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From Tokoroa to the Toolbench: Ricco Hikuroa’s Path to Becoming a Mechanic

When Ricco Hikuroa walked into DM Automotive and offered to work for free, he didn’t realise he was kickstarting his dream career. Now, with the help of a SWIFT Scholarship, this Tokoroa local is well on his way to becoming a qualified mechanic—and maybe even opening his own workshop one day....

Walking the Talk on Community Investment

SWIFT are proud to support the Waikato River Trails Trust (WRT)—a treasured asset flowing through South Waikato that connects communities, supports local business, and offers stellar moments in nature. This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to backing initiatives that grow our region’s economic resilience and celebrate its unique natural beauty....

Being true to yourself can lead to Success

Published: The Waikato LocalDate: 26 March 2025Photography from Raukawa VibesA powerhouse line-up of women with strong connections to South Waikato returned to their hometown this month to inspire the next generation of young women.Hosted at the South Waikato Sports Centre, the annual International Women’s Day event brought together Years 12 and 13 students from local high schools to hear from inspiring women leading in their respective fields across media, business, writing and sports....

Supporting Hauora, Strengthening Community

SWIFT were proud to support the 2025 South Waikato Community Hauora Day—an event led by South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services (SWPICS) that brought together an incredible range of free health services under one roof. From cardiac screening and cervical smears to diabetes checks, vaccinations, and even newborn enrolments, the day was all about supporting the wellbeing of our whānau....

“Swiftie” Clive Somerville appointed SWIFT CEO

Taylor Swift fan Clive Somerville has been appointed CEO of SWIFT, the South Waikato Investment Fund Trust, a community-owned development fund dedicated to enhancing intergenerational wellbeing in South Waikato....

SWIFT Scholarship Scheme: Empowering Local Talent for a Brighter Future

SWIFT Scholarship Scheme: Empowering Local Talent for a Brighter FutureThe South Waikato Investment Fund Trust (SWIFT) is proud to have completed the second round of its inaugural Scholarship Scheme, reaffirming its commitment to supporting local talent and career development. With an ongoing $50,000 investment each year for five years, SWIFT is dedicated to fostering the growth and potential of the South Waikato community.This year, SWIFT received an impressive 49 applications and awarded schol...

Driving Growth: Amanda Hema’s Impact on South Waikato’s Future

South Waikato Investment Fund Trust (SWIFT) Chair Stephen Veitch says former Chief Executive Amanda Hema’s time with the economic development Trust has been transformational. Hema resigned from SWIFT in December to take up an appointment as Head of Engagement at Waikato University.“Through her visionary leadership and commitment to regional development, Amanda has left an enduring legacy that has positively impacted businesses, youth, and the wider South Waikato community,” says Veitch.Hem...

Empowering South Waikato: Workplace Wellbeing & Resilience Event

In November 2024, the South Waikato Investment Fund Trust (SWIFT) hosted the Workplace Wellbeing & Resilience Event at the Tokoroa Event Centre. The inspiring morning brought together community members to focus on building positive, resilient workplaces and communities....

Empowering South Waikato: Highlights from Our Recent Business Workshops

At SWIFT, we are dedicated to fostering growth and capability in South Waikato’s business community, and the third quarter of this year was no exception! We were thrilled to support a variety of business workshops that brought valuable learning and development opportunities to local businesses and leaders....

Support gives Big Boost to Business

Published: Waikato LocalSouth Waikato businesses The Event Girl and Something Blue have quadrupled their revenue over the past 12 months thanks to a region-wide funding and mentorship programme.Proud Tokoroa native, business-owner, and South Waikato district councillor Rebekah Garner stands as a prime example of the impact the South Waikato Investment Fund Trust (SWIFT) has on business growth.Garner said her business ventures The Event Girl, a corporate event company, and Something Blue, a brida...

Empowering Local Enterprises: Highlights from the South Waikato Business Growth Workshops

The past quarter in South Waikato has been a bustling period of learning and growth for our local businesses. Thanks to a flurry of expert-led workshops, business owners in our community have had the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge in critical areas such as social media, ChatGPT, and business strategy.SWIFT, always on the lookout for opportunities to support our local enterprises, discovered available funding from Regional Business Partners (RBP) specifically for group workshop...

It’s a YES for South Waikato Students: Shining in the Young Enterprise Scheme

SWIFT is proud to announce our sponsorship of high school students from South Waikato who recently showcased their innovative business initiatives in the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES). This quarter, 12 enterprising students from Tokoroa High School and Forest View High School formed five new businesses, demonstrating exceptional creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.Supporting Emerging EntrepreneursAmong the budding businesses, two standout initiatives received seed funding sponsored by SWIFT. J...

Wrapping Up a Successful Journey: The South Waikato Governance Mentoring Programme

In October 2023, South Waikato Investment Fund Trust (SWIFT) proudly launched the South Waikato Governance Mentoring Programme in collaboration with Community Governance Aotearoa and Mentoring Foundation NZ. This six-month initiative aimed to foster leadership, enhance governance skills, and strengthen community connections. Now, as we wrap up this transformative programme, we celebrate the journey, the participants, and the impact it has had on our community.With a mission to cultivate effectiv...

