Te Awamutu News | August 6, 2026

Three days - and counting

By Mary Anne Gill

If there is one thing this fast-tracked local government reform process has shown, it is that nobody likes being told to reorganise in three months. With just three days until the Government’s August 9 deadline for Head Start proposals, positions are finally becoming clear across the Waikato. And right now, it looks like Hamilton City may have lost the initiative to a loose alliance

of Waikato, Waipā and South Waikato councils that have moved faster than the region’s biggest city.

For months Hamilton appeared to assume the conversation would revolve around the metropolitan growth area encompassing Hamilton, Waikato and Waipā.

The city’s argument has been consistent. Housing, transport, employment and infrastructure already operate across a single urban system and governance should catch up.

Hamilton began by considering three merger models before expanding its thinking to six. It remains focused on metropolitan issues and appears reluctant to lose that focus inside a much larger regional structure.

The problem for Hamilton is that other councils have not necessarily bought into that vision.

Waikato District has been involved in discussions around a broader Waikato River catchment approach while also considering

On their medals

Athletes with strong links to Waipā and northern King Country picked up 11 of the 36 medals won by New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Cyclist Emma Foy and stoker Jessie Hodges (Ngāhinapōuri) won two gold and Cambridge’s Devon Briggs one of the 10 collected by New Zealand.

There were silvers for Bryony Botha, Ally Woolaston, Ellesse Andrews and Tori Moorby and bronze to Te Awamutu’s Hazel Ouwehand, Briggs, Andrews and Ōtorohanga’s Nicole Murray.

New Zealand finished sixth on the medal table with 10 gold, 14 silver and 12 bronze medals.

We counted 11 athletes at the games had links to the Good Local Media circulation area through family, or living and training in the area and eight spent time on the podium.

Ellesse Andrews and Devon Briggs ended their Glasgow adventure by winning cycling medals on the last day of the Games.

Andrews, who already had a bronze in the 1km time trial, added a silver medal in the keirin. She led for two laps, but on the second-last lap, Welsh speedster Emma Finucane zipped to the front and was never headed.

Andrews then had to cope with two Australians, Kristina Clonan and Alessia McCaig, boxed her in.

“You never want to be boxed,” Andrews said. Briggs, already a gold medallist in the men’s 1km time trial C1-3, won the bronze medal in the men’s C1-C3 individual pursuit.

“It’s all come together so well,” Briggs said. “I’m super proud

- it’s been a big week.”

Hamilton-focused options. Waipā has worked closely with neighbours and made it clear it wants to help shape change rather than wait for Wellington to decide.

Then came South Waikato.

Last week councillors voted to pursue what they call the Western Waikato Unitary Option, a proposal based around the Waikato River catchment that could include Hamilton, Waikato, Waipā, South Waikato, Taupō, Waitomo and Ōtorohanga.

Ōtorohanga connected cyclist Nicole Murray rode herself to exhaustion in sealing the bronze medal in the women’s C4-C5 individual pursuit.

With her record at major events Murray should be a household name in New Zealand.

She’s won 13 medals, including two gold, in world para track champs and three more in the equivalent road champs, and won a bronze medal in the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Murray and Hodges are both former Ngāhinapōuri School students.

Tori Moorby (née Peeters), is the sister-in-law of new All Black winger and Te Awamutu born Josh. The Matamata born, Southland raised Hamilton resident produced a sterling silver performance to place second in the women’s javelin.

Bryony Botha and Ally Wollaston, who train in Cambridge, teamed with Prudence Fowler, Emily Shearman and Samantha Donnelly to collect silver in the women’s 4000m team pursuit.

Former Te Awamutu College student Hazel Ouwehand won bronze in the women’s 50m butterfly last week.

Of those who did not win medals, boxer Greer Hall – based in Hamilton but with strong Cambridge links - won her first bout before losing to Canda’s Scarlett Delgado, who went on to win silver in the 54kg class.

“Our Greer Hall didn’t get the W, but what a showing on the Commonwealth Games stage for a 20-year-old,” a New Zealand Boxing Facebook post said.

Rebecca Petch of Te Awamutu was in the New Zealand team

That decision shifted the debate. Instead of responding to Hamilton’s metropolitan agenda, Waikato, Waipā and South Waikato appear to have built momentum around a wider catchment-based model. Hamilton now risks becoming one player among several rather than the driving force. The other councils have largely sorted themselves into camps.

Ōtorohanga and Waitomo

which missed out on the final of the women’s team sprint and in track cycling and former Cambridge resident Nick Kergozou was unable to compete in the 4km team pursuit after suffering a back injury in a heavy fall during training.

Keegan Hornblow replaced him in the squad, and the team including Marshall Erwood, George Jackson, Daniel Morton and Tom Sexton went on to claim bronze.

Kergozou said he was fortunate the injuries weren’t worse.

“To see the boys finish it off and bring home a bronze medal after so much misfortune getting to the line was rewarding.

His Cambridge-based mum Michelle commented on Cycling Southland’s post updating everyone.

“It’s a miracle to have Nick at the finals to see his team racing. He’s back smiling.”

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Regional business focus

Packed with news from the regions, the latest editions of Waikato Business News and Bay of Plenty Business News cover a broad range of stories reflecting the issues, businesses and communities shaping the two regions.

The papers from Good Local Media, publishers of community newspapers in Cambridge, Te Awamutu and King Country, feature stories about infrastructure projects, workforce development, education, technology, tourism, horticulture, commercial property and regional economic growth, alongside coverage of local initiatives and achievements.

Also included are articles about how investment in infrastructure is supporting future growth, the expanding role of

On the beat

technology in regional economies, and efforts to build talent pipelines through schools, tertiary education and industry partnerships. The publications also look at changing business environments in Hamilton and Tauranga, regional workforce challenges, and the industries driving economic activity across both areas.

