King Country News | May 30, 2024

King Country

King Country

Targa heads our way

By Andy Campbell

This year’s Targa rally may have a base in Ōtorohanga township as part of the rally organiser’s plan to regionalise the event.

Ultimate Rally Group managing director Peter Martin told last week’s Ōtorohanga District Council meeting they wanted a town base at some stage of the two-day event.

“We were really wanting to try and engage a bit more with the township, and the wider community around this event,” he said during the meeting’s public forum.

“This is one of the regions that is very pleased to see us and we would like to continue to build the relationship with you where we could continue to come back more regularly on a basis that could be planned a bit better in terms of your future dates and in terms of your engagement with the wider business community to actually bring activity into town.”

Traditionally 67 per cent of Targa rallyers are from Auckland, 13 per cent from offshore and 20 per cent from the rest of New Zealand.

The last economic impact survey carried out in the Tasman District in October 2022, showed the two day weekend regional event generated $3.6 million.

“So its big money in terms of spend, the large majority of that goes into accommodation and food providers,” Martin said. “That does not include the direct spend the competitors spend on their rally activity. This is in addition.”

The council has approved a list of Targa Rally road closures for public consultation.

The event will be advertised with an objection period of 28 days. Once the objection period closes a further report will be presented to Council for final approval, possibly July.

Martin said there had been discussions outside the meeting. The Ōtorohanga Rugby Club had been secured as a venue if a Turongo Street pit area was not possible.

Continued on page 2

No palaver, please…

By Sigrid Christiansen

It’s been a year in the making, but Rangituatahi Te Kanawa of Te Kūiti has been formally invested as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

The ceremony was held this month in Auckland with Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro.

“In 2023 I had a lot of overseas travel and other commitments,

so it was better to do the ceremony this year,” she told The News. especially important.

to have a lot of palaver about myself.”

preservation, and it was announced in the King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours.

Te Kanawa said it had been nice to meet the other recipients, and she enjoyed mingling with them and their families.

She wore a cloak woven by her mother, Diggeress Te Kanawa, among those gifted to her siblings at the turn of the century, when

the younger Te Kanawa was in her forties.

As a third generation weaver, Te Kanawa is a recognised exponent of raranga and whatu, the Māori arts of weaving.

Her passion and focus is the treatment and consolidation of degraded black fibres in Māori textiles. She does preventative conservation work on kākahu (cloaks) and whāriki (mats) in museum collections.

services to Māori art and heritage (cloaks) and whāriki

workshops showing kaitiaki - the best practice for the long-term preservation of taonga in their care. The next two will be in Te Aroha

She delivers and Rotorua, she said.

Rangituatahi Te Kanawa, right, pictured earlier this month with Dame Cindy Kiro.

Photo: Focal Point Photos.

Wylie 0800 SELLRURAL (0800 735 578) pwylie@pggwrightson.co.nz

Targa heads our way

“If we can’t hold the event in town and disrupt those businesses - the last thing we want to do is disrupt them - then we needed a back-up plan,” Martin said.

The intent was to have a better engagement across the community, Martin said.

“What we have been seeing in the last few years of our events is we are very transient, and we come in and we go. So we are trying to regionalise it.”

This included double running some of the stages, which gave organisers an opportunity to put spectator points in place where the flow of cars could be seen twice instead of just once.

Rally organisers were thinking about how to bring the show into town. Affected businesses had not yet been contacted.

News/Editorial

Roy Pilott editor@goodlocal.nz 027 450 0115

Andy Campbell andy@goodlocal.nz 021 0232 1666

Paul Charman paul@goodlocal.nz 027 405 9038

Sigrid Christiansen sigrid@goodlocal.nz 022 080 6141

Advertising Director Janine Davy janine@goodlocal.nz 027 287 0005

Owner/Publisher David Mackenzie david@goodlocal.nz Office 07 878 1188 reception@goodlocal.nz

“Our programme now is to engage with them and see if there is an appetite. And if

this council has an appetite for us to be semidisruptive, but in a nice way. If that’s too hard then we have alternatives.

“The process doesn’t take long, we just need to get onto that once you have told us which direction you would like us to go.”

The Targa rally last passed through Ōtorohanga in October 2019, pausing for lunch at the Ōtorohanga Club, where the carpark became an impromptu pit area as crews took the opportunity to work on vehicles.

Post covid the rally was still getting back on its feet after three years of non-events. More recently the changes to the economy were also affecting the event, Martin said.

“Our customers are generally a centre of influence in business and social circles, reasonably well-heeled and at a stage in life they have time to be able to take away from their business activities.

“So in saying that, we are still seeing good response for Targa.

Ōtorohanga

May 27: The brigade received a call at 12.45 pm to assist in extracting a horse stuck in a swamp, however, after the Kāwhia Brigade freed the horse, turned back. (see below).

Te Kūiti

May 21: At 10.10 am the brigade turned out to check an alarm activation at the Cottage Childcare Centre, on the Esplanade.

May 24: At 9.49 am the brigade was called after a van was reported to be on re in workshop on a private property in Cotter St. The owner-occupier used three re extinguishers to put the re out ahead of the brigade’s arrival. The front of the vehicle was extensively damaged.

May 24: At 1.15 pm the brigade was called to Lawrence St following a crash between a car and a motorcycle. The re crew secured the scene, assisted St John with treatment of the

injured rider and helped to transfer him the waiting Westpac Rescue Helicopter. The rider later died.

May 27: The Te Kūiti brigade was called out at 2.04pm after a car was reported to have gone into a ditch at Benneydale. When the Benneydale Brigade reported they had dealt with the incident, Te Kūiti was turned around. Kāwhia

May 27: The Kāwhia Volunteer Fire Brigade responded to a medical callout at 10.48 am, setting up a safe landing zone for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to evacuate a medical patient from Kāwhia. At 12.37pm the brigade was called out to pull a horse from a swamp at a property in Kāwhia Rd. Brigade members used empty re hoses and “person power” to pull the animal free of deep mud it had been trapped in.

• See police calls, Page 8.

Te Awamutu Office 196 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu 07 870 1005

Kuriger.Teawamutu@parliament.govt.nz King Country Virtual Office 021 815 017 Kuriger.Kingcountry@parliament.govt.nz

Brook Park

Congratulations to David Dickinson on his letter in the May 16 edition. His reasoning and clarity is something that would hold the elected members of this council in good stead. For clarification however I must point out that the “submissions” were not “submissions” but feedback (according to Ben Smit, the Chief Executive). Submissions usually require a chance to be heard through the hearing process and need to be taken notice of. Feedback: no such paperwork, it seems, is required.

All meetings about the land sale were closed to the public, there was minimal consultation, area wide, and what “ feedback” was provided was obviously not listened to. This sums up the whole debacle of the Brook Park land sale and the poor state of the current council’s democratic practices.

At least we still have one democratic process left that can’t be manipulated. At the next elections we can vote these people out.

Frustration

Once before I and others have mentioned and really become upset at the supposed “Third World” Mobile service we are being made to pay heavily and can’t get reception out of towns, in suburbs or on highways, This is worse than many third world countries who actually put our mobile and internet service to shame.

Supposedly “Mobile” meaning contact from anywhere any time by emergency services and general public? Signal towers being placed at bottom of hilly towns instead of on high points so that signals can be picked up. Yes we hear many excuses, like with Radio NZ, which one should be able to pick up anywhere around New Zealand - supposedly a National station. They say listen to your local station, but do they realise that some local stations could be unable to transmit in a disaster?

On top of this Spark advise Xtra e-mail users now that there is an additional charge for this address. Spark, so long as they are getting their dollars really are not interested in hearing complaints, but miss a few days in payments and boy, it’s a $19 penalty for late payment.

It’s time for users to rub salt onto their wounded backs, and all providers, for the shocking service we are forced to accept.

Alan Turton Taumarunui

Allan Marsden Te Kūiti

The Ōtorohanga crew at the 2019 Targa, Andrew Oakley (left), Steve Hutchins and Adam Martin.

Statue gives up its secrets

By Paul Charman

The extraction of a 30-year-old time capsule from Te Kūiti’s giant shearing statue on Friday has promoted the town and drawn the community closer together.

So says John Fagan, an initiator of the project to build the town’s six-metre statue completed in 1994 who spoke at two ceremonies to retrieve the capsules.

The first was held at the south end of town to remove the capsule from the statue, and the second at the Les Munro Centre to examine the 25 packets inside it, Both were attended by about 400 people.

The capsule, comprising a

sealed plastic pipe, contained packets of letters written by families and school children, plus a can of beer commemorating a King Country rugby game against South Africa in 1994.

Waitomo Mayor John Robertson was invited to share the capsule story on TVNZ Breakfast last Friday and also this Monday.

In the latter interview

Robertson appeared with two children from Centennial Park School, who had received letters written by their parents as children in 1994. Te Maunu Tihore Whare-Harris,9, and Ivy-Rose Carston Gurnick,11, both seemed impressed at reading their parents thoughts written as youngsters.

‘30

The Mayor noted that the statue and its precious contents had been dedicated by master weaver Dame Rangimārie Hetet on her 102nd birthday (May 24, 1994).

“Reading letters written by parents who were children back in the 1990s brought an emotional response. It’s given adults an opportunity to reflect on their journey through the years and share some reflections with their children,” Robertson said.

Fagan agreed, saying the event had created an enormous buzz of excitement around town.

“And the best thing is there are still two more time capsules inside the statue, to be opened in 2054 and 2084 respectively.”

The statue was originally intended as a tribute to those who worked in the shearing industry and the families behind it, Fagan said.

