Viv Posselt

Remko Pootjes is on a mission to save discarded pianos and spread the magic of music, and he wants Kiwi companies to help him roll it out.

For the past few years, Ōtorohanga’s piano man has been saving unwanted pianos from the landfill or the firepit by turning them into community pianos or bespoke merchandising display units to be leased out. Funds from those leases or sponsors go into providing piano lessons for children… hence his tagline ‘Pianos for Kids’.

“Schools today don’t teach piano in the same way they did years ago, so kids wanting to play need to have parents who can afford private lessons,” he said, “and not all kids want to limit their extra-curricular activities to sports.

“I believe piano lessons should be offered as a lifeskill, like swimming lessons, but when I approached 11 schools in the area asking them to support my concept of teaching kids to play, they all declined. It was either too expensive, the pianos were too heavy, or there weren’t enough kids interested. To me, even one student makes it worthwhile.”

Last year, Pootjes set up The Remiano Charitable Trust – a nifty play on his nickname ‘Rem’ and ‘piano’ – as a registered charity to ‘transform old pianos into new opportunities’ and help fund the free lessons.

He finds unwanted pianos from wherever he can, brings them to his workshop in Ōtorohanga, and either restores them to full playing glory or turns them into pieces of furniture. Some go into streets as community pianos, others become eye-catching bookstands or display units in shops.



Pootjes says there are hundreds of unwanted pianos in communities all over New Zealand. A quick internet search can unearth around 100 on any given day, some of them going for just a couple of dollars.

“It is amazing how many just get dumped.”

The trust doesn’t sell the pianos, it only leases them, he said. “People pay a monthly rental fee, but the pianos remain the property of the trust.”

Surprisingly, Pootjes doesn’t play the piano himself, but his partner does. The Dutch-born former engineer came to New Zealand in the 1970s, working in his field as well as in sales and in investigations. He is also a volunteer firefighter.

The idea to repurpose unwanted pianos came during Covid when a friend asked for helping in dumping an old piano. Pootjes wanted to salvage it … and so it started.

In just the past few weeks, Pootjes has launched a new website and is looking for a business partner who will help take his ‘Play Me Pianos’ to most New Zealand cities. He is also fast-tracking a new Piano Depot collection and workshop container concept that he wants to roll out near refuse dumps or zero waste collection points.

Through Pootjes’ efforts, people are tickling the ivories in towns all over the region and children who may not otherwise have had the means are learning to play.

“We are putting new pianos in towns all the time, and are looking at growing the entire operation,” he said. “There is a lot of interest, so exciting times ahead.”

The keyboard warrior

Staff Reporter

A total of 76 exhibitors will be promoting their products at the second Waipa Home and Leisure Show at Lake Karāpiro starting Friday.

The event, launched by Good Local Media last year, returns to the Mighty River Domain for three days – Friday to Sunday.

Waipa Home & Leisure Show 16-18 May - Click here for Exhibitors List & Map

Waipa Home & Leisure Show 8-page tabloid feature

“There is something for every member of the family no matter your age, your budget or if you just want a great morning or afternoon out at an affordable price with families or friends in a relaxed and friendly environment,” Advertising and Commercial director Janine Davy said.

“Huis Joinery, back for another year, decided to extend their stand, so that they could hang a barn door between their kitchen and laundry area. One barn door turned into two when they decided to give one barn door away at the show,” Davy said.

Exhibitors include home, building and renovation specialists. Stands will feature custom kitchens, laundry and joinery, carpeting and flooring, cladding, double glazing, garage solutions, solar panels and lighting, heat pumps and air conditioning, magnetic windows, fly screens, security doors, artificial lawns and turf, and professional painters.

Davy said it was an opportunity to support Waipā businesses “who have pulled out all the stops to impress” and national businesses which have travelled to Waipā so customers do not have to go to the main centres.

Waipa Home & Leisure Show 16-18 May - Click here for Exhibitors List & Map

Waipa Home & Leisure Show 8-page tabloid feature

waipahomeandleisure2025 #homeandleisure2025 #cambridgenewsNZ  #teawamutunews #waikatobusinessnews #kingcountrynews #Waipahomeandleisure #homeandleisure

Our exhibitors are:

 * OUTSIDE 1 - Advanced Trees Limited – Large grade specimen trees, landscape hedging, ornamental trees.
 * OUTSIDE 2 - Brandt Tractor Limited -Lifestyle equipment, Ride-ons, Compact Tractors.
 * STAND 3 + 4 - Air Conditioning Group – We supply and install heatpumps - best prices guaranteed.
 * STAND 5 + 6 - St Kilda Café & Bistro – We will be onsite at the show offering barista-made coffee and fresh food.
 * STAND 7 - The National Party - National Party membership.
 * STAND 8 - Roger Ramsey Building – Waikato renovation experts. Quality workmanship. No job too big or too small.
 * STAND 9 - Bamboo Sweets – Handmade premium chocolates including chocolate bars, bonbons and truffles.
 * STAND 10 + 11 - Outdoor Shade Solutions Ltd - Outdoor blinds, umbrellas, awnings, Shade Sails, Wave Shade, Pergolas.
 * STAND 13 - Kiwi Az Creationz - Indoor andoutdoor rustic wine barrel furniture.
 * STAND 14 - Resonate - Hearing health and hearing aid subscription service.
 * STAND 15 - Sentinel Pest Control – Rodent and insect pest control products.
 * STAND 16 - Wilsons Cambridge - Carpet, Flooring, Curtains, Blinds, Wallpapers.
 * STAND 17 + 30 - Mavis & Mick Shoes - Leather boots, shoes from Europe, plus clothing and bags.
 * STAND 18 - Wash Rite - Exterior house and building washing.
 * STAND 19 - Treetown Designer Kitchens - Custom kitchens and interior joinery solutions for homes in Cambridge, Hamilton and the greater Waikato.
 * STAND 20 - Step Flex Orthotics - Step Flex -flexing foot correctors.
 * STAND 21 - Hallmark Services - Better cleans with the Hallmark Team. Your trusted residential, commercial and carpet cleaners.
 * STAND 22 - Tiles on Devon - Showcasing a selection of our favourite tiles from our extensive range.
 * STAND 23 + 24 - Fowler Homes - Your local award-winning builders - let's talk about your project.
 * STAND 25 - Totalspan - Totalspan Waikato/King Country have you covered for garages, workshops, storage and more.
 * STAND 26 - Cambridge Tiles - Tiles for every style and budget, backed by local expert advice.
 * STAND 27 - Cambridge Solar - Solar panel systems, repair, cleaning, maintenance. General electrical services.
 * STAND 28 - Phiten Health & Performance - Natural products for improved health, sports performance, injury recovery, pain relief, skincare.
 * STAND 29 - Lawn Rite - The grass is greener when you mow it. Lawns, hedges & weed control.
 * STAND 31 - Bellberry Distillery - Gin and Vodka, plus fruit mixes (freeze dry mixes to have with the gin and vodka).
 * STAND 32 - Good Local Media Ltd – Show organiser - Information Desk located in foyer. Also, publishers of Cambridge News, Te Awamutu News, King Country News, and Waikato Business News.
 * STAND 33 - G. J. Gardner Homes – Residential construction.
 * STAND 34 - Double Glazing United - Retrofit double glazing into timber and aluminium joinery.
 * STAND 35 - Cambridge Real Estate -Residential, lifestyle and rural real estate - find your dream Cambridge property.
 * STAND 36 + 37 - Latitude Homes King Country & Waikato South - New home builds.
 * STAND 38 - Meyer Cheese - Locally handmade Gouda style cheeses.
 * STAND 39 - Bioptron NZ - Bioptron healing medical light therapy device and accessories.
 * STAND 40 - Seddon Portrait House – Family photographer celebrating your precious memories via wall portraits and albums.
 * STAND 41 - Alpha First Mortgage Investments - Offering wholesale investors stand-alone loan investment opportunities secured by first mortgages.
 * STAND 42 - Grinters Funeral Home/Rosetown Funeral Home - Pre-plan your funeral arrangement options with our funeral directors.
 * STAND 43 - Momentum Building Ltd - Building company specialising in renovations. Selling our building services.
 * STAND 44 - Daisy Garden Bags & Bins - Green waste collection service. Providing garden bins and bags.
 * STAND 45 - The Designers Colab – The Designers Colab is a collaborative interior design studio featuring industry leaders with decades of experience in residential design.
 * STAND 46 - Truestyle Improvements – NZ Swimming Pools - Fibreglass swimming pools, hard landscaping and concrete.
 * STAND 47 - EziRider - First choice best price fold-up E-bike.
 * STAND 48 - Straight Paint - Residential and commercial painting.
 * STAND 49 - Top Class Concrete Treatments Ltd - Turning ugly concrete into lovely concrete.
 * STAND 50 - NZ Sure Ltd - Life, Trauma, Medical, Income Protection, Mortgage Protection Insurance, Business Insurance.
 * STAND 51 - Cambridge Resthaven - 100% community owned retirement village, apartments, care centres and companion driving service.
 * STAND 52 - Scent with Love – Handcrafted home fragrance, including soy wax candles, melts, diffusers, and room sprays.
 * STAND 53 - Duzz-All Beeswax – Natural beeswax products for leather and timber, Bees Ease for pain relief.
 * STAND 54 - Carley's Kitchen – Affordable kitchen merchandise - your cooking and kitchen will be popping!
 * STAND 55 - Waikato Security Doors - Security Doors, Insect Screens, Magnetic Windows, Pleated and Retractable Screens.
 * STAND 56 + 57 - Cambridge Beds & Furniture - Offering quality furniture and beds for every home.
 * STAND 58 - First National Te Awamutu – We are passionate about helping you with your real estate needs.
 * STAND 59 - Versatile - Garages, farm buildings, sleepouts, cottages and homes.
 * STAND 60 - Bone & Body Blueprint Ltd - Accurate and scientific results for Bone & Body scanning.
 * STAND 61 + 62 - Unreal Lawns & Courts - Artificial Turf for Residential, Commercial, and Sport Court.
 * STAND 63 - Craftwork Garage Doors – New garage doors, including servicing and repairs.
 * STAND 64 - Yard Matters - Garden, lawn and landscaping services throughout Cambridge, Hamilton, Te Awamutu & beyond.
 * STAND 65 - Rotary - Urban Miners - Collecting E-waste, recycling, reusing and diverting it from landfill.
 * STAND 66 + 67 - Huis Joinery – Bespoke joinery - kitchens, laundries, barn doors, customer cabinetry.
 * STAND 68 - Mons Flavors - Six types of non-spicy spice blends, locally handmade, made in New Zealand.
 * STAND 69 - Masada Cladding - Premium NZ made weatherboard you never have to paint.


FOOD TRUCKS

 * STAND 72 - Black & Orange Catering - Low and slow cooked meats and delicious sides.
 * STAND 73 - Bratwurst Grill Cambridge -Bratwurst and legendary currywurst (sausage in curry ketchup), plus vegetarian options, loaded fries and wedges.
 * STAND 74 - Sawadee Thai & Asian Catering - Thai cuisine.
 * STAND 75 - Suzuya Japanese Fried Chicken - Japanese style fried chicken, served with a side salad rice balls (onigiri).

Home & Leisure Show ...mark two

We are at Te Kūiti High School’s Services Academy where we meet the students looking for career options which allow them to serve their communities.

Plus we head out to Otewa to see the schoolhouse which could be moved into Ōtorohanga and our historian Meghan Hawkes tells a harrowing story about the loss of three Linton family members in World War I.

Read more

King Country News - out today

Jon Rawlinson

Whether by lining up a target through the sights of a sniper’s rifle, saving someone from a burning building, stopping speeding motorists or even just by instructing the young, there are many ways to serve our society.

While Joel Bradley has undertaken two of these roles, he says his students in Te Kūiti High School’s Services Academy will each find their own path.

“It's not a recruitment agency for the NZ Defence Force (NZDF). It's a lot more one-on-one based, focused on teamwork, discipline, physical fitness, leadership and all sorts of stuff that gets the kids outside of their comfort zone,” the academy’s director says.

“I'm here to support them with anything they want to do. It’s more about helping them find a career pathway and work with others in the school to help them reach that goal.”

The academy aims to encourage students to serve their communities, but this could involve joining the police, fire brigades or even simply by being good citizens.

Serving as a sniper with a reconnaissance platoon in Iraq, Joel appreciates the value of ‘path finding’ and he’s also an expert when it comes to training.

“We were training the Iraqi forces, giving them the skills they needed to take back their country from ISIS,” he says.

In the last year of his military career, he was part of the NZDF Youth Development Unit with his wife Deeanna Bradley.

“We ran Service Academy courses which gave me a lot of skills.”

Approximately 30 such academies are now running nationwide. While students are given a taste of military life, they are not boot camps. However, perceptions towards careers in the military have changed, Joel says.

“The kids went through a two-week induction course with the NZDF recently. They were straight into a strict military environment. We were all up at five with military physical training and drill. It was just amazing – the kids thrived!

“When we started, I think only one student put their hand up when asked if they wanted to join the military. Now, after seeing what military life can give them, more than half are interested and there’s been no pushing from me.”

The high school’s Services Academy mobilised at the beginning of term one, but it’s not a new initiative and Joel has practiced what he teaches.

“It first ran in 2010. When I was a student in the academy, it gave me the skills I needed to join the army, ones I was lacking such as academics.”

The school lost the programme about eight years ago.

Joel has been working with the principal Gareth Williams to bring it back.

The key to any successful programme run along military lines is willing participation.

