ISSN 1170-1099 Published Tuesday and Thursday THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2006 010TC027-06 Circulated FREE to all households throughout Te Awamutu and surrounding districts. Extra copies 35c. BRIEFLY Pistons here Couple rapt with Wananga Friday night By Dean Taylor Waikato Pistons will be While the general publicity sur- looking for valuable points for rounding Te Wananga O Aotearoa the 2006 NBL season at Trust continues to be negative, for many Waikato Te Awamutu Events students yesterday was a day of Centre tomorrow night. celebration and achievement. Pistons are one of the Graduating students gathered favoured teams in this years for their ceremony, amongst them National Basketball League but husband and wife team Jeanne got off to an ordinary start with and James Davidson. losses to Nelson and North The couple celebrated their Harbour. They also played success with their children Etere, Hawkes Bay away last night af- Winiata and Jordan. ter this issue had gone to print. Mr Davidson’s uncle and aunt, Estelle and Allan Oliver, also The team has Luke Martin graduated after completing Te Ara (from the Australian champion Reo Maori level one. Sydney Kings team) back for For Mr Davidson both the study another season, plus two new and the graduation ceremony were exciting imports in Graeme new experiences. Dann from the West Sydney Ra- A yardman for Timmo’s ITM zorbacks and Canada national Building Centre, Mr Davidson team captain Vidal Massiah. graduated with a Certifi cate in Tip off Friday night is 7.30pm Small Business Management. and there are concession He says the study is part of his prices for students, children longer term goal to be in business (under 16) and families. for himself in the future. Mr Davidson loves working with Marae fi re wood, and apart from his day job, is skilled in making breadboards, bar cause found stools, coffee tables and cabinets TE WANANGA O AOTEAROA graduands James and Jeanne Davidson with their children Etere, Waikato Fire Safety and Te from new and recycled rimu. Winiata and Jordan prior to yesterday’s graduation ceremony. 103061AD Awamutu Police have conclud- He says the course gave him a ed enquires into the fi re that valuable insight into how a busi- Wananga O Aotearoa Te Ara Reo but believes Te Ara Reo Maori has of full-time work and parenthood. burned down the Te Mahoe Pa ness runs, and hopefully upskilling Maori Advanced Certifi cate course been more valuable to her career. Both are keen to continue their Marae (near Kawhia) on Febru- will allow him to make the most of to upskill. “The Wananga course defi nitely study, although plans had to be put ary 26. an opportunity to be in business She currently teaches at Pekerau measured up against what is on on hold for this year. The fi re was being treated as when the time is right. and Glenview Schools, and says offer through Waikato University,” Mrs Davidson had intended to suspicious after the attending His wife already holds a Bach- the Wananga course has proved in- she says. undertake the more intensive Te Fire Safety Offi cer was told that elor of Teaching after completing valuable in her becoming a better “I think people need to step up, Tohu Matauranga this year, while the power had been turned off the Diploma of Teaching at Palm- teacher. She says the course both enrol and experience for them- her husband assisted more with at the marae. erston North Teachers College and extended her academically and in- selves the quality of learning avail- parenting duties, but a lack of After police re-interviewed the degree at Waikato University. spired her in her own teaching. able through the Wananga.” numbers for the higher level course witnesses it was established Mrs Davidson has been spe- As part of her Waikato Universi- The Davidsons both undertook meant it had to be postponed. cialising in Tikanga Maori since ty degree, Mrs Davidson undertook one year courses for 2005 and man- She says she will defi nitely be that this was not the case. graduating, and undertook the Te Te Reo Maori papers to level three, aged to work them into busy lives back when the course is offered. Fire Safety Offi cer Dave Jenkins concluded that the fi re was caused as a result of an electrical fault after signs of fusion were identifi ed on the Keen to clean up Kihikihi main switch board. By Grant Johnston Mrs Ryan says some of the children in- fare League, Rape Crisis, CYFS etc to initiate Wynyard for A curfew on children roaming Kihikihi’s volved were approached and they indicated a joint projects. streets at night was one measure considered skatebowl would ‘keep them out of mischief’. At the group’s most recent