Dreams come true
United Kingdom – with 24 inductees –topped the poll followed by South Africa with 20. Other countries represented were Colombia, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Scotland, Netherlands, India, Fiji, United States, Ireland, Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Philippines, Germany and England.
Wintec cuts planned
By Mary Anne Gill
Staff and students at Waikato’s century-old polytechnic have been told jobs and courses will have to go to make the institution – which lost $19.4 million last year - financially viable.
The impact will be felt across the Waikato-King Country, in towns like Te Kūiti, Ōtorohanga, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Tokoroa, Putāruru, Morrinsville and Matamata where students have been able to commute daily for studies at the polytechnic’s three Hamilton campuses, without abandoning their communities.
The news came on the day Wintec celebrated its 100th birthday on November 1 with staff awards
and events for students, mana whenua and stakeholders. Several staff reportedly boycotted the celebrations.
It also came days after executive director Huia Haeata and other Wintec staffers visited joint programme partners in China. Their students can pathway into graphic design, information technology, construction management and music education in Hamilton – among the courses being closely examined for their viability.
Haeta said the proposal split the faculty into three groups, led by directors. Because there were already vacant or fixed term contracts due to expire, the overall impact on staff was 6.4 full time equivalent roles,
she said. Documents seen by the newspaper suggest staff will have to apply for fewer positions under the proposals while voluntary redundancies are on offer but only for staff told their position is “significantly impacted”. Wintec retains the right to not accept applications for redundancy where it affects operational requirements. Students have been told courses they enrolled in may not go ahead and employers told not to expect interns.
One proposal seen by The News is for the School of Media Arts which would decimate the Communication, Music, Performing Arts and Contemporary Art courses and in another blow for the country’s
publishing industry, its prestigious Journalism diploma.
Consultation closes and applications for voluntary redundancy are due on December 2, feedback reviewed that week and decisions communicated on December 9. Recruitment and selection would take place in January next year.
Wintec has three campuses in Hamilton – one of which, its Horticultural base at Hamilton Gardens would close and move to Rotokauri. Several of the polytechnic’s rented central city buildings would also close.
The News is not aware of what is proposed at Wintec’s Thames and Ōtorohanga facilities.
The proposal says Wintec has lost money every year since 2017 because of declining domestic rolls, cost increases, changes to funding models, a drop in international students due to Covid and changes to visa requirements.
Wintec began as Hamilton Technical College in 1924 providing trades training for the region. It split into Wintec and Fraser High School in 1968 with the polytechnic offering engineering, science, accountancy, business management and building trades courses.
In the 1990s it started degree offerings in nursing, midwifery, business, sport and exercise science,
Continued on page 2
Vitor Fabris of Brazil, left, described taking the oath as a new Kiwi as a “dream come true” when he and his family – now living in Te Awamutu - became New Zealand citizens at the Cambridge Town Hall on Tuesday.
Also pictured from left: Clorice Pohl
Moreira de Castilho, Valentina Pohl Fabris, 10, mother Janete Fabris, friends Bill and Ruth Ward and father Valter Fabris.
Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
We say… The Courier: another last post
By Roy Pilott
In the 1970s at the South Waikato News in Tokoroa, Brian Burmester was a leading light in the New Zealand Community Newspaper
Association of which Good Local Media owner David Mackenzie is now president. Burmester would frequently refer to the Warburtons, publishers of the Te Awamutu Courier. In the 70s the two newspapers were among the finest community publications in the country, and I was at the South Waikato News, in my hometown, all up for more than a decade.
I was saddened when Stuff shelved my beloved masthead earlier this year. Now NZME has announced it plans to do the same to the Courier.
Rivals or not – and the Courier has been a hostile one to the Te Awamutu News - I mourn the loss of any print publication. Te Awamutu has remained loyal to its Waipā Post – quietly buried after Covid - and Te Awamutu Courier for more than a century.
As NZME editor at large Shayne Currie wrote last week, the loss of 14 publications planned by the company was a body blow to local news coverage.
A little over a decade ago the major media companies made a bold call to put digital first – at the expense of presenting fresh news in print. Both stand by their decisions, though in more recent times have moved to pay wall systems to catch some of the revenue lost on paper sales. For print, the digital strategy brought with it a progressive stream of job losses and masthead extinctions.
I thought the digital model sped up the demise of many print products
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unnecessarily - but I do say the companies were bold, because standing still was not an economic option. They now enjoy huge digital audiences.
But the trickle down had been profound. Those Stuff and NZME papers which remain no longer monitor their district councils and are not a potpourri of news written in community newsrooms. It’s not unusual to see council media releases cut and pasted into news pages.
Your copy of The News may be free –but putting together a quality community newspaper is not. The News has continued
to provide exclusive news content while shouldering huge cost rises.
The three Good Local community newspapers – Te Awamutu, Cambridge and King Country News - are keenly followed. I know, because I hear from readers when their paper is not delivered. We will continue to publish The News as long as readers and advertisers continue to support it.
The loss of the Courier should be a reminder to Waipā readers not to take their community newspaper for granted - not all communities can turn to an independent weekly in the way Te Awamutu can.
Wintec cuts planned
information technology and media arts. Satellite campuses opened in Te Kūiti and Thames.
