Waikato Business News | April 1, 2024

APRIL 2024 

The challenge 

for hospice 

The demand for hospice services is growing – but as Hospice 

Waikato chief executive Craig Tamblyn tells Viv Posselt, funding is 

inadequate and the organisation is confronted with obstacles. 

Hospice Waikato chief executive Craig Tamblyn is hopeful the challenges facing Hospice Waikato 

can be met. Photo: Viv Posselt 

Craig Tamblyn says in addition to challenges linked to the funding of 

hospice services there are concerns around what health reforms might 

be just around the corner - and their potential impact. 

“The health reforms came in after Covid and are taking a lot longer than 

thought… right now, we’re unsure when they will drop and what they could 

mean for us.” 

Other pressing concerns he said need addressed are linked to pay 

parity in the sector, projected growth in demand, and questions on the 

sustainability of community fundraising at the level now needed. 

Free hospice care is delivered to New Zealand patients and their 

families through 32 hospices nationwide, all falling under Hospice 

New Zealand. Income comes through a mix of crown and community 

funding, with the latter generated through hospice shop outlets, 

business support and community fundraising. There are nine hospice 

shops across the Waikato. 

The percentage of government v community input varies among 

individual hospices with government funding generally covering between 

50 to 60 percent of each hospice’s costs. In some cases, however, the 

government proportion falls below that. 

In the Waikato, the community funds 35 percent of Hospice 

Waikato’s needs. 

According to Hospice New Zealand figures, it cost over 

$186 million to provide free hospice care in the 2021-22 year, 

up $11.2 million on the previous year. Government funding 

covered $92.1 million of that and hospices raised over $94 

million from their communities to bridge the gap. 

With Waikato as one of the country’s fastest-growing 

population areas, and the burgeoning numbers of seniors 

choosing to spend their twilight years here, the need for 

hospice services is expected to rise considerably, said Tamblyn. 

“Our area covers from Mercer to National Park, the 

Coromandel to Tokoroa and across to Raglan. We’re seeing 

significant growth across the district, but particularly in the 

Coromandel and from Te Awamutu through Ōtorohanga and 

Te Kuiti. 

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 

The numbers 

Hospice Waikato is 

one of the busiest in the 

country. It deals with 

around 1600 patients and 

their families a year and 

is projecting a significant 

increase as the region 

grows. 

In the year ended June 

2023, of its $14,933,041 

income, $8,415,507 was 

government funding. 

Revenue from its shops 

raised $4,607,335 and 

the rest was generated 

through fundraising, 

grants and donations. 

Costs for the same 

period came in at 

$15,126,883, resulting in 

a $193,842 deficit. 

A total of 1436 people 

were referred to Hospice 

Waikato in that time. 

Between 400 and 500 

patients are cared for 

by Hospice Waikato at 

any one time, and about 

50 seriously ill children 

and their families are 

supported the Rainbow 

Place team at Hospice 

Waikato. 

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2 APRIL 2024 

Editor 

Roy Pilott 

027 450 0115 

News 

Mary Anne Gill 

021 705 213 

Viv Posselt 

027 233 7686 

CONTACTS 

editor@goodlocal.nz 

maryanne@goodlocal.nz 

viv@goodlocal.nz 

Advertising Director 

Janine Davy janine@goodlocal.nz 

027 287 0005 

Owner 

David Mackenzie 

david@goodlocal.nz 

Office 

07 827 0005 admin@goodlocal.nz 

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correspondence with the publication. 

The challenge for hospice 

“Some 95 percent of our patients don’t 

come into our Hospice Waikato site in 

Hamilton for more than a few days at a time, 

but instead receive our services at home. 

That means we rely on a network of skilled 

personnel who can deliver those services 

where they’re needed. Waikato’s growth 

will have a huge impact on us and we need 

to be ready for it.” 

Hospice care goes well beyond the delivery 

of palliative care to the patient involved. 

Once a family registers with hospice, the 

patient and their wider family receive 

holistic care for as long as is needed, and 

many whānau receive support for up to 18 

months after the death of their loved one. 

Concerns around the level of future 

government funding centres on differing 

political party views around healthcare 

delivery expressed before last year’s general 

election. 

On the strength of Prime Minister 

Christopher Luxon’s pre-election statement, 

“we’ll look at boosting funding for palliative 

care once we are in government”, Hospice 

New Zealand briefed Health Minister Shane 

Reti on the situation in December. The 

briefing lists three core elements needed 

by the sector from the government – pay 

The Waikato Regional Council is 

a finalist in the Local Government 

Excellence Awards to be announced on 

this month. 

The council has entered its virtual reality 

experience in the Datacom Award for 

Excellence in Digital Local Government 

category and is also a finalist in the 

environmental leadership section for its 

work in protecting kauri. 

The council’s kauri protection team is 

working to encourage rural landowners, 

community groups, schools, iwi, 

stakeholders and industry groups to invest 

in the trees’ future. 

Southern kauri are associated with 

the Coromandel Range, but the council 

has highlighted significant remnant 

populations in other parts of the Waikato. 

The region has over 94,000 hectares of 

kaurilands, of which more than 20,000ha 

is old growth kauri forest. The Waikato 

has the largest areas of kauri undetected 

for kauri dieback. 

It also advocated for national funding 

and rules to protect kauri, leading to more 

Government funding and the development 

of Tīakina Kauri, the national kauri 

protection programme, and a national 

pest management plan introduced last 

year. 

The council’s kauri team commissioned 

award-winning special effects and prop 

company Wētā Workshop Ltd to create a 

scale model of a mature kauri tree, which 

includes its widespread root system, to 

help spread the kauri protection message. 

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 

Hospice Waikato chief executive Craig Tamblyn with some of the many Cambridge Hospice Shop 

volunteers who recently marked 10 years in their current premises. 

Photo: Viv Posselt 

parity for hospice staff, support for the 

development of a business case for a fairer 

and more sustainable funding model to be 

included in Budget 2025, and for regular 

engagement to keep things on track. 

Tamblyn said pay parity was a crucial 

element for future sustainability. 

Council in the running 

Wētā Workshop created this scale model of a 

mature kauri tree 

“We are currently in negotiations with 

government for our nurses to be paid the 

same rate as in other sectors. Government 

funding has not kept up and they are 

currently lagging well behind their peers 

working in other health areas. There should 

be pay parity for all specialists working in 

hospice”. 

Tamblyn said Hospice Waikato is also 

working to reduce rural and cultural 

inequities in the district, and to further 

support Hamilton-based Rainbow Place, 

which until recently was the only hospice for 

children in the country. 

He said he was ‘optimistic, but realistic’ 

that hospice requests could be met by a 

government facing a long list of issues 

needing attention. 

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Briefs… 

Ton up 

Matamata’s Radius Country 

Lodge – which transformed 

from a maternity hospital 

to an aged care facility, will 

turn 100 on April 9. Two 

present residents – Maureen 

Massey and Anne Stokes – 

have shared their memories 

of giving birth in the lodge. 

Light my fire 

Waikato Wellbeing Project 

and Rainbow Hub Waikato 

are collaborating on the 

latest instalment of the Lots 

of Little Fires video series. 

Through storytelling, Lots of 

Little Fires aims to amplify 

the voices of organisations 

like Rainbow Hub Waikato, 

highlighting the role 

they play in fostering 

community, resilience, and 

self-acceptance. 

New satellite 

Cambridge’s Grassroots 

Trust Velodrome has become 

Oceania’s UCI Development 

Satellite Centre - one of nine 

in the world. The move is 

seen as significant for many 

cycling disciplines and is 

expected to attract cycling 

visitors across all disciplines 

in the sport. 

Numbers up 

Student numbers at Waikato 

University are up more than 

six per cent on last year. 

Ministry funded equivalent 

full-time students numbers 

are up three per cent in 

Hamilton and six per 

cent in Tauranga – and 

international numbers have 

risen 25 per cent – though 

they have yet to reach prepandemic 

totals. 

More clams 

Efforts to contain the spread 

of golden clams found in the 

Waikato River have taken a 

hit with the discovery of the 

fast-breeding Asian invaders 

in a lagoon at Lake Taupō’s 

Aqua Park. Initial thoughts 

were that the clams had 

been introduced there as 

a result of human activity. 

The announcement from 

Biosecurity New Zealand 

confirmed the lagoon had 

been closed off as a result. 

The tiny clams were initially 

found in the Waikato River 

near Lake Karāpiro last May. 

3 

Seeing for themselves 

The health-conscious Vietnamese 

consumer has seen what Waikato 

has to offer - and likes it. Senior 

writer Mary Anne Gill met a group 

of Asian distributors who had a 

whirlwind tour of the region. 

Hamilton scientist 

Grant Washington- 

Smith is convinced 

he is onto a winner with 

the premium adult nutrition 

products he exports to 

Vietnam but wanted 

his customers to see for 

themselves. 

So much so, he brought 

70 of his top Vietnamese 

distributors to Waikato and 

Auckland last month to 

check out the manufacturing 

process. 

Washington-Smith 

launched Carefore Global 

last year having created 

premium products for 

several years in both New 

Zealand and the United 

States. 

He created Colos IgGold 

- a powdered dairy drink 

with immunoglobulins 

from colostrum - now 

the company’s premium 

product delivering health 

benefits. Production is 

growing with up to 200,000 

cans a month exported to 

Vietnam, Singapore and 

other Asian countries. 

Several colostrum-based 

dairy drinks have also been 

developed. 

The Vietnamese 

distributors saw firsthand 

the stringent quality 

controls, cutting-edge 

technology, and sustainable 

practices that goes into 

production. 

One of the events was held 

at GMP Dairy Highbrook in 

Auckland where delegates 

were given a tour of the 

facilities. 

The plant at New 

Zealand’s first and largest 

pharmaceutical grade dairy 

manufacturing facilities, 

is where Colos IgGold is 

manufactured. 

The product had its 

fruition in the Waikato 

at Carefore Global in 

Innovation Park the 

brainchild of Washington- 

“ 

We’re not just 

showcasing our 

commitment 

to quality and 

innovation; 

we’re actively 

driving an 

evolution within 

the dairy 

sector... 

Smith, a nutritional 

scientist, food formulator 

and entrepreneur. 

After working for nearly 

a decade in the United 

States for one of the world’s 

largest network marketing 

companies, Washington- 

Smith returned to New 

Zealand as a nutrition and 

wellness consultant. 

During his 12 years as 

a consultant, he created 

a product range that was 

a finalist in the 2014 New 

Zealand Innovation, the 

2021 World Beverage and 

World Food awards. 

“We’re not just showcasing 

our commitment to 

quality and innovation; 

we’re actively driving an 

evolution within the dairy 

sector, redefining its role 

in supporting health and 

wellness across the later 

stages of the lifespan,” said 

Washington-Smith. 

“We have carefully crafted 

a product that resonates 

with the health-conscious 

Vietnamese consumer. This 

visit was an opportunity 

to showcase the journey of 

Colos IgGold, from the lush 

pastures of New Zealand to 

the high-tech manufacturing 

facilities in Hamilton and 

Auckland.” 

