Just before the curtain lifted on To The Stars/ Ki Ngā Whetū - the three-day showcase that would officially open the Waikato Regional Theatre in Hamilton last week –Michael Gilling shed a tear.
“Little watery eye, yeah,” he said of the occasion after years of planning, construction and countless walk-throughs. The theatre was finally alive: performers ready, lights blazing, an audience waiting to celebrate the region’s creativity.
“It was great to see,” said Gilling, who lives in Te Awamutu and is Live Nation’s venue manager for the $80 million theatre.
The theatre, sponsored by the BNZ, is a masterpiece - a
space that marries modern elegance with nods to Waikato’s cultural heritage and rooted in community spirit.
It stands on the site of the former Hamilton Hotel in Victoria Street, where Queen Elizabeth II stayed in December 1953. That land was gifted in 2017 by Mitch and Kate Plaw - Waipābased founders of Vantage Aluminium and Takapoto Estate - to philanthropic organisation Momentum Waikato in 2017.
Without their generosity the theatre with its historic hotel façade in place would not have happened, said Gilling.
For him that tear was more than emotion - it was the culmination of decades
devoted to the arts - and the theatre’s story.
Born in Auckland but raised in the Waikato, he has become a cornerstone of the region’s performing arts scene.
His journey has led from community stages to managing some of Hamilton’s most iconic venues, and ultimately to this role as venue manager.
Gilling’s career started at Hamilton City Council, where he spent 33 years overseeing Waikato Stadium, Seddon Park, Founders Theatre and Claudelands Event Centre.
He loves theatre for its versatility, saying it offers “such a wide range of entertainment.”
His passion isn’t just for the big shows - it’s for the people who fill the seats and step onto the stage. He is determined the theatre will belong to the community as much as to international acts.
“We’re giving a 40 per cent discount for non-profits within the Waikato region,” he said.
“It’s not just about bringing the shows, it’s also building the local community - from high school kids to amateur theatre.”
A community fund, supported by ticket sales,
will help grassroots groups afford the space.
“There’s nothing that we wouldn’t want. I’m a theatrical person. I’d take anything.”
From a Royal New Zealand Ballet performance to a school prizegiving, Gilling wants every child in the Waikato to stand on the same stage as the world’s best. And if Les Misérables comes calling?
“I’d love to see that here,” he said.
Far from competing with smaller Waipā venues like Cambridge Town Hall or
Te Awamutu Little Theatre, Gilling sees collaboration as essential.
“There’s a need for us all. We look after each other,” he said, noting the strong ties with local managers and performers - many of whom, including Cambridge Town Hall’s general manager Simon Brew, graced the stage during the opening celebrations.
Colleagues describe him as passionate and deeply connected to the arts community.
“He’s got a very close connection to performing
arts in Hamilton,” said Sean Murray, the council’s general manager of venues, tourism and major events.
“He’s also the guy that deals with international acts and performances. And if you look at some of the work he’s done at Claudelands, he’s dealt with some very, very big shows and very big events.”
Gilling speaks like he is in his dream job.
If that tear before the curtain rose was any indication, Waikato’s newest stage is set for decades of unforgettable performances.
The new theatre overlooks the Waikato River.
Live Nation venue manager Michael Gilling, right, with managing director Mark Kneebone during a tour of the theatre. Photo: Michael Jeans.
When Waikato’s newest theatre opened its doors, it marked the generosity of a Cambridge family and the vision of a Te Awamutu arts champion, writes Mary Anne Gill.
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Care. Create. Transform.
Meghan Hawkes looks back on Waipa news from 1937.
Coronation on film
property, raged over an area of 100 acres, devouring light timber, fern and scrub. For a while the Grace’s home was in danger, and also that of a neighbour, but a slight breeze shifted direction, and no buildings were damaged. Several chains of fencing were destroyed or damaged before the force of the fire abated.
When Mangapiko School consolidated with Te Awamutu District High, 21 children
attended the primary department, three the secondary department, and nine the Convent School.
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At Kihikihi a ‘children’s day’ was held to mark the special occasion of presenting school pupils with medallions commemorating the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. At the event, held in the town hall, Mr Broadfoot, MP, and his wife handed medallions to the children as they filed past, giving each child a word or two of encouragement. Mr Broadfoot was equipped with about a thousand feet of motion picture film depicting the Coronation celebrations. He gave a running commentary on the procession, street scenes, portraits, the Review of the Fleet at Spithead, the Hendon Air Pageant, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and the Trooping of the Colours. The last film was a coloured one, prompting many remarks of appreciation. Mr Broadfoot proved himself a very fine raconteur, despite his apology that he was rather inexperienced in that sort of thing.
