Taranaki Business Review - Spring 2023

TARANAKI Business Review

SPRING 2023 Creating

FROM THE CEO

Welcome to this Spring Edition of our quarterly magazine.

Three months between publications seems to come around quite quickly. And three years between parliamentary elections come around even faster, it would seem. It is hard to believe that all political parties will be wooing us for your votes again. Making ridiculous promises to suck us in. Ridiculous assurances on roading infrastructure, tunnels in Auckland, unrealistic housing development and the list goes on. We know that most of these lofty offerings will not be achieved.

Some political ideology is so intent on taxing businesses and hardworking people as an endless supply of government income. That ideology is so dangerous that it is driving those with huge earning potential to relocate to other lands. This short sightedness is not doing us any favours.

It reminds me of a story I heard about a donkey and a camel. A donkey and a camel were walking along together. The camel moved with long strides and the donkey moved impatiently, stumbling every now and then.

At last, the donkey said to his companion, ‘How is it that I am always in trouble, falling and grazing my legs, in spite of the fact that I look carefully downwards as I walk?

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

• Belhams Interiors

• Butlers Reef

• Carl Bates - Friend of the Chamber

• Fire and Steel

• Genuine Growth Coaching

• Greenlight Insurance Brokers

Arun Chaudhari CEO

When you, who never seem to be aware of what surrounds you, with your eyes fixed upon the horizon, keep going so fast and yet seemingly at such leisure?’

The camel answered: ‘Your problem is that your steps are too short and by the time you have seen something it is too late to correct your movements. You look all around and do not assess what you see. You think that haste is speed. You imagine that by looking you can see. You think that seeing near is the same as seeing far. You guess that I look at the horizon. In fact, I am merely gazing ahead so as to work out what to do when the far becomes near.’

How can Aotearoa New Zealand have a clear long-term vision, when every three years our destiny is re-moulded by shortterm thinking? We have to be like the camel, focusing far ahead and being adaptable and agile.

My challenge to you today is to support people with a longterm vision, who are truly interested in helping businesses. Businesses are the powerhouse of a nation, providing jobs, growing innovation, keeping people in employment and strengthening communities. Find the camel, if one exists in our political spectrum. Choose wisely.

Arohanui

• HainesAttract

• Humdrum

• Johnson Corner

• Kara Tamati – Arbonne Consultant

• McDonald’s New Plymouth

• Pack and Send New Plymouth

House, 42 Egmont Street, PO Box 2, New Plymouth 4340 I PH: +64

CEO Arun Chaudhari ceo@taranakichamber.co.nz I 027 279 5161

PARTNERSHIP MANAGER

Maura Young maura@taranakichamber.co.nz I 021 284 0062

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR

Rebecca Mende rebecca@taranakichamber.co.nz I 021 778 621

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Josh Borrell

josh@taranakichamber.co.nz I 027 906 8789

ADVOCACY & BARA MANAGER

Michelle Brennan michelle@taranakichamber.co.nz I 021 710 950

OFFICE MANAGER

Julia Collins

julia@taranakichamber.co.nz

ADMINISTRATOR

Kirsty Gudopp

EVENT MANAGER

Jo Whyte jo@taranakichamber.co.nz I 021 533 300

• Phoenix Project Solutions

• Pipe Technologies

• St John Taranaki

• Studio 18 Jewellery Collection

• Virtual Accounting

• Zenvest Adviser Services

admin@taranakichamber.co.nz I www.taranakichamber.co.nz

Beatrice Chamberlain – Govett Quilliam Lawyers

Grace Wesolowska – GW Consulting Ltd

Rebecca Johnson – Centre City

Julie Beck - Auld Brewer Mazengarb & McEwen

James Cunningham – Novotel New Plymouth

YOUNG ENTERPRISE SCHEME COORDINATOR

Shelley Baldwin yes@taranakichamber.co.nz I 027 449 6314

PLACEMENT SUPPORT COORDINATOR

Melissa Keith melissa@taranakichamber.co.nz | 021 225 4531

PLACEMENT SUPPORT COORDINATOR

Mary Sagen

mary@taranakichamber.co.nz | 021 821 164

CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS

Chair – Daniel Fleming – King and Queen Hotel Suites

Shane Devlin – Graphix

Hayden Wano – Tui Ora Campbell Third – TSB

Jessica Parker – Taranaki Arts Festival Trust

FEATURE WRITER

Virginia Winder - W t woman Writes Everything

DESIGN & PRINT Graphix I www.graphix.co.nz

From humble beginnings, the Bishop’s Action Foundation has helped hundreds of Taranaki people and community groups to flourish.

On July 7, 2005, Simon Cayley began as Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, created by Bishop Philip Richardson and a small team of dedicated people, including former Venture Taranaki CEO Stuart Trundle. There was only $100,000 in the coffers.

A CATALYST FOR CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITY

The foundation has sparked many successful community projects, including the Stratford Community House, which is a hub for social service groups. It opened in January 2011. “We led the initiative, pulled the partners together, secured funding and we created the community trust that’s run it ever since. It provides shared accommodation for not-for-profit organisations,” says Simon, whose wife Theresa is community engagement manager at the Taranaki Foundation. They have two children, aged 19 and 16. The foundation also administers the Bashford Nicholls Trust, which was originally two separate trusts. The merged trust provides scholarships for students studying agricultural or veterinary science courses. The scope has widened to include agricultural business and may extend to environmental sustainability.

was created to provide consistency and ease of access to support by entering just one door. “Community organisations come to The Wheelhouse to find all the support they need,” he says of the organisation, which has eight partners, and has been backed by funding from the Toi Foundation since its inception.

People can find training on a variety of subjects, including governance, wellbeing and innovation for community organisations, Te Tiriti o Waitangi 101, conflict resolution, and planning. It also has a massive network of facilitators, can offer one-on-one support and connect people with a mentor.

“I remember the first day – I was in a room at the back of Philip’s garage with a trestle table, a computer and a phone. That was the Bishop’s Action Foundation,” says Simon.

Eighteen years on, the foundation is based in Tikituterangi House, an office building in a rural setting surrounded by pigs, goats and sheep on Mangorei Rd beside the Bishop’s home. “Still humble, but they are very fit for purpose, and we have a view down the valley to the sea. I’m really proud of the workplace, our team and who we are.”

