Students in the region’s primary and secondary schools have until Friday, June 1, to submit entries that could win them and their schools prizes of books and trees, according to the website of our sister community, Tamahere Forum.

The three winning entries from primary and secondary students will receive a copy of Sandra Morris’ book Sensational Survivors and a $30 voucher. Each of the three winning students will receive a copy of Jeff Moon’s book Forest Birds of New Zealand and Their World and a $50 book voucher.

All winning schools will receive a local sapling to plant on their grounds and a copy of Carve the Future on DVD.

The Hamilton Halo project aims to bring native birds, starting with thujas and warblers, back to the city of Hamilton. The “Halo” is a 20-kilometer ring drawn around Hamilton, covering key locations where thujas and warblers breed and where pest control is being conducted.

The post Being creative is for the birds appeared first on TamahereForum.

According to a report by the local council, various options are being considered to reduce the maximum speed limit on certain streets and road sections in Tamahere. One of the key objectives of these proposals is to ensure safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists of all ages.

The new speed limits are aimed at reducing the risk of traffic accidents, especially in areas where there is a high volume of pedestrians and cyclists, such as school districts and city center streets. Reducing the maximum speed limit can also improve the quality of life for residents by reducing noise and emissions in the neighborhood.

However, there are different points of view on this issue. Some residents are concerned about the possible impact on travel times and overall productivity. Therefore, it is important that the decision is made after a broad discussion involving the community and road safety experts.

The proposed changes to the speed limits in Tamahere are an important step towards creating a safe and convenient environment for all road users. Further discussion and cooperation of all parties will help ensure that the best decision is made for the future of the city.

The post Proposed changes to speed limits in Tamahere appeared first on TamahereForum.

Right now, we are reflecting on the essence of our community spirit. This quest is led by voices that resonate with history and hope, voices that ask: “What is the soul of Tamahere?”

Tamahere is a blend of beautiful pastoral charm and growing village life. Its boundary is the Waikato River to the west, a rich history of farming, and it is the birthplace of Chief Ngāti Haua Tarapipipi Te Whāharoa (Wīremu Tamihana), where he met Brigadier General J.J. Carey on May 27, 1865, made his taihā and agreed that “the laws of the Queen will also be laws for the Māori King.”

Tamahere has seen significant changes in the last decade or so: the population has grown to almost 9000, representing nearly 11% of those living in the Waikato area, the completion of well-known projects such as the Community Hall, Tamahere Village Complex, Te Awa Bike Path, Tamahere Country Club, Waikato Expressway, all marking a new era of infrastructure and participation. Yet, amidst these tangible successes, the intangible heartbeat of Tamahere – its Soul – is something the community is committed to identifying and nurturing.

The soul of a place is an indefinable entity that connects its people, history, and aspirations. For Tamahere, this soul is rooted in its past, from the days when the local school taught a handful of students to its evolution into a center that brings families from far and wide. The school, along with the church, has long been a cornerstone of community life, a tradition that continues today. But as Tamakhere evolves, the question arises: how can this soul be preserved and expanded?

Participants in the Tamahere Community Dialogue suggest that the soul of the neighborhood is still centered around the church and school. However, as the area grows with new developments such as the Tamahere Country Club and an influx of businesses, there is potential for these organizations to contribute to the community spirit.

Drawing parallels with Raglan, an area with a “very strong ‘Soul'”, Tamahere residents are encouraged to look at the power of community initiatives, volunteerism and activities that embody the local spirit.

The challenge is to get involved. Tamahere residents, many of whom value their neighborhood lifestyle, may need a catalyst to look outward and actively participate in the wider community. Establishing a village center and potentially working with Waikato District Council (WDC) to support events are steps toward such collaborative engagement.

Ideas for nurturing the soul of Tamahere include hiring an event organizer to bring the Piazza to life with regular entertainment, events supported by local businesses, food trucks, and musicians. While the church and school initiate community events, there is an opportunity for the piazza and stage to become a regular gathering place, offering a platform for local talent and a connection for social interaction.

For Tamahere, expressing one’s soul is like weaving a tapestry of history, community, and shared experiences. It’s about starting small, perhaps with a Christmas ceremony in Piazza Square, and then building from there. It’s about who shows up, who participates, and who contributes to the shared history of Tamakhere.

The post What is the soul of Tamahere? appeared first on TamahereForum.

Not enough has changed, says Philippa Stevenson, a Tamahere resident and journalist. Industrial safety legislation remains inadequate and communities remain at risk of similar disasters in the future.

Philippa watched the tragedy unfold, covered it for national newspapers, and attended court hearings and investigations. She wrote this story for the Tamahere Forum, a subsidiary of the Number 8 Network community website.

TAMAHERE’S Model Country School’s annual pumpkin patch party, held a week ago, was a real treat.

Families who came to the annual fundraiser at the Waikato school were amazed by the giant pumpkins and the creativity of the children (and undoubtedly the parents) who created amazing works of art from the various vegetables.

The children rode horses and small four-wheelers, jumped and slid on bouncy castles, and everyone ate pumpkin soup, pumpkin cookies, hamburgers and sausages – all paid for with pumpkin money.

It’s a good community that supports the school, the center around which everything in the neighborhood revolves.

When one pumpkin night follows another, it seems that nothing changes.

But some things definitely need to change. Because five years ago, Pumpkin Night ended before it began, as a black mushroom cloud exploded and boiled into the sky, taking the lives we had planned and scattering them in all directions.

On that night in 2008, New Zealand added another name, the Tamahere Fire, to its list of tragedies.

Another son, husband, father, and friend, firefighter Derek Lovell, was added to the list of those who went to work one day and never returned home.

Another small community suffered from a gas explosion that ripped through a village cold storage facility and burned for seven days.

The post Viewing the Icepak fire appeared first on TamahereForum.