Cambridge News | April 16, 2026

Aussies strike gold

By Mary Anne Gill

Cambridge is fast becoming a happy hunting ground for Australia’s top harness racers - and the town’s hospitality sector is reaping the benefits.

Hotels, eateries and short-stay accommodation were at capacity as thousands poured into Cambridge Raceway for The Race meeting.

They were drawn by elite trans-Tasman competition, live entertainment and the growing reputation of the Waikato venue as a destination rather than just a track.

Leading the Australian charge on Friday night was Queensland champion pacer Leap To Fame, who delivered what many are calling the performance of his career to win the $1m feature event and reaffirm his status as Australasia’s dominant force.Among those celebrating trackside were owners Kevin and Kay Seymour, Brisbane business figures who made the trip to Cambridge with family members to see their pride and joy in action.

Now both 85, the Seymours have long favoured pacers over gallopers, though they have sampled both codes over the years. Leap To Fame - known simply as Larry around the stable - runs under the banner of their company, Solid Earth Pty Ltd, and has become something of a family obsession.

And accompanying Larry as usual was Alfie, his companion horse.

“We pay for Alfie as well - he keeps Larry calm,” said Kay Seymour.

Trained and driven by Grant Dixon and prepared alongside wife Trista at their Tamborine stable south of Brisbane, Leap To Fame continues to improve with age, much to the owners’ delight - and frustration.

“As owners we are extremely excited,” Kevin Seymour said after the win.

“This year was even better. He just seems to keep improving. We talk about sending him to stud, but how can you do that when he’s winning like that?”

Kay Seymour laughed that she had been “a bit angry” earlier in the year when Kevin purchased additional horses in New Zealand - a decision she has since forgiven him for.

The family left Cambridge early on Saturday, wary of the cyclone threatening to track south, but not before confirming they would love to be back.

“We are desperate to win a New Zealand Cup,” Kay said. “Addington is definitely on the wish list.”

The New Zealand Cup is run in November, and neither

would rule out a return to Cambridge either.

The night also brought a curious family twist: Leap To Fame finished ahead of his half-brother Swayzee, who ran third. The pair were bred from the same dam, Lettucereason, though by different American stallions.

It was not just one Australian who starred.

The dominance continued across the card with Keayang Zahara taking out the $530,000 TAB Trot for Victorian trainers Margaret and Paddy Lee, driven by Jason Lee. The Janitor, driven by Queenslander Pete McMullen for trainer Chantal Turpin, won the Group 2 Waikato Pacers Flying Mile, while Arcee Phoenix claimed the Waikato Trotters Flying Mile for trainer-driver Chris Svanosio.

While the racing was top-drawer, organisers noted a noticeably younger crowd, many drawn initially by the presence of pop-jazz band Drax Project - though plenty stayed long enough to discover the sport itself.

For Cambridge, that mix is exactly the point.

Big race nights now mean beds filled, tables booked and tills ringing - with overseas owners and supporters increasingly treating the town as part of the experience. By the time the Australians headed home, the message was clear: Cambridge is on their racing map.

And with performances like Leap To Fame’s, they’ll be back.

• More photos, see page 9

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Marae celebrates honours

By Roy Pilott

An Ōtorohanga marae was the scene of celebrations last weekend for a New Year’s honour bestowed on a University of Waikato professor.

And among those to pay tribute was Pirongia’s Dame Coral Shaw, who was also honoured in the King’s New Year list. Coral Shaw was one of seven knights and dames named. She became a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to public service, the judiciary and the community.

Tom Roa, who grew up in Ōtorohanga and has spent many years working at Waikato University’s campus in Hamilton, was named Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for his contribution to keeping te reo Māori alive – and growing.

Timing was significant for the event which attracted more than 200 supporters. Roa’s investiture in Wellington before governor general Dame Cindy Kiro was on Saturday morning. He was back at Ōtorohanga’s Tārewānga marae – adjacent to Ōtorohanga College - before 3pm, and in time to hear

dozens of mobile phones sound a warning about the pending arrival of former Cyclone Vaianu.

The Ngāti Maniapoto organised event was timed to finish at 7pm to ensure everyone could get home safely and before the weather turned.

Speakers included University of Waikato vice chancellor Neil Quigley, the chair of the Waikato mayoral forum and Hamilton Mayor Tim Macindoe, the chair of WaikatoTainui's executive arm, Te Arataura, Rahui Papa and, later over dinner, former Hamilton mayor Margaret Evans, Dame Coral, professor Sandy Morrison. A history outlining the fight to keep te reo alive was presented by Māori language advocate Cathy Dewes.

Dame Coral, who chaired the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions from 2019 to 2024, and went to Wellington a day earlier for her investiture, joked that she told officials: “you ain’t seen nothing yet – Tom Roa is coming tomorrow!”

The honours were the highest form of accolade for service – “your honour Tom,

Cars in the news

As part of the broader Waikato West prevention team, I am regularly involved on event policing.

Last weekend I worked at the Night of Champions at Cambridge raceway. Overall, the attending crowd were well behaved and the races and subsequent concert went to plan.

On the subject of events, the Waipā Club Champs free liquor training will be held on April 20 at Hautapu rugby club rooms. Licensees and their staff are invited to attend. Contact Waipa District or local police for further information and to register.

The past week in Cambridge has felt like a certain television advert- cars, cars, cars! We have again had a spate of car thefts locally. Predominantly they are stolen for joy riding purposes, dumped and another nearby car stolen. If you come across vehicles parked oddly, or with the quarterlight smashed and ignition pulled, please phone 111 and let us know. This ensures forensic integrity is maintained and prevents it from being stolen again.

If you have insurance, giving authorisation for a forensic tow means we have a chance of identifying those offenders involved.

Still on the subject of cars, staff in Te Awamutu attended five crashes in the past week. Speed, distraction and intoxication

were found to be key contributing factors and where no seatbelts were worn, this worsened the injuries sustained.

Te Awamutu staff have also noticed that speeding has been on the increase in the lower speed zones. The 50kph zones are in place for a reason, usually due to more densely populated areas with higher pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle numbers. These factors all increase the potential for road trauma.

If you are caught speeding, you will not only receive a fine but also demerit points on your drivers' license. If you accrue over 100 demerits within a two year period, your licence will be suspended for three months. Suspension can have wider impacts beyond just you, including on family logistics. If you then choose to drive during the suspension period, you may face a vehicle impound and prosecution, the result of which will be an even longer disqualification from driving. In other news, there were a few arrests in the past week. Cambridge Police caught a shoplifter who has been referred to Te Pae Oranga for alternative action. Te Awamutu staff arrested three people for warrants to arrest and breaching bail. They also caught a male wanted on multiple driving and drug charges. All have appeared in court accordingly

The

you.”

Rahui Papa said Tom Roa was an exemplar of fighting the good fight, and his time at Waikato University, where he is a professor in the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies, was “a marriage made in heaven”. Roa, speaking at the end of the event showed his mischievous side when he asked his audience if they knew why he had selected Tārewānga marae for the event over larger marae.

“How many of you did not know of the existence of this marae before now?” he asked. At the show of hands he said “that’s why”.

“Look at this humble place – so I thought, let’s bring the outstanding people of New Zealand to this humble marae so my hapu can see you, smell you, feel you and feed you - it’s called succession planning.”

Water woes

Waipā councillors held a behind closed doors workshop last week where they aired concerns about Waikato Waters and spiralling redundancy costs. The News understands the bill has exceeded the council’s budgeted costs for the company which begins operating under the Government’s Local Water Done Well policy on July 1.

Policy on hold

The long-awaiting review of Waipā District Council’s eight-year-old Arts Policy has been deferred to next year due to competing organisational priorities. The policy sets out how council manages its public art, particularly art gifted to the council.

