King Country News | May 14, 2026

Lightening the load

By Dan Tasker

More than 2100 lightbulbs have already been handed out in Te Kūiti as part of Genesis Energy’s push to turn the town into New Zealand’s first fully LED-lit community.

Launched at the Great NZ Muster in April, the ‘Great Lightbulb Switch’ campaign is designed to raise awareness and encourage households to replace old incandescent and halogen bulbs with more energy-efficient lighting ahead of winter.

A total of 2142 bulbs were given away during the event – and more than seven in 10 recipients were Te Kūiti residents.

Genesis says the initiative aims to help households reduce power costs, while lowering demand on the national electricity grid, and hopes the project could become a model for other communities if successful.

Chief revenue officer Stephen EnglandHall said many households were still using outdated lighting – even though LEDs use up to 90 percent less energy.

“LED bulbs can make a real difference to power bills at a time when costs are rising for households,” he said.

Switching a home from old to new energy efficient bulbs can save hundreds of dollars. LED bulbs also have a significantly longer lifespan than traditional lighting, lasting an average of 54,000 hours.

Genesis is now preparing the next phase of the campaign, including supermarket ‘swap’ activations and a community-wide mail drop to encourage more residents to make the switch.

The campaign will culminate in a planned ‘Lights On’ celebration in June, recognising the town’s progress toward the full LED adoption.

Genesis is working alongside local partners including The Lines Company, Waitomo District Council and Maru Energy Trust to support the rollout.

Free bulbs are still available for collection through the working week at the Waitomo District Council Customer Services and Visitor Hub on Rora Street in Te Kūiti.

Home show at your leisure…

Exhibitors at the third Waipā Home and Leisure Show have pulled out the stops to recognise shoppers are counting their pennies.

The show, run by publishers of The News, Good Local Media, has drawn a full complement of 71 exhibitors for the threeday event starting tomorrow (Friday) at Karapiro’s Mighty River Domain.

“ We have lots of new exhibitors and exhibitors returning for their second or third show –exhibitors recognise the market is tight,” Good Local advertising manager Janine Davy said. “They have worked hard to make this show one where there thousands of dollars worth of prizes to be

won, giveaways and great deals.”

Entry is $5 - children are free – and so is parking. The show will run from 10am to 4pm on Friday and Saturday and 10am to 3pm on Sunday.

“It’s a great opportunity to come and spend a day looking at what’s new and what’s on offer,” Davy said.

Major prizes include a $5000 door prize, a luxury weekend for two sponsored by Te Karaka Lodge and the use of an MG car for a weekend sponsored by Winger Motors Cambridge. Terms and conditions will apply.

There is also the chance to win a $5000plus bed courtesy of Beds 4 U and $1000 worth of legal fees from Edmonds Judd

along with many more giveaways and specials.

Good Local Media publisher David Mackenzie, who launched the show in 2024 to fill a void in Waipā, said it had been a popular and welcome addition to the calendar.

“We knew if we brought a home and leisure show to Waipa the people and exhibitors would come – and now we are looking at our best show yet,” he said.

Good Local Media websites - you will find us at cambridgenews.nz, teawamutunews. nz and kingcountrynews.co.nz – has a link to more details about the show including a full list of exhibitors.

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New nurse in the making

By Mary Anne Gill

Te Awamutu has always had a way of holding on to its own

- Anastacia Cuthers knows that well.

Born in Te Awamutu and raised in the town, and partly at Waikeria where her father worked as a prison officer for more than 40 years, she laughingly calls herself a “prison brat”.

These days, despite the commutes to Hamilton for study and clinical placements, she has no intention of leaving.

“My roots are here. We just feel safe. We’ve built a community. Our whole life is here.”

Now in her third year of a nursing degree at Waikato University, Cuthers (Ngāti Maniapoto) is juggling study, placements and raising two children on her own - driven by a determination to be “more hands on” and make a difference where it matters most.

At 36, the solo mum of two is not your typical university student.

Last week she was named among a group of Waikato University nursing students backed by a Southern Cross Trust nursing scholarship, part of a programme that supports students through their degree

and clinical placements. For her it is worth $10,000 this year.

“I’m so grateful. That scholarship helped take that financial pressure off tremendously,” she says, describing weeks where fuel alone cost her $480 just to get to placements.

Anastacia first went to St Patrick’s Primary School in Te Awamutu. Later, after time at Sacred Heart Girls’ College in Hamilton, she returned to Te Awamutu College where life took a different turn.

She felt “a bit lost actually” but the birth of Felicia, 16, while still a teenager, and Te Arani, 13, changed everything… “they are honestly like my greatest motivators.”

Another family moment set her on the path to nursing. During Covid, her father suffered a stroke and she saw first-hand the pressures on the health system.

“I saw a gap that I saw myself being able to fill, and that was to come and be a nurse.”

She had been working in administration roles, including in a Covid directorate, but wanted something more handson.

That decision led her to enrol in the University of Waikato’s nursing degree in 2024. She is now in her third year and on

King Country police have seen an increase in vehicle thefts across both Te Kuiti and Ōtorohanga in recent weeks and are urging the community to remain vigilant.

A vehicle was reported stolen from a residential address in Te Kuiti and recovered in Ōtorohanga before the owner had noticed it was missing. Enquiries into this incident are ongoing.

Police are also investigating the theft of a trailer fitted with a fuel tank stolen from an address in Te Kuiti.

Staff acted on information regarding a vehicle of interest sighted in the Te Kuiti area, which had been reported stolen from out of district. Police successfully located the vehicle and arrested three occupants aged 16 to 19.

track to graduate later this year.

Her placements have taken her through a range of areasfrom aged care at Matariki in Te Awamutu to intensive care - but it was mental health and addictions that surprised her most.

“I had my own biases going into mental health. I thought I didn’t want to do it. Went in there and I was like, oh my gosh, this kind of nursing, it’s actually fulfilling.

“A lot of it is therapeutic

In a separate matter, a 38-year-old female was located and arrested at an address in Te Kuiti after breaching her court-imposed curfew conditions linked to an address outside the district.

Following a wilful trespass at a retail store in Te Kuiti, a 35-year-old female has been summoned to appear in court later this month.

