Business duo ‘give back’
By Mary Anne Gill
An endowment fund for Cambridge and by Cambridge was launched yesterday by two semi-retired businessmen who say they set it up because they want the town to benefit financially year after year from it.
Pharmacist Kevin Burgess and insurance broker David Cooney have already helped to raise thousands of dollars for community facilities like the Community House and other charitable organisations but say the endowment fund will run as a different model.
“It’s give back time for us,” said Burgess as both he and Cooney had done well financially in Cambridge.
“Philanthropy at its core is about compassion - the act of seeing a need and responding with meaningful support,” said Burgess who announced at a function in Te Awa Lifecare yesterday that 3M developers Mitch Plaw, Mike and Matt Smith had kicked the fund off with a gift of an unencumbered section of land in Bridleways Estate.
Cooney said he had no doubt “tradies would get onboard” and help build a house on the section for nothing and the money from its
sale would go into the endowment fund.
The Cambridge Community Fund will be managed by Momentum Waikato, an independent community foundation that enables generous people to grow their donations. It already manages investments for 25 other Waikato trusts including Maungatautari Sanctuary Nest Egg Fund, McKenzie Centre, Te Awamutu College Foundation, Waikato Community Rugby and Waikato Sick Babies Trust.
Cooney said he and Burgess hatched up the idea following a
series of successful fundraisers for the Rotary Trust and their recent semi-retirement from business.
“The intention all along has been to build a meaningful fund to be able to support the Cambridge community,” he said.
“If you go back in time, the vision for what we’re doing now started way back with Jack Shannon and Ron Osmond and those days when some of the older names in Cambridge were looking to do things.
“We’ve got the motivation now and we’ve got the model that will make it happen,” he said.
To make a meaningful difference in Cambridge, the fund needs multi millions.
“I’ve had a passion for this for a long, long time but it’s been hampered,” said Cooney.
“We’ve tried with the original Rotary Trust which has morphed into the Cambridge Community Charitable Trust – you take two steps forward and two steps back. It’s going like that all the time. The need is there you get some money in, and you immediately give it out, so your capital base is not growing.”
Bridging the gap: Kevin Burgess, left, and David Cooney standing on Victoria “High Level” bridge, in a statement of Cambridge coming together.
Photo: Mary Anne Gill. Continued
Business duo ‘give back’
Burgess said the fund would be unashamedly for Cambridge, not Waipā.
Money could be ring-fenced within the fund. For example, Burgess would want some of his money to go to the Hautapu Sports Club and be used for years to come.
“We can customise anyone’s legacy.
“What I’m trying to project to the people of Cambridge, this is going to last a hundred years. We couldn’t do it ourselves; it was impossible.
“David and I have shared the same passion to give back to the (Cambridge) community and it is through philanthropic giving.
“It is more than a simple act of generosity,
Roy
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editor@goodlocal.nz
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philanthropy is a powerful tool to uplift, empower and enrich our communities in ways that extend beyond our lifetimes,” said Burgess.
Cambridge, for all its outwardly vibrant, successful and middle class look, had the same social issues other towns faced.
The Salvation Army reports there are at least 30 people sleeping rough in the town and there are high levels of domestic violence.
“We also know from the Cambridge Community House we need more drug, alcohol, budget and mental health counsellors
along with affordable and social housing and access to primary care,” said Burgess who said the fund would also look at affordable housing and homelessness.
He had also met Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan and chief executive Steph O’Sullivan to discuss the fund and acknowledged the council’s commitment to providing pensioner housing which the fund would also support.
“David and I are not the decision makers, our job is to establish the thing,” said Burgess.
They chose Momentum – with help from Bill Holland of Tauranga’s Acorn
Foundation and The Warehouse founder and philanthropist Stephen Tindall – for its experienced philanthropic governance, intellectual property, back office support, best practice investment principles, collegial support and the lowest possible fee structure.
“Cambridge could not do it on its own,” said Burgess. “But what we don’t want is to be overwhelmed by Momentum Waikato and so it is the Cambridge Community Fund in collaboration with them.”
Momentum Waikato is one of 19 community trusts operating in New Zealand.
Craft fair for Labour Day
By Viv Posselt
The unstoppable Ian Dunn – former jam-maker and long-time St Andrew’s Church verger – reckons his upcoming craft fair will be one of his biggest.
The St Andrew’s Giant Craft and Collectable Fair he started 25 years ago has grown into one of the most popular in the region. It has run twice a year – on Labour Day and Auckland Anniversary Day pretty much throughout that time – and attracts thousands of people to Cambridge.
He has also laid on other fairs in between, with ever-increasing numbers of stall holders joining the throng, most of them from around the North Island but some from further afield.
Dunn has 143 stalls booked for the Labour Day fair on October 28, running at St Andrew’s Church from 10am.
At around that time, the Cambridge Brass Band will play selections from their 2024 concerts. At 11am the Baroque Ensemble will give a performance featuring organ and trumpet, and at 12 noon, the Cambridge Little Big Band will present a set of jazz classics.
David
david@goodlocal.nz
This week I want to focus on youth. School has started back up and so often it is when our youth are truant or being negatively influenced by mates that they can end up making bad decisions. Keep those lines of communication open so that you know who your son or daughter is hanging out with and what is going on in their world.
When youth get into trouble, they are dealt with by the Police Youth Aid section.
In Cambridge, Constable Danica Hibdige has recently returned to her Youth Aid role after a period of maternity leave. In Te Awamutu, Senior Constable Scott Miller holds the Youth Aid position. Youth Aid officers undergo specific training in the Children Young Persons and their Families Act 1989 and its application in the areas of youth justice, care and protection. Under the act, 14–17-year-olds are considered young people, while those under 14 are children.
Young People may be dealt with by the Youth Court.
When a young person offends, a file is created by the attending officers and passed through to the Youth Aid officers for follow up action. The consequences will vary depending on the severity of the crime as well as the individual youth’s past history of offending.
The outcomes can range from a formal warning to alternative action plan involving, for example, an apology, community service, agency engagement and reparation or in the more serious cases, a Family Group Conference and Youth Court. While going through a youth court process, a young person will be subject to youth court bail conditions such as non-association and curfew conditions, aimed at curbing their negative behaviours and disrupting their offending.
The Youth Aid process aims at preventative interventions to redirect
youth from a criminal pathway. Recent youth offending files have included shoplifting, attempted theft of cars, wilful damage and graffiti.
Lastly today, in the week prior to writing, Cambridge Police dealt with; an assault, a mental health incident, four traffic crashes, five burglaries, 10 car crime, theft, two fraud reports, two cases of wilful damage, five family harm incidents, three drink drivers and a suspended driver.
In Te Awamutu, staff dealt with three assaults, three threats and intimidation incidents, two mental health matters, three traffic crashes, six family harm incidents, disorderly behaviour, 10 burglaries, six car crime, two shoplifting incidents, two fraud matters, a trespass matter and two drink drive cases.
Ian Dunn with one of his flyers promoting the craft fair.
Photo: Viv Posselt
Head resigns
St Peter’s School head Marcus Blackburn has resigned, Trust Board chair John MacaskillSmith announced last week and he also confirmed Jason Speedy has been appointed Head of School from Term One next year. Blackburn told the board in August he was resigning but wanted it kept confidential until now.
Book launch
Cambridge Primary School has launched a recipe book called Cook Plate Savour to raise money for a playground upgrade. Illustrations have been drawn by local artist Grant Jack, recipes supplied by school families and staff with photos taken by Juliette Drysdale.