Whales harassed

The conservation department wants to identify people who were in several boats allegedly harassing a pod of orca in Raglan’s Whaiangaroa harbour last month. Waikato Operations Manager Niwha Jones says a witness contacted DOC after the March 23 incident. It is an offence to purposefully approach orca closer than 50 metres, or in a way that disturbs them.

Rates set

Waikato district councillors have approved a below inflation general rate increase of 2.8 per cent and a resulting average rate increase of 3.79 per cent.

Second for Collier

Waipā kayaker Nick Collier placed second overall at the national canoe slalom championships in Kawerau this month. He was pipped by just 0.74 second by Finn Butcher. Hamilton based Tom Goldsmith was third – completing an all CentralOtago raised podium in the K1 Men’s event. Collier, Goldsmith and Tauranga’s Ben Pilbrow were the top three in the Under-23 class.

Alan: a life of service

Former Waipā mayor and Waikato Regional Council chair Alan Livingston has died aged 74, leaving a regional legacy and a very personal imprint on those who knew him, writes Mary Anne Gill.

Two months ago, Alan Livingston watched as his beloved Te Pahū community bore the brunt of February flooding. He was concerned for people, for farms, for the road edges and waterways that never quite recover after a heavy event, and he did what he so often did - he helped.

Livingston supplied The News with photographs, not for attention, but because he understood that telling a community’s story matters, especially when that community is hurting. It was typical of Alan Livingston: practical, prepared and public-spirited to the core.

That same sense of dutyshaped earlier in Te Pahū and carried through a lifetime - sits at the heart of the tributes flowing following his sudden death.

Former prime minister Helen Clark, who grew up alongside Livingston in Te Pahū, said the news came as a shock. The Livingstons and Clarks all attended Te Pahū Primary School together in the 1950s and 1960s.

“Our parents were family friends and we knew them well.

Alan’s family was public spirited and involved in the community as mine was. It was therefore no surprise to see Alan make a long contribution to local and regional government where he was always a diligent leader.”

Clark said Livingston’s commitment to Te Pahū never

faded - even after he stepped away from public office.

She recalled Livingston visiting her father, George Clark, one last time in June last year.

“They talked about old times in Te Pahū. Dad loved the visit,” she said.

Clark said Livingston was in “fine form” when he gave a eulogy at her father’s funeral in December.

“Alan’s untimely death comes as a great shock. My heart goes out to his wife Janet and family at this very sad time.”

Alan Livingston, who had just turned 74 in January, was born in Gisborne and raised in Te Pahū.

He is survived by his wife Janet, their three children - Anna, Megan and Andrew - and nine grandchildren.

He served four terms as mayor of Waipā from 2001 to 2013 and later chaired the Waikwato Regional Council from 2016 to 2019.

In 2014 he was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sport and the community.

Waipā mayor Mike Pettit said Livingston was a respected leader, friend and dedicated member of the community.

“Alan cared deeply about this community and worked tirelessly to make it a better place for current and future generations. He will be remembered not only for his achievements, but for the

relationships he built and the respect he earned. He was a true statesman,” said Pettit.

Former mayor Susan O’Regan said Livingston dedicated his life to Waipā - to its people, its land and its prosperity.

“His fingerprints are on so much of what makes this district and region what it is today. He was a devoted family man and a truly great person. He will be deeply missed by many.”

Former Waipā deputy mayor and current Waikato regional councillor Liz Stolwyk said her heart was heavy.

“Alan was a man of integrity and had a genuine commitment to people. His passing leaves a significant void.”

Livingston was a sheep and beef farmer on the northern slopes of Mt Pirongia for more than 30 years and a genuine environmentalist.

He did not just talk about protection but put legal and practical structures around it. He and his family protected bush on their own property with two QEII covenants, and in 2023 he was appointed chair of the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust.

That environmental commitment sat alongside deep governance experience across the region, including river and catchment work. It was simply part of how he lived.

But Te Pahū remained his anchor and his support continued

long after politics. His book, Te Pahū, A History, launched in 2021 after years of painstaking research, gave the community something rare - a record of itself, compiled carefully while those stories could still be collected. The launch drew people connected to the district, including Helen Clark who described it as “a major legacy to Te Pahū.” And that is perhaps the most fitting way to remember him: not only as a former mayor or regional council chair, but as someone who never stopped turning up for the place that raised him - with his time, his knowledge, his insistence on doing things properly, and his belief that communities thrive when people simply help.

Region escapes Vaianu’s fury

About 100 homes were without power for

For many residents who battened down the hatches in anticipation of major damage across the top half of the North Island on Sunday, the exercise at least prepared their properties for the winter months ahead.

In Waipā the district council reported minor and very localised impacts.

A fallen tree closed both lanes at Sainsbury Road in Pirongia, and there were isolated spots of minor surface ponding in Cambridge, Te Awamutu and along SH3.

“This occurred early on Sunday morning, approximately 5.30am, and was restored at approximately 10.30am,” Waipā Networks Customer and Community General Manager Anna Watson told The News. “Otherwise, we fortunately had very limited damage to our network from the storm and no major outages.”

It was the same story for Ōtorohanga and Waitomo district councils.

Ōtorohanga District Council reported Pirongia West Rd was partially closed through the bush section due to a slip and unsafe conditions over

approximately 3km. Part of Paewhenua Rd at Maihiihi was also closed as a precaution.

Waitomo District Council general manager strategy and environment Alex Bell said the council did not have to deal with any damage from the cyclone.

In the western Bay of Plenty – where a state of emergency was declared ahead of the storm’s arrival - community emergency hubs were stood down on Monday.

At the same time Waka Kotahi said it expected to have most if not all state highways in the area reopened by the end of the day. Flooding, slips, and fallen trees kept roadworkers busy throughout Sunday.

Open day breaks records

By Mary Anne Gill

The carparks filled early on Saturday - and the people just kept coming.

By late morning, attendance at Owl Farm, part of St Peter’s School Cambridge, had surpassed expectations for its annual open day, drawing between 700 and 800 people through the gates.

It’s the biggest crowd the demonstration farm has ever hosted and at a place built on showing rather than telling, that mattered.

Visitors came to walk paddocks, talk cows, ask questions and see how theory translates into practice on the ground. They also came to meet the people who make Owl Farm work - a small permanent team supported by layers of governance designed to keep the operation technically sharp, financially sound and futurefocused.

At the centre of the day’s conversations was demonstration manager Jo Sheridan – last year’s Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Yearfresh from a season that has been, in her words, “chalk and cheese” compared with the year before.

“We’ll be about 30,000 kilograms ahead of last season,” she said, gesturing towards pastures still holding plenty of feed.

“That’s just due to really good rainfall and a lovely summer. Last year we were right in the middle of a drought. It was tough.”

The difference shows. The grass is strong, the cows are in good condition, and the system has shifted to once-a-day milking as the end of the season approaches. Heifers start calving in late June, the main herd on July 1, and the last cows will walk out of the shed by about May 10.

Milking in that shed on open day was farm manager Tony Alarca, captured mid-task

as visitors watched the rhythm of the operation. Beside Sheridan, a three-year-old labrador, Emjay Sheridan, soaked up the attention, blissfully unaware that she was fast becoming one of the farm’s most photographed residents.

Behind the scenes, Owl Farm is overseen by multiple committees. The Farm Management Committee brings together technical representatives from funding partners, the demonstration manager, St Peter’s representatives and farmers. Strategic direction sits with the Governance Committee, while day-to-day alignment with the school comes through the St Peter’s Farm Operations Committee. It is a structure designed to balance education, innovation and practicality - a

fitting context for the technology now embedded in the farm system.

