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Tribute at waka ama By Chris Gardner
Karaitiana Tamatea’s last visit to the Waka Ama Aotearoa New Zealand Sprint Nationals on Monday was marked with a haka. Tamatea, who died on Saturday aged 66, had worked tirelessly behind the scenes for years supporting Waka Ama Aotearoa New Zealand in bringing the event to Lake Karāpiro. “This is the 17th year I have worked with him and Ngāti Korokī Kahukura,” said a visibly moved Waka Ama Aotearoa New
Zealand chief executive Lara Collins. “He’s been involved before that, and his whānau spend the whole week with us.” Tamatea’s funeral cortege called into the second day of the sprint nationals on Monday and drove along the lakeside where racing was suspended in his honour. Waka Ama Aotearoa New Zealand was a family, Collins said, and Tamatea and his whānau were an important part of it. Paddlers performed a haka as Tamatea’s hearse left the domain for his marae at Maungatautari. The sprint nationals are Waka Ama
Aotearoa New Zealand’s biggest event of the year, and the latest event attracted a record 4613 paddlers aged from five to 80. “It’s always the biggest year,” Collins said. “This year we have 800 more paddlers.” Slightly more than half of the competitors – 2472 – are female and the largest category is 16-year-old girls where there are 75 teams of six or seven girls. While other sports actively recruit 16-yearold girls, Waka Ama naturally attracted them, Collins said. “It’s intergenerational,” Collins said. “It’s a fairly inclusive sport. It’s pretty special.”
Waka Ama Aotearoa New Zealand chief executive Lara Collins pauses by the hearse carrying Ngāti Korokī Kahukura’s Karaitiana Tamatea.
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Collins said four new clubs had started in New Zealand in the last year, bringing the number of clubs up to 100. Three quarters of competitors are Māori or Pacific Islanders, and teams have come from the length of New Zealand as well as overseas including Australia, Samoa, and Japan. The first sprint national event was held at Lake Karāpiro in 1990. It has been the event’s permanent home since 1999. The biggest challenge, Collins said, was car parking. Organisers were grateful to a
Continued on page 15
Photo: Waka Ama Aotearoa New Zealand
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Waitetuna School junior room teacher Robyn Marquand has the responsibility of looking after school toy mascots Tama and Taimana during the holidays. So, it was a no brainer when she rode the Te Awa River Ride between Cambridge and Tamahere that she photographed them at various vantage points. The Tuna Kuwharuwharu (native longfin eel) sculpture beneath the Velodrome, now part of an impressive Art Trail on the cycleway, was one of the places she stopped as was the newly installed tui behind Te Awa Lifecare Retirement Village. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
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Happy New Year! I am popping back in this week with a quick update on Waipa over the festive season. Between December 22 and January 12 Cambridge staff were kept busy including dealing with three people driving with excess breath alcohol, 12 family harm incidents, six assaults, three reports of offenders unlawfully on property, 12 burglaries, seven vehicle thefts or attempted thefts, two incidents of wilful damage, seven mental health incidents and numerous reports of dangerous driving and traffic crashes. In addition we receive several other reports of thefts and cases of fraud. Notable arrests included a male charged with threatening, assaulting and impeding the breathing of his partner and another male wanted for breach of court bail on existing family harm charges as well as a new breach of protection order and burglary. A third male was arrested after coming to police attention for behaving threateningly and obscenely in town, driving dangerously, being then found to be in possession of drugs and associated utensils and to have escaped police custody. He then breached his court bail conditions and faced a further charge of wilful damage following further incidents.
Louise Upston
In Te Awamutu for the same time period, staff responded to numerous calls for service including 30 family harm incidents, 16 burglaries, 10 incidents of threatening behaviour, 9 of wilful damage, four trespass matters, two people driving with excess breath alcohol and two mental health incidents. In addition, there were similarly several reports of theft and six of fraud. Notable arrests included a male charged with a serious assault on another male on Alexandra Street and three women also faced various charges stemming from a shoplifting incident. Their vehicle was identified and stopped after they initially left the scene. A subsequent search located several stolen items, utensils for drug use and cannabis. The female driver was then also found to be breaching a bail condition and not to be licensed. A further male was arrested following a family harm incident and faced two charges of assault. I hope everyone has managed to get some timeout for a good break. Whether at home or back at work, don’t forget the old saying slip on a shirt, slop on the sunscreen and slap on a hat; keep hydrated and be safe around water.
Lower Hutt man David Miller wants to solve a World War II puzzle. “For many years, I have been trying to get to the bottom of a mystery about a French resistance agent in World War II with a New Zealand connection,” he told The News. He says her married name was Andrée Baker and she married a Cambridge businessman and serviceman, AB Baker. “In 1961, when the French rugby team came to Hamilton to play against Waikato, the whole team travelled to Cambridge to meet her. She was obviously held an extremely high regard at that time. My brother Brian Miller, now in Morton Rd, Aongatete, was a member of the Cambridge High School 1st XV rugby team. He and some fellow students were asked to perform a haka in honour of the French team at the event.” David Miller says his attempts to contact the French embassy and find out about her likely French military decorations haven’t succeeded and neither have online searches of Croix de Guerre recipients. “I tried to find out about Andrée’s children or stepchildren mentioned in a Cambridge Airforce service link without success. Surely somebody knows about her and what her achievements were? Then perhaps New Zealand can consider if and how she should be recognised appropriately - like Nancy Wake?” Nancy Wake, also known as Madame Fiocca and Nancy Fiocca, was a New Zealand-born nurse and journalist who joined the French Resistance and later the Special Operations Executive during World War II. • Do you have any pieces of the puzzle which help? Email editor@goodlocal.nz and put the words French connection in the subject field.
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THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
Briefs… Willow control
Contractors Aotearoa Restoration have completed the latest stage of willow control at Lake Ngā Roto. The work, using a broadspectrum herbicide targeted invasive trees that smother native vegetation and make restoration more difficult.
Honouring Mason
Husband and wife Scott and Tayla Crowe will set out to complete 12 workouts in as many hours at Strength Nation Cambridge on Friday next week in memory of their son Mason. The day will mark the first anniversary of his birth and death. “Funds will go to Angel Casts to ensure they can keep making tangible keepsake for bereaved parents like us,” Tayla said. At last count more than $5000 had been raised.
Chips go down
Chip sealing on SH3 Ōhaupō Road between Rukuhia and Te Awamutu will start on Sunday. The project worksite has been split into eight sections. Work on the first four, starting on Monday, should take a week. Crews return on February 8 to complete the remaining four sections. Stop/go traffic management will be in place.
Prison alarms
False alarms at Waikeria Prison contributed to a record number of callouts last year for the Ōtorohanga’s Volunteer Fire Brigade, 232. Brigade chief Neville King said many calls were weather-related. An overhaul of the prison’s alarm system as part of major redevelopment work was behind many of the false alarms, but the issue now seems to be under control, King said.
Clarke debuts
Te Awamutu’s Kristian Clarke made his debut for the Black Caps in this week’s first One Day International defeat against India. The 24-yearold seam bowler contributed 24 runs with the bat as New Zealand made 300 and finished with one for 73 from 10 overs with the ball as the hosts reached 306 with an over to spare.
Candidate costs revealed By Chris Gardner
Money doesn’t always talk when it comes to district council elections. In three races for the mayoral chains – Waipā, Ōtorohanga and Waitomo – the winner last October was outspent by one of his rivals. The figures for Waikato district, where former deputy mayor Aksel Bech returned from the political wilderness to oust Jacqui Church, are not out yet. Top spenders Claire St Pierre finished third in Waipā, Janette Osborne failed in a bid to oust sitting Waitomo mayor John Robertson and Cathy Prendergast lost out to Rodney Dow in Ōtorohanga. Candidates are required to declare their spending and donations they received. St Pierre recorded the biggest spend in the three way battle for the Waipā mayoralty. Her electoral expenses, $39,539.82, were more than those of Mike Pettit, who spent $25,460.78 and won the mayoral chains, and then incumbent Susan O’Regan, who spent $22,204.73. The figures from the
spending leading up to the October local body election are published on the council’s website. But two of the three top spenders in the region were still winners on the night. St Pierre, who received 3838 mayoral votes, was elected for a fourth term to Waipā’s Pirongia Ward. Her expenses included campaign management, design, election signs, newspaper advertising, pamphlets, photographs, posters, social media, videos and a website. She also received a $3330 donation from the Monckton family in Ōhaupō. Pettit, who won the mayoral race with 7216 votes, received $5000 in donations, $2500 each from commercial property rental company Ryjo Holdings Ltd and civil contractors Waipā Civil Ltd. Joseph Comins is registered as director and shareholder of both. Pettit’s spend list included artificial intelligence (AI) video support, Cambridge Business Chamber member to member promotion, flyers, graphic design, newspaper advertising, photography, public relations, signage,
Gower wins worlds qualifier
Tara Gower was a rookie on a roll at the Central and Southern Hawke’s Bay Jumping Show in Dannevirke. The Cambridge-based rider, originally from Ōhura, finished first in the FEI World Cup qualifier at the weekend. After recording four faults in their opening round, the former St Peter’s School Cambridge student and her mount Riverhills Legend registered a clear second round to put the pressure on the series leaders. “It was rider error and he just didn’t realise the jumps were that big,” she said. “I honestly thought I had knocked down a fence in the second round and desperately wanted to turn around but I thought, ‘no, keep going’.” Among Gower’s cheering section was her mum, Sue, who bred Riverhills Legend, also known as Epic, at Ōhura’s Riverhills Station. Gower now has the series final – January 17 at Takapoto Estate near Maungatautari – and selection for the senior trans-Tasman team in her sights.
