Te Puke News - 7 November 2025

Te Puke NEWS

Emergency services’ food drive on next week

Next week there’s an opportunity to spread a little early Christmas cheer as Te Puke’s annual emergency services street appeal takes place

But please, don’t have rice on your gift list.

The food drive collects donations for the local foodbank, run by The Hub Te Puke Manager Clare Cooper said the foodbank is well stocked with rice but there were other things that were always in demand And that included food and non-food items such as toiletries and toilet paper With an eye on the upcoming Christmas demand

for food parcels, she said donations of jellies, custard powder, tinned fruit chocolate, chips and Christmas treats were also welcome

During December volunteers at the foodbank put together the food parcels that would be distributed just before Christmas

‘Through the roof’

Cooper said demand for the foodbank services had continued to rise in 2025 “The need this year has increased, it’s gone through the roof – there are more hardworking families [asking for help] and our first-time users are up at least 25%, probably more. ” In September The Hub food bank reached 169

local households and distributed 12,240 meals, equating to $38,700 worth of distributed food

Cooper said the annual street appeal highlighted the generosity of the Te Puke community “We can only support our community because the community supports us, ” Cooper said

“I continue to say that if I’m going to be struggling, then Te Puke’s the place to be doing it because we ’ ve got such an amazing community – and we can only do what we do because our community gets behind us We are very, very grateful ” November 13

The food drive will take place on November 13 from 6pm It used to be in December but

was brought forward to give volunteers more time to get through sorting the donations

“By the first week of December people are under pressure themselves with their own budgets,” said Cooper

As well as Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade, police and Hato Hone St John, those participating in the food drive included Ministry for Primary Industries staff, Te Puke High School students who were part of Graeme Dingle Foundation’s Project K programme and community patrol members

They would meet at Te Puke Fire Station on the afternoon of November 13 and set off around town at 6pm

Treat trail fun had by many on Halloween

It was an afternoon of fun, prizes and spooky surprises. EPIC Te Puke’s Spook Punk Halloween Treat Trail was another success last week, with hundreds in the town centre to enjoy the fun, and more places than ever for them to see.

Te Puke Library is always a popular stop off point and this year there was a photo booth and for the brave, a chance to blindly

feel what was hidden in a series of boxes.

Te Puke War Memorial Hall took on its usual other worldly mood while the Capitol Theatre also opened up for a mysterious walk-through.

Businesses and organisations judged to the be best were: in first place, Studio 64, second place ReeStyle and in third place the Capitol Theatre/Experience Te Puke Kiwifruit capital of the World.

Highly commended were Te Puke Florist and The Packhouse. Te Puke News reporter Stuart Whitaker was there to capture the spooky fun.

Te Ringa Āwhina students to perform inspiring showcase

Te Puke High School’s Te Ringa Āwhina students are set to shine on stage.

The students from school’s special education unit are gearing up to take centre stage in their upcoming production, called ‘Shine’ – a celebration of creativity, ability and talent.

After weeks of dedication and rehearsals, the cast can ’ t wait to share their hard work and passion with the community this month, said director Michelle Cliff.

“The production promises to be a heartwarming and inspiring showcase, highlighting the unique strengths and abilities of every student involved,” Cliff said.

The performances of ‘Shine’ will be at Te Puke Repertory’s Litt Park Theatre on November 12 at 6 30pm and November 13 at 11am and 6 30pm Staff and students, along with Cliff, have worked collaboratively to bring ‘Shine’ to life

“We’re so proud of our students,” said leader of learning, Monique Eades

“This show is all about giving them the opportunity to express themselves, gain confidence, and share their achievements with whānau and the wider community We also want to thank everyone for their generous support of our raffles,” Eades said.

Tickets to ‘Shine’ are $10 each and can be purchased online at: www eventspronto co nz/ tprs

“It’s sure to be a performance that truly lives up to its name, ” Cliff said.

The Paengaroa Spring Fair is a day-long event that is many things to many people.

Held for the first time last year, the Paengaroa Community Association event was designed to be familyfriendly, low-cost, and to celebrate everything that makes Paengaroa a good place.

“[This year] It’s going to be a day to celebrate families getting together that’s not costing the earth,” said association chairwoman Sue Matthews.

She said it would also be a chance to get in some early Christmas shopping with food stalls, local produce, art and crafts, clothing, books, health products, honey and bric-a-brac.

