity – going from -4.3% in May to -2% in

June, and 2.8% in July.

QV operations manager James Wilson, in his national commentary, said the longer term trend was “pretty clearly a residential property market that is bottoming out after some very significant home value reductions over the last 18 months or so”. Hamilton recorded its first quarterly increase in average home value for more than a year – albeit a very small one. House values fell across the wider Waikato region by 2.3% for the quarter –compared 1.5 per cent across the country

Callum Purves

Know your principal

Are you looking for a school that will be the right fit for your children?

Te Awamutu has a wealth of high-quality options available, though when it comes to making the choice, there are several key factors which might be helpful to take into consideration.

There are many reasons why choosing the right school is important, not least of which is that, put simply, it can make a big di erence to your children’s happiness and wellbeing. It can also have a bearing how well they do at school.

Practically, here are some things to think about, and – maybe – some questions to ask. In Zealand, Government, or state, funded schools - most in the country - are subject to what’s known as school zoning.

Put simply, school enrolment zones are in place to prevent schools from becoming overcrowded.

So, perhaps the rst consideration is do you live in a school’s enrolment zone?

There are several ways you can nd out if the school you’re considering has an enrolment zone and whether you live within it.

Then, also consider how close a school is to your home, because that gives rise to another consideration, how will your child – or children – get to and from school?

If you’re working after school hours, does the school you’re considering provide supervision, or after school care?

With all this said, it might then be helpful to list your child’s education priorities. These

priorities will depend on your child’s needs and preferences, and on your circumstances.

For example, consider what your child’s musthaves are, and what you could compromise on.

Talking to other families whose children go to those schools can help you with your decision making.

Make appointments to visit your nearest schools in order to meet with the principals and those who will potentially be your child’s new teachers.

Visit at di erent times of the day to observe class time and a break or lunchtime. Organise to go to open days or evenings.

A school’s approach to supporting children

Kihikihi School Vision: “HeTāngata Ako,HeWhānauAko-Learnerstoday, Leaderstomorrow.”Ourvisionforall tamarikipertainstothebeliefthatwhen anindividuallearns,sotoowilltheentire family.Whenwealllearntogether,then ourfuturetogetherwillflourish.

Kihikihi School is a full primary school (years 1 to 8) and provides both English and full immersion Māori medium educational opportunities for our students.

We pride ourselves on being able to deliver a curriculum rich in Tainuitanga, Māori culture, local history and authentic learning contexts which are focused on the child’s academic, social and emotional needs. Our learners today will become the leaders of tomorrow. We strive to provide a safe space for our students to learn and play through a Positive Behaviour for Learning model that is deeply embedded through our school values and graduate profile. We have large open spaces, strong visible

with special education needs or talents is also highly important. Additional learning support is available in every school, it’s planned to support not only students, but also educators and whānau in a range of di erent ways, depending on individual needs.

You can also check the Education Review O ce (ERO) report for the schools you are considering.

The o ce is a government department which reviews schools as part of its work, and this can help you form a picture of a school’s strengths and its next steps for development.

When you’ve decided where you’d like your child to be, contact the school for an enrolment pack and to nd out more about the enrolment process.

culture, two separate playgrounds, our own pool, a huge veggie garden, specialist teachers and programmes specific to our curriculum, smaller class sizes and an amazing sta who care and support all students to find success. Located near the domain in Kihikihi, we are the hub of the community.

We invite any future enrolments to visit and see what learning looks like in our space. Nau mai, haere mai!

Nau mai Ha e mai

Iam super proud to be the Principal of Pekapekarau, we have amazing tamariki, sta and whānau!

We have a passionate team of amazing, kind, and dedicated

kaiako and we are all about providing our tauira (students) with opportunities to develop their talents, passions and interests in and outside of our school environment.

Pekapekarau is a fun place to be and we are a great school for everyone!

We are the BIG little school of Te Awamutu.

That is, we are big on aroha (love), and are still small enough that everyone knows and takes care of each other.

Maybe one of our students, Navvy, would be best to tell you more about me:

“I think the Principal does work and writes on the whiteboard and feels like a winner. Ms Bagley daydreams about co ee, cookies, cupcakes, and candy.

“And sometimes has anxiety while being alone… She is super funny, mostly clumsy and the best Principal!”

