Hamilton City Council

It’s Conservation Week, with this year’s theme being ‘take action for nature’. Needing a bit of inspiration? Here’s some ideas for ways to celebrate and do your bit for nature:

🌱 Plant a native tree
🥾 Spend time out in nature (tip: download our Nature in the City app for self-guided tours through some of Kirikiriroa’s natural areas)
🌳 Join one of the community restoration groups that are active across the city or volunteer for future community planting events - https://brnw.ch/21wMg0B
🐁 Carry out backyard trapping to help protect native species from introduced predators
🐦‍ Help attract native birds to your garden by setting up a sugar water station
🗑️ Pick up rubbish around your neighbourhood
✏️ Encourage your school to sign up for our Kids in Nature programme - https://brnw.ch/21wMg0A

What action will you be taking for nature this week? Let us know in the comments down below 👇

Thanks for helping restore nature in the city!

Heard the paw-some news? 🐾

reading buddy dog Greta has been crowned New Zealand’s ‘Top Dog with a Job’ – way to go Greta!👏

Out of the nearly 400 dogs from Whangārei to Invercargill, Greta, our reading buddy dog, has been crowned this year's Top Dog with a Job! Ka pai Greta!
Read more about her on The New Zealand Herald: https://ow.ly/tqRY50TakBk
More information on Reading Buddies Programme can be found on our website: https://ow.ly/o9CO50TakBl

Nau mau haere mai ki Te Ara Pekapeka Bridge 🦇🌉

What an incredible day we had down at the newest bridge in Hamilton Kirikiriroa! It was amazing to see families, friends, and neighbours enjoying the day, walking and biking together across the bridge, and embracing the new connection in our community.

Thank you to everyone who helped make today so special ✨

Here are the first 10 winners in our MyGardens Pass competition – woohoo! 🏆

👉 Chloe Wiles – Hamilton Zoo family pass
👉 Cathie Blade – A double pass to the Bunnings Warehouse NPC: Waikato v Hawkes Bay game
👉 Joseph Martin – Waikato Museum Exscite family pass
👉 Allison Stevens – A double pass to the Wiggles Groove Tour
👉 Malene Felsing – Waterworld family pass
👉 Bhavini Gandhi – Hamilton Gardens Audio tour
👉 Janine Ram – Hamilton Gardens Audio Tour
👉 Dion Rutherford – Two Hamilton Gardens Café hot drink vouchers
👉 Pete Patea – Two Hamilton Gardens Café hot drink vouchers
👉 Deborah Greenhill – Two Hamilton Gardens Café hot drink vouchers

You can be in to win too - we still have 30 prizes up for grabs before 18 September. 📅

To enter, just sign up for your free MyGardens Residents Pass or buy an annual pass at https://brnw.ch/21wMdwU 📱. The earlier you are in the draw, the more chance to win. Ts&Cs apply.

A MyGardens Pass will give you unlimited access into the Enclosed Gardens at Hamilton Gardens when paid entry for out-of-towners starts on 18 September. Hamiltonians, and all under 16s, can get a MyGardens Pass for free! 🌷

Earlier this morning we unveiled the name of the newest bridge in Kirikiriroa, Te Ara Pekapeka Bridge, and it was blessed by mana whenua ✨

Today’s ceremony was cloaked with sadness as attendees noted the passing of Kiingi Tuuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII overnight. We extend our condolences to his whaanau, the Kiingitanga and those affected by his passing throughout Aotearoa.

Te Ara Pekapeka means pathway of the bat. It reflects the consideration that was given in the design of the bridge to protect pekapeka-tou-tou (long-tailed bat) that live in the area.

Speakers noted the Kiingi’s involvement and support for the cultural elements of the bridge, and his connection to the legacy that is the bridge’s name.

Read more here 👉https://brnw.ch/21wMbPe

Today is Daffodil Day, the day we honour all those who have been affected by cancer 🌼

In memory of our loved ones, 10,000 daffodils were planted at our Hamilton Memory Meadow down at Hinemoa Park by . Today these beautiful flowers are now in bloom!

