New Faces in Hamilton's Central City

Hamilton-based tech innovator, Lance Bauerfeind, of Company-X, has been recognised at the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence to Industry for his role in transforming how New Zealand Navy divers train using virtual reality technology.

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Bauerfeind received the Auahatanga – Innovation Award for leading the development of an immersive training system that allows Navy divers to practise complex rescue scenarios in a virtual underwater environment, augmenting traditional pool and open water training with portable VR simulation.

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Lieutenant Commander Nick Davey, Programme Manager Maritime Simulation, said, “Navy Divers experience some of the biggest risks within the NZDF and it’s our job to reduce those risks as low as reasonably possible.”

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In a first for the Royal New Zealand Navy, this multiplayer simulation capability allows instructors to enter training scenarios alongside trainees in real time, helping monitor performance, correct poor habits immediately and improve preparedness in a controlled environment.

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"This is the first time that we’ve used virtual reality in a multiplayer environment”, said Davey.

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“Navy divers operate in some of the highest-risk environments in the NZDF, so having an instructor/trainer alongside you in simulation to immediately course correct your mistakes rather than wait until after the training session is a game-changer. It’s another step toward managing safety,” Bauerfeind said.

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“You can’t always recreate dangerous or complex scenarios repeatedly in the real world, but people still need to be prepared for them.”

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Company-X Co-founder and Director, David Hallett, said the technology reflected growing demand for simulation and immersive training tools across a range of industries.

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“Simulation technology is becoming increasingly important in environments where organisations need people to train safely, repeatedly and at scale,” he said.

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“The same technologies being used in defence training can also be applied across industries, including emergency response, manufacturing, agriculture, and infrastructure.”

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Speaking at the awards ceremony at Parliament, Defence Minister Chris Penk acknowledged the important role New Zealand companies play in supporting Defence capability, resilience and innovation.

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Hallett said Company-X had already delivered multiple immersive training solutions for the Royal New Zealand Navy, including virtual reality flight deck officer training that allows personnel to practise the procedures, communication and coordination required to safely land helicopters on a frigate.

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Company-X continues to develop immersive simulation and training technologies for defence and adjacent industries.

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The recognition follows Company-X’s signing of an agreement with global defence company Babcock International at the Indo Pacific maritime exposition last year, aimed at taking New Zealand-developed simulation training technology to defence forces around the world.

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The Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence to Industry recognise organisations and individuals delivering exceptional service, innovation and support to New Zealand’s defence sector.

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The world’s best surfers are heading our way! From May 15 to 25, Manu Bay in Raglan will host Stop No. 4 of the World Surf League Championship Tour!

While elite athletes from around the globe tackle that iconic left hand point break, we’ve installed a vibrant 3D pavement mural in Civic Square (beside Garden Place) that celebrates this incredible event.

Here’s your chance to feel like a pro without getting wet. Jump on the surfboard, strike your best surfer pose, and snap a photo!

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Location: Civic Square, Worley Place, Hamilton

Free photo opportunity

All ages welcome

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Art by @spijkerbosch

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@wsl

Corona Cero @originalbonsoy @purenewzealand

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The region’s hospitality community gathered on Monday evening to celebrate the best bars, cafés and restaurants at the Waikato Hospitality Awards.

Among the winners crowned are hot spots such as Reggies, Amphora and The Green.

Held at the BNZ Theatre, the awards began with attendees enjoying pre-drinks in the gallery before they moved to the foyer for the prizegiving ceremony.

In total, there were more than 250 entries, with a winner, runner-up and highly recommend named in each of the 12 categories. Winners have been determined by an independent panel of judges and mystery shoppers - a first for the awards.

Behind the awards are Table Talks director Craig Paul and hospitality veteran Steph Keen.

Paul told the Waikato Times the winners had done “exceedingly well in hospitality in Hamilton, and they’re certainly all very deserved”.

He said scoring had been very tight with some categories separated by a single point, showing that all of the venues were “doing an exceedingly good job”.

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From Hamilton’s world-famous gardens to award-winning farms, Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman used her first Waikato visit to get to know the region. Senior writer Mary Anne Gill reports.

Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman’s first visit to Waikato began not with spreadsheets or forecasts, but with a walk through Hamilton Gardens.

For someone whose job revolves around national averages and aggregated data, the gardens offered a fitting introduction to a region she was keen to understand up close.

“It’s absolutely beautiful,” she said afterwards, describing the visit as a highlight and reinforcing why getting out of Wellington matters.  

Relying only on national data risks missing what is happening on the ground, she says.

The idea regional nuance matters carried through Breman’s time in Waikato.  

Alongside speaking at a sold‑out Waikato Young Professionals event in Hamilton, she visited hospitality businesses, Gallagher Group and two Waipā farms, one dairy and the other sheep and beef.

She saw first‑hand how exporters, manufacturers and agricultural producers are navigating another period of global disruption.

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