Cambridge News | July 18, 2024

Call to save water tower

By Mary Anne Gill

James Casey says he is prepared to do all he can to save a “lovely piece of history” but does not have the expertise to lead a campaign.

The Whitehall sheep and beef farmer hopes to convince Waipā district councillors to reverse their decision to knock down the 120 year old Cambridge Water Tower.

“We’re trying to mobilise a mix of people together, not to have a scrap with the council, but just to put things on hold for the meanwhile,” he told The News.

“It’s just too easy to demolish it. Our family have been in the district since 1954 and we have some history here so that’s what has prompted me to get involved.

“What we need now is some guidance around what we do next,” he said.

During its enhanced annual plan discussions earlier this year, Waipā district councillors resolved to apply for a resource consent to remove the tower which opened in 1903 and provided a piped water supply to residents until 1927.

It has been listed in the council’s District Plan as a Category A building since 2010 and is a rare example of civil engineer Ashley John Hunter’s design work.

The bricks were handmade and laid in an English bond pattern with decorative features that included a regular pattern of bluestone topped ventilation windows and several horizontal rows of brick dentil pattern.

It is the only water tower of its type in the North Island, and one of only two in New Zealand, as well as a notable landmark at

what was Cambridge’s entrance for years until the Waikato Expressway’s construction.

An earthquake assessment in 2014 found the tower met 25 per cent of national building standards and would have to meet a minimum of 67 per cent by 2026.

The council gave the community two options - bowl the tower for $800,000 or restore it for $6 million.

While 62 per cent of the 223 submitters supported demolishing it, others have said there is now a third option - to leave it alone until the economy improves and pending the government’s decision to review the earthquake legislation.

Peter Fulton, a teacher at St Peter’s School, said pausing demolition plans resulted in no significant cost for council.

In a submission to councillors he said “once it is gone, it will not be replaced and a monument to its previous existence is condescending, token and little short of meaningless.

“In terms of its nobility of purpose and aesthetic values, it sits alongside the Town Hall, the Museum, the High Level Bridge, the Domain, the War Memorial, the Gasworks, St Andrew’s and so-on.

“Much of Cambridge’s charm comes from the beauty, retention and utility of these structures and it would be short-sighted in the extreme to lose any one of these through deliberate neglect or demolition.”

Architect Antanas Procuta said if council was to demolish the tower, it would set an indisputable precedent for other owners and custodians of heritage within the district

Continued on page 3

Precision damming

This 40-tonne dam gate, which protects one of three new generators at Karāpiro, was put in place during a precision exercise on the Waikato River dam this week. It marked the completion of another stage of a $90 million upgrade at the Karāpiro Hydro Power Station – during which time the road over the dam has been closed. At the end of the project the hydro dam output will be increased sufficiently to service another 19,000 homes. Mary Anne Gill was on hand to see the gate lowered into place and her report is on page 10 today.

Letters…

Where to park?

It is with dismay that we write to express our deep displeasure at the way in which Waipa District Council has dismissed the needs of elderly and physically challenged members of this community.

We are members of the Cambridge Patchwork Club who meet fortnightly at the Masonic Hall in Bryce St, Cambridge. This club consists of talented patchwork enthusiasts who craft quilts for needy and physically challenged persons, as well as ourselves. Indeed, one of our creations hangs in the Grand Hall of the Museum in Le Quesnoy, France.

When the cycleway was built in Bryce St, all parking was removed, starting from the corner of Queen St and extending north to Wallace Court and also around the corner into Queen St itself. This design gave no thought to our ability to access the hall on the corner of Bryce and Queen.

We are dismayed at the total lack of disabled parking, short term or delivery bays, which would enable us to offload sewing machines and heavy material, leaving everyone with a long arduous walk. Our elderly and challenged members find this exercise a major difficulty we should not

have to face.

We thought that all public halls had to have at least a disabled park, close to the entrance for public to use. We would appreciate a solution to this problem as we will not be the only ones affected.

Lesley Roberts

Cambridge Patchwork Club.

Cost issue

Regarding the Shakespeare Street roundabout, Bryan Hudson of the Waipā District Council said it was an affordable and less expensive option to make the changes they have to the roundabout. Just what planet is this guy on - $270,000 is affordable to who?

David Natzke Leamington

More for less

Dogs to be banned from Lake Ngā Roto?

Well that’s in all probability what is going to happen if the same protocols are followed as were used for Mt Kakepuku.

My issue as a dog owner is the almost inevitable removal of yet even more of our dog owners rights based on cultural concerns.

As mentioned this has already occurred at Kakepuku after being backed and supported by the bias of our Mayor and her council, and I fear it will happen again.

Although we all realise that the council’s consultative process goes something like “council calls for submissions/council ignores submissions/council does as it planned all along” I urge people not to lose heart and to voice their opinions via council’s online feedback form.

So a 20 per cent increase in dog registration fees and yet here we are again facing another possible sizeable decrease in dog exercise areas. It seems council is further expanding on their pay more get less policy for animal ownership.

Remember if you do not voice your concerns now then you have no right to complain later. This clock cannot be turned back.

Graham Dunn Te Awamutu

Letters to the Editor

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I hope the school holidays are going well. I enjoyed a break away myself last week – we have definitely lucked out on the sunny winter weather for the first half of the holidays.

In my absence, Cambridge Police continued to be busy. Our Public Safety Teams attended incidents including three reports of assault, two reports of suspicious activity, five mental health incidents, three traffic crashes, four burglaries and a theft of a motor vehicle, three drunk drivers, a disqualified driver and four family harm incidents.

As a result of the latter, three people were issued with Police Safety orders, one of whom was subsequently arrested for breaching the order and assaulting police.

Still on the topic of family harm, I have spoken before about the reasons to call 111 when you witness family harm in progress - especially when it is serious in nature and children are present. As with many other types of offending, our community are our extra eyes and ears and sometimes we need you to step up and assist.

For various reasons, the individuals involved in a family harm situation will often minimise or even deny what has happened when police attend. For those stuck in a cycle of abuse, the fear of retribution or of making their personal

situation worse by further provoking their abuser is a real reason for this.

A build-up of tension and psychological abuse may have been ongoing for a few days or even weeks before the event you witness. If can be recorded discretely and safely, independent witness video/CCTV evidence of an assault in progress is powerful in its ability to portray the true seriousness of the incident and the demeanours of those involved.

While police attendance is not necessarily an instant fix, having independent evidence and witnesses prepared to make a statement, can ensure offenders are held to account. Making sure we are called in the first place increases the likelihood that we can be there with the necessary support at the moment when the family are ready to make a change or the victim is ready to leave. Wrap-around supports for the whole family can be put in place regardless.

In a final note, I have previously reminded you to turn on your headlights in foggy or inclement weather. With the drop in temperatures, please also be aware of icy road conditions, especially when driving early in the morning or overnight. Drive to the conditions always and remember to give way when required.

• No noms-de-plume

• Letters will be published with names

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• Letters may be edited, abridged, or rejected at the editor’s discretion

• The editor’s decision on publication is final.

Sheedy elected

Waipa Customer and Community Services group manager Sally Sheedy has been elected the Midlands Area representative on Taituarā Local Government Professionals Aoteaora executive. It follows her appointment as Civil Defence Emergency Management Local Recovery manager for Waipā earlier this year.

Time on

The Westminster chimes on Cambridge’s Town Clock returned this week and the timepiece has been lit up to celebrate the completion of the $721,000 Waipā District Council restoration project. Hoarding came down on Monday and work will soon get underway on paving around the tower building.

Flats open

Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan handed over the keys to the 10 onebedroom pensioner units in Leamington to Habitat for Humanity central region chief executive Nic Greene last week. The council will own and maintain the units and Habitat for Humanity will manage the tenants and rental process. The new units will add to Waipā’s existing 93 pensioner units spread across Cambridge, Kihikihi and Te Awamutu. These will now house a total of 117 tenants.

House grant

Cambridge Community House Trust has been given a $1000 funding to support training and qualifications for a support worker in the latest round of grants announced by Rural Women New Zealand. The organisation assists initiatives for rural communities that support children, the elderly, community, conservation, counselling and education through two fundsScotlands Te Kiteroa Charitable Trust and Cynthia Collier Grant.

Dig deeper says Waipā mayor

By Chris Gardner

Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan is calling on the Department of Conservation to dig deeper into its pockets and help save Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari from closure.

O’Regan accompanied sanctuary chief executive Helen Hughes and conservation minister Tama Potaka on a tour of the mountain in May when it was revealed to the minister a cash flow crisis could result in the closure of the world’s largest predator proof enclosure.

Potaka has deflected the plea back to DOC, saying it is an operational issue. But O’Regan, whose council has spent $3.2 million on the project in 10 years, has been advocating for more DOC support for nearly a year.

“Too many New Zealanders aren’t likely to get the privilege of seeing kaka or watching wood pigeons so what is the value of that to New Zealand? The Government needs to be honest about their value, and I would like to see the Department of Conservation step up a little more,” O’Regan said.

“I certainly made mention of that to [DOC director general] Penny Nelson at the time of the kākāpō release [in June 2023], appreciating we’re in a really constrained landscape across the country.”

The 20-year-old project, which costs $5000 a day to run, was initially funded by the department, district council and Waikato Regional Council. But in recent years DOC has moved away from funding operational costs, cutting $1.5 million from the project over four years, and focussed on specific projects on the mountain.

“Nobody likes the boring funding of operations expenses, everyone likes capital expenses so that you can go in and cut a ribbon and smile and get a photo and the reality is that it’s the tough grind, day in day out, maintaining the fence, ensuring that all the operational features of the project are met, and that’s a little less exciting to fund,” O’Regan said.

“The benefits of this living treasure should be more fairly spread across the nation. It’s a crucial piece of work, it’s pretty cool.”

O’Regan said the project did

not give the sense of security and certainty that a project of its importance ought to have. But she was heartened to hear Hughes was tackling the operation’s cash crisis head on with a five-year plan to make the project self-funded.

Hughes is hoping to realise $1.5 million a year by selling 3363 conservation management hectares at $450 a hectare through Ekos’ market-based conservation financing mechanism. She wants to attract more tourists by scheduling bespoke half-hour tours that suit visitors to Hobbiton Movie Set Tours and Waitomo Caves.