Driving for Positive Change

SWIFT were delighted to commit to a third year of funding for the South Waikato Drivers Licensing programme with Transform Aotearoa taking over as lead providers in 2023....

SWIFT Launches 'South Waikato Business Growth Workshop Series'

Excitement is brewing as SWIFT works to launch 'South Waikato Business Growth Workshop Series.' We have partnered with SODA inc. in support of funding available through Regional Business Partner (RBP) Network to bring the best business growth specialists and advisors to our district.This opportunity removes the barriers of time and cost for local businesses to access specialised training for business development at a heavily subsidised rate....

Introducing 'Level 1'

It’s been an exciting start to 2024 with a number of projects coming to fruition, including the opening of ‘LEVEL 1'.This is a new professional co-working space based at Pūkenga Rau Trades Training Centre. Also, home to the SWIFT team.This space is perfect for regional businesses needing a base in South Waikato, or locals needing off-site meeting rooms or even people wanting to expand from their home-based business.Aptly named ‘Level 1' being the position of the space at Pūkenga Rau, wit...

Waikato Chamber of Commerce extends into South Waikato

Published: Waikato TimesThe Waikato Chamber of Commerce is reaching into the South Waikato, starting with an event covering software innovation, Pasifika business leadership, and egg production.Businesses in the area are keen to grow and are eyeing wider connections, says the chamber boss in the wake of Wednesday’s networking launch event in Tokoroa, attended by some local legends and other successful Waikato-based business owners.Speaking were David Hallett, co-founder of software innova...

Waikato Business Chamber Host Business Networking Event in South Waikato

SWIFT and Toi Ohomai | Te Pūkenga were delighted to support the latest Business networking evening hosted by Waikato Chamber of Commerce on 6th March at Pūkenga Rau.With a noteworthy line up of successful business leaders who spoke to the theme of ‘the success of business born out of the South Waikato’.This included David Hallett, Co-founder /Director of Company-X. Tijay Asiata, Group Executive, LM4 and Gareth van der Heyden, CEO, Better Eggs....

SWIFT Scholarship Recipients come together to connect.

In February this year, we hosted a ‘Connection Workshop’ for the recipients of our first Scholarship Scheme which launched in September last year....

Central Kids & SWIFT Shine at Awards

Published: South Waikato NewsBy Matthew MartinPutāruru-based Central Kids Early Education and the South Waikato Investment Fund Trust (SWIFT) have done the district proud, winning three top gongs at the Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.The team from Central Kids won both the For Purpose and People's Choice awards while SWIFT won the Community Contribution award at a ceremony held recently in Hamilton.South Waikato mayor Gary Petley praised Central Kids and SWIFT for their awards succ...

SWIFT Team Attend Pride in Putāruru Business & Community Awards

It’s not often that our team gets time together…We were delighted to be in attendance as principle sponsors at the Putāruru and Tirau Business & Community Awards on 9th September 2023.It was fantastic to celebrate our amazing business community and support Pride in Putāruru.Congratulations to all the winners, especially Tirau Earthmovers Ltd for winning the Overall Award – we love your work!...

SWIFT Launch $50,000 Scholarship Scheme

South Waikato Investment Fund Trust (SWIFT) has launched a $50,000 scholarship scheme to help South Waikato residents of all ages with their tertiary education.SWIFT Chief Executive Amanda Hema says applicants who are not eligible for the Government’s fees free programme may receive up to $5,000 ($1,000 for course related costs and $4,000 for study fees). People who are eligible for the Government’s fees free programme may receive up to $1,000 for course related costs in their first year....

SWIFT Appoint New Board Members

South Waikato Investment Fund Trust (SWIFT) has appointed three new board members: corporate lawyer Kate Searancke (Ngāti Maniapoto), accountant, lawyer, director and investor Michael Crawford and kaupapa Māori environmental consultant James Whetu as it plans for trustee retirements and adopts a new strategic focus.SWIFT Chair Bruce Sherman says the three new board members bring a wealth of professional, business and governance experience and will help ensure the strategy steering the Trust’...

Trust Waikato Team Visit the South Waikato

We couldn’t feel luckier to have wonderful partners in Trust Waikato, who continue to support our community and contribute to its growth.Today we got to share the fabulousness of Pūkenga Rau with the Trust Waikato team, share our hopes for the new facility and acknowledge the funding support they provided to make this dream a reality for our community.Thank you for your visit and for being amazing supporters of the South Waikato District.A special thanks to Maree Kendrick and James Putoko fro...

Winning in the Generation Program

Since the commencement of the CNIWC Generation Programme in 2021, which, alongside others has been funded by SWIFT, there has been success with many students who have gained employment within the forestry industry or continued further education. Olive Williams has been a prime example.Olive was part of the first cohort to have completed the Generation Programme run in Tokoroa in November 2021. Olive had been previously home-schooled by her mum who encouraged her to explore a future in the F...