Revenue up
Revenue at Lake Karāpiro Domain for the 12 months ended June 30 was $1.011 million – up $246,000 on budget. But expenses of $1.457 million were also up on budget by $105,000, GL Events Ltd site manager Liz Stolwyk told Waipā district council’s Finance and Corporate committee meeting this week.
Vintage cars
A 25-car contingent from the Hawke’s Bay Vintage Car Club will visit Cambridge Raceway and a horse stud on Saturday and visit the Ross Brothers Museum in Hautapu and tour the Velodrome the following day.
New playground
King’s Garden on the corner of Carnation Court and Tulip Drive in Cambridge north has a new playground which opened last week. Highlight is a new timber and rope climbing structure, the original swing set has been refurbished and the old slide replaced. There is also a toddler mound, carousel, timber play and plenty of shade and seating.
Correction
Richard Gerrand has given 35 years’ service to the Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade, not 25 years as we reported last week. The article has been corrected online cambridgenews.nz
Rubbish: no change expected
By Mary Anne Gill
Waipā councillors were expected to defer a proposal to change the district’s kerbside refuse service when they discussed it at their Long Term Plan workshop and briefing day yesterday.
The workshop was open to the public but held after The News went to press.
Elected members discussed the proposal at another workshop day on Monday and their response to the council taking over the service from contractors was lukewarm because of the costs involved and because the service would not cover the rural areas, retirement villages and body corporates.
It would also not be a ‘pay as you throw’ scheme nor allow for people who are frugal with their rubbish by reducing and composting waste. They would get no financial benefit from the proposal.
Four other workshops were held on that day, two of them in public excluded on the Cambridge Water Tower and commercial opportunities for Matos Segedin Drive in Cambridge.
The other two were on a regional rate for public transport and budget revisions for the Long Term Plan.
The News asked why the water tower was being discussed behind closed doors given the public interest in it.
The historic category A protected tower is an earthquake risk and will cost more than $6 million to repair or $800,000 to demolish.
The council told us it was to “enable the free and frank provision of advice and opinions
by and between officers and elected members”.
It was also to protect legal privilege, which The News editor Roy Pilott said he accepted – but he added he was frustrated that issues which were discussed at length in public, and through The News pages, were again being discussed in private by councillors.
“What is free and frank when our readers are constantly denied the opportunity to hear elected councillors’ opinions before decisions are made?” he said.
The rubbish service proposal came about following a request from elected members at a workshop last month where they asked for the food waste budget to be reallocated to a new refuse system.
It was seen as more beneficial and provide greater value to households, Transportation manager Bryan Hudson told them this week.
The proviso was that a council contracted service should be cheaper for the majority of residents.
Councillors this week dismissed the proposal with Cr Clare St Pierre saying she has whittled her rubbish down through reducing food and plastic waste.
The proposal would penalise those who had done the same, she seemed to imply.
It was not expected to get any traction from councillors yesterday who have far bigger things to worry about with rising costs, debt levels and infrastructural pressures.
Five go burgling
Three more incidents where a group of five thieves in a stolen vehicle carried out a burglary in Waipā have been reported by police. The incidents were at the Spark shop in Te Awamutu and the One NZ shop in Cambridge on Monday and at Fresh Choice in Leamington on Tuesday morning, when there was a similar burglary in Hamilton. Police last week circulated CCTV photos of five thieves taken during another raid in Cambridge on September 30. As this edition went to press Sergeant Greg Foster of Cambridge police said they were following “positive lines of enquiry.”
Do it yourself test is a home run
When women get together, and the subject turns to health, chances are one of the things they mention is how they hate going to the doctor for cervical screening. Some are so embarrassed by the prospect they refuse their screening; many have never bothered to go at all.
But since September last year, Te Whatu Ora’s National Cervical Screening Programme has had human papillomavirus (HPV) selftesting available and it has
been a game changer.
“When I do in-home visits and explain how easy the new test is to do, it overcomes barriers to screening particularly for any woman who has been reluctant in the past,” Pinnacle Support to Screening mobile outreach nurse Tracey Bates says.
“We consistently see women who have refused screening but are then happy to do it themselves in the comfort of their own home.”
In the past year Pinnacle outreach mobile nurses have screened 776 hard to reach priority group women in the Waikato. They have all been referred to the service by their GPs at Pinnacle’s Cambridge and Tamahere medical centres.
The focus has been on Māori and Pacific communities and disengaged women.
“There is no doubt screening saves lives but for some women
the previous standard speculum examination was embarrassing and painful, which prevented them from having it done,” says Bates.
“We have been able to successfully screen women who are 20-30 years overdue or never been screened before.”
The test, which takes about 20 seconds, checking for the human papilloma virus which causes more than 95 per cent of all cervical cancers.
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A contractor’s truck collects the district’s rubbish.
Lots more take the plunge
By Mary Anne Gill
Visitor records have tumbled at Waipā community facilities in Te Awamutu and Cambridge.
For the first time more than 400,000 people visited the Te Awamutu Events Centre and Perry Aquatic Centre in Cambridge in a financial year ending June 30.
Waipā Community Facilities Trust is contracted to run swimming pools in both towns and a sporting stadium in Te Awamutu.
In a report to the council’s Service Delivery committee this week, trust chief executive Matt Horne said the ASB Stadium in Te Awamutu led the way with a 45.8 per cent increase in usage and occupancy rates from 88 to 160 hours a month.
Club Waipā gym membership increased 35 per cent to 1141 with a membership retention rate of 51 per cent.
In Cambridge, aquatic centre visits went up nearly 10 per cent to 14,706.
The Swim Waipā programme across both pools increased by 6.3 per cent with the Learn to Swim programme attracting 4337 visits.
And the new financial year has started in the same way with visits tracking 11.4 per cent ahead of the same time last year.
Pickleball sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays are part of the reason for the increase at ASB Stadium while group fitness
sessions are also exceeding expectations.
Financial revenue and expenditure targets were also met.
Ratepayers cover about half of the facilities overall costs. The picture painted is far rosier than 30 months ago when post Covid, the trust reported a 20 per cent reduction
in visitor numbers with revenue down.
The ASB Stadium seats up to 800 spectators and is used for a variety of events or sporting activities.
Perry Aquatic Centre consists of an indoor 25m x25m pool, a learner/hydrotherapy pool, tots pools and splash pad. It also has
Ion to go in June
Gavin Ion, chief executive at Waikato District Council for 20 years, has resigned and will leave the council in June next year. He and his wife Maureen plan to move to Omokoroa. Mayor Jacqui Church said she was grateful for Ion’s support, helpfulness and excitement when she was elected two years ago. Former Waipā chief executive Garry Dyet – who left earlier this year after 15 years in the hot seatled the response by saying Ion had been a “real inspiration” to the local government community.
Conference costs
Waipā spent nearly $18,000 sending seven delegates to the recent Local Government NZ conference in Wellington. Mayor Susan O’Regan, deputy Liz Stolwyk, councillors Mike Pettit and Dale Maree Morgan and community board members Alana Mackay and John Wood attended the three-day conference. Waipā pays $51,000 a year to be a member of LGNZ. Auckland and Christchurch councils both left the organisation this year.
Fast track
an upgraded 50m outdoor pool, which is open during the summer months.
The Livingstone Aquatics Centre is an indoor facility which includes a 25-metre pool, hydroslide, hydrotherapy pool, learners pool, toddler’s pool, spa, sauna and an inflatable obstacle course.
Mayors from four Waikato councils - Susan O’Regan (Waipā), Paula Southgate (Hamilton), Jacqui Church (Waikato) and Adrienne Wilcock (Matamata-Piako), plus Waikato Regional Council chair Pamela Storey - told Housing minister Chris Bishop last week they would work with developers to keep Waikato’s 19 fast-track projects moving.