“I’m really heartened for the new general manager, Helen, to put her nose to the grindstone and see how she can help create new income streams, because it needs to continue, and it will continue,” O’Regan said.

The mayor said the project had had its moments over the decades.

“They always manage to pull rabbits out of hats. If anybody’s going to pull rabbits out of hats, Helen’s the person. As you’ve seen, full of energy, great ideas, and curiously doesn’t come from a conservation background, so she brings a different kind of lens which is quite refreshing and hopefully will reap reward for the project in the not-too-distant future.”

Hughes joined the project in October from the Ministry of Primary Industries where she was a manager of grant and contract management for four years.

“It’s a cool place,” O’Regan said of the maunga.

“I just think it’s up to all of us to support it, not just some of us. The conservation department have funded a considerable amount of money, they haven’t just walked away, but it’s all been attached to specific project work, and it still leaves that op ex budget looking unhealthy.

“You can do all your neat project work like Kiwis for Kiwis and kākāpō translocation stuff, which is awesome, but you still need to have a functioning fence, you still need to have rangers doing work daily for those projects to thrive. Let’s be honest about the actual cost to keep the place intact and what that value has to New Zealand and all New Zealanders.”

Call to save water tower

to do the same to their heritagelisted property owing to economic circumstances.

The government’s decision to review the legislation which had forced the council to embark on an earthquake strengthening programme before 2026 also gave the council time, he told councillors.

Taupō MP Louise Upston told The News one of the attractive features of Cambridge was its heritage buildings.

“Ideally, we should keep as many significant heritage buildings as we can.

“Saving (them) comes at a cost to the community and not everyone sees the value in preserving historical sites for posterity,” she said.

“The costs of demolishing (it) are also significant. I’m sure Waipā District Council will complete a detailed cost analysis, consider the intrinsic value of the tower, and take the public’s view into account before making a final decision.”

While councillors gave staff the go ahead to apply for a demolition resource consent, final approval would be made by the council’s Strategic Planning and Policy committee chaired by deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk.

• What do you think? Email editor@goodlocal.nz

• More photos cambridgenews.nz

Jono Gibson Funeral Director

Maungatautari has been a conservation success – but it is in financial trouble.

Photo: Supplied.

Continued from page 1

Concerns about the water tower in Payne Park have increased since revised earthquake regulations came in putting parts of Cambridge Resthaven at risk.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Rural post: inquiry called for

By Chris Gardner

Waipā couple Ian and Danny Kennedy have lost their home and livelihood after they failed to secure an injunction to stop New Zealand Post terminating their rural delivery contract.

The Kennedys sold their Te Awamutu home last month and moved to the South Island, prompting a call for state owned enterprises minster Paul Goldsmith to open a ministerial inquiry into New Zealand Post’s handling of the case.

Goldsmith’s office passed the request from ProDrive chief executive Peter Gallagher onto Chris Bishop.

The Kennedys were contracted to sort, process, uplift and deliver “all mail and other items for delivery” for the Tamahere RD3 rural post run from April 1, 2019. They invested $500,000 into the business which ran six vans with five staff. Their contract was cancelled on November 10, 2023, after they asked why other contractors were sorting, processing, uplifting and delivering mail in the Tamahere RD3 postal district.

Gallagher, who is representing the couple, wrote to Goldsmith and NZ Post chair Carol Campbell in June and followed up with a second letter last week to Taranaki-King Country National MP Barbara Kuriger alleging “serious matters of poor conduct and management malaise within New Zealand Post” and copied Goldsmith in.

Gallagher called for a fair and equitable settlement payment from New Zealand Post to Danny and Ian Kennedy as well as an inquiry “into the poor conduct and culture within New Zealand Post, which consistently appears predicated upon the tactics of deny, lie, bluff, block and bully and

delay”.

He wrote: “the shameful treatment of the Kennedys has already been extensively covered by reputable media outlets and journalists over the past two years, without any trustworthy answers from New Zealand Post. We would add that you have personally experienced dishonesty from

senior New Zealand Post executives… this is completely unacceptable to the NZ public, who have contributed over $200 million of subsidies to NZ Post over the past 10 years.”

Gallagher urged Kuriger, who he had previously discussed the matter with, to press the relevant ministers and representatives of New Zealand Post to settle fairly with the Kennedys and to “put its house in order”.

Danny Kennedy told The News she supported Gallagher’s move. Kuriger told The News “there are definitely questions that need answering”. The News has sought comment from Bishop and NZ Post chair Carol Campbell.

DO YOU NEED A HEAT PUMP?

Danny and Ian Kennedy, pictured on their run before it was terminated.

St Peter’s principal farewelled

By Viv Posselt

Anita Asumadu’s threeand-a-half year tenure as principal at St Peter’s Catholic School has ended. Having succeeded in elevating achievement among students and enriching staff engagement, she is headed now for seemingly quieter pastures in which she will switch from their education to her own through the pursuit of a master’s degree focusing on educational leadership, while enjoying more time with her family.

“I’ve been a principal now for 10 years… and my son is coming up for 10,” Asumadu told The News. “It’s time now for a bit of a break, for some family time. The realisation hit after I’d been sick with Covid. My return to work was quite lethargic. It seemed that piles of emails were following me everywhere… it was time for me to step back. I have absolutely loved my role as principal, and I’m not saying I won’t do it again. Just not right now.”

Things have changed under Asumadu’s stewardship. The school roll has increased by 25 per cent, from 167 when she arrived in early 2020 to 210 as she

leaves, with a 55 per cent increase in Year 7/8 students.

When appointed in January 2021, she was asked by the Board if she could lead the school through three required changes – roll growth, a rise in student achievement and the completion of a building project then underway.

She has nailed the roll growth, and a whole school restructure has given cavernous classroom spaces more flexibility through clever design and the addition of sliding glass partitions. That has proved to be enormously successful.

A significant rise in student achievement rounds out Asumadu’s validation of the Board’s three-pronged request.

Mid-year data covering the period 2022 to 2024 shows the number of children achieving above expectation has risen dramatically.

Reading has gone from 12.7 to 46.4 per cent; writing from 7.9 to 42 per cent, and maths from 11.5 to 41.4 per cent.

In a nutshell, she puts it down to high quality teaching and strong professional development for staff.

Many of the changes now swirling around education have been central to

modus operandi since she arrived – structured literacy, technology that is integrated rather than overwhelming, and close regular assessment of children to ascertain where gaps may be emerging and needing plugged.

Strategies around teacher expectation saw colleagues peer review and provide feedback among themselves, while establishing clarity on children’s learning requirements.

With close on 30 years’ experience in state and

Catholic schools in New Zealand and England, Asumadu says she is driven to strategically build collaborative teams that will challenge and inspire children to make a positive difference in their world.

St Peter’s is one of the

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ROBYN VETTORI

Asumadu’s

smaller schools she has headed, and she has enjoyed employing those strategies there to leave it now in good shape for whoever comes next.

Christine McLiesh starts the new term as acting principal.

Departing St Peter’s Catholic School principal Anita Asumadu surrounded by some of the youngsters on her penultimate day in the role.

Elections reflections

By Peter Nicholl

I’m currently on holiday in Europe. During our stay there have been two major elections in the United Kingdom and France. While both countries are democracies, their voting systems are very different – and so were the election outcomes.

UK still has a first-past-the post single electorate system. This system delivers a quick result and usually a clear result. The UK outcome was clear within a few hours of the polls closing and the detailed result known the next day.

The result was a landslide win to the Labour Party. They got 412 (63 per cent) seats. But Labour only got 34 per cent of the votes cast. Each Labour seat won represented 23,500 voters. The Conservatives got 23.6 per cent of the votes but only 18.6 per cent of the seats - 56,300 voters per seat won.

The gap between votes received and seats won was much more extreme for some other parties. The Greens got 6.8 per cent of the votes but only four seats (497,000 votes per MP). The Reform UK Party outcome was even more extreme: 14.3 per cent of the votes cast but also only four MPs elected. That represented more than a million votes per MP.

Not surprisingly, there were a lot of stories in the UK media after the election about the unfairness of their voting system. NZ went through this same debate for the same reasons.

In 1993, we voted in a referendum to switch to an MMP voting system and that is the system we have had for the last 30 years. Will the UK go down the same path?

The French election system is also a firstpast-the post single electorate system – but with a French twist. They have two voting

rounds, a week apart.

To be elected in the first round a candidate has to get over half the votes cast in the electorate.

If nobody does this, a second round of voting between the top two and any other candidate that got more than 12.5 per cent of the votes takes place. The right-wing National Rally received the most votes in round one but only 76 seats out of 577 were decided at the first vote. I wonder how many seats in the recent UK election or in our election last year would have been decided on election night if the UK or NZ had this two-round system of voting?

In the French second round because of tactical withdrawals of more than 200 eligible candidates and second-thoughts by some voters, the election result was turned on its head. A left-wing coalition went from third to first and the National Rally fell from first to third. But no group won a majority of the seats. The French face a period of negotiation and gridlock.

These two extreme results may not be due to the voting systems being used by these democracies as the two different systems both delivered large swings or unclear outcomes. Perhaps the problem is democracy itself. Voters have become disillusioned.

Italy hasn’t had a recent election. But while we were there I asked a lot of people we know what they thought of Italian politics. The most common reply was it doesn’t matter who is in government, we don’t trust any of them. And then there is the US Presidential election…

Lost and found

By Murray Smith, Bridges Church

Losing something is upsetting, irrespective of its value. It’s also inconvenient as it’s a time-waster re-tracing your steps trying to find where the lost item might be.

A couple of weeks ago I found a ‘new looking’ electric bike charger unit in the middle of a busy roadway. Probably fell off a ‘carrier’ or out of the rider’s back-pack maybe?

Discovering its value, I took it to the police station. I hope the owner has been happily re-united with it.

Probably the most terrible feeling of losing anything is if your child ever goes missing. Years ago when our kids were little, they got lost - or it’s more accurate to say, we lost them…not that we’re candidates for a ‘parenting with negligence’ award, it just happened so quickly.

I took one of my preschool daughters to a mall and I needed to use the men’s bathroom.

