Taranaki Business Review - Autumn 2023

TARANAKI Business Review

AUTUMN 2023

FROM THE CEO

KIA ORA TE WH NAU!

Greetings to our Chamber family and welcome to our Autumn edition.

GABRIELLE AND WORLD EVENTS

The first quarter of 2023 has been very eventful within Aotearoa and on the global arena. Events near and far affect us all. The devastating effects of the severe tropical storm cyclone Gabrielle, which took at least 11 lives, will live with those directly affected forever. It will also require a multi-billion dollar spend on recovery and rebuild. This means a diversion of government funding towards where the need is the greatest. A number of people from Taranaki are involved with rescue, recovery and rebuild in the eastern part of our nation. We are proud of them.

Compounded with the year-long war on Ukraine, the high cost of living, rising crime and the collapse of large financial institutions, the challenges for businesses are looking greater than before. But the world has been through far worse – world wars, the great depression, pandemics . . . and bounced back! And will do so every time.

UPBEAT TARANAKI

The first quarter of 2023 has brought back many regular events to our region after the pandemic hiatus including the TSB Festival of Lights, Americarna and WOMAD. These events bring in thousands of visitors, who go back and tell others about our fantastic region. Add other events like the Oxfam Trailwalker, ITU Triathlon and

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

• Axiom Training

• Bali Haque - Friend of the Chamber

• Cystic Fibrosis NZ

• EasyDental

• Etch Architecture

• Fonterra Brands (NZ) Bridge Street

• Headstone Warehouse

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

Multi-ethnic extravaganza and you realise that this is a happening region indeed! Take a bow Taranaki and everyone who is involved with organising these wonderful events.

GROWING YOUR BUSINESS VIA THE CHAMBER NETWORK

For our businesses to grow significantly, we have to look outside our region and beyond our shores. It is heartening to see many of our members making inroads into neighbouring regions via the Chamber of Commerce networks and expanding their footprint. Your Chamber continues to expand its sphere of influence around the country and around the world through NZ Trade and Enterprise, Chambers of Commerce and overseas embassies. Your Chamber is connected to 30 other Chambers within New Zealand and internationally to a network of over six million businesses through Chambers of Commerce in over 100 countries. Please contact us for a k rero if you are looking to expand your business overseas.

ADVOCACY

In recent weeks we have been advocating for improvement of road conditions on State Highway 3, prevention of crime against Taranaki retailers and parking in the New Plymouth CBD. We are here to advocate on your behalf and to help business thrive in Taranaki. Please do not hesitate to contact us in this regard.

Arohanui

• Helloworld Strandon

• Helping Hand Bookkeeping NZ

• IPromise

• Jandal HR

• Lead with Virtue - Leadership & Team Coaching

• Mobile Relocation

• Mortgage Lab

• My Company Productions

• P tea Butchery

• Profound Group

• Rotary Club of New Plymouth North

• Simpsons Tyres and Automotive

ADMINISTRATOR

Kirsty Gudopp

EVENT MANAGER

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

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

CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS

Chair – Daniel Fleming – King and Queen Hotel Suites

Cameron Twigley – BTW Company

Gaylene Findlay – BDO Taranaki

Shane Devlin – Graphix

Hayden Wano Campbell Third – TSB

• St Vincent de Paul

• The State Hotel

• The Studio Dancewear

I www.taranakichamber.co.nz

Beatrice Chamberlain – Govett Quilliam Lawyers

Grace Wesolowska – GW Consulting Ltd

Bryan Vickery - Bryan Vickery Media Taranaki

Rebecca Johnson – Centre City

Julie Beck - Auld Brewer Mazengarb & McEwen

EDITOR

Gordon Brown - Get it write!

www.writingservicesltd.co.nz

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

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS MAGAZINE

Contact: admin@taranakichamber.co.nz

Arun Chaudhari CEO

TARANAKI

Te W’anake The Foundry is open for business right in the middle of the CBD in H wera. The first coworking space and enterprise hub in South Taranaki is a reality.

A collaboration between South Taranaki District Council and Bizlink H wera, The Foundry aims to support entrepreneurship and economic growth in the District. On offer are hot desks, dedicated desks, private offices, meeting rooms and event space.

It’s the ultimate makeover and Scott Willson, as the Council’s Business Development Manager has been part of the team behind making the concept a reality. He heads a business development team of three; with Enterprise Hub Lead Paul Whakatutu and Nikki Watson, the council’s Events and Vibrancy Coordinator. Nikki is well known as the livewire coordinator of Bizlink Hawera. She is now part of the business development team but will continue her work with Bizlink and be based at The Foundry.

Dating back to 1905, the building at 130 High Street boasts a proud history as a home to enterprise in H wera. Originally a men’s outfitter, it has also housed a photographer, radio station, paint shop, drapery, charity store and shoe shop.

The Foundry now enters a new chapter, forging the business success stories of the future. “The name The Foundry celebrates that it’s been a home for businesses in H wera for nearly 120 years, it’s a place where there have always been founders coming together” Scott says.

“Te W’anake means to move forward, grow and develop, so is also really fitting as an aspiration for our community.”

Like many retail buildings of its era the formerly two-storey building is now one, with the subsequent high stud giving

a light, airy feeling. Featuring original interior bricks and salvaged rimu, complemented by modern exposed beams, The Foundry offers a warm, industrial ambience that’s ideal for a modern, welcoming coworking location.

in South Taranaki should also be interested. The Foundry is set up with ample free parking, wi-fi, conference facilities, a lounge, kitchen and outdoor courtyard. The flexible plans and the benefit of no overheads for members means The Foundry is ideal for those looking for a casual or longer-term base.

WHAT’S ON OFFER?

Scott explains how it started. “About two-and-a-half years ago we got around the table with a bunch of stakeholders and discussed whether a coworking space and enterprise hub would benefit South Taranaki.’’

It was a vision that Bizlink H wera had in their plans and one that was quickly endorsed by others. “Elected members, staff and the business community enthusiastically embraced it and research and feasibility studies showed the project should become a reality.” After input from local suppliers and tradespeople, The Foundry is open for business.

WHO WILL USE THE PREMISES?

The facility will support business owners, entrepreneurs, remote workers, travelling professionals and will provide space for the business community to host their own meetings and events.

“We’ve already attracted a workshop that will bring together a team from all over New Zealand to do their strategic planning here, which is great for H wera” says Scott.

New Plymouth and Stratford based businesses which regularly do business

Paul, who manages the venue, memberships and co-worker events is very pleased with the number of customer enquiries he has fielded. “Especially about using the hot desks; they’ve come from all over really. We offer 12 hot desks, either hourly or by the day, as well as 18 permanent desks; three private offices, two meeting rooms that can hold up to eight people and one event room for up to 30.’’

