Cambridge News | June 27, 2024

Bats get the benefit

By Mary Anne Gill

A Waipā District Council plan change going operative next Monday will help the endangered long-tailed pekapeka native bat. And it can’t come soon enough for Waikato Regional Airport boss Mark Morgan who said the ratepayer owned company can now plant and pest proof two blocks of land it owns to the north of the airport to attract pekapeka-

Vulnerable to Recovering - are New Zealand’s only native land mammals.

“You can hardly signpost it for pekepeka, but we will develop these in a way that they’ll come. We’ll put a lake in, and we’ll do all sorts of stuff,” Morgan said pointing to a map showing the extent of the airport’s Northern Precinct development.

Waipā’s 20th change to its 2017 District Plan is ground-breaking for the area between Hamilton City Council’s 8100-house Peacocke

significance” list - will start in Hamilton at Kahikatea Drive and finish at the Waikato Expressway in Tamahere.

It includes 21kms of state highways and 11kms of arterial roads, largely in Peacocke. No starting date has been set.

A new design build for the Northern Precinct has begun and should start in late 2026.

The airport company – owned by Hamilton City, Waipā, Matamata-Piako, Ōtorohanga and Waikato district councils – lodged the district plan change in September 2022.

Because Waipā was a shareholder, it declared a conflict of interest in processing the change but was able to make a first stage

An independent planning firm took over and also granted the application, but Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society appealed the decision in the Environment Court saying the change would further threaten the

The airport company and Forest and Bird thrashed out an agreement which requires Waikato Regional Airport to develop bat habitat areas within the Northern Precinct. Work can begin on the 4ha and 11ha blocks of land off Raynes Road –the latter fronting the Waikato River - the airport company will develop and then transfer to a charitable trust.

Pekapeka have habitats throughout the Waikato but rapid development, which included the loss of roost trees, more street lighting and an increase in predators

like rats, possums and domestic cats, put them perilously close to extinction.

Six years ago, as part of its Southern Links investigation work, New Zealand Transport Agency and Hamilton City Council found that the pekapeka had roosted in artificial bat houses - first established in Hamilton in 2011 as part of a Waikato University student’s masters study into promoting bats within the city. The bats were more prevalent in the region than previously thought but still nationally critical – the highest threat category for a New Zealand species, the research found.

A female long-tailed pekapeka bat. Photo: Colin O’Donnell, Conservation Department.

The bats are tiny, as this picture shows.

Photo: NZ Transport Agency.

Mark Morgan points to the map which shows two blocks of land (marked in yellow) the airport company will develop to protect the pekapeka bat and the new Northern Precinct.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Choral op spot for Zara

By Mary Anne Gill

Zara Thompson knew performing arts was where her future lay when she was plucked from the chorus five hours before opening night to sing a solo.

She didn’t know the words and hadn’t practised the song but the singing teacher at St Peter’s Catholic School in Cambridge was convinced the 12-year-old could fill in for the lead who had called in sick.

Once she got permission to hold song cards and the nerves were gone, Zara was away.

“That was quite a special moment,” the Wintec Bachelor of Performing Arts student says five years on.

Zara, who went on to attend St Peter’s School, left after Year 12 to pursue her passion and is in her first year at Wintec.

She has secured a role in the chorus of the New Zealand premiere of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the Hamilton Operatic Society’s production which opens at the Clarence Street Theatre in Hamilton next month.

The 17-year-old is the youngest of several

Waipā performers in the production. The others include Corrine Law-Schuitemaker, Chris Gale, Jessica Ruck-Nu’u, Simon Brew, Scot Hall (all from Cambridge), Felix Rowe (Te Awamutu) and Christy Park (Koromatua).

There are some familiar faces around the show – director David Sidwell worked with Zara when she played the lead in Anastasia at St Peter’s last year and the year before that when she was part of the School of Rock ensemble.

Felix is a fellow Wintec student and was in St Peter’s School Musical Theatre Academy with Zara.

The musical is based on Victor Hugo’s novel and includes songs from the Disney animated feature.

The set will recreate Notre-Dame de Paris, the mediaeval Catholic cathedral in France which sustained damage in a structural fire five years ago and is expected to reopen in December.

Zara - who learned music from Sam Cleaver at St Peter’s School and this year by Julia Booth at the School of Media Arts - is one of

Dealing with alcohol CONTACTS

News/Editorial

Roy Pilott editor@goodlocal.nz

027 450 0115

Mary Anne Gill maryanne@goodlocal.nz 021 705 213 Viv Posselt viv@goodlocal.nz 027

Advertising Director

Janine Davy janine@goodlocal.nz 027

Owner/Publisher David Mackenzie david@goodlocal.nz Office/Missed

They say a full moon has an impact on our mood. In emergency services we certainly seem to see an impact. In the past week, the team have again had a busy time, responding to (among other things) 12 family harm events, six mental health incidents, five traffic crashes, three assaults, two burglaries and two stolen car reports. This week I want to talk about alcohol. A large number of incidents that require police intervention are caused or exacerbated by alcohol – including family harm, disorderly behaviour, assaults and road trauma. How we address this is multi-faceted. We proactively police alcohol licencing through regular hotel and off licence visits to ensure adherence to district licencing regulations. We also vet liquor licence and manager certificate applications made to Waipa District Council. Police conduct proactive alcohol checkpoints and respond to driving complaints to prevent road trauma by taking drunk and drugged drivers off our roads. We have a reassurance presence aimed at maintaining order at sports events and other fixtures where alcohol is served.

Part of our response to family harm involves identifying contributing factors which may include referrals to non-governmental organisations for alcohol and drug counselling. If you think that alcohol is a problem for you or someone you know, alcohol and drug counselling is available free for adults over the age of 18 at Cambridge Community House.

I received a text last week pretending to be from ANZ bank. The message said someone had changed my online banking details and provided me a link to follow to change my access details. It easily stood out as a scam to me because I don’t hold accounts with that bank, but if I had and wasn’t aware, clicking on the link could have given my bank details to the scammers. Please remember that you should never click on links received in such a way. Phone the organisation or navigate completely separately to their website to confirm the validity of it.

Within the last week a member of the public also reported receiving a call from someone purporting to represent BNZ bank. The phone call followed what seemed to the victim to be a normal process of obtaining their access number and authentication details. Unfortunately this was a scam and the victim subsequently found a sum of money had been transferred out of their bank account without their permission.

Banks will not proactively contact you and ask for your personal banking details. If you ever receive such a call, do not engage with the caller and contact your bank directly by a publicly advertised number to advise them.

Lastly, if you are heading away this Matariki long weekend, remember to be patient, drive to the conditions and immediately report to Police any dangerous driving that is putting others at risk.

two sopranos involved in the on stage choir. Quizzed about what her dream role would be, Zara says she would love to play Anna of Arendelle in Frozen, Kathryn in Newsies and Éponine in Les Misérables plus to sing as well as Phillipa Soo, who played Eliza in the musical Hamilton on Broadway, would be a dream come true.

Zara Thompson at home in Cambridge.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Rates set

Waipā District Council’s Enhanced Annual Plan and Development Contributions policy was adopted this week. It authorises the council to levy ratepayers $99 million and borrowings of $105 million in the financial year starting on Monday. Rate notices will go out on August 1.

Ticked off

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi says a routine annual inspection of the Narrows Bridge on SH21 in March gave the historic structure a tick of approval. It remains fit for purpose with an estimated remaining lifespan of over 30 years.

Chateau appeal

Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton is calling on the public to support a parliamentary petition for government action to save the Chateau Tongariro. The building, owned by the Department of Conservation, has been closed since February last year and it requires earthquake strengthening.

Virtual Te Kūiti

A virtual heritage and culture tour of Te Kūiti has been launched. Created by Hamilton and Waikato Tourism with support from Waitomo District Council, it takes in the Te Kūiti shearing statue, Tatsuno Japanese garden, Te Kūiti and district historical charitable trust heritage house, Legends Gallery, Sir Colin Meads Statue and the Millennium Pavilion.

Panel confirmed

Three independent commissioners have been appointed alongside two regional councillors to the proposed Waikato Regional coastal plan hearings panel. Warren Maher and Stu Kneebone, who were appointed by council in May, will be joined by commissioners Greg Hill (chair), Hugh Leersnyder and Vicki Morrison-Shaw.

Effigy, abuse, threats

By Mary Anne Gill

Waipā

mayor Susan

O’Regan has called on the community to draw a line under “appalling” and “threatening” behaviour directed at her and other elected officials around the country.

She was responding to comments made by Hamilton city councillor Andrew Bydder in a submission to Waipā District Council’s Cambridge Connections project where he wrote that O’Regan should “get off your fat arse and do your job.”

O’Regan revealed it was the third incident of threatening behaviour directed at her last week and added to other threats, including one at a Cambridge Connections information session in March.

An effigy of her sitting

on a toilet was installed in front of a Waipā information board in Cambridge on the morning when O’Regan was at the opening of Fieldays.

Later, a member of her family was followed to their Kakepuku farm. Both incidents were reported to the police who have found a car “of interest” in the second one.

“It forms a part of a broader phenomenon around New Zealand but when it’s directed at you personally and in such a nasty, and aggressive and dare I say in a misogynist kind of way, you can’t help but catch your breath a little,” O’Regan said.

“When it comes to the safety of your family, that’s the point you get your heckles up and will do everything and anything to protect them.”

The effigy was “pretty unnerving,” she said.

“Other than the obvious messaging and the symbolism that some of it displayed and conveyed, there were some issues that were a little perplexing,” she said.

The News has seen a photograph and chosen not to publish it.

