Taakiri tuu Te Matatini, a celebration of excellence in kapa haka, a beacon of te reo Maaori and Maaori arts, a showcase like no other of the cultural identity of Maaori, is set to hit our district, February 2027. The

We are living in times of heightened global uncertainty, in terms of both trade and security, the likes of which has not been experienced in many decades. Such uncertainty is destabilising and reinforces the need for a small country like

Lakeside came alive on Saturday 21st February as more than 250 members of the community gathered to celebrate the official opening of the new Lakeside Matariki-themed park. Blessed with perfect weather and a strong community turnout, the event marked a

Local families in Te Kauwhata are benefitting from the hard work of a bunch of green fingered volunteers who built and care for the community garden in the village. The idea was kicked around for a number of years, with

We drink and use fresh tap water every day, but where does it come from?  John Cunningham, chair of the Te Kauwhata Water Association turns the tap on our water. The start point is the Waikato River, and for Te

Te Kauwhata celebrated Children’s Day on March 1st with a joyful community event at the domain. The sun came out and hundreds of families came out to play.  This annual tradition is made possible thanks to an amazing collaboration between

On 20–21 February the Huntly Fishing Club held its annual two-day fishing competition. This year the weather was far from fabulous. In fact, even though it was an open competition, there were very few areas that could be safely fished.

In the late 1990s, when the fertiliser industry in NZ was undergoing a significant amount of consolidation, Waikato dairy farmers Ross Karl, Rob Phillips, and Ken Titchener bucked this trend by forming Fertco.  They employed chemical engineer Frank King and

At the start of this triennium, we committed to address the brown water issue in Raahui Pookeka Huntly, adding support to ward councillor David Whyte whose work has had this focus for the past three years. There is work underway

This photograph shows one of the many buckets of tomatoes harvested at the Te Kauwhata Community Garden this summer, on its way to the Pātaka Kai at the Community House. Our tomatoes begin their cultivation with their stems tied to

As International Women’s Day approaches, we speak with Port Waikato’s Fiona Gower, third-generation member and former National President of Rural Women New Zealand. From informal dinner groups in Mercer to representing New Zealand at the United Nations, Fiona has seen

Hi, my name is Chrissy Singer and I’ve recently opened a clothing boutique in Rangiriri called Just For You Clothing Boutique, offering a range of clothing for both women and men. New stock arrives every two to three weeks, with

September footy is always an exciting time for players and supporters of sports teams. Most have trained since 1 November the previous year, and many hours of blood, sweat and tears have been expended in the pursuit of excellence. The

Huntly Thistle AFC will celebrate a remarkable milestone in 2026 — 100 years of football, community and shared history.  How important is the club to the local community?  Huntly Thistle AFC has been an integral part of the Huntly community

At Te Whare Awhi & Friendship House the weekly community lunches have become a cherished gathering where whanau come together to share a nutritious meal, connect with others, and enjoy a welcoming space that feels like home.  What began as

Reflections on work, life, and the little things that make a difference This column lingers on the small moments that quietly influence how we live and work. It doesn’t seek to resolve everything, but to offer perspective – and maybe

The Huntly Bowling Club team entered the Ngaruawahia Memorial Tournament on Saturday, 21 February. The “old boys” finished in third place — Graham Gunn, Gary Robinson, Phil Giles and Bernie Strawbridge. A big thank you to the Ngaruawahia Bowling Club

Things are back in full swing at the Te Kauwhata Squash Club, and it’s shaping up to be a great season. Social squash is on every Wednesday night from 6.30pm: just turn up and jump in. It’s relaxed, friendly, and

The rural, unlit roads around Te Kauwhata, Rangiriri and Hampton Downs have long felt the impact of antisocial road behaviour, including late‑night burnouts, illegal street racing, and damage to road infrastructure and personal property. These events aren’t just annoying for

For families across New Zealand, it’s vital that our infrastructure is fit-for-purpose. The recent storm damage destroying housing, roads, bridges, and businesses was devastating. Natural disasters are only one part of the challenge of building and maintaining infrastructure.  Demand has