News in Brief
Guiding councillors
Waipā District Council members have been told they can guide community boards on items they have an interest in, Lou Brown told Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board last week, but they are not allowed to take part in the discussions. Brown’s comments come after chair Ange Holt expressed frustration about the rules rendering councillors ineffective at community board meetings.
Hall of famer
John Hastie and his family at the ceremony.
International cricket umpire and Te Awamutu local, John Hastie, was inducted into the town’s prestigious Walk of Fame last week at a celebration reflecting his impressive accomplishments. The ceremony unveiling Hastie’s personalised pou (post) in Selwyn Park was attended by his proud family, friends and several former cricketing greats.
Recycled benches
The council wants to replace memorial park benches
The decision to replace seven of the War Memorial Park’s benches with modern equivalents had already been made before Te Awamutu and District War Memorial Park Maintenance committee member Marc Dawson spoke to the Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board last week. The council says it could donate the old benches to a community organisation such as Te Awamutu Menzshed.
Charges reviewed
Waipā District Council is reviewing its fees and charges to ensure that everyone who uses its services contributes fairly. While most of the adjustments reflect inflation, there are a few exceptions where the actual costs weren’t being fully recovered. Fees and charges only come into play for services such as dog registrations, building consents, and cemeteries.
Pro bout
Alex “The Matrix” Mukuka
Commonwealth Games boxer Alex “The Matrix” Mukuka will have his first professional bout against Ross Malthus of Whangārei at the Te Awamutu Events Centre next month. Mukuka trains under Raymond Richards, who used to coach at the Te Awamutu Boxing Club.
100 years of rural women
Waikato Provincial Rural Women NZ wants historic photographs of Waikato farms to use in a slide show celebrating a century of the organisation in September. The Women’s Farmers Union started in 1925, became Women’s Division Federated Farmers in 1945, and assumed its current name after 1999.