When no pictures of the effigy appeared on social media, O’Regan said she hoped the community was taking a bit of a collective breath and saying “this isn’t us, this isn’t Cambridge, this isn’t Waipā.”

“In an ideal world I would love everybody to say, that’s not okay. Some of the places these people inhabit are online and on social media. And it’s really hard to combat that. But it would be really good if the community would draw a line somehow, some way to express a real repugnance to this sort of behaviour.

“You don’t have to agree with us, that’s totally acceptable. But what’s not acceptable is that kind of behaviour.

“I would like the community to say that’s not okay and be very cognisant of the fact what you choose to ignore, you’re actually choosing to accept.”

O’Regan confirmed she and other Waipā councillors had made Code of Conduct complaints to Hamilton City Council about Bydder’s submission.

Bydder lives and works in Cambridge and his home in Vogel Street is just west of the Blue Blob identified as a potential landing spot for a third bridge and subsequently put on hold by the council.

“The ability to do anything about him is flawed,” she said.

Behaviour towards elected members around the country had become “normalised”, she said.

“What has happened to Susan is hideous. It is not appropriate. We have to stop the rot.”

It was the worst she had seen in her 24 years in politics.

Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate said she and other city councillors had also lodged Code of Conduct complaints, but they would not result in Bydder having to resign.

A predicament for Maungatautari

By Chris Gardner

A senior Department of Conservation manager says she really feels for cash strapped Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari and hopes that something can be worked out concerning funding.

“I think they’re in a really tough predicament,” said DOC Waikato District operations manager Jane Wheeler.

Wheeler’s comments come after Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari general manager Helen Hughes told The News a cash flow crisis could force the closure of the world’s largest predatorproof fence by the end of August.

Hughes said the project had lost $1.5 million worth of funding over four years with the loss of the contestable Department of Conservation Community Fund and other sources of funding, and $500,000 was

needed to continue the work currently underway.

“We moved from baseline funding contribution to funding specific projects,” Wheeler explained.

Over the last four years DOC had supported Maungatautari with $589,000 of Jobs for Nature funding to support the work of mountain rangers, $441,000 worth of threatened species monitoring funding, such as kākāpō and hihi (stitch bird), and $140,000 worth of operating costs funding.

“So, we do provide a lot of actual practical in-kind support,” she said.

“We have a situation where we are really prioritising where we put our money at the moment. We don’t have lots of money to spend. I hope that something can be worked out for them.”

DOC was directed to find 6.5 per cent savings from its budget to meet the coalition

Government’s savings target.

“We are looking at other options, but I’ve got a lot of work to do to find out if I have any options,” Wheeler said.

“We need discussions with Helen and [co-chair] Don [Scarlet] and the governance board and people above me in the organisation. At the moment I can support with staff and expert advice.”

The News is seeking comment from Conservation Minister Tama Potaka who, on June 18, told Parliament’s Environment Committee it would probably cost trillions

of dollars to save all New Zealand native species so New Zealand should adopt a targeted approach.

“If we say, hand on heart, we’re going to save every single species and get it out of a space where it’s endangered or at risk that job is going to take an absolutely probably superhuman effort that will cost, I don’t know, I wouldn’t want to imagine the cost, but that is literally hundreds of billions probably trillions of dollars,” Potaka said.

“I don’t think we’re in that space, we’re in a much

Celebrating

more practical space to say what are the species, what are the areas, what are the ecosystems that we’re going to focus our attention on and get to that.”

Labour spokesperson for conservation Priyanca Radhakrishnan said the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust was carrying out important work with others.

“It’s a challenging time for them and others in the conservation sector,” she said.

“Everyone has a role to play in safeguarding our precious animal and plant life here in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is disappointing that the coalition government has cut the Department of Conservation’s budget by 6.5 per cent. This will undoubtedly have an adverse impact on Aotearoa’s biodiversity and the health of our ecosystems.”

Jim Goddin JP Funeral Director

Susan O’Regan

Sideline cheering not enough

By Viv Posselt

Those despairing for today’s youth were given a beacon of hope this month when St Paul’s Collegiate School headmaster Ben Skeen delivered a straight-talking message to Cambridge parents and youngsters.

Speaking at Cambridge U3A, Skeen’s talk entitled ‘There still is hope –educating youth for a bright future’ drew applause at various junctures.

He suggested that parents who support their children at Saturday sports fixtures but don’t turn up for teacher interviews are subliminally passing on the message that education is less important than sport. The importance of parental modelling, particularly to teenage boys, was emphasised with Skeen saying boys are more influenced visually than girls and are thus likely to take witnessed behaviours into adulthood.

His call to students was to understand that the world does not revolve around them, that they are a part of something bigger than themselves and that they have an obligation to pay forward to others the privilege of their education.

Healthy competition is part of the human psyche, he said, and tracking a student’s progress through assessment or exams is needed – particularly in the teen years – because without it most would not push themselves to achieve. Resilience cannot be taught, he went on, but it can be learned by an individual who is placed in a situation of discomfort, where their heart rate rises and they are driven to strive for

success.

Young people need to do the right thing even when no-one is watching. Students at his school are expected to dress and behave in a certain way, do cross country, swim with the rest of them, respectfully cheer on fellow students who have excelled and are called on stage at assembly, he added. “They know to do that because it’s what we do around here … that is part of being part of something bigger than yourself.”

Skeen became headmaster at St Paul’s Collegiate School in May 2021 after holding a variety of positions at Auckland Grammar. Outside of work, he was contracted to NZ Rugby’s high performance match official squad for 15 years, 12 of which he spent providing refereeing services to world rugby, officiating numerous international tests. He retired from that role at the end of 2019.

Skeen described two types of knowledge. One is biological primary knowledge - things learned through observation, such as speech, behaviour - and the other, biological secondary knowledge - material that is taught, such as maths and science.

“That is important … the first is learned through observation, the other through structured teaching,” he said. “What this country did in around 2007 was rewrite our education curriculum; it introduced key competencies they wanted to know and 90 percent of what was on that list were things that are biological primary knowledge.”

From then on, schools assimilated things like self-management, respect

and thinking skills into the school day. “They are important but should not be at the expense of subjects in the secondary knowledge bank.”

Skeen said he is optimistic about education minister Erica Standford’s upcoming learning refresh, which incorporates the ‘science of learning’ and the view that teachers will learn more about teaching defined subjects rather than simply managing classrooms.

‘There will be more focus on what students need to learn … it will be more prescriptive rather than organic, with an acknowledgement of what should be known by all students by age 15. Bringing back structured literacy, or phonics, will also be a game-changer.

“The changes we are seeing makes me excited about the future, and hopeful for our young people.”

Allwill doesn’t drain well

By Mary Anne Gill

Everytime it rains – which to be fair has been quite a lot in recent weeks – Allwill Drive in Hautapu floods.

Businesses have become so frustrated they have taken to calling it Lake Allwill but relief is near for the road which was largely scrub less than a decade ago before it became industrialised.

Stormwater infrastructure upgrades began on Monday. The work includes swale construction and catchpit upgrades.

Waipā District Council

Waters strategic lead Robin Walker said the work should alleviate some of the depth of the road flooding experience.

“The final solution is reliant on the construction of the stormwater basin … which will likely occur this

coming summer.”

That basin is being built in the C8 growth cell at the bottom of Allwill Drive in an existing paddock.

“The new swales will be connected to this once construction is complete,” said Walker.

That is good news for Sandy Schaare at Wraptrade who said a family of ducks had moved into the neighbourhood.

“They (the council) must be spending a fortune vacuuming the water away and the fix/impact is always temporary,” he said.

Flood waters greeted him on Monday but so too did workers from council contractor Camex Civil who began sucking out the grates and culverts.

“I’m really hoping it will work,” said Schaare.

St Paul’s Collegiate School headmaster Ben Skeen.

Lake Allwill is what businesses in the area are calling this Hautapu road. Photo: Supplied.

Young scouts learn to lead

By Chris Gardner

Cambridge scouts Jasper Cook, Jessica Hill, and Zac Ward know how to lead small teams in adventurous experiences.

The trio of 11-year-olds completed the annual Scouts Aotearoa Sandford Leadership Skills Training Course at Epworth Retreat and Recreation Centre at Horahora this month.

All three are team (or patrol) leaders tasked with leading small teams of 10 to 14-year-old scouts. Senior scouts had vacated the positions as they graduated to the venturer section after the 23rd Aotearoa New Zealand Scout Jamboree at Mystery Creek in the summer.

The course included short theoretical sessions on subjects like the team leaders’ job, training other scouts, teamwork, planning, communication, and team meetings.

Each session was followed by practical sessions.

“I learned lots of acronyms, which was very useful, breaking it down into what to do and what not to do,” Jessica said. “Salada is my favourite, and you got to eat crackers.” Scouts learned about breaking big projects down into small tasks. They were asked to

fit a cracker into their mouths, then break it into four more digestible parts and enjoy a snack.

Salada was used to remind scouts how to plan an activity with their teams like moving a boat out of a shed or setting up a campsite. It stands for Stop, Assess, Listen to all ideas, Allocate, Do, and Assess again.

Edicts was another acronym used to remind scouts how to train their peers in practical skills like lighting a fire, pitching a tent, skippering a boat, or tying a knot. It stands for Explain, Demonstrate, Imitate, Correct, Try again and Summarise.

“I loved the short activities that demonstrated what you had just learned,” said Zac Ward.

His favourite activity was putting the Salada mnemonic into action on a base called spilly cup in which his team had to move water from one barrel to another using only a cup tied to a piece of rope.

Working in teams, Scouts also had to light a small fire in a wet wheelbarrow while keeping it moving.

