Cambridge News | March 28, 2024

Money woes For Waipā Council admits ‘blue’

By Mary Anne Gill

Cambridge residents in the proposed third bridge blue blob zone forced Waipā District Council into significant changes last week while a strident group did themselves no favours by verbally threatening elected officials and staff.

In a tumultuous two days – starting hours before a Cambridge Community Board meeting and ending with the abandonment of a drop-in session at Bridges Church – the council unreservedly apologised for its communications and back-tracked on consultation plans.

Consultation on its preferred proposal was to have closed tomorrow (Friday) but has now been extended until April 26. It has opened consultation up to the other options.

It is back to the drawing board on the site for a third bridge, but district councillor Philip Coles is unlikely to play any part as an elected member around the debating table following questions about his impartiality.

Mayor Susan O’Regan and Transport

manager Bryan Hudson – in the absence of more senior staff - copped the vitriol at the drop in while councillors Clare St Pierre, Mike Pettit, Mike Montgomerie, community board chair Jo Davies-Colley and deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk watched on from the side.

Coles was at the back of the room with groups of people who were angrily questioning the council’s actions when Community Services manager Brad Ward called the session to an end.

The News was told O’Regan had been verbally threatened away from the public eye. Accusations and name calling were thrown at her and Hudson when they spoke,

The council released its “preferred option” for Cambridge Connections to the community on February 29. It resulted in a hail-storm of criticism.

A map showed traffic lights dotted around the town, safety humps and streetscape improvements and, controversially, a new bridge from the Town Belt in Leamington across the river to Cambridge’s south-western suburb. That

area was depicted by a blue blob.

Owners and residents under the blue blob were shocked, spokesperson Jared Milbank told the community board in its open forum last week. Most learned of the plans from The News.

“No one has heard from the council. People are shocked: they are shocked they have not been consulted.

“There is a message consultation will come later, but there is already a map affecting our properties, and people think this plan is already fixed.

The community board resolved to ask council for an extension of the consultation period and for all scenarios to be considered – and Coles made his feelings clear.

“If the recommendation says go for Option C, with the information I’ve got I will not be able to support part of it anyway,” he said.

“If we put this (the bridge) in the wrong place it’s going to screw up this place that • Continued on Page 14. See further stories, letters and comment on pages 2, 3, 5,10 and 11.

By Mary Anne Gill

Waipā’s financial situation has been laid bare in an eight monthly report to the council this week.

The $48.2 million surplus budgeted for the end of June is now forecast at $22.9 million with big hits coming from lower development and reserve contributions and a reduction in building and resource consent fees.

One bright light is the increase of $606,000 from higher deposit interest rates. Waipā has nearly $13 million in the ASB Bank.

Loans stood at $261 million at February 29 - eight months into the financial year – but the council will have to take out a further $35.8 million to bring the year-end debt to $296.8 million.

Subsidies and grants have come in $9 million higher than budgeted and are made up of an increase in Waka Kotahi funding - $5.7 million for Cambridge and Te Ara Rimu Kihikihi pathways - $1.5 million for Better Off Funding for Te Ara Wai and grants of $1 million and $530,000 for playgrounds in Cambridge.

Clean-up work of nearly $1 million for Lake Te Koo Utu has been stopped pending Long Term Plan discussions next year.

In a report to the finance committee, deputy chief executive Ken Morris said the community engagement team began informing the public of the financial headwinds the council faced.

“A huge challenge for all councils has been misinformation. In the age of social media, clear and timely communication and engagement is vital now, more than ever,” the report said.

“Our external communication and engagement strategy is helping us address this challenge. We’ve implemented monthly social media and online channel reporting, begun improving staff reporting processes, and we’re currently conducting an audit of our main website, its site map and content.

“We want to empower our residents to feel confident that they can visit our website, social media channels, front counters or talk to elected members and receive the same, correct, and timely information,” the report said.

“I use a shower timer in our whare and speed up the teenagers”

The moment Waipa community services manager Brad Ward called a stop to the public drop-in session at the Bridges Church as the pressure went on Transport manager Bryan Hudson to his left.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

As a Leamington resident I was amazed that Waipā District Council has a preferred option for a new river crossing, with plans to convert the present high level bridge to a pedestrian/cycle role.

Looking at the proposed location I could see very little merit in the plan for residents of Leamington, other than creating a new route for Fonterra milk tankers.

There is no remedy for the heavy traffic that uses our main street. I don’t think the early planners created the green belt for roading.

I was further astonished that the 500 or so residents who live under the shaded area in Cambridge (between Bryce & Grey Streets) were totally ignorant of the of the plan.

Instantly their real estate values are affected and their hopes and dreams put under a cloud. The anger of some was certainly expressed at the council organised meeting I attended at the Bridges Church. I did have sympathy for our Mayor who closed the meeting early. She did not deserve to be treated with such venom, but angry people do lash out.

This experience caused me to do some

Hello again, what a great evening it was at Balloons over Waipa last Friday. I attended as part of Cambridge Blue Light and was pleased to talk to so many members of the public. Four lucky people won spot prizes of Onyx vouchers Cambridge Bluelight, and we are very thankful for their support.

In good news this week, traffic staff have completed enquiries on two reported cases of sustained loss of traction (burnouts). In both cases registration plate details, statements and video were provided to police by members of the public witnessing the behaviour. This meant that we could investigate, with the result that the drivers will now be appearing in court. They will face a mandatory six month suspension of their driver’s licences and may be imprisoned for up to three months or fined up to $4500.

This week the team also had a good catch when an early morning family harm incident on Maungatautari Road, Horahora was reported to police by members of the public. The witnesses stayed with the people and vehicle involved providing updates to police as their vehicle drove in the area. A male was arrested and went to court facing a charge of assault in a family relationship. This outcome would not have been possible without the calls to 111 and updates. We again say thank you. Your actions have stopped further harm to the victim involved.

research. I was astonished to learn that the suburb I live in has zero representation within Waipa, despite having well defined boundaries and 20 per cent of the total population.

Change needs to happen fast, as there will be another local body election in November 2025. Leamington people need to be motivated to vote for neighbours willing to stand for both Council and Community

Boards.

How change can happen may be for concerned Leamington people to band together by way of a Ratepayers and Residents Group. Networking and communications is the key and will hopefully lead to the change I see as imperative. (Abridged)

Murray Reid Cambridge

It might have taken more than 25 years, but The News senior writer Mary Anne Gill finally donated blood this week.

Lastly, with the Easter weekend upon us, a lot of people will be travelling on the roads, heading away on holiday. With roadworks on many main highways, patience and forward planning is key. Allow extra time and take alternative routes where roadworks are present. If you see dangerous driving such as high speed, overtaking into oncoming traffic or on blind corners, suspect drunk driving or similar, please call 111. If you can obtain video footage of the driving the behaviour and are willing to give a statement should appearance in court be required, that would be even better.

Children will be on holiday from tomorrow (Friday) until Tuesday, so please be extra vigilant for the younger members of our community who will no doubt be out and about on their bicycles and scooters. Children can be unpredictable around roads and so be sure to drive defensively and be aware of your surroundings, who and what is in them. Always drive to the conditions. If you are away from home, remember to lock your doors and windows. Remove any valuable items from view and do not advertise your absence. Ask a friend or neighbour to keep an eye on your home. Have a good weekend.

She was one of the thousands of New Zealanders who lived in the United Kingdom, France or Ireland from 1980 to 1996 during the ‘mad cow disease’ outbreak and were forbidden from donating blood from 2000.

The restriction was lifted on February 29 and the Blood Service was in Cambridge on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Photo: Shirley Field.

Fluoride call

Cambridge Community Board members were implored last week to ask the district council to seek a time extension to the end of the year on introducing fluoride to the town’s water supply.

Bren Farrell told members Nelson had been given an extension after raising legal concerns, and seeking an extension would avoid the likelihood of costly legal action.

Work stops

Most state highway road works will stop at midday today (Thursday), ahead of the long weekend, and will start up again at midnight Tuesday. Some traffic management will still be in place at major construction sites, such as speed restrictions, closed road shoulders and reduced lanes.

On the rocks

Organisers expect a “couple of hundred” people to take part in a rock climbing festival at Waipari, near Arapuni, over Easter.

Aotearoa Climbing Access

Trust general manager Edwin Sheppard said Waipā is one of the best places in the country for rock climbing.

Balloons popular

Six balloons entertained a crowd at the Karāpiro Domain last weekend as part of the Balloons over Waikato festival. The crowd were able to get up close to Bila the Baby Polar Bear and Farmer Pig balloons and take part in the Rotary Walk Thru Balloon Envelope to raise funds for True Colours Childrens Charity.

Fees up

Waipā’s fees and charges look set to rise on average by 10 per cent from July 1 affecting dog registrations, burial fees and building consents. There will be a 20 per cent increase for casket burials at Hautapu and Te Awamutu cemeteries. Consultation on the proposals will run to April 26.

Museum plan put on hold

By Mary Anne Gill

About $1 million for the Waipā museum project – Te Ara Wai - could be redirected to the district council’s water projects.

