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THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
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A water milestone By Mary Anne Gill
It had all the makings of a school reunion. Familiar faces, shared histories and a few laughs about how much things had changed were as much a part of the day as the speeches and ceremony. But instead of a hall or sports field, the gathering point was the new Cambridge Wastewater Treatment Plant where this week leaders came together to mark a milestone for the region’s future. On July 1, water services from six district councils will begin transitioning to Waikato Waters, a council-controlled organisation set up to deliver drinking water and wastewater services across the Waikato and King Country. The occasion drew a minister, Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger, mayors, chief executives, iwi and staff, but for Simon Watts it carried an extra layer of meaning. The Local Government minister was born and grew up in Cambridge, attended Roto-o-Rangi Primary, Cambridge Intermediate and Cambridge High schools, where he was deputy head boy. “It’s really quite humbling to be back,” he told The News. He was not the only one retracing old steps. Hauraki mayor Toby Adams also spent his school years in Cambridge, attending Cambridge East Primary, intermediate and high schools. Both men have strong ties to the town, and spoke of how much it had changed. Cambridge has grown rapidly, bringing both opportunity
Waikato Waters chair Elena Trout leads the visiting group including Local Government minister Simon Watts, Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger, mayors and chief executives from around the region towards a welcome from iwi and Waipā District Council representatives. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
and infrastructure pressure. “It’s a long way from when it was 10,000,” Watts said, reflecting on the scale of growth that has reshaped the town he knew. In a further twist to the reunion theme, Ngāti Korokī Kahukura co-chair Hinerangi Kara shared her Cambridge East Primary roots with Watts, adding another familiar thread to the day. The gathering of old school connections sat comfortably alongside the sense of shared purpose that has driven the creation of Waikato Waters. The organisation is jointly owned by six councils and once fully established, will serve more than 170,000 people across the region. “Our communities were our interest at the start and that’s what we kept focusing on throughout this
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process,” said Adams, speaking on behalf of the mayors. That collective approach was echoed by Waikato Waters chair Elena Trout, who described the day as both an end point and a beginning. “We’re moving from establishment into operations, from building the organisation to delivering services to our communities,” she said. Behind the scenes significant work had brought together people, systems and plans from six councils, laying the foundations for what comes next, she said. The shift reflects a wider push to address ageing infrastructure, rising costs and the need for more sustainable water services. The new entity is expected to enable more efficient investment,
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improve financial sustainability and ease pressure on ratepayers over time. Watts said the way Waikato councils had come together on water boded well for wider local government reform discussions now under way. He left the ceremony to attend a meeting with mayors at the Mayoral Forum, saying the region was building confidence and capability through collaboration. While the water structure is new, for many residents the immediate experience will remain the same, as councils continue to handle billing and customer contact in the first year. For Waikato-Tainui representative Norm Hill, the day also carried cultural weight, grounded in the significance of the Waikato River. He spoke of whakapapa and the
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connection between people and water, and the responsibility to protect both for future generations. As part of that cultural acknowledgement, Watts planted a kōwhai tree beside the plant’s outfall structure, set among mauri stones and newly established plantings. The stones had been placed and prepared through a cultural process, acknowledging the connection to whenua, which also carries the meaning of placenta, and symbolising the partnership between iwi including Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Korokī Kahukura and Waikato-Tainui and Waipā District Council. And for a handful of former Cambridge schoolmates, it was a chance to catch up while marking a significant step forward for their region.
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THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
Letters… MP quizzed
I am concerned about recent scrutiny of our local MP Louise Upston and her Wellington accommodation arrangements. As taxpayers, we understand MPs are entitled to allowances to support them in doing their jobs. However, when questions arise about those arrangements, it is reasonable for constituents to expect clear explanations and transparency. These are not trivial matters. They go to public trust. At the same time, it is difficult to ignore the broader context of these arrangements. Ms Upston has indicated she is “comfortable” with rules that allow her to claim around $1000 a week to stay in her own Wellington apartment, despite not holding a personal mortgage on the property. This sits uneasily alongside her ministerial role overseeing changes that expand eligibility for accommodation support to homeowners. For many families struggling with housing costs, this raises legitimate questions about fairness, consistency, and the standards applied to those making these
decisions. But beyond Wellington, many of us are asking a more basic question closer to home. What is being delivered for our community? We have been hearing for some time about plans for a new primary school, yet there has been little visible progress. Likewise, there has long been discussion of a new bridge, something that would make a real difference to traffic and safety. Where do these commitments currently stand? As our local MP, Ms Upston is our representative voice in Parliament, that comes with both privilege and responsibility. While national issues matter, so too do local priorities that directly affect our daily lives. Residents here are not asking for miracles, just clarity, accountability, and progress. If projects have been delayed, explain why. If plans have changed, tell us. If commitments remain, outline a timeline. Our community deserves to know what is being done, and what we can expect next. Gary Bulling Hamilton
On the beat New hand on deck with Senior Constable DEB HANN
Birth to primary school age Birth to primary school age Birth primary school age Hours: 9:00am Monday Birth to toSchool primaryterms school age –– 3:00pm Hours: School terms 9:00am Monday Hours: School terms 9:00am –– 3:00pm 3:00pm Monday Friday to Hours: School terms 9:00am 3:00pm Monday Friday Birthtotoprimary primary school age • to Birth school age to Friday Cost: $30 per week per whānau (can be to Friday Hours: School terms 9:00am – 3:00pm Monday • Cost: $30 per week per whānau (can be Hours: School terms 9:00am – 3:00pm $30 per week multiple to Friday Cost: Cost: $30children) perFriday week per per whānau whānau (can (can be be multiple children) Monday to multiple children) Cost: $30 per week per whānau (can be Contact: Aroha Kara 027 452 0264 multiple children) • Contact: Aroha Kara 027 452 0264 Cost: $30 per week per whānau Kara 027 0264 multipleAroha Contact: Address: 3children) Bracken Street, Leamington, Aroha Kara 027 452 452 0264 (can be multiple children) Contact: Address: 3 Bracken Street, Leamington, Contact: Aroha Kara 027 452 0264 Address: 3 Bracken Street, Leamington, Cambridge (next to Ngaa Hau e Whaa Marae) • Cambridge Address: 3 Bracken Street, Leamington, Contact: Aroha Kara 027 452 0264 Marae) (next to Ngaa Hau e Whaa Address: 3(next Bracken Street,Hau Leamington, Cambridge to Ngaa e Whaa Marae) Cambridge (next to Ngaa Hau eWhaa Whaa Marae) • Address: 3 Bracken Street, Cambridge (next to Ngaa Hau eLeamington, Marae) Cambridge (next to Ngaa Hau e Whaa Marae)
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Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome. Publication of contributions are entirely at the discretion of editorial staff and may be edited. Contributions will only be considered for publication when accompanied by the author’s full name, residential address, and telephone number. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers. The Cambridge News is published by Good Local Media Ltd and is the most widely distributed newspaper in Cambridge and rural surrounds.
This week I’d like to introduce the new Cambridge Station Support Officer, Lauren Fletcher. Lauren joins us from outside police and brings experience from roles centred on caring for and supporting people. A lifelong Cambridge local, she is married with four children. One of her favourite things to do is to head to Mount Maunganui to walk and relax, with a nice dinner out afterwards. As her husband is a high-ranking speedway saloon driver, family summers feature travel to race meetings around the North Island. We welcome Lauren to the team. Fieldays is now underway at Mystery Creek, bringing an influx of visitors and traffic into Waipā. With winter conditions setting in, please take extra care on the roads. Drive to the conditions, stay alert to what’s happening around you, be patient and prepared for delays. Allow extra travel time. Even without these traffic pressures, over the seven days to Monday this week Cambridge police had attended seven traffic crashes, while Te Awamutu staff dealt with four. There were some good local traffic catches in the last week. Last Friday, Police received reports of a vehicle driving dangerously as it travelled from Tauranga though to Cambridge. It was stopped on Tīrau Rd, where breath alcohol testing of the driver returned a result over four times the legal limit. Te Awamutu Strategic Traffic staff also stopped a second impaired driver in a rural
area, who again returned a high reading four times the legal limit. Making a hat trick, another vehicle was observed travelling at speed on a rural road in wet conditions. The driver’s increasing speed then caused him to lose control, and he now faces driving charges in court. Finally, police nationwide are seeing increasing numbers of young people illegally riding high-powered e-dirt bikes. An e-bike is bicycle with a motor that helps you pedal and riders are not required to hold a licence. It is not a legal e-bike if it has a power output of more than 300W or can move without pedalling. (limited throttle only start for stability prior to pedalling is permitted). In that case, the rider must hold some form of driving licence. Electric and petrol dirt bikes and “choppers” without pedals (which are a moped or motorcycle) and pedal assisted mopeds are not classified as e-bikes. Similarly , if the speed capacity is 50kph or less it’s a moped – over 50kph and it’s a motorbike. Before purchasing, parents and caregivers should understand the legal requirements and also that many devices being sold today cannot be used in public places such as roads and footpaths. Further information may be found on the NZTA website.
Louise Upston responds: The accommodation allowance that I am legally entitled to claim as an MP and Minister is quite separate from decisions I make as a Minister. The accommodation allowance is set by the Independent Remuneration Authority, not Government. The Cambridge West Primary School project was agreed to by the former government. However, it did not allocate funds to build it. There are many other communities across New Zealand which need new school buildings and maintenance. I seek regular updates on this project, and I have, and will continue to, advocate for this school to be built. Education is the fourthhighest area Government spending after Health, Superannuation, and Social Security and Welfare (currently $22.4 billion per annum). A third bridge in Cambridge is something I have been publicly advocating for over many years. Government funding will be required to supplement Waipā District Council funding to build a new bridge. It can take many years to secure Government funding for projects like this. I have long encouraged the council to decide on a location for the bridge and present a business case to Government. I have discussed these issues, and others, at my regular open forums, in my monthly newsletter, and on my social media platforms. I also provide information to the media. I have an office in Cambridge, and constituents are always welcome to seek information.
Tim van de Molen Your MP for Waikato Tim.vandeMolenMP@parliament.govt.nz 0800 GET TIM (0800 438 846) TimvandeMolenWaikato
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THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
Briefs…
Fieldays open
Federated Farmers have timed the launch of a five-point plan of what is says should be the major focus of the next government to coincide with the opening of Fieldays this week at Mystery Creek. Fieldays features in Country Life, starting on page 17.
Bridge sites
Four potential bridge options in Cambridge will be investigated further for Waipā District Council’s draft Cambridge Connections Transport Plan. They include linking Matos Segedin Drive with Cambridge Road, a crossing nearer the town centre and increasing the capacity of existing crossings.
Rukuhia crash
One person was seriously injured when two vehicles were involved in a crash at the intersection of Raynes Road and Ōhaupō Rd on Monday morning.
Digital saint
The relic of Carlo Acutis, described as a saint for the digital age, is travelling through the Hamilton Catholic Diocese, which includes Cambridge, Te Awamutu and King Country, this month. Monsignor Anthony Figueiredo will take Acutis’ pericardium, the membrane that surrounds the heart, on the tour. Acutis, an Englishborn Italian teenager and computer programmer, died of leukaemia in 2006 at age 15 and became the church’s first millennial saint when he was canonised last year.
Te Huia fares
The Waikato Regional Council has announced it will bump up fares for the Te Huia train link between Hamilton and Auckland. A one way trip will cost $32.50 with a Bee Card.
Expressway work
Major asphalt works on the Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway are ahead of schedule. Work on the next stage - closing the northbound on-and offramps at the Victoria Road interchange at Hautapu, enabling working on a 5km stretch of both northbound lanes - started this week.
CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 3
From varroa to Norroa By Roy Pilott
A new “gene silencing” product which prevents the varroa bee mite reproducing is likely to become part of New Zealand’s pest arsenal. But it will have to get Environmental Protection Authority and Ministry of Primary Industry blessing first, and that could take a couple of years. Waikato is the second highest honey producing region in New Zealand. University of Victoria professor Phil Lester told The News this week the biopesticide marketed as Norroa in the US is the holy grail of pest control because it only targets the pest. “We all have a can of fly spray and that kills anything – but this is as specific as anything we can imagine,” he said. It was lauded in the US as the first RNA-based treatment for Varroa mites. RNA – Ribonucleic acid – is an acid present in all living cells acts and translates genetic instructions stored in DNA into the proteins that build and operate bodies. Using Norroa, synthetic RNA is delivered
in a sugar water pouch which bees consume and deliver as food to larvae within the hive. Varroa mites are exposed when they feed on larvae within the cells. Gene silencing approach works in Norroa’s case by interfering with egg production. The Varroa mite itself survives, but the mite does not reproduce successfully. Tests in two hives – one in the South Island and another near Palmerston North - produced encouraging results – and in an unexpected turn up, bees treated with Norroa lived longer and made more foraging trips. But it will not herald sudden death for the mite. “In our field studies across New Zealand we found that Norroa can keep mite numbers low over time. However, it works best as a preventative or maintenance tool, rather than as a rapid knock‑down treatment when mite popula-tions are already very high,” Lester said. The bee mite – first detected in south Auckland April 2000 - has wreaked havoc in the country’s hives, destroying more than 64,000 colonies last year – and resulting in a 13.6 per cent loss rate in the central
The varroa mite attaches itself to bees.
North Island. The mite attaches itself to bees and feeds on them. It weakens them and kills colonies. Lead researcher Lester said three PhD students at the university over the last decade had worked on understanding how RNA works to switch of genes. “Gene silencing has only been known about for 25 years – it’s a normal thing.” The scientist looked at how gene silencing could be applied to pests such as Argentinian ants and wasps – and assisted with research work for US company GreenLight Biosciences which launched Norroa. Asked if the “holy grail” solution could work on a broader range of pests Lester said it would be excellent to have a gene silencing approach as a highly targeted pest control tool for mammals.
Photo: Phil Lester
“…but there is substantial work still required. Mammals have many enzymes and protective barriers that make it very difficult for double stranded RNA to enter cells. In fact, you consume large amounts of RNA every day in a normal diet, and these same barriers mean it has no effect. Lester was also approached for comment by Australian media this week. Varroa mites were discovered there in 2022 in New South Wales, and they have spread to neighbouring states. It triggered an unsuccessful multi-agency plant biosecurity response, at $132 million, the biggest seen in Australia. An estimated 30,000 hives destroyed were during the first year, and wild honeybee populations are expected to be all but wiped out – as has happened in New Zealand.
Two plus two makes it four The News reported last week we had two residents honoured with being made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King’s Birthday Honours – in fact there were four. Tamahere based Andrew (John) McWilliam was also honoured. Our series last week also attributed an incorrect title to Coal Groves, also of Tamahere, who also becomes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. We caught up with McWilliam at the weekend. He has lived in Tamahere for 30 years and has family on both parents’ sides – Johnstones and McWilliams – in Waipā. He attended
Puahue School before going on to Southwell in Hamilton and Whanganui Collegiate. McWilliam had plans to go farming, but his parents sold their farm and encouraged him to take flying lessons. He enlisted in the RNZAF in June 1975 and graduated as a pilot officer the following year. His citation recounts how the pilot, flying instructor and airworthiness expert contributed to military and civil aviation safety. In 1990 he was awarded the Air Force Cross for outstanding service and a few years later joined the Aeromotive group and became chief executive
of Pacific Aerospace Corporation (PAC) and its chief test pilot at Hamilton Airport. He played a key role in the development and certification of the civil aviation plane the PAC P-750. He rejoined the RNZAF in 2010 and established the role of the NZDF Operating Airworthiness Regulator. He was also a key figure in establishing the New Zealand Defence Aviation Authority and in 2020 was its inaugural director. More recently as a member of the Court of Inquiry he helped identify the cause that led to the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui off the coast of Upolu, Samoa, and
assisted the development of the Defence Force seaworthiness framework which improves the overall naval safety system. He lists his career highlights as graduating as a pilot, making the Red Checkers aerobatic team and being Commanding Officer of the RNZAF’s No. 3 helicopter squadron. Today he sits on a Tamahere based Crisis Response Group Tamahere which would become a central contact point in the event of a disaster. He is also a keen cyclist, having completed Tour Aotearoa, an annual 3000km cycling event from Cape
John McWilliam at home in Tamahere.
Reigna to Bluff. But he also points out he and wife Lizzy also have a sizeable garden.
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THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
Arapuni dam road to close By Mary Anne Gill
Drivers who regularly travel between South Waikato, Waipā and the King Country via the Arapuni Dam will take a detour for up to three years. Mercury will shut the road across the dam during construction work to strengthen part of the structure and manage seepage. The project is expected to begin soon and last 24 to 36 months. A temporary detour along Powerhouse Road will include a single-lane section controlled by traffic lights, which is likely to slow traffic at times – and it won’t cater for larger freight vehicles. The crossing is a key link between Cambridge, Te Awamutu, King Country and South Waikato towns, and widely used by commuters, school buses and freight operators. Programme manager Tom Newson said based on the modelling, the detour is expected to add up to 10 minutes to journeys. The detour is designed to keep local connections open. It will be suitable for cars, light vehicles, motorcycles, school buses and some shorter rigid trucks, but larger freight vehicles will be turned away. That includes logging trucks, tankers and longer truck and trailer units, whose drivers will be required to take alternative routes. “The standards are not sufficient to accommodate them,” Newson
Mercury programme manager Tom Newson, who has overall responsibility for the project points to a graphic showing the work underway.
said. Drivers of heavy vehicles coming from the south who would usually use the Arapuni road will be encouraged to continue on State Highway 3 and turn off onto Airport Road (State Highway 21) then head through Tamahere to the Waikato Expressway. “The reason we’re maintaining the detour is really to service this community, the schools, the farming community and make sure they can get around,” Newson said. Hydro stakeholder manager
Larnie Chrystall said she had been communicating with freight operators for a couple of years. “So far I’ve contacted probably 54 out of the 80 odd companies that use this road and not one of them has said’ I didn’t know about it’.” The response from the sector had been better than expected, she said. “They’ve been very engaged in the project,” she said. “They all understand what this means, they know what we’re doing, they know why we’re doing it.” Chrystall said some operators
had even offered suggestions to help. “Every now and then I get one of them ringing up saying, have you thought about putting in cameras,” she said. The work at Arapuni Dam is part of a long-term effort to maintain one of the Waikato River’s key hydro assets. The dam is almost 100 years old and remains a significant part of the hydro system. Engineers have identified the need to install a new underground cut-off wall to reduce
Photo: Mary Anne Gill
water seepage. Work will focus on the left abutment of the dam. Nearby generation will continue as normal during construction. “It’s a bit of short-term pain for a few, but the idea is we put it back right and it serves us well into the future,” Newson said. Mercury plans to ramp up communication closer to the closure, with signs and messages to help road users prepare. • See: Inside Arapuni’s hidden past, page 12-13.
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THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
OBITUARY: YVONNE FOREMAN – September 11, 1938 - May 29, 2026
An ‘unstoppable force’ By Viv Posselt
At a time when most women conformed to societal expectations, Yvonne Foreman was an exception. She took every opportunity in life, turning each into something bigger than herself. Fiercely intelligent, elegant and unafraid, she was ever mindful of how she might better impact the lives of others… and she did that spectacularly well, always with her signature dollop of style. It’s no wonder she caught the eye of her three partners, men who shared her intelligence and energy, and who appreciated the no-nonsense demeanour that saw her adapt to an array of different circumstances with enviable aplomb. Yvonne’s sudden death on May 29 shocked everyone who knew her. She was an unstoppable force who had been stopped by time itself. She was 87. It was appropriate that her community farewell was at the Cambridge Town Hall. A lifelong lover of theatre, music and opera, the hall was where she once performed in Cambridge Repertory Society seasons of Kismet, Pink Champagne and South Pacific. It was there that friends, family and admirers gathered last week, people whose lives she had touched through the
years. Yvonne was born in Saltcoats, Scotland, to Kiwi merchant navy radio operator Jack Fox and his Scots wife Greta, a nurse. They came to New Zealand in 1946 where Yvonne, an only child, was embraced by the wider Fox family in Auckland. Her father died when she was 13, leaving Greta a solo mother. While at Ōtāhuhu College Yvonne discovered her passion for music and drama, and was coached in singing by Dame Sister Mary Leo, famed for having trained some of the world’s best sopranos. Yvonne went on to Auckland Teachers’ Training College, enjoying a time of youthful zeal and forging firm friendships. Around the same time – in the late 1950s – she met the man who became her first husband, Lithuanian-born architect Victor Procuta. Their architect son Antanas said: “It was a case of mum spotting dad across the room … the cosmopolitan, exotic and handsome North European guy.” They married, then moved to Chicago in the United States with six-week-old Antanas in tow. It was in the United States that Yvonne began her lifelong connection with La Leche League International, an organisation formed in 1956 to support women
in breastfeeding at a time when bottle feeding was considered the norm. When the Procuta family came home, Yvonne brought the La Leche League concept with her, starting the first group in Cambridge and becoming the New Zealand’s League’s first national co-ordinator. In 1974 Yvonne received a Waikato Woman of the Year Award for this work. In 2007, she established the La Leche League New Zealand Alumnae Association and chaired it until 2014. The skills Yvonne honed and the people she met through La Leche League transferred to other parts of her life. Among them was Diane Foreman, a friend of more than four decades, once married to Bill Foreman of Trigon in Hamilton’s Foreman Rd. Diane is now married to broadcaster Paul Henry. Yvonne, who had by then married Bill’s father Mortie Foreman and was skilled in the world of international business, public relations and events, offered the motherly advice Diane cherished. “I was initially terrified of her,” Diane said. The pair worked together and remained close friends. After Mortie Foreman died, Yvonne later found love again with Bill Lindberg, who died just a few
Yvonne Foreman, widely known in the arts and business world, died suddenly on May 29.
months ago at the couple’s Te Awamutu home. Yvonne was also involved with a raft of other groups, including U3A (University of the Third Age), Opera Waikato, Cambridge Repertory, and creative writing and book groups. She became a civil celebrant around the same time as Denise Irvine, long-time friend and officiant at last week’s ceremony. Denise recalled Yvonne’s frustration at the lack of a coordinated education programme for celebrants - leading to her
establishing the Celebrants’ Association of New Zealand in 1999. Describing her as multi-talented and colourful, she said of Yvonne: “We recall her significant history and valuable contribution to many community services, business institutions, and music events, grand and modest, in the Waikato and beyond.” Yvonne is survived by her children, Antanas, John, Elena, Alex (Sandy), and Andrew, eight grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren.
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THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
FAITH IN WAIPĀ
Keep kids warm Which way do you lean? this winter By Murray Smith, Bridges Church
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We were recently advised of a decision by the Waipā District Council which concluded years of debate. The issue was whether Cambridge’s Water Tower should be preserved, or should the 24-metre-high circular structure built with handmade bricks in 1902 be demolished? Basically two points of view were tabled. Some appreciated the tower’s historic value and found demolishing a heritage structure abhorrent. They cited Heritage New Zealand dubbing it, ‘a rare example of a brick water tower and an impressive landmark’. Being accorded with an Historic Place ‘Category Two’ listing in February 2010 loaned support to that position. The second point of view broadly took into account the structural risks accompanying aged buildings, with incumbent costs of upkeep and ensuring their safety - for example should an earthquake of sufficient magnitude happen, lives are potentially endangered. Accounting for that, plus cost savings of demolition over restoration, many favoured seeing the tower go. Plans for launching a $2.5 million restoration next summer have won out over the estimated cost of knocking down the tower at $810,000. If this restoration incorporated practical ‘re-purposing’ somehow, might it introduce economic benefits? I’m thinking here, of another well-known old tower with structural issues, that I’ve visited. That tower, with unique problems, has undergone structural restoration and proved to be a significant income generator. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, receiving over five million visitors each year. The economic ‘spin-off’ has amounted to billions of dollars.
