A win for diabetics
By Mary Anne Gill
Waipā type one diabetic Garry Dyet and three other Waikato-based members of an advocacy group are hailing Pharmac’s decision to provide access to funded continuous glucose monitors from this week.
Dyet, Waikato University social scientist Hamish Crocket, MetOcean scientific systems engineer Tim Gunn and Paralympics New Zealand Waikato cycling hub coach Damian Wiseman are part of nonprofit Nightscout New Zealand.
Two years ago, The News highlighted their plea for Pharmac to provide access to modern technologies for managing type one diabetes.
The four wear watches and have software on their phones – a do it yourself artificial pancreas system via open-source software developed by Gunn - which monitors their insulin levels.
Dyet was then Waipā District Council chief executive but has since retired.
He was thrilled with the Pharmac announcement and referred comment to Crocket who chairs Nightscout.
Type one diabetes is a lifelong auto immune condition where people must maintain a round-the-clock eye on their sugar levels.
About a tenth of the 278,000 people diagnosed with diabetes in New Zealand –type two is a blood glucose disorder usually associated with lifestyle choices – have the type one variant which has no cure.
Pharmac will fund monitors which previously cost up to $4000 a year.
Crocket was “elated” and said Pharmac had listened to feedback about eligibility and renewal criteria and removed all reference to glycaemic levels, a way of ranking food containing carbohydrates.
“This ensures people won’t lose access to these essential tools for diabetes selfmanagement simply because they are
experiencing a time in which their glucose levels are elevated,” he said.
The government agency, which decides which medicines and related products taxpayers pay for, has also allowed for three months of prescription items rather than one.
“This is a nice addition which will save everyone time and effort in their diabetes management.”
Diabetes specialists must agree that diabetic patients will benefit from an
automated insulin delivery system, said Crocket.
“In our view, this means if you want (the system) as part of your diabetes selfmanagement, you should have access to one.”
Diabetics can get to choose which of two brands available they want to use. One is pump based and the other is phone based.
“This provides substantial choice to users and caters both to those who want to be able to leave their phone behind and still have a
functioning system and those who want to keep their pump out of sight and drive their system from their phone.”
Pharmac’s announcement ensures 12,000 type one diabetics will get funding in the next 12 months with the number expected to grow to 18,000 over the next five years.
Its decision follows a consultation in March between clinicians, advocacy groups, suppliers and consumers to inform Pharmac of the best ways to support people living with type one diabetes.
On the watch: from left, Garry Dyet, Tim Gunn, Damian Wiseman and Hamish Crocket were pictured when The News highlighted their plea to Pharmac two years ago.
Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Arbitrage
It was a relief to read a letter (Cambridge News, September 26) which rightly challenged the earlier comments by Waipa District Council’s Deputy Chief Executive, Ken Morris, with regard low risk arbitrage deals involving a $50 million pre-funding deal being ‘a good news story for ratepayers’.
Last week’s correspondent to the News, Peter Clapham, quite rightly asked, ‘But where does the Waipa District Council get authority to speculate with money they have borrowed and (which) ratepayers are liable for potential losses on?’
Mr Morris trumpets the fact that “in the two or three years leading up to Covid, we entered a number of arbitrage arrangements and netted over $1 million gain over that period”. My goodness, enough money for one whole unwanted speed bump.
While Mr Morris is keen to post his council’s successful gambits, there is no mention of those deals that haven’t benefitted ratepayers.
And, how much is the council paying Bancorp for such advice? And further, is it true that the council uses ratepayer’s properties as security for these speculative deals?
Kevin Wells Cambridge
Waipā Deputy Chief Executive Ken Morris
responds: We certainly do not speculate with ratepayers money. Arbitrage arrangements are provided for within our Treasury Management Policy which is approved by the Council as part of its Long Term Plan. Deals like this are only entered where we are confident that they provide benefit to ratepayers. We rely on the advice of experts, in this case Bancorp, to provide us with guidance on the terms of loans, and to provide us with strategies for managing our current and future debt forecasts. There is no truth to speculation that council uses ratepayers properties for security. We do not own those properties so it is simply not possible.
Information requests
Earlier this year I sought approval to address the Cambridge Community Board. This week I was advised that an “Official Information” request had been received by Council (from an unknown person/organisation) for all correspondence on the topic of my address. Emails of mine are included. I have been asked if I will consent to the release of my emails. This came as a surprise and I am unsure of my legal rights but in future will be far less open with my correspondence.
Murray Reid
Leamington
Great service
I recently suffered a relatively serious medical event. I was attended by two wonderful Paramedics who after assessed my condition began treatment on me immediately.
I arrived at accident and emergency at Waikato Hospital and was admitted and treated promptly. The doctors then explained clearly and concisely what they thought my problems were and was ministered drugs and treatment as required. I received excellent care by nurses of all different nationalities who were all great, respectful and friendly.
Over the next few days I received all the examinations and the investigations that were needed to assess my condition. Before being
Editor’s note: The district council is subject to requests under the Local Government Official Information Act. The Act is designed to provide transparency. Waipā District Council has been asked under the Act to provide information relating to reports and correspondence about fluoride and has responded appropriately by informing third parties where emails or correspondence from them are captured in the collection of information. The council has invited those parties if they wish to consent to the release of information and The News is one such party. Quite rightly, the council has not identified who has asked for the information when informing those third parties.
