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NZ Herald
10 hours ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Society Insider: Anna, Nick, Mat Mowbray's inner circle – meet the people closest to NZ's richest family
The Mowbray family. Front row: Mat, Linda, Harry, and Nick. Back row: Andrew and Anna. Photo / Facebook All in the family While growing up in the Waikato, it was family matriarch, Linda Mowbray, who taught her four children, Andrew, 46, Mathew (Mat), 44, Anna, 42, and Nicholas (Nick), 40, that there is no such word as can't. Strong women run in the family: at the time of her death, their grandmother Margaret Mowbray, a Queen's Service Medal recipient, was Mayor of Hamilton and had served on the Hamilton City Council for 16 years. Linda and Anna Mowbray pictured at Hamilton Gardens, on a bench dedicated to Margaret Mowbray, wearing t-shirt designs from the 2025 Breast Cancer Cure Campaign in April. The siblings get their entrepreneurial spirit from their father Harry, who worked in the pulp and paper industry as an engineer and built a portfolio of properties and farms. The family moved to a 2ha lifestyle block near Cambridge in the late 80s to be close to the co-ed private school St. Peter's, which all of the children attended. When Mat was 10, Harry helped him develop a model hot air balloon, which won several competitions and science fairs. Guru Toys was born, and the family shipped toys all around the world while the children were in high school. In 2004, a year after Mat and Nick began transforming Guru into a global toy giant Zuru – by relocating to China – Harry fulfilled a long-held dream: to buy and develop the derelict Matangi Dairy Factory. Nick, Anna, and Mat Mowbray in 2016. The 10 former dairy factory buildings on almost 4ha in Waikato were converted into a business hub. Harry had more than 20 small businesses work out of the site, one of which was his son Andrew's pay wave system for festivals, AWOP (Another Way of Paying). The following year, Anna joined Nick and Mat in China, and the rest is history. Harry and Linda now have 13 grandchildren: Andrew and wife Karen have three children and live in the Waikato; Mat and wife Christina have four; Anna has three from her first husband, with husband Ali Williams' two children; and Nick has one, daughter Noa. The whole Mowbray family came together on Fiji's exclusive Kokomo Private Island last year for Anna and Ali's wedding. Mat and Christina In 2016, Christina Tang made headlines as the Barfoot and Thompson salesperson who sold the Coatesville mansion formerly rented by Kim Dotcom to Nick, Anna, and Mat Mowbray for just over $30 million. A spark ignited with Mat and Christina, and, nine years later, the pair has four children – two boys and twin girls, all under the age of 5. Mat Mowbray and Christina Tang. The family has been based mostly in Hong Kong, the location of Zuru's global headquarters. Christina originates from China and once worked in marketing for FMCG company Procter & Gamble, which prepared her for her current role as CEO of Zuru Edge for the greater China area. Mat Mowbray and Christina Tang. The family spends a lot of time in New Zealand, having enjoyed many Christmases at the Coatesville mansion, now named Mahoenui. Last summer, they spent time aboard the Mowbray family's 40m superyacht, also called Mahoenui, and returned in July for some winter sailing, followed by a visit to Queenstown. Christina Tang and Jaimee Lupton. Jaimee and Nick Jaimee Lupton has been with Nick Mowbray for more than seven years, although the pair has been friends for 12, after having met in 2013. They have been engaged for more than three years, with no immediate plans for their wedding. Jaimee graduated from Auckland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Communication Studies. During her years in Sydney, while working at luxury PR firm Black Communications, Jaimee formed a close-knit circle of friends that included Rich List heiress Sophie Heatley, along with Cam and Amy Robertson. Many of her friends have also become close friends of Nick. Dominic Bowden, Amy and Cam Roberston. Jaimee, Nick, Mat, and Christina all attended Heatley's June nuptials to Tyler Martin in Maui. Cam Robertson, who now works for Forsyth Barr, has been the go-to DJ at many of Jaimee and Nick's parties. When Jaimee co-founded Monday Haircare five years ago, she couldn't have done it without her Sydney-based former colleague Juliana Krost. Jaimee Lupton and Juliana Krost. The pair worked together at Black, and when Monday Haircare launched, Juliana was made marketing manager. She went on to become the Global Head of Marketing for Zuru Edge Beauty and, alongside Jaimee, launched several products earlier this year – including DAISE Beauty and Laura Polko Los Angeles. Juliana stepped down in June to spend more time with her family. Jaimee is also close to her sister, Morgan, and her fiancé, property developer and investor Tim McGoldrick. Jaimee and Morgan Lupton. Tim's family is very close to Graeme and Robyn Hart and their family. His sister, broadcaster Laura McGoldrick, had her 2014 wedding reception at Robyn