Business news in brief

Forty years on

Waikato Industrial Tube is marking 40 years of local production and preparing for the next wave of demand in food manufacturing and horticulture. The Hamilton company is now one of only two remaining precision steel tube manufacturers in New Zealand and employs 55 staff at its Kahikatea Drive site.

The company has grown from a small family start-up into a key supplier for food, horticulture, and infrastructure manufacturers, and recently achieved Gold Certification from the Sustainable Steel Council for its commitment to responsible production.

Chief executive Grant Waring and general manager Werner Petrick say the next decade will be about strengthening New Zealand’s local manufacturing capability to support export growth and infrastructure demand.

Gallagher gongs

Hamilton-based exporter Gallagher won the Supreme Award and Best Large Business at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s New Zealand International Business Awards. Gallagher’s is experiencing unprecedented global demand and expansion across its Hamilton headquarters and international offices.

Supreme winner

Hamilton manufacturer RML Machinery won Waikato Chamber of Commerce’s Supreme Award last month capping off a remarkable night in which they also took home the Innovation Award for their pioneering work in automated guided vehicles. Other major winners included Fiona Michel of Braemar Hospital (CEO of the Year) and Claire Williamson of My Mortgage (Emerging Leader of the Year.

Rion on track

Hamilton Boys’ High School year 13 student Rion Ormsby-Harris has won one of just two national Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu scholarships from global accounting firm PwC.

The scholarship provides $7000 and a PwC mentor for the duration of tertiary studies, along with an opportunity to apply for a paid summer internship with the organisation, and access to business networks at social and scholarship events.

It is for a Māori student who possesses exceptional talent in all aspects.

Rion also won the Daniel Rimmer Cup and Prize at the HBHS prizegiving for a student who displays the qualities of a lion and has outstanding service to his school and community.

New kid on the flock

Waikato cemented its reputation as a leader in innovation with the launch of New Zealand’s first electric aircraft at Hamilton Airport – a bold step towards a cleaner, quieter future for regional air travel. Air New Zealand’s Beta Alia CX300 will be a familiar sight in Waikato skies as it undertakes demonstration flights across the region before it headed to Wellington last month.

See: We have electric lift off

Charity move

The award-winning charity Kids in Need Waikato is securing its future with plans for a new ownership structure. It has launched The Legacy Project, a campaign aimed at moving from renting to purchasing its Cambridge base.  Owning the property will allow for the expansion of services, unlock access to grants and funding that are not available while renting, and prepare for future leadership.

Head judge

After 12 years as Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards head judge, Heather Connolly has stepped down. Taking on the role from next year will be Jason Trower, previous investor and director of The Instillery and a judge for several years, most recently in the Emerging Leader category.

Cheap parking

On-street all-day parking rates at selected central city locations are set to become cheaper making it more cost-effective for workers and other long-stay visitors to park in Hamilton. Data showed that some all-day paid parking areas were not getting the number of users expected. The reduction will help make better use of available parking space while supporting workers, long-stay visitors, and local businesses.

Festival returns

The Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa will return next year from February 20 and will bring together international performers, New Zealand favourites, an expanded literary weekend and an eclectic mix of theatre, music, dance, comedy and whānau-friendly events. This year’s event featuring more than 800 performers and was the largest regional arts festival in the country. It attracted 47,000 people and injected an estimated $14 million into the economy.

Research job

Florian Spoerl has joined Waikato University as its new Director – Commercial and Business Partnerships, bringing a proven ability to translate cutting-edge research into real-world outcomes. Spoerl will leverage the university’s opportunities in innovation and commercialisation, grow business partnerships and funding streams for research, and provide guidance and mentorship in the commercial research space.

Scholarship coup

Waikato University honours student Naianga Tapiata (Te Arawa, Waikato, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Porou) has become the university’s fifth Rhodes Scholar, making history as the first graduate of kura kaupapa Māori to be awarded the honour. He will join the University of Oxford’s Class of 2026 to complete a fully funded two-year Master of Philosophy in Social Anthropology.

Fellowship honour

Clive Somerville chief executive of South Waikato Investment Fund Trust is one of only nine distinguished Winston Churchill Fellows for 2026, allowing him to travel to Europe to visit communities that have reinvented themselves following the decline of traditional industries.

Growth targeted

Michelle Noordermeer has been appointed to a newly established role at Waikato Regional Airport as Aeronautical Growth and Marketing general manager. She holds a degree in aviation management, a commercial pilot’s licence, and an MBA and has enjoyed an impressive career spanning aviation strategy, global airline partnerships, route development, marketing leadership and sustainability.

