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TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 1
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A life-saving legacy By Viv Posselt
What began as one woman’s determination to encourage cervical screening after her own cancer diagnosis has grown into a nationwide movement that is bringing a free women’s health day to Te Awamutu next week. The event has its roots in the story of Talei Morrison, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer and went on to found the Smear Your Mea campaign to encourage women, particularly Māori women, to get screened. Morrison of Rotorua died from the disease in 2018 aged just 41, but her family and friends have continued her work through the Smear Your Mea Trust. Caitlin Downs, a registered nurse with Mahoe Med and organiser of the Te Awamutu event, said it is held annually around the anniversary of Morrison’s diagnosis. “Talei wanted to make sure screening was more accessible for all women,” Downs said. After her diagnosis, Morrison started a blog encouraging Māori women to have regular cervical screening and openly discuss a disease many found difficult to talk about. Information from Manatū Hauora, the Ministry of Health, describes cervical cancer as a preventable disease, yet globally it remains one of the leading causes of cancer mortality in women. Persistent HPV (human papilloma virus) infections can cause precancerous changes to the cervix which, if left untreated, can develop into cancer. The disease has a significant impact in New Zealand. Māori women are more likely to die from cervical cancer than nonMāori women, with factors including cost and transport barriers, mixed experiences with health services, limited discussion about cervical cancer and a lack of relatable information contributing to poorer
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outcomes. Against that backdrop, Mahoe Med will open its doors on Sunday, August 30 for a free Smear Your Mea community health day aimed at women who are due or overdue for cervical screening. The event is open to women from across the district, whether or not they are enrolled patients at the practice. Soon after Morrison’s death, Mahoe Med joined the initiative in support of the campaign, hoping to reach women who either overlook cervical screening or are reluctant to have it done. Cervical screening remains one of the most effective ways to prevent the disease, Downs said. The community day will offer HPV selftests, HPV vaccinations and advice on a range of women’s health issues. A GP and nurse prescriber will also be available. “Through this event, we hope to raise awareness, reduce stigma and make it easier for hard-to-reach people in our community to prioritise their health,” Downs said. Self-tests, which have grown in popularity, will be available on the day but must be completed on site. “We will offer support for those wanting to do them. The entire event is for everybody,” she said. Attendance has grown steadily since the initiative began. “The number of women coming each year is increasing. Last year, 105 women took part.” Women are encouraged to book ahead, although walk-ins will be welcome. Help will also be available for those attending with children. As well as health services and information, organisers will provide refreshments, goody bags and donated giveaways from local and national businesses.
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ROSETOW ROSETOW Mahoe Med staff and volunteers who helped run last year’s Smear Your Mea event are preparing for this month’s community health day aimed at encouraging cervical screening. Pictured were, back from left, nurse manager Helen Kenyon, admin Macey Hopkins, nurses Sharnie Turton-Murphy and Tanya McDermott, organiser and nurse Caitlin Downs, and nurse Kaitlyn Gabel. Front from left nurse Emma Spriggs, nurse from cervical screening register Nerida Griffiths, GP/director Louise Walker, admin Jesse Billing, and nurses Jessica Sullivan and Amiria Rangitutia. Photo: Supplied
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2 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS
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laughter, tears, music and drama
Losing It
a play about love loss and dementia
By Mary Anne Gill
Pirongia Community Centre 574 Crozier St, Pirongia Sunday 6 September 2pm-3pm
Entry by Koha You are invited to a unique and dramatic play which draws on the authentic experience of people with dementia, and their carers, ‘Losing It’ is surprisingly full of humour, song and empathy. ‘A powerful and memorable experience.’ Created and performed by Sandra Shearer and Ceridwyn Parr. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/losingit.theplay Enquiries to Sandra 0274 751 362 Supported by
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NZ Independent Community Newspapers Association
Ambulance crews serving Waipā communities have experienced a sharp rise in demand, with St John reporting a significant increase in emergency incidents this month. Craig Scott, Hato Hone St John Area Operations manager South Waikato, said the district covering Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Waitomo recorded 378 ambulance incidents between August 3 and 9, compared with 293 during the same week last year. The 29 per cent increase was well above the national rise of 12 per cent and came during what was the busiest period ever recorded for frontline ambulance staff across the Waikato region. A total of 1330 incidents were attended across
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Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome. Publication of contributions are entirely at the discretion of editorial staff and may be edited. Contributions will only be considered for publication when accompanied by the author’s full name, residential address, and telephone number. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers. The Te Awamutu News is published by Good Local Media Limited.
Consultation underway
Waipā and Waikato district councils will be among organisations consulted as the Government reviews specific housing-related rules in Hamilton City's Operative District Plan. RMA Reform minister Chris Bishop says the review will examine provisions that could be increasing development costs and affecting housing supply. Public consultation opens next week with feedback also sought from Waikato Regional Council and WaikatoTainui.
An ambulance attends an emergency.
Waikato, considerably higher than the region's weekly average of 1198 over the past 12 months. Scott said the most common reasons people called an ambulance were referrals from health practitioners, chest pain, breathing difficulties, falls and people feeling generally
Photo: Supplied
or medically unwell. Despite the increased pressure, Hato Hone St John is urging people to continue calling 111 in life threatening emergencies, including chest pain, severe breathing difficulties, stroke symptoms, unconsciousness or serious injuries.
On the beat Ride safe, stay safe Last week Cambridge Police staff got out and about looking for good riding behaviour as part of our ongoing Ride Safe, Stay Safe Campaign. Encouraging our young people to wear their helmets (and clip them up!), utilise cycle lanes and generally observe the road rules, helps prevent road trauma. Needless to say, we have had a steady flow of token recipients popping into the station front counter eager to enter their tokens into the draw for the $100 prezzy cards. If your child has been recognised with a token, be sure they fill in their details and do the same. Next it is time again for a snapshot of the types of incidents to which police in Cambridge and Te Awamutu have been responding. In the seven days to writing, Cambridge Police dealt with reports including five burglaries, two reports of vehicle interference, wilful damage, two thefts, a fraud, three assaults, fighting in a public place, threats, two complaints of stalking and harassment, four mental health incidents, a missing person, six reports of suspicious behaviour and two drunk drivers. In the same timeframe, Te Awamutu Police dealt with reports including 14 burglaries, four shop thefts, three fraud matters, three incidents of car crime, seven traffic crashes, six drivers
Health New Zealand is urging people to recognise the symptoms of meningococcal disease following the death of a young adult in Waikato. While there is no ongoing risk to the public, officials stress that early diagnosis is critical as the disease can become life-threatening within hours. Vaccination remains an important safeguard, particularly for young children and eligible young adults.
Three quarters done
Major resurfacing work on the Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway is now almost 75 per cent complete, with NZTA reporting progress remains ahead of schedule. Stage 6 began this week and includes the closure of the northbound Cambridge West/ Velodrome on-ramp.
found with excess breath alcohol, seven assaults, eight reported breaches of bail, intimidation, offensive behaviour and suspicious behaviour. Most of these incidents will have been reported directly to 111 due to offending happening there and then and urgent Police attendance being required. Crimes such as theft ex car, may not be discovered until sometime after the event however. In that case, reporting using the 105 phoneline or website is best. 105 is the non-emergency service designed for crime reporting where offenders are long gone or to update an existing report with new or additional information. At the 105 website you can make an initial crime report, with the advantage of then also being able to upload supporting documents or photos. To provide anonymous information about those involved in criminal offending, you can visit Crimestoppers or phone 0800 555 111. Finally, did you know that this week is NetSafety Week 2026. While scam awareness is something for every day, it is important to highlight the issue as scammers are constantly evolving. What better time to make sure you and your family are aware of the risks and know how to stay safe online. Visit netsafe.org. nz for further information.
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THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2026
Briefs…
Delays coming
Road users should prepare for overnight traffic delays on SH3 between Ōhaupō and Te Awamutu. Drainage works start on Sunday and will continue for five nights between 7pm and 5am, with stop/go controls and a 30km/h speed limit. Nearby, underslip repairs south of Pirongia are also causing lane restrictions.
New bridge
Construction is now underway on the permanent two-lane replacement of the Mangati Bridge on State Highway 39 (SH39), between Ōtorohanga and Pirongia. The replacement bridge being delivered by Oxcon will be built higher and stronger to improve the corridor’s resilience to flooding and extreme weather, after the original bridge was damaged beyond repair in March.
Disruption ahead
Several state highway projects will affect motorists travelling south over the coming weeks. SH3 resurfacing in Te Kūiti began this week, with overnight stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit. Underslip repairs near Bennydale start next week, while repairs continue at Mangaorongo Bridge near Kio Kio. Drivers should expect delays and allow extra travel time.
Funds raised
Rotary Te Awamutu’s annual Book Fair has delivered a strong result, raising $16,515.80. Committee member Gill Johnson praised Laurel Smith and her team for their hard work in organising the event. Funds raised will be reinvested into local community projects and charities supported by Rotary.
Water upgrade
Te Awamutu and Pirongia residents now have a more reliable water supply following completion of the Racecourse Rd watermain upgrade. The project replaced an ageing 1963 pipe with a larger 300mm main to strengthen the network after February’s storm damage.
Lowered Expectations rock By Viv Posselt
Te Awamutu’s young musicians have again made their mark at Waikato’s Rockshop Bandquest, with Te Awamutu Intermediate claiming second place and individual honours at the regional competition. The school’s band, Lowered Expectations, finished runner-up and won $300 worth of musical equipment, while drummer Max Gregson took the Rocking Drummer Award. Te Awamutu Intermediate’s The Reflections also impressed judges, winning a Specialist Instrument Award shared with Aeight from Morrinsville Intermediate. The results follow last year’s success when Te Awamutu Intermediate band Thursday’s Cancelled went on to win the national final. After months of rehearsal, 22 intermediate and primary school acts from across the Waikato took to the stage at Hamilton’s Clarence St Theatre before judges Emerson and Jayden Keoghan. St Peter’s School Cambridge took several awards, including third place on the first day with a performance by Built on Rock, which won them $300 of musical equipment. St Peter’s student Camille Petit, who sings with Built on Rock, also won the Star
Vocalist Award, shared with June Atkin from Raglan Area School’s 6 degrees. Another St Peter’s student, Charlie Gaddum from the Raised by Thunder group, won the Outstanding Keyboardist Award. Day one also saw Sophie Haydon from Cambridge Middle School’s Year 8 band, Static, win the Killer Guitarist Award, shared by Theo Chen from Southwell School’s The Blue Socks. Theo, along with several of the other successful Rockquest entries, also has a Te Awamutu connection, as he is the student of top NZ guitarist and music studio owner, Dan Cosgrove. Cosgrove was also band coach for Southwell's The Blue Socks, and Spicy Strings – both of which shone at Rockshop Bandquest. The Blue Socks won $300 worth of musical equipment and a spot in the national finals, while Spicy Strings took second place $300 worth of musical equipment. Day two saw seven of the 12 bands performing originals, which was said by organisers to be ‘incredibly impressive considering their ages’. First place on that day went to second-time winners, Not Shore, from Te Mata in Raglan, who also took first last year. Rockshop Bandquest, launched in 2011, is seen as a primary and intermediate
Te Awamutu Intermediate band, Lowered Expectations, took second place on day two of the event, while Max Gregson, second from the right, won a special best drummer award. Band members are, from left, Harry Carpenter, Max Gregson, Ethan Gibbs, Ariana Ripia, Georgia Gubbins and Cody Casey.
pathway to Smokefree Rockquest and Smokefree Tangata Beats. This year, the programme has attracted more than 350 acts comprising over 2500 young people from 184 schools around the country. Rockshop’s general manager of artist relations, sponsorship and events, Hamish Jackson said: “It’s so awesome seeing young people experience the joy of live performance, often for the first time, and build lifelong skills.”
Dan Cosgrove said: “It is so important to have events like this to nurture talent. The amount of improvement these bands have made since term one is out of this world … the outcome is a testament to the work they’ve put in.” Te Awamutu Intermediate’s Logan Kimber, Room 13 teacher and rock bands lead, said the school was pumped for the event on the back of last year’s massive win. The school’s band, Thursday’s Cancelled, won the national final in
2025. “We came away with a second at regionals this time. They put in a huge effort … I’m immensely proud of how the kids have grown through the year.” Cambridge Middle School music specialist Morgan Lewis was delighted that two of his students won awards for musicianship … Sophie Haydon from the Year 8 band, Static, with her Killer Guitarist Award, and Sam Hunt from the Year 7 band, Voltage, won a Rock-solid Bassist award.