The anonymous muscle-bound shearer depicted first appeared in a 40 cm high artwork created by wood carver, and former shearer, George Hanratty, who did not want to attend Friday’s ceremony.

Shearers who had seen the design, first minted as a shearing trophy, were impressed by the figure’s accurate stance.

The challenge of turning the original design into the present giant-sized sculpture was taken on by sculptor Dennis Hall, who fronted on Friday up to share his memories.

Hall, explaining how he

had created a mould out of polystyrene and then used that to caste pieces of the statue in concrete.

“This and the task of supporting the statue with sufficient steel to hold it up was an enormous challenge. I was really in uncharted territory most of the time and felt so delighted and proud when it all came together,” Hall said.

Former Rural Bank manager Peter Hodges and John Fagan were part of the committee which had raised the $70,000 required to erect the statue.

“It couldn’t have been done without the generosity of farmers in the district who donated; they’re the real heroes of this story,” Hodges said.

years has come round so quickly’

Te Kūiti’s Leanne Daniel said reading a letter she penned 30 years ago to her older self was quite an experience.

She will never forget the day the statue was dedicated as both her great grandmother Dame Rangimarie Hetet and grandmother Diggeress Te Kanawa had been present. These family matriarchs had encouraged her to write a letter to her older self.

“I’m quite surprised now that the 30 years feels like it has come around so quickly. But looking back a lot’s happened; I’ve got married and had two children, they’ve now left home and now we’re grandparents.”

The letter contained details of

working in her mother’s video store and a home she had recently purchased with her boyfriend, now husband, Mike Daniel.

“We have two cats and he drives a Mitsubishi Sigma that gets us everywhere.”

TV programmes at the time included Melrose Place, Beverly Hills 90210, the Palmers Garden Show and Oprah Winfrey.

On the fashion front crushed velvet was in and clogs had just made a comeback.

There were references to daily life in the country, including that despite a lot of good things going on, violence, poverty and hardship were part of

daily life. Lenne added she expected this to be the same when the capsule was opened.

“The excitement we all felt on Friday was pretty cool because nobody knew what was going to be in it. And it was wonderful to see so many school children there. Every time a name was called out there would be squeals of excitement from children in the family concerned.

“Over the weekend there has been a lot of talk about people doing their own time capsules - it’s a good idea to put things away and write letters to the future.”

RIGHT: Leanne Daniel with the packages she placed in the time capsule 30 years ago.

Waitomo District Council technical staff Damion Buckman (left) and Tim Marriott remove the time capsule from the shearing statue. Photo: Paul Charman

John Fagan shearing statue committee founding member pictured with sculptor Dennis Hall shearing statue committee chair Peter Hodges. Photo: Michelle Freebairn

Public have say on plans

By Andy Campbell

It’s hearings week at both Ōtorohanga and Waitomo district councils this week as the public of both councils get to tell their councils what they think of their proposals.

Waitomo’s Long Term Plan hearings were on Tuesday with the council preparing to hear the views of 132 people who responded to invitation to make a submission.

Ōtorohanga District Council’s hearings started on Monday at Kāwhia where less than a dozen people who wanted to speak to their submissions on the Kāwhai Aotea Ōpārau concept plan appeared before Mayor Max Baxter, council staff, and the community board.

On Tuesday, Ōtorohanga’s rural concept plan hearings in council chambers were followed by submissions on the draft long term plan and the draft economic well-being strategy.

already paid.

Federated Farmers submitted the roading differential be added immediately, saying it was unfortunate the costs from roading degradation caused by forestry activities had been borne for so long by ratepayers at large.

A proposal to extend the Te Kūiti rural rating area south to include a farm and Universal Beef Packers so they can be rated for stormwater was opposed by a lawyer acting for the property owners.

While Ōtorohanga town is the economic hub of the district, about 70 per cent of the community lives rurally. The economic wellbeing discussion enabled a cross boundary discussion with neighbours and acknowledged that Ōtorohanga district residents moved in and out of the district for work, learning and to access services.

Kāwhia residents were concerned about beach access for both pedestrians and vehicles, with some wanting vehicles prevented

from accessing the hot water Te Puia springs, and others wanting things left as they are. With that were submissions about future access to the Te Puia springs.

A suggestion to place an Ev bike charger at Ōpārau was opposed as a waste of money which could instead be spent of restoring the hall which has been unusable since the 2023 flood.

The Ōtorohanga plans are expected to be adopted at the June meeting, following deliberations.

In Waitomo the council decision to reduce funding to Hamilton Waikato Tourism received a predictable response from that organisation and its parent body Hamilton Waikato Regional Airport Ltd.

The council ‘s plan to

levy forestry companies for road damage during logging operations by increasing their roading rate by nearly 1200 per cent was opposed by forestry interests, investors and a resident who labelled it a money-grab, and asked what had happened to the rates the forestry companies had been paying for the 30 years during the trees growth – saying they had

The only current stormwater piping was under SH30 and the railway where the stormwater from both properties discharged into the Mangaokewa stream. Neither property was serviced by the Te Kūiti urban services.

It was argued the council method of calculating stormwater rates from owners of properties within the urban rating area was not formulated to produce fairness for properties such as the farm, where the property value was relatively high but the relationship with the urban stormwater network was very low.

It’s argued Ōpārau – pictured following heavy rains in February 2023 - would be better off with a fixed up hall than a charger for electric vehicles.

Amio

What’s on at your Library?

2024 Adult Winter Library Challenge for members who are 18 plus

Winter is coming, with shorter days and longer nights. It’s the perfect time to curl up with a good book and check out other cool library resources we have on offer. There are nine activities you can complete. Each one you complete puts you into that weeks’ draw to win a coffee voucher and a $20 grocery voucher.

If you complete seven of the nine activities by 28th July, you go into the draw to win our Grand Prize of a winter pamper hamper valued at over $300!

Sign up at Ōtorohanga or Kāwhia library now. It’s free and fun! You can also sign up using our online reading app Beanstack otorohangalibrary.beanstack.org/ reader365

Save the date - 2024 School Aged Winter Reading Programme

The title of this year’s winter reading programme for 2024 is “The Sky’s the Limit” and it is running from 8 July and finishes on 16 August. It is suitable for school aged children aged 6 to 13 years old. Keep an eye on our library Facebook page for more details coming soon www.facebook.com/otolib

Prōtotype Makerspace

Always wanting to bring your creations to life, but don’t have the resources to do it?

Want to learn new skills and build your knowledge but not sure where to start?

Ōtorohanga District Library have launched our Prōtotype makerspace, and this may be just what you need to kickstart your learning journey.

What’s a Makerspace?

It’s a space and resources where people can take part in selfpaced learning activities.

We provide the space, free internet and some equipment to get you started.

We will even point you to some options of free online software that you can use to learn and create.

Makerspaces are designed to provide a self-learning experience. A space where you can learn and support others in their learning journey.

Whether it’s using Canva, Tinkercad, Thingiverse or any other free online platform, there are many places where you can self-learn at your own pace.

When it comes time to turn your ideas into a physical reality, Prōtotype will have some equipment to help you with that. Our suite of resources includes:

• Sewing Machine

• Overlocker

• Brother Scan n Cut (like a Cricut)

• Badge maker

• 3D pens

• 3D printer

Dog registrations

It’s time to register your best friend!

How much are the fees?

Urban dogs - $162 per dog

Urban dogs neutered - $127 per dog

Urban dogs special owner scheme - $127 per dog

ANZAC Day

During the recent school holidays, we offered local children the opportunity to try a range of crafts. Children made gift boxes, hung mobiles and created an ANZAC story board.

The library also has a printer/photocopier and scanner. The equipment is free to use. Some of the items have a small fee just so we can cover the costs, such as the 3D printer and the badge maker.

Upcoming council meetings

Ōtorohanga Community Board Tuesday 4 June 4pm

Kāwhia Community Board Thursday 6 June 4pm

Risk and Assurance Committee Wednesday 12 June 10 am

Ōtorohanga District Council Tuesday 25 June 10 am

Urban dogs neutered and special owner scheme - $70 per dog

Rural dogs special owner scheme - $70 per dog

When do fees need to be paid?

Fees are payable from 1 July and must be paid by 1 August 2024.

If you don’t register your dog, you will incur a late registration fee and may also be issued with an infringement notice, a fine of $300 and disqualification from the special owner scheme.

Talk to us if you’re having difficulty paying - phone us on 07 873 4000 or email info@otodc.govt.nz.

How do I pay?

You can pay at the council office or by visiting our website www.otodc.govt.nz

You may qualify for a Department of Internal Affairs Rates Rebate!

We had 213 approved Department of Internal Affairs Rates Rebate applications for the 2022/2023 rating year, totalling $129,000! You may also qualify - check out this website www.govt.nz/browse/ housing-and-property/getting-help-with-housing/getting-arates-rebate/what-is-a-rates-rebate/ or call our friendly Customer Experience team on 0800 734 000 to discuss.

“We are committed to supporting our community, and that’s why we took the initiative in February 2024 to reach out to ratepayers who had not applied for a Rates Rebate in the past two years” states Mayor Max Baxter

“We also have a successful community outreach programme called Pop-Up Council. This initiative was started by our Customer Experience team and sees council staff go out to different parts of our community each month to make council services more accessible for our district. A big part of this work is ensuring our communities know about Rates Rebates and how to apply for one.”

ONLINE RATING INFORMATION DATABASE

You can find out about the rates on your property by using our Rates Information Database (RID).

You can search this database by using the property address or by using the first six digits of your assessment number (found at the top of your rates notice). Just head to the Rates Search function on our website - www.otodc.govt. nz/council-services/properties-and-rates/rates-search or scan the QR code below.