Parent rooms were not available. It seemed the best and ‘safest’ thing to leave her in a little foyer outside the “Men’s” area, with strict instructions to stay there for a minute. I bustled into the loo, completed my mission and went out to find her gone.

It wasn’t long, but the horror of discovering your child isn’t where they’re meant to be, is sickening. I ran back into the toilets with my mind racing. She was actually ‘sitting’ in a wall hung urinal, her little legs swinging from the ‘bowl’. The mixed feelings of relief and disgust were hard to sort! She’d evidently followed me just after I‘d gone in and I’d missed her.

My wife eclipsed my effort with two of our ‘littlies’ parking by a shop to race in and pick up something. Four year old and

two year old unbuckled themselves planning to find Mum as ‘she’d taken too long and might be lost’. They ‘found’ her after she had returned to find an empty car and bolted back inside, panicked by tormenting abduction thoughts plus other awful possibilities.

A very unimpressed security guard appeared with the children in tow and some handy parenting advice. Such episodes hint at how utterly dreadful it must be for any parent or care-giver when a child goes missing and is lost interminably under uncertain circumstances.

Chapter 15 of Luke’s Gospel in the Bible, is devoted to three stories Jesus told about lost things.

A sheep, a coin and a son. A man had plenty of sheep but discovering one was lost, he searched until he found it, carrying it home on his shoulders rejoicing. The woman who lost a silver coin was overjoyed too, throwing a celebration when she found it.

The father ‘lost’ his son when the boy demanded an early inheritance payout. After leaving home he quickly blew everything in a splurge of riotous cavorting.

Miserably shamed, he came to his senses, returning home offering to be a lowly unpaid servant to his dad. The father saw his repentant son coming and ran to embrace him. Everyone enjoyed a massive homecoming party except a self-righteous, resentful older brother.

Jesus’ stories describe God’s joy and heaven’s celebration when one ‘lost’ broken person is restored.

Gold clams – here to stay

By Roy Pilott

A new study has modelled which habitats might be most vulnerable to gold clam infestations – and suggest they are here to stay and finding the country more hospitable because of climate change.

It suggests the focus should be on stopping spread rather than eradication.

The tiny pest, which can selffertilise and lay 70,000 eggs a year, are in a stretch of the Waikato River at Karāpiro.

Corbicula fluminea is a highly invasive freshwater mollusc, which has been restricted to the Waikato since being found last years, but there are fears it will spread and water users have been targeted in a campaign.

The Ministry of Primary Industries was criticised by The News over its communication having become aware the clams were in the Waikato River last year and it was subsequently criticised for a “lack of haste” in not communicating with partners and shareholders with the same urgency seen around the mycoplasma bovis outbreak.

Parliament’s Environment Committee suggested it appeared MPI had prematurely eliminated the option of eradication,

The new study’s lead author, University of Otago student Rose Somerville, completed the paper alongside Cawthron Institute freshwater scientists Calum MacNeil

and Finnbar Lee while on placement at Cawthron as a summer scholar.

They found the most accommodating habitats in the North Island were in northern Waikato, Auckland, Northland, Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay. In the South Island the most suitable habitats included Marlborough, North Canterbury and Christchurch.

The details of the report were released on Monday.

Somerville said there was an urgent need to identify suitable habitats for the species beyond the Waikato, given the high probability of spread.

“Our aim was to use modelling to identify habitats in different parts of Aotearoa New Zealand that would be the most suitable for the gold clam to thrive in by looking at environmental variables associated with the species’ distribution here and in other parts of the world where it lives,” Somerville said.

“We looked at environmental variables such as temperature, slope, elevation, the sand content of the river/lakebed, and the pH of the water.

“The value of using a statistical model is it gives us a bit of a head start on the invasion. By identifying freshwater habitats with similar conditions to those where the gold clam occurs internationally, we can allocate resources to high-risk environments.”

“Worryingly, we found temperature to be a key driver of habitat, with the gold clam preferring

warmer waters, suggesting that climate change may result in more of the country becoming suitable habitat for the clam.”

Calum MacNeil, an invasion ecologist at Cawthron Institute, said the gold clam is a major threat to New Zealand’s freshwater ecosystem health.

“Because it’s a recent arrival, the long-term impacts of invasion are yet to be determined, but there’s a lot of evidence to suggest gold clam could outcompete other species including our native freshwater mussel species the Kākahi.”

“Beyond the damage to ecosystems, Gold Clam has also been reported to cause damage to infrastructure by biofouling things like water treatment systems and power plants.”

Finnbar Lee said the study suggested the focus should be on preventing the species from gaining a foothold in new habitats.

“Eradication is a very difficult task once the species has established, so we should focus on preventing it from spreading in the first place,” Lee said.

“Our study only considered where the clam is most likely to spread, but another important consideration is how the clam may move between catchments, for example spread via fishing gear, boats or trailers.

“Identifying the potential dispersal pathways between catchments will further inform where management should be targeted.

INTRODUCING

Karāpiro Domain site manager Liz Stolwyk – also Waipā’s deputy mayor – was pictured last August with clams she removed from the boat ramp.

by Ray Cooney

Another milestone reached

By Mary Anne Gill

Magnus Adlam is under no illusion as he watches a truck and trailer unit reverse down the Karāpiro Dam road from the spillway carpark.

“That should sort the men out from the boys,” he says as the trailer’s load – a new 40-tonne water intake gate – edges closer to a crane waiting on the north-eastern side of Ariki Street.

Adlam, Mercury’s Operation Readiness coordinator, recalls the time three years ago when a truck and trailer, not dissimilar in size, got stuck on the single lane concrete arch bridge dam road.

So, there is no room for error, precision is the name of the game, he says.

“That piece there is probably one of the most important parts of the dam. When everything goes wrong, up here somewhere or down there, it’s a big valve that stops the water coming in.”

Two and a half hours later, the job is done, the emergency dam gate is in its place having been loaded by crane into a cradle on the trailer from the spillway carpark and taken along the road where another crane

gently slotted it into place in the dam.

All being well the gate –eight metres wide, six metres high and 0.75 metres deep - will stay there for years protecting one of the dam’s three new generators.

It was the second milestone in Mercury’s $90 million upgrade at Karāpiro Hydro Power Station on Waikato River.

Three new power generation units housing hydro turbines which make electricity from the river’s force will provide an additional five megawatts, enough for 19,000 homes.

The third one should be in place next year and Ariki Street dam road reopened to the public.

“It’s a refurbishment in the truest word. From

32MWs to 37MWs. With new technology and design, you get more bang for your buck,” says Adlam, who has worked at Karāpiro for 15 years.

“With the same amount of water, we can generate more electricity.”

His job in the future will be keeping an eye on any maintenance issues, such as replacing the seals in the gate.

Three engineers, who previously worked for Norwegian company Norconsult and now operate as contractors, can be seen from the Karāpiro Dam Lookout smiling with relief.

Earlier Dean Hassall, Chris Lucas and Kristen Kwo told The News the work involved in designing the dam gates. Each gate

took six people about a year to fabricate in Palmerston North.

“The horizontal beams are full of holes to let air out and water in,” says Lucas, who also mentions his parents did their courting at Karāpiro in the late 1940s.

The three new gates are far superior in hydraulic design compared to the original gates, which were installed more than 75 years ago.

“Design has advanced a lot since then,” says Kwo.

Another interested onlooker was local Fiona Soanes who was taking her dog for a walk when she saw the cranes in action.

She and her late husband moved to Karāpiro from Wellington 14 years ago.

“There’s always activity going on here. It’s a great area,” she says as the rain pummels down helping to feed Karāpiro Dam.

Mercury has nine hydro stations on the Waikato River – Karāpiro, Maraetai, Ōhakuri, Arapuni, Whakamaru, Aratiatia, Waipāpa, Ātiamuri and Taupō – producing about 10 per cent of New Zealand’s electricity.

• More photos cambridgenews.nz

Norconsult engineers, from left Dean Hassall, Chris Lucas and Kristen Kwo ready for the gate they designed to go into place at Karāpiro Dam.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Community Connect

July 18, 2024

Waipā is the Home of Champions

Come along to the Waipā Fan Festival to celebrate our hometown heroes as they take on the world at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games!

When: Sunday, August 4 from 9am - 12pm

Where: Grassroots Trust Velodrome, Cambridge

Fulfilling a community need

Last Friday, we changed the lives of 10 Waipā residents when we opened the new pensioner housing units at Vaile Court in Cambridge.

What’s on offer: Fun family activities, including velodrome tours, have-a-go track sessions, kid challenges, plus more.

With over 40 Waipā athletes heading to Paris, now’s the time to show Waipā really is the Home of Champions.

To get involved and find out more visit: WaipaHomeofChampions Waipa_NZ waipadc.govt.nz/welovewaipa

WHAT’S ON

• Dog registration reminder: Register your dog before penalty fees kick in on August 1. Scan the QR code to register your dog today.

• Plastic Free July: Learn how to make your own household cleaners at the Te Awamutu Library on Saturday, July 27. There are two sessions available. Scan the QR code to find out more and register.

• Frontier Estate Playground Opening: Celebrate the latest addition to Frontier Estate in Te Awamutu, on Saturday, July 27, from 11am to 2pm.

• Have your say! Lake Ngā Roto and Pirongia Skatepark:

• Shape Lake Ngā Roto’s future by providing feedback on the the draft recreation reserve management plan before 5pm, Sunday, July 28.

• Share your ideas for the future skatepark in Pirongia at a drop-in session on Saturday, July 27, between 1pm to 3pm at the Pirongia Rugby and Sports Club. Feedback is welcome until 5pm, Thursday, August 1.

• Scan the QR code to have your say!

This project means a lot to Waipā and we take great pride in the fact that we are one of the few councils in New Zealand that provides housing for residents over the age of 60. It fulfils a genuine need within the community and given our country’s aging demographic, the demand for this type of housing is increasing. I think we have a moral obligation to assist where we can, for those seniors in Waipā on fixed incomes who, for a number of reasons, find themselves in need of long-term affordable accommodation. Housing affordability in the district is one of the more significant issues we are working on. The success of the project also highlighted the benefit of having strong partnerships with businesses and organisations with like-minded values. It’s been amazing partnering with Habitat for Humanity and Ministry of Housing and Urban Development on this project. Recognition must also go to the consultants, head contractors Livingstone Building and Camex, as well as our dedicated council staff, whose collective hard work has made this project a reality. Together, we’ve aimed to create homes that not only meet immediate needs of those that live in them, but go a step further and hope to enhance their quality of life.