Profiles of business leaders, entrepreneurs, community organisations and successful local enterprises sit alongside regular opinion columns and analysis, providing context to the issues affecting employers, councils and residents. There is also coverage of tourism, philanthropy, agriculture, hospitality, communications and professional services.

Read more goodlocal.nz

Safety – bikes and guns

Have you heard about the “Ride Safe, Stay Safe” Campaign recently launched by Cambridge Blue Light?

The aim is to promote safe riding behaviours amongst our young people. These include wearing a correctly fitted helmet and high visibility clothing, using cycle lanes, riding safely and responsibly, obeying road rules and dismounting and walking where required.

Police will be on the lookout for students displaying these behaviours and awarding tokens for good riding behaviour.

Recipients can then write their details on the token and drop it into the entry box at Cambridge Police station to be in the draw to win one of five $100 prezzy cards (and terms and conditions apply). Prizes will be drawn September 21.

Next a few words about firearms. In the past week, two Cambridge males were charged with unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

Under the Arms Act 1983, a person must hold a firearms licence to possess and use

unsupervised, non-prohibited firearms (that do not require an endorsement), ammunition and dangerous airguns, including precharged pneumatic (PCP) air rifles.

The Arms Act does allow for some possession or use of a non-prohibited firearm when under the immediate supervision of a current firearms licence holder.

That person must be physically present and actively supervising from a close position and not be using a firearm themselves whilst providing that supervision.

The firearms licence vetting process provides for applicant background checks to ensure suitability, proof of firearm safety knowledge and course completion and checks around the safe and secure storage of firearms.

Note, for new applications, processing time is approximately four to five months and there are also delays for renewals.

Unlawful possession of a firearm is punishable upon conviction by way of a fine up to $5000 or four years imprisonment. Unlawful possession of ammunition may

incur a fine of up to $10,000.

With regards to applications, please note that recent changes mean for new firearms licences applications or renewal of existing licences, the fastest way to apply is through the MyFirearms online portal.

A hardcopy application may be downloaded and completed but then along with all supporting documentation, will need to be couriered to Te Tari Pureke, Firearms Safety Authority in Wellington. Applications for new or renewal of firearms licences are no longer accepted at the Police station.

For full details on licencing visit the Te Tari Pureke, Firearms Safety Authority website. As with information about any criminal activity, if you know someone who is unlawfully in possession of firearms or ammunition, please let us know either via Crimestoppers 0800 555111 anonymously or 105.police.govt.nz.

Double days for garden festival

By Viv Posselt

Tickets to the 2026 Cambridge Rotary Garden Festival, revamped this year from a one-day event to two and scheduled for mid-November go on sale next week.

raised well over $100,000 for the community since it started several years ago, providing grants and financial assistance to charities, schools, community groups and other projects.

Proceeds from the 2026 festival will support– Achievement House, Interlock Trust, Cambridge Lifeskills, and Cambridge Community House.

The extended format has been adopted to reflect the festival’s popularity and depth of gardening talent, said Cambridge Rotary president Shona Devoy.

“Two days allows people to enjoy more gardens at a relaxed pace.”

The festival is Cambridge Rotary’s major fundraiser. It has

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The 2026 programme will see nine gardens open on each of the two days. Devoy said they feature a mix of large lifestyle properties, compact urban gardens, native plantings, formal designs, cottage gardens and other creative outdoor spaces. Garden owners will be on hand to chat to visitors.

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Lodge celebrates

The Pirongia Forest Park Lodge will host a community celebration – “Honouring the Past – Celebrating the Future,” at the end of the month. “ The event will coincide with the opening of the lodge’s Sustainable Campsite, which has been a five-year community effort .

In the ring

Te Awamutu boxer Floyd Masson will face Hamilton’s David Nyika in Auckland on Saturday. The Queensland based pair will square up for a mandatory shot at the vacant IBF cruiserweight title.

Bird rescue

A juvenile Buller’s albatross found last month in Cambridge has been released near Raglan after being treated at Hamilton Zoo for a minor injury. The Toroa or Buller’s mollymawk is one of the smallest members of the albatross family.

Science award

Hawera born Alexandria White has won the 2026 Waikato Regional Council Prize in Water Science. The award recognises outstanding academic achievement by a third-year University of Waikato student studying water science. White, 21, has a passion for freshwater ecosystems and is now working for the Greater Wellington Regional Council.

Pie prizes

Top 10 awards eluded Waipa entries in this year’s Bakels sponsored pie awards announced this week. Close to home there was gold for Songheng Snr’s Steak and Cheese pie at High Bakery and Café in Silverdale Rd Hamilton and a placing for Sila Ly for his Hillcrest Bakery bacon and egg pie

In the running Cambridge-based filly

Well Written is one of four finalists for champion threeyear-old in the New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards to be announced on September 6. Well Written won New Zealand’s richest race, the $4 million NZB Kiwi, at Ellerslie in March.

Arthur remains focussed

By Jesse Wood

Arthur Uden has spent much of his life recording life through a lens.

Today photography is a release for the 74-yearold Te Awamutu resident who has battled renal cancer battle for three years.

“You get lots of advice from people who have never had cancer,” Uden said. “While they’re well-meaning, and I appreciate it, when you’ve got it yourself, you have to deal with it in your own way.

“Some people knit; some paint and others just try to keep life as normal as possible. Photography has become my outlet, my way of forgetting about cancer.”

Many Waipā residents will recognise Uden’s name and photos, as he was a regular poster on Te Awamutu Facebook groups and Waipā Sports Images – and his worked frequently appeared in the Te Awamutu News.

Wife Judy downsized their belongings in January and they moved to Freeman Court in Roche Street in January.