I’m talking of course about The Leaning Tower of Pisa, in Italy. This structure is higher than our Water Tower, standing 56 metres on the ‘high’ side. Built as a freestanding bell tower for the Pisa Cathedral, it began leaning during construction in the 12th century, due to soft ground which couldn’t support the structure’s weight. It worsened through the completion of construction in the 14th century. By 1990, the tilt had reached 5.5 degrees. Remedial work between 1993 and 2001 strengthened it and reduced the tilt to four degrees. There’s a point to all this, though of course I’m being a bit tongue-in-cheek drawing any connection between our water tower and the Tower of Pisa. The truth is, in life we’ll always have our ‘leanings’- just as some leaned towards a refurbished water tower, others leaned towards seeing it demolished. Daily, our politically ‘charged’ culture demands our position on ‘stuff’ be it pandemics, Treaty issues, Israel and the Middle East crisis, Trump’s America or whatever… The differing ways in which people ‘lean’ over controversial issues, provokes polarising rifts, deepening animosity and lingering hostility. Can differing opinions be managed cordially? Not always. But since this is a ‘Faith Column’ here’s a thought provoking ‘baseline’ the Bible proposes for self-examination and calibrating our perspectives, as well as framing views on others. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never lean on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and He will show you the right way.” Proverbs 3:5,6
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CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 9
THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
Upston on budget pressure Bus changes
By Mary Anne Gill
Taupō MP Louise Upston did not sugar-coat the numbers when she stood before Cambridge business leaders this week to explain Budget 2026. Health spending alone now sits at $34 billion a year, a figure she broke down in household terms to drive the point home. “If you think about health, the government will spend on your behalf $34 billion a year or $17,000 for every household,” she said. It was one of several stark reminders in a speech that leaned heavily on discipline, restraint and what she described as the need to “stop the wasteful spending, finding savings and making careful choices.” Speaking at a Cambridge Business Chamber breakfast, Upston framed the Budget as steady rather than spectacular. Growth is forecast to continue, with 220,000 extra jobs projected and wages expected to outpace inflation, even as global uncertainty lingers. “The recovery has been delayed, not derailed,” she said. But it was the scale of government spending, and the pressure building behind
After her presentation Taupō MP Louise Upston, centre mingled with Cambridge chief executive Kelly Bouzaid, left, and events manager Aroha Croft. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
it, that dominated her message. Health costs are rising alongside an ageing population, while interest on debt is approaching $10 billion a year. “That is more than everything we spend on primary and secondary education,” she said. Against that backdrop, Upston defended the government’s focus on fiscal discipline, including $6.3 billion in additional savings and an earlier than expected return to surplus. There was support in the room for her comments on the public sector, though they were delivered with a blunt edge. “The public service is no different,” she said, comparing it to private businesses adopting new
technology and efficiencies. “And there are some areas of the public service that do really, really well. And others, quite frankly, are fat and lazy.” She said reform was about improving service to the public rather than cutting for the sake of it, pointing to greater use of automated processes in welfare as an example. In that case, she rejected criticism that automation meant losing the human touch. “It is just very simple what businesses are doing all over the country to improve service,” she said. Throughout her address, Upston returned to the theme of sustainability, particularly in welfare, housing and disability spending. Systems that
were originally designed to provide temporary help had, in her view, become longterm holding patterns. “We have to ensure that the supports that people will rely on in their time of need are sustainable,” she said. Infrastructure, law and order, and defence also featured, though she acknowledged the limits imposed by debt. Even major projects had to compete within tight fiscal boundaries. “There are a lot of questions around why that was the case,” she said of funding only one road of national significance, the Cambridge to Piarere project, and delaying Southern Links between Tamahere and Hamilton. “That is part of the reason why we don’t have the space to go out and borrow exorbitant amounts.” Her closing message was less about big promises and more about steady management. “This budget that we have delivered has been very responsible, very fair, probably doesn’t excite anyone,” she said. In a room full of business owners used to balancing their own books, it was a message that largely landed.
spark complaints By Mary Anne Gill
Complaints about regional bus services in Waipā and the King Country have triggered a review focusing on safety concerns and inconsistent stopping practices. Last week The News reported passengers were being left confused and inconvenienced after some stops were dropped without clear communication. Now more details have emerged about what went wrong and how it is being fixed. Regional councillor Liz Stolwyk said she would look into concerns raised by users of services linking Cambridge, Kihikihi-Te Awamutu and the King Country. Cambridge resident Faye Collier has described changes about where she can catch the bus along Arnold Street in Leamington. “When I started using the bus, at that time, one could ‘hail and ride’,” she said. That changed last year when she was told she had to use an official bus stop further along the street. When she tried to board from a nearby corner instead, she said the instructions kept shifting. “A few weeks ago the bus driver told me I had to catch the bus at the third power pole. I thought that was a petty instruction. But I have obeyed.” The issue has been acknowledged by Waikato Regional Council’s director of regional transport connections Phil King, who said recent changes were sparked by safety concerns raised by drivers. He said there had also been inconsistency in how drivers applied hail and ride practices To address this, drivers were told to use only stops programmed into their ticketing machines, which are assessed as safe, but it resulted in a higher number of complaints than anticipated. It quickly became clear buses had been stopping at far more informal locations than were officially recognised, particularly on routes between Te Awamutu and Hamilton. Within days, drivers reverted to previous practices while the council reviews the situation. Staff have also contacted affected passengers to gather information about commonly used stopping points.
10 | CAMBRIDGE NEWS
THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
ON SHAKY GROUND
The El Hierro eruption By Janine Krippner
As I am gearing up for my yearly work trip to the Canary Islands, the 2011–2012 submarine eruption off the island of El Hierro is on my mind. The Canary Islands are a group of volcanic islands offshore northwest Africa, and part of Spain. Across millions of years, the islands have undergone numerous eruption cycles and partial collapse events. Eruptions below the ocean can be impactful, and this includes the unrest period. Unrest is the activity before the eruption itself. This includes seismic activity, the earthquakes that occur as magma, hydrothermal fluids, and gases, move through the brittle crustal rock, breaking the rock as it goes and possibly activating nearby faults. This unrest can profoundly disrupt communities, even when the eruption ends up occurring below the ocean. This was the case leading to the El Hierro eruption. For the communities living through this unrest, the uncertainty is its own kind of crisis. There is no way of knowing where the new vent will open, as is the case for our own Auckland Volcanic Field. We also cannot know exactly when, though that becomes clearer closer to the start of the eruption. The other unknowns are how big the eruption will be, then how long it will last. Although estimates can be made for those too with the right monitoring and information. Unrest was first detected in July 2011. The volcanic crisis had begun. The seismicity was largely below the island, caused by the intrusion and accumulation of magma that was centred around 10-15 km below the surface. This resulted in around 27cm of uplift.
As volcanologists, we are tasked with understanding the range of scenarios and helping decision makers, responders, and communities to prepare for activity with that uncertainty. This is a tough job with high stakes, and with real impacts for the people who live there. We can all imagine that not knowing if a volcano were to erupt below your home or business for weeks on end would leave scars. In September the seismicity showed magma migrating southwards. Magma doesn’t just travel straight upwards in settings like this. Seismicity was also accompanied by ground deformation, the slight movement of the surface from the magma accumulating below. When the main vent opened on October 10, located 1.8 km off the southern coast at 900m below sea level, the damage had been done. These are complex and difficult situations for everyone involved, especially when there hasn’t been an eruption in recent memory. Volcanoes are complicated, and so are people and society. It takes scientists and communities working together to help reduce the impacts of these events. The social sciences are critical to effectively doing so. The eruption ended on March 5, 2012, and volcanologists go on to spend years working on the data to learn more about how these eruptions progress. There is always a lot to learn about the volcanic system, but also the human side of these events and how we can better support our communities next time. And there will always be a next time.
AGE OF REASON
The wonder of Fieldays
By Peter Carr
The annual agri-pilgrimage is upon us again this week, to a Fieldays with notable changes, improvements and a full house. Full in the sense that every one of the 1300 pristine green sites are booked by 1000 exhibitors. As a past president of the Fieldays Society I take great pride in attending each day, arriving while it is still dark to take up my slot as an ongoing volunteer. That my wife agrees to join this crazyhour journey and complete a full day’s work is an indication that support of a ‘free’ nature is across all aspects of the community. This is the 57th edition of this prestigious event where in the region of (hopefully) 130,000 people will stream in through the gates to gape with awe and clamber to gain access to never-to-be-repeated bargains. Be it a huge six-wheeled tractor or a pair of gardening gloves. That the event is managed by a professional staff supported by a pro-bono professional board indicates there is money to be made. In effect the real spin-off is in the wider community. Up to $500,000 value in socioeconomic effect should emerge during June witnessed by an ever-growing number of handshaking politicians hoping to be noticed. This is the only week of the year – bar Christmas – that the House in Wellington does not sit. The green leather seats will be empty. And many of the usual occupants will be swanning around at Mystery Creek - more than ever this year as the countdown to the election has clearly already started. With apparent disarray within the
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three parties of the ruling coalition and an opposition devoid of real policies – also not expecting Te Pati Māori to return in any form of strength - there is much to be made of chatting up Jo Public in a relaxed atmosphere. Dairy farmers will be out in force enthused with a possible increased spending ability due to the brand-driven excess they recently received. The smart ones will have used some of this to retire debt but there should be something left over for the ‘goodies’. And remembering that the fair sex is usually 50 per cent of the farming partnership there should be something for the ladies too. I always regretted the removal of the fashion section at Fieldays, and big lumbering machines hardly fill the gap left behind. As usual someone will blame the Fieldays organisers for cluttering up the roads and adding to the perennial impatience that car drivers appear to wear on their sleeve. If you are starting your journey in Cambridge – or farther east – make good use of the free bus service. The use of this service (also from Hamilton) has grown annually since we started it about 10 years ago. Arrive relaxed, at a very low cost and be delivered right at the gate. No walk from a distant car park. No squabbling children and a much-relieved partner. Give it a try – every filled seat on the buses is a positive contribution to safer driving and reduced frustration.
CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 11
THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Dog registration reminder
Pip Kempthorne: Creating change from the top that understands people’s needs and responds effectively,” he says. “There are legislative requirements we have to meet, but I always want us thinking about issues from a resident and ratepayer perspective.”
Councillor Pip Kempthorne never expected local government would become a new career later in life. He saw a need for change following the early stages of the Cambridge Connections project and hasn’t looked back since. “I was frustrated and decided that if I wanted things to change, I needed to be part of the solution rather than standing on the sidelines throwing stones.” That decision led him to attend Cambridge Community Board meetings, learn more about how local government worked, and eventually stand for Council himself. He was elected last October in the Cambridge Ward.
This year, registrations are due by Tuesday, June 30, with a late payment penalty applying from Friday, July 31.
“We all think differently, but everyone around the table genuinely wants the best for the community. That’s what makes it positive.”
This year’s tag is GREEN, and it needs to be visible on your dog’s collar. The standard fees are $107 for urban dogs and $64 for rural dogs.
“If you want change, sometimes you have to help create it from the top,” he says. “I knew very little about local government at first, but I wanted to understand what was happening around our district and actually make a difference.”
“The difference between where it started and where the project is now is chalk and cheese,” he says. “There’s now much deeper consultation and real community involvement in shaping the future of the project.”
Now firmly settled into the role, Pip says one of the biggest things he has learnt is just how intricate Council operations really are.
Pip has lived in Cambridge since 2014 and enjoys spending time playing golf at Tieke Golf Estate, where he is the President.
“Waipā District Council is a complex organisation. We manage nearly $3 billion in assets and oversee hundreds of millions of dollars in operating and capital expenditure. That demands strong financial discipline while staying focused on the needs of the community. It’s a constant balancing act.”
It’s the simple things about Cambridge he enjoys most.