Road safety remains a focus. Officers observing a motorbike rider in Ōtorohanga travelling through residential streets in a manner that posed a risk to themselves and others. The rider has since been issued a road safety directive prohibiting them from riding until they obtain the appropriate licence.

Police responded to a serious incident at a rural address in Ōtorohanga, where a

conversations, but what they don’t teach you is how do you do it with all this information, the heavy stuff?”

The scholarship programme backing her study is part of a national effort to grow New Zealand’s nursing workforce. Nine Waikato students were recognised this year. Scholarships offer financial support, mentoring and help with placement costs. Each scholarship provides up to $30,000 per student.

32-year-old male made threats involving a firearm. He was taken into custody without incident and has been remanded in custody. He is due to appear in court later this week facing multiple charges, including contravening a protection order and threatening to kill with a firearm. In sadder circumstances, staff attended a sudden death near SH4, where it is believed a 78-year-old male suffered fatal injuries while trimming or felling a tree. Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends at this difficult time.

As always thanks for support, please continue to report suspicious activity, crime, and dangerous or antisocial driving behaviour on our roads.

Briefs…

In the pink

More than 70 Pink Ribbon breakfasts events have been planned so far in the Good Local Media community newspaper region –approaching the 93 achieved in 2025. The numbers include, three in Te Kūiti and five in Ōtorohanga, 27 in Te Awamutu and 37 in Cambridge,

Protest plan

Lobby Group Fuel Tax

Protest plans protests around the country this weekend – including on Saturday in the Te Kūiti town centre.

Spokesman Phil Barrett says the protest will take part in 50 locations in a bid to encourage the government to review taxes on the sale of fuel.

Dog trials

Ahead of the North Island and New Zealand Sheepdog championship trials starting on May 25 at Te Aute, south of Hastings, King Country pair

Hamish Parkinson (Kaitieke Club) and Stuart Child (Te Anga) have shown top form. The pair led their fields at the South Island champs at the start of the month. Parkinson, with his huntaway Grit took first place in the zigzag Hunt and Child won the first round of the short head and yard and was second place in the final.

A total of 20 King Country dog trialists have qualified for the North Island event.

Convoy times

The New Zealand Transport Agency says it is continuing to review the running of convoys through the Awakino Gorge “to ensure everyone who travels the road can make the most of them”. The road, blocked by slips, was reopened under convoy earlier this month.

Pension poser

Grey Power New Zealand has reaffirmed its support for the current format of the pension after Labour leader Chris Hipkins indicated he was open to means-testing. The issue could come up for debate when for Grey Power Te Awamutu holds its annual meeting on May 21.

Relief after the big flood

\Ōtorohanga District Council’s mayoral relief fund has paid $165,000 to support people needing immediate help following February’s floods.

Mayor Rodney Dow, just months into his first term, earned praise for his empathy in the wake of the flood, breaking down in front of cameras and declaring “I’ve never been so emotional in my life”.

The mayoral fund is intended as a last-resort measure, where other sources of assistance such as insurance or government welfare have been exhausted.

At the time, The News reported that after Ōtorohanga Museum called for help more than two dozen people rushed to the whare housing the treasured 13-metre Te Waonui o Tāne waka in Kakamutu Road after it became inundated with flood water from Ōtorohanga Domain.

They spent the evening wading through water taking treasures from the whare to the neighbouring church which stands off the ground.

The numbers

• 87 roads repaired

• Five roads opened with restrictions while longterm repairs are carried out

• Eight repairs completed to water and wastewater supply

• 27 tonnes of debris removed

Ōtorohanga Primary School, in Phillips Avenue, was inundated when the Mohoanui Stream, a tributary to the Waipā River, burst its banks and sewage infected flood water flowed across the playground and into the buildings.

The council says its flood recovery effort is making

strong progress.

It says all affected roads are now open and priority repairs to the district’s water system have been completed.

Council chief executive Tanya Winter says work is underway to ensure longterm sustainable solutions where more complex issues are involved.

“Impacts for hundreds of people and properties have been significant and, in some cases, devastating,” she said.

“Council has arranged community meetings, information packs and oneon-one support for many people. We’re encouraging anyone who needs help to contact us, and we can connect people to support including wellbeing and welfare agencies.”

After the floods, council building inspectors carried out building assessments in the storm-affected areas, using a placard system.

Yellow placards indicate limited access only. A total of 23 properties remain with yellow placards, where people are not permitted to return home at this time. For those households, council

has organised recovery case managers, offered rates remission and commissioned hazard assessment reports.

The number of properties with white placards, where they are deemed safe, but people are told they should keep monitoring for any damage, has fallen by five to 33.

The council’s recovery transition period ended on Monday having been place since February 25 - after the Civil Defence state of emergency relating to the February floods was lifted.

The transition period has supported recovery work across the district, by giving council powers to manage, co-ordinate, and direct recovery activities.

However, the recovery effort continues for now and we will keep providing support and information to our community.

“We are focused on supporting our communities to remain safe, well and connected. Follow-up work is important so those affected are aware of the assistance available and the pathways to access it,” Tanya says.

Fieldays 2026: Innovation, Resilience and Community at the Heart of Rural New Zealand.

by Barbara Kuriger, MP for Taranaki-King Country

If you make your living off the land, Fieldays isn’t just another date on the calendar – it’s where we go to recharge, take stock, and remind ourselves we’re not in this on our own. Since 1969, National Fieldays at Mystery Creek has been bringing farmers, contractors, families, and townies together. And haven’t the organisers succeeded? What began as a simple showcase of Kiwi ingenuity has grown into the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest ag event. Generations of farming families come back year after year to see what’s new, catch up with old mates, and bring the kids along for a look at their future. This year, with fuel, freight, and finance all tightening the screws, Fieldays feels more important than ever. It’s a chance to kick the tyres on gear that genuinely cuts fuel use, explore tools that save labour, and talk directly with people who understand the realities behind the farm gate.