The $33 million museum was officially put on hold this week by Waipā District Council because of a “significant change” to the financial landscape, chief executive Garry Dyet told councillors.

“It is prudent for all project works to be paused, including the discharge of the Te Ara Wai governance committee,” he said in a report.

The project would now go back into the pot for consideration at the Long Term Plan hearings next year.

Council paid $2.05 million in May 2021 for the former Te Awamutu Bunnings building in Arawata Street to house the museum and has been sub-leasing it to AgTech Logistics for an undisclosed sum since August 2022.

Following

Two months later – in a development which muddied the waters for the council - the existing museum in Roche Street was closed because of an earthquake risk and relocate temporarily to Rickit Road.

That “temporary” move might become semi-permanent given the council’s precarious finances and the ballooning costs of building a new museum to house the organisation’s large collection of more than 19,000 objects.

Items in the collection span centuries with taonga Māori and social history artefacts at its heart, according to the museum’s website.

The collection has extensive material relating to the New Zealand land wars and colonial settlement in Waipā as well as the district’s unique documentary heritage, including photographs, maps, whakapapa and family histories.

Its most precious item is Te Uenuku (the rainbow), an early Māori carving which is of huge significance to Tainui and also for its archaeological value.

It is now in storage.

A resolution to pause Te Ara Wai was needed because of a council resolution in September last year which allowed staff to go ahead with design works, gaining of consents and continue discussion with funders using Better off Funding.

Waipā received $5.24 million from the previous government as part of a $2 billion Three Waters reform sweetener in recognition of the transfer of responsibility for fresh, waste and storm water to four public water entities.

The new government scrapped Four Waters when it came into office putting the financial responsibility back with councils.

Funding to cover the costs incurred for the project will be withdrawn from the

Crown, said Dyet.

Discussions will now be held with the Department of Internal Affairs about any uncommitted Better off Funding which Dyet estimates could leave about $1 million. The council could use that to reduce debt associated with Three Waters.

IN THE MAYOR’S OWN WORDS

Dyet said there would be “disappointment” in the community. Te Ara Wai would have told the story of the 1864 Land Wars in a Waipā specific way.

Relationships with iwi and mana whenua would need managing, he said.

last week’s aborted drop in session over plans in Cambridge for another bridge over the Waikato River, Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan explains what’s happening.

It was wrong to be all at

For years, some Cambridge residents have been concerned about the need for a third bridge.

Council understands those concerns and has been working to identify options ratepayers can afford, and that the government will help pay for. Without a government subsidy, ratepayers right across the district – not just in Cambridge –will pay hundreds and hundreds of dollars more in rates each year.

We all know this work can’t happen overnight. It takes years of planning and research to get it right. There’s no quick fix because there are no shortcuts to secure government funding.

A report in 2018 told us the high-level bridge could take traffic for another 20 or so years. In 2022, we consulted on the broader Waipā Transport Strategy. The Cambridge Connections project came from that, looking specifically

at the issues surrounding a fastgrowing town. That included looking at options for a new bridge and where that bridge might go.

We engaged experts to undertake specialist research and to help design a high-level strategy that would be best for Cambridge in the future. A Project Steering Group was set up to test the assumptions and recommendations. That included councillors, a Cambridge Community Board member, representatives from iwi, the New Zealand Transport Agency, the heavy freight industry and regional transport planning experts.

That group considered all four options on the table and identified a “preferred option” which includes an in-town bridge crossing, because data showed most people from Leamington want to access central Cambridge, not travel to Hamilton.

That is why, when we put the options out for preliminary feedback, we only sought feedback on what is known as Option C.

We got that wrong. We quickly realised the community wanted to have a say on all the options. That’s what we are now seeking and have extended time for feedback.

I’m hugely disappointed a residents-only information drop-in session for those in the identified blue zone did not go to plan last Thursday. Residents in the zone were invited to come and chat to us about the options.

However, without our knowledge, a group distributed flyers advertising a public meeting, rather than giving residents in the blue zone priority, and a chance to find out more. The session descended into an emotionally driven gathering which

served no-one well. Staff and elected members were abused and threatened with violence.

Some of the behaviour at the meeting was frightening and unacceptable. It is certainly not the Waipā that I know and stood to represent. I thank those who have reached out with messages of support and were also appalled at what they saw.

My biggest regret though is that those invited to the meeting, who needed and deserved information were denied the opportunity that evening.

We are developing a plan to reconnect with those residents because we genuinely want them to be informed about the process, ask any questions and have their say before any decisions are made. I look forward to those genuine conversations.

Jono Gibson Funeral Director

An artist’s impression of Te Ara Wai, now delayed for years.

Festival was a classic

By Mary Anne Gill

Three sell-out performances by Orchestras Central in the Cambridge Town Hall shows orchestral experiences are an integral part of the Autumn Festival.

Comfortable Classical on Saturday afternoon, Vivaldi by Candlelight in the evening and a lazy Sunday afternoon of Fire and Romance with the Waikato Youth Orchestra proved the festival’s ethos “Something for Everyone” was spot on.

A worn-out festival chair Alana Mackay and her team of volunteers will debrief this week about the 10-day festival knowing most events hit the mark but there were some which failed to attract the numbers.

Not so with Orchestras Central who proved they are really part of the community bringing

inspiration and joy to people of all ages and background.

Compositions by Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Stravinsky and New Zealand’s Dorothy Buchanan and Gareth Farr hit the mark in Cambridge’s Town Hall which continues to get plaudits for its atmosphere and acoustics.

Add in Youth Orchestra solos by Waikato Diocesan School for Girls’ student Kezia Schuitemaker on the violin and Hamilton Boys’ High School’s Matthew Colvin on the clarinet and an enthusiastic composer’s performance by Town Hall general manager Simon Brew, and the word “perfection” comes to mind.

Orchestras Central chief executive Catherine Gibson said she was thrilled with the community response and wants to continue to bring orchestral music to Cambridge, a town she now calls home.

MP takes on bridge row

By Viv Posselt

Taupō MP Louise Upston has delivered a stinging rebuke to both sides in the Cambridge third bridge debate, suggesting Waipā District Council improves its communications with the community and calling on residents to rein in insulting tirades directed at those simply doing their job.

Upston was hosting her first local ‘drop-in session’ for 2024 at the Cambridge Bowling Club. It was the first she has held since the coalition government was formed.

She gave a quick wrap of the government’s challenges during its first 100 days and pointed to pressing focus areas before addressing local topics, including the Cambridge/ Piarere roundabout – a project she described as massively significant for the area – and the Cambridge Connections issue around the town’s third bridge.

On the latter, she referenced a meeting held the previous evening at Bridges Church to provide residents with an opportunity to discuss the bridge with council staff, and expressed disappointment at reports that it had become so fractious that Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan left early apparently because of threats made against her.

“I understand that a minority were particularly outspoken during last night’s meeting,” Upston said, “and that the overwhelming sentiment was frustration at the appalling way our council has communicated with its ratepayers. As a result of

that meeting it will be clear that council communications need to be significantly improved, but that doesn’t excuse offensive or personal attacks against elected officials or staff.”

She expressed her full support for a third bridge and said it was important to decide on its location soon as central government funding would be required.

“My job as your advocate is to work on that sooner than later. If it’s not on the radar in the next 10 years, we’ll get it 30 years or more down the line and that will have significant impact on the quality of life here.”

Elizabeth McKnight said residents likely to be affected by the preferred option simply wanted an explanation as to how council had come to that conclusion.

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Cambridge-based Orchestras Central Trust chief executive Catherine Gibson introduces Youth Orchestra Waikato for their Fire and Romance performance in the Town Hall held as part of the Cambridge Autumn Festival. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Taupō MP Louise Upston

To the thousands of people who are part of our festival “family”, we thank you – the performers and their support crews, the event organisers for each of our events, the community groups and the art market stallholders.

Let us not forget that none of this could be done without the generosity of our sponsors below.

Lastly thank you to the people of Cambridge and Waipā for your support.

Seventies playground resurrected

By Mary Anne Gill

Children at Cambridge Primary School now have their own outdoor haven where they can muck in and get closer to nature all within spitting distance of the school.

The outdoor classroom, which includes two shipping containers, was opened earlier this month with a blessing by Adam Poka and the following day it was down to business in an area which had previously been a bit of a wasteland down the back of the school.

Outdoor classroom teacher Laura Wallace described the area as her baby since she started at the school last year. She was previously at Tīrau Primary.

When The News visited, groups of children were building marble runs using PVC pipes. With rain looming they were able to shelter under a cover built out from the shipping containers which also protects them from the sun.

“We’ve talked about how the marble run needs to come downhill and use gravity and about working together as a team.”

Interestingly none of the groups came up with the

same solution.

“It’s just kids being kids. If children are not excelling in the classroom, they show amazing leadership skills or teamwork skills doing something different. It’s really great seeing different strengths coming out,” said Wallace.

The whole school takes part in the outdoor classroom.

Of Year One students Wallace said “they’re amazing, they have the imagination and less of a worry about failing than the bigger kids. They just get stuck in.”

Principal Mike Pettit said children in the 1970s used to play on the field below the school next to the Waikato River.

