Cambridge News | September 12, 2024

Media release in the gun

By Mary Anne Gill

A Cambridge Community

Board member has taken a swipe at Waipā District Council for championing debt rather than reducing rates’ inflation.

Andrew Myers, who is also a member of the Fonterra co-operative council, was responding to a media release Waipā put out last month - which The News chose not to publish but other media outlets published in full.

In it, the council said it was set to net nearly $400,000 profit in a low-risk arbitrage deal.

Arbitrage is the simultaneous purchase and sale of the same asset in different markets to profit from a difference in its price.

Deputy chief executive

Ken Morris said the council had borrowed $50 million from the Local Government Funding Agency and then invested it in term deposits at the ANZ and BNZ banks at a higher rate than what it had borrowed it for.

The council would pocket $384,000 when the deals matured in April, he said.

But Myers, a dairy farmer who represents the Maungatautari ward on the community board, said

the council was at its debt ceiling and the media release should have focussed on the position of overall debt and the growing debt burden.

“Explaining why we need more debt and how we plan to reduce debt over time would be very helpful,” he said.

Waipa council has estimated its debt at the end of the current financial year ending June 30 will be nearly $400 million. Earlier this year international rating agency Fitch reaffirmed the council’s credit rating as AA-.

But in a move which is bound to spook Waipā,

Hamilton City Council’s rating was downgraded from AA- negative to A+ negative watch. The outlook on the long-term rating

was negative, S & P Global Ratings said.

“The negative outlook on the long-term rating reflects the weakening institutional

Northern League berth beckons for Reds

By Roy Pilott

Latin American football support in all its volume will invade Cambridge on Saturday as the town’s premier football club launches a two-game assault aimed at winning a place in the Northern League.

Cambridge, Southern Conference champions, face a home and away battle with Northern Conference winners Waiheke United – a club which fields a team dominated by South American imports. Cambridge attracted a crowd of close to 1000 when it hosted Auckland City in the Chatham Cup earlier this season – its only loss of the campaign – and it’s a good bet that could be eclipsed.

For the record, City, lost the cup final on penalties last weekend and is now preparing for the Club World Cup.

Waiheke won the Northern Conference with a 5-2 victory over previous leaders Waitakere last Saturday – six of its players were booked and one was sent off after collecting two yellows.

coached by Jordan Shaw,

hasn’t played since August 31 when it completed 21 wins from 21 games in the Southern Conference – not bad for a team which lost four players, including Shaw, to knee injuries throughout the campaign.

Waiheke was last in Cambridge in May

Cambridge,

2018 when it won a Chatham Cup tie at John Kerkhof Park 3-2. Shaw says he’s looking forward to hearing the “Cambridge Ultras” make some noise on Saturday to help his team get a different result this time.

settings in New Zealand’s local government sector,” the rater said.

Andrew Myers Ken Morris Peter Nicholl

They’re Southern Conference champions – can Cambridge step up to the Northern League?

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E saharaindia449@gmail.com www.saharaindia.co.nz

Media release in the gun

When the Waipā council term deposit expires the loan would incur interest costs of at least $400,000 a year, said Myers.

“Assuming the loan will be on the books for many years, how can we write a story about profiting from a loan when in fact, like any loan, it will cost money, from next year, and for many years thereafter?

“Interest costs add to a rates burden that isn’t under control. I feel it would be prudent in this economic position to not champion debt. More explanation of how we are going to reduce rates inflation would be a good counter to the released statement.”

The News economic columnist Peter Nicholl agreed saying it seemed too good to be true. The council had pre-funded future debt requirements, he said.

“When the deposits mature, the loan won’t be paid back, and the arbitrage deal completed. The loan will stay in place and the funds spent but probably not all at once,” he said.

“If the council don’t need to use all the $50 million immediately, they will need to put some of it back on deposit.

“Deposit interest rates will be lower by then. If they are lower than the borrowing rate that Waipā has ‚locked-in, this year’s arbitrage profit will turn into a loss next year,” he said.

Waipā had prefunded future spending which would not occur before the end of April.

Māori wards

In regard to Waipā mayor Susan’ O’Regan’s comments on the Māori ward issue and her resentment that the government is forcing a referendum on whether or not to continue with them where councils vote to do so. Is she saying she is comfortable denying New Zealanders the opportunity to have a say in the decision making around this?

The Government has taken this action to allow New Zealand the opportunity to have a say, something we were denied when the Māori Wards were introduced by the previous government.

“From my experience, such opportunities seldom exist in established markets and if they arise because of a sudden movement in one interest rate, they disappear quickly.”

Nicholl worked for the New Zealand Reserve Bank for 22 years where he was chief economist, deputy governor and deputy chief executive.

He went on to become an executive director on the World Bank board and governor of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“Borrowing costs are almost certain to fall between now and next April. If borrowing costs are one per cent lower next April, then the rate Waipā is paying… will cost (the council) $500,000 more to finance the $50 million of debt than if they had waited and borrowed the funds when they needed them.

“Either way, there is a good chance that this year’s gains from the arrangement will be reversed next year,” said Nicholl.

“You can only tell if it is a good deal when both sides of the transaction are complete.”

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

Roy

The Mayor refers to the benefits of Māori Wards including ‘seeing yourself have a place around the table, rather than be excluded’. ‘A Māori voice’, valuable Māori perspective’. This is all common sense stuff and highlights the rationale for a Māori perspective. No problem with any of these comments, but we do not need Māori wards to achieve any of this. Māori have the same opportunity to seek representation and offer these unique qualities as anyone else. Why do we think they need a special designated seat? Is the Mayor suggesting Māori would not have the ability to be elected on their own merit?

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I have some better work stories to share following a week of great catches. It was good to put a stop to some out-oftown offenders committing crime here in Cambridge. On Tuesday, police received a report that a male who had stolen from three Cambridge stores three days earlier, was back in town and offending again. With good community support we were hot on his trail. He subsequently ran from a vehicle at a traffic stop but was caught and arrested. A female associate had remained in the car nearby and the vehicle was seized and searched.

As a result, property from one of the Saturday thefts was located, along with some from the Tuesday thefts reported. We also uncovered property found to be from three additional thefts that had not been detected by the stores involved – all in Cambridge. The male was then linked to yet another theft from a store earlier in August. All of the recovered property was returned to happy store owners. The male has appeared in court on several charges.

Last Thursday, police received two reports of a vehicle driving dangerously. Enquiries with the registered owners showed the vehicle to be a rental hire that was overdue for return. Luckily for us, it transpired that the person in possession of the car had called for assistance after locking himself

out of the vehicle. While assisting with the return of the vehicle, drugs and stolen property were found. A male was arrested and appeared in court accordingly on drug and theft related charges.

Last weekend, the team arrested three youths in relation to unlawfully taking a vehicle, failing to stop for police and careless driving. The charges related to a vehicle stolen from a Cambridge East address. It was found in Fencourt.

Cambridge staff then stopped another vehicle which had been stolen from Hamilton and was seen travelling south on Tirau Road, State Highway 1. A male and female were arrested, and the vehicle and valuable property was returned to its owner.

In addition to the great work above, in the last seven days, police in Cambridge received nine reports of vehicles and people behaving suspiciously, attended nine reported burglaries, a theft from a vehicle and another attempt at stealing a car, a mental health incident, two family harm events, apprehended two people driving with excessive breath alcohol, received one complaint of fraud, attended three traffic crashes along with the usual traffic offending.

Have a good week and be vigilant.

The comments are insulting and akin to that of a helicopter parent who think ‘they know best’ guiding a child to think a certain way, denying them the opportunity to think for themselves. The wording suggests anyone who does not agree is racist. I don’t buy it and neither do a lot of people in spite of the ‘apparent support’ for Māori Wards. The referendum will decide and all I can say is bring it on.

Gwynneth Purdie Te Awamutu

Notification needed

Public notification will be required for a giant 27ha quarry in a rural zone on the outskirts of Cambridge, Waipā District Council has advised interested parties. Fulton Hogan - the holding company for the proposed quarry’s operators RS Sand Ltd – wants to run the quarry 3.5kms east of central Cambridge and about one kilometre from new housing to the northeast of the town.

Bridge opens

Traffic is now flowing over Hamilton’s new Te Ara Pekapeka Bridge. An opening was held earlier this month.

Voting open

Nine candidates are vying for six roles on Waipā Networks Trust. Marcus Gower, Sarah Matthews, Dave McLean and Ray Milner are standing again while Philip Coles, Jarrod Godfrey, Pip Kempthorne, and Rollo Webb have put their hats in the ring. Judy Bannon is not seeking re-election. Voting runs through this month.

Expressway closure

State Highway 1 between the Cambridge Road and Hautapu interchanges will close for up to four hours on successive Saturdays starting this weekend to enable Northpower to use a helicopter to pull transmission wires across the expressway and Racecourse Road. Both closures will be from noon to 4pm, weather permitting. Detours will take in SH1B.

Church leaders’ call Waipā religious leaders have backed a letter opposing the ACT party’s Treaty Principles Bill. News faith columnist Murray Smith, of Bridges Church, said it is an affiliate of a national church network (LinkNZ) that has commitment to the treaty “as it stands”. “Our view is that the Treaty does not need any 're-definition', rather it needs but to be understood and implemented in terms of its original intention from the outset,” he said.

Community: ‘Save our building’

By Mary Anne Gill

A building which once hosted hundreds of Karāpiro dam workers and their families for tennis parties and the like, faces an uncertain future despite the community saying they want to retain it.