The Bachelor of Business was the first degree offered in 1992. In 1999 a campus was set up on Avalon Drive to provide trades, sports and hospitality training and the following year - Nursing – became the first postgraduate qualification.
Wintec House, the historical corner brick building in central Hamilton, reopened in 2010 after a $17 million refurbishment. Just over a decade ago a new multi storey office building next to Wintec House was opened.
Tertiary Institutes Allied Staff Association (TIASA), the major union and specialist voice for allied (non-teaching) staff said it had asked for the proposals across the country, including
On the beat
Wintec, to be put on hold to enable the sector to stabilise and consolidate.
National president Shelley Weir said the impact on students, staff and communities was immense. “TIASA has never seen such widespread stress, distress and sheer disillusionment for allied staff.”
Tertiary Education Union assistant national secretary Daniel Benson-Guia said disestablishing unique programmes would be devastating for places like Wintec. A mechanical engineering programme at risk is the only one of its type in New Zealand, he said.
The impact on Waikato communities which relied on the regional institution was significant, he said.
• More on this breaking story teawamutunews.nz
with Senior Constable DEB HANN
Summer, safety and water
With Summer fast approaching, it is time to start thinking about water safety. Waipā is lucky to have the Waikato River and lakes on our doorstep and to be within easy driving distance of beaches. A day out on or in the water is a popular weekend activity. Being waterwise and knowing how to swim is key to ensuring your day out is a safe one.
Just as we say to drive to the conditions, when it comes to water, swim to your ability. If you are not confident in the water, use a buoyancy aid. All children should be actively supervised by an adult, and our smaller tamariki should be kept within arms’ reach. Where they are in place, stay within designated swimming areas. If at the beach, swim between the flags and follow lifeguard instructions. Ideally always swim with others and don’t leave the group without someone
knowing where you have gone. In any case, ensure that someone knows where you are going and plan on swimming and when you will be back. If you are heading out on a boat, make sure you wear a life jacket. Check the weather and marine forecasts and make sure someone has the necessary skills and experience to safely skipper the boat. Always carry two methods of communication in case things go wrong. If heading offshore, log a trip report. Just as with driving a car, piloting a boat after consuming alcohol means you have impaired judgement and reflexes.
Excessive alcohol consumption can cause disorientation and if you fall overboard, it will also affect your ability to stay afloat and contribute to heat loss.
The Waikato river can have strong, unpredictable currents and submerged
objects such as fallen trees pose a risk. Karapiro dam releases also affect the flow and level of the river. When boating, a lack of boating experience and local knowledge, weather consideration and planning contribute to the risk. Some planning and preparation will ensure everyone has fun and gets home safely. To close today, a reminder to follow the speed limit and be patient when it comes to road works. Summer weather brings an increase in roading projects with reduced speed limits.
These lower limits are in place to protect the roadworkers and reflect a change in conditions due to different road surfaces or a lack of road marking. Don’t be that impatient driver who chooses to speed and overtake. Take your time and let’s ensure everyone gets home safely.
Person of the Year
The News is starting the annual search for two Waipā people of the Year. Each November we invite readers to email editor@goodlocal. nz and nominate someone for the Te Awamutu News or Cambridge News version of the award – and tell us what makes that person worthy. Who do you think should follow Te Awamutu’s Paul Walker and Cambridge’s Shirlee Bennett?
Podmore inquest
A three-week inquest into the death of Cambridgebased Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore got underway in Hamilton this week before coroner Luella Dunn who said there was no dispute it was suicide, but the focus of the hearing would be on her mental health challenges and the role of Cycling NZ in those.
A mayoral Bydder?
The man who has been censured for his foulmouthed criticism of Waipā District Council and mayor Susan O’Regan has been approached via social media regularly over the last three months since his outburst to stand for mayor. Hamilton City councillor Andrew Bydder, who lives in Cambridge, has not ruled it out.
Sydney forum
Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan and chief executive Steph O’Sullivan attended the World Business Forum’s twoday conference in Sydney, Australia last week. Organised by World of Business Ideas (WOBI) in major cities across the globe, the forum gathers thousands of senior executives. Guest speakers included tennis legend Andre Agassi and Australian OIympic Games gold medallist Cathy Freeman. More teawamutunews.nz
Dog put down
The owner of an American Bulldog which attacked a miniature poodle in Sherwin Park, Te Awamutu has been convicted.
Family celebrated at awards
By Viv Posselt
Family was at the heart of Te Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade annual awards evening on Saturday.
Whānau was recognised in speeches, and spouses were at the side of their other halves when awards were presented. The family’s value in supporting the firefighters was frequently acknowledged, as was the vital role played by employers who never object when their firefighting staffers leave to answer the siren’s call.
True to form, there was a callout just before Saturday’s event started. It turned out to be minor and order was restored in time for those attending to hear senior station officer Danny Smith tell guests that volunteer firefighters make
up 86 per cent of the FENZ (Fire and Emergency New Zealand) frontline workforce, numbering 12,000 volunteers nationally. There are 559 volunteer brigades, and 36 composite brigades (a mix of volunteer and paid) in New Zealand.
The Te Awamutu brigade, which he described as “proudly 100 per cent volunteers” has 42 members, who between them have responded to 332 calls for the year.
He said callouts were often very inconvenient, and thanked families, employers and the brigades’ service partners, including police and St John, for being flexible in their response.
