King Country News | February 27, 2025

King Country

Good night for kiwi, please

By Chris Gardner

Keep your floodlights off of our Kiwi House.

That’s the message Ōtorohanga Kiwi House general manager Jo Russell has for Ōtorohanga District Council as it decides what to do with the former Ōtorohanga Caravan Park and Holiday Camp in the Ōtorohanga Domain.

The council-owned holiday park ceased operation in 2023, as the council began development of a reserve management strategy Now the future of the space is uncertain.

One possibility is the former holiday camp

becoming a sports ground and Russell is concerned that if that occurred high level sport lighting would be installed that could impact all manner of wildlife in the park.

“Our concern for the Kiwi House is high level light disturbance,” Russell said.

“If a new sports field goes in, we’d be really keen to know where those lights would be located to make sure that we don’t get any lights at that high level.”

Light disturbance would impact the circadian rhythm of nocturnal kiwi and other species such as kaka and kea who are unable to tell the difference between natural

sunlight and manmade highlevel lighting. They would find it very confusing, she said. Russell has other plans for the former holiday park,

Brawl closes college

By Chris Gardner

Ōtorohanga College turned to online learning for two days last week as an investigation began into a brawl apparently sparked after a car containing young people drove onto school grounds spoiling for a fight.

College board co-chair Duncan Coull told The News the Bledisloe Avenue college had decided to pivot to online learning for two days to enable a thorough investigation after the fight broke out between 15 and 20 youth on college grounds on Monday morning.

Principal Lyndsay Kurth and senior school leaders investigated the issues that had led to the situation on Tuesday and Wednesday as pupils worked from home. Since then, controls, including security enhancements and measures, have been put in place.

A police spokeswoman said officers were called to the college at about 11.45am on Monday, February 17, after a report of a disorder incident involving a large group of young

people. No one was injured in the brawl.

The decision was made in response to an increase in student fights, which have become more frequent and increasingly violent, Coull said in a letter to school whanau.

“The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remain our top priority and immediate action is necessary to restore a secure learning environment.”

Coull said the school understood that moving to online learning was a significant decision, but the safety and wellbeing of students and staff was top priority.

The temporary measure was designed to help de-escalate tensions and allow the college to put effective solutions in place.

Coull said the school was taking additional measures to prevent similar incidents, including reinforcing the college’s behaviour expectations, continuing to educate students on conflict resolution and positive communication and consulting with local law enforcement.

Coull joined police sergeant Heyden Nunn to address

which she has shared with the council.

“The difficulty is that there’s not enough parking for everybody,” she said.

Around 180 players, plus supporters, turn out regularly for summer soccer. Another 160 players, plus supporters, turn out on Friday nights for netball.

“People are double parking, people are parking on the yellow lines, and the visibility at that time of night is really low. To be honest, I have nearly collected people myself in my car. It really worries me that we have got this risk to not only our sports players and our visitors but also to our

children.”

Russell is proposing a permeable overflow car park with five electric vehicle charging stations for use by all domain users as well as a park and ride scheme connected to Waitomo Caves village.

“Hopefully we can get some of our visitors staying in town and riding out to Waitomo and back,” Russell said.

She is not proposing that the Kiwi House operate the park and ride, as it would need a small fleet of bicycles, although the Kiwi House has previously operated holiday camp.

Continued on page 2

students on Thursday when a zero tolerance to negative behaviour was shared.

“I want to stress that this issue is not only for the college to address, but that of our wider community,” Coull said.

Police have spoken to those involved and followed up with families.

Otorohanga

Learning went online at Ōtorohanga College following a brawl last week.

Ōtorohanga Kiwi House wants their kiwi to have a good night’s sleep – just like the Goodnight Kiwi which popped off to bed at the end of TVNZ’s programmes many years ago.

St John Health Shuttle

Providing transport to medical and health related appointments.

Call our local office to find out more: 0800 846 9992 or email wakaora@stjohn.org.nz Hato Hone St John’s purpose:

Recycling check ahead

A check on how well Waitomo residents recycle is on the horizon., General Manager Infrastructure Services, Shyamal Ram says council staff will carry out “ad hoc” audits of kerbside recycling bins in an effort to understand the levels of contamination that is occurring.

He said recycling bin audits help to educate about what can and can’t be recycled and helps the council to identify the problem areas so that staff can design education and community engagement projects to turn those stats around.

The audit follows ongoing issues in Waipā where some residents have had their collections suspended, and recycling staff have been confronted with everything from soiled

nappies to medical equipment.

Shyamal Ram said all recycling must be clean to be recycled.

“That means giving jars and food tins a decent scrub out, so that no food remains.”

One bin of wrongly recycled materials can have a profound impact – to the point of contaminating an entire truck load.

“If your recycling is dirty, it can’t be processed and will have to be sent to a landfill,” Ram said

It’s not just landfill costs that are added to the process.

In extreme case the sorting facility has to be deep cleaned before work can resume.

Shyamal said a small number of people put wrong things into their recycling, “and

while there may only be small quantities of contamination, they compromise other recycling and can lead to a whole truck load going to landfill. It doesn’t take much contamination to cause a problem”.

Residents may see a sticker on their recycling bin which identifies if there is contamination.

Items which can be recycled are clean paper, flattened cardboard and pizza boxes (stacked inside or next to bin), clean cans and tins, plastics that have been cleaned and have the recycling triangle 1, 2 or 5 on them, empty, clean glass bottles and jars. What can’t be recycled are lids off plastic containers – such as milk bottles, which should go into the general rubbish.

National RSA post for Hill

By Viv Posselt

This newspaper is subject to NZ Media Council procedures. A complaint must first be directed in writing, within one month of publication, to the editor’s email address.

This newspaper is subject to NZ Media Council procedures. A complaint must first be directed in writing, within one month of publication, to the editor’s email address.

Several months into his role as one of two national vice-presidents with the NZ Returned Services Association,

Waitomo Club, the Ōtorohanga branch, which meets in the Ōtorohanga Club, and the Hill’s own Cambridge branch, which meets at Hidden Lake Hotel and Apartments.

associations and has more than 250 support advisors.

If not satisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the Media Council P O Box 10-879, The Terrace, Wellington 6143. Or use the online complaint form at www. mediacouncil.org.nz

If not satisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the Media Council P O Box 10-879, The Terrace, Wellington 6143. Or use the online complaint form at www. mediacouncil.org.nz

Cambridge’s James ‘Tony’ Hill MBE is contributing to guiding the organisation to better fit with today’s world.

In his time as one of eight district presidents - for Waikato, King Country and Bay of PlentyHill has streamlined processes to deliver swift support to veterans when needed.

Cambridge has 188 members, 131 of them having seen service in the defence forces. Hill said having members who had never served wasn’t always the case; today they are seen as invaluable members of the team.

“We’ve had some great people joining us, people who really want to be part of the RSA.”

Each association is an independent entity that follows national guidelines. It’s a complicated structure being reviewed to strengthen the relationship between the national body and local RSAs. What won’t change is the current structure that keeps assets and money belonging to each RSA within its community, or decisions by local RSAs to continue operating hospitality venues should they want to.

Please include copies of the article and all correspondence with the publication.

Please include copies of the article and all correspondence with the publication.

CONTACTS

News/Editorial

Roy Pilott editor@goodlocal.nz

027 450 0115

Chris Gardner chris@goodlocal.nz

027 231 7007

Mary Anne Gill maryanne@goodlocal.nz

021 705 213

Viv Posselt viv@goodlocal.nz

027 233 7686

Advertising Director

Janine Davy janine@goodlocal.nz

027 287 0005

Owner/Publisher

David Mackenzie david@goodlocal.nz Office

Hill’s is one of the biggest RSA regions in the country, made up of 35 groups across the Waikato, King Country, Bay of Plenty, Thames Valley and Coromandel.

In January the association returned to Piopio as a subbranch of Te Kūiti and Districts RSA after closing in 1987.

The sub-branch followed similar examples of the Te Kūiti branch, which meets in the

At national level, the organisation is implementing a programme to broaden support of veterans and their families. It aligns perfectly with Hill’s regional approach.

The organisation was founded in 1916 to ensure soldiers returning from the Gallipoli Campaign could share their experiences and access support. It now encompasses 180

“A lot of RSAs are transitioning from the hospitalitycentric model to focus on support for veterans and their families, and being good community citizens,” he said.

Hill said some RSAs struggling with membership are co-locating with other clubs and venues.

He did more than 30 years with the New Zealand Army, serving as an officer with the Royal New Zealand Engineers. On leaving the military, he worked for a private firm based in the Middle East, seeing service in Kenya, Somalia and Yemen. His role as vice-president also calls on him to stand-in when required for national president, Sir Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford.

Good night for kiwi, please

Continued from page 1

Ōtorohanga Kiwi House is approximately half way through a $4 million re development which started with improvements in the park and will continue with new visitor facilities.

Ōtorohanga Kiwi House Charitable Trust vice chair Kim Ingham said the goal was to provide more than 20 full time jobs for the community once the development was fully realised.

The plan is to capitalise on tourism traffic

Inglewood Office 80 Rata St, PO Box 124, Inglewood 06 756 6032 • Kuriger.Inglewood@parliament.govt.nz

Te Awamutu Office 196 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu 07 870 1005 • Kuriger.Teawamutu@parliament.govt.nz

King Country Virtual Office 021 815 017 Kuriger.Kingcountry@parliament.govt.nz

between Hobbiton, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari and Waitomo Caves and double visitor numbers to 120,000 per year and deliver a $3 million profit per annum.

“Recently Tourism Holdings have been in conversation with us about how we are going to further expand that relationship,” Ingham said.

this is along with pest control co-ordination for the corridors from Rangitoto to Pureora and Pirongia to Waitomo.

“In our little community we are looking at a pioneering, potential world first development combining ecological sustainability, specialist conservation programmes, and empowerment through economic, cultural and social initiatives for our community.”

