Cambridge News | January 29, 2026

Town foot traffic rises

By Chris Gardner

Cambridge eateries have had a busy January with foot traffic reported to be up nearly 30 per cent on last year, but other retailers say they are yet to see the love.

Cambridge Chamber of Commerce chief executive Kelly Bouzaid said Cambridge was enjoying incremental growth as a destination with year-todate foot traffic growth of 29.8 per cent and a projected 73,954 people expected in January.

Asked whether Suburban Kitchen in Robinson Street had seen an uplift in business in line with the foot traffic, manager Damian Furos said: “Definitely. I would say so.”

Asked about the clientele, Furos said: “All kinds of people come here, to be honest.”

Deli on the Corner and Robert Harris staff were not surprised to hear about the year-on-year rise of foot traffic particularly during the last couple of weeks.

But Paper Plus Cambridge store owner Hamish Wright said January had been flat for his business.

“There has been a lot of people around,” he said. “But business is still flat.”

Last November Wright said the year had been the hardest since the Global Financial Crisis.

He is keen to discuss lifting the Easter Sunday trading ban with Waipā District Council.

Rather than seeing a rise in foot traffic in his shops in Cambridge, Warren Haakma said he has seen a drop of five and 10 per cent this month compared to January 2025. “I am not sure where these numbers are coming from,” he said. It felt more like the economy was in recession, rather than an uplift.

“Retail has been in decline for three years – 2022 was a good year when the Government was throwing money around and people were spending like it was lolly money.”

He and partner Fay opened their Point Break clothing store on Monday, a public holiday. The couple also run Gabriel’s Fashion and Footwear in Duke Street. Rather than send out negative vibes, Haakma said, he was keen to discuss

turning things around for the district’s retail sector with a buy local campaign encouraging shopping in the Waipā district.

Madisons Fashion, in Duke Street, had closed on January 10 after 10 years because of the downturn

“We’re seeing a strong lift in people detouring into town not only for essentials like public toilets and convenience stops, but increasingly for boutique shopping, culinary

experiences, and a growing calendar of community and sporting events such as Waka Ama,” Bouzaid said,

“This combination is driving genuine dwell time — and that matters for local business.

“From a Cambridge Chamber of Commerce perspective, this is exactly the ecosystem we want to support: a town where visitors don’t just pass through, but stop, explore, eat, shop and

return. Foot traffic growth directly reflects business opportunity, confidence, and local economic resilience.

“From a Destination Cambridge lens, this reinforces Cambridge’s positioning as a lifestyle destination — not just a waypoint. Our tree-lined streets, independent retailers, cafés and restaurants, riverside experiences, sporting culture and events calendar are all working together to create a compelling visitor proposition.

“Importantly, this momentum is being further enhanced by the gradual development of a stronger night economy — with hospitality, dining, events and social spaces giving people more reasons to stay later, connect longer, and experience Cambridge beyond daylight hours. The Cambridge Town Hall is also doing a superb job in this space.”

Bouzaid said the growth in foot traffic reflected years of patience, destination marketing, council investment, community groups and event organisers contributing to a town that is increasingly vibrant, welcoming and economically active.

“Cambridge is not just growing in numbers — it is growing in energy, identity and confidence,” she said.

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Music beats the weather

By Chris Gardner

Jake Nelson was made to gig, and gig he did at the Festival One Christian Music Festival over Auckland Anniversary Weekend.

Nelson, a member of Bridges Church in

Cambridge, took to the stage at Hartford Farm, Karāpiro, supported by his father Ray on keyboards, brother John on drums and Sure Brake member Frankie Lowrie on guitar, Aimee Stanley, and Charlie Ruffel on bass.

“We were blessed with no rain and not

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Hello again, I am now fully back on deck for 2026. When not on leave, I enjoyed a few shifts policing Raglan township after New Year’s before touching down again in Cambridge. I hope everyone has had a chance to get a good break.

For those who are new to the column, I am the Community Liaison officer for Cambridge Police. I appreciate the opportunity to write this weekly column to share information about crime prevention, local crime trends and good catches by local staff across Waipa, in short, to generally keep you up to date.

My role overall is varied and includes working with local retailers and conducting beat patrols, liaising with agencies (both government and non-government) especially around family harm, educating and addressing different community groups, investigating enquiry files, road policing, event policing and backing up our public safety team staff responding to 111 calls.

In the past seven days, there were 13 reports of burglary and car crime in Te Awamutu and 14 in Cambridge. Included in that latter figure, overnight last Friday, offenders went on a dishonesty spree in Oaklands, Cambridge. As you may have heard, prompt Police attendance resulted

much mud on our first performance at the Forest Stage on Friday night,” Nelson, a music teacher at Ignite Arts Academy in Cambridge, said.

The academy is owned by his parents Ray and Maxine Nelson.

“We really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere in the forest while performing an acoustic set.”

The Jake Nelson Band debuted his new song Running After Everything at the festival alongside standards like Told You So, Passion and Play and White Satin. Nelson, 20, and his band also covered Coldplay, John Mayer, and Jack Johnson songs.

“Our second performance was at 9pm on the Market Stage where people are socialising and eating food,” he said.

“It was super muddy and a little bit rainy. Fortunately, the set was really good as the music took over the weather and the audience were dedicated even in the mud.”

“The vibe at festival one felt very safe and warm. The feeling of finishing a performance I felt a lot of love but also had so many things to say in my head and heart. The moment was quick on stage, and I felt like I had to just listen and feel the moment. Not just performing but in general.”

in one arrest, and further charges and arrests are likely after forensic examinations are completed.

Six addresses were targeted within a small area, with actions varying from entry into and theft from cars to a garden shed and one house. While such offending is naturally concerning, and ultimately only the offenders are responsible for these crimes, they were opportunistic.

A lack of prevention factors including leaving vehicles unlocked, leaving wallets and other valuables, including house keys inside the vehicles or lack of CCTV in the area have increased the risk of these individuals becoming victims.

That being said however, simple crime prevention tactics of which frequent reminders are made, make it less likely this will happen. As a community, we cannot be complacent. If we can make always removing keys, personal and valuable items from our parked cars a habit, along with securing our vehicles, an offender is not going to find Waipā towns the easy target. Once one thief sees an opportunity here, others will too. Please spread the crime prevention word when talking to friends and family across Waipa.

It was the band’s second year at the festival, and Nelson’s third.

The band was one of more than 70 acts at this year’s festival.

Festival One started a decade ago at Mystery Creek Events Centre to fill the gap left by the Parachute Christian Music Festival. It moved to Hartford Farm a few years ago.

Briefs…

New vicar

St Andrew’s Anglican Church in Cambridge have farewelled interim vicar Ben Ong and are preparing to welcome Stephen Black next week. Black has been chaplain at Waikato Diocesan School for Girls since 2022 and before that served as the Waikato and Taranaki Diocese’s Ministry Educator. He is married to Melanie and they have two sons – Alex and James.

Teen arrested

A teenager faces multiple charges following a spate of burglaries in Cambridge. Police said on Sunday the 18-year-old will appear in court tomorrow on charges of interfering with motor vehicles and burglary and more charges may follow. After cars were broken into last weekend a police dog picked up a scent and a man was found.

Lake testing

Sediment testing has been carried out on Cambridge’s Lake Te Koo Utu. It is hoped the results will provide information about fish deaths there in 2025 and get a clearer picture of the lake’s health.

Waitangi Day

Cambridge and Te Awamutu museums will provide Waitangi Day activities from February 5 to 9. At Cambridge there will be an opportunity to explore how the New Zealand Land Wars shaped the area and the ongoing impact of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Raglan boost

Raglan will host the World Surf League Championship Tour in May. The New Zealand Pro event will be staged Manu Bay as the fourth stop on the men’s and women’s championship tour.

Motors running…

The Cambridge Cruisers club will provide live rock ‘n’ roll dance action in Hamilton today in the Chartwell Shopping Centre. The event, with automotive displays is a preview to the Morrinsville Motorama next month.

Rescue ban questioned again

By Chris Gardner

The death of a 25-year-old man in the Waikato River has left Waipā mayor Mike Pettit again lamenting the dropping of water rescues by volunteer firefighters.

Teananga Tiotia, 25, was pulled under the surface of the river by a whirlpool while swimming with friends near Graham Island on January 10, his family said.

Police were told not to ask Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) to call on their swift water rescue boats after hearing from Maritime New Zealand which said the vessels were not entered into a safety system.

Volunteer fire fighters have been deployed 81 times for water rescues since 2019.

“When I saw that death on the river, my heart sank, as it was all our worst fears,” said Pettit.

Late last year Pettit joined fellow mayors Tim Macindoe (Hamilton city) and Aksel Bech (Waikato district) in writing to Fenz asking for a rethink, saying the decision had put lives at risk.

“The Fenz claim that others will

respond to a swift water rescue is not consistent with our local knowledge,” they wrote.

They said police were equipped for recovery, not rescue operations in the timeframes required.

Pettit has accepted an invitation to meet Coast Guard New Zealand life

member Eric Dittmer.