“We provide guidance but the students really build the culture through their own camaraderie. If you try to force people into it and they don't want to be part of it, you’ll be banging your head against a brick wall. I won't take students that don't want to be here,” says Joel.

Students thrive in academy

A striking photo of her mother has won Piopio artist Ashley Tutaki a place in the finals of the 2025 Kīngi Tuheitia Portraiture Award.

Her work, titled Back to the Source, has Lina Goldsbury, wearing a long sleeve turtleneck, lying peacefully in water.

The challenge for entrants was to create portraits of their ancestors – tūpuna.

In her entry Tutaki wrote “as she is my mother, it is strange to think of her as “tupuna”, just as it is strange to imagine oneself as growing older and rising through the ranks of the generations”.

“But that’s life, and I believe this to be a true depiction of what a living ‘tupuna’ looks like in many whānau who lose their elders too soon.”

Tutaki, born in 1992, affiliates to the Ngāti Maniapoto and Rereahu iwi of Tainui and describes herself as a young photographer working towards launching her own freelance business to showcase and uplift Māori stories through photography.

The award, a collaboration between the Office of the Kiingitanga and the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakāta, was launched in 2020 to inspire new generations of Māori artists to create portraits of their tūpuna.

Artists are competing for a first prize of $20,000. The runner up and peoples’ choice winners will both get $2500.

Entries were open to Māori artists aged 35 and under who created an artwork within the last two years or specifically for the competition, using any visual medium, excluding AI-generated work, with whakapapa connections to the depicted tūpuna.

The shortlisted artworks were chosen by a panel of judges, including contemporary Māori artist Areta Wilkinson (Ngāi Tahu), Head Carver for Waikato-Tainui Iwi Renata Te Wiata (Waikato-Ngāti Māhuta, Te Arawa - Ngāti Kea Ngāti Tuara), and leading painter John Walsh (Aitanga a Hauiti).

The winners will be announced next month and the finalists’ artworks will then tour the country over the next two years.

Ashley’s angle makes the final

Two Te Kūiti dancers will be on stage at the World Dance Crew Championships in Auckland this weekend.

Alexi Hughes and Patea Tahana travel from Te Kūiti to Hamilton three times a week – a return trip of around three hours – to train with Street Dance Sessions and be part of their competition crews.

Alexi, 12, a Centennial Park School student, has been making the trip since early 2022, while 13-year old Te Kūiti High student Patea, who previously lived in Hamilton, began travelling at the end of 2024 after moving to Te Kūiti.

They will be among 15 dancers making up the Street Squad Varsity and Flawless youth crews at the international hip hop event, described as the biggest of its type and attracting dancers from Japan, Australia, the Philippines and the United States. The event will run from Sunday through to the following Saturday.

Street Dance Sessions was established in a Hamilton church hall in 2018 by Miriana Wetere-Ryder. She began tutoring “40 or 50 kids” – now there are about 200.

Alexi’s mum Naomi says both are passionate about dance and love being part of the Street Dance Sessions whānau.

“There are many reasons they choose to travel such a long distance each week, but it ultimately comes down to their love for dance, the opportunities available to them, and the strong bonds they’ve developed within the Street Dance whānau.”

The two Street Dance crews will also include one Te Awamutu, one Cambridge and two Huntly dancers.

Naomi Hughes said Wetere-Ryder was highly talented and choreographed routines that showcased individual strengths while continuing to challenge and develop dancers’ skills.

“Since joining Street Dance Sessions, both Alexi and Patea have seen huge growth in their technique, versatility, and confidence. So when it comes to the question of travel – spending a minimum of nine hours on the road each week – it’s absolutely worth it.”

Alexi and Patea hop on a world stage

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

Janine Krippner

It can be a challenge to grasp the scale of geologic processes on land, and I’m finding this even more true in the marine environment. Part of the difficulty lies in the lack of information — we’re often working with sparse datasets until the entire seafloor is mapped. When we do examine the deep seafloor, it’s usually from afar (from the ocean surface), and there aren’t the usual human-scale reference points we rely on to quickly sense size, like a car, building, or city.

I’m fascinated by landslides on land and below the sea, especially the large ones. On volcanoes, we call these debris avalanche deposits. The most famous one was produced by Mount St Helens during its catastrophic 1980 eruption — an event that happened this week, 44 years ago.

As landslides move, the material involved (soil, rock, and whatever else is dragged along) behaves like a fluid. This allows it to travel enormous distances. The Mount St Helens deposit extends 24 km from its source. That’s small compared to many seafloor deposits.

Understanding submarine landslides is not only key to understanding the forces that shape our planet, but also crucial because they can damage seafloor infrastructure — including communication cables that carry our internet. And they can trigger tsunamis.

When there’s more water mixed with the sediment, we call these flows turbidity currents, which are known for the impressive distances they can cover. The first time we recognised one was in 1929, when the trans-Atlantic telegraph cable was severed. The cause was a landslide triggered by the Grand Banks earthquake, which also generated a tsunami that killed 28 people in Canada.

The largest known submarine landslides are the Storegga Slides offshore Norway, which transported sediment over 800km from the continental shelf — roughly the length of the North Island. The affected area was about 95,000 square kilometres, not far off the area of the North Island.

The continental shelf is the relatively shallow zone surrounding a landmass, compared to the deep ocean. To produce these massive slides, around 300km of the Norwegian continental shelf collapsed — roughly the distance from Cape Reinga to Auckland.

The Storegga deposits show that several major collapse events occurred. Around 8150 years ago, one of these slides triggered a tsunami that inundated coastlines across northern Europe. It remains the largest known tsunami in the North Sea and northeastern Atlantic during the last 12,000 years. Waves exceeded 20 metres.

As with many geologic processes I write about, there are typically far more small events than large ones. But it’s important to understand both the likely and the worst-case scenarios. Smaller submarine landslides are quite common — we just don’t always know they’ve happened.

These hidden movements beneath the waves may seem distant, but they shape our coastlines, affect global communications, and remind us that Earth is never truly still. Submarine landslides are not just dramatic geological events, they’re part of the shaping of our planet, quietly sculpting the seafloor far below the surface.

Giants of the deep

Meghan Hawkes

In 1914 it was the local newspaper editor who often got called in to decide a bird’s merits, as Meghan Hawkes found out.

A serious coach accident occurred at Hangatiki to the coach returning from Waitomo Caves with I4 passengers, including Mr Wilson of the Tourist Department.

The breaks failed rounding a corner at the foot of an incline and the coach swung into a bank. Fortunately, the horses remained quiet. Several of the passengers were injured and Dr Gilmour, of Wellington, who was a passenger, rendered first aid. The passengers were then taken to Hamilton by the Main Trunk train.

Ōtorohanga residents were considerably annoyed by the number of stray cattle and horses roaming the streets at night. One businessman found no less than four horses camped for the evening under his office verandah. Mr Banner, storekeeper, had his shop window broken by a horse which had pushed against it. Mr J Ormsby was also unfortunate in having a valuable cow injured by a steer which broke into his paddock. On hearing of this state of affairs a member of the Town Board had a general round up and succeeded in impounding 19 head of cattle. Some amusement was caused next day when it was discovered that 13 of the impounded cattle belonged to the impounder’s family.

