TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 1
THURSDAY AUGUST 3, 2023
SUPPORTING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1978
Since 1978 Bailey Ingham has been a one stop shop for
Bailey Ingham
Experts in providing is farmers and businesses a one stop quality professional advice in all aspects of accounting and shop taxation planning for all your - including GST, FBT, Individual/Employer company, PAYE,
and - Succession planningfarming and family guidance personal - Trust administration and advice
Carolyn Dew, financial needs. Business administration including Companies Offi- ce Manager Office requirements
Kelly Bair Director
Contact the team for a
- Windups including company liquidations FREE NO OBLIGATION INTERVIEW Supporters of local community events
FREE
Inside today…
Brylee hip-hops off Page 4
It’s a real newspaper
41 Bank St, Te Awamutu 3800 Carolyn Perre P: 07 870 1888 | E: ta@baileyingham.co.nz
AUGUST 3, 2023
Contact the team for a FREE NO OBLIGATION INTERVIEW to discuss 41 Bank St Te Awamutu 3800 Ph 07 870 1888 Email: ta@
A fire alarm interrupted Waipā councillors’ questions to economist Brad Olsen following his State of the Nation speech this week, but it provided time for an interview with senior writer Mary Anne Gill.
‘Momentum’ in Waipā
Leading economist Brad Olsen has told Waipā residents to prepare for fewer infrastructural projects in the short term across the district because of huge increases in the costs of building roads, bridges and footpaths. Talking to councillors at a workshop before the Strategic Planning and Policy committee meeting this week, the Infometrics expert said his company was increasingly telling councils to have a greater level of priority. “That means a difficult and important conversation with your
communities.” Do the top five (projects) and the six to 10 would have to wait. “It means saying no to some stuff,” he said. But elsewhere in the presentation, Olsen was generally positive about the outlook for the district in his fifth annual State of the Nation address for Waipā. Spending is up and “there are now clear economic indicators, more people, they’re excited, they’re energised.” While the district had a lot of economic activity coming through – thanks to the investment in
industrial and commercial areas in places like the airport – increasingly other districts were being seen as attractive. South Waikato was one district providing competition. “Waipā did avoid the much larger hit that the national economy did during Covid. There is a lot of momentum behind the Waipā economy.” He said that included strong levels of employment growth, particularly among Māori which was up eight per cent. Total growth of 3.1 per cent was double the national average.
The district has the 14th best economic outcome among all 63 territorial authorities but those ahead of Waipā – like Waimate in the South Island - were coming from a lower base, said Olsen. Employment in the primary industries, construction, manufacturing, retail and science and technology leads the way. Having those technical services in fifth position was good news for Waipā because it is a group that increasingly works from home and chooses to live in this district, he said. Continued on page 2
Church’s window appeal Page 5
Darren has it covered Page 9
!"!"#$%&'(')*"$+), #$%&'(')*"$+),-./0()1%2")3&%44)35%6")#7) -./0()1%2")3&%44)35%6")#7) !" 89:;&&)<=2<)>)8?&&)$=7"), -"ABC 89:;&&)<=2<)>)8?&&)$=7"),0">()=0+".(=/0)9@ 0">()=0+".(=/0)9@!"-"ABC Brad Olsen kicked into the Waipā District Council carpark during a fire alarm this week.
Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
GET YOUR BIKES BOOKED IN FOR SERVICE WE SERVICE ALL MAKES AND MODELS
Loan bike available
Pick up and Delivery service
!"#$%&'&( Concrete !"#$%&'&( Grinding -&*)+#, !)&*#+#, -&*)+#, !)&*#+#,&!!Polishing !"#$%$&'!"#$ !"#$%$&'!"#$()'#%&'#$*' ()'#%&'#$*' +,-#.(%$& +,-#.(%$&/%0-$1-1 /%0-$1-123.%4.54-* 23.%4.54-* !+67/2887+97:;!;*7+*9< !+67/2887+97:;!;*7+*9<
!""#$##"%$& !""#$##"%$&'() '() *""+,-./0.1234552.,2670782.8,9 *""+,-./0.1234552.,2670782.8,9
homewares
furniture
gifts
2 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu
décor
phone: 07 870 1991 email: shop@nicandmeta.co.nz www.nicandmeteawamutu.co.nz