Te Awamutu News | October 30, 2025

Museum’s royal visit

By Jesse Wood

Waipā’s new mayor Mike Pettit and Māori Queen Nga wai hono i te po attended the reopening of Te Awamutu’s museum last week.

And for museums and heritage director Anne Blyth it felt like going home.

The Te Whare Taonga o Te Awamutu Museum reopened on Roche St on Wednesday following earthquake proofing, having been in temporary accommodation in Rickit Rd in the capacity of an education and research centre.

Ironically, a new Te Papa touring exhibition about earthquakes–Rūaumoko: Restless land - has been installed

“The biggest change was not having our collection to tell our stories with. We couldn’t achieve climate control, pest control and security,” Blyth said.

“Rickit Rd served a purpose and allowed us to keep a connection with our community, but to be back here, be able to tell our stories and share it with the taonga is amazing.

“We feel whole again.”

The project was completed under budget. The museum covers about a third of the building, the remainder, including the former library, is council staff offices.

Other than the specialist mount maker, community services manager Brad Ward said they didn’t engage any consultants or contractors.

Reusing and recycling has been a big part in keeping costs down.

day since the closure and the new museum had a royal visit.

Te Arikinui Kuīni Nga wai hono i te po attended the blessing and rededication alongside more than 50 mana whenua from across the region.

“It was a huge honour to have that support to help us reopen the museum,” Blyth said.

“To have mana whenua in here as the first ones, to appropriately bless the space, bless the taonga and bring everything back to life again was incredible. Then to have the queen here, it was hugely special.”

The rededication coincided with 50 years since the opening of the original building – August 1975 – and 90 years since Te Awamutu Museum was established as the first in the Waikato region.

More than 20,000 collection objects remain in community hands under the auspices of the Te Awamutu and District Museum Trust Board.

Board chair and newly elected councillor Dean Taylor said he was pleased with what the museum staff have achieved.

“Our role is to ensure that the collection is looked after and used appropriately,” Taylor said. “Our interest is the fact that the collection was put together by interested parties, historians and locals, all those years ago.

New legislation being brought to the table regarding earthquakeprone buildings, but it’s likely the remediation work would have been carried out anyway.

Earthquake-prone buildings are those with less than 33 per cent of the strength of a new build.

“We were at about 20 per cent when we closed and now we’re at 50 per cent. We are a lot safer,” Ward said.

The improved museum comes with a wheelchair accessible lift for the mezzanine floor and a

larger gallery for it pride and joy, Uenuku.

Uenuku is one of the oldest known Māori carvings dating back to between 1200-1500.

The re-opening of the Roche St building was three years to the

“They started the whole process of having the museum, got it to the stage where it’s a significant museum in New Zealand and one of only 11 museums in New Zealand that are a proper archival museum.

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Kea want to follow the leaders

By Jesse Wood Pirongia

Scout Group is searching for new leaders.

Kea - aged 5 to7 - and cubs - 8 to 11came back into the Pirongia fold three years

ago and have thrived.

But without a kea leader in 2026, fewer children will have the opportunity to learn invaluable life lessons.

Assistant group leader and 2026 group leader Leah Saunders said she’s loved being

Support thy neighbour

In Te Awamutu, crime prevention isn’t just about police patrols - it’s about people.

Our town is fortunate to have a strong network of volunteers through Community Patrols and Neighbourhood Support, and the numbers show just how effective these groups are.

Over the first ten months of 2025, the Te Awamutu Community Patrol logged:

• 715 vehicle-related observations

• 109 property-related incidents

• 60 people-related concerns

• Over 13,000 kilometres travelled

• More than 1,000 hours of patrol time

These volunteers act as extra eyes and ears for police - reporting suspicious behaviour, checking on vulnerable areas, and helping us respond faster and smarter. Their presence alone often deters crime before it happens.

Neighbourhood Support plays a different but equally vital role. By connecting neighbours and encouraging communication, it builds trust and resilience. When people know each other, they look out for each other. That’s powerful. It means someone notices when a stranger is lurking, when a car doesn’t belong, or when

a neighbour might need help.

The impact of these efforts is clear. Waipā District has one of the lowest crime rates in the country, with just 142 criminal proceedings per 10,000 people, compared to the national average of 225. This success isn’t just about policing - it’s about partnership. Community Patrols and Neighbourhood Support:

• Deter criminal behaviour through visibility

• Advocate for better safety measures (like lighting and signage)

• Educate residents about crime prevention

• Strengthen community cohesion

If you’ve ever thought about getting involved, now’s the time. Whether you have a few hours a week or just want to connect with your neighbours, your contribution matters.

When we all take ownership of our community’s safety, we build more than just secure streets—we build trust, pride, and a stronger Te Awamutu.

part of kea but her children are moving to cubs.

“Most of our entire kea group is moving up to cubs. It’s going to be a big change for Pirongia Scouts,” Saunders said.

“The cubs will continue, but the keas won’t be running at this stage. We’ve got kids for scouts too, but not leaders.

“There are kids on our waitlist, but there’s no one to take over. It’s quite a commitment to become a leader. That will be up to the community if they want to help.”

Leaders goes through police vetting and there are online modules about child safety to complete as well as free training days.

Leaders and attendees get to experience many different activities people may not have access to otherwise.

