Cambridge News | February 29, 2024

By Mary Anne Gill

The

a 10-minute local bus service, optimises vehicle routes and introduces paid parking - but does not include additional Waikato Expressway on-off ramps at Tirau Road.

Transport manager Bryan Hudson and transportation planner Rachel Algar told The News this week Cambridge Connections would define the shape of the town’s transport infrastructure for the next 30 years.

The traditional solution to dealing with traffic congestion in the past would be to build more roads, make them bigger and provide more growth space, he said.

“We heard from people early on that the roads weren’t coping and they also said they needed a bridge that was out of town because there was a lot of thinking that was the logical place to put it.”

But when the project team analysed the data, it was clear the bulk of the people wanted to still cross the river in town because a lot of their business was there – dropping children off to school, supermarket shopping, dining and entertainment as examples.

If a third bridge was built out from Aotearoa Park across Waikato River to near St Peter’s School and the High Level Bridge closed to all but cycles and pedestrians, that would put

added pressure on Fergusson (Low Level) Bridge requiring a clip on solution or another new bridge.

The project team identified a site for a third bridge closer to town over the river from the Town Belt between Marlowe Drive and Ihimaera Tce across to an area south of Alpha Street and west of Haworth Ave.

“Cambridge is growing, we actually need a plan for transport as a whole. It’s not just about a bridge, it’s about main routes like Victoria Street, Hamilton Road, (Carters Flat) and Shakespeare Street which will all need some transformation over time,” said Hudson.

Option C provided for broader walking and cycling improvement plans across the town and would keep commuter traffic out of the CBD.

There would be more frequent bus services to Hamilton, an around town commuter option and buses to and from Te Awamutu. People who needed to avoid the CBD – to commute to Hamilton for example - could use the new bridge.

That would allow some streetscape refinements in the CBD – possibly even closing parts of it to pedestrians only – while increased parking management and shorter time limits were also an option.

“In terms of what it could deliver Cambridge in the way it looks and feels and the living space people value, it’s (Option C) got more potential,” said Hudson.

The options are being presented to stakeholder groups from today. Staff will take feedback and prepare a business case for the council to endorse in June.

The business case relies on New Zealand Transport Agency and ratepayer funding across the whole district.

The corridor proposed for the new bridge is marked in light blue. Graphic provided by Waipa District Council.

New third bridge

What’s not mentioned

Under guise of ‘not in any way, trying to start a war’, ‘Age of Reason’ columnist Peter Carr (February 22), leverages a supposed personal anecdote as basis for a conclusion that amplifies and extends brazen race-baiting rhetoric which threatens and hurts members of our community.

Whatever the ‘notable number’ of ‘very bright young year 13 students’ Carr purports to know, we must conclude that they are not Māori or Pacifica because he claims they are ‘held out’ of medical school admission due to others, less deserving, taking their place on grounds of ethnicity.

Carr is referring to one sub-category of the affirmative action pathways that New Zealand education legislation allows for. He does not mention the other sub-categories which are ‘refugee’, ‘rural’ and ‘low socio-economic’. He does not mention how affirmative action is operationalised by Otago and Auckland University medical schools, nor the accruing benefits of having a profession that mirrors the communities it serves. These benefits are quantifiable through improved health outcomes.

There are indeed more people wanting to train as medical doctors in New Zealand

This week I have been asked to highlight a situation around our vulnerable elderly. Search and rescue were recently deployed after an elderly male did not return to his Waipa home after walking off. Neighbours reported last seeing him in the early evening.

Four search and rescue staff and local station staff were subsequently deployed for a ground search around immediate local area and nearby arterial routes. They were unsuccessful in locating him. While the male was in good health there were naturally concerns due to the male’s age and because was suffering early stage dementia. Publicity around the man was done through social media and local companies, but eventually the search had to be suspended in the wee hours.

The following morning the male was located having gotten himself locked into a commercial yard overnight. Fortunately the night was a mild summer one and he had no ill effects from his adventure. It is possible that members of the public saw the man on his travels and didn’t think to call police.

Elderly people with dementia (and even some illness) can become confused about where they are or where they are going. They sometimes walk for extended periods of time, travelling many kilometres, heading to places they know or have lived at previously in their

than there are places – not because of the sub-categories, but because successive governments have capped the total number of medical students it will fund.

Carr doesn’t start the war, he perpetuates it. The rhetoric flourish ‘who are we left with?’ after imagining ‘the brightest and best’ have left, comes very close to exciting hostility against groups of people based on ethnicity – hate-speech in other words. Privilege, entitlement, prejudice, and discrimination create and reproduce inequality resulting in inequity. Ironically, this is exactly the harm affirmative action seeks to remedy.

Kim Frances Cambridge

Chaos and pain

I write in reaction to the front page article in Cambridge News (February 22).

We moved to Cambridge in 2012. The population was approximately 15,000 State Highway 1 traversed the edge of town. The central business district was a pleasure to visit.

We are now 12 years on. The population is approximately 21,800 (a 45% increase). The State Highway traffic has long gone. The CBD is a place we now try to avoid.

The CBD is ring fenced by suburbia. There

lives. If you see an elderly person walking alone appearing in a confused state or in circumstances that seem unusual, particularly after dark, please call police. Your call could bring to our attention the location of a missing person, or someone vulnerable who had not yet been reported missing.

Following on from my handbag theft comments last week, we have also now had reports of purses being stolen from handbags at two churches. It demonstrates that handbags can be targeted by unscrupulous thieves in any setting. I am also hearing reports of elderly people purchasing high value quantities of prezzy cards, almost certainly falling prey to online scammers. We have also had teenagers fall prey to sextortion.

My strong advice to anyone is not to respond to unsolicited messages on social media from anyone you do not know. Be aware of developing a false trust relationship online, when you have no real idea who is at the other end of the keyboard. I can guarantee that in many cases, the profile picture, name and other details likely do not bear any resemblance to the reality.

Let’s look out for each other and be cybersafety aware too. Have a good week.

is no room to increase retail shops and there is certainly no space to increase parking resources.

It amazes me that whilst council has made very obvious decisions to allow housing developments to go ahead (and as a byproduct population growth), there are no obvious parallel plans introduced to handle the increased traffic which moves around and thru the town - let alone handle the parking demand created. If you think it is bad now, give it another 12 months and you will feel like you live in Auckland, as the entrances into and out of our picturesque town grind to a standstill, and as was suggested in the article, everyone has decided The Base is a far more appealing destination to go shopping- leading to business failings in our CBD

It is inept management from council.

Alan Sherris

Cambridge

Warning lifted

The public health warning for Lake Arapuni has been lifted by Health New Zealand due to reduced cyanobacterial levels.

Pathway opens

The Bryce Street section of Cambridge’s pathway project between Hamilton Road and Queen Street opened on Monday. Two-way traffic also returned to the street. Bryce Street between Queen and Alpha streets is now closed until early April while trees have been cut to make way for a boardwalk cycleway between upper and lower Duke streets.

Plan delay?

Waipā council could follow its neighbour Waikato district’s lead in recommending work on the 10-year Long Term Plan is paused in favour of an enhanced annual plan for the 2024-25 financial year. Significant policy changes driven by central government, coupled with a lack of clarity around funding and affordability issues have made it impractical to accurately plan the next 10 years of budgets and work programmes. Waikato chief executive Gavin Ion said.