If you can, please consider donating to the Cancer Society. Every dollar helps bring us closer to a future free from cancer 💛🌼

Donate here → https://brnw.ch/21wMbJr

Kia hora te marino, kia whakapapa pounamu te moana, kia tere te kaarohirohi i mua i too huarahi.

E te Kiingi Tuuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero tuawhitu kia au te moe.

May peace be widespread, may the sea glisten like greenstone, and may the shimmer of light ever dance across your pathway.

It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Kiingi Tuuheitia. In his honour, Council will be flying the flag at half mast, and a condolence book will be available in the Council office reception from today for those who wish to pay their respects. May his legacy continue to inspire and guide us all.

Photo by Erica Sinclair.

Happening in Hamilton ✨

There’s always so much happening in Hamilton Kirikiriroa and we want to highlight some of the great activities coming up over the next month in our city!

🌉 Meet us in Peacocke on Saturday 31 August.
Hamiltonians will have the chance to walk, scoot or cycle the city's newest bridge over the Waikato River before it opens to cars.
https://brnw.ch/21wM9X8

🍃 Conservation Week runs from 2 September - 8 September 2024, with the theme ‘take action for nature’.
https://brnw.ch/21wM9Xc

👚👖 Lets get Thrifty! Shopping begins on 5 September from 4pm-8pm, 6 September from 10am-4pm, and 7 September from 10am-2pm.
https://brnw.ch/21wM9X5

For more exciting experiences to entertain the whole whaanau click here 👉https://brnw.ch/21wM9X7

📢 Hamilton City Council has voted today to retain the Kirikiriroa Maaori Ward and hold a binding poll on the issue next year, following the passing of new legislation by central government.

Read more here → https://brnw.ch/21wM9Q0

Council affirms retention of Kirikiriroa Maaori Ward | Hamilton City Council Hamilton City Council has voted today (Thursday 29 August 2024) to retain the Kirikiriroa Maaori Ward and hold a binding poll on the issue next year, following the passing of new legislation by central government.

Major capital projects ticked off in Hamilton ✅

A record level of capital investment across Hamilton Kirikiriroa has made city roads safer, enabled growth, and delivered and maintained crucial infrastructure.

“We’ve delivered crucial projects for our community. We carried out major upgrades to the Pukete Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Waiora Water Treatment Plant as well as ticked off big milestone projects in our growth areas.” Councillor Maxine van Oosten, said.

Read more here 👉

Major capital projects ticked off in Hamilton | Hamilton City Council A record level of capital investment across Hamilton Kirikiriroa has made city roads safer, enabled growth, and delivered and maintained crucial infrastructure.

Nau mai raa – we're glad you’re here! 👋

Welcoming Week 2024 kicks off from 6 September - 15 September 2024. There are 15 events in total across the week, including dance and music performances, kapa haka, cultural and community displays and food stalls, Tangata Tiriti Training, an Asian Health Expo, and a tour of the city.

See the full article here 👉https://brnw.ch/21wM63FD
Find more event details here 👉https://brnw.ch/21wM63H

Nau mai raa – we're glad you're here! Welcoming Week 2024 kicks off in September | Hamilton City Council Nau mai, haere mai! Welcoming Week Hamilton Kirikiriroa (6 – 15 September 2024) is back for another year to welcome all newcomers to the city. 

A bridge for people, a river highway for bats! 🦇

We're making sure our smallest native mammal and the bat highway they use isn’t disrupted by our new bridge in Peacocke.

We've chosen plants that create bat hop-under and hop-overs to create a natural flight path away from the bridge when flying down the river and street and bridge lighting that is warm and low so they can thrive 💡

Click here to read the full article 👉

Bats rule roost in new city suburb Forget Gotham City, Hamilton is about to be the bat friendliest town around as building in its newest suburb - a noted bat corridor- starts.

Are you ready to get thrifty? 🕺

We’re excited to be working with Go Eco and Hospice Waikato to bring this popular event back for 2024.

Simply pay the entry fee at the door (cash or Eftpos), bring your bags and find some pre-loved gems.

