Cambridge News | September 26, 2024

All power and precision

By Mary Anne Gill

Imagine threading a needle while piloting a helicopter.

That’s the job Warrick Wright, Ōtorohanga aviation company HeliA1’s deputy chief pilot, successfully completed for Waipā Networks in Cambridge on Saturday.

The mission involved stringing new earth wires from the Otahuhu to Whakamaru 220kV overhead line above Hautapu through transmission towers to connect with Waipā Network’s new 33kV substation which in turn hooks into Transpower’s new 220kV grid exit point substation.

Waikato Expressway was closed between Cambridge Road and Hautapu for four hours so the transmission wires could be pulled across the highway.

Watching on from a safe distance was Waipā Networks’ projects delivery manager Dan Linton, born and bred in Te Awamutu, who has the job of ensuring the company’s new substation gets completed on budget and in time.

When switched on it will treble the electricity capacity for Cambridge and cater for future growth across the district.

The substations are on land Waipā Networks bought in Forrest Road and directly underneath the national grid.

“Cambridge is obviously a fast growing and developing area both industrial and residential,” said Linton who said the project was part of a 30-year plan which would see more than 13,000 new homes across Waipā.

Demand is expected to grow from 42 megawatts at peak to 50 megawatts.

Megawatts measure power and while usage needs vary among users – factories like the giant APL one or Fonterra in Hautapu need more than the average household – a megawatt of power can light up to 1000 homes.

“They don’t just build for what is happening, to cater for the now or next year. It’s definitely long term planning to cater for the future, future growth,” said Linton.

Waiting on the towers were contracted staff who caught the wires pulled by the helicopter.

Wright’s passenger, spotter Andy Curtis, had

the job of ensuring the handover was completed successfully while perched on the chopper’s boarding step.

They had completed two other earth wires the week before.

“Safe as houses up there,” said Wright, a 12year helicopter pilot veteran.

“The wind is a very important factor,” he said. But fortunately, it was windless on Saturday and there were more concerns about sunburn than windburn.

Ironically pilots train to stay away from power lines but in this instance, they were right above and beside them, he said.

“Most of our business is agricultural work but we are doing more and more of this utility work all over the place.”

Work on the substations began 12 months ago. The Transpower substation is on track for commissioning in December while the Waipā one will start commissioning in April next year.

Waipā Networks is an electricity distribution utility providing electricity to over 40,000 customers in Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Kāwhia and surrounding areas.

Transpower is the owner and operator of the national grid, a high-voltage transmission network that connects areas of power generation with towns and cities across New Zealand.

Donations buy maunga extra time

By Chris Gardner

Philanthropists have met Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari’s cash flow crisis head on with $250,000 worth of funding.

“We’ve moved our cash position out from what ended up being around four weeks to around 20 weeks,” said chief executive Helen Hughes.

Hughes, who has been at the helm of the operator of the world’s largest predator proof fence on Mt Maungatautari for just under a year, went public on the crisis in June sharing fears the operation might have to cease in six weeks after the Department of Conservation changed its funding model.

The project is partially funded by the Department of Conservation, Waikato Regional Council and Waipā District Council. But DOC’s withdrawal of its community fund left the project in a precarious position and Hughes making staff cuts and campaigning for funds.

“We have had several of the philanthropic funders from around the Waikato lean in and provide support to us,” Hughes said. “Over the last few weeks, we had landed around $250,000 worth of funding, which is amazing.

“We now need to land the plane with longer term sponsors that can work alongside us over a three-tofive-year programme as we start to transition the business to strengthen tourism, education and other revenue streams to make us more self-funding.”

• Read more at cambridgenews.nz

Waipā Networks’ project manager Dan Linton of Te Awamutu at the site of the new substation adjacent to Waikato Expressway in Hautapu, Cambridge.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

HeliA1 Helicopter Services deputy chief pilot Warrick Wright and spotter Andy Curtis in the AS350B3 “Squirrel” powerline stringing for Waipā Networks on Saturday in Hautapu.

Photo: Mary Anne Gill

Hoofing it

Your article on ‘Riding for respect’ ( The News, September 19) reminded me of a related experience I had in Hamilton about 70 years ago.

As a member of the Light Horse Club living on the west side of Hamilton, I had to ride my horse through the city streets and across the main traffic bridge to get to the Claudelands showgrounds where the club activities took place. My horse adapted well to walking through a part of the city with cars and cyclists - mostly very accommodating - slowing down and passing carefully and quietly.

However, at one club meeting, a friend told me that her family had been asked to remove her pony from the grazing paddock they were renting as it was going to be sold, and she asked me if this rather feisty ginger pony could share my paddock until she found new grazing, or she might have to sell her. So I took both horses home for a while and one club day, brought her pony back to Claudelands on a lead rope for

maryanne@goodlocal.nz

David

david@goodlocal.nz

‘rehousing’.

As I took the two horses onto the traffic bridge (riding one and leading the other - with both behaving well) a small line of cars pulled in behind us travelling slowly and quietly, until the car driver at the front lost his patience and tooted his horn. Where he expected me and two horses to move to was extremely limited!

My horse ignored it, but the ginger pony’s ears flattened and laid back, her head came up in the air and her eyes rolled, even though she continued to move quietly forward beside my horse.

The horn went again, and I could see the pony stiffening even more. Soon, there was an opportunity for the car to slowly pass us, and this is where the pony took her revengeby swinging her haunches around and kicking the passenger door of the car with both hind feet! The car did get past - but with two U-shaped dents in its side!

The following car had a driver with a big grin on his face

who gave me a ‘thumbs up’ as he carefully passed… and the ginger pony’s ears flicked forward and up. I could almost see the satisfied smirk on her face!

Sylvia Hill Leamington

Māori wards

There are people for and against Māori Ward seats. May I say that being handed something based on your race, gender, or sexual preference, is just as bad as being denied something based on your race, gender, or sexual preference. Personally, I believe that whatever you identify as, you should be rewarded for your skill/talent that you can offer the citizens of Cambridge. A place at the table awaits you if you have these skills.

Alan Sayers Leamington

Is the timing right?

A clamp down on daytime parking in Cambridge has left some commuters scrambling for positions.

The Alpha St carpark, popular with workers who are based in and around Victoria St is now usually full by 9am, and

commuters have to look for space in the angle parks facing Victoria Square. But has Waipā District Council got its sums right in terms of short- and long-term parking? These two shots, taken just after 11.30am on Tuesday last week show a half

As I write this column, I have finished a busy shift which included recovering three stolen cars. Thank you to the members of the public for noticing the tell-tale signs of a stolen vehicle, and reporting them to us. They will be examined forensically to assist with finding the thieves. As per my previous columns, please keep being vigilant around suspicious behaviour. If you hear cars doing burnouts especially overnight in the weekend, it may be car thieves in stolen cars – both situations need a phone call to 111 at the time the offending is happening.

In addition to the stolen cars, I also had two incidents where cars had their windows damaged while parked roadside. If you

full two hour parking zone – and the full allday parks, where it is not uncommon to see a driver crib an extra park on the end of one of the lines.

What do you think? Our letter to the editor column awaits – email editor@goodloal.nz.

don’t have a car alarm or immobiliser, invest in a steering lock and always park your car in well-lit areas when not in a garage or another secure fenced area. As always, consider installing CCTV at home.

I have been asked to mention student safety when going to and from school, both in town and rurally. It is good to have a conversation with your children, so they are aware of what to do should they find themselves in any situation that makes them feel uneasy or threatened, for example being followed or hassled by others.

If they have a mobile phone, do they know to call a parent or trusted adult for help immediately? Suggest they change

their path, crossing the road or speeding up to catch up to friends if possible, walking into a nearby shop or friend’s house where adults are present and they feel safe. It is important that they tell an adult straight away what has happened, so police can be informed for follow-up. It is better to front-foot this in the unlikely event that it occurs.

Finally, we have had a couple of potted plant thefts reported this week. If you see anyone carrying outdoor potted plants away from an address, or have CCTV that might be relevant, let us know. If you have also been the victim of such crime, ensure you report it.

with Senior Constable DEB HANN

Two-hour parking looks under used…

Review decision?

