Jim van der Poel
Van der Poel honoured
Jim van der Poel, on farm at Ngahinapouri, Photo: Stephen Barker
Ōhaupō’s Jim van der Poel was given a standing ovation in Auckland when he was recognised for his service to the dairy sector with an Outstanding Contribution to Primary Industries Award. North Waikato’s Neil Bateup, was announced winner of the Champion Award, recognising his decades spent supporting farmers and rural families through challenging times.
Stewart retires
Cambridge cyclist Campbell Stewart, who has been a world, Olympic and Commonwealth champion, has announced his retirement at the age of 28. Palmerston North born Stewart plans to continue living in Waipā. He won his first elite world title in Polland in 2019.
Dirt bikes
Three weeks after the issue was raised in Deb Hann’s weekly On the Beat column, Hamilton Police have impounded another dirt bike as part of an ongoing enforcement operation to target illegal and dangerous dirt bike behaviour. To date, 16 dirt bikes have been seized as part of the operation.
Film fest
Cambridge will host the Italian Film Festival from the middle of next month.
The festival runs through the year and will be at the Tivoli Theatre for three weeks.
It is organised by film enthusiasts Paolo Rotondo and Renee Mark who live in Hawke’s Bay and is in its eleventh year. “We use popular films from the previous year’s Italian releases as a starting point when curating the festival programme,” festival co-founder and artistic director Rotondo said.
Boundary calls
Hamilton City Council is evaluating six scenarios for local government reform and initial analysis favours mergers with one or two neighbouring councils – specifically Waikato and Waipā.
New leader
South Canterbury farmer Colin Hurst is the new national president of Federated Farmers and Gisborne farmer Sandra Faulkner is vice president. Hurst succeeds Golden Bay’s Wayne Langford and called him a “phenomenal leader”.
Water company underway
On top of Waikato water, from left South Waikato mayor Gary Petley, board members Jon Lamonte, Jaydene Kana and chair Elena Trout, Waitomo, Waipā, Hauraki and Ōtorohanga mayors John Robertson, Mike Pettit, Toby Adams and Rodney Dow. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Today marks the first day of operations for Waikato Waters, a new council‑controlled organisation established by six district councils to deliver water and wastewater services for their communities. Waikato Waters interim chief executive Neil Brennan says the launch represents a significant step forward for water services in the Waikato. Councils are transitioning in stages. Today, Waitomo, South Waikato and Waipā district councils transferred water and wastewater services to Waikato Waters. Matamata-Piako District Council will follow on 1 October, and Hauraki and Ōtorohanga district councils will transition on 1 July 2027. Waipā mayor Mike Pettit said for Waipā it was about making sure communities continue to have reliable, high-quality water services, “while also managing the real challenges we face with growing demand.”
Infographic showing Waikato Waters’ role in the water cycle.
In the biz news
Waikato Business News July 2026
A six-year-old Waikato boy gazing skyward at balloons has inspired thousands of children around the world through a career that began at Balloons over Waikato and led to classrooms in more than 80 countries.
It is a reminder of how Waikato stories often start small and grow into something much bigger. That thread runs through the latest Waikato Business News, where growth, change and quiet confidence sit alongside the region’s everyday realities.
There is momentum in tourism and investment, but also a recognition that opportunity has to be worked for. Farmers talk cautiously about better returns while keeping an eye on rising costs.
Bay of Plenty Business News July 2026
Community efforts sit alongside that, with a Hamilton choir helping raise funds to strengthen St Peter’s Cathedral, showing how local support continues to underpin the region’s institutions.
Elsewhere, questions are being asked about the long-term value of major assets like Hamilton Airport and how regions position themselves for the next phase of growth.
Meanwhile across the hill in Bay of Plenty Business News, Tauranga’s skyline is full of cranes, but the challenge now is bringing people and life back into the city centre. Plus columnist Todd Muller reflects on Kane Williamson’s “quiet leadership” and we meet the man who pioneered the Ruby Red kiwifruit. Discover insights, growth stories, and the region’s business future.
