Waikato Millennium Foundation

Bill and Margaret had previously worked together on the Waikato Millennium Foundation, set up when Margaret was city mayor (1989-1998) to develop and promote projects to mark the millennium season leading up to 1.1.2000. The result was eight projects including the Tui award winning children’s music and art CD and book combo M4M (Music for the Millennium) – with current Hamilton sensation Kimbra in her first compositions and recorded numbers.

More on Kimbra
The offical website of Kimbra

The foundation also produced a TV documentary and book combo ‘Waikato is the Name of the River”.

Watch the documentary here:

The New Zealand Herald article about the documentary

Further reading on the history of the Waikato River

The only project not completed was the proposed $10.9 million Waikato River Millennium esplanade and car-free bridge linking the central city to Hamilton East. This has avoided political assassination since its 1998 launch, and has new visibility through the current Mayor Julie Hardaker’s push for a new city river plan taking into account past studies and projects.

Further reading:
“Waikato River plan delay frustrates mayor” -Hamilton News
“Council backing big move” -Waikato Times
Editorial: City policy in deep water -Waikato Times
“Banking on the river” -Waikato Times
“Esplanade plan for Hamilton riverside” -The New Zealand Herald

In 2001, Margaret and the Millennium Foundation, with the local councils of Hamilton, Waikato, and Waipa, hosted the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development Asia-Pacific Preparatory Meeting which brought some 52 international mayors and local government leaders to Hamilton. This was open to the public as well as councillors and local body staff.