The day after their arrival 

One of the Vietnamese distributors interviews Carefore Global founder Grant Washington-Smith at 

Kaipaki Dairies. Photo: Mary Anne Gill. 

on March 13, the delegation 

visited the Hamilton plant 

of Bodco, a Pukete based 

and operated company that 

supplies to global markets, 

nutritional and lifestyle milk 

powder based products. 

From there they had a 

tour of Waikato Innovation 

Park and then visited the 

Bardoul farm near Mystery 

Creek where Kaipaki Dairies 

has its headquarters bottling 

premium quality milk. 

Despite torrential rain, the 

delegation got up close and 

personal with the Bardouls’ 

600 Holstein-Friesian dairy 

cows. 

The group headed north 

to Auckland where they 

heard from Vietnamese 

ambassador Nguyen Van 

Trung and other officials 

about the potential for trade 

between New Zealand and 

Vietnam. 

Earlier that week Prime 

Minister Christopher Luxon 

had met Vietnam prime 

minister Pham Minh Chinh 

in Wellington where New 

Zealand confirmed a $6.24 

million investment into 

Vietnam’s horticulture 

sector. The project will focus 

on improving climate and 

economic resilience within 

the country’s passionfruit 

industry. 

Research is a critical 

component in any export 

industry. The delegation 

heard from the Institute 

for Nutrition and Human 

Health’s Paul Davis about 

the importance of validated 

independent research. 

Canny consumers demand 

proof a product does what is 

says it will, he told them. 

The institute is about 

to embark on a research 

programme looking at bone 

health in women over 35. 

Washington-Smith is 

confident the products his 

company produces marks 

a significant shift from 

the traditional emphasis 

on infant formula to the 

nutritional needs of adults 

and the elderly. 

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ADVERTORIAL 

New Zealand’s investor 

immigration policy 

is not for the faint 

hearted! 

Chamber 

expands south 

The South Waikato celebrated two events in quick 

succession last month as the Waikato chamber and 

prominent women called in. 

Over the years New Zealand 

has had a wide range of 

immigration policies to 

attract migrant investors. 

Some were successful, and some not, 

with policies often to the forefront of 

political leanings as to whether such 

migrants should be enabled to “buy” 

their New Zealand residence. 

The previous investor policy ran 

successfully for over a decade before 

closing in July 2022. During this 

time, it attracted over $12 billion 

of investment into New Zealand. 

Investors had the option of investing 

$10 million for 3 years, or $3 million 

for 4 years. There were incentives 

for investors who invested in active 

investments (eg; the $3 million 

could be reduced to $2.5 million) but 

generally most investments were 

made, understandably, in lower risk 

managed funds and bonds. 

The previous Labour Government 

introduced the current Active Investor 

Plus (AIP) policy in September 2022 

saying – “we want to encourage 

active investment into New Zealand, 

which generates more high-skilled 

jobs and economic growth compared 

to passive investment”. 

It is fair to say the AIP is a highly 

complex policy. Applicants must 

nominally invest $15 million but 

the actual investment amount 

is determined by the weightings 

given to the different acceptable 

investment options. For example, 

investment in Direct Investments 

has a 3 x weighting, meaning only $5 

million investment is required, while 

an investment in Managed Funds 

has a 2 x weighting. Investment in 

NZ listed shares is still available but 

has a 1 x weighting and a maximum 

investment of $7.5 million. The 

full investment amount must be 

transferred within the first six months 

of approval, and the amount to be 

invested in acceptable investments 

must attain 50% within 18 months, 

and 100% within 36 months with 

the full investment term being 48 

months from the date of the initial 

investment. Pending full investment, 

the residual funds are held in Holding 

Investments such as bank deposits 

and Government Bonds. There is an 

English language requirement, and 

the applicant must spend a minimum 

of 117 days in New Zealand during the 

4 year investment term. 

Acceptable Direct Investments and 

Managed Funds are determined solely 

by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise 

who assess and approve applications 

from providers based on particular 

“benefit” criteria. However, NZTE 

does not undertake due diligence 

on these investments meaning 

there is significant onus, and risk, on 

individual investors to undertake their 

own research. Acceptable investment 

options have been limited to date, 

but investment managers are now 

developing more bespoke products 

that better align with both the policy, 

and investor risk appetite. 

To date 47 AIP applications 

have been made although 5 were 

subsequently withdrawn. Of the 

remaining 42 applications, 19 have 

been successful, and 12 have been 

approved but have yet to complete 

their initial investment – while 11 

remain under process. The main 

source countries are USA and Hong 

Kong, followed by Germany, UK 

and China, and around half of the 

investments made to date have been 

into Direct Investments. 

New policies always take time 

to become understood, and to 

gain traction in the market, but 

it is apparent, given the success 

of the previous investor policy, 

that the AIP is facing headwinds 

and some changes to simplify the 

policy settings, and provide more 

mainstream investment options (eg: 

infrastructure bonds?) are needed. 

With the Australian Investor 

Programme (BIIP) effectively closed, 

New Zealand is well positioned 

to benefit from migrant investors 

looking to relocate down-under. The 

AIP is our only investor visa option 

currently and requires significant 

professional guidance to navigate its 

complexity – it is definitely not for the 

faint hearted! 

Pictured from left at the Tokoroa event were Rob Finlayson (Waikato Chamber) Company X founder 

David Hallett, Gareth van der Heyden of Better Eggs, Swift’s Amanda Hema, Te Pukenga executive 

director Huia Haeata and LM4 group chief Tjay Asiata. 

Waikato Chamber 

of Commerce has 

put its lens on the 

South Waikato. 

Chief executive Don 

Good said in collaboration 

with the South Waikato 

Investment Fund Trust 

(Swift) “our intention is to 

initiate activities through a 

proposed Waikato Chamber 

membership that will add 

value to businesses in South 

Waikato through advocacy 

and lobbying, networking 

events, social media activity 

to raise brand awareness, and 

connections with businesses 

in the wider Waikato region”. 

Business leaders travelled 

to Tokoroa last month for an 

event hosted by the chamber 

and supported by Swift and 

Wintec/Toi Ohomai. 

Speakers included 

David Hallett, co-founder 

of software innovator 

Company-X, Tjay Asiata, 

Group chief executive of 

Pasifika-owned LM4 Group 

and Better Eggs chief Gareth 

van der Heyden. 

Good said the 

establishment of 

many more innovative 

businesses, in the areas 

of forestry, engineering, 

home construction, social 

services and the education 

in Tokoroa and Putāruru 

created a demand for 

better connections with 

regional, national and global 

companies. 

Swift chief Amanda Hema 

said her organisation and 

the Waikato Chamber were 

complementary with Swift 

focusing more on local 

capability development 

and the chamber being 

able to provide regional, 

national and international 

connections. 

Messages from 

Wahine toa 

www.pathwaysnz.com 

Level 2 

586 Victoria Street 

Hamilton 3204 

0508PATHWAYS 

enquiries@pathwaysnz.com 

Level 3 

50 Manners Street 

Wellington 6011 

Lisa Tamati was among the speakers for International Women’s Day. 

Tokoroa-born entrepreneur Anna Mowbray, 

who co-founded multi-billion-dollar toy 

manufacturer Zuru inspired senior students 

as part of International Women's Day. 

Mowbray was joined by other successful 

women from various backgrounds including 

Taranaki based ultra distance runner Lisa 

Tamati who spoke to 150 Year 12 and 13 

women from South Waikato schools at the 

Tokoroa Event Centre. 

Māori and Cook Island producer and 

director Lanita Ririnui, executive director 

of Ngā Aho Whakaari Māori In Screen - 

an organisation that advocates for Māori 

representation in the screen industry - was 

the opening speaker. 

The event is co-funded by Swift – the 

South Waikato Investment Fund Trust 

- which is a community-owned economic 

development fund dedicated to the growth 

and development of business in South 

Waikato.


5 

‘Untenable’ hit for tourism 

Just when tourism is coming out of its Covid nightmare, 

councils around the Waikato are cutting their funding to the 

regional promotion organisation driving the recovery. Senior 

writer Mary Anne Gill looks at what that could mean for Waikato. 

The jobs of more than 

12,000 people are at 

risk from funding cuts 

by Waikato local authorities 

in the tourism sector. 

As Hamilton and Waikato 

Tourism chief executive 

Nicola Greenwell completes 

her reporting round of six 

council funders – including 

a presentation at Waipā 

District Council’s finance 

and corporate committee 

late last month – alarm bells 

are ringing. 

Hamilton, Waikato, 

Waitomo and Waipā have 

all signalled they will slash 

funding from July 1 as they 

grapple with balancing the 

books in the most testing 

environment for local 

authorities in decades. 

Matamata-Piako will stay 

firm while Ōtorohanga has 

yet to decide. 

In a swipe at the short 

sightedness of the decision, 

Hamilton and Waikato 

Tourism chair Richard 

Leggat said the 43 per 

cent across the board 

funding cut would make 

the organisation’s work 

“untenable”. 

“Tourism directly employs 

more than 12,000 people 

across the region and is a key 

contributor to the region’s 

GDP, providing $1.9 billion 

in visitor spending every 

year. 

“It provides jobs, enriches 

culture and provides 

community vibrancy 

through its support for cafes, 

restaurants, hospitality 

venues and events in our 

city and towns,” he said. 

The regional tourism 

organisation’s role is to 

increase international 

and domestic leisure 

and business travel, lead 

destination management, 

marketing, business events 

and conventions. 

Its funding comes from 

tourism operators and local 

authorities. 

Waikato has the fifth 

highest share at 6.3 per 

cent of the lucrative 

tourism market having such 

attractions as Waitomo 

Caves, Hobbiton, Sanctuary 

Mountain Maungatautari, 

Hamilton Gardens, Te Awa 

River Ride and Raglan. 

It also hosts nearly 10 

per cent of New Zealand’s 

business events attracting 

about 95,000 delegates a 

year. 

“Tourism is a real asset to 

our region and the benefits 

it brings suggest council 

investment in our regional 

tourism organisation pays 

for itself many times over,” 

said Leggat. 

The continued 

investment in the regional 

tourism organisation 

should be viewed not 

only as an investment 

in an organisation, but 

in the social, cultural, 

environmental and 

economic wellbeing of our 

communities. 

The hundreds of local jobs 

and hundreds of millions 

of dollars spent by visitors 

make continued investment 

a no-brainer.” 

Support for a funding 

rethink came from 

Hobbiton’s Russell 

Alexander, Nick Andreef 

of Waitomo Adventures 

and Helen Somerville from 

Sanctuary Mountain who all 

point to an impressive post- 

Covid recovery. 

Pulling funding would 

jeopardise that growth like it 

did in 2006 when Hamilton 

Lynette Smith, centre, with Japanese students she hosted at her Tamahere lifestyle property, poses 

for a photo at the Rural Tours pick up in Cambridge. 

Photo: Supplied. 

and Waikato Tourism’s 

predecessor closed. 

Visitor numbers, spend, 

bed nights and employment 

all suffered for five years 

before the organisation’s 

revival in 2011. 

Greenwell told Waipā 

district councillors her 

organisation worked on 17 

regional conference bids in 

the last six months: winning 

four and losing six. A lack 

of higher end and overall 

accommodation availability 

was a factor behind the lost 

bids. 

