2024 Person of the Year
The reluctant advocate
It was the biggest story of the year and resulted in apologies from the mayor and a new chief executive describing it as a “mea culpa” the council would own. Mary Anne Gill, who covered the story all year, speaks to the man who took council on, and won.
Jared Milbank, a quiet and unassuming man who would much rather walk his dogs with partner Lorna Mitchell and beaver away in his home office, is our Person of the Year.
When the couple read The News’ February 29 story with the headline ‘Put it there!’ Corridor for third bridge revealed’ they realised the house they had bought in Queen St less than three years before, was right in the middle of the Blue Blob, where a road to a bridge would go.
“We couldn’t quite believe it, it’s like ‘they’re not going to bowl all the houses down here?’,” said Jared.
Lorna and Jared both rang The News for more information as they were unable to get any answers from the council.
It was the newspaper they relied on in those early days as no one had consulted with them before the announcement and in the days afterwards.
“We’ve learned a lot about the value of reading a local newspaper and it always surprises me to see
them sitting (unread) in people’s letterboxes,” said Jared.
A campaign, led by Jared, with prodding and help from their neighbours resulted in an independent review and ended with a major council reset by year’s end.
Jared became the reluctant public face, talking to council staff, councillors, community board chair Jo Davies-Colley and then to the community board on March 20 in the public forum.
Very few people knew him – other than the neighbours he met at earlier street Christmas parties and they saw in him someone who could take on the fight.
The couple, both Kiwis, had been living in Melbourne in March 2020 when the Covid threat loomed.
“We thought it was going to last quite a while and we wanted to be back with family.
“We emptied out our apartment, put stuff in storage and got back here,” said Jared.
They moved in with Lorna’s mother on her lifestyle block in
Kumeu. She had been unable to sell because a bypass –ironically also represented by a blue blob - was planned around the village. A window of opportunity came to sell, and she did.
In February 2021, they bought a house with a granny flat in Cambridge paying well above the odds in those heady days.
Both work from home – Jared is a specialist IT consultant for clients in Australia and Lorna does drug discovery research, managing people in labs around the world.
At the community board public forum he calmly presented the neighbourhood’s case impressing Davies-Colley.
“People were shocked like they had been in a car accident shocked,” said Jared. “Shocked in a sense like people that are going to do not rational things, and I don’t think the magnitude of that got read by the councillors who heard them.
Continued on page 2
Our person of the year, Jared Milbank in the neighbourhood and street he helped save.
Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
2024 Person of the Year Te Awamutu
Community comes first
The church leader who helped drive a $10 million affordable housing project is the Te Awamutu News person of the year for 2024.
By Chris Gardner
Zion People church pastor Phil Strong possesses boundless energy where his community is concerned.
His response to the housing crisis was a prime example of that community mindedness.
Under Strong’s leadership, Zion People Church partnered with Habitat for Humanity central region chief executive Nic Greene in 2022 to lead a $10 million affordable housing project on the church’s former Racecourse Road site. Discussions began five years earlier.
Waipā District Council granted resource consent last year for 40 affordable homes on the one-hectare site and there was strong community interest in the development.
A change in Government and a softening housing market caused uncertainty for the project’s timeline this year and Habitat for Humanity’s central region sought funding. The Government had talked about supercharging the sector, enabling better outcomes for communities.
But Strong and Green remain positive the project will soon reap rewards for those in need.
“We are waiting for progress on housing policy,” Strong said. “It’s pleasing to see interest rates coming down.”
Strong, fresh from the threeday free pop-up Christmas Tree Awamutu festival at the church’s new Churchill Street building, greeted news of being named Te Awamutu News Person of the Year for 2024 with a humble laugh.
“Seriously? I hope I get a party hat, I’m surprised,” he quipped before acknowledging the “whole bunch of people” he works alongside in the community.
Another community project, Kihikihi’s Alpha Community Centre, benefitted from the project, getting carpet, doors, kitchen units and toilet pans from the church’s former Racecourse Road property after a Koha changed hands.
A report from Purpose Fill director Paul Gerritsen, whose company cleared the church site in March, showed 365 tonnes of building materials were recycled from the two buildings, leaving 58 tonnes of general waste.
As a member of the Waipā Christian School board of proprietors, Strong is also involved in finding space to add secondary schooling for pupils.
The special Christian character school, in Chapel Drive, Te Awamutu, has been operating for more than 30 years and provides primary education for up to 104 Year 1 to 8 students. It has applied to the ministry to lift the roll to 154 pupils and add secondary schooling for Years
“We are progressing that slowly,” Strong said. “We have got a potential location and had conversations with a few people.”
He expected to be able to make an announcement in February.
Te Awamutu Business Chamber chief executive Shane Walsh turned to Strong, and his team at Zion, to take on this year’s wooden Christmas Tree painting initiative supported by 18 schools in and around the town.
“This year we have managed to get so many from different groups in the community,” he said.
He also oversaw Tree Awamutu at church from Wednesday to Friday last week as businesses, community groups and families constructed trees that represents who they are and what Christmas means to them.
“For us, it’s really about being a community hub, a positive, hope-bringing centre,” Strong said.
“It puts a bit of love and life back into the community.”
“Our message is always we want to love people with no strings attached,” Strong said. “We hope one day they will ask why.”
Strong is also a regular contributor to our Faith in Waipā series.
PICTURED: Phil Strong, Te Awamutu Person of the Year 2024.
The reluctant advocate
Continued from page 1
“I’m glad I went first but some of the people who went after me were much less rational, but they were important too.”
The following night a drop in sessionintended for people living in the Blue Blob area but attended by an estimated 500 people - descended into a farce.
“The mayor was incredibly brave to stand up and talk with all of that happening.
“She tried to talk to a crowd that was a mob, and she tried to address the mob. If it had been managed more carefully… it wouldn’t have got out of hand in the same way,” he said.
Wife Lorna says her husband is a fantastic researcher and good at keeping an open mind.
“Throughout this whole thing it would be very easy for him to have gotten angry and jumped up and down and be irrational. He stayed calm and rational.”
“You actually want to engage,” said Jared.
“There were people who very much wanted to yell and not engage. I still felt engaging was the better route.”
Jared has three messages to Cambridge.
• Know your neighbours
• Know what’s going on by reading your local newspaper and downloading the council’s Antenno App
• Know who is on your community board; they are there to listen and advocate for you.
“Yes, I’ve done some stuff but there were people standing behind me… making sure I had enough gumption to do some of the things,” he said.
• Read a longer version cambridgenews.nz
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Signing off
This is the last edition of the year and we will be back on January 9, 2025. Keep your eye on our website cambridgenews.nz and the Cambridge App for any breaking news stories. Email editor@goodlocal.nz
Pin presented
Cambridge’s Devon Briggs received his number 229 pin from Paralympics NZ at the New Zealand Grand Prix held at the Velodrome in Cambridge. After setting a world record and picking up medals at the 2024 Para Cycling Track World Championships in Brazil, Briggs was part of the New Zealand Paralympic Team at Paris 2024.
Ambulance donated
An ambulance donated from the estate of the late uncle of a Waikato resident was presented in Cambridge last week. The ambulance is being gifted to Manukau. Sidney Wilkinson, who served in the Navy and was a nurse, spent most of his life in South Auckland after moving from the UK in the 1950s. He later moving to a retirement village in Hamilton to be closer to Dave Wilkinson and his wife, Lynn.
With the flow
A waterfall which has been out of action at Cambridge’s Lake Te Koo Utu for some time because of a bore issue, could begin flowing again. The council is working with designer Ian Trousdell to repair parts of the asset.
Weeds winning
Large areas of Te Koo Utu reserve have been overtaken with weed growth including bamboo, convolvulus and jasmine prompting community concern. Waipā Community Services manager Brad Ward said staff do not have the resources to manage the weeds, particularly those on steep banks. The areas will be incorporated into a Vegetation Management Plan and considered for the Long Term Plan.
Church bells stay silent
By Mary Anne Gill
Contractors have finished strengthening the St Andrew’s Church bell tower in Cambridge, but church officials have revealed they need to raise more than $100,000 to complete other work discovered as a result.
Vestry committee members Paul Phillips and treasurer Leonie Austin say it became a voyage of discovery after one of the four 300mm x 300mm kauri beam pillars holding up the bell tower was found to be rotten at the base.
The committee approved a fix up but once builder Steve Greig – an expert on working in churches – got into the vestry, it became clear the pillar was just one symptom of an over-riding problem.
Pigeon poo compromised the guttering –generations of pigeons found nooks and crannies to nest in - and rainwater seeped into the building.
Phillips points to an interior wall where water has been regularly seen running down between the vestry room in the Bell Tower and the eastern end of the church – at the altar end closest to the roundabout.
