Cyber stars
Waipā District Council has been recognised for its outstanding cybersecurity efforts, taking out the ‘Best in Cyber Security’ award at the Association of Local Government Information Management annual awards last week.
The award is given to the council with the highest compliance score in cyber security maturity, highlighting the importance of safeguarding sensitive digital information from unauthorised access, theft, damage, or disruption.
Arsenic in water update
Waipā water is still safe to use, with today’s test results showing a small reduction in the levels of arsenic in the district’s treated drinking water.
The results received today recorded 0.0129 and 0.0143 milligrams per litre from the two main treatment plants, down from 0.0138 and 0.0145 yesterday. The maximum acceptable standard for arsenic in New Zealand drinking water is 0.01 milligrams per litre.
Water services manager Karl Pavlovich said the latest tests were taken before the additional processes were turned on to help reduce the arsenic levels. These processes are used in summer to address taste and odour issues.
Twenty for Karen
Karen Covell cuts her 20th anniversary cake. Photo: Supplied.
Waipā-based Progress to Health chief executive Karen Covell celebrated 20 years with the community support organisation last week. She is now one of the longest-serving CEOs in a sector where chair Mark Brown says the average tenure is around six years.
Covill started with the Hamilton organisation in 2004 when it was known as New Pathways or New Progress Enterprises. It was established to provide a broad range of support services in the community following the closure of Tokanui Psychiatric Hospital.
“Others here today represent organisations set up at similar times and will identify with the challenges for any organisation staying true to the mission while being agile adaptable and able to reinterpret that mission in the light of our understanding today,” Brown said at a celebratory function. Progress to Health has team members in Hamilton, Taranaki, Tokoroa and Taupō.
Double decker delight
Waipa’s new double decker bus
Double decker buses have been added to Waipa bus routes. The electric buses provide more seats and are a big step forward in the district’s ongoing effort to make public transport more accessible, efficient, and eco-friendly. The new electric buses are being fitted with readers for the prepaid travel card Bee Card, and drivers are currently undergoing training to operate the new vehicles smoothly and efficiently.
Traffic talk
Transportation manager Bryan Hudson briefed Waipā councillors at a workshop this week on traffic calming measures in place across the district. The initiatives reduce excessive speed, provide safe crossing places, reduce rat running (taking shortcuts), create attractive urban spaces and reduce crashes and injury severity, he told councillors. Cambridge councillor Roger Gordon disputed how speed bumps had been installed in areas where no consultation had taken place with the community.
Christmas parades
Milli, left, and Lexi Easton – pictured with grandparents Michelle and Phillip Kite – had a great vantage point for Sunday’s Christmas Parade last year.
The annual Cambridge Christmas parade will be held on Sunday – and Santa will be on his sleigh in Te Awamutu on December 7. The theme in Cambridge this year is Recycled Christmas and prizes will be given in four categories: Business, School, Pre-School and Community Group/Organisation.
Funding chance
Applications to receive funds from Waikato Regional council’s Community Transport Grant fund are open to December 15. The fund supports operators who provide transport services to residents whose needs are generally not met by the public transport network, which is mostly in remote and rural areas or where passengers have specialist medical and accessibility needs.
Festival success
A steady stream of visitors viewed artworks and musical performances during the two day ArtBeat event at Ōtorohanga Museum over the weekend. Lead organiser Rebecca Dowman-Ngapo said the two-day festival delivered a huge variety of the content, generated by artists aged from 8 to 80.
Teaming up against parasites
North Waikato Wormwise facilitator Jeremy Leigh is establishing a Livestock Parasite Management Group in the Mid Northern North Island.
The group is being set up by Beef and Lamb New Zealand and will also provide a platform to share knowledge and develop strategies for parasite control.
A pilot group in Wairarapa, launched in 2022, showed how collaboration leads to practical solutions.
“The pilot demonstrated that when farmers share their experiences, they can develop practical strategies to manage drench limitations while improving animal health and productivity,” said Cara Brosnahan, Principal Scientist at Beef and Lamb.
The North Waikato group will support farmers managing drench resistance and meet four times a year for three years.
Membership will be intentionally limited to ensure detailed discussions are possible and it is planned to have a mix of age, experience, geographic regions, and farm systems represented in each group.
Hotel to open
The downstairs Speakeasy bar at The Clement Hotel in Cambridge.
The former Masonic Hotel in Duke St, now a 29-room historic boutique hotel known as The Clements Hotel, will open early next year. Capstone Hotel Management will manage the property which includes a speakeasy bar, conference facilities, restaurant and bar.
The signature Gallery Restaurant overlooking the terrace and gardens.
