King Country News | June 27, 2024

King Country

Double digit rate rises

By Andy Campbell

The King Country’s two district councils struck their rates on Tuesday, and both settled on 10 per cent-plus increases.

For Ōtorohanga the rates rise across the district for 2024-25 is 10.37 per cent.

That involves a split between communities of 8.04 per cent rural, 14.02 per cent Ōtorohanga, and 15 per cent Kāwhia/ Aotea based on a ‘steady as she goes’ long term plan consultation process over recent months.

Waitomo rate payers will be billed an average of 11.07 per cent more.

It is not out of line with other councils, mayor John Robertson said in his report to council on Tuesday. Inflation had driven much of the increase as had the need to mitigate severe storm events.

“But this is no comfort for those homeowners and farmers who struggle with today’s cost of living. Affordability needs to be at the front of our minds when we make rating decisions,” he said.

For year two of the council’s long term

plan the rate increase is an additional 7.78 per cent.

“I urge us to trim this back during our annual plan process next year. This means cutting costs,” Robertson said. “The Chief Executive is to do work on benchmarking to discover whether we have higher costs in some areas than like councils have.”

Robertson said options included considering amalgamation with another council to spread overhead costs.

He repeated a call made previously to advance an amalgamation process with

Pride of Piopio

Sigrid Christiansen

Ōtorohanga and Chiefs rugby star

Cortez Ratima is now an All Black and the news has his family and friends thrilled, but not surprised. As a “motocross crazy” boy, rugby was his second sport. He learned ball skills before school age, according to his dad, rugby coach Peter Lee Ratima.

“He would have excelled at motocross. But we chatted about it when he was 13, and I suggested he pick one of the two.

“You can’t be good at everything, but you can be a master of one thing.”

Cortez chose rugby. So they kicked off an ambitious long term plan: to become an All Black. On Monday night he was named in Scott Robertson’s first All Black squad.

They had “a pretty good idea” it would work - and 2024 was the year expected.

“Ninety per cent of the new All Blacks halfbacks were picked at age 22, 23” Ratima said. Cortez turned 23 on March 22.

Why is he a special player? He’s “precise” and he’s got all the attributes.

“He’s physical – not shy to get in and put a big hit in on a forward.”

But his speed sets him apart.

“He’s got gas.”

He built his running skills in his teens with athletics coach Barrie Jennings, his dad said.

The halfback, “Tez” to his family, grew up in Piopio; Peter Lee Ratima has spent much of his career farming in the Waitanguru and Mairoa districts.

After spending time in Taranaki and Australia, Cortez played for Hamilton Boys High - he needed the “challenge and exposure” of a bigger school. Cortez’ rugby hero was fellow Waikato and Chiefs halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow.

Throughout his playing career, Cortez was supported by excellent coaches, including Waikato and All Blacks staffer Andrew Strawbridge.

Continued on page 2

Ōtorohanga.

“Our overhead costs we are just spreading with 10,000 people, and Ōtorohanga is the same way,” he said. “There are some significant savings in my view in bringing both councils together including savings from the exercise we have just been through – putting together a long term plan. It was a huge exercise each council is spending significant money on. If it was one council it would probably close to halve that cost. So I do think that’s something we all need to seriously look at.

Admirals go north

Red Admiral caterpillars from the King Country have been taken to Auckland in the hope they will revive a population devasted more than two decades ago.

Moths and Butterflies NZ Trust trustee Jaqui Knight said native red admiral butterflies disappeared from the city of sails following the government’s painted apple moth eradication campaigns in 2001 and 2002

“This species is only located in New Zealand and was once widespread,” Knight said. “Development and the loss of our wild spaces also means that now the beautiful butterfly is a very infrequent visitor.”

There are other red admirals in the world, but the NZ red admiral, in te Reo ‘kahukura’ (meaning “red cloak”) was definitely the most beautiful, she said.

Continued on page 5

Our new All Black - Cortez Ratima.

Photo: Chiefs Rugby Club.

Photo: supplied

The native Red Admiral was eradicated from Auckland 20 years ago.

CONTACTS

News/Editorial

Roy Pilott editor@goodlocal.nz

027 450 0115

Andy Campbell andy@goodlocal.nz

021 0232 1666

Paul Charman paul@goodlocal.nz

027 405 9038

Sigrid Christiansen sigrid@goodlocal.nz 022 080 6141

Advertising Director

Janine Davy janine@goodlocal.nz 027 287 0005

Owner/Publisher

david@goodlocal.nz Office

Our long term plan

Following 18 months of serious investment of staff time and energy, working alongside elected members and our communities, Ōtorohanga District Council can take pride in adopting our district’s Long-Term Plan for 2024-2034.

The plan is reviewed every three years and outlines the council’s activities, services, capital programme and finances for the next 10 years. The plan sets the direction for all the activities and services the council provides, and what level of service will be provided.

Along with our LTP, we adopted the Ōtorohanga Districts Economic Wellbeing Strategy, the Kāwhia/Aotea/Ōpārau and Ōtorohanga Rural Concept Plans.

This amounts to a huge amount of work that gives us a wonderful basis to ensure we have a clear, inclusive strategic direction for our district in the coming years. On top of this, we adopted the Ōtorohanga Reserves Strategy/Reserves Management Plan for consultation.

Earlier this month I presented to a parliamentary select committee supported by Chief Executive Tanya Winter and our two Rangiatea Ward Councillors Jaimee Tamaki and Roy Willison. We recommended that Māori wards be decided by councils based on an informed consideration of the

MAYOR’S VIEW

By Ōtorohanga mayor Max Baxter

needs and preferences of each community, especially Māori including iwi, hapū, marae and hāpori Māori. We recommended the proposed bill be withdrawn, arguing it was council’s democratic right to decide matters of importance for and on behalf of our community. Furthermore, we said the proposed restoration of polls re-imposed a higher procedural standard on one particular representation arrangement than applies to others.

The majority of councils in New Zealand submitted on the proposed change in legislation, clearly opposing the requirement to hold a referendum or disestablish Māori wards.

What is incredibly frustrating for us all in local government is the mixed messaging and unfunded mandates directed at councils by central government, something that isn’t new. It was clearly indicated that in this term of government there was a greater devolution of responsibility to territorial authorities but that appears to be the case only when it suits central government.

On a far lighter note, it was a wonderful day in the sunshine celebrating the centenary of the Ōtorohanga Railway Station. This occasion marked the historic decision made 139 years ago by Ngāti Maniapoto rangatira

of the time to open Te Rohe Pōtae, the King Country, to rail development. Over the last 100 years the station has been accidentally burned down, moved across the rail lines, occupied the energies of many dedicated rail staff, transported patients to hospitals, received postal bags stuffed full of goodies, been neglected, and fallen into disrepair, been rediscovered and championed by passionate community members and renovated into what we see today.

The Ōtorohanga Employment Hub was for the third consecutive year, a finalist at the RCSA industry awards in Auckland for their outstanding contribution to employment within our district. The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs funded Employment Hub, with a staff of three, has again achieved beyond expectation supporting rangatahi, our young people into sustainable employment.

As of June this year, with a target of 38 employment outcomes the Hub has achieved 58 outcomes. This is in conjunction with Driver Training, working with the college, corrections, the police, apprentice support evenings - and I am just scraping the surface. Congratulations, we are all very proud of your achievements.

Pride of Piopio

After finishing school, he intended to play for Marist. But when Ratima got a job coaching for Ōtorohanga, that changed.

“Tez phoned and said, can I play for you Dad?”

Cortez, who excelled in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific season, follows in the footsteps of the club’s past All Blacks: distant relation Phil Coffin and Neville Thornton, who played from 1947-49.

The latter is a technicality – Thornton had played for Ōtorohanga while working there briefly as a schoolteacher, becoming an All Black later with Ponsonby. Really, Coffin was Ōtorohanga’s first All Black.

Many pundits’ crystals balls foresaw Ratima becoming an All Black for the last year… for them also, it was a case of when not if.

Ōtorohanga club president Merv Carr said it was “the talk of the town.”

“It was a privilege to have him play for us – we’re so proud.”

Cortez “lifted up the rest of the guys in the squad. He’d start

Continued from page 1

practicing his passing, and it would be infectious, the others would join in.

“When you push yourself, you push others along without having to say a thing.”

In a sense, he was “the next cab off the rank” to become an All Black.

Talismanic All Black Aaron Smith is now in Japan. Next in line Cam Roigard is sidelined with a knee injury.

Cortez’ strong Super Rugby Pacific form saw him earn selection. He is the King Country’s second recent All Black, with Taranaki player Josh Lord before him, although the big lock forward is sidelined by an ankle injury suffered with the Chiefs.

What’s next? Cortez is now at camp with the likes of fellow halfback TJ Perenara.

“One hundred percent he’ll be learning a lot there,” Ratima said.

Cortez has also become a dad in the last year – to Kyvie, now nine months old, with partner Pip.

Ratima excelled for the Chiefs this season.

Search group mooted

By Paul Charman

The idea of locals with bush knowledge forming a rapid response search and rescue group has been floated by Waitomo resident Allen Juno.

His suggestion follows the disappearance on Saturday, March 23, of a south Auckland tramper in part of the Pureora Forest Park close to a farm Juno owns at Ngaroma.

Judy Donovan, 79, was the subject of an intensive but unsuccessful eight-tonine-day search.

Juno said he has spoken to many residents whose properties back onto Pureora Forest Park, and pig and deer hunters familiar with the area.

“We are all concerned about health and safety rules which excluded us from joining the search in the critical first few

hours following the report that Judy and two of her companions were missing,” he said.