A spectacular blaze on the eastern slopes of Pirongia Mountain caused speculation as to whether a homestead was involved. The fire was striking, and those in town could see fences and lines of trees in flames. The fire, on a hill slope on Messrs Grace Bros
Hello again, I am now fully back on deck for 2026. When not on leave, I enjoyed a few shifts policing Raglan township after New Year’s before touching down again in Cambridge. I hope everyone has had a chance to get a good break.
For those who are new to the column, I am the Community Liaison officer for Cambridge Police. I appreciate the opportunity to write this weekly column to share information about crime prevention, local crime trends and good catches by local staff across Waipa, in short, to generally keep you up to date.
My role overall is varied and includes working with local retailers and conducting beat patrols, liaising with agencies (both government and non-government) especially around family harm, educating and addressing different community groups, investigating enquiry files, road policing, event policing and backing up our public safety team staff responding to 111 calls.
In the past seven days, there were 13 reports of burglary and car crime in Te Awamutu and 14 in Cambridge. Included in that latter figure, overnight last Friday, offenders went on a dishonesty spree in Oaklands, Cambridge. As you may have heard, prompt Police attendance resulted
in one arrest, and further charges and arrests are likely after forensic examinations are completed.
Six addresses were targeted within a small area, with actions varying from entry into and theft from cars to a garden shed and one house. While such offending is naturally concerning, and ultimately only the offenders are responsible for these crimes, they were opportunistic.
A lack of prevention factors including leaving vehicles unlocked, leaving wallets and other valuables, including house keys inside the vehicles or lack of CCTV in the area have increased the risk of these individuals becoming victims.
That being said however, simple crime prevention tactics of which frequent reminders are made, make it less likely this will happen. As a community, we cannot be complacent. If we can make always removing keys, personal and valuable items from our parked cars a habit, along with securing our vehicles, an offender is not going to find Waipā towns the easy target. Once one thief sees an opportunity here, others will too. Please spread the crime prevention word when talking to friends and family across Waipa.
Hodgson’s Motors bussed the children to Te Awamutu each morning and afternoon. The normal school roll at Mangapiko had been between 35 and 40, so with about 33 now going to Te Awamutu daily there were insufficient to continue the Mangapiko School. This move represented the first practical result of negotiations for consolidating several country schools in the Te Awamutu district. Late one night a Te Awamutu farmer answered a telephone call, and heard a strange voice inquiring if his farm was near a certain road corner. On being told that it was the voice continued: “Well, I was passing your place a couple of hours ago, hurrying to keep an important appointment here, and when my car broke down, I cut a couple of lengths of wire from your front fence. Sorry to have had to do it, but please look on top of one of the posts for half-acrown in payment. I don’t want any of your stock to get out. Thanks. Goodnight.” On making inquiries the farmer found that the call was from Hamilton, and early the next morning he found the half-crown on a post. He wondered if any other farmer had been treated as decently in similar circumstances. The piece of wire taken was worth about sixpence.
Senior Constable DEB HANN
A Coronation medallion
Dansey steps up
Georgie Dansey, who runs a fitness company and gym franchise in Te Awamutu, will become the country’s newest MP. She will take the seat vacated when Adrian Rurawhe retires on Waitangi Day. Dansey was earlier confirmed as Labour’s candidate in Hamilton East at the November general election. The seat is held by National’s Ryan Hamilton.
Waitangi Day
Te Awamutu and Cambridge museums will provide Waitangi Day activities from February 5 to 9. At Te Awamutu there will be an opportunity to browse books and resources about Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Lake warnings
Health warnings for cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) remain in place at Lakes Ngā Roto and Arapuni. Across the Waikato region, the number of affected lakes has reduced from eight at the start of the year to five.
Raglan boost
Raglan will host the World Surf League Championship Tour in May. The New Zealand Pro event will be staged Manu Bay as the fourth stop on the men’s and women’s championship tour.
Man remanded
A convicted burglar who has been in and out of prison since 2003 has admitted a further raft of charges including a burglary from Kaipaki Nursery and an attempt to steal a television from a Te Awamutu pizza outlet, Open Justice media has reported. Kevin Kaukau has been remanded in custody awaiting sentence.
Motors running…
The Cambridge Cruisers club will provide live rock ‘n’ roll dance action in Hamilton today in the Chartwell Shopping Centre. The event, with automotive displays is a preview to the Morrinsville Motorama next month.
Money issues delay plant
By Chris Gardner
The company behind the suspended resource consent application to build Paewira, a waste to energy plant in Te Awamutu, does not have the capital to pay its bill.
Environmental Protection Authority chief executive Allan Freeth revealed that in a letter to Waipā District Council chief executive Steph O’Sullivan after she and mayor Mike Pettit wrote to the authority sharing their concern about the suspended case.
