Back to Blog

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...

CLIENT NEWS - Fosters awarded contract for Waikato Innovation Park expansion

After a competitive tender process, Hamilton-based Foster Construction Limited has been awarded the contract for the Waikato Innovation Park expansion. Waikato Innovation Park received resource consent in November to extend its size by more than 30%. Fosters was one of three firms who tendered for the project, which will add 2,900sqm to the business hub. This building is the sixth of sixteen planned for the site. Waikato Innovation Park CEO Stuart Gordon says Foster’s reputation for quality, c...

CLIENT NEWS - CRV urges farmers to be proactive about managing facial eczema

As mating season draws to a close and the hot, humid weather sets in, CRV Ambreed is urging dairy farmers to be proactive about managing facial eczema (FE). The call comes following an investment by The Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI) Sustainable Farming Fund to support the Facial Eczema Action Group – made up of veterinarians, dairy farmers and rural professionals – to explore ways of raising awareness of FE so that more farmers take preventative action. According to a recent study l...

CLIENT NEWS - Duplexes in Hamilton are developer and investor property du jour

Lodge Real Estate Managing Director Jeremy O’Rourke says one of the developer and investor trends for 2019 has been the rise in demand for duplexes in Hamilton. “This year we have certainly seen a marked increase in the number of duplexes being constructed right across the city. In fact, according to the Hamilton City Council, the number of consents issued for duplexes has risen from just one in 2014 to 139 in 2019. “This is due to the fact that the style of property suits both developers...

CLIENT NEWS - From Super Rugby to super gym – top global franchise appoints NZ marketing boss

Ex-Super Rugby marketer Vanessa Parker has joined one of the world’s top global franchises as its chief marketing officer for New Zealand. Based in Hamilton, Vanessa joined the Anytime Fitness NZ team last month. Her move comes after 7 years as Marketing Manager for the Chiefs and then as Marketing and Membership Manager for the Blues. Vanessa says the parallels between the Super Rugby and fitness industries meant the transition was a logical one. “Super Rugby and attendance at live sport ...

CLIENT NEWS - Farmer education top priority for new GM

Educating farmers in Asia and South America about using innovation and technology to drive profitability is a priority for Gallagher Animal Management’s new General Manager. Darrell Jones has propelled himself from the green pastures of the Waikato to the international stage, tasked with growing business for Gallagher in New Zealand, Asia and South America. Jones has been with Gallagher since 2001, starting out as Territory Manager for the Bay of Plenty and the Waikato. Jones is a father of t...

CLIENT NEWS - Angus Haslett appointed first international boss of CRV global

CRV Ambreed managing director Angus Haslett has been appointed CEO of CRV’s global artificial breeding business, making him the company’s first ever international CEO. Kiwi born and bred, Mr Haslett will succeed Roald van Noort, who has successfully led CRV for over 12 years. Mr van Noort will step down as CEO and Chairman of CRV’s Executive Board on May 1st 2020. Mr Haslett joined CRV in 2009 as Managing Director of the Business Unit Oceania and most recently managed the USA operation. H...

CLIENT NEWS - Raglan Coconut Yoghurt receive funding boost

A Raglan coconut yoghurt business spreading joy in a jar has received a funding boost as it looks to expand and build a new factory, with the help ofWEL Energy Trustand the Ākina Foundation. Raglan Coconut Yoghurt, established by Tesh Randall and fiancé Seb Walter, is one of three Waikato social enterprises that have received Impact Investment Readiness Grants to help grow their businesses. The funding is part of a $50,000 Impact Investment Readiness Grant WEL Energy Trust has provided to impa...

PR TIPS - Don’t be a Drew and other PR lessons

Some of the top news stories at the end of 2019 – globally and here at home – have provided us with a few great lessons in public relations.  I realise not everyone lives life through a PR lens, so if you’ve missed these, let me bring you up to speed. The Swarbrick Reverb I’m naming it the “Swarbrick Reverb.”  It’s not just a PR lesson, but perhaps also a new physics theory that’s emerged in the age of social media.  What am I referring to?  That would be the...

CLIENT NEWS - Accolades for the Waikato’s most eligible bovine bachelors

Two of the Waikato’s most eligible bovine bachelors have been recognised for their services after fathering more than 43,000 daughters between them across the country.  Jersey bull Degree and Friesian bull Macca have been inducted into CRV Ambreed’s Hall of Fame for their services to the New Zealand dairy industry. The accolade comes as part of the breeding company’s 50th birthday celebrations. “For a bull to be inducted into the Hall of Fame he needs to have made a significant con...

CLIENT NEWS - Fine Homes Tour raises $118,500 for three charities in 10th anniversary year

Hamilton’s Fine Homes Tour has raised $118,500 for three charities, announced last night at a presentation evening following a successful event held on Friday 8 November. The event, sponsored by Lodge Real Estate, was introduced to Hamilton in 2003 by Christine Couch and Jane Hargood. This year was the 10th anniversary of the biennial event. The three charities receiving a share of the funds raised are the Child Cancer Foundation, Look Good Feel Better and Stroke Foundation Waikato. This year,...

