Te Awamutu News | September 21, 2023

Buses at the double

By Mary Anne Gill

A double decker electric bus will operate on a return service from Kihikihi through Te Awamutu and onto Hamilton from January 1 next year.

The news was in a report tabled by Waikato Regional Council’s public transport planner Katherine Simpson to the Regional Transport committee on Monday.

Timing is tight for an upgraded Waipā service because of delays in the completion of electric vehicle depots on the land in Kihikihi made available by Waipā District Council to the regional council on a longterm lease.

The regional council knows there are supply chain risks associated with ordering the new electric buses and the charging infrastructure.

“Risk mitigation measures have been put in place to ensure business continuity of the new service delivery model from January 2024,” said Simpson.

The fully electric fleet, replacing gas guzzling diesel vehicles, will

include double decker buses from Kihikihi and Leamington. Plus, there will be a significant increase in trip frequency.

Statistics released to The News show regional bus travel from Te Awamutu – and across the district in Cambridge - is exceeding pre Covid levels.

Trip numbers dipped in winter but headed upwards last month with passenger numbers for Te Awamutu at 10,480 and 9217 for Cambridge.

That compares favourably with March when Te Awamutu had 10,565 passengers and 9586 in Cambridge.

Simpson told the Regional Transport committee the new Waipā service from Kihikihi and Te Awamutu – operated by Tranzit Group - would run within the existing regional Te Awamutu 24 timetable.

“The Waipā services originating in Kihikihi will help provide options for those living between Kihikihi and Te Awamutu,” she said.

Two other services travelling through Waipā - in collaboration with Waka Kotahi and district councils in South Waikato, Waitomo and Ōtorohanga – launched in February.

Simpson said more patrons were catching the Te Kūiti 26 and Tokoroa 32 connector services which pick up passengers in Kihikihi, Te Awamutu, Ōhaupō and

Cambridge.

The Ministry of Education and Waikato University each contributed $40,000 to fund the 18-month trial and are actively promoting the single trip into Hamilton and back – in time for the academic workdayto their students.

Half-price bus fares across the board in Waikato ended on June 30 but there is still free public transport

for children under 13 and for Super Gold card holders who load their details onto an electronic Bee smart card.

Half price discounts have continued for people under 25 and Community Services card holders. “We are seeing good trends in terms of patronage, driver recruitment and service reliability for the buses,” said Simpson.

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More people are using buses in Waipā - now double decker electric buses are coming. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

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Louise and the kiwi ‘oddities’

By Viv Posselt

French Rotary exchange student

Louise Zakrzewski and her Kihikihi-based host parents Carol and Ross Turner planned a bit of competitive banter for the All Blacks v France Rugby World Cup opener.

They draped their respective national flags on opposing sides of the lounge and readied themselves for an early morning start in front of the telly.

But Louise’s ‘Allez Les Bleus’ moment fell flat… she slept in and missed the entire game.

The straight-talking 17-yearold hails from Arras in northern France, not far from Cambridge’s sister city, Le Quesnoy. She arrived on the Rotary Youth Exchange programme in mid-July and has slotted easily into Year 12 at Te Awamutu College.

Seeking an exchange opportunity, Louise learned about the Rotary option through social media.

“New Zealand was my first choice, mostly because people speak English and I wanted to improve my English,” she said

Louise made the trip with a group of New Zealand inbound Rotary exchange students and her trusty camera. She seldom goes anywhere without it, primarily as sport photography is something she is really into.

Her twin brother’s road cycling is a popular subject for her hobby and she’s sorry she missed snapping him when he took a third placing at a big race the weekend before last.

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Hoping for a great walk

The daughter of a French mother and Polish father, Louise has travelled through Europe, Turkey and Egypt, but never been this far from home.

She has already compiled a list of ‘strange things’ she has noticed about the kiwi way of life.

“They wear no shoes … even for sport sometimes. Shoes come off a lot here, people carry them around,” she said.

“Carpet in houses, that is strange to me too, and I am not used to wearing a school uniform.”

Also getting the ‘strange’ nod are the kiwi versions of baguettes and croissants, and she is horrified at the eye-watering price of vegetables here.

On the plus side, Louise is enjoying the easy-going and nonjudgemental nature of those she meets. “People here are so cool.”

School also gets a tick. She is doing geography, photography, hospitality and three sports subjects – sport elite, PE and

outdoor education. The hours here are kinder than in France, where her school day is literally that, stretching from 8am to around 6pm with lessons going throughout to cover her 10 subjects.

Heading the line-up of host families for her year are Carol and Ross Turner, who had a young German student stay with them on an earlier exchange.

“We really enjoy having them around, although we are more like grandparents than parents,” Carol said.

Te Awamutu Rotary Club president Gill Johnston, who with her husband will take on the second round of host parenting duties, said Louise will benefit from the many local Rotarians’ trips away as they generously share their fellowship with her.

“We’ve put the word out to include Louise if possible should they be doing anything exciting,” she said.

School sows the seeds

By Jeremy Smith

Kihikihi School is helping students grow some foundational food preparation skills.

Principal Sunny West told The News the school adopted the Garden to Table initiative at the start of the year, and staff and students are reaping benefits.

