Back row: Mike Jones – BNZ; Alexis Tapsell – Deloitte; Donald Trump – USA President; Brad Garner – Deloitte; Scott McKenzie – PMG Funds; Steve Hersey – Kānuka Wellbeing and Leadership; Kate Ashcroft – Copeland Ashcroft; Andrew Wilson – Rotorua Economic Development; Second row: Brendon Lee, Mpac Group; Professor Alister Jones – University of Waikato; Paul Brljevich – TABAK Business Sales. Bottom row: Kellie Hamlett –Talent ID; Mark Wassung – DEA; Janet O’Shea, Tall Poppy Real Estate; Susan Northey – Tall Poppy Real Estate; Wiremu Matthews – Kānuka Wellbeing and Leadership; Christie McGregor – Copeland Ashcroft
Switchtelco.Savetime. GettoBusiness. Get intoworkearlysoyou haveenoughtimetoorganisea roamingpackforyourbusiness triptoSydneynextweekas wellassetupamobileplan forthenewemployeestarting todayandcallyourtelco networkmanager to manage thecompany’smobiledatacap forthemonthaheadwhichis projectedtobethebusiestof theyearfor Business.
Environmental Accord –all aboard?
Although its aims are ‘up in the air’, a new environmental agreement appears well grounded.
Twenty-nine businesses in the Mount Maunganui industrial zone have pledged to take further action to improve their environmental footprint by signing an Environmental Accord. Among other issues, air quality is on the agenda.
“We all want to see more progress made across the board to support the community and businesses to have a healthy coexistence,” Nigel Tutt from economic development agency, Priority One, confirmed.
“It will take a collaborative effort, including with local and central government, to improve our environmental impacts. We need our councils to keep supporting this work with action, including supporting decarbonisation initiatives and implementing buffer zones, so businesses can get this right for our community and industry.”
The accord requires businesses to keep one another accountable in implementing up to five actions each over the next
three years to improve environmental impacts.
Due to population growth, a decrease in the size of a buffer due between industrial and residential zones in the Mount Maunganui Industrial Area has been a particular cause for concern.
Residents have expressed worries about traffic congestion, air pollution and odour.
Supplemented by Priority One’s Mount Maunganui Industrial Blueprint, the accord aims to improve environmental outcomes in the vicinity of the Port of Tauranga.
“Businesses are there because they need to be. They either use the port themselves or support associated, nearby businesses and industry,” Tutt explains.
“Being close by plays a role in limiting congestion on the roads, as well as reducing some transport emissions. We expect to work on these emissions collaboratively with councils, businesses, and the community.”
According to the Blueprint, 83 per cent of large organisations surveyed acknowledge improving their environmental impact as important and 93% in the area
with higher impacts are investing in equipment or upgrading facilities along these lines.
Businesses in the Mount Maunganui Industrial Area operate under strict regulatory conditions based on national guidelines with conditions enforced locally by Bay of Plenty Regional Council. In addition, some have their own on-site air quality monitors and many are also investing in other technology to reduce their emissions, Tutt adds.
“We have identified organisations that are either major or have air discharge consents as the most appropriate to lead this accord and we expect to take it to the wider business community with the knowledge that these businesses have pledged improvements.”
One of the region’s largest organisations is already taking steps toward the accord. Port of Tauranga has increased wharf sweeping, installed traffic control barriers, improved cargo handling procedures, developed custom dust suppression systems and installed wind fences to reduce dust.
“As one of the many businesses in the Mount Maunganui industrial area, Port of Tauranga takes air quality very seriously,” the port’s chief executive, Leonard Sampson, confirms. “We have invested heavily in reducing dust from port activities and will keep doing this work to continue the trend of improving air quality.”
Similarly, Allied Asphalt Lim-
ited has been laying the groundwork to reduce environmental impact.
“Before signing on, we and many other businesses had already been investing in initiatives to improve our environmental footprint, such as upgrading our onsite stormwater treatment system in line with best practice so as to ensure that our stormwater is fit to discharge into the harbour,” the company’s Dale Eastham said. “However, the accord is another step we at Allied Asphalt are choosing to take as part of our commitment.”
For more information visit www.priorityone.co.nz and search ‘Environmental Accord’ and ‘Industrial Blueprint’.
NigelTutt
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In case you missed last month’s
It is easy to feel despair when we contemplate the accelerating pace of global climate change and lack of substantive action to deal with its impact. As we published this month’s edition, an annual assembly of countries struggling to come up with solutions to global warming was gathered in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the United Nations Climate Change Conference –COP 29.
Azerbaijan is led by Ilham Aliyev, the son of a former leader, Heydar Aliyev. He was elected to a third term as president in October 2013. Ilham Aliyev achieved COP notoriety with his opening speech to the conference in which he glorified fossil fuels. His comments were condemned by some observers as inappropriate.
“If you host the conference, if you are the presidency, then what do you need to be? An honest broker,” Belgium’s energy minister, Tinne Van der Straeten, said. She noted that most of the countries represented at COP29 were: “confronted daily by the consequences of climate change,”
towards which fossil fuel use is a major contributor.
Science writer, Jamie Morton, said in the New Zealand Herald that regional heatwaves (such as the one which fuelled New Zealand’s hottest summer on record) have become 12 times more likely due to climate change. Heatwaves could become ‘almost annual events’ within the next few decades, he stated, citing a study published in the International Journal of Climatology
Morton noted that:
• Combined land and sea heatwaves, [such as] that behind our warmest summer, have become more common in New Zealand
world from leading writer David Porter
Taking the temperature
and may soon be almost annual events
• A series of these “compound” events within the last decade have been driving scorching summer days and nights, while melting glaciers, disrupting growing seasons and harming marine life
• It comes as the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) is predicting more above-average temperatures this summer.
All of this suggests a depressing outlook for the state of our planet. However, one of the few slightly positive items I have seen about climate change recently came, unexpectedly, from global yacht racing.
The days of the early round the world races, and the conspicuously amateur backgrounds of helmsmen, have long passed and, these days, racing is very expensive and high tech, heavily dependent on sponsors and advertisers. So, it was a delight to read that sailors in the current Vendée Globe are taking scientific
measuring equipment with them as it could secure much more accurate readings about what is happening with sea temperatures.
Reportedly, more than half of the skippers on the 10th Vendée Globe are taking part in a scientific collaboration project to measure temperatures in seldom-travelled ocean areas.
It is all part of an ambitious partnership between the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Vendée Globe and the IMOCA class of yachts. The programme aims to advance oceanographic research and weather forecasting models.
UNESCO asserts that this contribution will allow essential data to be collected and distributed to scientists in real time:
‘This will help enrich global knowledge on climate and the ocean and improve operational weather forecasting services, particularly in the less frequented areas of the globe such as the Southern Ocean.’ A
David Porter
Collective efforts top of awards’ table(s)
The proof is in the pudding, but rich rewards were served from the judges’ table during the recent Tour ism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) Awards. By securing the Industry Collaboration and Alignment crown, the Flavours of Plenty collective has proven it has what it takes to sate the tastes of tourists.
Flavours of Plenty was praised by judges for its foodie community connections, brand, funding platform and food festival while display ing ‘an exciting vehicle to elevate New Zealand cuisine’, with the potential to ‘awaken a sleeping giant within tourism.’
No stranger to the fruits of victory, the collective’s festival was named Best Lifestyle Event and co-winner of the Best Local Government Event at last year’s NZ Events Association Awards.
Launched in 2021, Flavours of Plenty has become the core of Tourism Bay of Plenty’s new culinary tourism strategy, the organisation’s general manager, Oscar Nathan, asserted.
“This award is all about col-
laboration and alignment. It’s the magic that happens when everyone works together – how communities, councils, and a whole range of visitor sector businesses can make a real impact as we support and celebrate our people, produce, plates and place.
The TIA win exemplifies what it takes for tourism to flourish, he added.
“Local growers, artisans, producers, restaurateurs, chefs, and event organisers are working
together across our region to align their offerings to create an award-winning festival and platform that support each other. Together, we’ve put the coastal
Bay of Plenty on the map as a must-visit food destination.”
Visit www.tia.org.nz for a complete list of this year’s win ners and finalists.
SHARP TUDHOPE – TANYA DRUMMOND
Asharp dressed lawyer is expected to impress in a new role at one of the region’s most respected law firms.
While Tauranga’s Sharp Tudhope is delighted to announce the appointment of Tanya Drummond as special counsel, she says equally pleased to undertake her new assignment.
“Sharp Tudhope has long held a reputation as an outstanding law firm in the Bay of Plenty,” Drummond confirmed.
“The firm’s progressive partnership and growth mind set made this opportunity very appealing.”
Drawing on extensive experience gleaned across SMEs, the primary industries, finance and the fast-paced music and events sector, Drummond’s diverse skills are welcomed and should further bolster and strengthen the local law firm’s Corporate and Commercial team.
Closing out 2024, a year most of us look forward to seeing the back of, signifies the ending of a full two years of New Zealand being in the largest per capita recession in this country’s history. It will get better from here!
024 has come and gone in the blink of an eye. It’s hard to believe we’re at the end of the year already. Over the course of the past 12 months, Bay of Plenty Business News has covered a wide range of business stories and topics that reflect the diversity of the dynamic Bay of Plenty region. Infrastructure, kiwifruit, interest rates, people, international travel, local government and culture are just a few of the areas we have covered, which you can see summarised below in our 2024 – Year in Review.
