Garner to MC
Broadcaster and podcast host, Duncan Garner will be master of ceremonies at the Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards this month. Known for his sharp wit and deep understanding of Kiwi business and current affairs, Garner will bring energy and insight to this year’s celebration of Waikato business excellence.
Artists leave
As part of the After the Artists Leave campaign Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery will host a pop-up exhibition opening later this month and continuing through till early next year. The exhibition offers a comprehensive look at the impact that Boon Street Art Festival has had on Hamilton over the past 10 years.
Earn and learn
A new Government and industry training and remuneration initiative “Earn as you Learn” referred to as ‘game-changing’ by employers will be expanded nationwide to help address New Zealand’s chronic manufacturing skills gap, with a pilot in Waikato set to deliver a learner completion rate of more than 90%. The move comes as the manufacturing, engineering, and logistics sectors face an urgent shortfall of 157,000 workers over the next five years, driven by an ageing workforce and growing demand.
Central awards
Guests mingle: Love the Centre Awards 2025: Celebrating the Best of Hamilton’s City Centre. Photo: Ruth Gilmour
Hamilton’s central city came alive at the Love the Centre Awards last month. Taking over the stunning K’aute Pasifika fale, businesspeople gathered for an evening that fizzed with energy, creativity, and pride, recognising the establishments that make Hamilton’s CBD a true destination. Award winners were: Waikato Society of Arts, Mr Pickles Bar & Eatery, Gothenburg, Cream Eatery, Goldsmiths Gallery, O Studio, Tipsy Putt, Dress for Success, Harkness Henry, Dumpling House, Again & Again Consignment. See: Celebrating the best of Hamilton
Kick for cause
Kick for a Cause – Nick Collier, Simon Lockwood, Kathryn Glen, Greg Thornton, and Campbell Stewart
Cambridge’s all-star charity football event will be held this month. All profits go to support the Salvation Army. Celebrities involved include filmmaker Matt Hicks, BMX champion Bennett Greenough, cyclist Campbell Stewart, NZ Louvres managing director Nadia Hauā, canoeist Nick Collier, rowers Kathryn Glen, Campbell Crouch and Elliott Jenkins, Cambridge High principal Greg Thornton, Gallagher Insurance director Simon Lockwood, solicitor Vernon Woodhams and the MC digital marketer David Remmerswaal.
Shuttle launched
Hikers enjoying the Maungatautari over the mountain walk.
Outdoor adventurers keen to traverse one of the Waikato’s premier one-day hikes, now have a new way to experience the ancient forest of Maungatautari – without the logistical juggle. Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari launched a weekend shuttle service last month connecting the southern Tari Road visitor car park with the northern Hicks Road trailhead.
Homes on way
Hamilton City Council Elected Members, mana whenua representatives, project team members and development partners came together today to commemorate the beginning of the project that will unlock future development of Rotokauri.
New homes in Rotokauri are one step closer as the construction of a new greenway gets underway. A sod turning and blessing ceremony last month marked the official start of a key stormwater infrastructure project in the northwestern growth suburb of Rotokauri in Hamilton Kirikiriroa.
Rotokauri Greenway will also unlock a further 280ha of industrial land, employment areas, new primary schools and a neighbourhood centre
Novel launched
Letters of Hope
Letters of Hope – the first in a Liberating Le Quesnoy series – was launched in Cambridge this month. The book is an authentic wartime coming of age read that weaves real life events into a story of suspense and drama where choices offer hope or despair.
Not upheld
Hamilton mayoral candidate Rudi du Plooy, right, with wife Barbara and current councillor Geoff Taylor at the Hamilton City Council in Your Neighbourhood event. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
A complaint by Hamilton mayoral candidate Rudi du Plooy that Waikato Business News breached three Media Council principles by only profiling four candidates in the September edition, has not been upheld. The council acknowledged the need for editors to balance their publication’s role in fair elections with limited column space and their decisions about best serving the public interest.
Real estate win
Michelle Pearson receives the award for Waikato Real Estate
Waikato Real Estate has once again claimed top honours, taking out the Property Management Agency of the Year (Large Office) at the Property Management Conference (PMC) 2025. The award recognises the agency’s outstanding contribution to property management over the past financial year – measured through quality, service, and performance.
Community hub
New community hub for Ngaruawahia.
A new space for community, creativity and connection is how Waikato District Council is describing plans for its library in Ngaaruawaahia. The new hub will be built on the corner of Great South Road and Jesmond Street, combining the current Ngaaruawaahia Library site with the former Waipa Hotel property, which council purchased in 2023. The central location is ideal for creating a welcoming, accessible space right in the heart of town.
