News in brief
Looks like Christmas
Pictured are, from left, Graeme Friedrich with Grey Bagshaw on his knee, Jade Stamp with baby Mars Bagshaw, Braxton Stamp, Archer Bagshaw, Alia Fleet, Lennon Bagshaw, (with Santa hat), Mary Jo Doherty, and Bob Peters (standing). Photo: Viv Posselt
One Cambridge family enjoyed a joint Christmas/birthday celebration last week in a lounge-room filled with festive paraphernalia collected by family matriarch, Mary Jo Doherty. The Irish native, who followed her Kiwi husband Graeme Friedrich back to this country years ago, admits to being a bit of a Christmas nut, and has collected material for her festive décor for about a decade. Last week, friends and family gathered for a bit of pre-Christmas knees-up for Graeme’s birthday.
Prices rise
Waipā median house prices rose to $850,000 last month from 85 sales. That is up on the $817,500 in October when there were 83 sales, Real Estate Institute figures released this week show.
Water warning
Susan O’Regan
Water restrictions are being announced in Waipā. Water use has spiked – particularly in Cambridge and Kihikihi – during a long hot and relatively dry spell
At Water Alert Level One, the use of sprinklers is restricted to between 6am and 8am and 6pm and 8pm.
Meanwhile the district council met today to adopt its annual report and confirm meeting dates for the year.
Former mayor Susan O’Regan and former councillor Lou Brown were also expected to attend for farewells.
Scrub fire
Scrub fire near Karapiro
Fire trucks and water tankers from Cambridge, Tīrau and Matamata were used last week to bring a shelterbelt fire under control on a property behind State Highway One between Karāpiro service station and Fergusson Gully Road.
Family forum
Achievement House’s board will hold a family forum in February to provide an opportunity to air questions and concerns about programme changes. Interim board chair Jeff Small says the employment programme run at Achievement House will continue with innovation and improvements. Meanwhile a march against the changes, was scheduled to take place in Cambridge tomorrow (Thursday) and include family, friends, workers and members of the public.
Finance chief
Paul Conder
Waikato District Council’s new chief financial officer is Paul Conder, a chartered accountant with financial management experience across local and central government organisations, and education, health and energy sectors.
He has been acting chief financial officer at the Waikato District Council for the last three months.
Tuia call
Applications have opened for the annual Tuia Leadership programme which offers Māori youth an opportunity to work with Waipā’s mayor, Mike Pettit, receive mentoring and share views on issues which impact on youth.
Person of the Year
Our sister paper the Te Awamutu News has named Citizens’ Advice Bureau manager Jessica Brown as its 2025 person of the year. Brown celebrates 14 years in the role next month.
See: A wonderful person
Butter plant
Costco-branded Kirkland Grass-Fed butter rolls off the production line at Wahāroa. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Open Country Dairy opened a new $50 million butter factory at its Wahāroa site last week. The plant represents a major boost for the Waikato dairy industry and local economy. The plant will produce 20,000 tonnes of premium unsalted butter each year. One line will supply bulk international customers and another will be dedicated to retail packs for Costco USA under a three-year contract.
Springs warning
New Zealand Transport Agency say some people accessing one of Waikato’s hidden gems – the Blue Springs and Te Waihou Walkway near Putāruru – are parking on the state highway when there is allocated parking available which South Waikato District Council has recently upgraded.
Cyber security report
Waipā District Council’s risk and assurance committee will receive a cyber security report every six months. Senior business resilience and risk advisor Genny Wilson promised the new report at the last committee meeting.
