People making a difference across the Waikato district have been recognised through Waikato District Council’s Mayoral Community Awards. Hosted by Mayor Aksel Bech, the annual awards celebrated individuals, groups and organisations whose dedication and service help strengthen their communities. Hine
A new home for the fuzzy, furry, and fluffy is now open in Huntly. The Waikato Pet Community House shifted from its previous location in Hamilton a few weeks ago. The staff are already getting to know the Huntly community, and
Huntly’s lucky Lotto store has produced a local millionaire after one man claimed all four First Division prizes from the same draw. The four winning lines, worth $250,000 each, were sold on one ticket at The Bookshop and Lotto on
Last week Te Kauwhata Primary welcomed 19 new students and their families to the school family with a Term 3 Poowhiri. Students led the process to welcome the school’s new tamaiti. Attending the poowhiri for their children were proud parents,
Te Kauwhata’s New World supermarket has new owner-operators, bringing a win-win all round for the community as the family settles into a new home, new job, a new school; and the volunteer Fire Brigade about to get the added benefit
The primary sector is of unparalleled importance here in the mighty Waikato. In North Waikato and other communities within the electorate, there are multitudes of farms and associated supporting businesses. Our farmers are undeniably hardworking, resilient, dedicated. They care for
On Wednesday 22 July Council met to discuss the findings of the recently conducted Head Start Pathway community engagements, and to determine the appropriate way forward for our district. Over a five-week period there were close to 1,350 interactions. Those
A new riverside fitness and recreation area expected for Huntly East is now expected to be finished four months later than its original completion date. The delay is due to ground conditions in the area which have been driven by river
Over the winter months yacon has been appearing on the shelves of the Paataka Kai. Yacon could be mistaken for kumara and both crops do originate from South America. Yacon is a tuber that grows in the soil beneath a
Reflections on work, life, and the little things that make a difference. This column explores the quiet ideas hidden within everyday life – drawing meaning from ordinary moments and inviting us to see familiar things a little differently. It doesn’t
Over Matariki weekend, the new Lakeside Playground became home to a special community installation celebrating reflection, creativity, and connection. Titled “A Star to Share,” the temporary artwork installation brought together hundreds of wooden stars decorated by members of the Te
Ron Farrar started playing guitars from a young age. Then he started making them. The guitars hanging and sitting around his home in Huntly East are made with love, and played with love. One of his best is a seemingly
The Chatter catches up with Matthew Shaw, coach of TK’s Year 2 Rippa team. What has been your favourite moment of the season to date? A favourite moment would have to be our last Rippa rugby game, which we played
Sporting seasons are often judged by a single result. One game. Eighty minutes. A final score that appears to define success or failure. But anyone who followed TK Thunder this season knows the story runs much deeper than the Grand
The 2026 season will be remembered for years to come by the Taupiri/Te Kauwhata Women’s Rugby Team. Both clubs began the year unsure whether they would be able to field a women’s side. By joining forces, they turned that uncertainty
The Te Kauwhata and District Lions Club was founded more than 50 years ago by a group of forward-thinking members of the local community. Over the years, the club has organised many fundraising activities that have helped provide permanent fixtures
In June, Te Whare Awhi held its very first Kaumātua Lunch, welcoming local community members aged 60+ for a hot meal, great company and plenty of laughter. The room was filled with conversation as people caught up with old friends,
If you’ve got just a few hours a week to spare but want to make a real difference in our community, then Te Kauwhata Girl Guides are looking for volunteers. Right now, there’s a waiting list of girls who are
In 2024, Te Kauwhata Primary School installed a vermin-proof CarbonCycle hot composting system with funding from Waikato District Council. In its first year, the system diverted 2.5 tonnes of waste from landfill, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and produced compost for
In past years, the Waikato Rugby League season, as with most provincial unions, usually consisted of a club home-and-away round-robin local competition, followed by playoffs and a September grand final, then provincial representative footy. NZ Kiwi tours to other continents
Huntly Museum’s latest project is near completion, with just a few gaps to be filled. Five leaflets featuring past interviews with old identities of Huntly bring to life memories of the past. But author Pamela Ferla has a mystery to
She was the first person to walk the length of the country, which is remarkable in itself. But she did so in 1931–32, during the Great Depression, wearing only New Zealand-made clothes and eating only New Zealand-produced food to encourage
Having lived in her home for over a decade with her husband, dog, and cat, Gwen August has spent the years finding out the quirks and hauntings of her over-100-year-old home. How old is the house? It was built in
The Huntly Volunteer Fire Brigade (HVFB) has returned home victorious after delivering an outstanding performance at the United Fire Brigades’ Association (UFBA) National Road Crash Rescue Challenge, held over three days beginning Thursday, June 11. Competing against 16 of the