On the beat
Don’t keep us waiting
Across Waipa, Te Awamutu and Cambridge Police have definitely been kept busy this week.
In the police we have a saying, ‘see something, do something’. It is something we would like our community to embrace also. At the risk of repeating myself, we need you to phone 111 at the time you see offending in progress.
discharged the doctors clearly in simple terms outlined my condition explained my ongoing treatment and detailed a medication schedule. I would like to thank all the medical staff involved, the people who gave blood and those wonderful Paramedics. It is disappointing to read constant criticism of the Health System by some , because my experience of it has been nothing but exceptionally good. Ian Hancock Te Awamutu
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speed limit and drive to the road conditions.
We want everyone to have a relaxing, incident-free holiday and to get home safely at the end of it.
One night last week, offenders did burnouts in a stolen ute on Victoria street in the Cambridge CBD before abandoning it. Despite CCTV showing several cars driving through and even around the vehicle while it did so, no calls were made to police. In related offending, other stolen cars, most with smashed windscreens and all with broken quarterlight or side windows had been dumped at locations in Leamington. Again, there was a delay in police being notified, despite busy morning foot and vehicle traffic.
If you see something of this nature, do not assume others are phoning us about it, please make a call yourself. The sooner we recover stolen cars, the better the forensics - with the ideal scenario being that we find them when the
thieves are still driving them around. With school holidays underway, it is common for there to be an increase in children using the roads especially on bikes, scooters and skateboards. Please be extra vigilant when commuting, as children can be unpredictable in their behaviour and are not always road-wise. If your child is out and about, ensure age-appropriate supervision. There are several holiday programmes running across the district as one option for younger children. We often see an increase in reports of disorderly behaviour and petty shop theft by roaming youth in school holidays. We understand that young people can get caught up in things that they wouldn’t normally do, when out with their friends. Please help your young people make good decisions these holidays.
If you are heading away, ensure your car is safe and up to warrant of fitness standard. Allow plenty of time for your journey and be patient. Check the NZ Transport Agency – Waka Kotahi website for real time traffic and travel information. If driving long distances, take regular breaks and share the driving when possible, keep to the
with Senior Constable DEB HANN
Ticket giveaway
Cambridge Community House and Te Awamutu’s Kainga Aroha will provide free tickets to people in need to attend November’s Great Kiwi Summer Festival in Lake Karāpiro. The festival is a two-day family friendly event which on the Saturday night will feature a light and sound show.
Game appointment
Waipā based Glenn MacPherson has been appointed by Todd McClay, Minister for Hunting and Fishing, to the NZ Game Animal Council. The council is a national statutory body which advises the minister and works to improve hunting and the management of large game animals. MacPherson, from Leamington, is a member of the Pig Hunting Association and a past president of the Te Kuiti Pig Hunting Club.
Dentist kept waiting
The Dental Council has imposed stringent conditions of practice on a dentist who faces a 17 month wait to defend a charge in court. Rahul Gautam, 50, of Paul Kay Dental in Albert Park Drive, Te Awamutu, and Hamilton Dental Emergency Centre in Anglesea Street, faces an assault charge. He appeared in court in Hamilton last week and was bailed to appear for trial in February 2026. Dental Council conditions included on Gautam’s scope of practice relate to supervision of colleagues and the presence of a chaperone.
Science gathering
St Peter’s School has been hosting a gathering of 120 science technicians and lab managers this week for a national conference which finishes today. The Science Technicians’ Association of New Zealand (Stanz) is the national association science technicians in education.
It’s time to go, says Sally
By Mary Anne Gill
Mention the word retirement to Sally Davies and she quickly responds by saying she is still working a day a week but come December that will be it.
Then she will give up the practising certificate she first gained in 1970 and leave the job she has had at Te Awamutu Medical Centre since 1977.
Those 47 years providing primary nursing care to thousands of people in the community makes her special among the Pinnacle Midlands Health Network’s general practices throughout the North Island.
She will have turned 76 by then and the first thing she is going to do is join a Mahjong group because some of her friends play and it sounds like fun while she will continue to play golf at Te Awamutu Golf Club, coach hockey teams and look after her big garden.
Sally’s work at the medical centre has changed over the years but one constant is her commitment to changing patients’ lifestyles and health outlooks, said medical centre general manager Wayne Lim.
“She has provided continuous service in that role ever since, with no interruptions. This in itself is the most amazing achievement,” he said, but it was her work in diabetes care which stands out.
“Sally is by far our most senior and experienced diabetes support nurse and has been a health champion for literally thousands of our diabetic patients over the years.”
When she talked retirement this time last year, Wayne and the other directors asked if she would
stay on another year doing one day a week and mentor other members of the nursing team.
“In this way her influence is far reaching and has been an ever-present layer of wisdom and support underpinning the care provided by our nurse team for decades,” said Wayne.
Sally said there had been many changes in that time but the biggest were the extra duties practice nurses had taken on.
“Their repertoire now includes cervical smear taking, sexual health care, intravenous therapy, well child assessment, cardiac risk assessment and management of long-term conditions particularly in diabetes.
“There is a big emphasis on professional development with some of us doing post graduate education and some working towards Nurse Practitioner status,” she said.