Family was also acknowledged when operational support station officer Murry Gillard was presented with a gold bar for 54 years’ service. Several of his own family were there, including a brand-new granddaughter.
Another proud family moment was when Helen Wilkes received her five-year medal from Waipā District Councillor Lou Brown. Her father Rob Godderidge – who was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2007 for services to the community, and who has attained 54 years in the fire service – was there to enjoy the moment. The pair quipped that Helen would have to reach 110 years of age if she was to match her dad’s achievement.
Also presenting awards was Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger, chief fire officer (CFO) Ian Campbell, and brigade life honorary members Rob Peters and Rinske McLiesh.
CFO Ian Campbell was presented with a Plaque for Achievement in acknowledgement of his award in June of the King’s Service Medal (KSM) for services to Fire and Emergency NZ, and the Taekwondo Brigade Crew Cup.
Campbell made several presentations, including to Lisa Atkinson and Anna Alexander for their outstanding achievement in the 2024 Firefighter
Challenge, and for achieving entry into the prestigious ‘Lion’s Den’.
He also presented the following brigade member awards:
Brigade Firefighter of the Year - station officer
Lale Stapleford, Brigade Crew Cup - Tawhiao Crew, Brigade Excellence - Lochy Rollinson and Kelly Bennetto, Attendance Cup - Kayden Mackenzie-Griffin and Geoff Baker. United Fire Brigades’ Association service awards - Lochy Rollinson, Helen Wilkes (5 years); Donovan Horn, Kelly Bennetto, David Gray (9 years), Julius Dranguet, Ryan Johnstone (11 years), Shaun Higginson (13 years), Anna Alexander (15 years), Allan Clark, George Jensen, Danny Smith (17 years), Murry Gillard (54 years). NZ Fire Brigade awards - Anna Alexander (14 years), Geoffrey Baker (21 years), Ian Campbell (42 years). • More photos, teawamutunews.nz
A dollar over breakeven
By Chris Gardner
The rural economy – and potentially its major service towns - is about to get a shot in the arm.
The region’s dairy farmers will receive an extra $65 million if Fonterra delivers on its promise of a record payout for this season – although it is only about $1 a kilogram of milk solids above breakeven for the average farmer.
The dairy co-operative, New Zealand’s largest company, raised the midpoint of the 2024/25
season forecast farmgate milk price this month to $9.50 a kilogram of milk solids from $9.
Open Country Dairy and the Tatua Dairy Cooperative – which Waikato and King Country dairy farmers also supply totypically payout a little more.
It’s a substantial jump from last season’s $7.83 and $8.33 in the 2022/23 season.
The forecast extra 50 cents a kilogram puts an additional $75,000 in the pocket of the average Waipā district dairy
farmer producing 149,393 kilograms of milks solids, or $36.8 million when multiplied across the district’s 493 dairy farms. If $9.50 is achieved, the average Waipā dairy farmer will take home $1.4 million, worth a collective $700 million to the district.
“The extra 50 cents is making a lot of guys profitable,” said Waikato Federated Farmers executive member and dairy farmer John Bluett.
Most farmers would use the extra cash to pay their debts in the short term.
“There’s a lot of debt
sitting there from the last couple of years, service industry credit, and it’s given them the chance to pay it off.”
He advised farmers to save a portion of the payout in a six-month term deposit to make the most of the bonus.
While 10 cents more than the record $9.40 payout, Bluett said the end of season payout would need to be closer to $11 to have a similar effect considering rising costs.
Te Awamutu Business Chamber chief executive Shane Walsh said with
interest rates also coming down, more money would be spent in rural towns.
Ōtorohanga dairy, kiwifruit and forestry farmer Duncan Coull, former chair of the Fonterra Shareholders’ Council, welcomed the news.
“A lot of farms are in consolidation mode,” he said. “We are coming off a very high inflationary period.” Agricultural equipment dealers say they expect debt repayment to be the priority and believe it could be six to 12 months before they see a flow through.
A Service to Remember Our Loved Ones
Helen Wilkes will have to reach age 110 to match the efforts of her proud dad, Rob Godderidge, who has 54 years’ service under his belt. Photo: Viv Posselt
Geoff Baker and Kayden Mackenzie-Griffin were awarded the Brigade Attendance Cup. Photo: Viv Posselt
Waipa Workingmens Club
Great people, great food, great atmosphere. Enjoy what the club has to offer!
Increasing competition
By Peter Nicholl
A newspaper article last week said Finance Minister Nicola Willis was looking closely at a recent report from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) titled ‘Revamping Competition in NZ”.
I took a look at the report and I could see clearly why. Its analysis of the problems we have regarding competition and its recommendations on what the country needs to do to improve the situation were clear and understandable.
The report said that our size and geographic remoteness made having competitive markets difficult. They referred to it as a ‘tyranny of size and distance’ and said that these two factors may reduce per capita GDP by up to 10 per cent. We can do nothing about geographic isolation and we can’t do much about our small size. We could increase our population but even if we doubled our population, we would still be a small country.
Given these two major ‘handicaps’, we need to make sure we are near the top of the performance list on most other criteria that are important for competition. But the OECD report shows clearly that we aren’t.
non-tariff barriers such as product standards are widespread.