The authority has previously declined to discuss aspects of the issue citing commercial sensitivity –but the delay, now into a fifth month, has put the application in limbo, and left opponent in Te Awamutu concerned.
Global Contracting Solutions’ plans to burn waste to create energy on a Racecourse Rd site was regarded as nationally significant by Environment Minster Penny Simmonds and the matter went to a board of inquiry.
A decision was expected on August 28, but the hearing was suspended two weeks before that.
Freeth, who will step down in June after 10 years in the role, told Waipā District Council the authority had yet to receive payment, or an indication of when full payment would be made.
“The applicant has indicated they are attempting to raise capital to pay the costs to date,” he told the council.
“We acknowledge the community interest in reaching a decision, however, ultimately, the EPA must act prudently to protect taxpayer funds. We are therefore seeking full payment
from the applicant in order to lift the suspension and reconvene the independent board.”
Global Contracting Solutions learned the application had been suspended by the authority on August 13 as the Board of Inquiry prepared to rule on the application for a site on Racecourse Road.
It has not commented on the issue in recent months, but company coowner Craig Tuhoro posted an online video saying he was struggling to understand why it was a political issue and “why we have so much activism around it”.
“…we believe in the environment, we believe this is the right thing to do.”
The application spawned the creation of the Don’t Burn Waipā
pressure group and attracted more than 2000 submissions – 64 per cent against the plant – including one from Waipā District Council which, with Waikato Regional Council, are owed a combined $100,000 by the applicant.
The EPA has declined to say how much the company owes.
“The EPA’s role in this matter is only to provide support to the independent board of inquiry. It is not the decisionmaker and does not have an interest in the outcome of the final decision,” Freeth said.
“Under the ‘applicant pays’ consenting regime, the EPA helps the independent board by processing its invoices, with the costs then being recovered from the applicant. The legislation gives the EPA power to suspend the independent board’s
processing if an applicant has not paid those costs. Such suspensions are not subject to an expiry date but rather must be lifted once the applicant has paid the costs recoverable.
“In this case, there is considerable debt that the taxpayer is carrying, due to non-payment by the applicant. We are requiring payment before the process can be resumed, and the independent board can be reconvened to reach a decision. I understand that a decision would be due under legislation within 11 working days once the independent board was reconvened.”
O’Sullivan wrote to Freeth in November expressing concern regarding the continued delay in determining the application.
“Since public notification of the application in September 2023, the proposal has generated substantial public interest and a high degree of concern within our district,” she said. She said with the hearing concluded in early July, a decision was anticipated soon thereafter.
“Council has made its position clear in not supporting the plant at the proposed location. Nonetheless, the extended delay in finalising this decision is creating considerable uncertainty for council, residents, and key stakeholders.”
Given the scale and importance of the matter, O’Sullivan said, the council believed it was in the public interest for a resolution to be reached as soon as practicable.
At the same time mayor Mike Pettit wrote to EPA chair Barry O’Neill expressing his concern regarding the ongoing delay.
Morgan - ‘I doubt I’ll stand’
By Chris Gardner
Dale-Maree Morgan – whose Waipā District Council Māori ward seat will be abolished at the next election – says she doubts she will stand in a general ward.
Morgan, who was re-elected to the ward in October’s local body elections having won a byelection in 2023, told The News she felt standing in a general ward would go against her principles. But she will consider standing for regional council in just under three years if it still exists following local government reform.
Nearly 10,000 voted to remove the Waipā’s Māori ward at the next election, compared to more than 7000 who voted to keep it. Turnout was almost 42 per cent.
Morgan said she was “sadly not surprised” at the result. “Disappointed that Waipā is still not mature enough for being progressive,” she said. “Waipā showed it still has folk who chose to take away the home people’s democratic right of choice – something those same votes are not subjected to or would be terribly upset if the same treatment applied.”
She pondered how a similar decision would go down in other parts of the world.
Morgan said before the Māori ward had been introduced there had been minimal Māori representation around the council table.
“The Māori ward is tangible Te Tiriti of Waitangi honouring in action,” she said. “I’ve also confirmed that having a Māori ward doesn’t take any power from anyone or anywhere.”
Morgan said most mana whenua were not fazed by the outcome of the referendum.
She partially blamed the national political climate characterised by the National, ACT and New Zealand First coalition.
“It is a deliberate oppressive move, in line with the current trajectory this coalition has motivated,” she said.
“The removal of democratic choice will only dishearten Māori voters more. The choice by others to remove the Māori wards adds to why Māori have given up on a system that continues to oppress at local and central levels of government. This action by Waipā voters won’t be forgotten and maybe felt in different ways when it comes to harmonious future relationships.”
Continued on page 6
Celebrant David Natske
The proposed plant would be a neighbour to Te Wananga o Aotearoa, Fonterra and the Waipā Racing Club.
