Hothouse thieves raid Begonia house

Begonia House

Begonia House

Thieves have robbed Cambridge people from enjoying the hot house plants and begonias on display at The Begonia House in Lake Te Koo Utu Domain.

Waipā District Council says a “spate” of thefts has forced the temporary closure of the hot house at the weekends and in the evenings.

The Begonia House and fountain were built in 1986 to mark Cambridge Borough Council’s centenary. A foundation stone on the house’s exterior acknowledges its unveiling by Cambridge mayor Pat Allan on August 13, 1986.

Begonia House

The hot house will open weekdays between 8am and 3.30pm until council can find a solution to the thefts.

More Recent News

Tour and a history lesson

A polished black granite monument erected in memory of Patrick Corboy, a former Waipā County chairman, featured in a Hamilton West cemetery tour undertaken by historian Lyn Williams last month. Corboy, who died in 1900…

Watch those power poles

Police are joining Waipā Networks in urging drivers to take extra care following a sharp rise in crashes involving power poles. The electricity distribution company’s crews responded to 40 vehicle-versus-pole incidents in 2025, 12 more…

Treasuring Tom Roa

Two children were in toilet cubicles at a new preschool where Māori was being taught. One called to the other ko mutu koe? (have you finished?). The response came “ae, ko mutu koe” (yes). To…

Celebrating the champions …

Two Cambridge identities made the 2026 New Year’s Honours List – Judith Hamilton becomes an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for her services to rowing and Kevin Burgess a Member of…