Garden to Table was established in 2008 by The Warehouse founder Stephen Tindall and his wife Margaret’s foundation and involves 10,500 primary school children in more than 170 schools. Its aim is for skills-based food

education to be available to every child in New Zealand.

West said a joint effort between school staff and other community volunteers made the Garden to Table project, run every Friday, possible.

Kihikihi School has an established vegetable garden and Garden to Table teachers help students with the process of harvesting and maintaining the garden.

“Kitchen specialists” help students prepare recipes.

“We’re very fortunate to have wonderfully skilled adult

volunteers – and even a qualified baker – involved here at school,” West said.

West said everything from muffins to vegetable soup has been made during the Friday sessions.

“The Garden to Table programme fits wonderfully with our concept of whakawhanaungatanga here, creating a meaningful sense of togetherness, while also helping our students gain new matauranga, or knowledge, and some new foundational skills.

The school has a seedling sale planned as part of its fundraising initiatives.

By Jeremy Smith

Participants are lacing up to ‘walk the talk’ in Ōhaupō this weekend.

A 12-hour charity walk and run on Saturday – Walk to Talk – will raise funds for I Am Hope, a charity founded by mental health advocate Mike King.

The event will be at the Ōhaupō Community Sport and Recreation Centre from 7am.

Lawrence Wilkinson, who began planning the event in March, said the idea came after chatting with King during a cycling event.

“I really resonate with the kaupapa of I Am Hope, so Walk To Talk also has a twofold kaupapa of togetherness and a desire to see our community getting active in a fun environment.”

When this edition went to press 10 teams – ranging from two members to as high as 20 – had paid the $50 entry fee. Funds will go to I Am Hope.

It’s up to each team to determine how the 12hour time frame is shared between members.

“It’s not about competing to cover a certain distance as such, rather it’s important to simply be present when taking part,” Wilkinson said.

He hopes the walk will become an annual event.

Rotary exchange student Louise Zakrzewski with her first host ‘mum’ Carol Turner, left, and Te Awamutu Rotary Club president Gill Johnston.

Lawrence Wilkinson

Briefs…

Man charged

A man will appear in the Te Awamutu District court before the end of the month following an attack on the town’s cemetery which resulted in tools worth $3000 being stolen – and $4000 damage. Police investigations were aided by monitoring CCTV footage.

Notice continues

An abatement notice issued by Waikato Regional Council in June last year over Kihikihi Domain remains in place while there is contamination going into a nearby stream from the polo horse arena.

Waipā Water Services manager Martin Mould said the original notice applied to the speedway operations. Further investigations and outcomes will take place between the district council and the leaseholder to resolve the sediment discharge issue.

Black Friday

Te Awamutu Business

Chamber’s Black Friday

Blowout will be held in November following the success of last year’s inaugural event. It will be held on Friday November 24 starting from 3.30pm through to midnight with Alexandra, Market and Church streets closed and short sections of Bank and Roche streets partially closed.

Sign of the times

All 260 parks and reserves in Waipā will have a te reo Māori name and signage when a naming project is completed.

Community Services manager

Brad Ward said Māori names will be an addition to any existing English name and in some cases will restore names to the land the parks and reserves are based on.

Kara on board

Waipā’s new Te Kanohi representative on the Service Delivery committee was welcomed to her first meeting this week. Hinerangi Kara (Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Waikato) joins other mana whenua Bill Harris and Thomas Lord on council statutory committees with full voting rights.

A singular stuff up

By Mary Anne Gill

Government authorities took their eyes off the ball when they allowed single use vapes into the country, a leading e-waste operator says.

Award winning Waipā-based Urban Miners has saved tonnes of e-waste from landfill in the three years since it was founded as a notfor-profit organisation by Rotarians David Blewden and Mark Hanlon.

But there is nothing they can do about the single use disposable vapes, which have lithium-ion batteries, with nowhere else to go but landfills.

The government’s recent announcement that all vaping products must have removeable or replaceable batteries is too little, too late, says Blewden.

“Whoever allowed single use disposable vapes to be sold in this country, needs their heads read.”

Urban Miners were recently approached to see whether they would add single use vapes to the electronic waste they keep out of landfill.

“We had a look at them, our guys donned gloves and gowns, poked and prodded around and what’s in them is disgusting.

“There’s some chemical stuff which you suck in, and a little igniter which converts that into a vapour and that

is powered by a lithium-ion battery,” said Blewden.

He investigated recycling options and the only choice available was in Australia for more than $10 a unit.

Single use vapes have exotic flavours and packaging which appeals to young people in the same way alcopop drinks do.

They have now been banned in Australia with Federal Health

minister Mark Butler saying they came in through the biggest loophole in the country’s history.

They are now only available as part of a smoking reduction programme in Australia.

Blewden said while health authorities here have moved to limit their use, no one seemed to consider the environmental damage caused by single use vapes.

“As soon as they go into the rubbish, they go through a compactor and eventually one of them gets damaged.”

The broken batteries are highly flammable and the toxic fumes pollute the air. In the United Kingdom there has been a dramatic rise in fires at recycling plants

The vapes are encased by nondegradable plastic shells with the content described as an acute hazardous waste.

“We said no to processing them because there is chemical residue, human bodily fluids and they were quite time consuming to take to bits,” said Blewden.