Over four days, more than 1,200 exhibitors will be on site, showcasing the best innovations, products, and services to an audience of over 100,000. From low-emissions tech to pasture management, there are plenty of opportunities to find ideas that make a real difference. Seminars and workshops will offer straight talk on markets, regulation, and banking, while the social side – a yarn over a coffee – often delivers the most valuable, and most unexpected, insights of all. At its heart, Fieldays is a reminder that New Zealand farming still leads the world. Not because it’s easy, but because our people are resilient, practical, and keen to teach and to learn. As we walk through the gates this year, we’re not just visiting a show – we’re backing our businesses, our communities, and the future of our rural New Zealand. This year’s Fieldays will be held from 10–13 June at its traditional and spiritual home, Mystery Creek.

See you there.

What keeps us safe?

By Shinae Teao

After a gruelling six hour drive home from Northland one weekend, we dragged ourselves out of the car, climbed the stairs to our front door, and sighed with relief. We’d made it home.

After a long day on the road, there is something deeply comforting about returning to your own space, your safe place. But that feeling disappeared almost instantly when we walked inside to find the freezer open and the bathroom window flapping in the wind.

Panic set in quickly. Our home had been broken into.

While our house had not been completely vandalised, that almost did not matter. Knowing someone had entered our home uninvited, moved through our personal space, and taken things, including sentimental items, left behind something harder to repair than a broken window. It left fear.

That feeling did not disappear the next day. Or the next week. It lingered.

Like many people would, my first thoughts turned to practical security. Better locks. Cameras. Alarms. Ways to protect our home from it happening again.

But over time, I found myself thinking about something bigger. Food had been taken from our freezer, and I kept coming back to one difficult question: what kind of desperation leads someone to make that choice?

What happens in a community when people are struggling enough that survival begins to override boundaries?

This does not excuse harm, and it does not erase the fear that comes with having

your home invaded. But it did shift something for me. It made me realise that while home security matters, real community safety goes far beyond alarms.

Alarms may protect our houses, but what protects our communities?

A safe community is not just one with locked doors. It is one where people feel connected, supported, and less likely to reach crisis in the first place. It is neighbours who know each other. It is families who can access support before hardship becomes desperation. It is spaces where young people feel seen, where older people feel safe, and where community still means something.

Security is not only about reacting after something goes wrong. It is also about creating the kind of environment where fewer people fall through the cracks to begin with.

In small towns especially, our strength has never just come from fences or front door cameras. It has come from people. From checking in. From lending a hand. From supporting local initiatives. From recognising that safety is something we build together.

As a semi new member of the Ōtorohanga community, I already see so much potential here. I see resilience, pride, and connection. Perhaps what really keeps a community safe is not just what protects our homes, but what strengthens the people within it. Because beyond alarms, true safety may well start with each other.

• Shinae Teao is The Wise Group’s Property and Assets Manager

AGE OF REASON

Oh brother…

By Richard Steele

The government has given councils three months to come up with plans to amalgamate, or else.

The “or else’ is where the central government makes decisions for communities unable to come up with reasonable solutions.

Sounds all a bit big brotherish, doesn’t it? I’ve thought of little else since the proclamation was made - well meant, I’m sure , except there are too many unknowns, too many ifs and buts.

I’ve been thinking of the positives for the proposal and have been unable to come up with many. That there are too many councils is a given, there always have been, but that’s just evolution. There were too many dairy companies once. But as roads and transport systems improved, we needed less. Same with communications.

So you fix the “too many” problem by forcing them to join together with likeminded, similar adjacent communities, to drive efficiency. Don’t mention the Auckland super city as from where I sit it looks like the biggest muck up since Dunkirk.

From the outside looking in, the Auckland experience leaves a huge amount to be desired. Just this week they are talking of their new rail network costs being double what they should have been.

And therein lies the trouble. They have overspent by a quiet two or three billion dollars on their railway system into a deserted inner city. No heads will roll, nobody will be called to account, and the long-suffering tax and ratepayer, will as always, pick up the cost.

If you like me believe that big is not

necessarily better, what are the real advantages here? Regional councils sounded like a good idea in 1987.

I see them as a failure, out of touch, moribund, too far away from the assets they were designed to protect, and more interested in empire building than looking after the environment.

District councils lack business acumen and seem to run on a model whereby prudence gives way to the effortless annual ability to raise the rates.

How does making councils amalgamate solve any of these problems?

In my lifetime I have seen the electricity network reformed - what a cock up. I’ve seen the health service decline so badly, where if you can afford to, you go private to save your life.

Councils have got so bad that not only is no one accountable, no one is checking that the infrastructure is being maintained.

Sixty per cent of Doc’s budget is spent in their head office, where there are no kiwi - birds that is.

I’ve never heard of the railways making a profit in 100 years, Landcorp have made a profit once in a 100 years.

So how can I get enthused when the Government wants to make every council it can bigger?

Auckland and Wellington councils pour sewage into the sea every time it rains, yet ratepayers in those cities have paid to have their services kept up to scratch. And here’s a final burst. Every new council will need a new state of the art building.

And the crowd goes wild

By Dan Tasker

Piopio Cosmopolitan

Club’s annual Wild Hunting

Competition survived wet weather, road closures and rising fuel prices over the weekend.

The Thursday morning to Saturday event attracted 101 entries in the main hunting section and 80 entries in the critter section as families from around the district took part.

Although numbers were slightly affected by Cosmopolitan Club president Waide Jones said organisers were still pleased with the turnout.

“We put that down to the weather, number one, the road closure heading south and maybe fuel prices too,” Jones said.

“But to be fair, even though all that was happening, we certainly still had a good turnout and quite a crowd there for the event.”

Jones said the event continued to bring the community together as well as being a local fundraiser.

“Apart from a few showers, we still had a great crowd enjoying the event. It was just trying to create a community event really, and something the kids can come

out and get outside and be involved in.

“It’s always a fun community event, families all getting involved.”

He also paid tribute to sponsors “who make this day possible”.

Top weights recorded on the day included a 61.6kg boar and a 105.8kg red stag.

Jones also acknowledged the volunteers and judges who helped run the event, including those weighing in animals throughout the day.

The hunting competition first began in 2023 around the time Jones started as club president, working alongside long-time club member Barry Stott to finally get the idea off the ground.