But it became overgrown and unusable for several years.

About 15 years ago, the school sourced a grant from the Waikato River Authority and cleared the site, trucking in 520 cubes of sand and topsoil – 52 truckloads in all.

Cambridge Tree Trust planted 1150 native plants and trees.

Steps were installed from the school down to the field, a stage area was set up with sculptures designed by the children and built with

iron from early last century found under the main school block.

Brainstorming sessions last year with children – they were asked to envisage adventure in the outdoorssaw a design come together.

“Their ideas were incorporated to help inform what has been constructed here today. There are examples all over the school of our children’s direct ideas and design of areas that have a positive impact on what the school offers,” said Pettit.

Fundraising by the Parent Teacher Association and other grants enabled the project to come together last week.

The shipping containers are painted in a camouflage way to tie in with the environment.

“The equipment is vast, covering cooking, camping, fire pit construction, pruning, orienteering, building, confidence course construction, hammock hanging, pipe construction, marble runs, water runs, and a huge raft of other applications and team activities.”

Water is tapped down from the school and a generator provides power when camping.

There are also mud slides and nature walks where children can spot tui, glow worms and other bugs.

It’s like a haven in the middle of town, said Wallace.

“I get to play too. Learning through play is amazing. Children have so many different ideas, such creative thinking.”

Working together as a team is critical and that is where children’s different traits come into their own.

Pettit said other youth groups had been offered the opportunity to attend the outdoor area.

“We are hoping they may be able to use it to help give their children and youth additional learning opportunities and outdoor experiences.”

The outdoor classroom

fits in with the school’s philosophy of delivering a holistic curriculum, he said.

Teacher Laura Wallace celebrates the opening of Cambridge Primary School’s outdoor classrooms while behind her children learn by playing.

Photos: Mary Anne Gill.

Cambridge principal Mike Pettit inside one of the containers.

New status for velodrome

Waipā’s velodrome has become the newest addition to an elite cycling programme.

The Grassroots Trust Velodrome now has the status of UCI World Cycling Centre Continental Development Satellite for Oceania. Satellites are set up to develop cycling, in this case in all its forms, with specific focus on track, road, BMX racing and mountain biking in the Oceania region.

The title was confirmed at a ceremony at the velodrome on Tuesday. Present were Simon Perry, Chair, Home of Cycling

“The UCI World Cycling Centre’s Continental Development Satellites play a vital role in the development of cycling worldwide,” Landry said. “We work closely with our Satellites, which are strategically located around the world to ensure that talented athletes and their entourage can benefit from the best possible training and education opportunities.

“The Grassroots Trust Velodrome already has a proven track record of helping athletes realise their full potential, and we look forward to working with the teams in Cambridge and the region to ensure their expertise can benefit the maximum number of people in Oceania.”

Grassroots Trust Velodrome general manager Dion Merson said the establishment of the satellite symbolised an investment in nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and fostering a culture of excellence.

Celebrating student art

By Steph Bell-Jenkins

Parents and community members had a chance to wander through Cambridge High School’s new $12.4 million classroom block recently, while perusing the work of talented student artists.

With term one drawing to a close, the student Arts Committee brought an extra splash of culture to the campus by running a visual art exhibition in S Block, which opened last December.

The two-storey, u-shaped building contains 15 classrooms and caters to more than 370 students.

Principal Greg Thornton said the facility was creating a range of exciting new opportunities.

“It’s full of life and it’s pretty cool to see how it’s being used,” he said. “This exhibition, for example, was a lot easier to run than it has been in previous years because this space is perfect for it.”

The exhibition brought dozens of

students flooding into classrooms S11 and S12 during a drizzly lunchtime.

Year 9 student Ruby Sem loved a painting display by Grace Parker.

“It looks like it’s been printed to be honest,” she said.

Millar Wallace, also in year 9, appreciated the chance to “see the world through other people’s eyes”.

Arts Committee co-chairs Ally Smith and Mirinae Kang said nine classes contributed to the exhibition, which drew about 30 parents later in the day.

The committee also invited students to paint 30cm² wooden plywood squares that will be pieced together to create a mural.

“I thought we might only get about five people, but there were about 80 or 90 people making art,” Ally said.

There are plans to hang the mural, which celebrates the school’s house system, somewhere on campus.

YOUR SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY WHEN TRIMMING NEAR LINES

When tree trimming near our network, keeping a minimum safe

of four meters from our overhead lines, transformers, and other equipment is crucial. This distance not only protects you but also safeguards our team and contractors. Before undertaking any tree trimming work near our network, you must contact us to apply for a close approach permit.

TREE TRIMMING SAFETY TIPS:

• Always maintain a safe distance of at least four meters from overhead lines when trimming trees.

• Be cautious around transformers and other equipment; avoid contact and leave any necessary repairs to our trained professionals.

• During tree trimming operations, wear appropriate safety gear, including hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, and high-visibility clothing.

us today to find out how

Cambridge High School year 9 students (from left) Caitlin Lewis, Ruby Sem, Abi Bell and Millar Wallace admire paintings by Grace Parker.

Charitable Trust, UCI WCC director Jacques Landry, Oceania Cycling Confederation president Tony Mitchell and Cycling New Zealand chief Simon Peterson.

Pictured at Tuesday’s opening were, from left, Simon Perry, Jacques Landry, Tony Mitchell and Oceania Cycling Confederation education and development head John McDonnell.

Tough bikkies Cash cut will hurt tourism

By Mary Anne Gill

Four of Hamilton and Waikato Tourism’s local authority partners – including Waipā –will reduce their funding from July 1.

And the flow on impact is likely to hit the region hard with job losses and business sustainability, chief executive

Nicola Greenwell told Waipā’s Finance and Corporate committee this week.

The decisions by Hamilton and Waikato councils to strip 50 per cent off their funding for the regional tourism organisation, Waipā cutting 20 per cent and a “severe” trim by Waitomo were not unexpected given the financial situations local authorities around the country find themselves in.

Matamata-Piako is holding on while Ōtorohanga has yet to decide.

Funding to external organisations like Hamilton and Waikato Tourism, i-Sites and event organisers are generally the first to go when the squeeze goes on. The same happened nearly 20 years ago in Waikato which resulted in a decline in visitor numbers and spend.

The meeting was held after The News went to press.

Greenwell gave a positive message about how Waipā’s share to the organisation last financial year of $171,864 and $183,000 this year had been well utilised.

Hamilton and Waikato Tourism’s annual operating budget is $1.343 million – one of the lowest in New Zealand.

To the end of October, domestic visitors contributed $172 million to the Waipā

economy and international visitors contributed $44 million.

Occupancy rates at the district’s commercial accommodation operators tipped about 52 per cent till the end of December with 213,500 guest nights for the 12 months.

A campaign which ran towards the end of the year highlighting Waikato as one of the largest berry growing regions in the country bore fruit with numbers up for pick your own locations and dining.

The organisation also profiled the Cambridge portion of Te Awa River Ride, Karāpiro and Te Koo Utu lakes, Bike Skills Park, Velodrome, Te Miro Mountain Bike Park, Matariki Waipā walks, parks and events, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari and the Tree Church through its various channels.

Matthew Skinner of Browns Bay, Auckland looks bemused as magician Zero Xiao magician produces a heartbreaking trick which has him winning a packet of cookies rather than an iPhone, Macbook, $1000 or Sony Ps5. Xiao presented an interactive magic show for children and the young at heart during the Cambridge Autumn Festival in The Woolshed at Te Awa Lifecare Village on Sunday.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill

Nicola Greenwell

Incinerator plan

I read your article about Andrew Johnstone’s opinion regarding building a Waste Incinerator within 1.6km of Te Awamutu ‚s main street. Let’s say that his figures are correct, so why doesn’t the owner of this proposed business build it in his home town of Hamilton or perhaps Cambridge? I’m sure the latter would love to have one of these things on one of their residential streets. So let’s address the fact that dozens of heavy duty trash trucks are going to trundle down Te Awamutu ‚s Racecourse Road.

Does Mr Johnstone own a home on that road? I’m guessing it’s safe to say no. If I was a property tax payer on that road, I’d be furious. I for one wouldn’t be even consider looking at any home on that road and for sure their value will drop and even then I wouldn’t want to live on that street.

Why doesn’t the owner of this proposed business take it out to a rural area kilometres from a town, just in case all those who say it won’t be dangerous are wrong. After all, the trash is going to be trucked in from all over the island, not just Te Awamutu, so divert all this traffic and possible smog to a more remote location. When someone says it’s not dangerous my first thought is “how much of a kickback are they receiving”?

Sheryl Aitken

Te Awamutu

A lingering impact

A friend of mine died recently after more than a decade of upset and anxiety. That wasn’t what killed her but it did make her declining years extremely stressful.

She had a property on the edge of a small rural town and 12 years ago planners published a proposal for a four-lane expressway to go through the area. They didn’t know the exact route so they put out a map showing a very wide corridor. Immediately several dozen properties, including hers, became unsaleable.

Because the precise route had not been identified the authorities were not prepared to buy any of the properties or compensate for the loss in value.