and Graeme's Glendowie mansion. It was only natural then that Jaimee and Nick would become friendly with Tim's great mate Harry Hart, Graeme and Robyn's son. Nick and Harry host an annual golf tournament called the Closeburn Classic in Queenstown. Nick's school friends Matthew Banfield was in the first XV with Nick at St Peter's School, Cambridge. While Nick was in China, Matthew was at Canterbury University completing a Bachelor of Commerce, later working for Credit Suisse in Hong Kong. Matthew Banfield, Nick Mowbray, and Tim McGoldrick at Nick's 40th at Ayrburn in March. Grant Taylor, who was also on the first XV with Nick and Matthew, founded nappy business Rascal + Friends with his sister Louise Stainthorpe in 2015. In 2016, Nick and Matthew invested in the firm – now called Rascals – with Matthew becoming the international COO and a founding partner. In 2020, Grant stepped away from Rascals and started his own FMCG company, MOXX Brands, which has distribution in more than 6000 stores across five countries, including Walmart and Target in the USA, and Woolworths and Coles in Australia. Rascals was the start of Zuru entering the FMCG market under the banner Zuru Edge, utilising all the automation and innovation Zuru achieved in China's 'Silicon Valley', Shenzhen. Zuru Edge's FMCG portfolio now includes the divisions Baby, Pet, Health, Wellness and Beauty, Household and Home, and Confectionery, which launched last year and is headed by former Zuru Toys' global sales director, Henry Gordon. While Zuru Toys still makes the biggest sales for the Group, Zuru Edge is catching up fast. Matthew Banfield is also Nick Mowbray's golfing buddy. The pair plays in Te Arai, Queenstown, and in 2022, played golf across the US together. Nick, Jaimee, Matthew, and his partner, Hannah Morris, who works for Zuru Edge as a marketing manager, last year went on an epic holiday together, trekking to see gorillas in Rwanda, a safari in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and visiting Botswana. Matthew Banfield, Hannah Morris, Jaimee Lupton and Nick Mowbray on holiday in Africa. Anna and Ali Society Insider revealed in 2019 that Anna was dating former All Black Ali Williams. After travelling back and forth between Asia and New Zealand, in 2020, she made the permanent move home with her three children to be with Ali. Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray at the SailGP in Auckland earlier this year. The couple purchased a 4530 sqm Westmere property in 2021 for $24 million. The property sits on a headland jutting into the Waitematā Harbour. They became engaged the following year. Anna and Ali's slice of paradise has generated headlines – from them demolishing and rebuilding, through to recently gaining permission to land a helicopter in their back garden. Anna started stepping away from Zuru in 2022 and began building the blocks of her recruitment site, Zeil, which she launched in 2023. When Anna left Zuru, she took executive Brittany Earl with her to the smart College Hill offices, where, at last count, Zeil has more than 20 staff. Brittany is the Executive Assistant to the CEO, Anna. Property records show Anna purchased the large office building, which has a CV of nearly $20m. Anna and Ali became co-owners of Auckland FC in March last year, with the majority owner, US billionaire Bill Foley. The pair are said to have gelled very well with Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker. Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray. Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker. Months later, the trio was joined in their ownership by three former All Whites – Winston Reid, Tim Brown, and Noah Hickey – and Allbirds co-founder Tim Brown. NBA star Steven Adams joined a few months after that. Anna invested $20 million last year in Rob Fyfe's Recorp business. The purpose-built, $100m+ manufacturing plant in Manukau produces 550 million cans annually at a lightning pace of 1850 cans per minute. Investing alongside Anna and Rob were Forsyth Barr, executive director Jonty Edgar, chief executive of Wyborn Capital Justin Wyborn, and former Sistema Plastics' founder Brendan Lindsay. Roby Fyfe and Anna Mowbray at Recorp opening. This year, Anna became part of the female powerhouse team of the B416 Campaign, co-founded and chaired by entrepreneur Cecilia Robinson and Anna Curzon, a board director and advisor at Xero. Also involved is Malindi McLean, the CEO of Outward Bound New Zealand. The lobby group is advocating for a minimum age of 16 to access social media in New Zealand and has received support from former Black Stick Gemma McCaw and media personality Matilda Green, and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Nick and Mat's right-hand man When Anna exited Zuru Group in 2022, Michael Wilding became COO of the business and its more than 5000 staff across three core divisions: Toys, Edge, and Tech. Zuru Group COO Michael Wilding. Photo / Herald Hawkes Bay Michael worked in various financial roles in the UK, before returning to New Zealand in 2007 to work for the Queensland-based multimillionaire Peabody family. He became chief executive