King Country News | November 14, 2024

Tributes to a top cop

Paul Charman reflects on the life a popular cop who, in a different time, knew a

The funeral of former Te Kūiti-based police and traffic officer Barry Hazelton attracted more than 400 people to the Les Munro Centre last week.

Mourners included past and present members of the Te Kūiti Motorcycle Club, which Hazelton helped to establish in the late 1980s.

The police, former traffic officers, and the Fire Service were well represented. Both Barry and his wife Thelma, who he is survived by, were active members of the Te Kūiti Volunteer Fire Brigade, with Thelma its first female fire fighter.

The Hazeltons – who had six sons – lived in Te Kūiti from about 1988 till 1998, during which time MOT traffic officers merged with the NZ Police.

Barry Hazelton served about two years as Te Kūiti’s first community constable. His

police career lasted 38 years – right up to a medical discharge from active service in 2020, at which point he became a firearms officer.

This was a role the keen hunter enjoyed according to Barry’s son JJ.

JJ said his dad helped establish his town’s motorcycle club and many of the 20-30 bike riders who attended the funeral, received their licences under Barry’s testing.

“Dad used to enjoy riding his Kawasaki Z1 1000, but later his ultimate bike later was a 2010 Harley Softail.”

The family eventually left Te Kūiti and moved to Whangamatā, where Barry worked in the police for a several years ahead of joining the highway patrol, based out of Paeroa. In this role he covered most of the Hauraki Plains.

Continued on page 3

heavy hand wasn’t the answer

Barry Hazelton was a traffic officer and community constable at Te Kūiti between 1988 to 1998.

Old MOT patrol cars were lined up at the funeral of ex-traffic officer Barry Hazelton. Pictured from left were Phil Cronin, Cambridge, Wayne Waretini, Huntly and Lou Forhecz, Hamilton.

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Don’t let the market stall

The team running the St Lukes Market Day, a feature at Te Kūiti for the seven years, is finding the event a challenge to maintain.

Church member Mary MacNaughton says it is run purely as a community service, and stall numbers and waxed and waned over the years.

It has been running on the first Saturday of the month (except in January) since 2017.

“Our market day is a useful as an outlet for farmers’ produce and for charities like marae, schools and other community organisations to use to raise some funds,” she said.

“At $10 a stall we’ve always ensured that it doesn’t cost them much to take part.

“The feedback we receive is that it’s also a great day out for locals and visitors to town alike, but at present our small group of ageing volunteers must work pretty hard to keep this community event going. Locals love coming along to enjoy browsing the stalls and some lunch in the church.

“We could do with more volunteers, anyone who has a mind to help us run the market day. You don’t have to be a member of the church, just to have motivation to help provide something special and positive for the community,” MacNaughton said.

In their happy places

By Paul Charman

About 90 line dancing enthusiasts gathered at St Andrews Presbyterian Church Hall this month for the Te Kūiti group’s annual social.

Group’s leader Jan Moir said numbers taking part in a town the size of Te Kūiti showed how the dancing style’s popularity was under-estimated.

more than 12 years, recalled that she began the hobby as a stress reliever when she was teaching.

“I found it a great way to switch-off from the pressures of the day. I am now retired but still enjoy the physical exercise and mental relaxation”.

encouraging, helpful and a delight to be around.

“Each week I walk away on such a high and cannot wait for the following week - line dancing is my happy place.”

The Te Kūiti club comprised women aged right up to their late 80s, many of whom wouldn’t dream of missing a class unless they were sick or away.

We have driving and non-driving roles. Call our local office to find out more: 0800 846 9992 or email wakaora@stjohn.org.nz

“We operate kind of under the radar as far as most people are concerned, but there’s a huge following for line dancing right around the country,” said Jan, who has taught line dancing for 20 years.

The dance form suited men and women equally, required no special dress or shoes, and social events were always well attended.

“It’s no excuse to say you have two left feet because we can always help you find the right one.

“Once you’ve learned the sequence of steps you get great satisfaction completing dances to music, and the country songs we dance to are special in themselves – as these songs tell a story.”

Members of the Te Kūiti group supported their teacher’s comments:

“I have been line dancing for six years now; it is a fantastic way to stay active and keep my mind sharp,” Dawn Visser said.

Mary Scobie, who has been involved

Sandy Jones said line dancing made her happy and was a great way to meet people she wouldn’t otherwise get to know.

Jan Moir said women in her group were

“But yes, it would be nice to see more men take part.”

Some of the 90 line dancers who enjoyed the Te Kūiti club’s annual social on November 3.

Rangi Te Po Whatarangi and Sally Needham Palmer 3

Transport to double up

By Mary Anne Gill

Two years ago, Sandra Sesto-Dekic took on the job of boosting the numbers of Waikato people catching public transport.

But when Government subsidies for age-based public transport fares ended on June 30 and fares increased by 20 per cent, her job became much tougher.

Four months in, the stats tell a heartening story, particularly in Waipā where the introduction of more services and electric buses have seen records tumble.

In August, 14,622 passengers caught the Te Awamutu-Kihikihi service and if you add in the 424 who hopped on the Te Kūiti Connector, that’s more

than 15,000 punters, or an average of 485 people a day.

Across the district in Cambridge, August was also a record with 13,371 people catching the number 20 service and 177 flagging down the Tokoroa Connector on its speedier way into Hamilton. That is an average of 437 passengers a day.

And just in time for SestoDekic’s second anniversary in February as Team Leader Customer Focus at Waikato Regional Council’s regional transport connections department, expect to see double-decker buses on the busier routes to bolster numbers.

The February figures when Waipā-based Sesto-Dekic started in 2023 were 7630 passengers on the Cambridge 20 service – an average of 273 a day – and Te Awamutu 24 had 8243 – average 294.

Other regional services are also building patronage – up 27 per cent from Waitomo and 54 per cent from Ōtorohanga.

Even the beleaguered Te Huia train service – funded through to June 30, 2026 – is seeing an increase with the addition of Pukekohe as a stop and half price fares for children. Scrapping free Gold Card fares at peak times seems to have made little difference to the service’s

popularity.

Public transport was always going to struggle post Covid as the close contact put many punters off.

Bringing out the excuses was also popular – not enough services, it was too expensive, bus stops offered little in the way of comfort and cover and for those who travelled all the way to the Transport Centre in Hamilton – the destination was dirty and unsafe.

“The 40 per cent increase for Waipā is exceptional and it’s looking great. We are doing another push to promote the service now that

we know the double deckers are coming,” said SestoDekic who points to higher frequency and smoother rides for the uplift.

The drivers are happier too – they now have depots in Kihikihi and Leamington – a partnership between the regional council and Waipāto pick up their electric buses and relax in comfort for the next trip to start rather than wait on the side of the road.

It is a sensible time to consider public transport during the celebrations season.

“Sometimes you know you might be having a few drinks,

and it might be a better idea to grab the bus than take a car,” she said.

The regional council will partner with Waipā council for the Olympic champions parade in Cambridge on December 13.

People from Hamilton, Kihikihi, Te Awamutu and Leamington will be able to catch a free bus into Cambridge for the parade.

There will also be extra communication targeting those who are unaware of cross-town services – from Leamington to Cambridge and return, and from Kihikihi/ Ōhaupō to Te

Tributes to a top cop

The News asked JJ how it was his dad became so popular.

“It’s really hard case isn’t it? The amount of people who liked him. I think it was because he was so fair. He went by the book – if you stepped out of line you’d get in trouble. But most of the time it was a proper warning. I have heard a few good stories. When you are in a small town you don’t come in with a heavy hand; you’ve got to think of the community first.”

JJ also reflected that growing up in the late 1980s and 1990s Te Kuiti it was, “a different style town”.

“There were still the Mob guys and all that, but everyone got on pretty well. We lived on View Rd and had mob guys

just near us. A lot of them were there –but pretty harmless back in the day.

“I had friends whose parents were in the Mob and I went to school with them. They used to ask, ‘hey JJ, do you want to join’. And I’d say, ‘oh no thanks I’m alright’, but we still hung out and did things together.

“There was a huge five-a-side social soccer tournament down at Centennial Park. The police, fire brigade and many local businesses had teams. The Mob had a team too – they came along and played social soccer. The Mob versus police games used to be so awesome. Both sides really got stuck in, with a bit of elbow thrown in – but all played in good spirit, with a couple of beers

afterwards.

Awamutu. Buses provide a viable opportunity when parking is at a premium in the towns’ central business districts.

So how pleased is SestoDekic? Very, because of the big changes she and the transport team had to deal with both on the network itself and with tariffs.

“We’ve carried those and I think we’ve done really well in communicating them and educating our passengers now with a very clear customer experience. We are setting ourselves in the right way for the future.”

Continued from page 1

“I guess growing up I was slightly in awe of dad – all of us boys were. We were a little bit mischievous. But I think (when we did wrong) we were more scared of our parents than anything else.”

Another treasured memory was his parents’ involvement in drag racing events held for cars and motorcycles at Centennial Park.

“Mum won one of the drag racing events and dad would sit there in his patrol car and measure the speeds with his radar. The bike club organised it with the local hot rod guys - there was less concern over stuff like health a safety back then.”

The Te Kūiti Connector – launched in February last year on a year’s trialleaves King Country at 6.40am Monday to Friday and returns at 5.15pm. NZTA is funding the service through to 2027 but Waikato Regional Council is working with local partners to finalise the balance.

Sandra Sesto-Dekic

The revamped Hamilton Transport Centre.

Ingleby announces sale of historic station

Sigrid Christiansen

Puketiti Station south of Piopio is being sold, as its Danish parent company Ingleby sells its New Zealand portfolio of four large properties.

Puketiti is in the Haku/Mangaotaki district, and also changing hands is its sister operation, Riverlea Station, between Āria and Piopio.

The Swedish born, UK based Rausings are the owners of Ingleby – and they’re the family

behind the Tetra Pak milk cartons invented by patriarch Reuben Rausing in Sweden, in 1950. Today, his granddaughters Lisbet and Sigrid manage the family’s fortune. Historian of science Lisbet is said to have been the most actively involved with Ingleby.

Hans Henrik Koefoed, interim chief executive of Ingleby Farms and former chief from 2005-2021 said the decision to sell was due to a recent change in investment strategy.

The Staton has been in the hands of Ingleby since 1999.

“We hope to find new owners who will continue our good work on sustainable farming,” Koefoed said.

The station is 25km west of Piopio.

The land’s first European owner was Taranaki businessman Newton King who owned it with various collaborators from the 1920s. It then passed through the hands of farmers including the Voyce family,

who suffered as “bush sickness” or cobalt deficiency led to great stock losses during the Depression years.

It’s believed the name Puketiti comes from the larger block, connected to today’s Waitoru station in Māhoenui, associated with a pā site near the Mangaotaki Gorge on SH3.

In 1990, settler Cedric Verry shared his memoirs in the book Waitanguru, a collection of memories by the European families who

A familiar face with a new name

There’s no doubt if you live in the North King Country, you will have a contact for most tradies – like “the plumber”. And it was this that decided Dion Philip, formerly of Otorohanga Plumbing and Gas, to call his new business The Plumber.

