Te Awamutu News | April 18, 2024

A time to remember Uncle Frank One of the fallen 15

By Viv Posselt

Like many for whom Anzac Day brings family into sharp focus, Len Hatwell’s thoughts turn at this time to the trials faced by his forebears.

The Te Awamutu man’s uncle Frank, or Frances Aloysius Ligouri Hatwell, was born in Hawke’s Bay in 1893 and was killed in action at the Somme in April 1918, aged just 24. His name is included on the World War One cenotaph in Te Awamutu, one of the 58 fallen WWI soldiers who are central to an ongoing research project being undertaken by the NZ Society of Genealogists Te Awamutu.

It was a recent story in The News that alerted Len to the project and triggered the family’s decision to disclose Frank’s details.

There is another side to Frank’s story. He was married in 1915 to Annette Selina Smith, said to have lived at the time in Te Awamutu’s Park Rd –which by happenstance is the very street in which Len lives today.

The young bride, who was also known in the records as Elizabeth, died in the Spanish influenza epidemic that claimed thousands of Kiwi lives in late 1918, drawing a tragic line under that branch

of the Hatwell family tree.

Frank’s loss is also noted on the cenotaph in Woodville.

Where Frank entered the overseas WWI arena after a 31-day posting to Samoa followed by a stint with the Canterbury Regiment, Len’s father Peter Channel Hatwell took a more direct route to that conflict. He was part of the Wellington Mounted Rifles and served overseas for just three days short of four years, including with the Anzacs at Gallipoli. He survived to enlist in World War II but was not posted overseas.

Anzac Plans

today going through another searing conflict. Len, who was raised in Gisborne, has now been in Te Awamutu for 56 years. He and his late wife Joyce used to run an antiques business in Cambridge and Tirau – Cartwell Antiques.

Te Awamutu’s commemoration of Anzac Day starts tomorrow with Poppy Day. The annual appeal being marked this year on April 19 will see the sale of poppies swell funds for New Zealand’s Returned Servicemen Association in support of the country’s veterans and their families.

At 11am on Sunday, there will be the annual Anzac Day service at the Pukeatua War Memorial Church, to be attended as usual by members of the Hauraki Chapter of the Patriots Defence Force Motorcycle Club.

Following that will be a memorial service at Tokanui Hospital Cemetery near Kihikihi. Te Awamutu RSA’s Lou Brown said research showed that among those buried there are veterans of the Boer War and the world wars, with many having suffered lifelong trauma because of their experiences.

On Anzac Day itself, April 25, the dawn parade will start at 6am from the RSA building in Alexandra St and make its way to the Te Awamutu Memorial Park Sunken Cross. That will be followed by a flag-raising at the RSA cemetery. The main Anzac Day Civic Parade will take place 11am at Anzac Green in Teasdale St.

Anzac Day will be marked in Kihikihi at a service at the cenotaph outside the Kihikihi Town Hall, starting at 8.45am.

LEFT: Len Hatwell’s father Peter Hatwell, seen here with Fred Barwick manning their machine gun on WWI duty in the Sinai. Photo by Gordon Williams

CENTRE: Te Awamutu man Len Hatwell looking through the official papers relating to his father’s and uncle’s military service. Photo: Viv Posselt

RIGHT: Neither Len’s uncle Frank, nor Frank’s wife, survived

Te Awamutu RIDING FOR THE DISABLED (RDA)

RDA are holding a fundraising Car Boot Market Day at Kihikihi Domain this Saturday. Punters are invited to bring along their equestrian tack, furniture, home produce, clothing, plants, toys, books and bric-a-brac.

Proceeds from the $20 per vehicle gate fee will go towards the continued running of Te Awamutu RDA.

Gates open: 7am for vendors 9am for the public

Enquiries to Rosalie 021 1539 395

Ōtorohanga’s train man…

By Paul Charman

Bill Millar thinks his town’s railway station is a superb tourism asset.

Bill regularly welcomes KiwiRail’s Northern Explorer scenic train to Ōtorohanga when it arrives Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings from Auckland and Sunday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons from Wellington.

He greets passengers and will suggest places for them to get a meal or stay the night. He answers questions on local attractions and explains the history of the King Country.

“We have this opportunity to meet people on a one-to-one basis; we must greet them with a smile, put a glow in their day and encourage them to stay in our region,” Bill said.

Back in 1993, he was instrumental in convincing the government of the day to continue Ōtorohanga’s rail services.

He did the same again in 2006 and a third time in 2012, when he gathered 3000 petitions from Ōtorohanga, Kāwhia and Te Kūiti to retain the town as a stop on the Main Trunk Line.

On Saturday the former taxi driver was once again on hand to meet the Northen Explorer when it arrived from Auckland.

On the beat with Constable Ryan Fleming Our week in review

Please include copies of the article and all correspondence with the publication.

After a small hiatus I am back from leave and am looking forward to filling you all in with a review of the week showing how busy our staff have been.

Monday - A theft was reported at a commercial premises, a female was arrested for breaching her bail conditions and police attended a minor motor vehicle collision and two family harm matters.

Tuesday - A vehicle was broken into at a property in Te Awamutu, a male was arrested for a fines warrant and a subsequent search of him led to drug charges. Police attended a violent family harm matter that was reported by members of the public and as a result a male appeared in court. Police attended another alcohol fuelled family harm incident at a nearby address. Police attended a farm burglary and a stolen vehicle was recovered in Kihikihi.