of the Peabody family's Craggy Range Winery in Hawke's Bay, as well as being a director of the Peabody Family Office, looking after the family's mining services, waste management, property development and investment businesses. Zuru Group COO Michael Wilding. Michael is married to fellow accountant Nina, who also worked in the Hawke's Bay winery trade. At the beginning of last year, Michael became a director in Zuru New Zealand Limited alongside Nick and Mat, a directorship previously held by Anna. The property man While Zuru Group headquarters is located in Hong Kong, and the main manufacturing is done in China's Shenzhen, Zuru is expanding at a rapid pace. The company appointed a global property development manager, Matt Ganley, who has worked for the firm for more than two years. Zuru Group global property development manager, Matt Ganley. Photo / LinkedIn, Matt Ganley Ganley was a King's College student who achieved his bachelor's in commerce and property and worked for a project management company, RCP. At last count, Zuru had 30 locations around the globe, and continues to grow. This year alone, Zuru Auckland took over the four-building campus vacated at the end of last year by Spark New Zealand, to create a Zuru Centre of Excellence (CoE) – a hub in which to foster innovation. Auckland follows Zuru Los Angeles, which in 2023 built a CoE in El Segundo. Construction has started on another CoE in Seattle. Zuru has also this year opened offices and a showroom in Warsaw, Poland, and Minneapolis, USA, and purchased a building in Toronto, Canada. Other locations said to be planned for this year include Paris, Madrid, Mexico City and Copenhagen. Most exciting for expat Kiwis is what Zuru is doing in London. They have started work on creating a 55,000sq ft space in Islington, divided into tenancies that range from 1500sq ft up to 9000sq ft. Called Zuru House, it is designed to be a hub for Kiwi businesses in the heart of London. At the opening of the new Auckland CoE, earlier this year, Matt Ganley told the Herald that the offices were designed by the Zuru architectural design studio in Los Angeles, with all furniture and key fittings produced and delivered by their Zuru housing tech team in China. The engineer growing Tech Zuru Tech's product design director Craig Shannon. Photo / Facebook, Craig Shannon Zuru Tech is the building arm of the company. It promises to revolutionise the construction industry through technology and automation, aiming to sustainably produce houses at a lower cost, using prefabricated methods. While Mat focuses on engineering and technology, Nick is focused on the commercial side and expansion. Zuru Tech's product design director is Kiwi engineer Craig Shannon, who graduated from Auckland University and went on to work for Fisher & Paykel appliances and Globex Engineering in Auckland. At the China Economic Summit in Auckland earlier this month, Nick told the audience that Zuru had purchased a 10ha factory in China, large enough to produce the equivalent of 10,000sq m of buildings every day. Nick added that one of the first projects will be building 12 properties to redevelop the beachfront of Malibu, destroyed by wildfires last year. Zuru Tech originated in Milan, but over the years has had a team of 300 based around the globe, with other offices in India, Los Angeles, and Auckland. When Craig visited the test factory in Shenzhen to collaborate with the team, he described the machinery they have developed there as nothing short of remarkable. Nick says Zuru Tech has 600 hardware and software engineers working full-time on the development of its permanent factory in China. The trademark man Eric Olavson is Zuru Toys' General Counsel. Photo / LinkedIn Los Angeles-based lawyer Eric Olavson is Zuru Toys' General Counsel. Eric attended the prestigious George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC, where he spent time on the University's American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) Quarterly Journal as an editorial staff member. Before Eric joined Zuru, he worked as an associate attorney for US law firm Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig in their litigation and intellectual property group. During his time there, Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig gained a huge win of US$24.5m plus lawyer fees for Zuru Toys' Water Balloon Patent case against TeleBrands Corporation, which infringed two patents on a water balloon device. The toy was Zuru's best-selling Bunch O Balloons, which is protected by numerous US patents and is produced by Zuru under a license with Tinnus Enterprises. Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig has also represented Zuru in legal battles with Danish toy giant Lego Group in the US. In New Zealand, Chapman Tripp acted for Zuru in the High Court and Court of Appeal proceedings concerning trademark infringement and the permissibility of certain product packaging claims. The glam squads In-demand hairstylist Joshua Scott is known to be used by both Jaimee and Christina, while Anna prefers Robyn Munro for hair and Kate Solley for special occasion makeup. Hair stylist Joshua Scott. Hair stylist Robyn Munro. Anna is a regular of Remuera-based fashion designer Blair Wheeler, who famously designed a superhero-style creation for Mowbray's 40th and many other costumes for both Anna and Ali's themed parties. Blair is known to keep Anna looking sharp in couture styles for business and cocktail occasions. Homes and gardens When it came to Anna and Ali's Westmere home interiors, good friend and bridesmaid Shelley Ferguson worked closely with Anna. Ferguson, who is a Westmere local, and her husband, Steven, lent their support to Anna and Ali in their Auckland Council submission to build a helipad as part of the redevelopment of their property. Steven said, 'locals use chainsaws, lawnmowers, motorbikes, and motorboats, and I don't see how this is any different'. Shelley Ferguson and Anna Mowbray Shelley Ferguson, Julia Leuchars and Anna Mowbray. Fellow bridesmaid and good friend Julia Leuchars, who is a designer at Trelise Cooper, also supported the application. Anna and Ali chose ChanceryGreen lawyer, Chris Simmons, to represent them in the bid. Simmons was pleased with the Independent Hearings Panel that endorsed his and his team's argument. Ali and Anna house their chopper with Heletranz on Rosedale Rd in Albany. Over at the Coatesville mansion, helicopter landings are not an issue. Insiders tell Society Insider that it takes more than two executive assistants to run Mat, Christina, Jaimee, and Nick's homes and lives. At Coatesville, there are, of course, numerous staff to keep the 22.6ha manicured, including a house manager. When it came to the multimillion-dollar refurbishment of Coatesville, which was finished at the end of 2023, Jaimee worked closely with Rufus Knight, from the interior design and architecture studio, Knight Associates. Rufus Knight The pair is said to be collaborating on the finishing touches of Jaimee and Nick's Te Arai house north of Auckland, understood to have been designed by architect Jess Walker. Jess is the co-founder of Bureaux, an architecture and interior design firm responsible for beautiful and sustainable homes throughout New Zealand. Party planners For special occasions at Coatesville, both Jaimee and Christina like to use Little White Table to create dream outdoor settings. Owned by Kathryn Tasker, the company has already delivered numerous special occasions at the mansion. Jaimee and Nick's daughter Noa's first birthday was a strawberry shortcake dream with pink tables and chairs and a cart covered in red and white check fabric with balloons galore. A year before that, for Jaimee and Nick's baby shower, the accents were white. Tasker outdid herself earlier this year by turning the Coatesville tennis court and surroundings into a stunning Zuru Country Club for a staff gathering. As for their famous nighttime parties, Jamiee and Nick are known to turn to design and lighting extraordinaire Angus Muir to create the right ambience. Muir has exhibited around the world, including in Singapore and London, and Sydney's Vivid and LUMA in Queenstown. Angus Muir At their Halloween haunted house party at their $24m Marine Parade home in Herne Bay last year, Angus decorated the house, including a mirrored DJ room, an asylum, and a forest room. Jamiee and Nick used South Island Creative Mel Kong to make Nick's recent 40th at Queenstown hospitality venue Ayrburn extra special. To create the extravaganza, Kong worked with After the Rock Weddings to take the event to the next level. The entrance had a long Tiffany blue carpet with billowing forest green silk curtains, with the theme taken inside with masses of blue hydrangeas. Mat and Christina used Kong's luxury travel business for their Queenstown getaway last month. Health and wellbeing At the Coatesville mansion, the state-of-the-art wellness spa and gym is staffed depending on the occasion. Nick and Jaimee's good friends, wellness couple Esther Cronin and Dominic Bowden, are known to take the couple through their paces, as is private pilates instructor Anna Miles. Dom Bowden and Esther Cronin Nick and Jaimee also have two very special doctors in their lives at Gingernut Angels, the IVF charity Jaimee set up last year. The organisation was founded in honour of their daughter, Gingernut, who was stillborn at 24 weeks in early March 2022 after an IVF pregnancy. Dr Mary Birdsall is an esteemed gynaecologist and obstetrician with a special interest in reproductive medicine and a passion for fertility preservation. Dr Mary is part of the charity's advisory network, along with leading gynaecologist and fertility specialist Dr Devashana Gupta, who practises at Auckland's Repromed. Party people of the week Loyalty Lunch Glows with Gratitude and Glamour Beauty entrepreneur Edna Swart, the founder of skincare brand ed&i, hosted a 'Loyalty Lunch' recently at Glasshouse in Morningside. Melissa Gladding and Edna Swart at the ed&i Loyalty Lunch at Glasshouse in Morningside. Photo / Kennedy Anderson To mark the release of CUPPA-T, a new cleanser completing the ed&i Face range, and to celebrate six years of business, Swart hosted 50 of her top customers to connect and say