“Last term we did our goodwill special badge for kai. I took the kids through local farms including Little Pirongia Farms. We saw vegetables and we went through a sheep and beef farm,” Saunders said.

“We also went through a dairy farm and got to see how everything works.

“We try and keep it local. We use the mountain quite often and we’ve linked up with the Pirongia Lodge. They have a zip line, rock climbing and archery there. Some great things we can use to qualify for our badges.

“We’ve also worked with Pirongia Predator Free and helped make traps.

As a child, Saunders wanted to be a scout, but Brownies and Girl Guides were the only option for girls.

“I always looked over the fence at the kids that were at scouts because I wanted to be one. Back then, scouting was only for boys, now it’s changed to boys and girls,” Saunders said.

More homes

Te Awamutu is on the latest list of Waikato communities where a total of more than 210 new social homes will be built by Community Housing

Providers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka say. A similar announcement was made for Te Kūiti in July.

First meeting

The inaugural meetings of Waipā District Council and Cambridge Community Boards will be held tomorrow (Friday) at the Sir Don Rowlands Centre, Mighty River Domain. The date of Te Awamutu Community Board’s first meeting has yet to be set.

Scholars named

Tiffany Walker (Te Papa-oRotu marae, Whatawhata) and Ryan Metcalfe (Te Kaharoa Marae, west of Ngāhinapōuri) have won Pokaia Nepia scholarships through Waikato University. A total of five recipients of the Pokaia Nepia and Taki Turner scholarships were announced last week. The scholarships were established to support Waikato-Tainui descendants in pursuing studies at the university.

Weeding out

Te Awamutu Lions and Waipā District Council are spearheading an attack on the South America introduced woolly nightshade, which is well established through the region. People will be encouraged to remove the plant and drop them off at the corner of Arawata St and Scout Lane on Saturday. The noxious plant has velvety leaves, yellow-purple flowers and purple berries – and an unpleasant smell.

Resurfacing

A small section of Great Collins Rd in Ōhaupō is scheduled to be resurfaced on Sunday. Overnight closures for eight nights have also started in Te Awamutu around the SH3 Cambridge Road roundabout. State Highway 3, Albert Park Drive-Ōhaupō Road will be closed to through traffic between Racecourse Road and Sloane Street.

Plan change fight starts

By Chris Gardner

New Waikato regional councillors want to stop a water quality plan change before, they say, it bankrupts farmers and sucks billions of dollars out of the regional economy.

Newly elected Waipā King Country ward councillors Garry Reymer and Liz Stolwyk, Waikato ward councillor Gary McGuire and Waihou ward councillor Keith Holmes were sworn in yesterday and are making discussions on stopping Waikato Regional Council’s Plan Change One top priority.

The plan is before the Environment Court and the council says it is bound by a statutory process - once it has a decision, it will have certainty on the policy and rules.

But the four are supporting a petition started by Act MP Simon Court calling on the council to immediately suspend work on the plan change and commission a full economic evaluation.

More than a decade in the making, the plan change is the subject of multiple appeals and is before the Environment Court. The council is advising farmers to start mapping contaminant loss, fencing waterways and review good management practices.

Holmes, immediate past president of Waikato Federated Farmers, said his calculations based on work done by consulting agricultural economist Phil Journeaux showed the plan change would rip $5 billion out of the Waikato economy.

“At a high level the

immediate financial effect of Plan Change One on the Waikato region even before the full roll out, is in the vicinity of $710 million,” Holmes said.

“Applying the standard multiplier effect being the way a farming dollar is recycled and spent within our regional economy is times 7.8 which equates to $5 billion.

“It will absolutely sidekick the Waikato economy by about 25 per cent of the gross domestic product.

“We may as well take all the farmers to the top of the cliff, and they may as well jump off,” he said.

“It is absolutely crucial that we back off on Plan Change One. It’s like asking someone to run 100 metres and then cutting their legs off.”

Reymer, formerly

Waikato Federated Farmers economics spokesman, said the impact of Plan Change One was “potentially colossal” and would hinder farms lifting production.

Stolwyk, former Waipā deputy mayor and farmer, said she and her brotherin-law Reymer were on the same page.

“The regional councillors have taken Plan Change One as our top priority,” Stolwyk said. “We intend to get together to put together a collaborative approach. “

McGuire said Plan Change One unfairly blamed farmers for ecoli in water ways when water fowl were to blame.

“Farmers are a dart board,” he said.

Cambridge Business Chamber chief executive Kelly Bouzaid said the chamber would be keeping

an eye on the economic cost associated with the implementation of Plan Change One across the regional economy.

“The chamber’s position is that environmental progress and economic prosperity must move hand-in-hand, not at the expense of one another.”

Hamper team sets targets

By Jesse Wood

The Operation Christmas Hamper team has set a goal of providing gifts for about 600 children.

The organisation has been running in Te Awamutu for a decade and Jill Taylor has been involved for the past three years.

“When local constable Ryan Fleming asked me if I would like to join, I was very keen,” Taylor said.

“I love Christmas and I know it is not nice for families to struggle at this time of the year.

Food hampers, including ingredients for a roast dinner and Christmas treat, are provided to 200 families

A team of about a dozen volunteers will compile hampers to be distributed by mid-December.

