Chris Gardner

King Country farms being burned to a crisp are being offered a $100,000 drought relief package, after the Government declared a drought.

The adverse event classification also unlocks tax relief for farmers and growers and enables the Ministry of Social Development to consider Rural Assistance Payments.

“West of the Waikato River it’s drought conditions,” said Waikato Federated Farmers president Keith Holmes.

“Areas like Tuakau, Piopio and Mahoenui aren’t getting any rain.

“Springs and wells providing stock water have dried up, and farmers are moving to once-a-day milking and sending stock to the works early.”

Sheep and beef farmers relying on income from grazing dairy cattle from eastern parts of the region are running out of feed, and some are having to send them back early in skinny condition.

“That’s a big hit on their incomes, and on the dairy farmers trying to capitalise on the strong milk prices,” Holmes said.

“Maize crops may look good, but with insufficient water, they’re putting on minimal cob and come harvest time they’ll have very little feed value.

Rotowai Farms sheep and beef farmer Natasha Cave said water was probably tighter than feed

“The King Country used to be summer safe, with fairly reliable rain, but no more,” she said of her Aria farm.

“We are making sure we have got good water systems in place.”

Taharoa sheep and beef farmers Chris Irons and Debbie Hastie are doing their best to fend off the drought on their 770ha farm, having received around half of the rain they usually do in January and February.

Around 70mm of rain fell on their Waitete Road farm in January, and 50mm of rain in February.

Irons, Waitomo Federated Farmers chair, said they were coping “due to good management” of more than 2000 ewes and 200 breeding cows.

“We are constantly asking ourselves if it does not rain in the next 10 days, what are we going to do?” Irons said. “Look after your capital stock first. It is what it is. We can’t control it.”

“Hill country farming in these conditions is very challenging,” said Waitomo mayor John Robertson.

“The hills throughout the district are very dry - the driest February that I have seen for many years. The few occasions where we have had up to 5mm of rain through this period have not been sufficient to adequately moisten the soils.”

“March forecasts do not look promising - a little rain, but not the many days of steady soaking rain we need.”

Across the border in Waipā Zane and Marie Kite expect to lose tens of thousands of dollars of milk production this season as they farm through extreme drought conditions.

Their Parallel Road farm, near Kaipaki, is one step ahead of the official drought declared for the region on Friday.

But there has been no rain, to speak of, since before Christmas and the Kites, who have run the family farm for 40 years, are looking at drying their 170-cow herd off a month early.

“I would call it a severe drought,” he said.

“There’s not one blade of green grass in any of our paddocks, but we have got to be positive.”

He has turned to feeding out silage to keep his herd going, and it is producing approximately 1 kg of milk solids per cow per day. Because of the lack of moisture, he’ll be drying his herd off a month early in March.

Holmes is chairing regular meetings with Waikato-Hauraki-Coromandel Rural Support Trust representatives and the Ministry for Primary Industries to monitor the situation.

The group met on Tuesday.

Waiting for rain

Mary Anne Gill

A mystery adventure race that annually transforms Lake Te Koo Utu in Cambridge into a haven for mums, dads and children attracted 473 participants this year.

The XRace, held on a humid Friday afternoon last week, took competitors an average of one hour, seven minutes 17 seconds to complete.

The Korakonui duo of daughter Gemma and father Grant Honeyfield blitzed the field, completing the 10 mystery challenges in just 43 minutes and 18 seconds.

The New Zealand Home Loans-sponsored event which started in 2013, was created by Shane Hooks of Auckland. It went through many name changes before XRace was finalised.

This mystery adventure race pairs parents with children aged 6-14 to race together, locate and complete mystery challenges, and compete against the clock and other family teams. The challenges range from physical (like tug-of-war) to mental (like memory challenges) to knowledge-based (like music challenges), and they change from year to year and course to course.

No two XRaces are the same. Events are held in Whangārei, Devonport, Tauranga, Taupō, Napier, Hutt City, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Hamilton, and Auckland.

Medals this year in Cambridge were presented by New Zealand representatives Zack Rumble (rowing), Bennett Greenough (BMX), Danielle Aitchison (Paralympian sprinter) and Becky Leigh (rowing).

Results:

Overall winners: daughter and father - Gemma and Grant Honeyfield (Korakonui), son and father - Harris and Adam O’Leary (Cambridge), daughter and mother - Jamie and Caitlyn Phillips (Hamilton).

Age Divisions

Junior (under 7) girls Zoe Gerritsen 1h4s, boys Marlow McDonald 56m44s, 8 year old girls Leina Kaelin 1h2m57s, boys Sam Panting 57m19s, 9 year old girls Chloe Blackstock 55m, boys Cian Moore 46m42s, 10 year old girls Charlotte Tate 50m21s, boys Harris O’Leary 43m25s, 11 year old girls Sophie Hickey 54m14s, boys Connor Moore 46m39s, senior girls Gemma Honeyfield 43m19s, boys Alex Simmonds 48m56s.



 

Honeyfields show X Factor?

The Stubbs family of Awatiro Farm are preparing for the return of kiwi.

“There’s talk of creating a Kiwi sanctuary nearby,” said sheep and beef farmer Ben Stubbs.

He’s from the fourth generation of the family to farm Awatiro off Te Anga Road near Waitomo village, and the family has found kiwi bones in its cave system over the years.

“The sanctuary will bring their genetics back to our place.”

Read more

Latest AgriBusiness news

King Country Farmer

Waikato’s Chamber of Commerce has renewed its call for local body amalgamations and suggested Waitomo and Ōtorohanga district councils should be the first ones off the block.

It is no secret that Waitomo mayor John Robertson is a fan of merging with the council’s northern neighbour, but outgoing Ōtorohanga mayor Max Baxter is not.

Waikato chamber chief executive Don Good told The News having 12 councils in the Waikato region for 536,000 people – which includes King Country and Waikato Regional Council – is “ludicrous”.

Amalgamation should be dominating election debates this year, he said.

“The duplication is immense. The inefficiency that causes costs ratepayers. Ratepayers are voters, and ratepayers are not happy with 15 per cent rate increases,” he said.

Robertson, who has experience in amalgamation talks when he was a commissioner in Northland, is on record as saying Waitomo and Ōtorohanga are two councils of comparable size and population.

Savings would come from having procurement savings, fewer councillors, one district and one long term plan.

Good has even floated the idea of a ‘mega’ southern council of South Waikato, Waitomo and Ōtorohanga as a first step and a natural geographic fit.

A decade ago, an amalgamation between Waipā, Waitomo and Ōtorohanga was floated by the Property Council of New Zealand.

Sources told The News Ōtorohanga would favour a merger with Waipā over one with Waitomo.

“Downsizing of council staff is one solution but should have been done years ago,” said Good. 

“Sharing tasks among the councils is another that could work to reduce costs, but not complete centralisation.

“That seldom works, and invariably reduces democracy,” he said.

Poisonous parochialism would be the undoing of any amalgamation plan, Good said as would councillors and council staff who protect their patch at the expense of ratepayers.

“Many have developed cosy, comfortable, monopolistic attitudes and relationships.”

What do you think? Email us editor@goodlocal.nz

A ludicrous dozen

Young Antony Stubbs used to fear invasion.

His father, 2nd Lieutenant Trevor Stubbs of the King Country Home Guard, and his mates were left without rifles to defend New Zealand after they were handed in to help with the war effort.

This left Stubbs and his Home Guard mates to substitute rifles with broom handles and manuka poles for parades.