Waipā District Council received 109 submissionswith only 23 in favour - on its proposed representation review. The proposal would reduce the number of councillors from 10 to seven and combine the rural wards of Pirongia-Kakepuku and Maungatautari.

Fines rise

Illegal parking in Waipā disability spaces will incur a fine of $750 from next month – up from $150 after government changes to parking fines. The council has issued 42 infringement notices this year, 16 were later cancelled because the person had forgotten to display their permit.

Ammunition found

More live ammunition has been found in recycling at the Te Awamutu sorting centre. A shotgun cartridge was found the day after a helium tank was pulled out of another load of recycling on its way to the sorting line. Both items were collected from Cambridge properties.

Concession debate

A Waipā resident who bought a $200 year-long concession card for pools in Te Awamutu and Cambridge but was unable to use all of it because of an injury has started a petition asking Go Waipā to reconsider extending concession cards under those circumstances.

Fund open

Waipā’s District Promotion event fund – which aims to support events that drive economic activity and promote Waipā as a great place to live, work, invest in, or visit - is open for applications. The amount available has reduced from $150,000 to $75,000.

Emerging chief

Cambridge mortgage advisor

Claire Williamson was named last week as one of three finalists in Waikato Chamber of Commerce’s emerging chief executive of the year. The others are Ashley Mason and Jonty Rae. The winner will be announced in mid-November.

Women in business applauded

By Viv Posselt

Cambridge Chamber chief executive Kelly Bouzaid has commended women for their contribution to business.

Speaking at a Chamberled Suffrage Day lunch in Cambridge last week, she said the event was “a reminder of the strength of women who have shaped our industries and businesses, and who continue to inspire us.”

She said she admired those

who had shown resilience, worked hard and planned well through the difficulties of the past year.

“The passion and leadership you have shown is second-to-none,” she said.

Guest speaker at the event was Nadia Haua, general manager and co-owner of Cambridge-based NZ Louvres.

Relating her own story, moving from an idyllic island childhood with no power or running water, to navigating

her business career through the global financial crisis and then Covid-19, she spoke of the cornerstones to her success.

“First it is about tāngata, tāngata, tāngata,” she said, “people, people, people and the relationships you build. Work really hard and find the right sort of mentor … that was a turning point for us. If it wasn’t for our mentor I don’t know where we would be today.”

She said it was crucial to

Council gets say in power elections

By Mary Anne Gill

Two Waipā councillors and a former district council staffer will rely on votes from mayor Susan O’Regan and chief executive Steph O’Sullivan to get onto the local electricity network trust.

The council has 230 connections with Waipā Networks – 100 per cent owned by Waipā Networks Trust - acting group manager Business Support Georgina Knapp told councillors this week.

There are eight candidates for six positions on the trust including Philip Coles and incumbent Marcus Gower, both elected district councillors. The trust is chaired by Sarah Matthews who was the council’s Finance manager until July 2021 and now works at Taupō District Council as group manager Organisation Performance.

“In the view of council officers, it is important that council exercises its ability to vote in an effort to ensure good candidates

are elected,” said Knapp.

The trust has been operating with five trustees since last year when previous chair Craig Sanders resigned after moving to Dunedin.

The other trustees are Judy Bannon – who is standing down - Ray Milner and David McLean – Te Awamutu chartered accountant Jarrod Godfrey, Cambridge director Pip Kempthorne and Cambridge accountant Rollo Webb are also standing.

Voting papers were sent either by mail or electronically to the nearly 30,000 eligible customers about a fortnight ago. Voting closes at 5pm on Tuesday October 1.

Knapp recommended giving O’Regan and O’Sullivan delegated authority to cast Waipā council’s votes.

“They will do this with due regard to the skill and experience of the candidates, and the likelihood of the candidate to act in the interests of both council and the Waipā community as a whole,” she said.

look after family and yourself and keep it simple.

“Look forward and keep a rainy-day fund,” she added.

“I think that as women, we naturally do that because we run homes and families. Squirreling away some funds when things are going well will help during lean times… it is one of the skills we can bring as women that can help our businesses.”

The company she runs with her husband, Steffan Haua, is based in Cambridge. It has dealerships in several New Zealand locations and

runs a network of installers around the country.

Suffrage Day in New Zealand marks the September 19 anniversary of the 1893 Electoral Act that granted women voting rights. It was the first nation in the world to do so, Minister for Women Nicola Grigg said last week.

“The vision and determination of the movement here was foundational to the global equal rights movement, and we should never forget the significance of that.”

Roads still the issue

By Mary Anne Gill

Issues with roading infrastructure remains the top concern for people who live in the Waipā and Waikato districts, finalised annual residents’ surveys have confirmed.

The areas Waipa residents wanted to see priority improvement in were the financial aspects of value for money and financial management.

Waikato was similar but residents were also concerned about quality of services.

A draft copy of the Waipā survey was presented at a council workshop last month and showed the council had received higher satisfaction scores across most measures compared to last year, which had showed a significant decrease.

Key Research which undertook the survey for the council said the gradual improvement showed residents were increasingly trusting the council and appreciating its efforts.

Satisfaction with overall performance increased by three percentage points to 22 per cent.

The company also completed the survey for neighbouring Waikato District Council where satisfaction with overall

performance was 40 per cent, down nine percentage points in two years.

Roading, lack of transparency and action on long-term issues and not receiving value for the rates that residents pay, annoyed residents in Waikato district.

The Tamahere-Woodlands ward was more dissatisfied than any of the other nine wards with residents having issues with the central water supply and wastewater management not being available when they pay rates for the service.

And across the Waikato district residents were positive about new mayor Jacqui Church but wanted councillors to “step up more” and act in the interest of their local communities rather than big agendas that do not make life in certain wards better.

• Read both surveys cambridgenews.nz

Jono Gibson Funeral Director

Cambridge Chamber chief executive Kelly Bouzaid, left, with last week’s speaker Nadia Haua and Aroha Croft.

Photo: Viv Posselt.

Jacqui Church

Rangiaowhia artwork donated

By Mary Anne Gill

A benevolent Te Awamutu resident has donated a piece of artwork to Waipā District Council’s art collection depicting the atrocities of Rangiaowhia in 1864.

It was painted by Hamilton artist Richard Lewer who now lives and works in Melbourne, Australia.

The acrylic painting on canvas was part of the ‘What they didn’t teach me at school’ exhibition held at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery in Wellington this year.

It is one of 14 in the artist’s The Waikato Wars series which also included Rewi’s last stand at the Battle of Ōrākau and Kīngi Tāwhiao laying his patu down before being forced into the King Country.

“It truly was an incredible body of work

to have made and looking back now I would have to say the best in my painting life,” Lewen, 53, told The News.

Waipā Museums and Heritage director Anne Blyth told the council this week the donor wanted to ensure the painting remained in the district. The work was valued at $18,000.

Her staff undertook an assessment of the artwork against the council’s Public Art Acquisition Criteria and it scored 28 out of 39, meeting the criteria for public art.

They also consulted Ngāti Apakura Runanga Trust chair Orrin Kapua who was supportive.

The work will initially hang adjacent to mayor Susan O’Regan’s office on the first floor so staff can see and learn about the stories associated with the art.

“Richard’s work frequently investigates difficult subjects. He felt it was important to acknowledge and explore the local wars to help him better understand New Zealand’s complex colonising history,” said Blyth.

The contemporary artwork created by a pākehā artist interpreted a significant and sensitive event in Māori history.

“The addition of this work to the council art collection will provide a challenging and thought-provoking piece regarding a key event in the history of Waipā,” she said.

Curator, writer and arts leader Blair French, a New Zealander also living in Australia, said Lewer created dramatic, dynamic but impressionistic scenes stained with colour.

“Māori defenders appear to fall from hillsides in bursts of red or are consumed in flames (based on the burning of a whare at Rangiaowhia with inhabitants trapped inside). The imperial and colonial forces are like manic, menacing apparitions,

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.

the most disturbing products to date of Lewer’s stripped back, stylised approach to rendering figures as ciphers of energy.”