“They can’t be refilled, and they go straight in the waste stream, leaching into the soil and into our waterways.”

The vapes cost anything from $10 upwards and so users would be unlikely to want to add on another $10 to dispose of them through e-waste collections.

A recent survey of young vape users found that more than half did not consider the environment when they bought the single-use variety.

“They came in stealthily through the back door but have already inflicted huge environmental damage,” said Blewden. • What the politicians say - go to teawamutunews.nz

Schools head south for kapa haka

By Jeremy Smith

Unity proved the foundation of a day on which organisers marked the 40th anniversary of the Maniapoto Secondary Schools’ Cultural Festival last Friday at Te Kuiti High School.

Three Te Awamutu schools - Te Awamutu College, Te Awamutu Intermediate School and Te Wharekura o Nga Purapura o Te Aroha attended. Ōtorohanga College was also represented.About 200 students in total performed.

Friday marked the first time in three years the festival had been held.

Te Awamutu College Māori and Pasifika achievement and success co-ordinator Kathy Anso - who also helps oversee the

school’s kapa haka programme - told The News their attendance was made possible because Te Rā Whakamana Rangatahi 2023 – a major kapa haka festival which had been planned at Kihikihi School - did not go ahead.

There are plans for it to have an “exceptional” return in 2024.

“It was really enjoyable to be part of,” Kathy said.

Te Kuiti High School deputy principal Stella Stewart said as part of acknowledging the festival’s 40th anniversary, a tribute was paid to the late Tuti Aranui, who had a long-standing association with kapa haka.

She added it was “lovely” to host the visiting schools, with the day being one of “unity and celebration”.

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Pictured during a rehearsal run through in the Te Awamutu College marae - Ō-Tāwhao – were, front row from left, Stella Wills, Dejah Stojanovic-Stark, Manasseh Morgan, Aurora Tamaki and Stacey Tamaki.

Plan

Power to our people

A major infrastructure upgrade in Waipā has been announced this week.

The region is to get a new Transpower-owned 220Kv national grid substation and a local network 33kV substation owned by Waipā Networks.

The aim is to increase electricity capacity in the local distribution network and it will be operating, all going to plan, in early 2025.

Waipā Networks chief executive Sean Horgan said the project represented a “strategic response” to the anticipated growth in the Waipā region, particularly in Cambridge.

“It means that we have the infrastructure in place to deal with the projected regional growth,” he said.

Waipā Networks and Transpower announced the start of the project on Tuesday at a site blessing in Hautapu led by Ngāti KorokīKahukura and Ngāti Hauā.

Ngāti Korokī-Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā kaumatua Wina Taute helped lead the ceremony for the gathered crowd.

Among those present were Waipā District Council chief executive Garry Dyet, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce chief Kelly Bouzaid and Cambridge Community Board members Andrew Myers and Sue Milner.

Horgan said by working closely with landowners, an ideal site near existing transmission infrastructure

had been secured.

“It means that we have the infrastructure in place to deal with the projected regional growth.

“With GDP growth for Cambridge currently more than twice the national average the Hautapu substation ensures network resilience, increased

More kākāpō on maunga

capacity, and security of supply for both Cambridge and the wider Waipā region,” he said.

Waipā Networks provides electricity to more than 40,000 customers in Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Kāwhia and surrounding areas. Transpower is the owner and operator of the National Grid.

One of the six new arrivals at Maungatautari.

Mountain’s conservation efforts has been underlined with the arrival of another six kākāpō from the South Island

The bird were released last week, a move enabled by Ngāi Tahu and welcomed by about 100 people.

Four birds were released there in July.

It brings the total kākāpō population on the 34,500ha inland island to 10 – there are fewer than 250 left - and is the second key step in a long term plan to establish a breeding population.

All the native parrots released have been males.

“By monitoring these birds over the next decade or so, we’ll know whether a larger kākāpō population could one day thrive and even breed on this mainland site,” Department of Conservation Kākāpō Recovery Operations manager Deidre Vercoe said.

“It’s too soon to know how kākāpō will do here long-term, but so far they seemed to be settling in well.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu kākāpō Species representative Tāne Davis is optimistic New Zealanders will eventually see the “manu taonga” return to the mainland.

Ngāti Korokī-Kahukura and Ngāti Haua kaumātua Wina Taute speaks at the Hautapu site blessing on Tuesday morning.

pleasant summer.

ahead for a cool, pleasant summer.

Before July Kākāpō had not been in the North Island for more than 40 years and the moving of the 10 birds has eased pressure on offshore islands where breeding populations have been established.

“To save our kākāpō from extinction we have sent our taonga to our iwi partners, but one day we hope to see Rakiura/Stewart Island and other areas of the mainland predator free, so we can bring their uri (descendants) home.”

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The success of Sanctuary

Photo: Stuart Attwood

Aviolent past

By Janine Krippner

“There was a violent roaring, lasting four or five minutes at a time… we saw a cloud gradually rising, black as ink… it was flashing with lightning in every direction, while occasionally fireballs, like rockets, dashed from it; the number of these and their vivacity increased to a fearful extent while we were gazing… the wind increased, and we had scarcely reached the house when it began, as we thought, to rain heavily. The windows were smashed in, and we found that what we had taken for rain was scoria and stone.”

