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 named college dux
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.
29th & 30th November
Massive range of Zempire Tents on display Inside and outside the store as well as all your camping needs
Alex West is the Te Awamutu College dux for 2025. Photo: Nereida Jones
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Visit: www.yardmatters.co.nz or call 0800 46 9273 for
CONTACTS
News/Editorial
Roy
viv@goodlocal.nz
On the beat with Senior
Constable Ryan Fleming
Thanks for the ride
After seven years as Te Awamutu’s Community Constable, it’s time for me to hang up the local beat boots and take on a new challenge and step into a new role within Te Awamutu Police for a while. But before I go, I wanted to take a moment to say thank you
Being the Community Constable here has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my career. It’s been a role filled with conversations, collaborations, and the occasional caffeinefuelled crisis. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some truly incredible people who made the job not just easier, but meaningful.
To Mandy Merson from Commsafe and Community Patrol – your dedication to keeping our streets safe is legendary. I’m convinced you have a sixth sense for suspicious behaviour and a seventh for community spirit.
The Community Patrollers and CCTV operators who have shown up and volunteered your own time over the years doing countless and thankless hours, I appreciate you.
To Chris Smith and the trustees of Commsafe – thank you for being the kind of
people who show up, roll up your sleeves, and get things done. Your support has been rock-solid, and truly no community can thrive without people who ‘Can Do’.
To the many hands and hearts behind Operation Christmas Hampers – you turned a simple idea into a seasonal miracle. Every year, you remind us what community really means: generosity, kindness, and the ability to wrap presents faster than Santa’s elves.
To the readers of my column – thank you for giving me a platform so I wasn’t just screaming into the void. Your feedback, encouragement, and occasional corrections kept me grounded and reminded me that words really do matter.
To all the partnerships I’ve made and treasure – especially the teams at Waipa Women’s Refuge, and Kainga Aroha being on call whenever I had a family harm incident that needed urgent support, Ko wai Au whenever I had a tricky teenage problem, –you are the quiet heroes of our town. You do the hard work, the heart work, and the healing work.
To my Team, you have truly made turning up for work a rewarding experience. You have given me a lot of laughs and kept me
Election dominates stats
Our online breaking coverage of the local body electionsdominated last month’s Te Awamutu News web statistics with nearly 12 per cent of all visits going to the constantly updated page.
Our catch up with new mayor Mike Pettit and a wrap up of his victory were second
Good Local Media’s two monthly business publications in Waikato and Bay of Plenty – out this week - both feature young entrepreneurs making their mark in regional competitions.
A bumper 40-page edition of Waikato Business News has four Sacred Heart College students using their nous and a grandmother who can sew to come up with an award-winning strap for a popular
while the home page was third followed by Waipā council’s rationale behind banning walkers and horse riders from the Sainsbury Road Forest Reserve in Pirongia and news up to 35 jobs will created with the opening of a new day care centre in Te Awamutu’s Frontier Estate rounding out the top five.
sandal.
Cambridge’s Phil Mackay writes on what the new councils around the region will be looking to achieve over the next three years.
Plus, we are celebrating finalists in the Waikato business awards, the best of Hamilton’s city centre retailers and look ahead to the opening of the new world-class regional theatre.
Bay of Plenty students
grounded. Working with you all has been a privilege and I promise I will make my way downstairs when there’s food on offer.
One of the great pleasures of my career has been when I’m stopped in the street for a yarn, even when I’m off duty and trying to grocery shop. This was what I aspired to be when I joined the Police in 2010.
A highlight of my tenure as Community Constable was in 2019 being named Te Awamutu News Person of the Year. I particularly enjoy reminding my wife of this when she complains to me that I haven’t done the lawns.
Te Awamutu, you are more than a patch to Police – you are a community, a classroom, and a home. I’ll carry the lessons, the laughter, and the legacy with me into this next chapter. So here’s to new beginnings, old friendships, and the enduring power of a good yarn.
Thankyou all for the privilege of being your Community Constable.
TA Oscar signing off.
Ryan Fleming (Still a cop, just with a new view)
right one.
Other election coverage, including interviews with Pirongia’s Clare St Pierre and former mayor Susan O’Regan made the top 10.
Editor Roy Pilott said the web statistics proved Good Local Media’s decision to prioritise election coverage both in print and online was the
swept up at Waikato University’s Case Competition, former National Party leader Todd Muller joins our stable of columnists and there is an historic shift in leadership at the regional council.
Bay of Plenty Business News also features the return of cruise ships to Tauranga and the ever popular Out and About photo feature.
Read online goodlocal.nz
“On election day the team was in Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Kakepuku, Tamahere, Ōtorohanga and Te Kūiti to talk to three new mayors, one who was returned and one who was not.
“And then in print four days later, our analysis was spot on with them and our columnists. I’m proud of what we achieved in Election 2025,” he said.
