A Christmas message from Te Puke Community Board

One of Te Puke’s illuminated Christmas trees has been relocated to the western entrance to the town.

As 2024 comes to an end, we reflect on the challenges we have faced as a community, including organisations facing the unknown as they navigate uncertain times.

We lost Richard Crawford, an influential member of our Western Bay of Plenty District Council. But we must acknowledge the positives celebrated by many - such as new housing developments, more community-led initiatives and collaborations felt by all.

The greatness of a community is most measured by the compassionate actions of its members.

We believe this to be true for our Te Puke — Small Town Big Heart.

Special acknowledgement to Stuart Whitaker for all his hard work and determination through the past years, you will be missed but not forgotten.

Merry Kirihimete with lots of aroha.

Te Puke Community Board

■ Te Puke has a new, old Christmas tree at the western entrance to town.

The tree was removed from beside the former railway station in 2018, when the kiwifruit slices were installed

Te Puke Community Board led a project to relocate the tree to the grassed area to the north of Ronalds Lane.

The board thanks businesses that assisted in the project: JA Russell, Westbay Concrete, Flare Fires, Stratum Consultants, Te Puke Transport and Peter Boomen. Western Bay of Plenty District councillor Grant Dally has been the ongoing custodian who has overseen the storage and refurbishment.

This is an example of community businesses contributing in small ways to enable projects to happen.

Special thanks to the council roading department for their help and enabling.

There is also a tree at the eastern entrance to the town. The two trees used to be erected and dismantled annually by the Te Puke Lions Club. However, once the club was disbanded the former president Peter Miller encouraged Creative Te Puke to refurbish them and reinstate them into service.