Humbleness has been a constant for the foundation. “Philip has a vision that we should really give ourselves away helping others, not make it about us. We shine the light on the people and organisations we are helping more than on ourselves,” says Simon.

Bishop Philip is patron of the foundation, which supports projects and people who are focused on making Taranaki a better place to live, and are challenging inequalities and injustices, especially of those living on the margins.

“We help people take their ideas and make them a reality… we are the catalyst for change.”

Last year the trust funded 68 scholarships totalling over $250,000 and a further $50,000 went into a research and innovation award to support Taranaki. “Ultimately, we are quietly giving back to the region, even if people don’t know about us.”

Another achievement involved working with AUT to bring down community development expert Dr Love Chile to run training programmes. The foundation identified the need for such training but also realised it would be too expensive for people to attend if it was based out of the region.

Working with AUT, the foundation created a programme involving three five-day blocks of training run in Taranaki. Simon says 52 people went through the course, which was accessible, affordable and an excellent programme. “For those years we ran it, it was quite incredible. We only stopped because we ran out of people.”

One of the foundation’s greatest achievements was a collaborative effort.

Ten years ago, the BAF team helped establish The Wheelhouse, which it still manages. Aimed at empowering community organisations, The Wheelhouse

Simon says BAF was also one of the initiating partners of the Mentoring Foundation of New Zealand in 2018. “Currently there are 200 people from community organisations being mentored around the country – and 25 to 30 from Taranaki each year.”

Another achievement is the Manna Home for youth at Oakura, which the Bishop’s Action Foundation opened and runs, from behind the scenes.

Manna is a transitional home that provides a six-month live-in programme for young people, aged 16 to 21, who have experienced challenges in life. The aim, with the help from a team of five professionals, is to support tamariki to develop into healthy, resilient and independent adults. Of the six spaces available, four are referred by Oranga Tamariki and two are community placements.

“Success for the Bishop’s Action Foundation is to help people and organisations to the point where they don’t need us anymore,” says Simon, who has learnt that money isn’t always necessary to kick off ideas and projects.

“What I’m most proud of is that 18 years on we are still thriving, with a track record for making a difference for communities in the region, all from that humble trestle table beginning.”

The perfect

TOP SHOP SPARKLES

the scenes, Steve offers support and business advice and Lynnette Rowan has been a rock of knowledge and kindness. “You can’t do it alone – you have to have your cheerleaders.” Carole is also rapt with the accounting service and support she’s received from New Plymouth company Velocite.

They were all on hand to celebrate, except Michaela who was at her school ball.

Friendship was the catalyst for Carole Morgan to buy jewellery store Studio 18 Jewellery Collection, now Taranaki’s Top Shop. Carole and partner Steve Scott are good friends with Bill Roy and Lynnette Rowan, who own Dalgleish Diamonds and used to own Studio 18, which they opened seven years ago.

When the opportunity to buy Studio 18 presented itself, it was an obvious decision for Carole. “With a strong friendship already in place and always at the forefront of discussions, we were able to move forward with ease,” she says.

In November last year, Carole “jumped in boots and all” and bought Studio 18, dramatically changing the direction of her career from account manager in the media to business owner.

“I loved the media industry – it was my life for 20 years, but I wanted to have a go at owning my own business and I couldn’t think of any other business I’d love to own more than this one,” Carole says. Lots of people said she was mad to buy a jewellery store in this retail environment. “I was lucky I stepped into a business with great foundations and was in really good shape,” she says.

“I haven’t been so excited to get out of bed in the morning. I love coming to work – everything about this business is amazing.” Including her small team, who ensure the customers are at the forefront of everything, always.

Tracylee Cottam is full-time, Susan Kiser is part-time, as is high school student Michaela Deegan, who works on Saturdays and school holidays. Behind

Studio 18 is light and airy, with a fresh look and signage. It carries seven international jewellery brands – Swarovski (crystals and jewellery), Pandora, Thomas Sabo, Dyrberg Kern, Ania Haie, plus Karen Walker and Stolen Girlfriends Club.

“We do love sparkly things,” says Carole. Her three workers all wear the products and get excited when the weekly stock or bulk orders arrive. “It’s a race to see who can get to the box first to see what’s in the parcel.”

The store offers a huge variety of jewellery for both men and women. It also caters for brides, bridesmaids, mother of the bride and girls preparing for school balls. “We encourage them to bring their dresses in for any event that’s special,” she says. “They’re offered a personal service where they can try all the jewellery on and see what best suits their outfit and event. We offer more than selling over the counter.”

All this added up to resounding success. At the 2023 WITT Top Shop Awards on June 17, Studio 18 was the Specialty Store Winner, North Taranaki Regional Winner and Supreme Winner, meaning it is Taranaki’s Top Shop. When Studio 18 was announced as the winner of the first award, Carole was gobsmacked. “I was extremely proud of my team too.”

With a bottle of bubbles delivered to the table, Carole said: “Right we can sit back and relax.” So, she thought. Next minute, the store at No 18 Devon St was named as winner of the regional award. Again, Carole was stunned.

Then came the big announcement –Studio 18 was the Supreme Winner.

“I was lost for words. It never crossed my mind that we could win the regional, let alone the Supreme Award,” she says. “I’m still smiling when I think about it.”

The good wishes flowed with the bubbles at the event.

“What was really nice were the congratulations and kind words from many business owners whom I’d not meet before the night,” Carole says.

Because the judging process involves secret shoppers, she feels reassured. “It shows we are putting our best foot forward every time a customer walks through the door.”

Now, Carole wants the store to continue to be in customers’ minds when they’re looking for a gift or piece of jewellery. “Studio 18 has been a hidden secret on the hill with lots of people saying they didn’t know we were even here.”

Carole says the business has room to grow, and she may include additional brands in the future. Right now, she just wants to continue focusing on providing a great experience for every customer.

“The thing we get most excited about is when someone walks in the store not knowing what they want and walks out happy. It’s such a cool feeling to be able to help them and really leaves us feeling good about what we’re doing.”