“They would parade at Marakopa and Dad would come home and tell us that Marakopa was ‘Home Guarded’,” the 86-year-old remembers.

“They were dead scared about the Japanese coming,” adds his younger brother Alister, 84.

The Stubbs hill country farm, Awatiro, off Te Anga Road, formerly occupied by Trevor’s parents Hugh and Harriet was a perfect base of operations, with views out to the potential enemy landing sites on the West Coast and around the North Island.

The pair can remember their father positioning their old Ford V8 pick-up truck to use the headlights for sending messages in Morse code to his Home Guard brothers in arms. It was a Kiwi version of the warning beacons that had served Britain so well down the centuries.

Tank traps were also installed to halt, or at least slow, an invading force and 2nd Lieutenant Stubbs was trained in their deployment. There was one on the road leading to the farm, and more around the district.

If the enemy ever landed, the Home Guard would rely on Awatiro Farm as a base of operations, packing out a remote cave with provisions packed in tins lined with foil.

The Home Guard was formed in August 1940 under the Emergency Corps Regulations when New Zealanders feared an invasion of the Japanese Empire in the Second World War.

The British version was popularised by the long running situation comedy Dad’s Army which replaced the local militias of old.

The brothers remember huddling daily around the radio with their father and mother Madge.

“They would walk in at the end of the day and turn the radio on and at six o’clock we would hear Big Ben striking,”

They would hear news of how the war was going for the allies in Europe and other parts of the world.

“We did not know was going to happen,” Alister said.

He also listened in to the nightly news with his twin brother Graeme and their whanau from their old hill country farmhouse.

Their parents are long gone now, and the farmhouse was later destroyed in a fire, taking many mementos with them. But the fifth generation of Stubbs continues to work and live off the land.

Nearly 80 years after the war ended, Trevor has been recognised by the New Zealand Defence with a posthumous New Zealand War Service Medal for his service.

Antony applied for the medal after Hangitiki military history expert Ross O’Halloran asked Antony’s nephew, Angus Stubbs, whether his grandfather had ever been decorated.

“Many people who did Home Service didn’t realise that if they had completed a certain amount of time, they were eligible for the NZ 1939-45 war service medal,” O’Halloran said.

O’Halloran has also supplied the family with the appropriate military pins to replace the ones lost in the fire late last century.

So, how would Trevor have reacted to the award?

“He would be overwhelmed, really thrilled,” Antony said.

“He was pretty interested when I did my compulsory military training in 1957.”

“He would be really humbled,” Alister said.

Belated honour for Trevor

Retailers and tourism operators are hoping for a busier than normal summer as the two-month closure of the Desert Road may push more traffic into the King Country and Waipā.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency closed State Highway 1 between Tūrangi and Waiouru on Monday (January 13) for road reconstruction and replacement of the wooden deck of the Mangatoetoenui Bridge.

This means between 3000 and nearly 6000 vehicles will need to find alternative routes from north to south and back again over the next two months.

“It will probably push more traffic through our district,” said Waitomo mayor John Robertson.

He hoped established stops like Piopio to be busier as a result of the road closure – it’s not on the direct route around the west side of National Park, but could draw re traffic if visitors decide to add Taranaki to their travels.

“Holy smoke,” said Piopio’s Fat Owl Bar and Eatery and Fat Pigeon Café owner Melanie Simpson when considering traffic heading her way instead of following the NZTA detours.

“I had not even thought of that. That’s going to be very good for us. We are going to have to put extra staff on.”

The timing is excellent for Mini India Takeaway in Rora Street, Te Kūiti, said operator Rajesh Bahunguna. By happy coincidence Bahunguna is opening an Indian restaurant further down the street later this month and he said both businesses would probably benefit.

Te Kūiti New World checkout supervisor Bubz Ruki expected the already busy supermarket to have a couple of busier months as a result.

“We do get a lot of traffic go through… a lot of motorhomes stocking up.”

Bosco Café director Sarb Gill said the Te Kūiti business on State Highway 3 would be putting on extra staff to cope with the demand.

“While road closures can be frustrating for drivers, as a business owner in the King Country, we see it as an opportunity to welcome more travellers to our region,” Gill said.

“We’re eager to share our warm hospitality and stunning scenery with visitors. We’ll be adjusting our staffing to accommodate the influx, and fingers crossed, it will be a great experience for everyone.”

Tourism Holdings Ltd chief executive Grant Webster, whose business operates the Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Waitomo Homestead at the Big Apple, was excited.

“That would certainly be an opportunity for us. We would be very open to welcoming more customers through,” he said.

Spellbound Glowworm and Cave Tours owner-operator Peter Chandler expected the closure to be good for the King Country but with many people booking three to six months ahead he did not have much capacity for extra tourists for his nine tours per day.

“Our tours are full every day,” he said.

Michelle Boddie of Down to Earth Tours had a similar story.

“We are pretty booked until late March.”

Cancellations would create last minute vacancies, she said.

Waitomo Adventures owner-operator Nick Andreef said while the road closure should result in more vehicles travelling through the Waitomo District and stopping, the most likely result would be more congested roads.

“It may not be positive because the roads are not up to it,” Andreef said.

A regional tourism organisation would have made the most of the opportunity, promoting the district.

“We are still in dismay at our councils dropping support for a regional tourism operation,” he said.

Murray Hunt furnishers manager Bev Cooper thought the road closure could bring more people through Ōtorohanga and into the branch there.

“It will be interesting to see,” she said. “Mostly we get people stopping off who are driving Auckland to Wellington.”

She didn’t expect any extra traffic through the Te Awamutu branches which generally attracted Cambridge and Hamilton shoppers.

Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan also didn’t expect Waipā to benefit from the closure.

“We are not expecting too much of an influx,” she said.

Bonus for summer

Staff Reporter

New columnists

Welcome to 2025 and your first edition of the King Country News for the year. Today we unveil two new regular columnists - volcanologist Janine Krippner, and history writer Meghan Hawkes who have been extremely popular in our sister papers the Te Awamutu News and Cambridge News.

New kiwis

A dozen new New Zealanders were  welcomed at a Waitomo District Council citizenship event before Christmas. People from Samoa, England, Fiji and Hong Kong met Waitomo mayor John Robertson at the ceremony. The new citizens are Sulusi Ailoi, Meka Ailoi, Vaai Konesetasia Sulusi, Pafelio Sulusi, Petesa Josephine Sulusi Ailoi, Mandy Sulusi, and Virginia Sulusi, Vavega Lifa, Fogaa Lifa and Theresa Vavega Lifa, Tina Anne Knox, Josaia Sauliga Korosaya and Tsz Wah Fani Ng.

Lifejacket swap

Old4New, an initiative where people can exchange their old, worn-out lifejackets for discounted new lifejackets, is on Saturday at K’aute Pasifika in Hamilton. Over the past decade, more than 22,000 old lifejackets have been traded in through Old4New.

Waste submissions

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) received 478 written submissions on behalf of the Board of Inquiry on the Te Awamutu-waste-to-energy plant resource consent application from Global Contracting Solutions Limited. A pre-hearing meeting for submitters and the applicant to discuss procedural matters will be held at FMG Stadium in Hamilton next month. The hearing is expected in June.

Council reform

The Government has agreed to reforms that refocus local councils on delivering essential services and core infrastructure, spending responsibly, and operating under greater scrutiny, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.

News in brief

Roy Pilott

A come-and-go lake near Raglan has been declared the oldest in New Zealand.

