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CLIENT NEWS - Farmers consider Transition feeding for smoother calving and better production

GrainCorp Feeds is educating dairy farmers about Transition feeding this calving as a tool to help improve cow health and lift milk production. GrainCorp Feeds General Manager Daniel Calcinai says the Transition period covers the four weeks before and after calving and is a critical time for the dairy cow. “The transition period is a brief but critically important period where as much as 80 per cent of disease costs are generated, and an average of 4 per cent of animals have to be culled from...

CLIENT NEWS - Ngaruawahia High School pool team on their way to the national competition

With the national secondary school pool competition just around the corner, one Waikato team from Ngaruawahia High School is training hard for the tournament to beat their larger school rivals. Physics teacher Murray Elgar is in charge of the team of 14 students and has been involved in cue sports at the school for five years. The students train every week on their three school pool tables and at the local Masséclub in Hamilton, with Mr Elgar transporting them there and back in the school van. ...

CLIENT NEWS - Noted scientist David Gill joins Cannasouth to drive first products to market

Cannasouth has appointed David Gill as Product Development Manager, who will take responsibility for bringing the company’s first medicinal cannabis products to the market. Gill comes to Cannasouth after more than a decade with animal health multi-national Argenta, where he was the Chief Scientific Officer for the past seven years as head of Argenta’s innovation division. Previously he was Argenta’s Research and Development Manager, leading a team of 37 scientists. Gill started his career ...

HMC NEWS - HMC recruit brings strong agribusiness experience to the team

Kate Robinson (nee Webber) has joined the HMC Communications team as senior account manager, bringing with her sound knowledge and experience in agriculture. Robinson has more than 22 years public relations experience in both agency and in-house communications roles. She and HMC managing director, Heather Claycomb, met more than 15 years ago early on in their PR careers. “I’m excited to be back working with Heather again,” says Robinson. “She has built her business from the ground up wit...

CLIENT NEWS - Service delivery a key focus for new AB manager

CRV Ambreed’s new National Artificial Breeding Manager has his sights firmly set on keeping the company’s farmer customers happy. Craig Scott joins the CRV team from pregnancy testing company Ultrascan Limited, where he was the national franchise manager for two and a half years. He says delivering “gold standard” service to farmer customers that meets their expectations must be a core focus of the CRV’s AB delivery business. Scott believes CRV already has a great reputation for its...

CLIENT NEWS :Ground Broken on Hands on for Habitat Project in Ngaruawahia

Habitat for Humanity Central North Island has broken ground this afternoon on the ‘Hands on for Habitat’ project in Ngaruawahia, which aims to raise funds for Habitat’s home repair programme. The project involves the build of a new high-quality home in the River Terraces development in Ngaruawahia, to be auctioned off once complete. Major sponsors of the ‘Hands on for Habitat’ project, in attendance at the event, include  Anthem Homes, Mitre 10 Mega Hamilton and Lodge Real Es...

CLIENT NEWS - Māori economic development plan refresh to benefit Waikato communities

The refresh of the Waikato region’s Māori economic development action plan Te Whare Ohaoha will provide a clear roadmap towards a prosperous region, according to Te Puni Kōkiri (Waikato-Waiariki) and Waikato’s regional economic development agency Te Waka. The refreshed Waikato Region Māori Economic Action Plan and Agenda – Te Whare Ohaoha was unveiled by Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta at a stakeholder event today (Friday 14 June) in Hamilton. It outlined a series of actions ...

CLIENT NEWS - New Zealand crowned 2019 VNEA Pool Teams World Cup Champions

New Zealand has won the Teams World Cup at the 2019 VNEA World Pool Championships, beating their opponents Germany at the competition held in Las Vegas. Having lost to Germany in the final three years ago, New Zealand fought their way to set-up a re-match, this time coming out on top. The team, made up of Jimmy Henry, Chris Bowman, Manfield Kwong, John Harrison and Roldan Largo, all hail from Auckland and play at the same Massé club together. “We play all the time, know each other’s game we...

