Golf…and a gong
By Mary Anne Gill
Anyone wanting to congratulate Sally Davies on New Year’s Day on her King’s Service Medal (KSM) would have had to head out to Te Awamutu Golf Club.
When the Te Awamutu nurse retired last year, she said she would play more golf. On January 1 she was picking up a prize for sixth in the stableford in the New Year’s Day Scramble at Te Awamutu Golf Club and finishing with a birdie on the par four 18th. Davies, 76, is one of two who live in Waipā – the other being former deputy mayor and Te Awamutu College old boy Grahame Webber who also received a KSM – to be honoured by King Charles III.
The others with Waipā links were Linda Te Aho of Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Paula Baker of Tamahere and Ian Foster of Newstead.
Davies has volunteered at Te Awamutu Sports Hockey Club since 1990 as a coach and served as the inaugural president until 2007.
Her citation says she was instrumental in establishing hockey under the Te Awamutu Sports banner upon the club’s establishment and is still coaching a reserve grade side.
For years she has volunteered and fundraised for all ages of hockey from intermediate to masters.
She is a life member of Te Awamutu Sports and Waikato Hockey and has received the New Zealand Hockey Service Award.
As a practice nurse at Te Awamutu Medical Centre she
became one of the first nurses in New Zealand to specialise in diabetes management. She retired last month after 47 years with the practice vowing to play more golf, join a Mahjong group, spend more time in the garden and continue coaching hockey.
Webber, 76, honoured for his services to local government and farming governance, retired from the council just over two years ago after he revealed he was battling myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells that usually arises in the bone marrow.
Describing himself as a “can do, will do cow cocky”, he has contributed to farming and local government since he was a teenage member of the Young Farmers Club in Te Awamutu.
Stints in various Federated Farmers positions and as a director of the now defunct New Zealand Dairy Group followed before his election to the Cambridge Community Board in 1998 and Waipā council three years later.
Webber is no longer having chemotherapy but takes daily pills which have various side effects. He is philosophical: “It’s one of those diseases that’s going to get you. It’s in the blood.”
When his parents met, his father was a policeman in Te Aroha and his mother a hairdressing apprentice from Taranaki. They settled in Auckland where Webber was born, the first of six children.
“They thought a rural place was the place to be rather than be stuck in Mt Albert.”
Webber firstly attended Tokoroa Central School – their farm was
near the town - and then Te Awamutu College when the family moved to a dairy farm in Pokuru.
Those links to Te Awamutu –despite not living there for 57 years – marked him as a councillor able to straddle that Cambridge v Te Awamutu divide.
In 2001, he beat a crowded field, including incumbent Ron Cooper, for the Maungatautari ward and switched allegiances to Cambridge for three terms when he and Jenny moved into town.
He was mayor Jim Mylchreest’s deputy and chaired several committees, but his favourite was Service Delivery where he kept well informed.
“The years that I spent at Te Awamutu were invaluable. I didn’t want a them and us.”
He has a message for central government.
“Local government gets hounded by central government. We can’t do this; we’re not allowed to do that. They should bloody well leave us alone.”
And to prove there is still a politician in him, he points to the Waipā decision to go into a water entity without Hamilton City Council citing water meters as a good reason.
“That’s their (Hamilton) biggest stuff up – they didn’t put them in, we did. We took the water and made it a separate entity. We were ahead of the eight ball, not them.”
Former All Blacks coach Ian Foster, 59, was born in Putāruru and attended Forest View High School in Tokoroa.
The highest capped Waikato rugby player, with 148 appearances
at first five, began his club career with Te Awamutu Rugby Sports and Recreation Club, was the assistant coach of the All Blacks from 2012 to 2019, before becoming head coach from 2020 until 2023.
Foster becomes a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to rugby.
Linda Te Aho is the daughter of Tioriori (Wally) and Vivienne Papa who raised five childrenAtaahua, Linda, Pānia, Rahui and Wiki - from the Pōhara marae not
far from Tokoroa. She attended Tokoroa High School and studied law at Auckland University. She became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to Māori and legal education.
She is a member of the Te Arataura tribal executive for Waikato Tainui, a trustee for Ngāti Koroki Kahukura and was previously a negotiator for the iwi’s treaty claims.
Sally Davies at golf where she picked up a prize in the New Year’s scramble to go with her King’s Service Medal. Photo: Te Awamutu Golf Club.