One issue the OECD report stressed that surprised me was ‘lobbying’. It said New Zealand was well away from international best practice when it came to regulating lobbying. It said allowing short cooling off periods between work in the public and private sectors and allowing widespread lobbying “does not foster a level playing field”. It also carries risks of excessive politicisation, nimbyism, inaction and regulatory capture. The area the OECD report identified as having the highest risks was in land use.
Club Facilities and Member Benefits
• Plenty of off street parking
• Rafters Restaurant
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• Gaming Lounge
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• Meat Raffles
• Covered outdoor dining area
• Venue Hire at discounted rates
• Range of Social and sports groups available
Productivity level remains markedly below the OECD frontier, entering the New Zealand market often proves unprofitable for foreign firms, and many markets here are characterised by a limited number of large firms that face weak competitive pressures to innovate and to provide better services and lower prices to consumers.
Many sectors have unusually high profits, foreign investment screening is one of the most restrictive regimes in the OECD, small businesses face difficulties in winning government procurement contracts and
Club Opening Hours
1pm – 10pm
1pm – 8pm
1pm – 11pm
The Commerce Commission is good at making studies and writing reports and this report recommended it keeps doing these market studies. But it also recommends the commission adopt a strategy of gradual escalation of interventions including reducing barriers to entry and structural solutions such as the break-up of dominant players. In a polite way, the OECD is saying doing studies and writing reports isn’t enough. The Commerce Commission has to start taking actions to make key sectors more competitive. Other strong recommendations included considering a fast-track process for approving foreign building supplies, considering forcing some of the major fuel suppliers to divest some assets, eliminating land use rules that impact on competition and analysing the policy option of national or local divestiture in retail grocery. There is a lot in this report on competition for Nicola Willis and Commerce Commission to study. Let’s hope they do more than just read it and actually start taking actions in sectors where competition is clearly lacking.
A supreme disruptor
By Chris Gardner
Grey Ormsby is buzzing because he did not listen to his father.
A quarter of a century after Waitomo Group founder Desmond Ormsby advised his son Grey to exit the fuel supply industry the company won the supreme award at the Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
In an exclusive interview with The News current owner Jimmy Ormsby, of Kaipaki, revealed: “In around 2000 my grandfather said we would be better taking the money and getting out of the business.”
Desmond had founded the company in 1947 in King Street, Te Kūiti employing half a dozen people before moving to Carroll Street in 1953. Exxon Mobil Corporation wanted to exit its joint venture with the Waitomo Group around 2000, leaving the family with the choice to go it alone or close.
“My grandfather said to my dad, ‘I think you should take the opportunity to get out. Dad obviously didn’t listen to his father and said, ‘we’re going to go hard.’” Today the low-cost
‘My grandfather… would be smiling down on us, and he’d be very happy, very proud,’Jimmy Ormsby.
company is based in Frankton, Hamilton, and employs nearly 100 full time equivalents and almost as many contractors.
Waitomo Group has gone hard, growing from a business-to-business fuel wholesaler to a business to customer retailer. It opened its first petrol station in 2012, aiming to be 20 cents a litre below the market rate, and its first South Island station in 2019. Waitomo Group has five stations planned for Nelson in the coming year busting the 100 fuel stops and diesel stops ceiling nationally.
As well as winning the Supreme Award the company won the Business Growth and Strategy Award and the Sustainability Award at the Waikato Chamber of Commerce event on Friday. Waitomo Group was also
a finalist in the Innovation, People and Culture, and Marketing categories of the awards.
“Dad gave me a phone call the next day,” Jimmy said. “He was buzzing.”
“My grandfather, who passed away 22 years ago in 2001, would be amazed. He would be smiling down on us, and he’d be very happy, very proud,” Jimmy said.
On Monday Jimmy took the business award trophies to his dad, who now lives north of Hamilton, to show them off.
“Fantastic, I am so proud of you.” Grey said to Jimmy. “You must be so proud of the team too.”
He is.
On the option to exit, Grey said he was confident the company would perform better under Ormsby family ownership.
Waitomo Group now considers itself a market disruptor, offering competitive prices at retail as well as bulk fuel supply via commercial mini tankers for commercial and farm trade operators.
Jimmy’s wife Ailsa serves on the board while their oldest daughter, Isla, is helping the group manager of revenue in her gap year.
Other award winners:
Business Growth & Strategy Award - Waitomo Group, Chief Executive of the Year - Pam Roa, Longveld, Community Contribution - Hamilton Multicultural Services Trust, Emerging Leader - Ashley Mason, Sentinel Homes, For Purpose - Wild Bamboo, Innovation - Waikato Milking Systems, Marketing - Gallagher Animal Management, Small Business - Brainchild, People and Culture – Longveld, Service - Whites Powersports, Sustainability - Waitomo Group.
PARADE CHRISTMAS
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You do not need to be a registered patient with us to attend this clinic. Many services are subsidised, so the cost is reduced for most patients.
Contraception:
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Waitomo Group’s Grey Ormsby, left, and Jimmy Ormsby with the Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
Board acknowledges fund warning
By Chris Gardner
Don’t fund don’t burn Waipa.
That was the message Waipa District Council strategy group manager Kirsty Downey told Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board last week.
The board was considering a raft of funding applications for money from its discretionary fund.