Libraries busy

Waipā libraries in Cambridge and Te Awamutu are maintaining their consistent post Covid growth with nearly 40,000 visitors in the three months since November 1. They signed up 497 new members – 266 at Cambridge bringing their registered patrons to 22,888 and 231 in Te Awamutu taking patronage to 17,271 – and issued nearly 113,00 items, including books, magazines and e-material.

More commissioners

Alan Withy, Richard Knott and Greg Hill have been added to Waipā council’s approved list of independent hearing commissioners. Fourteen other commissioners - Robert van Voorthuysen, Philip Mitchell, Simon Berry, Steven Wilson, Richard Blakey, David Hill, Dave Sarjeant, Karyn Sinclair, Poto Davies, Peter Kensington, Tim Manukau, Alan Pattle, Vicki MorrisonShaw and Sharon De Luca –were appointed in October.

Appeal lodged

Hamilton City Council has lodged an appeal with the Environment Court over Waipā District Council’s decision to grant Wattyl Ltd a resource consent to build a paint storage and distribution centre at 16A Wickham Street, Hamilton. Independent hearing commissioner Rob van Voorthuysen granted the consent on December 12 and the city council appealed on January 25. The Frankton property is in the Waipā district.

Six weeks on: we told you

By Mary Anne Gill

Cambridge’s new primary school is not the only victim of the coalition government’s announcement this week to put education construction on hold.

The News’ lead story – six weeks ago – revealed “fiscal constraints” were responsible for delaying the school and had thwarted the marketing for Bridleways Estate built around the school’s presence at the heart of a “vibrant, intergenerational community”.

Cambridge Primary School principal Mike Pettit, also a district councillor, told councillors last week he had been told buildings loaded onto trucks for roll-challenged schools around the country had been stopped from going anywhere by the government.

He told staff to get alongside education officials to find out what

was going on with stage two of the new school in Cambridge because so many families were moving to the subdivision in anticipation of its completion.

Much of the infrastructure for the school is already in place in the council’s C2 growth cell which has consent for 2500 homes, a retirement village, water utilities and roading.

Cambridge Road between Hugo Shaw Drive – the main entry to Bridleways Estate – and the Velodrome is full steam ahead with a new road and roundabout to cater for developments either side of the road.

Construction was to have soon started at the unnamed school on a two-storey 1354m2 building with 13 teaching spaces, an administration building, library, resource room, hall, four spaces for learning and behaviour specialists, a learning support unit, caretaker’s shed, hard courts, playground and fencing.

The school was to be “seamlessly integrated amidst the subdivision,” Bridleways website says.

“The new school serves as the cornerstone of a dynamic environment, fostering connections between generations and offering an unparalleled lifestyle for new residents,” it goes on to say.

Taupō MP Louise Upston told The News last month the school would be an important asset for Cambridge to help manage the demands of a growing population.

“I will be doing everything I can as local MP to advocate for its delivery.”

Education minister Erica Stanford said this week the national blowouts appeared to have been a result of “bespoke and over ambitious” construction plans.

Upgrades for up to 350 schools were now at risk and “exciting, bespoke building projects” might not

hold.

be delivered, she said.

In response to The News’ questions, Stanford confirmed there were fiscal constraints for the Education ministry’s property delivery schedule.

Happy birthday, Mr Fix It

By Jeremy Smith

“Whenever I’m travelling and I go through immigration with my passport, for example, it always amazes me how few people actually pick up on what my birthday is.

“And that’s even after looking at it and writing it down,” Cambridge’s John Kilbride says.

“That said, I am continually surprised by how many friends remember on the day and contact me with birthday wishes every four years.”

As birthdays go, John’s is already special enough - though he reckons this year’s will be even more memorable.

Today, John is among New Zealand’s roughly 3500 estimated leapers - people born on February 29celebrating their first official birthday in four years.

He is turning 80, thanks to his 20th “real” birthday.

Statistics New Zealand says seven people in every 10,000 have a February 29 birthday.

John was born on February 29, 1944, in Te Aroha. He moved to Cambridge in 1960 and has been a dairy farmer all his life. He and wife Moira are looking forward to their 58th wedding anniversary in July.

The Kilbride family has planned an 80s-themed costume party on Saturday for family and friends to help John celebrate today’s milestone.

Family including John and Moira’s six children - Dave, Sonia, Louise, Paddy, Jo and James -14 grandchildren, wider family members from as far abroad as Australia and close friends will attend. John, for one, reckons he’s got his ‘costume’ sorted.

For context, John explains the Catholic faith has been “foundational” to he and Moira’s life together since they married at Cambridge’s St Peter’s Catholic Church in 1966.

Those roots saw John helping facilitate an aspect of Pope John Paul II’s November 1986 visit to New Zealand.

John was photographed meeting the Pope in a particular grey suitthe same one he plans to wear at his party this weekend.

It might be a bit of a stretch to say John is coy about his February 29 birthday.

Though, he does concede he often simply replies “...the last day of February…” when people ask him about it.

Since arriving in Cambridge, John has “milked cows” on Marychurch

Rd for more than 30 years, and played rugby for Hautapu Sports for nearly a decade.

His playing days on the field at halfback gave rise to the moniker ‘Killer’ - an amalgamation of his surname and his approach to playing the game.

He is still heavily involved at the club, and is one of its two current patrons.

Farming wise too, Moira said John

is still “Mr Fix It man” on the roughly 80ha Te Miro dairy farm where they have lived since 2001.

John is a man known for navigating life with a youthful spirit, so what’s his secret?

“A big part of that is probably our wonderful grandchildrenconnecting with them on their wavelength helps keep me young,” John says.

“It’s also how you relate to people.”

Jono Gibson Funeral Director

The News front page from January 18 broke the news about Cambridge’s new school being on

John and Moira Kilbride pictured ahead of John’s 80th birthday party on Saturday.

Photo: Jeremy Smith

Fresh look at our history

By Mary Anne Gill

Elizabeth Harvey and Karen Payne always know they have got their exhibits right in the Cambridge Museum when they see people standing in front of a case and talking about the contents.

“That’s what we want; to stimulate conversation and excitement about what’s happened in the past and also the implications of what lies in the future,” said Harvey, who manages the museum.

At a launch last week to celebrate the new displays – including a timeline from 1300 to present day – Cambridge Historical Society acting president Jeff Nobes said the building’s recent earthquake strengthening was an opportunity for a museum refresh.

The committee briefed a designer saying it wanted a display which would cover early Māori settlement, to the military presence, dairying and energy developments but focussing on important dates for a timeline.

“We did have quite a few issues deciding what to put in the timeline and the dates,” he said.

“We are a very community focussed museum,” said Harvey. She and Payne, the museum administrator, wanted to take visitors on a journey showing the multi layers of Cambridge’s history in a people centric way.

The timeline provided a grounding for those who had been here for decades and to those who had only been in Cambridge two weeks, she said.

The relaunch provided Friends of the Museum members, deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk, Waipā Community Services manager Brad Ward and other invited guests with the chance to see the redesign.

Cambridge Historical Society was established on October 29, 1956 by a group of local historically-minded residents to collect and preserve Cambridge’s history.