Continued on page 4
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A Karāpiro cruise
By Mary Anne Gill
American cruise ship tourists Joy Littleton and Lori Ionnitiu saw the excursions available to them when the Seven Seas Explorer docked in Tauranga on Sunday, and it was the Waipā experience which stood out.
“I’m a novice vegetable gardener and I wanted to see what people ate,” the Tennessee woman said as she tucked into a red kūmara, part of a salad served to her and the other 20 passengers at Lake Karāpiro.
Rain and wind on the day saw numbers trimmed from the planned 36. Two days before - on the ship’s northward cruise to Auckland – 13 tourists took the tour which Mighty River Domain site manager Liz Stolwyk said was the first of several she hoped to host at Karāpiro.
Other options available for the tourists, who pay anything from $15,000 upwards
for the cruise, are a Tauranga highlights and Māori culture tour, Rotorua, Lake Rotoiti, Hell’s Gate Mud Bath and private tours around Bay of Plenty to see kiwifruit operations.
Grayling Littleton, a sweet potato connoisseur said he had only ever seen orange ones before and was impressed at the red variety which his wife told him had fewer calories.
“It’s not like me to like something that’s good for me,” he said.
Lori and husband Nick from Virginia had other reasons for choosing Waipā. She grew up in the mid-west and has always loved walking and saw the Mount Maungatautari option and selected it with very little input from her husband.
“I do what I’m told,” he said.
It was described as a walk along forest trails seeing endangered birds, tuatara reptiles and
Celebrating our wetlands
By Viv Posselt
A collaborative event at Lake Rotopiko on February 2 and involving several organisations in and around Te Awamutu will mark World Wetlands Day 2025.
The day of family activities will include a wetlands discovery trail, multiple activities and games, a sausage sizzle and ice-cream van. There will also be give-aways and expert information on-hand on the ancient peat lake and kahikatea forest.
The day has been organised in collaboration with Rotary, Landcare Trust, the Waipā District Council, Department of Conservation (DOC) and the National Wetlands Trust.
World Wetlands Day is a global event celebrated annually on February 2. It is a United Nations designated day that serves to raise awareness about wetlands as well
giant weta and finishing with a climb up a tower to see creatures in a tree canopy.
“I didn’t want this to be a sedentary tour,” she said.
The icing on the cake was a visit to a working dairy farm in Roto-o-Rangi where the opportunity to see cows close up and personal was a first for both couples.
Joy had already marvelled at the chance to stop on the side of the road and pat cows.
While cruise ship tourists have ventured into Waipā before, Stolwyk says this tour in association with Smith Tour Company was the first to involve Karāpiro, Sanctuary Mountain and the dairy farm.
The excursion is on the edges of what is possible – the ship docked at 8am and left at 5.30pm. A near 100km trip over the Kaimai Range to Pukeatua – via the Arapuni Dam on Friday and Putāruru on Sunday – bit off a huge chunk of that.
Stolwyk said she hoped Leona and Graeme Smith - owners of Smith Tour Company and long-time associates through their agricultural connections – could make tweaks to the itinerary from feedback received.
“I’m keen on a boutique Cambridge shopping experience for those who may not want to go to Maungatautari or a dairy farm,” she said.
Safely back on board on Sunday, Joy told The News, as they set sail for Napier on their 14-day cruise ending in Sydney next week, that she loved the experience.
“While the natural beauty and scenery is spectacular, we are finding that the people are the most special part of our visit,” she said. That was music to Stolwyk’s ears.
as mark the anniversary of the Convention on Wetlands, which was adopted as an international treaty in 1971.
Work being done at Lake Rotopiko was in the news last year as volunteers – many of them from the Te Awamutu Rotary Club – gathered regularly to help return the wetland to its original state. One of the most recent endeavours involved the slashing of the lower branches of a stand of kahikatea trees in order to deter roosting birds who leave behind them high concentrations of nutrients that jeopardise wider restoration projects at the lake. That was part of a research project launched in 2020 to address the problem birds.
The wetland was also visited by World Rotary president Gordon McInally last year.
The February 2 World Wetland Day at Lake Rotopiko will run from 10.30am to 2.30pm.
These cruise ship passengers braved Sunday’s chilly conditions at Lake Karāpiro. They were pictured with, second from right site, manager Liz Stolwyk and beside her Graeme Smith. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Briefs…
Dutch elm disease
A second case of Dutch Elm disease has been confirmed in Waipā and an elm removed from the southeast corner of Victoria Square in Cambridge. The 100-year-old tree was vaccinated against the disease in November with other council-owned elms. Community Services manager Brad Ward said the vaccination came too late for the vulnerable tree.