🛍 $20 per person
🛍 $10 with a valid student ID
🛍 Maximum of 5 bags (we ask they're roughly equivalent to a reusable shopping bag).

For more event information visit 👉 https://brnw.ch/21wLZeP

Heard of the MyGardens Pass yet? 🤔

A MyGardens Pass will give you unlimited access to the Enclosed Gardens at Hamilton Gardens from 18 Sept. If you live or pay rates in the Hamilton City Council boundary, you’re eligible to sign up for a free MyGardens Pass!

Want to jump the queue? Sign up online and validate early so you can hit the ground running when paid entry starts on 18 Sept. You can also go to the Gallagher Visitor Centre at the Gardens now and the team can help you set up your Pass.

Annual Passes are available for out-of-towners now too!

Sign up now 👉 hamiltongardens.co.nz/mygardenspass

There are even some prizes we’re giving away if you sign up 👀
Find out more about them here: brnw.ch/mygardenspass

During and after shots of the new bridge over the Waikato River 📸

Want to be one of the first people to explore the bridge? On Saturday 31 August the bridge will be opened for the community to walk, bike, scoot and skate along.

Find more event information here: https://www.facebook.com/share/FB9JVRYJQiVxYEtn/

Kia ora Kirikiriroa! Starting today, Turangawaewae Marae will be welcoming many to celebrate the 18th anniversary of Kiingi Tuheitia's coronation at the 2024 Koroneihana!

There will be opportunity to experience and enjoy the Maaori Kings coronation with those who have travelled all across the motu and hear speakers through common topics of interest. There will also be sports events, cultural kapa haka and much more throughout the week!

Check out the schedule and more info below ↓

Want to walk or cycle the newest bridge before it opens? 🌉👀

Hamiltonians will have the chance to walk, scoot or cycle the city's newest bridge over the Waikato River later this month before it opens to cars.

“This bridge really is a masterpiece and until you get to stand in the middle and experience it for yourself, it’s hard to comprehend how incredible it really is. I’m excited that our community can be part of this special occasion.” - Mayor Paula Southgate

Read more here: https://brnw.ch/21wLQXk

Calling all budding artists 🎨🖌🖼

Our popular helmet design competition is back! Each year we see talented students across Hamilton Kirikiriroa show off their skills. Two winners from each age category will get their design airbrushed onto their very own helmet to keep. Check out some of our previous winners for some inspiration. Entries close Friday 27 September! ⏳

Download the template and get designing here 👉🏼https://hamilton.govt.nz/school-travel-planning/

It’s not often you help create something in your city that will last for hundreds of years – but that’s exactly what a group of Mangakōtukutuku College students did last week. 🌳

The group of Year 12 and Year 13 students planted around 350 native trees in the Mangakotukutuku Gully as part of our Kids in Nature programme run through Nature in the City. This included planting a stand of around 130 kahikatea, which are New Zealand’s tallest trees and have a lifespan of over 600 years. Well done to the students for putting in the hard mahi to complete such a significant native planting in their local area, which will benefit many generations to come.

Feedback from the school was that “these experiences are invaluable, and such an honour for our kura to be a part of this milestone now etched in history” – how cool is that! 🤩

It’s official, Maria Te Aukaha Huata has been confirmed as the new Hamilton City Councillor, in the Kirikiriroa Maaori Ward.

The final results from the Kirikiriroa Maaori Ward by-election 2024 are available here 👉🏼 https://hubs.ly/Q02Kn1RX0

The progress result for the Kirikiriroa Maaori Ward by-election shows Maria Te Aukaha Huata is leading after voting has closed, with today’s ballots and special votes still to be counted.

Voting closed at midday today (Wednesday 7 August).

The final result will be confirmed later today. For the final results on the Kirikiriroa Maaori Ward by-election 2024, go to www.hamilton.govt.nz/elections

Want to get important updates about your city?

Get the latest news from Council straight into your inbox. Sign up to receive stories about our growing city, events, projects and more!

Keep up with Council news here 👉 https://brnw.ch/21wLI9q

Thanks Maeroa! Our teams have been working overnight and Maeroa drinking water reservoir is now back to normal operation.