The aim of the course was to help Scouts develop leadership skills and provide opportunities to learn and experience aspects of teamwork, teaching, communication, and planning.

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Jasper Cook and his team used Salada to light a small fire in plastic container safely.

Sallies back booze ban call

By Chris Gardner

The Salvation Army is supporting Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board member Jill Taylor’s call to ban the sale of alcohol in Waipā supermarkets.

Taylor suggested Waipā follow Australia’s example of not selling alcohol in supermarkets, during a Local Alcohol Policy workshop in May.

Salvation Army social policy analyst and advocate Ana Ika told The News the Salvation Army supported Taylor’s suggestion.

“We have always advocated for alcohol harm mitigation through minimising advertising, accessibility, availability and affordability of alcohol because of the level of alcohol harm we see with many we support,” Ika said.

“The supermarkets go against these as alcohol is often the first thing you see when you walk into many supermarkets, a lot cheaper than on-licences, supermarkets are everywhere and are open for longer periods.

“People drink their cheap alcohol in the privacy of their homes, and this is often where

we see incidences of violence and family violence.”

‘…alcohol is often the first thing you see when you walk into many supermarkets’ – Ana Ika.

The Salvation Army advocated for the trust model found in West Auckland and Invercargill where alcohol is not sold in supermarkets, but in bottle stores where profits are returned to the community.

Participants in the Salvation Army’s alcohol and drug dependency programme purposefully shopped in these areas so as not to be confronted with alcohol when they are doing their grocery shopping, Ika said.

“Alcohol in supermarkets also portrays the idea that alcohol is an ordinary commodity and, in our view, perpetuates the role that alcohol negatively plays in our society,” Ika said.

“The supermarket duopoly has a stronghold on how alcohol is sold in New Zealand. Any time alcohol is restricted from being sold in supermarkets would be a way to loosen that stronghold.”

Woolworths New Zealand public relations specialist Seán Rose said the group did not have a specific comment on Taylor’s remarks.

“We take our responsibilities as an alcohol retailer very seriously and are always willing to engage with relevant stakeholders on our approach.”

Woolworths New Zealand owns Woolworths, SuperValue and FreshChoice supermarkets.

Foodstuffs New Zealand, owner of Four Square, New World and Pak’n Save, did not respond to the request for comments.

Health New Zealand regional clinical director William Rainger said Health NZ took alcohol harm, and the risk of alcohol-related harm to communities seriously.

“Medical Officers of Health work

within the legislation, the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. The Act requires several agencies including council, police, and health to make assessments when considering new licences or licence renewals to ensure all the rules under the act are being adhered to,” he said.

“If any local alcohol policies are in place, these agencies can provide further support to minimise alcohol-related harm. For example, Local Alcohol Policies can include rules around times which establishments and off-licenses are open.

“However, the District Licensing Committee is ultimately responsible for making final licensing decisions.”

Ana Ika

The sallies say supermarkets sell alcohol cheaper than on-licence outlets and are open longer. Woolworths NZ says it is willing to engage with stakeholders. Foodstuffs New Zealand did not respond to our questions.

Theatres of dreamers

By Peter Carr

Every three years we – the whole nation – are subject to the nonsense put forward by council wannabees as to their suitability to govern the organisation that keeps our districts clean, warm, liveable and safe. More on them shortly.

To stay local in Waipā (and keeping away from personalities) we have an organisation that, in its most recent reporting year, had a budget revenue of $157 million, an equity of $1.99 billion and an asset base of $2.27 billion. Note these figures are rounded and, in fairness to the council, I have refrained from using the actual figures experienced due to the downturn caused by Covid and its aftermath. This is not an article about Waipā but the wider local body governance scheme.

Now many of you are investors in the share market either directly or through the services of professional business advisers. And before you place your hard-earned savings with one or another public company (or private for that matter if possible) then you take a hard look at that company. Performance, debt to equity ratio, past history and management. Most important of all is the breadth and depth of business experience shown by the board of directors. To what extent are they qualified in both tertiary and experience terms to look after your funds?

I am sure that if you find a company with anything approaching the figures mentioned above you would wish to ensure that your funds will, at the very least, given that share deposits carry risk, be cared for by those ‘at the top’ who understand the role of governance and practice their craft well clear of interfering with management. As an

insurance policy for those governance practitioners the chief executive is often carrying an ‘at risk’ segment to his/her gross income package that keeps the nose to the grindstone.

So why this lurch out into the wilderness of local body governance? Look back to the last local body election and recall the utterances of those seeking office ‘in your interest’. Where did you see or hear examples of high standard qualification that gave them the right to govern an organisation with figures displayed above?

The city of Tauranga has been governed for several years by (I think) four commissioners after the mayor and council were removed by the National government. Shortly, those commissioners will hand over the reins to a newly elected group of wannabees and, as the lead commissioner stated last week, “there are several of those hoping to return for which I would not vote”.

So, my question to you is this. Would you feel happier if the board table in Te Awamutu was a mix of elected and professional appointed people? On say a two thirds / one third basis? Where the amateur attempts to govern currently displayed are very much hidebound by the control of the senior council officers?

Having a third of the board placed there for the right reasons can, at the very least, bring a degree of sense and commercial sensibility to the final decisions that affect us all.

Let Matariki speak to us

By Murray Smith, Bridges Church

It is a great source of delight to me that we have things unique to us, which are exclusively our own - that is, things particular, or indigenous to New Zealand. I won’t attempt listing items although it would be fun to do so, but given my allotted 500 words for this opinion piece, I’d run myself short in focussing on tomorrow’s unique national celebration. Our very own Matariki.

This year I hope to see again those sparkling jewels in the sky that appear in the Southern Hemisphere around June (mid winter). Up until the first half of July, for Māori, this season traditionally announces the new year on their lunar calendar. It is a time to celebrate the earth - show respect for the land and the crops it produces. The brighter the stars, the more productive a harvest could be expected.

On June 24, 2022 we had our nation’s inaugural commemoration to mark the appearance of the Matariki cluster of stars sometimes known as the ‘Seven Sisters’, or perhaps more widely known as the Pleiades. I remember standing outside on that eve of our new national Matariki holiday, well before dawn, at the beach on the east coast of Coromandel. The skies were clear… a beautiful ‘inky’ dark blue colour.

I had been told there are hundreds of stars in the Matariki cluster, but only six or seven are visible without a telescope. Staring up into the vast grandeur of space without the luxury of a telescope, I scanned the heavens in the area I was informed to search in and as my eyes adjusted, felt confident that against the vast backdrop of myriads of other stars, some particularly ‘sparkly’ ones were introducing themselves as members of the

Matariki whānau. The lasting impression was the feeling of how small we are, by contrast with the universe’s immensity… yet paradoxically, the nearness of the Creator who designed its order, and sustains the patterns which the stars display. Such consistency afforded our forebears reliable navigation across oceans. How did such order come about and what maintains it?

It’s explained by Bible passages written thousands of years ago. Here’s a few…“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.” (Psalm 8)

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth and their words to all the world.” (Psalm 19)

In the Book of Job (the Bible’s oldest book, 3500BC), God is rightfully credited as the One who “set the stars in place, the Big Dipper and Orion, the Pleiades and the stars in the southern sky…” There’s nothing random or arbitrary about the countless stars in their constellations - their very creation and ordered precision demands a Creator. Disavowing that, is like claiming an explosion of ink in a print shop, produced the Oxford Dictionary. God directs the stars in their courses…as He reaches out to us this Matariki.

Cambridge Tree Trust

www.treetrust.org.nz

Bitternut hickory –Carya cordiformis

One of the tallest and most vigorous of the hickory genus, these trees can reach well over 35 metres. The bitternut is usually found in moist mountain valleys along stream banks and swamps, but can also endure dry sites and poor soils. They can be distinguished from other hickories by their bright sulphur-yellow winter buds. Although closely related to the pecan, the bitternut as its name suggests, has an inedible nut, not poisonous but so unpleasant to taste that even squirrels avoid them. However apparently when cooked the nuts can produce a pleasant milk or tea. As part of the juglans family hickories are also related to the walnut, but are however taller and more graceful. While hickories are almost unknown in Europe, they

are characteristic of the vast forests of the eastern North America. Here the bitternut is the most common and widespread of the genus, reaching from Texas and Florida to Maine and Minnesota and even into southern Ontario and Quebec; its gorgeous yellow leaves form part of the spectacular display in Fall. Bitternut is often used for lumber and pulpwood; the wood is hard, durable and shockresistant and useful for furniture, panelling, tool handles and ladders. Native Americans used bitternut for making bows. Hickory is also used for making floors, being considerably harder than even white oak; its disadvantage is that the density of the wood makes installing and finishing well a challenge. Cambridge Tree Trust will be planting some bitternuts in the new Cambridge dog park on Thornton Road. Because they grow enormous taproots they need to be planted out when very small.

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

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Night riders return

By Mary Anne Gill

It was such a success last year, the Light Night Te Awa River Ride is back again but with some subtle changes.

Te Awa River Ride Charitable Trust trail manager and Olympic gold medallist Sarah Ulmer says the event ran out of glow sticks for the children so there will be more of them plus there were more walkers than expected so organisers will be watching out for them.

“We were victims of our own success,” said Ulmer who estimated there were more than 1300 people who turned up to the Gaslight Theatre in Cambridge on a cold winter’s night to ride, scoot and

It was so well received, Ngāruawāhia wanted a piece of the action.

Three weeks after the Cambridge event on July 6, Ngāruawāhia will have its inaugural ride from The Point along Lower Waikato Esplanade to Market Street and back.

Bikes must have lights on both rides because there are no street lights on Te Awa.

