Council has made a local response this week to a national pilot project which aims to make significant reductions in use of the car by the year 2010. Jo Carling has joined Council as Safer Routes Co-ordinator and her appointment signifies Council's quick response and commitment to road safety issues and to promoting the use of alternative modes of transport to the car. General manager Works a... more...

Te Hurihanga Residence Site Selection Steering Committee met today [29 June] and identified a possible alternative site for the youth justice residence in Hamilton. Since its last meeting on 1 June, the committee has been considering and assessing the suitability of several possible sites against the agreed criteria. Today, the committee agreed upon one site for more detailed investigation. Th... more...

Council confirms level of rates from 1 July27 June 05For Immediate ReleaseHamilton City Council has confirmed an average rates rise for the coming financial year of 4.73 per cent for existing ratepayers.The increase includes 3.48 per cent to be allocated specifically to Access Hamilton transportation issues. This part of the rate increase will allow Council to raise up to $22 million by loan, ... more...

Sights and sounds of the Maori new year will come to life at the Waikato Museum this Friday [24 June] as the Matariki: Goddesses of the Stars exhibition opens. Work from six Taumarunui artists comprise the exhibition which includes the arts of music, carving and weaving. Waikato Museum Director Kate Vusoniwailala says the exhibition marks a great opportunity to learn more about the Maori new y... more...

Council takes a fresh look at heritage in Hayes Paddock22 June 2005For Immediate ReleaseHamilton City Council is organising a public meeting early next month with the intention of considering the future of the Hayes Paddock area in Hamilton East as heritage area of the city.A fresh approach to urban design and heritage is a priority for the new Council and it wants to see this applied to the a... more...

Tomorrow [Friday, 17 June] the Pirtek Parramatta Eels arrive for their showdown with the Warriors on Saturday night [18 June]. A powhiri performed by children from Rakaumangamanga will greet the Eels team upon their arrival at Waikato Stadium at 12 noon. The Eels will then appear at the stadium at 5pm for a training run. The training run will be closed to media and the public. A civic recept... more...

Put a little magic into your day this Friday afternoon [17 June] and come along to Civic Square where Hamilton will greet the Waikato/BOP Magic netball team - the new National Bank Cup winners. The Magic players and management team will all be gathered in Civic Square at 3pm where they will be greeted by Hamilton mayor Michael Redman, MC Jenny-May Coffin and a host of Hamiltonian fans. The Cla... more...

Waikato Stadium will undergo a temporary role reversal in more than one way this Saturday [18 June 2005] as it becomes 'home' to the Pirtek Parramatta Eels and switches codes from rugby to league within one week. The Eels will face off against the Vodafone Warriors at Waikato Stadium where the Eels will enjoy official home game status. Last Saturday [11 June 2005], Waikato Stadium hosted the r... more...

Footy fans wanted to park in the CBD before making their way to the Lions v NZ Maori showdown can now count on two additional car parking buildings being available. The underground car park underneath Downtown Plaza and the Farmers car parking building will both remain open till midnight this Saturday [11 June]. Having the two additional car parking buildings open will ease the demand on park... more...

A new shuttle bus service from central Hamilton to Waikato Stadium will launch this weekend to transport fans to and from the Lions v. NZ Maori showdown on Saturday [11 June 2005]. The shuttle bus service will also operate for the Pirtek Parramatta Eels v. Vodafone Warriors match on Saturday, 18 June. The shuttle bus is a joint initiative of Environment Waikato, Waikato Stadium and Hamilton Ci... more...

Hamilton will be 'blacked out' next week from Tuesday [7 June] in keeping with the black out theme leading into the Lions v NZ Maori game. Council and the Waikato Rugby Union have encouraged Hamilton retailers to get into the spirit of the game lead-up and incorporate the black out theme into their stores, through shop window displays or by having staff wear black on Thursday, Friday and Sat... more...

Council cuts debt burden for ratepayers4 June 2005For Immediate ReleaseHamilton City Council's review of levies paid by property developers will result in a significant reduction in the debt burden for city ratepayers.Mayor Michael Redman says the substantial growth of the city has required a new innovative and proactive funding strategy.Mr Redman says Council's Development and Financial Contr... more...

Hamilton mayor Michael Redman has joined the campaign to lobby Netball New Zealand to give the Waikato/BOP Magic netball squad some say in where they play the National Bank Cup final. In a letter he wrote to Netball New Zealand today [2 June 2005], Mr Redman asked that Netball New Zealand reconsider their current position and suggested Trusts Stadium in Waitakere as an alternative venue optio... more...

Te Hurihanga Residence Site Selection Steering Committee met for the first time today to identify and assess alternative sites for the youth justice facility in Hamilton. The committee currently consists of seven members representing Council, the Ministry of Justice, Police, Youth Horizons Trust and one MP. At least one Maori representative will join the committee shortly. The Minister of Just... more...