“Our conservation fund will include funding for predator control, reforestation and sustainable tourism for the whole region,

• A giant leap for Wētā – see page 5

Farmer

a targeted rural and lifestyle audience each month by advertising your business in King Country Farmer: featured inside the King Country News as its own

Cambridge RSA president, Tony Hill is months into his new role as one of two vice-presidents of the national body.

Photo: Viv Posselt

Beattie Home to grow again

By Viv Posselt

Moves are being made to boost capacity at the Beattie Home complex in Ōtorohanga.

Plans are underway to extend the existing facility and provide a wing of dual-purpose rooms to cater for rest care or hospital-level care.

Land has been secured, and the drafting of concept plans is being done. The spend has not been determined but is expected to be in the region of $5 million.

The complex is owned by the Beattie Community Trust and is viewed as something of a triumph in terms of community support. With a total of 70 staff, it is also the biggest employer in town.

Beattie Community Trust chairperson Andra Neeley said plans to extend the facility have been on the table for some time.

“It has taken a while to sort out what we needed to do… there have been governmental and regulatory changes,” she said. “The tick to go to continuing care came in November, but we had been preparing for that 12-months prior.”

The vice-chairman of the Trust, Stuart Gower, said a donation from the John and Sarah Oliver Trust had enabled Beattie to purchase 174 and 176 Maniapoto St, abutting properties they already own at 178 and 180 Maniapoto St. It gives Beattie a parcel of land to extend its

Papakāinga Homestead dementia facility and provide a wing of dual-purpose rooms to cater for rest or respite care, or hospital-level care.

Gower said the anticipated figure of $5 million was based on an initial cost per square metre.

“The community will be funding it with a mix of donations and fundraising. We did the same thing for the dementia wing.”

Community has been at the heart of Beattie since it started and is what will take it forward in this next stage.

It was visionary community leaders who saw the 1986 closure of the town’s maternity home as an opportunity to create a place for the elderly, and in 1988 Beattie Home opened with 27 beds. It was named in honour of Dr Beattie, one of the town’s earliest doctors.

Ongoing community support led to the addition of the Wilshier Centre in 2004, providing a residents’ activity lounge. Then came the Kowhai Wing in 2016, bringing nine en-suite rooms, and in 2021 the Papakāinga Homestead opened as a self-contained dementia unit.

Beattie Home general manager, and project manager for the extension, Olive Utiera, said upgrades have continued since, but growing demand, particularly for rest home and dementia level care, is proving challenging.

Since the opening of Papakāinga Homestead in 2021, about six rest care rooms have been

converted to hospital-level care to allow them to be used for either purpose. More conversions will be done soon. That, as well as the progressive training of staff to align with hospital-level care requirements, has gone some way towards easing the pressure, Utiera said.

“But Beattie Home and Papakāinga Homestead are running at full capacity and respite rooms are booked out until June. Ninety per cent of our residents are from the local

community,” she added. “They want to stay in this community, which means they look to us to provide hospital-level, or continuing care, when they need it. Right now, the nearest hospitallevel care is in Te Kuiti but there is no dementia unit there.”

The complex’s dementia unit, which has been full almost from the start, draws from around the region and as far as Auckland.

No timeline for the extension has been given.

Councils to the share load

By Mary Anne Gill

Waipā, Ōtorohanga and Waitomo district councils have agreed to share regulatory services staff in the latest hint Waikato local authorities are thinking “bigger picture”.

The three councils signed an over-arching regulatory shared services agreement last month. The details were shared with Ōtorohanga and Waitomo councillors this week. Not covered in the agreement is animal control which has its own shared services deal.

Sharing building consents workload could soon follow.

An existing agreement between Ōtorohanga and Waipā for environmental health – water and food quality, waste disposal, housing and vermin control

– has been replaced by the new deal.

Under the agreement, any one of the three councils can request additional regulatory support from any of the other councils, on a cost recovery basis.

A council can also offer spare capacity with building consent inspections and processing, compliance and enforcement investigations and response and resource consent processing.

The savings come by not engaging external consultants and the agreed hourly rate is about 60 per cent of what they would usually cost.

The agreement is nonbinding and only on offer if councils have spare capacity.

Whether Waipā will take up the offer is unknown as staff no longer make “information only” reports

available in council and/or council agendas.

The District Growth Quarterly report, usually prepared by District Growth and Regulatory Services group manager Wayne Allan for the Strategic Planning and Policy committee was always the go to place for that sort of information.

The period from October 1 to December 31 would usually have been covered off in a report to the committee this month and include updates on growth cells, major resource consent applications, building consents, District Licensing Committee applications and quarterly statistics.

The deal with Waitomo and Ōtorohanga would potentially have been included in that report.

For a growth council like

Waipā, the information was of value not only to media, but developers, businesses, retailers and chambers of commerce.

The News has asked Waipā District Council for the regular Transportation and Property reports which used to go to Service Delivery and Finance committees.

The request was forwarded to the Local Government Official Information and Meetings (LGOIMA) Act team.

Under the act the council has 20 working days to respond.

Good Local Media has also asked for Allan’s quarterly report.

Tony Quickfall, a former Waipā staffer now group manager Regulatory and Growth at Ōtorohanga council, reports this week his

council issued 30 resource consents between July 1 and December 31.

The council approved 55 building consents in the six month period including 22 at Waikeria Prison.

Work at Waikeria Prison has kept his staff busy. More than 2000 inspections have been undertaken and 183 building consents issued over five years, he reported to his councillors.

Waitomo Strategy and

Environment general manager Alex Bell told his councillors he hoped to see wider collaboration for building consents across a range of councils.

“This collaboration is looking at how we can share resources… for overflow processing of building consents,” the Te Awamutu born and raised Waikato University law graduate and environmental planner said in his five-page report.

Tony Quickfall –Ōtorohanga

Alex Bell - Waitomo Wayne Allan – Waipā

Beattie Home general manager and project manager for the extension Olive Utiera, centre, flanked by Beattie Community Trust chairperson Andra Neeley and vice-chairman Stuart Gower. Photo: Viv Posselt

Dogs gone… more to go

Progress on the case of a large number of dogs found in need of help in Maihihi, east of Ōtorohanga, continues.

Almost five months ago, a raid of a property run by Takiwatanga Sanctuary Trust revealed 64 unregistered dogs, some classified as dangerous and/ or experiencing neglect.

Ōtorohanga District Council issued an abatement notice, confirming the presence of a “large number of dogs kept at address in dilapidated conditions”.

The matter was listed in this week’s council meeting agenda as ongoing, but further action has been taken and more could come, council’s regulatory and growth general manager Tony Quickfall told The News

He said a further notice had been issued.

“Council needs to follow correct legal processes, which includes providing reasonable time for compliance. Further

legal action remains a possibility,” he said.

The News has previously reported the SPCA was looking into the welfare of animals at the property. However, the sanctuary’s owners are now understood to be in compliance with a cap of no more than 10 dogs at the property.

“From an initial 64 dogs, the SPCA removed several, some had medical attention and returned, some had to be euthanised and the SPCA took eight dogs into care to try and rehome –we are unsure if they have been able to achieve this,” Quickfall said.

In addition, 10 dogs were taken by the council but, due to their temperament all but one has since been destroyed.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely with regular site visits and we are reviewing council’s enforcement options regularly,” Quickfall said.

The sanctuary was set up by Steve and Phil

Brown for children with disabilities and their families.

Radio New Zealand reported in 2019 that Steve Brown had said “we’re just offering a place where people can come and unwind and relax. We look at specifically what they need so we are able to offer music therapy here. We’re able to offer just general respite. Families can just come and have a break”.

But social media posts suggest the work has become focussed on animals, not necessarily by design.

Last August the sanctuary’s Facebook page traced the difficulties in dealing with animals requiring care, suggesting more than 60 dogs were turned away in a week. It said it was feeding out more than 50kg in dog food each day.

Subsequent post listed dogs which were available for adoption and reported considerable support from businesses in the district.

Understanding deformation

By Janine Krippner

Measuring deformation is an important part of the volcano monitoring toolbox. Deformation is a change in the ground surface or shape, whether that’s up (inflation), down (deflation), or sideways.

Understanding what the cause could be, the uncertainty involved (what we don’t know, or errors introduced by processing the data), and incorporating information from other monitoring techniques allows us to narrow down what might be happening below the surface.

We can measure deformation using highprecision GPS (Global Positioning Systems). Another way is using radar satellites, a technique called InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) that allows us to measure down to millimetres or centimetres of change from space.

After experts process this data, we can then investigate different causes behind the change while taking into account the local geology and hydrology.

One cause is magma movement. If magma is rising towards the surface as an intrusion, it can push the ground upwards and/or outwards. As magma reaches shallower depths the pressure on the magma is reduced (deeper in the crust equals more pressure). At lower pressures gases are released from the magma and they expand, increasing the pressure within the magma and on the surrounding rock, which can cause slight movement of the surface. This is often millimetres to centimetres in scale.

Sometimes this is much more obvious. Leading to the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, the north flank bulged outwards at about two metres each day. Magma was pushing up into the volcano, erupting with catastrophic consequences on May 18.

Magma rising does not mean an eruption will

happen. It can stall and stop, slowly cooling and solidifying into crystalline rock over time. It can remain an intrusion. This process can cause some slow subsidence of the land above it.

Another cause is fluids, like geothermal water. Volcanoes often have geothermal systems because of remnant heat from older eruptions heating water at shallow depths. This water can be rainwater percolating down through the ground, it can also be fluids released from the magma.

Volcanoes can also be in areas with a lot of faults, and they can produce deformation when they move. Faults can move because of processes that have nothing to do with the volcanic system, or they can become active because of magma or fluids moving within the ground.

The ground can also subside when fluids or gas are removed, like magma erupting or the extraction of water or geothermal fluids.