“Only parts of the path will be lit up and some will be pitch black. So even if you’re strolling, not rolling, for obvious safety reasons, everyone must bring lights.

“Head torches, torches, lights on

phones are all totally acceptable.”

Several walkers in Cambridge last year were not well lit and walking three or four abreast creating issues for cyclists. There will be reminders to pedestrians to keep left and light up, said Ulmer.

The 2km course from Gaslight Theatre finishes at the boardwalk below the Velodrome. No one has to go up the steep hill, but they can go down the boardwalk bridge which will be lit up.

Volunteer marshalls will position themselves along the route to keep everyone safe plus there will be entertainment at strategic locations and hot chocolate to warm people up.

From cells to sales

By Chris Gardner

Rob Pierce has swapped one blue shirt for another.

Pierce has moved into real estate as a lifestyle and residential sales consultant after serving 31 years in the New Zealand Police.

Pierce was based in Te Kuiti and Ōtorohanga from 1993 until 2005, becoming the north King Country town’s first detective. He continued as a detective in Te Awamutu from 2005 until 2009. He moved to Raglan in 2009 and became the town’s first sergeant. In 2011 he moved to Cambridge where he served as sergeant. He returned to Te Awamutu in in 2012 where he completed 12 years as a sergeant.

From 1996 until 2023 Piece also served as a personal protection officer for the prime minister and other dignitaries visiting the Waikato.

Receiving a District Commissioners’ Commendation for saving the life of a motorist who suffered a seizure at the wheel was one of the highlights of his policing career.

Pierce was driving Paterangi Road when he became stuck behind a truck doing 60kph in a 100kph zone.

The car in front, a red Toyota, was straddling the centreline.

Pierce overtook the truck, got behind the car and activated his lights and siren, but the car continued before crossing the centreline.

Pierce realised the driver was having a seizure.

“I needed to put my car in front of his to stop his vehicle,” said Pierce.

He brought car to a stop and called for backup.

Pierce decided to become a sales consultant after encouragement from a friend.

“He was very successful and trying to get me into it for two or three years,” Pierce said.

“It was time for a change.”

Rob Pierce has a new beat.

walk the Te Awa River Ride.

The newly-opened boardwalk/bridge was a popular attraction last year and will be open again for next month’s Light Night Te Awa River Ride.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

The hard questions

By Janine Krippner

In a BBC article, a colleague, Professor Matthew Watson, is warning of the dangers of tourism at Fuego – a twin volcano which erupted with deadly consequences in Guatemala in 2018.

Watson stopped taking student on annual trips to Fuego in 2015 – but tours continue and he warns “It’s only a matter of time before someone gets killed”.

I am writing this while sipping coffee and fighting jet lag on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain.

Like last year, I am here to better understand how eruptions impact society. Tomorrow, I fly back to the island of La Palma, where in 2021 an eruption produced lava flows that damaged and buried communities.

This scenario is possible here on Tenerife, a very popular tourism destination. It is also possible in Auckland. And we are all aware of the tragedy on Whakaari White Island in 2019.

It’s one thing trying to prepare locals for eruptions when you don’t know when the next one will be.

It is another to help tourists who often have no idea of the chances of an eruption, no idea where to get information or help, or where to go.

How do you prioritise a less likely event that will have much greater impacts if we aren’t prepared for it? We expect that someone will be doing that work behind the scenes, that people will send the right kind of help and get critical systems up and running.

People leap to blame someone for an incident as soon as one strikes, but all these things take an enormous effort

and a lot of funding to understand and implement. Learning from eruptions around the world is a great way to help with this.

We can put in place programmes to work with local communities, but what is the right way to educate tourists?

When there are no signs of an eruption in the near-future, how do we balance the cost and effort of preparing different groups?

If a volcano, like Fuego, has been erupting for many years, how do we warn people that something much larger and deadly might happen?

People flock to erupting volcanoes to see the raw power of our planet in action. I cannot say I blame them.

In places like Tongariro it’s relatively easier because you can shut down access to a national park. How do you manage an eruption in the middle of a complex city? How do you prioritise funding when we have issues like a threatening economic recession?

These are big and difficult questions. I think through these situations with compassion.

I don’t appreciate the “what did they expect?” mentality that often follows a fatal incident.

We all make bad choices, whether we understand that we are or not.

Most of the time those choices don’t end our precious life. We expect people who know better to help us.

We are listening

By Jo Davies-Colley, Chair, Cambridge Community Board

The Cambridge Community Board aims to act as a conduit between the community and Waipā District Council.

Our role is to hear and understand the thoughts and opinions of those living in Cambridge and communicate them on to council.

We do this by attending council meetings, reporting frequently to elected members on what we are hearing from our community and by being involved in committees and working groups that include council staff and elected members.

At every community board monthly meeting we have a public forum where members of the community are welcome to come and present to us on any topic or issue they wish to.

We really enjoy hearing from the community, no matter how big or small the issue may be.

Our meetings are also live streamed, available to watch anytime.

At our meeting last week, we heard from a group of residents concerned with the Ministry of Health’s directive to council to fluoridate the Cambridge town water supply.

In short, on July 27, 2022, Waipā District Council was told by the Ministry it must add fluoride to the Cambridge water supply.

The Ministry of Health makes all decisions on fluoride, not council. Council was not directed to add fluoride to any other water supplies in the district.

Although council have been notified of the directive to fluoridate, they have not received funding from central government to help pay for the work required, nor is a funding agreement in place, meaning the

fluoridation of our town water supply is some time away.

The Cambridge Community Board acknowledge that members of our district have very serious thoughts, some for, and some against, the fluoridation of the Cambridge town water supply.

The Ministry of Health continues to support community fluoridation as a safe, effective and affordable way of reducing tooth decay.

We also acknowledge that there is complex scientific debate underpinning this issue and consider that this level of advocacy to central government is beyond our purview as a community board.

However, this is the third time this group has presented to us and they felt like the community board was not fulfilling our role as communicators to council and that, furthermore, councillors were not aware of their advocacy around this issue.

We believe Waipā district councillors are both in touch with their community and understand that there are some community members who share concerns around fluoridation.

As it is important for us to make sure all community members have been heard, we have written to the mayor and councillors to communicate clearly the opinions and concerns of this group of residents.

We encourage all members of our community to present to us in our public forum, to email me or any of the other board members anytime on any issue that concerns you.

Early for Matariki

The Te Miro School community came together last week for a midwinter Matariki festival. Year 8 student Mahina King gives readers an account of the night.

Te Miro school marked its annual Matariki celebration and the event was vibrant and showcased the cultural spirit of our school.

The festival commenced with our school singing ‘Rise Up O Flame’ accompanied by our year eights lighting the brazier, followed by a heartfelt school karakia and the uplifting waiata ‘Purea Nei’.

Learning group Rimu engaged everyone in the crowd with their Matariki and Solar System Kahoot, demonstrating the knowledge they learnt in class as they read out each question and answer.

Kowhai students mesmerised the audience with their impressive rakau skills, performing to the waiata ‘Tutira Mina Nga Iwi’

Rata captured the audience’s hearts (well they captured mine) with their adorable dance to ‘Savalivali’.

The Festival reached its peak with the energetic Matariki Macarena, a favourite waiata amongst the children, then each class embarked on a lantern-lit journey through the bush to explore every hand-crafted grottos done by students in each classroom.

The night concluded with everyone gathering for kai in the community hall.

Reflecting on this event, it is clear that the Matariki Festival at Te Miro school is more than just an event, it’s a testament to our school’s vibrant community and spirit. This is surely one of my favourite school festivals even though it was cold.

Inspiring events

By Tom Roa, Tikanga Advisor, Waikato University

Through most of the last year I have suffered with global osteo-arthritis so this column has not been high on my list of priorities!

However over the last couple of weeks two special events in our neighbourhood have lit a spark which has led me back to my computer keyboard to share some thoughts.

Two weeks ago my colleague Dr Rodrigo Hill and I opened a photographic exhibition at the Ōtorohanga Museum launching with it a book, both titled, ‘Ki te kapu o taku ringa - In the palm of my hand’

We have spent the last two years exploring the notion of an indigenous Māori lens, and what that might be in juxtaposition with a non-indigenous, other-than-Māori lens.

In the Western world ethic, all rights to a photograph reside with the photographer. It is very important that their Intellectual Property is to be respected and all rights to that IP upheld.

The Māori philosophy of acknowledging and according a principled respect to the ‘mana’ of the subject (or should that be object?) of the photograph is not a high priority.

Our project asserted that a photograph of moment in the Māori world should recognise the ‘mana’ of its subjects thru ‘wānanga’ with the ‘mana whenua’ the people of the land, the landscape, the flora, the fauna, whose narratives shared through those ‘wānanga’ (which Linda Tuhiwai Smith describes as ‘thought spaces’) accord a principled respect of the subjects of the photograph.

The Regent Theatre in the centre of Te Awamutu is showing a movie whose

narrative is arguably at the centre of our district’s history. The heroism in Manga’s (Rewi Maniapoto’s) reported assertion at Ōrākau, ‘Ka whawhai tonu au ki a koe , ake, ake, ake!’ resounds locally, nationally, internationally. Three hundred Māori, men, women, and children, at that time essentially still a stone-age culture, protecting their lands, lives, and livelihoods, held at bay for three days 1500 soldiers of the most powerful army in the world with the most modern arsenal of weapons of that time.

The production team spent weeks in preproduction preparation holding wānanga with the descendants of those who fought in the battle. During the filming groups of descendants were again involved in front of as well as behind the camera. Post-production the launch of the movies premiere in Hamilton and subsequent showings in Te Awamutu attracted full houses.

