HAMILTON citynews March 2017 National Athletics Championships return to city After a gap of 18 years, the New Zealand Jennian Homes has been Track & Field Championships return to announced as naming rights Hamilton’s Porritt Stadium this month, sponsor for the championships with some of New Zealand’s highest-profile and the event has gathered Olympians competing. support from the local athletics and business communities. Negotiations between Athletics New Zealand, Athletics Waikato Bay of Plenty and Athletics New Zealand Events Hamilton City Council have secured a two Manager Gareth Archer is excited year deal meaning New Zealand’s premier about the championships returning athletics event will be held in the city for 2017 to the city. PAGE 3 and 2018. The 2017 event will be held on MEET THE MAYOR Your Friday 17 to Sunday 19 March. “It’s great to be bringing the chance to discuss city issues. championships back to Hamilton after a Porritt Stadium has a proud tradition of long break,” he says. “We know Hamilton hosting major events like the annual people get excited about events like this Porritt Classic and New Zealand Secondary and we’re looking forward to them coming Schools Championships. out to Porritt Stadium to see New Zealand’s best athletes.” With athletics in New Zealand riding a wave of success after the Rio 2016 Olympics and The championships will see 600 athletes Paralympics – which saw Kiwis win four competing over the three days in senior, Olympic medals and nine Paralympics medals under 20 and under 18 grades. More than – public interest is high, with many of these 150 volunteers are needed to run the athletes in Hamilton battling for national titles. UP AND OVER: championships successfully and planning Olympian Eliza McCartney. Spectators can expect to see three of has been underway since early 2016 to New Zealand’s 2016 Rio Olympic medallists ensure the smooth operation of the event. in action with Eliza McCartney, Tom Walsh The Council worked with Athletics Waikato and Valerie Adams all declaring their Bay of Plenty to replace the rubberized track intentions to compete. New Zealand’s fastest in the summer of 2014-2015. man Joseph Millar – fresh from his recent stunning runs against Usain Bolt in Australia – Sally Sheedy, the Council’s Parks and will be there too. Open Spaces Manager, says the investment Entry for the competition is $15 per day for In late February, McCartney extended her in an important city asset is paying off: adults and $5 per day for children under 14, PAGE 4 own national record to 4.82 metres at a “Porritt Stadium is the key athletics venue in $30 for a family (two adults and up to four GET READY Have you got an meeting in Auckland. the region, and the home of the sport in the children), or $35 for a three-day adult pass. emergency kit? Waikato. By doing that refurbishment work, Tickets for the event can be purchased via Paralympic medallists Liam Malone, Porritt Stadium retained its International the Athletics NZ website, or on the gate on Anna Grimaldi, Rory McSweeney, Association of Athletics Federations Class 2 competition days. William Stedman and Holly Robinson rating – and made us an attractive venue for will also compete. this month’s New Zealand competition.” athletics.org.nz Easter Sunday trading an option? Hamiltonians now have an opportunity to If a policy is introduced, it would allow able to share their view while it’s fresh in let the Council know their views on Easter shops to open in the city on Easter Sunday. their minds,” says Mr Hickey. Sunday trading. An amendment to the Shop The policy cannot regulate the type of shops Trading Hours Act (1990) in August 2016 that may open, nor the hours they open. Following the public consultation, the allows our council to adopt an Easter Sunday Council would make a decision on whether Shop Trading Policy. The policy, if introduced, would apply to to have an Easter Sunday Trading policy or all shops within the Hamilton city not in time for Easter 2018. “At the moment, only shops that have an boundary but business owners wouldn’t be exemption – such as dairies, service stations, required to open on Easter Sunday if they People can view the statement of proposal, restaurants, cafes, takeaway bar, pharmacies didn’t want to. The Shop Trading Hours Act policy and submission forms and submit and garden centres – can trade on Easter also states all shop employees can refuse to their views at hamilton.govt.nz/eastertrading Sunday. We are keen to hear from Hamilton work on Easter Sunday without having to Hard copies are also available from the businesses and the community so the Council give a reason. Hamilton City Council office in PAGE 4 can make a decision on having a policy which Garden Place, any Hamilton City Library SHAPING UP Spectacular allows shops in Hamilton to open on Easter “The two month consultation period