There had also been a massive shift to disease prevention resulting in an increase in the number of practice nurses.
She is concerned nurses and GPs may lose their generalists skills with the advent of fracture, respiratory and diabetes clinics. She gives the example of a damaged finger or toenail.
In the past, a generalist would remove the nail, dress the wound and the nail bed would heal
nicely.
Now the patient might go to a plastics clinic or hand specialist.
“I am so lucky to have worked with fantastic doctors, hardworking receptionists as well as wonderful nurses. It is an honour to have worked alongside such visionary people as Ian Forbes and Mary Ballantyne,” said Sally.
And she praised Wayne Lim and nurse lead Janet Johnson as “very good leaders who continue to steer us into the future.”
Sally might be reconsidering her decision if her golf does not improve. The following day after our interview she lost her match at Te Awamutu on the 15th hole, an early day in the clubhouse for her.
Perhaps there will be more time instead for husband Ray, children Bruce and Rachel – who followed her mother into nursing and is a practice nurse on Waiheke Island – and five grandchildren.
Te Awamutu Medical Centre was established in 1972 and is the longest serving and largest medical clinic in the town with more than 14,500 enrolled patients, a team of 18 general practitioners, a roster of visiting medical specialists and a total staff of 60 plus. It is part of the Pinnacle Midlands Health Network of 85 practices and more than 450,000 patients.
Rosetown
Helen Carter Funeral Director
Sally Davies (nee Barrowman) outside the Hockin Building on the Waikato Hospital campus after her graduation as a nurse. Photo: supplied. Sally Davies inside Te Awamutu Medical Centre where she has devoted 47 years nursing practice.
Titchener’s next move
Anti-fluoride campaigner Kane Titchener, buoyed by a court ruling in the United States, says he will ask Waipā District Council to liaise with 13 other councils to push back against adding the chemical to water supplies.
He has analysed an 80-page September 24 ruling from the United States District Court, Northern District of California, which he described as ‘huge news”.
Titchener is the deputy chair of the Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board which has previously called on the council to make a stand against an order issued in 2022 by outgoing director general of health Ashley Bloomfield to add fluoride to the Cambridge supply.
To date the council had declined to do so.
Titchener said he plans to raise a notice of motion at the next community board meeting “so that the council formally receives the US court ruling”.
“My notice of motion will ask Waipā District Council to raise the US Federal Court Ruling findings with the Director General of Health, request that Waipā District Council liaise with the 13 other directed Councils to push back against being directed to put a known neurotoxin into the water supply and thirdly, advise the Cambridge Community that there is strong evidence that the fluoride which they are being directed to put into the water supply is neurotoxic particularly for the foetus and
infant,” he said.
The ruling says scientific evidence has increasingly identified a link between fluoride exposure and adverse cognitive effect in children. Where there is considerable debate is what constitutes a hazardous level of fluoride in water, but regardless, opponent don’t want it added at all.
The Health Ministry counters that fluoride is a “safe, effective and affordable way to prevent tooth decay for everyone”. It says it is important to distinguish between effects of apparent fluoride toxicity at very high intakes and effects that may occur at much lower intakes, adding “some studies have failed to do to, giving rise to potentially misleading statements and confusion”.
New centre takes shape
By Chris Gardner
Construction of a $3.3 million community centre on land once occupied by St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Mutu St is ahead of schedule.
Core Steel Buildings in Te Awamutu is constructing the community centre for the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand Property Trustees.
“They are ahead of schedule, it has been roughly two weeks, it’s been going very well,” said project convenor Ray Miller.
The 756sq metre Te Awamutu Presbyterian Community Centre will have a 150-seat auditorium with a stage with two adjoining function centre rooms which can be opened to expand the auditorium.
Three counselling and meeting rooms are included at the request of Waipā District Council.
The project has been underway since the demolition of the earthquake prone Hinuera stone church – the denomination’s third in the area – in 2015. The first church was built on Brady St in 1872, the second on the corner of Alexandra St and Mutu St in 1918 and the third in Mutu St in 1960.
Kane Titchener
Te Awamutu’s new community centre will feature a 150-seat auditorium.
Massive
Massive Madness flooring
Together we are better
not be possible without the strength and vision of our partner, Habitat for Humanity Central Region.
the invited guest, Tom Roa, explained the Tikanga Māori practice of karakia, linking it to the fundamental principle of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
I loved the simplicity of the explanation; to exhort us as members of the community to work together in partnership to support the realisation of the aspirations of all.
Clearly, they share this philosophy as previous news items show them successfully partnering with Waipā District Council to meet housing needs across our region.
I’ve been harping on lately about the need for us all to “step up and step in,” accepting our role in enhancing the lives of those around us.
In a church context, this is the essence of our faith; Jesus Himself gave everything so that we could each find our ‘best life’ in relationship with God - His Father and ours. As far as I can tell, the Bible is explicit in the responsibility we each have in being an active member of the family.
*Offers are
As I see it, the Hospice Waikato retail store is a fine example of the community working together to enable others to make the most of life.
