News in Brief
Julian’s jag is a real joy
The People’s Choice winner, Jaguar by Julian Godfery. Photo: Mark Coote for IHC.
Two Hamilton artists took top honours at the IHC Art Awards, celebrating creativity and talent in New Zealand’s disability community, and work done in Te Awamutu was a people’s choice.
Renee Derix, from Grey Street Studio, won the overall award with her mixed media piece Underwater, which earned a $5000 prize.
Renee has been creating work at the studio for nearly a decade, and when Underwater sold on opening night it was an emotional moment for the artist and her supporters.
Julian Godfery claimed the People’s Choice Award for the second time, this year with his pen-and-ink piece The Jaguar. The artwork captured hearts across the country, receiving 3085 of the 9480 public votes cast for the 30 finalists.
Julian creates his detailed works at home, at the Enrich Plus day base in Te Awamutu, and in his mother’s Raglan studio. Second place and a $3000 prize went to Amy Lewis for Angel for the People, a felted wool angel in a frame. Amy Hall took third place and $2000 for Harriet: My Cat, a hand-sculpted ceramic vase which is a tribute to her beloved pet.
Peter Crawford of Te Awamutu. Photo: Mark Coote for IHC.
Thanks Michael
Te Awamutu Justice of the Peace chair Janet Livingston presents a framed certificate to long serving JP Michael Williams. Photo: Supplied.
Long serving Ngaroma district JP Michael Williams was presented a 30 Year certificate at the Te Awamutu Justice of the Peace luncheon on Sunday. It acknowledged his community work in a large farming district while he served as the Te Awamutu JP Branch chair for two years while juggling his work as a farmer. Current branch chair Janet Livingston, presented the framed certificate, thanking him for his efforts in Ngaroma on behalf of those present.
On the web
Viewers to our teawamutunews.nz website are creatures of habit – they go straight to our home page to find out the latest online news, according to statistics from last month.
Visits to the site – where stories are not behind pay walls – were up 10 per cent on the previous month and 35 per cent on the same month last year.
After the home page News in Brief – which featured more stories about the LGNZ conference in Christchurch – came in second followed by the earlier story about council costs to the awards dinner at the conference.
Honouring our Op Shop saints was fourth and the story about why 22-year-old Jayden Corbett joined Federated Farmers rounded out the top five.
Taking aims
Schools in the The News circulation competing at this week’s Aims Games in Tauranga include Ōhaupō, Ōtorohanga South, Piopio College, Rukuhia, St Patrick’s Catholic, St Peter’s School and Te Awamutu Intermediate, Hautapu, Cambridge Middle, Kaipaki, Korakonui and Maihiihi,
Business News out
Waikato Business News September 2025
The September issue of Waikato Business News is out this week and features nine candidates standing for mayor in Waipā, Hamilton and Waikato. It also features an interview with former All Black Sam Cane and a Cambridge veterinarian turned theatrical costume and set designer. Sister publication Bay of Plenty Business News looks at the decision to scrap NCEA. More online and free at goodlocal.nz
Rep rugby returns
The Waikato women’s rugby team will play its Farah Palmer Cup match against Manawatu at Cambridge Memorial Park next week instead of the usual Waikato Stadium venue making the match accessible to the Waipā community for a gold coin donation.
New lake plan
Nga Roto
Lake Ngā Roto retains its name in a new plan approved by Waipā district councillors for restoring it. Wairoto was identified by Apakura Rūnanga Trust as its traditional name in the plan but it has not been agreed with Te Rūnanganui-o-Ngāti Hikairo.
Candidates meeting
Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce – which represents 130 businesses – will host a forum next week featuring the three candidates for the mayoralty in Waipā – Susan O’Regan, Mike Pettit and Clare St Pierre, who are also speaking in Cambridge tonight.
Honey launch
The University of Waikato’s Honey Research Unit has been relaunched, building on over 40 years of mānuka honey science. Current projects include PhD student Amber Bell’s Marsden-funded work on how heavy metals affect bee brains and colonies.
Choir warms up
Planning has started for this year’s annual Waitomo Caves Choir Christmas season. Singers from the wider Waitomo, Ōtorohanga and Te Kūiti districts have started Thursday practices in Ōtorohanga ahead of a three day season at the end of November.