Cambridge swimming pools.
Tributes paid to nurse Sue
By Mary Anne Gill
Sue Hayward told her colleagues at Te Whatu Ora Waikato she wanted a low-key farewell when she left nursing after 47 years last week.
Fat chance. Waikato Hospital’s Bryant Education Centre theatre was packed with family, friends and workmates who came to say goodbye to the woman who graduated as a nurse in 1977 and went on to spend the last 16 years as chief nurse in Waikato.
Hayward, who lives in Cambridge with husband Alan, was genuinely surprised as she walked into the full theatre having already been taken aback by the presence of her family from Christchurch and Tauranga in a nearby lounge.
“I’m in awe of Alan who kept a secret,” she told the gathering.
“I will miss the people and being associated with a profession like nursing which has been me since I was 17,” she said.
“I do want to just say all these wonderful comments that have been made about me and my work, I couldn’t have done it without standing on the shoulders of those who came before me,” pointing to Pinnacle Midlands Health Network general manager and nursing director Jan Adams, also from Cambridge, who preceded her at Waikato.
“I now hand the mantle over to Cheryl Atherfold to continue on with it and together as nurses we can make a difference.”
Hayward began her nurse training in Dunedin and completed it at Wellington Hospital – taking a break to get married and have a baby as there was no maternity leave at the time.
Her clinical background was in neonatal. She was unit nurse manager in the neonatal unit at Northland Base Hospital
in Whangārei, service manager neonatal at Christchurch Women’s Hospital and then director of nursing services at Christchurch Hospital.
She moved to Waikato District Health Board in 2008 to become director of Nursing and Midwifery in charge of 2300 nurses and midwives at hospitals in Hamilton, Thames, Taumarunui, Te Kūiti and Tokoroa.
Former chief executive Kevin Snee said in his farewell to Hayward that she had been a “rock” in his management team during testing times like Covid and the cyber-attack in 2021.
“She is a genuinely nice person with sound judgement. Ask her to do a role or solve a problem and she would sort it out,” he said.
Health New Zealand Waikato regional director Chris Lowry said in Hayward’s 16 years as chief nurse she remained passionate in her job and made sure that nursing was at the forefront of putting patients and whānau first.
“Every single one of those patients and their family members may not always remember what your name is but they will always remember how you made them feel.
Whether you are a ward clerk, orderly, nurse or consultant,” said Hayward.
Three years ago, Waikato University appointed her an honorary professor in the School of Health for her role in establishing the new nursing school at the university. Hayward recently renewed her New Zealand Nursing Council registration but has no plans to continue working in a profession that has been her life. Nursing’s loss will be her family’s gain. She has three sons and seven grandchildren and will make plans with them knowing she can be there. Plus, she plans to travel.
Waikato Hospital nursing leaders farewell chief nurse Sue Hayward, centre, of Cambridge last week, from left: Betsy Smith, Anne Ellison, Jan Adams, Denise BregmenHurst.
Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
We
Trio set the right tone
Three Cambridge High School students scooped the top places at Sunday’s Waikato Rivertones Talent Quest competition in Hamilton.
Grace Vivian, Jess Pike and Eliza Hobby performed in front of adjudicator David Hall as part of the annual Spring into Song concert held at Waikato University’s Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts.
Grace Vivian won the Talent Quest, netting herself a $500 cash prize in the process. She sings with the school’s jazz band and plans to put her winnings towards her school choir trip to Sydney next year.
Runners up Jess Pike and Eliza Hobby are equally talented. Eliza has just been at the national finals for Tangata Beats, and Jess sings in the school choir and plays the
Music teacher Lisa Norman said all three worked hard on their craft’. They also receive tutelage from itinerant vocal coach, Jayne Tankersley.
The Waikato Rivertones is the Barbershop Harmony New Zealand’s champion chorus, and the Talent Quest part of their annual spring programme is for female soloists aged 16-25.
Adjudicator David Hall said he was very impressed with the standard and confidence of the students. All three were also given three months’ free membership to the Waikato Rivertones Chorus.
Grace Vivian sung ‘Wildflowers, Jess Pike sang ‘Lover Come Back to Me’, and Eliza Hobby sang “I Know You Know’.
French horn.
Talent Quest winner Grace Vivian, centre, flanked by co-finalists and fellow Cambridge High School students Jess Pike and Eliza Hobby, pictured with judge David Hall.
Photo: supplied
Good local advice
The winning team in this year’s Waikato University Management School case competition had strong Cambridge connections.
Two of the four attended school in the town – and a third student with Cambridge ties was in another of the teams to make the final.
The winning team, called Aotearoa Advisory and made up of Hayden Collier, Alysha Gill, Bennett Greenough and Jared Lines, collected a $2500 cash prize.
The Waikato Management School Case Competition, launched in 1996, is a handson assignment and part of the Applied Strategy Paper.
Bennett Greenough is a professional BMX rider who attended St Peter’s School and is studying a Bachelor of Management Studies, Business Administration and Management. He is at the university on a Sir Edmund Hillary and Prime Minister’s scholarships.
Alysha Gill attended Hautapu Primary School before moving to Tauranga and is studying a Bachelor of Law and Business majoring in strategy in Hamilton.
She also gained work experience at Waipā District Council on the Ahu Ake Spatial Plan project.
Former Cambridge High
School student Edyn May - studying a Bachelor of Business with a focus on supply chain and strategic management - was in the Fantastic Five Consulting team which was one of the other three finalists.
The winning pitch was a business expansion strategy for Ozone Coffee. “Beyond the Brew” recommended that Ozone expand into the United Kingdom to increase brand awareness, reach and market share.
The three-phase strategy involved developing a new mobile app for customers, partnering with Otis Oak Milk and Bidfood UK to provide innovation to Ozone’s coffee bean subscription service, and acquiring smaller coffee roasters in the UK to increase their capacity and scaleability. Judges said the strategy was carefully considered, and capitalised on Ozone’s core competencies and what their new partners could bring to the table.
Doing it by the book
By Chris Gardner
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari volunteers have responded to the project’s funding crisis with a book – to tell an alternative story.
Volunteer Viv Clarke said the group of 18 long-term volunteers spent three years writing the book, filling it with stories hailing back to the dawn of the project 25 years ago “before they are lost forever”.
“Our group were just thinking that the Maungatautari project has had such a lot of negative publicity recently over the financial woes, that it would be wonderful to promote the positive stories in the book,” she said.
Philanthropists have met Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari’s cash flow crisis head on with $250,000 worth of funding, The News reported last month.
The book is described as a lively and interesting record from those who were involved in the early days.
The volunteers were initially aiming to create a coffee table style book but could not attract funding so they decided to self-publish the book.
The book tells the story of the people who dreamed of encircling Maungatautari with a pest-proof fence, how the community participation took place and how the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust was established to begin the task of restoring the mountain’s earlier ecosystems.
“Today the Maungatautari mountain ecosystem is flourishing with healthy native plant and animal life,” says the book’s introduction.
“Threatened species are breeding successfully on the 3400 hectares inside the pest-proof fence. The birdsong that was once on the verge of disappearing forever is returning, and a lush bush canopy is rapidly regenerating. It has become a world-class conservation project and is already as close to the pre-human New Zealand environment as it is possible to find at present. It is also an example of what the future could bring if Predator-Free 2050 succeeds.”
Subdivision name
Papatakohe Park – meaning a place of leisure – will be the name of a new subdivision west of Cambridge. Developers 3Ms will build it in five stages and complete 212 residential lots and several public roads.
