It’s a time to reach out to fellow New Zealanders in whatever way we can and Tamahere people are doing that.

Inspirational, cheery and joke signs have sprung up around the area and Teddy bears are popping out of mailboxes and sitting in windows as locals look to lift our spirits while we all endure pandemic lockdown.

We may be confined to our homes but we still need to buy necessities, the odd treat and probably a birthday present or two.

With the economy tanking it’s time to think strategically and buy New Zealand-made whenever we can. Even better Waikato-made.

The Tamahere Country Market stallholders who make our monthly market such a vibrant and happy outing are now just a click away here online.

Waikato Museum will be the first in New Zealand to show the latest international exhibition about dinosaurs that has wowed thousands of Australians.

Opening on Saturday, March 7, Dinosaur rEvolution: Secrets of Survival unveils the latest research about these extraordinary creatures that ruled the earth until 65 million years ago.

This family-friendly exhibition uses life-sized animated models, skeletons, fossils and dig pits to show the bizarre and complex way in which dinosaurs evolved.

The latest season of indoor bowls gets underway in the Tamahere Community Centre on Monday, March 2.

The club welcomes new members and is happy to provide coaching for people new to the game.

Indoor bowls is a game that is easy to learn and suitable for all ages and abilities. Equipment is provided so no expensive outlay is required.

Anyone up for cricket?

Tamahere Lions Club members are keen to see if there is interest from locals in the occasional game of cricket at the new Tamahere Park.

“We envisage it being sociable rather than serious and possibly mixed gender,” said proposer Peter Simcock.

A range of electric vehicles (EVs) will be showcased in Tamahere on Saturday, February 15, 8am to 1pm.

Nearly 19,000 EVs are now registered in NZ and some of the many models available, including Tesla, Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona and electric vans, will feature at the event in the Tamahere Community Centre car park.

It will be a chance to talk to EV owners, get information about the current EV situation in New Zealand and what steps are being taken to increase uptake.

The Best Artisan Market is on this Saturday, February 1, in the Tamahere Community Centre.

More than 50 stalls will showcase gifts, crafts, food, coffee, clothes, produce, jewellery, candles, art and photography.

Admission is free to the event running from 9am to 1pm at the Devine Rd centre.

More than $10,000 raised at the Tamahere Christmas Festival has been distributed to charities.

The annual festival at St Stephen’s Church Tamahere has continued its more than three decades worth of charitable giving with donations to True Colours Children’s Health Trust and Kids First Whanau Centre.

Both received $4400 raised from the sale of gifts and decorations at the Festival shop while $1300 raised by the associated tea rooms was donated to the Hamilton Combined Christian Foodbank.

Tamahere Lions have tested the new Tamahere Park public barbecue and given it their seal of approval.

Lions members along with representatives of supporters of the project gave the twin barbecue plates a test run yesterday at a social event.

“Lots of hard work has gone into fundraising to bring this wonderful amenity to the Tamahere Community,” said Tamahere Lions member Susan McHugh.

The Tamahere Community Committee farewelled some longstanding members last year and held a social function to mark the occasion as well as welcome new members.

Leaving the committee were chair of 12 years Dallas Fisher and Ro Edge, who also served on the committee for a dozen years.

Shelley Howse and Connie Short also left the committee after 6 years.