Our family will be supporting this endeavour alongside other fantastic community contributors.
until 2/4/23 on selected ranges and selected colours or while stocks
Here at Zion, we recently hosted the Business Chamber as our guests. As members, we were excited at the prospect of connecting with other members, showcasing our hub as an asset to the local community, and sharing insight into who we are, what we do, and why we do it.
and
One Bible verse has become my soapbox, as it were, for me to stand on in my regular activity of harping on. Ephesians 4 verse 16 instructs us to contribute our strength, as part of the collective, for the fundamental purpose of making the collective stronger. As I’ve written here many times before, “together we are better.”
As a church, we choose to put this Biblical instruction into practical application by the way we intentionally interact with our community (collective).
We reach out to establish partnerships that will bear fruit so as to, in the words of Hospice Waikato, “enhance the lives of others.”
As a member of the community, Zion is all about partnership. Our plans to redevelop the church land on Racecourse Road would
What is belief without practical demonstration of what one says they believe?
sold in lineal metres. Stock will vary by store. Quantities are limited allowed. We reserve the right to adjust prices without notice if necessary and we reserve the right to correct any errors. See instore on online for further details.**Finance terms
ON SHAKY GROUND
By Janine Krippner
In a car crammed full of my belongings I sat counting on my fingers the times I have moved house or apartment, not counting the times I lived in a backpackers or hotel.
In 21 years I have moved about 25 times. Some of those moves have been across countries, some across states, but all have involved downsizing where I can, packing, moving logistics, and unpacking.
Many of those times were with my two cats in tow. I am so efficient that it should be on my CV at this point.
It’s pretty astounding considering I lived in the same house from birth to university and I will never forget how scared I was before my first move.
A career in volcanology has meant a lack of stability and not yet being able to put down roots, as much as I would love to.
While this is exhausting, trust me I am very much over it, I am very aware of how fortunate I am.
Working in a field where I have spent so much time thinking about people losing everything to natural hazards, many having very little to begin with, has skewed my perspective on what “normal” is. I place so much more value on “stuff”, but not having more stuff, by truly appreciating the stuff that I have. It also helps with not being frustrated at myself that I don’t have life figured out yet.
I deeply appreciate having Te Awamutu be a stable base that I can always visit to recharge from the chaos. It was here for me when the pandemic drove me home, it is here for me now when our current situation in New Zealand has resulted in a lack of work for me alongside many, many others across the country.
Having said countless times that ‘it could be worse’, I say it with a true understanding of what ‘so much worse’ really does look like. It could look like having a tsunami flood through your home. A searing hot pyroclastic flow devastate your village. A landslide bury and relocate your home along with all of your neighbours. Insane wildfires turn your town to a blackened landscape. Living for months in an evacuation centre waiting to hear if you have lost everything…
Before I send this in to the editor, I am still waiting to hear if a dear friend is okay after she was in an area hit hard by Hurricane Helene.
It is easy to be mad or upset at how things are going in our backyard lately. While the news is talking about recession, job losses, skyrocketing cost of living prices, I feel that we are missing global perspective. No, perspective doesn’t help us pay rent or for far-too-expensive groceries, but it is a reminder that the past few years have been difficult for many countries around the world, even without taking natural disasters into account. It doesn’t mean that we as individuals have screwed up or aren’t good enough, it’s just tough.
If you’re having a tough time lately, I truly hope that things get better for you soon. I hope you can be patient and kind to yourself each day as we all navigate the ups and downs, and not beat yourself up on the days where you just don’t have 100 per cent to give. We are always so much stronger than we think.
Lobby group calls for a ‘local’ voice
By Chris Gardner
Don’t Burn Waipa
Secretary Nick Cantlon wants the Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board to step in where Waipā District Council has stepped out.
Cantlon has asked the board to nominate a person with community knowledge to serve on the board of inquiry deciding Hamiltonbased Global Contracting Solutions’ resource consent applications to build and operate a waste to energy plant in Racecourse Road.
Minister for the
Environment Penny Simmonds acquiesced to Waikato Regional Council’s request to call in the application in August.
Don’t Burn Waipa and Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board are among organisations opposing the application.
Speaking in the public forum of the community board’s September meeting last week, Cantlon said
legislation required the board of inquiry to include members with certain expertise, including someone with local community knowledge.
He said the district council had given the Environmental Protection Authority a list of commissioners it uses for Resource Management Act hearings but “as far as I can ascertain only one of these people is based in Waipā”.
“I would like the community board to use any influence they might have. Maybe the community board might be able to see their way clear to fill that role. The EPA is going to struggle. How on earth are they going to choose somebody that might know about our community and what they might or might not want?”
Community board deputy chair Kane Titchener said after the meeting the board was formulating a notice of motion opposing the building of the plant.
Who will make the connection?
Waipā will host a national competition for the country’s top line mechanics and cable jointers later this month.
Lines companies Waipā Networks and The Lines Company will stage Annual Connection 2024 at Te Awamutu’s Castleton Park from October 22.
Cable jointers and line mechanic teams from energy companies around the country will compete over three days and be judged across a series of skill and expertise tests.
The executive director of infrastructure industry training provider Connexis, Kaarin Gaukrodger, says the electricity supply industry faces big challenges with the Government’s drive to reduce the country’s carbon footprint.
She says it is forecast the country will need an electricity supply workforce twice the current size to meet targets.
It’s suggested that as demand increases over the next 25 years electricity distribution companies will need to recruit an additional 150 people annually to manage this growth.
