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YOUR NEWS, YOUR VIEWS 2012 BEST ALL ROUND NEWSPAPER WAITOMO ews (Circulation up to 7500) ISSN 1170-1137 – (258) Thursday, September 13, 2012 Delivered FREE to households – extra copies 40c UNDER REVIEW: Councils upbeat about In February, Ngati Rereahu affiliate Ed- ward Moana-Emery staged a “peaceful sharing some services protest” on a former Crafar-owned dairy farm east of Ben- WAIKATO Mayoral Forum members are opti- (Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Hamilton and all that neydale opposing mistic about prospects for shared services among area) under huge growth pressure. Other areas like its sale to Chinese member councils. Waitomo, South Waikato and Hauraki have declin- investors. The forum, which comprises all mayors of coun- ing populations and want to encourage growth. Tiroa E and Te Hape cils in the Waikato region and Waikato Regional “No one answer will fit the whole Waikato.” B Trusts are continu- ing the fight by filing Council chairman Peter Buckley, has been meeting Mr Hanna advocates examining the dynamics an appeal last week for the past eight months. of planning for the region taking all contributing against the Court of Forum chairman Matamata-Piako mayor Hugh areas into account. Appeal ruling which Vercoe says: “Last week’s meeting strongly rein- And he’s well aware of strength in numbers. supports the sale. forced the importance of Waikato leaders working “We need to do this as a whole group, not as together, and speaking with one voice.” individual councils,” he says. North King Country mayors Brian Hanna “When we need things from central Government (Waitomo) and Dale Williams (Otorohanga) were we can go as a region with a plan and say: ‘Hey, we Trusts to continue fight for farms at the meeting. need your input here.’ “Although there is considerable interest in pos- “At present there is a city up the road with 1.7 MAORI trusts representing der Shanghai Pengxin did have the sible local government reforms, the region’s mayors million people who say this is what we need, and Ngati Rereahu are continuing to sufficient business experience and remain firmly focussed on identifying how we can they generally get it.” fight against the sale of 16 Crafar acumen to run the farms. work better together to improve services to our farms to Chinese company Shangai Mr Peni says if the Chinese bid communities,” says Mr Vercoe. VOTE OF CONFIDENCE Pengxin. is successful the trusts would like The forum is assessing councils working to- Waikato’s mayors have good reason for their Last month, the Court of Appeal the opportunity to directly buy two gether on water and waste water services; road optimism from a collaborative approach. dismissed legal challenges from a farms in Benneydale, considered maintenance; planning; economic development; Last week the Government announced the farmer group led by Sir Michael Fay ancestral land. governance and management arrangements for 2012-2015 National Land Transport Programme, and Te Kuiti-based Tiroa E and Te “Ultimately I would like our case any shared services. a partnership between local councils and the New Hape B Trusts to the long-running brought before the rightful people,” “When we look at planning, for example, we Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). attempt by Pengxin to buy the farms he says. see layers and overlap between central govern- The mayors say the Government’s investment which have been in receivership for “Preferably someone who is com- ment, regional and local government, but we lack in the region’s transport infrastructure is a vote of nearly three years. pletely independent who applies a strategy or spatial plan for the Waikato,” says confidence in the region as one of New Zealand’s Sir Michael walked away from the law according to how he reads Mr Vercoe. economic powerhouses. the fight after last month’s decision it without political persuasion or And that’s costly to councils and businesses. Mr Vercoe says the “package of investment” but that hasn’t deterred the trusts interference. “During the next three years, our councils need signals the importance of the Waikato to NZ’s from going it alone. “I’m not saying that the other to review and consult on more than 500 different economic growth. The trusts filed an appeal in the parties have done it through that policies, codes of practice, management plans and “We are very encouraged by the Government’s Auckland High Court last week avenue but I would like to be as- bylaws,” says Mr Vercoe. investment in transport infrastructure in the against the appeal court ruling sured that the integrity of the peo- “There are efficiencies to be gained from collabo- Waikato. This shows Prime Minister John Key, which supports the sale to Pengx- ple who make these decisions is ration among the member councils.” Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee and the Cabi- in. paramount.” net place great emphasis on keeping the contribu- The trusts’ chairman Hardie Peni Mr Peni is unsure when a deci- TRANSPORT ROUTES tion we can make to economic growth.” says the Chinese have not met the sion will be made. Mr Hanna says a spatial plan looks at future The National Land Transport Programme an- business experience and acumen He says the ongoing legal costs transport routes and logistical aspects of regional nouncement includes allocations of $590 million to requirements to own sensitive farm are being covered by a third party planning. ongoing construction in the Waikato Expressway; land in New Zealand. not the trusts. Auckland and Wellington have spatial plans $485 million to maintenance, operation and renew- “On that basis we don’t believe “It’s just a matter of waiting for a but currently the Waikato doesn’t and having one al of the region’s road network; a $100-$150 mil- they’ve met the test and for that court fixture now but if the Chinese would be a “good move”,” he says. lion investment in new infrastructure to progress reason we are appealing the Court don’t come back to that table before “Two thirds of the traffic going through the state highway and NZTA-partnered projects across of Appeal’s decision. that, I won’t be losing any sleep. Waikato comes from Auckland travelling to some- the Waikato, including the Hamilton Ring Road; “The matter is now before the “I believe they’ll be feeling very where else. replacement of the Atiamuri Bridge on SH1; $25 court and is sub judice.” comfortable because they’ve already “You have a growing city wanting to expand million to the operation of the Waikato public trans- The appeal court last month ruled won it twice through court but we’ll but surrounded by rural councils with different port network; and delivery of the Safer Journeys the Crafar receivers’ preferred bid- just have to wait and see.” plans for expansion and the centre of the Waikato action plan as part of the development of SH2. TO P10 Hurry Limited Stock LED/LCD TV THL42E30 50” FHD PLASMA TV THP50U30 Enjoy sharp, crisp action • Full High Definition • Wide viewing angle $1199 • Wi Fi ready $1299 TE KUITI • 100Hz Motion Picture Pro SAVE $300 • Two USB terminals SAVE $400 • Dynamic contrast 4,000,000:1 • PC Input • PC input 10 WAITOMO NEWS Thursday, September 13, 2012 One simple test, every three years NORTH King Country women are being HPV occur very slowly and may clear five years. This can reduce the need for had the HPV vaccine to remember to have regular urged to use September – Cervical Screen- spontaneously. However, sometimes these repeat smears for women whose smears cervical smears. ing Awareness Month – as a reminder to changes may progress to cancer. have shown mild changes or who have “The HPV vaccine does not protect against all have a smear test, every three years. “So, having regular smears, every three previously had treatment. the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer, so Waikato District Health Board screen- years, means it is very likely abnormal “A positive test result means a high-risk women who have been immunised must still have ing services manager Clare Coles says cells will be found and treated long before type of HPV has been found. In this case, smears every three years.” investing a small amount of time in hav- they ever become cancer.” your smear taker will discuss follow-up Regular cervical smear tests are recommended ing regular cervical smears can reduce Mrs Coles says some women may now with you, so any cell changes can be from the age of 20-70 for women who have ever the risk of developing cervical cancer by be offered an HPV test when they have treated early.” been sexually active. 90%. their cervical smear. This helps identify “The HPV test is usually taken at the “I hope all our local women book in for a smear “The cell changes to the cervix that can women who may need further follow-up same time as the cervical smear test, us- if it’s due or overdue, and join the National Cervi- lead to cervical cancer are caused by the with a specialist. ing the same sample of cells, so there is cal Screening Programme if they haven’t already,” human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV infec- “A negative test result indicates you are no need to have a second test,” says Mrs says Mrs Coles. “And if you’ve had your smear, tion is very common. extremely unlikely to be at risk of devel- Coles. that’s great, but don’t forget to have another one “Changes in the cervix as a result of oping cervical cancer in the next three to “It’s important for women who have in three years’ time – you’re worth it!” Waikato statistics IN the Waikato DHB region which includes AND SHINE READY FOR supersonicdeal the King Country, more than 75% of all women RISE ! sat ! fri aged 25-69 had a cervical smear in the past three thur only years.

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