Food woes
Some people who attended the Waipā Business Awards on Friday night become unwell with symptoms of gastroenteritis. Cambridge Chamber of Commerce sent an email to everyone at the event on Monday saying they were taking the matter extremely seriously and have begun working with the catering provider and health authorities to investigate the situation thoroughly.
A follow up communication yesterday (Tuesday) from Dr Geoffrey Cramp, the Medical Officer of Health, asks all attendees to fill in a questionnaire so they can compare those who became unwell with those who remained well so they could determine what caused the illness to spread.
Outbreaks of gastroenteritis can be due to a variety of bacterial and viral and other causes often transferred by food but it is unknown what has caused this illness and Public Health are in the process of finding out.
Certified successes
The team, pictured from left, Graeme Martin, Memorie Brooky, Ashton Neighbor, Sally Hastie, Makayla Odlum, Jessica Forkert, Harriet Smith and Kelly Woodmass.
It was a night to celebrate for the Riverside Adventures team last Friday at the Waipā Business Awards staged at Mystery Creek. The team won two categories after being celebrated as finalists in the Excellence in Medium Business, Community Contribution, Marketing and Communications, Contribution to Tourism and or Hospitality and People and Culture categories. The wins came in Contribution to Tourism and or Hospitality and, with Ross and Co Hair Design, the People and Culture sections. Riverside Adventures provides “an authentic outdoor experience” on or along the Waikato River south of Lake Karāpiro. The overall winners on the night were Livingstone Building, which started in Te Awamutu 78 years ago but is now Hamilton-based.
Read: Livingstone’s scoop Waipa awards
It’s Grahame, KSM
Grahame Webber with Dame Cindy Kiro
Long-time Waipā local government representative Grahame Webber of Cambridge travelled to Wellington last week to receive his King’s Service Medal from Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro at Government House. Webber was honoured for his services to local government and farming governance. His service includes long stints at Federated Farmers, Cambridge Community Board, Waipā District Council – serving as deputy mayor, and key roles in establishing sister city relationships with Le Quesnoy and Bihoro.
See: ‘Can do’ cow cocky honoured
More visits
Views to Cambridge News website were up 22 per cent last month on April last year with our ever popular News in Briefs the top visited post. An online only story about Waikato Expressway hold ups in the days leading up to Easter Weekend was second followed by the Cambridge Christmas Festival handouts to community groups. Fourth was Mike Keir’s announcement he would stand as Waikato mayor while a post dedicated to Waipā’s Home & Leisure Show – run by The News publisher Good Local Media from May 16-18 at Lake Karāpiro – came in at number five.
LTP consultation
Waipā council will meet tomorrow to approve the consultation document for its long-awaited and delayed 2025-34 Long Term Plan. The council had hoped to go to the community in March but needed to work closely with Audit NZ given the complexities around Local Water Done Well and funding.
Service honoured
Sally Davies with Dame Cindy Kiro
Te Awamutu nurse Sally Davies travelled to Wellington last week to receive her King’s Service Medal from Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro at Government House. Davies was honoured for her services to hockey and nursing. She was one of the first nurses in New Zealand to specialise in diabetes management and has volunteered for hockey teams and clubs since 1990.
Union clocks in
The Debt Clock with Rhys Hurley, second left, in Cambridge last week.
A clock showing the level of New Zealand’s crown debt was zeroing in on $190 billion when it visited Cambridge last week. The debt clock was in town as part of its nationwide tour and parked precariously in front of the Mobil Service Station in Queen St where a small group added their support. In attendance was NZ Taxpayers’ Union Investigations coordinator Rhys Hurley who visited Hamilton and other Waikato towns with the Debt Clock caravan as part of its ongoing campaign to highlight each householder’s share of the national debt, currently at about $93,000 each.
Taxpayers Union Debt Clock with Rhys Hurley
Random order
Waikato Regional Council candidate names will appear in random order on voting papers. A selection of key research papers compiled by Local Government NZ consistently found that candidates listed first on the ballot generally receive a higher share of votes. This effect is especially pronounced in elections where voters have limited knowledge of the candidates. Nominations open July 4 with election day on October 11.
Cadets named
Cambridge High School heads Millie Balsom and Malakai Eade with Kaylee Grantham from Cambridge, an Air Force cadet from the Number 7 squadron Air Cadets of Hamilton, prepare to lay a wreath while the hundreds who attended the Commemoration Service outside the Town Hall on Anzac Day watch on. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The Number 7 Squadron Air Force Cadet on The News (1 May 2025) front page with head students Millie Balsom and Malakai Eade was Cambridge High School student Kaylee Grantham representing the Hamilton cadets. Cadet Lachlan Copeland, also of Cambridge, was pictured with RSA president Tony Hill and community board chair Jo Davies-Colley inside the newspaper.
Cambridge Community Board chair Jo Davies-Colley, right, is reflective while Air Force Cadet Lachlan Copeland and RSA president Tony Hill, centre, salute before the Cenotaph. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Thornton coach
Karl Thornton, who was coach of Cambridge High School First XV when David Morris first played for Hautapu, and not school principal as reported in The News (1 May 2025). The confusion arose as Greg Thornton (no relation) is the current principal.
Water update
The new Cambridge Wastewater Treatment plant is on track for completion next year. The plant’s centrepiece is a state-of-the-art membrane bioreactor system, which uses microorganisms to break down waste in a carefully controlled environment. It also reflects a commitment to sustainability, with an on-site solar farm planned to power daily operations.
Virtual grant
Standing from left to right: Ronel Pretorius (Activities Assistant), Tracy Fairhurst (Registered Diversional Therapist), Marjorie Wooding (resident), David Hall (CEO), Jocelyn Cooney (Souter Trust Trustee), and Maria Baldo (Activities Assistant). Seated from left to right: Residents Lewis Hollands and Anne Whitsed
Cambridge Resthaven residents are exploring the world through virtual reality thanks to a grant from Souter Trust. The VR equipment is portable, simple to use, connects to wi-fi, looks and feels incredibly realistic and is ideal for older adults. The experiences include travel and wildlife adventures – from swimming with dolphins, to skiing the Alps and walking the Great Wall of China.