The removal of groundwater in California’s San Joaquin Valley resulted in about 8.5 metres of ground subsidence from the 1920s to around 2015. A single storey room is typically 2.4 metres high. We have seen similar subsidence with geothermal steam extraction in New Zealand. Spread out over large distances, this can be difficult to see just by looking.

The surface itself can also slump because of gravity and instability, or sinkholes can form.

While we think of the ground below our feet as solid and stable, it still moves. This is sometimes very slow, other times very fast, and geoscientists study all aspects of it to understand what has happened, what is happening, and what might happen next.

Prescott Toyota – driven performer joins local team

While every car needs a driver, Prescott Toyota is proving that any well-oiled machine is worth much more than just the sum of its parts.

Drawing on a background including more than 16 years in the auto industry, the latest addition to the Ōtorohanga dealership’s team, Masela (Sela) Joyce, has already come a long way, in more ways than one.

“I was living in Warkworth, north of Auckland, but this opportunity was well worth the move as it gave me the chance to broaden my skills and learn more about the sales and finance aspects of the industry,” she says. “It also meant I could move closer to family in the Waikato.”

This 3rd generation local business, established by Pat Prescott in 1958, then run by Paul Prescott, and now Ryan Prescott, is going the distance too.

“Although we have the backing of an extensive network, it is still very much a family business with strong local roots and family values – that definitely was a plus for me and I’m so pleased to have been welcomed into Ryan’s family.”

Ironically, since Sela joined the company on Guy Fawkes Day, she confirms there have been few fireworks.

“It’s been a pretty smooth run so far. Some of the

financing work has required a lot of reading but no big dramas as it’s much easier to learn when you have such a great team to work with.”

Prescott Toyota has all the latest model Toyotas on the market as well as top quality used vehicles for sale, but the business itself is a well-balanced enterprise. From financing and insurance to servicing and WOF checks, there are a lot of moving parts.

Koia Christiansen, who leads the fleet, sales and finance team, says Sela is already playing her part admirably.

“She has some pretty good numbers in sales already and soon enough she’ll be up to speed with financing too,” Koia says. “We wanted someone who was enthusiastic and with some industry knowledge; Sela covers both of these bases. She’s the type of person who will roll her sleeves up, get out there and help customers. She has been doing very well so far.”

Asked if she’s confident that she will live up to her name, Sela laughs.

“I’d hope so! Sales is an important part of the business but there’s more to it than that.”

It seems as though Prescott Toyota is living up to the adage that there are no small parts.

Latest addition to the sales team Masela (Sela) Joyce

Money for the maunga

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari has welcomed a $750,000 lifeline from the latest conservation grants.

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka made the announcement last weekend saying he was confident the funding, spread over three years, would help the sanctuary “continue their work with our precious native species”.

The News revealed in mid-2024 that money concerns were so serious the sanctuary did not have funding confidence beyond a matter of months, and it subsequently reduced its ranger numbers.

“Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is home to more than 730 native species of flora, fauna, and fungi, including endangered wildlife such as the North Island brown kiwi, kākāpō, and Hochstetter’s frog,” Sanctuary Mountain co-chair Norma Taute said.

“The significance of this funding cannot be overstated.”

The Government announcement came at it

boosted investment in the QEII National Trust to reinforce the protection of biodiversity on private land. It amounted to an additional $4.5 million for conservation body over three years.

QEII Trust works with farmers and landowners who voluntarily set aside permanently protected areas including forests and wetlands on private property using covenants.

“Many of our most at-risk plants and animals are found on private land,” Potaka said.

“Landowners provide a significant contribution to conservation efforts through additional planting, pest control, and fencing work.

“For nearly half a century, QEII Trust has worked with landowners, councils and others to protect over 187,000 hectares of land in 5200 covenanted areas…”

A giant leap for Wētā

By Chris Gardner

Mahoenui giant wētā are being given a fighting chance to live with a lot of from Ōtorohanga Kiwi House.

The team has hatched more than 350 Mahoenui giant wētā nymphs since January, edging the species a little further away from extinction and towards nationally endangered. More nymphs are likely over coming months.

“In our last breeding season, we hatched 140 nymphs with 60 released as adults and another 50-plus ready to release in early March,” said Kiwi House general manager Jo Russell.

“The newly hatched nymphs love to hide under the rims and beneath the egg field to hide from the other Wētā nymphs that may eat them. The Wētā are very fragile so our team use fine paintbrushes to encourage them from one spot to another. Their antennae are huge compared to their bodies when young nymphs. They literally grow into these each time they moult.”

The tiny Kermit the Frog green nymphs are kept in converted lunchbox enclosures with mesh on the side and given moss, protein fish flakes, decomposing

matter, fruits and seeds.

Russell said she was grateful to the Department of Conservation for supporting the programme with a casual employee position taken by one of the Kiwi House volunteers.

“We are also applying to a local funder for support to help the programme grow to meet the success with hatching. This will help us recruit and train a full-time keeper from our community to support this species long term.”

The Kiwi House aims to release 3000 Mahoenui giant wētā to the wild.

“This will establish biodiverse insurance populations outside of the

South Island Takahē – total population around 500 – take sanctuary on Maungatautari.

remnant population in Mahoenui.”

Ōtorohanga Kiwi House keepers Carly Hill and Paul Barrett servicing Mahoenui giant wētā nymphs.

Mahoenui wētā… from nymph to giant

Amio

FEBRUARY 2025 ISSUE

MONTHLY ROAD MAP

STAY IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT AND KEEP UP TO DATE WITH OUR ROADS!

Check out our website to find details about our roads and streets including maintenance, how to report issues, traffic management, stock crossing permits, vehicle crossings, temporary road closures and more. www.otodc.govt.nz/council-services/roads-and-streets

The 2025 resealing programme has begun and you can find out more on our website.

RATES

Rates invoices for instalment 2 (for the period 1 January 2025 to 30 June 2025) are due Friday 28th February 2025.

If you have not received your invoice, please get in contact now to avoid penalties.

Water invoices for Ōtorohanga Urban and Rural Water Schemes are also due this month.

Rates rebate 2024/2025 – you may be eligible. To check your eligibility, please visit www.govt.nz/browse/ housingand-property/getting-help-with-housing/ getting-arates-rebate

SMEAR YOUR MEA CAMPAIGN VISITS ŌTOROHANGA

The Smear Your Mea campaign, dedicated to raising awareness for cervical cancer, made a special stop in Ōtorohanga on Wednesday 19th February as part of the Ride for Talei convoy. The riders arrived at the Village Green, where they were warmly welcomed by Mayor Max Baxter, who thanked them for their incredible mahi in spreading awareness and encouraging cervical screening.

A support crew and purpose-built bus was stationed behind the library, offering cervical screening and selftesting options, alongside important information and promotional materials to support the cause.

The story behind Ride for Talei can be found on the Facebook page “Smear Your Mea”

BUZZY BEE HEADS TO THE DOCTOR FOR WING REPAIR

UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS

Ōtorohanga Community Board Monday 3 March 4.00 pm

Kāwhia Community Board Thursday 6 March 4.00 pm

Risk and Assurance Committee Monday 10 March 10.00 am

Elected Member Workshops Tuesday 11 March 10.00 am Council Tuesday 25 March 10.00 am

After a busy December full of festivities, Buzzy Bee is taking a short break to visit the doctor for a much-needed wing repair. Unfortunately, during the excitement of the holiday celebrations, Buzzy Bee’s wing took a bit of a tumble. But don’t worry—Buzzy is in good hands!

Thanks to the skilled team at the Menz Shed, Buzzy’s wing will be fixed up and back to full working order. The Menz Shed team is well-known for their craftsmanship, and we’re confident they’ll have Buzzy buzzing around in no time.

We’ve got photos of Buzzy’s journey to the Menz Shed, where his wing will be carefully mended, ensuring he’s ready to continue bringing smiles to the community.

Stay tuned for updates on Buzzy’s recovery, and let’s all wish him a speedy repair!

Read more council news on our website; www.otodc.govt.nz/latest-news#morenews

RAUMATI TOA SUMMER LEGENDS

A fun, interactive reading programme for tamariki (children) ages 0-18, which has now opened and runs until 31 March 2025. There are 15 unique cards to collect, including 12 common cards and 3 rare ones, each wrapped in mystery envelopes to keep the excitement alive. Find out more on our website or come in and see one of our friendly staff.

Card Swap Meet Wednesday 5th March 3.00pm-4.00pm

STEMLITTLEBITS

Mondays 3.30pm –4.30pm

& RHYME Friday’s 10.30am11.00am

RAVENOUS

READERS BOOK GROUP

Join us for Ravenous Readers Book Group on the second Thursday of each month at the Ōtorohanga District Library, 1.30pm - 2.30pm and 5.15pm - 6.15pm.

The dates and themes for our 2025 meetings are:

• March 13 – Young adult graphic novel

• April 10 – eRead

Can’t make it in person? No need to miss out – join the Ravenous Readers Challenge on Beanstack: otorohangalibrary.beanstack.org

Phone (07) 873 7175, email library@otodc.govt.nz, or message us on Facebook www.facebook.com/otolib

PLANNING TO BUILD?

Ōtorohanga District Council is implementing a new online building consent application system.

From Wednesday 12 February 2025 applications will be submitted via the Objective Build Applicant Platform. Objective Build is simple and intuitive to use, with agents and owners having full visibility of how the application is progressing.

The Objective Build platform covers all aspects of the building consent process including applying for amendments to an approved building consent and applying for a code of compliance certificate when you have finished building. Our website has guides on how to get started. See more: www.otodc.govt.nz/council-services/building-consentsand-information/building-consents

Waka Tete needs help

By Chris Gardner

Ōtorohanga’s historic waka tete is facing an uncertain future unless funds can be raised to install climate control in its Kakamutu Road whare.