“I’d only just become president then,” Jones said.

“Barry (Stott) had been trying to get it going for a few years and never succeeded to get it started, so I went and sat with him, and we had a talk about it and it just grew from there,” he said.

As well as raising funds for the club, proceeds from the event also support emergency services, including St John and the Piopio Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Jones said one of the highlights was seeing the

community come together, while also helping reduce pests around local farmland.

“A few people, if they strike it lucky, they might take a pig home or a deer

home if the people that shot it don’t want it,” he said.

“A bit of that happened on Saturday — a handful of people got a bit of meat to take home,” he said.

Councillors eye unitary authority

While some councils in the Waikato are looking at their neighbours and thinking amalgamation, the Waikato Regional Council is thinking bigger.

Councillors met last Friday to determine they backed a single unitary authority and want to work with the Waikato Mayoral Forum to develop the option.

The government has upped the ante on its Head Start pathway poised to bring the biggest council shake up since 1989, warning councils to come up with plans within three months or, effectively, being told how to redraw the boundaries.

Regional councillors in discussion last week emphasised the need for regional functions to be considered in any proposals being developed across the region.

To achieve this, they said they would assist local councils to meet the criteria of regional functions, in particular catchment management and transport. Where Waipā will sit with that is yet to be determined. Mayor Mike Pettit did not offer a council view this week before heading to Wellington for a Local Government New Zealand gathering.

At the southern end of Good Local Media’s circulation area Waitomo mayor John Robertson has been a consistent backer of a merge with Ōtorohanga district, which already works in tandem with Waipā on civil defence issues.

Waikato Regional Council Chair Warren Maher says Government’s announcement of the Head Start pathway was “a constructive step forward” in the wider local government reform programme.

He said the Waikato Mayoral Forum had already been proactively working together to explore what a future model could look like, taking into account the characteristics and complexities of the Waikato region, and the wide range of regional council functions and activities.

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Farming roots and implants

By Mary Anne Gill

A former King Country dentist says a decision he made for a local farmer led, unexpectedly, to groundbreaking research into dental implants.

The Taumarunui farmer wanted white and straight teeth to display at his daughter’s wedding. Years later the farmer returned saying he was having trouble keeping his dentures in place.

For Kevan Wong, the case never left him. At the time, Wong had spent a decade working as a rural dentist in Taumarunui, deliberately choosing to practise where services were most needed. He had also gone on to establish the first dental practice in Ohakune in the late 1970s, combining long clinical days with his love of skiing on the mountain.

“When he first came to me, I didn’t want to do it,” Wong says.

The farmer’s teeth, although crooked, were healthy and functional. Wong was reluctant to remove them simply for cosmetic reasons. But after months of persistence, he eventually agreed.

The farmer got his smile for the wedding, but the outcome troubled Wong. When the man returned years later unable to keep his dentures in place, Wong was confronted with uncomfortable questions about long-term responsibility and whether dentistry could do better.

“That experience stayed with me,” he says. “There had to be a better way.”

That question changed the direction of his career, taking him from small-town dentistry in the King Country to the forefront of international dental implant research.

Born in Guangzhou in southern China, Wong arrived in New Zealand at the age of two. He grew up in Timaru and attended Timaru College, immersing himself in what he describes as a very New Zealand childhood. For a time, his ambitions were sporting rather than academic.

“My whole ambition in life was to be an All Black,” he says, proudly recalling two seasons playing No 8 for South Canterbury representative teams.

His working life began as an aircraft engineering apprentice with the National Airways Corporation, now Air New Zealand. Stationed at Harewood in Christchurch, he spent lunch breaks reading about early discoveries in DNA and molecular biology - curiosity that ultimately led him to give up engineering and enrol at the University of Otago, completing a Bachelor of Science and then dentistry.

Dentistry appealed because it was practical and problem-solving, but it was the farmer’s case in Taumarunui that pushed Wong into deeper inquiry. Determined

to find alternatives to dentures, he travelled to the United Kingdom and enrolled at the University of London and completed a PhD in dental implantology with a focus on jaw reconstruction and bone regeneration.

From there, Wong established a specialist referral practice in Norwich, published peer-reviewed research and was awarded a fellowship from the Dunhill Medical Research Trust. His work helped place dental implants on firmer scientific footing and positioned him as a trainer for other dentists.

Family ties eventually drew him back to New Zealand. Settling

in Tauranga in the early 2000s, Wong developed a group dental practice that grew to include five dentists and multiple hygienists, later becoming part of the Lumino Dentists Group. Alongside clinical work, he spent more than two decades training dentists in implantology, lifting capability across the profession. By most standards, it would have been a logical moment to slow down. Instead, semi-retirement made Wong restless once again. Watching nightly news coverage of climate change, he became frustrated by how little he understood of the science, policy and law behind it -

leading him back to university.

Last month, at the age of 77, Wong walked across the graduation stage at The Pā in Hamilton to receive a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Waikato, dressed in a deep claret gown reflecting his earlier PhD rather than the degree he was collecting that day.

“I just follow my interests,” he says. “And once something catches my attention, I want to understand it properly.”

Approaching his 80s, and still asking questions, the former King Country dentist says that lifelong learning is not an indulgence. “It’s a responsibility,” he says.

Natalie targets Germany

By Dan Tasker

Fresh off a world title, Piopio shooter Natalie Foss is now turning her attention to the ISSF Junior World Championships in Germany next month.

The 21-year-old claimed the 2026 Universal Trench Ladies World Championship in Melbourne in February, shooting a personal best score of 190/200 to secure the biggest win of her career.

With her third and final appearance at the junior worlds in Suhl in Germany beginning on June 22, Foss is deep into preparations for the trench event, as she balances international competition with the final year of her commerce degree in Christchurch.

The former Aria School and Piopio College student has been spending a lot of her preparation for Germany travelling south to train in Timaru on a trench range with the support of New Zealand Olympic silver medallist Natalie Rooney.

The upcoming championships will see competitors shoot 125 targets across three days before finals. Foss is focused more on consistency than results.

“I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be a good trip. I’m looking forward to shooting some more targets on the world stage, because we don’t really get to do that a whole lot down in little old New Zealand,” Foss said.