That June 15, 1886, quote comes from Excerpts from the New Zealand Herald.

The “fireballs” noted here were likely pulses of lava as a violent eruption jetted molten rock and gases into the sky above. Experiences go on to describe roofs collapsing from the weight of volcanic ash, intense ground shaking, and lightning even seeming to strike the road in front of one person caught in the eruption.

At around 3.20am the crisis went from bad to worse. The eruption extended underneath a lake with explosions sending heavy mud into the air and down on the surrounding area, and even worse, fast, deadly, pyroclastic surges of scorching steam that raced across the landscape. By 6 am the eruption was over.

This is not from some far-away country, this happened within a couple of hours drive east of Te Awamutu. The June 10, 1886, eruption of Tarawera began at 1.30am and lasted four to five hours, killing around 120 people, mostly Māori from Te Ariki, Moura, Totarariki, Toiniho, and Waitangi, and forcing many more from their homelands.

The eye-witness accounts from this relatively short eruption are so good that we

can look at the deposits and know what time they were emplaced.

This includes reports of people hearing the eruption in Auckland and Blenheim. The event opened a 17-km-long fissure with more than 50 vents and 13 main craters. The hot pyroclastic surges spread out to six kilometres from Lake Rotomahana, up and over hilly topography reaching 350 metres above the vent. The landscape was drastically changed.

This eruption is unusual in that the magma type was basalt, the type we see forming the runny lava flows in Hawaii. It is not usually explosive, and very rarely as explosive as it was on that day.

Tarawera is part of the Okataina caldera complex that extends from Lake Rotoma to Waiotapu, with more than 35 active vents over the past 21,000 years. This latest eruption occurred less than 140 years ago, a very short time for a volcanic system but a long time for humans. Long enough to have many more people inhabiting the area. If you haven’t been already, the Buried Village of Te Wairoa has preserved part of this history for us to see today. It is a place, where you can try to grasp the horrors that those people experienced. It is important for us to remember the violent past of our lands so that we have the resources and plans in place to prepare for future eruptions. We will have more eruptions. We can’t tell when, or how big. What we do know is that now we have a much larger population, farm animals, infrastructure, technological needs, and an economy to take into account. Because of this, if the 1886 eruption occurred today it would be much, much worse.

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

From September until December 2023 we will be surveying power lines across Te Awamutu, Kāwhia and surrounding areas.

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Lessons from St Francis

By Julie Guest

If I asked you who your favourite saint is, who would you say? Maybe you would name your wonderful neighbour or someone who is a local community hero like those who are recognised as Good Sorts on television.

Those saintly people certainly deserve to be named and recognised for their modelling of compassion and selflessness.

But they are called “saintly” because of the example of people who lived centuries ago, who were recognised as saints because of their extraordinary relationship with God and God’s creation. If I kept encouraging you to name one of those saints, it might be St Francis.

Mostly because of his association with animals, Francis is one of the best known saints today.

There are many aspects to note in St Francis’ life, but I want to focus on his connectivity to creation.

Francis was the son of a wealthy silk merchant and just as young people do today, he took advantage of the wealth of his family and lived a life of decadence and indulgence.

But through a number of experiences, including a year of being held as a prisoner of war, growing awareness of those without his access to wealth and a powerful encounter with a vision of Christ, he chose to live following the example of Jesus.

His choice to give up the trappings of wealth, along with his deep connection with Jesus, made him a powerful and convincing example, so that before long others were following his example.

St Francis founded a monastery and wrote

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a rule of life so that fellow followers had guidelines for life.

Franciscans continue to follow those guidelines for Christian living to this day.

What set St Francis apart from other saints, firstly, was his embracing of poverty and, secondly, his belief that nature and all living things are interconnected.

And here is why I think St Francis was onto something that we need to take very seriously indeed.

In January, Auckland was hit by Tropical Cyclone Hale. Only weeks later the whole country was hit by Cyclone Gabrielle. Nearly every week since then we have heard news, somewhere in the world, of extreme floods, extreme heat or drought, winds and fires.

We know that all these extreme weather events are being made worse by global warming, and in particular the warming of the oceans.

More and more we become aware of the interconnectedness of every aspect of nature and all beings.

Where one part suffers, so do we all. St Francis’ example of living a simple life, taking only what we need, and of deep respect and care for all living things is one we would all benefit from following.

St John’s church will hold a blessing service for animals and pets in honour of St Francis on October 4, at 10am. All animalson a lead or caged if needed - and owners are welcome.

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Proving the value of science

By Viv Posselt

Award-winning scientist and founder of Hill Laboratories, Dr Roger Hill, may have taken on a test too far when trying to convince Cambridge University of the Third Age (U3A) members that analytical chemistry was riveting stuff.

Hill spoke on ‘The excitement of analytical chemistry – an oxymoron?’ at the group’s September meeting.

While providing almost 200 guests with compelling evidence around his argument, he also left them musing as to how the search for orca DNA in Wellington harbour left lab workers staring at kangaroo DNA.

That reference related to new eDNA (Environmental DNA) technology now being used in New Zealand laboratories, including at Hill Laboratories. It is considered a powerful new tool for testing the genetic material left behind by living things as they pass through water or soil, enabling scientists to accurately detect the presence of organisms while causing no harm.

