TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 1
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
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SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
Hands to the pump
By Chris Gardner
A $958,000 pump will be installed upstream of the damaged Te Tahi Reservoir on Mt Pirongia to strengthen water supply resilience for western Waipā. The 93-megalitre reservoir in the Ōtorohanga district, which supplied more than half the drinking water for Pirongia, Te Awamutu and Kihikihi, was taken out of service after the one in 250-year Valentine’s Day storm. Pipework in the Mangauika Stream was bent like cardboard as a 1.5 metre gouge was made in the streambed. Waikato Waters project manager Robbie Whiteman said the new pump would bypass the damaged reservoir by drawing water from the Mangauika Stream and transferring it to an existing pond before it is sent through existing pipework to the treatment plant. “The arrangement bypasses the damaged reservoir entirely, which is what lets us get water moving without rebuilding it,” he said. The pump is designed to deliver up to 70 litres a second, or about six megalitres a day, and is expected to be running by early November. Summer demand across the network peaks at about 13 megalitres a day and the council signalled following the storms earlier this year
that the system would struggle to meet peak demands for water in summer. The project forms part of a wider repair and resilience programme inherited by Waikato Waters when it took over water infrastructure from its shareholder councils. Capacity has also been boosted at the Parallel Road Water Treatment Plant in Ōhaupō, where a fifth filter increased production capacity by three megalitres a day to 22 megalitres. “It was a nice, easy one to resolve,” Whiteman said. Feasibility and design work has started after a business case for a sixth filter was approved. The Parallel Road Water Treatment Plant supplies Ōhaupō, Pukerimu, Maungatautari and Te Awamutu. “Everything we are working on at the moment has been designed to get us through this summer,” Whiteman said. Waikato Waters chief infrastructure officer Sarah Sinclair said the improvements would significantly strengthen the network but would not eliminate the risk of water shortages during a hot, dry summer. “While these upgrades will significantly improve the network, water supply will still be influenced by weather, source availability and summer demand,” she said.
“If conditions are hot and dry, as predicted, and supply becomes constrained, water conservation will remain important. “These repairs focus on restoring capacity and reducing the risk of summer supply constraints across the Pirongia, Te Awamutu and Kihikihi network.” Sinclair said Waikato Waters was planning for the summer peak demand period and would then turn its attention to a permanent
solution for Te Tahi. That work will include determining a preferred long-term option and working with mana whenua and other stakeholders through its development and delivery. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research is forecasting temperatures are likely to be above average, while rainfall is expected to be below normal. Waikato Waters inherited the project from Waipā District Council, which began investigating options after the February storm put the Te Tahi Reservoir out of service. Waikato Waters is also working on other resilience projects across the western Waipā network, including upgrades at Kihikihi and Racecourse Road. The largest is the $1.53 million Kihikihi Rolleston Street bores and UV treatment integration project, which includes a consent amendment for the Rolleston Street bore and replacement Church bore. A further $322,000 will be spent renewing the Racecourse Road trunk water main to improve network reliability and resilience. Together, the projects form part of Waikato Waters’ wider programme to restore capacity, strengthen supply, and reduce the risk of summer water restrictions for Pirongia, Te Awamutu and Kihikihi.
were announced by Building and Construction Minister Simon Watts on Saturday. Government figures show the reform would save Cambridge and Te Awamutu building owners an estimated $52 million. Two Te Kūiti buildings, also in a mediumrisk seismic zone, would be removed from the list, leaving one remaining and saving an estimated $6 million. Watts said the reform would ensure the
earthquake-prone building system was focused on risk to life, while saving communities $8.2 billion nationally in remediation costs. About half of all buildings designated earthquake-prone are expected to be removed from the system, he said. He said expensive and often unrealistic remediation costs that were disproportionate to risk threatened to make buildings derelict. “For buildings that remain designated
earthquake-prone, remediation requirements will be more targeted, helping reduce costs and complexity while ensuring life-safety risks are addressed. “For many communities, particularly smaller towns, meeting the current requirements has been a significant challenge. The reforms take a more proportionate approach to managing seismic risk while ensuring high-risk buildings continue to be identified and addressed.”
Waikato Waters project manager Robbie Whiteman at the Parallel Road Water Treatment plant.
Quake-prone list gets a shake up By Chris Gardner
A dozen Cambridge and Te Awamutu buildings are expected to be removed from the Government’s earthquake-prone buildings list under proposed changes to legislation. Cambridge would have 40 buildings remaining on the list after one was removed, while Te Awamutu would have seven remaining after 11 were removed. The changes
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2 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
The death of Ernest Harris
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The sound of logs cracking followed by a cry rang out at Te Rauamoa on the morning of April 30, 1902, as brothers Harry and Ernest Harris worked together felling trees. The brothers, 36 and 32 respectively, had come to New Zealand from London, England in the early 1870s with their parents and two siblings. Their father was a master mariner, and their parents had married in China. Once in New Zealand three more children were born to the family who had settled at Onehunga,
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Auckland. In 1878 Annie, the only daughter of the family died aged six. The wider family lost another daughter 21 years later in 1899 when Eva, the daughter of Harry and Ernest’s brother Frederic, postmaster at Te Rauamoa, died from burns after her clothes caught alight while she stood near a cooking fire. Harry and Ernest had recently taken up a section together at Te Rauamoa. Now Harry hurried over to Ernest who was sitting on the ground with trees all round him. Harry asked if he had been crushed; Ernest replied that he
At the recent Te Awamutu Justice of the Peace branch biannual luncheon, two long serving members were recognised for 20 years’ community service. Nick Prendergast (left) has served as branch chairman and Norris Hall (right) – pictured with branch chair Amrit Singh - is the current branch secretary-treasurer. The Te Awamutu Branch is presently looking after the town’s tri-weekly Citizen’s Advice Bureau JP service desk, visiting Waikeria Prison, assisting the probation service and serving at the various courts as judicial justices amongst other duties. Te Awamutu branch is one of largest in New Zealand both in membership and area covered. Photo: Karl Tutty.
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Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome. Publication of contributions are entirely at the discretion of editorial staff and may be edited. Contributions will only be considered for publication when accompanied by the author’s full name, residential address, and telephone number. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers. The Te Awamutu News is published by Good Local Media Ltd and is the most widely distributed newspaper in Te Awamutu and rural surrounds.
Last Saturday night police received multiple calls about a couple involved in a family harm incident on the side of State Highway One at Karāpiro. On police arrival, both parties were still present and an assault was disclosed. The male faces charges in relation to family harm. He was also found to be driving after previously having been forbidden and with excess breath alcohol. Both parties were also found to already be wanted by police on other matters. We appreciate the quick action by members of the public which prevented further harm. In a separate family harm matter earlier in the week, a male was arrested for assault on a family member and was detained for mental health matters. He faces charges in court. A local youth was identified and spoken to in relation to two car thefts in the Cambridge East area. He is now going through the youth aid process. A male was reported to be driving with an unrestrained child. When spoken to, he was found to be driving whilst disqualified. The vehicle was impounded and he faces an associated charge in court. A Cambridge male was recently reported to have threatened students at school and on the roadside. A search warrant was executed, and the male was arrested and faces charges in
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court. In another recent incident, a male took matters into his own hands when responding to driving offences outside his property on a motor bike. As a result of his actions, the bike crashed into the male and both he and the rider suffered injuries. The bike was found to be stolen and both males face charges in court in relation to their actions. Cambridge Police had a good burglary catch. Unknown offenders had burgled two show homes. Our investigation led to a search warrant being executed quickly at a Kihikihi address. The stolen property was recovered, and a female faces related charges in court. Still on burglaries, you may also have seen media coverage around copper thefts. Waipa is not immune. We have recently had burglaries in the Hautapu, Tīrau Road and Kihikihi areas targeting copper. As was demonstrated in the case above, when in place, CCTV provides important evidence around offender’s identities, clothing and vehicles that greatly assists an investigation. If you install CCTV, ensure that you learn how to use it, how to playback, save and export footage. It is also good to ensure that a reasonable time passes before footage automatically overwrites itself ideally no sooner than two to four weeks.