We say… Making your mind up As Waipā prepares its next Long-Term Plan, councillors are being asked to make some difficult choices. But ultimately, so are residents. The issue has emerged during workshops involving elected members and community boards as the council weighs community expectations against rising costs. Among the options being discussed are changes to service levels across a range of activities. That could mean less spending on heritage programmes, street gardens and tree planting, while increasing investment in other areas including public toilets, parking enforcement and
upgrades to town centre furniture and paving. The discussions come at a time when residents are increasingly questioning the impact of rates rises on household budgets. Concerns about affordability have been a recurring theme in feedback received by elected members. The challenge is balancing competing priorities. Residents want attractive public spaces, well-maintained infrastructure and community facilities, but many are also signalling there is a limit to what they can afford to pay. Decisions made through the Long-Term Plan process will help determine not only future rates levels, but also what services councils can
realistically provide. The debate is unlikely to be straightforward. Reducing spending in one area can generate opposition from residents who value those services, while increased funding elsewhere often comes with a price tag. For elected members, the task is finding a balance between maintaining the quality-oflife residents expect and ensuring costs remain manageable. As councils around the country grapple with similar challenges, the choices made in Waipā over the coming months will provide a clear indication of what residents value most.
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4 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS
THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2026
A DVE R TO R I A L
Exchange inspires future leaders
Why Backing our schools and kids is good for the country By Barbara Kuriger MP for Taranaki/King Country For me, education in New Zealand has always been about far more than passing exams. It’s about every young person gaining the skills, confidence, and sense of belonging they need to succeed and give back to their communities. From small rural schools in places like Piopio, Te Kūiti, and Ōpunake to our larger town schools in Hāwera and New Plymouth, I see teachers, families, communities, and the Government working together to make classrooms places students want to be and where they get the support and encouragement they need to shape their future. And ours. A big part of this is going back to the basics: reading, writing, and maths. When a child feels confident reading, can express themselves clearly, and is comfortable with numbers, everything else becomes easier. With those strong foundations in place, our young people can approach science, technology, the arts, farming, and the trades with real self-belief — whether that’s on a dairy farm in South Taranaki, in an engineering workshop in Te Kūiti, or at a polytech in New Plymouth. Across our region, schools are putting extra energy into literacy and numeracy, using clear teaching methods and regular practice to help students lift their achievement. Going back
to basics isn’t new — but sometimes we need to return to what works before we can move forward. Improving school attendance is another crucial part of the picture. When students turn up regularly, they build stronger friendships, keep pace with their learning, and stay connected to the opportunities education provides, whether they stay local or move further afield. Here in Taranaki and the King Country, many schools are taking practical steps that make a real difference: flexible start times for older students who travel long distances by bus, breakfast clubs and school lunches, better transport options, and working with families. These changes recognise that every student’s situation is different, and that lifting attendance often means supporting the whole whānau. None of this happens by accident. It takes dedicated teachers, supportive parents and caregivers, and communities that stand behind their local schools. As the MP for Taranaki and the King Country, I’m determined that we keep backing student success and student wellbeing. When we back our kids, we’re backing stronger communities here in Taranaki and the King Country — and a better future for all New Zealanders.
Barbara Kuriger MP for Taranaki-King Country Backing Rural and Provincial New Zealand Inglewood Office 80 Rata St, PO Box 124, Inglewood 06 756 6032 • Kuriger.Inglewood@parliament.govt.nz Te Awamutu Office 196 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu 07 870 1005 • Kuriger.Teawamutu@parliament.govt.nz King Country Virtual Office 021 815 017 Kuriger.Kingcountry@parliament.govt.nz
Authorised by Barbara Kuriger, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.
Kāwhia woman Aotea Apiti (pictured front row three from left) was part of a University of Waikato group to go on an indigenous exchange programme in America last month. Photo: Supplied
By Dan Tasker
A once-in-a-lifetime trip to America has left a Kāwhia woman determined to inspire the next generation of local rangatahi. Aotea Apiti returned from a trip to America in July, as part of a group from Waikato University who travelled to the University of Montana on the Te Ao Hurihuri indigenous exchange programme. The born-and-bred Kāwhia girl, who is currently the head of the Te Tari Māori department at Hamilton Girls’ High School, went on the exchange as part of her post-graduate studies. Apiti spoke at the inaugural REDTalks daylong conference focused on bridging cultural sovereignty, traditional research and higher education, with experts from United States, Canada and New Zealand highlighting how they integrate indigenous perspectives into their work. She shared the mahi she is leading around embedding learning systems related to the Māori culture at Hamilton Girls. “That may look like having karakia at the start of the day together as a school and a karakia together at the end of school. It looks like kaiako ensuring that we’re pronouncing our students’ names correctly, regardless of where they’re from, because we want to ensure every student feels welcome,
feels respected,” Apiti said. Apiti’s talk received encouraging feedback from others working in the indigenous space across the world, sharing their experiences and ideas with the group. “I had a few different people come up to me, especially a man from Canada who’s doing something similar with engineering at his university, within building capacity to try and interweave some of the Native American values into how they teach some of their students and engineering,” Apiti said. “We were also able to connect with some of the lecturers in Montana and learn more about how they’re integrating the Indian Education programme into their schools,” she said. Apiti said she wanted to emphasise to local youth the importance of taking opportunities to grow and learn when they are available. “For me, it’s about being able to encourage local rangatahi to get on board with these types of things, these opportunities that come their way,” Apiti said. Other experiences as part of the indigenous programme included harvesting buffalo, building tipi and weaving sweetgrass – Native American practices with similarities to Māori culture. “We were able to harvest the buffalo together, which really reminded me of home
when we go pig hunting or go fishing; it was very similar. We washed the buffalo hide in the river, things that we do back home,” Apiti said. “The connection the indigenous people in Montana had to the whenua, to the taiao, to the land – it felt very much like home for me, so just finding those similarities was really eyeopening,” she said.
Briefs… Search warrant
As part of a rural burglary investigation, police executed a search warrant at a Kihikihi address. Staff located several items of interest, including property believed to be stolen from other incidents across the wider area. A firearm, drug paraphernalia, and a woman wanted in relation to several dishonesty offences were also located at the address. Enquiries into the recovered property and other items remain ongoing.
Open Day
Waikato Thoroughbred Racing is holding a community open day at the Tamahere Community Centre on Sunday. Residents can view the latest plans for the proposed Waikato Racing Hub, ask questions, and provide feedback on design, transport access, environmental impacts and economic benefits before a Fast Track application is lodged in October.
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TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 5
THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2026
A cut above By Jesse Wood
Former chef Cody Burbery thought his career in food was over when allergies forced him out of the kitchen. Instead, after discovering a passion for butchery through his in-laws, the Pak ‘n Save Te Awamutu butcher has carved out a new career, culminating in his ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year title. Burbery also won the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Best Beef Product award for his beef truffles at the 2026 National Butchery Awards in Auckland. “Cody is a shining example of why the butchery craft has such a bright future ahead of it. He’s clearly been mentored well by the team at Pak ‘n Save Te Awamutu,” head judge and Skills4Work butchery training advisor Peter Martin said. “His performance in the cutting test was exceptional, but he backed it up with a high score in the exam and a strong interview performance. He has a bright future ahead of him.” Originally from Marton in the Rangitīkei District, Burbery moved back from Australia to the Hamilton area in 2014. For 15 years he worked as a chef before food allergies forced a change in direction. “The other jobs I tried, I just couldn’t get passionate about. I missed food, playing with knives and offering good, tasty, valuable food.” His mother and father-in-law, Tim and Jackie Wilkins, formerly ran Te Awamutu-based Renshaws Butchery, where he first gained exposure to the
trade. “I did a bit of home kill with my in-laws and decided I quite liked it. There’s a good art to it,” Burbery said. “I was able to apply myself and switched over pretty easily. There was a lot to learn, but it was worth it to get back into an industry I’m passionate about. I could cross the two industries, good flavours and using an eye for detail.” Burbery completed his apprenticeship through Pak ‘n Save Te Awamutu and graduated in June. The apprenticeship runs for three years, with apprentices eligible to compete in the apprentice category the year after finishing their training. He also recently placed second in his year for the Skills4Work apprentice programme. Winning the national title was especially satisfying after narrowly missing out last year. “There were six apprentices vying for the coveted award,” Burbery said. “A lot of planning went into this one to make sure I had everything right. “It’s good to tick that box and know that I can actually win a competition like that. “The competition this year was a lot harder than previous years, but it’s good to see that everyone’s level has gone up. “I defended my regional Waikato title a while ago at Wintec. That was quite nice. From there we had a month and a half to prepare for the grand final.” Burbery wasn’t the only Te Awamutu representative at the awards.
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Cody Burbery in action during the competition.
Five staff members from Pak ‘n Save Te Awamutu competed. Adrianna Te Aonui entered the Young Butcher category, while Brad Gillespie, Callum August and Brendon Alexander helped the store finish second in the Master Butcher Team Competition. “We were the only place that had multiple entries. To have one in every category is pretty cool,” Burbery said. “Adrianna and I were the only two in our categories from Pak ‘n Save. “The rest were all from New World, who do the upper-market kind of product anyway, so it’s good to get one over the big brother, so to speak.” Burbery credited the support of the Pak ‘n Save team and management for helping him succeed. “All of our bosses encourage us to give it a go at least once. I’ve just kept entering. I want to keep getting better
Photo: Retail Meat New Zealand
and better at my craft,” he said. “I’m grateful to the owner Jeremy and Nick the store manager for allowing us to do this kind of thing. “They support us the whole way and give us the keys to succeed. It’s good to have such a small shop that can put its hand up to win awards. “I hope we can get a few more for them.” Next on Burbery’s agenda is the Great New Zealand Sausage Competition in October. He has also put himself forward for selection in the New Zealand butchery team. “There’s a lot of competition for limited spots there,” he said. “I’ve thrown my hat in the ring for that, but we’ll see how that plays out. “Eventually I’d like to either have my own line of goods that I’m known for or a small boutique butchery.”
The best beef product, Cody Burbery’s beef truffles. Photo: Retail Meat New Zealand
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6 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS
THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2026
Meghan Hawkes looks at Waipā news from 1906.
Threshers and troublemakers
A very pretty complimentary ball was given by the ladies of Kihikihi to the members of the local football clubs at the town hall. Dancing commenced shortly after 8pm and it was 3am the next day that the last strains of the final waltz died away. The committee who arranged the dance was heartily congratulated on its success and the ladies who attended praised for the prettiness of their toilettes. Less appreciated at Kihikihi were larrikins who had been amusing themselves in various nocturnal manoeuvres. Gates were removed from their hinges, unoccupied houses entered and orchards robbed. The gate-lifting had been going on for some time and included gates belonging to the Catholic Presbytery being carried a little distance away leaving the orchard and garden exposed to cattle and horses. The local constable had the matter in hand, and when he caught the ruffians an interview with the magistrate cured them of the desire for such pranks. Ōhaupō had a busy air during Messrs McNicol and Co’s sheep fair. The hotel and boarding houses were filled to capacity, and nothing but sheep, dogs and dust could be seen in all directions. Twenty seven trucks of sheep were picked up at the Ōhaupō railway station, being sent away to various districts by the different owners who purchased at the fair. Harapepe was now fortunate in having a steam threshing and chaffing plant locally owned by Mr Sutherland. It had
News
long been a grievance with the settlers that they could not grow cereal crops on a large scale and that they were unable to get the threshing and chaffing plant from other districts until the winter had set in. By then the roads were too bad to get their oats or chaff sent away. Now the work could be done while the roads were good; having this plant in the district would greatly encourage the growth of crops. A Waipā farmer protested that the Noxious Weeds Act was about 25 years out of date, and the way it was being administered was very unfair. An inspector called on farmers who had furze, bramble and other weeds growing on or near a road and told them they must clear it or be fined. It was pointed out to the inspector that it was useless trying to keep land free from noxious weeds as the land on the other side of the road – perhaps a Government reserve or an absentee’s land - was a hotbed of nuisance plants which spread across the road every year. The inspector’s response was he could not help that, as it was up to the county council’s to find land owners and advise them of their responsibilities. The Government would do nothing to clear their land and the county council protested that there was no money to spare and that weed control would cost more than the land was worth, and so it went on from year to year.