Wednesday - Police attended a heated family harm incident outside the Police Station where a Police Safety Order was issued. Police attended a family harm incident in Kihikihi and also arrested two females for a shoplifting spree at several shops in Te Awamutu. Elsewhere, a female breached her bail conditions, we attended another family harm incident and a vehicle failed to stop for Police.

Bill chatted with party of six elderly cyclists who had come from Rotorua and Tauranga to board the train at Ōtorohanga and ride it to Taumarunui.

After wishing the cyclists bon voyage Bill welcomed a Russian tourist named Daria Kulikova, who was alighting from the Northen Explorer on her way to Waitomo Caves.

Bill arranged for her to have lunch in Ōtorohanga with some of his friends, including the district’s Mayor Max Baxter. He also arranged a lift for her to her accommodation at Waitomo. In conversation it turned out that Daria came from a Russian village which is now in the firing line due to the war with Ukraine. She has worked in IT in Israeli city of Haifa and in Moscow.

Bill said the Northern Explorer represents an important gateway for local tourism and he would like to see its potential maximised.

“I consider the tourist industry is selling expectations, not things. The product does not come off a factory line; it is not produced by a machine it is produced by people. If you produce a bad experience for a visitor, such as poor service or discourteous remarks you cannot put a ‘stop shipment’ on it, as it has happened and it is already too late.

Thursday - Police received a report of threatening behaviour from an ex-employee of a commercial premises and a report of neighbours at war, police attended a family harm at an address relating to the previous day. We also attended a burglary scene and a mental health incident.

Friday - Police attended a minor motor vehicle collision, a mental health incident, two family harm incidents at a repeat locations, both exacerbated by alcohol. Police supplied staff to Cambridge Raceway for the Night of Champions meeting.

Saturday - Police attended a family harm incident where a protection order was breached and a family harm matter where a Police Safety Order was issued. An orchardist located a suspicious male picking “mushrooms”, police attended a family harm in Kihikihi, a vehicle was broken into, police attended an assault and received a report of wilful damage.

Sunday - Police attended two mental health incidents, a tenant returned to a property he had been evicted from and stole items, police attended a burglary, a violent family harm incident, three other family harm incidents and a wilful damage incident.

“Remember to be friendly to our tourists. We all need to be involved in our tourist and visitors’ needs and help them any way we can. Remember it is people who are remembered by visitors long after their memories of lakes, mountains, geysers and glow worms have faded away.”

• Do we have a Bill Millar in Waipā? Email editor@goodlocal.nz

Bill Millar greets Russian tourist Daria Kulikova, who was on her way to Waitomo Caves.

New Tuia member

Tane, the son of Linda Te Aho (Ngati Koroki Kahukura) and Willie Te Aho has joined the national Tuia Leadership Programme and will receive mentoring from Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan. Te Aho, who is fluent in Te Reo and excelled at Hamilton Boys High, is set to complete his degree in Te Reo Māori and Māori Development this year.

Great advice

Cambridge-based My Mortgage director and adviser, Claire Williamson won the New Zealand Financial Services Group Adviser of the Year award in the regional category at the 2024 New Zealand Mortgage Awards.

Mahuta appointed Rotorua lawyer Tyler PakiTe Huia (Mangatoatoa and Mōtiti marae has joined Te Nehenehenui Board as an interim trustee. His election comes soon after former cabinet minister Nanaia Mahuta (Te Kuiti marae) and Dean Nikora (Kaputauhi) were appointed to the Ahuahu Group, the commercial arms of Te Neheneheui (Maniapoto) as an independent director.

Fluoride watch

Anti-fluoride politician Kane Titchener, the deputy chair of the Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board believes legal action taken last week will impact on Waipā. An injunction has been filed against Hastings District Council over its decision to resume fluoridating its community water supply.

Concert time

An early May concert presented by Te Awamutu Concerts Alive at St John’s Church will feature awardwinning performers who share Kiwi-Korean backgrounds.

Rachel Song is a South Korean-born New Zealand pianist who completed her Master of Music in classical piano performance from the University of Auckland. Yune-Sang Yune is a KoreanKiwi flautist who made her first professional debut with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra last year.

Mayors keep cards close

By Roy Pilott

An amalgamation discussion right now could be short and pretty one sided in Waikato.

A snap survey of Waikato’s civic leaders suggested the most do not buy into Waikato Chamber of Commerce head Don Good’s call that it’s time to discuss the existing local body political boundaries.

The News reported last week that one mayorWaitomo’s John Robertson had already put his stake in the sand – but of a dozen leaders asked, he was only one of four to respond by the time we went to print. Two said it would be inappropriate to comment.

“The councils in our region already work collaboratively. Amalgamation isn’t something that our council has discussed, so I feel it inappropriate to comment any further,” MatamataPiako’s Andrene Wilcock told The News.

“It’s not a topic that has been raised or discussed with our councillors or our community and it would be inappropriate for me to make a comment on the

subject at this time,” Thames Coromandel’s Les Salt said.

South Waikato’s Gary Petley was prepared to talk about an issue not discussed by his council.

“Amalgamation is not out of the question - if it can be shown to have benefits for our communities and – if there is an appetite for amalgamation from our community and ratepayers,” he said.

“Debt levels of neighbouring councils would need to be considered so as not to unnecessarily burden our own ratepayers. But it’s not just about finances and efficiencies. We must ensure that our communities’ interests are aligned.