In his description, Lewer - who was educated at Hamilton Boys High Schoolsaid General Duncan Cameron ordered his troops to march around Paterangi defence and onto Rangiaowhia.

“Rangiaowhia was the economic hub of the Waikato, with the largest settlement of Māori, critical to supply the Kingitanga in the war effort. However, this was the place they’d sent their women, children, elderly and disabled. There was panic and terror amongst the people. There are conflicting views on how a whare with people inside caught fire.

Several people died in the burning building.

Lewer said when he was growing up in

Hamilton he had no idea about Waikato’s history.

“I knew absolutely nothing and it’s embarrassing, it’s shameful.

“As an artist, I place myself in environments that challenge me to confront who I am, and where I fit in the world, this includes the past. It was really important for me to learn what happened in the Waikato in the 1860s and to try and process it,” he told the exhibition website.

“It might be a failure of our education system but it’s also a personal failure. I decided it was just as much my journey as anyone’s. It wasn’t easy and I still don’t know if it was wise. But I think as New Zealanders we all have a responsibility to understand, and I think my job, as an artist, is to uncover things.”

• More cambridgenews.nz

The Atrocities of Rangiaowhia on display at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery in Wellington. Photo: Jess O’Brien.

Richard Lewer in front of his exhibition at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery. His Rangiaowhia work is pictured right.

Photo: Jess O’Brien.

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Greyhounds back on track

By Viv Posselt

Retired greyhounds will take centre stage at Cambridge Raceway on Sunday as the town marks another Great Greyhound Walk.

The event, being held globally this weekend, is intended to raise awareness of the breed and promote retired greyhounds as family pets.

Fifty-nine retired greyhounds took part in the walk here last year, making it the third biggest in New Zealand. Greyhound advocate Jenny Bartlett said the numbers are likely to top that this year.

The event is run by the Shoe Box Appeal and the national Mayhounds Rehoming Group for Greyhounds.

In addition to the walk itself, there will be a doggy nail trimming station, a sales table, sausage sizzle, refreshments and opportunities for people to talk to teams available to provide information on retired greyhounds as pets.

Proceeds will go to the Shoe Box Appeal, which

provides shoe boxes filled with toys and treats to greyhounds in foster care at Christmas.

“Greyhounds that are retired from racing go first into the Great Mates Rehoming programme where they are prepared for life as household pets, learning about things like stairs, vacuum cleaners and other household activities they won’t have been exposed to,” Bartlett said. They are given health and

adaptability tests before being given the tick for rehoming – they are then de-sexed before being placed in approved homes.

Hundreds of retired greyhounds have been successfully rehomed.

“At the end of the day, these are just dogs looking for a forever home. They settle well… are very good natured, great companion dogs that are not overly demanding. They make wonderful pets.”

Miss Shepherd takes charge

By Steph Bell-Jenkins

Nine-year-old Summer Shepherd was principal of Tauwhare School last Thursday, thanks to a winning bid at a school fundraiser.

The year five student would like to be a magizoologist one day, running her own zoo full of mystical animals like unicorns, thestrals, three-headed dogs and, possibly, dragons.

“I’m a huge Harry Potter fan,” she said. “I’ve read all the books except the seventh one because mum says it’s too scary.”

Alternative career goals include becoming an author – and filling a personal library with books – or a marine biologist, or a nurse in a children’s ward, or a famous dancer. “I want to dance for the king and queen,” she said.

School principal isn’t currently an ambition, but she enjoyed her time in power. Armed with a Harry Potter wand, she felt quite at home being addressed as “Miss Shepherd”.

“I like being bossy,” she admitted.

The first thing she did was walk into regular principal Chris May’s office, sling her feet onto the desk and sip a velvety hot chocolate from

the staffroom.

“I enjoyed it when Mrs Reeve, my teacher, asked me to go into my class, I held my wand and told them if they didn’t behave I’d curse them,” she said.

A staunch believer in fairies and magic, she declared September 19 ‘sparkle day’ and wore an eye-catching hot-pink sequined dress with a matching headband, purple bling-covered sneakers and a cloak covered in glimmering rainbow petals to school.

She rewarded the best-dressed students with chocolate Freddo frogs.

“My friend Vivienne brought a sparkly blue mermaid tail with little sequins – nobody could beat that,” she said.

She amended a school rule to allow senior students into the new junior playground, and ran a spelling test.

Her seven-year-old sister and deputy principal for the day Heidi, also stunning in sparkles, chipped in by running a lesson on complex sentence structure in room 1.

An evening disco dance competition brought an end to Summer’s reign.

Jenny Bartlett with retired greyhound, Disco.

Photo: Yvette Bodiam

Summer Shepherd (left) with her sister and deputy principal for the day Heidi and principal Chris May.

Photo: Steph Bell-Jenkins.

Payments out of balance

By Peter Nicholl

I wrote a column in June 2023 under the title “Worry about the balance of payments, not the recession’.

At that time, New Zealand had a current account deficit of $31 billion, or 8.5 per cent of our Gross Domestic Product - GDP. I wrote another column on this topic a few months later the title ‘New Zealand’s current account deficit is huge’.

The September deficit was a little lower at $29.8 billion or 7.5 per cent of GDP so the trend was in the right direction. But it was still one of the largest current account deficits amongst developed countries. What makes the New Zealand situation worse is that it has had a current account deficit every year this century – that is over 20 years in a row.

The average annual deficit over that period was around three per cent of GDP. So recent levels at around eight per cent are enormous – and should be of huge concern to policymakers.

Balance of payments data for the year to June 2024, was released recently.

The annual current account deficit was $27.8 billion.

It is still trending down, which is good, but at a slow pace. The release of the data got very little media attention. We don’t seem to realise just how badly our external sector is performing.

We are living beyond our means – and have been doing so for a long time. Maybe we have been doing it for so long that we now think this is to be expected and is okay. It isn’t.

A current account deficit has to be financed in some way. Because we have been running current account deficits for so long, New Zealand’s net financial position with the rest of the world has been deteriorating rapidly.

As at June 2024, New Zealand’s net

financial position with the rest of the world was -$205 billion.

That is not a misprint. It is billions not millions. And it is a negative sign. That means we have $205 billion more liabilities to the rest of the world than we have assets in the rest of the world.

That is close to 50 per cent of our GDP. This negative level has doubled in the last 20 years. This is a trend and level that will worry Rating Agencies – and should worry everyone else too.

The most recent ratings from the big three Rating Agencies, Standard and Poors, Moodys and Fitch, all left New Zealand’s sovereign credit rating unchanged (AA+) and also left the outlook stable.

That is also good but if our current account position doesn’t start to improve more rapidly than it has been doing recently, I expect the Rating Agencies to react negatively.

What worries me more is that we have been living beyond our means even though our economic growth has been relatively slow and we have built up a huge deficit in infrastructure investment in a lot of areas –hospitals, schools, roads.

Unless we improve our export performance substantially, we will not be in a position to finance accelerated expenditure on infrastructure.

In a small, open economy like New Zealand, the export sector is the key to our growth. In the last decade or so, many of our key export industries have been lumbered with additional costs rather than promoted. We can see the impact of this in our poor balance of payments performance.

A MULCH THAT IS BLACK

Our local rock celebrities

We have five geological features in New Zealand that have recently received recognition for being “of the highest scientific value”, with “the world’s best demonstrations of geologic features and processes”. That’s pretty cool.

The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGG) has released its second list of 100 sites, aptly named The Second 100, and this includes Rotorua’s geothermal fields (Ahi-Tupua), our mighty Ruapehu volcano, the Muriwai megapillow lava flows, Maruia Falls, and the Fjords and towering sea cliffs of Fiordland.