If walls could talk then chances are there would be stories aplenty and now 80 years later the Karāpiro community wants to create new memories in the building.

A community meeting was held at the site on Sunday. Mother of two Ashleigh Smith said there was a great turn out.

“We have been trying for years to enable our community to access the building so that we can tidy it up and use it.”

But the council has earmarked the building for demolition as it has reached the end of its life in the current form and poses some health and safety risks.

Funding for its demolition was included in the council’s Enhanced Annual Plan which went out to the community for consultation, said Property Services manager David Varcoe.

“We are aware that there is some interest in retaining the building for community purposes,” he said.

The Karāpiro Sports and Recreation Club building is on Reserve land vested in the council as recreation reserve.

The land includes a playground which was upgraded 15 years ago, according to locals.

Varcoe said the council had met with members of the Karāpiro community and recommended they form an incorporated society to allow the council to consider the next steps.

“We are keen to work with the community to find a positive resolution.”

Smith said forming an incorporated society involved gathering members and forming a committee.

“This is only just the beginning of our fight,” she said.

“There must be many more people who would love to support us and help us save our building.”

The building was built sometime between 1940 and 1944 when work on the Karāpiro dam was at its peak. In July 1944 there were more than 1500 people – more than half the population of Cambridge – with a school that catered for more than 200 children.

By early 1945 the population had gone up further and clubs for tennis, football and cricket had been formed along with a Plunket group, Caledonian Dance Troupe and a Returned Services Association branch.

When the dam was finished in 1947 and the water rose, work was complete and Karāpiro became a

last year.

Tennis is still played on the courts but the building has been largely unused for years.

The fight to save the Karāpiro

Jono Gibson Funeral Director

sleepy village with a population of just over 300 in June

Hall mirrors one taking place in Cambridge over the old Water Tower. A group has been formed there to save the 122 year old brick structure, which has been deemed an earthquake risk, from demolition.

Bellamy Kroese, 6 and Libby Kroese, 1, protesting outside the Karāpiro building.

Photo: Supplied.

Karāpiro Sports and Recreation Club building fronts tennis courts on one side and a playground on the other.

Photo: Supplied.

Applause for Arikinui

By Sigrid Christiansen

News of the appointment of Te Arikinui Nga wai hono i te po as new leader of the Kīngitanga was greeted with joy amongst the tears from the tens of thousands at Tūrangawaewae, who farewelled her father, Kīngi Tuheitia last week.

The 27-year-old also follows in the footsteps of her highly respected grandmother Dame Te Atairangikaahu. The latter had been the first to use the term “Arikinui” (the highest ariki or leader) rather than the transliteration kuini, which echoes the English word “queen.”

Maniapoto kaumātua and former Waipā District Council iwi relations advisor Te Makau (Shane) Te Ruki felt that support for the new queen was immediately noticeable across the marae, from the instant the news was announced.

As soon as her face became visible to onlookers, applause began.

“The moment the tekau mā rua and the whānau pani (the leadership council and the bereaved family) turned around the corner, and we saw the face of our new queen with them, the

reaction was one of joy in the hearts of our people, although it was a very sad day.

“We could all see that.”

He said her appointment was a continuation of that work for many years, since the inception of the Kīngitanga.

“I think [the applause] says a lot about the support for her; that the choice was the right one for the people.

Going forward, they will support the new queen.

He said there was still much work to be done, but that the Arikinui already had a strong base of support, especially among her own generation.

“She is already a leader in her own right. She has inherited the mana of the Kīngitanga: of her grandmother, and also her father.”

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A thought after Turangawaewae

By Tom Roa, Tikanga Advisor, Waikato University

Te marama ahunuku; Te marama ahurangi; Te marama ka takoto i te hau o Tū – Te taueke; te marere kura; te marere pae. Tēnā te whaitua nui, Ka pū te taha wānanga, He āpiti nuku; he āpiti rangi. He whakaotinga aroha ki Te Kīngi Māori Tūheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII. Te tōtara haemata o te Wao-tapu-nui a Tāne. Me tana tira haere – A Mahoe, a Hinau, a Patatē. Haere koutou – haere mai Te Arikinui Kuīni Ngawai hono i te pō. Tātou te hunga ora ki a tātou

Te Motu – the Māori nation – AotearoaNew Zealand, parts of the Pacific, and of the indigenous world were glued to their television sets and various devices watching the farewell of the Māori King Tūheitia Potatau VII, and the ascension of Te Arikinui Kuīni Ngawai hono i te pō to his throne.

Those of us who have lost a beloved parent will know of the pull at the heartstrings. How much greater must be the emotion of losing one’s father, and then have to carry the weight of expectation not just in the Māori world, but I daresay, nationally, indeed internationally?

Kīngi Tūheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII has left a legacy of aspiring to ‘kotahitanga’ – unity – to which every spokesperson who attended the tangi - on their own behalf as well as their various groupings, many of whom also there in person, - expressed a wish to see the fulfilment of his inspirational aspiration for unity not just amongst Māoridom, but nationally and internationally.

Our Māori Queen will have seen the heavy burden her father bore. She will be aware of the burden and the legacy she now bears as Māori Queen, and the expectation on her to realise her father’s dream. She will also be aware of her mother’s grief, her brothers’

sadness, the Royal Family mourning the loss of their cousin, brother, uncle, grandfather –this and everything else on her very young shoulders – or should I say on her head with the placing of the Holy Bible there?

My hope is that she might be given time to heal from that grief. And that the support systems around her will see that through, and then allow her to grow into her job.

The Rangatira o Te Motu, the chiefs of the land have deemed her worthy of this position. They will have committed themselves and their iwi to supporting her in this huge responsibility.

The tangi for her father was a splendid example of kotahitanga, with everyone working in concert at so many different levels. There we saw the model of best business practice, of agile teams, of a working in concert, each playing their part, knowing their role, and how they should fulfil their responsibilities in contributing to the success of the event.

Kei taku Arikinui Kuīni Ngawai hono i te po, kua riro i a koe te torōna o tō matua, o ngō tūpuna e moe mai nā ki tua o te ārai. Kia tuia, kia honohia te ao ki te kotahitanga ki te Kuīni Māori. Whiti ki te tika! Whiti ki te ora! Whiti ki te whai-ao, ki te ao-mārama. Paimārire.

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Te Arikinui Nga wai hono i te po

Donna – and a mitre at 10

The death of Catholic bishop Denis Browne earlier this month has brought back memories of a special day for Donna McHugh (nee Thurston).

It was nearly 25 years ago that McHugh, then only 10 and in Standard Four at St Peter’s Catholic School, got to try on the newly installed bishop’s mitre.

A mitre is the traditional ceremonial head dress of bishops and cardinals and as Browne revealed at the time the two sides represented the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

McHugh, now 39, and teaching music at St John’s College in Hamilton, lives in Cambridge with husband Philip and their two children

Sophia, 5, and Vincent, 3. Browne, 86, died in Auckland on September 1 and was farewelled at two requiem masses in Auckland and Hamilton last week and was buried at Ōhaupō Catholic Cemetery.

He was Hamilton Diocese Catholic bishop from 1994 to 2019.

As part of getting to

know parishioners in the sprawling Hamilton diocese – which was formed in 1980 and covers a huge chunk of the North Island from Whangamatā and Gisborne in the east to Kawhia and Raglan in the west, north to Te Kauwhata and south to Taumarunui and Turangi –Browne visited schools and parishes.

Little wonder his visit to Cambridge in 1995 happened several weeks after his installation, but it was worth the wait, said McHugh.

“Hearing the news of his passing brought back lots of memories from that visit and the times he came and took Mass in Cambridge over the years.

“It was such an exciting visit, and I was very excited to be picked to wear the mitre.”

Evidence of that special moment had to be trawled out of storage by McHugh’s mother Robyn.

The photo was taken by a Cambridge Edition photographer, and it can now be revealed the words were provided by The News senior writer Mary Anne Gill who was working at the Waikato Times.

Her three children

Caroline, James and David were pupils at the school but did not get chosen to wear the mitre.

But James has other memories of Browne who used to play golf on a Monday at Cambridge Golf Club, sometimes with Anglican Bishop David Moxon.

The two were playing one day when James – who went on to represent New Zealand at two Eisenhower Trophy World Amateur golf championships and played professionally in Europe – turned up at the course looking for a game.

He asked the two men at the first tee, who he did

not recognise without their religious garb, whether he could join them.

They agreed – golf typically pits kings against paupers and youngsters against older people – and they played several holes.

“When he got home and I asked him who he had played with, he said ‘two guys called Denis and David’.

"It was only a few days later that I found out it was the two bishops,” said Gill who sought assurance from her son that he hadn’t sworn and said any blasphemies at any time during the game.

“He said no, and Bishop Denis never told me otherwise,” she said.

Bishop Denis Browne lets St Peter’s Catholic School pupil Donna Thurston try his mitre on for size during his visit to Cambridge in 1995.

Bishop David Moxon

Donna McHugh (nee Thurston) today.

Hautapu hotel plan unveiled

By Mary Anne Gill

A new hotel in Hautapu will generate millions of dollars in economic benefits for the Waipā district, developers told guests at a Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Business After Five briefing last week.

Resource consent is being sought for a five-storey hotel on a 1.5ha site in Victoria Road, Cambridge.

The project is subject to Waipā District Council approval as it is a discretionary activity in a residential zone, Cambridge developer Jonny Schick told The News.

Schick, owner of Shaw’s Wire Ropes in Victoria Road - less than 650m from the hotel’s proposed site - Mark Wright of Paragon Commercial and Mitchell Daysh consultant Mark Chrisp fronted the briefing.