Contact: 06 759 0000 or info@studio18.co.nz

EVENTS & ADVOCACY

WELLBEING CONFERENCE

If you haven’t registered to attend yet – there’s still time! Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to hear from outstanding keynote speakers on Nutritional, Financial, Mental and General Workplace Wellbeing. There will also be a panel discussion and plenty of opportunity for questions from attendees, along with expo stands from wellbeing providers. This full day event is on Thursday 21 September at the Devon Hotel. For more information and to register go to the Chamber website.

TSB BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Entries have closed and judging is now underway! The 29th Gala Awards Evening is at the TSB Stadium on Saturday 11 November. Join us as we recognise and celebrate the fantastic businesses in our province. Tickets are on sale from Monday 25 September.

BUSINESS SHOWCASE

Our annual Business Showcase was another great success. Held at the Plymouth International on Wednesday 9 August, over 70 exhibitors promoted their products and services to more than 350 attendees.

BUSINESS CONNECTIONS

These monthly events are more popular than ever! Held on the first Tuesday of most months, these networking events are an ideal opportunity for you to promote your business and showcase your operations, facilities, staff, products and services and to meet potential customers. It is the perfect platform to strengthen and grow business contacts and interact with the Chamber network.

July Business Connections was hosted by Port Taranaki, followed by Zeal in August, and we have just held our September event hosted by Govett Quilliam. Coming up we will be at Property Brokers in October and La Nuova in November. Our Christmas Business Connections at Chamber House will be hosted by the Taranaki Health Foundation.

Bookings are already filling up fast for 2024 so if you are interested in hosting a Business Connections event at your business, please give us a call.

ADVOCACY

We continue to advocate for our members on both local and national levels. A continued focus for us has been on the disastrous condition of State Highway 3 to the north, retail crime, labour and skills shortages and CBD parking. We have also been a strong objecting voice to NPDC about rates increases and the rating differential between residential and commercial/industrial properties.

Along with Chamber Chat in the Taranaki Daily News each month, we also run a Business Voice column fortnightly in the North Taranaki Midweek. If you have an issue that concerns you and your business, we want to hear from you. Just contact Michelle or email admin@taranakichamber.co.nz and put Business Voice in the subject line.

WE WELCOME OUR NEW BARA MEMBERS

Wild Mustard Marketing, Belhams Interiors, Studio 18 Jewellery Collection, Weta woman Writes Everything, Greenlight Insurance Brokers - Thanks for your support!

BECOME A BARA MEMBER

We have a special membership rate for existing Chamber members with 1-5 staff. For just an additional $35.00+GST you can be a member of BARA as well and you don’t have to be based in the CBD! For businesses with six or more staff, BARA membership is only an additional $150.00+GST.

If you are passionate about the city you live in and have a genuine interest in supporting local business, then we want you to be part of an organisation that has the same philosophy, passion and drive. By working together we can make a difference.

Please contact Michelle or Rebecca to discuss BARA membership.

Follow BARA on – New Plymouth CBD Alive

Jo Whyte Event Manager

jo@taranakichamber.co.nz

Michelle Brennan Advocacy & BARA Manager michelle@taranakichamber.co.nz

People // Process // Performance

TAKING YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT STEP

Navigating the world of work.

How well do your team navigate the world of work? Managing work relationships, communicating well, productively using time, solving problems, navigating change and conflict, are all skills that can be developed to help your team members enjoy their work and deliver results.

In October another round of the ten Brown Bag workshops begins at the Chamber Hub on Corbett Road. Held at lunchtime, a new venue should make it easier to attend for an hour each week, and participants will learn tips each week to better navigate work, whether they are front line staff, new or aspiring leaders.

The Brown Bag series offers a cost-effective solution for small businesses, who are often time poor. The lunchtime workshops are a series of “bitesized” learning opportunities. Participants can choose specific topics, or sign up for all ten to build a comprehensive programme. The topics are useful for front-line staff or new team leaders.

We hear a lot of stories about how difficult customer facing roles are in the current environment. It is important to equip your front-line staff with the skills to be resilient in the face of difficult customers and still deliver top-level service.

The Customer Service workshop is based on tried-and-true customer service principles and addresses the challenges of doing business in the current environment of stressed clients, increased work pressures and supply chain issues.

Equip your team with the skills to succeed and it will reap rewards for your business and for their well-being.

2023 Training Dates

Brown Bag

10 workshops, come to one or all, 1 hour at lunchtime.

October 10 to December 12

To be held at the Chamber Hub, Corbett Rd

Customer Service

One day, 9am to 4pm

October 26

Venue TBC

PLAN FOR 2024

These programmes, and more, can be delivered to your team in-house and customised to meet your needs. We will be running new public courses in 2024 for the Team Leader Management Programme, Brown Bag workshops and Customer Service.

Plan now to help your team “navigate the world of work.”

READING THIS WILL MAKE YOU HUNGRY!

Keeping stocked up is one of the important things she’s learnt since she and husband Paul Vaipuna bought the Patea Butchery in June 2021. They have decided to only sell meat produced in New Zealand and to always opt for high quality.

Buying the business stemmed from another interest. “I really like the space next door to do something with food but the only way to get that was to buy the butchery.”

Ingrid, who has spent her career in education, and Paul Vaipuna, engineering manager at Taranaki Byproducts, have a 2.8-hectare lifestyle block on the edge of town where she gardens and he raises pigs. “We had to buy a butchery to get a cooler for his pigs,” she laughs. While they have some understanding about the world of meat, they aren’t butchers, so employ Mark Parata. He’s the main butcher, and one of Ingrid’s former students, Jack Tamakehu, is the apprentice. Jade Coe runs the shop four days a week during school hours and Ingrid helps. “I do serve in the shop –I’m good at chatting to people.”

Alyssa Gardner, another ex-student from Patea Area School, is the cleaner.

Ingrid says that one of the things she enjoys most about the business is being an employer, especially providing jobs for locals. “Part of my motivation is to give back to Patea,” says Ingrid, sharing that her 14 years in the South Taranaki town is the longest she’s lived anywhere. “It feels like my Turangawaewae.”

Her nomadic ways led her to teach in Tonga. She arrived there as a single mum with two kids, met Paul and left the Pacific island nation with another babe in arms and pregnant. Ingrid and Paul have six adult children, 10 grandchildren and

a couple of their kids are vegetarians. “I always thought I’d be a greengrocer not a butcher.”