“It lets us amplify hundreds of thousands of DNA strands rather than a single one, giving us the ability to make better sense of the data,” said Hill.

Scientists using the technology after a pod of orca were spotted in Wellington harbour anticipated finding orca DNA but were confounded when kangaroo DNA popped up. They later discovered that a pet food manufacturer had been using kangaroo meat in their product, leaving miniscule traces in the water.

“That shows the power of this test. We have just got the equipment to do it and believe it will give farmers a handle on the health of waterways passing through their properties,” he said. “The manual process currently used to identify organisms present is very time-consuming. This new technology means very low traces of DNA present in stream waters can be determined … it is likely to become a very important tool in monitoring the health of our waterways.”

Dr Hill was born in Te Aroha and grew up on a dairy farm. He left Auckland University with a PhD in Chemistry and was soon working for a then new company in Cambridge, Analytical Services Ltd. Eight years later, in 1984, he and his wife Anne started Hill Laboratories, a facility that now employs 450 people nationwide and has gained global recognition as New Zealand’s largest privately-owned analytical laboratory.

In his talk to Cambridge U3A, Dr Hill discussed the importance of new DNA testing across other areas, including its application in assessing the number of earthworms present in New Zealand soils.

“Earthworms are a great indicator of healthy soils. The method that has long been used to measure their populations in our soils is laborious and time-consuming.

It involves digging multiple spade squares of soil across a paddock, carefully breaking them up and removing all the earthworms present for

counting,” he said. “The new test can be done on the same soil sample already being collected for fertiliser advice.”

Dr Hill also spoke to authenticity testing, used largely to provide proof of origin around foods where counterfeit products may be marketed, and DNA testing as it pertains to paternity testing, investigating ancestry and in criminal investigations.

“So, while analytical chemistry may appear to be dry and boring, it is far from it. It is a great enabling tool for many of today’s researchers.”

SEPTEMBER 2023

Water update from Fonterra

Fonterra Te Awamutu staff were this week set to celebrate the success of Project Mangapiko, a $50 million-plus investment to improve the plant’s wastewater processing. Stage one was completed last October, and Fonterra representatives were due to provide the community with an update on quality of the treated site wastewater this week.

Fonterra Te Awamutu’s annual community meeting was held on Tuesday, after The News had gone to print. Work began on the project in 2021 – and when stage one was completed, co-op representatives said it was one of the first wastewater projects being run by a newly established wastewater community made up of industry partners including PDP, Babbage, Beca, Vertex Engineers, Fulton Hogan and others.

Project Mangapiko was the second major sustainability project the Te Awamutu site has undertaken.

In early 2022, the site completed its first full season on wood pellets rather than coal.

At the time the co-op said moving to wood pellets contributed to a reduction in carbon emissions of more than 10 percent in 2021.

The annual meeting was also promoted as an opportunity to hear from the Taiea te Taiao Ecological Corridor group about the work being done to improve the health of the Mangapiko Stream. Conservation work is being done on and around the stream which runs between Maungatautari and Pirongia.

Hill Laboratories founder Dr Roger Hill with Cambridge U3A committee member Lyndall Hermitage at this month’s meeting.

Why I voted ‘no’

By Clyde Graf, Councillor, Waipā-King Country constituency

Waikato Regional Council has just voted to retain its two Māori constituencies for another six years.

Only councillor Chris Hughes and I voted against the retention of the constituencies, stating that we believed they were undemocratic and divisive. Other councillors, in support of the seats, expressed their frustration, stating it was embarrassing and disrespectful to Māori to revisit the issue at all.

So, was this decision one of goodwill and inclusiveness, or one of division? The two Māori constituency councillors are both excellent representatives for Māori interests and perspectives, as are other councillors around the table.

However, we are living in troubled times, where community chaos appears to be rife. Whether it’s climate change opinion, gender identification, medical autonomy, civil liberties, or co-governance, more and more, our lives are being state-controlled. As a citizen, should you dare to speak against the state agenda, you are at imminent risk of being publicly vilified, or branded as a conspiracy theorist, extremist, or a racist. The unpaved road of co-governance opposition is no different.

So, why do I oppose Māori constituencies and wards? I believe they’re unfair and divisive, for the following reasons. Ratepayers fund councils and their staff. Ratepayers are required to pay their rates in accordance with the services they receive. If parts of the community receive greater benefit for a service or from an asset, they are required to pay extra, through a targeted rate.

In addition to Māori constituency seats, Waikato Regional Council now hires specialist Māori advisors to ensure Māori interests are appropriately represented within the

various sectors of the organisation. The positions are important, to ensure Māori culture is respected.

However, these specialist positions are funded by general ratepayers. I believe that’s unfair. If government wants to implement cogovernance, then the government should pay for it, not general ratepayers.

The transfer of influence and power to Māori management may appear to be inclusive and socially appropriate. However, there appears to be a rapid transition taking place. More and more representatives, appointees and meetings are being required. And with them, so too are the costs increasing.

Water monitoring is being transferred to Māori. Is water ownership next? Most of these transfers of management and influence are taking place under the radar, and through appointee joint management committees. Māori are doing a fantastic job of gaining influence and authority within local governance. However, I believe the process is inequitable.