Coroner’s concern
Coroner Ian Telford has underlined the role of fatigue in road-related deaths. His comments came in finding the primary cause of a crash which claimed the life of 35-yearold mechanic Daniel Wood of Ngatira on Wharepapa South Rd, Te Awamutu, in February 2023 were fatigue and drug use. In his ruling he wrote he considered the case highlighted “yet again the devastating consequences that can flow from getting into a car after using drugs and being too tired to do so”.
LIM changes
Land Information
Memorandums (LIMs) issued by Waikato District Council will now include more detailed information about natural hazards and climaterelated risks. The change follows national updates to the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and new regulations that set out what councils must include in LIMs about hazards such as flooding, erosion and land instability.
Car attraction
Organisers of the two-day 125th jubilee at Cambridge Golf Club next week have secured a new car as a prize for the first golfer to get a hole in one at the par three elevated eighth hole at the tournament on Saturday.
Dress success
Hamilton’s Love the Centre awards in K’aute Pasifika’s fale last week saw Dress for Success take out the not for profit award ahead of The Meteor Theatre and Breast Cancer Research Trust.
Key positions
While women have been voted out of office in Waipā, Waikato and MatamataPiako districts and from Waikato Regional Council, in the Bay of Plenty, its regional council has elected Matemoana McDonald as its first woman and first Māori chair. Glenn Dougal is deputy chair.
Councillors seek court delay
By Chris Gardner
Waikato Regional Council is asking the Environment Court to give it time to commission an economic impact study before ruling on a water quality plan change.
A quartet of new regional councillors, including Waipā King Country Ward members Garry Reymer and Liz Stolwyk, took their concerns Plan Change One could cost the region $5 billion to the council’s first meeting last week resulting in a motion from second term councillor Ben Dunbar-Smith.
The plan change before the Environment Court includes a widesweeping set of rules for agricultural land use to improve freshwater quality in the Waikato and Waipā river catchments.
It will apply to around 10,000 properties and 1.1 million hectares.
Council chief executive Chris McLay was directed to instruct legal counsel to ask the court for two to three months to enable a new economic impact assessment on the implementation of the plan change to be prepared.
The motion was seconded by Gary McGuire who was concerned farmers were being unfairly targeted.
The motion was passed following an impassioned plea from Holmes who said Waikato Regional Council had not followed the directions of
the court to supply complete data on the economic impact on the region.
“Incomplete data, as a governor I cannot accept,” he said. “The anger and frustration of ratepayers in the Waikato catchment has been very, very high.”
There had been no governance over the plan change last triennium, Holmes claimed.
Fellow councillor Tipa Mahuta, who was also part of the previous council, took exception to his claim.
“You are part of the Waikato Regional Council today,” she said. “We need to fix this. I do have political oversight – I just elected a chair and a deputy. I am pro river, I am not anti-farmer.”
Councillor Ben Dunbar-Smith told The News it would be “wonderful” to get an economic impact of the implementation of Plan Change One prior to the final decision being arrived at by the court.
Work on the economic impact had been done in 2016, but the figures were now nine years out of date.
“It’s been a long, long process, for Plan Change One,” he said.
Work done by immediate past president of Waikato Federated Farmers president and new councillor Keith Holmes suggests the plan change could cost the region $5 billion.
“Is that true or is that not true, it would be wonderful to know,” Dunbar-Smith said.
Reymer, who campaigned on stopping the plan change, described Holmes’ approach as ballsy.
“He made some pretty strong statement,” he said. “
Reymer was elated with the passing of the resolution at the council’s first meeting.
“I think it was huge, whether we achieve anything or not,” he said. “The message to management was pretty strong. The region is not happy and there’s a lot of angst out there.”
Stolwyk said councillors would
establish a subcommittee to consider Plan Change One as they awaited a court decision.
“It’s a very difficult position that we have found ourselves in,” she said.
Holmes told The News after the meeting: he was delighted “we got the resolution across the line”.
Councillors, who will soon attend a Plan Change One workshop, heard the court had already ordered 5500 instructions to council staff on the plan change.
Students present and correct, sir
By Jesse Wood
Te Awamutu College principal
Tony Membery has revealed the 2025 school leavers are the first Year 13 group to top attendance.
“Attendance is one of the strands of our strategic plan,” Membery told the senior prizegiving. “Te Awamutu College is week after week bettering Waikato and national averages for attendance and our average overall weekly attendance is 88 per cent.”
He thanked staff, students, parents and caregivers for their combined effort in that area.
“Od the Year 13 attendance he said it was “a huge contrast to the days of wearing mufti and going on outings during study periods”.
Membery said 2025 has been another full-on year.
As well as year 13 camp, 11 interhouse events, science fair, Battle of the Waipā schools and many more events, there were plenty of trips across the North Island.
He said it’s about bettering the allround person.
“Academic, sporting, cultural, leadership and service. They get a chance to do it all, they work hard and live balanced lives,” Membery said.