“When our town comes together to help it is a very humbling experience,” Taylor said.

“Even if community members, clubs and businesses can offer just one thing, it makes me very proud to live in this town with so many giving people.”

The committee comprises representatives from various service groups.

“We receive support from the police, CommSafe, churches, schools and service groups. We pull together to make it happen.”

The group will not run a 2025 street appeal.

“Because we are not having a street appeal this year the presbyterian centre is our collection point for dry goods and we will soon have an additional drop off point in Kihikihi,” Taylor said.

“People wishing to help us can either place the new gifts in fluted boxes at Te Awamutu collection points or contact us directly to make financial donations.

“We are also holding raffles, car washes and sausage sizzles to raise funds towards for this project.”

Pak’n Save Te Awamutu is a supporter of the initiative.

“It’s a great thing to be a part of as it cuts across so many community groups from rotary; a bunch of local churches and the police who really do a great job in supporting us in store from time to time,” store manager Nick Hewlett said.

“We know the hampers go to very well deserving families who deserve a hand up at Christmas time. Jill leads a team of very willing and dedicated local supporters.

Waipa Workingmens Club

Great people, great food, great atmosphere. Enjoy what the club has to offer!

All Souls’ Day

By Christine Bryant, Lay Minister, St John’s

Two weeks ago, I read an obituary for a lady who had died, aged 106.

In a photo she looked like your ideal greatgranny: white hair, glasses, broad smile, lively face. Her name was Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt.

Never heard of her? Neither had I. She was a nun who spent her working life as a teacher, helping college athletes maintain their grades so that they would continue to receive their scholarships while playing sport at a high level.

You would think she was the person most unlikely to become chaplain to a college men’s basketball team, but that was her role.

She was known as the “Booster Shooter” and she was on the sideline for every game.

I always read the obituaries – in fact, I have a book of obituaries.

You always learn such surprising things about the subject, about what has shaped their life, the people who have an impact on them and the ways in which they have contributed to making their community better for all.

work and community. Whether it be long or short, a life with God at its centre is likely to be a life which reflects the love of God for us all.

When there has been a death in my own family, I always regret not having asked more questions.

I feel I should have asked my parents and grandparents to tell me more about what experiences shaped them.

I should like to have more information to pass on to my own grandchildren.

Most people have something surprising or interesting to tell. This is what Sister Jean found when she wrote her autobiography in 2023, aged 104.

From humble beginnings in San Francisco, she had no doubt about her calling to be a nun.

Most of her life was lived teaching in obscure Catholic schools and universities until her basketball team won some big games in 2018.

Club Facilities and Member Benefits

This obituary stood out because next weekend is when the church particularly remembers those who have gone before: Saturday (November 1) is All Saints’ Day and Sunday is All Souls’ Day. On All Souls’ Day, we think especially of those who have died in the previous 12 months.

She suddenly shot to fame as the spiritual sounding board of the young men she mentored.

• Plenty of off street parking

• Plenty of off street parking

• Courtesy Van

• Rafters Restaurant

• Delicious Food By Rafters

• Covered outdoor dining area

• Members Draw Nights

Many will visit the graves of family members to lay flowers or light a candle in church and pause to think about what this person meant in their lives.

“Why did I become famous?” she wrote. “Why was I blessed with this kind of platform so that I could spread God’s grace? Our God is a God of surprises,” she concluded. “Things happen in our life that we could never anticipate. God likes to keep us on our toes. I can’t wait to see what he has in store for me next.”

• Full TAB Ser vice

• Full TAB Service

• Meat Raffles

• Gaming Lounge

• Gaming Lounge

• Venue Hire at discounted rates

Most of us are not called upon to live an “extra-ordinary” life, but a life filled with simple responsibilities to family, friends,

This weekend, I hope you will be able to take a moment to think of those who have been important to you.

• Pool and Snooker Tables

• Pool and Snooker Tables

• Covered outdoor dining area

• Dartboards

• Dartboards

• Courtesy Van

• Range of Social and sports groups available

ON SHAKY GROUND

• Members Draw Nights

• Kids Zone with gaming consoles and foosball table

• Live Entertainment

• Meat Raffles

Benefits

• Venue Hire at discounted rates

• Best place to watch sport

• Range of Social and sports groups available

Our moving landscape

• Multi areas to view sports channels at once

Get in touch or simply fill out our online membership form at www.waipawmc.co.nz

Membership includes reciprocal visiting rights to other Clubs NZ clubs across New Zealand

Club Opening Hours

Monday 1pm – 8pm

Tuesday 1pm – 10pm

Wednesday 1pm – 8pm Thursday 1pm – 11pm

Friday 1pm – 11pm Saturday 10am – 11pm Sunday 12pm – 8pm

By Janine Krippner

Driving between Wellington and Te Awamutu last week, my geologist brain was on high alert.

I was unaware of the storm that had passed through the King Country on October 16, a few days prior, and it was quickly evident that a significant weather event had occurred. First and foremost, I hope everyone in the area is okay. I have heard of some of the losses and my heart goes out to you.

As a geologist and volcanologist, I am quick to notice rockfalls and landslides along the roadside.

My eyes are drawn to the clues scattered across our landscape, signs that tell stories of how it formed and how it continues to change. During this drive, I had to pull over a few times so I wouldn’t be distracted by the sheer number of fresh landslides and rockfalls. Flooding was evident, streams had overtopped and eroded their banks and there was debris from water crossing the road in several places.