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social media and a website. O’Regan, who received 5968 votes, spent money on apparel, billboards, Cambridge Business Chamber member to member promotion, digital support services, flyers, newspaper advertising, photographs and social media. Electoral expenses returns filed on Waitomo District Council’s website showed rural Waitomo councillor Osborne spent $5777.27 on billboards, cards, campaign buttons, newspaper advertising, pamphlets, signs, social media and software. She also received publicity when TVNZ delayed screening a piece featuring her in its Country Calendar programme following a complaint during the election campaign. The item ran after the election. Osborne lost out to incumbent John Robertson in the mayoral race but, like St Pierre, remained on council. She kept her rural Waitomo seat – just a few votes ahead of Gavin Todd. Robertson, who is now into his third term as mayor, spent $4389.28 on hoardings, letters, pamphlets and
Waipā district councillor Claire St Pierre.
newspaper advertising. Natasha Willison-Reardon, who stood unsuccessfully for mayor and a seat on council, spent $3011.93 on billboards and flyers. Richard Ross spent $477.25 on signs and also failed in his mayoral bid and to win a seat around the council table. Cathy Prendergast spent the most of any mayoral candidate in Ōtorohanga. She invested $6132 on design, hoardings, flyers, and campaign meetings at Honikiwi Hall and Ōtewā Hall. Unlike St Pierre and
Tara Gower riding Riverhills Legend to victory.
Osborne, Prendergast did not also seek election to council in a ward. Eventual mayoral race winner Rodney Dow spent $4831.60 on advertising, brochures, signs and a video, and received a $920 donation from Ōtorohanga Transport Ltd of which he is managing director. Jaimee Tamaki spent $1326 on candidate deposits, which no other mayoral candidate declared, plus pamphlets and signs. Tamaki was re-elected to the Rangiātea Māori Ward – which will be abolished at the next election in 2028.
Photo Kampic/Kerry Marshall
4 | CAMBRIDGE NEWS
Hackers health hit By Jon Rawlinson
About 600 Waipā residents have been caught up in the Manage My Health security breach, The News understands. Hackers accessed documents relating to seven percent of the clients in Manage My Health 1250,000 people - on December 30. The attack netted 400,000
documents. The criminals followed up with a ransom demand of just over $100,000. It is not clear when the deadline for the ransom is. Manage My Health has been notifying affected users and practices, including some supported by PHO (Primary Health Organisation) Pinnacle
Justin Butcher
Amanda Doyle Associate
Midlands Health Network. “While we won’t provide individual practice figures, based on the latest indicative information available to us the total number of affected people connected to Pinnacle practices in Waipā appears to be around 600,” Pinnacle’s chief executive, Justin Butcher told The News on Monday. “It’s important to note that some larger Cambridge practices sit with other PHOs and we don’t hold information for those practices.” Personal details obtained can be used for further cybercrimes related to identity-theftrelated fraud. “During any incident like this, scammers may try to take advantage of uncertainty,” Butcher said. “So, we are encouraging people to be cautious, use official channels and not to share passwords or verification codes with anyone.” Pinnacle represents more than 80 practices
throughout the central North Island, including two each in Cambridge and Te Awamutu. In total, an estimated 6000 people across its network are thought to have been impacted. “Health information is sensitive, so when people hear that documents have been accessed it’s understandable that some will feel upset and uneasy,” Butcher said. “Confidence depends on clear communication, strong corrective action and people seeing that the right safeguards and assurances are in place.” Manage My Health began the notification process last week. “Our priority focus remains on direct communications with affected patients and practices,” a statement on the portal’s website reads. “However, this is a complex exercise which unfortunately cannot be simplified due to the separate cohorts of patients affected which have to be dealt with in different ways. “There is
Emma Cooney Special Counsel
unfortunately no scenario in which Manage My Health could issue instant notifications to those impacted by the breach. Direct notifications have required coordination and clearance from relevant authorities and health sector stakeholders such as GP organisations.” Health Minister Simeon Brown has pledged to undertake a review of the portal and the security breach. “We need assurances around the protection and security of people’s health data,” he said. “Patient data is incredibly personal and must be protected to the highest of standards. We must learn from this incident to avoid any repeat events in the future.” The News has requested final details from Manage My Health as to which Waipā practices, and how many of their patients, have been affected. We will share this information as soon as possible.
Jenny Nemaia Legal Asst.
THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
New rules for shelter belts Clearer rules for shelterbelts and crop protection structures are being proposed for rural parts of Waipā. Waipā District Council will today publicly notify Proposed Plan Change 25 (Shelterbelts and Artificial Crop Protection and Support Structures). The changes aim to help growers protect their crops while managing impacts on neighbours, roads and essential services. Group manager district growth and regulatory services Wayne Allan said the plan change is critical for Waipā’s rural sector. “The current rules make it difficult for growers to put up crop protection structures where and when they are needed,” he said. The issue has been a hot topic in The News as kiwifruit growers’ shelters pop up – and impact on views of neighbours. “The proposed changes are about finding the right balance – supporting productive rural land use, keeping people and infrastructure safe, and reducing unnecessary red tape,” Allen said. The council says the proposed plan change was shaped through engagement with mana whenua, iwi, growers, landowners and other stakeholders. Features of the proposed plan change include clearer rules on where shelterbelts and crop structures can be erected, requirements for planting and maintaining shelterbelts, new setbacks from property boundaries, roads, electricity lines and gas pipelines and controls on the size, height and colour of crop protection structures. A submission period for the proposed plan change opens today (Thursday) and runs to February 13.
Michelle Way Legal Exec.
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THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
Water rescues still in limbo By Chris Gardner
Waipā district and Waikato regional council are being called on to develop inland water safety plans, but at least one mayor can’t see it happening. Drowning Prevention Aotearoa chief executive Nicola KeenBiggelaar’s call comes after Fire and Rescue New Zealand (Fenz) chief executive Kerry Gregory suggested Waikato councils apply for a maritime transport operator certificate. Fenz banned volunteer firefighters from operating rescue boats and jet skis after Maritime New Zealand announced in the middle of last year the service was acting outside of the law. The decision has significant implications for Cambridge, Ngāruawāhia and Huntly and promoted a call from Waikato mayors for a rethink. Waikato mayor Aksel Bech was perplexed by Fenz’ ban when it had capability and vessels. “The fire service are first responders,” he said. “Saying it should not be us, it should be somebody else does not move us forward.” He doubted the Government, which had tasked mayors with local government reform, would allow councils to take responsibility with safety plans and rescue vehicles as it was not a core service. Keen-Biggelaar said she did not
Drowning Prevention Aotearoa chief executive Nicola Keen-Biggelaar.
have a strong view on who should be providing rescue capability but having an organisation that could mobilise search and rescue capability promptly, with trained staff, was critical to preventing drowning. Of inland water safety plans, Keen-Biggelaar said: “These plans should be informed by a structured risk assessment process and provide
location-specific recommendations for drowning prevention and riskmitigation initiatives. “At both regional and national levels, inland water safety planning should be guided by international best practice and evidence-based frameworks. Currently, such coordinated plans and strategies for inland waters are largely absent
within councils, and addressing this gap would significantly strengthen efforts to reduce drowning risk.” Keen-Biggelaar said was not clear that there was a consistent, clearly defined, or dedicated rapid response capability for river and lake emergencies across the Waikato region. “There is effectively no dedicated lifeguard-based supervision or rapid-response capability for rivers and lakes in the region. Response to incidents is therefore largely reactive and dependent on general emergency services or volunteer rescue organisations, rather than on-site prevention, supervision, and immediate rescue capacity.” She said there did not appear to be a clear delineation of responsibility for inland water rescue in New Zealand. “New Zealand Police do not promote water entry for general duties officers; while specialist teams exist, these are not part of the routine emergency response capability. A similar situation applies to Fire and Emergency New Zealand. In practice, inland water emergencies are directed to New Zealand Police, who then activate whatever rescue assets are available and appropriate to the location and circumstances.” She believed the greatest impact would come from education that supports people behave safely in and around inland waterways, as well as training on how to safely assist someone who requires help in
the water. “Targeted media campaigns focused on inland water safety and safe bystander rescue would further reinforce these messages at a community level. In addition, the placement of public rescue equipment and clear, locationspecific signage at known hazardous sites would help raise awareness of local risks and provide bystanders with the means to assist if required,” she said. “It is important that the installation of signage and rescue equipment is accompanied by parallel community education, so people understand what the signage means and how to use public rescue equipment correctly and safely.” Waipā deputy mayor Jo DaviesColley said the safety of people using and enjoying the district’s rivers and waterways was a priority for the mayor, herself and fellow councillors. “We are keen to start the conversation about what options might be available and what role, if any, council could play,” she said. “Any involvement in river rescue would need to be carefully thought through and fit alongside existing emergency services, whose important work we strongly acknowledge and support. For now, our focus is on understanding the issues, listening to advice, and making sure any future decisions are practical and in the best interests of our community.”
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THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
FAITH IN WAIPĀ
ON SHAKY GROUND
Happy ‘new’ year?
