Community

The Frankton McDonald’s Colour Run/Walk is set to bring a burst of energy, colour, and community spirit to Innes Common at Hamilton Lake on Sunday, 15 February 2026, from 10 am. Designed as a celebration of health, wellbeing, and togetherness, the event is expected to draw around 2,000 participants of all ages and fitness levels. With food trucks, music, activities, and plenty of bright, joy-filled moments, it promises to be one of Hamilton’s most uplifting community gatherings of the year. More than a fun day out, the Colour Run/Walk proudly supports Ronald McDonald House Charities, an organisation that helps families stay close to their children while they receive hospital care. Every ticket purchased and every donation made contribute directly to this meaningful cause, providing comfort and support when families need it most. Participants will begin their journey at Innes Common before following the track around Hamilton Lake (just under 4km). Along the way, they will pass through a series of Colour Stations, each sponsored by a local business. Volunteers will be ready with colour powder to add a vibrant splash to every runner’s experience. It’s a simple concept that creates unforgettable memories and spectacular energy. Beyond the course itself, the event features several dedicated zones to keep the excitement flowing. The Warm-Up Zone will get everyone moving before the start, while the Fun Zone offers activities and games for kids. You do not have to run or walk. Those wanting a breather can make the most of the Chill Zone, a relaxed space to unwind and enjoy the atmosphere. The finish area will be alive with activity, complete with food trucks, music, entertainment, and an MC to keep the energy high long after the run ends. Tickets can be bought by visiting the website www.HamiltonColourRun.co.nz. If you cannot attend the event, we encourage everyone to make a donation by visiting the website. Local businesses can also get involved by hosting a Mufti Day at their workplace and collecting donations to support the event. Whether you join the run, volunteer, donate, or simply cheer from the sidelines, it’s the perfect opportunity to come together for a brilliant cause. McDonald’s Frankton   Contact  – Pooja Goel E colourrun@pjmaccas.co.nz P 0225036001 https://www.hamiltoncolourrun.co.nz/contact https://www.facebook.com/mcdonaldsfrankton https://www.instagram.com/franktonmcdonalds

Debt, sustainability, iwi partnerships, and community wellbeing set the tone in this year’s race. Hamilton’s 2025 mayoral race is shaping up as a test of priorities for the business sector, with four leading candidates offering sharply different approaches to debt, growth, and community wellbeing. At a recent Waikato Chamber of Commerce business forum, contenders were pressed on how they would tackle rising debt, high rates, and a struggling CBD. The city’s debt has climbed toward $1 billion, with $63 million paid in interest alone last year – a reality weighing heavily on ratepayers and business owners. Maria Huata, Deputy Chair of the Economic Development Committee, highlights Hamilton’s partnership with Waikato Tainui, “the second wealthiest iwi in the country with an asset base worth approximately $2.4 billion.” She believes stronger iwi–business collaboration is key to unlocking local opportunities. Her top priorities include partnering with Tainui Group Holdings to create employment pathways, prioritising local procurement through council contracts, and establishing a citywide think tank to unite business networks, iwi, and research entities. “To power the aspirations of our city, a strong economic base is essential,” Huata says. Sarah Thomson, Chair of the Strategic Growth Committee, argues Hamilton must “make every ratepayer dollar count, while building a strong future for our city.” She champions regional collaboration, noting Hamilton already saves over $3 million annually through joint procurement and water testing. “Partnering with Waikato District Council on three waters will save tens of millions on major infrastructure projects. It’s time to expand this collaboration,” she says. Thomson also wants to bring more work back in-house to reduce consultant costs and strengthen expertise. As chair, she has led efforts to address the city’s shortage of industrial land and supports co-funding for the Eastern Transport Corridor, expected to deliver $1 billion in annual productivity benefits once complete. Rachel Karalus, a lawyer and governance professional, is running on a platform of accountability and prudent financial management. “Now is the time to rebuild trust, rein in spending, reduce debt, and bring council back to basics,” she says. Karalus believes Hamilton’s financial challenges require disciplined leadership and transparent decision-making. “Ratepayers are not ATMs,” she adds, pledging to ensure council lives within its means. She also emphasises fostering innovation, supporting local businesses through fair procurement, and maintaining core services while reducing unnecessary costs. Tim Macindoe, a former MP and current councillor, says the city’s escalating debt poses a serious threat to future growth. “We cannot continue spending money we do not have,” he warns, noting, “our debt has tripled in the last six years, including by more than 25% in the past 18 months.” Macindoe’s campaign centres on restoring financial stability, focusing on infrastructure, and lowering the burden on ratepayers. He has called for a leaner council, reduced bureaucracy, and targeted spending on essential services. “Every dollar we save is a dollar that can be reinvested in the city’s long-term prosperity,” he says. For Hamilton’s business community, the choice is clear: bold partnerships, regional collaboration, strict fiscal discipline, or urgent debt control. The outcome will shape not only council budgets but also how the city grows, innovates, and competes in the decade ahead.

