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A case for preserving creative muscle in the AI era

Everywhere we look we see teams frothing about AI. The outputs are plentiful. The efforts are minimal.  It all feels too good to be true.   Here at HMC we’re embracing the platforms too where we can, of course. No secrets here. The learning curve is steep and right now the dopamine hits are coming thick and fast.  But we’re seeing more and more business leaders seek us out for content of the very human kind – think highly personalised think pieces devoid of sub-headers ...

PR Agency HMC welcomes Vicki Jones as Senior Account Manager

Vicki Jones has over 30 years’ experience in the communications and marketing profession, spanning agencies, in-house and contracting roles here and in the UK. She spent 17 years with Verdict Communications in Hamilton, where she became a familiar face to clients across the region.She started her career in creative agencies in London, working largely on investor relations and corporate communications projects. Vicki grew her account management experience with clients such as Shakespeare’s Gl...

Herd-i launches second capital raise to fuel US entry

New Zealand-based dairy tech company Herd-i has raised USD $2.5m from overseas venture capital and is now opening a second round of USD $2.5m, this time focused on New Zealand investors, to support its expansion into the United States, with a launch planned for early 2026.Herd-i’s AI-led system detects lameness early and provides daily Body Condition Scores (BCS), already delivering proven productivity gains on New Zealand farms. These insights enable farmers to improve herd wellbeing, boost m...

SWIFT delivers tangible impact for South Waikato in 2024

In 2024, SWIFT distributed $329,705 in funding, with more than $1.3 million committed to future projects.  Since its inception SWIFT has invested over $15.5 million directly into the South Waikato community, supporting education, employment, infrastructure, and business growth.  In that time, SWIFT has also helped unlock over $12.5 million in partner co-investment, ensuring that every dollar stretches further for our district.The organisation welcomed new Chief Executive Clive Somervil...

Find your future at Tokoroa’s Employment and Skills Expo

Next month, visitors from across the district will attend the Employment and Skills Expo in South Waikato to pick up work-readiness tips and connect to training and career opportunities. Hosted by South Waikato Investment Fund Trust (SWIFT) the expo is on Monday, June 16, 2025, from 9am to 2:30pm at Pūkenga Rau in Tokoroa.This free event will bring together over 50 exhibitors, from Toi Ohomai and other training providers to the NZ Defence Force, local businesses, and hands-on industry professio...

HMC welcomes new design talent Kayla McQuade

Kayla McQuade has joined Hamilton-based agency HMC as Visual Communication Specialist, following a year freelancing across painting, illustration, and design.“After accomplishing my bachelor’s degree in visual communication at WINTEC and completing a 10-week paid internship, I dove into freelance full time.“I’ve always had a creative streak – from growing up with a pencil, paper and paint brush in my hand, to later discovering digital art. From there I developed a passion for graphic d...

Quantec’s IDP® Unlocks Enhanced Immunity Potential in Flu Vaccine Study

Hamilton, New Zealand – Results from a clinical trial have highlighted the potential of Immune Defense Proteins (IDP®), a bioactive whey protein ingredient developed by Quantec Ltd, to support and potentially enhance immune responses to the influenza vaccination. IDP® is a patented whey protein complex derived from pasture-fed cows, containing a natural complex of over 50 bioactive proteins. These proteins work in harmony to support the immune system, much like a well-coordinated defenc...

KCE Supports the Next Generation in Honour of a Century of Hydropower

The Mangahao River and surrounding streams have powered nearby homes and local businesses for 100 years. Now, King Country Energy (KCE) is giving back to the communities who share a deep connection with those waters, supporting four exceptional students through its Mangahao Next Generation Scholarship. The one-off scholarship was created to honour the legacy of the scheme and the communities it has supported.  The scholarship was open to anyone, in any year of post-secondary study, pro...

