STRONG
Strong business. Strong community. Strong region.
What if, UNESCO?
Becoming a UNESCO City of Craft and Folk Art is on the cards for Nelson, and we're helping make it happen, p.05 NELSON AIMS FOR CRAFT CITY STATUS Magic trifecta for business success | Why the boring stuff still matters
INSIDE: How can science serve society? | Innovation in action
Women's Wealth Being Speaking Your Customers' Language
Business Success Trifecta
Why the Boring Stuff Still Matters
Pathways to Business Success
Digging Deep Become Famous and Get Luckier
Bowater Hyundai
How Can Science Serve Society?
Cybersecurity: A Legal Perspective
For all enquiries, please contact: Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology 322 Hardy Street, Nelson PO Box 1121, Nelson 7040 03 548 1363 | www.commerce.org.nz
Chamber Board: President: Venus Guy Vice President: Manoli Aerakis
Board Members: Peter Pattullo, Sharon McGuire, Lee Wood, Alfredo Puche, Richard Butler, and Danielle Martel.
Editor: Britt Coker Publication Design: Tizza Design
From the CEO
At the heart of our calendar is Aspire, the Chamber’s annual conference - and this year, we’re proud to present the theme Innovation in Action.
This isn’t just a tagline. It’s a call to recognise and celebrate the incredible work being done across our region to turn bold ideas into real-world outcomes.
From sustainable business practices to cutting-edge tech, Aspire will spotlight the people and projects pushing boundaries and delivering impact right here in Nelson Tasman and across New Zealand. It will sell out, so register soon if you don’t want to be disappointed.
Momentum continues on several other exciting fronts.
Our bid to support Nelson City to be recognised as a UNESCO City of Craft and Folk Art is progressing with wide community backing. This global recognition
would shine a light on the rich heritage and contemporary creativity of our region, and position us as a destination for craft industries across food production and manufacturing, cultural tourism, artisan enterprise, and encourage international collaboration.
We’ve also been inspired by the next generation of innovators. The Young Enterprise mid-year pitch event was a standout, with students demonstrating exceptional entrepreneurial thinking and confidence. These future business leaders are already making waves, and we’re proud to support them.
Together, these initiatives reflect the strength, creativity, and collaborative spirit that define our region. Thank you for your continued support — and for being part of a business community that doesn’t just adapt to change, but leads it.
It's a call to recognise and celebrate the incredible work being done across our region to turn bold ideas into real-world outcomes.
Ali Boswijk
CHIEF EXECUTIVE Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce
JOIN US
What if, UNESCO?
Let's become a City of Craft and Folk Art
You might recall the 'What If Whakatu' initiative that was run back in 2024 where locals were asked to bring their great ideas to the table (more accurately, a post it note wall) and amongst those many brilliant suggestions was an idea put forward by several people to make Nelson a UNESCO city. NCC thought the idea had merit too and have handed over the task of making it happen to the Chamber team.
UNESCO promotes world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. There are several other UNESCO cities in New Zealand: Dunedin, Auckland, Wellington, and Whanganui.
Now we want to secure UNESCO City of Craft and Folk Art status for Nelson. Our creative industries contribute significantly to the local economy and craft is deeply embedded in our identity. We believe achieving UNESCO recognition in this category will open doors to global markets and foster new business opportunities and collaborations. It will elevate
the region’s cultural profile, attract tourism, and strengthen local craft-based businesses.
As project lead, the first stage is to conduct comprehensive research and engage with key stakeholders to develop a robust proposal. This proposal is to be delivered to council by 31 October this year. Once (if) accepted by the elected councillors, NTCC will then prepare an application in readiness for when UNESCO applications open in 2026.
Our CEO Ali Boswijk, is as excited about this as the rest of us. “When I first saw this idea mentioned, I thought,
‘Yes, this is brilliant!’ Nelson is such a worthy candidate for this category and the title will provide us with such great profile and I’m sure, attract many visitors here that would not have already had us on their radar. We’re really excited to be involved in putting Nelson artisans on the UNESCO map.”
As Nelson moves forward in its bid for UNESCO recognition, we invite you support this initiative because we think a STRONG business, STRONG region, and STRONG community begins with celebrating what makes Nelson truly unique.
Image: Nelson's creative industries contribute significantly to our local economy and UNESCO status would further boost the region's cultural profile.
