Candidate withdraws
Fabio Rodrigues has lived in Pōkeno since he was 8.
Fabio Rodrigues has withdrawn as a Waikato district mayoral candidate throwing his support behind former deputy mayor Aksel Bech’s second all or nothing bid to be mayor and oust incumbent Jacqui Church. Rodrigues, 19, will stand as a councillor in the Pōkeno-Tuakau ward.
“Aksel Bech and I together can bring real change and restore the promise of our district,” he said. Never in my wildest dreams did I think an orphan like me would have the chance to even consider running for Mayor. But this journey isn’t over.
25 July 2025 12pm
Minor delays expected
Drivers will experience lane closures next week for surfacing repairs around the new roundabout at the intersection of State Highways 1 and 29 in Piarere. On Monday the SH1 northbound (Hamilton exit) of the roundabout will be reduced to one lane from 9am to 3pm, and on Tuesday the SH1 (Hamilton side) approach will be reduced to one lane for southbound traffic from 9am to 3pm (weather permitting).
The lane closures enable some minor remedial repairs to the surface of the road, ensuring it meets stringent quality requirements ahead of project completion. Minor delays are expected in the area, but traffic will continue to use the other north and south bound lanes during this time.
SH1 Telephone Rd rail crossing to open
Damage to the rail track at Telephone and Holland roads on SH1B.
The rail crossing on State Highway 1B Telephone Road, north of Cambridge, is set to reopen to traffic next week, more than three years after it was closed. The signals and barriers at the crossing are in the final stages of KiwiRail’s testing and commissioning process. Pending final approval, the crossing is expected to open Wednesday afternoon, July 30.
New signals and barriers have been installed at the rail crossing and additional warning signs for approaching trains have been installed on SH1B Telephone Road and at the Holland Road intersection.
Water plan approved
Jacqui Church – Waikato mayor
Waikato District and Hamilty city councils are the first in the country to have a joint plan for the future of their communities’ water services formally approved. The plan has been given the official tick by the Secretary for Local Government, Paul James. Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate and Waikato mayor Jacqui Church said formal approval cleared the way for much-needed increased investment in essential water infrastructure.
That investment in shared water services is $3.6 billion over ten years. Management of, and responsibility for, this investment is transitioning to IAWAI – Flowing Waters, the councils’ jointly owned company formed this month. The company will be fully operational from July 2026.
23 July 2025 7pm
Cambridge crash
Cambridge ambulance and fire staff at the scene.
A woman was taken to hospital after her car ploughed through the Victoria and Duke St roundabout and into the Central Court building last week.
Medical passed
The Government has approved a business case and $83m in funding for a new Waikato University medical school as part of a plan to strengthen the health workforce. The medical school is expected to add 120 doctor training places annually from 2028, offering a graduate-entry programme providing a flexible new pathway into medicine that helps attract a broader range of students and build a stronger, more diverse workforce.
Burial costs
Waipā District Council has confirmed significant increases in burial-related fees for 2025-26 and 2026-27 in its 2025-2034 Long Term Plan. A standard adult burial plot in Te Awamutu or Hautapu now costs $2783, rising to $3284 next year. The interment fee has also increased to $1271, with a further increase to $1460 expected in 2026-27.
Board Elections
Triennial School Board elections in September will come a month ahead of local body polls. Parents and caregivers at state and state-integrated schools vote for parent representatives to govern their schools and students at schools with pupils above year 9 will have student representatives.
Careers Expo
Cambridge High School, St Peter’s Cambridge and Te Awamutu College are teaming up to run a community careers expo in Cambridge later this month.
Cycling events confirmed
Cambridge Velodrome
Waipā will be centre stage when Cycling New Zealand signals the start of the campaign towards the 2026 Commonwealth Games with two key track events in December.
Cambridge’s Grassroots Trust Velodrome will host the Omnium and Madison National Championships on December 10 and 11 as standalone national events.
Organisers are hoping to also confirm a UCI Class 2 international track competition to follow on from the championships.
“With the omnium and madison to run as part of a standalone event, we thought it was an ideal opportunity for the Grassroots Trust Velodrome to play host,” said Craig Rodger, Grassroots Trust Velodrome Head of Programmes & Coaching.
“The omnium and madison races usually attract our best riders, especially at that time of year leading up to the international track season early in the year. Both track events are novel and exciting and we believe will prove popular with everyone in Cambridge.
“While discussing this with Cycling New Zealand, we also felt that a UCI C2 Level event would help provide a week of quality international racing and ranking points for riders both from New Zealand and within the Oceania and Asian regions.
Library rethink
Te Kuiti Public Library.
Te Kuiti’s cramped library could be moved to the under-used Les Munro Centre if a community facilities rethink spurs action. The Waitomo council would look to replicate what has been done in Takanini which blends traditional library services with community spaces, a kitchen, play area and meeting rooms. Cambridge has a similar space issue with its library.