Shaw’s Victoria Ltd is the company behind the proposal on a site next to the Waikato Expressway northern on ramp at Hautapu.

Cambridge born and bred Schick said he, his brother-in-law Berridge Spencer and

Mark Hiddleston, own 25ha and 12 titles from Victoria Road to Abergaldie Way, one of which will house the proposed hotel.

“We want to control the narrative, so it doesn’t look piecemeal,” said Schick.

“Ultimately it is long term about protecting Cambridge.”

Wright lives in Tamahere but calls Cambridge “home”.

“I don’t think you would find anybody more invested in Cambridge than Jonny and he’s committed to doing the right thing,” he said.

Which is why Wright said he wanted to get involved in the project.

“No-one’s going to look after the town or the interests of the town like Jonny will.”

Dealing with councils is what he has done with other developments, and he said he was enjoying the consistency and planning at Waipā.

“We’ve been really delving deep into what does Cambridge need or want and how do you protect the central part of the town?

“The thing about Cambridge is it’s unique. It’s a fact there isn’t another town in New Zealand which has got the feel that Cambridge has,” said Wright.

Developers say the hotel would be a high-quality gateway for Cambridge. It will provide scale and conference facilities that Cambridge does not yet have along with an up-market roof top restaurant.

Schick said there would be millions of dollars of local business and employment opportunities during construction and operation.

The last thing they wanted to do was undermine the Cambridge central business district, he said.

The land along Victoria Road was the last piece of arterial frontage in Cambridge, said

Chrisp, and it was important to evaluate the sort of business opportunities that would be available for Cambridge.

“Protecting the hierarchy of the CBD is really important,” said Schick.

The growth that was going to happen in Cambridge once the commercial and residential developments to the north and west were complete was going to be interesting.

“What are the actual needs of the town at that point of time so that it still stays thriving and keeps its character?” said Wright.

“For visitors and from a central Waikato perspective, why not stay here? (in Cambridge). Why not stay at our hotel, come in and shop in town or experience Cambridge?”

The time frame now is to meet with Waipā district and Waikato Regional Council planners, then engage technical consultants.

The developers would consult with New Zealand Transport Agency, neighbours, tangata whenua, Waipā Networks and the

chamber of commerce.

They hope to finalise and lodge resource consent applications by December.

No construction date was given but in response to a question suggesting four or five years, Schick said: “Quicker than that, all going well.”

They would also look to partner with a hotel management company.

Hiddleston, who is a director of Aucklandbased Peninsula Credit, was at the chamber meeting and said the investment was a huge opportunity for Cambridge.

“This is not about ‘hey, we’ve got some land and let’s do something and move on.’ This is about doing intergenerational assets. This is about doing something and representing Cambridge in every aspect that is there, both historically but also recognising the growth,” he said.

“I’m passionate. I also don’t want to be a faceless sponsor, and I think this is not only an amazing opportunity for us but actually for Cambridge.”

Ripe for development: Jonny Schick, left, and Mark Wright stand in front of the hectares of land on Victoria Road, an area of which will be developed as a hotel. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Red marks the spot of the proposed hotel.

Community patrol is a lifesaver

By Chris Gardner

Cambridge Community Patrol coordinator Neil Bridgland has more than one story of when his volunteers took lifesaving action.

Like the time, a couple of months ago, when a husband-and-wife on late night patrol saw a young woman in trouble outside of a Cambridge petrol station.

“She was in a pretty serious way,” Bridgland said.

The pair called 111 and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until emergency services arrived.

“If they had not seen her, I am sure she would have died,” Bridgland said.

He has similar stories of how his team stepped in and saved others.

Providing the right support for vulnerable people is all in a night’s work for these volunteers. An equally successful night, Bridgland said, was one where nothing of

Closures ahead on State Highway 1 in south Waikato

SH1 closed in both directions at all times from south of Tīrau to north of Putāruru from Monday 9 September until Friday 4 October. Detour available as shown in map.

SH1 closed between Ātiamuri and Wairakei between 8am – 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Sundays the road will be open to all tra c. Detours available

Residents, businesses and emergency services will have access available at all times.

More closures on SH1 planned over next 16 months as part of accelerated maintenance project between Tīrau and Waiouru.

For more information and to sign up to our newsletter, visit nzta.govt.nz/t2w

note had happened.

“At the end of the night, when nothing has happened, you count that as a successful night. You don’t really want things to happen.”

Cambridge Community Patrol is an initiative of Neighbourhood Support Cambridge and affiliated with Community Patrols New Zealand.

Its volunteers have driven a sponsored car around the town for seven years, providing an extra layer of security to the business community and extra eyes and ears for police.

“We are very well supported by our local community,” Bridgland said.

For the last two years the patrol has operated in the small hours for six nights of the week.

Volunteers tend to be over 50 years of age, some are working, some are retired, but all are prepared to stay up so that others can sleep well.

“We would be out sometimes around 3am if something is going down,” he said.

On a typical patrol the volunteers might secure a business which has been unintentionally left unlocked and assist police in observing and reporting suspicious behaviour.

“Cambridge has some antisocial and criminal elements,” Bridgland said.

But it’s much better than most towns.

Other duties include assisting emergency service at road traffic accidents and traffic management.

Cambridge Community Patrol Coordinator Neil Bridgland, left, with Senior Constable Deb Hann, Terry Kennedy, Sue Kennedy, Bruce Beer and Pat Lambert.

Murray Glensor, left, and Neil Bridgland with the Cambridge Community Patrol vehicle.

Community Connect

Sept. 12 2024

Haere mai to our new CEO

Almost everyone in Waipā has got the hang of the new recycling rules.

Waipā District Council has audited its recycling collection routes and found that 95 per cent of residents are getting the right things into the right bins. Waste minimisation advisor Shelley Wilson said she is pleased with the result and wants people to keep up the good work.

“We are stoked that so many people are getting recycling right because it keeps our locals on the sorting line safe and keeps costs down for everyone.”

“If people are unsure whether an item is acceptable in their kerbside recycling, they can head to our website and use the handy sorting tool. It has loads of information specific to Waipā and can help with where to recycle tricky items, like batteries.”

To find out more about recycling in Waipā visit wastelesswaipa.co.nz

A rousing pōwhiri [ceremony] at Lake Karāpiro has welcomed new chief executive Steph O’Sullivan to Waipā. Steph is the former CE at Whakatāne District Council but is no stranger to the Waikato, having grown up on a Tokoroa farm.

Her upbringing there instilled the value of hard work as well as the importance of giving back to the community, and Steph said it was a privilege to be raised “in such a community of riches” where people’s differences and diversity were celebrated.

She saw her role as creating a high-performance environment within the organisation, focused on delivery

and purpose, and to make the community proud. Steph paid tribute to her predecessor, Garry Dyet, who had been a friend and mentor throughout her career.

Mayor Susan O’Regan said Steph is “unashamedly a people person” who will lead Waipā District Council with courage, accountability and innovation at a time of crossroads for local government.

The rubber has hit the road for antisocial drivers in rural Waipā.

Signs advising the ban on light motor vehicles on several rural roads are now up, giving police more tools to stamp out anti-social driving in the district.

A register has been created under the Public Places Bylaw, confirming the roads where the light vehicle prohibition is in place. It is an

offence for light motor vehicles (weighing less than 3.5 tonne) to be on those roads between 9pm-4am unless drivers can prove they have legitimate business.

Transport manager Bryan Hudson said now that the signs are in place, police will have powers to issue warning notices and even impound cars of rule-breakers.

Law-abiding motorists won’t be affected.

Stella is one of our pound pooches who needs a safe and loving home – could you be her person?

Stella is a six-month-old mix-breed, who will grow into a medium sized dog. She is very affectionate and a calm, low-energy pup. Though shy at first, she is friendly with other dogs and loves food so is picking up training well.

Interested in adopting Stella or want to save another dog? Visit our animal control FB page, contact us, or fill out our online adoption form.

Facebook.com/WaipaAnimalControl aco@waipadc.govt.nz Waipadc.govt.nz/dogadoption

This bird has flown…

By Mary Anne Gill

A mural in Leamington Domain which was to have been safe from vandals and taggers has instead become a victim of Mother Nature or global warming in just over two years.

The piece of art cost $14,000 and used plywood cut outs of kowhai, cow, flax, horse, moths, cicada, tui, fantails, kaka and huhu beetles.

Some of them now lie in pieces at the base

of the shipping container owned by the Cambridge Model Engineering Society while others that remain are noticeably fraying at the edges.

Waipā District Council Community Services manager Brad Ward said judging from the photos provided by The News, nature was the culprit for the plywood pop outs peeling in the way they did. He confirmed staff would visit the site and then form a plan to both repair and future

proof the artistic work.

The mural was the first piece of public art approved under the council’s new Public Arts Policy. It was to decorate the miniature trains storage shed at the western end of Leamington Domain.

It depicts native flora and fauna with forms painted on thin plywood and affixed to painted wooden and brick walls. Pirongia artist Janie Neal was commissioned to complete the artwork.

At the time of its commissioning, council staff said its design would reduce the impact of the built structures on open space with part of the mural mainly black and white with light brown colours to achieve this. Parks and reserves operations team leader Matt Johnston assured councillors the ply cut outs would be safe from vandals and that in his experience, taggers tended to leave mural artworks alone. But seemingly Mother Nature is another thing.