Come and visit us! We have some out of zone enrolment places available.

I would love to meet you.

Tania

Te Pahu School- Attitude determines Altitude Naa te waiaro he taumata tikitkike e

Tena koutou katoa, My name is Meegan Dunn. I am honoured and proud to be the Principal.

Our vision is Nā te waiaro he taumata tiketike e, ‘Attitude determines Altitude’ to inspire our learners to be their very best in all they do.

Situated at the base of the stunning Mt. Pirongia, we have a strong connection with our mountain. It inspires our learners to

excel within our Te Pahu Curriculum. We want our learners to be engaged, spark their passions, and experience exciting opportunities.

We want them to learn from their mistakes, try new things and give it a go.

We want them to develop con dence in all they do, have a strong sense of identity, and have the ability to set goals. Our role is to help every student reach

their potential. We strive to support every learner to develop a love of learning that goes far beyond what happens in the classroom.

Our values Hauora, Kaitiakitanga, Manaakitanga, Wairua Auaha and Whanaungatanga foster skills and learnings for life.

Home, and loving it

By Janine Krippner

Somewhere during my nearly 16-hourlong flight back from the Canary Islands (flight number three!) it hit me that I was on my way home to New Zealand.

After 11 years overseas when heading “home” from work-based travel meant flying back to a foreign country, I was flooded with gratitude.

There have been countless benefits from living overseas and one that I appreciate the most is how I see New Zealand differently having experienced other cultures and living with the challenges that come with living abroad.

Is it even possible to recognise how truly fortunate we are without the perspective gained from being elsewhere?

That’s not to say that I am blind to the challenges we have here, some communities and groups much more than others.

No country is without its issues or areas where we need to make change, and here we openly talk about these issues without worrying about our lives automatically being at risk.

There will always be things that annoy us, things that should anger us so that we progress into a better society, areas where we don’t agree.

This is life anywhere. We can do all of those things while taking the time to appreciate the good stuff and view our home country with fresh eyes.

What would we think if we had never been here? From the countless conversations I have had around the world, I am confident that we would be impressed by Aotearoa and probably see it as an exotic location we might dream of visiting.

I loved living overseas, yet my final two

years in the United States the call for home grew stronger before the pandemic was the deciding factor.

I had long missed our beautiful landscape that changes so quickly within a short distance.

Seriously, I could go on about how much I love this land for days. We have mountains (some of which are the volcanic kind!), gorgeous beaches, beautiful blue/green water, rolling green hills, clean air, stunning lakes…I met very few people who didn’t want to visit New Zealand (other than those who mistake us for Australia).

The Waipā is a truly beautiful district - the most effective way to describe home is to tell people to picture The Shire from Lord of the Rings.

I missed the relatively relaxed and friendly nature of Kiwis, who are also known abroad as being very hard workers along with the attitude of ‘if you see a problem, fix it’ that I certainly grew up with. Work-life balance isn’t just a myth here. I missed the rich culture we have here, how intertwined the Māori language and world views are with everyday life.

I moved back in late-2020 and a couple of years in I am still deeply grateful that I get to live here, I choose to not take it for granted. This is the lingering gift of all the hard, character-building times in the United States and Australia, and one I am reminded of when I venture abroad. I am so happy to be home.

Cambrid Grains

We’re running our first ever ‘World Café’ as we continue to develop Ahu Ake - Waipā Community Spatial Plan – our plan for the future and we’d love for you to join us.

It will bring residents, Council staff and experts together to share knowledge, collaborate and generate ideas on complex issues in the spatial plan.

Ideas will then be presented to our Mayor and councillors for consideration as we work towards finalising Ahu Ake next year.

TE AWAMUTU

Paramjit and Minaar Singh love Te Awamutu

Youth group on the build

By Jeremy Smith

A Te Awamutu youth group aimed at helping intermediate-aged attendees establish the building blocks “friendship and connection” has had something else built for it.

Put simply, their customers know them, and they know their customers.

“It’s a beautiful place, the people are very friendly,” Minaar says.

It’s a sentiment which has been returned in kind.

The owners of Fruit Monster have been bringing that same friendliness and warmth to work since opening the Jacobs Street store in 2009.

It shows in the customer feedback they receive every day.

Their simply stated-aim is to continually provide Te Awamutu with the freshest possible produce - fruit and vegetables and other products - while at the same time keeping prices as low as possible.

