STRONG
Strong business. Strong community. Strong region. SPRING 2025
Leader
Q&A with Jon Lasenby on what it really means to lead the way on climate action in business p.08
INSIDE: Strengthening community ties | Reform on foreign investment
Business Award applications close this month — are you a winner?
Hardy Street, Nelson PO Box 1121, Nelson 7040 03 548 1363 | www.commerce.org.nz Chamber
Manoli Aerakis Board
From the CEO
Advocacy has been very much to the fore in recent months and certainly with the upcoming local body elections. We will be profiling Nelson and Tasman candidates, a sking them the questions we know are important to small (and all) business owners.
A big win for the region is the announcement that following the disestablishment of Te Pukēnga, NMIT will once again become a stand-alone entity. In a practical sense, this means that education and training can be delivered that reflects a regional need and allow for a stronger focus on international students.
A key focus for us over the next year continues to be ensuring that this is an ‘event friendly’ region. Concerts, festivals and community celebrations bring people through the doors of retailers, and fill hospitality and accommodation businesses. A recent win for events has been the granting of an on-licence
for the Trafalgar Centre. On-licences are commonplace for large venues around the country. They reduce uncertainty and event costs, and provide a clear framework of operation. It is already getting traction with tour promoters for 2026.
Looking ahead, I’m particularly excited about Nelson’s bid to become a UNESCO Creative City of Craft. This isn’t just a badge of honour – it’s a chance to showcase our creativity to the world. Our region is already brimming with creative talent including artisan food producers and artists. Becoming part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network would connect us globally, open doors for collaboration, and give our small businesses a bigger stage.
As you dive into this edition of STRONG, I encourage you to think about the role events play in your business
This isn't just a badge of honour — it's a chance to showcase our creativity to the world, connect us globally, open doors for collaboration, and give our businesses a bigger stage. "
journey, whether it's the buzz of a festival or the spark from a networking chat. These moments matter. They create resilience, connection, and opportunity — the very things that make Nelson Tasman a remarkable place to live, work, and do business.
Ali Boswijk CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce
AStrengthening community ties
New airport sponsorship is making a big impact at the Tāhunanui Community Hub.
new airport-funded support package is making a big impact at the Tāhunanui Community Hub, providing first-aid and security equipment, as well as volunteer training, while supporting the ongoing success of the highly-valued facility.
The airport’s contribution has funded a community defibrillator, security upgrades, installation of a new rangehood for the community kai kitchen, as well as first aid training for volunteers.
The Hub reopened in January this year, and has been creating more than 600 food parcels and 400 cooked meals a month for the community, while offering a wide range of services for Tāhunanui.
“We want our nearby communities to thrive, and supporting the hub is one way we can contribute to wellbeing and community connection in Tāhunanui. We’re amazed at the progress the team has made since reopening and the impact it's having already.”
Hub manager Murray Leaning says the partnership has provided benefits for the organisation above and beyond its cash value.
We want our nearby communities to thrive, and supporting the hub is one way we can contribute to wellbeing and community connection in Tāhunanui."
BRENDAN COOK
Nelson Airport chief executive Brendan Cook says the hub is providing an incredibly valuable service for the people of Tāhunanui, and the airport is proud to support its revitalisation.
“It’s enabled us to generate more revenue by providing a safe space for other services to operate from.
"For example, we turned the back room into a consultation room for Nelson Bays Primary Health and Health NZ but it was tucked away out of sight and the clinicians were concerned for their safety. We’ve used the airport grant to install a panic alarm, siren and room occupancy light, which has provided security and comfort for the staff
working there and allowed us to make the most of that opportunity to earn some revenue from leasing the space.
"Similarly, we had lost some night class bookings because the carpark was poorly lit at night. We’ve now installed much better lighting, so we won’t lose those night bookings any more.”
Murray says the airport’s support is also providing other important but lesstangible benefits.
“It’s demonstrating to the wider business community that the airport believes in us and our services, and sees the difference we can make.
"That’s an important message we can share with others that might be considering providing some support - that we’re a great, trustworthy partner that will put that support to good use. We’re very grateful for the support.”
Image: Nelson Airport CEO Brendan Cook (right) with Tāhunanui Community Hub manager Murray Leaning (left).
We're proud to facilitate regional prosperity and support our region's exporters through the Port Nelson Export Hub.