This information is also available for viewing, during opening hours, at our council office - 17 Maniapoto, Ōtorohanga.

There is some information that Council is prohibited from showing, such as the owner of the property and rates owing. If you are the owner, or other authorised person, you can obtain this information by calling our Customer Experience team on 0800 734 000.

Planting a lasting legacy

Ngutunui Enviro School students have held their first-ever planting day at a nearby farm in Pirongia as part of the Trees for Survival initiative.

The 29 students planted 725 natives on low-lying fields near a newly created tuna (eel) pond on the Waiwhakaata Trust property, helping to shade the water and provide a healthy habitat for tuna and other wildlife.

Last spring, Fonterra supported schools across the North Island to pot up to 1000 native plant seedlings which they nurtured in their custom built, irrigated shade houses.

Fonterra is supporting eight Waikato schools – Pukete, Vardon, Hikuai, Motunaoho, Ngāruawāhia, Otewa, Te Awamutu and Ngutunui.

Those students are setting out on planting days now where they plant the native trees along waterways to improve water quality and on hillsides to help prevent erosion. Their planting will also help provide food and habitat for wildlife.

Ngutunui parent Jane Shaw said the planting day was a celebration of the hard work and care the students put into growing the plants and a great example of collaboration between many individuals and organisations who are passionate about making a difference.

“Learning hands-on about plant growth, planting, water quality and habitat restoration was fantastic for the students. A combination of spades, sunshine, and sausages together with Ngutunui’s can-do attitude made for a perfect day,” she said.

Fonterra announced its partnership with Trees for Survival in 2022 and has since supported the planting of thousands of trees across New Zealand.

Trees for Survival Charitable Trust was established in 1991 and supports over 230 schools and local communities across New Zealand to grow and plant native trees along waterways and on erosion prone hillsides.

It is an environmental education programme, teaching the importance of native plants on native ecology and through growing, planting and engaging with their environment, helping create a healthier future for

Heads up, we’re flying by

themselves and future generations.

Phil Lyons, Trees for Survival’s national manager, praised the dairy coop’s support.

“We are extremely grateful for the wonderful support provided by Fonterra.

“Our organisations share a common purpose to create meaningful impact in our communities through the delivery of a unique environmental restoration and education programme.

“Together, we are inspiring our communities and their tamariki to plant a lasting legacy, while learning about environmental conservation and increasing the biodiversity of local sites.”

Over the coming weeks we’ll be under taking an aerial sur vey of TLC-owned lines and equipment using helicopters.

The footage will help identify areas needing maintenance, repairs or even replacement of structures and equipment — keeping your lights on. It will also help us to keep our community and workers safe.

The survey is weather dependent. The aircraft will rapidly fly over TLC-owned lines and infrastructure — only taking visual footage of equipment, not of private property, people or livestock.

More information thelinescompany.co.nz 0800 367 546

Te Kūiti resident killed

A 69-year-old Te Kūiti man, died as a result of a crash on Lawrence St, Te Kūiti, on Saturday afternoon.

Police said the crash involved the black Harley Davidson Sportster motorcycle Leonard Iti had been riding and a white BMW car.

Iti sustained serious injuries and was treated in an ambulance at the scene before being transferred to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, which had landed near the shearing statue to transport him to Waikato Hospital.

The fatality was one a series of tragedies in the King Country and Waipā in the past week.

Two were on Sh3 near Ōhaupo. The first claimed the life of a former Waipa district councillor, James Parlane, and the second on Tuesday afternoon claimed five lives.

Ngutunui Enviro School students planted 725 native trees.

Photo: Supplied

Members of the Te Kūiti Volunteer Fire Brigade help to transfer Iti to the waiting Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

Ōtorohanga

Police attended four family harm incidents and one mental health callout.

May 22-23: A vehicle was broken into in Hinewai St and $250 stolen.

May 22: A 25-year-old motorist who returned a result of 600 mg of alcohol per litre of breath, was charged and will appear in the Te Kūiti District Court on June 17.

May 23-26: Thefts were reported at rural address in Maihiihi. Items stolen included a 2011 KTM motorcycle, a green Kawasaki motorcycle and an electric fence unit.

been deserted when police arrived.

Te Kūiti

Police attended three family harm incidents. May 21: At about 3.30am a 2021 Honda 520 side-by-side vehicle was reported stolen from Hangatiki East Rd.

May 23: At about 10.30 am a Te Kūiti resident received a message which appeared to be from an associate on Facebook Messenger asking for $100. The resident paid $100 into the bank account provided, only to learn that his friend’s Facebook account had been hacked.

May 24: Police were called to a takeaway business on Maniapoto St after a man was seen with a knife strapped to his leg. The man is still being sought.

May 26: At around 12.30 pm a grey Toyota Hilux parked in the Countdown Supermarket carpark was allegedly hit by a grey Holden Colorado and the driver did not stop.

Kāāhia

May 27: A Kāwhia resident reported $4400 had been taken from their bank account.

Piopio

Police attended a family harm incident.

May 23-24: A car reported to have crashed on SH3 in the Awakino Gorge was found abandoned and badly damaged.

Benneydale

May 23: At about 9.11 pm a crash involving two vehicles was reported on Te Kūiti Rd. The driver of the one was later found by police and a breath test returned a result of 1079 mg of alcohol per litre of breath. He will face a drink driving charge in the Te Kūiti District Court on June 17.

May 24-25: A 2006 silver Toyota Ractis was reported stolen from an address on Taupiri St.

May 25: At about 1am a vehicle was reported stolen from an address on Hill St. The vehicle was recovered at about noon that day.

May 25: Between 3am and 1pm $50 in cash was stolen from a car, which was damaged and broken into at an address on Mary St.

May 25: At 8.45 pm police stopped a vehicle on Rora St. The driver was given an infringement notice for having a breath alcohol level between 250 and 400 mg.

May 21: A lock on a security gate was damaged at a rural address on Kenworth Rd.

May 25: A car hit a road barrier on SH4, at Āria, crashed through a farm fence and rolled. It had

May 26: At about 8.15 pm police stopped a vehicle on the Esplanade. The 71-year-old driver had a level of 732 mg of alcohol per litre of breath and will appear on a drink driving charge in the Te Kūiti District Court on June 17.

Māori farm award celebrated

By Sigrid Christiansen

A 300ha dairy operation owned by Wairarapa Moana ki Pouākani and managed by Kim Turner, whose whānau hail from Te Kūiti, has won the Ahuwhenua trophy for 2024.

The award won by unit “Farm 4” in Mangakino is the most prestigious national acknowledgement of excellence in Māori farming.

It was presented at a function at Claudelands, Hamilton which featured 850 guests including Kīngi Tūheitia, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka.

Wairarapa Moana Group General Manager Anaru Smiler told the King Country News it showed the group’s strong sense of purpose.

“We’re so proud of it as an organisation. We have a clear strategy, robust planning and organisation, so the right things happen at the right time.”

WMI consists of 12 dairy units across 4300ha and three dairy support units comprising 1900ha and two forestry blocks totalling 6100ha. The incorporation entered one of its 12 farms. Farm 4 has a milking platform of 300ha, milking 980 cows and producing 416,000kg of milk solids.

At the Ahuwhenua 2024 dinner, trophy committee chair Nukuhia

Hadfield told 92-year history of the awards. She said the winners and runners-up showed qualities that “make us proud to be farmers and proud to be Māori”.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and finance minister

Nicola Willis both spoke of the important contribution of Māori dairy farming to the economy.

Chairman Kingi Smiler said the win reflected “innovation and adaptation, to ensure we continue to sustain ourselves now and in the future”.

WASS.CO.NZ

•

Addressing the Farm 4 team in a statement he said, “your efforts, dedication and hard work is an example of how we can farm better in our environment and still achieve the productivity needed.”

Wairarapa Moana ki Pouākani Incorporation represent the descendants of the original owners of Lake Wairarapa. It was formed through the amalgamation of Pouākani 2 Trust and Mangakino Township Incorporation just over 20 years ago.

Wairarapa Moana hapū had landholdings and customary fishing rights around Lake Wairarapa, however by the late 1800s following pressure from farmer settlers the hapū gifting the lake to the Crown, initially in exchange for other lands in the Wairarapa. In 1916 the Crown handed 10,695 hectares of the land at Pouākani as compensation for its failure to provide lands in the Wairarapa.

The incorporation on its website notes the Pouākani lands were isolated, unproductive and predominantly covered in bush and scrub. Some was confiscated under the Public Works Act for the Waikato hydro-electricity scheme and formation of the Mangakino Township in the 1940s and 1950s.

Access to the land was made available in1946 after the building of the Maraetai dam by the Ministry of Works.

From 1947 to 1983 the Pouākani lands were developed by Māori Affairs under the Māori Land Development Scheme set up by Ta Apirana Ngata.

Tama Potaka presented the Ahuwhenua trophy to chair Kingi Smiler. alphapix.nz

Hospital call from Taumarunui

By Sigrid Christiansen

Health and wellbeing hui in Taumarunui sent a clear message – the community wants services returned, and a new hospital.

Community members met last week as part of a statutory ‘locality planning’ process.

The town’s hospital –opened in 1906 - was the big issue for each of around a dozen people, aged from 23 to 83.

It provides a medical and maternity service and has 14 beds. Te Whatu Ora Waikato provides services to around 425,000 people and hospital services at seven sites, including Te Kūiti and Taumarunui, and 1015 beds in total.

The hui message was: bring it back, like it used to be - with all the services.