“When we moved to Freeman Court, it was because we’d been told I might only have months to live. So far it’s been the best part of nine months,” Uden said.

“I still take my camera out with me each day and take photos from my walks around town. I do not post them as much as I used to on the community Facebook groups.

“These days I tend to seek out the images that are meaningful to me rather than what I think other people would like.”

Uden has always loved black and white images. A lot of his photos these days are high contrast type monochrome images that appeal to him but are not necessarily “what most people want to see”.

“I also haven’t got the endurance to spend an afternoon out capturing sports anymore which is a shame.

“A lot of my images nowadays tend to reflect the impact the cancer has had on me.”

Uden’s battle began in 2023, but by November he was in remission after the removal of an infected kidney. “Arthur’s cancer warning” was a front page story in The News that month when he urged people suffering ongoing pain to get checked.

“I remember thinking that seemed awfully quick,” Uden said. “Then, about 17 months later, a follow-up CT scan showed the cancer had returned. It had spread and was growing quickly.

“At the moment my pain is reasonably well controlled, I’m on quite strong medication.

“On the outside I seem okay, people cannot see

the damage happening inside.

“Some mornings I go for a walk to the rose gardens and down to Memorial Park. Sometimes I use my mobility scooter instead. Then I come back here and crash.

“Now I read books a lot. I enjoy crime novels.”

He is no longer able to drive - and having that freedom is something he really misses.

“One of the hardest things since the cancer returned has been giving up my car and relying on other people,” Uden said. “I do miss not having my own independence as far as transport goes, not being able to jump in the car and head out to Pirongia whenever I felt like it.”

Uden grew up in Putāruru –where the Uden name is well known - and lived there until he, Judy and son Jason moved to the Waikeria village in 1995. In the early 2000s, they moved into Te Awamutu.

“When I was a kid, about eight years old, I had a little Kodak Brownie Starlet camera that took 2½-inch square photos,” he said.

“I always had a sense that I wanted to remember things, and photos are a way of doing that.”

Upon early retirement in 2016, he became more experimental with photography.

“During the years before we moved to Waikeria, I didn’t do as much because I had motorbikes on my brain. I owned about 30-odd bikes over the years,” Uden said.

“I was also a voluntary St John ambulance driver in Putāruru while working at industrial gases.

“Photography became my release of the tensions of working at Waikeria Prison. Whether I was fly fishing or riding my motorbike, I would always take a camera with me.

“I’d write stories about my rides, add the photos, and post them on the Kiwi Rider motorcycle forum.”

When he spoke to The News he had just finished a week of radiation on the new cancers.

There will be no more treating, just pain control.

“If this last lot of radiation does not shrink the

cancers, then I am facing a gradual progression of paralysis as the cancer in my spinal canal starts compressing my spinal cord.

“I don’t want to finish up in a bed here looking at the TV. I’m quite happy just getting out for a walk.”

Uden said he doesn’t usually share how he’s feeling, but he knows the cancer is going to get him.

“I do think it’s important for people with cancer to find an outlet,” Uden said.

“For me it’s photography.”

The captain’s daughters

Two very interested and interesting visitors to Kihikihi were the Misses Johnstone, one of whom was the first European child born in Kihikihi. They were the daughters of Captain Johnstone, of the 62nd Regiment, who had raised a company 100 strong in Dunedin as the nucleus of the Second Waikato Militia. The company had landed at Raglan and marched over the hills to Whatawhata, one of the girls being carried on a packhorse in a candle box utilised as a cradle.

When she cried there was no milk - she was appeased with cold tea. The sister who was born in Kihikihi was christened by Bishop Selwyn, the water for the baptism service being contained in the lid of a billy. The building in which the service was held served a dual purpose as church and morgue.

During their visit the sisters spent many hours surveying the scene at Kihikihi, which, since the days of bracken and fern, had become a highly developed farming and commercial district.

Two men escaped from the

A permanent e-waste solution for Te Awamutu

Got a drawer full of dead phones, tangled cables or a laptop that’s seen better days? Getting rid of them responsibly is now as simple as a drive to the Te Awamutu Resource Recovery Centre, any day of the week.

Urban Miners, the Waipā district’s volunteer-powered e-waste recycling charity, has partnered with Evolve Ventures to offer a permanent e-waste drop-off point at the Centre on Daphne Street, seven days a week. TVs, laptops, mobile phones, printers, small appliances, cables and batteries are all welcome.

“Previously people had to wait for our monthly Te Awamutu collection days to get rid of their e-waste responsibly,” says Urban Miners chairperson Andrew Bateman. “Now they can drop it off on a day that suits them.”

With the permanent drop-off now in place, Urban Miners’ monthly Te Awamutu collection days have come to an end, and that’s where a very deserved thank you comes in.

FIVE YEARS OF MONTHLY COLLECTIONS, MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR COMMUNITY

For nearly five years, those monthly collection days only happened because of the practical

and financial backing of the Rotary Club of Te Awamutu and the Te Awamutu Community Board. Their support behind the scenes helped Urban Miners build a genuine presence in the town and earn the trust needed to grow. The team wants to say a heartfelt thank you to both organisations. This new, upgraded service simply wouldn’t exist without the foundation they helped build.

Urban Miners has diverted over 130 tonnes of e-waste from Waipā landfills, yet estimates it’s still reaching only a fraction of what’s generated locally. A permanent, no-fuss drop-off point is exactly the convenience needed to close that gap.

For Evolve Ventures, the service is a natural extension of the Resource Recovery Centre. “People can now drop off their old electronics at the same time as they bring in other items for recycling, re-purposing and re-use,” says director Clive Peter. “It just makes it easy, and that’s what good community recycling infrastructure should do.”

