News in Brief
Reserve plans
The 30 year old Hiskens Reserve playground in Te Awamutu is to get a spruce up next month. It is the only playground within a 20-minute walk of the area, which is home to more children than any other part of the Waipā district.
Lake lowered
The annual lowering of Lake Karāpiro takes place on Saturday from 8am to 5pm to allow for maintenance and cleaning activities around the lake. Lake users and Mercury Energy will have their eyes out for the invasive freshwater clams, first discovered at Bob’s Landing two years ago.
Numbers up
Staff numbers at Waipā District Council had risen from 222 in 2016 to 332 by last year. As of mid-June this year, the full time equivalent count was 343 staff. The council’s capital spend nine years ago was $43.6 million compared to $158.4 million last year. Infometrics figures show the Waipā population grew from 52,000 to 61,400 at the same time.
Commuters rise
More than 22,000 workers commute to Hamilton for work daily, Statistics NZ data shows. Data captured on Census night in 2023 reveal about 22,100 people commute into Hamilton for work, while 13,100 travel outside the city for employment. More than 83 per cent come from neighbouring Waikato and Waipā districts. Inbound commuters most commonly work in healthcare, manufacturing, and construction.
Survey workshop
Waipā District Council staff will present councillors with the latest Annual Residents Perception Survey for the year next month at a workshop. The survey’s main objectives are to test residents’ perceptions around the environment and lifestyle associated with Waipā district, satisfaction with council services, leadership, financial management and value for money.
Wrong William
William Tregloan Thomas
Waipā councillor Dale-Maree Morgan’s great great grandfather William Tregloan Thomas was mayor of Woolston in Christchurch and not the sculptor William Thomas Trethewey (The News 14 August).
Top dogs on show
Ōtorohanga will host the two day Huntly and District Kennel Association Championship Show for the first time next month.
Originally held in Huntly, then in Cambridge, the association’s next annual champs will start on September 6.
The event is run in association with the Waikato Gundog Club, the Hound Club of Auckland and the Waikato and Districts Collie Club, all of which will bring the pick of their litters to Ōtorohanga.
