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Hill Laboratories starts COVID-19 testing as only non-DHB facility in the Waikato

Hill Laboratories, New Zealand's largest privately owned analytical testing laboratory, has partnered with the Waikato District Health Board (WDHB) to provide additional testing capacity in Hamilton for SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus that causes COVID-19) from this week.See Sunday Star-Times coverage. Hill Laboratories is the only non-DHB facility in the Waikato providing the testing service, and one of only three non-DHB laboratories across New Zealand approved to test for COVID-19. Hill Laborator...

Perfecting Podcasting

In the PR world, we’re always looking at new channels to reach a client’s target audience in a way that isn’t invasive, cuts through the noise, has impact and builds fans.  A great channel that can do all this and more for many organisations is podcasting. HMC believes in the power of podcasting so much we recently bought a mobile podcasting studio and launched our first client podcast two months ago. Smart businesses are using podcasts now more than ever to engage with their customer...

Getting your website working for your business

Websites are not just the realm of your IT team or consultant – it’s important to have a comms eye over your website, to make sure your key messages are getting through. There’s no point having a super technical layout or amazing imagery, if the words around them aren’t making your reason for being or key selling points clear. So, download our infographic for ‘How to win at websites’ to read our tips on getting your website in tip top shape. If this sounds overwhelming, give us a cal...

New Zealand a key part of CRV’s global business – Angus Haslett takes the reins

New Zealand will continue to play a key role in CRV’s global artificial breeding business, according to outgoing CRV Ambreed managing director Angus Haslett.See international coverage. Haslett has this month officially taken over the reins as CEO of Dutch parent company CRV, but will continue to be based in New Zealand until a lift in COVID-19 travel restrictions allows him to relocate to Holland. “New Zealand is a significant country when it comes to dairying and the use of genetics,” he...

Hamilton celebrates win as new headquarters of the NZ Institute of Skills & Technology

Hamilton City Council and Waikato regional stakeholders are celebrating the announcement today that Hamilton will be the headquarters of the New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology (NZIST).See Stuff coverage. The NZIST is merging the country’s 16 institutes of technology and polytechnics along with all industry training organisations into one national organisation. Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate says the announcement was hugely welcome and that Hamilton had put in an “absolutely compell...

Refresh Your Digital Communications Strategy

In the PR world, it’s incredibly important that you take control of your messaging to ensure your company’s digital footprint matches your offline footprint.  And while HMC continues to work with clients to get stories into the New Zealand media, with the changing and shrinking media landscape it’s more important than ever before that you take control of making your own news. The ‘paid content’ challenge The challenge, however, is that you can’t get your message out online by r...

Are you ready to refresh your comms strategy?

With so much changing in our world over the past few months, many of you will be refreshing your business strategies, budgets and action plans for the rest of the year.It's also time to have a good look at your communications strategy and tactics to make sure they align to where your business is heading for the remainder of 2020. If you're ready to refresh your comms strategy, or perhaps do one for the first time , we've developed a template to help you do just that. ...

Lodge Real Estate introduces VR open homes to provide peace of mind for buyers and sellers

Hamilton-based Lodge Real Estate is using virtual reality (VR) technology to take their open homes online, giving vendors and buyers peace of mind during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The news comes on the back of the Government’s announcement that private viewings, by appointment, of homes for sale or rental properties can now take place under Alert Level 3.  However, open homes are not allowed. VR is a technological leap for Lodge and for the sector and will help one of the country’s m...

Te Waka pushes for completion of key Waikato infrastructure projects

As the Government looks to kickstart the economy by fast-tracking ‘shovel ready’ projects, Te Waka is pushing for that investment to be focussed on seven key infrastructure projects across the Waikato region. Te Waka CEO Michael Bassett-Foss says new appetite from Government to invest in infrastructure, along with encouragement for bold thinking on productivity, connectivity and sustainability, presents the Waikato with a unique window of opportunity.  “There is no denying that the i...

Best Times To Post On Social Media

If you’re creating content for social media, you know that a key challenge is getting eyes on your posts in the crowded newsfeeds. Social media algorithms are moving towards relevance-based curation rather than chronological which makes things even more challenging.Knowing when to post to get the most engagement on the main social platforms can be very helpful to maximise your content’s exposure....

Top 5 Facebook ads mistakes that could be costing you money

Are you guilty of making these common Facebook ad mistakes that could be eating away at your marketing budget? Boosting a postDon't get us wrong, there is a place and time to boost your organic posts but in most cases, especially for smaller businesses with small marketing budgets, boosting is a waste of money as it comes with many limitations. While these boosted / ''promoted'' posts are considered ‘’ads’’, they are not the same as ads set up through Facebook’s Ads Manager&n...

Five essential functions your remote working comms channels must perform

Well, we are a few weeks into our COVID-19 lockdown here in New Zealand and by now all managers have discovered the challenges inherent in managing remote teams.  Part of that challenge is the communication side of your day-to-day activities. We’ve been talking to a lot of colleagues during this time and it seems companies fall into two camps.  The first are companies that already nail their internal communications and were able to transition seamlessly into remote working.  The...

Communicating with Business Through Disaster

COVID-19: business communication during disaster The COVID-19 pandemic has hit many businesses hard.  And, in fact, economists are now predicting we will enter a recession that could be worse than the global financial crisis we experienced in the mid-2000s. Operating a business under these circumstances creates enormous stress for some.  In fact many business owners have lost their companies entirely.  If we think about what’s happened to the world’s airlines, most tourism bus...