Her green-fingered ways are flowing into the sausages, which are made on the premises and are seasoned with herbs that she’s growing behind the butchery, they bought off Grant Hurley.

One of Ingrid’s main roles is running the online side of the business and promoting Flying Pig bacon – she has followed the advice of business mentor Ingrid Vercammen, who co-founded Marcel’s Pancakes in Bell Block. “She said ‘focus on one product’. I’ve focused on bacon.”

And that product is flying out of the butchery. “It’s doing well. We can’t keep up with the bacon – we run out the day we have made it.”

Through SurveyMonkey, she asked customers for feedback and was delighted at the response. “People love it,” she says, talking about what brings her joy these days: “People just coming in and saying, ‘that’s the best bacon I have ever eaten in my life’.”

The foodie and home cook offers advice about how best to sizzle the bacon. “I cook in a cold pan, heat it up, do one side and turn it over.” She recommends serving it with scrambled eggs.

Flying Pig bacon is cooked or sold in three places besides the Patea shop –the Good Score Food Store in Hawera, café Fika across the road from the butchery and at The Okato, a restaurant on Surf Highway 45. “It’s working and they love it, so hopefully we can build up each of these little avenues.”

But the former high school English teacher, educational leader and specialist in gifted education, says

owning a butchery has forced her to be courageous.

“I did cold calling,” Ingrid grimaces. “For someone who can stand up in front of 30 students and command a room, going in to see a chef about your bacon is quite scary.”

She’s also continuing her own learning journey. First up, she had to learn about the meat industry, be educated on different cuts, broaden her knowledge of marketing and unravel the language of business. She has just finished a PowerUp business course through Venture Taranaki. “I didn’t know there was all that support available. I’ve learnt about the business network sitting behind everything. This is a first time for us – we are very much a start up.”

One that’s got good bones. “People come from far and wide to get pork or bacon bones, especially at this time of year.”

Ingrid and Paul are keen to provide the butchery with top-quality pork with the help of Shane McDonald, who owns Meat at Yours, a mobile abattoir which specialises in stress-free killing. “We are building up our Berkshire herd of pigs. It is considered the wagyu of pork,” says Ingrid, who again emphasises the butchery’s ethos. “We only use New Zealand pork, free range chicken, beef and lamb.”

Contact: 06 273 8634 or pateabutchery@gmail.com

Shop online at pateabutchery.com

ON A CHALKBOARD IN HER OFFICE, INGRID FRENGLEY-VAIPUNA HAS WRITTEN A MANTRA: “THREE THINGS WE SHOULD NEVER RUN OUT OF – SAUSAGES, BACON AND BONES.”

TRI 24 & COASTAL FIVE

disciplines – swimming, cycling and running. But others may choose to take part in two or even one section of Tri24.

The day will begin with a 4-hour swim session at the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre. From there, teams will hop on their bicycles and head out to the Taranaki Cycle Park at Bell Block, where they will ride around the circuit for 12 hours, and then run around the same track for 8 hours.

“When Mark passed away, people were left without their mentor really,” says Suzanne of her ex-husband and Coastal Five business partner, who took his life on December 17, 2022.

“He did leave a bit of a hole when he died, and I hope that inspires people to get behind the event. This is a tribute to what he did bring to the community in the short time he was here. Whenever Mark is talked about, the word ‘community’ is used a lot.” Also community minded, Suzanne is organising Tri24, being held on February 17-18, 2024, to fundraise for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Taranaki. The charity’s website says: “Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors help form strong positive relationships that express care, challenge growth, share power, and expand possibilities.”

Supporting the charity through a sporting event is important to Suzanne, mother of sons Finn, 7, and Charlie, 5. “I think there’s a direct corelation between our physical health and our mental health,” she says. “It starts with our kids to give them the foundation and a love for exercise.” The charity is also meaningful for her: “It’s something my children are on the waiting list for – my children don’t have that male role model.”

Tri24 is a team event and Suzanne is hoping businesses, especially the corporates, will support it. The event is open to 32 teams of up to 12 people.

Some participants might be all-rounders who want to have a go at all three

During the ride along the Coastal Walkway, Suzanne is keen to see members of the public cheering the triathlon teams. “One of the goals is to make the transition from pool to the cycle park stand out.” To spark even more interest and raise awareness, the athletes will be encouraged to dress up for the walkway section – there will be prizes for best outfits.

While the event is focused on fundraising and participation, there will still be a leader board clocking how many laps teams complete during the 24 hours.

“People can do as little as 10 minutes at a time; not everyone is a triathlete but many are swimmers, cyclists or runners.”

There will be an area for people to pitch tents or marquees and participants will have access to the Bell Block Rugby and Community Club rooms at Hickford Park. Tri24 was initially meant to support another cause. “Mark was in the last stages of starting a charity to help improve the health outcomes for our community,” she says. It was to be aimed at parents with children or people who had someone depending on them and to raise awareness about the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle especially with the effects on mental health, something Mark was vocal about.

“All these things were coming together for this charity. As part of that we had talked about putting on a 24-hour triathlon as a fundraiser to kick start the charity and it was going to be an annual fundraiser,” Suzanne says. The charity couldn’t continue without Mark, who was the main driver.

But Tri24 is going ahead, as is the Coastal Five. On November 18 and 19, it will be the third time Coastal Five has been held. It involves five running events in two days, and added together, the distances total 42.2km, which is a marathon.

The event was born out of the pandemic. After working and living in Brisbane, Suzanne and Mark moved to Scotland, where he had a high-performance coaching role for Triathlon Scotland, the national team.

“Then Covid hit. So, we moved to New Zealand, essentially to raise the kids.” They had to start from scratch, saw a gap in the market and created Coastal Five. “It’s such a fantastic place with amazing scenery. Essentially, the Coastal Five is about showcasing what we have in Taranaki,” she says. “It helped that Mark was looking at the region with fresh eyes so he could see the beauty in what some of us locals took for granted.”

Coastal Five is supported by Shoe Clinic, Fitstop, Habit Health, VBW and Venture Taranaki.

People keen on entering, can go to www.coastalfive.co.nz and teams keen to take part in the day-long triathlon can go to www.tri24.co.nz.

Taranaki woman Suzanne McCarthy is organising a 24-hour triathlon to raise funds for a charity and to pay tribute to Mark Turner.

