Cambridge News | May 21, 2026

Under pressure

By Michelle Lachmann

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is celebrating its booming kiwi population, but its chief executive warns its own survival in threatened.

Helen Hughes told The News there was no more than seven weeks of operating cashflow, and the eight full-time rangers were at risk of burn-out after the most challenging year of operations ever.

It’s not the first time – The News revealed in June 2024 that the sanctuary was facing a cash flow crisis.

“The risk of staff fatigue and exhaustion is our biggest vulnerability, without a question,” Hughes said.

“My team is out on chain saws constantly responding to fence breaches, and it can be at 2am, but we only have two chainsaws,” she said There was no extra money to

employ more rangers, who patrol and monitor the fence around the clock, maintaining a safe environment for 35 different bird species.

The 3400-hectare sanctuary on Tari Road is home to at least one kiwi per hectare, bringing it close to holding capacity. The target was reached nine years earlier than originally planned, expected to be in 2035, Hughes said.

However, the past 12 months had been its toughest in its 25-year history, with 22 fence breaches - more than double the normal amount and the most recorded in a single year.

In 95 per cent of cases, a fence breach was caused by a tree falling, and that included some of the country’s oldest rimu, more than 700 years old, Hughes said.

A six-week trapping programme commences immediately within a 500-metre radius of a breach

“It’s not like mother nature serves us up one fence breach at a time. When you get significant winds, you are going to see more trees fall,” she said.

“This is conservation at scale, it’s significant - there is nothing else like this in the world. And, we are right on the back door of Hamilton, Cambridge and the central North Island,” she said.

About 200 community volunteers are a crucial part of operational work, helping care for bird species, or the 730 different types of native flora and fauna at the sanctuary, alongside predator monitoring and checking trap lines.

Ranger staff turnover was high

due to the relentless demands of the job, Hughes said.

She called on Waipā district and Waikato residents to support the sanctuary and its work by becoming advocates.

“Come up and be a part of this, get involved, or just come up for a coffee. We love it when the community gets involved. It’s vital to the sanctuary’s long-term survival,” she said.

A request to the Government for $3.2 million over six years was declined this month.

Conservation Minister Tama

said, in a letter, the financial environment was tough on all conservation work. There simply wasn’t enough money to go around, but he valued the sanctuary’s efforts to species’ recovery in Aotearoa.

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Signs of a drug operation

As a follow up to my request for information last week regarding the traffic crash on Carlyle Street, Cambridge, I’m pleased to report that investigations are progressing well and those involved have now been identified.

Today however, I want to take the opportunity to highlight an issue that continues to drive crime and wider social harm in our communities: illegal drug activity.

While, through previous columns, many of you will be familiar with the signs of drug dealing in residential areas, wholesale manufacture and cultivation operations may be located in commercial premises, sometimes right beside legitimate businesses. Earlier this year, a significant cannabis cultivation operation was uncovered in a commercial building in the northern Waikato, a reminder that these setups can operate unnoticed in busy areas.

There are several indicators that a commercial property may be used for illegal drug activity. New tenants may avoid background checks, pay cash up front, or request long lease periods while resisting regular inspections. The person named on the lease may then not be the one regularly seen at the premises. You might notice deliveries of cultivation equipment, garden fertilisers, chemical containers, or laboratory type glassware. Drug operations typically

Letters…

Muddying the waters

There were two very different, but both pertinent, articles in Cambridge News (May 7) regarding Waikato Waters.

What surprised me most was the fact that Waipā District Council has entered this new arrangement apparently without any agreed standards of performance. I would have thought these were one of the first things to be agreed upon. Which one of us would agree to pay for a service with no defined expectations as of what we were buying? Surely, it’s not too difficult to agree on simple shared service levels such as response time to faults, maintenance of acceptable water quality and pressure and adequate notice of planned supply interruption.

To be assured Waikato Waters “would address these issues as they arose” is no assurance at all, particularly as the new Council-Controlled Organisation and its board are totally independent.

require high power and water usage for heating, ventilation, hydroponics, or chemical processing, and offenders often tamper with meters or illegally alter electrical and plumbing systems. Windows are usually covered to prevent visibility inside, and large extractor fans or industrial filtration units may be installed. Externally, you may see increased fortification such as heavy fencing, locked gates, or extensive CCTV. Activity may be minimal - or occur at unusual hours - and strong odours of cannabis or chemicals may be detectable.

If you notice anything that raises concern, please report it. Every piece of information can help. You can do so anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by calling 105.

On the topic of reporting, I have seen an increase in posts on social media alerting locals to suspicious vehicles or activity. While I am all in favour of prevention opportunities, I remind everyone of the need to first report the same information to police. Your information relating to vehicle descriptions, timings and locations may well corroborate other information we have received identifying offenders or providing vital evidence as to their patterns and practices. If you see suspicious activity happening in front of you, call 111. Your information helps keep our community safe.

Mary Anne Gill’s article also raised some interesting questions, and I support her contention that we are far less tolerant of unnecessary distance – “whether that distance is geographic, financial or cultural”. We already see this lack of community and cultural sensitivity/appreciation in so many organisations that do not reside alongside us.

As she so rightly points out the new culture and expectations of Waikato Waters have already been set by their choice of headquarters decision.

Ray Milner

Cambridge

Goal achieved

Fundraising to help Cambridge’s Bruce Polglase buy a new scooter has exceeded its $8500 goal. A five-week on line campaign ended yesterday (Wednesday), and at the time of going to print just over $9000 had been received. Surplus funds will allow to Bruce to clear debt on repairs and maintenance his old scooter incurred, as well as provide him with a year’s worth of insurance on the new one.

Rates owed

More than $21 million in rates remain unpaid across Waipā. The district council has collected 81 percent of this year’s total. The figures are a slight improvement on last year. Council says most of the unpaid balance relates to current-year rates. A smaller portion has been carried over from previous years.

Dam road closed

The road over the Karapiro dam was closed for some time last Friday morning. It is understood the closure was linked to a lake weed issue.

Trainer dies

Cambridge harness racing trainer and former driver Susan Branch has died. A service to celebrate her life was held at Cambridge Raceway yesterday where mourners were asked by family to wear a touch (or more) of pink.

Money distributed

More than $111,000 has been distributed to people hit by February’s severe weather in Waipā. The Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund, set up after the state of emergency, has paid out $111,658.70 across 43 applications. Support has gone to families, small businesses, marae and community groups dealing with damage, lost income and evacuation costs. The fund is aimed at helping those still facing hardship after the storm.

Growth projects delayed

By Mary Anne Gill

Waipā District Council is spending less than planned this year, but delays to major projects are starting to bite.