My friend reached a point a few years ago where she was unable to continue to live on her own but could not afford to go into managed care because her only significant asset was sitting empty and deteriorating. She spent her final years living with family. Work on that expressway has still not started but a final route has now been announced. To add insult to injury it doesn’t affect my friend’s property.

Unfortunately the Waipa District Council has set itself up to do exactly the same thing in Cambridge by announcing its preferred third bridge option.

We need a quick decision on the bridge and its feeder roads, and immediate provision

THIS IS OUR WEBSITE

and

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for purchase and compensation of required properties so that those not affected can get on with their lives.

Fred Cockram

Cambridge

Meeting fall out

There was no threat to the mayor.

It was an extremely badly organised meeting. They had no presentation prepared, just a group of council staff (most of whom knew nothing about the bridge or the reason for the meeting) standing around supposedly answering questions about the Cambridge connections fiasco.

The fact that the council didn’t seem to know how upset the community was with their disdainful attitude towards the ratepayers and the people who elected them, was unforgivable. They should be ashamed of themselves. They have made changes in Cambridge which were never approved by the citizens, and most of which they say were approved by a minuscule number of people, and then hold a meeting at which they had no plans to share as to what they were going to do, or where a ’third’ bridge might be built. And they are surprised by their reception?

They should all resign and let us elect a council which takes note of what the community want, and engages with the community in a real and meaningful way.

www.floridaltd.co.nz

Just stop spending

Last Tuesday, Waipā District Council informed me that we each share $261 million in debt. On Thursday, Cambridge News quoted the council as having $296.8 million debt. Meanwhile staff have procedures in place “That includes putting council offices in lockdown.”

Apparently the community is feeling left out of a decision making process which ultimately culminates in evermore debt.

And on Friday, I received a council “Information to Property Owners” notice for those in the proposed bridge crossing path.

Firstly, just stop spending - we don’t need to consult on more debt. Secondly, whilst 61,100 residents will get lumbered with any intended bridge debt, apparently only direct path property owners are being consulted. Why the narrowing of transparency?

Most people respect anyone simply going about their mahi. But when such work involves a consistent lack of transparency, and yet more debt, perpetrators can, and should, expect proportionate blowback.

Shaun Robinson

Cambridge

• See Money woes for Waipā, page 1 for details of the $296.8 million debt.

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Patricia Murdoch Cambridge

Letters…

Frustration on both sides

Last week I attended a shambolic Waipā District Council information session for the Cambridge Connections project.

Overcrowding meant that people could not get responses to important questions. Responses that were given lacked consistency. An impromptu presentation could not be heard. The council shut it down with frustration from both sides.

Our home is within a blue shaded area proposed for the new in-town bridge. The value of homes in this area will be impacted for years to come. By law, real estate agents must declare the proposed bridge. Now. Not when a decision is made.

We have been assured by council staff and councillors that this proposal will have no impact to house value. I would like to know how they have come to that conclusion.

When Cambridge News broke the news of the preferred bridge location, Cambridge Business Chamber members had already been invited to six council presentations.

Nearly 3 weeks later, residents in the blue shaded area received an apology letter from the council and an invite to a hastily planned information session. The council was told to expect hundreds of people at the session but ploughed on with their plans. As Cambridge News described, it was “a disaster.”

Our council is the lowest scoring for resident perception of communication, engagement and consultation, when compared to 17 similar councils. Now I understand why. What thought did the council give to the collateral damage in the first stage of a 30year project? What do we do until a decision is made? This could be years away. The last minute extension of the consultation period and apology does nothing to resolve the damage already caused.

No matter your view on a new bridge, please don’t accept the railroading actions of the Waipā District Council. This could happen to your neighbourhood.

Kelly Smith Cambridge

Let’s start again

Regarding the placement of the bridge, for the council to now say ‘all options are on the table’ is disingenuous as it implies multiple options when in fact there are essentially only two. My reading of the maps shows the blue shading on options B and C is identical. Only option C is further west.

Option B/C effectively turns the bottom end of the main street into a cul de sac and drives a bridge and busy feeder roads through the town belt and quiet residential streets

with character that should be preserved. It was only recently that the council was trying to expand the existing character cluster in this area!

I feel we need a far wider discussion. Asking for feedback on the one ‘preferred’ option seemed undemocratic – two is not much better. I’ll be submitting that we need to stop the current process and go back to basics involving residents and ratepayers – who are obviously not considered as stakeholders by the council. We need information sessions and workshops on a range of options so we can have some input and gain better understanding, rather than being presented with a fait accompli.

Where the bridge ends up fundamentally affects the whole town and the way we want it to develop. Anyone who thinks the bridge issue affects only those under the ‘blue blob’ needs to open their eyes a bit wider.

Elizabeth McKnight

Cambridge

What we value

The Transportation Manager for Waipa District Council, Bryan Hudson, has been quoted as saying, “I think people would value quieter streets and nicer looking streets than big roads.” What irony and contradiction is this?

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Bryan Hudson heads a proposal to put an arterial route through a historically significant part of Cambridge and a green belt where hundreds of families have, indeed, chosen to live in ‘quiet, nice looking streets’ close to town. Later in the same piece, he is quoted, “people still know what they like. They choose to live in a street because it’s attractive to them”. Exactly Bryan!

Maybe what Bryan Hudson is unaware of is that many of those people are also contributing to the attractiveness of the streets and community by maintaining, renovating and building properties in keeping with the historical significance of the area. In one small area of Queen Street, we have many historical cottages and villas – homes, that are being beautifully maintained along with new houses built in keeping with the area.

We choose to live here because we value the neighbourhood, its location close to town, the diversity of residence, its attractiveness, and its quietness. We do, indeed, know what we like, Bryan Hudson, so drop the rhetoric, the contradiction and the condescension and while you are at it you might drop the proposal for a bridge in town.

Tania Gower-Bullick Cambridge

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Cambridge Tree Trust

CHARITIES

REG: CC 10859

Nursery and Education Centre

89 Thornton Road Cambridge PO Box 624 Cambridge New Zealand.

• www.treetrust.org.nz

• Email: info@treetrust.org.nz

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

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

Professional Tennis and Squash coaching offered Membership special:

First year only $225 (usually $300)

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

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

Contacts: Peter Fisher (Chairperson) 07 823 4412, Connie Scholten (Secretary) 07 827 6149

What’s with the cross…?

By Murray Smith, Bridges Church

Standing 19 metres tall at what is considered a main ‘gateway’ to our town, is a cross. Maybe the fact it’s located close to what’s known as the Memorial Gates is fitting.

At night the top section of our town cross lights up with the base being ‘invisible’hence it’s been dubbed the ‘floating cross’ standing prominently above the tree tops.

Back in the early 1960s another cross stood in this location. It was a smaller wooden structure lit by conventional bulbs instead of modern LEDs. The bulbs were fair game as target practice for kids testing their skills with home-made slingshots made from a forked stick with stretchy rubber made cut from an old bicycle tube. Those ‘shanghais’, accounted for constant bulb replacements.

Years later another cross replaced the original wooden one. It utilised a concrete lamppost to elevate the cross and support a flood light to give it prominence. It was removed during council’s upgrade to the new roundabout complex at the junction of Thornton and Victoria Roads with Hamilton Road.

The cross standing there today was installed in November 2018. It was not a straightforward journey getting it there with a number of opinions being expressed regarding any reinstatement. Ultimately a hearing was called by the community board. There, a resoundingly strong endorsement was registered from people of various persuasions. Apart from any ‘religious’ significance, people voiced it had both sentimental and cultural relevance to the town and interestingly, ‘heritage’ value was advocated by many - including a Muslim gentleman who has become my friend.

So today, funded mostly by combined churches in Cambridge, a few private donors and a modest community grant, the Cross stands.

But what’s the special relevance of the cross anyway? Particularly at Easter, why does a cruel instrument the Romans devised for executing criminals feature so much and why is it a recognised symbol of Christian faith? Crosses adorn buildings and architecture, cemeteries, accident sites, inspire artworks, and very commonly are worn as jewellery.

We are in recession

By Peter Nicholl

The recent Department of Statistics release of gross domestic product data for the December quarter, 2023, showed that New Zealand is ‘officially’ in recession.

The phrase ‘being in recession’ is applied to a country when its GDP falls for two successive quarters. Most people will not have been surprised by the announcement. The official data lags by almost three months and most people have felt for a while that the country has been in recession.

fiscal policy options over the next year or so?

The Apostle Paul explained in his letters to a first century audience the real meaning of Jesus’ dying on a cross and what set His death apart from any other death by crucifixion. His words remain potent for us all… “If Christ had not died, then risen, your faith would be meaningless and you would remain in your sins.” The earthshattering reality is - Jesus rose from the dead. Hundreds of His followers attested to that fact as eyewitnesses and paid for it with their lives.

Innocent of wrongdoing, Jesus’ blood was shed. He suffered and died on our behalf making the way for us to be reconciled to God. Christ’s death and His resurrection atoned for the sin of humanity, collectively and individually - our estrangement from God was dealt with, forgiveness has been made possible.

At Easter the cross is a reminder. Personally accepting our need of salvation, we can discover the new life Jesus offers through His death and resurrection.