WANTED:
Category Entrants
Must like winning. ? ?
Entering the awards could be the best thing you do this year!
Applications for the 36th Business Awards are now open and close on the 30th September 2025.
If you're thinking about entering, read the Resources and FAQs, or get in touch to discuss the process.
AWARD CATEGORIES:
• Start-up Business
• Small Business
• Medium Business
• Large Business
• Young Business Leader
• Community Impact
• Innovative Business APPLY NOW
Investing in Climate Leadership
Facilitator Jon Lasenby answers key questions about the development programme set to start 13 February.
Who specifically is the course for?
This is about how we respond to climate change as leaders within an organisation. This programme has been designed for leaders at all levels of the organisation.
If you’re a sole operator, you won’t feel left out, this is for you too.
So what are people who attend going to take away from the course?
As you accrue knowledge, you’ll have plenty of actions to implement within your organisation.
Cycles of action and reflection are an integral part of the course design. There will be group coaching and cohort support over the months.
Because it's change leadership - we can't keep doing what we've always done - everyone is learning fast and making a meaningful response to climate change as leaders. The cohort effect will feel very real, and is a significant part of the process.
What makes this different from other sustainability workshops that businesses have attended in the past?
The course is about climate responsiveness, not sustainability. The specific challenges and needs of responding to climate change. It's a targeted approach that makes it easier to get over the line to take action. I'm currently doing a Climate Leadership doctorate, so this will be science-based, and up to the minute research-driven.
A major theme in the research globally is that we need to take action locally, so this programme is tailored to Nelson, because this is where people will put it into action. As far as I know there's never been a climate leadership focused programme here.
Why is it so important to be thinking about this from a leadership level?
Most businesses are operating on an outdated business model. We’ve been obsessed with year on year growth as a definition of
business success, but Earth is a finite resource which makes continued growth for profit a fundamental issue. This is a programme for leaders who acknowledge that and want to address it.
Practically, you might be exporting into markets that have got stricter trade conditions than internally in Aotearoa, or address the fundamentals of meeting criteria for business insurance or bank loans, where we’re seeing rules tighten up.
Employees and customers also want to be associated with a company being progressive on this issue.
Our region took a hit in July with the heavy rain and there is going to be more of that. Let’s be proactive leaders, and residents, of this great region so we can look back and say we did everything that we could.
This is for people who recognise that there's significant risk and opportunity that comes with change. People who realise that the cost of not taking action is way bigger than the upfront costs.
CLIMATE LEADERSHIP
Is there a group discount?
Yes, absolutely.
*Clients of our key partner, Gallagher's Insurance, are eligible for a 50% subsidised course fee.
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Climate Leadership Development Programme
Designed for organisational leaders and teams who recognise the importance of climate change and want to strengthen their ability to lead strategic, climatealigned change.
Programme focus areas include Essential climate science for business leaders
Assessing risk and opportunity
Aligning organisational purpose and values with climate action
Leading climate initiatives within your organisation
Navigating the path from status quo to innovation to visionary Incremental vs transformational change.
Climate leadership as change leadership.
License to operate, transparency, and greenwashing
Developing and setting effective climate strategy
Who should attend
Research shows that effective climate leadership is distributed across an organisation. We recommend attending as a climate leadership team, including one or two senior leaders and a couple of operational leaders who understand how to ‘get stuff done around here’.
Programme structure
Six half-day in-person workshops, one per month running Feb ‘26 - July ’26
Programme Investment
Individual Ticket
Group Rate (PP)
+ GST
+ GST
Gallagher Client Ticket $750 + GST
Programme Starts Friday 13 February 2026, 9am - 12pm th
Learn More
Delivered in partnership with:
A festival of fun and inspiration
SAT 13 SEPT
NMIT welcomes you all to Open Day 2025 on Saturday 13 September to experience hands-on activities, live entertainment, and future-focused inspiration set against the backdrop of its vibrant Nelson campus.
Open Day is designed for school leavers, career changers and the wider public, offering a chance to explore the campus, connect with tutors, or simply enjoy a day out in beautiful Nelson!
Visitors can be creative with activities such as dismantling and rebuilding computers, designing a mini video game, printing personalised cards using letterpress techniques, or crafting desserts in the training kitchen. NMIT’s on-campus salons and clinics will showcase live hairdressing and beauty treatments, alongside professional skin analysis using advanced technology. Our students will even have a plant sale for you to top up on seedlings coming into spring.