“We are not blaming the police because they had a terribly difficult job to do that day and were dutybound to operate under health and safety and various other rules which they must now follow.

“But, in the early stages of the search, there was too little information forthcoming. It is crucial to get people with local experience involved early.

“We think after Judy was separated from her companions her survival in such cold conditions could have been measured in hours, not days.”

Juno had gone to his farm to operate his bulldozer on March 23, starting work about 7am.

“But it was so cold and the fog and rain so heavy that I

decided to pull the pin after about an hour.”

Several factors likely led to the tragedy, including the Pukekohe Tramping Club’s decision to work in such appalling conditions.

“Then there was Judy’s own decision to walk out ahead of her companions, the fact that the others did not stop her doing so and the lack of sufficient emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRB), or a GPS.

“Each member of the group should have been carrying an EPIRB, which gives your location and a GPS, which shows you how to walk out.

After the two men Donovan had initially been missing with (one of whom had an EPIRB) were accounted for at about 10 pm, police told Land Search and Rescue the search had to be suspended till the next day, as they were unable to

provide oversight.

This referred to the fact that the police officer responsible for radio communications had to go off duty as he had already worked eight hours.

“But there were experienced fit people there, who knew the area, who were prepared to step in and search all night, if need be,” Juno said.

“There was little in the way of communication with us.”

“At the very least people who live on the boundary of the Forest Park could have driven to where their farms back onto the bush and sounded their horns all night. That’s the old school way of guiding lost people out of the bush around here.

“Anyone could have become disorientated, especially in the extreme rain and wind that day. But if you hear noise coming from the right direction, you are able

to walk towards it.”

He is working on forming a group based upon the concept of locals with knowledge of specific areas being invited to join a rapid response unit, which could swing into operation should such a situation occur again.

It would draw interested parties from right across the King Country, who would hear the concept outlined at a meeting to be held at the Waitomo Caves Tavern.

A meeting date would be advertised in the King Country News.

“As we see it, the advantage of a private group is that we are not bound by all same rules Land Search and Rescue must now operate under.

“We would be able – were a situation like this to occur again – to put boots on the ground in the critical first few hours. It would be similar in concept to the cave rescue

group which operates at Waitomo.

“We’re well aware that hindsight is a wonderful thing. We’re not saying that we would have been able to have saved Judy’s life had we been encouraged to enter the search area right away.

“What we do believe is that the early involvement of people who have hunted this area, in some cases for decades, represented Judy’s best chance of survival.”

After hearing a woman was lost in the Northern Pureora Forest, Dominique Fortis took six days off work to search for her.

“She was missing in my back yard, in an area I have hunted for 30 years and where I’ve taken my family on hunting trips. I wanted to help any way I could,” Fortis said. He credited the police and Land Search and Rescue for organising volunteers from all over the North Island who searched 2500 hours for the missing tramper.

“But the system could have been improved by showing more respect for, and involving people with local knowledge sooner. It’s a rugged area with huge trees, tangled undergrowth and giant boulders, you need people who know the lay of the land.

“Experienced hunters are comfortable looking off the tracks – I noticed many from outside the area kept to them. If we had involved locals with experience a lot sooner, we may have had a different outcome.”

Dominique Fortis, left, with Ngaroma farm owner Allen Juno. Juno is holding tracking units he says each member of the tramping party should have been carrying.

Photo: Paul Charman

Warning over landing fee hike

By Andy Campbell

Warnings the Waitomo District Council’s intent to raise landing fees at the Te Kūiti airport will backfire have failed to influence the decision.

Aeroclub members warned the landing fees increase would discourage airport use, and lead to a loss of custom that could threaten the aviation fuel supply that the council also obtains income from.

But the agenda for Tuesday’s council meeting stated new charges for ground leases and for both commercial and aeroclub landing fees will be applied if an annual landing fee for users cannot be negotiated.

The fees and charges for Te Kūiti Aerodrome adopted on Tuesday were visiting aircraft landing, Touch and go first and Te Kūiti

Aeroclub Members Landing all $15, commercial users $20, Annual Plane Storage (casual) $562.00, ground lease fees (annual) over 200 square metres $3.18/sqm and ground lease fees (annual) under 200sqm $6.61/sqm.

Strategy and policy manager Charmaine Ellery said staff were continuing to seek a cost effective landing recording system to reduce costs.

Aeroclub secretary George Thompson and Te Awamutu

pilot John Lissington both submitted a $15 landing fee was a bad idea. They suggested it would discourage visiting aircraft and end up costing the council through a drop in income from fewer aircraft movements, and from selling less fuel.

Because of its location, Te Kūiti provided an important transiting fuel stop – an added benefit to the council as it collected a levy on the fuel, Thompson said. The system in use at other regional airports was a better one, it was argued. They required an annual fee for regular users and an honesty

system for casuals, which could be paid online from information provided at the aeroclub. It would require the council to accept quarterly or monthly fees based on historical data.

It was also noted landing fees were lower, at $10 at New Plymouth and Taupō.

Thompson said it was ironical that council wanted a $20 fee from the top dressing aircraft which had over the last 70 years played the most significant role in developing the greater Waitomo rural area, and generating the wealth that contributed to the council’s rating base.

Lissington challenged the council claim it wanted to increase income from the airport, saying he knew of at least four hangars that could not be built.

“You don’t appear to be encouraging the growth of the airport. That’s four ground rentals you are not getting,” he said. “In my own case I gave up waiting to build because nothing was being done on site so I could start. I had already had the kitset ordered and paid for. All the access roads and fences that were constructed and built unnecessarily at great cost could have been saved.”

Admirals go north

Continued from page 1

“It’s as much a part of NZ as our kiwi and kauri, but it seems to have been gone and forgotten here over the past 20 years.”

Moths and butterflies is hoping to re-start the Red Admirals in Auckland with a release on Monday of butterflies whose mum was taken from the QE2 covenanted part of the Stubbs family farm at Waitomo Caves. A female Red Admiral found on the first visit to the Stubbs farm laid her eggs all over the nettle the trust has grown in Auckland. The native tree nettle is where red admirals lay eggs.

“Few people are brave enough to plant urtica ferox, the tree nettle or ongaonga, the host plant on which the species lays its eggs,” King said. “They can still support the campaign by providing more nectar flowers in their gardens.

“We are campaigning this summer to increase awareness of this species and to encourage more people to plant nectar flowers and the butterfly’s host plant,” she said. “The butterflies are pollinators and both the adults and the caterpillars are a valuable ingredient in the diet of our native birds. If we are successful in bringing the red admirals back to Auckland, undoubtedly our birds will benefit too.”

On a more recent visit to Waitomo they returned with about 50 caterpilars, Knight said.

“We were hoping to get a female that was laying eggs but we ended up with caterpillars.”

The first preference was butterflies, the second caterpillars. Chrysalides were often paracitised by wasps, and eggs were hard to find, Knight said.

Biodiversity advisor to the MBNZT Brian Patrick said the butterfly was not so rare in the South Island because of the large number of host plants growing there in the wild.

“South Island butterflies are not well adapted to Auckland’s climate. By collecting some from Northland or the Waikato to establish the population they will have a better chance of survival,” he said.

Graeme Hill, Auckland writer and radio host, said people can help the butterflies survive by controlling wasps, especially paper wasps and vespula species.

Te Kūiti Aeroclub will lose custom under the new fee regime, members say. Photo: Andy Campbell

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‘We should hold our heads in shame’

By Paul Charman

In New Zealand children are 50 per cent more likely to die by homicide than in Australia, Waitomo Mayor John Robertson said at an inter-church prayer meeting at Te Kūiti on Sunday.

The meeting at St Luke’s Anglican Church was called to pray for Te Kūiti following the death of 10-month-old baby Mustafa Ali on June 1.

In opening the prayer meeting, Robertson told the gathering of more than 30 people, “Mustafa died from wounds inflicted upon him just up the road, in our neighbourhood”.

“Te Kuiti is a typical rural town. This is our village, a place where we grow up. Many of us are born here, many of us play here, go to school here, shop here, have a job here. We are a proud community.

“We have our Pā, we have our family support services, we have our schools, we have our sports facilities, our parks and reserves, our awa with a swimming hole. We have a library, a new recreation centre, a town hall to gather in. We have so much.

“Yet, like all communities in New Zealand, we have our social issues. And some,

like child abuse, are too often hidden from us. We should hold our heads in shame at some of the statistics.”

He recalled some children killed in recent years.

• In 2018, in Porirua, fivemonth-old Lincoln was shaken to death by his father.

• In 2019, in Hokitika 10-month-old CJ White was killed by his father.

• In 2021 in Timaru, two-yearold twins Maya and Karla and their older sister Liané, were murdered by their mother.

“Some of the names of these child victims are etched in our memory – the three month old Kahui twins, a case not yet solved. Three-year-old Nia Glassie. Baby Ru. The list goes on. Our country has one of the worst records of child abuse in the developed world. One child dies from abuse every five weeks in Aotearoa,” Robertson said.

“. . . It is important to reflect on the why this happened and the what we as a community can do about it. No baby should suffer in their home.”

Robertson shared that in 1991 he discovered the book, “Children an Endangered Species” by Dame Lesley Max, and how it changed his life. He met the author and become

chairman of her trust, “Great Potentials Foundation”.

“Lesley has devoted her life to helping children and families. She delivered parenting programmes into communities first in South Auckland, then nationally. It was from my association with her that I became a believer in the power of communities, concepts like, It takes a village to raise a child’; of research like the importance of the first two years of a child’s life - where most of our learning takes place; of early childhood education; of the importance of having warm dry homes; of the importance of primary healthcare.