PETE WALES is the Publishing and Business Director of Bay of Plenty Business News and associated titles PLENTY and MIGHTY magazines. He can be reached at pete@bopbusinesnews.co.nz
With the new coalition government installed, senior writer David Porter took a look at what’s in store for BOP businesses with the planning and execution of infrastructure, housing and transport projects across the region, in addition to the key focuses of the coalition in 2024: rebuilding the economy, addressing the cost of living crisis and improving law and order, NZ-wide. The New Year also started with a raft of new appointments at Tourism Bay of Plenty’s board of trustees, further bolstering the tourism body’s good stewardship talent pool.
Our third edition of the ever popular Women Leading Bay Business proved to be an in demand, popular as ever issue profiling 12 women and the contribution they are making from a variety of differing industries in the BOP region – tourism, local government, manufacturing & export, recruitment, property law, regional investing & infrastructure, accounting & advisory, financial services and intellectual property law. Always inspiring!
The last month of the first quarter of 2024 provided an insightful story on the New Zealand Cleantech Mission. Led by Callaghan Innovation for 12 Kiwi ventures in the cleantech space, they attended the Cleantech forum in North America to vie for a slice of the $80 billion invested every year in cleantech start-ups. This issue also profiled local Tauranga Business –Rapson Loans & Finance, experts in loans, finance, insurance and Kiwisaver.
It’s always encouraging when a pillar meeting point of the community receives a sustainability award. Bay Fair Shopping Centre, Mount Maunganui achieved the accolade of a Four Star Green Star Performance rating by the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) for its sustainable operation, signifying best practice and making it the first shopping centre in New Zealand to achieve a coveted four star rating. April also marked the arrival of a new fertiliser heavyweight into Tauranga with Australian company Marnco making its first play in the high volume NZ farm fertiliser market.
We love Zeros was an integrated marketing campaign through which Bay of Plenty Business News and Lexus of Tauranga partnered together to promote the amazing, all-new electric RZ-450e dynamic. We had the privilege of branding the Lexus with the campaign and Bay of Plenty Business News signatures and drive it across the region as we distributed our May 2024 issue to businesses, encouraging our readers and influential businesspeople to test drive this amazing, high tech and high spec Lexus. If you have not driven a Lexus, I encourage you to – you won’t look back!
Following the success of our 2023 Wealth Builders edition, we brought back this special focus in June 2024. Featuring specialists in various investment asset classes, it provided advice about building wealth in a challenging economic environment best suited to our needs and goals. We also acknowledged the outgoing commissioners in the final column from commissioner chair, Anne Tolley, and the great contribution they have made in progressing Tauranga City forward. The June issue also announced the planned launch of the inaugural PLENTY Magazine 2024.
Everybody loves a good news story, especially in the middle of bleak economic times. The kiwifruit industry marked a new record with 193 million trays harvested, benefiting from a return of both quality and quantity. The news sent Dan Mathieson, CEO of Zespri, out on a high note as he embarked on his next venture at global berry company Driscoll’s, and to be replaced by incoming CEO Jason Te Brake. It’s a golden glow result for the kiwifruit industry to have such a great turnaround after a few years of various and significant challenges.
Four years on and we have a new Mayor of Tauranga as former double Olympic Gold medallist, Mahé Drysdale, cruised to a solid win in the local body elections. Surprisingly, there was a low voter turnout. We covered the movers and shakers in 40 under 40, and Bay of Plenty Business News received a
– Pride in Print Award 2024 for
It’s never been easier to receive Bay of Plenty Business News content across a myriad of platforms. print, web, e-newsletter and social media (Meta and LinkedIn). What’s even better is that our publication and content is completely free to our readers. You can sign up to our e-newsletters on our website – they are sent out twice a month – or you can pick up a printed hard copy of our monthly publication at any of these
public locations: www.bopbusinessnews. co.nz/pick-up-locations/
> Stay educated in business with Bay of Plenty Business Publications – The Voice of Business in the Bay. www.bopbusinessnews.co.nz
SEASONS GREETINGS
Hallelujah, the first OCR cut in four years! While it was a minor, immaterial 25 basis points cut, it signified the start of easing the monetary policy restraints that were kept in place to curb inflation, giving the whole nation a sense of hope that there is light at the end of this very long and dark tunnel. ChargeNet celebrated the opening of New Zealand’s largest EV charging hub at Tauranga Crossing and we marked the changing of the guard at the helm of Bay of Plenty Business News, so owner Alan Neben could take his adult O/E to Europe for the year ahead.
Off the back of the first interest rate cut, more good news in that we’ll have new trans-Tasman flight options in the golden triangle, Jetstar scheduled to take flights to Australia from Hamilton Airport in June 2025. This is a huge win for the Waikato and BOP regions giving people across both regions a second international option to fly to Australia in addition to Auckland Airport. Eastern Bay of Plenty hosted the HEG Business Excellence Awards 2024 and Tauranga Club reopened after a twoyear refurbishment. We love good news!
> The inaugural launch of PLENTY Magazine –Business + People 2024 in August was a result of the amalgamation of our Year Book and 100 People Magazine formats rolled into the one, newly titled celebration of businesses and the people behind them across the Bay of Plenty Region.
> After five years of publishing our annual celebration of Bay businesses – Year Book 2019-2023 and then last year’s 100 People Behind Bay Business 2023 we felt a new title that reflected the region, in addition to adding a personality on the cover – newly elected Mayor of Tauranga, Mahé Drysdale – was the way to go and it proved to be a smart and popular move.
> PLENTY Magazine – Business + People 2024 has been a huge success with advertisers and readers alike. All the copies distributed have been taken up by business readers across the region and the feedback we’ve received has been very positive.
The government’s much celebrated Fast Track Approvals (FTA) bill list saw the Bay scoring a dozen approvals across housing, roading and infrastructure. The Bay sees need for speed with key projects now being on a faster track to completion. We celebrated the property pros, movers and shakers in the Central Property People Awards 2024 in addition to getting a first-hand experience of the Wai Whakaora restorative journey experience at Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa, Rotorua, which we highly recommend.
On behalf of the team, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude and thanks to all our columnists, advertisers and readers over the course of the year, all of whom have supported Bay of Plenty Business News and our associated titles. We are grateful to still be here after what has been a gruelling year for many businesses. We plan to thrive in 2025 by expanding, that’s our remit and plan, to effectively trade our way onward and upward to prosperity. Wishing you, your business and families a safe, prosperous and happy holiday season.
The popularity of our last issue of the calendar year is proven by its continuation as the fourth edition of the annual Regional Business Leaders Review – 2024/2025. Our ‘heavyweight’ edition of the year provides leading commentary across the economy, politics and business from a variety of business leaders and industries. Always an insightful read, we’re buoyed by news that the fourth quarter of 2024 is the first quarter in two years New Zealand will be coming out of a recessionary setting, paving the way for brighter, more optimistic times. The lag effect of the recession will probably continue until the end of the first quarter 2025, but the good news is that we’re heading in the right direction. Let’s thrive together in 2025!
The mighty Waikato is a region of significant importance to the alliance of the ‘golden triangle’ and it deserves to be celebrated. Off the back of the success of PLENTY Magazine – Business + People 2024, we are launching MIGHTY Magazine – Waikato Business + People 2025 to celebrate and profile the amazing businesses and businesspeople across the length and breadth of the Waikato region. The publication will be an annual and is line to be published at the start of the FY25/26 year. Many businesses have a presence in both the Waikato and Bay of Plenty so it makes sense to bring these two regions even closer together with this annual MIGHTY publication.
A New Year may bring fresh hope as the economy struggles through recession. However, recovery is unlikely to be swift or sure with some aspects lagging behind, as Richard Rennie reveals.
Bay of Plenty business owners are heading into Christmas with the prospect of seeing a low and slow road to recovery through the New Year and beyond.
A solid turnout of Bay businesspeople learnt from BNZ chief economist Mike Jones’ presentation, in late November, about the full depth of the recession and how long it will take to recover from it. After a tough year, Jones cast a positive light on the year ahead indicating 2024’s final quarter as the point of inflection where things start to take a turn for the better across the economy.
“This is really the first time the picture has changed to being one of ‘light on the horizon’, to talk about the recovery rather than the recession,” said Jones.
He described the downturn as the largest per capita recession New Zealand has ever experienced with no region being immune. Jones fully expected the decline will have some lingering scarring aftereffects across the country.
Despite an upward tick in growth prospects, the aftershocks hitting company balance sheets were likely to ripple through for some time yet, with unemployment likely to peak around 5.5 per cent by the middle of 2025.
“We have economic output per capita 4.5% smaller than it was before the recession and that’s likely to peak at 5%,” Jones confirmed. “It is the greatest
decline since we started keeping data in the early ‘90s. In an aggregate sense, profitability is about as weak as it gets in New Zealand right now.”
But the upside is that inflation has been well and truly curbed and 50% of mortgage holders are poised to cash in on lower mortgage interest rates, given they will have their interest rate reset over the coming six months.
“Much more so than past cycles, borrowers have seen this rate cutting cycle coming and people have moved borrowing on to shorter terms in anticipation. We think the Reserve Bank has plenty of work to do to bring interest rates down further. The current OCR of 4.75% is well above any sort of estimate of the ‘neutral rate’, around 3%.”
As growth starts to warm up, Jones cautioned business owners to expect it to be ‘low and slow’, taking until 2029 before New Zealand’s per capita output matched the same level as at the start of the decline in 2022.
BNZ’s comparisons to previous economic recoveries have this one sitting slightly ahead of the GFC recession in its recovery rate, but well below the early 2001 recession’s recovery rate.
Jones’ expectations match those of independent economist Cameron Bagrie who, in late October, described the country as likely to experience ‘grumpy growth’ with a long crawl to recovery anticipated.
However, Bagrie also main-
tained New Zealand has a ‘lottery ticket’ for strong future growth if it can sort out issues around productivity, education and infrastructure.
