School plans expansion
By Chris Gardner
While one Te Awamutu school has announced it is full, another is planning to boost its roll.
Waipā Christian School wants permission to add secondary schooling to its portfolio.
Incoming chair of the board of proprietors
Phil Strong and principal Jaco Labuschagne told The News they had made an application to the Ministry of Education seeking permission to expand the state-integrated co-educational primary school roll.
The special Christian character school, in Chapel Drive, Te Awamutu, has been operating for more than 30 years and is limited to providing primary education for up to 104 Year 1 to 8 students.
Strong and Labuschagne’s application to the ministry is to lift the roll to 154 pupils and add secondary schooling for Years 9 and 10.
The Ministry of Education website says primary schools can apply to expand their year levels and change their classifications to composite schools to accommodate more pupils across different year levels.
The application comes soon after Te Awamutu College announced it had closed its doors to pupils from outside of its newly established zone – because it was forecasting a roll of more than 1450 in 2025.
Strong, who has served on the board of proprietors for eight years and is also the pastor at the Zion People church in Te Awamutu, said the Christian school was in the very early stages of preparing for growth.
“We are seeing a growing need in the community, and we have asked if we can extend our facilities to meet that need,”
Strong said.
Strong said the current Chapel Drive site was full of little children and had no room for teenagers. So, the hunt has begun for additional premises from which the school can eventually operate schooling for pupils in Years 7 to 10.
“As part of our application we have suggested feedback from the community who would like to have choice. We have really strong support from the community.”
In his pastoral role Strong is also working with Habitat for Humanity on an affordable
housing project on Racecourse Road, another project spurned on by growth.
Before lodging its application with the ministry, Waipā Christian School consulted with Te Awamutu’s Christian community and further afield.
“We started noticing that our enrolment numbers are picking up,” Labuschagne said. “Our roll has really grown, and we are sitting at 99 students. People are just looking for a Christian education.
If its application is approved the school would look to adding Year 9 pupils in 2026 and Year 10 pupils thereafter.
“Once we have a proposal in place for this we can go back to the ministry,” he said.
The non-denominational school, which welcomes families from the Waipā and Otorohanga districts, is consulting with the local Christian and wider community on its plans. Waipā Christian School’s aim is to encourage pupils to become lifelong learners.
Waipā Christian School was “well placed” in achieving valued outcomes for its students, the Education Review Office said in its most recent report in 2019.
Council defends ‘low risk’ investment
A media release outlining a low-risk arbitrage deal to net a near $400,000 profit was in the interest of transparency and not intended to outline the council’s financial situation, says Waipā District Council deputy chief executive Ken Morris.
He was responding to a story in last week’s edition of The News in which a Cambridge Community Board member, Andrew Myers, 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.
Morris said a $50 million pre-funding deal through to April next year, was a good news story for ratepayers.
“In our Enhanced Annual Plan we are due to take on $106 million of new debt before June 2025, and $50 million is a very reasonable, proportionate amount of pre-funding that fits well with our approved borrowing programme.”
The deal had been advised by the council’s treasury adviser Bancorp and was considered “a well-advised and measured transaction”.
“One of the key things taken into consideration in determining the appropriateness of the deal was the interest rate payable on the borrowing, particularly in a market where the rates are anticipated to fall. The interest rate was in our target range and of course the pricing reflects market
expectations of falling interest rates over the period of the loan,” Morris said.
He said arbitrage opportunities were not uncommon in the Local Government sector and Local Authorities were offered attractive borrowing rates through Local Government Funding Agency borrowing arrangements, which made such deals profitable.
“In the two to three years leading up to Covid, we entered a number of arbitrage
arrangements and netted over $1 million of gain over that period.”
The council was working on its 2025-34 Long Term Plan and reviewing its financial strategy.
“Explanations for increased borrowing and our plans to manage this over time, will be the focus of that financial strategy and we will be consulting with the community on that, in the first half of next year,” Morris said.
Ken Morris
Waipa Christian School principal Jaco Labuschagne has expansion plans
Groups get Tū Manawa boost
By Mary Anne Gill
Six Waipā organisations and a programme delivered in the district by Waikato Rugby Union secured Tū Manawa funding with the help of Sport Waikato.
The $158,367 was allocated to champion access to quality physical activity for children and youth.
Tū Manawa addresses the barriers children and young people face in accessing an opportunity, so it has a particular focus on groups who are less active, including girls and young women, and disabled people.
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Te Awamutu AFC’s social media has been promoting its
In Sport Waikato’s six-monthly report to Waipā’s Service Delivery committee this week, regional connectivity coordinator Hadon Westerby said the organisation’s strategic objective was to increase the participation in play, active recreation and sport across the region.
It has a service agreement with Waipā to deliver outcomes locally which is currently being redrafted.
Tū Manawa is aimed at addressing the barriers children and young people face in accessing an opportunity, so it has a particular focus on groups who are less active, including girls and young women, and disabled people.
Groups to get funding in Waipā with Sport Waikato’s support were: Ōhaupō Karate Trust - Karate Club and Self Defence programme, St Patrick’s Catholic School Te Awamutu - Meaningful Movement, Te Awamutu Junior Rugby Sub Union - Girls Rugby Pilot, Dance Therapy NZ - Dance 4 Us Te Awamutu, Te Awamutu Rugby Sports and Recreation Club Inc - Te Awamutu Wahine Rangatahi Rugby Sevens Development Initiative and Te Awamutu AFC - Community Football Holiday Programme.
Waikato Rugby Union’s junior girls’ rugby development programme also got Tū Manawa funding for Waipā.
Sport Waikato is also working with Te Awamutu College, Cambridge High School and St Peter’s School in Cambridge on a Moving Waikato Youth Survey as part of its focus on helping stakeholders make decisions and enable community conversations.
Westerby has been regularly able to hot desk in council offices which helped develop a network of Waipā, Waikato, Hamilton and Hauraki council staff to share ideas and learnings on a range of issues including field bookings, line marking nuisance motor bikes on reserves, field upgrades and
floodlighting.
A successful girls’ rugby pilot programme in Te Awamutu for girls in years three to eight – a partnership between Te Awamutu Junior Rugby Sub Union, Waikato RU and Sport Waikato - was a tremendous success with 95 per cent of parents recognising that fun was a major factor in their daughters’ participation.
“A key role of Sport Waikato staff is to support connections between key stakeholders in play, active recreation, and sport to enhance community outcomes,” the report said.
Connections were made with national groups such as Recreation Aoteaora and the Walking Access Commission.
Te Awamutu Squash, Te Awamutu AFC, Leamington Rugby, Pirongia Sport Complex and Skateboard Steering Group, Cambridge Cricket and Cambridge Raceway all benefitted from the connections.
The report suggested the council should looks at ways to identify opportunities to celebrate sport and recreation outcomes.