Our annual business awards exist to celebrate the achievements and innovations of businesses from around our region, and applications open soon! The awards serve as an excellent platform for entrants to enhance their profile within the community in the lead up to the awards night, but the event itself also fosters networking and showcases local entrepreneurial spirit.
It's hard to self-promote for an award, we get it. But it's completely normal to want to celebrate your success, and your employees want to feel a sense of pride about the place they work.
Here's some FAQs on what you need to know when applications open.
Is this your YEAR?
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What will I get out of entering?
It will help you focus on your business, giving you a clear strategy and provide you with a well thought-out business plan. It provides you with a solid document that you can use for tendering processes, finances and marketing material. It also gives you an opportunity to promote your business. Past winners reguarly talk about how entering the awards has helped boost their business profile.
How much time will it take to put my entry together?
If you already have business and marketing plans, you’ll be able to use a lot of the information in those documents. If you do not have these documents, this is a great opportunity to get all the information in your head on to paper. We advise you do allow plenty of time to get your entry together. You are welcome to get in touch with us if you would like contact details for people who could assist you with your entries.
Can a not-for-profit business enter?
Yes. Explain how your funding is obtained, the criteria to which your charter or constitution requires you to operate, challenges you face in meeting your goals and objectives while retaining your special not-for-profit status. In 2018 we introduced a category specifically for programmes, projects, campaigns or an overall business that has had, or continues to have a positive impact on the Nelson Tasman community in a way that inspires others and makes a difference.
Do I need to get a professional to put my entry form together?
Definitely not. Some entrants do use professionals to assist them with telling their
story, but you can put it together yourself. In fact, we encourage entrants to do that, as it helps to give the judges a feel for you and your business. All entries must now be submitted online. You can upload videos and documents as part of your online entry, and we encourage you to put forward as much information about yourself as possible to showcase your business personality.
Is it confidential?
Yes. Judges also individually sign a confidentiality agreement. If you choose to submit your entry in hard copy, these will be destroyed at the end of the judging process.
It was my first year in business and I made a small loss. Will it count against me?
No, it won’t. As an emerging business the judges will take into account the fact that your first year in business will have additional expenses, less turnover etc.
Do I need to be a member to enter?
The Chamber welcomes entries from all businesses in the region regardless of their membership status. Many entrants become members afterwards, recognising the benefits of being part of a professional business network, and the assurance this brings to their customers.
We're proud to facilitate regional prosperity and support our region's exporters through the Port Nelson Export Hub.
WOMEN’S WEALTH BEING
Do you want to be more organised with your finances?
Do you worry that you will run out of money & can’t retire at age 65?
Do you have a solid retirement plan?
Do you struggle to find professional help with your KiwiSaver, Investments, Australian Super, U.K Pension, Inheritance, Mortgage or Insurances?
Join Angie (and special expert guest speakers) in an awesome educational series which is completely free for a limited number of ladies who are serious about financial education & collaboration. Angie is a Financial Planner & Director of Authentic Advisers who has a wealth of experience in holistic health & wealth!
WEDNESDAYS 11, 18 & 25 JUNE
TIME: 5 00 - 6 15PM
MAHITAHI COLAB
322 HARDY ST, NELSON
COMPLIMENTARY
FREEMIUM – ASK ANGIE
WHAT THIS MEANS
Bookings are essential due to room size! Attendance at all 3 sessions will give 300% better results
Contact Angie by M your seat: angie@a Ph: 027 3901351
Thanks in advance seeing you.
Don’t spend your ti invest it!
Are you speaking your customers'
digital language?
ow do you break through the noise and reach your customers? Think about your own online journey for a moment: your scrolls, your likes, your shares. These aren’t just passive actions, they’re quiet signals, subtly rewiring your preferences and choices, guiding you to the brands that resonate.
That random TikTok of someone making slow-cooked lasagne? Now your counterspace is taken up by a giant crockpot. The Range Rover giveaway popping up on every social platform? Congratulations, your recycling bin is overflowing with Moodi cans. As audiences, we spend a significant portion of our lives immersed in social media; these platforms have become the place where we discover products, carry out research and even make purchases.
But having the biggest ad spend isn’t a guarantee to win the consumer trust algorithm in 2025, and neither is ticking off vanity metrics with millions of likes. Meeting your audience in their digital habitats is, whether it’s the dynamic scroll of TikTok and Instagram, the informative depths of YouTube or the professional networks of LinkedIn.