Working alongside 

Tourism New Zealand, 


Tourism was bidding for 

an international conference 

which would bring 250 

academics from around the 

world to the Waikato. 

Summer data was not 

available yet, but operators 

were reporting record, or 

near record, visits. 

“We hear of some 

operators being fully 

booked, with the overflow 

benefitting neighbouring 

smaller operators. Visitors 

from USA and Australia are 

the larger component of 

international manuhiri; with 

great domestic visitation 

also occurring,” she said. 


Tourism wants people 

to “stand up” for tourism 

when local authorities open 

consultation on their annual 

and long term plans. 

“Now is the time for people 

to stand up for tourism, 

events and hospitality 

sectors and the multitude of 

flow on benefits they provide 

to Waikato communities. 

We will continue fighting 

hard for our sector – there’s 

too much at risk not to,” said 

Leggat. 

• See Industry in danger, 

page 8. 

At Bayleys, we believe relationships are what 

businesses are built on and how they succeed. 

We understand that to maximise the return 

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A business partner that understands your 

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Contact the Bayleys Waikato Commercial 

Property Management team today. 

Jan Cooney 

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027 408 9339 

jan.cooney@bayleys.co.nz 

David Cashmore 

Director, Bayleys Commercial - Waikato 

021 943 305 

david.cashmore@bayleys.co.nz 

Gert Maritz 

Senior Facilities Manager - 

Waikato, Bay of Plenty & Taranaki 

027 230 2514 

gert.maritz@bayleys.co.nz 

Rasa Gecaite-Vienazindis 

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021 077 7873 

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Out and about… 

More Out and about photos wbn.co.nz 

Send us your contributions to Out and about – editor@goodlocal.nz 

Peter Watt, president of the Cambridge Woodturners, hard at work making Easter Egg cup holders 

at the Cambridge Autumn Festival's Main Street Carnival and Art Market. Photo: Mary Anne Gill. 

Yonatan, Inbar, Noga, 3, and Ella, 1, Weissler 

moved to Cambridge from Israel four months 

ago and are loving the town, particularly the 

recent Autumn Festival carnival day. Yonatan 

and Inbar are working as software engineers 

Tuahu Watene from Workforce Development 

Council Ringa Hora and South Waikato District 

councillor Thomas Lee pictured during the 

March Waikato Chamber of Commerce event in 

Tokoroa. 

Cambridge High School Arts committee co-chairs Mirinae Kang, left and Ally Smith at the art 

exhibition in the school's new $12.4 million classroom block. Photo: Steph Bell-Jenkins. 

Innovation Park in Hamilton. 

Photo: Mary Anne Gill. 

The Trenwiths entertained at the Foster Construction 50th anniversary bash at Claudelands in 

Hamilton last month. The band are Paul Trenwith, founder of the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band, 

his sons and a nephew who play three generations of music - a mix of modern songs, folk songs 

and old-time bluegrass music. Photo: Supplied. 

Bringing in a new perspective 

ADVERTORIAL 

Hamilton-based Braun Bond 

and Lomas (BBL) is going to 

become even better on April 1, 

when Erin Anderson becomes 

a Director. 

It’s not that she is new to BBL, one 

of the largest litigation firms outside of 

Auckland. The talented lawyer had been 

part of the team prior to leaving and 

working with another local large and 

well-respected legal firm for four years. 

“I have a very strong connection with 

Braun Bond and Lomas” Erin says. 

“Despite enjoying where I was, I 

really looked forward to the next stage 

of my career at BBL.” 

Erin says she brings a different focus 

and approach which will complement 

the already strong directorial team of 

Toby Braun, Kevin Bond and Kieran 

Lomas. 

“They are very well known, with 

consistently good, expert approaches 

in their specialized areas of litigation,” 

she says. 

“I believe I bring a good balance to 

that, focusing on client-driven results 

with a refreshed approach.” 

In addition to having a broad 

commercial litigation practice, Erin 

has focused on employment law in 

the past, and she has recently been 

involved in what turned out to be the 

largest Employment Court award in 

New Zealand history. 

“Toby and I argued the case; 

however, it was a huge team effort 

which would not have run near as 

smoothly without the support of 

the BBL team. It was a significant 

court case that resulted in two large 

judgments, with the net result being 

“They are very 

well known, with 

consistently good, 

expert approaches 

in their specialized 

areas of litigation.” 

the largest employment award ever 

made in New Zealand – with new 

law being made, which made it quite 

exciting.” 

“We are always looking for the best 

results for our clients – and this was 

certainly one of the most satisfying 

outcomes after a long process.” 

Kevin, the Managing Director of 

BBL, says that the three directors are 

looking forward to having Erin at the 

management table. 

“Erin introduces a unique approach 

which is different to the three of us. Her 

perspective will help us improve,” he 

says. 

“It’s a very exciting time; it’s the 

first time a new director has been 

appointed since 2016. “And, more 

than 10 years into the life of the firm, 

we are a more mature operation now 

in a lot of ways. We pride ourselves 

on our willingness to change and try 

new ways of doing things, and having 

BBL directors, Kieran Lomas, Kevin Bond, Erin Anderson, Toby Braun. 

a new director around the table, with 

a fresh perspective will bring an extra 

dimension to the business.” 

The firm’s focus is entirely on 

dispute resolution and litigation, 

and their strong team with its 

excellent legal networking means it 

has access to expert knowledge for 

every conceivable kind of dispute 

that might arise. This could include 

anything from commercial and 

residential property leases and sales 

agreements, farming, employment 

issues, tax issues, consumer law or 

Resource Management Act, through to 

relationship property. 

While advocacy for clients is 

important, and resolution of disputes 

before court action is usually the 

preferred course of action, litigation via 

courts is often a necessary step, and 

Braun Bond and Lomas is proud of its 

reputation for fighting on behalf of its 

clients, and for the results it achieves.


Out and about… 

More Out and about photos wbn.co.nz 

Send us your contributions to Out and about – editor@goodlocal.nz 

7 

Long-time Waikato Times feature editor and columnist Denise Irvine, who is also a marriage 

celebrant, caught up with Jane Thompson who won the open photography section at the 

Cambridge Autumn Festival. Thompson is the first bride Irvine married several years ago. 

 


St John’s College Hamilton hospitality students, from left Aston Fitzgerald and Ben Vanderschantz 

with maths teacher and fill in waiter Jackie Shi at In the Frame, an art expo hosted by St John’s 

College Foundation to raise money for a new chapel at the school. 

Photo: Mary Anne Gill 

The Waikato Modern Choir – Mosaic – in full voice during the Cambridge Autumn Festival. 

 


The new National Party Cambridge branch committee with Taupō MP Louise Upston after their 

annual meeting last month is from left: Brownen Byers, Upston, chair Ruth Crampton, Jo Gordon, 

Warwick Kiely and Gerard Charteris. 


Help shape the future 

Hamilton Kirikiriroa 

Share your voice on the 

2024-34 Long-Term Plan 

Every three years we develop our Long-Term Plan. 

It sets our major projects, budgets and financial 

strategy for the next 10 years. 

We're focusing on: 

⋅ looking after what we've got 

⋅ delivering the essentials 

⋅ balancing the books. 

Have we got the balance right? 

Read more information and share your voice. 

hamilton.govt.nz/futurehamilton 

Feedback closes 21 April 2024


Want Some Really 

Interesting Insights? 

– Podcast / Interview 

ADVERTORIAL 

MORTGAGE ADVICE 

Brighter times 

ahead? By CLAIRE WILLIAMSON 

An interview with Scott 

Pritchard, Chief Executive 

of Precinct Properties 

https://youtu.be/RViSLH1U_ 

UE?si=IjyHkauJg6zIqm2Z 

This is an insightful interview with 

Madison, that sheds light of debt 

levels, different funding sources and 

the benefits of having a portfolio of 

quality assets, evening in a challenging 

environment. Rarely are you given facts 

and figures in an openly candid forum. 

Well worth a watch and less than 20 

minutes. 

Real Estate of Mind – The 

REINZ Property Podcast 

How to thrive in Commercial And 

Industrial real estate in 2024 

https://open.spotify.com/ 

episode/1IG7uBk5sua08uY0Axial6 

Andrew Stringer, Managing Director of 

CBRE New Zealand, and Carl Johnson 

of NAI Harcourts in Invercargill, join 

host Jen Baird of REINZ to discuss 

trends in C&I real estate, how 

businesses 

are thinking 

about 

people and 

property in 

a post covid 

world, and 

how data 

is shaping 

future 

demand. 

What I took out of it, is that the 

market is much more sophisticated 

and educated today. There is no doubt, 

currently it’s a challenging environment 

out there. But we live in a cyclical world, 

so it’s more about being mindful of 

the depth and length of these cycles, 

such as the one we are in today. We 

are bottoming out, so the question 

remains when will we see lift-off ? the 

second half of 2024 appears to be the 

stronger bet. 

Office 

Occupier demand is being driven by 

location, amenity (within the building 

or adjacent) and quality of the space. 

There is positivity at one end of the 

market – and significant challenges 

at the other, as this drive to quality 

continues for businesses looking to 

attract and retain staff. For those at 

the “other end” of the quality scale, 

reduced rental invariably means 

reduced value. 

As with all businesses, we need to 

look at how people are working 

and how they want to work. 

Businesses will continue to 

evaluate what their footprints 

look like - decisions need to be 

made that bring people back 

into the office, more 

often than not. The 

biggest challenge as a 

leader in a business is 

culture - and culture 

can’t be left to 

chance. It was interesting to note that 

in the United States, many corporates 

still work in cellular offices, have longer 

commutes and stayed away during the 

pandemic for longer, hence a habit that 

has been more difficult to break. 

Retail & Industrial 

While it is not a new, we now see 

an increased and direct intertwining 

of retail and how it is connected to 

logistics. Tainui Group Holdings and 

the Ruakura Inland Port highlights this, 

with the K-Mart distribution centre 

eventually removing 65,000 long haul 

truck journeys off the road annually, 

within the golden triangle. 

Retail is either about experience 

or convenience. Experience where 

you stay longer and enjoy the whole 

experience, not just the purchase 

experience, and convenience where 

its super slick and easy. Therefore, it 

highlights how malls are better able 

to control the shopping environment, 

than high streets. 

What is the market needing, to 

generate activity ? 

• Reliability of outlook, which appears 

to be getting closer. CPI figures are 

progressively looking more positive 

• Greater certainty around 

government policy. This relates to 

infrastructure and how its going to 

be funded. Government and Council 

processes just take too long. It’s 

unfortunate, but sometimes a quick 

no, can be better than a long yes. 

Business Fundamentals 

Not just in commercial real estate, 

but there were a number of take outs 

for many industries, as it relates to 

success, particularly for those that are 

self employed. 

“You won’t always 

be motivated, so 

you must always 

be disciplined” 

Andrew Stringer 

• The best lessons are often the hard 

ones. 

• Trust is something that doesn’t 

happen overnight – its something 

that you continue to build and 

therefore continues to grow. 

• Integrity comes from repeat 

business, which is built on trust and 

respect. 