Sport Waikato will support World Youth, World Car Free and World Volunteers days as well as Māori Language, National Clean Up, Mental Health Awareness, National Play and National Get Outdoors weeks.
“Consider the creation and communication of suitable activities and messaging that supports these and other relevant awareness events,” its report said.
Its work in the disability community was also covered.
Sport Waikato is involved in the Accessibility and Inclusion (Disability) network to cater to people with a disability.
The network includes 14 representatives from 11 different disability organisations - Blind Low Vision, Halberg, Special Olympics, Parafed Waikato, Starjam, Enabling Good Lives Waikato, My Life My Voice, Equipotential, Enrich Plus, Hamilton City Council and Brain Injury Trust.
Food and thought
To those who designed the road, cycle and walkway along Whittaker Street in Kihikihia big Thank you. Obviously, a lot of thought has gone into how the community lives and what would be an added extra.
How cool to be walking to school and being able to pick a mandarin off a tree for your lunchbox or to snaffle a couple of lemons for that lemon meringue pie. Wel done. Looking forward to more of this more thoughtful approach to village planning Barb Cahalane Kihikihi
Well said
I congratulate Gwynneth Purdie on her letter (The News September 12) around Māori Wards.
At the time of the council, along with many other councils, making the undemocratic decision to create Māori wards, I wrote to the council asking for their rationale. The answer from both Waipā and Taupō, two councils that I get to vote in, was that Māori were underrepresented. Women, people under 40 and children are all unrepresented - should we have a ward for them? Of course this would be ridiculous and unnecessary, but you can see my point. I also made the point that what they were doing was insulting to Māori as they were very capable of standing for local council seats, in their own right.
The problems around local bodies are our fault. We don’t vote in great numbers, we don’t get the right people to stand, so we get what we deserve. I am being disrespectful to those on our current councils, as I am sure that they want to do the right thing. Councils need to go back to basics and do their core roles well.
If we want a Māori voice, and I am not sure why their views would be more important than anyone else’s, then let’s encourage candidates by all means, to stand for the general seats on councils.
Dennis Catchpole Te Awamutu
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school holiday programme.
Service honoured
Waipā District Council group manager Service
Delivery Dawn Inglis has been honoured for her 40year career by Taituarā, New Zealand’s local government professional organisation. Inglis began as an engineering cadet, and she told councillors it had been a “fabulous and very rewarding” career to look back on.
Taste of honey
The low level of pH in manuka honey - a way of describing whether something is acidic, neutral, or alkaline – has been blamed for the corrosion in the Paterangi Road bridge’s wastewater pipes. An urgent pipe renewal has taken place to replace the ductile iron sewer and prevent leakage into the stream underneath it.
Rally goes ahead
Three objections to an application by Ultimate Rally Group for a temporary road closure during Labour Weekend to hold the Targa Rally were dismissed by Waipā District Council’s Service Delivery committee this week.
Faecal matter found
A wastewater pipe which was leaking into the Mangapiko Stream was responsible for a sewer manhole overflowing in Paterangi Road near Te Awamutu. Samples taken originally showed high faecal matter. Waipā council’s water reticulation team discovered the leaky pipe a month later and replaced it.
Clams found
Divers have found golden clams visible on the riverbed at Waipā’s Pukerimu River intake, but they are not impacting any water supply infrastructure and are not responsible for severe corrosion of the intake line. The Pukerimu Water Supply Scheme sources water from the Waikato River and services rural households between Te Awamutu and Cambridge, Hamilton Airport, Ōhaupō and Mystery Creek.
Aussie flights: It was always when – not if
By Mary Anne Gill
Mark Morgan had a twinkle in his eye when he spoke about the possibility international flights could be returning to Hamilton Airport.
It was the end of June and The News put the question to him following up on our front page the previous month when we reported Aussies were eyeing our airport.
“When can we see the return of international flights to Waikato?” we asked.
The answer was non-committal then but earlier this week the Waikato Regional Airport boss confirmed it would be next year and Qantas subsidiary Jetstar would provide three return flights a week to the Gold Coast and four return flights to Sydney.
The international flights would be the first out of the council-owned Hamilton Airport in 13 years.
Virgin Australia’s final flight from Hamilton to Brisbane was in October 2012.
“It’s been hard, complex work, in a very sensitive commercial environment and we are thrilled to have pulled this off,” said Morgan.
“The benefits for the entire region – not just passengers – are huge. Analysis indicates the flights will boost the regional economy by about $45 million per year.”
Three months ago, Morgan said the growing pressure on Auckland Airport and the traffic congestion around the area had opened up the international possibilities for Waikato.
“Our market eventually is trans-Tasman or the islands. It’s not LA or Europe,” he said.
The time was ripe because of Waikato’s growth, particularly with Hamilton being the fastest growing city in the country.
“I think there is a real opportunity. We can have conversations, we can advocate but it has to make commercial sense to us and the airlines,” he said. Clearly it made sense as he confirmed he had
more conversations with airlines in the last couple of years than he had in the preceding five or six years.
It was the growth of the North Island and the catchment of Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua then south to Taupō and the King Country which would attract airlines, he said then.
Having flights mid-morning from Hamilton would change the way you think about international travel, he said.
The aircraft used on the trans-Tasman routes will be a 188-seater A320 Neo. The airport’s northern terminal will be prepared for Customs, border control, aviation security and other services.
The airport is a council-controlled organisation owned by Hamilton City, Ōtorohanga, Waipā, Waikato and Matamata-Piako councils and is the umbrella for subsidiary companies Hamilton Airport, Jet Park Hotel Hamilton Airport, Hamilton & Waikato Tourism and Titanium Park Limited.
While called Hamilton Airport, it is in Rukuhia, part of the Waipā district.
Mayor Susan O’Regan, who was born and brought up near the airport, said she was “absolutely stoked”.
“…all of us will benefit from flights in and out of the airport which is, after all, in our district. These flights will mean 65,000 visitors each year landing in our patch so the economic potential from visitors alone is fantastic.”
Once flights begin Jetstar will become the fourth airline using Hamilton Airport for scheduled flights. Other carriers include Air New Zealand, Sunair and Originair.
Fire chief’s service acknowledged
Te Awamutu fire chief Ian Campbell received his Kings Service Medal from Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro at Government House in Wellington last week.
He was among Fire and Emergency New Zealand volunteers and staff from Wānaka, Auckland, Rongotea, Bulls, Kerikeri, Taihape and Te Puke to be presented with their royal honours.
“These eight recipients have dedicated years of their time to supporting their communities to become stronger, safer, and more resilient through their roles as volunteers for Fire and Emergency, and through all their other community contributions.
It is wonderful to see their efforts recognised today,” Fire and Emergency Board chair Rebecca Keoghan said.
Campbell, a member of the Te
Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade since 1982 and Te Awamutu Taekwon-Do Club for 27 years, received his medal for services to both organisations.