Giant canyons
Cheerily greeting people with ‘Happy New Year’ weeks after the year began would be weird - kind of like wishing someone happy birthday when it wasn’t. Writing this, I’m hoping your year has indeed begun with the ‘happiness,’ people wished upon you. Sadly for some, their year will already have been marred by loss, difficulty and pain. If that’s your circumstance or it’s someone else’s close to you, I am truly sorry. What was meant weeks back when ”Happy New Year” slid easily off our tongue? Since happiness is contingent on ‘favourable happenings’, probably what we were envisaging was extending the hope for an incoming year full of positive things. Perhaps the hope of ‘cutting a new groove’ in some way… of doing things better and accomplishing things that hitherto have eluded us. Or, of achieving specific goals and finding abundance in places where we’ve experienced deficit - a new year presenting a ‘line in the sand’ with opportunity to cast a vision for fresh beginnings. An optimist was head over heels in love with a pessimist. He wistfully proposed to her. “We should get married next year!” Brusquely, she deflected, “What! Whoever would want us!?” Broadly speaking, personality-wise, we all figure somewhere in between those two extremes. And life being what it is, we’ll all experience disappointing, unfavourable ‘happenings’ that won’t lead to happiness. Designed to be deeply ‘anchored’ in joy, our hearts crave its refreshing. This can still be a ‘new’ year for you and true joy is attainable. Embracing changes necessary to avoid reverting to our ‘same old’ mode will make the difference. People attempting new year’s resolutions
Looking across our oceans, the world beneath is hidden from view. This hidden world shapes our planet in profound ways. I love learning about the processes, patterns and features that make up the roughly-70 per cent of Earth covered by oceans, and it’s striking how much we still don’t know. What we do know, though, is often astounding in scale. The Grand Canyon in Arizona, United States, and canyons like it are surprisingly common along the edges of continental shelves. Scientists estimate there may be around 10,000 submarine canyons worldwide. A continental shelf is the part of the seafloor that extends out from land, sloping gently downward until it reaches the continental slope, where the seabed steepens dramatically. Many submarine canyons cut down through these shelf edges. They form through erosion, the gradual removal of material grain by grain, or through more sudden and dramatic mass-wasting events such as landslides. Over long timescales, these processes carve deep channels into the seafloor, slicing downward through layers of rock. Because canyons expose those layers, they offer a window through time. The rocks represent millions, or even billions, of years of Earth’s history. Some layers are sedimentary, built from deposits of older material ranging from fine clay and mud to coarse gravel and boulders. Over time, as these deposits are buried and compacted, where they can harden into rock such as sandstone and mudstone. Volcanic rocks may also appear in canyon walls, and some expose stacked lava flows, ash-rich deposits from explosive eruptions,
By Murray Smith, Bridges Church
with best intentions, often find they’re quickly ‘bent’ out of shape and soon broken. That causes despair and a sense of failure. How is it we purpose to improve ourselves, yet revert to old patterns and behaviours so readily? I think the word ‘recidivism’ as defined by Websters Dictionary expresses it clearly - ‘The tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behaviour.’ Being a ‘recidivist’ often describes someone criminally inclined. But it’s within all of us potentially, to battle an ‘Achilles heel’ that’s just below the surface. ’Reforming’ ourselves and bringing about our own inner transformational change, is impossible. We need help. Ironically, because we’re locked into stubborn self-effort, that independence entrenches our core inability to ever thoroughly and genuinely change. We’re taught it’s our efforts and performance that validates us, earning us merit and that ‘doing’ supplants simply ‘being’. Men seem especially susceptible to this. I’ve noticed in settings where guys get to know one another, they ask first and foremost, “So, what do you do?” Like inquisitive dogs sniffing each other over, our worth is assessed by our accomplishment. The bondage of all ‘religious’ activity is that it’s about humanistic ‘doing’… futile, striving self-effort that will never be enough. Here’s what sets authentic Christian faith, poles apart from ‘religion’- having authentic, personal relationship with God exists purely in trusting what Christ has already done for us. There’s a beauty of rest that comes from abiding in Him. Jesus offers more than a happy new year - let Him love you into a new joy-filled, empowered way of life.
By Janine Krippner
or even the remains of underground magma bodies that slowly cooled into granite. A canyon may also cut into metamorphic rocks, material that was buried deep enough to be transformed by pressure and heat into new rock types such as schist or gneiss. These rocks are far older than the canyon itself. The Grand Canyon illustrates this. Its oldest exposed rocks are about 1.8 billion years old, its youngest roughly 270 million. The canyon began to form around five million years ago. This rich history is revealed across its depth that reaches 1.6 kilometres. Submarine canyons can be even larger. Zhemchug Canyon near Alaska, for example, has a relief (or depth) of roughly 2.6 kilometres. Closer to home, we have spectacular examples too, including Cook Strait Canyon between Te Ika-a-Māui/the North Island and Te Waipounamu/the South Island, and the Kaikōura Canyon offshore of the Kaikōura Peninsula. These giants of the deep matter. Submarine canyons can act as major pathways for transporting sediment from coastal regions down to the deep ocean floor. They can support ecosystems, shaping biodiversity by influencing currents, nutrients, and habitat structure. They can be sites of major capable of triggering tsunamis that may impact our coastlines with little or no warning. From life-supporting systems to potential disasters, submarine canyons remind us that the seafloor is dynamic, complex, and deeply connected to the world we live in. The more we understand how it is shaped, the better we can understand our planet and our place within it.
CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 7
THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
Callouts break town record
By Viv Posselt
Cambridge’s Volunteer Fire Brigade members attended a record 508 calls over the past year – a significant jump from the 420 calls logged in the previous year. Fire Chief Dennis Hunt told The News the rise was seen across the board, but there had been a notable increase in the number of structural fires associated with buildings, houses, sheds and the like, and in vegetation fires. “We’re not alone in recording this sort of jump,” he said. “As towns grow in the region, so most of the fire stations are recording more callouts, and with the number of retirement villages growing, we are seeing an increased number of false alarms.” A breakdown of the 2025 calls listed 125 for alarm activation, 104 for miscellaneous fires, 83 related to motor vehicles, 80 structural fires, 56 medical callouts, 33 vegetation fires, 13 weather-related calls, nine hazard incidents and five rescues. The number of weather-related callouts was lower than normal. “We’ve been lucky in that we haven’t experienced some of the bad weather conditions felt elsewhere. We didn’t have the super strong winds that bombarded some parts of the country or the extremely dry conditions… that hasn’t come
here yet. Right now, there is a lot more green around this part of the country, which is why we are currently sitting at open season regarding fires, but people should check with the Fenz website before considering lighting fires outdoors.” Hunt will soon mark his fourth year as Cambridge’s fire chief. He said annual callouts were at the late 300s to early 400s when he took on the role – and that was a far cry from the 150 to 180 annual callouts when he started as a firefighter 38 years ago. The trending increase over the last couple of years has prompted him to launch a recruitment campaign this year. He hopes to grow the number of volunteers in Cambridge from its current 26 to nearer 30. “Rather than adding pressure to the volunteers we do have now, I would like to see us bring a few more on board, somewhere between three and five,” he said. Hunt said the number of calls, along with training nights, meetings, maintenance, community events and school visits placed a heavy burden on volunteers. He said the upcoming recruitment campaign would include an open day at the station – plans are currently being nutted out around dates. Meanwhile, Ōtorohanga’s Volunteer Fire Brigade also responded to a record number of
Cambridge fire chief Dennis Hunt says the increase in callouts has prompted a search for more volunteers.
callouts in 2025 – a total of 232. “We probably had about 50 more last year compared to 2024 and it is the highest number we’ve ever had. Our last highest total was in 2023 when we had 208,” brigade chief Neville King told The News. Although the highest proportion
(47) of call-outs were initiated by road crashes, responding to fire alarms (43) and vegetation fires (41) formed the lion’s share. “A lot of them were weatherrelated. We had quite a few fires back in March and we had a lot of calls out to Waikeria Prison – most
were false alarms, but we still had to attend.” An overhaul of the prison’s alarm system as part of major redevelopment work was behind many of the false alarms, but the issue now seems to be under control, King said.
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THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
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Actions and words We know that actions and words should be consistent – and when they aren’t, actions speak louder than words. The gulf between the actions and words of New Zealand politicians over the last 20 years or more when it comes to productivity is as wide as the Tasman Sea. The key to a country’s living standards is its productivity. Some productivity gains can be made by working longer and harder. But the substantial and long-lasting gains come from working smarter. It is alarming how long our productivity rates have been behind most other western countries and how far our relative productivity has fallen because of this long-term poor performance. For example, in the 1970s, our gross domestic product per hour worked was similar to the Scandanavian countries. We now produce about 40 per cent less output per hour worked than those countries.n This is reflected directly in our relative living standards. For example, GDP per head in Denmark is now about 60 per cent higher than here. One of the few steps the current government has made in the productivity area is the abolition of the Productivity Commission. Given our poor productivity
By Peter Nicholl
performance over a long period this seems an unusual body to choose to close. But the Productivity Commission opened in 2011 and closed in 2024. During the 13 years it existed and wrote reports, New Zealand’s relative productivity performance didn’t improve, it got worse. I haven’t looked at the Commission’s reports to see if that was because they made the wrong recommendations or because they made some good recommendations but weren’t listened to. Last year, the International Monetary Fund wrote a report labelled ‘New Zealand’s Productivity Challenge’. I only become aware of that report recently. It didn’t get much attention when it was released last year. That’s a pity as it made some important points. Most reports on our poor productivity record list the same causes: low investment in equipment and technology, limited spending on research and development, excessive regulation, poor infrastructure, a lack of long-term planning – and so on. What made the IMF report different was it said on top of underperforming in all these key areas, we are actively backing the wrong kinds of firms. They said our poor performance is not an accident or due to bad luck. We are
doing it to ourselves. Should we believe the actions or the words of New Zealand politicians regarding productivity? Have politicians decided we should be a tightly regulated economy in terms of health and safety, resource use, environmental issues and money laundering - knowing that that will mean we won’t grow as fast or have incomes as high as many other countries? That is what the actions of our politicians and beaurocrats over the last 20 or so years imply. But that is not what their words have said. Their words usually say we aspire to be a fast-growing economy at the forefront of technology. We are far from that. This is an election year. Either the words need to change to match the actions – we will be a slowgrowing but safe and sound economy - or the actions need to change to match the words – we will become a vibrant, risk-taking economy at the forefront of technological change. Having a huge gulf between the words and actions of our governments is the worst of all worlds.
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CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 9
THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
Digital dig into town’s past By Chris Gardner
Cambridge Museum manager Elizabeth Harvey wants to work more closely with mana whenua to better understand their story. Harvey, who joined the museum full time in 2022 after working for three years part time, completed a Te Wananga o Aotearoa course before embarking on a project to capture the town’s stories through video interviews. The Voices of Cambridge project is not dissimilar to the BBC’s Domesday Project that Harvey participated in during the mid-1980s in the Midlands of the UK. She was one of thousands of British schoolchildren to capture stories in their home villages and towns to mark the 900th anniversary of the original Domesday Book compiled by William the Conqueror. “We have started an archive, for the digital age,” Harvey said. It will include 40 interviews from Cambridge people running from 30 minutes to four hours each. “In the digital age having digital story telling is really important.” The stories will be archived on site.