Thanks for your extra efforts to conserve water while we responded to this unexpected issue with pressure in the system. These events don’t happen often but everyone working together helps us resolve them. Kia ora rawa atu, Many thanks! 😊

Kia ora Hamiltonians 👋🏼

We’re asking residents in Maeroa and the central city to urgently conserve water this evening and overnight as we work to resolve an issue with our drinking water supply to the Maeroa Reservoir.

A pressure issue in the drinking water network means we can’t refill the reservoir as quickly as usual. As a precaution, until we resolve the issue, we want to make the water in the reservoir last as long as we can. We anticipate that there will be no impacts on drinking water supply to homes and businesses, other than a slight drop in pressure in some areas.

How the community can help:
👉🏼 Minimise non-essential water use.
👉🏼 Shorten your shower and hold off using dishwashers or washing machines for the next 24 hours.
👉🏼 Don’t wash the car, water the garden or bath the dog.

Kia ora Hamiltonians 👋🏼

We’re asking residents in Maeroa and the central city to urgently conserve water this evening and overnight as we work to resolve an issue with our drinking water supply to the Maeroa Reservoir.

A pressure issue in the drinking water network means we can’t refill the reservoir as quickly as usual. As a precaution, until we resolve the issue, we want to make the water in the reservoir last as long as we can. We anticipate that there will be no impacts on drinking water supply to homes and businesses, other than a slight drop in pressure in some areas.

How the community can help:
👉🏼 Minimise non-essential water use.
👉🏼 Shorten your shower and hold off using dishwashers or washing machines for the next 24 hours.
👉🏼 Don’t wash the car, water the garden or bath the dog.

We want to say a massive thank you to all the volunteers who contributed to the planting of 9000 plants at our Nature in the City Plantathon events in July. 🌳✨

This is huge mahi and we're so grateful to the many Hamiltonians who gave up their Saturday afternoons and got stuck in for nature. Keep your eyes peeled for more opportunities on how you can help restore nature in Hamilton Kirikiriroa! 💚💙

Want a say in the future of Kirikiriroa? We are now in the final days of the Kirikiriroa Maaori Ward by-election. 📢

If you're enrolled on the Maaori roll, don't forget to vote! Voting packs need to be returned by midday on Wednesday 7 August.

Didn't receive a voting pack? No worries, you can still cast a special vote at any of our libraries.

Find a ballot box here 👉🏼 www.hamilton.govt.nz/elections

Roses are red, violets are blue, soon a MyGardens Pass will be available for you🌹🌼

Changes are coming to how you can continue to explore the stunning Enclosed Gardens at Hamilton Gardens. The $20 entry for out-of-towners (16 years+), or annual pass, will officially start 18 September.

But if you live or pay rates in Hamilton, you will still be able to get in for free if you show proof of address and photo ID. The first time you visit after 18 Sept, you’ll have the chance to sign up for a MyGardens Pass and when you have it you'll get unlimited visits to the Enclosed Gardens without having to wait for a ticket, or show your proof of address each time. Under 16s will also be free. Ts&Cs apply.

A friendly reminder, everyone, no matter where you live, will continue to have free access to the Hamilton Gardens Café, Roger’s Rose Garden, Rhododendron Lawn, Camellia Garden, children’s playground, parking and Turtle Lake. 🌱

Find out more here 👉🏼

Hamilton Gardens paid entry | Hamilton City Council Hamilton Gardens paid entry. Changes to entering Hamilton Gardens' will introduce paid entry to its Enclosed Gardens on 18 September 2024. Hamiltonians can explore for free.

The Community Initiatives Grant is 2024/25 is now open for applications! 🎉

If your organisation runs any activities, programmes or events for Hamiltonians, or encourages social connectivity in our city, check out our website for info about how you could apply for your share of funding to help with your mahi.

We're hosting two information sessions at the Auaha Room (Ground Floor) Hamilton Central Library in Garden Place for any organisations who are interested in applying:

👉🏼 Saturday, 10 August from 10am – 11am
👉🏼 Thursday, 15 August from 4.30 pm – 5.30pm.See you there!