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had been struck by a tree limb. Harry helped him up and they began to walk for medical aid. Ernest, a single man, had recently served with the Fifth Contingent in the Second Boer War, having earlier worked at Onehunga as a currier, tanning hides to make them ready for sale, and then as a surveyor at Paeroa. He returned from war, wounded, on the SS Tagus, a troop transport and hospital ship which brought the 4th and 5th New Zealand Contingents back from South Africa in July 1901 after a gruelling deployment. He had been ill on board the Tagus with malaria and acute bronchitis and arrived home weak and debilitated. After being hit by the tree limb Ernest could only walk a few yards at a time and then had to lie down. It took about an hour to get him to a hotel. Harry put Ernest to bed and applied hot fomentations – squares of folded towel dipped in hot water, squeezed nearly dry - to his stomach where he complained he was hurt. Harry could see no bruise, only a slight mark. He then went for help to get Ernest moved to Pirongia, a jolting journey that aggravated the pain. It was four in the morning before Dr Pairman saw him. He ordered the hot fomentations to be continued, and also gave him morphine for the pain but Ernest died at three that afternoon. An inquest found that he was accidentally killed by the branch of a tree while bush felling. Ernest, well known and respected in the district, was buried with his niece Eva at Pirongia cemetery.
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TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 3
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
Briefs… Bands on the run
Te Awamutu hosts the Waikato Bay of Plenty Brass Band Association Regional Championships this weekend. Club president Alan Patterson said eight bands will compete at the event at Te Awamutu College. Competition will start at 9am on Saturday and 8.30am on Sunday when the hosts will be first up.
Squash success
Cambridge has led Waipā’s charge on the national squash championships by winning the men’s F-grade title in Kerikeri. Te Awamutu were sixth in the same event, and the club placed fourth in the B-grade men’s competition in Hamilton.
New centre
An Early Child Education centre in the new Frontier Estate community in Te Awamutu has become the 16th addition to the PMG Direct Childcare Fund, which owns centres across country. The Maples is operated by mother and daughter Daynah Smallwood and Tracey Aubin on an initial 12-year lease.
Election call
Nominations have opened for the 2026 Fonterra Co-operative Council and Directors’ Remuneration Committee elections. In Waipā, incumbent Andrew Myers is seeking reelection. Candidates will also stand in Waikato West, Piako, Central Plateau, Southern Northland, Wairarapa and Eastern Southland.
Grant chance
Applications for the Waipā Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund will close at the end of the month. The fund opened in February after storms hit western and southern parts of the district. It makes grants available for uninsured or underinsured costs, debris removal, and other stormrelated hardship.
Strategy approved
Waikato Regional Council has endorsed Te Mauri o te Taiao: Waikato Regional Biodiversity Strategy. The strategy is the first region-wide framework to guide biodiversity investment and action across the Waikato over the next 25 years.
Witnesses sought to rail tragedy
Police are seeking witnesses to last weekend’s rail fatality in Te Awamutu. They reported a Glenbrook Vintage Railway train was involved in a “tragic incident” at the former Te Awamutu railway station. David Bollond, posting on social media, said he was a passenger on the trip. “Finished our train journey by bus from Te Awamutu,” Bollond wrote. “Sadly someone fell under the rear of the train as we were leaving the station.” Police said emergency services were called to the scene at about 6.20pm. “This is a tragic incident, and we are providing support to whānau and those who acted immediately to try to help,” Senior Sergeant John McCarthy said. He urged anyone who saw what happened to make contact if they hadn’t already spoken with the police. Hato Hone St John were notified of the “motor vehicle incident” on Station Rd, Te Awamutu. Two ambulances
responded to the scene. A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson said firefighting trucks from Te Awamutu and Hamilton were sent to the scene. According to the FENZ website, the trucks attended the site for just under three hours. The Spiral Steam Spectacular had been taking passengers from Glenbrook to Waimarino (National Park) and back. The Glenbrook Vintage Railway’s heritage mainline diesel DBR1254 was in charge, double heading in front of Steam Incorporated Ltd’s historic steam locomotive Ab608 Passchendaele. From Hamilton, Ab 608 Passchendaele led the train south down the Main Trunk Line through Te Awamutu, Ōtorohanga, Te Kūiti and Taumarunui before climbing the Raurimu Spiral to Waimarino, and returning north. The service was cut short following incident and passengers returned to Glenbrook station via bus.
The serious crash unit conducted a scene examination at the station.
Conservation role for O’Regan
Former Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan has been named new chair of the Queen Elizabeth II Trust. The trust works with landowners to protect and enhance special areas of biodiversity and cultural heritage on private land through covenants. The partnerships have created a growing network of over 5000 protected areas ranging from backyard patches to swathes of high country. Covenants protect nearly 200,000ha of private land. O’Regan fills the role previously occupied by another former Waipā mayor, Alan Livingston, who died in April. She and husband John Hayward farm at judge Valley Dairies in Rotoo-Rangi. She has experience working alongside iwi, and is also a crown appointee on the Waikato River Authority. The appointment, for three years, was announced by conservation minister Tama Potaka. “QEII does extraordinary work – quietly, consistently, and in genuine partnership with landowners and I am humbled to take on the responsibility of leading it at such an important time,” O’Regan said. “Some of the rare plants
Susan O’Regan cut the ribbon when the education centre opened on Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari – not far from her home in early 2023. She was pictured with Maungatautari trust co chairs Don Scarlet and Norma Taute. Photo: Roy Pilott
and animals protected by QEII covenants are only found on private land, so it’s really impactful work and only possible because of the strong relationships and reputation QEII has in the community.’ She said Livingston’s connections,
considerable commitment and passion had been invaluable for QEII, “and he leaves big shoes to fill”. The QEII National Trust Board comprises six members, four appointed by the minister and two elected by QEII National Trust
members. The three other ministerappointed board members are Philip Hulme, Richard McDowell and Debbie Hyland. The two memberelected board members, elected last year, are Graham Mourie and Marie Taylor.
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4 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
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TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 5
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
Making a mark on dyslexia Aero eyes on parking By Chris Gardner
Learning Matters expects to spend up to three years updating New Zealand’s Dyslexia-Friendly Quality Mark before broadening the accreditation from tertiary education into schools, early learning and workplaces. The Te Awamutu-based literacy organisation was awarded ownership and stewardship of the nationally recognised mark after a competitive open tender process run by the Tertiary Education Commission. Founder and general manager Carla McNeil said the appointment gave Learning Matters the chance to protect the mark’s credibility while preparing it for a wider future. “It has already established a strong reputation for supporting organisations to become more inclusive, and we are committed to honouring that legacy while taking it even further.” Chief executive Greg McNeil said the immediate job was not a national rollout, but a careful review of the intellectual property, documentation and systems behind the mark. “The IP’s been transferred across with really no systems,
so we’re having to rebuild that from the ground up.” The first stage would be to update the evidence base and documentation, then bring existing accredited organisations into line with the refreshed framework before accepting new applicants. “Some of the documentation needs updating with the latest approaches and evidence,” he said. “We’re going to spend the next six months or so doing that, then get it so we can reaccredit the existing providers, then start taking on new ones.” The wider vision needed time. “It will take us probably a couple of years, or even maybe three, to get it to the point where it’s ready to expand,” he said. “We don’t want to rush into it.” The long-term goal is to create a connected national framework that followed learners through education and into employment. “Dyslexia doesn’t begin at university, and it certainly doesn’t end when someone leaves education,” she said. “Our vision is to create the country’s first end-toend quality framework that supports people from
Learning Matters chief executive Greg McNeil.
early childhood, through school, tertiary education, vocational training and into employment.” Schools would eventually be central because early support could change the trajectory for learners. “You’ve got to start right backwards when you can make the most impact, which is in the early schooling years,” he said. “Then the supports become almost easier as they get older because they’re not struggling as much.” Learning Matters recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and expects the refreshed mark to remain an accreditation system, and become a practical advocacy tool for dyslexia-friendly
Photo: Chris Gardner
practice. “While there’ll be an accreditation system built around it, a lot of it is about advocacy and awareness and understanding,” McNeil said. “That’s what we’re really aiming to do. “Awareness is the first thing. We might even have different levels of accreditation, where people sign a pledge to say they’re working towards something. That’s the start.” The quality mark could become a national benchmark if it combined rigorous standards with realistic support. “We just want more kids to be able to be literate, to be able to reach their potential,” he said. “That’s pretty much why we exist.”