Lifejacket swap
Old4New, an initiative where people can exchange their old, worn-out lifejackets for discounted new lifejackets, is on Saturday at K’aute Pasifika in Hamilton. Over the past decade, more than 22,000 old lifejackets have been traded in through Old4New.
Te Awamutu host
Te Awamutu Sports Cycling Club will host the Elite Road Cycling National Championships for two years from next year. Next month’s champs will be in Timaru and then head to the Waikato with the dates and courses to be confirmed. The Te Awamutu club has a rich heritage in the sport and hosts successful club racing throughout the year, along with their annual Te Awamutu Tour, which is based at Goodwood, near Cambridge.
Council reform
The Government has agreed to reforms that refocus local councils on delivering essential services and core infrastructure, spending responsibly, and operating under greater scrutiny, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says. The first benchmarking report on local councils will be released in the middle of 2025 and is expected to include a number of key council performance metrics.
O’Brien returns to Te Wananga
By Chris Gardner
Evie O’Brien is returning to Te Wānanga o Aotearoa as kaiwhakatere chief executive after 10 years.
O’Brien will be welcomed later this month, after leaving her role in 2014 as acting Kaihautū National Delivery which she had held for two years, having previously worked as regional manager Tāmaki/Te Tai Tokerau for three years.
Current chief executive Nepia Winiata will retire next month after 15 years’
service.
O’Brien is rejoining the organisation, whose head office is in Factory Road, Te Awamutu, after spending nearly four years as executive director of the University of Oxford based Atlantic Institute: Rhodes Trust, where she was focussed on addressing systematic causes of inequity. She spent the previous two years, from 2018 to 2020, as programme director at the institute.
“I loved working at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and
look forward to bringing everything I have learned during my time with the Atlantic Institute back home,” O’Brien said in a statement.
“Being immersed in a kaupapa Māori organisation again after several years away is something I’m excited about. I see this role as an incredible opportunity to build on the successes of the past and to serve and give back to our whānau in recognition of all the support and opportunities I have had over the years, while contributing to better educational outcomes for our people.”
O’Brien sees herself as an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education sector and social justice.
She says, on her LinkedIn profile, that she is, skilled in organisational change and culture, coaching, lecturing, higher education leadership, curriculum development, and public speaking. She has a Master of Business Administration from The University of Waikato.
“Evie’s extensive experience in senior leadership roles across the tertiary education sector,
her deep understanding of and strong relationships within our organisation, and her clear passion and commitment to whānau transformation through education, gave her the leading edge,” said Te Wānanga o Aotearoa council chair Vanessa Eparaima.
O’Brien will work alongside Winiata to ensure
a smooth transition before his farewell on February 13.
“We look forward to welcoming Evie back to our whānau, this time as our chief executive. We have a strong vibrant future before us, and we are excited by the added momentum and perspective Evie’s skills and experience will bring,” said Eparaima.
New trustees named
Sarah Ulmer, Mike Garrett, Glenda Taituha-Toka and Ken Williamson have joined Trust Waikato as board members. The trust is one of a dozen community trusts in the country. It was established in 1988 to manage shares in Trust Bank Waikato and has made almost $300 million in grants since 1996 when the shares were sold and an investment portfolio established.
Associate Finance minister Shane Jones, announcing the appointments, also confirmed the re-appointment of Metua Tangaroa-Daniel-Malietoa.
The appointments follow the announcement last month that Janise Hine-kapetiu Eketone had succeeded chair Vicky McLennan and her deputy would be Chris Flatt. Taituha-Toka, from Piopio, sits on the Waikato-Tainui executive.
Flatt and Ulmer are both Waipā based - they live in Cambridge. Eketone is a former Maniapoto Māori Trust Board chief executive.
“I am delighted to welcome our four new trustees and the reappointment of a current trustee to the Trust Waikato Board,” she said.
Jones said the trustees collectively bring “expertise in education, business, healthcare, community services, marketing, sports, governance, law, environmental protection, grant allocation, and community development to the trusts”.
Board reveal business interests
By Chris Gardner
Two of the three members of Te Awamutu’s waste to energy plant board of inquiry have declared previous business relationships with three of the submitters but say it won’t influence the outcome of the hearing.