The lobby group applied for $2000 to help pay for flyers and public submissions workshops in response to Hamilton-based Global Contracting Solutions’ application to build and operate a waste-to-energy plant in Te Awamutu. The Racecourse Road application will be heard by a board of inquiry which is receiving submissions.
The board elected not to approve the funding.
Downey had warned providing funding could lead to wider reputational damage, “not only to the community board, but also to the wider council and also with that increased legal risks”.
She said the advocacy group, community board, and wider community could make their views known through the submission process which ends on December 18.
“This is a far more appropriate avenue to address this project, rather than the expenditure of public funds towards advocacy,” she said.
Board chair Ange Holt, who lives near the proposed site of the plant, and member Sally Whitaker both declared an interest in the Don’t Burn Waipā discussion.
Don’t Burn Waipa spokesperson Angie Barrowcliffe told the board the organisation
wanted to get information to the community so that it could make an informed decision.
“…if they can prove that it is safe we won’t be against it, but I guess at this stage it’s yet to be decided by the RMA process.
“A lot of people want someone to ask questions, so we are trying to hold public meetings at the library. We’ve been relying on the generosity of local businesses and community members making donations and we just felt it was worth applying for some funding to help get that information to the community.”
Board deputy chair Kane Titchener, who previously signalled the board would draft a notice of motion opposing the application, said advocacy was a real rollercoaster.
“You go up and down and all over the place emotionally, it’s real tough” he said.
“I appreciate your efforts. It’s a huge task that you’re taking on and I know that it’s costly and takes a lot of time and resource. Thank you very much for what you are doing. The health of the community is really important.”
Grants approved were: Kāinga Ora Community House $1500, Operation Christmas Hampers $1700, Te Awamutu Citizen’s Advice Bureau $999, Enrich Plus $1600, Loving Arms Charitable Trust $1200, Rotary Club of Te Awamutu Christmas Parade $1974, Te Awamutu Baptist Church Little Sparrows Playgroup $1000, Te Awamutu BMX Club $2000, Te Awamutu Community Cadet Unit $1800, Te Awamutu Community Toy Library $1500, Te Awamutu Youth Development $500, Te Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade $1000, Girl Guide Association $1800,
National win for jump jammers
By Viv Posselt
Pirongia School’s stompingly-good jump jammers won big at this month’s Jump Jam Nationals in Tauranga.
Soon after winning the Year 7-8 Strictly Open division, the school’s ‘Bewitching Pirongia’ team heard it had scored the highest points in New Zealand for the category –so won the national title as well.
Proud coach Nicola Spence said team members gave up their lunchtimes
three or four times a week towards perfecting their routine.
“They trained hard and were always excited to come along to practices. They put their hearts into the performance at nationals and created a wonderful performance.”
Equally elated is school principal Kelly Bicknell.
“Once again, I was blown away by our team’s sharp and energetic performance. Miss Spence and the team have poured countless hours into preparing for this competition and it
"We're both fortunate to have trained in Paris, at the epicentre of E • • " uropean cu1s1ne.
Jean-BaptistePilou
You're on an elevated terrace overlooking a manicured tea garden, the Hakarimata ranges in the distance.
The decor is restrained. Neutral colours, comfy chairs, somewhere a whisky bar. A grand piano quietly pl ays in the next room.
A glance at the menu. Duck mousse, oysters, jamon, yellowfin tuna for starters.
Mains of sumptous lamb, fresh dory, wagyu eye fillet. And OMG veal ribeyes!
But menus are just headlines. Between the lines is the magic. The craft, the process, the supporting cast of ingredients, layer on layer.
All carefully selected, prepared and cooked under the eye of Jean-Baptiste Pilou and Valentina Avecilla.
Camellia Restaurant is French inspired, and the French love courses, and the time and space to digest. So of course there are incredible desserts prepared by a pattisserie chef, and amuses bouches, and a cellar and a super-helpful sommelier who happens to come from Spain. Be brave and ask his advice - it's all part of the service.
Last word goes to chef JB. "ValentinaandI ...werebothfortunatetohavetrainedinParisat theepicentreofEuropeancuisine.Everydaywe tryandbringsomeofthatmagictothetableat CamelliaRestaurant."
truly showed. I couldn’t be prouder of them all!”
‘Bewitching Pirongia’ is a composite team made up of two separate school teams that won top prizes in their respective categories in the September regionals. Those teams – ‘Pirongia Pulse’ and ‘Pirongia Bewitching’ – performed so well that they were invited to put a combination team into the Open category of the Jump Jam Nationals on November 9. The composite team performed the song Magik 2.0.
Head over to Camellia's website for the full menu, some background on JB and Valentina, and lovely photos of the venue and dishes*. •Ourmenuchangesfrequently.
CAMELLIA RESTAURANT
atZealongTeaEstate
Lunch: Thu-Sun • Dinner: Fri, Sat Bookings: camellia@zealong.co.nz • 07 855 7558 www.camelliarestaurant.co.nz
‘Bewitching Pirongia’ tickled pink after their stunning win at the nationals in Tauranga.
ON SHAKY GROUND
Our city in a volcano
By Janine Krippner
In Aotearoa we have an incredible array of cities by the ocean, near lakes or mountains, and in some cases, on or in volcanoes.
