• Steel braided hose
- no tools required.
AK 20 Battery and AL 101 Charger
*Offers apply on selected products only and are valid from 01 March 2025 – 31 May 2025 or while stocks last. Terms and conditions apply. See in-store or online at participating retailers for details. Prices shown are recommended retail prices only.
THURSDAY APRIL 2, 2026
TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 1
LOVE YOUR LAND STIHL SHOP TE AWAMUTU
424 Ohaupo Rd | 07 871 6134 Shop online at www.stihlshop.co.nz/te_awamutu Mon-Fri 7.30-5.00 | Sat 8.00-4.00
Landscape Lane | Next to STIHL SHOP 07 871 5077 | Mon - Fri 7.00-5.30 | Sat 8.00-4.00
teawamutunews.nz
FREE
APRIL 2, 2026
Trust issues an SOS
By Jesse Wood
The Kihikihi Police House and Temple Cottage Charitable Trust has fears for the future of the town’s historical buildings. Without the backing of their community, the facility is facing closure - taking historical remnants of Kihikihi with it. A lack of new volunteers is the main issue – and financially it’s also a struggle to keep the doors open after a recent lease renewal. “The main thing that we’ve got to decide, is can we keep going?” trustee Bruce Addison said. “We need more members; we’re struggling. We’re basically in a position where we need more manpower to do fundraising too. “Unless the community will come to our aid and provide us with some support. We’ll have to pull out.” The Lyon St site containing the 1907-built police house, the 1860s built Temple Cottage, the former Te Awamutu jail cell (labelled as Kihikihi Jail) and a historic tool/laundry shed opens to the public twice a month. Longtime friend of the trust Bernard Westerbaan said he sees it as an extension of the Te Awamutu Museum. They run solely on donations and grants – which are hard to come by for running costs. “We get a long-term plan grant from the council for operating costs. That’s $1000. That covers gardening and housekeeping,” trust secretary Raewyn Easton said. “We also get a grant from Trust Waikato - $1000 for power and security, but that doesn’t cover the
total amount.” A community public meeting is on the cards to ask for volunteers to keep the historical site alive. If more volunteers come on board, the group could hold more fundraisers and cut a lot more costs. Many of the current volunteers have been involved for decades. “Most of our costs like painting the building, maintenance on the building and the lawns are covered by Waipā District Council. It’s just the cost of keeping the buildings running that is crippling us,” Addison said. “We had the classic car club come in here. They couldn’t believe what we had here. We have school children here - they have a great time. But the donations are nowhere enough to cover the bills. “Most other groups charge a membership fee. We’re totally voluntary.” Waipā District Council community service manager Brad Ward said council are not in a position to enter into an alternative model such as a “management agreement” originally proposed by the trust. “We know there are other lessee’s and organisations who provide services to the community who are also in a difficult position financially,” Ward said. “It is important we remain consistent and equitable in our approach to everyone. “We remain committed to supporting the trust, either through our technical expertise within our Te Awamutu Museum and/or our community advisors who may be able to provide advice on different funding opportunities.”
murray hunt
Seven of the 10 Kihikihi Police House and Temple Cottage Charitable Trust members - Ken Hancock (chair), Raewyn Easton (secretary), Jan Burch (collections keeper/caretaker), Tina Jackson, Joe Emery, Bruce Addison, Bernard Westerbaan. Photo: Jesse Wood
The 1860s built Temple Cottage is full of history, inside and out. Photo: Jesse Wood
furnishers
EASTER DEAL
Home Décor, Bedding,
ID required to buy alcohol if you look under 25
ROSETOWN
Valid 2nd April to 7th April 2026 WOODSTOCK 7% 18pk cans (Inc Zero sugar)
3999
$
EACH
Loyalty discounts & volume discounts available. LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
Rosetown Liquor Centre. 18 Rogers Place (KNOWN AS TRIANGLE) Te Awamutu P 07 871 8777 E rosetownlc@gmail.com
220 Alexandra St Te Awamutu Ph 07 214 2161
45 Arawata St Te Awamutu Ph 07 214 2244
LOOKING FOR THAT PERFECT GIFT? GIFT CARDS NOW IN STORE
The former Te Awamutu jail now is now labelled Kihikihi jail. Photo: Jesse Wood
Have you downloaded Antenno yet? Get road works notifications, recycling updates and more in one place.