Te Awamutu COMPUTERS, NOTEBOOKS, SERVICE, SUPPORT, SOFTWARE, ACCESSORIES CourierPublished Tuesday & ThursdayTHURSDAY THURSDAY, JANUARYMARCH 7, 19, 2013 2012 407 Sloane Street, Te Awamutu P 07 871 3837 | F 07 871 3807 YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FOR OVER 100 YEARS E [email protected] | www.computeraid.co.nz CIRCULATED FREE TO 12,109 HOMES THROUGHOUT TE AWAMUTU AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS. EXTRA COPIES 40c. BRIEFLY Working to enrich lives Just married? A Te Awamutu Courier wedding feature will be published on March 21. If you were married recently and would like your photo to be featured, send a clear, high- resolution shot of the wedding couple to: cathy.asplin@ teawamutucourier.co.nz Forms for entering relevant details can be collected from the Te Awamutu Courier office. Alternatively request a form to be sent electronically from the above address. Column correction Tuesday’s Christian Comment was written by Maureen Calman of the Methodist Church, not Barbara Linton of St Patrick’s Church as published. Our apologies to all concerned. Three courses The first Alpha dinner for the 2013 course will be held at the Te Awamutu Bible Chapel on Sunday March 24. There are three courses on offer: a youth Alpha course, an Alpha marriage course and the standard Alpha course which is a study of the Christian faith. The night includes a free dinner, entertainment and a viewing of the first DVD in the series. Bookings are essential (ph TC070313CA02 871 8667). TC070313CA01 DISABILITY Minister Tariana Turia (left) and Enrich+ Executive ENRICH+ performer Mykal Rawiri entertains guests at the Don Assistant Jenny Adleman join the waiata being performed by the Charity golf Rowlands Centre. Enrich+ choir. Golfers are invited to enter the Red Bins Mixed Ambrose Charity Golf Tournament on New name launched for former Gracelands group March 15. The event at Te Awamutu Golf Club will raise funds for BY CATHY ASPLIN ‘‘My brother was a tetraplegic echoed her sentiments and con- Today the organisation serves CommSafe. and we just thought he was gratulated Enrich+ on providing individuals, their families and Pre-game finger food, a Maori Party Co-Leader and normal. a quality service to the commun- carers, employers and communi- barbecue dinner and drink Minister for Disability issues ‘‘However, we did make some ity. ties throughout the Waikato and vouchers are all included. Tariana Turia helped launch mistakes as a family when it came ‘‘The region has certainly ben- King Country. It promises to be a fun day ‘Enrich+’ (formerly Gracelands) to his care and so we recognise the efited and with a new focus and The newly branded organisa- with novelty golf holes, the at Karapiro on Friday. need to make the right decisions direction Enrich+ can help people tion supports people with disabili- $10,000 hole-in-one Speaking at the Don Rowlands about what is important for each with disabilities achieve ‘a life ties in their goals to gain educa- opportunity and great prizes. Centre Mrs Turia said that every- person. like any other’. tion and employment. For bookings or further one in this country has a right to ‘‘We are fortunate to have good NEXT CHAPTER Enrich CEO Wendy Becker details contact Ange Holt (ph live a good life. advocates such as Enrich+ to FOR ORGANISATION says the new name and branding 0274 395744 or email: ‘‘The government is totally ensure the rights of people with Gracelands was established in is more representative of what the [email protected]). committed to helping people with disabilities and provide them Te Awamutu 23 years ago to organisation delivers. disabilities feel empowered and with a variety of opportunities.’’ support people with disabilities in valued in our community. Waipa Mayor Alan Livingston our community. ■ Continued Page 5 It’s not too early to think about WINTER HEATING! WE INSTALL EVERYTHING WE SELL! 9112854AA EXPERIENCEDEX INSTALLERS • Wood Fires • Gas Heating • Central Heating Talk to us today about your winter heating options THEBIGGEST Little Heating Shop In Town 07 870 5020 0800 772887 100 ROCHE STREET, TE AWAMUTU www.pratts.co.nz 9112844AA 2 TE AWAMUTU COURIER, THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Te Awamutu Courier Obesity pandemic destroying community CONTACTS There is a disease that has and unless those of us that weight and obese health care in considering that man evolved MANAGER infected over 1.4 billion people cause global widening change, New Zealand alone. on the plains of Africa we are a Alan Price in the world, a preventable up to 60 per cent of the world’s That’s everyone’s