Lake Disappear – Mokaikaraka – is in a valley near Bridal Veil Falls dammed by lava flow 2.33 million years ago. It can be two kilometres long and 15 metres deep at one time of the year – and the drain to present as  just a small stream

And nearby, timber which is older than Karioi itself and with bark attached is regularly found  on the maunga.

The nuggets of information came out in an engaging  presentation at Te Awamutu Library last month.

Oliver McLeod, from the Waikato Regional Council, was joined by  Janine Krippner, who writes On Shaky Ground for the King Country News, to discuss the geology of Karioi volcano – the title of his new book – and the field extending from it including Pirongia, Kakepuku and Te Kawa.

The pair are rock stars of a different type. McLeod explained that studying rocks enabled  geologist to trace the history. Karioi as Ankaramite, Olivine basalt, Plagioclase-basalt, Andesite and Peridotite.

Ankaramite is McLeod’s favourite.

“My life’s mission is to share Ankaramite. My mum says it looks like concrete, but  think it’s just beautiful,  full of crystals and growth rings.”

McLeod’s four-year work, which was helped by sponsorship and crowd funding - follows the geological mapping of Karioi to show how it  evolved – eruption by eruption - and changed in shape over millions of years. It follows a similar work on the younger Mt Pirongia.

His map of Karioi shows in different colours flows from each of a series of eruptions and the book’s illustrations include rock profiles where he identified layers which predate the maunga.

Another nugget was  that Whale Bay – Te Marae o Mōkī - at Raglan is a lagoon – an unusual feature on the west coast - formed by a significant landslide.

Mt Taranaki today looks like Karioi and Pirongia would have 2.5 million years ago. Pirongia is the youngest of the four maunga – Te Kawa and Kakepuku are dated back 2.3 to 2.7 million years – but more work is required to determine the accuracy of that estimate.

Karioi had also gone through collapses similar to the Mount St Helens, south of Seattle, eruption in the US in 1980. Mt St Helens, not unlike Taranaki in profile, literally blew its top.

The work carried out by McLeod has also underlined similarities between what the Waipā maunga were like millions of year ago and what Auckland had with Rangitoto and its own field of volcanoes.

Krippner, who did the introduction by explaining she liked her volcanoes hot, said understanding those that were not enabled volcanologists to better understand active fields and how they might change.

At any one time 40 to 60 volcanoes would be erupting around the world, and 90 per cent are in the Pacific’s ring of fire – which includes New Zealand.

The gathering attracted about 30 people – including one The News reader who arrived with a selection of Krippner’s weekly columns in a folder.

Rock stars reveal Karioi facts

King Country landscapes by three of New Zealand’s most revered artists are part of the Timeline: Waikato Art 1850 to 2000 in the reopened Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery.

Paintings by Peter McIntyre and John Weeks are on display in the exhibition, which opened last week.

Weeks who was born in England in 1886 and emigrated to a farm at Mangapiko near Te Awamutu in 1892, was an influential figure for many of New Zealand and Waikato’s regionalist paintings.

His King Country landscape shows many of the characteristics of Week’s painting style and use of colour. In 1958 he was awarded the OBE for services to art and died in 1965.

McIntyre’s oil landscape from 1975 has a surreal element in the style often used by the World War II official artist in his later years when he had a holiday home in Kakahi, south of Taumarunui.

Born in Dunedin in 1910, McIntyre was a prolific artist who was also awarded an OBE for services to art. He died in 1995.

The other with King Country connections is Taharoa Farm 1950 by Violet Watson, who was born in 1906. The rural landscape oil painting by the artist was a particular favourite of Watson’s who died in Hamilton in 1992.

A painting of Hautapu School featuring a school building nestled behind thick bush in 1987 is part of the exhibition.

Dunedin-born Rodney Hamel, 87, who specialises in landscapes and portraits, was a teacher of history and geography at St Paul’s Collegiate in Hamilton from 1963-2000 and often painted the Waikato landscape from the top of Maungakawa.

The Hautapu School painting is part of an extensive Waikato collection.

He used water colours until the 1990s when he began learning to pain with oils and returned to live in Dunedin in 2004.

The exhibition also features an image of Arapuni Dam by photographer Laurence Aberhart and early watercolours of the Waitomo Caves, Pirongia from Mangatama and the Waipā River at Ōtorohanga.

After a six-month closure for extensive renovations, the museum is ready to welcome visitors to their opening weekend’s ‘housewarming’ celebration to experience the improvements as well as the four new exhibitions alongside established favourites including Exscite.

Other highlights include the traditional and contemporary handcrafted weaving works in He Aa I Uta, He Aa I Tai: Weaving the Elements, details from the museum’s own history in Exhibition no. 831 and the prestigious international Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition, showcasing award-winning images of the universe.

The primary focus of the renovation was to bring the building up to modern museum standards, including crucial roof repairs and the installation of a new air lock entry for enhanced climate control.

The museum has opened after a six-month closure for renovations.

King Country... as it was

Far from being the stuff of nightmares, the leeches being bred by ex King Country farmers on New Zealand’s only leech farm in the Waikato are highly valued medical miracles. Viv Posselt investigates.

Maria and Robert Lupton have been breeding leeches for about 34 years.

They started out in Northland, then moved to Aranga where they managed a farm for four years before purchasing a farm at Matiere in the King Country in 2000. After selling that in 2007, they moved to their current Te Miro farm, housing their precious leeches in an adapted cowshed.

Millions of the parasitic worms have gone from their care to serving a critical purpose in hospitals around the country (and further afield) where they have become mainstream in aiding wound healing in the aftermath of surgery.

2024 has been a particularly busy one … it’s tracking to be a record year in terms of demand for the little suckers.

The perfectly-designed blood feeders have been used medicinally for thousands of years. In today’s hospitals, they help prevent a post-operative condition called venous congestion, which occurs when the blood pools and stagnates in veins cut during surgery. As the leeches feed on areas of damaged tissue, they reduce the risk of blood clotting, thereby allowing time for new, healthy tissue to grow. Each tiny bite comes with a shot of naturally occurring anaesthetic that helps numb the area.

As the only leech breeders in the country, the Luptons carry a weight of responsibility that they say will drive their next decision.

They want to retire, so are selling the farm and its boutique leech operation. Mindful of how important the leeches are, they want it to go to someone who shares their understanding that what they do is first and foremost a service to the community.

“You have to have a social conscience to do this,” Robert said. “Time off isn’t always guaranteed. On several occasions we’ve been about to head out fishing for a day or so when the call has come in for more leeches. So, we head back in, pack them up and deliver them to the hospital – sometimes with the boat on the back.”

Any call for a delivery of leeches is urgent. Hospitals keep only a few, so when the need arises, more must be swiftly delivered because once a leech has had its fill, it won’t feed again for months. Up to 300 will be dispatched at any time, either couriered to nearby hospitals or flown further afield. Their records relate stories of many re-attached fingers, or lips and ears healed after traumatic injury.

As they move into summer, they know the need will increase – five calls over five days recently attest to that.

“Springtime is when the DIY’ers start doing things like slicing off fingers in skill-saws,” said Maria, “or people are out and about doing more things with tools. Summer is always busier.”

The Luptons currently have around 50,000 leeches in their shed. They sell between 4500 to 5500 of those each year, but the numbers are rising as New Zealand’s population grows.