A system which uses fixed cameras and mobile vehicle kits to monitor vehicles is being trialled by Waipā District Council. Transportation manager Bryan Hudson said the aim of the trial is to help council make better decisions about parking and transport “which are based on real information rather than guesswork”. “We want to understand how useful this technology can be in helping us build a clearer picture of parking demand, how often spaces turn over and where demand is highest,” he said. The trial of Aero Ranger will run through to November in the Cambridge and Te Awamutu town centres and commercial areas in Waipā villages. The technology is similar to that used by other councils. Results will be assessed with a view to determining how the technology could be used “to support future parking management and enforcement”. Aero Ranger’s promotion material notes that it is useful in dealing with fly tipping noting, “flag a detected vehicle in the act of illegal dumping and receive automatic alerts the next time the vehicle is spotted anywhere by a fixed or mobile Aero Ranger system”. Aero Ranger uses a vehicle-mounted camera system and licence plate recognition technology to collect information. The council says information collected through the trial will be managed in line with New Zealand privacy requirements and Council’s information management and security processes. Waipā already uses smart parking sensors – some installed more than a decade ago - which monitor usage and space turnover.
Women’s Menopause, Family Having trouble sleeping? Planning, & Sexual Health Clinic
Enrolment at the school is governed by an enrolment scheme, details of which are available from the school office. The board has determined that ten New Entrant places are likely to be available for out-of-zone students in the 2027 year. The exact number of places will depend on the number of applications received from students who live within the school’s home zone. Next year there will be eight enrolment periods. The first enrolment period runs from Tuesday 2nd February 2027 to Friday 5th March 2027. Our specialised women’s health GPstoand nurses are Check ready to Good pre-bedtime habits add up better sleeps. For students seeking enrolment within the first enrolment period, the deadline for receipt of applications for help you with any of the following and more. out-of-zone places is Wednesday 14th October 2026 at 3.00pm. out Healthify.nz for comprehensive advice on getting a Parents of students who live within the home zone and intend enrolling their child at any time during the next You do not need to beSee a registered patient with us to attend good night’s sleep. your GP if: year should notify the school by Wednesday 14th October 2026 to assist the school to plan appropriately for Good pre-bedtime habits add up to better sleeps. Check this clinic. Many services are subsidised, so the cost is reduced next year. • your symptoms last longer than a few or for most patients. Appointments are 30weeks, minutes long - askwith our out Healthify.nz for comprehensive advice on getting ainterfere A copy of the Out of Zone Enrolment Pack for 2027 can be obtained by contacting the School Office on 07 871 2844 or office@pokuru.school.nz or from the School’s website. Completed applications must be returned to your ability to function receptionist to book you for a Women’s Health appointment. sleep. thegood school office no laternight’s than 3.00pm on Wednesday 14th October 2026. See your GP if: • yourweeks, sleep partner tells youinterfere that you snore or gasp loudly Menopause advice and care If the number of out-of-zone applications exceeds the number of last places available, students will be selected by • your symptoms longer than a few or with ballot. If a ballot for out-of-zone places is required, it will be held on Tuesday 20th October 2026. Parents will be ‘Well woman’ checks comprehensive check-up and screening during the night informed of your the outcome of the ballot within three school of the ballot being held. ability todays function service to optimise women’s health Details relating to the second enrolment period are as follows: • you’re taking a new medicine that you suspect is interrupting • of enrolment your sleep partner tells Length period: from Monday 8th March 2027 to Friday 9th April 2027 Deadlineyou for receipt ofthat you snore or gasp loudly Contraception: applications: Wednesday 10th February 2027 Date of ballot: Tuesday 16th February 2027 your sleep during the night • Emergency Details relating to the third enrolment period are as follows • you feel very sleepy or tired duringjadelles the day, even if you slept 7 • acting reversible Length period: from Wednesday 27th April 2027 Friday 28th May 2027 Deadline for receipt of that youLong • of enrolment you’re taking a tonew medicine suspect is IUDs, interrupting applications: Wednesday 24th March 2027 Date of ballot: Wednesday 31st March 2027 • hours Depo injection the night before your sleep Details relating to the fourth enrolment period are as follows: • Pills, condoms Length of enrolment period: from Monday 31st May 2027 to Friday 2nd July 2027 Deadline for receipt of • you sleepwalk, act out your dreams, or otherwise make • you feel sleepy the day, testing even if you slept 7 applications: Wednesday 27th April 2027very Date of ballot: Tuesday 4th May 2027 or tired duringPregnancy movements during the night. Earlyabnormal pregnancy assessment hours the night Details relating to the fifth enrolment period are as follows: before Length of enrolment period: from Monday 19th July 2027 to Friday 20th August 2027 Deadline for receipt of STIAdapted checksfrom for Healthify.nz all genders applications: Friday 11th June 2027 Date of ballot: Tuesday 15th act June 2027 out your dreams, or otherwise make • you sleepwalk, Details relating to the sixth enrolment period are as follows.: Abortion care and support abnormal movements during the night. Length of enrolment period: from Monday 23rd August 2027 to Friday 24th September 2027 Deadline for receipt of applications: Wednesday 30th June 2027 Date of ballot: Thursday 1st July 2027 (due to school Adapted from Healthify.nz holidays) Details relating to the seventh enrolment period are as follows.: Length of enrolment period: from Monday 12th October 2027 to Friday 12th November 2027 Deadline for receipt of applications: Friday 3rd September 2027 Date of ballot: Tuesday 7th September 2027 Details relating to the eighth enrolment period are as follows: E: reception@tamc.co.nz Length of enrolment period: from Monday 15th November 2027 to Friday 17th December 2027 Deadline for www.tamc.co.nz receipt of applications: Monday 11th October 2027 Date of ballot: Tuesday 12th October 2027
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ontact us now on
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6 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
ON SHAKY GROUND
FAITH IN WAIPĀ
Explosive headlines
Exams – who needs them?