Today’s consumers crave relatability, not just with your brand, but with the community of people who engage with your service. One coworker at Keetrax
shares a Korean skincare reel, and the next minute, we’re all sitting in the office looking like Michael Myers knockoffs in our sheet masks (true story). Your customers want to be more than just a statistic; they want to feel a sense of familiarity, to be engaged, entertained and educated. Most of all, they want to see you as more than just another brand trying to make a sale (even though, let’s be honest, that’s your end goal).
How do you cut through the noise, then? Brands that will excel in 2025 need to be connectors whose content people share with friends and who have painstakingly built their tapestry of small but meaningful connections. These brands use social media as a tool for gathering product feedback, a megaphone for amplifying their unique voice and a subtle mechanism for rewiring their consumers’ brains to instinctively associate their brand with a specific need.
This commitment to building and connecting with audiences consistently outweighs any short-term conversion tactic, because despite the digital landscape constantly evolving, the core principles of human connection remain. It’s about understanding where your audience is spending their time and showing up in a way that adds genuine value to their online experience. So ask yourself, is your brand’s social presence geared to building relationships, or just collecting followers?
Hattie Millard Copywriter Keetrax
Business success trifecta
Successful businesses usually do three simple things really well which we call the "Business Success Trifecta:"
• A clear annual business plan
• A realistic annual forecast
• Regular reporting and accountability
Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Yet, surprisingly, many businesses struggle to make these ideas a reality. Too often, great plans stay trapped inside the owner's head, and without proper accountability, business owners get too busy with the day-to-day and fail to take the action required to move their business forward.
At Go Accounting, we’ve found these practical tips can make a real difference:
Annual updates: Business changes fast. Plans need to keep pace.
Keep it simple: Aim for a single straightforward page that's easy for everyone to follow.
Focused goals: Limit yourself to four key goals each year, with 90-day steps to achieve them.
Relevant KPIs: Stick to five key performance indicators that genuinely drive your business.
Team engagement: Align your team’s personal goals with your business objectives and ensure everyone knows their part.
Visibility & celebration: Keep your progress visible and celebrate your wins, big or small. Regular check-ins: Conduct quarterly reviews, ideally with an external advisor who can offer objective guidance and accountability.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
“We completed a business planning session with Go Accounting and we can’t state enough how valuable we found this. We truly believe this will transform our business and has given us a renewed passion for what we do.”
– Beth & Nick, Victus Cafe
“The team at Go Accounting provides innovative, personalised advice which empowers the businesses they work with. They have helped walk us through the steps of starting up and scaling SquareKicker, with business coaching and accounting that have enabled us to better understand the financial pillars of our company."
– Hannah & Nick, SquareKicker
Michael Parker Director Go Accounting
Why the boring stuff still matters
BACK TO BASICS IN TECH
Far too many businesses are missing the basics. We’re talking about backups that haven’t been tested since the Christchurch earthquakes, cybersecurity that begins and ends with a free antivirus app, and business-critical systems with less redundancy than a single-use coffee pod.
In a world where headlines are dominated by AI breakthroughs, quantum computing, and robots making lattes, it’s easy to forget the humble foundations of good IT.
At CommArc, we’ve recently onboarded several new clients — great teams doing great work — and we’ve noticed something worrying: far too many of them are missing the basics.
Backups: not a checkbox
Sure, you’ve got backups — but when was the last time you tested them? If your answer is, “Well, we think they run overnight…” then we need to talk. A backup that hasn’t been tested is like a parachute packed by your mate, Dave who once saw a YouTube video about skydiving.
One client assumed their Microsoft 365 system was being backed up daily. It wasn’t. Microsoft does not backup your data by default just because it’s in the cloud! Backups aren’t just about having a copy of your data; they’re about having the right copy, in the right place, ready to restore at the right time.
Cybersecurity: not a digital flu shot
Many businesses still treat cybersecurity like it’s 2005. Install antivirus, cross fingers, move on. Unfortunately, cyberthreats today are smarter, faster, and always evolving.
We’ve seen businesses hit by phishing attacks that could have been stopped by basic email filtering. Others had no multifactor authentication, leaving user accounts ripe for compromise. And one poor team had passwords stored in an Excel file called “Passwords.
xlsx.” (Spoiler: so did the hacker.) Modern cybersecurity needs to be layered, monitored, and adaptive — think firewalls, endpoint protection, staff awareness training, zero trust access, and real-time response.
