Health warning lifted for Lake Ngā Roto, and remains in place for Lakes Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake), Waikare, Hakanoa, Rotokauri, Whangape and Kainui.
The Public Health warning issued on 7 November 2023 for Lake Ngā Roto has now been lifted after subsequent tests showed that cyanobacterial levels are below the warning level. Lakes Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake), Waikare, Hakanoa, Rotokauri, Whangape and Kainui continue to have a cyanobacterial health warning in place.
Dr Richard Wall, Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Medical Officer of Health for Waikato recommends that where cyanobacteria health warnings are in place, lakes should not be used for any activity that involves skin contact with the affected water.
“Swallowing water from lakes affected by blooms should also be avoided,” said Dr Wall.
Cyanobacteria can release toxins which can trigger asthma and hayfever symptoms, and can cause skin rashes, stomach upsets, and in some cases neurological effects such as tingling around the mouth, headaches, breathing difficulties and visual problems.
These symptoms may not appear until some time after contact with the affected water.
Scums are a particular risk because they contain a high level of toxins. If contact with scum does occur, skin should be rinsed clean and clothing changed as soon as possible. This warning is particularly important for children.”
“If people do come into contact with the lake when warnings are in place, or any other lake where there are visible changes to water colour, they should shower and change their clothing as soon as possible afterwards, even if no symptoms are noticeable,” he said.
Dog owners should prevent their dogs from drinking or swimming in the water, as dogs are particularly sensitive to cyanobacteria.
Health NZ would like to be informed about health problems that develop after exposure to any of the Waikato lakes.
Arrests made
Waikato Police have made three arrests in relation to the burglary of a Dinsdale petrol station and the aggravated robbery of a Te Awamutu dairy.
The burglary at the petrol station took place in the early hours of 11 March and the aggravated robbery at the dairy took place later the same day.
Members of the Waikato Tactical Crime Unit have arrested two 13-year-olds and a 19-year-old in relation to the offending.
One of the 13-year-olds appeared in Hamilton Youth Court today. The second 13-year-old and the 19-year-old will appear in Hamilton Youth Court tomorrow.
Enquiries are ongoing to identify and locate two other offenders.
Police are aware that members of the public tried to intervene in the robbery at the Te Awamutu dairy. While we know these people acted with the best of intentions, we urge people not to put themselves in harm’s way. These incidents are unpredictable and can escalate quickly, and the last thing we want is for people to get hurt.
A way that bystanders can help is to – where possible – capture photographic and/or video footage and provide it to police. This kind of footage can prove invaluable when we are working to identify those involved in this type of offending.
Dairy robbery
Members of the public intervened to stymie an aggravated robbery at Te Awamutu’s West End dairy in Alexandra Street on Monday. A group of youths made off with some items after raiding the dairy about 7.30am, police say.
New book
David Farrell
Waipā author David Farrell’s latest book Where The Birds Don’t Fly, part of The Wilde Collection series, was released last week. Farrell, a father of six, has children scattered across the globe which helps his exploration of New Zealand, England, Portugal and Japan. Born in Africa, Farrell’s writing reflects his life experiences on three continents in his favourite genres of historical fiction, coming of age sagas, and non-fiction. He lives in Cambridge and is currently writing his third and fourth novels in the series.
Numbers up
Passenger numbers on the regional bus services from Te Awamutu and Cambridge to Hamilton were up last month, coinciding with a return to school. Te Awamutu had 9450 bus goers – fourth best month post Covid – and Cambridge had 8036 – fifth best since the pandemic. The Te Kūiti Connector, which stops in Kihikihi, Te Awamutu and Ōhaupō, had its best month since the service started a year ago, with 977 passengers. The Tokoroa Connector, which stops in Cambridge, had 998 passengers.
Schick on board
Rodney Schick, who with wife Gina has run Windsor Park Stud at Leamington, for more than 20 years, has been appointed to the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Members’ Council. He fills a vacancy left by current TAB NZ General Manager Commercial, Jason Fleming, who left NZTR’s Board in July 2023.
Cycleways used
Numbers released by Waipā council show people are using shared pathways – including cycle and pedestrian access – in Cambridge and Te Awamutu. Hamilton Road had 7471 users in January and 7273 last month while Park Road had 3111 in January and 2687 last month. An infrared counting system designed for shared paths can differentiate between pedestrians and cyclists. Cycle numbers were higher than pedestrians in Cambridge but about the same in Te Awamutu.
Hospital transformation
Transformation team: (left-right) Sam Mitchell, Charge Nurse Manager DOSA Raewyn Wilson, Katrina Downing and Niki Houghton.
Waikato Hospital’s Day of Surgery has improved the experience for children by unveiling an art wall in the waiting room depicting the hospital and landmarks of Waikato and has hidden items for children to find. Children can take home activity bags containing crayons, an activity book, stickers, games, and colouring sheets matching the new artwork.
The waiting room is also equipped with toddler-friendly ride-on cars, sensory play spaces with squidgy floor tiles, and a fish tank.
Leaders meet
Waikato’s local authority leaders marked International Women’s Day at the quarterly Zone 2 meeting at Lake Karāpiro. Waipā had mayor Susan O’Regan, deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk and Clare St Pierre in attendance with Waikato’s Crystal Beavis. The meeting included a presentation from Waka Kotahi on the draft Land Transport Policy Statement.
Double winner
Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie celebrated a second major win with Mahrajaan last weekend. Mahrajaan became only the third horse to win the New Zealand Cup and the Auckland Cup in the same season.
Ritchie paid about $164,000 in the UK for the American bred gelding in 2022. Meanwhile, Rodney Schick, who with wife Gina has run Windsor Park Stud at Leamington for more than 20 years, has been appointed to the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Members’ Council.
New jobs
About 120 people will be employed at a newly opened pet food plant in the King Country. King Country Pet Food opened its Taumarunui plant this week, lauding a five year and $90 million investment.