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Artist impression
Artist Impression
Space to flourish
By Christine Bryant, Lay Minister, St John’s
Reconciliation and partnership – these ideas have been discussed in Aotearoa for some time as we consider what a true treaty partnership looks like.
Soon it will be Waitangi Day which marks the beginning of our joint journey towards nationhood, so it is appropriate to think about what real meaning we give these words.
It is 162 years since the tragic events at Rangiaowhia, 50 years since the Waitangi Tribunal was set up and almost 40 years since Māori became an official language. How far have we come towards genuine understanding of our different world views?
The Ministry of Education endeavoured to bring Te Ao Māori and Te Matauranga Māori into all aspects of the curriculum.
The goal was in part to improve educational success for Māori ākonga. It has worked better in some areas than in others, but now it seems the pendulum may swing back towards a greater emphasis on content. This will suit some learners better than others.
However, it is obvious that the life-long work of people like Professor Tom Roa has resulted in today’s ākonga being much more at ease with te reo and more knowledgeable about Māori cultural icons and kaitiakitanga of the environment.
We have also briefly trialled a Māori Health Authority to sit alongside the Ministry of Health to improve outcomes for Māori in health.
Of course, there are questions about whether a separate authority, with all the backroom costs that implies, is the best way to achieve this goal. Perhaps the goal should
have been broken down into smaller chunks, for example, by focusing on 0-5 year-olds over the first five years. Unfortunately, the initiative never had time to bed in.
In the environment space, we have been able to show how together Māori and Pakeha can restore our whenua and protect it. One of the most visible aspects is the fencing of waterways along with native plantings.
Much of this has been accomplished on a tiny budget and with a huge contribution from local marae, Forest and Bird and farmers.
From any high point around Te Awamutu, you can see burgeoning bush. The “Taiea te Taiao”/”Cherish the environment” scheme, following the Mangapiko Stream from Pirongia to Maungatautari, is already becoming a reality.
In the first month of 2026, the geo-political space is extremely unsettling. Will Europe stand firm in support of Greenland? Will the mayor of Minneapolis continue to condemn the use of force by ICE? Will Putin ever retreat from Ukraine?
As we celebrate Waitangi Day, let us give thought to how we can enhance life for everyone in our community. Let us make this more than a pious hope. It is what Jesus calls us to do. When he sends his apostles to invite people to the banquet, he says: “Go out and bring in everyone”. When he accepts the loaves and fishes from the young boy, he feeds all who are there. In our community and in our churches, there should be room for everyone to flourish.
We now have Nurse Prescriber clinics available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, which have shorter wait times for:
• Driver’s medicals (car licence only)
• Diabetic annual reviews (DARs)
• New diabetic patient assessments
• Annual medication reviews
• Hypertension medication titration
• Gout medication titration.
Phone 07 872 0300 and ask for an appointment with our Nurse Prescriber.
Keeping Cambridge Smiles Sparkling
Gear to keep you safe
New Zealand Outdoor Instructors’ Association Bush Leader and Good Local Media journalist Chris Gardner discusses gear you should add to your backpack to keep you safe when hiking and tramping.
We discussed food in the first of these columns, with the key message to take an extra day’s food for emergencies. A few packet mixes to which you can just add water is a good idea.
My gas stove and cannister provide a hot drink on the trial, my stove packing into my waterproof mess tin in which I boil water. I’ll swap my mess tin for a solo pot set on a multi-day tramp. My BPA-free glass reinforced polypropylene spork (spoon and fork) does not scratch pots and I use it in tandem with my pocketknife.
Gaiters seal the gap between your boots and trousers, preventing grass, gravel, mud, scree, snow, and water from entering. They can also protect your legs from getting scratched.
My first aid kit contains the recommended contents from the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council Bushcraft manual. It includes prescription medicine and antihistamine tablets that can be ground into a paste and applied topically. I’ve upgraded my first aid kit to a survival kit by adding:
• The tiniest of pocketknives – its scissors are phenomenal
• Gaffer tape, which can fix anything
• A foil survival blanket
• An LED torch, in case my head torch fails, and •
Proposed Plan Change 25
Water purification tablets if I need cold water rather than hot.
Picking a knife or multitool is like picking a pair of shoes. It needs to be right for you. I carry my knife, from a reputable brand, in a sheath on my belt. It has 10 features I find useful on the trail. Its lock blade is excellent for cutting food and paired with my spork, eating. It also has a Phillips screwdriver, can opener with small screwdriver, lockable bottle opener with screwdriver and wire stripper, a reamer and punch, wood saw and key ring. The more features, the heavier the tool, and the pricier it is.