Because stuff breaks
Your internet connection. Your server. The laptop your ops manager spilled a flat white on. All of these things will eventually break, stall, or go offline. What matters is how your business responds. Without redundancy, a single point of failure can bring everything grinding to a halt. Major issues can bring your business down for days. Redundancy is achieved by design, not by accident.
Getting the basics right isn’t flashy, but it’s fundamental. At CommArc, we’re on a mission to help Kiwi businesses build tech foundations that are strong, secure, and ready for whatever’s next. So, if you’re not 100% confident your backup will restore, your cybersecurity will withstand modern threats, or your systems can take a punch, let’s talk. We’ll help you go back to basics so your business can leap forward, safely.
Richard Butler Director CommArc
to business success and personal growth Pathways
In today’s competitive job market, the right skills can be the key to unlocking long-term success. NMIT offers programmes that are powerful stepping stones for aspiring professionals and those returning to education.
NMIT’s Applied Business programmes deliver industry-aligned qualifications in Business, Marketing, Management, and Accounting, tailored to meet the evolving needs of employers.
These qualifications stand out for their practical focus, taught by tutors who bring a valuable blend of academic expertise and real-world experience.
With strong ties to industry and an emphasis on applied learning, students don’t just study theory; they actively engage with current business practices, setting them up for a seamless transition into the workforce.
Equally important is the Study and Career Preparation programme (Level 3), which acts as a critical bridge for learners who are either reentering education or preparing to pursue further study. It builds foundational literacy, numeracy,
communication, and research skills, empowering students to map out their future confidently.
This programme supports the development of rangatiratanga (leadership and identity), helping students articulate their strengths, goals, and pathways. For many, it is the first step toward higher learning or meaningful employment.
NMIT's programmes reflect a holistic approach to education that nurtures its students' practical and personal development. Whether you’re stepping into tertiary study for the first time or seeking to elevate your career, NMIT provides a supportive, relevant, and future-focused environment. These are not just study options; they are pathways to transformation.
Visit nmit.ac.nz to learn more about NMIT’s programmes or book a session with a study navigator to plan your success today.
Digging Deep
FOR OUR REGION'S FUTURE
We’re proud to be investing in our region’s future through an ongoing programme of forward-looking infrastructure development.
Projects such as our $10 million apron reconstruction (underway now), future southern development area, bridging Jenkins Creek to open up landlocked airport land, and planning for a future runway extension through Project 2-Zero, are all intended to ensure we’re resilient and ready to make the most of every opportunity that comes our way. Project 2-Zero is key part of our preparation for a more sustainable future for aviation, ensuring we have the infrastructure needed to host low-emissions next-generation aircraft.
We’re building an airport that’s ready for what’s next – for business, for tourism, for friends and family. We want to see WhakatūNelson be even better connected to the places
you want to go. That means more flights to our metropolitan hubs, as well as direct connections to other regions. While that’s a challenging goal in the current New Zealand aviation environment, with new thinking needed about how the airlines’ model can better support regional connectivity, it’s well worth striving for.
Our investment in the region goes beyond infrastructure. We’re a community-owned asset, contributing to the provision of essential services to Nelson and Tasman residents. Our sponsorship programme is an important investment in the community we live and work in, and we’re proud to support the incredible work of a wide array of local organisations such as Nelson Tasman Hospice, the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nelson Tasman, the Nelson Giants, Nelson Arts Festival, Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, and many more.
If you’re interested in the airport’s development programme, you can find out more about all our projects at nelsonairport.co.nz, or send us a message to feedback@ nelsonairport.co.nz.
Become famous and get luckier
Fame makes you easier to remember.
What is the link between fame and success?
If you want to make more profit in your business, you should work on becoming well-known. In marketing, this is called brand awareness. Research shows that companies with more brand awareness than their competitors are far more likely to succeed, even if their competitor has a better product. How does it work?
Being better isn't enough. People buy what they know. According to marketing scientist Byron Sharp, brands grow primarily through mental availability, which is a fancy way of saying, “being thought of, in buying situations.” When your brand is better known, more people think of you when they need what you sell. That means more customers, more often.
What about small local business?
Fame isn’t just for global giants. In fact, it’s more important for small and medium businesses. You don’t need everyone in the world to
know you, just more people in your town, your region, or your niche. At Downing, we help local businesses develop their branding to become consistently visible, memorable, and distinctive.
