Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park is set to reach another milestone in its quest to restore 50 hectares of native vegetation over a 20 year period when memoranda of understanding are signed on 13 April from 11.30am-12.30pm. Hamilton mayor Michael Redman will join representatives from WINTEC, University of Waikato and Tui 2000 in Council's Reception Lounge to sign the memoranda and formalise the ... more...

Council has received an independent review of the Prostitution Bylaw 2004 by the city solicitor in light of a local challenge to the bylaw and recent judgements made in Auckland and Christchurch determining that those cities bylaws were partially invalid. A High Court challenge against the Prostitution Bylaw 2004 has been filed by Tonis Escort Agency. Tonis is a large parlour brothel located outs... more...

Council's proposed 2006 - 16 Long-Term Plan was signed off today. The Long-Term plan provides a blueprint for the development of Hamilton over the next 10 years. The plan is based on predicated growth of 11,000 new homes and a population increase of almost 25,000 people over the next 10 years. Highlights from the plan include CityScope - the city design strategy - , the CBD upgrade, t... more...

Hamilton Zoo has released two kokako birds into its FreeFlight Sanctuary today [Thursday, 16 March] with plans to release three more in the near future. The kokako are an endangered species of bird and Hamilton Zoo has hand-raised kokako chicks for the past three summers as part of a DOC programme. A small population of all-male kokako is present in Northland's Puketi Forest and DOC, in partnersh... more...

Latin meets league when the Pirtek Parramatta Eels face off against the Vodafone Warriors this Saturday [18 March] as a specially-tailored entertainment package delivers a strong latin flavour. Council's event facilities manager Mark Christie says crowds will be treated to the thrills and spills of league action seasoned with the sultry swing and samba of latin entertainment. 'Crowds come for an... more...

Hamilton's new 21 million litre Hamilton South Reservoir on Chinaman's Hill will be brought into service this week. Water and waste services manager Leroy Leach says the $3.9m reservoir is part of a larger project which includes new bulk main pipelines, increased pumping capacity and upgraded control systems. "The total value of these works is $9.3m. This level of investment is necessary ... more...

It's not to late to get into the big picture as the Waikato Society of Arts National Painting and Printmaking Award entrants and winner are on display at ArtsPost. The awards were displayed and judged at the Hamilton Gardens Summer Festival which ran from 17 February. This year, the awards drew hundreds of entries. A shortlist of 35 finalists was made before the winner was announced at the gal... more...

Waikato Museum's February visitor numbers show there are more of us going to the museum than ever before. The total number of visits made to the Waikato Museum in the month of February has significantly exceeded previous February totals, reaching 7128 people. This is a 10.7 per cent increase on last February's visitor total of 6437 people and is the highest tally for February since 1999. Wai... more...

Although Waikato Stadium becomes home turf for the Pirtek Parramatta Eels as they face off against the Vodafone Warriors this Saturday [18 March 2006], Hamilton is particularly home territory to four Warriors players. Three members of the Warriors squad attended school in Hamilton. Lance Hohaia attended St Paul's Collegiate, Sam Rapira attended Hamilton Boys High and Louis Anderson attended Chu... more...

Vodafone Warriors fans can get a sneak peek at their heroes this Thursday [16 March] as the team has an open training run. Everyone is welcome to watch the Warriors in training at 4pm on Waikato Stadium field number 1. The public is asked to enter through gates three and four at the stadium. Event facilities manager Mark Christie says the open training run offers the public a chance to see... more...

4WRD: Innovations in Agriculture has come to the end of its three year exhibition period at the Waikato Museum and will be taken down on 20 March. As part of the Strategic Plan process, Waikato Museum undertook consultation to identify what the community wished to see at the museum. The response indicated a clear desire for more history exhibitions to feature at the museum. Two major history e... more...

Waikato Museum will be represented on the panel at a Race Relations Day debate held at Auckland Museum on Tuesday, 21 March. The Race Relations Day debate is hosted annually by Auckland Museum as part of Race Relations Day. This year's debate topic explores how cultural institutions can engage more effectively with New Zealand's cultural communities. Waikato Museum concept leader (Social ... more...

For Immediate Release The Propecia Rally of New Zealand will be based in Hamilton this year as part of a three year deal between the city and Rally New Zealand. Council secured the sponsorship hosting rights for the World Rally Championship event following negotiations that began last year. Rally New Zealand chairman Morrie Chandler says modifications to the international requirements m... more...

As Council continues to implement road safety initiatives to promote increased road safety around schools, an exhibition called Speed is coming to Waikato Museum in April. Speed focuses on the science behind motion but incorporates a heavy road safety awareness component through the collaborative input of the Road Safety Group comprising ACC, Land Transport New Zealand, New Zealand Police, Envi... more...

Resurfacing work at a busy city intersection will be carried out during off-peak hours this week to minimise the effect on traffic. Tomorrow through to Friday [8-10 March] the Lake Road/Ruakiwi Road/Lake Domain Drive intersection is being milled - removing the road's top layer - and resurfaced. Traffic management will be in place, including a detour for Tainui Street. The resurfacing work i... more...

Resurfacing work along two busy sections of road will be carried out during off-peak hours this week to minimise the effect on traffic.From Monday, 6 March through till Thursday [9 March], Hukanui Road, from Lynden Court to Glen Lynne Avenue, is being milled - removing the road's top layer - and resurfaced. The same resurfacing work will be completed on the Hall Street rail overbridge from toda... more...

Council has won a Highly Commended Award in the Public Sector Category at the EECA Energy-Wise Awards held in Auckland on Wednesday night [1 March]. General manager Works and Services Sally Davis and former energy manager Martin Lynch were presented with the award by Minister of Energy David Parker. Council won the award for its diverse energy management programme over the past six years. Highli... more...

Hamilton's treated water is safe to drink. The water treatment station has increased monitoring of river water quality and its output into the city's water supply network. Although elevated levels of potentially toxic blue-green algae have been found in the Waikato River, the health warning that has been issued for the river from Lake Karapiro to the sea, applies only to recreational use in the ... more...

In accordance with legislative requirements, Council has adopted a proposed policy on earthquake-prone, dangerous and insanitary buildings to present to the public for consultation. Under the Building Act 2004, Council is required to have a completed policy by 31 May 2006, a copy of which is to be forwarded to Government. Council's proposed policy is based on a risk management approach under... more...

Hamilton City Council is deferring any decision on court action against Transit NZ while it directly raises the matter with them over their commitment to construct the Avalon Drive by pass. At its full meeting last night, Council reaffirmed its position that it believes it has a contractual agreement with Transit for them to complete Avalon Drive by pass in the 2006/07 year. Hamilton mayor Mic... more...