BATTERIES? STILL SORTED AT PAK’NSAVE

Household battery collection continues as always at PAK’nSAVE Te Awamutu, where batteries dropped in-store are collected and sent to Urban Miners for safe, free processing.

Waikeria Borstal Institution near Te Awamutu, one having the advantage of knowing the country in the area, having lived previously at Ōhaupō and Paterangi. One man was captured by three Hamilton police who hid in a missing car which had been found abandoned, with the petrol exhausted, at Ngāhinapōuri. As darkness fell the man was observed approaching the vehicle which contained a quantity of food. He hesitated when nearing the car at which point the three constables gave chase, catching him without difficulty. The car had been stolen from a farm at Arohena and was traced by wheel marks over clay and sand roads as far as Arapuni.

The opinion that Pirongia Mountain should be designated a national park was expressed by Mr Turner at the annual meeting of the Hamilton Beautifying Society. Mr Turner pointed out that there was a fine growth of native bush on the mountain and he considered that as the land at about a level of 1500 feet was unsuitable for settlement, steps should be taken to

have the area set aside as a reserve. Pirongia Mountain was within easy reach of Hamilton and people should take an interest in the matter. A Paterangi settler later observed that Mr Turner was apparently unaware of the fact that the top of Pirongia was already a forest reserve, and had been so for about 20 years.

The existence of two Hairini place names, one near Te Awamutu and the other near Tauranga, was causing confusion. There was a post office at Hairini near Tauranga but Hairini, near Te Awamutu was a rural mail delivery. Letters addressed ‘Hairini’ alone quite often went first to the Bay of Plenty, with consequent inconvenience to local residents. Despite this, alert post office staff, regardless of incomplete addresses, recognised local names and correspondence was correctly and quickly delivered.

They won’t meet again…

By Jesse Wood

Waipā Home of Champions and Waikato said farewell to greyhound racing last Thursday at Cambridge Raceway.

The closure follows a 20-month wind down period after the Government announced the ban on commercial greyhound racing in December 2024, allowing time for industry participants to transition and for greyhounds to begin moving into homes and rehoming programmes.

As the July 31 closure loomed, commentator Aaron White said mother nature has turned it on for the final day in the Waikato.

Several hundred viewers came for the last hurrah at the track throughout the afternoon.

Plenty of subtle and not so hidden messages were

in the 15 final race names – Thanks Garrards For All Your Support, Thanks To Our Track Curators, Thank You Clubhouse Cambridge, Appreciating Owners Sticking By Us, Not Above Or Below Right Beside You, Find Adoption Agencies Online, Owners Trainers United To The End, Trainers Be Proud Of What We Do, Good Luck To Those Heading To Aussie, All The Best For New Pathways Ahead, Look After Your People Be Kind, Best Welfare Standards In The Game, Cambridge Raceway We Thank You and GRNZ Staff We Walk Together As One.

The last greyhound race winner at Cambridge Raceway was Bay Flyer, trained by Pukekohe-based Glennis Farrell, at number seven in the final race, “Until The End Its Our Time Farewell”, at 4.37pm.

Te Awamutu-based Corey Steele had 10 dogs racing on Thursday, while his parents Wayne and Tracy had 17.

He had three winners – No Visual (race seven), Opawa Danny (race 10) and Tin Tin Bust (race three – extra) – a bittersweet end of an era.

In the last race, Corey’s Opawa Sooty and Sweet Bonanza, raced alongside Opawa Blake and Opawa Trevor (trained by his parents), Portland Magnum (trained by Tracey and Lisa Craik) and the final winner Bay Flyer.

Supporters clapped them off the track for a final time as the sun shone on the podium.

Plenty of tears and laughter filled the raceway.

White ended his commentary saying “they may have taken our industry, but they haven’t taken our memories in the industry”.

Corey said he was pretty easy going about it, they were aware of the situation leading into the final day.

“I just treated today like it was my first race day, not my last,” Corey said.

“The dogs performed to the best that they could. They’ve had a great time out there.

“I’m more sad for them that they’re not going to be able to enjoy coming to the races.

But they’re going to live great lives. They’re wonderful pets.

“It is very bittersweet, but it is what it is.”

Corey is still unsure what path he will take next, but plenty of soul searching is on the horizon.

“Right up until today it was business as usual for the dogs. They never got less than what they got two years ago, a year ago, six months ago,” Corey said.

“We’ll get home from the races today, still get up same time tomorrow, do the same routine and just spend the next few weeks thinking about life, seeing where it takes us.

“For lack of better words, we’ve got no idea what’s next. We’ll just see where we end up.”

A statement from the SPCA said with racing concluding, the focus shifts to ensuring greyhounds exiting the industry have the opportunity to enjoy life as cherished companion animals.

Around 1300 greyhounds are now expected to require rehoming, substantially fewer than the 1700 previously forecast by Greyhound Racing New Zealand.

Radio New Zealand reported that 150 dogs could be sent to Australia.

AGE OF REASON

The final countdown

By Peter Carr

By the time the next edition of this newspaper hits the streets Waipa District Council will have ‘come clean’ on their preferred partners in the current government’s desire for sweeping local body change.

That they looked at five scenarios is well known.

That they desired to adopt one, which fell over due to a lack of suitable overall bedpartners, is also very clear. That they will possibly head, at the end of this week, into a decision on a second option is possibly causing elected councillors to become a wee bit twitchy.

They will be damned if they do (by some) and damned if they don’t (by many).

And despite their well-intentioned attempt to engage with the public the attendance at their public information meetings was appallingly low.

That really informs where the wider public sit regarding local body politics and management. Councils – in the wider sense – are perceived as being generally faceless, bureaucratic and lacking the ability to make the hard decisions.

That is a pity, as while that sad perception may have been well earned in the past, there is now a more worthwhile and professional mix of local body officers keen to ‘meet the market’ within the limits beset them by legislation.