He has been chief fire officer since 2007 of Waikato’s busiest volunteer brigade – its 40 members attend more than 400 callouts a year.
Campbell led fundraising for the $54,000 for the purchase of hydraulic rescue equipment in 2009 and $41,000 for an emergency response vehicle in 2016. In 2014, he led a team to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with St John to assist with medical emergencies with a purpose-built vehicle and chaired centennial celebrations of the brigade in 2013.
He is head instructor of Te Awamutu Taekwon-Do Club and one of 13 7th Dan masters in New Zealand.
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Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan, right, and chief executive Steph O’Sullivan at the launch of Jetstar’s Trans-Tasman flights at Hamilton Airport this week.
Ian Campbell, pictured at Government House last week with Dame Cindy Kiro.
Waipa Workingmens Club
Great people, great food, great atmosphere. Enjoy what the club has to offer!
Finding contentment
By Samuel Pullenger Ministry Assistant, St John’s Anglican Parish
I don’t think we have to look too far to recognise that the focus our world has on new and better products has a damaging effect not just on the environment, but on our mental, physical, and spiritual lives as well.
Last week’s paper featured an article on the way that Cambridge East Primary School students are using pre-loved cell phones for school projects.
These projects range from learning how to take videos and how to transfer information from phone to PC, all the way to creating their own podcasts and video editing.
This initiative is an incredible way to reduce the waste created by our consumerist culture while also preparing the next generation for the future.
It can also be a way to teach our tamariki about the flaws of consumerism and the ways that life can be improved through being content.
In the Anglican church calendar, we are in the season of creation. This year the tagline for this season is “To hope and act with creation”.
our lives on social media.
However, this is not the way Christians believe we were created to live.
One way that people have read the Bible is as a story from one garden to another.
The Bible begins with a garden that God creates for all creation to flourish in. When we get to the end of the Bible, we find that God has not only restored the garden but come to live among God’s creation - with humanity.
The picture this gives us is one of hope and fulfilment with all of creation, in the person of Jesus.
Not that we would somehow all be lifted up out of this beautiful physical world, but that in participation with God and others, we would learn to live well with the rest of creation.
Learning to live well with creation can mean anything from recycling and composting to finding ways to enjoy the world we inhabit.
Club Facilities and Member Benefits
• Plenty of off street parking
• Rafters Restaurant
• Full TAB Service
• Gaming Lounge
• Pool and Snooker Tables
• Dartboards
• Kids Zone with gaming consoles and foosball table
• Live Entertainment
• Courtesy Van
• Members Draw Nights
• Meat Raffles
• Covered outdoor dining area
• Venue Hire at discounted rates
• Range of Social and sports groups available Membership includes reciprocal visiting rights to other Clubs NZ clubs across New Zealand Get in touch or simply fill out our online membership form at www.waipawmc.co.nz
Club Opening Hours
Monday 1pm – 8pm
Tuesday 1pm – 10pm Wednesday 1pm – 8pm Thursday 1pm – 11pm Friday 1pm – 11pm
This challenges us to think about the ways in which our actions can affect creation, while also encouraging us that there is hope for all creation. In our context it is very easy to see ourselves as separate from the rest of creation.
We can shut ourselves off from creation, enjoying the warmth of a heat pump or fireplace.
We drive to work and back, find nightly entertainment in the form of Netflix or YouTube and then spend the remainder of
However, especially now, in a time when budgets are tight and advertising continually pesters us with the newest and greatest, finding contentment in what we have could be a really positive way to care for our creation. Being content with what we already have allows us to focus on the here and now, without worrying or stressing about what we want in the future. I encourage us all, just like the pre-loved phones project, to think about how we can take what we already have and find creative ways to repurpose them, not just for our benefit, but for generations to come.
ON SHAKY GROUND
When the ground moves
By Janine Krippner
Last week I discussed our tectonic plates and the Hikurangi Subduction Zone (HSZ).
It’s important to understand these processes and not just as a geologist. If you’re a Marvel movie fan, to quote Peter Quill - it’s important “because I’m one of the idiots who lives in it!” I’m not calling anyone an idiot, I just like the quote.
We are fortunate to have incredible mountains, habitats, and resources thanks to our geological processes. We also aren’t powerless when it comes to the scarier aspects. We can take action to ensure we are less impacted and can recover faster when our faults move. The first step is to understand them, which has been ongoing for decades thanks to seismologists and other experts.
We know that tectonic plates move at about the same speed that your fingernails grow, causing significant change over millions of years. When the faults between or within them move quickly we get earthquakes. Subduction zones like ours produce the world’s largest earthquakes and tsunamis, like the horrific 2004 Boxing Day (Sunda subduction zone) and 2011 Tōhoku (Japan Trench) events.
When we see an earthquake location on a map it is represented as a dot, but earthquakes are movement of rock across a plane. Imagine holding two books and sliding them past each other. The epicentre is the spot on land above where the earthquake begins, and where it begins below the surface is the hypocentre. Earthquakes are so complex that seismologists simplify the information so we can all understand the important bits quickly.
To simplify it, the greater the area that quickly slips, the longer the shaking and the bigger the magnitude. The Richter scale is no longer used as it’s not accurate, if you see this
term in the media it’s not correct. It can take longer for a larger area to slip. When this makes the ground move upwards below the ocean, this can trigger the large tsunamis. That’s why we say if it’s long or strong get gone (evacuate from a beach and go uphill).
The potential size of an earthquake is related to the area of a fault that could move.
The Tōhoku earthquake was so impactful because movement occurred over an area 400km long and 150km wide. Recent research shows that there’s a one in four (25%) chance of a major earthquake in our HSZ during the next 50 years. It is also capable of producing a magnitude nine earthquake, like the Tōhoku event.
We have over 500 mapped faults in Aotearoa that could produce a magnitude six-plus earthquake. You can explore the known active onshore faults in the “New Zealand Active Faults Database” online. Thankfully we are not powerless.
Earthquakes can happen at any time so it’s important that we remember what to do. Always drop, cover, and hold until the earthquake is over. If you try to move you can be knocked over or become a target for dangerous falling objects. Have a household plan, where would you meet if you are separated? There is plenty of important advice at getready.govt.nz.
We can’t predict when a major earthquake will occur, or the size, but we can take action to improve our chances of being okay. We have the power to get through these events together, just as many people around the world do each year.
Audit stays out of public gaze
By Chris Gardner
Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency’s post construction safety audit of Ōhaupō village pedestrian safety improvements won’t be made public unless Waipā District Council makes an Official Information Act request.
That’s according to council transportation manager Bryan Hudson who summarised the audit’s findings for Pirongia Ward Committee last week.
“We ask NZTA publicly whether we can release the safety audit,” Hudson said.
“We will need to make an Official Information Act request to them.”