The museum moved from the Town Hall into the old courthouse in 1983.

Exhibits include Cambridge Bowling Club, a printing press and one of the oldest square pianos in New Zealand.

Next month, in partnership with the Cambridge Town Hall Community Trust, the museum will be presenting a week-long show of Reg Buckingham’s photography – Capturing Cambridge.

Payne and collections assistant Kate Elliott were recently going through a collection which belonged to Mavis Harris, a music teacher in Cambridge during the 1940s and 1950s who subsequently married Syd Aitchison of Ōtorohanga.

Among her music notebooks, certificates and photographs, they found a small cookbook with two used envelopes inside addressed to Spencer Westmacott and Mrs Westmacott.

Elliott, who was formerly regional collections manager at Waikato Museum, recognised the name and understood the importance of the objects.

Spencer Westmacott (1885-1960) who was an officer with the 16th Waikato Regiment, was the first sculpture depicted in Te Papa’s Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War.

The Westmacotts farmed at Rangitoto, south east of Ōtorohanga and north east of Te Kuiti, and she knew the museum already had a Westmacott collection. She contacted the donor who was more than happy for Cambridge Museum to pass them onto the Ōtorohanga Museum.

Kaipaki School

Enrolment at Kaipaki School is governed by an enrolment scheme, details of which are available from the school office. Applications for out-of-zone places are now being invited for those students who will become eligible for enrolment during the second enrolment period Monday 29th April 2024 to Friday 5th July 2024

The board has determined that:

• Up to 6 Year 1 places

• Up to 4 Year 2-3 places

• Up to 2 Year 4-5 places are likely to be available for out-of-zone students next term. The exact number of places will depend on the number of applications received from students who live within the school’s home zone.

The deadline for receipt of applications for out-of-zone places is Thursday 28th March 2024. If a ballot for out-of-zone places is required, it will be held on Wednesday 3rd April 2024. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the ballot within three school days of the ballot being held.

A school missing its Suzie

By Steph Bell-Jenkins

Te Miro School students are desperate to find their missing pet.

Three-year-old Suzie went missing from the school almost two weeks ago.

Year 4 student Imogen Nicholls said students wanted Suzie back “a million to the power of a billion”.

The black and white dog is owned by principal Michaela Phillips.

“Suzie is a family dog who loves children, loves to dig for rabbits and loves to come to work with me and has done for the past three years,” Michaela said.

“She will sit and listen to children read and will play ball with them at break times. The rest of the time, she laps up cuddles and will sit close by at morning tea, hoping for a tidbit.”

“Suzie comes into my classroom and she’s usually a bit cheeky – she opens up a lunchbox that’s on the ground and eats all the food in it,” Imogen, eight, said.

“She loves rabbit holes, but we’ve checked all the rabbit holes and we’ve collapsed all the ones we think she’d fit under, but we can’t find her.

“I am very, very, very sad. I miss her popping in and out of the

classroom and cuddling up.”

Year three student Leo Lewis said he would run up to Suzie and hug her if she came back.

“We’ve had families from the community come in and out every day looking for her,” he said. “They’ve even checked all the paddocks.”

Michaela is offering a $1000 reward for her beloved dog’s safe return.

She said Suzie looked a little bit like Yoda from Star Wars. Her father was a shih tzu cross and her mother was a mix of breeds.

“We just really want her back,” she said.

Year three student Clara Thompson is missing her hugs with Suzie.

Cambridge Museum manager Elizabeth Harvey and acting president Jeff Nobes inside the refurbished display area. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Talking about context

By Tom Roa, Tikanga Advisor, Waikato University

We are often challenged in how we interact with and relate to matters of interest and issues of importance. Often with matters of mere interest it’s simply a quick and easy reaction to and/or with an opinion voiced. Issues of some importance however require attention with time, and effort given to careful reflection on the matter at hand.

It appears to me that the coalition government is calling for all citizens of Aotearoa-New Zealand to consider carefully the principles implicit and explicit in Te Tiriti/ The Treaty of Waitangi which is variously described by many commentators as the foundation of law-making and formal government of our country.

Much commentary centres around the ‘Three Articles’ which, it would appear, are a genesis in the ‘Three Principles’ (Partnership, Protection, Participation) which have been espoused and promulgated by a number of local and national organisations in particular Ministries of the Crown.

Interestingly, to me, there would appear, in too many commentaries, to be but a passing interest if not a complete ignoring of certain contexts.

The Māori population of Aotearoa-New Zealand in 1840 was an estimated 70,000 to 90,000. The estimate of Pākehā in NZ at that time was 2050, and rising rapidly.

This begs the question of how it could possibly be presumed that 70-90,000-odd Māori would willingly cede their Mana Māori Motuhake, their Tino Rangatiranga, their ‘sovereignty’ to 2-3000-odd Pakehā?

In 1831 a group of Ngāpuhi chiefs wrote to King William IV of the United Kingdom seeking of him an alliance and a sponsorship, recognising particularly their right to trade internationally without interference from

Waste Minimisation Community Fund

From

We

other foreign powers.

The Declaration ‘He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tirene’ proclaiming that sovereign power and authority in the land resided with the confederation of united tribes was signed by 34 northern chiefs in October 1835 and sent to the King, and was formally acknowledged by the Crown in May 1836. Waikato and other notable tribal ariki added their signatures later.

This again begs the question of how it could possibly be presumed that having declared their independence, these rangatira would then a mere four or five years later cede that independence to a kingdom that had formally already acknowledged their sovereign power and authority.

And the importance of ‘He Whakaputanga’ captures but a passing interest in the context of the lead up toward Te Tiriti/The Treaty of 1840.

Furthermore, the Māori Language version of Te Tiriti asserts that Māori retained their Tino Rangatiratanga, variously translated as ‘Sovereignty’, and gave their permission for Queen Victoria’s representatives to govern, that is to make just laws, and to ensure particularly that the riff-raff amongst her British citizens who were causing trouble, acting unlawfully, out of control, would be brought into line, and that Māori would continue to follow and reinforce their ‘tikanga’ thus ensuing that the rules of law/ lore would be maintained and proper social controls would be administered

Next week I will offer some perspectives on the contexts of the Preamble of Te Tiriti/ Treaty and the oft neglected Fourth Article. The

So

New whānau rooms in house

By Viv Posselt

Cambridge Community House’s new whānau whare was officially blessed and opened last week, providing an easier working environment for one of the agency’s busier teams.

The four-roomed addition adds capacity to facilities at Cambridge Community House (CCH) and is the most recent in a series of renovations aimed at accommodating an everincreasing workload.

The agency provides numerous social services within the community, including counselling, financial mentoring, and alcohol and drug counselling.

Its whānau team leader Jamie Kerr said that until three months ago, team members were working out of one office with five desks.

“There were complexities associated with working in that environment … it offered no privacy for our clients,” he told guests at the opening. “The team was more stretched than ever this year; there were many learnings and wins. This new space brings benefits not only in a physical sense, but more importantly in our ability to care for people.”

CCH manager Gabby Byrne said the three distinct buildings making up CCH as it is today came from a ‘journey of change’ as the agency responded to emerging needs.