Ruapehu District Counsellor Fiona Kahukura Chase, Ngāti Haua, attended the event at the town’s Catholic church and Morero Marae.

“The biggest issue was access to doctors and specialist services,” she said.

After the meeting, a “grand vision” was articulated.

“We want a brand new

hospital - that’s what we’re going to push for in the community.

“It is about equity, and trying to bring that level of services back to our community so we can experience wellness.”

Housing quality was another theme – in Taumarunui, homes were cold, and there weren’t enough good ones in the

area, she said. The cold itself brought worries, alongside isolation and loneliness.

Lastly, “there was a big kōrero around Māori culture, tikanga, reo, whakapapa, marae, that make us well as Māori and bring us hauora.”

“It was an awesome time for us. We had a mix of people – Māori and

non-Māori, also a woman from Hong Kong there supporting her husband. She felt he hadn’t been treated well at all.

“We hope we can get our health outcomes back for all the people of Taumarunui.”

Kuru Ketu, from the Ngāti Hāua Iwi Trust, manages the operations side of the locality planning process, supporting

Graham Bell, the trust chair, and Maxine Ketu.

He said further hui and webinars will follow, dates to be confirmed. The statutory process has a June cutoff. The health system was changing profoundly, and it was the community’s responsibility to voice its priorities.

The process was initiated two years ago by the

Government’s introduction of the recent Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act (2022), he said. Educating people about the health system was another key priority for Ngāti Hāua.

After the June deadline and reporting, leaders would begin advocating for outcomes that reflect the local voice.

Gutter Clean & roof treatment combo

Get your gutters cleared and your roof ready for the wet seasons ahead...

$400ex GST

Applies to single story homes up to 150m2 for bookings made in April and May 2024. Conditions may apply.

SATURDAY 8TH JUNE 9am - 2PM saturday 8th June 9am - 2pm Wahanui Crescent, Ōtorohanga

Ngāti Haua hosted a health hui in Taumarunui last Thursday and participants gathered at Morero marae.

Repair work to start on Kāwhia road slip

SH31 Kāwhia Road will have weekday daytime time closures for about two weeks from June 17 for slip repairs.

An underslip developed on a narrow section of road near where similar repairs were undertaken last year – about 1km west of the lookout.

“While extensive geo-technical testing was done at the site in 2023, this latest area was not deemed to be at risk,” NZTA System Manager for Waikato, Andrew Oakley.

“The area is a mix of hard sandstone and ash which creates problems for road building, with the ash prone to slipping. Since the new underslip developed there has been further geo-technical work to understand the cause of the problem and design a solution.

“But it is very difficult to predict where weaknesses are and if slips will occur in the future.”

Contractors will need weekday day-time closures to safely operate machinery at the site. The road will be closed from 8am to 5pm each weekday, but will open for 30 minutes to allow traffic through at 11am and at 2pm. After hours and on weekends stop/ go will be in place and a single lane will be open with a speed restriction.

The work is scheduled to be completed before the Matariki public holiday on June 28.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi says during work hours the road will be open for residents up to the work site but not through. The work site can be cleared to allow emergency vehicles to pass.

An engineering technique called soil nailing will strengthen the site but because

it is very narrow, with a steep drop-off, the road will need to be closed to traffic while work is happening.

Light vehicles will continue to have access in and out of Kāwhia via SH39 to Ngutunui Road, Pekanui Road, Okupata Road to Oparau and back on to SH31. This is a collection of local roads with unsealed stretches. The route is about 10 minutes longer than using SH31.

“We hope most people can get through our worksite while it is open but for those who can’t this alternative route is available for light vehicles and we ask drivers to take care,” Oakley said.

Another smaller repair job has started further west on SH31 near Kawhia Harbour Road. Contractors are building a retaining wall and ground anchors for an under-slip 1.7km east of Harbour Rd.

Work started this week and runs for nine weeks, mostly with a lane closure and stop/ go and the occasional 5 minute closure to move machinery. Outside work hours the site is controlled by give way signs.

Are you looking for a job that makes a difference in the community? Do you want to be part of a team that has a true purpose? Do you have what it takes to become a Police Officer.

New Zealand Police are on the lookout for new recruits from the Ōtorohanga and surrounding districts. You must be at least 17 years old to apply and 18 when you start at police college. There’s no upper age limit

The Ōtorohanga Employment Hub will be hosting local police, recent graduates and their recruitment team to talk to the role and the application process.

The information evening will be held at The Business Collective, 12 Hinewai Street Ōtorohanga on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 5.30pm To save your spot call 0800 OTOJOBS (0800 686 5627) to register your interest or email apply@otojobs.co.nz

FOR BLOOMING BEAUTIES AND PLANTS THAT THRIVE

Winter bones of your garden

Katrina Christison Tidy Gardens

With the wind and rain over the last few days, the true bones/structure of your gardens are beginning to show as the winter months ahead bring dormancy.

This the ideal time to assess your garden as you can clearly see the underlying structure.

How I do this is I start by looking out the window at my garden. I have started with the window I spent most time at, my kitchen window.

I see my veggie garden (which is a bit of a mess) and a narrow garden against a fence which is planted with Ballerina apple trees, roses, a few groundcover catnips, a random tall palm (which I would love to remove) which was here when we moved in. Two rosemary which were meant to be kept tightly trimmed into smallish balls – this didn’t happen so they have outgrown the space and have become too woody to cut back nicely.

I removed the first one last weekend thinking maybe the other one could stay but visually the garden is not balance anymore so this is my next job to dig

out the other one.

The thing with gardening is that sometimes things do outgrow their space or just don’t look right, so use that as a reason to go plant shopping.

At this time of year there are always plants on sale as the garden shops/ nurseries are wanting to make room for their new winter stock like roses and fruit trees.

So, with the rosemary removed, I will be adding a couple more roses and picking flowers for this garden, so next spring and summer it is filled with colour and things I can pick.

When you are looking at your garden giving it a once over to see what could be improved think about where do your eyes rest when you look out your windows or from your outdoor sitting area where do your eyes naturally go to?

This could be the perfect place for you to place something interesting in your garden. It could be a mirror on a fence, an urn nestled into a hedge, bird bath, or water feature, the list is endless.

This is also the perfect time to look though garden books or search the internet for inspiration, so you can plan what you would like to do in your garden on the fine days though winter.

Happy garden dreaming!

The slip which is causing the problems

Dig deeper, pleads councillor

News the Otewa Rd underpass is to be re-sealed caused concern for Ōtorohanga councillor and road transport operator Rodney Dow.

The OTL Group managing director says he gets nervous when people start mucking round with rail underpasses.

He was commenting on council roading manager Paul Strange’s report delivered at last week’s meeting which mentioned work on the underpass, off SH3 on Ōtorohanga’s southern boundary.

“As you may not know, it is below the legal limit for a hyper truck, so we have to build our trucks especially slightly smaller than normal to get under Otewa Road.

“Then when I see them painting

yellow things and putting tar seal… as long as they dig out and don’t put tarseal on top,” Dow said.

Strange said they had levelled the road and were going to lower it by 30mm for re-sealing.

“Which gives us 30mm to get wrong and still be right, because it’s not an exact science,” Strange said.

“Some of the trucks you have to let air out of the suspension to get them under it,” Dow said.

The underpass is signposted as having a 4.25m clearance. The legal maximum height for trucks is 4.3m.

“Some of our trucks the covers touch,” he said. “If anything, the contractors could go a bit heavier on the digging out. A bit lower

would be good.”

Asphalt surfacing was planned for the rail underpasses at Ōtewā Road and Huiputea Drive.

Ōtewā Road is planned before July 2024.

The work will be disruptive and needs planning to reduce traffic impacts. The site was too close to homes to do night works, Strange said.

Huiputea Road will proceed next summer, after required stormwater improvements are made to control gravel and silt entering the system which will limit flooding in the underpass. The gravel overflow carpark will need to be reshaped and only cars allowed on it.

In reply to Cr Cathy Prendergast Strange said the

FARM PROFESSIONALS

WE SUPPORT IT’S WHAT WE DO

We’re committed

Giltrap AgriZone

Ōtorohanga | 07 873 4004 Bryan Ferguson 027 551 1621 | bryan.ferguson@gaz.co.nz

Graham Anderson 027 497 9849 | graham.anderson@gaz.co.nz

David Thompson 027 208 9002 | david.thompson@gaz.co.nz

Lethbridge bridge pre-cast concrete deck panels were in the process of being poured, and

would be delivered on site in the first week of June and installed late June early July.

The underpass has a 4.25m clearance – but that’s lower than the maximum height permitted for trucks.

75 years of stirring sounds

The stirring music of Te Kuiti and Districts Pipe Band has long graced any major event in the district and this week, this much loved community stalwart is celebrating its 75th Jubilee.

The original idea to start the band with its distinctly Scottish flavour came from John O’Halloran, George Jamieson and others who got together in 1949.

A meeting was held at the home of Jim Lees with George Jamieson, John Ludbrook and John Munro in attendance.

After two years of fundraising they were able to purchase Gordon tartan kilts from McPhees in Wellington. In 1967 they were offered black uniform jackets from New Plymouth City Pipe Band to complete the uniform.

By 1951, there were enough in numbers – and instruments – for the team the band to play alongside the Piopio Pipe Band and the Otorohanga Pipe Band that were both active at the time to play at local events.

In 1970 they were able to purchase their Red Brodie kilts, plaids and hose tops, changing from the Gordon tartan and it remains so to this day.

Some of the regular events included the Queen’s Carnival, A&P shows, Winter Shows, Marching Girls teams, Christmas and ANZAC Parades and whatever other event that saw parades from paddocks to main streets in the district.