This is Owl Farm’s fourth season using Halter collars. The collars come as part of a subscription-based wearable technology that allows virtual fencing and individual animal management.

“We’ve seen a huge drop in lameness,” Sheridan said. “And we’re starting to get real gains with selectively feeding different mobs and better pasture management across paddocks. The product keeps evolving.”

Reproduction results are improving too and while the technology comes at a cost, it gives options - particularly around dairy-beef strategies.

“It’s about finding what suits your system. The interaction between a cow and

a pasture is where the magic happens.”

Owl Farm will milk about 317 cows next season, down from around 360 this year, but still more than 25 per cent ahead in production - likely finishing above 160,000 kilograms of milk solids.

With Fonterra’s upcoming capital return to shareholders from the sale of its global consumer and associated businesses, attention is turning to infrastructure at Owl Farm. The cowshed is 47 years old.

“One of our priorities is how we future-proof it,” she said. “We want to put that money into productive outcomes.”

On a day when record numbers turned up to see how it all works, that focus on longevity felt entirely on point.

• More photos, see page 13.

Dollar deal has buses busy

By Mary Anne Gill

One of Cambridge’s best-kept secrets - the $1 public transport service between Leamington and the town’s CBD - is finally gaining traction. But the same has not yet happened in Te Awamutu and Kihikihi.

A record 61 trips in February, followed by 59 last month, suggests Cambridge residents have embraced the service. A school holiday promotion by Waikato Regional Council could see those figures rise further.

The News follows regional bus statistics each month and the latest figures show the Cambridge-

Hamilton service is also on the up, with a record 18,403 passengers in March. The Te AwamutuKihikihi service also reached a new high with 15,921 passengers, although residents there have yet to fully embrace the benefits of an additional shorter stop between the two towns.

Other satellite services from Tauwhare and Tamahere-Mātangi continue to show positive growthunlike the South Waikato Connector, which runs daily to and from Tokoroa through Cambridge.

That service, along with a Te Kūiti Connector option, will come under councillors’ scrutiny as they attempt to keep rates down.

A dedicated Tokoroa circuit option, however, continues to be well supported.

Passenger numbers also lifted last month on the Taumarunui service, established in 2020 to provide safe and reliable transport for patients travelling to Te Kūiti and Waikato hospitals for specialist appointments.

Despite this increase, Waikato Regional Council and Health NZ have agreed the combined public and health service will end in June.

The 277 passengers recorded last month were up from 166 in February but still below the record 325 set in May last year.

Council transport chair Angela

Strange said the Health NZ-funded 40-seat bus was not well suited to people with health needs.

“At the same time, there were safety concerns and other challenges associated with the mix of public users and health service passengers,” she said.

“To respond to the patient voice and ensure a safe, sustainable and fit-for-purpose service, Health NZ will move to a dedicated health shuttle model and end its contribution to the current joint service.”

Waikato Regional Council will not run an alternative public replacement once the health shuttle begins in July.

THE DENTURE MAN

Clinical Dental Technician Roger Oliver (39 Years Experience)

Sanding on track

A two-week project to sand the Grassroots Trust Velodrome track has just passed the halfway point.

The work to rejuvenate the track surface will ensure it maintains its UCI Category A status and world-class riding conditions.

Th Cambridge velodrome has supported high-performance and community cycling for over a decade. Maintenance work will include replacing sections of the track where required, removing build up, restoring grip and keeping the riding surface safe in condition for high-performance events.

The timing of the work has been coordinated alongside Cycling New Zealand riding and racing commitments and between Olympic and Paralympic cycles.

“After years of use, sanding and cleaning will significantly improve the riding surface and extend the life of the track,” head of track and programmes at the velodrome Craig Rodger said.

Late this year the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame will be moved north from Dunedin to be accommodated in the velodrome, which is already the home of Cycling New Zealand.

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Mary Anne Gill snapped the action at Friday’s big harness racing meeting in Cambridge. More

AGE OF REASON

How free is freedom?

By Murray Smith, Bridges Church

Recently while looking at the New Zealand Human Rights Commission website, I noticed their ‘masthead’ statement. It says, “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression”. It’s a statement with some truth but needing important qualification. Of course, there’s limitations and restrictions to individual, personal freedoms and expressions which we cannot just claim as sovereign rights. One important qualifier is that we cannot ever do anything that violates or infringes on the rights of others. My ‘freedom of expression’ does not entitle me to drive on the wrong side of the road because I want to.

Laws enforce the wider good for all and today many governments, legislators, courts, educators, in fact contemporary society generally, battle with what upholding the inherent value of ‘freedom of speech’ actually means. Problems surface when someone expressing a viewpoint, (exercising ‘freedom of speech’) ends up being dragged off to face an accusation of being guilty of ‘hate speech’… because of an interpretation of hate speech laws. In late March, a longtime member of Finland’s parliament was found guilty of ‘hate speech’ for having written a pamphlet expressing traditional Christian views of marriage and sexuality. The politician, Paivi Rasenen was fined for having written her outline over two decades ago and “keeping available to the public a text that insults a group”.

While the court did not find that she was guilty of inciting violence or hatred, she was nonetheless convicted of hate speech because her views had potentially hurt the feelings of others and someone felt insulted.

When any government assumes the role of controlling a nation’s perspectives and opinions by implementing ‘hate speech’ laws with threat

of prosecution, it’s a serious problem. Trying to legislate any authorised or ‘approved viewpoint’ on matters of religion, sexual orientation, politics, age, or whatever, eliminating room for freedom of speech, is completely over-stepping the mark.

Obviously freedom of speech never offers a free pass to abuse, belittle or intimidate anyone on the basis of their opinions. Judgmental bigotry ought to be considered intolerable. But using ‘hate speech’ law to suppress freedom of speech and muzzle reasonable comment or debate over divergent viewpoints and understandings, is unwarranted control. The key to deterring hate speech is open dialogue that promotes understanding - not suppression. New Zealand’s Human Rights Act exists to curb ‘hate speech’ defined as being any communication intended to vilify, humiliate, or incite hatred against a group or a class of persons on the basis of race, religion, skin colour sexual identity, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, or national origin.

Someone’s comments aren’t necessarily even the problem… they may not have been intended to be inflammatory - the problem could arise in the way a comment is received, then reacted to. A person expressing a viewpoint may not have had any purposeful motive to offend, like the Finnish politician who ‘believed it both right and necessary to speak openly about one’s beliefs’ - she discovered just by someone claiming, “I’m really offended!” a charge of ‘hate speech’ could be asserted.

The well known ‘Serenity Prayer’ asks for God’s courage to change the things we canand for wisdom in the process…something this mixed up world desperately needs.

Oh, the relief

By Peter Carr

As I look out of my office window pondering our good fortune the muchneeded rain gently falls onto the barren earth. This without the much-trumpeted ex-cyclone – now downgraded to a tropical storm. The spiralling centre of it now appears to be tracking to the east across the Bay of Plenty and on a course towards the Chatham Islands.

The reason I mention this near-miss is one of both relief and thanks. The former being obvious – we have scored a relieving point. But we have been superbly led with a multitude of cautions (local and national) which have manifest themself in this house with the garden furniture now snug, dry and happy in the garage.

Which brings me to council (especially Waipā District Council) pronouncements by way of updates on a number of fronts including the recent major effect of water on the western side of the district at Pirongia. The Facebook (and no doubt other) updates from WDC – including mayor Mike gaining the award for Communicator of the Year –have been exemplary. This time round we have gained a regular and open avenue of visually provided information with the mayor’s clear and concise tones ensuring that all who need to know can rest easy, safe in the knowledge that ‘we are working on it’ pronouncements are being maintained. This naturally results in an expectation that this avenue of clear and up-to-date information will continue, and it is pleasing to note that both mayor Mike and deputy Jo are also reporting to the camera with soundbites informing on weighty matters from around the big table in Te Awamutu. It is easy to ‘slag’ a council – any council.

