Sun shines on solar farm project P3
Mangawhai farewells Jim Wintle P6&7
Kaipara rates stay below 9% P9
March 10, 2025
Your locally-owned Community Newspaper
Kaiwaka shearer a cut aboveCash the for rest
Maungaturoto/Kaiwaka shearer Toa Henderson fulfilled a lifetime dream when he claimed NZ’s top shearing prize at the Golden Shears on March 1. In the process, the 34-year-old became the first first-time Open finalist to win the glamour prize in 15 years. Days after the competition, Henderson said he was still on Cloud 9. “We’re a shearing family and I pretty much grew-up in the shearing sheds of Northland,” he said. “Shearing was all I’ve ever wanted to do, and I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a kid. “It’s taken years and thousands of kilometres to win that trophy, so it still feels a bit unreal. It means more to me than anything, as my wife, Phoebe, and my family, and everyone back in Kaiwaka knows.” Henderson won the Open title convincingly, beating defending champion Leon Samuels, eight-times winner Rowland Smith, fourtimes winner John Kirkpatrick and 2015 victor Gavin Mutch. He sheared 20 sheep in 16 minutes 15.779 seconds on Stand 1, eight seconds faster than his nearest rival. Henderson went close to winning a Golden Shears title in the Senior grade in 2008, clipped only by his brother Tane.
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Toa Henderson in his moment of glory, winning the Golden Shears Open shearing title in Masterton. Photo, Pete Nikolaison.
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Builder’s close call prompts battery warning Local building contractor ‘Steve’ was nearly home from a day working at Omaha on February 28, when his afternoon took a sudden frightening turn when the back of his ute became a fiery blaze. The fire was caused by lithium batteries used for power tools and though Steve pulled quickly to the side of the road and tried to extinguish the flames, his efforts proved ineffective. Once the fire reached the engine, the ute exploded, setting roadside shrubbery alight with flames reportedly reaching as high as the power poles.
Traffic along Mangawhai Road was blocked for over an hour-and-a-half as three emergency services attended the incident. In the smoky aftermath, all that remained was a burnt out carcass, with the ute’s hardback canopy completely melted and work equipment destroyed. For Steve, the shocking reality of how close he came to being severely burnt also set in. Due to the recent recession, the builder and wife Ange, who have two young children, have had to make some tough financial decisions, and the vehicle and contents were uninsured.
While sourcing new tools and a work vehicle will place an extra financial burden on the family, Ange says they feel blessed that Steve is okay. “At this stage, we’re just trying to pick ourselves up and get on with it. I'm so grateful that it wasn't worse. We can replace the items – it’ll be hard, but I’m just glad Steve got to come home.” A Givealittle page has been set up to help the family. Steve and Ange say they are very grateful for the generous support they have already received. To donate, visit givealittle. co.nz/search?q=for+steve+ute
The recent fire in a ute, caused by an explosion of lithium batteries, highlights the importance of their safe handling in devices such as tools, vapes, phones, laptops, ebikes and scooters.
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Quality Family Home Specialists Wakanui 155 sqm
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