Where is Mr Ag-Worx: 50 Roberts? P3 years on P14-19 MATAMATA POST & RAILS Matamata AU-7808789AA Mangawhero Rd, Matamata Ph 07 888 8189 Chronicle [email protected] Wednesday, September 20, 2017 AT THE HEART OF YOUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1966 matamatachronicle.co.nz Election Day, Sept 23 WHERE TO VOTE ❚ Matamata College, 121 Firth St ❚ Matamata Primary School, 115a Broadway ❚ Matamata Senior Citizens Hall, 97 Arawa St ❚ Waharoa School, 32 Ward St ❚ For a full list of voting places, visit: www.elections.org.nz ELECTION NIGHT Log on to Stuff.co.nz on Saturday night for up-to-date coverage of this year’s general election result. It’s decision time for voters LAWRENCE GULLERY Green Party candidate between the Greens and farmers.’’ very infrequent. The Greens are roading budget.’’ Philippa Stevenson, from Stevenson, a former Waikato very much for public transport, Like all of the candidates, it The policies have been read, the Tamahere, said she knew it was Times rural editor, said the high- getting more people on the road was Stevenson’s first time contest- debates finished, and now the going to be a challenge, promoting light of the campaign had been but in a more efficient manner.’’ ing the general election. It had candidates wait to see which one green policies in an electorate tra- watching the work of community She said the party supported a been challenging but she thought of them will represent the Wai- ditionally held by National and groups such as Lions, Rotary, long-term plan for a commuter the candidates had become ‘‘quite kato electorate for the next three- populated by farming communi- Grey Power and Federated train service from Auckland, collegial’’. year political term. ties. Farmers which had organised through Hamilton and ‘‘It’s been a challenge to get Incumbent National MP ‘‘I would like to think I had meetings for the candidates to Morrinsville and on to Tauranga. across all the issues as well as get- Lindsay Tisch has stepped down made some progress and had meet voters. ‘‘It was already on Green Party ting into the depth of each policy, leaving voters to elect a fresh face. some very good conversations ‘‘The issues people want to talk policy but that particular plan which is what people wanted.’’ Water quality, healthcare, with farmers. The heat around about vary from place to place. came out of the transport lobby Stevenson was campaigning housing and poverty came the election has been on water Transport I think is a real issue in group for greater Auckland which primarily for the party vote and through as the major themes and pollution issues but I guess the Waikato. People can’t move we endorsed. It can be paid by post election would continue to be candidates detected during their that was inevitable. from Morrinsville to Matamata or moving the money we’re spending the Green Party’s Waikato branch campaign trails over the past ‘‘But I do like to think that I get over to Cambridge. on roads, into trains, so calling it convenor. couple of months. had bridged some of that gap ‘‘If there is a bus service, it is a transport budget, rather than a ❚ Continues, page 4. 24 HOUR ELECTRICAL NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL • We service all major where quality is guaranteed brands of whiteware. AU-7011111AA • Buying & Selling of new and and service is renowned used appliances • KITCHENS • FURNITURE • LAUNDRIES • Your local Fisher & Paykel • VANITIES • WARDROBES• PRESSED TIN PANELS P 07 888 9900 Authorised Service Centre. MATAMATA TIRAU AU-7253137AA www.dirosa.co.nz 9 Tui Street • MATAMATA • Ph 888 4910 72 Okauia Springs Road, Matamata 07 888 7578 07 883 1130 AU-7251273AA AU-7749488AA 2 MATAMATA CHRONICLE, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017 neighbourly.co.nz YOUR LOCAL NEWS neighbourly.co.nz/matamatachronicle 1. Mainly Mums Coffee & Discussion 1 FROM Group, 10am Monday during the THE school term at the Baptist Church. NEWS 2. Indoor Bowl are on at the RSA, Ngaio Meet the Team DESK St, 1pm every Monday. ANTONIO GANZ People are making their last 3. Antonio is the commercial minute calculations and decisions Patchwork and Quilting fom 7pm to manager for the Matamata on who to vote for at this year’s 9pm in the Matamata College’s Chronicle. Email him on: general election. With just a few textile room every Tuesday. [email protected] days left until polling day, it’s important to be armed with as 4. much information on the The Senior Exercise Group meets at CONTENTS candidates and their party At Fitzone, Meura St, 7.30am – 9am 2 3 Community Cookbook, p8 policies as possible so you can on Wednesdays. What’s On, p10-11 make an informed decision. The Property, p19-24 candidates we spoke to for the 5. Dr Libby, p25 Waikato, Hauraki-Waikato to do list Yoga Flow General Class is on Racing, p26 electorates, tell us it’s been a 1.00pm -2.30pm – Evolve Fitness, challenging