News in brief
Feedback sought
A proposal to rezone a block south of Centennial Park in Te Awamutu for housing has opened for feedback. Private Plan Change 31 seeks to rezone the land, about 28ha, from Deferred Residential to Medium Density Residential and Reserve Zone.
Clearing the air
For more than 30 years, an air handler working alongside a diesel heater above Cinema One kept Regent Theatre patrons in Te Awamutu comfortable through every season. The next generation of heating arrived on Monday, when a new energy efficient system to heat and cool Cinema One was installed
Plan changes
The Environment Court has told Waikato Regional Council to make 20 changes to its proposed Waikato Regional Plan Change 1. The plan change, 14 years in the making, aims to reduce discharges of nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment and microbial pathogens from farming activities and is part of a broader effort to improve water quality in the region. Federated Farmers, which has raised concerns about the impact on farmers, said the court’s interim decision released last week appeared measured and balanced.
Waiting for Matariki
A series of creative workshops for adults, running across June and July 2026, will be held at Whare Hau Tutū in Hamilton’s Pembroke St. Organisers say the series “creates space for adults to slow down, remember, reflect, reconnect, and look ahead through toi Māori, storytelling, whenua, taiao, and contemporary creative practice”. The Matariki public holiday will be on July 10.
Cats on show
More than 140 cats representing 15 breeds ranging from ragdolls, British shorthairs, Persians, Abyssinians and Burmese to companion cats will be on show in the Tamahere Community Centre on July 5 at the 2026 Hamilton Cat Show.
Rural voice to be heard
Rural residents will have an opportunity to discuss issues with local body politicians next week.
The Cambridge Community Board hosts its rural tour event on two farms next Tuesday.
Andrew Myers, the board’s rural representative, is a dairy farmer and will host the first meeting.
Myers’ haybarn event in Roto-o-Rangi will start at 10am and a second meeting, will be on a Fencourt farm from 12.30pm.
Myers said it was a chance for farmers, growers, and rural residents to meet in their community and discuss unique issues with mayor Mike Pettit and councillors.
‘Rural people play a big part in driving the economy of Waipa and like to talk about issues affecting their livelihoods,” he said.
Issue up for discussion could range from rates, zoning of land, road and bridge infrastructure and services like drainage and water supply to recent plan change processes to change kiwifruit shelter heights and a bid to convert 100ha of Leamington rural land to medium density urban land.
The central government’s drive to amalgamate councils will also be top of mind, Myers said.