Elected members generally are more acutely aware that public access – as on a screen - to their meetings means that they cannot hide behind how they vote.

They have to be open and frank and are seen to be so. Being an elected councillor is not a sinecure – far from it. They put in many

hours monthly of sheer hard work.

Being landed with reports sometimes extending over 300 pages is hardly an exciting offering. Council officers attempt to cover all the angles. It is the very nature of the beast.

Back in 1989 a similar reform took place, and it would be fair to say that councils are the better for it. The somewhat narrow nature of regional council material is now well overdue for change. This is currently an expensive overlay of bureaucracy, the basic tenets of which can easily be passed on to a more wide-ranging, deeper-interest, organisation.

We have recently seen, here in Waipa, a serious attempt (successfully it is hoped) to tidy up, harden and improve how local government and the wider public should be serviced through tighter controls internally, more professional managers in place and a keen oversight on the chief executive’s performance.

It’s a swing, perhaps, towards what we have seen over the past 20 years in corporate structures in the business world.

I worked for Waipā for almost five years, having been persuaded out of retirement by that superb mayor, the late Alan Livingston. What I perceived internally was indeed a sad sight which clearly told me that I was a square, commercially driven, peg in a round inward-thinking, hole. Today there is a different, positive, wind blowing through the council corridors, linked with regular and frequent public explanations by the mayorwhose zeal and communicating clarity are refreshing.

Avoiding the nightmare

By Christine Bryant, Lay Minister, St John’s

C’est cauchmardesque - It’s a nightmare!

This is the daily refrain of the inhabitants of southwest France, a horror echoed by many on Crete, in Spain and Portugal as forest fires overwhelm their homes, livelihoods and communities. With each heatwave, four already this summer, the fires re-ignite and hundreds of thousands of people are forced to move to shelter.

This is the harm of global warming as we sometimes see in Australia or California and as we never want to see in our country.

It has to be said that New Zealand’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions (at 0.17%) is miniscule in global terms. Half of our emissions come from the methane expelled by grazing animals. On the one hand, there is maybe an argument for less intensive farming.

However, every animal culled equals reduced income for the farmer and less money spent in rural towns - a connection which I think is not well understood by many urban greens.

On the other hand, the food which New Zealand exports, which is healthy and not overly laden with chemical additives, feeds many times our own population and enables New Zealand to be a viable country.

Very few countries are in the enviable position of being able to supply food to populations which need it. It would not be helpful to compromise our ability to do this.

As co-signees of the Paris Accords we have a commitment to reducing harmful emissions, but it’s possible we need clearer, long-term strategies with the consequences evenly balanced between urban and rural populations to get us there.

For example, trains are the most eco-

friendly way to move large numbers of people. Could we commit to reducing our vehicle fleet and increasing the passenger rail network? Commuter trains from Te Awamutu and Cambridge to Hamilton?

Should cities over 100,000 have a light-rail network? How do we reduce our personal carbon footprint in small towns where public transport is not available? We have already made a start on some initiatives, but seeing the anguished faces of those who have lost everything because of the fires should be an incentive to do more.

From the beginning God called us to be good stewards of the planet. He gave Adam and Eve authority over all living creatures, the power to use resources wisely.

Jesus also showed us the right attitude towards material possessions. To the rich young man who asked what he should do to have eternal life, Jesus said: “Go and sell all you have and give to the poor”. The young man went away sadly because he knew he could not give up all he owned and <downsize> his life.

Jesus followed up by saying: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moths and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven … For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”.

Climate change has come about as we of the First World have pursued material goals. Our society is oriented towards exotic foods, fast fashion and cheaper consumer goods, regardless of the downsides. It would seem to be time for a re-think.

Five years of sport delivery

By Jesse Wood

Five years ago Ollie Ward helped kick off Te Awamutu Sports’ community sports delivery programme at five schools.

Community sports director Ward and his team of three – Jas Cannon, Ariana CableDixon and Karne Hesketh – are now creating opportunities for sports, play and active recreation for more than 1500 pre-school and intermediate children weekly, as well as the occasional programme at Te Awamutu College.

They cover 13 schools, including the five originals, from the edge of King Country at Kōrakonui, to the verge of Hamilton, Ngāhinapōuri - and almost everywhere in between.

Ward said most people probably think they “just coach rugby and netball”.

“We don’t really do anything like that,” Ward said. “I’ve got an amazing team. They’re spot on at what they do. It isn’t really about the sports as such, it’s about the connection.

“These three people light up the room, if you have a chance to talk to them, you’ll see that.”

At a celebration event last week, Te Awamutu Sports General Manager Linda Sprangers acknowledged supporters and funders for their contributions to the programme.

“But to continue to develop in our local and wider community, and meet the need, we need more partners onboard.”

Ward showed everyone what they have been doing for the past half decade.

“We’re now working in four early childhood centres too, running our Toddler Takeover programme,” Ward, a father of two

young boys, said.

“That’s growing and now we have a number of home-school groups that we’re delivering sport, active recreation and play to.

“For some children, it’s learning how to throw a ball for the first time.

“For others, it’s about discovering that sport can be fun and doesn’t have to be

structured.

“We’ve developed programmes that encourage everyone to come along.”

He said it’s exciting – it’s the best job in the world.

“We’re regularly approached by new schools, early childhood centres and community groups wanting to join up and run different events together,” Ward said.

“We need to continue growing our capacity, equipment and partnerships.

Pekapekarau School principal Tania Bagley shared what the programme looks like from a school’s perspective.

“We’ve been involved since the inception. Yes, there is sport, play and fundamental skills, but from our perspective it’s so much more than that,” Bagley said.

“We have a wide range of families and kids from very low socio-economic backgrounds through to people that are more privileged.