Brand awareness more important than product?
Of course, you need a good product or service. But business success is often about being the brand that gets picked, not necessarily the best one available. Sharp’s research shows that most customers don’t deeply research their
choices; they choose what they remember. Fame makes you easier to remember.
The
takeaway
If you want to grow, you need to be known. The more people know your name, the more chances you have to be in the right place at the right time. In business, fame often feels like luck - but it’s not. It’s strategy.
Tony Downing Owner Downing
How can science serve society?
At a time when the world faces a range of global challenges — from climate change to geopolitical tensions to rapid technological disruption — the need for science that truly serves society has never been more urgent.
Science itself is under pressure. Trust is faltering, and political divisions are creating deep challenges to the social contract between science, government, and the public — just as we need it most.
In New Zealand, we’ve long celebrated ingenuity, but relying on outdated ideas and underfunding science is leaving us behind. Other countries are investing in science and innovation to solve pressing problems, while New Zealand risks falling further behind if we don’t take action.
Globally, the science community faces its own set of challenges. Science diplomacy — essential to tackling global issues like climate change, pandemics, and biodiversity loss — must evolve. To rebuild trust and make a real impact, science needs to be more transparent, more connected to society, and better integrated into the decisions that shape our collective future.
Cawthron Institute has built an international reputation for innovation, rigour, independent thinking, and solutionfocused science. Our scientists excel at collaborating with partners and applying our diverse scientific expertise in
BOOK HERE
innovative new ways. But we know we need to do more, faster, if we are to address some of humanity's greatest challenges and turn the tide to protect the shared ecological, economic, social and cultural values we hold dear. That’s why this year, for our 82nd Annual Thomas Cawthron Memorial Lecture on Monday 9 June, we will explore how science can better inform and influence decision making at both national and global levels – and what must change for that to happen.
We are delighted to host Sir Peter Gluckman as our keynote speaker for this year’s lecture. Sir Peter is
In New Zealand, we've long celebrated ingenuity, but relying on outdated ideas and underfunding science is leaving us behind."
President of the International Science Council (ISC,) Director and Trustee of Koi Tū: Centre for Informed Futures, an independent non-partisan thinktank, and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the University of Auckland. He originally trained as a paediatrician
and biomedical scientist, and between 2009-2018 he served as the first Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Dr Kate Hutson, a leading researcher at Cawthron, will follow with an exploration of how her groundbreaking work on emerging aquatic disease threats connects communities and decision makers.
There are limited tickets remaining, so please book now and join us for an evening of insight, challenge, and inspiration as we examine how science can better serve society — in Aotearoa New Zealand and across the globe.
Cybersecurity is not just an IT issue — it's a legal priority.
Cybersecurity
A Legal Perspective
Cybersecurity is an escalating concern for New Zealand businesses, not only from a technological standpoint but increasingly from a legal one.
As data breaches and cyberattacks grow in frequency and impact, the legal obligations on businesses to protect personal and sensitive information are more significant than ever. As a business owner (as well as a lawyer), it is one of our biggest business risks and certainly something that keeps me awake at night from time to time.
In New Zealand, the Privacy Act 2020 is the central piece of legislation governing data protection. It requires organisations to ensure that personal information is collected, stored, and used responsibly. The Act includes a mandatory breach notification regime, under which if a business experiences a privacy breach that could cause serious harm, it must notify both the Privacy Commissioner and the affected individuals as soon as practicable. Failure to comply can result in enforcement action, public scrutiny, and reputational damage.
Contractual liability is another risk. Businesses that handle customer or third-party data may be bound by agreements requiring specific cybersecurity standards. A cyber
incident that compromises that data can lead to breach-of-contract claims, indemnity disputes, and even civil litigation.
Directors also have duties under the Companies Act 1993 to act with reasonable care and diligence. Failure to oversee cybersecurity risk management may expose directors to liability if it results in significant loss to the business or its stakeholders. With cyber threats like phishing, ransomware, and supply chain attacks on the rise, regulators and courts are taking a harder line.
To mitigate legal risk, businesses should implement robust cybersecurity policies, conduct regular risk assessments, staff training and seek legal advice tailored to their operations. Cybersecurity is not just an IT issue—it’s a legal priority.
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.