Box 113, Cambridge 3450 07 827 6922 | 021 651 949 email.juttas@xtra.co.nz www.cambridgehypnotherapy.co.nz

CAMBRIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE C ALLS OVER THE L AST WEEK

CAMBRIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE CALLS OVER THE LAST WEEK

MONDAY

WEDNESDAY

9:55am, Cardiac Arrest, Bryce Street

6:08pm, Smoke in the vicinity, Te Miro Road 7.01pm, 1 car MVA, Victoria Road

TUESDAY 8:12am, Building alarm and activation, Queen Street

1:09pm, Building Alarm and evacuation, Ruakura Road 11:56pm, Building Alarm and evacuation, Hautapu Road

WEDNESDAY

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

12:01pm, 1 car MVC,Waikato Expressway

THURSDAY 9:16am, 1 car MVC, Fencourt Road

SUNDAY

3:53am, Medical assistance, Karapiro Road

SUNDAY 3:43pm,Tree on Fire, Hana Lane

This tui cut out is one victim of Mother Nature at the Leamington Domain.

The tui which was on the left of the structure has disappeared.

Photos: Mary Anne Gill.

DEMODAY. BRANDT

Date: Saturday 5 October

Location: 33-43 Parakiwai Road, Cambridge

Time: 10am-3pm

Demo a range of John Deere compact tractors, mowers, consturction, compact construction and agriculture equipment.

Food vendors, bouncy castle & kids zone!

O er available at Brandt 9am - 12pm FRIDAY 11TH OCTOBER.

BBQ shout is on us!

Let your kids work on a trade this ‘Trade a Toy’ while you join the Brandt team for a BBQ.

Lions’ Christmas sweetener

By Viv Posselt

The Cambridge Lions Club has launched a particularly tasty fundraising project – the sale of 1kg traditional fruit Christmas cakes.

The cakes come sealed in a decorative Christmas box, which project leader Sean Brady said made them ideal gifts –either for family, friends or for businesses looking for ideas on what to give their staff as a festive sweetener.

He said proceeds from the sale of the cakes will go towards those in need in and around Cambridge.

The project was launched at the Cambridge Town Hall last week. It is supported by the Cambridge Business Chamber who are keen to see the cakes take off with businesses looking for a solution to the annual conundrum around what to buy their employees for Christmas.

The Chamber was represented at the launch by Aroha Croft. Also there

was Cambridge Community Board chair Jo Davies-Colley and Waipā deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk.

Commending the Lions Club for its ‘proud history of making a real difference in our community’, Stolwyk said:

“The Christmas cakes being sold aren’t just delicious, they are a symbol of the generosity and compassion that define the Lions Club.

“We cannot do this alone. We need the support of everyone here to make this campaign a success. Whether you purchase a cake, encourage your friends and family to do the same, or help spread the word, your involvement is crucial. Together we can ensure that the holiday season is brighter for everyone in our community.”

The project’s adoption in Cambridge is a first, but it dovetails with a wider New Zealand Lions initiative started in 1970 and with annual national sales now sitting at around 110,000.

BATTLE THE WEEDS NO MORE

Sampling some of the Cambridge Lions Club Christmas cakes are, from left, project lead Sean Brady, Cambridge Chamber’s Aroha Croft, Waipā deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk, Lions Club president Brent Montgomerie, and Cambridge Community Board chair Jo Davies-Colley.

Photo: Viv Posselt

Words can shape our lives

By Murray Smith, Bridges Church

A lady told me in a conversation, how their family moved 11 times before she had reached teenage years, due to her father’s work. It impacted her profoundly… she became withdrawn, resisting friendships to avoid the pain of them inevitably ending.

During childhood many things shape us in becoming the sort of people we will end up as.

You can imagine how forming friendships would be difficult for the person I described above. Our family background is hugely formulative. The home environment, the dynamic we experience with parents, what we see modelled, our relationships with siblings and extended family are all huge ‘shapers’ - for good, though sadly for manynot so good.

Events at school, plus significant influencers like teachers, coaches, counsellors or doctors can all play a part in moulding aspects of our personality and behaviour as we enter adolescence. Lasting impressions can also be imbedded through intrusions of trauma, sickness, an accident, abuse, the passing of a loved one - literally a host of factors contribute to the development of our understanding of ‘who we are’ and our place in the world. Subtly forming responses to events we experience, we internally compile information. Some barely registers in our consciousness, nonetheless this conditioning shapes the inner conclusions we settle on, about ourselves.

It’s for this reason, words become vital in healing damage on the inside. Our sense of value and identity is shaped greatly by words - blessing or cursing, words build us up or tear us down, make us feel worthy, or cause us to feel hopeless and inadequate. Words of blessing are powerful and can never be overestimated in bringing healing to

wounded hearts.

There’s a graphic illustration regarding John Wesley, who is said to have halted the erosion and changed the face of English society as he travelled hundreds of thousands of miles on horseback preaching to vast crowds. Three hundred years on, this ‘father’ of the Methodist Church, still influences the world.

Five-year-old Jacky (as he was called) was asleep late one night when a devastating fire destroyed the family home in February 1709. An older sister awoke to burning pieces of wood falling from the roof of their house, onto her bed. Her father, unaware their house was ablaze was confronted with flames in the hallway, when rising to investigate a voice outside yelling, ‘fire!’

The parents and eight children present in the home had few viable evacuation options. A servant’s bravery rescued younger ones from a nursery, with all eventually reaching safety outside…at least, it appeared so until Jacky’s frightened little face appeared at an upstairs window. With no time to find a ladder, a quick thinking neighbour stood on another’s shoulders, stretching to pull Jacky through the window just as the roof collapsed into his bedroom.

Re-united with her beloved Jacky, his mother declared enduring words over him that he’d never forget, “Thou art a brand plucked from the burning - God must have some special purpose for thee.” Those words proved crucial in shaping John Wesley’s destiny- throughout childhood and beyond, they sustained and motivated his purpose. What words of hope might you give, to shape someone’s future?

New homes for pre-loved phones

By Viv Posselt

A ‘Happy Phones’ initiative that sees school students use repurposed old mobile phones in ways that expand their learning platforms is winning fans at Cambridge East Primary School.

Students have been using the pre-loved phones to take photos on field trips or film each other doing presentations or making speeches. They’re now busy filming snippets of daily life at their school for students of a similar age at a school they partner with in Japan.

It’s helping the children become digitally savvy in a safe environment. They are able to share what they’re doing at school with parents and get extra-creative as they come up with ideas on

different ways to use them.

The ‘Happy Phones’ initiative is the brainchild of Waipā digital and sustainable tech educator Geoff Bentley. Impressed by what he saw when volunteering with the e-waste recycling project run by Rotary Cambridge, Urban Miners, he figured there had to be a better after-life for old phones than was evident through his efforts to rescue and refurbish mobile phones and tablets for sale at Cambridge Lions’ Trash & Treasure Market.

“Older phones were not selling well at the market, but I knew that these devices were still useful. I had an idea that they could be used in school classrooms and field trips, giving students the ability to take photos and videos and use

them in projects,” he said.

He kicked off with the Happy Phones idea in 2022, and after securing funding from Waipā District Council, conducted trials with three schools in the second term of last year. He followed that by doing further testing with five schools in term three … the feedback was all positive.

The project’s success has led to additional funding coming in from Technology Education New Zealand to create ‘Happy Phones DIY’, a step-by-step guide to support school communities around the country.

“I realised that this was something other communities could do, and with the 3G shutdown happening in 2025, there will be millions of phones discarded as people upgrade. E-waste is a huge problem in New Zealand, and this is part of the solution.”

Bentley rescues and cleans up the old smartphones, then configures them for use in schools. He packages them into class kits available for hire to schools. Each kit contains 15 Happy Phones, 15 USB cables, one 15-port USB charging station, lesson plans, user guides and resources aimed at different age groups.

The phones aren’t connected to a network and are under teacher control when being used – so they are unaffected by student cell phone bans. By having them available, students can learn how

to take good photographs and videos, create their own podcasts, learn how to transfer files to a computer and learn basic video and photo editing skills.

Bentley ducked into Cambridge Primary recently to see how they were being used. Assistant principal and Year 5/6 teacher, Kathy McIsaac, and Year 3/4 teacher Renae Townsend both said the phones were being increasingly used in ways that expanded the ways students could learn and got them thinking creatively.

Some of the older students are

Windscreen Replacements & Repairs

launching into a new relationship with a Japanese school and have plans to regularly share videos of their schools and activities. Use of the phones is being incorporated into various learning areas with students also coming up with novel suggestions of their own. Bentley said most phones are used for only around three years before being recycled or tossed in the rubbish.

“This is a massive waste of energy and resources. The best thing we can do is extend the life of our phones.”

Geoff Bentley with one of the ‘Happy Phones’ classroom kits gaining popularity in local schools. Photo: Viv Posselt

Geoff Bentley and Cambridge East Primary’s assistant principal and Year 5/6 teacher, Kathy McIsaac, with two of the youngsters helping with phone use in the classroom –Connor Button and Paxton Schoppe. Photo: Viv Posselt

Board wants booze ban relaxed

By Chris Gardner

Waipā District Council has been asked to relax its alcohol ban plan at Lake Arapuni campsites.

Reacting to Waipa District Council’s draft alcohol policy and bylaw Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board chair Ange Holt called for the council to relax the rules at Arapuni and Bulmer’s Landing campsite where an 8pm to 8am permanent alcohol ban is in place.

Public submissions on the policy close at 5pm today (Thursday).

“Loads of people are there over the summer, sitting there having a drink, not causing any bother, it’s daylight saving,” Holt said at the August board meeting.