“Amalgamation can challenge a community’s inherent sense of place and interest. Business cases for amalgamation must extend beyond simply bolting councils together. This alone won’t realise financial benefits. Councils and communities will still need to do the hard work of rationalising facilities, staffing and service levels. Most communities have little tolerance for losing their local library or pool for

example.”

Robertson said he didn’t have views on other areas –just the two smallest in the region – Ōtorohanga and Waitomo.

“To me it’s a no brainer and would bring advantages to the ratepayers of both districts,” he said.

Four principles should drive council area definitions, he argued.

They were the ability to gain economies of scale and spread overheads, having a community of similar interests, enough scale to attract professional staff and to procure goods at competitive prices – and protect local democracy.

He gave ticks to all four for Waitomo and its neighbour Ōtorohanga.

The call to suggest a Waikato super council is not new.

Former Hamilton mayor Margaret Evans appeared before a select committee to back that idea in 2009. The influential group she led included former mayors John Hewitt (Waipa), Eric Tait (Ōtorohanga) and Angus Macdonald (Waikato).

One Hamilton councillor, Dave Macpherson – who

retired only last year – called the plan a “spectacular brain explosion”. Former Waipā mayor Alan Livingstone suggested such a move would be “on our town time” and not through rushing to Wellington to ask the government to decide it. At the time Evans noted

“how can you expect someone who’s occupying a seat that’s going to disappear to have a positive response?”

• What do you think? Is it time for a merger discussion? Send us your thoughts in a letter to the editor.

Menzshed help flying the flags again

By Roy Pilott

Flagpoles in Te Awamutu have a friend in the Menzshed.

Having restored to glory the pole on Anzac Green in the centre of Te Awamutu just over 12 months ago, the blokes have now done the same for the pole at Te Awamutu’s cemetery on Picquet Hill Road. It’s just in time for it to fly the flag proudly for Anzac services.

The pole, which dates back half a century, was showing its age –ravaged by rust and its moving parts seized to the point its primary job of raising and lowering flags – couldn’t be done.

Menzshed had it taken down and the metal sandblasted – a

restored, nylon pulleys added and then given a new coat of paintdonated by Alan Patterson in his role as Territory Manager at Dulux.

District Councillor Lou Brown –Core Values Coordinator at the Te Awamutu RSA - was delighted at the end of the six week project and said it was important to acknowledge and record the support Te Awamutu enjoyed from businesses and Menzshed.

The timing of the work ensured the flagpole would be in use for Anzac services – which are drawing increasing numbers of people to the cemetery each year as they remember their late relatives.

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community service provided free by Te Awamutu’s Industrial Blast

and Paint – before it was taken to Menzshed HQ to have its workings

The project was overseen by Menzshed member Fred Steed.

Fred Steed, who oversaw the repair work, pictured with RSA life member Ross Wardlaw, centre, and Lou Brown, right.

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139

Here hums the bus

By Viv Posselt

The first new EV bus slid quietly off the Cambridge i-Site rank on Monday morning, signalling the launch of an expanded Waipā bus service that also ticks the zero emissions box.

It was the first of six new EV buses set to replace Cambridge and Te Awamutu’s current diesel bus fleet. The new vehicles will work to an expanded and more frequent timetable that doubles the number of weekly services connecting to Hamilton.

The Cambridge service increases on weekdays from eight to 20 return trips, and the Te Awamutu service grows from nine to 19. Over weekends, both services increase from four to 13 return trips daily.

The additional services mean Waipā’s regional bus services cover some of the longest distances in the country. Each vehicle will typically travel between 350-500km a day, while most New Zealand public transport buses average 220250km a day.

The new buses can carry 75 passengers (37 seated and 38 standing). Patronage numbers will be monitored, and existing diesel-fuelled ‘assist’ buses will be on hand to ensure all who want to travel can do so. Doubledecker electric buses, which will further boost capacity, are expected to come on stream later this year.

Monday’s launch was marked by a blessing, followed by a ribboncutting and talk by district and local councillors and representatives of Tranzit, the coach company supplying the new buses.

Destination Cambridge general manager Ruth Crampton said it signalled “a real move towards the carbon zero targets that all councils and countries are working towards”.

She said an upgrade in Bee Card interest had been

seen in the weeks since the upgrade was announced. The Bee Card is an electronic fare payment smart card used on bus services throughout New Zealand.

“Of particular interest is the doubling of the timetable between Cambridge and Hamilton,” Crampton said.

“This week, we even had 40 Bee Cards purchased for international students visiting Cambridge High School, which they will use to get to and from school.”

Tranzit general manager of bus and coach, Jenna Snelgrove, said significant planning went into electrifying bus routes. It included selecting the correct bus and batteries for Waipā’s roads, catering to the demands of longer trips, and ensuring passenger and driver comfort. The company bought six new electric buses and employed 12 additional drivers for the Waipā services.

Waipā District Council’s group manager service delivery, Dawn Inglis, said the new EV buses and expanded timetable will benefit Waipā residents and visitors. “We are constantly looking at ways to improve how people get around our towns, as well as offering visitors other options to get here. The upgraded timetable and decreased environmental impacts are a win for everyone.”

The increased service frequency is seen as a critical component of the HamiltonWaikato Metro Spatial Plan, said Waikato Regional Councillor and deputy chair of the Future Proof Public Transport Subcommittee, Angela Strange. “We’ve seen increasing frequency lead to greater passenger numbers across the network.”