Telling the stories of mana whenua is also important, Harvey believes, which is why Māori have been involved in the project. For her it’s about building relationships, sitting down and listening to people’s stories. “There’s a lot of work needs to be done with mana whenua,” Harvey said. Particularly when it comes to the telling of the story of the settling of the town in 1864 as a military settlement for the 3rd Waikato Militia and the town becoming a major staging point and supply route for prospectors heading to the goldfields around Waihī in the 1870s. “The history of New Zealand is all about the ownership of land and of power struggles.” Harvey has recently started free twice weekly historical tours of the town. “We live in a really beautiful town,” she said. “It’s got quite a complex history, as most places do in New Zealand, from the arrival of Māori in the 1300s and 1400s, the New Zealand Land Wars and Cambridge as a planned town.” The builders of Cambridge believed they had a future, said Harvey, building hotels,
Elizabeth Harvey is capturing Cambridge’s stories through video interviews.
bakeries and banks. “If you have got beer, bread and money then you have got a future.”
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The tour is more a conversation where participants are encouraged to discuss the town’s history
Photo: Chris Gardner
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for six years for the National Museums of Scotland as a researcher and content development manager.
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THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
Melbourne next Regan is named for Georgia St Peter’s deputy By Steph Bell-Jenkins
After winning St Peter’s School’s top performing arts award in 2025, Georgia Davis dreams of taking her talents to Broadway or London’s West End. But this year she will head to Melbourne to study musical theatre at Patrick School of the Arts. Georgia has lived in Cambridge all her life. Her mother, Natalie, is an administrator and her father, Stephen, is an international bloodstock auctioneer. She has two older brothers, Mitchell and Matt, who both live in Australia. Her uncle, Lloyd Spencer Davis, is a scientist and an authority on penguins, and a writer, photographer and filmmaker whose honours include a Fulbright Fellowship, an Anzac Fellowship and a Prince and Princess of Wales Science Award. Georgia studied biology, mathematics, English, drama and music in 2025 and won the Lala Family Trophy for Excellence and Commitment to the Performing Arts and
the Year 11-13 Drama Award for Individual Excellence in Drama Performance. She has been involved with school productions of Shrek Jr, Camp Rock, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, School of Rock, Mary Poppins Jr, Anastasia, Newsies Jr, The Pirate Queen, Catch Me If You Can and Elf Jr. For her performance as Evleen in The Pirate Queen she was named Best Supporting Actress in a Youth Production at the Zony Awards, which recognise performance and production excellence in Musical Theatre New Zealand’s central North Island region. Georgia has also been involved in the St Peter’s Drama Club, Musical Theatre Academy, Glee Club, Beatz dance troupe, Jazz Band, Voice Collective and Chapel Band. Over her time at the school she has been a year 7 prefect, performing arts ambassador and performing arts music captain. When she’s not on stage, she enjoys playing football and spending time with friends and family.
By Steph Bell-Jenkins
Georgia Davis
The talented student has also given a number of performances at retirement villages and rest homes. Earlier this year, she teamed up with friend Ava Kirk to run a fundraising event at the Cambridge Town Hall, raising more than $2500 for MusicHelps, a national charity that uses music to help and heal people around Aotearoa. Of her move to Melbourne, she expected the biggest challenge would be stepping outside of familiar surroundings and getting herself comfortable with new people. “However, this is also something that I am looking forward to.”
Regan Gallien, who grew up in Wharepuhunga and now lives in Te Awamutu, is St Peter’s Cambridge’s deputy head girl for 2026. Regan’s mother, Anna, is a governance advisor for the New Zealand School Boards Association, and her father, Peter, owns a farm. She has three sisters – Ava (24), Kate (19) and Jade (11). “My mum works with governance and is constantly having to lead school boards out of difficult times. Seeing how she manages to improve and work alongside these organisations and balance and compromise differing opinions truly inspires me. “My dad owns a farm… watching how he can be in every place at once has definitely had an impact on my leadership style.” Her basketball coach, Leanne Walker, had also been hugely influential in her success. “Leanne taught me how to work hard and do it with a smile on my face. I would not be able to uphold the
values and commitment that a leader should hold today if it weren’t for Leanne Walker shaping me into the character I am now.” Regan said her Catholic faith had strongly impacted her beliefs, morals and leadership journey. Regan studied English literature, mathematics with statistics, dance, outdoor education, history and psychology in 2025 and won the Van Marrewijk Family Trophy for All Round Excellence in year 12. A keen dancer and sportsperson, she plays basketball, social touch rugby, premier volleyball and premier netball. “Long term for me, I look to attend university and come out the other side with a degree.” Regan said her family had a big influence on her decision to pursue a head student role. “I grew up with two older sisters who had both been the head girls in year 8 at Korakonui primary school, so when I changed primary schools in year 7, moving to St Patrick’s, I knew that that
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CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 11
THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
OBITUARY – SOPHIE MARY TIPENE: September 4, 1932 - December 29, 2025
Te reo advocate celebrated By Viv Posselt
The lessons Sophie Mary Tipene taught and turned into her legacy will benefit many well into the future. She was a longtime teacher, a woman who applied her faith and tough work ethic to everything she faced in life. Those qualities and more were celebrated at the farewell service held recently after her passing late last month, aged 93. Many families in Cambridge and the surrounding areas are among those whose lives were shaped by her and who are determined to take those lessons to the next generation. Sophie was a Northland girl, born in Pipiwai during the Great Depression. She left home at 13 to board at Turakina Māori Girls’ College in Marton then went on to train at Auckland Teacher’s College. After graduating, she spent decades teaching in primary schools and became known as a quiet pioneer in establishing bilingual units in some of the mainstream schools. Despite having herself been punished by the government of the day for speaking her mother tongue as a child, Sophie was determined to bring the language back into schools. Her determination to teach te reo Māori ‘one student at a time’ was legendary. Her first teaching role was at Murupara Area School, then at Pipiwai (Te Horo Native School), and Waingaro School at Ngāruawāhia. In Cambridge, she taught at Leamington Primary, Cambridge Primary and Cambridge East schools, as well as at Te Kura o Ngāti Haua. There were also postings to Tokoroa, Puahue School and Riverton Primary School. Sophie was known widely for her strength of character and resilience through a life marked by frequent losses. She endured the passing of her husband, three daughters and a son. After marrying Te Mana Ropere Tipene, also from
Longtime teacher, mentor and te reo Māori advocate, Sophie Tipene, has died aged 93.
AMAZING IS IN SEASON
Pipiwai, the couple moved to Cambridge. They ran a successful shearing contracting business in the area, with Sophie running the accounts, cooking the meals for the shearing gangs, caring for their six children and teaching in local primary schools. When her husband died in 1979, she continued working and dedicated her life to family, her community and her church. She was a long-standing member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and after being widowed, she served an 18-month church mission in Christchurch. She attended the Hamilton temple weekly until illness prevented her from doing so. Sophie’s years in Cambridge were also marked by service to the community. She spent years on the Cambridge Community Marae committee and helped fundraise for its development. She was a member of the then Cambridge BPW (Business and Professional Women) organisation, was part of the Creative Communities Committee and a member of the Cambridge High School Board of Trustees for a while. She also welcomed into her home exchange students from Japan over many years, forging with them many long-standing relationships. Family speaking at her farewell remembered her loving but strict adherence to routine and doing things properly. Beds had to be made with hospital corners, towels folded appropriately, silver cleaned and lawns mowed. They remembered her attention to dress, the uplifting notes she left for family to find, her frugality, hardworking life and her gentleness. They described her Marton school motto of Miria te pounamu pīata ana (Polish the gem till the brilliance shines through) as being a fitting whakataukī for the life she lived. Sophie has three surviving children – Raewyn Nordstrom, Nigel Tipene and Amarlee Riki – 27 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren, and one greatgreat-grandchild.
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12 | CAMBRIDGE NEWS
THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
Rotary adds a second defib Chasing
the pests
Cambridge Community Menzshed members welcomed a new AED to their site recently. Pictured around the AED are Rotarians Laurie Graham and Bill Robinson, centre, and Cambridge Menzshed president Mike Gast, left.
By Viv Posselt
The arrival of an AED at Leamington’s Cambridge Community Menzshed late last year has been welcomed by shed president Mike Gast. The AED (artificial external defibrillator) was donated by the Cambridge Rotary Club just before the holiday season kicked in. It was the second of two the club has placed in the community. Rotary International’s charitable arm, the Rotary Foundation, met the cost of around $3000 each. The first of the two was delivered to Kids in Need Waikato a couple of months earlier. The AED was delivered to the Menzshed by the Rotary Foundation’s chair for Cambridge Rotary Bill Robinson, and Cambridge Rotary Club president Laurie Graham.
After an extensive renovation to the 122-year-old Leamington Dairy Factory building in Carlyle Street, the Cambridge Community Menzshed opened in February 2025. The Waipā District Council-owned building is leased to the community-oriented group. There were around 27 Menzshed members at the time it opened. Gast told The News last week that at last count, there were 121 members, all from Cambridge. He said one of the first jobs for 2026 is to affix the AED to the back of the building so that the wider public have access to it. “We have negotiated with council on that… getting it up on the outside of the shed will be one of our first projects of the year.” The Menzshed and Rotary Cambridge have several shared members, and it was through
those contacts that the AED ended up being offered to the shed. Gast said the shed had been open on weekdays from 8.30am to midday throughout its first year, but suggested they may extend to opening on some afternoons this year. “We get about half of the membership coming along at any of the events we run dayto-day. Some members work on their own projects, but we also welcome people coming in and bringing us items they might want us to repair,” he said. “We don’t take in electronics, but we do accept things like tables and chairs that might need repair work done. We have the equipment and the skills. One of the earliest things we had in was a felled log … we chopped it into slices and turned it into a table.”
