TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 1
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2025
Water Well Drilling services Water Well Maintenance / Cleaning Down hole CTV inspection
110 Jack Russell Drive, Te Awamutu Call Today 0800 DRILL4U / 0800 374 5548 On Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week buwelldrillers.co.nz
FREE
teawamutunews.nz
NOVEMBER 6, 2025
Alex named college dux By Jesse Wood
Alex West joined a special list of students etched in Te Awamutu College history when he was named the 2025 dux last week. The A G Freeman medal winner received $5000 courtesy of Pak’n Save Te Awamutu – the headline of 164 award winners at senior prizegiving. He was also first in subject for biology (K F Miller Cup), chemistry (McKinnon Cup) and English extension (Cath Parr Cup), and the recipient of the Senior English Essay Cup and the Matthewson Cup for excellence in the sciences. He has also received a scholarship for tertiary education. “I’m pleasantly surprised to be Dux of Te Awamutu College. I’ve worked very hard this year and I’m thankful for my teachers’ help and support,” West said. “Next year I’m off to the University of Auckland where I will be studying biomedical science with the hope of getting into the medical school programme.” He says he would like to work in a rural area as a GP “as there is a great need for doctors in rural areas”. “If I’m unable to get into the medical school programme, I would like to continue with my biomedical science degree to specialise in neuroscience. “I’m quite interested in either researching conditions such as Alzheimer’s or gaining background knowledge to support my entry as a graduate into medical school.” The ceremony also saw Zac Green, Cameron Howells, Maddison Millin and Anna Swney named as the 2026 Te Awamutu College head students. Principal Tony Membery said 25 candidates had the courage and drive to put their names forward. Departing head students Teina Beets, Rico Dorssers, Ruth Downs and Libby Haynes received plenty of praise from the school community. Beets will work at Edwards Engineering Services, Dorssers’ goal is to become a policeman, Downs will study physiotherapy and Haynes is moving south to the University of Otago to pursue dentistry after travel.
Alex West is the Te Awamutu College dux for 2025. Photo: Nereida Jones
The quartet addressed their peers one last time and Beets’ speech in particular was very moving. Beets acknowledged Membery for mentoring the head student group and showing him that it’s okay to be unapologetically yourself. He paid tribute to a special person in his life. “I’d like to use this platform I’ve been blessed with to express my gratitude to someone who I hold extremely close to my heart,” Beets said. “Unfortunately, she’s no longer with us, but that person is my nan, Linda. She was a strong and nurturing independent Māori woman. “As someone who needed a father figure growing up, she stepped up to the plate. I’m proud to say that I was raised by her.” Beets said at times he struggled with his identity.
“Without my father I was unsure of the pathway I was heading down and the man I wanted to become,” he said. “But she was wise beyond her time and at my lowest point, I remember sitting down at the dinner table in tears listening to her share experiences. It was moments like those which I’ll cherish for as long as I live. “I know that whenever I’m facing adversity I can think back and resonate with those words she shared with me all those years ago. “Among many things, she was a proud mother of three, a sister, a daughter, a wife, an influence on many and a grandmother to more than I can remember. “But above all else, she was my rock.” • All present and correct sir – See Page 3.
Call up for our Clarke By Jesse Wood
Te Awamutu raised cricketer Kristian Clarke was called into the Black Caps squad for the first time last week. Kaipaki Cricket Club took to social media to celebrate “Christmas has come early here at the Kaipaki Nation! One of our favourite sons Kristian Clarke has been brought into the Blackcaps ODI Squad,” a Kaipaki Cricket Club Facebook post announced. Clarke, 24, who has also been a member of Te Awamutu Sports cricket, received international recognition for his standout performances at the 2020 under-19 world cup in South Africa. The Northern Districts pace bowler was drafted into the squad to replace the injured Matt Henry. He joined training in Wellington last Friday ahead of the third and final ODI against England, though was not in the starting 11. New Zealand won the series 3-0. “I wasn’t really expecting it at all. I was just celebrating with the Northern Districts boys after a good win in New Plymouth when Mitchell Santner called,” he told The News.It was a whirlwind week for Clarke, who scored his maiden century in the previous day’s Ford Trophy game against Central Stags and finished with bowling stats of 3/57.
Camping Expo!
29th & 30th November Residential • Rural Commercial • Tennis Courts 469 Bond Road Te Awamutu 07 870 6328
Massive range of Zempire Tents on display Inside and outside the store as well as all your camping needs
Mon - Fri 9am-5pm | Sat 9-4pm | Sun 10-3pm Ph 07 834 3553 | 2 Oliver Street Cambridge (opposite Mitre 10 Mega) @HuntingandFishingCambridge www.huntingandfishing.co.nz