“I don’t really have expectations on the outcome of the shoot. If I

Waitomo’s rally returns

Series leaders Quentin Palmer and Noel Moloney head a large field to compete in the Rally of Waitomo this weekend.

Targeted specifically at novice and club competitors, the event is round two of the North Island Rally Series – which Palmer and Moloney won last year – and will take place on Sunday.

There are six stages in total, a loop of three repeated. Two stages are in Pomarangai – west of Te Kūiti - and one east of Piopio.

This type of event has specific rules, total stage distance is no

more than 80km and stage notes are not allowed.

Event secretary Lyndsay Homes said drivers tackle the stages blind and have to drive as they see it.

A field of around 43 competitors will be involved.

Piopio High School is supporting the event and providing food as a school fundraiser.”

Homes said the organisers appreciated the Waitomo District Council and residents for allowing access “to such a great rally course”.

can stay consistent at a nice level or a nice score, then I would be pretty happy,” she said.

Germany will mark Foss’ third junior world championships campaign. She previously represented New Zealand in Croatia in 2022 and Peru in 2024.

Her recent form suggests she will head to Germany with confidence, having won the ladies ball trap and handicap titles at the Down The Line (DTL) nationals in Christchurch, as well as taking out the A-grade ball trap title since returning from Australia.

She later became the number one qualifier for the New Zealand second ladies’ team at the DTL World Championships, also held in Christchurch.

Foss first picked up a shotgun in 2019 during a Guy Fawkes gathering with family friends, and her natural ability quickly caught the attention of her coach-to-be John Petriella.

“He handed me a .410 and I think I hit maybe six or seven out of 10,” Foss said.

“He looked at me and Dad and goes, ‘Who’s taught you how to shoot?’ That was the first time I picked up a shotgun,” she said.

Petriella then spent the next year and a half teaching Foss the fundamentals of the sport, in which time she began shooting competitively in early 2020.

Although an Olympic campaign remains a long-term ambition, Foss

Moving Day done right

said her focus remains on steady progress.

“I’d like to think so that I’d be part of (the next Olympics), but I’m taking it one step at a time and

• Don’t take pests with you. Clean and disinfect machinery and equipment before you move.

• Effluent rules apply from day one. Understand how the system works. Check it’s compliant.

• Planning ahead can keep your stock safe and reduce mess in transit.

looking at what I can do in the next six months,” Foss said. “If I’m close next year, then that’s awesome, but if I’m not, there’s always 2032.”

A vibrant, eye-catching foliage plant

The other day while in Mitre 10 I spotted a Alternanthera ‘Choco Chili’ and thought what a wonderful plant for adding some contrast to your garden, so thought I would write about it.

Aternanthera ‘Choco Chili’ is a vibrant, eye-catching foliage plant prized for its deep burgundy, chocolate, and ruby-red leaves. With its rich, warm tones, it brings dramatic contrast to gardens, borders, and containers, especially when paired with green or silver-leaved plants. Compact and bushy, it’s perfect for adding colour

without relying on flowers. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, with the most intense coloration developing in bright light. It prefers well-drained, fertile soil and consistent moisture—though it doesn’t like soggy roots. Regular pinching will encourage a fuller, bushier shape and help maintain its compact form. There is a small catch with this beauty—it’s frost tender. But don’t worry! When you pick one up, be sure to grab some frost cloth to help keep it protected, as it’s truly a standout plant worth the effort. You can also

grow it in a pot and simply move it under cover during winter. If you have garden space close to your house, planting it under the eaves can offer extra protection from light frosts as well.

The photo above shows the striking contrast Alternanthera ‘Choco Chili’ can bring to a garden. Here, I’ve paired it with a Coleonema in front to highlight how beautifully its rich foliage stands out—an easy way to add bold colour and texture to your own garden.

Late drama for Waitete

By Dan Tasker

The Waitete women have hung on to their unbeaten record, but only by the skin of their teeth.

Chasing their third win in as many games and with moments on the clock, Waitete pulled the proverbial rabbit out of the hat as lock Paea Perawiti dotted down to seal a 27-24 win against Kihikihi in Te Kūiti on Saturday.

The winning play came off the back of Kihikihi’s ill-discipline, the backline not retreating 10 metres from a Waitete line-out to give the home team one last opportunity, which they took with arms wide open.

It was a game that could have swung either way as both teams jockeyed the lead, but in the end it was Waitete who took the spoils and delivered the crowd a win in their first home game of the season.

The game was played under New Zealand Rugby’s ‘Game-on’ rules, where a competitive game can still be played with low playing numbers due to Kihikihi only turning up with 15 players.

This saw a shorter 60-minute 12-aside game played, making for more space and plenty of running rugby through the course of the game.

Both teams played a mix of direct running and expansive play, while Kihikihi regularly turned Waitete around with kicking behind the line through first five-eighth Rinoa Day.

These kicks were generally disarmed well by Waitete fullback Chanelle Macrae, although one instance led to Waitete left winger Ebonieshy George tackling a fastapproaching Kiriana Nolan without the ball, for which she was yellow-carded midway through the first half.

Kihikihi went into the break with a slim 12-10 advantage, but Waitete kept coming at them through bullocking runs from captain Charlie Hill, tight forwards Brianna and Kylah Stockman, as well as centre Tara Kingan making a number of line-breaks.

Waitete had the game tied up with five minutes to go as Brianna Stockman broke several tackles on the way to score her second try of the day, only for Kihikihi to hit straight back through Nolan in the corner.

The third win on the trot has Waitete sitting on top of the Waikato Women’s Championship (14 points) ahead of Taupiri (10 points) and United Matamata Sports (nine points), who Waitete play at home on Saturday.

In King Country premier men’s club rugby, Taupō Marist has taken first-round bragging rights, going through unbeaten after seeing off Taumarunui Districts 20-12 in the top-of-the-table match in Taupō on Saturday.

It was the one the punters had been begging for as both Marist and Districts had won all their games up until then, and although Marist won the arm-wrestle to retain the Hetet Shield, there’s no doubt Districts will already have June 27 circled on the calendar for the return match in Taumarunui.