By Janine Krippner
By Christine Bryant, Lay Minister, St John’s
A couple of weeks ago volcanic activity in Indonesia hit global news with “shock, horror” six volcanoes erupting at the same time. A few loved ones sent me media articles, and I raised a friendly eyebrow thinking “yes?” Let’s set the very active record straight here. Indonesia is one of the most volcanically active countries on Earth. It is also enormous. It is made up of more than 17,500 islands, with many western islands spread across the Sumatra-Andaman Subduction Zone. This is the one that produced the catastrophic 2004 Boxing Day earthquake and tsunami. Volcanism has shaped Indonesia, and while there are plenty of hazards, there are also ample benefits. It is often wrongly claimed that it is part of the “Pacific Ring of Fire”, but if you look at a map of the ‘ring’ of interconnected plate boundaries around the Pacific Ocean, it takes a lot of creativity to include Indonesia. It is not connected. According to their monitoring agency the nation has 127 known potentially active volcanoes, meaning they have been active in the past 10,000 years and they could become active at any time. Or they already are. It has a few celebrity volcanoes like Anak Krakatau (misspelled “Krakatoa” almost everywhere) that produced a disastrous eruption and tsunami in 1883, and a smaller yet also devastating collapse and tsunami in 2018. It has been erupting on and off for decades. Toba has an enormous caldera that produced a famous, exceptionally large eruption 74,000 years ago, among the largest that we know of. This is a great
example of how even the most enormous of eruptions don’t wipe out humanity. I present the evidence of you sitting here, reading this. Photos of the picturesque Mount Bromo are often shared online. Volcanoes like Sinabung and Merapi have had deadly eruptions in recent years. The unrest and eruption of Agung in late 2017 threw me into global crisis communication. I could keep going for quite a while. Volcanoes across Indonesia produce almost every type of Earthly volcanism. Many smaller eruptions, and relatively frequent large explosive eruptions occur here compared to most other countries. My point is, to have a handful of erupting volcanoes across Indonesia is normal. Yes, it is spectacular. Yes, some of them are very scary because they are right near (or beneath) populations. And yes, volcanologists care very much about them. They’re also a significant hazard to air traffic, given how many flight paths cross this large country. I welcome enthusiasm about volcanoes, but this is a reminder to always read headlines with a healthy dose of scepticism. We can use them as an opportunity to tumble down an interesting rabbit hole, while being careful to use trusted sources and not more clickbait. There is also a rapidly growing amount of AI images and videos to sort through. I often see media being attributed to the wrong volcano or eruption, and now we can add into the mix media that was never real to begin with. Because it wasn’t hard enough to sort through misinformation before…
Recently, students at Te Awamutu College sat their Derived Grade Exams, the precursor to NCEA exams in November. Exams take you out of your comfort zone; no one feels at ease in an exam, no one wants to fail. The most able students feel nervous. Because NCEA is going to change in 2028 and exams will become a more important part of the year’s assessment, it is worth thinking about the pros and cons. The benefits of exams are not just about mastering the content of a subject, whether that be learning Shakespeare’s speeches or the Periodic Table of Elements. Exams are about learning to cope with challenges and how to think more deeply about the world around us. Our reliance on social media encourages instant reactions with emoticons or likes – reactions requiring little thought. Of course, there are downsides to exams. Not every student performs their best in a test situation; some are overwhelmed and have a mental block. Much of what one learns for an exam may on the surface not have much relevance to “real life” or a job. “Learning Shakespeare never did me any good” is a frequent observation. My reply is “But did it do you any harm?” Having to learn “The quality of mercy” speech from the Merchant of Venice, for example, challenges us to think about what mercy should look like in our justice system. Jesus was well aware that many who came to him had not thought through their questions: “Not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven”
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he told his disciples on one occasion. Instead, Jesus challenged people, especially the Pharisees, the intellectuals of the day, to reflect on what they were saying instead of trying to trap him into an injudicious answer. A well-known example is when they asked him: “Lord, to whom should we pay taxes [to God in the temple or to Caesar]?” Jesus replied with a question: “Look at this coin, whose face is on it?” “Caesar’s,” they answered. “Well, there is your answer: Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s”. In other words, go away and think about what kind of worship you are offering to God, are you living a life pleasing to Him, are you caring for the vulnerable in your community? Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life and have it in all its fullness”. However, there is no suggestion that such a life falls into our laps like ripe fruit falling from a tree. It would seem that experiences which test us are valuable for what they teach us about ourselves, the broader life experiences and the difficulties we may face in the future. If you are reading this, can you encourage young people you know to take exams seriously, put in the hard yards and do the necessary study? Persistence is not glamorous or exciting, but it does pay off.
TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 7
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
COMMUNITY BOARD COMMENT
Please, don’t drop it By Ange Holt, Chair, Te Awamutu Community Board
My article this month is a combination of a grumble about rubbish and theft of public property, and a wee win for the Community Board and Kihikihi Residents and Ratepayers. The Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board supports a “waste less” position and supports the strategies in the Waste Minimisation Plan, one of which is to reduce the rubbish each person throws away. I often walk, with my dog, around the Te Awamutu War Memorial Park, the TA College Rugby field, out to Factory Road and along the roads that connect them. The amount of rubbish I regularly pick up is significant. There’s lolly and snack wrappers, along with bits of plastic, takeaway wrappers, and an assortment of bottles. These often are quite small and light so many of the small pieces of rubbish inevitably will be blown into the stream if left. My question is how we can communicate to our young people to be mindful to not drop their rubbish, especially those little pieces from the top of a sweet wrapper? Much of the rubbish I collect is clearly school lunch packaging that either blows from the kura or is left by students watching sports. As parents, grandparents and caregivers can we remind our kids that the rubbish they leave behind has a negative impact on our planet, their planet, their streams and waterways? Help them to see the impact of our waste on the environment and encourage less packaging in their lunch boxes. A couple of weeks ago one of the cultural art panels on the Shanel Place – Mutu Street
TALKING ECONOMICS
Defining responsibility By Peter Nicholl
bridge - was stolen. These panels were commissioned and installed to acknowledge the history of the area, of the wai (water) and whenua (land) and its importance to the peoples of Ngāti Apakura and Ngāti Hinetu. This thoughtless and selfish act is incredibly disrespectful to local iwi and to the community. Council endeavours to provide us with artwork that acknowledges our history, tells a story, and beautifies our spaces. It is a real shame that this has happened and if anyone knows anything, please come forward. The other panels have since been checked and made more secure. Some good news for Kihikihi is that a small safety upgrade to their pedestrian crossing is coming. As chair of the community board, with support from the Kihikihi Residents and Ratepayers we have been advised by Waka Kotahi, that they will improve the visibility of the crossing by putting down red surfacing and realigning warning signs. They will also consider if the crossing warrants being changed to a traffic light system. These improvements should be happening soon as the approximate timeline was “several weeks” advised late July. Finally, it’s time to apply for the Discretionary Fund. If your group or service needs support with a community project or support for your organisation, then please apply. The Discretionary Fund is open until October 9.
More experience. More support. More value.
Salaries in our public sector have risen tremendously since the days when I worked in the Reserve Bank. I was on a remuneration committee for the chief executive officer of a public agency a few years ago. We received reports that said based on the number of staff and the amount of assets the chief executive officer had ‘responsibility for’ their pay should be ‘x’ dollars – and x was a high number. Responsibility is defined in a number of ways. Three definitions I saw which describe what I think responsibility means are having a duty to make certain that specific things are done, being accountable for what happens and ‘accepting the blame and the consequences for something that goes wrong. We have seen a worrying series of events in our public sector this year where big errors have occurred, but the senior people have either not accepted responsibility or said ‘I am responsible’ but have not borne any consequences. One example was the fatal landslip at the Mt Maunganui campground. Tauranga City Council had commissioned a report which said the risks were high. The Tauranga chief executive officer did not accept responsibility – as he had not read the report. He is still in the job as he says he is the best person to solve the problem. It seems to me there is a contradiction between these two statements. A more recent event was the Head of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment who either misled or lied
to a Minister and a Parliamentary Select Committee. There is a difference between misleading and lying. For example, early in my career I attended a course at the Bank of England. Staff were trying to place the attendees in a box. They asked me where I was educated. I said Cambridge. It wasn’t a lie as I was educated at Cambridge High School. But I knew they would think I was referring to Cambridge University - so it was misleading. To lie to or mislead a Parliamentary Select Committee seems to me to be a very serious offence. The staggering thing about the MBIE case is that the ministry head did accept responsibility and offered his resignation. The head of the Public Service Commission, Sir Brian Roche, decided the ministry head didn’t need to resign. This situation is so serious that both the department head and the State Service Commission head should resign. If they don’t, the concept of responsibility in our public services will be meaningless and toothless. Senior public servants will continue to be well-paid because of the responsibility they bear - but if something goes wrong, they won’t have to take the blame or bear the consequences. Every small businessperson in the country would love to be in that position – but they aren’t. If something goes wrong for their business they bear the consequences whether or not they are to blame for the problem as it is their money that is at stake.