“There’s an increasing number of activities for our students to be able to do at lunch time.
“They do not all just sit, look at their phones and text each other even though the person is right next to them.”
One of the highlights for the school community was the introduction of a $50 uniform shop credit for each
student.
Membery commended the board on that initiative via the Rogers Charitable Trust.
He also paid tribute to outgoing school board chair Craig Yarndley who was replaced by Nick Hewlett afternine years on the board.
Other significant points were the building of a changing room for the multi sports turf, which will be ready by term 1 2026, and the departure of Maree Letford.
Letford retires after 29 years and now has a cup named in her honour for first in level three food technology. Tessa King was the inaugural recipient.
“Thousands of college students have benefitted from her knowledge, skills and support, as have her colleagues,” Membery said.
Rosetown Funerals
The Rosetown Funerals team L to R: Jim Goddin, Teri Keir and Jordan Goss
New Waikato Regional Council members Gary McGuire, Liz Stolwyk, Garry Reymer, and Keith Holmes are waiting to hear from the Environment Court. Photo Chris Gardner
Tony Membery
Proudly supporting
Te Awamutu
Waipa Womens Hub Wellness day
Saturday 15th November 9am - 3pm 321 Bank Street, Te Awamutu
Guest Speakers and mini expo showcasing Waipa Women in the Wellness Space
12.30pm – Dr Ala Farah– Functional Health as we Age
1.30pm – Jill Brown – Women’s Waterworks
2.30pm – Rochelle Panting – Find Balance and Vitality through Nutrition
If you’d like to have a table $10 for Hub Members, $25 for non-members
Cost for day $5 hub members, $10 for non-members
Contact - Di 027 421 3454
Te Awamutu
My first eruption
By Janine Krippner
This week I have been learning about how ice shapes the seafloor, a new concept for me. Part of my job is recognising patterns deep below our oceans, interpreting what caused them, and then understanding if those processes are still happening, or are likely to happen again soon. The patterns caused by ice in the sediments and rock that make up the bottom of our oceans are beautiful and complex. They tell stories spanning thousands of years, or even more if we look below the surface. So how does this happen?
Most of us probably don’t tend to think much about icebergs down here in New Zealand, unless we are pondering the disastrous voyage of the Titanic in 1912. We also sometimes see in the news when enormous chunks of ice detach through calving from the Antarctic ice sheet, or when discussions of our changing climate are brought to the forefront.
mud, and boulders are pushed aside to form ridges.
Some areas are covered in crisscrossing scours (also called gouges or furrows) from where the bottoms of many icebergs (the keel) ploughed through the seabed.
These scours can be kilometres long, on the order of tens to hundreds of meters wide, and meters deep. This is a significant process across the seafloor, especially when you think of critical infrastructure like cables across the seafloor at high latitudes where these processes still take place today.
Scientists who study these patterns can learn about past ocean and climate patterns, uncovering the clues left behind long ago by these fleeting, icy giants. Some of the more interesting scours can be spiral shaped where currents carried the icebergs in circular motions, and others form lines of pits where an iceberg was lifted up and down by tides, puncturing the deep sediments.
Understanding how deep the ocean was at a particular location and time allows an estimation of how large an iceberg was. Scientists have found evidence of “megabergs” scraping along the seafloor down to 1 km water depth.
When an iceberg forms and becomes a solitary chunk of floating ice, it is then carried by wind and water currents where it can slowly melt or break apart into smaller chunks. This process might be quick, or last decades for the larger ones. The shapes and sizes are diverse, from expansive flattopped “tabular” giants to small growlers and “bergy bits”. Yes, that is a technical term, and perhaps my new favourite. We have all seen the sort of inspirational posters that point out that most of an iceberg’s mass is below the surface. What we see above the water is only about 10 per cent of the total volume. Sometimes these massive structures scrape along the seafloor, leaving scars, and as this happens, sand,
To think that icebergs are the final part of the long, slow journey of glacial ice that formed potentially many thousands of years prior, floating across the ocean and becoming part of the global water cycle. Most never leave a trace that we are aware of, while others have scribbled their signatures in deep waters for us to uncover.
Academy man’s new tune
By Viv Posselt
Former Te Awamutu News’ Person of the Year Chris Graham is using one of his lesserknown talents to shore up an undertaking involving another.
He is re-launching guitar-building classes, sessions that cover off building an instrument from go to whoa, ending up with participants owning their own bespoke guitar.
Graham was named The News’ Person of the Year in December 2020 on the strength of his moves to help the town’s youth through the Te Awamutu Boxing Academy. He had founded the academy just 18 months earlier under the umbrella of the Te Awamutu Youth Development Trust. The sport was an important part of his own childhood; his brother Billy Graham, the former Australasian boxing champion, founded a string of nationwide academies through the Billy Graham Youth Foundation.