Back home at Rugby Park, Waitete sliced and diced the Taumarunui Eels to return to winning ways 62-12 in a one-sided round seven affair.

The blue bellies bounced out to a 31-0 lead after a rip-roaring opening quarter, thanks to tries from Wiremu Harris, Baven Brown Jnr and David Tutaki plus a double to first fiveeighth Callum Hedley.

Eels plugged the holes to slow the blue wave of points and forced Waitete into a dogfight for much of the game, but Waitete’s sheer energy and execution was too much to contain.

Nevertheless, the red-and-blacks retain fourth spot and this week head to Taupō to stave off Taupō Sports, who are coming off a brutal 55-12 win over Piopio.

Waitete are off to Taumarunui to seek revenge for their first-round loss against Districts, while Waitomo return from bye week to host Piopio.

Sports’ three from three

By Jesse Wood

Ōtorohanga Sports’ senior sides played three away matches on Saturday and came away with a 100 per cent success rate.

The premier gold side beat Te Awamutu Sports 31-26 at Albert Park.

Fullback Jake Laurent, captain Manaaki Rewi-Wetini and flanker Mitch Lewis scored tries in the five-point victory - as did midfielders Manieta Vonovono and Waisea Taninaloka.

Other scorers were outside backs Josh Jolly and Gabriel Simpson.

Halfback Shannon Yorke added three conversions.

This Saturday the men’s sides will face United Matamata Sports at Island Reserve. Ōtorohanga women beat Putāruru wāhine 27-5 at Nola Block on Saturday.

Halfback Klee Begbie crossed the chalk in her hometown.

Vice-captain Liam Fox kicked two conversions and Rewi-Wetini one.

In the earlier clash, Ōtorohanga Sports blues beat Te Awamutu Sports B 46-24. Winger Isoa Dobui once again scored two tries, as did Turuva Lumelume and centre Pex Bukavesi.

Right winger Katie Corbett, left winger Kura Edwards, centre Koiatarau Edwards and reserve Tayla Toa were fellow try scorers.

Toa also added a conversion off the kicking tee.

The Ōtorohanga women host Hamilton Marist-University combined this weekend for a full day of home rugby.

Across 1. Slander (6) 4. Lethal (6) 9. Eightsome (5) 10. Propriety (7) 11. Fun-loving (7) 13. Ecstatic (4)

14. Grumpy (3-8)

17. Fever (4)

18. Digit (7)

21. Prize made of ribbon (7)

Last week

22. Male relative (5) 24. Entreaty (6) 25. Group of seven (6) Down 1. Wilting (6)

Across: 1. Ages, 4. Clumsy, 8. Problem, 9. Flush, 10. Sent, 11. Hallmark, 13. Proofread, 17. Absolute, 19. Core, 21. Scowl, 22. Groomed, 23. Enzyme, 24. Hate. Down: 2. Grownup, 3. Solo, 4. Combat fatigue, 5. Unfolded, 6. Sauna, 7. Shaky, 8. Posy, 12. Foul play, 14. Doormat, 15. Pause, 16. Tend, 18. Swoon, 20. Both.

Moroccan bites with Jan Bilton

Ras al hanout seasoning, the signature spice from Morocco, is a blend of ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, saffron and other warm spices often used in many Moroccan dishes. Typical Moroccan dishes include tagines — gently steamed stews, and bestillas — sweet and savoury flaky pies.

A tagine (or tajine) is a North African, specifically Moroccan, slow-cooked stew, as well as the cone-shaped clay or ceramic pot used to cook it. The unique lid traps steam and returns condensed liquid to the pot, creating tender, moist meat and vegetables.

Couscous is a common carbohydrate served with stews. It is traditionally cooked by steaming semolina grains three times over a simmering stew in a ‘couscoussier’, a twochambered pot. The grains are rubbed with oil and water, then steamed for 15–20 minutes per round, ensuring the couscous becomes fluffy, light, and absorbs the aromas of the meat and vegetables cooking below.

Kiwi cooks — follow the packet instructions.

The cuisine has been influenced by many cultures, including Arab, Jewish, and French, and is both subtle and full of surprises. Slow-cooking methods bring out the unique flavours of the spices. Honey, sugar or fruits, either dried or fresh, are often used to flavour couscous or savoury meat dishes.

Moroccan Spiced Lamb Rack

2 racks lamb, about 5 cutlets each freshly ground black pepper to taste

1-2 tablespoons olive oil

4 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

1 1/2 tablespoons Moroccan spice mix

Preheat the oven to 200°C.

Trim the excess fat from the racks if needed. Season with black pepper. Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Brown the racks quickly on both sides, then place them in a small baking dish, meat side up. Combine the parmesan and Moroccan spice mix. Pat firmly

over the meat side.

Roast the lamb rack for 20-25minutes. The inside temperature should be about 55°C and a little pink.

Great served with an orange-based chutney. Serves 4.

Moroccan Avo Dip

AvoGrey avocados have a long shelf life, are easy to peel, have firm flesh and don’t discolour in a way other varieties do.

1 large AvoGrey avocado or 2 Haas avocados

1 1/2 teaspoons ras al hanout seasoning blend

1 teaspoon finely grated orange rind

1 tablespoon fresh orange juice

2 small tomatoes, seeded and diced

1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander, freshly ground salt to taste

Halve, stone and peel the avocado. Coarsely mash. Gently combine with the ras al hanout, grated peel, juice, tomatoes, coriander and salt. Garnish and serve within the hour.

Serving Suggestion: Top with slices of preserved lemon and serve with crackers and/or fresh veggies.

Quick Preserved Lemon: Slice 4 lemons lengthwise into 6

wedges. Place in a jar and add 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Cover and shake. Leave at room temperature for 3 hours before use.

Beef Tagine with Apricots and Prunes

600g lean stewing beef

1 tablespoon oil

1 each: large onion, carrot, sliced

1 teaspoon each: ground ginger, ground turmeric

1/2 teaspoon each: ground cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, white pepper

2 tablespoons plain flour

3/4 cup each: beef stock, orange juice, dried apricots, pitted prunes

Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan and brown the meat in batches. Add the onion and carrot with the spices and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring. Add the flour, mixing well. Pour in the stock and orange juice and bring to the boil. Stir well. Add the dried apricots and prunes, cover, and cook on very low heat for about 1 1/2 hours or until the meat is tender. Stir occasionally. This treat can be served with couscous. Serves 4.