The original villa was built in the early 1900s, a portable classroom relocated to the site in 2010, and

a large L-shaped renovation was added in 2020.

“Even with all that expansion, we still needed to build a purposebuilt whare for our whānau support team.”

She acknowledged Robb Marston, director of Leisurecom Cambridge, for his support from concept to

completion of the project, adding that his team also raised $37,200 from their members and their contractors to give back to CCH.

“It is an amazing gesture of generosity and community spirit. We have huge appreciation to them for backing our cause … your contribution is impactful and is

needed in this community.”

Waipā deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk said the support given to CCH epitomised what makes the town special.

“Cambridge looks after its own,” she said. “I know how important this facility is to Cambridge, how crucial it is as the town grows.”

Bridge complete

The Victoria Street (HighLevel) bridge repair and painting project is finished. The work cost $3.61 million$210,000 more than budgeted. Additional works adding to the cost included scaffold design, strain gauges and wind monitoring equipment, enclosing asbestos, bird spiking to deter pigeons in key areas, graffiti guard paint, weed and tree felling on the banks for scaffolding and above deck the handrails were cleaned and spot painted.

Technical issues

Technical issues prevented the Cambridge Community Board meeting from being livestreamed last week. Equipment used in the Wilson Street building was formerly in the council chambers in Te Awamutu before an upgrade took place. Chair Jo DaviesColley had earlier told The News she hoped use of the microphones would improve so the public could hear what members said.

King St closed

Workers struck a gas line in King Street between Grey and Victoria streets in Cambridge on Monday. Cambridge Fire Brigade attended while the road was closed and First Gas fixed the problem.

Gabby Byrne speaks to guests outside the new whare. Looking on are Robb Marston and Cambridge Community House Trust chair Carolyn Casey. Photo: Viv Posselt

15th March to 24th March 2024

Comedy Events!

Cambridge Comedy Club, 8pm Fri 15 March

Tom Lucas - Vanilla , 8pm Fri 22 March

Where: Tivoli Theatre

Tickets: R18, $10 online at https://www. eventfinda.co.nz/user/thecomedyclubnz/events

Cambridge Can Dance

Colourful showcase of contemporary dance, ballet and dancing from across the globe. Come and be inspired!

When: 6pm Fri 22 March

Where: Cambridge Town Hall

Entry: Koha

Fire and Romance

take you on a timeless journey through the music of Vivaldi.

When: 7.30pm Sat 23 March

Where: Cambridge Town Hall

Tickets: Adult $38 / Senior $28 / Tertiary Student and Child $5 from Paper Plus Cambridge or online at www.humanitix.co.nz

Sponsors:

Cambridge Distillery Tour & Tasting

Expect passion and spirit from Youth Orchestra Waikato as they dazzle with orchestral classics and contemporary favourites.

When: 3pm Sun 24 March

Where: Cambridge Town Hall

Tickets: Adult $15 / Student and Senior $10 / Children 18 and under free, from Paper Plus Cambridge or online at www.humanitix.co.nz

Distillery tour, distillers talk, and tastings of their award-winning gins. Licenced event, 18+ years.

When: 5.30pm Fri 15 March or Fri 22 March

Where: Cambridge Distillery, 92 Alpha Street

Tickets: $60 online at www.humanitix.co.nz

Comfortable Classical: A Concert Without the Rules!

When: 4pm Sat 23 March

Where: Cambridge Town Hall

Tickets: Koha on the door, but bookings essential online at https://events.humanitix.com/ comfortable-classical

Sponsors:

Vivaldi by Candlelight

Moves to stall housing plan

By Mary Anne Gill

Waipā wants to hit pause on a controversial housing intensification plan but the legislation which would allow them to do so is not yet in place.

The coalition Government agreed to make Medium Density Residential Standards optional for councils as part of its 100 day action plan and Going for Housing Growth policy.

Waipā’s Plan Change 26 would enable three houses, up to three storeys high, to be built on a site, and aims to increase housing around the district.

The council was to notify the government of its planning process by March 31.

District Plan and Growth manager Wendy Robinson asked councillors this week to request a delay until February 27 next year.

That would allow time to consider the wider implications and signal any changes of legislation which would apply to Plan Change 26.

The council’s independent hearing panel was due to provide the council with recommendations for consideration by

councillors at their March 27 meeting.

The process was not an opportunity to review the merits of the plan change or impose standards.

“By waiting for the legislation to be changed, there will be more information to assist council in making its decision,” she said.

Waipā will work with Hamilton City Council and make a joint request to Environment Minister Penny Simmonds to put the process on hold.

Robinson said without knowing how any new legislation would look, it was difficult to know what the council could do.

“However, we assume that council may be able to review Plan Change 26 and in doing so fully consider … if the mandatory standards are fit-for-purpose in our residential zone.”

Waikato District Council has already decided to proceed with the March 31 date while Hamilton had already obtained an extension until December due to flood hazard work.

Reporting for bloody duty

It has been years since The News’ senior writer Mary Anne Gill has given blood but sometime in the next few days, she will rectify that.

Gill was one of the many New Zealand residents who lived in the United Kingdom, France or Republic of Ireland between 1980 and 1996 for six months or more during the ‘mad cow disease’ outbreak.

They will all be finally able to donate blood or plasma from today (Thursday).

The restriction that prevented people donating was implemented in 2000.

The News revealed in 2022 the New Zealand Blood Service was considering

changing the rule which was a precautionary measure amid concerns about the risk of acquiring human variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (also known as Mad Cow disease) via blood or plasma transfusions.

But it took another 24 months before last week’s announcement and Gill’s persistence in highlighting the change saw her feature in a New Zealand Blood Service video in front of the Cambridge Town Hall.

“For years I’ve felt guilty about not being able to give blood here in New Zealand.

The irony is I’m registered with the blood service in the UK and have given blood

there when I’ve visited.”

The recommendation from the Blood Service to lift the restriction in New Zealand was approved by Medsafe following a review and detailed risk assessment.

When it was lifted in other countries, there was an immediate increase in numbers, including Australia where numbers went up eight per cent.

With those previously impacted by the restriction finally being able to book an appointment to donate from today, they’ll first be encouraged to check their eligibility online.

“I’ve checked and I can so I can’t wait,” said Gill.

Penny Simmonds

Mary Anne Gill features in a New Zealand Blood Service video announcing the end of the mad cow disease ban.

Photo: NZ Blood Service.

FAITH IN WAIPĀ

What economists really think

By Peter Nicholl

I attended an economics conference at Waikato University on February 15 and 16.

The topics discussed included the future of agriculture, the state of the health sector, demographic changes, the tax system, social investment, trade in a divided world, monetary policy, Treasury and the state of the books, unclogging the infrastructure arteries, climate change and the future of Fintech.

All big issues. Clearly economists believe they have something useful to say about everything. I am an economist. I think economists are justified in having that view. However, the mistake a lot of economists make is that they think economists are the only ones who have anything useful to say on many issues. That is never the case. Debates on all economic and policy issues are always improved by hearing a wide range of views.

There were many interesting points made at the conference – but also a lot of alarming ones. As economics is often called the gloomy science, I will give some of the points I found alarming.