I have to admit that I hadn’t even heard of the Muriwai megapillow lava flows and I don’t know how I missed this impressive formation. Pillow lavas form when lava is flowing through water. A solid crust forms around the leading edge of the lava, causing it to continue forwards as lobes that look a bit like pillows, form a pile of them in the end. These were erupted from an underwater volcano near Waitākere 17 million years ago, and are particularly impressive for their size, with the individual “pillows” reaching five metres across. This is not

By Janine Krippner

common. There are pillow lavas at many spots around the world, but they are usually up to one metre across.

This gorgeous outcrop (exposed section of rock) also show a crazy assortment of lava columns that form when a lava flow cools and contracts, with the most famous of these being the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. I will have to go check these out for myself.

It’s great to see the geothermal features of Rotorua getting the appreciation they deserve. While living in the United States it was often assumed that I had been to Yellowstone, but honestly it was not high up on my list of volcanoes to visit. Having experienced the incredible geothermal features near home many times over the years, plus the impressive caldera volcanoes also in our back yard, I don’t feel like I have missed out. It would be incredible to visit Yellowstone, especially for the wildlife, but there were so many other volcanoes I want to see more. We are spoiled here with worldclass geological features, and I am happy to see them recognised.

Ruapehu is a very deserving volcano

for this list. It is a mix of incredible, diverse eruptive history, a rich cultural context, and our relationship with it through the ski fields and hiking. It is also the source of our worst volcanic incident with the 1953 Christmas Eve Tangiwai rail disaster. The cross-over of humans and volcanoes brings so much more complexity to the science, and it also enriches our lives in the many ways that I touch on through this weekly column.

This is a good reminder of how fortunate we are here in New Zealand. With all the struggle that so many of us are facing right now, it can be hard to remember. With similar struggles playing out around the world, and many that are much, much worse, we are here in a relatively peaceful, relatively safe, and undeniably beautiful country.

As I am working to figure out my next steps with the lack of job options in my field, one thing is certain. After 11 years overseas and the many incredible places I have visited, there is nowhere else I would rather be.

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Community Connect

Sept. 26 2024

Heroes’ welcome for Waipā Olympic champs

Don’t miss the chance to celebrate with our champion Paris Olympic and Paralympic athletes in December, with Mayor Susan O’Regan leading an official Civic welcome at a family-focused celebration in Cambridge.

Our Waipā heroes will be welcomed back to the Home of Champions at a twilight community event on Friday, December 13, so save the date!

The five silver medallists from the women’s cycling sprint and pursuit teams have confirmed they will be taking part, along with para-cyclists, sailors and rowers. More athletes and coaches from other codes are expected to confirm closer to the time.

Mayor Susan said it is not every day that you get a chance to meet an Olympic champion – let alone see a medal up close!

“We were incredibly lucky to have 48 athletes representing Waipā on the world stage at these Games. This event will help build connections for our community and these sporting heroes, inspiring the next generation of Waipā champions.”

Menzshed transforming council building

The Cambridge Menzshed is full steam ahead transforming the historic Leamington Dairy Service Factory into a welcoming community space.

The council-owned building requires nearly $40,000 in repairs to bring it back to a basic standard. Council is providing $23,000 for preventative maintenance and the Menzshed is fundraising the remainder.

Mayor Susan O’Regan said Menzshed is on a mission to make the building its home base.

“Multiple community groups and individuals have come to the party to help with supplies, window repairs and fencing.

“It’s a win for everyone, the community will benefit from the awesome mahi the Menzshed will be able to do with a permanent base, and the upgrade to the building will save ratepayers money by reducing the long-term maintenance costs.”

Menzshed is a charitable group that brings local men together to share their skills, support each other, and work on practical tasks for the community.

Free movies, television shows and music for Waipā library members

A huge new selection of digital entertainment is now available to Waipā library members. More than 1.5 million online movies, television shows, music, eBooks and digital audiobooks are being offered through the library’s new e-platform, Hoopla.

The new service went live on Monday and allows all library card holders to borrow and enjoy most titles for free from anywhere they can access a screen. Hoopla syncs across users’ devices – computers, tablets, smartphones and televisions.

Joining the library is free if you live or pay rates in Waipā. You can join on the website waipalibraries.org.nz or visit either Te Awamutu or Cambridge library to join in person.

Funds open for grassroots projects and events!

Calling all Waipā community clubs, organisations, not-for-profit groups and event organisers, we’ve got funding rounds opening for you!

District Promotion Fund

The District Promotion Fund aims to support events that drive economic activity and promote Waipā as a great place to live, work, invest in, or visit.

Opens: Now!

Closes: 5pm Friday, October 11

Scan the QR code to find out more:

Community Discretionary Fund

The community boards and ward committee are keen to hear from local clubs and groups who need a funding boost for projects or events that benefit the people of Waipā.

Opens: Monday, September 30

Closes: 5pm Wednesday, October 30

Scan the QR code to find out more:

Te Awamutu and Kihikihi clean-up morning

Ready to make a difference in your community?

Join the Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board in transforming their neighbourhoods into a cleaner, greener paradise!

When: Sunday, September 29 from 8.30am

Where: Meet the clean up crew and other community members at either:

• Te Awamutu Bunnings Carpark

• Alpha Hotel in Kihikihi

Gloves and bags for picking up litter will be provided. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect, contribute, and clean up our beautiful spaces.

Waipā Mayor Susan O’Regan and Cambridge Menzshed members.

Heading for Bihoro

Waipā District Council gives the Cambridge Community Board the responsibility of looking after two important delegations. One is the organisation and delivery of meaningful Anzac and Armistice Day commemorations and the second is maintaining and strengthening our sister city relationships, Bihoro in Japan and Le Quesnoy in France.

In the words of Global Cities NZ –“Sister city relationships foster the growth of a mutual understanding and longterm friendship between countries and regions, as well as the communities within them. This bond allows for a continuous exchange of ideas and culture, and even facilitates development within the areas of trade and tourism”.

Bihoro has a population of 20,000 people and our relationship is focused strongly on the agricultural similarities we share and educational opportunities for students in both towns.

The relationship with Bihoro had its beginnings in 1993 with professor Masaharu Yamakiwho who was on sabbatical at Waikato University when he fell in love with Cambridge declaring it “the best town

By Jo Davies-Colley, Chair, Cambridge Community Board

in the country” and began discussions with the then Cambridge Community Board. He donated a significant amount of his own money to develop the relationship and foster school exchanges. This was followed by a visit from an official delegation in 1994, a school exchange in ‘95, another delegation from Bihoro in ‘96, and finally the signing of the official Sister City document in October 1997.

Since then, there have been numerous reciprocal school and adult groups travel between Bihoro and Cambridge.

A group from Cambridge will visit Bihoro after mayor Susan O’Regan received a formal invitation from Mayor Koji Hirano early this year. This invitation followed Bihoro’s visit to Cambridge in November last year. During their week in Cambridge, they toured the Hautapu dairy factory, Councillor Mike Montgomerie’s dairy farm, our council offices and library, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari and Cambridge Stud.

Those travelling from Cambridge are Deputy Mayor Liz Stolwyk, Councillor Philip Coles, Community Board Members Alana MacKay and Andrew Myers, Alisha

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Experienced professionals. Local specialists. Quality advice.

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Robinson (nee Maxwell), Robyn Maxwell and Cambridge High School Principal Greg Thornton.

The self-funded and locally hosted visit to Bihoro was advertised to the community and the public were encouraged to apply if they had an interest in being part of this unique cultural experience to our sister city. The application form stated that the delegation would focus on two areas of interest: education and agriculture and preference would be given to delegates who could contribute in these areas and can bring new energy to the relationship.

Applications were open to residents of the Cambridge and Maungatuatari wards.

There were 17 applicants for seven places and Mayor Susan and myself, as the selection panel, looked through both an agricultural and educational lens when deciding on the delegates. We chose people who would foster the sister city relationship we have with Bihoro and strengthen and nurture it into the future. We anticipate this will be a successful and productive visit to our sister city Bihoro.