Waikato Regional Councillor and Regional Transport Committee chair, Mich’eal Downard, said EVs are critical for the regional public transport objective to deliver services with at least net neutral carbon emissions between 2025 and 2050. “Having this first fleet on the road shows we’re making great progress on our environmental goals.”

Services in Cambridge and Te Awamutu will follow slightly different routes to accommodate charging. The batteries will take between two and four hours to fully charge overnight at the depots.

In Leamington, the Cambridge bus will travel from the Pope Terrace depot onto Goldsmith, Southey, Arnold and Shakespeare streets.

The Te Awamutu service will carry on to and end at Kihikihi, meaning the town will enjoy a seven-day service instead of the current Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Thumbs up for the new EV bus launch on Monday. From left are Waipā District Council’s group manager service delivery, Dawn Inglis, Destination Cambridge general manager Ruth Crampton, Waikato Regional Council public transport manager Trudi Knight and Waipā District Councillor Roger Gordon. Photo: Viv Posselt

A new Te Awamutu venture was to begin producing dried milk. Dried milk, whether with or without its cream, was a highly concentrated food, and it was dried milk without cream that was the product contemplated for the Te Awamutu factory.

Dried milk was far more convenient to the housewife and the cook than liquid milk which was always in danger of going sour or being contaminated. Dairy farmers around Te Awamutu would be guaranteed that as the public become more educated as to the high food value of dried milk, they would increase their purchases. There was no doubt that behind a proper barrage of education on the subject the people of the world would welcome the new industry.

Despite a cold snap an enjoyable euchre evening was held for those who splashed bravely through puddles and mud to their usual rendezvous, the Te Rore School. Following the card game and supper there was a pleasant little dance, Miss Samuelson and Mr Krippner providing suitable music. Mr Krippner also gave several amusing recitations. Many reached the conclusion that on a wet night there were far worse places to be than the Te Rore schoolroom.

Gorse, blackberry and fern covered hundreds of acres in Pirongia. These ‘absentee’ acres needed legislation to bring about some remedy. Isolated patches had been cleared, fenced and sown, and were being farmed by owners or lessees. But on other sections the rates had never been paid, while on others they had been paid by those holding the lands for speculative purposes. These people neither cleared nor improved the lands, and their holdings were a distinct menace to the freedom from noxious weeds of adjoining

A Snip in Time

lands and detrimental to the advancement of the district. This state of affairs had been most unsatisfactory for 20 or 30 years and was steadily growing worse. It was suggested that the Minister of Lands be empowered to seize the sections, bring them under the provisions of the Public Works Act, and offer the lands in blocks for sale by public auction.

The Raglan County’s five-ton motor lorry, laden with long bridge beams, crashed through a bridge at Harapepe. Just as the front wheels touched land the bridge collapsed, and had it not been for the long length of the beams reaching the opposite bank, a most serious accident would have taken place, as nothing could have prevented the lorry from dropping backwards into the water, which was about 10ft deep. A temporary service bridge had to be erected to allow the traffic to pass until the county’s lorry was extricated, which occupied a couple of days.

A young man, who was going to visit some friends in Te Kūiti missed the express and went on by one of the slow trains. A long stop at Ōhaupō was followed by another at Te Awamutu, and when about half an hour had been spent at Te Kawa the guard came through the train, and the young man said to him “I say, guard, are we likely to reach Te Kūiti tonight? I have only come from Frankton Junction, and, so far, I have been on the train for four hours.”

“That’s nothing,” replied the guard, “I’ve been on it for four years.” “Great Scott!” exclaimed the young man, “you must have come right through from Auckland!”

The roar of laughter from the other passengers drowned the guard’s reply.

St John full of colour

By Viv Posselt

This month’s Colour Run at Lake Ngā Roto in support of St John proved successful and was loads of fun, says organiser Tracy Chisholm.

The April 7 event attracted over 200 participants and raised around $2000 for the organisation.

Tracy, who is the volunteer secretary/

treasurer of the St John Te Awamutu area committee, has spent months pulling the Colour Run together. She organised it as fun way to replace the usual street appeal type fundraising event. She told The News last week that the community event had also been great in terms of raising the organisation’s profile.

“The weather was perfect and people had a lot of fun doing it.”

Paint-splattered Lisa Fisher and young Freddie were among the winners of spot prizes at this month’s Colour Run. Photo: supplied

Advent hope

By Norris Hall

The attention of many of us undoubtedly has been drawn to the turmoil and conflict in the Middle East in recent times.

Finger pointing and recriminations are rife in the accompanying rhetoric of words. The region seemingly has never enjoyed that peace, which we in far-away New Zealand may often take for granted, for countless centuries. It occupies a bridge so to speak between Asia and Africa, not far also from Europe. It seems everyone is striving for political and economic superiority in that historical flash point even to this day.

Following the battles and destruction of World War I, many countries banded together to establish the League of Nations with the aim of ensuring that that war would never be repeated. The aftermath of that war borne out in peace treaties and simmering national rivalries and angst soon put paid to that utopian ideal. Those treaties sowed the seeds for an equally destructive second World War. And again many nations united in their desire to enjoy peace during which to recover and rebuild. But in many regions today, both near and distant, that ideal of and seeking for peace is a far off dream.

