News in Brief
Jim van der Poel
Honour for Jim
Ōhaupō’s Jim van der Poel was given a standing ovation in Auckland on Monday when he was recognised for his service to the dairy sector with an Outstanding Contribution to Primary Industries Award.
North Waikato’s Neil Bateup was announced winner of the Champion Award, recognising his support for farmers and rural families.
Te Awamutu’s creative crew
Te Awamutu’s Annette Whittle won Best Use of Fleece for her entry into the Cambridge Creative Fibre’s 2026 exhibition. Photo: Viv Posselt
Last week’s Cambridge Creative Fibre exhibition was a celebration of thousands of fingers that never sit idle.
Te Awamutu’s Betty Gilchrist’s knitted ‘Candy Floss Queen’ throw earned her a highly commended at the Cambridge Creative Fibre exhibition. Photo: Viv Posselt
Driver charged
A 21-year-old man was charged with dangerous driving after police found a car crashed in a ditch on Old Mountain Road, Karamu on Monday evening. Earlier, they had taken several calls about a blue sedan doing burnouts and putting other vehicles at risk on the road of Te Pahu Road.
Body identified
Police say the body of missing fisherman Dilane Harding was found after being sighted by officers on the Eagle helicopter near Albatross Point, Taharoa. The 55-year-old’s body was recovered on Sunday, and the death has been referred to the coroner’s office.
Story missed
A short story which should have run under a photo last week was accidentally mixed with another article. The story explained that road damage costs in Waipā following February storms were estimated at $1.72 to $1.8 million and district councillors had taken the view that delaying the work would result in it costing more – so would borrow to fund some of the work.
Dirt bikes
Three weeks after the issue was raised in Deb Hann’s weekly On the Beat column, Hamilton Police have impounded another dirt bike as part of an ongoing enforcement operation to target illegal and dangerous dirt bike behaviour. To date, 16 dirt bikes have been seized as part of the operation.