I was impressed, though, at how quickly debris had been cleared from the main road. A huge thank you to everyone involved in that work.

It’s no secret that much of Aotearoa is prone to landslides, or “mass wasting”- the downslope movement of rock and soil. This term covers a range of materials (rock, soil, or mud) and movement types (fall, slide, flow, or creep). Some events are so small they go unnoticed, while others can be large enough to tragically bury an entire town.

Mass wasting can be triggered by different processes, including earthquakes,

or in this case, a lot of rain. We can also make our landscape more prone to experiencing mass wasting, including land use changes like cutting down trees or bush, altering the landscape - such as removing the base of a slope - or altering drainage patterns. One of the most important factors that contribute to rainfalltriggered landslides is land use change.

It’s important to understand the warning signs of potential landslides. The Get Ready website has an excellent guide on what to do before, during, and after a landslide, including early warning signs that land may be starting to move. Monitoring slopes and acting on those signs, such as through timely evacuations, can save lives.

Cracks or bulges in the ground, roads, or paved areas may signal movement. If the land beneath a building begins to shift, new gaps can appear, and doors or windows may start sticking. Trees, retaining walls, and fences may begin to lean or distort.

Staying alert while driving is important, especially during or after heavy rain around our hillier landscapes.

I keep a go-bag with supplies in my car in case I am ever stuck somewhere, which I packed with landslides in mind. Small steps like this ensure that if we are ever caught out by our changing landscape, we are prepared.

We are not powerless and understanding what to look out for, and what to do, can make all the difference.

By Meghan Hawkes

William North and his family narrowly escaped a terrible death in November 1874 when their plans to immigrate to New Zealand from England didn’t materialise. They had originally booked their passage on the Cospatrick which caught fire off the Cape of Good Hope, leaving only three survivors out of 472 people. Although it happened far from New Zealand the tragedy was described as our worst civil disaster.

William, his wife Maria and their seven children had sailed a month earlier on the Dilharee. After arriving in January 1875 they lived at Mechanic’s Bay, Auckland where William, a brick maker, began work. In 1879 they settled at Te Rahu and moved six years later to Te Awamutu. William’s home and brickyards was near the railway station.

Over the years he and Maria had six more children. As his business grew, he provided employment. In the early 1880s he made bricks for Auckland’s Chelsea sugar works and a few years later for the large railway tunnel

at Poro-O-tarao in the King Country. With this contract he succeeded where others failed, although it caused him much anxiety and expense.

He purchased some land which was largely swampy and covered with ti-tree, and contained a lake 60 acres in extent. It became one of the best holdings in the district due to the work put in by the North family.

In 1902 Maria died and in 1905 William married Mary Bridgman. William was civically minded, participating in several local committees and boards, always working consistently for the advancement of Te Awamutu.

The Mangahoe Drainage Board was formed through his perseverance and it was in connection with drainage matters that William turned his attention to willow trees.

The tree, beloved of poets, was now recognised as a destroyer of roads and an obstructer of rivers. Extensive planting of willows on the river banks had increased the danger of floods due to their dense masses of foliage blocking water courses. The

partly blocked by overhanging trees, and by the growth of the willow in shallows.

Rivers which in the past could carry a large sized craft or steam launch with perfect safety could not be navigated even by canoe. Hundreds of islands had been formed by the branches of millions of willow trees taking root in the shallows and silt lodging round them. William discovered a poison for the extermination of willows and patented his invention in 1907.

At the beginning of 1910 William began ailing and by September his illness became more serious confining him to his bed. By October complications set in and he died. Hopes had been held for his recovery until the week before his death. The ranks of Te Awamutu’s pioneer settlers and most esteemed residents were gradually thinning,2 noted a local newspaper.

We have two new Nurse Prescriber clinics on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, which have shorter wait times for:

• Driver’s medicals (car only)

• Diabetic annual reviews (DARs)

• New diabetic patient assessments

• Annual medication reviews

• Hypertension medication titration

• Gout medication titration.

Phone 07 872 0300 and ask for an appointment with our Nurse Prescriber.

JOIN OUR LANDSLIDE PRE - SHOW PARTY

Join us at Arvida in Te Awamutu for our Fleetwood Mac pre-party.

Saturday 8 November, 5pm - 7:30pm. Arvida Whai Mauri Ora Clubhouse, 319 Manaia Road, Te Awamutu

Heading to Landslide – Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks Tribute Show at The Commercial Hotel? For all songbirds aged 65+, let us take care of your pre-show plans. Enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbles, have a dance or two, and be in to win a Fleetwood Mac Prize valued at $100.

Arvida Whai Mauri Ora is a relaxed retirement community in Te Awamutu where residents live life their way, come join the fun.

RSVP to Juliet by 5 November on 021 240 7192

Butchers snag sausage awards

By Jesse Wood

Waipā butchers snagged gold medals at the Great New Zealand Sausage Competition awards in Auckland last week.

Pak’n Save Te Awamutu won the top prize in the beef category for their pure beef sausages and Artisan butchery Expleo were rewarded for their frankfurters.

Three Hamilton butchers were also finalists while Matamata-based Meat Matas Butchery won gold for their beef and blue cheese as well as honey and bacon sausages.