Get Gardening

monthly

Spring is here and it’s time to remove old winter annuals and look at replacing these with Spring annuals and perennials like Marigolds, Petunias, Cosmos, Zinnias, Lavender and Daisies, the list is endless. In the garden don’t forget to give everything from fruit trees and hedging right through to the border gardens, a top dressing of fertiliser to see them through the next few months, while everything has a burst in growth. It’s also a good time to get your summer vegetable garden started. You can plant lettuces and salad crops, peas, beans, beetroot, onions, cucumbers, zucchinis and many herbs. We have various thymes, Cat Grass, a selection of basil, Nasturtiums and Mesclun mixes just to name a few.

Happy gardening!

Cheese cutters to be surpassed

Centre road median barriers are expected to become obsolete as new vehicle technology becomes more readily used, councillors heard at the September regional road transport committee meeting.

Ōtorohanga District councillor Rodney Dow had earlier asked if new technology could replace the ‘cheese cutter’ median barriers.

“Putting wire ropes down the middle of the road is going to take years, but even to put lane departure on cars will take years - but it might make it faster,” he said. “Potentially if it was made mandatory now it might get done faster than putting wire ropes in the middle of every road.”

David Spiers from NZTA/Waka Kotahi said New Zealand’s problem was it has one of the world’s oldest vehicle fleets, cars and trucks.

“And the process to upgrade those would take a really, really, long time. We are actually doing some work on exactly that… technology will surpass the need for actual physical barriers.”

Of about 11,000km of highway in the country, only about 680km has a centre median barrier.

Since 2014 across the region, there has been 1661 crashes into barriers – 167 in Waipā, 81 in Waitomo and 18 in Ōtorohanga.

CAMBRIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE CALLS OVER THE LAST WEEK

TUESDAY

12:28pm, Medical, forklift incident, Peake Road 1:31pm, Building alarm and Evacuation, Melody Lane

CAMBRIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE C ALLS OVER THE L AST WEEK

6:19pm, Smell of Gas, Victoria Street

WEDNESDAY

9:55am, Cardiac Arrest, Bryce Street

WEDNESDAY 7:56am, Single car MVC, Zig Zig Road 5:20pm, Medical, unconscious, Rotorangi Road 7:59pm, Missing persons, Fergusson Gully Road

1:09pm, Building Alarm and evacuation, Ruakura Road

THURSDAY

11:56pm, Building Alarm and evacuation, Hautapu Road

12:15pm, Building alarm and Evacuation, Oaklea Lane

FRIDAY 11:00am, Building alarm and Evacuation, Cambridge Road

SATURDAY

6:58pm, Fire in the Vicinity, Tirau Road

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

SUNDAY

SUNDAY 7:38am, Building alarm and Evacuation, Shakespeare Street 11:08am, Building alarm and Evacuation, Williamson Street

3:53am, Medical assistance, Karapiro Road

MONDAY 1:01pm, Building alarm and Evacuation, Queen Street

LIST WITH THE TOP TEAM, AS VOTED BY CAMBRIDGE!

enjoy including a village café, shop, and village centre.

Contact Sandra Fairhurst on 07 827 6097 today to book your tour E: sales@resthaven.org.nz

AmberGardenCentre

FREE Tyre Checks with Jarrod

Tyre & Wheel Solutions, part of the 4WD Solutions group, is excited to announce the recent appointment of Jarrod Hull as its Driveline Technician, taking sole charge of their tyre and suspension shop.

Co-owner Jayne Verhoeven says that with running Automotive Solutions and 4WD Solutions, the tyre shop is part of their philosophy of taking care of everything to do with a vehicle’s safety.

One of the key benefits to the appointment of Jarrod is that he is a qualified mechanic.

“This means he not only fits tyres etc. he’s qualified in how steering and suspension component’s function, so he knows what a car needs when it comes to getting the best out

of a wheel alignment, balancing, suspension and everything else that goes into getting the best performance from your tyres,” Jayne says.

With the seasons changing and the short time now until the ChristmasNew Year holidays, its important people start checking their vehicles from the ground up.

Tyre and Wheel Solutions invites Cambridge locals to come in for a FREE tyre check with Jarrod.

“You need to see what condition your

tyres are in – can they cope with the change in the weather; it’s been a much wetter and colder spring than usual and likely to stay the same for the next month,” Jayne says. “So having that peace of mind knowing that your tyres are operating at their optimal best – not to mention it’s better to do it now while the rush isn’t on and finding you can’t get everything sorted in the timeframe you might want.”

Tyre & Wheel Solutions at 18 Cook St, Cambridge, is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm. 07 595 0008

Jarrod Hull

Know YourBarista

Chitter Chatter Over Coffee!

We really love to have a chat - who doesnt love coffee, sweet treats and getting to know your Barista?

You all know Amanda Smythe (superstar coffee maker) and now we have Kerry on board... she is an experienced coffee maker and also recently Allpress and Amanda trained.

Deli is open daily from 8am to 3pm.

(Peter and Carley are also Allpress and Amanda trained lol)

That’s the reason we sell over 200 coffees a day!!! next to the AA in the middle of Victoria streetplease come and visit and see for yourself. Coffee merch and also Allpress coffee for home ie; beans, plunger, decaff, capsules etc.

Anyone looking for a great coffee served up by a smiling crew need look no further than Cambridge’s Deli

“We all love coffee.” That statement from The Deli on the Corner manager Georjeana Boyle Hare tells you all you need to know. The Deli team continually strives to ensure consistent high quality with every cup they serve up. And both baristas – Jess and Jot – also agree on what one of the key ingredients to the perfect coffee is – taste.

The team regularly undergoes barista training to maintain the highest standards, and that level

GREAT REASONS FOR A COFFEE STOP

of care is why customers love the Deli, and why they keep coming back.

“We get a lot of amazing feedback about how much people love our coffee,” Georjeana smiles. You may even find your next cuppa features a “special touch” – some creative coffee ‘art’. With the coffee palette rapidly broadening these days, all customer needs are catered for – including ensuring several non-dairy milk options are available.

A beautiful point of difference for Cambridge’s The Printery Espresso Bar (an extension of The Glass Printery) is the ability to come in, take a break from shopping and if you are in the market for a great gift, check out their showroom of screen-printed products (printed in- house).

Giftware ranges from wine and beer glasses, through to coffee cups and saucers, and mugs for example, all of which make great unique gifts. But even if you’re not looking for a thoughtful gift for the person with everything, there are a couple of great reasons why locals love it - and keep coming back.

Saezaar (the Printery’s head barista) is one of ‘The Printery Espresso Bar’s’ skilled and passionate coffee experts. Serving the delicious L’affare coffee paired with ‘The Printery’s’ famous tasty South Island cheese rolls and tasty treats.

The café at 30a Victoria Street in Cambridge will be opening next week with the new daylight savings hours of 7.30am till 2.30pm Monday to Friday and 8am till 2pm on Saturdays.

- -

Reload was a dream of Jody Joblin which became a reality 4 years ago in August. She wanted to open a coffee shop with a difference. She reused materials for the tables and the interior, purchased crockery and cutlery from a recycled boutique and runs the cafe with the ethos to reuse and recycle where she can.

She loves coffee and people and is one of the friendly faces you see when you come to refuel with a cup of coffee, a handmade sandwich or a freshly baked scone or slice. If you’ve not refueled at Reloadplease do! Jody and her team would love to see you.

Left to Right Jess, Jot and Georjeana

Cambridge on the up

By Roy Pilott

One down, one to go. Cambridge’s men team has won promotion to the Northern football league – and the club’s women’s team now has a great chance to compete in the women’s equivalent of the competition.

The men repeated its 1-0 scoreline win over Waiheke United on the island last Saturday as the first of the north v south conference league winner payoffs were completed.

The decisive goal for coach

Jordan Shaw’s side came from Rabin Nabizada in the 66th minute.

It gave Cambridge a twogoal lead with just 24 minutes to play in a game which United would have gone into full of confidence, having given Cambridge a lot to think about despite losing the first leg by a single goal.

The hosts also went into the match buoyed by the return of Frederico Pantella who had been suspended for the first leg.

Promotion to the Northern League championship puts Cambridge into a league

which features Waikato and Auckland clubs.

