News in Brief
Star turns on stage
Grace Gower and Alice Collins in the newly opened BNZ Theatre – Photographer Mark Hamilton
Among the 500 performers on stage for the opening performance of Ki Ngā Whetū To the Stars at the new Waikato Regional Theatre last week were some faces that Te Awamutu residents will be familiar with.
Mother and daughter Grace Gower and Alice Collins, were among the featured singers in the performance. Renee Kenyon, who was in the pit orchestra, shared the experience with both her daughter, Addison Kenyon (onstage performer), and her mum Theresa Dyer (onstage orchestra) and Te Awamutu drama teacher Morag Carter was also part of the on stage orchestra.
“I thought it was important to take the opportunity to be a part of this historic event, especially with Founders Theatre having been such a significant part of my teenage experiences with theatre,” Carter said
Addison Kenyon, Renee Kenyon, and Theresa Dyer – Photographer Mark Hamilton
Continuing education
The first 2026 meeting of the Te Awamutu continuing education group will be held on February 18. The print version of this report incorrectly said the meeting was next Wednesday.
Loco display still offline
Climax 1317 Trust treasurer Allen Roundthwaite on board the restored locomotive.
The meticulously restored Climax 1317 locomotive steam engine won’t be back on display in Te Awamutu for a while yet.
There is no funding allocated for the project in Waipā District Council’s 2034–2037 Long Term Plan.
A Te Awamutu mayor, the late Jonas Smyth, gifted the former bush tramway engine to Te Awamutu in the late 1950s.
For 48 years, it was a play item for children at the Te Awamutu War Memorial Park. In 2003, the council agreed the locomotive should be restored and supported the Te Awamutu Lions Club to form the Climax 1317 Trust.
The following year the engine was moved into premises leased by the council where it has been repaired and refurbished by volunteers.
“Staff are continuing to work with the Te Awamutu Lions and representatives of the now-dissolved Climax Engine 1317 Trust to identify a suitable permanent location for the historic engine,” group manager customer and community services Sally Sheedy said.
“Confirmation of a site is required before any fundraising can proceed for the construction of a building to house the engine.
“Council staff will continue to work alongside the Te Awamutu Lions to reach agreement on a suitable location.”
After 48 years based in a playground, the steam engine was in desperate need of refurbishment.
Pipe checks
Karl Pavlovich, water services manager, and Charmian Stone, asset planning engineer,
A 3-kilometre pipeline that supplies water to Pirongia and Te Awamutu is getting a check-up. Water services manager Karl Pavlovich said a water main break late last year, which affected both Pirongia and Te Awamutu, showed how important it is to invest in infrastructure to keep water flowing safely and reliably. Testing should be wrapped up in March, and it is hoped to complete the work without any temporary water shutdowns.
Te Huia backed
A “Stack the Station” rally supporting the Te Huia passenger train service between Hamilton and Auckland attracted about 300 people last weekend.
Train fans pictured at Frankton last weekend.
Rally organisers want a permanent future for the service and have launched a petition calling on the government to expand the service into a network linking Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.
The event was attended by MPs Tama Potaka (Hamilton West) Ryan Hamilton (Hamilton East) incoming list MP Georgie Dansey and local and regional councillors.
Event organiser Lindsey Horne said the turnout sent an undeniable message to the Government as key funding decisions approach.
“Stack the Station showed just how much Te Huia is valued. The community is no longer just asking for the service to stay, they are asking for it to grow. We want to see more frequent services and a network that finally links Hamilton and Auckland with Tauranga.”
The New Zealand Transport Agency will make decisions on Te Huia’s future in coming weeks.
St John stats
Pictured at the blessing of the new ambulances were, from left, Ken Williamson (Knight of the Order of St John), Craig Scott,
ambulance officers Nigel Whibley, George McQuillan and Scott Gardiner and St John District Operations Manager Ross Clark.
Hato Hone St John ambulance crews responded to 50,907 incidents in the Waikato region last year, up 2.7 percent from 49,577 in 2024, and up 15.4 percent from 44,129 in 2020. The most common reasons for calling 111 for an ambulance included referrals from a health practitioner, breathing problems, chest pain, falls and people feeling generally or medically unwell. Water related incidents were significantly up last year.
Harness awards
Ken and Karen Breckon
Waipā featured in two major categories at harness racing’s Horse of the Year held at Addington on Saturday. Benjamin Butcher of Cambridge won the Newcomer to Training award for his eight winners last year in his second season of training. He also drove 300 winners. Ōhaupō breeders Ken and Karen Breckon picked up the Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing gong.