He pointed to New Zealand’s wealth of natural resources, particularly water, as a key asset in a world becoming increasingly challenged by the likes of climate change impacts on food production.
“We have a lottery ticket, but we will need to cash it in,” Bagrie concluded.
Doing so includes improving education among the next generation and improving lending opportunities for small to medium businesses to expand as well as a re-evaluation of how New Zealand assesses risks and opportunities to enable greater expansion.
BNZ’s Mike Jones said Bay of
This is really the first time the picture has changed to being one of ‘light on the horizon’, to talk about the recovery rather than the recession.” – Mike Jones
Plenty continues to benefit from gains in population, particularly in the Western BOP district with international migration above the national average. It was also experiencing strong gains from internal migration as people move out of higher priced cities to live here. The Bay of Plenty can claim to be one of the top six regions for population growth to June this year.
The region is also expected to benefit from sectoral growth in dairy and horticulture over coming months. Fonterra’s recent payout announcements have dairy doing the heavy lifting for regional growth offerings and Bay of Plenty Central Plateau comprises about 10% of the national herd. Fonterra’s gains in payout over last year will inject an additional $3 billion into the New Zealand economy.
“And prospects look pretty positive for kiwifruit this season,” Jones said.
Early indications suggest retail’s dire quarter-on-quarter slide in sales has stabilised with some discretionary spending starting to creep back into consumer behaviour. Tauranga Chamber of Commerce’s CEO, Matt Cowley, said Jones’ hard data supports the anecdotal news he is hearing within the Bay’s business community.
“There are still plenty of businesses on ‘struggle street’, but we are seeing businesses getting more enquiry, if not [yet] purchases, from potential customers,” Cowley advised.
“Those clouds on the horizon are definitely clearing and everyone is looking forward to getting rid of 2024 and on with the New Year,” he added.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
US election impact – don’t overreact!
Donald Trump’s convincing win at the recent US election surprised many and has left the Democratic Party in tatters. While it remains to be seen how the result will impact New Zealand, Prime Minister Chris Luxon has conducted a cordial 15-minute exchange of views during a courtesy call with the new US President.
Principal of Groser and Associates, Tim Groser was a long-serving New Zealand diplomat, a former National Party trade minister and ambassador to the US. The veteran trade specialist told the Bay of Plenty Business News (BOPBN) that, although the result took the Democrats aback, the outcome should have surprised no one.
“I thought he’d win,” he said. “The data pointed towards a near Trump win.”
As to what the election result may mean for New Zealand, Groser cautions that New Zealanders should not overreact.
“The US is a very complicated country. Although it has immense powers, it also has immense constraints against it.”
At this stage, it is important to consider the impact of the upcoming midterm elections, which occur halfway through the presidential term, Groser added. Should the Democrats manage to secure the House of Representatives and/or the US Senate at the midterms, Trump’s power could be checked.
In the meantime, the Republican Party candidate won the presidency convincingly and the final results will confirm the degree of the popular vote success Trump has achieved.
Trump has been acting true to form in embracing his victory as an overwhelming endorsement of his theory that the government bureaucracy requires a drastic overhaul. He has signalled this with a series of what can best be described as ‘shock and awe’ appointments to his cabinet, including several who have been widely decried as having little management abilities or relevant experience.
Among Trump’s appointees was Republican firebrand Matt Gaetz as attorney general. Although Gaetz has a law degree, he is widely regarded as being inappropriately qualified for the job. According to some reports from the US, he also has damaging
DAVID PORTER,
baggage in his private life which risks souring his appointment.
So, it came as no surprise that Gaetz announced, shortly before BOPBN went to print, that he was ‘withdrawing’ from the nomination so as not to distract Trump’s agenda in assembling his new cabinet.
Unhappy electorate
People needed to step back from the data, Tim Groser advised, and ask a fundamental question: do people feel happy?
“If so, they vote for the incumbent, if they’re unhappy, the opposite,” he said.
According to one pre-election poll, which Groser regarded as authoritative, just 29 per cent of US voters thought the country was going in the right direction. But, he warned at the time, if Trump doesn’t do well, it will have a serious impact on the world.
Trump’s announcement that he will impose punitive tariff charges against some countries (such as China) may well prove significant. Groser suggested that imposing these measures would
be difficult and, according to many trade experts, such tariffs will inevitably raise the cost of certain imports. However, Trump will do something “and it won’t be positive,” Groser warns.
Anti Democrat shift
One of the key takeaways from the election is that the Democratic Party saw its traditional working class support crater. As noted by former Tauranga MP and Priority One chair, Todd Muller, there has been a significant reorientation of voter support in the US.
“The south used to be reliably Democratic and now it’s reliably
Republican. You have blue collar, relatively uneducated tradespeople deserting the Democratic Party in droves,” he said. “The Democrats have become, largely, the party of educated elites in places [such as] New York City. [This] is a massive change from 30 years ago when the Dems were solidly working class and the representatives of money and wealth voted for the Republicans.”
Muller noted there had been a general turn against incumbency in Europe as well as in our own part of the world.
“It’s a cultural space that Trump has exploited,” he said.
The Democrats have become, largely, the party of educated elites in places [such as] New York City. [This] is a massive change from 30 years ago when the Dems were solidly working class and the representatives of money and wealth voted for the Republicans.”
– Todd Muller
It’s the economy, stupid!
Massive adjustments took place in the US economy during recent years and Trump could rightly argue throughout his campaign that some things were more favourable during his first term.
“The economy was front and centre of back pocket issues,” Muller said.
US-based Kiwi investment banker Peter Watson advised in an interview with TVNZ that, if Trump’s tariff policy is green lit, it will have “significantly negative” impacts on New Zealand businesses. He noted that veteran Democratic strategist James Carville – who coined the term “It’s the economy, stupid” – had observed earlier in the election cycle that people preferred ‘strong’ over ‘wrong.’
“Kamala Harris didn’t really do a very good job of expressing who she was.”
It appears voters were prepared to discount potentially worrying aspects of a Trump presidency and were resonating with the strength of his positions.
Harris – who replaced President Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate – also came very late to the campaign trail, which didn’t help.
Essentially, Trump appeals to people without college degrees and there are more people without college degrees than with them. Many African Americans and Latinos have also moved over to his camp in significant ways, Peter Watson added.
“On the other hand, [Harris] did retain the more educated urban population, but that’s a shrinking pool compared to the other demographics.”
Leading writer, Bay of Plenty Business News
A Trump card has again been played in the USA.
Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America
Rotorua – connecting past and future
It may abound with natural wonders while being rich in culture, but Rotorua has much more to offer. Working in partnership with researchers, businesses and local iwi, RotoruaNZ, is looking to the future, as the economic development agency’s CEO, Andrew Wilson, reveals.
Partnering with Māori
As chief executive of RotoruaNZ, I’m privileged to lead an organisation that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and a deep respect for the cultural fabric that makes our region unique. Rotorua’s economic success isn’t measured solely in numbers – it’s also reflected in how we work alongside Māori and iwi to realise shared aspirations.
Our Rotorua Forest Futures Action Plan is a project of which I’m particularly proud. Co-developed with local iwi, forestry leaders, and organisations including Whenua Oho, this plan is a testament to what can be achieved when we align economic initiatives with
Māori values. Rotorua’s forestry sector has always been a cornerstone of our economy, but it’s essential that we also look forward, embracing sustainability and climate resilience.
Central to the plan is the role of Māori. Iwi have significant ownership and influence within this sector, and their expertise ensures our approach is both innovative and respectful of the land. Whether it’s planting diverse species to enhance biodiversity or fostering a circular bioeconomy, this plan represents a future where forestry not only drives economic growth but also creates meaningful opportunities for Māori.
Another standout project has been our partnership with the Peka Lands Trust. More than
ANDREW WILSON, Chief Executive, Rotorua Economic Development
an industrial park, this development is the realisation of a 40-year vision. When the trust approached us with their plans to transform 13 hectares of harvested pine forest into a thriving industrial hub, it was clear this project aligned with our aspirations for the Rotorua economy. Through our support in securing $6 million from the Regional Strategic Partnership Fund, this
initiative is set to create jobs, attract businesses, and bring long-term wealth to more than 2000 beneficiaries.
Rotorua’s spa and wellness industry is a cornerstone of our economy and its success is deeply intertwined with Māori heritage. As our geothermal resources have long been a source of healing, incorporating these traditions into wellness experiences makes our destination is incomparable with any other.
Recent government investments, including into the $60 million Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa, reflect our commitment to growing this sector while ensuring Māori stories are at the heart of the experience.
Wellness tourism brought $277.6 million into Rotorua in 2023 alone and the potential for growth is staggering. By working alongside iwi, we’re ensuring this prosperity uplifts our community while sharing authentic Māori culture with the world.
While large scale initiatives are vital, at RotoruaNZ we’re equally passionate about supporting smaller ventures that showcase local charm. The Kārearea Nest, for instance, is a
secluded retreat that blends luxury with a deep connection to the land, offering visitors an authentic, tranquil experience.
Supporting such ventures as those mentioned aren’t just about economic diversification, it’s also about giving visitors a taste of what makes Rotorua special, all while facilitating meaningful relationships and partnerships with various stakeholder groups.
Throughout my time at RotoruaNZ, we’ve prioritised collaboration with iwi and Māori groups as the foundation of our economic strategies. These partnerships don’t just tick boxes –they align our goals as we share knowledge and create initiatives that benefit everyone.
The Rotorua Forest Futures Action Plan, the Peka Lands Trust development, and the growth of the spa and wellness sector are just a few examples of what we are achieving together. When we integrate Māori perspectives into our plans, the outcomes are richer, more sustainable and more inclusive.