Property Of The Week

A Property That Could Pay You Back

It starts with character...and keeps on giving.

Set on an elevated site in Te Kuiti, this is a property that offers more than just a place to live, it’s an opportunity to think ahead.

At the top of the section sits a characterfilled 1910s villa, offering three bedrooms, a separate lounge with wood burner, and the kind of bones they just don’t build anymore.

What you’ll love:

• Elevated position bringing in views and privacy

• Character 1910s villa with the makings of a true family home

• 3 bedrooms, separate lounge, wood burner

• One-bedroom secondary dwelling, ideal for income or extended family

• Plenty of off-street parking plus carports

• Established gardens creating multiple private outdoor spaces

• Flexible setup to suit a range of living or investment options

Buyers don’t be quick to judge.

A building report is available, and the vendors are motivated to see this home move on to its next chapter.

Make your move! ADDRESS 32 Hill Street, Te Kūiti LAND SIZE 2233 sqm (more or less) HOUSE 3 bedrooms, 1 living room, 1 bathroom, 1 garage, 2 carport UNIT 1 bedroom, 1 living room, 1 bathroom

PRICE $499,000

WEBSITE monarchsouthwest.co.nz

WEB ID OH24274

VIEW By Appointment

Rothery Place, Otorohanga, 685sqm, power, water, fibre, wastewater at boundary. Ph Buzz/Sam

44 Thomson Ave, Otorohanga, 686sqm, power, water, fibre, wastewater at boundary. Ph Buzz/Sam

9 Sunset Close, Otorohanga, 750sqm in Westridge subdivision. Ph Lorraine $199,000

Lot 1, 52 Old Te Kuiti Road, Otorohanga, 1876sqm, power, water at gate, no covenants. Ph John P $285,000

Lot 2, 0 Old Te Kuiti Road, Otorohanga, 2716sqm, power, water at gate, no covenants. Ph John P. $285,000 149A Old Te Kuiti Road, Lot 1, 5517sqm, easy covenants. Phone Lorraine Offers over $250,000 Lot 1, 627 Waitomo Valley Road, Otorohanga, 8105sqm rural lifestyle section. Phone Julie $298,000

Lots 90-108 Harpers Avenue, 486sqm to 962sqm, Westridge II subdivision. Phone John From $220,000ea 576C Mangawhero Road, Otorohanga, 1ha, fenced, sensible covenants. Ph Noldy Offers over $385,000

Te Kūiti sections (sizes are approximate)

35 Robin Azariah Place, Te

met then a bulk charge will be applied at the end/cancellation of your schedule based on correct rate reflective of the number of ads published e.g. if you have chosen the 12 insertion rate and only publish 6 insertions, the bulk charge will be the di erence in price between the 6 insertion rate and 12 insertion rate multiplied by the number of ads published. You pay the rate reflective of the number of ads you published.

Copy deadline for ad-make up is noon Friday prior to publication day. Booking and Copy deadlines for Waikato Business News and Bay of Plenty Business News is on request. Advertiser is responsible to advise us of any copy changes before proofing deadline –anything not signed o by this time, ad prints as per the last proof sent. Advertising supplied in completed form (finished artwork or camera ready), deadline is Tuesday 11am prior to publication day. Public holiday weeks, all deadlines move forward one working day. Cancellation deadline is one week prior to publication. If cancellations are received after the cancellation deadline, then full charge applies. All other publications and products see separate booking and deadline sheet. Advertising setting incurs a production fee of $50 + GST for up to two proofs, further changes will incur additional production fees. Advertising copy set by Good Local Media Ltd is the property of Good Local Media Ltd and for use in Good Local Media Ltd publications only. If used elsewhere charges will apply, pricing available on request. If supplied ready to print, copy is owned by the advertiser. Publication day is Thursday for urban deliveries and Friday morning for rural deliveries. Acceptance of advertising and free productions services is at the discretion of the publisher. Acceptance of advertising for publication and free productions services is at the discretion of the publisher.

SPECIFICATIONS All images and advertisements to be 300 dpi. No crop marks or bleed. No spot colours. Fonts embedded or pathed. We prefer

To advertise phone Janine 027 287 0005 or email janine@goodlocal.nz

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

high resolution PDFs as the ad file format exported using the compatibility setting: Acrobat 4 (PDF 1.3). Please do not use/include overprint. Ideally, 10pt is the standard point size; however, in some cases with bold fonts 9pt can be used, depending on background. Black text should be 100% black[k]. All artwork submitted needs a border. Specifications for photos and logos – CMYK, high resolution jpeg (minimum 200dpi) pdf attachments. If finished artwork ready to print (Camera Ready) provided does not meet our technical requirements, your advert will be technically fixed, a technical report will be provided, and a $50 + GST production fee will be incurred. No proof will be sent as no design changes will be made.

File formats: We will not accept PDFs created from Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, Photoshop, and Canva. However, we can copy your design and proof for your approval. Any artwork received in these formats must adhere to the copy setting deadline as they are not finished artwork or technically compatible to newspaper printing specifications.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Good Local Media Limited (including its employees, o cers, or agents) shall not be liable for a failure or breach arising from anything beyond their reasonable control e.g. an act of God, fire, earthquake, strike, explosion, or electrical supply failure, unavoidable accident or machine breakdown; and shall not be liable in tort, contract, or otherwise for loss of any kind (whether indirect loss, loss of profits, or consequential loss) to the Advertiser or any other person.

Septic Tank Cleaning

Waitomo District Rates Reminder

- Instalment 4

This is a friendly reminder that the fourth instalment of your 2025/2026 rates is due by 4pm, Friday 29 May 2026. Rates invoices were posted out in April 2026.

Payments received after 29 May 2026 will attract a 10% penalty.

•

Rates payments can be made at the Customer Services and Visitor Hub, 160 Rora Street Te Kūiti, over the phone by credit card, on our website or by Internet Banking using your valuation number as your reference.