HMC NEWS - HMC appoints new account manager

Hamilton public relations agency HMC has engaged a new account manager – marketing communications lead, Rosie Harris, to join its account management team. Harris has built experience over the past few years in the marketing and communications industry in Auckland, recently shifting to Waikato.She was most recently employed at consumer marketing agency Commando Ltd, starting as an account executive and moving up to account manager level within two years.In this role Harris worked across a range...

CLIENT NEWS - Dutch pool player Marco Teutscher one to watch in New Zealand

Dutch native Marco Teutscher has already proven himself as one to watch on the global pool scene, and now the world-ranked number 61 is playing with a silver fern on his sleeve. The 27 year-old made a splash at the US Open 9 Ball championships in Las Vegas last month when he defeated tournament favourite, 2018 Mocconi Cup MVP Skyler Woodward, finishing the competition 17th overall out of 256 players. And while he plays at global tournaments under the flag of the Netherlands, he’s become an ado...

CLIENT NEWS - Waikato medicinal cannabis company launches public share offer

Medicinal cannabis research and development company, Cannasouth Limited, has lodged a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for an initial public offering (IPO) of new shares to raise up to $10 million. Cannasouth is the first New Zealand medicinal cannabis company to use a regulated offer to raise new capital. The offer opens on Monday May 27 and is expected to close on Friday June 14. Following completion of the offer, Cannasouth will list its shares on the NZX Main Board and in doing so, will be...

CLIENT NEWS - Suppliers needed to meet global demand in booming sheep milk industry

On the back of significant growth during the 2018/2019 financial year, sheep milk producer Spring Sheep Milk Co says the timing has never been better for farmers looking to get involved in the industry. Spring Sheep business manager Thomas Macdonald says international demand for New Zealand sheep milk products is strong, and he’s noticed more farmers making inquiries about converting their dairy farms to sheep milk. “Heading into our fifth dairy season we are noticing a lot more intere...

CLIENT NEWS - Hamilton’s Knowledge Sector Strengthens Housing Market

Lodge Real Estate Managing Director Jeremy O’Rourke sums up Hamilton’s strong housing market with one statement, “Hamilton just keeps on going.” He says, “In January Hamilton experienced a record median house price and March wasn’t far behind.  Historically April sales normally pull back a bit, but not this April.  Sales are still strong and prices are buoyant. “Now, with the lower OCR and bank interest rates following suit, we are seeing increased interest from homeowner...

Techweek Waikato 2019 - CLIENT NEWS

Organisers of Techweek Waikato 19 are encouraging Waikato’s towns and communities to head to a local event to see the technology talent on offer in their own backyard, as the week-long tech showcase gets set to kick off later this month. Running 20-26 May, Techweek Waikato 19 regional coordinator Jannat Maqbool says they’re taking technology on the road in an effort to engage Waikato’s smaller towns and communities with the innovative technology and talent being developed on our doorstep. ...

CLIENT NEWS - Creative Waikato Searching for New CEO

Creative Waikato today announced it will embark on a search for a new CEO.Headquartered in Hamilton, Creative Waikato was established in 2012 and works to build capability within the region’s creative sector. It provides support to artists, connects organisations to encourage collaboration, promotes Waikato’s creative sector and is an advocate for the arts community.The news of a CEO search follows the resignation of inaugural CEO, Sarah Nathan, whose last day with the organisation will be 5...

CLIENT NEWS: Unique pasture spray may hold the key to reducing on-farm environmental impacts while increasing production

The technology behind a product successfully used to improve kiwifruit health and productivity for the past ten years is now available to help pastoral farmers mitigate environmental impacts on-farm while increasing pasture yield and milk and meat production. Biozest is a pasture spray that has been scientifically proven in research trials to improve the productivity, resilience and quality of pasture. Paddock and farm-scale trials over the past decade have shown Biozest-treated pasture can incr...