Rotorua’s identity is inseparable from its whenua and people and it’s my role as chief executive to ensure our economic devel-
opment reflects this. By fostering partnerships that celebrate and elevate Māori values, we’re building a future that honours our past while creating opportunities for generations to come.
I often say that Rotorua’s greatest strength is its people and that’s never more evident than in the collaborations we’ve fostered with iwi. Together, we’re shaping the region’s economic future while creating a place that embodies innovation, resilience and a deep respect for the qualities that make Rotorua unique.
Collaboration key to innovation
Along with my team, I recently spent some time working from Scion’s Rotorua campus. This confirmed to me what an amazing and progressive world-renowned research hub we have right here on our doorstep. Businesses work together collaboratively and with other organisations across the Bay of Plenty, around New Zealand and internationally – it’s a bustling centre of innovation with state-ofthe-art facilities and plans in place to further enhance its capabilities.
Currently, there are 42 tenants operating from the Scion campus, known as Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park. The park sits within Te Mingi, an area owned by Ngā Hapū e Toru (Ngāti Hurungaterangi, Ngāti Taeotu and Ngāti Te Kahu). Scion aims to build on this and welcomes potential investors to further enable strategic science, research and development. We know Rotorua will benefit from the realisation of this goal through the creation of jobs, research funding and collaborative successes that attract national and international interest and recognition.
Businesses operating from Sci-
on’s campus regularly collaborate to drive innovation across the science and forestry sectors. For many of them, co-location has led to growth. Cetogenix provides a solid example of this.
Launched in 2022, Cetogenix has strong ties to Scion. The organisations have a memorandum of understanding to secure grants to scale up Cetogenix’s technology and collaborate on research and development. This partnership has brought world-leading science out of the laboratory and into the real world. Cetogenix is based at Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, reflecting the belief that science/ commercial partnerships accelerate innovation.
During my time at the campus, I learnt Scion regularly collaborates with other Bay of Plenty businesses too, including Zespri, Upflow and Timberlands. Scion worked with Zespri to create a bio-based and compostable spife – a spoon/knife utensil for cutting, scooping and eating kiwifruit –using kiwifruit residue, and is
supporting Upflow on work to make livestock feed from greenhouse gases.
In collaboration with Timberlands, Scion has been running fertiliser trials in the long-standing Puruki Experimental Forest where the soils have a greater nutrient capital than those of Timberlands’ Kaingaroa Forest estate. This work aimed to help Timberlands work toward its goal of doubling productivity in Kaingaroa Forest during the next 30 years.
Scion partnered with the Rotoiti 15 Trust on the Department of Conservation-funded Te Rātā Whakamaru project, with the goal of better understanding myrtle rust and assessing tree resistance to the disease. Scion has worked with NIWA to study water movement and storage in planted forests, and, outside the Bay of Plenty, with Paeroa-based Agrisea to turn seaweed waste into valuable nanocellulose for various applications. It also hosts scientists from biotechnology start-up Jooules, which is explor-
ing ways to create protein from CO2 emissions.
Scion has long been involved with a wide range of forestry industry stakeholders and wood processing and manufacturing companies. Its research has underpinned the success of the forestry sector, which continues to invest in Scion’s work. Research management company Forest Growers Research (FGR) represents one such investment. It supports and works with Scion across various research projects such as Extreme Wildfire, focused on better understanding wildfire behaviour to improve predictions, and Resilient Forests, which looks at how to help forests become more resilient in a changing climate.
All of these partnerships highlight opportunities to attract new businesses into Rotorua and showcase Scion’s position as New Zealand’s leading institute in forestry, industrial biotechnology and advanced manufacturing. It’s great to see local businesses tak-
ing such an active role in developing a circular bioeconomy for Rotorua and the rest of New Zealand, given that the international renown Scion receives often leads to global partnerships.
Scion’s long term goal is for its campus to be a world-class hub for innovation, collaboration and scientific advancement.
Public engagement spaces will also be created to demonstrate the impact of Scion’s work, heritage and culture in partnership with Ngā Hapū e Toru, and to build capability through engagement with students and education and research providers as well as the general public. Independent reports value the scientific advantage this unique opportunity will provide at a potential $30 billion in additional national revenue.
Together, Scion and Rotorua will drive innovation and growth to position our city and New Zealand at the forefront of a productive, prosperous and resilient low-carbon economy supporting high value jobs and exports.
Dynamic duo, local focus
It may be one of the most widely recognised names in professional services, but Deloitte draws on local people to ensure it meets the specific needs of Bay of Plenty businesses.
As in many centres throughout New Zealand, people and businesses in Tauranga prefer to buy local, which provided the impetus for Deloitte to open an office in this vibrant city late last year.
From this base, new Directors, Alexis Tapsell and Brad Garner, share their deep understanding of the area and the wider capability the company has to offer.
With strong family ties to the Bay, Alexis returned to Tauranga from Auckland with her husband and three children.
She says being closer to whanau and able to enjoy the amazing lifestyle advantages the region has to offer were strong drawcards for the move, but it also offered her the benefit of providing her clients with one-toone service.
“People want to know who they’re dealing with,” confirms Alexis, a Director in Deloitte’s Tax and Business Advisory team.
“Being able to see clients at events or on the sports field and then in the office is great for building relationships and trust, which will be further enhanced when we move into our permanent Deloitte premises in July.”
A fellow Director in the Tax and Business Advisory team, Brad Garner is Tauranga born and bred.
He began his career with Deloitte in Hamilton as a summer intern and then worked as an analyst before heading to London on his OE. He re-joined the firm in May, bringing a wealth of new experience to share along with a personal desire to see his home town flourish.
“Tauranga is one of the fast-
est growing economies in New Zealand, so it’s important that we are on the ground to support our local businesses and play a part in helping the region grow. Deloitte is all about making an impact that matters, and having a personal connection to the community we’re working in means we are deeply invested in its success,” Brad says.
“We can also bring all of Deloitte to the region by leveraging our expertise across the firm. While Alexis and I are predominantly focused on tax and advisory, we can bring in other specialists when needed who also deal directly with our clients.”
Solutions are scaled to suit the size of each client’s business, Alexis adds.
“We’re competitive in every space and often it’s about educating clients, and future clients, that our services are accessible. This is particularly helpful for people who are growing their businesses and need to draw on additional expertise such as strategy, business valuations, research and development incentives, advanced financial reporting for IFRS requirements, technology and AI advice and implementation as well as offshore expansion.”
Brad and Alexis both attended the recent Deloitte Fast 50 event in Auckland where the local area was represented by teams from Rice Rice Baby and Hiko Electrical.
This annual celebration showcases the innovators and entrepreneurs behind New Zealand’s fastest growing businesses.
The Fast 50 Index ranks businesses experiencing rapid rev-
We’re competitive in every space and often it’s about educating clients, and future clients, that our services are accessible. This is particularly helpful for people who are growing their businesses and need to draw on additional expertise such as strategy, business valuations, research and development incentives, advanced financial reporting for IFRS requirements, technology and AI advice and implementation as well as offshore expansion.”
enue growth over three years, while the Master of Growth Index ranks those starting from a larger revenue base of over five years of revenue growth.
Feedback from this year’s Deloitte Fast 50 entrants revealed government regulation, domestic competition and interest rates were the top economic issues for this year’s winners. General growth in sales, increased marketing and expansion into new
regions and markets were identified as the main factors for growth.
“We’d love for more local businesses to get in touch with Alexis or myself, whether you’re having challenges or are keen to explore new opportunities,” Brad says. “Together we can flesh out how we and the broader Deloitte team can be of help.”
More information about the Deloitte Fast 50 programme and
winners, as well as the company’s wider expertise, is accessible via www.deliotte.com.
However, there’s no better way to see how a local Bay of Plenty team can assist than in person, Alexis adds.
“Over a great cup of coffee, we can also share other insights from the Deloitte Fast 50 programme, including how other businesses are responding to the current climate.”
BRAD GARNER AND ALEXIS TAPSELL, Tax and Business Advisory, Deloitte
Connecting kōrero
Helping leaders lead while ensuring they support their teams, Kānuka Wellbeing and Leadership is ready to ensure local businesses achieve their potential, company director Wiremu Matthews reveals.
For almost a decade, Kānuka Wellbeing and Leadership has been supporting wellbeing and leadership development in the Bay of Plenty.
During this time, we’ve identified a key obstacle to growth –avoidance of conversations often labelled as critical, courageous or difficult. These words often discourage people from engaging in such essential kōrero, creating a cycle of avoidance with significant consequences.
The ripple effect of avoiding these conversations is massive, yet often underestimated. Leaders who sidestep addressing issues find themselves overburdened, taking on additional responsibilities and tasks to ensure projects are completed. This pattern emerges because team members grow accustomed to their leader doing things properly while failing to take proactive responsibility for their own work.
The fallout is costly. Leaders sacrifice their wellbeing, working late nights and weekends, disrupting their sleep and ultimately harming their health. Relationships with their whānau suffer and frustrations build. The emotional toll erodes their capacity to manage other stressors effectively and leads to tensions with team members that may remain unaddressed.
That’s when resentment creeps in. Team members sense a leader’s frustration and withdraw further, diminishing their confidence and performance. This withdrawal confirms their leader’s perception of poor performance, widening the gap between them. The entire team feels the strain and a negative cultural shift begins to take root.
This cycle of avoidance isn’t confined to workplace hierarchies, it manifests in peer-to-peer dynamics, interdepartmental relationships and even in home life. Family gatherings, especially during holidays, often highlight unresolved tensions stemming from unspoken truths.
Efforts to address these issues often miss the mark. Leaders turn to communication courses, management workshops and books filled with acronyms, yet the real problem remains unaddressed as such interventions manage symptoms rather than tackling the root cause.