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8 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
Putting the wow into spring By Viv Posselt
Creativity and inspiration were given full expression this month when Idea Services Waikato King Country staged its annual WOW show at Cambridge’s Ngā Hau E Whā community marae. Twenty-eight participants from around the region came together with their wearable art designs, all made to the 2026 theme ‘Spring Cultural’. Each participant was presented with a certificate in recognition of his or her work and creativity in three awards categories – cultural inspiration,
creative design and best runway moves. Idea Services supports adults with intellectual disabilities to live independently and be part of their local communities. Ingrid Cook, administration manager for Idea Services in Cambridge, said the show was a fantastic day filled with energy, laughter and great team spirit. “It was great to see everyone coming together, enjoying the experience and making lasting memories. “Our kiritaki (clients) and staff put an incredible amount of effort into
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creating and showcasing their wearable art designs, making it a wonderful event for everyone.” Deven Shah from the Cambridge leadership team told The News participants had made costumes to fit the theme and some had spoken about what their costumes represented. “They really loved it… some were even asking what theme we were going to have for next year’s event.” The show was hosted by the Waikato King Country leadership team and supported by the Waikato West IHC Association.
Get Gardening
A delighted Raymond Te Paea, who lives at Idea Services’ Tarr Rd residential home near Ōhaupō, proudly holding up his certificate.
CountryLife
It’s Spring! October means warmer weather, rising soil temperatures and plant growth. Reach a targeted rural While there is still rain around get the last of & lifestyle audience your trees and shrubs planted. Spring each month by vegetables and herbs are coming in store for advertising your those that want to get in early. We have added business in CountryLife; some new varieties to our vege punnet range. featured inside the Do you enjoy cutting flowers to bring some Cambridge News & colour indoors? Amber has a huge range of Pick Te Awamutu News Me perennials available, we have bought back some old fashioned favourites like Honesty, Distributed to EVERY rural & urban letter Verbascum and the ever popular Aster Peony box across the Waipa region each month. Reach a targeted rural & lifestyle audience and Zinnias in beautiful shades. Daisies, each month by advertising your business Lavender, Pelargoniums and Azaleas are all in in CountryLife; featured inside the Next Publication Date: Thursday 15 October Cambridge News & Te Awamutu News full show now making a lovely display of colour. September Deadlines: a targeted rural &of lifestyle audience Come in andReach see our large range perennial Booking: Monday 5 October Distributed to EVERY rural & urban letter each month by range advertising your business 4 packs. Our “Pick Me“ isbox amazing. across the Waipa region month. Copyeach Setting: Wednesday 7 October
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Distributed to EVERY rural & urban letter box across the Waipa region each month.
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TO BOOK YOUR SPACE: Daniel Davy Advertising Sales Consultant daniel@goodlocal.nz • Ph 0204 023 8018
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KNOW YOUR Barista
RedKitchen Café & Store a Standout in Te Awamutu RedKitchen Café & Store on Mahoe Street has become a favourite local spot for fresh food, great coffee and a welcoming atmosphere. Known for its modern, vibrant style, the café serves breakfast, lunch and cabinet treats made with quality ingredients, alongside Coffee Supreme brews that keep regulars coming back. The menu offers something for everyone, with options ranging from hearty meals to lighter bites and sweet treats. Under new owners Ryan and Alex, who took over in 2023, RedKitchen continues to grow its reputation for friendly service and consistently good food. Customers can relax indoors or enjoy the bustling street front setting, while the adjoining store offers artisan products and RedKitchen favourites to take home. Whether you’re grabbing a coffee, meeting friends or picking up specialty goods, RedKitchen remains one of Te Awamutu’s most reliable and popular destinations.
Helena
69 Mahoe Street, Te Awamutu 3800 • 07 871 8715 • Hours Mon – Fri 7am – 4pmSat 7.30am – 2.30pmSun – Closed
Who doesn’t love COFFEE!
Gemma, Khelsie (Owner), Tayla
As early morning risers, we know we do! Which is why we understand the importance of a great blend. We’re always striving to upskill & perfect the craft of a perfect cup. We’re proud of our relationship with Chiasso Coffee roasters, who use a BioGro certified organic coffee blend, roasted to a medium-dark profile, delivering a full, rich cup with good body sweetness. (perfectly paired with our delicious pies & sweet treats)
Paired with local Kaipaki milk (or your plant milk of choice), there’s no compromise on taste, no over-processing. Just delicious coffee. Our team of Baristas have a varying range of experience (from 15 years-starting out) but all carry the same passion of serving a delicious brew every time. So, no matter what day of the week you come in, you know the same amount of effort & love has gone into every cup.”
Hours: Daily 7 days a week. 5:00am-4:00pm 80 Lyon Street, Kihikihi 3800
TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 9
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
Athletes blown on course By Mary Anne Gill
When he’s not analysing the performances of elite cyclists at Cambridge’s Velodrome, Samuel Bremer likes to test himself on the road. On Sunday the 31-year-old faced one of the toughest editions of the Cambridge Half Marathon in recent years and came away with a commanding victory. Bremer, who moved to Cambridge four years ago from Dunedin, won the half marathon in 1:13:00, finishing more than six minutes ahead of his nearest rival as runners battled strong spring winds across the two-loop course. The blustery conditions proved the biggest challenge of the day for the record field of 843 competitors, up from 710 a year earlier. That was a frustration for competitors hoping to make the most of the newly calibrated course, which can now be used as an official measure of performance and qualification standards. Race director Rob Archibald had warned beforehand that the course, which started and finished at Tom Voyle Park in Taylor Street and looped through Cambridge’s northern suburbs, would expose runners to headwinds and tailwinds. “This is spring,” he said before the start. “Runners will find it quite warm when the wind is behind them and quite cool when they’re
running into the wind.” The forecast proved accurate. While the day remained dry, runners found themselves working hard into gusting winds before getting brief assistance on more sheltered sections of the course. Bremer said the conditions made it difficult to judge pace. “It was really challenging to gauge my effort,” he said after the race. Knowing the final kilometres would be particularly difficult, he made his move early. “I kind of wanted to see if anyone would come with me early but everyone was too sensible and didn’t take the bait, so I was out there by myself.” Bremer’s winning time was also a personal best over the distance, eclipsing the 1:16 he ran when winning the Whitianga Run Fest half marathon last year. Away from running, he works at the Velodrome analysing performances by New Zealand’s top cyclists. Whakatāne runner Joel Stansloski was second in 1:19:14 and Cambridge’s Jake Wilkinson third in 1:20:34. The women’s half marathon was won by Morrinsville runner Hannah Bodle in 1:27:10. Cambridge runners Angela Hancock and Hannah Knighton filled the remaining podium places. In the quarter marathon, rising New Zealand distance runner Tasman Reid of Ōhaupō took out
Te Awamutu Marathon Clinic runners, from left Rex Temm, Raewyn Easton and Christine Ball before the start of the quarter marathon. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
the men’s title in 38:11. The St Paul’s Collegiate School student and Hamilton City Hawks Athletic Club athlete finished ahead of Cambridge’s Steve Rees-Jones and Mat Langlands. It was a good day for the Rees-Jones family, with Bronwen winning the women’s quarter marathon in 39:36, finishing ahead of last year’s winner Jenny Gater and Pukekohe’s Rachel O’Brien. In the five-kilometre event, Tauranga’s Cooper Hogan took out
the men’s title while Cambridge runner Anna Phillipps won the women’s race. Austin Miers of Putāruru and Hamilton’s Navinya Kulasooriya were the first boy and girl home in the two-kilometre Kids Dash.