“They’d often be sat there having a drink after 8 o’clock, not causing any bother, and it’s going to mean that they’re having an illegal drink while they are there camping.”

Holt said she also understood there was a “really big problem with the clowns that go out there”.

Deputy chair Kane Titchener spoke in favour of retaining the 12-hour ban.

“It will discourage people going out there and having

bonfire parties and doing whatever they like.”

Board member Jill Taylor was disappointed the council had ignored the community’s wish in its draft to reduce off-licence opening hours from the current 7am until 10pm.

“Everybody had a different time,” Taylor said.

Feedback included 7am until 9pm, 8am until 9pm, and 8am until 10pm.

“I would just like it recorded that I feel that members of the public weren’t heard. I know there were reasons. The supermarkets were asked how they felt about it.

Taylor suggested Waipa supermarkets should be banned from selling alcohol all together in May and gained support from The Salvation Army.

Holt asked graduate Strategic Policy adviser Mieke Heyns for the reason why the council didn’t listen to the feedback and incorporate it into the draft.

“The feedback, to be fair, was pretty even, a little bit all over the show, but the reduction of hours came out on top, just in terms of numbers,” said Heyns.

“The main reasoning, if I remember it correctly, for keeping the current hours

was that councillors believed that there was not that much problem with the current hours. It’s worked so far, and then the difficulty for the supermarkets to manage that reduction when it doesn’t line up with their opening hours.”

Holt said she had consulted with off licenses who tended to open at 8am, rather than 7am.

“They were quite supportive of having shorter hours,” she said.

“They said that if they have trouble, it’s that last hour between 9pm and 10pm.”

Taylor said: “The supermarkets over Covid didn’t sell alcohol and they managed fine. So, they can do it if they have to.”

Holt asked if others supported reducing hours.

“I haven’t seen enough information about it,” her deputy chair replied.

“I don’t think it would make any difference, if you’re an alcoholic you’re going to get your booze anyway,” said board member Sally Whitaker. “I’m quite happy with it.”

Board member John Wood agreed with Whitaker.

Holt suggested they leave it.

“We’re here for the

community, and they were saying they don’t want the same hours,” Taylor reminded them. “I just want it recorded in the minutes that I don’t agree with it.”

Fly away little one

Waikato bird lover Judy Fentress released the first of two ruru at The Sculpture Park in the Waitakaruru Arboretum last weekend. Fentress, who has reared hundreds of birds and is a firm supporter of native wildlife, has been rearing the two native owls for the past eight months and the second will be released on Sunday.

Home kill with a difference

By Mary Anne Gill

A movie filmed around Maungatautari, Horahora, Leamington and Hautapu about two murderous butchers debuts tonight (Thursday) in Cambridge.

And one attendee will walk away with a meat pack, producer Matt Hicks promises, “because why not?”

The seven screenings at Tivoli Cinema in Cambridge with questions and answers are all sold out as were others in Matamata, Putāruru, Hamilton, Whitianga and Thames.

Raglan tomorrow and Te Awamutu on Sunday round out the Waikato screenings.

Hicks, a Cambridge High School old boy as well as DJ, wedding celebrant, actor and director, says the film is a dark comedythriller filmed around the district towards the end of 2022.

“The locals were absolutely amazing and without them coming on board and investing in the idea we wouldn’t have had a hope in hell of achieving what we have on screen in the movie.

“We shot in small towns like Putāruru and Te Puna… we also filmed loads in and around Maungatautari. It’s beautiful with endless rolling farmland so was perfect for our film’s aesthetic.”

The film’s director Haydn Butler is originally from Kawerau but now lives in Australia and it features a well-known face in Stefan Dennis who plays Paul Robinson in Neighbours.

“Sometimes you gotta pinch yourself seeing people you’ve grown up watching on the TV doing cool acting stuff in your own backyard. Rubbing shoulders with the best really elevates your game,” said Hicks.

The movie is about two brothers – Tom (Cameron Jones) and Mark (Josh McKenzie) - struggling to run a home kill and butchery business. They instead resort to offering a new service – killing people to make ends meet.

Next up for Hicks is The Tavern premiere, a movie he shot in the old Masonic Hotel and around town in 2019. The finale features a scene with plenty of local extras.

“The Tavern is the most off the wall, absurd thing I’ve ever written. I can’t wait to release that ridiculousness to the world next.

“Cambridge locals will definitely be able to see a few characters in there.”

The mysteries of water

Students from four primary schools –Ōhaupō, Rukuhia, Kaipaki and Tamahere - joined residents of Hamilton’s Bupa Foxbridge Village to find out more about Waikato’s waterways.

Using environmental “eDNA” technology with AquaWatch’s Waka monitoring equipment, the team collected samples from the Mystery Creek Catchment.

They evaluated key health indicators, including dissolved oxygen levels, turbidity, temperature, pH, conductivity, and the presence of various organisms.

eDNA is a scientific method that extracts organisms from water samples for analysis against a species list. The results help researchers and catchment groups identify present or missing native species and detect unseen invasive pests in our streams.

The event was hosted by the NZ National Fieldays Society at Heritage Village, Mystery Creek Event Centre, NZ Landcare Trust and the Bupa Foundation.

It was organised as part of the national Junior Landcare programme, an initiative which aims to foster intergenerational connections through a shared commitment

to environmental stewardship.

Students from the four school, alongside Bupa residents, participated in activities focused on eDNA, river water monitoring, and the Adopt-a-Stream programme.

They explored initiatives around the recovery of abandoned vehicles from the Waikato River.

NZ Landcare Trust Waikato catchments coordinator Ric Balfour said watching as children learn more about what is in their environment and waterways was inspiring.

“I’m excited about advancing the Mystery Creek Junior Landcare Legacy project.

“It’s crucial for us to encourage our youth to connect with their local catchment. By empowering them with education, we aim to provide them with mindfulness tools that enhance their health and well-being. Being connected to our land, our whenua, is crucial for all children.”

New Zealand National Fieldays Society Community and Sustainability executive Janine Monk said it was wonderful to have everyone working together, learning more about the waterways that run through the venue.

Pouring better-off funding into Ōtorohanga College is paying huge dividends, principal Lyndsay Kurth says.

Ōtorohanga College received $1.64m of the first tranche of better-off funding allocated via the Ōtorohanga District Council as part of the previous government’s Three Waters inducement.

The college has spent $641,143 so far and it’s paying dividends in the effect on the students, Kurth said.

“Prior to the better-off funding our food room was for want of a better word, disastrous.

The better off funding provided 12 brand new ovens, a mobile barista machine and a fully kitted out food room.

“We introduced a module whereby the kids get to tutu with cars and motorbikes. And for some of our kids that makes their day,” Kurth said.

“They are not in English, they are not in maths, they are not in science. They are pulling apart a car and rebuilding parts of it.

A new gym has taken over a balcony area in the hall. The photography room is now fully kitted out with new

cameras and computers on wheels enable students to go into any classroom and “hook into” a device.

“If you are a teacher and you go into a classroom and the technology doesn’t work, or you don’t have the resourcing, it makes your job even harder. What we have got now works.”

Also planned is an expansion of agriculture and horticulture. Kurth said the intention is to demolish the college C Block, re-purpose and move a former boarding hostel building, and fully kit it out as an ag and hort centre.

The crew shoot with Maungatautari in the background.

Photo: Supplied.

Year 6 pupils Shiya Gong and Emma Cathcart from Tamahere Model Country School, along with Ric Balfour, Coordinator of Landcare Trust, educating students about environmental DNA. Photo: Supplied.

Upgrade plan for ‘old lady’

By Mary Anne Gill

The trust running Cambridge Town Hall has gone out to tender for the first stage of its improvements, the hall’s two side wings.

Known as the Victorian and Edwardian rooms, they will be upgraded this year using money Waipā District Council allocated in its Enhanced Annual Plan earlier this year.

The hall is owned by the council who lease it to a community trust to run on its behalf telling it two years ago - when they signed an operational agreement – the priority was to reactivate the 115-year-old hall and become self-funding.

That meant upgrading the “old lady” which had fallen into disrepair in some areas, particularly the two side rooms.

Town Hall Trust general manager Simon Brew said community feedback revealed the two spaces were not user-friendly.

“The renovations will make them more functional and attractive for a range of purposes. Their much-loved heritage features will, of course, be preserved and showcased in the process,” he said.

While the hall is experiencing a change of fortunes – booked out for months ahead and income double that of previous years –it needs more than $25 million to preserve and activate further.

Part of that money - $2.1 million - had been expected to come from the council itself but its precarious financial situation saw councillors take it out from its annual plan. Instead, the trust got its promised operating funds with an increase of $100,000 taking it through to $503,000 a year.

The project heading out to tender includes new lighting, carpets, wall finishes

and curtains and more flexible spaces.

The Victorian Room – on the western side opposite Victoria Square where work kicks off first in January – will have a new kitchenette and more toilet facilities making it more suitable as a standalone space for events.

The Edwardian Room – where work will start in March - will have a new commercial kitchen and bar with space for a moveable grand piano.

A new heating and cooling system is going in throughout the hall while new tables, digital TV screens, urns, kitchen appliances and glassware have already been added.

Designs from DPA Architects –known for their heritage work including Rotorua Museum, High Court in Auckland and Hawke’s Bay Opera House – will maximise the spaces’ potential.

Ginny Pedlow, the assigned architect, has

a 25-year career across public buildings.

Octa Project Management’s Hamiltonbased team will manage the renovation.

The staged approach means the venue can still be used throughout the renovations.