I live in a wide-brimmed nylon tramping hat all year around. It protects me from the harsh New Zealand sun, and also the rain, both on the trail and on the water where I often skipper a safety boat. It is also waterproof. Sunscreen is, of course, essential for the parts exposed to the sun. I keep a few sheets of toilet paper in a plastic bag in my first aid kit and carry a backpacker trowel for toileting.
The third principle of Leave No Trace is Dispose of Waste Properly (Pack It In, Pack It Out). I keep waste to a minimum, reusing my meal packaging as a rubbish bag.
Walking poles are great, giving you an extra point of contact on uneven ground. They also make uphill hikes and tramps much easier, as they allow you to use your arms for extra power.
Avoid cheaper, cork handled, poles. I tried some and got blisters on both hands! Two poles leaves you without a free hand to hang onto branches, so one pole is better.
A whistle could save your life. So much so that many backpack manufacturers
Shelterbelts and Artificial Crop Protection and Support Structures
We are proposing new rules for shelterbelts and crop structures in the Rural Zone of Waipā. If you live in or next to a rural area, the proposed plan change could affect you!
Plan Change 25 includes:
New rules on where shelterbelts and crop structures can be located (for all farms and lifestyle properties)
Requirements for planting and maintaining shelterbelts
New setbacks from property boundaries, roads, electricity and gas lines
Controls on the size, height and colour of crop structures
‘I doubt I’ll stand’
Continued from page 3
Asked what tangible outcomes had emerged from having a Māori ward, Morgan put the formation of the Don’t Burn Waipā pressure group to oppose the building of a waste to energy plant in Te Awamutu at the top of her list.
“To allow a plant to burn half the tyres made in New Zealand and import waste from around the South Pacific would be disastrous for the Waipā profile,” she said.
Although she stepped away from the group, she was a founding member of, due to a conflict of interest, Morgan said she had supplied in depth information to council staff showing the proposed plant did not align with the district’s future proofing plans.
Removing dogs from Mt Kakepuku during the last dog bylaw review, her first motion as a councillor, was second on her list. “This move had been advocated by DOC, Ngati Kahu and Ngati Unu for over 30 years to allow the mountain to replenish and restore natural flora and fauna. Kiwi will not return while dogs are allowed on the mountain.”
Other outcomes included adding marae to the list of sensitive sites when considering alcohol applications and providing cultural capability to council functions.
Morgan said she hoped to bring down barriers and continue connecting communities. She planned to better inform Waipā’s residents of the history and obligations of where and who they live with. Morgan and her husband Steve Hutt are both elected members of the Ngāruawāhia Community Board.
Time is running out to have your say –you have until 5pm Friday, February 13, 2026
Anyone can make a submission. Find out more at one of our offices or on our website. Just scan the QR code here. www.waipadc.govt.nz/planchange25
build one into pack straps. The international distress signal is three short blasts. Sleeping bags, mats, tents, and emergency shelters are also items that will keep you safe. We will discuss them next week.
Chris Gardner at Omaru Falls
A gas cannister, stove and a tent, like these pictured at Daly’s Clearing in the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park, will help keep you safe on a tramping trip.
Photo: Chris Gardner
ON SHAKY GROUND
When the ground fails
By Janine Krippner
My heart goes out to everyone impacted by weather events and landslides over this past week. The incoming news that a landslide has gone through the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park was gut-wrenching.
Landslides, a type of mass-wasting, can range from a nuisance to an overwhelming disaster. They can be small and barely noticed, or large enough to bury a town. Importantly, there are sometimes warning signs that the land is beginning to give way.
If we notice and understand these warning signs, it could give precious time to get out of the way. This is not at all to say that there were any warning signs before the current event that should have been noticed. I have no information beyond the initial news, and I will not be speculating.
What we can do is remind ourselves about what those signs are, just in case.
Landslides are not always a single mass of land sliding downhill. They can occur in multiple steps over time. Land can move under the constant force of gravity, with or without a clear trigger like a severe weather event or an earthquake.
When there is warning, what might we see?
Websites from organisations like the USGS and our own Civil Defence agencies have more extensive information pages with helpful photos. What follows is a summary.
When rock and soil start to creep downhill, the ground deforms or changes. Outside, this can look like cracks forming in the soil or anything on or within it, like roads, paths, retaining walls, fences, or other structures. Bricks in a building might begin to pull apart.
There may also be bulging in the ground, or water ponding in places where it had not before. Trees, power poles, or streetlamps might tilt, and power lines might sag or become taught. Buried utility lines, such as water or sewage, might break or begin leaking.
If you are near a stream or river there may be a rapid change in water level.
Inside, warning signs can include new gaps appearing, or doors and windows sticking or not fitting as they once did. Decks, verandahs, or steps might start to tilt away from the building.
As people near the Mount Maunganui event have described, once a landslide gets moving it can be loud, and shaking may be felt.
This can include boulders crashing together, a deep rumble or ground vibrations (often described as sounding like a freight train), or the sound of snapping wood or other materials being impacted.
It is important to remember that landslides can occur in several stages. When the first movement stops, it does not necessarily mean the area is safe.
Landslide scars can continue to collapse over time, retreating further into a hillside or cliff.
Landslides can move incredibly fast, so immediate action like evacuation is critical. There may be no perceivable warning signs at all. But when there are, noticing them can make a real difference.
Once safe, contact your local council or emergency services and let the right people know.
• Plenty of off street parking
• Plenty of off street parking
• Rafters Restaurant
• Delicious Food By Rafters
• Full TAB Service
• Full TAB Ser vice
• Gaming Lounge
• Gaming Lounge
• Pool and Snooker Tables
• Pool and Snooker Tables
• Dartboards
• Dartboards
• Courtesy
• Kids Zone with gaming consoles and foosball table
•
•
• Live Entertainment
• Covered outdoor dining area
• Courtesy Van • Members Draw Nights
• Meat Raffles
• Venue Hire at discounted rates
• Covered outdoor dining area
• Range of Social and sports groups available
• Best place to watch sport
• Venue Hire at discounted rates
• Multi areas to view sports channels at once
• Range of Social and sports groups available
Care is finding the perfect shade of pink.
When your loved one can no longer manage at home, you need a place with care you can trust.
At Summerset Cambridge, we know the little things can make a big difference. Care isn’t just about scheduled doses, it’s knowing sometimes laughter is the best medicine. Care is having a dance to their favourite song and talking about the town where they grew up.
Join our upcoming Care Morning Tea Tour to learn more about Waikato’s newest premium care centre, including specialist dementia care.
Summerset Cambridge’s brand new care centre is now open, offering a range of accommodation to suit your needs, from care apartments to premium care rooms with rest home and hospital level care. The village is also home to our industry-leading memory care centre, offering apartment-style living for people living with dementia, in a safe, secure and homely environment.
We know that moving to a retirement village is a big decision, so why don’t you and the family come along to our Care Morning Tea Tour on Saturday 31 January. This will be your only chance to walk through our state-of-the-art memory care centre before our first residents move in. Plus our specialist care team will give a short presentation on our continuum of care, with a chance for you to ask any questions regarding you or a loved one, so you can feel peace of mind for the future.
Care Morning Tea Tour
Saturday 31 January, 10.30am
Summerset Cambridge 1 Mary Ann Drive, Cambridge 07 839 9482 | cambridge.sales@summerset.co.nz
Call for a roundabout
By Jesse Wood
Howard Ashmore has lived off St Leger Rd for 29 years, witnessing its development from a rural lifestyle location to the rural residential place it is today.
Ashmore, his wife Ginny and Mary Webster have launched a petition for a roundabout on SH3 between St Leger and Golf roads between Te Awamutu and Kihikihi.
They’re concerned someone will get killed without one.
“Exiting St Leger Rd or Golf Rd onto State Highway 3 is like playing Russian roulette, there is an accident waiting to happen. When it does, whose conscience will it weigh on?” Ashmore said.
“With the growth happening on this road and the general growth in Kihikihi and Te Awamutu, the volume of traffic has increased tenfold.
“The speed limit on St Leger Rd is 60km. Golf Rd, which is a major arterial link for traffic heading to Cambridge and the Tauranga port, also has a speed limit of 60km.
“State Highway 3 however, which is a national highway, has a speed limit of 80km.
“You get other trucks coming up Golf Rd and turning left to head south. Then you’ve got milk tankers, logging trucks and stock trucks going straight through.
“Amongst all of that, you’ve got cars coming out of Golf Rd - some wanting to go straight ahead, some wanting to turn either way.
“This matter becomes more urgent by the day.”
The petition proposes two points - in the immediate term, to install an Intersection Speed Zone (ISZ), like the one at Raynes Rd near Hamilton Airport.
ISZs are designed to improve safety at rural intersections on high-speed roads.
They detect when a vehicle is approaching on a side road and activate an electronic variable speed limit sign to temporarily show a lower speed limit on the main road.
“That piece of main road used to be passing lane coming out of Te Awamutu, they changed that and they’ve now got a pull over zone to come into St Leger Rd,” Ashmore said.
“There hasn’t been a bad accident since they did that, but it doesn’t make us feel any more confident that there
won’t be.
“The main thing is to warn people that they need to slow down.”
The second point on the petition is to start the planning of a roundabout.
Webster had a brief discussion with NZTA and let them know of the petition, but to no avail.
“It’s urgent. It’s a real worry to everyone and it needs to be sorted. We will be working hard to get the petition done as quickly as we can, within a couple of weeks,” Ashmore said.
“Just hurry up and change the speed limit - do something about the danger zone there.
“It’s life and death. The last thing we want to see is someone get killed.”
• What do you think? Email editor@ goodlocal.nz with your views, and put roundabout in the subject line
Cycling feast ahead
A record 15 New Zealand riders from UCI World Tour teams will line up in the 2026 Elite Road Cycling National Championships in Te Awamutu next week.
Added to the 10 men and five women from New Zealand on the World Tour there are several Kiwis on the start line who will ride for UCI Pro Teams this year, including defending champion Paul Wright, who joins fellow New Zealand rider Ben Oliver in the new Modern Adventure Pro Cycling team run by American legend George Hincapie.
The championships run from February 5 to 8.
Leading the men’s way is the powerful World Tour team NSN Cycling, which comprises 2021 national champion George Bennett, Corbin Strong and Dion Smith.
The team is led by former Olympian and World Tour rider Sam Bewley who has attracted 10-year World Tour pro Dion Smith from Auckland to the team, while former Black Spoke rider Kiaan Watts is from NZN Cycling’s development team.
The women’s field has a glittering array of UCI World tour riders, headed by Olympic medallist Ally Wollaston.
Cycling New Zealand High Performance Director Ryan Hollows said the depth of talent is arguably the strongest in the sport’s history.
“This is a rare opportunity to see our world class road riders in action, and also support out our Para-cycling world championship medallists in Nicole Murray, Devon Briggs and the tandem with Emma Foy and Jesse Hodges competing.”
The time trial courses on February 5 will start and finish at Roto-o-Rangi School over distances from 18km to 44.2km. Para-cycling hand cycling and trikes will race over an 18km course.
The road races on Saturday and Sunday utilise loops of Ruahue and Norwegian roads for the under-23 and elite men over 20 laps, while women race 13 laps of the 9.4km Norwegian Road circuit.
Both U19 men and women will also use the Puahue loop before finishing on the Norwegian Road circuit.
Howard Ashmore says the State Highway 3 intersection with St Leger and Gold roads is unsafe.
Photo: Jesse Wood
WOLFE HEARING AUDIOLOGISTS TANIA LINFORD
Making the bank accountable
By Peter Nicholl
The issue of central bank independence has gained a lot of attention recently as Donald Trump attacks and threatens to interfere in the United States Federal Reserve, trying to get them to lower interest rates.
Many global central bankers including our new reserve bank governor, Anna Breman, stressed the importance of keeping central banks independent from political interference in their policydecision making. She was criticised by some of our politicians for doing that and must be a bit confused about what those politicians understand the word independent means.
Central bankers are right to be concerned that a return to giving politicians the levers for day-to-day monetary policy decisions is likely to lead to a return to global inflation. The numbers behind this view are quite staggering. I looked at our data. The reserve bank was given an inflation target and operational independence in 1990. I was in the bank at the time.
Our annual inflation rate since then has averaged around 2.5 per cent and the price level - a snapshot of the aggregated cost of living - has risen about 137 per cent.
From 1955 to 1990 when monetary policy decisions were determined by politicians, our average annual inflation rate was around eight per cent and the price level rose a whopping 1370 per cent10 times higher than in the last 35 years.
Most central banks, including ours, claim the credit for this inflation outcome – and they deserve a lot of the credit. But they did get help from things like
technological change, such as the internet, and the emergence of China as an exporter of cheap manufactured goods to the rest of the world.
So, central banks are right to stress the risks to global inflation of back-tracking on central bank policy independence. But no public agency should be given independence without a robust form of accountability. That is equally important, or central banks will gradually lose their focus. Central banks don’t talk as much about their accountability as they do about their independence. So others need to make sure central bank accountability gets as much attention as their independence.
Frankly, the performance of our reserve banks has not been that great over the last few years. In my view their monetary policy performance has been poor, the costs of their interventions related to the Covid pandemic were huge and the large growth in their staff numbers was outrageous. But what happened to the bodies that were supposed to be holding the reserve bank accountable during that time? The first line of accountability for its performance should be its board. The second line should be the treasury and the third the finance minister. Until the last year, these bodies were very quiet and did little or nothing to hold the bank accountable for its performances.
In my view, this has been the major weakness in our monetary policy framework over the last several years.
Kiwis to take on world
By Jesse Wood Waipā duo John Paul Clarkin
and Dean Fullerton will once again don the New Zealand jersey on home soil at Mystery Creek Polo Club this week.
Kaipaki-based Clarkin and Ngāhinapōuri resident Fullerton, will take part in the premier day of top-level polo as they face a Rest of the World team, showcasing high-goal competition.
Last year, the Kiwis hosted England in a very close encounter. They will have a point to prove after being pipped.
The 2026 international polo day will also see the New Zealand women’s team take on an invitational South African ladies’ side.