Johnson again Cambridge accountant Kirsty Johnson was re-elected Cambridge Town Hall Community Trust chair at its annual meeting last week. New trustee Hannah Myers, who recently gave birth to a son and brought him along to the meeting, was elected deputy chair replacing Rob Feisst who died earlier this year. Other trustees are Antanas Procuta, Beth Tauroa, Charlotte FitzPatrick and Jason Tiller.
Golden dinner
A trust established in 2012 to support young athletes in the Cambridge community will hold a fundraising dinner next month where 12 Olympic gold medallists of the last 24 years – from Rob Waddell in 2000 to Lucy Spoors and Ellesse Andrews this year – will mix and mingle with guests. Money raised will go to the Perago Trust which has supported more than 70 athletes including Andrews, sailor Micah Wilkinson, BMX rider Leila Walker and basketballer Ella Bradley.
Aotearoa Advisory, winners of the Case Competition, from left, Hayden Collier, Alysha Gill, Jared Lines, Bennett Greenough
Christmas cheer initiative resumes
The annual Christmas Cheer initiative aimed at bringing a little festive joy into the lives of those in need has launched.
The initiative is organised annually by the Cambridge Community of Social Services, a joint collective of social services who work together to bring seasonal cheer into the lives of families who have engaged with those services during the year.
They are seeking donations of unwrapped
gifts for children up to the age of 16, as well as donations of non-perishable Christmas goodies.
Collection points for donation will be at the following spots until December 9 – Paper Plus Cambridge, Comins Pharmacy, Cambridge i-Site, Citizens Advice Burean, Salvation Army and Cambridge Community House. Some schools may also have them.
Those who prefer can also donate money instead of food or gifts.
Rotopiko project complete
A debut project aimed at giving Lake Rotopiko’s roosting pest birds the heave-ho has come to an end.
By making the Ōhaupō lake a less attractive stopover, millions of birds – mostly starlings and sparrows – were persuaded to find alternative overnight lodgings.
That means their plentiful poo has also gone, and fewer native birds are scared off by their presence.
The collaborative project run by Te Awamutu Rotary and the New Zealand Wetlands
Trust was launched in 2020 to see off the thousands of birds roosting nightly at Rotopiko. Their nutrient-heavy guano compromised the growth of native trees and had to be prevented from leeching into the lake.
A stand of kahikatea trees, down a grassy slope and out of the wind, was a particularly cosy roosting spot.
Rotarian and environmental co-ordinator Stephen Cox said the club collaborated with the Wetlands Trust across six sessions, during which branches
of those trees to the height of six metres were removed, chipped and turned into mulch, thereby creating a better airflow and deterring the birds.
The last of a few months of working bees was in late September.
National Wetlands Trust’s Zipporah Ploeg described the decrease in pest bird numbers at dawn and dusk as ‘dramatic’, and said they were increasingly confident that the birds won’t be back.
Exotic trees at the lake have been replaced with natives plants.
Chest of Drawers, Mahogany, Finely moulded Ogee Feet, 104cm high, 119 wide, 52 deep, End 18th, early 19th C, good condition. Maxim Kantor, Portrait of Daria, Orig. Woodcut, 2009, conservation framing
Jules Duffart, French, 1924- French Town View, Oil on Board, Signed
Some of the Cambridge Community of Social Services team, back from left, Amy Watkins, Julie Epps, Maree Payne, Annette Peake, Julienne Seath and, seated, Anneka Vuletich. Photo: Viv Posselt
Then came Hurricane Milton
By Janine Krippner
“When it comes up it’s already too late” I hear as I listen to US news focused on Hurricane Milton as it moves towards Florida, towards the areas under so much stress from Hurricane Helene. They are talking about storm surge, the water that was forecast to reach anywhere up to 3.6 metres in the Tampa area prior to landfall.
Last week I shared some of what my friend Danni was going through during and after Helene, I have been speaking with her daily as she has been picking through the ruins of her belongings, the mementos of her life so far. Then Milton rapidly grew in the Gulf of Mexico and quickly became a horrific storm. Now the abundant piles of belongings and debris including furniture, bits of buildings, and tree branches, are at risk of becoming damaging projectiles. Cleaning up before Milton hits became an absolute priority.
While the winds are certainly dangerous, the greatest threat to life is storm surge. They say to run from the water and hide from the wind.
Storm surge is water being blown on
land by the high winds of the hurricane and is the rise of water on top of the normal tide. The total water level is the tide, storm surge, input from heavy rainfall, and the waves. High water might not sound that scary, but it is. This is a lot of water paired with a lot of wind, and there can also be deadly rip currents. It is also important to remember that it doesn’t take much water to sweep you off your feet or cause damage. We should take action with any level of expected surge.
On top of this, this water is not clean.
Fema (the USA Federal Emergency Management Agency) lists “sharp objects, sewage, bacteria, chemicals, diseased insects, and animals” posing health and safety risk in floodwater. Water that soaks into homes, carpet, and furniture.
Drowning in storm surge is the leading cause of death during hurricanes in the United States, flooding from heavy rain is the second. The death toll from Hurricane Helene is well over 200 so far. The death toll does not measure the devastation, trauma, and great loss inflicted during these
events.
We have been reminded that Aotearoa is not immune to hurricanes, called ‘tropical cyclones’ in this part of the world. It is important to watch these events so we can use these lessons. This includes how the storm impacts cities and towns, how technology is impacted (like lithium-ion batteries catching fire after saltwater inundation), how they impact the environment, and how people respond. There is a lot to be said for the human aspect. Do people evacuate? Can people evacuate? What aspects made it more difficult to take the actions they need to? Misinformation is a huge issue with Hurricane Milton, with the chief of Fema saying, “It’s absolutely the worst that I have ever seen”.
We all have a part to play the next time New Zealand is in this situation. Increasing our understanding of these events before we need it can hopefully help us all to spot misinformation, and to understand why we need to take recommended actions to help ourselves.
Briefs…
Leases extended
A raft of new community leases of five years, with two rights of renewal of five years each, have been granted by Waipā District Council in Cambridge. Cambridge Scouts Group in Maclean St will pay annual rent of $314, Cambridge Netball Centre $47 a year for Scott St, Cambridge Rowing Club, $57, and St Peter’s School Trust Board, $16, for Karāpiro Lake Domain and The Order of St John $212 a year for Fort St.
Roads named
Private lanes in the new Kelly Road subdivision have been given the names Blanche, George Tuck and Ulmer after Blanche Carnachan, a Cambridge born teacher, George Tuck a builder, soldier and diarist and the Ulmer family – Sarah and Ron – both successful New Zealand cyclists. Public roads will be called Fisher Rd, after politician John Fisher, and Edward Wells Rd, after the Royal Air Force captain and World War II flying ace. Both had Cambridge connections.
International selection
Cambridge ex-pat James Gill has been selected for the 12-strong international team in a Ryder Cup style golf competition for amateur golfers 25 years and over which started in South Korea on Monday and finished after The News went to press. Two New Zealanders – Gill, who is the Hong Kong champion, and Christchurch’s Nic Kay – are joined by golfers from Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland Australia, France and Holland playing against the United States.
WEDNESDAY
TUESDAY
9:55am, Cardiac Arrest, Bryce Street
12:32pm Building alarm and evacuation, Thornton Road
1:09pm, Building Alarm and evacuation, Ruakura Road
THURSDAY
11:56pm, Building Alarm and evacuation, Hautapu Road
7:59pm Rubbish Fire, Thornton Road
FRIDAY
FRIDAY
8:42am, Building Alarm and evacuation. Maungatautari Road
1:56pm Building alarm and evacuation, Raleigh Street
SUNDAY
3:53am, Medical assistance, Karapiro Road
4:01pm Building alarm and evacuation, Raleigh Street 4:02pm Building alarm and evacuation, Albert Street
2024 ROTARY CAMBRIDGE
10 NOVEMBER
Is the church in decline?
