King Country News | May 7, 2026

Taking the right path

By Dan Tasker

Better never stops for Paul Wood, as locals found out at an inspirational night out in Te Kūiti on Monday.

Wood, a clinical psychologist, keynote speaker and author, was front-and-centre at the Les Munro Centre to share his journey from delinquent to doctor in front of around 100 locals.

The free event, presented by Legendary Te Kūiti (LTK) and sponsored by The Lines Company (TLC), aimed to encourage and inspire locals to live better lives, LTK chairman Andy Connors said.

“It was an amazing opportunity to bring an inspirational speaker to town, and I’m absolutely stoked with the number of people that turned out,” Connors said.

“Here’s a guy that has had a pretty tough life and he’s come out the other side and done good. That’s the sort of message that’s in our community every day and we’re just hoping we can inspire other people to follow,” he said.

Although Wood grew up in a two-parent home with his three brothers in the 1980s and 1990s, he confessed to being “raised by the streets” as violence and gang membership took his attention.

His parents weren’t equipped to lead him through the lessons of life, leaving him exposed to the common messages to “harden up” and negative influences.

“All of us need to feel accepted, all of us need to feel that we make contributions to the tribe that matters. And the problem is, if you

don’t have a positive tribe to help you in that respect, then you can be led down unhelpful places and that’s what happened to me,” Wood said.

Wood’s world was turned upside down at 18-years-old when his mother died; days later, he met up with a drug-dealer who he killed for trying to sexually abuse him, leaving him with a murder charge and almost 11 years behind bars.

“I made every choice that put myself into that situation. I made every choice to earn me my place

in prison. I was on a path from when I was about 12. From that point onwards, I was on a clear path,” Wood said.

While in prison he worked through his issues and began studying and eventually became a doctor of psychology where he now helps others to a better path.

Times have changed though, with Wood identifying youth being raised online as the new threat, but he encouraged parents to shepherd their children to “make hard choices

now and have an easy life later”.

“There’s a lot of young people today who spend so much time on their devices. We think they’re safe in their rooms, when actually they’re depriving themselves of the opportunity to be out in the world, learning how to solve problems, learning how to engage with other people,” Wood said.

“We want to start talking with our kids as early as possible, so that when we really need to talk to them later on, that bridge is

already built,” he said. He posed three main questions to the public and offered tools for their own positive change – am I present, am I open and am I doing what’s right?

Wood gave the crowd breathing techniques to “be where your feet are” and to help turn a reaction into a response, he challenged people to be open to both being authentic and understanding other perspectives, and “listening to what your gut is telling you”.

St John Health Shuttle

Women lead the hunt

The increasing number of women who go hunting has been reflected in the results of this year’s annual Pureora Hunting Competition.

Elle Lamont took out the top Douglas Score head with a 12-pointer that scored 294.75the highest score out of the 47 heads entered. And in the junior deer category, Lucy Waghorn came out on top with a Douglas Score of 249.5.

Both women are from Te Kuiti.

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The 6-week event was run by the Department of Conservation’s Maniapoto team, with support from the NZ Deerstalkers Association and has been a fixture for hunters for more than 30 years.

The event was open to any permitted hunter who took a wild deer from Pureora Forest Park during this period.

DOC Waitomo Principal Ranger Ray Scrimgeour says the competition had a field of 27 entrants in the deer category –including five juniors, 15 years old or younger.

“It’s great to see women doing well once again, after winning the deer competition in 2024 and 2019. We’re seeing more and more women getting into hunting and its great this is reflected in the competition results.”

He said most of entrants were locals, but there were others from Auckland and Tauranga.

“This is a real community

event and relies on volunteers helping out, their time and effort is hugely appreciated.”

The fact the competition focusses on Pureora and is run

Arohena water date confirmed

By Jesse Wood

Ōtorohanga District Council has confirmed the drinking water component of the Arohena Rural Water SuppliesKahorekau, Huirimu and Taupaki, will revert to stock supplies by the end of the financial year.

Council group manager of engineering and assets Mark Lewis presented a report at a council meeting last week following a referendum outcome.

This report was part of a process started about 18 months ago to close down the drinking water component of the Arohena Rural Water Scheme

A binding referendum - 78 out of 81 backed resorting to a stock supply - paved the way for the closure. To bring the supply as it is up to compliance would have cost an estimated $6 million.

“This is basically the legislative requirement that the council adopts the results and we carry on and close down

Gas thieves active

Another busy week has passed for King Country Police, with staff responding to a range of incidents across the district.

Police have been made aware of several thefts where fuel has been targeted. We encourage members of the public to report these incidents as soon as they are discovered, as timely reporting assists police to identify patterns and plan targeted patrols.

Police attended an address in Te Kūiti to assist a female experiencing a mental health crisis that resulted in a family harm incident. Officers assisted in transporting a female to mental health services in Hamilton.

Staff attended a sudden death in Ōtorohanga involving a terminally ill male who passed away in a public place. Due to the circumstances, the matter has been referred to the coroner.

Police are investigating a burglary in

Ōtorohanga where a male and female attended a property under the guise of seeking fuel assistance for a broken-down vehicle. While at the address, the pair stole a vehicle belonging to the occupant. Enquiries are ongoing and police are working to identify and hold those responsible to account.

A 33-year-old male was arrested in Te Kūiti for breaching his bail conditions and was transported to Hamilton custody.

In a separate incident, police arrested a 34-year-old male in Te Kūiti for breaching the conditions of his electronically monitored bail after leaving his approved address without permission.He was taken into custody without incident.

Staff have also been investigating a burglary in Ōtorohanga where a male entered a residential property, causing damage to both the dwelling and a vehicle

the drinking water from those three water supplies in a timely fashion,” Lewis said.

Councillor Jo Butcher asked if the Arohena Hall would have a new self-supply drinking water system by 2027.

“Everything has to be completed by the March 31 date. We’re putting together some pricing on that work now,” Lewis said. “We won’t necessarily wait until that end date to put that in place. But it has to be up and running by the end date.

on the property before fleeing. Police identified the offender as a wanted male who had removed his electronic monitoring bracelet and absconded from his bail address in Hamilton.

Following extensive enquiries, King Country police located and arrested the male at an address in Hamilton. Police have opposed bail.

Police are also investigating a serious assault where a known male allegedly assaulted another male and made threats toward him and his former partner.

Throughout the week, police responded to several reports of unsafe and antisocial driving across the district.

We continue to encourage the public to report dangerous driving, suspicious behaviour, and criminal activity.

Statement released

The Lines Company’s 2026 Statement of Corporate Intent released this week outlines a focus on investment in its electricity network, much of which was built before the 1970s. Chief executive Mike Fox said the statement was a commitment to building a network and an organisation that supports communities for generations to come.

In the News

Strong regional confidence is being tested by mounting global uncertainty, with the conflict involving Iran casting a shadow over what had been shaping as an economic comeback.

In this month’s Waikato Business News Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman reinforces the importance of looking beyond national averages to understand what is happening on the ground.

Season starts Fish and Game has given a positive report on the opening weekend of the duck shooting season in Waikato. Auckland-Waikato chief executive Dave Klee said rangers in Waikato found a few instances of people bagging more birds than they were allowed, “though hunters have largely been playing by the rules and doing the right thing”.

Council stays put Waikato regional councillors have rejected a call to withdraw from local Government New Zealand. A motion from councillor Noel Smith, seconded by Chris Hughes, called for the end of the council’s $91,500 membership – but only Waipā-King Country councillor Garry Reymer voted with them. In favour of staying were Robbie Cookson, Mich’eal Downard, Ben Dunbar-Smith, Keith Holmes, Kataraina Hodge, Warren Maher, Gary McGuire, Jennifer Nickel, Liz Stolwyk and Angela Strange.