I would strongly suggest that 

anyone with an interest in commercial 

and industrial real estate, should watch 

the interview with Scott Pritchard and 

listen to the Podcast with Andew 

Stringer and Carl Johnson – there 

will be take outs for everyone. 

New Zealand doesn’t have a true capital 

gains tax when it comes to the property 

market (something that property investors, 

economists and central government are 

divided upon) but we do have a funny little 

piece of tax legislation called the Bright Line 

Test. 

And there have been some big changes 

announced to the current rules in March, 

which have the potential to change the game 

for property investors and make it cool 

(and financially beneficial) to own multiple 

properties once again. 

So what’s this “test” and how does it affect 

the market? 

Put simply, the Bright Line Test requires 

income tax to be paid on the capital gain on 

a property between the time it is purchased 

and sold. But the most relevant part is the 

length of time an investor must wait before 

they are no longer required to pay tax. 

The previous government, under pressure 

amid a red hot property market in 2020 and 

2021, extended the bright line test out to 

5 years for new build homes, and 10 years 

for existing homes. This meant that if a 

property was bought and sold within those 

time frames, there would be tax payable on 

any capital gain. 

They also reduced the ability for residential 

property investors to claim the cost of loan 

interest as an expense to their businesses, 

a move that put a lot of highly leveraged 

owners under financial pressure. 

In a simple example, an investor who 

may have borrowed $500,000 to purchase 

a property which received $500 a week in 

rent is now paying just under $35,000 a 

year in interest costs, and receiving just over 

$25,000 a year in rent. 

They’re covering an extra $10,000 year 

over and above the rent they receive, and 

with interest deductibility removed (or 

treated as if it doesn’t exist as an expense), 

they were also paying income tax on the 

rent, of around $8500. 

Plenty would say this isn’t a bad thing, and 

that investors and developers had benefited 

significantly from the gains since Covid- 

19, but the reality we’ve seen has been 

the “Mum and Dad investors” battling to 

cover their tax obligations, and this in turn 

TOURISM 

We knew this year would be challenging 

with our six funding councils looking at their 

Long Term Plans (LTP) for the 2025-2035 

period, with all areas of the budget coming 

under close scrutiny. 

Based on what we know from the 

consultation process so far, we have grave 

and growing concerns about proposed 

council funding cuts for Hamilton and 

Waikato Tourism (HWT) and the resulting 

impact on our Waikato visitor sector. 

At a meeting last November, Hamilton 

City councillors voted in favour of the draft 

LTP budget with a 50 per cent cut to funding 

for HWT, equating to $357,000. 

Similar funding reductions are being 

tabled by some of the other five Waikato 

councils that partner us – Waipā District 

Council is proposing a 20 per cent decrease, 

Waikato District Council a 50 per cent 

reduction, Waitomo District Council have 

indicated a significant cut, Matamata-Piako 

District Council are proposing to hold and at 

affecting the availability of rental properties 

in the market. 

What has concerned me is that the supply 

of new rentals had dried up – and the 

incentives to build new, with cheaper lending 

options, weren’t large enough to cover the 

significant drop in yields for investors. 

After all, we have to look at this like 

any business – is the return on the capital 

required to run the business significant 

enough to warrant the risk of purchasing a 

property in an uncertain market, topping up 

the mortgage, finding good quality tenants, 

and meeting all the government obligations? 

For many would-be investors, that risk was 

too high, and cashflow wasn’t there, so 

they chose to invest in shares, funds, or 

businesses. 

The new government sees this differently 

and has made some big changes to the way 

they’ll treat residential property investors 

heading forward. They’ve reduced the Bright 

Line Test to two years rather than 10 years, 

and will phase interest deductibility back in 

over the next two financial years. 

With surging migration and still a relative 

lack of new build properties as rising costs of 

building has slowed or put a stop to projects, 

property is still in demand, and it just got a 

little bit more attractive to own one. 

Does that mean the housing market is 

going to surge? I don’t think so. 

With interest rates till at decade long 

highs and most mainstream banks offering 

one year rates in the late six, there are still 

plenty of people who don’t meet the criteria 

for purchasing multiple properties, and few 

investors are seeing yields that match or 

get close to their expense costs to run a 

property. 

But I do think the changes announced will 

support modest capital growth across our 

region in 2024-2025. The Official Cash Rate 

is expected to decline in the coming years 

and that will relieve rate pressure from most 

households. 

So while the horizon isn’t likely to bring 

sunshine and rainbows anytime soon, there 

are bright sparks out there we certainly can’t 

ignore. 

• Claire Williamson is a mortgage advisor 

for My Mortgage 

Industry in 

danger By NICOLA GREENWELL 

the time of writing this, Ōtorohanga District 

Council is yet to confirm their funding 

decision. 

HWT’s annual operating budget at $1.343 

million is already one of the lowest across 

the country – only three of New Zealand’s 

31 regional tourism organisations receive 

less per capita. The relatively small savings 

in council budgets will have a huge impact 

on our activity and will put at risk millions 

of dollars in visitor spending, which impacts 

business sustainability and jobs. 

Currently, tourism directly employs 

more than 12,000 people across the region 

and is a key contributor to the region’s 

GDP, providing $1.9billion a year in visitor 

spending - adding an average of $5.1 million 

each day to the region’s economy. 

It provides jobs, enriches culture and 

provides community vibrancy through its 

support for cafes, restaurants, hospitality 

venues and events in our city and towns. 

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12


9 

Leading a team in tune 

Catherine Gibson knew as soon as she picked up the oboe it 

was her musical instrument of choice. Senior writer Mary Anne 

Gill finds out where that passion led her. 

An orchestra is like a 

rugby team, made up 

of assorted sizes and 

shapes who all know what 

their roles and positions are. 

Catherine Gibson, the 

Hamilton-based chief 

executive of Orchestras 

Central - Ngā Tira Pūoru 

o te Pokapū – can spot 

whether someone is playing 

an instrument they are 

comfortable with like a rugby 

coach can pick a hooker or a 

flanker. 

She gives herself as an 

example. Born in England 

and raised in Loughborough 

in the Midlands, Gibson’s 

parents were wondering 

which instrument their 

daughter might be interested 

in. 

There was never any doubt. 

“Oboe – it’s always the 

one I chose as a child,” she 

recalls. 

“It was the sound. It’s 

very beautiful. It plays a 

really important part in 

the orchestra and often has 

beautiful solos to play.” 

And it is the oboe which 

even today, Gibson, now in 

her 60s, is passionate about. 

An anonymous donor 

recently donated two oboes 

to Orchestras Central and 

you can bet she had a part 

in that. 

Gibson joined Orchestras 

Central three years ago as 

chief executive. 

She began her musical 

career in the United 

Kingdom as a professional 

oboist, free-lancing with 

orchestras and small 

chamber groups that toured 

with music societies. She 

also managed the London 

Conchord Ensemble. 

Gibson and her then 

husband, also an oboist, 

moved to New Zealand 

because they thought it 

was the best place to raise 

their two children Todd 

and Bryony – who went 

on to become professional 

musicians. 

“He was always 

surrounded by ‘double reed’ 

madness,” says Gibson of 

Todd who is now a bassoonist 

with the Sydney Symphony 

Orchestra. Bryony is a violist 

with the Marmen Quartet, 

a London based chamber 

music group. 

Gibson has spent most of 

her musical career teaching 

and says choosing the right 

instrument for people is 

crucial. 

“You’ve got a student for 

the first time, you want to see 

if they have a spark, if they 

have the feel, or the sound. 

You can usually find out quite 

quickly.” 

Seeing her own children’s 

development in music 

makes Gibson attuned to the 

opportunities and challenges 

open to young New Zealand 

musicians. 

She graduated from 

Victoria University with a 

Bachelor of Music in oboe 

performance and the history 

and literature of music then 

taught in central Otago and 

Canterbury. 

“We lived in Christchurch 

when we had the earthquakes. 

That was really challenging, 

my kids were at school. 

The two to three years of 

aftershocks was exhausting.” 

So, she moved to 

Wellington to work at 

Chamber Music New Zealand 

as artistic manager and then 

chief executive until April 

2021. 

Post Covid she was looking 

for other opportunities. 

“The whole idea of 

wellbeing and social 

connectivity became hugely 

important.” 

She secured the chief 

executive job at Orchestras 

Central and moved to 

the Waikato, settling in 

Cambridge. 

Catherine Gibson backstage at Cambridge Town Hall checking out the lighting and acoustics for an 

orchestral performance. Photo: Mary Anne Gill. 

Every year more than 

10,000 people end up 

connecting with one of the 

orchestras which take music 

out into communities – last 

year to Huntly, Te Awamutu, 

Putāruru, Raglan and into 

Cambridge for the Autumn 

Festival. 

“Our mission is to connect 

with Waikato and the arts.” 

Comfortable Classical has 

been an enormous success 

– the latest was held in the 

Cambridge Town Hall last 

month during the Autumn 

Festival. 

“We’re never quite sure 

who will come. It’s really 

designed for people who feel 

uncomfortable in a normal 

concert.” 

The Orchestras Central 

Trust Ensemble played a sellout 

Vivaldi by Candelight 

concert at the festival and the 

Youth Orchestra wrapped the 

10-day event up with its Fire 

and Romance concert. 

Gibson is proud of the fact 

that people can now see more 

than 30 orchestral events a 

year in Waikato provided by 

over 300 musicians. 

“The focus on the arts 

tends to be Auckland and 

Wellington. We’re changing 

that.” 

Hamilton has first class 

facilities and places like the 

Cambridge Town Hall with 

its “amazing acoustics” can 

provide a satellite venue for 

orchestral music. 

Working in the Gallagher 

Academy of the Performing 

Arts at Waikato University – 

Orchestras Central’s strategic 

partner - is something Gibson 

adores. “I love the university 

campus. It’s beautiful.” 

But it is music and getting 

it out to the masses which 

has always driven her since 

she started playing that oboe 

all those years ago. 

“Music is an art form 

that can create all sorts of 

emotions, it has so much 

potential. 

“If you change the life of 

one person, it’s going to have 

a knock on affect.” 

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A chapel in the frame 

For 70 years, Waikato’s only 

Catholic secondary school boys’ 

college has been without a chapel. 

Senior writer Mary Anne Gill goes 

to an art expo which the foundation 

behind it hopes will have spiritual 

results. 

If walls could talk, the old 

gymnasium at St John’s 

College in Hamilton 

would have hundreds of 

stories to tell. 

Another one was added to 

the list last month with an 

art expo fundraiser. 

In the Frame, organised 

by the St John’s College 

Foundation, ran over three 

days and featured the 

work of 56 artists and 148 

artworks. 

Curator Caroline 

Peacocke attracted a diverse 

group of artists and artistic 

expressions including work 

from current and past 

students, a staff member 

and parent. 

Money raised from the 

expo – about a third of 

the artwork sold over the 

three days - goes towards 

repurposing the old gym 

into a multi-purpose space 

with a dedicated sanctuary 

area. 

At a gala opening, 

principal Shane Tong said 

the boys-only Catholic 

school – which opened on 

its Hillcrest Road site next 

to Waikato University in 

1962 - did not have its own 

chapel. 

“For many years, we’ve 

dreamt of St John’s College 

having a chapel onsite which 

will provide a sacred space 

for our students and wider 

community.” 

The school could host a 

fortnightly Mass for its 

more than 500 students 

and provide performing art 

space for up to 100 people. 

There would also be a 

quiet space for prayer and 

reflection. 

Foundation chair David 

Kilbride of Cambridge, 

who attended the college 

from 1981-1985 and has a 

history in the agricultural 

industry, said he hoped the 

expo would bring the wider 

college community together, 

build connections and raise 

funds for the college. 

The launch night featured 

Guests, including Bishop Richard Laurenson, at the In the Frame art fundraiser at St John’s College in Hamilton. Photo: Mary Anne Gill. 

several old boys including 

new Catholic bishop Richard 

Laurenson, who attended 

the school at the same time 

as Tong, new papal knight 

Paul Barnett and business 

leaders from around the 

Waikato. 

The school’s hospitality 

students prepared canapes 

and helped with service, 

other students set the event 

up, welcomed visitors and 

answered questions while 

the St John’s College Jazz 

combo entertained. 

Marketing and 

Communications 

coordinator Gaby Douglas 

said the whole Catholic 

community came together 

to help. 

The foundation – founded 

in 1999 - is a charitable trust 

which receives donations, 

grants and bequests on 

behalf of the school and 

organises fundraisers for 

projects such as the upgrade 

of the Number One playing 

field’s spectator area, the 

new Marcellin Centre 

gymnasium, the tennis and 

hockey centre and various 

scholarships. 

Riding the Wave: The Rising Popularity 

of Business Events 

ADVERTORIAL 

2024 has kicked off with a series 

of Chamber events that have 

been a roaring success so 

much so that many have sold 

out and we’ve had to put people on 

waiting lists. It’s been wonderful to 

see our members using these events 

as opportunities to network, make 

new connections, and learn things 

along the way. Many of our members 

are telling us that they are seeing the 

value in events from a networking 

perspective and that by attending, 

swapping business stories and 

meeting new people, that’s translating 

into opportunities to grow their 

businesses. 

Check out some of the photos below 

of this year’s events. 

2024 WAIKATO BUSINESS AWARDS 

The most highly anticipated business 

event of the year – Waikato Chamber 

of Commerce Business Awards, supported 

by Fosters Construction will 

take place on Friday 15 November at 

Globox Arena, Claudelands. Award 

entries open on Monday 29 April. 

I encourage you to take a look at our 

website for more information and 

to see what award category might 

suit your business. waikatochamber. 

co.nz/waikato-business-awards/ 

There are many more events coming 

up so be sure to check out the events 

tab on the Chamber website and get 

in early to secure your spot. You can 

also check out our social media pages 

for any photos and videos we take 

at events of our speakers and guests. 

Rebecca Aston, Events and Marketing 

Manager, Waikato Chamber of Commerce 

Thanks to our event sponsors: 

Connect - Grow - Inspire - Represent


11


OUR ENVIRONMENT 

Industry in danger 

Consultation 

season By PHIL MACKAY 

We’re very fortunate in New Zealand to 

live in a fairly stable democracy. The flipside 

of this is that we’re generally becoming 

more apathetic, and often only engage with 

political issues after decisions have been 

made that affect us negatively. 

We then typically ask why there wasn’t 

more consultation. 

Well right now, in local government at 

least, there’s more consultation than you can 

shake a stick at. Local councils are facing 

a perfect storm of cost inflation, increased 

interest rates, and a drop in revenue, leaving 

a significant hole in their finances. They 

are therefore in the unenviable position 

of proposing double-digit rates increases, 

and seeking public feedback on a range 

of initiatives to reduce costs and increase 

revenue. 

Hamilton City Council is consulting on its 

2024-2034 Long Term Plan, closing on April 

21. Alongside the LTP, the council is asking 

for feedback on their revenue and financing 

policy, rates remissions and postponements 

policy, development contributions policy and 

growth funding policy. 

Some key points of interest from Hamilton 

City’s consultation include feedback on the 

proposed walking and cycling bridge, part of a 

contract with the Infrastructure Acceleration 

Fund which delivers $150 million of central 

government funding for HCC. 

There is also a proposal to remove two 

hours free parking in the central city area 

and introduce ‘demand responsive pricing’ 

with new technology. Proposed Development 

Contributions are a significant increase, 

particularly in the Peacocke growth area and 

some infill areas. 

Matamata Piako District Council is also 

consulting on their Long Term Plan until 

April 21. It includes a range of proposals to 

limit new spending, while highlighting a few 

key projects that they view as priorities. 

Waikato Regional Council is about to 

begin consultation (April 2 – May 2) on 

their Long Term Plan, which covers a host of 

environmental issues, Public Transport, flood 

protection and natural hazard infrastructure. 

In Waipā District, council have opted for 

an “enhanced annual plan” process, which 

enables them to defer the Long Term Plan 

decision-making until next year. 

Waipā is consulting to April 26 on proposed 

fees and charges and Cambridge Connections 

Of particular note is the Cambridge 

Connections transport plan. 

Waipā is seeking feedback on options, which 

include potential locations for an additional 

bridge in Cambridge and the proposal to limit 

the existing Victoria (high-level) Bridge to 

pedestrian and cycle traffic only. 

Likewise, Waikato District Council is 

presenting an enhanced annual plan which is 

also open for feedback until April 26. 

Whether you’re concerned about increased 

rates or rent, or worried about service cuts or 

key projects, I strongly suggest you take the 

opportunity to have your say on the decisions 

that are being made by our local councils 

right now. 

They can be easily found on most council 

websites, and while I’ve covered a few of the 

councils around the Hamilton Metro area 

here, other councils in the Waikato are also 

consulting. 

• Phil Mackay is Business Development 

Manager for Paua Architects 

The Cancer Society 

would like to thank the business 

community for supporting 

Relay For Life 

With your help, we can 

continue to support people 

with cancer and their 

whānau across the Waikato, 

giving them an easier 

path through their cancer 

journey. 

Your support helps provide 

free accommodation 

at the Cancer Society’s 

Lions Lodge, transport to 

treatment, advice from an 

experienced nurse, access 

to counselling and more. 

To find out more about what we do, 

please visit cancer.org.nz 

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 

Our share of the market sees the Waikato 

ranked fifth highest when it comes to visitor 

spend and we host 9.7 per cent of all New 

Zealand business events, attracting 94,400 

delegates last year. 

So, some may say that tourism is already 

doing well and therefore continued sustained 

investment in regional tourism organisations 

(RTO) isn’t required. However, we know that 

the compounded investment to date in the 

RTO from our council partners has enabled 

and assisted these great results, and any 

significant funding cuts have the potential 

to have a devastating impact on the many 

Waikato businesses and residents that directly 

and indirectly rely on the visitor sector for 

their livelihoods. 

National and international figures 

clearly show that reductions or cessation in 

investment creates a loss of momentum, and 

the growth trajectory and market share of 

visitators is detrimentally impacted. 

In fact, it happened here before when the 

Waikato organisation was closed in 2006. 

There was a clear decline in visitor numbers, 

spend, bed nights and employment until 2011 

when the RTO was re-established, and the 

growth trajectories began to return. 

This is because it is the conductor of the 

visitor sector orchestra – working behind the 

scenes to bring the industry together and 

to facilitate, drive and enable growth. We 

are the delivery arm for Councils to achieve 

success across many of LTP outcomes such 

as economic benefit, environmental care, 

infrastructure development and community 

pride. It is a partnership of mutual benefit, 

and the Council’s continued investment in the 

RTO should be viewed as an investment in the 

social, cultural, environmental and economic 

wellbeing of the communities we operate in. 

Of course we understand, like all businesses, 

councils up and down the country are 

facing rising costs, tight budgets, and tough 

decisions; some of which are needed to reset 

the fiscal situation into the future. However, 

as a high performing and valuable sector, 

their investment and partnership in tourism 

and the hundreds of local jobs and millions 

of dollars in visitor spending should not be 

sacrificed. 

Public consultation on the city and districts’ 

draft Long-Term Plans takes place in March 

and April, and we encourage everyone who 

directly and indirectly benefits from the visitor 

sector to have their say. 

Now is the time for people to stand up for 

tourism, events and hospitality sectors and 

the multitude of flow-on benefits they provide 

to Waikato communities - there’s too much at 

risk not to. 

• Nicola Greenwell is Chief Executive, 

Hamilton and Waikato Tourism 

Wānanga’s new scholarships 

Two new Te Wānanga o Aotearoa 

scholarships honour men who were crucial to 

its establishment. 

The wānanga relaunched scholarships last 

year and is adding three news ones in 2024. 

Te Tumuaki Rongo H Wetere Scholarship 

recognises a tauira Māori who is the first in 

their whānau to study at a tertiary level. 

Boy Mangu Mātauranga Māori Waharoa 

Scholarship recognises a tauira who 

Creating strong 

foundations to thrive 

Nestled in the suburb of 

Te Rapa in Hamilton is a 

haven for young minds – the 

Barnardos Early Learning 

Centre. Led by Centre Manager 

Paridhi Bohra, this vibrant space 

fosters the love of learning for tamariki 

in the community. 

With over a decade of experience, 

Paridhi understands the crucial role 

early learning plays. With the team, 

they champion tamariki by providing 

a supportive environment during their 

critical first 1000 days, a period when 

80% of a child’s brain development 

occurs. 

“We believe each child deserves the 

best start. Our team nurtures a love of 

learning through engaging activities, 

ensuring their social, emotional and 

learning development thrive so they 

are set up for life,” Paridhi says. 

The centre provides a space that 

tamariki can grow and flourish in. 

With light-filled rooms and a spacious 

outdoor playground, it provides a 

nurturing environment that is also 

adventurous. Their focus extends to 

healthy development with a revamped 

food menu offering free nutritious 

meals for the wellbeing of tamariki. 

They also provide fee exemptions for 

the first three months of enrolment. 

demonstrates their commitment to the 

advancement of mātauranga Māori by 

studying a mātauranga programme. 

The third new scholarship is the Te Pou 

Postgraduate Diploma Kaitiakitanga L8 

Scholarship which is awarded to a registered 

health professional who is enrolled in the 

Postgraduate Diploma in Kaitiakitanga L8 

programme. Applications for the scholarships 

run to June 30. 

Centre Manager 

Paridhi Bohra 

ADVERTORIAL 

The Te Rapa centre offers a unique 

whānau support system within the 

centre. As the largest not-for-profit 

early learning provider, they prioritise 

accessibility with flexible options. 

“We’re a family here. We 

understand that whānau needs may 

vary, so we provide support where 

we can to address those needs and 

empower whānau to build a solid 

beginning for their tamariki.” 

The early learning centre is a part 

of the wider Barnardos Aotearoa 

whānau, New Zealand’s leading 

children’s charity. 

Enrol your child today 

at Barnardos Early Learning Te Rapa. 

Visit Barnardosearlylearning.org.nz 

or call 0800 227 627


13 

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10-12 

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@ SIR DON ROWLANDS CENTRE, 

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Karapiro, Cambridge 

FREE PARKING Gate 2 

Adults $5 

Children under 12yrs Free 

Outside Playground 

Onsite Cafe 

This is a zero waste event 

- bring your own reusable bag 

Brought to you by 

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14 SOUTHWELL SCHOOL 


Great lives start 

at Southwell 

In 1921 Southwell boarding started with a gift and 

since then the Southwell Boarding House has sat 

A World-Class education in the Heart of the Waikato, Hamilton City, 

inspiring 

at the 

and 

heart 

nurturing 

of the 

Year 

school 

1 to Year 

and 

8 boys 

served 

and 

thousands 

girls. Growing 

of 

great 

people since 1911. 

students as a home away from home. 

That’s the aim of Southwell School, a day and boarding school nestled in 32 

acres The of new, parklike state-of-the-art grounds just 1.5km from Boarding the city centre. House Southwell has has been a unique 

village made feel possible with its magnificent through 1920’s the architecture immense emphasised generosity throughout of its 

campus. 

Otorohanga couple John and Sarah Oliver and their 

significant gift towards the construction of the new 

With 112 years of tradition to build on, the school puts the focus firmly on 

personalising 

Boarding 

its 

House. 

students’ learning, building relationships and developing 

character. 

John attended Southwell from 1946 to 1950. His 

“Southwell prides itself in offering an educational experience designed to 

inspire 

uncle 

individual 

Mr Robert 

achievement, 

Oliver 

strong 

was 

personal 

Southwell’s 

values and 

first 

confidence 

student 

in life”, 

Headmaster and his father, Jason Speedy Ian and says. uncle Its commitment Brian attended to small class a few sizes and 

continued enhancement of its programme and facilities. 

The campus is world class, including a recently opened modern Junior School 

featuring exceptional classroom spaces, with breakaway and multi-purpose 

areas 

Southwell 

and a purpose 

with 

built 

the 

Alumni 

majority 

Sports Pavilion 

of them 

where 

boarding. 

we can come together 

through sport. Currently under construction are a new purpose built Boarding 

House and a 25m Swimming Pool. 

Southwell Boarders are able to make the most of the magnificent campus and 

are grandmother drawn from Violet Waikato and Constance beyond. “We Oliver have a group who of during around 40-50 

boarders from Year 5 to 8”, Jason says. The routines, structure and care aim to 

the 1920’s was able to financially support the school 

provide a home-like atmosphere where each student’s academic, social, physical 

and during emotional difficult wellbeing times. occur seamlessly, and their life skills are developed like 

no other environment. 

Whether it is in performing arts, sports or academic achievement, an extensive 

range of specialist teaching is offered. Specialist classes are taught by qualified, 

specialist 

for the 

teachers 

benefit 

in well-resourced 

of many Southwell 

facilities. 

generations to 

All learning is underpinned by the Southwell values: 

Integrity, Respect, Caring, Resilience, Creativity and Excellence. 

BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE 

Be the Best You Can Be 

years later. John and Sarah’s son, 17 grandchildren 

and many extended family have also attended 

The Oliver family’s loyalty and commitment to 

Southwell stems back five generations to John’s 

John and Sarah’s ethos of ‘Give with a living hand’ 

has enabled this impressive project to come to life, 

come.


SOUTHWELL SCHOOL 

15 

Southwell School’s 

New Boarding House 

John and Sarah Oliver 

is in 

Southwell’s DNA 

and five years 

“Boarding 

ago we started 

to develop ideas of what a new 

Boarding House would look 

like”, Headmaster Jason Speedy 

says. 

Boarding allows families from within the 

Waikato and other regions to gain a Southwell 

education and for local families to gain from 

the immense benefits of boarding. 

Boarding is an education in itself, where 

the skills of developing relationships and 

learning to be tolerant, patient, accepting, 

collaborative and developing independence is 

constant.” 

Jason Speedy believes boarding leaves a 

significant impression on the mind and 

manner during these incredibly shaping years 

that lasts a lifetime.



Boarding T 

• Very flexible and adaptable to family 

needs and situations. 

• Family-style environment with 

tremendous leisure and relaxation 

zones, passive to sporting, just a 

stride away. 

• Students arrive for their weekly 

boarding either on a Sunday evening 

or Monday morning and go home 

for the weekend either Friday 

afternoon or after Saturday sport. 

Mechanical & 

manufacturing 

Engineering 

We design, analyse, manufacture and maintain 

mechanical, industrial and engineered products and 

systems since 1954. We also provide structural steel 

components for high end architectural and residential 

buildings. 

Our highly experienced engineers utilise the latest 

CAD/BIM technology and provide practical and 

cost-effective solutions. We are committed to quality 

and are ISO 9001:2015 Standard accredited. 

Our Services 

; House Structures 

; Profile Cutting 

; Sculptures 

; Dairy Spray Dryer 

Valve Servicing 

; Stainless Fabrication 

; Mechanical 

; Membrane and UVC 

water disinfection 

systems 

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; Swagelok & 

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; Agriculture Workshop 

; Whirlstream Medical 

Waste Incineration 

; Structural Fabrication 

; Site Installation 

; Gantry Cranes 

Call Now 

PROUDLY BASED IN HAMILTON, 

SERVICING THE WIDER 

WAIKATO REGION FOR 

20 YEARS 

Your guarantee of excellence 

0800 DO IT ALL 

36 48 255 

24 HOUR SERVICE 

Do It Once, Do It Right


SOUTHWELL SCHOOL 

17 

Celebrating the opening of the new boarding house 

Today 

• We have a mix of boarders from 

other regions to students who live 

locally. 

• Short Term stays of several days / a 

few weeks are available on request. 

• Southwell boarding is a caring 

family-based environment. 

• Catering for 50-60 students, 

it’s personalised and extremely 

relational. 

VISION COMPLETE EARTHWORKS LTD 

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• Water, sewer and storm line 

construction Storm Water line 

• Asbestos removal 

• Commercial and Industrial 

construction project 

Phone 07 849 4239 | admin@visioncomplete.co.nz 

www.visioncompleteearthworks.co.nz



Reflections Head Boarders 

Maddy Darke 

This is my second 

year boarding and 

I have loved every 

moment of it and 

made lots of friends 

and met lots of great 

people. 

The things I most 

love about boarding is 

how everyone looks out 

for each other and we’re 

all a big family with our 

own silly little quirks and 

funny personalities. I also 

love the environment the 

Tutors and Housemasters 

encourage, and seeing everyone grow 

and help each other out. 

I love how the Boarding staff 

plan fun events and activities 

like baking nights and valentine 

celebrations. 

Fiachra Kelly 

In the Boarding House I enjoy the 

nice mix of freedom and structure. I 

particularly enjoy going over to the 

music room after school and playing the 

drums. I also enjoy playing basketball 

with the tutors and the other boarders. 

One of my favourite meals here at 

Southwell would have to be the steak 

that we have at Southwell barbecues 

together with chips and mashed potato. 

I enjoy the company of my friends 

because they let me be myself and we 

enjoy each other’s company. 

The tutors here at Southwell inspire 

me to help other people succeed and 

achieve great things in life. I might 

become a tutor here myself when 

I finish school. In the past three 

years I have met so many new 

people from around the world and 

I have made some lifelong friends. 

Ryan and his team 

are proud to be assoicated with the 

Southwell School Project 

BUILDX LIMITED P 0220835724 E Ryanhugill@yahoo.co.nz 

Head Boarders Maddy Darke 

and Fiachra Kelly 

Privileged to be serving the Waikato community for over 40 years 

McAra is now part of the 

nationwide Aquaheat Facility 

Services business. 

 

 

 

Air Conditioning 

 

Maintenance Programme 

24 hour Service 

 

Design & Build 

 

projects 

 

Boilers & Heat Recovery 

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Chillers 

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Proud to be associated with Southwell School’s Oliver Boarding House 

31 Bandon Street, 

Frankton 

(07) 847 2128 

www.mcaraair.co.nz 

admin@mcaraair.co.nz


SWITCHED ON ELECTRICAL 

19 

FEATURE 


Friendship 

forged 

Afriendship forged when 

two boys first started 

school at the age of 5, is 

the basis for the success 

of Switched on Electrical, a business 

that this year, celebrates its 20th 

anniversary. 

Growing up together, and entering 

the same trade as electricians 

meant Michael Horsburgh and Paul 

O’Donnell had the unique ability of 

understanding each other’s dreams 

and aspirations right from the very 

beginning. 

Sharing those dreams and 

aspirations while learning their 

trade meant that it was always 

going to happen that the pair were 

going to go into business and in 

2004, that dream became a reality. 

Since then, the consistent drive 

to provide Hamilton and the 

greater Waikato with secondto-none 

service, the answers to 

any electrical problem and being 

first port-of-call when it comes to 

From left to right company directors Michael Horsburgh & Paul O’Donnell on Switched on 

Electricals’ first day 4 February 2004 

“We are proud to say we’ve become the 

most trusted and reliable electrical 

business in the Waikato” 

understanding and applying new 

technology in the sector, has seen 

the business grow to become one 

of the first names customers look 

for when they have an electrical 

need. 

“We are proud to say we’ve become 

the most trusted and reliable 

electrical business in the Waikato,” 

Paul says. 

And it’s not surprising. 

The services Switched on Electrical 

offer aren’t just the standard ones 

you’d expect from a respected firm. 

‘We are available 24 hours a day, 

seven days a week – if you have an 

electrical emergency, we can be 

there to help you with it,” Michael 

says. 

For example, residential homes 

and rental properties often require 

regular maintenance of their 

electrical systems, which is crucial 

to ensure it remains safe and works 

efficiently. 

Some older homes need checking 

to be sure the wiring isn’t in need of 

replacing as components wear out 

and old wiring becomes a potential 

fire hazard. 

Switched On Electrical offers 

routine maintenance services, 

including inspections, testing and 

upgrades to meet current safety 

codes and regulations as well as 

Healthy Homes requirements. 

Their experienced team can help 

you identify potential issues, before 

they become major problems that 


Call us before you hire an 

electrician. 

We do the same as all electricians, 

except we are better!! 

For electrical servies you can trust and 

availability around the clock, 

Switched On Electrical is here to help! 

We are your 24/7 electricians dedicated to the highest standards of workmanship and safety in the greater Waikato area. 

0800 DO IT ALL 

36 48 255 

24 HOUR SERVICE | www.soel.co.nz 

Do It Once, Do It Right

20 SWITCHED ON ELECTRICAL 



Continued from previous 

could cost you thousands and make 

recommendations to improve your 

home’s electrical systems. 

Some of the services 

Switched On offer are: 

• Electrical installs and repairs 

such as power points, light 

switches, light fittings etc 

• Hot water cylinder repairs 

• Stove and oven install and 

repairs 

• Rangehood installs and repairs 

• TV, internet and phone outlets 

• Extractor fan installs and repairs 

• Ventilation system installs and 

repairs 

• Spa pools 

• Swimming pools 

• Heat pump installs, servicing 

and repairs 

• Lighting design and installation 

for both indoors and outdoors 

• Switchboard upgrades 

• Security systems 

• Complete house re-wire 

New builds come with their own 

set of requirements and this doesn’t 

matter whether it is residential, 

commercial or business. 

From installing temporary 

builders supply, to mains power and 

trenching, through to the design 

and installation for new builds, 

Switched on Electrical can do it all. 

Technology is such today that 

many things can be operated from 

apps and phones and often, smart 

home technology requires electrical 

know-how to ensure it runs 

smoothly. 

Switched On Electrical can work 

with designers, builders and clients 

and their budgets every step of the 

way to make sure this is done. 

Getting the electrical fit-out 

right is a vital part of building a 

comfortable new home. Switched 

On Electrical will make sure all the 

fundamental products and features 

that you need to consider when 

building a new home are covered 

and used. 

Some of these might include: 

• Lighting design and Installation 

• Electrical wiring 

• Home automation 

• Home theatre systems 

• Heat pumps 

• Ventilation systems 

• Exterior lighting design and 

installation 

• Security systems 

• Whole home Wifi solutions 

Then there are the outdoor areas 

of your home – whether new or 

existing. There is so much that can 

be done with exterior living spaces 

today, from garden lighting or 

heating, electric gates and security 

lights, through to water features, 

spa or swimming pools, security 

cameras – even installing fully 

functional outdoor kitchens. 

For commercial and business 

fitouts, from small to medium 

commercial shops and offices 

to large shopping malls, office 

complexes, and industrial-sized 

electrical systems, the same 

attention to detail applies, 

especially when dealing with much 

more complex situations. 

Some of the areas Switched on 

Electrical works with include: 

• Lighting designs, upgrades, 

installations, repairs and 

maintenance 

• Retail shop and office electrical 

and lighting fit-outs 

• Testing and tagging as per AS/ 

NZS standards 

• Switchboard maintenance 

• Electrical Inspections 

• Wiring for refurbished or new 

buildings 

• Fault Finding 

• Three phase outlets 

Another area that is often 

overlooked in today’s times the pair 

says is that of the pre-purchase 

electrical inspection. In much the 

same way as it’s becoming very 

much standard practice to have a 

building inspection, the same is 

beginning to happen in terms of an 

electrical inspection. 

You don’t want to get a nasty 

shock when buying your new home, 

rental property or commercial 

building. 

“Our electricians will carry out a 

visual inspection on the property 

you are considering that would 

typically include such things as 

the health of the switchboard, 

the hot water system, oven/hob/ 

rangehood and check all the light 

fittings, switches and power points 

are in working order” Paul says. 

It will also include any heat 

pumps, or if there is a swimming 

pool, the pump or heater on that. 

“Any other electrical appliances 

that may also be considered part of 

the sale will be looked at.” 

The award-winning team at Linecrest Homes are experienced 

and reliable and would love to bring your next home to life 

Our company philosophy is to complete everything 

to a standard we are proud of, and to build homes 

that we would be happy to live in ourselves. 

Congratulations on 20 years in business 

Paul and Mike! Looking forward to many 

more projects together. 

Team Linecrest Homes: 

www.linecresthomes.co.nz | 027 347 0334 | office@linecresthomes.co.nz


SWITCHED ON ELECTRICAL 

21 

FEATURE 

A detailed report is provided 

identifying any areas in your 

potential investment that may 

need either attention or repair, both 

imminently or in the future. 

This is particularly a good idea 

if you are looking to purchase a 

home as an investment, where the 

Healthy Homes Act comes into 

effect – with the final date for this 

being July 2024. 

Switched On Electrical specialises 

in supplying and installing reliable 

and cost-effective appliances 

such as heat pumps, flat panel 

wall heaters, ventilation systems, 

kitchen rangehoods and bathroom 

extractor fans, to ensure your rental 

property meets the Healthy Homes 

Standards. 

Apprentices 

From what started as a switched 

on pair, has now grown to 17 

electricians and two dedicated 

administration staff at Switched On 

Electrical. 

The Hamilton-based electrical 

firm now in its 20th year prides 

itself on the sustained training of 

top-class electricians from start to 

finish who are taught to the same 

exacting standards of finish work 

as the company principals Paul 

O’Donnell and Michael Horsburgh. 

“We enjoy taking on challenges, 

finding solutions and solving 

electrical problems and we pass 

this ethic onto our staff,” Paul says. 

“When they see customers 

delighted that Switched on 

Electrical has solved a problem that 

no one else has been able to solve, 

it makes their day.” 

The team values shared by 

Michael and Paul influence the 

strong team ethic of every staff 

member. 

“We encourage our electricians 

to all draw on each other’s 

experience and knowledge 

to collectively problem solve 

and provide practical electrical 

solutions,” Michael says. 

Switched on Electrical has a 

policy of engaging apprentices (up 

to six at any one time) to ensure 

the continuity of good practice in 

the profession. 

“Our apprentices are trained 

and supervised by those with 

experience, and are expected to 

deliver the same high standard of 

work as their supervisors,” Michael 

says. 

Christmas cards 

One of the most looked 

forward to events on the 

Switched on Electrical 

calendar is the annual Staff 

Christmas card. 

What started back in 2006; 

as a way to show thanks to their 

customers for the support they had 

shown during the year and to wish 

them a Merry Christmas, has now 

turned into a Switched on Electrical 

tradition. Sent out to all its clients 

for the first time in 2006, the cards 

feature the caricatures of all of 

the staff in an amusing scene put 

together by a local Hamilton artist. 

“This has become something 

really looked forward to by our 

existing clients,” director Michael 

Horsburgh says. 

“We try and make sure our 

talented staff are show casted in 

almost realistic likeness and I’m sure, 

after eighteen years, there’s more 

than a few collections that have been 

started.” 

“It is a real source of pride 

when our apprentices gain 

their registration through 

their work with Switched 

on Electrical.” 

Congratulations on your 20 years in business 

5 Norris Ave Te Rapa Hamilton 

P 07 850 6210 E hamilton@scottelectrical.co.nz 

Supporting Switched On 

Electrical for over 14 years 

We design and build architectural homes 

Contact Olivia Mael on 027 667 7557 

designbuilders.co.nz

22 SWITCHED ON ELECTRICAL 


Workmanship 

Guarantee 


Looking to the future 

FEATURE 

Switched on Electrical prides itself 

on the standard of its workmanship 

to the extent it offers, as members 

of Master Electricians, the $20,000 

workmanship guarantee. 

What this means is that in the 

very unlikely event of a problem 

occurring against its members 

who offer this, claims against 

workmanship for residential 

prescribed electrical work are 

considered under the terms of the 

guarantee. 

The claim period is up to 12 

months after either the date the 

contract work was completed or 

the date given on the Certificate of 

Compliance (COC), whichever is the 

later. 

Michael Horsburgh and Paul 

O’Donnell believe strongly in their 

top class standards of workmanship 

and are happy to offer the 

workmanship guarantee to their 

clients, believing it gives added 

assurance to any project their clients 

are undertaking. 

“We believe that every job carried 

out by our team deserves the 

Switched on Electrical Guarantee of 

Excellence no matter the size of the 

job.” 

Looking forward to the next 

20 years Paul says they are 

excited to see what new 

and exciting developments 

will happen as the business moves 

forward into a a time of rapidly 

developing technology. 

“We wish to say a big “thank you” 

to all the hundreds of customers 

who have supported us over the 

years, you helped us get to where 

we are today and to all our new 

customers, we look forward to 

meeting you and providing you 

with Switched On Electricals firstclass 

service and Guarantee of 

Excellence,” Paul says. 

“And finally – we wouldn’t be where 

we are today without the fantastic 

team we have,” Micheal says. “I’d 

like to acknowledge them all for all 

of the work they have done over the 

years to get us where we are today 

and look forward to 

continuing to work 

with them in the 

future – a big thanks to them all,” 

Michael says. 

Congratulations 

On your 20 year milestone, 

the team at the Cable Shop 

Waikato is proud to be 

associated with Switched 

on Electrical. 

42A Gallagher Drive 

Melville, Hamilton 

P 07 843 0987 

E Power@thecableshop.co.nz 

www.thecableshop.co.nz 

Congratulations on 

your 20 years in business 

Plumbing | Gasfitting 

Drainlaying | Backflow Prevention 

0800 678 475 

www.optiplumb.co.nz


PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT 

23 

Property and Development across Waikato 

Bringing in the 

required workforce 

FEATURE 

As the city continues its 

inexorable business growth, 

Hamilton is also home to 

two of the country’s largest 

subdivisions; Peacocke and Te Awa Lakes. 

The former, a 720ha development 

which had its beginnings originally in 

the Waipa area more than 30 years 

ago, is now underway with the help of 

Government funding to the tune of $290 

million through its Housing Infrastructure 

Fund in 2019. 

Some $100.1million of that was a 

subsidy from Waka Kotahi NZTA to help 

with roading infrastructure required to 

bring such an ambitious growth project to 

fruition. 

It’s thought it will take another 30 years 

for it to be fully completed, but once 

done, will see more than 8000 homes for 

more than 20,000 Hamiltonians. 

Some 100ha of the land available will 

be kept in its natural state, with more 

than 45kms of it Waikato River frontage, 

some of the regions unique gully systems 

and an archaeological reserve close to 

Nukuhau Pa in the south eastern corner 

of it. 

In 2021, the resource consent was 

granted for 830 residential sections in 

the Amberfield area, using more than 

109ha of land and featuring a town centre 

in addition to the sections. The area, 

sited between the Waikato River and 

Peacocke’s Rd, is already well underway. 

For Te Awa Lakes, the concept is a 

showcase of the new subdivision designs 

of this century, where careful attention 

has been made to provide for mixed 

housing models ranging from large 

homes on good sized lots overlooking 

the Waikato River, through to apartments 

on the waterfront of the lakes which 

form part of project, based around the 

old sand quarry which is the basis of the 

project at Horotiu. The stages feature 

shopping areas, as well as business 

precincts – even leisure time has been 

carefully inserted into the mix with the 

70-kilometre-long Te Awa River Ride, local 

nature walks, Ngāruawāhia Golf Course, 

Horsham Downs Golf Course and Waikato 

Equestrian Centre all catering to active 

lifestyles. 

It is designed to have 2500 homes 

for around 6000 Hamiltonians in the 

completed concept. 

While the biggest, these are just two 

of a large number of large subdivisions 

that are either underway or nearing 

completion in the planning works that are 

bringing into the region the net migration 

the city needs. 

Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate 

agrees with others that there are very 

good reasons why Hamilton is New 

Zealand’s fastest growing and a thriving 

city. 

“Firstly, we are the heart of a 

productive and innovative region and 

strategically well placed between the two 

big cities, and sea ports, of Auckland and 

Tauranga, known as the Golden Triangle,” 

she says. 

“We also have significant inland ports 

and a good transportation network. We 

have a diverse economy that includes 

a strong tech sector, agricultural 

manufacturing, education, and logistics. 

“We also have a young and talented 

workforce. A key role for Council has been 

and remains making sure we grow well. 

This means making sure we have enough 

land, in the right places, with the right 

infrastructure in place to support our 

communities so Hamilton continues to 

be a great place to live, and we have done 

this. 

“We have big infrastructure projects 

under way, in partnership with 

Government, in Peacocke and the central 

city to unlock more housing in key growth 

areas. Peacocke alone will eventually be 

home to up to 20,000 people.” 