Did you know that Lake Rotorua (Te Rotorua nui ā Kahumatamomoe) and the city itself are sitting inside a caldera? In the North Island we have a good number of calderas – formed when eruptions eject so much magma that the ground collapses, leaving a large depression.
Some of these have filled with water to give us our beautiful lakes, like Taupō to the south.
Thankfully, the large eruptions that lead to calderas forming are relatively rare compared to much smaller eruptions.
The Rotorua caldera formed during a very large explosive eruption around 240,000 years ago, producing the Mamaku ignimbrite deposits (from pumice-rich pyroclastic flows) around the region.
The thickness of this deposit is estimated at over 1 km within the caldera and is more than 120m thick to the east of Rotorua city. The average thickness outside of the caldera is 72.5m.
This eruption buried the landscape.
The caldera itself is about 20km across, and the lake fills a good portion of this.
The amount of magma that erupted during this one eruption to form the ignimbrite, leading to the collapse, was about 145 cubic km.
The deposit itself is bigger because there are a lot of small spaces within it – reaching at least 339 cubic km. This is hard to visualise, so for a comparison the entire volume of Ruapehu volcano is about 150cubic km and it took around 200,000 years to get that big.
Since the calderaforming eruption, younger eruptions have produced lava domes. These form when near-solid lava squeezes out at the surface to build up a mound often reaching hundreds of metres in height over time. Mokoia Island within the lake is one of them at about 158,000 years old, as well as Mt Ngongotaha, Hinemoa Point, Kawaha Point, and Pukeroa Hill.
While much smaller than the calderaforming events, you still wouldn’t want to be near one of these eruptions. These can also be violent and can partially collapse to form hot and fast pyroclastic flows made up of a lot of dense rocks.
Rotorua lake itself came afterwards, at an age of at least 65,000 years old. Terraces around the lake provide evidence of when the water levels were much higher.
With the most recent eruption that we know of being around 25,000 years ago, this is a pretty quiet volcano.
We do, however, get to make the most of the plentiful geothermal activity within it thanks to the magmatic heat (rocks and fluid) remaining deep below the surface. We really don’t have to look far around here to see examples of how volcanoes have shaped our lives in New Zealand. Without the Rotorua caldera we wouldn’t have Lake Rotorua.
Would we have a city there without it? Would this be our cultural capital without the resulting geothermal activity?
About 240,000 years after the large eruption, we are still living with the benefits of this incredible feat of nature.
Connection the key
Phil Strong, Senior Leader, Zion
I recently attended a Business Chamber event hosted by Waipā District Council.
It was a fantastic environment to connect with other community leaders, counicl staff, and hear from Mayor Susan as she introduced the new chief executive Steph O’Sullivan.
What stood out to me the most from Steph’s kōrero was her commitment to connection; evidenced by her running shoes, which she said were necessary to keep up the pace of her engagements with the region.
I applaud the council for their consultative approach to Ahu Ake, seeking input from residents across the district. I took the time to read the draft of their Enhanced Annual Plan which was full of information that helped to explain the ‘business’ of council. All of this to say, this is a strong demonstration of connection being the key to community.
Jesus instructed His followers to be boldly and brightly connected with their community.
He said it this way; “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”
The Christian Church Leaders of Te Awamutu gather monthly to share with and support one another.
In these discussions we learn of the many great works done to support people across Waipā. Unfortunately, many of these initiatives go unrecognised.
Here at Zion, we are quite bold in our proclamation of community connection and the efforts we undertake to draw people together.
This is not for pride or applause, rather
driven by a desire that people feel welcome to come and celebrate the life we share as members of the same community.
My team have done a stellar job recently connecting with a large number of local businesses and schools as we extend our annual Tree Awamutu event. What excites me about this project is the way people from many parts of the community are coming together in collaborative commitment to “shine their light.”
As a church, we don’t forget the subsequent statement of Jesus that helps to explain
His motive for His missive. He adds, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
The reason we seek to serve others is so that, by our love and good deeds, they can see our motive.
We serve others in love because Jesus first loved us. We give to others because Jesus was given as the best Christmas present, ever. We welcome people because we were warmly welcomed by Jesus. We love people so that they might pause to ask “why?”
Connection only occurs when two or more participate—it’s impossible to have connection alone. I encourage you to reach out to others in the school car park, holler hello over the fence, offer to pick up groceries for someone else, or go the extra mile and mow their lawns.
The essence of Christian faith is community, gathered around Jesus as the source of love and hope, sharing what we have with each other.
WAIPĀ DOUBLE DECKER EV
TREE AWAMUTU 2024
+ Wooden tree trail Dec 11–13
Wooden Christmas Tree Trail
Displayed in Te Awamutu businesses all of December
Pop-up Christmas Tree Forest
11–13 December 7pm – 9pm
Zion Hub, 38 Churchill St, Te Awamutu
Kids Christmas Treasure Hunt
Find out more:
facebook.com/treeawamutu
Open 7 days 9am – 4.30pm
Fresh organic blueberries in season now. Available from Café Irresistiblue.
Now ear this…
Waipā boxer Floyd Masson took to social media to show off a cauliflower ear after his points loss to Polish boxer Mateusz Masternak last weekend.
Masson, Te Awamutu born and Brisbane based, was making his first appearance in Europe.