He said he reflected on Mustafa’s short life and turned to the question of what the community needed to do better.

“Mustafa was our child. His father and mother worked in our community. It would be remiss of us not to ask the question, could we have prevented this tragedy and what we can do to prevent this happening in our community again?

“We are a village. If it takes a village to raise a child, to support families, to report abuse, let’s do it and at the same time improve the way we support one another.”

New venture brings in favourite flavours

There are few in the King Country who aren’t aware of the reputation of the Fat Pigeon and the Fat Kiwi, based in Piopio and Otorohanga respectively.

Now Te Kuiti is bringing the flavours of the recipes of its well-known owners Jaimee Poole and Melanie Simpson, along with Niki Needham, the trio behind Blooms & Brews on Rora St.

Blooms & Brews is a multifaceted business offering delicious food, great coffee, unique gifts and beautiful flowers, quickly becoming a favourite among locals and visitors alike.

It’s trendy and inviting with a real wow factor shop front and a convenient takeaway coffee stop. If you’re in a hurry, grab a coffee to go or enjoy your coffee outside and have a yarn with the friendly team and locals.

“Because it’s inviting and has that wow factor, we know that makes people want to come in and take a look,” Niki says.

The first area of the store features a range of gift items and food-to-go.

The Fat Kiwi provides all their food, such as scones, muffins and croissants to gluten free and raw foods, through to hot soups and toasted sandwiches. They also have the much-loved Ozone coffee brand as do Fat Kiwi, Fat Pigeon and Fat Owl, along with providing Volare breads.

“There’s a great selection of cabinet foods that our regular customers from the other cafes already know about on offer, and we are very pleased to bring this to Te Kuiti,” Melanie says. Customers can also arrange catering from either of the two cafes through Blooms & Brews.

This area is also home to the gift lines and it’s here the three women say they provide a real point of difference.

“We have a good range of the French Country

products you would use in your kitchen or dining; there is a great vintage line as well,” Niki says.

Zenna Boroevich, with her great eye for interior design, and manages this area which includes everything from platters and recipe books to gift baskets, gourmet chocolates, the Pepper & Me range and so much more.

So if buying a gift for the person who has it all is stumping you – Zenna and Blooms & Brews team will have just the thing.

Then there are the flowers.

“Our amazing florists – Linda Hughes and Danika

Green bring their passion and flair to our flower arrangements. We are really pleased at where we are now at,” Melanie says.

“It took us some time to find our own style after taking over from the Flower Fairy (the late Chrissie Flexman and her team of florists – who had an outstanding range and serviced the area to a very high standard).

“We offer a wide range of floral services from regular bouquets to funeral caskets, wedding flowers, school balls, corporate and business arrangements through to flowers for catering

events and grab and go bags. You can also add gifts or personalized messages to your flower orders.”

In addition, they have a new display stand with a selection of beautiful arrangements of various sizes on offer at Te Kuiti New World, ensuring that people can get flowers even when the shop is closed.

The trio say they are excited about their venture.

Each is a successful businesswoman in her own right, and have collaborated to form Blooms & Brews with a passion to serve great coffee and food, unique giftware and beautiful flowers “all with the wow factor” Melanie emphasizes.

“This is all possible because of our amazing team, Zenna Boroevich, Linda Hughes, Danika Green, Talia Willis, Sam Baggott, Claudia Henderson and Tups Simmonds.”

“We want to uplift Te Kuiti, help make it grow and see more businesses developed here,” Niki adds.

Blooms & Brews is open five and a half days a week, from 8am to 4pm on weekdays during the winter months, and from 8am to midday on Saturdays.

They offer $5 coffees on Saturdays: “We know there are many sporting parents out there who’d love a coffee on their way past, so it seemed natural to provide one,” Melanie says.

Flowers and gifts can be ordered anytime online at bloomsandbrews. co.nz with a new website with the same name launching in midJuly.

Proud to bring you some well-known teamwork for Blooms & Brews: from left to right Danika Green, Linda Hughes, Niki Needham, Melanie Simpson, Zenna Boroevich and Sam Baggott.

Ratana minister Phillip Campbell and his wide Maadi Jacobs opened the prayer meeting on Sunday night. Photo Paul Charman.

RATES

RATES ‘ANNUAL HEALTH CHECKS’

It’s that time of the year again to do your rates ‘annual health check’ to make sure Rates payments and contact details are all up to date. Rates should now be paid for the 2023 – 2024 rating year. If you are having trouble paying your rates, please contact our Rates Officer on 07 873 4360 who will be able to assist with a suitable payment plan.

To ensure your payments go to the correct Rates account please reference as:

Particulars: Surname, Initial

Code: RATES

Reference: Valuation number – exclude first 0 if not enough spaces in field.

If you are making a payment for Water, please reference:

Particulars:Surname, Initial

Code: WATER

Reference: Water Account number - different than Rates (8 numbers on right of invoice)

Rates invoices for next rating year 2024-2025 will be posted / emailed mid-July 2024.

There are two instalment periods for the Ōtorohanga District:

Instalment 1 - July 1 – December 31

Instalment 2 – January 1 – June 30

Please check your invoice for the due date.

Direct Debit: If you are on Direct Debit, a letter will be sent out shortly advising what your Rates payments will be for the year. NB: Any changes made to Direct Debits are given 30 days’ prior notice.

Automatic Payments: As Rates vary each year, please check with our Customer Experience Team or the Rates Officer to confirm you are paying enough or not paying too much. NB: Rates made by regular payments and paid in full by May 31 each year automatically have any penalties applied / remitted.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Are you receiving invoices by email and if not, would you like to?

Or are you receiving invoices by mail and have moved?

Do we have your current phone number?

If you wish to have your invoices and Council correspondence emailed or sent to another address, please complete the form at: www.otodc.govt.nz/contact-us/update-contact-details

RATES REBATES

Reminder - if you have not completed a Rates Rebate Application for the Rating year 2023-2024, please note the close off date is June 30, 2024.

To find out if you are eligible for a Rates Rebate, please visit www.govt.nz/rates-rebates or call our friendly Customer Experience team on 0800 734 000 to discuss.

NGĀTI WHĀWHĀKIA TAONGA GIFTING CEREMONY

Members of Ōtorohanga District Council were invited to attend a ceremony at the Ōtorohanga Museum on 25 May, alongside museum trustees and Mana Whenua, to receive taonga being gifted by Ngāti Whāwhākia of Aotea.

The intimate and moving ceremony was hosted in the refurbished old courthouse, where orator Professor Tom Roa spoke to the historic role the court played in the confiscation of Māori land and taonga. Professor Roa eloquently pointed to the new role that the historic building now embodies as a custodian of historic and culturally significant taonga.

The ceremony was attended by a large contingent of Ngāti Whāwhākia who had travelled from across Aotearoa. The day was an acknowledgement of the past and a celebration of charting forward new pathways of protection and partnership amongst communities.

ŌTOROHANGA RAILWAY STATION 100TH ANNIVERSARY

Members of our staff were honoured to be asked to travel on the Northern Explorer train from Kirikiriroa to Ōtorohanga with the dignitaries to join the Ōtorohanga Railway Station 100th Anniversary celebrations.

Staff said it was amazing seeing the northern part of our district from such a different perspective, and coming into town being welcomed by so many people was very humbling. What a fantastic event, and thank you so much to everyone who assisted with it!

WHAT’S ON AT YOUR LIBRARY?

MATARIKI STORY TIME

Join us for stories, waiata/songs, and fun on Thursday 27 June 10.30am in the library as we celebrate the Māori New Year of Matariki.

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT - WINTER LITERACY BINGO CHALLENGE

Soon we are blasting off into our winter literacy bingo challenge – ‘The Sky’s the Limit’. Our journey begins on 8 July and ends on 16 August and is suitable for children aged 6-13 years old.

Complete some exciting activities to go in the draw to win some out of this world prizes.

You can enrol for this challenge on Beanstack or you contact our friendly library team in person, by phone (07) 873 7175 or email library@otodc.govt.nz.

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT - S PACE CRAFTS HOLIDAY PROGRAMME

Sessions at Ōtorohanga Library:

Wednesday, July 10 2:30 – 3:30 pm – Space crafts and Aliens

Friday, July 12 2:30 – 3:30 pm – Messy space crafts

Session at Kāwhia (Kāwhia Hall)

Thursday, July 11 2:00 – 3:30 pm Outer space crafts

Register for the Ōtorohanga sessions at the library or phone (07) 873 7175 or email: library@otodc.govt.nz

Attending one of the craft sessions will count as an activity on your ‘bingo board’ – go into the draw to win!

DOG REGISTRATIONS

It’s time to register your best friend!

How much are the fees?

Urban dogs - $162 per dog

Urban dogs neutered - $127 per dog

Urban dogs special owner scheme - $127 per dog

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

Rural dogs special owner scheme - $70 per dog

When do fees need to be paid?

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

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

Talk to us if you’re having difficulties paying - phone us on 07 873 4000 or email info@otodc.govt.nz. How do I pay?

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

, July 4 4pm

Dame Kiri’s $60,000 gift

As Dame Kiri Te Kanawa’s 80th birthday celebrations went global with celebrations at London’s Opera Holland Park this week, the opera star gave a life-changing gift to a young Kiwi baritone.

Julien Van Mellaerts was presented with the $60,000 Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation Laureate by the foundation’s founder and chair, Dame Kiri, whose adoptive whānau is Ngāti Maniapoto.