The Te Awamutu Boxing Academy’s focus is on helping youth create a positive path forward through fostering friendship, respect and self-esteem. It enjoys strong local support and in 2024 was presented with a youth engagement award at the Waikato Sport and Active Recreation Awards.
Its continued success is vital to Graham, who is a long-time teacher and youth worker. He is passionate about helping young people and wants to see the academy thrive into the future.
It’s there the boxing academy and guitarbuilding intersects.
“I have 300 kids a week coming through the academy,” he said. “It’s at a stage when there is one day a week when I’m really
not needed – I want to use that day to run a guitar-building course. I’ve done it before, but I want to channel what I make through this to the boxing academy.”
He will run the course out of his homebased Angus Guitars workshop he started in 2012. It is there he has been making handcrafted guitars to specification for years.
Like boxing, music has been part of Graham’s life since he was a kid, when The Shadows’ instrumental ‘Apache’ sparked his interest. He bought a guitar on money he made delivering milk as a kid, then learned how to play by listening to the radio and watching others play. It became a passion. He mastered the instrument, started his own band then taught himself how to build guitars to perfection, making such a good fist of it that they won high praise from some of the country’s top guitarists, including the Finn brothers. His bespoke instruments have sold across New Zealand and overseas.
“I gave one of my early guitars to [Australian guitarist] Tommy Emmanuel… went early to a Hamilton concert, didn’t have a VIP ticket so I stood with those waiting for an autograph,” he said. “When I got in, I told him I wanted to gift him the guitar. He pulled it out of the case, played it and said, “You made this … are you kidding me about giving it to me? You could make good money selling it.”
Graham was honoured. From then on Emmanuel kept him informed of his concert dates. He got a similar response from the late Kiwi guitarist and great friend of Emmanuel’s, Peter Posa.
“He would bring his guitars to me, we’d quite often jam together,” he said.
R
Graham, who has lived in Te Awamutu for 28 years, has taught guitar, taking students four nights a week over about 10 years. He loved every second of that but couldn’t carry on once he opened the boxing academy as the teaching times clashed.
This next venture means he can do both. He loves the craftsmanship associated with building good guitars and over the years has made many of the tools he uses in his workshop.
“I’ve really enjoyed doing that. If I started
my life over, I’d love to be a toolmaker.”
His extensive knowledge of the different timbers used and the sounds they make, the precision and patience needed to craft something of true quality is something he is happy to pass on.
“You do have to have patience,” Graham said. “Everything on a guitar serves two purposes, beauty and strength. Some attempts to speed up the process can compromise the quality of the guitar, and noone wants that.”
Graham jamming in his home studio.
Photo: Viv Posselt
The rythmus of change
Phil Strong, Senior Leader, Zion
Proprietor Chair, Waipa Christian School
My grass is thickening fast this spring, fuelled by unpredictable rains that flip blue skies to grey in a heartbeat, leaving me forever guessing what the day demands next. Mower or umbrella? Gumboots or sunglasses? This season keeps me on my toes. Change arrives like that, too. In waves. Inconsistent ones.
Waipa has a new mayor and fresh councillors. Already, the landscape feels different. For some, discomfort brews. For others, quiet confidence stirs. Change crashes ashore anyway, indifferent to our preference.
I’ve lived in small towns off and on— parochial fortresses, conservative to their core, often glued in place against the tide. There’s a kind of stubborn charm in that resistance, but it can also become a trap.
I remember one community leader who leaned in, eyes earnest, insisting every family deserved a quarter-acre dream. That same week, a 20-something entrepreneur told me he’d never own a lawnmower. “Why would I?” he laughed. “I don’t want to spend weekends pushing a machine around a patch of grass.” Two visions. One town. Change is very personal.
Those who work with me—and those who live with me—know I chase transformation headlong. Abrasive as 60-grit sandpaper, built for rapid results. I’m not one to wait for consensus. Time’s too short.
Jesus was about change in a big way. Intentional to the core. Unwavering in purpose, yet delightfully diverse in delivery. A 60-grit carpenter’s son causing splinters. His time was short. He didn’t wait for consensus.
He reframed eternal truths and shook the church awake, challenging us all to “see afresh.” Sin wasn’t defined in a distant rulebook, it was the raw harm we do to each other. His invitation was simple: walk away from it. He drew friends aside to recline in hidden peace - bread, wine, no chasing crowds for favour.
That’s the rhythmus: change with Him.
Change may sting sharp like a bee, pound relentless like surf on Raglan rocks, or cause whiplash from sudden changes in direction. Change is not always gentle. It’s rarely predictable. But it’s always moving.
To resist is futile. Change is stronger than your stubbornness. Try battling Raglan’s riptide and you’ll drown. Dig your heels in, and you’ll be swept away anyway. Or, as your daddy taught you, it’s safer to flow with it.