“Electrifying New Zealand’s economy is a key part of the government’s plan to grow our economy and reduce emissions to achieve Net Zero 2050.
Gaukrodger said that would also presents challenges for the industry in how it trains people to deliver on the increase in demand and changing skill requirements as new energy sources grow.
“Training our local workforce will be key as countries around the world are facing the same challenges for skilled workers to deliver on renewable energy development and maintenance. The good news is that it means more jobs for New Zealanders.”
For Te Kuiti based Lines Company the competition also provides an opportunity to retain its title as overall winner of the Line Mechanic Competition on home ground.
Hamilton based Wel Networks will also be competing and a supplier expo will also showcase new technologies.
Waipā Networks chief executive Sean Horgan says hosting event was an excellent way for the company to showcase its work in its own backyard.
As a growing region here in Waipā, with an impending population boom, it brings home the importance of attracting new talent to meet these demands.”
Site visits
Visits to the teawamutunews.nz website were up 38 per cent last month on the previous month and the reason?
The return of international flights to Hamilton Airport followed by the Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board’s call for service clubs and organisations to “zhush” up the town’s entrance sign on Ōhaupō Road.
The board’s call for a relaxing of a booze ban in town and our front page piece The king of Kotahitanga – the death of Kiingi Tuheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII – were third and fourth while Te Awamutu College’s announcement it has no spaces for out of zoners next year rounded out the top five.
Top pages were our home page followed by downloadable versions of the newspaper.
The Lines Company team won the event last year – they were, from left, Wiremu Te Tawhero, Jordan Hughes Tallis Karaitiana, Shaun Edgerton, Dion Adams, and Shogun Haami.
Going to town ‘retiring’ land
Landowners have “retired” 8442 hectares of riparian or erosion prone land in the Waikato Regional Council area over seven years a new report says.
At 8442ha – that’s 84.42 square kilometres – it’s bigger than Cambridge, 27.35 square kilometres, Pirongia, 3.27, Ōhaupō, 1.54, Te Awamutu, 14.18, Kihikihi, 3.4, Ōtorohanga, 5.07, Te Kūiti, 8.41km and Piopio, 2.01, townships combined.
The figure was quoted by Waikato West Coast Catchments Manager Grant Blackie addressing councillors at an Integrated Catchment Management Committee meeting last week
Over seven years the council has worked with landowners and iwi to complete almost 1600km of fencing, retiring 8442ha of riparian or erosion prone land and planting over 4.5 million plants, he said.
Rural landowners battling rising farm expense and reduced profit in the 2023-24 year gave up almost 1000 hectares of land on 296
properties for conservation.
It was a marked reduction down on the previous year, but “a pretty significant amount of work in these trying circumstances,” Blackie said.
His report said landowners collectively completed nearly 150 kilometres of fencing, planted nearly 450,000 plants and retired nearly 940 ha of land.
In comparison, but with higher levels of funding, in 2022-23 the council worked with 341 landowners to retire 1726ha of land, plant 950,000 native trees and protect 137km of waterways.
Incentivised catchment work comes with funding from council, Waikato River Authority and the Ministry for Primary Industries.
“Despite an excellent grass growing year, the most common reason given by landowners to delaying work relates to lower discretionary farm income, resulting from a combination of poor returns, high ‘farm gate’ inflation and increases in debt-servicing costs, Blackie’s
report said.
“In addition, there is now regulatory uncertainty for landowners relating to freshwater and greenhouse gas emission requirements and the functioning of the emissions trading scheme.”
Waikato Regional Council undertakes river and catchment planning and management activities within zones based on catchment boundaries.
The council’s catchment programmes deliver restoration works, including soil erosion control and prevention, river management work, riparian protection through fencing and planting, lake and wetland protection and enhancement and bush fragment protection.
In 2023-24, the council also received significant co-funding for river management work from the government in response to the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle and other North Island storms.
The amount of funding available to landowners depends on whether landowners are in an identified priority catchment and whether the council has secured additional funding for work programmes outside business as usual.
Minister scotches new ramps
Transport minister Simeon Brown says the old State Highway One through Cambridge has sufficient capacity to provide for growth in the town.
He says including on and off ramps at the intersection of Waikato Expressway and Tīrau Road is “out of scope” of the Cambridge to Piarere project the government has included in its roads of significance project.
“It was determined during the design and planning phases that a northbound on-ramp would not be included. The main reason for that was the existing interchange at Tīrau Road was specifically designed so that the
expressway would not be used for short trips, such as motorists entering the expressway at the southern interchange and exiting it at the SH1 B interchange and such a proposal would undermine the intent of this arrangement,” Brown said in response to questions from longtime Cambridge resident Glen Bruce.
The News raised the on off ramps as a solution to Cambridge’s growing traffic problem more than two years ago. There is concern at the number of heavy vehicles which travel through the centre of Cambridge on a route between the Waikato Expressway and west of the town.
The minister said drivers wanting to go north from the existing exit to the south can drive 3.5kms south to Hydro Road, change direction and travel back.
Meanwhile a new roundabout at the SH1SH29 intersection at Piarere is in use.
Two temporary approaches are in place for the more than 2500 heavy commercial vehicles and 25,000 cars that travel through the pinch point every day.