Accredited Resource Management Act hearings
commissioner Nicholas Manukau and air quality specialist Myles McCauley declared their interests in Global Contracting Solutions’ resource consent application via board minutes posted on the Environmental Protection Agency’s website.
Global Contracting Solutions wants to build and operate the plant on Racecourse Road, Te Awamutu.
Manukau, a tribal member of Tainui, said he understood Waikato-Tainui had lodged a submission to the Board and would not engage
in any discussion that Tainui has regarding the application or the hearing.
He also declared working relationships with Waikato Regional Council, which has also lodged a submission.
South Island based McCauley worked on resource consent applications and assessments of environmental effects for Fonterra milk processing plants from 2007 until 2013.
“Several of these were in the Waikato region, including a peer review role for work on the site at Te Awamutu,” he said in the minutes.
Board of inquiry chair Environment Court Judge Brian Dwyer said, in the minutes, the board members did not regard any of these interests as affecting their independence or their ability to be members of the board and reach a decision on the merits of the cases presented.
“However, the board members consider that
this disclosure is important for the integrity of the inquiry process.”
Paewira Energy-from-Waste project director Adam Fletcher was aware of the minutes.
“We have got no concerns,” he said. “We are comfortable with the board and their level of experience.”
The Environmental Protection Authority received 478 written submissions on behalf of the board before submissions closed on December 18.
This is in addition to 900 submissions received by Waipā District Council, mostly in opposition, before the application was called in to the inquiry by Environment Minister Penny Simmonds.
Waipā District Council is among objectors.
A pre-hearing meeting for submitters and the applicant to discuss procedural matters will be held at FMG Stadium in Hamilton on February 20.
The full hearing is expected to be in June.
Helen Carter Funeral Director
Being immersed in a kaupapa Māori organisation is an exciting prospect for Evie O’Brien.
Golf…and a gong
Continued from page 1
big summer flooring Sale
An associate professor at Waikato University, Hamilton-based Te Aho contributed to legal education at Te Piringa Faculty of Law and has served as associate Dean Māori.
governance entity Te Nehenehenui, one thing stands out.
While they are all different entities, the work they do has that common thread – making a difference in people’s lives.
born in Te Awamutu – are both naturally drawn to philanthropic organisations except for her involvement in cricket.
She is a technical advisor on Māori legal issues in relation to lands and freshwater for iwi, Crown agencies and government departments.
Paula Baker, 57, also gets an MNZM for her services to health governance and the community.
Looking at the list of organisations she has been involved with – starting with Plunket as a new mother – to her new role at Waihikurangi Trust, the charitable arm of Ngāti Maniapoto’s post-settlement
Shas been a trustee of the Braemar Charitable Trust since 2014 and general manager since 2016.
With Braemar Trust, Baker has championed such initiatives as the charitable surgery programme, providing free surgeries for those in need at Braemar Hospital, and the creation of several training programmes and scholarships for health education.
She and husband Stuart – chair of DV Bryant Trust in Hamilton and
It was second daughter Emma, 23, who got her into cricket administration when she started playing the game at St Peter’s School in Cambridge.
She chaired the Hamilton association and then sat on Northern Districts’ board, standing down early last year when she felt herself getting stretched thin.
She is still on the Alandale Foundation, Waihikurangi, New Zealand Dental Council, Braemar, a trustee of Sky City Hamilton Community Trust and a member of the Waikato Community Lotteries distribution committee.
Ian Foster
Grahame Webber Linda Te Aho Paula Baker
Wastewater cost explained
By Chris Gardner
Waipā District Council has explained why the cost to upgrade Te Awamutu Wastewater Treatment Plant rose from $19 million to $48 million.
The News revealed in November the upgrade costs to the council for the plant, and one in Leamington, were now put at $57 million. The Leamington wastewater reticulation upgrade cost rose from nothing to $9 million.
Before the government repealed the Three Waters reforms last year, the costs for the country’s water supplies, storm and wastewater management systems would have been picked up by the new water service entities.
Responding to questions from The News, council service delivery group manager Dawn Inglis said the Te Awamutu upgrade was included in the 2018-2028 and 2021-31 Long Term Plans.
The increase followed a review of the business case received by the council in late October informing the 2025-34 Long Term Plan budget.
Speaking to the review, Inglis said: “Further capacity is required at the wastewater treatment plant as growth has occurred ahead of what was forecast in 2018.”
“Modelling now indicates the plant as it was proposed would be non-compliant for nitrogen and biological oxygen demand in 2029/30.