And for some time over recent years WDC has been a bit sleepy in this open information area. But we are looking forward, and want to share the ride, with the elected councillors and Chief Executive Steph O’Sullivan’s hard-working team. I am sure we will hear over the next few days that the weather officials overreacted. Sadly, we have a good number of residents devoid of anything worthwhile to do but criticise. Well during my maritime studies many years ago – and living, later, through cyclones / hurricanes / typhoons on seas with terrifying strengths – we always acknowledged never to take an oncoming, rapidly circulating, water sucking storm lightly. The maritime term ‘batten down the hatches’ is very apt here. Having seen – on more than one occasion - Northland, Coromandel and Tairawhiti areas devastated beyond sensible and easy repair bear witness to the requirement for over-caution rather than resulting drowned stock and homeless people.

Yet caution sometimes appears to go too far. I understand that there is an international agreement that airplanes with more than 90 passengers flying internally within the country must be supplemented with security systems. Which possibly explains why my plane to Christchurch last week was graced - pre-boarding - with seven vigilant security staff and two, armed, lady police officers.

While the chances of some lunatic hellbent on airborne destruction should not be on a plane with 89 passengers begs the question – why 90?

Thursday, April 16, 2026

With decades of experience delivering major infrastructure projects around the world, Councillor Aidhean Camson brought a global perspective to local government when he was elected to Waipā District Council last year

Since stepping into the role, he says he’s gained a deeper appreciation for the work behind the scenes

“It ’s easy from the outside to underestimate the level of work happening across Council to do the right thing for the community,” he says

Aidhean notes that while it can be tempting for councillors to focus on operational detail, the role is really about keeping an eye on the bigger picture and making decisions that support the district long-term

“Resources are limited, so it ’s important we prioritise carefully and focus on what will make the biggest difference The criticism councils sometimes face can overlook the reality that staff are working in a very constrained environment ”

As deputy chair of the Service Delivery Committee, Aidhean is particularly focused on progress with the Cambridge Connections programme this coming year

“It ’s a really important piece of work, it ’s a major transport programme that will shape how people move around Cambridge in the future

“Establishing a clear path forward is incredibly important It forms the backbone for many

other pieces of work across the district ”

He’s also looking forward to working through government reforms and beginning work on the next Long Term Plan

“It will be a challenging process, but also a rewarding one as we align our plans with the commitments we’ve made to the community ”

Originally from Scotland, Aidhean studied computer science in north-east England before moving to London, where he met his wife from New Zealand The couple have two children, and their careers took the family around the world, including time in the United States and Germany

When the family settled in Cambridge in 2024, Aidhean decided that after years working internationally, it was time to give back to the community

“When the local elections came around, I felt I had something useful to offer locally, drawing on the experience I’d gained through my career ”

Aidhean and his family enjoys what the district offers, from visiting the Cambridge Farmers’ Market, to exploring the local trails and cafés

“It ’s a very friendly community, easy to get around, and there’s always something happening - it s a great place to raise a family

I’m grateful to play a small part in shaping the future of this district and the wider community ”

Services on Sunday, April 19

Pukeatua Memorial service: 11am

Pukeatua War Memorial Church, Arapuni Road

Services on Saturday, April 25

Te Awamutu Dawn service: 6am Sunken cross at Te Awamutu War Memorial Park, Mutu Street

Returned service members will parade outside the RSA Clubroom, 381

Alexandra Street at 5 45am

Light refreshments will be served at the RSA Clubrooms after the service

Flag raising ceremony: 7 45am Te Awamutu Cemetery, Piquet Hill Road

Veterans and public invited

Civic Commemorative Service: 11am

Memorial Park, Anzac Green, Teasdale Street

Returned service members and those who would like to parade, meet at 10 45am at the RSA Clubrooms, 381

Alexandra Street

The RSA clubrooms will be open for members, returned guests and affiliated clubs from 1pm Kihikihi

Memorial service: 8 30am

War Memorial Hall, Lyon Street (State Highway 3)

Ōhaupō

Memorial service: 11am

Ōhaupō Memorial Hall, Great South Road

Followed by light refreshments

Tokanui

Memorial service: 1 30pm

Tokanui Cemetery 96 Farm Road

Cambridge

Dawn service: 6am (gather at 5 45am)

Cambridge Town Hall, Victoria Street

Civic Commemorative Service: 9am

Cambridge Town Hall, Victoria Street

Returned service members and those who would like to parade, meet outside Onyx Restaurant at 8 30am

Pirongia

Dawn service: 6am

Pirongia Memorial Hall, Franklin Street

Returned service members and those who would like to parade, meet in the Five Stags carpark at 5 45am

Followed by light refreshments

Kāwhia

Memorial service: 1pm

War Memorial, Pouewe Street

Returned service members and those who would like to parade, meet at the KāwhiaTown Hall, Jervois Street at 12 45pm

Heads of the class

Alistair and Logan get used to life on the other side of the desk.

Logan and Alistair Elliott can spend the remainder of their school years dining out on having “acting principal” on their CV.

The year one and two siblings filled in for Tauwhare School’s head, Chris May and deputy Lorelei Seator for a day earlier this month.

The opportunity came thanks to a school quiz night auction.

The morning began with Alistair and Logan presenting certificates and posing for photos in their

official roles.

They continued, answering phones in the principal’s office, visiting classes.

The pair also showed their appreciation for staff via a morning tea in the staffroom, where they thanked teachers for their work before setting them a homework challenge.

In the afternoon they took part in games organised ahead of bouncy castle being set up in the school hall.

Alistair noted it was a fun day – “but it is tiring being the principal”.

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After the storm

By Janine Krippner

As I write this, I am waiting with the rest of you to see how our North Island has fared through Cyclone Vaianu. We watched preparedness and response unfold in real time. Emergency declarations enabled faster action, evacuation calls were made ahead of the storm, and communities mobilised.

That we have days of warning like this is something many may take for granted. Over decades, science has progressed rapidly. The understanding of our atmosphere and how weather systems progress, plus technological advancements to collect better data, allow meteorologists to forecast a range of what might happen.

Scientists can analyse vast, complex, and evolving systems, and build a picture of what may happen thousands of kilometres away.

At home, we translate these forecasts into potential impacts. We work to understand where flooding may occur and where landslides are more likely, what infrastructure may be affected, and who are vulnerable and need assistance. Many moving parts come together to enable an effective response.

As an event approaches, uncertainty decreases and we can act with a clearer idea of what we are facing. Crucially, we do not wait for certainty to jump into action. That would be too late. Instead, we can prepare for the worst with a good old practical attitude and hope for the best.

If all goes well, strong preparation makes an event appear less severe than expected. If we are lucky, a storm may

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reduce in intensity, or a slight shift take it further offshore. If we are lucky and well prepared, people can joke about ‘the great storm of 2026’ with pictures of plastic chairs tipped over rather than images of loss, devastation, and mourning.

Ideally, every event strengthens our ability to respond. We reflect on what worked, where we can improve, and where vulnerabilities and gaps remain. Natural events will always bring surprises, and there will always be more to learn.

What we see publicly is only a fraction of the work that happens behind the scenes to ensure we are as prepared and supported as possible, with the abilities and resources that we have. Communities and individuals – us – are part of this system; we are not powerless.

Preparedness at an individual level matters. Taking responsibility and acting on guidance helps us understand what readiness looks and feels like before the worstcase scenario does occur. Ideally, many of us have just strengthened our emergency supplies and are now better prepared for the future.