“I’ve been working in this trade now for 24 years,” Dion says, “and often I’m known as just Dion the plumber – so it made sense to just carry it on and create a business name for the new venture.”

As part of the moving on from the old company which he was part of in Otorohanga and Te Kuiti for almost 20 years, Dion says his decision to create The Plumber as a company was a natural

progression.

“I have a strong client base and the switch over has been relatively straight forward and streamlined,” he says. “I’ve retained the same phone number I’ve always had, so everyone knows how to contact me.”

Dion is a certifying plumber, gasfitter and drainlayer, which means he has the ability to sign off the legal requirements for all plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying work that plumbers do – something he says is important.

“My workload centers mainly around rural and domestic plumbing and I operate throughout the greater North King Country. I do travel to most of areas our region, out to Kawhia and as far south as

Mokau, inland to Pureora and north to Te Awamutu at times.”

“I ‘ve always prided myself on doing a good job, which I believe is why I have retained the customer base I’ve got.”

The Otorohanga-based plumber is married to Bronwyn, previously a qualified and registered nurse and the couple have four children. Bronwyn will help handle the office and admin side of the business.

“Our family is well settled here. Our current house is the only one the kids have ever known. We spend a lot of our free time as a family outdoors, and locally in the caving circles in Waitomo especially” he says.

Puketiti was home to almost 10,000 ewes last year.

Photo: New Zealand Shears

“Puketiti station was the first farm in the district and bush felling was started in 1896,” he recalled.

A manager, Bob Bailey, took charge some time before 1906; improvements during his time included “the same eight-stand woolshed built out of pit sawn timber in 1908. It still stands and will for many more years,” Verry wrote.

In the same book, Ruby Lyons shared her memories of life on Puketiti station. She was the niece of Bob Bailey and the cousin of their daughter, Marge Bailey.

She made “a brief visit which lasted years,” arriving for a holiday and staying to help.

In May 1916, Lyons reached the property via a taxi from Te Kūiti, passing “free range pigs, cattle, geese and fowl,” before getting off at the (neighbouring) Verry farm and riding.

They did have a buggy and “two good horses” but the mud was such that they could use it only in summer.

“Station life was a very busy life. Meals were on the dot of time – breakfast at 7am and dinner 6pm.”

“There were ten station hands, including shepherds. A handy man milked five cows by hand, did the separating and kept the wood box full. Some of the workmen camped out on the station including two married couples, who used to do the fencing.”

“Everyone who came had to learn to ride a horse – a quiet horse was kept for this purpose. There were about 60 on the station including Starlight, the stallion and two horses Ladybird and Twister.”

Ruby Lyons had recalled the caves on the station “one was like a wedding cake” … “there was also a “Hermit Cave” in which a man lived.

The clearing of land on Puketiti had been completed two years earlier, by 1914.

The next big change to the station’s fortunes came in1952, when aerial topdressing again made Waitanguru and Mairoa district farms

financially profitable again.

In the 1980s, the station’s complement of 50 or 60 horses began to be replaced by motorbikes. Prior to this, the animals had been valued for their low cost, ability to replace themselves, and ability to carry a rider over rough ground.

Throughout all, it was the local managers, contractors stock managers, shearers and shepherds who made it all possible, most recently, that would be current manager Rusty Morgan, the man responsible for the station’s reputation as a high quality farming operation, including leadership of its sizeable staff.

“There’s not a lot of properties this size,” station manager Morgan said. In his time, he’s supported shearers in their record attempts,

many of which have made worldwide news.

When he started the manager’s job about 10 years ago, hosting shearing records came with the territory. The station’s size, number of ewes and facilities made it a perfect option for aspiring record holders, he said.

The first record came as something of a strong hint from New Zealand shearing contractors’ association president Mark Barrowcliffe.

“Barrows just said, “we’re doing it,” Rusty joked.

“It was my first year here, and it was just part of fitting into the community, being part of the district really, and opening this place up.”

A later three-stand record was a favour to

neighbours Morgan speaks to every week. Record breakers Kaleb Foote and Daniel Langlands both live on nearby farms; he wanted to say yes when they asked about doing a record.

Jack Fagan set an eight hour strong wool lamb record of 754, eclipsing Reuben Alabaster’s record, at Puketiti in 2022.

For shearing fans, record attempts brought the community together, to see the best of their sport at the peak of their powers.

It was an opportunity for the crème de la crème of shearing to have a crack at their chosen target. And Puketiti could make it happen.

“It’s giving someone an opportunity to live their dream, I suppose.”

After all, sheep farming wouldn’t happen at all without shearers, he said.

“You’re always shearing... you cut multiple times a year. So they become part of the farm working really. You can’t run the farm without them.”

On the topic of the sale Rusty’s wife Hillary Morgan, said the couple did not quite know what the future held; without knowing the new buyer and their plans for the farm it was impossible to say.

It had been “wonderful to work for over the past 11 years,” and that they have loved their time on Puketiti, calling it “an amazing farm”.

It’s not to be confused with an East Coast farm, also called Puketiti station, at Te Puia springs, 90 minutes north of Gisborne.

One of the station’s unique features is the Grand Canyon Cave, home to a colony of pekapeka, long-tailed bats.

The 3615-hectare property as of last year was stocked with 9800 ewes and 1100 Angus cows.

Ingleby Farms will sell more than 6700 hectares all up; they will also sell the Matahiia Station (1816ha) in Ruatoria and Katoa Station (595ha) on Whakaangiangi Road in Te Araroa.

Rusty Morgan has supported shearers in many record attempts. Photo: New Zealand Shears.

ArtBeat all in the family

Ōtorohanga’s ArtBeat Festival this month has attracted 26 exhibiting artists, says lead organiser Rebecca Dowman.

“There will be a lot of public participation with creative art stations for people to try their hand at various mediums. We also have 10 performers in music and dance and a busker.”

Downman said Riding for the Disabled would be selling waffles and provide a sausage sizzle, while nine Ōtorohanga area schools had contributed artworks to be displayed in Main Street shops, with a scavenger hunt involving all the spaces involved.

The Stubbs family, comprising four artists, exemplified the spirit of the ArtBeat Festival, Dowman added.

“Here we have one family from the Waitomo District, who demonstrate how artistic talent

can be handed down from one generation to the next.”

Bexx Stubbs is a multi-disciplinary artist focusing mostly on printmaking, painting, uku (clay), fibre and carving.

“My work is based around my love of Te Taiao (our natural world); Pūrākau (storytelling) and korero tuku iho (our stories and histories)”, she said.

Her husband Ben Stubbs is a Waitomo artist and farmer. He initially studied Fine Arts in Otago and gained a diploma in sculptural ceramics. He is a member of the Red Shed Waitomo and his pieces on display were produced at the Mōkau bone carving symposium.

The couple’s 18-year-old daughter Zarah Stubbs is a student at Elam school of fine arts.

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“Many of my concepts come from my experiences throughout childhood, as well as where I stand in accordance with the land,” she said.

Ben’s mother, Ann Stubbs was born Yorkshire England in 1939 and came to New Zealand in 1965 for a short visit after teaching in Africa. Her father painted in water colours. “I also love the lightness, spontaneity and the exciting way colour washes onto paper. New Zealand’s natural and sometimes dramatic scenery has been my main inspiration. Watercolour seems to best illustrate the purity and moodiness of the light.”

Zarah Stubbs is a student at Elam school of fine arts.

Trustees dust off their deed

By Andy Campbell

Updating the Waitomo Energy Services Customer Trust was one of those ‘to do list’ jobs the trustees thought would be easily accomplished while Covid 19 lockdowns were in effect a couple years back.

But no, the updated trust deed is only now making its appearances. The amendments were made available at the annual meeting in Te Kūiti on September 12, and since then further amendments have been notified. Submission are open until December 2 for Lines Company customers.

Trust chair William Oliver said they are looking at the trust deed in lockdown because they thought it was the ideal opportunity to tidy up and update the trust deed.

But it turned out to be a bigger job than they thought it would be at the start of the process.

“A lot of thought and effort has gone into it,” William said.

Since the original trust deed was written in 1993 things have changed in

the environment the trust operates, legally, socially, and technically.

For example trustees may now attend meetings remotely. Other changes align the trust with some commercial law changes since the early 90s. The next amendments propose allowing electronic voting.

The Waitomo Energy Services Customer Trust owns 100 per cent of the shares in The Lines Company Limited on behalf of its customers.

The model is based on the view that customers benefitted most if a single trust owned shares on their behalf, rather than having a fragmented ownership set up with shares issued directly to customers.

When power boards were deregulated by Te Kūiti resident Jim Bolger’s National government in 1992, Trusts were considered the best answer to the ownership of “inter-generational” assets.

The electricity distribution system had been developed in a co-operative sense by generations of consumers. The argument was that the then owners had no more right to the assets than the preceding generations or the generations to come.

Gas guzzlers

Petrol thieves have struck three times at Te Kūiti’s Z service station this month.

Police say drive-offs were reported on November 4, 7 and 9. All up about $370 worth of petrol has been stolen.

In the latest incident on Saturday night a man who had filled a vehicle with $170 of petrol and asked for a carton of cigarettes, valued at $136 then said he had left his wallet in his car. Instead of returning, he drove off.

William Oliver

Iwi celebrates use of reserve

Ngāti Rora says it is pleased with the respect people are showing at the reopened Mangaokewa Reserve just out of Te Kūiti on SH30.

The reserve is a popular picnic spot which was returned to the iwi as part of the 2022 Maniapoto treaty settlement.

It features a children’s playground and bushwalks

But incidents there prompted a decision to close the reserve to vehicle access unless by arrangement.

The reserve was reopened for Labour weekend.

Kaitiaki Michelle Wi, who cares for the reserve on behalf

of the iwi said the reopening had been “fantastic”.

“There’s been no rubbish left there at all,” she said She would visit the reserve just after 8pm and “the vehicles are already leaving, and the people have been taking all their rubbish with them.

“They are enjoying it for what it is, a place of quiet rest,” she said.

Police last week did report one incident to the King Country News - a fence was cut at the reserve prompting a search for a grey Nissan Terrano which had been seen in the area.

Election turnout review

By Mary Anne Gill

A dismal voter return and a worsening database has newly elected Waipā Networks Trust members so worried they have called for an investigation into how to improve things for the next election in three years.

When polling closed on October 1, the voter return was 14.80 per cent – 4312 votes – and 1532 voting papers were returned as “gone, no forwarding address.”

The cost to run the election was $88,149.48 – or about $20 per vote.

The News raised the database issue with Waipā Networks Ltd after discovering some voting papers were sent to the wrong addresses.

There are 40,000 electricity customers in Waipā, Waikato and Kāwhia eligible to vote for six members of the trust. Waipā Networks’ region includes Kio Kio

and skirts around Ōtorohanga and across to the Kāwhia coast.