The council installed a pedestrian crossing on Great Burke Street along with traffic calming speed bumps last summer and is awaiting NZTA to finish the job by resurfacing the highway.
The audit called for the removal of trip hazards for pedestrians, improvements to some of the roadside parking bays and minimisation of cars exiting Inspiration Boulevard Blocking the footpath.
The council will remove two bollards in the centre
of the Great Burke Street crossing to improve legibility for the vision impaired and add yellow paint to highlight this potential trip hazard.
The edgeline of two parking spaces adjacent to Ōhaupō Motors will be marked to achieve a wider shoulder as part of the NZTA pavement rehabilitation work in the 2024/25 financial year.
Council staff will discuss promoting a one-way system in Inspiration Boulevard’s carpark to minimise cars exiting onto Great South Road blocking the footpath.
Hudson told the committee
the project had addressed angst in the community.
“The businesses really like the end result,” he said.
Hudson also corrected a statement in council programme engineer Erik Van Der Wel’s report that said NZTA contributed $1.5 million to the $2.1 million cost of the construction. In fact, NZTA contributed $1 million.
The committee heard NZTA had advised that it will be carrying out a full rehabilitation of the highway pavement from Forkert Road in the north to approximately 100m south of Great Collins
Street.
“The scope of the rehabilitation was allowed for in council’s works and the central pedestrian crossing and parking shoulders will not be disturbed by the NZTA work, which is complementary,” the report said.
“Construction of the pavement rehabilitation is planned to be carried out before Christmas 2024.”
However, NZTA media manager Natasha Utting told The News the road rehabilitation work was scheduled to be delivered in February 2025, but the
programme schedule was still being finalised with contractor, Fulton Hogan.
Committee member Andrew Reymer said Hudson’s summary of the audit was adequate and asked how long the pavement refurbishment would take.
“I don’t know,” said Hudson. “I understand it will be done to quite a depth. It will last 50 years.”
Councillor Bruce Thomas was delighted with the crossing.
“This is the culmination of many years of lobbying to get a safe crossing in Ōhaupō.”
It’s the lease they deserve…
Two clubs with long links to the Te Awamutu community have had their leases to reserve land extended.
The council’s Finance and Corporate committee was to extend the leases for Te Awamutu Netball Centre and the Te Awamutu Brass Band after The News went to press.
The netball centre has been leasing reserve land in Mangahoe Street since the 1930s.
The council extended its lease by five years - with two rights of renewal of five years each - on the 0.7ha of land.
The club, which has more than 700 members, owns all buildings and improvements on the site, which includes clubrooms, lights, fences, court surfaces, goal posts and seating.
The club is responsible for maintaining the seven netball courts, buildings and improvements on the leased land which will cost it $73 a year.
The Te Awamutu Brass Band’s lease of 356 sq m of land for $73 a year at Albert Park Drive will also be extended by five years with two rights of renewal of five years each. The band was formed in
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1916 and has been in its current premises since 1973.
The club performs regularly in the community and represents Te Awamutu in national and regional contests. Over the 50 years, the club has invested in new bathrooms, heaters and renovations at the club rooms which are also used by the Te Awamutu College band.
It celebrated its birthday last year with a function where Waipā councillor Lou Brown presented musical director Sarah Carroll with a special award.
Both clubs will pay an annual $357 administration fee.
Action at the Te Awamutu Netball Centre.
Meat and greet at the movies
By Mary Anne Gill
Matt Hicks has two newborn babies – Thomas who he left at home with wife Sarah and big sister Madeline, 2½, - and the movie Home Kills, which premiered in Waipā last week.
The screenings in Cambridge on Thursday and Te Awamutu on Sunday wrapped up a gruelling tour which started in Matamata on September 2, four days after Thomas was born.
Question and answer screenings were also held in Putāruru, Hamilton, Whitianga, Thames and Raglan.
they’ve really drained my filmmaking finances and the time I can spend on it,” joked Hicks, 37.
For the Cambridge born, Maungatautari Primary and Cambridge High Schooleducated part time DJ, marriage celebrant, actor and film producer, the Waipā screenings were special.
When the credits roll at the end of the movie, the names right at the end are worth waiting for as they are a who’s who of Hicks’ friends and friends of friends and the people of Maungatautari, where he grew up and even has a road named after his family.
places we needed, they were enthusiastic and they were like ‘oh, we’ve got a lead for you’.”
Having Maungatautari –Sanctuary Mountain – as the backdrop for so many scenes was inspiring.
And with a limited budget, there was no recompense in the way of money.
“So, we would give them, you know, a bottle of wine or a 12 pack of Waikato Draught.”
in the Masonic and at the racetrack. We actually filmed a horse race.”
There were heaps of celebrity cameos – jockeys, a famous sportsman and local identities.
It finishes with a blooper reel.
“I’ve worked too hard on it to drop it into the market now and try to release something around Christmas/New Year because that’s absolute chaos.”
Mayor Susan O’Regan loved Home Kills and seeing Waikato scenery featured.
The movie was filmed over three weeks in Tīrau, Putāruru, Horahora, Leamington and Hautapu late 2022.
“I love my family, but
Most of them turned up for the premieres and it was them he turned to when scouting locations.
“They’re genuine people. It was like ringing up my cousin or ringing up my old mate. When I said the
Hicks has The Tavern, another film, in postproduction. Shot in and around the Masonic Hotel in 2019, it also features lots of locals.
It will be released next year.
“That is the most Cambridge movie you can possibly imagine. We filmed at The Stables – we turned that into a strip club – and
“It was wonderful to see a locally shot and supported independent film on the big screen.
“Alongside a gritty script - complete with twists and turns - and brilliant acting, the moody landscapes of our region made this film a real must see experience.”
Looking for a water site
By Mary Anne Gill
The Public Works Act may be enforced to find land for a new Karāpiro reservoir and pumpstation.
Water Services manager Martin Mould told Waipā council’s Service Delivery committee this week the council had identified land on Maungatautari Road.
The council cannot use a high point at the northern end of Lake Karāpiro,
5km southeast of Cambridge, longterm because of its cultural significance.
It is a recorded archaeological site - Te Tiki o te Ihingarāngi - which was the home of Te Ihingārangi, tūpuna of Ngāti Koroki Kahukura and where Waikato Māori unsuccessfully engaged British troops under General Duncan Cameron in 1864.
“Staff are in the early stages of talking to a willing landowner, but also in parallel have undertaken high
level scoping of suitable land parcels along Maungatautari Road in case we need to utilise the Public Works Act to secure an appropriate site in the future,” said Mould in a report to the committee.
The Karāpiro water plant – one of six Waipā operates to supply water to over 16,050 properties through 645 kilometres of water mains and pipes – is at its 14,000 cubic metres per day capacity.