Keep your eyes locked on Jesus amid the swift current of change. Our communities drift when we lose that fixed point. The moral decline we see today didn’t begin with policy - it began when we took our eyes off Him. When we traded eternal perspective for temporary comfort.
Change with Jesus doesn’t erase discomfort. It reframes it. It doesn’t promise ease. It promises purpose. It invites us to participate, not just endure.
So maybe the point isn’t to fight the rhythmus of change, but to find meaning in its movement. To lean into the waves, eyes fixed on the One who whispers, “Peace. Be still.”
What if the change we fear is the very thing we need?
Meghan Hawkes reviews some of Waipā’s talking points from 1896
Courting in Ōhaupō
The young men of Ōhaupō gave a Bachelor’s Ball in weather described as downright nasty with plenty of mud. Despite this the ball was a decided success, with over 100 guests attending.
A newspaper correspondent mused that “Old heads wonder why people should come such long distances in such bad weather for the sake of a dance, but many of those old fogies did foolish things themselves when they were young.
My advice is enjoying your courting days young people, for you will find them the happiest days of your life”.
The hall was nicely, but not too profusely, decorated and the music excellent. Refreshments were handed round at intervals, which seemed to be far more enjoyable than a regular sit-down supper.
The correspondent’s observations continued “There were plenty of well-dressed good looking young girls, and I can say the same of the young men.
In the early days, one did not see so many white shirts and black coats at a ball as you do now, but I reckon we were just as good looking for all that.”
At Te Awamutu the appearance of the Post Office was very much improved by a new picket fence around the grounds which replaced an ancient unsightly paling fence.
Another matter of considerable satisfaction to settlers was that Mr Vause, postmaster, had had an electric bell attachment fitted up in connection with the post office telephones.
Any of the country officers could now ensure communication with the Te Awamutu office in cases of emergency,
at any time of the night, or on Sundays and holidays.
Quite a sensation was created at Kihikihi by the discovery of what seemed to be an oil spring of some kind.
It was on land adjoining the western boundary of the township, and about 300 yards to the rear of the Star Hotel, where there had been for years a small lagoon. A boy was first sent into the water, and, taking off his boots and turning up his trousers, drove through the soft mud a stick about the thickness of a broom handle.
On withdrawing the stick, an oily-like bubble shot up, and flowed over the surface, having a strong tarry smell.
When a lit match was applied to it, it ignited, blazed up, and burnt the boy’s legs. A gentleman resident in Kihikihi, but late of Taranaki, declared it appeared identical to the kerosene springs he saw there.
When Mr Herbert was working on the Hairini cutting, a mob of cattle were driven past by Mr Vercoe.
As the cattle came along Mr Herbert went down the side of the embankment to be out of the way, but two of the animals did not keep to the road, and one lowered its head and made a beeline for him. Mr Herbert had his spade with him and being an old soldier placed it in the position of a bayonet. The steer and spade collided, turning the animal which then joined its mates on the road. Herbert and Vercoe then had a few words on the subject.
Pirongia - the club of year
By Jesse Wood
Waikato’s old current club has celebrated being named club of the year at the recent Waikato Rugby awards.
Beginning under the name Alexandra in 1876, Pirongia is now among the 10 oldest in the country and continues to be a sporting stronghold in the Waipā community.
Members now travel from many areas including Hamilton, Kāwhia, Ngāhinapōuri, Ōtorohanga, Te Awamutu and Te Kawa.
The rural club was shortlisted for the award alongside Suburbs Community Sports Club and Hamilton Marist Rugby Football Club.
Following on from a successful year on the field, being named club of the year is another boost in the right direction as they prepare to celebrate 150 years in 2026.
Life member, colt’s manager and former club captain Ross Denize said it was a fantastic achievement and a real reflection of how far our club has come.
“The club is in great shape as we head towards our 150th anniversary next year,” Denize said.
“We now have five senior teams and over 200 juniorsan amazing result for a small country club. Just a few years ago, we had only two senior teams.”
Denize said what makes the club special is the hardworking committees and the strong sense of unity throughout.
“No player or team is above another - we all work together for the good of the club,” Denize said.
“There’s a great sense of camaraderie here and that’s what makes our club such a great place to be.”
It’s been a big year for Pirongia. Their senior B team went through the season unbeaten, taking home the silverware.
Their junior playing base of 220 players made them the third largest junior club in the Waikato and more girls pulled on the Pirongia jersey than ever before.
Senior playing numbers have increased dramatically over the past two years with the introduction of a presidents and women’s team – an increase of 65 per cent.
Their five senior teams - senior A, senior B, colts,
presidents and women’s – have helped the playing membership grow from 98 men in 2023 to 117 men and 45 women.
Several representative players also came out of the club this year.
Daniel Belk and Jayden Johnson were in the Waikato Divisional XV.
Belk was a standout for the red, yellow and black side. The winger scored three tries in four starts and
took home the best back award.
The sevens team also won the division 1 Suburbs Sevens tournament in early October.