“When we first became involved, we didn’t have a single male on staff. Our kids need role models. We wanted to bring in more men, for our boys in particular.

“Ollie and his team have been the males that our tamariki have needed. You can’t be it if you can’t see it.”

Bagley said the team have been amazing to deal with from a staff and students perspective.

“At the moment we’ve got Jas and Ana working with us, which is fantastic. It’s really good for our kids to see women in those roles as well,” Bagley said.

“We’ve got a really good connection. We can share lots of feedback and the team make changes based on what the need is and what we say.

“Kids want to play sport. They want to be busy. They need these kinds of programmes to teach them how to be creative again.

“They’re not given many opportunities to learn games and then be able to modify them.

“What we see in the playground, is they do what they’ve done with the community sports team, in their own way. They’re putting that creative lens on it.”

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Three days - and counting

moved early. The two King Country councils decided to develop a joint Head Start proposal, stressing local identity and local representation. Their mayors have consistently argued they would rather shape their own future than risk becoming part of a larger structure designed elsewhere.

Taupō has taken a different approach.

After investigating several possibilities and consulting extensively with its community, Taupō District Council voted not

to submit a Head Start proposal. Councillors cited concerns about the rushed process, uncertainty around the backstop arrangements and analysis suggesting the district could be financially worse off under amalgamation.

To the east, Matamata-Piako, Hauraki and Thames-Coromandel have increasingly coalesced around a different idea.

Matamata-Piako has signalled a preference for an Eastern Waikato unitary authority rather than a Waikato-wide council. Hauraki has explored similar options,

while Thames-Coromandel has identified the Waihou-PiakoCoromandel proposal involving Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki and Matamata-Piako as its preferred model.

Hovering above all of this is Waikato Regional Council. It cannot submit a proposal itself, but it has been reminding councils that functions such as transport, flood protection, catchment management and environmental planning still need to work effectively across the wider region.

On Monday it released a

statement reaffirming its support for a single unitary authority and a draft proposal showing why it’s considered it the model best suited to meeting the future needs of Waikato communities.

So who has the upper hand? Today, probably not Hamilton.

The city still has population, economic weight and political influence.

But while Hamilton has spent months analysing options, neighbouring councils appear to have moved more quickly to establish preferred directions.

What has emerged is not one Waikato consensus but two competing visions. One is Hamilton-led and metropolitan in focus. The other is catchmentbased and more rural in character.

The significance of the past fortnight is that Waikato, Waipā and South Waikato seem to have seized the initiative.

Hamilton may still influence the final outcome. But for the first time in this debate, it looks less like the council setting the agenda and more like one trying to catch up.

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Building better trauma care

By Mary Anne Gill

When Grant Christey left Waikato to study medicine, he never imagined he would return home and spend the next two decades helping reshape trauma care for almost a million New Zealanders.

Born in Te Awamutu, raised in Hamilton and educated at Southwell School and St Paul’s Collegiate, the surgeon has become one of the country’s leading voices in trauma medicine.

Today he serves as director of the Waikato Trauma Service and leads Te Manawa Taki – the Midland Trauma System - overseeing trauma care across Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hauora Tairāwhiti and Taranaki, a region with more than 930,000 residents.

The scale of that responsibility was a long way from the dairy farm beginnings of a Waipā boy who grew up fascinated by science and went on to study medicine at Otago University.

After working overseas and gaining specialist trauma experience in Australia, Christey returned to the Waikato with a determination to improve outcomes for seriously injured patients. What he found was a health system filled with dedicated professionals but lacking the coordination needed to consistently achieve the best results for trauma patients.

That changed in 2005 when Waikato District Health Board established its trauma

service following a coronial recommendation that exposed weaknesses in the way major trauma was managed. Christey was one of the driving forces behind the initiative.

“It was quite a bold move to start something up,” he said during celebrations marking the service’s 20th anniversary. At the time, Auckland had New Zealand’s only dedicated trauma service.

The new service had humble beginnings.

One nurse. One surgeon. One registrar. Three desks and a single computer squeezed into a makeshift office.

What it did have was a clear vision.

Christey championed a holistic approach that looked beyond operating theatres and emergency departments to focus on the entire journey of a patient and their family. He believed recovery involved much more than treating injuries.

That philosophy helped shape what became New Zealand’s only verified Level One Trauma Centre and a model of care now recognised nationally and internationally.

Under his leadership, major trauma mortality in Waikato fell dramatically, from 16.8 per cent before the service was established to about seven per cent. Christey estimates that improvement has contributed to around 640 lives being saved.

Colleagues say his contribution extends beyond clinical care.

Former Waikato DHB chief operating officer Jan Adams remembers the proposal Christey brought to management when he first sought support for establishing a dedicated trauma service.

“It was a brave decision, it was a bold decision, but it was the right decision to make,” Adams said.

She credits Christey with providing the vision and determination needed to create the service at a time when some questioned whether New Zealand needed another major trauma centre.

“It was a hard slog. Some people needed convincing,” she said.

Cambridge-based nursing leader and former chief nurse

Sue Hayward believes part of the service’s success lay in Christey’s commitment to a model of care that extended far beyond surgery and emergency treatment.

As the trauma service evolved, it became one of the first datadriven clinical services of its kind, combining medical expertise with nursing coordination and research to improve patient outcomes.

“The trauma service made themselves so available that others really wanted them to become involved with their patients,” Hayward said.

She said the service’s nurses became known for coordinating the often complex journey not only for patients but also for their families through rehabilitation and recovery.

Waikato University medical

researcher Professor Ross Lawrenson credits Christey with recognising early the value of collecting and analysing data to improve patient outcomes.

“He’s realised the importance of epidemiology,” Lawrenson said.

Epidemiology is the scientific study of how diseases and health conditions are spread and controlled in groups of people.