Beauty beats the bullies

By Dan Tasker

Miss New Zealand finalist Kalani Henry returned to her Ōtorohanga roots on Saturday to host a charity event in Hangatiki.

The 20-year-old hosted the ‘Pink For Purpose’ fundraiser supporting anti-bullying and mental health awareness at Hangatiki’s Caves Motor Inn, as she builds towards the Miss NZ finals night on June 6 at the Bruce Mason Centre in Auckland.

The event attracted a crowd of 85 people, many who had been part of Henry’s life before she moved to Napier, where she now works as a beauty therapist.

“I’m not going to lie, I was very nervous –still very nervous – to be speaking in front of all you people who I know so well,” Henry said.

“Thank you so much for being out here tonight. I truly appreciate it and just a huge thanks to everyone again,” she said.

Bullying directly impacted Henry growing up and was initially provoked because of a hair loss condition called alopecia areata which she had from a young age.

Because of this, Henry wanted to use her platform as a Miss NZ finalist to promote treating people with love and kindness.

“In high school, I struggled with a lot of self-esteem and how I saw myself. Alongside that, I also experienced bullying; it has had a lasting pain on my mental health and confidence. But as I got older in late high school, I began to realise how powerful kindness can be,” Henry said.

“I’m using my voice to remind young people they are worthy of respect, kindness, safety and acceptance. Nobody should ever feel like they have to go through these things in silence,” she said.

Henry’s dance teacher of 11 years, Mel O’Brien, spoke of how Henry lived a life opposite to bullying and had become an advocate for treating people with respect.

“You don’t even need a microphone to

be an ambassador for that and to be able to get that word out there because you show that with your life. You show that with the way you treat other people and you always have,” O’Brien said.

“There were times where we had to encourage Kalani to lift her head higher because she needed to have more confidence and believe in herself more, so it’s really cool to be able to see you standing up here now Kalani having confidence in believing in yourself.

“We’re all backing you and we hope that you enjoy your journey and whether you win or not, you’re a winner to all of us,” she said.

Henry’s interest in beauty pageants started in 2023, but because she was still studying, she only decided to take the plunge into Miss NZ this year.

The journey began in December when candidates went through a screening process, which included candidates showing how well they walked in heels.

From there, finalists were chosen and put through their paces at several pageant bootcamps in January to prepare them for the main event in June.

“We had training in our heels; it may just seem like walking in heels, but there’s a lot more to it. There’s actually a pageant code book, so we do all the poses and the walking. Also they put us into some confidence speaking training as well, so they try and build you up as a person,” Henry said.

Between now and finals night, Henry is busy running charity events like the ‘Pink For Purpose’ fundraiser as well as school visits, not to mention shooting a tourism video promoting the Waitomo Caves while she was back home.

The June 6 final will see the 10 finalists compete in a number of events including a runway, swimsuit and talent round, where Henry plans to perform a contemporary dance.

Power to the people celebrated

By Dan Tasker

A century of connecting local communities through electricity was at the heart of The Lines Company’s (TLC) celebrations in Te Kūiti last Thursday.

More than 100 people with connections back to the generation and supply of electricity in the area gathered at the Les Munro Centre for a time of celebration and

reminiscing.

The reunion, led by former Waitomo mayor and current Waitomo Energy Services Customer Trust (Wesct) trustee Brian Hanna, included plenty of mixing and mingling, the cutting of the centenary cake and the playing of four videos telling the story of electricity in Waitomo and beyond.

The first video captured how electricity came to Waitomo after

the New Zealand prime minister William Massey’s 1923 visit to the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves motivated him to bring electricity to the area to light the caves.

Shortly after, the Waitomo Electric Power Board was set-up, representatives were elected and just like that, electicity arrived on April 30, 1926.

“The foresight and the vision of the people that started all of this off all of those years ago, to building

their own network essentially, and getting themselves connected. That sort of blows my mind and it’s set us up really well for where we are today 100 years down the track,” TLC chief executive Mike Fox said. Ōtorohanga businessman John Haddad’s father arrived in town the same year electricity was introduced, and recalled some of the stories of the early days with power.

The many skills of Betty Wheeler

By Dan Tasker

Betty Wheeler, a devoted community contributor, talented musician, and tireless homemaker has died aged 95, leaving a legacy woven into the fabric of Ōtorohanga and beyond.

Born in Eltham on March 16, 1931, she was the eldest of six children to Eric and Mavis Thompson (née Death) and had a rural upbringing shaped by resilience, creativity and strong family values.

Her early years were not without challenge—she narrowly survived a childhood medical emergency—and her determination was evident from a young age.

Whether riding horseback to school or helping on the family farm on Mangaorongo Rd, she developed the independence and capability that would define her life.

Betty attended New Plymouth Girls’ High School, where she excelled in art and music, particularly at the piano.

She later trained as a school dental nurse and began working in Ōtorohanga, where she met her future husband, Trevor, at the local tennis club.

They married on October 17, 1953, and settled on Otewa Road, where they raised their four children—Warren, Malcolm, Colin and Lynda—amid running a busy family-run beekeeping business.

Betty was known for her skill in cooking, sewing, knitting, gardening and preserving food, as well as her practical ingenuity in home renovations and creative pursuits.

Her firm but fair parenting style and quiet humour left a lasting impression on her family.

Betty was deeply involved in her community, serving as choir mistress and organist at St Bride’s Anglican Church and

later volunteered at the church’s thrift shop.

Her artistic talents extended to handcolouring photographs for a photographer and working in interior decorating at the Ōtorohanga Timber Company.

Her contribution to conservation and heritage was especially significant through her long involvement with the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House and Zoological Society.

She served as president from 1976 to 1980 and secretary from 1981 to 1984 and played a vital role in its early development. As its first gardener, she helped shape the park’s landscape, and later documented its history in a published work covering its first 30 years.

An enthusiastic sportswoman, Betty was a championship golfer at Waitomo Golf Club, achieving a handicap of three and

holding leadership roles including club captain and president.

She was also an active member of the tramping and bowling clubs, maintaining her competitive spirit even as her vision declined later in life.

Betty and Trevor shared a love of travel and explored New Zealand extensively by caravan and ventured overseas to destinations including Australia, Japan, Canada and Europe.

In later years, the couple settled at Beattie Village, where Betty continued gardening and enjoying a close-knit community.

Predeceased by her husband Trevor in 2024, Betty is survived by her four children, nine grandchildren, five greatgrandchildren and her siblings.

Tribute tops web stats

Our obituary for Paul Senior-Partridge – aka Norris Woodbine – was the top news story on our kingcountrynews.co.nz website last month.

It was one of the first stories written by Dan Tasker following his return to The News and showed the benefit of having a reporter on the ground in

the community.

His comprehensive Anzac Day coverage came in second while in third was a March report on the 50th scout camp in Piopio.

Constable Chris Aspin’s On the Beat continues to interest readers coming in fourth while news that Te Kumi Station Road is now Tuariri Road thanks

to the perseverance of the descendants of the new road’s namesake rounded out the top five. Our home and e-Editions pages – with full pdf versions of the newspaper – came in first and second overall. Visits to the website are steady following the relaunch late last year.

YOUR WAIPĀ NETWORKS DISCOUNT IS COMING

Waipā Networks customers will receive their next electricity discount this month, with credits automatically applied to eligible power accounts.