So, a new approach is needed, one that encourages more frequent, meaningful conversations. Leaders must lean into these kōrero, reframing them so they’re not considered difficult or challenging, but rather as opportunities to strengthen connections. This shift in mindset changes the entire dynamic, fostering understanding and deeper engagement.
At Kānuka Wellbeing and Leadership, our approach centres on reframing these conver-
sations as Connecting Kōrero. This ethos focuses on connection and understanding rather than conflict. The goal is to see the world from another person’s perspective, encouraging mutual respect and deeper relationships.
To support leaders in this shift, our Connecting Kōrero online course provides the following, clear framework:
• Reframe: shift your mindset from fear to curiosity
• Take responsibility: own your emotions and responses
• Understand impact: recognise the consequences of avoidance
• Be well prepared: approach conversations with clarity and purpose
Our process doesn’t rely on flashy acronyms but emphasises ongoing practice. Regularly engaging in these conversations, and receiving feedback through the supportive group environment this course provides, builds confidence and skill. This practice cultivates accountability with a commitment to oneself rather than a reaction to external pressure.
WIREMU MATTHEWS AND STEVE HERSEY, Directors, Kānuka Wellbeing and Leadership
Some may dismiss this reframe as merely semantic – it’s not! Shifting from ‘difficult’ to ‘connecting’ reflects a fundamental change in perspective, energy, and behaviour. The difference is transformative, unlocking new ways of thinking, feeling, and engaging.
We invite leaders in the Bay of Plenty to embrace this new approach to move beyond the outdated idea of challenging conversations and step into a leadership style that prioritises genuine connection. You’ll create an environment where those you lead feel valued, understood and appreciated. This develops a stronger sense of belonging
within teams and organisations, and the benefits don’t stop at work as they extend into personal and whānau relationships, enriching all areas of life.
The best part of all this is that you don’t need to wait for the New Year or for others to make the first move. The power to lead this change lies entirely within you, so take the first step now and watch the ripple effects transform your team, organisation and your own leadership journey.
Join the waitlist for our Connecting Kōrero online course and learn how to approach such conversations with clarity and confidence.
Facilitating deep team connection
Join our Connecting Kōrero online course
Getting to root causes
Creating cultural health
For more information on our next cohort – get in touch
Increasing productivity
Facilitating deep team connection
Getting to root causes
FACILITATING DEEP TEAM CONNECTION GETTING TO ROOT CAUSES
Whether buying or selling, many locals look to Paul Brljevich from Tabak’s Business Sales to smooth the transition and seal the deal.
Tabak’s Tauranga director and business broker Paul Brljevich likens selling your business to raising one of your children, such is the time, commitment and love many of his clients have put into their business’s.
He and his co-owner Kevin Kerr at Tabak Business Sales can draw on their first-hand experiences owning businesses, and then selling them, when they sit down and discuss sale options with prospective clients.
“As is often the case the owner will have a different idea of their business’s worth compared to what a potential buyer may have. Paul explains “ And, it can often be the case that both parties are right but are just looking at things differently. So it is up to us to help them bridge that gap in a way that leaves both feeling they are getting the best possible outcome.”
Paul’s 18 years’ experience as a Tabak broker is reinforced by his strong commercial background that spans banking, property development, tourism and hospitality businesses. This allows him to better empathise with both sellers and buyers when assessing business sale opportunities.
“It’s been said that ‘business turnover is vanity, but profit is sanity’ and that is as true now as ever. It is not always the biggest, largest grossing businesses that are the most attractive: there are some very profitable businesses in the $200,000 to $500,000 valuation range that are capable of returning very good profits to
PAUL BRLJEVICH, Director, TABAK Business Sales, Tauranga
their owners, even if they are not the biggest businesses out there.”
Tabak Business Sales has built its success over the past 20-plus years by focussing on establishing strong relationships with their clients, Paul says. This has required understanding the motivations for selling and knowing the type of buyer best suited to a business their clients may have spent years building up from nothing.
“We make real efforts to ensure we aren’t presenting our clients with tyre kickers and dreamers, carefully qualifying those best suited before arranging meetings and getting down to the details of the business itself.”
This approach has proven
successful with Paul personally overseeing the repeat sales of several businesses over the years. We have developed a strong network of potential buyers all within easy reach as opportunities present themselves. However, a business can be sold quite discreetly, if that is what a client prefers.
Typically, Tabak’s clients can expect a straightforward process with all marketing costs already incorporated into the brokerage fee.
Paul urges anyone considering selling their business not to be deterred by recent gloomy economic news from assorted economists.
“Reality is that we simply have more buyers than sellers right now, with interest from people wanting to invest and work in their own business greater than ever.”
The reasons for this are numerous, Paul says, including a desire among 40–50-year-olds to make the break while they still can from a salaried, corporate life to one where they have more control over a business’s outcome.
Common reasons for selling may include ill health, marriage breakups, or a recognition it is time to let someone else bring a new set of eyes on the operation.
“The Bay of Plenty remains a highly attractive place to live and do business. Local growth has been relatively constant over the years, and we now form one side of the Golden Triangle, with Auckland and Hamilton, which now includes so much of the country’s population.
Would be sellers should not hang back and wait to make a move when the economy picks up, Paul urges.
“If so, you run the real risk of trying to sell in a market that is saturated with other business owners who have been thinking the same thing, and risk not seeing the full value you should for your business.”
Locally owned by operators with skin in the game, Tabak Tauranga also draws on a well known brand, providing Paul and his colleagues with a solid network to call on from across New Zealand.
We have professional contacts so we can access a deep level of knowledge, which can be invaluable for the sometimes-tricky business of assessing a fair market value.
Taking people on a journey, either when entering or exiting a business, is a rewarding experience, Paul confesses.
“We are often seeing people transition to a completely new stage in their lives when they enter a new business, or if they leave one. To oversee such changes successfully really makes this job worthwhile in both a professional and a personal sense.”
Property primed for 2025
The commercial property market is poised to make a comeback as we head into the new year and investors have been buoyed by recent news, as Scott McKenzie from PMG Funds reveals.
The commercial property sector is looking primed for recovery as the economic environment begins to stabilise. After a challenging period, lower interest rates and easing inflation are fostering a more optimistic outlook for 2025.
Consumer confidence is improving1, driving increased spending, while businesses are regaining momentum2 with higher levels of confidence and plans for growth. These factors collectively point to an upswing in the commercial real estate market.
Equity and capital markets, often leading indicators, have started to show signs of recovery, with commercial property expected to follow. While challenges remain, the sector is positioned to benefit from a shift in market dynamics as headwinds ease and tailwinds emerge.
Resilient sectors show strength
Not all industries have experienced equal levels of difficulty. Sectors such as professional services, banking, insurance, and large format retail have weathered the downturn more effectively. Large format retailers offering value-oriented products, such as Kmart and Mitre 10, continue to perform as consumers gravitate toward affordable options during periods of financial constraint.
In contrast, smaller retailers, especially in hospitality and strip shopping areas, have struggled with lower consumer discretionary spending. Similarly, the logistics sector has seen reduced activity due to fewer goods mov-
ing across the country. Nevertheless, businesses with robust financial foundations are poised to capitalise on the recovery.
Preparing for growth
Resilient businesses and investors are using the current period to consolidate and prepare for future expansion. Many companies have taken steps to strengthen their balance sheets and position themselves for longterm growth. The demand for high quality commercial spaces, particularly those with sustainable features, is increasing as businesses refine their growth strategies.
The post-pandemic shift in working habits has stabilised, with most industries finding a balance between remote and in-office work. This has provided greater certainty around space requirements, enabling companies to focus on securing the right environments to support their operations. High quality, sustainable properties are becoming a priority as businesses align their real estate strategies with broader organisational goals.
Investor interest reignites
As the official cash rate continues to reduce to more neutral territory – probably around three to 3.5 per cent – capitalisation rates are expected to recalibrate. This will likely translate into property values starting to rise again.
We are also seeing investor activity, which has been somewhat subdued, now slowly picking up, with increasing interest in yield-focused and growth-ori-
ented assets including commercial real estate.
Term deposit rates have been trending downwards3, which is expected to continue, prompting investors to reallocate capital into higher yield asset classes. Strategic acquisitions and development opportunities are also beginning to resurface, supported by stronger feasibility assessments and increased confidence in the market. While developments take time to materialise, the planning and groundwork being laid today are vital steps toward a stronger future.
Strategic positioning for success
At PMG Funds, we have strategically positioned ourselves to take advantage of opportunities as the market transitions into a growth phase. By maintaining stronger balance sheets and adopting more conservative loan-to-value ratios, PMG Funds has been able to leverage opportunities presented by the current economic environment.
Our approach has enabled the successful execution of a number of strategic acquisitions this year. Notable additions include a newly built four storey base-isolated (seismically strong) office building on Victoria Street, Wellington, reflecting a long term commitment to the capital’s commercial real estate market. Another example is a large industrial site in south Auckland, with a lease-up repositioning strategy within the next 6-12 months, generating improved value.
These moves underscore the importance of maintaining a clear strategy and leveraging
SCOTT McKENZIE, CEO and Director, PMG Funds
opportunities in a shifting market. As the cycle evolves, businesses and investors alike should focus on building robust strategies that align with their long term objectives.
Capitalising on opportunities
The next growth phase presents an opportunity for both businesses and individuals to position themselves for success. A proactive and forward-looking approach is key to making the most of the upswing. This involves re-evaluating strategies, focusing on high quality assets and maintaining a positive outlook despite the challenges of recent years.