“There is now a need for new inlet works to future proof for an eventual membrane
upgrade (expected to be required post 2040).
“Geotechnical issues at the current treatment plant site are impacting on the design needed for the next upgrade, which has also impacted cost estimates.”
Inglis said the review noted construction costs had increased significantly for infrastructure projects.
The upgrade will be required to be completed by 2029 to meet discharge limits in the consent.
Clam cash confirmed
Regional councillors have voted to allocate more than $400,000 to buy equipment for its fight against golden clams.
Corbicula fluminea was found in the Waikato River in May 2023 and is an invasive, fast breeding pest which can cause havoc in the country’s waterways.
The clams are in Lake Karāpiro, which hosts major water events.
“We want to be an exemplar in this space and do more than the bare minimum to protect waterways in our region and elsewhere,” council chief executive Chris McLay said.
The fight has become one of containment.
“We are now clear on what we need to do, which requires investment in more equipment and gear, like waders, life jackets and steam cleaners, as well as additional space for storing, cleaning and drying these items,” McLay said.
The decision to use money from the previous year’s surplus was carried – but only eight of the 14 votes were in favour.
They were council chair Pamela Storey, Bruce Clarkson, Kataraina Hodge, Stu Kneebone, Tipa Mahuta, Jennifer Nickel, Noel Smith, and Angela Strange. Robert Cookson, Mich’eal Downard, Clyde Graf, Chris Hughes and Warren Maher were opposed and Ben DunbarSmith abstained.
Waikato Regional Council will invest the money in gear, equipment and storage facilities
The council has increased water quality monitoring over summer and its presence on the water to monitor compliance with boat safety rules.
Councillors will discuss, next month, adding another $170,000 into in their draft 2025-26 Annual Plan to fund education and more monitoring.
Join us for our Open Days and enjoy an ice cream, on us.
Wednesday 15 & Thursday 16 January, 10am – 2pm. Arvida Whai Mauri Ora, 319 Manaia Road (off Frontier Road), Te Awamutu.
With acres of gorgeous grounds to enjoy, there’s nothing quite like Arvida’s Whai Mauri Ora in summertime. Join us at our open days and explore the beautiful gardens and properties, all while enjoying a free ice cream as you explore.
Located on 31 acres of prime land in Te Awamutu, we have a number of architecturally-designed brand-new villas available now to view. Don’t miss your chance to secure your spot in this special community.
Call Juliet on 021 240 7192 or visit arvida.co.nz
Meghan Hawkes reviews the news in Waipā in 1924.
Cars, cows and miracle cures
News A Snip in Time
Travellers desiring to inspect the site of the big hydro-electric works at Arapuni had not experienced the best facilities for making the motor journey between Te Awamutu and Putāruru owing to the mail cars on the Arapuni-Putaruru section not synchronising their departure time with the arrival at Arapuni of the Te Awamutu mail cars.
These daily motor mail services operated as a taxi service as well. An Arapuni resident decided to run a car service between Arapuni and Putāruru in conjunction with Mr Turpin’s Te Awamutu-Arapuni twice daily service to fix the difficulty.
A Shorthorn cow, owned by Mr West, of Pokuru, was missing for 13 days before it was found lying in a swamp in four feet of muddy water. Everything within her reach had been eaten, including raupo, pampas grass, and rushes. Five men pulled the cow out with ropes, and within five minutes of being extricated she walked away. The cow was very emaciated, and had lost a good deal of hair. Successful efforts were made to restore her to normal condition. She was fed on maize and turnips, and milked once a day for several days, completely recovering from her ordeal.
A Spinsters’ Ball at Pirongia was enticingly advertised as featuring ‘Pretty Girls, Lovely Frocks, Discreet Chaperones, Excellent Floor, Dalton’s Orchestra, and a Gorgeous Supper.’ “You ought to be there”, said the notice, adding that “Parson’s Charabanc will leave Te Awamutu Post Office for Pirongia at 7.30pm.” The ball was a triumph, the Memorial Hall being crowded with happy dancers and spectators. The hall had been specially decorated for the occasion, an exciting feature being the electric lighting effects. Sequah, a celebrity quack doctor, thrilled Te Awamutu with his appearances at the Town Hall. He stated that he was not a miracle worker or a cure-all, but the remedies which he was advocating worked. To demonstrate the efficiency of his remedies he asked Mr H McConkey, an old resident Te Awamutu, who had been suffering from sciatica for seven years and had to use a stick to get about, to step on the stage to be treated. After treatment, Mr McConkey declared himself entirely free from pain and offered to demonstrate this by sprinting the length of the hall. The next case was Mr Mclnnes, of Teasdale Street, who had suffered from neuritis for five years and had been unable to work for three months. After treatment Mr Mclnnes stated that he was quite free from pain.