The Reserve Bank is oblivious to the enormous negative impacts of their low interest rate and quantitative easing policies. Inflation has been above their target range for 11 quarters (and will be for at least three more), their quantitative easing policies will end up costing the country at least $12 billion (and one speaker said the policy had delivered no demonstrable benefits). Despite these terrible outcomes, the Reserve Bank has congratulated itself and intends to keep these instruments in its policy arsenal to use again.

Government expenditure ratchets up dramatically when there is a crisis. That is usually appropriate. New Zealand’s problem in recent times is that it has only come back slightly when the economy improved.

When government expenditure rises rapidly in

Briefs…

Double take

The sight of a double-decker bus around the streets of Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Kihikihi was a trial undertaken by Waikato Regional Council staff to test the bus’s routes for low-lying trees and access issues before its introduction later this year.

Land surplus

A 1.57ha rural zoned recreation reserve in Taotaoroa Road, 7kms east of Karāpiro could revert to the

response to a crisis, the quality of the expenditure gets forgotten.

Government agencies are often chasing accounting targets rather than focusing on the impacts and outcomes they achieve.

We are told now that NZ has an infrastructure deficit of at least $200 billion. This gap hasn’t suddenly developed. It’s been building up for decades. Why didn’t economists (and politicians) see it and start talking about it much earlier?

New Zealand has got very bad at getting things built. Big projects require vision, leadership and perseverance. We now have little vision, little leadership and has frequent changes rather than perseverance.

The Reserve Bank’s operational expenditure rose by 137% over the last six years. This was at the same time as the Reserve Bank was lecturing people on the importance of constraining expenditure in order to reduce inflationary pressures. It was certainly a case of the Reserve Bank saying ‘do what I say, not do as I do’.

What were the control agencies, the Reserve Bank Board, the Treasury and the Minister of Finance doing?

I remember the first time we had to renegotiate our funding under the new financial arrangements put in place in the late 1980s. It was a very short negotiation. Minister of Finance Ruth

Richardson said the increase in the Reserve Bank’s funding for the next five years was going to be zero – end of the discussion.

Not everything said at the conference was doom and gloom. There were some positive points made and even some glimmers of hope for the future. I might put some of them in a future column.

Crown with proceeds potentially coming back to the Waipā council which administers the land and leases it for a peppercorn rental. The property is irregular in shape and only suitable for grazing. Its estimate market value is $600,000.

Top band

Coterie, winners of the best new artist award at the Aotearoa awards, will headline the Night of Champions afterparty at Cambridge Raceway on April 12.

Skiff gift

Cambridge High School rower Tegan O’Dwyer, 17, has been presented with a single skiff by Laslo Boats and Aon for winning the girls’ U17 single skulls event at last year’s Maadi Cup at Lake Karāpiro. The skiff has been named the O’Dwyer and will remain with the school. Organisers says a quiz night held to raise money for Cambridge High School rowing crews raised about $10,000 last week.

Perspective shapes destiny

By Murray Smith, Bridges Church

There’s a funny story about a man eager to impart to his son the value of truthfulness whatever it might ‘cost’ in life.

He related the story of George Washington being given a hatchet as a gift when young. In this tale, George set about chopping down his father’s cherry tree. Upon George’s father discovering what had been done to his tree, he angrily confronted young George who bravely owned up to the deed.

“I cannot tell a lie… I did it with my hatchet.” Washington’s father embraced his son and stated that to have such an honest son was worth more than having a thousand cherry trees.

This man related the story to his boy, gratified that it appeared to hit the mark. A little later this son succumbed to mischievous temptation and pushed the family ‘out-house’ (toilet) over the bank one night. The next morning the father questioned his delinquent son. “Tell me truthfully son, did you push the out-house over the bank?”

Remembering the George Washington story, the boy replied, “I cannot tell a lie…I did push it down the bank.” The father was furious and punished his son with extra chores and loss of privileges. The sassy son responded, “but Dad, George Washington’s father hugged his son for telling the truth… why is your treatment so different ?”

The aggrieved father said, “Son the difference is, George Washington’s father was not in the cherry tree!”

Unfortunately, many of us are like that boy… seeing truth as an expedient commodity to use if it suits us, while failing to allow it to guide our actions and beliefs in the

first place.

Failing to see a reality in front of us, comes down to a mindset or focus. How we ‘see’ things in life and our viewpoint, determines outcomes.

A shoe company sent a representative to Africa with lots of samples to use in getting orders. He’d hardly arrived when he wrote back to his employer urgently requesting a ticket home. “This is a mistake,” he said, “nobody’s wearing shoes!”

They sent another representative who also sent an urgent message having just arrived in Africa. “Quick, we have to move fast!” he wrote, “Send money, we have to build a factory to make thousands of shoes… nobody’s wearing them!!”

The difference did not lie in what they ‘saw’, since both saw the same thing - but it was how they saw their situation - like two people viewing a glass of water filled half-way - to one it’s half empty, to another it’s half full. It’s also like two people reading a sign stating “G o d is n o w h e r e.” One reads, ‘God is nowhere’, while the other sees it as “God is now here.”

Similarly, in observing the wonder of creation, with its order, structure and design, it strikes me as unfathomable that we all view mountains of compelling evidence, yet so many steadfastly resist, or argue for a conclusion other than God being behind it all.

These things speak of our significance and inherent value to Him… to miss these truths inevitably means totally missing our intended purpose and destiny.

Get Gardening

With Autumn nearly upon us it’s a great time to hit reset on your garden. Tasks like moving shrubs, dividing perennials, resewing or starting a new lawn, planting spring bulbs, trees or a hedge can all be done in the coming month but do keep in mind you need to water these consistently as temperatures will still be warm. Now is also a great time to prune any fruit trees which have just finished fruiting, make sure to do it on a dry day. You can also get your Winter colour sorted for your garden or pots. There are the perfect P's like; Poppy, Primlet, Primula, Polyanthus and Pansies or try Snapdragons, Foxgloves, Cyclamens or Dianthus. And lastly grab some punnets of your favourite winter brassicas for the vege garden.

Happy Gardening!

It's Paddy's festival too

By Mary Anne Gill

Alana Mackay is convinced having the Cambridge Autumn Festival’s Main Street carnival and art market on St Patrick’s Day will be a huge boost for the event.

The nine day festival, entering its 14th year, starts on March 15.

There are more events –concerts, bands, children’s events, comedy, art and photo exhibitions, open studios art trail, hands on workshops, activities and literary competitions – than ever before.

Mackay, who chairs the festival, said the highlight for her was usually the Main Street carnival which packs Victoria Street.

For the first time, it will happen on St Patrick’s Day.

An Irish band will be playing in the Rouge courtyard while other musicians, dancers and entertainers perform. Art,

photography, jewellery, pottery, sculpture and woodwork will line the street while there will be face painters and have a go activities.

Originally the vision was to provide an arts festival for Cambridge with an opportunity for the town’s talented artists to show their wares.

In recent years out of towners have also participated in the festival. Last year there were more than 200 entries in the writing competition.

The theme of the photo competition this year is Capture your Waipā Adventure theme.

“The festival and the brand are pretty well established in people’s minds now,” said Mackay.

The News is the festival’s media partner and will provide ongoing print and online information. See cambridgenews.nz

Alana Mackay is distributing the Autumn Festival programme. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Top flight for Roberts and Frost

By Mary Anne Gill

It’s a big week for Nikki Roberts and Kerin Frost who make their debuts at the North Island darts championships in Hamilton.