A report to yesterday’s Finance and Corporate committee shows operating spending at 81 percent of forecast, just below the expected year to date benchmark.

At the same time, revenue is running slightly ahead at 85 percent, leaving the council with an accounting surplus.

Income was boosted by a dividend from Waikato Regional Airport, in which Waipā District Council holds a 15.6 per cent stake.

The underspend is partly

due to vacant roles. Lower employee costs are helping to keep spending below forecast. Lower-thanexpected interest costs have also contributed to the result.

The meeting was held after The News went to press.

Financial accountant Nada Milne reported the result reflected timing rather than extra money in the bank.

“The higher income, together with lower operational costs, has resulted in an accounting surplus,” she said. “But this does not necessarily translate to an actual cash surplus at the end of the rating year.”

The bigger issue is capital works.

Council has spent just

62 percent of its capital programme so far, well below the expected 83 percent.

About $23.5 million worth of projects have been carried forward from last year, and further growth projects are also pushed out this year. A significant share of projects is now being pushed into the next financial year.

Milne said the delays were largely outside council control.

“Slower than expected land purchases and developer or contractor delays have meant a number of projects have been carried forward,” she said.

Growth-related work has taken the biggest hit.

Capital spending for

growth projects is now forecast at $96.2 million, down sharply from the original $166.2 million budget. Council said many of those projects would now fall into 2026-27.

The council continues to plan for growth. District values have increased by about 1.25 percent over the year.

“There have also been capital adjustments bringing the forecast down, with the majority related to growth projects deferred to the next financial year,” Milne said.

That has a direct impact on communities like Cambridge and Te Awamutu, where much of the district’s growth is concentrated.

Projects linked to housing,

transport and infrastructure are being deferred, adding pressure to areas already dealing with rapid population growth.

A review of the capital programme is under way to better align budgets with realistic delivery timeframes.

“Carry-forward capital budgets will be reassessed through the capital works programme review to better align forecast cash flows with budget timing,” Milne said.

For Waipā residents, it means some of the roads, pipes and other infrastructure needed to support growth will take longer to turn up.

• Waipā in ‘strong position’ – See Page 9.

Peanut ahead – handle with care

Hamilton’s most talked about roundabout in years, christened the peanutabout, is open – and that’s good news for many Cambridge News readers.

State Highway 26 – Morrinsville Road – was closed at the intersections of Matangi and Silverdale roads in mid-February to enable a $6.4 million peanut shaped roundabout to be constructed.

Residents in Matangi Road in particular had their main route into the city blocked and school drop off times for many parents ballooned as they negotiated through peak hour morning traffic.

For Wintec’s Cate Prestidge a 10-minute journey became a 25 minute one and to avoid commuter traffic making it even longer, she left home earlier, at 7am.

“I’m very happy – I left for work at 7.45am this morning and got to work at 8am,” she told The News on Monday. And of the return trip at 5.30 traffic flow was “pretty seamless going around”.

But she warned the roundabout should be treated with respect.

“It’s quite tight and perhaps that’s deliberate, but people must moderate their speed on the peanutabout,” she said.

The new look road comes with

reduced speed limits – down from 80 to 50 and 60kmh.

That’s also been welcomed –though Prestidge suggested it could have been done a long time ago to reduce safety issues on the road. Part two of the Morrinsville Rd project, taking the cost to $11 million will

involve new cycleways, streetlights and upgrades to pedestrian crossings.

Hamilton City Council said it had completed stage one early and under budget - and the complete closure of the road had enabled that part of the job to be finished six months quicker.

Matangi Rd cyclists Amanda Burney and Warren Kin were impressed.

Burney said biking to work was the “new normal” and footpaths and cycle paths were “heaps better”. King said it looks nice and new and “even after a few days it feels like the best kind of normal already”.

New ambulance in town

A new Hato Hone St John emergency ambulance has been welcomed to service the Cambridge area.

The Generation 4 emergency vehicle, funded jointly by longstanding Hato Hone St John supporters Grassroots Trust and the Greenlea Foundation Trust was dedicated earlier this month.

The ambulance will help field a Waikato workload that has been rising annually. More than 50,900 emergency ambulance callouts were logged across the region last year. The new ambulance is expected to travel half a million kilometres in its lifetime and respond to more than 30,000 incidents.

The vehicle’s blessing at Hato Hone St John’s Te Awamutu ambulance station was attended by Grassroots Trust and Greenlea Foundation Trust representatives, Hato Hone St John Order members, ambulance staff and fundraising team members.

The dedication took place in Te Awamutu as the Cambridge station was booked out.

St John South Waikato area operations manager Craig Scott said the organisation was very grateful for the continued generosity of both trusts. “Our ambulance staff receive excellent training, but having a state-ofthe-art ambulance with modern

equipment is what enables them to provide the best care they can for our patients.”

Grassroots Trust has supported Hato Hone St John for many years, funding more than $4.5 million for vehicles and equipment since 2022. They have contributed towards 28 vehicles and lifesaving equipment across the North Island.

Grassroots Trust executive chairman Martin Bradley said

the organisation recognised the vital work ambulance officers do every day. “We want to make a tangible and meaningful difference that honours their work.”

Greenlea Premier Meats’ livestock manager Greg Clarke handed over the keys to the new ambulance, alongside Grassroots Trust director Kevin Burgess MNZM.

Ongoing support provided by

the Greenlea Foundation Trust to Hato Hone St John has included the funding of new ambulances, a health shuttle and emergency ambulance equipment.

Greenlea Premier Meats general manager Aaron Craig said Greenlea established the Foundation in 2011 to support a range of charitable initiatives across communities that were the cornerstone of its business for over 30 years.

Briefs…

Detail wanted

The community is seeking “greater transparency” around Waipā District Council’s ‘Future Us’ organisation restructure, Cambridge Community Board chair Charlotte FitzPatrick says in her latest report. There remains a lack of clear understanding in the community about how individuals are affected, what cost savings are being achieved, and how the restructure will be rolled out over time, she said at Tuesday’s board meeting after The News went to press.

Driver charged

Police say a call from the public led to the arrest near the Tamahere offramp of a 34-year-old man on charges of drinkdriver and breaching bail conditions. Senior Sergeant Wayne Shanks said the caller reported seeing a vehicle crossing over both lanes at speeds between 30 and 100 kph shortly before 3am on Wednesday last week.

Water woes

Complaints about drinking water services are running higher than expected across Waipā, though council says there is no risk to public health. Figures show complaints at 21 per 1000 connections, more than double the target of fewer than 10. Some of the increase is a consequence of a new reporting system that captures complaints more accurately.