We will experience disasters with little or no warning in our future. When we do have advance notice, even if the outcome is less severe than it may have been, it is a valuable and significant opportunity to improve our preparedness before we desperately need it.

My deep gratitude and respect go to everyone who worked to prepare our communities for this event.

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Roigard, Eti star in almanack

By Jesse Wood

Two Waipā players have featured in the respected Rugby Almanack’s five players of the year and five promising players of the year for 2025 – and both are St Peter’s School, Cambridge alumni.

The 2026 almanack named Karāpiroraised All Black Cam Roigard, 25, as one of the players of the year – he was also named among the 2023 quintet. Ōtorohanga-raised Hautapu lock Dylan Eti, 20, was crowned a promising player.

To qualify for consideration as a promising player of the year, players are usually in their début season at first-class level or first full season.

In recent years, Austin Anderson (Te Awamutu Sports) and Ollie Norris (St Peter’s and Hautapu) have also made promising players of the year lists.

The Rugby Almanack was first published in 1935 and is now edited by Adrian Hill, Cambell Burnes and

John Lea.

The annual publication summarises the previous year’s rugby season in New Zealand –reviewing Heartland, FPC, NPC, Super Rugby Pacific, international, sevens and more.

The Rugby Almanack blurb explained Eti’s special first year in first-class rugby.

Eti was not named in the initial Waikato NPC squad, but following injuries to Laghlan McWhannell and James Tucker, the 2m 115kg lock was brought into the squad.

“He took his opportunity well and played for the rest of the season, apart from missing the last match due to injury, and completed the year with a wider training group contract with the Chiefs for 2026.

He had started 2025 with a second appearance at the Super Rugby U20 tournament at Taupō for the Chiefs and earned selection for the New Zealand U20 team at the Rugby Championship tournament in South

Africa.

Eti was born in Hamilton in 2005, was educated at St Mary's Catholic School, Ōtorohanga and represented the King Country Roller Mills team in 2017-18.

He enrolled at Ōtorohanga College in 2019 and spent 2020 and 2021 in the first XV before going on to St Peter's School, Cambridge. There he played in the first XV and was selected in the Waikato U14, U16 and U18 teams.

After leaving school in 2024 he joined the Hautapu club and went straight into their premier team and played for the Chiefs U20 team at the Super Rugby tournament at Taupō.

“At the end of the year he was rewarded with a national development contract to train with the Chiefs for 2025.”

Eti said he didn’t know he had been selected – “but it’s awesome to be making a name for me and my family in the rugby community… I love being a full-time rugby player as a job.”

Waipā influence in Aupiki

By Jesse Wood

The 2026 Super Rugby Aupiki competition will again be rich with Waipā connections and talent.

The fifth edition of the New Zealand women’s franchised tournament will begin on June 13.

A total of 118 players have been named across the four teams - the North Island trio of the nib Blues, Chiefs Manawa and Hurricanes Poua as well as South Island-based Matatū.

As they celebrate 140 years, Kihikihi Rugby Sports Club can boast having Chyna Hohepa (15 Manawa caps), Mia Anderson (15 caps) and Kiriana Nolan (seven caps) in the Chiefs Manawa squad.

Kihikihi’s Carla Hohepa is also assistant coach for the side.

The Hohepa sisters are Te Awamutu College alumni, as is Carla’s fellow Manawa assistant coach Nathan White.

Te Awamutu College has quite the cohort of alumni in the Chiefs staff, as men’s head coach Jono Gibbes is also a TAC old boy.

The versatile Kaea Nepia, niece of former Hautapu and Chiefs legend Liam Messam, has arrived at the Manawa after seven games with Matatū last year. She can play at 10 or 15 and has been a big asset to Waikato in the NPC.

Cambridge High School alumna and Fiji lock Jade Coates is also in the Manawa squad, while ex-CHS student Keelah Bodle has been called to the Wellingtonbased Hurricanes Poua alongside former Chiefs Manawa Renee Holmes and Krystal Murray.

Officially named as a hybrid player, 22-year-old Bodle will hope to get some more game time at super level after making her Chiefs Manawa début last season.

“It's awesome [seeing her named in the Poua squad]. She's played in a few teams now - Canterbury FPC and Waikato FPC last year,” Keelah’s mum, former Black Fern and Black Ferns sevens player Annaleah “Anna” Bodle said.

“She’s quite used to making new friends and settling into teams well. I'm stoked that she's going to have a chance to play with Poua.”

Keelah is training with the Black Ferns Sevens team and will join the Poua at the end of May.

“It’s great. It's best environment Kee has ever trained in. She'll come out a whole lot faster. She can jump on the wing or anywhere in the backs and she loves being a loosie and a lock, if needed. She's got a bit of everything,” Anna said.

“She played all her rugby at little Cambridge High and I coached her through there.

“We weren't the biggest team, but we were definitely hard workers and had a lot of grit and determination. It's been awesome seeing her moving on to higher honours.”

Keelah spent three years playing club rugby at the University of Canterbury while studying. Last year she returned home and represented Hautapu.

“Dan and I are incredibly proud of her. All the hard work that she puts in doesn't go unnoticed,” Anna said.

“We see behind the scenes what goes on and it's just a really proud mum and dad moment to see her out there.”

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Cricket scores on the rugby pitch

By Jesse Wood

Waipā teams had a strong presence in the winner’s circle in Waikato Club Rugby last weekend.

In the premier competition, Hautapu were dominant as they defeated University 6614, while Te Awamutu Sports held the reins on the classy Hamilton Marist, eventually falling 22-14.

Hautapu produced a spectacle at Cambridge Memorial Park – a 10-try to two drubbing.

Nathan Stephens crossed for three tries and Rangiwai Lunjevich scored two in front of the home fans.

The skilful Patrick Hedley slotted seven conversions.

scorers at Albert Park.

Leo Scott converted both tries in the close tussle with Marist. Sports’ premier development side were on the wrong side of a 79-10 scoreline.

Dylan Jeffries scored all of the Te Awamutu points, while Te Awamutu College alumnus

Te Kapa Crown was one of Marist’s many try scorers.

In the women’s premiership, the Melville Hautapu combined team (Mel-tap) drubbed Putāruru 65-0 in front of Cambridge supporters.

Mel-tap registered 11 tries, five of which were converted.

Try scorers included Tiare Dixon (2), Keira Russell, Nikita Apiata and Dawn Hohua.

Frankton to the tune of 84-7 at Swarbrick Park. Forwards Ty Demler-Findlay and Liam McPherson both scored hattricks in a 14-try to one win. Ōhaupō won in Tokoroa and Leamington also registered a tough fought 15-8 win against Putāruru. It was a great send off for departing hooker Liam Rickwood.

In division 1B, a strong Pirongia B beat Frankton B 33-5, Southern United B won 41-17 against Ōhaupō B and Leamington B pipped their Putāruru counterparts 14-12.

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University B pulled pin on the earlier match, seeing Hautapu premier development win by default.

Evergreen loose forward Matthew Towers and outside back Coby Osborne were Te Awamutu Sports’ two try

The women’s championship division will kick off on Anzac Day – Kihikihi are set to host United Matamata Sports and Pirongia will welcome fellow “under the maunga” club, Taupiri to their domain.

All three Waipā division 1A sides registered victories. Pirongia thumped

It was a rather tough weekend for the Waipā colts sides. Pirongia claimed a win by default courtesy of Te Rapa colts. The young mountain men faced Suburbs in a friendly clash instead.

