News in Brief
Fatal crash
One person died as a result of a crash in Kihikihi on Monday. afternoon. A truck and car collided on State Highway 3, resulting in detours being put in place between Golf Road and Herbert Street.
Kiwi filmed
A kiwi has been captured in February on a trail camera in the northern Pureora Forest’s Waipapa block is the first sighted there in more than a quarter of a century. The kiwi is thought to be a western brown and Department of Conservation’s Maniapoto Operations manager Graham Kimber said it is encouraging for the Doc team and volunteer groups contributing to conservation in Pureora,” Graham says.
Listen to the music
Andrew Tuck is standing on familiar ground, and not just metaphorically.
Waikato Business News April 2026
The Cambridge-raised, Te Kōwhai-based chief executive of Homegrown watched one of the country’s biggest all-New Zealand music festivals settle into Hamilton – and he believes the move is just getting started.
Homegrown made its Waikato debut at Claudelands last month, drawing around 25,000 people and delivering a significant boost to the local economy.
In the latest edition of Waikato Business News published by Good Local Media – which also produces community newspapers in Cambridge, Te Awamutu and King Country – Tuck said the move north from Wellington after 17 years paid off but there will be tweaks for next year.
Bay of Plenty Business News April 2026
We also meet Julia Baynes a Waikato veterinarian, muso, marketer and former advertising executive who talks about the unique value women bring to the agricultural sector.
Our sister publication the Bay of Plenty Business News finds kiwifruit, forestry and honey exporters are emerging as the early winners from the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
CBD developments in Tauranga and Rotorua are covered in stories about Waikato University’s expansion and the return of the Night Market.
Waikato Business News and Bay of Plenty Business News – out now online goodlocal.nz
Taps open
Mayor Mike and Martin Mould watching the first waste water enter the new system
Cambridge’s $108.5 million wastewater project achieved a milestone this week when water began flowing through the plant. When complete later this year the plant will service Cambridge, Leamington, Hautapu and Karāpiro.
Part of the new plant
Young winner
Cam Clayton won the Waikato-Bay of Plenty regional final of the Young Farmer of the Year competition at Te Teko racecourse last weekend. Clayton, 30, a sheep and beef farmer from Te Aroha is a member of the Morrinsville-Ngarua club. Benjamin Barbour and Toby Christensen from Putaruru College and John Paul College in Rotorua took out the title of Waikato Bay of Plenty FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year, ahead of Kendra Grayling and Morgan Shannon from Te Awamutu College.
Getting Creative
Based in Roto-o-Rangi, Janet Smith is opening her studio as part of the Waipā Creative Trail and hosting a group of potters.
The Waipā Creative Trail free one day event which attracted about 400 people when it was launched in 2024 will return this year in late May. Creatives and artists will open studios in Cambridge, Roto-o-rangi, Ngahinapouri, Te Pahu, Pirongia, and Te Awamutu for visitors can see works in progress, ask questions and view finished works.
Celebrating 60
Anthony and Julia Wilcox
The Te Awamutu and District Highland Pipe Band was on hand at the Te Awamutu Club on Saturday to help friends and family celebrate a 60th anniversary. Anthony and Julia Wilcox were married on March 26, 1966 in New South Wales Australia. They moved to New Zealand in the late 1970s. Julia studied to be a nurse, lactation consultant and midwife once her children were all at school,. Eric worked as a draftsman and has completed drawings for many Waikato companies. Today they have six children, 28 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Cash for new signs
The welcome sign on the Ōhaupō side of Te Awamutu. Photo: Jesse Wood
Jill Taylor
Te Awamutu Kihikihi Community Board has voted to fund new Te Awamutu heritage signs. Up to $2000 has been allocated to the project following a push by board member Jill Taylor. “Out of the 37 original heritage signs that were around the area, there are now only two still in place and both are in a poor condition,” she said. “Over the last three years, signs have disappeared and do need to be replaced. “The council are hoping to replace these in about 10 to 15 years with QR codes, but meanwhile there is nothing.” She met Waipā District Council community services manager Brad Ward and museums and heritage director Anne Blyth. Ward suggested starting with the 20-odd buildings in town before moving to the wider areas. The council have committed to supplying the sign design and wording. “The community board will need to talk to the owners of each premises to make sure they are happy where the placement of the signs will be – on a building or on a post beside or in front of building,” Taylor said.