For more information and to book a tour, visit www.thefoundrycoworking.co.nz

PLANS AND PRICING

• Private Office: POA

• Dedicated Desk: $500+GST per month

• Hot Desk Full Time: $375+GST per month

• Drop In - Full Day: $40+GST

• Drop In - Per Hour rate: $6+GST

• Meeting & Event Hire

• Meeting Room: $30+GST per hour

• Meeting Room Half Day rate: $100+GST

• Meeting Room Full Day rate: $175+GST

• Event Space: $50+GST per hour

• Event Space Half Day rate: $150+GST

• Event Space Full Day rate: $250+GST

For more info contact Paul through their website, email or phone.

www.thefoundrycoworking.co.nz

paul.whakatutu@stdc.govt.nz

027 774 3701

SOUTH

now has a coworking space

DAVID MACLEOD

DAVID MACLEOD

David MacLeod is the National Party’s candidate in the New Plymouth seat at the general election. He believes in strong families and caring communities and will be fighting for the opportunity to deliver for New Plymouth, including Opunake, Okato, Oakura, New Plymouth, Bell Block and Waitara, as your next local MP in Christopher Luxon’s National team.

David MacLeod is the National Party’s candidate in the New Plymouth seat at the general election. He believes in strong families and caring communities and will be fighting for the opportunity to deliver for New Plymouth, including Opunake, Okato, Oakura, New Plymouth, Bell Block and Waitara, as your next local MP in Christopher Luxon’s National team.

WHO IS DAVID MACLEOD?

He’s got a tonne of governance experience and has been a strong local advocate for the region including serving seven terms on the Taranaki Regional Council, five of these terms as chairman, before standing down last October. He has been a director of Port Taranaki, Parininihi ki Waitōtara, and dairy giant Fonterra, to name just a few. Growing up he was one of eight children, brought up on the family farm between Manaia and Kapuni. His father was Nigel MacLeod, well known in Taranaki as the long-serving chairman of the Taranaki Rugby Union. “Family is everything to me,” says David, “Leasa and I have been happily married for 24 years and our children are young adults, all in their early 20s.” Leasa works full time running their business, LinePower which was originally part of Greaves Electrical, a company David owned since he was 23 and built up into a successful Taranaki-wide business. On April 1 this year it will be sold to NorthPower.

He’s got a tonne of governance experience and has been a strong local advocate for the region including serving seven terms on the Taranaki Regional Council, five of these terms as chairman, before standing down last October. He has been a director of Port Taranaki, Parininihi ki Waitōtara, and dairy giant Fonterra, to name just a few. Growing up he was one of eight children, brought up on the family farm between Manaia and Kapuni. His father was Nigel MacLeod, well known in Taranaki as the long-serving chairman of the Taranaki Rugby Union. “Family is everything to me,” says David, “Leasa and I have been happily married for 24 years and our children are young adults, all in their early 20s.” Leasa works full time running their business, LinePower which was originally part of Greaves Electrical, a company David owned since he was 23 and built up into a successful Taranaki-wide business. On April 1 this year it will be sold to NorthPower.

WHAT DOES DAVID STAND FOR?

WHAT DOES DAVID STAND FOR?

“New Zealand has more challenges now than I’ve ever seen. We are heading in the wrong direction in many spheres, particularly as the cost-of-living crisis stretches families’ budgets. I feel I can help produce a more prosperous New Plymouth and Taranaki as part of a National Government. When I say prosperous, it’s more than economics; it’s about lifestyle and the necessities such as good health and education.

“New Zealand has more challenges now than I’ve ever seen. We are heading in the wrong direction in many spheres, particularly as the cost-of-living crisis stretches families’ budgets. I feel I can help produce a more prosperous New Plymouth and Taranaki as part of a National Government. When I say prosperous, it’s more than economics; it’s about lifestyle and the necessities such as good health and education.

“I am a great believer that successful businesses and business people are a must for society. They strengthen our economy and provide opportunities for others. This

“I am a great believer that successful businesses and business people are a must for society. They strengthen our economy and provide opportunities for others. This

government far too often punishes success. We need to be backing people to get ahead. People can easily fall into the trap of not working – and it is a trap, or a hole. People need incentives to contribute to society.’’

government far too often punishes success. We need to be backing people to get ahead. People can easily fall into the trap of not working – and it is a trap, or a hole. People need incentives to contribute to society.’’

David points to one of the values listed on the National Party’s website: Strong families, caring communities. “Strong families are a fundamental of society and those people become part of a caring community. If we get those two right, New Zealand will be so much stronger for it. There’s no quick fix but as a society we need to talk about it more.

David points to one of the values listed on the National Party’s website: Strong families, caring communities. “Strong families are a fundamental of society and those people become part of a caring community. If we get those two right, New Zealand will be so much stronger for it. There’s no quick fix but as a society we need to talk about it more.

“I am a strong pragmatist and believe in commonsense decisions. The stress in our agricultural sector at the moment doesn’t make sense to me. The plethora of regulatory change from the Government shows it doesn’t value the contribution our farmers make. I worry about the mental health of our farmers as unworkable regulations are piled on by the Government. National will work with our farmers, not against them.

“I am a strong pragmatist and believe in commonsense decisions. The stress in our agricultural sector at the moment doesn’t make sense to me. The plethora of regulatory change from the Government shows it doesn’t value the contribution our farmers make. I worry about the mental health of our farmers as unworkable regulations are piled on by the Government. National will work with our farmers, not against them.

There are other local issues David feels strongly about, such as the sudden announcement of the ban on new oil and gas exploration. As a result of Labour’s ill-considered ban without an alternative, New Zealand is burning more coal than we have in a decade, which is worse for emissions than natural gas. ”I hate to see politics being put over what’s best for the country. That’s something I’d never do.’’

There are other local issues David feels strongly about, such as the sudden announcement of the ban on new oil and gas exploration. As a result of Labour’s ill-considered ban without an alternative, New Zealand is burning more coal than we have in a decade, which is worse for emissions than natural gas. ”I hate to see politics being put over what’s best for the country. That’s something I’d never do.’’

Authorised by D MacLeod, 37 Gill Street, New Plymouth

WHO IS DAVID MACLEOD?

The Orangery Flambe Restaurant is à la carte dining at its finest. Check Tripdavisor Top 10 Restaurants New Plymouth

ngery Flambe Restaurant is carte dining at its finest. pdavisor Top 10 Restaurants New Plymouth.