Ōtorohanga Museum director Liz Cowan grew concerned about the state of the 200-year-old one of a kind waka after discovering residue from it on the whare floor.

The 13 metre waka tete –fishing canoe - is carved out of a totara tree was buried for at least 150 years. It found in 2002 and unveiled at the museum in 2007.

University of Auckland senior research fellow in anthropology Dr Dilys Johns recently visited the waka and recommended the museum install environmental controls in the whare which also houses other Māori taonga.

“The waka is going to need some serious attention,” Cowan said.

Cowan is beginning the process of getting quotes for equipment to log environmental conditions in the whare alongside the ability to control the conditions. She is also considering installing solar panels to help power the system. She is planning to apply for grants to protect the waka and other Māori taonga in the whare.

The launch of the waka appeal comes after consultants claimed, in the draft Ōtorohanga Reserve Strategy and Management Plan,

that “there is currently little recognition of the long Māori history in Ōtorohanga.”

Cowan told the council, at a recent hearings panel, that she took exception to that statement as the authors had failed to mention the town’s museum.

“We weren’t aware that the plan was being developed,” she said. “We have got some very significant Māori heritage and history at the museum. We’ve got the largest, most significant, collection of Ngāti Maniapoto artefacts in the district. We’ve got very comprehensive information about Ōtorohanga Māori heritage, and the land and buildings are owned by the council.

“I think there’s opportunities to strengthen ties with the museum and tell the story.”

Cowan said Ōtorohanga Village Green, officially the Ōtorohanga Reserve, was a huge visitor attraction,

and a very prominent acknowledgment of Ōtorohanga’s Māori heritage.

“Especially with those two po that commemorate eight historical Ngāti Maniapoto leaders and they were carved by their descendants,” Cowan said.

“Currently the descriptive plaques on the site are barely legible, so that might be nice to attend to that.”

The Otorohanga Reserve was not on that map, and there was nothing about Otorohanga Reserve or the Village Green on the action plan. “It’s a rather important reserve that should be included in that whole plan,” she said.

The museum recently received a $40,000 bequest which had resulted in major renovations in the old court house building.

The town’s oldest building, a police lock up from 1897, also stands on the museum site.

Air and health prime concerns

By Chris Gardner

Nearly two thirds of submissions on the proposed Paewira Waste to Energy Plant in Racecourse Road, Te Awamutu, are concerned with the effects the operation could have on air quality, emissions, and human health, according to a new report.

A total of 1353 submitters made 2173 submissions on the application and 1266 want to be heard by the Board of Inquiry. Among the submissions, 2115 are oppose, 36 support it and 10 are neutral.

Sixty-four percent of the 2173 submissions received regarding resource consent for the project received by Waikato Regional Council, Waipā District Council, and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) raised concerns about air quality, emissions, and human health, the EPA report written by Wratt Resource Management special adviser Carolyn Wratt Says.

“Air quality and emissions to air was one of the most common concerns raised by 1393 submissions,” Wratt said.

“The comments ranged from concern in general that the proposal will generate air emissions, to concern about specific contaminants being released into the atmosphere such as dioxins and nanoparticles.”

The report said the submissions made a clear distinction between emissions arising from combustion of waste, trucks transporting waste and dust from earthworks and construction.

“Often all three generators of air emissions were raised in an individual submission. The submissions raised concerns about what

happens to those emissions, particularly the contamination of water supply collected off roofs and contamination of land.”

Human health was one of the most common and emotive matters raised in submissions.

“Many were deeply concerned about the effect of chemical and particle emissions on the health of their children and other vulnerable members of society.” Wratt said.

“While a large number of submitters expressed concern about the potential for bioaccumulation of chemicals in future generations, it was not often clear whether they considered this would result in a health effect. A large number of submitters noted the absence of a health impact assessment in the application. Another aspect of health impacts was sleep deprivation for shift workers caused by increased truck movements.”

A large number of submitters expressed concern that “inexperienced operator” Global Contracting Solutions proposes to use “untested technology” and “the latest technology is not being used”.

“The most common positive effect identified is that the proposal reduces the amount of waste going into landfills. Other submitters recognised the generation of electricity as a positive by-product, by increasing not only the availability of electricity but diversifying the generation of electricity. A number of submissions identified other locations in the world where similar plants have established,” Wratt said.

Waipā District Council and Te AwamutuKihikihi Community Board are among those opposing the development.

SPOTLIGHT ON OTOROHANGA

Health without surgical intervention

Dr Scott Mouat opened King Country Chiropractic at 27a Maniapoto St in Otorohanga in 2008.

“Whether you are healthy and want to ensure you maintain your current state of wellness, or you are feeling sore or unwell, we can help you, from children to the elderly,” Scott says.

Collaborate & Celebrate

Join us for an exciting evening as Little Scissors and Ador Shoes come together under one roof.

Date: Wednesday 19th March 4.30 to 7pm

What’s in store?

Showcase of stunning shoes & hair products.

Refreshments & nibbles Exclusive deals.

Come along, connect, and celebrate with us! Bring a friend, shop, and save on fabulous bargains and make an evening of it. We can’t wait to see you there.

Award winning orist

Iona van der Pasch owner of Moss & Co orists at 31 Maniapoto St in Otorohanga for the past ve years, is an award winning orist with 26 years’ experience in providing customers with unique designs suited speci cally to their requirements. From wedding designs to dried oral arrangements, if you want your owers to say everything, Moss & Co is a great place to go.

The store with everything

The Budget Warehouse, found at 19 Tuhoro St, Otorohanga, is setting a new standard for local shopping, o ering a popular and diverse range of products similar to the main big brand stores elsewhere.

Whether you’re looking for home essentials, kitchen gadgets, or the latest electronics, The Budget Warehouse has it all.

Waka tete needs serious attention, says Ōtorohanga Museum director Liz Cowan.

on for wool drives Piopio doyen

From Te Kawa with laughs…

By: Jon Rawlinson

We’ve been warned – a madman is headed to Piopio. You don’t have to be mad to work there, but when an employer was mad with Te Kawa’s Wesley Nicholas, he broke the internet in an attempt to get even.

“I was bored on a lonely day during Covid,” Wesley (aka ItsThatMadGuy) explains.

“My boss pissed me off because he wouldn’t give me a sick day, so I jumped on TikTok to do a skit about it. The clip just blew up. Heaps of people were asking me to do more. I thought ‘stuff it, if I can make people laugh on screen, I can do it live’.”

Unfortunately, his first skit has been lost – Nicholas’ TikTok account was cancelled for being “too rude,” but he has added to his set list since.

Based roughly halfway between Te Awamutu and Ōtorohanga, Nicholas has

played numerous venues throughout Waikato and King Country. Yet to give up his day job, the Te Kawa farmer is putting some serious effort into building a career in comedy. Well, not quite ‘serious’, it’s mostly just for the giggles.

“I’m pretty happy with where I’m at. I always wanted to be like Guy Williams – I’ve had shows at a couple of the same venues as he has, but I’ve sold more tickets so I can tick that off my list.”

Breaking into the Kiwi comedy circuit isn’t easy, however. Some comedians who have paid their dues may resent such overnight successes served up by the internet.

“TikTok comedians are, almost, alienated from the scene because we haven’t needed to work for 10 or 15 years to get on TV before people recognise us. With minimal effort on TikTok we can get the same level of recognition.”

Despite this, Wesley has made a name for himself.

“ItsThatMadGuy was my username on Xbox since I was a wee fella, so I just went with that. The whole comedian thing wasn’t manufactured, it’s all been about going with the flow.”

Live comedy provides immediate feedback, but this mad guy says it can still be tough to know whether he’s killing or dying on stage.

“Sometimes I’ve felt like I’ve absolutely bombed but, off stage, people pat me on the back. At other times, I’ve thought I’ve smashed it and then I’m told by someone trying to be nice that ‘you’ll get there one day’, so it’s hard to tell… and it all depends on how many beers I’ve had.” he says.

This funny farmer (and father) has no intention to give up his current day job and world tours can wait.

“Most of my shows are in my local area because I’m just doing a few gigs a month on my weekends off and making it up as I go,” he says.

Nicholas is next set to appear at the Piopio Cosmopolitan Club in midMarch when he will joined by Hamilton-based UK comedian, Paul Chadwick, and Te Ākau’s John Tapp.

Asked what reaction he expects from a (near enough) hometown crowd, he answers a silly question in a deadpan tone: “Laughing… hopefully.”

Wesley Nicholas aka ItsThatMadGuy

Why ‘Space Dave’ backs Nasa

By Chris Gardner

Te Awamutu’s “Space Dave” has complete faith that Nasa and other space agencies can deal with a rogue asteroid heading towards Earth.

He says we should treat the emergence as a planetary emergency drill.

Astronomers warn there is a two per cent chance of space rock 2024 YR4 hitting our planet in 2032.

“Nasa and other space agencies are always on the lookout for potentially dangerous near-Earth objects,” Te Awamutu Space Centre astronomer and founder Dave Owen told The News.

Owen has operated the space centre in Lyon Street, Kihikihi, since 2014.

“As they find new ones, it takes time to figure out their exact orbits,” he said.

“During this early tracking stage, it’s normal for the odds of hitting Earth to fluctuate. That’s what’s happening with this asteroid. While the odds are currently around two per cent, my best guess is that this will come down to virtually zero soon. However,

Menzshed homes grow Cricket work starts

Construction has started on the installation of a new cricket pitch and nets at Centennial Park in Te Kūiti.

The artificial pitch is being laid by Gilby Construction and Team Turf and will require limited maintenance.

Waitomo District Council obtained half the money for the work through Northern Districts Cricket Association’s Regional Facilities Fund.

A grant of $8,650 has been confirmed to assist with costs, and the rest will be funded internally. Council was also successful in securing a $35,000 grant from Grassroots Trust to buy permanent cricket nets.