Māori in those audiences remarked, often too loudly, ‘Look there’s So-and-So!’ In doing so asserting their relationship to the movie and its subject(s), acknowledging their (collective) mana.

The kura performed under lights in the schools bush

Lyceum club out for 84

By Viv Posselt

The Cambridge Lyceum Club held a farewell gathering recently to mark the club’s closure after 84 years.

Changing societal norms and dwindling membership led to the sale of the club’s home premises in Dick Street in late 2021. From then on, Lyceum House has been leasing the space for its club meetings.

Club president Barbara Fisher told those at the gathering formal meetings had now ended, but members who still wanted to meet there socially could do so until the end of the year.

Giving a potted history of the club she said it had started in 1940 when a small group of country women were looking for a meeting place amid a wartime climate when petrol was severely rationed.

“They met to form the

nucleus of this club, first in rented rooms in Victoria Street. By the early ’50s it had become apparent that larger premises were required, and this led to the purchase of a house and surgery at 20 Dick Street, offered by a Mr White, to be

used as clubrooms,” she said. “Members first met in their newly renovated premises on December 10, 1953.”

Racing backs RDA

By Joshua Smith, Loveracing

Waikato Thoroughbred Racing hosted the Cambridge Riding for the Disabled Race Day at its Cambridge synthetic meeting yesterday,

Interest groups included bridge, travel, gardening, chess, literary, mahjong, croquet and wine appreciation.

At that time, membership stood at 250 with a waiting list. At its peak, when the club was recognised as a place of liberal learning, there were over 300 members, a paid housekeeper, lunches and morning teas.

Get Gardening

Latest Rollie Arrivals

With the mixed bag of weather we get in Winter make sure to take whatever opportunities you can to get out into the garden. While the rain can be a nuisance it does help replenish soil and dropped autumn leaves provide natural compost, which the garden will love. It’s a good time to start planning ahead for additional deciduous fruit trees in the garden. New season apple, pear, plum, peach and nectarine trees are starting to arrive in store. Thinking of hedging or borders? Planted now they will have plenty of time to get well established before Summer. We have Corokia, Buxus, Michelia Figo, Griselina, Pittosporum, Camellias or Rhododendrons. For borders look at Upright Teucrium, Loropetalum, Escallonia, Gardenia or Ligustrum - just to name a few. Happy gardening.

Proceeds from the meeting will go to the charity.

Riding for the Disabled has been assisting local communities around New Zealand for more than half a century and Cambridge RDA’s Sam Ogden is grateful for the racing community’s support.

“The RDA is a not-for-profit organisation whose sole purpose is to provide therapeutic interaction with horses for people with disabilities. Those disabilities can be physical, intellectual, social, emotional – it is a very broad spectrum,” Ogden said.

“We have got riders that range from the age of three to 64 years old, and we are accessible for everybody.

The Cambridge branch has 66 active riders and 50 active volunteers.

Thoroughbreds have also played an integral role in RDAs throughout the country.

“We have had 33 thoroughbreds come through the RDA since they started tracking that kind of detail,” Ogden said.

“The Cambridge Jockey Club, which is now a part of Waikato Thoroughbred Racing, has supported us (Cambridge RDA) for the last couple of years,” Ogden said.

“They donate a race day to us, with the gold coin donation entry one avenue (of fundraising) and the money from race sponsors is also donated to us. In terms of fundraising for the RDA, it is massive for us.”

TUESDAY

2:50pm: Building alarm and evacuation, Albert Street

THURSDAY

8:51am, Building alarm and evacuation, Wilson Street

FRIDAY

11:33am, Building alarm and evacuation, Lake Street 12:08pm, Loader Fire, Cambridge Road 2:18pm, Horse Float MVC, Peake Road

A monthly gardening column, courtesy of Amber Garden Centre

Pictured at the Cambridge Lyceum Club’s last official meeting were, from left, life member and past president Cynthia Graham, president Barbara Fisher, and life member and past president Dianne Murdoch.

Skiers look for new home

By Chris Gardner

Brooklyn Water Ski Club is looking for a new home on Lake Karāpiro.

Longstanding club committee member Glenn Harrop told The News the 60-year-old club was looking for a sympathetic landowner to lease it a paddock when its current lakeside lease at Maungatautari Road, Leamington, runs out on July 31.

The club, which has occupied the land since 1964, has been in negotiations of sorts with Ngāti Koroki Kahukura since 2014, when a Treaty of Waitangi Settlement saw the land returned from Department of Conservation ownership.

“It’s just been a long, drawn-out negotiation period,” said Harrop.

“They approached us and said we could work together and share the space. We said possibly and went back to them with a plan, and they said no, we’ll just wait until your lease expires.”

The club held two 30-year leases with the Department

of Conservation, the first starting in 1964, the second in 1994. It has around 320 members from around 80 families who pay an annual membership of $250.

“it’s a real tough one to swallow, we’ve been there 60 years. We’ve developed that place from a hill covered in gorse and blackberry to a pretty amazing space without any funding from any councils or government.”

That includes a private boat ramp and club house including a full kitchen, dining room, showers, and

RYMAN PRESENTS

deck with barbecue facilities.

“It’s pretty said to see it taken away from us. A lot of people are disappointed. Thousands of people have been involved over the years.”

Karāpiro Waka Ama president Lee Ann Muntz said the group had recently been notified that they had secured a five year lease to occupy part of the Taumatawiiwii Reserve.

“We are currently awaiting confirmation of details from the property group with regards to the timings of the process.”

JACKIE CLARKE

SINGING SENSATION & ENTERTAINER

Crime and consequences

Where is the justice in our justice system? Our judges are paid by the law-abiding citizens and tax-payers in our society; however, they do not appear concerned with welfare, wellbeing, grief, financial loss or pain caused to these folk who are the victims of crime.

Instead, they mete out the lightest of sentences with little or no punishment to the criminals who feed off the misery of others and do not pay taxes.

Our recent case of burglary is a case in point. We were burgled twice by the same person. This meant paying two lots of excess on our insurance policy and our premiums doubled the next year as a result of our claims. We also had to change and reinforce all our locks.

When police investigated and caught the criminal involved, they found proceeds of 10 other burglaries.

They took him to court and charged him with 11 counts of burglary which he admitted, so there was no jury trial. The police asked for a custodial sentence as this was obviously his modus operandi and as he was benefitting financially from his crimes, they asked for compensation for the excess insurance paid by his victims.

Neither the police nor his victims received any justice. No punishment. No compensation. Instead, the judge gave him 10 weeks of home detention so he could carry on living off the misery of others. Where is the justice? Why do judges pamper to the criminals and ignore the suffering of their victims whom they are pledged to protect?

Is it any wonder that our experienced police are leaving out of shear frustration with our justice system as they get knocked back time and again after spending many hours bringing criminals to court only to be laughed at?

Alison Hucke Cambridge

TUESDAY 9 JULY, 2PM

Hosted at Sir Don Rowlands Centre, Karapiro Room 601 Maungatautari Road, Cambridge

Join us for an exclusive Ryman event featuring the captivating Jackie Clarke.

One of Aotearoa’s most popular entertainers, Jackie has toured and recorded with the greats like Sir Paul McCartney and Ray Charles and now it’s your chance to experience her powerful vocals and fascinating stories.

The entertainment will be followed by complimentary refreshments, so don’t miss this opportunity to attend this wonderful event and learn more about our village.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Find out more at rymanhealthcare.co.nz/events

RSVP is essential

Call David on 0800 600 446

PATRICK HOGAN VILLAGE

23 Hugo Shaw Drive, Cambridge

Council issues

Again, great reporting from The News. So council reports a big drop in receipts of Development Contributions (DC). The presumptions have to be made that these funds were accounted for in budgets. If so, this would mean that council is now short in funds as the expenditure hasn’t dropped.

How has council allowed for the shortfall? More borrowing? Are ratepayers picking up the bill for this?

In a webinar it was clearly stated by a council manager that council expects that the development contributions are not always fully paid and that ratepayers are picking up the bill.

Also interesting to read that Karāpiro has a shortfall of $230,000. Where was the shortfall? Less revenue or more expenditure? Yet there has been a nice increase of management fees been given. (as per The News). How much revenue has been created at Karāpiro to make it worthwhile having these massive management fees per year? Is Karāpiro actually self funding?

And yet again, it has been mentioned that there are alleged threats to the mayor. Has there been anything done to verify the allegations and have police reports been made? And now we are having bag searches by security. What’s next? Strip searches? (only joking).

Come on council, if you listen to the ratepayers in regards to their concerns there wouldn’t be any issues.

Bernard Westerbaan Te Awamutu

Editor’s note: The New can clarify that the overspend was as a result of a council resolution held in public excluded last year and released to us as we went to press.

The club hopes to find a new home at Karāpiro

CAMBRIDGE AUTO DIRECTORY

Bringing ‘service’ back to the workshop

When S & A Auto Services promise premium care to their customers, they really mean it.

Shane Hobern brings a suite of top mechanical skills and experience to the operation, while his wife Alex keeps everything else running smoothly.

Right from the start, the couple wanted to bring the word ‘service’ back into customer service, and they’ve achieved that.

Since opening their custom-built workshop in Matos Segedin Drive last March, they have steadily grown a loyal customer base, to the point where they’re now looking to

bring someone else on board.

Attention to detail is crucial. A former Cambridge High School lad, Shane did his ticket here before spending eight years in Auckland advancing his skillset and broadening his experience.

He runs a whistle-clean workshop with a high level of professionalism, and has some of the latest diagnostic equipment around.