Hill Labs Expands Food and Water Services with Key Acquisitions

Hill Labs has strengthened its food safety and drinking water compliance services with the acquisition of Canterbury-based companies Food and Health Standards (FHS) and Auditing Solutions (AS), in partnership with experienced auditor and business leader Sam Brooks. This strategic move enhances Hill Labs’ ability to support local councils, food producers, and industry clients, particularly in the South Island.As part of the transaction, Hill Labs has also acquired FHS’s water compliance monit...

AI-powered system transforms body condition scoring for dairy farmers

Spending time manually body condition scoring cows and getting inconsistent results is now a thing of the past for dairy farmers, thanks to New Zealand’s first AI-powered body condition scoring (BCS) system.Developed by Herd-i in Christchurch by leading AI and machine learning experts, this technology saves time, improves consistency, and provides farmers with daily BCS data. Farmers can monitor trends for each cow and act quickly if body condition begins to decline, preventing issues at key t...

Maintaining milk flows to pay the bills

As spring calving farmers around the country enter in the final stage of lactation, the incentive to keep the milk flowing is certainly there. A strong milk price and kind first half of the season has left cows in good nick and milking well.Typically, during the warmer months low soil moisture levels and resulting issues with supply and quality of pasture can be a hurdle. Combined with the lack of advance payments from Fonterra, maintaining milk flows to cover costs, while building cow condition...

New facility allows Bovonic to commercialise production to meet farmer demand and drive international expansion

The opening of Bovonic’s new facility near Tauranga will allow the company to commercialise the production of its mastitis detection technology, QuadSense, to meet farmer demand and support plans for international expansion.The company will be keeping product assembly in-house, allowing it to uphold stringent quality control and achieve significant cost savings, so it can continue offering an affordable price point for farmers. QuadSense was officially launched at National Fieldays in Jun...

Proactive mineral management key to helping in-calf cows thrive

With mating well underway down South and early pregnancies progressing in the North, supporting your in-calf cows with the right balance of minerals can help maintain healthy pregnancies, grow strong calves, and set your herd up for a productive season.“Subclinical deficiencies in key minerals like selenium, iodine, copper and zinc can lead to embryonic and foetal losses,” says SealesWinslow Product Technical Support and Veterinarian Tiffany Menzies.“That means all the hard work to get cow...

Regional Targeting Now Available for TikTok Ads in New Zealand: A Game-Changer for Local Businesses

This might be old news to some, but for those who haven’t caught up, TikTok has rolled out regional targeting for ads in New Zealand. Until now, TikTok ads were limited to nationwide targeting. With this new feature, businesses can now engage more directly with the audiences who matter most—especially if your target market is regional. This is a game-changer for local businesses, as it allows for more precise targeting, improving your ad spend efficiency and campaign effectiveness. ...

Gallagher and FarmIQ Join Forces to Simplify Data Management for Farmers

Gallagher and FarmIQ are simplifying data management for farmers with the launch of a powerful new integration that will help them harness the power of having all their data in one place.Industry players often work independently, limiting the potential benefits for farmers. Gallagher and FarmIQ are changing that by collaborating on a solution that simplifies data sharing and management.The new API (Application Programming Interface) integration acts as a link, automatically transferring farmers�...

Buyers get ready: Te Awa Lakes properties available to purchase from February

Seven years after Perry Group originally announced the expansive Te Awa Lakes lifestyle development in Horotiu, buyers can purchase a home off plans in Waikato’s first master-planned community from early 2025.This announcement comes on the back of Te Awa Lakes confirming an exclusive marketing and sales partnership with Lodge Real Estate’s Megan Smith & Co. Upon completion, the 90ha development will encompass 2,500 homes. Te Awa Lakes is the first stage of development in what is kno...

Water to wine: A lifetime contribution to irrigation

For Waipara local John McCaskey creating wine from water was probably one of his more eyebrow-raising farming ventures. But his vision nearly 50 years ago was instrumental in placing the north Canterbury region on the global wine-producing map.John has been recognised for his lifetime contribution to irrigation in New Zealand, receiving a special commendation as part of the 2024 Zimmatic™ Trailblazer Sustainable Irrigation Awards.John is a pioneer of Waipara in the Hurunui District about one h...

