Barney Thomas was today awarded Te Tohu Ratonga Tūmatanui o Aotearoa, the New Zealand Public Service Medal as recognition for 40 years of civil service. Barney has worked for Te Papa Atawhai, the Department of Conservation for many years, and more recently .
Local iwi Ngāti Rārua is encouraging everyone in the region to take time to enjoy Te Mana Kuratahi – the two-yearly national primary schools kapa haka competition. Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua board chair Olivia Hall said the festival was a must-see. .