TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 1
THURSDAY MAY 21, 2026
SUPPORTING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1978
Since 1978 Bailey Ingham has been a one stop shop for
Bailey Ingham
Experts in providing is farmers and businesses a one stop quality professional advice in all aspects of shop accounting and taxation planning for all your - including GST, FBT, Individual/Employer company, PAYE,
and - Succession planningfarming and family guidance personal - Trust administration and advice
Carolyn Dew, financial needs. Business administration including Companies Offi- ce Manager Office requirements
Kelly Bair Director
Contact the team for a
- Windups including company liquidations FREE NO OBLIGATION INTERVIEW Supporters local community 97ofSloane St, Te events Awamutu 3800
Carolyn Perre
P: 07 870 1888 | E: ta@baileyingham.co.nz
FREE
teawamutunews.nz
Contact the team for a FREE NO OBLIGATION INTERVIEW to discuss 41 Bank St Te Awamutu 3800 Ph 07 870 1888 Email: ta@
MAY 21, 2026
It’s a hard duck story
By Jesse Wood
The Hard Ducks Firefighter Combat Challenge team has cleaned up at the national event on Wellington’s waterfront. Made up of firefighters from the Te Awamutu and Pirongia Fire Brigade, the team posted several placings at the event earlier this month. Jodi Reymer (Pirongia) was first female overall and the national champion. She also placed second in the co-ed team and second in the female tandem. “In terms of the personal growth and learnings, it was of huge value to me,” Reymer said. “Having a solid team training together and pushing each other has really paid off again.” Reymer said this year she has learned a lot about the mental side of competition and saw firsthand how that can affect performance. “Coming into a competition in the wrong head space three weeks before nationals really affected the
way I was able to run physically,” Reymer said. “Fixing that through targeted training in the weeks between then and nationals allowed me to perform at my best and break the national record.” Te Awamutu firefighter Dave Shaw was the national champion in the over 50s category and also placed second in the co-ed tandem. “Everyone improved on the North Island champs - that’s always a bonus,” Shaw said. “This was my eighth time becoming an age group national champion. The work I’m putting in is paying off and working with this team, we all train together and that’s paying off with our results. “We’ve been training since the year before last, we went to worlds together. “The team definitely keeps me going. It definitely means a lot that they still want to push me along. They all want to try and
beat me, so that’s what we want.” Shaw said his highlight was seeing Reymer break her own national record. “That shows her hard work has paid off. She broke it by for two seconds. “Second place was about 16 seconds behind her.” Other Hard Ducks results were a second place for Rob Willey in the over 60 category; Kelly Bennetto was second in female tandem and 14th female overall; Scott Stapleton was 19th overall male and broke the two minutes as well as placing 11th in the co-ed tandem; Matt Cook placed sixth in the over 40s and 14th in male tandem and Ryan Johnstone was seventh in the over 40s as well as 14th in the male tandem. The Hard Ducks, and a group of other Te Awamutu and Pirongia firefighters, are now looking to the stair climb at the Sky Tower on Saturday. • Brigade’s asset makes a difference – See page 7
Howard has lived off St Leger Rd for 29 years and watched its development from a rural lifestyle location to the rural residential place it is today. “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 told The News in January. “With the growth happening on
this road and the general growth in Kihikihi and Te Awamutu, the volume of traffic has increased tenfold. More than 100 St Leger Rd residents and other interested parties signed the petition. NZTA has confirmed the section of SH3 has been added to its speed management register for consideration as part of the next National Land Transport Programme for the 2027-2030
Jodi Reymer broke her own national record. Photo: Paul Shaw Photography
Highway speed limit faces review
BIG BRANDS BRANDS BIG BIGBRANDS BRANDS BIG DEALS DEALS BIG BIGDEALS DEALS
18
10% to
No Payments**
Right now,save saveon onour ourbiggest biggest Right now, Right Right now, now, save save on on ourour biggest biggest flooring &window windowfurnishings furnishings flooring flooring flooring & &window & window furnishings furnishings brands! brands! brands! brands!
flooring FREE %% % FREE FREE FREE 30 underlay & 30 underlay underlay underlay &&&
SALE
installation installation installation installation on selected carpet *
* * * on on selected carpet on selected selected carpet carpet
off off off
* custom curtains ** * custom curtains custom custom curtains curtains
50
%
OFF
30 % Hardfloor*
New Z e a l a n
• rs de
20 18 - 202 4
★
4 Cambridge Road, Te Awamutu 07 871 6422 ★★
Flooring Stores
★
07 871 6422 169 Rora Street,Te Kuiti Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Sat07 9am-1pm 878 3486 or 027 2727 849 www.carpetcourt.nz
* Terms & conditions apply * Terms & conditions applyapply * Terms & conditions * Terms & conditions apply
18-2024 • Vo 20 t
*Offers valid until 31/05/24 on selected ranges and colours while stocks last. Free offers have minimum order requirements. Carpet and vinyl are sold in lineal metres.We reserve the right to adjust prices without notice if necessary and we reserve the right to correct any errors. See instore or online for full details. 4 Cambridge Rd, Te Awamutu by
Qualified Vet Nurse Care Cat Friendly Accomodation Medication + Dietary Needs Sibling Discounts Daily Love + Cuddles
Selected Flooring* 07 870 2696 6
OFF
ed
Howard said he is sure the signatories will “interpret the response the same way he has”. “However, it is a response,” Howard said. “If there are any further developments, I will inform the participants. “In the meantime, take particular care crossing this intersection and have faith that something good will happen here one day.”
Moggie Manor Cattery ttery
MONTHS No Interest and
★
The Transport Agency is considering an Intersection Speed Zone and potential changes to the speed limit on State Highway 3 around St Leger and Golf roads between Te Awamutu and Kihikihi. Earlier this year, Howard Ashmore, his wife Ginny and Mary Webster launched a petition for a roundabout there.
period. “As part of this future review, both an Intersection Speed Zone (ISZ) and potential changes to the permanent speed limit will be investigated,” the NZTA feedback said. “These investigations will consider safety outcomes, traffic volumes, surrounding land use and community feedback to ensure any decisions are evidence-based and aligned with the requirements of the rule for setting speed limits.”
★
By Jesse Wood
923 Alexandra Street Te Awamutu www.3stonevets.co.nz
169 Rora St, Te Kuiti *Offers valid until 31/05/24 on selected ranges and colours while stocks last. Free offers have minimum order requirements. Carpet and vinyl are sold in lineal metres. Mon-Fri Sat 9.30am-1pm. 07 878 3486 or 027 2727 8498.30am-5pm. We reserve the right to adjust prices without notice if necessary and we reserve the right to correct any errors. See instore or online for full details. www.carpetcourt.nz Mon-Fri 9.30am-3pm. Weekend by appointment www.carpetcourt.nz
Moggie Manor Cattery
info@3stonevets.co.nz