TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 1
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2022
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SEPTEMBER 8, 2022
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Council backing for counselling By Benjamin Wilson
Waipā District Council has committed over $13,000 in funds for a counselling in schools programme. The project is helmed by the Zion Church Trust and follows a 2019 pilot programme that offered counselling services to eight Te Awamutu primary students. Zion applied to the council’s Community Recovery Fund so that more students could be supported.
They asked for $23,000, or enough to support 23 students through 10 counselling sessions. In 2020, Zion conducted a survey of schools in conjunction with Te Awamutu Primary. They found that 10 per cent, or 304 students, from 16 primary schools were referred to counselling services. In their fund application they wrote, “we are seeking to engage more counsellors in our service as this would allow us to reach deeper
into our community and serve more families and the needs of their children. Currently, we can only hope to meet 30-40 per cent of the assessed need. “The flow-on influence of the uncertainty and instability brought on by Covid and lockdown continues to affect our children and their ability to cope with life and learning.” The council allocated $85,000 in recovery funds on Tuesday. Zion was granted a partial funding of
$13,093, enough to support 13 students. The counselling project received praise from council members and was granted the most out of the recovery fund’s 23 applicants. Councillor Roger Gordon was one of the project’s supporters. “There is real a challenge for our youth in their individual circles, with what has happened with Covid,” he said. Deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk also praised the project.
“When I think about the covid recovery and the impact that it has had on our community, the counselling in schools really resonates with me. I just see the need,” she said. The project comes just months after Zion announced they were partnering with Habitat for Humanity to help build 40 affordable homes on Te Awamutu’s Racecourse Road. *Where the grants went – see Page 3.
Culture clash exposed
A poll of council candidates underlines the concern around Waipā District Council’s redevelopment of Memorial Park. The exclusive polls run by The News showed more than half are unsure or opposed to the revamp of the park. And the poll has exposed opposition to a cultural acknowledgement – despite the fact that the casualty rate in World War II of Māori was almost 50 per cent higher than the average for the New Zealand infantry battalions. Candidate Bernie Fynn wants “no cultural object”. “It is a War Memorial Park,” James Parlane argues. “We could have a Māori culture park at another purpose-built park.” Bernard Westerbaan says the changes “do not reflect the purpose of the memorial”. Takena Stirling – the only one of the three Māori ward candidates to respond to The News poll is also not convinced.
He suggested an overhaul may not be required... “perhaps some of those funds can be redistributed to other community projects, in Kihikihi, Pirongia, or Ōhaupō” Jill Taylor has raised concerns that the plan was approved without consulting the Te Awamutu Community Board, which she is a member of. In stark contrast, sitting district councillors representing Te Awamutu and Kihikihi - Andrew and Lou Brown, Marcus Gower, Susan O’Regan and mayor Jim Mylchreest endorse the plan. “Council’s plans are excellent and will bring new life into the park to enable future generations to enjoy,” Gower says. Inside today we have two polls on council candidates’ views. Read what they think about the calls for a third bridge over the Waikato River on pages 6, 7 and 8 – and their views on Memorial Park on pages 13 and 14. Memorial Park is a popular venue for Te Awamutu – but there is controversy over how it should be developed.
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