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By Murray Smith, Bridges Church
Some might draw that conclusion looking at data from the 2023 census.
Reporting the results, one media headline said, “More than half the population has no religion”. It went on saying that the proportion of people with ‘no religion’ has increased from 48.2 per cent in 2018 to 51.6 per cent in 2023. So that’s 2,576,049 people who claim no adherence to religious faith.
The number of people who identified as Christian (NZ’s largest ‘faith’ grouping), supposedly dropped from 36.5 per cent in 2018 to 32.3 per cent in 2023.
During the Covid period, government implemented lockdowns, then mandatory vaccine passes for attending church services - alternatively limiting attendances to 50 people. It created considerable attrition. A roll-on effect remains evident. Former church attendees found smaller, informal gatherings to their liking, never making their way back to corporate denominational worship centres. Of course that preference wouldn’t necessarily show up in a census as a retraction of faith, but it could account for people stating they’d left an organised expression of Christian faith.
The census ‘revelations’ surprised me. From where I sit, in many contexts I see churches letting their light shine and growing - though an imperfect work in progress, the true church in its broadest sense remains bigger and more dimensional than any census could ever accurately disclose. Many of us for example, aren’t aware of numerous hui throughout the motu where faithful Māori believers worship Ihu Karaiti (Jesus Christ). Not to mention the generation of spiritually hungry young people embracing authentic Christianity for truthful answers to the hopeless vacuous secular humanism that’s rife today.
I see a significant future for the church. I
CHRISTMAS PARADE FLOAT ENTRY
Sunday 1 December 2024, at 2.00pm
understand people claiming zero interest in religion.
An important distinction sets true Christianity apart - Jesus did not come to inaugurate a religion. He is God’s provision to save humanity from its lost sinful state.
Lawrence of Arabia (T.E. Lawrence), the subject of movies, biographies and innumerable articles became famous for his exploits as British military liaison supporting the Arabs during World War One. His wartime memoir ‘Seven Pillars of Wisdom’ is still in print a century after its first publication.
Lawrence formed close friendships among many of the sheiks of Arabia and after the war brought some of them to London in appreciation of their support against the Turks. Their visit included an audience with the Queen as well as appearing before the Joint House of Commons and Parliament. Lawrence asked them if there was anything they’d like to take back to their desert homes.
They earnestly desired the golden bathroom taps from their fancy hotel rooms. Believing endless running water in the desert would be invaluable, they had no comprehension that behind the taps was vast plumbing infrastructure to supply water from its source. Looking to taps as if they were the source, is empty and useless.
Similarly religious activity of itself is useless. Only in being connected relationally to the source of life, Jesus Christ Himself, will we find purpose. For this reason I don’t believe there’ll ever be a ‘post-Christian era’ because Jesus transcends time and culture. He will always unequivocally remain, ‘the way, the truth and the life.’
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AGE OF REASON
They’re cocking a snook
By Peter Carr
Given that silence is golden, the absolute lack of anything positive regarding the forthcoming heavy truck invasion of our lovely town is almost deafening. Except to say that the hardworking Chamber of Commerce and others have negotiated a 10-day stay of execution (or delay) to the deadline originally set for submissions regarding the proposed sand quarry at Newcomb Road.
Before proceeding - a clarifying statement. The bulk quarrying of infrastructure and building materials is a major mix of quite proper investments in the Waikato. Including coal into the group, eight million tonnes annually is being blown up or dug out of the earth in this province. And the bulk of it (no pun) goes over the Bombay Hill to feed an avaricious Auckland. That means it heads north. By road. The new quarry will add a further five per cent to that overall figure.
The written material revealed by the quarry operator (the Fulton Hogan owned RS Sands) massages the truth by using the word ‘likely’ when attempting to second-guess the eventual destinations of the road-hauled products.
Clearly this huge and very successful operator – who just six years ago spent $300 million acquiring the very experienced quarry specialists Stevenson Group – made a net profit of almost $349 million in their latest financial year. Not surprisingly the Fulton family appears in the well-publicised Rich List for New Zealand. Fulton Hogan, a commercial entity, have been around a long time in this business. Perusal of their (and Stevenson’s) web sites reveals wonderful statements viz ‘creating, connecting and caring for communities is our business’. Further ‘uphold our social responsibilities’. And add to that ‘with the goal of being responsible neighbours’.
Just how responsible, caring and community
connecting is Fulton Hogan’s absolute handwashing of any duty of real and hard care in walking away from directing their sand-bearing truck operators into driving an extra five minutes to escape wrecking the roads of Cambridge? And from clogging up an over-used roading system that is already groaning. And from polluting the town’s atmosphere with carbon-bearing detritus from the mobile behemoths? And from adding to the danger level for school children - and a fast-growing number of elderly pedestrian townspeople who are swelling these everincreasing numbers by dwelling in no less than eight large retirement villages.
This is big and very wealthy industry is cocking a snook at their ‘neighbours’, running wild over a possibly cowering small district council and completely ignoring the fact that the social economic local effect of their digging endeavours will only employ 10 people.
Where are the completely silent elected councillors of Cambridge? Where do they stand on this issue? To what degree do they care? And to what end can they direct a sensible, safe, environmentally acceptable decision when it faces them? This is not time for another ill-mannered crowd berating the mayor - and possibly weak officials. This is a time for professional and caring local leaders to step up to the plate, publicly declaring their interest prior to any form of official hearing or consideration of objections.
A simple sign at the egress from the quarry is all it takes to ensure that the north-bound truck drivers do turn left and, in a relatively short period of time, gain access to the Waikato Expressway to speed along on their northbound journey.
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Across: 1. Odds, 4. Subtle, 8. Basmati, 9. Voter, 10. Loom, 11. Starters, 13. Fortnight, 17. Assassin, 19. Core, 21. Leave, 22. Against, 23. Clothe, 24. Even.
Down: 2. Dash off, 3. Slay, 4. Spitting image, 5. Beverage, 6. Latte, 7. Crust, 8. Bold, 12. Crescent, 14. Trounce, 15. Early, 16. Beat, 18. Shall, 20. Date.
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WINDOW
Peters team tipped off
By Chris Gardner
New Zealand First was ready to deal with protestors at party leader Winston Peter’s public meeting on Sunday.
Matangi farmer and party co-coordinator for the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions Craig Sinclair told The News he was disappointed with the protestors who began protesting half an hour into Peters’ speech at the Distinction Hotel in Hamilton.
“We were tipped off,” he said. “We were told that there were some protestors in that crowd. We were ready for it.”
Peters was interrupted halfway through his hour-long speech at the end of the party’s annual convention when protesters burst in at the back of the room shouting “free Palestine”. Party faithful including Hamilton-based NZ First candidate for Hamilton West, Kevin Stone ushered them out after a couple of minutes and two arrests were made after the meeting.
“Isn’t it amazing they think that’s a day’s work,” Peters quipped to the crowd of around 900.
Sinclair, who switched National party membership for NZ First in 2017, described the annual convention as “hugely successful” and “one of our biggest conventions ever”.
Stone said in the current political climate protesters were expected, Stone said people did not realise that New Zealand was broke, and
blamed immigration. Riffing on Peters’ suggestion that the policy should be tweaked to “bringing in people we need, not just the people who need us” Stone said: “We have had that open door policy. We can’t have that influx we have had for years now.”
Pirongia based board member Pip Eyre, who also works for the party leader’s office, saw “renewed excitement for what we are doing”.