As the Pirongia club looks to the future, they hope to add more avenues to involve everyone.
The original nomination sent into the judges stated they pride themselves on being the hub of their community.
“Our facilities are more than just a rugby ground –they are a gathering place for the Pirongia district, where people connect, celebrate, and support one another,” the nomination said.
“Beyond our weekly rugby commitments, the club is heavily involved in local events and initiatives that strengthen community ties.
“This year, we hosted the Waikato Women’s
provincial
and were proud to stage the Waikato Divisional v Counties Divisional game, which brought hundreds of people into our community.
“We also successfully hosted the Waipā 7s preseason tournament, which was extremely well received and provided an excellent showcase of sevens rugby while generating strong community involvement.”
Barbarians team in a
match
The Pirongia junior rugby prizegiving displayed the third largest junior club in the Waikato.
Photo: Andrew Smith
Teen belts up to travel world
By Jesse Wood
Six months ago, Waipā 18-year-old Lily Houben didn’t know where Uzbekistan was.
Now she has won medals there as well as in Auckland, Japan and Indonesia across several martial arts disciplines.
The airtime is certainly clocking up for the Ōhaupō-based teenager.
She has also been selected for the New Zealand team to compete at the junior world MMA championship in Greece in a few weeks.
Purple belt Houben has competed in jiu jitsu since she was five and has now tried her hand at sambo and MMA (mixed martial arts).
In the last few years, she started competing seriously via Core MMA. Her part time role at Top Deck café, owned by parents Carl and Jenna Houben, has allowed her to train fulltime. Something she’s extremely grateful for.
“I’ve been at Core MMA for about eight years. I love it. It’s a cool atmosphere. We have everything - sambo, wrestling, MMA, muay thai, jiu jitsu, and I do all of it. I’ve got so many different coaches,” Lily said.
“Trying all the different disciplines helps, because I want to focus on MMA, but I’m good at jiu jitsu.
“I’ve been working on my striking and wrestling, to have a well-rounded game when it comes to MMA.”
Carlo Meister and Chris Heke are her main black belt jiu jitsu coaches.
Carl is also a black belt and has been instrumental in her journey.
“Mum and Dad are always supporting me and there for me. Dad was a big encouragement when I was younger. He was a big influence and as I got older, it was me dragging him to training,” Lily said.
“I love the feeling, the adrenaline of competing and that nervous feeling. It’s cool
to be on the mat and do what I love. I’ve found a passion for jiu jitsu.
“I set myself goals. Then to achieve them and do well makes me want to achieve more and go for more.”
The New Zealand women’s jiu jitsu scene is slowly getting bigger but Lily has ventured overseas for competition.
“In March my coach said there’s a sambo competition in Uzbekistan in April. I asked, where’s Uzbekistan? And what is Sambo?”
Lily had just turned 18 at the start of April and jetted off to compete in the Asia Oceania Sambo competition.
“We got there, and no one spoke English. I had to get out Google Translate to communicate with people. I trained with the national Uzbekistan team,” Lily said.
“That was cool because I had to try and understand what they were saying. I had to watch and understand what the moves were without the words. It was hard but fun.
“We did live rounds, sparring and throwing each other around.”
On the first day, Lily competed in the youth division and won a bronze medal.
“Then I went over a few things with my coach. I managed to implement that on the second day in the junior, under 21, competition,” Lily said.
“I won against Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan fighters. I changed up my game and won gold in that division.”
Not long after returning home, Lily competed at the jiu jitsu no-gi nationals in Auckland.
A gi is a loose white jacket worn in martial arts.
“It was my first competition as a purple belt. I won gold in my weight category and then I won gold in the absolute category,” she said.
Then came the jiu jitsu world championships in Japan in September. She won three gold medals and then a bronze and in the open weight.”
She then returned home for five days before heading to Bogor, near Jakarta, Indonesia.
There was drama in her match against a Ukraine athlete for a bronze medal.
Houben was one point way from defeat –7-0 down – but clawed back four points and put her opponent into a submission hold
“I broke her arm because she didn’t want to tap out, that was a shock.”
Last weekend she was back in Auckland competing in the South Pacific jiu jitsu gi and no gi events.
With a handful of medals in 2025, plenty of potential to realise and preparation for Greece the current focus, Lily said it’s not all about the accolades.
“It’s not even the medals or achievements. It’s going overseas, making connections and meeting new friends.”
Going overseas and making connections is what Lily enjoys most. Photo: Aureo Yokoyama
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Last week
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We invest in our clients to ensure your property is marketed to get the best possible outcome
We list with a price to get genuine enquiry
Contact us to see what we can do for you!
Maori sees the light
Maori Te Wake’s Blue Light Life Skills Camp experience was a week of growth and determination.
“I got mostly discipline out of attending Blue Light’s Camp… along with persistence and resilience,” the 15-year-old from Te Awamutu said.