The 2025 league will include Ngāruawāhia, Melville and Hamilton Wanderers – the latter two were relegated from the premier league this season.

Saturday’s win also competed a remarkable league campaign for Cambridge – they won every game.

The women’s team can cap off the perfect season for the club on Sunday – and on home soil when it hosts Onehunga Māngere.

The team celebrated a 1-0

win at Māngere Domain last weekend thanks to a fifth minute strike from Caitlin Varcoe.

Coach Scott Bult might have been thinking it was a case of déjà vu – because the men’s first leg was also settled by a fifth minute goal in Cambridge a week earlier. His side takes on Onehunga Māngere at John Kerkhof Park on Sunday.

Waipā paralympian Eltje Malzbender will fly the Kiwi flag as the sole representative of the New Zealand team seeking podium success this week at the UCI Para-Cycling Road World Championships in Zurich.

has been racing all summer in Europe.

“My goals are to perform at my best and achieve a podium result.”

Cambridge Tree Trust

Cambridge Tree Trust

www.treetrust.org.nz

www.treetrust.org.nz

Five-finger (Neopanax/ Pseudopanax arboreum)

Five-finger (Neopanax/ Pseudopanax arboreum)

Brachyglottis repanda

Just one of the thirty species of Brachyglottis in New Zealand, rangiora is found from the far north to the top half of Te Waipounamu.

Part of the daisy family, the species in New Zealand vary from small trees and shrubs to epiphytes, herbs and woody climbers. Rangiora is recognised by its large, pale green, papery leaves with white-felted underside. Known to many Pākehā as the ‘bushman’s friend’, these large soft leaves are an excellent emergency toilet paper, though never handy when you need it, so pick a few leaves when you see them!

By contrast Māori have found many and varied uses for the rangiora leaf. They used them for track markers (as they also used

ponga leaves), laying them underside up to guide the way in the forest. And in spite of being poisonous, rangiora leaves were also used to cover wounds, and to wrap certain foods such as eel and mushrooms for cooking.

Māori children used the leaves in a sort of ‘paper aeroplane’ competition; with a reed inserted into the end as a counterbalance the leaf could be launched to fly in a long slow descent to see whose craft could reach the opposite bank of a river. Rangiora ‘aeroplanes where not just for children however. They could be used as a way of divining the future, sometimes as charm thrown to find a prospective lover, or sometimes at the start of battle to divine the outcome – if it sailed well it was a good omen, if not it spelled defeat. (Robert Vennell)

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

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

The 62-year-old tricyclist opened her account in the Swiss city by competing on a flat course over the 11.3km distance in the women’s T1-2 individual time trial yesterday, after The News went to press.

She lines up in the women’s T1-2 road race tomorrow where she competes over an undulating 31.8km distance which includes a total of 257m of elevation.

Malzbender has harvested an impressive collection of medals on the global stage having claimed double gold in the women’s T1 individual time trial and women’s T1 road race at the 2019 Para-Cycling Road World Championships and a silver medal in each of those events at the 2023 edition in Glasgow.

The experienced Kiwi, who has been preparing for her assault at the Zurich 2024 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Championships at Limoux in the South of France since mid-August, has been training on quiet roads in the south of France.

She had not raced since the World Cup in Adelaide in January while her competition

Malzbender lives with a traumatic brain injury following a crash during a training ride in 2016 when she was left on the rural roadside at Marokopa west of Waitomo Caves. At the time she was a physiotherapist in Te Kūiti.

After spending over a year in rehab she moved to Cambridge, where the flat terrain, wide footpaths and a residence close to town provided the ideal place to begin rebuilding her life.

She was introduced to riding a tricycle at the Cambridge velodrome and was selected on the Pathway to Podium programme with Paralympics New Zealand in 2018.

She represented her country at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games finishing fifth in the women’s T1-2 individual time trial.

Vicki Fleming her coach and athlete support in Zurich said preparations had been going well.

“Eltje has been preparing well and she hopes to maximise her opportunities in Zurich. She has a great record of success at the world championships and will once again be seeking to win a medal.”

Advertorial

Eltje Malzbender

Photo: SWpix

Goal man: Rabin Nabizada (left) – in action during the second half of the first leg – scored the winner on Waiheke Island to secure promotion. Photo – Roy Pilott.

Island celebrations: Cambridge’s men’s team after their 1-0 win over Waiheke United. Photo: Supplied

Halfway there: Cambridge’s women’s team have one foot in the Northern League door. Photo: Supplied

1080 issue

Cr Graf’s anti-1080 rant, yet again, in the regional councillor column (The News, September 19) represents a very small view of a few individuals, and cannot go unchallenged.

If the silent majority who support protection of our native wildlife had listened to his misinformation nonsense, and then advocated to stop 1080 use across New Zealand, many of our taonga species, such as mohua/yellowhead, kōkako, kākāpō, whio/blue duck, pīwauwau/ rock wren and titipounamu/rifleman, to name just a few, would be on the brink of extinction.

Former Prime Minister Norm Kirk once said “you can never argue someone out of an illogical position if that’s how they got there in the first place”. So true. We are lucky to have the world class predator free wildlife sanctuary at Maungatautari right on our doorstep. 1080 and other toxins played a vital role in this achievement.

Peter Russell Cambridge

Bihoro visit

Maybe my advancing years are affecting my powers of deduction more than I thought as, having read your report (The News, September 19) about the delegation heading off to Bihoro in Japan a number of times, it is still not clear to me whether the seven person “delegation” are all paying their own way or whether the four elected people involved will be enjoying yet another junket at ratepayers expense. I have spoken to a number of people who are similarly confused on this point. If they are paying their own way then that is well and good. However if ratepayers are going to have to stump

up yet again (as they have in the past for trips to France and paying for people from France and Japan to come to Cambridge) while essential services like unblocking drains, repairing damaged footpaths, improving inadequate street lighting, repairing water leaks (one of which has been wasting water since at least August 20 and probably before) then that is again unacceptable. In the absence of absolute clarity in your report I lean towards the possibility of a nice little junket. But I would be elated to be proven wrong. Over to you!

Kelvin Dunn

Leamington

Editor’s note: They are paying their own way. Homestay accommodation will be provided in Bihoro as part of the sister city relationship, but travel and other expenses will be funded by candidates, with any council costs limited to an official $200 gift for the delegation.

Arbitrage

The sum of $50 million at event four per cent is $2 million a year, at three per cent is $1.5 million. Where does Andrew Myers get only $400,000 a year (The News September 12). from?

Peter Nicholl’s suggested one per cent lower, being $500,000 a year is correct. Even 0.5 per cent lower it is $250,000 a year, Depending on how long the loan is for and the terms, that cost could carry on for years.

But where does the Waipā District Council get the authority to speculate with money they have borrowed and ratepayers are liable for potential losses on?

Could we have the rate at which it has been borrowed, please? The ratepayers

will then be able to ascertain whether or not it has been a good idea or not in April when the term deposits mature and the then borrowing rate for the $50 million can be compared with the rate the council has committed ratepayers to. I hope for the council’s sake that the loan is to be extended in April at the Local Government Funding Agency’s then current rate (presuming interest rates have dropped by then).

Peter Clapham

Cambridge

Editor’s Note: Andrew Myers sourced $400,000 from the council’s media release (30 August), a figure which deputy chief executive Ken Morris had rounded up from $384,000. The council has not provided the interest rate it got from the New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency nor the figures it obtained from the ANZ or BNZ banks. The News has requested it. The agency’s website says Waipā has borrowed $376.7 million from it as at 31 August 2024.

More on the tower

Recently the heritage value and future of the old water tower in Cambridge has been in the news. $800,000 or $6 million, depending on your view.

That started me thinking. How many heritage protected sites are there in Waipā, and more importantly just how easy is it to gain protection for structure?

Conversely how hard/expensive is it to have the Heritage tag removed?

There are at least seven with a “National Significance” tag so I suspect removal of that listing may be very difficult.

Readers may be surprised to learn that the list comprises 20 pages In Cambridge/Leamington and the number of protected structures is 107.