“This building is very important to the town, and we are hoping that people will want to support us and get on board,” said Austin of the need to raise a six-figure sum to complete it all.
Strengthening of the Bell Tower beam involved installing steel lintels – a type of horizontal structure that spans openings – including a new one over the external vestry door.
Vicar Jennie Savage can now move back into the vestry to change into ceremonial clothes and prepare communion for services.
But because of the other damage, the six cast steel bells in the church belfry will remain silenced over Christmas.
“I’m very sad about that,” said Tokoroa-born Austin who joined the church 30 years ago when she and her husband Steve Gray moved to Cambridge.
“We have missed the bells a lot.”
These were the same bells used to ring in the new Millennium on January 1, 2000 – the most easterly set in the world.
“They’re in recess. Obviously, we need to regroup and move on and hopefully not too far into the new year,” she said.
“There’s a tonne and a half of bells sitting up there,” said Phillips, a more recent member of the church who joined when he moved to the town a decade ago.
Both he and Austin are passionate about getting the church right – they consider themselves custodians for the next generation of church admirers - and abiding by the church’s historic classification.
The church entered Heritage New Zealand’s historic place category one register in November 1984.
“We’re doing what they would want which is to preserve the building and do what they would want.
“We’re not able to replace that rotten pillar with pure kauri so we have to use other material. But that’s not visible, that’s inside the structure, we must use modern material,” said Austin.
“It’s an investment for the future,” said Phillips, a former senior staffer at Affco and originally from Porirua.
“We take it very seriously the responsibility of making sure the repairs make good what had happened, and we preserve the building,” she said.
“I love this place. My daughter was baptised here, she went to Sunday School here. This place is very special.”
St Andrew’s Church was built in 1881 by William G Connolly, from the plans of Thomas Mahoney, for £1570. Rev William Willis checked each piece of timber, rejecting anything that was not heart kauri.
The bells were installed three years later for £360.
Jono Gibson Funeral Director
Committee members Paul Phillips, left, and Leonie Austin inside the vestry room where the kauri pillar has been strengthened in St Andrew’s Church.
Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Repairs being completed by Steve Greig to the vestry room of St Andrew’s Church. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
By Chris Gardner
A look back in time Trailer blazers
A pair of gigantic trailers nearly 15 times the capacity of the average trailer made their way from King Country agricultural manufacturer Giltrap Ag to a new home last week.
Giltrap Ag area manager Tony Jones said the trailers measured 14.2 metres long, 5.7 metres high, and 4.1 metres wide and had a
capacity of 148 cubic tonnes.
“They are 14 times the size of an ordinary trailer,” Jones said.
“This was a fully custom designed project for a commercial customer. We completed a very fast design turnaround of approximately three months from initial concept to the start of manufacturing.”
He would not be drawn on their cost.
Special features included triple axles with independent hydraulic suspension on each wheel and front and rear steering axles.
The rear axle suspension locks when the tipping hoist is raised for stability and an electronic side angle interlock prevents tipping except on level ground for safety.
They set off from Giltrap Ag, on Main North Road, Ōtorohanga, at 3am under
managed road conditions and had special permits - lines companies lifted power poles in places to get them through. They made their way up State Highway 3, across SH21 Airport Rd and onto SH1 Waikato Expressway at Tamahere and then to a Huntly client who will use them off road.Giltrap Ag has manufactured agricultural equipment since it was founded by Wilfred Giltrap in 1959. It is now owned by Caig and Belinda Mulgrew. It also has plants in Timaru, in the South Island, and Melbourne, Australia. Giltrap Ag exports agricultural equipment to 12 countries.
A painting of Hautapu School featuring a school building nestled behind thick bush in 1987 is part of the Timeline: Waikato Art 1850 to 2000 in the reopened Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery.
Dunedin-born Rodney Hamel, 87, who specialises in landscapes and portraits, was a teacher of history and geography at St Paul’s Collegiate in Hamilton from 1963-2000 and often painted the Waikato landscape from the top of Maungakawa.
The Hautapu School painting is part of an extensive Waikato collection.
He used water colours until the 1990s when he began learning to pain with oils and returned to live in Dunedin in 2004.
The exhibition, which opened last week, also features an image of Arapuni Dam by photographer Laurence Aberhart, King Country landscapes by Peter McIntyre and John Weeks and early watercolours of the Waitomo Caves, Pirongia and the Waipā River at Ōtorohanga.
The museum has opened after a six-month closure for renovations
Hautapu School, 1987, by Rodney Hamel. Photo: Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery
Giltrap Ag area manager Tony Jones.
The two trailers were built in Ōtorohanga.
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Future proofing the farm
By Chris Gardner
“That eel has been here longer than I have,” says Judge Valley Dairies farmer John Hayward.
“That’s exciting,”
Hayward told the audience he welcomed onto his Judge Rd, Roto-o-Rangi, farm near Te Awamutu for a DairyNZ led event on maintaining healthy waterways and profit.
The longfin tuna was one of about 30 seen swimming in the stream flanked by flax he had planted. Half a dozen were caught with an
electric fishing machine to demonstrate stream health on the farm.
It was estimated to be just over one metre long and about 30 years old. One day she will swim to Tonga to spawn and her young will return to the Waikato.
Longfin eels can live for 100 years and migrate to the Pacific Ocean to spawn and die as old as 80.
DairyNZ principal scientist Craig Depree said environmental DNA samples had detected six native fish species in the stream on Hayward’s farm.
They were common smelt, inanga, cran’s bully, longfin tuna, shortfin tuna and kakahi.
Flax planted by Hayward along the banks keeps water temperature and invasive species down and encourages native species to thrive.
Hayward, who milks 380 cows twice a day with his wife Waipā district mayor Susan O’Regan, has improved farm waterway health through mitigative and restorative action since they purchased the farm in 2008.
Their work has included using the agricultural management tool Overseer to make data-driven farm decisions about efficient nitrogen use, riparian planting on streams, restoring and fencing wetlands to exclude stock.
“I am the farmer, Susan is the mayor,” he quipped.
The 245-hectare farm includes a 140-hectare dairy platform supplying Open Country Dairy. The remainder of the farm is made up of support land for grazing, native and riparian areas.
Hayward told The News he had planted around 30,000 natives on his
farm with funding from a Ministry for Primary Industries Afforestation Grant, Waikato Regional Council, and his own funding.
It was not easy to do what he and Susan had done but “what we are doing benefits the whole community”.
One of the biggest issues was sediment loss, he said. A million tonnes a year was lost though New Zealand waterways.
“That’s why we planted our Class 7 land to retain sediment,” he said, to prevent or a least slow down erosion.
The farm’s story was shared in Australia in 2012 as part of the Kids Teach Kids project by O’Regan’s son Ben, now 22, when he attended Puahue School.
The farm went on to becomes supreme winner in the 2016 Waikato Balance Farm Environment Awards after collecting the LIC Dairy Farm Award, WaterForce Integrated Management Award, Waikato Regional Council Water Protection Award and the Ballance AgriNutrients Soil Management Award.
Asked by other farmers what his top three farm
priorities were, Hayward said: “We have to make money. I am always fiddling with things. Susan says, ‘you have to jiggle with it.’
I can’t help myself. If we don’t make money we are not here.
“We need to have health cows. They are peak.
“We have to be
sustainable. If we have a system that is not, we are gone as well.”
The farm includes a hilltop hut from which the pair survey their farm.
“I go up there and see the bird life,” Hayward said.
“This is renewing for me. I drive around the farm and it’s like a garden.”
Judge Valley Dairies farmer John Hayward talks to farmers from among his herd.
Jack Hayward, 10, inspects a 30-year old longfin tuna on his parents’ farm.
Celebrating our champions
By Mary Anne Gill
Waipā Olympians and Paralympians who trained tirelessly, sacrificed so much and showed extraordinary courage, grit and determination were honoured in Cambridge last week.
Not all of the athletes could make it – the nature of their sports these days means they could be anywhere in the world at any time – but the ones who were there provided several highlights for the
crowd of mostly children.
Gold medallists Ellesse Andrews, Brooke Francis and Lucy Spoors joined other medal winners and competitors from the Paris OIympic and Paralympic Games.
Cambridge Middle School’s kapa haka group provided a haka to welcome them to Victoria Square following an earlier private function hosted by Waipā District Council.
Mayor Susan O’Regan greeted the athletes saying the celebration
was about recognising their extraordinary achievements.
“We’re incredibly proud to honour them,” she said.
“We’re not just celebrating their achievements; we’re actually celebrating who they are as people and what that represents for all of us.”
She also acknowledged the dedication of so many “unsung heroes” – the parents, coaches, clubs, volunteers and sponsors.