Solar boost

A $2 million solar farm at Cambridge’s wastewater treatment plant should pay for itself in six years, Waipā District Council says. The 1.2-megawatt facility will generate sufficient energy to power half the plant’s daily load.

NEW X-TRAIL

Show and tell…

Waipā’s third Home and Leisure Show at Karapiro has been branded another success.

Thousands of people spent three days browsing the Sir Don Rowlands centre where more than 70 stalls had been set up.

For St Kilda Café and Bistro owner Vikram Singh it was a busy three days spent with a smile on his face.

At this month’s Waikato Hospitality Awards St Kilda placed third in the restaurant category – which was won by another Cambridge restaurant, Alpino. To cap that off, St Kilda also won the people’s choice award.

Singh purchased the business last August and has striven to increase its appeal – and is proud to see its rating improve on the Tripadvisor app.

Upstairs, Tamahere Lions were on deck showing off the community E-Trike they have donated to Riverside Adventures.

The E-Trike is available for use - free - the Te Awa River Ride, making the ride accessible to people who might not otherwise be able to use it.

Back down stars it was impossible to walk past the Zendah Candle stall without noticing the aromas from what appeared to be incredible decorative cocktails.

Natalie Chapple explain the candles are made to burn – but they are usually used as decorations.

Stall holders reported a steady stream of enquiries throughout the three days.

Good Local Media publisher David Mackenzie said he was delighted that in the current economic climate the show still drew in the crowds.

“What struck me was that people were happy… the feedback from both exhibitors and the public was positive – and it helped that the weather was brilliant,” he said.

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We are not Singapore

By Peter Nicholl

The Prime Minister was reported after his recent trip to Singapore to be looking at the Singapore model to fix our economy.

I agree that the Singapore model has been very successful for them. In 1990 the gross domestic product of Singapore and New Zealand were about the same. Prior to that, Singapore’s GDP had been below ours.

Today it is more than double that of New Zealand and the gap is continuing to get bigger. Unfortunately, we are not Singapore.

About the only thing we have in common is a relatively small population: 6.1 million in their case, 5.3 million in our case. The geographic differences are huge and significant. Singapore is in Asia. Close to three billion people live within 4500 kilometres of them. This both gives them trading opportunities and makes them an important transport hub. Around 25 million people live within 4500 kilometres of us - less than one per cent of the Singapore number.

Singapore is also small with a very high population density. Its land area is only 744 square kilometres - smaller than the urban area of Auckland. Our area is 268,000 square kilometres. Singapore’s compactness is a huge advantage for many infrastructure projects such as roading and public transport.

New Zealand can do nothing about the geographic advantages Singapore has. I remember listening to a Goon Show when I was young in which the Goons solution for Britain’s poor economic performance was to tow it across the Atlantic and anchor it near America. Alas, that solution isn’t available to us.

The characteristics in which New Zealand

is ‘not Singapore’ are not just geographical. There was a very good opinion piece in the New Zealand Herald recently by Leonard Hong that described other differences between the two countries. The most significant is that Singapore has built strong financial institutions such as a Central Provident Fund, a national infrastructure fund and sovereign wealth funds. Because of these institutions, Singapore has been able to finance its own high level of infrastructure investment and become a capital-exporting country. New Zealand has under-invested in many key infrastructure areas and much of the investment we have done has been financed by borrowing. New Zealand set up a Compulsory Savings Fund in 1975 – but it was scrapped after less than a year. Singapore is also more efficient in implementing large-scale infrastructure projects. Leonard Hong noted in Singapore the technical requirements of projects are clear and accurate, and the approval process is rapid. Here it is long and tortuous, and new governments often cancel projects started by their predecessor. I have been amazed by how often the cost of infrastructure projects end up being much higher than what was estimated when the project was approved. I don’t know if the problem is inefficient implementation or faulty technical analysis. It is probably a mixture of both. Our model for implementing infrastructure projects could not be further away from the Singapore model.

Seeing through the fog

By Murray Smith, Bridges Church

It’s not uncommon to have dense fog settle like a blanket across the Waikato. Due to low-lying damp areas and river valleys surrounding the Waikato River, we’re known as one of the ‘foggiest’ areas in New Zealand.

Fog is basically a cloud forming at ground level as microscopic water droplets become suspended in the air when the earth cools down. When air cools to a point where it can’t hold water vapour, that vapour condenses into cloud droplets, which we see as fog.

I’ve had close ‘encounters’ navigating foggy Waikato roads. One night driving home to Cambridge, visibility was down to 15 metres. I drove carefully respecting the conditions, straining to follow the road’s features. A large nondescript shape suddenly loomed out of the gloom. I hit the brakes and inched forward. The ‘shape’ revealed itself to be a big black cow standing indifferently in the middle of the road. She eyed me casually, reluctant to move. I got out and tried to ‘encourage’ her over to the side. Lights of a nearby farmhouse dimly glowed through the mist. I made my way there and the occupants took over.

Fog certainly impacted things for young Florence Chadwick. Having been the first woman to swim the English Channel both ways, she entered the waters from Catalina Island to swim 35 kilometres to the coast of California. Her support crew gave encouragement from small boats. The water was cold, the currents were difficult and it was disconcerting having to keep sharks at bay with a rifle.

Then fog settled in. Exhausted after 16

hours, Florence begged to be pulled on board.

Florence’s mother urged her to press on since she was so close. From Florence’s perspective, with the terribly daunting fog, it was over…disappointingly, she was scarcely a kilometre from shore.

Later she told a reporter “I’m not making excuses but feel I could have made it if I could just have seen the land….”

‘Fog’ metaphorically describes what the Bible refers to as ‘the veil over all nations’ (Isaiah 25:7-8). This ‘shroud’ over the world is a reality evidenced today by manifold evil agendas and spiritual darkness ‘blanketing’ our troubled planet earth. Mists of distorted ideas and deceptive theories have obscured truth, destroying values resulting in multitudes losing their way. It’s popular these days to refer to ‘my truth’ while objective truth, relevant for everyone, is rejected. The fog shrouding Florence distorted her perspective. In a spiritual sense we too cannot see properly due to flawed, limited perception…only God can lift the veil off us, restoring true perspective.

The Bible states, “Your life is like the morning fog - it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.”(James 4:14). This graphic description of our fleeting earthly life being temporary and unpredictable like mist or vapour is apt…not knowing what tomorrow holds, makes knowing the one who holds tomorrow, imperative. Fully entrusting our lives to God, we find lasting clarity, purpose and unshakeable hope and peace.

Waipā in ‘strong position’

Waipā District Council says it is on track to meet national growth targets.

At a growth workshop last week executive director Katie Mayes told the council Waipā was in a strong position.