Leamington based Dittmer, who has been involved with Coast Guard New Zealand for 48 years, is calling for the organisation and Fenz to discuss a solution.

“I am sure that we could get Coastguard New Zealand to get

involved,” Dittmer said.

He didn’t blame Fenz for banning the launching of swift rescue vessels.

“They don’t know anything about maritime work,” he said.

Dittmer served as a Coast Guard New Zealand volunteer in Taupō and trained many volunteers.

Pettit said he would attend any meeting that could prevent another drowning on the Waikato River.

Coastguard New Zealand response and operations general manager Kylie Higgs said her organisation was engaging in conversations as needed.

“We recognise the understandable concern this has raised for the Waikato community,” Higgs said.

“Any decision to establish a new coastguard presence, including on the Waikato River, requires careful consideration of community need, incident data, volunteer capacity, training, funding, and our ability to operate safely and sustainably over the long term.

“Our current focus remains on areas where we have established volunteer units, vessels, and trained crews in place.”

Morgan - ‘I doubt I’ll stand’

By Chris Gardner

Dale-Maree Morgan –whose Waipā District Council Māori ward seat will be abolished at the next election – says she doubts she will stand in a general ward.

Morgan, who was reelected to the ward in October’s local body elections having won a by-election in 2023, told The News she felt standing in a general ward would go against her principles. But she will consider standing for regional council in just under three years if it still exists following local government reform.

Nearly 10,000 voted to remove the Waipā’s Māori ward at the next election, compared to more than 7000 who voted to keep it. Turnout was almost 42 per cent.

Morgan said she was “sadly not surprised” at

the result. “Disappointed that Waipā is still not mature enough for being progressive,” she said. “Waipā showed it still has folk who chose to take away the home people’s democratic right of choice – something those same votes are not subjected to or would be terribly upset if the same treatment applied.”

She pondered how a similar decision would go down in other parts of the world.

Morgan said before the Māori ward had been introduced there had been minimal Māori representation around the council table.

“The Māori ward is tangible Te Tiriti of Waitangi honouring in action,” she said. “I’ve also confirmed that having a Māori ward doesn’t take any power from anyone or anywhere.”

Morgan said most mana

whenua were not fazed by the outcome of the referendum. She partially blamed the national political climate characterised by the National, ACT and New Zealand First coalition.

“It is a deliberate oppressive move, in line with the current trajectory this coalition has motivated,” she said.

“The removal of democratic choice will only dishearten Māori voters more. The choice by others to remove the Māori wards adds to why Māori have given up on a system that continues to oppress at local and central levels of government. This action by Waipā voters won’t be forgotten and maybe felt in different ways when it comes to harmonious future relationships.”

Asked what tangible outcomes had emerged

from having a Māori ward, Morgan put the formation of the Don’t Burn Waipā pressure group to oppose the building of a waste to energy plant in Te Awamutu at the top of her list.

“To allow a plant to burn half the tyres made in New Zealand and import waste from around the South Pacific would be disastrous for the Waipā profile,” she said.

Although she stepped away from the group, she was a founding member of, due to a conflict of interest, Morgan said she had supplied in depth information to council staff showing the proposed plant did not align with the district’s future proofing plans.

Removing dogs from Mt Kakepuku during the last dog bylaw review, her first motion as a councillor, was

second on her list. “This move had been advocated by DOC, Ngati Kahu and Ngati Unu for over 30 years to allow the mountain to replenish and restore natural flora and fauna. Kiwi will not return while dogs are allowed on the mountain.”

Other outcomes included adding marae to the list of sensitive sites when considering alcohol applications and providing cultural capability to council functions.

Morgan said she hoped to bring down barriers and continue connecting communities. She planned to better inform Waipā’s residents of the history and obligations of where and who they live with. Morgan and her husband Steve Hutt are both elected members of the Ngāruawāhia Community Board.

Briefs…

Dansey steps up

Georgie Dansey, who runs a fitness company and gym franchise in Te Awamutu, will become the country’s newest MP. She will take the seat vacated when Adrian Rurawhe retires on Waitangi Day. Dansey was earlier confirmed as Labour’s candidate in Hamilton East at the November general election. The seat is held by National’s Ryan Hamilton.

Man remanded

A convicted burglar who has been in and out of prison since 2003 has admitted a further raft of charges including a burglary from Kaipaki Nursery and an attempt to steal a television from a Te Awamutu pizza outlet, Open Justice has reported. Kevin Kaukau has been remanded in custody awaiting sentence.

Water chief

Neil Brennan has been named interim chief executive of the Establishment Board of Waikato Waters Limited – the body which will manage Hamiton and Waikato District. Brennan was the chief executive of the South East Queensland Bulk Water Authority for six year to May 2024. A recruitment process for a permanent chief has started.

Lake warnings

Health warnings for cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) remain in place at Lakes Ngā Roto and Arapuni. Across the Waikato region, the number of affected lakes has reduced from eight at the start of the year to five.

Stalled – but not beaten

By Mary Anne Gill

The first text came at 3.45am and by the time the St Andrew’s Anglican Church Fair got underway on Monday at 9am, 25 stalls had pulled out from the usually packed event.

The threat of severe weather and road closures around the region which prevented some stall holders getting to Cambridge were cited as reasons but so adept is organiser

Ian Dunn at filling gaps, few would have noticed.

In the end 130 stallholders took their places in the grounds of the church, and no one complained, said Dunn – now into his 30th year running the show.

Barista Miriam Ellis of Cy-Co

The Cycle Coffee Company was

so busy she ran out of milk before midday - two hours before the fair’s scheduled closure.

But it was a “whacked” Dunn, 80, who told The News on Tuesday that after a good night’s sleep he was ready to send emails of thanks to all stallholders who attended, the ones who didn’t and the 60 on his waiting list.

“And it must have been a hot day or a windy one,’ he said. “I forgot to take a cap, and my head is sore on top,” the bald-pated verger said.

When he gets through the debrief, Dunn will make a start on the next church fair on Labour Weekend in October.

But the work associated with pulling together a fair preChristmas sees him desperate for a rest.

“I won’t be doing that again –two in a year is enough.”

In addition to preparing for the next fair, Dunn has the imminent arrival of a new vicar. Stephen Black will be the ninth on the verger’s watch in nearly 40 years

when he has his installation on Sunday.

Never one to single a particular stall out, Dunn made an exception this time citing the tea and home cooked delights put on in the church hall by the St Andrew’s ladies as a particular highlight. In fact, he has renamed it Granny’s Delight – a reference to the famous Granny Dunn’s jams he launched in the early 1990s. He went on to sell thousands of bottles around the country with all profits going to the church.

Curtains up: ‘thanks Waipā’

When Waikato’s newest theatre opened its doors, it marked the generosity of a Cambridge family and the vision of a Te Awamutu arts champion, writes Mary Anne Gill.

Just before the curtain lifted on To The Stars/Ki Ngā Whetū - the three-day showcase that would officially open the Waikato Regional Theatre in Hamilton last week – Michael Gilling shed a tear.

“Little watery eye, yeah,” he said of the occasion after years of planning, construction and countless walk-throughs. The theatre was finally alive: performers ready, lights blazing, an audience waiting to celebrate the region’s creativity.

“It was great to see,” said Gilling, who lives in Te Awamutu and is Live Nation’s venue manager for the $80 million theatre.

The theatre, sponsored by the BNZ, is a masterpiece - a space that marries modern elegance with nods to Waikato’s cultural heritage

and rooted in community spirit.

It stands on the site of the former Hamilton Hotel in Victoria Street, where Queen Elizabeth II stayed in December 1953. That land was gifted in 2017 by Mitch and Kate Plaw - Waipā-based founders of Vantage Aluminium and Takapoto Estate - to philanthropic organisation Momentum Waikato in 2017.

Without their generosity the theatre with its historic hotel façade in place would not have happened, said Gilling.

For him that tear was more than emotion - it was the culmination of decades devoted to the arts - and the theatre’s story.

Born in Auckland but raised in the Waikato, he has become a cornerstone of the region’s

performing arts scene.

His journey has led from community stages to managing some of Hamilton’s most iconic venues, and ultimately to this role as venue manager.

Gilling’s career started at Hamilton City Council, where he spent 33 years overseeing Waikato Stadium, Seddon Park, Founders Theatre and Claudelands Event Centre.

He loves theatre for its versatility, saying it offers “such a wide range of entertainment.”

His passion isn’t just for the big shows - it’s for the people who fill the seats and step onto the stage. He is determined the theatre will belong to the community as much as to international acts.

“We’re giving a 40 per cent discount for non-profits within the Waikato region,” he said.

“It’s not just about bringing the shows, it’s also building the local community - from high school kids to amateur theatre.”

A community fund, supported by ticket sales, will help grassroots groups afford the space.

“There’s nothing that we wouldn’t want. I’m a theatrical person. I’d take anything.”

From a Royal New Zealand Ballet performance to a school prizegiving, Gilling wants every child in the Waikato to stand on the

same stage as the world’s best. And if Les Misérables comes calling?

“I’d love to see that here,” he said.

