Paving the way
An apartment development in central Hamilton will come with improved public footpaths. Waikato-based building company Engas Development is building 27 apartments on the corner of Anzac Parade, Memorial Drive and Puutikitiki Street – formerly Von Tempsky St – in Hamilton East.
Hamilton City Council is taking a one-off opportunity to widen an existing footpath outside the site. The current footpath is as little as 1.3m wide and close to a traffic lane. As a result of a co-operative approach between Engas and the council, the footpath will be widened as part of the development.
Work is underway on apartments at the Hamilton East site. Photo: Catherine Gunn.
The corner site was sold for $2.4 million as a potential site for high density housing in December 2021. At the time it was the site of a 100-year-old character home. It is near the Te Tara-ahi pā site of Ngāti Pakekirangi which was abandoned after Ngapuhi raids in the late 1700s and Moule’s Redoubt, the first European settlement in the Waikato. It also overlooks the Union Bridge built in 1878.
Heritage site investigation and discovery protocols are in place during works, mana whenua input during the design phase will be reflected in a design on a retaining wall, and a plaque on the existing wall will be saved. The new, wider, footpath will open in May.
Another masthead
David Mackenzie.
Good Local Media – the company which publishes Waikato Business News – has purchased the King Country News from Whakatane’s Beacon Media Group.
The highly-respected community newspaper has been publishing for over 110 years in Te Kuiti and Ōtorohanga, formerly as Waitomo News.
It joins Cambridge News and Te Awamutu News in the Good Local stable. Owner David Mackenzie has had a frenetic few weeks buying Waikato Business News in November and then launching Cambridge and Te Awamutu Apps last month.
Black Cap on board
Matthew Hart
Former Black Cap and Northern Districts left-arm spinner Matthew Hart has joined the Tīeke Golf Estate board as an appointed member for three years.
Hart is a former owner operator of Foodstuffs supermarkets – most recently at New World Matamata – and a past board member of New Zealand Cricket Players Association.
A keen golfer, and member at Tīeke, Hart has a Bachelor of Management Studies from Waikato University.
Fittest village
Proud pooch parents Paul and Val Clifford with Lulu, who was awarded her own certificate for completing all the Walking for Wellness walks at Ryman Linda Jones village in Hamilton.
Linda Jones Retirement Village has been announced as Ryman Healthcare’s Active Ageing Village of the Year for 2023. The Hamilton village was a standout performer during the Everest-themed virtual Walking for Wellness challenge which saw more than 1300 residents from 46 villages sign up. The winning village was judged on the percentage of independent residents who registered and completed the challenge, the number and rank of top 10 placeholders across all categories per village, and the level of engagement demonstrated by the village team. See: Out and About.
Ryman Linda Jones Hamilton staff Kate Terry, Alice Carter and Denise Higgs cheered residents on in the Walking for Wellness Event.
Room to grow
Industrial businesses in Waipā have more land to call home following a decision to rezone additional land for development earlier than expected. The land was originally zoned rural but some consents had been granted for industrial activities. The rezoning to industrial became operative last week. The new industrial zone covers around 75ha and sits north and south of Hautapu Road and was originally set to become available after 2035. Strong growth over the past 10 years has created a demand for industrial land and driven the change.
Economic development advisor Joy Mickleson with BO & CO Electrical owner Sam Bryant, whose business is reaping the rewards of Hautapu’s industrial zone. Photo: Supplied.
Funding opens
Hamilton City Council will fund events, activities or projects that help foster a welcoming community in Hamilton Kirikiriroa. Applications are open until June 30. The council wants to support and enable inclusive community events and activities that help make newcomers feel connected as they begin their new life in the city. Recent supported events include the Korean Food Festival hosted by the Livebetter K-Centre and the Waikato Diwali Mela hosted by the Waikato Indian Cultural Society and supported by other Indian organisations.
Business changes
Several recent law changes will impact small and medium business owners. The Fair Pay Agreements legislation has been repealed and 90-day trial periods reintroduced. From June other changes include mortgage interest deductibility reintroduced for rental properties and increased eligibility for the Independent Earner Tax Credit.
Volunteers wanted
Two members are wanted for a new Hamilton voluntary advisory group – the Welcoming Communities Advisory Group. The group will help allocate funds from the Welcoming Communities Fund and support initiatives that help newcomers, such as recent migrants, former refugees, international students, and anyone new to the city. Applications to the city council close on February 26.