New trustees elected were Jarrod Godfrey and Philip Coles who joined incumbents Sarah Matthews, Marcus Gower, Dave McLean and Ray Milner on the trust last month,

The trust owns 7.2 million shares worth more than $194 million in Waipā Networks.

Trust manager Kayla Heeringa said address information was sourced from electricity retailers who hold the customer data and provide the compiled database to its election provider Electionnz.com

When trustees debriefed after the election, they asked about the database challenges.

“It would be challenging for us to hold our own database, given the information changes regularly and would rely on connected consumers keeping us up to date with any changes, but the trustees are keen to find a solution,” Heeringa said.

HOME MAINTENANCE

• Removal

• Gutter clearing

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

• Tree pruning • Moss & Mould treatment

Pest Control

Water blasting

Painters & Decorators

Locally owned and operated, servicing our community

Ngāti Rora representatives Shannon Manawaiti and Michelle Wi at Mangaokewa Reserve

Ten years servicing locals means Kerrin and Amanda at General Automotive & Diesel Services know a thing or two about vehicles, providing the best service for their customers.

In their custom-built workshop at 2 George Street Te Kuiti, the team of ve are there to provide a reliable one-stop shop. “We can service and repair all types of vehicles and trailers” says Amanda.

The team specialise in 4wd diagnostics, suspension and mechanical repairs.

They carry a large range of Varta and Endurant Batteries at sharp prices.

General Automotive are stockists of RockArmor bull bars and accessories. They can also supply and install RAW4X4 suspension kits to help your vehicle go further o the beaten track.

They are open ve days a week from 8am to 5pm.

SOURCING THE BEST FOR YOUR VEHICLE

Owners second to right Kerrin Cressy far right Amanda Cressy and the team of General Automotive & Diesel Services.

Ōtorohanga

Police attended three family harm incidents and a metal health callout.

November 5-6: Overnight, thieves siphoned $240 worth of diesel from buses parked at a commercial address on Maniapoto St.

November 6: At about 9.45am at a rural address on Barber Rd a vacant house was entered and ransacked. Owners have so far been unable to provide a list of missing items.

November 6: A distinctive carved wooden walking stick was found at the Pukeko Park, on Huiputea Drive.

November 7: At about 5.40pm police stopped a car on Wahanui Cres. A breath test showed the 25-year-old driver male driver had a blood alcohol level of 382 mg per litre of breath. An infringement notice was issued.

November 9: At about 11.30am two vehicles collided after simultaneously driving onto a one-lane-bridge at Te Kawa. No injuries resulted.

November 10: At about 12.30pm police stopping a car on Ōtorohanga Rd near Tokanui. The 26-year-old male driver had 503 mg of alcohol per litre of breath. Charges are pending.

November 4: At about 12.15am a house on Tainui St was burgled twice within a period of about half an hour. Two men were seen removing boxes of beer the first time and then they returned with shopping bags to take more alcohol and food.

November 10: At 10.10pm police received a report that a car had been broken into on Rosmond Tce. A quarterlight window was broken the ignition barrel damaged.

Kawhia Te Kūiti

Police attended nine family harm incidents.

November 4: At about 5.30pm a driver left the Z Station on Te Kumi Rd without paying for petrol valued at $60.

November 4: At about 6.30pm police were called to a disorder incident on Cato Tce.

A caller alleged that four men armed with machetes had asked for cigarettes. Police found four young men aged 16 to 18 at the scene, but no machetes were located. The four were trespassed from a property where the incident was alleged to have taken place.

November 5-6: Overnight a novelty plastic letterbox was stolen from an address on Awakino Rd. The letterbox was in the shape of a blue VW Kombi Van with a white surfboard on the roof.

November 7: At 11.40am another petrol drive-off was reported at the Z Station. This time $140 worth of petrol was stolen.

November 9: At about 8.10am a woman walking on Taupiri St saw a man get into a ute parked near the shearing statue and remove several items from inside it. The woman yelled at the man, saying that she was going to call the police. He jumped out of the ute and ran away but returned a short time later and put the items back into the ute.

November 9: At about 12.30pm police attempted to stop a utility vehicle on Rora St. A patrol car followed it into Sheridan St, where the pursuit was abandoned. The vehicle was later spotted travelling on SH3 near Lees Block Rd, and later found on Bayne St, Te Kūiti, where it was impounded. Inquiries into circumstances surrounding this incident are ongoing.

November 9: At about 9.30am a third driveoff case was reported at the Z Station. A man in pumped $170 of petrol and also asked for a package of cigarettes valued at $136. He told the cashier he had left his wallet in his vehicle and was going out to retrieve it, but instead drove off without paying.

November 7: At 8.42am the brigade was called out after a report came in of a car rolling over a person at Kāwhia. The brigade was turned around before arriving. At 3.13pm that day the brigade was called to a fire at the Kāwhia marae but once again they were turned around. Then at 9.08pm they were called to a garden fire in Gradara Ave, which they put out.

November 8: At 8.06pm the brigade was called to a garage fire at the Kāwhia Holiday Park, again they were turned around while still on the way there.

November 11: At about 6pm they were called to an automotive workshop Lawrence St, where three vehicles had caught fire. The Ōtorohanga brigade put the fire out, assisted by crews from Te Kūiti and Te Awamutu. The interior of the workshop was extensively damaged but the structure was not affected.

November 4: At 8.53pm a backyard fire was reported in Bayne St but it turned out to be a controlled burn.

November 11: At 6.04pm the Te Kūiti brigade was called out to assist Ōtorohanga with a fire at a commercial premises in Lawrence St.

WHITE RIBBON DAY

MONDAY 25

Te Kūiti

WHITE RIBBON DAY

GARDENING

FOR BLOOMING BEAUTIES AND PLANTS THAT THRIVE

Beautiful plant pairings

works well together.

This week I thought I would share what I think is a striking plant combination in my garden at the moment Rosa mutabilis (the “Butterfly Rose”) with Lonicera nitida ‘Honey Hedge Ruby’ These are the reason that this combo

Colour Contrast: Rosa mutabilis is famous for its chameleon-like flowers that change colour from soft yellow to pink, and eventually deep crimson as they mature. This constant changing of colour pairs beautifully with the striking new growth of deep burgundy foliage of Lonicera ‘Honey Hedge Ruby’. The rich, ruby-red tones of the honeysuckle provide a perfect combo

to highlight the Butterfly Rose’s shifting hues.

Year-Round Interest: Lonicera ‘Honey Hedge Ruby’ is an evergreen shrub, meaning it keeps its colorful foliage all year round. This contrasts nicely with the seasonal blooms of Rosa mutabilis, ensuring your garden maintains visual interest even when the roses aren’t in bloom.

Textural Balance: Rosa mutabilis has an open, airy growth habit with arching canes and delicate flowers, adding a soft, romantic feel to the garden. In contrast, Lonicera ‘Honey Hedge Ruby’ offers dense, finely textured foliage, which can be clipped for a more formal shape or left to grow naturally. The combination of airy blooms with dense foliage creates a pleasing textural contrast.

Low Maintenance and Hardy: Both plants are known for being relatively low maintenance. Rosa mutabilis is one of the easiest roses to grow, being diseaseresistant and tolerant of various soil types,

and pretty much will flower all year round. Similarly, Lonicera ‘Honey Hedge Ruby’ is hardy, drought-tolerant, and can handle pruning well, making it perfect for shaping into hedges or borders.

Versatile Planting: This combination works beautifully in mixed borders, cottage gardens, Lonicera ‘Honey Hedge Ruby’ can serve as a low hedge or a sculpted accent, while Rosa mutabilis brings height and floral interest. Together, they create a dynamic, layered look that enhances any garden space.

Attracting Wildlife: While Rosa mutabilis attracts bees and butterflies with its abundant blooms, Lonicera species are generally known for drawing beneficial insects. This combination will contribute to a thriving, eco-friendly garden that supports local pollinators.

By pairing Rosa mutabilis with Lonicera ‘Honey Hedge Ruby’, you can enjoy a garden that offers a rich tapestry of colors, textures, and seasonal beauty—all with minimal effort.

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Grouch,

Cobalt,

Magic,

Sultan,

Upbeat, 25. Cue, 26. Clench, 27. Tarot. Down: 1. Photo, 2. Swarm, 3. Rotund, 4. Glance, 5. Ought, 6. Curio, 10. Comma, 11. Might, 12. Ideal, 13. Needy, 16. Paunch, 17. Minuet, 19. Usual, 20. Often, 21. Amber, 22. Least.

Story with a moral (7)

Leftover (5)

Santa’s helpers (5)

Visualise (7)

Succumb (5)

Insane (colloq) (5,3,4)

Come undone (7)

Bliss (7)

Cooking instructions (6)

Bowl (5)

Nimble (5)

Katrina Christison

Tidy Gardens

Trade tariffs of up to 20 per cent on all imported goods could follow the re-election of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States.

In a report going to Federated Farmers Waikato Executive this week, Economic and Finance chair Garry Reymer warns of the

far-reaching implications Trump’s re-election could have on New Zealand’s primary sector.

Agricultural, horticultural and viticultural producers will all be impacted Reymer, the owner of two dairy farms at Cambridge and Kaipaki, warns.

“Our wine and meat exports to the US are significant and if they get hit with tariffs that Trump is proposing it will really be felt here at home,” he warned.

• Continued page 3

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Chloe’s Curry’s in favour…

By Sigrid Christiansen

Curry is the name of Te Kūiti Primary pupil Chloe Woodney’s goat, thanks to her mum Bridget’s sense of humour, but it won’t be going in the pot any time soon.

The kid was just one of the many animals, which also included lambs and calves, on show at St Joseph’s Catholic School Pet day recently in Te Kuiti.

The goat was perhaps three days old when he was found on a friend’s farm.

“We were looking for teeth for our science homework, lamb’s teeth or something like that. Then my dad, Dan spotted him.

“Some other friends who had been there hunting said they thought he was about three days old, because they’d seen him abandoned there earlier. Goat mums don’t leave their babies, so something must have happened.

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“My mum (Bridget) wasn’t happy at first, but she soon came around. It took about two days.”

Curry’s favourite pastimes included jumping on the laundry benches and the family sofas, before she was banned from the house.

“We live in town, in Te Kūiti, so after this, Curry is going to live on a farm,” Chloe said. She started giving it milk, but now grass is the main food.

Te Kūiti primary students Chloe and her friend Inika Nahna are both in Year 6.

Inika’s own pet was lamb “Woofy” - because it made funny little sounds - enjoyed the event.

St Joseph’s shares its pet day with other neighbouring schools, including Te Kūiti Primary.

Principal Suzanne Downey said she always loves the event, and was a passionate pet day competitor during her own schooldays.

Parent, long term helper and woolhandler, Keryn Herbert said pet day used to be held at St Marys School Ōtorohanga, before moving to St Josephs, several years ago.

Previously, St Joseph’s students had travelled up to St Mary’s for the event.

Keryn was feeling nostalgic.