We specialise in Flambé, cooked at your table over a live flame. Celebrate your special occasion with us

e specialise in Flambé, t your table over a live flame. your special occasion with us.

We are open for dinner Monday to Saturday from 6pm

e are open for dinner day to Saturday from 6pm

Reservations Essential. Phone 06 759 9128

eservations Essential. Phone 06 759 9128

Pamper Package - $169

Pamper Package - $169

Bed & Breakfast with Prosecco on or upgrade to a Luxury Suite - $

Bed & Breakfast with Prosecco on arrival or upgrade to a Luxury Suite - $249

06 759 9128 | 0800 800 59

06 759 9128 | 0800 800 597

reservations@plymouth.co.nz

reservations@plymouth.co.nz |

www.plymouth.co.nz

www plymouth co nz

220 Courtenay Street, New Plymou

New Zealand

220 Courtenay Street, New Plymouth 4312 New Zealand

Brucei NZ

EVENTS & ADVOCACY

WITT TOP SHOP 2023

Nominations are open from Saturday 1 April to 12 noon Monday 1 May. There are three ways to nominate your favourite shop: Go to www.taranakitopshop.co.nz

These will be on posters and a signs in store. You can simply scan the code and completing the nomination on

PAPER FORM: Nominations forms are available in some stores

NEW AND IMPROVED CATEGORIES FOR

2023:

We are delighted to announce the new and improved categories for 2023 with the exciting addition of Service Person of the Year.

Fashion, Footwear & Accessories Home & Furnishings Specialty Store

Lifestyle, Leisure & Health Accessibility Award

Food & Beverage - Eat In Food & Beverage - Take Out Service Person of the Year

There will also be three regional winners- North, Central and South Taranaki and the supreme winner. Winners will be announced at the Awards evening on Saturday 17 June at The Devon Hotel and tickets will go on sale on Wednesday 3 May.

Anyone who makes a nomination will go in the draw to win a $150 Marbles restaurant voucher with The Devon Hotel.

We gratefully acknowledge our wonderful sponsors and event partners who support us, not just financially, but with encouragement and assistance to ensure we are able to recognise and celebrate service excellence in Taranaki.

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.

Our first Business Connections for 2023 was hosted by WITT Te P kenga followed by Taranaki Solar in March. Coming up our hosts in April will be Primo, BDO in May and June will be co-hosted by TAFT and the TSB Showplace.

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. 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.

BARA

PARTNERED BY

WE WELCOME OUR NEW BARA MEMBERS

NZ Blood Service, Axiom Training, The Studio Dancewear, Helping Hand Bookkeeping NZ, Cert Group, Mobile Relocation, Mitre 10 - 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

Jessica Parker Events Manager

jessica@taranakichamber.co.nz

Michelle Brennan Advocacy & BARA Manager

michelle@taranakichamber.co.nz

BUSINESS & RETAIL ASSOCIATION

Art

SECURE SELF STORAGE for commercial and residential

At the northern end of Connett Road in Bell Block’s industrial area is Safeguard Self Storage, a large, new, purposebuilt facility. The sheer scale and sophistication of the facility sets a new standard in the region, with 358 units, in seven different sizes.

The Connett Road facility has a fulltime site manager, Sam Hiscock, who says the sophisticated technology incorporated into the self-storage units’ design ensures a level of service previously unseen in the region.

Sitting behind the desk in his comfortable office, he faces a battery of TV screens continuously scanning the large facility and its surrounds. Sam has a background in both retail sales and technology which provides a perfect grounding for him.

“I’m here Monday to Friday, 9 to 4 on site, and I am accessible on my mobile 24/7. Having me on site makes it a lot easier for people to view a unit and check their measurements.

“I also check the units daily, which I have emergency codes for and can ensure everything is OK. We’re always working alongside our clients.’’

Sam points out Safeguard Self Storage is a national firm which provides the expertise and know-how and they’ve

partnered with well-known New Plymouth businessmen Steve and Mike Ekdahl, whose company owns the facility.

It has the latest in security systems with individual codes and alarms for each unit giving complete security. The alarms are monitored 24/7, 365 days a year.

Even better, 98% of the facility and its surrounds are monitored by cameras which are high tech and can identify car number plates. The perimeter fences are electric and once again, any attempt to penetrate the perimeter results in a monitored alarm going off.

Here are some more features in this futuristic facility:

• It is ideal for both commercial and residential clients, with units to suit everyone’s needs. “We have people who have sold their house and waiting to move in to their new one. Often they are renting somewhere smaller until they move and want to store their furniture until then

• Sam says the facility is ideal for businesses wanting to secure their tools. “A lot of them are builders and guys who work on the roads, and keep all their tools here. Their trucks come and go

• Taranaki is an attractive place to live and Sam has recently had enquiries from people in Picton, Whangamata, Whitianga and Australia. They organise the container with the shipping company and access it when they arrive

• The minimum rental time for a unit is just one month with a week’s notice

• The building itself is rated to the highest standards to resist gales, heavy winds, cyclones and tornadoes. The building has fire-proofing to create fire cells and the facility is built to exceed the latest earthquake standards

• The units are flood-proof because the water runs away on the concrete to the numerous drainage points. A very topical issue at the moment. It means insurance levies for goods stored are at the lower end of premiums because of the numerous security and design features

There is plenty of attention to detail with boxes of bubble wrap and material for furniture storage at the facility, just talk to Sam and he’ll sort you out. “We’ll always work something out for clients,’’ he says.

SELF STORAGE SYSTEMS IN TARANAKI JUST ENTERED A WHOLE NEW GENERATION

People // Process // Performance

TAKING YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT STEP

Managing change

How do leaders need to adapt to a world where “unprecedented” is the norm? What are the strategies we should put in place to adapt to changed workplace expectations? How do we help our staff deal with a changing world?

In November 2020 Shona, from Implement held a Leadership unconference.

The intention was to do it again, but life hasn’t been that straightforward has it? The question we were asking way back then – what is the new normal going to be? – is similar to what we are asking now. Except now we are exploring how to deal with issues related to changes in the way people are approaching their work. There have been many conversations over the last year or two about how much things are changing. What other questions would you like to explore to help you and your team navigate an ever-changing world and workplace?

Are you seeing global phenomenon, like quiet quitting, in your workplace? Are you grappling with solutions for enhanced workplace wellbeing? How well are you bridging the gap between longer serving and

new staff? Is staff retention an insurmountable challenge?

We are developing solutions and adapting to changes on the run. Wouldn’t it be great to get in a room with like-minded people and explore the issues and solutions together?