“You are the people who make sure that every athlete has the opportunity to survive and thrive.”
The athletes responded to questions provided by residents with the haka provided by others in the New Zealand team the highlight for most. Watching the Black Ferns win gold provided emotion and inspiration, said others.
Paralympian Devon Briggs, who competed with a dislocated tailbone and dislocated sacrum, spoke of the bakery in the athletes’ village where they could get fresh bread and fruit every day, including croissants.
Athletes then took on children in a few tug of war competitions with Waipā kids showing there are plenty of champions in their midst by easily beating the Paris competitors.
And more entertainment from Cambridge Middle School wrapped up the celebration. Crowd estimates put the numbers
who attended at fewer than 500.
Waipā connections at the Olympics were: Ellesse Andrews, Bryony Botha, Max Brown, Sam Dakin, Brooke Francis, Camille French, Sam Gaze, Jackie Kiddle, Robbie Manson, Jordan Parry,
Tori Peeters, Rebecca Petch, Lucy Spoors, Phoebe Spoors, Corbin Strong, Emma Twigg, Leila Walker, Micah Wilkinson, Ally Wollaston. Paralympics: Danielle Aitchison, Devon Briggs, Nicole Murray, Anna Taylor.
Namesakes: Phoebe Spoors puts the bronze she won at Paris around the neck of Phoebe Kendall, 3, who told The News she was going to compete in the jumping up and down on the spot event when she is eligible. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
It’s mine! Sienna French, 2 1/2 – who attended the Olympics in France with her mother, Olympic marathoner Camille (nee Buscombe) - runs away with Ellesse Andrews’ silver medal during the celebration. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Jenny Cronje, Clinic Co-ordinator Tania Linford, Audiologist
Te Miro principal steps down
By Steph Bell-Jenkins
Stepping down as principal of Te Miro School after seven years is “bittersweet”, says Michaela Phillips.
Always a nature lover, she admitted it would be hard to leave the small rural school in its tranquil hill setting above Cambridge, where tui and kereru regularly flit in from nearby native bush.
“It’s a wonderful school and a hard place to leave,” she said.
“We have an incredible teaching team that work really well together, the school is growing, and we have a really strong board and supportive community. But it’s just time for a change.
“I’m not leaving because I’m unhappy, I’m not leaving because I want to do bigger and better things – it’s just seven years is long enough.”
Looking forward to expanding her vegetable garden and spending more time with family, she said the move was “scary and exciting all at once”.
“I won’t be retiring, I will be looking for new opportunities and they may or may not be in education, I’m not sure yet,” she said.
“I’m keeping my options
open and hopefully something will come my way.”
Phillips lives in Matangi with her husband Mark. Their daughter Holly, her
partner Ruia and their oneyear-old daughter Twiggy have recently moved in while they save for their own home.
“It’s nice to have my little
mokopuna at home.”
Phillips said the biggest challenge during her sevenyear tenure was managing the school through Covid.
“But we were so well
BE SWITCHED ON TO SAFETY THIS SUMMER
When it comes to electricity, safety always comes first.
Whether you’re completing DIY projects, or out driving, it’s important to always be aware of your surroundings and to keep a safe distance from power lines and electrical infrastructure.
Here are some tips to stay safe this summer:
Look up for power lines
Look below before you dig
Keep trees trimmed
Stay clear of downed lines
Take care with high loads
Drive safe – always
Take care working within our network: Remember, safety is everyone’s responsibility. By working together and following these tips, we can ensure a safe and reliable network for everyone.
Head to our website for more information and tips:
schools is a lack of funding to support neurodiverse students.
“We don’t have teacher aides paid for; we have to find the money to employ them, so it’s really difficult because only very high, high-needs children get any financial support from the Government,” she said.
“It’s hard to explain what a huge difference it would make to have a learning assistant in every classroom.”
Phillips worked in early childhood education before becoming a primary school teacher in 2002. She worked at Goodwood School for 10 years, Waikato Waldorf School for four years and Tokorima School in Taumarunui for two years before moving to Te Miro School.
She said it had been a privilege to work at Te Miro School, which was “pretty much the best kept secret in Cambridge”.
“I’ve been supported by the most amazing humans,” she said.
supported through our community it was probably the easiest it could be,” she said. She believes the biggest issue facing New Zealand
“It’s been a really, really great part of my career.”
She will hand the principal role over to Te Pahu School deputy principal Luke Willis.
Te Miro School principal Michaela Phillips with students (from left) Ada Pevreal, Isla Taylor and Maverick Thompson.
December 19, 2024
Community Connect
Facing the futuretogether
As we reach the end of 2024, it’s a time to reflect on the successes of our Waipā District and embrace what lies ahead. Facing the future requires courage - the courage to make bold decisions, and to take action with optimism and determination.
I believe now is the time to be brave. And to be honest, that’s not always easy.
Being a courageous leader doesn’t mean having all the answers or pretending to know everything. We don’t. I certainly don’t. Real leadership can be daunting, because it is about being open, vulnerable, and humble enough to admit we need others’ expertise. In Waipā, we’ve openly acknowledged our missteps - and that honesty is a step toward better governance and rebuilding trust and respect within our communities.
Local government is facing some of the toughest economic landscapes in decades. We are faced with a huge amount of reform that will change who we are as a local authority and also change the way we serve our communities We know there are tough decisions ahead, and we also know we won’t always make everyone happy. But good leadership is not about winning a popularity contest. It’s about doing what is right, even when it’s hard. Leadership with courage means making decisions with the future in mind We become good ancestors. We embrace cathedral thinking. We put principles before personal gain
As we move into 2025, Waipā faces a range of challenges, including major water reform, long-term planning, and necessary resets on some key projects. These will require us to strengthen our relationships
with our community, our partners, and each other. We must also confront the reality of the ongoing cost of living crisis, alongside the urgent issues of climate change, sustainability, and community wellbeing. With disinformation and mistrust growing, the stakes are higher than ever.
As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, the leadership we need is one that values collaboration. He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata - It’s the people, it’s the people, it’s the people. We need leaders who surround themselves with those who challenge them, who offer new perspectives, and who aren’t afraid to fail, learn, and try again.
We need to change the systems that have historically excluded diverse voices. We need to inspire action, not by demanding, but by leading by example.
While history may favour the brave, the future favours those who have the courage to step forward, tackle the challenges of today and build the Waipā we know is possible.
So, let’s be brave, together. Let’s make courageous choices for our communities, our environment, and our future.
From my family to yours, I wish you all the best for the festive season.
Waipā District Mayor, Susan O’Regan
Get ready for the holiday season!
Here are a few key things to keep in mind this Christmas break:
Council offices in Te Awamutu and Cambridge will be closed from noon Tuesday, December 24, 2024, and will re-open 9am Wednesday, January 8, 2025.
If you have any enquiries, you can still call 0800 WAIPADC (0800 924 723) at any time as our phone line is staffed 24/7
Library and Museum closures
The Waipā District Libraries and Te Awamutu Museum Education and Research Centre will also close at noon on Tuesday, December 24, 2024 until 9am on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.
Recycling and rubbish collection
If your recycling collection falls on Wednesday, December 25 or Wednesday, January 1, your collection will be picked up the following day For rubbish collection, please contact your chosen provider –their details will be on your rubbish bags or wheelie bins
Online payments
Online payments can still be made during the holidays on our website Scan the QR Code.
Resource and building consent applications
Scan the QR code to check your recycling day
The period from Friday, December 20 to Monday, January 13 is excluded from the 20 working-day time frame for processing resource and building consent applications.
0800
Students chip in
By Steph Bell-Jenkins
Jutta Mark
MA, BSocSc(Psyc) Clinical Hypnotherapist Dip Adv Hyp NZ Reg MNZAPH
PO Box 113, Cambridge 3450 07 827 6922 | 021 651 949 email.juttas@xtra.co.nz www.cambridgehypnotherapy.co.nz
ENGINEERING SUPPLIES
Cambridge High School students collected 240 pieces of pre-owned school uniform for Cambridge Community House.
Pukeroro House leaders and members of a year 11 media studies class organised the initiative, spearheaded by students Megan Botha, Taryn Oosthuizen and Sasha Sergiychuk.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the response from school families,” Sergiychuk said.
Cambridge Community House’s second-hand uniform shop, run by volunteers, sells Leamington School, Cambridge Middle School and Cambridge High School uniforms for a koha.
“Some parents cry when we say they only have to pay a donation, because it’s so stressful for them to uniform their children with the cost of living and everything else,”
Cambridge Community House receptionist Amy Watkins said.
“It’s really tough out there at the moment and I think it’s getting tougher and tougher and tougher. Our financial mentoring services are full, our mentors are very, very busy supporting people within our community, and the need for financial mentoring is increasing.”
