TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 1
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2024
For All Your Hydroseeding, Irrigation, Artificial Turf, Lawncare and Section Development Requirements
FREE
It’s a real local newspaper
lawnandturf.co.nz 07 823 6214 office@lawnandturf.co.nz
SEPTEMBER 26, 2024
Nanny’s eyes have it Hināia Waretini-Huata is a four-year-old with, say those who know her at Ōtorohanga’s Iti a Rata Kōhanga Reo, the spirit of her people. She was on stage as part of the opening performance during the Waipā Kapa Haka Festival – Te Taituperepere – at Te Awamutu last Friday. “Hināia - or as we call her at kōhanga “nanny” has the spirit of her people, proud to be Māori every day,” Te Arai MillarHetet told The News. “He ngākau manawa nui - she has a kind heart, the ability to capture hearts, whether she knows you or not.” The News can vouch for that - she regularly smiled at our camera through the performance and even blew photographer Roy Pilott a kiss. Millar-Hetet said Hināia had been looking forward to the day and performing to her whānau. “She loves kōhanga and kapa haka, followed closely by her younger brother Te Ahi a Whakaaha who hits the mark every time with his singing.” • See story and pictures from the festival Pages 6.
Donations buy maunga extra time By Chris Gardner
Philanthropists have met Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari’s cash flow crisis head on with $250,000 worth of funding. “We’ve moved our cash position out from what ended up being around four weeks to around 20 weeks,” said chief executive Helen Hughes. “So that’s great.” Hughes, who has been at
the helm of the operator of the world’s largest predator proof fence on Mt Maungatautari for just under a year, went public on the crisis in June sharing fears the operation might have to cease in six weeks after the Department of Conservation changed its funding model. The project is partially funded by the Department of Conservation, Waikato Regional Council and Waipā District Council. But DOC’s
withdrawal of its community fund left the project in a precarious position and Hughes making staff cuts and campaigning for funds. “We have had several of the philanthropic funders from around the Waikato lean in and provide support to us. Over the last few weeks, we had landed around $250,000 worth of funding, which is amazing. “The Len Reynolds Trust and the Rodmor Trust have all helped
us significantly and we’ve seen an increase in donors giving regularly.” That includes proceeds from a Donate the Weight campaign in which the donor is encouraged to donate the weight of a bird on a one off, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis. The campaign is already a fifth of the way to achieving its $500,000 goal. Hughes said the support had given the operation some
breathing space. “We are now turning our heads to the bigger issue. We now need to land the plane with longer term sponsors that can work alongside us over a threeto-five-year programme as we start to transition the business to strengthen tourism, education and other revenue streams to make us more self-funding.”
Continued on page 3
7 Peake Road Cambridge 07 827 6259
YOUR LOCAL GARDEN CENTRE ambergardencentre.co.nz
Introducing our new selection of flowers, called the ‘Pick Me!’ range! Grow your very own cut flowers at home. Available now. amber.garden.centre
Residential • Rural Commercial • Tennis Courts
2 Oliver Street Cambridge
(opposite Mitre 10 Mega)
AmberGardenCentre
469 Bond Road Te Awamutu 07 870 6328
Ph 07 834 3553
Mon– Fri 9am – 5pm Sat 9-4pm | Sun 10-3pm
@HuntingandFishingCambridge www.huntingandfishing.co.nz