Archer Griffin, 6, of Goodwood School near Cambridge gives a high five to the Weet-Bix man as he crossed the finish line after completing the 50m swim and 1.5km run at Waikato University’s fields earlier this month. Photo: Supplied.
About 1600 children – including 187 aged between six to 15 from Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Kihikihi and Pirongia – participated in the annual Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon.
The event began in 1992 at St Heliers in Auckland with 500 competitors and now numbers 11 locations throughout the country with thousands of entries.
Piarere roundabout underway
Poto Davies, Karaitiana Tamatea (Ngaati Koroki Kahukura), Wina Taute (Raukawa) and Eugene Kara (Ngaati Koroki Kahukura artist)
The highly anticipated roundabout at the intersection of State Highway 1 and State Highway 29 in Piarere is set to move into construction. A blessing of the site, held early Tuesday with local mana whenua – Ngaati Koroki Kahukura, Ngaati Hauaa Iwi Trust and Raukawa – signals the move into the construction phase.
Mark Woodward, Downer Infrastructure Delivery Regional Manager says the team are thrilled to have been awarded the contract for this significant roading upgrade. “The Downer team are looking forward to starting the major works …. which will provide improved safety, reliability, and enhanced connectivity to motorists on this high-volume traffic route.”
With an average of 20,000 vehicles traveling through this intersection daily, it’s a vital link between Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty, and onto the central and lower North Island. People can expect to see some initial survey works around the site ahead of Christmas and work will start in earnest from 8 January 2024.
Trio recognised
l-r Cathie Shaw, Dave Simes and Janice Downard.
Three Waipā staff have been recognised for their contribution to the emergency response following the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle across the country last year. Emergency Management Operations Manager Dave Simes supported both the Thames and Hastings Emergency Operations Centres as the local controller.
Emergency Management Co-ordinator Cathie Shaw lent a hand to the welfare teams at the Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management Group office, and the Waikato District Council and Napier Emergency Operations Centre. Project Support Administrator Janice Downard supported the regional welfare team at the Waikato Group Emergency Co-ordinating Centre.
In addition, Cathie Shaw also responded to the Nelson Tasman Emergency Management severe weather event in August 2022. “I know as a country we’ve done an awful lot to assist other areas but to understand the individual contribution of emergency management professionals is really impressive. That’s what community is about,” mayor Susan O’Regan said. “It shows we have heart and that we are willing to share it with others. On behalf of our district, thank you so much for what you have done.”
A sheepish moment
Okay, it’s a pony in sheep’s clothing, but this is Christmas… Jordan Dowling and her pony Marli got into the spirit of the season at the Cambridge East Maungakawa Pony Club Christmas rally last Sunday arriving as a shepherd and a… sheep. Twenty youngsters from the club took part in a Christmas cowboy challenge, games and a jumping rally at the club’s Taylor St grounds. Photo: Arthur Uden
Kuriger speaks
Barbara Kuriger
Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger is the new deputy speaker to Gerry Brownlee. She was nominated by Chris Bishop last week. National’s Maureen Pugh and Labour’s Greg O’Connor are the assistant speakers. Kuriger is into her fourth term as an MP and served as an assistant speaker during the Labour led government’s term.
Kiwi plus two
A kiwi transferred from Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari has hatched the first kiwi chicks born in the area west of Wellington in 150 years. The two chicks
were found at the end of November as part of The Capital Kiwi Project’s monitoring programme of 63 kiwi.
Update for neighbours
Fonterra’s Hautapu neighbours have had a frank discussion with the company over a land zoning change it wants. The company’s Private Plan Change involves land it and APL owns and which is destined to become a major industrial complex. It says the proposed change is part of the “staged industrialisation” of the growth cell covering the area.
Neighbour Lesley Dredge told the News this week a Fonterra representative had answered questions “candidly” and provided a more information and detail on Monday. “They will also be emailing us the assessments completed so far on transport and urban design.”’ She said some residents had raised concerns that they knew nothing about the latest plan change proposal “until now” – when discussions had been going on since April.
More bats
A population of Pekapeka – long tailed bats – has been found at the Waitakaruru Arboretum at Tauwhare.
Powering up
An electric vehicle charging station has been installed at Tamahere Park on Wiremu Tamihana Drive.
Market day
Sunday’s Kaipaki Christmas market attracted 40 stall holders and hundreds of people to Kaipaki Oval. The day featured food, games, face painting, a visit from
Santa and musical items from Kaipaki and Ōhaupō school students.
A big uptick
Tick, tock …… time stands still at the Cambridge Town Clock.
The bill to restore the Cambridge clock tower and install an automated system by next June has jumped to more than $720,000. That is up from a $450,000 estimate in August and, says, Waipā District Council property services manager David Varcoe, reflects unpredictable market for materials, the deteriorating condition of the tower and the challenging worksite the clock sits on.
Blood collection challenge
The New Zealand Blood Service is hoping to collect 5500 units of blood in the Waikato over the festive season. A total of 55,300 units of blood, plasma and platelets were used across the country last December and January and the service expects that number to rise to 57,500.
“As people enjoy a well-earned break over summer, we tend to experience a dip in the number of people donating. However, the reality is the need for blood and plasma does not stop for those who get sick, have accidents or require ongoing treatment,” marketing and communications manager Asuka Burge said. He said an hour spent giving blood or plasma could mean the difference between life and death for someone else just a few days later.
“All blood types are needed – but right now, we’re calling for those who are A positive to roll up their sleeve and donate blood in the lead-up to the Christmas period. As one of the most common blood types in New Zealand, we always experience high demand for A positive blood and that looks set to continue over the coming months.” More than 850 donations are used in the Waikato region each week to help patients who rely on blood and blood products.