ON SHAKY GROUND
Deep discoveries By Janine Krippner
My job involves assessing what might result from geologic hazards on the ocean floor, including earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activity. One of the biggest challenges is that we hardly ever see these things happen. There are, however, different ways to “see” into the deep ocean. Sometimes we use cameras on remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), but being in exactly the right place when something happens is extraordinarily rare. More often, we detect seismic waves from earthquakes, landslides or volcanic activity. Hydrophones, essentially underwater microphones, let us “hear” events by detecting sound travelling through the water. We can also map the seafloor before and after an event and measure any changes. Instruments placed on the seabed can measure movement or changes in pressure caused by the amount of overlying water when the seafloor rises or falls. Even broken infrastructure can provide clues: landslides and fault movement sometimes sever seafloor telegraph or internet cables, giving information on when and where something happened. Put several of these observations together and scientists can start reconstructing an event. Detective work of the deep. Very recently, a study by Jean-Yves Royer and colleagues recorded an incredible event. Their research paper “Anatomy of a seafloor spreading event captured by in situ seismogeodesy” describes what happened. They “witnessed” seafloor spreading at a midocean ridge in the Indian Ocean. This had never been done before. In school, we learn that tectonic plates move apart at mid-ocean ridges and new seafloor forms between them. But zoom in and the process is far more complicated. Magma moves through the crust, while faults fracture and move the
rock around it. Rather than happening smoothly, spreading can occur in bursts. They installed equipment across the seafloor in the right place at the right time and actually saw it happen! In 2024, they recorded a seismic swarm (a bunch of earthquakes close together in space and time) moving along the area, then the seafloor dropped by 4.2 m. The seismic swarm indicated magma moving as dykes breaking through crust, causing faults to move. Then, over 16 days about 160 million m3 of lava erupted across the seafloor and the magma reservoir drained, lowering the seafloor above it. We measure these processes in averages. Seafloor spreading occurs at a rate of around 6 cm per year. What they saw peaked at around 5 cm per minute! This tells us something important about geological rates: 6 cm per year does not mean the plates politely move apart a tiny amount each day. The average can include sudden substantial movement, separated by long quieter periods. Zoom out far enough and these repeated events help build entire oceans. It is the process that separates continents and creates new oceans over millions of years. Through hard work and lucky timing, scientists captured one burst of that enormous process as it happened. Why do we care? Beyond it being utterly fascinating, we work hard to understand how our beautiful planet works. Earth’s processes influence each other; each part of the puzzle is important to understand. Real implications for us include critical internet cables that are laid across these active areas to connect countries to services that we now rely on. It is through many small steps and bigger discoveries that we learn how to live on Earth. ADVERTORIAL
Retired Cambridge author turns Ford van into mobile bookshop for climate thriller DE A DLY ICE AUTHOR CHRIS ROBERTS A retired Cambridge businessman has transformed a Ford Custom van into a rolling billboard and mobile bookshop to promote his debut eco-thriller Deadly Ice. Chris Roberts, 74, has had the van fully wrapped with dramatic imagery from the novel, QR codes linking to his author website chrisroberts.nz, and clear calls to buy the signed paperback. The vehicle will be used for direct sales at rest homes, markets, events and on the
road throughout the Waikato and beyond. Deadly Ice follows a father’s desperate plan to tow a massive Antarctic iceberg to drought-stricken Australia to save his dying daughter. The mission turns catastrophic when a solar-flare-triggered earthquake and tsunami drive the iceberg into a deep-sea oil rig, unleashing an environmental disaster. Early readers have compared Roberts’ writing to Michael Crichton. “After forty years of collecting stories, I
finally put one on the page,” Roberts says. “The van lets me take the book directly to readers instead of waiting for them to find it online.” The signed paperback is available for NZ$36 through the author’s website, with worldwide shipping from Cambridge. It is also available in digital form on Amazon and Apple. About the author Chris Roberts is a retired businessman living in Cambridge. Deadly Ice is the first novel in a planned eco-thriller trilogy. He previously worked in business and spent time opal mining in Coober Pedy, Australia, in 1978.
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TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 7
THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2026
Twilight decision looms By Mary Anne Gill
Cambridge Raceway could change hands within weeks under a proposal that would see Harness Racing New Zealand take over the assets of Waikato-Bay of Plenty Harness Racing. Those assets include the raceway, one of the country’s premier harness racing venues and a key part of Cambridge’s equine economy. Beyond race meetings, the venue supports trainers, drivers, stable staff, veterinarians, farriers, feed suppliers and transport operators whose livelihoods are linked to the local harness racing industry. Members will vote on the proposal at special meetings on August 31 and September 1. If approved, ownership of the club’s assets would pass to Harness Racing NZ later this year. The Christchurch-based organisation declined to answer questions from The News about the club’s debt, loan funding, asset valuations, the raceway’s economic contribution and longer-term plans for the site while the proposal remains subject to member approval. Communications and marketing manager Richard Stokes said many of the questions sought commercially sensitive information and it was important the formal member process was respected before the special general meetings. He said further information would be considered after members have
Sunset settles over Cambridge Raceway during this year's Night of Champions meeting. Members will soon vote on a proposal that could see the venue come under Harness Racing New Zealand ownership. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
voted on the proposal. The proposal follows years of financial pressure on the club despite efforts to diversify its income through redevelopment projects, property investment and other ventures. Challenges have also included a lengthy and costly battle to renew its liquor licence following concerns raised by police after the Night of Champions meeting. Harness Racing NZ chair Grant Jarrold said Cambridge Raceway
was too important to lose. “Cambridge Raceway is critical to harness racing in the North Island, and this proposal is designed to secure its immediate future,” he said. The national body said it had spent several years working alongside Waikato-Bay of Plenty Harness Racing to improve the club’s financial position, commissioning independent reviews, supporting restructuring initiatives and providing loan funding to keep operations
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running. Jarrold said acquiring the assets would allow racing to continue, provide a pathway for creditors and enable necessary maintenance work at the venue. Waikato-Bay of Plenty Harness Racing chair John Coulam said the board believed the proposal offered the best available outcome. “The board has worked hard over several years to improve the club’s financial position and has carefully considered the options
available,” he said. The future of the raceway is likely to be closely watched in Cambridge. The venue occupies a substantial block of land in one of the town’s fastest-growing areas and remains a significant part of Cambridge’s identity as New Zealand’s home of the horse. The organisation’s public position is that the acquisition would secure the immediate continuity of racing and training at Cambridge Raceway while preserving strategic options for the future. The proposal also comes amid a wider review of racing infrastructure around the country. Earlier this year Waikato Thoroughbred Racing confirmed it had been asked to consider whether harness racing could be incorporated into its proposed racing and training hub at Tamahere as part of the national Project Stamina review. The proposed 150-hectare development south of Hamilton would eventually replace thoroughbred racing and training operations currently based at Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Te Rapa. A community open day on the project will be held at the Tamahere Community Centre on Sunday, where residents can hear more about the plans and provide feedback before the next stage of the fast-track consenting process.
8 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS
THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2026
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TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 9
THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2026
The mystery of George MacFarlane It has been 94 years since former Pāterangi farmer and landowner George MacFarlane died in the “Mt Albert tragedy”. Reporter Jesse Wood traces his story from his Kāwhia tūpuna to the fateful day in Auckland that brought it to an end. In October 1932, former Pāterangi farmer George MacFarlane Jr tomahawked his maid and then ended his own life. It is largely unknown where the longtime Waipā resident was buried following this tragedy in Auckland. George’s life spanned farming, invention, sport and Māori interpretation. Born in 1852, George was the son of Opehia, a Māori woman of “high rank”, and Scottish esquire George MacFarlane Sr, who came to New Zealand about 1834 with Captain John Payne, a sea captain and trader on the Waipā River. After being shipwrecked at Kāwhia, George Sr met Opehia and later began trading in flax as an agent of Montefiore. The family made their home on 100 acres near Lake Mangakaware and Pikopiko Pā, in a district that would soon be caught up in the Waikato Wars. Meadway Rd, which links Ngāhinapōuri, Pāterangi and Te Awamutu, now runs through the former property.
George Jr spent most of his life farming this property, but also apparently had land elsewhere. A monument on the farm, now owned by the Pooles, remembers George’s siblings Mary, Duncan and Thomas, all of whom died young in the 1850s and 1860s. George appears to have been the only MacFarlane child to live beyond the age of 28. George played rugby for Pāterangi, Ōhaupō, Alexandra and Waikato District. Among his teammates was Ngāhinapōuri resident Sir Frederic Lang, who would later become Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives. Competition between Ōhaupō and Alexandra was just as spirited in the 1880s as local rugby rivalries are today. In 1881, George, then captain of the Ōhaupō side and a former Alexandra representative, became embroiled in a public dispute over the result of a match played on August 27. Writing to the Waikato Times, Alexandra captain John Grierson challenged a
report from the Te Awamutu correspondent which stated that Ōhaupō had won the match in “the charming little town” of Alexandra. Grierson, who had also represented Waikato, insisted Alexandra had been the victor. George soon fired back with a letter of his own. “Your own correspondent, Te Awamutu has made a mistake I see, in yesterday’s issue; he says Ōhaupō won the football match played here last Saturday. On the contrary Alexandra won easily,” Grierson wrote. George responded in the September 8 edition. “I was surprised to see that Mr Grierson should make use of an error from your own correspondent, at Te Awamutu as the basis of his one-sided account of the football match between Ōhaupō and Alexandra and make the attack on us,” George wrote. “Now, as he has given his side of the game, and left ours out, I think it is but right that it should be given also. The game was anything but an easy one for Alexandra both as regards the points and the
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Parents George Sr and Opehia MacFarlane are buried at Pāterangi Cemetery with their son Alexander. Photo: Jesse Wood
play.” Grierson responded in the next edition stating that George concluded his letter “in a manner neither very original nor very manly”. On December 11, 1889, the Wellington Patent Office reported that the Pāterangi farmer had lodged a specification for an invention called “The Protean PotatoPlough”. George’s patent application was considered in 1890, but it is unclear what became of the invention. In 1895, Governor of New Zealand David Boyle appointed George, then of Greytown, Wairarapa, to act as an interpreter under the Native Land Court Act 1894.
Retirement took him to Mount Royal Avenue, Mount Albert, Auckland in about 1924. A bachelor, George was described as a tall, well-spoken and well-built man who remained remarkably active into old age and took great pride in his garden. By 1932, aged 80, George was suffering from rheumatic fever and was cared for by two nurses. Contemporary reports said George came to believe his housekeeper, Emily Chappell, was poisoning his food. He attacked her with a tomahawk before turning a razor on himself. Both were taken to Auckland Hospital by St
John Ambulance. Efforts to save Chappell, including a blood transfusion, were unsuccessful. George died several days later. The coroner found that Chappell died from wounds inflicted by George while he was “in a state of insanity”, and that MacFarlane had taken his own life while insane. George Sr and Opehia are at rest in Pāterangi Cemetery alongside their son Alexander, but George’s final resting place remains unknown. He appears to have left no known children or close relatives. Nearly a century after his death, MacFarlane remains one of Waipā’s more intriguing forgotten figures.
10 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS
Making a splash Still asking
THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2026
FAITH IN WAIPĀ
By Jesse Wood
By Kayla Duckett, senior lead, Zion Church, Te Awamutu
Waipā diver Ruby Webb has returned with a haul of medals from the New Zealand Secondary School Nationals, New Zealand Diving Age Group Nationals and Australian Schools Games. The 15-year-old Pirongia athlete also won the top diver award for 14-15-yearold girls at the senior national event. After competing in Christchurch at the secondary school and age-group nationals, Ruby travelled to Melbourne for the Australian Schools Games with support from the Mt Pirongia Lions Club. Her results in the secondary schools competition included third on the springboard, fourth on platform and first in synchronised diving. At the age-group nationals she placed fifth on one metre, first on three metre, second on platform and fourth in platform synchro. She also achieved personal bests in most events. Ruby teamed up with Hamilton Girls’ High School diver Eva Rangiawha in synchronised diving, despite limited time training together.