If a Māori political party were successful in winning the national election, voted into power, and could govern as a result, then that would be a democratic outcome. But that’s not what’s happening, and in my opinion, a form of apartheid is being institutionalised.

Councillors opposing the retention of dedicated Māori constituencies were Chris Hughes and I. Voting for retention were Stu Kneebone, Angela Strange, Noel Smith, Benjamin Dunbar-Smith, Pamela Storey, Bruce Clarkson, Warren Maher, Robert Cookson, and Mich’eal Downard. Māori seat councillor Tipa Mahuta abstained. Apologies were received at the start of the meeting from the other Māori seat councillor, Kataraina Hodge, and Jennifer Nickel.

Farmers’ comp heads to Waikato

Having celebrated a Waikato winner this year, the province has now been named as the venue for next year’s Young Farmer of the Year finals.

Ōhaupō’s Emma Poole won the title in Timaru in July –12 months after her brother Tim Dangen was named winner. She was the first woman to win the title. The 55th young farmer competition attracted almost as many females as males – 40-60 split – and organisers hope her win will help close that gap.

“I’d love to see Emma’s win give more young people the confidence to stand up and give it a go,” New Zealand Young Farmers

Meghan Hawkes looks at rural news in Waipa – in 1940.

The women check in

With men away fighting in World War Two, female herd testers began replacing them. One of the pioneers in this new career for women, Miss Jo Gray, was appointed to the Te Awamutu district.

There were six herd testers in the Te Awamutu area, four men, another girl and Miss Gray.

Emma Poole

chief executive Lynda Coppersmith said. The grand final will be run over three days. Competitions will also be staged for 14 junior young farmers and 63 children. The venue has yet to be confirmed.

Goldsack, Quinn nominated

Waitomo dairy farmer Brent Goldsack is in the ballot for a third term on the Fonterra board of directors

The chair of the Waitomo Group and Better Eggs is one of two Independently Assessed Candidates who will be among the nominations when they close next Thursday.

The other is fellow incumbent Cathy Quinn, a director and shareholder of Waikato based Thistlehurst

Dairy Limited, who is seeking a second term. Shareholders can stand for the board as “Independently Assessed Candidates” or as “Non-Assessed Candidates”.

Farmers with support from 35 shareholders may stand as non-assessed candidates. The voting period in the first past the post system for two seats will run from October 17 to November 7.

There were 27 farms to test monthly, and herd testers spent a night at each farm, arriving at about 3pm, when milking began. Samples of milk were taken from each cow night and morning. Tests were done at the depot but if the farm was too far from the depot to take it in, the samples were sent in by cream lorry, and the herd tester stayed on the farm for lunch. They worked every day of the week and were given three days leave at the end of each month.

“People have been very kind to us, and at all the farms they have said they hoped we would come back again. They told us it was strange at first to have girls working around the place. Sometimes they have guessing competitions before we arrive, as to what we will look like! At some farms our beds are rather

‘rough and ready,’ but on the other hand, one farm we stayed at had a swimming pool.” said Miss Gray. The only strenuous part of the work was carrying the five gallon buckets. Sometimes they managed to inveigle the farm hands into carrying them but sometimes not. She knew nothing about herd testing before she went to Massey College, but she had always lived on a farm, and was keen on the life. Training for troops took place around the district with the 7th Medium Battery camped at the Te Awamutu race course.

On the last morning they were early astir, packing up the field kitchen and other gear ready to depart for

Arapuni. On the way tactical training was carried out in the field. An area near Kihikihi had been reconnoitred to establish gun positions and an observation post. The observation posts were linked with the gun positions by telephones erected by signallers, and when the guns were in position an imaginary shoot was staged. Following lunch by the roadside, the battery evacuated its position past Kihikihi and continued its journey. A man missing in the bush on the higher slopes of Pirongia Mountain triggered a huge search. The man had gone out hunting but when had not returned home by nightfall his

neighbours assembled and began looking for him. They climbed up one of the tracks that had been used for many years by trampers en route to the top of Pirongia, and then they branched out in the bush.

Unsuccessful, they returned home at about 4am, had a couple of hours’ sleep, and then mustered a larger party of searchers, under the direction of the police. At 10am police made a call to enlarge the search parties. The Te Pahu postmistress, with commendable promptitude, soon had a band of 40-50 settlers assembled to take part, many of them skilled in bushcraft. Around midday faint calls were heard and the missing man was found in a creek bed, trying to follow the stream down into open country. He was very cold and wet, weak from lack of food and exhausted.

Women herd testers carry on work formerly done by men in the Te Awamutu district

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: Friday 29 September 2023

Where: 8 Keddell Street, Frankton – Access from Kent street Carpark

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

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This newspaper is subject to NZ Media Council procedures. A complaint must first be directed in writing, within one month of publication, to the editor’s email address. If not satisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the Media Council P O Box 10-879, The Terrace, Wellington 6143. Or use the online complaint form at www. mediacouncil.org.nz

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Sudoku

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

Last week

Across: 1. Pail, 4. Occupy, 8. Startle, 9. Renal, 10. Nude, 11. Simulate, 13. Neighbour, 17. Sheepish, 19. Afro, 21. Drier, 22. Ability, 23. Legend, 24. Tend.

