Night of stars
Waikato’s business community shone brightly at last month’s Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Gala Dinner, held in Hamilton, as outstanding enterprises and leaders from across the region were recognised for their achievements.
In a glittering evening attended by more almost 800 business and civic leaders, RML Machinery was named Supreme Award winner, 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), reflecting the strength of leadership and entrepreneurial talent in the region.
Chamber CEO Don Good said the awards showcased the exceptional calibre and diversity of Waikato’s business sector. Photos: Stephen Barker, Mike Walen and Mary Anne Gill
The hard-working Waikato Chamber of Commerce team, from left – back row: Devon Parker-Auld, Don Good, Rob Finlayson, Caz Wood, front row: Rebecca Aston, Jenny MacGregor, Rebecca Wylie.
Waikato Times editor Jonathon Mackenzie with wife Lorraine.
Fieldays were out in force, from left Karina Missen, Jenni Vernon, Richard Lindroos and Emma Langman.
The X Site Group’s Hamish and Donna Lamb were enjoying a night out with Kiwibank.
Aware, an HSO company, spotted enjoying the night in style.
One of two VIP tables feturing mayors Gary Petley and Tim Macindoe, with MP Tama Potaka, Waikato University vice chancellor Neil Quigley and chamber CEO Don Good.
MC Duncan Garner, left, apologises to Waipa mayor Mike Pettit for mispronouncing his name!!
Epic Jenny MacGregor photobomb as Bettle’s Simone Baird celebrates.
Guests tuck into their Montana dinner.
Getting the show on the road …… but first an entree.
Clearing up before the final awards of the night.
Graduates galore
The Community and Enterprise Leadership Foundation (CELF) celebrated the graduation of its 10th Leadership Class, marking a decade of cultivating leaders who drive positive change across the Waikato and beyond.
Held at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, the evening was a celebration of learning, growth, and connection. Photos: Stephen Barker
CELF co-founder and board member, Waikato Management School’s Peter Sun, with Pinnacle Midlands Health Network general manager/nursing director Jan Adams, an honorary professor at Waikato University’s Te Huaktaki Waiora School of Health.
The graduating class, from left, back row: Scott McKenzie, Rebecca Montford, Stacey Ward, Laura Casey, Aldrin Arguelles, James Peers, Leigh Singers. Middle row: Willie Cuthers, Sam Tighe, Wai Crombie, Shayla Whaiapu, Clare Frankhouser, Debbie Barham, Josephine Singh. Front row: Juan Gregan, Moses Simpson, Maison Carstensen
Former CELF co-chair Susan Trodden stepped down after nine years on the board.
Cambridge boutique hotel opens
The Clements Hotel, formerly the Masonic, has been restored to its full glory and is now a 29-room boutique hotel. A grand opening was held in Cambridge last month with Tourism minister Louise Upston among the invited guests who mixed and mingled with operators Capstone Hotel Management and co-owners Gerry Westenberg and Jo Pannell. Photos: Mary Anne Gill
Invited guests listen at The Clements Grand Opening where they heard speeches, drank champagne, ate canapes and listened to music on the lawn.
Waikato Regional councillor Liz Stolwyk, left, with Taylor Made trustee Ruth Crampton inside The Clements’ Hotel 1866 Speakeasy Bar.
Riverside Adventures’ Sally Hastie, left and Memorie Brooky with other tourism-related guests at the opening. From left: Carly Jackson (Hamilton and Waikato Tourism), Ali Bartleet (Hamilton Gardens), Julia Clarke (Hamilton City Council), Hayley Wilson (Travel consultant), Tash Pearce (Hamilton and Waikato Tourism)
Tourism minister, Taupō MP and proud local Louise Upston opens The Clements Hotel while co-owners Gerry Westenberg, left and Jo Pannell hold the ribbon. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Wintec returns to roots
It has been a challenging time for the team at Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec), one of New Zealand’s leading vocational training partners.
From January, Wintec will leave the former Te Pūkenga/New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology and return to regional governance delivering high-quality education to over 11,000 learners each year across 130+ programmes, from certificates to master’s level.
At the Waikato Chamber of Commerce BA4 last month held at the Storehouse in central Hamilton, Wintec Operations lead Warwick Pitts talked about how the organisation is shaping the future of education and training in the Waikato. Photos: Marcelo Mieres
Savage Consulting Finance Business partner Darren Savage, left, with Otowa NZ Trading Co director Welan Rorimpandey.