“It’s my last day as a pet day parent, but I’ll probably be back helping next year,” she said.

Other pets included Flynn Adams’ Forrest: “The only name I could think of for him,” Flynn said, and his brother Jacob’s “Bugs.”

Chloe Woodney with her pet goat ‘Curry’ . Photos Sigrid Christiansen

Jacob Adams with his lamb.

Call to return to ‘old school’

By Chris Gardner

Bring back local discussion groups.

That’s the message dairy farmers have for DairyNZ’s new chief executive Campbell Parker and chair Tracy Brown.

The industry good organisation took local discussion groups online during the pandemic and scrapped them altogether afterwards.

Instead, dairy farmers, who pay 3.6 cents per kilogramme of milk solids to DairyNZ raising a collective $67 million in levies, are invited to larger regional events.

One is the Pokeno field day on November 13 on Jamie Lyons’ farm.

Federated Farmers Waikato Provincial Dairy Chair Matthew Zonderop said he had got used to a 15-minute drive to discussion groups, but regional events were more than an hour away.

“I would like to go back to the old school local discussion groups,” he said.

Such groups build community, he said.

“I don’t want to drive up to Pokeno where I will stand out like a sore thumb.”

Zonderop welcomed the appointment of Tracy Brown to the role of DairyNZ chair after fellow Waipa dairy farmer Jim van der Poel stood down at the October 22 annual meeting after seven years in the role.

“Jim has led us through some very difficult and hard times. He has always remained very positive, and I would like to wish him all the best,” Zonderop said.

“Tracy is a very experienced dairy leader and has been around a long time.”

Ōhaupō dairy farmer Andrew Reymer echoed Zon-

derop’s sentiments.

“The only real farmer connection that DairyNZ had was the discussion group,” he said.

“I just don’t see the regional events they have replaced them with as something I would bring staff to,” he said.

Reymer was concerned with the time commitment involved in driving to and from Pokeno, and the impact that would have on the business if he were to invite staff.

Sharefarming Consultants founder Louise Gibson said her clients also wished for the local discussion groups to return.

As well as delivering on topic information to farmers, they assisted with propagating good mental health.

“A lot of my sharemilking and contract milking guys move around a lot and use the local discussion group to meet the community so it’s a huge loss for them too and really puts them in isolation,” she said.

DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker said in a statement the organisation had delivered 27 events with an average of 30 attendees after calving and 72 per cent said they liked the new format focussing on putting scientists and experts in front of farmers.

“We have 34 more events planned till December 12 focused on improved workplace productivity and healthy waterways,” he said.

“When DairyNZ started out 17 years ago, we were one of the few advisors around for farmers, but the industry has changed and many other organisations host events now. We’ve evolved ours to ensure we meet the demand without duplication, with a focus where farmers have requested of us, on future sector challenges, as well as helping on farm today.”

‘World order is changing’

• from page 1

Trump’s protectionist policies could impact the whole order of international trade, including New Zealand’s key trading partners across the Asia Pacific region.

“If we overlay that with the growing power of the BRICs (Brazil Russia India China) grouping which is picking up new members all the time like South Africa, Iran and some other mid-east countries, the world is truly moving in a very different direction that we saw through the 70s 80s and 90s,” Reymer said.

“Our government, especially trade and foreign affairs, is going to have to fight hard to keep our ag exports in front of the world at good prices ensuring good returns to our farmer producers,” said. Reymer said producers could add trade tariffs to a list of big issues threatening their business such as the behaviour of banks and the drive to decrease carbon emissions.

“The banking inquiry has a few key issues for me, one being the pricing of risk both by the trading banks themselves but also by the Reserve Bank.

“Two different risk assessments but both add cost to what we pay. The Reserve Bank being the biggest culprit here.

“Another question needs to be asked and that is why our banks are getting involved with scope three emissions?

“They sell money, they do not trade with other countries and do not produce goods. What is the rational of them demanding that we reduce our emission to remain bankable?”

“The world order is changing, free trade has peaked, and we are rapidly moving to an isolationist’s world where the rules of trade are being rewritten or just ripped up, but New Zealand can work and prosper in that world because we produce quality food at a competitive price.

“Energy security, border security and food security will be the drivers for the foreseeable future.”

Federated Farmers Waikato Executive members will discuss Reymer’s report on Tuesday. Can we Trump in? See page 10.

Matthew Zonderop wants a return to local discussion groups.

Garry Reymer says we are rapidly moving to an isolationist’s world

Paving the way for surgery

Te Kuiti’s VetEnt lead mixed vet Stacey Turner has a skillset unique to the region. Her passion for working dogs and for surgery have combined to lead her down the path of orthopedics.

Te Kuit’s VetEnt lead mixed vet Stacey Turner has a skillset unique to the region. Her passion for working dogs and for surgery have combined to lead her down the path of orthopedics.

“I arrived in Piopio 11 years ago as a newly graduated vet from the University of Queensland. I am South African-born, Australian-raised and now reside permanently in New Zealand with my husband and two daughters,” she says.

Stacey was employed as a mixed vet, and in her early years developed a passion for working dogs.

“I ended up marrying a local Piopio farmer. I realized quickly how important working dogs are and, as all farmers who depend on them know, we need them in tip top shape,” she says.

“I had a fabulous mentor in Richard Atkinson who himself, was dedicated to providing this unique skillset to his clients. This mentorship set me on the surgical path and fueled my passion in providing orthopedic surgery to small animals.”

Under Richards guidance, Stacey began to learn a wide range of skills. She has since completed many courses which include theory and practical hands-on work and has received a Masters Paper in orthopedic surgery in cats and dogs.

“Our clients over the years have developed trust in us to do the surgery and provide really good post-surgical care – something that can be harder to manage distance-wise when seeing a specialist, especially when the post operative care is extensive.

“And some,” she says, “can’t always afford a specialist’s costs, or they simply want to support local businesses. Being in Te Kuiti, local clients can call me, pop in to see me or bring their working dogs in if complications arise.”

“We have a skilled nursing team to assist with rehabilitation which is extremely important. If any complications arise, my team are here to help promptly.”

“My skill set is not limited to orthopedic surgery. I can help with non-surgical needs such as muscle injuries, rehabilitation and physio. I have experience in soft tissue surgery, burns, gastro-intestinal surgery and a range of medical cases.”

“My hope is to encourage and inspire my colleagues and young vets at VetEnt to follow their passions”

“Because of the very nature of what working dogs are expected to do, they often have their unique set of injuries,” Stacey says.

“This is why I have pursued extra study in orthopedic surgery. I will continue to focus on this as I expand on my skillset and the types of surgeries I can offer.”

She says there is a wide range of injuries or problems requiring surgery that she can perform. Some of the more complex or complicated surgeries still require referral to a specialist surgeon.

“They are the best at what they do and I still believe In giving our clients this option. I can repair a wide range of fractures, dislocations and some tendon and ligament repairs.”

Stacey says its best to decide on a case-bycase basis as to whether she can offer this service locally, or whether referral is the best option.

“While a lot of specialists do the more complicated surgery, they are inundated with the ever increasing number of animals who need their services.

“General practice vets are encouraged to persue their special interests under their guidance.”

“For my clients and patients, the ability to offer and perform these surgeries locally is quite important – the travel for treatment can be hard for clients and can put extreme stress on the animals.

“We accept referrals from local vets and are committed to working collegially with them to support best patient outcome. Our ultimate goal is what’s best for our pets and working dogs. We are committed in assisting our colleagues with post operative care and will hand our patients back to their trusted vet clinicians.”

Stacey says orthopedic surgery will always be high risk for animals, they can be prone to many post-operative complications and compliance from working dogs can be difficult. She will spend time with clients to have these discussions before any decisions are made.

“I like my clients to be well informed,” she says. While she’d like to be able to take care of all surgical needs, she says becoming a specialist surgeon is not her dream. She loves the nature of mixed practice and enjoys working on farm alongside farmers just as much as she loves surgery.

“With a family and a farm, and doing what I do for work being my first priorities, becoming a specialist isn’t on my radar right now.”

She says she is lucky to also have a mentor specialist based in Hamilton who is helping her and will continue to learn and improve with additional study to further her skillset with the support and encouragement from VetEnt.

“As a mixed practice vet, I wear many hats –and the quality and support of our veterinary team is what I believe achieves the best outcomes for our patients.”

“My hope is to encourage and inspire my colleagues and young vets at VetEnt to follow their passions. I had a great mentor in Richard Atkinson who encouraged me to follow my working dog passion.

“I valued his teaching. Not only did he spark my interest for orthopedic work, he inspired me to want to be a great mentor to others just as he was to me.”

Wearable technology work gets a boost

By Chris Gardner

King Country sheep and beef farmer Natasha Cave will research how new wearable devices can enhance productivity in the beef industry as she completes the Kellog Rural Leadership Programme in 2025.

Cave co-manages 396ha Rotowai Farms at Mokauiti, south of Te Kuiti, with her husband Alan.

The couple purchased the property from Alan’s parents Stuart and Brenda Cave two years ago.

It is also home to Rotowai Angus Stud and Rotowai Hills Farm Stay.

She received the inaugural 2025 Beef and Lamb New Zealand Leadership Advancement Scholarship after applying in October, making a case that such research could help beef farmers better manage their pastures.

The newly launched scholarship is a key part of Beef and Lamb New Zealand’s refocused People and Capability workstream, dedicated to fostering on-farm leadership and enabling innovation and information transfer across the sector.

“I feel extremely privileged to have received this scholarship and appreciative of the investment that Beef and Lamb New Zealand is prepared to put into me to not only fund the course but also provide extra wrap-around support, training and mentorship,” Cave said,

“The extra opportunities that this scholarship will provide me is very

exciting.”

Cave is especially interested in ways to encourage the adoption of wearables among farmers to maximise their impact.

“At the beginning of this year we invested in Halter technology on our farm, using wearable technology to provide virtual fencing for our beef herd,” Cave said.

“Being one of the first farmers to implement this technology in beef and having to learn as we go rather than from others and the many questions and enquiries from other farmers made me aware of the need for trusted information on new technology such as this.

“I believe the potential to use emerging technology such as wearables is immense and potentially a game changer for our beef industry, particularly on our hill country farms.”

Cave is also interested in the impact of other wearable technologies such as Gallagher’s eShepherd Virtual Fencing neckband and cow heat detection collars.

“I hope the research will help provide our beef farmers with a better understanding of the potential benefits of technology such as wearables can provide and also some insight into the potential for further developments to the technology that could benefit the beef sector,”

Cave said.

“As well as the research, I hope that the skills I am able to develop on the Kellog programme enable

me to be able to better support my local community in the roles I hold within it currently and also in my role as a catchment coordinator for the Whanganui Region Catchment Collective where I work with catchment groups and farmers in the wider Taumarunui area.”.

Cave is the coordinator of six catchment groups, three established in the last 18 months.

“I hope I will be better equipped to represent them on matters of importance such as regulation that may heavily impact them.”

Beef and Lamb New Zealand national extension programme manager Olivia Weatherburn said she was excited about the scholarship’s potential.