Please contact our friendly Customer Services Team on 0800 932 4357 for further assistance.

Executive www.waitomo.govt.nz

Ben Smit

Chief

SITUATIONS VACANT

STOCK MANAGER / GENERAL FARM POSITION

We’re looking for a reliable, hard-working Stockperson to take the reins of our 340ha dry stock farm in Waimiha. If you enjoy working independently and getting stuck into all aspects of farm life, this is the spot for you.

What the job looks like:

You’ll be handling the day-to-day running of the farm—everything from sheep and cattle work to the usual general maintenance like fencing, weed control, feeding out, and crutching. It’s a sole-charge role, so you’ll need to be someone who can manage their own time (with some weekend work in the mix).

What you’ll need:

• Rotational Grazing and Pasture Management experience

• Stock management (drenching, weighing stock etc)

A solid background working with sheep and beef

• A good team of working dogs

• To be physically fit and a straight shooter when it comes to communication.

• Strong organisational skills to keep the place humming. Crutching and shearing skills

• Tractor driving experience

• Current and full NZ driver

Two Bedroom Accommodation can be provided (More suited to a single person or a couple)

Please email a CV with referees to: tbfwaimiha@gmail.com

To be eligible for this role, you must be available for an in-person interview

QUARRY OPERATOR – FIXED PLANT RORISONS LIMESTONE QUARRY

Rorisons RMD are looking for a reliable, handson person to operate our quarry fixed crushing and screening plant.

No fixed plant experience? We can train the right person.

What matters is attitude, reliability, and a willingness to learn.

Full-time, permanent role

Competitive pay

Stable, well-established business

You’ll be part of a small team responsible for keeping the plant running safely and producing consistent product.

If this sounds like you and you have a great sense of humour, build strong relationships and are a team player, join us at Rorisons and help shape the future of our quarry operations!

For full job details head online to Seek or Trade Me. Just search for Rorisons

Or send your CV or a short note about yourself and your work background to Grayden Haine at jobvacancy@rorisons.co.nz

We are more interested in finding the right person than the perfect CV. Drug & alcohol testing applies.

RATING INFORMATION DATABASE

Pursuant to section 28 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 public notice is hereby given that the Rating Information Database is available for public inspection at the Council, 17 Maniapoto Street, Ōtorohanga between the hours of 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday or by visiting our website www.otodc.govt.nz

The Rating Information Database records all information required by a local authority for setting and assessing rates on properties within their district. For each rating property this includes its valuation and any categories that belong to that property that are used to charge separate targeted rates. This database does not include the name of the ratepayer nor any address other than the physical street address of the property.

Tanya Winter CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Te Kuiti and District Memorial RSA would like to express our gratitude and thanks to all those involved in giving and collecting for the Poppy Day appeal.

A special thank you must go to Michelle and team at Waitomo District Council and to the team at the Waitomo Club for their support in making our Anzac Day so special in the remembrance of the fallen.

LEST WE FORGET

To keep this day continuing and alive we need your support. Please do inquire about RSA membership at the Waitomo Club.

Rating Information Database Available For Public Inspection

Pursuant to Section 28 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, Waitomo District Council gives notice that the district valuation roll and rates records are available for public inspection at the Customer Services and Visitor Hub at 160 Rora Street,Te Kūiti during opening hours.

The Rating Information Database is also available on our website at www.waitomo.govt.nz (under Our Council –Rates Information – Rating Information Database).

The Rating Information Database contains information required by the Council for setting and assessing rates on each rating unit within the Waitomo District.

The owners’ names and postal addresses of all properties are available for inspection unless Council has received a request in writing to withhold an owner’s name and postal address from the database.

All requests for suppression of names and postal addresses must be made in writing and addressed to Waitomo District Council, PO Box 404, Te Kūiti 3941 or emailed to: rates@waitomo.govt.nz.

Ben

Smit Chief Executive

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

KLEIN, Brian Frank –Passed away peacefully at Waikato Hospital on Thursday 7 May 2026. Aged 87 years. Dearly loved and respected brother of Mary Sircombe Otorohanga. Stan (dec) and their children, Judith Payne and Robyne Sircombe - Pownley and Tony Sircombe and their families. Brian will be so missed, as always helpful, kindly caring brother, friend, and gentle man, that he was. You have earned your rest, so be at peace now.

St Bride's Anglican Church Haerehuka St Ōtorohanga Sunday morning service 10am Ph 07 873 7006

St David's Presbyterian Church Ranfurly St, Ōtorohanga Harvest Church Ōtorohanga

Services – Sunday 10am Session clerk Ph Dawn 07 873 8735 Room bookings Ph Claire 027 276 6624

Sunday Service @ 10.30am 5 Tuhoro Street, Ōtorohanga Ph 07 873 8890 Mob 027 493 0117 Email harvest.pc@xtra.co.nz ALL WELCOME. Pastors Peter & Carole Coventry (An Assemblies of God Church)

ARIA MŌKAU CO-OPERATING PARISH

All Saints Piopio, 22 Moa St Sunday 10am

St Peter’s by the Sea 25 Aria Tce, Mōkau 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sunday 2pm

Piopio contact: 07 877 8097

Mokau contact: 06 752 9123

Guiding you with care

In life’s hardest moments, you don’t have to be alone. Our caring, experienced, and local team offers support, guidance, and a farewell that truly honours your loved one. Available 24/7 – call us when you need us.

We welcome you to our 10.30am Sunday service. www.journeychurch.org.nz 10 Sheridan St, Te Kūiti An Assemblies of God church 10:30am Sunday 10 Sheridan St, Te Kuiti Pastor Terry & Rowena Bradley 07 878 8694 021 703 008 An Assemblies of God Church

10:30am Sunday 10 Sheridan St, Te Kuiti

Pastor Terry & Rowena Bradley 07 878 8694 021 703 008

King Country Christians meet every Sunday in the Piopio Senior Citizens Hall, Weka Street, Piopio, at 10.30am

An Assemblies of God Church

Phone Judy 021135946 Everyone is welcome! Phone 0211359346