General News
Are our manufacturers in skill shortage trouble?
Manufacturing is one of the quiet engines of our region’s economy. Behind the warehouse doors and factory floors are people shaping everything from advanced engineering and automation to chemical processing,…
Read MoreLocal International Education Expert recognised for outstanding leadership
Toi Ohomai‘s International Services Manager, Ada Chen, has been recognised by her peers at ISANA: The International Education Association of NZ, for her outstanding contribution to leadership in the sector. …
Read MorePriority One Annual Report 2024/25
Read our Annual Report for 2024/25 here.
Read MoreCity centre revitalisation: A new look for 41 Elizabeth Street
At 41 Elizabeth St, the unmissable orange signage for the building’s anchor tenant, Vitruvius, is now up, nicely contrasting with new green tiled exterior. A New Zealand–owned, multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy,…
Read MoreTe Kanapu is developing a future grid blueprint – you can share your views
Our future prosperity will be shaped by how we plan our energy systems today. Tania Lund, Programme Director at Transpower New Zealand, explains how Te Kanapu is planning a future…
Read MoreHighlights from our Regional Energy Summit
The Western Bay of Plenty’s first Regional Energy Summit marked an important milestone in shaping a sustainable energy future for our region. Hosted at the University of Waikato, the summit…
Read MoreInstep Young Leaders celebrate a year of courage, connection and growth
Last night the Instep Young Leaders came together for their finale, marking the end of a year filled with learning, friendship and personal growth. Each student received their certificate and…
Read MoreOpinion: The opportunities of infill housing
Infill housing offers a smart way to increase supply without expanding city boundaries. Hilary Anderson, from law firm Holland Beckett, looks at the opportunities for landowners and developers, along with…
Read MoreFrom jandals to job offer, McAlpine Hussmann is powering the future of manufacturing careers
What does a career in manufacturing look like in 2025? Our team recently found out after an invite to visit from Head of Operations Hayden Briscoe. And if you ask…
Read MoreWhat happens when you ask young people to design a city brand?
Ten Year 12 and 13 students from across the region came together, not to talk about logos, but to talk about belonging, vibrancy, and what it would take to stay…
Read MoreFrom orchard to opportunity: Instep Young Leaders experience Seeka’s world of horticulture
Our Instep Young Leaders recently had the opportunity to go behind the scenes at Seeka, one of New Zealand’s largest horticultural companies. The visit offered a look at how innovation,…
Read MoreEconomic update: October 2025
Mark Lister from Craigs Investment Partners notes global markets are stabilising, while at home, we’re still facing challenges, including a weaker than expected GDP. Moving into the last quarter, falling…
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