Meanwhile the trust will make a submission to the council’s Long Term Plan and show designs for additional work in the Heritage New Zealand Category Two historic building. They are likely to show how the old Prince William Theatre space –unused for 30 years - could be used.

“The feedback and input we received, both from workshops and new users from the last year, has assisted us greatly. There are, of course, compromises, but we’re confident the improvements will serve both existing hires as well as increase the diversity of future bookings for the hall,” says Brew.

• See the plans, cambridgenews.nz

College a zone no go

A Waipā secondary school has announced it will not take out of zone enrolments next year. Te Awamutu College’s zone was introduced in 2023 by the Ministry of Education and extends up to Ngāhinapōuri School in the north, down to Arohena School in the southeast and Ngutunui School in the west.

The college was offered a small number of places this year by ballot.

“It is acknowledged that this will be a significant disappointment for some families, however with large cohorts at all year levels, Te Awamutu College is at capacity,” a statement from the school read.

“We have large cohorts at all levels next year. Usually, the numbers decline for Year 13 as some students move into employment, but next year, this cohort looks to be significantly larger than usual,” acting principal Wayne Carter told The News.

“This is, in part because they were our largest cohort on Year 9 (about 360), so they will be our largest cohort for Year 13. This contributes to overall, more students being at school.”

The decision means siblings of existing pupils from outside of the zone will have to find a different school.

The college expects a role of 1455 at the start of 2025.

Meanwhile, 30 minutes down the road at Ōtorohanga College, board chair Duncan Coull said the situation had been anticipated for about 18 months and a lot of work had been put into the college’s facilities and curriculum. He said it was positive news for the college. Its roll roll dropped from 367 in 2017 to 260 in 2023 but is on the rise at 340 this year.

Town Hall general manager Simon Brew outside the entrance to the Victorian Room which will undergo renovations next year. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

ON SHAKY GROUND

Living on the edge

By Janine Krippner

One thing I missed living in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, USA, was the changing landscape in New Zealand.

Over there you could drive for ages and the view did not change much at all. Here in Waipā, you can drive in any direction, and it won’t take long to have very different and beautiful sights. This is partly thanks to the ground slowly moving below our feet because of enormous forces that begin below our oceans.

Through faults, or fractures, in the Earth’s crust we have land pushing towards itself, sliding alongside itself, and pulling apart. The biggest of these are where tectonic plates meet. Here we have the Australian plate to the west and the Pacific plate to the east. We break this huge boundary down into zones.

Very significant to us is the Hikurangi Subduction Zone (HSZ) located offshore from Gisborne to Kaikōura, and it is potentially our biggest source earthquakes and tsunamis. These two enormous chunks of Earth’s crust are slowly pushing towards each other, with the Pacific plate moving down (subducting) below the Australian plate because it is heavier. We can measure this movement through time using GPS sensors, it is about the same speed as your fingernails grow. We can also use geophysics techniques to sort of “see” the plate far below the surface, dipping westward. Through this we know that the top of the plate is about 15 km below Napier and 25 km below Wellington.

One plate subducting below another forms a long valley or trench across the ocean floor. To the east of us is the

Hikurangi Trench and that transitions north-eastwards into the Kermadec Trench, which reaches around 10 km deep and is about 2000 km long. Alongside it, the uplifted edge of the Australian plate forms the Kermadec Ridge where we find submarine volcanoes and volcanic islands including Raoul Island. Because we have mapped our ocean floor you can see these features on Google Maps.

In the South Island our two plates move past each other along the roughly-600km-long Alpine Fault and they form our picturesque mountain ranges. South of the South Island things switch up again and the Australian plate subducts below the Pacific plate, forming the Puysegur Trench. Even for geology this is a very complex region!

Our subduction zone also leads to our volcanism on land and is the reason we have the Taupō Volcanic Zone, a rift zone where the landscape is slowly pulling apart and the crust is thinning. This contributes to why we have so much volcanism and geothermal activity. Even though our volcanoes act independently of each other, on a much larger scale our processes are interconnected.

Some of our most beautiful, our most fascinating, and awe-inspiring landscapes are thanks to living on the boundary of two tectonic plates. To us it looks eternal, like our solid mountains have always been there and always will be. In reality, our land is constantly evolving, and we must evolve along with it.

‘Open banking’

By Peter Nicholl

The Commerce Commission has recently published its report into competitiveness in the New Zealand banking system. Their focus was on personal banking services. Their study took 14 months, and their report was 382 pages long. I have to admit I only read the report’s executive Summary, which was a much more manageable eight pages.

The commission concluded that New Zealand has a two-tier banking system with the four big banks, ANZ, ASB, BNZ and Westpac, comprising tier-one and acting as an oligopoly. The definition of an oligopoly is “a state of limited competition in which the market is shared by a small number of participants”.

The combined market share of the big four banks has been close to 90 per cent for a long time and their respective market shares have not changed a lot either. So our banking sector certainly fits the definition of an oligopoly. Kiwibank sits between the two-tiers and does impose some competitive constraints on the larger banks but lacks the scale or capital to do a lot.

The analysis in the report is okay but most of their recommendations are likely to have little impact on banking sector competition. They put a lot of stress on the potential competitive impacts of “open banking”. Open banking gives customers the ability to share their banking data, including all of their transactions data, with third-party providers such as Fintech companies. The expectation (hope) is that this will allow customers to get better-suited and cheaper products and to switch banks more easily. Open banking has become a buzz phrase. Its promoters attach large potential benefits to it.

But open banking has been available in the United Kingdom and Australia for a few years already.

A recent review of its progress in UK concluded that the open banking regime had flopped. The reasons they gave for this is that there is insufficient demand for open banking services from both customers and Fintechs.

Customers are nervous about sharing their banking data with companies they don’t know well. Consumers worry about just how open their data could become. Most new UK Fintech firms have struggled to grow and make a profit. I have been told that the few new firms that did make progress in Australia were then bought out by the banks.

I am not sure why our Commerce Commission thinks open banking will have a bigger impact in NZ than it has so far done in the UK and Australia.

“There is some thinking and terminology in the report that worries me. For example, it says there is currently no maverick in the sector - they describe a maverick as a “particularly aggressive or innovative provider”. In several places it says there is need for disruptive innovation. Elsewhere, it says competitors should be constantly trying “to injure each other”. We need to be careful what we wish for. These sorts of market behaviours may be fine in many markets, but they could be very risky and expensive in a country’s banking sector.

From my experience of working on banking supervision issues in a number of countries overseas, maverick banks have an unfortunate tendency to collapse, and banking sector collapses have an unfortunate tendency to cost citizens and governments a lot of money. This makes the banking sector different from most other sectors.

Ōhaupō speed bumps on way out?

By Chris Gardner

The Government is scrapping plans for 29 speed bumps on state highways, as motorists complain about the severity of three of them in Ōhaupō.

“Kiwis are sick of seeing money go into expensive speed bumps while the roads aren’t being maintained to the standard they expect,” said Transport minister Simeon Brown.

Brown was responding to questions from The News on the future of the three speed bumps installed by Waipā District Council on State Highway 3 in Ōhaupō over six months last summer.

While the speed bumps have earned praise from the business community for slowing down traffic, motorists are complaining about their severity according to Waipā Pirongia-Kakepuku Ward councillors Clare St Pierre and Bruce Thomas.

“People don’t like speed bumps,” St Pierre said.

“There are residents in that community who are really disappointed that the pavement rehabilitation was not done throughout the CBD.”

“I have heard complaints from different people,” said Thomas.

He thought the speed bump warning signs were in the wrong place and did not give motorists adequate warning.

“There’s a speed reduction sign

right by the speed bump.”

He had mentioned it to council, but the sign had not been moved.

Road Haulage Te Awamutu owner Warren Whittaker said Ōhaupō’s speed bumps were too severe, disrupting livestock and cargo.

“The are a pain in the arse,” he said.

“They are too savage; they need to make them not as savage. We have got livestock on board.”

Federated Farmers Waikato provincial vice president Andrew Reymer, who lives locally and is on the Pirongia ward committee, agreed Ōhaupō’s speed bumps were too severe but thought the council had done everything right.

“The job was not finished,” he said. He was looking forward to NZTA finishing the job.

“The community has been asking for a pedestrian crossing for years, now the kids are crossing safely. That’s the win.”

Waipā Transportation manager Bryan Hudson - in a report that went before the council’s Pirongia Ward committee yesterday that substantial “tempering of traffic speed” had been achieved.

“Following project completion, the community sentiment towards the upgrades has been very positive,” he said.

“The Government is changing that by ringfencing funding for resealing, rehabilitation, and drainage maintenance works on

our roading network to prevent potholes and improve the maintenance of our roads.”

The cost of last summer’s construction works was $2.1 million.

Residents are bracing for more disruption as Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency completes the job before Christmas with full rehabilitation of the state highway pavement.

Brown said since the release of the Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS), 29 speed bumps on state highways that were proposed under the previous government’s GPS had been cancelled.

“Additionally, our GPS removes funding for speed bumps on local roads from the National Land Transport Fund - an activity which had become profligate under the previous government’s transport policies and simply just frustrated motorists and incurred significant costs to ratepayers and taxpayers.”

Brown said projects that had already received funding would continue, but no further Crown funding would be available for these types of projects which he said simply inconvenience motorists.

“If local councils want to spend ratepayers’ money on speed bumps, they are free to do so, but they won’t receive National Land Transport Funds to help pay for it,” he said.

Club toasts new members

Cambridge Tree Town Toastmasters has four prospective new members after an open evening this month.