“We look forward to seeing the impact of Natasha’s findings from completing the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme.

“We believe her work will offer valuable insights for farmers and the wider sector.”

Weatherburn, an alumnus of the programme, said it was more than just a research project.

“The Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme goes beyond just research – it challenges participants, connects them with like-minded leaders and opens doors that can make a significant difference in careers.”

Cave will share her learning outcomes at a series of Beef and Lamb New Zealand events.

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Climate change ‘shambles’

‘New Zealand is in the middle of a mono-cultural disaster thanks to its fixation on radiata pine’ – Andre de Haan.

By Paul Charman

Honikiwi sheep and beef farmer Andre de Haan says this country’s target of net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases emissions, other than biogenic methane, by 2050 is a noble one.

“I can’t fault it, but what I have trouble believing is that even if we do manage it, how will it have any meaningful impact on global warming?”

De Haan points out that New Zealand only generates 0.17% of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions.

“To quote an article I read in the farming media recently, ‘our efforts won’t even be noticed by the climate and so we need to proceed with caution on the basis that we should not damage our farming economy if we are too small to influence the trajectory of accumulated carbon in the atmosphere’.”

de Haan also has an issue with the conventional wisdom that if we achieve a carbon neutral position, we will no longer be contributing climate change.

“I’ve heard it said, and I fully agree, that we could stop all industry, stop all agriculture and reach our national emissions target tomorrow – but we will still be importing food, plastics, clothes, steel, concrete, phones and a huge array of digital services – all manufactured in other countries from carbon intense energy sources.

“This is the problem, until carbon is priced at a consumptive level, instead of national territorial level, much of our carbon production will simply move from one country to the next.”

De Haan is no climate denier; as far as he is concerned the science behind global warming is sound.

“But the political steps to solve the problem have been a shambles. New Zealand is in the middle of a mono-cultural disaster thanks to its fixation on radiata pine.

“This rankles for farmers of my generation who have been actively planting natives over our entire careers. Of the 315 ha on this property, 25% is now in natives.”

He has also extensively planted poplars for soil conservation. The dams and steams on his property are lined with raupō and flax, the gullies are fencedoff and full of healthy bush, the native birdlife and the ducks have plenty of habitat to live in.”

However, de Haan doesn’t think his property is particularly unusual, pointing out that many of his neighbours are just as passionate about growing natives on their properties.

“A lot of us started doing this simply as a hobby, because we wanted to. Yes, we’ve had some help from QE2 and the Regional Council and that’s appreciated.

“But reafforestation in natives really

Andre de Haan planted thousands of native trees and polars over a 40-year farming career and dams on the property teem with birdlife.

comes out of your heart – if your heart’s in in you’ll make it happen.

“If your heart isn’t in it, all the talk and ‘green wash’ in the world won’t make a

bit of difference. I think we’re lucky in the King Country because almost all farmers here genuinely care about the land they farm on.”

Coming up the hard way

By Paul Charman

When Andre de Haan grew up in Honikiwi during the 1950s, Bromley Rd was considered so isolated he and his sister took correspondence rather than attend the nearest primary school.

De Haan was raised on a 263ha hill farm on the road, where his Dutch immigrant parents grew potatoes on some of some of its flat paddocks flat land.

De Haan remembers a childhood of seemingly endless toil, alleviated somewhat on weekends by visiting friends on neighbouring farms.

“Today some might call the hours my sister and I worked as tough, but we never questioned it. And I don’t think the hard work harmed us in any way.”

One bright spot was provided by kind-hearted Honikiwi identities, known to locals as “Peg” and “Ma”.

These women taught the young children from the district to waltz at the local hall, accompanied by a band made up of two piano accordions. This skill was to come in handy once the young de Haan started dancing in his late teens.

He was sent to Ōtorohanga College, but only stuck it out for a single year. The youngster was the subject of violent and irrational bullying from schoolmates.

He often arrived home with black eyes and other injuries. His crime was having limited English skills, as the family tended to speak Dutch at home.

Thankfully for de Haan, a big good-looking chap in younger days, things picked up for him when he left school aged 15.

He studied agriculture by correspondence for a couple of years and had an increasingly active social life powered by the cars of the 50s and 60s, which are now considered classics.

To this day de Haan collects and fixes up Stude-

bakers.

He and his wife Doreen own eight of the machines and are active members of the NZ Studebakers Drivers Club.

De Haan also owns classic Ford and International trucks, which he sometimes uses to get around the farm. Don’t talk to him about quadbikes, however, because he calls these, “man killers”.

The property he has farmed for 40 years is adjacent to his parents’ old one, in Bromley Rd, being slightly bigger at 315 ha.

“As a youngster I was a determined saver, wheeling and dealing in farm machinery, plus trapping possums,” he says.

“I hunted possums all through the 1970s – it was just something everyone did back then. The remarkable thing is that it paid so well that it helped me get into my own farm.”

After buying his present property he mainly ran sheep initially to help eliminate the gorse which then infested much of the land.

He and Doreen were married in 1985, with Doreen playing an active role in farming.

Gradually the couple got on top of their gorse problem and began to progressively run more cattle than sheep.

They have three children Sarah, a funeral director; Rose, a nearby farmer and Toby, an electrician. Doreen, a former district councillor, is active in the community, her interests including the Ōtorohanga Baptist church, Creative Fibre and Riding for the Disabled.

As well as an extensive classic car collection Doreen and Andre de Haan have a garden which boasts two sets of working train signals

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The tax debate

By Clyde Graf, Waipā-King Country Councillor

My neighbour Michael was telling me about his rental properties and how the tenants are paying them off.

The discussion raised some questions. The Bright Line Test – is it a legitimate investment policy - or a discriminative, tax-avoidance vehicle? Here’s their situation, with permission.

Diana is a high school teacher, and a single mum in her late 20s. She rents a house that belongs to Michael, one of several houses that Michael owns on our street.

Jack and Jane are a hard-working, middle-aged couple living across the road from me. They have three teenage children. Jane is a nurse, and Jack drives a truck. Jack’s also a volunteer fireman. They’re saving to purchase a rental property.

Michael retired at the age of 50. He owns six houses, plays golf three times a week, and spends three months a year overseas holidaying. Life’s pretty good for Michael.

After paying the mortgage and bills, there’s never much money left for Jack and Jane to invest, so any excess goes into their savings account. They’ve now accumulated $25,000, well off the deposit required to purchase a rental property. Each year they’re required to pay income tax on the interest generated on their savings. The extra income also accrues to their overall annual income, meaning an increase in ACC levies.

Diana saves all she can spare, trying to accumulate enough money for a house deposit. As a single mum, renting is a slog. Diana tried to buy a house two years ago, using her $100,000 in savings as a depos-

it. She was told by the bank to go away and save some more. Because Diana didn’t have enough money to invest in houses she bought gold, while trying to accumulate a larger deposit. The price of gold has risen by 55 per cent over the last two years. Any profit generated by Diana’s home deposit investment is liable for income tax. If she was wealthy, she would have been able to invest in property and avoid paying any tax at all.

Over the last five years, Michael has sold two of his houses, for a profit of $700,000. He says it’s not worth investing in businesses because of the risk, and the share market means tax on profits. He’s not required to pay any tax on the handsome profits generated from speculating on houses he says, because The Bright Line Test means he can avoid tax, legally, if he waits at least two years before selling.

People without the money required to purchase investment property are taxed on all the earnings they generate, including interest. Perhaps it’s time to introduce a policy that allows people without investment properties to retain their investment and savings earnings, tax-free, just to even the playing field.

The Bright Line Test and the absence of a Capital Gains Tax on investment property benefits only the wealthy and effectively legalises tax avoidance. It’s time to address this unethical policy conundrum. This is my view, not necessarily that of council.

Waipā chair for Global Landcare

By Chris Gardner

New Zealand Landcare Trust chief executive Nick Edgar has been elected chair of Global Landcare.

Global Landcare is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2020 to support global efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change, enhance biodiversity and improve food security.

Landcare is an international movement to encourage communities to collaborate and adopt environmentally sustainable land and water management practices.

It is founded on an ethos of grass roots, local, community-led approaches to solving difficult environmental management issues.

“It’s super exciting to be elected by my colleagues to lead this organisation,” said Dr Edgar who moved to Mystery Creek near Te Awamutu from Hamilton eight years ago.

“The landcare approach is working in over 30 countries, from Africa to Asia, from the Caribbean to the Pacific, from Iceland to Bhutan, and from Europe to the Americas. It is a truly global effort.”

The NZ Landcare Trust, headquartered in Hamilton, has worked for 30 years with iwi, farmers, and local communities on a wide range of environmental projects nationally.

Projects include working with farmers to improve water quality in the Waipā peat lakes, building new wetlands, and supporting predator-free initiatives at Mystery Creek and Te Awamutu. More recently the trust has managed the Taiea

to Taiao project, building a wildlife corridor to connect the Maungatautari and Pirongia maunga.

“The plan is to plant trees and reduce pests, creating stepping stones along the corridor to allow for the safe dispersal of native birds from the mountain sanctuary at Maungatautari to the Mt Pirongia volcano and beyond,” Edgar said.

This includes fencing off farmland and planting hundreds of thousands of trees in the last couple of years working in partnership with iwi, local landowners, and agency staff from Waipā District Council, Waikato Regional Council, and the Waikato River Authority.

“My vision is to take the kinds of innovative approaches, knowledge and skills that we have developed in New Zealand and apply them in other countries,” Edgar said.

“We have an exciting opportunity to take some of the best examples of Kiwi ingenuity and intellectual property related to sustainable agricultural practices and environmental conservation and export it to the rest of the world.”

Landcare is not a heavy handed top-down approach being foistered on developing countries.

“That approach does not work with communities in New Zealand, and it will not work anywhere else,” Edgar said.

“We must be respectful of local communities in other countries, let them design local solutions, based on their local and indigenous knowledge.

“We are simply there to support them with training, new technologies, and

funding.

“Planting trees also helps to protect local streams from eroding sediment and nutrient enrichment, with their precious taonga of native aquatic plants, invertebrates, and fish.

“It is a genuine partnership approach that can function as a model for what can be achieved when local people take ownership of environmental management.”

Global Landare will emphasise knowledge exchange and provide training in other countries.

Oceania will be a hot spot for Global

Landcare efforts over the next couple of years.

“We are developing partnerships between Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, and Rarotonga.

The aim is to support local landowners and communities in the Pacific to address climate resilience, flooding, and water resource protection, and to assist with the conservation of engendered terrestrial and marine species.

“The work is already underway, and we hope to scale it up in partnership with our Pacific cousins,” Edgar said.

Planting a sediment trap at Rotongata.

A chance to

With about half of America’s electors looking at life under a president theydid not support, some will be considering a move. Paul Charman looks at prospects of attracting them here.

The King Country could consider touting for its share of disgruntled American electors looking for buy farms and lifestyle blocks in New Zealand.

