Programmed maintenance works on Hamilton's bulk water mains will begin today [Thursday 30 October] now that the Ruakiwi reservoir has been recommissioned. The project is expected to take four weeks to complete and most residents will be unaffected by the work. The annual maintenance keeps the essential bulk mains in top order to ensure servicelevels canbe maintained, especially during summe... more...

Hamilton City Council's inner city security strategy is to have a physical presence on the streets every weekend from Thursday [30 October] night. Councillor John Gower, a key driver in developing the strategy, says six people have been hired to beat the streets to improve the perception of the central city as a great place for a night out without hassles. "Our nightlife is a city asset,... more...

The three yearly general revaluation of Hamilton city, which has just been completed, has shown some significant increases in property values. The revaluation carried out by Quotable Value New Zealand's Hamilton office has shown that the capital value (land plus improvements) of the city has increased from $10.6 billion to $12.4 billion. Hamilton Mayor David Braithwaite says while it is pleasing... more...

Hamilton's public art selection panel made its first recommendation to Council's social and community committee, putting forward internationally renowned sculptor Chris Booth to work on a Hamilton Gardens entranceway. Waikato museum director and panel chair Kate Vusoniwailala says the panel is excited that its inaugural project is such a worthy subject, and attracting such a respected artis... more...

Waikato Rugby Union and Hamilton City Council have reached agreement on a $100,000 rent increase for Waikato Stadium. Currently the WRU pays $498,000 a year for use of the stadium plus any event costs associated with match days. The new agreement will see the WRU moving to a yearly rental of $600,000 plus event costs. The new rental will be linked to Consumer Price Index movements. Ch... more...

Hamilton Zoo's Grants zebra herd has increased by one after mother Maria, 16, delivered a foal on 6 October. Administration manager Jillian Prew says the foal has already joined the savannah exhibit's other zebra, giraffe, springbok, nilgai and ostrich. "A foal can stand immediately after birth and can run within an hour so there was no hesitation about letting the foal out with the othe... more...

An independent consultant has been appointed to conduct a health risk assessment of the aerial spraying of asian gypsy moth in Hamilton. The appointment follows a Council resolution to take the additional step to engage an appropriate, independent and professional person to conduct a preliminary and urgent health risk assessment into the proposed MAF aerial spray programme. Council also... more...

A report measuring the Quality of Life in New Zealand?s eight largest cities shows that 89 per cent of residents in Hamilton rate the quality of life here as good or very good.Hamilton is part of the report for the first time. The Quality of Life report monitors and gives information on key areas including people, knowledge and skills, economic standard of living, economic development, ho... more...

At an extraordinary meeting of Council today [Friday, 3 October] Council discussed whether or not it has fulfilled its obligations under the Health Act in respect of the Government decision to aerial spray part of the city to eradicate the asian gypsy moth incursion. Two legal opinions were received, the first by solicitor Mr Tony Banks and the second from the city solicitor. Council res... more...

Hamilton's central city liquor bylaw restricting alcohol consumption to licensed premises comes into force tonight [2 October] from 6pm. Environmental services general manager Graeme Fleming says the bylaw will be effective between 6pm Thursdays and 7am Sundays. "Basically the bylaw means putting a stop to people wandering the city with an open beer in hand. As such, it won't actually af... more...