We are proud to acknowledge the units set a benchmark now for high-end architectural specification in pensioner housing. They are built to a six Homestar rating, promising energy savings and a healthier living environment with improved warmth, insulation, and dryness for those that call them home. I was fortunate to have had a sneak preview of one of the units some weeks back and I was extremely impressed with the quality of the fitout and the level of consideration put into the design of the units. It is also plain to see they are in a great location, close to shops, with doctors, a supermarket and pharmacy right there, in the very heart of a growing and popular Leamington.

I am pleased to say these new units will add to Waipā’s existing 93 pensioner dwellings spread across Cambridge, Kihikihi and Te Awamutu, which will bring our total number of tenants to 117. That is something that we should all be proud of as a community that cares.

Waipā District Mayor, Susan O’Regan

ON SHAKY

GROUND

When size really does matter

Swimming in the warm ocean, I was looking across large and very busy tourist facilities on the southern flanks of Tenerife. The swimmers around me were laughing and posing for photos, I was looking above the steep terrain at the top of Teide volcano, daydreaming about its very explosive potential.

Clues as to how it erupts are found across the island. Just like we see around Taupō and Rotorua, here are ignimbrite and pumice deposits from Plinian eruptions. The remnants of the larger explosive eruption style that can bury the landscape with hot rock very quickly. In volcanology, this is what first comes to mind when thinking about this very popular tourist destination.

It’s not this simple though, if we could call that scenario simple for a moment (it’s not). Also around the island are much smaller scoria cones and many lava flows, like we see throughout Auckland; remains of eruptions similar in style to the one I have been studying on the nearby La Palma. Additionally, some interacted with water to form explosive phreatomagmatic events with pyroclastic surges (rich in steam/gas, very hot, very fast).

If you oversaw readying this population for an eruption, where would you begin? Keeping in mind that agencies have different responsibilities. Volcanologists work to understand the volcanic system, what might happen, and how that might impact us. Civil Defence agencies manage what people need to do (for example, evacuations). Critical utilities like power, water, or roads, are run by those respective sectors. Then there is the political response for areas like financial help. Volcanologists could have a perfect understanding of what would happen (we usually don’t), but if the response isn’t in order what good would that do? What good is knowing what an eruption will look like if people have no idea what to do with that information?

The response will be different depending on the eruption style. If you have a small eruption with a small lava flow away from people and a lot of ash, you will have to think about things like utilities, airlines, and health impacts. If you have a large lava flow field forming through a populated area, you need local evacuations as well as dealing with ash and gas. If you have a phreatomagmatic eruption, you now

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By Janine Krippner

have the uncertainty of where very fast pyroclastic surges might go. If you have the larger and much rarer style Plinian eruption, you might be considering evacuating the entire island. You don’t want to evacuate everyone for a small lava flow, that inflicts its own damage and can also destroy critical trust in responders.

When we detect magma starting to move far below, how would you begin to make useful plans for this wide style of eruption processes from small to very large? In school we are taught that volcano ‘types’ produce specific eruption styles but that is just very unhelpful in my opinion. I would much rather our communities understand the difference between a pyroclastic flow, lava flow, lahar, and ash, and know exactly what to do if you are facing them.

Understanding our volcanoes and the uncertainty around allows everyone to respond as effectively as we can with chaotic and evolving volcanic processes, and this needs to be well underway while people take a relaxing swim in the ocean without a care in the world.

More art on ride

By Mary Anne Gill

Two new sculptures on the Cambridge to Velodrome section of the Te Awa River Ride greeted participants with a splash of smoke and colour during the recent Light Night Ride.

Wag the dog – with frisbee in his mouth –stands guard overlooking the Waikato River while further up eel Kuwharuwharu sits at the bottom of the Velodrome path.

The James Wright corten steel creations were installed in May and funded by the Brian Perry Charitable Trust as part of a new river ride art trail.

More art will come, trail manager Sarah Ulmer told The News.

Cambridge Community Board chair Jo DaviesColley said she loved the art.

“The art is amazing.

It adds so much fun and interest to an already stunning track.”

Wright is an Aucklandbased sculptor known for his hundreds of large scale corten steel sculptures around the country.

• More photos cambridgenews.nz

CAMBRIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE CALLS OVER THE LAST WEEK

WEDNESDAY

MONDAY 6:42pm, Switchboard fire, Thirlwall Lane

9:55am, Cardiac Arrest, Bryce Street 1:09pm, Building Alarm and evacuation, Ruakura Road 11:56pm, Building Alarm and evacuation, Hautapu Road

TUESDAY 2:24pm, building alarm activation, Duke Street 5.08pm, building alarm activation, Hautapu Road

WEDNESDAY

10.53am, smoke alarm sounding, Grosvenor Street

FRIDAY 5:11am, Domestic flooding, Duke Street

FRIDAY 8:42am, Building Alarm and evacuation. Maungatautari Road

SUNDAY 3:53am, Medical assistance, Karapiro Road

SUNDAY 9:53am, building alarm and evacuation, Cambridge Road

Nim, a three-year-old Huntaway – owned by the Davies-Colley family - stops to admire Wag the dog.

Photo: Supplied.

TOWNHOUSES AVAILABLE NOW

We have two and three bedroom townhouses available now at Ryman’s Patrick Hogan Village.

All offer spacious open plan living, with contemporary kitchens and bathrooms, and your own private patio.

Two bedroom townhouses priced from $735,000.

Three bedroom townhouses priced from $1,035,000.

Have certainty about your living costs, knowing your base weekly fee is fixed for the entire time you occupy your townhouse.

Camille’s marathon effort

By Viv Posselt

Almost everything about Camille French’s punt at a top Paris Olympics placing speaks to the power of great support.

When the 33-year-old athlete left for France last week, part of the swell of national pride going with her will be a wave emanating from Cambridge. Although Hamilton is where she was born and where she now lives with husband Cameron French and their toddler Sienna, Cambridge is where she was raised as Camille Buscomb, where she was educated, and where her early talent was spotted.

Camille promised herself Paris after her Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020 went awry. Because of an airplane seating plan that put her next to a Covid positive passenger, she was placed under tight closecontact restrictions which meant she was isolated for much of the games. Training was severely curtailed, and Camille ended up under-performing in both her 5000m and 10,000 women’s races.

It was then, driven by a dogged determination familiar to her Cambridge-based parents Cheryl and Lloyd Buscomb, that she committed to being 100 percent ready for Paris.

Camille’s early schooling was at Cambridge East and Cambridge Middle schools, and it was while at the latter that her athletics career started with a visit to the Cambridge Athletic Track. Lloyd remembers being approached by coach Graham Turner who thought Camille would make a good middle distance runner. He took her on and remained her coach until she took up an athletic scholarship at Purdue University in the United States after finishing her year 13 at St Peter’s School.

A raft of championships followed, taking Camille all over the country then further afield. She competed in the 2007 Australian Youth Olympic Festival, won silver in the 2015 World University Games, and participated in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Her parents were committed to taking her where she needed to go, watching her race in London and in Doha where she qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.

Camille was by then engaged to New Zealand 400m hurdler and Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games representative Cameron French and new plans were being made.

“We wanted to have a family … I thought I’ll have a baby now and then get back into training for the Paris Olympics,” she said.

Sienna’s birth just over two years ago, and her decision to change to the marathon, catapulted Camille into a new style of training with coach Nic Bideau. Family stepped in to help navigate her training schedule; Camille scored her first post-motherhood success when she ran under the Olympic qualifying standard at the Valencia marathon last year.

Now it’s all go for France, and there to cheer her on will be proud parents Cheryl and Lloyd.

“As we stand on August 11 on

the streets of Paris, as Camille joins the other 79 elite women’s distance runners, the previous two years of disappointments and successes

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There are only 3 one-bedroom or two-bedroom supported living apartments still available in the new Hanlin Building. These easy-living apartments are in the heart of our established retirement village with its own café and village shop right on your doorstep. Enjoy the community vibe and great lifestyle with the added benefit of care and support as you require.

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will dissolve into tears of pride and joy,” he said. “We feel so blessed to experience a moment that so few families can share.”

Camille, Cameron and little Sienna…la famille French…will be in France to support Camille who left last week for her marathon run at the Paris Olympics.

Photo: Viv Posselt

Pathway project almost done

By Mary Anne Gill

government put similar projects on hold.

The end is nigh for the $10.2 million Cambridge Pathway, and it can’t come soon enough for two polarised groups.

If graffiti on a Waipā District Council sign outside the Gaslight Theatre is to be believed, “No one wanted this!”

But then there are the people who stick their heads up on social media every now and again – or email the council - to say they cannot wait for the opportunity to ride through the town on their bikes, untroubled by vehicles.

Proud supporters of KRI and Maadi rowing

The sections being worked on – Bryce, Alpha, Wilson and Bath streets – will be finished just after Souter House in Victoria Street next month.

SINCE 1974

Once finished, the orange cones and shingle will disappear

Cambridge

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until work starts later this year on the pathway extension near Cambridge Middle School on Clare and Grey streets. Transport manager Bryan Hudson told The News while signs suggests there would be a new roundabout for Williamson Street and Dominion Ave, plus a raised intersection near the Victoria High Level bridge, road engineers were having a rethink and consultation would take place with the community.

Cambridge Pathway links existing paths and was a joint investment in safe walking, scootering and cycling to make it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle.

The council banked $7.2 million from Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency Climate Emergency Relief Fund’s Transport Choices programme before the coalition

But there has been some confusion about the status of the pathway where green bits sit alongside pedestrian crossings.

“The sign advising path users to ‘watch for traffic’ is to alert a cyclist, that they still need to take care and make sure they have been seen by vehicle drivers and the vehicle is going to actually stop for them. The same as pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing should look to see that they have been seen and the driver can stop in time if they step out.”

• More photos cambridgenews.nz

“Legally the vehicle driver needs to give way to both pedestrians and cyclists using these crossing points. There is a give way sign for the driver just before the crossing point to indicate that,” the council said in a statement.