Come along with your whānau and try to change a car wheel, abseil down a building, and participate in sports activities on the turf - with a guest appearance from members of the Nelson Giants basketball team. Attendees can watch life raft demonstrations, explore student animation displays, tour the music suite and performance spaces, and engage with tutors from a wide range of study areas including business, winemaking, nursing, engineering, carpentry, and more.
NMIT Executive Director, Olivia Hall, says Open Day is an opportunity for the community to explore, connect, and be inspired.
“We want people to feel the energy and excitement of learning here. This is your chance to explore our spaces, meet our tutors, and try out the tools of the trade, whether that’s a paintbrush, a computer, or a ship simulator,” she says.
The whole community is invited to enjoy the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, with live music, food trucks, giveaways, and guided tours bringing the campus to life for visitors of all ages.
Staff will be available throughout the day to answer questions and support anyone considering study options for 2026 and beyond.
For anyone dreaming of a new career, looking to upskill, or simply exploring what’s out there, NMIT’s Open Day is a great opportunity to see what your future could hold. Visit nmit.ac.nz to learn more about the event. nmit.ac.nz/open-day.
Change
is on the way
REFORM OF THE FOREIGN INVESTMENT REGIME
A new bill proposes significant reform to the Overseas Investment Act and is part of the government’s broader economic strategy to promote global trade and investment.
The Government’s Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill (‘Bill’) proposes significant reform to the Overseas Investment Act 2005 (‘Act’) and is part of the Government’s broader economic strategy to promote global trade and investment. The Bill aims to reduce compliance costs and to streamline decision-making processes, while ensuring that the government retains discretion and has the
tools necessary to safeguard New Zealand’s national interest.
The scope of investment which requires consent remains largely unamended, however the Bill proposes to target screening towards more sensitive transactions, while applications which are considered low risk are to be processed quickly via a new national interest test.
Summary of Key Changes
• Amendment to the purpose statement in the Act to expressly recognise the role of overseas investment in economic opportunity while retaining the core principle that is a privilege to invest in sensitive New Zealand assets.
• Consolidation of the current national interest, benefit to New Zealand and investor tests into a single, three stage national interest test, will be applied to all asset classes other than farmland, residential land and fishing quota, which will continue to be assessed under the existing pathways.
• Faster screening for applications (other than for farmland, residential land and fishing quota) which are considered low risk. The proposed amendments require the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) to grant consent within 15 working days unless there are reasonable grounds to consider that a risk to national interest exists, in which case a full national interest assessment is required.
• Providing that only the relevant minister can decline an application for investment if the transaction is considered contrary to the national interest. The power to decline cannot be delegated to the OIO.
While the shift to a single national interest test is likely to result in more streamlined
processing, the discretionary nature of the test may cause uncertainty for more sensitive investments. There is also scope for political ambiguity as the significant ministerial discretion will enable the government of the day flexibility to determine investments which may present a risk to New Zealand. This approach aligns with overseas jurisdictions such as Australia, where ministers have broad power to scrutinise and determine applications on a case-by-case basis.
In practice, we anticipate that the effectiveness of the proposed reforms will be largely determined by ancillary documents, such as supporting regulations, ministerial directives and guidance provided by the OIO itself.
We also note that the current application process is administratively taxing, with extensive supporting documentation required to be submitted with applications. It is not clear whether the current information requirements will remain or also be streamlined or reduced.
The Bill is currently before the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee, and public submissions have now closed. The Bill is expected to be passed into law by the end of 2025, with the new regime to be implemented by early 2026.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is of a general nature and is not intended as legal advice. It is important that you seek legal advice that is specific to your circumstances.
Beth McAuley Associate Pitt & Moore
NBS Business Redraw Loan
Flexible finance that works for you.
Running a business means staying agile — and your finance should too. The NBS Business Redraw loan gives you the flexibility to manage repayments your way, with the freedom to access funds when you need them.
Key features and benefits:
Flexible repayment options:
• Choose from 6, 12 or 24 month fixed rates and repay weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Pay more, save more:
• Make extra repayments, helping you reduce your loan balance and interest faster.