CLIENT NEWS - Top pool players win ‘Anywhere in the World’ trip

Three star pool players have won an all-expenses-paid trip to a pool tournament of their choice, anywhere in the world. Massé’s ‘Anywhere in the World’ tournament winners Marco Teutscher, Ronald Lopez and Marvin Padrigo were announced at Massé Hamilton over the weekend, following intense competition throughout 2019. The winners triumphed over 268 other players across Massé’s five clubs, playing 14 weekly 8 Ball tournaments, 12 weeks of 9 Ball tournaments and 11 weeks of 10 Ball tourna...

Blog: Five powerful Facebook ads targeting options you didn’t know existed

It’s old news that advertising on Facebook and Instagram is a cost-effective way to reach new and existing customers to grow your business. Facebook's mind-blowing, granular targeting options ensure that your ads reach the people who will be genuinely interested in the products or services that you're offering. But if you’ve ever set up a Facebook ads campaign, you know the targeting options across the categories of demographics, interests, behaviour, page connections and re-marketing can be...

CLIENT NEWS - Dairy farmers strike gold across the country

Five lucky farmers have struck gold this mating season, each winning $2000 after finding a special straw in their artificial insemination (AI) bank. CRV Ambreed inserted five golden straws into five AI banks - three in the North Island and two in the South Island - as distribution of semen straws started ahead of spring mating. The promotion was part of golden anniversary celebrations, recognising the company’s 50th year of proven performance. All the straws have now all been found and the w...

CLIENT NEWS - Hamilton house prices rachet upward as market strengthens

Hamilton’s residential property market continues to strengthen and sale prices continue to surprise the city’s agents, sellers and buyers. While Hamilton’s median house price hasn’t hit the $600,000 milestone yet, it is very close with the Real Estate Institute of NZ (REINZ) reporting it was $585,000 for October. Lodge Real Estate Managing Director Jeremy O’Rourke says, “It’s been difficult in recent months to predict the final sale price of many of the homes coming onto the Hamilt...

CLIENT NEWS - Learning Matters receive launch funding to help NZ kids

An online literacy programme designed to help children with learning differences like dyslexia will be launched with the help of funding fromWEL Energy Trust and the Ākina Foundation. Learning Matters, established by Hamilton mother and teacher Carla McNeil, is one of three Waikato social enterprises that have received Impact Investment Readiness Grants to help grow their businesses. Learning Matters will receive $10,000 worth of professional services to seek investment to launch its online lit...

CLIENT NEWS - Providing employment opportunities for refugees around New Zealand is the new goal of Hamilton’s Home Kitchen

Providing employment opportunities for refugees around New Zealand is the new goal of Hamilton’s Home Kitchen, as it seeks to expand with the help of WEL Energy Trust and the Ākina Foundation. Home Kitchen, established by Waikato social entrepreneur Tania Jones, is one of three Waikato social enterprises that have received Impact Investment Readiness Grants to help grow their businesses. Miss Jones will receive $20,000 towards seeking investment to expand Home Kitchen nationwide and investiga...

CLIENT NEWS - WEL and Akina funding partnership announcement

Waikato businesses founded to do good, have received a major boost with a $50,000 funding partnership announced between WEL Energy Trust and impact development organisation the Ākina Foundation. WEL Energy Trust has provided a $50,000 Impact Investment Readiness Grant to Ākina, to support three Waikato social enterprises and grow the social enterprise landscape in the region. The first three grant recipients are Raglan Coconut Yoghurt, Learning Matters andHome Kitchen. They will now work with ...

HMC NEWS - From spare bedroom to award winning PR firm – HMC turns 15

What started out on a whim in a spare bedroom has grown into an award-winning public relations firm, helping companies across the country get noticed and gain respect. Hamilton-based HMC Communications celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. Its founder and managing director Heather Claycomb says having the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives is what gets her out of bed every morning. “I love making a difference,” she says. “Life isn’t worth living if the world isn�...

HMC NEWS - Leading PR agency becomes a social enterprise and donates 100% of profits to charity

Hamilton public relations agency, HMC, announced today that it has become a social enterprise and is now donating 100% of its profits to charity. HMC director Heather Claycomb says HMC’s charity of choice is All Good Ventures, a New Zealand registered charity. “My husband, Rod, and I started All Good Ventures last year.  Through that charity we fund and mentor emerging social entrepreneurs who want to start a business and use that business’s profits to help people living in deprivatio...

CLIENT NEWS - Waikato region invited to feedback on wellbeing targets in upcoming community conversations

The people of Waikato are being asked what they think of a set of 17 wellbeing goals designed to help address the big issues facing the Waikato region by 2030. The Waikato Wellbeing Project, with oversight from the Waikato Plan leadership committee and led by WEL Energy Trust and Waikato Regional Council, is the first of its kind in New Zealand and is designed to create a more environmentally sustainable, prosperous and inclusive Waikato by 2030. The project will identify specific targets that a...