Watkins said the uniform shop usually received two – but sometimes up to 10 – customers daily and was busiest at the start of each school term.
It was particularly popular in January, when parents and caregivers were trying to avoid back-to-school budget blowouts.
“At the beginning of the year people are recovering from Christmas and holidays, they’ve got stationery to purchase – buying new uniforms can be a massive expense,” she said.
Get Gardening
Many gardens get a bit neglected after Christmas with people heading away on their summer holidays. Give all plants, indoor, garden and potted, a good dose of liquid fertiliser before you leave on your holiday to provide them with plenty of energy while you are away. If possible, cover any edible crops with bird netting to ensure you don’t come home to half eaten produce. If you are staying at home, it would be a great time to get into the garden centre while it is a bit quieter and get the vege, herb and perennial garden refreshed to keep it going through to the end of summer. Lastly, the team at Amber would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year! Happy gardening!
CAMBRIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE CALLS OVER THE LAST WEEK
TUESDAY
CAMBRIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE C ALLS OVER THE L AST WEEK
6:46am, Single car MVA, Ohaupo Road
WEDNESDAY
WEDNESDAY
12:50am, Alarm Sounding, Anzac Street 7:39am, Light on fire, Duke Street
THURSDAY
9:55am, Cardiac Arrest, Bryce Street 1:09pm, Building Alarm and evacuation, Ruakura Road
10:30am, Truck rolled, Kaipaki Road
11:56pm, Building Alarm and evacuation, Hautapu Road
SATURDAY
10:08pm, Vegetation fire, Hautapu Road
FRIDAY
SUNDAY
8:42am, Building Alarm and evacuation. Maungatautari Road
3:30am, Medical, cardiac arrest, Tennyson Street
12:58pm, Medical, unconscious, Grey Street 1:31pm, Building alarm and evacuation, Puutikitiki St, Hamilton
SUNDAY 3:53am, Medical assistance, Karapiro Road
2:29pm, Power box fire, Thornton Road 4:19pm, Building alarm, Cambridge Road
Cambridge High School media studies teacher Vanessa Tupp sorts donated uniforms. Tupp, assistant dean of Pukeroro House, said Cambridge Community House supported many families and students connected with the school.
Leaky building work done
By Steph Bell-Jenkins
Cambridge High School is well positioned to accommodate roll growth through to at least 2030, says principal Greg Thornton.
The school is working through an infrastructure development plan signed off with the Ministry of Education last year.
Phase three – weathertightening of R and D Block – has just been completed. Work began in term one.
“In terms of population pressure, for the first time since I’ve been here, we’re now actually able to house our students in classrooms without having to look at bringing on extra pre-fabs,” Thornton said.
The block is named after former school staff members
Pat Rogers and Tilly de la Mare.
Its 15 classrooms have been retained, but two language rooms have been converted into science labs, funded by the school’s board.
Science faculty head Brooke Dillon said the extra labs would “help to give a much more hands-on experience” for students and provide a more collaborative workspace for teachers.
Thornton said the refurbishment work had
stalled at points because of delays in obtaining ministry approval, but the ministry had been helpful by providing temporary science labs.
“R and D Block was leaking so badly, colleagues were using big bins to stop downpours of rain soaking through their computers and teaching resources,” he said.
“But when they lifted the lid on it, the structural damage wasn’t as bad as they’d thought, so they were able to finish ahead of schedule.”
The block was reopened on December 9 with a dawn
blessing attended by about 40 people.
Thornton said the building had been given a facelift, making it look and feel “much more open and welcoming”.
The campus development plan launched with a weather-tightness upgrade on the school’s administration block, completed early last year.
Phase two was the construction of S Block, a 15-classroom building opened last December to replace a smaller, 11-classroom building of the same name.
The building’s completion date blew out from 2018 to 2023 as a result of challenges getting budget and design approval from the ministry, putting classroom space under serious strain.
This was compounded by roll growth - from 1432 students in 2013 to 1800 in 2024.
Twenty-one pre-fabricated classrooms on the Swayne Rd campus have been used to accommodate students while the development plan is being implemented.
Phase four, weatherproofing M Block, will launch next year.
“That’s likely to be a bit more dramatic because of the construction methods used in the building,” Thornton said.
He expected work to begin in late term three or early term four.
Phase five of the plan, which will help the school to comfortably accommodate a roll of 2300, is the construction of a 10-classroom block where the school’s tennis courts lie.
“It’s pretty exciting to have the momentum that we’ve got with the construction work, having support from the ministry to address a need that’s really obvious,” Thornton said.
Piarere update
Construction on the new 60-metre roundabout at Piarere reached another milestone when the first completed approach roads opened this week.
The roundabout opened to traffic in September and two temporary approach roads were used while work continued on the three permanent approaches.
The change this week sees traffic from all three of the legs approaching the roundabout – the intersection of highways 1 and 29 - using the roundabout.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) acting regional manager Infrastructure Delivery Waikato/Bay of Plenty Bruce Waugh said the temporary layout had operated well and planning was made with a view to keeping the road open during the switch.
The opening of these approaches results in the current tiein road for Tīrau traffic becoming an access lane for nearby properties.
The temporary Hamilton approach road will remain in use while work continues on the permanent configuration, which is expected to be finished in early 2025.
Briefs…
Help at hand
A Waipā Networks owned company which has celebrated 10 years of donations to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is encouraging others to follow suit. Waikato Tree Services donates five days of arborist services every year to maintain walking tracks and help protect the sanctuary from predators on the maunga.
Rates rise
It’s the Christmas present no Waipā ratepayer wanted to get –a 15.5 per cent rate increase from July next year. Waipā District Council will send its Draft 2025-2034 Long Term Plan out for community consultation with rate increases of 15.5, 10.7 and 6.9 per cent in the first three years. By year four, and subsequent years, the increase would be 2.3 per cent.
Sports off
The Sports Field Lease Model project has been taken out of Waipā District Council’s 10-year Long Term Plan. A total of $5.159 million was to be spent on the council taking control of the district’s 17 ratepayer-owned sports fields and employing a sports liaison officer from 2027.
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From left, Greg Thornton, Board of Trustees member Helen Martens, assistant principal Mike Cole and Brooke Dillon outside block which has just reopened.
Council's stance criticised
By Chris Gardner
The man behind the plan to build a waste to energy plant in Te Awamutu has spoken out against Waipā District Council’s objection to the project.
Global Contracting Solutions managing director Craig Tuhoro took to social media to express disappointment at Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan’s comments on the Paewira
Energy-from-Waste project at a workshop.
O’Regan said the council had to consider the worstcase scenario if the plant was to be built, particularly on the proposed site, Racecourse Road, which is next to residential neighbourhoods and the Mangapiko Stream.
“I want some real focus on that, both on a personal level and a council mayoral level,”
O’Regan directed staff on the
council submission.
“The stakes are extremely high, and I want to make sure that the inquiry around those negative impacts isn’t just limited to the neighbouring streets.”
The council is one of hundreds of objectors to the plan that goes before a Board of Inquiry next year.
Tuhoro said his company had been engaged with district council planners
Plume Plotter data debated
By Chris Gardner
Paewira Energy-from-Waste project director
Adam Fletcher says he is not surprised or concerned by a computer model showing the enormous extent of the proposed Te Awamutu plant’s plume.
Lobby group Don’t Burn Waipā released what it called “shocking imagery” showing the proposed incinerator’s plume covered the town after UK website Plume Plotter processed data from Global Contracting Solutions’ application and weather information.
The website produces an hourly snapshot of the extent of the modelled incinerator plume from Racecourse Road and a composite plot of the average extent over a year.
Kihikihi Community Board are objecting to the plan and Waikato Regional Council is completing a submission for the board.
Paewira Energy-from-Waste project director Adam Fletcher said the company was pleased people were engaging with the science as it is a complex issue.
“This demonstrates the difference between modelled information prepared for a consent application and actual results. From this people will see that even with the modelled results being well below permitted standards, the actual results from our new plant, which operates in essentially the same way as the Rockingham plant, will be even better than our predictions.”
Don’t Burn Waipā spokesman Eoin Fitzpatrick said the group was planning on presenting the data to the Board of Inquiry which will decide the application next year.
“The extent of the plume is enormous, and it extends over residential land,” Fitzpatrick said.
“Waste incinerators are usually sited in industrial areas not residential neighbourhoods surrounded by schools like this proposal.”
“The negative health and environmental impacts of this will be huge. New Zealand already has very poor air quality, and thousands of premature deaths from air pollution every single year Fitzpatrick said.