The roundabout has been designed to connect into the four-laned Waikato Expressway section between Cambridge and Piarere.
Funding ranges from 35 to 80 per cent of costs, depending on the location, type of work and funding available, and landowners are able to use their labour and materials contributions as work in kind.
A total of 8442ha of riparian or erosion prone land has been “retired” over seven years. Photo: Waikato Regional Council.
Simeon Brown earlier this year at the turning of the sod for the new Piarere roundabout.
Photo: Jane Thompson.
E-trike opens cycle pathways
By Mary Anne Gill
Matty Bauernfeind has two great passions – Arsenal Football Club and advocating for disability accessibility.
Add a third one to that nowtravelling on Waikato’s cycleways with the wind blowing through his hair.
Now thanks to the Lions Tamahere Club, he and other disabled people can travel free from Riverside Adventures base at the Velodrome near Cambridge to anywhere that is accessible by bike.
The London-born 23-year-old tertiary student - who emigrated to New Zealand with his parents Neil and Bernadette when he was onehas cerebral palsy and needs support with everything he does.
He went to school at St Peter Chanel School in Hamilton and then Hillcrest High School before starting at Wintec nearly two years ago where he is studying communications.
He is in the Enabling Good Lives programme which enables disabled people to have greater choice and control over the supports they receive.
Making things accessible for him and other disabled people has seen Matty help get a hoist installed at the polytechnic because the disability toilets did not suit his needs.
“My motivation for wanting to leave the hoist at Wintec after I leave is so that other students who have mobility impairments can go onto further education after they leave
high school, and not have to worry about changing facilities.”
The e-trike will make a big difference to other people’s lives, he said.
“Something like this means they can get out and about. I can get out, I can interact with people. I can have the wind in my hair,” he laughs, seeing the irony in his buzz cut.
That was not the only reason for his good mood. His beloved Arsenal had only hours before scored two goals in stoppage time to beat Leicester 4-2.
“I didn’t tell Matty,” said Neil who
had recorded it for him. “He was going ‘we’re 2-0 up at the half’ and then Leicester got two back and he was worried.”
The pair went to the Emirates Stadium in December last year to see Arsenal beat Brighton 2-0. Both were impressed by the disability facilities at the stadium and how well they were treated.
Their mood was not so great 11 days later when West Ham beat them 2-0. “That was terrible,” said Matty.
Neil looks after the Enabling Good Lives budget and during Covid he
and Matty saw a similar e-trike for sale – not as powerful, says Neiland bought it so they could get out and exercise during the lockdown.
Lions Tamahere club members saw the original e-trike and through Matty’s advocacy for other disabled people, decided to start fund raising acknowledging in part in bringing the service to the community.
Club members raised more than $25,000 to import an electric e-trike that can carry a wheelchair in front so the physically disabled or mobility compromised - including
the elderly - can have someone ride them around the region.
So powerful is the e-trike that the daunting hill from Te Awa River Ride below the Velodrome is a breeze for the rider with a wheelchair passenger.
Neil, deputy principal at Te Awamutu College, can attest to that. He has ridden Matty effortlessly from the Velodrome to their Tamahere home and back again.
The e-trike will be maintained and operated by Riverside Adventures at the Velodrome and will be available, free of charge to all users.
Lions president Craig Phillips said the service club was very good at raising money to buy things but were generally not keen on administering them, hence the partnership with Riverside. They took the e-trike to the Te Ara Pekapeka Bridge open day last month where one disabled women could be heard shrieking with excitement and joy as she travelled along the bridge.
Lions will meet the cost of ongoing maintenance but members are also considering starting a fund raising social media page so they can keep its free status.
“That’s the catch cry I suppose. The only charge we want is in the (bike) battery,” said Phillips. “I can imagine a fleet of these across New Zealand.”
Lions Tamahere Club and Riverside Adventures are launching the e-trike at the Velodrome on Saturday.
Matty Bauernfeind at the Velodrome with from left Tamahere Lions president Craig Phillips, father Neil and mother Bernadette.
Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Kihikihi bowlers are back, jack
September heralded the start of the “new season” and the traditional opening day at the Kihikihi Bowling Club was held with the first jack of the season delivered by new patron Nina Thomson.
The first bowl of the season was delivered by John McGough, one of the club’s oldest members - and it was right on the jack.
Since then Kihikihi has hosted two tournaments, the first won by a Pirongia team of Denise Te Momo, Lynda Bennett and Nvenka Drnasin. They are regularly on the podium at the club’s events.
The second tournament went to a Frankton Junction Team of Dennis Meinung (skip), Val Allan and Mattie Hooper who headed off some high-class competition.
The club has also played host to the Waikato Junior Development Squad for both men and women for three consecutive Sundays and hosted a group of Te Awamutu Intermediate students on an organised introduction to bowls.
Two Club Championships have been played this month. The first was the mixed fours and after a long day on the green the team of Mike Proffit, Sheryl Olsen, Brendon Hand and Lorraine Garrett prevailed over Clive Merrin, Rosalie Hart, Brian Quinlan and George de Bruyn.
Bronze for Eltje
Waipā Paralympian Eltje Malzbender (pictured right) crowned an outstanding overall performance at the Para-Cycling Road World Championships by taking her second bronze medal of the week in the Women’s T1 Road Race.