The two Cambridge Darts Club members – known as The Finisher and KDawghave plenty of support from the rest of the team selected to play in the champs which wrap up on Saturday at the Hamilton Workingmen’s Club.

Spokesperson Ian Makuch said the Cambridge club, which meets every Wednesday night at the Cambridge Cosmopolitan Club, had thrived post Covid under its founder Josh Evans.

The club now has 50 regular members.

While Makuch, David Ray, Bradley Cook and Andy Watkins had all competed

outside the town, it was a new experience for Roberts and Frost who will play in the women’s pairs today and the singles tomorrow.

Roberts and Ray, who goes by the name Stingray, competed in the mixed pairs yesterday (Wednesday) after The News went to press while the men will play in the pairs today and the singles on Saturday.

Interest in darts around the Waikato has grown since the World Series of Darts made Hamilton a regular stop over.

And the meteoric rise of Luke Littler, who made it into the Professional Darts Corporation’s World Darts Championships in January as an unseeded 16-year-old, has fuelled interest among young people, said Makuch, whose competing name is Cushy.

Cook is known as Cookie and Watkins as Hot Shot.

Another Hart has ’em in a spin

By Steph Bell-Jenkins

Josh Hart dreams of playing for the Black Caps one day –and he certainly has the sporting pedigree for it.

His father Matthew played 14 tests and 13 one-day internationals for New Zealand from 1994 to 2002 – and represented Northern Districts for 15 seasons from 1990.

Adding to the genetic launching pad, Josh’s mother Sheree is a former badminton international who represented New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in 1994 and 1998.

But there was “zero pressure” on the 13-year-old to play cricket from his parents, Matthew said.

“He’ll create his own path. But he loves it so, you know, while he’s loving it and he’s doing well at it, training is never an issue when you love something.”

Josh lives with his family in Cambridge but goes to school in Hamilton, where he is in year nine at St Paul’s Collegiate.

He played for Cambridge Junior Cricket Club from 2020 until starting high school this year and joining the St Paul’s Colts XI.

Matthew, who has coached Josh’s teams since his son started primary school, praised Cambridge Cricket Association club captain Steve Carter for the effort he put into the junior game.

“The Cambridge junior numbers are outstanding,” he said. “There are lots of teams playing lots of cricket on Friday nights and Saturdays, so it’s a testament to the effort that people like Steve put into it.”

Matthew said becoming a Black Cap was all his son wanted

to do.

“His plan B is to be a cricket commentator at the moment, but I think you’ve got to get plan A sorted to become a cricket commentator...”

Josh’s skills were on display when The News snapped his St Paul’s team playing the Cambridge High School Colts recently, where he took four for 10 from five overs with spin.

Cambridge, chasing 200 runs following a superb knock of 102 by St Paul’s opener McKay Murray, were all out for 59.

“Our team bowled really well to keep Cambridge under 60,” Josh said.

“Cambridge bowled quite well, it was just McKay was the difference, probably, in today’s game.”

Josh’s family moved to Cambridge a few years ago to be closer to St Peter’s School where his older sister Tayla, a keen swimmer, is in year 13.

Matthew, who owned New World Matamata with Sheree for 10 years until April last year, said he was “between gigs’.

“I’m having a bit of kids’ time and doing other things”.

He recently joined the Tīeke Golf Estate board as an appointed member for three years.

Earlier this month he teamed up with friend Mark Brittenden to compete in the Coast to Coast multisport event, where the pair finished 75th out of 80 in the male veterans’ two-day relay in 18 hours and 38 minutes.

His contribution was a 7.5-hour, 30km run/hike over Goat Pass on day one and a 70km bike ride into Christchurch on day two.

He had never done anything like it before and is not planning to repeat the gruelling event again next year. “But never say never.”

Nikki Roberts (The Finisher) and Kerin Frost (KDawg) at Cambridge Darts Club before the North Island champs.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Josh Hart with his dad Matthew, pictured at a recent cricket game at Cambridge High School.

Cambridge at your fingertips

It’s all on your local App –are you?

The Cambridge App is the go-to place for your latest mobile news, sport and opinion.

Every day, locals open the app to stay informed about what’s happening in Cambridge.

But there isn’t only news on this app: it features upcoming events, funeral notices, the latest properties for sale, places to eat and drink, activities, local businesses, and much more.

Download the Cambridge App, look around, you might be surprised by what you find.

•News • Property • Sports • Rural

•Lifestyle

Dining

Events

• Activities • Art & Culture • Funerals

•Jobs

Shop

Stay

Professionals

Scan here to download the app

CountryLife

Main office 55 Victoria St, Cambridge

Reach a targeted rural and lifestyle audience each month by advertising your business in CountryLife; featured inside the Cambridge News and Te Awamutu News. Readership 70,470

Distribution 26,100

Feel fab with Forage

Trevor Fielding loves sharing his knowledge – and that passion makes his work at Empire St’s Forage the perfect fit.

Drawing on degrees in Human Nutrition and Food Science and 20yrs in the Dietary Supplement and Personal Care industries, Forage customers can rest assured they’re in safe hands.

Forage produces a healthy range of cold pressed juices, kombucha, tonics, nut milk, smoothies and raw slices in house. With no additives, sugar, gluten or dairy used, this makes for healthier alternatives.

Spotlight on Cambridge

Additionally, their “famous” juice cleanse (pictured) is available in a two or three day format. A juice cleanse can help your body detox and kick start a new you!

Sustainability is also a key priority, so beverages are bottled in glass which can be returned for reuse.

Gut health is hugely important so a range of fermentation kits and culture starters are available. Embark on your own gut health

journey now. Cultures include yoghurts (including vegan), kombucha, kefir and sourdough (including gluten free).

Forage is your local refillery for Ecostore branded household cleaning and personal care products. Bring in any suitable reusable container to start saving money and reduce plastic waste.

Forage is also Cambridge’s tea specialist with over 80 different

options of loose leaf and bagged teas, along with tea-ware and free tastings daily.

Explore Forage’s full range of products, which focus on health, wellbeing, immunity, personal and oral care, in store today.

Customers nationwide can access Forage products, thanks to its popular website at www.foragejuice.co.nz

Five

is the home of Stonegrill in the Waikato Cook your meat to perfection on a 400 degree stone Available daily for lunch and dinner

Where

MARGHERITA POMODORO, MOZZARELLA, BASIL $20

SPUTA FUOCO (FIRE BREATHING)

POMODORO, MOZZARELLA, SPICY SALAMI, NDUJA, MASCARPONE $25

TARTUFOSA MOZZARELLA, MUSHROOM, TRUFFLE PASTE, ROCKET, TRUFFLE OIL $25

VERDUROSA POMODORO, MOZZARELLA, SEASONAL VEGES, EVO $22

PORCA POMODORO, MOZZARELLA, SALAME, HAM, SAUSAGE, EVO $26

ORTO DI MARE MOZZARELLA, ZUCCHINI, GARLIC PRAWNS, ROCKET, PARMESAN $25

PIEDINA ROMAGNOLA PROVOLONE, PARMESAN, ROCKET, PARMA, HOT HONEY, GORGONZOLA $26

SMALL SHARE PUFFY BREAD EVO, FLAKY SALT $13

MARINARA BURNT BUTTER, POMODORO, ANCHOVIES, OREGANO $17

GARLIC BREAD GARLIC GINGER CHILLI, BUTTER, MOZZARELLA, PARMESAN, EVO $17

Stags Leamington

Think downsizing, or same sizing.