There are a further 28 in Karapiro. In Karapiro it seems the entire village of the 1940’s is protected. That includes the building locals want to save from demolition (Cambridge News, September 12).

To my eye most seem to be state houses, no different from the thousands built in that era throughout New Zealand. The big omission in Karapiro is the very unique concrete water tower, still in use.

To me the exercise almost became a farce when I discovered an unremarkable house built in 1962 is included.

I am now left to wonder how many are on the payroll in the department concerned?

Murray Reid Leamington

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

• The editor’s decision on publication is final.

CountryLife

Love the life you choose. Dear diary, I’m thriving in my new home, just like the strawberries

Love life on your terms. At Summerset there are fewer chores and more choice. So if you’re done with gardening, you can hang up your gloves.

But if you’re a big fan of getting amongst the flowerbeds, there’s a community of green-thumbs just waiting to meet you.

Pay less up front for a villa, with flexible pricing from just $675,500*

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

Two-bedroom homes are available with flexible pricing from just $675,500.* Plus, for a limited time, we’ll help you every step of the way with $15,000 cash back and a complementary moving package. Simply sign a sales application for a selected home between 1 July 2024 and 30 September 2024, and then settle by 6 December 2024.#

Open Weekend

Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 September, 10am - 2pm

Summerset Cambridge

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

terms, conditions, exclusions visit summerset.co.nz/cambridge-offer

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

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

Spotlight on Cambridge

FIVE STAGS

Five Stags at 9 Campbell St in Leamington is styled on a hunting lodge; where you can enjoy the warmth of a re, catch the game with mates over a few drinks or enjoy their well-known menu featuring some of the best foods New Zealand has to o er from slow roasted beef, venison burgers, pork ribs, to southern fried chicken, and the best fresh sh.

FORAGE

Forage customers love the healthy range of cold pressed juices, kombucha, tonics, nut milk, smoothies and raw slices with no additives, sugar, gluten or dairy used. Gut health is hugely important so a range of fermentation kits and culture starters are available.

Explore Forage’s full range of products, at 21 Empire St, or foragejuice.co.nz

HERITAGE TRADING CO

The Heritage Trading Company in Cambridge, is where you’ll nd French and English vintage and antique homewareseverything from kitchen curios, elegant furniture, vintage jewellery as well as sustainable clothing clothing.

The Heritage Trading Company at 40 Duke St, is open seven days a week, from 9.30am until 4.30pm and on Sundays from 10am until 3pm.

JOE’S GARAGE

Joe’s Garage, at 107 Swayne Rd – “halfway between the high school and the motorway,” is part of a nation-wide franchise. From cooked breakfast, a good range of burgers, sh and chips, pizza, steak meals to a wide variety in the cabinet of sweet and savoury, hot and cold foods, Joe’s Garage open seven days a week, will have something to suit.

PIJJAS PIZZA

Pijjas Pizza brings Neapolitan and Margherita pizzas to Cambridge pizza a cionados, using specialised ours, and the freshest mozzarella to basil, olive oil to tru e oil. Fresh herbs and vegetables, seafood and dedicated delicatessen meats, with a variety of sizes. From sides like breads to marinara, a kids menu -they will deliver within the Cambridge urban area.

Five Stags Leamington is the home of Stonegrill

MARGHERITA POMODORO, MOZZARELLA, BASIL $20

SPUTA FUOCO (FIRE BREATHING) POMODORO, MOZZARELLA, SPICY SALAMI, NDUJA, MASCARPONE $25

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

VERDUROSA POMODORO, MOZZARELLA, SEASONAL VEGES, EVO $22

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

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

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

SMALL SHARE PUFFY BREAD EVO, FLAKY SALT $13

MARINARA BURNT BUTTER, POMODORO,

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.

CountryLife

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

Scan here to download the app

To list your business, event or activity, contact Advertising Director Janine Davy: 027 287 0005 or janine@goodlocal.nz

Main office 55 Victoria St, Cambridge

St John Cambridge Health Shuttle

Providing transport to

Bookings are required by 3.00pm the working day prior to appointment. Donations appreciated.

Across 1. Initial (5) 4. Hunt for (6)

7. Clobber (3)

8. Unpowered aircraft (6) 9. Messy (6) 10. Thoughtless (13) 14. Precise (5) 15. Panorama (5) 18. Dive in (4,3,6)

Last week

Across: 1. Sudoku, 5. Unsure, 8. Nun, 9. Kindle, 10. Starve, 11. Josh, 13. Sanitary, 14. Smirk, 15. Tipsy, 19. Delicate, 21. Garb, 22. Humane, 23. Almond, 25. Rum, 26. Sleepy, 27. Either. Down: 2. Uniform, 3. Old, 4. Uneasy, 5. Unsung, 6. Startling, 7. River, 12. Hurricane, 16. Strange, 17. Bakery, 18. Defame, 20. Equal, 24. Met.

ZRBEXLISBBOEESGABEC KIHXLODRDMPSTLGCBTO CLSIWBBTIRQEKZSBESI LLASNQARANNGCQEKREG UEDTGGTCANGUIWUGXUN TESNHNEMOEPATSGMATS CYUICRIBDZGGSPAREZK HSMOTHORNOVRPTDSGOC JTPPZOCYPROAISTLOBO IBATTERYTSERDAEHHLL CHANDLELIGHTSHAFTXB GVCSKQFVCARBURETTOR

AERIAL

ARMREST BATTERY

BLADES BLOCK BOLTS

BONNET BOOT BRAKE BULB

CABLE

CARBURETTOR CARPET

CHASSIS CLIP

CLUTCH

COGS

COIL

DASHBOARD

DIPSTICK DOORS

FUEL GAUGE GEARBOX

NUTS

PLASTIC

POINTS

RADIO

ROOF

RUBBER

SCREW

SHAFT

SPARE

SPEEDO

SPRINGS

STEEL

SUMP

TANK

TRIM

VISOR

WHEELS WIRING

Pampering for mums

By Viv Posselt

The gift of a few hours’ pampering came the way of some mums last Saturday, thanks to the annual Magic Mums project run by Cambridge Altrusa Club.

The Magic Mums project, run by Altrusa Clubs around the country, offers mothers of children with special needs a few hours of spoiling.

On Saturday, they were treated to morning tea/coffee, a spin at a nail bar, a lunch at the home of Altrusa member Glenda Little with food made by her and other members, and afternoon tea. They also took home a cottage pie each with a bag of fruits and sweets for the family.

When Cambridge Altrusa’s De-ane Busby arrived in Cambridge in 2011, she joined the club and suggested they consider adopting the Magic Mums initiative which had become popular as part of the club she belonged to in Hawera. They agreed and ran their first one here in 2012.

This year’s pampered mums have youngsters who attend Cambridge Middle School.

They all said they enjoyed the day’s activities and found the networking involved to be extremely valuable.

The Cambridge Altrusa club is one of hundreds linked to Altrusa International, a service organisation for women with a particular focus on education and literacy.

Are there different paths?

By Murray Smith, Bridges Church

Earlier this month Pope Francis was in Singapore concluding an Asian and Pacifica trip. Before the 12 hour trip back to Rome, he spoke to an ‘inter-religious’ gathering of young people. Apparently going off script and departing from prepared notes, his talk sent waves throughout the worldwide Christian community - Protestants and Catholics alike.

Stating that ‘every religion is a way to arrive at God’ and that there are ‘different paths’ just as there are different languages, he validated all world religions as a way to receive God’s salvation… kind of like all rivers lead to the sea, and we’ll all get there one way or another.

Listening to such statements on a video clip and reading about media ructions, it was no surprise to me that the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics was in for some serious push back.

