FROM THE NEWS DESK

This is the final Chronicle of 2016 and so we’d like to take the opportunity to thank all of our readers for their support over the year. It has certainly been a year of change and development in the media industry. Our focus is now squarely on our digital platform, Stuff.co.nz, as an addition to the paper (not a replacement) which gives us an advantage in terms of the way we provide news for our community. We’re already looking forward to next year and to meeting the challenges as well as opportunities 2017 might present. The general election is looming as a major news item for 2017 already, with various National MPs calling it quits, and opposition parties looking to take advantage of any change in the country’s current leadership. We’ll also be keeping an eye on the Matamata-Piako District council in 2017, with some major issues on its plate over the coming year, including water management and housing development. From the team at the Chronicle, Merry Christmas.

Lawrence Gullery