Canterbury Sharemilkers Win Top Honour for Excellence in Sustainable Irrigation

Canterbury sharemilkers Eugene and Sarah Cronin have been named the Supreme Winners of the 2024 Zimmatic™ Trailblazer Sustainable Irrigation Awards tonight in Wellington.Eugene and Sarah milk 500 cows on Falstone Farms near Methven through their sharemilking business Kilmurry Farm. Falstone is owned by the Molloy family. Eugene impressed the judges with his deep technical understanding of soil moisture and irrigation management. Head Judge Keri Johnson praised his passion and expertise.“Euge...

Prioritise hoof health to maximise repro performance and capitalise on payout

Dairy farmers can boost their reproduction success this mating season by prioritising hoof health and early lameness detection to keep cows in top condition and make the most of a promising forecast payout.That’s the message Herd-i is taking to dairy farmers this month during its on-farm demo days in Southland.With a positive payout forecast, Herd-i Area Sales Manager Bernard Anselmi says there’s an opportunity to get ahead of herd health and maximise reproductive performance this season.Dai...

Who do you think you are?! Aligning your identity with your reputation

As PR practitioners, we work with companies and leaders who are looking to shape their reputation and build trust with their audiences. It’s a process that involves balancing who they are with how they’re perceived. The truth is, how we see ourselves is not always how others see us.I was reminded of this during a recent exercise as part of the Escalator leadership accelerator run by the fabulous Agri-Women’s Development Trust. It was a chance to really dig into my values, strengths, and co...

Harnessing technology and industry partnerships key to efficiency gains

By Darrell Jones, Gallagher General Manager New Zealand & Chile New Zealand’s pasture-based agricultural systems are in the spotlight. As one of the world’s largest dairy companies, Nestlé is calling for a reduction in on farm emissions  and wants to see farmers continue to make progress to improve their sustainability as the company works to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030. Sustainability gains will come not just from improved productivity, herd nutrition and nutrient ma...

New graduate brings passion for inter-generational agribusiness and sustainable farming

Rhys Dawson will join Perrin Ag in 2025 as the firm’s newest graduate recruit, bringing a passion for inter-generational agribusiness and sustainable farming.Rhys, a 21-year-old Bachelor of Agricultural Science graduate from Massey University, may have grown up in the urban sprawl of Auckland, but his heart has always been rooted in rural New Zealand.His connection to the land runs deep, thanks to his family’s dairy farm in Te Poi near Matamata, where his ancestors have farmed for over 100 y...

Use sexed semen on top-performing cows to maximise genetic gains

As demand for sexed semen soars, CRV is encouraging dairy farmers to take full advantage of it by using it on the top quartile of their herds. This season, CRV has seen a significant 45% increase in sexed semen sales compared to last year. Sexed semen now makes up 4.8% of CRV’s total dairy semen sales - a 33% rise from last season. The number of CRV customers using sexed semen has also grown, from 20.6% to 22%, with average order sizes increasing by 25%. CRV Managing Director James S...

5 comms essentials for leaders navigating change

In every organisation, change is the only constant.Examples of major positive changes include mergers and acquisitions or even launching a new product line.And then there are negative changes such as redundancies, factory closures, discontinuing product lines, and more. If you are a leader managing these changes, you need to keep in mind five communications essentials.One mistake some leadership team make is to leave your communications planning to the last minute. Sometime you're so busy worki...

New Zealand’s First Earthworm eDNA Soil Test Paves the Way for Broader Agricultural Applications

New Zealand’s largest privately owned testing laboratory, Hill Labs has introduced a new test to detect earthworm eDNA levels in soils, marking a significant development in soil health assessment. This test, developed in collaboration with AgResearch, is a New Zealand first and represents the beginning of an array of potential applications to provide real benefits across the agricultural sector.Earthworms are often seen as indicators of healthy soil because they need good soil conditions to th...