The discount is paid twice a year and is one way that customers can share in the benefits of local ownership. Waipā Networks is wholly owned by Waipā Networks Trust on behalf of local electricity customers, so value generated through the network stays connected to the people and communities it serves.

Approximately $3 million, including GST, will be returned to customers in this round of discounts. The average discount per eligible property is approximately $120, including GST. Total discounts for the 2025/26 financial year are around $6.5 million, including GST.

Customers don’t need to apply for their discount. If a property was connected to the Waipā Networks electricity network and registered with an electricity retailer on 23 April 2026, the discount will be applied automatically.

Waipā Networks Trust Chair Sarah Matthews says the discounts are a practical example of local ownership delivering value for customers.

“The Trust owns Waipā Networks on behalf of customers and represents their interests. These discounts are one way the benefits of local ownership are returned to customers, while Waipā Networks continues investing in a reliable network for the future.”

HOW THE DISCOUNT WORKS

The discount is applied per eligible property. In the electricity sector, each connection point is known as an Installation Control Point, or ICP. The amount varies depending on the property’s electricity use and pricing plan during the qualifying period.

Customers with more than one eligible property will receive a discount for each one. If someone has recently moved, the discount may reflect electricity used at the property earlier in the period, for example, by a previous tenant.

Waipā Networks Chief Executive, Damien Whiffen, says the discount is part of a broader commitment to delivering value while continuing to invest in the local network.

“Our focus is on making sure customers see the benefits of local ownership now, while we keep planning and investing in the network needed to enable growth, resilience and future electricity needs across Waipā.”

HOW WILL I KNOW IF I’VE RECEIVED THE DISCOUNT?

Waipā Networks is the local lines company that owns and maintains the electricity network across the district. Electricity retailers manage customer accounts and bills, so the discount appears as a credit through each customer’s retailer.

Discounts are credited to retailers on or shortly after 23 April 2026, depending on billing cycles. Customers should see the credit on their bill in April or May 2026, usually labelled “Waipā Networks Discount” or similar.

If customers have questions about how the credit appears on their bill, their electricity retailer is the best first point of contact.

Waipā Networks pays customer discounts twice a year, based on electricity usage and pricing during 1 April to 30 September, paid in October, and 1 October to 31 March, paid in April.

Customers who want to understand how discounts are calculated can find Waipā Networks’ discount methodology and further information by scanning the QR code, or at: waipanetworks.co.nz/ about/document-library/ disclosure/customer-discounts/

AGE OF REASON

A price conundrum

By Richard Steele

Last week I saw a comparison of petrol prices between service stations in the King Country, and 40 cents a litre difference was quoted in towns barely 100km apart.

Then I noted this morning the large shipping company Maersk was putting their shipping costs up 27 per cent, and in the same article Marley the spouting and plumbing type manufacturers, putting their prices up 20 per cent.

And that I’m sure, is but the tip of the iceberg. My point is that business all over is going to take the opportunity when and where they can, to put prices up, whether they need to or not, and that we, the consumers, have no option but to shut up and pay up.

We should all blame Donald Trump for attacking Iran, and the justification for that is another matter, for the distortion in the free flow of oil worldwide.

But here’s the question – if only 20 per cent of the world’s oil flows through the strait of Hormuz, what’s happened to the other 80 per cent that never goes near the place, why isn’t that 80 per cent keeping the oil prices around the rest of the world at a more reasonable level?

It’s quite likely that I’m just naive, or that everyone in the whole worldwide supply chain is taking the opportunity, to make more money out of us long suffering people, just because they can.

Are these the unforeseen results of an unfortunate war, or a cunning plot, a Trumpian plot to divert attention from the Epstein embarrassment - or even more simply, to divert attention away from the failing American economy?

I don’t know what to do about this, other

than to drive less, and then I make the rest of the economy suffer. I’m sure this fine newspaper has many illustrious readers who can make a real difference, but to change the minds of some of the loopy bastards currently running the world into the ground seems like a task that’s too big for us.

The bastions of the American economy have for generations been the oil giants, and from my readings, they are self-sufficient in oil. If that’s the case, and I’m sure it is, then why or how can their oil prices go up so much due to a fight their dear leader started halfway around the world from them?

Spare a thought for our political leaders, who are battling an increasingly out of control economy caused entirely offshore.

I don’t give a fat rat about the American consumer, in that he or she or they, are getting exactly what they voted for. It’s us downstream people in smaller allied nations, who are face an increasingly expensive cost of living, and from where I sit, the only way out of this mess is for us to be more self-sufficient.

We need a long term, sustainable outcome, to be independent of the next oil shock.

Meghan’s back

Columnist Meghan Hawkes returns to the King Country News this week with her column Tales from the Passed. Read the story of William Monaghan on page 10 today.

ON SHAKY GROUND

What’s triggered from space?

By Janine Krippner

When researching large submarine landslides below our oceans, an alien example caught my attention.

About 51 million years ago a meteorite hit the continental shelf about 200 km south of Nova Scotia, Canada. This location is now buried under around 600 metres of sedimentso how do we uncover these dramatic events?

Researchers study the seafloor sediment and underlying rock using seismic data that ‘looks’ through the layers, often acquired during hydrocarbon exploration. Wells are drilled deep down through the layers and samples brought back to the surface.

These tools identified a submarine impact site for the first time. This was published in a 1987 research article, so is a pretty recent discovery.

The age of the impact was figured out by analysing rocks that melted during the impact, pinpointing the time they cooled back into glassy rock, very roughly speaking.

The impact formed a crater at least 45km wide and about 2.7km deep. For comparison, it is 42km from Ōtorohanga to Cambridge. The meteorite was calculated to be around 2.5-3.4km wide, assuming it travelled at a velocity of around 29km a second.

With something that powerful hitting the sloping seafloor, a significant portion of the slope collapses, causing widespread landslides.

Once all the rock and sediment stopped moving, it covered an area of around 93,000 square kilometres. Now this is a difficult area to imagine so to help, Lake Taupo covers around 610 square kilometres, and the area of the North Island is not quite140,000 square kilometres.

The landslide travelled an impressive

distance, reaching out to 580km from the impact site. The drive from Hamilton to Wellington is about 525 km. These impressive numbers make this one of the largest landslides that we know of. With these massive events, researchers unpack what happened like working through clues at a crime scene. A giant crime scene below the ocean, buried by 51 million years’ worth of sediment. Easy, right?

They considered how much material was displaced by the initial shaking, and how much was moved by the ensuing tsunami and the flow of water across the site. Where the meteorite hit, the water depth was somewhere around 300m. The movement of water would have eroded away surface sediments across the area.

Thankfully, we don’t have recent experience with large meteorite impacts, and they are pretty low on the list of things we will likely have to deal with. However, understanding these impacts and how they influence the land or seafloor around them is part of understanding how our planet evolved.

This helps put into context all of the more common processes, such as which landslides are caused by more likely events like large earthquakes.

Understanding all the complex parts of our geologic history gives important insight into the range of different processes that interact to shape our land and seafloor. It all matters. May we all happily live our lives without ever witnessing one of these extraordinary events.

Power to the people celebrated

Continued from page 3

“He was very happy to have electric power of course; when it was so new, everyone was very excited,” Haddad said.

“He showed me his kerosene lantern that he had – that used to come on quite often. He used to have to look for that because the power would go off; you’d have a lot of power cuts,” he said.

In the early days, communities would work alongside the power board by providing labour and helping with some of the work, like standing power poles, to provide electricity to the community.

The Waitomo Electric Power Board became worldleading with its innovation

to supply electricity on difficult terrain, illustrated in the single wire earth return technology that was developed.