The foundation for growth is being laid across the sector, driven by stabilising economic
conditions and increasing confidence among businesses and investors. With a strategic focus and the right preparation, we expect the commercial property sector will be poised for recovery and growth in 2025.
Visit www.pmgfunds.co.nz for additional information regarding our services and expectations for the year ahead.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is of a general nature and was current as at 25 November 2024. It is not intended to be regulated financial advice for the purpose of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013, and does not take your individual circumstances and financial situation into account. PMG Funds does not provide financial advice on whether or not an investment in one of its funds is right for you. Please seek advice from a licensed financial advice provider before making any investment decisions.
1 ANZ Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence, October 2024
2 ANZ Business Outlook, October 2024 3 ASB, Term Deposit Report, 17 October 2024
The changing tide of real estate
From understanding tech savvy homebuyers to using digital tools to sell properties, there’s a lot to unpack when considering the future of real estate. Embracing technology is essential in such a dynamic industry, however offering real value to clients remains front and centre.
Since Tall Poppy Real Estate’s inception in 2012, the team behind this respected brand has been passionate about breaking the mould and offering a great customer experience.
The company is widely recognised for being innovative, upfront and crystal-clear with regards to pricing.
This exceptional business model motivated Tauranga business owners Janet O’Shea and Susan Northey to join Tall Poppy in 2017 and 2018 respectively. Janet says they are both proud to be part of a most forward-thinking real estate company as it matches perfectly with their desire to offer clients value, transparency and the best results.
“It’s always been about creating a fairer and clearer process for our clients, breaking down the barriers of overpriced services and outdated practices. From the beginning, Tall Poppy moved away from the traditional model where unclear processes and high overheads, such as fancy office buildings, inflated costs,” Janet confirms.
“Selling is about relationships and trust. No matter what industry you’re in, it’s about people. Susan and I are problem solvers who make things easy for our clients, so you will know exactly what we’re doing for you at every stage and how much you’ll save along the way. To date, Tall Poppy has saved Kiwis close to $113 million in fees!”
Easily done, all online
Transforming brick-and-mortar processes into digital procedures is just one example of how Tall Poppy adds value for clients. Not only does this change the way
properties are bought and sold, it boosts efficiency and improves the client experience, Susan says.
“Our new digital platform, My Tall Poppy, had a soft launch this year and is about to be rolled out across the country early next year. We’re proud to be one of the first real estate companies in New Zealand to enable people to buy and sell property 100 per cent online.”
My Tall Poppy ensures users can track exactly where they are throughout the process.
“Because everything is done digitally, it has become faster and much more convenient. From
listing your home to managing offers and finalising transactions, My Tall Poppy does it all!” she says. “However, being a real estate agent is not about houses, it’s about relationships and trust. So, even though digital tools such as My Tall Poppy make buying and selling property easier, faceto-face, hands-on support is still vitally important.”
Multi-channel marketing
A multi-award-winning business recognised for innovation, Tall Poppy aims to lead the way in digital marketing. Through
Being a real estate agent is not about houses, it’s about relationships and trust. So, even though digital tools such as My Tall Poppy make buying and selling property easier, face-to-face, hands-on support is still vitally important.”
national partnerships, the team creates campaigns designed to speak directly to ideal buyers and leverage the power of the internet to give properties maximum exposure.
“When you list with Tall Poppy, we’ll include an impressive, results-based marketing plan that will spread your advertising spend over a multitude of digital channels including Trade Me, One Roof, Homes.co, realestate.co.nz, Google ads, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and six international property platforms,” Janet reveals.
“On Trade Me alone, all our listings have either gold or platinum status. Both Tall Poppy Tauranga Central and Tauranga South consistently achieve the highest number of views, watch list additions and enquiries when it comes to local property listings – we’re proud of that result.”
Shaping the future
While Janet and Susan are helping to shape the future of local real estate, they can’t do it alone.
Both would love to see more agents who align with their values to join Tall Poppy and grow the brand even further across the Bay of Plenty.
“It’s your chance to be part of the team that’s been voted Agency of the Year 2024 by Rate My Agent and Canstar Blue’s Best-Rated Real Estate Agents in NZ for 2023,” says Susan.
“Every year, we’re reaching a higher market share in the region, our teams work closely together, there are no issues with egos and we always support each other. If you enjoy offering fantastic value to clients while using tech and digital smarts, you’ll find Tall Poppy is a great fit.”
Embracing digital transformation isn’t about keeping up, it’s about leading the way, Janet adds.
“Our work will always be people-centred and we take pride in our culture of fairness, respect and honesty. For us, real estate is not just about doing business or the accolades we receive, it’s about doing the job right for our clients.”
Workplace law update
Changes in employment, immigration and health and safety law are all expected to be enacted during the coming year. However, Copeland Ashcroft Workplace Lawyers is on hand to help.
As 2024 draws to a close, we are yet to see many of the substantive changes to employment, health and safety or immigration law promised last year. However, the following developments are expected to come into effect during 2025.
Employment law
In September, the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety announced that an exposure draft of a bill to reform the Holidays Act 2003 would be released for consultation. The exposure draft is said to include:
• Pro-rating of sick leave, proportional to hours of work. This means that an employee who works 30 hours a week could be entitled to seven and a half sick days a year, while fulltime employees receive the usual 10 days.
• Moving from an ‘entitlement system’ to an ‘accrual system’ for annual holiday entitlements.
• More simple methodology for calculating leave without having to rely on data on an employee’s daily hours of work.
• Introducing objective criteria for using ‘pay-as-you-go’ annual holidays and an easier review process.
• Clarifying that only full pay periods are to be included in a proposed new 13-week reference period when quantifying average weekly pay for annual holiday calculations.
The exposure draft is currently in the targeted consultation stage and we anticipate hearing back from the minister in 2025.
Employee or contractor?
The government proposes to introduce a test where, if satis fied, a contractor arrangement will be upheld. The Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Brooke van Velden, said:
“This new approach will pro vide businesses with more cer tainty to proceed with innovative business models, involving con tractors where this is appropri ate, and also enable businesses to offer better terms and conditions to their contractors with less con cern that it might impact the con tractor’s status.”
These changes are predicted to be introduced in 2025. For more information, please visit www.copelandashcroft.co.nz/ law-change-on-contractor-vs-employee.
Health and safety
Consultation is well underway on the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) 2015 review and reform. This follows criticism from MBIE, describing current health and safety laws as: “an outdated and incomplete regulatory framework.”
MBIE has previously highlighted the need for reform in areas where workers operate machinery, use equipment or work at heights, which account for almost 80 per cent of New Zealand’s work-related deaths, roughly double the rate in Australia. The Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum estimates the cost of workplace illness and injury in New Zealand at $4.9 billion per year.
The New Zealand Institute of Safety Management has responded positively to the reform, proposing three recommendations: better system leadership and coordination, improving and investing in WorkSafe and better regulations and guidance.
The institute states there is a “complex and dysfunctional set of funding mechanisms, roles and policy functions between MBIE, ACC and WorkSafe,” which has prevented implementation of health and safety strategies.
While consultation regarding the HSWA progresses into 2025, there has been a lack of focus in comments about wellbeing and mental harm to date, so it appears the focus will be on physical safety.
Immigration
Heading into 2025, we note a number of changes in immigration law:
• Maximum period of stay: a
new rule has been introduced that limits the time a migrant worker can remain in New Zealand continuously on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) to five years. For skilled roles there is a lower maximum period of stay. Migrant workers will need to meet residence visa requirements within the maximum period of stay period or they must depart for 12 months.
• Median wage: the Minister of Immigration has indicated that a move away from using the median wage will likely be implemented in 2025. While positive overall, this change may create a difficult space for employers who have already supported migrant workers for AEWVs requiring employers pay at least $29.66 per hour, for example.
• Changes in the investor migrant space: the Active Investor Policy will be changed to encourage more
investment into New Zealand, the Minister of Immigration has suggested. An area in which the government may look to encourage investment is infrastructure bonds.
• Changes in the skilled residence space: the Skilled Migrant Category will be reviewed in 2025.
Stay up to date
Copeland Ashcroft Workplace Lawyers delivers specialist advice, representation and support across employment, immigration and health and safety law to businesses throughout New Zealand. We can provide advice and guidance pertaining to any of the changes mentioned above.
Visit www.copelandashcroft.co.nz to subscribe to our newsletter, gain access to our free webinars, receive invitations to our workshop and seminar series and stay up to date with the latest developments.
KATE ASHCROFT AND CHRISTIE MCGREGOR, Partners, Copeland Ashcroft
DEA – Building the future
Large scale, modern and complex – all of these fall well within the auspices of Design Engine Architects (DEA), as the company’s managing director, Mark Wassung, explains.
From our Tauranga and Hamilton base, Design Engine Architects (DEA) is leading the way with creative, bold and transformational projects across multiple sectors.
Our work includes new commercial buildings, commercial fit-outs and adaptive re-use, to heritage buildings and seismic strengthening, such as at No.1 The Strand, Tauranga Waterfront.
Super factories are also well within our scope, including a super factory for MTE Modern Transport Engineers at Te Rapa Hamilton.
In addition, a new skating rink and aquatic centre are benefiting from our team’s expertise.
Prefabricated eco-housing, eco-housing subdivisions, factories and warehouses, high end residential beach houses and luxury apartments are all well within our remit.
DEA uses cutting-edge tech-
(through site visits worldwide) in housing, construction and technology to bring back to New Zealand.
While we have been keying into knowledge and experience that dates back decades, we also embrace innovation and emerging technology to help shape our future.
nologies as we transform architecture in New Zealand, while taking a strong stand and consistently adapting our approach to suit modern styles, tastes and techniques.