A bloodied lower arm movie prop hidden behind her seat won Raewyn Margan, second left, a meat pack at the Home Kills movie. From left writer, director, producer Hadyn Butler, mayor Susan O’Regan presenting the meat pack and producer Matt Hicks.
Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Tourists spend more, stay less
By Mary Anne Gill
Shorter stays with higher spending per visitor.
That’s the summary of both domestic and international trends in the Waikato for the financial year ended June 30, Hamilton and Waikato Tourism general manager Nicola Greenwell told Waipā’s Finance and Corporate committee this week.
The meeting was held after The News went to press but was expected to be bittersweet as Waipā is one of five councils – the
others are Matamata-Piako, Ōtorohanga, Waikato and Waitomo – to reduce its funding from July 1.
Waipā reduced it by 20 per cent to $147,000 a year, Waitomo by 60 per cent to $30,000 and Ōtorohanga by 50 per cent to $35,000.
Hamilton city with $716,000 was the only council to maintain its funding.
“The team remained committed to delivering our regular mahi ensuring we continue to build a visitor sector that provides economic, social and cultural wellbeing for our
communities,” Greenwell said in her report. It was the international sector which showed the most significant contrast. Despite a 14 per cent decline in guest nights, international visitor spending rose by 14 per cent with Waikato district – from Te Kauwhata in the north to Tamahere in the south and across to Raglan – seeing a four per cent increase in international overnight stays.
International visitors to Waikato spent $123.6 million in the 11 months to May – a 22 per cent increase on the previous year with United
States, Australia and United Kingdom leading the way.
Visitors to Waipā spent $17.2 million, up 22.9 per cent on the previous year.
Domestic guest nights across the region dipped slightly but spending surpassed the national average and was the fastest growing among central North Island regions.
Waikato captured 7.3 per cent of the domestic visitor spending market across New Zealand spending $784 million in the 11 months to May.
In Waipā, the spend was $178.9 million, a 7.8 per cent increase with visitors from Waikato region, Auckland and Bay of Plenty contributing the most to domestic spend.
Economic indicators told a positive story with transport services – coaches and cruises – leading the surge with a 22 per cent increase in employment earnings.
Accommodation and food and beverage dipped three per cent in earnings across the region while business events fell significantly. The organisation assisted with 20 regional conference bids winning 10, losing nine and with one still pending.
Occupancy rates in Waipā dipped below the national
average of 55.1 per cent settling at 49.7 per cent for the year.
The tourism organisation profiled several Waipā visitor attractions including Te Awa River Ride, Cambridge, Lake Karāpiro, Lake Te Koo Utu, Gallagher Bike Skills Park, Grassroots Trust Velodrome, Te Miro Mountain Bike Park, Matariki Events, 12 parks and walks in Waipā, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, Jet Park Hamilton Airport, Christmas events, NZMCA Motorhome, Caravan & Leisure Show, The Great Kiwi Summer Festival, Sika Show - Hunting & Outdoor Expo, NZDBA Dragon Boat Nationals, Te Awamutu Annual Craft Fair, National Fieldays, 27 Waipā events, Te Awamutu and the Tree Church.
Temporary
alcohol ban
An alcohol ban for events being held in Lake Karāpiro Domain from this weekend – when the New Zealand Masters Rowing nationals will be held – until May next year, at the conclusion of the Legion of Rowers regatta, has been approved by Waipā District Council. Temporary bans have been in place since 2011 but exclude the Don Rowlands Centre and a period between 5-9pm for campers in the domain.
Project underway
Work has restarted on the Cambridge stormwater outfall project in the C3 growth cell between St Peter’s School and Te Awa Lifecare Village, delayed by six months when archaeological features –fence posts and fire pits - were discovered. Iwi and Heritage New Zealand have said the work can continue.
Clarification
The story ‘We chose Steph’ which ran in The News (August 29) said there were 250 invited guests at new chief executive Stephanie O’Sullivan’s powhiri. There were 118 invited guests and more than 50 students from Te Awamutu Intermediate's kapa haka group, plus their whānau and supporters. We estimated there were 250 people attended.
Friday 27 - Sunday 29 September,
Nicola Greenwell
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari was among the attractions profile by Hamilton and Waikato Tourism.
CountryLife
SEPTEMBER 2024
Fieldays job:
‘It’s not about you…’
Chris Gardner talks to Peter Nation who announced last week he would be standing down as chief executive of Fieldays.
Outgoing National Agricultural Fieldays chief executive Peter Nation has some sage words for his successor.
“Don’t make it about yourself and keep your ego in check because it’ll be really easy to make it all about you,” he said.
The 63-year-old has resigned for the position he has held for nine years, after 12 years serving on the Fieldays board, and will vacate the position in December.
“It isn’t about you. You’re leading a highly dynamic team of not only staff, but also volunteers and members and stakeholders and suppliers and sponsors. A really big team of over 500 people.”
Nation is not involved in the hunt for a replacement. That’s a job for the National Agricultural Fieldays Society Board led by chair and Waikato farmer Jenni Vernon.
“Early days,” Nation said of the search for his replacement. “The board are going to take their time. It’ll be, I’m not being boastful, a special person because you’re dealing with all these layers. I’ve hosted five or six prime ministers and had relationships with them and senior ministers. Some of them have become acquaintances that I know personally.”
Nation is a well-respected agricultural sector leader.
Before becoming Fieldays chief executive, he spent 11 years as Gallagher’s national sales manager, and 24 years as ANZ rural district manager.
He’s an affable fellow who punctuates every conversation with good humour and laughter. He navigated the big event focused organisation through its most turbulent time during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The first thing that came out of the Prime Minister’s mouth in March 2020 was there will be no mass gatherings,” Nation recalled.
“We were 90 days out from Fieldays.. and by 5pm we had no bookings for Mystery Creek. You
don’t look on the library behind you and find the book that says here’s your simulation of running a business on fresh air.”
Nation had to write his own book and apply it to the context of the southern hemisphere’s largest agricultural trade show.
“We’ve stabilised the business,” Nation said of the post pandemic years. “We’ve had some good Fieldays. You look at all that and you think actually Iet’s just draw the line under that and leave on a high.”
So, what other changes did Nation lead?
“I brought an increased focus on risk and compliance,” he said. “That was driven by the tragic mosque attack that shocked the world and New Zealand suddenly woke up.”
Nation’s tenure also included the growth of hubs at the National Agricultural Fieldays, including the forestry, sustainability and health and wellbeing hubs.
“We escalated that really fast,” Nation said. “The health and well-being hub has now become one of those things that really gets the hair on the back of my neck standing up. There’re 25 to 30 thousand people going through there a year, and we know we’re saving lives and working with others to achieve that.”
So, what’s next for Nation? He turns pensive.
“This place gets under your skin,” he said. “I’m not leaving because I don’t enjoy it or I hate it, I just think it’s time.”
