Two people with a long-standing family connection to Cambridge’s sister city Bihoro have been selected as part of a seven-strong Waipā delegation to visit Japan this month.
Cambridge Community Board sought applications from people in the community to join the delegation to Bihoro. More than 15 high-quality applications were received for the self-funded trip.
Board chair Jo Davies-Colley and Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan selected Alisha Robinson, Robyn Maxwell and Greg Thornton as the successful applicants. They will represent the district alongside deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk, Cambridge ward councillor Philip Coles, and Cambridge Community Board members Alana Mackay and Andrew Myers.
Homestay accommodation will be provided in Bihoro as part of the sister city relationship, but travel and other expenses will be funded by candidates, with any council costs limited to an official gift for the delegation.
The selected gift is a custom work by local artist Saoirse Herewini. It will incorporate the sister city themes of friendship, education and agriculture and have a distinct Cambridge flavour, with local stories and symbolism.
Local artist Saoirse Herewini with her artwork titled ‘Kotahitanga’ symbolising the concept of togetherness, identifying as one
11 September 8pm
Fly away little one
Waikato bird lover Judy Fentress released the first of two ruru at The Sculpture Park in the Waitakaruru Arboretum last weekend. Fentress, who has reared hundreds of birds and is a firm supporter of native wildlife, has been rearing the two native owls for the past eight months and the second will be released on Sunday.
Club toasts new members
Cambridge Tree Town Toastmasters has four prospective new members after an open evening this month.
The club celebrated its 30th birthday in 2023, having opened its doors for the first time in 1993 and if new faces come on board it will have close to 30 members.
Club spokesperson Simon Diplock said most are based in the Waikato, but some members are from further afield in Taupo, the United Kingdom and Spain.
“As a hybrid club, it allows both online and in person attendees, giving their members great flexibility to attend from anywhere,” he said.
Toastmasters helps people to overcome their fear of public speaking and develop leadership skills in a low stress environment.
The Cambridge club meets every Monday in Cambridge.
Notification needed
Quarry application
Public notification will be required for a giant 27ha quarry in a rural zone on the outskirts of Cambridge, Waipā District Council has advised interested parties. Fulton Hogan – the holding company for the proposed quarry’s operators RS Sand Ltd – wants to run the quarry 3.5kms east of central Cambridge and about one kilometre from new housing to the northeast of the town.
Bridge opens
The central pier, bridge beams and balustrades are made from Corten Steel which reduces long-term maintenance costs and has safety and environmental benefits. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Traffic is now flowing over Hamilton’s new Te Ara Pekapeka Bridge. An opening was held earlier this month.
Voting opens
Nine candidates are vying for six roles on Waipā Networks Trust. Marcus Gower, Sarah Matthews, Dave McLean and Ray Milner are standing again while Philip Coles, Jarrod Godfrey, Pip Kempthorne, and Rollo Webb have put their hats in the ring. Judy Bannon is not seeking re-election. Voting runs through this month.
Expressway closure
State Highway 1 between the Cambridge Road and Hautapu interchanges will close for up to four hours on successive Saturdays starting this weekend to enable Northpower to use a helicopter to pull transmission wires across the expressway and Racecourse Road. Both closures will be from noon to 4pm, weather permitting. Detours will take in SH1B.
Church leaders’ call
Murray Smith
Waipā religious leaders have backed a letter opposing the ACT party’s Treaty Principles Bill. News faith columnist Murray Smith, of Bridges Church, said it is an affiliate of a national church network (LinkNZ) that has commitment to the treaty “as it stands”.
“Our view is that the Treaty does not need any ‘re-definition’, rather it needs but to be understood and implemented in terms of its original intention from the outset,” he said.
