News in Brief
Trial underway
Kataraina Hodge of Te Awamutu is participating in an international surgical trial being run from Waikato which is testing whether women with early breast cancer and a small amount of spread to one to two lymph nodes can safely avoid further armpit treatment, such as surgery or radiotherapy. Hodge joined the trial because she believes it’s important for Māori women to be involved in clinical research – especially with breast cancer being so prominent in Māori communities.
Clean up crew
This group of community minded people gathered in Te Awamutu last weekend to collect other people’s rubbish. They were among a team of 15 people – including members of the Kiwanis Club – who spent time picking up litter. The Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board initiative resulted in 80kg of rubbish being removed from the town centre.
Shield returns
Norris Hall, right, presents the shield – which he donated – to Pokuru club president Mike Profitt.
The Rosetown Shield indoor bowling challenge was revived at Te Rahu last weekend – and won by the Pokuru Club. The tournament, which sees clubs enter two teams of four in a round robin, attracted entries from the hosts, Pokuru, Mangapiko and Te Awamutu. The winning Pokuru team was Mike Profitt, Ken Morriss, Ken Hancock and Jo Ward with three wins. Second was Te Rahu’s Peter Carey, Keith Burgess, Peter Crawford and Linda Lucas.
Milner honoured
Cambridge Community Board chair Sue Milner speaking at the service
Long-serving local body politician Sue Milner was honoured at last night’s Cambridge Community Board meeting with a long service award for her exceptional dedication and service. Milner, first elected to Waipā council in 2010, served three terms before standing for the community board in 2019 and then chaired it for three years before handing over to Jo Davies-Colley in 2022. She remained on the board this term but is standing down.
Scholarship for Katie
Katie Hollands
Cambridge student Katie Hollands has won a $5000 Meat Industry Association scholarship.
Hollands, who did not grow up on a farm but spent a lot of time on schoolfriends’ family farms which sparked her interest, is in her third year at Lincoln University studying for a Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing and planning a career in the red meat sector.
The former Waikato Diocesan School for Girls enjoyed business studies at school and had a passion for the primary industries and the food it produces.
Works complete
New Zealand Transport Agency’s massive road maintenance programme around Waikato and Bay of Plenty has wrapped up. Crews completed an ambitious schedule of road rebuilds, resurfacing, and chip sealing, alongside ongoing maintenance efforts. Major Waipā worksites completed included SH3 work – a six-week road rebuild through Ōhaupō and a four-week road rebuild in Rukuhia.
Fieldays again
Aerial view of Fieldays 2024. Photo: Stephen Barker.
The usual Fieldays road closures have been approved by Waipā District Council from June 11-14. The whole of McEldownie Rd and Mystery Creek Rd between Mellow and McEldownie Rds and between Gate 2 and Gate 5 of Mystery Creek Events Centre, are affected.
Rates owing
Just over $200,000 is owing in unpaid rates to Waipā District Council from last financial year while 80 per cent of this year’s rates had been paid to the end of last month with $18.9 million outstanding. Water rates owed were $2.1 million. All become overdue if unpaid by July 1.
Hearing rescheduled
Police, the licensing inspector and the Medical Officer of Health are opposing the renewal of Five Stags in Leamington’s liquor licence. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The Waipā district licensing hearing which was to be held earlier this month to consider the alcohol licence application by Five Stags bar in Leamington will now be held next week at the council’s service centre. The licensing committee held a pre-hearing meeting with all parties on the day set aside for the public hearing.
Consultation opens
A management plan for four reserves under the care of Ngā Pae Whenua – Taumatawīwī, Waikaukau, Te Reti and Koroki Kahukura ki Hinuera Scenic reserves – is being developed and public consultation is open until late next month. Ngā Pae Whenua is a joint management body made up of iwi representatives from Ngāti Koroki Kahukura and Waipā District Council. The reserves under its care were part of the Ngāti Koroki Kahukura treaty settlement.
Stubbs again
Peter Stubbs
Co-Lab, a council controlled organisation owned by several councils which identifies shared opportunities, has changed its constitution to allow chair Peter Stubbs another term.
Stubbs had already been chair for two terms of three years and the Co-Lab board was keen to extend his term while planning and modelling for the Waikato Waters Done Well entity.