Fancy something a little smaller? Or about the same?

A stunning range of brand-new two and three-bedroom villas and cosy two-bedroom cottages are selling now at our newest Waikato village, Summerset Cambridge*. Once complete, the village will also have convenient serviced apartments to choose from. Think this sounds like you or someone you love?

Love the life you choose

Join our Downsizing and Decluttering Seminar

From overwhelmed to organised

At Summerset, we recognise that it’s a big decision to move into a retirement village and for some, it can be a very emotional and overwhelming time. To help you navigate through this process, we’re holding a Downsizing and Decluttering Seminar at 11:30am on Tuesday 5 March at Summerset Cambridge

You’ll hear advice from an expert who has the tools, knowledge, and experience to ensure your move is stress-free and well planned.

Whether you’re ready to move now, or just want to be prepared in the future, this seminar is here to help you feel organised and excited about your next chapter.

For more information and to RSVP, please contact our Sales Manager Nikki Matthews, on 07 839 9482.

Downsizing and Decluttering Seminar

Tuesday 5 March at 11:30am

Summerset Cambridge

1 Mary Ann Drive, Cambridge 07 839 9482 | cambridge.sales@summerset.co.nz

Quick crossword

Across

1. Educate (5)

4. Option (6)

7. Alien object (3)

8. Ski/canoe race (6)

9. Rubbish (6)

10. Elite soldier (8)

12. Mythical monster (4)

13. Thread (6)

15. Plenty (6)

16. Feline sound (4)

Last week

17. Quash (8)

19. Game tile (6)

20. Respond (6)

22. Prohibit (3)

23. Convulsive exhalation (6)

24. Snares (5)

Down

1. Hot topic (4,2,3,4)

2. The lot (3)

3. Homo sapien (5)

Across: 1. Legacy, 4. Script, 9. Rigid, 10. Extinct, 11. Erratic, 13. Inch, 14. Estate agent, 17. Flea, 18. Shake-up, 21. Overdue, 22. Order, 24. Rotund, 25. Rabbit.

Down: 1. Larder, 2. Gag, 3. Cadet, 5. Cutting, 6. Innocence, 7. Tote, 8. Teacher’s pet, 12. Resilient, 15. Abandon, 16. Spirit, 19. Aroma, 20. Pour, 23. Dab.

Wordsearch

BUCKSKINGINGHAMFYM

WWOOLPOPLINOTTOCNI

AZNAGROETEXTILEGAR

ENNGYPALCXDAMASKGC

DCOACTNOYAROGNANES

AILBHRUOLEVGKFUGRZ

CTAEIAIALISLETVEBQ

OSRRFTCNCSITNSATIN

RADDFEQPOSVAEMMVFI

BLAIOFLIRLHMNRVNIL

YEINNFLTDSIWIEEXUS

CRMEOAIEUCZNLZGNTU HARIXTWRRKAVEIRYUM

IQMENXTJODELWAELLE

NYABTEHSYTEAIBSOLF

TGWWREDEUSBEKCPNEO ZQVEMICIRBAFWWOUDZ

SVCPTLCLHQAEHTARAB

ANGORA

BAIZE

BARATHEA

BROCADE BUCKSKIN

CALICO

CAMBRIC CHIFFON CHINTZ

CORDUROY COTTON CRINOLINE

DAMASK DENIM

DRALON

ELASTIC FABRIC

FELT FIBRE

GABERDINE GINGHAM HEMP HIDE LACE

Sudoku

LEATHER LINEN LISLE MUSLIN NYLON ORGANZA POLYESTER POPLIN RAYON SATIN SCRIM SERGE

SHANTUNG SILK SUEDE

TAFFETA TERRY

TEXTILE TULLE TWEED TWILL VELOUR VELVET

4. Rust (7)

5. Feeling unwell (3-6)

6. Tills (4,9)

11. For the time being (9)

14. Undress (7)

18. Sow (5)

21. Hot tub (3)

ON SHAKY GROUND

The added danger of water

By Janine Krippner

Magma is complicated enough. When water enters the scene and mixes with it, things can go haywire.

There are different ways to classify eruption styles. One of these ways is through whether water is involved, or if magma is even part of the action. A magmatic eruption definition is simple enough – magma reaches the surface then comes out of the ground as some sort of product like lava, spatter, ballistic ejecta, ash, or pyroclastic flows. When we don’t have magma at all, but instead an eruption is driven by steam within the volcanic system, we call this a phreatic eruption. An example of this is that awful day at Whakaari in December 2019. A sort of mix between the two is when we have magma interacting directly with water, and this is a phreatomagmatic or hydrovolcanic eruption.

A good example of how phreatomagmatic eruptions can go wild is the enormous 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai eruption in Tonga. The magma mixing with seawater once the vent had found itself below the ocean surface added explosive power to this already-large eruption phase. It wasn’t the only reason it was such a big eruption, but it was what I was first discussing with my colleagues as the satellite images were coming through and we were trying to grasp the scale of the ash plume. We know that water can make eruptions much more dangerous. Even a lava flow mixing with water can cause an explosion.

During a phreatomagmatic eruption the water source can be the ocean, a lake (like Te Wai ā-moe /Crater Lake at Ruapehu), glacial meltwater, or groundwater that we can’t see at the surface. Magma mixing with water

has made many of the 53 known eruptions within the Auckland Volcanic Field more explosive. This makes a problem eruption much more of a dangerous situation. Instead of producing lava flows and forming a new scoria cone, we can get deadly steam-rich pyroclastic flows called “base surge” racing across land or water. This is a complex process, how effectively the magma mixes with the water is important. Eruptions can also progress from phreatomagmatic to magmatic once the water is removed, or the magma is no longer able to contact the water source.

Phreatic eruptions might sound much milder, and comparing them to magmatic eruptions this is true, but there is one major problem here. When an eruption is driven by steam, we don’t get the same signals as we do when magma is moving towards the surface. This can mean very little or no warning, or warning signals we can only see in hindsight when we look much closer at the data. They can surprise us. Even a small eruption in a location where a warning hasn’t kept people away can be catastrophic. Phreatic eruptions can also occur during unrest where magma rising is adding heat to the system but hasn’t reached the surface yet, they can BE the warning at volcanoes that aren’t well monitored.

These are important factors that dictate what sort of warning signals we get, how violent the eruption is, how the eruption changes through time, and how much volcanic ash might be produced - basically, how the eruption might impact us.

3

By Jo Davies-Colley, Chair, Cambridge Community Board

A lot of construction activity is happening in the Cambridge Central Business District.

With the Cambridge Pathway Plan well underway, the community board is encouraging residents to keep their ‘eyes on the prize’ which we believe will be more residents and school children walking or biking around Cambridge, reduced traffic and congestion in the CBD, increased parking spaces and safer connections for children travelling to Cambridge Primary School, Cambridge Middle School and beyond.

