24/08/2004
Council candidates
Otorohanga district
Otorohanga district residents will have three mayoral candidates to choose from at October's local body elections.
Dale Williams and Sonya Hetet are joined by the latest candidate Maureen McCool to ensure the district's mayoralty is hotly contested.
Mrs McCool is also standing for a seat on council for the Otorohanga ward, along with Elisabeth Cowan, Kit Jeffries and Graham Wilshier.
However, three current council members will be elected unopposed with Leveson Gower (Wharepunga ward), Hugh Earwaker (Kio Kio/ Korakonui) and Sue Blackler (Waipa) all assured of a place on council.
The Kawhia ward will be contested by Deborah Pilkington, Peter Tuteao and Paul Woodd. Incumbent Fiona Scott is not standing.
The Tihiroa ward will be a two-horse race between incumbent Doreen De Haan and Rachael Membery.
Familiar faces are also standing for the Kawhia community Board, with current chairman Allan Ruby and members Murray Livingstone and Ralph Hamon seeking re-election. Lewis Sherman and Raymond Tooman. are also seeking election.
Otorohanga Community Board will also be hotly contested with eight people standing.
Current board members Elisabeth Cowan, Andrew Ormsby and Graham Wilshier are joined by Kit Jeffries, Terewanga Jerry, Tim Jones, Brendon McNeil and Rachael Membery in the community board contest.
Japanese schools sample kiwiana
A group of Japanese students have spent the past week seeing the sights of Otorohanga district.
Nine students from Hatogaya City in Japan. arrived in New Zealand last Monday for a 10-day tour of the district.
Otorohanga mayor Eric Tait said their visit is part of as relationship Otorohanga has shared with Hatogaya for seven years.
"We were contacted out of the blue by a Japanese organisation in Auckland that chose Otorohanga as a suitable place for this type of relationship, said. Mr Tait.
"It's a great thing for our children. It gives them an opportunity to learn about a different culture and that's a very special experience.
"It's great to see these kids communicate with a culture so far away.
"Technology makes it closer, but it's nothing compared to being there."
Mr Tait said the relationship with Hatogaya is not a sister city relationship, which can be costly and restrictive, but still has the potential to provide ongoing benefits.
"When they are shopping in a supermarket, these children will be looking for New Zealand- made products.
"Likewise in 10-15 years time when they are running their own businesses, when they are making business decisions, they may choose a product or a service from Otorohanga they remember from their visit here," said Mr Tait. Otorohanga South School led a reciprocal visit to Hatogaya two years ago.
The students selected to visit Otorohanga are chosen from three different high schools.
They are being hosted by students from Kio Kio School, Otewa School_ and Maihiihi School.
Councillor Dale Williams escorted the group through the Waitomo Caves and Otorohanga Kiwi House before they were officially welcomed by Mr Tait.
After attending school with the host children and spending a weekend on their host family's farm, the students travelled to Kawhia yesterday and spent last night at Mokai Kainga Marae.
They travel to Auckland today, departing for Japan tomorrow.
Hatogaya is located 20km north of Tokyo and has a population of 57,000.