Competing in Zurich, Switzerland, over a total distance of 31.8km in tricky windy conditions, the Cambridge-based tricyclist rode third from the outset and survived a mid-race crash to retain her position throughout the race.
In the incident, another cyclist rammed into the Kiwi’s front wheel at the bottom of a hill and fell off his bike. Malzbender remained upright.
In a repeat of the same podium finishing order from the Women’s T1 Individual Time Trial earlier in the week, gold was clinched by Marieke Van Soest of the Netherlands with Pavlina Vejvodova of Czechia in silver. Malzbender, 62, was a world champion in this event 2019.
Meghan Hawkes reports on headline news n Waipa – from 1909.
Allegations of penny pinching
News A Snip in Time
Recent railway reforms riled a passenger who, on arrival at the Te Awamutu train station, was accosted by the station master demanding sixpence for a box measuring less than two cubic feet, containing clothing and a few apples.
She informed him of its contents and pointed out the fact that the stationmaster where she and her husband had boarded the train did not charge for the box. The total weight of all their luggage was greatly under the regulation amount. Nothing was put on the box to show that sixpence had been paid for it. Her husband wrote at once to the traffic manager, Auckland, asking that the pennies might be refunded.
Seven weeks later a reply was received saying that the payment could not be returned, and that the stationmaster at Te Awamutu was only carrying out his instructions. When they travelled by rail again, they took a little box containing exactly six quinces. This the stationmaster would not pass, although he was told what it contained. By the same train, and to the same station, another passenger took a whole box of fruit, without being charged for it. At other stations fruit was taken aboard without being paid for. On their return journey the couple brought a case of apples with them. On arrival at Te Awamutu, they were charged sixpence for it, but for a tin containing 331b of honey, nothing was charged.
“I would suggest,” the husband fumed “that Minister for Railways direct that a list of articles to be paid for be printed in the penny timetable. To me it seems cutting matters very fine to charge sixpence
for six quinces or a few apples in a small case containing clothing as well. But to allow full cases of fruit to pass without charge shows great laxity on the part of the railway officials, and the need of a strong hand to reform matters.”
The Pirongia waters were praised as the perfect habitat for trout, both the brown and rainbow varieties. The shady pool, the rapids, intensely cold water, and the tributaries of the Waipā straight out of the ranges were all to be found in the Pirongia streams. Ease of access, medium depth, and occasional patches of sheltering bush - no waters in the world could be better adapted.
To lovers of the picturesque, a month’s angling on any of the Waipā’s tributaries was a delightful experience. Every bend in the river presented a new panorama of surpassing beauty, and no sportsman who had once visited Pirongia rod in hand failed to make it his angling ground on subsequent excursions.
Messrs Corcoran Bros, of Harapepe, installed on their farm a hydraulic vacuum pump, which was to work a milking machine. The machine was very simple in construction and easily understood - a stream of water being all that was required to work it. It could be operated at any distance from the shed, and consequently there was no noise to disturb the cows during milking. A trial spin gave the utmost satisfaction, the pump doing all that had been claimed. Messrs Corcoran Bros deserved great credit for taking this lead in the district in abolishing the hand milking drudgery, and it was hoped that they would meet with the success that they deserved.
Coaches awaiting the arrival of trains at Te Awamutu station.
The triples were won by Carole Lee, Gay Millin and Trish Hancock (skip) and Rance Wilson, Donny Ramage and Ben Onehi (skip).
Women’s triple winners, from left, Carole Lee, Gay Millin and Trish Hancock (skip).
Men’s triple winners, Rance Wilson, Donny Ramage and Ben Onehi (skip).
with Jan Bilton
Kiwifruit winners
We all know that kiwifruit packs a punch — crammed with antioxidants, vitamins C, E and folate as well as being a great aid for digestion. But kiwifruit has been particularly good to me.
Way back when the microwave heralded a new approach to cooking, I attended two culinary schools in California to hone my skills. Students asked what we did with kiwifruit in New Zealand. I realized there was a need for a cookbook to spread the word about the fruit’s versatility. My imagination ran free creating tempting recipes based on kiwi and national cuisines. But, not being able to persuade anyone to publish the book, I gritted my teeth, mortgaged the house and self-published the New Zealand Kiwifruit Cookbook.
The book sold 10,000 copies in one month and was republished twice within a year. There have been four editions. This led to me being asked to promote kiwifruit with top food TV and radio personalities in the USA, Canada, Australia and Asia. Kiwifruit was combined with local foods and cooking techniques were those of the places visited. For example, in Canada, the annual Calgary Stampede festivities had just started so Kiwifruit Stampede (kiwifruit and strawberries flambéed in brandy) was devised and cooked on air at a television station.
VIETNAMESE KIWIFRUIT RELISH
Choose kiwifruit that is ripe but firm. Best made just before serving.
1 kaffir lime leaf, finely julienned
finely grated rind 1 kaffir lime
1 tablespoon kaffir lime juice or common lime juice
1 long red chilli, cut into rings
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped coriander leaves and stems
3-4 each: common mint leaves, Vietnamese mint leaves
3 large firm green kiwifruit, peeled and diced
Combine the ingredients in a bowl.
