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CLIENT NEWS: Hundreds of missing KCE shareholders sought; nearly $680,000 in dividends owed

King Country Energy is on the hunt for more than 700 missing shareholders who have moved on from their last known address and who are collectively owed nearly $680,000 in dividends. Existing customers and the wider King Country community are being encouraged to check a list of missing shareholder names to see if they might be located. When KCE was restructured in 1999, shares were issued to then-electricity consumers in the King Country. Over the years, some people have moved, passed away or ca...

CLIENT NEWS: CRV Ambreed AI technician marks 62 years working in dairy genetics

Don Shaw, 79, has been surrounded by dairy cows his entire life. And, in his role as an artificial insemination (AI) technician for CRV Ambreed, he’s been responsible for bringing a fair few calves into the world. Raised on an Ohaupo farm, Mr Shaw is a fourth generation New Zealand dairy farmer. For the past 62 years he’s also worked as an AI technician, inseminating an estimated 250,000 cows in that time. At 17, Mr Shaw started his artificial breeding (AB) training with South Auckland Herd ...

CLIENT NEWS: Musical parody of reality talent show debuts in Hamilton

Hamilton’s home-grown musical writer Chris Williams debuts his second locally-written show, The Quest, at The Meteor Theatre from 1-9 December. After experiencing the successful launch of his first musical State Highway 48 in 2014, which culminated in a national tour in 2016, he’s written a parody that’s bound to please all audiences. “This show is completely different to State Highway 48, which dealt with the themes of recession, depression, job loss, marriage break up and communication...

HMC NEWS: My first year in public relations

Around a year ago I was head-down studying for my final round of exams; pouring over PR textbooks, PR cases and wrapping up final campaign reports. Thinking back on it now, even though I was stuffing my brain with PR theory, if you asked me to define PR, I’d have to do a sneaky search on the PRINZ website. It wasn’t until I started working next to PR people in a PR agency that I actually understood what PR was. The theory and practice finally clicked. So here we are on my first anniversary o...

CLIENT NEWS: Conference will mark 20 years of Dairy Women's Network

With Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) poised to mark its 20th year in 2018, its upcoming conference will celebrate the primary reason the Network was established in 1998 – to bring women in the dairy industry together. Registrations are now open for DWN18 – Our Land, Our People which takes place 22 to 23 March at the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua. DWN CEO Zelda de Villiers says the conference will focus on the two key elements at the heart of the dairy industry, land and people, and celebrat...

CLIENT NEWS: Second pregnancy compels Waikato mum to quit smoking, Once and For All

Hamilton-based pregnant mum Dayna Allen, 25, inhaled her first puff of smoke ten years ago as a curious 15-year-old, barely old enough to drive a car. As the addiction set in, Dayna worked her way through an average of 36,500 cigarettes over the next decade, about 10 per day. She ceased to slow down even when she found out she was expecting baby number one in 2012. Following alarming smoking-related health complications with her first pregnancy, Dayna knew it was time to kick the habit when she ...

CLIENT NEWS: CRV Ambreed boosting skills for AI technicians ahead of busy season

CRV Ambreed has been meeting with its technicians responsible for Artificial Insemination (AI) ahead of a busy season. Technicians met recently in Te Awamutu to ensure a smooth-running season for farmers using the CRV Ambreed AI technician service. CRV Ambreed has a team of about 200 AI technicians who service farms across New Zealand. In an average season, they’ll inseminate about 500,000 straws. The company’s AI Services Manager Cara O’Connor says new staff have been brought on board for...

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HMC NEWS: Social media influencers: What are they and should you be using them?

It’s a tale as old as time in the PR world. Find a famous person, send them your product, pay them some money, and watch as they tell all the people they know how great your product is. It’s a promotional practice called influencer PR and its sole purpose is to use the clout of popular people to sell products. Remember at school when the cool girl got a new pair of embroidered bootleg jeans (I’m a child of the 90s) and you wanted to get them too after you saw how great she looked in them?...

CLIENT NEWS: Smart transit set to get a whole lot smarter thanks to real time display technology

Bus commuters in Hamilton may have noticed something a bit different at a few bus stops lately with the installation of graphic display signs at five bus stops around town. These are real time information display units, also known as eStops, and they update bus information in real time so passengers know exactly how far away their bus is. Currently they are at bus stops on Grey Street, Anzac Parade, Lynden Court, Whatawhata Road and The Base. Hamilton is the first city in New Zealand to trial th...

CLIENT NEWS: Dairy Women's Network brings the art of conversation to the farm

Dairy Women’s Network is running a series of free learning modules aimed at helping those in the dairy industry coach and empower the people they interact with on a daily basis. The modules have been developed as a result of a recent DWN survey that identified people management as one of the biggest farm challenges facing its members. Coaching Conversations, which is being sponsored by DairyNZ, will provide people in the dairy industry with the tools to enable those around them to gain the ski...

HMC NEWS: Style vs Substance: great leaders get the balance right

With the election results now confirmed and party negotiations with Winston soon to commence, I’ve been reflecting on the race we experienced over the past two months Whether you are a National, Labour or other supporter there is one thing that’s hard to deny: we have experienced the power a charismatic leader can wield as Jacinda-mania took hold. She put the brakes on the nosedive of Labour support, turned on a dime and took off fighting neck-and-neck with National.  Labour rose dramat...

CLIENT NEWS: Scientist and businesswoman takes on engagement role for CRV Ambreed’s LowN Sires

An educator and businesswoman with a strong background in animal science has joined CRV Ambreed, taking on a newly created stakeholder engagement role to promote LowN Sires. Lynda Clark taught animal science at Lincoln University for 16 years and was the founding general manager of Dairy Women’s Network. She also holds governance roles and works as a coach and facilitator. “We are really pleased to have Lynda join our team at CRV Ambreed,” says CRV Ambreed’s Managing Director Angus Hasle...

