Te Awamutu News | July 30, 2026

Divide and conquer

By Mary Anne Gill

Waipā councillors have thrown their support behind further work on a western Waikato catchment-based unitary authority after being told a single Waikato-wide council is unlikely to meet government criteria.

The shift emerged at a council workshop last week as elected members discussed the government’s Head Start pathway for local government reorganisation. The discussion came days after a Waikato Mayoral Forum meeting where Waikato-Tainui leader Tukoroirangi Morgan walked out, frustrated by the lack of agreement among councils.

Mayor Mike Pettit said the conversation had moved quickly following the forum.

“There was really not a lot of unity in the room,” he said.

Morgan’s assessment was blunt.

“He said, ‚you guys have not got your house in order’, and he was totally correct,” Pettit said.

Pettit told councillors it had become obvious a whole-ofWaikato unitary authority was unlikely to proceed.

“It was very evident that if we continue to chase a whole Waikato unitary, it’s not going to meet any of the criteria by a country mile,” he said.

“It would almost be a waste of time to start putting our effort into it.”

The emerging proposal

would bring together Waipā, Waikato, South Waikato and Taupō districts, and Hamilton could be part of the arrangement.

The catchment would extend from Taupō north to Port Waikato. It would have a population of 434,750, cover 19,671sq km and generate a GDP of $31.1 billion.

Hamilton would make up 44.2 per cent, WaikatoWaipā 35.3 per cent, South Waikato-Taupō 15.8 per cent and Ōtorohanga-Waitomo 4.7 per cent.

An eastern Waikato unitary authority would take in Hauraki, Matamata-Piako and Thames-Coromandel districts

The workshop heard iwi feedback had consistently supported a catchment approach because Treaty of Waitangi settlement arrangements, joint management agreements and river governance structures were already built around the Waikato River and its tributaries.

Council strategy manager Katie Mayes said iwi throughout the catchment had stressed the importance of keeping the river system together and ensuring governance structures respected existing settlement arrangements.

Officials have made it clear councils need sufficient support from affected councils and populations before proposals will be

considered. Under the western Waikato option, support from Taupō would mean the proposal met both population and council number thresholds.

Advice from former minister Simon Upton, now Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, reinforced the importance of catchment thinking.

“He made it very clear that catchment is impossible to ignore,” Pettit said.

Māori ward councillor Dale-Maree Morgan shared Tukoroirangi Morgan’s frustration with the mayoral forum.

“I kind of felt from my own perspective that there was a lot of patch protecting going on,” she said. “It actually was a little bit embarrassing.”

Iwi representatives had become frustrated watching councils talk about collaboration while being unable to present a united position on reform, she said.

One unresolved issue is the position of Waitomo and Ōtorohanga districts.

Both councils have indicated they want to pursue their own King Country arrangement. However, councillors acknowledged the two districts sit within the wider river catchment and several speakers favoured keeping the door open for them to join later if their preferred option does not succeed.

Throughout the workshop, councillors repeatedly returned to concerns about retaining local representation and local decision-making. Pettit said no community wanted to be dominated by a larger centre and any future structure would need safeguards to protect local voices.

Discussions focused on how local communities could continue to have elected representation and influence over local issues while larger

regional functions were managed at a unitary level.

Councillor Roger Gordon argued any future proposal needed to demonstrate how local communities such as Cambridge would retain a meaningful voice under a new structure.

At the end of the workshop councillors gave staff a clear steer to continue pursuing the western Waikato catchment option while discussions continue with Waikato, South Waikato, Taupō and Hamilton.

A decision is expected before the Government’s August 9 deadline for Head Start proposals.

Dale-Maree Morgan said the debate had reached a point where councils had to focus on what was achievable.

“Politics is the art of the possible.”

• More on local government restructuring – see Page 6 and 7.

Building for the future

By Mary Anne Gill

Leila Ahlers went to the Waipā Community Careers Expo thinking about her future and came away even more convinced the trades could be for her.

The 17-year-old TeAwamutu College Year 13 student spent time at the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation stand at the Cambridge Town Hall event last week and liked what she heard.

“I’m good with handson stuff, so that’s why I’m interested in it,” she said.

Ahlers wants to be a builder, though becoming an electrician also appeals.

“At least we can now,” she said when asked about women entering the trades. University remains an option. She has the grades for it. But the prospect of earning while learning is attractive.

“I could just start earning money.”

A year ago her plans were very different.

“Last year I had the idea that I was going to go into medicine.”

• See story page 5

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Mountain Folk take the cake

By Jesse Wood

Eleven sweet treats were part of an Operation Christmas Hamper cake auction at the Burchell Pavilion in Te Awamutu on Saturday.

The event coincided with the Rosetown Monthly Fair.

With a theme of Te Awamutu, bakers from Pirongia, Kihikihi and Te Awamutu whipped up cakes and biscuits to raise funds for the charity.