Redraw funds when needed:
• Access extra repayments with up to two withdrawals per month (minimum $1,000), perfect for covering unexpected costs or cash flow gaps. Take a break:
• Payment breaks may be available if your business hits a rough patch.
Long-term flexibility:
• Loan terms of up to 20 years to suit your business goals.
Why the NBS Business Redraw Loan works for your business:
• Stay in control of your cash flow.
• Reduce interest by paying more when you can.
• Access funds without reapplying for a new loan.
• Ideal for managing tax, bills or equipment purchases.
How NBS can back your business:
• Flexible products and great rates to meet your business needs.
• Experienced people who get the local landscape.
• Direct access to local decision makers in your neighbourhood.
• Exceptional service you’ll want to tell your friends about.
Darren Friend, NZ Packaging with Richmond Branch Manager Brent Williams
BRANDED SEARCHES:
Your shortcut through the AI clutter
If your brand is absent from the digital conversation, you're invisible to the AI model."
FAST MAGAZINE
In an era dominated by AI-generated content, your brand is more essential than ever. Here's the shortcut to making your brand omnipresent.
Search results are increasingly flooded with generic, AIgenerated pages that bury your site, often pushing you to page 2 or beyond.
The solution? Build a strong brand. When prospective customers search your brand name, they bypass the noise entirely.
Branded search isn’t just about visibility; it’s about conversion. Branded searches convert 2 to 3 times better than non-branded queries, offering a clearer path from awareness to purchase. Plus, these searches often face less competition and lower costper-click, making them both efficient and effective.
Moreover, AI systems don’t just crawl links; they analyse context. Brand mentions across blogs, news sites, social media, and even unlinked references boost your credibility in the eyes of algorithms. If your brand is absent, AI-driven search could skip over you.
So how do you encourage brand-first searches? First, build a distinctive identity, memorable names, vivid colour branding, clear messaging, and a compelling value proposition are critical. Ensure everyone sees your brand as the answer to their problem before they resort to generic keywords.
This means your brand has to exist outside of a Google Search. To do
this make sure your brand is connecting in all the places where your customers are doing life e.g. email, social apps and influencers, events, traditional media, and outdoor advertising.
Next, make your brand omnipresent. Optimise your website, blog, and social profiles with your brand name, especially title tags, landing pages, and internal links. This strengthens how search engines display your brand and controls the narrative around your name.
Track your impact using tools like Google Analytics and Search Console. Watch branded versus generic search traffic separately - branded queries may be fewer, but they deliver stronger results. Automated dashboards and reporting can help you monitor trends and react quickly.
In short: In a world of AIdriven content overload, brand searches are your beacon. Make your brand the go-to visible solution, and your audience will come to you.
Tony Downing Owner Downing
Nelson spin-out making waves
Cawthron Institute has reached a historic milestone, with its first commercial spin-out company, Ocean Intelligence, named a finalist in the 2025 KiwiNet Awards — Breakthrough
The platform, developed from over 20 years of aquaculture and ocean research, transforms how marine farmers operate by bringing together realtime ocean data into one platform, providing aquaculture businesses with tools and information to make informed decisions about their operations.
Founded in collaboration with technology partner Oceanum, Ocean Intelligence helps marine farmers reduce risk and improve productivity by indicating threats like harmful algal blooms, spat survival rates and impacts from storm events.
Ocean Intelligence is already being trialled by mussel and oyster farms across New Zealand. International expansion into markets like Australia and Chile is on the horizon, demonstrating its global potential.
“Up until now, marine farmers have essentially been farming in the dark, with limited information available about their crop or on-farm conditions unless they physically visit the site,” says Dr Chris Cornelisen, Cawthron’s Head of Strategic Relationships and Blue Technology
Ocean Intelligence is a powerful validation of Nelson Tasman's growing reputation as a hub for blue economy innovation."
Lead. “Ocean Intelligence technology now brings that information to their desktop, enabling farmers to manage their aquaculture farms remotely.”
Instead of licensing its science, Cawthron took the bold step of developing its own modular SaaS platform to serve as a global gateway for aquaculture innovation and data-driven technologies. Supported by early-stage investment from the Ocean Impact Organisation (Australia), this approach helped to accelerate the platform’s development and prepare it for scale.