On the third Friday of every month a group called CCI Support meets in the church lounge at St Patrick’s. They live with a range of invisible illnesses, which Fiona Charlton, who runs the group, calls under-recognised and under-researched. This paper ran the story a fortnight ago. What was familiar was the arithmetic. Working out whether the day holds enough for a shower or a home-made meal, but not both. I won’t go into my own health, except to say I still do that sum at times. You wake up with what you wake up with, and the day turns into a list of what you can afford. I’ve got good at pretending I’m fine while I work it out. Arthur Uden’s line in the same issue stuck out to me. He is 74, has photographed this town for years, and has terminal cancer. He’s still out most days with his camera. “On the outside I seem okay, people cannot see the damage happening inside,” he said. My husband Josh and I have led Zion Church for almost a year, and we’re a church that prays for healing and expects it. Over seventeen years of my faith journey I’ve watched people get well in ways I can’t explain, and neither could their doctors. I’ve also had to sit with the fact that it hasn’t happened for me, not in the way I’d like. And I’ve had well-meaning people suggest that’s because I don’t have enough faith. Nobody ever said it unkindly, but it’s an idea worth pulling apart. Jesus ran into this idea himself. In John’s gospel there’s a man born blind, and the first thing Jesus’ followers want to know is whose fault it is. Was it him, or was it his parents? Jesus says neither. He puts mud on the man’s eyes, sends him off to wash, and the man goes home able to see. He never asked for any of it,
Ruby Webb gained several medals from the New Zealand Secondary School Nationals, New Zealand Diving Age Group Nationals and Australian Schools Games. Photo: WideLens Photography
“We managed to get first in schools and second at nationals,” Ruby said. “We did that in Australia as well and came sixth.” She said synchronised diving presented a different challenge because divers must adapt their take-off and timing to match their partner. “Most clubs have boards next to each other to practise synchro, but at Waikato we don’t. Our boards are on opposite sides of the pool.” A highlight of the
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Australian campaign was winning her first international medal in a mixed team event. “We placed third out of 20 teams,” she said. Ruby also finished fourth in the Melbourne platform event, missing the podium by just 3.6 points. She is now preparing to learn more advanced dives ahead of her next major competition, the Auckland Championships early next year.
PICK UP LOCATIONS You can pick up a free Te Awamutu News from any of the following locations or view online our e-edition at www.teawamutunews.nz TE AWAMUTU Murray Hunt BedsRus Arawata Street
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didn’t know who Jesus was, and nobody checked what he believed first. He did what he was told, but nothing in that story turns on how much faith he had. Jesus just chose to heal him. Not yet is not the same as no, although those two can feel identical, and anyone who’s been unwell a long time knows what I mean. Many of us are living in the gap between them. The apostle Paul, who wrote a good chunk of the New Testament, had a word for that gap. He said the Spirit we have now is the firstfruits, and in the meantime we groan. Firstfruits is a harvest word, the first of the crop in the shed and the reason you trust the rest is coming. What Paul means is God himself, already here in the waiting with us. That much has arrived. What hasn’t is the day when God sets the world right and nobody is worn down by their body any more. That’s what I’m waiting on. And yet when Jesus came back from the dead, his hands still had the marks on them. I take that to mean what we’ve been through won’t be wiped off like it never happened. They meet again tomorrow in the lounge at St Patrick’s. People go for a couple of hours where they’re seen for who they are and not their illness, and nobody has to pretend they’re fine. None of that is a cure, and we’re all still asking for one. I keep at it because I don’t think God is finished. If you see Arthur out with his camera, say hello. If you’re praying for someone who isn’t getting better, don’t stop. I haven’t. And if you’ve never prayed and wouldn’t know where to start, come to Zion Church on a Sunday at 10am and we’ll do the asking with you.
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TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 11
THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2026
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Give your wardrobe a second life this Slow Fashion September Slow Fashion September is around the corner and this year we’re teaming up with Hamilton City Council and Waikato District Council to bring you a month of events celebrating sustainable fashion. Events include sewing and repair workshops, clothing swaps, an op-shop bus tour and more. With activities taking place across the Waipā, Hamilton and Waikato districts throughout September, there’s something for everyone.
Survey results moving in the right direction - but there is still plenty of work to do Our latest Residents’ Perception Survey helps us better understand how people across Waipā are feeling about their Council – and, importantly, what you want us to focus on.
You also told us there are areas where we need to improve, including road maintenance, cycleway safety, litter control, water management and Te Whare Taonga o Te Awamutu Museum.
The good news is that satisfaction is gradually moving in the right direction.
Mayor Mike Pettit said the results reflected progress during a year of significant change while providing a clear mandate for where Council should focus.
Overall satisfaction with Council increased from 19 percent to 20 percent, while satisfaction with our services, facilities and infrastructure rose from 24 percent to 27 percent. Perceptions of Council’s image and reputation also improved, from 23 percent to 26 percent. There were some particularly positive shifts. Satisfaction with public facilities and open spaces increased from 35 percent to 44 percent. More people also feel Council is being transparent and communicating openly, with this measure increasing from 15 percent to 21 percent. Your feedback tells us that value for money, keeping on top of essential infrastructure and building trust remain important. More than a quarter of people who commented on Council’s performance raised concerns about spending, wanted a stronger focus on core services, or were unhappy with Council decisions.
Your Elected Members
Mike Pettit Mayor
Jo Davies-Colley
Deputy Mayor
0800 WAPADC (924 723)
"It's encouraging to see satisfaction moving in the right direction, but we're under no illusion that there is still work to do. These results provide a clear picture of where we need to focus." Chief Executive Steph O’Sullivan says Council’s Future Us programme and the 2027-37 Long Term Plan are opportunities to make sure Council is focused on the things that matter most to our communities. The survey of 411 residents was carried out between June 2025 and July 2026. For the full Residents’ Perception Survey results, please visit our website.
Slow Fashion September is funded through the Government’s Waste Disposal Levy, which helps Councils support projects that reduce waste and encourage more sustainable choices. Find the full programme of events here. linktr.ee/slowfashionseptember
Museum school holiday programme a big hit with youngsters!
Tamariki became museum guardians during the July school holidays,when they took part in Te Whare Taonga o Te Awamutu Museum’s Kaitiaki Passport programme. Designed for children aged five to 12, the interactive sessions helped them learn what it means to be kaitiaki - guardians helping protect and respect taonga, people and museum spaces. Those who attended completed challenges and close-up observation activities, while learning how museums care for local stories and treasures. A highlight was the More Than an Object activity, where children explored items from the handling collection, using observation and curiosity to think about the stories that objects can hold. Each child received a Kaitiaki Badge, recognising their role as young guardians of Te Whare Taonga o Te Awamutu. Keep an eye out on the museum website for future Tui and Tama Club activities and school holiday programmes.
Get in touch: waipadc.govt.nz/our-council/our-team/mayor-and-councillors
Dale-Maree Morgan
waipadc.govt.nz
Mike Montgomerie
Clare St Pierre
/WaipaDistrictCouncil
Marcus Gower
Aidhean Camson
Roger Gordon
Dean Taylor
Shane Walsh
Pip Kempthorne
Les Bennett
12 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS
THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2026
Our Local Government amalgamation proposal explained
Western Waikato: strong Head Start In May, central government gave councils 90 days to submit voluntary amalgamation proposals. The purpose was to simplify local government by creating larger councils that cover a wider area and bring local and regional functions together under a single organisation, known as a unitary authority. The Government made it clear that the option facing councils was not whether we amalgamate, but who we amalgamate with. Councils that chose not to submit a proposal would enter a backstop process, leaving the Government to decide who they amalgamate with. We chose to advocate for Waipā’s future and put forward a proposal with our neighbours that reflected the views and aspirations shared by you. It’s important to be clear that submitting a proposal on August 9 was not a final decision on who we amalgamate with. Submitting a proposal was about having a seat at the table and representing our communities’ best interests, rather than having the decision made for us. There are still many steps to come before a final decision is made. When there are opportunities for you to have a say, we will come back to you and make sure your voice is part of the conversation.
Our proposal Western Waikato Unitary Authority. Thriving along the awa from source to sea. We advocated for a strong Western Waikato Unitary Authority, bringing together Waipā, Waikato, South Waikato and Taupō District Councils, and Hamilton City Council. Although Hamilton and Taupō chose the backstop option, a Western Waikato proposal could still be submitted because it was supported by three of the five councils involved. Under Head Start rules, a proposal is eligible if it’s backed by a majority of the councils involved, or a majority of the population across the affected area, even without all of them on board.
South Waikato 26,000 Taupō 42,700
Waipā District 62,200
Population
414,100
Hamilton 192,100
What happens
For now, it’s business as usual w proposal meets the objectives o
If it progresses to the next stage, t proposed governance and represe and implementation plans.
Waikato District 91,100
When the time comes for commu
TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 13
THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2026
ger together Why we chose this option In June, we shared with you four options that could be considered in an amalgamation proposal. You provided feedback through our website, and at five community events.
We believe a Western Waikato Unitary Authority will: • Maintain meaningful local representation, ensuring a voice for our diverse communities
We heard that strong local representation, affordability, regional collaboration, thriving communities, balanced rural and urban voices, maintaining a sense of place and local identity, respect for Treaty settlements, and the future health of the Waipā and Waikato rivers matter to you.
• Align governance with local river catchments
A Western Waikato model allows us to manage the Waikato awa from source to sea, strengthening partnerships with iwi and aligning governance with the natural environment.
• Simplify local government
It brings together one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas with productive rural land, nationally significant river catchments, renewable energy generation, strategic freight corridors, and thriving rural, urban, lake and coastal communities. With neighbouring councils proposing an Eastern Waikato Unitary Authority, advocating for a Western Waikato approach puts us in a strong position to help shape a productive and prosperous future for the whole of the mighty Waikato. Our challenges and opportunities don’t stop at district boundaries. Climate adaptation, flood management, water quality, biosecurity, transport planning, economic development, and protecting our natural environment all require a coordinated regional approach.
s now?
while we wait for Government to assess whether our of the Head Start programme.
the detailed work begins. This will include developing a entation model, service delivery and financial frameworks,
unities to help shape the next steps, we’ll invite you to have your say.
• Integrate planning and services across the region • Create a stronger, more capable organisation • Improve financial resilience • Strengthen partnerships with iwi and central government • Better coordinate infrastructure investment • Support Government reforms
In the meantime, you can stay up to date with the latest Head Start information here
14 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS
THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2026
Waipā’s All Stars By Jesse Wood
Selling your house? Our 34,290 local weekly readers may be interested buyers. Ask your local Real Estate Agent about advertising your property in the Te Awamutu News!
Commonwealth Games medallists Ellesse Andrews and Hazel Ouwehand have earned plenty of sporting honours. Now the Waipā-connected athletes can also be found in a place familiar to generations of young New Zealanders: Weet-Bix collector cards. Te Awamutu Sports Cycling Club alumna Andrews, who lives and trains in Cambridge, and Te Pahū-raised former Te Awamutu College student Ouwehand are among 26 athletes featured in the new Stat Attack All Stars collection. Dame Lisa Carrington also features in the collection. She has Waipā links through her father Patrick, who attended Te Awamutu College in the 1970s. The collection features athletes from 15 sports and disciplines, including swimming, football, rugby, cycling, cricket, canoe racing, netball and athletics. Only two union stars Ardie Savea and Katelyn Vaha’akolo made the cut. Legendary shot-putter Dame Valerie Adams is on the rare gold card. “I am excited to be on one of the Weet-Bix cards. I think it’s really cool to be a part of what I’m hoping is the first set of many, with people from all sorts of different sports,” Ouwehand said. “To be amongst, all these other [wellknown] names on the cards, is really exciting. “I saw Ellesse at the Commonwealth Games after I’d finished competing and before she started. It was nice to have a catchup with her and have a little conversation. “I’m excited to hopefully collect my own card and see who else I can collect.” Ouwehand said it’s a great step for Kiwi kids to see that there are more sports than
just rugby. “Obviously rugby is our national sport and we have a lot of kiwi kids who play rugby but this helps show kids that there are other sports out there if rugby is not quite their thing,” Ouwehand said. “It’s good for our Kiwi kids to see that and to grow up active.” The collection features athletes from 15 sports, including swimming, football, rugby, cycling, cricket, canoe racing, netball and athletics.
