There’s been a changing of the guard at the South Waikato Investment Fund Trust after the retirement of three long-serving 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.

South Waikato Investment Fund Trust (SWIFT) is focusing on the future with a new Chief Executive and a refreshed emphasis on supporting communities and businesses in the region to manage the impact of the pandemic and rapidly increasing inflation.

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. business for 30 years.

Collaborating for success and workforce growth

Ten months ago Bevan Wood bought Wood Automotive from his Aunty Kathy and Uncle Barry Wood who had owned and operated the small automotive service and repair business for 30 years.

South Waikato Investment Fund Trust, South Waikato District Council, local iwi Raukawa, community and business representatives took the district to Parliament on Wednesday 31 August to advocate for long term co-investment to address multigenerational inequalities.

Forestry and timber training in the district has a multi-pronged approach, including the Trades Centre, Forestry Machine Simulators and the Generation Program.

Forestry and timber training in the district has a multi-pronged approach, including the Trades Centre, Forestry Machine Simulators and the Generation Program.

Green Frame Ltd are establishing a steel-frame and truss plant in Putaruru with the medium-term objective to build full modular transportable homes.

Van Dam Plumbing is well known across the South Waikato having been established 60 years ago.  Stephen Mulholland who has recently purchased the business with his partner Jade Corry, had worked for Van Dam Plumbing for 15 years and is well known in the Putaruru sporting community.

Hancocks Forest Management (HFM) are part of the Hancocks Natural Resources Group – the world’s largest forest owners, and locally manage the 145,000-hectare Kinleith Forest. Hancocks operate from old premises in Tokoroa and needed an operations base and offices that were fit for contemporary forest management needs.

2020 presented many challenges for the district and the nation. However it also provided a great opportunity for different organisations to work together on the single focus of business survival and regeneration.
These included SWDC, SWIFT, Te Waka, Firestation, The Event Girl, and EMA.

One of the major barriers for youth to attend training and go for jobs some distance away from home is the lack of a driver’s license. In 2020 in the South Waikato there were 120 offences issued for driving without a license.

The forestry sector is a major force in the South Waikato economy, generating some 25% of the districts GDP. The district has a multi-pronged approach to forestry training, including the Trades Centre, Generation Training Program and Forestry Machine Simulators.

WJM Profiles is a specialist machining business that relocated to the South Waikato with assistance from SWIFT.  The business specializes in high-quality technical profiles including picture frames, balustrade rails and colonial facia mouldings. 

The new South Waikato Trades Training Centre is making strong progress with the funding contracts being signed to complete the $14m project.

One of SWIFT’s key focus areas is facilitating specialised training for local businesses and industry.

Industry Training Works (ITW) provides fit for purpose training to ensure the safety of companies and their teams.

The Garden is a place of enjoyment, learning and achievement.

The dairy sector is critical to New Zealand’s GDP, but it is also critical in the way that it affects the environment

Making the most of a growing sport.

Expanding the increasingly popular Waikato River Trails.

Building pride and a sense of belonging.

Turning a waste problem into job opportunities.