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The Sun
Friday October 12, 2012
Business Business
any news on the business front: contact robbie parkes on 5777-868 or email: robbie@blenheimsun.co.nz
Big steps in business
inbrief
House prices up
According to data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) the national median house price increased by $1,000 from $370,000 in August to $371,000 in September; an increase of 0.3%. Auckland’s median house price moved up 1.9 per cent compared to August to a new record median price of $515,000. Nelson/Marlborough also reached a new record median price of $353,000. The national median house price is up 6.0% compared to September last year and is $1,000 below the record median price set in June this year.
electronic card spending down
Electronic card spending in the core retail industries fell 0.9 percent in September 2012 according to Statistics New Zealand. This follows an increase of 0.9 percent in August 2012. Consumables (down $10 million or 0.6 percent) was the main contributor to the fall in core retail, but there were also smaller decreases in all other core retail industries. The total value of electronic card spending decreased 0.6 percent. This follows an increase of 2.1 percent in August 2012.
pip widdon, university of canterbury student and cpa australia Big Break competition creativity and innovation award winner. photo by duncan shaw-Brown.
any news on the business front: contact robbie parkes on 5777-868 or email: robbie@blenheimsun.co.nz
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By Robbie Parkes A Blenheim woman has made big steps in establishing a successful business career after winning a top award in an Australasian competition. University of Canterbury student and former Redwoodtown School pupil Pip Widdon, 25, won the creativity and innovation award in the final round of the CPA Big Break Project in Melbourne last week. The Australasian tertiary business competition pitted teams against one another in a Dragon’s Den-style environment, presenting their cases to an expert panel. The panel included representatives from Make-A-Wish Foundation, the company that entrants were tasked with creating a business report for on how to develop a sustainable business model. The ‘dragons’ however, were not as fierce as Sir Bob Jones or Annette Presley from the New Zealand version of the popular television show. “It was quite different because we were actually looking at a business model to help improve their company rather than pitching an idea and looking for investments,” said Pip.
“They were really appreciative of all our support.” Pip represented New Zealand in the Australian-dominated competition, after she came out on top in the national stage of the event earlier in the year, beating 144 teams to make the finals. The competition, organised by accounting group CPA Australia, was run for the first time in New Zealand this year. Pip said the win had given her more profile in kickstarting her career. “It’s just great to be recognised and represent New Zealand, and have that opportunity to compete with Australia. “I’m really into consulting and looking at businesses and how a business can improve.” She said she is also interested in the not-for-profit sector, and helping to improve those causes, so the MakeA-Wish Foundation challenge was a fairly suitable project. Queensland University students Samuel Senior and James Roberston won the top prize of $20,000, with another $50,000 going towards their institution.
Cultural Centre to open in December
By Robbie Parkes The Rangitane Cultural Centre in Grovetown is on target to be completed for Labour weekend, but will open on the first weekend of December. “We’re looking good, we’re all very happy, but we’ll be working up to the date,” said Robinson Construction Ltd contracts manager Mark Watson. Robinson Construction has been undertaking the $1.7 million project since early April. There is still a lot of subcontracting work to do, he said. Rangitane chairperson Judith MacDonald said there had been some initial confusion about the opening date as the building contract for the project would end on Labour weekend, but the facilities still had to be prepared for use. The centre still requires exterior landscape work, and the building needs to be fitted out with equipment, including tables, chairs, plates as the facility could sleep 45 people. “We just don’t want to open it too early,” she said. In terms of an opening ceremony, Judith said they are not quite sure what shape it will take at this stage, but they think there will be a dawn blessing to meet the cultural needs of the tribe.
the rangitane cultural centre in grovetown is nearing completion and is set for a december opening date. Photo supplied.
She said, before the Grovetown Community Hall on the land was demolished to make way for the centre, Labour weekend had been discussed as an opening date, timed to coincide with a Rangitane festival. The area holds strong cultural significance for Rangitane. The tribe cemetery is in Grovetown, and the land has been heavily involved in Treaty of Waitangi settlements. “It’s part of the heartland. “Part of the vision was to build a meeting place and open it to service ourselves and
NZ Car of the Year finalists
The Automobile Association and the New Zealand Motoring Writers Guild have announced the 10 vehicles they have selected as finalists for the prestigious 2012 New Zealand Car of the Year award.
In alphabetical order they are: BMW 3 Series; Ford Range; Honda Civic Euro; Hyundai i40; Mazda BT-50; Mazda CX-5; Range Rover Evoque; Subaru Impreza/XV; Toyota Prius C; Toyota 86. The AA and the Guild have
the community. “It’s only now that we’ve got a place that we’ve been able to fulfill that.” After Treaty of Waitangi settlements in 2010, the land at 3 Fell St could be developed, and the move was made to establish the cultural centre. “It was to replace the old Grovetown Community Hall and also to ensure, as out kids grow up, they have those connections. “It’s about community and ensuring that we have a place to share in those happy occasions.”
also announced there will be a safety award and nine separate vehicle category awards: Small Car, Compact Car, Medium Car, Large Car, Sports/Performance Car, SUV Small/Medium, SUV Large, Luxury, and Utility.
The winner of the 2012 New Zealand Car of the Year Award, and the winners of the nine separate vehicle categories and the safety award, will be publicly announced in Auckland on 12 December.