The couple’s start in leech farming was almost accidental. It began when their children sent leeches they found on their Northland property into a creepy-crawly exhibition at Auckland Zoo. The resultant media interest caught the eye of a Middlemore surgeon who was struggling to get the blood flowing in a post-operative patient. The leeches worked their magic.

Since then, they have melded international care systems with their own ‘trial and error’ learnings on how to raise the leeches. A few years ago, Maria spoke to a gathering of Australian and New Zealand surgeons whose stories of successful outcomes using leeches validated all their efforts.

Now, with retirement looming, they are determined that the operation remains sustainable.

Not much gets in the way

of the production cycle. They have one part-timer who helps them in the shed, and there is a need to constantly monitor the leeches’ living environment.

In recent years, they’ve taken issue with events such as the recent Targa New Zealand rally, held annually on public roads in the area. The route has seen the road closed for a full day, and while organisers pledge to open it when needed for medical-related reasons, they worry that they won’t be able to get leeches to where they’re needed in the event of an urgent call.

“We’re on call 24/7 and have been lucky thus far,” said Robert.

“We haven’t had to test that pledge yet. But that and other similar events where there are road closures worry us.”

Leech breeders eye retirement

Grey Ormsby is buzzing because he did not listen to his father.

A quarter of a century after Waitomo Group founder Desmond Ormsby advised his son Grey to exit the fuel supply industry the company won the supreme award at the Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

In an exclusive interview with The News current owner Jimmy Ormsby revealed: “In around 2000 my grandfather said we would be better taking the money and getting out of the business.”

Desmond had founded the company in 1947 in King Street, Te Kūiti employing half a dozen people before moving to Carroll Street in 1953. Exxon Mobil Corporation wanted to exit its joint venture with the Waitomo Group around 2000, leaving the family with the choice to go it alone or close.

“My grandfather said to my dad, ‘I think you should take the opportunity to get out. Dad obviously didn’t listen to his father and said, ‘we’re going to go hard.’”

Today the low-cost company is based in Frankton, Hamilton, and employs nearly 100 full time equivalents and almost as many contractors.

Waitomo Group has gone hard, growing from a business-to-business fuel wholesaler to a business to customer retailer.

It opened its first petrol station in 2012, aiming to be 20 cents a litre below the market rate, and its first South Island station in 2019.

Waitomo Group has five stations planned for Nelson in the coming year busting the 100 fuel stops and diesel stops ceiling nationally.

As well as winning the Supreme Award the company won the Business Growth and Strategy Award and the Sustainability Award at the Waikato Chamber of Commerce event on Friday.

Waitomo Group was also a finalist in the Innovation, People and Culture, and Marketing categories of the awards.

“Dad gave me a phone call the next day,” Jimmy said. “He was buzzing.”

“My grandfather, who passed away 22 years ago in 2001, would be amazed. He would be smiling down on us, and he’d be very happy, very proud,” Jimmy said.

On Monday Jimmy took the business award trophies to his dad, who now lives north of Hamilton, to show them off.

“Fantastic, I am so proud of you.” Grey said to Jimmy. “You must be so proud of the team too.”

He is.

On the option to exit, Grey said he was confident the company would perform better under Ormsby family ownership.

Waitomo Group now considers itself a market disruptor, offering competitive prices at retail as well as bulk fuel supply via commercial mini tankers for commercial and farm trade operators.

Jimmy’s wife Ailsa serves on the board while their oldest daughter, Isla, is helping the group manager of revenue in her gap year.

 * See: Waitomo takes out top spot

Other award winners:

Business Growth & Strategy Award - Waitomo Group, Chief Executive of the Year -  Pam Roa, Longveld, Community Contribution - Hamilton Multicultural Services Trust, Emerging Leader - Ashley Mason, Sentinel Homes, For Purpose -  Wild Bamboo, Innovation -  Waikato Milking Systems, Marketing  - Gallagher Animal Management, Small Business  -  Brainchild, People and Culture – Longveld, Service -   Whites Powersports, Sustainability -  Waitomo Group.

A supreme disruptor

Contributed

Councillor responds

In response to my recent story on kiwi, Selwyn June stated incorrectly that 90 kiwi were released back into the Okahu Valley (which skirts Te Urewera).

The Department of Conservation stated in a 2025 Official Information Act (OIA) response that “DOC has not released any kiwi into the Okahu Valley, as there is no stoat control in the area to protect the birds from predation.” DOC also states it has removed over 100 kiwi and eggs from the Okahu Valley in the last 25 years. Despite the kiwi removals, the pig hunting, native logging, and absence of “pest control”, the population continues to thrive.

Mr June also states that “more than 600 kiwi have been monitored through aerial 1080 drops nationwide, and not one has died from 1080.”

DOC rarely tests kiwi for 1080 poison residues. Only three were tested nationwide between 1998 and 2018. However, since 2018, nine kiwi have been tested, two being positive - 22 per cent.

An OIA reporting 740 dead kiwi in Northland between 1998 and 2018 shows that none were tested for 1080 poison residues. However, 53 of the Northland kiwi were tested for anti-coagulant rodenticides (not 1080), and 20 (38 per cent) were positive. Oddly, not a single kiwi has ever been recorded by DOC as dying from any kind of poisoning.

Between 2024 and 2014, 54 kiwi chicks were recorded as dying in the Tongariro Kiwi Sanctuary in the five years they were monitored. Between 2013 and 2005, over 120 chicks died, and in at least one of the seasons, the entire Operation Nest Egg batch of chicks died. Hundreds of kiwi have been translocated into poisoned forests like the Tongariro (driving up kiwi call counts), none into unpoisoned forests.

In the Waikaremoana/Te Urewera wild kiwi range, the population is thriving. DOC states not one kiwi has been reported dead in the area in the last 10 years, despite the absence of pest control. As I said previously, mad scientist experiments are no place for kiwi.

Clyde Graf

Waikato Regional councillor

Letters

Janine Krippner

I’ve been thinking about the vast, interconnected processes that shape our world. As a geoscientist - someone who studies the Earth - I work across scales that range from thousands of kilometres down to microscopic levels requiring a microscope to see. Even relatively small volcanic events can have catastrophic effects for us, but they pale in comparison to the immense forces that drive volcanic activity in the first place.

In relatively recent times it has been well-established that the Earth’s outer crust is made up of tectonic plates that slowly shift over time.

These plates interact in different ways: some are forced beneath others in subduction zones, some grind past each other along transform boundaries, and others pull apart at divergence zones. Come back in a million years or so and our regions will look quite different.

Here in the North Island, we sit near the Hikurangi Subduction Zone, where the Pacific Plate is pushed beneath the Australian Plate. The Pacific Plate—Earth’s largest tectonic plate—is surrounded by a network of active zones forming the infamous Pacific Ring of Fire. The South Island lies along a transform boundary, and further south, the pattern reverses, with the Australian Plate subducting beneath the Pacific Plate. Our region is geologically dynamic, to say the least.

One tectonic feature we don’t have in our neck of the woods is a divergence zone, where plates spread apart, creating new land. Some of the most well-known examples include the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the East Pacific Rise. There’s also the East African Rift Valley, often making headlines with claims that Africa is “splitting apart” - though this process has been happening for 25 to 30 million years at about the same rate as our fingernails grow.

One place where a spreading ridge reaches the surface is Iceland. Most of these ridges are hidden beneath the ocean, leaving much to be explored. These vast regions are where new oceanic crust is formed, giving rise to impressive fault systems, deep valleys, and volcanic activity that shapes the seafloor. The salt deposits I mentioned last week can flow across these zones, adding another layer to their complexity. A great example of this is the Red Sea Rift.