So let’s do that – May 1, 2023. An unconference is a participant led event, where we will decide the questions, we want to discuss and learn from each other.

Venue to be confirmed at a later date – it will be in New Plymouth.

Investment for the day (9.30 to 3.00) will be $475 + GST with an early bird special of $375 + GST if registered before March 31 (or in response to this article if you are reading it after March 31).

Register for the Implement Unconference, 2023 to participate in rich discussions that answer your questions.

2023 Training Dates

Team Leader Management Programme

Eight weekly workshops 2 ½ hours each.

July 18 to September 5

Brown Bag

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

May 2 to July 4

October 10 to December 12

Customer Service

One day, 9am to 4pm

May 4 and October 26

All of these programmes, and more, can be delivered to your team inhouse and customised to meet your needs.

1 May 2023 | 9.30am – 3pm

– when unprecedented becomes the norm.

ESCAPING THE WORST OF COVID

Formerly known as the Escape Masters, the business is just three years old but has overcome two Covid lockdowns and once again is flourishing.

It didn’t happen by accident either. Owner-operators Dana and Lance are proof that hard work, enthusiasm and ingenuity are a perfect antidote to being forced to close – twice - because of a pandemic. Along with Dana’s daughter Jillian, the three combined their talents – and energy - to ensure they did more than survive Covid.

Dana joined the Business Network International (BNI) group, Success Like No Other and the organisation marketed and promoted Escapinator endlessly on social media.

Escapinator also got some business from playing McDonald’s Monopoly game. They did pamphlet drops. They visited every school in Taranaki.

Escapinator are unique escape rooms in New Plymouth, ideal for groups of students, workmates and clubs and when it re-opened the response was amazing, says Dana.

“After both closures it was as if New Plymouth opened up its heart to us. I

IF THERE WAS A BUSINESS RESILIENCE AWARD, NEW PLYMOUTH BUSINESS ESCAPINATOR WOULD BE RIGHT UP THERE.

think it also had something to do with the fact that we offered something totally different.”

“Having the BNI promotion on Facebook and other social media really helped and we also found word-of-mouth recommendation was really strong.’’

Lance points out there also seemed to be much more awareness of Escapinator in the local business community, which also helped.

That neatly leads us to the highlight of 2022 for Dana and Lance.

They entered the TSB Taranaki Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence awards and in the New and Emerging Business category pulled off a major coup when they were awarded Highly Commended by the panel of judges.

At the gala dinner the two ended up on the stage receiving their certificate in front of nearly 400 businesspeople. The judges’ comments included:

“You clearly understand the business you are in and target your market. We felt your enthusiasm and passion for your business. You have strong commitment to the business, each having different strengths, which complement each other well.

“You both show strong commitment to the business for growth and development. You have a clear vision for your business in terms of mission, objectives and strategies. This is greatly assisted due to you having a very strong combination of skills which provide for innovation and entertainment of customers.’’

‘’It also helps that you have a passion for escape rooms and willingness to put a lot of extra hard work and effort, and this clearly came across.’’

If you and some workmates want a great team-building exercise and a lot of fun in their Zombie, Pirate and Train rooms, contact Lance or Dana on:

44 Currie Street, Level 1 New Plymouth 4310 +64 6 757 3640

enquiry@escapinator.co.nz

GROUND UP SOLUTIONS your one stop shop

In his spare time, Rob Sullivan likes to potter around in his garden.

Nothing unusual in that, a lot of people do, but not many buy a landscaping business.

In September 2021, that’s exactly what Rob and his wife Lesley did. They bought well-known New Plymouth landscaping business Ground Up Solutions and after a Covid-interrupted start, haven’t looked back since.

properties. Rob explains: “A lot of businesses often have a green space on their property and it’s one of the first things visitors see, so it needs to look good. First impressions are important.”

They also offer an indoor planting/ maintenance service for their corporate clients. “There is well documented evidence of the benefits to staff from working in an office environment with indoor planting. I’m happy to call around and give them a quote and a plan. We will take care of everything and that’s one less thing for the manager or business owner to worry about. After all, whose job is it to water the plants,” Rob says with a laugh.

We can build a driveway, retaining walls, fences, a deck and create a garden and lawns, turning a house into a home.”

It’s easy to see why Rob and Lesley have been busy for the last few years, but if that wasn’t enough, they also shifted the business to 31A Port View Crescent at Paritutu, where they have a modern new office and plenty of land for materials, vehicles and more.

Lesley runs the administration side of the business and is often the first point of contact for clients. Nothing like dealing with owners Lesley or Rob to ensure the personalised service they have worked hard to implement. They are an affable couple and you’ll enjoy dealing with them.

The business was already one of the biggest of its kind in the region but many customers will be unaware of the wide range of services Rob and Lesley’s expanded business now offers.

When the Sullivans took over they had a team of six, now that’s more than doubled as Ground Up Solutions is busier than ever.

They have added a ‘soft’ landscaping division, which means a dedicated team, with three qualified horticulturists, offering planting, horticulture, garden design and maintenance.

They now also have a specialised concreting division, which concentrates on concrete drives and pathways.

Ground Up Solutions also offer a simple but sophisticated plan for commercial

Security fences and security gates are becoming increasingly popular and Ground Up Solutions is busy keeping up with the demand. Recently they hired a Licensed Building Practitioner “so we can take on specialised building works,’’ says Rob. Ground Up Solutions can complete sections. “With a lot of new builds someone has just plopped a house on a section and that’s where we come in.

The continuous improvement programme under the Sullivans will soon see a new website operating –just in case they were in any danger of getting bored!

Give Rob and Lesley a call and they’ll take care of everything from the ground up.

PH (06) 758 2217 or go to their website

www.groundupsolutions.co.nz

EVENTS CALENDAR 2023

Rebecca Mende

Membership Coordinator

Taranaki Chamber of Commerce

+64 6 759 9080 | +64 21 778 621 rebecca@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

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

Maura Young Partnership Manager Taranaki Chamber of Commerce

+64 6 759 9080 | +64 21 284 0062 maura@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

Julia Collins Office Manager Taranaki Chamber of

+64 6 759 9080 | +64 21 0228 8893 julia@taranakichamber.co.nz

Global brand that offers connectivity and representation

BALDWIN

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

Michelle Brennan Advocacy & BARA Manager Taranaki Chamber of Commerce

+64 6 759 9080 | +64 21 710 950 michelle@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

SHELLEY BALDWIN

Taranaki Regional Coordinator AKA StudentWrangler

Chamber House 42 Egmont Street New Plymouth 4310

P: 06 759 9080

M: 027 449 6314

E: yes@taranakichamber.co.nz

IPROMISE is one promise everyone should keep

It is 10am on Thursday, the agreed time to interview Matt Peacock and Paul Veric. Their ‘office’ is the Festoon Cafe in akura, but to Matt and Paul it’s where they do a lot of their business. Nothing like keeping your overheads down and the two regulars enjoy their coffee and friendly service.

akura is the place where they came up with the idea of IPromise. Its brilliance is in its simplicity, which is the basis of so many great ideas throughout history.