What is more likely to have surprised people is that according to the data, the recession has so far been a very shallow one. GDP fell by 0.3 per cent in the September quarter and 0.1 per cent in the December quarter.

New Zealand’s population grew strongly during this period. This would have added to GDP. When adjusted to a per capita basis, our GDP fell by 0.7 per cent in the December quarter and by nearly 3 per cent over 2023 as a whole.

This is a more substantial fall and more realistically measures what people are actually feeling is happening.

The overall figures also mask significant differences between what happened in the private sector and the public sector. Activity in most private sector areas of the economy, such as wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing and transport, fell quite strongly. But activity in the ‘government administration’ category grew by 7 per cent. So if many people in the private sector think activity that affects them has fallen by much more than the statistics department shows, they are right – for them it has.

What does the fact that New Zealand is now in recession mean for monetary and

Any further raises in the Reserve Bank’s official cash rate should be off the table. But it is less clear when the Official Cash Rate will start to come down. Inflation is falling overseas and the heads of both the United States Federal Reserve and the Bank of England have begun publicly talking about bringing interest rates down. But New Zealand is still seeing some hefty price increases in significant areas like insurance and local body rates.

Given this, New Zealand’s inflation rate is likely to move down towards the target level more slowly than in many other countries. Also, the Reserve Bank now has a single policy objective again – price stability. Given these two things, I would expect the bank to be one of the slowest movers in the downward trend in their policy interest rate.

With regard to fiscal policy, the government is cutting expenditure in order to make space to cut taxes. Their aim is that the two sets of changes should be fiscally neutral.

Even if they achieve this, the impacts of these two policies will only have a neutral impact on economic activity in the medium to long term. The downward impacts of the widespread cuts in government spending will hit economic activity almost immediately while the upward impact on spending and activity will occur much more slowly.

Unfortunately, the conclusion I reach is that our recession is going to be with us for a while – longer than for many other countries.

Seeds of Renewal

Workshops for adults; family projects

Friday 29th March 11am

of Native Plants Tony Ho Full Bloom Nurseries

Friday 29th March 12pm Making Seed Bombs of NZ native seeds and clay Volunteer

Friday 29th March 1pm Soil Resilience-- Bring along a sample of your soil Dr. Megan Balks Soil Scientist

Friday 29thMarch 3pm Formative tree pruning Rob Graham Wintec lecturer & Trust chair

Saturday 30th March 11am Seed collecting and storage John Wakeling Arboretum curator

Saturday 30th March 12pm Making Seed Bombs ofNZ native seeds and clay Volunteer

Saturday 30th March 1pm Organic gardening: a low input approach Sarah Oliver Flowering Bean Organic Gardens

Saturday 30th March 3pm Designing and Establishing an Asian forest of 3000 trees

Felicity Campbell Landscape Architect Roger MacGibbon Ecologist

Sunday 31st March 11am Restoration of a hard-rock quarry John Wakeling Arboretum curator

Sunday 31st March 12pm Making Seed Bombs of NZ native seeds and clay Volunteer

Sunday 31st March 1pm Composting Beatriz Illanes

Sunday 31st March 3pm Biodiversity in your backyard Michael Heiler Educator GoEco

Monday 1st April 11am Seed collecting and storage Owen Pratt Head gardener

Monday 1st April 12pm Play with Clay – your own seedraising pot and more! Sylvia Sinel Arts Administrator/Educator

Monday 1st April 1pm Fruit tree pruning John Woolford Wintec lecturer and orchardist

Monday 1st April 3pm Soil Resilience Bring along a sample

your soil Dr. Megan Balks Soil Scientist

Happy with the blues

By Mary Anne Gill

A Cambridge-based musician is hoping the initial success of his first single Raven Blues on all streaming platforms earlier this month gives his Extended Play album a boost when it is released next week.

And the 63-year-old who quit his job in architecture to pursue a career in music three years ago has found the whole experience of releasing music “mind blowing.”

Keb Hart is a singer/ songwriter who describes himself as a musical storyteller from an early age when he took up the guitar as a teenager and then went on to play in numerous pub bands.

Come the pandemic, Hart like so many others changed, and he examined his “less than happy” life, left his wife, resigned from his job and moved from Auckland to Cambridge.

He has since recorded 10 music tracks and worked with some of the best music industry professionals.

“The whole experience has been mind-blowing and continues to amaze me that

I’ve been able to become what I set out to be nearly 50 years ago.” His first four-track EP Under the Influence was released last year and his second New Blue comes out next week.

“As you’ve probably guessed, they’re blues tracks and they’re all different styles,” he tells The News. It differs from the first EP as it was recorded with a band, live in the studio.

“No overdubs or clever electronic vocal adjustments - what you hear is just good, old-fashioned musicianship,” said Hart. He has also produced a video for You Tube.

Where to from here

By Jo Davies-Colley, Chair, Cambridge Community Board

Waipā District Council has developed a comprehensive transport strategy for the Waipā district as a whole and the Cambridge Connections work is being undertaken in accordance with that.

The Cambridge Community Board recognises the need for a transport strategy for our town and has reviewed the Cambridge Connections plan in detail.

We have engaged initially with the community both through our public forum and by attending the district council’s residents’ drop-in session held last week. We also attended MP Louise Upston’s local forum, where we continued to hear community members feedback on this plan.

We acknowledge the significant response from residents in the proposed third bridge location and understand their feelings of shock, uncertainty and stress. We continue to receive substantial levels of feedback and engagement on this proposal from our community. We wish to thank all members of the community who came to present to us or have connected with us via email or in person.

This is a significant and defining moment for the future liveability and vibrancy of Cambridge and we believe it will take time and comprehensive community engagement to achieve a satisfactory transport strategy.

We also acknowledge that the process of community engagement and consultation, unfortunately, is falling short of community expectations. This has led to significant community concern and uncertainty about the future of their neighbourhoods. This was evident to us at both our meeting and the residents' drop-in session.

The community board has spent time considering our feedback to Waipā District Council and our next steps.

Firstly, we will be requesting a clear and comprehensive communication plan for the next steps of engagement and for a regular update to be provided to the board.

We expect this to be developed between the project team and communication teams at Waipā District Council with clear, concise messaging for the community at large.

We are urgently recommending to council that the submission date is extended further by a minimum of three months in order to allow both our board and the community to receive the detailed answers and information that they require to form their submissions.

We also propose that the Cambridge Community Board implement, facilitate and host a detailed question and answer session via video link in order to provide the community with the answers they require.

We propose that the community submits questions in advance, and the board liaises directly with the project team in order to understand, and then present this information to the community.

As always, we welcome any member of the community to our monthly public forum meetings to present to us and the wider community.

You can also email me or any of the board team directly with your thoughts on this plan or any other issue currently facing you.

Our goal is to be friendly and visible representatives working effectively together for the good of our community.

Continued from page 1

my family have called home for 165 years…”

He said he needed “a lot of convincing” the council’s recommendations were right.

However, his colleague Mike Montgomerie spelled out why he did not take part in the discussion and vote, saying it was nothing sinister but a “serious dedication to doing my job”.

“It’s so when we are deciding at council, I am still an active decision maker.

“If I’ve expressed strong prejudice I actively technically can’t participate at the end of the day.”

• The News would like to clarify its description of the blue blob. Streets either partially or completely under the blue blob to the west of Dick Street and south of Hamilton Road (not included underneath it) are Duke, Bryce, Queen, Grey, Mackenzie Place, Dallinger and Wallace courts and Haworth Ave.

Keb Hart describes himself as a musical storyteller.

Photo: Supplied.

Nationals and ski sisters

By Viv Posselt

Hundreds of fans have descended on Piarere to watch 109 water skiers from around the country compete in the New Zealand Water Ski Nationals.

The March 26-31 event is held here every six years or so because the 66-year-old Piarere Water Ski Club at the Horahora end of Lake Karāpiro is considered one of New Zealand’s best competition sites.

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Happy gardening!

Nigel Wilson said that reputation was based on the rare proximity to the action spectators can enjoy from the clubrooms.

“Few others have the jump and slalom courses right next to the spectator area, and we have extensive stacked decking to accommodate the

numbers,” he said. “This is a very popular competition venue because of it.”

Nigel has been involved with the club for some 17 years and has done much to build its family friendly reputation.

“We’re now well into our second generation of

skiers, with some of the third generation coming through. That’s important to us.”

The club draws its members from far afield with many turning up at any time during the season to camp in the grounds and enjoy the water.

Among them are 9-year-

old ‘ski sisters’ Tauranga’s Savannah Slow and Auckland’s Zanneja Murray. Both got into it through their families in around 2020 and are among the youngest to compete in the nationals.

Savannah was on double skis at age five.

She mastered the single ski last year and now reckons her favourite disciplines are the slalom and tricks.

Her mum Justine Slow, who is married to current club president Matt Slow, is also competing in the nationals for the first time as she wanted to wait until both she and her daughter were ready for the event at the same time.

Zanneja is the daughter of wakeboarder Jason Murray. She graduated from a kneeboard as a child through to her current preference of slalom and ski racing and is said to be a whiz on a wakeboard as well.

