Linking professionals
Business networker Linkedin Local held their Christmas party at Craig Investment Partners in Union Square.
Attendees brought along donations of non perishable food items and toys for under the Christmas tree while having an evening of festive cheer, laughs, networking and community connection with local professionals. Photos: Marcelo Mieres (all captions from left to right)
Harvey Brookes executive director, Waikato Wellbeing Project, Jason Davis general manager, Waikato Shed Company.
The Mortgage Supply Co mortgage advisor Neet Dhiman and Media PA director Phillip Quay.
Department of Conservation senior statutory advisor Rhys Cooper and project manager Chris Hudd.
Med School a step nearer
A groundbreaking ceremony at the site of Waikato University’s new medical school moved a lengthy and sometimes controversial project from a courageous idea into the realm of reality.
The four-storey $83 million New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine is scheduled for completion in December 2027. It will welcome its first students the following year.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Waikato-Tainui chair Tukoroirangi Morgan shared the task of turning the first sod at the site. Photos: Viv Posselt (all captions from left to right)
Among guests at the sod-turning ceremony for the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine at Waikato University are, from left, Universities Minister and former health minister, Shane Reti, Hamilton mayor Tim Macindoe, and Braemar Hospital chief executive Fiona Michel, who is on the University of Waikato council and chairs the new advisory board established for the country’s first graduate-entry medical school.
Waikato-Tainui chair Tukoroirangi Morgan gestures to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to take a spade ahead of last month’s sod-turning ceremony at Waikato University’s new medical school watched by Health minister Simeon Brown, behind him MPs Tim van de Molen, Louise Upston, Tama Potaka and Ryan Hamilton; vice chancellor Neil Quigley, former chancellors John Gallagher and Anand Satyanand with present chancellor Susan Hassall.
During proceedings at last month’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new medical school at Waikato University are, from left, Hamilton mayor Tim Macindoe, Taupō MP Louise Upston, and Universities Minister and former health minister Shane Reti.
South Waikato wrap up
Waikato Chamber of Commerce’s final South Waikato business networking event for 2025 was held in the Tokoroa Sports and Events Centre.
Ben Purua, who is today the manager of a 540 cow farm near Tīrau, and a finalist in last year’s KiwiBank Young New Zealander of the Year was the guest speaker.
He spoke on his journey from gang violence as a teenager, to time in Waikeria Prison where he was introduced to farming through its agricultural programme. Photos: Jenny MacGregor, Waikato Chamber of Commerce (captions from left to right)
Guest speaker Ben Purua receives a gift at the event.
Don Good speaking at the 2025 wrap up in Tokoroa.
Rob Finlayson, Richard Leach, Eddie Stocks and Rose Jefferies.
A group shot during the South Waikato wrap up.
Clive Morgan and Steve Gow.
Here and there
The Hamilton Arts Festival will be held in the Hamilton Gardens from February 20 to March 1 and will feature the Fijian Flying Circus, Don McGlashan, Dirty Laundry, Opera by Candelight, Black Comet and the ever popular free Sunset Symphony.
The festival’s launch was held at the gardens last month and was transferred from outside to inside due to torrential rainfall.
Chris Williams, the long-standing chair of the Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa (formerly Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival) board, at the Hamilton Arts Festival launch. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Former Hamilton mayors Julie Hardaker, at left, and Paula Soutgate three seats behind her, at the Hamilton Arts Festival launch. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Long time union organiser Shane Vuglar, left, with Wintec’s Gail Pittaway at the Hamilton Arts Festival launch last month. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