Hamilton Old Boys under-21 just came out on top against Hautapu 26-24, Hinuera colts beat Te Awamutu 31-17 and Leamington colts were beaten 90-10 by Hamilton Marist.

results

Cambridge’s Jack Hazelden finished in the top five when Auckland teenager Jack Ellingham was crowned a New Zealand motocross champion.

Ellingham, a 16-year-old apprentice builder from Herne Bay was the star of the show at the 2026 edition of the New Zealand Junior Motocross Championships at Leeston, south of Christchurch, at the weekend - he almost clinched the premier 14-16 years’ 250cc class title with a race to spare.

He headed off New Plymouth’s Travis Taylor and Onewhero’s Ryan Foster. Cambridge’s Hazelden and Murchison’s Ryder Solly rounded out the top five.

Former New Zealand football powerhouse North Shore recorded a 3-1 home win over Cambridge to leapfrog the Waipā club on the Northern League men’s championship table last weekend, The league includes Hamilton Wanderers and newly promoted Taupo –beaten a week earlier 2-1 by Cambridge.

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Northern Rovers – the club formed in 2020 when Forrest Hill Milford United and Glenfield Rovers merged –lead the competition.

In the top flight Waikato’s sole representative Melville have yet to win after five outings.

Fencibles, enjoying their 21st season after being

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formed by the merger of Pakuranga and Howick, tops the table.

Ngāruawāhia lead the Southern Conference table. Te Awamutu, Otorohanga, Huntly, West Hamilton and Unicol’s top teams are in that league. Waikato second division.

Melville has two wins and two losses from four in the top women’s Northern League. Cambridge is sitting fourth after two outings in the championship.

Among the other winners was Cambridge’s Cambridge’s Nico Verhoeven (11-12 years 85cc class) and Piopio’s Case Wilson (8-10 years’ 85cc class). Nico Verhoeven also won his respective class at the corresponding championships in Pukekohe last year.

The nation’s elite off-road motorcycle racers were also in forestry near Tokoroa on Saturday for round two of the National Club Enduro Series.

Beyond soy sauce with Jan Bilton

Sambal oeleck, Vietnamese mint, hoisin sauce, sesame oil — just a few of the tantalising Asian flavours that are available from your supermarket, greengrocer or Asian food store. All add interest to everyday meals without busting the budget.

Vietnamese Mint — also called hot mint or laksa leaf— is not actually a member of the mint family. It grows easily in the garden and, if planted in a sunny, sheltered position, will keep producing its fragrant, long, pointy, red-stained leaves during winter. Add — in moderation — to fresh rice-paper spring rolls, soups (such as laksa), stir-fries, rice dishes, and vegetable and fruit salads.

Hoisin sauce is a reddish-brown, sweet, sticky sauce made from fermented soybeans, plums, garlic and spices. Chinese in origin, it is now often fused into Western recipes. Great with meats and fish, in stir-fries and rice and in dressings.

Makrut leaves (once commonly called kaffir lime leaves) look like two leaves joined and have a distinctive fragrance that enhances stocks, sauces and even desserts. They can be used whole or after discarding the central rib, very finely julienned.

Sambal oelek is a mixture of diced chillies, salt and vinegar. It is excellent in stir-fries or served as an accompaniment.

CHICKEN LAKSA

120g rice stick noodles

1 tablespoon canola oil

60g packet (3-4 tablespoons) Singapore laksa spice paste

1 1/2 cups chicken stock

400g can light coconut milk

300g skinned and boned chicken breast, thinly sliced

1 makrut (kaffir) lime leaf, julienned

1/2 cup each: loosely packed Vietnamese mint leaves, coriander leaves

Laksa

Topping: 1 carrot, julienned and blanched

1 cup bean sprouts or snow pea sprouts

4 lime wedges

Vietnamese mint and coriander leaves to garnish Cook the noodles according to the instructions on the pack. Heat the oil in a saucepan and stir in the spice paste. Add the chicken stock and coconut milk and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add the chicken and makrut lime leaf. Poach for 3-4 minutes. Add the Vietnamese mint and coriander.

Place the drained noodles in four deep serving bowls. Add the chicken mixture then the topping. Serves 4.

HOISIN LAMB CUTLETS

5 tablespoons hoisin sauce

2 tablespoons each: canola oil, lemon or orange juice

1-2 teaspoons sambal oeleck or similar

3 large cloves garlic, crushed

8 large lamb cutlets or chops

Whisk the hoisin sauce, oil, juice, sambal oelek and garlic in a bowl. Brush lightly over the cutlets. Stand for 30 minutes. Preheat a grill or barbecue. Cook the lamb for about 4

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minutes on each side for medium-rare, brushing with the remaining marinade after 6 minutes. Serves 4.

SESAME OYSTER BEEF

Although sesame oil is usually added to dishes at the end for flavour, here it makes a great rub for barbecue meat. Rump steak could also be grilled this way, but with a little less cooking.

Oyster sauce is a thick brown sauce made by simmering oysters in soy sauce and brine.

2 tablespoons sesame oil

2 x 3cm-thick sirloin steaks

freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 tablespoons oyster sauce

Rub the sesame oil into the beef. Season with the black pepper.

Cook on the barbecue or under a very hot grill for about 3 minutes on each side for medium-rare. Cover and stand for 3-4 minutes.

Transfer to a chopping board and cut into 3cm slices crosswise. Arrange the meat on a platter and drizzle with the oyster sauce. Serves 4.

Pollination keeps bees working

When Waikato beekeeper Celso Baldo compares early honey yields with today’s output, the scale of change is stark.

“From the 21 hives we started with, we got two drums of honey,” he said.

“Now, we cannot get even a single drum.”

Like many in the industry, Celso and wife Maria have watched varroa mites, rising competition and shrinking returns force a rethink of how they keep their beekeeping business viable.

The couple started their business, Marcel and Sons Honey, around 15 years ago.

They were well-trained for the task, both in their home country of the Philippines and here in New Zealand.

Celso, who is a forester by profession, had worked for the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture. His interest in bees began when he was working on a three-year beekeeping project funded by the European community.

Later, after meeting environmental planning graduate Maria through work, he took a job with a queen breeding farm in Queensland. Maria joined him for his second season there before the couple took up an opportunity in New Zealand.

They spent four years beekeeping in Galatea, adding to their apiculture skillset through Telford Rural Polytechnic. Celso completed a Certificate in Apiculture Knowledge and Maria a Certificate in Queen Bee Rearing Knowledge. When they moved to the Waikato, they worked for a Hamilton-based commercial beekeeper and soon began their own operation just outside Cambridge.

A recent report from the Bioeconomy Science Institute estimated that almost 13 per cent of the country’s roughly half a million bee colonies were lost last winter. Those who took part in the study attributed most of the losses

viable by prioritising pollination over honey

to the varroa mite parasite, known to seriously weaken or destroy entire colonies.

Celso agrees and said the persistence of the varroa mite is worsened by its growing resistance to counter measures.

Also impacting home-based producers like the Baldos is the increased number of beekeepers who came on stream after a Covidrelated ban on the importation of honey products prompted a surge in local operators, all competing for the same nectar sources.

Celso and Maria value their well-established links to farmers and orchardists in this area, so while they now live in Putāruru - where they purchased a house - they still work the business from here and hold down jobs as healthcare assistants at Cambridge Resthaven.

Their youngest son Barry has two more years to go at Cambridge High School, and his older brother Paulo, has just graduated in engineering from

Waikato University.

“Our hives are still here. We now focus more on the pollination side than on the production of honey and its by-products,” she says.

Celso said without the pollination side of the operation, it would be difficult to keep the business going. Their intimate knowledge of bees helps them focus on sourcing the best queens, ones in hives that are clean, productive and in which the bees are non-aggressive.

The Baldos’ story is one of migrants making good. The couple has always valued education and have made the most of every opportunity to expand their own and encourage the spread of knowledge about bees.