The club celebrated its 30th birthday in 2023, having opened its doors for the first time in 1993 and if new faces come on board it will have close to 30 members.

Club spokesperson Simon Diplock said most are based in the Waikato, but some members are from further afield in Taupo, the

Cambridge at your fingertips

It’s all on your local App – are you?

The Cambridge App is the go-to place for your latest mobile news, sport and opinion.

Every day, locals open the app to stay informed about what’s happening in Cambridge.

But there isn’t only news on this app: it features upcoming events, funeral notices, the latest properties for sale, places to eat and drink, activities, local businesses, and much more.

Download the Cambridge App, look around, you might be surprised by what you find.

To list your business, event or activity, contact

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

United Kingdom and Spain. “As a hybrid club, it allows both online and in person attendees, giving their members great flexibility to attend from anywhere,” he said.

Toastmasters helps people to overcome their fear of public speaking and develop leadership skills in a low stress environment.

The Cambridge club meets every Monday in Cambridge.

Reach a targeted rural and lifestyle audience each month by advertising your business in CountryLife; featured inside the Cambridge News and Te Awamutu News.

Readership 70,470

Distribution 26,100

One of the speed bumps in Ōhaupō.

CountryLife

Main office 55 Victoria St, Cambridge

Spotlight

Spotlight on Cambridge

EXPERTS ON THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Taking care of the furry family members

Kiwis are per capita, the biggest lovers of outdoors in the world.

Kiwis are per capita, the biggest lovers of outdoors in the world.

The Irish groomer, as her repeat clients a ectionately call her, is one of only a handful of internationally quali ed petgroomers in New Zealand and runs her business Paws and Claws from 9b Anzac St, Cambridge.

Hunting, fishing, camping – you name it, we are out there doing it every month of the year.

For more than 25 years, Lisa Byrne has been attending to the needs of both cats and dogs, o ering a full top to bottom service.

Hunting, fishing, camping – you name it, we are out there doing it every month of the year.

To get the best of our pursuits, and the often-rugged terrain we play or work in, we need the best gear available. And that’s where Hunting & Fishing come in.

To get the best of our pursuits, and the often-rugged terrain we play or work in, we need the best gear available. And that’s where Hunting & Fishing come in.

“I spent my early years while studying as a veterinary nurse and worked in Ireland, England and New Zealand,” she says.

The service for both species includes nail trimming, which can be done without an appointment. For everything else, though, bookings are necessary.

Since 1986, the chain has built a second-to-none brand in the sector, and they’ve done this by making sure every product they sell has been well tested in the environment it is designed for, before it gets onto the shelves.

“For dogs, we o er full and mini grooms, from shampoo and dry to cuts or trims –even teeth cleaning,” Lisa says.

Since 1986, the chain has built a second-to-none brand in the sector, and they’ve done this by making sure every product they sell has been well tested in the environment it is designed for, before it gets onto the shelves.

Cats also require grooming, although not as regularly as dogs.

Even short-haired cats need a groom –all that licking is simply leaving saliva on their coats; it needs a regular full clean.”

The product ranges are now extensive, starting with fishing. From the river, lake, land and sea, we feature everything from the latest technology through to specialized gear and rigs.

The product ranges are now extensive, starting with fishing.

From the river, lake, land and sea, we feature everything from the latest technology through to specialized gear and rigs.

“Short or long haired, they should come in about four times a year for a full stripping of the underfur which helps stop matting, helps relieve furballs being regurgitated and it’s also good for them to have a hygiene trim around their bottoms to keep that area clear.

Staff Rob Warne, Keith Thomason, Dayna Tillemans and Brooke Kimber - Store Manager / Director

Some cats will allow being bathed and others are not so fussed, but the option is there for that too.

Then there is hunting – whether it be deer, thar, chamois or pigs or for the small game for young ones such as

Then there is hunting – whether it be deer, thar, chamois or pigs or for the small game for young ones such as

Bookings are essential year round for all grooms. Paws and Claws is open Monday to Friday, and one Saturday a month.

Staff Rob Warne, Keith Thomason, Dayna Tillemans and Brooke Kimber - Store Manager / Director

you walk into the store with a query, they can direct you to the best possible product to suit your actual needs and your budget. Come in and talk to Brooke and the team at Hunting & Fishing in

you walk into the store with a query, they can direct you to the best possible product to suit your actual needs and your budget. Come in and talk to Brooke and the team at Hunting & Fishing in

“December 2024 is already fully booked,” Lisa says.

“So while we can do walk in nail trims, anything that is based upon a groom for either animal will need to be booked ahead.”

Clients can contact Lisa via email at lisabyrnegroomer@gmail.com or phoning 0211714716.

Health expert’s ‘extreme’ worry

By Mary Anne Gill

A veteran medical professional has revealed how concerned he is with the state of New Zealand’s health system.

Luk Chin an 81-year old anaesthetist and pain specialist now working in private practice was giving an update on his Health Hub project to Cambridge Chamber of Commerce members at a Business After Five event last week.

Groundworks has begun on the hub in Victoria Road with building expected to start early next year.

But Chin, who was born in Dunedin and moved to Waikato Hospital as a house surgeon in 1966, said he was “extremely worried” about New Zealand’s health service.

He pinpointed the introduction in the 1970s of intensive care units in New Zealand for the start of the problems which saw an increase in the complexity of operations and procedures.

“That resulted in increased costs, increased staffing and increased facilities and that adds to an enormous cost to healthcare services and all around the world have not kept up with that and that’s why we’re in the

financial crisis now.

“We’ve had underfunded and underresourced health services for so long.”

Chin worked at Waikato Hospital for more than 40 years – becoming a leading intensivist and pain specialist – and while there helped develop the Anglesea Clinic in Hamilton.

“I don’t think there is any country in the world (that) can ever provide sufficient funds to be able to get everybody the perfect service.”

Eighty cents of every dollar spent on health is spent on people over 60, he said.

“So, they are the high users. And of course we’re getting old, we’re ageing now, we’re living longer and so our requirements are going to be going up, up and up all the time.”

Chin said the country with the best health service in the world was Norway. “Even they do have some minor problems but not the way we have it.”

Recent research into gene modification –which enables medical professionals to remove defective genes in the human DNA – was the next big thing, he said.

“These so-called

inherited disorders can actually be eliminated from the human race.”

Five years ago, Chin said he saw an opportunity in Cambridge when a parcel of land in Victoria Road became available.

The Anglesea complex had already expanded across the road in Hamilton and Chin could see an opportunity for a similar development in Cambridge to meet demand.

Wanting to get the land as quick as he could, he tapped his old mate Sir Patrick Hogan on the shoulder.

“I said to him ‘let’s do something for Cambridge.’ And he agreed to purchase the land and that’s where we are today.”

Hogan died last year but before then Justine had formed a company with Chin to own and develop the land. Waipā District Council has approved a 7300 square metre complex.

In the original plans there was to be a GP practice but that had fallen through, said Chin.

“I assure you it will go ahead but in a different format.

“We’re going ahead with but with mainly a hospital component with public

imaging – scanning and the rest of it.”

Chin said he had recently been approached by Bay of Plenty health officials to establish facilities in Tauranga.

“That is in the early stages. We’ve just acquired the land for that.”

Chin breeds, owns and trains several trotters at his 1000m track in Bruntwood Road, Tamahere. In a training career stretching back to 1980, he has trained 189 winners, with total stake earnings of $2.147 million. He has driven 151 winners with earnings of $1.679 million.

His last win was on Friday when he guided three-year-old Mazeppa to victory at Alexandra Park in Auckland. He had horses racing at the Waikato Bay of Plenty Harness Racing meeting on Tuesday, after The News went to press.

A must keep

As a community we must make a concerted effort to preserve the town’s history and our architectural history for future generations; this is the key to retaining the character of the town.

Cambridge is a wonderful town to live. The historic layout was planned - the town square with mature trees planted by many who came to live in the town in its formative years and who had vision and forth sight of how the town would eventually become.

The historic architecture of Cambridge is important ascetically to its character. As you enter the town you pass by the water tower that stands proud at the entrance to the town, further along Hamilton Road stands St Andrews Church, which dominates the corner leading into town and across the road from the church is the Thomas Wells Memorial Gates. The Cambridge Town Hall was placed in a prominent position and sits majestically overlooking the town, the amazing War Memorial and the Town Clock are situated in Jubilee Gardens. Take away anyone one of these elements you start to destroy the historic fabric of the town.

Also important, is the array of Inter-war commercial and early domestic architecture that includes a diverse grouping of villas, cottages and bungalows. All these elements give the town its special character. Ebbing away at the edges destroys the important historic nature of our town and what

makes Cambridge it is today.

Jennie Gainsford

Daffodil Day

On August 30 the community of Cambridge came together in support of Daffodil Day. You may be aware that Daffodil Day is the Cancer Society’s most important fundraiser. The funds we raise together help us continue our services for another year in the region, ensuring we are there to give support at the time it is needed the most.

But Daffodil Day is important for another reason as well. It unites the community, bringing us together to wear our daffodils in solidarity with those we know and love on the cancer journey.

I’d like to personally thank the Cambridge community for the support they have given us this Daffodil Day. I’d also like to acknowledge the many volunteers who donated their time to be on our collection stands.

I’d also like to express my gratitude to Debra Jenkins who put in dozens of hours of her time as volunteer coordinator in Cambridge and who is responsible for making sure the town was painted yellow.

Thank you all so much for being there for us this Daffodil Day. With your support, we can be there for the one in three with cancer with cancer in Cambridge.