Pegging out an uncompleted section of the Marakopa to Te Kūiti telephone line, which had been the subject of a great deal of heated correspondence, was finally begun, two men leaving Te Kūiti for that purpose. Hollow iron telegraph poles, fireproof and light, were used throughout. These solved the difficulty of transportation in rough bush country, being easily carried from point to point as the work progressed.

The head and feet of shag were forwarded to the editor of the King Country Chronicle for inspection by an astonished angler. The shag had been very large, his wings from tip to tip measuring 4ft 8in. The angler over the previous eight years had dispatched about 30 shags all about half the size of this one. The demise of the shag would make a big difference to the fish in the Awakino River. The editor agreed that the specimens forwarded indicated a very big bird which would do enormous damage in a trout stream. It appeared to be an ordinary shag of extraordinary size, and the appendages were now forwarded on to an authority for his opinion.

Early rain began on the morning of Pio Pio’s Anglican Church bazaar and continued far into the night but in spite of this everything went with a swing from beginning to end. The children’s dip, the produce and lolly stalls sold out. The heavy rain made it impossible for many mothers to travel from a distance, and many of the useful things on the sewing stall were not sold, though very good business was done. Mr Warmington showed Punch and Judy both afternoon and evening to appreciative audiences. An enjoyable dance to excellent music followed.

An editorial inquest

Tom Roa

I very much enjoyed graduation at the University of Waikato on April 8 where Te Haumihiata Mason was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate. This is the most prestigious honour a university can offer to a person.

Part of her conferment ceremony included a little biography relating many of her achievements some of which led to her being honoured with her appointment in the 2023 New Year Honours as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

She is credited with a reputation nationally and internationally  in the revival of the Māori language as a teacher, a lecturer, and  as a translator of literature, like Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and Anne Frank’s Diary of a Young Girl. Her translation of Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida was performed at Shakespeare’s Globe in London in 2013. These translations and her work as the Māori Language expert consultant on the feature film ‘Muru’ about the 2007 police raids on the Urewera and periodic consultancies with the Māori Language Commission evidencing her skill not just as a translator of words but a transmitter, across cultures, of ideas.

In her doctoral address, Dr. Mason quoted Shakespeare in Hamlet’s assertion that ‘There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.’

I particularly enjoyed Dr. Mason’s allying that sentiment from the 17th century with a perception of AI in this  21st century. 

Her Māori translation to me was exquisite. She asserted “He tika kei te hē, ki te tika te whāwhāria, he hē kei te tika, ki te hē te whāwhāria”. My free translation is that ‘In bad, there is good, if the treatment of that is appropriate’. Conversely, ‚In good, there is bad, if the treatment is not appropriate... or just plain wrong.’

Language work honoured

Richard Steele

This Memorial Day means more to me, than all the others celebrated by public holidays put together.

It’s the day that makes me pause and think of my parents, concentrates the mind if you like, on the generation they survived in, and of how our subsequent generations, have never had to do the same.

Which dates me of course, to a certain age, but I care nothing of the age, I do care about war and conflict. The futility of war, of how there must be a better way of solving conflicts, and while I know there are better ways, there are regional wars going on all around us, so I wonder if our world wars have taught us anything.

My folks didn’t pay the ultimate price of war though, you would know, because I wouldn’t be here. But they paid a price that they never got over, the affect war had on the rest of their lives was profound and had a similar effect on many other returned servicemen and women, who gave up some of their best years, in the name of serving King and country, the aim of being free people.

They were good folks, my parents, but for reasons that are really a mystery to me, they went from being leaders of troops, staff, and organisers, to after the war, to not being able to organise anything very much at all. Unable to control the rest of their lives, to enjoy their latter years in any meaningful way.

Whereas lots of those who stayed home, apparently prospered, and flourished, in the vacuum created by those overseas.

Returning soldiers, have always been neglected though, since the beginnings of time.

We love them when we need them and ignore them when the jobs done.

I don’t mind that so much, but what does annoy me is being described as a baby boomer. Sure my, or our, parents had four of us under five, after the war. But hang on, they had lost some of their best years of their lives, being away fighting for us, in my mother’s case, in patching up and nursing those injured in the conflict, that they made up for lost time after the war, should be celebrated, not disparaged.

The real discouragement I feel as a seventies something survivor, in the winter of my years, is that we have never learnt a bloody thing. All around us are technical marvels. Boons to the advancement of mankind, sliced bread, pod up toasters, retractable radio aerials, keyless entry, don’t mention phone technology.

But we have never been able to stop fighting each other. So, I wonder for our futures, whether, we will ever learn, and then I look sideways, at some of the people we elect to lead us, and I don’t think so.

Will we ever learn?

As we are well aware, volcanoes erupt molten rock and volcanic gases released as magma rises from deep within the Earth. But what about mud volcanoes?

Like their magmatic cousins, mud volcanoes can also be dangerous and devastating. The Lusi mud volcano in East Java began erupting in 2006, displacing 40,000 people and destroying 15 villages, with damages estimated around $US3 billion. This disaster, which deposited mud up to 40 m thick in some areas, remains controversial, with drilling activities likely triggering the ongoing eruption.

So, how does this happen?

Below the Earth’s surface, pressures build pretty quickly the deeper we go. Fluids and gases can accumulate, become trapped, and pressurise. If a fault or fracture provides a pathway to the surface, these materials can escape. When sediments are involved, the result is mud.

The mud isn't just typical post-rain mud. It can contain hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and even microbes brought up from depth.

While magmatic volcanoes don't produce fire or smoke, mud volcanoes can. The muddy mixture can contain flammable gases that can ignite from sparks caused by rocks colliding.

This incredible phenomenon isn't limited to land. In 2021, an inferno formed above a mud volcano in the Caspian Sea, located near a natural gas field. Mud volcanoes in Azerbaijan are known for their violent nature, with several large eruptions each year, many involving fire.

However, mud volcanoes aren't always so dramatic. They can be quite small, starting at the centimetre scale and reaching up to kilometres in size.

You might be surprised to learn that New Zealand hosts mud volcanoes. In December 2018, one erupted on a farm in Tairāwhiti/Gisborne, ejecting mud, gas, and rocks. A volume of around 16,900 m³ of mud flowed away from the vent and out to about 160 metres.

Volcanoes of the mud variety often occur near hydrocarbon reservoirs, magmatic volcanoes, or tectonically active areas—settings where fluids are present, and conditions allow them to pressurise. Then they just need a path to the surface. Earthquakes can trigger their formation, which was the case for the 2018 Gisborne event.

Speaking of depth, the mud mixture can originate from hundreds of metres to several kilometres below the surface, not from the much greater depths where rock can melt.