The following night Mr Robert Webster, of Kihikihi, who was in a crippled state and whose chances of recovery were considered to be practically hopeless, was cured. He had suffered from sciatica for 25 years, and had had to use a stick to aid him walking for over a year. He had been a patient in Dunedin Hospital for 16 weeks, and also at Rotorua, taking the baths for eight weeks.
After treatment by Sequah, Mr Webster was much relieved and able to get about freely. He stood up smartly and walked from the stage down the steps to the body of the hall, stepping out briskly to the accompaniment of loud applause.
The Boxing Day tsunami
This time 20 years ago, countries around the Indian Ocean were reeling from the grief and horror of one of the deadliest events in modern history - the Boxing Day tsunami triggered by the 9.2-9.3 magnitude Sumatra–Andaman earthquake.
Around a quarter million locals and tourists lost their lives. Well over a million were displaced. Each one of those lives mattered. The impact was so large that we cannot accurately measure it.
Around the world we watched in horror as the news (not yet smartphones) showed footage of people running, waves rolling in, and houses and all sorts of other debris washing inland. It has always brought goosebumps to my skin.
The earthquake was triggered along the subduction zone where the Indian tectonic plate is moving down below the Burma micro-plate. We call the area where the two plates meet a fault or megathrust. The relative movement of these two large plates past or against each other built up strain, potentially over hundreds of years, when they were
locked into place at the fault boundary. On Boxing Day, 2004, this strain was released in a catastrophic failure over a length of 1200 to 1300 km, that’s approximately Bluff to Whakatāne in a straight line.
It took around eight minutes for the total length of the fault to fracture, and the rupture speed was 2-3 km a second. Think of a crack spreading through the ground on a massive scale and very fast. This is what causes the shaking.
What caused the tsunami was the upward movement of the seafloor, shoving vast amounts of water vertically that then formed a set of waves we call a tsunami.
If you hold a hand under water then flick it upwards, you’ll see multiple waves moving out from you in the same way.
We are so used to water being part of our everyday lives that we forget the force of it, especially in large volumes. You can be swept off your feet in around 15cm of moving water. On that Boxing Day the tsunami wave heights varied depending on location, reaching
FAITH IN WAIPĀ
Life is what you make it
The early settlers of our region remain significant to our history and our future.
Māori landed in Kawhia harbour and many travelled across the hills to settle in Waipa. Generations of tribes covered the lush, green hills and fertile land along the rivers, establishing pa sites and territories.
Christian immigrants arrived with passionate intent to integrate into local culture and (one version of) history shows partnership in land, farming, schooling, and faith. Early missionaries discovered Māori to be deeply spiritual and worshippers of Atua with some singing Christian hymns.
The local, historic, iconic St Johns building on Arawata Street, Te Awamutu, stands tall as a monument to partnership between all peoples and its grounds are tapu, holding memorial to both foe and friend.
Pioneers are gifted with the fortitude to build what they envision. We, too, can carry the legacy of building what we hope for.
Biblical history shows thousands of years of pioneers who established legacy through faith in the Almighty
By Janine Krippner
over 30m in places. The water moved kilometres inland depending on location.
It’s important to remember these events and take a moment to think about what we would do if we were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Evacuation is our best shot of surviving, and knowing where to go is your best shot of getting out fast enough. If you head to our beaches this summer, check out any tsunami evacuation signs and have a chat about where you would run to. Remember “If an earthquake is – Long or Strong, Get Gone”. Don’t wait for an official warning because you might not get one if a tsunami is generated close to shore. The Boxing Day tsunami speed reached 800kph in the ocean.
It’s better to be potentially embarrassed by a false alarm than face the consequences of not acting fast enough. A false alarm is a good practice run.
Phil Strong, Senior Leader, Zion
God, whom Māori called Atua and the Hebrews called Yahweh. A wise question to ask is ‘what can we learn from them?’
One answer comes from the Bible’s letter to the Hebrews. Buried near the end is a powerful phrase we could all benefit from; “Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen.”