Far from competing with smaller Waipā venues like Cambridge Town Hall or Te Awamutu Little Theatre, Gilling sees collaboration as essential.

“There’s a need for us all. We look after each other,” he said, noting the strong ties with local managers and performers - many of whom, including Cambridge Town Hall’s general manager Simon Brew, graced the stage during the opening celebrations.

Colleagues describe him as passionate and deeply connected

to the arts community.

“He’s got a very close connection to performing arts in Hamilton,” said Sean Murray, the council’s general manager of venues, tourism and major events.

“He’s also the guy that deals with international acts and performances. And if you look at some of the work he’s done at Claudelands, he’s dealt with some very, very big shows and very big events.”

Gilling speaks like he is in his dream job.

If that tear before the curtain rose was any indication, Waikato’s newest stage is set for decades of unforgettable performances.

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When the ground fails

By Janine Krippner

My heart goes out to everyone impacted by weather events and landslides over this past week. The incoming news that a landslide has gone through the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park was gut-wrenching.

Landslides, a type of mass-wasting, can range from a nuisance to an overwhelming disaster. They can be small and barely noticed, or large enough to bury a town. Importantly, there are sometimes warning signs that the land is beginning to give way.

If we notice and understand these warning signs, it could give precious time to get out of the way. This is not at all to say that there were any warning signs before the current event that should have been noticed. I have no information beyond the initial news, and I will not be speculating.

What we can do is remind ourselves about what those signs are, just in case.

Landslides are not always a single mass of land sliding downhill. They can occur in multiple steps over time. Land can move under the constant force of gravity, with or without a clear trigger like a severe weather event or an earthquake.

When there is warning, what might we see?

Websites from organisations like the USGS and our own Civil Defence agencies have more extensive information pages with helpful photos. What follows is a summary.

When rock and soil start to creep downhill, the ground deforms or changes. Outside, this can look like cracks forming in the soil or anything on or within it, like roads, paths, retaining walls, fences, or other structures. Bricks in a building might begin to pull apart.

There may also be bulging in the ground, or water ponding in places where it had not before. Trees, power poles, or streetlamps might tilt, and power lines might sag or become taught. Buried utility lines, such as water or sewage, might break or begin leaking.

If you are near a stream or river there may be a rapid change in water level.

Inside, warning signs can include new gaps appearing, or doors and windows sticking or not fitting as they once did. Decks, verandahs, or steps might start to tilt away from the building.

As people near the Mount Maunganui event have described, once a landslide gets moving it can be loud, and shaking may be felt.

This can include boulders crashing together, a deep rumble or ground vibrations (often described as sounding like a freight train), or the sound of snapping wood or other materials being impacted.

It is important to remember that landslides can occur in several stages. When the first movement stops, it does not necessarily mean the area is safe.

Landslide scars can continue to collapse over time, retreating further into a hillside or cliff.

Landslides can move incredibly fast, so immediate action like evacuation is critical. There may be no perceivable warning signs at all. But when there are, noticing them can make a real difference.

Once safe, contact your local council or emergency services and let the right people know.

Just by chance…

By Murray Smith, Bridges Church

Have you had the experience of a ‘chance’ meeting changing the course of your life? When a person unexpectedly enters your life, it may prove to be a lasting, wonderfully enriching connection that opens doors to lifeopportunities.

Equally, a chance encounter can turn out to be something you end up regretting. Forging wonderful, enduring connections with people you have met by ‘chance’ contrasts starkly with one where you rue the fact your paths ever crossed - where you’ve been left feeling gutted, as if something had been stolen from you.

It’s important to see these circumstances as an opportunity for personal growth… what we do with situations that leave us feeling stripped, let down, used and hurt deep inside by broken promises or whatever the situation entailed, cannot be left ‘on the boil’. Getting beyond the place of resentment is important.

I’m thankful for many ‘chance’ encounters that have led to long-term friendships which have been a blessing and stood the test of time.

I’ve also struggled through messy connections with people who entered my life who I thought at first were going to be a blessing yet that was not the case.

I was once introduced ‘by chance’ to a reputedly to be a wealthy businessman. Mutual connections had suggested we should ‘catch up’. What impressed me most, prior to meeting him, was his ‘reputation’ for being a person of integrity.

Some things about him resonated… others not so much. He professed to have a solid Christian faith even quoting Bible verses that meant something to me.

This person’s agenda in wanting to meet, soon became evident.

He was looking for investors in a venture he was preparing to launch.

While I did not have large funding reserves, having recently sold my home and trusting the advice of others, I got involved.

Telling me his project was a ‘no brainer’ and I was privileged to be ‘invited to the table’, he stated if it failed to deliver everything promised, he would personally ‘front up’ as guarantor, making good any losses.

Short story… the project and the man’s professions turned to custard. That was a hugely disappointing setback for me. I went through a range of destructive emotions before eventually coming to a place of ‘letting it go’…. being able to forgive brought freedom.

My advice would always be careful in ‘chance’ connections. Build slowly in what you give yourself to.

Time reveals things about who we ‘walk with’ in life.

‘Walking with God’, in relationship with Him and embracing truth and the light is so important for keeping on the right pathway in life.

An Apollo 15 astronaut, James Irwin once said, “God walking on the earth, is more important than man walking on the moon.” He’s right. God seeks relationship with us. In hindsight, I recognise that through years of God ‘walking’ with me, He has faithfully guided, giving clear ‘warning signs’. By listening properly in that situation, I’d have avoided leaving things ‘to chance’…

Money issues delay plant

By Chris Gardner

The company behind the suspended resource consent application to build Paewira, a waste to energy plant in Te Awamutu, does not have the capital to pay its bill.

Environmental Protection Authority chief executive Allan Freeth revealed that in a letter to Waipā District Council chief executive Steph O’Sullivan after she and mayor Mike Pettit wrote to the authority sharing their concern about the suspended case.

The authority has previously declined to discuss aspects of the issue citing commercial sensitivity – but the delay, now into a fifth month, has put the application in limbo, and left opponent in Te Awamutu concerned.

Global Contracting Solutions’ plans to burn waste to create energy on a Racecourse Rd site was regarded as nationally significant by Environment Minster Penny Simmonds and the matter went to a board of inquiry.

A decision was expected on August 28, but the hearing was suspended two weeks before that.

Freeth, who will step down in June after 10 years in the role, told Waipā District Council the authority had yet to receive payment, or an indication of when full payment would be made.

“The applicant has indicated they are attempting to raise capital to pay the costs to date,” he told the council.

“We acknowledge the community interest in reaching a decision, however, ultimately, the EPA must act prudently to protect taxpayer funds. We are therefore seeking full payment from the applicant in order to lift the suspension and reconvene the independent board.”

Global Contracting Solutions learned

the application had been suspended by the authority on August 13 as the Board of Inquiry prepared to rule on the application for a site on Racecourse Road.

It has not commented on the issue in recent months, but company co-owner Craig Tuhoro posted an online video saying he was struggling to understand why it was a political issue and “why we have so much activism around it”.

“…we believe in the environment, we believe this is the right thing to do.”

The application spawned the creation of the Don’t Burn Waipā pressure group and

attracted more than 2000 submissions – 64 per cent against the plant – including one from Waipā District Council which, with Waikato Regional Council, are owed a combined $100,000 by the applicant.

The EPA has declined to say how much the company owes.

“The EPA’s role in this matter is only to provide support to the independent board of inquiry. It is not the decision-maker and does not have an interest in the outcome of the final decision,” Freeth said.

“Under the ‘applicant pays’ consenting regime, the EPA helps the independent board

THE DENTURE MAN

by processing its invoices, with the costs then being recovered from the applicant. The legislation gives the EPA power to suspend the independent board’s processing if an applicant has not paid those costs. Such suspensions are not subject to an expiry date but rather must be lifted once the applicant has paid the costs recoverable.

“In this case, there is considerable debt that the taxpayer is carrying, due to non-payment by the applicant. We are requiring payment before the process can be resumed, and the independent board can be reconvened to reach a decision. I understand that a decision would be due under legislation within 11 working days once the independent board was reconvened.”

O’Sullivan wrote to Freeth in November expressing concern regarding the continued delay in determining the application.

“Since public notification of the application in September 2023, the proposal has generated substantial public interest and a high degree of concern within our district,” she said.

She said with the hearing concluded in early July, a decision was anticipated soon thereafter.

“Council has made its position clear in not supporting the plant at the proposed location. Nonetheless, the extended delay in finalising this decision is creating considerable uncertainty for council, residents, and key stakeholders.”

Given the scale and importance of the matter, O’Sullivan said, the council believed it was in the public interest for a resolution to be reached as soon as practicable.

At the same time mayor Mike Pettit wrote to EPA chair Barry O’Neill expressing his concern regarding the ongoing delay.

The gear to keep you safe

New Zealand Outdoor Instructors’ Association Bush Leader and Good Local Media journalist Chris Gardner discusses gear you should add to your backpack to keep you safe when hiking and tramping.

We discussed food in the first of these columns, with the key message to take an extra day’s food for emergencies. A few packet

mixes to which you can just add water is a good idea.