thank you. Over champagne and a decadent family-style lunch, guests were treated to a celebration as refined and beautiful as the brand itself. The venue was transformed by event stylists La Lumiere, with draped fabrics, soft pastel hues, and long tables layered with lush linens and ceramic accents, with a dress code for guests to match. Guests included The Whitening Co. founder Kennedy Anderson, marketing specialist and podcast host Brihana Barrett, Facetime Clinic Skin Care founder Melissa Gladding, and fashion entrepreneur Sabrina Soar. Kennedy Anderson and Edna Swart. Photo / Kennedy Anderson Briahna Barrett and Sabrina Soar. Photo / Kennedy Anderson Helen Tukapua, Brittany Sandri and Edna Swart. Photo / Kennedy Anderson Aimee Carson, Nikaya Hight and Perisi Mueller. Photo / Kennedy Anderson Adriaana Zareian and Tess Woolcock. Photo / Kennedy Anderson Ricardo Simich has been with the Herald since 2008 where he contributed to The Business Insider. In 2012 he took over Spy at the Herald on Sunday, which has since evolved into Society Insider. The weekly column gives a glimpse into the worlds of the rich and famous.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Scoop
Tyres Now Free To Recycle At Lincoln Street Resource Recovery Centre
Tired of all those old tyres laying about? Hamiltonians can now drop off their old clean tyres (without their rims) to the Lincoln Street Resource Recovery Centre for free. Hamilton City Council has opted in to the national initiative, which allows up to five tyres to be disposed of at registered businesses and organisations across the country for free. Tyrewise is a Ministry for the Environment-accredited scheme for tyre disposal. Council's Head of Resource Recovery, Nicole Bradbury hopes the new initiative will minimise the number of tyres Council sees illegally dumped around the city. 'In the last month alone, Council collected almost 250 illegally dumped tyres from around the city costing ratepayers around $5000 in clean-up costs,' said Bradbury. 'The cost of disposing tyres could've contributed to this dumping, and we want to help eliminate any barriers to recycling tyres for Hamiltonians.' Previously, the cost to dispose tyres was $21.19 each at the Lincoln Street Resource Recovery Centre. 'It's great to get behind the work that Tyrewise are doing and join the tyre disposal programme. It helps to create more accessible and affordable ways of meeting our waste minimisation goals for Hamiltonians. 'Council's involvement in this programme contributes to the city's goal of increasing innovation and opportunity from resource recovery. The tyres will be collected and recycled into products that benefit Council, such as playground matting. There is no cost to Council for its part in the scheme. As well as the Lincoln Street Resource Recovery Centre, you can see which businesses are registered here.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Ready To Make A Difference?
Do you care deeply about Hamilton Kirikiriroa and want to help shape its future? If you're a thoughtful problem-solver, skilled at bringing people together and passionate about making a difference, now's your chance to step up. Hamiltonians interested in standing in the Hamilton City Council election have until midday on Friday 1 August to get their nomination papers in. Earlier this month, Chief Executive Lance Vervoort released his Pre-election Report, highlighting the big challenges and opportunities facing our fast-growing city from managing rapid urban growth and waters reform to keeping Council's finances on track and planning for the future. 'Strategic, long-term thinking is essential,' Vervoort said. 'We need leaders who understand the world we live in locally and globally and who can help guide Hamilton through change.' To stand as a Councillor, candidates must be: a New Zealand citizen; and enrolled as a parliamentary elector (anywhere in New Zealand); and nominated by two electors whose names appear on the electoral rollfor the ward inwhich theyare standing as aCouncillor. Those wanting to stand for the Hamilton mayoralty must be a New Zealand citizen and be enrolled as a parliamentary elector. They also need to be nominated by two electors on Hamilton City Council's three electoral rolls (east, west and/or Maaori ward). Vervoort said an ideal outcome would be for the city's community to be reflected among its Elected Members. 'Hamilton Kirikiriroa is one of New Zealand's most diverse cities. We need leaders who represent our people and bring a mix of professional backgrounds and lived experiences from health and education to law, accountancy, business and community groups. 'When cultures and ethnicities are truly represented, they challenge the status quo, inspire new thinking, and offer fresh ways of leading that speak to the vibrant makeup of our city. 'Different perspectives make for better decisions.' To learn more about standing for Council, what it means and the rules around elections, go to To read the Pre-election Report, and find out all about Council and what challenges the city is facing, go to Take action, Hamilton! The future depends on you.