tax money highly mobile species and must e: [email protected] issue which in 2009 affected 28 population will be overweight and I don’t know about the constantly be active to prevent per cent of New Zealand’s adult or obese by 2035. Whose fault is other readers of the Courier but what has already happened to population. it? I would rather invest in a so many. EDITOR It lowers our life expectancy, While it is easy to blame big school or neo-natal unit etc. I lost half a kilo last week, Dean Taylor removes resourcing from our brands such as Coca-Cola or with that money. while that’s not particularly a e: [email protected] heath sector — which it also McDonald’s — who deserve It’s time for the people to lot, I’m still pretty chuffed with helps clog. I have it and many immense blame for pushing think about what we do to it. other people in Waipa also have glamorous adverts at us nearly preserve a future to be proud of, Because you don’t need to REPORTERS caught it. The obesity pandemic 24/7 — they aren’t holding a is it just avoiding the chocolate lose an amazing number of Cathy Asplin is destroying our community. gun to us, it’s our decision to isle at the supermarket and kilo’s to feel better, as you train e: [email protected] This letter isn’t based get that combo or can of soft going for a run every now and more and eat right your fitness around some cliche New Year’s drink. then? will increase as your gut does Colin Thorsen resolution; this is because next Is that how we justify not The simple answer is moder- the opposite. e: [email protected] year I plan to ascend to Machu putting the fork down — ation — balance a healthy meal Now I have a goal to get to Picchu. because it’s forced on us, with a walk every night — Machu Picchu all I have to do is ADVERTISING In my current state of fitness because it’s only our health getting involved with a sport to keep training and all that I would have me likely keeling that’s being affected? and not buying food when can hope is that I see more Dorinda Courtney over in the first hour but what No, when someone gives up you’re hungry. people out when I go for my e: [email protected] has saddened me is that despite on a healthy lifestyle we are all It is also important to know evening walk. Trust me, it’s people being overweight or affected — in 2006 $624 million that a three month crash diet worth it. Julie Jackson obese, we still do little to stop it dollars was spent on over- will not stop that heart attack, DAN ARMSTRONG e: [email protected] Bookings [email protected] Ignoring the facts to focus on scoring points CLASSIFIEDS Ken George, once again you good start towards achieving $53.5 million (which, when debt being double dipping is highlight items that have been this goal. Through the annual taking inflation into account, absolutely incorrect. Tania Cortesi-Western, Rhonda Bird explained to you in detail by plan process council has ident- is pretty much at today’s level). In previous correspond- Anna-Marie Holmes council staff and councillors ified savings resulting in the It would also have been of ence you have acknowledged [email protected] over many meetings and many annual plan, now being importance to point out that as that depreciation funding is hours at ratepayers expense. released for consultation, a result of effective manage- used for loan repayments thus LETTERS TO THE EDITOR You are so focused on scor- indicating a rate increase of ment of affairs by council staff avoiding a double dip. ing points you lose sight of the three percent. This is 1.7 this $72 million peak is $20 One of the goals of council We welcome letters - preferably via email. facts, and in fact, distort the percent below the increase million lower than the peak is for council staff, councillors They should be under 300 words and must facts. indicted in the Long Term indicated in the previous ten and the public to work have the sender’s name, address and phone Rate increases in the Long Plan. year plan. together to maximise oppor- number. No pseudonyms are accepted Term Plan are projected to You never mentioned this You say you understand tunities. Point scoring is and names will only be withheld in special increase at an average of 4.1 either. Is it because it’s good finances. I guess everyone is definitely not a goal, it’s kin- circumstances at the discretion of the editor. percent over the 10 years. This news? entitled to their opinion. dergarten stuff. Letters are not usually acknowledged and is only 0.6 percent above the You conveniently mention I would have thought a I look forward to the day we may be edited, abridged or discarded.