Up to three times a week, Paramjit travels from Te Awamutu to either Hamilton or Auckland to source freshly grown produce directly from markets. Because quality - and freshness - is key.

Minaar, often the smiling face serving customers at the counter, has been working in the store alongside her husband Paramjit and the team since 2015.

“The most important thing is a smile,” she says.

Among a broad instore range is Indian and Filipino grocery products fast becoming a customer favourite.

“People regularly tell us they love our Indian spices, which we source from Auckland,” Minaar said.

“We love our customers - we have built friendships with lots of them.”

When not in store, Paramjit and Minaar enjoy spending quality family time with their children - their daughter, 12, attends Te Awamutu Intermediate, their son, 16, is at Te Awamutu College.

murray hunt furnishers

Te Awamutu Menzshed members have answered the call from the group’s coordinator Jill Taylor asking for a handmade wooden giant Jenga set which could be used at the group.

Unique carry boxes have also been crafted in which the game’s large pieces can be transported.

Jill – a Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board member - established the youth group at the beginning of last year, though she said it’s not specifically a board initiative.

In 2022, the programme focussed on sport and fitness activities – including indoor basketball at Te Awamutu Rugby Sports and Recreation Club.

This year, Jill said, there have been further developments, with plans underway to design – and then bring to life – several murals next term which could then be placed around town.

The group is open to intermediate-aged students between 10 and 15 and held on both Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons each week. Up to 35 young people have been coming along.

them.”

demand drives requests for more days of the week.

“What prompted me,” she said of her reasoning behind establishing the group, “was the fact that while there are quite a few activities young people can choose from in town, many cost money and not everyone can afford

So, the free activities youth group attendees have undertaken to date were established thanks to a canvas of Te Awamutu Intermediate School students asking them what after school activities they’d like to have available in town.

“Both last year and this year, we’ve had students come along who perhaps initially weren’t sure where they fit in, or who didn’t know how to relate to others.

“In time, it’s been wonderful to see them forming new friendships –

now they tell me they can’t wait to come along each week.”

To date, Jill said she’s been grateful for the support of community groups like Altrusa International of Te Awamutu, whose membership has helped her purchase certain items the group has needed.

Looking ahead, Jill’s keen to hear from anyone who might be able to voluntarily help her facilitate the group leadership wise.

She’s also added things like an indoor cricket set to her wish list.

Mac takes second

A Te Awamutu apprentice placed second in the Waikato 2023 Registered Master Builders Carters Apprentice of the Year awards

Mac Livingstone of Livingstone Building was pipped to the top spot by Taumarunui’s Judges noted Livingstone was a wellrespected apprentice, with a strong work

At the regional practical competition, he worked in an orderly manner with a tidy

“First to the site every day to open it up for everyone, Mac has excellent organisational skills. This is imperative as he oversees four other apprentices,” the judges’ notes

read. “While taking on this responsibility, Mac maintains a relaxed attitude. He also demonstrated a good and detailed understanding of his project and wider building skills.”

For the regional competition, each apprentice had to submit details of a building project they were working on as well as take part in a two-hour practical challenge.

Nielson will join top apprentices from other regions in the national competition in Auckland in November.

Hamilton’s Luka den Hertog placed third – and all three placegetters were products of the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation, a business division of Te Pukenga.

Jill Taylor with the giant Jenga set Te Awamutu Menzshed members made for the youth group.

What residents told Waipā District Council

We take a snapshot of comments from the district council’s residents’ survey which is our page 1 lead story today.

• The guys who do the parks and gardens do a wonderful job.

• I am confident in my local council‘s ability to look after this community and move us into the next decade in a financial position that does not bare a burden on the ratepayers.

• It‘s the best council I‘ve lived in within 60 years or so.

• Keep up the good work. There has been a high standard set, may it continue!

• Very happy with all that they do.

• I like all the parks/green spaces to walk around. The cycle track by the river/ velodrome is awesome.

• Great work team.

• I elected you because I felt you were the best at the job. Keep going.

• Great new mayor.

• Communication is generally regular.

• I might complain about it, but it‘s still the best council I‘ve ever lived with.

• We have such an incredible team of people all working together to make our town a beautiful place to live.