between or by phoning 838 6699. balloons for festival. Sunday,” says Strategy and Communication Thursday 9 March and Tuesday 9 May 2017 General Manager Sean Hickey. includes Easter which means people will be hamilton.govt.nz/eastertrading 1 hamilton.govt.nz /hamiltoncitycouncil @CouncilHamilton citynews CHENGDU: Local An arty approach to bike safety performers have the opportunity to be part of the Chendgu International Sister Cities Youth Music Festival in China. Opportunity to perform in China The Council is calling for festival. The group will receive Expressions of Interest from generous hospitality from the local groups of dancers, singers Chengdu Municipal Government and musicians, to perform on including complimentary a global stage – as part of the accommodation, meals and Chendgu International Sister transportation. Cities Youth Music Festival in China. “We welcome expressions of interest from groups that include The festival, from 26 July to up to fifteen people aged from 1 August, aims to promote 15 to 44. They must also have cultural and art exchanges valid passports and the ability between Chengdu and its sister to pay for their return airfares ARTY SAFETY: Winners of the Council’s bike helmet design competition were presented with their airbrushed helmets at a ceremony in cities. Hamilton became a sister between New Zealand and the Hamilton City Council Chamber. city with Chengdu in 2015 Chengdu,” says Ms Allen. after signing a memorandum The talented winners of a bike of a very successful bike safety on and off road cycle paths means of understanding in 2014. Last year nearly 500 young helmet design competition have awareness campaign held during we have really good numbers musicians, singers and dancers been recognised at a special the last term of 2016. of students cycling to and from “We’re absolutely thrilled to from 19 countries performed ceremony in the Hamilton City school, and we expect these have the opportunity to invite at the festival that that has a Council chamber. “Children and teachers numbers to keep growing.” local artists and musicians to reputation to delight audiences. from Hamilton primary and showcase their talent on an Deputy Mayor Martin Gallagher intermediate schools were asked Bike safety education is a key international stage. We have a Expressions of interest must be presented the winners with their to design artwork for a bike focus in the Council’s Hamilton strong sister city relationship received by 5pm on Friday 31 prizes – each receiving a bike helmet and we had an amazing Biking Plan 2015 - 2045. It is with Chengdu and value being March 2017. There is specific safety pack and a bike helmet response with more than 650 expected Hamilton will have able to promote our local talent,” selection criteria so please read with their designs painted by a entries received from 24 schools,” around 130,000 additional daily says Justine Allen, Manager the information on our website. professional airbrush artist. Cameron says. journeys to work or to take Civic and International Events. students to school by 2045. hamilton.govt.nz/ Primary School Active Travel “Hamilton is an ideal city Only one lucky group will chengdumusicfestival Coordinator Cameron Ward says for biking. Our relatively flat hamilton.govt.nz/bikehamilton be chosen to perform at the the event was the culmination landscape and around 150km of Explore the sun at Waikato Museum An award-winning exhibition now The exhibition was developed by “In the short time it has been open, open at Waikato Museum gives Palmerston North’s Te Manawa Sunlight: Ihi Kōmaru has received visitors the chance to explore the Museum of Art, Science and fantastic feedback from our secrets of the sun. History with the support of visitors,” she says. “The exhibition Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, is also an amazing opportunity for Sunlight: Ihi Kōmaru reveals the Prime Minister’s Chief schools to support their students’ the mysteries of our closest star Science Advisor. science learning.” through interactive displays, games, challenges and virtual At the 2016 New Zealand Museum The exhibition is bilingual, with Awards, Sunlight: Ihi Kōmaru was reality technology. the science described in English named the Best Regional Science and Te Reo Maaori, as well as and Technology Exhibition. Judge Ever wondered what the sun incorporating Tikanga Maaori into Michelle Dickinson, better known sounds like? Climb inside a giant the interactive elements. as science champion Nanogirl, inflatable sun to find out. How fast described it as “a beautiful Sunlight: Ihi Kōmaru is open until are you compared to the speed of exhibition, very hands-on, 30 April 2017. Admission is $8 light? Visitors can race against stunning, delightful and applies per person, and resource packs family and friends to see how long technical science to all age levels”.