Nation said he would probably do some consultancy work.
“There are a few companies out there that I could help with my experience. If I can’t, I’ll go white baiting or fishing.”
“I’m really looking forward to the first day of Fieldays next year, coming in as a punter and maybe spending two days just smelling it. Because I need to get to see it. There’s a whole lot of exhibitors I’ve never been to because I just don’t get time, and I’m really going to enjoy that.”
Peter Nation is leaving Fieldays on a high.
Farmers look at a brighter horizon
Latest data published this month paints a brighter outlook for dairy farmers.
DairyNZ’s head of economics,
Mark Storey said the June 2024 Econ Tracker forecast update predicted a challenging season ahead due to high expenses.
“In the past few weeks, we have seen the combination of declining interest rates, and improved farmgate milk prices, which creates a more favourable outlook for New Zealand dairy farmers,” he said.
“These changes are likely to provide dairy farmers with greater financial flexibility than initially projected for the 2024/25 season.”
Ahead of the latest results,
DairyNZ’s latest Farmer Perceptions survey showed 60 per cent of farmers were very confident in the financial sustainability of their business.
“Many farmers will continue to feel relief following these recent announcements on the farmgate milk price and interest rates, having experienced several seasons with tight profit margins.
He said there was still a slight cash deficit on average for dairy farms which reflected that interest costs are still high.”
When considering these changes, DairyNZ’s latest farm financial
forecast on the Econ Tracker shows the national breakeven forecast sitting at $8.09 per kg/ MS, while the forecast average payout received has increased to $8.84 per kg/MS.
“We have seen farm working expenses increase slightly, driven by increases in key operational areas such as electricity, irrigation, wages, and repair and maintenance costs. Although the reduction in interest and increase in farmgate milk price significantly outweigh these minor increases, improving the overall financial position of most farmers” Storey said.
With a lot of attention around the interest rate changes in recent months, the September 2024 quarterly update of the Econ Tracker provides a deeper analysis into what interest rate changes and timings could mean for dairy farmers this season.
“The alternative scenarios we explore show how the timing of interest rate reductions can influence the discretionary cash position of farmers. We see clearly that earlier rate cuts would result in greater cost savings and a stronger cash position, compared to reductions made later in the season.
“For example, if the interest rate
Maori influence in The Hague
drops from 8.25% to 7.50% by December 2024, compared to dropping to 7.50% by March 2025, it would improve the cash position of the average farmer by $5,675 for the current season, relative to the alternative - 3 months laterscenario.”
This scenario analysis provides some insight into what interest rate cuts could mean for the remainder of the 2024/25 season but are not to be relied on.
“The improved liquidity from improved interest rates and expected farmgate milk prices can be used to address deferred payments from the previous season, such as repair and maintenance costs, or to pay down short-term debts, ultimately contributing to a more stable and sustainable financial outlook.”
The Econ Tracker tool uses the most recent DairyBase and other sector data to form forecasts which are updated quarterly. It is used to support farmers and the sector to progress a positive future, including supporting DairyNZ’s science, research and development work alongside farmers.
Farmers and rural professionals can use this tool to help with financial planning, forecasting, and budgeting.
Turning the concept of kaitiakitanga into an international legal tool has earned law graduate Justin Sobion a doctorate which he will apply in the International Court of Justice at The Hague to establish the obligations of countries to address the climate crisis – and the consequences if they don’t.
“In my doctoral studies, I was looking at the duties of states, particularly around holding the Earth in trust for future generations.
So I’m a good fit to work on this case,” Sobion said.
He was awarded his PhD last week. His thesis is titled ‘Earth Trusteeship: A Framework for a More Effective Approach to International Environmental Law and Governance’.
Trinidad born Sobion will represent Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia in a case initiated by Vanuatu, involving 132 nations.
The eight Caribbean countries have filed written submissions at the Court of Justice for an outcome that will strengthen the region’s legal position in terms of climate loss, damage claims and negotiations.
Public hearings for the landmark case will begin on December 2, with Sobion coordinating the Caribbean submissions.
It was an article about how the Whanganui River was the first in the world to be recognised as having the same legal rights as a person which caught his attention.
It inspired the Swiss resident and United Nations employed human
rights officer to embark on his doctoral studies at Auckland University.
“It was fascinating to read about this legislation that sought to protect the river and aligned with the Māori worldview that the river is a sacred living entity. It got me interested in the country, tikanga, and the legal system here,” Sobion said.
The aim of his thesis was to explore whether Earth trusteeship could provide a framework for a more effective approach to international environmental law and governance - addressing head-on the ecological crisis.
“To be a trustee means you give up some authority because you’re acting on behalf of someone else,” he said. “That’s a challenge, especially in a world where many states prioritise their own interests.
“Despite these challenges, I think Earth trusteeship will become increasingly important as the global community grapples with environmental crises.”
Justin Sobion
Growing interest in trees
A Waipā nursery is donating thousands of trees to rural schools across the North Island.
Restore Native owner
Adam Thompson says it’s an important social and environmental initiative specifically targeted at rural schools.
His company plants over a million native plants a year, mainly for use in farm plantings to restore land, improve biodiversity, and protect waterways.
A total of 54 rural schools in and around the Waikato expressed an interest in receiving bundles of trees, and around 5000 trees are being distributed across the region.
“We see the kids engaging with the natural world
Adam Thompson sees the benefits of getting children involved in planting projects.
around them by planting a tree at school, it’s a really beautiful thing. It gives them something to connect and relate to in their learning environment,” Thompson, who owns a 180-hectare beef farm on the outskirts of Cambridge, said.
Schools choose where and how their donated trees are
planted. Some have been placed on school grounds, others on farms to repair and restore gullies, steep hillsides and stream banks, or protect wetlands and waterways.
One school in Te Aroha planted their trees to create a barrier to road noise.
In response to the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle last year, Restore Native led a Trees for Tairāwhiti programme where the price of their native trees was reduced to $2 to encourage widespread tree donations for the region. For every tree purchased by the community, Restore Native matched it. In the end, over 10,000 trees were given back to the affected farmers and landowners in the region.
“We see the value that planting native trees can do for the environment and how much it impacts communities,” Thompson says.
The 1080 conundrum
By Clyde Graf, Waipā-King Country Councillor
We have some incredible birds in New Zealand.
Anyone who’s driven through the South Island has probably encountered the kea (our alpine clown) and if you’ve been lucky enough to go to Stewart Island, you’ve probably heard a few of the 20,000 kiwi inhabitants.
The male has a shrill and thrilling call that cuts right through you; the female sounds like she’s throwing up. Stewart Island is rugged and wild, and it’s never been aerially poisoned with 1080, until now. Zip - Zero Invasive Predators - poison drops are scheduled to begin in 2025.
I have to ask – why would you drop poisoned food onto an island where kiwi are thriving? Kiwi chicks are vulnerable to stoats but there are no stoats on Stewart Island.