Helen Carter Chief Executive, Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty

Dr Luk Chin

Infatuated (8)

1. Unbending (5)

Plan (6)

Garland (3) 8. Part of the eye (6) 9. Unauthorised day off

Soft shade of a colour (6)

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Across: 1. Cheese, 4. Ageism, 9. Noose, 10. Bearing, 11. Portent, 13. Drip, 14. Pleasurable, 17. Scam, 18. Tally-ho, 21. Placebo, 22. Oiled, 24. Latest, 25. Beggar. Down: 1. Canopy, 2. Ego, 3. Suede, 5. Grandpa, 6. Initially, 7. Magi, 8. Obstruction, 12. Reluctant, 15. Aimless, 16. Wonder, 19. Loose, 20. Opal, 23. Log.

Photo Credit: Rebecca Usal - RG Photos

CAMBRIDGE OPEN HOMES

4

5

9

6/103 Maungakawa Road Auction 12.00-12.30pm 261 Kaipaki Road $1,680,000+ GST 12.00-12.30pm

62 Raleigh Street PBN 12.00-12.45pm

3 Hillary Place $815,000

- This home features new double-glazed windows, central ducted heating, and full insulation for year-round comfort.

- Three bedrooms, a large, open plan living area, a spacious bathroom with a separate toilet.

- Freshly painted, fully lined and carpeted double internal garage.

- Fully fenced, easy-care garden features a good-sized lawn for play or relaxation, plus a spacious patio with a new roof for all-weather use, maximizing privacy and outdoor enjoyment.

- A well-proportioned and equipped kitchen; north-facing open plan living and dining; a large separate lounge.

- Four bedrooms plus an office & three generous bathrooms spread over two levels (including master bedroom with extra-large walk-in robe and ensuite); copious storage throughout; separate laundry and internal access double garage.

- Superbly serviced by the combination of a heat pump and gas fireplace – stay cosy year-round.

- Wonderfully refurbished 1950s family home, with all the bells and whistles for comfortable living.

- Offering a spacious, ergonomically designed kitchen with fantastic chattels, two bathrooms, two toilets and a large separate lounge.

- French and sliding doors opening to your choice of sunny decks.

- Double garage with workbench and lots of exterior space (including two generous paddocks and an orchard paddock to-be) - 6,007 sqm (more or less) property.

- This stunning four-bedroom, two-bathroom plus powder room home is ready to welcome its new owners.

- The generous master suite is a true retreat, offering walk-in wardrobe, ensuite and outdoor access to the spa.

- Each additional bedroom is well-sized and family bathroom with toilet is also substantial in size.

- Step outside to your private fully fenced backyard oasis, where you’ll find an expansive entertainers deck - perfect for BBQ’s.

Multiply

CLIFFT, Marjorie (Margaret)

– Peacefully slipped away on Friday, 6th September 2024 at Cambridge Oakdale, aged 93 years. Much loved wife of the late Sydney. Loved mother & mother in-law to Paul, and Maureen & Trevor Stites. Special thanks to the staff of Cambridge Oakdale for the love and care shown to Margaret and family over the past two years. A celebration of Margaret's life will be held at St Andrews Anglican Church, Hamilton Road, Cambridge on Friday, the 13th of September 2024 at 11:00 am. All communications to the Clifft Family, c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434.

COLLIER, Susan Mary, (nee Bray) – Peacefully went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, 4th September 2024 at Cambridge Oakdale. Aged 77 years. Dearly loved wife of the late Barry. Worshipped mother and mother-in-law to Maria & Gary, Trisha & Stephen, Kathy & Charlie, and Trevor & Kelly. Devoted G’mar to 16 grandchildren, 36 greatgrandchildren and two great great-grandchildren.

‘Now resting with Jesus’ A memorial service to celebrate the life of Sue will be held at Raleigh Street Christian Centre, Raleigh Street, Leamington, Cambridge, on Tuesday, 24th September 2024 at 1:00pm. Donations to Community Meals at Raleigh Street Christian Centre would be appreciated and may be left at the service. All communications to the Collier Family, c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434.

FRASER, Alison Elspeth

(née Speight) – Peacefully at Te Awa Lifecare, Cambridge on 5th September 2024, aged 88. Our lovely Fruitcake mother has run her race. She’s left us to join Rick where he’s been waiting for her with a nice Otago pinot at the big bar in the sky. Beloved wife of the late Richard, much-loved mother and best mother-in-law of Sarah and the late Stephen, Andrew and Tess, Kate and Graham. Adored Granny Ali of Angus and Alex, Madeleine and Sophia. Her memorial service will be held at the Feilding Funeral Chapel, 282 Kimbolton Road at 2pm on Saturday 14th September. Or you may watch live at Alison's tribute page www. beauchamp.co.nz/tribute

WALLING, Joan – Passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, 4th September 2024 at Lauriston Care Centre.

Aged 86 years. Dearly loved mother to Joanie, Leonard, Nicola, Ben, and Kathryn. Devoted grandma to 13 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. ‘Special thanks to Joan’s caregiver, Dyan Dashwood and Lauriston Care Centre staff for the love and compassion shown to Joan.’ The service for Joan has been held. All communications to the Walling Family, c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434.

Notice of AGM CAMBRIDGE TOWN HALL COMMUNITY TRUST

The Annual General Meeting of the Cambridge Town Hall Community Trust will be held as follows:

Date: Tues, 8 Oct, 2024 Time: 7pm Place: Edwardian Room, Cambridge Town Hall –entrance off Lake Street. All welcome.

Cambridge Community Marae

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

6:30pm

Monday 16 Sept 2024 Te Puawaitanga Wharenui, Marae Complex, Pope Terrace All welcome

MEETING NOTICE

Pursuant to Section 46 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 notice is hereby given that a meeting of Nga Pae Whenua the Joint Management Body for the Taumatawiiwii, Ngati Koroki Kahukura ki Hinuera, Waikaukau and Te Reti Reserves will be held on Monday 23rd September at 2.30pm in the Kaipaki Meeting Room, Waipa District Council, 23 Wilson Street, Cambridge.

A copy of the agenda will be available two days before the meeting at the Cambridge Public Library.

Missed Delivery?

Call Janine 027 287 0005 or email janine@goodlocal.nz

Cambridge Seventh-Day Adven�st Church

Cr. Shakespeare & Browning Streets

Bible Study Each Saturday: 9.30am – 10.45am

Worship Service: 11.00am

Like us on Facebook: h�ps://www.facebook.com/cambridge.sda.9 email: cambridge.sda.nz@gmail.com Phone: 027 677 6433

Welcom e elcome Come along to our church service 9:30 am Sunday with Children’s Church & crèche

Jono Gibson Funeral Director

ACCOUNTANCY ROLE

We are looking for a person to join our team either fulltime or part time, who has a people first attitude and understands the importance of delivering in a positive, timely manner.

You will be joining an accountancy firm with a large farming client base along with many progressive businesses. Flexibility to work from either our Hamilton and/or Ōtorohanga office as well as from home, as our offices are cloud based. About us

We are more than just about numbers. Our mission statement is ‘Making a positive difference in your life’ which relates to both staff and clients. We are a small growing innovative accounting firm of 12 providing a fun, friendly, flexible working environment. Check out our awesome website for the history of the firm and testimonials.

Qualifications & experience

• Minimum of 2 years experience in a New Zealand Chartered Accountant’s office.

Benefits

• Flexible working environment

• Offices in Hamilton and Ōtorohanga

• Payment of professional membership fees

• Staff savings scheme and paid day off for birthday

• Fun progressive team environment

• Being totally cloud based the team are all able to work remotely from home

Send your CV and covering letter to Osbornes Chartered Accountants Ltd team@osbornesca.co.nz

Flexi Comfort Adjustable Bed

Sleep with exceptionally optimised comfort.

Restonic Plush Mattress

Our Restonic Plush mattress o ers a night of pure bliss in this medium-soft feel that melts to your touch. The 5-zone Posture Pro pocket springs are dynamic to provide world-class body support, and the charcoal memory foam, on top of molding to your body in a pillowing embrace, provides comfortable temperature regulation. Together this creates the perfect tonic for a refreshing rest.

SPECIFICATIONS

Size: Queen (152 x 202cm), King (167 x 202cm), Super King (180 x 202cm), Cali King (202 x 202cm)

Spring: 5 Zone Posture Pro® pocket springs Foam: Charcoal Memory Foam, Medium Density Foam

Fabrics: Organic Cotton Fabric

Firmness Level: Medium Soft

Brand: Slumberzone

Range: Premium range Warranty: 10 Year Warranty*

Key Features:

1. 5 Zone Posture Pro Pocket Springs: Experience world-class body support with our innovative 5 Zone Pocket Springs. These springs are intelligently engineered to adjust with your body movements, ensuring proper spine alignment and dynamic conformity to your body contours.

2. Charcoal Memory Foam: Our This specialized foam not only eliminates odors but also absorbs excess moisture, regulating temperature throughout the night. Additionally, it is an excellent choice for individuals with allergies, as it o ers superior breathability and hypoallergenic properties.

3. Medium Density Foam: This layer adds an extra level of cushioning and contouring, cradling your body in sublime comfort. Sink into the plushness and let your worries melt away as you indulge in a peaceful night's sleep.

4. Organic Cotton Fabric: The Restonic Plush bed is wrapped in premium organic cotton fabric, sourced and manufactured right here in New Zealand.

5. 10-Year Warranty: We stand behind the quality and durability of our Restonic Plush bed. With our 10-year warranty, you can sleep soundly knowing that your investment is protected.

Visit us at: 19 kaniera terrace,