Results (Cambridge unless stated) Half marathon: men - Samuel Bremer 1.13:00 1, Joel Stansloski (Whakatāne) 1.19:14 2, Jake Wilkinson 1.20:34 3; women – Hannah Bodle (Morrinsville) 1.27:10 1, Angela Hancock 1.28:02 2, Hannah Knighton 1.29:49 3. Quarter marathon: men – Tasman Reid
(Ōhaupō) 38:11 1, Steve Rees-Jones 39:36 2, Mat Langlands 40:36 3; women – Bronwen Rees-Jones 39:36 1, Jenny Gater 42:10 2, Rachel O’Brien (Pukekohe) 42:34 3. Five kilometres: men – Cooper Hogan (Tauranga) 17:55 1, Timmy Choy (Hamilton) 18:51 2, Zavier Smart 18:58 3; women – Anna Phillipps 19:47 1, Sophia Gavrilova (Karāpiro) 20:22 2, Abigail Hayward (Whatawhata) 21:27 3. Kids Dash two kilometres: boys – Austin Miers (Putāruru) 7:59 1, Firas Abuaiadah (Hamilton) 8:02 2, Sullivan Elvy 8:52 3; girls – Navinya Kulasooriya (Hamilton) 8:52 1, Charlie Miers (Putāruru) 9:32 2, Catherine Popping (Hamilton) 9:34 3.
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10 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
Live entertainment
Food stalls
Over 200 stalls
Sunday September 27
Ample parking
9am to 3pm Free Admission
Annual Pirongia Craft Day
Pirongia Craft Day is an annual event which has been operating for the last 48 years.
How did it all begin? The Pirongia Cottage Crafts Festival Day began in 1978. A group of local crafters who had been involved in the relocation and preservation of the original Pirongia School building – which is now Pirongia Playcentre – planned a festival day. Initially this was for local stall holders only and a donation was made from the festival organisers to Playcentre each year.
Eventually, Playcentre took over the provision of food for the day as their fundraiser. It is organised by a volunteer committee of dedicated local arts and craftspeople who endeavour to keep the original theme of ‘NZ Handmade or Homegrown’ thereby ensuring only quality NZ items are sold. The road is closed on Franklin Street from 6.00am to 4.00pm.
Stall holders are ‘open for business’ from 9.00am to 3.00pm creating a unique vibrant, friendly village atmosphere. You will see over 200 stalls containing quality NZ made items including arts, crafts, plants, pots, clothing, jewellery, pottery, woodwork etc. There is live entertainment and food stalls too. There is ample parking around the village.
Sunday, September 27 • 9.00am - 3.00pm • FREE ADMISSION PLEASE leave your dogs at home • If it’s raining bring your umbrella There is NO cash out facility this year. PLEASE BRING CASH 24 Hour Emergency call out
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022 361 8102
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with your local businesses and community
132 Sainsbury Road, Pirongia, RD6, Te Awamutu
027 287 0005 • janine@goodlocal.nz
CRAFT DAY SITE, NEXT TO THE HOTEL
Ph 027 417 6379
TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 11
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
Owners Pam & Ray Bestwick At Te Awamutu Funeral Services, our dedicated local team is here to provide compassionate guidance and care when you need it most - Offering generations of experience, with a personal touch. We understand that you may have questions. Pop in anytime for a relaxed chat over a cup of tea or coffee. We’re here to listen, support and help you understand your options.
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Across 1. Commotion (6) 5. Quirk (6) 8. For each (L) (3) 9. Musical instrument (6) 10. Disturbed (6) 11. Fish species (4) 13. Pest (8) 14. Legal defence (5) 15. Unadventurous and respectable (5)
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19. Scare (8) 21. Reverberation (4) 22. Unique (3-3) 23. Drink (6) 25. Distant (3) 26. Spirited (6) 27. Powerful (6) Down 2. Out of the ordinary (7) 3. Plant container (3)
4. Dash (6) 5. Source (6) 6. Take apart (9) 7. Smock (5) 12. Double meaning (9) 16. Restrict (7) 17. Prim (6) 18. Weak or feeble (6) 20. Scope (5) 24. Plead (3)
Last week Across: 1. Abyss, 4. Accrue, 7. Was, 8. Sponge, 9. Sturdy, 10. Momentum, 12. Term, 13. Limpid, 15. Drowsy, 16. Dawn, 17. Starship, 19. Merino, 20. Orphan, 22. Fad, 23. Myself, 24. Erase. Down: 1. Approximately, 2. Yen, 3. Sweet, 4. Assumed, 5. Courteous, 6. Underestimate, 11. Expensive, 14. Dash off, 18. Abode, 21. Pea.
Sudoku
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FIRE ENGINE FORKLIFT GOKART HOTROD HUMVEE HYBRID JEEP LIMOUSINE LUXURY MICRO MINIBUS MODIFIED
MOTORBIKE MOTORHOME MPV POLICE RECOVERY SCOOTER SEDAN SNOWMOBILE SPORTS SUV TANKER TAXI
TRACTOR TRAILER UTE VAN
465
Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.
MEDIUM
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12 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
David McGuire Ohaupo 1270 Paterangi Road Auction
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Blue chip farm, prime location A substantial rural holding with scale, versatility and serious potential. Set across 38.6 ha of flat to gently rolling, highly productive land, 1270 Paterangi Road is an outstanding opportunity in a sought-after location. Currently operated as an organically certified runoff, the property boasts free-draining Mairoa ash soils, reliable bore water and excellent infrastructure, making it ideally suited to horticulture, cropping, dry stock, horses or lifestyle living. The wellequipped property includes a large lockable workshop, four-bay implement shed, hay barn, disused cowshed and cattle yards with loading race. The well-presented four bedroom, two-bathroom brick home delivers comfortable family living, with spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living, separate lounge, two heat pumps and double internal-access garage. Established gardens, post-and rail fencing and stunning views towards Mount Pirongia add to the appeal.
Auction 12.00pm, Thu 15th Oct, 2026, (unless sold prior), Property Brokers, 141 George Street, Te Awamutu View Tue 29 Sep 11.00 - 12.00pm Web pb.co.nz/TWR235152
David McGuire M 027 472 2572 E david.mcguire@pb.co.nz Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008 | pb.co.nz
Proud to be here
TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 13
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
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• Exterior house restoration specialist • Roof restoration • Water blasting • Airless spraying technician • Gib stopping/Level5 Skim Coating
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AVAILABLE FROM: 100 Roche Street, Te Awamutu 07 870 5020 | teawamutu@pratts.co.nz | www.pratts.co.nz
Other Showroom Locations: 6 Main North Road, Otorohanga | 10 Albert Street, Cambridge
14 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 P PR RO OU UD D LY LY P PR RE ES SE EN NT TE ED D B BY Y P R O U D LY P R E S E N T E D B Y PR ROU U D LY LY P R RES SEN NT TE ED B BY P PRO OUD D LY P PRE ESE E NGREY TED D BY Y
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With thanks to our sponsors Rosetown Funerals, Arvida Whai Mauri Ora, Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board
Rāwhitiroa Ōwairaka Marae Reservation Trust
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We’re looking for a caring, positive, and reliable Teacher Aide to join our friendly rural school team.
ARE YOU ENROLLED TO VOTE? Make sure you’re ready for the 2026 General Election ENROL BEFORE 25 OCTOBER 2026 Need help with your enrolment?
