Willis on growth and reform

Willis on growth and reform

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has outlined her vision for council funding, banking competition, and women’s leadership, while celebrating New Zealand’s export success and future growth. Speaking after a Waikato Chamber of Commerce business luncheon last…

New racing home eyed

The search for a greenfield site to house Waikato’s racing industry appears to have narrowed to land immediately south of Hamilton – and an announcement understood to be only days away. Waikato Thoroughbred Racing chief…

In business… Wintec’s fightback

After years of upheaval under Te Pūkenga, Hamilton’s Wintec – the regional polytechnic serving Waikato, Waipa and King Country – is reclaiming independence. Once burdened by $19.4m losses and fading identity, it now promises a…

It’s our darling Clements’ time…

Cambridge’s newest boutique hotel – once a run-down rough place that the local MP needed a police escort into – now tells a story of resilience, vision and community pride. Tourism minister Louise Upston cut…

Road tolling ahead

Road tolling is likely to help fund the long‑awaited 16‑kilometre Cambridge to Piarere expressway. The project is fast‑tracked as a Road of National Significance and property acquisition and design work is underway. The community had…

At last: It’s done and dusted

For nearly three years it’s been a stretch of road festooned with hundreds of orange cones and lengthy delays for motorists. Now Cambridge Road – between Hugo Shaw Road and the new roundabout, complete with…

Par-tee like it’s 1900

Bev McLean loves organising events and her latest one – the Cambridge Golf Club 125th anniversary – was another success. Everything went to plan except for the downpour that struck the 90 golfers early in…

Council reviews consent bid

A bid to establish a managed fill in Leamington could add up to 8000 truck trips through Cambridge each year. Waipā District Council has put the consent on hold as it seeks more information. ResourceCo…

Quarry deal confirmed

After four years and $130,000 in legal fees, Rhys and Antoinette Powell’s fight against a Cambridge quarry ended last week – not in court, but with a handshake. On site at French Pass Road, Rhys…

We Say: More to come

In the end, it fizzled out with barely a whimper. The Newcombe Road quarry saga made headlines during the local body election campaign. Yet it wasn’t council intervention that resolved the standoff. It was the…