Those taking part in the 2024 Rothbury nationals, which has free entry for spectators, include skiers across the age spectrum. One of them is Nigel’s wife, Vicky Wilson.

She’s far from the most senior but does some headspinning slalom work that defies logic.

“I’m a bit of a late bloomer and not naturally sporty at all,” she beamed. “I only started about 10 years ago, but that doesn’t mean I’m not competitive.”

Barry Fowler, 73, will be racing slalom and tricks for the seniors. He’s been doing it since he was around 14 and reckons it’s a great way to stay fit.

Recent past president

Vicky Wilson

Cambridge’s Tess Hancock, 11 Dani Apperley, 14, are taking part in the under 14 girl’s slalom at the nationals.

Photo: supplied

Booze ban on champs’ night

By Mary Anne Gill

Problems with people “pre-loading” before last year’s Grins Night of Champions at Cambridge Raceway has prompted officials to put a temporary liquor ban in place for next month’s event.

The grassed paddock to the east of Cambridge Raceway and a part of Taylor Street will be off limits to alcohol from 4pm to 11pm on April 12.

A temporary ban enables police to assess whether patrons have had too much alcohol to drink before they go into the track, and gives them more power to prevent preloading.

They can also stop side loading by removing alcohol. Side-loading is defined as consuming alcohol from a store while travelling to or queuing to enter a venue.

Waipā Licensing Authority inspector Maddison Berry told district councillors this week pre and side loading caused a problem last year. The News was at the event and saw patrons’ behaviour, prompting the call up of extra police resources from Hamilton and a 50-strong security contingent.

A record 4000 people attended which saw six-year-old champion pacer Copy That take out the $1 million feature slot race slashing the 2200m track record in the process in a time of 2m 36.3 secs.

Karāpiro couple Wayne and Fiona Keoghan won $50,000 in Cambridge Raceway’s sweepstake after drawing Copy That, driven by Blair Orange. The horse’s owners Merv and Meg Butterworth won $450,000.

Raceway chief executive Dave Branch said he would undertake a thorough debrief and at a pre-event meeting with police, a licensing inspector and a delegate for the Medical Officer of Health, indicated he would be

applying for a temporary liquor ban.

“Preloading increases the risk for attendees entering the event already influenced by alcohol. The aim of preventing preloading and side loading is to limited intoxication and reduce alcohol related harm,” said Berry.

A liquor ban gives police the power to search a person for alcohol and then seize, confiscate, or destroy it. Anyone knowingly disobeying a ban can be fined or arrested. Police must first warn people who are in breach of a ban and give them the opportunity to either leave the area or cease drinking and/or carrying alcohol.

A similar temporary liquor ban at Karāpiro Domain for big events has been successful in reducing problems associated with consumption of alcohol on the site.

Meanwhile the Keoghans have snapped up the same 232 number which won them $50,000 last year in the Raceway’s $100,000 TAB Trot Sweepstake.

Cambridge Tree Trust

The lovely elms of Waipa’s urban and rural landscape are now under threat from the devastating fungal disease, Dutch Elm disease (DED), with three cases so far con rmed. Considered one of the worst tree diseases in the world, DED killed 97% of elms in France. In New Zealand it is a noti able organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993. Often spread by the tiny elm bark beetle, the fungus blocks the water and nutrient conducting system of the tree. Death may occur in as little as three weeks, or over three years.

So what can we do?

2. Rapid

“We had a fantastic time last year and couldn’t believe our luck when we drew the favourite,” said Wayne, who had not been to the races for four years and had never heard of Copy That.

“Even when we saw Copy That in front, we didn’t think he’d stay there all the way.

“After the races we went back to party with about 20 friends, it was quite a night.”

The Keoghans shared the winnings with their sons, some went into mortgage payments, and they topped up their holiday account, which paid for a recent four-week motor home trip round the South Island.

The sweepstake is limited to 2000 tickets and the money raised will help fund the $575,000 TAB Trot which promises to be the most exciting race run here in years.

The eight-horse race features the four best trotters from Australia - Just Believe, Callmethebreeze, Arcee Phoenix and Queen Elida - plus New Zealand’s top pair of Oscar Bonavena and Muscle Mountain.

Nine Maadi medals for Waipā

They rowed in 16 A finals, 23 B finals and one D final – and came home to Waipā with nine medals – three gold, three silver and three bronze from the national secondary school rowing championships.

The Maadi Cup regatta was staged last week in glorious conditions on Lake Ruataniwha, Twizel, and Te Awamutu College, Cambridge High and St Peters School were represented at the country’s biggest secondary schools’ event.

Gold medals were won by Cambridge High’s under-15 girls coxed four - Stella Hohneck (stroke), Felicity George, Olive MacDonald, Sienna Ropiha and cox Jack Charlton, St Peters boys under 15 double sculls – Jack Calcinai and Jakob Kampenhout and their under-17 double sculls combination of Molly McClintock and Peyton Barnard.

Te Awamutu sent two rowers to Twizel and Asarina Johnson and Casey Lee Baker came home as winner of the D final of the girls’ under-18 double sculls.

There were several multiple medal winners – including Cambridge High’s Tegan O’Dwyer, a past gold medal winner at Maadi who picked up a pair of bronze medals, and from St Peters, Charlise Davison, cox Darcie Granwal and Olivia Henry.

St Peters’ Molly McClintock and Peyton Barnard both came home with a full set – a gold, a silver and a bronze.

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The 2024 Maadi was also a successful one for Waikato – as Hamilton Boys High won the boys Under-18 final and also picked up the Star Trophy which goes to the most successful school at the regatta.

1. Know the early signs of disease: leaves on the tips of branches wilt and turn yellow, then brown and curl ( agging). If a ected branches are cut there will be dark discoloration of the wood immediately under the bark. However only lab testing will con rm the presence of disease.

2. Rapid identi cation is vital. If you see a dying elm please report it at once to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on 0800 80 99 66. Infected trees must be felled and immediately chipped, wburned or buried on site. Root grafts occur naturally between adjacent trees, and these should be physically destroyed before tree removal.

3. Do not transport, store or use elm for rewood (this is probably how the disease got from Auckland to Waipa)

4. Plant alternatives to elms, or elms resistant to DED such as the small-leaved Asian varieties. Plant at least 20 metres apart to lessen the likelihood of spread via root grafts.

A vaccine may become available, but in the meantime please do your bit to limit the spread of DED as much as possible by acting quickly. www.treetrust.org.nz

Cambridge Tree Trust would like to thank Mitre 10 for their support for these monthly articles which are intended to raise interest and awareness of trees in Cambridge.

Copy That in the winners’ circle.

Photo: Angelique Bridson

Spotlight on Cambridge

Authentic taste of Naples pizza

Pijjas Pizza brings the unique special flavours of Naples, with its Neapolitan and Margherita pizzas to Cambridge pizza afficionados.

Neapolitan pizzas, with their thinner crusts, are based on tomatoes and mozzarella cheese – but the tomatoes must be either San Marzano tomatoes or pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio, which grow on the volcanic plains to the south of Mount Vesuvius to claim that status and these do.

Margherita pizzas, on the other

hand, are cooked for a longer duration at a lower temperature, allowing the dough to rise longer and producing a thicker crust they are renowned for.

Both are made using specialised flours, and the freshest of ingredients from mozzarella to basil, olive oil to truffle oil. Fresh herbs and vegetables, seafood and the best of processed delicatessen meats are part of what’s on offer, with a variety of sizes.

You can order sides from breads to marinara, as well as a kids menu.

At Pijjas, the fusion cooking of these amazing pizzas is produced by the

combined talents of Param and Jaspreet, whose love of these Italian masterpieces is produced in every handmade dish that comes from their ovens.

The proof? Just check out some of the testimonials – like this one:

“Our first time ordering with Pijjas, hands down the best pizza in town, the best in NZ even! Even more impressive was that they delivered

to us even though we’re rural and it was just perfect! Thank you Team Pijja for a beautiful feast!” – Louise Dumpleton, or from Phillip Miliona: “Great pizzas both kids size and standard. Will be our regular now! Cheers guys.”

Pijjas is open from Wednesdays to Sundays from 11am till 9pm and they do offer home delivery within Cambridge’s urban area.

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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

PIJJAS Paramjeet and Jaspreet

Medals are coming home

Waipā and King Country riders are bringing 11 medals home from the Para Cycling Track World Championships in Brazil.

Ōtorohanga’s Nicole Murray, now based in Cambridge, won five – gold, two silvers and two bronze, Devon Briggs set a world record – then broke it – on his way to collecting gold, a silver and two bronze medals and Cambridge’s Anna Taylor picked up a silver and a bronze.

Rio de Janeiro 2024 was the first track cycling event of the Paralympic Year and one of the final opportunities to secure qualification points for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games to be staged in August and September.

New Zealand sent five athletes – the other two were Ben Westenberg (Tauranga) and Cambridge’s Nick Blincoe.

Briggs, 20, bettered the world record in his C3 Kilo qualifier, and then bettered it in the final.