“This tool shows just exactly what our community is facing. It cannot be overstated what a bad proposal this is.” Waipā District Council and the Te Awamutu-
The image provided via Plume Plotter shows how the app believed oxides of nitrogen would have spread from the incinerator had it operated in Te Awamutu 2023 – ranging from 3-4 micrograms in red, two to three in green and up to two in blude. The concentration of an air pollutant is given in micrograms (one-millionth of a gram) per cubic meter air or µg/m3.
Coromandel says no deal
By Chris Gardner
Thames-Coromandel District Council has voted not to sign the non-binding Waikato Water Done Well agreement exploring establishing a joint Waikato council-controlled organisation to deliver water services.
Ōtorohanga and Taupo district council has voted to sign the agreement with Matamata-Piako District Council, South Waikato District Council, Waipā District Council and Waitomo District Council.
Thames Coromandel also voted to continue working on modelling activities.
“Without that modelling information it’s very hard to make final decisions,” councillor Martin Rodley told The News. “We did not see the need to rush into Waikato Water Done Well. We wanted to keep our options open.”
Under Local Water Done Well legislation, all councils are required to produce a water services delivery plan by September, ensuring future delivery is financially sustainable and meets quality standards.
Thames-Coromandel District Council members also decided to explore synergies through shared working arrangements with neighbouring Hauraki District Council and explore joint water
service opportunities with Hamilton and Tauranga city councils.
Thames-Coromandel mayor Len Salt, in a statement, said decisions would follow community consultation and be announced around April 2025.
An independent review showed Thames-Coromandel District Council was in a relatively good position with reasonable assets and lower relative debt compared to some councils.
Ōtorohanga mayor Max Baxter said engineering consultants Beca had shown his district could probably provide water services as a standalone entity.
Waikato District Council identified Hamilton City Council as its preferred water partner last Friday but has not ruled out joining Waikato Water Done Well. It will consult with ratepayers in March.
Hamilton City Council has opted out of Waikato Water Done Well but made it clear last week Waipā District Council was still welcome to join it.
Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan said, in a statement, the decision was critical.
“The good news is that we have options – it’s a great position to be in. But it makes our decision harder as there is a lot of information to take into account, and no time to waste.”
Hauraki District Council was to discuss whether to sign the agreement yesterday. (December 18).
Council's stance criticised
Continued from previous page
for three years via external consultant reports as that is how the Resource Management Act is applied.
“At no stage have we had an opportunity to engage with the mayor or councillors since they were elected to showcase the opportunity this development affords the community,” he said.
“We would also like to remind the council we were invited to bring the project to this region by former mayor Jim Mylchreest,” Tuhoro said. “Maybe the people need to bring this kind man back who obviously cared about the environment not just politics.”
Mylchreest denied the claim.
“That is not my recollection at all,” he said. “I do recall having a discussion with them. I would have been very neutral on it. It was obviously going to have to
Briefs…
go through a resource consent process. As a governing body we have to be careful not to take a position on it.”
Tuhoro said the world needs innovative solutions to waste management and climate change and “Paewira is just that”.
“It utilises technology that has been proven around the world to be safe, reliable and contribute to higher levels of resource recovery than New Zealand could achieve without it. The technical submissions we are required to make reinforce this.”
He was disappointed the council had taken its position without exploring the opportunity deeper.
“What if Te Awamutu in five years could become the first zero-carbon township in the country, with zero waste going to landfill, poisoning Papatuanuku in someone else’s backyard, and have the highest recycling contribution in the country?
“Perhaps that would be a leadership position on waste and recycling that a community could engage with rather than be mis-led by disinformation and scaremongering.”
On patrol
Teenagers caught vandalising Terry Came Drive playground in Cambridge North have given time back to the community by painting over graffiti in other locations. Vandalism at the playground has decreased since the installation of a security camera.
Correction
Brent Montgomerie is Lions Club Cambridge president, not past president as we published in last week’s story about the donation of a piano to the town hall.
Waikato Regional Council maritime officers will be patrolling coastal and inland waters in force this summer as part of the annual Operation Neptune. The annual operation from Boxing Day to January 12 covers coastal, lake and river boating areas across the Waikato region. This includes Raglan and Kāwhia in the west, the Coromandel Peninsula, along with the Waikato River from Port Waikato through to Lake Karāpiro and Lake Arapuni down to Lake Ōhakuri. Last summer, Operation Neptune staff identified 393 bylaw breaches and issued 94 formal warnings issued and 299 infringements.
Craig Tuhoro says the world needs innovative solutions to waste management and climate change
Gotcha
Festival founder signs off
By Viv Posselt
Alan Milton was widely known for his kindness, his steady hold on a principled life and his unwavering sense of service.
He is also someone who will leave an indelible mark on this community.
His was the nugget of an idea that grew into Cambridge’s Autumn Festival, Alana MacKay said in a joint message penned by
festival trustees after Alan’s farewell at St Andrew’s Church last week.
He died on December 3, aged 88 and left the community with a rich legacy.
“Alan took great joy in making Cambridge a better place,” the trustees wrote. “He thought that an annual autumn festival in town would be a great fit and spent two years in partnership with David McCathie [Alana MacKay’s dad] setting up the first
Cambridge Autumn Festival in 2009.”
Alan and David recruited Jocelyn Cooney as a third founding trustee, and together they crafted the much-loved festival that continues to fill Cambridge with music and song at each summer’s end.
The trustees said Alan and his team devoted hundreds, if not thousands, of voluntary hours to organising the event, and even after stepping down from his official role, he remained a strong advocate for the festival.
Outside that event, Alan was a ‘dedicated parishioner and worker for St Andrew’s Anglican Church’ over the 23 years he lived here. He was also past president and committee member of the Gaslight Theatre, and a committee member of the Scottish Country Dancing Society.
Alan, born in London in 1936, moved with his family to the countryside when the bombs of World War 11 began falling. He won a scholarship to Brentwood School, a prestigious public school in Sussex, and later did his national service with the Royal Highlanders regiment (Black Watch), deploying to the then British Guiana (now Guyana) on the northern coast of South America.
Serving with the Black Watch gave him a lifelong love of all things Scottish and opened his eyes to a wider world.
Alan met Gill Hopwood at a ‘Hi-de-Hi’ holiday camp and after marrying in 1960, the pair moved around England for a while before casting an eye on a life abroad. They arrived in New Zealand in 1974, settling in Auckland’s North Shore from where Alan continued to build a career in the financial industry. The family moved to Cambridge in 1998.
Those at his farewell heard that Alan had been a humble yet painfully shy young man who found a new confidence through Toastmasters. He became a liturgist and reader at St Andrew’s Church services, was a supporter of the restoration of the church organ, and organised the popular St Andrew’s concert series.
Those closest to him knew Alan as a calm, honest man, one who loved travel, wine, music and gardening. He was well read, kind and patient, a devoted family man who was generous with his time.
Many of those attributes he shared with the wider community. For most of us, Alan Milton was quite simply a remarkably nice man.
Alan Milton was the driving force behind the Cambridge Autumn Festival.
Alan Milton pictured cutting the cake at the 2018 festival opening, watched by fellow founding trustee David McCathie. Photo by Michael Jeans
Spotlight on Cambridge
Spotlight on Cambridge
FIVE STAGS
Five Stags at 9 Campbell St in Leamington is styled on a hunting lodge; where you can enjoy the warmth of a fire, catch the game with mates over a few drinks or enjoy their well-known menu featuring some of the best foods New Zealand has to offer from slow roasted beef, venison burgers, pork ribs, to southern fried chicken, and the best fresh fish.
FORAGE
Forage customers love the healthy range of cold pressed juices, kombucha, tonics, nut milk, smoothies and raw slices with no additives, sugar, gluten or dairy used. Gut health is hugely important so a range of fermentation kits and culture starters are available. Explore Forage’s full range of products, at 21 Empire St, or foragejuice.co.nz
HERITAGE TRADING CO
The Heritage Trading Company in Cambridge, is where you’ll find French and English vintage and antique homewareseverything from kitchen curios, elegant furniture, vintage jewellery as well as sustainable clothing clothing. The Heritage Trading Company at 40 Duke St, is open seven days a week, from 9.30am until 4.30pm and on Sundays from 10am until 3pm.
JOE’S GARAGE
Joe’s Garage, at 107 Swayne Rd – “halfway between the high school and the motorway,” is part of a nation-wide franchise. From cooked breakfast, a good range of burgers, fish and chips, pizza, steak meals to a wide variety in the cabinet of sweet and savoury, hot and cold foods, Joe’s Garage open seven days a week, will have something to suit.
MOSEN WELDING
Manufacturing and repair
Whenever you need something to be welded, Brad Mosen from Mosen Welding in Cambridge is your go-to man. Whether working on heavy equipment like concrete mixers, or light sheet metal work, Brad has years of experience behind him. Always best to be contacted at 021404814 or mosenbrad@gmail.com.