At a gala concert to celebrate her birthday –which was in March - at London’s Opera Holland Park, Van Mellaerts was presented with a unique artwork of New Zealand greenstone in front of a capacity audience.

“It is an enormous honour to have been supported and mentored by Dame Kiri and the foundation since 2016, and this is an absolute privilege to be named the 2024 Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation Laureate. Thank you,” Van Mallaerts, who studied at Otago University before heading overseas, said.

“Kiri, you showed us all what was possible and you have helped so many with your talent and your generosity to so many singers at home and around the world. It is an incredible opportunity to have been supported by your

foundation all these years, and to be named the Laureate is a true honour. I am so incredibly thankful.

“The foundation has done so much for me and so many young New Zealand singers, and I am so proud to be associated with you all. This recognition is immense and I cannot be more honoured or thankful for everything you have, and continue to do, to help advance my own career and that of countless others.”

The trustees of The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation established laureate in to honour a New Zealand singer it had nurtured and had achieved sustained

WINTER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

at Waitomo District Library

excellence.

In a letter to Van Mellaerts about his award, Dame Kiri said he was a very worthy recipient, “and we are so very proud of what you have achieved to date on and off the concert stage”.

“Aside from your many competition successes, we were so impressed with your tireless work creating the Whānau concert which benefited so many of your colleagues and your initiative and professional approach to the planning of the song recital series at Opera Holland Park which provided valuable performance opportunities for so many young singers.”

Join our Reading Challenge!

Visit the library to collect your entry form before you start the challenge. There are prizes to win! Ages 5 - 13yrs ~ 8 July - 31 July.

~ Makey Makey Play ~ Tuesday 9 July - Anytime between 10am - 3pm

~ DIY Clock Making ~ Tuesday 16 July - 10.30am - 12pm

Graymont announces launch of community-focused Carbon Reduction Fund and invites applications for 2023 initiatives

Graymont announces launch of community-focused Carbon Reduction Fund and invites applications for 2023 initiatives

Graymont announces launch of community-focused Carbon Reduction Fund and invites applications for 2023 initiatives

Graymont announces launch of community-focused Carbon Reduction Fund and invites applications for 2024 initiatives

We are proud to announce the launch of the Graymont Carbon Reduction Fund , an innovative, grass-roots initiative designed to support the development of carbon-reduction initiatives in the communities across the globe that we call home.

We are proud to announce the launch of the Graymont Carbon Reduction Fund , an innovative, grass-roots initiative designed to support the development of carbon-reduction initiatives in the communities across the globe that we call home.

The fund’s role is to support projects focused on:

We are proud to announce the launch of the Graymont Carbon Reduction Fund, an innovative, grass-roots initiative designed to support the development of carbon-reduction initiatives in the communities across the globe that we call home.

• Protecting the environment by the responsible use of resources

The fund’s role is to support projects focused on:

The fund’s role is to support projects focused on:

• Reducing our carbon footprint through increased energy e iciency

• Protecting the environment by the responsible use of resources

• Protecting the environment by the responsible use of resources

• Reducing our carbon footprint through increased energy e iciency

• Reducing our carbon footprint through increased energy efficiency

• Developing and maintaining natural, biological ‘carbon sinks’ such as agricultural land, forests or peat bogs that act as a natural o set for carbon

• Developing and maintaining natural, biological ‘carbon sinks’ such as agricultural land, forests or peat bogs that act as a natural o set for carbon

• Developing and maintaining natural, biological ‘carbon sinks’ such as agricultural land, forests or peat bogs that act as a natural offset for carbon

If you have a project idea that relates to any of these topics, the GCRF is looking for you!

If you have a project idea that relates to any of these topics, the GCRF is looking for you!

Graymont's mission is contributing to a decarbonized world by providing essential lime and limestone solutions.

Graymont's mission is contributing to a decarbonized world by providing essential lime and limestone solutions.

If you have a project idea that relates to any of these topics, the GCRF is looking for you!

For additional information, please contact

For additional information, please contact Craig Lee - clee@graymont.com

For additional information, please contact

Dame Kiri, pictured with Julien Van Mellaerts.

Short wave – long term

By Paul Charman

“Before there was social media there was amateur, or ham radio, and it’s going to exist long after social media is just a memory.”

That’s the view of longtime Te Kūiti radio ham Mick Gannon, one of 11 members in the Waitomo branch of the NZ Association of Radio Transmitters.

Gannon’s group, who live in Te Kūiti, Ōtorohanga and Te Awamutu, stay in touch with fellow shortwave enthusiasts across New Zealand and around the world.

Gannon says in an emergency this form of communication can provide a viable alternative to the telephone network, whose cellphone towers could be wiped out by a weather event, or earthquake. The same would apply if the Internet was deliberately crashed by military activity.

If the national power grid was ever damaged, taking out cellphone towers, shortwave communications could be more resilient.

Gannon said smaller short wave sets use negligable amounts of electricity, some being powered by the likes of AA batteries or 12 volt car batteries.

“That means the network of current ham radio operators would still be in business following even catastrophic damage to the power grid.

Amateur radio operators assist with the running of car rallies held in areas with little or no cellphone coverage.

“And one of the reasons for this is that we are maintaining skills which may potentially be called upon in a civil emergency.”

Recently amateur radio had suffered the effects of heightened solar flares, which can make conversations fade out.

These were expected to diminish in coming months as the sun passed the peak of an 11-year-cycle in which activity waxed and waned.

Another factor which affected the ability of ham radio operators to communcate over vast distances was the so-called “greyline”.

This is a period of time at dusk or sunrise, lasting a few hours a day and it allowed radio waves to travel further than they otherwise might. As the Earth rotates the greyline moved, hence much of Gannon’s ham radio operation activity revolved around relatively short-lived greyline periods of the day.

Gannon has sent his OSL (ham operator’s identity) card, which depicts Te Kūiti’s giant shearer, to ham radio enthusiasts befriended worldwide.

He has stayed at the UK homes of friends made over the airwaves, and some have travelled to New Zealand have stayed with him and his wife, Rita.

He came into amateur radio after dabbling with CB radio back in the 1960s, then deciding there had to be something better. There was.

“One of the guys showed us the VF high frequency radio in his car and started talking to a person in Australia, then another called in and he was in Spain. I was hooked.”

In that era Gammon had to learn Morse Code to gain his amateur radio licence, though this is no longer necessary.

He said today’s equivalent qualification is relatively easy to obtain, and anyone interested would receive plenty of help and encouragment from groups like the one in Waitomo.

“It opened up a new life for me. Within one year I was getting to know people in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Also, in America, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Russia, South Africa and Mozambique.

“I was speaking to people all round the Pacific Rim, even in Antarctica. After just a year I had worked 96 countries, which is good going for any amateur.”

Mick Gannon with some of the ham operators’ tools of the trade. He is pictured with a couple of smaller radio sets, morse keys and OSL cards exchanged by amateur radio operators around the world.

Virtually Te Kūiti

Sigrid Christiansen

Wannabe tourists and homesick Te Kūiti locals can now get their fix of Rora St via a virtual tour.

Creators Tourism Waikato, who made the website with Waitomo District Council, say it’s intended to take the town to a global audience.

So what’s a virtual tour? It’s similar to Google Street View, except that multimedia tactics offer more useful information – like being able to read the wording on the plaques in the legends gallery.

Digital tourists can also see the Te Kūiti Shearing Statue, Tatsuno Japanese Garden, Te Kūiti and District Historical Charitable Trust Heritage House and the Sir Colin Meads Statue.

There’s also the 1999 Millennium Pavilion, Te Kūititanga o Nga Whakaaro, featuring the town’s guardian, Tuwhakahekeao.

“This tour offers a new experience in how we share the rich heritage of Te Kūiti with a global audience,” Hamilton & Waikato Tourism chief executive Nicola Greenwell said.

“It’s an invitation to discover our cultural

visitors to come and walk the town’s streets in person sometime in the future.”

“By making the landmarks accessible online, we make its stories and heritage accessible to a broader audience and capture people’s imaginations in an engaging new way.”

Waitomo District Council

for audiences that wouldn’t otherwise know about them.

“It’s a real celebration of our town, our local icons and their lasting impact,” he says.

It’s the third virtual town tour created by Hamilton & Waikato tourism: the others are “A herd of cows” showing Morrinsville, and the Digital Sir Ed

SOFTEX EXTERIOR WASH

You will be amazed at the results that can be achieved using SOFTEX EXTERIOR WASH.

Jonathan and Yvonne Wilson, Te Kuiti born and bred, founded SOFTEX EXTERIOR WASH during COVID. They now provide property services throughout Waikato using their SOFTEX low pressure washing system.

As experienced commercial cleaners and concrete placement workers they saw the damage done using high pressure waster blasters. They knew there was a better way and founded SOFTEX EXTERIOR WASH offering locals an alternative method to protect their valuable property.

Using the SOFTEX low-pressure washing system, all types of house exterior including sidings, weatherboard, brick, plaster and more can be safely cleaned avoiding surface damage, paint chipping and potential leaks. The secret is in the equipment used and the experience of the technician. Soft on homes, tough on grime! Moss, mould and lichen control prolongs the life of paint and exterior surfaces as well as achieving a clean appearance. It’s safe on windows, decks, fences, concrete drives, paths, walkways and farm buildings whilst achieving premium results, minimising potential damage to exterior surfaces due to using low pressure washing.

The Sir Colin Meads’ statue is one stop on the virtual tour.