Unlike magmatic volcanoes, mud volcanoes don't form mountains. Magmatic volcanoes build mountains or cones by depositing layers upon layers of rock around one or more vents. Mud, being more susceptible to erosion, doesn't accumulate to form large features. The largest mud volcano structure is several hundred metres in height over in Azerbaijan.

While I have a rather clear personal preference for the magmatic kind, mud volcanoes are fascinating geological processes that offer insights into the Earth's subsurface dynamics. Given that we have them here in New Zealand—near Gisborne and also in Northland—they're another remarkable aspect of our beautiful and dynamic country to appreciate.

For those interested in learning more about these phenomena, I recommend exploring the work of scientist Mark Tingay, who has shared informative videos and content online explaining their mechanics and global occurrences.

The muddy kind of volcano

Andrew Linton had just been promoted to corporal and hoped to go one better when he wrote to his parents, as Meghan Hawkes recalls in A Snip in Time from 110 years ago.

“It is no easy work tramping about the Sahara Desert with a full pack on,” wrote Andrew Linton, 19, from Egypt to his parents at Mangapiko on Boxing Day, 1914.

“I have no idea how long we are to stay here. It may be till the end of the war, or we may go any time.”

Andrew was one of 11 children born to Francis and Emma Linton of Feilding. Francis, a Scotsman, was a farmer and stock dealer and the family lived in the district till around 1911 when they moved to Oeo, South Taranaki.  Two years later they moved to Mangapiko.

When World War One broke out there were two Linton boys of military age, Robert - ‘Bert’- 24, and Andrew - ‘Willie’.  They enlisted on 14 August, 1914.

Their sister Jessie, 26, left home around the same time to take up nursing at Thames Hospital, eventually became a sister.  The brothers left New Zealand together with the Main Body in October 1914 when 10 grey-painted troopships, escorted by four warships, sailed to war. The ships carried around 8500 men, as well as nearly 4000 horses.

Andrew wrote regularly to his parents. “Five of us Te Awamutu boys went out to the pyramids and had a good look round. The workmanship in connection with the Sphinx and all the ancient temples and tombs is simply marvellous . . . On our way back we had a look through the Zoological Gardens. They are probably about the best in the world, and it would take about two days to look over properly. There is practically every kind of bird and beast imaginable there.”

By January 1915 the routines of military life had become established. “We are doing some very solid work now, tramping about the desert and digging trenches (for practice only) at night on war rations.  Our butter ran out about three weeks ago . . . we have to cook all our own food. Every man has a mess tin, a sort of combined billy and frying pan. The meat was issued raw, each man having to cook his own portion.  It is not the warmest place in the world for sleeping out at night, even with a couple of blankets, but it is practically mid-winter here now.”

On 25 April 16,000 Australians and New Zealanders, together with British, French and Indian troops, landed on the Gallipoli peninsula. Turkish resistance was fierce. Of the 16,000 men who landed during the first day, more than 2000 had been killed or injured by the next morning. Andrew told his parents it was “a day I am not likely to forget.”

June 1915 found Andrew in hospital with a wounded hand “which no doubt makes my writing hard to read. I was seven weeks in Turkey before I got hit, and I find they are a very inhospitable people.  The fighting has been pretty fierce at times, especially on the first day we landed, but my good fortune has always stuck to me.  The New Zealand nurses are in the hospital here now, and they are finding plenty to do. I saw Bert several times with the Mounteds, who are over there without their horses. He was quite well.  I have been promoted to corporal already, and I hope to do better than that before I am finished.  Do not trouble if you do not get letters from Bert or me regularly now, as sometimes it is very difficult to get a letter away, and the mails are not regular - they go when they can.”

By July, now “quite recovered”, Andrew observed it was “terribly hot in Egypt now, and everyone has to wear a helmet and drill suit. I shall not be sorry to get out of this country. The sand is hot enough to cook bread . . . Remember me to all Mangapiko friends, with love to all.”

Andrew was into his nineteenth week on the Gallipoli peninsula by late 1915.

“The flies are something awful - in fact, the campaign now is more against the flies than against the Turks. It is no uncommon sight to see a man sitting down and going very intently over his clothes, and he generally gets a pretty good haul of vermin. I went down to the sea last night for a swim - the first wash I have had for over a month.    I saw Bert a few days ago.  I expect we will be together for some time now, as the Mounteds are coming round to work with us.  I am having biscuits and jam for dinner today; it's not too bad, but I would rather have the same as you are having. However, there is a good time coming, but it is still a good way off.”

The good times, though, did not come.

Robert Charles Linton was killed in action in 1916 at the Somme, France, aged 26.  Over three million men fought in this battle and more than one million were either killed or wounded, making it one of the deadliest battles in all of human history.

Andrew William Linton was wounded at the Somme and invalided to England. After recovering he was appointed Quartermaster in France. In April 1917 he rejoined his unit, and was continuously in the trenches. On 14 August, 1918 Andrew, now a sergeant, was killed while serving with the Expeditionary Forces in France, aged 23.It was exactly four years to the day he had enlisted for war.

WW One ended at 11am on 11 November 1918, followed quickly by another enemy, a deadly influenza pandemic.

Jessie, 30, nursing at Thames Hospital, fell victim to this dying on  18 November 1918 “with startling suddenness for she was administering to the sick a few days previously and nothing of a serious nature was anticipated.”

“The Dominion,” said newspaper reports, “has lost one of its most noble workers in the cause of humanity. Her life was spent in the service of others, and she died in the same cause.”

Read: Remembering Sister Jessie Linton





Linton wartime loss recalled

Tēnei te Pō! Tēnei te Pō! Tēnei te Pō!

Te Pō-uriuri, te Pō-tangotango, te Pō-i-oti-atu.

This is the Night, this is the Night, this is the Night!

The darkest Night, the deepest Night, the Night of completion.

The very sad news of Pope Francis’ passing heralds a time for the Catholic Church of prayer, reflection, preparation for his funeral, and the gathering of the Cardinals to appoint his successor.

Worldwide he will be remembered for his legacy of reform, and his not infrequent clashes with world leaders over immigration and economic issues.

Pope Francis was very well known for his strong views on justice, human rights, his condemnation of conflicts, in particular, the Gaza conflict.

His Christian heart saw that the glorification of his God, and the following of Christs’ teachings of love for one another were being totally ignored.

In fact, every conflict, every war, ignores that so important base of Christian faith. Of having love for one another.

I wait, with bated breathe, even though I am not Catholic, with how the Catholic Church will replace him, and what will be the guidance, the leadership of the new Pope to be.

But first, let us mourn Pope Francis, the passing of a good man, a man who lived up to his belief in the importance of loving one another.

Echoes of the strength of will of those before Pope Francis resound here in Aotearoa New Zealand with the recent rejection of the Treaty Principles Bill.  Many commentators and submissions to the Parliamentary Select Committee paid little to no heed to the ‘fourth Article’ of the Treaty, also known as ‘Te Ritenga Maori’  which called for the guarantee of the right of freedom of religious expression.