“The trauma service is recognised nationally and internationally because of the research that Grant has done and the use of the data from the registry.”

That registry now contains information on more than 100,000 trauma patients and is regarded as

one of the most significant trauma databases in New Zealand.

Christey remains focused on the future.

Trauma patients are older, their injuries more complex, and demands on the health system continue to increase.

He is also helping train the next generation of trauma specialists while exploring how artificial intelligence and advanced data analysis can improve patient care.

For the surgeon who came home to Waikato after 15 years away, the mission remains much the same as when he first returned - to make sure that where a person lives does not determine their chance of surviving a major injury.

Dealing with chronic illness

By Jesse Wood

Complex Chronic Illness Support hope to provide support and lend an ear to those suffering.

People living with Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Long Covid, post-viral syndrome or dysautonomia get the opportunity to chat with other who understand and learn about services available.

The nonprofit organisation started in the Bay of Plenty in 1981 and has grown into a national organisation.

Groups across the country meet to show that even though there is limited financial aid from the government, there is support available via Complex Chronic Illness (CCI) Support.

“These conditions are under-recognised, under-funded, under-researched,” CCI Support president and Te Awamutu social group coordinator Fiona Charlton said.

“There are postcode lotteries of care across the country – what one person might receive in one region, will not be the same in another.

“Most of us are working professionals, having had to leave careers due to becoming very unwell, with low functional capacity.”

Many suffer in silence or are embarrassed to share their stories, she said.

The support groups help to meet people who understand and discover what support looks like when they don’t have to explain yourself.

“Limited energy is a massive factor in most of these conditions. For many it will be a choice between do I shower today or do I make a meal from scratch?” Charlton said.

“This organisation has become a formalised support system for people. We support people throughout the country online and then we have in-person support too.

“Our goal is to support people, they don’t have to have a specific diagnosis, because it can take years for a diagnosis.

“But if they’ve got a cluster of symptoms, that we know we can support through our selfmanagement strategies, then they’re welcome to join as a member.”

The Te Awamutu group meets on the third Friday of each month, and members travel from towns including Ōtorohanga and Raglan to share their stories.

Cambridge and Hamilton are among the other towns in the Waikato to hold similar meetings.

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Lounge held last week’s gathering.

“We also provide services through our health and wellness facilitators. They are trained in health science and social work or are nurses,” Charlton said.

“They’ve got to have that solid scientific and health background to understand the conditions, because they are complex.

“We have monthly webinars for members on different educational topics including pacing yourself or the grief of dealing with a chronic illness or nutrition, mindfulness and breathing techniques.”

It’s not just supporting people through unwellness, it’s about everything that encapsulates it.

“The grief part of it is so important and this connection at support groups is so important,” Charlton said.

“It’s a good outlet. They’re holding it together for family. They’re trying to be healthier than they are because they have to.”

Charlton said if people had help and funding at the mild and moderate level of these conditions, it could enable them to return to work or cope easier in everyday life.

“CCI Support is a vital organisation. It removes that social isolation. The knowledge that you learn from the facilitators and the

guidance they give means a lot,” Charlton said.

“We try to advocate for access to disability services because there are a lot of long-term issues that fit the definition of disability but don’t fit the eligibility criteria to access the services.

“There’s no support from the health system. The conditions aren’t sufficiently recognised for the level of debility, how disabling they actually are.”

Funeral

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Last week

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Ski safety warning

As skiers and snowboarders return to the mountains and the cold snap continues, ACC is encouraging people to ease into the season and know their limits.

ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker says being on the mountain with friends and whānau is one of the great parts of a New Zealand winter — but it should not be taken for granted.

“It’s great if people can enjoy this winter season safely so they can keep doing what they love.”

ACC accepted 8,309 skiing injury claims in 2025, at a cost of $32 million to help people recover. It also accepted 5,425 snowboarding injury claims, which cost $14 million. Both were the highest number and cost of these claims in the past five years.

Whitaker says most injuries are predictable and preventable. A simple way to reduce the risk is to pause before taking on a run, especially early in the season when people may not yet have their ski legs back.

Snow sports injuries can have an impact well beyond the ski field. Last year, ACC paid 73,630 days of weekly compensation for snow

sports injuries, at a cost of $10.6 million.

Whitaker says it’s important that skiers and snowboarders prepare before they get to the mountain: check the conditions, choose runs that match their ability, and take breaks during the day.

Ski fields and the industry around them also bring significant economic benefit. In 2019, there were 1.6 million visitors to New Zealand ski fields and almost one million came from overseas. Total expenditure by skiing

holidaymakers was more than $430 million.

Ski Area Association of New Zealand chair Toby Arnott says everyone benefits if people can avoid injury and keep enjoying the snow.

“New Zealand has some of the world’s most beautiful places to ski and snowboard,” he says.

“Ski fields all around New Zealand have excellent steps in place to ensure people are safe - we’re keen to help as many people as possible to experience everything our fields have to offer.”

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Website statistics

A 2023 story about Cam Roigard’s debut for the All Blacks was the most read online article on the Te Awamutu News website last month.

Second best was the story about confusion surrounding the Paewira waste to energy plant while Deb Hann’s column about arrests made by Te Awamutu police came in third and an earlier column about a man facing drink driving charge was fifth.

Rounding out the top five was Te Awamutu Sports’ Josh Moorby’s selection for the All Blacks.

Home and e-Editions –the online version of the Te Awamutu News – led the page statistics.

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PIRONGIA

Section 101, Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012

PUBLIC NOTICE

of an application for Issue Off Licence

Nehenehenui Election of Trustees

GENERAL DISTRIBUTORS LIMITED, a duly incorporated company having its registered office at 80 Favona Road, Favona, Auckland, has made application to the District Licensing Committee at Waipa District Council for the renewal of its off-licence in respect of the premises at 181 Sloane Street, Te Awamutu and known as Woolworths Te Awamutu.

