Cambridge News | August 31, 2023

Quarry details unveiled

By Mary Anne Gill

The company behind plans for a giant quarry on the outskirts of Cambridge is disputing claims there will be up to 400 trucks a day travelling through the town when it begins operations.

At most there would be 1015 trucks daily, Fulton Hogan resources manager Arthur Fulton and consents manager Jo Young told The News in an exclusive interview last week.

The company supports a northern on-ramp at the end of Tirau Road and says it is likely many trucks leaving the quarry to go north would use the new turnaround four kilometres south of the Waikato Expressway at Hydro Road

“We want to dispel the stories people are saying about the number of trucks (going through town), it’s just misinformation,” said Fulton.

“The reality is 200 truckloads is our absolute maximum,” said Young of the numbers likely to leave the site daily from the Newcombe Road quarry.

“Our consent will say ‘you will have to shut the gates if you get to 200 loads’,” she said.

Of those, only five percent would go through Cambridge. Few truck companies would want their truck and trailer units regularly navigating the Carter’s Flat hill - it would be cheaper to go the extra eight kilometres to and from Hydro Road and then head north, avoiding Cambridge.

New Zealand-owned Fulton Hogan, is the holding company for the proposed quarry’s operators RS Sand Ltd.

They have been researching sites

On ramp is off agenda

By Mary Anne Gill

Waka Kotahi does not believe a northbound on-ramp at the end of Tirau Road in Cambridge is required and will not support construction of one “at this stage.”

The transport agency’s response comes following news Fulton Hogan supports the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce’s call for an on-ramp. When the interchange at Tirau Road was designed, it was done so with longer trips in mind, said Waikato BOP regional manager for system design, Jess Andrew.

“It was considered that there would be sufficient capacity on the old SH1 through Cambridge to provide for growth on the local network.”

Fulton Hogan says many northbound trucks leaving its quarry would head south to a new turnaround bay at the intersection of SH1 and Hydro Road rather than go through Cambridge.

Waka Kotahi says it has looked at the impacts to traffic flow.

Given the limited number of trucks that would potentially use this turnaround area - based on the figures in the traffic assessment this would be between one-three trucks an hour - it was unlikely to have significant impact on the efficiency of the state highway, said Andrew.

in the North Island for years.

“This is not a random site we’ve chosen,” said Young.

The company says the quarry will turn over $6 million a year –

pumping $4 million annually into the Cambridge community - and supply sand to concrete plants around the North Island including Cambridge. It will operate for

25 years with environmental rehabilitation done in stages.

“There is going to be an affect, there is also a benefit,” said Fulton.

Continued on page 2

Construction of another turnaround bay, at Keeley’s Reserve on SH1, east of Cambridge, is set to start next month and finish before the busy summer period.

The turnarounds are crucial pieces needed before additional flexible safety median barriers can be installed, said Andrew.

Fulton Hogan says it would not want its trucks negotiating the Carter’s Flat Hill and going through the town.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Roading issues

Council in replying to my letter (The News, August 24) stated ratepayers will need to put forward their priorities as to road improvements to be made in the years 2024 to 2027.

Regarding the upgrading of Dick St, I have made submissions to Council and penned letters to this paper, each and every year since 2016. All to no avail. I would presume councillors consider vehicle counts, emergency services, rubbish and re-cycling trucks, school proximity, parking, as well as the road, its kerbs and footpaths. Council should inform ratepayers of the points they do consider when deciding on their priority for a road upgrade.

Forward thinking is also important. Was any consideration given to the impact on other roads, given the impending widening and construction of Duke St where it joins Bryce St? This by-pass of the central business district is used by many, (including the Fire Brigade) and they will favour using Lower Dick St during construction. Again, I ask the question, how many councillors have driven both ways on Lower Dick St. in 2023? With the huge explosion of new housing in Cambridge and with the majority of the new infrastructure paid for by the developers, the council “rates take” for urban Cambridge will have increased dramatically. Are these increased funds being spent locally, or are they subsidising other parts of the Waipā district? As well as roading, Cambridge urgently needs old infrastructure upgraded.

I. S. Thomas Cambridge

Quarry details unveiled

Continued from page 1

He also disputed quarry neighbours’ claims there would be excessive amounts of silica dust produced. The mining would be a wet process so there would be very little dust, he said.

A resource consent application was lodged with Waipā district and Waikato regional councils in May and put on hold awaiting further information. Young said she hoped to have that with the councils in November.

Independent commissioner Rob van Voorthuysen will assess the proposal on behalf of Waipā and probably opt for a hearing because of the public interest.

The earliest that could run would be next year.

“We’re not here to convince the community, we just want to get the information out and let the community decide,” said Young.

“We’re here for a generation, we want to be part of the community, we know we have an effect, but we want to make sure the neighbours are okay with us,” said Fulton.

The company had consulted with iwi about cultural concerns. One raised was the impact on the Karāpiro Stream.

The company planned to plant a native forest between its site and the stream resulting in 13ha of wetlands and native bush.

Previously I have put out messaging to students via schools and this column, around not cycling on the footpath in the Victoria Street central business district.

Last week we had a crash involving a car and bicycle which was being ridden across a pedestrian crossing on Duke street. The cyclist came down the footpath and onto the crossing at which point they were unfortunately hit. This is the outcome we fear and it is fortunate that there were no serious injuries. It is a lesson for both parties. The road code states that bicycles are not to be ridden on the footpath. When they are, this is especially risky to not only the cyclists but equally our pedestrians in the main shopping area.

There is a cycle lane on both sides of Victoria Street central business district for cyclists to use. If parents/the students are uncomfortable with using those due to traffic

volumes, we strongly recommend they use Bryce Street, Duke Street and Wilson Street to bypass town. They may also walk their bikes through town on the footpath. In all cases, cyclists should dismount and walk when on a pedestrian crossing. This gives them time to assess when the way is truly clear, and equally gives motorists the chance to react to someone wanting to cross and to give way safely and appropriately.

With the weather improving (I hope I am not jinxing us there), the likelihood is that the number of students cycling to and from school will increase. We do not want any more injuries occurring. On that note, when I have stopped students cycling on the footpath in the past, they often have their helmets hanging from their handlebars or do not have one. This increases the risk of harm even more, besides the fact that wearing a helmet is a legal requirement for cyclists.

Please spread the cycle safety word.

In other news, Cambridge Community Patrol noticed a suspicious vehicle in the Cambridge Park area one night last week. Behaviours that alerted them were the vehicle driving without headlights and that the driver appeared to meet up with another vehicle parked nearby. He also appeared defensive when the patroller walked nearby. Registration plates on one car did not match the vehicle, which supports their assertions that something wasn’t right.

Keep your eyes and ears open and report suspicious activity to police. CCTV has been vital in furthering investigations into recent burglaries - if you are considering installing a camera, be sure to keep it regularly cleaned, clear of cobwebs and with an unobstructed view. Clear CCTV is gold from an investigation point of view.

A truck utilises the recently completed turnaround at the intersection of State Highway 1 and Hydro Road. Photo supplied

New shed

Plans to set up a Cambridge Menzshed are on track following a meeting last weekend. All 32 people who attended signed up to become members of the organisation, which has become an active player in community events in Te Awamutu.

JPs' time

A dozen Cambridge area justices of the peace have been acknowledged for their long service – including The News columnist Peter Carr – for 50 years – and Gail Mayall for 30. Jan BulteelAdams, Richard Seabrook, Peter Tairi, Susan Hassall, David Natzke, David Day, Diane Sharpe, David Findlay, Ray Grace, Richard Edge, Vern Walsh, Willy Geck and branch chair Alan Wilkinson have all given 20 and as much as 28 years’ service.

Choir performs

Tauranga chamber choir

Scholars Baroque Aotearoa will perform Henry Purcell’s take on Shakespeare’s The Tempest in Cambridges’ St Andrew’s Church on September 10.

Library survey

An online survey run by the Cambridge Community Board to gauge public sentiment about a new library in Cambridge closes on Sunday. See Jo DaviesColley's column Community connections, page 12

Artistic endeavour

More than 100 Waipā children aged three to 18 have been painting their hearts out in the hopes of winning a prize in September’s Little Artist International Art Exhibition. The exhibition is part of the second New Zealand China Cultural Connection 2023 event, and will be at the Cambridge Town Hall from September 15, with open sessions over the following two days.

Rent review for pensioners

By Mary Anne Gill

Councillors went behind closed doors this week to discuss rents for tenants living in Waipā District pensioner houses.

The likelihood of their rents rising is high because superannuation payments rose by more than seven per cent on April 1 to catch up with the cost of living. The council caps pensioner housing rents at 30 per cent of national superannuation, after taking the maximum accommodation supplement into account.

Councillors held their full meeting on Tuesday – the rent debate was one of 10 items listed in the public excluded segment.

The public part of the meeting was completed in less than 30 minutes

while the public excluded lasted about 85 minutes.