He impressed in what proved to be a 6-4 win on rounds to the Pole – every judge scored the 10 round cruiserweight fight 96-94.
Masternak, 37, took his record to 49 wins from 55 bouts. He has pedigree – in December 2015 he went the distance with Tony Bellew, who later moved to heavyweight, twice knocked out David Haye and saw his own career finish at the hands of current world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in late 2018.
For Masson it was a second defeat in 16 outings. He lost his IBO World Cruiserweight title to Belgian Yves Ngabu last year.
A good showing in defeat, though, can open a lot of doors in boxing and Masson will have put himself in the frame for promoters looking for good match ups in the cruiserweight division.
“What has been noted by international
boxing experts and Poland media is Masson might not have won the fight but he definitely won the fans, earning respect from the Polish people,” boxing scribe Benjamin Watt told The News.
He expects Masson to get back into the ring in April at the earliest. Domestic competition could be in the form of WBA Oceania champion John Parker – brother of heavyweight Joseph - or Australian Jason Whateley, who went the distance with Masternak in late 2022.
Bowlers ride to the rescue
Bowlers have raised $1100 for Te Awamutu’s Riding for the Disabled organisation.
Kihikihi Bowling Club’s latest tournament was a departure from the norm, in that all proceeds from the day were donated.
156 Turkington Road, Monavale, Cambridge
Signposted off the Cambridge-Te Awamutu Road
Only 15-minute drive from central Te Awamutu bookings@cafeirresistiblue.conz www.cafeirresistiblue.co.nz
Looking for a great place to have your Christmas function? Café Irresistiblue have great Day & Evening options available. Visit www.cafeirresistiblue.co.nz for more details.
Representatives from the RDA attended the prize giving and co-ordinator Rosalie Rea spoke about the role of the riding for the disabled in the community.
Bowlers also came to the party with individual donations – and the return of prize money into the pool.
The Tournament attracted a full field of bowlers from throughout the Waikato and King Country and the results indicated the level of competition out on the green with only one team managing four wins from four and three finishing with three wins and a draw.
The winners were the Te Kuiti team of Kevin Higgins (skip), Steve Woods and Peter Lange. Second place went to a Kihikihi team of Owen Johnston (skip), Irving Garrett and Don Millin. Cambridge Central’s Robbie Davidson (skip), Ron Greenwood and Craig Pilkington were third.
156 Turkington Road, Monavale, Cambridge
Signposted o the Cambridge - Te Awamutu Road
Only 15 minute drive from central Te Awamutu P 027 834 3501 E bookings@cafeirresistiblue.co.nz Open Daily, 9am-4.30pm
Floyd Masson won over the Polish crowd.
The winning Te Kūiti team was Peter Lange, Steve Woods and Kevin Higgins, pictured with Riding for the disabled volunteers Cara de Villiers, Stellest de Villiers and Rosalie Rea.
WAIPA
Community Connect
November 21, 2024
A record-breaking heroes’ welcome confirmed
A community celebration to welcome home Waipā’s record number of Olympians and Paralympians is set to be the district’s largest-ever celebration of our champion athletes.
Following New Zealand’s most successful Olympic campaign, 20 Waipā athletes, along with their coaches and support crew, will be honoured at a Civic ceremony and community event on Victoria Square, Cambridge on Friday, December 13.
The festivities will take place from 3pm to 6pm, with the athletes on stage from 4pm, offering the community a chance to celebrate our local champions and enjoy family-friendly activities.
Mayor Susan O’Regan will lead the Civic ceremony. “Waipā is the Home of Champions in every sense of the word,” O’Regan said.
“We are a champion community and it’s important we come together after a busy year, to have some fun and celebrate the mahi and achievements of our inspiring Olympians and Paralympians.”
Confirmed as attending are cyclists Ellesse Andrews, Shaane Fulton, Rebecca Petch, Bryony Botha and
Emily Sherman, rowers Brooke Francis and Phoebe Spoors, sailor Micah Wilkinson and teammate Erica Dawson and para-cyclists Anna Taylor and Devon Briggs, to name just a few.
Along with an opportunity to snap a selfie with their favourite athletes and see a medal up close, attendees can enjoy a family atmosphere with games, food trucks, and live music. Camille Guzzwell from The Breeze will MC the event and host a casual Q&A with the athletes.
We encourage people to walk, scoot or bike to the event to minimise parking pressure. A free bus service to the event will be running from Te Awamutu and Hamilton.
For details visit: waipadc.govt.nz/partyinthepark WaipaDistrictCouncil waipa_nz
Te Awamutu waste -to-energy plant
People have until December 18 to share their views on the proposed Te Awamutu waste-to-energy plant, as it’s now considered an issue of ‘national significance’ and will be decided by a Board of Inquiry.
The nearly 900 submissions already made to Waipā District Council will be considered by the Board of Inquiry – they do not need to be relodged and all previous requests to speak at the hearing will be taken onboard.
Anyone who wishes to make a new or further submission must sent it directly to the Environmental Protection Authority. For more information scan the QR code.
Te Awamutu parking review
We’re working with the Te Awamutu business community to review how parking works in the town centre. Details are still being finalised, but over summer Council will trial extending the one-hour limit spots to two hours, giving people more time to shop and run errands in town.