Here in the South Pacific, New Zealand today seems, time and again, to enjoy that idea and sense and experience of peace. But in many cities and provincial towns however society appears to be at war with itself. Witness the almost daily murders, ram raids, stabbings, abductions, car thefts, vandalism, a lack of respect for others and so on. Everyday citizens may not feel at peace living in their homes and carrying out their day to day lives and business in town and elsewhere; retailers are feeling vulnerable and exposed to violence.

And even in homes, many of which are suffering from the turmoil of economic restraint and hardship, that peace and assurance of making two ends meet can be a far-away experience. KiwiSaver hardship withdrawal applications are on the rise. And that lack of financial security may also give rise to domestic tensions and familial breakdowns if not simmering stress and desperation.

We live in troubled times.

Those who practise their respective faiths are called upon to pray for peace in the world, in our nation and much closer to home. But like charity which begins at home, perhaps it is important to remember that one first prays for peace and harmony in his or her heart and then for peace elsewhere. St. Francis of Assisi once prayed, “Lord, make me a channel [or instrument] of your peace”.

Jesus of Nazareth is referred by many as the Prince of Peace. He preached in his time non-violence, loving one’s neighbour, establishing social justice to name a few items in the agenda he sought to accomplish and fulfil. What he said may have been easy to listen to, but hard to put into practice for many.

While many of us may not feel called to be St. Francis’ channels or instruments of peace for whatever reason, we may however feel moved to seek and find peace and harmony in our hearts and minds, our families, our neighbour-hoods, our communities and beyond. That is a start.

It is important that while we ensure that that peace is not an elusive dream. It begins with us.

ON SHAKY GROUND

Wild weather and tacos

By Janine Krippner

Weather warnings can be like Tacos. Living in the United States, a country that has a hurricane, and a tornado, and a winter storm season, I experienced my fair share of weather watches and warnings. Even with those frequent reminders there can still be confusion about what they mean and what actions to take.

Recently the Taupō Civil Defence team shared a tasty analogy. If weather was tacos, a taco watch means we have all the ingredients to make tacos out on the bench ready to go. A taco warning means we are having tacos right now!

A weather watch means stay alert and watch out for local updates. Severe weather is possible because the right conditions are there, but there is still uncertainty involved. We have two warning levels here, orange and red. An orange warning indicates that people need to be prepared and take the appropriate action (given by MetService and our local Civil Defence groups) for severe weather – weather that has the potential to cause disruption or harm. This includes heavy rain, strong wind, thunderstorms, or heavy snow. A red warning means take immediate action now, follow the advice of official and emergency agencies. We are having tacos, folks!

In the United States I saw plenty of stories of people not following weather event advice. A common one is “turn around, don’t drown”, referring to not driving through flooded streets. Too often images were shared of cars and their occupants submerged in water that was hiding a large sinkhole, or within water much deeper than it looked. Cars are certainly heavy for us, but they can float in water and be carried away. Cars

can be death traps in floodwater.

Another scary issue is how quickly severe weather like thunderstorms and tornadoes can develop right out of conditions that look perfectly charming. According to NIWA, we have about 7-10 moderate to strong tornado events in New Zealand each year. They might not be as destructive as the mile or so wide tornadoes in the American tornado alley, but any tornado can make simple objects deadly projectiles.

Last year many Kiwis got a first-hand experience with how traumatic and dangerous a cyclone can be. We call these huge storms cyclones when they form in this part of the world, typhoons in the northwest Pacific, and hurricanes over the North Atlantic or North Pacific. As we saw, the winds are certainly dangerous but it’s the water that can also bring deadly force, bringing down our landscape in landslides and flooding large areas.

Agencies work hard to help us avoid loss of life when weather conditions hint that we could see destructive events. Like volcanoes, meteorologists are monitoring constantly evolving systems and there are uncertainties involved. Uncertainty comes from the weather itself changing as we get closer to an event, limitations in technology and weather models, or judgement call that need to be made. Even with these factors we know that warnings save lives. Just like having taco ingredients in the kitchen, versus tacos on the plate ready to go, it is up to us to take the appropriate steps towards the best outcome for ourselves and those around us.

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Where handpieces are R18

By Sigrid Christiansen

During her childhood, Sonya Fagan’s shearing contractor dad, Craig Fagan, discouraged her from the industry.

But at the recent New Zealand Shearing Championships, Sonya gained valuable experience when they shore together in a family contest. She appreciates the mentoring – both in competitions and in the sheds.

“When I’m with Dad, I tell him ‘I’m having trouble here, what am I doing wrong?’ And then you do it and you click, and you’re like, ‘I just did it way faster.’”

The story begins with reluctance: on both sides.

“If I’m being brutally honest, I’ve done everything I can to talk her out of it,” Craig said. “Because I know the reality of the industry. It’s not easy. Even as a bloke it’s tough but for women, they’ve not got the advantage of strength, and it’s tougher again.

“No one wants to see their children struggle. But 20-year-old Sonya, who “doesn’t do things by halves,” insisted on giving it a go. And Craig ultimately picked up on her passion and became a supporter.

“Being quite headstrong, she’s decided this is the path she wants to go down. So I’ve said, OK, if you are going to go this way, the least I can do is give some insights to help you,” he said.

“I wanted to make sure this was what she really wanted to do. Because it’s not an easy road.”

At first, even Sonya herself didn’t want to go shearing.

And for some time, it wasn’t an option for her, or any of her siblings.

“We had a rule in our house that you weren’t allowed to pick up a handpiece until you were 18, because you can wreck your body if you do pick it up any sooner,” Sonya said. That didn’t mean the young Fagans weren’t involved; Sonya started wool handling at 12. And that was behind part of her reluctance to shift to shearing. “I didn’t really want to go into the sheds because I’d been doing it for so long and I wasn’t keen.”