“We sent in our most popular sausage which we sell over 300kg of each week and my Nana tells me off when we run out in store, so they must be pretty good,” Pak’n Save butcher Brad Gillespie said.

“It is a massive achievement to get a medal in this competition.”

Gillespie said the awards capped off an amazing year for their butchery in competitions.

“We were fourth and fifth in New Zealand butcher wars; fifth placed young

butcher in the world, Waikato regional young butcher of the year winner, Waikato apprentice butcher of the year winner, New Zealand apprentice of the year runner up, New Zealand master butcher team of the year champions, and now a gold medal in the Great New Zealand Sausage Competition.”

Entrants sent their sausages to the judges at Retail Meat New Zealand.

“They judged the raw product, then chef judges judged them on the cooked product.”

Gillespie said quality ingredients were the secret to their success.

“Quality beef broken down from carcass instore makes a massive difference when making sausages.”

Hundreds took to Expleo’s Facebook post celebrating the butchery’s success.

“I’d say it’s been a pretty surreal journey,” Expleo’s William Nicholas said.

“All the hard work that’s gone into building Expleo to what it’s become today and to come away with results like these, were all absolutely stoked.”

New chamber chief executive

By Jesse Wood

Shane Walsh has stepped down, handing the Te Awamutu Business Chamber chief executive “baton” to Megan Port.

Following his election as a Te Awamutu-Kihikihi ward councillor for the Waipā District Council, Walsh believes Port is the right person to fill his shoes.

Beyond Bold Bookkeeping business owner Kate Donghi will take over the treasury role.

During his three years involved, Te Awamutuborn Walsh said he learned Te Awamutu was missing “a strong, united business community”.

“You need that to challenge councils and to make sure they are mindful of the needs of that community,” Walsh said.

Walsh’s message to Port is to continue the good work that’s been started, including supporting Destination Te Awamutu and the iSite.

“The handover is quite easy in that respect because she’s been part of the board, she understands it completely. With her

fantastic skills, she can take it and keep growing membership.”

Born in Australia, Port moved to the Waipā 20 years ago after marrying “a Te Awamutu boy”.

“I really see the value in the chamber. I believe in what they do and I want to continue the work that we’ve been doing,” Port said.

“I was a chartered accountant in my first career. I started at KPMG in Australia and worked in big corporates. I worked for Fonterra for nearly a decade. Then I had my first baby and had a complete career change, starting a photography business.

“Newborn and family photography has been my thing. I’ve lived in a totally different world in the last few years, working with families and small businesses.

“This role is bringing the two of them together. I’m using my accounting and corporate background while also understanding small businesses.”

After a recent event at Pirongia, Port and the board

are hoping to extend their reach to the surrounding communities.

“I suspect there’s still a lot of businesses that don’t even know what we do or how we can support them, I’m really excited to grow that,” Port said.

“I really want to get the word out to everyone that we have an awesome chamber in Te Awamutu. We’ve got loyal members who believe in what we do. We want as many businesses as possible to know that we’re here.”

ENJOY THE THINGS YOU LOVE

Enjoy welcoming, comfy surroundings and a warm sense of belonging at our Resthaven on Burns Care Centre.

• We are a community charitable trust providing quality, affordable care for seniors.

• Our caring team are here to help you enjoy the things you love, whether it is gardening, baking, trips to town, hobbies, or simply a quiet afternoon relaxing.

• Our commitment to affordability means there is no premium daily room charge at Resthaven on Burns.

Sports and Rec turns 35

By Jesse Wood

Te Awamutu Sports and Recreation Club celebrated 35 years of sport, community, and connection at Albert Park earlier this month.

Life member and patron Lou Brown said that’s not to forget what came before – Sports was established with the amalgamation of Te Awamutu Old Boys, established 1934, and Te Awamutu United, established in 1947.

“There’s still a history. Don’t forget the history of Old Boys and United. That is still on the walls. Still there and honoured. We’ve got to look where our roots were and recognise people that put in all that effort and time over the years,” Brown said.

“All of those people created what we’ve got now. It’s a legacy that we want to carry on and keep it going. It’s part of the Te Awamutu identity really.”

Since 1990 Te Awamutu Sports has travelled the world - from Melrose in Scotland, to winning the club level of the Hong Kong Sevens to attending the amateur rugby world cup in France.

The celebration event brought together past and present players, families, supporters and the wider community for a day of exhibition games, food stalls, kids’ activities and entertainment.

“It was an excellent day. All the foundation members that are still around were there,” Brown said.

“My wife Els and I have both been involved in various levels all the way through. There’s always a feeling like family. When we go there, we all know each other.

Each of the club’s codes took the field throughout the day to display their sport - touch, cricket, lacrosse, hockey, netball, basketball, rugby league, junior

rugby and senior rugby sevens.

“We realised to make it work, we had to create a sports hub, which is what we’ve done. From having one or two codes to 11 now including cycling,” Brown said.

“The codes operate reasonably independently as adjutants but operate collectively under the umbrella of the club.

Brown is happy with the direction the club is going in.

“The celebration was a good thing to get people out there participating in their club and realising just what we do, the variety of sports and how involved we are in the community,” he said.

