Hamilton business community comes together at Wintec to celebrate Matariki

Wednesday, 08 July 2026

Hamilton businesses braved yesterday’s wet weather to come together at Wintec to connect over steaming hot hāngī and celebrate Matariki.

The lunchtime event welcomed around 100 members of the Hamilton Central Business Association to Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa marae at Wintec’s City Campus.

Vanessa Williams, general manager of the business association, said the event was a “very special experience”, giving members the opportunity to experience Māori culture first-hand.

“We are very lucky to have this wonderful cultural asset in the central city and appreciated being able to share this with the business community.

“We have received feedback from some who attended who had not been a part of a pōwhiri before and loved the experience.

“Thank you once again for creating a special Matariki occasion for us.”

Attendance almost doubled from last year’s inaugural event, highlighting growing interest from Hamilton’s business community, an achievement Wintec team manager of design and Hamilton Central Business Association committee member Julie Ashby is proud of.

She said growing attendance reflected the value of strengthening relationships between vocational education and the local business community.

“Our goal with this event was to bring the business community and Wintec together, so it’s fantastic to see it growing in size each year, and what better way to connect than over kai.

“It’s just one of the ways we’re reinforcing our relationships locally, for the benefit of our ākonga and Hamilton businesses.”

Te Wai Collins, Wintec executive director Tiriti partnerships and Māori success, said the event is an example of Wintec’s commitment to building strong partnerships with industry and community, while also creating opportunities to celebrate te ao Māori

“Matariki is an opportunity to welcome our communities onto campus and share the values that underpin who we are as Wintec.

“Sharing kai with our visitors is just one of the ways we demonstrate manaakitanga [hospitality] and whakawhanaungatanga [nurturing relationships] on campus – it’s part of the values we strive to uphold at Wintec.

“Manawa nui represents reaching out and welcoming in people and groups.”

Te Wai explained that sharing food together wasn’t the only source of nourishment gained from the event.

“Connections and kōrero with industry help to feed better outcomes for our ākonga and our region.”