“We’ve planned well, invested at the right time and we’re ready for the growth ahead,” she said.

The government’s National Policy Statement on Urban Development classifies Waipā as a Tier One, or high-growth, urban area. Tier One councils are required to enable 30 years of feasible housing capacity in their district plans, using high population growth projections.

Approximately half the growth has happened in Cambridge, quarter in Te Awamutu and Kihikihi and a quarter in the rural part of the district.

Non-residential building consents which peaked at 60 in 2019/20, dropped to 17 in 2025/26.

This included the new Cambridge Wastewater

Treatment Plant, a $108.5 million investment which is due to open later this year.

The population of Waipā is expected to grow by about 8100 people between now and 2035 and approximately 3600 new houses will be needed. In the next 30 years Waipā is expected to grow by 22,200 people –requiring about 9300 new houses.

Mayes said the Council was improving how growth is planned, tracked, and delivered with tighter sequencing, investment timing, and datadriven decision-making. This will be addressed as part of the council’s Future Us transformation programme.

The workshop also considered draft growth principles intended to guide how the council strategically manages, plans, and responds to growth in its 2027-37 Long Term Plan.

The growth principles will be presented for adoption at a council meeting in late June.

ENGINEERING SUPPLIES

Award for van der Poel

Former Dairy NZ chair Jim van der Poel has been presented with an award for outstanding service to the dairy sector .

The award for the Waipā business leader was made at the National Dairy Industry Awards in Rotorua where he spoke of his passion for the programme.

The Services to the Dairy Industry Award is given out on rare occasions and Tim Mackle was the previous recipient in 2023.

Van der Poel was applauded by a crowd of more than 640 dairy farmers and industry representatives.

“I was blown away. I’m very appreciative because it is such a significant award,” he said. “You don’t do it for the recognition –you do it because you want to help or make a difference.”

He accepted the award with his wife Sue. The pair were winners of the Waikato Sharemilker of the Year in 1987 – which was just before the regional programme became national in 1989.

“I’ve been really lucky with the support I’ve had. Of course, the biggest support has come from Sue and my wider family, but also all the business partners and people I’ve

worked with. You do these roles and other people fill in for you or support you, so I’ve been really lucky.”

He cited the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards programme as an important part of building the capability of farmers who would eventually stand up to be similar representatives in leadership roles for the industry.

“I’m a great fan of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards because they celebrate success within the industry. They also recognise and identify really good people coming through and offer learning opportunities for them.

New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Trust Chair Paulette Johns presented the award, recognising outstanding commitment to the dairy sector, including governance roles with Fonterra and DairyNZ.

“Jim is recognised as a distinguished leader across the dairy sector, having made a sustained and influential contribution over more than four decades of farming, governance and national industry leadership,” Johns said.

Karāpiro sale collapses

By Mary Anne Gill

The sale of part of a council-owned rural property near Lake Karāpiro has fallen through and is back on the market.

The subdivided Lot One of four on Maungatautari Road, expected to go unconditional last month, did not settle and is being offered again, this time as a deadline sale with wider marketing.

The News understands the agreed price was $915,000, but the potential purchaser was unable to sell their own property to complete the deal.

The property is being marketed as a lifestyle opportunity near Cambridge and Lake Karāpiro, signalling a more traditional sales approach than the earlier process.

When The News reported on the proposed sale in April, sources said the subdivided lot

was expected to sell for less than $1 million, but above its most recent council valuation. The land forms part of a 19.481 hectare Maungatautari Rd property bought by Waipā District Council for $5.32 million in 2021. The council has been working through a subdivision plan to create three rural residential titles and a larger balance lot, with proceeds intended to help fund improvements at Waipuke Park and extend Te Awa cycleway connections.

Councillors approved the subdivision in May last year. Māori ward councillor DaleMaree Morgan abstained from voting. Information released to The News under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act earlier this year showed the initial sale attracted limited interest, and one offer was withdrawn before a second conditional agreement was reached.

Greyhound adoption day planned

By Jesse Wood

With an increased focus on rehoming retired racing greyhounds, the Shoe Box Appeal Open day and the May Hounds Greyhound Rehoming group adoption day event will take place at Cambridge Raceway on May 31.

Great Mates in Cambridge and Te Kūiti are among the rehoming agencies involved across the region.

Waipā-based greyhound advocate Jenny Bartlett says their priority is ensuring every dog has the opportunity for a happy life beyond racing.

“We have more than 1700 dogs to rehome over the next few years. Last year, just under 700 greyhounds found homes and we’re on the lookout for more responsible pet owners to give these well-cared for dogs a new home,”

Bartlett said.

“This event is about bringing the community together, raising awareness and helping people connect with these amazing dogs. They’ll all be there from 10.30am.

“We encourage people to come along and talk to the experts. In attendance will be May Hounds and Great Mates Cambridge.”

The event coincides with King’s Birthday weekend, and people will be encouraged to dress up in a royal theme to claim the prize of king and queen of the greyhounds.

“Greyhounds make incredibly gentle, loyal pets and this is a great chance to learn more about what’s involved in giving one a home,” Bartlett said.

The day will include a track walk featuring retired greyhounds and their owners as well as information about the adoption process.

Mentoring for Manaia

A Te Awamutu born woman who left school at 15 and faced significant challenges, including losing her home in a fire, has been selected to receive mentoring under the Tuia Rangatahi programme.

Manaia Emery, 25, says her journey hasn’t been straightforward, but it’s shaped her purpose.

“I want our rangatahi to see that you can do something if you put your mind to it. You can change your path.”

That belief led her to apply for the Tuia Rangatahi

programme, where she is connecting with other young Māori leaders and being mentored by Waipā District Council Mayor Mike Pettit.

“Manaia wants to show what is possible when someone is willing to put themselves forward and commit to something bigger than themselves,” Pettit said.

Through the programme, which is run across the country, Emery will receive one-on-one mentoring and attend workshops.

She is studying Te Pou Hono ki Taiao, (Environmental Studies and

Conservation

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Winter night ride returns

By Mary Anne Gill

Winter has a way of talking you out of leaving the house.

Then someone hands you a bike, a set of lights,

and a very persuasive glow stick, and suddenly the dark becomes the whole point.

Light Night is equal parts adventure and community parade, where the cold air pinches your cheeks, the trail

goes properly dark in places, and the brightest thing you see is the creativity people strap to their wheels, their jackets, and their dogs.

The Te Awa River Ride’s popular Light Night event

returns to Cambridge in late July, and organisers are expecting another big turnout for what has quickly become one of the town’s most anticipated winter gatherings.