PAWS & CLAWS
International qualifications International pet groomer Lisa Byrne from Claws and Paws at 9b Anzac St in Cambridge understands small animal grooming like no other. With many years’ experience (and qualifications) behind her, Lisa will ensure your cat or dog is in the best possible condition after coming to her and her team. Open Monday to Friday, it always pays to book in.
PIJJAS PIZZA
Pijjas Pizza brings Neapolitan and Margherita pizzas to Cambridge pizza afficionados, using specialised flours, and the freshest mozzarella to basil, olive oil to truffle oil. Fresh herbs and vegetables, seafood and dedicated delicatessen meats, with a variety of sizes. From sides like breads to marinara, a kids menu -they will deliver within the Cambridge urban area.
Where every bite is a delight!
PIZZAS
MARGHERITA POMODORO, MOZZARELLA, BASIL $20
SPUTA FUOCO (FIRE BREATHING)
POMODORO, MOZZARELLA, SPICY SALAMI, NDUJA, MASCARPONE $25
TARTUFOSA MOZZARELLA, MUSHROOM, TRUFFLE PASTE, ROCKET, TRUFFLE OIL $25
VERDUROSA POMODORO, MOZZARELLA, SEASONAL VEGES, EVO $22
PORCA POMODORO, MOZZARELLA, SALAME, HAM, SAUSAGE, EVO $26
ORTO DI MARE MOZZARELLA, ZUCCHINI, GARLIC PRAWNS, ROCKET, PARMESAN $25
PIEDINA ROMAGNOLA PROVOLONE, PARMESAN, ROCKET, PARMA, HOT HONEY, GORGONZOLA $26
SMALL SHARE
PUFFY BREAD EVO, FLAKY SALT $13
MARINARA BURNT BUTTER, POMODORO, ANCHOVIES, OREGANO $17
GARLIC BREAD GARLIC GINGER CHILLI, BUTTER, MOZZARELLA, PARMESAN, EVO $17
Rev Jennie Savage
Vicar, St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Cambridge
Many take a journey over Christmas and the summer, to have a holiday, or to visit family or friends.
Sometimes they have been long planned, postponed, or hastily organised. Sometimes though, we are suddenly called upon to undertake a journey, be it physical, emotional or spiritual, a journey we did not plan. Sometimes we come to that proverbial fork in the road and have to choose which way we will go.
There are many of these kinds of journeys within the birth story of Jesus Christ. Unexpected journeys and experiences that brought significant change to those people involved and then rippled out, ultimately, across the world.
For Mary and Joseph, for the shepherds and the Magi, after encountering the Christ child, nothing is the same. From each one’s encounter, they all went back to their lives by another road. It is the unfolding of a new map, discovering an alternate path, and turning away from the unhealthy, false or dangerous paths of the past.
The decision to undertake a journey addresses a need: a search, a reunion, a solution, a healing, and many more. May God be with you in such journeys over this Christmas season.
Jeremy and Kath Lind
Raleigh Street Christian Centre
We extend our warmest wishes for a peaceful and joyful Christmas to everyone in Cambridge. As Christmas draws near, we are reminded of the
Christmas Messages
joy, peace, and hope that this season brings. Christmas is a celebration of Jesus the Christ, whose birth changed the course of history.
In a world that often feels burdened by uncertainty, pain, and struggle, the message of Jesus offers a light in the darkness. The angel declared to the shepherds on that first Christmas night, “Don’t be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Christ, the Lord.”
This is the heart of the Christmas story: Jesus came into the world not as a distant figure, but as a Saviour who walks with us. His life, death, and resurrection offer us the ultimate gift—salvation and the promise of eternal life for all who trust in Him.
This Christmas, God invites you to reflect on the hope found in Jesus. He is the true source of peace and joy, offering rest for the weary and light for those who seek. May you know His love and salvation this season.
Pastor Ken Keyte
Cambridge Baptist Church
If towns could talk what might the three towns in the Gospel of Matthew’s nativity say?
Bethlehem may say: “I am the town where Jesus Christ was born, a town of great sorrow for the baby boys slain by King Herod; where my residents now live apprehensively in the shadow of war; I offer hope of everlasting peace when Jesus returns as the Shepherd King.”
The unnamed town in Egypt may say: “I am the safe place to which infant Jesus was evacuated; I echo Israel’s history, “Out of Egypt I called my son. I offer hope of everlasting safety when God calls his Son to earth again.”
Nazareth may say: “I was a no where town that’s become famous as the place where Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and raised by Joseph and Mary; I offer hope that the
off shoot of Jesus will bear everlasting fruit for all peoples.”
But if towns could talk, then what might Cambridge say? “I am the town where King Tāwhiao soothed his sorrow over their loss of whenua by washing in Lake Te Koo Utu after the unfavourable Māori Land Court rulings; I offer hope that the cross above the lake in the Town of Trees and Champions points to Jesus the Champion of champions who died on a tree to save all peoples from their sins.”
If towns could talk would this be the hope they offer us this Christmas?
Monsignor Leonard Danvers
St. Peter’s Parish.
Cambridge.
In just a few days now we will celebrate the great Feast of Christmas – the birth of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. A familiar question at this time is “What are you hoping to get for Christmas?” or “What would you like for Christmas?”
Sadly, because of our over-emphasis on “what we get” and the loudest call is to spend up large and get all those fantastic bargains, the whole point of this Holy Season is lost. At Christmas we give gifts to one another in humble imitation of the gift that God gave us – His only Son, and therefore the emphasis is on giving.
What gifts can we give, not only at Christmas but every day of the year that would make real to others the true spirit of Christmas – namely the love of Christ?
Such gifts might be our time, friendship, encouragement, understanding, gratitude and forgiveness. Perhaps we can say “I love you” to someone whose love we may at times have taken for granted.
Jesus taught us that whatever the gifts, we should give it to those in the greatest need, and to expect nothing in return. The best gift ever offered was the gift that God gave us when he sent us Jesus. It’s the best gift because it is so many Gifts in one. As we celebrate Christmas, may we let the
Setting up for safe holidays
Preparing your vehicle for the summer holidays is essential for ensuring a smooth, safe, and enjoyable trip, especially if you plan to drive long distances or explore remote areas in New Zealand.
Summer heat does put additional stress on your vehicle, particularly the cooling system, battery, and tyres. Checking and servicing these components before your trip can prevent breakdowns in isolated areas, where help might not be readily available.
A thorough inspection of critical safety features — brakes, tyres, lights, and wipers
Pop into see Jarrod at Tyre & Wheel Solutions (behind 4WD Solutions) for your free tyre check.
— is crucial for summer driving. Wellmaintained brakes are vital for handling New Zealand’s often winding and hilly roads, while properly inflated tyres ensure better grip, especially in changing weather conditions.
Summer trips often mean hot days in the car. Make sure your air conditioning system is functioning correctly to keep everyone comfortable during long drives. Also, check fluid levels, including coolant and oil, to avoid overheating the engine in high temperatures. The latter is especially relevant
if you intend towing a caravan, boat or laden trailer.
A well-maintained vehicle runs more efficiently. Servicing your engine, checking tyre pressure, and replacing dirty air filters all contribute to better fuel economy, saving you money – and potential headaches with breakdowns - on your summer road trip. Preparing your car well ahead of time ensures peace of mind, letting you focus on enjoying your holiday without worrying about car trouble. It’s a small effort that pays off with a safer and more relaxing trip.
Christmas Messages
light of Christ shine through us and illumine how we bring hope, joy, love and peace to our world. These gifts come from the heart and money can’t buy them.
May the peace of Christ be with you and those you love this Christmas and remain with you throughout the coming year.
Rev Mohu Lolohea
Trinity St. Paul’s Union Parish of Cambridge Christmas is a time to celebrate, cultivate and contribute which can be called 3 Cs for Christmas.
Celebrate is defined by Cambridge Dictionary in three meanings - to perform (a sacrament or solemn ceremony) publicly and with appropriate rites, to honour (an occasion, such as a holiday) especially by solemn ceremonies or by refraining from ordinary business or to mark (something, such as an anniversary) by festivities or other deviation from routine and to hold up or play up for public notice.
Also, Christmas is a time to cultivate, so cultivate from Collins Dictionary, can be used in three conditions of a verb form. First, if you cultivate land or crops, you prepare land and grow crops on it. Second, if you cultivate an attitude, image, or skill, you try hard to develop it and make it stronger or better. Lastly, if you cultivate someone or cultivate a friendship with them, you try hard to develop a friendship with them.
And Christmas is a time to contribute. Again, from Cambridge Dictionary, contribute means to give something,
especially money, to provide or achieve something together with other people.