HOW IT BEGAN

But let’s go back to the beginning. Matt is a self-employed, consultant engineer who has happily been in business for 20+ years. There has always been one frustration though, the number of times he’s completed a job only for the other party not to pay up.

Whether it was a company going bust, or subcontractors not being paid, or individuals failing to meet their obligations was immaterial. At the end of the day Matt was tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket. Matt was even stung by three liquidations in Taranaki, leaving unsecured creditors like Matt with almost nothing.

Paul was also painfully aware of the rampant bad debt issue in this country and abroad – and the two put their heads together to find a solution. Slow payers were also a problem, especially for many small to medium enterprises, and those self-employed professionals like Matt and Paul.

“Invoicing and payment has always been a challenge,’’ says Matt euphemistically, but over the years people have put up

with it. Payment in three weeks would be the best you could hope for, six weeks was often the norm and sometimes it was later than that.’’

Matt was aware of Escrow, an international trust system used by many big corporates dealing in millions of dollars, but wondered how that principle could be adapted for much smaller, everyday business people.

The equation was a simple one at the end. “How can I do a job for someone and know they have the money to pay me?’’

Equally relevant was the other side of the equation: “How does the client know if a supplier is almost in liquidation and can’t finish the job?’’

The Small Claims Court is of limited value, says Matt. “Even if you win often it’s $50 a week repayments.’’

THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM:

Matt researched on-line and was staggered by the scale of the issue. He then wrote a White Paper which included a series of scandalous statistics. Government attempts to protect subcontractors, especially small subbies, failed.

Matt enlisted the support of Paul who was also a self-employed consultant.

Fortuitously he also lived in akura, was an old mate who liked coffee, solving problems and a different set of skills. He ticked all the boxes.

Paul went through Matt’s White Paper. “I did my own research and soon we were catching up every day. The more I read and researched the problem I became convinced that it needed to be fixed.

“The current practice of invoicing for services is so broken. So many suppliers are missing out every day and nothing is being done. We live in an instant society in many ways. Yet suppliers have to wait patiently for the 20th of the month following – hoping – to get paid, and they carry ALL the risk!.’’

Six months after their initial discussion they formed a company and IPromise was born.

THE SOLUTION, A FAIR AND SECURE PAYMENT PROCESS

IPromise supports open and easy communication between customers and suppliers. The IPromise app helps build trust and confidence between customers and suppliers.

Once the Supplier quote is agreed, payment is transferred to a secure BNZ Trust Account. That payment is only released to the supplier (ie.or tradie, contractor etc) when both parties agree the job is done satisfactorily.

There are so many benefits to both parties by using IPromise that this simple system could be a game changer for how commerce is done, both here and overseas.

There’s already been hundreds of thousands of dollars in transactions that have gone securely through IPromise. Why don’t you go online to ipromise.co.nz and get started? It really is easy.

Supporting healthcare takes more than a ribbon.

Taranaki Health Foundation raises funds to bring enhanced public healthcare services to the region. Services that will be there for you, your team and your whānau.

Your business can make the difference. This is your opportunity to be involved in a once in a lifetime project and enjoy long-term recognition for your contribution to healthcare in Taranaki.

Be a hero and contact us today

thf.org.nz

Scan the QR code to contact us

Proudly supported by

Be assured Julia’s 25+ years of experience working in the people and culture space gives her a solid understanding of the daily challenges that organisations face when it comes to their people. In fact, she ‘Revels’ in it, with Revel the name of her business which delivers programmes, workshops and consulting to organisations that simply want to do better for their people.

She supports organisations to create thriving cultures that prioritise their people and promote wellbeing through science based mindful solutions. For small businesses this might be developing people strategies that support wellbeing and for larger organisations, workshops could compliment your existing wellbeing strategy.

Asked to describe the basic principles behind Revel, Julia offers the following:

“Revel is about strengthening the connection between wellbeing and performance of organisations. When we havehealthyminds,wehavehealthy organisations.Andbasedonthe scientificresearch,healthyorganisations leadtohighperformingteams.”

There are three key areas of focus that underpin this philosophy: Culture, Connection and Change.

CULTURE

“There’s never been a more critical time to focus on culture. We need to start embedding healthy workplace culture into business operations. By definition, culture is the shared values and beliefs that guide thinking and behaviour. It’s

JULIA STOCKMAN: Revelling in the challenge

the foundation that sets you up for sustained success.

Being aware of your culture and understanding its positive and hindering impact is the starting point towards a healthy workplace culture - one where your people are contributing fully, feel good, engaged and have greater levels of satisfaction. Undertaking culture reviews, identifying key values and exploring the behaviours that underpin these values are all key to building high performing cultures.”

CONNECTION

“One of the most important relationships we have in our lives is the one we have with ourselves. Connecting to our inner world, understanding ourselves and how we show up in the world, helps us to find the confidence to lead others in a human-centric way, which ultimately leads to optimised performance.

We know that having high selfawareness and emotional intelligence is key to being able to successfully lead others. And for your team members, having a deeper level of understanding how they connect with their own self (and their colleagues) is a start towards building high performing (healthy and happy!) teams.”

CHANGE

“Change is the final aspect of Revel. When do we need to be more resilient? When do we need to understand ourselves more? Typically, it’s when things are changing. Change is inevitable and Revel’s offerings are

there to support organisations navigate change in a mindful and deliberate way.

Whatever the catalyst is for change, how are we helping our people move through this so that they adapt quickly without too much resistance? What can leaders and business owners do to ensure they set their people up for success? Helping people understand their own emotions, their own reactions to change through mindful practices can be extremely beneficial.”

Julia is passionate about what she is doing, be it with her corporate clients, team leaders, or individuals, she gives it her total commitment every time. Her own experience has led her to discover the importance of balancing the mind and body to help deal with the challenges of life and it is this that inspires her to share knowledge and build positive wellbeing cultures.

In addition to her Yoga Teacher qualification (which she firmly believes complements her ‘day job’) she is currently working towards becoming a Certified MBSR Mindfulness teacher through the Mindfulness Training Institute.

Julia is vastly experienced in facilitating workshops, leadership programmes, consultancy and coaching and leaves you with this final message: Revel from within . . . it’s time to approach workplaces differently.