Jo Whyte

Events Manager

Taranaki Chamber of Commerce

+64 6 759 9080 | +64 21 533 300 jo@taranakichamber.co.nz

Chamber House 42 Egmont Street PO Box 2, New Plymouth 4340 New Zealand www.taranakichamber.co.nz

Global brand that offers connectivity and representation

Andy Potter

Partner - Commercial BNZ Taranaki

DDI. 06 759 4745 Free. 0800 273 916 M.021 229 7109

E. andy_potter@bnz.co.nz

New Plymouth Partners Centre, Level 1, 13-15 Devon Street East, New Plymouth, 4310

Melissa Keith Placement Support Coordinator Taranaki Chamber of Commerce +64 6 759 9080 | +64 21 225 4531 melissa@taranakichamber.co.nz

Chamber Hub 10 Corbett Road, Bell Block PO Box 2, New Plymouth 4340 New Zealand www.taranakichamber.co.nz

Global brand that offers connectivity and representation

Josh Borrell Marketing & Communications Coordinator

Taranaki Chamber of Commerce

+64 6 759 9080 | +64 27 906 8789 josh@taranakichamber.co.nz

Chamber House 42 Egmont Street PO Box 2, New Plymouth 4340 New Zealand www.taranakichamber.co.nz

Global brand that offers connectivity and representation

Surviving, and Thriving, Through Economic Uncertainty.

Gareth O’Connor, Managing Director, Harvey Cameron

New Zealand is officially in recession. How bad it will be or how long it’ll last is unclear. What is clear: some will benefit, some will muddle through, and the rest will be affected.

During 2008’s Global Financial Crisis (GFC), Harvard Business Review published ‘Roaring Out of a Recession.’ Using the 1980’s double-dip recession, 1990 Slowdown, and the 2000 Dotcom crash as their data pool, they looked at the strategies businesses adopted. Adding data from the GFC and COVID years, we can see with even greater clarity how business can respond to survive and thrive.

The HBR research revealed businesses generally responded in one of four ways:

• Prevention-focused companies – made defensive moves. More concerned with avoiding losses and minimizing risks, their cost-cutting measures focused heavily on staffing, market development, and marketing resulting in immediate but shortterm benefits. But long term? Cuts significantly reduce their ability to service current and new customers.

• Promotion-focused companies –made offensive short-term moves, such as deep price discounts, serving to cut margin, profits, and hamper future growth.

• Pragmatic companies – combine the defense and offence of the above, which seems very…pragmatic but tends to only work short-term.

• Progressive companies – deploy the optimal combination of defense and offence by prioritising efficiencies versus cost cutting. Retaining capacity and capabilities gives flexibility to meet current demand and explore new opportunities.

Plus, research shows progressive companies have better outcomes for their customers, employees, and bottom lines while outperforming prevention companies two-fold.

Ask yourself – what progressive moves can I make? Which defensive moves won’t hurt my ability to do business in the short and long-term? What cost-savings can benefit me now, but significantly hurt in the future as the economy improves?

For me, it all boils down to market share. Growing, maintaining, or losing market share depends on what you ‘invest’ to secure it. I say ‘invest’ vs ‘spend’ because development and marketing are investments in your business’ future success.

To earn more than your fair share of the market, implementing these four things will greatly aid in your success (in good times and bad):

1. Focus on you

‘You’ always starts with customers and category buyers. How will buying behaviour change? Previous recessions show, consumers become more risk adverse, so big, well-known brands do well. Is this you?

A bigger share of mind leads to a bigger share of market, think about how will your category change and your position in it.

Be clear on your areas of opportunity and key areas of focus. Remember, what you won’t do is as important as what you will do.

2. Short-term moves, long-term thinking

People aren’t always looking to buy what you’re selling, but brand strength is essential once they are. Building your brand primes future buyers and is key to greater long-term profits.

More people become future buyers during a recession, so it pays to invest more in building brand awareness. You’ll appeal to the smaller group looking to buy now, and be top of mind when future buyers return.

If this seems like a risk to you, doing nothing is also a risk, and potentially an even riskier one.

3. Get loud

While your competition takes the ‘prevention’ approrach, it's easier to get loud. How much your brand is talked about – social media, advertising, news – versus your competitors is your Share of Voice (SOV). When your SOV is bigger than percentage of market share, this is your Excess Share of Voice (ESOV). You want ESOV. This grows your SOV, awareness, and share of mind which correlates with market share growth. The more you are known, the more you will be bought.

The recession silver lining? Getting louder is more affordable as media costs may be cheaper as fewer advertise.

4. Be creative

Creativity is hugely valuable and the key to generating attention, cut through, impact, building brand likeability and preference.

Sure, being the biggest brand is the biggest influence on profitability. But second biggest is creativity and how well you use it. Everything else is miles behind. So, even if you aren’t the biggest brand but you harness the power of creativity, you’ll capture new audiences. Even if you’re the best-known brand, great creative, in bad times and good, makes every dollar you invest in media work even harder.

What now?

If your sector will benefit during the recession, make the most of your opportunities with big business, marketing, and advertising bets. Great for the short and long-term.

If your sector is secure, look for low-cost opportunities to increase your SOV to maximise returns in the short-term whilst also playing the long game. Get creative.

If your sector will be a victim, go quiet unless you’ve done the math and there are some offensive moves you can make. And lastly, we are here to help if you need us.

Gareth O’Connor, Managing Director, Harvey Cameron

AWARD WINNING HIGH-QUALITY CARE

Coronation Lodge Rest Home is a small business with a big heart and wide recognition.

Amrinder and Indu Sodhi bought the New Plymouth rest home and supported living facility in 2019, becoming the third owners since it opened in the 1980s. In 2020, it won the Business Continuity Excellence Award at the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. The following year, Coronation Lodge was named the Best Aged Care Small Facility in the North Island. Sitting at a table in the dining room before lunch-time, Indu says: “We could not have dreamed of winning an award without a great team of staff – the credit goes to all my hard-working staff.”

Amrinder oversees the business side of Coronation Lodge and Indu is focused on the nursing care, leading the way with strong values and philosophies.

These include: “Treating everybody as an individual person, respecting their rights of privacy and their right of refusal. We don’t force anything and don’t judge anyone. We sit with the residents and listen to them; to their concerns and what they want.”