Fundraising continued to build a new band hall at Centennial Park which opened in 1969 – this was initially shared with the Brass Band until the latter folded in 1971.

Albert Sheath was Pipe Major and Pipe Tutor in Te Kuiti until he left in 1970 and it

was at that time when David Powell took over tutoring at Te Kuiti. Hugh Lamont took over tutoring at Piopio at the same time.

In 1970 Otorohanga Pipe Band wrote to Te Kuiti requesting that the bands hold joint practices and gradually, both bands and Piopio band all joined Te Kuiti. In 1971 the collective became known as Te Kuiti And District Highland Pipe Band

Numbers of pipers or drummers have got short at times and Drum Major Jim O’Halloran who was the Band’s original member, approached the Pipe Band Centre asking for help with a Pipe Tutor. Lloyd Fitzgerald volunteered to be that person.

The membership drive in 1989 attracted a group of four adult learners and three youngsters who have become the foundation members of the rejuvenated band that is here today.

With Don MacColl as Pipe Major, the band competed at its first national contest in Masterton in 2010 in Grade 4. They won the Grade 4Aa National Contest in Timaru in 2013 with 19 pipers and 10 drummers and last competed at Grade 3 in 2015.

One of the learner piper young ones, Jono MacColl competed at the World Championships in 2016.

These days a social band, the pipe corps has remained solid with seven players all of an average age north of 60. It is only in the past 18 months the band has attracted five young learner drummers being tutored by local drummers and senior drum tutors from other bands, that has enabled the band to continue playing in parades enjoyed by so many generations of the King Country for the past 75 years.

Time to celebrate

It was a night with a distinctly Scottish flavour on Saturday night as the Te Kuiti and District Pipe Band celebrated its 75th Jubilee.

Around 200 members of the community including Taranaki King Country MP Barbara Kuriger joined the band members, both past and present, to celebrate the event with a dinner and concert at the Les Munro Centre in Te Kuiti.

In true ceilidh style the first half was led by the full band with two items by the drummers

Key board Peter Duncan. There were Highland dancers from New Plymouth, Frankie and Eilidh Gilmour, and Trixie and Nina Hopper.

In the second half, the band was joined by Hayley Wards (vocal) and Richard Bevege (guitar)

The finale was what the Te Kuiti band are famous for; they came on stage wearing their gumboots and jimmy hats, playing “If It weren’t for your gumboots” and “Click go the shears,” with the audience joining in.

MC Colin McKenzie led the dinner, as the haggis was piped in and addressed.

The history of the band was shared by past and present members.

A Life Membership was presented to Don MacColl by Keith Buswell in appreciation of the many years of service as Pipe Major to the band.

Ben Revell Hannah Youngman

Sheryl Sowerby Pat Hickey

Pipe Major Don MacColl was presented with a Life Membership by Keith Buswell at the Te Kuiti and District Pipe Band’s 75th Jubilee.

Guitarist Richard Bevege joined singer Hayley Wards backed by the Te Kuiti and District Pipe Band at their 75th Jubilee at the Les Munro Centre of Saturday night.

Counting the commuters

By Paul Charman

It is estimated up to 90,000 bar-tailed godwits fly between breeding grounds on the Artic Coast and New Zealand estuaries each year, some heading directly to Kāwhia Harbour.

Most of them arrive in New Zealand in September and then leave again in late February, or early March.

The birds, which spend the time in between feeding in estuaries and harbours across this country, hold the record for continuous flight, taking as little as eight days to cross 12,000 km of Pacific Ocean.

Around 2000 of the long-distance commuters are thought to head straight for Kāwhia Harbour, which is thought to have plenty of food for them.

A census to measure numbers of migratory wading birds using Kāwhia and Aotea Harbours is to be held on June 8. The census, one of three held annually, acknowledges the importance of these harbours to birds which migrate from overseas and within New Zealand, the Waikato regional chair of Birds NZ, Jeanette Brooker said.

“Harbours and estuaries like Kāwhia are important feeding grounds for migrating birds which need to put

A bird at risk

Birds of New Zealand, by Paul Schofield and Brent Stephenson, describes the “remarkable” Bar-tailed Godwit –the kuaka – as being at risk.

It says bar-tailed is an apt description and describes the difference between it and two black tailed godwits seen in New Zealand.

The book notes the birds were once a food source for both Māori and, in the northern hemisphere probably Ango Saxons.

on body weight for their migration on the East AsianAustralasian Flyway to Alaska and the Arctic, where they breed during the Northern Hemisphere summer.”

Kāwhia is also home to wading bird species that migrate there annually from the South Island sites. They include oyster catchers and pied stilts, added ornithologist Adrian Riegen.

Counts in Kāwhia Harbour are done at high tide when the birds are gathered in roosting areas and on islands where they can be more easily observed.

“The figures tell us it is an important harbour for all these birds,” Riegen said.

“One of the interesting things about these wading birds is we don’t know precisely what they are eating. It’s not obvious like a pigeon eating fruit.

“The fortunate thing about the godwit is that it is more of a generalist feeder; it will feed on a range of things from small worms to crabs and tiny snails.”

This kind of flexibility has come in handy in recent years for those godwits which break the journey from Alaska with a stop-off in Asia.

“They have always landed to feed in mud flats off North and South Korea and China but these have been

disappearing in recent years.

“In South Korea and China the mud flats are being drained and turned into dry land for development. In North Korea they are being lost to fish farms; some of these have been to grow jellyfish for export to China.

“This habitat loss has been having a huge effect on the populations of migratory birds which spend part of the year in New Zealand. Their numbers have fallen drastically over the past 30 years.”

Riegen said there were still huge areas of mudflats around the yellow sea but not all of them had the variety of food required for certain species of wading birds.

“That’s why the godwits have an advantage by being able to eat such a wide variety of food. If you’re a bird who can only eat small shellfish and you can’t find those – you will starve.”

As well as the birds flying from Alaska to Kāwhia annually, godwits either two young or old to breed live in the harbour year-round, added ornithologist Adrian Riegen

However, most adults flew non-stop from Alaska between September and October.

“They are very site faithful, returning each year to the same harbour or estuary in New Zealand each year.”

Adrian Riegen

It is the only large, grey and white wader with a straight bill seen in New Zealand. Females are bigger than males and have a noticeably longer bill. Photo:

Bar-tailed godwits are heroes of the migratory bird world, taking as little as eight days to cross 12,000 km of Pacific Ocean between the Arctic and New Zealand.

Photo: Adrian Riegen

Shear passion for wool drives Piopio

Shear passion for wool drives Piopio doyen

Waiwaia on the horizon

By Sigrid Christiansen

THE decision by a young farm cadet in the 1980s to supplement his income by shearing sheep has taken him places and seen him rise to becoming one of the most respected players in the industry.

The Maniapoto Secondary Schools kapa haka festival is approaching – and returning to Piopio College, where it started in the early 1980s.

For down-to-earth Piopio shearing doyen and Barrowcliffe Shearing owner Mark Barrowcliffe, shearing and wool is his passion and a way of life.

The event is planned for September 13.

New Zealand Wool Board and got to travel the world to ply his skills.

New Zealand Wool Board and got to travel the world to ply his skills.

In 2002, Mark was offered the opportunity to own his contracting business which he grabbed with both hands. He has never looked back.

It’s a showcase of secondary school kapa haka talent, but not one that is formally judged.

In 2002, Mark was offered the opportunity to own his contracting business which he grabbed with both hands. He

Teachers Amai Tahu and Mandi Barnsdall are helping organise the 2024 event.

Tahu said nine schools had been invited to participate – though not all were able to attend.

The festival originated with a group that included former Piopio College te reo Māori teacher Hinekahukura Aranui.

Up at 4.30am every day his typical day begins with monitoring weather forecasts, people and sheep, matching everything together before setting off with a gang of up to 60 during peak season to shearing sheds around the King Country.

“Most of our work is done within an hour’s travel of Piopio where we get up to 90% of our work,” he said.

In 2008 – ahead of the 25th anniversary of the event - she explained how the festival’s roots were in a discussion involving herself, an English teacher and a student outside a schoolflat about how to reinstate the mana of Māori with a Maniapoto flavour.

It was to be the seeds of the festival which was first held 41 years ago.

“Basically, I shore around the world and was about to move to Australia to shear when the McDonalds decided to move on to a new chapter in their lives and offered me their business.”

“Basically, I shore around the world and was about to move to Australia to shear when the McDonalds decided to move on to a new chapter in their lives and offered me their business.”

“In years past we’ve had Taumarunui High School, Piopio College, Te Wharekura O Maniapoto, Te Kuiti High School, Ngā Tamariki

Toa (Ōtorohanga College), Ngā Purapura O Te Aroha and Te Awamutu College attend, and or perform at this event,” he said.

He has been actively involved in the NZ Shearing Contractors Association since 2003 and was elected its president

He has been actively involved in the NZ Shearing Contractors Association since 2003 and was elected its president in 2018.

He encouraged Piopio residents to help with the event.

In the role, he has worked closely with Employers and Manufacturers Association and employment lawyers regarding employment agreements and

“Bring a hand. We are always looking for people to help set up the venue to ensure public comfort, or do some cleaning or grounds keeping.”

In the role, he has worked closely with Employers and Manufacturers Association and employment lawyers regarding employment agreements and pay rates.

Aranui, who died aged 89 in 2021 was remembered at a memorial day in February last year at Napinapi Pā.

Mark’s journey in shearing began in 1986 after arriving in the King Country as a fresh-faced 15-year-old from Auckland. He worked on the Piopio farm of Ian and Pat Walsh as a farm cadet before trying his hand at shearing to earn extra money, and fate took over from there.