He revealed he had been determined to stay and complete the week-long camp — a commitment that paid off when he was awarded the Overall Excellence Award.
Blue Light’s Life Skills Camp was held for the first time at the Waiouru Military Camp in midOctober.
“I wasn’t expecting much, so when my name got called, I was both shocked, proud, happy, and sad all in one — but had to hold it in and be strong.”
One of his biggest challenges at camp was “following the rules and being told what to do,” but he was determined to finish what he started. His dedication and perseverance didn’t go unnoticed by Blue Light and Defence Force staff.
Blue Light Camp Coordinator Easter Misi said Maori showed maturity and intuition,
excelled as a team member, displayed positive qualities of leadership, and was respectful towards staff and fellow camp participants.”
Now the teenager says he hopes to attend the Blue Light 100-Person Leadership Camp in December, along with the Vanguard Military School, and, when he is 18, do the Limited Service Volunteer Course.
For other teens considering a Blue Light Life Skills Camp, he says it takes a strong mindset to overcome some challenges... “but overall I loved the connections I made along with the achievements I accomplished”.
Senior Constable Scott
of Te Awamutu has referred many young people to Blue Light Camps.
“Don’t hesitate to refer youth to the Blue Light Life Skills Camps,” he says.
“They are all unsure, and out of their comfort zone when they arrive, but the change in attitude in just one week is opposite.
You will be picking up a young person who won’t be able to stop talking about their experiences, the challenges they overcame, and the peers they met, and they’ll want to stay at least another week.
“They’ll also be talking about their future plans, which they did not have previously.”
Miller
Maori is awarded his overall excellence award.
Value for Money in the King Country
Big on land area, but not necessarily price , this exciting new listing located just 17 kilometres west of Te Kuiti represents an affordable farming opportunity. With flat to gently rolling contour, solid production history, and good infrastructure, this property is an attractive option for those looking to secure a genuine working farm without stretching the budget.
- 214.8184 hectares (more or less)
- 2024/25 production: 179,281 KG/MS from 509 cows
- 40-bail rotary cowshed plus near-new 7-bay calf/implement shed
- Lined effluent pond
- Two 3-bedroom homes
- Subdivision consent granted for an additional title
Why settle for hill country farming when opportunities like this are available! Come along to our next open day and see the untapped potential for yourself. With realistic expectations, our motivated vendors are committed to selling this spring.
If you’ve been searching for a top-quality support or grazing block, this exciting new listing located just 12 kilometres east of Otorohanga is well worth your attention. Offering a superb balance of cropping and cattle-grazing country, this property presents a diverse and practical farming opportunity.
- 99.5653 hectares (more or less)
- Ample hay country
- Fenced and raced to a high standard
- Excellent array of support buildings and handling facilities
- Comfortable three-bedroom home
Properties of this size, location, and contour seldom come to the open market in this area. We highly recommend attending one of our upcoming open days, as we have no doubt this property will generate strong interest and sell through the tender process - meaning your opportunity to secure it is now.
Ōtorohanga 1209 SHWY 3, Otorohanga Road
80-Hectare Dairy with Location & Contour
Centrally located between Otorohanga and Te Awamutu, this outstanding new listing will impress in more ways than one. With predominantly flat to gentle rolling contour, a strong production history, and immaculate presentation, this faithfully farmed property deserves to be at the top of your viewing list this spring.
- 80.3284 hectares (more or less)
- Milking 186 cows
- Production history exceeding 77,000 Kg/MS
- 16-aside herringbone cowshed with in-shed feeding
- Excellent range of support buildings
- Large 4-bedroom home plus 2-bedroom cottage
After 21 years of dedicated ownership, the vendors are now looking to retire, presenting a genuine opportunity for new owners to take over a well-established and well-presented farming operation. With a prime location, quality contour, and strong infrastructure, this is a property that truly delivers.
For Sale Tender closes Thurs 27 Nov, 1pm (unless sold prior)
Open Days: Mon 10 Nov, Mon
Smaller Runoff/Larger Lifestyle of 60 Acres
Located within a 5 minute commute of the Otorohanga township, this tidy 24 hectare grazing block has been utilised for a number of years as a productive runoff for our vendor’s dairy farm. Now surplus to requirements as the dairy farm has sold, this picturesque property with its amazing views and well balanced cattle grazing contour is going to appeal to a wide range of potential purchasers looking to secure quality grazing, a good area of mowing pasture and amazing building sites. With no building or land use covenants allowing flexibility and ease of your investment, the options for how you utilise the property are as wide as your imagination. Fenced into approximately 20 paddocks, the majority of which are deer fenced with the bonus of an older deer shed, yards and attached implement shed with power already connected. Properties of this size and so handy to town are a rarity so contact Kerry today to arrange a private viewing.