An e cient Facebook messenger system for WOFs, servicing and repairs – plus excellent communication throughout - means there are no nasty surprises waiting for customers when they get the bill. All vehicles are welcome, older or new, and anyone coming in for a service will get their car back with a complimentary vacuum and wash. There is an upstairs area, complete with tea, co ee, and colouring-in books for the kids, where customers can relax while waiting.

Keen to support local, the couple o ers pressie-card gifts to mark special occasions and to thank supportive businesses around them, and helps fundraise for various local businesses, including Cambridge Gymnastics Club and the Roto-o-Rangi Hall.

Contact them on 07-823 2266, via email on admin@sanda.nz, or visit their Facebook page, where you might even get the early heads-up on a one-year anniversary promotion.

S & A Auto Services owners Shane and Alex Hobern with their daughters Emily and Olivia.

KNOW YOUR PROPERTY MANAGER

Leave it to the experts

Not knowing the law is no defense when it comes to being a landlord.

And these days, it’s much more important to be informed about both your rights, and tenants’ rights than it has ever been.

It is now more common to find Tenancy Tribunal decisions are now landing in tenants’ favour in terms of compensation when it comes to homes that have either not fully been certified under the Healthy Homes Act, or issued 14 day Notices to Remedy have been ignored.

There are incidences where some landlords have forfeited the entire rental take of a tenancy when work which should have been done under Act was not, or a property that was not legal as a habitable dwelling was rented out.

So on that basis, it’s now more important than ever that as a landlord, unless you are

extremely familiar with the rapidly changing landscape of being one, that you appoint a good property manager.

The basis of the Healthy Homes Act, also known as the Healthy Homes Standards, introduced under the Healthy Homes Guarantee Act 2017, was to ensure all rental properties in the country are warm, dry, and ventilated. To do this effectively, the Act sets minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress, drainage, and draught stopping in rental properties to improve the living conditions for tenants and their overall health and well-being.

One of the key components of the Healthy Homes Standards is heating. Landlords are required to provide a fixed heating device in the main living area that is capable of maintaining a temperature of at least 18 degrees Celsius. This is crucial for ensuring that tenants can live comfortably and avoid

health issues related to cold and damp living conditions.

Insulation is another important aspect of the Healthy Homes Standards. Rental properties must have ceiling and underfloor insulation that meets the required thickness and quality standards. Old insulation does need to be replaced. Proper insulation helps to retain heat inside the property, making it easier to maintain a warm and healthy indoor environment.

Ventilation is another key requirement of the Act. Landlords must ensure that rental properties have adequate ventilation to reduce the build-up of moisture and prevent mold and mildew growth. This can be achieved through the installation of extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms, as well as opening windows to allow for air circulation. Landlords are required to ensure that the

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property is weathertight and that any sources of moisture are properly managed to prevent dampness and mold growth. This also includes addressing any gaps or holes in the property that could allow cold air to enter and warm air to escape. This helps to improve the energy efficiency of the property and make it easier to maintain a comfortable temperature.

A home must be certified under the Act and a copy of it must be part of any tenancy agreement a tenant and landlord or their agent signs.

But it’s not just the Act. Properties that are not consented under current rules are also illegal to rent – and this could cost a landlord a lot more than they bargained on.

This is why it pays to use the services of a property manager who has been trained in all aspects of taking care of one of your biggest assets.

Ali has recently celebrated 11 years of service as Property Manager for LJ Hooker Cambridge.

She has a background in frontline customer service and bring this experience to her role. Having lived in Cambridge for over 30 years, she is familiar with the town and many of its people. Her passion for people and property is what motivates her to grow and manage the Property Management portfolio.

Ali has a pro-active approach in dealing with all the new rules and regulations and take the hard work and stress away from the landlords. She finds the best tenants for properties and treats all tenants with utmost respect. She is loved by tenants and landlords.

She has the equally competent Kirsty Kayser helping her to give the ultimate service to our clients. Ali and Kirsty believe taking the time to talk to people and to go that extra mile is what makes a successful business grow. They live and breathe our motto:

“PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST IS IN THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO”

Contact Ali on 027 311 3005 to take the stress out of your investment portfolio and leaving you time to do the things you love.

Resources the big tip for rental investment KNOW YOUR PROPERTY MANAGER

In New Zealand, property managers have a variety of resources at their disposal to help landlords manage their rental properties in a way that best suits both them and their tenants.

These resources span legal, financial, and practical aspects of property management, ensuring landlords can maximise their investment returns while knowing they are sticking to regulatory requirements that are much tougher than they used to be.

Tenancy Services, a division of the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE), provides comprehensive information on tenancy laws and regulations. This includes guidance on the Residential Tenancies Act, bond lodgement and refunds, resolving disputes, and maintaining rental property standards. Their website also offers templates for tenancy agreements and other essential documents. It is a service which is neutral in that it provides information for both tenants and landlords.

The New Zealand Property Investors’

Federation (NZPIF) offers legal resources, advice, and advocacy for property investors.

Membership provides access to expert legal opinions, resources on tenancy law changes, and a network of fellow investors for shared learning and support.

Property managers often collaborate with accountants who specialise in the intricate and often complex sector of property investment. These professionals can provide advice on tax deductions, depreciation, and financial planning to ensure landlords are maximising their investment returns and complying with tax obligations.

This is helped by use of one of several software solutions available to streamline financial management, such as MyRent and Re-Leased. These platforms help manage rent payments, generate financial reports, and track expenses and maintenance costs, ensuring accurate and efficient financial oversight.

Property managers have access to a network of reliable tradespeople and maintenance

Considering switching property managers? It’s easier than you think.

A good property manager is worth their absolute weight in gold. However, not every landlord finds the perfect fit first time. We understand; you’ve invested in property, and you want to do everything you can to protect your investment.

At Lodge City Rentals, we make switching property managers incredibly simple, with just three straightforward steps.

providers who can get the job done at all hours. Regular maintenance ensures properties remain in good condition, thereby preserving their value and preventing costly repairs in the future, but there will always be times when after hours trades will be needed for emergencies and all property managers have a network of those available. These services often include electricians, plumbers, cleaners, and general handymen.

Effective marketing is necessary for attracting quality tenants. Property managers utilise various online platforms such as Trade Me Property and realestate.co.nz to advertise rental properties. Additionally, they use screening tools to conduct background and credit checks, ensuring prospective tenants have a reliable rental history.

Organisations like the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) offer ongoing education and training for property managers in what is still an unregulated industry. Membership provides access to industry updates, professional development

STEP 1 – GET IN TOUCH

opportunities, and a network of professionals for advice and support.

Established property management companies often provide resources and support for independent property managers. They offer training programs, mentorship, and access to proprietary management systems and tools. These should be your first choice when it comes to looking at professional property management.

Compliance with the Healthy Homes Standards is mandatory for all rental properties in New Zealand. Property managers have access to resources and checklists provided by the government to ensure properties meet these standards, covering heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress, and drainage.

Specialised landlord insurance policies protect against risks such as tenant damage, loss of rent, and legal liability. Property managers work with insurance brokers to tailor coverage specific to the needs of rental properties.

Simply give us a call, email or pop into one of our offices to let us know you’d like to switch. Our business development manager Zack Cathcart will meet with you to explain the process and answer any questions you may have.

Zack’s contact: 021 195 7191 | zackc@lodge.co.nz

STEP 2 – MAKING THE SWITCH

Zack will sort the standard paperwork, finalise the switch with your current management company and sort the change of bank details; ensuring no payments are missed in transition.

STEP 3 – RELAX!

Once you’re signed up as a landlord client, we’ll go about managing your property the way it should be done; with care, expertise and commitment. With decades of industry experience, our legislative knowledge is up-to-the-minute and we have strong, trusted connections with Cambridge tradespeople.

Meet our Cambridge local, property manager Hannah Bubear

“It’s a pleasure working with people local to where I live. My clients here – many of whom are referred by someone else in the Cambridge community – like that there’s someone local looking after their properties.”

Zack Cathcart Lodge Rentals Business Development Manager

Hannah Bubear Cambridge Property Manager

KNOW YOUR PROPERTY MANAGER

Getting ahead in the rental race

Finding the right rental is not easy in today’s times. But there are ways in which prospective tenants can give themselves a head start when it comes to being shortlisted for a property they like.

The obvious ones such as having a squeaky clean tenancy record is obvious, as is the ability to show categorically that historically that rental payments are never missed.

If you have been through a Tenancy Tribunal hearing, regardless of the outcome, take the time to explain to the property manager or landlord you are hoping to be selected by as to what happened to get to that point – there are as many problem landlords that put good tenants in front of a tribunal as there are those who deserve to be there.

Credit ratings are also important and there is no getting away from the fact that these days your credit history will follow you everywhere.

But even so, there are still things that can be done.

One of the most important is being able to showcase how your previous rentals have been kept and this means taking photos of when you first move into a property from every angle – inside, outside, gardens, lawns – even fences if they need cleaning or any other maintenance that was left by a previous tenant or not done by a property manager or landlord.

Then, the day you leave your rental, taking photos of everything – the same as above, this includes your oven, lampshades, any improvements or repairs you may have done yourself which are documented by way of receipts.

These, along with good references, are tangible things property managers look for, as well as being a very accurate record of the ‘before and after’ of a property.

And while on the subject of references, some of the best are from property

managers themselves. Many network among themselves, whether in the same town or region, or through the same company and will look for references for tenants moving on or moving towns.

The ability to have strong references with

a good property manager is a definite plus – many property managers are aware of the fact “good” references can be manufactured by way of family or friends, or properties secured for others using someone else’s clean record.