Ocean Intelligence is a powerful validation of Cawthron’s growing capability in blue technology, and Nelson Tasman’s growing reputation as a hub for blue economy innovation. From smart sensors to autonomous marine systems, Cawthron is developing next-generation ocean technologies that support industry growth while protecting marine environments more accurately, efficiently and sustainably.
The KiwiNet Awards celebrate projects that successfully translate research into commercial impact. For Cawthron – and Nelson Tasman – Ocean Intelligence is a shining example of how homegrown innovation can fuel both regional and global prosperity and sustainability.
A New Chapter for
Go Accounting has opened the doors to its brand new, purpose-built office in Richmond — a space that captures the firm’s belief that accounting should be as much about people and ideas as it is about numbers.
Designed to feel open, collaborative, and welcoming, it’s a place where conversations can spark fresh thinking and where both clients and the team feel at home.
The new office reflects a vision that goes well beyond desks and meeting rooms. Two standout features highlight what makes it different.
First, an on-site gym, created with the simple idea that wellbeing fuels performance. It’s a space for the team to recharge, reset, and keep health front of mind — a reminder that balance underpins success. Alongside it sits a purpose-built podcast studio, designed for content creation. Here, Go Accounting can share insights, highlight local business stories, and give clients a platform of their own to tell their stories. Both spaces speak to an approach that values innovation, wellbeing, and connection as much as technical expertise.
The design draws inspiration from the local landscape, reflecting Go Accounting’s deep commitment to Nelson Tasman.
What began as two small firms has grown into one of the region’s most progressive and trusted practices — proud of its roots and ambitious for the future.
The move to Richmond represents more than a change of address. It’s a milestone that brings a vision to life: creating an environment where clients feel supported, where the team can thrive, and where innovation and wellbeing sit at the heart of the firm’s work.
“We believe the right environment fuels better thinking, stronger collaboration, and greater outcomes. With this office, we’ve created a space that inspires both our team and our clients — and we’re excited to share it with the community.”
– Michael Parker, Managing Director
Go Accounting’s new home is a statement of intent: business can be progressive, peoplecentred, and proudly local, all at once.
We believe the right environment fuels better thinking, stronger collaboration, and greater outcomes."
Mitigate security threats and AI bots at the gate.
CommArc has a managed detection and response solution to scale to any sized New Zealand business. Small business to mid-market products incorporates a full 24/7 Security Operations Centre and Security Information and Event Management service. This service covers not only your endpoints but all your hybrid cloud services and Microsoft 365 deployments.
Let’s chat about a perfect solution for you_
Contact_
1.00 CYBER SECURITY & THREAT PROTECTION _
1.01 MITIGATE SECURITY THREATS AND AI BOTS AT THE GATE WITH COMMARC’S EDR SOLUTIONS _
1.02 YOU MAY HAVE FALLEN FOR THE SCAM – COMMARC’S ITDR SOLUTIONS WILL STOP IT IN ITS TRACKS
1.03 NOT SLEEPING AT NIGHT? – COMMARC’S SIEM SOLUTIONS ARE ON THE JOB 24/7
1.04 STILL FALLING FOR SCAMS? – OUR SAT SOLUTIONS WILL TRAIN YOUR STAFF TO SPOT AND STOP THEM
Buy Up Large!
"Our guests come to us because they already love this region. Being able to carry a little reminder of it home with them in a fun format they can share with friends and family has made it a delightful and popular gift choice. We're glad we bulked up!"
- Debbie Armatage
Marketing Manager
Tāhuna Beach Holiday Park
BULK BUYS FOR STAFF, CLIENTS & GUESTS
Contact the Chamber team about discount details for bulk orders of multiple hours of fun!
What are you giving them to talk about?
Hattie Millard of Keetrax talks the new Meta update and how to use AI to hone your social ads for best results.
Let’s be honest, running Meta ads has always felt like trying to tame a complicated beast. Just when you’ve mastered the algorithm, a new update rolls in and you’re back to square one. Surprise! The game has changed again, but this time it’s good news. Now, the smartest brain in your account isn’t you (no offence), it’s AI, and it wants creatives, not commands.
This isn’t just a random update, it’s a direct response to how we’re using social media. We’re not scrolling to be sold to, we’re looking to be entertained or find a connection. That polished perfection that once worked for ads? Now it stands out, and not in a good way.