Indu trained as a nurse in Punjab, India, and moved to New Zealand in 2009, working part-time as a caregiver in a rest-home while studying to become a registered nurse in her adopted country. While working at the Rotorua Lakes Hospital, she continued her studies. She gained her postgraduate Certificate in Health Science from Otago university in 2012 and a postgraduate Diploma in Health Science and Rehabilitation from Auckland University in 2014.

In New Plymouth, Indu worked at Taranaki Base Hospital as the clinical nurse specialist in Gerontology, looking after people aged 65+.

At Coronation Lodge, there are 22 residents in the rest home. The facility also provides supported living accommodation for elderly clients if they do not meet the criteria for rest home entry. Calling on her extensive

background in working with the elderly, Indu ensures every new resident has a comprehensive assessment so a personalised care plan can be put in place to meet their needs.

“If they get sick, we update their plan.” Staff work with family members, who are kept informed about the wellbeing of their loved ones. “Our rest home is family friendly,” says the mother of three children. “It’s small, so people get to know the staff and residents very well.”

Indu says she has instilled in her staff the importance of treating all residents with respect, allowing them to be themselves. “If they want to sleep in to 10am, allow that. They can shower every day if they want that,” she says.

New residents are encouraged to personalise their rooms with familiar items that make them feel at home. “I want people to know that rest homes are not scary.”

She remembers that during Covid time, one resident who came in for respite care was extremely scared, but he quickly changed his mind. He is now a permanent resident at Coronation Lodge Rest Home. “He told his family, ‘this is the place I want to be’,” Indu says.

To ensure residents get the best care, staff are given on-site training, particularly those doing health and wellbeing studies, level 2, 3 and 4. Indu is a trained Careerforce assessor as well. “We also facilitate apprentice level 4 in health and wellbeing and diversional therapy,” Indu says.

Since winning the 2021 award, all Coronation Lodge Rest Home staff members have been provided with free sanitary needs. In the recent rest home audit, Coronation Lodge Rest Home was awarded a 4-year certification.

The meticulous attention to detail by Indu and her staff has resulted in the implementation and maintenance

of healthcare standards that exceed expectations. This commitment ensures that residents not only receive exceptional care but also enjoy a safe and secure living environment.

Celebrations for residents and staff are regular happenings. This could be the mid-year Christmas they celebrated in June or Daffodil Day. Both staff and residents are given a cake, card and gift on their birthdays. Residents vote for a Staff Person of the Month and the winner receives a certificate and a gift.

“My aim is to keep running this place, provide high-quality of care to residents and keep my amazing staff.”

Contact: 06 758 5125 or corolodge@xtra.co.nz

New Study and Career Guide out now!

Get inspired and plan your professional development for 2024. Grab a copy of the guide from our New Plymouth or Hāwera campuses or search for ‘career guide’ on our website.

witt.ac.nz

Text WITT to 4040* with your name and address to be sent a copy

WORKING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT AND EMPOWER BUSINESS

From leadership and management to Excel and Xero – the demand for our workshops continues to grow as business owners and staff continue to upskill.

A new presentation we added to the mix in June was Small Business Adaptation, delivered by Carol Curtin, Principal Academic Staff Member at WITT Te Pukenga. This was presentation centered on successful early day responses of some of New Zealand’s small business operators to the global Covid-19 pandemic. Learning from others’ experiences is always an advantage and this workshop generated invaluable discussion amongst attendees.

Excel Training Taranaki delivers focused workshops on Pivot Tables and Dashboards. Pivot Tables are powerful tools for summarising, sorting, re-organising, and grouping data in a sophisticated and meaningful way. Dashboards analyse and display an overview of your data quickly and easily in an attractive and dynamic way.

YOUNG ENTERPRISE SCHEME

The focus for our students in Term Two was getting their YES business to a point where they could clearly articulate what their business is all about, how it is run and what goals they have set. This laid the foundation for Challenge Two – the pitch.

Over two full days, 44 YES teams from eight Taranaki Secondary schools, pitched their YES business to a panel of judges for critique and feedback. As well as being judged on their presentation skills, the students were also critiqued on their level of innovation, efficiency in production, effectiveness of their marketing, sales and financial management. They also received feedback on their planned social, environmental, cultural and ethical outcomes.

For two Taranaki YES students, term two ended spectacularly with them spending their last weekend of the term in Wellington.

James Goldsack from New Plymouth Boys’

Blanchard® delivers Self Leadership, Leading People Through Change and Blanchard® Management Essentials. These three diverse workshops set up managers and team members with the necessary tools to become leaders who create engaged, productive teams and drive greater results for their organisation.

The WITT Te Pukenga, Te Reo Maori for business workshop series focuses on the foundations of Maori language and tikanga. Treaty of Waitangi 101 introduces participants to the basics of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, allowing greater understanding of the current treaty issues. These are both relevant, popular workshops that book out every time.

Check out our Skills Sessions fortnightly training update (Wednesday mornings) for the latest training on offer, or please visit our website for full details on these upcoming workshops:

• WITT Te Pukenga - Te Reo Maori for Business

High and James McCrea from Te Paepae

O Aotea were successful applicants for the Entrepreneurs in Action (EiA) weekend. This is a three-day event where 60 students get selected from across the country to form business teams and complete significant business challenges. Both students had a fantastic time and experienced significant skill development and personal growth from this extreme experience.

Term Three has been all about YES teams getting their product produced, promoted and sold. It’s exciting to have been provided several avenues for students to promote and sell their products this year from our valued sponsors; three Seaside Markets, three retail pop-up markets at Centre City and a WITT Trade Fair in Hāwera for our South Taranaki students.

Five teams from across all these markets were then selected for the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce Business Showcase event, where they got another chance to sell their products in a business-tobusiness environment. This support from our sponsors is vital in helping our students achieve the educational requirements of the YES programme as well as giving them an

• BDO - Xero Foundations and Xero Intermediate

• Excel Training Taranaki - Microsoft Excel: Basics/Intermediate

• Peak Coaching - Strategies to Improve HR Performance and Recurring Revenue

• Speaking Made Easy - Speaking and Presenting with Confidence

• Blanchard New Zealand - Building Trust, Coaching Essentials, Management Essentials

• Maranga Tangata Tiriti - Treaty of Waitangi 101 Julia Collins

Office Manager

julia@taranakichamber.co.nz

authentic business experience.