“I really want Council to be a customer-centric organisation
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Responsible dog ownership matters right across Waipā. And a key part of that is keeping your dog registered.
Pip says he particularly enjoys being around the Council table made up of people with different skills, backgrounds and viewpoints.
One project he has always been passionate about is Cambridge Connections.
With a background in executive recruitment as a consultant, shareholder and advisor, Pip has always been interested how organisations can perform better. Having worked across both public and private sectors, he brings a strong customer-focused mindset to the Council table.
If you live in Waipā, chances are you live with (or near) a dog. In fact, there’s roughly one dog for every 6.5 people here.
“I love Cambridge in autumn,” he says. “When the leaves turn yellow, orange and red, the whole town just sparkles in the sunshine. It really is a beautiful place.” Looking ahead, Pip hopes to see Council continue building trust with the community. “I’d love to see our resident satisfaction survey improve significantly. To me, that would show we’re listening, improving and getting things right for our community,” says Pip.
Your fees don’t just tick a box — they fund our services including: 24-hour dog control, pound facilities, dog exercise areas, dog waste bins, registration systems and tags, support for rehoming dogs and more! Visit waipadc.govt.nz/dogregistration.
Rates rebates deadline is nearly here! Are you eligible for a rates rebate? You'll need to apply by Tuesday, June 30 for this rating year. More Waipā residents may now qualify for help with their rates, with rebates of up to $805 available through the Government’s Rates Rebate Scheme. So far, we’ve had 1490 applications for this year, which means more than $1.1 million has gone back into the pockets of our residents. To find out more or download an application form, visit waipadc.govt.nz/ratesrebates.
Get in touch: waipadc.govt.nz/our-council/our-team/mayor-and-councillors
Dale-Maree Morgan
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Mike Montgomerie
Clare St Pierre
/WaipaDistrictCouncil
Marcus Gower
Aidhean Camson
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12 | CAMBRIDGE NEWS
THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
Inside Arapuni’s hidden past Ghosts, unexplained noises and a century of history. Mary Anne Gill toured the grand old Arapuni Dam and met the man who keeps it all running.
There is something about Arapuni Dam that stays with you. It might be the view from the top, looking out across the Waikato River. It might be the sense of scale when you start to understand what is hidden beneath the concrete. Or it might be the stories. Some of them are stranger than others. Production technician Craig Russell says parts of the station are believed to be haunted and speaks of noises that cannot easily be explained. It adds another layer to a place that already feels steeped in history. Alongside the engineering and the past,
there are people who have worked here for years who will tell you this place has its own character. The dam and power station at Arapuni have been part of the Waikato landscape since 1929. Constructed between 1924 and 1929, it was the first government-built high dam on the river and remains an important part of the hydro system today. Karāpiro, about 15 kilometres upstream from Arapuni along the Waikato River, is part of the same hydro chain. Between the two once stood the Horahora power station, built in 1913 and later swallowed by the lake when Karāpiro was created in 1947.
Mercury station production technician Craig Russell monitors Arapuni Dam inside the hydro station where unexplained noises are often heard. Photos: Mary Anne Gill
Arapuni can generate up to 806 gigawatt hours of electricity a year, enough to power around 100,000 homes. But keeping a structure like this running is an ongoing job. Tom Newson, Mercury’s programme manager for the current upgrade, said the work never really stops. “What we have concluded is that those seepage treatments in the left abutment and the retrofits that were done in the 1930s have effectively reached the end of their life,” he said. That is the reason for the latest project, which will see a new underground cutoff wall installed deep into the ground to
Arapuni Hydro Station opened in 1929.
manage water seepage. The work will take between two and three years and involves highly specialised techniques such as jet grouting, where soil is mixed with cement to stabilise the ground before construction begins. It is complex work, but it builds on a long history of problem solving at the site. Engineers discovered water leaking through the left abutment soon after the dam was first filled in 1930. Fixes were put in place, and more work followed over the decades as engineers monitored how the dam performed.
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CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 13
THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
In the mid-2000s, a major programme involved installing cut-off walls beneath the dam. That work has held up well, but changes in groundwater pressure were identified after distant earthquakes in 2016. Newson said monitoring is constant. “We’ve got about 120 real-time logged instruments in the abutment measuring groundwater pressures and seepage flows,” he said. That level of attention reflects how the dam is operated. “It’s a live patient,” he said. “We’re monitoring all the vitals as we’re performing the works in real time.” One of the striking things about Arapuni is how the old and the new sit together. Newson compares it to something familiar. “I kind of liken it to grandfather’s axe,” he said. “You replace the handle a few times, you might replace the head, but it’s still grandfather’s axe.”
e
That idea of continuity runs through the site. The original dam was built by the Public Works Department using the tools and techniques of the time. Photographs from the era show workers standing high on structures with little in the way of modern safety gear. Today’s engineers are working with advanced monitoring systems, international contractors and specialised drilling rigs. But in both cases, the aim is the same. Keep the dam working. The work ahead will focus on the left side of the dam, where a new cut-off wall will extend tens of metres down into the ground to limit water seepage. Before that can happen, the ground itself has to be strengthened. Jet grouting will be used to create columns of stabilised soil, forming a base for the wall and helping prevent collapse during drilling. All of this will happen while the dam continues to operate. As Newson points out, Arapuni is only one
Inside Arapuni hydro station’s long high-ceilinged turbine hall with its eight vertical turbine generator units – four installed between 1929 and 1932, two in 1938 and two in 1946. Units five to eight, shown in the foreground, were upgraded in 2012.
part of a larger system. “It’s part of a cascade system, it’s a very important link,” he said. That makes shutting it down for long periods difficult, so the work is carefully staged to allow generation to continue. The human side of the story is never far away. Staff on site have their own history with the dam, and their own stories. There is the climb known as the Stairway to Heaven, a steep set of 237 steps leading up toward the dam. And then there are the stories that get passed around. The records room is a case in point. Inside it are maintenance logs for every day of the station’s life. Among them are entries from the Saturday I was born in nearby Putāruru. They show station operators keeping the turbines running smoothly by managing electrical switching, monitoring pressure and temperature, and
controlling cooling pumps. Alarms were tested, filters cleaned and equipment adjusted as needed. Despite minor issues, the station ran steadily throughout the day. It is a reminder that while lives begin nearby, the dam just keeps going. For Mercury, the focus is firmly on the future. The current project is a significant investment aimed at extending the life of the dam and supporting the wider hydro system. “It’s about maintaining and operating a sustainable asset well into the future,” Newson said. The dam will mark its 100th year soon, a milestone that highlights both how long it has been part of the landscape and how much work has gone into keeping it that way. Standing on the dam today, it is easy to see why it matters. It is not just a piece of infrastructure. It is a place where engineering, history and everyday stories all come together.
Project manager Murray Ballantyne holds a record book open at the notes made the day senior writer Mary Anne Gill was born in nearby Putāruru.
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14 | CAMBRIDGE NEWS
THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
Recognition – 100 years on
By Viv Posselt
Last month’s unveiling of a headstone over 500km away has served to link Cambridge with the Wairarapa settlement of Tīnui through one lost soldier’s connection with Le Quesnoy. The headstone marks the grave of Alfred Michael Hall, who was born in Havelock North in August 1892. Hall served with the New Zealand Division during World War One. He saw action in Gallipoli, recovered from illness in
Malta, served at the Western Front, was wounded at Passchendaele, and was later awarded the Military Medal (MM) for ‘conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the field east of Le Quesnoy on November 4, 1918’. The citation goes on: “This soldier was the left flank man in the leading wave of the attack and kept constant touch with the company on the left, frequently having to fight his way backwards and forwards. His liaison work was of inestimable value to his
company commander who was kept aware throughout the day of the position of the left company. He also brought back valuable information concerning enemy positions which enabled his platoon commander to effectively deal with the obstruction. He worked tirelessly throughout the day.” He found love, albeit briefly, marrying a local woman in France. The union lasted only a short time and he returned to New Zealand where he worked as a rabbiter in the Wairarapa. Hardship
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and tragedy followed; he experienced what is today known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and was seriously injured in a major vehicle accident in 1925. That contributed to him taking his own life the following year, said George Stewart-Dalzell. As chief executive of The Grave Guardians, part of a nationwide network of volunteers committed to restoring the graves and memorials of people who served, she took on the responsibility for organising the unveiling of his headstone and delivered the eulogy. “Following his death in 1926, he was buried in an unmarked grave at Tīnui, where he remained for almost a century without formal recognition,” she said. ‘The weight of war does not always loosen its grip simply because the guns fall silent.” Tīnui is a small settlement 40km from Masterton. Records show that Hall’s address before he enlisted was Hastings in the Hawke’s Bay. Among those at last month’s unveiling were
members of Hall’s family, military and veteran representatives, and Monsieur François Bockel, counsellor for co-operation and cultural action at the French Embassy in Wellington. He said that like so many of his generation, Hall’s return was clouded by hardship, loss and early death in 1926. “For a century, his grave lay anonymous. Today, we right that wrong. By unveiling this marker, we do not just stonegraft a name; we reclaim a legacy. We tell Alfred’s spirit that his sacrifice, his courage and his suffering were not in vain,” he said, adding that the ceremony would resonate all the way to France. Stewart-Dalzell said members of Hall’s family contacted her about a year ago after discovering his grave remained unmarked. “Since then, we have worked alongside the family to help restore recognition and dignity to one of the men who helped forge the enduring bond between New Zealand and Le Quesnoy,” she said. “A memorial headstone was finally placed
Decorated WW1 soldier Alfred Hall.
in late 2025, shortly after the 99th anniversary of Alfred’s passing, and this unveiling service will formally honour his service and sacrifice.” Heather Wellington, chair of the Cambridge-Le Quesnoy Friendship Association, told The News she was grateful for the work done in researching Alfred Hall. “We acknowledge the service of soldiers linked to us in the way Alfred Hall was,” she said. “Our association tries to make connections with other places in New Zealand that may have links to Le Quesnoy. His is a particularly interesting and sad story.”
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Members of Alfred Hall’s family stand at his gravestone. They are, left to right, Rachel Hall, Carolyn Collier, Lorraine Hall, Matthew Hall, Kevin Hall and his wife Paulette. Photo: Bruce Levy
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CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 15
THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
Waipā prems beaten By Jesse Wood
First round winner Hautapu and Te Awamutu Sports both succumbed to losses at the start of the second round of senior Waikato club rugby for the Breweries Shield. The Cambridge side were pipped 27-24 away to Hamilton Marist and Te Awamutu Sports lost 53-10 to Fraser Tech at Albert Park. It was the first round of a top five series which also involves Morrinsville. Hautapu centre Waisake Salabiau and débutant Ollie Guerin scored two tries apiece, while Patrick Hedley converted half of those. Marist fullback Daniel Ticklepenny, from Te Awamutu, scored 17 of his side’s points in his blazer match (35th game). Former Hautapu and Canadian midfielder Spencer Jones also crossed the line for the home side. In Te Awamutu first five-eighth Takoha Lunjevich and captain Jake Russ were Sports’ sole scorers. Tech had the services of Manu Samoa representatives D’Angelo Leuila and Manaaki BoyleTiatia. Leuila scored 18 of his team’s points. Promoted Leamington had a bye first
There were plenty of scrums in Leamington B’s win against Melville B on Saturday. Leamington Rugby Sports Club
up in the Lone Star Cup where they are up against the bottom half teams from the first round of the premier competition – Matamata, Old Boys, Ōtorohanga and University. They were drawn against Melville – which is in the premier A competition in name only, so had Saturday off. Their B team hosted Melville B though, beating them 25-10. James Nelson scored one of Leamington B’s three tries. Trae Innes kicked 10 points off the boot. His kicks were the difference in the end as
Photo:
Melville B also registered three tries. Hautapu B pipped Marist B by three points – 23-20. Te Awamutu Sports B were on the wrong side of an 88-7 scoreline against Fraser Tech B. Women’s premiership side Mel-tap (Melville-Hautapu combined) dealt to Hamilton Marist-University 44-5 at Cambridge Memorial Park. Centre Maya Tebbutt helped herself to a hat-trick. Other try scorers included Tiare Dixon, lock Dani Wisen and blindside flanker Lachyn Moeke. Pivot Nikita Apiata added two conversions.