Crucial time as dairy farmers plan ahead and select bulls for mating

Despite being in self-isolation, it’s a crucial time of year for our dairy farmers as they plan ahead and start selecting bulls for their Autumn or Spring mating programmes. CRV Ambreed’s 2020 line up of bull graduates will provide one of New Zealand’s essential service industries with genetic solutions to help keep farmers operational and future proof their business.   For CRV Ambreed this means it is business as usual, with a difference. The company is finding new ways to comm...

Five PR implications of Bauer Media closure

This morning (2 April) Bauer Media announced it is closing permanently.  In news reports, staff said they never saw it coming.  I would imagine most of us in the PR industry didn’t either. This is a huge blow for quality journalism in New Zealand.   Bauer Media published some of our most respected and iconic magazines including NZ Woman's Day, New Zealand Woman's Weekly, The Australian Women's Weekly, the Listener, North & South, Next, Metro, Kia Ora, Home NZ and Your Home...

How to adapt your marketing strategy for COVID-19

Companies of all sizes around the world are feeling the effects of COVID-19, and now have to re-evaluate their business plans for the foreseeable future. The pandemic has brought changes in consumer behaviour, media consumption and social media platforms that now require businesses to adapt their marketing strategies accordingly. Particularly hard hit are brick-and-mortar businesses and those who predominantly rely on offline marketing strategies such as events, trade shows and word-of-mouth re...

Waikato business community rallies to protect their own from COVID-19 fallout

The Waikato business community is rallying together to help deliver business continuity resources to those affected by the COVID-19 virus. The collaboration comes following last week’s announcement by the Government of a $4 million regional support package aimed predominantly at New Zealand domestic SME businesses. The region’s economic development agency, Te Waka, will lead delivery of this economic support to Waikato businesses affected by COVID-19 on behalf of New Zealand Trade and Enterp...

Regional Field Days visitors get a taste of myHERD

Farmers at this year’s regional field days have the opportunity to learn more about CRV Ambreed’s new herd recording and management tool, myHERD. From 01 June this year farmers will be able to subscribe to myHERD. CRV Ambreed Information and IT Manager Andrew Singers says the new tool will provide farmers with a highly functional genetics platform that gives them an integrated option in the market. “myHERD will give farmers a choice when it comes to herd recording and management. Most imp...

New Zealand businesses face challenges from proposed new privacy laws

New Zealand businesses across the country are set to face challenges as proposed new privacy laws make their way through parliament. As the issue of data and privacy continues to remain a topic of interest, what can businesses do to stay innovative while keeping security and privacy top of mind? This hot topic was up for discussion at this month’s TechFest 2020 in Hamilton. The event was attended by over 1,000 visitors, industry and business leaders, with more than 45 exhibitors and 15 semina...

Thriving Maori business and resilient communities a priority for new director

Helping Maori business thrive and building resilient Waikato communities is a priority for Te Waka’s new director and Iwi representative. Craig Barrett (Ngaati Maniapoto) has been appointed to the role following selection by local Iwi and nomination from the Mayoral Forum. Waikato born and bred, Mr Barrett says he was drawn to Te Waka by its vision of ‘getting things done’ and its commitment to telling the region’s economic growth story with one voice and agreed priorities. “Ehara taku...

King Country Energy sponsors second rescue helicopter

King Country Energy (KCE) is extending its sponsorship of the rescue helicopter to service more people around the North Island. KCE has been an associate sponsor of the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter since 2013. It will now sponsor a second helicopter, the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter, based further down the country servicing the Manawatu-Whanganui region. Both fall under the Philips Search and Rescue Trust umbrella. KCE General Manager, Chris Fincham, says the company is proud to suppo...

New award encourages farmers to share ideas for sustainable freshwater management

Encouraging farmers to share ideas for achieving sustainable freshwater management has motivated the launch of a new award this month - with a trip to the USA up for grabs. The Zimmatic™ Trailblazer - Sustainable Irrigation Awards aim to celebrate excellence in sustainable irrigation. With support from Awards partners, the competition is being run by agricultural irrigation systems leader, Zimmatic. It will recognise farmers leading the way in responsible irrigation, innovative water manag...

Capital injection cements international growth for Kiwi legal tech company

Capital investment to the tune of nearly $4 million will enable one of New Zealand’s most successful legal tech start-ups to further grow its overseas business.  LawVu recently secured a $3.65 million investment, the round led by high-profile international Kiwi businessman and philanthropist Kent Gardner, as well as investment from Icehouse Ventures. This capital injection will enable LawVu to leverage business opportunities in overseas markets, including Australia and the US, where it is...

Cannasouth appoints experienced new CFO

New Zealand’s only NZX listed medicinal cannabis company Cannasouth has appointed Colin Foster as the company’s new Chief Financial Officer. Mr Foster will succeed Rob Braithwaite, who has been working with the Cannasouth team since its inception and played an important role in preparing the company for its public listing in June 2019. Cannasouth CEO Mark Lucas says the transition is a logical progression as Cannasouth grows from a purely research-based organisation into a fully commercial ...

2020 TechFest attracts industry leaders

Callaghan Innovation boss Vic Crone has been confirmed as a keynote speaker at the 2020 TechFest, recognising the Waikato’s strength in technology and innovation. Ms Crone is CEO of the Government owned innovation agency, which partners with businesses of all sizes to provide a range of innovation and research and development services to suit each stage of their growth. During 2019, Waikato’s tech sector received a total of 32 grants for R&D co-funding from Callaghan Innovation. The projects...