Meta’s new AI knows this. This supercharged ad picker is so intuitive, it doesn’t just know you like sourdough; it knows you buy Big Score sourdough with Neudorf Black garlic butter every Saturday at the market. Creepy? Possibly. But this means the ads that you’re seeing draw you in, not make you scroll.
So, how does this work? Imagine your audience
is in one big bucket. Before, you’d split that bucket into new at the top, window shoppers in the middle, and those ready to spend at the bottom, creating specific ads for each.
Now, Meta has tossed out the dividers and AI is responsible for picking the right creatives, no matter what part of the journey the customer is in. Your job is to fill that
game so many times before. But the proof is in the profits.
Here’s what happened when we started filling the creative buckets for our clients:
bucket with variety and volume. Why? Because AI and the ad are doing the targeting, and they’re focused on mindsets, not just demographics. This sounds expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.
Now’s the time to let go of the ‘perfect’ and embrace the ‘real’. You don’t need a bigger budget; you need to figure out what type of content gets your customer going and get creative. The ads that are winning right now don’t look like ads at all. They feel authentic and familiar, like a screenshot from your Notes app or an incoming call.
Not convinced? We get it. It’s hard to trust a new strategy when Meta has changed the
• A sales campaign for a Kiwi camping store delivered a remarkable 24x Return on Ad Spend (ROAS). That’s $24 back for every $1 spent.
• The campaign return for an Aussie cookie company improved by 19.43% in the first month compared to the old one.
• A recent campaign for our Aussie motorcycle clients delivered a massive 111.79% ROAS thanks to a 42.9% drop in cost per click.
But what do these numbers actually prove? When you let go of the manual controls and feed the machine creatives that appeal to your customer’s mindset - not just where they are on the journey - you get epic results.
So, stop asking, “Who am I talking to?” and start asking, “What am I giving them to talk about?”
Hattie Millard Copywriter Keetrax
Mahitahi Colab
WELLBEING WEDNESDAYS: MANAGING PRESSURE
8:00am - 9:00am
Mahitahi Colab
Mahitahi Colab SOLD OUT! SOLD OUT!
WESTPAC SMARTS: TIM KING, TASMAN MAYOR
10:45am - 12:00pm
Tides Hotel, 66 Trafalgar St
SPEAKER SERIES: HON BROOKE VAN VELDEN
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Mahitahi Colab
HEALTH & SAFETY REPS: STAGE 1
9:30am - 5:00pm
Mahitahi Colab
Māpua Community Hall 10 10 12 16 17
ACHIEVING CASHFLOW FREEDOM
9:30am - 10:30am
Mahitahi Colab
17 23 24
DEVELOPING NELSON TASMAN: BRIEFING
5:00pm - 7:30pm
FINDEX BA5: KERNOHAN ENGINEERING 5:00pm - 7:00pm 121 Vickerman Street
WELLBEING WEDNESDAYS: TAKE BACK YOUR TIME 8:00am - 9:00am
Mahitahi Colab
BARE KIWI SOCIAL MEDIA MASTERCLASS
10:00am - 2:30pm
NMIT Lecture Theatre A211
RETAIL CRIME: HAVE YOUR SAY
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Mahitahi Colab
WELLBEING WEDNESDAYS: EMOTIONAL AWARENESS
8:00am - 9:00am
Mahitahi Colab
BUSINESS BLUEPRINT: STRATEGIC PLANNING
9:30am - 3:30pm
GoAccounting, 6 Cube Court
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND
9:30am - 4:30pm
Mahitahi Colab
WELLBEING WEDNESDAYS: WORK HAPPY
8:00am - 9:00am
Mahitahi Colab
GENERATIVE AI FOR BUSINESS
Mahitahi Colab 23 29 31
9:00am - 1:00pm
Mahitahi Colab Tasman
SALES STRATEGY AND ENGAGEMENT ESSENTIALS
9:30am - 1:30pm
Mahitahi Colab
NBS STRONG COMMUNITY SYMPOSIUM
8:30am - 3:30pm Māpua Community Hall
November 05 27
PROJECT MANAGEMENT 101 5 Nov - 6 Nov
BUSINESS GROWTH: PLANNING & STRATEGY
9:30am - 1:30pm
Mahitahi Colab
STRONG COMMUNITY
The mid-year
PITCH! PITCH!