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16 | CAMBRIDGE NEWS
THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
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Across 1. Worry (4) 4. Select (6) 8. Control, restrain (7) 9. Killed (5) 10. Slender (4) 11. Actor’s lines (8) 13. Straight-legged march (5,4) 17. Not compulsory (8) 19. Cosy (4) 21. Multiply (5)
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Z O G K S A U C E R M S C P L A T E K V U N S P Y E H Y C T M N E Y U E E F N I J Q R E N E P O N I T V G E T R A S W T T T I M E R O B X G P Q T I P K E M N N D F G A V K D E G P L D E R R V A I G P R G X O E R R U E G C E E C P O X K R E P L R R A C Z E U H D S R P U R E N E C S I T G Y I A S N T T R A E S R E Z L M E G R E S A E E R E C N I M S E E Q R E E E K W L A V W N I D C R P R R F B K E T H B M W O I A I T O V O U E X C T F S T E O P S R U F S R A O T M O O I I A R R M A T Q Z S E E O N S R Z Y D N O K J B S I C I G N R I G C Q Q K K K T S S A L G C G T S U A F C M I C R O W A V E F S G Z L Z E L F M Z F M P C U A L U T A P S Y Z
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CountryLife THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
FEATURE
CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 17
JUNE 2026
The New Zealand National Fieldays Society has officially partnered with Genesis Energy in a three-year deal focused on enhancing energy efficiencies across the Mystery Creek Events Centre site, which also serves as a critical infrastructure location for Civil Defence in the Waikato. Photo: Supplied.
Fieldays: Gathering momentum By Mary Anne Gill
Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos was sleeping well on the eve of the country’s biggest agricultural event. “We’ve done a lot of work post Fieldays last year on what sort of event we want and how we want to work.” That preparation has paid off, with exhibitor sites selling out four weeks ago for the first time in recent years. “It’s actually a testament to the team having good strategy, good structure and processes,” Lindroos said. “We sold out … and we’ve also got waiting lists.” It is a long way from Fieldays’ beginnings at Te Rapa Racecourse in 1969 when the two-day event ran on a budget of $10,500 and attracted about 18,000 people. Nearly six decades on, it has grown into a major event
10 - 13 June 2026
at Mystery Creek, drawing crowds, exhibitors and business from around New Zealand and overseas. International interest continues to grow. “This year we’ve got 73 international exhibitors coming over,” Lindroos said. “We have well over 1000 international visitors coming down to do business with New Zealanders.” That success brings its own challenges. “When you have success, how do you manage that success,” he said. “You’ve got to keep doing new things and it’s not a rinse and repeat Fieldays.” One of the changes he is pushing is to expand the focus beyond the traditional four days. “We’ve got to take ownership of this whole Fieldays week,” Lindroos said. “Make it a week, not just four days.”
Fieldays is already extending into that space, with events starting earlier in the week and continuing beyond the gates opening on Wednesday morning. “We start having our first events on Tuesday,” he said. “It is kind of extending into those five days now.” Major events include a European Union function bringing together ambassadors and government representatives at Mystery Creek. “It’s one of the biggest events happening outside Wellington for the EU,” he said. There are also new additions this year, including Māori agribusiness events and a stronger programme of functions both on and off site. “We’re adding more things that gives a different flavour to the event,” he said. Accommodation continues to be a challenge as visitors
spread across the region and beyond. “To be honest with you, we need more accommodation, closer,” Lindroos said. “But that’s also a wee bit about a growth story for the greater Waikato.” Exhibitors are increasingly using a mix of hotels, short term rentals and accommodation as far afield as South Auckland. “We have good occupancy across particularly Fieldays week,” he said. Despite the scale of the event, Lindroos believes there is still room to grow. “I think we should go bigger,” he said. “But we’ve got to do it properly.” He sees Fieldays as more than a retail experience. “If you’re coming to Fieldays, you’re thinking it’s retail exhibition, but really it is a trade business event,” he said.
“That is where deals are done, there’s negotiation, people are coming together.” That connection remains central to its success. “It connects people, and that’s really important,” he said. Logistics are a major undertaking, from moving large machinery to transporting prefabricated buildings onto the site. “We move tiny houses here,” Lindroos said. Fieldays has also become a showcase for vehicles. “We are the unofficial official motor show in New Zealand,” he said. Behind the scenes, a large workforce and volunteers are critical to the event’s success. “You can’t do it without volunteers,” he said. For Lindroos, the days leading into Fieldays are long, with early starts and late nights. “We start probably at 5.30
Richard Lindroos
every morning,” he said. But by the end of the week there is time to step back and take it in. “Saturday is the day I can really walk with the crowds,” he said. Nearly 60 years after its first event, Fieldays continues to evolve. But its purpose remains the same, bringing people together to share ideas, build connections and do business.
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18 | CAMBRIDGE NEWS
COUNTRYLIFE
THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
Shaping Waikato governance Corridor project update REGIONAL COUNCILLOR’S VIEW
By Garry Reymer, Waipā-King Country regional councillor
By Viv Posselt
Since February, when the government made their thoughts on local government known, reform has been a central focus for myself and the Waikato Regional Council. In my earlier Good Local column, I mentioned that the mayoral forum had been set up, with Warren Maher, the council chair and our chief executive Chris McClay, members of that committee. They have been well involved with their counterparts across the region, working to determine a structure that will best serve the greater Waikato. Their discussions to date have clearly determined that the knowledge and skills required to manage the entire region’s catchments are far beyond the scope of mayors. The government has listened and introduced a new framework under the heading of ‘Head Start’, giving the regions until mid-August to come up with a better plan. Currently, the leading premise is that any two councils will be able to form a unitary authority. That authority would be able to take part, or all, of another council if it chose to. Any councils opting to stay outside of a unitary will most likely be forced to join one by the Crown. Any unitary will need to think about how it will manage the catchment. During the campaign I talked openly about local government reform and the potential for three unitaries: Hamilton and Cambridge in one, with the other two
Preserving the landscape and the social and cultural character it supports is becoming increasingly urgent as climate patterns change. That message was shared at the recent annual meeting of the Maungatautari to Pirongia Ecological Corridor Incorporated Society, the organisation behind the Taiea te Taiao Ecological Corridor project launched in 2021. Co-chair Clare St Pierre said the district’s recent extreme weather and flooding had highlighted both the vulnerability of the landscape and the need to strengthen resilience. She said the community stood at a pivotal moment and needed to act with purpose. Updates provided included a new website and an education resource developed with Enviroschools and BUPA. The learning box, launched last year, is now available for schools interested in engaging with the project. Taiea te Taiao links Maungatautari with Mt Pirongia through a 45 kilometre ecological corridor.
based on the catchments east and west of the Waikato River. Governance was a key reason for this, in terms of ensuring rural areas like Te Awamutu, Ōtorohanga and Te Kūiti did not have their voices drowned out by the large urban centres. Governance is key to the success of any entity going forward. With that in mind, I have another option for consideration. A single unitary authority from Pukekohe down to Mōkau could be possible, but headed up by a chairperson rather than a mayor. The chair would be elected by the council to better represent the interest of the unitary authority as a whole, and not simply elected by the catchment with the largest population. This could deliver the efficiencies of a single authority across the catchment but also give greater protection around governance. Waikato Regional Council is a good example of a fair appointment structure in action; it has been many years since it has had a Hamilton chair, with our current chair based in the Coromandel. It is not improbable that a unitary could have a chair from Ōtorohanga, Te Kūiti or Tokoroa. There is still a lot of water to go under the bridge yet, but I hope this helps you to understand the scope of the challenge in front of us and the work being negotiated behind the scenes.
A map showing the boundaries of the Taiea te Taiao Ecological Corridor with its two main stream catchment areas.
more than 27 kilometres of fencing. Predator control efforts have also expanded, with more than 4,200 recorded catches supported by local groups and landowners. Collaborative efforts are also under way to remove Japanese walnut along the Mangapiko Stream. Four iwi are closely involved in the project, and nine heritage sites have been identified. Seven pou whenua now mark key trade and cultural locations along the corridor, reinforcing the connection between people and the land. Although funding from the Ministry for the Environment ends this year, other support remains in place.
It aims to reconnect the maunga by enhancing native species, strengthening iwi relationships, and improving water quality. The project has been co designed with mana whenua, landowners, and other stakeholders. Key work includes planting, fencing, and erosion control along the Mangapiko and Ngāparierua streams and wetlands. It also involves restoring significant cultural sites, controlling weeds and pests, and establishing a biodiversity monitoring plan. Over 75,000 plants were added during the year, bringing the total to more than 325,000. Maintenance has included weed control across 47 hectares and
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COUNTRYLIFE
THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
Factory cuts discharges
By Mary Anne Gill
Fonterra’s Hautapu site says its new $85 million wastewater treatment plant is already improving environmental performance, while also strengthening links with the local community. Speaking at the site’s annual community night, environmental manager Jude van Bommel said the Wai Mahea plant, now in its final stages of commissioning, was already
Matt Roberts
Jude van Bommel
Dale Arbury
delivering better water quality outcomes. The plant uses biological treatment to process wastewater before it is discharged to land or, when conditions require, to the Waikato River. “We’re introducing bacteria and biology to build the capacity of what gets discharged,” van Bommel said. From July 1, tighter resource consent limits for wastewater quality come into force, but she said the site was already meeting those standards most of the time during the current season. Early results show reductions in key nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as more consistent pH levels compared to previous untreated wastewater systems. The aim is to reduce variability and long-term effects on land and water. The new system also allows treated wastewater to be applied more consistently to farms or diverted to the river during wet weather when irrigation is not possible. Monitoring of surrounding groundwater, including neighbour bores, will continue as part of consent requirements. About 79 bores are sampled regularly to track water quality. Van Bommel said results to date showed groundwater quality remained stable, with no expansion of affected areas, and improvements were expected over time as the new plant beds in. That could take several years but things were heading in the right direction, she said. Environmental incidents have also reduced over the past year, with reportable incidents dropping from six to three and fewer complaints about odour and noise. Most issues were minor, including a historic pipeline
failure and a discharge at the wrong location that remained compliant in terms
of quality. “We’ve worked through
Continued on page 20
Closing the Understanding nutrient loop Trust Structures By Mary Anne Gill
Behind the scenes at Fonterra’s Hautapu site, a less visible operation is helping reduce waste and return nutrients to land. Dairy Fert, part of the cooperative, manages byproducts generated during manufacturing and redistributes them to farms and other uses. Environmental solutions manager Janelle Jenson said Janelle Jenson, Dairy Fert it works across seven Waikato Environmental Manager sites, handling around 300,000 cubic metres of liquid byproduct each season. “Our role is to close the loop,” she said. “When a site produces something it can’t use, we find the best possible destination for it.” That can include redirecting material to other processing plants, using it as stock feed or applying it to land as fertiliser. About half of the material handled is spread on farmland, with strict controls to ensure it meets consent requirements. Each load is sampled and tested, particularly for nitrogen and phosphorus, to match nutrient levels to soil needs. “There’s a lot of calculation behind where it goes,” Jenson said. The introduction of the new wastewater treatment plant at Hautapu has added another stream to manage, with biosolids now removed from treated water and spread on land. These have a thicker consistency than liquid waste and release nutrients more slowly, which helps control how nutrients are released. For farmers, the benefit is environmental but also practical on farm, with nutrients returned to pasture in a more targeted way. Dairy Fert is also investing in new technology to improve efficiency and precision. A recently introduced self-propelled spreading unit can apply up to 9000 litres a minute and uses GPS to control where product is applied. The system can automatically shut off in buffer zones near waterways or boundaries, helping operators stay within consent limits. It also has the capability to measure nutrient levels in real time, although that is still being refined. Jenson said the equipment was part of ongoing work to improve productivity and manage environmental impacts. “We’re always looking at ways to do this better,” she said. For a site like Hautapu, handling large volumes of milk and byproduct, that work is a key part of reducing its overall footprint. And for the farms receiving it, it reinforces a simple principle. What leaves the factory still has value on the land.
