Descendants of those involved in settling Hamilton and planting 50 oak trees in Steele Park have responded enthusiastically to an event commemorating the era, with some coming from overseas to be involved. Settlers Market Day organiser, Hamilton City Councillor Mavora Hamilton says she and the organising team have been inundated with calls. "I estimate we have fielded about 350 calls, wh... more...

Three separate road works planned for next week are expected to cause traffic delays, despite being carried out at off-peak times. Contracts supervisor Martyn Smith says all three jobs rely on fine weather and involve resurfacing resulting in detours and reduced traffic access to the work sites. "As always we have attempted to schedule the work to accommodate peak traffic, but inevitably... more...

Waikato Stadium is celebrating its first year of operation, and reflecting on a well-earned reputation that has made it highly sought after for a range of events and functions and seen about 300,000 people pass through its gates. Waikato Stadium and Westpac Park management board chair Peter Bos is delighted with the stadium's first year. "We have a great foundation for growing our events... more...

Autumn's arrival is bringing a riot of colours to Taitua Arboretum over the next six weeks as the leaves on thousands of trees in the 20ha park respond to the cooler weather. Arboretum manager Adrian Jepson says the park should be compulsory viewing at this time of the year. "Autumn is one of the most spectacular times to come to Taitua. It's an idyllic spot at any time of the year, but ... more...

Due to a continuing increase of demand for building inspections, Hamilton City Council has extended its hours of operation on the dedicated phone line. Building control manager Phil Saunders says Council is responding to a high demand for inspections and the fact that builders are now working over time to get their jobs done. "There is a great deal of pressure on the entire building indu... more...

A major event commemorating Hamilton's 125th anniversary since the Hamilton Borough was formed, will see the city's first park, Steele Park, turned into a marketplace on 4 May. Event organiser Mavora Hamilton says she is trying to create the original Settlers Market Day so the city can re-live a special moment of our history. "Steele Park, first called Sydney Square, was a market place w... more...

Council last night approved a policy to help staff manage the swimming lanes at Waterworld and the Gallagher Aquatic Centre. Social and community committee chair Pippa Mahood says the policy balances the needs of the clubs, other swimmers and those wanting general recreational space. "It's great we have such popular swimming facilities, and the issue of managing increasing demand on what... more...

Hamilton City Libraries has installed listening posts in three of its libraries so customers can listen to CDs of their choice. Libraries director Faye Clark says local company Scytect, with help from Starbucks, has installed the listening posts in central, Dinsdale and Hillcrest libraries. "Through these listening posts, customers will be able to listen to tracks from our CD collection.... more...

Hamiltonians are being encouraged to come down to the river's banks this Sunday, 6 April for a special walk to commemorate the opening of a new section of walkway. Completion of the new section (between Braithwaite and Milne parks) joins two other walkways into a 7km unbroken stretch. Event organiser Mike Hodges, from Council's parks and gardens unit says the heart has become the event's... more...