Squash fundraiser
Clive Somerville, CEO of SWIFT
Farmers from across South Waikato will gather at Putāruru squash club on Friday and Saturday (16 and 17 May) for a very special tournament supported by South Waikato Investment Fund Trust (SWIFT), coming together for some healthy competitive fun and a chance to meet outside the farm gate. SWIFT recently supported the ‘Crack open the chat’ event, where guest speaker Sir John Kirwan and local dairy farmer Marc Gascoigne discussed mental health issues and provided practical advice for a farming audience around managing stress and depression. The event was organised by Better Eggs to raise funds for the New Zealand Rural Support Trust.
Zinefest back
The 11th annual Kirikiriroa Hamilton Zinefest and market day is back this month and for the third year at Hamilton Central Library. Zinefest is made up of a group of volunteers, local artists, writers and creatives who are passionate about self-publishing, DIY art projects and tiny books. After the market, an after party in Garden Place will feature local musicians, performers and poets with the annual “best of the fest” awards and prize giving.
Riverside hotel
Hotel deal sealed, from left: Cr Ewan Wilson, mayor Paula Southgate, Templeton Group founder Nigel McKenna and Spa and Wellness Centres director Sarisa Nasinprom
A central city hotel proposal has ‘blown away’ the requirements set by Hamilton City Council for development of a prominent riverside site. The council has entered into an unconditional agreement with Templeton Group, to sell the land at 242-254 Victoria Street for what will be the biggest one-off investment in Hamilton’s central city. Templeton’s latest (but not final) proposal envisages a tiered 25-storey development featuring hotel accommodation, apartments, and a carefully curated riverfront dining and entertainment precinct.
Raukawa aspires
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Raukawa and communities across the South Waikato, Minister for Māori-Crown Relations Tama Potaka has announced. Raukawa holds an inspiring commitment to ensuring their marae are available to serve the needs of the entire community in the south Waikato region during tough times, he said.
Bach expert
Masaaki Suzuki. Photo: Marco Borggreve
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, featuring the legendary conductor, harpsichordist and organist Masaaki Suzuki, will perform in concert at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts this month. Suzuki will lead a New Zealand orchestra for the first time in an extraordinary programme of masterpieces by JS Bach, WA Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven. He is a world authority on Bach.
Airpark take off
A 40-year vision to create an aviation-based community where pilot enthusiasts and professional aviators can live and work is about to become a reality with the first sections at Te Kowhai Airpark now on the market. The airpark is the first of its kind in New Zealand to be built around aviation and inspired by similar developments overseas.
Trading up
Nick Juett and Neetu Gupta in JetPark.
Summer events have pushed the Hamilton Airport Hotel and Conference Centre to its best trading month since May 2019. The 62-room hotel, owned by Waikato Regional Airport Ltd since 2019 and managed by JetPark, has seen a steady increase in bookings. Events at Mystery Creek and Lake Karāpiro over the summer such as the Waka Ama sprint nationals, Maadi Cup rowing and karting championships have seen large, multi-day bookings. Conference events are also growing, thanks to the hotel’s airport location and on-site facilities, including a self-service laundry set up for sports teams.
Fill it up
Volunteers are needed to help out with fundraising for the SPCA’s Fill Your Bucket street appeal later this month in Hamilton and Cambridge. Collectors do two-hour shifts and can bring their dog, friends and family to help. Every dollar goes to support SPCA’s work for animals in need.
Awards open
Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, Claudelands
Entries for the Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards have opened with a few refinements. Small Business of the Year now becomes Emerging Business and the international trade category sees specialisation in building business capabilities and leadership. Drop in sessions for help with entering are available through the chamber.
New Fieldays sponsor
Richard Lindroos, CEO of New Zealand National Fieldays Society and JAC NZ General Manager Andrew Craw, sealing the new sponsorship deal with a good old-fashioned steak pie.
A handshake and a hot pie have sealed a new partnership between Fieldays and rising automotive brand JAC, as the company comes on board as a major sponsor of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest agricultural event. The collaboration marks a major milestone for JAC as it prepares to introduce its flagship T9 4WD double cab ute to New Zealand — a bold new entry into the competitive ute market, joining its existing line-up of 100% electric and Cummins diesel trucks. The new partnership also follows the conclusion of Fieldays’ long-running relationship with Hyundai.
Life for Bill
William and John Gallagher
William Gallagher has been awarded National Fieldays life membership in recognition of his decades-long contribution to the event and New Zealand’s agri-tech industry. His company Gallagher’s presence at the very first Fieldays in Te Rapa in 1969 was a milestone moment, as it was already emerging as a leader in farm technology and export markets. Gallagher has supported and exhibited at Fieldays every year since its launch.