The Graf boys (me, and my brother Steve) have filmed a good range of birds there, including kiwi, ruru, kaka and tomtits.
My brother has even produced a full-length documentary on the lives of the yelloweyed, and the Fiordland Crested penguins, the rarest penguins in the world.
Whatever poison you drop will kill birds.
Cereal baits containing 1080 or brodifacoum are food, and food is scarce in winter.
The neighbouring Ulva Island brodifacoum drop in 2023 killed rats but it also killed robins, saddleback, rifleman, brown creeper, and all but one weka with chicks.
The recent Wet Jacket (Fiordland) and Matukituki (Wanaka) 1080 drops killed 50 per cent of the radio-tagged kea. Back in 2011, DOC killed 78 per cent of monitored kea in North Okarito. An Official Information Act response from DOC this month states “…we expect the mortality rate of the
unmonitored population to be proportionate to the monitored birds.”
Paradoxically, that means DOC is killing a lot of endangered kea when they drop poison into their environment to save them.
DOC says that 1080 isn’t killing kiwi, but you have to test kiwi for 1080 to know that. In 2018, I asked for a list of dead kiwi found in Northland over a 20-year period, their cause of death, and whether they were tested for poison residues.
Of 740 dead kiwi, 53 were tested for anticoagulants such as brodifacoum – 37.7 per cent were positive. Not a single one’s cause of death was listed as “pesticide”. They had only tested three kiwi in the whole of New Zealand for 1080 and none for fluorocitrate (a deadly metabolite of 1080).
This reluctance to test kiwi continues, so it was a surprise to see that two dead kiwi were tested from South Okarito in November 2022, and that the results were positive for 1080. DOC still didn’t say 1080 killed them. We know that invertebrates eat cereal baits, and we know that kiwi eat cereal baits and invertebrates. Either way, when you drop poisoned food from the sky, it will reach a lot of beautiful birds. It’s how the food chain works.
On a recent Breakfast show, DOC asked people not to feed the kea because feeding them novelty food items is killing them. How ironic.
When will this ecocide end, you ask? I guess, in their minds, the $80 million incentive attached to the Stewart Island project justifies the insanity.
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Company aim to ‘be a force for good’
By Viv Posselt
Miraka’s story, from its inception in 2010 to its standing today as one of the world’s most sustainable dairy companies – one that achieved B Corp certification earlier this year – was outlined at a talk in Cambridge last week.
Speaking to Cambridge
U3A members was Eileen Bowden, Miraka’s Kaihautū (Cultural Advisor) and someone involved from the get-go.
She said Miraka’s founding philosophy aligns with the values espoused by B-Lab, the not-for-profit network that assigns B-Corp status to businesses based on their social and environmental impact.
“The B-Corp values align with our own. We were already striving for excellence in everything we do. It is about balancing profit with purpose… being a force for good.”
She spoke of Miraka’s establishment by a group of Māori trusts and incorporations as being
centred on kaitiakitanga, a Māori world view encompassing the care of the land, people and the environment.
A ‘Te Ara Miraka’ excellence programme was later put in place to encourage farmers to strive for excellence in animal welfare and sustainability, and the company has woven its cultural diversity and the core values of ‘Integrity, Tikanga, Innovation and Excellence’, into the fabric of the entire organisation.
The processing plant in the Mokai Valley, 30km outside Taupō, is the world’s first to use geothermal energy and the company exports milkbased products to over 20 countries.
Bowden said last week’s launch of the country’s first dual-fuel hydrogen milk tanker, and the recent introduction of frozen milk concentrate to its list of milk products, speaks to the company’s drive to innovate.
Miraka contributes to the Mokai Valley ecosystem –one in which milk factory by-product goes to a worm
farm, the vermiculture from which goes to a native plant nursery which in turn provides riparian planting along local waterways.
Bowden said: “We are at the crossroads of a rapidly changing global environment. Our business
success depends not only on financial acumen and strategic planning, but our ability to embrace cultural diversity and uphold the foundational values that transform organisations into industry leaders and worldleading businesses.”
Milk collecting goes green
Māori-owned dairy manufacturer Miraka has launched New Zealand’s first green hydrogen milk collection tanker. The vehicle, a 700hp Volvo green hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel milk collection tanker, was launched at the company’s dairy plant at Mokai, northwest of Taupō.
Miraka chairman Bruce Scott said the launch marked ‘another significant milestone’ for the company, aligning with the founders’ kaitiakitanga vision and values and Miraka’s commitment to environmental care.
Company chief executive Karl Gradon said the tanker was designed to reduce milk collection CO2 emissions by about 35 per cent per vehicle. He commended Miraka’s transport and hydrogen partners, Central Transport Ltd and Halcyon Power, for their support.
He said a year to the day before the launch, the company entered a partnership with Central Transport and Halcyon, establishing a Rural Hydrogen Hub which it hoped to expand nationwide.
“Launching our first green hydrogen dual-fuel milk collection tanker one year later is a tremendous achievement which we look forward to seeing rolled out across the fleet,” he said. Tūaropaki Trust, a cornerstone shareholder in Miraka, provides geothermal energy and steam for the Miraka dairy plant through its Mokai Power Station. Under a joint venture partnership with Japan’s Obayashi Corporation, Tūaropaki established Halcyon Power, New Zealand’s first commercialscale green hydrogen plant.
Advertorial
Warranties within farm agreements - do your due diligence
Are you currently buying or selling a farm or thinking about it for the upcoming season? A key part of the sale and purchase process is understanding the warranties within the farm agreement.
What is a warranty?
In the context of a farm sale and purchase, a warranty is an enforceable promise by the vendor / seller regarding aspects of the farm property. This can include compliance with consents or notices and the condition of the equipment / items included as part of the farm sale. A warranty can apply to things at the time the Agreement is signed and also things that may happen between the time the Agreement is signed and when the transaction settles. Generally, a breach of a warranty condition won’t delay settlement but may give rise to a right to claim (or an obligation to pay) compensation for the breach.
What types of warranties are there?
Within an agreement for the sale and purchase of a farm, there are standard vendor warranties along with more specific warranties usually relating to the farm operations. Matters requiring maintenance may be added as additional warranties, for example effluent systems that may need to be repaired to bring them up to standard or fences that need to be fixed before settlement. If you are the seller, it is important to ensure you can honour these terms. If there are warranties that you are unable to provide such as you don’t hold the required consents or there has been a breach of any consent, then you should disclose this to your lawyer as soon as possible BEFORE signing an agreement. This allows your lawyer to include a variation in the agreement, if possible, to mitigate risk to you as the seller.
What warranties are usually covered?
Normally, a farm agreement will cover:
• Things in working order –this includes chattels such as equipment, effluent and milking systems that are included as part of a farm sale.