That’s the message from Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton, who points out that New Zealand attracted significant numbers of US emigres following the Trump victory in 2016.

“There’s already a precedent for attracting US citizens keen to find greener pastures,” he said.

“It would be marvellous to see an influx of Americans who buy lifestyle blocks in the King Country, adding their energy and talents to our rural communities - it would be a great thing.

“We’ve got beautiful scenery and plenty of prime land for lifestyle use and farming. Also, let’s not forget that due to climate change a stable climate like ours here in New Zealand could be seen as a great incentive. The prospect of increasing hurricanes, wildfires and sea level rise and so forth is a worry for many Americans, but we’re seen as a safe haven country.”

The research company Journo Research confirms that this is more than wishful thinking on Kirton’s part, as New Zealand outranks Australia as a country Americans want to relocate to.

Based on Google searches, Journo Research data shows New Zealand is the eighth most searched country for Americans wishing to relocate, while Australia is at 12. Canada is by far the most popular with keyboard dreamers, followed the prospect of moving to Japan, Costa Rica, Brazil and Mexico in that order.

“Following President Trump sweeping to office in the 2016 election we had a

massive uptake from people from the US inquiring about visas,” Lane Neave immigration lawyer Rachael Mason told The News.

“Our own firm experienced this and anecdotally we understand that it was widespread.

“At the time, Immigration New Zealand also reported a substantial influx of queries from the US.

“We heard it was part of a much wider phenomenon following the Republicans taking the White House that year.

“Global events can and do trigger inquiries to live and work in New Zealand. Around the same time as the Trump victory there was instability in Europe and many Europeans were also coming to us to understand their options for emigrating here.

“Another factor driving international inquiries was that New Zealand was viewed favourably for its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. We expect this US election to result in more enquiries.”

However, Mason cautioned that the desire to move to New Zealand is not enough all on its own, as this country’s immigration system is a challenge for many. Americans can come for lots of visits as a tourist, but getting a long-term visa generally has to fit into three main buckets:

They are:

Family connections – such as marrying a Kiwi, which most of these people are not generally going to qualify for.

An employment connection – being offered a job by an employer who is prepared to sponsor you.

Being in investor and entrepreneur categories, where an uber wealthy per-

trump in?

son must be prepared to invest $5m to $15m. You can’t buy citizenship but you can buy residence.

“The most common pathway into New Zealand is the employment connection, of course. The main barrier for an employer is that it needs to be demonstrated that they (the employer) can’t find a New Zealander for the role. And we know that there is quite a bit of unemployment at present – so this is more challenging.

“But if you have the right skills it can be an open door. For example, I wouldn’t envisage that a surgeon or an engineer would have much trouble getting a job offer and therefore a visa.

“Coming to a place like Taumarunui and working over the internet (for an American business) could be done but it would have its limitations. “

You are not really meant to park up here and do that, though some people do of course. But they’ll have no access to (Government) healthcare.

“The Government is looking this category – because it’s getting to be a thing. There has been talk of these ‘digital nomads’ having their own immigration category, but nothing has come of it so far.

“But yes, if you were prepared to come in for 6-8 months – depending on what country you were coming from – you could park up on a lifestyle block in the King Country and work on your computer.

“But for most that’s not really a long term fix – a lot of these people tell us they don’t want to come for short periods like that. Rather, they tend to want to come for 2-3 years.”

Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton says with beautiful scenery and abundant productive land the King Country could promote itself to Americans looking for a rural lifestyle.

Barham United Welldrillers Ltd is going all out to be the ‘go to’ drilling company for all things water wells in the greater Waikato. Family owned and operated, it is under the management of Dirk and Jeannie Hermsen, who were sharemilkers all their married life, managing large herds in both Tasmania and New Zealand, and sharemilking in the Waikato, before embarking on a career change.

Mike and Chris Ormsby had owned Barham United Welldrillers for 47 years before the Hermsens purchased it. During the 18 months transactional stage, Dirk and Brad worked for the company and acquired a good understanding of the business.

Originally from Kurow, Dirk returned to school in Greymouth as a 44-year-old to complete a drilling course. He furthered his training after winning a scholarship and went on to work all around the country on drilling jobs, including oil, gas, geo-tech and water bores.

After two years into working in Australia’s oil and gas industry, Covid struck and Dirk returned to New Zealand. Thus began his career with Barham United Welldrillers in Te Awamutu.

Jeannie was a technical advisor for the Earthquake Commission’s Business as Usual Team for seven and a half years but left after the Kaikoura earthquake to take on a business manager role for a building Company in Te Awamutu. She later worked for Ovation Homes.

����Rÿk���������������������������� and mechanical engineer, spent most of his work life at Stewart & Cav����� before moving to Paige McRae in Tauranga. He returned home to start his own contracting business after Covid hit. As workshop manager, Rÿk ensures the drill rigs and vehicles are well-maintained. He is also fabricating additional equipment to complement each rig to make the drilling process ����� ������������

acquire drilling non-hydrocarbon ��������������������������������������� and stable future.

The team at Barham United Welldrillers (2021) Ltd understand the stresses and importance of running out of water. As water bores are an investment, and a costly one at that, the company would like their clients to have a bore that will last many, many years. For those who are restricted to rainwater, a water bore certainly takes ��������������������������������� There’s nothing worse than running out of water and having to wait in queue for a water delivery service.

Understanding what clients are using their water for is important as it enables Barham’s to deliver the right volumes. The consultation process is undertaken by Rÿk, who visits the

“As water bores are an investment, and a costly one at that, the company would like their clients to have a bore that will last many, many years.”

����������������������������� builder, son Brad embarked on a career change in 2020 when he started ���k����������k������������������������� to the industry, Brad spent his school holidays working for Drillforce in Auckland and seriously contemplated a career as a driller in his youth.

Daughter Temika helps automate the business systems o��a weekend.

the business and the company invests

proposed water bore site, discusses clients’ needs, determines the logistics, and does the groundwork. He provides an estimate based on the information acquired on site and through accessing a massive water bores database.

Barham’s experienced ����������������������� professional water well drilling, geot������ and environmental drilling services. Water bores are provided to a wide range of rural, commercial and city-based clients sector and services include - but are not limited to - testing water supply, repairs, and maintenance of existing water bores, and arranging servicing of pumping equipment.

The company’s large database of completed drilling work assists in determining drilling requirements. No job is too big or too small, and free water bore estimates are ���������

Make The Smart Move!

Ready to unlock the door to your first home?

We’ve got the perfect opportunity for you! This 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom home on a spacious 877m2 section is waiting for you!

• 3 bedrooms, perfect for a growing family or roommates

• 1 bathroom, conveniently located for easy access

• D ouble garage, providing ample

storage and parking space

• 9 0m2 home, with a comfortable and cozy living area with fire

• 877m2 section, offering plenty of room for, gardening

When all the tick boxes present them selves it may be time to step onto the property ladder.

This property is located in a cul-de-sac area. Opt for security for you and your family. Vacant and ready for settlement.

LOCATION | 15 Haines Terrace, Te Kūiti

LAND | 877m2

HOUSE | 90m2, 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom

PRICE | $400,000

LICENSED AGENT | Property Brokers Te Kūiti

LICENSED SALESPERSON Mary Tapu

Email: mary.tapu@pb.co.nz | Mob: 027 474 9869

WEB ID | www.pb.co.nz/TEU193829

Te Kuiti 38 King Street West

Te Kuiti

Te Kuiti 5 Sturgess Terrace

Te Kuiti

Piopio 8 Kuku Street

Thursday 14 November

Friday

Te Awamutu

12.00 - 12.30pm 227 Wallace Terrace Deadline 3 2 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23687

Saturday 16 November Ōtorohanga

11.00 – 11.30am 5 Sargent Place $690,000 3 1 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/OH22525 11.45 -12.15pm 12 Te Kanawa Street $595,000 2 1 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/OH22456

Te Kūiti

1.00 - 1.30pm 6 Ngatai Street $739,000 4 1 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/OH22494 1.45 – 2.15pm 29 Ailsa Street $369,000 3 1 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/OH22483

Te Awamutu

1.00 - 1.30pm 227 Wallace Terrace Deadline 3 2 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23687

Sunday 17 November

Te Pahu

2.00 - 2.30pm 363 Limeworks Loop Rd $975,000 5 2 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23655

Ngahinapouri

2.00 - 2.30pm 1980 Kakaramea Road $960,000 3 2 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23529

Kawhia

4.00 – 4.30pm 150B Lentfer Lane Offers over 3 1 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/OH22527 $800,000 4.45 – 5.15pm 241C Cowell Street Deadline 2 2 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/OH22555

Ōtorohanga

11.00 - 11.30am 537 Honikiwi Road Deadline 3 2 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/OH22553 11.45 – 12.15pm 28 Merrin Avenue Auction 3 2 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/OH22556 12.30 – 1.00pm 57 Main North Road $575,000 4 1 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/OH22549 2.15 – 2.45pm 5 Glendon Place By Neg 4 2 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23597

Te Kūiti

11.00 – 12.00pm 127 Tate Road Deadline 5 24.9Ha blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/OH22554

Te Awamutu

11.30 - 12.00pm 9B Ballance St, Kihikihi $750,000 3 2 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23678

11.30– 12.00pm 28 Wikaira Road By Neg 4 3 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23647

11.45 - 12.15pm 3/746 Mahoe Street $515,000 2 1 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23634

12.15 - 12.45pm 22 Te Aranui Drive $998,000 4 2 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23682

12.30– 1.00pm 360 Racecourse Rd By Neg 4 2 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23683

12.30– 1.00pm 1/1 Goodfellow Street $699,000 3 2 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23645

12.30– 1.00pm 2/105 Douglas Avenue $525,000 2 1 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23674

1.00– 1.30pm 249 Mutu Street By Neg 3 3 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23656

1.00 – 1.30pm 431 Picquet Hill Road $910,000 4 2 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23696

1.00 – 1.30pm 73 Raikes Avenue $749,000 3 1 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23579

1.00 – 1.30pm 590 Puahue Road Deadline 4 6 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23698

1.15 – 1.45pm 2A Whitmore St, Kihikihi $549,000 3 1 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23697

1.15 - 1.45pm 52 Tui Crescent $869,000 4 2 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23673

1.30 – 2.00pm 390 Young Street By Neg 3 1 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23559

1.45 - 2.15pm 277 Churchill Street $495,000 2 1 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23585

2.00 - 2.30pm 229 Young Street $1,249,000 3 2 blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/TA23623

PIOPIO 450 Ngapaenga Road

Ruatawa

$3.1M

Located in a high rainfall area northwest of Piopio, this 334-hectare (more or less) property is a solid productive farm ideal for breeding and finishing quality stock. 2024 it wintered 1175 MA ewes, 440 ewe hoggets, 35 rams, 100 top R1 steers and 55 MA breeding cows. Proven for breeding and finishing operations. Laneway for easy stock movement. Dependable Water Supply- stream feed. A wellmaintained fertiliser history. A tidy five-bedroom house with an in-ground pool offers north-facing views of the property, balancing comfort with functionality.

pggwre.co.nz/TEK38880

E

MAHOENUI 164 Gribbon Road

It's Time for a Change - Mahoenui Haven

If you have been searching for that tranquil sanctuary that offers privacy and a property where the vendors have prioritised sustainable farming practices and the opportunity to harvest from the 580 chestnut trees, this is the property for you. Further income comes from dairy graziers and an ewe flock. The vendors have been leasing 40 hectares of neighbouring farmland. This 46-hectare haven offers a four bedroom homestead with fantastic views over the property and to the north and east. The access and water system is excellent throughout. The property borders the Awakino River.

pggwre.co.nz/TEK40235

The Fantasy Lifestyle

A commanding position with emphasis on the wide reaching rural views, this property will get interest from anyone looking for a home that not only provides space for a growing family but also the capability of providing a self-sufficient lifestyle from the land. If you enjoy entertaining and hospitality, the themed uniqueness of this home would attract visitors as an AirBnB with 5 bedrooms split over 3 levels, multiple living areas bathrooms and the bonus of an in ground pool. Located within in a 5km commute of town, the property can be purchased either in its entirety of 24.9537ha or as a smaller 11.5ha property with the remaining 13.3ha title available separately as a bare block for those wanting to build the house of their dreams. A real bonus for the speculators is the fact that the property also has resource consent to be subdivided into 7 separate lots. Reign supreme in your very own castle, this property must be viewed to truly appreciate the architectural elegance and careful planning that has been put into creating a magical property in magnificent lifestyle location.