I believe hope is a powerful force that drives us to seek a better life. Hope gives birth to vision and creates a picture of something we aspire to. The scripture quoted proclaims faith to be the key which establishes something of substance from our hope. This means we obtain certainty and assurance of the future through our faith.
This is further expressed in the second half of the quoted Bible verse, clearly stating there is evidence of things not yet seen. How amazing is that? We can shape evidence through faith!
This is the key to a life of Christian faith. We believe Atua/Yahweh to be the Creator of all things who invites all people into a life of togetherness. When we respond with our ‘yes,’ our faith in His Word is making something
of substance that might not yet be visible.
Pioneers build in the same way, and I encourage you to think like this as we enter a fresh, new year. You can create a better reality through your faith in what you believe in, carrying the conviction that leads to certain action. Bible dictionaries explain this further, extending our understanding to take us to the point where we carry a firm persuasion or revelation of things we do not yet see.
What could life look like if we lived with this level of commitment to making our world better? I believe we would shake off limiting beliefs, negative feedback, and hope-less commentary. We would be pioneers who establish a better world for future generations.
One critical element of faith is where you direct it. If you have faith in yourself alone, you can be sure to fall short. Like our Māori and Pakeha ancestors, I suggest you try faith in Yahweh.
This 3.41ha property located down a quiet no-exit road with a cosy three-bedroom home offers a serene escape, with picturesque rural views and seven post & rail paddocks, making it ideal for equestrian enthusiasts or anyone interested in owning a few livestock. There is a great standalone storage shed with attached tack room and two stables. Behind the stables is a 40x20m metal base horse arena covered with wood mulch. The internal-access double garage provides secure parking and storage space. Located just 3km from the town centre this property offers both tranquility and convenience.
Across 1. Allege (6) 4. Hesitates (6) 9. Freight (5) 10. Colour/fruit (7)
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Modify (5)
(2,1,4)
Down: 2. Elastic, 3. Shop, 4. Unprecedented, 5. Saturate, 6. Drake, 7. Cadet, 8. Pant, 12. Argument, 14. Realise, 15. Biped, 16. Stag, 18. Twine, 20. Dais. Last week
4. Upside, 8. Pea soup, 9. Tiara, 10. Note, 11. Reprieve,
Carpenter, 17. Intruder, 19. Bait, 21. Exile, 22. Trading, 23. Bested, 24. Seer.
EXPERTS
CARPENTER
We are looking for an experienced and passionate CARPENTER to join the team at WWM Construction.
This is a role for a person who has:
• A Carpentry Qualification (or about to Qualify)
• Experience on Commercial Builds
• Good Quality Workmanship
• High Energy and a Good Attitude Involvements include:
• Day-to-Day carpentry tasks on site
• Understand construction methodologies
• Follow good Health & Safety protocol
Benefits include:
• Attractive New Rates per hour
• Work within a positive and supportive team culture
• Stable Hours (plenty of work available)
• Ongoing Training and Development Opportunities
We specialise in Design and Build Projects. We have undertaken a large range of commercial, industrial, residential and multi-tenant developments. We understand design and we pride ourselves on our customer service. Our goal is to add value at all stages of the project, from budgeting, unique design, cost effective engineering solutions, timely construction, and comprehensive project management.
Email your CV to: annette.venter@wcml.co.nz Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.
School Nurse
Te Awamutu College recognises that students who are healthy are ready to learn and participate fully in school. Te Awamutu College has a Registered Nurse on site in its Health Centre 8.30am-3.30pm daily, 32.5 hours per week, term time only.
We are seeking the services of a Registered Nurse who can work Monday to Friday during school term time.
The Nurse we are looking for will have:
• A current Annual Practising Certificate
• A current workplace First Aid Certificate (min Level 2)
• Practice Nurse experience or Primary Health care experience
• The skills and passion appropriate for health care and health & wellbeing promotion with youth
• Self-confidence and ability to work both as a team player and independently
• A willingness to undertake further Professional Development relevant to the role
This position is subject to Police Vetting.
A Job Description is available on request.
Please send your CV to: The Principal Te Awamutu College PO Box 369 Te Awamutu 3840 or email: info@tac.school.nz Applications close Wednesday 15 January 2025.
PARISH OF ST JOHN
January Church services
12 January
St John’s 9.30am (Eucharist)
19 January
St John’s 9.30am (Morning Prayer)
26 January
St Saviours 9.15am (Eucharist)
St John’s 9.30am (Morning Prayer)
FOR SALE
FOR SALE!