Photo Sigrid Christiansen

One stop budget shop

The Budget Warehouse at 19 Tuhoro St, o ers a diverse range of products at great prices. If you’re looking for home essentials, kitchen gadgets, or the latest electronics, The Budget Warehouse has it all. It is also an authorized reseller for Jaycar Electronics, so from state-ofthe-art security and surveillance systems to audio and video equipment, top-quality products that cater to various needs are available. This includes di erent kinds of batteries, solar systems, small to large speaker systems, camping goods, portable fridges and freezers, CCTV units, and more.

tools, and power tools, it’s the perfect place to nd everything required to tackle any project. For families there is a great selection of stationery, kids’ items, and toys.

The Budget Warehouse is a treasure trove for home and kitchen items, small appliances, LPG gas stoves, and BBQs. With an extensive array of products from wellknown brands, you can out t your kitchen or outdoor space with reliable and e cient appliances. But there is more. Stocking an impressive range of auto parts and accessories, hand

Owner Harpreet Singh is committed to delivering exceptional customer service. Whether you visit the store or shop online, you can expect a seamless experience. The e cient click-andcollect service promises a twohour turnaround during business hours, and there is free delivery to all Waikato towns with an urban address, including Hamilton, Huntly, Te Kuiti, Te Awamutu, Matamata, and more. Plus, with current promotions like a 5% discount on online orders, there’s even more incentive to shop at The Budget Warehouse.

Flexible payment options, including Afterpay and Zip, plus layby facilities, further enhance the customer experience, making it easier for everyone to access the products they need.

FOR BLOOMING BEAUTIES AND PLANTS THAT THRIVE

Wed 9am-5pm • Thur 9am-8pm

Fri 9am-5pm • Sat by appointment

Early winter jobs for your garden

Katrina Christison Tidy Gardens

It’s Ball Season

Preorder your wristlets and buttonholes now.

31 Maniapoto St, Ōtorohanga iona@mossandco.co.nz www.mossandco.co.nz | 07 873 8574

Now the lawns have slowed down, it is the perfect time to give your lawn mower some love. You can either drop it into the shop for a clean, service or sharpen or do it yourself.

The most important thing to remember is NEVER tip your mower on its side as this causes the oil to run into the air filter.

When cleaning underneath or sharpening your blades always tip the mower backwards towards the handle.

If you don’t keep the underneath of your mower clean, it gives the blade the least room to spin and blow the clippings into your catcher, especially when you are mowing damp/wet grass.

Another tip for mowing wet grass is to mow half a strip each time as this puts least pressure on the mower to get it into the catcher and

you will be unblocking it less. With pruning season of roses and hydrangeas fast approaching, now is also the perfect time to get the tools ready for the job ahead. Nice, sharp, clean tools make clean cuts, providing less chance for bugs to enter plants.

Spray with either of the following WD40, CRC, methylated spirits and use a bit of fine sandpaper to loosen all the sap and dirt and then wipe off with a rag.

Put some oil on a sharpening stone and sharpen the angled side of the blade only – you should only have to run the stone over the blade 2-3 times.

Finish with squirting some oil into the central pivot bit and on the spring, this will make your secateurs move freely as well as keeping rust at bay if they are put away wet.

Repeat the above with your loppers and garden shears and you will be set to start your pruning next month.

Dr. Scott Mouat (B.Chiro) Chiropractor

Dr. Alana Sherman (B. Chiro) Chiropractor

Ōtorohanga

Police attended four family harm incidents and a mental health incident.

June 19: At 3am a quadbike was stolen in a burglary on Rangiatea Rd.

June 21: At 4.30 am a quadbike, power tools and a generator were stolen from a property on Mangawhero Rd. Later that day, at about 10am on Taupiri St, police arrested a person for driving after their licence had been revoked.

June 22: At 10.30pm a person entered a property on Tahaia Rd, Otewa, opened a power box in a yard and switched off the power.

Te Kūiti

Police attended four family harm incidents.

June 19: At 7.30am a driver is believed to

have fallen asleep at the wheel of their car and crashed into a tree stump on SH3 at Hangatiki. At about the same time a car window was smashed and a bag stolen from a vehicle parked outside Centennial Park School in Te Kūiti Rd. Then at about noon a person was reported to be unlawfully on a property near the intersection of Mangatea Rd and SH3. At 4pm a person was reported to be unlawfully on a property on the Esplanade.

June 20: At 7.05 am a car travelling south on SH3 just north of Te Kūiti was involved in a collision with another vehicle travelling north.

June 21: At 4pm copper wire and piping were stolen from a shed at a property on S H 3.

June 22: Two cars were involved in a minor collision at 8.30am at the corner of Park St and Te Kūiti Rd.

The occupants of two cars avoided serious injury in a SH3 collision just north of Te Kūiti last week. Photo: Paul Charman

Ōtorohanga

Te Kūiti

Mayor launches Chateau petition

By Paul Charman

Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton is calling on the public to support a parliamentary petition for urgent 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.

The future of the Chateau Tongariro Hotel is uncertain, with crucial decisions pending from government officials, Kirton said.

“By urging the government to act quickly, we can preserve a treasured piece of our heritage and safeguard its economic and tourism benefits.

“I’m calling on people to rally together, sign the ‘Save the Chateau Petition’ and show the depth of support and potential for this iconic and cherished heritage building to the government and prospective investors.

“The Chateau is more than a historic landmark in the World Heritage Tongariro National Park; it embodies cultural significance and economic vitality crucial to the Ruapehu District and New Zealand. Before its closure, it was a major economic driver, employing over 70 staff, attracting high-spending tourists, and contributing around $10 million annually to the local economy.”

Kirton said the hotel’s closure had severely impacted the region’s tourism

economy and post-COVID-19 recovery.

“With international visitor spend in Ruapehu still at only 57 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, compared to the national average of 81 per cent, revitalising the Chateau is essential for unlocking regional tourism potential and restoring economic vibrancy.”

The significance of the Chateau extended beyond economic considerations, he said.

“The Chateau Tongariro Hotel holds deep historical significance for the community, having served as a focal

Progress Drive, Otorohanga | 07 873 4004 www.gaz.co.nz | info@gaz.co.nz

point for social and community events.

“There is a strong desire, not only from the local community but also from people across New Zealand and around the world, to see this iconic building saved and restored to its former glory.”

“Saving the Chateau Tongariro Hotel is not just about preserving its storied past; it’s about ensuring a vibrant future where it continues to shine as a beacon of cultural heritage, tourism excellence, and community pride.”

Trash to treasure

A shop selling donated goods at the Ruapehu District Council transfer station is celebrating sales approaching $300,000 in three years.

The Taumarunui Resource Recovery Centre has diverted 305 tonnes of material from landfill, sold 160,724 items, and generated over $280,000, said sustainability facilitator Emily Jasmine.

“Over the last three years from humble beginnings operating part-time from a single 40-foot container, we have grown into a purpose-built facility that employs four dedicated staff members supported by a team of volunteers,” she said.

“As well as fostering sustainable communities the Resource Recovery Centre plays an important role in helping people save money and meet their everyday needs.”

Emily Jasmine is celebrating seeing tonnes of material diverted from landfill.

Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton says the Chateau contributed $10m annually to the tourism economy.

Matariki celebrations begin

By Sigrid Christiansen

Seven toasty fires, representing the stars of Matariki, burned bright at Te Ora-o-Ngātai, (Centennial Park) before dawn last Saturday in Te Kūiti.

The event, te rau kai atua, was hosted by Te Kuiti Pā and the Waitomo District Council and attracted about 100 people.

It was a chance to remember loved ones lost during the year, to come together, and to reflect on the future with gratitude, organisers said.

Ahead of the event, Te Kūiti Pā trustee Aroha Wehi-King called it a great opportunity for people to come down and learn more about Matariki.

From beside the largest fires on Saturday, kaumātua Taonui Campbell provided the karakia, including a verse referencing Matariki from Te Kura o Te Awatea.

Later, talking to The News, he acknowledged his many nieces, nephews and other whānau who made Matariki happen in Te Kūiti. For most of recent history, the proudly public occasion would have been impossible.

Campbell said that in the past, the associated ceremonies were

considered kura huna – “hidden knowledge” kept going only in some families.

“However, today these ceremonies are slowly reviving.

Things were changing – families were coming together and proud

to be Māori, he said.

He said the hautapu, the part of the ceremony in which offerings such as tuna and kumara are sent from a boiling pot as steam to the heavens, had been practiced at other occasions such as births, not just Matariki.

They provided a chance to acknowledge and give back to the elements what had been received, the fruit from the earth mother and the sky father, he said.

“There is nothing to be

frightened of: it is just a recognition that there are bigger forces than us.

“It’s reminding us of how lucky we are and how special our environment is, and also of our role as kaitiaki, as guardians,” he said.

The dawn ceremony was followed by a community breakfast.

The previous day, marked a blessing and raising of the Matariki flag beside the Te Kūiti shearing statue at 9am. An associated wānanga at Te Kūiti Pā was sold out well in advance, according to Matariki co-organiser Aroha Wehi-King.

At it, participants expanded their knowledge about the history and tikanga of the midwinter period practiced in the Te Nehenehenui region. “Delving into Maniapoto Maramataka” was its full name.

That evening is also called Te Pō Tutanganui-o-Pīpiri, or winter solstice night.

While there are nine Matariki stars in other parts of New Zealand, seven only are acknowledged among Kīngitanga iwi including Maniapoto. The remaining two stars are considered by some to be associated with superstition.

Kapa Haka performers at the community breakfast.

Photo: Sigrid Christiansen

Why the barrier Briefs…

Last week The News reported that the three water supplies for Arohena would revert to their original intended use – providing water for livestock.

The headline of the article suggested the water services regulator for New Zealand was “turning off the rural taps”.