AGENDA 1. Karakia timatanga 2. Marae Reservation Trust Chair’s Annual Report 2026 3. Marae Reservation Trust Treasurer’s Annual Report 2026 4. Election of Three Rāwhitiroa Ōwairaka Marae Trustees for the period 2026-2029: • One role up for rotation • One casual vacancy • One vacancy by resignation Completed nomination forms, signed by the nominee and the candidate, together with the candidates CV are to be lodged/returned to the Secretary by 10.00am on Sunday 18 October 2026. 5. Discussions 6. Karakia whakakapi A copy of the Charter is available by emailing the Secretary. Guidelines for nominees and nomination forms are available from the Secretary. Rāwhitiroa Ōwairaka Marae Trustees c/- Secretary Email: rawhitiroamarae01@gmail.com
CY N A C A V
JOB r the right candidate ITH U
MAIHIIHI SCHOOL
Nga Pou Whakawhirinaki o Te Awamutu
Held: Rāwhitiroa Ōwairaka Marae Date: Sunday 18 October 2026 Time: 10.00am (after conclusion of Marae Committee hui)
“Local jobs for local people”
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TEACHER AIDE
Annual General Meeting
SE W VERTI
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Thursday 1 October 2026 � 10.00am – 4.00pm � FREE ENTRY Presbyterian Centre, 80 Mutu Street, Te Awamutu • All welcome Presbyterian Centre,2026 80 Mutu Street, Te Awamutu • All� welcome Thursday 1 October � 10.00am – 4.00pm FREE ENTRY Thursday 11 October October 2026 2026 �� 10.00am 10.00am – – 4.00pm 4.00pm �� FREE FREE ENTRY ENTRY Thursday Presbyterian Centre, 80 Mutu Street, Te – Awamutu • All welcome Thursday 1 October 2026 � 10.00am 4.00pm � FREE ENTRY Presbyterian 80 •• All Sponsors� Arvida Whai Mauri OraCentre, � Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board � Rosetown Funerals Presbyterian Centre, 80 Mutu Mutu Street, Street, Te Te Awamutu Awamutu All welcome welcome Sponsors� Arvida Whai Mauri OraCentre, � Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board � Rosetown Funerals Presbyterian 80 Mutu Street, Te Awamutu • All welcome Sponsors� Arvida Whai Mauri Ora � Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board � Rosetown Funerals Sponsors� Arvida Whai Mauri Ora � Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board �� Rosetown Funerals Sponsors� Community Sponsors� Arvida Arvida Whai Whai Mauri Mauri Ora Ora �� Te Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Awamutu-Kihikihi SITUATIONS Community Board Board � Rosetown Rosetown Funerals Funerals PUBLIC NOTICES VACANT
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005 AD 287 0 n 027 dlocal.nz o e in n Call Ja janine@goo il or ema
Come into Citizens Advice Bureau Te Awamutu and we can help you:
• Check or update your enrolment details • Enrol online • Pick up a paper enrolment form • Drop off your completed enrolment form Citizens Advice Bureau Te Awamutu Inside Ray White Arcade 2/213 Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm Phone: 07 871 4111 Email: teawamutu@cab.org.nz
Free help and support available
Brought to you by Citizens Advice Bureau Te Awamutu, teawamtu@cab.org.nz, in collaboration with the Electoral Commission.
• This is a term-time, school-hours position of approximately 12–18 hours per week, supporting students with their learning, health needs, and participation at school. Days and hours may be negotiated for the right person. • Previous experience is an advantage, but not essential – what matters most is someone who enjoys working with children, builds great relationships, and is willing to learn. • Pay negotiable, dependent on skills and experience, in accordance with the Teacher Aide pay scale.
For more information or to apply, contact Principal Lisa Smith at principal@maihiihi.school.nz or 07 873 2887.
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SEPTEMBER
17, 2026
TE AWAMU
TU NEWS
HELPING YOU GET IT DONE
FREE
2026 SEPTEMBER 17,
ins Growing pa s.nz cambridgenew
FREE
By Mary Anne
Gill
teawamutune ws.nz
Phone:
07 871 5077
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More behind every move.
Lane behind
SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
By Chris Gardne
Town Belt is Cambridge’s northern room. running out of says growing Sport Waikato cricket, hockey, demand from rugby, community and athletics, schools increasing recreation is placingthe town’s of pressure on one sporting precincts, most important on a long-term work prompting vision for the area. e Speaking at a Cambridg Industrial Chamber Hautapuweek, Sport Precinct event last p manager Shane Waikato partnershi from clubs and Brodie said proposals exceed what organisations already ated within the can be accommod footprint. existing Town Beltforcing planners to is The shortage options both inside said consider future northern Town original Cambridge highlighting reserve. Matthew Cooper future of Cambridge’s a week this season, and beyond the to look at differently about d survey. needed to think a more coordinate sections in strong demand. ure was “There is a need facilities use assets and in • Surveyed into 94 bigger picture,” how sports infrastruct in the future. and recreation Simes said addressing a priority Cambridge in the future for sport become a range 1880. provided and managed for women had as a buffer new all the Brodie said, describing including Cambridge. on continued to • Originally intended “It can’t be brand Instead, being driven and as female participati of competing priorities cricket, The pressure is growth and is already pursuing between the township time,” Cooper said. focus on athletics, grow. The club population playing fields, rooms, toilets surrounding farmland. space, schools and by both participation rates. Cambridge should assets while upgrades to changing a mix of grant hockey, recreation 284 hectares growing home of • Covers about optimising existing of working and showers through Memorial Park, volunteer community facilities. At ways and ip new includes review & Recreation today. exploring funding, sponsorsh few The area under the Hautapu Sportshas expanded used by a mix on • One of New Zealand’s town on together. support. collaboration parks and reserves ons and Club, participati club’s core complete suggested future masterplan presentati He club’s remaining organisati The The lly. sharing of sporting dramatica the opportunities e to the 1940s could extend beyond belts. e illustrated both include governanc community groups. cricket, hockey facilities date back was barely Cambridge’s facing Cambridg playing fields to arrangements sport • Home to many of and challenges Alongside rugby, such as the ent when women’s includes recreation and managem organisations. major sporting and sport. The proposal improved and athletics, groups contemplated. Cambridge band and dog between sporting two female toilets upgraded facilities, parking, process is facilities including Lions Club, brass also involved in There are only Tom The current planningwith Sport ground on major are y accessibility, better Raceway, John Kerkhof,parks, obedience club stages, serving the entire quality, communit still in its early days. enhanced field Voyle and John KerkhofSchool to present discussions. game and event Dave Simes said plans for a Sport Waikato preparing analysis back to High spaces and long-term Cambridge A key finding fromnt process is Club president preliminary spatial rs in coming 1927 registered sports hub. playing areas. Waikato’s engageme ly willing the club now has for new facilities 2 netball, hockey clubs and stakeholde Yet before plans still Continued on page that clubs are increasingthan pursue players across rugby, about 2595 many clubs are rather with ure. can be realised, to work together ents. Brodie and touch rugby, ageing infrastruct overall. Touch grappling with isolated developm had shown an people involved filled within ons ns The predatororganisati registratio said rugby proof facilities, multiprotect the world’s fence surrounding Sanctuar openness to shared y Mountain Maungat largest fenced ecological restoratio autari has helped n project. Photo: Lucy Schultz.