The News has raised questions about the amount of time councillors spend discussing issues in committee and in public excluded workshops/ briefings and challenged the justification for discussing the rent issue in secret.

Council said it was to protect the privacy of residents who would be informed of any decision before it was made public.

The News argues the public has a right to see councillors debate issues of such interest to ratepayers.

The council owns 93 houses for 107 people in seven complexes in Cambridge, Kihikihi and Te Awamutu, according to the council’s website. Pensioner housing rent at

Sherwin Village in Kihikihi is $266 for a single person and $280-$345 for a couple.

In Te Awamutu’s Churchill Street, where there are seven one bedroom units, and Mangapiko Street, with three one bedroom units, costs are $266 for a single person and $310 for a couple. At Dallinger Court, Wallace Court, Dr Tod Court and Vaile Court in Cambridge residents pay $266 a week for a single person and between $285-$385 for a couple.

A total of 65 people are on a waiting list. A further 10 one-bedroom units are being built in Cambridge at Vaile Court and there are also plans to build more units in Te Awamutu.

The council’s housing for the elderly units are self-funded, not subsidised by rates, and market rental rates for

the units are reviewed independently each year.

Couples over 65 now get an extra $102.84 in superannuation taking payments each fortnight to a net $1527.28, while individuals living alone receive $992.74, $66.86 more than before.

The payments are taxed. Pensioners also get a tax free Winter Energy Payment between May 1 and October 1 of $20.46 a week for single people and $31.82 for couples.

Waipā is one of few councils in New Zealand which still provides housing for older people in the community.

The council reviewed its pensioner housing policy in 2017 and recommitted to providing and growing its housing for the elderly stock.

Repair plan gets a tick

By Mary Anne Gill

Cambridge’s town clock will undergo “open heart surgery” costing more than $450,000 but the upside is once the work is done, operating and maintenance costs will reduce.

Property Services project manager Greg Boyle told Waipā District Council this week the frequency of servicing the clock had gone from six-monthly to almost twice a month.

Repairs had moved beyond “quick fixes,” he said.

It was a choice now between keyhole and open heart surgery.

“Cambridge residents are very passionate about the clock working accurately.

Council receives calls if the clock is out of time or does not chime correctly, or if the faces are not reading the same time.

“The town clock is part of the character of the town and a focal point for the community.”

It was back working again after stopping earlier this month but it appeared the chimes were now out of sequence, he said.

The clock, built in a tower on top of the Post Office in 1908, is a Category Two Historic Places structure and a category B heritage item in the council’s District Plan.

The tower was damaged in the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake, so the clock was dismantled and moved from Victoria Street to a new tower in Jubilee Gardens, in front of the Town

Hall. Mayoress Edith Priestley officially restarted it at 3pm on October 5, 1934. Hand winding of the clock is done twice weekly requiring more than 200 turns of a hand crank and a hike up a long ladder between the tower floor and an elevated landing.

During Covid 19, the council stopped it at 12 o’clock in the early stages of alert level four lockdown until they could access its inner workings again.

Boyle said the tower was in poor condition and the clock mechanism “increasingly deteriorating”.

A sum of $250,000 was already in the Annual Plan budget for this financial year but Boyle said another $200,000 was needed to fix the tower, service the clock, the clock face and hands, automate the winding and pay architects’ fees.

There is a historic reserve fund of $53,000 tagged for clock repair; the $145,000 balance would be funded from a loan.

It costs more than $31,000 a year to maintain the clock. Under the proposal annual costs would reduce to $7000 a year. A service of the clock mechanism every 10 years is estimated to cost $25,000.

Work should begin, depending on contractor availability, later this year.

Waipā councillor Marcus Gower quipped that he hoped there were no more complaints about the $70,000 spent on upgrading the Kihikihi clock last year.

• See: Watching time fly…, page 10

has a new name,

a fresh lick of paint.

now called Legacy Funerals Cambridge. Same people, same care, and still serving the community from 2 Albert Street.

The town clock features in many of Cambridge’s significant events.

Ninety new citizens welcomed

By Mary Anne Gill

Ninety Waipā residents were sworn in on Friday as New Zealand residents in the second of two citizenship ceremonies held this year.

Nearly a third were from South Africa prompting mayor Susan O’Regan to enlist the support of council staff for help with pronunciations. Council Human Resources business partner David Dugmore was one of the 29 South Africans to swear their allegiance to King Charles III.

Next was the United Kingdom with 26 followed by India, Brazil, Philippines, Australia and Pakistan.

Countries with one new Kiwi each were Ecuador, Vietnam, Iran, Taiwan, China, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.

The ceremony was held in a packed Cambridge Town Hall.

McKenzie Bird, 7, of Cambridge Primary School proudly welcomed the rest of her South African family to New Zealand citizenship. She watched on as parents Taryn and Gareth and brother Sebastian, 9, moved to the stage to affirm their allegiance.

And while Huma Saeed, Tasweeb, 9, Abdullah, 11, Elhuam, 5, and Muhammad Hassan recently moved from Cambridge to Palmerston North, they were in no doubt they wanted to be at the Cambridge ceremony. The family moved to New Zealand from Pakistan and Elhuam was born here.

Brazilian family Fabiana De Alemeida, Sergio, 12, Helena, 14 and Miguel Hiraoka have been in Te Awamutu for eight years. Miguel works at APL Window Solutions in Hautapu, Cambridge.

Australian pianist Joy Hood played the national anthem with newly elected

Māori ward councillor Dale-Maree Morgan apologising in advance if she sang out of tune.

“It’s the Scottish in me, not the Māori,” she joked.

The council usually provides details of where the new citizens live in Waipā but chose not to do so this time.

The new citizens are:

Bassam Amin Attallah Abdou (Egypt), Ian Joseph Baker (United Kingdom), Ryan Samuel Baker (United Kingdom), Minoo Baker (Iran, Islamic Republic of), Sean Anthony Baker (United Kingdom), Sebastian Ethan Bird (New Zealand), Gareth Neil Bird (South Africa), Taryn Lee Bird

(South Africa), Louisa Daphne Botha (South Africa), Brandan Gregory Botha (South Africa), Warrick Reece Botha (South Africa), Michelle Elizabeth Boughton (Germany), Elke Brascamp (Netherlands), Thomas William Buckley (United Kingdom), Nicholas Charles Coston (England), Joanne Marie Coston (England), Thomas Charles Coston (England), Alexander John Coston (England), Alan Mark Davies (Wales), Sergio Makoto Hiraoka (Brazil), Fabiana Elisa De Almeida (Brazil), Helena Hatsue De Almeida Hiraoka (Brazil), Miguel Hisashi De Almeida Hiraoka (Brazil), Jimuel Concina Dela Cruz (Philippines), Sachin Dhamija (India), Pooja (India), David William Dugmore (South Africa), Charl Engelbrecht (South Africa), Theresa Engelbrecht

(South Africa), Hua Fang (China), Ma. Meshell Baguio Galon (Philippines), Magdaleno Jr Jocson Galon (Philippines), Erika Geere (South Africa), David Geere (South Africa), Inette Geldenhuys (South Africa), Susan Elizabeth Gifford (Northern Ireland), Sukhvinder Singh Gill (India), Karen Jane Greaves (United Kingdom), Kathryn Ann Grinter (United Kingdom), Christine Jane Hall (United Kingdom), Andrew Peter Golding (United Kingdom), Muhammad Imran Hassan (Pakistan), Huma Saeed (Pakistan), Abdullah Taqi (Pakistan), Tasweeb Fatima (New Zealand), Grant Benjamin Huggins (Australia), Narelle Janine Huggins (Australia), Luke Eamon Huggins (Australia), Thai Mong Kha Huynh (Viet Nam), Gwen Elizabeth Jones (Wales), Ian Kearney (South Africa), Leoni Kearney (South Africa), James Ian Kearney (South Africa), Leah Grace Kearney (South Africa), Nadine Marie Lancaster (England), Russel Matthew Lennox (South Africa), Leonie Celeste Lennox (South Africa), Riley Brian Lennox (South Africa), Ella Jennifer Lennox (South Africa), Cassidy Georgia Lennox (South Africa), Honey Mathew (India), Sandra Claire Moore (South Africa), Campbell Kingsley Moore (South Africa), Dean Russell Glennie (South Africa), Chi Shan Niu (Taiwan), Julie Gay Acuna Omandam (Philippines), Michelle Panko (England), Paul Raymond Pini (United Kingdom), Quartney Louisa Pretorius (South Africa), Nelly Veronica Quinde Foster (Ecuador), Stephen James Remington (United Kingdom), Tracy Rowlandson (England), Claire Louise Sandy (Ireland), Matthew Neill Sandy (England), Harpreet Singh Sawara (India), Maree Ann Sharples (Australia), Dhara Shyamal (India), Simranjit (India), Birinder Pal Singh (India), Stuart Mark Smith (United Kingdom), Helen Michelle Stowell (United Kingdom), Sukhjit Singh Thabal (India), Rachael Louise Thomas (Wales), Janine van Rooyen (South Africa), Mishke van Rooyen (South Africa), Jason van Rooyen (South Africa), Willem Jacobus van Rooyen (South Africa), Zanelle van Rooyen (South Africa), Aaron Wiremu Daniel Keem West (England), Nicola Louise White (United Kingdom). • More photos: cambridgenews.nz

Allegiance sworn, from left Taryn, Sebastian, 9, McKenzie, 7, (already a citizen), and Gareth Bird, of Cambridge.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Hotel plans revealed

By Mary Anne Gill

Masonic Hotel will be no more.