• Things to remain on farm – such as gates, fences and troughs.
• Consents and compliance – such as discharge of effluent, permitted activities, consent to take water and compliance with any relevant legislation relating to the farming operations such as Healthy Rivers. The penalties for breaching environmental requirements can be substantial, so it is crucial to ensure that all environmental factors are considered when buying or selling a farm.
• Specific dairy supply warranties – this can include things such as the tanker track being up to scratch, or the milking shed being compliant with the dairy company requirements.
• Obligations if a notice is received after the agreement is signed and before settlement. A notice could come from the Council or another party such as a fencing notice from the neighbour, a notice to fix from Council or a less-thanideal QCONZ report from the dairy company.
Do your due diligence and seek legal advice early.
A farm sale or purchase is a significant and complex undertaking. Seek expert legal advice early in the process (before signing an agreement) to ensure you get things right the first time and understand all of your
rights and obligations within an agreement. Gallie Miles is here to help – contact our rural experts today.
Email sue@gallie.co.nz or alex@gallie.co.nz
Alex McIvor, Director e| alex@gallie.co.nz
Phone 0800 872 0560
Sue Garmonsway, Consultant e| sue@gallie.co.nz p| 07 872 0560
Visit www.galliemiles.co.nz
Email sue@gallie.co.nz or alex@gallie.co.nz
Hamilton | Te Awamutu | Otorohanga
Phone 0800 872 0560
www.galliemiles.co.nz
Visit www.galliemiles.co.nz
Hamilton | Te Awamutu | Otorohanga
Hamilton | Te Awamutu | Otorohanga
The new tanker.
Miraka’s cultural advisor Eileen Bowden speaking to the Cambridge U3A group last week. Photo: Viv Posselt
Across: 1. Stiff, 4. Design, 7. Lei, 8. Cornea, 9. Sickie, 10. Flotilla, 12. Away, 13. Belong, 15. Trendy, 16. Oboe, 17. Besotted, 19. Pastel, 20. Affirm, 22. Egg, 23. Terror, 24. Exult. Down: 1. Shoulder blade, 2. Inn, 3. Flail, 4. Distant, 5. Sacrament, 6. Grin and bear it, 11. Two-seater, 14. Gobbler, 18. Stage, 21. Flu.
(6)
(6)
(3)
A Snip in Time Trains, planes and weddings
The marriage between Eleanor, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs H de Lacy Peake, of ‘Denbigh’, Hairini, and Brian Malcolm Hague, third son of Mr and Mrs A Hague, of Leeds, Yorkshire, England, was solemnised at St Paul’s Church.
The bride wore a frock of parchment satin cut on long, graceful lines. The bodice was close-fitting with long sleeves and a cape effect in parchment georgette embroidered with pearls. She wore a veil of lovely Brussels net, lent by Mrs Elliot Myers, of Te Awamutu, and carried a sheaf of lilies. The bridesmaids were the Misses Dorothy de Lacy Peake and Joyce Littleproud, and Jill Mair was the small flower girl. The bridesmaids’ frocks were of blue and primrose georgette respectively, trimmed with flowered taffetas. They wore large picture hats of crinoline straw, and carried muffs to tone, trimmed with marigolds. The flowergirl wore a frock of leaf green organdie and carried a basket of flowers. Mr H de Lacy Peake, jnr was best man, and Mr Jack Thomson was groomsman. After the ceremony a reception was held in the Parish Hall, Te Awamutu, and later at the home of the bride. Mr and Mrs Brian Hague left for the honeymoon, the latter travelling in a tailored suit of brown tweed worn with a brown hat and furs.
A tornado swept over Paterangi leaving a trail of damage in its wake. Corrugated iron roofs were lifted and carried some distance by the ferocity of the wind. A large shed on
Adams’s Paterangi farm was reduced to a pile of twisted sheets of corrugated iron, while Mr Hughes’s residence at Ngāhinapōuri had its roof torn off and a chimney levelled. On Mr Beere’s farm the milking shed was completely demolished; the roofing iron being scattered over a quarter of a mile. No one was injured by the visitation.
A Moth aeroplane which had caused excitement at Te Rapa by careering round the aerodrome ended up a mass of burned wreckage on the roadside half a mile north of Ōhaupō. The Western Federated Flying Club sent a motor lorry from New Plymouth to take the damaged aeroplane to the club’s hangar and the fire occurred on the return journey. The aeroplane was mounted on the lorry with a drum containing the gas drained from the tank of the aeroplane. When the lorry was negotiating a hill, the
driver noticed in the mirror a sudden glare of light, and within a few moments the aeroplane and the truck were blazing. Both were totally destroyed.
When the Limited Express train reached Te Awamutu at 10 one night the police arrested a middle-aged man, who had travelled from Auckland lying on the top of a carriage. In the Te Awamutu Court, he was charged with being an idle and disorderly person. The man said he wanted to return to Taumarunui, where he hoped to find work. Having no money for his fare he climbed on top of a carriage and travelled 100 miles in the cold night air. He offered to walk the other 75 miles to Taumarunui if he was not sent to jail. He was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon.
Classifieds
Jobs, terrific bargains, useful services, legal notices and announcements – these are some of the great things you’ll find in your newspaper’s classified ad section. Connect to your neighbours in a proven reliable way.
When buyers and sellers need to connect…
Notice of Proposed Reserve Revocation and Disposal Section 24(2) Reserves Act 1977
Waipā District Council intends to notify the Department of Conservation under setion 24(1)(b) of the Reserves Act 1977 that it considers that the following reserve should have its reserve status revoked to enable its disposal.
10 Havelock Street, Kihikihi, legally described as Section 2 Allotment 135, 136 and 137 Town of Kihikihi, contained in Record of Title SA2007/24.
Any person a ected by this proposal revocation has the right to provide written notice of any objection to the proposal, including the grounds for that objection, any time before 29 March, 2024 to Waipā District Council.
Written objections should be addressed to: Reserve Revocation, Waipā District Council, 101 Banks Street, Te Awamutu. Attention: Property Projects Specialist, info@waipadc.govt.nz
A charming Waikato bride and her attendants. Bridal party of Eleanor and Brain Hague.
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.
Newspaper Deliverer Wanted
for delivery of the Te Awamutu News, your local weekly community newspaper.
Deliveries are to occur every Thursday. Are you honest and reliable and would like to earn some money while keeping fit? Our runs are suitable for either youth (minimum age
or adults.
Delivery runs available in the following area:
• Sinclair Tce, Caxton Place
• Pakura Street, Tainui Tce, Mahana Lane
Please contact us on E: admin@goodlocal.nz
827 0005
Te Awamutu Tennis Club
AGM Wednesday 25 September 7pm Clubrooms Teasdale St All Welcome
SITUATIONS VACANT
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
Provide your name, phone number, and the area you are located.
• 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