There was no chance for the public to ask questions at the public meeting, but the smiling audience
didn’t seem to mind. They gave Peters a standing ovation when he entered the podium, and again when he left, applauding and chuckling throughout the hour he shared his philosophy of “one country, one people, one flag” and his “mission to bring equality to all” and build a society where people “survive and thrive if they make the effort to”.
“We have been knocked down, and we have got up again, over and over again, and we did not have a court case,” he quipped before rattling off a long list of success stories including SuperGold discount cards for people aged 65 and over.
He also celebrated the establishment of the Provincial Growth Fund, describing NZ First as a party that understands the provinces.
“For the third time we have addressed the problem of police numbers.”
The 2024 Budget included $191 million over four years to fund the recruitment and retention of 500 more sworn police officers and a further $34.6 million in capital to ensure that they are properly equipped to do their jobs.
Peters also spoke of assisting “the crucial funding” of Hato Hone St John.
He spoke out against the wokeness he pinned on former coalition partner the last Labourled government and lamented the decline in political standards.
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Poppies for Passchendaele
By Viv Posselt
A sombre gathering at Te Awamutu’s Anzac Green last Saturday marked the 107th anniversary of a battle said to represent one of New Zealand’s darkest days in World War One.
The battle at the small town of Passchendaele in Flanders, Belgium, on October 12, 1917, resulted in horrendous loss of life.
In his introduction, Te Awamutu RSA member Lou Brown said the battle was known as one in which the greatest number of New Zealand troops were lost in a single day.
Passchendaele is marked at different centres around New Zealand on October 12. A small commemoration was also held in
Cambridge.
Joining locals at the Te Awamutu event were around 20 members of the Hauraki Chapter of the Patriots Defence Force Motorcycle Club. They are all either current or ex-servicemen, and one of them, Mike Neville, spoke of the importance of remembering the day.
Research shows some 843 New Zealand soldiers were left either dead or mortally wounded between the front lines.
Cambridge-based RSA district president, and soon-to-be national vice president Tony Hill gave the closing address. He commented on the presence of the ‘old guard’ alongside the young Te Awamutu cadets, and said they represented the future.
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Cambridge-based RSA district president Tony Hill steadies 90-year-old Erik Kristensen, Vietnam veteran and member of the Hauraki Chapter of the Patriots Defence Force Motorcycle Club, as he prepares to lay a wreath at the cenotaph.
Winston Peters speaking in Hamilton last weekend.
Viability ‘destroyed’
By Chris Gardner
“Farmers aren’t making money, and the Rural Support Trust is busier than ever,” Federated Farmers Waikato president Keith Holmes says.
Waikato Rural Support Trust Chair
Neil Bateup confirmed calls to the trust in September were up 15 per cent on 2023, which had been up a similar amount from 2022.
Farmers called the trust to discuss employment issues, financial matters, mental health, stress, and other issues.
“We lend an ear,” said Bateup.
Holmes said Waikato Federated Farmers was deeply worried - and focussed on getting profitability back into farming and for farmers.
“Returns and product prices will always be in the media headlines. However, it is the insidious, rampant increase in costs that has destroyed the viability of our farming enterprises.
Holmes, a former Karāpiro dairy farmer turned sheep, beef and cropping farmer, said a $2 per kilogram of milk solids increase in dairy farm operational costs over seven years had sucked the innards out of dairy farming. Arable, beef and sheep farming operations had fared no better.
“Farming must have profit to reinvest, to pay staff and keep the banks off our backs. The stupid narrative of ‘breaking-even’ must stop. Breaking-even is merely sliding into inevitable foreclosure.
The narrative needs to be that ‘profit is healthy and necessary’ to drive both our own businesses and the greater Waikato economy.”
Holmes said Waikato Federated Farmers was fully committed to rolling back the colossus of stultifying costs, such as unnecessary compliance, unnecessary data collection, and driving bureaucratic efficiencies.
“We have and will continue to interface with Waikato Regional Council, in an effort so far successfully to work with them to reduce costs and create mutual understanding.”
Holmes said members had to think differently.
“We have so many things we have to deal with. The act of bringing it all through the chair is really not practical anymore. We have to think differently.”
Because the workload is so large, Holmes has expanded portfolios within Waikato Federated Farmers.
“Within the sectors we also have to give more autonomy for the actions and outcomes from the working groups.”
AS an example, Hamilton branch
chair John Bluett had sent a submission to the Government on the future of Agricultural Education post Te Pukenga.
“The consultation was with those of us who have an interest in the subject,” he said. “I was very impressed with the submission, especially given the short time we had.”
Holmes asked members to become nimble and responsive, attaching members to interest groups.
“Democratic decision making comes in many forms – but it should never revert to the ‘sludge’ of local body consultation, with no decisions ever being made,” he said.
Holmes described the advocacy Waikato Federated Farmers participated in as selfless, demanding, and relentless, in terms of workload.
“The wins are there to be seen and coming fast,” he said. Holmes empowered section and branch chairs to engage in member advocacy.
“I have had a discussion with Dairy vice chair Louise Gibson about what sharemilkers are doing,” he said.
The Sharefarming Consultants founder Gibson, a former Federated Farmers policy advisor, is currently focussed on ensuring contracts between farm owners and sharefarmers don’t have any fishhooks.
“We trust Waitomo branch chair Chris Irons,” Holmes said. “It’s the same with, and Arable chair Donald Stobiet.”
“We have to be careful we don’t rely too much on individuals,” Irons said.
“We have to be nimble and pull people in.”
Waikato president Keith Holmes says the “stupid narrative” of breaking-even must stop.
Helping with restoration
By Stu Kneebone
As we come out of winter and into spring, a reminder to landowners that that both the Waikato Regional Council (WRC) and the Waikato River Authority have contestable funding available to landowners to assist with restoration of wetlands, rivers and streams and steep and eroding land. The regional council is also able to access funding from the Ministry of Primary Industries Hill Country Erosion fund to assist landowners with retiring and/or stabilising steep eroding land that is not suitable for livestock farming.
The WRC portion of this funding is sourced primarily from a targeted catchment rate that is applied depending on which catchment zone you are based in, plus a general rate contribution of approximately 15- 20 per cent.
These rates are based on property value. Funding is generally prioritised to the parts of the region’s catchments that have been identified as a priority for funding assistance.
This is primarily about ensuring that our limited public funding is utilised effectively in a way that we can be confident will deliver results for the catchment as a whole.
The Waikato River Authority makes contestable funding available via its Waikato River Clean up Trust for restoration projects in the Waikato and Waipā river catchments. This funding was made available via a treaty settlement that was negotiated by Waikato River Iwi with the Crown in 2010, following recognition that the river was degraded, and should not have to accept further degradation as a result of human activities. The Authority allocates approximately $6million a year to restoration projects in the
Waikato and Waipā river catchments. Its funding decisions are guided by the Waikato and Waipā river restoration strategy.
For those landowners in the Karapiro Stream and upper Mangaonua Stream catchments, which include the communities of Te Miro, French Pass and Whitehall, you may be eligible for up to 70 per cent of the cost of fencing and planting.
Contact Georgia Roguski, Catchment Management Officer to discuss further.
For those in the wider Waipa catchment, ask for your local Catchment Management Officer. Again, similar funding assistance is available via the Waipa Catchment Plan programme.
Type of works eligible for funding include:
Fencing to retire steep/erosion prone land. Re-vegetation of retired steep/erosion prone land with a mix of native plants using small plant sizes to keep costs down.
Planting of poplar poles to help stabilise land slips.
Poplar poles come with a protective sleeve which allows grazing to continue.
Fencing of wetlands and eroding streams.