But what it will be called once it becomes Cambridge’s new boutique hotel is something its owner Gerry Westenberg is not prepared to reveal yet.

Westenberg was one of two guest speakers at Destination Cambridge’s annual meeting last week. The other was new Velodrome general manager Dion Merson.

Cambridge lawyer Lucy Young was elected the tourism organisation’s new chair.

There has been a Masonic Hotel on the Duke Street site since 1866, Westenberg told the meeting.

He spoke passionately about the role Archibald Clements played in developing the hotel and Cambridge itself. Clements was mayor and a member of the road and Waikato Hospital boards before retiring to Auckland, where he died in 1927 aged 91.

The hotel was built of timber for him and rebuilt and enlarged with shops and a billiard saloon in 1878.A balcony was added in 1882.

Fire destroyed the hotel in 1911 and neither the owner Victor Cornaga, who purchased the freehold in 1900, nor the proprietor had much in the way of insurance.

Staff and boarders lost everything in the blaze.

Despite this Cornaga, who had emigrated to New Zealand from Malta in 1857, announced a week later he would rebuild the hotel of brick and commissioned noted architect John Currie to design it. Currie designed several buildings around New Zealand including in Auckland, the Kiwi Tavern in Britomart Place and the Altrans Building in Quay Street.

His Masonic Hotel design was influenced by Beaux Arts, a form of architecture taught in France from the 1830s to the end of the 19th

century, although others say it is Edwardian commercial classicism.

It opened to the public in October 1912, seven months after work started.

Westenberg, who bought the hotel 10 years ago, said developers could only dream of such turnarounds today.

The hotel is an historic Category 2 building which will become a high-end five star boutique hotel with 29 guest rooms including 12 attic rooms.

There will be a restaurant, café, terraced gardens, a basement speakeasy bar and conference and function rooms.

Its refurbishment is supported by Heritage New Zealand, said Westenberg.

Construction has gone well despite heavy rain and the hotel now has a new roof with

iron going on last week.

Seismic strengthening is complete and inside rooms framed. New windows have yet to arrive.

Completion is estimated for February next year and the hotel would not be opened in stages.

“We’ll be opening the whole hotel at the same time,” he told the meeting.

Westenberg noted the challenges he faced which included complex seismic costs, things take longer on a heritage building, interest rates and of course Covid.

He showed architect’s impressions of the hotel before dropping the big surprise –Masonic Hotel no more.

The name no longer matched what the hotel was about to become.

Former trust chair gone

By Jeremy Smith

Former Waipa Networks Trust chair

Craig Sanders is no longer a trustee.

Sanders - who led the trust for nine years - told The News on Monday it was because he had moved to Dunedin and felt it wasn’t “appropriate” to continue.

But current trust chair Sarah Matthews – who took up the role in November - told The News Sanders’ trusteeship ceased “because of a refusal to act”.

The network trust owns Waipa Networks Ltd, which is responsible for the electricity lines throughout Waipā, parts of Waikato and Ōtorohanga districts.

Every three years, the roughly 28,000 customers Waipa Networks delivers power to vote for up to six members for the trust.

The last election was in October 2021. Matthews said the trust would avoid a by election because it’s now five-person board could legally operate through until its next election in October 2024.

The remaining trustees are Matthews, Judy Bannon, Ray Milner, David McLean and Marcus Gower.

Matthews said the trust was “pretty happy” with Waipa Networks’ performance during the last financial year.

“Some of the key performance indicators which weren’t met were in and around reliability, and obviously that was fairly challenging in a year in which there were some severe weather events such as Cyclone Gabrielle.”

Masonic Hotel owner Gerry Westenberg shows features of the Masonic Hotel which suggests its design is Beaux Art and not Edwardian commercial classicism.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Welcome to Sir Patrick’s village

By Mary Anne Gill

Whangārei researcher Joan Leversedge put her skills to the test when she and partner Bob Dobson went looking for somewhere to retire.

And they found it in the newly named Patrick Hogan Retirement Village midway between Cambridge and the Velodrome in the new Bridleways Estate.

Operators Ryman unveiled the name for its 41st retirement village in New Zealand today (Thursday) on Breakfast Live television, something that came as no surprise to The News as Sir Patrick was a clear favourite among our readers.

Ryman villages are named after significant people from the community. Other names include Sir Edmund Hillary, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Dame Malvina Major, Possum Bourne, Hilda Ross and Linda Jones.

Sir Patrick’s widow Justine, Lady Hogan and Ryman chief executive Cheyne Chalmers were to unveil

the new village sign after The News went to press.

“Thank you to Ryman Healthcare for ensuring his memory lives on in such a meaningful way and in a town he was so proud to call home,” Lady Hogan said

The first to move into the Cambridge village were

Upcoming lectures:

Dr Roger Hill –The excitement of analytical chemistryan oxymoron?

Friday 8th September 2023 (10 for 10.30 – 12.00)

The Woolshed, Te Awa Lifecare 1866 Cambridge Road Cambridge.

Price: Members free (Membership $30 per annum, nancial year starts 1st April).

Register online at www.u3acambridge.org.nz or Ring Carole on 021 401 951

Carmel and Peter Barton from Paraparaumu who moved in on July 11, the day before Barbara Evans, who moved from elsewhere in Cambridge to her new home.

Sue and Mike Dye have left the hustle and bustle of Auckland’s Mt Albert where construction sites abound to the Ryman village where construction is planned for

the next two years.

The irony is not lost on them.

Their daughter already lives in Cambridge while their sons have remained in Auckland.

“They (the boys) think we’re crazy moving here but we wanted to be somewhere quieter and this feels more gentle,” said Sue.

Barbara said she did not want to

move away from Cambridge and wanted to be somewhere where her partner, recently diagnosed with dementia, could settle.

Joan and Bob, who moved from their lifestyle property near Whangārei to Cambridge, say they love being part of the village’s development.

“The amazing thing is how kind everyone in Cambridge has been to us,” she said.

Ryman sales’ advisor David de Veth said 18 houses had already been sold in the first stage and eight villas were occupied. More would come on stream as workers completed landscaping.

The village will boast 185 two or three-bedroom townhouses, 60 one-bedroom assisted-living apartments and a care centre offering 80 resthome, hospital, and dementia care rooms.

It will also have an all-weather bowling green, heated indoor swimming pool, café, hair and beauty salons and a theatre.

A village green is already set up as is a temporary village centre.

pain

• Shoulder, elbow, wrist pain

• Sinus issues

Sports or work related injuries

Joint and muscle pain, & strains

Osteoarthritis pain and mobility

• Digestive and respiratory issues

• Pregnancy & postpartum related pain

The first residents in Cambridge‘s Sir Patrick Hogan Village were from left, Ruth Kerr, Mike and Sue Dye, Barbara Evans, Joan Leversedge and Bob Dobson.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill

Four! Councillors want more

By Roy Pilott

Just eight of 30 politicians who responded to a Good Local Media poll said they were comfortable with a three-year term for councils.

Nineteen thought going to four years was a better option, three were undecided.

And among those 11 not convinced, some indicated they could be persuaded to change their mind.

The exclusive survey drew a 100 per cent response from local body politicians in Waipā plus the two covering the TamahereWoodlands ward and the mayor of the Waikato District and Waipā-King Country constituency councillors for the Waikato Regional Council and the chair.

“In my experience I have found we just get going and there is an election,” Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board chair Ange Holt said.

But Cambridge Community Board chair Jo Davies-Colley was among those happy with a threeyear term, saying it gave elected members enough time to have an impact on their community “and see some of their strategies and

goals hopefully come to fruition”.

Cambridge board member Andrew Myers thought three-year terms amounted to a “massive waste of public money” while Waipā councillor Philip Coles was on the same page saying reducing the frequency would save ratepayers’ money.

“Sixty-six per cent of a three-year term can be poorly utilised - the first year for people to get bedded in and learn the ropes, one year in the middle to be of effect, and a final year to win an election,” said Myers.

“(That) money could be spent on other projects that could benefit the community better,” said

Coles.

Pirongia ward’s Bruce Thomas liked four years but… “no longer, as I see difficulty in governance if a majority of the wrong element can have an influence…”

Regional councillor Clyde Graf was on the same page – “four years may be okay, but that‘s the limit.

