Website visits soar
Visits to Good Local Media’s teawamutunews.nz website continue to soar with last month 76 per cent up on May and a massive 205 per cent up on June last year.
Top post was news that former Te Awamutu based Waipā posties Danny and Ian Kennedy have abandoned their damages claim for breach of contract against NZ Post followed by News in Brief which featured Jetstar landing at Hamilton Airport and the Te Awamutu College ball.
Hamilton Airport’s future proofing plans for an increase is domestic flights came in third while Kiwi Searancke being awarded Waikato Rugby life membership and Ryan Fleming’s column confirming “Yes, there are police” rounded out the top five.
Driver dies
One person died on Monday after a crash involving a track and car on Cambridge Road between Cox and Storey roads. Emergency services were called to the scene about 11.25am. The driver of the car died at the scene.
Business news
The latest edition of Waikato Business News is out this week and includes profiles by Mary Anne Gill and Roy Pilott on Sarah Thomson and Tim Macindoe who are both standing for the Hamilton mayoralty.
The monthly Good Local Media publication – a sister to Cambridge News, Te Awamutu News and King Country News – also includes the turning of the sod at Hamilton Airport’s Precinct North industrial subdivision.
See more waikatobusinessnews.co.nz
It was the beef
Most of the people who experienced gastro symptoms after the Waipā Business Awards in May had eaten beef cheek in a main meal, New Zealand Food Safety have confirmed. One hundred people who attended – about a quarter of the total – came down with gastroenteritis resulting in Cambridge Raceway’s caterer Off the Track issuing an apology.
See: Gastro issues remains a mystery
More candidates
Les Bennett
Two more candidates have announced their council bids for October’s local body elections.
The Act Party chose Andrew Pickford, a former international airline captain, as its candidate for the Tamahere-Woodlands Ward of the Waikato District Council.
Les Bennett has joined the Better Waipā ticket and will stand in the Pirongia-Kakepuku ward.
Waipā a finalist
Ahu Ake, Waipā’s community spatial plan, is a finalist in Local Government NZ’s Super Engaged award which celebrates councils that have found fresh, creative ways to get their communities involved in local decision-making. Waikato Regional and Hamilton City councils are two of three finalists in the Super Steward award for initiatives which made a huge impact on the environment.
Best newcomer
Alice Jeffries
Alice Jeffries assistant yearling manager at Cambridge Stud and a former student at St Peter’s School in Cambridge, took out the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ $10,000 Newcomer Excellence award on Sunday. Jeffries had a memorable experience this year at the National Yearling Sale in Karaka when she took the farm’s draft-topping lot – a colt by Sword Of State out of I Am Invincible – through the ring which Mulberry Racing bought for $540,000.
PJs delivered
Winter Warmer Packs Delivery
Nominations have now closed for Waipā Networks’ Winter Warmer Packs initiative, with over 600 people set to benefit from packs loaded with winter goodies. The initiative, which is into its third year, encourages people to nominate individuals and whānau in need or who may be struggling, particularly through the colder months when energy costs tend to be higher. The packs are being delivered to collection points across the district.
Cars in control
Waipā District Council, led by Fleet Coordinator Claire Vincent, has introduced a new way to manage its 165 vehicles.The Orcoda Connect system enables the council to track and manage their vehicles more efficiently.It’s the first time the Australian system has been used in New Zealand by a local body.
Orcoda says the system makes better use of ratepayer funds by getting more out of their vehicles and cutting costs, and staff are happier because it gives them more independence.
Hautapu stay top
By Jesse Wood
Hautapu beat Morrinsville Sports 41-14 in Waikato premier rugby on Saturday to stay four points clear at the top of the ladders. Centre Michael Naitokani scored twice in the seven tries to two victory at Cambridge Memorial Park.
Others to cross the chalk for Hautapu were stalwart Mitch Jacobson, Amos Faaola, Rui Farrant, Levi Hazelton and speedster Waisake Salabiau. Pivot Rangiwai Lunjevich slotted three conversions off the tee. Hautapu B drubbed Morrinsville B 76-14, scoring a dozen tries.
Leamington and Pirongia both lost in their first week of round two division 1A Mooloo Shield footy. Hinuera hosted Leamington and won 27-10, Pirongia travelled to Putāruru and fell 19-12 at Nola Block.
In the division 1A championship section, Ōhaupō dealt to Frankton 52-10 in Hamilton. Pirongia and Leamington’s B teams registered wins but Ōhaupō B were pipped 13-10 by Frankton B at Swarbrick Park. Te Awamutu Sports beat Pirongia, Hautapu won by default against Matamata and Leamington were outgunned 101-0 by Marist in the under-21 competition.