The discovery of plate tectonics revolutionised our understanding of Earth. What was once a groundbreaking theory, only widely accepted in the 1960s, is now fundamental to how we study our planet. And yet, we are still uncovering new insights. With advances in ocean mapping, technology, and computing power, we continue to refine our understanding of the forces that create and shape the landscapes we depend on.

In just this short discussion, I’ve touched on processes that span timescales and distances almost beyond comprehension. It has taken generations of scientific inquiry to reach this level of understanding -and there is still much more to learn. Within our lifetimes new discoveries will change the way we think about different aspects of our incredible planet. I look forward to sharing new discoveries with you.

Forces beneath our feet

Meghan Hawkes

Prime Minister Richard ‘Dick’ Seddon, on tour of New Zealand, described his trip overland from Te Kūiti to Mōkau, which was done in a four-horse drag, as a pretty rough one. On arrival at Mōkau the wire rope broke on the punt, necessitating the swimming of the horses across the river for eight miles, while the prime minister was rowed across in a boat.

Mystery surrounded three men on horseback who were observed ascending the long sloping hills that rose directly above Te Kūiti. The men, Constables Hyde, McConachie, and Nikora, returned the same night drenched to the skin, horses and men covered in mud.

The news soon spread - they had been raiding a sly grog store at Paemako, about 30 miles distant. When the store came into sight one of the constables had warned, ‘We are spotted.’

A gallop was made to the store and once inside, they took charge of the place and stripped it of its illicit alcohol. After a meal and the horses had been fed, a start was made for home but it was not long before the sky became inky black and rain came down in torrents.

They were on a track, not a road, struggling over roots, stumps, logs, and through swamps and bog holes. It was well their horses were used to such country. At last a whare was reached where the billy was boiled. A pannikin of tea and a hard biscuit were greatly appreciated, while the rain hammered on the roof. But if they remained there the night the horses would go hungry, so they pushed on.

At the whare they were provided with an impromptu lantern, the bottom knocked out of a bottle, turned upside down, and a lighted candle dropped into the neck of it. Another start was made, one of the constables heading the procession with the lantern. All went well for a little while, when suddenly a horse and rider were precipitated into a swamp and bogged. With a long, strong pull from his mates they were once more on terra firma and at long last Te Kūiti was reached.

At Ōtorohanga Mr Harrison and a companion went out wild cattle hunting. Soon they came across a wild bull, which they fired at. When Mr Harrison ran out to see what had become of him he came face to face with another bull which he had not seen. This bull immediately charged and knocked Mr Harrison down, wounding him. Luckily his companion was a cool and brave man who dispatched the animal in time to save Mr Harrison’s life.

Three young men left Hamilton at half past five in the morning on their bicycles, and rode through to the Waitomo Caves, where they spent an hour and a half. They then started on their return journey, and reached Hamilton at 11.30pm, having been just I8 hours on the road, and the distance travelled close on 100 miles.

Rough trip to Mōkau

Salt is part of our everyday lives, whether we are eating it or swimming in ocean water. Before it reaches our kitchens, salt is collected in several ways. One method involves evaporating salty water, leaving the salt behind to be harvested. Another source is rock salt, or halite, which forms when large bodies of salty water evaporate over time. These deposits, called evaporites, can originate from vast inland seas that existed hundreds of millions of years ago.

If you use Himalayan salt, that mineral has had quite the journey before arriving in stores. It is mined from the aptly named “Salt Range” in Pakistan, within what geologists call a fold-and-thrust belt. These massive geological features form when tectonic plates collide, causing rock layers to deform over immense timescales. Imagine pushing a rug along the floor—it folds and buckles as it bunches up. Similarly, when large faults develop, rock layers can be thrust over one another, creating complex geological structures.

One fascinating property of salt is that, under the right conditions, it flows. When thick layers of salt (ranging from hundreds of meters to a kilometre in thickness) are buried by sediments over geologic time, they experience uneven pressure, causing the salt to move. Picture a mattress-sized slab of putty: if you roll over it, the putty will bulge outward, shifting away from the applied pressure.

Salt can also migrate or move toward the surface, forming large domes or even flowing across the land like a glacier. If you search for “Zagros Mountains salt glaciers” online, you’ll find stunning images of multi-coloured salt formations, some even imaged from space to show their impressive size.

On the seafloor, salt can emerge at the surface and, thanks to a thin protective layer that prevents it from dissolving, create striking geological features. These are particularly abundant on the continental shelf in the Gulf of Mexico.

Buried salt deposits can also play important role in oil and gas accumulation. Because salt is impermeable, it acts as a natural barrier, trapping migrating hydrocarbons beneath the surface.

Salt can come in different colours, depending on its composition. Pure sodium chloride (NaCl) is colourless, while pink Himalayan salt gets its distinctive hue from trace amounts of iron oxide. This is similar to how minerals like quartz exhibit various colours depending on the presence of other elements.

It’s truly remarkable when you think about it. A vast inland sea slowly evaporates, leaving behind a thick salt deposit. Over millions of years, this deposit is buried beneath layers of sediment, becoming part of the rock record. Eventually, the salt, being less dense and more buoyant than the surrounding rock, begins to rise back toward the surface—just like oil in water or magma in the Earth’s crust. And after this long, extraordinary journey, we harvest it for food, decoration, or even to make salt lamps.

The next time you use Himalayan or other rock salt, I hope you take a moment to appreciate the incredible history this ancient mineral has travelled through time and space.



Our ancient salt

Scenarios are an invaluable tool for helping prepare for major events. Facing a potential disaster requires scientists, government officials, business owners, families, utility companies, and first responders (and more) to plan together. This provides a structured way to anticipate potential challenges and develop effective responses, helping to facilitate of overwhelming process.

A scenario is essentially a planning tool that outlines a hypothetical event, such as a powerful earthquake affecting a specific region.

Scientists construct these scenarios using extensive research on credible future events, drawing from past occurrences recorded in geological evidence (fault ruptures, landslides), biological markers (tree rings), and historical records if a past event has occurred when people were around to record it. By analysing the data, we can forecast what a similar event might look like today or in the near future.

The AF8 hazard scenario here in Aotearoa is one that I look to for a great example of how this process can take place, and how community engagement can be undertaken across a broad region. AF8 models a magnitude eight earthquake along the Alpine Fault in the South Island, a credible event with a 75 per cent chance of occurring in the next 50 years, and with an 82 per cent likelihood of reaching magnitude eight or greater.

Understanding these potential events is crucial, as the severity of a disaster is often determined by how well we prepare. The AF8 scenario doesn’t just examine the earthquake’s shaking; it also considers secondary impacts such as landslides, which could damage roads, disrupt electricity, and even block waterways — leading to flooding.

Once we understand the natural aspects of an event, we can assess its potential impacts — who and what will be affected — and determine proactive steps to reduce or even prevent damage. The AF8 project exemplifies how we are not powerless against Earth’s natural forces. By working together across different sectors of society, we can ensure people are informed and ready to act swiftly. This is a complex, collaborative effort involving many researchers and partner agencies.

Scenarios can be carried out in-person, run as though an event is underway over hours or days, and within or across agencies. This allows us to see what questions we haven’t yet asked, the resources we don’t yet have, and the relationships that need to be in place. It is a safe place to fail and can lead to productive problem solving.

Based on the scenario, further planning and response initiatives can be taken, and in this case, there is the South Island Alpine Fault Earthquake Response Framework. This is a fantastic example of how we can start with science, by looking at rocks as a geologist to understand the world around us, to impactful planning and action.