The likelihood of cronyism and corruption increases with the length of the term”.

Waikato district councillors in the TamahereWoodlands ward, Mike Keir and Crystal Beavis, favoured four.

And Beavis said there was no point changing the term for local government without also changing the

term for Parliament.

“Three years does not allow enough time for effective government at either local or national level.”

Waipā district Māori ward councillor Dale-Maree Morgan understood the issue had been discussed and “council has always supported calls for an extension for the term from three to four years”.

“A longer term will help with the effectiveness of planning, implementing and actually getting things done for our people and communities.”

Waipā’s Marcus Gower also believed the three-year term was “too short to get any big projects underway”. His colleague Andrew

Brown said four years allowed a decent period to get things done “but not too long before voters can have their say”.

Regional Council chair Pamela Storey, Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan and Waikato mayor Jacqui Church all four-year term supporters, agreed that the longer term would enable better planning.

Waikato regional councillor Stu Kneebone was happy with three but acknowledged “there are always plusses and minuses”.

Happy at three was Pirongia’s Clare St Pierre - “for me, three years is already a long time personally to commit to a public role that isn’t well

remunerated while calling for quite a sacrifice at a personal level”.

Of the Waipā district councillors Andrew Brown, Bruce Thomas, Dale-Maree Morgan, Liz Stolwyk, Lou Brown, Marcus Gower, Mike Pettit, Philip Coles and Susan O’Regan backed four years, Clare St Pierre and Mike Montgomerie liked three, Roger Gordon was undecided.

Taupō MP Louis Upston almost had a bob each way. She was happy with three-year terms but opened by saying “there will be a variety of views around a four-year term, and it’s something I’m open to”. Gordon looked at a bigger picture.

“The turnout of voters, the participation in consultation exercises, the representative reflection around the council table, and even in some degree the picture painted by the recent satisfaction survey, are suggesting that the current system is not fit for purpose, a little broken. We need to concentrate on that challenge.”

• Read what all the politicians said at cambridgenews.nz •What do you think? Let us know editor@goodlocal.nz

Crystal Beavis

Andrew Myers

Roger Gordon Philip Coles

Op changes at council

Waipā chief executive

Garry Dyet will be able to settle legal claims up to $50,000 - $40,000 more than currently – under changes approved by the council this week.

Dyet can also approve up to $100,000 of unbudgeted expenditure, subject to certain conditions, in a new delegation clause.

The two are among broad changes made to the council’s operational delegations to make them clearer, legal counsel Diana Aquilina said in a report.

Another related to

approval of unlimited expenditure in a national or local emergency over the district in accordance with the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act. It has clarified expenditure can happen when a recovery manager is appointed.

The News understands Customer and Community Services group manager Sally Sheedy has recently passed the Response and Recovery Leadership Development programme which enables her appointment as the council’s recovery manager.

Watching time fly…

By Murray Smith, Bridges Church

An aged aunty, who was special to me, passed away just before her 100th birthday.

She often remarked that time had ‘flown by’ in spite of having a lifetime spanning almost a century. I guess that must have been a good thing since time drags when life is drudgery. We’re told that medically speaking, pleasurable events boost a dopamine release in the brain which causes our ‘internal clock’ to seemingly run faster. So, maybe it’s true that time flies when you’re having fun.

Having fun or not, there’s 168 hours each week which equates to 700 hours every month, roughly 8400 in a year. Nobody is guaranteed any allocation of time - it rolls on, with or without us, like an unstoppable juggernaut.

Such thoughts came to mind seeing our Cambridge Town Clock had become motionless and silent. Last time the clock ‘stopped’ was early in the Covid-19 ‘lockdown’. Then, its silence resulted from not being wound twice a week - to protect Council staff from unnecessary risk keeping a ‘non-essential service’ operational.

The clock’s time-telling assignment was recently reported as being on hold pending a full automation upgrade. The original winding mechanism had come to the end of its life and was evidently beyond repair.

In my view, the fact it graces our town at all, is something to be thankful for, since it could easily not even be there. Ninety years ago, the clock gazed over the town from an elevated position high up on the now empty ‘turret’ of the old General Post Office building (now an Italian restaurant). Following the devastating Napier earthquake in 1931, the clock’s structure

was damaged, presenting a dangerous hazard.

The clock tower was dismantled then re-built on its current location.

Now the clock is ticking away again, many people will welcome it ‘back’, while perhaps being unfamiliar with the story behind its reliable, steady chiming, Our Town Clock echoes a melody known as the ‘Westminster Chimes’- it’s the same musical sequence that clocks around the world belt out - including Big Ben which booms across London from the Palace of Westminster clock tower every 15 minutes. The sequence of four notes making up the chime, actually accompany four lines of lyrics found in a famous piece of music- ‘Handel’s Messiah’.

“All through this hour, Lord be my guide, helped by thy power, no foot shall slide”.

So, remember to pause for a moment’s thought when you next hear the Town Clock chiming again. The chime serves as a reminder of our mortality, also, for us to use the fleeting time we have wisely. It’s not ‘donging’ out a random pattern, rather its melodic riff, is a personal prayer inviting God’s help and intervention.

A man named James wrote a letter, preserved in the Bible. Reflecting on being ready for our inevitable appointment with death, he penned, “You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? You are like a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes”.

His point - ensure you are truly prepared because, beyond time, an eternal destiny awaits us.

Listen to thetown clock: cambridgenews.

The chief executive can now only enter into a lease or licence for a maximum of six years.

Garry Dyet

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TALKING ECONOMICS

The fear of falling

By Peter Nicholl

The phrase ‘down on the farm’ is taking on a worrying meaning these days.

What’s going down on the farm today are the prices for the things farmers produce and export.

Wool prices are so low that many farmers are saying it costs them more to have the wool shorn than they are getting for the wool when they sell it. International dairy prices have also fallen sharply and are now at a level where many dairy farmers will struggle to break-even this year.

Cheese prices have held up better than other dairy products but even the price of cheddar cheese at the latest global auction was 23 per cent below its peak price, which was only a year earlier.

Fonterra’s farmgate price reached $9.30 a kilo in the 2021-22 season. Since then, farmers have faced increases in prices for many farm inputs. One article I read said there had been a 24 per cent increase in farm costs in the past two years.

Farmers are also facing an increasing array of compliance costs and those with high debt levels will be feeling the pressure from rising interest rates. But the farmgate price for the current season is now being forecast by Fonterra to be between $7 and $8.

This is an alarming situation for New Zealand as we are still heavily reliant on agricultural exports. It is not just farmers who will feel the impact of this sharp downturn in farmers’ incomes. Dairy farmers have experienced these sharp drops in international prices before. Their first reaction is to cut their spending dramatically.

I wouldn’t like to be the owner of a tractor sales business this year. Towns like Cambridge will feel the impact of the

cut-backs in farmers’ spending.

The question farmers and the people who service farmers will be agonising over is how long will these lower prices last.

There may be some short-term relief for farmers in the form of a decline in the value of the New Zealand dollar. Global dairy prices are set in US dollars. The highest exchange rate earlier this year was NZ$ 1 fetching US$0.65. The current exchange rate is US$0.5745 to our dollar. That adds around 11 per cent to the international price when it is converted to New Zealand dollars. But a falling dollar will add to New Zealand’s inflation rate as the price of everything we import will go up and our inflation rate is already well above the Reserve Bank’s target level. A fall in the value of the New Zealand dollar is almost certain to mean that the Reserve Bank will need to keep interest rates at current levels for longer or even to have to raise them further.

The only long-term solution is a rise in international dairy prices. The key to that will be what happens to the Chinese economy over the next few years. In my last column, I said I thought the problems facing the Chinese economy were too big for even them to handle. The latest issue of ‘The Economist’ reaches the same conclusion. Their headline was ‘why China’s economy won’t be fixed’ and they said that “after four decades of fast growth, China is entering a period of disappointment”. If that does happen, farmers and the whole of New Zealand may be in for more than a period of disappointment.

Young eyes on library

By Jo Davies-Colley, Chair, Cambridge Community Board

It has been great to hear from young library users and understand their thoughts and opinions on the need for a new library in Cambridge.

Part of the board’s focus is to maintain an overview of the services council delivers and assess how they meet community needs. The board has been connecting with the community over the need for a new library and community hub.

We are in the final stages of our public engagement and over the last few weeks we have held focus groups at Kaipaki School and Cambridge Middle School. I am looking forward to the insights from our teenagers when we visit Cambridge High School this week.

The Cambridge Community Board’s mission statement is: “we are friendly and visible representatives working effectively together for the good of our communities”.

We are a link between residents in the Cambridge and Maungatautari communities and Waipā District Council and we believe that we are an important step in the process to achieve council’s vision to build connected communities.

The board advocates for and represents the Cambridge and Maungatautari communities to ensure council and other agencies have a clear understanding of our needs and aspirations.

Alongside the excellent feedback from our focus groups, we have received a great response from our library survey. This community feedback will inform our submission to Council’s 2024-23 Long-Term Plan.