“What Ollie Ward and Ryley Emery do in the schools, I think that’s critical. We’ve taken over from Sport Waikato on the ground. Getting kids active.”

Networking on show…

Waipa Networks staff assisted in the aftermath of last week’s devasting storms in the South Island.

They had been competing in the Connexis Annual Connection Cable Jointer and Line Mechanic Competition in Christchurch.

“Three of the competition team stayed on to support after the event finished,” Tom Hemara, General Manager Delivery told The News.

“This came about after a conversation earlier in the week with Mainpower where we offered to stay on and support if

the storm worsened. We then reached out to WEL Networks and Unison to see if they would like to support. It’s a great example of the collaborative nature of our industry.”

The North Islanders – who offered to help for a week depending on what work was needed - supported Mainpower in returning power to customers in their region.

The southern half of the South Island took a hammering last week and states of emergency were declared in Southland and Clutha – while high winds caused extensive damage in the southern half of the North Island.

Get Gardening

With Labour weekend now behind us its time to plant all your summer vegetables and herbstomatoes, cucumbers, capsicums, eggplant, melons and basil. Keep planting salad greens like lettuce, mesclun, coriander and herbs to have a constant supply through summer. Now is the time we turn our attention to making our gardens look gorgeous for Christmas. If you are wanting a beautiful show, plant annuals and perennials at least six weeks out to get the plants established and looking lovely. Also get busy refreshing hanging baskets and pots so you have a glorious display for Christmas. We love bacopa, petunias, lavender, begonias, daisies, pelargoniums and impatiens just to name a few.

Happy gardening!

From clone to tour guide

By Chris Gardner

It’s been a quarter of a century since Bodie Wheke Taylor was picked to appear before millions of Star Wars fans as a clone trooper.

But on Friday Taylor, who played a room full of clone troopers spawned by bounty hunter Jango Fett in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, picked an audience of three to share his passion for Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari.

Taylor is the brains behind the ecological island’s new Moa Hunter tour – a two-hour experience designed to unpack the cultural significance of the mountain.

Taylor has created a moa hunter code which he unpacks on the tour, the first value being respect the teacher and teachings. Participants are taught stealth walking, and other skills. Listening to the furthest

sound of nature is encouraged as a daily practice.

“I am just wanting leave a legacy for mana whenua on the mountain,” Taylor said.

Taylor, who says he can whakapapa 35 generations to an ancestor who arrived in Aotearoa in 1350, was inspired to create the tour by the extinction of the moa.

“Lest we lose the treasure of the natural world, like the extinction of the moa,” he said quoting a Māori proverb.

When Taylor’s ancestors arrived, Aotearoa was covered in thick bush, and the only tracks were those carved by the giant birds.

“The mana of that bird was so big,” he said.

The tracks became trodden by Māori and, as more people arrived, many became roads.

Taylor laments the hunting of the bird to extinction.

Māori ate their flesh, used feathers and skin for clothing and bones for fish hooks and pendants.

Taylor is acutely aware of humankind’s impact on Aotearoa’s natural world, quoting Samuel Marsden, who established the first Christian mission in New Zealand, in 1814.

“The singing of the birds in the morning and evening is truly delightful,” Marsden wrote. “I have never heard anything like it. It is not only melodious but so loud that it is almost deafening.”

Birdsong is no longer deafening thanks to introduced mammals, but Taylor celebrates the rising volume of birdsong as it slowly returns to the mountain thanks to the predator proof fence.

So is the streamside para taniwha plant.

“Thirty years ago, you would not have seen this, but it is returning thanks to the fence,” he said.

The fence costs $5000 a day to maintain.

“It would be lovely to think that in 1000 years’ time it will be no longer needed,” he said.

Taylor grew up and was schooled in Hamilton but calls a number of Waikato marae home.

He is part Ngatai Tara Tokanui Te Whaka, on his mother’s side, and Ngatai Haua on his father’s side.

While Taylor was appearing in the stage production Ahorangi 2000 in Hamilton, actor Temuera Morrison coupled with a casting

director from Lucasfilm approached him to play a younger version of Morrison’s character in the film.

“I was on the plane to San Francisco, for two weeks,” Taylor said.

Taylor said Morrison, who filmed his scenes in Australia, was jealous Taylor got to work at Skywalker Ranch.

“I have only got a seven second scene,” Taylor said. “For some reason it’s a big deal.”

To his workmates, Taylor is affectionately known as Bodie Fett in homage of the character he played.

Taylor travelled the world after the film, marrying his wife Te Aroha after a chance meeting in London.

At Te Awamutu Funeral Services our dedicated team is passionate about providing valuable guidance and a personalised service at a time when you need it most. - Offering Generations of Experience -

CHAPEL & CATERING FACILITIES • PREPLANNED FUNERALS • THE FUNERAL TRUST PREPAID PLAN

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Across 1. Postpone (5)

4. Be against something (6)

8. Besotted (7) 9. Bird-like (5) 10. Physical or verbal dispute (3-2)

11. Plod (7)

12. Infuriate (6)

14. Arbitrary (6)

17. Tell a story (7)

Last week

19. Large musical instrument (5)

21. Gently mock (5) 22. Saying (7) 23. Sieve (6) 24. Logic (5) Down 1. Distinguish (12)

2. Simulate (5)

3. Entourage (7)

4. Highly decorated (6)

5. Public square (5) 6. Skidded (7) 7. Seemingly endless (12)

13. Sleeping (7) 15. Romantic (7) 16. Firearm (6) 18. Stadium (5) 20. Gather, collect (5)

Across: 1. Album, 4. Recall, 7. Ore, 8. Dinner, 9. Forage, 10. Substantially, 14. Idiom, 15. Extra, 18. Grin and bear it, 23. Embryo, 24. Uproot, 25. Tar, 26. Rarely, 27. Dowdy.