“I came into the day wanting to get the world record and we smashed it out of the park,” he said on the night of his win. “And to come in again tonight, breaking my own world record and getting rainbows on top of that, I’m so stoked.”

Murray claimed a gold, silver, and a bronze medal on the last day – Monday. She made the podium for every event she entered.

Briggs, who attended Cambridge High School, finished the final day with a second bronze and a silver to bring his haul to four. The bronze was not without cost, as another rider clipped his bike, causing him to crash toward the end of the race.

Briggs escaped without major injury and received the bronze medal as the athlete who caused the crash was disqualified.

The medal total was one better than the previous best of 10 at the last word champs.

Playbox borrows Cambridge actors

By Geoff Lewis.

Young Cambridge actors have key parts in the coming Playbox Theatre company's production of The Borrowers which opens I just over a week.

Thomas Briston, Holly Fulforth, Liam Dobson and Lyra Slaughter are among a cast which has only two players over the age of 17.

The Borrowers has been a satisfying challenge on almost all fronts according to Playbox director Glen Mathews - who has also played at Gaslight in Cambridge.

The Borrowers is set around a family of tiny people who live secretly below a clock in a house located in England and "borrow" from the big people above them in order to survive.

The play, by Charles Way, is based on a

Is the mullet being cut?

By Steph Bell-Jenkins

Eleven year old Arthur Heta began growing his hair three years ago after losing an uncle.

Last week it earned him first place in Cambridge Middle School’s annual mullet competition.

With his long black locks stretching past his shoulder blades and his hair neatly shaved on the sides, the year seven student was a crowd favourite – and would no doubt have impressed his late uncle.

“He had a long, curly mullet,” Arthur said. “It was a way to remember him.”

Mason Murphy, third in the 2023 event, was second this time.

The school’s cricket pitch was transformed into a makeshift runway and 10 finalists were selected to strut their stuff in front of four judges.

The mullet hairstyle, which involves cutting hair short on top and at the sides and leaving length at the back, was popular in the 1980s and surged back into vogue in Cambridge around 2021.

But one judge, Matt Cameron from

BarbershopCo Cambridge suggested the look is “slowly phasing out”.

“Generally rugby players set the trend, so at the moment the style is edgars and tapers – and horseys are coming back,” he said.

An Edgar cuts involve a fade on the side and taper cuts front and back, a classic taper is a short back and sides with the hair gradually changing length and a horsey has the wearer growing one section of hair down the back long.

A new Whacky and Creative Hairstyle category added this year attracted more female contestants and produced a variety of styles.

Year 8 student Isabelle Macallister, who Googled crazy hairstyles for inspiration, won the category after sifting through her recycling bin to find the apple juice bottle that formed the centrepiece of her elaborate creation. The overall look showcased her hair pouring out of the bottle into a paper cup fitted over her ear.

Year 7 student Jayme Shearer was runnerup with her purple hair complemented by a rainbow outfit.

• More photos cambridgenews.nz

book by Mary Norton.

Key characters are Homily, Pod and Arrietty. Pod goes 'borrowing' for items, Homily does the usual domestic jobs and Arrietty becomes even more curious about the life of the 'Big People'.

The source of the plot is the interaction between the minuscule Borrowers and the "human beans".

The main character Arrietty often begins relationships with the big people that have chaotic effects on the lives of herself and her family, causing her parents to react with fear and worry.

Mathews gained his introduction to theatre through church and school productions before being introduced to the work at Riverlea Theatre and he has performed in Doubt at Cambridge's Gaslight Theatre.

Sculpture park will celebrate

Over 30 years of replanting and beautifying a derelict quarry near Cambridge will be celebrated over the Easter weekend at The Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum in Scotsman’s Valley.

The Seeds of Renewal celebration will offer self-guided walks, a series of workshops, guest speakers and demonstrations on seed collecting, propagation, organic gardening, pruning, designing, soil care and establishing an Asian forest. There will also be different hands-on workshop topics for each day.

Owners John and Dorothy Wakeling began work in 1991 on turning the derelict Winstone’s quarry into a magnificent park. Today, it contains towering cliffs, pools and waterfalls and is home to more than 30,000 trees and shrubs from around the world.

The Wakelings held the first sculpture park event there in late 2003, when 47 sculptures were displayed as part of a Hospice Waikato fundraiser. Since then, it has hosted numerous musical performances and exhibitions and holds regular open weekends in support of charities.

Howzat! Cambridge’s Devon Briggs celebrates his world record time.

Photo: Paralympics New Zealand.

Whacky and Creative Hairstyle competition runner-up Jayme Shearer (left) celebrates with winner Isabelle Macallister.

Cambridge players in The Borrowers, from left - Thomas Briston as Campfurl, Holly Fulforth as Mrs Driver, Liam Dobson as Pod and Lyra Slaughter as the gypsy girl.

Mullet competition runner-up Mason Murphy (left) and winner Arthur Heta

Check off your ABC’s this autumn

Autumn has come early this year, with cooler temperatures signalling a likely early turn to winter. And with that, now is a great time to check your batteries, says Oliver Wilson from Cambridge Auto Electric.

The well-established business with the personal touch offers a free ABC (alternator, battery, charging) check on just about every type of vehicles from motorcycles, side-by-sides, cars, SUVs, trucks, to mobile homes and horse trucks.

Oliver says there are three main contributing factors that lead to batteries dying in the winter: reduced capacity, increased draw from starter

motors, and increased draw from accessories. A car battery can die in cold weather due to several interconnected factors that collectively strain its ability to provide sufficient power to start the vehicle. Cold temperatures exacerbate the challenges faced by batteries, particularly those nearing the end of their lifespan or lacking proper maintenance.

Firstly, in cold weather, the chemical reactions within the battery slow down significantly, yet there will be more asked of the battery, when accessories such as heaters, defrosters, and headlights are often used more frequently.

Secondly, cold weather increases the viscosity of engine oil, making it thicker and more resistant to flow. This, in turn, places additional strain on the battery when starting the engine because

Thirdly, the cold temperature increases the internal resistance of the battery itself. Higher internal resistance means that the battery cannot deliver as much current as it would in warmer conditions, further reducing its ability to supply the required power to start the engine.

Additionally, batteries lose some of their charge naturally over time, and cold weather can exacerbate this process. If the battery is already weakened or old, the combination of cold temperatures and reduced charge can lead to a failure to start the vehicle.

In addition to the free battery check, they will also do a free “C and B Seen” check on your bulbs and wiper blades to make sure they are all good to go for

the colder, darker season.

Cambridge Auto Electric sell what Oliver believes are the biggest range of batteries in Cambridge, with a full range of the well-known Koba brand; but they also do a whole lot more.

“We do warrants of fitness – and that includes motorbikes and caravans, trailers and horse floats; servicing, diagnostics scanning, repairs – just about everything,” Oliver says. Students and Gold Card holders are offered discounts, as are those in essential services.”

Cambridge Auto Electric is open

Monday to Friday from 8am till 5pm and by appointment on Saturdays.

If you’d like your free ABC check – make sure you call Cambridge Auto Electric now.

the starter motor must work harder to overcome the resistance posed by the thickened oil.

Quick crossword

Across

1. Rigid-sided bag (4)

4. Sports gear carry-all (6)

8. Pillow (7)

9. Bring up (5)

10. Nautical greeting (4)

11. Card game for one (8)

13. Smell neutraliser (9)

17. Block (8)

19. Self-satisfied (4)

Last week

22. Overshadow

23. Grief-stricken

24.

14.

16.

18.

20.

Across: 1. Oiled, 4. Outage, 8. Curtain, 9. Aroma, 10. Sidle, 11. Treacle, 12. Oppose, 14. Parish, 17. Amiable, 19. Twang, 21. Later, 22. Tequila, 23. Breeze, 24. Exile.

Down: 1. Occasionally, 2. Lurid, 3. Drawers, 4. Ornate, 5. Tease, 6. Gnocchi, 7. Make the grade, 13. Painter, 15. Antique, 16. Settee, 18. Barge, 20. Alibi.

This newspaper is subject to NZ Media Council procedures. A complaint must first be directed in writing, within one month of publication, to the editor’s email address.

If not satisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the Media Council P O Box 10-879, The Terrace, Wellington 6143. Or use the online complaint form at www. mediacouncil.org.nz

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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

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

Scan here to download the app To list

Karapiro 364 Karapiro Road

4 2 2 2

Motivated Vendor, Bring all o ers!

With 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2 toilets, this spacious home provides ample space for a growing family. The openplan kitchen is a chef’s dream, featuring designer finishes, modern appliances, and a walk-in pantry. The separate laundry adds convenience to your daily routine. The property boasts a generous land area of 3096 sqm, providing plenty of room for outdoor activities.

Eureka 50 Appleton Lane

5 2 3 2

Absolute Bargain At This Price!

The price has been significantly reduced, well below cost price, making it an exceptional value! Tucked away at the end of a peaceful country lane, only 8 to 10 minutes away from Ruakura service center, Camarosa restaurant, and Waikato University. This property is also on bus route to all major schools in Hamilton. Boasting five expansive bedrooms, three elegant bathrooms, and the comfort of double-glazed windows throughout, this luxurious property, stretching across 6410 sqm, is the epitome of serene and opulent living.