My gas stove and cannister provide a hot drink on the trial, my stove

packing into my waterproof mess tin in which I boil water. I’ll swap my mess tin for a solo pot set on a multi-day tramp. My BPA-free glass reinforced polypropylene spork (spoon and fork) does not scratch pots and I use it in tandem with my pocketknife.

Gaiters seal the gap between your boots and trousers, preventing grass, gravel, mud, scree, snow, and water from entering. They can also protect your legs from getting scratched.

My first aid kit contains the recommended contents from the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council Bushcraft manual. It includes prescription medicine and antihistamine tablets that can be ground into a paste and applied topically. I’ve upgraded my first aid kit to a survival kit by adding:

• The tiniest of pocketknives – its scissors are phenomenal

• Gaffer tape, which can fix anything

• A foil survival blanket

• An LED torch, in case my head torch fails, and

• Water purification tablets if I need cold water rather

than hot.

Picking a knife or multitool is like picking a pair of shoes. It needs to be right for you. I carry my knife, from a reputable brand, in a sheath on my belt. It has 10 features I find useful on the trail. Its lock blade is excellent for cutting food and paired with my spork, eating. It also has a Phillips screwdriver, can opener with small screwdriver, lockable bottle opener with screwdriver and wire stripper, a reamer and punch, wood saw and key ring. The more features, the heavier the tool, and the pricier it is.

I live in a wide-brimmed nylon tramping hat all year around. It protects me from the harsh New Zealand sun, and also the rain, both on the trail and on the water where I often skipper a safety boat. It is also waterproof. Sunscreen is, of course, essential for the parts exposed to the sun.

I keep a few sheets of toilet paper in a plastic bag in my first aid kit and carry a backpacker trowel for toileting.

The third principle of

Leave No Trace is Dispose of Waste Properly (Pack It In, Pack It Out). I keep waste to a minimum, reusing my meal packaging as a rubbish bag. Walking poles are great, giving you an extra point of contact on uneven ground. They also make uphill hikes and tramps much easier, as they allow you to use your arms for extra power. Avoid cheaper, cork handled, poles. I tried some and got blisters on both hands! Two poles leaves you without a free hand to hang onto branches, so one pole is better. A whistle could save your life. So much so that many backpack manufacturers build one into pack straps. The international distress signal is three short blasts. Sleeping bags, mats, tents, and emergency shelters are also items that will keep you safe. We will discuss them next week.

Farewell with military flavour

By Viv Posselt

Kerry Ellis’s feisty approach to life might have been apparent at just four or five.

Then, according to a tribute read out at his funeral this month, he and his lifelong friend would ‘terrorise’ the roads around their Taumarunui neighbourhood, deposit used tree tomato skins in post-boxes, dig caves and build forts in the pine forest. Together they watched from the bank as houses and other debris washed down the Ongarue River in the 1958 floods.

At age 10, Kerry went to live with his grandmother, helping her out as she battled severe arthritis, and at just 16 he began his navy career. That was in May 1968, when he joined as a junior weapon electrical mechanic.

Along with the family he went on to have with his wife Pat, the navy became the most important thing in Kerry’s life.

In recognition of that, his funeral service at the Raleigh Street Christian Centre had a

distinctly military flair with uniformed and ex-service staff forming a guard of honour and an address delivered by Commander Keith Wisnesky, RNZNR regional naval officer for the Bay of Plenty region.

He said Kerry was ‘fiercely proud to be navy, and the navy was proud to have him amongst its ranks”.

Kerry rose to the rank of petty officer weapon mechanic and served with several onshore establishments and navy vessels before transferring to the navy’s regulating branch (police).

A highlight was his 1981 posting to Queen Elizabeth II’s yacht Britannia for a couple of weeks. Wisnesky said not many Kiwi sailors get to do that, and Kerry was the only PO Regulator to be posted to the Royal Yacht.

In 1983, Kerry and the family were posted to Singapore for two years. On his return, Kerry undertook more navy postings before leaving the navy in May 1988. Eleven years later he was appointed as a navy relations officer

with the rank of Lieutenant Commander and spent over six years ensuring the navy was represented in his own Cambridge community.

His many medals were worn by one of his grandsons at the funeral service.

After leaving the navy, the family moved to Cambridge where Kerry took on a courier run and did several other jobs, then worked in corrections for 20 years. His brother Bob Ellis told those at the service that Kerry dabbled in racehorses and greyhounds, both with questionable success.

Celebrant David Natzke said Kerry was very much a family man who was also deeply proud of his navy career and proud of New Zealand’s service to the rest of the world.

“Despite having other careers during his lifetime, for Kerry it was a case of once a sailor, always a sailor.”

Making the bank accountable

By Peter Nicholl

The issue of central bank independence has gained a lot of attention recently as Donald Trump attacks and threatens to interfere in the United States Federal Reserve, trying to get them to lower interest rates.

Many global central bankers including our new reserve bank governor, Anna Breman, stressed the importance of keeping central banks independent from political interference in their policydecision making. She was criticised by some of our politicians for doing that and must be a bit confused about what those politicians understand the word independent means.

Central bankers are right to be concerned that a return to giving politicians the levers for day-to-day monetary policy decisions is likely to lead to a return to global inflation. The numbers behind this view are quite staggering. I looked at our data. The reserve bank was given an inflation target and operational independence in 1990. I was in the bank at the time.

Our annual inflation rate since then has averaged around 2.5 per cent and the price level - a snapshot of the aggregated cost of living - has risen about 137 per cent.

From 1955 to 1990 when monetary policy decisions were determined by politicians, our average annual inflation rate was around eight per cent and the price level rose a whopping 1370 per cent10 times higher than in the last 35 years.

Most central banks, including ours, claim the credit for this inflation outcome – and they deserve a lot of the credit. But they did get help from things like

technological change, such as the internet, and the emergence of China as an exporter of cheap manufactured goods to the rest of the world.

So, central banks are right to stress the risks to global inflation of back-tracking on central bank policy independence. But no public agency should be given independence without a robust form of accountability. That is equally important, or central banks will gradually lose their focus. Central banks don’t talk as much about their accountability as they do about their independence. So others need to make sure central bank accountability gets as much attention as their independence.

Frankly, the performance of our reserve banks has not been that great over the last few years. In my view their monetary policy performance has been poor, the costs of their interventions related to the Covid pandemic were huge and the large growth in their staff numbers was outrageous. But what happened to the bodies that were supposed to be holding the reserve bank accountable during that time? The first line of accountability for its performance should be its board. The second line should be the treasury and the third the finance minister. Until the last year, these bodies were very quiet and did little or nothing to hold the bank accountable for its performances.

In my view, this has been the major weakness in our monetary policy framework over the last several years.

What we’re hearing from you

By Charlotte FitzPatrick, Chair, Cambridge Community Board

One message is coming through loud and clear to the Cambridge Community Board: our speed calming measures aren’t calming us.

Throughout the election campaign and again at our December meeting, we heard strong feedback about the frustration and unintended impacts created by some of the speed bumps around town.

Of particular concern was feedback from the Cambridge Fire Brigade about the Bryce Street speed humps. Issues include the impact on emergency response times, the excessive height of some speed bumps, and the road layout, which limits access and forces route changes. It’s worrying that emergency services raised these concerns before the speed bumps were installed.

The council provided a formal response to Chief Fire Officer Dennis Hunt this month, acknowledging his concerns and noting his feedback would be captured in the next phase of the Cambridge Connections project. However, the Community Board recognises there is a strong push from the community to address the speed bump issues now. We’re bringing speed bumps back to our February meeting agenda to ensure any necessary operational changes are included in Council’s current work plan and not lost in the Cambridge Connections project.

It’s also important to note the New Zealand Transport Agency no longer co-funds speed bumps or traffic calming measures in communities.

Other work is in progress. With the problem statements now approved, the Cambridge Connections project will move into its next phase of public engagement in February. This is where – quite frankly - we stop discussing problems and start bringing solutions to the

table. Whether it’s transport, safety, growth, or everyday issues of living and travelling around Cambridge, please share your ideas and help us tackle our traffic and transport challenges. Strong advocacy only works when it reflects our community’s views.

Submissions on the Karāpiro Reserve Management Plan Review closed on January 20. Many supported the draft plan, others offered suggestions for adjustments. A consideration for the council will be motorised recreational boats on the lake from the domain up to Waipuke Park. Remember that your input is invaluable in shaping community spaces like the Karāpiro Domain.

Looking more broadly, the Board is shaping its strategic plan. Cambridge Connections, growth, rural communities, and rates and affordability will be key areas of our advocacy work. But we’re keen to hear what else you think should be priorities for us.

A couple of practical updates from recent conversations with residents: We’ve heard your concerns about the condition of the main street flags and Christmas decorations. We were pleased to help Roger Dean find a home for his detailed model of St Andrew’s Church which will be housed at C&R Developments. We are refreshing our sister city committees for Le Quesnoy and Bihoro, and looking for locals who are passionate about strengthening these relationships. If this interests you, we’d love to hear from you.