Down: 1. Adieu, 2. Bonus, 3. Mortal, 4. Refute, 5. Circa, 6. Legal, 10. Sting, 11. Blini, 12. Later, 13. Yeast, 16. Snooty, 17. Absurd, 19. Rumba, 20. Nerve, 21. Arrow, 22. Irony.

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PLANE

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Te Awamutu Forward thinking Property Management

Next stop Christchurch

By Jesse Wood

Things are heating up for the Special Olympics nationals in Christchurch after the Flame of Hope was carried through Hamilton on its journey south last week.

Special Olympics Te Awamutu, Thames Valley and Waikato athletes were escorted by the Waikato Police as they walked the Law Enforcement Torch Run from Grantham St boat ramp, along Victoria St to Garden Place.

The flame is a symbol of unity and inspiration.

“The last run is in Christchurch. It goes around each club and with the police, we run it around the city or area and it gets everyone pumped for the games,” head swimming coach for Special Olympics Waikato Lauren Bovaird said.

“It helps to try and spread awareness about the event. Once we were at Garden Place, we had a few speeches and the Waikato police gave us a little police dog to take to the nationals.”

Bovaird said it was great to see how excited the athletes are getting for the competition and how much these sorts of events get everyone “amped up and ready to go”.

New Hamilton City mayor Tim Macindoe greeted the athletes and give them a message of support.

Waikato Police youth and communities inspector Scott Miller said it was a fantastic event to be part of and the spirit of the competition was alive and well.

He wished all athletes the best for the games.

“It was great to see the support from

Waikato police and from the Hamilton City Council as well as the cheer, the celebration and the excitement,”

Bovaird said.

With less than two months to go, preparations are well underway. For several athletes it will be their first “away” nationals as the last one was staged in Hamilton.

“This time they have to travel and stay as the team with all the coaches. It’s a cool experience for them,” Bovaird said. The Waikato team is made up of 58 coaches and athletes

“It would be great to get everyone supporting the athletes. Whenever they see us out fundraising, give us a cheer or come see us. That’s always good,” Bovaird said.

“The athletes always like hearing your support.”

Te Awamutu head coach Shelley Blair and support coaches Cherie Thompson and Bruce Blair will accompany their squad.

Since founding Special Olympics Te Awamutu in 2008, Blair has attended four national events.

Cambridge’s Keziah Clark and Jarrod Gilbert will join the Te Awamutu cohort of athletes and Hamilton’s Deshan Walallavita will also make on the journey.

Longtime Ōtorohanga resident

Jennifer Clark, Peter Crawford, Sarah Griffin, Sarah-Jane Hudson, David Smith, Matthew Smith, Caitlin Thomas, Robert van der Wee and Ella Yarndley make up the rest of the squad.

“It will also be Deshan and Robert’s fifth – it’s a journey that all three of us have been on together. Bruce was also there at the first event in 2009,” Blair told the News in August.

“I get a big kick out of watching the athletes. I enjoy seeing them develop as athletes and making friends. Socially, it’s a big event for them all.”

Making friends around a fire

By Chris Gardner

Scouts made new friends and memories as they learned camping skills in Cambridge at the weekend.

Kirikiriroa and St Peter’s Scout Group’s scout section youth leadership team had asked for a traditional team (or patrol) camp where teams of scouts could camp independently with the support of kaiārahi (or adult leaders) at Cambridge Scout Group headquarters in Maclean Street.

Te Awamutu Scout Group’s scout section accepted an offer to join the camp where the first order of business on Friday was to erect team tents before the sun went down.

Scouts cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner on camp stoves and an open fire, many of them for the first time, with support from senior scouts and kaiārahi.

Teams were given a list of activities to complete over the course of the weekend, including seeking out kaiārahi who could mentor them in areas such as being prepared for the weather, packing the right gear and equipment and the seven principles of leave no trace.

Each team dug its own wastewater pit, complete with leaves and twigs as strainers, as they learned to dispose of grey water properly.

“I loved learning new skills,” said Te Awamutu scout Sophie Kaan, 10.

“Making a fire properly and cooking on it.”

Sophie joined scouts six months ago.

She joined a team that included Kirikiriroa and St Peter’s Scout Liv Cowie, 10.

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“I loved making new friends,” said Liv. “I loved Saturday night’s campfire where we were singing different songs.”

Liv joined the movement as a kea, aged five, and has recently joined the scout section from the cub section.

She also enjoyed “time to be myself for a while”.

“It’s fun to learn new experiences,” Liv said.

It was a similar story for Jackson Brown, 12, of Te Awamutu scout section. He, too, joined the movement when he was five.

“Making food and cooking on the fire was my favourite activity,” he said.

Fellow Te Awamutu scout Jasper Salt, 13, loved meeting new scouts and kaiārahi.