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
From Garden Place To Game Day, Hamilton Is Going All In
Press Release – Hamilton City Council Its the first time any French team has played in Hamilton since 1961, and more than 25,000 fans are expected to fill the stands. Hamilton is buzzing with pride as preparations are in full swing for the sold-out series finale between the All Blacks and France this Saturday at FMG Stadium Waikato. It's the first time any French team has played in Hamilton since 1961, and more than 25,000 fans are expected to fill the stands. Going to the game isn't the only chance to be part of the action. The Ultimate Fan Experience, in Garden Place on Friday 18 July from 10am – midday, is a free community event with a BBQ, interactive drills, and All Blacks signing session. FMG Stadium Waikato Director Ben Slatter is encouraging ticket holders to Saturday's game to plan their journey ahead of time and arrive early to make the most of their event experience. 'If you're coming to the game, we've lined up some fantastic entertainment to build the atmosphere and make the journey into the stadium part of the experience. With a sold-out crowd expected, arriving early is essential – you won't want to miss the haka or kick-off. Plan ahead and avoid the stress. 'The stadium is looking incredible; the team have been working hard to make sure the field is ready for the international match.' Mayor Paula Southgate says the event is a proud moment for Hamilton. 'We are thrilled to host the All Blacks and Les Bleus – it's a truly historic moment. Whether you're at the meet and greet, in the stands, or watching from home, it's going to be an unforgettable weekend.' Local businesses are also set to benefit, with hotels, restaurants, and retailers bracing for a weekend of record foot traffic. 'Big games like this bring incredible energy and major economic impact. Last time the All Blacks played here, we saw more than 8500 bed nights and $1.7 million in tourism spend; a huge boost for our local businesses and economy,' said Mayor Southgate. Saturday's clash marks the finale of the three New Zealand tests and promises to be a thrilling spectacle.
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Iconic Hamilton Bridges Win Global Award
Press Release – Hamilton City Council The four-lane Te Ara Pekapeka Bridge, surrounding transport network, and the three waters infrastructure are all essential components ensuring the successful development of this area. Two Hamilton bridges have outshone competition from across the globe to win the prestigious Eugene C. Figg Jr. Medal at the International Bridge Conference Awards in Pittsburgh today (16 July NZST). The bridges, Te Ara Pekapeka and Taurapa, are not just impressive feats of engineering but vital infrastructure that connect the city, across the Waikato River, to the new growth area of Peacocke. The new neighbourhood will eventually be home to up to 20,000 Hamiltonians. Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate said this was justifiably a proud moment for Hamiltonians. 'We didn't build it to win an award, we built it to meet requirements to unlock land for growth and we worked side-by-side with Government to fund it and deliver it on time. 'This award recognises our approach. We involved the community, councillors, mana whenua, and government. This award isn't about steel or concrete, it's about people, it's about attitude and it's about a desire to deliver fantastic value.' The four-lane Te Ara Pekapeka Bridge, surrounding transport network, and the three waters infrastructure are all essential components ensuring the successful development of this area. 'The award is a bonus and should be celebrated.' Mayor Southgate said. Southern Links Tangata Whenua Working Group representative Marina Hape said the mahitahi (collaboration) with mana whenua had built an enduring relationship between Waikato-Tainui, hapuu and Council, far beyond the completion of the project. 'Mana whenua was on the journey right from the very early planning and had input into every area of the project. Our partnership is evident through design, but also in how the Maaori world view has delivered on our aspirations for Maaori, the environment and our wider community.' The annual International Bridge Conference awards medals to recognise individuals and projects of distinction. The last time a New Zealand bridge was recognised at the Conference was the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge in New Plymouth in 2011. This is the second time Te Ara Pekapeka Bridge has been recognised on an international stage in recent months, receiving a Special Mention at the Architizer A+ Awards in May. The project also took home national wins at the New Zealand Planning Institute Annual Awards and Apopo Asset Management Excellence Awards for leadership in the respective fields.