The Community Board operates independently from council. If you have concerns, questions, or ideas, we are here to advocate on your behalf.

Bike issue: ‘it’s got to stop’

By Chris Gardner

Signs could be erected in Cambridge and Te Awamutu central business districts after a man was almost bowled over by a teenaged rider.

Don McGovern complained to police and Waipā District Council after the near miss on the corner of Duke Street on January 16.

McGovern, who works as a groundsman, complained the cyclist rode the footpath from Duke Street, cut the corner as he crossed Empire Street and continued up Victoria Street.

“He was biking like billy-o,” McGovern said. “I shouted out to him to get off and walk and go by the rule book and he did.”

McGovern said an injury from a collision with a moving bike and cyclist could have put him off work for weeks.

“Cambridge has an increasingly growing elderly population,” he said.

The Land Transpower (Road User) Rule 2004 forbids most people from biking on footpaths. The only bike riders allowed on footpaths are people delivering newspapers or mail, or children on tricycles or small bicycles (the wheel diameter for children must be

less than 355 mm).

McGovern reported the incident to police, Waipā District Council and The News immediately after the incident – his second near miss.

In the few minutes The News interviewed him at the scene, a father and two children rode by on their bicycles albeit slowly and respectfully.

But not everyone is respectful of other footpath users.

“They cut the corners, and then go like hell,” McGovern said.

“It’s got to stop. These are footpaths, they are not cycleways. “

He could see no reason why anybody would need to ride on the footpath.

“The council has just spent $10 million dollars on cycleways,” he said.

McGovern said police had told him they were doing

their best, but he didn’t feel it was adequate.

Police spent Road Safety Week last year asking young riders to dismount rather than ride through the central business district.

McGovern wondered whether the town’s Māori wardens might be able to assist. The News is seeking comment from the Māori wardens.

The News took McGovern’s concerns to

Waipā mayor Mike Pettit, as he had not heard back from the council.

Pettit shared McGovern’s concerns.

“The risk is somebody gets bowled over and them breaking a hip,” he said.

He promised to talk to council group manager for customer and community services Sally Sheedy about erecting signs reminding bikers that it was an offence to ride on the footpaths.

Pettit thought more education was necessary.

Cambridge ward councillor and Grey Power treasurer Roger Gordon said Grey Power advocated for cyclists to stay off pedestrian footpaths.

“Mike is right. The one thing we can do put signs up that makes cyclists aware,” he said.

One of the challenges, Gordon said, was designated cycleways in town between the carriageway and parking spaces.

“There’s a real concern that reversing car could knock down a cyclist,” he said.

“That’s something that needs to be investigated.”

Cambridge Middle and High School students were reminded last year to use the cycleways rather than the footpaths.

MP stands again

Tim van de Molen will seek another term as Waikato MP.

The three-term National MP lives in Tamahere with wife Hilary and their two children. He entered Parliament in 2017, replacing the longserving Lindsay Tisch. His electorate is often described as the country’s richest dairying region covering parts of Hamilton and Cambridge and including Morrinsville, Huntly and Matamata.

Van de Molen, 42, grew up in Matamata and has a degree in psychology from Waikato University. He worked as a dairy, sheep and beef farmer and then as a banking agribusiness manager before entering Parliament.

Taupo’s Louise Upston and Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger also want another term.

New board tells story

Ngāti Koroki Kahukura has unveiled a storyboard at Ahikāroa, part of Taumatawīwī Reserve on Maungatautari Road, south of Karāpiro Domain.

The storyboard celebrates the return of the reserve to Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, shares the story of the battle of Taumatawīwī, and highlights the cultural significance of the site.

Taumatawīwī Reserve was returned to Ngāti Koroki Kahukura in 2014 as part of the iwi’s Treaty of Waitangi Claims Settlement act.

New Lions scholarship

By Viv Posselt

Lions Club of Cambridge president Pay Whyte followed his heart when it came to deciding on his year-in-office project.

Drawing on his time teaching, he introduced an educational scholarship for Cambridge students who enrolled in tertiary education or a certified trade programme.

The Cambridge Lions’ Albert Wallace Scholarship went live last year, with applications closing at the end of October.

Whyte, who became the club’s president in mid-2025 and is chairman of the project, told The News that they awarded amounts ranging from $1000 to $3000 to nine recipients.

Speaking to the scholarship’s name, he said: “When Cambridge’s Albert Wallace died, he passed the Victoria St building named after him on to the Lions. We rented out the downstairs – the upstairs section required a lot of work – then sold the building. Funds from that sale are going into the Albert Wallace Scholarship. I would like to see it grow in future years.”

A tireless approach to fundraising matched by a measured approach to spending is a winning formula for the Cambridge Lions.

Last year, they distributed over $330,000 into the community and Whyte thinks that figure might be higher in 2026.

The club’s three main fundraising streams are the monthly Trash ‘n Treasure market, the Lions Shed in Vogel St, and the Lions Food Caravan.

The pre-Christmas Trash ‘n Treasure was the biggest one yet, with about 200 stalls.

“We are trying to make it not just a market, but part of the community … and it’s working,” Whyte said. “We have the local brass and pipe bands, pony rides when the weather is right, charity stalls and more. The move we made from town to Hautapu [a Covid-based decision] was a good one. We have a good relationship with the sports club … we’re much more community focused.”

The Lions Shed is always buzzing with members and volunteers. They offer help when called upon by social agencies, and Whyte said a recent popup antique shop was a great success. He is thinking of adding an art or book sale to the mix.

Giving back to the community has been in Whyte’s blood from a young age.

He’s a Taranaki lad who at around 10 began an involvement with the Save The Children Fund’s annual concert. Since then, he’s been involved with at least three Rotary clubs around the country and with other clubs.

His first job was working as a reporter for the broadsheet, the Hawera Star. He then worked at the Otago Daily Times before shifting to the Para Rubber Company where he held managerial positions in various centres. Later, he ran his own pool business while working 20 hours a week supporting children with disabilities and families in need.

Whyte was also in a band, and

teaching schoolchildren the guitar.

“That propelled me to go to teacher’s training college. I became a teacher, mainly middle school, then did a degree in teaching and an advanced diploma in holistic education.”

He has a particular interest in neuro-diversity, and taught in various North Island centres, ending up as a specialist teacher, deputy principal and assistant principal. He came to Cambridge five years ago, working as a relief teacher at Hautapu and Cambridge Middle schools and enjoying downtime at the Cambridge MenzShed when he has time.

Cambridge Tree Trust

Cambridge Tree Trust

www.treetrust.org.nz

www.treetrust.org.nz

Five-finger (Neopanax/ Pseudopanax arboreum)

Five-finger (Neopanax/ Pseudopanax arboreum)

I was amazed a few months back when walking around Lake Te Kooutu to spy, high in the tree canopy on the north side, the head of a very tall nīkau, resplendent with red fruiting body. It must be many, many decades old, for some I know in private gardens that are ten years old still have no appreciable trunk. Go for a walk and see if you can find it.

Robert Vennell calls nīkau the ‘coldest palm in the world’, related to the coconut, date and oil palms. 20 million years ago in the early Miocene when the climate was warmer the forests of New Zealand would have been full of tropical plants such as these. However they were ‘purged’ from the landscape by the ensuing ice ages, as temperatures plummeted and walls of glacial ice scoured the land. Only the nīkau survived, no other palm in the world surviving so far south.

According to Vennell, early Maori used the nīkau much as their Polynesian ancestors used the coconut palm: the fronds were used extensively to thatch roofs, and also to weave hats, mats, and baskets, even

Cambridge

Cambridge

leggings to protect the skin in prickly scrub; in place of an edible nut, the palm provided Maori with food from the root, the immature flowers, and the green berries, but most importantly the heart of the palm from where the new growth forms provided a great delicacy, a white, fleshy, nutty meal which also had medicinal properties. Fatal for the nīkau though!

Kiwis to take on rest of world

By Jesse Wood

Waipā duo John Paul Clarkin and Dean Fullerton will once again don the New Zealand jersey on home soil at Mystery Creek Polo Club this week.

Kaipaki-based Clarkin and Ngāhinapōuri resident Fullerton, will take part in the premier day of top-level polo as they face a Rest of the World team, showcasing high-goal competition.

Last year, the Kiwis hosted England in a very close encounter. They will have a point to prove after being pipped.

The 2026 international polo day will also see the New Zealand women’s team take on an invitational South African ladies’ side.

This event has become an annual fixture on the calendar.

Clarkin, 47, is one of New Zealand’s leading professional polo players

and a long-time figure in the Waikato and New Zealand polo scene. Fullerton, 27, also has international experience overseas.

Founded by cousins Clarkin and Simon Keyte,

the Mystery Creek club has grown steadily into a small, supportive community of around 15 players. Will Seavill, 15, is one of those members also contributing to the national jersey.

The Hamilton Boys’ High School student has been selected for the New Zealand Schools Polo team travelling to Wellington, Florida in March.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY • FARMING EMPLOYMENT PERSONAL

Experienced professionals. Local specialists. Quality advice.