The Long-Term Plan is a document which sets the direction for the district and

is formally reviewed and updated every three years. It describes the activities of Council and shows the whole picture of how the activities are managed, delivered and funded. The community board will begin work on our submission over the next few weeks. Earlier this year, we gave council feedback that the abolishment of library fines would be a positive and helpful decision for our community and we were pleased when councillors decided to remove them.

It has been great to see the positive response from the community and hear from our town librarians that many overdue books have been returned and a greater number of people have been using the library due to the decision to remove fines. The board is also preparing for two delegations from our sister cities in November.

We have groups from Le Quesnoy and Bihoro visiting Cambridge and we are well underway in our plans to host them. They will have the opportunity to stay with local families and experience life in our great little town.

We hope to have an audio-visual system in place in our meeting room next month, so the community can join our meetings remotely if they so wish.

Our monthly meetings have a public forum and if you have any issues that we could help with, we would love to see you there.

Our meetings are held in the council room behind the library, details can be found on council’s website and in the Cambridge News.

Pets and disasters

Last weekend I was having breakfast with friends who experienced Cyclone Gabrielle in the Hawke’s Bay area.

As is natural for many conversations in my life, it started out talking about eruptions, then moved on to earthquakes and extreme weather. A common thread through all of these events is that people who experience disasters did not think that it would happen to them.

Those who experience loss are often unprepared and don’t think it will be that bad. This continues from my work on the 2021 La Palma eruption, where many people had 15 minutes to grab what they could and leave. I’ve written about having a list of things that are important – documents, medications, items that you would hate to lose. The next step is having these things in one place, in a “grab-bag” so you don’t have to think when a crisis hits, remembering that we do not think normally when in the middle of a crisis. There are plenty of sites online with recommendations for putting these together.

Something else crucial to many of us

Morgan’s new roles

By Janine Krippner

are our non-human family members. Through too many disasters I have heard of people refusing to evacuate because they couldn’t take pets with them. Even more stories exist of pets missing. I have two cats and my heart aches even thinking of losing them.

I have gone over what I would do if something like a large earthquake hit and at the top of my mind is always making sure they are okay. Thankfully, mine are very happy indoor cats, so unless there is major structural damage to my home I will at least know where they are.

My friends spoke about people who had cows and sheep turn up on their property, horses in odd places, and a goat on a boat after the cyclone. Have you thought about a plan for your pets or animals?

Do you have any medications somewhere that are easy to grab and run? Do you know where your pet carriers are? Having our pets microchipped can greatly help when it comes to reuniting with our furry friends if they get lost. Do you have friends or neighbours nearby who

Get Gardening

Spring is nearly here and now is the perfect time to reset the garden. Start attacking those weed's and clean up garden beds. Add compost and generous amounts of sheep pellets or other organic fertiliser to get them well prepped for spring planting. While Spring is a glorious time in the garden we can still get hit with frosts, so don't be tempted to start planting your Summer vegetable seedlings and plant's just yet. Wait until the threat of frosts has gone in mid to late October. Focus on trees, flaxes, shrubs and brambles instead. Also don't forgot to start sprouting seed potatoes ready for planting in mid September to ensure they are ready in time for Christmas! Pop in to grab yours today.

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could check on your animals (and vice versa) if you can’t get home? During a disaster, roads can be blocked, bridges can collapse, and communications networks can go down. What is your plan if you are stuck at work?

There are websites that have clear information on pet safety during emergencies and how to prepare for your pets, with simple things like having printed photos handy in case you find yourselves separated. Having some extra food and supplies around at all times, where possible, can really help. I understand that not everyone can easily afford this. If you can, having a pet get-away kit could make a huge difference.

There is so much on our minds in everyday life, hearing about yet another thing to do is not usually welcome. I get it. Having a chat about your household plan over dinner tonight might just save you major heartache down the track.

Newly-elected Waipā Māori ward councillor DaleMaree Morgan has been appointed to a number of external organisations, committees, groups and council advisory groups.

In addition to being on the Maungatautari Reserve committee, Morgan will represent the council on Ngā Pae Whenua Co-Management Board with Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Co-Management Board with Ngāti Hauā for Pukemako, the Waikato-Tainui and Raukawa Joint Management Agreement committees and the Ngā Wai o Waipā Co-Governance forum as alternate to mayor Susan O’Regan.

Roger Gordon has also been selected Waipa’s representative on the Resthaven Trustees Appointments Panel which meets occasionally to fill trustee vacancies on the Resthaven board.

Security upgraded

Alarms have been placed in reception areas and a security grille replaced in Te Awamutu for $185,325 as Waipā District Council deals with aggressive behaviour.

It says the work follows rising numbers of threats from the public, and three lockdowns in 18 months.

Customer and community services group manager Sally Sheedy the new measures would help ensure council offices were kept secure.

“The current grille could

no longer be serviced or repaired, so it needed to be replaced. While construction is underway, the reception area will be temporarily relocated to the left of the current area, providing a smaller but fully functional customer support space,” she said.

The project follows on from similar upgrades to the Cambridge customer support office in 2021 and is expected to be complete by the end of September.

CAMBRIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE CALLS OVER THE LAST WEEK

MONDAY:

MVC, truck v barrier, Waikato Expressway

THURSDAY:

Single car MVC, Racecourse Road

TUESDAY:

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Building alarm and evacuation

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McKenzie a friend to Emery

By Mary Anne Gill

Emery Cooper has been a regular at McKenzie Centre in Hamilton for nearly a year and her progress has given parents Kathleen and Stefan hope for their daughter’s future.

Born in October 2020, Emery is the Waipā couple’s third child after Myla, 10, and Arlo, 7. They live in Te Awamutu.

When she was about a year old, she was still not crawling or rolling so Kathleen took her to a physiotherapist.

“Around 14 months old she regressed in her speech and social skills. She stopped babbling, she no longer looked anyone in the eye, and she wouldn’t respond to her name.

“She also lost weight and her head had stopped growing. We were incredibly worried and went desperately searching for answers, and as she lost the use of her hands, we were led to the devastating diagnosis of Rett Syndrome,” says Kathleen.

Rett syndrome is a rare genetic neurological disorder that occurs almost exclusively in girls and leads to severe impairments, affecting nearly every aspect of the child’s life: their ability to speak, walk, eat, and even breathe easily.

First identified by Austrian paediatrician Andreas Rett in 1966, it is usually recognised in children between six to 18 months as they begin to miss developmental milestones or lose abilities they had gained.

Recent research has shown that gene therapy has the potential to treat or even reverse several aspects of Rett Syndrome by restoring the body’s production of methyl cytosine-binding protein 2.

Kathleen says they hope Emery will have gene therapy in her childhood.

“Although we love her just the way she is, we hold on to the hope that she will be able to access gene therapy in her childhood. We think this will give her a chance to gain back the skills Rett Syndrome has stolen from her.”

In the meanwhile, the team at McKenzie Centre provides the expertise Emery needs.

“They’re like a family to us, we go there and feel like the team of therapists and other parents wrap us in their support, care and knowledge,” says Kathleen.

Being with other whānau is another big plus. “I have learned so much from other families who give us ideas.”

The centre was established in 1984 and provides early childhood intervention and support for children/tamariki from birth to

school age with a developmental delay or disability.

“Our concerns are always listened to, and they are great at brainstorming new ideas to help Emery and put into place in her life.

“She’s definitely communicating better with her eyes and she’s getting stronger physically since starting at McKenzie Centre.”

Rett Syndrome is so rare there are fewer than 100 children in New Zealand with the condition.

Emery attends McKenzie Centre every Wednesday morning during term time.

“That’s when we can really talk about Emery and what she needs. If there is equipment, we feel she needs, McKenzie Centre do what they can. We bring it up with

the occupational therapist or the physio and they make it happen.”

Like Emery’s adaptive push chair.

“That’s something McKenzie Centre hooked up for us,” says Kathleen who found the previous chair was not good for Emery as she was always slumping to one side. Having the right support is critical as those with Rett Syndrome are susceptible to scoliosis.

Emery also sees a McKenzie Centre speech therapist who uses a low tech eye gaze Augmentive and Alternative Communication system to help learn how much she really understands.

“She is smart, she very clearly communicates what she wants by looking at the correct symbols.

“We are so excited for when she has access to an eye gaze device as she will be able to tell us so much more.”

In three years, Kathleen hopes Emery can mainstream into Te Awamutu Primary School, where her older children go.

“We do think she can keep up intellectually wise. With the right adaption, she should be able to learn with everyone her own age.”

McKenzie Centre offers a variety of programmes for children, delivered in partnership with families/ whānau. A team of passionate and skilled therapists, teachers, education support workers and tuakana (peer workers) deliver multiple services while specialists provide information and skills relating to their professional background.

Practical services and support help children/tamariki and families/whānau enjoy and use the time they spend together, every day, as valuable learning opportunities.