During the Covid lockdown, they took further qualifications in dementia care through a government-funded programme. By then, they had already compiled their ‘World of Bees’ presentation, which includes

the safe showcasing of an observation hive with live bees, basic beekeeping gear and equipment, the showing of a video on kiwifruit pollination prepared by their sons and open discussion on bees and their importance in the ecosystem. They launched that in 2019, taking it to local rest homes. It was stopped during the Covid pandemic but resumed in 2023 to an expanded list of agedcare facilities across Cambridge, Putāruru, Hamilton and Huntly. They also make themselves available to give their ‘World of Bees’ presentation to schools and other groups.

“Promoting education is our advocacy,” says Celso.

“Even though our business is small, we are committed to promoting beekeeping education and awareness to the community.” Their message, they say, is simple: healthy hives, informed communities, and pollination services remain critical to the region’s farming future.

Backing the next generation

A farming student from Waotu, a rural community southeast of Ōtorohanga, has been recognised as an emerging leader in New Zealand’s sheep and beef sector.

Penny Ranger (Ngāti Raukawa) is one of 10 recipients of the inaugural 2026 Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Agricultural Student Scholarship, an award supporting the next generation of people entering the red meat sector.

The scholarship provides $1500 to students who have successfully completed at least one year of agricultural-related tertiary study at institutions including Lincoln University, Massey University, Otago University and Telford.

Waotu sits on the eastern edge of the King Country, bordered by the Waikato River at Lake Arapuni, and is surrounded by high-producing rolling farmland supporting dairy, sheep and beef operations.

Growing up in the area, where she was raised on a sheep and beef farm, helped shape her interest in agriculture and its future.

She is currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) at Lincoln University, combining her

interest in practical farming systems with business and financial management.

“I’m passionate about agriculture and business, and this course allows me to combine the two,” she said.

“It gives a well-rounded understanding of farm systems alongside the financial side of the industry.”

As part of the scholarship programme, recipients also take part in a structured mentorship with senior industry leaders, designed to build professional capability, real-world insight and sector connections.

National extension programme manager Olivia Weatherburn said the programme was an important investment in the long-term future of the sheep and beef sector.

“We were blown away by both the quality and quantity of applications,” she said.

“This year’s recipients show real passion, determination and a genuine desire to make a positive impact in our industry.”

Ranger hopes the scholarship will help her gain deeper insight into the red meat sector and strengthen industry connections as she plans her career.

Her current ambition is to pursue a graduate role within

Balancing rates and risk

By Garry Reymer, Waipā-King Country regional councillor

One of the main workstreams since my last report was to complete our annual plan. While it looked as though there would be a rates’ increase of 3.4%, a lot of work and careful decisions, has seen this figure land at an annual rate rise of 1.4%.

That is a total budget of a little over $157 million. Before the final meeting, whereby the full council grant sign-off, sub committees do a lot of work on their respective budgets.

The more conservative increase was managed by scrutinising where surpluses currently existed, or where we were able to draw on reserves.

agribusiness banking or the meat processing sector, with the long-term goal of contributing to a resilient and productive farming industry.

Outside her studies, Ranger remains closely connected to farm life and is also the founder of a small business, Mark It Drench Gun, a Kiwi-designed attachment that integrates with drench guns to allow accurate, single-handed animal marking.

In 2024, while in her final year of school, she was named Young Innovator of the Year at the National Fieldays Innovation Awards.

– additional reporting Mary Anne Gill

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Regional transport and catchment management are the two big ticket items, at around 65% of the budget.

The Te Huia commuter train to Auckland has been given one more year of trial, to see if it can improve both passenger numbers and fare box recovery, currently at about 18% of running costs.

Catchment management is the other very important area of responsibility for the council.

The recent flood events have brought this home to the people of Waipā and King Country.

For a long time, we thought that floods, slips and road closures only happened in the Coromandel. We need to be sure that we budget well to make certain our infrastructure is fit for purpose, and we can handle what nature throws at us.

A discussion we need to have is: what level of protection are we willing to fund?

To build stop banks for the more regular but less extreme events, is less of a financial burden than building to the protection levels for a 1 in 200-year event. The difference can be billions of dollars as we saw with the Cook Strait ferry debacle. I don’t believe any council or government can ever give its citizens a guarantee that they will be fully protected from natural disasters. However, we have a responsibility to deliver quality infrastructure to a level and price that ratepayers can afford. This is done by ensuring that we invest wisely on things that produce tangible results.

I feel that as a council, the best investment is to focus on the effects of climate (climate change protection) rather than climate change prevention. To do the latter is somewhat futile, as despite our best efforts to reduce emissions in our regions, the global nature of this challenge means our investment would have a negligible impact on improving our position.

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Season tests contractors

The two Fs – flooding and fuel - have been tough on agricultural contractors this year, writes Jesse Wood.

It wasn’t the rain itself that caused the biggest headache this season, but what came afterwards.

Weeks of delayed planting and growth stacked the season against contractors, with maize crops maturing at the same time and compressing the harvest window into a flat-out race against the clock.

For two long-established agricultural contracting businesses, the compressed timing quickly translated into pressure, long hours and rapid adjustment - conditions familiar to Reymer Ag operations manager Daniel Reymer.

While Pirongia and Ōtorohanga were the main affected areas in the February flooding, it had an impact right across the board in King Country and Waipā.

The flooding delayed the start of harvest by two weeks.

Most years Reymer Ag start harvesting mid-February and are finished by Easter. When you are harvesting 750-hectares of maize, the sooner the season can start, the better.

“This year on March 15, no one really wanted to harvest. It got to March 18 and everyone was ready to go. It’s probably the flow on effect from the wet spring,” Reymer says.

“We didn't plant until mid to late October or even early November due to rainfall. Everything went in, in such a short period.

“Then all the maize started to be ready in such a confined period. So getting it off turned into a flat-out ordeal.”

The early maize crops were ready two weeks late and the crops planted later in the season “were bang on time”.

“It really condensed the harvesting season. We were running night shifts for two weeks straight basically, running the harvester 24/7 to try and keep on top of things.”

Reymer Ag covers about a 50km radius - as far north as Te Kōwhai, down to Ōtorohanga, across to Cambridge and out to Kāwhia.

“We’re pretty well set up to cover most weather conditions. We've got enough tractors set up on duals,” says Daniel.

“For the hill country, you’ve got the weight of the machines to worry about. You have to load the trailers right to climb hills. We have to use chains every now and again, but you try to avoid that.

“After that February 14 rain, it was pretty dry for about a whole month so we were lucky to get the harvest started.

“But all the crops were so used to a wet summer, I don't think they put their roots down far to find the water.

“As soon as it stopped raining, the growth came to a halt pretty quick.”

The Reymers are a large family and several are capable of driving tractors.

They’ve had to call in several cousins to help get through the long nights.

“Most seasons we have a few excess staff during maize. We’ve averaged about 14 staff this season,” says Daniel.

“We’re slightly understaffed

by one or two. We’ve had a few ring-ins, but that’s been a good thing. We had a few farmers help us out, driving on their own farms.”

Reymer Ag also lost some work due to flooding. The maize crops didn’t survive, including 11 hectares of their own.

“There's another flow on effect too. We've had to find the same amount of area of maize to fill our contracts.”

Further south on Kio Kio Station Rd, John Clark Contracting’s yards and workshop were hit by the flooding of Mangaorongo Stream.

John Clark Contracting is also family owned and operated.

John, Julie, their son Matt and his partner Amy King work in the day-to-day operations.

Thanks to insurance, Giltrap AgriZone and Waikato Tractors and the hard work of their staff, they’re back to full capability.