Nearly there: Work at the end of Wilson Street on the Cambridge Pathway is almost complete.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

CountryLife

Kirwan offers tools to cope

By Mary Anne Gill

Farmers have virtually no control over the most important things that happen around their farms, but they can ensure they don’t take over their lives.

That was the take home message from John Kirwan, who readily admitted to farmers at Fieldays last month that he knows nothing about farming, but experience has taught him how to look after his mental health.

“Most farmers are quite introverted; you sleep and work with your business partner. When you get put under pressure, you work harder because that’s what you think you should do, so you don’t take any time off.

“You are normally isolated, and you have no control over the most important things around your

The signs of depression

• Feeling tired all the time, having no energy

• Sleeping too much, or not enough

• Feeling worthless and hopeless, low self-esteem

• Loss of appetite or overeating

• Sadness or emotional numbness.

Tips

• Stay connected

• Be active in a different way

• Try to manage your stress

• Eat well

• Protect your sleep

• Identify what brings you happiness

• Give yourself time to relax

• Stay on top of daily chores

• Try not to procrastinate

• Avoid negative thinking

• Know when to get help.

farm. Things like milk, wool, sheep and beef prices.

“All of these things are out of your control. That is challenging for your mental health so you should take control,” said Kirwan, who was knighted in 2012 for services to mental health and rugby.

He was at Fieldays with Westpac, the bank he has been an ambassador for since 2013 sharing his experience of suicide ruminations, depression and tools to cope.

Anxiety, depression and burnout took away self-confidence, enjoyment in life and self-esteem, he said.

“A minute feels like an hour, an hour feels like a day and a day feels like a week,” he said. “So, by the end of every day, you’ve got no confidence, no self-esteem, no enjoyment in life and you’re incredibly tired.

“I went to a farmer’s place once. This farmer was in a bad way.

“I looked out his window and I said to him ‘wow I would pay $250 a night for this’. All he could see was debt, all he could see was weather, all he could see was what needed to be done on the farm.”

He said it was important to “connect with your community” – but acknowledged it would be hard because farmers were often isolated.

Kirwan openly speaks about his battle with depression and when it came to a head. He was in Argentina in 1985, on an All Blacks’ tour, where he scored six tries, including four in two test matches.

“There was a window open, and I was on the 10th floor of the Hilton in Buenos Aires. I was sick of fighting the suicidal ruminations. I was plucking up the courage to jump out of the window.”

It was only the intervention from

his roommate Michael Jones which stopped him.

“He saved my life. I played a test match the next day and scored two tries. It was irrelevant.”

Kirwan told All Blacks’ doctor John Mayhew who told him what the winger had was an illness, not a weakness, and he needed to see an expert.

So, Kirwan consulted a psychologist – who asked what he would do if he had a hamstring injury and he said he would ice it.

“Your brain is no different, you’ve got a hamstring in the head,” she said.

“I used to use alcohol as the ice…”

After several consultations, Kirwan accepted he had a problem. He was prescribed an anti-depressant and the psychologist started to take him through the six pillars of wellbeing.

Emotional, physical, financial, social, intellectual and spiritual.

“I’ve gone from surviving to thriving. I look after my mental health every day. It’s made me a better dad, better husband, better workmate, better me.”

Farmers could look at what they can control not what they cannot control.

“I spoke to a whole lot of farmers and asked them, ‘who controls the milk prices? Who controls the weather? God whatever, not us.’

Farmers cannot control the weather, but they could prepare and have a plan, a worry map. Like everyone, farmers could try chilling, celebrating, enjoying, connecting, moving and doing, he said.

Kirwan is learning how to play the guitar. He admits he is bad at it but it helps him.

He cooks, reads, walks the dog, surfs and moves.

“Do one thing in our day… once you’ve done ‘dot’, then do ‘dat’

(do another thing). Be aware of when you are under pressure.”

Knowing the signs was important.

“Your first stop is to find some time, some time to reflect.

“Who’s so busy you can’t connect with your partner? Stress and pressure can make you feel alone, but connecting with people can make you feel alive.”

Former All Black John Kirwan runs through how to cope with burnout and depression.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Different messages

By Clyde Graf, Waipā-King Country Councillor

The discharge of contaminants to waterways is something that Waikato Regional Council (WRC) is charged with monitoring and preventing.

Recently, a prominent Waikato farming company was fined for discharging “a large volume of dairy effluent in a paddock”.

The $94,500 prosecution was initiated by the regional council. Clearly, the potential contamination of waterways is taken very seriously by council.

Pureora farmers Peter Grant and Tina Goldsmith contacted me last week, concerned about an aerial 1080 poisoning operation happening this month, and surrounding their farm.

They say they have endured 10 aerial operations over 30 years, witnessing the horrific deaths of five of their dogs, other farm animals and wildlife, following previous regional council operations.

Peter and Tina say it is pretty demoralising and they’ve had to collect baits from their paddocks following over-sprays, leaving some paddocks too dangerous to stock.

Although they’re supplied bottled water following the aerial operations – because of contamination to their water supplies - they argue it’s insufficient. They say their neighbours are unhappy too.

Information provided by Peter and Tina reveals that it’s the council and the Department of Conservation poisoning 85,000 hectares of the Pureora Forest Park and surrounding area, with enough 1080 – based on the manufacturer’s warning label – to kill 2.5 million people, in this operation alone.

The Waikato farmers have good reason to be upset. Information supplied by DOC shows that when the aerial operations are undertaken, the deadly bait is spread not only across land, but also directly into almost all waterways within the

Flat

operational boundaries.

The 1080 poison is manufactured in the United States and its warning label states “This product is very highly toxic to mammals and other wildlife. Birds and mammals feeding on the carcasses of contaminated livestock may be killed. Keep out of any body of water. Apply this product as only specified on the label.”

The warning is hardly surprising, given 1080 poison has no antidote and is listed in the World Health Organisation’s most toxic category. In New Zealand, the toxic baits and animal carcasses are left to decompose where they fall, on land and in water.

In most states of America, 1080 poison is banned. The US manufacturer, Charles Wiggly, says the United States uses just four tablespoons of pure 1080 poison per year (in sheep collars, used against coyote attacks). New Zealand, he says, purchases most of the five tonnes of pure poison he manufactures, annually. That’s more than enough poison to kill over 50 million people, each year. That’s potentially a lot of contaminated aquifers, and yet testing for 1080 or its metabolites in aquifers isn’t undertaken.

In 2015, WRC, DOC and TB Free jointly applied for a resource consent to spread 1080 poison across land and water for another 35 years, but in 2017, John Key’s Government exempted 1080 poison from needing a resource consent, so the joint application was dropped. That isn’t surprising, given our Government owns the factory that imports pure 1080, and manufactures the bait.

The regional council’s position on prosecuting farmers for contaminating waterways with effluent seems hypocritical, given that it spreads the deadly pesticide 1080 directly into those same waterways, and with impunity.

Smoothing the road

By Jim van der Poel, DairyNZ chair

Right now on dairy farms around the country the first calves are being born, generally in the middle of the night. Farmers are managing crop rotations, wintering and new season budgets. They’re having conversations with their bankers and insurers. Kids are home for school holidays. That is just life for farming families and everyone has to balance their own challenges.

In the background for farmers as with other industries are pending political cycles. These can bring changes to regulation, uncertainty while policy is decided upon, and a disconnect between national and local level while decisions are made.

And to paraphrase Nuffield Scholar Kylie Leonard, it’s best for farmers to be at the table, rather than on the menu.

DairyNZ represents 10,600 dairy farmers and its duty is to help keep them and their farming businesses moving forward.

In the past nine months of a changed government, we’ve seen several policy changes begin to roll out

Much of this we’ve advocated for and welcome. It is our job to keep engaging, and we do so with information that is supported by worldclass scientists and farm system expertise.

We are submitting on behalf of farmers in regard to climate targets and emissions reduction plans, immigration and workforce development, the biosecurity act and freshwater standards.

We are following closely impending government changes to genetic technology regulation.

We will do what we can to help get bipartisan support for regulations that are logical and support good farming practices. Hopefully then we can bed down those rules and not

have them disrupted every few years.

It is important we share our knowledge with decisionmakers to ground policy in reality. Much of our knowledge aligns with the realities of the global market, which is changing the way we farm.

Recently at the Primary Industries NZ Summit we heard from Rabobank that 80 percent of Zealand’s exports are destined for countries with mandatory climate-related disclosures either in force or on the way.

New Zealand dairy farmers have always innovated and will continue to do so. This is the basis of New Zealand’s prosperity and today we stand proud as an internationally competitive dairy farming nation.

We produce over 20 billion litres of milk a year and bring in $25 billion in export revenue.

Dairy employs 55,000 people and last year accounted for about 36% of all New Zealand’s goods exports.

New Zealand dairy farmers have a solid reputation as producers of safe, low-emissions, high-quality milk who uphold the highest standards of care for animals and environment. The success of dairy underpins the success of the New Zealand economy and the wellbeing of New Zealanders.

At the end of the day farmers and politicians surely have a similar end goal – a prosperous, safe, secure country and strong links to the outside world.

It’s good to be at the table so that on behalf of our farmers we can chart a more enduring course for sustainable growth.

Because at the end of the day, when dairy does well, New Zealand does well.

Waikato lab tackles mastitis

By Chris Gardner

New Zealand’s only facility dedicated to mastitis testing at Waikato Innovation Park is helping dairy farmers reduce cases and costs.

Microbiologists at Farm Medix’s Hamilton laboratory analyse milk samples from farms across the country. Through advanced pathogen identification techniques, they partner with GEA Farm Technologies New Zealand subsidiary FIL to create strategies to lower somatic cell counts and reduce clinical bovine mastitis in herds.

Paeroa dairy farmer Stephen Begbie credits FIL for the significant reduction in

mastitis cases on his farm over three years.

“I had been grappling with a significant mastitis problem, the somatic cell count was spiking up and down, reaching as high as 380,000.”

Begbie tested his whole herd. Out of 320 cows, 30 were identified as having Staphylococcus aureus. By segregating these cows, milking them last and supplying milk without the Staphylococcus aureus cows in the vat, he reduced the somatic cell count from 380,000 to 85,000 in one day.