FAR M SERVICES DRAINAGE
CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 19
FENCING
LANGSFORD – N&G
for Personal Asset Protection A popular option for many New Zealanders looking to protect their assets and plan for the future is the use of a family trust. A trust is a legal arrangement where a person transfers assets, such as a home, investments, or savings, to trustees, who then manage those assets for the benefit of chosen beneficiaries, who are often family members. This is documented via a trust deed, which sets out the terms of the trust. A popular and common trust structure is the discretionary trust. This structure allows trustees to have discretion in deciding which beneficiaries receive distributions and the amount distributed. This is because discretionary beneficiaries have no fixed right to the assets and, if administered correctly, creditors generally cannot claim them. The introduction of the Trusts Act 2019 has placed stronger legal obligations upon trustees. Trustees must act honestly, keep proper records, and manage trust assets in the best interests of beneficiaries. These duties improve transparency and accountability by trustees to beneficiaries. Trusts have long been used as part of estate and financial planning. One of the key reasons people establish trusts is for asset protection. In some cases, assets held in a properly managed trust may be better protected from personal financial risks, relationship property disputes, or business liabilities. This can be particularly important for self-employed people or those operating family businesses. Trusts are also commonly used to help manage the transfer of assets between generations for cohesive ownership, rather than assets being divided into individual ownership i.e. a beach property. It is important to remember that trusts are not a “one-size-fits-all” solution. A poorly administered or unnecessary trust can create additional costs and administrative work without providing significant benefits. In some situations, wills or another financial structure may be more appropriate. Therefore, it’s important to obtain legal and accounting advice before establishing a trust, as tax rules and personal circumstances can influence whether a trust is the correct structure for your needs. For many New Zealanders, however, trusts remain a useful tool for protecting family assets, planning for the future, and providing peace of mind. When set up and managed correctly, they can help safeguard wealth and support future generations.
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20 | CAMBRIDGE NEWS
COUNTRYLIFE
THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
High-flying farm chief By Monique Balvert-O’Connor
As a teenager Mike Siermans thought he might become a pilot. Instead, he has become a senior leader in a sector grounded firmly in the land. His appointment as Federated Farmers chief executive was confirmed in January after he spent several months in an interim capacity and coincided with severe weather that brought devastation to parts of the country. Through it all he learnt first hand of the value of Federated Farmers in times of strife. “We have a different perspective from emergency services as we know our farmers and can ring those provincial heads to ask what is needed. The collective knowledge that brings the community is incredible. “Federated Farmers is not just about productivity in farming; it’s about helping in adverse times. We can be the voice of our rural communities. This was demonstrated and is becoming increasingly important given climate change,” Siermans says. From his seat at the helm during those trying times
there’s Fieldays, where Federated Farmers will co-host an advocacy hub. Then, hot on the heels of Fieldays comes the Primary Industry Awards, staged by Federated Farmers on behalf of NZ primary industries. He has been busy from the outset and says the role suits him. “Within my career I have always looked to work for companies wanting to grow NZ Inc. I have worked for big, multinational companies and have a thing about putting my efforts and talents into making NZ successful. “Working within the biggest export sector in NZ provides the biggest opportunity and prospect to grow NZ Inc forward. I am working in alignment with NZ farmers to do good work every day,” Siermans says. The current Federated Farmers focus? In a nutshell, he says that would be financial and organisational stability and membership growth. The current membership of about 12,000 is strong but says 14,000 would allow greater investment in advocacy and support. “Advocacy is our game; our strength is our
Mike Siermans has taken over as boss of Federated Farmers. Photo: Stephen Barker
he worked with agencies to restore access so food and stock could move and spoke with farmers to ensure they stayed connected. Resilience and maintaining connections quickly became priorities. It was a demanding start to the role and proved useful preparation for future weather events. With the storms behind him, his focus has shifted to travelling to as many provincial annual meetings as possible. “There are 24 provinces and each has an AGM and I have tried to get to as many as I can, to meet people and work to identify their needs,” Siermans says. Next on the agenda
WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT
fraternity,” is his mantra. “We are across the provinces, understanding what the issues are, and then we go to bat for our farmers. There is good, robust discussion and an impact on local regulations and national legislation. I love that we are making a positive difference for them,” says Siermans who urges non-members to pick up the phone, sign up and support the good work Federated Farmers does. Siermans says the call he received suggesting he apply for the Federated Farmers position was perfectly timed. He’d been interested in moving into another field and the agricultural sector was in his line of vision. Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford acknowledges Siermans’ extensive senior leadership and commercial experience. Siermans, in return, considers it an “absolute privilege” to head an organisation highly respected by local and central government and farmers in general – one that’s highly influential when it comes to the future of NZ farming. Before joining
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Federated Farmers, Siermans’ career spanned fast-moving consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and technology, with senior roles at Douglas Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Animal Health, and most recently at Taura Natural Ingredients. His 15th birthday present was a flying lesson but university beckoned, and
the idea of becoming a pilot morphed into being a oneday leisure activity; that’s still on the cards, he says. “I decided to pursue business. I thought that would be a good way to influence outcomes and do good work,” says Siermans who has both a Bachelor of Commerce (economics major) and an MBA from Otago University.
Factory cuts discharges
Iwi and Fonterra staff at the opening of the Hautapu Wastewater Treatment Plant earlier this year. Photo: Fonterra Continued from page 19
those and made improvements,” van Bommel said. Odour has been a particular focus given community concerns when the plant was proposed. Regular monitoring is now carried out, with most readings returning low or negligible results. Noise is also being managed through upgrades to cooling towers, with further improvements planned. The environmental investment sits alongside broader changes across the site. Acting site manager Matt Roberts said Hautapu, one of Fonterra’s oldest sites at 140 years, continued to evolve while remaining rooted in the local community. “We’ve been part of this district for a very long time and that connection is important,” he said. The site processes up to 3.2 million litres of milk a day and exports products to more than 100 markets. Strong global demand for protein products had extended processing later into the season than usual, reflecting changing food trends, he said. At the same time, the site is transitioning away from coal to biomass boilers using wood pellets as part of Fonterra’s push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “That’s part of the commitment we’ve made around emissions,” he said, while acknowledging the shift comes with added cost. The site is also preparing for future transport changes, including installing charging infrastructure for potential electric milk tankers. Roberts said the technology needed to be viable before widespread adoption. “We’re aiming for the right point where it works for us,” he said. Fonterra’s national manager of environmental operations Dale Arbury said the wastewater project had also been an opportunity to strengthen relationships beyond the site boundary. “We didn’t want to just centre it on the wastewater treatment facility,” he said. “We used the construction as a way to build our relationship.” Arbury said the approach required a shift in how the company engaged with others. “In Fonterra we’re good at talking to people, sometimes we’re not always that good at listening,” he said. That had led to a stronger focus on communication and transparency, including sharing information about incidents and working through issues openly. For neighbours, the outcomes are practical. Reduced discharges, fewer odour issues and clearer communication are the results they experience. Van Bommel said the intent was to keep improving. “We can’t fix what we don’t know about,” she said. “And we want people to tell us if there’s an issue.”
CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 21
THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
with Jan Bilton
Going gluten-free
Being gluten-intolerant was once an almost unheard-of health complication. But over the years, navigating the world without gluten has become an extreme sport for millions. Enjoy Caesar Salad? Just watch out for that rogue, glutenfilled crouton because you might end up with those classic Coeliac symptoms of bloating, stomach pains, fatigue and headaches. Studies show that about 10 per cent of the population are wheat and gluten sensitive, but four out of five don’t know it. Coeliac disease is a medical condition. People with the disease have a permanent intestinal intolerance to gluten found in wheat, barley, rye and, in some cases, oats. Hundreds of everyday foods contain gluten, including breads, biscuits, pies, pastries, pasta, sausages bound with breadcrumbs, and sauces and soups thickened with wheat flour. So it’s scan every grocery ingredient list like a detective for that evil gluten! Most breakfast cereals should also be avoided. Drinks to dodge include lemon and barley water, as well as brewed drinks made with barley such as beer and stout. Luckily, gone are the days of cardboard-like bread. We’re living in an age of almond flour and tapioca magic. Manufacturers have quickly adjusted and improved their gluten-free ranges, and these products are more easily identified. Gf Prune & Chocolate Brownie This recipe makes one large, rich cake. It may be cut into quarters, wrapped in film and frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Great served warm or at room temperature with plain yoghurt, whipped cream and berries. Prunes:1 cup pitted prunes 1 cup boiling water 1/2 teaspoon baking soda Cake: spray oil 150g dark chocolate, chopped 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder 1 cup low-fat plain yoghurt 3/4 cup GF flour 70g ground almonds
GF Prune & Chocolate Brownie
Gluten-Free Orange Macaroons
1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla essence 5 medium eggs, separated 3/4 cup white sugar Place the prunes in a saucepan with the water and bring to the boil. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, until the prunes are soft. Stir in the baking soda. Cool a little. Purée until smooth. Then cool completely. Preheat the oven to 170°C. Line the base of a round 25cm springform baking pan with baking paper. Spray the base and sides with oil. Place the chocolate in a large microwave-proof bowl. Microwave on high in 30-second bursts, until almost melted. Stir until smooth. Add the purée, cocoa powder, yoghurt, GF flour, almonds, salt, vanilla and egg yolks. Mix well. Whip the egg whites in a bowl until fluffy. Gradually add the sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Fold into the chocolate mixture until just combined. Pour into the prepared cake pan. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a thin skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Preheat the oven to 140°C. Lightly grease an oven tray and line with baking paper. Beat the egg whites to a stiff foam. Gradually beat in the sugar until shiny and thick. Fold in the coconut and orange rind. Take tablespoons of the mixture and place on the prepared tray. Bake for about 25 minutes or until lightly golden. Cool on a wire rack. Makes about 26.
Gluten-Free Orange Macaroons 2 egg whites 3/4 cup caster sugar 2 cups desiccated coconut 1 tablespoon finely grated orange rind
Sriracha Stuffed Eggs A healthy gluten-free finger food. Crisp-fried shallots are available in the international aisle of most supermarkets. Sriracha is a spicy chilli sauce often used in Asian dishes. 6 large eggs, hard-boiled 4 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 1/2 teaspoons sriracha or to taste freshly ground salt and pepper to taste Topping: 1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds 1-2 tablespoons fried shallots 12 sprigs coriander 12 thin slices red chilli Slice the eggs in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the yolks into a small bowl. Add the mayonnaise and mash with a fork until smooth. Add the sriracha and seasonings and mix well. Spoon or pipe the mixture into the white shells. Carefully sprinkle the cumin seeds over the filling. Top with the shallots, coriander and chilli. Makes 12.
DEADLINE SALE
Easy Living, Prime Location, Perfect First Step
1
1
1
50 SQ M
7/14 THORNTON ROAD, CAMBRIDGE, WAIPA Opportunities like this are few and far between. Perfectly positioned in the heart of Cambridge, this charming one bedroom, upper level apartment offers an unbeatable blend of lifestyle, convenience, and value.
Whether you’re a first home buyer looking to step onto the property ladder, a downsizer wanting low maintenance living, or an investor seeking a smart addition in a high demand area, this property ticks all the boxes. Its lock up and leave nature also makes it an ideal base for those travelling for work or sport.
Beautifully presented and enjoying a peaceful sense of privacy, the home features a sunny private balcony ideal for your morning coffee or relaxing at the end of the day. Inside, the layout is practical and easy care, making everyday living effortless. A designated covered carpark and access to a generous shared common area add to the overall appeal.