The free, family-friendly event starts at the Gaslight Theatre and invites people to walk, cycle, scoot or roll along a two-kilometre stretch of the trail towards the Velodrome and back.

Food trucks, live music and children’s activities will create a hub at the start and finish, while along the trail riders and walkers will encounter illuminated sections, installations and plenty of opportunities to stop and warm up. Hot drinks are part of the experience, and so too is the challenge of navigating stretches of real darkness.

Te Awa River Ride

Waipā students amplified

By Jesse Wood

Former Rukuhia Primary and Cambridge High School student Lachie Holt is helping give Waikato kids the taste of a Kiwi music dream through Amplify Aotearoa.

This includes Waipā primary schools Te Pahū and Pirongia.

Last year, the Hamilton East school teacher was in charge of a 50th anniversary celebration of Split Enz’s Mental Notes album.

Split Enz, containing one of Te Awamutu’s favourite sons, Tim Finn – and later brother Neil –released their groundbreaking debut album in 1975.

To celebrate the milestone, students from Hamilton East School performed songs from the album alongside Mike Chunn, a founding member of the band.

The live performance was recorded and pressed on vinyl records. Amplify Aotearoa was born following this.

Amplify Aotearoa will hit the Clarence Street Theatre in August, bringing together some of Aotearoa’s most respected musicians with Waikato students

in a one-of-a-kind concert and recording project.

This year Holt has got several schools involved with the likes of Cambridge-based Jason Kerrison (Opshop), Don McGlashan (The Mutton Birds) and Harry Harallambi (The Exponents). The Waipā students will work with Harallambi.

Jono Gemmell, music teacher at Te Pahū and Pirongia, said it’s an exciting opportunity for young students from rural Waikato to perform on a big stage with iconic New Zealand artists.

“For many of these students, it is their first time performing in a large-scale concert, and a chance to experience what it means to be a part of something musical at this level,” Gemmell said.

“The students are extremely excited about the opportunity and are even more focused with the musical purpose of playing songs written by amazing New Zealand musicians and performing with them on stage.

“It has been exciting for the students to start communicating with these artists, sending through update clips of them playing their songs, as they work towards the

big night.”

Other schools involved include Peachgrove Intermediate, Hamilton Girls’ High School, Hamilton Christian School, Hillcrest High School, Marian Catholic School and Coromandel Area School.

Together they’re recreating the artists’ tracks on vinyl.

Holt said Amplify Aotearoa came from wanting to show students that creativity is something worth backing and believing in.

“So many kids have massive talent in music, art and performance, but the school system doesn’t always create enough space for that side of them to grow,” Holt said.

“A lot of young people never actually get the chance to experience what following those dreams could feel like.”

“This kaupapa is about giving them that taste of the dream — collaborating with real artists, recording music, performing on stage and seeing that these goals aren’t just impossible ideas for ‘other people’. They’re achievable.”

The biggest thing for Holt is

Charitable Trust trail manager Sarah Ulmer said the appeal of Light Night was its simplicity.

“We want to give the community a great excuse to get out moving together in winter and experience Te Awa in a completely unique way,” she said.

Not everything is lit, which is part of the point.

“Only parts of the path will be lit up and some will be pitch black, so even if you’re strolling, not rolling, everyone must bring lights,” Ulmer said.

The event has grown rapidly since it was first held three years ago. Numbers have risen each year and thousands now turn out.

Participants are encouraged to decorate not just their bikes, but themselves, their scooters

and even their dogs, and prizes are awarded for the best glowing creations.

The Cambridge ride is no longer the only one lighting up Te Awa. A Ngāruawāhia Light Night will be held in August, giving northern communities their own chance to experience the trail after dark.

Starting from The Point on the lower Waikato Esplanade, the shorter 1.4km route heads towards Belt St and back, offering a similar mix of lights, movement and mid-winter atmosphere.

Ulmer said the expansion showed how strongly communities had taken to the idea.

“It’s not a race. It’s just a cool chance to get together with your mates and family and enjoy Te Awa like it’s never been seen before.”

inspiring confidence and showing the kids that their stories, creativity and voices matter.

“If even one young person walks away thinking ‘maybe I actually can do this’, then it’s doing what it was built to do.”

Kerrison was more than happy to be involved as soon as he heard of the project.

“Pairing rangatahi with experienced musicians and taking them through the full arcinterpretation, recording, finishing, pressing vinyl - isn’t symbolic. It’s formative,” Kerrison said.

“Pressing a first record is still a radical act. It tells young

artists their work deserves care, completion, and permanence.

“I was keen to be involved because I recognise that moment. I know what it unlocks. And I know how easily it can be missed if no one builds the bridge.

“This project does exactly that - and the music that comes from it carries not just talent, but whakapapa, courage and momentum.

“Learning to inhabit a song, to serve it, to understand structure, tone and intent before writing your own is how musicianship is built.

“It’s apprenticeship in the truest sense.”

Council hits most targets

Waipā District Council is hitting its targets with almost 80 per cent of its services.

A report to the Finance and Corporate committee yesterday shows 78 percent of service measures are on track, and 14 are not meeting targets.

Areas of concern include response times to dog attack callouts and noise complaints, both below expected levels.

Acting group manager business support Georgina Knapp (pictured) said most services were performing well overall, but some areas needed improvement.

Community services are also under pressure. Fewer people are taking part in library programmes and waste minimisation activities than planned.

Where targets were not being met, council was working through the causes and putting improvement actions in place.

“For areas where targets are not currently being achieved, they are outlined within the report together with contributing factors and planned improvement actions,” she said.

Some issues were linked to system changes, resourcing pressures and shifting priorities across the organisation.

They’ll take it as red…

By Jesse Wood

Women from all over the Waikato gathered at the Te Awamutu RSA last week to discuss fashion and raise funds for the Breast Cancer Foundation.

Hosted by the RSA women’s section, the Rosetown Red Hatters and other chapter members from Morrinsville, Hamilton Central and Rototuna enjoyed a catwalk of Caroline Eve winter fashion. The clothing was modelled by Red Hatters Maureen McRae, Terry Pinkham, Jan Ballantyne, Patsy Lyall and Eunice Rika. RSA women’s section president Lyn Dickie and Rosetown Red Hatters queen Barbara Preece welcomed the attendees.

About 40 women attended the event, socialised, watched the fashion show, created their winter clothing wish list and participated in the four raffles.

“My red hatters know what we do when we get dressed up like this and go out - we have fun,” Preece said.

“Let’s face it, where else would you wear all this bling? You wear it and you enjoy wearing it, but you wouldn’t wear it anywhere else, would you?

“It’s the same with the red hats. Lots of ladies say, ‘I’d love to come but I couldn’t possibly wear a red hat’.”