Last year, Begbie only had six cases of mastitis and by taking a selective approach to drying off, he only had to

dry cow 10 per cent of his herd.

Begbie is a strong advocate of lab testing, allowing for ongoing monitoring and targeted interventions.

He saved between $2000 and $3000 on dry cowing last year because his cell count was so low.

Mastitis control accounts for about 85 per cent of antibiotics used on New Zealand dairy farms.

“Dairy companies are realising that preventing mastitis, not just treating it, results in more milk in the vat,” said FIL national sales manager Colin May.

“Through evidence-based interventions, we are

improving milk quality, increasing herd productivity and supporting sustainable agricultural practices, both within New Zealand and globally.”

Fagan shows his class

By Doug Laing

Te Kuiti’s Jack Fagan and Pongaroa’s David Buick have celebrated a test shearing win for New Zealand.

It was the second success for The Wools of New Zealand Shearing Sports New Zealand shearing team in a matter of days on its six-match tour of the Europe. The win came at the French

championships on Saturday in Martel as Fagan and Buick beat the French team of brothers Gilles and Pierre Renton.

Fagan won the French final in 2016 and 2017, following father Sir David Fagan’s exit from 33 years in Open-class shearing with victory in the event in 2015.

Saturday’s wins came two days after a double at the Great Yorkshire Show, including a win over England, at the Great Yorkshire Show. It meant the Kiwis had won two of the three tests on the annual northern tour that culminates with a three-test series against Wales, at the Cothi Shears on July 24, and the Corwen Shears on July 27.

Both the test and the open final, each of 20 sheep each, were exciting spectacles as Fagan and Pierre Grancher, from Creuse in Central France, battled for the time honours, finishing almost blow for blow.

Grancher was first-off in the test, winning the race by four seconds from Fagan and shearing the 20 sheep in 14m 6s, but the King Country

shearer had the better quality points and claimed individual honours by 6.6 of the Kiwis’ winning margin of 8.65pts.

It was much closer in the Open final, where Fagan again posted the better quality points but was also first-off, his 13m 24s pipping Grancher by just two seconds, and claiming the overall win by just 1.2pts.

Team manager Mark Barrowcliffe, of Piopio, said the events and Fagan’s experience on the “tricky little sheep” paid dividends. The sheep were the French breed caussenade du lot.

A regular in France and a fluent speaker of French, Fagan has now won 22 Open finals, along with 63 speedshear events.

Farm Medix chief scientific officer Natasha Maguire at work

Jack Fagan in action in France.

Young farmer title goes south

“A sharemilking job would be awesome.”

That’s one of the hopes George Dodson has after being crowned the 56th FMG Young Farmer of the Year in Hamilton last weekend.

He succeeded the competition’s first female winner – Pirongia’s Emma Poole.

He said he hoped the win support him in the future – especially in his Canterbury community and the next step in his career.

After his win he spoke of his hope of getting a sharemilking position

and getting more support for the Canterbury Young Dairy Farmers Leaders Network which he had started.

Dodson, 23, pipped the Northern representative Caleb Eady by three points. Aorangi Young Farmer Gareth McKerchar finishing up in third place.

Dodson’s win capped three days of challenges against six other finalists including Waikato’s representative Dennis Main from Piarere.

Challenges included an exam,

an interview, heavy machinery, livestock, quizzes, and public speaking.

More than 500 spectators poured into the Claudelands Oval to watch the action unfold during Friday’s practical day. Points added up with every challenge, and the race continued to play out until the final buzzer quiz on Saturday evening.

It was Dodson’s performance in the final buzzer quiz that secured him the win.

“My Dad put hours and hours and hours into helping me prepare. I also had some of the boys coming out once a week from an hour’s drive away to test me on the buzzer, and I think that showed,” he said.

As well as the title, Dodson also claimed the Agri-Knowledge award and over $90,000 in prizes.

New Zealand Young Farmers chief executive Lynda Coppersmith said Dodson impressed with his broad knowledge and impressive leadership skills.

“FMG Young Farmer of the Year is one of the most prestigious farming awards in the country. It’s inspiring to see it go to someone who will not only be a strong ambassador for the next generation of young farmers, but the agricultural industry as a whole,” she said.

“After seeing the talent from this weekend, it’s exciting to see what the future of the food and fibre

sector will hold.”

A duo from Otago Boys’ High School in Dunedin picked up the junior young farmer of the year title.

Shamus Young, 18, and Hayden Drummond, 17, competed against 13 other teams from schools across the country.

Mt Hutt College students James Clark and Jack Foster were runners-up, while Kaela Brans and Liana Redpath from Napier Girls’ High School third.

The next generation of young farmers, the AgriKidsNZ competitors, also tackled a range of challenges during the event, including modules, quizzes, and an AgriKids race off as part of the grand final weekend.

A trio from Te Waotu School took out the title of AgriKidsNZ Grand Champions, winning three out of four sections of the competition overall.

Jackie Sneddon (12), Ben Barbour

(12) and Joshua Barbour (11) had finished fifth in the 2023 event in

George Dodson in action during the finals last weekend in Hamilton.

Love the choice.

Retirement can be blissfully laid back, or it can be wonderfully unretiring and active.

At Summerset, it’s your choice. From day to day, you have the freedom to pursue all your passions and hobbies, or just find a place to relax. All set within a secure, warm and friendly community.

Love the life you choose.

EASY

Brand new homes available now at Summerset Cambridge*

At Summerset, our retirement villages are designed to make sure you get the best out of your retirement. Summerset Cambridge is no exception, with a range of brand new homes ready to move in to now.

Two-bedroom homes are available with flexible pricing from just $675,500.* Plus, for a limited time, we’ll help you every step of the way with $15,000 cash back and a complementary moving package. Simply sign a sales application for a selected home between 01 July 2024 and 30 September 2024, and then settle by 6 December 2024.#

Open Day

Thursday 25 July 10am - 2pm

Summerset Cambridge

1 Mary Ann Drive, Cambridge 07 839 9482 | summerset.co.nz/cambridge

pricing arrangements are subject to a bespoke

terms, conditions, exclusions visit summerset.co.nz/cambridge-offer All Summerset homes are sold under a licence to

Once our stunning village centre is complete, residents and their families will be able to enjoy a range of resort-style facilities, from an indoor swimming pool and spa, to a hair & beauty salon and a public café.

Come along to our next Open Day to see why our residents love the Summerset life. Or, if you’d like to hear more sooner, just give Nikki Matthews, Sales Manager, a call and she’ll take you on a guided tour of this vibrant village. Our sales office is open 7 days so you’re welcome any time.

MA D E MOVING

Colts pipped by Marist again

Hautapu endured more heartbreak on Saturday when it was beaten 25-17 by Hamilton Marist in the Waikato colts rugby final for the Elliot Shield.

It was the fourth title in a row for Marist – and the third time it had beaten Hautapu in the final.

But there was good news from Hamilton at Waikato University’s ground with the Hautapu premier side beating the home team 27-14 to book a final against top seeded Hamilton Marist. Marist last won the shield in 2015.

Hautapu, last year’s champions, will go into the final the underdogs against Marist who remain unbeaten this season and who thumped Hamilton Old Boys 50-18 in the other semi-final.

Hautapu Colts, despite tries from Beau Wallace and captain Jeroslav Tamala, could not end the drought. Team manager Buzz Harris had hoped it was third time lucky for the plucky team.

“We are very proud of the tremendous gutsy effort our boys put in against a very good, and big Marist side. They tackled themselves to a standstill and showed lots of pride in the Hautapu jersey.”

The Hautapu Premier Development side went down to Old Boys 54-24, ending their hopes of reaching the final which will now be between Old Boys and Ōtorohanga.

Results: Premier - Hamilton Marist 50 Hamilton Old Boys 18, Waikato University 14 Hautapu 27, Te Awamutu 38 Fraser Tech 39; premier B: Hamilton Old Boys 54 Hautapu 24.

Division one premiership: Leamington A 22 Ōhaupō A 19; Div 1 B: Leamington B 19 Ōhaupō B 31.

Colts: Hautapu 17 Hamilton Marist 25; for 9th/10th: Morrinsville 17 Leamington 19.

Holding the line, from left Hautapu’s Anton Drnasin, Kane Gibberd, Te Taiwhanga, Declan Haiosi, Tony Mokoi and Ihaka Harper-Dent.

Photo: Jane Thompson.

Beau Wallace scores for the Hautapu Colts but in vain as Marist won the final 25-17.

Photo: Jane Thompson.

KNOW YOUR ACCOUNTANT

To

Accounted4 Directors left to right: Martyn Steffert, Geoff Hurst, David Faville, Kim Antonio and Jamie Fisher

Across 1. Junk mail (4) 4. Church district (6) 8. Stalker (7) 9. Work very hard (colloq) (5) 10. Reverberate (4) 11. Unafraid (8) 13. Therapy (9) 17. Desire to achieve (8) 19. Opera star (4)

Last week

21. Ground meat (5)

22. Worship (7) 23. Girdle (6) 24. Go up and down (2-2)

Down 2. Seer (7) 3. Liquefy (4) 4. Person who sets high standards (13) 5. Set aside (8)

6. Tremble (5) 7. Stick-up (5) 8. Quick look (4) 12. Fidgety (8) 14. Holy trio (7) 15. Pleasantly warm weather (5) 16. Naked (4) 18. Musical instrument (5) 20. Small bunch of flowers (4)

Across: 1. Dregs, 4. Palace, 8. Elusive, 9. Snarl, 10. Smell, 11. Instead, 12. Ninety, 14. Accuse, 17. Dribble, 19. Mocha, 21. Whole, 22. Stadium, 23. Tender, 24. Diner. Down: 1. Dressing down, 2. Exude, 3. Skillet, 4. Poetic, 5. Lists, 6. Chateau, 7. Sledgehammer, 13. Noisome, 15. Command, 16. Geyser, 18. Blend, 20. Cairn.