A second video covered off the reforms that hit the electricity sector hard in the late 1980s and early 1990s, as the David Lange-led Labour government drove through plans to amalgamate electrical supply authorities and sector reforms.

“The government did not want trusts, actually at one stage the Labour government wanted to take the shares from all these commercial entities, and I think their idea was to make it into one big power company,” TLC foundational director Robert Kidd said.

Locals fought against this through the establishment of the Supply Authority Anti-Amalgamation Group, which eventually led in 1993 to the formation of Wesct, the community trust set-up to keep ownership of the network in local hands.

This was helped by local National MP Jim Bolger being NZ prime minister at the time, which helped in changing the law so a trust like Wesct could own a company like TLC.

The third video discussed how Wesct drove TLC to be profitable following the reforms under the leadership of long-time TLC chief executive John Anderson, with initiatives like the metering business, maintenance contracts and

setting up a subsidiary company to run a number of hydro schemes.

The final video focused on the investment in people

involved in TLC over the generations since electricity was brought to the region, and current TLC chair Bella Takiari-Brame highlighted it

as a factor for the company’s success over 100 years.

“I think we’ve always put people at the centre of what we do,” Takiari-Brame said.

Flawless finishes every time

There’s a reason we don’t paint our own vehicles or give our kitchens and o ces an amateur facelift – that’s because Colour Fx Spray Paints in Ōtorohanga can do the job to a far higher standard.

Business founder and owner Peter Toa has built up a great reputation doing just that, not just in Ōtorohanga but in Taumarunui, Te Kuiti and even as far as Waikehe Island.

He started the operation about 40 years ago, initially limiting work to spray painting cars and other vehicles. Some 20 years ago he introduced joinery. That’s been such a successful move that the workload he shares with just one other worker now comprises a rough split between vehicles and joinery jobs.

Whether spray painting that ding in your car or giving full-vehicle coverage – or even taking restored vehicles from faded to fabulous – Peter provides a precision job, however long perfection takes. He applies the same level of e ort on the joinery side, giving kitchens and other areas flawless finishes, whether they are new-builds or refurbishment jobs. In all cases, Colour Fx in Ōtorohanga’s Spicer Road can be relied on to give you the very best in paint jobs.

Kihikihi next up for Waitete

By Dan Tasker

Waitete women are looking to continue their rich vein of form in the Waikato Rugby Championship as they prepare for their first home game of 2026.

The team in blue are back on the hallowed Rugby Park ground in Te Kūiti on Saturday, where they will take on former premiership side Kihikihi.

Their return home comes off the back of a perfect two-from-two start to the championship season away from home, having beaten Hinuera 17-7 on Anzac weekend before sneaking home 36-33 against Pirongia last week.

Waitete captain Katelin Warren was pleased with the effort.

“We have some very good ball-runners who can run hard, and a structure that allows the work to be shared more between the backs and the forwards. Our scrums stood out to be our best asset in the forward pack,” Warren said.

Kihikihi are on the opposite end of the spectrum having lost close to United Matamata Sports 17-7 in round one before going down 50-0 to Taupiri in a one-sided affair last week.

A couple of early wins has helped Waitete settle into their work, especially with the

team coming under the new management of head coach Jason Turner, his off-sider Tipene Wehi and manager Robyn Turner taking over from the experienced Wayne Fraser, who had been with Waitete for three seasons.

With 26 players on the books, Turner said players were bringing their best in a balanced squad of young rookies, like Te Kūiti High School players Brianna Stockman, Kylah Stockman and Shayla Turner, and more experienced heads.

At 22, Warren leads Waitete in her fifth year with the club and is supported by vicecaptain Charlie Hill, along with fellow King Country Trailblazers Matewehe King, Kelsi Barnett, Abbe Putaura, Tauvalea Law and Chanelle Macrae as key personnel.

Meanwhile, Waitete was humbled by Taupō Marist 43-7 in the latest round of King Country premier men’s club rugby, the game doubling as a Hetet Shield match.

Waitete return home this weekend to play Taumarunui Eels, while Marist will host Taumarunui Districts in a top-of-the-table clash.

Piopio will also head to Taupō for a midtable clash against Taupō Sports following their 69-0 loss to Districts last week, while Waitomo has their bye week after going down 62-0 to Eels at Cherry Grove.

Lost, found and lost

By Meghan Hawkes

The sound of a bump at the foot of a cliff confirmed the worst fears of Mat Walton, Wesley Hackett and Harry Pearce, labourers who were working on the Awakino Valley Road in October 1915.

The fourth man in their party, William Monaghan, had disappeared and they had turned back to look for him.

The men had left Awakino around 1pm to return to their work camp, drinking whisky out of a bottle as they walked along the road – 76-year-old Monaghan becoming helplessly drunk. They stopped at McKenzie’s camp to have tea, and later in the evening they left for their own camp, which was further along the road.

When they had walked about a mile they sat down to rest for a few minutes. It was now dark and they had reached a very dangerous part of the road where steep cliffs sheered almost straight down into the Awakino River. When they started their journey again and had

gone about 60 feet, they realised William wasn’t with them.

Now Mat Walton climbed down the cliff and found William lying head downwards on some loose rocks near the river. He had fallen about 30 feet but said he was not hurt. Mat picked him up and laid him in a safe position alongside a log. He then climbed up the cliff to the road again for help and a rope to pull William up with.

Harry Pearce hurried to Mr Calvert’s station about two miles away to get a rope while Mat and Wesley sat at the edge of the road, repeatedly calling down to William. He kept answering them but then went silent. Ten minutes later Harry arrived back with a rope. It was now about1am. Mat climbed down the cliff again but there was no trace of William. The men found one of William’s boots at the top of the cliff where he went over, and at daybreak they found the other boot at the spot where Mat had left William lying at the bottom of the cliff.

The police were alerted and Constable McGregor of Mōkau examined the cliff, which was very dangerous being at the edge of the road. He saw marks where William had fallen over and he arranged to have the river dragged in the vicinity, but William was not found. Newspapers reported on the ‘Peculiar case at Awakino’ and the unusual features around the disappearance of William Monaghan.

Six days later William’s body was recovered from the river about two miles down from the scene of the accident.

An inquest ruled he had accidentally drowned, no blame being attached to anyone.

The man who was found and then lost again was buried at Mōkau cemetery.

Our Mother

Emmah and Sue

“We have a very special message for you. With Mother`s Day approaching we always tell you stories about jewellery but now we want to write about our amazing mother – the pearl in our business. She always holds us tight and says: “I love you”. I love You – from her heart. Mum who is a great listener, strong, supportive and passionate about our dreams.

Our mother is a wonderful jeweller with lots of creativity and full of amazing thoughts. She is our very special team member who works tirelessly in the background creating special pieces for others. So today we want to thank her for all the kindness and the work she has done for us and for our business.

Mothers are like pearls – they`re unique, strong, special and precious. This Mother`s Day give her a timeless classic symbol of the love and care your mother like ours has given unconditionally.

Pre-ordering is recommended Open and delivering all through Mother’s Day weekend Studio hours - Friday 9am - 5.30pm, Sat 9am - 4pm, Sun 8.30am - 12.30pm

Every Mum deserves something extraordinary

This Mother’s Day, celebrate the beauty of love with flowers crafted from the heart. At Moss & Co, Iona brings over 30 years of passion and creativity to every arrangement, blending blooms and botanicals in perfect harmony. Discover Moss & Co From vibrant bouquets to thoughtfully curated gift boxes, each creation is designed to make Mum feel truly special. Inspired by nature and grown with care, Iona’s floral designs are as unique as the people who receive them—because every mum deserves something extraordinary.