She originally wanted to join the Navy, and also later went to uni, but health affected her progress in both areas. Only after that did her mind turned to shearing.

Around that time, Craig organised for the two to go over to Australia, working in the sheds, and Sonya loved the atmosphere as a wool handler.

“Over there, you throw big Merino fleeces and there’s a lot more work to do on the fleece, they care a lot more.”

Craig suggested she “do the last side” of some of the sheep. “When we came back, Dad said, ‘do you want to do a shearing course?’ I thought, I’ll give it a go, I thought, this could be a good way to make money and travel the world. That was in 2022.

The course was run by Piopio’s Mark Barrowcliffe. That’s when Sonya first shore a sheep by herself.

Another inspiration was recordholder Sacha Bond, who helped her choose handpieces and provided consistent encouragement.

When Sonya spoke to King

Country News recently, she was back from a year overseas in Norway and the UK. At the end of the recent Scottish main shear she shore her first 100.

“That’s the hardest tally you’ll do, because you’re not used to it. You get thrown in the deep end.”

Young shearers aspire to get there in eight hours, but Sonya did it in just six.

Since returning home this year she has shared a stand with gym buddy Chloe Bingham. “After New Years, we both got a crack at our 200 and we both got that. We were so happy.”

Shearing has been “a bit of a journey” and frustrating at times.

“Strength is my worst challenge. I’m not a big girl –so trying to pull ewes out all day is a struggle. They can be pretty big and strong.”

Craig added, “Most of them would be bigger than her.”

Sonya said there were “no days off,” in the shearing season, with tiredness and fatigue a reality.

Continued on page 10

Sonya Fagan

Velvet leaf threat on two farms

Forensic work is underway to determine how an invasive weed arrived on Waikato farms – and where else to might have gone.

The discovery of velvetleaf (pictured below) on two new properties in the Waikato region has sparked a renewed call from Waikato Regional Council for robust biosecurity measures on farm.

Now biosecurity farm management plans are being put together to manage the risk of spread on 60 properties. Velvetleaf is one of the world’s most invasive pest plants and its seeds remain viable for decades.

It is an annual broad-leaved herb that grows between to more than two metres in height and has buttery-yellow flowers about three centimetres across. It flowers from spring through autumn.

Leaves are large, heart-shaped and are velvety to the touch. A mature plant can have as many 15,000 viable seeds. “A significant amount of work has gone into controlling

velvetleaf in this region since it was first discovered in 2011, so it is extremely disappointing to have these two new outbreaks,” said Waikato Regional Council’s biosecurity pest plants team leader Darion Embling.

“We can’t be certain how velvetleaf has spread to these two properties.

However, tracing has historically identified machinery and infested maize silage as the most common vectors, which demonstrates the need for continued vigilance by farmers and growers, as well as rigorous machinery hygiene protocols by the cropping sector.

“Our focus is on tracing machinery and crop movement, which is critical to ensuring the risk of spread beyond these properties is effectively managed,” Embling said. Velvetleaf was discovered in the region in 201 and the scale of finds escalated in 2016.

The majority of the infested properties are in the north Waikato, Matamata-Piako and south Waikato districts.

O’Brien to stand down

Rural Women New Zealand chief Gabrielle O’Brien will step down at the end of June.

She will pursue some different opportunities, projects and interests including travel.

“I’m taking this step with mixed emotions as I have absolutely loved working with the Board and National Office team and meeting so many of our wonderful members over the past three years.

“It’s been a privilege to lead this special organisation and I’m proud of the work we have achieved during my tenure, including navigating the organisation through the challenges of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The organisation – which began life at the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, then Women’s Division of Federated Farmers, is preparing for its centenary in 2025.

Board President Gill Naylor says she will miss Gabe’s measured expertise.

“It’s been a great pleasure to work with Gabe and she is leaving the organisation in a much stronger position to tackle the future as a result of her dedication and commitment over the past three years.”

Where

handpieces are R18

Continued on page 20

“You work from after New Year’s straight through to the end of January. You’ve got to have the right mindset to get past all of that.”

“The sheep do kick you and you’ve got to deal with it as well. If you get kicked real bad, you’ve just got to get back in your pen really.”

Sonya has collected a few shearing ribbons, placing third in the women’s event at the Gore show. All women were in the same class.

“I was talking to my uncle David (Fagan) at the show last week. He was helping me a lot with my gear and talking to Dad on the phone trying to get me into the right headspace.

“The more practice you get, the better you will get at it. I’m just trying to learn to have fun with it instead of worrying about where I come.”

Sonya’s goal as a shearer is to do a record one day, perhaps when she’s 30. She’d also like to win one of the big shows.

“That’s the long-term goal. But who knows what’s going to happen between now and then? I might do a whole main shear next year and not enjoy it. But you’ve got to have a goal.”

At first it felt “very pressured” to be a Fagan starting out in shearing. “You go up on stage and they say, ‘she’s from the famous Fagan family.’ You are really nervous, especially overseas.

“I just try not to worry about it too much. Try not to let the pressure get to you, that’s the main thing. Everyone expects you – that’s why I had a hard-ish couple of shows before Gore, everyone was like, ‘you should be doing better than that because you’re a Fagan.’

