Hamilton Zoo is encouraging those interested in exploring the challenges facing New Zealand conservation to register now for the Conservation Management Group (CMag) Conference [1-3 July]. Hamilton Zoo administration manager Jillian Prew says this is a unique opportunity and those interested need to register in the next few days. "It's vital that those working in the conservation and environ... more...

Don Binney's exhibition opening today at the Waikato Museum celebrates the work of one of this country's favourite artists, and his 40-year love affair with birds and landscape. Museum art curator John Hurrell says Binney's paintings appeal to an extraordinarily wide range of people. "His landscape and bird paintings are generally considered some of the most recognised and loved icons of thi... more...

Westpac Park's redevelopment continues at pace with the top surface of the outfield scrapped off, drainage laid, and work on the block completed. Stadiums management board chair Peter Bos says it's exciting to see the progress. "Council knew there was a drainage issue to overcome when it took over management of the park in 2001. We planned to address it immediately after the 2003/04 cricket ... more...

Hamilton City Council is seeking feedback on how Hamilton residents feel about their city and Council through the Annual Residents Survey which is due to begin this weekend. Strategic general manager Michael Theelen says the survey is now in its 20th year and is Council's main barometer for gauging community satisfaction with the services and facilities it provides. "Council measures its per... more...

Normal water supply levels of service in the south-eastern side of the city may drop slightly from 9am on Wednesday 26 May, while a faulty valve is replaced in a bulk watermain in Hamilton Gardens. Operations engineer Phil O'Connor says there is also a chance discoloured water will result from re-routing water via Normandy Avenue and Cobham Drive. "We will thoroughly flush the area to minimi... more...

Council has achieved Film Friendly status by supporting the Local Government New Zealand film friendly protocols. In committing to the film friendly protocols, Council has undertaken to provide a supportive environment to the film industry. Economic development committee chairman, Councillor Ewan Wilson, who signed the original partnership agreement proposal with Film New Zealand says Counci... more...

Waterworld's 50m pool and dive pool reopen on Monday after one of the facility's longest pool closures since it opened in 1976. Leisure facilities manager (acting) Jason Rogers says although Waterworld has maintained a high level of service using its other pools, it will be great to have the two pools back on line. "Waterworld has maintained an incredible record of consistent service to the ... more...

Hamilton City Councillor, Brian Impson, is continuing to make progress in Waikato Hospital following a fall at his home prior to Easter.Cr Impson's wife, Tracy Robinson, says while the recovery hasn't been as speedy as wished for, her husband's condition is continuing to improve.Ms Robinson says Cr Impson is expecting to be well enough to stand for Council again at the October local body el... more...

Hamilton City Council was in the winner's circle at the national public relations awards last night. A campaign to celebrate good dog ownership in the city and inform dog owners of changes in legislation won the Not for Profit/Limited Budget category of the PRINZ (Public Relations Institute of New Zealand) national awards. Philip Burton of Council's Communication and Marketing Group, togethe... more...

Waikato Museum's Exscite exhibition Sci-Quest is set to follow the amazing success of its last in-house interactive science exhibition, Out of the Toybox. Science curator Nevan Ofsoski says the team spent a long time designing and refining Sci-Quest to ensure this next in-house offering was as good, if not better, than Out of the Toybox. "When designing and building Sci-Quest we had the bene... more...

Diggeress Te Kanawa - master Maori textile artist, mother of 12, wife, teacher and mentor to a growing generation of weavers - has honoured the Waikato Museum of Art and History with her collection of Maori cloaks, kete and other items, spanning 30 years of work dedicated to the maintenance of traditional Maori weaving. Curator of Ethnology Ariana Sheehan says 'Te Aho Tapu - The sacred thread... more...