Our saviour celebrates, cultivates and contributes first, now it’s for you and I to celebrate, cultivate and contribute with, into, and to our community. Have a happy Christmas.
By Rachel Mudge Bridges Church
Dear Jesus, I’ve been writing to Santa for years, no offence to him, but a stocking filled with plastic toys isn’t going to cut it this year. I heard about you a while back... is it true you were born in a stable? It was a pretty big deal aye? Angels, trumpets, stars, epic wise men. I need help with the mess here, people are in angry beast mode, my parents arguing. One minute we’re apparently poor, there’s all this yelling, next minute, we’re buying more stuff to make ourselves feel better. I wanted to give five bucks to a guy and wasn’t allowed, maybe you could look after him too. He sits outside Starbucks. Anon
Dear Anon, Actually, you are not Anonymous to me. I see you, your heartbreak, and the mess in the world. Peoples’ self-interested devotion to power and luxury does indeed cause trouble. But there is hope. My birth changed the world, I am the way back to a relationship with God. Do you know the best part? Everyone is invited, there are no outsiders. I’m looking for people just like you to partner with me. Anytime you call my name I’ll be there. JC (Jesus)
A cold Mo-ment
Cambridge Community House general manager Gabby Byrne did her bit to raise funds for men’s health by jumping in an ice bath at the annual Movember Tradies BBQ Brekkie. Around 40 people gathered at Cambridge ITM for the second Movember Tradies Brekkie run by Cambridge Community House with support from businesses. As well as hearing from speakers on a range of health-related topics, they tested their strength in a rowing competition or helped swell the Movember coffers by jumping in an ice bath. There were also spot prizes for those sporting the most outrageous moustaches.
Wintec announces reprieve
By Mary Anne Gill
Wintec has back tracked on plans to close several of its courses and lay off staff following a public outcry from the arts community and the regions.
A review and then consultation in the Hamilton-based tertiary institution’s School of Media Arts has resulted in a stay of execution for bachelor programmes in Communications, Music and Performing Arts and diplomas in Communications and Journalism.
Wintec is a business division of Te Pūkenga, the super polytechnic which has been working under government orders on a financial improvement plan and its own disestablishment.
Wintec lost $19.4 million last year. A recent report from a team of advisers brought in by the government predicted the Te Pūkenga loss next year would be $96.3 million.
Teaching and Learning executive director
Shelley Wilson said Wintec’s original proposal to cut the programmes and diplomas from next year’s programmes was not made lightly.
“We have never had any doubt of the value of the arts and of these programmes,” she said in a statement to The News.
“While it was unfortunate that the financial status of these programmes necessitated this review process, it has been positive to see the passion and commitment of our kaimahi (staff) that helped us reach a positive and financially viable solution for these programmes.”
The News broke the story online last month that staff and students at the century-old polytechnic had been told jobs and courses would have to go to make it financially viable.
News of the proposal rippled through the Waikato and King Country and particularly in towns like Cambridge, Te Awamutu,
Morrinsville, Matamata, Tokoroa, Putāruru, Te Kūiti and Ōtorohanga who viewed Wintec as their polytechnic and not just a Hamilton facility.
What irked some staff was they were told their jobs and programmes might be gone on the day Wintec celebrated its 100th anniversary with events in Hamilton.
Wintec said it was never its intent to have the two happen on the same time but was unavoidable as some staff were unavailable until then.
Sources told The News it had been a stressful time for tutors and the students who were told their preferred 2025 studies might not go ahead.
There were still some job losses – six instead of the planned 18, sources sayWintec did not confirm the number in time for The News’ deadline.
“It has also been great to see the depth of feeling coming from our industry
partners, stakeholders and wider creative community,” Wilson said.
Students who had expressed an interest in the programmes and diplomas are being contacted and encouraged to reapply.
“Wintec remains committed to delivering high quality education and training to its ākonga (students) and supporting the communities and industries we serve. We will be continuing with our journey to achieve financial sustainability in 2025,” Wilson said.
Union officials did not respond to The News in time for its deadline but the Tertiary Education Union and Allied Staff Association’s last month both called the change proposals short sighted.
Wintec should have waited for major change initiatives from Tertiary Education minister Penny Simmonds and the government before making major decisions, they said.
20st Dec - 7th Jan 2024
Seasons Greetings
- Julie & Paul
Cambridge East 3434
Respite • Day Stay
We will be closing on Friday 20 December 2024 @ midday and reopen on Monday 13 January 2025 @ 8am.
Our offices will close for the Christmas break on Friday 2 December 202 and will open on Monday January 202 with a skeleton staff. Full staff will return Monday 1 January 202 The team at Lewis Lawyers wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year
clinic will be closed for the Christmas break from 2 December and will reopen on Monday th January 202
Seasons Greetings HOLIDAY HOURS
Christmas
• Monday 23rd Dec 8am-8pm
• Tuesday 24th Dec 8am-6pm
• Wednesday 25th Dec 9am-1pm
• Thursday 26th Dec 9am-3pm
• Friday 27th Dec 8am-8pm
• Saturday 28th Dec 9am-3pm
• Sunday 29th Dec 9am-3pm
• Sunday 5th Jan 9am-3pm We wish all our patients a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous 2025 www.vosperlaw.co.nz The team at Vosper Law would like to thank our clients for their support and business during 2024. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and safe holiday. Our office will be closing on 20th December 2024 and reopen on 13th January 2025.
• Monday 30th Dec 8am-8pm
• Tuesday 31st Dec 8am-6pm
• Wednesday 1st Jan 9am-1pm
• Thursday 2nd Jan 9am-3pm
• Friday 3rd Jan 8am-6pm
• Saturday 4th Jan 9am-3pm
On a fast track…
By Steph Bell-Jenkins
St Peter’s Cambridge’s head girl for 2025 is a young woman of many talents.
Madeleine Waddell shattered New Zealand under-17 and under-18 women’s 400m running records at the World Athletics Under-20 championships in Peru in August.
She went into the event ranked 34th, ran a personal best of 54.02 seconds in her heat and shaved more than half a second off that time to clock 53.50 in her semi-final. She finished 14th overall.
We’re keeping up an ancient tradition! This delightful little deodar near the Cambridge Tree Trust base has grown from about 500mm to 3 metres in only four years, just right to celebrate Christmas this year.
The 17-year-old has played a variety of sports started focusing on athletics this year coached by her mum Sonia.
Sonia Waddell represented New Zealand in athletics, rowing and cycling, and her father Rob is an Olympic rowing gold medallist. Her two older siblings, Sophie and Hayden, were also head students at St Peter’s.
“For me, leading a balanced life and striving for excellence is just kind of normal,” Madeleine said. “That message has been drilled into me from a young age – to have high standards and give everything a go.”
The year 12 student, who is studying in the St Peter’s International Baccalaureate programme and was top of her psychology class this year, is also a keen piano and guitar player who took
Queen of the castle
part in school productions in 2021 and 2023.
She also enjoyed volunteer work with refugees in Hamilton this year.
The gifted all-rounder believes one of the biggest issues facing today’s students is the pressure to conform to unrealistic expectations.
“With all the social media in our generation you get exposed to a lot at a young age, and various different successes, and it’s easy to feel bad about yourself if you’re not doing the same,” she said.
“But everyone excels at different things and at different times. You only see one side of the story on social media.
“There are obviously going to be ups and downs all throughout life, and inevitably there will be setbacks, but it’s how you choose to respond to those setbacks that matters.”
Next year, she aims to work alongside St Peter’s head boy Alapati Tusa Soagia, deputy head boy Olly Jeffares and deputy head girl Sinali Kuruppuge to enhance the school’s “already strong community”.
“I would like to create an environment where everyone is able to contribute and feel heard around the school, as is already being done, but to amplify that as well,” she said.
Madeleine Waddell with her mother Sonia and brother Hayden pictured after St Peter’s Cambridge’s senior prizegiving.
Bouncy fun at the club: MaisyRose Smith, 3 next month, was having fun getting away from her father Jon on the Bouncy Castle during Cambridge Racquets Club celebration day on Sunday to mark its titles as Waikato tennis and squash club of the year.
Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Across 1. Approximately (5) 4. Go around (6)
7. Cereal grass (3)
8. Ice up (6)
9. Standard (6)
10. Done secretly and out of sight (5-3-5)
14. Of dubious legality (5) 15. Dwell (5)
18. Make fun of (4,3,6)
Last week
23. Regain, make up for a loss (6)
24. Haphazard (6)
25. Garden vegetable (3)
26. Done without risk (6)
27. Rental document (5) Down
1. Protective garment (5) 2. Very overweight (5) 3. Formal agreement (6) 4. Drinking session (6) 5. Windproof jacket (5) 6. Delay (5) 10. Distressed (5) 11. Imbibed (5) 12. Edge (5) 13. All (5) 16. Carpenter (colloq)
Across: 1. Depart, 5. Arouse, 8. Rim, 9. Rattle, 10. Brewer, 11. Silo, 13. Obstacle, 14. Teach, 15. Fiery, 19. Forecast, 21. Numb, 22. Filter, 23. Anyway, 25. End, 26. Detain, 27. Yonder. Down: 2. Examine, 3. Act, 4. Tremor, 5. Ambush, 6. Operation, 7. Spell, 12. Orchestra, 16. Rummage, 17. Barren, 18. Steady, 20. Olive, 24. Yen.
FABRIC FABULOUS FACE FACILITY FACT FAINT FAIRYTALE FALSIFY FAMILIAR FEAT FEIJOA FERRULE
Your next home is here
PPY
Tranquil Home and Gardens with Guest Suite
Reflecting the symmetry and balance of a boutique, country style architecture, this elegant home close to Tamahere village and school, is full of space, aesthetic charm and content. Indoor-outdoor living reigns supreme and lifestyle quality is superb Enjoy the beautiful gardens that have matured over time whilst enjoying a coffee or entertaining friends under the three pergolas on the patio, and there's no going far for country cafes, markets and amenities. The home offers large flexible spaces for lounging, dining and entertaining, has a fabulous kitchen ideal for hosting, and caters admirably for extended family or guests.
Tamahere 16 Alisha Place
PEACEFUL TAMAHERE HAVEN
$2,050,000
pb.co.nz/CBL175650
Russell Thomas M 020 4004 0360 E russell.thomas@pb.co.nz
Thomas M 020 4004 0368 E angela.thomas@pb.co.nz
Sale By Negotiation
By appointment
pb.co.nz/CBL163333
The architecture and craftsmanship on display here are anything but ordinary. From high stud ceilings to stunning cabinetry, beautiful tiling and lighting, attention to detail is evident throughout this spacious, double-glazed lifestyle home nestled in a peaceful and private Tamahere cul-de-sac. Open and formal living areas, four well-appointed bedrooms, gym room/5th bedroom, three modern tiled bathrooms. A home office, country-sized laundry and internal four car garaging fit neatly into the generous 343 sq m (mol) interior. There is room galore for a family, scope to enhance the grounds and even the opportunity for extended family living or generating Airbnb income. Ambient and comfortable through all seasons, the wellinsulated home attracts sun and natural light. High raked ceilings elevate the sense of space and openness while large bi-folds make outdoor living immediately accessible. The location has country lane appeal and is advantaged by quality school zones. 4 3 2 4
Russell Thomas M 020 4004 0360 E russell.thomas@pb.co.nz
Angela Thomas M 020 4004 0368 E angela.thomas@pb.co.nz
Tamahere 107A Tauwhare Road
Well 2024, a whirlwind of moments, gone in the blink of an eye As we stand on the brink of 2025, Cambridge Real Estate wants to extend heartfelt thanks to our cherished clients, both old and new.
A special shout-out to our incredible Cambridge community – you make this place truly special and we love being part of it! Happy Holidays, Cambridge! Stay safe and savour the festive season.
From the team at Cambridge Real Estate, here's to an amazing 2025!
OPEN HOME
JOWSEY, Colin Holroyd – 29
January 1946 - 15 December 2024. Passed peacefully at home, surrounded with the love of family. Dearly loved husband of Jean. Treasured dad of Karen and Tina and Father-In-Law to Corey, Brent and the late John. Proud grandad to Caitlin, Cameron, Logan, Emma, Carter, Charlee, Jaxon, Mason and bonus grandad to Ashley and Gemma. Brother to Helen, David and Lynette. In loving memory of Colin Jowsey, a celebration of his life will be held at Waipa Workingmen’s Club on Thursday 19th
We are closed from 2pm, 24th December for statutory days and weekends only. Open 27th,30, 31st December 9am-2pm
Normal hours resume Wednesday 6th January 2025 from 9am-4.30pm
Justice of the Peace service last day is Monday 23rd December and starts again Friday 3rd January 2025
School Nurse
PETRIE, Victor Charles
– Passed away peacefully surrounded by love, on Saturday, 14th December
2024. Loved husband of the late Cath. Much loved and respected Dad of Richard & Claudette, David & Kathy and Leeanne & Gary Geurts. Loved Grandad Vic of Mark, Michael, Daniel, Romana, Stefan, Lloyd, Renee, Nikita and Cullen, and greatgrandad of Alex, Jake, Bayley, Angelo, Adelaide, Jordan, Charlie, Sofia and Luca. Great-great grandad of Keeva. The family wishes to thank all the wonderful team at Cambridge Resthaven Retirement Village. A celebration of Vic’s life will be held at Cambridge Middle School Hall, Clare Street, Cambridge on Friday 20th December at 11.00am, followed by burial at Hautapu Cemetery. Donations to St John would be appreciated and may be left at the service. All communications to the Petrie Family, c/- Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434.
Te Awamutu College recognises that students who are healthy are ready to learn and participate fully in school. Te Awamutu College has a Registered Nurse on site in its Health Centre 8.30am-3.30pm daily, 32.5 hours per week, term time only. We are seeking the services of a Registered Nurse who can work Monday to Friday during school term time.
The Nurse we are looking for will have:
• A current Annual Practising Certificate
• A current workplace First Aid Certificate (min Level 2)
• Practice Nurse experience or Primary Health care experience
• The skills and passion appropriate for health care and health & wellbeing promotion with youth
• Self-confidence and ability to work both as a team player and independently
Cambridge Seventh-Day Adven�st Church
Cr. Shakespeare & Browning Streets
Bible Study Each Saturday: 9.30am – 10.45am
Worship Service: 11.00am
Like us on Facebook: h�ps://www.facebook.com/cambridge.sda.9 email: cambridge.sda.nz@gmail.com
Phone: 027 677 6433
Hope Channel – Freeview Ch 27, Sky 204 We offer detailed study of the Bible and inspiring worship experiences.
JOB VACANCY
• A willingness to undertake further Professional Development relevant to the role
This position is subject to Police Vetting. A Job Description is available on request.
Please send your CV to: The Principal Te Awamutu College PO Box 369 Te Awamutu 3840 or email: info@tac.school.nz
Applications close Wednesday 15 January 2025.
Safety message on the water
Water safety agencies are calling on people to take care on the Waikato River this summer, particularly around dams and lakes in the Waipā and South Waikato districts.
Water Safety New Zealand statistics showed 287 drownings had been recorded in the Waikato region since 1980, the highest figure nationally.
That makes up 20 per cent of the 1398 people who have died while swimming in the New Zealand’s rivers and inland waterways during the past 44 years.
There were 90 preventable drownings in New Zealand in 2023, 15 of those were recorded in the Waikato region.
Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Daniel Gerrard said more can be done to help communities learn how to stay safe in our rivers and lakes this summer.
“Many drownings happen in water that seems calm – people are often unaware of strong currents, submerged objects, and sudden drop offs. They often involve rescuers becoming the victim.
“No one needs to lose their life on the water this summer – be aware of hidden dangers and help each other to stay safe while having fun.”
Police Community Liaison Officer Deb Hann said it’s a good time to remind people to be safe
to the Chamber gives
around the water, as the summer season approaches.
“As the weather warms up, many of us flock to our lakes and rivers but it’s also when people can get into trouble.
districts are home to hydro dams at Karāpiro, Arapuni and Waipapa. The lakes near the dams are popular places for people to visit during the summer holidays.
Mercury’s Head of Operations for Generation, Matt Kedian, wanted to raise awareness of the Hydro Dam safety zones.
“The safety zones are areas which are 200m above and below dam structures, where all vessels are prohibited, as well as swimming, jumping and fishing.
“These are dangerous areas and it’s important to respect the water and understand the risks.”
Waikato Regional Harbourmaster Chris Bredenbeck agreed and said the water near dams has strong currents and suction effects.
“Water levels and flows can change quickly, and massive flows may be released at any time from hydro dams. Please do not swim in these areas.
“There are lots of water safety resources and advice out there, so take a moment to brush-up on water safety basics before you dive in.”
Waipā and South Waikato
“Whether swimming or boating, we want everyone to come home to their whānau after a day in or on the water. We encourage people to swim in appropriate places, to supervise children around the water and to remember that alcohol and water don’t mix.
“It is wonderful to have the lakes and rivers in our communities to enjoy but we also want to make sure everyone is safe in the water.”
and
and effective advocacy for your business and the wider business community.
Karāpiro Hydro Station.
Photo: Stephen Wells.