In fact the taps will remain very much turned on – but the water they carry will not be presented as fit for human consumption.

In a statement Taumata Arowai told The News it was committed to taking a reasonable approach to ensuring communities have safe drinking water and public health is not put at risk.

Issues relating to the Arohena scheme’s three water supplies – Huirimu, Kahorekau and Taupaki –date back to before the present Water Services Act and the creation of Taumata Arowai.

In October 2023, the agency sent letters to a series of councils around the country asking them to provide a funded plan to install protozoa barriers in their drinking water treatment.

Ōtorohanga District Council had until June 30 to provide a plan, but faced with high costs, elected to revert the system to a stock only supply.

At present the supplies carry a “boil” notice.

Taumata Arowai pointed to the 2016 Havelock North

waterborne illness outbreak, which resulted in an estimated 8000 campylobacteriosis illnesses and four deaths as an example of why it was important to ensure water suppliers maintained multiple barriers to prevent contamination.

“The approach proposed by the council is for control of the scheme to shift to scheme users and for it to revert to its original intended (livestock only) use. As indicated by council in your article, many of the 270 people currently serviced by the scheme have alternative supplies of drinking water, mainly through bore water or rainwater,” the statement read.

Teams named King Country Rugby Union announced its under 19, 16 and 14 boys rugby teams last week. The Under 19 team included - Te Kūiti: Ben Hedley, Hone Mathieson, Ceiran Rogers. Waitete: Callum Hedley. Maniapoto: Kruizz Heta. Ōtorohanga: Jamie Cave, Te Rau Katipa-Maikuku. KioKio: Kees Muller. Under 16 - Te Kūiti: Mitchell Hedley, Corey Mason, Nikora Mathieson, Riddick Rangitonga, Payton Sheehan, Ivan Reid. Ōtorohanga: Takarei Bidois, Corey Hobbs, Luke Kawhena, Te Atatu Tapara, Jahrei Whata, Regan Winiata. Under 14Te Kūiti: Rylan Harris, Trizaye MulliganWaaka, Lawson Rangitonga. Piopio: Hanataua Bodger-Kearns, Lachlan Burnell, Piripi James. Ōtorohanga: Wharenui Hansen and Korotamai Prezton.

Reward unclaimed

An $80,000 reward for information leading to safe return of Ember, Maverick and Jayda Phillips expired unclaimed at midnight on Tuesday. The children and

their father Tom Phillips have been missing since December 2021. A social media video about the reward, which was posted online by has been viewed almost 90,000 times.

Leaky pool

Te Kūiti’s swimming pool at the aquatic centre is leaking. Waitomo council properties and facilities manager Liz Riley says the 30 metre pool, built in 1939, is down in one corner and cracks are beginning to appear. Councillors have opted to maintain the current standard of the main pool without immediate upgrades, to buy time to assess the costs to fix the problems and consider the facility’s future and strategic direction.

End of the road

Long distance runner Jon Nabbs has finished his 35-day run from Bluff to Cape Reinga - via Ōtorohanga, Te Kūiti and Te Awamutu – in aid of the Child Cancer foundation. His time is well inside the New Zealand male record for running the length of the country.

Shear passion for wool drives Piopio doyen

Reflecting on the early years

Piopio resident Jean Toms reflect on the centenary of the first three school bus routes in New Zealand.

I was born Margaret Jean Sinclair in Piopio at the nursing home on November 25, 1929.

Nurse Rule was the midwife and the home was where the Curious Keas preschool is now, on Kea Street. I attended the Piopio Consolidated Primary and Secondary School for most of my education. It was an experimental school in those days.

In the Piopio township there was a Dairy Factory, doctor, two grocery stores, butcher, bakery, post office, three churches, bank, blacksmith shop, draper, picture theatre and several garages. My father, John Sinclair and Jim Smythe opened the first garage, Sinclair and Smythe, later Piopio Motors, now King Country Honda.

I started school in 1935 so I did not travel regularly on the very first bus as by that time there were too many children.

Although we lived only about 3kms from the school I was the first on in the morning and last off at night as the bus went right around the loop. This was so the Brickland boys had time to finish milking the cows before the bus in the morning and get home in the afternoon for the evening milking. It was a long day for a five year old as I also

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

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

had to walk 1.5 kms each way. The road was all metal so the trip was very slow. I remember the horn on the bus. It looked like a balloon and had to be squeezed to make it work.

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

On our bus route there were a lot of small farms mostly milking cows and running sheep and pigs. The bus was very full by the end of the run.

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

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

Mary Coyle, now aged 98 rode on our bus. She is related to [Piopio principal Sue] Mrs Coyle’s husband. The Coyles lived on a dairy farm on Kahuwera Road where the Browns are now. Instead of glass windows we had ‘roll up’ canvas blinds.

The bus driver would wait for kids if they were late. He knew they would have been busy working in the mornings.

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

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

As soon as I was old enough I rode my pony to school. During the day it stayed in the horse paddock just behind where the swimming pools are now. If it needed shoeing I could ride to the blacksmiths shop in Piopio and after school my pony would be waiting for me in the yard at the blacksmiths.

There was always the clatter of the cream cans and machinery at the dairy factory and also Mr Glasgow at the blacksmith shop shaping metal using the anvil.

Where the college is now was a dairy farm. Our house had no kitchen sink and the toilet was outside at the bottom of the garden. It was scary going to the toilet after dark. Our bath was a wooden tub beside the copper which heated the water for laundry and the bath.

I remember sad times when children died from childhood illnesses such as diphtheria. There were no vaccinations in those days. We also had a five month break from school in the early 1940’s due to an outbreak of polio.

The small swimming pool at the school now was built before I left school. Before that we swam in the river.

housekeeper and cook.

Arriving at school we were greeted with a lot of noise from Piopio; a hive of activity.

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

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

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

My mother, then Beatrice Keith, came to Piopio from Auckland in 1911, to work for family friends, the Hattaways at the boarding house. The boarding house was a two story wooden building right on the main street where the Village Green is now. The boarding house was where several single men lived, and my mother was employed as a

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

“From their own vehicles to their own

houses to businesses later on is awesome. The earning power they achieve by themselves and how they use it is just great and it warms my heart.”

Transport in 1911 to Te Kūiti was by horse-drawn coach owned by Mr Stagg who had stables at the north end of Piopio. The trip was slow and in winter it was boggy. When the wagon became stuck, the passengers had to push.

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

MARK Barrowcliffe has been passionate about shearing

Jean Toms and former Piopio District High School principal Brian Tegg, with Arapae, the Model T Bus, a painstaking replica of the original. Photo: Sigrid Christiansen

This large five bedroom, two bathroom lifestyle property is the perfect blend of country living and modern convenience - perfect for any family size.

Situated on a spacious 3.5088ha (approx) lot, this property offers plenty of room to roam, raise some stock and enjoy the peaceful rural surroundings.

Built in the 1970’s, this well-maintained home features a modern kitchen and open plan living areas. The lounge and dining area captures all day sun.

Outside, you’ll find a single garage, garden shed and ample open parking spaces, a fully fenced yard for added privacy and security. The property also boasts stunning rural views and unbelievable sunsets. There’s still lots of potential left to add value to this property.

Some other benefits this property offers: 11 paddocks

Chicken coop area

Small bush area

Low maintenance gardens with well established trees

Spring water

Elevated section

Don’t miss your chance to own this wonderful familyfriendly lifestyle property in Waitomo.

The current owners have made an offer on another property and will consider all offers on a short deadline. Give Tharaen Fearon a call for a private viewing or come along to one of the open homes.

Deadline Sale closes 17 July 2024 at 4pm at Ray White Ōtorohanga, 64 Maniapoto Street, unless sold prior. OPEN HOME: Sunday 11am - 12 noon

LOCATION | 584B State Highway 3

LAND I 3.5ha (approx) HOUSE I 190 m2

HOUSE | Five bedrooms, two bathrooms, one garage

PRICE | Deadline sale 4pm, July 17, 2024 (unless sold prior)

LICENSED AGENT | Ray White Ōtorohanga

LICENSED SALESPERSON | Tharaen Fearon 027 512 1290

WEBSITE | rwtekuiti.co.nz

WEB ID | TEK30130

Sunday

TE KUITI 26 Tammadge Street

A Commanding Lifestyle in Town - 6.3 hectares

In an elevated position above Tammadge Street, is a lifestyle property like no other on the market. Its northwest facing outlook pays homage to the stunning autumnal vista across Te Kuiti with breathtaking views of Brook Park. The two-storey fourbedroom family home was architecturally designed and built using quality materials. The land is in two titles. The house, set of yards, kill shed and chiller all sit on the bigger parcel of land which is 5.91hectares (more or less). The smaller title is 3922m2. There are seven paddocks in total. Close to town, schooling and recreational activities.

11.00-11.30am, Sunday 30 June & 7, 14 July E pwylie@pggwrightson.co.nz

Dressage win for Corry

By Sigrid Christiansen

Piopio dressage rider Kathryn Corry has won the Prestige Futures series for young horses.

To be eligible, riders must compete on horses from four to 10 years of age –and this year was the last Corry’s mount Ganache MH could compete.

The competition was judged over a season of events and Corry will take home a prize of a saddle which is being handmade in Italy.

Corry chose for her prize a jumping saddle rather than one designed for dressage. While she is known as a dressage competitor, she still values riding over jumps, especially for the mental challenge it offers her equine companions.

“It gives the horses something different to do with their minds, especially in the offseason.”

Riders in the series can win on points an unlimited number of times, but they can be awarded the saddle only once.