CARAVAN 180 XL 6.5 metres, C.I. Munro, all aluminium frame, cert, self-contained with fully enclosed awning, double glazed, tinted windows, sleeps 5, microwave, Thetford cassette toilet, 3-way automatic fridge/ freezer (90ltrs), 5 good steel belted radials (8 ply), 90ltrs fresh water, 102ltrs grey, gas cooker & grill, 2 gas bottles, 230 volt & 12 volt lighting, fire extinguisher, excellent storage, galvanised chassis, no rust, only one devoted owner, beautiful condition.
$30,000
Cambridge telephone 07 823 3576
PUBLIC NOTICE OF APPARENTLY ABANDONED LAND
TAKE NOTICE that Otorohanga Council intends to exercise its statutory powers conferred by s.77 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 in respect of the land described below.
1. Apply to the District Court one month after the date of this notice for an order declaring the land to be abandoned, and
2. To authorise Otorohanga District Council to sell or lease the land –
Because the rates have not been paid to Otorohanga District Council for three (3) years and the rate payer of the land:
(a) is unknown, or
(b) cannot be found after due inquiry and has no known New Zealand agent, or
(c) is deceased and has no personal representative, or
(d) has given notice to the Otorohanga District Council of his or her intention to abandon the land or has abandoned the land.
Valuation number: 0554140400
Lot 14 Deposited Plan South Auckland 1834 Area: 1571 square metres more or less (SA5D/1434 South Auckland land registry) in the name of Ngaraiti Kupe. The property is situated at 131 Main North Road, Otorohanga and is within the territory of the Otorohanga District Council.
If you have an interest or any information relevant to the proposed application by the Otorohanga District Council, you should contact Kylie Williams on 0508 436 269, dmc@mw.org.nz or DMC, DX PA84005, Feilding.
This notice is authorised by:
Tanya Winter Chief Executive
Otorohanga District Council 16 December 2024
ACCOMMODATION WANTED
A RETIRED CIVIL engineer requires a bach/cottage (town or country location) in return for property maintenance –employment
Please reply to advertiser planpacengineer@ yahoo.com
QUALIFIED builder – for all your building and painting needs call the professionals. Call Ross 021 079 4514
DUFF, Robert George, (Bob). Reg No: 38526, Sgt, R.N.Z.A.F. Corps – Passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Dearly loved husband of the late Bernice. Loved father and father-in-law of Robert, Dianne, Ivan & Michelle, Steven & Neisha the Late Darryl, Stuart and Phillip. Grandad to Zoe, Melissa, Hannah, Racheal, Dylan, Josh, Logan, Cooper, Shania, Ryan and Lee. Gan Gan to eight. At Robert's request a private family farewell has taken place. All communications to the Duff Family, c/-262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800.
REYNOLDS, Raymond Eric – Peacefully passed away at Radius Windsor Court, Ohaupo, on Saturday, 28th December 2024. Aged 85 Years. Much loved husband of Daphne for 43 amazing years. Loved stepfather to Arthur & Sue, Ellen & Judge, William & Colleen, Turei & Lynita and the late Fiona. Loved Pops/Granny Dad to his 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. The service for Ray has been held. All communications to the Reynolds Family, c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu, 3800.
Engagements • Weddings
Births • Anniversaries • Bereavements etc
PUBLIC NOTICE
Of an application for Club Licence Te Awamutu Rugby Sports & Recreation Club Incorporated has made application to the Waipa District Licensing Committee for the renewal of a Club Licence in respect of the premises at 420 Albert Park Drive, Te Awamutu known as Te Awamutu Sports Club.
The general nature of the business to be conducted under the licence is Sports and Recreation. The days on which and the hours during which alcohol is sold under the licence are: Monday to Thursday: 12pm to 10pm. Friday, Saturday: 12pm to 12am. Sunday: 12pm to 10pm.
The application may be inspected during ordinary office hours at the office of the Waipa District Licensing Committee, 101 Bank Street, Te Awamutu or 23 Wilson Street, Cambridge.
Any person who is entitled to object and who wishes to object to the issue of the licence may, not later than 25 working days after the date of the publication of this notice, file a notice in writing of the objection with the Secretary of the District Licensing Committee at: Waipa District Council, Private Bag 2402, Te Awamutu 3840. No objection to the issue of a renewal licence may be made in relation to a matter other than a matter specified in section 131 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
This is the second publication of this notice. This notice was first published on December 19, 2024
Helen Carter Funeral Director
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