It has been an absolute pleasure being part of the Young Enterprise Scheme over the past 14 months. Getting to know the students and being a support to the incredibly hard working YES teachers has been an honour. My heartfelt thanks goes to each and every sponsor and to the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce for ensuring the success of the YES programme in Taranaki.

Shelley Baldwin Taranaki Regional Coordinator

Giving everyone chance to work

Practitioners who help those with health and disability conditions say there’s support to ensure people can move off a benefit into work. It’s about giving people a chance, understanding their strengths and diversity - as well as knowing the role Work and Income plays alongside experienced employment service providers.

Jill* was out of work for about a year before she landed the perfect role. The experienced hospitality worker applied for many jobs while battling physical and mental health challenges. Key for her was the support of Purpose Careers in New Plymouth.

Careers practitioner Michelle Coronno is in the business of getting the best out of people. Her service includes a work ability assessment which is an overview of the client encompassing previous employment, training, skills, goals and barriers.

Barriers are individual to each person, she says – it could be lack of a driver licence, physical limitations, inadequate clothing or childcare. “Every possible thing that could prohibit someone to going into work - we identify those and try and overcome them.”

Next step is a handover to Mary Pollard who formulates a plan with a client, looks at CVs and job interview skills as well as liaising directly with employers.

“I like to highlight the skills and experience that a lot of our clients have rather than what they can’t do. A lot are very keen to get working but they don’t know the first step.

“Employers in New Plymouth are very good and receptive to taking people on that might have some barriers.” Jill says the work ability assessment ensured she received counselling as well as physiotherapy and the next step – working alongside Mary – put her in the right mindset. Her message to other clients is: “Probably the best think I could have done is take the help that was offered to me…They will go at your pace and help you.”

Purpose Careers is just one of a range of external organisations working alongside Work and Income to help people with health and disability conditions get a job. Others include Workbridge, Choices NZ, Community Connections, CCS Disability Action, Atawhai Industries and Workwise. Dan Burgess, is an employment coordinator at Work and Income, with colleagues in other parts of Taranaki. (Fi Perez in Hawera and Stratford and Dougy Martin in Waitara.)

Once providers have a client at the work-ready stage, he can step in with subsidies, further training or upskilling as well as be a conduit between clients and employers and offer in-work support. Employees may also be able to get help to pay for equipment or changes to the workplace. Dan encourages employers to give someone a chance, regardless of physical appearance, physical or mental disabilities. “Often these clients are more willing than people realise to work. They want to earn money and there is a sense of feeling empowered, feeling that they are contributing and part of a team.”

McDonald’s New Plymouth & Bell Block employs approximately 230 employees in a variety of full and part time roles with General Manager Hamish Andersen saying the company prides itself on its diverse workforce. “We believe our workforce should be reflective of the community we operate in.”

He says it has opportunities for employees to work flexibly in a way that is meaningful and fulfilling for them. The diversity of its candidates also includes those with physical challenges and those who are neuro diverse. “There really are no barriers to employment at Maccas providing the candidates are motivated, passionate people.”

*Not her real name

There’s wrap-around support to help people into work regardless of any limitations.

The collaborative actions of partners, sponsors, employers, not-for-profits, schools, government agencies, and individuals help us to connect people and business through employment and training.

Recognition from others acknowledges the existence and validity of our work.

We always look forward to conducting our candidate participation surveys and getting feedback. We like to learn about what we do that our candidates recognise as providing them value. What measurable impact is Chamber Hub making to their lives? What can we do better?

Over the last three years, responses to our surveys have told us that we contribute positively. Our candidates share their greater awareness of

employment seeking strategies, including an increased understanding of local labour market information.

We know based on their answers, our candidates value our help with career development and editing their CVs and cover letters. They have sincere gratitude for being supported pre and post-employment. Our data also shows that we create important connections with employer introductions for our job seekers.

Connecting is an integral component of our work and extends beyond our candidates to include support for our partners and community organisations at large. We connect employers through events like, Network of Trades and Industry Breakfasts. Occasionally, we introduce organisations who later collaborate on important projects.

Support is critical for job seekers so if you know someone looking for employment please encourage them to register with us. If you need staff now, or have a project coming up, please get in touch to discuss what you need. Remember, the service is free and post placement support is also offered.

Melissa

melissa@taranakichamber.co.nz

A FORUM FOR TRADES AND TRADES-BASED BUSINESSES Supported by Chamber Hub

Our July Network of Trades (NOTs) event was held at Tasman Training in Stratford where we were learned about the plans for Chessco Digger Park and further development of the site. A big thank you to our host Stan Chesswas and his team.

In August, we were hosted by Tech Coatings in conjunction with Contego and NZ Corrosion Services. Attendees learned about passive fire and how the industry can do fire safety better. Thank you to Shane and the team for hosting.

Hosting a NOTs event is a great way to profile your business to industry peers. If you are interested in hosting an event, please contact us for more information.

Keith Placement Support Coordinator

Mary Sagen Placement Support Coordinator

supporters

Fundraising isn’t just gold coin donations or major corporate sponsorships. In-kind support helps us make a major impact on providing the best healthcare to Taranaki.

Talk to us today about joining our in-kind team.

thf.org.nz

Fundraising

Your logo here

The flow and reciprocation of goodwill and support created through generous giving purpose-led business. organisations. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is something businesses and their clients value. Through driving awareness of different groups that fill specific needs, we seek to connect businesses and individuals with a group/s involved in the things that resonate with them and their staff. To make connections through an alignment of values and that grow through relationship. This can be for a variety of support, both financial and other.

Representatives from 36 community groups attended a Circulate Forum event on Friday, 4 August. This was an opportunity for networking, sharing challenges, ideas, new initiatives and possibilities around how they could work together in the future.

Each of these groups represented, hugely contribute to our community. Many times, the people within these organisations are unsung heroes. Often these organisations bear the weight of many societal challenges, and are largely driven by the passion of those who have seen a need and are filling it.

We are privileged to have so many who through their organisations not only alleviate hardship, but also through their proactive programmes, bring transformational change that benefits our region.