Catholic Bishop Pompallier proposed this ‘Fourth Article’.  Hobson’s translator Henry Williams announced to the gathering: ‘The Governor says the several faiths of England, of the Wesleyans, of Rome, and also the Māori custom shall alike be protected by him.’ In Māori, Williams read out to the gathered rangatira: ‘E mea ana Te Kāwana, ko ngā whakapono katoa, o Ingarani, o ngā Weteriana, o Roma me te ritenga Māori hoki, e tiakina ngātahitia ana e ia.’

The Māori chiefs present at Waitangi quickly agreed and Hobson accepted but never wrote that down as part of his written draft.

E te Kāmaka, nāu te tūru o Hato Pētera i kawe ki te ao-tūroa -

Haere ki raro i ngā parirau o tō Kaihanga;

Nāna koe i hōmai - Nāna koe i tango.

Moe mai rā.

Oh Rock of the church founded by Saint Peter whose role you have so ably fulfilled. Farewell.  Be with your Creator, who gave you to us, and now has taken into his care, sleep in peace.

Poroporoaki ki a Pope Francis

Rural

Getting into the drone zone

News

It's only natural

New president for feds

New tactics for an old issue

Anzac shoot a success

Boat park debate should ‘stop’

Time to go down the line?

Norris Woodbine

While the men’s premier side sat out a bye it was the Waitete women’s side competing in Waikato Division 1 who took centre stage at the Maniapoto Rugby ground in Te Kuiti on Saturday.

On a balmy King Country autumn day, the match against northern neighbours Pirongia attracted a large crowd and the on-field entertainment had the spectators enthralled as the home side ran riot notching a 75-point victory.

After an early testing out period whereby the visitors held their own the Waitete machine clicked into gear as the game plan designed by coach Wayne Fraser took shape and his bigger pack took control.

Within 15 minutes storming number 8 Aprilia Huata, who proved impossible to contain all afternoon, had notched two tries brushing defenders aside at will.

Ebonieshy George and Katelin George were next to score and fullback Chanelle Macrae slotted a handy conversion to put the home side up by 22–0 before Pirongia managed to get their hands on the ball.

Outside centre Abbe Putaura then bashed through in midfield to score before Huata scored again under the bar allowing Macrae an easy conversion and before the break the speedy Janaya King-Rewi crossed for a double to post a 45–0 half time scoreline.

Pirongia notched something of a revival early in the second half and held the home side out for a 15-minute period before the flood gates opened again and the Waitete pack took complete control.

Tauvalea Law scored a double, Huata another two to take her match tally to five, all converted by Kelsi Barnett to frank the comprehensive victory.

Up front the Waitete pack excelled with Law, Renee Mauntin, and the experienced Mary Tapu to the fore while locks Emma Burgess and Darlin Johnson, who dedicated her performance to her recently deceased mum, were prominent with ball in hand.

In the King Country men’s premiership Tongariro remain the only unbeaten side after their 48-0 victory over Piopio while Taupo Marist remain second after defeating Taumarunui Districts 40-12 and in a shock result between the two bottom teams Taumarunui Eels slayed Waitomo 85-0.

This week Piopio travel to play the fancied Taupō Marist side, Tongariro United will look to complete an unbeaten first round when they host Taumarunui Eels in Turangi and Waitete travel to Taumarunui looking to cement third place with victory over Districts.

Waitomo will be looking to regroup for the second round as they sit out the bye.

Peter Hurley dropped a point by opting for Waitomo this week - will he make it up by picking Taumarunui districts this week?

Waitete women on rampage

A large crowd turned out in perfect rugby weather to participate in the rugby entertainment in Te Kuiti on Saturday as Waitete hosted a fired-up Taupo Marist with both sides looking to secure second place on the points table.

For the second week in row Waitete came up short against a Rams laden opposition but as the 34–29 scoreline suggests the game hung in the balance until the final whistle.

Marist began the game in positive fashion and raced to an early 15-point lead. Waitete struck back with a try to Ryan Joyes before on the 25-minute mark Marist scored another converted try to secure a healthy 22–5 lead.

Once again Waitete fought back and Phayzen Marshall continued his fine try scoring form scooting down the grandstand touchline and dotting down under the posts allowing Baven brown Jnr an easy conversion.

Just before the break Carlos Karaitiana received his marching orders when a retaliatory punch was spotted by the officials and Marist scored another converted try to go to the break in command 29–12.

With second half just five minutes old Marist crossed again out wide, and the 14-man Waitete looked to be in real trouble down 34–12.

Waitete on their home track should never be underestimated and the remainder of the game saw their pack lead by the outstanding Michael Lea, Livai Toofooa and Ryan Joyes take control.

Lea who powered his way through brittle defence to score and Brown Jnr slotted the conversion and within five minutes Brown crossed for another after a trademark run to close the gap to 34-19.

Marist was tiring and Waitete side began to believe an upset was on the cards however the defence remained resolute, and they were held at bay.

Finally with just minutes left on the clock Riddick Rangitonga finished off a backline move, crossing in the corner, to set up a frantic ending where Waitete were just unable to complete a tremendous fight back.

“We scored three tries in the last half hour and our scrum continues to dominate everyone, so we remain confident moving forward,” Waitete manager Russel Smith

At the Waitomo Domain the home side were comprehensively beaten by defending champions Taumarunui Districts 53–10, with a try to young winger Tum Cassidy a rare highlight.

In a disappointing display the referee warned the Waitomo supporters that their behaviour would not be tolerated, and he would call the game off if it continued.

Piopio travelled to Taumarunui on Friday night and enjoyed a comprehensive 27–17 victory as they continue to march towards a semifinal berth.

This week Piopio host unbeaten Tongariro United while Waitomo travel to Taumarunui hosted by Taumarunui Eels while Taumarunui Districts host Taupo Marist while Waitete enjoy the bye.

Peter Hurley is sticking with Piopio this week, but the rest of the pack are in agreement.

Waitete fall short

Local club rugby attention centred on Piopio last Thursday night as the home side survived a spirited challenge from Waitomo - eventually securing a bonus point four try victory 29–7.

The first half was dominated by strong defence as the two evenly matched teams cancelled out attacking plays with some shuddering hits especially in midfield and around rucks and mauls.

Piopio opened the scoring in somewhat controversial circumstances when Caleb Foote took a quick tap from a penalty and shot through a disorganised defence to score handy to the posts allowing Chaye Havea to convert.

Waitomo protested as it appeared the ref had not made a mark but the try stood.

This fired up the visitors and the Waitomo forwards tore into their work and spent long periods camped deep in the Piopio 22 only to be driven back time and again by the resolute Piopio defence.

Finally it was centre three-quarter Renata Leilua who went looking for the ball and crashed across under the posts in a melee of bodies allowing himself an easy conversion.