Let’s connect and talk about your needs. Contact her at julia@revel.nz or 027 450 9983

One thing you can be sure of, Julia Stockman isn’t afraid to gently nudge or challenge the status quo, and in 2023, that’s never been more relevant or needed.

Upskilling for you and your team

Ensure your skills are relevant and keep up-to-date with courses, programmes and workshops to build your career.

• Accounting

• Business Analysis

• Developing Computer Applications

• Engineering CAD

• Event Logistics

• Land Surveying

• Lead an Effective Team

• Project Management

| 0800

Are you in an organisation with specific training needs? We have talented tutors with a wide range of skills and knowledge. Contact us to find out how we can help - info@witt.ac.nz

TRAINING

WORKING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT AND EMPOWER BUSINESS

What a fantastic line-up of training for 2023 – so much selection, and the opportunity to plan your professional development programme well in advance.

Workshops kicked off with five fully booked courses: Blanchard – Coaching Essentials, Excel Training Taranaki –Microsoft Excel: Basics/Intermediate, Maranga T ngata Tiriti – Treaty of Waitangi 101, and Peak Coaching –Strategies to Improve HR Performance.

Three of the ever-popular Excel Basics/ Intermediate workshops are booked out for the first quarter of 2023. Keep an eye out for the more advanced followon workshops to come, including Pivot Tables and Dashboards.

New this year is the Custom Digital Marketing – Instagram for Business workshop, supporting you to grow your business’ presence on this dynamic platform. Look out for more social media workshops from Custom Digital Marketing in 2023.

The Speaking Made Easy, Speaking and Presenting with Confidence workshop

YOUNG ENTERPRISE SCHEME

2023 has started well for the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) in Taranaki. We had our first Kickstart|T matanga event on 1 March which was hosted at the Plymouth International, one of our valued YES sponsors. This event was well represented with nine of our unprecedented 11 participating schools attending. The 151 Taranaki students diligently worked through a facilitated process of coming up with a business idea to take them through the YES year. What made this event so beneficial for the students, was the incredible support from our local business community. For a little over an hour, the student teams had the opportunity to present their business idea to a number of business professionals who made themselves available to act as speed coaches. Having 40+ industry leaders involved raised the bar and some YES teams quickly seized the opportunity to ask

series is back. Empower you and your team to gain the skills required to become effective communicators.

Peak Coaching’s Strategies to Improve HR Performance has proved hugely popular and we aim to offer this workshop again this year, so keep an eye on our full training programme.

Blanchard continues to provide the essential leadership workshops. Its worldrenowned leadership model and learning programme – The SLII® Experience – is scheduled in August. Make the most of this opportunity as these workshops are seldom offered for public bookings.

Implement is back with the Brown Bag series – bite sized workshops during your lunchbreak that impart key leadership, management and communication skills.

We are delighted to again offer the Te Reo M ori for Business workshop series, delivered by WITT Te P kenga. Please visit our website for full details on these upcoming workshops:

• Speaking and Presenting with Confidence

them for ongoing mentoring for the year!

Over the next few weeks, YES teams will be setting up their YES Companies, entering in the locally sponsored Graphix Business Card competition, applying for seed funding and getting ready to submit Challenge One – Validation.

The YES Company who gains the top score for Challenge One locally has their submission forwarded to the YES National office to be considered for the top submission nationally. However, ALL submissions of Challenge One are judged by three local YES sponsors who offer highly valued awards.

WITT Te P kenga sponsors the Ideation Validation Award which goes to its choice of best business concept for 2023. Sponsor of the Enhancing Rural Communities Award, Barbara Kuriger MP selects up to six YES Companies whose business idea benefits the rural community in some way. The chosen teams then get invited to attend a mini expo where they present their product/prototype to Barbara and

• Mastering Instagram for Business

• Blanchard Self Leadership, Team Leadership, Leading People Through Change, Management Essentials, The SLII Experience

• Microsoft Excel: Intermediate/ Advanced, Pivot Tables, Dashboards

• Te Reo M ori for Business

• Strategies to Improve HR Performance

• Treaty of Waitangi 101

We are always looking to extend the variety of workshops available to the Taranaki business community. If you are interested in delivering workshops or training – please get in touch to discuss opportunities.

Julia Collins Office Manager

julia@taranakichamber.co.nz

another dignitary who decide the winner. Taranaki Regional Council sponsors the Sustainable Business Award. This goes to the team that is judged to have most embedded the principles of sustainability into their business.

I am excited to be involved with Young Enterprise and look forward to supporting this year’s students and YES teachers. Thank you to each and every sponsor who enables this programme to be run so well for the benefit of our Taranaki youth.

Shelley Baldwin Taranaki Regional Coordinator

A fit for staff and businesses

Meet our Employment Coordinators (ECs) – the people who walk alongside those returning to the workforce. They’re a link between MSD clients and employers, supporting people with health and wellness challenges to become independent.

Dan Burgess, Dougy Martin and Fi Perez work across Taranaki: Dan covers New Plymouth, Dougy works in Waitara and North Taranaki and Fi covers Central and South Taranaki.

Fi says ECs focus on the positives not the negatives. “We look at people’s abilities with emphasis on what a client can do not their health or disability status.”

Health and disability challenges can be broad – anything from the need to retrain due to physical injuries to the spectrum of mental unwellness or those with longterm pre-existing conditions.

“I get to know a client,” says Fi. “For ECs our experience with a client is like being on a travelator with them. We might be there at the start, part way through their employment search or towards the end. For some, work readiness is a long process.

“We look at transferable skills, interests, knowledge and potential passions. It’s holistic and it’s about sustainable employment. I would see it as job matchmaking and like all relationships it needs to be positive.”

Practical support for clients includes help with CVs, interview preparation, pre-employment checks, grants and advice on training opportunities.

Support doesn’t stop with post placement help offered for both the client and employer.

ECs maintain contact, help work through issues if there’s a change in circumstance and negotiate with external agencies to access supplementary funding or equipment.

Pete*, a client who moved from another region worked with an employment coordinator (EC) over more than two years. Now working part time, he says EC support was vital at critical times. It extended from enrolment in a mental wellbeing course to contact to check he was OK once the job began. “They were always there…their support virtually kept me alive.”

Another client, Ed* said EC’s help ensured they found a job and workplace better suited to their interests and skills. “It’s a two-way street, you have to help yourself but they [the EC] was there to help you along.”

Clients are one side of the equation – an employer is the other. It has to work for both, says Fi.