Your animal health is

Your locally owned vet clinic

We cover a wide area, servicing clients from Waitomo and Te Kūiti to Benneydale, Ōhura and west along the coast, travelling as far north as Waikawau and Kāwhia.

We are a diverse practice, with a very experienced and skilled production animal team who enjoy working with farmers and helping them maximize profitability.

We also have an experienced team dedicated to companion animal medicine and surgery. Our vets are skilled in a diverse range of species and their associated medical and surgical requirements.

We offer a full range of services and have extensive showrooms stocked with everything from drench, dips and dairy products to pet accessories. Our staff have their areas of expertise and offer up to date information and advice to help you make the right decision for your situation.

Our close team of veterinarians and support staff take pride in trying to achieve the best outcomes in terms of your farm’s animal health and overall productivity. We understand that every farmer runs their farming operation in their own unique way and that advice must be tailored to each client, and each situation.

Our vets spend time getting to know our clients, and are attuned to their individual needs. We realise that one size does not always fit all.

The team who understand your needs

At the heart of our community, we are here to power your world. With a tight-knit team of five skilled technicians and a dedicated office member, we are your local electrical experts. From homes to businesses, we take pride in delivering reliable, safe, and efficient electrical solutions tailored to your needs.

Our personalised approach ensures that every job is done with care and precision, putting the community’s safety and satisfaction first.

Whether it’s installations, repairs, or maintenance, we have the expertise to keep your lights on and your electrical systems running smoothly.

As a valued member of our community, you can trust us to provide top-notch service that’s backed by our commitment to excellence.

When you choose us, you’re choosing a team that understands your unique needs and is dedicated to serving them with integrity and professionalism. Reach out to us today for all your electrical needs, and experience the difference of working with a team that truly cares about its community. So Call us today on 07 873 7895

Protect your business with insurance advice shaped by local understanding.

Get a free, no obligation second opinion from Rothbury Insurance Brokers.

Founded in New Zealand, Rothbury has been advising Kiwi individuals and businesses for over 75 years, with advice and client decision making led locally and supported by global capability.

Our teams live and work in the communities we serve.

For insurance that’s tailored, trusted and grounded in local expertise, leave it to Pat.

“Te hanga tahi o tātou TakiwaShaping our District together”

Waitomo District Council provides services, facilities, infrastructure, community funding and events as part of its vision of “Shaping our District together”.

We manage services such as local roads, footpaths, animal control, library, visitor information, public swimming pool, parks and gardens, cemeteries, playgrounds, recycling and rubbish disposal, building control, and environmental services.

We also provide funding opportunities for community groups and organisations through our community and partnerships fund.

Council’s community outcomes facilitate the promotion of the Local Government four wellbeings which are Social, Economic, Environmental and Cultural.

If you are new to our district and would like to find out more about what we do, please visit our website www.waitomo.govt.nz

Our Long Term Plan 2024-2034 and Annual Plan sets out our plans on how we will shape our district together.

If you need assistance with a service, please phone us on 0800 932 4357, email info@waitomo.govt.nz or visit our Customer Service and Visitor Hub at 160 Rora Street, Te Kūiti.

ROAD SAFETY WEEK

MAY 4-10, 2026

Road Safety Independence

Deciding when it is safe for young children to use the road by themselves can’t be based on age alone, but on a combination of maturity, experience, environment, and the specific risks they face.

Every child develops differently, so careful assessment and gradual independence are essential if you want your child to stay safe when travelling on or near the road, whether it be urban or rural.

In general, most experts suggest that children under the age of eight to 10 are not yet ready to manage roads independently. At this stage, children often struggle with correctly judging perceptions of speed and distance, have limited peripheral vision, and can be easily distracted.

They may understand road safety rules on a basic theoretical level, but still lack the consistency to apply them in realworld situations. For this reason, close supervision is recommended in both urban and rural settings.

In urban areas, the risks tend to be more complex. Traffic is heavier, intersections are frequent, and there are more distractions such as pedestrians, parked cars, and signals. In addition, there are far too many young drivers who disregard speed limits and have trouble identifying hazards.

However, this is offset to a degree by urban environments often providing safety features like footpaths,

pedestrian crossings, traffic lights, and lower speed limits in residential zones.

Children can begin to use roads independently once they demonstrate consistent safe behaviour - such as stopping at kerbs, checking carefully before crossing, and using designated crossings. This typically occurs around 10 to 12 years of age, though some may be ready earlier with strong guidance and practice.

Rural areas present a different set of challenges, however. While traffic volumes are lower, vehicles often travel at higher speeds, and there may be few or no footpaths, crossings, or street lighting.

Visibility can be limited due to bends, hills, or vegetation. These factors can make rural roads more dangerous despite their quieter appearance.

Children in rural settings often need to develop a higher level of awareness and caution, and may require supervision for longer than urban children do. Even older children should be cautious when walking along narrow roads or crossing areas with poor visibility or where large vehicles are often in the vicinity.

Regardless of location, readiness should be assessed based on specific skills. A child should be able to

consistently stop, look in all directions, listen for traffic, and make safe decisions without prompting. They should understand common road signs and signals, and be able to stay focused without becoming distracted by friends, devices, or surroundings. Confidence is important, but it must be matched by good judgement.

A gradual approach works best. Start by allowing short, familiar routes - such as walking to a nearby friend’s house - while observing from a distance. Increase independence slowly as the child demonstrates reliability. Practising routes together beforehand helps build confidence and reinforces expectations.

Parental guidance remains crucial even after children begin using roads independently. Regular check-ins, reminders, and discussions about new or changing road conditions help maintain safe habits.

Ultimately, there is no single “right age,” but rather a point at which a child consistently shows the awareness, judgement, and responsibility needed to stay safe. Careful preparation and ongoing support can help ensure that independence is introduced at the right time.

Every trip matters. From rural roads to town streets, we all have a role to play in keeping Ōtorohanga District roads safe. Slow down, stay alert, be patient and look out for others this Road Safety

MAY 4-10, 2026

Young Drivers ROAD SAFETY WEEK

As parents, we understand the need to teach our small children about road safety. But often, it seems to be forgotten that when these same children grow up into the six-foot-tall-andbulletproof teenage years, a bit of road safety re-education becomes necessary.

Re-educating young drivers about road safety has become increasingly important as road conditions, technology, and driver behaviour continue to evolve.

While many young people pass their licence tests, real-world driving will often expose gaps in judgement, risk awareness, and decisionmaking – all of which come only through life skills. Effective re-education focuses on reshaping attitudes as much as reinforcing skills. A key starting point is addressing overconfidence. Young drivers often believe they are more capable than they actually are, particularly after gaining a licence. Programmes that highlight real consequences - such as crash statistics, personal stories, and interactive simulations - can help recalibrate this mindset. Seeing how quickly situations can escalate encourages a more cautious and responsible approach behind the wheel.

Practical, experience-based learning is far more effective than theory alone. Advanced driving courses that include hazard perception training, defensive driving techniques, and emergency response scenarios can significantly improve awareness.

These sessions allow young drivers to experience risky situations in a controlled environment, helping them learn how to react without realworld consequences. Revisiting core skills such as safe following distances, correct speed choice, and proper observation techniques is essential.

Technology can also play a role in re-education. Many modern vehicles include safety features like lane departure warnings, automatic braking, and

blind-spot monitoring. Teaching young drivers how to use these tools correctly - and not rely on them entirely - helps reinforce that technology is an aid, not a substitute for attention.