We support the provision of these walking and cycling paths within Cambridge and believe that although the construction of these pathways can cause some short-term disruption, in the long term they will only better our town.

We believe those residents who need to or prefer to take their car, should find accessing the CBD easier once these paths have been completed.

It’s great to see residents already biking down the first completed section at the top of Bryce Street, with the further sections due to be completed in April.

The community board worked alongside Waipa District Council staff and cycling group Bicycle Revolution Cambridge in the planning of this path. We gave our feedback and were involved in the public consultation process.

We walked and biked the proposed routes, stood on sections where crossings would be, spoke to residents of affected streets and attended all the public information sessions.

We meet regularly with emergency services staff, checking in with them

alongside council staff with how the construction and changes to the town are working for them.

We are also part of discussions with business owners on Wilson Street, ensuring that the disruption around their businesses can be as minimised as possible as the pathways are built.

We attended a parking strategy meeting recently facilitated by the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce.

They are working closely with business owners to work through some of the parking issues that exist in Cambridge.

The session was a positive one, with many ideas workshopped around maintaining the look and feel of Cambridge, while making sure those that need their cars in the central business district will have a place for them.

This meeting was also attended by council staff who were heard the opinions of the business community and will consider their needs in future plans.

As always, we encourage you to let us know your thoughts and opinions on these pathways or any issue you have in Cambridge.

You can do this by emailing me or any of the community board team or by attending one of our monthly meetings and presenting to us.

Two Waipa District Councillors sit on our board and council staff often attend, so it is a great opportunity for them to also hear your thoughts or concerns.

Eureka

St Kilda - Style & Family Fun , Pool

26

- Open plan living provides fantastic indoor/ outdoor flows to a choice of entertainment areas and heated inground pool.

-

lounge and a third sitting room includes a study nook.

99

- Open plan living in this 2020 built, 316m² home - four spacious bedrooms & two expansive living rooms and dedicated study/office.

-

seamlessly integrates with the modern chef’s kitchen boasting a large scullery.

First Home Buyers Reward

95

- Three large double bedrooms plus a sunroom/office – all refurbished inside with updated kitchen and a separate laundry.

- new carport; 2 small sheds and new deck.

Private, Sunny, Pool - Cowley

- An attractive and spacious five bedroom home plus office; configured with a sizable flat (1 bed, office, ensuite, lounge and kitchenette) with heated inground pool.

- 2785m² (more or less) section with space for another shed.

2.00 - 2.30pm

49

Getting the youngsters on track

By Steph Bell-Jenkins

They went to enrich their leadership skills and left with the makings of a pretty decent track cycling team.

Cambridge Middle School’s 2024 student leaders visited the Grassroots Trust Velodrome last Thursday, finishing the day with a ‘have a go’ session run by head of programmes and coaching Craig Rodger.

“This is one of the top 20 velodromes in the world, so we’re really lucky to have it on our doorstep in Cambridge, let alone in New Zealand,” he told the students.

Craig encouraged the young leaders to get a team together for the upcoming Battle of the Schools on April 13, a threerider team sprint event open to accredited and non-accredited riders in years 6-10.

Twelve-year-old Millie Flatt, who had never cycled competitively or ridden at the Velodrome before, said she would consider that.

“I was nervous at the start, but once I got up there it was so fun – I just wanted to go higher and higher,” she said.

Earlier in the day she and fellow leaders took part in a session run by 24/7 youth workers, did some school event planning and heard a talk from New Zealand Olympic cyclist Callum Saunders.

“He told us to follow our dreams,” Millie said. “He said he wasn’t sporty at all as a kid, but when he started biking he loved it.”

Teacher Danielle Fuller, who said she hadn’t ridden a bike since high school, also braved the track with sweaty palms and a pounding heart.

“If I’m going to make them do it I have to do it too,” she said.

She survived the experience – but did take a tumble requiring her arm to be cleaned and wrapped in Gladwrap for the burn.

Principal Daryl Gibbs gave it a shot too.

“It was so much fun,” he said. “You can see why they get addicted to it, these guys that fly around.

“It’s just cool, all these staff have been amazing with the kids today and we have this amazing facility in our backyard. I think there’s this perception it’s only for Olympians, but they’re actually really welcoming to school groups.”

The team outside the Velodrome. Photo: Danielle Fuller,

Millie Flatt just wanted to go “higher and higher”.

BENNETT, Mary Anne, (nee

Smythe) – Our beautiful Mary passed away at home on Wednesday, 21st February 2024 after a brave fight with cancer. Aged 68 years.

Dearly loved wife of Gilbert for 46 years. Devoted mother of Matthew, Sarah, Daniel and Jacob. Adored granny of Keegan, Trent, Vaughan, Lola, Rocco, Charlie, Micahaiah and Theodore. Cherished motherin-law, sister, sister-in-law to the Bennett and Smythe families and friend to many.

‘Mary will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her’.

The service for Mary has been held. All communications to the Bennett Family, c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434.

Selwyn JOHNSON

2-10-1945 – 25-02-2022

Two years ago on the 25th we said our final goodbye. Your struggle with pain is no more.

I miss you by my side, your cheeky smile, your twinkling eyes.

Play the ultimate game of rugby, Keep on dancing Twinkle

Toes

I love you always

Your wife, Susan

100 DAY CELEBRATION –Please join us to celebrate the first 100 days of National’s coalition government and hear from MP Louise Upston about what’s next. Saturday 9 March, 6pm. Good George Good Union, 98 Victoria Street, Cambridge. Free entry/cash bar.

NOTIFICATION OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE – Milton Street, Lamb Street, Mystery Creek Road, Mellow, Road and McEldownie Road on 12-15 June 2024

Please note that the roads listed below will be closed to ordinary vehicular traffic between Wednesday, 12 June and Saturday, 15 June 2024 for the National Fieldays.

5.45am to 11.00am

• Milton Street (Northbound)– Between 123 Milton Street and Lamb Street

• Lamb Street (Eastbound) – between Milton Street/Rowling Place to Cambridge Road

• Mystery Creek Road (Eastbound) – between Mystery Creek Events Centre Gate 2 to Mellow Road

• Mellow Road (Southbound) – whole road

• McEldownie Road– between Kaipaki Road and Mystery Creek Road

• Mystery Creek Road – Between Mellow Road and McEldownie Road13.00pm to 8.00pm

13:00pm to 8:00pm

• Milton Street (Northbound) – Between 123 Milton Street and Lamb Street

• Mystery Creek Road (Westbound) – between Mystery Creek Events Centre Gate 2 to Mellow Road

• Mellow Road (Northbound) – whole road

• McEldownie Road– between Kaipaki Road and Mystery Creek Road

• Mystery Creek Road – Between Mellow Road and McEldownie Road

The application will be considered under the Tenth Schedule of the Local Government Act 1974.

Arrangements will be made for access by emergency vehicles during the closure, if required.

Any objections to the proposal must be lodged with Waip-a District Council, in writing, to events@waipadc.govt.nz, before 4.00pm on Friday, March 8 2024. Please include the nature of the objection and the grounds for it. See the Privacy Statement on the Council’s website for further information.

For more information, please contact Waip-a District Council on 0800 924 723.

Garry Dyet