meeting, earlier Walk of Fame by a community group keen to put a stop to A Kihikihi Lions project to build a skate- this month, Waipa District councillor, Hazel Te Awamutu Walk of Fame graffi ti and minor crime in the town. bowl a few years ago achieved some momen- Barnes and Community Constable, Richard Committee is keen to make The group of concerned residents plans to tum but was then abandoned due to siting Hurrell explained the proposal for a Commu- contact with family of former adopt a constitution and create a formal or- diffi culties. nity Safety Offi cer to be employed to look after “They go to the school because there is Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Kihikihi. All Black Jim Wynyard. ganisation. heaps of concrete and basketball hoops to play When asked whether Kihikihi would once Anyone who has contact de- They have been informed by the police that the only viable curfew would be a voluntary with,” Mrs Ryan says. again become the ‘Cinderella town’ in this tails for any relation is invited “Our group wants to give these kids their arrangement, Mr Hurrell said an offi ce could to phone Dean Taylor at 871 one enforced by parents. The group has plenty of other ideas to ac- own space and make them responsible for it.” possibly be set up in Kihikihi for the Commu- 5151. The group also wants to enhance Maniapoto nity Safety Offi cer to operate out of one day Nominations for the Pride centuate the positive and eliminate the nega- tive in terms of youth behaviour in Kihikihi. Reserve and rejuvenate the table tennis club each week. of Te Awamutu Awards close the town once had. Patrols could be set up, with a vehicle being on April 28. Forms are avail- Spokesperson Dee Ryan says the group has come together out of common desire to do Other projects included setting up night sponsored and set up with a police radio as a able from the Courier, Library, observance patrols and arranging for children crime prevention measure. (See story page 3.) Council, Information Centre something, rather than just criticise others. “Boredom, alcohol and drugs are some of to help clean up the graffi ti. The next meeting of the Kihikihi group will or downloaded online from It is possible partnerships will be formed be advertised, with the town’s young people www.teawamutu.co.nz the reasons identifi ed as to why the kids are misbehaving.” with other organisations such as Maori Wel- invited to attend. Seagers Gin OPEN 7 DAYS Phone 871 4009 & Tonic Cnr Sloane & Vaile Sts 330ml - 4 pack TE AWAMUTU We move with the Times but closer to the Courier Offer concludes close of trade $9.99 18/04/06 while stocks last Gordons Gin Martineau 1 Litre Brandy $27.99 & Dry or 2 for 330ml 4 pack 293 ALEXANDRA STREET, TE AWAMUTU PHONE 871 2180 $8.99 103TC009/06 101TC010/06 $50.00 Developers to pay YOUR LETTERS upgrade costs Submissions on Waipa District Council’s pro- Good things do take time posed development contributions policy close on Tuesday. Under the policy, developers will have to meet The heavy traffi c issues in Alexandra solution’ taken from Council’s policy be such an issue. the estimated $40 million cost of developing new Street require a solution that has be- committee meeting leads to the answer Garry Dyet has researched the whole infrastructure to service their projects in the come quite complex. as I see it. scenario. As a caring community, let’s Waipa District over the next 10 years. I would fi nd it diffi cult to agree to just Of course I wish it could all happen give him time to put it all on paper and The policy is part of the Long Term Council closing off Alexandra Street to heavy this afternoon, but good futuristic plan- have a look at the overall picture. Community Plan (LTCCP) open for public sub- traffi c and leaving the truck drivers ning takes time. It will all come out for consultation missions until 9am Tuesday. to fi nd their own way through, as some The CBD plan has the potential and you will have a chance to agree or If adopted, the policy will come into effect on would suggest. to make visiting and shopping in Te disagree. July 1, 2006 and apply to all resource consents, This could place school children, older Awamutu a much more pleasant ex- One thing is for sure, our town will building consents and authorisations for service citizens and others who use alternative perience. be considerably more user friendly and connection granted on or after that date. streets at great risk. It would also place If an attractive linkage is made from family orientated, and a safer place to Development contributions will be required for a greater burden on the truck drivers to Alexandra Street down Market Street be.