Preece said that a lot of women do put the red hat on. Once they do that and they see everybody

else in red hats, their confidence grows.

“It grows to the extent that they will come to events and they’ll even get dressed up in fashions and show you how you could look too.”

Dickie said the RSA group would love to host another similar event in the future.

Many stories were shared and laughs had among the sea of red hats and smiling winter clothing models.

“This is part of being a red hatter, to have fun at our age,” Preece said.

“When you’ve been in a red hat group anywhere in the world, it’s all about having fun as you get older.”

Projects delayed

Delays in land acquisition and project planning are slowing delivery of capital works across Waipā. Council reports a number of projects have been pushed back as issues with land purchases, scoping and developer timing hold up progress. Because of the delays a significant portion of planned infrastructure work is expected to shift into the next financial year.

No incidents

No major health and safety incidents were recorded at Waipā District Council over the past five months, but staff are facing increasing pressure. Two notifiable incidents were reported, though neither was classed as serious and no further action was taken. Council says ongoing government reforms and organisational change are creating uncertainty for staff, while incidents of aggression toward workers remain a concern. Support measures and training are continuing as the council works to manage risks and maintain staff wellbeing.

Fight booked

Te Awamutu’s Floyd Masson and Hamilton’s David Nyika are poised to square off in Auckland in August, boxing writer Benjamin Watt has reported. The fight between the pair – who are both based in Queensland - would be an eliminator for the IBF world cruiserweight title.

A life changed by war

By Viv Posselt

The very un-glamorous world of a war correspondent, complete with the mix of terror and guilt it often inspires, was laid bare last week when award-winning journalist Lisette Reymer spoke in the town where she grew up.

Reymer’s guest spot at Cambridge U3A (University of the Third Age) netted one of the group’s biggest turnouts and led in part to a decision being taken by the U3A Cambridge team to announce capacity limits for future meetings.

Now working as senior correspondent with Three News,

Reymer described her decision to accept the speaking invitation here as a ‘complete no brainer’. She grew up on parents’ Garry and Marie-Jose Reymer’s dairy farm, the youngest of five who always wanted to be a journalist. That is something she attributes to her family’s fix on the 6pm new bulletins … “probably the only thing we were allowed to watch as kids”.

From there, it was on to broadcasting school in Christchurch, then into the big smoke to join TVNZ in Auckland before switching to TV3. “The industry is so small in New Zealand you have to move through

Lid put on numbers

By Viv Posselt

Cambridge U3A moved last week to cap its membership for the time being due to high numbers seeking to attend meetings.

The organisation, which started after 76 people attended a ‘test-thewaters’ meeting in May 2022, now has 600 people on the books. Because of the popularity of its speakers, many of those attend the monthly meetings, sometimes with visitors in tow, adding pressure to the limit capacity of its Te Awa host venue.

Co-founder Carey Church told members last week that membership would be capped with immediate effect.

“This has been a difficult decision, but demand has grown beyond what our current venue can safely accommodate,” she said. “The cap will be reviewed at the July committee meeting.”

A waitlist is being established, with Cambridge addresses being given priority for new membership.

The new policy includes barring visitors who are non-members from attending meetings

newsrooms”.

At just 26, she was given the job of Newshub’s Europe correspondent. “I had no idea what was coming … I thought there’d be politics, Brexit was big at the time, maybe do some coverage of the royals. Then I ended up on the frontline of the war in Ukraine.”

Those nightly broadcasts on Kiwi screens made her a familiar and trusted face as she delivered the news from deep inside Ukraine. She went into the war-torn country eight times, and in between managed to cover Queen Elizabeth’s death and King Charles’ coronation, the conflict in Gaza, Donald Trump’s indictment in New York, earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, hunger in Ethiopia, World Cup rugby and boxing.

“I could never have imagined I’d be doing any of that when I got into the industry.”

It was a whirlwind of stops and starts, meeting the demands of her employers who wanted her and her cameramen as protected as possible.

That meant starting with a hostile environment training course in Kent in the UK, finding security personnel, and having at least US$10,000 on hand in cash when heading into active war zones, both to buy them out of trouble should it arise, and to pay for essentials when nothing else

worked.

“We stashed it in the glove box of the car… counted it out each night,” she said. “We felt like drug runners.”

There was the matter of the ‘security guard’ who had given Polish documents to her employers, but who was actually Belarusian, and subsequently ‘removed’.

Then the alcoholic in Reymer’s hotel in Kiev, who sparked panic by setting fire to her floor, the ease with which she ended up using the bomb shelter kettle as a mirror to do her make-up before doing a live cross, and the couple who died in an accident when Lisette’s heavy

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security vehicle slammed into it.

“That was life-changing for us. We felt the weight of it … it motivated us to get the best possible story to justify our being there that day.”

At the end of it all, she is changed. There were refugee camps where she felt ‘devoid of all hope’, solemnity and joy in equal measure around the British royals, always the need to pitch another story.

“The biggest lesson I have learned is that to be miserable is a privilege … to wallow is a privilege,” she said, simply because so many others don’t even get to survive.

Checking on the kiwi sanctuary

By Roy Pilott

It started in 2005 with four chicks gifted by Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro and a little over a decade later

Sanctuary Mountain had become a kiwi kohanga for North Island browns.

When I visited this month the kiwi population was estimated at a whopping

3300 and rising.

I was on Sanctuary Mountain as their guest on the final week of their Kiwi Experience Tours which started last month.

Sanctuary Mountain has “exported” more than 800 kiwi since its programme to build wild populations in other parts of the North Island began four years ago.

Eighty percent of the kiwi in the hills around Wellington came from Maungatautari. Funds from the experience tour go towards Sanctuary Mountain’s kiwi programme.

Our group included four from Matamata, a couple from Orewa, a resident who lives just down the road

from the sanctuary and a tourist from New York.

Steven had been attracted to New Zealand by the Lord of the Rings publicity and had spent time in Rotorua before getting to see a kiwi on Maungatautari.

I know from experience no two days walking along the Maungatautari tracks are the same.

On some days kākā, tieke, hihi, grey warblers, tūī, kōkako, kereru and robins will come out to play. On others, you must sit quietly and hope for the best.

This was one of those days – we were serenaded by a tīeke as we watched a check being made on a kiwi, but one flitting grey warbler aside, the birds were heard and not seen.

Oh, the irony the next day at home as I removed some weeds from a garden bed with a tūī and a warbler watching me.

But it’s also the majesty of Maungatautari which make it so special – particularly in late spring when shafts of light illuminate parts of the forest floor.