Yes, these events are daunting—but they are not some mysterious, lurking threat. With knowledge, preparation, and collaboration, we can face them together and greatly reduce the severity and how long it takes us to get back onto our feet.

Planning for a big one

It did not matter how late the hour, or wet and dark the night, or how heavy and muddy the road, Dr MacLeod of Piopio never failed to respond to the call of duty.

William MacLeod was a crofter’s son, born on the Isle of Skye, who rose to become a doctor, qualifying in 1905 at Glasgow. After he came to New Zealand he was registered at Otago’s Medical School and in 1913 moved to Piopio. He possessed the sterling and dependable qualities for which Scottish people were so distinguished and quickly gained popularity as much for his unassuming and friendly manner as for his professional skill.

A doctor had been badly needed in the district. Just the year before harrowing tales of suffering were related to the Waikato Hospital Board by a deputation of King Country settlers. It was stated that nobody, except those living there, realised the dreadful experiences of those from the back blocks. A doctor’s residence, with one room available as an emergency ward, was duly built at Piopio.

From his arrival Dr MacLeod’s self-sacrificing devotion to his duties won him sincere respect and esteem. In 1914 William married Jessie MacLennan at Miss Hattaway’s nursing home in Te Kūiti.

Jessie, who had come out from Glasgow to be married, was well known in Scotland as a singer of Scottish and Gaelic songs. She had taken a prominent part in national singing competitions, and it was anticipated that she would be a decided acquisition in her new home. Within a few years the couple had two daughters, and William continued to be a diligent doctor, particularly during the flu pandemic of 1918.

In late May 1921 William was suddenly taken ill and on the advice of Dr McRae, was sent to Hamilton by the express train to go into Dr Douglas’s private hospital. George Brown, of Piopio, accompanied him to Hamilton.  Two days later William had surgery for appendicitis which appeared quite successful. But two days after the surgery Jessie MacLeod was sent for urgently, William’s pain had not subsided and now there were symptoms of peritonitis. Two more days later a second operation became essential and was performed at 10am, but William died about 4pm. His sudden death was a stunning blow to all who knew him. There was hardly a settler’s home that he had not entered. He was more than a physician to most of the community - he was a friend.

William was buried at Te Kūiti, the funeral procession being the largest seen in the district. The church was crowded, and the members of the Freemasons (of which William was a member), attended in Masonic regalia. A lambskin apron was thrown on to the coffin and the symbolic acacia sprig of immortality placed on it.

Very deep grief was felt in the King Country at the death of their ideal country doctor and his ornate headstone bears the inscription that it was ‘erected by the members of this district by whom he was much loved’.

Piopio's popular doctor

People around the world are often familiar with the most significant eruptions, such as the 1883 Krakatau eruption, which had profound and far-reaching effects. However, there are many stories of volcanic eruptions that have impacted communities globally, yet remain underreported or have been lost to time.

As part of my ongoing work in the Canary Islands, a volcanic archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa, and a region of Spain, I am collaborating with partners at GeoTenerife to help provide locals with insights into their volcanic history. It is crucial that we continue to raise awareness of these historical events and their relevance to present-day communities.

This has led me to explore 18th and 19th-century Spanish eruption accounts. These accounts offer invaluable glimpses into past volcanic activity, which can help us recognise how unrest and eruptions might impact communities. This, in turn, can critically assist with decision-making when a volcano stirs.

One notable example is the 1706 eruption in Garachico, on the northern coast of Tenerife. At the time, Garachico was the island’s largest port and was a thriving town with smaller villages nearby. During this eruption, lava cascaded down the steep slopes into the town, partially filling and damaging the harbour. Despite its relatively small size compared to other eruptions, this event had a profound impact on both the town and the island as a whole.

Constructing a reliable eruption timeline from historical records is challenging. Our modern understanding of volcanic processes has evolved and the terminology we use today often differs from that of the past. For instance, interpreting terms like “smoke” (Is it ash? Gas? Steam? Or something actually burning?) or “fire” (Is it lava?) can be difficult. A deep understanding of volcanic activity is essential to making sense of these descriptions. Additionally, translation errors can further complicate matters. For example, translating “lahar” from Indonesian as “cold lava” is misleading—cold lava is simply rock.

However, these historical accounts also offer us crucial insights into volcanic precursors, especially during times before the advent of modern volcano monitoring.

One colourful account reads:  “tombs could be seen as if they were trying to throw out dead bodies, and in the houses, the roofs began to shake until they gave way. The bells could be heard ringing with heartfelt blows, as if they were ringing in agony…” (Cassares, 1709). Along with other historical eruption accounts, this suggests that seismic activity can be a significant precursor to eruptions in the region.

Other accounts provide a window into the emotional experiences of the people living through these events, such as: “the fearful night continued… in this way, Lord, the great earthquakes originated, with such ferocity that everyone was moved to sadness.”

Learning about past eruptions is essential for preparing communities for future volcanic events. Each volcano presents unique lessons, shaped by its specific landscape, history, and the culture of the people living in its shadow. By examining these stories, we can better equip communities to face the challenges posed by future eruptions.

Deciphering past eruptions

News

From Middle Earth to Mōkau

Water strength in numbers

Police: take more care

Jesse Wood

Piopio on Owl Farm podium

Thou shell not pass

Waiting to ride out

Police asked to explain

A member of King Country’s Fagan family has won the Horse of the Year event this month.

Year 5 Ōtewā School student Javana Johnston, 9, won her category A show hunter class at the Tomoana Showgrounds in Hastings. The youngster has been riding horses since she was toddler.

There were about 1400 riders competing for titles. Javana and her pony Starlight Samara competed against children much older than her across four days.

Her mum Julia Johnston, niece of shearing legend Sir David Fagan, was proud of her daughter’s efforts.

“It’s the second time Javana has competed at Horse of the Year,” Julia said. “Last year she was the youngest rider competing in show hunter and came home with a couple of wins and placings. This year we brought home the big one.”

Javana also rode a category B class pony, Starlight Sahara.

“She had her challenging moments with Starlight Sahara this year though. She started off okay with sixth in her first class but ended up having a couple of falls during the week.

“She got a sportsmanship spot prize for the way she conducted herself and the kindness towards her pony after her falls.

Julia grew up in Te Kūiti before moving north to Whitianga.

The family moved to Ōtewā, on the banks of the Waipā River near Ōtorohanga, when Javana started primary school.

Along with Te Kūiti-based sister Tina Fagan, Julia competed in pony events in her youth too.

“I actually bred Javana’s ponies. Me and my sister Tina, we breed our Starlight horses and ponies. I’ve been breeding ponies since before I had kids in hopes that they would want to ride as well. I got lucky with my first one,” Julia said.

“I have always been trying to chase that quality of pony since I finished in pony Grand Prix way back in my day.

“This year, not only did one of my ponies take out the category A with Javana, but I also had my pony stallion take out the category C with one of my other riders, Te Kauwhata-based Cameron Young.”

Javana also placed in five other events as well as placing third in the national category A high point series, third overall in the 12 years and under national equitation series - the rider class, and third in the national series on her category B high points with Starlight Sahara.

In 2024, she placed sixth overall in all her high point series classes for the national series, bumping her way up three spots this year.

“Javana placed at the Takapoto showjumping event last winter as well, but we’ve concentrated on the show hunter this season because she wanted to go for those national classes,” Julia said.

“I think she would like to take out the win. She wants to chase those points for the national series.

“But it’s pretty amazing to win the pony of the year class this year. To come home as number one.”

It was a family affair for Javana and Julia. Tina and her two girls Hannah, 12, and Twyla Ashwell, 11, also attended.

Javana’s cousins both brought home wins and placings in show jumping.

Tina said the competitive spirit is part of the girls’ blood and they understand the commitment it takes in any sport to be a champion. 

Riding Starlight Storm, Hannah placed first in the pony 1.10m event and third in speed pony champion of the year 1.20m.

With her second pony, Starlight Irwin, Hannah came first in the equitation medal of the year 13 years and under event as well as third in the pony 1.10m championship.

Twyla rode Starlight Ishtar, placing second in category C high points and fifth in the equitation medal of the year 13 years and under.

Riding her second mount Quince, Twyla finished sixth in the pony 1.05m

championship category.

The sisters also represented Waikato in the Pony Club’s Show Jumping teams event gaining second place.

“The three cousins did very, very well for themselves,” Julia said.

“Tina and I always rode as kids, but to also have our three girls come through, compete and do really well is quite amazing.

“I think they’ve been very lucky to have mums that have ridden and bred horses.”

Javana stars at Horse of the Year

Supplied

Over the past few weeks there has been much conjecture as to the makeup of The King Country Club Rugby Premiership and now it is time for the talking to stop and the action to commence.

Two clubs who competed in the premiership in 2024 have withdrawn for 2025 which leaves a competition between just seven teams - which must place some pressure on the Union to scrutinise possibilities moving forward.

Bush United has been under pressure for some time as their player base has gradually shrunk and it reflects a trend among all North King Country Clubs fighting to attract a rapidly diminishing player base.

Their withdrawal is not a surprise to many.

It should be noted that there are now two rugby league clubs in the district which contributes to competition for player numbers.

However, the withdrawal of Taupo Sports club has sent shock waves throughout the community. To champions just two years ago after a stellar run on the top of the table to withdrawing is hero to zero so to speak.

It means last year’s champions Taumarunui Districts, Taupo Marist, Tongariro United, Taumarunui Eels, Piopio, Waitete and Waitomo will compete over two full rounds, albeit with a bye in each round.

Taupo Marist appear to be high on the radar as being favourites to improve on the 2024 second placing and will be well prepared having just completed a successful Spillane Cup tournament, winning their final over Whanganui Marist.

Tongariro United are rumoured to have a very strong squad having picked up some leading players from Taupo Sports while Taumarunui Districts will be defending their title with gusto.

The Te Kuiti outfit Waitete have an air of confidence in their camp with a new coach in Gareth Williams who will be assisted by Josh Ostern a very experienced player with a stellar career behind him.

They have a mixture of experienced players and some exciting young talent and completed their build up with an impressive 36–5 victory over Waikato First Division Club Frankton.

Head Coach Steve Edwards returns for his second season at Waitomo and appears to have built a committed group of young players as he looks to improve their position on the table.

Piopio has crept quietly along under the radar and have appointed the experienced Craig Bell as their head coach so should lack nothing in the form of fitness.

Over the last few years they have built up a solid reputation and this season should be no exception.

On Saturday Piopio will host Waitete at the domain in a match up that has seen some real ding dongs as local rivalry comes to the fore.

Waitete have enjoyed an extensive build up with preseason fixtures against Te Aroha’s Cobras and Frankton and will possibly be favoured as Piopio will be having their first hit out for the season.

Out at Waitomo Domain the home side face a mammoth task facing competition favourites Taupo Marist.

Waitomo had two preseason games against Waikato First Division sides Ōhaupō and Te Rapa and showed enough to suggest they will have an improved performance; Marist will underestimate them at their peril.

In Taumarunui there will be a mouth-watering encounter between the two heavy weights as Districts host Tongariro United in a match expected to go either way and hard to predict from a distance.

Taumarunui Eels have the bye so can sit back to see what unfolds.

All Premiership games kick off at 2.30pm.

…and four to pick them

Who can get the results right? Our rugby writer Norris Woodbine has lined up a panel and challenged them to predict the winners in the King Country rugby competition each week. Here’s how they see the opening weekend going…

Club rugby's a super seven

Jon Rawlinson

Ōtorohanga’s Trevor De Malmanche is no stranger to the chequered flag.

He recently won motorcycling’s New Zealand Cross-country nationals, securing the veteran (35-44 years) class.

“Yeah, it was really good,” he says. “I’ve been trying to win the series for a few years now.”

The final two rounds of the series, held in Gore recently followed two rounds in Rewa north of Feilding earlier in the year.

Competing as a veteran, Trevor is relatively new to cross-country racing, however he is an old hand when it comes to motorsport in general. Along with his father, Steve, Trevor was a regular winner at Kihikihi Speedway exchanging four wheels for two and back again.

“We went to speedway for years and won New Zealand titles in that,” he recalls.

“I was driving Falcons and set a record – three national titles in one season – that no one’s been able to beat. But I’ve always raced bikes, including motocross and other bits and pieces.”

While some of the best in cross-country haven’t needed to cross paths (or trails) with Trevor in the fiercely contested senior grade, at least one more Malmanche is on his way.

Son, Max, 15, contested this year’s nationals as a junior but he will join the senior ranks soon enough, Trevor confirms.

“We just finished a sprint series before we went down to finish the nationals – both me and Max both podiumed in that,” he says.

“In the cross-country, Max finished around sixth or seventh this time. He’s turning 16 next month, so hopefully next year should be his year, his last one in the juniors.”

Max isn’t the only one from the next generation of De Malmanches setting out to score big wins on the backs of bikes – Trevor’s daughters, Ella, 17, and Gemma, 14 have also been competing.

His children’s interest in riding rekindled Trevor’s own, he adds.

“I got back into riding when my young fella started. The kids were all knee high to a grasshopper when we began going to kids’ camps and now the whole family rides bikes now.”

The nationals also saw Taupo’s Brad Groombridge claim senior honours with Nixon Parkes (Te Awamutu) securing a clean sweep in the junior grade. Other winners included Stratford’s Megan Collins (senior women), Waitoa’s Chad McGovern (under-85cc class) and Rotorua’s Grace Fowler (junior women).

From track to trail and back

There was plenty of action on the water last week for Te Awamutu and King Country students competing at the Lake Karāpiro-based 2025 Maadi rowing regatta and Waka Ama Secondary School Nationals in Rotorua.

Te Awamutu College’s Maadi cohort saw Maiara Moimoi place second in the girls’ under-17 single sculls D final before joining Tessa Chappell to claim first in the girls’ under-18 double sculls C final.

Several other Te Awamutu single sculls competitors did well in their finals, just missing out on the top three.

Hunter Coleman placed fourth is his under-17 C final, as did Casey Lee Baker in her under-18 D final and Keegan Jordaan was sixth in the boys’ under-18 D final.

“All the rowers performed the best they have all season. Some crews came away with personal best times as well which was a win for them,” Te Awamutu Rowing Club representative Alya Mexted said.

“They all rowed extremely well, technique wise and effort wise, and the school rowing team finished their season on a high with these achievements. It’s a big positive moving forward into next season.”

Cambridge High School, Te Kūiti High School and Ōtorohanga College had competitors at the Lake Tikitapu-based waka ama event. The five-day event had a record 2200 students competing.

The Cambridge Te Oko Horoi crew placed first in the under-16 girls’ W6 250m Te Kei final.

Te Kūiti took home three third placings in the under-16 boys’ and under-16 girls’ W6 500m final as well as the under-19 girls W6 500m final.

Ōtorohanga College’s Darius Mulligan-Hughes after he finished 12th in the country in both the J19s elite divisions.

Crews shine at waka ama

An old TV show claimed that ‘Maverick didn’t come here to lose.’ Fortunately, Waikato Bay of Plenty Mavericks’ striker Owen Brown has no intention to lose, and he knows much more about hockey than hoakey TV westerns.

From Āria Primary and Piopio College to New Plymouth Boy’s High and Canterbury University, Brown credits his grassroots setting the foundation for his growing sporting goals.

However, it’s on turf – home or otherwise – that this King Country farmer’s son is coming into his own.

Asked if strikers get all the glory in hockey without having to do the hard yards, he says “No, there’s still a wee bit of running involved… If midfielders and defenders don’t do their job, you can’t get the ball in the circle to do anything useful with it.”

Next on the scoresheet for Owen is April’s Junior Hockey League (JHL). The tournament follows a rough season in 2024 for Owen’s Waikato BOP Mavericks as both the men’s and women’s squads were served wooden spoons. The squad’s juniors will have a point to prove.

“The JHL is the equivalent of Premier Hockey League (PHL) for junior players, under 21s,” he says. “The PHL was disappointing, but we have to look towards the future and how can we improve and be better next time around.”

Since first playing hockey at school, Owen has risen through the grades alongside another Piopio-Āria sportsman, Southern Alpiners’ midfielder, Gus Nelson.

“I’m a first generation hockey player in our family,” Owen says. “I played from a reasonably young age but it’s more a secondary school sport, so I didn’t really pick it up properly until then. Gus went to Hamilton Boys High a year before I went to New Plymouth Boys. We’ve played against each other at school, but we’ve also played together in the junior grades and for New Zealand.”

At international level, Owen and Gus are part of a promising next generation of Kiwi hockey players.

The Junior Black Sticks finished fourth among six teams at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia late last year. The tournament provided invaluable international experience ahead of the upcoming Junior World Cup in India.

“We didn’t actually lose a game in regular time. We won a couple, drew a bunch and then lost in shootouts in our final game,” Owen says. “But we’re putting a lot of work into the junior system to develop players, and we are looking quite promising at the moment, so I think we have a very good chance at the World Cup.”

While Gus graduated from Lincoln University last year, Owen is still working towards a Bachelor of Science at Canterbury University. He has been spending his summers back in the King Country often working on his family farm, however his future could take him much further afield.

“There’s very little chance of making a career from hockey here, you need another job if you want to play in New Zealand only. So, I’d like to play in Germany or The Netherlands, but I’d still want to play for the Black Sticks, 100 per cent.”

With hockey cut from next year’s Commonwealth Games, these two promising players will have to wait a little while longer to go for gold. Especially seeing as New Zealand has only won one medal of any colour at the Olympics – the men’s team in 1976 – bringing Olympic laurels back home is a dream Owen agrees is worth pursuing.

“Winning an Olympic medal would be pretty awesome – yeah, almost unbelievable really. It’s too early to say yet, but I think we will have a good shot. There’s definitely been a lot of development into the next group coming up as they’re looking to reshape the Black Sticks for the next Olympics.”

Maverick Owen is no wild card

These youngsters riding on home turf had their families celebrating at the North King Country Motorcycle club’s King of the Schools event on Mangarino Rd recently. Ben Gaylor, Deklan Burton, Evan Gray, Mason Fordham and Sam Gray came home second overall in an event which attracted entries from 85 primary and intermediate schools in their section – and 127 school in total. Results: Primary-intermediate, St Joseph’s, Stratford 1, Ōtorohanga South 2, Whakamaru 3, Te Awamutu Primary 4. Secondary, Tauranga Boys College 1, New Plymouth Boys High 2, Hamilton Boys High 3.

Silver lining

Hautapu alumni Dylan Eti and James Thompson have been floating around the Chiefs rugby squad in 2025.

Hautapu lock Dylan Eti has been with the Chiefs and is now at the Super Rugby Under 20 tournament in Taupō. Photo: Matt Gould[/caption]

The pair of former St Peter’s School Cambridge students join a large cohort of Hautapu associated players who are involved in 2025 Super Rugby Pacific squads and wider training groups.

Luke Jacobson, Jacob Norris (replacement player), Ollie Norris, Simon Parker and Bradley Slater are others to be with the Chiefs this year.

Ryan Coxon (Western Force), Laghlan McWhannell (Blues) and Waisake Salabiau (Highlanders wider squad) are participating elsewhere.

Coming from the King Country and Bay of Plenty respectively, Eti is a fresh face to Hautapu, while Thompson has moved to Patumahoe (Counties Manukau) after several years at the club.

Eti was training with the Chiefs in pre-season and is now in the Chiefs Under 20 squad competing in the annual Super Rugby Under 20 tournament at Owen Delany Park in Taupō.

Pool matches were played on Saturday and Tuesday – and the finals will take place this Saturday.

Eti moved to St Peter’s for his final two years of secondary schooling after attending Ōtorohanga College.

“I’ve loved training with the Chiefs. It was definitely a step up. This time last year I was with the first XV, so it’s definitely a big change and an eye opener,” Eti says.

“It’s an insight into where I want to be fulltime in the future. It was a surprise to get invited to train.

“There are a lot of boys in my position that have played NPC, but I ended up getting a call up. I loved it.”

Eti says he enjoys being part of the under 20 squad too, giving him opportunities to develop his game.

He hasn’t forgotten his King Country roots and frequently visits his parents who still reside in Ōtorohanga.

“[My King Country upbringing is what] made me. I’m down there every other weekend. It’s always good to catch up with my mates from primary school there. I love it,” he says.

“Last year when Ōtorohanga played against Hautapu, it was down there. I spent the night back down there and it was amazing. There’s nothing like home.”

The young lock will return to play for Hautapu this year and has a bright future.

“By the end of this year, I’m hoping to make the New Zealand Under 20 squad and hopefully get an NPC contract or game time at least.”

Eti may follow in the footsteps of recent Ōtorohanga connected Super Rugby representatives Toby Arnold (2024 Crusaders injury cover), Haereiti Hetet (Fijian Drua) and Cortez Ratima (Chiefs).

Fellow second-rower Thompson is still at Chiefs training fulltime after joining as injury cover for Fiti Sa.

He’s no stranger to the Chiefs environment, having spent several years there previously.

Thompson is still waiting to make his franchise debut but got a taste of Super Rugby, in 2024 donning the Blues jersey.

He appeared three times for the Auckland-based side before reconnecting with the Chiefs this year.

“To be back with the team I grew up supporting is pretty special,” Whakatāne-born Thompson says.

“First and foremost, I’m keen to get out and debut for the Chiefs. Then get some time in the saddle and have a bit of involvement in important games.

“The biggest learning I took away from playing Super Rugby was the importance of being physical all the time, along with knowing your detail and nailing the little things.”

Thompson was a boarder at St Peter’s from Year 7-13, a school his father also attended.

After leaving St Peter’s he transitioned to Hautapu, playing several seasons there.

He tries to stay in touch with the club as regularly as possible.

“Hautapu is a special place to me. I’m sitting on 48 or 49 games, so I’m itching to get a couple more and tick over to that 50. If I can do that, it would be a proud moment for me,” Thompson says.

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