Hazel Ouwehand and Ellesse Andrews feature on the new cards.
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THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2026
A return to his roots By Jesse Wood
Former Chiefs and 27-test All Black halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow – who has links to Waipā and King Country - has described Dave Rennie as one of the best coaches he has played under. On the eve of Rennie’s first test against world champions South Africa as All Blacks coach, the former Chiefs player said Rennie’s greatest strength was his ability to teach. “All the best rugby coaches I’ve ever had were teachers. He is a really good teacher of rugby but he doesn’t just teach you about the game,” the 35-year-old Stade Français Paris player said. “He teaches you to be a good player, a good person and he connects really well with the community. “Renz coaches the basics really well. All his teams are extremely fit and well prepared. “He is a fantastic coach. One of the best coaches I’ve ever had, alongside Sir Wayne Smith.” Kerr-Barlow played 83 games for the Chiefs and won two Super Rugby titles under Rennie, in 2012 and 2013. It was at the club that he developed his understanding of rugby but also deepened his connection to his Māori heritage. Such was his respect for Rennie that he expressed interest in representing Australia when Rennie was coaching the Wallabies. “I grew up in Australia. I’m a proud Territorian and proud of the fact that I
come from Darwin and the small city of Palmerston,” Kerr-Barlow said. “It was about paying back what the people in the Territory had given myself and my family. “I would love to have represented Australia after the All Blacks, which was my dream. It never came to fruition, but I had the desire to do it.” Despite being born in Melbourne and raised near Darwin, Kerr-Barlow’s roots run deep in Waikato and King Country. “I’m Waikato-Ngāti Maniapoto through and through. I don’t think I could get more connected to the region than what my family is on both sides,” he said. “Waipapa, just outside Kāwhia, is the Barlow marae. The Barlows also have a farm at Hauturu. We’ve got a massive connection to the King Country and Maniapoto.” His mother Gail, a former Wallaroos halfback, is from Ōpārau near Kāwhia and attended Te Awamutu College, as did KerrBarlow’s wife Kerry. “I’ve travelled all over the world and then for my wife to go to the same small high school as my mother is hardcase.” After growing up in Australia, KerrBarlow moved to Hamilton Boys’ High School as a boarder at 13 to pursue his rugby ambitions. “I really wanted to be an All Black, so I convinced my mother. “I came over to chase my dream and that was the first step I needed to take. “I was very lucky I had a lot of support
Hautapu life member Kevin Burgess and second cousin Tawera Kerr-Barlow in front of his All Blacks jersey at the Hautapu clubrooms recently. Photo: Supplied
here from both my mum’s and dad’s families.” Returning to New Zealand also helped him learn more about his whakapapa. “I was always at Tūrangawaewae in Ngāruawāhia for the Koroneihana celebrations,” Kerr-Barlow said. “I knew nothing when I was living in Darwin. It was cool to get immersed in it as a young fella.” Following a brief rugby league stint with Hamilton City Tigers after school, KerrBarlow joined Hautapu Rugby Club, a move helped by family connections through his cousin Kevin Burgess. “Hautapu was a really attractive club to
TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 15
me. It was a big club, but it was from a small town,” he said. “Kevin helped get me there and the rest is history.” He went on to play 27 tests for the All Blacks. Kerr-Barlow has spent the past eight seasons in France and plans to transition into coaching when his playing career ends. “I’ve still got next season as a player at Stade Français, then I’ll move into coaching with them after that,” he said. “If I come back to the Waikato and the body is still able, I’ll probably chuck on a jersey for Hautapu or Hamilton City Tigers. “I’ve enjoyed my journey and I’ll enjoy it a little bit more before I hang up the boots.”
Lightning calls Langman By Jesse Wood
Te Pahū’s Laura Langman is returning to the Sunshine Coast Lightning, taking up a part-time mentoring and consultancy role ahead of the 2027 Super Netball season. She recently spent time mentoring Waipā students when St Peter’s Cambridge’s premier netball side toured the Sunshine Coast in Australia. Langman guided one of the team’s training sessions, helping local players refine their on-court play while sharing the knowledge gained during one of the most decorated careers in New Zealand netball history. Playing alongside a legend of the sport was an amazing opportunity for students, the school said in social media post. “She supported them in solidifying existing on-court strategies and was a hugely positive presence.” Helping develop young players mirrors Langman’s own netball journey. She attended Te Pahū School and learned the game on local courts before progressing to Hillcrest High School, the Silver Ferns and ultimately becoming one of New Zealand’s most accomplished players. Langman, 40, played for the Lightning in 2017 and from 2019 to 2020, becoming player No 3 for the club and captaining the side before retiring from elite netball following the club’s 2020 preliminary final loss to the West Coast Fever. Then-head coach Kylee Byrne hailed her contribution to both the club and the sport. “The legacy that Laura will leave at our club and the sport in general is monumental. One of netball’s greats has retired,” Byrne said at the time. The 165-test New Zealand international, two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and captain of the Silver Ferns’
2019 World Cup-winning side will rejoin the club during pre-season. Working alongside head coach Belinda Reynolds, assistant coach Madi Browne, the midcourt unit and the leadership group, Langman intends to combine modern performance strategies with a touch of oldschool grit. Langman’s return further strengthens the club’s New Zealand connection, with current Silver Ferns captain Karin Burger also part of the Sunshine Coast Lightning setup. Chief executive and owner Justin Pascoe said the club was thrilled to welcome her back. “As a player, Laura was renowned for her high work rate and energy levels and off the court she was the ultimate professional, qualities we know she’ll bring to this role,” Pascoe said. “Working closely with the leaders of this group, we hope Laura will be able to provide
Laura Langman played more than 100 games for the Silver Ferns. Photo: New Zealand Netball
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TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 17
FEATURE
AUGUST 2026
Fruits of persistence
Rachel and Patrick Downard in quality control mode.
Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media
After 20 years of hard work on an organic kiwifruit orchard 5kms southeast of Kihikihi, Patrick and Rachel Downard are enjoying the rewards of the lifestyle they’ve built. Through frosts, setbacks and steady growth, the couple have created a thriving family operation built on resilience, community and a love of the land. See: Growing a family legacy, page 19.
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COUNTRYLIFE
Organic future takes root Where are we at?
THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2026
REGIONAL COUNCILLOR’S VIEW
A new organisation aimed at supporting the next generation of organic and chemicalfree farmers and growers has been launched, signalling growing momentum for New Zealand’s organic sector. Young Organic Growers Aotearoa (YOGA) was established to create a supportive community for young people who are currently farming organically, transitioning to organic production, or operating in related sectors such as market gardening, micro-businesses and supply chain production. The initiative, launched near Cambridge recently, responds to a recognised need among younger growers for stronger professional networks, knowledge sharing and peer support. According to organisers, many young farmers, particularly those working in multi-generational family businesses, can feel isolated within the wider agricultural industry. YOGA aims to connect like-minded individuals, fostering collaboration and creating opportunities for learning and mentorship across the sector. The organisation is still in its early stages but has already attracted significant interest and is developing an ambitious vision for the future. Alongside advocating for chemical-free food and fibre production, YOGA hopes to provide a stronger voice for young people within New Zealand’s rural communities and contribute to conversations shaping the future of agriculture and horticulture. Monavale Blueberries hosted YOGA’s sold-out launch event at its orchard café, drawing strong support from local businesses including Annton Nurseries and Quality Mushrooms. BioGro, New Zealand’s leading organic certification agency, also supported the launch, while Taupō MP Louise Upston attended as a guest. Organisers said the response highlighted growing interest in organic production and
By Garry Reymer, Waipā-King Country regional councillor
Grower Taysha Sangster, right, with Taupō MP Louise Upston. Photo: Ilse de Klerk
reflected increasing consumer demand for chemical-free food and fibre products. They believe these systems can play an important role in New Zealand’s future food security while helping strengthen the country’s reputation as a producer of high-quality, environmentally responsible products. The launch also coincides with the United Nations Year of the Woman Farmer. YOGA recently sent two representatives from its membership to a conference in India, including Waikato grower Taysha Sangster. Delegates witnessed examples of large-scale organic adoption, including an entire Indian province that has transitioned to organic farming. While recognising the differences between New Zealand and overseas farming systems, organisers say the international experience demonstrates what can be achieved when communities work collectively towards a shared goal. YOGA coordinator Alex Morrissey said the organisation is focused on building connections, encouraging innovation and ensuring young growers have a meaningful voice in shaping the future of New Zealand agriculture. The Waikato-based initiative is already attracting attention nationwide as it seeks to strengthen the country’s growing organic movement.
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The government had set a timeline for councils to get their proposals in for reform by August 9. Any council without a Head Start plan drops into the “backstop” scheme. Ōtorohanga and Waitomo have submitted to merge into a King Country authority. They are not part of any wider plan at this stage. Waipā has backed the Western Waikato Unitary authority. If accepted, this will bring five councils (Waikato, Hamilton city, Waipā, South Waikato and Taupō) under one umbrella. These councils would also take over their share of the Waikato Regional Council functions. All of this is still very high level, and a lot of the detail needs to be worked through. It must be stressed that these are “draft” plans. Mayor Mike Petitt was right on the money, when he said that ‘Amalgamation was not about the here and now, and it’s not about the people around these tables either (I assume he was talking about all council tables). This is about building a strong Waikato for the future”. This is at the heart of what is being asked of councils and ratepayers; how we can work together for the benefit of the whole, while ensuring there is a level of autonomy in the districts to ensure their needs are also met. In saying this, we need to ensure that Waikato is properly resourced and represented in Wellington. We cannot turn up to parliament with 11 mayors, with 11 different messages. Economic growth does not stop at a
line on a map. Improved regional infrastructure and employment will be felt by the districts. How we balance the regional and district needs, I feel, comes down to how, and more importantly where, we want democracy to work. Waikato Regional Council chair Warren Maher has been clear in his opinion that we need strong community boards with explicit mandate to make local decisions around community resources. I believe this is where democracy should take place. From there, you feed up to the central unitary council where a different level of governance management occurs - namely, a chair elected from the unitary council and not by ratepayers. In my opinion, how we govern the unitary is going to be more critical than the structure of it. In summary, we have several proposals from the greater Waikato region going to Wellington. Cabinet will consider the proposals and report back in September if the high-level proposals have been accepted. If the Waipā and Ōtorohanga, Waitomo proposals have been accepted, they will have until March to provide details of their proposals. If the government does not accept the draft proposal, those councils will fall into the backstop process. This will be the government deciding the structure of the region and councils, to occur after the election. There have been several meetings around the region, and I suspect there will be many more in the months ahead. Get involved and be informed. Your rates bill depends on it.
