The NZ Army arrived in Te Mata over the weekend to provide support for their big hall refurbishment project. They’ve sent four qualified builders for ten days to help with recladding and other exterior tasks in preparation for the hall’s new paint job. The front of the hall has been covered in plastic and the locals were out in force over the weekend as well, hitting the outside with waterblasters while a crew worked in the kitchen to keep the volunteers and army carpenters fed.
There has been a devastating fire at the Ruapuke Campground after a lithium scooter battery exploded over the weekend.
The camp buildings and cabins were not endangered but Geoff and Ange Choat have suffered a huge personal loss of their private space and possessions. Geoff also suffered some burns and has been treated at Waikato hospital. In a comment on facebook Ange said "We're very lucky to have Camp Leader still with us.”
The campers reacted quickly and provided support but Ange is urging anyone charging lithium batteries to do so well clear of any buildings.
Lisa Thomson, Dirk from The Cyclery and the Destination Management Organisation have announced that the Karioi Classic will be returning in 2025. The event ran for 12 years with the last race held in 2021 but the DMO was keen to bring it back as something that would draw crowds to Whaingaroa in winter.
This year’s event will be held on Sunday 27th July and there will be a 57km race, along with a gut busting 85k route. Registrations are already open so look up Karioi Classic online - and we’re told that if you do it this month you’ll go into a prize draw.
Artist Doug Ford has won the Resene Paints Professional Mural of the Year award for his work on the front wall of the Raglan Club. Involving mind bending 3D effects while incorporating the pre existing windows into the artwork, the remarkable thing about the win is that Doug has said it isn’t even finished yet.
The Te Mata Tennis Club Revival is well under way a call out for sponsors to get them over the line as they look to resurface the courts and also tidy up the vegetation around the court and build a new fence. Spokesman Luca Grilli says their plans after the work is complete is to begin entering their players into competitions with other clubs in the district, like they used to over much of their approximately hundred years.
They are also organising sponsored tennis lessons for the local kids who, according to the Te Mata teachers, are super excited about playing tennis again.
In local sports the Raglan Groms have been unstoppable this summer with three of our future stars topping the podium at the end of the Billabong series for 2025.
Maya Mataja scored a three-peat in the 3-event series, coming out on top in the under 18 division. There were no surprises when Alani Morse also scored a three-peat in the U16 girls - beating Poppy Arkle and Lola Groube into second and third in the last event in Piha. Luca Thomson didn’t get a three-peat but only because he missed the first event. Despite this he still managed to win the next 2 and that was enough to take out the U16 boys series.