Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, July 10, 2023
Hamilton is progressing across many areas, and proving to be a city of the future with all the innovations and timely planning for the city’s infrastructure. With the Waikato expressway, Ruakura Superhub, Peacocke subdivision and many such projects, Hamilton is being highlighted for its growth potential like never before.
The city recently added another valuable achievement to the list with sustainability becoming the central theme of all its plans and projects.
Charging ahead
According to a recent study examining electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in cities with populations greater than 100,000, Hamilton is leading the way, not only in New Zealand but also across Oceania, with 22.2 chargers per 1000km of road.
The study released recently noted that although New Zealand is a relatively small market for electric vehicles, rebate schemes and increasing vehicle options are changing that. It identified last December, one in one-in-five of all new vehicles sold in New Zealand were EVs.
Hamilton City Council is also doing its part, partnering with Hamilton-based company, Hikotron, on a two-year trial project to install EV charging stations around the city, while in the transport space, Council has recently been using car-sharing service ‘Mevo’ to help transport staff around the city during peak hours, avoiding the need to expand its car fleet.
Hub of sustainability
Hamilton’s Ruakura Superhub has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by enabling a shift away from transporting containers via road and onto rail. Tainui Group Holdings estimates the project will reduce 65,000 truck journeys a year when the inland port is operating at full capacity.
Kmart moved its Auckland distribution centre to Ruakura partly to minimise road transport costs and reduce carbon emissions. Its 40,000m2 facility is being developed in line with the 4 Green Star rating, featuring sustainability measures such as solar panels generating 300kW of power, EV charging stations, rainwater harvesting, and onsite stormwater treatment.
At 490 hectares, Ruakura Superhub is one of Aotearoa, New Zealand’s largest multi-use developments, equivalent to the size of Auckland’s CBD and the largest integrated development in Australasia.
Growing Greener
Another business based at Waikato Innovation Park, ‘Greengrower’ is the country’s first large-scale vertical indoor farm. The output of leafy greens and other produce from their new 6200m2 facility is projected to match the output of a 150ha farm using only 1% of the water otherwise required. Greengrower is paving the way for clean, sustainable, nutritious, and deliciously fresh produce using vertical farming, helping create a stronger name for Hamilton in sustainability, as they grow their produce using 95% less water than conventional horticulture.
Companies like The Hautapu-based APL Window Solutions are improving their environmental footprint by rethinking packaging. The company started using recycled paper to protect aluminium products, replacing plastic cling film. The company is also trialling wool to replace bubble wrap and polystyrene packaging.
Plastic free Matariki
Hamilton Lake is once again ready for the second annual Maanawatia a Matariki celebration on Saturday, July 15, 2023, from 4 pm onwards. The organisers, however, are asking eventgoers to support their effort towards a waste-free evening.
“Zero waste is our target,” said Hamilton City Council Events Manager Tracey Wood. “Which means we are doing everything we can to eliminate waste, but we need everyone to help.”
Council is partnering with Para Kore Marae to help manage waste and recycling at the event. Para Kore is a Māori zero-waste, not-for-profit that works throughout Aotearoa delivering its Oranga Taiao programme to marae and other organisations within the frameworks of kaupapa and tikanga Māori.
Taking care of Papatūānuku
Para Kore kaiārahi, Ngakau Harris-Peke said that Matariki is traditionally a time to gather, remember those who have passed, set intentions for the new year, and most importantly look and be guided by the tohu (signs) of our taiao (environment). “We are taking care of Papatūānuku (Earth mother) for our future generations so that she can take care of us,” she said.
To assist Para Kore, the Chartwell Scouts group will be at the event manning the recycling stations which include cardboard, cans, glass and plastics, as well as food waste and compostable packaging, encouraging people to do the right thing.
“Entry is free, all the activities for tamariki (children) are free, and you can bring your food along too or enjoy kai from our friendly food trucks,” said Ms Wood.
To encourage the use of reusables, food trucks will give a discount to anyone who brings their food containers, $1 off mains and $0.50 off coffees, and a water truck will be onsite to refill water bottles.
The Matariki ki Waikato markets will also be joining the event for the first time, offering a range of locally-made Māori goods, without unnecessary packaging. The collective of local businesses has implemented a plastic-free policy on bags for all stall holders.
Finally, a bike valet service will be available at the site to encourage car-free transport options, offering secure storage for people who choose to cycle to the event.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