Down: 2. Abandon, 3. Lute, 4. One-night stand, 5. Corduroy, 6. Panda, 7. Sleek, 8. Sunk, 12. Disperse, 14. Ruffian, 15. Aside, 16. Cosy, 18. Elite, 20. Diet.

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Pirongia grants announced

By Jeremy Smith

The Pirongia Ward Committee allocated $19,000 in discretionary funds last week.

The committee had almost $29,000 in its uncommitted funds to allocate, and 19 applicants sought a total of $48,733.39.

This was the first of two funding rounds this financial year, and while all of the applicants received at least some cash, several of the grants awarded were less than what they applied for.

Three organisations received the highest grant given out at any one time - $2000.

They were the Mangahia Catchment Charitable Trust, which wants to develop a restoration and management plan for the lower end of Mangahia Gully, the Ōhaupō Community Sport and Recreation Centre Trust, which plans to create a master concept plan to develop a bare paddock at Memorial Park, Ōhaupō and the Pirongia Forest Park Lodge to go towards installing a

cooking shelter and a sunshade.

CommSafe received $1500 towards its internet and cell phone bills and Ko Wai Au Trust was given $1000 to help it pay for van maintenance and running costs.

Diabetes New Zealand received $500 as it looks to hold a range of group education days and events.

The Maungatautari to Pirongia Ecological Corridor Society was given $1000 so staff can purchase predator control traps, while Melville Rugby and Sports Club received $525 towards a commercial bain marie for catering purposes. A bain marie is used to keep food warm.

The MS Waikato Trust – a not for profit organisation providing support services to people affected by Multiple Sclerosis and Huntington’s disease - was given $500 towards general operating expenses.

The Lions Club of OhaupoNgahinapouri received $750 to help members organise its annual Anzac Day service.

Pirongia Playcentre received $1000 towards its plans to create a mural

celebrating the centre’s 50-year anniversary, as did Pirongia School’s Board of Trustees, who open the school pool to the wider community.

Both Te Awamutu Bible Chapel and the Te Awamutu Brass Band received $500 grants – to replace mats the church uses for its Mainly Music programme and help the brass band pay for its power and gas.

Te Awamutu Community Menz Shed was given $1000 towards printing its new book, called Sheddies, as was the Te Pahū Hall Society, which wants to build a post and rail fence.

Te Pahū Preschool Group received nearly $740 towards purchasing a new dishwasher, while Girl Guiding New Zealand was granted $500 towards ongoing hire costs.

True Colours Charitable Trust - which supports children with a serious health condition and their families through counselling, nursing and education – was granted $1000 towards work it does with Waipā families.

FABRICATOR/WELDER

- Key member of a small friendly team

- Global leader in Air Filtration

- Cambridge location

Camfil NZ Ltd, the world leader in air filtration products and services, has expanded rapidly in New Zealand and is seeking to recruit an exceptional Fabricator/Welder. This role will work closely with our workshop foreman to build an outstanding level of product and customer service.

This role will involve all aspects of fabrication and job assembly.

Some site maintenance work would be required from time to time.

To be successful in this role you should;

- have a strong safety focus

- have a good background in all facets’ of Mig / Tig welding & fabrication. (Aluminum, Mild & Stainless Steel)

- be passionate and take pride in your work.

- have adequate verbal and written communication skills

- show attention to detail and accuracy

- enjoy being part of a successful team and working in a modern equipped facility.

If this challenging role appeals to you, please forward your CV to craig.gosnell@camfil.com

Refer to www.camfil.com for company background information.

SUPPORT FACILITATOR/SUPPORT WORKERPERMANENT & CASUAL POSITIONS

Aspire - Community Support

Cambridge

Aged & Disability Support (Community Services & Development)

About the role:

As a service, Aspire - Community Support prides itself on providing individualised services for adults with physical disabilities and/or long term chronic health conditions

The role can include supporting people with personal care, household management, learning new skills, and developing community networks. You will also transport and support people into the community to attend to appointments and pursue their interests.

Aspire has permanent and casual positions available in their service supporting adults with physical disabilities. If you have experience, or you feel like a new challenge, then apply now!

As part of our team, you will have the opportunity to learn on the job while gaining recognised qualifications within the disability sector.

• Full-time, part-time and casual opportunities

To excel in this role, you will need:

• A passion for people and bucket loads of patience

• Be Resilient and flexible with the ability to think fast/use initiative

• Certificate in Health and Wellbeing or willingness to study towards one

• A great sense of humour and a committed team player

• Your attitude and practice aligns with our Aspire values

You must have:

• The availability to work a flexible roster, including days, evenings, sleepovers and weekends

• Outstanding written and spoken English

• A full driver’s licence is essential (please note that due to the nature of this role, those who hold a learner or restricted licence cannot be considered)

• The right to work in New Zealand

• The ability to complete personal cares

Benefits:

• Awesome work culture

• $200 towards your annual health check

• Long service awards

• EAP Service available for your mental wellbeing

• Staff benefit card with discounts at participating retailers

• You will need to satisfactorily pass a Police Check

To apply please contact Kathryn Numa at Kathryn.numa@aspire.org.nz with a cover letter and your CV.

FITTER/WELDER AND GENERAL

FITTER/WELDER AND GENERAL LABOUR ROLES

ROLES

We are a busy engineering company with a well equipped workshop, working in the Mining, Quarry and Transport Industries.