The Paengaroa Spring Fair is on Saturday, November 8, at the Eastern Districts Rugby Club from 9am to 3pm. Entry is free. There will be musical entertainment from Blan B. Matthews said donations from last year ’ s event were made to Maketu Coastguard, Eastern Districts Rugby

and

Paengaroa

was established in 2011 with the objectives of promoting awareness of and discussion on matters of interest to the community of Paengaroa and surrounding districts, and representing the views of residents to the appropriate authorities

SOUNDS LIKE YOU

Christmas may be looming, but Te Puke’s Santa parade is even closer

The Seeka Te Puke Christmas Float Parade is on December 6 this year – just four weeks away

Organised by Epic Te Puke, the organisation’s events co-ordinator Sally Benning said it’s time for those planning on taking part to get the creative juices flowing.

While Christmas will obviously play a big part in people’s designs, there was also a Steam Punk and Vintage theme ready to be embraced at this year ’ s parade.

Already confirmed is Greerton Steam Punk aficionado Lindsey Morgan – aka Lady Hannah Dashary Buckle – who, with Lord Buckle, will be part of the parade in her Trofa. This is a combined tricycle and sofa vehicle that has evolved into something more over the years.

“I think there is also going to be a contingent from the Tauranga Vintage Car club as well,” Benning said.

She said the tried and tested formula for the parade had been retained, with the parade starting 11am.

There will be three prize categories – Affco Rangiuru’s Community Organisations, Zespri International’s Business and Industry and Towbar

Guy’s Education plus the DMS Progrowers’ Supreme Theme Prize

Individuals with vintage or steampunk themed vehicles are also welcome to register

Prizes will be in EPIC dollars with the supreme award winner potentially wining more than $1000

There will also be a market in Jubilee Park with stalls and entertainment and the park stage will be where the prizewinners are announced Organisers are also still looking for a deserving person to sit alongside Santa in his

sleigh at the back of the parade.

“We don’t want to put out any particular criteria, it’s just for a deserving child or a child who’s had a challenging year, ” Benning said.

Volunteers are always welcome and anyone wanting to make a nomination, help out on the day or register for the parade can go to the Te Puke Online website or contact Sally Benning by emailing: events@epictepuke co nz

In the event of bad weather, the parade’s postponement date is December 13.

As at November 3 we have responded to 274 calls for the calendar year to date.

Callouts

There were 17 calls during the last three weeks – nine were false alarms, four were motor vehicle crashes and only one required extrication with rescue equipment. There was one medical assist and three calls to fires – one at Maketū to assist the Maketū brigade with kitchen fire that had spread to the ceiling, one to power lines down at Kaiate Falls Rd that caused spot fires; and a car fire at New World Te Puke carpark. The supposed cause of this was a phone charger on the dash that caught fire. This creates a stark reminder to be very careful with battery powered items These days, lithium-ion (Liion) batteries are everywhere, from e-bikes and e-scooters to vapes and power tools. They are light, compact, and long-lasting, but can be a fire hazard if they are damaged, mishandled, or improperly disposed of Many of the less expensive imported batteries lack quality control and can easily break down, overheat and catch fire – they should never be left charging unattended

Li-ion safety tips

Do your research Only purchase and use devices and equipment from reputable

manufacturers and suppliers

Only use chargers and batteries supplied with the device, or certified third-party charging equipment compatible with the battery specifications (same voltage and current).

Always charge e-scooters and e-bikes away from exits to ensure you can safely escape in the event of a fire. Where possible these should be stored and charged outside or in a garage, shed or carport, away from living spaces. For smaller devices, such as vapes, phones, and laptops, do not charge these under a pillow, on the bed or on a couch – they can overheat and cause a fire.

Do not overcharge your batteries. When your item is fully charged, disconnect it from the charger

Always store lithium-ion battery devices in cool dry spaces, out of direct sunlight.

Only get device repairs and battery replacements done by a qualified professional.

Smoke alarms

A working smoke alarm or a heat alarm should be installed in any room, garage or structure where lithium-ion batteries are regularly charged

Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page at: www.facebook. com/Te.Puke.Fire.Brigade

Enter between 10-30 Nov, 2025 online or at participating Te Puke businesses for your chance to WIN.

For terms & conditions and your online chance to enter visit:

Local Classifieds

2

3

Call for nominations

4 Nominees 5 m nute korero

5 Elections – closed vot ng 6 Annoucement of resu ts For any inquiries please contact: The Returning Officer, c/- GHA, 1108 Fenton Street, P O Box 1712 Rotorua or email to info@gha.co.nz

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