For Sale $899,000 plus GST View By Appointment View monarchsouthwest.co.nz/OH22664
Te Kūiti 135 Whataroa Road
Ōtorohanga 481 Honikiwi Road
ROUND and Conventional. Hay and silage making. Phone 0273713368.
Weed Sprayer required to operate our spray truck with automatic reels and some knapsacking on large dairy and dry stock farm. Must have experienced. 20 minutes from Otorohanga. Ph/Txt 027 4781783.
All start 7pm Ohaupo Rugby Sports Clubrooms
L AST RUN: 11/30/23
Everyone welcome
SIZE: 10X2
For more info email: ohauporugbysports@outlook.co.nz Attn: Secretary
QUALIFIED BRICK/PAVER
LAYER and Landscaper/ Planter required for local one-off job. Quote required. Ph 021 834 248.
WORK WANTED AGISTMENT
GRAZING available for dairy heifers. Ph 027 415 4122
Notice of the AGM of the Pirongia Community Retirement Trust as operators of Alexandra Villas.
At the Pirongia Community Information Centre and Chapel Crozier Street
Wednesday 19th November 2025, 7.30pm
FARM WORKER WANTED
Dairy goat farm 5 mins from Otorohanga town. Successful applicant will be responsible for milking 570 housed dairy goats.
Mow and pick up grass and feed into housing barns. Do general farm duties and effluent management. Must be competent in milking, animal health, milk quality, diary hygiene systems, and machinery skills and general farm skills. Ph or Txt 0274 781783
As our Infection Control Champion, you will play a critical role in protecting our Residents and staff with your high standards of cleaning and attention to detail. You must have :
• a good knowledge of cleaning, laundry and infection control procedures or just have a natural obsession for keeping things clean and tidy! (in which case, full training will be gladly provided)
• the ability to work Monday to Sunday rostered shifts
Call Andrew on 027 553 2614
OPEN HOMES
PLANTS FOR SALE
PIRONGIA TOPIARY
Open Fridays 10am-4pm 132 Sainsbury Rd Pirongia OR Phone Susan Ranstead
Ella (nee Shaw) – Tragically taken from us on Friday 31 October 2025, aged 76. Loved Mum of Scott (Jonah) and Sally, Meryck and Nat, Nana/Narnie to Jack, Charlie, Hannah, Spencer, Emily and Darci. Sister of Ethel and Frank (dec), Glenda and Alan, and Kathleen, loved Aunty, cousin and friend of so many. A service for Linda will be held at Alexandra House Chapel, 570 Alexandra St, Te Awamutu on Friday, 7th November at 1pm followed by private cremation. The service will be livestreamed please email office@ teawamutufunerals.co.nz for the link. All communications to the Jones family, PO Box 137, Te Awamutu 3840.
Te Awamutu Funeral Services, FDANZ
ADVERTISE YOUR VACANCY WITH US
Call Liz 027 809 9933 or email liz@goodlocal.nz
FRASER, Maureen Olive (nee Emerton) – Sunrise in Matamata 31 August 1930, sunset in Whakatane 2 November 2025. 95 amazing years filled with family, friends, golf, tennis, gardening – special memories. Dearly loved wife of the late Eon; loved mother and mother-in-law to Shirley and Jock, Gill (dec) and Mike, Donald and Gay, Peter and Carol (dec), Anne and Hank, Susie and Kerry. Treasured grandmother to 24, and great grandmother to 41. Sincere thanks to the wonderful staff at Mary Shapley Care Home in Whakatane. The celebration of Maureen’s life will be held on Sunday, 9 November, 11:00am, at the old family farm (now Rosenvale), 363 Parklands Rd, Te Awamutu. The celebration will be livestreamed please email office@teawamutufunerals. co.nz for the link. Messages to the Fraser family can be sent C/- PO Box 137, Te Awamutu 3840.
Te Awamutu Funeral Services, FDANZ
*All classified advertising is prepaid prior to publication. *Late bookings after deadline are subject to space available. Publishing Every Thursday Booking & copy setting 5pm Monday prior to Thursday publication
CHURCH SERVICES 10am 9th November
Dr Terry Cowland All Welcome
JOHNSON, Bernard Alan – It is with sadness we announce the passing of Bernard. Passed away peacefully on Sunday 2 November 2025 in Te Awamutu, aged 91 years. Wing Commander, Royal Australian Air Force. Served 1951-1975 as Navigator and Fighter Pilot. Distinguished Flying Cross USAF, Mention in Despatches RAAF. Bachelor of Economics, Commerce and Arts. Qualified Chiropractor UK, Retired to Cambridge, New Zealand. He will be loving remembered by his cherished wife Elizabeth and all those whose lives he touched. A service to celebrate Bernard’s life and honour his memory will be held at Alexandra House Chapel, 570 Alexandra St, Te Awamutu on Tuesday, 11th November at 11am followed by private cremation. All communications to the Johnson family, PO Box 137, Te Awamutu 3840.