“I believe this event is just as important as it was back in 1983, not only to reinstate the mana of Māori students, but of all students in Maniapoto.”

“I absolutely love it because you can try and drive the industry onwards and upwards while getting a picture of the whole industry within New Zealand because there are so many different

The festival is also known at Waiwaia. Waiwaia is a carving depicting a taniwha – a guardian – in the Waipā River.

“I absolutely love it because you can try and drive the industry onwards and upwards while getting a picture of the whole industry within New Zealand because there are so many different things going on.

“It’s not a competition – it’s a whakangāhau, a performance for enjoyment, it’s an opportunity for the schools to showcase what they’ve been practising.

30

“I moved into shearing in the late 1980s, which was a pretty hard time for farmers, to supplement my farm income.”

He initially worked for Alan and Debbie McDonald’s shearing crew as a presser and then moved onto shearing while doing courses offered then by the

“I get insight as to how many things are happening behind the scenes with

“I get insight as to how many things are happening behind the scenes with this great product we sell off.”

The event was held at Te Kūiti High School in 2023.

As Association president Mark is excited about the future of his industry as society is now moving towards the use of more sustainable products.

As Association president Mark is excited about the future of his industry as society is now moving towards the use of more sustainable products.

The industry however, still had a huge amount of work to do with its supply

The industry however, still had a huge amount of work to do with its supply

chain and to maintain and improve the quality of its wool because “as a nation that has dropped off but it’s been market driven” he said

chain and to maintain and improve the quality of its wool because “as a nation that has dropped off but it’s been market driven” he said

Mark considers his main achievement at Barrowcliffe Shearing as being the development of young people through the industry.

Mark considers his main achievement at Barrowcliffe Shearing as being the development of young people through

“From their own vehicles to their own

“From their own vehicles to their own

some. The earning power they achieve by themselves and how they use it is just great and it warms my heart.”

some. The earning power they achieve by themselves and how they use it is just great and it warms my heart.”

Owning his own contracting company has also enabled Mark to give back to the community with job creation and through Scouts, Lions Club and other charities.

Owning his own contracting company has also enabled Mark to give back to the community with job creation and through Scouts, Lions Club and other charities.

MARK Barrowcliffe has been passionate about shearing and wool for more than

years. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Piopio College students – including, front, from left, Layla Holley, Putiputi Barnsdall and Ruby-Rae McCarthy are preparing for the festival.

Birthday plans are on track

Ōtorohanga Railway Station's big birthday bash will go ahead following an approved road closure of the section of Wahanui Crescent beside the tracks.

Roading manager Paul Strange said there were no objections to the application by the Ōtorohanga Railway Station 100-years event volunteer group for the road closure.

A traffic management plan for the event will include provision for the bus routes and stops to be relocated into the main street.

The 100-year-old building was one of the last Troupe stations, designed by New Zealand Rail architect George Alexander Troupe. It replaced the station built in 1910, which burned down in December 1923.

The railway station was rebuilt promptly following the fire because a railway station was really the heartbeat of a town 100 years ago, Origin Coffee owner Lee Fisher told the News in March.

“Through contact with the museum, we’ve learned Ōtorohanga got just about all essential goods via its railway station: newspapers, letters, groceries and industrial supplies came in, while most livestock was exported from here too.

“It was really the nerve centre of town in this regard. And from a calendar produced at about that time, we know the local telephone number for the station was number 8, just a single digit.

“So, we would like to get as much community help as possible to celebrate 100 years since it was built. We would like to involve the kindergartens and schools, by getting the children to draw pictures which envision what the station would have been like in 1924, and to predict what it will be like in 2124 – 100 years past and 100 years forward.”

PROGRESS PARK

gaz.co.nz | info@gaz.co.nz

Lee Fisher wants the community to dress up and celebrate the 100 years since Ōtorohanga railway station was rebuilt in 1924.

Rams swamp the foxes

To the delight of their supporters the Rams overwhelmed Thames Valley 43-18 at FMG Stadium Waikato last Friday.

Following the convincing victory King Country fans seemed to have an extra spring in their steps all weekend, noted rugby writer Norris Woodbine.

The Rams and their opponents were supplying the curtain raiser to the main Chiefs v Hurricanes game which the Hurricanes won 20-17

“On the face of it our 43-18 victory is huge and optimism can be high that the Rams are on the right track for a huge and successful season in 2024,” Woodbine added

“By the main game the stadium was a sell out and I am sure there would have been a large percentage of that crowd present for our game to help with the early atmosphere.”

The win set the comments on King Country Rugby’s Facebook Page alight, some

examples of the 60 posts being:

Merryn Broderson: Great win guys, well done!

Gary Buttimore: A most convincing win, excellent preparation for the Heartland series after the club season. Well done the Rams.

Wayne Lather: Fantastic game. Was great seeing the boys out on the big stage. Congratulations.

Above all, the performance was a welcome addition to the build up

toward King Country’s Ranfurly Shield Challenge against Hawke’s Bay on June 26, King Country union general manager Kurt McQuilkin pointed out.

“It was a terrific victory considering they only had two training runs leading up to the match.

“Then going out on Friday night and producing such a comprehensive victory against one of the Heartland Championship’s top sides; that’s an excellent result to start to the campaign.”

It’s super Jack

King Country farmer Jack Jordan won the Stihl Timbersports World Trophy for the third year in a row over the weekend.

Jordan put on a masterclass to beat a top international line up in Milan.

The event involves a quick fire event four discipline, back to back race and saw the initial field of 16 whittled down to two where Jordan beat Czech chopper Matyas Klima.

Jordan, who played rugby for Taranaki, manages a family sheep and beef farm at Kuratau.

DUNBUTTERTUOTSHAKE EPUDDINGSBFACHURNE MEPEIIMTLANDHONEYS MLAIANOOARDGOATSWG ITSRMZARUSWHOLEOSP KTTDOFMAGNESIACNTJ SOEEEIQRMMAERCLLUF FBUSVTCARTONOPHZXM LNRICAUECSMXUQQZSY OWINTAPTDOFXNGNQUW

Across: 1. Frond, 4. Buckle, 7. Era, 8. Potent, 9. Tirade, 10. Tranquilliser, 14. Exist, 15. Angel, 18. Trial-and-error, 23. Aghast, 24. Infuse, 25. Yes, 26. Seamer, 27. Evens. Down: 1. Floor, 2. Ocean, 3. Detour, 4. Battle, 5. Corgi, 6. Ladle, 10. Tweet, 11. Alibi, 12. Sugar, 13. Ruler, 16. Martyr, 17. Advise, 19. Rogue, 20. Alarm, 21. Rifle, 22. Oasis.

Incompetent (5)

Fuss (6)

Glowing (7)

Legal defence (5)

Undress (5)

Have a look around (7)

Small packet (6)

Harsh (6)

(5)

Fewest (5)

Hone (7)

A division of the year (6)

Herb (5)

Church official (5)

Sour (6)

Jack Jordan celebrated his third world title.

King Country centre Josevata Malimole offloads as he’s caught. Photo: Dan Tasker

the first to move in Spotlight

Brand new, three-bedroom home with street frontage.

Access via a fully concrete driveway right up to the back door beneath the attached double carport.

Sliding doors to the front of the home access the open plan kitchen/dining/ lounge.

A spacious area with heat pump for warmth and one run carpet throughout the home, apart from the wood grain style tiles which run from the kitchen/laundry areas through the centre of the home to the rear

entry.

The bathroom is easy maintenance with a tile floor, separate bath and shower and additional heated towel rail, all very smartly finished in light neutral tones.

The deck is large enough for tables and chairs for afternoon relaxation and entertaining.

This sale is by way of Deadline (unless sold prior), so come on in and make a offer.

Deadline closes 4 pm, July 5, 2024

Open home Saturday - 12 noon to 12.30pm

LOCATION | 12A Seddon Street, Te Kūiti

LAND I 295m2 BUILDING I 100m2

HOUSE | 3 bedrooms,open plan, double carport

PRICE | Deadline Sale closes: 4pm, July 5, 2024 (unless sold prior)

LICENSED AGENT | Property Brokers Te Kūiti

LICENSED SALESPERSON | Mary Tapu 027 474 9869

WEBSITE | propertybrokers.co.nz

WEB ID | TEU184197

Piopio 13 Kuku Street

Family friendly

Built in 1950 and located close to Centennial Park this three bedroom plus sleepout home has had a fabulous makeover. Two double bedrooms and a single bedroom in the main house and the sleepout would be an ideal spot for the teenagers or perhaps a boarder. The open plan living/dining area leads to the galley style kitchen which is bathed in light from windows along one wall. The main bathroom is at one end of the house with an extra toilet in the laundry area. A double carport is attached to the sleepout at the rear of the home. This is a great family home and room for the kids to play a game or two on the lawn at the rear of the property.

Well positioned opportunity

Three bedroom, weather board home set on a flat, low maintenance, 1,012 m2, fully fenced section. Built in 1938 the home is set back from the road behind a low rise, concrete art deco style fence, an attractive property with great street appeal. All bedrooms are of double size as is the lounge, bathroom and laundry and storage in every room. There is a single garage/workshop with power and concrete floor plus oodles of room for the kids to play safely in the fully enclosed garden. Alternatively develop the yard with raised garden beds, fruit trees or additional shedding. The rear corner of the property adjoins Kiwi Street, this could be developed as a second access point.