Planting of eroding streambanks
The council is keen to engage with landowners early to plan and prepare for next winter’s planting programme so plants, work programmes and associated budgets can be organised.
If you have areas on your farm that you are thinking about fencing off and planting, please contact us early to avoid missing out.
Sassy red a winner
Next Generation Apples won the Primary Sector Award category at the 2024 New Zealand Food Awards in Auckland last week.
The company launched a new apple variety last year.
Sassy was by Plant and Food Research and grown and marketed by New Zealand-based growers
Next Generation Apples, comprising Golden Bay Fruit and Taylor Corp.
“Sassy Apples were developed through plant-breeding techniques to create an apple with a crisp texture, high flavour, long storage and shelf life, novel skin and flesh colour, optimal harvest maturity, and pest and disease resistance,” Vincent Arbuckle, deputy director-general of New Zealand Food Safety, said.
without sacrificing on bite or flavour.
“Sassy Apples are an example of excellence across the supply chain – from research to the orchards, to our supermarkets. Our judging panel for the Primary Sector Award noted the impressive research and innovation behind this product.”
The other finalists were Waitoa Free Range Chicken, Good Guise Paneer and Akaroa Salmon.
“Finalists demonstrated a commitment to the kind of quality and ability to overcome challenges which has always formed the foundation of New Zealand’s food production,” Arbuckle said.
The New Zealand Food Awards are held annually by Massey University to celebrate food and beverage excellence and innovation.
“It is exciting to see how investment in research can lead to practical advances
PICTURED: The Sassy apple is described as sweet wit zing.
‘Streamlining’ backed
Federated Farmers says it agrees with the government that it is timely and worthwhile to review New Zealand’s overseas investment settings.
"It’s alarming and regrettable the OECD has rated us 35th out of 35 countries in terms of openness to investment," Federated Farmers meat and wool chair and forestry spokesperson Toby Williams said. Federated Farmers agrees the Government
should retain the legal option of screening those investment types currently screened, including the sale of farmland, to ensure they are in the national interest.
"However, fast-tracking the overseas investment assessment process when no risk factors have been identified, and consolidating the investor, benefit and national interest tests, also makes sense," Williams says.
Fonterra management changes
Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has announced changes to its management team.
Managing Director Co-operative Affairs
Mike Cronin has been leading the potential consumer divestment process and will work on that full time.
Former Fonterra alumni Matt Bolger will return to the Co-op as Managing Director Co-operative Affairs position from next March.
Fonterra chief Miles Hurrell says exploring options for the potential divestment of the companies consumer businesses was one of the most important projects Fonterra had undertaken and had the potential to unlock significant value.
“Cronin would “step away” from the
Managing Director Co-operative Affairs role to dedicate his time to the potential divestment and remain a member of the Fonterra management team.
“Mike has been with Fonterra since 2002 and has been involved in a number of key strategic projects for the Co-op, including Trading Amongst Farmers, the Governance and Representation Review, the Co-operative Difference and Flexible Shareholding.
“I’m also pleased to announce Matt Bolger’s appointment to the Managing Director Co-operative Affairs role and look forward to welcoming him back to the Coop on the 5th of March,” says Mr Hurrell. Bolger previously spent more than 18 years with Fonterra in a variety of roles, including
Beef and Lamb winners
has won the AgResearch Emerging Achiever Award.
The 29-year-old, who is sheep and beef farming on about 240ha at Rangitoto, was among the winners and the 2024 Beef and Lamb awards night in Hamilton last weekend.
Around 300 people were at the awards event which recognises people, technologies and innovations that contribute to the red meat sector.
The judges said Hoare was actively working towards farm ownership, was motivated and innovative, demonstrated experience and achievements within the sheep and beef sector
as well as strong community involvement.
Other winners were Ballance Agri-Nutrients Science and Research Award - Research Plant Scientist Dr David Hume; Datamars Livestock Technology Award - FarmIQ Freshwater Farm Plan Tool; Gallagher Innovative Farming Award - Wairarapa-based Fernglen Farm; Silver Fern Farms Market Leader Award –Headwaters; Rabobank People and Development Award - Growing Future Farmers. FMG Rural Champion Award - New Zealand Farm Environment Trust. Alliance Significant Contribution Award - Ian McIvor.
General Manager Capital Strategy and Director of Farmer Services, as well as time leading global sales teams offshore.
He became Pro Vice-Chancellor of Waikato University Management School in 2020 and is chairman of the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand.
“As Managing Director Co-operative Affairs, Matt will be responsible for functions including Farm Source, Global Stakeholder Affairs and Trade, Governance, Risk and Audit, Corporate Communications, Legal and Māori Strategy.
“As we implement our revised strategy, Matt’s knowledge of the Co-op’s farmers, stakeholder relations experience and commercial acumen will serve him well,” says Mr Hurrell.
Walk for a cause call
By Chris Gardner
Geoff and Johanna Fitzgerald are inviting 600 hikers to walk for a cause across their Wharepuhunga sheep and beef farm.
The couple, who have farmed the 450ha Duncan Road property for 24 years, have has created the Maungahau: Walk for a Cause charity walk, with hikers choosing from a 6.5 km or 10 km crosscountry walk on their sheep and beef
farm on October 19.
Walkers pay $80 to complete and, if registrations are full, the Fitzgerald’s will raise $48,000 for two good causes. The walks will also include the neighbouring farm owned by the Kimton family.
All proceeds from the walks will be split between Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Waikato Hauraki Coromandel Rural Support Trust.
The Fitzgeralds have benefitted from
both services over the years.
“We have capped it at 600 walkers because of our health and safety plan that we have got in place,” Geoff Fitzgerald, 74, said.
The short walk is expected to take two to two and half hours, the long walk three to three and half.
“We hope to do it annually, give people a really good experience, and be able to increase the numbers next time.”
Matt Bolger
Johanna and Geoff Fitzgerald are inviting hikers to walk for a cause across their farm.
Te Kūiti farmer Mitchel Hoare
CAMBRIDGE OPEN HOMES
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Puketirau Road
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Russell Thomas M 020 4004 0360 E russell.thomas@pb.co.nz
Angela Thomas M 020 4004 0368 E angela.thomas@pb.co.nz
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Every part of this 193sqm (more or less) villa breathes with natural light, thanks to the oversized double-glazed sash windows, that bathe each room. The wide hallway with beautifully restored original timber floors and high ceilingswith detailed colonial skirting where the era of craftsmanship mattered. In the separate lounge, you can enjoy the sun-drenched window bed, or shut off to enjoy a movie. Four double bedrooms await down the hall, with the master suite being complete with a beautifully updated ensuite. The up-scale renovations have transformed the home into a modern open-plan space, seamlessly connecting the kitchen and living areas. Wide French doors open onto a covered concrete patio, perfect for morning coffee and summer barbecues. The kitchen is truly made for living, with its exposed brick fireplace, sleek cabinetry and premium stainless-steel appliances complete the space. bayleys.co.nz/2350827
Life in the French Quarter
Welcome to Cambridges most sought-after address, Le Quesnoy Place, also known as ‘The French Quarter’. This inner township living, oozes a blend of European elegance and modern luxury wrapped up in a distinctive enclave of fifteen, high quality, two storey homes that have been designed by the renowned Paua, Architects. The European ‘mini village’ has been developed with similar architectural forms as well as committing to Cambridge’s unique character. Number One Le Quesnoy (pronounced ‘Ler-Kenwah) sits proudly on 780sqm (more or less) of wellestablished grounds.
bayleys.co.nz/2350757
Cambridge
If you’re searching for a home that stands out from the ordinary, exudes charm and character and just a short stroll to town, this distinctive property is calling your name! Positioned on a spacious 1,117sqm (more or less) site, this architecturally designed 1970s residence is a true hidden sanctuary. This four-bedroom home, complete with an office and rumpus room, offers a lifestyle that’s as unique as you are. With multiple living spaces spread across split levels, there’s plentiful room for both quiet relaxation and lively entertaining. French doors from the living areas open out to a wide north facing deck, perfect for enjoying warm summer evenings with friends and family. bayleys.co.nz/2350835
027 621 2424 jonte.wright@bayleys.co.nz
SUCCESS
Super Section & Privacy
- Beautifully presented home designed to emphasise light-filled and spacious family living.