• I am very impressed with the new rain gardens that have been installed to filter stormwater that runs into Lake Te Koutu. This is both innovative and attractive and in time will mean the lake is healthier. I also found a small community garden on a kerbside, which is very pleasing to see.

• Waipā District Council has a good record of providing these services. Also, I am totally opposed to the Three Waters proposal.

• The Antenno app is an absolute lifesaver with reminders about which rubbish bins are due to be collected and additional updates if there won’t be a pickup due to unfortunate situations. It’s very informative all the time, but not too much.

• Information is always put out to consumers if recycling is not going to happen in the allocated week. Good communication.

• I like that we receive information in the mail about what is happening within Cambridge.

• Our council provides wonderful services to our whole community and even though I don‘t use them all, I am happy for my rates to provide them to everyone.

• The new children‘s playgrounds and the new pool in the centre of town are great community assets which were worth every cent of the ratepayer’s contribution.

• It is great having so many free things and places to take the kids like bike rides, playgrounds, toilets, libraries, and parks.

• Keep up the great work. Te Awamutu town is awesome.

• The community has progressed significantly over the past few years with money well spent on infrastructure to support this growth.

• As I am a pensioner, I don’t use a lot of the facilities I’m charged for, however, I think I still get value for money.

• I believe we get good value for the rates and fees we pay to Waipā District Council.

• Generally, the council keeps basic expenditure and the provision of services under control.

• Parking is a real problem. My husband and I have health problems that prevent us from walking too far. Although we have a mobility parking permit, there aren‘t that many around town and we both feel it would be great to have a parking building.

• Utilise the spaces between trees down the older roads in urban areas to create more parking for cars. Roads become narrow when cars are parked on both sides.

• They need to stop spending money on playgrounds no one uses and spend money on fixing the roads. The roading conditions are disgusting.

• There are nowhere near enough mobility parks in the area. It is impossible to watch kids‘ netball games on Saturdays because the place is impossible to get around with all the changes in level and lack of accessible parking.

• I would like to see improvements on the upper Hall Street footpaths. Lots of elderly residents in that area are unable to walk the street due to the uneven and broken path.

• Stop putting manufacturing and other noisy industries adjacent to housing areas.

• The streets are dirty with rubbish and graffiti. The walkway from the parking area by Stirling Sports has vomit down it. Dirt and graffiti are not a good look for the town.

• There have been problems with the kerbside recycling collection in that the contractors have not always been making the collection when they are supposed to.

• There should be a transfer station. Recycling has become very unreliable lately. Covid-19 should not be used as an excuse for poor service.

• It‘s way too expensive to use the dump. It‘s cheaper to drive to Cambridge, which is crazy as it‘s the same council. Recycling is a joke as far as glass is concerned. I would like to see food waste recycling started as they have it in other towns.

• The kerbside collection of recycling in Ōhaupō is sometimes missed.

• The contractors for the recycling bins need to be more accountable for the non-pickup of bins. They seem to be having many issues this year.

• I don’t use the pool or velodrome, but I have to pay for them.

• I am getting charged for services that do not apply to me.

• My rates have gone up over 30 per cent in the last five years and I now get fewer services than I used to. I pay for a private company to deal with my water, rubbish, and green waste. I have minimal use of other council-provided services.

• When I moved here, I paid roughly the same rates as I did in Auckland on a property that had double the value. Cambridge is expensive.

• They spend on feel-good projects instead of basic services.

• Rates are expensive. The cost for things like pools on top of that seems excessive compared to other councils in the area.

• Rates just always increase but it is hard to see what we get in return.

Para riders go gold

Waipā and King Country are celebrating two new world champions.

Paralympians Nicole Murray (Ōtorohanga) and Cambridge’s Anna Taylor’s strong results at the UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow added up to Omnium golds in their respective classes this week.

Their successes took the running total of medals won by the New Zealand Para cycling team to 10 by Tuesday morning.

C4 rider Taylor celebrated her first medal of the championships on her 32nd birthday.

Previously an accomplished rower, Taylor received a C4 classification after Acute Cauda Equina Syndrome (compression of the nerve roots in the spine).

Murray has now won the C5 Omnium gold two years in a row. Earlier she claimed New Zealand’s first medal at the games - and

Cambridge’s Devon Briggs added another a day later.