Glenn Rogers at South Taranaki Funeral Services has called on the services of Fi Perez to recruit staff. “Fi gets to know you as person but also as an employer and has open and frank discussions. She asks, ‘What do you need, how

can we find somebody to fit your business?”

Fi also supported the business through the job application process, maintained contact once the employee started work and facilitated training and financial support. “It helped us to take on someone and took the edge off additional costs,” says Glenn.

People can be referred to employment coordinators from an MSD work broker or case manager, from other agencies or by self-referral.

ECs work alongside agencies like Workwise, Workbridge, Idea Services or CCS Disability Action as well as other local providers such as Te Ara Pae in Hāwera.

“If they are helping a client and that person is ready for work, ECs can come in and provide information on subsidies and financial support,” says Fi.

ECs also support a portion of non-health clients ensuring they have a pool of candidates to call on for business recruitment.

Find out more about health and disability job support here.

(*not their real names)

Dougy Martin, Waitara Dougy.Martin016@msd.govt.nz

Dan Burgess, New Plymouth Dan.Burgess005@msd.govt.nz

Fi Perez, Central and South Taranaki Fi.Perez004@msd.govt.nz

The collaborative actions of partners, sponsors, employers, notfor-profits, schools, government agencies, and individuals help us to connect people and business through employment and training.

Chamber Hub is working in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development to provide employment services for people referred to us by Work and Income and by self-referrals. Activities to assist our candidates to find employment include an initial candidate meeting, creating a plan of action, providing job ready resources and employment strategies, preparing CVs and cover letters, rebuilding their confidence, job interview preparations, reflecting and following up with their

progress fortnightly, which will lead to sustainable employment. Being supported and encouraged has made a difference to our candidates being successful in finding employment.

Our focus is a concentrated effort to help our members fill job vacancies within their organisations. Additionally, we engage with job-seekers who reach us through word of mouth, the Chamber website and through social media channels including Facebook and LinkedIN.

Chamber Hub realises the importance of education and training as a practical work component and we will continue to offer our support in this area. As part of the Chamber, we have a unique connection with the Taranaki business

community, providing a continuous flow of employment and training opportunities.

In March Chamber Hub started working with the Avatar Institute of Learning to place its students into work and also assisting Axiom Training by supporting its students enrolled in the New Zealand Certificate in Study Preparation Course. 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.

Our first Network of Trades (NOTs) event in South Taranaki for 2023 was held at KiwiSpan Taranaki.

We were welcomed to their new and impressive premises in H wera and it was great to see the workshop and hear all about why KiwiSpan are leaders in the steel shed industry. A big thank you to our hosts Joel and Candace Schrader.

melissa@taranakichamber.co.nz

The April NOTs event will hosted by the Taranaki Emergency Management Office in New Plymouth on Tuesday 11 April.

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.

Melissa Keith Placement Support Coordinator

events we are now faced with. Business planning is investing in your assets and the future of your people and their wellbeing, it provides clarity on where you are heading and collectively how you will get there. It also prepares you for sudden disruptions and helps you to respond to ensure business continuity. If your plan is to exit the business, a good exit strategy needs to be in place to help maximise returns and this often takes several years to get your business ready. We have a range of services to help and are also able to put you in

It’s never too soon or late to reach out for help. Please lean on your trusted team - whānau, friends, colleagues and professional advisers - for the support you need in managing your wellbeing and business. You’ll find details of useful contacts below.

• First Steps - mental health resource specific to NZ business leaders.

BUSINESS SUPPORT AT BDO

In the last two issues of Chamber Review we have been focusing on the BDO Wellbeing and Business Performance index, and that was before an extreme weather event! Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected by the recent Cyclones and flooding. And while we in the Taranaki region have gone relatively unscathed, we cannot underestimate the flow on effects that will impact our wider community over the coming months and even years. Below are some useful links that will put you in touch with the appropriate support for both your business and more importantly yourself, your family and your people.

With the new financial year approaching, now is the perfect time to focus on what you can control rather than dwell on what you cannot. Business is our passion and we want to work with you and your business to understand how you can navigate the business environment and mitigate the impacts of the recent events we are now faced with. Business planning is investing in your assets and the future of your people and their wellbeing, it provides clarity on where you are heading and collectively how you will get there. It also prepares you for sudden disruptions and helps you to respond to ensure business continuity. If your plan is to exit the business, a good exit strategy needs to be in place to help maximise returns and this often takes several years to get your business ready. We have a range of services to help and are also able to put you in

• Xero Assistance Programme (XAP) - available to Xero small businesses

touch with other financial support and potential funding for eligible businesses.

Training & Coaching services that may be eligible for funding include:

• Budgeting and Cash Flow Planning

• 1737.org.nz - National mental health helpline

• Business Continuity Planning

• Business Strategy and Feasibility Study

• Business Systems

• Planning for your Business Success

• Succession Planning for Business

If you do have business interests in Hawkes Bay and Gisborne regions, our business support hub will be able to provide valuable information on the support available at https://www.bdo.nz/en-nz/disaster-relief/cyclone-gabrielle

BUSINESS SUPPORT AT BDO

Get in touch with our team today for no obligation chat to find out how we can help you.

In the last two issues of Chamber Review we have been focusing on the BDO Wellbeing and Business Performance index, and that was before an extreme weather event! Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected by the recent Cyclones and flooding. And while we in the Taranaki region have gone relatively unscathed, we cannot underestimate the flow on effects that will impact our wider community over the coming months and even years. Below are some useful links that will put you in touch with the appropriate

Where to go for further support:

It’s never too soon or late to reach out for help. Please lean on your trusted team - whānau, friends, colleagues and professional advisers - for the support you need in managing your wellbeing and business. You’ll find details of useful contacts below.

• First Steps - mental health resource specific to NZ business leaders.

touch with other financial support and potential funding for eligible businesses.

• Xero Assistance Programme (XAP) - available to Xero small businesses

1737.org.nz - National mental health helpline

Training & Coaching services that may be eligible for funding include:

Get in touch with our team today for no obligation chat to find out how we can help you.

GAYLENE FINDLAY ERIN GALL E. gaylene.findlay@bdo.co.nz

• Budgeting and Cash Flow Planning

erin.gall@bdo.co.nz

• Business Continuity Planning

GAYLENE FINDLAY ERIN GALL E. gaylene.findlay@bdo.co.nz E. erin.gall@bdo.co.nz

• Business Strategy and Feasibility Study

• Business Systems

for your

•

Most of us are well aware of the New Plymouth YMCA.

That’s not surprising; it’s been around for nearly 90 years and been an integral part of our community all that time.