The camp also helped prepare scouts for the 24th Aotearoa New Zealand Scout Jamboree planned for December 2026 and January 2027 at Mystery Creek.

Thousands of scouts will gather from all over the world to participate in youth-led, adult supported adventure filled activities.

TE AWAMUTU COLLEGE

Learning Support Assistant

Commencement date to be negotiated

An opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and capable person to join our Learning Support Assistant team.

The successful applicant will have the following attributes:

• Ability to build positive working relationships with a range of students and sta

• Flexibility

• Resilience

• Strong verbal and written skills

• Team player

• Ability to work unsupervised

Core roles will include:

• Student learning and behavioural support

• Student personal care

This is term time only, fixed-term position reviewed annually. Normal hour of work would be 9.00am3.15pm, five days per week (25 hours per week). Email info@tac.school.nz for a Job Description. The successful applicant would be subject to Police Vetting.

Please forward your CV with the names and contacts of two referees to: info@tac.school.nz.

Closing date for applications: Friday 31 October 2025.

PUBLIC NOTICES

OPEN HOMES

CHURCH SERVICES 10am

2nd November Rev Clive Thompson All Welcome

5 Whitmore St, Kihikihi

2/213 Alexandra St, Te Awamutu (Inside the Ray White Arcade)

Phone: 07 871 4111 or 0800 367 222 Text: 021 247 0304 teawamutu@cab.org.nz

WAIPA DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETING NOTICES

Pursuant to Section 46 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 notice is hereby given that:

The following meetings will take place in October 2025: Friday, 31 October, 2025 11.00am Inaugural Council Meeting

1.00pm Inaugural Cambridge Community Board Meeting

All the meetings to be held at: Te Manawa O Matariki Room, Don Rowlands Event Centre Mighty River Domain, Lake Karāpiro 601 Maungatautari Road, RD2, Cambridge

This meeting was unable to be notified earlier due to the election period. The details of this meeting including the subject matter and resolutions can be found on the council website under the Meetings and Agendas page.

All meeting information and electronic copies of Council agendas are available at waipadc.govt.nz/agendasandminutes

Steph O’Sullivan Chief Executive

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

WANTED TO BUY. Any ute, van, 4WD, truck or car. Any condition doesn’t have to be going. Cash paid. Ph/txt Kevin 027 299 6165

MARSDEN, Michael –Passed away peacefully at home with family at his side on Thursday, 23 October 2025. Aged 61 years. Loved and adored by all his whānau. The Tangihanga for Michael was held at Te Wai-iti Marae, Waikaremoana Road, Ruātāhuna on Tuesday, 28 October 2025. Messages to the Marsden family may be sent c/- 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu 3800, or left in Michael’s online tribute book at www.rosetown.co.nz.

BOCOCK, Lorna Margaret, formerly McQuillan, nee Smith – Passed away 16th October 2025, aged 100. Much loved mother of Margaret Anne McQuillan, Tony McQuillan and motherin-law of Cherie. Loved Nana of George and Nana "B" of Daniel, Adam, Shaun and Aaron. Thank you to the staff and residents of CHT Te Awamutu for their care, friendship and love shown to Lorna during the past three years. A private service has been held. All communications to the Bocock family, PO Box 137, Te Awamutu 3840.

Te Awamutu Funeral Services, FDANZ

GILLARD, Douglas Charles – Passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Friday, 24th October 2025, aged 98 years. Adored husband of the late June. Loving Dad and best mate of Murry and Joy. A loving Poppa to Michelle, Hayley, Emma, and Logan. Adored Big Poppa to his Little Posie “Forever our storyteller, joker, and gentle soul, now having a whisky in the clouds. He will be so missed but what a life he had.”

A massive thank you to all the staff at St Kilda Bupa Care Home, Cambridge. A Celebration of Doug’s life will be held at Alexandra House Chapel, 570 Alexandra St, Te Awamutu on Friday, 31st October at 11am followed by burial at the Te Awamutu Cemetery. All communications to the Gillard family, PO Box 137, Te Awamutu 3840.

Te Awamutu Funeral Services, FDANZ

TE AWAMUTU CONTINUING EDUCATION

Wednesday 5thNovember2025 10am

Speaker: Dr Paul Spoonley Topic: The Impact of Immigration Associetiesageand fertilitydeclines,oneof thefewoptionsforgrowth isimmigration Everybody Welcome More info phone 07 870 3223

Tender

by text to request tender documents. Viewing by arrangement only.

GRAZING WANTED

GRAZING WANTED for 37 wiener heifer calves Ph 021 592 544

MACKAY, BRUCE PATRICK – Passed away peacefully on Friday, 24th October, surrounded by his loving family. Aged 75 years. Beloved son of Thomas and Lorna Mackay. Cherished father and father-in-law of Shane and Angela, Karen and Steve, and Lance. Adored grandad of Lachlan and Caitlin, Nacoya and Khenya, and Lexi-Lee. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Pam and Chris, Anne, Peter, Marie (dc) and John (dc). Loving life partner of Jools, her son and daughter-inlaw Matthew and Tran and grandson Felix. A muchloved uncle and friend to many. Bruce will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. A celebration of Bruce’s life will be held in Te Awamutu in November — date to be confirmed.

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