Clare North Partner Pitt & Moore
WINTER
Events
June
FINDEX BA5: HOSTED BY BOFFA MISKELL
5:00pm - 7:00pm 27 Vanguard Street
CLIENT MANAGEMENT & SALES PLANNING
9:00am - 1:00pm Mahitahi Colab
FREE TRAINING: SELLING YOUR VALUE
9:30am - 10:30am Mahitahi Colab
WESTPAC SMARTS WITH SATISH RANCHHOD
10:45am - 12:00pm Mahitahi Colab
HEALTH & SAFETY FOR SMALL BUSINESS
9:30am - 4:30pm Mahitahi Colab
ASPIRE CONFERENCE: INNOVATION IN ACTION
8:30am - 6:00pm
Annesbrook Events Centre 03 04 08 16 23 24
DEBUNK MYTHS: FORSYTH BARR & DUNCAN COTTERILL 11:00am - 12:30pm Māpua Community Hall
PORT NELSON EXPORT HUB: DOCUMENTATION
9:30am - 11:30am | NMIT Block A 1:30pm - 3:30pm | Māpua Hall
FREE TRAINING: RECLAIMING YOUR TIME 9:30am - 10:30am Mahitahi Colab
INTEPEOPLE BUSINESS WOMEN'S NETWORK
5:00pm - 7:30pm Mahitahi Colab
DEBUNK MYTHS: FORSYTH BARR & DUNCAN COTTERILL 10:30am - 1:00pm Moananui HQ 17 18 19 25 26 27 July
TENDERING 101: A SUCCESSFUL TENDER 12:30pm - 2:30pm Tasman District Council
August
20
FREE TRAINING: GET PAID FASTER
9:30am - 10:30am
Mahitahi Colab
September
FREE TRAINING: ACHIEVING CASHFLOW FREEDOM
9:30am - 10:30am
Mahitahi Colab
ASPIRE 2025
Keynote Speaker: Pic Picot Founder, Pic's Peanut Butter
Upcoming Training
Client Management & Sales Planning
Date: 18th June 9:00am - 1:00pm
Venue: Mahitahi Colab
Presenter: Christine Hatton STC
Investment: $450+GST
Understanding the psychological needs of the client and what is needed to meet those needs in the sales interaction process is key. Alongside sales training expertise anchored in the ‘real world,’ this course covers skills and techniques that will improve your sales processes and assist revenue growth.
• Understand buyer psychology
• How to gain insight into clients' needs and how to match that need with your business offering
• How to clearly articulate what sets your business apart
• Develop confidence in moving the sales process to a conclusion
Health & Safety Essentials
Date: 26th June 9:30am - 4:30pm
Venue: Mahitahi Colab
Presenter: Adrienne Pryde Business Central
Investment: $450+GST
This one-day course is suitable for owners of small businesses, and aims to give you the oversight you need to ensure your business health and safety systems and processes reflect a bestpractice approach.
• Understand the core elements of a health and safety system.
• Understand the key duty holders and their respective duties under the Act.
• Understand essential health and safety components and how they relate to your legal duties
• Understand practical ways to increase the effectiveness of your health and safety system.
Aotearoa’s
Outdoor Media
Wide Reach
With billboards across New Zealand, Go Media connects Nelson with a nationwide audience
Good Impressions Programme
We support local charities, events & culture that make Nelson stronger.
Sustainable Solutions
Go Media o ers eco-friendly and innovative digital advertising options
Monopoly Nelson Tasman is here. Grab a copy before your mates beat you to it (and start charging rent).
Young innovators shine at Spark Tank Sessions
From freeze-dried vegetables to "meme shirts" and wood designs, the amazing business ideas at the Youth Enterprise Trust Spark Tank sessions remind us that there is no limit on the creativity of entrepreneurship... although advice on cashflow never goes amiss!
Social Snaps
A few of our Chamber members snapped out and about enjoying recent events.