Murray won bronze in the 500m C5 Time Trial – which is not one of favoured events.

Murray has been in the Paralympics New Zealand Para Cycling Programme since 2015, competing in the C5 classification as a left-hand amputee.

Briggs, who was born with severe club feet, claimed a bronze in the C3 Kilometre Time Trial.

He followed that by winning a 200m time trial – and points toward the six event Omnium – and later collected a second bronze with a late sprint in the Individual Pursuit after final lap prompting from coach Damien Wiseman.

The championships, dubbed the Super Worlds, bring together 13 different cycling disciplines. Cyclists competed in track events to Tuesday, then began five days of road racing yesterday.

Rams in a power play

Te Awamutu sides put in strong respective performances in the second round of the 2023 Power Farming Cup at Cambridge’s Memorial Park on Sunday. The Rams, made up of players from Te Awamutu Sports, Te Awamutu Marist, Pirongia, Ohaupo and Kihikihi, took to the field.

With two cup rounds remaining, players are competing for the Goord Cup in an under 45kg division, the Gwynne Shield in an under 60kg division and in a new category - the Kukri Cup - in an over 60kg division.

Additionally, the Clarke Family Cup will be awarded to

Showjumpers

selected

Two Waipā riders have been named in Equestrian Sport New Zealand’s young rider team for the Trans-Tasman clash being held in Sydney next week.

Georgia Bouzaid of Cambridge and Te Awamutu’s Liam Rutland will compete on borrowed horses in the clash at the Sydney Show Jumping World Cup from August 17-20.

The Australians will be looking to back up their victory during the last meeting held in Gisborne earlier this year.

The team is Georgia Bouzaid (Cambridge), Johanna Wylaars (Christchurch), Liam Rutland (Te Awamutu), Samantha Gillies (Oamaru) and reserve Dylan Bibby (Central Hawkes Bay).

the team which collects the most sportsmanship points over the four rounds.

The Rams Under 45kg team lost 12-10 to the Northern Eels but bounced back with a 45-17 win over Western Sharks, a side made up of players from Fraser Tech, Te Rapa and Frankton.

The U60kg Rams side won both of its games.

The first round of the cup was held at Hamilton’s Marist Park at the end of July, while rounds three and four are set for Matamata’s Bedford Park this weekend and Tokoroa’s Southern United Rugby Football Club (SURF) the following Sunday respectively.

Derby fixture

Waipā Southern Conference teams Te Awamutu and Cambridge face off in a local football derby at The Stadium in Te Awamutu on Saturday at 3pm. The second placed Cambridge side goes in as favourites against second to bottom Te Awamutu following their 4-2 win over Taupō last week and their 10-1 win over Te Awamutu early last month. But Te Awamutu’s 3-0 victory over Papamoa at home will have supporters feeling their fortunes might have changed since that drubbing six weeks ago.

Nicole Murray in action in Glasgow.

Under 45kg player Quinn Rice taking the ball forward for Te Awamutu against the Northern Eels, a team from Suburbs, Taupiri, Te Kowhai and Ngaruawahia.

Photo: Lukas Skipper/Power Farming

Quick crossword Sudoku Wordsearch

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COXPOCCGKUFIYVPPWA

RDEBLLITOUURCTBEAR

AOSDIAGSSLAMINAPSS

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BSOKRLYSWMMNDEBPIP

LEOYEOSCEBHOWTNEJL

EMTASTTHLTXPHANTEU

YAECPEQOHEAOTTTDUM

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OXIUROCEKTRUCKNBOL

GKOOBPARCSJXWECTFL

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

Across

1. Something handed down (6)

4. Profoundly (6)

9. Lukewarm (5)

10. Public facility (7)

11. Luxuriant (7)

13. Part of foot (4)

14. Adhesive used by painters (7,4)

17. Luxury car (abbr) (4)

18. Muddy, sucking sound (7)

Last week

21. Fruit with large stone (7)

22. Conditions (5)

24. Expensive (6)

25. Colour/fruit (6)

Down

1. Balm (6)

2. Space (3)

3.

EUPMYOSAFNXPTGNIWS

GEEJYOEDBRUSHEKIRT

ETIKWLDIARYOTRAINT

PROJECTOBATSBVTCSG

ANIMALS BATS

BEAR

Across: 1. Abet, 4. Queasy, 8. Condone, 9. Enemy, 10. Plot, 11. Straddle, 13. Frivolous, 17. Loose end, 19. Fall, 21. Bathe, 22. Imagine, 23. Mousse, 24. Loam.