Our first stop was to look at a burrow – pointed out by our guide Meridy Belcher. You wouldn’t know if you were not told it was there. Burrows vary in size and can have more than one way in and out.

Meridy, like most who work at Maungatautari, travels quite some way to get to work – in her case it’s a 30-to-40-minute drive from Tokoroa.

During the “transfer” season, kiwi are taken from the mountain, fitted with transmitters and placed in a smaller enclosure where the can be monitored. This burrow has no doubt seen a significant number of shortterm residents.

It is the only time the kiwi

on the maunga are disturbed – unless rangers find one is unwell.

Our team is taken to a small, covered area where a two-year-old female kiwi is presented, and we get an opportunity get up close and watch as checks are made on the bird’s spine and eyes and ears. They are also checked for ticks.

Her microchip – number 74928, is under a wing. Further checks are made –bill length, feet and weight. She is declared fit for her next journey, and we are given an opportunity to go exploring.

Storm damage is evident – there are fallen trees, some recent, some from long ago. A walk up the staircase to a viewing platform confirms my new knee is getting stronger. We get fantastic views across the forest –but those birds remained elusive.

Under pressure

Continued from page 1

Hughes said it was frustrating. Funding from local, regional and central Government had never increased, despite the sanctuary translocating 800 kiwi to several different predator-free projects around the country, including Wellington, Taranaki and Tongariro.

She had relied on her banking and insurance corporate background to turn around the sanctuary’s finances - taking it from losing $50,000 a month to repaying its $250,000 debt and recording a $71,000 annual operating loss to the end of March 2026.

“We slashed costs, and increased revenue, and I have been very focused on creating a bedrock of financial strength here. We have set up an endowment policy and that’s the long-term game,” she said.

Additional income streams included tourist and cultural tours, a local shuttle service connecting the northern and southern side of the maunga, annual membership deals, the sale of nature and biodiversity credits, the sale of plants grown on-site at its new seedling nursery, alongside an endowment fund, community outreach

programme and educational work.

“When I walked into the business, I didn’t know it was going backwards by around $50,000 a month. In that first year I started (2023), we recorded almost a $600,000 operating loss, she said.”

“When you consider our annual operating overheads are $1.8 million that speaks to some significant challenges and issues. I would say a lot of other conservation projects are probably not too dissimilar,” Hughes said.

If other funding wasn’t created, the sanctuary would have to cut back its work.

“We are a seed source of biodiversity for the Waikato, supporting its agricultural and horticultural industries” she said.

“If the central North Island is the food bowl of New Zealand then in order to grow food you need a seed source, you need to propagate seeds and grow them - and we do exactly that as our native birds spread out into surrounding areas.

“We are propagating seeds and growing biodiversity for the region, and we need residents’ support, more than ever now,” Hughes said.

• Checking on the kiwi – Page 14

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They’re hands down winners

By Steph Bell-Jenkins

Just 800m from the end, after pushing each other to their physical limits for more than 15 heart-pounding minutes, Emma Cotter and Maisey Butler made a snap decision.

“Maisey asked me, do you want to cross the finish line together?” Emma said.

Linking hands in a spontaneous gesture of teamwork and friendship, the two 15-yearolds finished their senior girls’ race in firstequal place.

Cambridge High School’s 2026 crosscountry event was held in clear, sunny conditions on Tuesday afternoon last week, starting and finishing on the school’s sports fields.

“We had run the whole track together, pushing each other to run faster,” Maisey said of her senior girls’ race.

“It felt good to share the win with Emma, because if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have run as fast as I did and I wouldn’t have tried as hard.”

Emma felt much the same.

“Winning with Maisey made me feel proud and I was happy that both of us could share the win,” she said.

“As soon as I crossed the line and they said we got first-equal, I collapsed to the ground, tired… Maisey lay down next to me and we were talking about how awesome that was. Throughout the whole run we were pushing each other and keeping a really good, consistent pace.”

The year 11 students met at Cambridge Middle School, when they were pitted against each other in running races, but only became friends this year.

They had never trained or run together outside of school events before, Maisey said.

“I haven’t been training for cross-country

- I didn’t even know it was happening until the week before,” she said. “I usually keep fit from dance, lacrosse and netball trainings.”

Emma had not trained specifically for running either.

“But I do keep fit by doing heaps of road cycling and track cycling,” she said. I ride

Cambridge and Surrounding Area

about 4-5 times a week.”

The girls were both planning to compete at the Waikato Schools’ Cross-Country Championships on June 3 at Tauhara Park in Hamilton, along with other top runners selected by Cambridge High.

“But we have both decided to run with our own pace, and if we end up running

together, we will be sprinting towards the finish,” Emma said.

The pair’s winning time over Cambridge High’s 3.8km cross country course was 16m 42s. The school’s senior girls’ record, 14m 17s, was set by Bronwen Rees-Jones in 2025. Third place went to Lily Cameron. Year 11 student Jay Anderson claimed the senior boys’ win, blasting through the 3.8km course in 13m44s, ahead of Flynn Jenkins and Lucas Crawshaw. Anderson, 15, was 20 seconds behind the school’s senior boys’ record of 13m24s, set in 2023 by Jacob D’Ath. It was his first cross-country win since year 4 at Cambridge Primary School.

Anderson said his strategy, sitting behind the lead runners until the final stages of the race, had worked.

“I knew Flynn would be leading and I thought Lucas as well, because I heard he’s really quick at the moment,” he said. “With 800m to go, my plan was just to boost it and get a good lead at the end, and that’s what happened.”

The price: “a lot” of pain.

“It felt like a dagger in my heart; it was really sore and it felt like my calves were on fire,” he said. “But it feels pretty good - the hard work’s paid off.”

Junior students ran a 3km course. Emily Cameron won the girls’ event in a time of 12m46s. Mia Alexander-Holt was second and Macie Pettit third. The school record, 11m 54s, was set by Bronwen ReesJones in 2021.

Zavier Smart won the junior boys’ race in 12m16s, leaving Brady Mitchell’s 2021 school 11m19s record intact. Leo Piper was second and Brody Urbahn third.

• Go to cambridgenews.nz to see more photos from the senior boys’ and girls’ races.

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100 up to hold cup, shield

By Jesse Wood

Hautapu went on a rampage at Cambridge Memorial Park, beating Te Awamutu 101-7 to retain the Waipā Cup and the George Simpkin Shield.

Hautapu registered 15 tries in front of their home supporters to remain second on the points table, four behind Hamilton Marist, but with a game in hand and superior for and against record.

The big win followed a 70-21 defeat of Morrinsville away at Campbell Park a week earlier, and an 81-5 thumping of Matamat a week before that..