Once the project is finished, teams and clubs will no longer need to travel out of the district to practice. There are no adequate facilities in the district to accommodate the cricket community.

The installation of the pitch and nets is in response to council’s recent community consultation on how best to improve and use Centennial Park.

A concept plan was developed last year to outline future potential development opportunities for Centennial Park. Using the Oval and North Field was highlighted as a priority.

Chief Executive Ben Smit says other projects within the plan will also be prioritised based on funding.

Another Menzshed has opened in the region – this one in Cambridge.

The group is using the former Leamington Dairy Factory in Carlyle Street which it has had a $100,000 renovation.

It is the second Waipā shed - others are in Ōtorohanga, Te Kuiti, Hamilton, Matamata, Mangakino, Morrinsville, Paeroa, Pauanui, Tokoroa, Tairua, Taupō, Thames, Whangamata and Whitianga.

Menzshed operates as something of a cross between a repair shop and a fellowship centre for older men.

The organisation’s website explains “the sort of projects a shed tackles is entirely up to the shed concerned, however most sheds around New Zealand take on some community projects…

“Many couples find that after retirement, the shock of suddenly being with each other every waking (and sleeping) hour can cause friction, so the shed is a great place to escape the stresses of “underfoot syndrome”, and the result is that women are among the most ardent supporters of Sheds.”

it could be as late as 2028 before we know for sure.”

Even in the unlikely event 2024 YR4 is on a collision course with Earth, Owen said there lots of time to prepare.

“…we know what to do. We just need to send a rocket to the asteroid and give it a little nudge to change its direction enough to miss Earth. Nasa has already tested this procedure, and it worked.”

Nasa tested and proved the technology for redirecting asteroids in 2021.

“There are also other space agencies such as the European Space Agency, who would likely be involved. Even New Zealand’s Rocket Lab could potentially play a part.”

In the absolute worstcase scenario, Owen said, humanity had time to calculate where it would hit Earth and evacuate that area.

“This could mean displacing a city-sized population, which is bad, but it’s not an existential threat,” he said.

“Whether or not this asteroid turns out to be a problem, one thing is almost guaranteed: It’s only a matter of time before we do face a serious asteroid impact. That’s when everyone will suddenly be happy that we have a spaceflight programme because that’s what will save us.

“Any concerns I have are not with Nasa, they’re with politicians.”

Owen said he had seen US apocalyptic political satire black comedy film Don’t Look Up and its message was a serious one.

“This is a completely solvable problem, as long as politicians and the general public are willing to fund the solution.”

Among those at the Cambridge opening was the president of the Te Kiti shed, Mike Gast.

Te Awamutu Space Centre’s “Space Dave” says Nasa, the European Space Agency, and Rocket Lab could all play a part in deflecting an asteroid impact.

New Prices

Summary of pricing plans

Residential Low Fixed Charge is only available to customers in their principal place of residence (home) and is usually best for those who use less than 8,000 kWh per annum.

Residential Standard is only available to customers in their principal place of residence (home) and is usually best for those who use more than 8,000 kWh per annum.

General is where the end use we have recorded is not ‘holiday home’, ‘accommodation’ or ‘dairy cattle milking shed’ and includes pumps, sheds, etc.

Temporary Accommodation is where the end use we have recorded is ‘holiday home’ or ‘accommodation’.

Dairy is where the end use we have recorded is ‘dairy cattle milking shed’.

RTLFCHU427HighUncontrolled0.15510.41820.02670.6000-0.10890.49110.19480.2030-0.03720.16580.12680.1350-0.02420.11080.05730.0655-0.01090.0546

RTLFCLU219LowUncontrolled0.12150.45760.02090.6000-0.11920.48080.23610.2532-0.04900.20420.16810.1852-0.03490.15030.09860.1157-0.02050.0952

RTSTDHC2,094HighControlled0.38771.04550.06681.5000-0.27231.22770.10950.1095-0.01960.08990.09400.0940-0.01680.07720.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

RTSTDLC1,016LowControlled0.52631.98300.09072.6000-0.51642.08360.10950.1095-0.01960.08990.09400.0940-0.01680.07720.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

RTSTDHU356HighUncontrolled0.38771.04550.06681.5000-0.27231.22770.16200.1620-0.02900.13300.09400.0940-0.01680.07720.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

RTSTDLU279LowUncontrolled0.52631.98300.09072.6000-0.51642.08360.16200.1620-0.02900.13300.09400.0940-0.01680.07720.02450.0245-0.00440.0201 RNLFCHC26HighControlled0.15510.41820.02670.6000-0.10890.4911

GT15HU1,114HighUncontrolled0.39061.69210.06732.1500-0.44071.70930.17800.1780-0.03190.14610.10250.1025-0.01840.08410.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

GT15LU1,252LowUncontrolled0.44932.37330.07742.9000-0.61812.28190.17800.1780-0.03190.14610.10250.1025-0.01840.08410.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

GT30HC63HighControlled1.21433.07640.20934.5000-0.80123.69880.12300.1230-0.02200.10100.09000.0900-0.01610.07390.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

GT30LC19LowControlled1.32133.95100.22775.5000-1.02894.47110.12300.1230-0.02200.10100.09000.0900-0.01610.07390.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

GT30HU167HighUncontrolled1.21433.07640.20934.5000-0.80123.69880.14200.1420-0.02540.11660.09000.0900-0.01610.07390.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

GT30LU62LowUncontrolled1.32133.95100.22775.5000-1.02894.47110.14200.1420-0.02540.11660.09000.0900-0.01610.07390.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

GT70H190Highn/a 2.63686.90880.454410.0000-1.79928.20080.11300.1130-0.02020.09280.08200.0820-0.01470.06730.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

GT70L154Lown/a 3.10138.86420.534512.5000-2.308410.19160.11300.1130-0.02020.09280.08200.0820-0.01470.06730.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

GT150H40Highn/a 5.527515.51990.952622.0000-4.041817.95820.09600.0960-0.01720.07880.07500.0750-0.01340.06160.02450.0245-0.00440.0201 GT150L37Lown/a 6.151019.28901.060026.5000-5.023321.47670.09600.0960-0.01720.07880.07500.0750-0.01340.06160.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

DT15LCn/aLowControlled0.44932.37330.07742.9000-0.61812.28190.11200.1120-0.02010.09190.10250.1025-0.01840.08410.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

DT15HUn/aHighUncontrolled0.39061.69210.06732.1500-0.44071.70930.17800.1780-0.03190.14610.10250.1025-0.01840.08410.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

DT15LUn/aLowUncontrolled0.44932.37330.07742.9000-0.61812.28190.17800.1780-0.03190.14610.10250.1025-0.01840.08410.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

DT30HCn/aHighControlled1.21433.07640.20934.5000-0.80123.69880.10950.1095-0.01960.08990.09000.0900-0.01610.07390.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

DT30LCn/aLowControlled1.32133.95100.22775.5000-1.02894.47110.10950.1095-0.01960.08990.09000.0900-0.01610.07390.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

DT30HUn/aHighUncontrolled1.21433.07640.20934.5000-0.80123.69880.12600.1260-0.02260.10340.09000.0900-0.01610.07390.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

DT30LUn/aLowUncontrolled1.32133.95100.22775.5000-1.02894.47110.12600.1260-0.02260.10340.09000.0900-0.01610.07390.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

DT70Hn/aHighn/a 2.63686.90880.454410.0000-1.79928.20080.09800.0980-0.01760.08040.08200.0820-0.01470.06730.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

DT70Ln/aLown/a 3.10138.86420.534512.5000-2.308410.19160.09800.0980-0.01760.08040.08200.0820-0.01470.06730.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

DT150Hn/aHighn/a 5.527515.01990.952621.5000-3.911517.58850.08200.0820-0.01470.06730.07500.0750-0.01340.06160.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

DT150Ln/aLown/a 6.151019.03901.060026.2500-4.958221.29180.08200.0820-0.01470.06730.07500.0750-0.01340.06160.02450.0245-0.00440.0201 DN30HUn/aHighUncontrolled 1.21433.07640.20934.5000-0.80123.6988

DN150Ln/aLown/a 6.151019.03901.060026.2500-4.958221.2918 0.06660.0666-0.0119

TT15HC187HighControlled0.39062.54210.06733.0000-0.66202.33800.11200.1120-0.02010.09190.10250.1025-0.01840.08410.02450.0245-0.00440.0201 TT15LC107LowControlled0.44933.47330.07744.0000-0.90453.09550.11200.1120-0.02010.09190.10250.1025-0.01840.08410.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

TT15HU89HighUncontrolled0.39062.54210.06733.0000-0.66202.33800.17800.1780-0.03190.14610.10250.1025-0.01840.08410.02450.0245-0.00440.0201 TT15LU195LowUncontrolled0.44933.47330.07744.0000-0.90453.09550.17800.1780-0.03190.14610.10250.1025-0.01840.08410.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

TT30HCn/aHighControlled1.21434.57640.20936.0000-1.19184.80820.12300.1230-0.02200.10100.09000.0900-0.01610.07390.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

TT30HUn/aHighUncontrolled1.21434.57640.20936.0000-1.19184.80820.14200.1420-0.02540.11660.09000.0900-0.01610.07390.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

TT30LUn/aLowUncontrolled1.32135.95100.22777.5000-1.54985.95020.14200.1420-0.02540.11660.09000.0900-0.01610.07390.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

TT70Hn/aHighn/a 2.63689.20880.454412.3000-2.39829.90180.10900.1090-0.01950.08950.08200.0820-0.01470.06730.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

TT70Ln/aLown/a 3.101311.66420.534515.3000-3.037612.26240.10900.1090-0.01950.08950.08200.0820-0.01470.06730.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

TT150Hn/aHighn/a 5.527519.51990.952626.0000-5.083420.91660.09200.0920-0.01650.07550.07500.0750-0.01340.06160.02450.0245-0.00440.0201

Prices

Delivery prices are the prices we bill your electricity retailer and are made up of different components: Distribution, Transmission and Pass-through prices. Embedded Generation prices are for energy injected into the distribution network and are $0.000 per kWh. TLC Discount prices are used to calculate the TLC Discount for Waitomo Energy Services Customer Trust Customers. Pass-through prices are related to other costs and regulatory incentives and the prices are $/kWh:

Transmission prices include TLC’s charges from Transpower. TLC’s recovery of these costs is included in daily and variable prices ($/kWh):

All prices exclude GST. Our other prices (e.g. those for capacity and dedicated asset customers) are available on our website. The pricing schedules, methodology and TLC Discount rules will be available on our website before 1 April 2025.

pricing times Peak 7am – 9.30am | 5.30pm – 8pm

9.30am – 5.30pm | 8pm – 11pm Off Peak 11pm – 7am

Utility Disputes: If you have a complaint, please call 0800 367 546 or email us at info@thelines.co.nz to access our free complaints process. If we cannot resolve your complaint, you can contact Utilities Disputes on 0800 22 33 40 or go to www.udl.co.nz. Utilities Disputes is a free and independent service for resolving complaints about utilities providers.