Biosecurity staff are continuing to survey parts of Auckland for two pest species which would cause enormous damage to the country’s fruit and honey production. On the heels of the discovery in October of yellow legged hornets in Glenview a single Queensland fruit fly was found at the start of the year in a surveillance trap in Mt Roskill. The Queensland fly lays eggs in fruit, which provides food for maggots. Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Kate Scott said if the pest took hold the country would lose some key export markets. The fly has been found in Auckland before – in 2015 and 2019 - thanks to monitoring, and contained at a combined cost approaching $35 million to potentially save billions of dollars. Regular checks of traps are being made in a 1500 metre radius around where the first find was recorded. Meanwhile the hunt continues for yellow legged hornets – more than 40 queens and 25 nests have been found since the first in October. Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North, Mike Inglis said there had been more than 700 notifications of potential finds of the hornet which is native to Southeast Asia. It was also found in coastal Savannah, Georgia in the US in 2023 and is spreading. It is hoped the invasive hornet, which could cause serious damage to the commercial honey industry, have been contained on the North Shore.
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Proposed Plan Change 25
Shelterbelts and Artificial Crop Protection and Support Structures We are proposing new rules for shelterbelts and crop structures in the Rural Zone of Waipā. If you live in or next to a rural area, the proposed plan change could affect you! Plan Change 25 includes: New rules on where shelterbelts and crop structures can be located (for all farms and lifestyle properties) Requirements for planting and maintaining shelterbelts New setbacks from property boundaries, roads, electricity and gas lines Controls on the size, height and colour of crop structures
The submission period is open until 5pm Friday, February 13, 2026. Anyone can make a submission. Find out more at one of our offices or on our website. Just scan the QR code here. www.waipadc.govt.nz/planchange25 www.waipadc.govt.nz 0800 WAIPADC (0800 924 723)
CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 13
THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
Focus on public relations Nicholl sparks avoiding engagement. Cambridge Connections project Cambridge ward councillor Roger manager Katie Mayes said the council Gordon has asked for a “deep dive” was making sure all sectors of the into community engagement, and he community were being engaged with. will get it in March. “We’ll have a detailed comms and Gordon asked for the dive to be engagement approach,” she said. included in Waipā District Council’s The council had an internal Risk and Assurance Committee work “lessons learnt” approach in the programme for 2026. communications and engagement “There’s no mention of the erosion component. of community trust that was identified Council acting business support as a critical issue that we all felt was group manager Georgina Knapp very very important,” Gordon said suggested the committee discuss after reviewing the committee’s work community engagement in a deep dive programme for 2026. in March. Gordon was referring to the St Pierre was also concerned the community’s response to the council’s council’s relationship with New announcement almost two years ago of Zealand Transport Agency Waka a river crossing via a blue blob which Kotahi was flagged as a risk to the prompted the subsequent reset of the project, prompting her to question Cambridge Connections Transport Mayes on the relationship. Plan. “The relationship is very strong,” “We’ve got to reestablish that Mayes said. community trust and I think that that “They are very comfortable with deep dive into community engagement the overall approach that we are would be appropriate as our first step taking around the strategic transport on correcting or addressing that issue planning. They are well aware of the of community trust,” Gordon said. sorts of asks that are likely to come out Gordon had the support of Te of the transport plan at the end.” Awamutu ward member Shane Walsh NZTA had offered a staff partnership at December’s Risk and Assurance to present information relating to Committee meeting. freight and future transport. “I’d like to see a little bit more focus “I think it’s a really positive in that area of reputation risk,” Walsh relationship,” she said. said. “We know it’s an issue, and we St Pierre asked whether the know it needs to be resolved. It’s a low- establishment of the multi councilcost manageable issue and we need to controlled water organisation Waikato focus on it.” Waters Ltd could be considered to be Pirongia ward councillor Claire St on track by council. Pierre wanted to know how the project Waipā is joining Hauraki, Matamatawould interact with those who were Piako, Ōtorohanga, Taupō, South
digital demand
By Chris Gardner
By Mary Anne Gill
Roger Gordon.
Waikato and Waitomo district council from July. “We’ve heard recently that there are now delays with Waikato Waters,” she said. “Not at our end, but it’s their end.” Asked, after the meeting, to elaborate, St Pierre said it related to information she had received from council staff. A Waikato Waters Ltd spokesperson said there were no delays to the company going live on July 1. St Pierre was also worried about council finance. “As we get into more difficult financial times, we might have a lot more non-payment of rates for instance or push back on water charges things like that,” she said. She noted a financial report that showed a payment delay in four per cent of water charges. “I think which actually equates to $900,000… it’s not small stuff even though it’s small percentages.”
Cambridge News enjoyed a standout year online, driven in large part by the global reach of economics columnist Peter Nicholl. Nicholl’s May column - The fall of the US dollar, became the most‑read story on the Cambridge News website, narrowly surpassing interest in preliminary local body election results. Remarkably, most of the column’s readership came from the United States, where readers seized on Nicholl’s critique of President Donald Trump’s “shambolic policy‑making”. A former governor of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina and deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Nicholl may now be retired in Cambridge, but his analysis clearly still resonates on the world stage. Website visits climbed 31 per cent on 2024, with the home page drawing the highest traffic, followed by News in Brief and the e‑Editions section. Three of the year’s top 10 stories appeared exclusively online, underscoring the website’s role as an essential companion to the weekly print edition. Editor Roy Pilott said readers’ engagement across both platforms showed the value of
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offering multiple ways to access local news. “Both serve the purpose of delivering news and information. While the newspaper offers a more immersive reading experience, our online platform allows us to break stories or expand on print coverage between publication days. Clearly our readers value that choice,” he said. The top 10 Cambridge News stories in order were: The fall of the US dollar, Local elections – preliminary results, Tragedies impact on fire fighters, Quarry gets consent, Drugs and money seized, Quarry complaints levelled, Friends together again, Future bleak for town lake, A Sad start to the year and Meet the new mayor. Sister publication Te Awamutu News also recorded a strong year, with site visits up 56 per cent. Its most‑read story covered former Waipā posties Danny and Ian Kennedy abandoning their breach‑of‑contract damages claim against NZ Post, followed by coverage of firefighters tackling an Ōhaupō blaze. Waikato Business News, Good Local Media’s monthly publication, posted the biggest digital growth - a 73 per cent increase in website visits. Its top story focused on a new industrial development in Putāruru, closely followed by news of an airport hub project.
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14 | CAMBRIDGE NEWS
THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
On the trail: How to prepare
Saving on
Chris Gardner, a New Zealand Outdoor Instructors’ Association Bush Leader, shares tip for journeys into the great outdoors.
stationery Preparing for a new school year is every parent’s nightmare, especially if you have multiple children. But with a little planning, families can make smart choices and get excellent value on students’ stationery. Make sure to check the school’s stationery list carefully, which has been set out by those working with the actual curriculum. Many parents buy items that look useful - but aren’t actually required. Sticking closely to the list prevents unnecessary spending and reduces clutter in your child’s bag or desk. Next, take inventory at home. Leftover glue sticks, unused pencils, half- exercise books, scissors, rulers and pencil cases often survive from previous years. And these days, there are often drives by charitable organisations that collect these for just this reason, as well as reducing landfill. Reusing supplies is one of the easiest ways to save money, and most schools are perfectly happy for students to use last year’s items if they’re still in good condition. Once you know exactly what you need, compare prices across major suppliers. Big retailers often run back-to-school promotions in January. Checking multiple stores -both online and physical -can reveal significant differences in price, especially for items like exercise books,
colouring pencils and scientific calculators. Bulk-buy packs sometimes offer great value, but only if your child will genuinely use everything included, or you have have three or four kids with varying needs. Another useful tip is to avoid brand bias. Many generic stationery brands offer identical functionality as premium labels do at a fraction of the cost. For everyday classroom use, durability and practicality matter far more than logos. If your child’s school partners with a specific stationery provider, ordering through their portal can save time and ensure you have exactly the right items. But it’s still worth comparing these packs to independent retailers - sometimes you can mix and match to reduce the total cost. Finally, consider shopping earlier rather than later. Popular items sell out fast, and late shopping can force you into buying more expensive alternatives. If you can, buy when on special and stock up for later during the year when prices are back to normal. By reusing what you can, and taking time to compare prices, you can keep stationery costs manageable while making sure students are fully equipped for a successful school year.
When hikers and trampers do not come back from the trail a lack of planning and preparedness is often the cause. Plan and prepare is the first of the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. Plans should include researching the route and communicating plans to an emergency contact whose role it is to raise the alarm if a person doesn’t return on time. Taking the right gear is essential. The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council has published an excellent walking and tramping gear list designed to keep walker and trampers safe. At a minimum for every trip walkers and trampers should pack: Headtorch and batteries… A headtorch will quickly become a lifesaver if you find yourself unexpectedly overdue on a day walk or tramp, and spare batteries will come to your rescue when it packs in. Headtorches leave your hands free. Fire lighting kit… My fire lighting kit includes Vaseline-soaked cotton buds in a waterproof container with flint and steel as well as a tramping gas stove, gas, and a mess kit in which I can boil water. Food and snacks… I take approximately a third more than I would usually eat for a walk or tramp. Typically, bran for
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1 FIND YOUR ROUTE
Bush leader Chris Gardner is also a Good Local Media journalist.
breakfast, salami, cheese and crackers for lunch, mince, and vegetables for dinner. An additional days’ worth of emergency food is a must. Snacks include muesli bars and Scroggin or trail mix. Map and compass… A map and a compass are essential when the trail disappears in the thick bush. But you need to know how to use them too. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has some useful instructional videos in its Get Outdoors Series online. You should practice before relying on such skills in the wild. Communications device…
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2 GET A BEE CARD 3 DO A TEST RUN
The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council says walkers and trampers should, at a minimum, pack these items for every walk or tramping expedition.
Always take two forms of communication, as one may become redundant in any given situation. Phones are great for twoway communication, but batteries can drain quickly and they can get wet. A Personal Locator Beacon is an essential emergency communication device, sending your location to emergency services in the event of an incident. Survival bag… A survival bag will protect you from exposure. A plastic survival bag can be fashioned into an emergency shelter or used within an emergency shelter fashioned from fallen branches and foliage in the bush. A foil blanket will help retain body heat. Hat and gloves… A warm hat and gloves are essential all year around, especially if you end up overnighting at elevation. Water... Hikers and trampers should drink two to three litres of water a day to stay hydrated. Many trails follow rivers and I will often boil a cup of river water for a cup of tea. My first aid kit also includes a strip of water treatment tablets that make river water safe to drink in 30 minutes. Waterproof jacket… There’s a plethora of options from outdoor brands. You want something lightweight that is both heavy showerproof and windproof. • Next week: Layering your clothing.
CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 15
THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
Tribute at waka ama
Continued from page 1
neighbouring resident who had opened a garden to allow more than 100 cars to park there. For the first time this year, organisers have included a Hauora health and wellbeing hub designed to get participants and their whanau thinking about improving health outcomes. National Hauora Coalition event co-ordinator Stephanie Whyte was on hand to share best practice for healthy homes using a model. “Homes should have one heater in the living area with extractor fans in the bathroom and kitchen,” she said. Whyte said she had interest from renters and homeowners alike. Te Piringa Kotuka Māori healthcare researcher Jamie-Lee Rahiri was also on hand, encouraging participants to try their hand with laparoscopic (or keyhole) tools using a lap trainer. Using the tools provided, participants had to move small balls from one place to another without dropping them. Rahiri, who has previously participated in the event as a paddler, brought medical students with her to encourage participants to think about health care as a pathway. Rahiri said she supported the establishment of the University of Waikato’s medical school. “The fact that people are waiting three weeks to see a GP is just not acceptable,” Rahiri said. The Accident Compensation Corporation, Diabetes New Zealand, and Pinnacle Midlands Health Network were among those represented. Waikato marquees and event management company X-Site sales manager Tony Muller said the company had supplied and erected about 35 marquees at the event this year. This week’s event is the biggest on Lake Karāpiro is its biggest event of the year – and involves more than 4500 paddlers. “It’s quite a big event for us,” he said.
Te Piringa Kōtuku Māori healthcare researcher Jamie-Lee Rahiri is joined by medical Two young paddlers representing Huntly’s Rāhui Pōkeka Waka Sports pictured in Photos: Waka Ama Aotearoa New Zealand. student Noah Appleby on the laparoscopic trainer. Photo: Chris Gardner action.
This happy paddler is a member of the Tūrangawaewae Waka Sports contingent from Ngāruawāhia.
Waka Ama Aotearoa New Zealand chief executive Lara Collins, left, reviews a healthy homes model with National Hauora Coalition event co-ordinator Stephanie Whyte. Photo: Chris Gardner
Karaitiana Tamatea
There are more paddlers in the 16-year-old girls’ field, including these Te Toki team paddlers, in the sprint nationals than in any other age group. Photo: Waka Ama Aotearoa New Zealand
Powering on – members of Te Rau Oranga o Ngāti Kahungunu club in action at Karāpiro. Photo: Waka Ama Aotearoa New Zealand
16 | CAMBRIDGE NEWS
THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
Rugby writer turns to crime
By Chris Gardner
Former King Country rugby player Geoff Parkes is making a name for himself as a New Zealand bush crime novelist. Parkes, who grew up in Taumarunui, played for Piopio Rugby Football Club and for King Country in early to mid-1980s – his contemporaries include Te Kūiti’s Glynn Meads – before emigrating to Australia in 1988 where he now lives and works as a rugby writer and crime novelist. “It was just a good time,” he said of his formative years. “A good place to live, a good place to play rugby, a good place to play cricket in summer, water skiing on Sundays at Lake Taupō, all that sort of stuff.” Penguin Random House Australia published his second novel on January 6, The First Law of the Bush, 11 months after his first crime novel When The Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole. So how did Parkes end up writing New Zealand bush crime novels? “I always wanted to write fiction, and it was just a matter of finding the time in and around work and other commitments,” he said. For the last 12 years Parkes has written a weekly opinion column for Australian online sports website The Roar. “The main thing I wanted to write about was the King Country region. A lot of it links to the Whanganui River that’s sort of got a bit of a hold on people that lived close to the river and also the volcanoes,” he said. “The second thing was the era. I wanted to write about the 80s because I thought it was a fascinating time where we’ve grown up in this very sort of British male dominated society where the women were expected to cook and look after the kids and they were really only starting to have careers and the men were work hard, play hard, drink hard.’
Parkes finds that era fascinating. “That’s not enough for a book though so I needed a plot and so I decided that it would be a crime novel and base it around a shearing gang and a missing backpacker and so the crime sort of came third if you like.” Parkes’ second novel, set a decade later in 1993, opens with the death of a worker on the Makatote Viaduct south of National Park and features the same lawyer as his first. “It’s a more honest crime book,” Parkes said. “I’m not just writing about where I grew up. “New Zealand is one of the things that I really wanted to write about. The bush has such a strong identity. It’s partly to do with age, how dense it is, how dark it can be and wet and all of that.” Parkes is a keen bush tramper. “I’m about halfway through my third book and it doesn’t feel like it’s so rushed or anything because as long as you keep chipping away at it steadily, you don’t feel under pressure. I try to write most nights.” Parkes said he received emails from readers thanking him for bringing back memories of rural New Zealand of their youth. “The smell of the shearing shed, walking in the bush, and all that sort of stuff,” he said. “Everyone’s got that shared experience of growing up in New Zealand. It’s quite distinctive. It’s certainly very different to Australia” It sounds quite self-indulgent. “A little bit, yeah, for sure. And more so in the first book. I think I got a lot of that out of my system. But the language is there. The way people talk and stuff like that. We know what it’s like. We live in that, and there is a distinctive sort of language that rural New Zealanders use.” Parkes gets back to New Zealand a couple of times a year, visiting his mother Joyce, 93, in Taumarunui.
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Geoff Parkes second historic bush crime novel has been published.
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THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
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18 | CAMBRIDGE NEWS
THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
CAMBRIDGE OPEN HOMES CAMBRIDGE REAL ESTATE Saturday 17 January 16C Kereruu Street 77C Grey Street Sunday 18 January 70 Rangatira Road 203 Oliver Road 33 Alpers Ridge 36A Hall Street 64A Princes Street 16C Kereruu Street 27 Terry Came Drive 4 Libby Crescent 33A Weld Street 59 Alpers Ridge 134 Williams Street 6 Upper Kingsley Street 1A Sanders Street 3/39 Maungakawa Road 77C Grey Street 51A Spencer Street 19 Honiss Place 14 Alba Place 16 Marlowe Drive 26 Richmond Street 58B Bryce Street 71 Swayne Road 224 Fencourt Road 1 Longfellow Street 3B Te Rerenga Terrace 5 Cooper Crescent 15A Kingsley Street 25/102 Swayne Road 27A Raleigh Street 74 Hugo Shaw Drive 445 Luck at Last Road 49 Cowley Drive 15 Lilac Close 47 Campbell Street 317 Shakespeare Street 10 Kaaka Street 11 Manuka Place 12 Cotter Place 71 Carlyle Street 146 French Pass Road 2 Keri Rua Road 19 Kelly Road 298 Kaipaki Road 205/86 Alpha Street 4 Frances Hunt Lane 4 Sargeson Place
PBN Deadline Sale
11.00-11.30am 11.45-12.30pm
$1,130,000 $1,550,000 $949,000 PBN $1,300,000 PBN Deadline Sale $1,049,000 PBN $1,095,000 $1,180,000 $1,049,000 $525,000 $1,550,000 Deadline Sale $960,000 $1,435,000 $1,167,000 PBN PBN $659,000 $1,699,000 PBN $975,000 $1,239,000 $1,950,000 $1,250,000 PBN Deadline Sale PBN $2,190,000 $1,335,000 PBN $980,000 PBN $1,269,000 PBN $1,260,000 PBN $2,749,000 $1,195,000 PBN $1,645,000 PBN $869,000 PBN
10:30-11:00am 10:30-11:00am 10:45-11:15am 10:45-11:15am 10:45-11:15am 11.00-11.30am 11:00-11:30am 11:30-12:00pm 11:30-12:00pm 11:30-12:00pm 11:30-12:00pm 11:30-12:15pm 11:45-12:15pm 11:45-12:15pm 11.45-12.30pm 12:00-12:30pm 12:00-12:45pm 12:15-12:45pm 12:15-12:45pm 12.15-12.45pm 12:15-12:45pm 12:45-1:15pm 12:45-1:15pm 1.00-1.30pm 1:00-1:30pm 1:00-1:30pm 1:00-1:30pm 1:00-1:30pm 1:00-1:30pm 1:00-1:30pm 1.00-1.30pm 1.45-2.15pm 1:45-2:15pm 1:45-2:15pm 1:45-2:15pm 2:00-2:30pm 2:00-2:30pm 2:00-2:30pm 2:00-2:30pm 2.00-2.45pm 2:30-3:00pm 2:30-3:00pm 2:30-3:00pm 2:45-3:15pm 3.30-4.00pm 3:30-4:00pm
LJ HOOKER Sunday 18 January 11a Princes Street 20 Princes Street 3 Alley Place MORE RE Saturday 17 January 12 Thomas Street 36 Raleigh Street 183 Victoria Street 5 Clifford Close 18A Bracken Street 85 Alan Livingston Drive 74A Thornton Road 124A & B Burns Street 26 Marlowe Drive 54 Browning Street 9 Brancaster Place 70 Ariki Street 127 Kiteroa Street Sunday 18 January 36 Grey Street 54 Browning Street 11 Clifford Close 18A Bracken Street 12 Thomas Street 36 Raleigh Street 25 Hall Street 185 King Street 26 Marlowe Drive 31 Clare Street 2 Byron Street 183 Victoria Street 74A Thornton Road 85 Alan Livingston Drive 36 Roto-O-Rangi Road 3 Madison Street 2 Kotare Grove 123 King Street 124A & B Burns Street 81 Jarrett Terrace 56 Kingdon Street 50 Arnold Street 40 King Street 9 Brancaster Place 9 Weld Street 70 Ariki Street 69A Vogel Street 5 Clifford Close 127 Kiteroa Street
$850,000 PBN $950,000
10.30-11.00am 11.00-11.30am 11.30-12.00pm
PBN PBN Auction $945,000 $735,000 $1,850,000 $1,325,000 Deadline Sale BEO $999,999 PBN PBN $995,000 Deadline Sale
11.00-11.30am 11.00-11.30am 11.00-11.30am 11.30-12.00pm 12.00-12.30pm 12.00-12.30pm 12.00-12.30pm 12.00-12.30pm 1.00-1.30pm 1.00-1.30pm 1.00-1.30pm 1.00-1.30pm 2.00-2.30pm
PBN PBN PBN $735,000 PBN PBN PBN PBN BEO $999,999 PBN $1,110,000 Auction $1,325,000 $1,850,000 PBN PBN PBN PBN Deadline Sale BEO $1,149,000 PBN $1,095,000 $869,000 PBN $885,000 $995,000 PBN $945,000 Deadline Sale
10.00-10.30am 10.00-10.30am 10.00-10.30am 10.00-10.30am 11.00-11.30am 11.00-11.30am 11.00-11.30am 11.00-11.30am 11.00-11.30am 11.00-11.30am 11.00-11.30am 11.00-11.30am 12.00-12.30pm 12.00-12.30pm 12.00-12.30pm 12.00-12.30pm 12.00-12.30pm 12.00-12.30pm 12.00-12.30pm 1.00-1.30pm 1.00-1.30pm 1.00-1.30pm 1.00-1.30pm 1.00-1.30pm 2.00-2.30pm 2.00-2.30pm 2.00-2.30pm 2.00-2.30pm 3.00-3.30pm
Contact listing agent prior-visiting as Open Homes times can change.
Cambridge Cambridge 2 Alan Livingston Drive 4
3
3
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Set on a sunny north-facing corner section in the sought-after St Kilda community, 2 Alan Livingston Drive captures modern sophistication but also relaxed family living. Built in 2017, this contemporary home is designed for those who value both comfort and style, offering four spacious bedrooms, three beautifully appointed bathrooms (including two luxurious en-suites), and three versatile living areas ideal for family gatherings or quiet retreats.
For Sale $1,899,999 View by appointment or scheduled open home times www.kdre.co.nz/CB6756
Cassie Emmett M 027 215 9334 Rebekah Bloodworth M 022 361 9879
Cambridge 51 Grosvenor Street 4
2
1
1
Set upon an impressive 1,012sqm freehold section, this four-bedroom home embodies space, light, and effortless sophistication. From the moment you step inside, the sense of quality is undeniable. The designer kitchen forms the heart of the home - sleek, functional, and fitted with premium Bosch appliances. Its refined palette and clean lines set the tone for the rest of the residence, flowing seamlessly into expansive open-plan living spaces bathed in natural light.
For Sale $1,369,000 View by appointment or scheduled open home times www.kdre.co.nz/CB6767
Rebekah Bloodworth M 022 361 9879 Cassie Emmett M 027 215 9334
year-round beside the warmth of a striking outdoor gas fireplace. Here, evenings linger a little longer, laughter carries into
Tamahere 8 September Grove
4 2 5004sqm 4 Positioned in sought-after Tamahere, this 5,000m2 lifestyle property combines space, comfort, and beautifully established surroundings. Follow the stunning ROW to the electric gates, where a real sense of privacy and arrival begins. Beyond the entrance, the home reveals itself among mature gardens and manicured grounds, creating an inviting and serene setting.
07 827 8815
For Sale Price By Negotiation View by appointment or scheduled open home times www.kdre.co.nz/CB6799
57 Duke Street, Cambridge
Gary Stokes M 021 351 112 Nicola Fitchett M 027 228 0825
kdre.co.nz
Tauwhare 624 Scotsman Valley Road
4 2 8172sqm 2 Step inside to generous open-plan living, where fullheight glazing floods the home with natural light and frames private green views. The sleek kitchen anchors the space, flowing easily to dining and lounge zones all designed for connection, comfort and ease. A separate second lounge provides that essential extra living space for family life.
Harcourts Kevin Deane Real Estate
@harcourtskdre
For Sale $1,400,000 View by appointment or scheduled open home times www.kdre.co.nz/CB6782
Gary Stokes M 021 351 112 Nicola Fitchett M 027 228 0825
Licensed REAA 2008
CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 19
THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
07 823 2300 sales@more-re.co.nz www.more-re.co.nz 74 Victoria Street Cambridge Heart of Cambridge - 1194m² Section
A Delight to Live Here
Auction
Negotiation
OPEN HOMES SATURDAY & SUNDAY 11 - 11.30AM
433 21
38Victoria Byron Street, 183 Street,Leamington Cambridge
231
- Set back down a private driveway in one of Cambridge’s most favoured central locations. - Spacious main lounge with conservatory and deck access, alongside a second room that has adapted over time – dining room, second lounge or hobby room. - Kitchen is of good size and presents excellent storage and practicality, the updated cabinetry. - Sleep-out features on this generous 1194m² (more or less) section.
OPEN HOMES SAT 1-1.30PM & SUN 10-10.30AM 54 Browning Street, Leamington
1
1
44 33
33
$1,095,000
Negotiation
OPEN HOME SUNDAY 1.00 - 1.30PM
OPEN HOMES SATURDAY & SUNDAY 1 - 1.30PM 9 Brancaster Place, Cambridge
44+ 22
22
- Built by Select Homes, this substantial brick residence offers a generous 254m² floor plan. - All bedrooms are generously sized and feature double wardrobes. - multiple living areas including a separate lounge with a gas fire. - Four heat pumps throughout the home provide excellent climate control year-round, while double glazing, fly screen and security doors add to both comfort and peace of mind. - Covered veranda, with 3 pull-down sides, a versatile outdoor living space that can be enjoyed in a range of weather conditions.
Wendy Tong 027 555 0633
2
- Built by Jennian Homes in the early ’90s & extended in 2006. - Light-filled, uplifting layout featuring a modern kitchen and open-plan living that feels effortless and inviting. - Two well-sized bedrooms provide peaceful retreats, while the LED-lit living area and heat pump keep the home cosy, bright, and comfortable year-round. - The single garage provides a handy park, complete with an office at the rear – ideal for work-from-home needs, creative pursuits, or simply a quiet space to focus.
Dive Into Family Living
Living Fine at Number 9
Peter Tong 021 987 867
More Real Estate Ltd Licensed REAA 2008
Lily Tong 027 870 3317
50 Arnold Street, Leamington
- Open-plan living- lounge, dining & kitchen flow effortlessly together. - Four generous bedrooms plus a dedicated office, there’s room for everyone to spread out. - Separate room complete with kitchenette, bathroom, and its own outdoor access. - Double glazing throughout- warm, quiet, and energy-efficient home. - Two fantastic outdoor areas, designed for relaxed summer living. - Fire up the BBQ or spend the afternoon by the sparkling pool. - Mezzanine floor- extra space for a kids’ zone or reading retreat.
Jason Tong Rebecca Napier Harry Singh 027 755 2902 020 404 74120 022 045 0554
Rod Fox 027 276 3369
Andrew Kay Amanda Partington Chris Milner 027 564 1642 021 475 475 021 208 6020
Karlene Bhai 021 135 5466
20 | CAMBRIDGE NEWS
THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
47 Alpha Street, Cambridge | 07 823 1945 www.cambridgerealestate.co.nz
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Supporting our Community The commitment Cambridge Real Estate has to the community runs deep. As a company, we support many community organisations, events and projects throughout the year. Below are the main groups and organisations we support in an effort to ensure our vibrant community thrives.
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WANT TO BUY OR SELL WITH THE TOP AGENCY IN TOWN? Contact one of our sales agents today, or visit www.cambridgerealestate.co.nz to view our open homes, current listings and recent sales
THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
AIR CONDITIONING
CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 21
32 | CAMBRIDGE NEWS
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For six days last week, there was a different language spoken around the New Zealand Centre for Innovation and Sport in Upper Hutt. Scrimmages, face-offs and slashes replaced the usual games, kick-offs and illegal tackles as seven teams, hailing from China to Australia contested the Asia-Pacific Men’s Lacrosse Championship. Waipā’s Murdoch Bech, Bastiaan Banks and Mark Seagar played vital roles in the New Zealand team during the tournament, which saw New Zealand qualify as one of the four Asia Pacific representatives for the 2027 World Lacrosse Championship to be held in Japan. Another Waipa resident, New Zealand Lacrosse Board Member Debra Cowen, was instrumental in the successful operation of the tournament. The team’s strongest performance came during their play-in match against Hong Kong, China, which they won 10-6, qualifying them for the World Championship, and gaining them a semi-final place. New Zealand will make its seventh appearance at the World Championship, having contested the last six since 2002. Although a tournament medal eluded the New Zealand team, they showed themselves to be resilient contenders, finishing in fourth place.
Lacrosse, a sport returning to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after an absence of 120 years, is a fast-paced
game invented by the Huron and Iroquois tribes, in the area now known as New York and Ontario.
Mark Seagar (47) – pictured at an earlier event in Australia – was part of the New Zealand team which qualified for next year’s world championships.
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Join us this Sunday at Raleigh St. Christian centre, 9:30am 24-26 Raleigh Street
Join us for a picnic at Lake Te Koo Utu | 11th January, 11am
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CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 23
THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTIFICATION OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES
FUNERAL SERVICES
DEATH NOTICES
Gayle Melrose Funeral Director
RAMSAY, Gordon Mills – 1959 - 2025. Passed away peacefully in his home town of Cambridge on December 19, 2025. Much loved son of Ray and Shirley, father of Jacob (deceased) and Granddad of Cruize, Hunter and Olliver. Loved brother and brother-inlaw of Dessirae and Bruce, Annette, Rayleen and David, Aaron and Jill. He lived the high life!
Waipā District Council will consider an application to close the following roads to ordinary vehicular traffic on Saturday, 25 April 2026 from 11am to 6:30pm, to enable organisers to hold the Cambridge Cycling Festival:
are members of the
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PUBLIC NOTICES
• Alpha Street – between Bryce Street and Victoria Street • Empire Street - between Alpha Street to Victoria Street • Dick Street – between Queen Street and Duke Street • Duke Street – between Hallys Lane and Commerce Street • Victoria and Alpha Street exits from Hallys Lane carpark • Victoria Street – between Queen Street and Commerce Street • Lake Street – between Kirkwood Street and Victoria Street • Alpha Street – between Victoria Street and Empire Street
2 Albert Street, Cambridge 07 827 7649 www.cambridgefunerals.co.nz
The application will be considered under the Tenth Schedule of the Local Government Act 1974. Emergency Services will have complete right of way at all times during closure. Any objections to the proposal must be lodged with Waipā District Council, in writing to events@waipadc.govt.nz, before 4.00pm on Friday, 30 January 2026. Please include the nature of the objection and the grounds for it. See the Privacy Statement on the Council’s website for further information. Please note that this notice corrects the version published on Thursday, 18 December 2025, which contained an incorrect event date. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Teri Keir - Funeral Director
Local, caring and here for you in your time of need
Family Notices
For more information, please contact Waipā District Council on 0800 924 723. Steph O’Sullivan CHIEF EXECUTIVE
07 827 6037
3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge www.grinters.co.nz
PUBLIC NOTICE OF PROPOSED PLAN CHANGE
• Engagements
SITUATIONS VACANT
Clause 5 of Schedule 1, Resource Management Act 1991
• Weddings
The following Council initiated change to the Operative Waipā District Plan is publicly notified because an exemption under Section 80V of the Resource Management Act has been granted by the Minister Responsible for Resource Management Reform:
• Births
Classifieds
PROPOSED PLAN CHANGE 25: SHELTERBELTS AND ARTIFICIAL CROP PROTECTION AND SUPPORT STRUCTURES
• Anniversaries
In summary, Proposed Plan Change 25 contains provisions that are specific to the establishment of shelterbelts and artificial crop protection and support structures on rural zoned land. Changes are proposed to the following sections of the Operative Waipā District Plan: • Addition and amendment to definitions in Part B Definitions • Additions and amendments of objectives and policies in Section 4 - Rural Zone and Section 25 - Landscapes and Viewshafts • Additions, amendments and deletions of activity standards, and performance standards in Sections 4 and 25 (in particular: setbacks from property boundaries, maximum height; cloth colour and site coverage for artificial crop protection structures; and setbacks, height and maintenance requirements for shelterbelts) and • Additions, amendments and deletion of assessment criteria in Section 21 - Assessment Criteria and Information Requirements. The full proposal may be viewed: • Online at waipadc.govt.nz/planchange25 • At Waipā District Council offices in Te Awamutu (101 Bank Street) and Cambridge (23 Wilson Street). A copy of this public notice will only be sent to directly affected people who have postal addresses that are outside the coverage areas of the Te Awamutu News and Cambridge News. Submissions Any person can make a submission by sending an electronic or written submission to Waipā District Council by one of the following methods: • Online: Download Form 5 on the Waipā District Council website at www.waipadc.govt.nz/planchange25 • Send to: Freepost 167662, Waipā District Council, Private Bag 2402, Te Awamutu 3840 • Email: districtplan@waipadc.govt.nz • Deliver to: Waipā District Council, 101 Bank Street, Te Awamutu OR 23 Wilson Street, Cambridge The submission must be in the form as set out in Schedule 1 of the Resource Management (Forms, Fees, and Procedure) Regulations 2003 and must state whether you wish to be heard on your submission. Copies of this form are available from Waipā District Council. Submissions close at 5pm on Friday 13 February 2026 Steph O’Sullivan – Chief Executive For and on behalf of the Waipā District Council
• Bereavements • In Memoriam
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Four passionate NEWS | 1 promote put their Māori economic that “empower” district names forward candidates have development councillor, to be a Waipā create job get constituents but they Māori initiatives opportunities.entrepreneurs to the polls.are struggling Dale-Maree When and to Morgan or no trust people – The News went says Māori 7.43 per to press as a youngerin council processes Waipā Māori only cent had little Grinter’s Funeral electoral of the 2368 on 176 but that all whānau, candidate At last the roll could she Home are three daysyear’s local body had voted. Barney from kaumatua connect with dedicated Manaia providing to elections, felt unvalued 2417 eligibleto go, nearly personalised says Māorito rangatahi. with and meaningful voters had 14 per cent of told him in the past. was an then took funeral Jim Goddin the services, as they opportunity voted. A The Funeral DirectorJP Māori voice – 548 votesthat through to late rush to unify seat on council as the life unique you that a collective leading Awamutu – 309 of which nearly 23 per cent celebrating. are voices would work with lawyer cast for The drive to achieve It was his It’s Takena a realwere other Te newspaper resignation, Stirling. line in districtto get Māori great outcomes. suspension 07 827 6037 wards across from practice,prompted by 3 Hallys Lane, Waipā was councils was the by election. Cambridge office@grinters.co.nz his the which resulted JUNE www.grinters.co.nz 2021 amid one of several a long one –22, Voting and2023 in much fanfare to make and boxescloses at noon Māori voices the call Follow us tomorrow Facebook on at local from The News. in had become Cambridgeare available (Friday) government in Te - postal progressively of a lack option. voting is Awamutu and of confidence quieter level no longer Māori communities, because The four and connection an candidates to offer And a The with are a choice voting to largely EuropeanNews argued. for voters. different enough Bill Harris establish council antagonistic and informeddescribes himself Waipā agreed, a Māori isamid seeing ward voices in table through spokesperson as a strong sport and Māori the players with some his experience at the council Māori to wards provide community. district’s stars at their Cambridge sports a direct Kanohi best - on Sunday as one of links Gaylene wayCambridge and have contribute to days later representatives. Gaylene were Roberts for decision-making the Roberts three hosted the named in the All Blacks absence representation says she ByatSteph of Māori women’s football council. wants to Bell-Jenkins and two ward representatives, being elected In the world cup. Barney Manaia as general Māori representation. the Peter’s firs Award month guarantees team out and Cambridge captain Olivia McDonald sporting event from the biggest women’s • Waipā on the planet, District Addy Mason, Middle School student teams are playing the trophy who 32 for arrived High School. Te Awamutu Council offices at Cambridge Football Club’s U12plays for Cambridge By Mary Anne and Cambridge in Gill Addy is looking Barcelona team. The FIFA Women’s forward to Argentina • Te Awamutu shown to students World Cup was watching play Waipā councillors “They’ve probably from Cambridge Library Stadium. The Sweden at Waikato High School, say a government watch-dog been in more generally match between agency two world and St Peter’sCambridge Middle School • Countdown for two years the waterways the superpowers when it learned failed to raise size of the because of scheduled opportunity Cambridge, who had clams.” super breeding a red flag Te Awamutu the to be played is one of five gold clams to the The News invasive were found the tournament, in Hamilton Cambridge be photographed with at Karāpiro. in the• Fresh MPI scientist understands it was not Choice Leamington during High prefect it. which runs Waikato August 20. first team captain River and from July 20 last month who discovered the an They lamented Jess Savage senior girls’ to guests and clams but a researcher New Zealand • Fresh Choice the agency’s welcomed of urgency spoke about and Australia apparent lackTe government organisation. from another at hosting the sport, calling gender equality Awamutu. are codid not alert a meeting this week event, which In recent weeks, in noting it told would both men andfor equal opportunities students were the clams have level or run the council at a high be detected in for women. enough sporting event the single biggest women’s any advertising been the Waipā She was the and Waikato water supply Pukerimu in history. warning attract two with the trophy,first to be photographed intake It is expected picking the River users about the lake billion treatment plant and Parallel Road at the then joined to clams up and risk Cam Roigard: viewers. water on stage by into other waterways. Mercury confi and hydro dam operator introducing of from speedway St Black – Page them to All one of its waterrmed 7it had 11. “This could Peake found clams Road in Dale-Maree said deputy be quite disastrous at Karāpiro. “We’re still intakes Cambridge for us,” mayor Liz Morgan Stolwyk. what we’ve early enough The News learned that got,” 07 827to get on top of territorial authorities 6259 other river But Stolwyk said Smith. Regional, Waikato – including Waikato unconvinced. and O’Regan are Bill Harris councils – were district and Hamilton “We weren’t Strawberry part of the city communications. Waipā mayor also kept have out of the initial plants loop. have arrived! executive Garry Susan O’Regan arrived! It'sus very quickly This could get away and chief It’s time get region’s council Dyet wereto to prioritise these time this and perhaps we need on among get the these planted right bigwigs who to now,” Ministry of we has another planted have all so Primary Industriessummonsed reason to be said Stolwyk who so you you can be She manages your winter biosecurity frustrated. (MPI) can staff be enjoying enjoying the Karāpiro essentials before Fieldays. to a meeting attracts thousands in Hamilton Domain which this this family in store family of people to favourite favourite lake every MPI director events on the year. come spring. come his organisationgeneral Ray “Every day Smith Get conceded spring. in quick is had not Get in to mayors escalated The tiny gold a potential risk,” she quick and grab and the issue said. and clams are be part of any chief executives.yours breeders – They would today!grab up to 400 every prolific ongoing activity,yours He suggested day - and he said.today! initial reports suggested there were government likelihood other of eradicating there was no Waipā councilorganisations, and even are hermaphroditic them. The 469 Bond 2 Oliver aware of clamsitself, who might have the female reproductive– having both clams Street Road Te male and been in the river Cambridge 07 870 organs. spawn (breed) Ph 07 Awamutu for some time. 6328 834 3553 (opposite in spring and They typically Mon– Mitre 10 late summer. Mega) Jess Sat Fri 9am CAMBRIDGE
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