For Sale $1,260,000

View by appointment or scheduled open home times

www.harcourts.co.nz/CB4032

Gary Stokes M 021 351 112

For Sale $1,399,999

View by appointment or scheduled open home times www.kdre.co.nz/CB6383

Gary Stokes M 021 351 112

3

for the whole family. The master bedroom features its own en-suite for added convenience.The open plan living, dining, and lounge area create a welcoming atmosphere, perfect for gatherings or simply unwinding a er a busy day.

Supreme Townhouse - Cambridge Park

56 Grosvenor Street, Cambridge

- Upstairs -Two spacious bedrooms, lounge area and family bathroom.

- Downstairs - Three bedrooms - one with ensuite, family bathroom, lounge & living options, modern kitchen with scullery. Open Home Sunday 11.00 - 11.30am

Negotiation

6/30 Jarrett Terrace, Cambridge Park 3 2 2

- Walk in and fall in love with the space and practical living in this stunning 4 year old, 3 bedroom, 173sqm townhouse.

- Master bedroom wing offers separation from the family bedrooms. Open Home Sunday 11.00-11.30am St

Kilda Smart Design

Negotiation

13 Alan Livingston Drive, St Kilda

4 3 2

- Discover the smarts of this delightful Urban built 277m² home set on an elevated and private 1346m² section (more or less).

- Sensational thought-out floor plan that welcomes fun family living, Airbnb possibility or could provide a wing for extended family.

- 12.30pm

; kitchen Bosch appliances; open plan living (bigger than it looks in photo); family bathroom with large shower; separate toilet and vanity; master bedroom, ensuite and walk-in robe.

Style & Family Fun - St Kilda

$1,769,000

26 Alan Livingston Drive, St Kilda

4 2 2

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

- The separate lounge and a third sitting room includes a study nook; tailor made for family living. Open Home Sunday 12.00 - 12.30pm

57B Williams Street, Cambridge

- Charming solid brick home offering all that you need – very suited for first home buyers, investors or downsizers.

- Offering a well-appointed kitchen, two spacious bedrooms and a bathroom featuring bath and shower, with separate toilet.

ANNUAL PJ DRIVE IS BACK FOR 2024!

25th March 2024

26th April 2024

Cambridge Real Estate is proud to be running our annual PJ drive in association with Kids In Need Waikato. We are accepting brand new pyjamas in all sizes from infants to teens.

CAMBRIDGE REAL ESTATE WILL DONATE A PAIR OF PYJAMAS FOR EVERY SECOND PAIR RECEIVED.

We would love your help to collect as many pairs of PJ's as possible to donate to Kids in Need Waikato. Drop off point is inside the office of Cambridge Real Estate. One donation makes a difference! Get behind this amazing cause.

ATWELL, Gail Dorothy –

Passed away peacefully at Cambridge Resthaven on Thursday, 21st March 2024. Aged 83 years. Dearly loved Aunty of Jill Jones, Susi Webb and Annette Jones. A private family farewell has taken place. All communications to the Atwell Family, c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge.

BAN, Karen Anne, (nee Denholm) – Passed away peacefully at Hospice Waikato on Wednesday, 20th March 2024, after a courageous battle for many years. Aged 73 years. Dearly loved wife to Graham. Much loved mother and mother-inlaw to Lynley & Chris, Craig and Philip. Adored grammy to Amanda, Sophia, Zac, Keira and Alex. ‘Special thanks to Waikato Hospice and Leamington Pharmacy for the wonderful support shown to Karen over the past 4 months.’ A celebration of Karen's life will be held at Raleigh Street Christian Centre, Raleigh Street, Leamington, Cambridge on Thursday, 28th March 2024 at 1:00pm followed by a private cremation. Donations to Hospice Waikato would be appreciated and may be left at the service. All communications to the Ban Family, c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434.

PODJURSKY, Nano Maureen

– Passed away peacefully surrounded by family on 23rd of March 2024 in her 98th year. Loving mother to Stephen, Christopher, Mark, Shelley and wife of the late Colin. Nana to nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A Requiem Mass will be held at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Anzac Street Cambridge, on the 2nd of April 2024 at 11:00am followed by Nano’s interment at Leamington cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to the new church building fund will be very much appreciated.

WARD, Maureen Florence

– Passed away on the 24th of February 2024. We will be having a celebration of her life at Alexandra House, Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu on the 13th of April at 11.00 am.

will apply, pricing available on request. Advertising space only is purchased, and all copy made up by Good Local Media Ltd remains the property of Good Local Media Ltd. If supplied ready to print, copy is owned by the advertiser. Publication day is Thursday for urban deliveries and Friday morning for rural deliveries.

Specifications: For supplied adverts: PDF/X –4 spec, fonts pathed or embedded, text 100% black. Photos & logos – high resolution jpg (300dpi). All files to be large. Colours to be CMYK not RGB. Photos should be colour corrected with a total ink level of approximately 220%.

Rate card: Rates are based over a 12-month period starting from the date the first ad publishes. Rate bracket e.g. 6 insertions, 12 insertions etc. chosen allows ad sizes to vary within the rate bracket. If the number of insertions chosen is not met then a bulk charge will be applied at the end/cancellation of your schedule based on correct rate reflective of the number of ads published e.g. if you have chosen the 12 insertion rate and only publish 6 insertions, the bulk charge will be the difference in price between the 6 insertion rate and 12 insertion rate

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.

Why would you pay $90,000 or more for a comparable new van when you could have all this for $50,000 REDUCED TO $45,000. Cambridge telephone 07 823 3576

027 231 7609 E: greypower.cambridge@gmail.com

Visitors aged 50+ keen to become Greypower members are welcome to attend.

NEW MEMBERS WELCOME

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE –Kairangi & Robinson Roads

Please note that the roads listed below will be closed to ordinary vehicular traffic on Sunday 7April 2024 for the Kairangi Loop Bent Sprint.

Between 7:30 am and 5:30 pm on Sunday 7 April 2024:

• Kairangi Road – between Norwegian Road and the southern end of Robinson Road

• Robinson Road – full length

Access from Hewson, Griggs, Rahiri and Dillon Roads to Kairangi Road will be affected.

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

For more information, please contact Waip-a District Council on 0800 924 723 or email events@waipadc.govt.nz

Garry Dyet

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Release of Request For Proposal (RFP) from parties interested in leasing part of Taumatawiiwii Reserve on Lake Karapiro.

Ng-a Pae Whenua (NPW) is the joint administering body between the Ng-ati Koroki Kahukura Trust (NKKT) and Waip-a District Council (WDC) with responsibility for recreation reserves transferred to NKKT under the 2014 claims settlement. That includes the Taumatawiiwii Reserve located at 749 Maungatautari Road, Maungatautari, Cambridge.

NPW seeks to identify parties wishing to lease ≈7,021m² of land and may include a building (The Property).

NPW seeks proposals from interested parties to ensure The Property provides optimal benefit to the community and its users. Being a Recreation Reserve any lessee cannot have exclusive use. The optimal outcome may be that The Property is leased to more than one party.

The current lease on The Property expires on 30 June 2024.

The RFP has been released via the Government Electronic Tender Service (GETS) and a link on WDC’s website.

To register to view The Property at 10am on Saturday 23 March 2024 email: dsanders@propertygroup.co.nz

This RFP closes at 4pm on Wednesday 10 April 2024.

Consultation for Waipā District Council Fees and Charges 2024/25

Fees and charges are reviewed and updated annually to better reflect the true cost of providing certain services.

The fees and charges currently being reviewed will be applicable for the 2024/25 financial year, commencing on July 1.

The consultation period will open on Monday March 25 and close 9am, Friday April 26.

Escalating costs and inflation have impacted Waip-a District Council’s fees and charges for the 2024/25 financial year. Most fees and charges are proposed to increase by 10 per cent, with some exceptions to these proposed increases, outlined in the statement of proposal.

Submissions on the proposed changes can be made online, via email or through a hard copy submission delivered to Council offices or libraries in Cambridge and Te Awamutu. Hearings, deliberations and adoption of the new fees and charges are scheduled to take place in May.

To have your say and to find more information about fees and charges visit www.waipadc.govt.nz/haveyoursay or call into a council office or library. This information includes the full Schedule of Fees and Charges 2024/25 and the statement of proposal outlining reasons for the proposed changes.

Special Needs Drivers - Cambridge

Permanent Part-Time Special Needs (SESTA) car and van drivers required for Cambridge, 15 hours per week, school terms only, transporting students to and from school.

What you you need:

 Full Class 1 Licence (minimum 2 years)

 Passenger Endorsement (we can help you obtain this)

 A responsible and caring approach

Get on Board with Go Bus Transport and come join our great team in Cambridge!

If you want to be part of a business that is making a difference in your community, then we want to hear from you!

Our recruitment process includes a Drug and Alcohol Test and a Police Vetting check. To be successful, applicants for this position must be a New Zealand Citizen, have permanent residency or hold a valid NZ Work Visa with no restrictions.

To apply please email –joanne.burman@gobus.co.nz or call 021-747-191.

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