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Corry competes on Ganache MH.

Photo: Take the Moment Photography

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Helping grow the country

Maniapoto St, Ōtorohanga P 07 873 8522

Progress Dr, Ōtorohanga P 07 873 7373 027 687 8614

Maniapoto St, Ōtorohanga P 07 873 7007

5 Seddon St, Te Kūiti P 878 8165

Fixed-term, Scale A Teacher (0.5 or 0.4 FTTE)

- Year 0-3 - Job Share

Position for Term 3 & 4, 2024

We have an exciting opportunity for a New Zealand registered teacher to join our fantastic team for Terms 3 and 4. Experience as a junior teacher in literacy and mathematics is preferred. You will be working with a small class, with excellent resources and teacher aide assistance.

Reading Recovery Teacher (0.44 FTTE)Term 3 & 4, 2024

We are looking for an experienced Reading Recovery teacher to deliver a literacy intervention programme to four individual students daily for 30 minutes each.

Training will be provided if necessary.

Positions commence at the beginning of Term 3, 2024. Please state your preferred job option.

To apply, please email a letter of application along with your CV, including work history and two referees, to The Principal at principal@rangi.school.nz. Applications close at 9am on Sunday, June 30, 2024.

For any enquiries, please contact us at 021 913 351.

Join our dedicated team and develop confidence, curious, creative and caring learners!

Wanted To Buy

CALF MILK

WANTED

Phone Deb

027 4901 007

Phone Shay 027 373 3732

WANTED

DEAD OR ALIVE

$$$$ TOP CASH $$$$

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

From $200 to $5000

Same day pick up

Ph 0800 551 7004

SCHOOL OFFICE/FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR

We require an office/finance administrator to join our TKP team. This is a really important role that not only helps our school run smoothly but supports our LEGEND students, staff, whānau and community.

We are looking for someone who has a great sense of humour, is an excellent communicator, is great with people, is an exceptional organiser, shows initiative, is keen to learn new skills and is willing to go the extra mile.

Experience in administrative and financial duties is an advantage.

Duties are wide-ranging and will include things such as:

• Providing a welcoming environment for students, staff, and visitors

• Attending to the daily needs of our LEGENDs, staff, and whānau

• Administrative and financial duties such as accounting, finance, and payroll management, preparing school documents, communicating with our school community, and organising events and school projects.

This is a permanent position, fulltime, 40 hours per week. The working hours will be MondayFriday, 8am 4.30pm, term time only.

Applications close at 12pm, Friday, July 12, 2024. Please send a cover letter and CV including three referees to vacancy@tekuiti.school.nz

Situations Vacant

ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT

Location: Otorohanga & Te Awamutu

Join Pratts as an Administration Support member. You’ll work with our Otorohanga and Te Awamutu branches on a rotational basis, reporting to the Group Administrator and Group Manager.

Key responsibilities include:

• Showroom consultations, managing inquiries, job processing, and financial duties.

• Maintain stock levels, assist customers, and ensure accurate billing and record-keeping.

• Strong communication and organisational skills are essential.

If you're proactive and detailoriented, apply now to contribute to our dynamic team.

CV & Cover Letter to hr@pratts.co.nz

Job Description: https://www.pratts.co.nz/careers/ Applications Close 14th July

Join our team - Customer Support Advisor (part time)

Waitomo District Council is looking for a highly multi-skilled and resilient person to join our team.

You will provide a high quality, responsive customer support to external and internal customers, going that extra mile to provide a great customer experience.

This is a role for someone who likes variety, is a self-starter with a can-do attitude. You will be super organised, have exceptional communication skills, be adaptable and embrace change. You will also be computer savvy and have sound skills in Microsoft office products.

Our people are fundamental to our success. We are a committed team and our values are the foundation of our organisational culture: teamwork, positivity, bold and brave, compassion, integrity and community minded.

Applications Close: 10 July 2024

To apply for this position, please visit our recruitment website www.joinourteam.co.nz

HANDYMAN

Property maintenance and construction Lawns, trees, stump grinding,

School Holidays

The Kiwi Kids Club

At the Anglican Church Hall Ōtorohanga. We will be open from 8am to 5.45pm Mon to Friday Children aged from 5 to 13 years. We are also putting on a van to Te Kūiti, pickups around 8.30am drop-offs 5pm. We can pick children up from home if they live in town or the Warehouse carpark. Cost ranges from $50 to $70 + GST depending on the activities. Winz subsidy available

What’s on our programme: two movie days at Te Awamutu, Leap, Classics car museum, Splashy Pottery, Time Zone in Hamilton. In club days cooking, jewellery making, painting, candle making, stone art. For more info or to book your child in contact Wiggs 021491616

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

Boarding Information Evening

Trades & Services

Adoption of Long Term Plan 20242034 and Fees and Charges 2024/25

Council adopts Long Term Plan 2024-2034

Waitomo District Council adopted its Long Term Plan 2024-2034 (LTP) on 25 June 2024 after completing a consultation process with the community between 16 April and 17 May 2024.

The LTP will be made available from early July 2024 on our website: www.waitomo.govt.nz. Printed copies will also be available. You are welcome to view the LTP at the WDC Customer Service Centre at 160 Rora Street, Te Kūiti, or the Library on Taupiri Street. You can also request a copy by contacting our Customer Services Team on 0800 932 4357.

Fees and Charges 2024/25

On 25 June 2024, Council adopted the fees and charges for 2024/25 after completing a consultation process with the community between 16 April and 17 May 2024. These fees and charges apply from 1 July 2024.

The Animal and Dog Control Act and Food Act fees were adopted on 4 June 2024.

Due to the impact of rising costs Council has increased most fees and charges by 5% in line with inflation. This ensures costs are recovered so that Council services are not subsidised further by rates.

The schedule of Fees and Charges will be available from our website www.waitomo.govt.nz from early July 2024. You can request a hardcopy of the fees and charges by contacting our Customer Services Team on 0800 932 4357 or email info@waitomo.govt.nz

Ben Smit

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Time to register your furry friend

Public Notice is hereby given that the Dog Registration Fees for the 2024/2025 financial year have been set by Council resolution in various categories as set out below:

Registration Fee (including GST) where paid by or on 31 July 2024. Fees apply to dogs aged 3 months and over, and are for the year 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 registration.

Urbans owner (as per definition)

Urban spayed/neutered dogs

Selected owner

Gold card discount of 10% for urban dogs

Rural owner

Rural Dogs > 5

For every 5 rural dogs you register the 6th dog registration is free if paid on or before registration date.

Dangerous dog

$130

$98

$77

$117

$55

150% of applicable fee 50% late registration fee applies from 1 August 2024

Pound, Seizure and Miscellaneous Fees

Seizure

Impound - First (registered)

Impound - First (unregistered)

Second

Third and subsequent

Sustenance (per day)

$68

$75

$110

$150

$220

$18

NOTE: Any fees incurred in the seizure, custody, sustenance and transport of a dog are required to be paid before its release from impoundment.

Re-homing of unwanted/ unclaimed dogs (unregistered) will be the applicable registration fee and micro-chipping fee and all other reasonable associated costs.

Replacement tags

Microchipping fee

Application for permit to keep more than two dogs (urban)

Surrender fee

Barking collar

Battery for barking collar

This notice is given under sections 37 and 68 of the Dog Control Act 1996.

Dated at Te Kūiti this 27th day of June 2024.

PUBLIC NOTICE OF APPARENTLY ABANDONED LAND

TAKE NOTICE TAKE NOTICE that Waitomo District Council intends to exercise its statutory powers conferred by s.77 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 in respect of the land described below.

1. Apply to the District Court one month after the date of this notice for an order declaring the land to be abandoned, and

2. To authorise Waitomo District Council to sell or lease the land - Because the rates have not been paid to Waitomo District Council for three (3) years and the rate payer of the land:

(a) is unknown, or

(b) cannot be found after due inquiry and has no known New Zealand agent, or

(c) is deceased and has no personal representative, or (d) has given notice to the Waitomo District Councill of his or her intention to abandon the land or has abandoned the land.

Valuation number: 0588422000

Lot 12 Deposited Plan 4572 and Section 63 Block XVI Orahiri Survey District (SA36B/345 South Auckland land registry) in the name of Edward Ross Smith. The property is situated at Mangarino Street, Te Kuiti and is within the territory of the Waitomo District Council.

Valuation number: 0586516000

Section 77 Block X Mapara Survey District (TNH3/1277 Taranaki land registry) in the name of Dream Centre Limited. The property is situated at 30 School Road, Maniaiti/ Benneydale and is within the territory of the Waitomo District Council.

Valuation number: 0586517300

Section 64 Block X Mapara Survey District (TN El /573 Taranaki land registry) in the name of Rangikataina Kakenga. The property is situated at 4 School Road, Maniaiti/ Benneydale formerly 45 Mine Road, Maniaiti/Benneydale and is within the territory of the Waitomo District Council.

Valuation number: 0586514800

Section 56 Block X Mapara Survey District (TNJ2/425 Taranaki land registry) in the name of Ernest Arthur Packer. The property is situated at 3 Kiwi Place, Maniaiti/Benneydale and is within the territory of the Waitomo District Council.

Valuation number: 0586515200

Section 60 Block X Mapara Survey District (TNF2/l 106 Taranaki land registry) in the name of Ernest Arthur Packer. The property is situated at 39 School Road, Maniaiti/ Benneydale and is within the territory of the Waitomo District Council.

If you have an interest or any information relevant to the proposed application by the Waitomo District Council, you should contact Aimee Osborne on 0508 436 269, dmc@ mw.org.nz or DMC, DX PA84005, Feilding.

