WALKING IN WAIPA
The townships of Te Awamutu and Cambridge provide some wonderful walking routes to both explore the towns and historic sites, and admire the parks and gardens.
Te Awamutu’s walking route follows in part early pioneer settler tracks and passes several historic sites. It ambles through the tranquil Memorial Park and playground, past Te Awamutu’s iconic rose garden, through a park of sculptures, encircling recreational areas and along new and old suburban streets. There are longer and shorter options to suit - Click here for a Te Awamutu Walks route map.
Cambridge’s walking routes encircle the Leamington Town Belt, through secluded wooded areas and beside areas planted in native trees and shrubs by the Cambridge Tree Trust. The river walkways and ‘bridge to bridge’ circuit are very scenic. Te Ko Utu Domain, with its Thornton Road recreational centres, playground and gardens encloses the hidden treasure of Lake Te Ko Utu, which is surrounded by sloping tracks and a flat walking path. You can pick up a pamphlet from the Cambridge Information Centre which describes in more detail the tracks and native trees and shrubs, or click here for Cambridge Walks route map.
COMMUNITY GRANTS
Waipa District Council administers two grants for funding community organisations and their activities.
COMMUNITY BOARD DISCRETIONARY GRANTS
Waipa District Council provides discretionary funds to assist in the support of community and welfare organisations, principally towards operating expenses and activities to enable the group to carry out its usual functions/services (eg. rent, power, insurances, phone, community event). These grants are available annually, closing on 31 August.
Funds available are limited: Cambridge $30,000, Te Awamutu $30,000 and Pirongia $15,000. Allocation of the grants is made in September/October.
Please ensure you select the correct application form for the ward your group resides in or carries out its activities – see Waipa District map.
Cambridge Ward Application Form
Pirongia Ward Application Form
Te Awamutu Ward Application Form
CREATIVE COMMUNITIES SCHEME
Waipa District Council has a partnership with Creative New Zealand to promote, support and increase participation in community arts and cultural activities in the Waipa district. Any group, organisation or individual can apply (although grants are not for individual gain). The Creative Communities Scheme grants are allocated by members of the Community Arts Councils in Te Awamutu and Cambridge.
Arts council members in Te Awamutu are Lynne Stone (President), Sheree Gross, Deborah Hinde, Marcus Gower, Carl Rist, Beate Schiller, Hilary Ramage and Debra Morrissey.
Arts council members in Cambridge are Robyn Gibbeson (President), Anne Charlton, Lesley Wyatt, Gavin Smith, Elwyn Andree-Wiltens, Sophie Tipene, Diana Cooke, Sue Milner, Margo Lee, Kate Burchett, and Dot Gunn.
Grants range on average between $200 - $2,000.
There are two funding rounds a year. The closing dates are 30 April and 30 September.
There are two grant forms for the district - Te Awamutu and Cambridge. Select the form for the area your group is based or you are holding your activity.
Te Awamutu application form
Cambridge Application form