We are a busy engineering company with a well equipped workshop, working in the Mining, Quarry and Transport Industries.

• Reliable and punctual

• Reliable and punctual

• Physically fit

• Physically fit

• Strong health and safety awareness

• Strong health and safety awareness

• Quality focus and attention to detail

• Quality focus and attention to detail

• Ability to work in a team environment

• Ability to work in a team environment

• Must pass a Drug & Alcohol test

• Must pass a Drug & Alcohol test

Apprenticeship opportunity exists for the right candidate

Apprenticeship opportunity exists for the right candidate

Please email your CV to: gray.construction@xtra.co.nz or phone 021 964 187

Please email your CV to: gray.construction@xtra.co.nz or phone 021 964 187

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 08 o Oketopa, 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

Production Assistant

• Key member of a small friendly team

• Global leader in Air Filtration

• Cambridge location

Camfil NZ Ltd, the world leader in air filtration products and services, has expanded rapidly in New Zealand and is seeking to recruit an exceptional Fabricator/Welder. This role will work closely with our workshop foreman to build an outstanding level of product and customer service.

This role will involve some aspects of fabrication and job assembly.

Some site maintenance work maybe required from time to time.

To be successful in this role you should;

• have a strong safety focus

• be passionate and take pride in your work.

• have adequate verbal and written communication skills

• show attention to detail and accuracy

• enjoy being part of a successful team and working in a modern equipped facility.

If this challenging role appeals to you:

Please forward your CV to craig.gosnell@camfil.com

Refer to www.camfil.com for company background information.

TOWNLEY Valerie Isabel Louise (Val) – Passed away peacefully on Sunday, 17th September 2023, aged 85 years. Loving wife of the late Des, cherished mum of Glenda, Mark, Grant and Deb, and the late Karen. Devoted Nana to all her grandchildren, and Nan to her great-grandchildren. ‘Will be terribly missed, rest in peace’. Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Patrick's Catholic Church, 625 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu (today) Thursday, 21st September at 11:00 am followed by burial at the Te Awamutu Cemetery. All communications please to the Townley family, PO Box 137, Te Awamutu 3840.

Te Awamutu Funeral

Notice of AGM

CAMBRIDGE TOWN HALL COMMUNITY TRUST

The Annual General Meeting of the Cambridge Town Hall Community Trust will be held as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 17 October 2023

Time: 7pm

Place: Edwardian Room, Cambridge Town Hall –entrance off Lake Street. All welcome.

Services, FDANZ

18V - 28cm Cutting Width - 2.6kg (excl. battery)

Easy to use, high e ciency battery grass trimmer that gives perfect edges. The loop handle and telescopic shaft can be adjusted for a comfortable working position.

18V - 50cm Bar - 23mm Teeth Opening - 3.1kg (excl. battery)

Easily shape hedges and bushes with this powerful and lightweight hedge trimmer, featuring double-action cutting blades, smart leaf catcher, and a soft grip handle.

18V - 40m/s - 2.0kg (excl. battery)

Slim, lightweight, well balanced and easy to use battery-powered blower with ergonomic soft grip handles, intuitive keypad, instant start, 3-step mode performance and removable tube.

18V - 34cm Cutting Width - 30L Collect - BioClip®11.8kg (excl. battery) Easy to operate, lightweight lawn mower designed for small lawns. Features quick cutting height adjustment, telescopic handle, and automatic power boost for longer grass patches. The compact design folds to a handy size and features a detachable collection bag for easy storage.

18V - 5” Bar - 1/4” Chain - 1.3kg (excl. battery)

Compact, handheld pruning saw, ideal for pruning trees and cutting down garden waste with a branch thickness up to 75mm. Easy, tool-free replacement of the chain and bar, and improved safety with an anti-slip handle. Bio Chain oil included (50mL).

Husqvarna ASPIRE™ 18V Batteries

Compact and lightweight batteries with soft grip makes attaching to your product quick and easy. This 18V POWER FOR ALL ALLIANCE battery is made of Lithium-Ion cells and recommended for use in your ASPIRE™ Products.

18-B45: $119 RRP

Capacity: 2.5Ah / Energy: 45Wh

18-B72: $179 RRP

Capacity: 4.0Ah / Energy: 72Wh

18V - 5” Bar - 1/4” Chain - 2.8kg (excl. battery)

Two-in-one pruning saw that can be used as a convenient handheld saw, or with an adjustable extension pole up to 1.7m for high reach pruning tasks. Robust design to cut branch thickness up to 75mm. Tool-free replacement of chain and bar, and supplied with Bio Chain oil (50mL).

ASPIRE™ P5 Pruner Case Hard plastic case for the ASPIRE™ Pruner, with a dedicated space for 2 x batteries, 1 x charger, plus additional room for more pruning accessories. Image for illustration purposes only. Products and accessories

Husqvarna ASPIRE™ Charger

Compact charger that delivers fast charging with an LED indicator to see the charging status. Part of the POWER FOR ALL ALLIANCE, one of the largest cross-brand battery alliances of leading manufacturers, this charger can be used for all batteries that are part of this alliance.

18-C70: $89 RRP

One of the largest cross-brand 18V battery systems. The battery for your home and garden.