This notice is authorised by:

Ben Smit

Chief Executive

Waitomo District Council

7 June 2024

$5.25

$30

$60

$80

$40

$6

ATTENTION WHANAU

TURITEA MARAE (TUROTO C2B2B4B1)

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & GENERAL MEETING TO FOLLOW

To be held Sunday, July 21, 2024, 11am at Venue: Hardy Training Centre, 170 Hungerford Crescent, Hamilton

Mini fundraiser start at 10am - please bring a prize to contribute ($10max) for raffle table, Batons up (presold) drawn also before meeting.

AGENDA:

Nomination/Election of • replacement Trustee(s) – 2 • all office holder positions (3 year term complete)

Marae charter review

Strategic direction plan discussion

Bring a plate of kai to share For all enquiries saphine@turiteamarae.co.nz

QUOTA

CLUB TE KŪITI INC, 71 Taupiri St, Te Kūiti has made application to the District Licensing Committee at Te Kūiti for the renewal of a club licence in respect of premises situated at 71 Taupiri St, Te Kūiti and known as Quota Club. The general nature of the business to be conducted under the licence is that of a club. The days on which and the hours during which alcohol is to be sold under the licence are Monday to Sunday 9am to 1am the following day. The application may be inspected during the ordinary office hours at the office of the District Licensing Committee at Waitomo District Council, Queen Street, Te Kūiti. Any person who is entitled to and wishes to object to the issue of the licences may, not later than 25 working days after the date of the publication of this notice, file a notice in writing of the objection with the Secretary of the District Licensing Committee at Waitomo District Council, P. O. Box 404, Te Kūiti 3941. No objection to the renewal of a licence may be made in relation to a matter other than a matter specitied in Section 131 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. This is the second publication of this notice. This notice was first published on June 20, 2024.

RUAPUHA

TRUST (Hauturu East 8)

Nominations for the Election of Trustee NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a call for nominations has been opened to appoint one (1) trustee to Ruapuha Uekaha Hapū Trust.

Nominations for the one (1) trustee position must be made on the nomination Form available from the returning officer: GHA P.O. Box 1712

ROTORUA Phone 07 348 3599 nero@gha.co.nz

The nomination form may also be accessed from the Ruapuha Uekaha Hapū Trust website www.ruht.co.nz.

The nomination form is to be completed by the nominee and countersigned by two registered adult beneficiaries of the Ruapuha Uekaha Hapū Trust. Nominations will close at 5pm on Friday, July 12, 2024.

Candidates are required to provide a copy of their curriculum vitae, a personal profile, and a photo along with their completed nomination form.

Only registered adult members (18 Years +) of Ruapuha Uekaha Hapū Trust beneficiaries register will be eligible to vote. Board of Trustees

UEKAHA HAPŪ

PIOPIO AND DISTRICTS CHARITABLE TRUST AGM

Monday, July 8 7pm

RSVP: piopiotrust@gmail.com

PIRONGIA MARKET

Pirongia Community Centre, Crozier St Sunday, June 29, 9am - 1pm

Last Sunday of every month Email jim1@xtra.co.nz or ph Jim 027 366 5842

PHOTOS FOR SALE

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

MILDON, John Patrick: June 25, 2019 (5 years past). A dear friend, never forgotten. The Gannon Family.

Bereavements

ARIA MŌKAU CO-OPERATING PARISH

PUKETARATA 10C2B2B1

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING KAHOTEA MARAE Kahotea Rd, Ōtorohanga Saturday, July 20, 2024 10am

AGENDA:

1 Karahia

2 Mihi

3 Minutes of 2023 AGM

4 Annual report

5 Trustees elections - Returning officer

6 Charter - Trustee reimbursement and travel policy

7 Karakia

8 Kaitahi

Election of 3 trustees:

Nomination forms are available from the returning officer, Steven Wilson ph 021 476 645. Email steven@maximize.co.nz

All nominations are to be in writing on the prescribed forms. Nominees and nominations must be of Ngati Apakura or Ngati Hinetu whakapapa and 18 years old as at July 20, 2024. Nominees are required to submit a one page written profile with their nomination form.

All forms must be received by the returning officer by 4pm on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. They can be posted to Steven Wilson, PO Bos 10,000, Rotorua or handed to the returning officer in person or emailed directly to steven@maximize.co.nz

St Peter’s By The Sea, 25 Aria Tce, Mōkau 1st and 3rd Sunday 2pm Service

Piopio contact: 07 877 8097 Mōkau contact: Mrs Dorothy Lowry 06 752 9123

We the family of the late Lynn Green (Girl) wish to express our sincere appreciation to all who reached out to us, gave generously, and helped in any kind of way with the recent loss of our Mum (Nunna). No words can express how truly grateful we are to you all. As there are too many to name, then please accept this as our personal thank you to you all. E kore rawa te aroha e mimiti mō koutou i whai wā ki te poroporoaki i tō mātou Whaea, koutou hoki i tuku nei te aroha. Nei me ngā manaakitanga o te wā.

FOUND: Hunting jacket, orange lining.

Key found in pocket. Ph 021 0822 0802

Harvest Church Ōtorohanga

Sunday Service 10.30am Kids Club 11am Youth 12.30pm-3pm Evening service 7pm

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

The sweetest time of the day is when you pray. Because you are talking to the one who loves you the most. (Toby Mac)

ROGERS, John Bawden: Peacefully on Sunday, June 23 at Beattie Home, with family by his side. In his 90th year. Loved husband of the late Gail. Loved father and father-in-law of Margaret, Jill and Gerry, Alan (Roly) and Briar. Adored grandpa of Nicole, Erin, Ashlee and Laura. A service for John will be held at St Brides Anglican Church, Ōtorohanga on Saturday, July 20 at 11am, followed by interment at Ōtorohanga Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Ōtorohanga St John Ambulance. All communications to Rogers Family C/- PO Box 241, Te Kuiti 3941. In the care of VJ Williams & Sons, Funeral Directors Association of NZ.

STEVENS, Prof. Kenneth John: Died at home with his family on June 22, 2024 aged 77. Dearly loved husband of Susan. Beloved father of Felicity and Rose and father-in-law of David McEwen and Ken Trass. Dear granddad of Charlie, James, Maddie and Alex. Loved brother of Doug, Dorothy Burnell, the late Rod and their families. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Te Kororia (02-05060309603-000). A service to celebrate Ken’s life will be held at St Mary’s Anglican Church Karori on Tuesday, July 2 at 11am. Join the livestream at lychgate. co.nz/upcoming-funerals. Messages for the family can be sent care of Lychgate Funerals, 306 Willis Street, Aro Valley, Wellington 6011.

WALLIS, Dianna

Carol: on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Waikato Hospital surrounded by her family. Tragically taken way too soon. Much loved daughter of Colleen and Bruce Wallis, sister of Michelle, Grahame and Daniel. Adored mother and mother-in-law of Cole and Paris, Jackson and Daneeka, and Vincent. Grandmother of Daesyn. Loved by all her nieces and nephews, family and friends. Dianna’s service details to follow. Tributes may be left on vjwilliams. co.nz. All communications to Wallis Family C/- PO Box 241, Te Kūiti 3941. VJ Williams & Sons, Funeral Directors Association of NZ

BENNETT, Jane Angela: Passed peacefully at home after a courageous fight on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Dearly loved wife of Grant, Loved and respected Mum of Lauren and William. Loved Daughter-in-law of Robert and Jenny Bennett (Te Awamutu) Loved Sister-in-law of Julie and John Clark, and Aunt of Kirsty, Matthew and Amy and baby Olive. A hard-fought battle, now at rest. Service has been held on Wednesday, June 26 in Hamilton.

BREMNER, Keith

Douglas: On June 19, 2024, Keith passed away peacefully at home aged 72. He will forever be in our hearts and missed. He will be remembered through his joke and storytelling abilities and caring nature. Much loved husband of Clare, father of Ross, Loren and Kylie. Grandfather of Onyx and Vida. Father-in-law of Age and Liam. Keiths’ life will be celebrated on Thursday, June 27, at VJ Williams & Sons Funeral home, 33 King St West, Te Kūiti at 1pm. Burial at Te Kūiti Cemetery, followed by light refreshments at VJ Williams & Sons Funeral home. The Bremner’s would like to thank family, friends and the Ōtorohanga community for their love and support at this difficult time. All communications to Bremner Family C/- PO Box 241, Te Kūiti 3941. In the care of VJ Williams & Sons, Funeral Directors Association of NZ.

PERCIVAL, Anne (Gaston):

Our beautiful, talented mother has gone aged 92 yrs.

Dearly loved mother of Helen and Paul, Leslie and Colin and Andrew and Jo. Loved Anma of four grandchildren and great Anma to six. Much loved Anne to her Beattie Home and Papakainga Homestead Family.

We feel so blessed and grateful to have had our mother in your loving care.

A celebration of Anne’s life to be held at St Brides, Ōtorohanga at 1.30pm on June 29, 2024.

Raffle Results ‘Friends of Hillview’ Op Shop 17-21 June. 1. $50 #5 M.Were, 2. $50 #39 L.Pitcorn. Congratulations and many thanks for all support – a very good week. Sheryl. The King Country App is FREE Download it from the App Store or Google Play

Further information regarding the election process is available from the returning officer on request. Postage and handling costs may apply.

WRIGHT, David Charles ‘Spud’: Born Te Kuiti 23/2/1955, Died Lake Macquarie, Australia 16/6/20214. Son of Doug and Kay Wright, brother of Judy, Susan and Jenny.

Meetings