Great served with poached prawns tossed with chilli sauce and fresh herbs. oOr with grills or curries. Makes about 1 1/4 cups.
MATCHA CHEESECAKE
Crumb Crust: 250g gingernuts, finely crushed
125g butter, melted
Filling: 2 eggs
1/2 cup caster sugar
1 tablespoon powdered gelatine
2 tablespoons water
350g cream cheese at room temperature
finely grated rind 1 lemon
4 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons matcha (green tea) powder
300ml cream
1 cup well drained, diced, cooked kiwifruit or pineapple
Garnish: 2 kiwifruit, peeled and sliced
Combine the gingernut biscuit crumbs and butter and press onto the base and sides of a greased 20cm springform cake pan. Chill.
Place the eggs and caster sugar in a double boiler and whisk
over simmering water until thick and creamy. Meanwhile soak the gelatine in the water. Dissolve over hot water or in the microwave.
Beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in the egg mixture, gelatine, lemon rind, lemon juice and matcha powder. Whip the cream until thick and fold into the cream cheese mixture. Fold in the fruit. Pour into the chilled biscuit shell. Chill for several hours or overnight. Serve topped with the kiwifruit. Serves 8-10.
STIR-FRIED PRAWNS WITH GINGER KIWI SAUCE
2 tablespoons rice bran oil
12 large raw prawns, shelled
1/2 cup ginger wine
1 tablespoon each: soy sauce, finely grated root ginger
2 green kiwifruit, peeled and sliced
Heat the oil in a wok. Stir-fry the prawns until pink and just cooked. Remove to a warm bowl.
Add the ginger wine to the wok then the soy sauce and root ginger. Simmer for 2 minutes. Add the kiwifruit and warm through. Pour over the prawns.
Great served on crisp noodles. Serves 2 as a starter or light meal.
Across: 1. First, 4. Search, 7. Hit, 8. Glider, 9. Untidy, 10. Inconsiderate, 14. Exact, 15. Vista, 18. Take the plunge, 23. Batten, 24. Ending, 25. Gee, 26. Charge, 27. Purse. Down: 1. Felon, 2. Radio, 3. Thresh, 4. Sturdy, 5. Actor, 6. Cadet, 10. Inert, 11. Crack, 12. Arson, 13. Erase, 16. Change, 17. Upkeep, 19. Awash, 20. Enter, 21. Under, 22. Genie.
Sweeping cut (5)
Fume (6)
Supervise (7)
Scoundrel (5)
Ornamental headband (5)
Gather (7)
(6)
Section of a book (7)
Allocation (5)
Expel from a property (5)
Food style (7)
Funeral vehicle (6)
Happening (5)
Vietnamese kiwifruit relish
Matcha cheesecake
LAND wanted to lease 20 minutes from Te Awamutu for stock. Kevin 0274 797 862
Notice of Proposed Reserve Revocation and Disposal Section 24(2) Reserves Act 1977
Waipā District Council intends to notify the Department of Conservation under section 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, as it is not required for its stated purpose: Taotaoroa Road Reserve held in Record of Title 504093 with an area of approximately 1.5743 ha and is located on the southern side of Taotaoroa Road. Any person a ected by this proposal has the right to provide written notice of any objection to the proposal, including the grounds for that objection, any time before 25 October 2024 to Waipā District Council. Written objections should be addressed to: Reserve Revocation, Waipa District Council, 101 Banks Street, Te Awamutu. Attention: Property Projects Specialist - info@waipadc.govt.nz
working parents. Ph or txt 027 478 1783.
Notice is hereby given that the Trust’s Annual General Meeting is to be held on Tuesday 22nd October 2024 in Te Manu Korokii Profile Group Education Centre at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, 99 Tari Road, Pukeatua commencing at 3.30pm. Attendees are invited to join the Trustees for afternoon tea (from 3.00pm) prior to the start of the meeting. Enquiries by email to: secretary@maungatrust.org Please RSVP via the QR code by 17th October.
KARĀPIRO LAKE DOMAIN TEMPORARY ALCOHOL BANS
An alcohol ban will be in place at the Karapiro Lake Domain at the times, dates and events as specified below. It will not apply to areas at the Karapiro Lake Domain leased from Council and the Sir Don Rowlands Centre.
The Waipa Community Facilities Trust is holding its Annual General Meeting at 6.00pm on the 15th October 2024 in the ASB Community Room at the Perry Aquatic Centre.
Business of meeting:
The annual general meeting shall carry out the following business:
(a) Receive the minutes from the previous annual general meeting; and
(b) Receive the Trust’s statement of accounts for the year ending 30/06/2024; and
(c) Receive report from the Chairman of the board and from the CEO; and
(d) Announce retirement of current Trustees and the appointment of new Trustees; and
(e) Appoint an auditor; and
(f) Consider and decide any other matter which may properly be brought before the meeting.
Ruby McPhail - Secretary
This notice is given in accordance with clause 3.2 of the Waipa district Council Public Places Alcohol Control Bylaw 2015 and section 170(3)(a) of the Local Government Act 2002 for the purposes of sections 169(2)(a) and 170(2) of the Act. It gives the Police the power to search a container or vehicle in relation to alcohol in a ban area without prior notice.
or
TE AWAMUTU OPEN HOMES