Cambridge | 07 827 5147 Hamilton | 07 848 1222 www.lewislawyers.co.nz

Experienced professionals. Local specialists. Quality advice.

Experienced professionals. Local specialists. Quality advice.

Cambridge | 07 827 5147 Hamilton | 07 848 1222 www.lewislawyers.co.nz

Cambridge | 07 827 5147 Hamilton | 07 848 1222 www.lewislawyers.co.nz

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

Time is running out to have your say –you have until 5pm Friday, February 13, 2026

Spotlight on Cambridge

WAIKATO STONECRAFT

Waikato Stonecraft specialise in a wide range of memorial work, from unique, specially carved memorials, through to traditional granite headstones, cremation, and burial plaques. They can custom design using a range of sizes and colours to suit all budgets. Call us on 07 827 5226 or call in at 39 Shakespeare Street, Leamington, Cambridge.

FIVE STAGS

Five Stags at 9 Campbell St in Leamington is styled on a hunting lodge; where you can enjoy the warmth of a re, catch the game with mates over a few drinks or enjoy their well-known menu featuring some of the best foods New Zealand has to o er from slow roasted beef, venison burgers, pork ribs, to southern fried chicken, and the best fresh sh.

‘Your

Grass to run, where dogs have fun’

Check

ZOOMIES

Zoomies Doggy Daycare is set in park like grounds just outside of Cambridge. Zoomies has 3 indoor/outdoor areas with dedicated small and big dog environments to suit everybody’s needs. Regular Open Days, enrolment forms available www.zoomiescambridge.co.nz

JOE’S GARAGE

Joe’s Garage, at 107 Swayne Rd – “halfway between the high school and the motorway,” is part of a nation-wide franchise. From cooked breakfast, a good range of burgers, sh and chips, pizza, and steak meals, to a wide variety in the cabinet of sweet and savoury, hot and cold foods, Joe’s Garage open seven days a week, will have something to suit.

Health push at waka ama

Jamie-Lee Rahiri’s affiliation with waka ama dates back 25 years. She grew up in Tokoroa and began paddling when she was at intermediate school.

Last week she was giving back to the sport, working at the Hauora Hub through her institute Te Piringa Kōtuku, at the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals. The hub was a new addition to the event at Lake Karāpiro.

Rahiri (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara me Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi) is a general surgery trainee and researcher who was awarded a 2025 L’Oréal-Unesco For Women in Science Fellowship

“In surgery, we meet people at the point where injury has already occurred, which is why recovery and connection beyond the hospital are so important.

“Surgery is often just one part of a much longer recovery journey,” she said. “What happens after someone leaves hospital — the support, connection, and sense of belonging they have — can make a real difference to how they recover. That’s where sports like waka ama play such an important role.”

“Injury can temporarily change how whānau participate in the sport, but staying connected to their team and community can be an important part of recovery.”

“Everyone is different in how they connect and recover, but one of the special things about waka

ama is that it is an intergenerational whānau sport. It relies on the support by whānau - from paddling together to recovering together.”

ACC ran Community Strength and Balance Classes run by Sport Bay of Plenty Project Coordinators Jaime William and Becky Hodgson throughout the week at the hub.

A typical class includes exercises that focus on balance, aerobic fitness, strength, and cognitive function, says William.

“We work closely with general practitioners to try and build better pathways for people seeking strength and balance support,” says William.

Falls account for nearly 40 percent of all ACC injury claims.

Andy Milne, ACC’s deputy chief executive of strategy, engagement and prevention, says the Community Strength and Balance classes are about more than just exercise.

“They’re about connection, confidence, and staying active so you can prevent injury and continue to do the things you love.”

Māori are less likely to access ACC entitlements compared to non-Māori but are more likely to experience a serious injury.

“Community events like Waka Ama help us to raise awareness and build understanding around ACC services that improve rehabilitation outcomes for all New Zealanders,” Milne said.

CAMBRIDGE

AUTO DIRECTORY

Summer Basics

Summer heat can put extra stress on your vehicle, so a quick maintenance check is essential.

Start with uids: coolant, oil, brake uid, and windscreen washer levels. Inspect tyre pressure and tread, as hot roads can increase wear. Test all lights and wipers, and make sure your battery is healthy, especially if it hasn’t been serviced recently.

Give your radiator a visual check for leaks or blockages. Inside the car, ensure the air conditioning runs well for long holiday drives. A quick once-over now helps prevent breakdowns and keeps your summer journeys smooth and trouble-free across New Zealand.

Across 1. Bog or marsh (5) 4. Tastelessly showy (6) 7. Toilet (inf) (3) 8. Deeply distressing experience (6)

9. Perfect world (6)

10. State of extreme happiness (7,6) 14. Bring to mind (5) 15. Quarrel (5) 18. As determined by custom (13)

Last week

23. Not level (6) 24. Beginner (6) 25. Feline (3) 26. Come to rest (6) 27. Firm (5) Down 1. Fit of extravagance (5) 2. Treat badly (5) 3. Braids (6) 4. Purchased (6) 5. Perfume (5) 6. Malice (5)

10. Mix of rain and snow (5) 11. String instrument (5) 12. Period staying awake to pray (5) 13. Emotionally insecure (5) 16. Position (6) 17. Indicates (6) 19. Scope (5) 20. Bed covering (5) 21. Blacksmith’s tool (5) 22. Coherent (5)

Across: 1. Mantra, 5. Laptop, 8. Fee, 9. Rip off, 10. Varies, 11. Disc, 13. Retailer, 14. Agony, 15. Tense, 19. Assemble, 21. Thaw, 22. Seethe, 23. Ascend, 25. Cut, 26. Credit, 27. Expire. Down: 2. Abiding, 3. Two, 4. Affirm, 5. Levity, 6. Pertinent, 7. Obese, 12. Contented, 16. Spanner, 17. Object, 18. Sedate, 20. Sneer, 24. Cap.

KOSCIUSZKOBCRXEWNS UNMONTBLANCUINWROM XRWBRAEBWRNLIATODO MOUNTAINAGSLLIHCWU SHKSCARNSNCLSTEKON GROLYIGCENKHIRISND PEAKQETRICMDVAGBSS ZTSJSFREKASEELHASE PTCKLHEWCIMCNPTNVV YAAGWIEOORAENSSKSR RMFSELRTRNSMESVEOS EUFWLLSGSGTIBSNTFR NAOVAOOXEOJNPIATHI ENLDECPPPRVENLLKSA EDDMHKAEOMTNABDVLT SEIDUNEWRSECKNOLLS RSNKKBZRUPSEVEREST RIGGINGEXESACRIATS

My summer favs with Jan Bilton

Thai flavours: Thai food is renowned for its refreshing blends of sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavours, all of which must be in perfect balance. Palm sugar, with its caramel flavour, is the common sweetener. It’s available from most Asian food stores and can be grated or melted into dishes. Alternatively, use light brown or white sugar.

Palm sugar, sour tamarind or lime juice, salty fish sauce, spicy chillies and herbs play a vital role in creating the distinctive taste of Thai food.

Beetroot: Cwikla, a Polish horseradish and beetroot relish, is a breeze to make with fresh beetroot from your garden and a jar of prepared horseradish. This spicy number is my ‘fave’ with barbecued meats, but you can also tone down its tang with a little sour cream and use as a dip.

Coffee: Oh yeah — iced coffee is my ‘go to’ for morning brunch or an afternoon snack. And after dinner, it’s an affogato, a coffee-based dessert meaning ‘drowned’ in Italian.

Ice cream: And where would an affogato be without ice cream? New Zealanders consume more of this deeply ingrained part of Kiwi culture than Australians or the USA — about 28.4 litres per person per year.

THAI BEEF SALAD

The lime dressing is also excellent drizzled over cold lamb or chicken. Adjust the seasoning to suit your taste, adding diced chilli if you wish.

Lime Dressing: grated rind 1 lime

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

2 cloves garlic, crushed freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 tablespoon fish sauce

2-3 teaspoons grated palm sugar or to taste

Beef: 2 shallots, sliced

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 tablespoons rice bran oil

1-1.2kg beef fillet

freshly ground black pepper to taste assorted lettuce leaves

1 long red chilli, sliced 1/4 cup each: chopped mint, chopped coriander, basil leaves

1 small red capsicum, deseeded and sliced

Combine the dressing ingredients in a bowl. Cover and chill.

Preheat an oven grill to 220°C.

Soak the shallot in icy water to crisp. Combine the oil and garlic

Tie the beef in intervals to an even thickness. Brush the beef with the oil and garlic and sprinkle with pepper. Grill for 8-10 minutes each side until medium rare or cooked to your liking. Cover with foil and stand until cool. Refrigerate until cold.

To serve, thinly slice the beef, then arrange on a bed of assorted lettuce leaves on a large serving plate. Sprinkle with the chilli, herbs, drained shallots and capsicum. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving. Serves 8-10.

CWIKLA

A Polish horseradish and beetroot relish.