OUR PROMISES

24/7 PEACE OF MIND

24/7 PEACE OF MIND

24/7 PEACE OF MIND

24/7 PEACE OF MIND

24/7 PEACE OF MIND

24/7 PEACE OF MIND

We are available around the clock for you and your tenant’s needs. We have the contacts to make sure that 3am emergency is sorted without you losing sleep.

24/7 PEACE OF MIND

TRUSTED TRADIE GUARANTEE

We are available around the clock for you and your tenant’s needs. We have the contacts to make sure that 3am emergency is sorted without you losing sleep.

We are available around the clock for you and your tenant’s needs. We have the contacts to make sure that 3am emergency is sorted without you losing sleep.

QUALITY TENANTS

QUALITY TENANTS

QUALITY TENANTS

Rest easy knowing we’re here for you and your tenants day and night. Our extensive network ensures that issues and emergencies are handled swiftly, leaving you worry-free. With ARS, you can sleep soundly knowing that help is just a phone call away.

We are available around the clock for you and your tenant’s needs. We have the contacts to make sure that 3am emergency is sorted without you losing sleep.

We are available around the clock for you and your tenant’s needs. We have the contacts to make sure that 3am emergency is sorted without you losing sleep.

QUALITY TENANTS

We are available around the clock for you and your tenant’s needs. We have the contacts to make sure that 3am emergency is sorted without you losing sleep.

QUALITY TENANTS

QUALITY TENANTS

We have a long list of tenants who have been interviewed, referenced, vetted and are ready to move in. People who will respect and look after your property.

We have a long list of tenants who have been interviewed, referenced, vetted and are ready to move in. People who will respect and look after your property.

QUALITY TENANTS

We have a long list of tenants who have been interviewed, referenced, vetted and are ready to move in. People who will respect and look after your property.

We have a long list of tenants who have been interviewed, referenced, vetted and are ready to move in. People who will respect and look after your property.

‘Call

Say goodbye to headaches with our carefully vetted tenant pool. Each individual is thoroughly interviewed, referenced, and committed to upholding your property with care and respect, so you can enjoy a hassle-free rental experience and the peace of mind you deserve.

We have a long list of tenants who have been interviewed, referenced, vetted and are ready to move in. People who will respect and look after your property.

We have a long list of tenants who have been interviewed, referenced, vetted and are ready to move in. People who will respect and look after your property.

the experts

‘Call the experts today for any of your property management needs’

‘Call the experts today for any of your property management needs’

TRUSTED TRADIE GUARANTEE

TRUSTED TRADIE GUARANTEE

TRUSTED TRADIE GUARANTEE

TRUSTED TRADIE GUARANTEE

TRUSTED TRADIE GUARANTEE

TRUSTED TRADIE GUARANTEE

When you’ve been working in the area for over a decade you learn who the good tradies are. And how to twist their arm to get something done promptly. Your investment will be in good hands.

OPTIMUM RETURNS

PROFESSIONAL ASSURANCE

PROFESSIONAL ASSURANCE

PROFESSIONAL ASSURANCE

PROFESSIONAL ASSURANCE

When you’ve been working in the area for over a decade you learn who the good tradies are. And how to twist their arm to get something done promptly. Your investment will be in good hands.

When you’ve been working in the area for over a decade you learn who the good tradies are. And how to twist their arm to get something done promptly. Your investment will be in good hands.

OPTIMUM RETURNS

OPTIMUM RETURNS

With over a decade of local expertise, we’ve built strong relationships with top-notch tradespeople. When maintenance issues arise, count on us to swiftly engage the best hands for the job, ensuring your investment is managed with care.

When you’ve been working in the area for over a decade you learn who the good tradies are. And how to twist their arm to get something done promptly. Your investment will be in good hands.

When you’ve been working in the area for over a decade you learn who the good tradies are. And how to twist their arm to get something done promptly. Your investment will be in good hands.

OPTIMUM RETURNS

OPTIMUM RETURNS

When you’ve been working in the area for over a decade you learn who the good tradies are. And how to twist their arm to get something done promptly. Your investment will be in good hands.

OPTIMUM RETURNS

PROFESSIONAL ASSURANCE

We make sure your investment meets its earning potential by getting you a great rental return, with minimal downtime, and a well maintained asset.

We make sure your investment meets its earning potential by getting you a great rental return, with minimal downtime, and a well maintained asset.

OPTIMUM RETURNS

We make sure your investment meets its earning potential by getting you a great rental return, with minimal downtime, and a well maintained asset.

We make sure your investment meets its earning potential by getting you a great rental return, with minimal downtime, and a well maintained asset.

We make sure your investment meets its earning potential by getting you a great rental return, with minimal downtime, and a well maintained asset.

We make sure your investment meets its earning potential by getting you a great rental return, with minimal downtime, and a well maintained asset.

Maximise your property’s earning potential with our strategic rental management approach. From securing great rental returns to minimising vacancies and maintaining your assets, we’re dedicated to ensuring your investment flourishes.

We are fluent in the new rental requirements around the Healthy Homes Standards and recent changes to the Residential Tenancies Act. We make sure all the boxes are ticked.

We are fluent in the new rental requirements around the Healthy Homes Standards and recent changes to the Residential Tenancies Act. We make sure all the boxes are ticked.

We are fluent in the new rental requirements around the Healthy Homes Standards and recent changes to the Residential Tenancies Act. We make sure all the boxes are ticked.

CERTIFIED COVERAGE

PROFESSIONAL ASSURANCE

PROFESSIONAL ASSURANCE

CERTIFIED COVERAGE

CERTIFIED COVERAGE

We are fluent in the new rental requirements around the Healthy Homes Standards and recent changes to the Residential Tenancies Act. We make sure all the boxes are ticked.

Stay ahead of the curve with our comprehensive knowledge of the latest rental regulations, including the Healthy Homes Standards and recent Residential Tenancies Act legislation. We handle all compliance matters diligently, so you can rest assured that every requirement is met.

We are fluent in the new rental requirements around the Healthy Homes Standards and recent changes to the Residential Tenancies Act. We make sure all the boxes are ticked.

CERTIFIED COVERAGE

We are audited and certified with REINZ and Tenancy Practice Services so you can trust that bonds are lodged correctly and your rent payments are received on time.

CERTIFIED COVERAGE

We are audited and certified with REINZ and Tenancy Practice Services so you can trust that bonds are lodged correctly and your rent payments are received on time. every get have a management offer.....

We are fluent in the new rental requirements around the Healthy Homes Standards and recent changes to the Residential Tenancies Act. We make sure all the boxes are ticked.

CERTIFIED COVERAGE

CERTIFIED COVERAGE

We are audited and certified with REINZ and Tenancy Practice Services so you can trust that bonds are lodged correctly and your rent payments are received on time.

We are audited and certified with REINZ and Tenancy Practice Services so you can trust that bonds are lodged correctly and your rent payments are received on time.

We are audited and certified with REINZ and Tenancy Practice Services so you can trust that bonds are lodged correctly and your rent payments are received on time.

57B Alpha Street Cambridge - Office: 07 823 29 29

Nicole 022 495 3925, Gaylene 021 041 7044, Karen 021 595 571 www.arspropertymanagement.com

57B Alpha Street Cambridge - Office: 07 823 29 29 Nicole 022 495 3925, Gaylene 021 041 7044, Karen 021 595 571 www.arspropertymanagement.com

57B Alpha Street Cambridge - Office: 07 823

Your peace of mind is our priority. As certified members of REINZ and Tenancy Practice Services, we adhere to the highest industry standards. From proper bond lodgements to timely rent payments, your financial security is safeguarded every step of the way.

We are audited and certified with REINZ and Tenancy Practice Services so you can trust that bonds are lodged correctly and your rent payments are received on time.

Spotlight on Cambridge

Nothing be er than your local

Whether you want a great place to hang out with family or friends, enjoy a fabulous meal any time of the week or have a special night organised for you, it’s always great to know there’s a great place right in your local neighbourhood that can cater to just that.

Five Stags at 9 Campbell St in Leamington is a unique bar and restaurant that is styled on a hunting lodge; something warm and comfortable where you can sit around and enjoy the warmth of a re, catch the game

with mates over a few drinks from their extensive drinks catalogue, or enjoy their wellknown menu featuring some of the best foods New Zealand has to o er from slow roasted beef, venison burgers, pork ribs, to southern fried chicken, the best fresh sh (and seafood chowder) and much more.

There’s great burgers as part of the pub classic menu, a wide variety of pizzas and platters on o er and there’s even a great kids’ menu too.

Finish this o with a great dessert such as a cookie skillet or a warmed chocolate brownie with chocolate sauce and vanilla icecream – and it’s a sure bet you’ll be back.

Five Stags o ers regular nights, so you know what to expect –Mondays its grill nights, with steak from $25 – or a stonegrill steak special night on Wednesdays. You can be part of the cocktails night

on Fridays and let’s not forget the live music every Saturday night after the rugby action on the big screen.

There is always something happening at Five Stags – and if you have a special event from a birthday to a work do you’d like to hold there, just give them a call, there’s room there and they have everything you need to make it a spectacular success.

Five Stags Leamington is the home of Stonegrill in the Waikato Cook your meat to perfection on a 400

Where every bite is a delight!