HMC NEWS: Celebrate Milestones With PR Pizzazz

This year and last were big years of celebration for Waikato organisations.  Have you noticed how many commemorated major anniversaries over the past 18 months?  Last year National Fieldays was 50 and Gallagher Group turned 80.  And this year McCaw Lewis turns 100 while CRV Ambreed and Lodge Real Estate both turn 50.  A few not-for-profits are also celebrating with Habitat for Humanity Central North Island turning 25 this year and Balloons Over Waikato surpassing their 20th....

HMC NEWS: Something's new around here

After 15 years, we thought it was about time we freshened up the HMC brand. You’ll notice we’ve changed our logo and we’ve also changed our name and website. This isn’t a change for the sake of change. Our team has thought long and hard about the transformation and there are five key reasons behind the new look: The solutions HMC offers go beyond one word. Don’t worry – sparking change through clever communications is still at our heart. But as...

CLIENT NEWS: Waikato biotech company earns Supreme and Innovation awards at industry event

Hamilton dairy biotech company Quantec was recognised for its innovation at the annual Natural Health Products NZ awards held in Hamilton on Wednesday 27 March.  The company took out the Supreme Award, which it also received at the industry’s 2018 awards event. Quantec was also awarded the Cawthron Institute Innovation Award. The Natural Health Products NZ awards recognise the success of New Zealand companies developing, manufacturing and exporting natural products, functional foods, comp...

CLIENT NEWS: CRV Ambreed launches new gene mapping service

DNA parentage testing has become more accessible to dairy farmers with the launch of CRV Ambreed’s revitalised DNA parentage testing service this month. The Gene Mapping service uses progressive technology to identify the ancestry of individual stock. DNA samples are collected by taking a small piece of tissue from the animal’s ear. Allflex tissue sampling ear tags are either applied to calves at birth, or as buttons on mature animals.  Tissue samples are then sent to CRV’s approved ...

PR TIPS: Tips for giving the speech of your life

This month my team is helping a client put together a ‘make or break’ presentation that will see him either get one of the biggest contracts of his life or send him packing to regroup and start again.  No pressure, aye? So, while we’re in the thick of it, I thought I would share a few tips on giving an incredible presentation.  Follow these six rules and you’ll increase your chances of success exponentially. Do your researchYour talk needs to relate to the sphere in which your...

CLIENT NEWS: First home buyers fire up February home sales in Hamilton

Lodge Real Estate Managing Director Jeremy O’Rourke says first home buyers are fuelling a fire at the lower end of the Hamilton housing market, sparking a surge in February sales. “First home buyers are extremely active in the city. Three-bedroom properties sitting around the $550,000 mark are often in a multi-offer situation.  “There is a lot of stock on the market right now and first home buyers are keen to grab quality properties that set them in good stead as they start their hom...

CLIENT NEWS: Melody Dairies breaks ground on $50M spray dryer to meet sheep milk export demand

Melody Dairies began construction of its new spray dryer on the campus of the Waikato Innovation Park this month. The new $50 million industrial spray dryer will sit alongside the existing Food Waikato dryer and will have 2.4 times its capacity at 1.2 tonnes of powder per hour. The dryer will be operational by February 2020 and will grow employment at the plant from 17 to 35 staff. Burgeoning global demand for sheep milk products is the impetus behind the new project.  Melody Dairies’ fo...

CLIENT NEWS: New book shares horror of domestic violence - and hope for the future

The hotline rings at 3am on Sunday. A woman is crying. “I need help,” is all she says before the line goes dead. It rings again. In the background there are sounds of fists pummelling flesh, an angry voice and screams. “Who are you calling bitch?” “Where are you?” I ask. It’s the most important question. An address means we have somewhere to go, or somewhere to direct the cops. The next question is, “Are you safe?” “No”, she says, and the phone goes dead again. On the thir...

CLIENT NEWS: Innovation, entrepreneurship allow CRV Ambreed to achieve 50-year milestone

CRV Ambreed turns fifty this year. Over the past five decades the company has consistently helped farmers achieve herds that are easy to work with and profitable, ensuring a better life for farmers, their herds and New Zealand’s economy.  Managing director Angus Haslett says the key to the company’s long-term success has been its culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. “When our founders started the company in 1969, their main goal was to provide New Zealand dairy farmers with an...