On the hustings …

Local Choice

When we spied Roger Gordon putting up his election signs last week, the first thing we asked him was when the photo was taken.

Roger Gordon then, left, and Roger Gordon now. Not much difference, even the same tie!

Last election he used a three year old photo when election rules say the photo must be less than six months old.

He apologised back then but pointed out to The News that his latest photo and one taken in 2019 look pretty much the same. And we have to agree.

Gordon celebrated his 78th birthday last week and he looks pretty much the same as he did when he was 72.

Roger Gordon puts up one of his signs

30 words, no more ….

We won’t reveal who tried to sneak in another few words into their statement last week. We asked for 30, no more!

Apparently the Governance team at Waipā had the same problem – candidates were only allowed up to 150 words and some came in with way more.  An incumbent Te Awamutu-Kihikihi councillor said the one difference he would make as an elected member was to have less sausage rolls!

Mistaken identity

Steph O’Sullivan

Garry Reymer

We sent some copy corrections to Waikato Regional Council candidate Garry Reymer last week but they were supposed to go to our graphic designer Gary. “I wouldn’t make a good editor,” Reymer said by return.

It’s not the first time – when Garry Dyet was chief executive, we did the same and several weeks ago we sent copy briefings to editorial staff and instead of Steph Bell-Jenkins, we sent it to Waipā chief executive Steph O’Sullivan who said “Noted, thx Roy.”

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…