She says the fact that existing 

businesses are choosing to invest 

in Hamilton, and in turn providing 

employment opportunity for people, 

“is an indication we're doing something 

right.” 

“And let’s not forget that people 

want a good quality lifestyle outside of 

work. I believe we have that. We have a 

wonderful green and vibrant river city, 

that is easy to live in and fun.” 

Changing 

the face of 

building 

ADVERTORIAL 

FROM LEFT: Shaun Higgins 

- owner of Higgs Building 

co working on a high 

performance home, installing 

SIP wall panels; The latest high 

performance SIPs home, with 

roof panels being installed. 

The ability to save up to 70% of 

energy costs when building a 

new home isn’t something to 

be taken lightly. Yet it is a basic 

tenet of any home that is built using 

the Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) 

method. 

For Cambridge builders Shaun and 

Vanessa Higgins, whose company Higgs 

Building Co has been using the system 

to build high-performance homes for 

more than three years, there simply is 

no better system in the New Zealand 

market place. 

“This system is ideal for passive 

house design, as it creates an airtight 

envelope with ease,” Shaun says. 

“New Zealand’s Building Code is full 

of patched up holes as we try and find 

solutions for energy efficient sustainable 

homes,” Shaun says. Yet SIPs, he says, 

are a solution to all those holes. 

As a certified passive house 

tradesperson himself, he knows what 

that entails. Passive homes are built on 

five principles; using a passive energy 

modeling program, the plans take 

into account everything from solar 

positioning, specific high-performance 

windows and doors, heat recovery 

ventilation, airtight building envelope, 

super insulated insulation, and thermal 

bridging, which is minimizing heat loss 

potential via doors and windows. A 

passive home must be certified as such 

before it can claim that title. 

Instead of the conventional framing 

and studs, SIPs are panels constructed 

of sustainable timber sandwiching rigid 

foam. These are put together to provide 

a watertight and airtight envelope which 

provides an energy-efficient, better 

living environment. 

“It does speed up the building 

process; you can work on both interior 

and exterior at the same time, which is 

useful in terms of time frames. 

Additionally, other high-performance 

products like MaxRaft floor slabs and 

either U-PVC windows or the APL 

thermally broken Centrafix exterior 

joinery system which boosts thermal 

performance by between 20% to 30%, 

are critical. A ventilation and heat 

transfer system provide the home with 

continuous fresh air and help regulate 

indoor air quality and temperature. 

With all these elements taken into 

account in a high-performance home, 

the temperature remains consistently 

around 20°C to 22°C throughout the 

year. 

Shaun sees the passive home building 

as the way New Zealand will go, seeing 

as how much of the world has already 

put their own building codes into place 

based on this. “Scotland has just done 

it, the UK is about to – Switzerland and 

Germany – which started it in the first 

place – have been doing it for years. New 

Zealand, unfortunately, tends to be 20 

to 30 years behind the times, but there 

is a strong movement towards being 

more energy efficient and in countries 

like ours, that’s a necessity. For too 

long, we’ve had to live in cold homes - 

in winter and homes that overheat in 

summer – and that often includes new 

homes that are being built even today.” 

Councils are taking to the system 

well, he says. 

“The company we use has a design 

guide where everything goes back to 

3604 in the Building Code, so councils 

we’ve worked with have been quite 

comfortable in the implementation of it.” 

Builders, long used to more 

conventional ways, are also slowly 

coming round to the new system. “It is 

a different way of construction, but an 

easier one for the most. And certainly, 

more architects are using it as well.” 

The new homes that Higgs Building 

Co builds are done so in conjunction 

with architects and other construction 

trades with the same philosophies 

of providing better, stronger, and 

more sustainable homes for future 

generations. They are homes that will 

stand the test of time in providing the 

best available living environments – 

something Shaun and Vanessa remain 

passionate about. 

Address: 31 Oliver St, Cambridge 

Phone: Shaun Higgins - 022 6107144 

Website: www.higgsbuilding.co.nz

24 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT 


Exciting Developments Unfold at Greenhill Park 

Greenhill Park continues to 

uphold its reputation as 

a sought-after residential 

subdivision. With sections 

maintaining steady demand despite 

market fluctuations, Greenhill Park 

remains a vibrant hub of activity, having 

already sold over 20 sections in the first 

months of 2024. 

Brendon Hewett, General Manager 

of Chedworth Properties, reiterates 

the attractiveness of the subdivision, 

highlighting its thriving community 

spirit, convenient proximity to the 

upcoming Neighbourhood Centre, easy 

access to the Waikato Expressway, and a 

short commute to the city center. 

“Greenhill Park epitomizes the perfect 

blend of modern living and natural 

beauty, offering families an ideal canvas 

to build their dream homes amidst 

native plants, open parks and essential 

amenities,” states Mr Hewett. 

With only 14 of the 33 lots remaining 

in Stage 20, these sections are expected 

to quickly find new owners, building 

upon the legacy of previous successful 

releases. 

Limited sections are also available 

across Stages 18, 19, and 25A, featuring 

various lot sizes, including high-density 

options in Stage 25A, priced from 

$376,625 to $523,250 incl GST (if any). 

Design and consenting work has 

commenced on the Greenhill Park 

Neighbourhood Centre. The centre, 

which will form a new hub for Greenhill 

Park will include a Childcare Centre, 

Supermarket, Café/Restaurant, Medical 

Centre and Pharmacy, along with 12 

retail spaces for a range of different 

services such as hairdressers. 

“We are really excited about the 

upcoming Neighbourhood Centre and 

The new 900m long stormwater swale 

it’s great to be progressing into the 

detailed design and consenting work. 

We feel this will be a great addition not 

only for Greenhill Park, and for Hamilton 

City as it will provide an upmarket high 

amenity space for people to come and 

enjoy”. 

The consenting of the project is 

expected to commence through 2024 

and physical works to get underway in 

2025/26. Tenancies are available and the 

team welcome enquiry for any potential 

business interested in in the centre. 

More information on the centre is 

available at https://www.greenhillpark. 

co.nz/neighbourhood-centre/ 

The ongoing development on 

Webb Drive marks another milestone 

for Greenhill Park, with the imminent 

completion of a swale stormwater 

management system, facilitating future 

growth while preserving environmental 

integrity. This infrastructure, along with 

the upcoming connectivity through 

to 

We 

com 

eth 

cor 

com 

com 

alr


PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT 

ADVERTORIAL 

25 

Recently completed Stage 20 

l 

to the Ruakura Superhub provided by 

Webb Drive, reinforces Greenhill Park’s 

commitment to its “Live, Work, Play” 

ethos. Nestled northeast of Hamilton’s 

core, Greenhill Park promises a thriving 

community of over 1,500 homes upon 

completion, with over 500 homes 

already occupied. Its extensive green 

spaces, wetlands, and recreational 

facilities underscore its commitment to 

fostering a high quality environment for 

its residents. 

For those keen to be part of this great 

community, Brendon Hewett invites 

inquiries on 0800 639 929 or through 

the website www.greenhillpark.co.nz.

Rodney Stirling 

26 PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT 


Property and Development across Waikato 

Sustained growth a 

combination of factors 



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“There’s no doubt 

there’s a lot more 

movement and it 

has particularly 

accelerated since 

the pandemic” 

The phenomenal growth rate 

across Hamilton lies at the heart 

of a combination of factors, 

says Mike Neale, NAI Harcourt’s 

Commercial Sales and Leasing Manager. 

“There’s a whole lot of things that have 

snowballed, from the new inland port, the 

upcoming medical faculty that is being 

introduced through the University of 

Waikato, Wintec – the increasing number 

of global technology-based businesses.” 

When you add to this the affordability 

of land, the quality of building spaces, and 

the ability to commute throughout much 

of Waikato, he says it’s not surprising. 

“There’s no doubt there’s a lot more 

movement and it has particularly 

accelerated since the pandemic.” 

This is largely driven by people’s 

attitudes shifting about how and 

where – and when – they want to work, 

with flexibility very much becoming a 

trademark of the second decade of the 

century and more so after the enforced 

lockdowns showed a new way of being 

able to work more effectively. 

“The advent of the completed 

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was massive – it has made Hamilton very 

much a logistic hub. 

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Wellington – has never been easier and 

we are now finding a lot of boutique and 

tech companies coming in that are world 

leading in the technologies they provide; 

places like Innovation Park are really 

robust.” 

Mike says there has also been a lot 

of Government interest in Hamilton in 

recent times. 

“It’s looking at its departments and 

buildings and thinking about what is fit 

for purpose, where it’s best for something 

to be, given what is cost effective, the 

space available, comparing like-for-like 

and with the ability to attract and keep 

personnel. And those who are looking 

are realising Hamilton has become an 

increasingly important place for those 

who are considering where to work and 

live.” 

He uses the University of Waikato as 

an example. 

“One of the key drives in the medical 

field has been getting people out into 

the provincial centres and with a strong 

university that is now getting quite 

excited about the medical faculty it’s 

getting, this will open up a lot of doors,” 

he says. 

He also cites the fact that people 

like the idea of cashing up their existing 

properties in the bigger cities and being 

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For Fosters, it’s not just 

about winning a project; 

they really care about 

what happens here at our 

school and they want to 

see us succeed. 

Esré Bezuidenhout, 

Operations Executive Hamilton 

Christian Schools Incorporated 

Hamilton Christian School’s roll has grown hugely, increasing from 440 

students in 2020 to more than 900 today. 

To cater for this growth, Hamilton Christian Schools Incorporated (HCS 

Inc), which owns the state-integrated school’s land and buildings, 

launched an extensive campus upgrade in 2020. 

Operations Executive, Esré Bezuidenhout, said HCS Inc approached 

Fosters based on their reputation for building excellence, and they were 

immediately impressed. 

“We found we had values that aligned,” she said. “When people walk 

through my door, I put everything aside to help them, and I felt Fosters did 

the same for us.” 

The total project includes the construction of two new blocks (I and J) 

featuring multiple classroom spaces, with outdoor learning environments, 

playgrounds and a gym to be added later. 

Through Early Contractor Involvement (ECI), Fosters was engaged from the 

outset. 

“It wouldn’t have come together as well if the builders weren’t in the room 

from the start,” Esré said. “They knew what we could achieve on the 

budget we had, and they brought a lot of pragmatism to the table, which 

meant we would never go off on a tangent. They were always looking at 

ways to save us time and money.” 

Fosters ran the project on an open-book basis to give the board complete 

budget transparency. 

“There was never a point where we felt we couldn’t ask questions,” Esré 

said. “We had full access to all of the invoices throughout the whole tender 

process.” 

The company also used its expertise to suggest best-fit subcontractors. 

“I can’t remember a single time when we pushed back on one of their 

recommendations,” Esré said. 

“Fosters have all the relationships within the industry; they’re very wellknown 

and the tradies enjoy working with them. I was really impressed 

with them in that space.” 

She feels the company’s biggest strength lies in its client relationships. 

“For Fosters, it’s not just about winning a project; they really care about 

what happens here at our school and they want to see us succeed,” she 

said. 

Got a build project in mind?

Waikato Business News | April 1, 2024

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