For Sale Deadline closes Thurs 5 Dec, 1pm View Open Days: Sun 17 Nov, Sun 24 Nov, 11.00am - 12.00pm blueribbonharcourts.co.nz/property/OH22554

Kerry Harty M 027 294 6215 E kjharty@harcourts.co.nz

Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 2.00pm, Friday 6 December VIEW

10.00-11.00am, Friday 15 & 22 November

M 027 473

E pwylie@pggwrightson.co.nz

231 Hectares Dairy Unit Priced To Sell

If

For Sale $4,500,000 plus GST if any View Open Day: Wed 20 Nov, 11am - 1pm

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Te Kūiti 127 Tate Road

Te Awamutu 487 Pekanui Road

TE MAPARA 65 Arapae Road

Dairy Property - Piopio

Very well located 248 hectare (more or less) flat to easy to medium contoured dairy farm.

High input generated from other two supporting properties have let the vendors achieve good production however this farm is at the size it can easily be a production standalone dairy farm.

42 ASHB shed, feed pad, 10 bay calf shed, one dwelling. Milking 670 cows - 150 of which are winter milkers. Three year average -231826kg MS.

Easy access throughout this farm, including across the road via the underpass. Good soils throughout. Predominately easy rolling contour. Located halfway between Te Kuiti and Piopio.

Note: We are also marketing the other two properties that support this farm. See you at the Open Days.

pggwre.co.nz/TEK40441

TE MAPARA Nohonoa Road

Supplement Growing Property - 141 Hectares

Located 9km northeast of Piopio, this property is solely used for supplement growing and winter cow grazing. All feed is transported to the vendors dairy farm at Arapae Road which we are also marketing. Maize is grown on approximately 135 hectares and two cuts of silage are cut and carried. It is bare land with cattle feed pad, yards and load-out facilities. Water is from a legal easement across the Tikirau Road. Contour and location is very good here. See you at the Open Days. TENDER

TENDER Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 2.00pm, Thursday 5 December VIEW 10.00-12.00pm Wednesday 20 November

FINAL NOTICE

TE MAPARA 37 Napinapi Road

Supplement Growing Property 20 hectares (more or less)

Three bedroom single storey dwelling

Two log burners and central heating

Double garaging

All flat contour

2

Combination of maize and oats has been grown then transferred to the vendors dairy farmlocated on nearby Arapae Road

• House water is ex roof and ex river for farm

• Well located just off State Highway 3, north of Piopio 3

GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 2.00pm, Thursday 5 December

10.00-12.00pm Wednesday 20 November

pggwre.co.nz/TEK40443

HANDYMAN

TE KŪITI CATTLE FAIR

Friday, November 15

Start 12 noon

800 Assorted cattle comprising:

90 2yr Here/Frs x strs

20 2yr Angus strs

25 18mth Here/Frs x strs

40 18mth Ang/Frs x & Speckle Park strs

30 2yr Beef x hfrs

80 1yr Sim,Sth Dev x strs

75 1yr Ang & Ang/Here x strs

100 1yr Here/Frs x, Bel/Blue x strs

60 1yr Here/Frs x hfrs

50 1yr Sim,Char x hfrs

25 1yr Beef x hfrs

11 Aut Angus weaner strs

22 Aut Angus weaner hfrs

127 Aut Char/Frs x weaner bulls

Check out our website kingcountrynews.nz for more copy and photos?

TE KŪITI CATTLE SALE

Friday, Nov 15

Special Entries:

A/C RD & L Oliver

25 Aut-Born 18mnth Hfrd/Frsn x strs

A/C Carter Farming Partnership

20 South Devon Ylg strs (Reds)

A/C Te Toko Station Trust

38 Ylg Charo x strs

Contact Len Sheeran 027 473 5859

Situations Vacant

Business Opportunity

Ōtorohanga College Canteen Management

We are looking for an experienced and passionate individual or business to manage the Ōtorohanga College canteen. This is a great opportunity to provide healthy, delicious meals and snacks to students and sta , while running a vibrant and essential part of our College community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Preparing and serving a range of nutritious meals and snacks

• Ensuring compliance with food safety and hygiene standards

• Providing friendly and e icient service to students and sta

• O ering a ordable and appealing menu options for all age groups

• Ability to work during College hours

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please contact the Principal, Lyndsay Kurth at kurthl@otocoll.school.nz by Thursday, November 14.

Fencer General Taumatamoana Station (TMS)

Are you passionate about Fencing and ready to take the next step in your career? Taumatamoana Station (TMS) is seeking a dynamic and experienced Fencer General to join our team! Taumata Moana has developed a ‘Farm Pride’ programme which encompasses all facets of highly motivated farming business with a culture of producing premium stock from top facilities

About the role:

• Position: Experienced Fencer General

• Location: Beautiful coastal property in the Waitomo District (75km west of Te Kuiti)

• Farm Size: 3400 HA sheep and beef property

Located and hour from Otorohanga on the west coast.s

Responsibilities:

• Hands-on role working closely with the Station Manager and Livestock manager.

• Important that you have good fencing capabilities. We have the best equipment.

• Ensure all equipment is respected and looked after.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary package

• Tidy and recently renovated 3-bedroom house provided

• Opportunity to work on medium to steep hill country with a scenic coastal backdrop

Requirements:

• A strong work ethic

• Be a team player

• Display competent fencing workmanship

• A clean, tidy ‘can do’ attitude

• The ability to drive heavy machinery would be an advantage, (diggers dozers.)

• Dogs not required

If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding role in a stunning location, we’d love to hear from you! Apply now and be part of a high-performing team dedicated to excellence in livestock management.

How to Apply: Submit your application, including a resume and cover letter, to tmsmanager@outlook.com by Friday, November 22. Please phone Brent for more information - 0272202161.

Join us at Taumatamoana Station and help shape the future of our high-performance livestock!

Ongarue School

A vacancy has arisen for an Office Administrator starting February 2025. The purpose of this position is to create a welcoming and caring environment for students and their families while providing efficient administrative support. The role entails working collaboratively with the principal, teachers, Board of Trustees and finance team.

Experience is not necessary as on site training will be given prior to the job commencing. Excellent organisational skills, initiative, and the ability to connect positively with a range of people is essential.

For more information and to apply for this role please contact Ongarue School on 07 894 5992 email office@ongarue.school.nz

NOW HIRING!

Museum and Accounts Manager

Part time / 24 hours per week

• Exude manaakitanga?

• Have exceptional organisation and administration skills?

• Thrive on supporting your team to achieve their best?

• Complete monthly accounts with your eyes closed?

Then this could be the opportunity for you!

We are looking for the ‘glue’ that will hold the diverse business strands of the Waitomo Caves Discovery Centre together, ensuring the organisation is operating effectively and meeting key service deliverables.

If you are a strong communicator and are passionate about helping a community organisation succeed, please contact the Secretary, wcmuseumboard@gmail.com for further information or an application pack.

CONTACTS

News/Editorial

Pilott editor@goodlocal.nz 027 450 0115

Campbell andy@goodlocal.nz 021 0232 1666

paul@goodlocal.nz 027 405 9038

Sigrid Christiansen sigrid@goodlocal.nz 022

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED

Wanted – New Head Coach for Piopio Senior Mens Rugby Team

Are you a passionate and experienced rugby coach looking for your next challenge?

Piopio senior mens are hunting for a dynamic Head Coach to lead our rugby team to new heights. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the game, proven leadership skills, and a passion for supporting community rugby.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and implement training programs to enhance player performance and team strategies.

• Lead the team in all matches, providing tactical and motivational support.

• Foster a positive and inclusive team culture that promotes sportsmanship and personal growth.

What we offer:

• A great team of players, keen to grow the club.

• Opportunities for professional growth and development.

• A supportive and enthusiastic team environment.

If you are ready to take on this exciting opportunity and drive our team to success, we would love to hear from you. For further details please enquire to piopiorugbyclub@gmail.com.

ADMINISTRATOR

– Infrastructure Services

We’re on the hunt for an exceptional selfmotivated administrator to join our team. This role sits within our Infrastructure Services Group and will provide high quality administrative and asset management support. You will have a strong work ethic, excellent attention to detail and communication skills, be tech savvy and most importantly a ”can do” attitude. You will have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working in an administrative role and be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Tools. Previous experience in contract management, asset data capture and an analytical background would be advantageous.

Our people are fundamental to our success. We are a committed team, and our values are the foundation of our organisational culture: teamwork, positivity, bold and brave, compassion, integrity and community minded.

close 18 November 2024.

Stock Sales

FOR SALE!

CARAVAN 180 XL 6.5 metres, C.I. Munro, all aluminium frame, cert, self-contained with fully enclosed awning, double glazed, tinted windows, sleeps 5, microwave, Thetford cassette toilet, 3-way automatic fridge/ freezer (90ltrs), 5 good steel belted radials (8 ply), 90ltrs fresh water, 102ltrs grey, gas cooker & grill, 2 gas bottles, 230 volt & 12 volt lighting, fire extinguisher, excellent storage, galvanised chassis, no rust, only one devoted owner, beautiful condition.

$40,000 Cambridge telephone 07 823 3576

Wharekiri Station

Wharekiri Station is a 1080ha effective property situated in Benneydale, 35 minutes from Te Kūiti and part of the Tiroa E and Te Hape B group of farms covering 7500ha effective. Wharekiri Station winters 12,000 stock units made up of a high performing breeding ewe flock and beef finishing system.