Withdrawal of Candidate recently confirmed his withdrawal as a candidate for the 2026 Ngā election. packs for this election have been printed and released for distribution, this withdrawal does not allow a re-print opportunity within required Nehenehenui Trustee electors who choose to vote by postal ballot therefore note this withdrawal and not include the withdrawn candidate in selections. by postal vote for Keith Ikin will not be counted in the Ngā Kura Votes cast for remaining candidates will be valid and counted. The remain as candidates for election are listed on the Te Nehenehenui tenehenehenui.iwi.nz/elections

The general nature of the business conducted under the licence is Supermarket. The days on which and the hours during which alcohol is sold under the licence are: Monday to Sunday, 7am to 10pmfor consumption off the premises.

The application may be inspected during ordinary office hours at the office of the Waipa District Licensing Committee, 101 Bank Street, Te Awamutu or 23 Wilson Street, Cambridge.

withdrawal has been applied to the online voting site.

Morton Officer - Te Nehenehenui Christchurch vote@electionz.com

Any person who is entitled to object and who wishes to object to the issue of the licence may, not later than 25 working days after the date of the publication of this notice, file a notice in writing of the objection with the Secretary of the District Licensing Committee at: The Secretary of the District Licensing Committee Waipa District Council, Private Bag 2402, Te Awamutu 3840 or email info@waipadc.govt.nz.

No objection to the issue of this licence may be made in relation to a matter other than a matter specified in section 131 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. This is the first publication of this notice.

Kihikihi Presbyterian Church

CHURCH SERVICES 10am 9th August

Dr Terry Cowland

All Welcome

Te Nehenehenui 2026 Election of Trustees

Notice of Withdrawal of Candidate

Keith Ikin has recently confirmed his withdrawal as a candidate for the 2026 Ngā Kura Rere election.

As the voter packs for this election have been printed and released for distribution, the timing of this withdrawal does not allow a reprint opportunity within required timelines. Te Nehenehenui Trustee electors who choose to vote by postal ballot should therefore note this withdrawal and not include the withdrawn candidate in their voting selections.

Any votes cast by postal vote for Keith Ikin will not be counted in the Ngā Kura Rere election. Votes cast for remaining candidates will be valid and counted. The nominees who remain as candidates for election are listed on the Te Nehenehenui website: tenehenehenui.iwi.nz/elections

The candidate withdrawal has been applied to the online voting site.

Anthony Morton

Returning Officer - Te Nehenehenui

PO Box 3138, Christchurch 0800 666 028, vote@electionz.com

Te Awamutu News

King Country News

WALL, Lovena Sarah –

Passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, 18th July 2026, aged 61 years. Dearly loved mother of Honeylee and Joseph. Lovena will be sadly missed by her family and friends. In accordance with Lovena's wishes, a private cremation has been held. Messages to the Wall/Fraser family may be sent c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800, or left in Lovena's online tribute book at www. rosetown.co.nz.

WILSON, Audrey – Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, 28th July 2026 surrounded by her loving family. Aged 97 years. Dearly loved wife of the late Ted. Cherished mother and mother-in-law of Heather & KP, Bev & Neil, Stan & Shirley. Adored grandma of Kyle, Aleisha & Graeme, Anna & Gavin, Ryan & Zara, Wendy & Josh, Emma & Ryan, Pete & Dylan.

Treasured great-grandma Audrey of her 12 greatgrandchildren.

‘Heartfelt thanks to all the staff at Camellia Rest Home for the exceptional care of our Mum’

A private cremation has been held. A celebration of Audrey’s life will be held at Alexandra House Chapel, Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu on Saturday, 29th August 2026 at 11.00 am.

All communications to the Wilson family, c/- PO Box 137, Te Awamutu, 3800.

FARMER, Michael Alfred – Passed away peacefully on Sunday, 26th July 2026. Aged 84 years. Beloved husband of Noeline. Loved father of David and the late Robert. Stepfather of Jeremy & Kelly, Stephan & Laura. Brother of the late Sylvia, the late Terence, the late Pamela, Sandra, Cynthia, Diana, Robert. A private cremation has been held. All communications to the Farmer family, c/- PO Box 137, Te Awamutu, 3840

KAHUI, Charlene NgatauAnepeka – 20 March 1977 –26 July 2026. It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beautiful Mum, mother-in-law, Nana, sister, aunty, cousin and friend, who passed away on Sunday, 26 July 2026, aged 49 years. Cherished mother of Levi, Chantelle, Prycize, Keisha and Keelie. A treasured Nana to all her moko. Partner of Patrick Higgins. Charlene will lie in state until her service at the Te Awamutu Bible Chapel, Chapel Drive, Te Awamutu, on Friday, 31 July 2026 at 11.00am, followed by a private cremation. For those wishing to make a koha, donations may be made to: Chantelle Le Gros 12-32320458188-50. Messages to the Kahui family may be sent c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800, or left in Charlene's online tribute book at www.rosetown. co.nz.

SMITH, Hayden Thomas –

On Tuesday, 28th July 2026. It’s with great sadness and heavy hearts we announce the unexpected departure of our beloved Hayden, Son of Ngahina (Sam) and Elaine, much loved brother of Kristel & Lt, and proud uncle of Haevyn, Valiant, Honour, and Valor, and best friend to his beloved pup Loofy, into the start of his new journey with our Heavenly Father. A celebration service of Hayden’s life was held at the Latter-Day Saints Chapel, followed by burial at Pirongia Cemetery. Message to the Smith family can be sent to c/- 262 Ohaupo Road Te Awamutu 3800 or left in Hayden’s online tribute book at www.rosetown.co.nz

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