Te Kuiti 1 Te Kuiti Road

Te Kuiti 15 Ngarongo Street

Otorohanga 4 Glendon Place

16 Anzac Street

Kuiti 3 Edward Street

Te Kuiti 38 King Street West

Te Kuiti 5 Sturgess Terrace

12.00 – 12.30pm 4 Cicada Place, Kihikihi $749,000 3 2 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23586 1.00 – 1.45pm 248 Parawera Road $1,580,000 5 2.7Ha blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23576

Sunday 2 June

Ōtorohanga

2.15 – 2.45pm 4 Sargent Place $749,000 3 2 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23566

Te Kūiti

10.00 – 10.30am 576 Oparure Road $649,000 3 1 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/OH9776 11.00 – 11.30am 63 Waitete Road $369,000 3 2 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23569

Kawhia

1.30 – 2.00pm 112 Tainui Street $580,000 3 1 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/OH22465

Ngahinapouri

11.30 - 12.00pm 2070 Kakaramea Road Deadline 3 1 5.008Ha blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/OH22462

Te Awamutu

12.00 – 12.30pm 965 Hazelmere Crescent $585,000 2 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23539 12.30 – 1.00pm 1/121 Bond Road $595,000 3+1 1+1 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23577 1.00 – 1.30pm 390 Young Street $810,000 3 1 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23559 1.00 – 1.30pm 2/294 Mutu Street $690,000 3 1 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23549

Monday 3 June

DEADLINE

Illegal seawall fine: $80,500

Taranaki contracting company Peter Sole Transport Limited has been fined $80,500 in the Huntly District Court for building a rock seawall at Mōkau three years ago.

Action was taken by the Waikato Regional Council. Compliance Manager, Patrick Lynch said the case sent a message to coastal communities that embarking on individual, unlawful and poorly designed structures was not the solution to coastal erosion.

He described the situation at Mōkau as complex.

“In the 1950s a residential development commenced at Te Naunau, a sandspit at the mouth of the Mōkau River. This is an area that has served local iwi as an urupā, or burial ground, for centuries. At the time of subdivision, two sections

of land were vested in the Tainui tribes to remain as urupā. This land is highly significant to iwi and is wāhi tapu.

“The sandspit has been the subject of coastal erosion for the entire period of its development. On occasion, over the decades, there have been individual attempts by landowners to protect their properties by constructing seawalls. Some of these attempts are still evident, but most are ineffective and can actually worsen the erosion.

“Any seawall contruction in the coastal environment has to be well thought out, with appropriate coastal engineering input and the appropriate licenses or consents in place to ensure they are lawful and environmentally sustainable,” Lynch said.

“In this case, the defendant purchased a section in 2020, knowing it to be at risk of erosion. It neighbours the remaining urupā site. Despite being warned and abated from carrying out unlawful works several times at Mōkau over the last 20 years at differing locations, the defendant chose to use his own company

earthmoving equipment to place large boulders at the base of his property and across the front of the urupā. This was done without any consultation or permits to do so.

Judge Melinda Dickey, in Huntly District Court, in sentencing said the prosecution of the defendant had provided general deterrence as it has

conveyed the necessary message to the wider community that further prohibited activities at Mōkau will be prosecuted.”

Lynch said the council was aware residents were reinvigorating a community group “to collectively and appropriately” address the erosion issues at Mōkau and “we strongly encourage this”.

Briefs…

Culverts boosted Money originally intended for an Ōtorohanga District Council rural stormwater resilience study has been redirected to culvert replacement as the study was producing limited value, council roading manager Paul Strange said. It is intended to replace 100 225mm and 300mm culverts with 375 and 450mm culverts and 52 have been done so far.

Hoggard visit

Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard will speak at an afternoon meeting at the Ōwhango Hotel on June 17. Hoggard, also Minister of Biosecurity, will discuss changes to the Resource Management Act and freshwater policy.

Trash talk

Rubbish days are changing. From July 1, Te Kūiti’s rubbish will be split along the railway line with the eastern side having rubbish collected on Thursday. The other side of the tracks, the west sidewill still have rubbish collected on Fridays. Mōkau, Awakino and Piopio collections will be Monday, Waitomo Tuesday.

An aerial view of the Mōkau sandspit.

Unlawful activity in the coastal marine area has resulted in a prosecution.

Wanting a lifestyle block right in town?

2.8549 ha

(By negotiation)

Plenty of scope to build that dream home

Lies to the north. 7 paddocks, 3 bay implement shed (which could be used as a workshop), yards and loading race.

Town water and power at boundary.

Wonderful views

Enquiries welcomed P 027 476 9559

Livestock For Sale

Te Kūiti Ewe & Lamb Fair

Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Special Entry

A/c D & R Wrack

Capital stock ewes

(Due to pending farm sale)

450 SIL 4th-4yr Rom/Coop x ewes

400 SIL 5yr Rom/Coop x ewes

Ewes will drafted into age groups.

SIL Coopworth rams March 11 to April 24

Ewes will be shorn and scanned (March 3) prior to sale day.

Enquiries Brett Wallbank 027 488 1299

MOTORING PROFESSIONALS

Auto Mechanics Auto Electricians

PRESCOTT

TOYOTA

152 Maniapoto St, Ōtorohanga P 07 873 8522

TYRE BOSS

43 Turongo St, Ōtorohanga

SEAN CURRAN ROOFING

Specialising in re-roofing, roof maintenance, spouting, downpipes and light commercial work and roof leaks Ph 027 493 2502 Ph Nigel 07 878 7877 027 674 3396 Email: nigel@npg.co.nz Need a qualified and experienced trades

PAINTING

Painting interior/exterior

Exterior house washing Small jobs welcome Contact Steve 022 676 1839 No obligation free quotes

Need a Decorator - Call Now

Dave Rowe Painter & Decorator 027 290 8776 - 07 873 9104

decorator@daverowe.co.nz

Steve and Marilyn 021 111 3911

OR

PAID $$$$ Hiace, Hilux, Corolla, Landcruiser, Liteace, Townace, Trucks, Nizzan vans & utes.

From $200 to $5000

AUTO ELECTRICKS AND AIR CONDITIONING

23a Progress Dr, Ōtorohanga P 07 873 7373 027 687 8614

5 Seddon St, Te Kūiti P 878 8165

51 Waitete Rd, Te Kūiti P 07 873 8027 Ext 1 Oto Ext 3 TKT Tyres Tyres

Advertise here for under $15 per month incl GST

SOUTHEND TYRES

44 Waitete Rd, Te Kūiti P 07 878 5026 F 07 878 6871

ADVANTAGE TYRES

119 Maniapoto St, Ōtorohanga P 07 873 7007

Phone 07 878 1188 if you would like to participate in this motoring directory

Servicing the Waipa and Waitomo districts for over 20 years

Sewing machine & overlocker repairs and maintenance

Scissors/knives sharpened Ph Neil 027 587 8538 helen.neilpotter@gmail.com

HANDYMAN

Property maintenance and construction Lawns, trees, stump grinding, sections, moss & mould treatments, Chemwash, waterblasting, gutter vac, water tank and trough cleaning fences, retaining, odd jobs and more. References available GST registered.

Mike & Allana 027 350 0836 info@handy-man.co.nz

373 3732

For Sale

FIREWOOD - Ph Sonny 021 617 349 or 07 873 9190.

FIREWOOD for sale. Gum, Lawson, Mac mix, shed stored and ready to burn, $110 per cu or $1250 for bulk 13cu load, local delivery included. Text 027 371 8474

Same day pick up Ph 0800 551 7004 Wanted To

Livestock For Sale

SALE

Sick of having things stolen? Need somewhere secure to store chemicals?

Purchase a 10, 20 or 40 foot container. Contact PGF Transport for details. Phone 07 878 3622 or 027 223 9246 or email o ice@pgftransport.co.nz

Waitomo District Council Meeting Schedule 2024

The following is an updated Schedule of Waitomo District Council and Committee meetings for the remainder of 2024

Tuesday 4 June 2024 Council Monthly Meeting (Deliberation of LTP submissions) Tuesday 11 June 2024 Appointments and Chief Executive Relationship Committee Meeting

Tuesday 25 June 2024 Council Monthly Meeting (Adoption of Long Term Plan and Waste Minimisation and Management Plan)

Tuesday 30 July 2024 Council Monthly Meeting

Tuesday 13 August 2024 Audit and Risk Committee Meeting

Tuesday 27 August 2024 Council Monthly Meeting

Tuesday 24 September 2024 Council Monthly Meeting

Tuesday 15 October 2024 Audit and Risk Committee Meeting

Tuesday 29 October 2024 Council Monthly Meeting

Tuesday 26 November 2024 Council Monthly Meeting

Any member(s) of the public wishing to speak at a Council meeting are required to gain approval from the Mayor at least three clear working days prior to the scheduled meeting.

An invitation is extended to members of the public to attend these meetings for observation purposes.

Meetings of Council are webcast in real time to the Waitomo District Council website and are also made available for viewing on demand as soon as reasonably practicable following the meeting.

A copy of the agendas for these meetings will be available on Council’s website two working days before the meeting.

Ben Smit Chief Executive

ADVERTISE WITH THE EXPERTS

PHOTOS FOR SALE

Call into our King St East, Te Kūiti office today to view them and place your order!

Waitomo District Council Service Information - King’s Birthday Monday 3 June

2024

Customer Service Centre - Our Service Centre will close at 4pm Friday 31 May and reopen at 9am Tuesday 4 June. Our call centre operates 24/7. For After Hours services please call 0800 932 4357.

WDC Admin Building - Closed.

Waitomo District Library - Closed.

Waitomo District Landfill and Awakino Transfer Station - Closed.

