News in brief

All yellow

Businesses throughout Waikato and Bay of Plenty will this month support the one in three New Zealanders affected by cancer by painting the regions yellow. The fundraising challenge culminates in Daffodil Day on August 29. In the lead up, the Cancer Society wants businesses to create or promote something yellow – cupcakes, clothing, cars, calendars, candles – and then donate a portion of those yellow-inspired sales to the Cancer Society.

Bridges award

Two Hamilton bridges – Te Ara Pekapeka and Taurapa – that connect the city with a new growth area south, have won international awards which recognise individuals and projects of distinction. The bridges involved the community, councillors, mana whenua and the government, said mayor Paula Southgate.

Councils unite

Seven councils involved in the Waikato approach to managing water services have signed a shareholders’ agreement, marking a major milestone in regional collaboration on water services. The new entity, Waikato Waters Ltd, is jointly owned by the Waitomo, Ōtorohanga, Waipā, Hauraki, Matamata-Piako, South Waikato, and Taupō district councils. It will be responsible for delivering drinking water and wastewater services across their communities, in line with the Government’s Local Water Done Well mandate.

Medical boost

A new medical school in Hamilton is expected to bolster the number of medical professionals in the central North Island. Based at the University of Waikato’s Hamilton campus in three years, the school will prioritise clinical placements in regional communities. The university will work with communities and primary healthcare providers to finalise where clinical placements will take place.

Green rating

Maersk’s integrated cold chain facility at the Ruakura Superhub in Hamilton has become the first cold storage facility in New Zealand to achieve the highest sustainability standard in commercial construction, a Six Star Green Star NZ Design and As-Built rating by the New Zealand Green Building Council.

Tutor honoured

Public relations professionals last month paid tribute to Waikato University associate professor Margalit Toledano, who retired after a career spanning 37 years, for her outstanding contribution to the industry. Her work has explored critical topics including professional ethics, community resilience in times of disaster, activism, and vaccine rhetoric. Most recently, she submitted a book chapter on crisis leadership, focusing on Dame Jacinda Ardern’s response to the Christchurch mosque attacks.

Artist wins

Hamilton artist Zena Elliott has taken out the top prize in the prestigious National Contemporary Art Award with a bold representation of cultural heritage and marginalised communities in contemporary society. The winning artwork, titled The Silence Forced Upon Us Is Louder Than the Crown’s Declarations of Partnership and Fairness, is on display at Waikato Museum (Te Whare Taonga) until mid November.

Tyre initiative

Hamiltonians can now drop off their old clean tyres (without their rims) to the Lincoln Street Resource Recovery Centre for free. Hamilton City Council has joined the national Tyrewise initiative, which allows up to five tyres to be disposed of at registered businesses and organisations across the country for free. Tyrewise is a Ministry for the Environment-accredited scheme for tyre disposal.

Trial feedback

A 90-minute parking time limit trial in Cambridge’s central business district is inviting feedback on its six-month experiment and Waipā District Council is encouraging Cambridge residents, shoppers and business owners to share their feedback before a decision is made on whether to keep the time limit in the town centre or return to 60-minute limits.

Road reopens

The rail crossing on State Highway 1B Telephone Road, east of Hamilton, has reopened to traffic more than three years after it was closed.  The signals and barriers at the crossing are in the final stages of KiwiRail’s testing and commissioning process. The rail crossing was previously considered one of the most dangerous in the country.

Chamber opposes

Cambridge Chamber of Commerce has urged its national chamber network to raise significant concerns with the government around its plans to ban in-store payment surcharges saying it would impact small operators who do not have the bargaining power to negotiate better rates with payment providers. Businesses would absorb the full cost of credit and contactless debit transactions, potentially amounting to thousands of dollars annually, the Cambridge chamber says.

Regional deal

The western Bay of Plenty subregion has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with government to progress a Regional Deal that will help unlock the Western Bay’s growth potential, so it can boost productivity and thrive. Unlock opportunities for economic growth, create connected and resilient infrastructure and improve the supply and affordability of housing, while also offering opportunities for the private sector and tangata whenua to participate, are among the key goals.

Skifield open

Tūroa Ski Area’s High Noon Express chairlift opened last month delivering a top-to-bottom skiing experience on Mt Ruapehu. Tūroa features some of the country’s most striking volcanic landscapes, including New Zealand’s longest vertical descent at 722 metres. A partnership with Air Chathams has made access even easier to Aucklanders who can fly to Whanganui, hire a vehicle and be on the skifield without two hours of landing.

Pawgust challenge

Walking or running a set distance this month – while gathering sponsorship from friends, whānau and local supporters – will help raise vital funds for Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dogs. Funds from the Pawgust challenge support the breeding, raising, and training of guide dogs. Guide Dogs give people who are blind or have low vision greater freedom and independence.