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THURSDAY MAY 29, 2025
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teawamutunews.nz
MAY 29, 2025
Take your seats By Chris Gardner
Friction over road name By Mary Anne Gill
Waipā District Council community services manager Brad Ward has vowed to replace seven 70-year-old park benches from Te Awamutu and Districts War Memorial Park – even though they have just been restored. Community group Park Maintenance Committee members Marc Dawson and Peter Fletcher spent just under $500 restoring the metal pipe and wooden benches and adding commemorative plaques. The council had already announced plans to spend $58,000 replacing selected seating and rubbish bins. “It would be ridiculous for them to be removed now,” Dawson said. “Not good optics.” But Ward told The News, in a statement, it was concerning and disappointing Dawson and Fletcher had not sought permission before undertaking the work. “For the Te Awamutu War Memorial Park seating, we are continuing with our renewal programme as agreed at the recent Te Awamutu War Memorial Park partners and stakeholders’ forum,” he said. “We have a carefully planned and budgeted maintenance and renewal programme which is carried out to a schedule and in line with best practice. We replace assets that have reached the end of their useful lives, such as these benches, and ensure any maintenance is done to meet all relevant legislative requirements, particularly regarding health and safety.” Dawson was told at the April 16 meeting of Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board by chair Ange Holt that the seats would be replaced. “There is nothing more we can do as a community board, that decision has been made and it’s out of our hands.” Holt had previously lamented being ignored by council staff, But Dawson and Fletcher continued with their restoration plans, funded by an anonymous donor, in a bid to save the seats from removal.
Historic seat restorers Marc Dawson (seated) and Peter Fletcher have the support of Maria Blackwell and Bernard Westerbaan after restoring seven 70-year-old seats at Te Awamutu and Districts War Memorial Park. Photo: Chris Gardner
They were installed in the early 1950s by public subscription as part of the war memorial Dawson called for the council to review its decision under reserves manual rules that require the council to keep its management plan under continuous review, adapting to changing circumstances or in accordance with increased knowledge. Community Board deputy chair Kane Titchener said he had passed Dawson’s request onto the council. Fletcher said he had done hundreds of voluntary hours in the park over the years and had the support of around 50 next of kin of the fallen who wished to see the historic seats maintained. Arohena resident Maria Blackwell supported Dawson and Fletcher’s restoration.
“If you look at the benches now there’s nothing wrong with them,” she said. “Why spend money replacing something that does not need replacing?” Council candidate Bernard Westerbaan is also backing the restoration project. “Without exception, the general public witnessing the reconstruction of the seats and learning of their pedigree, and the expense to replace them, are all in support of retaining the original seats,” he said. “They are all keen for Waipa District Council to change their mode of operation concerning failing to respect heritage and memorial features and to cease needless spending. “The fact of horrendous debt seems to be the best break toward closing down the council’s erasure plan.”
A Waipā councillor has reignited debate over road naming rights, arguing that private landowners should have the final say on their land - even when council policy prioritises Māori names. Crs Roger Gordon and Philip Coles were dissenting voices when the council’s Service Delivery committee approved the name Taawharuwharu Lane for what is currently a private right of way at 2/1215 Kaipaki Rd west of Cambridge. Landowners, the Marsden family, had proposed Marsden Ave or Marsden Lane, citing a possible ancestral link to Rev Samuel Marsden, a missionary who introduced Christianity to New Zealand. Waipā District Council’s naming policy emphasises increasing the use of Māori names, particularly those with local topographical or historical relevance. Development Engineering team leader Harry Baxter noted that while Marsden was a nationally significant figure, he had no direct connection to the Waipā district. Gordon argued that ownership of the private
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