There was much celebration from the Waitomo team who finally threatened the scorers after 273 minutes of rugby this season.

The teams went to half time locked at 7–7 and there was much anticipation for an action packed second half.

Piopio coach Craig Bell clearly got a message to his troops during the break and virtually from the kick off Neil Vandenberg crossed for a try quickly followed by a Stormy McCarthy penalty for a 15–7 lead.

Soon after former King Country forward Isaac Griffin nailed another try which McCarthy converted and Piopio looked set to run away with the game ahead 22–7 with half an hour to play.

Some astute substitutions from the Waitomo coach Steve Edwards saw his team respond positively and their defence held Piopio at bay until on the stroke of fulltime a miscued clearing kick was gathered by an unmarked Jackson Hurley who secured the bonus point try.

Down in Taupo a hopeful Waitete fronted Tongariro United for a Hetet Shield challenge in a top of the table clash.

With tries to Jared Crosland, Riddick Rangitonga and Carlos Karaitiana and young Callum Hedley nailing his kicks at goal the blue boys from Te Kuiti were leading 20–18 with just 15 minutes to play.

However Tongariro took command and ran in 17 unanswered points for a solid 35–20 victory to remain the only unbeaten side in the competition.

In the other game played on Friday Taupo Marist ran riot defeating Taumarunui Sports 84–7.

The Waitete women travelled to Hinuera and crushed the home side 81–12 in impressive fashion.

This week returns to normal Saturday afternoon rugby with Waitete hosting Taupo Marist in Te Kuiti and Waitomo looking to maintain improvement, hosting Taumarunui Districts, while Piopio travel to Taumarunui to play Taumarunui Eels.

Craig McKellar remains two points clear of the rugby picking pack in King Country club rugby – where second paced Carlos Cressey is picking an upset on Saturday.

Peter Hurley  (9)

Taupo Marist  Taumarunui Districts  Piopio

 Carlos Cressy (10)

 Waitete  Taumarunui Districts  Piopio

Craig McKellar (12)

Taupo Marist  Taumarunui Districts  Piopio

 Christen Dimond (8)

 Taupo Marist  Taumarunui Districts  Piopio


Burnside scores on 50th

By Jesse Wood

The women’s premiership rugby team was the only Ōtorohanga Sports side to win on Anzac weekend, beating Hautapu 27-24.

Keita Burnside scored a try in her 50th match for the club.

This weekend they host University women.

The men’s premier side lost 50-7 to Hamilton Marist on the artificial turf in town.

Former King Country representative Leigh Bristowe scored two tries for the winning side.

Jacob Coffin scored Ōtorohanga’s sole try and Hamish Clapcott added the conversion.

The Ōtorohanga B side fell 55-0 to Hamilton Marist B in the earlier match.

In the combined Waikato and Counties Manukau under-85kg competition, the Maihihi-based Kio Kio United Cattle Dogs lost 27-10 to Drury.

Piopio celebrates first win

Jesse Wood

Thursday night rugby under lights brought a high level of excitement to a much-anticipated local derby.

Anyone not at the game would see a 69–0 scoreline to Waitete as an indication of a one-sided match up with total dominance across the park however the Waitomo pack showed otherwise.

With a blustery wind swirling inconsistently it was Waitomo who kicked off with it supposedly at their backs and after an early Waitete error inside the 22 they tore into their work and mounted the early pressure.

Unfortunately, an error caused a turnover and the ball ended up in the hands of Baven Brown Jnr who applied his after burners and a couple of sensational side steps before flying into the back field and unloading to Jared Crosland who scored in the corner.

Almost immediately it was Brown again surging down the grandstand sideline this time outpacing everyone to dot down himself for the first of his five tries in what was to become an individual haul of 31 points.

The left flank became a real problem for Waitomo as Brown’s dominance saw him set up Callum Hedley, a second for himself and Phayzen Marshall for tries for a lead of 31 points after 25 minutes.

To their credit the Waitomo pack began to exert some dominance and for the final 15 minutes of the half-spent time on attack and kept Waitete scoreless until the break.

After half time the Brown show soon kicked into gear and he was again on the score sheet this time on the terrace side and he nailed a great sideline conversion seemingly able to do everything.

Over the course of the second half Brown added two further tries, Crosland a second and Raiden Van Herpen a solo effort with Brown converting two.

The Waitomo coach made a few positional substitutions with 20 minutes to go and his big pack began to rumble the ball with 17-year-old lock Tipene Perawiti prominent along with Brooklyn Pye and Kees Muller who are garnering stature with every game

For long periods the visitors camped in the Waitete 22 and appeared close to scoring on many occasions but the defence remained resolute turning them away.

Finally, the attack wilted and the home side finished with a flurry completing an eight try victory.

In the wash up while the scoreline was impressive, the dominance of Brown was the difference and he is proving to be a class above other players who grace the local fields.

He demonstrates pace, size, and an ability to sidestep off both feet.

In other matches Taumarunui Districts proved too strong for Taumarunui Eels 34–7 and Tongariro United upset Taupo Marist 23-14. Leaving Waitete and Tongariro United as the only unbeaten teams.

The games will be played tonight with Waitete off to Taupo to challenge Tongariro for the Hetet Shield, Taumarunui Eels also heading to Taupō  to play Taupō Marist while out at Piopio we have another local derby as they host Waitomo.


Club Rugby Picks

Another good week for Pete Hurley and Craig McKellar who picked the Tongariro upset over Taupō Marist in club rugby. This week Christen Dimon is again an outlier going for a Waitomo upset over Piopio.

Pete Hurley  (3)

Tongariro United 

Taupo Marist 

Piopio

 Carlos Cressy  (2)

Tongariro United

Taupō Marist

Piopio

Craig McKellar  (3)

Tongariro United

Taupō Marist

Piopio

Christen Dimond  (2)

Tongariro United

Taupō Marist 

Waitomo


Celebrations on the island

Ōtorohanga fans had much to celebrate with two home victories at Island Reserve in Easter weekend Waikato club rugby.

The golds beat Fraser Tech, Hamilton 47-22 with help from the steady boot of second five-eighth Hamish Clapcott.

Clapcott added five conversions to his team’s six tries and penalty try.

Pivot Manaaki Rewi-Wetini and centre Manieta Vonovono scored doubles for Ōtorohanga, as did Hakaraia Richards-Coxhead for Tech.

Norman Wise, son of Ōtorohanga stalwart Anthony Wise, was one of Tech’s other try scorers.

The blues development team pipped Fraser Tech B 28-27.

Blues captain and halfback Liam Fox scored 18 of his side’s points. His tally consisted of two tries and four conversions.

The Ōtorohanga’s women’s premiership squad and the Kio Kio United Cattle Dogs both had a break for Easter.

Ōtorohanga women host Hautapu tomorrow at Island Reserve.

On Saturday, Kio Kio travel north to face Drury in the Waikato-Counties Manukau under-85kg competition.

Kio Kio is eighth on the table, one spot ahead of their opponents.

Clinical Waitete performance

Waitete made the best of outstanding Autumn weather conditions and a hard and fast field with an exhilarating display of running rugby to beat Taumarunui Eels 58-10 at the Maniapoto ground on Saturday.

Spectators were jostling for vantage points as speedy Waitete winger Riddick Rangitonga latched on to a bullet Carlos Karaitiana pass and sped across in the corner for an opening try after just four minutes.

Outstanding hooker Michael Lea latched onto a loose ball from a lineout 10 metres into Waitete territory and sped down the embankment touchline for 60 metres outpacing all defence for a great try.

Ahead 10 – 0 there was no let up as Phayzen Marshall, who was outstanding all afternoon at fullback, made an incisive break in mid field before sending Callum Hedley away to score which he converted.

Waitete attacked again and Athol Snedden scooted through from a scrum on the 22 before slipping a pass to Jared Crosland who crossed under the bar giving Hedley an easy conversion.

Finally, Taumarunui managed to gain field position and secured a lineout five metres from the Waitete goal line and mauled their way across to score a try out wide which went unconverted.

With halftime up on the clock the Waitete pack took complete control and were rewarded with a penalty try to set a 31–5 halftime lead.

Following the break the Waitete forwards began to run with freedom and Ryan Joyes and, Esekia Daveta, who shone in the loose both crossed for tries before youngster Wiremu Harris kept his 100 percent record in tact with another try.

The Taumarunui pack managed a consolation try from a driving maul however any dominance was short lived as Hedley bagged a second try after charging a clearing kick and Baven Brown Jnr put the icing on the cake crashing through some tired defenders for a trade like try.

Second five Karaitiana was outstanding in an impressive backline with Marshall earning the King Country MVP award while Crosland was the Waitete MVP.

Out at Piopio the home side secured a four try bonus point despite going down to Taumarunui Districts 41–28 while the hapless Waitomo side conceded 111 unanswered points to Tongariro United and look to be in real trouble going forward.

In the early game at Rugby Park in Te Kūiti the Waitete women’s side came within a whisker of running down Hamilton Marist losing by just two points 29-27.

After Marist has sped to an early 14 point lead Waitete showed great grit and determination to work their way back into the game and there were few people at the ground with a broader smile than coach Wayne Fraser.

The Kiokio Cattle Dogs went down in Morrinsville who are leading the competition.

King Country club rugby moves under lights tonight and local action will see Waitete start as hot favourites against Waitomo in Te Kūiti, Taupō Marist host Tongariro United and the home town derby in Taumarunui will see The Eels host Districts.

Pete Hurley, Carlos Cressy and Craig McKellar were spot on with their picks of Waitete, Piopio and Tongariro last week but Christen Dimond clearly felt Taumarunui's form in training would carry over into its match.

Waitete run Taumarunui ragged

Round One of The King Country Club Rugby Premiership got underway last Saturday with one local losing a cliffhanger and the other being well beaten.

Waitete 39 beat Piopio 25, Taupō Marist was rampant in beating Waitomo 95-0 while Tongariro United took the Hetet Shield from Taumarunui Districts 24-3.

The local match of the day was played out at Rukuhia Domain in Piopio and Waitete travelled up State Highway 3 full of confidence after a solid preseason campaign culminating in victory over a powerful Frankton side.

Any over confidence was soon brushed aside as the local side crossed for try within two minutes of kick off and spent long periods on attack adding a penalty goal for an 8–0 lead.

Finally, Waitete gained some momentum and big lock Esekia Daveta smashed his way over for a try converted by Callum Hedley. Almost immediately, star back Baven Brown Jnr scored out wide to take Waitete to a 12–8 lead.

Piopio refused to yield, and their pack put the visitors under pressure before they scored another try for a narrow 13–12 lead. It was short-lived as Carlos Karaitiana scored right on halftime and Hedley converted to set a 19–13 scoreline.

The second half saw a fired-up Piopio take charge of the game and within six minutes they had crossed the Waitete line for two superb tries one of which was converted for a 25–19 lead.

Waitete are known for their steely resolve and fought back with a Hedley penalty then took charge of the last quarter with tries to 18-year-old debutant Wiremu Harris, winger Kelvin Sopepa and icing the victory with the pack driving their skipper Shaun Burr across



Outstanding young lock Finn Hahn was awarded the Waitete MVP while standout performers included Caleb Foote, Isaac Griffin and former Rams midfielder Stephan Turner.

Out at the Waitomo Domain competition favourites Taupo Marist turned on a stunning display of running rugby humiliating the local side 94 – 0.

While the Waitomo pack was highly competitive the backline looked like possums caught in the headlights facing a King Country Rams laden backline who ran in tries almost at will.

The bright lights were the outstanding performers in Brooklyn Pye and Kees Muller who tackled themselves to a standstill while Kenneth Perawiti was joined by his son Tipene in the middle row of a pack that actually had the better of their opposites for long periods.

In Te Kuiti, the Waitete women’s side began their Waikato Club championship campaign with a 36–10 loss to a strong Taupiri side who were just too well organised.

Out at Maihihi the local Cattle Dogs outplayed a team from Bombay to snatch a 10-8 victory playing in The Counties Under 85kg competition.

This week will see Waitete at home against Taumarunui Eels, Piopio also at home against Taumarunui Districts while Waitomo face a long road trip to Turangi for a Hetet Shield challenge against Tongariro United with Taupo Marist having the bye.

Craig McKellar kicked off the “experts” picking comp with three from three last week. Carl Cressy and Christen Diamond had two right – but Peter Hurley was stumped in all three games. The Fab Four are almost in full agreement with their selections this week.

Tough for locals

The visit to Waitomo by current Chiefs and All Blacks halfback Cortez Ratima was a rip-roaring success and thoroughly enjoyed by all who participated.

At 6.30pm the playing field was packed with at least 20 keen and committed rugby players as Cortez arrived and began to take control of proceedings.

After an official welcome, club president Julian Dimond entertained the gathered crowd with some historical anecdotes including an exposé that Waitomo is in fact the only club in the King Country that Cortez has represented in 15 a side rugby.

The playing team then gathered around and enjoyed a video session outlining some of the latest training techniques and how they can be applied in a real time game situation, the concentration was reflected in insightful answers to questions.

Following on everyone took the field and put many of the scenarios into practise where the skill levels and fitness were impressive keeping a host of youngsters on the sideline entertained.

Coach Steve Edwards was beaming and clearly impressed with his players.

“To see our boys out there lapping this up is really rewarding and hopefully will set us up for the season”, he said.

Cortez Ratima is obviously something of a local hero and there are many items now carrying his signature that will be treasures in the future.

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King Country News, King Country Farmer and the King Country App are independently owned and published by Good Local Media Ltd – also publishers of the Te Awamutu News, Cambridge News and Waikato Business News.