COMING YEAR - Prices from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026

RTLFCHC0.10000.6576-0.00760.7500-0.15280.59720.14870.1674-0.02950.13790.12720.1459-0.02550.12040.05740.0574-0.00930.0481

RTLFCLC0.10000.6576-0.00760.7500-0.15280.59720.21030.2290-0.04380.18520.18880.2075-0.03980.16770.11900.1190-0.02360.0954

RTLFCHU0.10000.6576-0.00760.7500-0.15280.59720.17370.1924-0.03400.15840.12720.1459-0.02550.12040.05740.0574-0.00930.0481

RTLFCLU0.10000.6576-0.00760.7500-0.15280.59720.23530.2540-0.04830.20570.18880.2075-0.03980.16770.11900.1190-0.02360.0954

RTSTDHC0.50631.4523-0.05861.9000-0.33751.56250.11500.1150-0.02110.09390.09350.0935-0.01710.07640.00500.0050-0.00090.0041

RTSTDLC0.50632.8023-0.05863.2500-0.65122.59880.11500.1150-0.02110.09390.09350.0935-0.01710.07640.00500.0050-0.00090.0041

RTSTDHU0.50631.4523-0.05861.9000-0.33751.56250.14000.1400-0.02560.11440.09350.0935-0.01710.07640.00500.0050-0.00090.0041

RTSTDLU0.50632.8023-0.05863.2500-0.65122.59880.14000.1400-0.02560.11440.09350.0935-0.01710.07640.00500.0050-0.00090.0041

RNLFCHC0.10000.6576-0.00760.7500-0.15280.5972

RNLFCLC0.10000.6576-0.00760.7500-0.15280.5972

RNLFCHU0.10000.6576-0.00760.7500-0.15280.5972 0.12500.1399-0.02440.1155

RNLFCLU0.10000.6576-0.00760.7500-0.15280.5972 0.18660.2015-0.03870.1628

RNSTDHC0.50631.4523-0.05861.9000-0.33751.5625 0.07830.0783-0.01430.0640

RNSTDLC0.50632.8023-0.05863.2500-0.65122.5988 0.07830.0783-0.01430.0640

RNSTDLU0.50632.8023-0.05863.2500-0.65122.5988 0.08750.0875-0.01600.0715

GT15HC0.50632.4523-0.05862.9000-0.56992.33010.11500.1150-0.02110.09390.10100.1010-0.01850.08250.00500.0050-0.00090.0041 GT15LC0.50633.3523-0.05863.8000-0.77903.02100.11500.1150-0.02110.09390.10100.1010-0.01850.08250.00500.0050-0.00090.0041

GT15HU0.50632.4523-0.05862.9000-0.56992.33010.14000.1400 -0.02560.11440.10100.1010-0.01850.08250.00500.0050-0.00090.0041

GT15LU0.50633.3523-0.05863.8000-0.77903.02100.14000.1400-0.02560.11440.10100.1010-0.01850.08250.00500.0050-0.00090.0041

GT30HC1.01255.1046-0.11716.0000-1.18624.81380.11500.1150-0.02110.09390.08750.0875-0.01600.07150.00500.0050-0.00090.0041

GT30LC1.01256.6046-0.11717.5000-1.53485.96520.11500.1150-0.02110.09390.08750.0875-0.01600.07150.00500.0050-0.00090.0041

GT30HU1.01255.1046-0.11716.0000-1.18624.81380.14000.1400-0.02560.11440.08750.0875-0.01600.07150.00500.0050-0.00090.0041

GT30LU1.01256.6046-0.11717.5000-1.53485.96520.14000.1400-0.02560.11440.08750.0875-0.01600.07150.00500.0050-0.00090.0041 GT70H2.362512.9108-0.273315.0000-3.000311.99970.14000.1400-0.02560.11440.07750.0775-0.01420.06330.00500.0050-0.00090.0041

GT70L2.362515.4108-0.273317.5000-3.581313.91870.14000.1400-0.02560.11440.07750.0775-0.01420.06330.00500.0050-0.00090.0041

GT150H5.062525.5231-0.585630.0000-5.931324.06870.14000.1400-0.02560.11440.06500.0650-0.01190.05310.00500.0050-0.00090.0041

GT150L5.062535.5231-0.585640.0000-8.255131.74490.14000.1400-0.02560.11440.06500.0650-0.01190.05310.00500.0050-0.00090.0041

GN15HC0.50632.4523-0.05862.9000-0.56992.3301

GN15LC0.50633.3523-0.05863.8000-0.77903.0210

GN15HU0.50632.4523-0.05862.9000-0.56992.3301

GN15LU0.50633.3523-0.05863.8000-0.77903.0210

GN30HC1.01255.1046-0.11716.0000-1.18624.8138

GN30HU1.01255.1046-0.11716.0000-1.18624.8138

GN70H2.362512.9108-0.273315.0000-3.000311.9997

No longer applicable. The Lines Company has transformed the way it charges distribution. We have consolidated a number of these to simplify our charging structure. These charges have been incorporated into General TOU. No longer applicable. As above. These charges have been incorporated into General Anytime.

TT15HC0.50633.1523-0.05863.6000-0.73262.86740.11500.1150-0.02110.09390.10100.1010-0.01850.08250.00500.0050-0.00090.0041 TT15LC0.50634.3523-0.05864.8000-1.01143.78860.11500.1150-0.02110.09390.10100.1010-0.01850.08250.00500.0050-0.00090.0041 TT15HU0.50633.1523-0.05863.6000-0.73262.86740.14000.1400-0.02560.11440.10100.1010-0.01850.08250.00500.0050-0.00090.0041 TT15LU0.50634.3523-0.0586 4.8000-1.01143.78860.14000.1400-0.02560.11440.10100.1010-0.01850.08250.00500.0050-0.00090.0041

No longer applicable. As above. These charges have been incorporated into General TOU.

TN15HU0.50633.1523-0.05863.6000-0.73262.8674

TN15LU0.50634.3523-0.05864.8000-1.01143.7886

What’s behind the pricing category simplification?

There are two types of charges - fixed daily and consumption prices (per kWh) which mostly vary according to the time of day (TOU).

We have revised prices and simplified our pricing structure by amalgamating customer groups with similar load profiles; reducing the number of price category codes. We are moving Dairy and larger Temporary Accommodation connections into their respective General code. You do not need to do anything. We have let your electricity retailer know.

0.08100.0810-0.01480.0662

0.08100.0810-0.01480.0662

0.09020.0902-0.01650.0737

0.09020.0902-0.01650.0737

0.07610.0761-0.01390.0622

0.08530.0853-0.01560.0697

0.08160.0816-0.01490.0667

If you are unsure what your current or new price category code is, please contact us or visit: www. thelinescompany. co.nz/pricing/

Questions or concerns?

Please call us on 0800 367 546.

This advert details Waitomo Energy Services Customer Trust (WESCT) pricing.

For NON-WESCT pricing please visit our website: thelinescompany. co.nz.

Across 1. Exit a computer program (3,3) 4. School absentee (6) 9. Shy (5)

10. Trap (7)

11. Component (7)

13. Carry (4)

14. Cabbage-like vegetable (11)

17. Bird’s arm (4)

Last week

18. Bread eaten with soup (7)

21. Insistent (7)

22. Tropical fruit (5)

24. Kebab pin (6)

25. Agitation (6) Down 1. Soapy froth (6)

2. Chuddy (3)

3. Sweet treat (5) 5. Rice dish (7)

6. Home unit (9) 7. Layer (4)

COMEDY HYPNOSIS

8. Document of achievement (11) 12. Wipe out (9) 15. Traveller’s bags (7) 16. Whole (6) 19. Church instrument (5) 20. Excludes (4) 23. Mimic (3)

Across: 1. Boat, 4. Grease, 8. Affable, 9. Pause, 10. Mint, 11. Envisage, 13. Exquisite, 17. Scavenge, 19. Doze, 21. Among, 22. Rejoice, 23. Friend, 24. Rang. Down: 2. Offence, 3. Tuba, 4. Green-fingered, 5. Explicit, 6. Sauna, 7. Defer, 8. Army, 12. Squeegee, 14. Emotion, 15. Usual, 16. Were, 18. Amour, 20. Ajar.

Team Kerry & Karen

kjharty@harcourts.co.nz

karen.lennox@harcourts.co.nz

Te Kuiti 8 Tammadge Street

50's brick retro-charmer

Built in 1951, the 100 m2 home blends character with home comforts; stylish dark roller blinds, a composite matching carpet and toning vinyl, offset the neutral dove grey palette. This property is an excellent choice for a single person or a couple who are thinking about starting a family. An open-plan kitchen and dining area flow seamlessly into a light filled lounge/family room; offering plenty of space for everyday living. Bi-fold doors allow access from the lounge onto a large decked area creating an indoor-outdoor flow for entertaining and relaxing. An internal laundry adds to the home's practicality. Definitely a - must-seefor first-home buyers, and investors.