CLIENT NEWS: Hamilton drug testing company says meth is “growing concern” for property owners

Since adding methamphetamine testing of properties to its services last year, Hamilton-based alcohol and drug testing company, Resultz Group, has been busier than ever.   “The problem with meth (P) contamination is a lot wider than the general public think,” says Resultz Group managing director Kyly Coombes. “It is a real concern for property owners, and our testing services are increasingly in demand in this area.” Resultz Group has been providing drug testing services since 2...

CLIENT NEWS: Research shows Ecotain plantain can significantly reduce nitrogen leaching

A plantain that started life as a common weed has now been shown to have the ability to significantly reduce nitrogen leaching from the urine patch. Proprietary seed company Agricom has bred the specific plantain genotype and says with New Zealand’s national herd number of 6.5 million dairy cattle, the breakthrough could have a significant impact on reducing nitrogen leaching from dairy farms. The urine patch is an area that holds a concentrated amount of nitrogen from animal urine. Most nitro...

CLIENT NEWS: Collaboration the key to growth for Hamilton agri-tech business

Hamilton agricultural software development company Rezare Systems has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2004. Rezare has its origins in the Crown Research Institute at AgResearch in Ruakura, where five colleagues got together 13 years ago to launch a commercial company. “Essentially, it started out as a decision-support group,” says Rezare co-founder and CEO Andrew Cooke.  Now based at Waikato Innovation Park, the company provides ideas, guidance, software and product d...

CLIENT NEWS: Post-election rise in Hamilton house prices and sales volumes expected

Lodge Real Estate’s managing director Jeremy O’Rourke says the looming election has put a damper on residential property listings and purchases in Hamilton.  However, a lift in prices and buyer activity is expected to occur in the city post-election.  Statistics by the Real Estate Institute of NZ released Friday show the number of homes listed in Hamilton during the month of August was down 22% as compared to one year ago.  Whereas the number of homes sold was only 255, down 2...

HMC NEWS: How to perform well on video

For many people, the idea of being photographed or appearing on video is enough to make them want to hide behind their desk – or pull a sickie at work. However, speaking on video doesn’t need to be painful. In fact, with preparation, some smart tips and a dash of confidence, it can actually be quite fun. At HMC Communications we often help clients with video work. Video is an engaging way to share your message and tell your story. It’s something that can be shared on social media, loaded t...

HMC NEWS: Marketing & PR: get your balance right

During my thirteen years of running a local public relations (PR) agency, time and again we’re asked to help companies develop marketing campaigns.  When I provide our standard response: “We don’t do marketing, we only do PR,” this is usually met with silence on the phone or a blank stare.  For many, it is difficult to understand the difference between the two disciplines.  So, I thought I’d take the time to demystify it for you. But first: “Why should you care?” If ...

CLIENT NEWS: Search begins for new Momentum Waikato CEO

Momentum Waikato Community Foundation is seeking a new Chief Executive following news that founding CEO Cheryl Reynolds is stepping down after four years in the role. The organisation is seeking a new leader to take over the reins from Ms Reynolds, who will be leaving at the end of the year to establish a new philanthropic startup venture in 2018. “It has been an honour to serve my community and be part of such a game-changing organisation from the outset,” says Ms Reynolds. “When I arrive...

CLIENT NEWS: Short film celebrates the importance of play for children

A short film, celebrating the importance of childhood play, is going viral on social media. The beautiful video from Creators Educational Trust launched on Saturday, and has already amassed thousands of views.  The Hamilton-based non-profit organisation has four early childhood centres and also runs a home-based early childhood education programme, Creators@Home. The video was commissioned to engage staff, parents and the wider community on the importance of play and its impact on child dev...

CLIENT NEWS: Second pregnancy compels Waikato mum to quit smoking, Once and For All

Hamilton-based pregnant mum Dayna Allen, 25, inhaled her first puff of smoke ten years ago as a curious 15-year-old, barely old enough to drive a car. As the addiction set in, Dayna worked her way through an average of 36,500 cigarettes over the next decade, about 10 per day. She ceased to slow down even when she found out she was expecting baby number one in 2012. Following alarming smoking-related health complications with her first pregnancy, Dayna knew it was time to kick the habit when she ...

HMC NEWS: Product launches – what do you need to know?

Many organisations, at some stage, will launch a product or service to market. You might think a launch is all about marketing.  However, in addition to your marketing plans, it’s important to have a communications strategy as well.  Having a communications strategy will ensure that this positive time in your company’s history will not only serve to give your bottom line a sales boost, but will also ensure your overall reputation gets a big boost as well. So, from a communications...

CLIENT NEWS: Farmer calls on others to do progeny testing to boost national herd

Dairy farmer Mike Tillemans is calling on others to get involved in progeny testing, not only to benefit their own farm business, but to benefit the national herd. Tillemans is a farm owner from Atiamuri, between Taupo and Tokoroa. He milks 450 cows at the peak of the season, on his 150ha dairy farm. Tillemans has been part of CRV Ambreed’s sire-proving programme known as the Progeny Test Programme for about eight years and says it’s put him at an advantage when it comes to achieving the be...

CLIENT NEWS: New street of architecturally designed duplexes offers new way of living in Rototuna

Hamilton’s newest and most innovative street – Springside Court in Rototuna – will be officially opened by the City’s mayor at the end of July, marking a new way of living in the northern suburbs. On Sunday July 30 at 2pm Hamilton mayor Andrew King will open the cul-de-sac street of 14 architecturally designed duplex townhouses. The public are invited to the event, which will also include a sausage sizzle, and can walk through the modern townhouses, which are priced from $650,000. Lodg...