Local Opinion

Getting things into perspective

When my wife and I got married, we moved to Tauranga for a few years. Living in Welcome Bay, I would often drop my wife off to work and then head into the city to…

Background to a karakia

I was privileged to offer a Tikanga Māori blessing for the opening of the new hospice shop on the corner of Te Rahu and Cambridge Roads. I explained to those gathered that the karakia I…

Have your say on the numbers

Currently, we have the opportunity to provide feedback to the council by completing submissions on the Representation Review, which closes at 5pm on September 5 and the Local Alcohol Policy and bylaws, closing at 5pm…

Demystifying volcanic ash

Since Whakaari is reminding us that we live with active volcanoes, it’s a good time for a reminder about what volcanic ash is, and what it isn’t. I haven’t yet seen any cringey headlines claiming…

The death of William Chester

When Walter James, a Te Rore farmer, arrived on horseback at William Chester’s he was saddling his horse. It was seven on a March morning in 1880 and the two men intended to go together…

A bouquet

Occasionally I decide to use these opinion pieces to give the local district council a nudge or a serve regarding their tired – and sometimes tiring – efforts to balance democracy with physical reality. Aka,…

Local prosperity is attractive

I must confess I was deeply moved to see Lydia Ko’s emotional reaction to her gold medal achievement in Paris this month. The trickle of tears running down her right cheek made me smile as…

Queen, schemes and pickles

Meghan Hawkes recalls some of the stories making news Waipā in 1915. Te Awamutu’s Queen Carnival – a fundraising event – eclipsed any former social function held in the district. Mrs W H Grace, the…

Benefitting from ancient eruptions

Sitting inside trying (failing) to keep warm, I find myself daydreaming about Kiwi summers. Something that is part of our culture is heading to the beach, and having spent years overseas I can truly appreciate…

TB and misinformation

‘The Captain of all these men of death’ – the dreaded tuberculosis – every so often visited the Te Awamutu district. The unflagging efforts of Isabel Pope in February 1911 could not save her husband…

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