Former Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan and daughter Lily were tasked with judging the contributions.

They picked the Mountain Folk Café Retreat in Pirongia’s olive oil carrot cake with lemon cream cheese icing as the best representation of Te Awamutu.

Titled “Let’s meet for coffee and cake”, the top of the cake had a florally arranged coffee cup with roses on the saucer, in a nod to Rosetown.

“Lily and I are really impressed with the quality and the calibre of the cakes that have been provided,” Susan said. “Not only does

[this winning cake] look absolutely delicious, but it’s also inviting because of its casual nature, which is Te Awamutu.

“I love the theme of having a cuppa. It says on it, let’s meet for coffee and cake – to me, that embodies what Te Awamutu is about.

“It’s about the warmth, the friendships, the connections, the wealthiness of the town and it surrounds.”

Runner up was an artistic cake titled “Te Awamutu – heart of the Waipā”.

The three layer chocolate cake, iced with butter crème and salted caramel, boasted pictures including the cenotaph on Anzac green, the Regent Theatre and St John’s church.

PGG Wrightson’s Shaan Featherstone auctioned the cakes, and about $450 for Operation Christmas Hamper.

Susan O’Regan thought so highly of the firstplaced cake she bought it for her family.

Operation Christmas hamper organiser Jill Taylor said the event was a fundraiser, but the fact that everybody enjoyed themselves made it even better.

“Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t great for people to come out, but I really am pleased

Under 18: here’s the law

Alcohol-related harm continues to make up a significant part of police work. To help ensure licensed premises are meeting their obligations under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, police periodically conduct Controlled Purchase Operations (CPOs) using supervised underage volunteers.

The Saturday before last, police carried out a CPO across the district. The majority of licensees complied with their legal responsibilities, with only one of the premises visited selling alcohol to a young person.

It is an offence to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 18. Young people under 18 are also prohibited from purchasing alcohol, entering licensed premises such as pubs and bars and consuming alcohol in public places unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

It is also illegal for them to using false identification, or have another adult purchase alcohol on their behalf. A legal guardian refers to a court-appointed guardian and does not include other family members, partners, spouses, or temporary supervisors such as sports coaches.

Staying with the topic of alcohol, in Te Awamutu, three drivers were detected with excess breath alcohol, including one driver who recorded a result more than three times the legal limit. In Cambridge, two drivers were also found to be over the limit.

One of the latter attempted to avoid a police checkpoint and drove away at speed. Police were soon able to stop the vehicle however,

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and the driver was found to be over the legal alcohol limit.

Drivers who return an evidential breath alcohol result between 250 and 400 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath receive an infringement notice. Drivers who record more than 400 micrograms per litre will face charges in court.

Alcohol also featured in other incidents attended by police during the week, including family harm events and a reports of threatening speech.

Another substance causing concern is nitrous oxide, commonly known as NOS, nangs, or laughing gas, when used recreationally. While NOS has legitimate uses in the food industry as a propellant and in medical settings for pain relief and sedation, it is illegal to sell, supply, or possess it for recreational use.

The gas is sold in small silver canisters or larger commercial cylinders. Recreationally it is inhaled, usually via a balloon. Such use can result in impaired coordination and judgement, while repeated use may lead to psychological dependence with the potential overtime for neurological damage.

If you see someone driving while inhaling nitrous oxide from a balloon, please call 111 immediately.

Finally, Cambridge experienced two serious traffic crashes last week. I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the family and friends of those involved.

that the people who made the cakes enjoyed making them,” Taylor said.

“It encourages me to do it again.”

Taylor got the idea from when her daughter was a teacher at Rahotu Primary School in coastal Taranaki.

“When they had their agricultural days, the staff would hold a cake auction to raise funds for the school,” Taylor said.

One cake was made with produce all from the Te Awamutu area, honey, blueberries and roses.

Taylor said she appreciated each and every person’s contribution, whether it was cake, money or time.

“It’s encouraging that local people want to support local people,” Taylor said.

“It would be great to get more support from local businesses in the future. But we had a good turnout from people who genuinely wanted to help and support.”

Briefs…

Currie honoured

Ron Currie received a Leigh Cooksley Services to Rugby award from Waikato Rugby on Saturday night. Currie first watched Ōhaupō play in 1956 and his involvement has continued from the 1960s to the present day – at club, sub-union, provincial and national level.

Top brewer

Karamu Barrelworks, which operates from a lifestyle block west of Ngāhinapōuri was crowned overall champion at the New Zealand Beer Awards in Dunedin on Saturday. Daryl Bryant produces beers inspired by Belgian brewing methods. Barrelworks was named best microbrewery at the 2025 awards.

Stud wins

Cambridge Stud was crowned the Sir Patrick and Justine Lady Hogan New Zealand Breeder of the Year at the National Breeding Awards at Karāpiro last weekend. Also the night Windsor Park principal Rodney Schick was named personality of the year in recognition of his contribution to the industry.

Deer issue

In the wake of an announcement that Sika have been declared a herd of special interest in New Zealand, a new Canterbury University paper has called for a deer management strategy and says their rising numbers are driving a slow often hidden decline in native forests.

Undermined

Thieves have raided Cambridge’s Urban Miners home seven times in six months. The volunteer organisation is a charity which recycles or refurbishes electronic items that would otherwise end up in landfill. The near $19,000 cost of vandalism and theft dwarfs the miners usually earn in a month.

‘It’s not just my medal’

By Jesse Wood Hazel Ouwehand’s

celebrations after picking up a bronze in the pool at the Commonwealth Games last weekend began with an emotional tribute.

The 26-year-old former Te Awamutu College student won a bronze in the 50m butterfly in Glasgow.

“It means that all the 5am mornings, the late nights going to bed after 10, the hours of training before and after school, before and after university, work, it makes it all worth it,” Ouwehand said.

“I know that this is my medal, but it’s not just my medal. It’s their medal too – my mum, my dad, my sisters, they put lots and lots of hours into this. Early mornings, driving me to the pool.

“My sisters, they used to swim as well, [I was] swimming side by side with them when I was younger. They had dreams of this when they were younger too,

to be able to be the one to do it – I didn’t just do it for me, I did it for them.”

The late former Waipā district mayor Alan Livingston would have been proud to note that Ouwehand originates from his beloved Te Pahū.

“I did it for Te Pahū, back home. I did it for my college, my friends, uni, work, everyone who has supported me,” she said.

Now Aucklandbased, 2024 Olympian Ouwehand is at her second Commonwealth games and swam brilliantly to secure her medal.

The race was won by Australian Alex Perkins in 25.37s.

Ouwehand recorded 25.76s and had room to spare over fourth-placed South African Jessica Thompson.

“Wow, yep, I’m happy with that,” Ouwehand said. “In the final moments you’re just putting your head down, pushing hard and trying to get every last inch out of your touch.”

She and Erika Fairweather (200m freestyle) collected bronze medals within a quarter of an hour of each other on Sunday and Fairweather added a silver from the 1500m freestyle on Monday.

Ouwehand also qualified for the 100m butterfly final where she finished eight on Tuesday morning, by which time New Zealand’s medal tally in the pool had reached

five thanks to Fairweather adding a silver in the 1500m freestyle and Lewis Clareburt picking up a gold and two silvers in the men’s 200m butterfly, 200m and 400m individual medley.

From baking to books

By Viv Posselt

The Te Awamutu Rotary Club believes nothing can touch a bit of baking and a good book to ward off the winter blues.

First on the agenda was the Rotary Great Te Awamutu Bake Off competition, held last weekend at the Waipā Women’s Club in the centre of town. Entrants delivered their baked goods to be judged in either the open category or the youth category, reserved for those aged 14 years or younger.

This was the third such competition to be organised by its founder and former club president Kylie Brewer.

Judging the competition was Ngāhinapōuri-based chef Heather Martin, and Cambridge Rotarian Bev Heron. They told The News they were basing their first, second and third placings on several factors,

including the way the item was presented, its texture and flavour.

The Supreme Winner was Edine Ignacio with her three melting moments. The youth category was something of a clean sweep with an entrant identified only as Stella, who produced three decorated cupcakes, three gingerbread people, and three pieces of cooked slice.

They were awarded prizes that ranged from books to vouchers from local businesses.

Brewer said she had launched the competition believing Te Awamutu was ripe for a baking competition open to bakers of all ages.

The club’s next activity aimed at warming up winter is its annual Rotary Te Awamutu Book Fair, running from August 6 to 9. The annual event, which sells books, jigsaws, CDs and DVDs, raises money which goes back into supporting Rotary charities.

Kids’ needs are growing

By Viv Posselt

Kids in

Need Waikato

is working to meet the challenge of supporting a growing number of children in care.

The charitable trust’s reach grew in the year to March 31 - the number of caregivers by 6.6 per cent, the number of children in care by 3.7 per cent and the number of children supported at Christmas by 22.4 per cent.

The Kids in Need Waikato Charitable Trust was established in 2018, and a future-proofing campaign, The Legacy Project, was launched last year. Key to that is raising funds to purchase the Fencourt Rd property that is the charity’s base, currently owned by the Linda and Graeme Roil’s, who founded Kids in Need.

The past few months have seen their annual Winter

Warmer Campaign provide essentials for children, and the reach for support is spreading across the Waikato, Taumarunui and ramping up in Rotorua. Linda Roil is on the road much of the time now, helping co-ordinate those newer groups and seeking wider support.

Figures since April show the organisation is supporting 615 caregivers who are collectively raising 1422 children. In a recent six-week period, 30 children were referred for ongoing support and 16 caregivers offered homes.

A recent milestone was reached when Kids in Need received its 10,000th care pack request since 2018, when record-keeping began. That was for an eight-yearold boy with additional needs who was transitioning into foster care.

The need for Samaritans

It has been bitter cold across Waipā lately, crisp mornings, crunchy frosts and more than a little bit nippy. On days such as this we layer up, turn on the heater and try to avoid the biting wind - but those in our community who are sleeping rough have no such luxury.

The demands on our charitable sector increase markedly during the winter months. This winter, demand is at its highest since 2020, yet recent policy announcements seem to turn a blind eye to the plight of those inneed.

Our Christian faith prevents us from doing likewise. We are called to care for others and strive to provide aid and support - it is why our churches run foodbanks, community meals and provide other forms of pastoral support. Means-testing those in-need and prioritising the comfort of retailers over those who sleep in doorways risks putting fiscal prudence ahead of human wellbeing and further marginalising those most needing our support.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Christ tells us of a traveller

By Luke East

who was robbed by bandits and left for dead. The traveller was a Jew, yet when a priest saw him lying prone on the roadside he did not help, nor when one of the temple assistants passed did he help either.

Yet a man of a different faith, whose people had long been in conflict with the Jews, stopped to help. Despite all their differences, the Samaritan saw a fellow human in-need.

Will we be like the priest who crossed to the other side? Or will we, like the Samaritan, set aside our differences and preconceptions and help those in-need?

Here in Te Awamutu there is no soup kitchen, there is no homeless shelter, and with tightening restrictions for emergency support, it is our churches and community organisations who are at the forefront of helping to support those most in-need - but they need our support to be able to keep up with the everincreasing demand.

Michael Joseph Savage, the Prime Minister who gave us public healthcare, state housing, welfare support, free prescriptions, maternity

TALKING ECONOMICS

Looking at the numbers

The inflation number for the year to June was 4.1 per cent, more than double the mid-point of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s inflation target of 1-3 per cent.

Inflation has been above the target range for the last 17 quarters, and despite that, the bank’s Official Cash Rate is still only at 2.5 per cent - below the level of around three per cent it regards as neutral.

How can they still have their rate at a stimulatory level when inflation has been above their target range for some time?

In Reserve Bank speak, they look through the current inflation numbers. They conclude many of the drivers of price rises will be temporary and forecast inflation will fall back to around two per cent in a couple of years.

That’s quite plausible. But Matthew Hooton pointed out in an editorial in The Post last week that the bank has been saying very similar things for several years.

Early in 2026 when the war in Iran first broke out, Treasury put out some estimates of what the impact could be

By Peter Nicholl

on New Zealand. Their ‘worst-case scenario’ if the war persisted for some time was that Consumer Price Index could reach 3.7 per cent.

We have gone through that ‘worst case scenario’ ceiling.

What territory are you in when you are beyond the ‘worst case scenario’?

Oil is back over US$100 a barrel and the war in the Middle East seems to be expanding rather than contracting. Interest rates on US Government Securities have been rising steadily recently despite Donald Trump’s desire to see lower interest rates. The Federal Reserve is likely to be forced to raise their official cash rate at their next meeting.

This tendency for the Reserve Bank to look through adverse Consumer Price Index numbers and convince themselves that the numbers will come back down to their target future is even more long-standing than Matthew Hooton said in his recent editorial.

A respected former Reserve Bank economist, Weshah Rassak, said last year that historically the bank has always underpredicted inflation.

pay and more besides, described social security as “applied Christianity”.

If we are to truly love our neighbour as ourselves, we must desire for them the same comforts and protections we desire for ourselves. So we cannot stay silent while many of these social supports are dismantled and whittled away.

In our country one in five children go to school hungry, yet we waste 1.22 million tonnes of food annually. Homelessness is at record levels, and one in 10 Kiwis live in poverty, but at the same time the 2026 NBR Rich List reveals 150 people own 50 per cent of the country’s wealth.

When faced with such stark inequalities we can often feel powerless but if we embrace Christ’s love and give our support to policies and initiatives that will help reduce such inequities we can each be like the Good Samaritan.

All of us can use our voices and resources to help those in-need, not just pass them by.

He said it had not foreseen a year or two ahead any of the episodes of breaches of the upper end of its inflation target between 1990 and 2025

That got me wondering whether the numbers the Reserve Bank ‘forecasts’ where they think the inflation rate will be in two years’ time are really forecasts at all.

That number almost always happens to be around two per cent. Two per cent happens to be the middle of their target range.

If they ‘forecast’ a higher number, they would be admitting that they expected their policy to fail. Unfortunately, the policymakers at bank believe their comfortable and convenient ‘forecasts’.

Hence, they have frequently been late in adjusting the cash rate when inflation refuses to follow this comfortable path and stays above their target range.

I fear the same thing is happening again now.

Trades spark interest

By Mary Anne Gill

More than 1000 students, parents and community members attended a free careers expo where 45 providers set up displays offering information on employment, training and study opportunities.

Thursday’s event last week was organised by careers advisers including Karina Judson of Cambridge High School and Christine Dickson of Te Awamutu College.

Judson said the Cambridge Town Hall expo aimed to expose people to opportunities they might not know existed.

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” she said.

The expo brought together universities, polytechnics, industry training organisations, employers and specialist providers.

Dickson said students had the chance to see what was available to them.

“It’s really important that the kids get the exposure to what’s out there and where they might be able to go and what subjects they might like to choose,” she said.

Among those attending were Te Awamutu College head students Anna Swney, Cameron Howells, Zac Green and Maddison Millin. Swney hopes to study Health Sciences at the University of

Otago before entering medicine.

Howells plans to study paramedicine at AUT. Green is weighing up university and, possibly, a career in corrections.

Millin wants to become an embryologist and is considering biomedical sciences programmes at Otago, Auckland, Waikato or Victoria universities.

The annual expo is a collaboration between Cambridge High School, Te Awamutu College and St Peter’s School in Cambridge and continues to attract strong support from schools across Waipā. More than 45 exhibitors took part.

Warning for motorists

Waipā Networks is reminding customers to be prepared as winter continues to bring increased electricity demand and a greater risk of power cuts.

Chief Executive Damien Whiffen says Waipā Networks crews responded to 40 cases where cars hit power poles in 2025 -and half were before the end of July. There have been 11 instances this year.

Lower temperatures typically mean increased electrical use as households rely more on heating. At the same time, storms, vegetation coming into contact with power lines, and accidental damage increase the risk of outages across the network.

Vehicles hitting power poles and trees or branches falling onto power lines can also interrupt supply, particularly in rural parts of the network.

“We’ve invested significantly in recent years to strengthen and maintain the network, so we’re well prepared for increased demand and more challenging conditions Winter

brings,” Whiffen said.

He said the number of car-versuspole incidents was a record.

“When power poles are damaged, or lines come down, we often need to isolate parts of the network while crews respond. That’s why even a single incident can interrupt supply to a large number of customers.”

Before winter, Waipā Networks completed planned maintenance, vegetation management and targeted monitoring across the network.

Whiffen says the community also has a role to play.

“Driving to the conditions is a big one. Wet and icy roads increase the risk of losing control and hitting roadside infrastructure like power poles,” he said.

“If you come across a damaged pole or downed power line, keep well clear and treat all lines as live. If your vehicle hits a power pole, stay inside if it’s safe to do so and call 111. If you have to get out, jump clear with your feet together and hop away from the vehicle.”

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Death of a major

By Meghan Hawkes

William Jackson, a man of powerful build strengthened by his many years roughing it in the colony, his face browned from living much in the open air, was dozing in the smoking room of the steamer Rotorua.

The 54-year-old major from Kihikihi, on route from New Plymouth to Onehunga in September 1889, was MP for Waipā and returning home from a Parliamentary session. The steward collected a passenger ticket from a drowsy William at 7.30pm. At 10pm the bedroom steward went to his berth to check that the cabin porthole was properly secured, but hearing someone sleeping in the berth did not disturb him.

The next morning the steward went to the berth again to get the Major’s boots for cleaning but found the cabin empty, Major Jackson appeared to have dressed and gone on deck. About two hours later he still had not been seen. In his berth his travelling bag lay open, and his gold watch and railway pass lay near the bunk along with a pocketbook and a purse containing money.

Once the Rotorua docked

at Onehunga, Detective Chrystal spent some time enquiring into the situation, but nothing significant could be gleaned. The Major’s manner was normal during the voyage, and he appeared to be in good health and spirits. It appeared that he got up during the night, dressed, went on deck and by some accident fell overboard.

At Kihikihi residents were slow to believe the reports of his probable death as simultaneously with the arrival of the sad news came a letter to his wife Bridget saying that he would be at Kihikihi on the next day’s train.

William was born in Yorkshire, England. In 1857 he immigrated to Australia lured by the Victorian gold rush. Later he came to New Zealand, joining two brothers and farmed at Papakura, Mangatawhiri, Rangiaowhia, and finally Kihikihi. When the Waikato War began, he organised a local militia known as Jackson’s Forest Rangers and was commissioned as a Major. In 1871 he married Bridget Halpin. When militia stole a Māori flag, Bridget hid it under her dress, wearing it as a petticoat. In retaliation, their house was burned down

twice.

After the war William represented the Waikato electorate from 1872 to 1875 and then retired. In the 1887 general election he was returned to the Waipā electorate. As a politician he was as energetic as he had been as a militia leader.

He did not often speak in the House, but when he did his sentences were rapidly and decisively jerked out at a rate appalling to the shorthand writers.

In early December his body was discovered by surveyors in a cave near Mōkau. Before it could be retrieved the tide washed it out. It was never found again.

On the day he disappeared he had gone for a quiet buggy drive, overtaking an old woman trudging wearily along the road. He stopped, told the woman to get into the buggy, and took her into town. It was one of his last kind deeds.

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Keeping decisions local

By Graham Pinnell

While it is great to see councils around the Waikato sharing their views with the public on local government reform, one important opportunity hasn’t been aired.

It is quite possible to meet the Government’s requirement to form unitary authorities and keep representation, decision-making and accountability local.

In its least disruptive form, Hamilton City and the district councils within the Waikato could become local boards. Local boards differ from community boards in that they have a duty to consult and powers to decide local matters. Residents within the local board areas would be rated for local services and board members would be accountable through the election box.

If there was one Waikato unitary authority, the election process and accountabilities for the authority would not change from that of the current Waikato Regional Council.

In other words, nothing would change in representation, accountability and rating systems.

Citizens would still get to elect representatives for two tiers of local government. All this seems very similar to how councils operate today.

Other arrangements are equally possible. Waipā might be split into Cambridge and Te Awamutu local boards.

Similarly, Matamata-Piako District might form local boards around Matamata, Morrinsville and Te Aroha.

The major difference with the status quo is that services would be delivered by the unitary authority in order to achieve the economies of scale sought by Government.

Conceiving local government reform in this manner keeps “local” in local government while addressing the Government’s intention to improve efficiency, reduce duplication,

streamline functions and have clear lines of accountability.

Combining the communities makes perfect sense but creates challenges in regulating Waipa-Waikato River water takes and discharges. This demands a whole of catchment approach. A joint committee between King Country and other unitary authorities in the catchment would be required. This is not ideal as it invites two camps having entrenched positions. A separate service provider organisation may need to be formed with its own overheads, so greater complexity could result, which the Government wants avoided.

One option of merit is to form two unitary authorities split by the eastern boundary of the Waikato River. Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki and Matamata-Piako could comprise an eastern authority and Waikato District, Hamilton City, Waipā, King Country and Taupo might form a western authority. South Waikato District is split in half by the catchments, so would need to be accommodated in one or other authority. However, the benefits of two authorities compared with a single Waikato authority are not apparent.

The current combined annual turnover of Waikato councils is $1.7 billion. This cost needs to be slashed from Day 1 if the economies of scale are to be realised.

The mayors certainly have a challenge on their hands to navigate through these and many more complexities. Agreement will only possible if they and all others taking an interest in the reform look at what is best for the Waikato and not act in the interests of individual districts.

• Graham Pinnell is a Waipā farmer and a former national board member of Federated Farmers.

PICK UP LOCATIONS

Localism shapes reform

Responses to the Government’s Head Start reforms were debated at a forum where panellists including Good Local Media senior writer Mary Anne Gill discussed how local voices can be protected in any local government shake-up.

For all the debate about council structures, one word keeps resurfacing: localism.

That was the clear message from a public forum at Waikato University on the Government’s Head Start proposals. Structure matters less than people’s ability to have a say in what happens where they live.

The forum at Waikato University this month brought together mayors, councillors, policy experts and members of the public to discuss potential changes to council structures across the country.

Under Head Start, councils have until August 9 to tell Local Government Minister Simon Watts whether they want to pursue voluntary amalgamations and, if so, what those arrangements might look like.

Waitomo mayor John Robertson described the process as difficult and rushed.

He said many councils were struggling to determine what future arrangements should look like before they even knew how wider government reforms, particularly around resource management, would affect their responsibilities.

“There are not going to be many Head Start proposals put into government by August 9 because it’s just too hard,” he said.

Waitomo and Ōtorohanga have

agreed to explore a merger because of their shared history, similar size and existing shared services. Elsewhere in Waikato, however, the picture is complex.

While amalgamation was one option, panellists repeatedly questioned whether bigger organisations automatically delivered better outcomes.

Waikato Regional Council chair Warren Maher warned against losing sight of regional functions such as environmental management, biosecurity, transport planning and flood protection.

Many residents, he said, did not realise how much regional work was funded across district boundaries for the benefit of the wider Waikato.

His concern was not simply where new boundaries might be drawn, but how important regional services would continue to be delivered.

Nick Clark, a senior fellow with the New Zealand Initiative, drew on research into local government reform to argue that New Zealand already had one of the most centralised systems in the world.

Rather than focusing on maps and boundaries, he said the debate should start with three questions: what local government should do, how it should be funded and how communities could retain meaningful influence over decisions.

FOR SALE

“Protect the local voice,” Clark said. His concern was that amalgamation could create larger councils without addressing the underlying issues that frustrate residents.

For me, the discussion came back to something much simpler.

As someone who has spent more than four decades reporting on councils across New Zealand, I have watched local government evolve from highly accessible organisations into increasingly complex bureaucracies.

I told the audience about growing up as the daughter of a town clerk. My father spent his weekends listening to residents raise concerns about potholes, footpaths and local services before passing those requests directly to council staff on Monday morning. That was localism in practice.

I am not advocating a return to the days of borough councils or small-town administration, but I do believe something valuable has been lost along the way.

Too often today, people struggle to work out who is responsible, how decisions are made or where they can go to get a problem fixed.

A simple example sits in Cambridge. More than two years after work was completed on the

town clock, a historic interpretation sign removed during construction still sits on the ground waiting to be reinstated.

The sign itself is not important. What it represents is localism.

Localism is the ability to pick up the phone, send a message or talk to someone who can help resolve issues that matter in daily life.

That sentiment resonated strongly with audience members, many of whom expressed concern about declining voter participation, a lack of transparency and increasing distance between decision-makers and communities.

Whether Head Start ultimately produces one unitary council, several regional entities or no significant change at all remains uncertain.

What was clear from the forum was that many people are less interested in organisational charts than in preserving a sense of connection and accountability.

The debate over local government reform is often framed around efficiency, economies of scale and governance structures. Those things matter.

But if Head Start achieves anything, it must ensure ordinary people still feel they can influence decisions affecting their roads, footpaths, parks, rates and neighbourhoods.

The strongest message from the forum was not about boundaries or bureaucracy.

It was about localism.

And that may prove to be the most important consideration of all.

244 Arawata Street, Te Awamutu, Waipa, Waikato

Large format commercial space with parking

Industrial | Size: 2,094 m²

Tender 19th Aug 2026 15:00:00

(Unless sold prior)

Large format commercial space in the heart of Te Awamutu with extensive off street car parking and yard space with two road frontages.

The building comprises clear span commercial space of approximately 1,846 square metres, loading bay of 63 square metres and office and amenities of 124 square metres. The building also features a canopy area of 196 square metres. The property is for sale by Tender closing 3:00pm 19th of August 2026.

Phone the vendor’s sole agents for more information or to arrange an inspection.

FEATURES

• Total leasehold land area of 7,047 square metres

• Floor area of 2,094 square metres plus canopy

• Extensive off street customer car parking

• Two road frontages and access

• For sale with vacant possession

Across 1. Flow (6)

4. Male relative (6) 9. Allow to enter (5)

10. Put in danger (7)

(11)

(4)

(7)

Last week

22. Rascal (5) 24. Adage (6) 25. Protective headgear (6)

Across: 1. Suit, 4. Supple, 8. Cottage, 9. Sidle, 10. Sour, 11. Scrounge, 13. Heartless, 17. Outsider, 19. Dire, 21. Curio, 22. Abandon, 23. Cheeky, 24. Knew.

Down: 2. Untruth, 3. Thaw, 4. Speech therapy, 5. Pushover, 6. Laden, 7. Repel, 8. Case, 12. Camisole, 14. Swindle, 15. Pouch, 16. Lean, 18. Torch, 20. Lank.

CountryLife

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BARREL BOTTLE BOWL BOX BUCKET BUTT CABINET CAGE CANISTER CASSETTE CHEST COFFER

CONTAINER CRADLE CRATE CUPBOARD DECANTER DRAWER ENVELOPE GLASS HOLSTER KEG KETTLE LOCKET PHIAL POCKET POUCH PURSE RECEPTACLE SACK SAFE

SATCHEL SCABBARD SILO TANK TILL

VALISE VASE VAT VIAL WARDROBE

Mooloos riddled with Waipā connections

By Jesse Wood

There are 21 more reasons to celebrate rugby in the district with three Waipā connected coaching staff and 18 players selected in the 40-man Waikato provincial squad.

Named as the sole captain of the squad, 30-year-old Mitch Jacobson headlines 11 Hautapu representatives in the Mooloo team.

He is the most capped player with 82 games under his belt since 2015.

Fresh off the red and white’s Breweries Shield premiership win, new cap Mike Naitokani, Hamilton Burr, Dylan Eti, Rui

Farrant, Luke Jacobson, Senita Lauaki, Laghlan McWhannell, Ollie Norris, Waisake Salabiau and Andrew Smith make up the rest of the Cambridge cohort.

Samipeni Finau is a St Peter’s School alumni as are Eti, McWhannell and Norris.

Alongside the Te Awamutu-born Waikato captain, those connected to the other side of the district are Te Awamutu Sports backs Austin Anderson, Taha Kemara and Josh Moorby.

Forwards Taipari Quinn (Fraser Tech), Sean Ralph and Malachi Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys) are exSports players.

Kaipaki resident Leon Holden is the head coach, assisted by former Te Awamutu Sports prop Nathan White and exHautapu midfielder/coach Jackson Willison.

White and Willison are both past Waikato captains.

Chiefs legend Aaron Cruden rounds out the coaching staff, having hung up the boots after the 2025

provincial season.

“We get on really well, we all love the union and we’ve all spent time in the region,” Holden said.

“That’s quite a big thing for me, that the players and coaches are connected to the province.”

McWhannell and Finau are preparing to head to Japan after the season.

Sitting on 46 caps, McWhannell will hope to surpass 50 Waikato games before he jets off.

Holden said he’s tried hard to pick the squad locally.

All four newcomers have played some club rugby in the Waikato – Naitokani, former Japan halfback Daiki Nakajima (Morrinsville Sports), David Lewai (University) and Micah Fale (Hamilton Old Boys).

The latter two have come through the Waikato system

and are freshly back from representing New Zealand Under-20.

“I want our province to be a side that, where possible, it’s picked from club rugby, but with a high-performance element,” Holden said.

“It’s really important that every young boy or girl, regardless of the town, can see that there’s an opportunity, a pathway for them.

“Filling our roster with overseas players doesn’t do justice to what we’re here for.

“We’re a big province. So, why can’t we do that? We’ve got strong clubs but we’ve got to help them.”

We are a long-standing Company based in Otorohanga, specialising in rural construction and earthworks. Along with your Class 5, some heavy machinery experience, being mechanically minded and adaptable is a must.

If this sounds like you then please contact Leigh Pevreal on 0274872668 or email rldrainage@yahoo.co.nz.

PUBLIC NOTICES

Further Notice of 2026 Election of Trustees

Candidate Nominations & Election Details

Nominations for the 2026 election of Trustees for Te Nehenehenui closed at 12 noon, Thursday 2 July 2026. The following valid nominations were received.

NGĀ KURA TAU TRUSTEE

Te Whare ki Hau-ā-Uru ki Uta By-election (One vacancy)

DAVIS Huia WILLISON-REARDON Natasha

NGĀ KURA RERE TRUSTEES (Six vacancies)

DOUGLAS Peter Te Matakahere SEARANCKE Mihirawhiti

FARRAR Te Haate STEWART Layelin

GAGE Mellissa (Millie) Kuiahine TAITUHA-NGAWAKA Jaqui

HENARE-WAHO Mārama TAKEREI Te-Miri-Te-Rangirangi

IKIN Keith TAKIARI-BRAME Bella

KOROHEKE Chris TAMAKI Jaimee

MANIAPOTO Maria Pareraukawa Te Huia TE KANAWA Riria (Missy)

MOANA Renee TUWHANGAI Rachael

MOSS Luke WETERE Kruger

ORMSBY Gannin WETERE Rongo

Voting processes will therefore be required to determine the trustees for the above positions and will be carried out by postal and online voting. Voter packs, together with information about the candidates, will be sent to all registered and verified adult members of the Trust from Wednesday 29 July 2026. Voting will open at 9am Thursday 30 July and will close at 12 noon, Monday 7 September 2026.

Profiles and further information about the candidates standing for election and the election processes can be viewed online at www.tenehenehenui.iwi.nz/elections.

Members should note that new registrations or registration completions for this election close at 5pm, Wednesday 12 August 2026. If you have whānau over 18 who are not yet registered and want to participate in the election they must register with Te Nehenehenui before that deadline and that once fully registered, a member cannot change their Primary Whare during any election period.

Any election enquiries are to be directed to the Returning Officer on the election helpline 0800 666 028.

Anthony Morton Returning Officer – Te Nehenehenui

0800 666 028 vote@electionz.com

Te Awamutu College Soft Materials

Technician

Term Time only

We are looking for a person to work alongside our teaching team in the food/hospitality rooms. This person will be well organised and understand what a clean and prepared cooking environment is.

Hours of work are 7am to 11am, Monday to Friday, term time only.

Key duties will include but are not limited to:

• Maintaining the classroom kitchens to ensure they are clean with the correct equipment

• Purchasing of consumables required

• Maintaining the cleanliness of various kitchen appliances, ovens, microwaves etc

• Putting away orders ensuring rotation of stock

The successful applicant will be subject to Police Vetting. If you would like to know more about this position you can request a copy of the job description by emailing info@ tac.school.nz.

To apply for the position email your CV and covering letter to info@tac.school.nz

Application close Friday 7 August 2026.

Farm effluent services is looking for a manager to run one of our units with another employee. We are based just north of otorohanga on state highway 3, travelling from farm to farm irrigating effluent ponds onto farm land for fertiliser. Applicant will need a full license and a class 2, happy to pay for class 2 for the right applicant, experience with farming and irrigation preferred, training will be given.

$25 - $35 per hour

Full time

Otorohanga, Waikato Company benefits - Phone, fuel

EDUCATION

Ph Trevor – 021 964150 TE AWAMUTU CONTINUING

Wednesday 5 August 2026 10am

Entry: $4 on arrival Waipa Workingmen’s Club Speaker: Glen Murphy

Topic: From Thames to University of California to multi-national