Flying high
Karen Wilson. Photo: Stephen Barker
A part-time job in the airport bookshop has kick-started a promising aviation career for Hamilton Airport’s 28-year-old Karen Wilson. So much so, Wilson, from Morrinsville, has already been named Emerging Leader of the Year at the 2025 New Zealand Airport Awards. The award recognises Wilson’s ‘significant contribution to the sector’ and tops a five-year journey at Hamilton Airport. It’s a long way from Wilson’s original plan to finish a university degree and become a geography teacher.
Plane honoured
CT-4 Airtrainer plane.
A Waikato-designed aircraft that has trained thousands of air force pilots around the world was honoured by Australia’s aviation community last, marking 50 years since the first CT-4 Airtrainer arrived in the country. The CT-4 has generated millions of dollars in export earnings for New Zealand and continues to be manufactured and serviced in the Waikato at NZAero’s Hamilton facility, on the same site where the aircraft’s story began.
Armistice play
Mark Wright
Professional theatre comes to Cambridge this month with renowned international actor Mark Wright performing his one man play Voices from Gallipoli – Exploring the origins of the Anzac spirit – at the Bridges auditorium. He has already performed the play in 16 different towns/cities from Palmerston North to Whangārei and received critical acclaim.
Doctorate awarded
Chancellor Susan Hassell, Sir Anand Satyanand, Vice-Chancellor Neil Quigley. Photo: Mike Walen / Barker Photography.
Former chancellor of the University of Waikato Sir Anand Satyanand was awarded the university’s highest honour last month in recognition of a legacy of service. Sir Anand received an Honorary Doctorate for his significant contributions to the university and to the people of New Zealand. He served as chancellor from 2019 to June this year and helped set the university’s direction with strong leadership, commitment and courage.
Intellectual property
Kate Wilson with her book The Hidden Mechanics of IP
An unconventional approach has led to a locally written book rapidly achieving international acclaim on what could be considered a dry topic – Intellectual Property. The book by IP strategist Kate Wilson has already attracted international recognition, including endorsements from leading business figures. Its appeal lies in taking what could be a daunting subject and presenting it in a way that is practical, engaging and even entertaining.
Bech sworn in
Mayor Aksel Bech and Deputy Mayor Eugene Patterson
Waikato District Council’s newly elected mayor Aksel Bech and councillors were officially sworn in last month marking the start of a new term with a clear focus on strengthening community voice and improving local decision-making. Eugene Patterson (Newcastle-Ngaaruawaahia) was also named as the new deputy mayor. Three new councillors were inaugurated in the ceremony: Grant Coombes (Newcastle-Ngaaruawaahia), Endine Dixon-Harris (Tai Raro Takiwaa Maaori Ward) and Fabio Rodrigues (Tuakau-Pookeno). They join 10 successfully re-elected councillors: Peter Thomson (Awaroa-Maramarua), David Whyte (Huntly), Mike Keir and Crystal Beavis (Tamahere-Woodlands), Vern Reeve (Tuakau-Pookeno), Marlene Raumati (Waerenga-Whitikahu) and Lisa Thomson (Whaaingaroa). Councillors Carolyn Eyre (Western Districts) and Tilly Turner (Tai Runga Takiwaa Maaori Ward) were re-elected unopposed.
Community champ
Renee Parkes and Kim Ingham
Ōtorohanga’s Kim Ingham has been appointed Maru Energy Trust’s first community champion. She will support Maru’s team leader Renee Parkes and co-ordinator Jo Meads in trying to get hundreds of local homes insulated – for free – before next winter. The trust estimates more than 1100 homes in Ōtorohanga and surrounding communities now qualify for free home insulation following a government rule change.
Entrance transformed
Sacred Heart Year 13s in front of the new spaces.
Hamilton’s Sacred Heart Girls College’s main entrance has been transformed into a place of communion, contemplation and mission. At the heart of the renewed space is Te Puna Wai Ora, a contemplative area inspired by the Gospel narrative of The Woman at the Well.
Top prize
Luke Eason design
Kelly Mawston, of Hamilton-based Design By Nature Landscapes, received a $5000 cash prize, a trophy and a framed certificate for her win at the Waikato Home and Garden’s Show’s Landscape design awards. Cambridge’s Luke Eason, of Visionscapes Landscape Design, took out the silver award.
Mobile detection
Cambridge Lions Ian Crabb and Elbe Moreland with the fundraising board. Photo: Janine Davy
The Lions Cancer Trust Project’s free mobile screening vehicle paid its first visit to the Waikato and King Country last month. The six-tonne melanoma and skin cancer detection vehicle provides people with access to detection services from qualified medical professionals. The vehicle, unveiled at Hamner Springs has been in action since late March.