500g beetroot

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon each: white vinegar, sugar

200g jar traditional horseradish cream

freshly ground salt and black pepper to taste

Trim the beetroot and place in a large saucepan. Cover with water, add the salt and bring to the boil. Simmer until tender about 30-45 minutes depending on the size. Cool. Peel and beetroot then coarsely grate into a large bowl. Whisk the vinegar, sugar and horseradish together. Combine with the beetroot, season and mix well. Store in the fridge in sterilised jars for up to 2 weeks.

Great served with grills, roasts, cheeses or as a dip. Makes 3 1/2 cups.

AFFOGATO

A classic affogato is a simple, two or three-ingredient Italian dessert featuring hot espresso poured over cold vanilla ice cream. The espresso coffee can be exchanged for very strong traditional coffee.

2 scoops good-quality vanilla ice cream

50ml freshly brewed, hot, strong espresso coffee

1 shot (30ml) liqueur eg coffee, hazelnut or orange

Place the ice cream in a glass or small bowl. Serve with the espresso and liqueur on the side.

Pour the hot coffee over the ice cream, then the liqueur. Serves 1.

CAMBRIDGE OPEN HOMES

Contact listing agent prior-visiting as Open Homes times can change.

You Won’t Find Another Like This! Negotiation

46A Alpha Street, Cambridge

- Open-plan design flows beautifully to a generous deck and BBQ area.

- Master (ensuited & deep wardrobe) is away from the family wing, and enjoys a “town lights” view corridor, purposely designed.

- The design fully utilising its footprint to house a very large master bedroom and ensuite, and a second, double bedroom, a separate bathroom and a large living area off the kitchen and dining space.

- Outdoor flow to the decking off the living area.

- Well equipped for year-round living, the property features double glazing, a woodburner, heat pump, and ventilation system to ensure a warm and healthy home environment.

- Set on a fully fenced 804m² (more or less) section.

- Impressive high stud living area, where picture windows frame the lush gully, the heart of the home is the lavish entertainer’s kitchen, complete with a butler’s pantry.

Home Sunday 1.00 - 1.30pm

- Positioned in the vibrant heart of the town center, this solid 3-bedroom brick home and a single internal access garage for security and convenience.

- Enjoy the security and long-term value of a freehold title.

in and lead you to a private, north-facing garden. Open Home Sunday 11.00 - 11.30am

- This 1940s bungalow has been well maintained and presents as the cosy home it is, a large 809m2 (more or less) section.

- With its polished floors, modern décor that includes a remodeled kitchen, and a very efficient fire.

Open Homes Saturday 10.30 - 11.00am & Sunday 12.15 - 12.45pm

Dream home. Dream views.

• Panoramic views stretching across the valley towards the Kaimai Ranges and the famed Te Miro Mountain Bike Park just across the road, this is a location that captures the best of New Zealand’s outdoor beauty.

• Crafted with care and designed to embrace its surroundings, the home combines natural materials, textured finishes, and designer touches.

• Large shed and separate accommodation provide opportunity for potential income stream.

Altogether, this is an extraordinary lifestyle package-balancing beauty, practicality, and privacy—just 20 minutes from Cambridge or an easy drive to Morrinsville for local shops and amenities. bayleys.co.nz/2351020

Cambridge 48 Bruntwood Road

Two homes, one enduring lifestyle

Rich in character and shaped by its past, this remarkable Cambridge holding traces its origins to 1884 as the former railway ticketing office. Carefully extended and upgraded, it preserves original detail while offering comfort and flexibility. Set on 4,340sqm (more or less) of established, park-like grounds, two separate dwellings support multigenerational living, guest accommodation, or working from home, just minutes from town. The original threebedroom home of around 115sqm (more or less) showcases native timbers, high ceilings, and a classic verandah, flowing to landscaped gardens. A second dwelling of approximately 183sqm (more or less) adds generous, adaptable living. A setting of space, heritage, and evolving potential, ready for its next chapter. bayleys.co.nz/2630184

5 2 3

For Sale offers invited over $2,500,000 View by appointment

Sacha Webb 021 363 387 sacha.webb@bayleys.co.nz

SUCCESS REALTY

6 2 2

Tender (unless sold prior)

Closing 3pm, Tue 17 Feb 2026

96 Ulster Street, Hamilton View 11-11.45am Sun 1 Feb

Olivia Peek 022 456 7850 olivia.peek@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS

Good day for stud

An $850,000 colt offered by Cambridge Stud topped the opening day bids of the Book 1 session of the Karaka sales last weekend.

He is by the four-time champion Australian sire Snitzel, who died in June, and was the second and final foal produced by Savabeel mare Amarelinha before her death in a paddock accident.

The colt headed a successful first day of the sale for the Cambridge Stud, which sold 29 horses on Sunday for a total of $6.4 million and an average price of $220,862.

Amarelinha, a $300,000 purchase by David Ellis from the Karaka sale ring in 2019, won five races and more than $627,000 in stakes. Her victories included the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic (2000m) and Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m), and she was the NZB Filly of the Year in 2020-21. She was later purchased by Cambridge Stud for $1.1 million on Gavelhouse Plus.

Bidding on the Snitzel colt developed into a two-way battle between buyers who exchanged rapid-fire $25,000 bids from the $400,000 mark onwards. In the end, the colt was knocked down to Chris Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock.

“We had a really good client who wanted to buy a good colt today,” Guy Mulcaster said.

“This was a horse that we saw early, and he just stayed in my mind. We were lucky enough to take our client to see him today, and the colt behaved really well.

“Buying off Cambridge Stud, you can’t go wrong.”

Cambridge Stud also fetched $650,000 for a colt by firstseason sire Anamoe out of the stakes-placed Savabeel mare Save The Date, who was bought by Mulberry Racing. A colt by Savabeel out of the Sea The Moon mare Allemande was sold to Shijiazhuang Hongtao Horse Breeding for $550,000.

The $850,000 Snitzel colt was the fifth purchase of the day for the Waller/Mulcaster team, who spent a total of $1.71 million. They previously went to $440,000 to buy a colt by Satono Aladdin out of Group Two performer Taviarma, then paid $200,000 for a full-brother to the Chris Waller-trained Group One winner Kovalica.

Te Akau’s David Ellis finished the opening day in his usual position of leading buyer, with 11 purchases for a total of $3.15 million and an average price of $286,363. His highestpriced yearling of the day was a colt by Home Affairs out of the stakes-performed Fastnet Rock mare Special Memories, which he secured for $475,000. – NZ Racing Desk.

Top trainer checks out Karaka

The 100th edition of New Zealand’s National Yearling Sale caught attention throughout the thoroughbred world, including from one of the United Kingdom’s leading trainers.

Among the crowd at Karaka on Sunday was William Haggas, the winner of more than a dozen Group One races in the UK including the Derby (2400m) with Shaamit and Oaks (2400m) with Dancing Rain, along with other elitelevel triumphs in France, Ireland, Germany, Italy and Australia.

Haggas was invited to attend the sale by New Zealand Bloodstock principal Sir Peter Vela, who with his brother Philip founded Pencarrow Stud in Tamahere.

of the Kiwi industry also included Saturday’s Karaka Millions twilight meeting at Ellerslie, headlined by the six-length runaway by unbeaten filly Well Written in the TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m).

“I thought it was terrific,” he said. “The only great shame was the weather, because we got a bit of English weather and everyone had made an effort to dress up and enjoy themselves.”

The Karaka sale grounds and the yearlings catalogued for this week’s sale made a similarly favourable impression.

“The style of horse here is not too dissimilar to what I’m used to. I’ve been impressed by the quality of the stock.

if they want it to succeed.

“What’s really struck me here is how many breeders own horses in training, which is a good thing, so let’s hope that it continues, and even though we won’t be still here in another 100 years, but hopefully the place will be.”

Haggas has made a habit of targeting the riches of Sydney’s autumn carnival, reasoning that his horses’ fresher legs might have an advantage over locals who have been competing through the season.

“We’re planning to bring Dubai Honour again for the Tancred, and then we’ve got another horse, Caviar Heights, who might do the Ranvet and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes,” he said.

“I’ve known Sir Peter for a long time and I’ve always promised that I would come, and I’ve finally made it,” Haggas said. “It fitted in well and I’ve always wanted to see it, and I’m pleased that I’ve come.”

The 65-year-old’s taste

“I get the impression from people here that the industry is in a critical stage in New Zealand, with the foal crop diminishing and the guarantees of prizemoney from Entain halfway through its five-year tenure. So, it’s really important that people support the business

Haggas, a son-in-law of jockey Lester Piggott, is now watching with pride as his son Sam forges his own career as a bloodstock agent.

“I’ve asked him three times whether he wants to take over from me at some stage, and every single time he never had the decency to even pause before he

gave his reply, so I don’t think he’ll be doing that,” Haggas said. “He enjoys the bloodstock side, he is developing lots of data, especially for tried horses, so he’s coming at it from a different angle, which I admire. And one of the beauties of coming out here is actually I’ve probably spent more time with him this week than I do at the moment, because he’s here, there and everywhere, and we’re obviously busy in the summer, so it’s been very nice, and he’s doing very well.” – NZ Racing Desk.

