Waikato Business News

A Māori-led social service system in Hamilton is being heralded as a model for social investment reform. Pictured from left, former MP Nanaia Mahuta, Tamariki Tū Tamariki Ora chief executive Jaye Wainui, Te Kōhau Health managing director Tureiti Moxon, MPs Willow-Jean Prime and Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, and Te Kōhao Health chairperson Te Rangi Martell.

While it is great to see councils around the Waikato sharing their views with the public on local government reform, one important opportunity hasn’t been aired. It is quite possible to both meet the Government’s requirement to form unitary authorities while keeping representation, decision-making and accountability local. The legislation allows for this, has protections to ensure decision-making is kept local and Auckland City has successfully adopted this model.

For more than a decade, Waikato farmers have lived with the uncertainty of Plan Change 1. Mary Anne Gill was at Mystery Creek to hear what two senior ministers had to say about its future. Todd McClay, left, and Chris Bishop, right with Federated Farmers officials Chris Woolerton and Colin Hurst at the Plan Change 1 meeting held at Mystery Creek.

Two of Waipā farming’s longest-serving environmental advocates say the government should pause Plan Change 1 rather than put farmers through a compliance process that could soon be overtaken by resource management reforms. Tamahere farmers Ian and Michele Alexander listen as in the background Cambridge farmer Bill Garland, a long-time environmental pioneer, puts the case for Plan Change 1 to be paused.

For a Cabinet minister based in Wellington, Chris Bishop seems to have acquired an unusually large footprint in the Waikato. In the space of a few weeks, the minister, who holds six portfolios in the coalition government, has found himself at the centre of three of the region’s biggest and most contentious issues. Minister Todd McClay, left, and Chris Bishop, right with Federated Farmers officials Chris Woolerton and Colin Hurst at the Plan Change 1 meeting held at Mystery Creek.

Behind Fonterra’s new Wai Mahea water treatment plant lies a story of environmental innovation, cultural partnership and a shared commitment to the Waikato River. Master carver Bodie Taylor and the pou he carved guarding Wai Mahea, Fonterra’s Hautapu water treatment plant. Photo: Mary Anne Gill For carver Bodie Taylor, the significance of Wai Mahea extends well beyond the pou that now stands at the entrance to the site.

The release of the Environment Court decisions on Plan Change 1 has left many farmers and rural communities wondering what comes next. Waipā Rere Noa Catchment Restoration Group’s Matt Holwill, left, and Rosemary Davison with regional councillors Keith Holmes and Liz Stolwyk. with a wood pigeon that flies down from the native bush to eat peas from her hand.

Waikato Thoroughbred Racing’s application to buy 150 hectares south of Hamilton to consolidate the region’s racing and trotting activities south of Hamilton has been given Fast-track approval by Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop. Inside the old board room at Te Rapa Racecourse last year, racing club chair Bruce Harvey, left, and chief executive Andrew Castles planned the purchase for months.

Duo tops the country Benjamin Barbour, left, and Toby Christensen were the winners from Waikato Bay of Plenty. A year 10 duo from Putāruru College and Rotorua’s John Paul College representing Waikato Bay of Plenty have been crowned the Junior Young Farmer of the Year after an impressive performance at the grand final in New Plymouth.

Chiefs legends, administrators and supporters came together at the University of Waikato to celebrate the launch of the Ruakura Rugby Football Club and mark the franchise’s 30-year milestone. The gala dinner held at The Pā drew alumni, sponsors and fans from across Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay and Auckland, with a strong sense of pride and history evident throughout the evening.