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THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2026
TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 19
Growing a family legacy By Jesse Wood
Success on Patrick and Rachel Downard’s orchard isn’t measured solely in harvested kiwifruit. For the couple, the real rewards are the family lifestyle, community connections and legacy they’ve built over two decades on the land. On their 6ha organic orchard southeast of Kihikihi those rewards are easy to see. There are the bins of fruit heading down the driveway at harvest, but also the generations working side by side and the opportunity to raise their family close to home. Patrick’s mother, Dyan, remains a regular presence in the orchard, while son Luke, 16, is already comfortable behind the wheel of a tractor. Patrick learned the ropes alongside his late father, Peter, and now Luke is doing the same. “I’d be out grafting in the orchard when Luke was three and he’d be out there, dipping his fingers into the wax,” Patrick says. “We live right on site, so when the kids were young there was no real concern about them being in the orchard. It’s a great office.” The Downards’ journey at Ōrakiwi Orchard began in 2005 after they leased a property they’d initially thought was out of reach. “We were in our early 20s and couldn’t afford it,” Patrick says. “We knocked on the owner’s door and he offered us a three-year lease with purchase at the end. That’s how we got in. A bit of good luck and a lot of hard work.” The couple had already spent two years running a 1ha orchard in Pirongia after hours and on weekends. Patrick grew up around horticulture. His parents ran an organic kiwifruit orchard at Pukeatua and he spent years working in his
heading out fishing when has given them. good balance of kiwifruit and work allows. “We are now reaping the family.” For Patrick, stepping rewards of the hard work,” • This is an abridged version away from the orchard every Rachel says. of Jesse Wood’s article which now and then has become “We love our lifestyle. It’s a ran in Kiwifruit Journal. essential. “There was always a job to do,” he says. “I needed something else.” Like many growers, the We are a small team of professionals offering Downards have faced their a range of services share of challenges. A severe late frost in October 2022 wiped out • General Earthworks most of their crop and reinforced the need for • Drainage greater protection measures. Since then they have • House & Shed Site invested in frost protection, Prep water storage and other improvements aimed at • Farm Races reducing risk. Psa, a bacterial disease that • Augering affects kiwifruit vines, remains an ongoing challenge for • Driveways growers. • All Cartage “You’ve got to be so Requirements proactive. You can’t be reactive,” Patrick says. Wind is also an ongoing • GPS & Laser battle, with new artificial Guidance shelterbelts being installed to help protect the orchard. Despite the setbacks, the couple remain focused on Contact Grant improving consistency and building on what they have 027 716 7895 created. grant@mckenziedrainandearth.co.nz More than anything, they www.mckenziedrainandearth.co.nz value the lifestyle the orchard
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Patrick and Rachel Downard during the organic Gold3 harvest earlier this year. Photos: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media
father’s contracting business while building up his own operation. Rachel’s path was different. Originally from the South Island, she spent about 15 years in commercial interiors sales before eventually swapping corporate life for the orchard. “Patrick always wanted me to work in the orchard, but I don’t think I was ready to trade a corporate role for working on the land,” she says. The move proved to be a good fit. While Patrick enjoys the practical side of orchard development and vine management, Rachel brings strength in administration, compliance and quality control. “Rach’s attention to detail is good. We’re pretty good together,” Patrick says. When the Downards bought the property, it had just 1.5ha of kiwifruit. Over time they expanded, developing new blocks and steadily growing the business. Today the orchard includes 1ha of Gold3 and 4.5ha of Hayward kiwifruit, with further development planned. “It’s been blood, sweat and tears but it’s cool turning a piece of dirt into an
orchard,” Patrick says. The orchard is also a continuation of a family story. Peter and Dyan bought into a nearby orchard in 1982 and later owned it outright. Patrick credits much of his knowledge to his father, who had a passion for horticulture, organics and healthy soils. “It was Dad’s field really,” he says. “That’s probably where I got a lot of my knowledge.” Although Luke enjoys helping around the property and can see the benefits of orchard life, his parents are encouraging him to keep his options open. “We’d like him to go away and get a degree first,” Patrick says. Daughter Ellice, 18, is already doing just that and is studying physiotherapy in Auckland. Finding balance away from the orchard has also become increasingly important. After Rachel joined the business fulltime, she missed the social connection that came with her previous career. “I needed something social,” she says. The answer was squash. The couple became heavily involved with the Te Awamutu Squash Club, while Rachel has also taken up golf. Patrick and Luke enjoy
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COUNTRYLIFE
THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2026
Shaking up berry harvests A young Waikato innovator has developed technology that could help blueberry growers improve harvest quality, reduce fruit loss and get more from their existing machinery, writes Jesse Wood.
Making 90-day Trial Periods Work for you Starting a new employee can feel like a leap of faith. The Employment Relations Act 2000 offers employers a safety net in the form of 90-day trial periods, but here’s the catch: getting them right requires careful attention to detail, and even small mistakes can unravel the entire arrangement. Think of a 90-day trial period as a probationary window that gives you the right to part ways with a new employee without facing an unjustifiable dismissal claim. The trial period must be clearly written into the employment agreement and include that the employee: a.
is on trial for up to 90 calendar days from their first day;
b.
that you can dismiss them during this time; and
c.
that they cannot bring a personal grievance about such a dismissal.
The agreement containing the trial period clause must be signed before any work begins. This isn’t just a formality—even allowing your new hire to pull some weeds or wash a vat before signing can invalidate the entire trial period. Courts have been clear on this point: the employee must truly be “new” when they sign, and any prior work disrupts that status. You need to provide the agreement well in advance of the start date to give the employee a genuine opportunity to get advice and consider the terms without pressure. If circumstances lead you to end the employment during the trial period, the process must be handled with care. Written notice of termination must be provided before the 90-day period expires, and you must honour the notice period specified in the employment agreement or provide payment in lieu. Throughout this process, the duty to act in good faith remains paramount. This means being honest, open, and fair in all your dealings with the employee. It’s crucial to understand that a valid trial period isn’t a blanket shield against all employment claims. Employees retain the right to bring other types of personal grievances, such as for discrimination, harassment, or another disadvantage unrelated to the dismissal. When implemented correctly, 90-day trial periods can provide valuable flexibility when building your team. They allow both parties to assess whether the employment relationship is the right fit, with clear expectations set from the outset. The key is approaching them with the seriousness they deserve— careful drafting, genuine consultation, proper timing, and good faith throughout.
Jamie Graham
Thomas Hocking knows first-hand how small adjustments to harvesting equipment can have a big impact on fruit quality and orchard returns. The 20-year-old Waikato University mechanical engineering student has worked in commercial blueberry harvesting and, rather than accept the problem, set about solving it. He has developed a system that uses artificial intelligence to assess blueberry ripeness in real time and automatically adjust harvester settings to optimise the mix of fruit being collected. The technology aims to help growers harvest more ripe berries while reducing the number of green or damaged berries entering the packhouse. “I worked in harvesting for several years and saw how much depended on the operator making constant adjustments throughout the day,” Hocking says. “Drivers can be working long hours and small changes in machine settings can have a significant impact on the crop that’s picked.” The idea was born after Hocking analysed the harvesting process while working at Blueberry Country in Ōhaupō. He assembled a team with engineering, software and mechatronics expertise to develop the concept, building and testing a series of prototypes over the past year. The team showcased the technology in the Innovation Tent at Fieldays. Their system retrofits onto existing harvesters, using an AI-powered camera module mounted above the conveyor belt. The camera scans berries as they are harvested, identifying whether fruit
Thomas Hocking, left, with Caleb Fernades (mechanical engineering) and George Dixon (mechatronics engineering) in the Fieldays innovation tent. Photo: Jesse Wood
is ripe, unripe, damaged or overripe. That information is fed into an algorithm which automatically adjusts the harvester’s shaking intensity. “If the machine is shaking too hard, it can bring off too much green fruit and damage the plant. If it’s too soft, you’re leaving fruit behind,” Hocking says. “The goal is to keep the harvest operating in the optimal zone without the driver needing to constantly intervene.” The technology is designed to improve efficiency without replacing workers. “This doesn’t replace jobs. It just makes people’s jobs easier and helps improve harvest performance.” A major advantage is that growers can continue using their existing machinery rather than investing in a fully automated harvester, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
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22 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS
THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2026
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Ownership Review OWNERSHIP REVIEW FINAL DECISION MEETING 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 have implemented a Public Consultative Procedure. A copy of the Ownership Review was available for inspection by the public from 1 May 2026. Persons interested in the proposal were invited to make written submissions to the Trustees by no later than 30 June 2026. No submissions were received by the Trust. Notice is hereby given that the Trustees propose that the following motion, “That the Trustees pursuant to Clause 4.4 of the Trust Deed, the Trustees hereby resolve that they have decided to retain 100% of the shares in the Trust. Future Ownership Reviews will take place in accordance with the terms of the Trust Deed. The Trustees will notify the Public as required by Clauses 4.5 and 13 of the Trust Deed.”, will be considered by them at a meeting open to the public on:
Friday 28 August 2026 at 10.00am Waipā Networks Ltd 240 Harrison Drive TE AWAMUTU K M Heeringa - Trust Manager Waipā Networks Trust
Notice of Public Annual Meeting of Beneficiaries Availability of the 2026 Chairperson’s Annual Report, Financial Statements, 2026-27 Annual Plan, and Waipā Networks Ltd Statement of Corporate Intent. I hereby give notice that on Friday the 28th of August 2026, commencing at 10.05am, a Public Annual Meeting of Beneficiaries (Connected Consumers) will be held at Waipā Networks, 240 Harrison Drive, Te Awamutu. At the meeting the Trustees will report on: • • • • •
The operation of Waipā Networks Trust for the year ended 31 March 2026. The Financial Statements of Waipā Networks Trust for the year ended 31 March 2026. The performance of Waipā Networks Ltd for the year ended 31 March 2026. The compliance of Waipā Networks Ltd with its Statement of Corporate Intent for the year ended 31 March 2026. The Annual Plan 2026/27 of Waipā Networks Trust.
At the meeting the Beneficiaries will be given the opportunity to: • •
Appoint the Auditor for Waipā Networks Trust for the 2027 financial year. Speak on all matters being considered at the Annual Meeting.
Please note that the above named documents are available for public inspection on the Trust website or at the offices of Waipā Networks Ltd at 240 Harrison Drive, Te Awamutu during ordinary business hours. K M Heeringa - Trust Manager Waipā Networks Trust
In Dad’s footsteps By Jesse Wood
Former Ngāhinapōuri School student Ella Smith is one of the new Waipā connected faces in the 2026 Waikato Farah Palmer Cup rugby squad. Smith will hope to add to several generations of Waikato representation – all of them have played hooker and donned the Fraser Tech jersey. “Being named in the Waikato FPC squad was huge,” Smith said. “Having the opportunity to represent who I am, what I stand for, and the people who have always been there for me through it all, is something I feel extremely humbled and blessed to have in front of me.” Dad, former Fiji captain, Greg played 70 times for the Mooloo men between 1995 and 2004. Greg’s uncle, Pat “Foxy” Bennett, gained 133 caps for Waikato between 1973 and 1983, before representing Ōhaupō in 1984. “In terms of following in my dad’s footsteps this is also such a blessing,” Smith said. “It’s not often you hear of a father daughter story
Ella Smith with dad Greg Smith after a Waikato FPC preseason match. like us but he’s my biggest supporter. “Dad has always gone above and beyond for me, playing his position people often think I must feel a lot of pressure. “But realistically I just have a professional coach on call who really understands all the intricate details and pressure of this sport.” Other Waipā connected players in the squad include Melville-Hautapu combined (Mel-tap) prop Chyann Kaitapu, Mel-tap
back Lela Ieremia, Kihikihi first five-eighth Kiriana Nolan, Kihikihi product Te Ao Rewiri (Fraser Tech), Cambridge’s Claudia Sinclair and Te Awamutubased Ōtorohanga player Koiatarau “Ata” Edwards. A big omission from the squad is Kihikihi and Waikato legend Chyna Hohepa. Former Black Ferns Sevens rep Hohepa, 36, played more than 50 matches for the province between 2012 and 2025.
Briefs…
Cultural champion
King Country born academic Tom Roa has been awarded the prestigious Hamilton Kirikirioa Medal for his outstanding life service. Affiliated with Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato and Ngāti Apakura, Roa is one of New Zealand’s most respected Māori scholars and advocates for te reo Māori. Educated in Ōtorohanga before pursuing higher studies in Auckland and Wellington, he has dedicated more than five decades to Māori language revitalisation, cultural scholarship, education, and public service. Through his leadership at Waikato University, his work with iwi and national organisations, and contributions to the Waitangi Tribunal, Roa has strengthened understanding of tikanga Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Hamilton mayor Tim Macindoe with Tom Roa and his wife Robyn. Photo: Supplied.
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TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE State Highway 39 (Franklin Street, Pirongia). Between side roads Beechy Street and Ballot Street, Sunday, 27th September 2026 6am – 4pm for Annual Pirongia Craft Day. Detours will be in place. Authorised by Alliance Services
RATES REMINDERS: REMINDER TO RATEPAYERS: Due date for Instalment 1 - 28 August 2026 If you are making regular payments by Automatic Payment, Direct Debit, or under a payment arrangement, please ensure any outstanding balance is cleared by 29 May 2027 to avoid late penalty fees. REMINDER TO WATER RATEPAYERS: Water rates are due on 28 August 2026. If you are making regular payments by Automatic Payment or Direct Debit, please ensure any outstanding balance is cleared by 28 August 2026. Please contact the Rates Officer on 07 873 4360 if you have any queries. Rates Rebates 2026-27 If you own your home and live on the property, eligible households can have income up to $33,210 and get the maximum rebate amount. To find out more visit govt.nz/rates-rebates. For Kawhia residents, there will be a Council Pop up outside the Kawhia Hall - 5 September 2026 10am to 2pm.