Down: 2. Bunk off, 3. Tool, 4. Questionnaire, 5. Elevator, 6. Speed, 7. Hyper, 8. Copy, 12. Tireless, 14. Stamina, 15. Globe, 16. Flue, 18. Outdo, 20. Tail.

Last week

MEDIUM

All puzzles © The Puzzle Company

TATLKLXNBEHSFAMILY ISBELAOXXDEVORPPAC NSIASTCPLKNXDIZZYI SUFRTTOSLMETSYSHKN URBUWURESEGEIRSRFD RABAMHDCNEHUGESEUE ANZZOZLKGORNNTULNP NCDUPEESALHPATPICE CESPCVSSAPFPLAPATN EEDACPSCSFEBEBLBID GARDENINGPENELILOE CONFIDENCEETDDEENN PROTECTIONECYARTOC DNIMFOECAEPXIENORE ZZRMURETTIMSNARTOQ GHACCESSHOPSNALARM SVHGDCGSENIORSHRZZ EMERGENCYAMBULANCE

WAIPA ALUMINIUM

NOTIFICATION OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES

Waipa District Council will consider an application to close the following roads to ordinary vehicular traffic on Sunday, 3 December 2023.

Between 7.00am and 1.30pm:

• Mahoe Street - between Arawata Street and Selwyn Lane

• Alexandra Street - between Mutu/Rewi Streets and Sloane Street

• Churchill Street - between Mahoe Street and the squash club (335 Churchill Street)

• Selwyn Lane - whole Street

• Gorst Avenue - whole Street

Between 10.00am and 1.30pm:

• Mahoe Street - between Churchill Street and Selwyn Lane

Between 10.30am and 1.00pm:

• Arawata Street - between Mahoe Street and Alexandra/ Sloane Streets

• Sloane Street - between Arawata/Alexandra Streets and 35 Sloane Street

To enable the organisers to hold the Te Awamutu Christmas Parade 2023.

Emergency Services will have complete right of way at all times during closure.

Any objections to the proposal must be lodged with Waipa District Council, in writing to events@waipadc.govt.nz, before 4.00pm on Friday, 25 August 2023. Please include the nature of the objection and the grounds for it. See the Privacy Statement on the Council’s website for further information. For more information, please contact Waipa District Council on 0800 924 723.

Garry Dyet CHIEF EXECUTIVE

PARISH OF ST JOHN TE AWAMUTU

We are looking for an administrator who can support the many ministries in the Parish.

• You will be engaging, friendly, and with excellent customer service skills.

• You will be well organised and be a great multitasker.

• You will work in a flexible and varied environment.

• You will have values that align with the Parish.

The hours are 20 hours per week, 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday.

For more information, including a job description, please contact Julie Guest (Vicar) julieguest7@gmail.com

Notice of Public Annual Meeting of Beneficiaries

Availability of the 2023 Chairperson’s Annual Report, Financial Statements, 2023-24 Annual Plan, and Waipa Networks Ltd Statement of Corporate Intent.

I hereby give notice that on Friday the 25th of August 2023, commencing at 10.00am, a Public Annual Meeting of Beneficiaries (Connected Consumers) will be held at Waipa Networks, 240 Harrison Drive, Te Awamutu.

At the meeting the Trustees will report on:

• The operation of Waipa Networks Trust for the year ended 31 March 2023.

• The Financial Statements of Waipa Networks Trust for the year ended 31 March 2023.

• The performance of Waipa Networks Limited for the year ended 31 March 2023.

• The compliance of Waipa Networks Limited with its Statement of Corporate Intent for the year ended 31 March 2023.

• The Annual Plan 2023/24 of Waipa Networks Trust.

At the meeting the Beneficiaries will be given the opportunity to:

• Appoint the Auditor for Waipa Networks Trust for the 2024 financial year.

• Speak on all matters being considered at the Annual Meeting.

Please note that the above named documents are available for public inspection on the Trust website or at the offices of Waipa Networks Limited at 240 Harrison Drive, Te Awamutu during ordinary business hours.

K M Heeringa - Secretary/Treasurer