Additionally, apps or telematics systems that monitor driving behaviour can provide feedback on speed, braking, and phone use, encouraging self-improvement.

Another critical area is distraction, particularly mobile phone use. Young drivers are among the most likely to use phones while driving, significantly increasing crash risk. Re-education efforts should emphasise the dangers of even brief distractions, using relatable examples and statistics. Encouraging habits such as putting phones on silent or out of reach before driving can reduce temptation.

And let’s not forget peer influence, which plays a major role in young driver behaviour. Carrying friends in the car can lead to riskier decisions, from speeding to showing off. Group-based education sessions can be effective, as they create shared expectations around safe behaviour.

When road safety becomes a social norm rather than an individual responsibility, it is more likely to stick.

Parental and mentor involvement remains important even after a licence is obtained. Ongoing conversations, occasional supervised driving, and constructive feedback can reinforce safe habits. Employers can also contribute by offering driver safety workshops for young staff who drive for work.

Finally, re-enforcing road safety should promote a long-term mindset. Safe driving is not just about avoiding fines or passing tests - it is about protecting lives. Encouraging young drivers to see themselves as responsible road users, and in particular, accountable for their own safety and that of others, helps build lasting behavioural change.

Road Safety Education

Roads and how we use them is an everevolving fact of life and perhaps one we don’t spend enough time educating our children about how to be responsible – both when small and as they grow old enough to drive. Teaching our small ones definitively about road safety is an essential life skill that prevents accidents and build confidence as they begin to explore the world more independently. The key is to make learning simple, consistent, and engaging, using everyday situations as teaching opportunities. As with all things, starting with the basics is a necessity. Young children need to first understand that roads are for vehicles and footpaths are for people. Use clear, simple language such as “stop,” “look,” and “listen.” Teaching them to stop at the kerb, look both ways, and listen for traffic before crossing should be repeated often until it becomes a habit. Turning this into a routine every time you approach a road helps reinforce the message. Children learn best by doing, so walking with them regularly and demonstrating safe behaviour is crucial. Hold their hand when crossing the road and explain what you are doing and why. Point out traffic signals, pedestrian crossings, and road signs. Over time, encourage them to participate by asking questions like, “Is it safe to cross now?” This helps develop their awareness and decisionmaking skills and also helps with their confidence to be independent. Using play and storytelling also can be helpful. You might set up a pretend road at home or

in the backyard using toys, where children can practice crossing safely. Storybooks and simple rhymes about stopping and looking both ways can also reinforce key messages in a way that sticks. Young children need regular reminders, as they can easily forget or become distracted, so consistency from parents, caregivers, and teachers is important so that the same rules are always reinforced. Praising children when they remember to follow safety rules helps build confidence and encourages good habits. Helping them to understand the importance of visibility is vital as part of their road safety education. They need to understand the importance of being seen, especially in low light. Bright clothing, and explaining why drivers may not always see them unless they wear it, can be useful. You can also introduce the idea of listening carefully for cars, bikes, or other hazards, even in quiet areas. As children grow older, you can expand their understanding to include things like using pedestrian crossings, understanding traffic lights, and being cautious around driveways. For slightly older children, discuss the dangers of distractions such as running between parked cars, playing near roads, or using devices while walking.

Children are highly influenced by adult behaviour. Always follow road safety rules yourself, such as crossing at designated areas and avoiding risky behaviour. When children see consistent, safe habits in action, they are far more likely to adopt them.

DEADLINE SALE

21A Blucks Road, Ōtorohanga

Set against a backdrop of rolling hills and lush green pastures, this beautifully presented lifestyle property welcomes you with fresh country air and a sense of calm from the moment you arrive. Blending timeless design with modern comfort, the home offers a stylish yet highly functional living environment. Thoughtfully designed for easy living, featuring open plan spaces that flow seamlessly to a sun soaked patio - perfect for summer entertaining. Inside, three well proportioned bedrooms are complemented by modern insulation, double glazing, and a ducted heat pump to ensure year

round comfort. Adding to the property’s versatility is a separate two bedroom studio, ideal for extended family, a home office, or space for the teenagers. A large double garage with space for three cars and a workbench further enhances the offering. Privately positioned off the road, offering a safe and secure setting for children and pets, with a generous yet manageable 3000sqm (approx) predominantly flat section. There’s ample space to enjoy now, with scope to add further value. Located in one of Otorohanga’s sought after lifestyle areas, this property delivers the perfect balance of space, privacy,

and convenience close to town. Deadline Sale Closes 18 May at 4.00pm at Ray White Otorohanga, 21 Maniapoto Street, unless sold prior View Saturday 9 May, 11.00am - 12.00pm rwotorohanga.co.nz/OTO30394

Linn 027 496 0053 buzz.linn@raywhite.com Sam Baggott 027 855 8472 sam.baggott@raywhite.com

Ōtorohanga 94 Haerehuka Street

Ōtorohanga 3A William Street

Bulb planting time

As the days grow shorter and the air carries a hint of chill, it may seem like the gardening season is winding down. But autumn is the perfect time to prepare for one of spring’s most delightful rewards: flowering bulbs. From the cheerful nodding heads of daffodils to the vibrant petals of tulips and the sweet fragrance of hyacinths, spring-flowering bulbs bring an explosion of colour just when we need it most. And the good news? Planting them now takes little effort and requires only a bit of planning.

The Right Time Spring bulbs need to be planted in autumn, before the ground becomes too cold or wet. This means getting them in the ground from late March through May. This gives the bulbs time to establish roots over winter and ensures a healthy, robust bloom come spring.

Choosing What to Plant

Daffodils are reliable and low maintenance, while tulips offer a stunning range of colours and shapes. Crocuses are among the earliest to appear, often blooming while frost still lingers. For scent lovers, hyacinths are a must. I also enjoy planting snowdrops and bluebells for a more natural, woodland-style garden, I plant bluebells under lifted hedges and around trees and once you have them they will multiply quickly.

How to Plant

Choose a sunny, welldrained spot — bulbs do best in soil that doesn’t become waterlogged. A general rule is to plant bulbs two to three times as deep as the bulb is tall. Plant with the pointed end facing up, spaced far enough apart to allow room for growth. As I don’t like having their foliage dying down after flowering in my garden I plant most of my

bulbs in pots, so that I can bring them out when they are flowering and put them away when finished. Pots are also an excellent option, particularly for those with smaller spaces, they look great at the bottom of steps. Just be sure to use pots with good drainage and position them where they’ll receive plenty of winter sun.

Once planted, bulbs require little attention. There’s no need for frequent watering or feeding over the colder months. Simply plant and forget — and let nature do the rest. In spring, your reward will come in the form of vibrant blooms that lift spirits and announce the changing season.

A Final Tip

To extend the flowering season, try planting a mix of early-, mid-, and late-blooming varieties. Layering bulbs of different heights — a technique known as “lasagne planting” in your pots.

Across 1. Becomes older (4)

4. Uncoordinated (6)

8. Source of difficulty (7) 9. Redden (5)

10. Despatched (4) 11. Official stamp (8) 13. Scan text for errors (9)

17. Total (8)

19. Centre (4)

Last week

21. Frown (5)

22. Well turned out (7)

23. Protein substance (6)

24. Detest (4)

Down

2. Adult (7)

3. Unaccompanied (4)

4. Shell shock (6,7)

5. Evolved (8)

6. Steam bath (5)

7. Unstable (5)

8. Small bunch of flowers (4)

12. Unfair act in sport (4,4)

14. Submissive person (inf) (7)

15. Hesitate (5) 16. Care for (4) 18. Faint (5) 20. Two together (4)

Across: 1. Alias, 4. Stance, 8. Prevail, 9. Barmy, 10. Extol, 11. Elevate, 12. Except, 14. Ballet, 17. Scourge, 19. Drown, 21. Vital, 22. Gnocchi, 23. Hearse, 24. Siren.