Transport Manager Bryan Hudson said the trial would give the council time to work out if the longer limits work for businesses in Te Awamutu CBD, and where shorter-term parking for quick turnovers may be needed.
“The change is expected to provide greater flexibility for shoppers and visitors and reflects a shared commitment to making Te Awamutu a more convenient and vibrant place to live, work, and shop,” Hudson said.
“We’re trialling this at the request of the community, and the point of a trial is that we can be flexible throughout the process, with the ability to tailor the parking to best meet everybody’s needs. We can reverse any changes that cause unexpected negatives, so we’re looking forward to hearing how it works or doesn’t work for people and businesses alike.”
Ready for a new season?
Thursday 28 and Friday 29 November, 10am – 2pm, 319 Manaia Road (off Frontier Road), Te Awamutu.
With acres of gorgeous grounds to enjoy, there’s nothing quite like Arvida Whai Mauri Ora at this time of year. Join us at our open days and explore our brand new villas, perched on the top of the ridge with views towards Mt Pirongia and Mt Kakepuku, all while enjoying a few festive treats. Plus, all groups over 65 years will receive a $50 Prezzy Card after the tour, whilst stock lasts.
It’s the ultimate in lifestyle living for over-65s, so don’t miss your chance to secure your spot in this special community.
Call Juliet on 021 240 7192 or find out more at arvida.co.nz/whaimauriora
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Memorandum (4)
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Woodworker (9)
Trespasser (8)
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Banish (5) 22. Buying and selling (7)
Across: 1. Marge, 4. Gibber, 8. Sublime, 9. Outdo, 10. Noise, 11. Dungeon, 12. Equity, 14. Sextet, 17. Parable, 19. Spare, 21. Elves, 22. Imagine, 23. Plunge, 24. Yield.
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Quarrel (8)
String (5)
Administration Manager
– Join Cogswell Surveys Ltd
Location: Cambridge, NZ
Salary: From $75,000 (based on experience)
Hours: Full-time, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Cogswell Surveys, a trusted name in land development since 1965, is looking for an Administration Manager to support our friendly, local team.
What You’ll Do:
• Financial Administration: Manage payroll, invoicing, budgets, and reconciliations (Xero and Excel).
• Project Coordination: Help keep projects and workflows on track.
• Communication: Provide updates and manage team requests.
• Tech-Savvy: Comfortable with Microsoft 365 suite and open to learning new software.
Skills Required:
• Financial Expertise: Experience with payroll, invoicing, and reconciliations, ideally using Xero and Excel.
• Strong Organisational Skills: Ability to coordinate multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fastpaced work environment.
• E ective Communicator: Confident in managing updates, triaging requests, and collaborating with various stakeholders.
• Adaptability: Willingness to learn new tools and can identify and improve processes.
• Team-Oriented Attitude: A positive, can-do approach that supports a collaborative team environment.
• People Person: Adept at connecting with colleagues and clients alike, ensuring a positive experience for everyone.
Why Join Us?
• Work Locally: Skip the long commute.
• Work-Life Balance: Full-time hours with weekends o .
• Meaningful Work: Support projects that benefit our Clients the Waipā community.
Learn more at www.cogswell.co.nz
Applications Close: 5:00 pm, Friday, 22nd of November 2024.
Apply today by emailing your CV to reception@cogswell.co.nz. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Candidates must be legally entitled to work in NZ and pass credit and criminal record checks.
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Ph Leanne 027 487 7854
RUAPUHA UEKAHA HAPU TRUST (Hauturu East 8)
Primary, Intermediate and Secondary Grants 2025 School Year
Education Grant Round NOW OPEN
Karanga mai - calling all descendants of Tanetinorau Opataia, Te Aroa Haami Haereiti, Te Riutoto Aihe & Whatakaraka. You are invited to apply for education grants in the following areas; Primary, Intermediate and Secondary grants for 2025 school year
You can download a application form from the RUHT website www.ruht.co.nz or by contacting educationgrants@ruht.co.nz.
To be eligible for a grant you must be registered with the Ruapuha Uekaha Hapu Trust. Before applying if you are unsure whether your children are registered, please email register@ruht.co.nz.
Applications close Friday, 06 December 24. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
For all queries phone 0800 525 626 or email educationgrants@ruht.co.nz.
NOTIFICATION OF TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES
Waipa District Council will close the following roads to ordinary vehicular traffic on Saturday, 7 December 2024.
Between 7:00am and 1:30pm
• Selwyn Lane – whole Street
• Gorst Avenue– whole Street
Between 8:00am and 1:00pm:
• Mahoe Street – between Churchill Street and Selwyn Lane
• Alexandra Street – between Mutu / Rewi Streets and Sloane Street
• Churchill Street – between Mahoe Street and the Squash Club (335 Churchill Street)
Between 10:30am and 1:00pm:
• Arawata Street – between Mahoe Street and Alexandra / Sloane Streets
• Sloane Street – between Arawata / Alexandra Streets and 35 Sloane Street
• Mahoe Street –between Arawata Street and Selwyn Lane
To enable the organisers to hold the Te Awamutu Christmas
Parade 2024
The application was considered under the Tenth Schedule of the Local Government Act 1974.
Emergency Services will have complete right of way at all times during closure.
For more information, please contact Waipa District Council on 0800 924 723.
Steph O’Sullivan CHIEF EXECUTIVE