but rewarding 30A Tainui Street every Thursday. MISSED DELIVERY campaign trail. In the Waikato Do you know of anyone who has electorate, Lindsay Tisch is HAVE YOUR SAY. missed delivery of the Chronicle? stepping down and voters there Send your thoughts to Log a complaint at: will elect a new face to represent [email protected] 4 5 fixmydelivery.co.nz them. Tim van de Molen is National’s candidate with Labour NEIGHBOURLY putting up lawyer Brooke Loader, You can read the latest stories from Tamahere woman and former the Chronicle via our editor Philippa Stevenson is Neighbourly.co.nz page. campaigning for the Green Party and regional councillor Stu Husband for New Zealand First. In the Maori seat of Hauraki- Whakapa¯- Contacts Waikato, Labour Party’s MATAMATA CHRONICLE: (07) 888 7011 News Director: Lawrence Gullery, 027 839 6388, [email protected] AREA SALES MANAGER: incumbent MP Nanaia Mahuta Antonio Ganz, 027 204 2920, [email protected] ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: Janine Barrett, 027 404 9073 looks strong but what impact will [email protected] REPORTERS: Rexine Hawes, (07) 888 7011, [email protected] and Mike Bain, (07) 827 3840, Kingi Tuhetia’s support for Maori Party candidate Rahui Papa have [email protected] CLASSIFIEDS: [email protected] (deadline 3pm Monday) DISPLAY BOOKING DEADLINE: 3pm Thursday on voters’ final decision? DIGITAL EDITION: matamatachronicle.co.nz ADDRESS: 2 Tainui St, PO Box 148, Matamata 10,425 AUDITED CIRCULATION (ABC for 12 mths to 31 Dec 15). Lawrence Gullery EARLYBIRD REGISTRATION $35 ONLY UNTIL 30TH SEPTEMBER 2017 23 - 25 March 2018 We invite past and present students, staff and friends to join us in celebrating our 100th birthday. You can register online for our weekend of celebrations at reunion.matamatacollege.school.nz or fill in your details below and post it into us… we’ll then post you a registration. Registration forms are also available in Matamata at: Mitre 10 • Life Pharmacy • Unichem Pharmacy • The College PROGRAMME: Friday March 23, 2018 Saturday March 24, 2018 Sunday March 25, 2018 High Tea 3pm – 5pm $25 Official Opening Ceremony 11am – 12noon FREE Church Service 10.30am FREE Cocktail Function 5.30 – 9.30pm $40 Festive Food Market 6pm – 11pm $60 Activities (Golf tournament/Hobbiton visit) TBC After Party 9.30pm – Midnight FREE Our Hall of Memorabilia Guided College Tours Centenary Book (FREE but bookings essential) will be open to registered guests. $40 Friday - 11.30am or 2pm Saturday - 10am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm Please complete details and post to: Centenary Registrations, Matamata College, Private Bag 4070, Matamata 3440 Email us: [email protected] Name (Please print) .................................................. Email address (if applicable)........................................................................ AU-7829351AA Phone number (Day)..................................................................(Night) ........................................................................................ Postal address ............................................................................................................................................................................... neighbourly.co.nz SEPTEMBER 20, 2017, MATAMATA CHRONICLE 3 Missing man ‘still out there’ in the bush DONNA-LEE BIDDLE It was a clear morning on November 30, 2004, when Robert Te Paewhenua Roberts drove past the Kaimai lookout. But his mind was far from clear. The 53-year-old never made it home to Te Puke. He made a U-turn on State Highway 29 and drove at speed through a brick wall at the sum- mit carpark before crashing off the cliff. The details of what may have been Roberts last moments were Robert Te Paewhenua Roberts went revealed at a coroner inquest at missing on November 30, 2004. the Hamilton District Court last SUPPLIED. week. Experts say his body is still in the dense bush at the Kaimai Range. His family, however, believe he’s still alive. ment. Two searches - one immedi- ‘‘I was sure we were going to ately after the crash and another find him, I thought he would be the year after - failed to locate a Former Matamata policeman Graham McGurk held onto the missing person file for Robert Te Paewhenua Roberts for 13 under the van,’’ McGurk said. body. years. CHRISTEL YARDLEY/STUFF ‘‘And when they pulled it up, I A stack of neatly folded clothes thought, now what?’’ were found hidden under a log: ‘‘The clothes had been there a Sandford said. home. It’s a case McGurk would like blue overalls, brown work boots long time, they were covered in But Lester Roberts says his The pair made plans to meet to bring closure to. and thick socks. leaf litter and put in a heap,’’ father is still alive, though he after work but that meeting never ‘‘It’s not something that keeps Land Search and Rescue Sandford said. hasn’t heard from him since the happened.