Down: 1. Apprehensive, 2. Inert, 3. Snarl-up, 4. Seller, 5. Amble, 6. Curtail, 7. Hypertension, 13. Chortle, 15. Arduous, 16. Meagre, 18. Ruler, 20. Occur.

FREIGHT

HALT

JUNCTION

LINE

LOCOMOTIVE

LUGGAGE

PASSENGER

PLATFORM

PORTER

RAILS

RETURN

ROUTE

SEASON SHED SHUNT

SIDING

SIGNAL

SLEEPER

STEAM

TIMETABLE

TRAIN

WAGON

WAITINGROOM WHISTLE YARD

E james@marshallelectrical.co.nz W marshallelectrical.co.nz Ōtorohanga

P 07 878 8335

Septic Tank Cleaning

• Emptying septic tanks

• CCTV pipeline inspection

• Jetting drainage pipelines

• Spreading animal effluent

Waitomo Liquid Waste Disposal 021 111 3911

• Interior & Exterior

• Painting • Wallpapering

• Spray Painting • Roofs

• Farm Buildings

All interior jobs booked in June/July/August receive a 10% discount t&c apply

Chivone Prak • 021 211 1176 decorator@daverowepainting.co.nz

TE KUITI RWB

HEIFER & COW FAIR

Friday 8th May

Start 12noon

650 Cattle

Comprising of:

35 R4yr Hereford Fries x Hfrs

100 R3yr Angus Hfrs

40 R3yr Angus Hfrs (Capital Stock)

25 R3yr Hereford Angus x Hfrs

10 R3yr Hereford Fries x Hfrs

30 R2yr Hereford Fries x Hfrs

6 R2yr Shorthorn Hfrs

70 R4,5,6,7yr Angus Cows

110 R8yr Angus & Angus Hereford x Cows (Annual Draft)

180 M/A Angus Cows

40 M/A Hereford Cows

7 M/A Shorthorn Cows

Auctioneers Note:

All Heifers and Cows are VIC to various bulls and dates. Please ring local agent for more information.

of

INVOICING AND PAYMENTS

E ective from April 1,

end of day Tuesday in advance of publishing. Accounts in arrears +60 days may be subject to a $95 + GST late payment fee per month. Advertiser is responsible for all debt collection fees. RATE CARD

Rates are based on advertising space only and are over a 12-month period starting from the date the first ad publishes. Rate bracket e.g. 6 insertions, 12 insertions etc. chosen allows ad sizes to vary within the rate bracket. If the number of insertions chosen is not 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. ADVERTISING

Come and visit us The Jewellery Experts

LAWNMOWING

TE KUITI RWB

HEIFER & COW FAIR

Friday 8th May Start 12noon

Letters

to the Editor

• Letters should not exceed 200 words

70 Maniapoto St, ŌTOROHANGA 07 873 7008 159 Rora St, TE KŪITI 07 878 8913 RING SIZING AND JEWELLERY REPAIRS

www.dmjewellery.co.nz

• Lawns • Scheduled Maintenance • Reliable Service

Sections Tidies

Weed Eating

Green Waste Removed

• Residential • Commercial Best Price Best Service Contact Jason P: 021 2666 021 E: jason@perfectlawn.co.nz

Lump Wood Charcoal

Looking for charcoal?

Tumu Tumu Eztate supplies two varieties of charcoal for your BBQ and cooking needs.

Sustainably harvested right here in the King Country.

Pricing (10kg bags)

- Mānuka Pieces: $45.00

- Mixed Wood Pieces: $35.00

Bulk sales available – please contact to ask for pricing.

Contact Mick Tapara 022 513 9522 info@tumutumueztate.co.nz www.tumutumueztate.co.nz Or find us on Facebook LAWN MOWING

Garden Tidies • Pruning & Shrubs

Jonathan Wilson 027 770 7277 contact@mangosolutions.co.nz

Copy deadline for ad-make up is noon Friday

and Copy deadlines for

and Bay of Plenty Business News is on

Advertiser is responsible to advise us of any

anything not

changes before

o by

prints

the

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

Special Entries

A/c P & P Voyce

– 40 R3yr Angus Hfrs VIC Ang Bull 20-11---31-1 (Capital Stock)

A/c Carter Farming – 33 Autborn 3yr Hereford Fries x Hfrs VIC Char Bull 10-12----30-1 (Rising 2nd Calvers -Halter Trained)

– 15 R3yr Ang/South Devon Fries x Hfrs VIC Storth Oaks Angus Bull 10-12---30-1(Rising 2nd Calvers-Halter Trained)

A/c Iona Farm

– 12 R3yr Angus Hfrs VIC Angus Bull 10-11----5-1

A/c Ratahau – 25 R3yr Angus Hereford x Hfrs VIC Angus Bull 20-12

A/c Westridge Farm – 10 R3yr Hereford Fries x Hfrs VIC Simm Bull 28-12

A/c TeHape Stn – 105 R8yr Angus & Angus Hereford x Cows. VIC Angus Bull 20th Dec -Bull in for 60days. BVD Vacinated (Annual Line)

A/c TwinRidges Farm

– 35 R5,6,7yr Angus Cows VIC Angus Bull 26-11---18-1

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

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• Letters may be edited, abridged, or rejected at the editor’s discretion

• The editor’s decision on publication is final.

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.

Learning Support Teacher Part-Time, Fixed-Term Position

Ōtorohanga College is seeking a compassionate, adaptable and student-centered Learning Support Teacher to join our inclusive and supportive team.

This role involves working closely with students who require additional learning support in the classroom, one-to-one and small group settings. We are looking for someone committed to ensuring all learners are supported to reach their potential, working collaboratively with teachers and support sta to help students build confidence, develop independence and achieve success in their learning.

Key responsibilities include supporting individuals and small groups with classroom learning tasks, assisting with assessments, including reader/writer support, creating and adapting learning resources to meet student needs and encouraging student engagement, wellbeing and positive social interaction.

This is a part-time, fixed-term position of 27.5 hours per week - Monday to Friday, term time only.

Please email your cover letter and CV to: kurthl@otocoll.school.nz

Applications close Thursday 14th May at 3.00pm.

2026 Ownership Review

DUTY MANAGER –JOIN OUR TEAM (SuperValue)

We’re

About

Hours: Tue–Sat,12:30pm–9:00pm

POHATUIRI MARAE

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.

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 meeting open to the public.

Notice of Pohatuiri Marae Trustees AGM

Date: Sunday 31 May 2026

Venue: Pohatuiri Marae Time: 10am Start

AGENDA

Mihimihi / Karakia Timatanga / Apologies / Present

1. Minutes of last AGM

2. Matters Arising

3. Finanical Report for the 2024/2025 FY

4. Chairpersons Report 5. Pā Development Report 6. Kingitanga Update 7. Korero Tuku Iho Project Update 8. Special General Meeting Notice

Trustee Roles and Responsiblities Paper 10. General Business 11. Karakia Whakamutunga 12. Shared Kai

Clarry Iti, Chairperson 0212044403

Maxine Ketu, Treasurer 0278958192

Facebook: Pohatuiri Marae (Waitomo)

DOG

- Huntaway dog, 2 years old, untrained. Excellent parents, big and strong and needs a chance. Free to a good home. Ph 027 4781 783 Otorohanga

WANTED TO BUY

WANTED

St Bride's Anglican Church Haerehuka St Ōtorohanga

Sunday morning service 10am

Ph 07 873 7006

St David's Presbyterian Church Ranfurly St, Ōtorohanga

Services – Sunday 10am

Session clerk Ph Dawn 07 873 8735 Room bookings Ph Claire 027 276 6624

Poppy Day Thank You

The Otorohanga RSA would like to send out a massive thank you to our amazing Poppy Day volunteers, the businesses who continue to support us, to those who kindly displayed the Poppy Boxes and to everyone in the community for your continued Poppy Day Support.