Most of us would probably admit we’re not too sure just what it does these days, but go to their website and you’ll see a sentence that neatly sums up just what Taranaki’s “Y”, as it’s colloquially known, really does.

“We will be New Zealand’s most respected and successful provider of programmes that build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. We are in effect, helping to build strong New Zealanders.’’

That’s a rather broad mission statement, but Taranaki YMCA chief executive Joanne Dusterholft is only too happy to fill in the detail.

Here for all the community

“My most important message is that we are here for the community,’’ she says. “We help in multiple ways, from childcare for children 0-5 years, through to school age, and we provide care after school with our Oscar programmes.

“We also work with disadvantaged youth in education, as well as a crosssection of the community in sport and recreation, climbing, the Fitness Centre and well-being, across all age groups through to those who are retired.’’

It’s an exhaustive, but by no means complete list, which gives an insight into the diversity of programmes delivered to so many sectors of the

Helping our YMCA to help you

community. When they say online ‘the New Plymouth YMCA is a communityfocused, non-profit established in 1844 with recreational programmes and services for all ages’, that is more than a marketing slogan. From babies through to one member in his 90s who regularly attends their fitness centre, the Y caters for everyone.

Did you know . . . ?

Joanne is determined to ensure the Y tells its story better. One example is their work with youth living with challenges, which has long been a real success story. The YMCA also runs Rangi tea, a composite school for youth, in South Rd New Plymouth.

Joanne says they expanded their youth development services almost five years ago. “Simply because of the high need in New Plymouth. We work on referrals from Oranga Tamariki (the Ministry for Children) - which recently led us to a relationship with Powerco.’’

Joanne says the support from the New Plymouth lines company could be a blueprint for other Taranaki firms to show their support for the Y.

“They were wonderful, a good company, with good people and a social conscience. They donated laptops and then the staff came and worked in our community garden for a day.

“It’s not always about money. Powerco provided plants as well and their staff volunteered to provide labour for the day. Our young people got to experience working alongside another part of the community they don’t always get to see. They did the whole garden in one day between them.

“It was great to see. They were chatting to each other and it normalised the

relationships between the two groups. It showed the corporate sector in the community cares, and they saw the faces of those people there on the day.’’

The donation of the laptops meant a lot to the youth at the YMCA, said Joanne. “We don’t have the resources to give everyone a computer to work with and there is a lot of ‘tech-poverty’ in our society. To see their faces when they could each have their own computer was great.’’

By helping our youth get better educated and become contributing members of society, the companies helping them may also just be helping themselves in the future by increasing our work pool.

Can your company

help?

Your business could help our YMCA achieve one of their main aims: “Strong families, strong communities, through investing in the next generation.’’

If you can help or want to know more, contact Alston Gondipon, their sponsorship and relationship manager at alton.gondipon@ymcataranaki.org.nz

NOT FOR PROFIT PARTNERSHIP Circulate

The flow and reciprocation of goodwill and support created through generous giving purpose-led business.

The Chamber’s partnership project –Circulate – provides support to our notfor-profit members by connecting them with businesses that wish to practice corporate social responsibility, and share similar values with those not-for-profit organisations.

Here are some of the organisations that you may wish to connect or partner with to make a difference:

• Access Radio Taranaki 104.4FM

• Alzheimers Taranaki

• Atawhai Industries

• Autism Connex

• BeSafe Taranaki

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Taranaki

• Bishops Action Foundation

• Building Wellness

• Cancer Society - Taranaki Centre

• CCS Disability Action

• Central Taranaki Blue Light

• Christmas at the Bowl

• Conductive Education Taranaki

• Cystic Fibrosis NZ

• Dress for Success

• Eat a Rainbow Foundation

• English Language Partners Taranaki

• Experience Purangi

• Farmers Market Taranaki

• Heart Kids

• Hospice Taranaki

• Manna Youth Project

• New Plymouth Community Patrol

• New Plymouth Operatic Society

• New Zealand Red Cross

• On The House

• OUT & PROUD Taranaki

• Progress to Health

• Roderique Hope Trust

• Rotary Club of New Plymouth North

• Rotary Club of Waitara, Bell Block & Districts

• Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust

• St Vincent de Paul

• Sustainable Taranaki

• Taranaki Air Ambulance

• Taranaki Arts Festival Trust

• Taranaki Community Education

• Taranaki Community Rugby Trust

• Taranaki Disabilities Information Centre Trust

• Taranaki Foundation

• Taranaki Futures

• Taranaki Health Foundation

• Taranaki Life Education Trust

• Taranaki Multi Ethnic Council

• Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust

• Taranaki Retreat Trust

• Taranaki Rural Support Trust

• Taranaki Safe Families Trust

• Taranaki Women's Refuge

• Te Ara Pae Trust

• Te Korowai o Ng ruahine Trust

• The Cathedral Project

• The Head Office

• The Most FM

• The Salvation Army

• The Wheelhouse

• Toi Foundation

• TSB TOPEC

• Volunteering New Plymouth

• Wild for Taranaki

• WISE Charitable Trust

• Workbridge Inc

• YMCA Taranaki

• Zeal Taranaki

For more information contact Maura.

Maura Young

MEMBERSHIP

We are now well into the new year and the Chamber has planned many things to benefit your business for the year ahead. Keep an eye out for our fortnightly Chamber Connect email newsletters as they will have all the useful information you need about what is coming up.

To get the most out of your membership I recommend that you allocate some time this year to attend a networking event or two. I would love to meet you and hear more about your business and what you do.

A great quote about networking from Richard Branson. “Having a good network can be invaluable. It opens doors for you and allows you to enter into opportunities that are beneficial to your business.”

Join us, meet some fellow business people and begin forming great connections.

We have fantastic training opportunities with a range of topics for you and your team. Staff training and upskilling also increases morale and productivity.

One of the biggest challenges for Taranaki businesses is finding and keeping staff, this can add a lot of extra

pressure and make it hard to keep up with the day to day running of the business. Making the time for staff to attend a course boosts employee job satisfaction and increases engagement. This pays off in staff retention and performance. So check out our training page on the website and make a booking for 2023!

Don’t forget that you can share the great membership discounts at Torpedo7 and Noel Leeming with your staff, as well as supporting other local businesses that offer wonderful member discounts.

Rebecca Mende Membership Coordinator

HAVE YOU SEEN SOME OF OUR LATEST BILLBOARDS OR VIDEOS?

Do you know someone that would benefit from being a member of the Chamber? Please let me know and I would be happy to chat with them about what we do to support business in Taranaki.

NATIONAL PARTNERS

rebecca@taranakichamber.co.nz

CATEGORY PARTNERS