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THURSDAY DECEMBER 5, 2024
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DECEMBER 5, 2024
Janise in the chair By Roy Pilott
A former Maniapoto Māori Trust Board chief executive has been named Trust Waikato’s new chair. Janise Hine-kapetiu Eketone (Waikato–Maniapoto) has held leadership positions with Te Whatu Ora Waikato, including director of Māori Health Strategy. She has been a board member since 2018. Trust Waikato is one of 12 New Zealand community trusts and services the Waikato region. Almost $300 million in grants have been approved for funding since it was established in 1989. The organisation employs nine staff and its chief executive is Dennis Turton. In announcing her appointment, Trust Waikato said Eketone’s tenure as chief executive of the Maniapoto board showcased her ability to drive significant community initiatives, including the successful Nga Wai o Maniapoto
settlement. Trust Waikato also announced a new deputy – Chris Flatt. They have already taken up their positions. Eketone, steps up from deputy to outgoing chair Vicky McLennan. The two had held those roles since March 2021. McLennan will remain on the board as a trustee until mid-2025 when she will retire after eight-years’ service. Chris Flatt is the national secretary of the NZ Dairy Workers Union. Vicky is a well-respected member of the Waikato community, the trust said, and it had been privileged to be guided by her exemplary leadership as chair for the past four years and prior to that as acting chair and deputy chair. “Her leadership and commitment to Trust Waikato will leave a lasting impact and we are grateful for her vision and dedication.” Vicky will remain on the trust board until mid next year when she will retire after eight years’ service.
Janise Hine-kapetiu Eketone with Chris Flatt.
Howzat? A good innings for cricket Plans have been announced to give cricket a near $80,000 boost in Te Kūiti. There are no adequate facilities in the district to accommodate the cricket community – but a new pitch and nets have been prioritised for Centennial Park. Waitomo District Council has secured half the needed money for the pitch through Northern Districts Cricket
Association’s Regional Facilities Fund. A grant of $8650 will go towards the cost of an artificial cricket wicket, and the council is looking for further funding of up $70,000 for nets. The project is part of the Centennial Park Concept Plan approved earlier this year. Priorities were set in September, with work on the
Oval and North Field top of the list. That work includes the cricket wicket and nets and installing football and rugby goals and pads. Community feedback influenced the development plans. Respondents suggested adding carpark marking, a cricket pitch and training nets, picnic tables, a new playground and outdoor gym, improved entranceways
and heritage gateways, visual upgrades to buildings and a new bike pump track. Chief Executive Ben Smit says projects within the plan will also be prioritised based on funding availability. “We appreciate those who took the time to have their say. We won’t be able to implement all of the ideas but will work through what can be done in the future, and
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what the priority needs are for now.” “Elected members indicated that our first focus should be on preparing the fields so that multiple sports can be played. This is a great idea, and we are grateful for the funding support we have received.” The concept plan was paid for by Central Government’s Three Waters ‘Better Off’ fund.
A week to go…
The King Country News Christmas Appeal – first run in 1993 – has a week to run. Our Te Kūiti office is receiving donations of toys which will be delivered to families in the Waitomo District. The ideal gifts are for youngsters – from babies to 16-year-olds. The toy appeal started when husband and wife Maureen and Keith Wilkie began a drive to collect toys at Christmas. The couple lived in Te Kūiti for more than 40 years and were heavily involved in a range of sporting and community organisations. Friends helped continue the appeal after Maureen’s death in 2003. Keith died in 2010. In more recent years the toy appeal has been hosted by the King Country News. Readers are welcome to drop gifts off to our Te Kūiti office from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Thursday.
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