So why the fallout given what some might see as the pontiff’s attempt to be inclusive? The basic difficulty is that the Pope’s ‘teaching’ is at variance with Jesus Himself and the Gospel as well - also with the Apostle Peter who Catholics accept as the first leader of the Church. Peter took seriously Jesus words when He stated, ‘I am the Way the Truth and the Life… no one comes to the Father but by Me.’ (John 14:6)

Peter spoke about Jesus before the Jerusalem Council proclaiming, ‘There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name given under heaven among humanity by which we must be saved.’ (Acts 4:12)

When Jesus questioned His disciples if they planned to leave Him, it was Peter who replied,’ Lord, to whom shall we go? You alone have the words of eternal life, and

55 Oaklands Drive

we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.’(John 6:68) Catholic news site, ’Crux,’ said of the Pope’s comments, “Such rhetoric has stirred controversy among more conservative Catholics who fear that it calls into question Catholic doctrine on Christ as the lone Saviour of the world and also undercuts missionary efforts to bring people to the faith.’

In 2022 Pope Francis addressed an interfaith meeting in Kazakhstan, provoking Bishop Athanasius Schneider of that country to warn that the pope’s statements, (similar to those in Singapore) risked creating a “supermarket of religions’ where people can shop for what suits them… there is only one truth. That’s not intolerant bigotry anymore than claiming 2+2 always equals 4. It’s simply the right answer - even we reject it as our truth.”

I for one appreciate how clearly Charles J. Chaput, (first Native American Archbishop) puts it… ‘We are called Christians because we believe Jesus Christ is God, the second person of the Trinity. From the beginning of our faith, followers of Christ were unique among world religions because they accepted as true Christ’s extraordinary claim that he is God - in part because of his miracles, in part because of his preaching, but ultimately because of his death and bodily resurrection. Christians have also always believed that this reality makes Christianity categorically distinct from all other religions, and in turn requires a total commitment of our lives.

Cambridge Altrusa president Alison Burr, left, and club member De-ane Busby, right, with three of the pampered mums Rebecca Williams, Danielle Watson and Stacey Kobus

Viv Posselt

Vendor country bound

Make the time to view and get your ducks in a row for the upcoming auction. Our vendors are moving on and want this one going, going and gone! An excellent first home, family home, or step up the ladder, there's even an opportunity to carry on the AirBnB venture the current owners have kicked off with the self-contained downstairs accommodation, for additional income. With bedroom, bathroom, its own living area and kitchenette, it’s also the ideal space for extended family or teens who want a bit more independence. Upstairs, one of the three remaining bedrooms has its own separate entrance from the front deck, perfect for a home office, allowing ease of access for your clients. Heat pumps on both levels ensure year-round comfort. There’s ample off-street parking, plus plenty of street parking as a bonus of the corner site location. In a quiet, peace-of-mind street, just across the road from Bankwood Park, and walking distance to Chartwell Shopping Centre for all your retail therapy and entertainment needs. Great location, brick construction, spacious section, AirBnB accommodation, work-from-home option… it’s all here ready to welcome you to your next exciting step in life.

Auction 12.00pm, Thu 17th Oct, 2024, (unless sold prior), 34 Victoria Street, Cambridge View Sun 29 Sep 12.00 - 12.45pm Web pb.co.nz/CBU191366

Chartwell 2 Lamont Street

TRUSTED REAL ESTATE EXPERTS

With over 20 years of experience, Russell & Angela Thomas understand the importance of building long-term and trusting relationships with buyers and sellers alike. They specialise in creating bespoke sales strategies that deliver premium results.

Experience the difference and call Team Thomas.

Russell Thomas 020 4004 0360

Angela Thomas 020 4004 0368

In Loving Memory of Alex Kraayenhof

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Alex Kraayenhof on 14 September 2024, aged 86 years old. Beloved husband of Trudy, devoted father to Erik and Xandra, and proud grandfather to Della, Lexi, Marco, Theo, and Sara. Alex lived a life full of love and adventure. A celebration of life was held last week.

Any communications can be directed to Erik at erik.kraayenhof@gmail.com

GREER, Roy Robert.

Chris and family wish to sincerely thank everyone for the kindness and support shown to them at the sudden loss of Roy.

To those who called, sent cards, flowers, messages, meals and baking, we cannot express our gratitude. Please know that you have all helped us to cope with this unexpected sadness. Please accept this as our personal acknowledgement.

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…

CAMBRIDGE

Next Meeting

Wednesday

OCTOBER 2 1:30pm Start

TAYLOR MADE

22a Taylor Street, Cambridge

Speaker: ELIZABETH HARVEY Cambridge Museum

YOUR NEWSPAPER Still DELIVERS THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Of the Cambridge Resthaven Trust Board will be held at The Village Centre, 4 Vogel Street On Monday 30th September 2024 at 5.00pm

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

Hope Channel – Freeview Ch 27, Sky 204

We offer detailed study of the Bible and inspiring worship experiences. All Welcome.

WANTED TO RENT

Enquiries: President Dave Ph 027 231 7609 E: greypower.cambridge@gmail.com

Visitors aged 50+ keen to become Greypower members are welcome to attend. NEW MEMBERS WELCOME

WANTED TO LEASE

Maungatautari Road, Cambridge – between Gate 1 and Gate 3 of Mighty River Domain. Arrangements will be made for access by emergency vehicles during the closure, if required.

For more information please contact Waip-a District Council on 0800 924 723 or email events@waipadc.govt.nz

Steph O’Sullivan CHIEF EXECUTIVE TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE – Maungatautari Road on Saturday 12th October 2024

Jono Gibson Funeral Director

Notice of Intention to Prepare a Reserve Management Plan

PURSUANT TO SECTION 41(5) OF THE RESERVES ACT 1977, Ngaa Pae Whenua hereby gives public notice of its intention to prepare a Reserve Management Plan (RMP) for the following reserves vested to Taumatawiwi Trust under the Ngāti Koroki Kahukura Claims Settlement Act 2014:

• Koroki Kahukura ki Hinuera Scenic Reserve;

• Taumatawiwi Recreation Reserve;

• Te Reti Scenic Reserve; and,

• Waikaukau Recreation Reserve.

During this notice phase, you are invited to provide feedback on how you would like to see the reserves managed, long-term outcomes and what activities you would like to see provided for.

That feedback will inform a draft RMP, which will go out for public consultation in early 2025. The public will have the opportunity to formally submit on the draft RMP and speak to their submissions at a public hearing.

For more information about the reserves, Ngaa Pae Whenua and the review process visit waipadc.govt.nz/ngaapaewhenua.

Share your thoughts:

Suggestions or comments can be made online at waipadc.govt.nz/ngaapaewhenua, or emailed to haveyoursay@waipadc.govt.nz with ‘Ngaa Pae Whenua RMP’ in the subject line. You can also write to us at Ngaa Pae Whenua, C/- Waipā District Council, Private Bag 2402, Te Awamutu 3840. Feedback closes at 5pm, Sunday 27 October 2024.

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

• 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

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Specifications: For supplied adverts: PDF/X –4 spec, fonts pathed or embedded, text 100% black. Photos & logos – high resolution jpg (300dpi). All files to be large. Colours to be CMYK not RGB. Photos should be colour corrected with a total ink level of approximately 220%.

Rate card: Rates are based over a 12-month period starting from the date the first ad publishes. Rate bracket e.g. 6 insertions, 12 insertions etc. chosen allows ad sizes to vary within the rate bracket. If the number of insertions chosen is not met then a bulk charge will be applied at the end/cancellation of your schedule based on correct rate reflective of the number of ads published e.g. if you have chosen the 12 insertion rate and only publish 6 insertions, the bulk charge will be the difference in price between the 6 insertion rate and 12 insertion rate multiplied by the number of ads published. You pay the rate reflective of the number of ads you actually publish.

Invoicing and Payments: For advertisers on a regular schedule invoices will be sent at the end of the month and payment is due by the 20th of the following month, otherwise payment is required by end of day Tuesday in advance of publishing. Accounts in arrears +60 days may be subject to a $95 + GST late payment fee per month. Advertiser is responsible for all debt collection fees. Cancellation deadline is one week prior to publication. By confirming and placing advertising in Good Local Media Ltd publications you are agreeing to our terms and conditions of trade.

Limitation of Liability: Good Local Media Limited (including its employees, contractors, officers, or agents) shall not be liable for a failure or breach arising