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DEATH NOTICES
DEATH NOTICES
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DEATH NOTICES
TAKHAR, Bimal Dyal – Passed peacefully on 25 June 2026 with her family around her. Dearly loved wife of Mahindar Takhar for 67 years. Dearly loved mother of Rickey, Rajnie, Hamish & Priya and motherin-law of Anita, Ralph & Nick and grandmother of Lex & Aalia. Bimal will be greatly missed by family and friends. No service was held. Correspondence can be directed to P Takhar c/Swarbricks, PO Box 54, Te Awamutu 3840.
RYAN, William Donald (Bill) – 7.8.1948 – 13.8.2026. Passed away at Hospice Waikato. Loved husband of Gail for 54 wonderful years. Proud father and father-inlaw of Andrew & Tracey, and Doug & Jacqui, and proud Pa of Ben, Steph, Sam, Mia, and Ethan. The kindness and support shown to Bill and his family has brought great comfort and is sincerely appreciated. In accordance with Bill’s wishes, his family will hold a private farewell of his life. Messages to the Ryan Family may be sent c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800, or left in Bill’s online tribute book at www.rosetown.co.nz.
CULLEN, Colleen (Na) – Left our world peacefully on Thursday, 13th August 2026, aged 92 years. After 70 wonderful years of marriage, Colleen is now reunited with her beloved David, who passed away three years ago. Much-loved mother and mother-in-law of Sue & Bruce Graham, Chrissie & Dennis Phillips, Michael & Pam, and Kim & John Coltman. Adored Na of Renée (dec), Emma, Kate, Cameron, Kiri, Tara, Paige, Austin, Chase, Dani, and Mitchell, and a very special Great Na to Claudia, Jacob, Ellie-Rae, Weston, Mitchell, and Sonny. The family warmly invited you to farewell Na at Te Awamutu Methodist Church, Bank Street, Te Awamutu, on Tuesday, 25th August 2026 at 1.00pm. Messages to the Cullen family may be sent c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800, or left in Colleen’s online tribute book at www.rosetown.co.nz.
CAMPBELL, Malcolm Samuel – Passed away peacefully with family at his side at Summerset Retirement Village, Cambridge, on Monday, 17 August 2026, aged 92 years. Devoted husband of Noma for 70 wonderful years. Dearly loved father and father-in-law of Delia & Henry Keesom, Steven & Lorna, and Paul & Ann, and the late Elesha. Much loved Grandad, Great Grandad to 25 great-grandchildren, and Great Great Grandad to 14 great-great-grandchildren. Special thanks to the staff of Summerset Retirement Village for the wonderful love and care shown to Malcolm and his family. A celebration of Malcolm’s life will be held at St John’s Anglican Church, Arawata Street, Te Awamutu, on Friday, 21 August 2026 at 10.30am, followed by burial at the Te Awamutu Lawn Cemetery. Messages to the Campbell family may be sent c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800, or left in Malcolm’s online tribute book at www. rosetown.co.nz.
TARR, Anthony Michael “Tony” – On Sunday, 16th August 2026, peacefully at Waikato Hospital, aged 71 years. Dearly loved husband of the late Teresa. Loved father & father-inlaw of Dominic, Greg and Boomi, Gerard, Ingrid and Anna. Requiem Mass will be celebrated for Tony at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, 625 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu, on Wednesday the 26th of August 2026, at 11am, followed by burial at the Ohaupo Catholic Cemetery. Vigil prayers will be recited at the church on Tuesday 25th August at 7pm.
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SHEPHERD, Anthony David (Tony) – Passed away on Wednesday, 12th August 2026, aged 88 years. Dearly loved husband of Margaret, and the late Joy. Much loved father and father-in-law of Brett & Dani, Grant & Cheryl, and Kerryn. Loved grandad of nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. A private farewell has taken place. A memorial service to celebrate Tony’s life will be held at a date to be advised. Messages to the Shepherd family may be sent c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800, or left in Tony’s online tribute book at www. rosetown.co.nz.
DEWAR, James Lawrence (Jim) – Passed away at home on Saturday, 15 August 2026, aged 82 years. Dearly loved husband of Patricia. Loved father, father-in-law, stepfather, and Grandad. A service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held at the Te Awamutu Presbyterian Centre, Mutu Street, Te Awamutu, on Monday, 24 August 2026 at 1.00pm, followed by a private cremation. Messages to the Dewar family may be sent c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800, or left in Jim’s online tribute book at www.rosetown.co.nz.
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MACLEAN, David Neil (Mac) – Deer stalker and fisherman, died peacefully at Waikato Hospital on 10th August with family around him. Aged 80 years. Loved brother of John and Merle, Donald, Brian and Margaret, Annette and Ross (dec), Heather and Gordon Lydford, and Shirley Maclean. As per David’s request no funeral service will be held. All correspondence to S Maclean, 573C Cambridge Road, Te Awamutu.
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CLARK, Raymond Stanley – Service No. 971476 RNZA CMT. 10th May 1934 – 11th August 2026. Passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, after a long illness. Deeply loved husband of 70 years to Margaret. Much loved and respected father of Stewart “Nobby”, Stephen and the late Kaylene. A wonderful Poppa to all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Rest peacefully Ray, your journey is done, your life was a blessing to everyone. And though our hearts are broken today, we find comfort knowing you’re with Kaylene. A celebration of Ray's life has been held. Messages to the Clark family can be sent c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800 or in Ray's online tribute book at www.rosetown.co.nz
IN MEMORIAM Linda TUTTY In loving memory of a dear wife, mother, and nana. Linda passed away four years ago today. Four years have passed but her memory stays strong in our hearts. Always remembered by Colin, Karl, Aaron, Shaun, and families.
Trimmers better garden Now is a good time to bring your gear in for annual servicing from $289* Battery power 125B 125BVX 525BX better Trimmers Make big you can$289* trust from lawns better
24 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS
THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2026
H TS 112
* Refers 122C
Husqvarna Series™ Engine - 13.8hp - 38” / 95cm Cutting Width yet powerful garden H TC 100iCompact tractor offers intuitive 100% Battery powered operation and delivers LP 325L Belt-free - 37.4” / 95cm excellent results Cutting- Deck Battery25.4cc - 0.9kW 4.4kg on-cm large open Width - 5.0 kg 27.6cc 0.85kW - 43 Cutting poweredshaft gardengrasslawns. Straight trimmer with SmartStart®, Powerful and well-balanced professional handheld tractor withtrimmer collector, Tap ‘N Go™ head, high torque bevel gear dynamic mowing blower. X-Torq® engine technology and comfortable curved handle for ease of use.and andapowerspecial conserving fan and housing design savE™ P mode. gives high blowing
H TS 100i
H H 122C
H100% Battery powered H 129C Belt-free - 37.4” / 95cm
Cutting Optimised 28.0cc -Deck 0.8kW 76m/sWidth - 4.35kg 27.6cc - 0.85kW - 43 cm-Cutting - 4.5 kg batteryjobs power for A robust curved shaft trimmer MakeLow tough easy. weight, high power and easy efficient mowing that combines high power with a focus on ease of use. and easy riding.
- 76m/s 21.7cc28.0cc - 0.6kW-- 0.8kW 43 cm Cutting Width- 4.26kg - 4.4 kg Trimming lawn edges around the home is simple high with An efficient blower that combines this easy starting grass trimmer featuring low weight blowing power with user and low *noise. Refers 122C
to use. Ideal for a quick clean up around the house. H vac kit. 129C H Includes
friendliness.
H 125B H 122C
125BVX
525BX L 325L
5,199
capacity that- 43is$-cm RRP - 5.0 kg 25.4cc - 0.9kW 4.4kg 27.6cc - 0.85kW Cutting Width 100% BATTERY POWERED Straight shaft grass trimmer with SmartStart®, easy to control. Powerful and well-balanced professional handheld Tap$‘N Go™ trimmer head, high torque bevel gear RRP blower. X-Torq® technology and a$comfortable curved handle for ease of use.and TS 218T Lengine $ RRP $629 RRP
Now is a good time to bring your gear in for annual servicing 10.299
- 76m/s 28.0cc - 0.8kW 76m/sWidth - 4.35kg 27.6cc - 0.85kW - 43 cm-Cutting - 4.5 kg 21.7cc28.0cc - 0.6kW-- 0.8kW 43 cm Cutting Width- 4.26kg - 4.4 kg 100% BATTERY POWERED Make tough jobs easy. A robust curved shaft trimmer Trimming lawn edges around the home is simple with We have preowned mowers An efficient blower that combines high Low weight, high power and easy that combines a focus on ease of use. this easy starting grass trimmer featuring low weight $ high power with RRP cleanHupTC 100i blowing with user too! H TS 100i $to $use. Ideal for a$ quick andHlow noise. $ 114power available $ $ TS 429 RRP 599 RRP $319 RRP $449 RRP
379 289 friendliness. Husqvarna Series™ Engine - 14.8hp
-H 38” /Z245i 95cm Cutting Width Reliable garden tractor delivers an exceptional 100% Battery Powered mowing experience on- 42” / 107cm H 129R Cutting HWidth any large lawnBattery-powered zeroturn mower for medium/large gardens, – even 27.6cc -in0.85kW - 43 cm Cutting Width - 5.4 kg featuring ClearCut™ deck,Bar dual-21.7cc - 45cm narrow Versatile, powerful brushcutter complete with battery option, adjustable passages.$head,Teeth $and double-harness. trimmer Opening - RRP 4.7kg 429 drive$28mm modes, HMIgrass panel,blade $319 RRP storage,and dialTheseat ideal hedge trimmer for home adjusted suspension for low noise and easy use. Lightweight, H 129R comfort. ® H
122HD45
379 289
122HD45 5,699
$ to use with Smart Start technology. 27.6cc - 0.85kWRRP - 43 cm Cutting Width - 5.4 kg 100% BATTERY POWERED 21.7cc - 45cm Bar - complete with Versatile, powerful brushcutter trimmer head, grass blade and double-harness. 28mm Teeth Opening - 4.7kg $$
589 $639 RRP TS 220TD RRP L 16,199
The ideal hedge trimmer for home $ Husqvarna$Series™ Engine - 26.2hp 569 RRP - 42” / use. 108cmLightweight, Cutting Width low noise and easy ® lock and High performance garden tractor with diff to use with Smart Start technology.
549 409 around the 100% Battery powered - Belt-free - 95cm I 38”house. Cutting Deck -
11,499
799 549 special fan andHusqvarna housing design 100% Battery powered - Belt-free - 95cm I 38” Cutting DeckSeries™ Engine - 24.5hp
2kWh battery 2kWh battery RIDERS - 42” / 108cm Cutting Width 100% BATTERY POWERED Includes vac kit. gives high blowing Optimised battery power for Battery-powered garden tractor with collector, An efficient and ergonomic garden tractor with a capacity that ispowerful engine to maintain larger lawns easily. efficient mowing and dynamic mowing and 525LST 535RXT P P H AWD H R 200iX H easy riding . power-conserving easyRto200iX control. 25.4cc94/103cm - 1kW - 23 cm Cutting WidthUncut - 4.7savE™ kg mode. 34.6cc - 1.4kW 47 cm-Cutting Width - 6.7 kg Cutting Width - 40cm Circle State-of-the-art low noise battery 94/103cm Cutting- Width 40cm Uncut Circle State-of-the-art low noise battery 21.7robust cc - 59cm and Barrear - ejection riderstrimmer with Dynamic mowing for an even cut–BioClip®mulching riders with Dynamic mowing forthe an even cut –BioClip®mulching and rear ejection Powerful with a high torque gear box, Professional brush cutter in versatile 35 cc class, $ $ - and power-conserving $ components $ cutting $ savE™ mode intelligently optimises battery use for cutting and power-conserving savE™ mode intelligently optimises battery use for 28 mm Teeth Opening 4.9 kg RRP construction with durable . built for tough commercial use. 599 RRP $449 RRP $629 RRP class-leading capacity and efficiency. class-leading capacity and efficiency.