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Rebecca Evans, board member and operation Graham Scott, s manager Dan volunteer coordinat Howie at the
or Jenny announcement a testament to of this year’s businessCollie, head of tourism the work taking and marketin place here at award finalists. g Airport, New Sanctuary Mounta Photo: Stephen Zealand Nationa Maungatautari,” Barker. in Fieldays Society l Hughes said. partners, funders and Sanctuary The New Zealand Mountain. , supporters Tourism community,” and Awards received said Cambridge-bas “It also speaks Hughes. entries this year, a record 177 Native, which ed Restore with Sanctua and impact of to the strength supplies native Mountain Maunga ry the conservation, plants and restorat tautari named cultural and the Tourism ion in through services community-cen Environment out Waikato work taking tred Award and the Commu and Bay place of Plenty, is a nity Engagem Mountain Maungaon Sanctuary finalist in the Award. ent Community tautari, from 25 years Contrib The Tourism of Sanctuary Mountaution Award. leadership and conservation Award recognisEnvironment in is also a finalist in the for more than best-practice care Innovation Award, demonstrating es organisations 730 native species while Hamilto to education n environmental leadership in programmes in the Busines Airport features shaping New Zealand s the Communitystewardship, while ’s future kaitiaki, category. New Growth & Strategy impactful cultural Award celebrat Engagement Fieldays SocietyZealand National initiatives, warm manaak meaningful andes those creating itanga offered the Marketing and is up for both lasting impacts visitors, commu to within their awards, and Sustainability commu fosters connect nity outreach that JetPark Hamilto Meanwhile Waipānities. finalist in Service n is a organisations upon thousan ion, and thousands dominate the ds of volunte Waikato “This regiona Excellence. hours.” er Chamber’s Sustaina Business l and nationa recognit l ion reflects the Winners of the category, claiming bility Award dedication, passion and three of the Tourism Awards New Zealand integrity finalist spots through Hamilto four involved in caring of everyone on November will be announced n 4, while the Waikato our staff, volunte for the maunga, ers, mana whenua Business Awards winners will be revealed on Novem ber 6.
Te Awamut F U N E
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What is the Town Belt?
term viability of Two years after Operating costs the sanctuary. a cashflow crisis threatened its future, a day, combine of around $5000 Mountain Maunga Sanctuary d with ongoing funding challeng tautari has been recognised in es, forced the four major busines organisation and tourism to s award categori financial reality.confront a difficult es. The operator support, fundrai Community largest predato of the world’s sing efforts a r-proof renewed enclosure focus on sustaina and in the Times middle of helped the sanctua bility An 1880 Waikato shortlist to in Waipā has been ry navigate the the move ed two crisis categori and report records both secure es at reservethe the Chief executiv its future. permanently Awards New Zealand Tourism Belt. e Helen Hughes and the Waikato Cambridge Town said she was Busines Awards “unbelie the vably years,, marking and honoure a remarkable s For nearly 150 turnaro d” the attractio proud beenfor one Belt hasund had been acknow n of New Cambridge Town Zealand ledged among ’s most significa town’s defining some of New one of the conserv Zealand’s leading a ruralprojects nt fromation organisations. features, evolving . Thesettlement’s recognition comes the on “The high calibre buffer turbulen of our fellow t period in 2024 after a major recreation finalist organisa edge into amountin when Today, tions reflects precinct.g financia breadth of inspirat the and sporting the raised Cambridge’s l pressures ional mahi Cooper discussed being underta s it remains one of concern Gill executive Matthew assets. about the longken Photo: Mary Anne Sport Waikato chief and motu, and across the rohe most important public of the Sports Club and part being included Simes of Hautapu sporting facilities. chief executive • Established as is Sport Waikato, Dave Belt and growing pressure on Sport Waikato town Shane Brodie of communities
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Otorohanga Club membership subscriptions are due 30 September 2026. Haven’t received your invoice by email? No worries, simply pop into the Club to pay, or email accounts@otoclub.co.nz and we’ll send one through. To help reduce costs, subscription notices will not be posted by mail this year. Thank you for your continued support. A: 107 Maniapoto St, Otorohanga 3900 • P: 07 873 8021 • E: office@otoclub.co.nz
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0274 176 379
PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTICE OF 2026 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Notice is hereby given that the 2026 Annual General Meeting of Ruapuha Uekaha Hapū Trust will be held on Saturday, 03 October 26, at Te Korapatu Pā, 102 Hangatiki East Road Te Kuiti 3986. Starting at 10am.
Agenda: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Karakia/Mihi Apologies Chairman’s Report Financial Report Initiatives Report Minutes of the Previous Meeting General Business Karakia Whakamutunga Lunch 12.00pm
In the event of a tangi at Te Korapatu Pā, the AGM will be held at 12 Hinewai Street, Otorohanga 3900.
CHURCH NOTICES
Kihikihi
Presbyterian Church CHURCH SERVICES 10am 27th September Rev Ken Wall All Welcome
PIRONGIA MARKET Pirongia Community Centre, Crozier St Sunday, September 27
9am - 1pm
Last Sunday of every month Email jim1@xtra.co.nz or ph Jim 027 366 5842
SITUATIONS VACANT
Gardening Work
garden resurrection tree care Gardeningfruit Work rose pruning residential & commercial Are you fit, enjoy working outdoors, looking for hedge trimming extra income? tidy up maintenance occasions If the answer is yes then wespecial have something for
Are you fit, enjoy working outdoors, looking you working in a small team 1-2 for days aextra week, possibly more for the right person. income? sendis your CV then to If thePlease answer yes ggworkz@gmail.com we have something for you ggworkz@gmail.com working in a small team 1-2 days a week, possibly more for the right person. Please send your CV to ggworkz@gmail.com or call 027 238 2517 and speak to Tess.
DEATH NOTICES
FUNERAL SERVICES
• Lawn Mowing / Edging • Garden care / Yard Tidies • Hedges / Small Tree Trimming • Weed eating & odd jobs Free quotes @ Affordable rates Lawns start from $40 inc GST
Phone Jason 027 9485258 Servicing Te Awamutu/Kihikihi
FOR TELEVISION REPAIRS & TUNING
Supporting our people for 25 years Our all inclusive packages $5,990 FULL BURIAL PACKAGE $2,990 DIRECT CREMATION PACKAGE See Nepia funeral services FB & website Jack Nepia 027 466 8166 Opposite Fresh Choice Te Awamutu
• Television Aerial Installations & Extensions • Satellite atellite Dish Installation • Stereo Repairs
WESTEND ELECTRONICS Since 1990 871 5193
Jim Goddin Funeral Director
W.O.W
A Farewell with Heart
Lawn & Property Services
• No fuss premium Lawn mowing and Landscaping • One off get it under control or regular keep it nice • Scarification and lawn weed control • Handyman services • WINZ approved / GST registered Residential or Commercial, Big or Small. We do it all at WOW! Phone/Text/Whatsapp: PH 021 084 29261
Every life deserves a meaningful farewell, and our compassionate team is here 24/7 to offer care and support when it matters most.
Family Notices
07 870 2137 262 Ohaupo Road, Te Awamutu www.rosetown.co.nz
• Engagements
ggworkz@gmail.com
• Weddings • Births • Anniversaries
WANTED TO BUY 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
CALF MILK WANTED
Promote your business and gain customers with
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Need a job filled? ADVERTISE YOUR VACANCY WITH US Call Janine 027 287 0005 or email janine@goodlocal.nz
• In Memoriam etc
Funeral Director, Owner
Pam & Ray Bestwick Locally owned and operated
Our team is caring and compassionate. We give the utmost attention to detail in all aspects of our service.
5 Whitmore St, Kihikihi
We buy milk!
• Bereavements Garth Williams
Bocock’s Calf Rearing Pete 027 433 1440 Mark 0274746917
Got reject or surplus milk? Call us today on 027 871 5075. We collect within 1.5 hours drive from Te Awamutu.
KWAN, Eva – Passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, 19th September 2026. Aged 84 years. Dearly loved wife of Alan. Loved mother of Alistair, Martin, and Errol and their partners. Adored by her four grandchildren. A service to celebrate Eva’s life will be held at Alexandra House Chapel, 570 Alexandra St, Te Awamutu on Friday, 25th September 2026, at 11:00am followed by a private cremation. All communications to the Kwan family, c/- P O Box 137, Te Awamutu, 3840.
are members of the
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are members of the
NZ Independent Community Newspapers Association
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16 | TE AWAMUTU NEWS
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