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Emery Cooper at McKenzie Centre in Hamilton.

Photo: Susie Nyika.

Josh and Bayley Storey on their big day

“People probably weren’t expecting it to be honest,”

Te Awamutu’s Josh Storey says with a smile. Unbeknownst to the watching audience, he and new wife Bayley had a surprise - unveiling their rst dance on their wedding day.

“We went to Tauranga for dance lessons then - for about two months beforehand - we practiced every morning in our gumboots on the farm.”

Married at Karapiro’s e Red Barn on May 20 amidst “pouring rain”, the couple had a clear goal on their special day. “We were really relaxed and went into it thinking ‘let’s just have fun,’” Bayley said. e pair, both 24, rst met when they were 12 – though it would seem they have di ering recollections of the occasion.

“Josh was obsessed with me from that night onwards,” Bayley smiles.

“I was not,” Josh smiles back.

“We went to di erent schools, but we had mutual friends so somehow we just kept crossing paths.”

In 2017, both Josh and Bayley ended up in Queenstown studying hospitality management. Josh worked up the courage to ask Bayley on a date while they were both in Taupo completing an internship.

“But, ve minutes before the date, she said no,” Josh smiled.

When they nished their respective studies, there was a time the pair lost contact for a bit. Josh moved back up to the family farm near Te Awamutu –on which he’s the sixth generation of his family to work – Bayley stayed in Queenstown. Enter lockdown in 2020.

While Josh “drove the tractor around”, much of that time was also spent talking to Bayley on the phone.

“We spoke pretty much every day.” at May, Bayley told Josh she was moving north to start a new job in Hamilton.

“I had an idea,” Josh said, “I’d put my shining armour on and go and pick her up, then we could road trip back up to the Waikato together.”

“I suppose you could say those three

days in the car ended up being our rst date,” Bayley smiled.

Engaged last November, the couple now work alongside each other on the farm, which Josh’s parents own.

Calving twice a year, they have 450 cows and 100 young stock on 170 e ective hectares.

“We’re pretty lucky,” Bayley said.

“It’s awesome to work with your wife,” Josh added.

“We share our whole lives together - I love that we’re each other’s number one support person. “We love humour and having a laugh together too,” Bayley smiled.

“We always have each other’s back.”

Whatever spare time they get, they’re “active relaxers” - snow skiing in winter, mountain biking and time at the beach in summer.

Sir Don Rowlands Centre

Photographer: Amy Bell.

e perfect ring

hen you’ve recently gotten engaged, adorning your third finger with the rock of your dreams is at the top of a girl’s priority list.

At this stage, few couples give thought to the wedding rings - often leaving their purchase until closer to the wedding.

ou are now Mr and Mrs. e wedding reception is where you relax a er the formalities and really start to celebrate.

But this party still needs attention to detail. Remember you are hosts. While you fuss over your photos, guests at your wedding will focus on the venue, food and music.

Make sure everyone remembers your wedding for the right reasons.

Receptions DOS

Stick to the people you really want there. Don’t be afraid to go small in numbers.

Listen to your venue manager’s experiences.

Make a schedule of what happens when and liaise with venue

management and caterers. Have an MC.

If your guests must wait for a sitdown meal, make sure they have nibbles, drinks and some entertainment.

Reception Do’s and Don’ts Y

Schedule speeches a er the main course to avoid overcooked or cold food. Include speeches as follows.

e father of the bride welcomes guests and toasts the bride and groom.

e groom toasts the bridesmaids and bride and thanks the in-laws.

e best man toasts the parents and absent friends. e bride speaks too. While this is not traditional, come on girls, you can do it.

Reception DON’TS

Let the speeches go on for too long. Run overtime with your photographer. Let speech givers get too tipsy.

While this is good for the pocket, a er all you don’t want to shock the groom with a double purchase of bling, it does pay to have an idea of the wedding ring you want when shopping for the engagement ring.

Consider if you want to wear the engagement ring and the wedding ring together. If so, they will have to not only t well together on the nger, but also complement each other. Most choose the same metals, but yellow and white gold can also look chic depending on the design.

However, if you are going to wear your wedding ring on its own you may want something more interesting than a plain band. Jewelers report that wedding rings with stone settings are now more o en requested than plain settings. Also consider if you want ‘his and her’ rings which give a nod to each other’s design in order to re ect your romantic bond. You can also request for your rings to be engraved with the wedding date and initials, or something personal to you both.

Photographer: Amy Bell.

Tackling the planning process

Getting engaged is a joyful time as you share your exciting news with family and friends. But the process of planning the biggest party of your life can be overwhelming as you ponder how to make it all happen. Use our checklist below for inspiration on how to get started.

• Work out a budget and plan according to how much you have to spend.

• Start a guest list.

• Choose your wedding party.

• Reserve a date and book venues –decide whether the ceremony and reception will be at one venue, or at separate locations.

• Choose and book a celebrant, photographer and videographer.

• Book entertainment, a florist, and a caterer – then decide on menus.

• Purchase your wedding dress, or organise a dressmaker.

• Shop for bridesmaids’ dresses and accessories.

• Book accommodation for out-oftown guests.

• Launch a wedding website, or Facebook page.

• Select or design wedding invitations.

• Choose and book a cake.

• Plan your ceremony – decide on readings, speakers and toasts.

• Reserve structural and electrical

necessities, such as outdoor seating.

• Organise official documents like your marriage license. Be sure check your passports are current if you’re going overseas.

• Arrange transportation for the wedding party and guests.

• Plan your honeymoon.

• Start a wedding register if required.

• Schedule your hair and make-up artist.

• Book the rehearsal dinner venues.

• Assign seating.

• Choose your music. Is it a live band, a DJ, or is the music planned for during the ceremony, dinner or the entertainment.

• Purchase the rings.

• Print your menu cards and place settings. The planning process can be overwhelming, but breaking down the planning process into bite-sized pieces will make it feel much more achievable and fun.

Bouquets

Flowers are a key part of the wedding style and theme.

It is important to pick a florist whose work you admire, and who can relate to you and the look you want to achieve.

Ask friends for recommendations of florists and visit their shop. Don’t necessarily go for the cheapest quote, you get what you pay for and there are many factors that affect the quality of your wedding flowers.

Good florists will source the best flowers direct from the growers – other florists may source from elsewhere and freshness may be compromised.

Most bridal parties will have colour themes, and flowers will traditionally fit in with the colours of the bridesmaids’ dresses.

However, a new trend is to have the flowers as the main style focal point –with brides opting for large bouquets of big bright blooms such as large roses. Bridesmaids hold smaller versions of the bride’s bouquet.

Roses are traditionally symbolic of romance and ever popular calla lilies and gerberas - along with lisianthus - are also trending.

Hydrangea styled loosely with lisianthus are reminiscent of childhood gardens and are fresh and romantic for a bride.

Let’s

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a

Cambridge Tree Trust

•

•

Cambridge Tree Trust – ‘A society grows great when old people plant trees in whose shade they may never sit.’

If you are recently retired (or not!), still fit, and interested in improving and maintaining the green environment of Cambridge, come and join us. Meeting at 9am each Tuesday and Thursday at our base at 89 Thornton Road, we spend the morning planting neglected areas of the town, or weeding one of our many previous plantings. There is

also work at the base growing and potting up plants. And we always finish the morning with coffee at base. So if you are enthusiastic about working in the outdoors, want to put your green fingers to good use, believe in the importance of

Making Bowls Fun

trees in the urban environment … bring your gardening gloves and gumboots and join us.

Contacts: John Moodie (Chairperson) 027 490 8861, Connie Scholten (Secretary) 07 827 6149

Thunder and lightning in netball

By Mary Anne Gill

A Cambridge team formed two years ago with a player centric aim has taken out the secondary schools premier grade title at Hamilton Netball Centre’s Saturday competition.

TVP Thunder beat Hillcrest High 33-31 in the final at Minogue Park while the Year Nine TVP Lightning side came third in its grade after beating Fraser Aotea 35-19.

TVP is short for Tom Voyle Park Sports Club.

Thunder coach Victoria Whitfield said her team – made up of players from Cambridge High and St Peter’s schools - started playing together two years ago when they were in Year 10.

“Many of the players had had negative experiences with high school netball, for various reasons. Some players had not made competitive teams but still wanted to play good netball,” she said.

“The focus is player-centric, where it is about what is in the best interests of the players. The roles of coach,

manager and parent are to facilitate their journey, not dictate it.”

Hillcrest headed into the final as favourites having been undefeated in round three and both semifinals.

Despite intense pressure from the Hamilton team, Thunder hung on for the victory.

“We’ve had some minor changes in players over the last three years as some have gone to pursue other sports at elite levels, but the core group of players remains,” said Victoria.

“We changed the whole focus of the team so that success was determined by whether the players were enjoying the sport, and whether they felt supported and encouraged by their teammates and those in the wider team environment.”