ANZAC Day Thank You

The Otorohanga RSA would like to thank everyone for their genuine support displayed to all on ANZAC Day. Thank you to the Otorohanga District Council team, Otorohanga Club Inc, Moss and Co Floral Design, DJ Crom, Peter Coventry, Te Kuiti Pipe Band, Maori Wardens, Otorohanga Museum, NZ Police, NZ Fire, St John Otorohanga, the Cadets, our Schools, Otorohanga shops/ businesses who ANZAC themed their shops/ businesses, and to our awesome community.

Harvest Church Ōtorohanga

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)

Control (Waitomo

ARIA MŌKAU CO-OPERATING

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

SUPER GARAGE SALE

Sunday 10th May

Starts at 9:30am sharp 19 Harper Ave, Otorohanga

Everything MUST GO! Huge range of items including:

• Aquariums & accessories

• Tools & oxy-acetylene unit

• Drop saw & stand

• Gardening equipment

• Music items

• Screws, nuts & bolts

• Household items

• Bric-a-brac

Some items FREE!

Come early for the best picks — bargains galore!

MURPHY, Kerry Spence –

Passed away suddenly on 1st May 2026. Loving soulmate of Cynthia Dow. Loved Dad and father-in-law of Ross, Sara, Kate, Nigel, Carolyn, Dennis, Rodney, and Michelle. Adored Grandad to Cody, Maddie, Keegan, Janna, Kylan, Grace, Jake, Luke, Roxanne, and Liam. Great-Grandad to Trace, and Alaska. A gathering of family and friends to remember Kerry, sharing memories and laughter (no formal service), will be held at the Te Awamutu RSA, 381 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu, on Friday, 8th May 2026 at 2:00pm. All communications to Cynthia Dow, C/- PO Box 137, Te Awamutu 3840.

TURNER, John (JT)

Darling Husband, Dad & Special Poppa. After three years it still feels like a bad dream we can’t wake up from. We see your smiling face through our teardrops. Your voice and laughter echoes through the breeze. But there is no you to hold onto. Just a million memories for us to cling onto. Love you forever and always, April, Katrina and Little Man xo

A Farewell with Heart

Every life deserves a meaningful farewell. Our compassionate, professional, and dedicated team is here to help, offering care and understanding when it matters most. Call us anytime – we’re here for you.

KNOW YOUR PROFESSIONAL

CLAIMING AGAINST AN ESTATE?

If a loved one has passed away, dealing with their estate may be the last thing on your mind. However, you may need to act quickly to make a claim to preserve your rights.

A claim under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 may be important if your partner owned property in their own name. You have six months from their passing to elect to either divide relationship property or receive under a will (or intestacy).

Claims under the Family Protection Act 1955 are the main way to seek further provision from an estate for adequate maintenance or support. Children and partners/spouses are the most common claimants and usually need to claim within 6 months of grant of probate, before assets are distributed.

If you feel that the deceased was not capable

of making their last will (for reasons like having dementia or being unduly in uenced by another person) then you should not delay in getting advice on your options.

These and other statutory limits are short and sometimes cannot be extended. If you are considering your rights in respect of an estate, please contact Your Lawyers for pragmatic advice that is tailored to Your Life.

OBESITY – THE SILENT LIFE-SHORTENER

Obesity is one of the most common health problems we see in pets – and one of the most overlooked. Many owners don’t realise their pet is overweight because the change happens gradually. A little extra weight may seem harmless, but it has serious long-term e ects. Overweight pets are far more likely to develop arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, breathing problems, and certain cancers. Extra weight also puts constant strain on joints, making movement

painful and reducing quality of life. Studies show that overweight dogs can live up to two years less than dogs at a healthy weight. Common causes include overfeeding, too many treats, lack of exercise, and feeding based on packet guidelines rather than the individual pet’s needs.

Signs your pet might be overweight include di culty feeling their ribs, loss of a visible waistline, reluctance to exercise, and tiring easily.

The good news is that obesity is preventable and reversible. Small changes in diet, accurate portion control, and regular exercise make a big di erence. Weight loss should be gradual and guided by your vet to ensure it’s safe and e ective.

If you’re unsure whether your pet is at a healthy weight, we’re happy to check. Helping your pet stay lean is one of the best things you can do to help them live a longer, more comfortable life.

Taking good care of your dentures ensures they remain comfortable, functional, and long-lasting. Here’s what you need to know about proper maintenance.

1. Never clean your denture with toothpaste. It is very abrasive and can scratch the material. This may cause tenderness and pain on your gums overtime. A good alternative is water and

dishwashing liquid.

2. Always use your denture when eating. If you remove your denture when eating, this could cause your gums to shrink and the denture may get loose overtime.

3. Removing your denture at night especially if you have full dentures. Due to how much dentures cover gums, they can get in amed if not given some time to

“breathe”. Other issues can include fungal infections or potential decay on near by teeth.

4. Having a small container for your denture when not in use. You’d be surprised how fragile they can be!

If you still have trouble with your dentures, do come and see your nearest dental professional for advice and further information.

THE SMART WAY TO BOOK IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

With ongoing global uncertainty, including continuing tensions in the Middle East, many travelers are understandably hesitant to commit to rm plans. However, this doesn’t mean putting travel on hold altogether. A smarter approach right now is choosing refundable or pay-later accommodation rates, along with exible airfares (instead of non-refundable options).

I encourage clients to continue planning by securing preferred hotels early using exible booking options. This allows you to lock in availability and current pricing—particularly important as demand remains high— without immediate nancial commitment. More importantly, it gives you the freedom to adjust or cancel plans if circumstances change closer to departure. If you delay

booking, you risk limited choice and higher prices later. Non-refundable rates can o er savings, but they come with added risk in an unpredictable climate. Right now, exibility often outweighs a small upfront discount. Book smart, and you can still continue planning and look forward to your next trip with con dence and peace of mind.

DAVID MACKENZIE Owner/Publisher

CHANGES TO OUR PIOPIO HOME DELIVERY

As from May 14, home delivery of the King Country News to Piopio urban residents will cease. No changes to Piopio rural deliveries. Home delivery of free community newspapers has become increasing di cult to manage and expensive to sustain. We have been experiencing this issue ourselves and for us to continue providing the community with a quality weekly newspaper free, we need to make changes to our operations. Many

community newspapers around the world are (or have already) moving to a newspaper pickup model where readers pick up a copy from dedicated convenient locations. In Piopio we have the following locations where readers can pick up a copy of the King Country News each week:

•The Village Bakery Cafe Piopio

•Piopio Foodmart

•Piopio Superette

Supplies to these outlets have been increased to accommodate this change.

For advertising enquiries contact our Advertising Director Janine Davy on janine@goodlocal.nz or phone 027 287 0005.

For editorial enquiries contact our Editorial Director Roy Pilott on editor@goodlocal.nz or phone 027 450 0115. www.kingcountrynews.co.nz