The Chamber of Commerce is aware that if our Taranaki ‘community’ is going well so too will our businesses. That this will create a positive flow on effect to our region’s overall economy and well-being.

At a time of increased cost of living, among other challenges, it is tough for many and this sector is needed more than ever. However the difficult times add challenges and its own complexity for these groups with their own funding also at risk.

Unsurprisingly one of the major concerns discussed was sustainable funding. We are grateful to have Toi Foundation in our region who contribute so much in the way of funding which aids the people with the passion and the expertise, to do the work.

Not for profits are certainly incorrectly named as unlike their name suggests they actually bring profitability to communities. We do however need a different name. Many would certainly say that a ‘for profit’ mind set shift is required for financial sustainability. They need to make a profit.

Simon Cayley (BAF) spoke on ‘Social Enterprise’ or ‘Enterprise with Purpose’. Purpose driven organisations that trade to deliver social and environmental impact. The challenge being, what aspects of what is done by a not for profit organisation could be or to some extent done by a trading model rather than a grants or donation model? This was food for thought and a to be continued discussion.

The Chamber supports this sector as much as possible. One of the core purposes of Circulate is to promote community

One of the purposes of this forum was to hear from the sector. What are the common needs? The forum discussed reoccurring themes. How can resources be shared? How can there be more collaboration where relevant and how can this be facilitated? What common portal or platform could there be to create awareness of needs and solutions? Examples of this could be, an office space available, a policy document to share, staff that can be shared, extra office equipment or furniture that is excess to requirement. A portal or platform would serve to facilitate ease of groups working together and sharing resources.

Other specific needs identified were areas of training. The need of a central voice to advocate on behalf of this sector. The opportunity to gather and to gain an awareness of what others are involved in. To network together in a relaxed environment and share these ideas was determined key.

This ability to connect is something we believe the Chamber can assist with. Having a large database and wide membership across Taranaki, we already promote and connect businesses, organisations and individuals.

Currently we have a platform about to launch that will enable community groups to log in and upload information about themselves and any volunteer roles that they would like filled. This could be strategic planning, graphic design, policymaking, financial planning assistance, a new trustee, admin skills assistance, to name a few. In collaboration with Volunteering New Plymouth, we will promote the platform and encourage volunteers and businesses to connect.

We look forward to the next Forum with many more things to discuss and working together will only improve the outcomes. After a successful event with ideas shared and discussion had, now let us find solutions and turn the talk into action.

Maura Young

CATEGORY

We’re always thrilled to get feedback from our members and couldn’t help but share this!

I have recently become a member of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce with the primary objective of expanding my professional network within the Taranaki region. I must express that this decision has proven to be a fruitful investment of both time and a nominal membership fee, given the valuable business connections I have established thus far.

network, and I am immensely grateful for their support.

Moreover, I have found the chamber's resources and communications to be exceptionally informative. Regular updates and essential information keep me wellinformed about the latest developments, training opportunities, and upcoming events within the region's business landscape.

Together we help create a strong and vibrant business community and we appreciate and thank you for your support. If you know someone that could benefit from becoming a Chamber member – please let me know. We will be there to support you all the way!

Throughout my association with the Taranaki Chamber, I have had the pleasure of collaborating with their dedicated staff who have exhibited exceptional professionalism and a genuine willingness to assist me and my business. Their efforts have played a pivotal role in broadening my

LAND DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS

The quality of service provided by the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce has been nothing short of outstanding. As a result, I am enthusiastic about continuing my membership and look forward to furthering my professional growth with their assistance in the future.

Andy Thompson Photography NZ Ltd, Adventure Lens NZ

Rebecca Mende Membership Coordinator

The Chamber is fortunate to have many of our Partners involved in many interesting things in our community.

Recently we heard about the electric vehicle charging solutions that Wells are providing for home, commercial and public charging support.

We have Elemental, the team to meet if you are interested in knowing about Offshore Wind. There is so much happening in this space and such a future ahead for it.

Each month Ara Ake runs a forum that keeps us up with many innovations and projects in the energy sector both nationally and globally.

Among our Partners, we are privileged to have some community organisations. We have TAFT (Taranaki Arts Festival Trust) leading in the arts and providing us with an array of artistic talent that they bring to our doorstep. Reimagine Festival is from 5-15 October and the Centuria Garden Festival from 27 October till 5 November. Both not to be missed. These events are great for us to enjoy but they also draw so many from out of the region, putting us on the map.

The Taranaki Health Foundation is working hard to ensure that we have the best possible health care through fundraising for key projects that make a significant difference to our regional community.

Taranaki Foundation is inspiring philanthropy and connecting donors with causes that they are passionate about. They have made significant contributions to the Taranaki community by supporting many groups and projects, nurturing and building the prosperity of our region.

We have WISE Charitable Trust involved in many initiatives. One is providing families with tools for more energy efficient homes that transform the health and lives of children. We learnt of many innovative solutions and future opportunities at their recent ‘Reducing Energy Hardship Conference’ co-hosted with Ara Ake and Taranaki Chamber of Commerce

Let’s

A community like ours has the ability to pull different organisations together to provide inspiration, information, conferences, and presentations that assist our community, people and businesses.

NATIONAL PARTNERS

We have been working with two of our Partners, Venture Taranaki and BDO, to present two events. The first one held in August was to help people navigate immigration for employees and the second one on Thursday 7 September will provide information about research and development tax incentives and government grant opportunities. The collaboration of skills, expertise and leadership create such opportunity for us, to not only pool ideas and learn what others are doing, but also for new ideas to springboard from. Definitely, something we can celebrate in Taranaki.

Maura Young

maura@taranakichamber.co.nz

do better business, together.

BUSINESS HUB

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Book them as a venue for meetings, workshops, training sessions, conference calls, events or simply a working space outside the office

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We care about what is ideal for you Benefit from our location at the heart of New Plymouth surrounded by some award winning co-owned restaurants, bars and cafes Have specialty coffee, snacks and much more delivered to your meeting anytime you wish

The sky is the limit

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Experience our thoughtful service and let us take care of every aspect of your meeting

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Projector or TV

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Breakout room seats 1 - 6 people

Full day hire $150

Half day hire $100

Hourly rate $40

Boardroom seats 1 - 12 people

Full day hire $300

Half day hire $200

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