News in Brief
Coroner’s concern
Coroner Ian Telford has underlined the role of fatigue in road-related deaths. His comments came in finding the primary cause of a crash which claimed the life of 35-year-old mechanic Daniel Wood of Ngatira on Wharepapa South Rd, Te Awamutu, in February 2023 were fatigue and drug use. In his ruling he wrote he considered the case highlighted “yet again the devastating consequences that can flow from getting into a car after using drugs and being too tired to do so”.
Car attraction
Cambridge Chamber of Commerce golf tournament at Cambridge Golf Club.
Organisers of the two-day 125th jubilee at Cambridge Golf Club next week have secured a new car as a prize for the first golfer to get a hole in one at the par three elevated eighth hole at the tournament on Saturday.
Christmas parade
And there wouldn’t be a Christmas Parade without Santa Claus. Cambridge Christmas Parade 2024
Cambridge’s Christmas parade on December 7 will have the theme “A Sporty Christmas” to acknowledge the town’s sporting heritage. Parade manager Vicki Ewing said entries were now open for the parade, which had a near record number of floats in 2024.
Maher in the chair
Warren Maher
Warren Maher was elected chair of Waikato Regional Council at the new council’s first meeting last week. He was the sole councillor nominated for the role held for the last three years by Pamela Storey, who lost her seat at October’s elections.
Maher said there was a real desire around the table to move the council forward… “we have some amazing staff, some amazing people on the ground delivering incredible mahi for the region. We want to carry that forward”. He noted the need for unity and balanced decision-making around the economy, social and cultural values, and the environment, for the benefit of the Waikato region.
Mich’eal Downard (Taupō-Rotorua) won an election to be deputy chair, beating former deputy chair Kataraina Hodge (Ngā Tai ki Uta) nine votes to three.
Bydder’s job
Andrew Bydder during his Hamilton City Council swearing in watched by new mayor Tim Macindoe. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Cambridge based Andrew Bydder has picked up the deputy chair’s position of the Finance and Assurance Committee announced by new Hamilton mayor Tim Macindoe. Macindoe, who named Geoff Taylor as deputy mayor, also gave the City Delivery chair’s position to Sarah Thomson, who he beat to the top job.
Waikato’s team
Waikato District Council, pictured last week comprises, back row, from left, Marlene Raumati, Peter Thomson, Grant Coombes, David Whyte, Mike Keir, Tilly Turner and Lisa Thomson and front, Carolyn Eyre, Crystal Beavis, Vern Reeve, mayor Aksel Bech, deputy mayor Eugene Patterson, Fabio Rodrigues and Endine Dixon-Harris.
New Waikato district mayor Aksel Bech says affordability has to improve and transparency and accountability increase.
Speaking at the swearing in of the council – which also included three new councillors, Grant Coombes (Newcastle-Ngāruawāhia) Endine Dixon-Harris (Tai Raro Takiwaa Māori Ward) and Fabio Rodrigues (Tuakau-Pōkeno), he said empowering communities and giving them a genuine voice at the table was the foundation for a future where every community thrives.
“That must be our way forward.” Bech returned to the council table as mayor having missed out on a bid for the chains three years ago. He previously served as deputy mayor. “Local government is complex and change is difficult, but we are up for that challenge and the mahi begins today,” he said. The Tamahere-Woodlands ward councillors Crystal Beavis and Mike Keir were both re-elected.
LIM changes
Land Information Memorandums (LIMs) issued by Waikato District Council will now include more detailed information about natural hazards and climate-related risks. The change follows national updates to the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and new regulations that set out what councils must include in LIMs about hazards such as flooding, erosion and land instability.
Dress success
Hamilton’s Love the Centre awards in K’aute Pasifika’s fale last week saw Dress for Success take out the not for profit award ahead of The Meteor Theatre and Breast Cancer Research Trust.
Key positions
Matemoana McDonald and Glenn Dougal, chair and deputy chair respectively at Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Photo: Supplied
While women have been voted out of office in Waipā, Waikato and Matamata-Piako districts and from Waikato Regional Council, in the Bay of Plenty, its regional council has elected Matemoana McDonald as its first woman and first Māori chair. Glenn Dougal is deputy chair.