Drawing on unique personal experience and expertise, I’m
Working to reset the way housing and construction is delivered in NZ, we embrace back casting (learning from the past) to inform better decisions for the future, while thinking in an intergenerational way, 50 to 100 or even 1000 years ahead.
One of our houses, for exam-
ple, is designed for 500 years plus – it’s built with ship fabrication detailing including 12mm steel plate with submerged arc welds, all to withstand the test of time.
Ready to embrace diverse projects across a wide variety of sectors, we enjoy working with clients who have creative and unique ideas, from themed and quirky to contemporary and straightforward. In all cases, we love enhancing and adding value to projects.
We have many repeat clients requiring confidentiality – we have built trust and credibility with them, over many years in some cases. However, our fresh,
standout insights are welcomed by new clients too. No matter the complexity and challenging nature of your project, we’re able to test new concepts and bring fresh ideas to life.
Although DEA is an acronym for Design Engine Architects, our company name also stands for:
Ddedicated, determined, design focused and a drive toward a resilient, zero-carbon built environment.
E environmental sustainability, energetic, expanding, eco-house and selfsufficient subdivision.
For sixty years, one of New Zealand’s premier seats of learning has been at the forefront of education. However, there’s much more to come, as University of Waikato deputy vice-chancellor, Professor Alister Jones, explains.
Since its formation in 1964, the University of Waikato has had a pioneering spirit, seeing challenges as opportunities and asking big questions about key issues we face.
This year, the university has been celebrating its 60th anniversary as well as five years at its award-winning campus on Durham Street, Tauranga. As we look towards 2025 and beyond, there is a clear focus to build on the success we’ve achieved over the years to deliver further growth and development in the Bay of Plenty. Our progress is led by a strategic focus on adapting to the evolving needs of the community, nation and the world. This begins with building on the world-class study options offered at our Tauranga campus.
This year, Waikato placed within the QS Rankings’ top 235 universities in the world – our continued climb up the rankings is recognition of a research-intensive environment and the global impact our research has produced. We plan to leverage this success by establishing a distinctive learning programme for our Tauranga campus, attracting domestic and international students.
We will capitalise on our Bay of Plenty location by maximising access to industry – such as technology, horticulture and aquaculture – within the region, providing high calibre study options
PROFESSOR ALISTER JONES, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Waikato
and showcasing Tauranga’s outstanding lifestyle.
Building on our reputation for leading climate change research, we have developed the Marine Science for Conservation short course for the international market in 2025. This will entice students from across the globe to our region, exposing them to the high standard of our teaching and highlighting the excellent quality of life in Tauranga.
As part of our commitment to develop local talent and contribute to the growth of business and community leadership, our Master of Business Administration
We’ve enhanced our connections to industry through guest speakers, who are local leaders, complementing world-class teaching from our academic staff. Collaborating with experts – including Priority One CEO, Nigel Tutt, and Craigs Investment Partners’ head of people and performance, Angie Smith – students will benefit from realworld insight while building their industry connections.
Working alongside industry, we have a reputation for undertaking research with global impact. Right now, in labs, field stations and offices across Tauranga, our academics are working on cutting-edge research.
At our Durham Street campus, Dr Ririwai Fox has received funding to advance the understanding of Māori cultural embeddedness and how Indigenous people are immersed in their culture. In our engineering labs, Professor Ian Hawes is working on a world first sampler for Antarctic sea ice to understand its role as a critical habitat for marine life.
At our Coastal Marine Field
Station, Professor Kura PaulBurke is leading restoration of marine life in Ōhiwa Harbour by bringing together mātauranga Māori, western science and local kaitiakitanga (guardianship).
As our reputation for critical research in the region increases, our campus will continue to grow, and we have strategic plans to ensure we invest in its expansion.
In 2025, we will open Durham Mews, new student accommodation located next to our campus, bringing even more young people into the city centre and contributing to the vibrancy of the Tauranga CBD.
Fostering engagement and strategic partnerships within the region is another critical focus for the university team, so we are proud to sponsor the Priority One event DayBreak – Festival of Innovation, taking place in April.
The event will feature a discussion by Professor Chris Battershill and Dr Marie Magnusson on the ways marine science is securing the future for (and from) the ocean. We’re also linking with our community through our new Bay Venues partnership and look forward to being the naming rights’
sponsor of its new sport recreation facility opening in 2025.
As our marine research and education facility development advances, we will work alongside mana whenua and iwi in research and community engagement focused on the wellbeing of the moana, environment and coastal communities for future generations.
Our campus is also contributing to the revitalisation of Tauranga as a unique event venue. Next year, we will host international conferences, business networking opportunities and student events, such as our Open Day and careers expos, drawing visitors from all walks of life to the city.
We are proud to be embedded within the Bay of Plenty community and sharing our prosperity and knowledge for the advancement of its people.
Whether you’re looking to further your knowledge and career, host an outstanding event or provide your children with a world-class education, the University of Waikato is ready to connect and make a difference. Here’s to the future.
(MBA) re-launches in Tauranga next year.
The evolution of recruitment: AI and the human touch
Finding the sweet spot between AI and human operation is essential. As we navigate through the ever evolving landscape of recruitment, it becomes increasingly clear that the industry is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades.
HAMLETT, Director, Talent ID Recruitment & HR
At Talent ID Recruitment & HR, we’re witnessing first-hand how technological advancements, particularly artificial intelligence, are reshaping the way we connect talent with opportunities.
The integration of AI into recruitment processes is no longer a ‘future concept’, it’s happening right now. From candidate screening tools to automated interview scheduling and predictive analytics, AI is streamlining many time consuming administrative tasks that, traditionally, consumed recruiters’ valuable time. The efficiency gain is substantial – what once took hours can now be accomplished in minutes.
As a seasoned recruitment professional, I believe we must approach this technological revolution with enthusiasm and caution. While AI offers impressive capabilities, it’s crucial to understand its role as a tool rather than a replacement for human expertise.
Our vision for the future of recruitment in New Zealand is to ensure technology enhances rather than replace human expertise. We envisage AI as a powerful assistant that handles the quantitative aspects of recruitment, freeing our consultants to focus on the qualitative elements that truly drive successful placements.”
At Talent ID, we’ve strategically incorporated AI tools to enhance our processes while maintaining our commitment to personal connection. Our experience shows that AI excels in several areas, including scanning large volumes of CVs for specific skills and experience, identifying patterns in candidate data and even helping to write more inclusive job advertisements. These capabilities allow our recruiters to focus on what truly matters – building relationships and understanding the nuanced needs of both clients and candidates.
We have observed some limitations of AI in recruitment. The human elements of our industry – such as intuition, emotional intelligence and cultural fit assessment –remain beyond the reach of algorithms.
A CV might tick all the technical boxes, but only human interaction can reveal whether a candidate’s values align with an organisation’s culture or if their personality will complement an existing team dynamic.
Looking ahead, we anticipate several key developments in New Zealand’s recruitment landscape:
• Hybrid assessment models: in the future, we will likely see an increase in recruitment processes that combine AI-driven initial screening with in-depth human assessment. This approach maximises efficiency while ensuring thorough candidate evaluation.
trends, salary benchmarks and candidate behaviour patterns, enabling more strategic hiring decisions.
As we embrace these advancements, we must remain mindful of potential pitfalls. If not carefully monitored, AI systems can inadvertently perpetuate biases and overreliance on technology risks, missing exceptional candidates who might not fit standard algorithms. At Talent ID, we believe the key lies in maintaining a balanced approach.
Our vision for the future of recruitment in New Zealand is to ensure technology enhances rather than replace human expertise. We envisage AI as a powerful assistant that handles the quantitative aspects of recruitment, freeing our consultants to focus on the qualitative elements that truly drive successful placements.
For organisations navigating this changing landscape, I recommend taking a measured approach to AI integration. Start by identifying areas where automation can add genuine value, but maintain strong human oversight and intervention capabilities. Remember that while AI can match skills and experience, human recruiters understand the subtle nuances of team dynamics and workplace culture.
• Enhanced candidate experience: AI tools will continue to improve the candidate journey through faster response times and more personalised communication. Successful agencies will maintain human touchpoints at critical stages.
• Data driven decision making: the integration of AI will provide recruiters with deeper insights into market
As we move forward, the most successful recruitment outcomes will continue to be achieved through a careful balance of technological innovation and human insight. At Talent ID, we’re committed to leading this evolution while never losing sight of what matters most – the human connection that lies at the heart of successful recruitment.
The future of recruitment isn’t about choosing between AI and human expertise, it’s about leveraging the best of both worlds to create better outcomes for our clients and candidates alike.
KELLIE
Mpac’s harvest – bumper future for kiwifruit
The sweet taste of success is on the menu for Mount Maunganui-based Mpac, as revealed by its managing director, Brendon Lee. Harvesting opportunities, the local kiwifruit business is booming, growing from strength to strength.
Brendon Lee began his kiwifruit journey with an orchard cadetship. Just 20 years later, he is managing director of both Mount Maunganui’s Mpac and its Auckland-based sister company, Apac. His broad portfolio of responsibilities includes one of the world’s most technologically advanced kiwifruit operations based in a purpose-built 65,000 square metre facility at Tauriko.
Mpac moved part of its operation to the new Tauriko site in 2018 and has progressively built two pack houses and substantive associated cool stores. Cutting edge automation, rolled out in 2023, increased the Tauriko site’s processing capacity to 35 million trays annually, Brendon confirms.
“This year, Mpac is building another cool store on an adjacent Tauriko site and it’s a whopper! The 35,000sqm cool store will have a static capacity of five million trays and will be ready for operation from March 1.”
Growth has been experienced across the New Zealand kiwifruit industry in recent years, increasing production by 24 per cent since 2018. However, Mpac’s volume has increased by an impressive 374%, adding more than 700 jobs to its
workforce at the height of the season along the way.