“It was intense. It's more compounded by the fact that we've got so many young families around us and beside us that are more seriously affected,” says Julie Clark.

“There are nine houses in the area affected down there. There have been children displaced out of their homes.

“It was pretty devastating, walking through it the first day. It was gut wrenching to see the damage.”

But it’s the silt that has done more damage than the water.

The force of the flooding was still evident weeks later, with some equipment swept away entirely.

“There’s only one item that we haven't yet located, but I suspect it’s at the bottom of the river,” says Clark.

“We’re impacted by what happens at Maihiihi because the stream comes from out there. A lot of slips went into the stream, so it became dirty and silty,” she says.

Quite a few maize crops in the area have been affected with silt contamination, at some properties the water and silt went up over the top

Julie Clark

“There’s only one item that we haven't yet located, but I suspect it’s at the bottom of the river.”

of the cob.

Some farmers have chosen to harvest the crop and stack it separately. Others will mulch it into the ground, depending on the severity of the contamination.

On a positive note, it’s been a great growing season compared to the previous year, with good grass growth and maize yields.

“Farmers are positive with the payout and Fonterra’s payout that's coming through. Diesel prices, that's not so nice. But like most businesses, we have had to activate the fuel surcharge. It’s not really what you want to do, but it is necessary and hopefully short term.”

There has been a good run of weather since the harvesting season started.

The few days of rain were counteracted with late nights of work beforehand.

As the maize season winds down, the long nights have eased, harvesters are slowing and contractors are taking stock of a demanding few months.

Flooding and fuel costs may have tested operations, but support from staff, farmers and neighbours ensured the work kept moving.

It’s a familiar story across the King Country and Waipā - when pressure mounts, rural communities step in, roll up their sleeves and get on with it.

To share and share alike

Monday 30 March**

It was just another Monday when Simon entered his law office, eager for a comforting cup of tea. He shrugged off his suit jacket and hung it up while waiting for his computer to wake up. As he prepared his tea, the phone rang. Reception informed him that someone was there to see him urgently, without an appointment. Reluctantly putting down his cup, Simon went downstairs to meet John, who appeared flustered.

“I’m joining an engineering business, and it all has to be finalised by tomorrow for tax reasons. I’ve already signed the paperwork and was going to hand it over, but Jane insisted I see you first,” John explained.

Simon led John to an office and reviewed the documents. John was set to join two others in a company taking over from a current owner, with a deadline of 31 March. Quickly returning to his own office, collecting his favourite pen, and ignoring his cold tea, he came back to an increasingly eager client. “We’re all good to go, right? Can I just pay and get on with it?”

Simon placed the documents down, took a deep breath, and replied, “John, there are some important things to consider first:

1. **Due Diligence**: How well do you know your business partners? Do they have industry experience and a good reputation? Are they financially stable enough to support the company if needed?

2. **Shareholder Agreement**: It’s crucial for you and the other owners to sign an agreement outlining expectations, financial commitments, decision-making processes, and a timeframe during which no one can withdraw without offering their shares to the others.”

John’s eyes widened. “Thanks for this. I’ll discuss it with the others, I won’t sign anything, and I will come back to see you shortly.”

After waving John goodbye, Simon poured himself a cup of tea, knowing this was not the end of the story. He reflected on how often aspiring entrepreneurs rushed into joint ventures without fully understanding the implications. He took a comforting sip of his warm tea, realising that preparation and due diligence were vital in avoiding future pitfalls. As the day progressed, Simon remained vigilant, anticipating John’s return and hoping he would heed the advice given. In business, a moment’s haste could lead to years of regret.

Simon Brdanovic

CountryLife

CountryLife

CountryLife

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ANZAC

Date:

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• Victoria Street – from Queen

• Lake Street – from Queen Street to

Time: 8.00am to 9.00am

• Alpha Street – from Empire Street to Lake Street

There will be no detours in place during the temporary road closures. During the period of closure, provision will be made for emergency services.

Westend Partnership

Gives Notice , under the Wages, Protection and Contractors Liens Act Repeal. That it has a Lien for services rendered of $87,116.58 on 15 Thoroughbred horses. These horses are to be sold at Auction on Gavelhouse.

TIZARD, Nigel Blakely –Passed away peacefully on 7 April 2026, aged 62. Much loved father, poppa, son, and brother. Survived by his father, two siblings, three children, and five grandchildren. Sharp-witted, warm-hearted, and proud to march to the beat of his own drum. He lived life his way— no nonsense, with a great sense of humour, honesty, and a good blues track. He will be deeply missed and always remembered with a smile. In accordance with Nigel’s wishes a private cremation has been held.

KEYTE, Barbara Audrey –Of Linda Jones Retirement Village. Passed away peacefully at Waikato Hospital, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday 7 April 2026, aged 84 years. Much loved and loving wife of Jim for 65 years. Loved and adored mother, mother-in-law, Nanna and Nanny of Greg and Karlene, Sue and Terry, and their families. In accordance with Barbara’s wishes, a private cremation has taken place. A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at The Old Grandstand, Claudelands Event Centre, Gate 2, Heaphy Terrace, Hamilton on Friday 17 April at 1:00pm. Communications to the Keyte family C/- Gibson Funerals, PO Box 501, Cambridge 3450.

WEBB, Betty Gordon (née BOYD) – 8 July 1930 – 5 April 2026. Betty passed away peacefully on Sunday, 5 April 2026, aged 95 years. Cherished wife of the late Edward. Much-loved mother of Gordon, Jan, and the late Bruce. Wonderful sister of Alex and the late Mary and Pat. Mother-inlaw of Jean and Debbie. Adored grandmother of Nick, Angie, Lucy, Stephen, Cam, Rochelle, Kristina, Andre, Brielle, Chase, and partners Kristie, Russ, Justin, Rose, Charlie, Lara, Ben, and Rochelle. Greatgrandmother of Malachi, Stella, Harlie, Charlie, River, Louis, Bodhi, Indy, Jacob, Noah, Aston, Sybella, Augie, Wolfie, Rocco, Lennox and another great-grandchild on the way. Our Bet, our Nan, was an elegant lady with a beautiful soul, deeply loved and widely respected. We treasure the many memories shared, the wisdom she bestowed upon us and feel so proud and blessed to have had her in our lives. A celebration of Bet’s extraordinary life has been held. Communications to be directed to Cambridge Funerals, (07) 827 7649 or PO Box 844 Cambridge 3450. A recorded Livestream link is available at: https:// share.funeral.stream/W2xsS

HOGAN, Peter Thomas –Passed away peacefully on Saturday, 11th April 2026 Aged 92 years. Child of Thomas and Sarah Hogan. Much loved soulmate to Jewel for 70 years. Cherished father and father in-law to Catherine & David, Melanie & Ken, Gregg (deceased), Sean & Liz and Luke (deceased). Loved grandfather to 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. The last of his generation to pass. "We will miss his sense of humor and zest for life. You have closed the last deal Dad"

A celebration of Peter's life will be held on Friday, the 17th of April 2026 at 1:00pm. St Josephs Catholic Church, 1 Victoria Avenue, Morrinsville 3300. Messages to the 'Hogan' Family can be sent c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434 or in Peter's online tribute book at www. grinters.co.nz

LOOKER, Robert Allan (Bob) – Peacefully passed away at Cambridge Resthaven on Monday, 6th April 2026, aged 90 years. Loved only son of the late Hazel and Allan. Loved and remembered by his cousins of the Wrathall family. Special thanks to the staff of Cambridge Resthaven for the love, care, and kindness shown to Bob. A service for Bob has been held. Messages to the Looker family may be sent c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434, or left in Bob’s online tribute book at www.grinters. co.nz.