Former King Country loose forward Matthew Towers was the sole Te Awamutu try scorer. Winger Leo Scott added a conversion.

Another King Country Rams alumnus, Hautapu fullback Patrick Hedley slotted 13 conversions and grabbed a try.

Other scorers were Waikato lock Dylan Eti

(2), midfielder Karlan Mosaati (2), premier debutant Josh Brunger (2), David Morris, Rangiwai Lunjevich, Konelio Burgess, Mooloo halfback Rui Farrant, Henry Brown, Harry Chittick, Kena Ahipene and Alapati Soagia.

Mel-tap (Melville-Hautapu combined) fell short in their top of the table women’s premiership clash with Hamilton Old Boys Huskiez in Cambridge, 38-26.

Centre Nikita Apiata, hooker Kaden Moeke, number 10 Melina Salale and reserve Eden Early crossed the chalk for Mel-tap. Fullback Keira Russell added three conversions.

In division 1A, Leamington, Ōhaupō and Pirongia were all victorious.

Leamington hosted Taupiri and won 22-13. Winger Robert Day added 12 points to his impressive season tally. Cameron Collins and Karl Bolton were also try scorers for the home side.

Ōhaupō trekked to Morrinsville and beat

Kereone 55-22. Fullback Italia Tualaulelei helped himself to four tries, evergreen winger Lance Elrick crossed for two and fellow backs

Dean Fullerton, Chris Ferguson and Byron Tonihi also scored. Fullerton added five conversions.

Pirongia pipped Hinuera 26-22 at Wealleans Park. Number 10 Jason Hill scored 11 points and Liam McPherson also grabbed a try in the four try apiece win. Hill’s conversion success was the telling difference.

Their division 1B sides were also successful.

Leamington B beat Taupiri B 22-13, Ōhaupō B got over their Kereone counterparts 36-22 and Pirongia B thrashed Hinuera B 73-12.

In the women’s’ championship, Pirongia beat Hinuera 17-10 at Wealleans Park.

Fullback Sarah Moorhouse scored a try and added a conversion, while vice-captain Jordan Rodgers and second five-eighth Emma Foss were the other scorers.

Te Awamutu Sports colts were pipped 1817 by Pirongia in the mate versus mate clash

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Pivot Jaoquin Burke scored all of the Te Awamutu points under the mountain – two tries, two conversions and a penalty goal. Openside flanker Marc Walton and winger William Yeeles grabbed tries for the young Pirongia men. Centre Corbin Fleming kicked a conversion and two penalty goals.

Leamington fell short 34-17 against Hinuera under-21. Cruz Holmes-Burr scored one of Leamington’s three tries at the rural Matamata club and Frank Hughes converted one.

Hautapu colts won by default against the Melville-University-Te Rapa combined side.

In the presidents grade, Pirongia Mountain Men dealt to Ngāruawāhia 59-25 at Pirongia Domain. Hamilton Marist presidents pulled away in the second half to beat Te Awamutu Marist Bushpigs at Castleton Park.

Kihikihi Stallions won by default against Melville Mustangs in the presidents grade.

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Letters to the Editor

RESPITE CARE

2026 Ownership Review

drive from Te Awamutu.

WANTED TO

•

•

•

•

PUBLIC CONSULTATIVE PROCEDURE

In accordance with the Deed of Trust under which the Waipā Networks Trust has been constituted, the Trustees and the Directors of Waipā Networks Limited have prepared a joint report considering proposals and available options for the future ownership of Waipā Networks Limited.

The Trustees and the Directors propose that the Ownership of the Company should continue to remain 100% Trust owned on behalf of the Community.

The Trustees hereby implement a Public Consultative Procedure. Notice is given that the Ownership Review will be available for inspection by the public from the 1st May 2026, from the Trusts website www.waipanetworkstrust.co.nz or during normal business hours at the following location:

Waipā Networks Ltd 240 Harrison Drive TE AWAMUTU

Persons interested in the proposals are invited to make written submissions to the Trustees.

All mail submissions should be addressed to:

Submissions to the Trustees

Waipā Networks Trust PO Box 34

TE AWAMUTU 3840

All email submissions should be addressed to: info@waipanetworkstrust.co.nz

Persons wishing to make submissions should ensure that those submissions are received at the above address no later than 5pm 30th June 2026 (“the due date”). Submissions received by the due date will be made publicly available.

BURROWS, Robert James – It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Robert on the 16th of May 2026, at Cambridge, aged 74 years. A loved husband of Denise for 50 years. Father of Erica, Craig and Anna. Much loved Grandad of Murphy, Hayley, Charli, Matai, Jim, and Spencer. The funeral to celebrate Robert’s life has been held.

In due course, any persons who make written submissions by the due date will be offered an opportunity to be heard by the Trustees at a

PREECE, Trevor James –Passed away unexpectedly at home, doing what he loved and surrounded by his herd, on Friday, 15th May 2026, aged 71 years. Dearly loved husband of Leonie. Loved father and fatherin-law of Craig and Sofie. Adored Poppa of Tylah, Serina, Chloe, Isabella, Sarah-Jane, and Jaxon, and Great-Poppa of Casey. A celebration of Trevor’s life will be held at the Bledisloe Function Centre, Mystery Creek, Gate 3, Mystery Creek Road, Ohaupo, on Thursday, 21st May 2026 at 1:00pm. Messages to the Preece family may be sent c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434, or left in Trevor’s online tribute book at www. grinters.co.nz.

SMITH, Peter Montgomery – Peacefully at Cambridge Oakdale on Wednesday, 13th May 2026, aged 82 years. Much loved husband to the late Mary. Very dearly loved father and father-inlaw to Neil & Marion and Theresa and Poppa to Jed, Cleo, Madalyn and Jesse. Peter has been buried at Leamington Cemetery. All communications to the Smith family c/- 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge 3434, New Zealand.

That’s a wrap!

The 2026 Waipā Home & Leisure Show has o cially come to a close - and what a great few day it was. Thank you to all our visitors who travelled out to the show and made the most of their time getting to know and purchasing from our local experts. It was great to see so many friendly faces enjoying everything the show had to offer. We also appreciate the helpful feedback – particularly about what you would like to see in 2027.

Thanks, too, to all our exhibitors who worked hard and put the effort into their stands, shared their products, and also came up with show specials and giveaways at a time of rising household costs and an international fuel crises. It takes visitors and exhibitors, working alongside the Good Local Media team to put on a good show - one doesn’t work without the other, and we couldn’t do it without you.

We will be back next year… until then, thanks again.

Winner of $5000 Luxury weekend

Courtesy of Te Karaka Lodge & Winger Motors Cambridge

John Bradley - Te Awamutu