- Generous open plan kitchen with amplified storage with huge lounge and family room.
- Sunny dining area with flow to the superbly-sized covered deck.
- Five well-sized bedrooms providing so much versatility (including master with walk-in robe and ensuite bathroom)
- Fully fenced, private and generous 832m² (more or less) section.
- Warm, north-facing and bathed in natural light, featuring a spacious, welcoming and delightful kitchen with lovely views.
- Three generous living areas with ample flow to the tranquil, front and back outdoor living zones and separate dining room.
- Three bedrooms including master with ensuite; an office for work/ study.
- Attractive main bathroom with large corner bath, separate shower room and separate toilet
Perfect Family Abode Awaits You!
- Set on an impressive 1,490 m² (more or less) freehold section.
- Well-furnished kitchen with beautiful Rimu cabinets and tree top views from the kitchen bench.
- Semi open plan layout plus separate lounge.
- Superb comfort is maintained by the three heat pump systems, wood burner and heat transfer system.
- Double glazing throughout, refurbished roof & brand-new spouting.
- Sizeable workshop and double garage.
- Set on a fully fenced 801m² (more or less) section, with remote control security gate, ensuring both convenience & peace of mind.
- Modern kitchen features high-end appliances, ample storage, and seamless connectivity to the main living spaces.
- Three generously sized bedrooms offer comfort and tranquillity.
- Functionality is covered with two toilets – one in the family bathroom, plus a separate one.
New school block opens
By Steph Bell-Jenkins
Principal Daryl Gibbs snipped a navy-blue ribbon to open Cambridge Middle School’s new classroom block on Monday.
Deputy principal Bridget Watkins said Gibbs had been the driving force behind the $1.6 million building, which features a central, open-plan teaching space branching into four learning pods.
“Daryl’s passion for this project has been really awe inspiring – he’s had this vision right from the start and it’s incredible to see it bloom into this,” she said.
Gibbs said he had sketched the building’s basic design on a piece of paper after a tour of Melbourne schools. He praised architect Matt Whitmarsh and ILine Construction for their creativity and professionalism in bringing it to life.
The building includes a science room, biopod, computer lab and fabric technology area.
Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan, representatives from the Ministry of Education, past board chair Bob White, current chair Vanessa Markwell and Ministry of Education representatives Peter Hannam and Rob Shirlow were among the invited guests.
They were the first to walk through the building with Kahurangi Heta’s school kapa haka group during a blessing by Ngāti Koroki Kahukura representative Harry Wilson.
O’Regan said the building was “fabulous”.
“It reminds me somewhat of the experiences that we’ve been having when we’ve been looking at options around town libraries and things, the integration of all that bigger thinking, not just books, and not being constrained by the old ways of understanding of what learning spaces could look like… it’s very exciting,” she said.
Year 8 student Vinny Weinberg liked the building’s design, which features exposed metal beams, and was looking forward to learning how to sew in the fabric technology area.
Year 7 student Sophie McFarlane thought the building was full of creative possibilities. She particularly liked the computer lab and was planning to create a bandana for her dog, Polar, in her upcoming design thinking classes.
“I can’t wait to go in there again,” she said. “I think we will have heaps of opportunities in that building.”
Gibbs said the school was still working with iwi and whanau on a name for the new classroom area.
Principal Daryl Gibbs opens Cambridge Middle School’s new classroom block.
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE – Milton Street Cambridge on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th October 2024
Please note that the road/s listed below will be closed to ordinary vehicular traffic for the BMX New Zealand North Island Titles on Saturday 26th October between 6:30am to 3:30pm and Sunday 27th October 2024 between 6:30am to 3:30pm
• Milton Street Cambridge, from 123 Milton Street to the intersection with Lamb Street
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
Kaiāwhina/ Associate Teacher
Part-time (33 hours per week)
Te Awamutu:
He tūranga e wātea ana ki te Kura o Ngā Purapura o Te Aroha. E kimi ana mātou i tētehi Kaiāwhina e mōhio ana ki ngā mahi whakaako tamariki mō te kura. Me matua mōhio hoki te kaitono ki ngā mahi whakahaere i te akomanga, me ngākaunui hoki ki ngā mahi whakaako tamariki. Me mōhio te kaitono ki te reo māori me ōna tikanga. He kura tēnei e hāpai nei i ngā wawata me ngā tumanako o ā mātou tamariki mokopuna. E whakapono ana mātou, he taonga te tamaiti, ko rātou hoki te pūtake o tā mātou kaupapa. Ka katia tēnei tono hei te 31 o Oketopa,2024. Tukua rānei tō Tātai Oranga ki te Kaiwhakahaere: tari@npota.school.nz
Attention: Te Wharekura o Ngā Purapura o Te Aroha. Enquiries (07) 871 4844
PUBLIC NOTICES
LYCEUM HOUSE INC
After over 80 years of activity, Lyceum House, formerly the Lyceum Club, will be closing permanently, in early December 2024. Over the years items of value have been given to the club for its use or decoration, by former members. We would like to return these items to the family of the donors.
To arrange collection please email the President: barbararomana49@gmail.com by 25 October 2024
Any unclaimed items will be disposed of by sale or donation.
WAIPA DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETING NOTICES
Pursuant to Section 46 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 notice is hereby given that:
The following meeting will be held in October 2024 –Friday Extraordinary Audit and Risk 25 October 2024 Committee 9.10am Council Chambers 101 Bank Street TE AWAMUTU
Please visit the Council website for all meeting information.
Electronic copies of Council agendas are available on the Waip-a District Council website prior to meetings.
Steph O’Sullivan Chief Executive
RESOURCE CONSENT APPLICATIONS
Waipa District Council and the Waikato Regional Council have publicly notified the resource consent applications as below. As both Councils have extended the period for receiving submissions, this is a combined notice advising of the extension.
Submissions now close on Monday 4 November 2024.
APPLICANT’S NAME: R S Sand Limited
LOCATION: 77 Newcombe Road, R D 4, Cambridge
NATURE OF APPLICATIONS:
Waipa District Council (WDC) – Reference LU/0077/23
Waikato Regional Council (WRC) – Reference APP145695
Waipa District Council (WDC) application can be viewed electronically at our Cambridge Office, 23 Wilson Street, Cambridge or online via www.waipadc.govt.nz/sandquarry-consent. Please contact Waipa District Council’s enquiries team on 0800 924 723 if you have any questions about this application.
The Waikato Regional Council (WRC) application can be viewed electronically via https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/APP145695 or at the Hamilton Office, 160 Ward Street, Hamilton. Please contact the WRC enquiries team on 0800 800 402, if you have any questions about this application.
Steph O’Sullivan
Chief Executive
For and on behalf of the Waipa District Council
CDA McLay
Chief Executive
On behalf of Waikato Regional Council
ready to print, copy is owned by the advertiser. Publication day is Thursday for urban deliveries and Friday morning for rural deliveries. Specifications: For supplied adverts: PDF/X – 4 spec, fonts pathed or embedded, text 100% black. Photos & logos – high resolution jpg (300dpi).
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