The Indian Cultural Society (Waikato) Inc is proud to announce the 35th Waikato Diwali Mela, set to take place on Saturday, 18 October 2025 at Innes Common, Hamilton Lake. Running from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, this much-loved annual event is expected to draw more than 10,000 people, making it one of the Waikato region’s largest cultural gatherings. The Diwali Mela will feature a wide variety of cultural performances, including traditional regional dances, music, and storytelling. A highlight of the evening will be the ceremonial lighting of the ‘Diya’, a symbolic tradition representing the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. Known worldwide as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists, each with their own traditions. For Hindus, it commemorates Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. For Sikhs, it marks the release of Guru Hargobind Ji from imprisonment, while for Jains, it signifies the spiritual enlightenment of Lord Mahavira. Despite these different origins, Diwali universally represents hope, renewal, and unity. Visitors will also enjoy a vibrant selection of food stalls, offering authentic Indian cuisine from savoury street food such as samosas and pakoras to sweet favourites including jalebi and gulab jamun. The evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display over Hamilton Lake, creating a stunning reflection across the water and providing a memorable finale for families and friends. For more than three decades, the Indian Cultural Society (Waikato) Inc has brought communities together through the Waikato Diwali Mela. This 35th anniversary celebration promises to be one of the most memorable yet, showcasing the beauty of Diwali while uniting people of all backgrounds. Event Details:Date: Saturday, 18 October 2025Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PMLocation: Innes Common, Hamilton Lake, Hamilton 3204Anticipated Attendance: Over 10,000 Watch last years highlights: https://youtu.be/-s8jqEWKLXA Contact Information: – Jujhar Singh (Jay) Randhawa JP (President & Head of Events) Mobile: 0275777221 – Jeevan Mathews (Secretary & Event Team) Mobile: 0211895389 – Email: indiancswi@gmail.com – Website: https://icsw.org.nz/ Contact MediaPA 027 458 7724 phillip@mediapa.co.nz

By Frank Craig, Ace High Motor Inn, Napier It’s time to ask some hard questions. When was the last time your community actually improved thanks to the actions of an elected politician? Too often, major projects are sold to the public as “good for everyone,” yet when the numbers are broken down, the economic sense is far less convincing. Take, for instance, the Harapaki Wind Farm — a $395 million project touted as a sustainable investment set to power 70,000 households. On the surface, this sounds impressive. But let’s dig a little deeper. If the average electricity bill per household is around $100 per month, that’s $1,200 a year. Multiply that by 70,000 households, and you get $8.4 million in energy consumption per annum. Now, divide the $395 million cost of the wind farm by $8.4 million — which represents the annual return if the power offset equals bill savings — and it would take over 47 years to recover the initial investment. Is this what we call an economically sound project? What’s more, Meridian Energy — the company behind the Harapaki Wind Farm — is 51% government-owned. That means taxpayers effectively contributed approximately $200 million to this project. One must ask: could that money have been better spent elsewhere? Take Napier, for example. Ask any local, and they’d likely say a $200 million investment into a much-needed hospital would be a far more beneficial and visible improvement to their lives. The need for better healthcare, housing, and local infrastructure remains glaring — yet funding is funneled into high-cost projects that may not return true value to the community for decades, if ever. It’s not that renewable energy is a bad idea — far from it. But when politicians and government-owned entities push projects without proper economic scrutiny or public consultation, we must wonder: who is this really serving? It’s time the public demanded transparency, accountability, and smarter spending. We deserve better. Contact Ace High Motor Inn https://www.acehigh.co.nz Contact MediaPA phillip@mediapa.co.nz

NZ Business Connect welcomed the festive season in style with its highly anticipated 2024 Annual Hamilton Christmas Party at the beautiful Rua Resort in Temple View. Members and guests gathered on December 3rd for an evening of celebration, networking, and holiday cheer. Photo Credit to Maruchelle Snyman from Shootography Za The evening was filled with highlights, starting with homemade catering lovingly prepared by Colleen and her team from Rua Resort, whose warm hospitality set the perfect tone for the night. Newly appointed Chairman Jujhar Singh Randhawa delivered a heartfelt speech, expressing his gratitude to the NZ Business Connect community and sharing his vision for NZ Business Connect’s future. NZ Business Connect team member, Fiona, added a musical touch to the festivities, with a stunning saxophone performance and led a delightful ukulele carol sing-along that had everyone join in and spread holiday cheer. The evening also featured a Secret Santa gift exchange, which brought plenty of laughter and surprises. Members also came together in the spirit of giving by donating to NZ Business Connect’s chosen social giving charity, Women’s Refuge, making a meaningful impact on those in need during the holiday season, thank you. Excitement was high for the evening’s competitions, with Lawrenson Group vouchers generously provided by MediaPA. Richard Harris from Body IQ NZ won a voucher from the Business Card Draw, Paul Tierney from Here 2 Care Charitable Trust won Best Hat/Accessory for his customised “Paul” Santa hat, and Isaac Whatnall from IClaw was the lucky recipient of a re-drawn Best Dressed prize, also earning a voucher and wine. As the evening wound down, the room buzzed with gratitude and excitement for the year ahead. NZ Business Connect extends its heartfelt thanks to Colleen for hosting and catering for this joyous occasion and for all who made the event such a success. Here’s to a relaxing holiday season and a prosperous New Year – see you all in 2025! Contact NZ Business Connect 027 458 7724 phillip@nzbusinessconnect.co.nz www.nzbusinessconnect.co.nz

By Phillip Quay Such was the success of this year’s Diwali event in Hamilton that organisers are already anticipating an even larger-scale community event next year. “This year’s Diwali event in Hamilton drew an outstanding crowd of more than 11,000 people which easily surpassed last year’s numbers and well and truly exceeded our expectations,” said Hamilton Diwali head of events Jujhar Randhawa. “Despite a few showers at the start the turnout remained incredibly strong which was a testament to the community’s enthusiasm and dedication to the event,” he said. “The event was a resounding success featuring beautiful and powerful performances, a wide variety of food stalls and many multi-ethnic attendees who enjoyed every minute. The fireworks display at the end was breath-taking and truly the icing on the cake of a wonderful evening of entertainment,” Mr Randhawa said. “It was our 34th Hamilton Diwali Mela and the second at an outdoor venue and it marked a significant achievement by all of those concerned. It has now become the largest Indian event in the region and is ranked one of the largest Indian events in New Zealand.” Mr Randhawa said the continued growth of the Mela highlighted the importance of the community especially given the large number of new families who have migrated to the Waikato region in recent years. “This family friendly event has become a beloved tradition with the outdoor picnic style set up enhancing the experience for everyone. “Being the second biggest Diwali event in New Zealand signifies more than just scale. It underscores the vibrant cultural tapestry of our community and its welcoming spirit. The event fosters a sense of unity and pride among attendees from diverse backgrounds. It’s not just a platform for cultural exchange but also a means to foster community spirit. New families, especially those who have recently migrated, find in it a welcoming tradition that helps them feel at home,” he said. Mr Randhawa acknowledged the importance of sponsors in the event’s success. “This year we were fortunate to have a robust number of sponsors who supported us both financially and through their services. Phoenix Decorations Hire adorned our stage beautifully and their marquees showcased the event. Green Gorillas managed waste services efficiently and Quality Traffic Management ensured smooth traffic flow.  MediaPA facilitated sponsor interviews while JSR Refrigeration and Air Conditioning supplied essential chiller services while Cloud Media kept our website updated,” he said. Mr Randhawa calculated he invested 800 hours of his own time into the Waikato Diwali Mela 2024 but it was worth every minute. Looking ahead to next year Mr Randhawa is predicting an even bigger and better 35th Waikato Diwali Mela. “We expect more sponsorship, greater involvement from the community and enhanced awareness of the Diwali event among non-Indians. The continued growth of this celebration reflects its vital role in our region’s cultural fabric and we are excited about what the future holds,” he said. Contact Media PA 027 458 7724 phillip@mediapa.co.nz www.mediapa.co.nz