Meet our
Members
We are at the frontline of medical response, providing ambulance services throughout NZ. We also deliver a range of community health services to help build stronger, more resilient communities, help people live independently, and improve their wellbeing. We do this through St John Medical Alarms, First Aid training, Health Shuttles, Caring Caller, Friends of the Emergency Department, Therapy Pets, St John Youth programmes and 3 Steps for Life.
nelsonbays.admin@stjohn.org.nz 03 548 8157 | stjohn.org.nz
Age Concern is all about enriching the lives of older people in Nelson Tasman. We offer a wide range of services from social connection programmes and elder abuse response to fun workshops for older drivers. Our Visiting Service pairs friendly volunteers with seniors seeking companionship. We also provide volunteers for respite care, driving, shopping, and even riding cycle rickshaws! Our mission is to ensure every older person enjoys a meaningful life in a welcoming community.
admin@ageconcernnt.org.nz 03 544 7624 | ageconcernnt.org.nz
For almost three decades, DCA Architects of Transformation have made a notable impact on the built environment of NZ. DCA is recognised internationally as a leading, award-winning architectural practice for business, innovations, and creating buildings that respond to their landscape, culture, community, and clients’ requirements. DCA's projects have the ability to make a positive impact on the lives of everyone involved and anyone who encounters them.
nathan@dcaarchitects.co.nz 03 244 4281 | dcaarchitects.co.nz
Where precision meets passion. Welderbeast is a family-owned/operated business delivering high-quality metal fabrication tailored to your needs. Whilst we specialise in stainless steel, we also offer general engineering, welding repairs, contract services, and bespoke sculptures. Known for reliable, efficient, and cost-effective solutions, we consistently exceed expectations across a range of industries. When it comes to metal: think quality, think Welderbeast!
seamus@welderbeast.co.nz 021 144 2191 | welderbeast.co.nz
Vanessa McGovern is your go-to local mortgage adviser and expert for all things finance and lending. Based right in Nelson, she helps buyers, investors, and refinancers secure tailored lending solutions that align with their needs and goals. Known for her transparency, responsiveness, and commitment to securing the most competitive rates, trust Vanessa to make the process smooth, stress-free, and successful from start to finish.
gordon.shaw@xtra.co.nz 64 21 199 0331 | linkedin.com/in/gordonshawnz/
At Sempre Avanti Consulting, we help clients solve their business problems. In our division Be Better at Governance, we believe great governance isn’t about ticking boxes, it’s about creating real impact. We help boards and directors sharpen their focus, strengthen their decision-making, and drive success through practical, real-world solutions. We cut through complexity to provide boards with straightforward actions that make a difference. 25 June
vanessa@mortgagesupply.co.nz 022 313 6649 | mortgagesupply.co.nz
Backing local trade and commerce with flexible and responsive business banking options.
Getting finance for your business can often be fraught with challenges, but NBS is here to help. Our goal is to be the preferred financial institution for business banking in our community.
We start with experienced people based in your neighbourhood, add competitive products and rates and a focus on providing a high level of personal service to our clients. We empower our people to use their initiative and local knowledge to make decisions, so you’re not left waiting for answers.
Business loans and finance
With a range of business finance options, we work together to find the right business loan for you. We offer standard term, flexi or interest only loans as well as overdraft facilities, but one product that sets us apart is our NBS Business Redraw loan.
Add or redraw funds from your Business Redraw loan any time* with no fees.
Our redraw loan is available as a fixed rate business loan and is designed to give you control over your payments. Want to pay more than the minimum? You can do that anytime and there are no fees for paying extra. Whether you want to make a big payment in one go or pay more each month, this loan can help you lower your balance and the interest you owe.
And if you need to access money for unexpected costs, new equipment, or just to keep your business running smoothly, you can make up to *two withdrawals per month, again with no fees.
Just remember that as you get closer to the end of your loan, the amount you can withdraw may decrease.
Loan basics:
• Choose your payment schedule: pick from monthly, every two weeks, or weekly payments.
• Withdrawals: the minimum you can withdraw is $1,000, and you can make up to *two withdrawals each month.
• Loan term: you can take up to 25 years to pay it back.
Could the NBS Business Redraw loan be right for you?
If you have extra money that you want to use to pay off your loan faster, this option is perfect for you. The Business Redraw loan can also help you to manage your bill, GST or credit card payments allowing you to save money on interest.
Not an NBS client yet? We can help you with that
Find out more about business banking with NBS at nbs.co.nz or get in touch with your local branch manager by calling us on 0800 101 700.
Here’s what you get:
• Flexibility: choose from a competitive six, 12 or 24 month fixed rate.
• Faster repayment: pay off your loan sooner by making payments over the minimum amount.
• Lower interest: the more you pay in and the less you take out, the less interest you’ll pay.
• Easy withdrawals: get cash for unexpected expenses or tax payments.
• Breaks on payments: there’s potential to take a break from scheduled payments if things get tight.
Plus lots of great local discounts with member-to-member offers, including:
