Vets win award
Story Vets educational kit for year 4-8 school pupils
Anexa Veterinary Services of Hamilton won the Community Engagement award at the New Zealand Veterinary Association awards recently for its Story Vets educational kit for year 4-8 school pupils. The kit, launched last year, is designed to help attract young people into the veterinary profession.
Huata now deputy
Hamilton City Council has appointed Cr Maria Huata as Economic Development deputy chair following the resignation of Mark Donovan. Louise Hutt becomes chair of the Regulatory and Hearings committee and joins the Strategic Risk and Assurance committee, Emma Pike is chair of Traffic, Speed Limit and Road Closure Hearings Panel, and the Dog Control Hearings Panel. Additionally, Councillor Louise Hutt will join the Strategic Risk and Assurance Committee.
Southern partnership
Waikato Chamber of Commerce is partnering with South Waikato District Council to set up a part-time chamber staff member to provide services to local businesses. It will be an opportunity for South Waikato businesses to network with others, connect to the wider Waikato Chamber membership and access global connections for exporters through the chamber network.
Creative success
This Christina Vandy photo was taken in Waihi Water Lily Gardens
Te Awamutu wedding photographer Christina Vandy won the creative division category and was named wedding creative photographer at the Icon International Photography awards in the US last month. One image was captured in 2022 at the Red Barn in Cambridge, while another was taken at Waihi Water Lily Gardens.
Red Barn in Cambridge. Photo: Christina Vandy
Hive to jar
Black Shepherd Apiaries in Horahora near Cambridge have been awarded two gold medals at the Outstanding Food Producer Awards. Ben and Robyn Stinson who founded the company in 2018 handle every step — from hive to jar — covering the hives, and the production and packaging of their products, which is relatively rare in the industry. It ensures they keep their finger on all aspects of the production cycle and that all the honey is traceable to its source.
Work starts
Community cafe experience at Pukete Neighbourhood House
Construction began last month on a new community hub in Ashurst Park in Hamilton promising to elevate the already thriving Pukete Neighbourhood House to new heights. Hamilton City Council’s $7.55 million purpose-built facility, located next to the Te Rapa Sportsdrome, will enable Pukete Neighbourhood House to expand its services.
Pukete Neighbourhood House – artist impression
Give us the money
Local councils in fast-growing parts of the country are being given the opportunity to borrow more. The Local Government Funding Agency – the organisation that issues debt on behalf of councils – has created a new pathway for eligible councils to apply to have their debt limits lifted. Hamilton, Tauranga, Waipā and Queenstown Lakes councils are most likely to meet the criterion.
Happy campers
Hamilton-based Zempire Camping, has won several awards at the Out & About Live Camping Awards in the UK. This is not the first time Zempire has won internationally recognized awards. The company not only claimed awards in the family air tent categories but also in the camp bedding and camping table categories.