Her next plan is to go to the main shear in the UK. She doesn’t want to run a gang like her dad though: “that’s way too much dealing with people.”

Otherwise, she’d like to go farming and “live a simple life. You don’t have to get stressed every morning about people turning up to work.”

“This industry isn’t for everyone. It is a hard industry to get into as well – contractors will give you a job if you’re reliable and you can go somewhere in life. I’ve had a great couple of years travelling.”

“It is still harder for girls to shear than boys to shear, because you haven’t got that strength, but I think that if a girl wants to shear – I think girls are a lot calmer than boys naturally, most of the time.”

“I love to see women shearers that come up. Me and Chloe have had the same tallies coming up through the main shear, and it’s great to see that other women shearers are happy for you.

“Any girl can conquer this job with the right mindset.”

Don’t dish the dirt

By Stu Kneebone, Waipā-King Country Councillor

A significant part of Waikato Regional Councils (WRC) catchment management programme involves helping landowners/managers to better manage erosion prone catchments, particularly in the steeper parts of the region. Loss of productive land in NZ hill country is estimated to cost our economy $100 to $150 million / year. The benefits include keeping soil on the hills where it is supposed to be, and reducing sediment loss and contamination into our freshwater bodies. The Waikato Hill Country erosion programme is a partnership between the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) and Regional Councils. The Waikato programme involves a targeted approach in catchments with the greatest erosion risks, and aims to support landowners with a suite of mitigations, including poplar pole planting, native afforestation and land retirement and reversion to native.

For those in the Karapiro Stream and upper Mangaonua Stream catchments (Whitehall and Te Miro) you may be eligible for up to 70% of the cost of fencing and planting. A total of $745,000 is available from the programme over the next four years for these two catchments. Contact Melinda Dresser 078590858 or Melinda.Dresser@waikatoregion.govt.nz

In the Waipa Catchment, The Waikato River Authority and WRC with the support of the MPI Hill Country Erosion Fund can work together to jointly support landowners via the Waipa Catchment Plan programme with a total of $4.15million available over the next four years. The types of work eligible include fencing to retire steep, erosion prone land (including land with native bush on it), revegetation of steep, erosion prone land with natives, and poplar pole planting for stabilising

land slips etc. Landowners in the Kaniwhaniwha, Moakurarua, Mangarama, Mangatea, Mangarapa, Upper Waitomo and Upper Puniu catchments may be eligible for funding assistance. Up until June 2024 (the next two months) up to 85% of the cost of work is able to be provided. However from July 2024 through to June 2028, 70% funding assistance will be available. Phone 0800 800 401 and ask for a catchment officer for your area.

The ability of the Waikato River Authority, MPI and WRC to combine resources and assist landowners to undertake restoration work in steep, erodible and unproductive catchments provides a great opportunity to progress with future proofing your farming system. For those with marginal steep gullies and other unproductive areas that are not really suitable for cattle, this funding assistance is worth considering.

Noting that the pending Plan Change 1 regulations will require exclusion of cattle from certain streams and other waterbodies, this funding assistance will not be available for work required by regulation. However in situations where landowners are prepared to go the extra mile and go over and above the regulatory bottom lines, demonstrate real value add for the health of a catchment, and for example create a wider riparian buffer than the regulations require, then this funding assistance can be applied. As well as mitigating erosion risk, this work also provides a range of other benefits to help future proof farming systems in hill country, including building resilience to climate change and enhancing native biodiversity.

Contractor or Employee?

Dan owns a dairy farm and employs a full time farm manager. From time to time Dan engages Mike to help out on the farm when it gets busy. Sometimes this can be for weeks at a time.

Dan shifts stock, sprays weeds, milks and assists with calving. Mike and Dan have verbally agreed to an hourly rate of pay but Mike doesn’t have an Employment Agreement or a written contract.

Dan decides what time Mike will start and finish work and what work he will do on the farm. Mike issues Dan an invoice for his work every month and Dan pays him at the same time he pays his farm manager. Mike pays his own income tax.

When the relationship between Dan and Mike sours, Dan tells Mike that he won’t be calling him up for work again. Dan has now received a letter from Mike’s lawyer. Mike has raised a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal. Dan is adamant that Mike was never an employee but rather was an independent contractor

The distinction between an employee and a contractor is an important one, particularly in the farming context. Farms often have a number of people involved with day to day operations. Being clear on who is an employee and who is a contractor is vital. Simply calling

someone a contractor or an employee is not enough. If challenged, the Courts will look closely at the details of the relationship. The types of questions asked by the Courts include:

• What does the written agreement between the parties say? The starting point is always what is written down, but an Agreement saying someone is a contractor can and will be overturned by the Courts if the reality of the daily work suggests the person was actually an employee;

• Who pays the tax and ACC levies? A contractor pays their own, while an employee has these paid by their employer;

• Who decides what jobs are done and when? A contractor sets their own hours and is free to decide what work is done and when. An employee is usually directed to do certain tasks at certain times. Similarly, a contractor decides when they take holidays or leave early, whereas an employee often has little control over these decisions, or requires someone else’s approval first;

• Is the job being done one that is usually done by a contractor or an employee? For some tasks this will be easily answered, such as fixing the milking plant which would usually be done by a contractor, not an employee. For others, such as relief milking or spraying weeds, this question is not so easy to answer;

• Is the person’s work integral to the farm? A person who is performing key tasks on farm is more likely to be considered an employee than someone who is doing things that are incidental to the farm operation. For example, someone who is shifting stock and fences on a daily basis is more likely to be an employee than someone who comes in to repair the fences when asked to do so by the owner or manager.