GENERAL SHEPHERD

This role will be based around 30% stock work and 70% general work including stock / yard work, tractor work (including feeding out) and general farm maintenance. The successful applicant will have a good level of fitness and the skills to get on with the job either working alone or alongside the rest of the team.

We require you to be an excellent communicator and a strong team player with a sound awareness of H&S requirements for your role but above all else we are seeking someone energetic and keen. This position comes with competitive remuneration, a great work environment and good housing. Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa and will be required to have a clear pre-employment drug test.

For further information please contact Jason Taitoko (07) 8784834, or email your CV to sharon@tiroatehape.maori.nz

Applications close Wednesday, December 3, 2024

TIROA E & TE HAPE B TRUSTS

Re the Piopio Museum flyer that went around the district last week INCORRECT BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER on the front page

The correct number is 03-0449-0102787-00.

We’d really appreciate your support! Piopio Museum Committee – any queries please contact asdowney8@gmail.com

Waitomo District CouncilOpening Hours Tuesday 19 November 2024

The WDC Customer Service Centre, Library and Admin Building will be closed on Tuesday 19 November 2024 until 11am.

We will still be available by phone on 0800 932 4357.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Closure of Road/Street To Ordinary Vehicular Traffic

PURSUANT to the Transport (Vehicular Traffic Road Closure) Regulations 1965, notice is hereby given that the Waitomo District Council, for the purpose of the Waitomo District Christmas Parade 2024 will close the following roads/ streets to ordinary vehicular traffic for the periods indicated:

Date: Friday, 13 December 2024 Period of Closure: 4.30pm to 8pm.

Streets/Roads: - Rora Street (from Ward Street to South End Loop)

- King Street East (from Rora Street to Taupiri Street)

Ben Smit

Chief Executive

Annual General Meeting

Waitomo Sister City Inc Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 5.30pm Te Kuiti Fire Station

Agenda

Welcome

Minutes of previous AGM

Matters arising Chairperson’s report

Treasurer’s report

Rules of the society

Nomination of Committee

General Business

Public Notices

To whom it may concern

Please be advised that Ototoika block A18 (Urupa) cemetery is now under new management and entry now to Urupa is Ototoika Rd. New fences have been erected so absolutely NO boundry fences are to be moved or cut for any reason.

Further enquires please contact Mere 044 903 7571 Christine 045 530 3546.

CAROLS in the CAVES 2024 presented by Waitomo Caves Choir

FURTHER TRUST DEED AMENDMENTS 2024

On 12 September 2024, the trustees of the Waitomo Energy Services Customer Trust (“WESCT”) gave notice that they proposed, in accordance with clause 15 of the trust deed in respect of WESCT dated 25 March 1993 (as amended) (the “Trust Deed”) to amend the Trust Deed. The trustees have now determined to propose to make further amendments to the Trust Deed, in addition to or substitution for those notified on 12 September 2024. A document showing those proposed further amendments, the reasons for them, and their likely effect can be inspected:

(a) at the following places during normal business hours: Waitomo District Library, 28 Taupiri Street, Te Kūiti, Ōtorohanga District Library, 27 Turongo Street, Ōtorohanga, Te Awamutu Library, Selwyn Lane, Te Awamutu, Mangakino Library, 71 Rangatira Drive, Mangakino and Mōkau Museum, 22 North Street, Mōkau;

(b) on the WESCT website, wesct.org.nz, via a link in the “2024 Trust Deed Amendments” tab.

Customers of The Lines Company Limited in the WESCT district (see below) are invited to comment on the proposed further amendments. Comments should be made in writing and addressed to PO Box 209, Te Kūiti 3941 or info@wesct.org.nz and should be made no later than 2 December 2024. Comments must be accompanied by the name and address of the customer and the customer’s ICP number, which can be found on the customer’s electricity bill.

The WESCT District is shown on the boundary map of the district, which can be found on the WESCT website, wesct.org.nz

Dated 31 October 2024

William Oliver on behalf of the Trustees

Notification of aerial spraying operation

Notice on behalf of the forest owner, New Zealand Carbon Farming Ltd is planning to carry out aerial spraying operations within the Waitomo and King Country areas spraying pine trees to treat Dothistroma Fungi which some trees are currently infected with.

This will be taking place within the following forests within the wider Waitomo & King Country area on 2 occasions sometime between 29 October and 30 November 2024 and again between 15 Jan and 28 Feb 2025, the spraying is weather dependant.

8pm Friday, 6th December

8pm Saturday, 7th December

8pm Sunday, 8th December

WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVE with Titiwai Children’s Choir on Friday & Saturday

Tickets available from Waitomo Museum from 9am Monday, 18th November - Tel. 07-878-7640

Entry by cash donation (suggested $20 ) includes cave entry and supper.

Putaki Forest, Mahoe Road, Waitomo

Te Anga Forest, Te Anga Road, Te Anga

Te Anga East Forest, Te Anga Road, Te Anga

Kakara Forest, Kakara Road, Mokaiti

Kaimango Forest, Kaimango Road, Honekiwi

Te Kauri Forest, Kaimango Road, Pirongia

Tapuiwahine Forest, Tapuiwahine Valley Road, Ongarue

Kura Forest, Kura Road, Taumarunui

Pukekawa Forest, Ongarue Back Road, Taumarunui

Whakamaro Forest, Whakamaro Road, Tamarunui

Pukemanu Forest, Saddler Road, Taumarunui

Makahiwi Forest, Kirikau Valley Road, Taumarunui

Oio Forest, Oio Road, Retaruke

Owairua Forest, Oio Road, Retaruke

Splitrock Forest, Oio Road, Retaruke

This public notice is to advise any adjoining, or close to land owners. This notice provides notification to you as required under the Management of Agrichemicals (NZS 8409:2021) and the relevant regional/unitary plan.

The application will be delivered by a fully trained and qualified helicopter pilot with a current GROWSAFE Pilot Chemical Rating certificate.

Methods to ensure no spray drift onto adjoining properties will be employed as appropriate, and may include weather monitoring, boundary monitoring, the use of smoke bombs to monitor wind direction, and the use of low drift nozzles on spray equipment. The treatment product is simply cooper oxide mixed with vegetable oil and it is a non-hazardous/ toxic fungal treatment application.

Situations Vacant

TIROA E TRUST

King St East, Te Kūiti BLUES & JAZZ

Sunday, November 17

3pm - 6pm

Free entry, open to all Club liquor laws apply for alcohol

King St East, Te Kūiti ELVIS Tribute Show

Saturday, November 16

7.30pm, Free Entry! Shuttle from 4pm

Non members welcome to enjoy the show and dinner.

To purchase alcohol, club liquor laws apply.

Notice of upcoming meetings of Ōtorohanga District Council

Details of upcoming meetings of Ōtorohanga District Council can be found at www.otodc.govt.nz/ about-council/meetings

Tanya Winter Chief Executive

www.otodc.govt.nz

King Country Grey Power Inc

FINAL OPEN

MEETING 2024

Monday, November 25, 2024 @ 2pm

St Lukes Church, 85 Esplanade, Te Kūiti

Everyone welcome Entertainment: Barry Batley Quick fire raffles and sales table Meeting followed by shared afternoon tea

PIOPIO STATION TRUST (ARAPAE NO 3) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Saturday, November 30, 2024

Commencing at 10am

Oparure Marae

Oparure Road TE KŪITI

PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OF MEETING

Enquiries

Notices

Te Kūiti Community House Trust AGM

Monday, November 18, 2024

5.15pm at 28 Taupiri St, Te Kūiti

Meetings

Piopio Aria Golf Club AGM @7pm

Wednesday, November 20 at clubhouse Meetings

Piopio Rugby Football Club AGM

Thursday, December 5, 2024 7pm

All welcome Piopio Rugby Club

E & TE

Annual

Saturday, November 30, 2024

Benneydale Hall Maniaiti Road BENNEYDALE/MANIAITI

10am (Registrations commence 9am)

Celebrating the life of Bill Potter

15/7/29 – 29/8/24

A memorial service for Bill Potter will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 1pm at St Luke’s Anglican Church, Te Kūiti. Please join us as we gather to remember and celebrate his 95 remarkable years. In lieu of flowers, Bill requested donations to Hillview Rest Home. All communications to the Potter Family, c/PO Box 241, Te Kūiti 3941. VJ Williams & Sons, Funeral Directors Association of NZ.

piko he taniwha, Waikato taniwha rau”

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 12pm

Ōtorohanga District Council Building, 17 Maniapoto Street, Otorohanga

An information session will be held at council offices, for anyone who wishes to find out more about the licences to cut silage or graze on flood protection areas in and around Ōtorohanga that will be offered by tender. For maps and more information please contact Keri via email on keri@otodc. govt.nz PUBLIC MEETING Opportunity To TenderCouncil Land

Waitomo District Rates

Reminder - Instalment 2

This is a friendly reminder that the second instalment of your 2024/2025 rates is due by 5pm, Friday 29 November 2024. Rates invoices were posted out in October. Payments received after 5pm, 29 November will attract a 10% penalty.

Rates payments can be made at the Customer Service Centre, 160 Rora Street, Te Kūiti, over the phone by credit card, on our website or by Internet Banking using your valuation number as your reference.

Please contact our friendly Customer Services Team on 0800 932 4357 for further assistance.

Ben Smit Chief Executive

www.waitomo.govt.nz

Any enquiries please phone (07) 8788640 or email: sharon@tiroatehape.maori.nz

NAPINAPI PĀ TRUST

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)

Date: Sunday, December 1, 2024 Time: 10AM

Venue: Napinapi Pā, 57 Napinapi Road, Te Mapara, Piopio

Agenda: Full Election of Trustees Nomination Process:

• Trustee nomination forms are available from the Māori Land Court (MLC). Please contact them at WMNCourt@ justice.govt.nz

• Completed nomination forms must be received by the MLC no later than November 24, 2024 (one week before the AGM).

• Forms may be scanned and emailed directly to the MLC at WMNCourt@justice.govt.nz

All members are encouraged to attend. Your participation is vital for the success of our Pā. Please bring a plate for shared kai.

Harvest Church Ōtorohanga

Sunday Service 10.30am Kids Club 11am Youth 12.30pm-3pm Evening service 7pm

The Harvest Centre, 5 Tuhoro St, Otorohanga 07 873 8890 I 027 493 0117 • harvest.pc@xtra.co.nz Pastors Peter & Carole Coventry (An Assemblies of God Church)

No matter how far you have travelled in the wrong direction you can

The whanau of Rose Wallace (nee Tuheke) would like to acknowledge the many whanau and friends who helped and supported us through the passing of our mum/ nan. To the Ngati Awa rohe, thank you for looking after our mum/ nan throughout her time in Whakatane. To Arron and Uncle Gola, thank you for running our church services and karakia. To the whanau and friends who travelled, donated kai, koha, flowers and their time, we are truly grateful and you are all very special people. Arohanui. The whanau of John and Rose Wallace.

TIROA

HAPE B TRUSTS

General Meeting

“He piko he taniwha, he

Bereavement