Kinohaku, Piopio, Marokopa and Maniaiti/Benneydale Transfer Stations - Closed.

Kerbside Refuse and Recycling Collection Services - There are no kerbside collection services on Monday.

EXPERIENCED CALF REARER

To rear calves as part of a team. Drive in position

Located 20 minutes from Oto and Te Kūiti.

Contact us on 027 485 3773

SENIOR DAIRY ASSISTANT

Experienced person required to join team milking 1000 cows through a 70 bale rotary cowshed. Located 20 minutes from Oto and Te Kūiti. Accomodation available.

Contact us on 027 485 3773

PIOPIO COSMOPOLITAN CLUB INC, 42 Moa St, Piopio has made application to the District Licensing Committee at Te Kuiti for the renewal of an on licence in respect of premises situated at 42 Moa St, Piopio and known as Piopio Cosmopolitan Club Inc. The general nature of the business to be conducted under the licences is that of a club. The days on which and the hours during which alcohol is to be sold under the licence are Monday to Sunday 9am to 1am the following day.

All other Transfer Station services will be available during the weekend as per normal.

Waitomo District Council Staff wish you all a happy and safe holiday weekend!

Vehicle Sales Consultant

The application may be inspected during the ordinary office hours at the office of the District Licensing Committee at Waitomo District Council, Queen Street, Te Kuiti. Any person who is entitled to and wishes to object to the issue of the licences may, not later than 25 working days after the date of the publication of this notice, file a notice in writing of the objection with the Secretary of the District Licensing Committee at Waitomo District Council, P. O. Box 404, Te Kuiti 3941. No objection to the renewal of a licence may be made in relation to a matter other than a matter specitied in Section 131 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 This is the only publication of this notice

Pat Prescott Ltd has a proud history in Ōtorohanga, spanning over 60 years. The family-owned business holds the Toyota franchise for the area and operates a successful car yard as well as a service and parts department alongside the Caltex Service Station. They are on the hunt for their next vehicle sales superstar to join the team.

ARIA GOLF CLUB INCORPORATED, 1686 State Highway 3, Piopio has made application to the District Licensing Committee at Te Kūiti for the renewal of a club licence in respect of premises situated at 1686 State Highway 3, Piopio and known as Piopio Aria Golf Club Incorporated. The general nature of the business to be conducted under the licences is that of a sports club. The days on which and the hours during which alcohol is to be sold under the on-licence are Monday to Wednesday 10am to 10pm, Thursday to Saturday 10am to 12 midnight, Sunday 10am to 11pm.

Our after hours telehealth provider is changing to Ka Ora Telecare as of Friday, May 31.

Ka Ora Telecare provides people living in rural areas connection (via phone or video) to healthcare professionals for afterhours medical advice and treatment. Ka Ora staff are Aotearoa based and are available 5pm-8am weekdays and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays. The service is designed to provide clinical assessment and management for urgent or semi urgent healthcare when your usual doctor’s practice is closed.

The service is not designed to provide routine care, repeat prescriptions, ACC medical certificate extensions, or WINZ certifications.

There are two components to the service:

1. If you become unwell outside of our opening hours, phoning our number (07 873 7079) or (0800 252 672 / 0800 2KA ORA) will transfer your call through to the Ka Ora team. Your call will be answered by a Kaiāwhina or Nurse who will assess your health needs. There is no cost to you up to this point. If required, you may then choose to have a telehealth consult with a general practitioner. This will incur a fee, which is payable directly to Ka Ora. Your usual doctor will receive a copy of your consult notes the following day.

2. If you are unable to access our practice during our opening hours, Ka Ora Telecare are also available for booked telehealth consults between 5-10pm. Appointments may be pre-booked by phone or via our website or www.kaora.co.nz

3. If you need an urgent appointment after 10pm please call 07 873 7079 for auto transfer or 0800 252 672 to connect with the Ka Ora overnight team.

Ka Ora GP telehealth after hours consults are free for our enrolled patients aged under 14 years, with a fee of $19.50 for 14+ years, Most of our enrolled patients will fit the rural eligibility criteria but there may be some exceptions to this.

Please see www.kaora.co.nz to find out more

Alternative options when we are closed are Mahoe Med in Te Awamutu (open 8am-8pm weekdays and 9am-3pm weekends and public holidays), or Anglesea Clinic in Hamilton (open 24 hours). If your concern is more urgent please phone 111

As well as selling our exciting and market leading new vehicles, used vehicles and accessories, you will need to be a customer focused legend, building relationships with your team and customers, prospecting for new customers, answering internet enquiries and be actively involved in the day to day running of our sales department and dealership.

You won’t get bored, make no mistake - it’s a busy, but also a very rewarding position for someone with the drive and desire to succeed.

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, would like more information or wish to apply (cover letter and CV required) contact Sarah at sarah@eight73consulting.co.nz or phone 07 873 7104.

Applications close: Friday, June 7, 2024, 5pm.

The applications may be inspected during the ordinary office hours at the office of the District Licensing Committee at Waitomo District Council, Queen Street, Te Kūiti. Any person who is entitled to and wishes to object to the issue of the licences may, not later than 25 working days after the date of the publication of this notice, file a notice in writing of the objection with the Secretary of the District Licensing Committee at Waitomo District Council, PO Box 404, Te Kūiti 3941. This is the only publication of this notice.

https://kingcountrynews.partica. co.nz/king-country-news/

PIOPIO

Situations Vacant

‘The Great Escaper’

M A R K E T

ST LUKE’S MARKET DAY

This Saturday, June 1 8am-12 noon

Carpark 85 Esplanade, Te Kūiti $10 per space

Sellers and buyers welcome Enquiries: 021 201 0355 or 027 243 6312

TE RONGOROA MARAE SGM, Ongarue June 23 @ 10am

1. Review of Charter

2. Marae Development Plan

Enquiries: terongoroapapakainga@gmail.com Nau mai,

Piopio Cosmopolitan Club

AGM

June 25, 2024 at 7pm

42 Moa St, Piopio

All welcome

In accordance with the Tenth Schedule of the Local Government Act 1974, notice is hereby given that the Ōtorohanga District Council, for the purpose of holding the Ōtorohanga Railway Station 100 year Anniversary celebrations, will close the following road to ordinary vehicular traffic for the period indicated hereunder:

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2024

WAHANUI CRESCENT – the section of Wahanui Crescent that lies adjacent to the railway lines.

Period of Closure: 7am to 4pm

There will not be any detour in place.

Access for emergency vehicles will be allowed in the event of an emergency.

It will be an offence under the above regulations for any person, otherwise than under authority of an authorised permit, to use the road for ordinary vehicular traffic during the period of closure.

Waitomo District Rates Reminder

This is a friendly reminder that the fourth instalment of your 2023/2024 rates is due by Friday, 31 May 2024. Rates invoices were posted out recently. A penalty charge of 10% will be added on any part of the instalment which remains unpaid on the due date.

Rates payments can be made at the Customer Service Centre at 160 Rora Street, Te Kūiti, over the phone or through our website by credit card, or by Internet Banking using your valuation number as your reference.

Please contact our friendly Customer Services Team at 0800 932 4357 or info@waitomo.govt.nz for further assistance.

Ben Smit Chief Executive www.waitomo.govt.nz

Harvest Church Ōtorohanga

Sunday Service 10.30am Kids Club 11am Youth 12.30pm-3pm Evening service 7pmWatching ‘The Chosen’

The Harvest Centre, 5 Tuhoro St, Ōtorohanga 07 873 8890 I 027 493 0117 • harvest.pc@xtra.co.nz Pastors Peter & Carole Coventry (An Assemblies of God Church)

You cannot make God stop loving you because God’s love isn’t based on who you are, but who He is (Toby Mac)

Waimiha Pink Ribbon breakfast fundraiser would like to thank the following fabulous donators. Thank you to Crusader Meats Benneydale, Te Kūiti Universal Beef Packers, Farmlands, Wrightsons, King Country Furniture, Dalziel, Appliance Plus, Timbertrail Lodge, Curtain Studio, Wool Press Cafe, Te Kūiti Pharmacy, Super Value, Blooms And Brews, New World, King Country Te Kūiti Paper Plus, Trudy and Tia, Rosheema, Waimiha Sports Club, Sandy, Nicky, Julie and Winner: Pila.

90 years. Sadly missed.

SHAILER, Mary

Milinda Jessie: On May 25,2024 at CHT Te Awamutu, in her 98th year. Beloved wife of the late Frank. Much loved mother and mother-inlaw of Steve and Dianne, Charlie and Dianna. Loved grandmother of Mark and Kim, Linda and Jared Otto, Keith and Annette, Gavin and Anna, Raewyn and David Hallett, Carolyn and Wayne Annand and the late Ruve. Cherished great grandmother of her thirteen great grandchildren. A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at St Brides Anglican Church, 54 Haerehuka Street, Ōtorohanga on Friday 31st May at 1pm. Followed by burial at Ōtorohanga Cemetery. “Forever with the Lord” All communications to Shailer Family c/- PO Box 241, Te Kuiti 3941. In the care of VJ Williams & Sons, Funeral Directors Association of NZs

Bereavements

Pat: Bruce and family wish to thank you all for your expressions of sympathy and kindness during our recent loss. Many thanks to VJ Williams & Sons and Sheryl Knight, Chontelle Howell and Rosalyn Walker for your contribution to the service and your help and guidance.

Arni’s

was

whanau

Arni’s legacy. Nau mai Haere Mai

hurikohatu o

Tamati

PINER, Michael Oram: Passed suddenly at Tauranga Hospital. Monday, May 20, 2024. Aged

HOWELL,