From Layla to Lady Gaga

From Layla to Lady Gaga

He named his daughter after a Clapton classic, built stages for music legends, and once crashed a forklift at Claudelands. From Waikato roots to global tours, Chris Beehan’s journey is anything but ordinary, writes Mary…

New player in Waipā poll

A political ticket is set to launch on the local government scene and eight candidates are all but confirmed to stand in three of the five Waipā wards. Better Waipā will focus on key issues…

Squash finals full of drama

Christchurch and Mount Maunganui took out the country’s premier club squash titles in dramatic style at Cambridge Racquets Club on Sunday. The Mitchell Cup for women and the Cousins Shield for men traditionally bring the…

Hicks did it our way …

One Aucklander at the premiere of The Tavern in Cambridge summed it up with a smirk. “There’s a VTNZ in the background,” he said, lamenting the challenge of snapping a glamorous photo of the arriving…

Equine find in Town Hall

When a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system was installed in the Cambridge Town Hall recently, workers made a surprising discovery. Down in the bowels of the building were moulds for the horse and…

Club hosts national event

New Zealand’s elite squash players are in Cambridge for the country’s prestigious three day national squash tournament starting tomorrow (Friday). The Cousins Shield for men, first played in 1948, and the Mitchell Cup for women,…

Refund call splits council

A surprise $2.5 million surplus sparked a stoush among Waikato regional councillors last week resulting in chair Pamela Storey using her casting vote to block a proposal to return the funds to ratepayers. The debate,…

Friction over road names

A Waipā councillor has reignited debate over road naming rights, arguing private landowners should have the final say on their land – even when council policy prioritises Māori names. Crs Roger Gordon and Philip Coles…

Gastro issue remains a mystery

Mystery still surrounds the cause of a gastroenteritis outbreak at the Waipā Business Awards despite the caterer issuing a public apology this week. Public health officials from Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand, Ministry of…

Waikato to get a mayoral rematch

Former Waikato District councillor Aksel Bech has announced a second, all-or-nothing bid for the mayoralty, citing skyrocketing rates and a need for systemic change in local government. “Rates unaffordability has reached a tipping point,” Bech…