XROBGOGCUBEDROOMSN HSAOAUETCARPORTTHD NHKMRRFITTINGSTWSR HXWXESPKFROIRETNIY ABODE ADDRESS AREA BATHROOM BEDROOMS BUDGET BUILDER CARPORT CEILING CLADDING COLOURS CONSENT COTTAGE CUSTOM DEPOSIT DINING DOORS DRAINLAYER ELECTRICIAN EN SUITE FINANCE FITTINGS FRAME FREIGHT

GARAGE HALL HOMES INTERIOR KITCHEN KITSET LABOUR LAUNDRY LIVING OWNER PACKAGE PERMIT PLANS PLUMBER ROOF SITE TILER TOOLS VALUE WALLS

Lessons on ‘unlocking’ potential

By Mary Anne Gill

An internationally acclaimed retail expert says small town retailers should be open, welcoming and convenient in response to testing economic conditions.

First Retail Group managing director Chris Wilkinson is a specialist in unlocking potential in towns like Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Ōtorohanga and Te Kūiti.

His solutions have worked around New Zealand – including

Nelson, Queenstown, Invercargill, Kaitaia and Auckland suburbsAustralia and the United Kingdom.

Speaking at a Chamber of Commerce function this week in Cambridge, Wilkinson said towns needed to look vibrant and bustling in the face of economic challenges.

“A town centre is a very important part of the socioeconomic environment,” he told The News before the meeting.

He gave the example of how he arrived in Cambridge at 6am and was greeted warmly and

enthusiastically by a local café.

“I can’t tell you just how important that sort of thing is,” he said.

Working together and championing your own communities was a crucial step. Be positive with shoppers, he said.

“No-one’s out shopping for negative vibes.”

Earning the visit and sale had never been more important so “inspire and enthuse.”

The Chamber of Commerce brought Wilkinson to Cambridge to speak to retailers about navigating the ever-changing retail landscape. Among those present were Te Awamutu Chamber chief executive Shane Walsh, mayor Susan O’Regan, deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk and Cambridge Community Board chair Jo DaviesColley.

“Everyone is in the same situation across the country,” he said.

Customers were spending less, the cost of doing business had gone up and there was uncertainty in the economy.

But communities had the answers. Retailers could look at individual initiatives and develop their own niche.

“Something you can own and dominate in.”

Converting the visitors who attended events in communities was “domestic tourism” at its

best, said Stolwyk, who manages Mighty River Domain at Lake Karāpiro.

There were 100,000 people through the domain annually and with other events at places like Mystery Creek, attracting them into towns had to become a priority.

Others would happily take your audience and goodwill,

said Wilkinson who encouraged retailers to reset the narrative and work collectively.

Local businesses were competitive, unique and filled with choice and experiences. Get customers to be your advocates by dominating in digital visibility, he said.

“People are looking for good news stories so tell them.”

Record breaker in hall of fame

By Chris Gardner

In the summer of 1963, the New Zealand equestrian world changed forever.

Dairy farmer Colin Clarke and his 12-yearold thoroughbred Town Boy became a unit.

They were a force to be reckoned with as New Zealand prepared to send its first show jumping team to the Olympics in Tokyo in 1964.

The duo quietly started producing results, breaking the New Zealand showjumping height record twice in 1969.

“The first time was in Dunedin over hay bales at 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 metres) and the second time was 6 feet 8.5 inches (2.04

metres) over a brick wall,” Clarke, 86, of Puniu Rd, Te Awamutu, recalled.

He and his horse became veterans of more than 180 showjumping competitions and stars of the sport between 1963 and 1973 on both sides of the Tasman.

Their performance so many decades ago led them to being inducted into the Equestrian Sports New Zealand Hall of Fame this month.

The pair won the horse of the year title in 1969, along with seconds and three other Horse of the Year classes and three Grand Prix wins at Horse of the Year shows.

Clarke put it all down to the horse, which he raised on the family dairy farm on

Pokuru Rd, rather than his own skills.

“The horse did deserve it, and I couldn’t have done it without him,” Clarke said.

Town Boy retired in 1973.

“He was 23 years old. He could still jump all right, but if something happened to him and he dropped dead people would rubbish you.”

Town Boy lived another decade on the family farm.

Clarke continued farming after hanging up his saddle and crop.

“I haven’t been riding for quite a while,” he said.

Clarke wasn’t surprised to get a call from Equestrian Sports New Zealand concerning the hall of fame after so many years.

“I knew there were a few people working on the nomination,” he said.

Clarke’s sister, Maureen Silvester, said her brother was modest about his achievements but his recognition was “the best tonic anyone could get”.

“He’s got three scrapbooks of cuttings,” she said.

Clarke was one of four equestrians inducted into the hall of fame at a cocktail party and award ceremony at Rydges, Auckland, earlier this month.

“It was a brilliant evening,” he said.

His fellow recipients were Kallista Field, Maurice Beatson, and Taupo based Wally Niederer.

Equestrian Sports New Zealand board chair Lynda Clark said Clarke and his fellow half of fame inductees were outstanding representatives of New Zealand equestrian sports and an inspiration to all horse enthusiasts.

“The calibre of these equestrians demonstrates the ongoing commitment to a sport that continues to have a healthy presence in New Zealand. We know approximately 40,000 people in this country ride horses, from grassroots to high performance,” Clark said.

“It is a privilege to share the achievements of our competitors, while also celebrating the enjoyment of a sport many share with their equines.”

Be your own champions, from left Cambridge Chamber CEO Kelly Bouzaid, retail representative Debbie Simes and First Retail Group managing director Chris Wilkinson. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

First Retail Group managing director Chris Wilkinson talks about championing your own town to increase retail sales. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Colin Clarke was inducted into the Equestrian Sports New Zealand Hall of Fame.

Cambridge 63 Victoria Street

Listen up investors

• Prime Cambridge location • Earthquake strengthened to over 67% NBS • National brand tenant on new long-term lease •

Income $90,000 p/a + GST (net). This premium location with a first-class tenant is worth hearing more about. Seize the chance to own this premium commercial property located in the heart of Cambridge. This exceptional investment features Resonate Health as the national brand tenant, secured on a brand-new 6-year lease. With an impressive rental return of $90,000 per annum (net), this property promises a stable and lucrative income stream with fixed rental growth. The property boasts a strategic location on Victoria Street, ensuring high visibility and easy access for customers. Resonate Health, a reputable, and thriving and expanding healthcare provider, adds significant value and reliability to this investment, ensuring consistent rental income and a strong tenant profile. Don't miss out on this outstanding investment opportunity. Contact us today to arrange a viewing.

Cambridge 7B Dallas Place, Leamington

Nest or invest

Discover privacy and peacefulness at 7B Dallas Place - a 2 bedroom + single/office room dwelling. Nestled in a serene private right of way off a quiet cul-de-sac, this home offers tranquility and convenience, making it ideal for those seeking a peaceful retreat within Leamington, Cambridge. Bask in the natural light of the sun-filled conservatory, a versatile space perfect for relaxation, gardening, or reading. The high-pitched ceiling in the spacious living room enhances the sense of openness. A generous living room is perfect for entertaining guests or unwinding after a long day. Aluminum joinery ensures durability, low maintenance, and enhanced insulation. Additional features include a carport for vehicle protection and your own lawn space for gardening or outdoor activities. This charming unit is more than just a home; it is a lifestyle. Don't miss out - contact Jeremy today to arrange a viewing!

Auction 12.00pm, Tue 20th Aug, 2024, (unless sold prior), 34 Victoria Street, Cambridge

View By appointment

Web pb.co.nz/CBC182089

Alan Copeman M 021 874 222 E alan.copeman@pb.co.nz

Tony Wakelin M 021 569 299 E tony.wakelin@pb.co.nz

3 1 1 1 For Sale By Negotiation View By appointment Web pb.co.nz/CBU186107

Jeremy Doig M 027 771 1726 E jeremy.doig@pb.co.nz

Looking For Value In This Town?

- Cute weather board home, well positioned on a generous 1012m² (more or less) section opposite the scenic Recreation Reserve.

- Homely, sweet and inviting, offering everything you need for comfortable living.

- Features include: Fisher & Paykel stove and dishwasher, carpet floor coverings, open fireplace providing cosy warmth year-round, fully fenced & gated section, plus fenced back section – ample yard.

- An ideal development waiting to happen!

Loving Family Home - Space Galore!

- Motivated vendor who has next move planned.

- 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.

- Enjoy the ease of access to the heart of Cambridge and Lake Te Kooutu.

- North-facing and superbly positioned on a quarter-acre section –sun, space, convenience and comforts.

- Offering generous living spaces, four bedrooms, two bathrooms and an office/ TV snug; a perfect blend of versatility & functionality.

- Updates include a brand-new ensuite bathroom and walk-in robe, fresh interior paint and new carpet.

- With retro double glazing, log fireplace, heat pump and HRV system, comfortable temperatures can be guaranteed year-round.

- Enjoy the sunny and spacious seamless floor plan.

- Delightful and good-sized kitchen, dining, living and sheltered rear deck creates a comfortable space to entertain family, friends and guests – indoor-outdoor flow can be appreciated year-round.

- Offering three bedrooms and a generous family bathroom with well-sized corner shower with dual shower heads, large free-standing bath set on a fully fenced section.

- Gas hot water; heat pump and HRV system and separate laundry. Cute Cottage - Location Is King!

Ambient & Delightful - Favourable Location

- A spacious family home offering low maintenance living and a superb floor plan.

- Good-sized bedrooms including master bedroom on a separate wing with walk-in robe and ensuite.

- Beautifully tiled bathroom and ensuite detailing.

- Features include: attractive kitchen, open plan living, sun-filled living spaces, formal (currently used as a bedroom) and informal lounges.

- Wonderfully located for schooling options & close to bike/walk trails.

- Beautifully maintained property has immaculate landscaping and is tranquil, modern, and move-in ready.

- Spacious open plan layout with ample indoor-outdoor flow to a delightful & ambient outdoor entertainers deck with pizza oven.

- Three great-sized bedrooms including master bedroom with modern ensuite bathroom and walk-in robe.

- Stylish, well-equipped kitchen with 6 burner gas cooktop, Westinghouse oven & dishwasher.

Sweet Spot On Scott

- An enchanting family home, brilliant blend of modern & character – built in 1906 with enduring materials of Kauri, Totara and Rimu. Perfectly positioned on a generous 1012m2 (more or less) section

- Proudly offering three bedrooms, a large office/ fourth bedroom and a formal lounge.