The Lightning team are a melting pot of girls from Cambridge High, St Peter’s and Waikato Diocesan schools.

“They are another great example of a team of girls coming together to play competitive netball in a fun and supportive environment.”

Thunder: from left, back row: Victoria Whitfield (coach), Lauren Wood, Molly Macdiarmid, Tegan O’Dwyer, Ruby David, Kendall Muir, Peyton Barnard, Maia Calcinai; front row: Zara Barnard, Addy Abbott, Annelies Banks, Isla Newlands. Photo: Supplied.

Alyssa’s Olympic dream

By Steph Bell-Jenkins

Alyssa Lawson’s dream of becoming one of the youngest swimmers to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games is within tantalising reach.

“I was looking up Olympic times and I’m not that far off the 100m freestyle, so I might see if I can qualify for that,” said the year 9 St Peter’s School student, who moved to Waipā with her family from Ngatea in 2021.

“I’ve got the rest of the year to try and get there and I think I can.”

At just 13 years old, Lawson is the 13th fastest women’s open 50m freestyle swimmer in a 25m pool.

She won four gold medals at the 2023 Apollo Projects New Zealand Short Course Swimming Championships in Napier this month, breaking regional records in the 13-year-old girls’ 50m, 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle events.

The 100m record had been set by her coach Alison Fitch almost 30 years to the day earlier.

“It was my last remaining Waikato record in a 25m pool,” said Fitch, a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist who represented Aotearoa at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and the Athens Olympics in 2004.

“So I was really pleased to see it broken by a swimmer who I have spent so much time working with over the past three years.”

Fitch said part of Lawson’s winning formula was being able to “switch her focus and attention to racing very quickly”.

“She doesn‘t over-think racing and stays relaxed until she needs to, so she uses her mental energy well,” she said. “She’s a gritty racer who likes being challenged head on in a swim – it brings the best out of her.”

Lawson is gunning to become the youngest New Zealander swimmer to win gold at an Olympic Games, a feat she could achieve in Los Angeles in 2028.

“I’ve always just had this little drive in me to be the best,” the teenager said. “I don’t really know where it comes from. My mum’s really driven so I think that’s part of where it comes from, but my will to win has always been there.”

Lawson holds 16 Waikato records and was recently offered a full swimming scholarship to St Andrew’s Anglican College on Australia’s Sunshine Coast. Her parents are trying to work out how to make that happen.

“No successful athlete has ever really got to where they have without sacrifices and Alyssa works really hard; she trains hard, she’s very driven,” said her mother Kelly.

She said Lawson would be “gutted” to leave Fitch, who had been instrumental to her success but whose coaching role focused on younger swimmers.

Fitch said she loved Lawson’s drive.

“If she keeps working hard, setting good goals for herself, seeking advice and support from the people around her and continues to identify and develop her strengths and build her weaknesses, she can achieve whatever she puts her mind to,” she said.

Success for Leamington

By Steph Bell-Jenkins

The Leamington Bush Wackers finished their winter season on a high on Friday, maintaining their undefeated record to win Waikato Hockey Association’s year 7/8 advanced intermediate goalkeeper league.

The mixed team represents Leamington Junior Sports Club.

“It’s a special achievement for these kids to go undefeated in the top grade for intermediate hockey in the Waikato,” said coach Stephen Butcher, who has more than 20 years’ experience coaching women’s and masters teams.

He and his wife Nadine teamed up with Janine Parry this year to coach seven Leamington Junior Sports Club hockey teams, ranging

in age from year 3 to 8.

Stephen said they had forged an association with the club because they wanted to develop hockey and build skills in youth players.

“I didn’t know what to expect when entering the team in the advanced grade because I was new to coaching this level of hockey,” he said.

“I knew I had the raw materials and the making of a great team –they just needed a bit of polish.”

Over 15 rounds of hockey the Bush Wackers scored 143 goals in total and conceded only 22, winning 11 games by at least five goals.

Their closest rival this season was St Peter’s Blue, who they beat 4-3 in a nail-biter on May 26 with a goal in the game’s final minutes.

The Leamington Bush Wackers were all smiles after winning Waikato Hockey Association’s top intermediate league at Gallagher Hockey Centre in Hamilton on Friday afternoon.

Photo – Holly Fulforth

Cambridge swimmer Alyssa Lawson won four gold medals at 2023 Apollo Projects New Zealand Short Course Swimming Championships in Napier this month.

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50 years celebrated

By Steph Bell-Jenkins

Lynne Douglas was struggling for words after receiving an award celebrating her 50 years of service to teaching last Thursday night.

“It’s quite special,” she said. “It’s a real thrill; I feel quite humble. It’s almost embarrassing because you think, that’s a long, long time, you know, looking back.”

Douglas retired from full time teaching in 2015 and still works as a reliever at Leamington School.

“I still receive a great deal of pleasure out of watching the enthusiasm and excitement that the children bring to their learning,” she said.

Apart from technological advancements, one of the most noticeable changes over the past five decades had been “the amazing development of the understanding of neurodiverse children who were once considered to have behavioural issues”, she said.

“With this understanding these children are able to thrive and succeed.”

Douglas was one of 72 Cambridge teachers honoured for more than two decades of service by Cambridge’s New Zealand

Educational Institute last week.

Leamington School principal Mike Malcolm said the union regularly held events to welcome new teachers to the profession.

“And we thought, there are a lot of people who have given so many years of service and making a difference and we’ve never done anything for them,” he

said. “So that’s where this idea was born.”

Three other Leamington School teachers – Pauline Baty, Margaret Grover and Helen James – were recognised for notching up 40 years of service.

“There were 70 teachers receiving awards and the minimum award was 20 years and the maximum award was 50, so it would

be close to 2000 years of experience in teaching in that room alone,” Malcolm said after the ceremony.

“I think the common variable between these kaiako rangatira is they have a very unique talent – that they look at a child and they see their potential and they’re willing to do whatever it takes to try and help that come to the forefront.”

The success of an ambitious project by Cambridge High School “Ext 4” students to provide Cambridge Resthaven with a new van was celebrated when parties involved in the community project gathered to ‘unveil’ the vehicle.

Those who helped bring the project to fruition united earlier this month at C & R Developments’ Hautapu site to welcome the van, wrapped in the ResthaVan graphics created by the school’s Year 13 students.

Friends of Resthaven Foundation chair Don Harris said the project started when the dream to have a new van for residents was adopted by the school’s Ext 4 class as their major project. This group of students planned, budgeted and implemented the Project ResthaVan campaign to fundraise. The van has already been in use for a few months, but the official unveiling was delayed until all parties involved could get together.

The students fundraised for the van and created relationships with Resthaven residents throughout the process, including through bingo nights, dress-up days, visiting residents and bringing them to the Cambridge High School production.

Ext 4 class teacher Blair Ludlam was proud that the students knew that creating relationships with the residents was as important as the van.

“Very early on a group of students met with the Ross brothers from C & R Developments. The four brothers were incredibly kind to our students as they listened to their vision and offered support,” he said. “They taught them that despite your success, nothing is as important as taking time out and looking for opportunities to support others in your town.”

The Ross brothers approached other businesses, including Jim Wright Nissan, Challenge Cambridge, Cambridge Hire Centre and Wilkinson Transport Engineers to secure the van, thereby freeing up the students to concentrate on fundraising.

Ludlam said he was very grateful to the major sponsors who had donated their time and commitment to Cambridge.

Harris thanked all those who supported the project: “We are so grateful for your wonderful community spirit. The van is perfect, and there have already been lots of trips all around Cambridge.”

Lynne Douglas (right) reads her NZEI award recognising 50 years of service to teaching with fellow Leamington School teacher Margaret Grover on August 24.

FEATUREDLISTINGS

OPEN DAY

109 WEST ROAD

SALE OF THE CENTURY

First time on the market in over 100 years

Ideal maize or dairy support block with easy contour

Central to Cambridge, Hamilton and Te Awamutu

AUCTION: To be held on Thursday 21 September at 1PM at the Cambridge Community Pavilion, corner of Queen Street and Dick Street, Cambridge (unless sold prior)

OPEN DAY

43 GLEN IDA WAY

OPEN DAY

SUMMER'S CALLING

Surrounded by delightful low-maintenance landscaped gardens

Four-car garage and 6x8m shed for extra storage

4 2 4

Embrace Summer days relaxing by the pool on this 5000m2 private country retreat

Open plan living bathed in sunlight throughout the day seamlessly connected to the outdoors

OPEN DAY: SUNDAY: 2.15-2.45PM

CONTACT DAVID

$1,450,000

VIEW BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Plenty of room for kids to play on the 5000m2 section

Solid plaster over brick family friendly home in Tauwhare

Solar panel and battery energy system saves you money

Easy care gardens with great outdoor living area with spa pool

JUST MAKES LIFE EASY CONTACT MATT

2 00-2 30PM

VIEW BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

NEW LISTING

79 MAUNGAKAWA ROAD

A REFINED LIFE

Extra 27m2 shed and located less than 5km to Cambridge

OPEN DAY

AUCTION

4 3 2

Lifestyle property with wonderful rural outlook and views over Maungakawa hill

Well appointed home with spacious living spaces and accommodation potential

CONTACT DAVID

OPEN DAY: SUNDAY: 1.15-2.00PM

FEATUREDLISTINGS

Maestro on Marlowe

- Spacious living areas link splendidly with each other – generous separate lounge, 2nd family sitting room, modern kitchen and dedicated dining area flow to a covered outdoor entertainment area (pizza oven) and roll down blinds.