Lifestyle living at its finest

Otorohanga 398 Puketawai Road

Kuiti 33 Te Kuiti Road

Te Kuiti

Kuiti

Te Kuiti 34/36 Rata Street

Te Kuiti 23

Mahoenui 7 Gribbon Road

Benneydale Ellis Road

Kuiti Road, Lots 1 & 4, 5517-8932sqm, easy covenants. Phone Lorraine

Lot 1, 627 Waitomo Valley Road, Otorohanga, 8105sqm rural lifestyle section. Phone

Lots 90-108 Harpers Avenue, 486sqm to 962sqm, Westridge II subdivision.

576C Mangawhero Road, Otorohanga, 1ha, fenced, sensible covenants. Ph Noldy

2/823 Ngahape Road, Otorohanga, over 6000sqm, elevated building site, rural views. Ph Noldy $450,000 3/823 Ngahape Road, Otorohanga, over 6500sqm of land, power to boundary, fencing in. Ph Noldy $450,000 Te Kūiti sections (sizes are approximate)

5 Robin Azariah Place, Te Kuiti, 906sqm, quiet neighbourhood. Phone Buzz. Offers over $199,000

54A Ailsa Street (Lot 1), Te Kuiti, 2159sqm, end of a cul de sac, STT. Phone Buzz By Negotiation 54A Ailsa Street (Lot 2), Te Kuiti, 1707sqm, end of a cul de sac, STT. Phone Buzz By Negotiation 10 Robin Azariah Place, Te Kuiti, 600sqm level section. Phone Buzz $239.000 Other sections (sizes are approximate)

0 State Highway 3, Piopio, 984sqm. Phone Buzz By Negotiation 171 Ngahape Road, Te Kawa, 5001sqm. Phone Cherie $470,000

0 Raglan Road, Kawhia, 2648sqm lifestyle section, no covenants, completely off grid. Ph Julie $290,000 1961 SH31 Kawhia Road, Otorohanga, 16.95ha, bikes, sheep or building site options. Ph Noldy $520,000

232 Waiwera Street, Kawhia

TE MAPARA 65 Arapae Road

SALE

Dairy Property - Piopio - Very well located 248 hectare (more or less) flat to easy to medium contoured dairy farm. High input generated from other two supporting properties have let the vendors achieve good production however this farm is at the size it can easily be a production standalone dairy farm.

42 ASHB shed, feed pad, 10 bay calf shed, one dwelling. Milking 670 cows - 150 of which are winter milkers. Three year average -231826kg MS. Historically 300 calves have also been reared.

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

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

pggwre.co.nz/TEK41179

TE MAPARA 37 Napinapi Road

RECEIVERSHIP SALE

Large Lifestyle

20 hectares (more or less)

Three bedroom single storey dwelling

Two log burners and central heating

Double

•

• Combination of maize and oats

TE MAPARA Nohonoa Road RECEIVERSHIP SALE

Support Property. Located 9km northeast of Piopio, this 141 hectares (more or less) property is used for supplement growing, winter cow grazing and calf rearing. Maize and silage are grown on and transported to the vendors dairy farm at Arapae Road which we are also marketing. It is bare land with yards and load-out facilities. Water is from a legal easement across the Tikirau Road. Contour and location is very good here.

11.00am, Friday 28 March

Super stone fruit

My lifelong addiction to fresh fruit began in Hawke’s Bay. ‘Harvest country’ was my childhood playground. Languid summer Sundays were often deliciously dedicated to PYO peaches, apricots and nectarines in the region’s inviting orchards.

Mum crammed our laundry shelves with preserves prepared from fresh surpluses. We were never short of bottled fruit or chutneys, pickles and sauces.

Peaches originated in China and were taken to the Middle East in pre-Christian times via the Silk Road. However, the Golden Queen peach is said to have first been grown in New Zealand in the garden of a Mrs Reeves in Tauranga. Golden Queens are a late season peach popular for bottling. There are different varieties. Some are ‘freestone’, where the flesh easily separates from the stone, and others are ‘clingstone’. Still known (some say controversially) as the black boy peach (prunus persica), this taste treat is now also called the blood peach or red-fleshed peach. This late-summer yummy with its port wine skin and ruby flesh, is high in antioxidants and is a choice peach for both cooking and enjoying raw. The riper it is, the sweeter it is and more easily peeled.

Roasted stone fruit

One of my mother’s moreish desserts with a ‘wow’ factor was stone fruit roasted in sweet sherry and served warm or cold with whipped cream. In keeping with changing tastes, I’ve substituted white wine and a dash of maple syrup for the sherry.

2-3 each: peaches, nectarines, large apricots

2-3 tablespoons caster sugar

1/2 cup white wine

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 each: star anise, small vanilla bean pod, split open 25g butter, diced julienned orange peel to garnish

Preheat the oven to 200°C fan bake.

Halve and stone the fruit. Peel the peaches, if preferred. Place snugly — cut-sides up — in a roasting dish. Sprinkle with the

caster sugar. Combine the wine and maple syrup. Pour over the fruit and top with the star anise and the vanilla pod. Dot with butter.

Roast for 30 minutes until the fruit is tender. Garnish with the julienned orange peel.

Excellent served warm or at room temperature with whipped cream or ice cream. Serves 4-6.

Tip: To prevent the fruit discolouring (oxidising) during preparation, dissolve a 1/4 teaspoon of vitamin C powder in a 1/4 cup of cold water and drizzle over the fruit in a bowl. Vitamin C powder is available from health food stores.

Black boy peach galettes

These galettes can be cooked ahead, refrigerated then reheated on a hot oven tray until just warm.

2 sheets ready-rolled flaky pastry

1/2-3/4 cup apricot jam, sieved if lumpy

4-6 black boy peaches

1 1/2 tablespoons cornflour

1/2 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted and chopped

Preheat the oven to 190°C. Line one or two baking trays with baking paper.

Using a 10cm diameter bowl or similar, cut out 4 rounds from each pastry sheet. Place on the paper-lined trays. Brush the rounds with a little jam.

Halve, stone and peel the peaches. Place cut-side down on a chopping board and thinly slice. Place the slices over the pastry circles, overlapping them slightly like scales on a fish.

Lightly dust with cornflour. Brush with more jam. Bake for about 25 minutes, until the pastry is crisp and slightly browned around the edges. Sprinkle with the pine nuts.

Excellent served with crème fraiche, whipped cream or ice cream. Serves 8.

Plum & cassis fool

This makes a great topping for pavlova. It’s also luscious layered with fruit (blueberries, sliced strawberries or plums) in tall glasses.

500g red plums

1/3 cup sugar

3 tablespoons each: water, cassis (or Kirsch)

1 1/2 cups cream

1 tablespoon lemon juice, optional

Halve and stone the plums. Place in a saucepan with the sugar and water. Cook on medium heat for about 15 minutes or until soft. Stir occasionally.

Place in a food processor or blender. Process, until smooth. Cool. Stir in the cassis.

Whip the cream, until thick. Fold the plum purée into the cream. Add lemon juice to taste. Serves 6-8.

Roasted stone fruit

Black boy peach galettes

•

•

NOTICE:

A/c

BALUSTRADES | SHOWERS SPLASHBACKS | MIRRORS PET DOORS | TABLE TOPS EMERGENCY GLASS REPAIR 24/7

Ōtorohanga District Council wish to engage in a tender process, for licences of Council-owned flood protection land within Ōtorohanga, mostly cut and carry.

Hillview – Te Kūiti HILLVIEW IS HIRING

If you are interested in the following positions please submit your application (forms available at Hillview reception) together with your CV:

0800 554 527 027 554 5270 info@jakesglass.co.nz

NEED A PANELBEATER?

HANDYMAN

Property maintenance and construction

Lawns, trees, stump grinding, sections, moss & mould treatments, Chemwash, waterblasting, gutter vac, water tank and trough cleaning fences, retaining, odd jobs and more. References available GST registered.

Mike & Allana 027 350 0836 info@handy-man.co.nz

Septic Tank Cleaning

Waitomo Liquid Waste Disposal 021 111 3911

Tender forms are available from Council office, 17 Maniapoto St, Ōtorohanga

Tender open date: 27/02/2025 at 9am

Tender closing date: 13/03/2025 at 4pm

All enquiries to info@otodc.govt.nz

• Part-time housekeeper

• Casual housekeeper

For further information, contact our reception on 07 878 6904 weekdays between 08:30 and 16:30 or e-mail reception@hillviewtk.co.nz for an application form.

Car Groomer

We have an opportunity for a Car Groomer to join the team and take responsibility for cleaning the interior and exterior of vehicles to ensure they are in the best condition possible for our customers. Hours for this role can be flexible for the right applicant, working anywhere from 25-35 hours per week depending on operational needs. We are happy to consider applicants who want part-time or full-time work.

Experience in a similar role would be great, but full training can be provided. To us it’s more important you are reliable, customer focused and have an eye for detail and a commitment to doing a quality job. The role can be quite physically demanding, so being physically fit is a must have as is a clean full NZ driver’s licence with the confidence to drive both manual and automatic vehicles. If this role interests you, email your CV and cover letter to sarah@eight73consulting.co.nz. For further information, please call Sarah on 07 873 7104.

Applications close: Friday 7 March 2025 5.00pm but will be assessed as they come in, so don’t delay and apply today!

We currently have an opportunity for an intermediate or senior accountant to join our team.

The role will provide you with the opportunity to work within an experienced, collaborative team. You will be providing a range of services and liaising with partners, clients and our friendly, approachable staff.