Deadline Sale: Closes 2:00 p.m. Wednesday 1 July 2026 (unless sold prior)
Step outside and enjoy everything this prime location has to offer. Directly across the road lies picturesque Lake Te Koutu and the popular weekend markets, while a short stroll brings you into Cambridge’s vibrant town center, with its boutique shops, cafés, and restaurants.
Aimee Maxwell +64 27 336 8216 aimee.maxwell@nzsir.com NZSOTHEBYSREALTY.COM/CAM18881 Each office is independently owned and operated. NZSIR Waikato Limited (licensed under the REAA 2008) MREINZ.
22 | CAMBRIDGE NEWS
THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
LOCAL EXPERIENCE I LOCAL KNOWLEDGE I LOCAL EXPERT VIEW: SUN 14 JUN, 11:00AM - 11:45AM
NEW
1/1873 MAUNGATAUTARI ROAD, CAMBRIDGE – HOME 3
1
2
5,985m2 (approx.)
DEADLINE SALE (unless sold prior) – Closes 4pm, 09/07/26 Enjoy relaxed lifestyle living on 5985sqm (subject to Title) with stunning rural views, a welcoming community, and easy access to Lake Karapiro, Cambridge, and Hamilton. The modernised 1950s brick home offers openplan living, three bedrooms, a study nook, and flexible additional accommodation with its own bathroom. Complete with a large deck, threebay shed, garden shed, and bore water supply.
VIEW: SUN 14 JUN, 11:00AM - 11:45AM
NEW
2/1873 MAUNGATAUTARI ROAD, CAMBRIDGE – FARM 9.07 ha (approx.) DEADLINE SALE (unless sold prior) – Closes 4pm, 09/07/26 9 hectare (22-acre) property presenting an exceptional opportunity to secure a versatile rural holding in a prime location. Currently used for grazing, the property is deer fenced and include good farm shedding. Gently rolling contour with excellent options for building sites. Title pending.
CONTACT DAVID TO VIEW!
NEW
1/165 SMART ROAD, CAMBRIDGE 6,344m2 PRICE BY NEGOTIATION Secure your future with this outstanding lifestyle section, positioned in an area rapidly emerging as one of the district's most desirable lifestyle destinations. Encompassing 6344m², this exceptional property provides the perfect foundation to create the home you've always imagined.
David Soar
Rural & Lifestyle Sales Consultant 027 284 9755 | david@camreal.co.nz Licensed Agent Under REAA 2008
Cambridge Tamahere 474 Bruntwood Road 4
2
2
2
The four-bedroom double-glazed home provides comfortable family living, complemented by two generous living areas and two bathrooms, including a master with an ensuite. With the home set well back from the road, you’ll appreciate the sense of peace and privacy that this property offers. Set on approximately 4.33 hectares, the land is well-fenced into 12 paddocks, making it ideal for those looking to run stock, horses, or enjoy a lifestyle setup.
For Sale Price By Negotiation View by appointment or scheduled open home times www.kdre.co.nz/CB6855
Cassie Emmett M 027 215 9334
Book a complimentary rental appraisal and sign up your property with us between June - August 2026
RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY HEALTHY HOMES REPORT
OR SMOKE
ALARM SERVICING
*Scan the QR Code for Terms and Conditions.
Karapiro 21 Kiteroa Street 3
1
1
2
Step inside and discover a light-filled open-plan living area where the kitchen, dining, and lounge seamlessly connect to create the heart of the home. Designed for year-round comfort, the home is equipped with both a cosy fire and a heat pump, ensuring the perfect temperature no matter the season. A well-appointed family bathroom, separate toilet, and dedicated laundry add to the home’s everyday functionality.
07 827 8815
Deadline Sale 9 July 2026 unless sold prior View by appointment or scheduled open home times www.kdre.co.nz/CB6882
57 Duke Street, Cambridge
Maria Van Der Merwe M 021 106 9003 Gary Stokes M 021 351 112
kdre.co.nz
Harcourts Kevin Deane Real Estate
@harcourtskdre
Licensed REAA 2008
CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 23
THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
47 Alpha Street, Cambridge | 07 823 1945 www.cambridgerealestate.co.nz
@Cambridge Real Estate
@cambridge.real.estate
Helping you Buy and Sell your Dream Property The Cambridge Real Estate Sales Team
Graham Ban
Paulette Bell
Amy de Clifford
Arabella Dudfield
Lisa Dudfield
Kane Jacobson
Trevor Morris
RESIDENTIAL & LIFESTYLE SALES 027 448 7658
RESIDENTIAL & LIFESTYLE SALES 021 245 6888
RESIDENTIAL & LIFESTYLE SALES 021 0226 6622
RESIDENTIAL & LIFESTYLE SALES 021 0830 3031
RESIDENTIAL & LIFESTYLE SALES 021 272 2755
RESIDENTIAL & LIFESTYLE SALES 027 389 0301
RESIDENTIAL & LIFESTYLE SALES 027 205 3246
Eilish Russell
Kevin Russell
Rachael Seavill
Lenie Senekal
Debbie Towers
David Soar
Matt Seavill
RESIDENTIAL & LIFESTYLE SALES 027 300 0002
RESIDENTIAL & LIFESTYLE SALES 021 227 5482
RESIDENTIAL & LIFESTYLE SALES 027 722 4235
RESIDENTIAL & LIFESTYLE SALES 027 247 1900
RESIDENTIAL & LIFESTYLE SALES 027 689 8696
RURAL & LIFESTYLE SALES 027 284 9755
RURAL & LIFESTYLE SALES 027 444 3347
Residential, Lifestyle & Rural Listings Whether you are a first home buyer, investor, an expanding family wanting to upsize, or an empty nester wanting to downsize — let us help you find your dream property! With our team of 13 full-time sales agents, we have a large range of properties (residential, lifestyle, rural), bare land and sections available for sale in Cambridge, Leamington and surrounding rural areas. Visit cambridgerealestate.co.nz to view our latest listings, or scan the QR codes below:
Residential Properties Under $800K
Residential Properties $ 800K - $1M
Residential Properties Over $1M
Lifestyle & Rural Properties
Bare Land & Sections
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
24 | CAMBRIDGE NEWS
THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
07 823 2300 sales@more-re.co.nz www.more-re.co.nz 74 Victoria Street Cambridge Private, Sunny, Fenced Lawn Area
Opportunity Knocks!
Deadline Sale
Negotiation OPEN HOMES SAT 11 - 11.30AM & SUN 2 - 2.30PM
423 211
38Arnold Byron Street, 91B Street, Leamington Leamington
213
- Low-maintenance design and super easy-care section create the ultimate lock-and-leave lifestyle. - Perfect for first-home buyers, investors, or downsizers. - Outdoors, an array of fruit trees adds charm and personality. - Single carport provides everyday practicality. - Cute as can be and light and bright throughout, this inviting two-bedroom home offers comfort, practicality, and exceptional value.
Instant Equity Potential-Present ALL Offers!
OPEN HOME SUNDAY 10.45 - 11.15AM
1
1
- Charming two-bedroom home offers warmth, comfort, and plenty of potential to make it your own. - Featuring attractive timber interiors, spacious open-plan living, and well-proportioned rooms. - Step outside to enjoy the inviting backyard, large deck, and versatile garage/workshop. - Ramped access to the lounge slider provides added convenience and accessibility.
Landbank, Landbank, Develop!
VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT
OPEN HOME SUNDAY 2.00 - 2.30PM
44+ 22
16C Kereruu Street, Cambridge
22
- Vendors instructions are clear....sell it NOW! Price reduced for action!! - Move in TODAY! - Double glazed, brick, low maintenance, two lounges, gas cooking & water, 4 bedrooms, ensuite & walk-in wardrobe, carpeted double internal garage, excellent quality...sharp buying here. - Enjoy a bright open-plan layout with new carpet, a functional kitchen, and seamless flow to a sunny patio. - Privately positioned off the road, modern, low-maintenance home.
Wendy Tong 027 555 0633
2
87 Scott Street, Leamington
Negotiation
$999,000
Peter Tong 021 987 867
More Real Estate Ltd Licensed REAA 2008
Lily Tong 027 870 3317
Jason Tong 027 755 2902
61 Spencer Street, Leamington
4
3 4 31
- Exceptional potential for families, land-bankers, or developers alike. Here is a substantial 1,022m² section in a highly sought-after central location. - Scope to renovate, refresh, extend, or completely reimagine to suit your vision. - Large sections of this calibre are becoming increasingly rare. - Classic 1960’s brick home offers four bedrooms and the superb foundations of its era. - Possibilities here are undeniable.
Rebecca Napier 020 404 74120
Harry Singh 022 045 0554
Rod Fox 027 276 3369
Karlene Bhai 021 135 5466
32 | CAMBRIDGE NEWS
THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
AIR CONDITIONING
CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 25
EXPERTS
EXPERTS
AIR AIR CONDITIONING CONDITIONING
ALUMINIUM JOINERY ARBORISTS
Heat Pump Specialists
Air Conditioning Group Waikato are your specialists for Heating, Cooling and Ventilation for Homes, Rentals, Businesses and Commercial Buildings.
SERVICE REPAIR MAINTENANCE of all makes and models
y dl g ou tin 92 Pr era 19 op nce si
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PHONE: 0508 224 7687 MOBILE: 027 514 1521
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• Over 28 years experience Chipping, Felling, Maintenance, Pruning, Removals, in aluminium Stump Grinding, Hedge Cutting and much more • Aluminum Window Fully insuredand and qualified and Door Assessment Repair Service DENNIS CLEMENTS
Call today: today: 0800 0800 772 772 887 887 Call Web: www.pratts.co.nz www.pratts.co.nz Web:
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ARBORISTS
The Professional Arborists
• Tree removals • Pruning & maintenance • Hedge trimming • Stump grinding & more • Site clearance Call Matthew Trott today for a free quote
@TotaltreecareWaikato ARBORISTS EARTHMOVING
Total Tree Care Residential - Commercial - Rural
Simon Whale 022 469 2423 www.totaltreecare.co.nz - totalnz@gmail.com waipaali@gmail.com | www.waipaaluminium.co.nz
ARBORISTS BUILDERS PROUDLY OPERATING SINCE 1992
Qualified - Master Arbourists - Fully Insured
0508 TREE QUOTE / 027 485 1501
Chipping, Felling, Maintenance, Pruning, Removals, Stump Grinding, Hedge Cutting, Section Clearing & much more
New Homes | Renovations & Alterations URBAN, RURAL COMMERCIAL Bungalows & Villas |&Landscape Building Quotes & Consultations DENNISFree CLEMENTS - 027 485 1501
WE HAVE TRUCKS, DIGGERS & OPERATORS AVAILABLE NOW FOR SMALL & LARGE JOBS aspects of tree work, private jobs large •All Wheel & Track Bobcats • diggers • 4and wheeler tipper • 6 wheeler tippers and trailer • heavy vehicle commercial contracts. Digger with grapple / transporter • sharp levelling system chippers, stump grinding, mulch sales.