New committees

Two new committees are being established by Waikato Regional Council – one to provide greater oversight of transport-related matters and the other with a focus on regional growth and resilience. The Climate Action Committee – first established following the 2019 local government elections – will not return.

Hobbiton tops

Hobbiton Movie Set’s Bagshot Row, opened in December 2023, has won the prestigious 32nd Annual Themed Entertainment Association Thea award at an event in Orlando, Florida for an attraction that exemplifies outstanding achievement in creating a compelling place and visitor experience.

Shape future

Waipā District Council has developed a draft Reserve Management Plan and draft Masterplan for Karāpiro Lake Domain and wants submissions on them before January 20 next year. The draft plans are about making sure the domain continues to thrive as a place for everyone and the council wants to ensure its has captured what matters most, and help fine-tune the details.

Guitar man

Te Awamutu Boxing Academy’s Chris Graham is re-launching guitar-building classes, sessions that cover off building an instrument from go to whoa, ending up with participants owning their own, bespoke guitar. His extensive knowledge of the different timbers used and the sounds they make, the precision and patience needed to craft something of true quality is something he wants to pass on.

Children’s book

A shared love of storytelling – and a familiar dinner-time standoff – has led two Hamilton creatives to publish their very first children’s book, Dude, Eat Your Food! Written by Emma Letessier and illustrated by Kayla McQuade, the book was inspired by a real-life exchange between Emma and her daughter. The book also marks the launch of Sweet Pea and Beans, Emma and Kayla’s new creative venture dedicated to creating playful, relatable stories for children.

Cycle trails

A new funding arrangement to support the management and maintenance of New Zealand’s 23 iconic Great Rides will enable Kiwis and international visitors to get out to the regions, says Tourism minister Louise Upston. The announcement was made at Little Waipā Reserve on the Waikato River Trails with South Waikato mayor Gary Petley and Waikato River Trails Trust general manager Glyn Wooller.

Growing farmers

Fonterra is increasing its support for young people entering the dairy industry with a new two-year programme delivered in partnership with Growing Future Farmers, a national charitable trust providing a hybrid farmer-led vocational training model. The programme will begin with a pilot in Waikato and Bay of Plenty, next year.

Firm of the year

James and Wells has been named the Trans-Tasman IP Firm of the Year at the recent Managing Intellectual Property Asia Pacific Awards. The patent attorneys have offices in Hamilton and Tauranga

Next level

A new Waikato-based business growth programme is empowering women to take their ventures to the next level. Soda’s Business Fundamentals Growth Lab is an eight-week practical programme designed specifically for wāhine founders and women-led startups or small businesses. The programme runs from February through to April.

Teamed up

Young people involved at Huntly College in the Graeme Dingle Foundation Career Navigator programme teamed up with Kiwi Can kids from Ngāruawāhia Primary School to lead the Beautifying Ngāruawāhia project, a creative initiative celebrating what young people see as beautiful in their town. Students captured photographs representing pride and connection to place; from Turangawaewae Marae to local parks and community spaces which were displayed at the Waikato District Council chambers and gifted back to the college.

On the buses

A school holiday initiative by Waikato Regional Council that tripled bus patronage – especially among children and families – has been such a success it’s set to return. Council transport staff are now looking to collaborate with Waikato-King Country communities on other innovative ways to boost bus usage.

Roundabout

Construction of a new roundabout at State Highway 5 / State Highway 28 Harwoods Road intersection east of Tīrau is well underway. Traffic will be on the new roundabout in March next year.

River projects

The Waikato River Authority has awarded $5.7 million to 26 projects aimed at protecting and restoring the health and well-being of the Waikato and Waipā Rivers and their catchments. Co chair Stu Kneebone said there were 43 applications seeking $12 million for projects with a total value of $22 million.

Wastewater tops

The technology used in the upgraded Te Kauwhata and Raglan wastewater treatment plants has placed Waikato District Council at the forefront of global water innovation because of the near drinking standard of the discharge. The plants are Southern Hemisphere’s first dual Membrane Aerated Biofilm and Membrane Bioreactor powered plants, resulting in safe, energy efficient and scalable discharge that meets long-term catchment planning.

Water role

A seasoned public sector leader has been appointed to lead Hamilton and Waikato’s new water services company, marking a major milestone in the region’s water reform journey. Peter Winder will become the inaugural chief executive of IAWAI – Flowing Waters, the new entity delivering water, wastewater and stormwater services to nearly 300,000 people across Hamilton City and Waikato District.