- Four bedrooms in total; one tremendous sized bedroom with balcony access which could be rumpus – so, so light; the large master bedroom with ensuite, walk-in robe.

Deadline Sale (unless sold prior) 7th September, 4.00pm

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+

Private, Sunny & Lots of Living

Negotiation

OPEN HOME SUNDAY 12.00 - 12.30PM

233 Lamb Street, Leamington

4+ 2 2

- An alfresco covered outdoor area, inground pool and attractive fully fenced grounds for the kids and pets to play.

- Very generous open plan living, second sitting room or hub and the choice of two outdoor areas to relax in

- Four bedrooms: the master with ensuite and walk through dressing room; a separate bedroom accessing the covered outdoor area.

- Bigger than it appears from the road, opposite the polo grounds and greenbelt.

$1,025,000

OPEN HOME SUNDAY 12.00 - 12.30PM

5 Corrielea Cres, Cambridge

- Sliding gate opens to a wonderful 946m² (more or less) privatised section, plenty of offroad parking.

- Light and warm open plan living three double bedroom home features fantastic deck area for entertaining and relaxing.

- At the west, you’ll enjoy the huge bonus of a private fully self-contained unit (consented as an office/ storage with plumbing on the LIM Report); adds attraction for a home business, extended family, ideal for visitors.

Deadline Sale

OPEN HOME SUNDAY 1.00 - 1.30PM

- Perfect lock and leave, low maintenance three bedroom property built by Generation Homes in 2019 - with transferable Builders Warranty.

- Features include: large expansive master bedroom with ensuite; superb storage options; ducted air conditioning; spacious open plan living; easy access to low maintenance landscaped outdoor areas to soak up the sun; additional shed.

Deadline Sale (unless sold prior) 20th September, 4.00pm

Mint On Lamb

Executive Living - Lock & Leave Too

Madison Entertainer

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+

Stunning Jennian Home

- The ceiling heat pump and bar area (complete with bar fridge) nicely hidden away are bonus features in this area.

- Covered outdoor deck has been extended by an archgola giving generous alfresco dining/bbq comfort; surrounded by low maintenance, manicured grounds.

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$1,139,000

OPEN HOME SUNDAY 1.00 - 1.30PM

24 Ruru Street, Cambridge

- Built in March 2021, inside this high quality, low maintenance home you will immediately relish the linen drapes, plantation shutters and open plan floorplan with formal living and family area.

- Delight at the direct pantry access from the garage and the amended kitchen design to enjoy additional drawer space.

- All you would expect and more – master with ensuite (sizeable shower) & walk-in robe; double sized family bedrooms; separate toilet from family bathroom.

Deadline Sale

OPEN HOMES SAT & SUN 3.00 - 3.30PM

OPEN HOME SUN 2.00-2.30PM BEO $1,280,000 25 Madison Street, Cambridge 3+ 3 2 4 2 2 3 2 2 4 2 3

42 Williamson Street, Cambridge

- A designer home, built in 2017, radiates family living.

4+ 2 2

- You won’t get better for central town living - stroll 450m to town central, 100m to riverside walk trails.

- Open plan living opening to a generous wrap around deck that enjoys 360odegree sun and outlook to hills beyond or riverside trees.

- Bathrooms on both levels with dual access, plenty of off-road parking plus a 3 car garage. Plenty of surprises here.

Deadline Sale (unless sold prior) 20th September 2023, 400pm

- Delightful! A journey to reward the senses day & night. Discover the balance of practical, low maintenance design & heart-felt artistic flair blending to create a home of distinction, prestige and enjoyment.

- Mesmerising industrial themes, thoughtful dedicated spaces, tailor-made landscaping, the privacy of the courtyard sanctuary and unparallelled building design features showcase the style and tranquility of this executive property.

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$2,060,000 4 2 2

- Perfect size (237m2) and layout for busy lives and entertaining.

- Open plan living with a vaulted ceiling which adds light and that spacious feeling.

STOKES, Patricia Edith (Pat) 21.03.1937 – 19.08.2023 –Pat passed away peacefully at Cambridge Life, surrounded by her loved ones. Cherished mum of Desiree, Glenys, and Grant. Loved mother-in-law of Gerry and Ian. Treasured by her grandchildren Gemma, Aimee, Ryan, and Kent. A special great gran to Hugo, Olivia, and Iris. Pat will be remembered always by her extended family. A heartfelt thanks to Cambridge Life for the love and care shown to our mum over the last 3½ years. Communications to Pat’s family C/- Legacy Funerals Cambridge, PO Box 844 Cambridge 3450.

WILKES, Robert Michael, (Rob) – Suddenly but peacefully passed away at Waikato Hospital. Dearly loved husband of Maureen. Loved father of Martin, daughter-in-law Kim and only grandchild, Zane. In accordance with Robert’s wishes, a private service and cremation has been held. All communications to the Wilkes Family, c/- of 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434.

MEAD, Elva

Remembering a much-loved mother, mother-in-law, nana, great nana, and great great nana, who passed away a year ago on the 27 August. Always in our thoughts Graeme, Ngaire, and all their family.

Jono Gibson Funeral Director

Cambridge, your stories are in safe hands.

07 827 7649 legacyfunerals.co.nz

FIREWOOD – Dry mac mix $140 per metre. Delivered. Ph 027 492 0601

FIREWOOD – mixed Oak, Blackwood, and Gum. Collect your own, shed stored. $110.00 per metre. Paul 0274 962 399

CAMBRIDGE

Next Meeting

Wednesday

Taylor Made Community Space 22a Taylor Street

Speaker:

Enquiries:

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.

The Annual General Meeting of the Cambridge Resthaven Trust Board will be held at

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.

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DEMAND A POLL ON ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Notice is given under section 28(1) of the Local Electoral Act 2001, that the Waipa District Council has resolved at its meeting on 30 June 2023 to retain First Past The Post as its electoral system for the next two triennial general elections of the Waipa District Council and its community boards, and any associated election.

Electors of the Waipa District Council have a right to demand a poll in accordance with section 29 of the Local Electoral Act 2001 to countermand this resolution and instead use the Single Transferable Voting electoral system for the next two triennial general elections of the Waipa District Council and its community boards, and any associated election. Should sufficient valid demands for a poll be received, a poll will be held on whether the First Past the Post (FPP) or Single Transferable Vote (STV) electoral system will be used. Unless a poll determines otherwise, the First Past The Post electoral system will continue to be used for the Waipa District Council.

A valid demand must be:

• Made in writing, and

• Every elector who signs a demand must also set out their full name and the address for which they are qualified as an elector of the Waipa District Council.

A poll will be held if demands, signed by at least 5 percent of the number of electors enrolled as eligible to vote at the previous triennial (2022) general election of the Waipa District Council, are received prior to 5.00pm on Monday 21 February 2024. This will require 1,980 valid elector signatures.

Demands should be marked for the attention of Warwick Lampp, Electoral Officer and delivered to Waipa District Council offices, 101 Bank Street, Te Awamutu 3800 by 5pm Monday, 21 February 2024.

For further information please telephone Waipa District Council on 0800 924 723.

Garry Dyet CHIEF EXECUTIVE

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Te Kura o Ngā Purapura o Te Aroha

Kaiāwhina/ Associate Teacher Part-time (30 hours per week) Te Awamutu:

He tūranga e wātea ana ki te Wharekura o Ngā Purapura o Te Aroha. E kimi ana mātou i tētehi

Kaiāwhina mō te kura, e mōhio ana ki ngā mahi whakaako tamariki. Me ū te kaitono ki te reo māori me ōna tikanga. Me matua mōhio hoki te kaitono ki ngā mahi whakahaere i te akomanga, me ngākaunui hoki ki ngā mahi whakaako tamariki. E whakapono ana mātou, he taonga te tamaiti, ko rātou hoki te pūtake o tā mātou kaupapa.

Ka kati tēnei tono hei te 01 o Mahuru, 2023

Tukua tō Tātai Oranga (CV) ki te Tumuaki: tari@npota.school.nz

Tukua mai mā te poutāpeta rānei ki:

Attention: Te Wharekura o Ngā Purapura o Te Aroha. Enquiries 021 225 7577

Newspaper Deliverer Wanted

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

Deliveries are to occur every Thursday.

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

Delivery runs available in the following areas:

• Cambridge East

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