MARGHERITA POMODORO, MOZZARELLA, BASIL $20

SPUTA FUOCO (FIRE BREATHING)

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

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

VERDUROSA POMODORO, MOZZARELLA, SEASONAL VEGES, EVO $22

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

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

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

SMALL SHARE

PUFFY BREAD EVO, FLAKY SALT $13

MARINARA BURNT BUTTER,

$17

GARLIC BREAD GARLIC GINGER CHILLI,

$17

Meet the friendly team at 5 Stags-Tommy and Hayley

This newspaper is subject to NZ Media Council procedures. A complaint must first be directed in writing, within one month of publication, to the editor’s email address. If not satisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the Media Council P O Box 10-879, The Terrace, Wellington 6143. Or use the online complaint form at www. mediacouncil.org.nz

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

UCIDERCMYSLASTISLP GLASSESSEVTEPVNAIE VUBQCEKHTKFSSDODNT ONEBFCCDCLARETLGGI DBEAAIEOMLMNTRASOS KQRNWECBUFIROPGSME AASDFLCASWOUMSESER CDNFFLWRIPQAAARCAQ VAORAVPSCIHTONICLU SCHNAPPSLCFRIENDSW APPETISER BAND BARS BEER BEVERAGE BOTTLES

On air, 4. Dismal, 7. Emu, 8. Jet lag, 9. Remove, 10. Book club, 12. Tire, 13. Stereo, 15. Exotic, 16. Beau, 17. Stressed, 19. Coffee, 20. Undies, 22. Nag, 23. Adhere, 24. Habit. Down: 1. One for the road, 2. All, 3. Regal, 4. Durable, 5. Sumptuous, 6. Advertisement, 11. Kerfuffle, 14. Obscene, 18. Rough, 21. Dub.

CAMBRIDGE OPEN HOMES

CAMBRIDGE REAL ESTATE

Saturday 29 June

1762 Arapuni Road $1,595,000 10.30-11.00am

918 Oreipunga Road $950,000 11.30-12.00pm

1829E Tirau Road $1,695,000 12.30-1.00pm

2A Cook Street $745,000 1.45-2.15pm

445 Luck At Last Road PBN 2.30-3.00pm 48 Goodwin Road $2,395,000 3.45-4.15pm Sunday 30 June

60B Bryce Street $640,000 10.30-11.00am

415 Aspin Road $849,000 10.30-11.00am

29 Stafford Street $729,000 10.45-11.15am

35 Carlyle Street PBN 11.00-11.30am

2/7

75 Baxter Michael Crescent

Kingdon Street PBN 1.15-1.45pm 3 Thwaites Place $799,000 1.45-2.15pm 7 Artistic Avenue PBN 1.45-2.15pm 7D Honiss Place PBN 2.00-2.30pm 32 West Thompson Street PBN 2.00-2.30pm 17 Scott Street $985,000

HARCOURTS

Thursday 27 June

18 Williamson Street Auction 5:00-5:30pm Saturday 29 June 7 Kaaka Street Auction

Haruru Street $970,000 11.15-11.45am

21A Bryce Street $1,295,000 11.15-11.45am

1/139 Maungakawa Road $1,695,000 11.15-11.45am

13 Webber Street PBN 11.30-12.00pm

86 Sunline Drive PBN 11.30-12.00pm

83 Watkins Road $1,099,000 11.45-12.15pm

3A Brock Place $639,000 12.00-12.30pm

8A Moore Street PBN 12.00-12.30pm

33 Lakewood Lane PBN 12.00-12.30pm

13 Terry Came Drive PBN 12.00-12.30pm

4 Froude Street PBN 12.00-12.30pm

23 Mirbeck Avenue PBN 12.15-12.45pm

20 Recite Avenue $1,725,000 12.15-12.45pm

12 Cowley Drive $1,530,000 12.15-12.45pm

1 Brancaster Place $1,350,000 12.30-1.00pm

26 Rose Leigh Drive PBN 12.45-1.15pm 109B Wordsworth Street $799,000 1.00-1.30pm

27A Raleigh Street PBN 1.00-1.30pm

25 Terry Came Drive PBN 1.00-1.30pm

27 Terry Came Drive PBN 1.00-1.30pm

Location - Priced To Sell

- Very well located in sought-after Cambridge East, number 37 offers all level of schooling nearby, with cafes / superettes a short stroll.

- Enjoy the ease of access to central Cambridge & Lake Te Kooutu.

- You’ll love the private aspect and spacious living this attractive property offers.

- Private, covered outdoor living with roll down blinds are ideal.

- Internal access double garage and an attractive, manageable 533m² (more or less) section.

Entertainment A Dream!

- Offering five bedrooms and two bathrooms, including master bedroom with generous wardrobe and luxurious ensuite bathroom.

- Nestled in a peaceful and private location, boasting a range of desirable features – tinted and double-glazed windows with insect screens, super spacious living areas, substantial storage throughout, maximum indoor-outdoor flow, beautifully finished bathrooms, entertainer’s deck and immaculate section.

- Meticulously renovated giving the feeling of a brand-new home.

Perfect Next Step - Easy Living

- This spacious 5-bedroom, 2 living, 2-bathroom brick home offers a multitude of living options.

- You’ll appreciate the abundance of storage options, including attic space & ample kitchen storage, making for an easy, clutter free living experience.

- Large back deck, accessible from both the master bedroom and the open-plan living area, is perfect for entertaining.

- With double glazing throughout and ducted air-con.

ADVERTISING

BUSST, Allan Leslie, (Busty) – Passed away peacefully at Resthaven on Vogel on Tuesday, 18th June 2024, aged 88 years. Father of Wayne, Graeme and the late Ian. Poppa of Daniel, Eric, Zayden and Candice. A private family farewell has taken place. All communications to the Busst Family, c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434

Media Ltd publications you are agreeing to our terms and conditions of trade. Limitation of Liability: Good Local Media Limited (including its employees, contractors, officers, or agents) shall not be liable for a failure or breach arising from anything beyond their reasonable control e.g. an act of God, fire,

CROFT, Benjamin David Aiden, (Kain) – Passed away at home on Tuesday, 18th June 2024, aged 27 years. Adored adopted son of Shelley & Andrew Daniels, and Marie Stone. Honoured by David. A private family burial has been held. All communications to the Daniels/Stone Family, 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434.

JONES, Janice Beryl, (Jan) – Peacefully passed away at Lauriston Park Care Centre on Sunday, 23rd June 2024, aged 84 years. Devoted wife of Richard (Dick). Loving mother to Stephanie, Rachel, and Victoria. Much loved grandmother of JamesHenry, Ella, Lachlan, William, Charlotte, and Jacob. A special thanks to the wonderful staff of Lauriston Park Care Centre for their love and care shown to Jan. At Jan’s request a private cremation has taken place. All communications to the Jones Family, c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434.

DONKIN, Rob 4/9/1952 - 26/6/2010

Treasured memories of our dearly loved husband, Dad and Poppa, always in our thoughts, forever in our hearts. 'Sweet dreams hon' – your loving wife June and family; Jayme, Rylee, Emersyn, Reed, Briar and Hadleigh; Kimberley, Charlotte, Elliott, Cassie and Alan.

FOR SALE!

CARAVAN 180 XL 6.5 metres, C.I. Munro, all aluminium frame, cert, self-contained with fully enclosed awning, double glazed, tinted windows, sleeps 5, microwave, Thetford cassette toilet, 3-way automatic fridge/ freezer (90ltrs), 5 good steel belted radials (8 ply), 90ltrs fresh water, 102ltrs grey, gas cooker & grill, 2 gas bottles, 230 volt & 12 volt lighting, fire extinguisher, excellent storage, galvanised chassis, no rust, only one devoted owner, beautiful condition.

Why would you pay $90,000 or more for a comparable new van when you could have all this for $50,000 REDUCED TO $45,000 REDUCED TO $40,000. Cambridge Ph 07 823 3576

PUBLIC NOTICE

Of an application for Club Licence

Central Bowling Club Cambridge Inc, 54 Alpha Street, Cambridge, has made application to the Waipa District Licensing Committee for the renewal of a club licence in respect of the premises at 54 Alpha Street, Cambridge known as Central Bowling Club Cambridge Inc.

The general nature of the business to be conducted under the licence is bowling club. The days on which and the hours during which alcohol is sold under the licence are: Monday to Sunday 9am12am.

The application may be inspected during ordinary office hours at the office of the Waipa District Licensing Committee, 101 Bank Street, Te Awamutu or 23 Wilson Street, Cambridge.

Any person who is entitled to object and who wishes to object to the issue of the licence may, not later than 25 working days after the date of the publication of this notice, file a notice in writing of the objection with the Secretary of the District Licensing Committee at: Waipa District Council, Private Bag 2402, Te Awamutu 3840.

No objection to the issue of a renewal licence may be made in relation to a matter other than a matter specified in section 131 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

This is the only publication of this notice.

Triennial Election of Trustees

Waipa Networks Ltd is 100% owned by the Waipa Networks Trust (the Trust).

The Trust’s primary role is to represent the interest of consumers and to ensure an appropriate distribution to those consumers of the benefits of that shareholding and to carry out ownership reviews in accordance with the requirements of the trust deed. The Trust also appoint the directors for Waipa Networks Ltd who are responsible for the running of the company.

The triennial election of 6 trustees is required this year. Nominations for the trustee positions opened on Thursday 20 June 2024. Nominations must be made on the official nomination paper and be in my hands no later than 5pm on Thursday 22 August 2024.

Nomination packs can be collected from the Waipa Networks Ltd office, 240 Harrison Drive, Te Awamutu during ordinary office hours, downloaded from www.waipanetworkstrust.co.nz, or can be requested from the election helpline by phoning 0800 666 033 or emailing iro@electionz.com.

If an election is required it will be carried out by postal and internet voting, with election day being Tuesday 1 October 2024. Voter packs will be sent to all eligible consumers on 5 September 2024, with each consumer entitled to one vote per power connection.

Warwick Lampp

Returning Officer 0800 666 033

Section 101, Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012