“Mpac’s growth has injected much needed capacity into the New Zealand supply chain and the company’s innovation and courage has been rewarded with significant growth. We had ambitious plans underway when Covid hit – we were well set up to ride out the uncertainty and it’s been hugely gratifying to kick back into gear in a big way and get these world leading facilities up and running.”
Labour supply has improved, fruit quality issues have been dealt with, weather patterns have been more settled, volumes look good, Mpac’s investment in energy efficient systems has proven well-timed and there is more positive news to come.
“When we are operationally faster, smarter and more efficient, we are able to pass savings on to our growers. We’re posting competitive orchard gate returns and winning a bigger share of the post-harvest market,” Brendon explains.
“It’s in the DNA of our company to be bold and innovative. Our shareholders have invested in plant and processes which has positioned us for significant growth and competitive edge. Just 16 years after
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Mpac was founded, we have grown – without acquisitions or mergers –to be the third-largest supplier in the industry.”
Despite its expansion, Mpac retains a small company feel, he asserts.
“We are people-focused, on our team and our growers. We work hard but we also have a good time at work, we care about our colleagues and work hard for our growers – it’s a great company!”
Aged just 37, Brendon is young to be at the helm of such a large operation, however his youth has proven to be an asset, he says. His energy and enthusiasm are infectious as he encourages local school leavers to consider opportunities offered by the thriving Bay of Plenty kiwifruit industry.
“Hard work and talent are rewarded and there are jobs for those who want to be outside growing a world-class export product, jobs for those who want a seat at the board table of an export business and jobs for those who want a bit of both.”
Brendon’s own career path reveals how opportunities can blossom. Starting out as an orchard cadet and label operator at a pack house during the harvest, he worked
his way up to production supervisor, then line manager, pack house manager and site man ager. He has been managing director of both Mpac and Apac for the past three years.
“We are so lucky to have such an interesting industry based here in the Bay of Plenty and I love that my horticul ture career has developed into a role with such vari ety, spanning con struction, automation, human resources and finance,” Brendon adds. “We have cadetships open and I am certain we will have more excellent locals coming forward to join us in this exciting industry as we move forward.”
BRENDON LEE, Managing director, Mpac Group
Tauranga Club –city centre sanctuary
When escaping the rat race or connecting with business contacts, the Tauranga Club is a venue in the heart of the city that’s also close to heart for its members, as a spokesperson from the club illustrates.
Positioned high above the harbour, the Tauranga Club offers members an ideal combination of convenience and class whether you’re doing business or relaxing in the heart of the city. With a proud history that spans 130 years, the club has long been the ideal venue at which the city’s business community may meet, socialise, celebrate and conduct business in a relaxing, quality atmosphere.
Following a two year renovation, the club is now a more appealing place than ever in which to catch up with colleagues and peers to relax after a day’s work. This may include having a drink or two and enjoying a quality meal cooked by our in-house chef while also savouring the stunning views of Tauranga Harbour from the fifth floor of the Devonport Towers.
Membership of Tauranga Club brings multiple benefits often only enjoyed by members of clubs in significantly larger cities. It includes exclusive access to the private members’ lounge where quiet, discrete spaces and meeting areas are ideal for conducting business.
The Water View Restaurant, which operates Monday to Friday, serves exquisite, high quality meals and snacks. Inspired by local ingredients and flavours, its menu includes breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings. The dining experience can also include drinks served from our bar, 1984.
The kitchen is overseen by executive chef Ian Harrison who has worked alongside such esteemed chefs as Gordon Ram-
say, Marco Pierre White and Ben Bayly. Ian is a passionate advocate for local produce and presents a menu that’s constantly evolving to reflect the changes of in-season ingredients. Ian also lends his skills during special functions held here for members, provid ing quality food and beverage options.
The club’s central location means it is ideally positioned for members based within the city and beyond. Just 10 minutes away (across the harbour) from Tauranga airport, it has easy access to the main state highways connecting Tauranga with the rest of the country.
As part of our exclusive membership, you’ll also gain access to attend a multitude of events, seminars and gatherings. We run a full calendar of special events of specific interest to our members during which industry leaders, politicians and international visitors may share their expertise.
For businesses wanting to gather off site, the club offers well-appointed meeting and event rooms with all necessary technology and equipment provided.
The President’s Room is ideal for hosting private meetings and interviews, while the Sea View room can seat up to 30 guests (theatre style) or 16 along a boardroom table. For larger
meetings, the Harbour View room accommodates up to 50 guests for seated presentations, or 40 in a dining style layout.
Break out groups can enjoy the full lounge facilities featuring plenty of sofas, tables and Wi-Fi access to ensure a productive, enjoyable outcome for all participants.
With membership comes access to a full list of reciprocal clubs to be enjoyed around the world. Ideal for members regularly travelling to Auckland for business, the club has connections with the Northern Club and, further afield, its global network
also includes the British Club in Bangkok.
Those wishing to join the Tauranga Club first need to be added to our waiting list. When a place is available, would-be members complete applications requiring a nomination and seconding from existing club members. Committee members are happy to help with the nomination process and, once submitted and free from objections, applications will be approved.
Membership is flexible, with individual inclusions available as well as small and larger business plans depending on the size of
businesses applying.
With Tauranga city undergoing a renaissance through its inner city redevelopment, our club is well positioned as a venue that meets the needs and desires of a newly emerging generation of business people in the country’s fastest growing city. The club’s refined, distinctive location matches the aspirations of Tauranga City and those who want to be part of its upward growth for years to come.
We welcome new members, so if you are keen to join us, visit www.taurangaclub.co.nz for more information.
Building on Maori success
New leadership at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is expected to ensure Māori education further flourishes locally, as Huia Lloyd explains.
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is committed to seeing success for Māori continue to grow. While strengthening already established hapū and iwi relationships, this signals our intention to further drive meaningful change and foster genuine Tiriti partnerships.
I am thrilled to have joined the Toi Ohomai executive leadership team as the executive director of Tiriti Partnerships and Māori Success. This role reflects the ongoing commitment Toi Ohomai has in giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi across the entire organisation.
Historically, education has not always represented Māori aspirations and voices, but Toi Ohomai is actively working to confirm ākonga Māori can succeed as Māori. A key focus of my role is to support and champion Māori perspectives on success. This does not exclude discussions of academic achievement, instead it acknowledges that language, culture, identity and academic success are deeply interconnected
EDUCATION
BY HUIA LLOYD
and mutually enriching.
The team already working in this space brings a deep passion for education and expertise, as evidenced by developing Te Tiriti o Waitangi excellence within our systems, processes and practices.
At Toi Ohomai, the commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi is not about ticking boxes; it is about embracing partnerships that enrich the educational experience for Māori, including ākonga (students) and kaimahi (staff).
Māori success is about valuing Māori voices and knowledge sys-
tems in order to understand and support their aspirations. Regular engagement and co-designed initiatives are central to this process. By working with iwi and hapū to co-create a vision for ākonga success, we pave the way for genuine partnerships. Furthermore, defining how and why we measure this success provides opportunities for ākonga and kaimahi, fostering mutual learning and understanding.
Integrating Māori perspectives and mātauranga (knowledge) into the curriculum enriches the learning experience for all students, both domestic and international. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of Māori culture and the history of Aotearoa, helping create a more inclusive educational environment.
The Bay of Plenty and South Waikato regions are rich in cultural heritage and diversity. By embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi into its operations, Toi Ohomai is not only enhancing its educational offerings but also contributing to the social and economic
UAE FTA – BAY TO BENEFIT
While the world waits to see which way The Donald will duck with regards to tariffs, a new FTA is liable to prove a boon to Bay of Plenty businesses.
‘The recently signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) marks a significant milestone for New Zealand’s exporters,’ a statement from the Tauranga Business Chamber confirms.
‘This agreement, which eliminates tariffs on 99 per cent of New Zealand’s exports to the UAE, opens up a plethora of opportunities for businesses, particularly those in the central North Island.’
The agreement promises a raft of benefits by reducing barriers and the cost of trading. As the UAE is, effectively, a gateway to other Middle Eastern markets, it could open the door to further opportunities.
Primary producers will have much to gain, with a significant demand for high-quality food and beverage products in particular.
In general, the Middle East is diversifying away from oil production, the chamber advises, and UAE businesses are liable to favour partnerships and joint ventures
while granting improved access to capital.
‘As the FTA comes into effect, now is the time for businesses to explore the potential benefits and strategize. With the right support and a proactive approach, the Bay of Plenty’s exporters can look forward to a prosperous and dynamic economic future.’
Additional information about potential benefits through this FTA is accessible via www.tauranga.org.nz.
BETTER BUSINESSES – ON COURSE
It may take more than six weeks to change the world, but a recently launched initiative is aspiring to such lofty aims.
From early November, Te Aka Matua’s first cohort of entrepreneurs has been benefiting from a promising programme offering expert guidance to Māori businesspeople.
Run by Rotorua-based IndigiShare (a non-profit dedicated to revitalising the Māori economy) it includes one-on-one coaching sessions and more to deliver a kick-start covering everything from plans and pitches to profit.
Visit www.indigishare.co.nz for more information about this programme and other tools and resources.
This commitment to
has the potential to create ripple effects, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.
As Toi Ohomai continues its journey, the possibilities ahead are exciting. Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi requires collective effort and, together, we can
create an environment where ākonga Māori and kaimahi feel valued and supported to achieve their full potential.
Huia Lloyd is the Executive Director of Tiriti Partnerships and Māori Success. Phone 0800 86 46 46, www.toiohomai.ac.nz