Cycling feast ahead

A record 15 New Zealand riders from UCI World Tour teams will line up in the 2026 Elite Road Cycling National Championships in Te Awamutu next week.

Added to the 10 men and five women from New Zealand on the World Tour there are several Kiwis on the start line who will ride for UCI Pro Teams this year, including defending champion Paul Wright, who joins fellow New Zealand rider Ben Oliver in the new Modern Adventure Pro Cycling team run by American legend George Hincapie.

The championships run from February 5 to 8.

Leading the men’s way is the powerful World Tour team NSN Cycling, which comprises 2021 national champion George Bennett, Corbin Strong and Dion Smith.

The team is led by former Olympian and World Tour rider Sam Bewley who has attracted 10-year World Tour pro Dion Smith from Auckland to the team, while former Black Spoke rider Kiaan Watts is from NZN Cycling’s development team.

The women’s field has a glittering array of

UCI World tour riders, headed by Olympic medallist Ally Wollaston.

Cycling New Zealand High Performance Director Ryan Hollows said the depth of talent is arguably the strongest in the sport’s history.

“This is a rare opportunity to see our world class road riders in action, and also support out our Para-cycling world championship medallists in Nicole Murray, Devon Briggs and the tandem with Emma Foy and Jesse Hodges competing.”

The time trial courses on February 5 will start and finish at Roto-o-Rangi School over distances from 18km to 44.2km. Para-cycling hand cycling and trikes will race over an 18km course.

The road races on Saturday and Sunday utilise loops of Ruahue and Norwegian roads for the under-23 and elite men over 20 laps, while women race 13 laps of the 9.4km Norwegian Road circuit.

Both U19 men and women will also use the Puahue loop before finishing on the Norwegian Road circuit.

Tuxedo proves best dressed in Aotearoa Classic

The addition of blinkers and a super ride by Opie Bosson resulted in Tuxedo taking out the first $1 million race on Karaka Millions night at Ellerslie, the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m).

The Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murrayprepared four-year-old has always shown massive promise and was a dual stakes winner during his three-year-old campaign before resuming with two meritorious performances in Group One company in the spring.

Given a break after finishing sixth in the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa in September, the son of Waikato Stud stallion Tivaci resumed with a runner-up finish in the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) before running a cracker second-up for fifth in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. With blinkers added to sharpen him up for his main assignment, Tuxedo proved an armchair ride for Bosson who had him positioned beyond midfield in a strung-out field early in the running, before taking gaps between horses as he forced his way into the clear after straightening.

Hinekaha, who had had the drop on the leaders around the home turn, burst to the lead and looked the winner at the 200m, however, Bosson and Tuxedo were in the clear and powering home to score by a long neck.

Ritchie, who along with the connections of the horse, looked resplendent in the group’s signature black tuxedo worn to every meeting the four-year-old races at, thanked the large group of owners albeit with a tongue-in-cheek

caveat on their next purchase.

“He has always shown us plenty of ability and I felt the blinkers would help him,” Ritchie said.

“I’m delighted for my clients who have been with us for years and years and have put a lot of money in.

“Days like this are what it is all about although I hope they don’t buy a filly and call it Mini Skirt as I won’t look that flash.

“They have been at the Sales this week having a look around and they enjoy every moment of it.”

Ritchie was quick to advise he hadn’t given Bosson any riding instructions prior to the horse heading out on to the track.

“You don’t give Opie Bosson instructions on Karaka Million night,” he said.

“I did say one thing in that when you do go for him, I think the blinkers will swich him on like they did in trackwork last week.

“I’d love to have a little crack in Australia with this horse but we will stay at home now where maybe the Otaki mile (Gr.1, 1600m) and Bonecrusher Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m) would be nice targets.”

A win in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on March 7 would be a poignant moment for Ritchie, who was the strapper for the champion galloper the race is named after.

Tuxedo was a $70,000 purchase from Book 1 of Karaka

Honest and reliable

Class 5 bulk tipper truck and trailer drivers – we want to hear from you!

Phone 07 827 1869 or email office@ curincontractors.co.nz for more information.

WANTED TO BUY

WANTED TO BUY. Any ute, van, 4WD, truck or car. Any condition doesn’t have to be going. Cash paid. Ph/txt Kevin 027 299 6165

CAMBRIDGE

Next Meeting Wednesday FEBRUARY 4

1:30pm Start

TAYLOR MADE 22a Taylor Street, Cambridge Speaker: Tamme Wilson, Ronald McDonald House

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NOTIFICATION OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES

Waipā District Council will consider an application to close the following roads to ordinary vehicular traffic, to enable organisers to hold the Cambridge ANZAC Day Parade:

On Saturday, 25 April 2026, between 5:30am and 11am:

CALLAGHAN, Gretchen

Elizabeth – Passed away peacefully on Thursday, 22nd January 2026, aged 77 Years. Dearly loved wife of the late Dave Callaghan. Eldest daughter of the late Bert and Qona Mead. Much loved sister and sister-inlaw of Colin & Heather, Philip & the late Wendy, the late Sonia & Ian Shawe and Derek & Bridget. Heartfelt thanks to the staff of Resthaven on Burns, Leamington. A celebration of Gretchen's life will be held at Raleigh Street Christian Centre, 24 Raleigh Street, Leamington, Cambridge 3432 on Thursday, the 29th of January 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Messages to the 'Callaghan' Family can be sent c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434 or in Gretchen's online tribute book at www.grinters. co.nz

For enquiries:

E: greypower.cambridge@gmail.com

Visitors aged 50+ keen to become Greypower members are welcome to attend 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge Ph 07 827 6037 • www.grinters.co.nz

NEW MEMBERS WELCOME

FARMHOUSE AVAILABLE between Pirongia and Otorohanga, in return for farm work, suit retired farmer. Please text only with name age and references. 02108677781

• Victoria Street - between Queen Street and Alpha Street

• Lake Street - between Queen Street and Alpha Street

Between 8.00am and 9.00am:

• Alpha Street - between Empire Street and Lake Street

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 road 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 13 February 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.

For more information, please contact Waipā District Council on 0800 924 723.

Steph O’Sullivan CHIEF EXECUTIVE

REWETI, Jacqueline Anne (Jacquie) – Peacefully at Resthaven on Burns Street, Leamington, Cambridge on Thursday, 22 January 2026, aged 82 years. Cherished mother of David (deceased), Rhea (deceased), Billie Anne, Douglas, and Riana. Nan and grand-nan of her mokos and great-mokos. Message to the ‘Reweti Family’ can be sent c/- Grinter’s Funeral Home, 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434 or in Jacquie’s online tribute book at www.grinters. co.nz. A service to celebrate Jacquie’s life has been held.

– EXCEPTIONAL BUILD PROMISES CUSTOM-DESIGN LIVING AND WORKSPACES

The live works- these properties consist of two designs which mirror each other. The first property closest to the road is a mirror of the remaining 4 properties.

They are 160m2 build size across two levels. 80m2 on the ground floor and 80m2 on the 1st floor.

THE UPSTAIRS APARTMENT CONSISTS OF:

• Separate entrance to the apartment

• 2 bed, 2 bathrooms

• Raised stud on the ground floor 2.7 meters (normal size is 2.4 meters)

• Open plan living and lounge

• Large outdoor deck with glass balustrade

• Stone Kitchen Benchtop

• Tiled main bathroom and separate toilet

• Master is west facing with walk in wardrobe and ensuite

• Keyless entry lock on front door

• Ducted heating

• Properties are clad in a mixture of brick, linea (concrete board) and

THE DOWNSTAIRS CONSISTS OF:

• Separate entrance to the garage/ which can be closed off from the upstairs apartment

• 80m2 of practical garage/storage offices

• 5.5 meter large automatic sectional hanger style door custom garage door

• 4 meter internal stud

• Negative ply ceiling or similar

• Kitchenette

• Separate WC

• Polished concrete doors

• Hi end LED recessed lighting

• 4 external carparks

COMMERCIAL SIDE

• 135m2 of office and storage space

• 6 meter stud

• 4.5 meter roller door

• Office area

• Mezzanine

• Stainless steel kitchenette

• Offers great flexibility to operate a business from

THE COLLIERY.

Set within a vibrant retail and light industrial landscape, The Colliery offers a peaceful place to live, work and play.

Secluded in the heart of Cambridge’s original industrial zone, this development has the perfect balance of location, tranquility and convenience - creating a unique dual opportunity for both business and lifestyle.

Strategically positioned in the golden triangle. Located at the heart of New Zealand’s premier economic zone

‘The Golden Triangle’ this commercial development sits within the dynamic corridor connecting Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga.

This high growth region accounts for over 50% of the nations GDP and population, making it a prime location for logistics, distribution, and business expansion. With seamless access to key transport routes and ports, this site offers an unparalleled opportunity in one of the country’s most sought after commercial hubs.

WANT TO SEE MORE?

For pricing and more information on this Progressive Property and to visit our showhome call Mario today on +64 20 413 38055

CONTACT US

T: +64 7 827 0740 Monday to Friday 8am - 4pm E: mario@progressiveproperty.nz W: progressiveproperty.nz