You will be preparing tax returns, financial statements and GST returns for companies, partnerships and trusts. Depending on your experience, you may also be preparing budgets, forecasts, cashflows and monthly management accounts.

We can offer you access to the latest business technology, training and support from our friendly, professional team. We are an Approved Training Organisation with CAANZ so we can help you to progress your accounting qualifications should you wish to do so.

Please forward an application and your CV to:

Accounting Position

McKenzie Strawbridge P O Box 37 Otorohanga 3940

Or email to: rebecca@msca.co.nz

Situations Vacant

Waitomo Arotahi Kaahui Ako

Across School Leaders (2 positions)

Fixed term 0.4 for one year

Waitomo Arotahi Kaahui Ako is made up of 12 schools and 7 ECE centres that work together to help students achieve their full potential.

Our Waitomo Arotahi Kaahui Ako is looking for two Across School Leaders with a passion for curriculum development (numeracy focus) and/or an interest in co-ordinating services and support for children with additional needs.

We need two applicants who:

• Are committed to Maaori learner success and culturally responsive teaching.

• Can facilitate professional learning networks across schools.

•Have strong curriculum knowledge and a passion for teacher growth.

•Are excellent communicators, able to engage across diverse communities.

To express your interest and for an application pack, please contact: Pam Voyce p.voyce@xtra.co.nz or Ana Wiseman ana@aria.school.nz

MULTIPLE POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Teacher Aide (part-time term time only) - 16 hours per week

Office Administrator (part-time term time only) - 8 hours per week

Cleaner (part-time term time only) - 4 hours per week

Note: these roles could be combined for the suitable candidate

For more information about these positions please see www.piripiri.school.nz/our-school/ our-staff/current-vacancies or contact principal@piripiri.school.nz

Please send your CV (including the details of at least 2 referees), and direct any enquiries to:

Matthew Jackson Piripiri School 2703 Te Anga Road, Te Kuiti principal@piripiri.school.nz 07 876 7522

Use the link below to read our paper online

https://kingcountrynews.partica.co.nz/ king-country-news/

M A R K E T

ST LUKE’S MARKET DAY

This Saturday, March 1 8am-12 noon Carpark 85 Esplanade, Te Kūiti Community health nurse will be in attendance $10 per space - Sellers and buyers welcome Please phone to book a Stall 021 201 0355 / 027 243 6312

Meetings

Notice of a owners meeting for 35 Hone Street, Kāwhia Saturday, March 22 11am on site Kāwhia

Agenda:

Formation of a Ahu Whenua trust and General Business Enquires Wiari Green 027 285 6970

Benneydale Sports

& Recreation Club Inc

AGM

Thursday, March 6 at 6.30pm At clubrooms, 16 Mine Road, Benneydale All welcome

Mangapeehi Pa Trustees AGM

Saturday 15th March 2025 10am at Mangapeehi Pa

Agenda

9am Registration

10am Karakia & Mihimihi Apologies Minutes from 2024 AGM Matters arising Chairpersons Report

Financial Report 2024 Marae development update Marae Committee Report Wananga Update

TNN Rereahu Whare Kura Tau Report Election for 1 trustee Election for 2 Marae rep also Kura Tau Rep General Business Karakia whakamutunga

Following hui will be a shared lunch. Can Whaanau please bring a plate. If anyone has any queries please ph 027 301 0059. Ngaa manaakitanga e te Whaanau.

Public Notices

Prescott

Movie this Wednesday, for the

‘MyFriend’Penguin

Morning tea 10am at the Journey Church, Te Kūiti, movie 10.30am All seniors welcome

Public Notice

Waitomo District CouncilOpening Hours Tuesday 4 March 2025

The WDC Customer Service Centre, Library and Admin Building will be closed on Tuesday 4 March 2025 until 11am.

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

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

RUAPUHA UEKAHA HAPU TRUST (Hauturu East 8)

Tertiary, Work Related & Apprenticeship 2025 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; Tertiary, Work Related & Apprenticeship for 2025

You can download an application from the RUHT website www.ruht.co.nz. To be eligible for a grant you must be registered with the Ruapuha Uekaha Hapu Trust.

If you are unsure whether you are registered, please email register@ruht.co.nz

Please ensure all sections of the form are completed and you have supplied all the required documentation before sending in.

Applications close Friday, March 14, 2025, 3pm. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

For all queries phone 0800 525 626 or email educationgrants@ruht.co.nz.

READY MIX CONCRETE TRUCK DRIVERS

Bowers & Son Limited is a family-owned concrete

based in Te Awamutu and

We are looking for causal ready-mix truck drivers for our Te Awamutu and Otorohanga plants. The successful applicants will:

• Be a team player and show initiative;

• Be reliable and punctual;

• Be physically fit;

• Hold a New Zealand class 4 drivers’ licence;

• Be available to work on Saturdays (not all but most); and

4 Person Teams – Golfers & Non-Golfers Ladies, Men or Mixed Make your own team or book in your name with Cody so 4’s can be made up. $30.00 Entry per Person Ambrose Rules, with non-golfer men capped at 24 and ladies at 36 handicaps. Great Prizes including Prizes for the Long Drive and Closest to the Pin.

Gather at 9.30am for 10.00am Start

Contact Cody 021 912 752

• Have recent truck driving experience and if possible, ready mix concrete truck experience (although training would be provided).

You will need to be prepared to undergo a driving assessment, as well as health monitoring and health and safety requirements. Applications are to be sent to rebecca@bowersconcrete.co.nz with a cover letter and CV which should include current employment status and a minimum of last five years of employment.

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

PIOPIO

GOLF CLUB

Situations Vacant

Detailsofupcomingmeetingscan befoundatwww.otodc.govt.nz/ about-council/meetings

TanyaWinter ChiefExecutive

www.otodc.govt.nz

TAUMATATOTARA A5 OWNERS MEETING will be held 12pm Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 1403 Te Anga Road, Waitomo

AGENDA

1. Trust report

2. Summary of financials

3. Election of trustees

4. Outgoing trustees

For further info contact: Wayne Jensen teoiroa@hotmail.com

TOMOTUKI MARAE SGM

Date: Sunday, March 23, 2025

Time: 10am – 12 noon

Location: Tomotuki Marae

Nau mai, haere mai! Whānau, your presence is important as we discuss key matters for our marae.

Agenda:

• Karakia Timatanga

• Election of New trustees

• Election of Marae Representative for Te Whare Ki Te Tokainganui-a-Noho (RMC)

• Karakia Whakamutunga

• Shared Kai

If you wish to submit a nomination, please forward it to: Christine Marshall ani.marshall@gmail.com

No later then Friday 14/03/2025 5pm please. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Ngā manaakitanga, Tomotuki Marae Trustees

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

The Harvest Centre, 5 Tuhoro St, Otorohanga 07 873 8890 I 027 493 0117 • harvest.pc@xtra.co.nz

Pastors Peter & Carole Coventry (An Assemblies of God Church)

LINCOLN, ANNA MARIA BRIGITTE: 30-3-1942 – 24-2-2013

Remember Anne Lincoln .. She was married to Ray Lincoln for 51 years.

Mum of five kids and Nana of 15 little dears.

Working at The King Country Chronicle & Te Kuiti Hotel, she started Anne’s Coffee Lounge and fed the town well. Ray did the dishes and made all the pies. They were a great team, no-one could deny. Anne loved reading, drinking tea and driving fast, talking, overseas travel and most of all, she loved her family. Remembered forever with love and laughter Ray, Tracey, Sheryl, Karen, Alison, Scott & families.

Jesus gives us hope because He keeps us company, has a vision and knows the way we should go. (Max Lucado) HE PĀNUI HURA KŌHATU UNVEILINGS

He reo pōwhiri o te whānau o IKE HEREMAIA TANGIHAERE rāua ko PIERRE RAYMOND HAIMONA STOCKMAN ki a koutou katoa.

Our whānau would like to extend an invitation to the unveilings of Ike and Pierre.

At: Te Kūiti Pā

On: Saturday, April 5, 2025 Time: 11am Followed by kai hākari back at the Pā

Our Ike and Pierre passed away within a week of each other, Ike (28/03/24) and Pierre (16/03/24), and as a whānau we are inviting you to join us in the unveilings of their headstones.

We welcome you to our 10.30am Sunday service. 10 Sheridan St, Te Kūiti An Assemblies of God church

Ngarotata, Timothy Mangu: 9/10/195724/02/2025. It is with heavy hearts that the whānau Ngarotata/ Ormsby announce the passing of our Timothy Mangu Ngarotata (Tim). Son of Te Rore and Rangi. Brother. Beloved husband of Dot. Loving father of Robert and Kylie, Corey and Mandi, Nadia and Luke. Treasured papa of Oliver, Elle and Mereana, Heath, Airon and Heiva, Putiputi, Summah and Kobe, Hinehua, Aurelia and Dante. Tangihanga is on Thursday, February 27. Service at Mōkau Kohunui Marae at 11am. He will be laid to rest at Parekokako Urupā Piopio. He loved us with a passion and taught us everything that we know with his gentle way. He will live on in our hearts forever. Hoki wairua atu rā tō tātou rangatira.

on February 21, 2025. Loved brother of Michael (Te Aroha), twin of Peter (Ōtorohanga) and Shirley Smith (Ohaupo) loved brother now at rest, free from pain. Will always be remembered.

Byles, Rex: Please accept this as a note of gratitude for the cards and kind words, we have received since Rex’s passing just before Christmas. We appreciate all the love and support sent to us. Rex and Beryl were proud Ōtorohanga district residents for over 70 years. Kind regards to everyone, Neill, Shelly, Sally, Murray and grandchildren, Sarah, Melissa, and Estelle.

your classified ads to reception@goodlocal.nz

Don’t forget to include your billing details, name, address & daytime contact phone number

STILL, David James: Peacefully at Bupa Merrivale Whangarei