Wecan Services managing director Lesã Junior Tyrell, left and Employment manager Alex Asiata.
Work and Income NZ’s Andrew Thompson, left, with Wintec’s Budiono Ko.
Rodney Lewis, left and Treasure McKinstry, right of Rodney Lewis Law with Hamilton City Council city investment director Ségolène de Fontenay.
Wintec staff were out in force, from left Gemma Bond, Suzanne Gainer, Rachel McGuire and Janelle O’Connor.
H3 Group Client Relationship executive Tiana West, left, and Regional Business Development manager Lucy Mayne.
Waikato Chamber of Commerce Marketing and Events manager Rebecca Aston, left, with Harcourts Monarch Real Estate specialist Lee Watkins.
Warwick Pitts during the Waikato Chamber of Commerce BA4 function. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
City recognises community contribution
Individuals and groups who have made exceptional contributions to the city and people of Hamilton – mostly in a voluntary capacity, across five categories: health and wellbeing, arts and culture, sport and recreation, education, and community – have been recognised by the city council.
Mayor Tim Macindoe presented the Hamilton City Council Civic Awards to 12 individuals and groups and the prestigious Hamilton Kirikiriroa Medal to former deputy mayor and Member of Parliament Martin Gallagher for his outstanding service to the city and its people. Photos: Mike Walen.
Civic awardee Jade Morris, right, with Bianca Lewis Jones (Central Region Youth Support) who nominated her for Emerging Leader for Youth.
Emeritus Professor David Lowe (civic awardee recipient with services to community), left with Cyril and Jan Markham.
St John Ambulance representatives, from left Ross Clarke, District Operations Manager Waikato, Aaron McKay, Operations Support Manager Waikato and Craig Scott, Area Operations Manager South Waikato.
Hamilton City Council’s Emma Newman with Liam Carter, Founder of Ride Your Trike.
Captain Dave Evans (civic awardee for services to community), second left with from left Major Diane Raffan, Jake Evans and Krystal Calder.
After the presentations, pictured are recipients and elected members: Top row, from left: Rachel Karalus, Catherine Cooper representing the House of Science Central Waikato Charitable Trust, Vanisri Mills, Slay Way, Graeme Mead, Sara Ahmad, mayor Tim Macindoe, Martin Gallagher, Geoff Taylor, Emma Pike, Jeevan Mathews, Jamie Strange, Paretio Ruha, Maria Huata, Jade Morris. Bottom row, from left: Sarah Thomson, Mesh Macdonald, Anna Casey-Cox, Leo Revell, Ian Campbell, Jenni Scarlet, Warren Lewis, Karen Taylor, Kylee Black, Rei Mihaere, Dave Evans, David Lowe.
Martin Gallagher with wife Gillian after receiving his Civic Award.
Martin Gallagher, left, with mayor Tim Macindoe
Former city councillor and district health board member Pippa Mahood, a Freedom of the City recipient, in full flight at the gathering.
Former Hamilton mayor Margaret Evans with The Rocky Horror Show writer Richard O’Brien.
Dr Leo Revell acknowledges his award watched by mayor Tim Macindoe and the rest of the honorees and their families.
Zealong Estate hosts leaders
Zealong Tea Estate is brewing more than just globally acclaimed teas on land that was once a dairy farm and it has become a popular place for events. The Employers and Manufacturers Association held its Waikato member briefing there last month, attended by more than 100 business leaders. It was also a day to celebrate Zealong’s inclusion in a book called “150 Tea Houses You Need to Visit Before You Die.” Photos: Mary Anne Gill
Zealong chief executive Gigi Crawford, right, Waikato mayor Aksel Bech and Hamilton & Waikato Tourism’s Nicola Greenwell. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Zealong Estate’s Julia Jeanplong with samples of the estate’s tea with the plantation behind her looking north. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Zealong chief executive Gigi Crawford, right, watches as Waikato mayor Aksel Bech and Hamilton & Waikato Tourism’s Nicola Greenwell sample the legendary High Tea. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Alan McDonald, Employers and Manufacturers Association Head of Advocacy, Strategy and Finance, with at left Debra Quinn (Waikato Member Partner) and Mauro Barsi (Head of Legal).
A portion of the crowd of Waikato business leaders at the Employers and Manufacturers Association member briefing at Zealong Tea Estate.