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M. 027 278 8833 A/H. 07 827 7362 E. k.g.builder@xtra.co.nz www.totaltreecare.co.nz | totalnz@gmail.com
@TotaltreecareWaikato
• Supply, deliver and spread: EARTHWORKS QUALIFIED • FULLY INSURED Rotten Rock – Metal – Sand • Site preparation: • Residential & Commercial Shed pads – House sites 027 514 0341 or contact form on website floors – Driveways – Soakholes We have overinfo@wilsontrees.co.nz 25 years’ experience. www.a1bobcats.co.nz
BUILDERS
CARCLEANING RENTALSSERVICE EXTERIOR
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Submit an enquiry on our website www.groundzone.co.nz
Cambridge Owned & Operated Explore the Waikato with Cambridge Rental Cars
High end builds, renovations, decks, everyday maintenance licensed LBP
Ryan 021 245 8068
Available for hire:
Cars HOUSE WASHING - ROOF TREATMENTS 12 seater mini bus Jumbo removal van GUTTERS - MOSS REMOVAL 100’S OF SATISFIED CLIENTS www.ewash.co.nz 39 Empire Street
M: 021 894633 07 827 5002 Phone Mark forP: a FREE Quote
EXTERIOR CLEANING SERVICES Cambridge Owned & Operated Cambridge Owned & Operated ambridge Owned Operated Cambridge Owned &&Operated
dge Owned & Operated
l
TONY COSSEY 027 410 7770 tony@tclearthworks.co.nz
EARTHWORKS
RURAL . RESIDENTIAL . LIFESTYLE RETAINING WALLS Corey Hutchison 3685 • 2, 8, 12 ton diggers021 • Tip 037 truck hire • Small 4-wheeler/6 wheelers/truck & trailers
www.cambridgecarrentals.co.nz 827 7386 | 027 432 2412
KIWI VETERAN ∙tier1fencing@outlook.co.nz Drainage ∙ Drilling ∙ Driveways ∙ Excavation ∙ Farm work ∙ Footings ∙ House pads tier1fencing.co.nz OWNEDholes & OPERATED ∙ Landscaping ∙ Post holes ∙ Section clearing ∙ Soakage ∙ Trenching
GARDENING GARDENING
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Landscaping Planting Hedges trimmed Trees trimmed
New lawns Weed control Pruning General cleanup HOUSE WASHING - ROOF TREATMENTS HOUSE WASHING - ROOF TREATMENTS Rubbish removed House washed Water blasting HOUSE WASHING ROOF TREATMENTS OUSE WASHING - ROOF- TREATMENTS ASHING ROOF TREATMENTS Gutter cleared Building Painting GUTTERS MOSS REMOVAL GUTTERS - MOSS REMOVAL Irrigation systems Free quotes GUTTERS MOSS REMOVAL MOSS REMOVAL TERSGUTTERS - MOSS REMOVAL 100’S OF SATISFIED CLIENTS www.ewash.co.nz 100’S OF SATISFIED CLIENTS www.ewash.co.nz NO JOB TOO SMALL 100’S OF SATISFIED CLIENTS www.ewash.co.nz SFIED www.ewash.co.nz 0’S OFCLIENTS SATISFIED CLIENTS Phone MarkQuote for a FREE Quote Phone Mark for awww.ewash.co.nz FREE
Phone Mark for a FREE Quote 870 3081 | 870 027 432 2412 3081 | 027 432 2412 ne Mark for a FREE Quote Phone Mark for a FREE Quote 870 3081 | 027 432 2412 70 3081 | 027 432 2412
One offs, Weekly, Fortnightly or Monthly Phone Carl 022 100 8265 www.cambridgegardenmaintenance.co.nz
KINDERGARTENS
LPG PAINTING
870 3081 | 027 432 2412
www.wilsontrees.co.nz 027 210 2027
• Broken Window Doors garden resurrection • Frameless Showers rose pruning • Pet Doors • Custom Mirrors hedge trimming • Tablemaintenance Tops • New Glazing • Splashbacks We Guarantee all our Work & Deliver Service with a Smile!
fruit tree care residential & commercial tidy up special occasions
P: 07 827 6480 www.cambridgeglass.co.nz 24/7 CALL OUTS 027 498 6046 ggworkz@gmail.com
KINDERGARTENS PAINTING
Regular LPG Regular LPG Deliveries Deliveries Cambridge and
Cambridge and Cambridgeareas and surrounding areas surrounding areas 7surrounding Day Cylinder Fill 7 Day Cylinder Day Cylinder FillR F I N D S I T F L O W W H E7 R E C O L O U – All Sizes Fill – All Sizes – All Sizes Interior & Exterior Specialists | 5– Year Workmanship Warranty – DON’T SWAP – REFILL Renovations & New Builds | Residential & Commercial ––Local DON’T SWAP – REFILL DON’T SWAP – REFILL and Loyal since 1888 ––
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For Local Service You Can Trust
022 544 6538
88 88 Duke Duke St, St, Cambridge Cambridge Ph Ph 827 827 7456 7456
info@flowfxdecorating.co.nz
J.E BRADLEY
Painter & Decorator
JIM BRADLEY 027 254 2318
INTERIOR EXTERIOR PAINTING ROOF PAINTING
26 | CAMBRIDGE NEWS
THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
EXPERTS PAINTING
PLUMBING
PLUMBING
Enoch’s Plumbing Solutions
Master plaster/painter • Exterior house restoration specialist • Roof restoration • Water blasting • Airless spraying technician • Gib stopping/Level5 Skim Coating
Reliable • Affordable • Professional
Plumbing Gasfitting Drainlaying Central Heating 107A HAUTAPU ROAD, CAMBRIDGE
P: 07 823 7263
Do you have plumbing or Drain Laying Problems? We’ve got you covered!
Certified Plumber & Drain Layer with liability cover
021 238 4763
Glenn Tarplett • FREE QUOTES mbl: 027 489 1299 • topshelfplasterpaint@gmail.com TOPSHELFPLASTERPAINT.COM
www.cominsplumbing.co.nz
www.enochsplumbingsolution.com
PLUMBING
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YOUR BUSINESS
ADVERTISE WITH THE EXPERTS
Need a plumber? • Bathroom Renovations • Gas Hot Water • Repairs, Service, Installation
0800 PRATTS
Your local heating specialist
YOUR LOCAL WASTE SERVICE vvV A division of Pratts
AVAILABLE FROM: 10 Albert Street, Cambridge 07 827 5400 | cambridge@pratts.co.nz | www.pratts.co.nz
Other Showroom Locations: 6 Main North Road, Otorohanga | 100 Roche St, Te Awamutu
SKIP BINS
• 9m3, 6m3, 3m3 bins. • Household, building and hazardous waste services
WHEELIE BINS
• 240L general and organic bins • 240, 600 & 1000L bins for commercial services
www.cambins.co.nz | info@cambins.co.nz | 07 827 3375
CALL Daniel ON 020 4023 8018 or email daniel@goodlocal.nz
BAY OF PLENTY
To advertise phone Janine 027 287 0005 or email janine@goodlocal.nz
CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 27
THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026
FOR SALE FIREWOOD FOR SALE – Pine, Birch, Native mix, shed stored. Ph 027 5713650.
SERVICES
CARS FOR SALE
DEATH NOTICES
DEATH NOTICES
LOCAL
2016 Holden Cruze Wagon
PREECE, Trevor James – In Loving Memory of Our Dear Brother Trevor James Preece 10 November 1954 – 15 May 2026. Although we were there to farewell you, we never had the chance to say goodbye. We will always cherish the memories, and the bond that time and distance could never diminish. Though you are no longer with us, you remain a treasured part of our lives and our hearts. Forever loved, forever remembered, and forever missed. Your loving sisters Eileen Findlay, Noeline McArthur and families. A very special thanks to Management of Mystery Creek Events Centre.
CULMER, Richard Leighton – Passed away peacefully on Monday 1 June at Resthaven on Burns, Cambridge aged 84 years. Loving husband of Judy. Loved father, father-in-law and stepfather of Tony, Claudine, Cherie, Mark & Bruce. Adored grandfather of Isaac, Ally, Brett & Amy. Rick is loved and will be missed by his nephews, nieces and many friends. In accordance with Rick’s wishes, a private family service has taken place. Communications to the Culmer and Sciascia family C/- Gibson Funerals, PO Box 501, Cambridge.
CCITY
WIDE D
PUBLIC NOTICES
ROOF CLEANING SPECIALISTS 100’S OF SATISFIED CLIENTS
We buy milk!
• ROOF TREATMENTS • MOSS & LICHEN REMOVAL • PRE-PAINT ROOF CLEANING • TILE ROOFS • COLOURSTEEL ROOFS • DECRAMASTIC TILE ROOFS
Got reject or surplus milk? Call us today on 027 871 5075. We collect within 1.5 hours drive from Te Awamutu.
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
PHONE MARK GORDON
827 7386
Got a job to fill? ADVERTISE YOUR VACANCY WITH US Call Liz 027 809 9933 or email liz@goodlocal.nz
SITUATIONS VACANT
Join the Team at Rob May Builders
Small practical, safe wagon in good condition. Perfect first car or workhorse. 1.8L petrol engine, 6-speed automatic, 8.2L/100km. Summit white, alloy wheels, cargo barrier in the boot. Has new WOF, 12-month Rego, and 4 new tyres. Travelled 176,000 km, mostly on open roads, ex-fleet car. Selling as is. $6,000 ono. Phone 027 287 0005
PUBLIC NOTICES Cambridge Community Board
Rural Farm Tour
Join Mayor Mike Pettit and the team for an informal morning on farm. Discuss rural and district matters in a relaxed setting Update from Police on rural crime First Aid update. Two sessions available — Tuesday, June 24 10am Roto-o-Rangi area 12pm Fencourt area All ratepayers welcome. Register to receive the address: andrew.myers@waipadc.govt.nz
Due to a strong workload and continued growth, Rob May Builders is looking to add both a qualified tradesperson and an apprentice to our team.
Missed Delivery? Phone 07 827 0005 FUNERAL SERVICES
As one of Cambridge’s leading building companies, we offer a diverse range of projects, including high-end residential homes, aged care villages, alterations, renovations, and commercial work. This variety provides an excellent opportunity to develop your skills, gain valuable experience, and build a rewarding long-term career in the construction industry. We are looking for motivated, reliable individuals who take pride in their work and want to be part of a professional and supportive team.
PUBLIC NOTICES
Remuneration will be discussed and negotiated based on skills, experience, and qualifications. To apply, please send your CV to: jono@robmay.builders
CHURCH NOTICES
Garage Sale
Family owned and operated 30 Gillies Street, Cambridge 07 827 2026 www.gibsonfunerals.co.nz
Turn your unwanted items into cash BRINGING BRINGINGGOD’S GOD’SHIDDEN HIDDEN TREASURE INTO TREASURE INTO THE THE LIGHT LIGHT
Haere mai - we welcome you to come along totoourour church service and Come along Come along church service Cambridge KidsSunday programme and Cambridge Kids 9:30 am 9.30am Sunday 9.30am Sunday& crèche with Children ’s Church 58 Queen Street Ph 07 827 6490 6490
cambapchurch cambapchurch www.cambridgebaptist.co.nz www.cambridgebaptist.co.nz
Place a Garage Sale ad in the Cambridge News Email text for ad (max 120 characters, including word spaces) through to admin@goodlocal.nz week prior to your garage sale day. Payment due Tuesday prior to garage sale day. Cambridge News is published on Thursdays.
Jono Gibson Funeral Director
GRAHAM, Cynthia Helen – Passed away peacefully at Summerset Cambridge on Sunday 7 June 2026, aged 92 years. Beloved wife of the late Trevor. Dearly loved mother and mother-in-law of Bevan and Jeanette, Brent, Alison and the late Darrin Baucke. Adored Nana of Matthew and Jess, and Zac. A service to celebrate Cynthia’s life will be held at Trinity St Paul’s Union Parish, 43 Queen Street, Cambridge on Monday 15 June at 11:00am. Communication to Cynthia’s family C/- Gibson Funerals, PO Box 501, Cambridge 3450.
OSMENT, Mark Luke – Passed away suddenly on Friday 5 June 2026, aged 22 years. Much loved and loving son of Nick and Sheryl. Loved brother of Ben, Kate and Robin, and Josh. Loved partner of Evita. Requiem mass will be celebrated at St Patrick's Catholic Church, 625 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu tomorrow, Friday 12 June at 10:00am. Communication to Mark’s family C/- Gibson Funerals, PO Box 501, Cambridge 3450.
Jim Goddin & Teri Keir - Funeral Directors
Caring support when you need it most.
Family Notices
07 827 6037
Call Janine 027 287 0005 e: janine@goodlocal.nz
3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge www.grinters.co.nz
• Engagements • Weddings • Births • Anniversaries • Bereavements • In Memoriam etc
28 | CAMBRIDGE NEWS
THURSDAY JUNE 11, 2026