Te Awamutu Panel & Paint Specialists Cars, Trucks & Machinery FREE courtesy cars available Insurance Approved Repairs 1585 Alexandra St CourierPublished Tuesday & Thursday TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014 Te Awamutu 871 6780 Community Newspaper of the Year | APN Regional Media Awards 2014 EXTRA COPIES 40c Memorial Haere ra¯ Matariki service A memorial service at St John’s Anglican Church tomorrow morning is part of the Orakau Commemorations. The ‘Karakia Maumahara: Memorial Service to the Fallen’ starts at 7.30am. The service recognises the fallen, both Maori and Pakeha, who lost their lives at Orakau. Defence Force personnel will be involved and members of the public are warmly invited to attend. Pike hike Children from Korakonui, Wharepapa, Arohena and Ngahinapouri are amongst eight Waikato schools who will be walking a section of the Waikato River trail today with William Pike. Pike is director of the William Pike Challenge and had his leg amputated after a volcanic eruption on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu in 2007. As a trained teacher he created the William Pike Challenge in order for New Zealand’s youth to experience the outdoors, provide community service and develop Matariki Maternity Unit will maternity model within available viable solution, such as a ‘‘I am strongly of the view the as individuals. be closed by Waikato District funding. maternity hub. board do need to give the com- Health Board after it decided to The options considered at the Maternity hubs offer a range munities the opportunity to see if Alpha Dinner withdraw primary birthing board meeting were: of birthing services in one place. they come back with something The upcoming Alpha Dinner services in Te Awamutu. • Keep the facilities open and They could include childbirth that does work.’’ at the Te Awamutu Bible The board had been consider- upgrade them; classes, midwifery clinics, lac- Health Waikato chief operat- Chapel provides an opportunity ing the future of Te Awamutu’s • Enter into a contestable process tation consultants, Well Child ing officer Jan Adams said for anyone wanting to find out Matariki and Morrinsville’s to determine if other providers providers (e.g. Plunket), Matariki and Rhoda Read had more about the Christian faith Rhoda Read facilities following can offer a sustainable primary dietitians and post and ante-natal offered maternity services for to come along, enjoy a viability reports on the units maternity model within the avail- care. many years by dedicated staff, released last year. able funding; or Board chair Bob Simcock said particularly midwives. sumptuous dinner and watch • the first DVD in the Alpha series A series of public meetings Close the facilities and central- the board decision included the ‘‘The staff at both facilities and submissions from the public ise all birthing and postnatal resolution that if an appropriate have given exemplary service titled Christianity; Boring, untrue failed to sway the vote from the services to the primary maternity solution could not be reached, and support to many women and I and irrelevant? recommendation in the report, units in Hamilton. then option three (closing the sincerely thank them for their Alpha is designed for people that the units close and birthing Option one was not favoured units) would be the ultimate dedication. who don’t go to church but may was centralised in Hamilton. by any of the DHB board mem- decision. ‘‘I hope they are able to be part have an interest in finding out The only concession from Wai- bers and chief executive Craig ‘‘I’m favouring option two but of the discussions regarding the more about the Christian faith in kato DHB is its decision that Climo said the report to the board am aware the market may have options for service delivery a friendly, relaxing and non before they close the doors, they ‘tells us that Matariki and Rhoda us coming back to option three,’’ agreed by the board.’’ confrontational atmosphere. want to hear from the communi- Read cannot be viable as cur- said board member Ewan Wilson. Planning and Funding general The Alpha Dinner is on ties on alternative maternity rently operated — even if they ‘‘I believe in offering services manager Brett Paradine will Sunday, April 13 at 6.30pm and options. capture all primary births within regionally where appropriate, but advise the board of the best is free. There is a creche Waikato DHB board members their catchments.’ I am comforted that if this process process around timeframes for available. For reservations or at Wednesday’s meeting decided But he and board members out in the community doesn’t expressions of interest or more information phone The to enter into a process to deter- agreed Te Awamutu and Mor- stack up, that those women will requests for proposals, at this Bible Chapel office (871 8667). mine if outside providers can rinsville communities needed to get first class health care and month’s board meeting. offer women in the two Waikato be given the opportunity to see if maternity services in Hamilton.’’ towns a sustainable local primary they could find with a local and Mr Simcock agreed. ■ Reaction and more, Page 8. 2012 Polaris Ranger Diesel, 900, auto Great Barbecues Every Time New Zealand’s number 1 selling ride-on brand End Of Season PRICE BREAKTHROUGH! 420/38 ONLY SALE FINAL DAYS $2699 $13,480+GST www.stihlshop.co.nz TELEPHONE: Matt Hird 07 872 0232 462 Ohaupo Rd 494 Sloane St, Te Awamutu Ph 07 871 6134 859 OHAUPO RD, TE AWAMUTU Ph 871 7317 STIHL SHOP TE AWAMUTU www.norwood.co.nz/teawamutu Farm Machinery Centre www.thehondashop.co.nz 9562996AA 9565087AA 2 Te Awamutu Courier Tuesday, April 1, 2014 Salt Water Sports Fishing LETTERS TO THE EDITOR KAWHIA HIGH TIDES ADD FIVE MINUTES FOR RAGLAN HARBOUR TUESDAY: - & 12.00pm WEDNESDAY: 12.25am & 12.41pm Out-of-towners Get the essentials right first THURSDAY: 1.05am & 1.22pm FRIDAY: 1.45am & 2.03pm When it works out, I enjoy taking my A well dressed lady of retirement age SATURDAY: 2.27am & 2.47pm children to the library’s Toddler Time then ranted that she hated seeing the SUNDAY: 2.13am & 2.36pm seeking highs MONDAY: 3.07am & 3.33pm during term time. It’s once a week, for letters to the editor of people opposing half an hour. progress, and not wanting a new library. YOUR ONE STOP FISHING SHOP I have just read the article ‘Drug sale fears’. Usually, there are a handful of chil- Well here is another letter to the for all your fi shing requirements For the past 10 months, I have walked dren with caregivers and we all cozy up editor, but I am not opposing progress. Hamilton’s Victoria Street to work, very con- happily for half an hour. I am for progress, but progress to me scious of the increasing number of homeless On this particular occasion, there means having a reliable and efficient NEW – Pacifi c people and (presumably) legal high addicts were perhaps double the number of water system, having well-paved and congregating at strategic points along the way toddlers and caregivers and space was safely-spaced roads/footpaths and having Pocket Knives making my journey uncomfortable. cramped. a well thought out refuse and recycling Since the temporary closure of legal high A library staff member came in with system plan. outlets in the main street, it’s been a much more petition forms, stating, ‘‘this is why we These are essentials to progress, Super Bright LED High powered pleasant walk but I admit to wondering where the need a new library; it is so crowded in expansion and daily life. While it would individuals had gone. here. Please sign this petition for a new be lovely to have easy parking at the Torches I am sorry to learn they are probably part of the librar’’. library, it is not essential. WINTER SEASON TROUT group now causing a nuisance in your beautiful If this was a daily occurrence, I would If our children must carry the debt in LICENSES NOW AVAILABLE town. understand this as a valid argument, but their adulthood for what we decide I wish the council and towns folk success in this was the only time I have experienced should be built now (all of which will be their efforts to rid Te Awamutu of the sale of these in the year and a half I have been in need of multi-million dollar upgrades highly addictive drugs and the effects of the attending. by the time they are adults), then I would negative behaviour of out-of-town and local Not, in my opinion, a great reason for like to think we have been wise and buyers of the drugs. spending millions and adding more thou- elected to improve essentials over luxur- BETTY BROWN sands to the council debt placed on every ies. 166 Cambridge Rd, Te Awamutu Ph: 871 6793 Hamilton man, woman, and child in this district. CHERIE DONOVAN NEWN Rafferty’s rules on Waipa roads PORTABLEP BY DEAN TAYLOR hand turn, as waiting drivers need to be a rule — it’s a recommendation. HHEAT PUMP taught patience. So are yellow lines for no parking, stop AllA year climate Waipa has introduced supplementary To save fuel, travel the shortest distance, signs and disabled carparks. ccontrol for cooling road rules as from today to better reflect the so crossing lanes on a roundabout or cutting The skill to parallel park isn’t needed as it & heating way locals drive. corners is acceptable. is now legal to angle park anywhere in town. The Supplementary Te Awamutu Road When turning left from a side road make And don’t take any notice of the white Code over-rides the New Zealand Road Code sure you wait, then cut off any oncoming lines between parking spaces, that’s just the in the 70 and 50km/h zones of Te Awamutu, driver.