122HD60
799 549
549 409
$14,888 RRP
Low noise, lightweight hedge $16,397 RRP trimmer with adjustable rear handle C94i (94cm) cutting 535RXT PIncludes ® H $and Smart Start technology. deck and PS300C charger $
122HD60 charger 10,299RRP25.4ccdeck- 1kWand-PS300C 23 cm Cutting Width - 4.7 kg 11,499RRP 21.7 cc - 59cm Bar -
$
Includes C94i (94cm) cutting P 525LST
7,299
RRP 34.6cc - 1.4kW - 47 cm Cutting Width - 6.7 kg $ trimmer with a RRP $ Powerful high torque gear box, robust Professional brush cutter in the versatile 35 cc class, RRP construction with(103cm) durablecutting components . 28 mm Teeth Opening - 4.9 kg built tough(103cm) commercial $Includes C103i $ for C103i Includes cutting use.
15,088
799 $899 RRP deck and PS300C charger
L TS 220TDF
222TDF L LowTSnoise, lightweight hedge
16,597
1,499 L TS $1,599 354RRP
deck and PS300C charger
Husqvarna Series™ Engine - 26.2hp Kawasaki FR Series V-Twin - 24.0hp 679 rear handle 499 609 trimmer with adjustable - 48” / 122cm Cutting Width - 42” / 108cm Cutting Width - 54” / 137cm Cutting Width A powerful and comfortable side Highdemo’s performance mowingavailable. with ClearCut™ Fabricated We also Premium tractor with ClearCut™ fabricated and Smart Startpreowned technology. Onsite robotic mower have robotic mowers fordeck,sale. discharge tractor comfort-enhancing features. cutting deck and heavy-duty with ClearCut™ diff lock. TC 114transmission TS 114Combi UnitSprayers TS 218T PH 535LK Fabricated HH Husqvarna P L525RJD 129LK Combi Unit with electric $ $ $ cutting deck
$ Series™ Engine $- 26.2hp Husqvarna
RRP
®
589
799
1,499
$639 RRP- 4.7kgor residential use, Husqvarna24.5cc $899 RRP Husqvarna Series™ Engine - professional Designed for any manual Husqvarna Series™ Engine 27.6cc - 0.85kW - 43cm Cutting Width – 1.0kw – 46cm cutting width – 4.9kg and diff lock. 14.8hp 24.5hp $ $ Comes with$a combi Multi-purpose combi trimmer with a powerful, easy to Highly effi cient, robustly built and versatile trimmer. $ for homeowners and backpack sprayers are either hand pumped or battery powered. 679 RRP - 38” / 95cm Cutting Width 569 RRP 42” / 108cm Cutting start engine and intuitive controls. Supplied standard with the trimmer guard, trimmer head and grass blade, which allow you to handle a range Reliable garden tractorHusqvarna delivers Durability: sprayers offer superior long-term durability. Width An efficient and attachment, unit can be easily equipped with a number of of demanding worktractor tasks. an exceptionalthis mowing ergonomic garden Easy Designedfrom for simple, tool-free optional attachments. Optional $359*. (*Edger) experience onMaintenance: any large lawn – Attachments with a powerful engine $evenrepairs $ in narrow passages. larger lawns preventUnit unnecessary downtime. $ RRP RRP Pto maintain RRP H 129LKto Combi 525RJD Combi Unit easily.
lock$1,599 Husqvarna Series™ Engine -and 14.8hp - RRP 34.6cc – 1.5kw –diff 5.8kg superior 38” / 95cm Cutting Widthduty - comfort High-powered, heavy professional combi trimmer with reliable features. 250L Rearengine. CollectorQuick This reliable X-Torq® connection system compatible with existing effective garden tractor Husqvarna attachments for maximum versatility and maximum maximises every cut. productivity . Packed with carefully selected features and $ P 535LK RRP spring-assisted cutting
499 609 Onsite robotic mower demo’s available. We also have preowned robotic mowers for sale. Husqvarna Sprayers 9,499 7,299 9,990 11,999 Ergonomics: User-focused design choices make
deck lets– you cut – 5.8kg 34.6cc 1.5kw in comfort. High-powered, heavy duty professional combi trimmer with reliable X-Torq® engine. Quick connection system compatible with existing $ $ Husqvarna attachments RRPRRP for maximum versatility and maximum productivity .
for any professional manual 27.6ccDesigned - 0.85kW - 43cm Cutting Width - 4.7kgor residential use, Husqvarna24.5cc – 1.0kw – 46cm cutting width – 4.9kg our easy and comfortable toa powerful, use. Available Shop in-store or Comes online Multi-purpose combi trimmer for homeowners easyorto battery Highlyfrom efficient,$45.00 robustly built and versatile trimmer. withtoday! a combi and sprayers backpack sprayers are eitherwith hand pumped powered. start Durability: engine and intuitive controls. Supplied standard with the trimmer guard, trimmer head and grass blade, which allow you to handle a range $ $ Husqvarna sprayers offer superior long-term durability. RRP attachment, this unit can be easily equipped with a number of of demanding $ RRPwork tasks. $ RRP RRPOptional Attachments Maintenance: Designedfrom for simple, tool-free optional $359*. (*Edger) TCattachments. 114 L Z242F H Easy H Z146
Onsite robotic mower demo’s available. We also have preowned robotic mowers for sale. 7,699 1,249
569 869 7,599 6,399 repairs toEngine prevent unnecessary downtime. Kawasaki FR Series V-Twin - 21.5hp TOYS Husqvarna Series™ - 14.8hp H Z242E stocking fillers for Christmas L Z248F Perfect
L Z254F
Kawasaki FR Series V-Twin - 21.5hp Kawasaki FR Series V-Twin - 24.0 hp L MZ48 - 54” / 137cm Cutting Width - 38” /Ergonomics: 95cm Cutting WidthUser-focused design choices- make 46” / 117cm Cutting Width - 42” / 108cm Cutting Width Reliable garden tractor edge design, provenKawasaki performance and V-Twin new innovative Cut like a professional with true zero turn Built to withstand tough conditions with a rock-solid Kawasaki FR Series V-Twin Kawasaki FR Series V-Twin FR $Series our sprayers easy and comfortable to use. Cutting Available from 45.00 Shop in-store or and online today! Toy Blower delivers an-exceptional features combine to make lawn performance heavy-duty frame, powerful engine and high performance - 23.0 hp - 48” / 122cm - 21.5hp 23.0hp 48” / 122cm Toy Hedge Trimmer mowing experience maintenance an event ClearCut™ fabricated ClearCut™ fabricated deck Cutting Width Delivers a Cutting Width $42” / 108cm $ Cutting Width - 2.5 Acres/hr $ With realistic blower andfinish. air on- any large RRP instead of a chore. deck for land-owners for RRP RRPsounds powerful performance anda superb With realisticHigh hedge trimmer 2.2 Acres/hr Packed with performance mower lawn – even in with open lawn that really the nozzle comfortblows with itsfrom commerfeatures including high a ClearCut™ sounds andwith cutter bladesfabricated narrow passages. areas. build,isergonomic performance ClearCut™ cutting deck designed for whencial-grade the trigger pulled! that move back andperformance forth and controls, heavy-duty fabricated cutting deck, durability, $ 72.50 RRP fabricated deck, ClearCut™ Premium integrated an even cut just like the real thing. Toy Chainsaw and versatile mowing transmission, Ultra-durable $ 72.50 RRP capabilities. Looks like afootreal Toy Lawn Mower frame, removable plateHusqvarna XP® Chainsaw! Toy Blower Toy Hedge Trimmer $and rear $ $ $ engine guard. Featuring realistic chainsaw sound and moving Start them mowing the lawn With realistic blower sounds and air RRP RRP RRP $ WithRRP realistic hedge trimmer
569 869 TOYS stocking fillers for Christmas Perfect 6,999
8,299
1,249
10,299
15,799 12,499
RRPnozzle that really blows from the CONTRACTORS CHOICE! sounds, lights, and the all when the trigger is pulled! Just like a that real move grass back trimmer. Pull and forth $ R 214TC 318T L MZ48 H ®R 200iX H trigger L RC important on/off button! 72.50 Toy RRP Automower the to hear thereal engine start just like the thing. R 316TSXAWD R 214TC R 316TX H L Toy Chainsaw L $ Kawasaki FR Series V-Twin - 23.0 hp Husqvarna Series™ V-Twin Engine - 16.1hp 2 kWhcontrol Battery powered - 103cm 89.00 RRPHusqvarna Series™ V-Twin Engine - 18hp Let the kids take of their veryCutting ownWidth - 40cm Uncut Circle $ trimmer line light up and up /and 72.50 - Husqvarna 48” /Looks 122cmSeries™ Cutting WidthHusqvarna XP® Chainsaw! 37” 94cmthe Cutting WidthRRP - 30cm UncutFSCircle / 103cm Cutting Width State-of-the-art low noise battery riders with Dynamic Kawasaki FS Series®V-Twin like aV-Twin real Mower Kawasaki Series V-Twin - Toy Lawn 41 $ Automower with flashing headlights and radio and rear spin around! 72.50 RRP Delivers powerful performance and comfort Features a combi cutting deck that -103cm providesCutting Width This system efficiently directs grass clippings from mowing for an even cut – BioClip®mulching - 9.6kW - 112cm Cutting Engine - 12.0kW -realistic 94cma Cutting 9.6kW Featuring chainsaw sound and moving two cutting options – BioClip® Start them mowing the lawn $ with itsCircle commercial-grade build, ergonomic mulching and the front-mounted cutting deck straight into the ejection cutting - and power-conserving Width 30cm Uncut Circle 139.00 RRP control device. Made for indoor use. Width - 30cm Uncut Features 30cm Uncut Circle Easy to $ plastic chain. 72.50 controls, ClearCut™ fabricated rear cutting for use, versatile rider provides early! With realistic spacious 300-litre savE™ mode intelligently engine Easy to use, versatile rider a combi cutting deck thatheavy-duty providesRRP Toyejection Trimmer deck, and versatile mowing higher, tougher grass. collection. Includes optimises battery use provides smooth operation two cutting options – BioClip® smooth operation sounds, lights, and the all Just like a real grass trimmer. Pull and efficient capabilities. CRC103 deck. for class-leading capacity and efficient mowing results. mulching and rear ejection cutting mowing results. Equipped important on/off ® button! Toy with Automower Equipped intuitiveand efficiency. the trigger to hear thewith engine for higher, tougher grass. intuitivestart display, dual $ display, headlights andand Bluetooth. 89.00 RRP Let dual the headlights kids takeandcontrol of their very own up and the trimmer line light up Bluetooth. $ Automower® with flashing headlights and radio spin around! 72.50 RRP control device. Made for indoor use. $139.00 RRP 7 $ $ $ $ $RRP Includes 112cm cutting deck plastic chain. 72.50 RRP $9,899 RRP $
$11.699 RRPearly! With realistic engine Toy Trimmer sounds and cutter blades
FINANCE OPTIONS AVAILABLE CLICK + COLLECT 15,299 $ 9,299 RRP RRP
11,999RRP
SHOP ONLINE
COLLECT IN-STORE
18,598 14,389RRP
$13,898 RRP Includes 103cm 18,380 cutting deckRRP
FINANCE OPTIONS AVAILABLE Your Authorised Husqvarna Servicing SDealer HOP ONLINE C LOPTIONS I C K + AVAILABLE COLLECT FINANCE
COLLECT IN-STORE
LAWNMOWER AND CHAINSAW CENTRE Your Authorised Husqvarna Servicing Dealer Manager
Service Manager
Charles 15 Albert Street, Cambridge PhClive 07 823 5522 Sutherland-Clark Baldwin melissa@thehondashop.co.nz manager@lmcc.co.nz workshop@lmcc.co.nz
Parts James Bradley parts@lmcc.co.nz
Parts/Automowers MelBen Liddle Mackie 021parts@lmcc.co.nz 795 611
Accounts/Admin El-marie Sutherland-Clark admin@lmcc.co.nz
07 871 8838 333 Sloane Street, Te Awamutu www.LMCC.co.nz
15 Albert Street, Cambridge Ph 07 823 5522 melissa@thehondashop.co.nz
Mel Liddle 021 795 611
7