- Internal access double garage with workbench. And a separate single garage/ shed, providing ample room for parking or storage.

- Updates: ducted air-conditioning, new carpet, repiled & rewired.

OPEN HOMES SATURDAY & SUNDAY 11 - 11.30AM

- Appreciate the new, super stylish kitchen and open plan

with park views.

- Two north-facing bedrooms with generous windows allowing for light-filled enjoyment master bedroom with private deck access).

- Renovated bathroom and toilet; separate laundry and internal access garage with auto door.

- This flawless abode is comfortably serviced by a heat pump and Smart Vent.

an escape in luxury to Tahiti WIN

Have your property appraised before 20 September and go in the draw to win a luxury escape to beautiful Tahiti.*

The prize includes return flights for two, a two-night stay in Papeete at Te Moana Tahiti Resort, and a five-night stay at Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea, plus transfers and more.

Contact us to book your appraisal today.

ARBORIST

ERASMUSON, Margaret

(Peggy) R.N, R.M. – Passed away peacefully at dawn on 6th July 2024. Dearly beloved wife of the late John, much loved and adored mother, mother-in-law and nannie to Shaun, Diane & Damon (Auckland); Breda, Shaun, Daniel, Isabelle & Oliver (Tamahere). Cherished aunty to her many nieces & nephews. Many thanks to Monsignor Frank Eggleton for the beautiful Requiem. Thanks to the staff at Atawhai Assisi home for their devoted care of Mum.

Requiescat in pace

In lieu of flowers, donations made to MSF Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors without borders www.msf.org or the Fred Hollows foundation www.hollows.org.nz would be appreciated. A private Requiem has been held.

MANN, Janette Alice –

Much loved and loving soulmate of Bryan (Chipper).

Adored stepmother of Michelle, and Tammy and Andrew. Cherished Net of Cody, Zac and Zoe. Forever in our hearts and memories. We will remember you always.

MANN, Janette Alice –Passed away on Tuesday 9th July 2024 at Lauriston Park Care Centre, Cambridge after a brave struggle with cancer. Aged 70 years. Devoted partner of Bryan (Chipper). Cherished mother and mother-in-law of Cindy, Christine and Dan. Adored Grandma of Holly and Ethan. Treasured daughter of Dawn Brittin and dearly loved sister and sister-in-law of Pam and Peter, Alf and Debbie, Gaylene and Grant. A service for Janette was held at St Andrews Church, Cambridge on Tuesday 16th July followed by interment at Hautapu Cemetery.

MANN, Janette Alice – So dearly loved and treasured daughter of Dawn Brittin. Loved and respected sister and sister-in-law of Pam and Peter Sutton, Alf and Debbie Cox, Gaylene and Grant Hitchcock (all of Cambridge) and dear aunty of Anne Marie, Shelley, Melanie; Juliana, Hayden, Jordie; Jeffrey, Marty and all their families. The struggle is over Net. Rest in peace our beautiful angel.

McALLISTER,

Desmond

Alfred Walter (Des) –Passed away peacefully with family at his side on the 11th of July 2024 aged 81 years. Loved by all his family and he was especially cherished by his grandchildren. A service to celebrate Des’s life will be held at the Cambridge Raceway, 1 Taylor Street Cambridge, on Thursday 18th of July at 1:00pm. All communications for the family to Legacy Funerals Cambridge, P O Box 844 Cambridge 3450.

NOHE, Ada Tweeney –Passed away at home on Monday, 8th July 2024, aged 72 years. Loved by all her whanau. A tangi for Tweeney has been held. All communications to Nohe Family, c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434.

STUTHRIDGE, Robert

Anthony, (Bob) – Passed away on Friday, 12th July 2024 at Waikato Hospital, after a short illness. Dearly loved husband of the late Margaret. Cherished dad of Paul & Louise, Bevan & Catherine, and Carol. Loved grandad of Kieran, Leighton, Conor, Mitchell, Kaitlin, Hayden, Liam and Jack. Adored “Old” grandad of Sienna and Oliver. A celebration of Bob's life will be held at Cherry Blossom Cafe, Tamahere Eventide, Bollard Road, Tamahere on Friday, the 19th of July 2024 at 1:30pm. All communications to the Stuthridge Family, c/3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434.

van WALRAVEN, Rose

Hilary – Tragically and unexpectedly passed away at her home on Sunday, 14th July 2024. Aged 24 years. Precious daughter of Louise & Derek Allen and Mark. Much loved sister to Josh, and special friend to Princess. Dearly loved granddaughter of Claudine & the late Noel, and Carol & Tony Stubbins, and the late Frans. Loved by all her uncles, aunties & cousins, and a cherished friend to many. A Requiem Mass will be held for Rose at St Peter's Catholic Church, Anzac Street, Cambridge, on Saturday, 20th July 2024 at 11:00am followed by the burial at The Hautapu Public Cemetery. Donations to St John would be appreciated and may be left at the service. All communications to the van Walraven Family, c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434.

WAKEFIELD, Dorothy Esmae, (nee Gill) – Passed away suddenly at home on Monday, 8th July 2024, aged 84 years. Dearly loved wide of John. Loved mum to Peter, Michael, Stephanie, and Vivinne. Adored grandmother & great grandmother. A celebration of Dot's life has been held. All communications to the Wakefield Family, c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434 CAMBRIDGE HIGH

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS OF MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WISHING TO ATTEND CAMBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL IN 2025

Enrolment packs will be available from Monday 22 July at: Cambridge Middle School reception, Cambridge High School reception, or Cambridge High School website www.camhigh.school.nz

CAMBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL’S OPEN DAY

Thursday 8 August from 4.00pm-6.30pm Tours starting from the Hall will be available over this time with a formal presentation by the Principal at 4.00pm, 4.45pm and again at 5.30pm.

This will provide parents/caregivers and students with an opportunity to meet the Principal and teaching staff, and be informed about our learning and co-curricular programmes. Enrolments for 2025 out-of-zone students will close on Thursday 29 August

Any enquiries: Tel: 07 827 5415

Email: enrolments@camhigh.school.nz www.camhigh.school.nz

Jono

FIREWOOD – Oak and Gum

Mixed, shed stored. No delivery, pick up Leamington. $115 per metre Phone 0274 962 399.

WANTED TO LEASE

LAND for Cropping. 3ha or more. Interested in seasonal and long-term options. Email office@seachangefarm.nz or phone Kelvin 021 463 781 or Cameron 021 324 269.

WAIPA DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETING NOTICES

Primary School Inaugural Alumni Committee Meeting Cambridge Primary School Alumni - Building Connections for Life -

We are excited to invite past students or staff to an initial meeting to set up our inaugural Alumni Committee. The purpose of an alumni is to keep past students and staff connected to Cambridge Primary School and each other.

Meeting Date: Tuesday 25th July

Time: 6:00pm

Venue: CPS Staffroom

An agenda will be set and circulated to those who RSVP and also available on the night.

We look forward to seeing you here and working together to build a vibrant, connected and supportive alumni community.

Please RSVP to: admin@cambridgeprimary.co.nz

Kind regards, Mike Pettit, Principal

A legacy of unparalleled service

If there’s a business that is synonymous with the Waikato, it’s Van Dyks and this year, they are celebrating their 50th birthday.

Living in Putaruru from the mid-1950s, Dutch immigrants Joe and Ali Van Dyk, originally had a general store catering to the needs of a thriving and prosperous farming and forestry community in South Waikato. In 1974, they took over what had been Rex Mora Furnishers and from there became Van Dyks Furnishers, enabling them to sell a much broader range of products – especially when their sons Henry, John and Leighton joined the business in the following three years.

From curtains to furniture and ooring, they became a destination for Waikato locals furnishing their homes.

Indeed, their innovative approach saw them as being one of the rst furnishing businesses to have mobile showrooms, providing customers with ooring and curtain samples in the comfort of their own homes. The key point of di erence is and remains, the consistently high level of service.

By the 1990’s they branched out into appliances, o ering their customers’ a vast array of choices with increased product ranges and more categories than ever before. In the mid-90’s, Van Dyks established their rst location outside the Waikato, reaching into a new market, opening their rst store in Rotorua. Since then, they have continued to establish new stores across Waikato and the Bay of Plenty, with a new store opening in Matamata later this year.

Van Dyks has not stopped there, however. In 2011, the company joined forces with BedsRus, an established leader in the bedding sector, with its leading technology and drive toward personalised sleep solutions for their customers. Adding another exclusive brand under their umbrella, Van Dyks has several Flooring Xtra locations.

Notably this year, Cambridge Flooring Xtra is celebrating a milestone of its own - 20 years at it’s Duke St, Cambridge location, providing Cambridge locals with ooring solutions and exceptional customer service.

Manager Greg Taylor-Still worked in ooring and furniture in Putaruru before moving to Cambridge. He and Dennis Hunt, (who is also the Chief Fire O cer

of the Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade) have been there since Flooring Xtra Cambridge opened it’s doors 20 years ago in Duke St. Louise Billings joined the team several years ago bringing her expertise in design and textiles to the store.

‘We’ve proudly been supporting Cambridge locals and quality local builders since 2004 to get that desired look for one of their biggest assets, trusting in collectively over 55 years of experience; we know a thing or two when it comes to what our customers are looking for,” Manager Greg Taylor-Still says.

Van Dyks has a proud legacy it continues to uphold today, with loyal customers that have been a part of their journey over the last 50 years, committed to providing their customers, new and old, the same level of service that they o ered the day the doors opened 50 years ago.

“After 50 years, we re ect on our journey with immense pride. The achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of every member of our team, past and present,” CEO Daniel Van Dyk says.

“It’s been a celebration of the trust and loyalty of our customers, partners, and community who have supported us through the decades. As a Cambridge local, I’m extremely proud of our 2 stores in town that continue to succeed, increasing in popularity every year.”

Thank you to the local builders for their valued support over the years

Above: Cambridge Van Dyks Flooring Xtra. Right: Cambridge Van Dyks Flooring Xtra Consultants; Left to Right Greg Taylor-Still, Louise Billings, Dennis Hunt.