In summary, if you have an agreement with an individual to work hours that you prescribe, in your workplace, carrying out core functions of your business, it is highly unlikely that person could be an employee. On the other hand if you agreed to ask that individual to get a specific

task done, and that person can choose (within reason) when it is done and who can do it, and particularly if it is not core to your business, then it is more likely to be a contractor relationship.

Why is the distinction so important?

Employees are protected by the Employment Relations Act and have clear options open to them if a grievance arises. In contrast, contractors who have a dispute must resolve that claim through a more costly and time consuming Courts process.

Having a clear understanding at the outset is vital for both parties. What matters is not just what is written down but what actually happens day to day. The consequences for

getting it wrong can be stressful and expensive, regardless of whether you are an employer, employee or contractor.

If you are confused or worried by the employee/contractor distinction, contact sue@gallie. co.nz to talk it through in more detail.

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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

Please include copies of the article and all correspondence with the publication.

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Triple joy

A Cambridge team won the Kihikihi Bowling Club’s Te Awamutu Funeral Services Tournament last week.

The event attracted 24 teams – and at the end of the day none managed to win all their games so it came down to a count of ends won among half a dozen who chalked up three wins.

Central’s team skipped by Chris Denton came out on

top from Judy Cato (skip), Linda Bennett and Nvenka Drnasin. Close behind in third place was the Te Kūiti trio of Steve Woods (skip), Kevin Higgins and Peter Lange. A composite combo of Alan Bowler (skip) Clive Merrin and Eddie Knox finished fourth.

On Sunday the Kihikihi club hosted the Waikato Centre Fours champion of

champions series - the single biggest championship event on the Waikato Calendar. There were 17 mens teams and 12 womens teams in action.

The event has still to be completed and it could resume on April 28.

Meanwhile the Cambridge club will host the champion of champion triples on Sunday.

Residents and visitors to the Waip-a district are cordially invited to attend the Anzac Day Commemorative Services.

PUKEATUA – 21 APRIL

The Pukeatua Memorial Church service will be held Sunday 21 April at 11.00am

TOKANUI – 21 APRIL

There will be a short memorial service held at the Tokanui Cemetery on Sunday 21 April at 1.30pm

CAMBRIDGE DAWN & CIVIC SERVICES

The Dawn Service will be held outside the Cambridge Town Hall commencing at 6.00am, muster at 5.45am on the eastern side of the Town Hall Piazza.

There is no indoor wet weather option. We will parade regardless of weather.

The Civic Commemorative Service will be held inside the Town Hall commencing at 9.00am, followed by placing wreaths at the Cenotaph. Families who wish to lay a wreath are welcome to do so after the official wreaths have been laid.

Members of the public and community who wish to participate in the Civic Commemorative Service Parade are asked to assemble on Alpha Street outside Onyx Restaurant at 8.30am. Group Leaders and Markers are to report to the Parade Marshal at 0820 outside Cambridge Vets.

Parking will be available for the aged and infirm in Kirkwood Street for both services. Please note that there will be limited seating for older veterans at the Dawn Service.

KIHIKIHI

Returned and Service personnel and members of the public are invited to a memorial service to be held at the War Memorial, Main Street, Kihikihi at 8.30am.

ŌHAUPŌ

Returned and Service personnel and members of the public are invited to a memorial service to be held at the Ōhaupō Memorial Hall, Great South Road, Ōhaupo at 10.00am followed by light refreshments.

PIRONGIA

Returned and Service personnel and members of the public are invited to a dawn service to be held at the Pirongia Memorial Hall, Franklin Street, Pirongia at 6.00am. Organised groups that would like to march assemble at 5.45am at the Five Stags Car Park. Light refreshments will be served in the hall after the service.

KĀWHIA

Returned and Service personnel and members of the public are invited to a memorial service to be held at the War Memorial, K-awhia at 1.00pm. Returned service and members of the public that would like to march assemble at the Town Hall at 12.45pm.

TE AWAMUTU DAWN & CIVIC SERVICES

The Dawn Service will be held at the Sunken Cross War memorial, Mutu Street at 6.00am. Ex service personnel will parade outside the RSA Clubroom, 381 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu at 5.45am. Light refreshment will be served at the RSA Clubrooms after the service.

Wet weather venue RSA Clubrooms.

7.45am Te Awamutu Cemetery Flag raising ceremony with Veterans and members of the public.

The Civic Commemorative Service will be held at the War Memorial, ANZAC Green, commencing at 11.00am. Members of the public are invited to join the returned and service personnel there. Returned, service and members of uniformed groups are requested to parade at the RSA Clubrooms, 381 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu at 10.45am.

Wet Weather venue Te Awamutu Events Centre.

The RSA requests that medals be worn. Medals worn by family on behalf of deceased service personnel should be worn on the right chest. Wreaths will be laid at the memorial and organisations desiring to place official wreaths will report to the Marshall in Teasdale Street on arrival at the Cenotaph. The RSA Clubrooms will be open for all members, invited guests and members of affiliated clubs from 1.00pm, with the restaurant available and entertainment provided.

The winning Cambridge Central combination of Mary Hughes, Glenys Carter and skip Chris Denton.

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Enquiries/CV to principal@maihiihi. school.nz

Ph: 07 873 2887

• Ability to work as part of a team.

• Training will

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