This event has become an annual fixture on the calendar.
Clarkin, 47, is one of New Zealand’s leading professional polo players and a long-time figure in the Waikato and New Zealand polo scene. Fullerton, 27, also has international experience overseas.
Founded by cousins Clarkin and Simon Keyte, the Mystery Creek club has grown steadily into a small, supportive community of around 15 players.
Will Seavill, 15, is one of those members also contributing to the national jersey.
The Hamilton Boys’ High School student has been selected for the New Zealand Schools Polo team travelling to Wellington, Florida in March.
Dean Fullerton, right, pictured during the 2025 clash against England.
Photo: Simon Watts.
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Phone 07 827 1869 or email office@ curincontractors.co.nz for more information. Honest and reliable Class 5 bulk tipper truck and trailer drivers – we want to hear from you!
CARE GIVER
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Waipā District Council will consider an application to close the following roads to ordinary vehicular traffic, to enable organisers to hold the Te Awamutu ANZAC Day Parade:
On Saturday, 25 April 2026:
Between 5.30am and 7.30am:
• Alexandra Street - between Churchill Street and Mutu/Rewi Street
• Mutu Street - between Alexandra Street and Christie Avenue
• War Memorial Drive - first 100m from Mutu Street
Between 9.30am and 12.30pm:
• Alexandra Street - between Mutu/Rewi Streets roundabout and Market/Roche Streets intersection
• Bank Street - between Alexandra Street and Vaile Street
• Teasdale Street - between Bank Street and Vaile Street
The application will be considered under the Tenth Schedule of the Local Government Act 1974. Emergency Services will have complete right of way at all times during road closure. Any objections to the proposal must be lodged with Waipā District Council, in writing, to events@waipadc.govt.nz, before 4.00pm on Friday 13 February 2026. Please include the nature of the objection and the grounds for it. See the Privacy Statement on the Council’s website for further information.
For more information, please contact Waipā District Council on 0800 924 723.
Steph O’Sullivan
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Learn the Skill of Social Dancing
Te Rahu Hall
(corner SH3 & Te Rahu Road)
Wed 18th February 2026
7.30-9.30pm for 10 weeks
Everyone welcome
Cost only $5/person/night
Learn Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Rumba, Swing etc.
Please book you place with Colin 027 656 3364
Te Awamutu Concerts Alive! are looking for volunteer committee members
Do you love live music? Do you have marketing/ social media skills? Help spread the word about our reasonably-priced live concerts by professional musicians. Can you commit to a couple of hours a month or more to create and admin a simple website and Facebook page and grow our existing mailing list? In exchange, you get exclusive behind-the-scenes experience of live concert performances. We are a friendly team and welcome new ideas to promote our project which has a successful 50+ year history.
Contact Ursula 027 2905710
AGISTMENT
GRAZING available for dairy heifers. Ph 027 415 4122
PLANTS FOR SALE
PIRONGIA TOPIARY
Open Fridays 10am-4pm 132 Sainsbury Rd Pirongia OR Phone Susan Ranstead 0274 176 379
PUBLIC NOTICES
AGM
Ohaupo Darts Club
Saturday 7th February 2.00 pm Ohaupo Memorial Hall, Ohaupo
THOMSON, Francis Allan (Frank) – Passed away at Waikato Hospital on Friday, 16th January 2026, aged 86 years. Loved father to Janice, Terry & Bernadette, Steven, Alison, and the late Greg, and grandfather and great grandfather. A special thanks to Beattie Home for their love, care and compassion shown to Frank over the past 3 years. At Frank's request a private farewell has taken place. Messages to the Thomson Family can be sent c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800 or in Frank's online tribute book at www. rosetown.co.nz
COMMERER, Trixie
Priscilla – Very peacefully slipped away at Radius Windsor Court on Wednesday, 21st January 2026, aged 91 years. Loving wife of the late Terry. Much loved mother and motherin-law of Penny & Kerry, Sharon, and Cherie & Craig. A treasured Nana to Robert, Matthew, Amy, Kelly, Casey and Cullen, and a dearly loved great nana to Vaida and Ari. Special thanks to the wonderful staff of Radius Windsor Court for the love, care and kindness shown to Trixie. A private farewell for Trixie has taken place. Messages to the Commerer family may be sent c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800, or left in Trixie’s online tribute book at www. rosetown.co.nz
Lindsay James – Passed away at Waikato Hospice, aged 61 years. Loved partner of Ura. Loving father and father-in-law of JesseLee & Apera, and the late Karl. Much loved Koko to Kaya and Koru. A celebration of Lindsay’s life has been held, followed by private cremation. Messages to the Daniela-Ranford family may be sent c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800, or left in Lindsay’s online tribute book at www.rosetown. co.nz.
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