Last month, the YES judging panel listened to 40 teams from secondary schools across Te Tauihu pitch their business ideas and progress.
It was a massive task and we are very grateful for our local judges' valuable, expert feedback and effort assisting us to grow young entrepreneurs in the region.
Thank you to Lester Binns, Nikki Neate, Justine Kennard of Business Studio Innovators, Jenn Quinn, and Jason Stossel and Rameez Khan of OneForty One New Zealand.
Huge thanks to our Top of the South YES sponsors OneForty One New Zealand, Business Studio Innovators and NMIT - we couldn’t do it without you!
Prize winning teams were WordFrame from Marlborough Boys, ZenSha from Nelson College, Felted Freshies from Nelson College for Girls and StrapXtreme from Marlborough Girls.
Meet our
Members
I am Dale O'Connor, an Insurance Adviser at Nelson Insurance and Mortgage Services. I take pride in providing clear, reliable personal risk insurance solutions tailored to individual needs. Trust and transparency are at the core of my approach. I believe in helping clients make informed decisions that protect their financial future. I’m eager to build lasting partnerships within our community, ensuring that businesses and families have the right coverage to thrive.
dale@nims.co.nz 027 315 0330 | hbmi.co.nz
Rzoska is an electrical company specialising in complex marine and industrial systems. Our team delivers reliable, high-quality solutions across New Zealand and internationally, supporting vessel turnarounds, mobilisation projects, and critical operations. We are trusted for our technical expertise, practical approach, and consistent performance in demanding environments. Working with leading global manufacturers, we provide dependable results across every stage of a project.
Nelson Solar, part of the Think Solar group, are your local specialists in premium solar and battery solutions for homes and businesses across Nelson Tasman. Locally owned and South Island wide, our group delivered 14% of all solar installs in the South Island last year. We design custom systems tailored to each site and customer, helping homes and businesses reduce energy costs, manage rising prices, and improve sustainability with reliable, future-proof technology.
toby@nelson-solar.co.nz 027 406 0462 | nelson-solar.co.nz
If you’re separating or starting a new relationship, you’ll need to sort your home, business and finances. That’s where we come in. We’re Nelson’s only specialist relationship law firm, offering practical, down-to-earth legal support tailored to what you need. We cap our client intake so we can focus on you, with responsive service, clear advice and fast turnaround times. Whether you want full guidance or just help with the legal bits, we’re here to make things easier.
At Pro Karts, Nelson Fun Park, and Oceanside Oasis, we create fun, safe, and memorable experiences for families, schools, and corporate groups. As a locally owned husband-and-wife team, we are passionate about bringing people together through adventure and relaxation. Whether it is racing on the track, enjoying a splash in summer, or unwinding in our private spa pools, we love providing spaces where people can connect, recharge, and create lasting memories.
bookings@prokarts.co.nz 021 663 342 | prokarts.co.nz
25 June
The team at Can You Dig It is deeply enamoured with the world of plants, especially native flora. Nestled in the scenic beauty of Nelson Tasman, we are a premier specialist garden design and maintenance firm dedicated to transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary backyards. Our expertise lies in the artful finesse of soft landscape design, where we meticulously design, implement, and maintain landscapes that are textural, inviting, colourful and fun.
claireromanos@yahoo.com 021 024 87860 | canyoudigit.nz
For over 30 years I’ve been helping businesses streamline operations, cut waste, and build a culture of continuous improvement. With senior experience at SA Partners and the Kaizen Institute, I now work independently with local businesses to deliver practical Lean and supply chain solutions that stick. Whether you want to reduce costs, improve efficiency, or strengthen your supply chain, I can help your team work smarter—not harder.
richard.steel@richardsteel.co.nz
027 451 5298 | richardsteel.co.nz
Proudly New Zealand-owned and part of Advanced Group, we’re Aotearoa’s largest electronic security integrator. Committed to keeping people and businesses safe every day, we design, implement, and maintain worldleading physical security solutions. With access control systems, intruder detection, CCTV, intercoms, visitor management, speed styles, gates, barrier arms, ID cards, and customisable security solutions, we help businesses protect what they value most.
willm@asgl.co.nz 0508 000 080 | advancedgroup.co.nz
Plus lots of great local discounts with member-to-member offers, including:
