Taranaki Business Review - Spring 2022

TARANAKI Business Review SPRING 2022

FROM THE CEO Arun Chaudhari CEO

KIA ORA E TE WH NAU!

Hooray! Tourists are returning! But are we ready?

As demand for tourist accommodation surges, several hotels in the country are capping their occupancy rate between 60 and 80%. They just do not have enough staff to carry out housekeeping, front office and maintenance duties. Almost every sector is crying out for skilled staff. The problem will not be fixed in a great hurry, as New Zealand has sadly lost its place as a preferred place to live for expats. Apart from making it easier for skilled immigrants to work in Aotearoa, one of the solutions is for employers to take on a larger role in training new people. Apprenticeships, cadetships and the like, from a pool of job seekers and potential jobseekers can produce amazing outcomes. Talk to the Chamber to see how we might be able to help.

Most business and household conversations today are dominated by topics such as the high cost of living, runaway inflation and shortage of skilled labour. These are real problems. A look at data from the well-known Focus

Economics Group shows the 2022 percentage inflation outlook for New Zealand at 5.8, Japan 1.9, China 2.2, Singapore 5.0, Australia 5.2, India 6.5, USA 7.9 and UK 8.2%, Russia 17.0, Ukraine 20.5, Turkey 68.4, Argentina 68.5 and Venezuela 96%.

A look at these figures tells us that we are better off than many other countries.

To combat inflation, businesses need to keep working smarter by using new technologies, re-identifying their core competencies and reviewing their business models. We can help with providing and facilitating tools like Digital Boost, business reviews through our Business Excellence Awards and networking opportunities. Feel free to talk to our team.

And like all tough times, this too shall pass.

Taranaki has its challenges, but there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

Arohanui

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS • Alzheimers Taranaki

• Mortgage Mentors

• Amanda Clinton-Gohdes - Friend of the Chamber

• Peggy Chen Skin Cancer and Mohs Surgery

• Electratech

• Practical Compliance

• Fitstop New Plymouth

• PVD Consulting

• Hughson & Associates

• R&R Campervan Rentals

• Ritwik Kejriwal Orthopaedic Surgeon

• Taranaki Emergency Management Office

• Smart Rehab & Physiotherapy

• The Little Rainbow Company

• Taranaki Community Education

• X Span Taranaki

• Unichem Inglewood Pharmacy • Young & Thriving

TARANAKI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Chamber House, 42 Egmont Street, PO Box 2, New Plymouth 4340 I PH: +64 6 759 9080 I E: admin@taranakichamber.co.nz I www.taranakichamber.co.nz CEO Arun Chaudhari ceo@taranakichamber.co.nz I 027 279 5161

OFFICE MANAGER Julia Collins julia@taranakichamber.co.nz

Cameron Twigley – BTW Company

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

ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT Kirsty Gudopp

Hayden Wano – Tui Ora

YOUNG ENTERPRISE SCHEME COORDINATOR Shelley Baldwin yes@taranakichamber.co.nz I 027 449 6314

Beatrice Chamberlain – Govett Quilliam Lawyers

PLACEMENT SUPPORT COORDINATOR NORTH TARANAKI Melissa Keith melissa@taranakichamber.co.nz | 021 225 4531

Rebecca Johnson – Taranaki Arts Festival Trust

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 EVENTS MANAGER Jessica Parker jessica@taranakichamber.co.nz I 021 821 262

PLACEMENT SUPPORT COORDINATOR SOUTH TARANAKI Tina Parata tina@taranakichamber.co.nz | 021 116 5818

ADVOCACY & BARA MANAGER Michelle Brennan michelle@taranakichamber.co.nz I 021 710 950

CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS Chair – Daniel Fleming – King and Queen Hotel Suites

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TARANAKI BUSINESS REVIEW

Gaylene Findlay – BDO Taranaki Shane Devlin – Graphix Campbell Third – TSB Grace Wesolowska – GW Consulting Ltd Bryan Vickery - Bryan Vickery Media Taranaki 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

SPRING 2022

30

Years of

Methanex New Zealand Managing Director Stuart McCall looks back at the company’s proud history in the country but is excited about what the future will bring.

Will Johnston

1981 and 1983. It was originally owned

by Petroleum Corporation of New Zealand, known as Petrocorp.

McCall appreciates the history across the two sites and what the business has brought to the community.

“It started as one of the ‘think big’ projects from the New Zealand government at the time and grew to being a key contributor to the Taranaki economy,” he said.

Methanex will celebrate its global 30th anniversary this spring after it was established in 1992.

The Canadian-based company entered New Zealand when it bought Fletcher Challenge Methanol in May 1993. It acquired the Motunui natural gas to gasoline and the Waitara Valley methanol plants, and also picked up the storage and loading assets at Omata and Port Taranaki.

The Motunui site was originally crafted

by Synfuels between 1982 to 1985. The company was a joint venture between the New Zealand government and Mobil, set up to reduce its dependency on foreign oil supplies and made the most of the Maui gas field discovery.

About four kilometres away, the Waitara Valley methanol plant was built between

Today, Methanex contributes around 10 percent of Taranaki’s GDP or close to a billion dollars annually and employs approximately 240 people. In addition to creating jobs and economic opportunities, the company is committed to building and supporting healthy communities where people want to live and work.

In 2021, Methanex New Zealand supported many local organisations and offered employees volunteer time to community efforts.

McCall is quick to point out the societal benefits that methanol brings to everyday life.

“You only have to look at methanol’s use in everyday items like paints, carpets, fabric, building materials, and a variety of health and pharmaceutical products.

Methanol is a key ingredient in all these

items that we take for granted. It’s an essential ingredient for everyday life.”

He said methanol is also used as a cleaner burning fuel that is gaining significant interest as a lower emission marine fuel.

The company’s own shipping subsidiary, Waterfront Shipping, will have over 60% of its fleet capable of running on methanol by the end of 2023 and other large shipping companies like Maersk have also started to order methanol-fuelled vessels to help them on their decarbonisation journey. The use of our methanol as a marine fuel would be equivalent to removing all of New Zealand’s cars from our roads from an air pollution perspective.

The future is bright for the company.

McCall said the demand for methanol continues to grow, both as a cleaner burning fuel and to support the transition to a low carbon economy through its use as a chemical building block for many products, including electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines, as well as in energy-efficient buildings.

Over the last thirty years, Methanex has grown from a single production facility to the world’s largest producer and supplier of methanol to major international markets in Asia Pacific, North America, Europe and South America.

To learn more, visit

methanex.com

Photos courtesy of Kowhia & Thistle

SPRING 2022

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WINNING THE TOP SHOP AWARD FOR HEALTH AND BEAUTY IN 2022 IS SOMETHING WE AS A TEAM ARE VERY PROUD OF. Our customers and patients are part of the Vogeltown Pharmacy family.

Our customers are instrumental in our success as a local pharmacy, they bring us treats, they bring their families, and they bring us much joy and sometimes a little sadness, when things are not quite going to plan with their health. But overall we are a team that cares for our customers and care for each other.

We certainly work hard and as a team, we celebrate something every week whether it is a team member’s birthday, a new testimonial or because we had an awesome week! We normally celebrate with cake or a beverage and we are known to be quite spirited and happy as a team.

We are big supporters of our local community and love helping local schools, sports clubs and less fortunate institutes that require continual funding (Giving back is our happy place).

Our Vision Statement is “We will help people live longer, improve their quality of life and support our local community”

See you soon

David, Christine, Morgan, Jade, Hayley, Liz, Jo, Simone, Brian & Livi

272 Carrington St New Plymouth

06 753 5716

www.vogeltownpharmacy.co.nz

Spark Business Hub, local like you Spark is one of the best-known brands in Aotearoa. The locally owned-and-operated Spark Business Hubs want to be the strategic technology partner for the country’s small and medium businesses.

Joshua Ferries, along with the local IT partner network in New Plymouth.

Charan rightly says the advent of Covid has brought technology advances faster than otherwise would have happened.

“That is especially true in business, he said, “with many people working from home that brought separate challenges.”

SPRING 2022

Josh’s team is here to do just that.

“We are a team of business and technology experts based in New Plymouth.

“We helped many businesses adjust and we are happy to come to you to find the solutions you need.’’

“Our aim is to help local businesses like yours reach their business goals. We do this by providing solutions that enable your business to be secure, resilient and productive and give you the option to work from anywhere.

“Spark is local these days and we connect with local businesses. We are here to help.

Charan, as he’s known, also has proven experience in sales and after-sales service working for Spark previously, and is keen to extend Spark’s relationship with Taranaki businesses. He’s based in Palmerston North but has a team of 14 sales/service staff who look after Spark’s business customers in his region. Locally, the Taranaki team of four is led by

Sometimes in business it can feel like you need to do everything on your own. Wouldn’t it be great if someone offered a helping hand?

Spark was to the fore in many ways to help businesses overcome the challenges they hadn’t faced before.

Charan emphasises that frequently during the interview.

Taranaki-Whanganui-Manawatu is these days a region in itself, locally owned and operated by Charanpreet Singh, who is an experienced businessman in his own right and vastly experienced in providing right technology solutions through IT managed services, cloud services, IOT and telco.

SPARK’S HERE IN TARANAKI

“For example, we recently delivered a project in Manawatu to provide mobile phones and connectivity to over 500 local whanau. Their need for connectivity grew out of the Covid pandemic, as those who didn’t have the luxury of mobile phones were struggling to communicate with one another around testing and reporting symptoms. We responded to their request by providing Unlimited Data within their budgets.

Essentially, the Hub designed a solution to fit the future.”

Ample evidence that Spark in 2022 can provide solutions for problems that people may not even be aware exist!

“We work with local IT partners to offer full telco and IT service suites from cloud to security and more.

“As a local business that can lean on the wider Spark group, we can provide added value and expertise.

With us, help is just around the corner.’’

To contact Josh or the team, HubTaranaki@spark.co.nz or 0800 625 448

TARANAKI BUSINESS REVIEW

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Onwards and Upwards As most people in Taranaki know all too well, the world is changing.

That’s especially true in the energy sector, where the transition to a low emissions energy future, must be one where everyone is brought along on the journey and no one gets left behind.

Meet Ara Ake Headquartered in New Plymouth, Aotearoa New Zealand’s future energy centre is charged with overseeing that in a practical, pioneering manner.

That organisation is called Ara Ake. Two small words that combined mean new pathways, a journey forward – most simply, onwards and upwards. The name provides a great insight into the mentality that drives Ara Ake.

The chief executive The governmentsponsored organisation is headed by Dr Cristiano Marantes, who loves the No 8 wire mentality of New Zealanders and is passionate about wanting to harness that, to ensure the best possible outcomes for everyone in this country.

economic benefits as we transition to a low emissions energy future.”

Already it is clear that Ara Ake is no theoretical institution removed from reality, as Dr Marantes explains.

“Ara Ake works with communities and businesses – from start-ups to large organisations – to facilitate and support demonstration projects of new and emerging technologies across the motu.

“We share knowledge from across the energy innovation landscape and promote collaboration across different stakeholders for the benefit of all New Zealanders.

“And we also help New Zealand innovators access financial and technical support to develop their technologies, bringing in offshore solutions and expertise and helping to unravel regulatory and commercial barriers.”

Dr Marantes says that there is also a huge opportunity for New Zealand to become a world class location for global innovations and innovators, and through that process, create new and exciting jobs and industries in the energy sector.

“But for innovation to succeed, it needs to address a real problem and advance our social, environmental and economic wellbeing.”

He sums up the fundamental brief of Ara Ake. “It is understanding what are the problems that need a solution. Then we do a global search for the technology and solutions to the problems that exist and help demonstrate those solutions.

“If we can match the problem owner with the solution provider, change can happen.’’

And, best of all, it starts right here, in Taranaki!

“Starting a new organisation in the midst of a global pandemic wasn’t easy,’’ he says with a wry chuckle, “so while we’ve been going two years, most of our impact has been demonstrated in the last 12 months.

“Our mandate is to accelerate the demonstration and commercialisation of energy innovation, and to find the best global energy solutions to limit the impacts of climate change in Aotearoa New Zealand.”

The importance of innovation “Innovation has an important role to play to deliver environmental, social and SPRING 2022

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SPRING 2022

EVENTS & ADVOCACY BUSINESS SHOWCASE

Our annual Business Showcase was held at the Plymouth International on Wednesday 10 August. Seventy-two exhibitors promoted their products and services to 280+ attendees. Once again the Passport to Prizes and Business Card draws were a huge success with many happy attendees picking up fabulous prizes from the exhibitors.

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.

In July our host was the Ministry of Social Development, followed by OurCloud in August and then Geeks on Wheels in September.

Coming up we have The Most FM in October, Atlas Professionals in November and Legal Solutions will host our last one for the year in December.

We are now fully booked for hosting until November 2023.

Please give us a call if you are interested in hosting or would like more information.

LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

With Election Day coming up on Saturday 8 October, we ran a Meet the Candidates event for those standing as either an At Large or Ward Councillor for New Plymouth District Council. Open to the public, candidates were questioned on a wide range of topics with a business focus.

TSB BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Entries for 2022 have closed and judging is underway!

Tickets are now on sale for the awards evening at the TSB Stadium on Saturday 19 November. To book please email jessica@taranakichamber.co.nz

WELLBEING CONFERENCE 2022

As we go to print this year’s conference is nearly here.

The full day conference and wellbeing expo is on Thursday 8 September at The Devon Hotel. We’ll have a full wrap up and pics in our next edition.

Jessica Parker Events Manager

jessica@taranakichamber.co.nz

WINTER 2022

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.

PARTNERED BY

B A R A BU S I N E S S & R ETAIL ASSOCIATION

WE WELCOME OUR NEW BARA MEMBERS

The Little Rainbow Company, Poppet in a Box, Helloworld Travel Strandon, Mortgage Mentors - 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 Facebook – New Plymouth CBD Alive.

Michelle Brennan Advocacy & BARA Manager

michelle@taranakichamber.co.nz

TARANAKI BUSINESS REVIEW

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The The NZME NZME Taranaki Taranaki Team: Team: Julie Julie Petley, Petley, Beth Beth Findlay-Heath, Findlay-Heath, Tracey Tracey Blake, Blake, Colleen Colleen Deegan, Deegan, Carole Carole Morgan, Morgan, Glen Glen Bullen Bullen

, MARCEL S

®

PANCAKES

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One of Taranaki’s favourite businesses quietly changed hands at the end of May. Few would have noticed though, as it was a case of business as usual for Van Dyck Fine Foods.

Gordon Brown

The Bell Block-based multi-award winning pancake manufacturer was sold to Tauranga-based Oriens Capital by founders Ingrid Vercammen and Marcel Naenen.

Marcel’s CEO Natalie Innes told the Taranaki Business Review the change marked the beginning of a new, exciting period for the company.

“We’re delighted the buyer is a New Zealand company, committed to growing the business,’’ said Natalie.

“It’s great news that the business is remaining in New Plymouth and that all of the people are being retained. Ingrid and Marcel were looking for exactly this type of buyer and Oriens definitely fits the bill.

“Both Ingrid and Marcel were looking for a buyer as they were at an age where SPRING 2022

they wanted to fully retire. It’s been reassuring to know that Oriens is going to maintain everything as it is, which is important.’’

Natalie was appointed CEO nearly five years ago to allow Ingrid and Marcel to cut down on the day-to-day running of the business. The transition was seamless and Marcel’s has continued its exponential growth both domestically and overseas under her watch.

That success has been good for Taranaki’s economy as well, with staff numbers growing to more than 60.

The fairy tale success story of Marcel’s Pancakes is already firmly entrenched in Taranaki’s history. Marcel and Ingrid came to New Zealand almost 20 years ago after a chance meeting with legendary Manaia-based baker Noel

Yarrow at a trade fair in Europe. On learning the two were looking to relocate to Australia, Noel convinced them Taranaki was a far better option. The rest, as the saying goes, was history.

The Belgian couple seized on the opportunity to bring their traditional Belgium Crepes and Pancakes to New Zealand and set up their factory in Bell Block, where it remains.

Marcel and Ingrid’s unrelenting focus on product quality remains a cornerstone of the business under Natalie’s watch today.

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SPRING 2022

Where good old fashioned service reigns Gordon Brown

IT’S FRIDAY MORNING AT 8.53AM AND I’VE MADE IT TO STRATFORD’S ITM STORE. THE DRIVE FROM NEW PLYMOUTH TO STRATFORD WAS FINE, APART FROM A BIT OF RAIN AND DODGING POT HOLES. Fortunately there is undercover parking for customers so the rain didn’t get me. On entering the modern, brightly-lit large store I’m greeted by a friendly staff member.

It turns out she’s not Kym Henry, the store manager I’ve come to interview at 9am for this article. She assures me Kym won’t be long and offers me a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Just as I’m beginning to feel a bit special, I find out that’s something everybody’s offered.

What a friendly place!

At 8.56 another staff member asks if I would like a coffee. “No thanks, I’m fine,’’ and we have a chat about the day and if she can help in any way.

“Kym won’t be far away’’ I am assured, again.

It’s 9.01am and word has got around that Kym is late. She has been rung and texted but there’s no answer. They’re sure she won’t be long though.

At 9.03 Kym arrives, full of apologies.

I assure her three minutes are neither here nor there, and we get down to business. But before we start I tell her the customer service and friendliness of the staff is brilliant. There’s something special going on at this family-owned and

operated business. Almost inevitably it’s deservedly won quite a few awards.

The size of the business is deceptive.

On the far side of the showroom there is a drive-in area for trade customers and plenty of parking. Exponential growth of the business meant it needed to relocate and seven years ago Mike and his team built the showroom on its present site on the main road on the southern entrance to Stratford.

Their vast product range, catering for trade, retail and DIY include: • Building supplies • Garden products • Hardware • On the farm • Tools • Safety equipment • Paint • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Uno Wardrobes Kym and husband Mike own the business. He takes care of the farm side of the business and particularly the busy shed building operation. It’s a marriage made in retail/wholesale heaven.

“A lot more townies want sheds these days,’’ she says.

“Mike’s grandfather started the business in 1933, so next year we’ll be celebrating 90 years in business!’’

It’s always been in Stratford and became part of the ITM chain around 30 years ago.

“It’s a co-operative and we still have meetings to discuss issues and we vote so if there’s not a majority it doesn’t get through.”

There’s close to 100 ITM outlets, almost all owner-operated. By banding together their customers get the benefit of their combined buying power and supercompetitive prices.

In 2022 the business has grown to become one of the biggest in Stratford, with 24 staff in-store plus five contracting crews building sheds and farm buildings.

Naturally ITM Stratford services the builders, the farmers and all the many DIY people in the region.

“If you haven’t shopped with us before, do come in and see what makes us different,’’ says Kym. “We’re a real “Kiwiised’’ store and our staff are great.

We provide good old fashioned service.”

Amen to that from the Taranaki Business Review!

THIRD GENERATION FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED BUSINESS FOR OVER 85 YEARS.

Corner of Broadway South and Warwick Road • (06) 765 7800 www.itmstratford.co.nz SPRING 2022

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EVENTS CALENDAR 2022 For more information go to www.taranakichamber.co.nz

SEPTEMBER

Rebecca Mende

Membership Coordinator

OCTOBER

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

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Business Connections – The Most FM

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Training – Blanchard Management Essentials

Global brand that offers connectivity and representation

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Jessica Parker

Training – Speaking Made Easy

Training – Finance Essentials Business Connections – Geeks on Wheels

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Training – Treaty of Waitangi 101

Women in Trades – HEL Rimu

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Events Manager

Taranaki Chamber of Commerce +64 6 759 9080 | +64 21 821 262

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

Network of Trades – Golden Homes

www.taranakichamber.co.nz

Global brand that offers connectivity and representation

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Network of Trades – Greaves Electrical H wera

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Training – Peak Coaching Business Succession

16 Marton Salisbury Partner - Business BNZ Taranaki DDI. 06 759 4735 Free. 0800 273 916 M.021 311 405 E. marton_salisbury@bnz.co.nz New Plymouth Partners Centre, Level 1, 13-15 Devon Street East, New Plymouth, 4310

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Business Connections – Legal Solutions

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Business Connections – Atlas Professionals

Maura Young

Partnership Manager

Taranaki Chamber of Commerce +64 6 759 9080 | +64 21 284 0062

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

www.taranakichamber.co.nz

TSB Business Excellence Awards

Global brand that offers connectivity and representation

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DDI. 06 759 4745 Free. 0800 273 916 M.021 229 7109 E. andy_potter@bnz.co.nz

23 Network of Trades – McDonald Real Estate H wera

Training – Blanchard Coaching Essentials

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

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Melissa Keith

Placement Support Coordinator

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YES Regional Awards

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Taranaki Chamber of Commerce

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+64 6 759 9080 | +64 21 225 4531

melissa@taranakichamber.co.nz Chamber Hub South 109 Princes Street, H wera PO Box 2, New Plymouth 4340 New Zealand

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www.taranakichamber.co.nz

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Network of Trades – Kiwi Hire Group

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

SPRING 2022

TARANAKI BUSINESS REVIEW

15

Proudly supporting Taranaki

We provide logistics solutions along the whole supply chain

As a 4PL logistics partner, we support our customers and their supply chains from start to finish.

We offer freight transport and warehousing services throughout New Zealand and co-ordinate freight movements offshore through international alliances. We also have a specialist road tanker division which is one of the largest operators in the New Zealand fuel delivery market

Our key services MOVe is a one-stop shop for all logistics services. We can find a solution for supply chain challenges of all kinds. Store your goods with us and transport them where you need them with our domestic and international networks.

Gordon Brown

IT’S ALL DONE ON YOUR APP

SO, WHAT MAKES FITSTOP UNIQUE?

It’s an Australian-based functional fitness franchise and at the time of writing there were 89 locations across Australia and one in New Zealand, which makes it one of the fastest growing fitness franchises in the country. Their uniqueness comes from offering a performance-based, progressive training methodology appealing to everyday athletes that crave a competitive and equally supportive team environment.

When former All Black halfback Brendon Leonard retired, his passion was exercise. A superbly fit professional athlete for 15 years, his desire to exercise and stay fit was by then ingrained.

He also had long nurtured a desire to own his own business. What could be more logical than to combine the two?

On September 24 those two passions come to fruition with the opening of Fitstop. It’s a new, upmarket, premium gym which is opening right in the middle of New Plymouth – at the corner of Liardet and Molesworth Streets.

Brendon moved to New Plymouth three years ago and is very much at home.

“I’m sure the gym will add another dimension to the vibrant community here. Community is very important to me and Fitstop is something unique.’’

Brendon, 37, used to come to New Plymouth to play rugby, usually for the Chiefs and Waikato, but over the years, fell in love with the city.

“The difference these days is amazing and recently New Plymouth was declared the best city of its size in the world. I love the coastal walkway and the outdoor options New Plymouth offers as the country’s Sustainable Lifestyle Capital.

SPRING 2022

Brendon went to Australia and spent a week finding out exactly what Fitstop is, how members like it and how it feels. He researched it over there and met the head office team, providing him with every bit of confidence and excitement needed to drive success at Fitstop New Plymouth and Fitstop New Zealand entirely.

ADVANTAGES

Refreshingly, there are no lock-in contracts! You simply pay weekly for unlimited sessions. At Fitstop, members enjoy a personal trainer and coach in a personalised group training environment. You walk in the door and a coach will ensure you are looked after and that the session will be the best 50 minutes of your day.

“Everyone’s got different body shapes and injury histories and need to be treated individually,’’ says Brendon.

It’s good for businesses to have staff fit and healthy. It helps with staff recruitment and retention and nothing beats a happy and healthy workplace. Hours are flexible and aimed at the busy inner-city workers and those with a busy lifestyle. “We start our sessions at 5am, through to after work hours. That way it’s easy to cater for everyone and all-sized groups. It depends on individuals’ booking times.’

happier, healthier humans, and you do that by living a balanced lifestyle’’.

TECHNOLOGY

At Fitstop everything is done through their custom-built app. The technology allows you to put in your training targets and goals, guiding and elevating your entire Fitstop experience like no other fitness business can.

UNLEASH YOUR INNER ATHLETE

But ultimately it’s the training that sets us apart. It’s good for the athletic side of training, and is perfect for an everyday athlete. This is someone who is determined, thrives in a supportive team environment and is willing to stop at nothing to get the results they want, no matter the stage of their fitness journey.

Our coaches ensure you’re doing the movements properly before we try to progress. The training methodology is important and all of our staff are qualified, experienced personal trainers.

They protect against injury and ensure your quality of life is maintained.

Brendon, his team and all their clients enjoy the benefit of belonging to the Fitstop franchise. “At the same time we are a locally-owned and operated business employing local staff working hard to help our community.

INSIDE THE GYM

State-of-the-art new facilities including new toilets and showers make it ideal for inner-city workers who can go to the gym during the day and be back refreshed at work within an hour.

There’s also a secure children’s area so your little ones will be wanting to go to Fitstop as well!

Corporates can also book special times during the day, says Brendon.

“Our whole philosophy is to create TARANAKI BUSINESS REVIEW

17

People // Process // Performance TA K I N G YO U R B U S I N E S S TO T H E N E X T S T E P

Developing team leaders

Team Leader Management Programme

How many times do good people become team leaders without training or knowledge of the tools of management? If this is something that happens in your organisation, you are setting them up to fail.

The programme is organised around three key groups of skills and attributes that good managers and leaders need: • Managing themselves – confident communication – interpersonal skills – conflict resilience and stress • Managing others – Team processes – Organisational culture – Manager as coach to develop others – Managing performance – Dealing with change • Managing processes – Setting goals – Time Management – Quality Improvement – A systems approach – Problem Solving

Give your team leaders the confidence to manage and lead their teams. This programme is ideal for existing or aspiring team leaders and first line managers who wish to add to their management tool-box.

It is stressful being a team leader, the “meat in the sandwich” between the team and more senior management, learning how to be coach, manager, and sometimes the “bad guy”.

I can remember my early management career as one of intense learning and stress. I was very lucky that I had some great managers who looked out for me and set me on the right path when things were on the brink of going terribly wrong.

It is important that new team leaders are mentored and provided with opportunities to learn their craft.

Their wellbeing, and the wellbeing of the team will be better for it. Learning is a never-ending journey, look for a range of options to meet the needs of your business and your team will perform better.

The team leader has many roles and responsibilities.

They manage the operational details of the job, lead and motivate the team, manage performance – all to meet the goals of the business.

There are eight weekly workshops (2 ½ hours each) scheduled to begin on: NEW PLYMOUTH – October 18, 9.30am to 12noon PALMERSTON NORTH – October 20, 1pm to 3.30pm

We often forget that they have the most impact on creating the environment that ensures team members bring their best selves to work – possibly their most important task.

A concurrent zoom workshop option will be available beginning October 19, to enable flexibility for participants. (Or you may choose to complete the entire programme via zoom).

.

ona to see

Chat to Sh

s your need t e e m t s e tb what migh

Get in touch – Shona Glentworth 06 769 9500 // 0274 536 928 // shona@implement.co.nz implement.co.nz // implementonline.co.nz

TRAINING If you and your team are looking to upskill – then read on. The Chamber collaborates with skilled trainers who deliver workshops on leadership, speaking and presenting, management , Microsoft Excel and Outlook, customer service, Treaty of Waitangi, sales, the Construction Contracts Act, coaching, Te Reo M ori and much more.

Leadership and management workshops delve into the all the skills required by those in the role, including managing change, team leadership, resilience, problem solving, relationships, managing conflict and communication.

Microsoft Excel workshops cater for the full range of abilities from the selftaught novice to the high-end user. The one goal every attendee shares is to optimise time, efficiency and output.

Our aim is to provide a relevant, up-to-date training schedule and we certainly appear to be meeting requirements, with a number of fullybooked workshops. At the same time, we are continually looking to extend our programme. If you would like to work

with us as a training provider, we would love to hear from you.

Workshops delivered in the third quarter of 2022 include: • Te Reo M ori for Business – with Bernie Edwards from WITT • Customer Service and Brown Bag Workshop Series – with Shona Glentworth from Implement • Microsoft Excel: Basics and Macros & Intro to VBA – with Bernard Pfister from Excel Training Taranaki • Speaking and Presenting with Confidence – with Sam Bennett from Speaking Made Easy • Management Essentials and SELF Leadership – with Tim Waite from Blanchard New Zealand • Construction Contracts Act 2002 – with Stuart Bailey from ProfiQS • Microsoft Outlook – with Bernard Pfister from Excel Training Taranaki • Get Business Smart Series – with Tom Rodden from Peak Coaching • Treaty of Waitangi 101 – with Margaret Smith, Hokipera Ruakere and Eloise Pollard

Customised Microsoft Excel Training

Upcoming workshops include: • Te Reo M ori for Business – with Bernie Edwards from WITT • Brown Bag Workshop Series – with Shona Glentworth from Implement • Management Essentials and Coaching Essentials – with Tim Waite from Blanchard • Microsoft Excel: The Data Model – Power Pivot & Power Query – with Bernard Pfister from Excel Training Taranaki • Construction Contracts Act 2002 – with Stuart Bailey ProfiQS • Generating Automatic Customers – with Tom Rodden from Peak Coaching • Speaking and Presenting with Confidence – with Sam Bennett from Speaking Made Easy

Julia Collins Office Manager

julia@taranakichamber.co.nz

Our Digital Conference Suite is available for hire.

Facilities include a Touch-board SmartScreen, which enables presentations, video conferencing, electronic whiteboard, and laptop connection. All this and more is available at our convenient,Digital central-city location.Suite Conference

Ricoh Room

(one-on-one or in small groups)

2 Hour Workshops: (workshop notes and email follow-up included)

Basic/Intermediate Intermediate/Advanced Advanced Functions Date, Time & Text Functions Dashboards

Pivot Tables Power Pivot Power BI Macros Charts

The Ricoh Room at Chamber House gives you access to a state of the art communications hub in a self-contained conference room.

For bookings or to view contact admin@taranakichamber.co.nz or 06 759 9080

Free assessment visit.

Excel 2016

Bernard Pfister M.Ed 022 585 7743 | excelltaranaki@gmail.com

www.exceltrainingtaranaki.co.nz SPRING 2022

TARANAKI BUSINESS REVIEW

19

The PIVOT Award is open for its fourth year, continuing its exciting history of enabling innovative agricultural research in Taranaki. To date three awards of $100k have been made to projects exploring the potential of urban farming, juniper berries and regenerative agriculture to contribute to a flourishing region.

Farm Next Door was the award’s first recipient and has developed models to encourage and enable more urban farming in the region to create a growing supply of local and sustainable produce.

Advancing a Juniper Berry Industry was funded in 2021 and is midway through its research into New Zealand junipers, with the aim of unlocking the opportunity we may have to market New Zealandgrown berries in the future.

The PIVOT Award was created through a partnership between The Bishop’s Action Foundation (managing the Bashford-Nicholls Trust) and Massey University. The aim of the award is to support innovative research that has the potential to influence the future of agriculture and effect change in Taranaki, potentially with national and international relevance. Funding may be a single award for $100,000 or two awards of up to $50,000 each.

The award is an annual opportunity for research partnerships that benefit communities and industries in Taranaki.

Projects must have the potential to

20 TARANAKI BUSINESS REVIEW

influence the future of agriculture or veterinary science. The award is for organisations or individuals seeking to work with Massey University researchers or for Massey University researchers who wish to undertake and lead researchaligned projects in the Taranaki region.

Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate a genuine connection with the Taranaki region and the ability to deliver positive economic, social or environmental outcomes from their research.

Eve Kawana-Brown, Massey University business development manager said “through this award, we are looking to deepen strategic collaborations between the University, industry and the Taranaki community. Strong partnerships are needed if we are to deliver sustainable social and economic benefits to the region.”

The award offers a significant opportunity for stakeholders in Taranaki to collaborate with Massey researchers to address challenges or create new opportunities.

Bishop’s Action Foundation chief executive Simon Cayley​said “the award is a great opportunity to be a catalyst for research that will help Taranaki move towards its 2050 goals. It reflects the commitment of the partners to enable agricultural innovation in Taranaki.”

Applications open on Monday, 8 August 2022 and close on Thursday, 6 October 2022. Decisions will be announced in December 2022.

Further details are available at: https://www.massey.ac.nz/ research/research-funding-andscholarships/pivot-enablinginnovation-in-agriculture/ and applications can be made via the Taranaki Scholarships portal: https://taranakischolarships. communityforce.com/Login.aspx Anyone from Taranaki interested in exploring research partnerships with Massey, and/or the potential of Pivot funding is welcome to contact Eve at E.Kawana-Brown@massey.ac.nz

SPRING 2022

YOUNG ENTERPRISE SCHEME

We are now into the busy Term Three of the Young Enterprise 12-month programme, and the students’ focus is on promoting and selling their products.

Five teams had stalls at the Ng motu Seaside Market in July, with another five teams at the H wera Trade Fair and 10 more teams at the second Seaside Market in August. These markets provided the students with a great opportunity to showcase their products to the Taranaki public and to make progress towards their sales targets.

For the Promotion Challenge, the students had to provide evidence of what promotional channels they are using and why they have chosen each channel.

There are a further two challenges remaining in the YES calendar, the Sales Challenge and the Annual Review.

One of our YES students, Apirana Fruean from NPBHS, has been selected to attend the 2022 BizVenture China week in October. This is a prestigious event where students throughout New Zealand can apply to be part of a week-long multicultural business environment. We are very proud of Apirana being invited to participate.

The Regional Awards Evening is on Thursday 27 October. Judging by the high standard of work that is being submitted, the night is going to be exciting as multiple awards are presented and the regional winner announced.

A programme like YES would not be possible in our region without the generous support of our amazing and dedicated sponsors. A special thanks to our key regional co-sponsors Massey University and WITT, and funder Toi Foundation.

Shelley Baldwin Taranaki Regional Coordinator

yes@taranakichamber.co.nz

Glen Bennett MP for New Plymouth Contact our friendly team: 78 Gill St, New Plymouth 06 757 5662 glen.bennettmp@parliament.govt.nz /glenbennettlabour

Authorised by Glen Bennett MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

SPRING 2022

TARANAKI BUSINESS REVIEW

21

ANK THANK U.YOU. YOU.

Energyworks, Pipetech, Energyworks, The Inglewood Pipetech, The Lions InglewoodClub Lions Club and Shining Peak have and committed Shining Peak have tocommitted bringing to bringing the best the best Energyworks, Pipetech, The Inglewood Lions Club healthcare to Taranaki. healthcare Their to generous Taranaki. donations generous help help and Shining Peak haveTheir committed to donations bringing the best us bring enhancements us bring to enhancements Taranaki Base to Taranaki Hospital Base Hospital giving giving healthcare to Taranaki. Their generous donations help you the best healthcare you the possible. best healthcare possible.

us bring enhancements to Taranaki Base Hospital giving you the best healthcare possible.

HEALTH OUR HEALTH HEROES HEROES

OUR HEALTH HEROES

PPORTER – GOLD $250,000 SUPPORTER DONATION – $250,000 DONATION

GOLD SUPPORTER – $250,000 DONATION

g to bring a state-of-the-art Energyworks is helping to bring Cancer a state-of-the-art Centre Cancer to Taranaki Centre to Taranaki

UPPORTERS BRONZE – $75,000 SUPPORTERS DONATION – $75,000 DONATION Energyworks is helping to bring a state-of-the-art Cancer Centre to Taranaki

BRONZE SUPPORTERS – $75,000 DONATION The Pipetech Inglewood is supporting Lions the is The Inglewood Shining Lions Peak is Shining is supporting Peak is supporting supporting new Neonatal the Renal Unit Unit supporting the the Renal new UnitNeonatal the new Neonatal Unit Unit

KI DESERVES TARANAKI DESERVES THE BEST THE BEST

Pipetech is supporting the staff Lionsstaff is toHero!

Peak is supporting u want your business Contact usand if you want The your toInglewood business be a Health and beShining a Health Hero! new Neonatal Unit

supporting the Renal Unit

the new Neonatal Unit

TARANAKI DESERVES THE BEST Contact us if you want your business and staff to be a Health Hero!

Grant Carter

Brad Kisby Brad Kisby

Donor relationship manager grant@thf.org.nz 027 248 4044

Donor relationship Donor relationship manager manager brad@thf.org.nz brad@thf.org.nz 027 555 3960 027 555 3960

potential pressures on wellbeing.

SCAN HERE

ELLBEING BDO WELLBEING ININ BDO Taranaki are proud sponsors INDEX SS BUSINESS INDEX of the Financial wellbeing sector at the 2022 Wellbeing Conference

eport exploring theexploring relationship A first-of-its-kind report the relationship erformance and wellbeing between business performance and wellbeing

BDO WELLBEING IN BUSINESS INDEX

mpacts At BDO, that we business often observe the impacts that business ncial concerns performance – particularly – can have financial on concerns – can have on ess leaders mental wellbeing and owners, among business and leaders and owners, and elationship we wantedmore to understand closely this relationship so more closely so e inaugural we can offerBDO further support.

Wellbeing The inaugural BDO Wellbeing practical in Business tipsIndex alongside report offersour practical tips alongside our ways commentary business– centring leaders on the can ways business leaders can l performance maintain their business to minimise financial performance to minimise SCAN HERE SCAN HERE g. potential pressures on wellbeing.

sors BDO Taranaki are proud sponsors tor of the Financial wellbeing sector ence at the 2022 Wellbeing Conference

A first-of-its-kind report exploring the relationship 10 Youngbusiness Street, New Plymouth IDEAS | PEOPLE | TRUST between performance and wellbeing

P 06 759 9034 At BDO,E10taranaki weYoung oftenStreet, observe the impacts that businessIDEAS | PEOPLE @bdo.co.nz mouth New Plymouth IDEAS | PEOPLE | TRUST | TRUST P 06 759 9034 performance – particularly financial concerns – can have on E taranaki@bdo.co.nz www.bdo.nz/taranaki www.bdo.nz/taranaki mental wellbeing among business leaders and owners, and

New chances and careers in infrastructure Training providers, employers and Ministry of Social Development (MSD) staff are working together to meet a demand for workers across a range of industries. One example is the infrastructure sector where graduates of an industry course stepped straight into employment.

Taranaki locals Mea and Haydnn are among a group of 13 who graduated in July 2022 from the 16-week programme with Axiom Training. Through it they gained five endorsements in operating forklifts, heavy trade licence, dangerous goods, first aid, and other endorsements. Mea has started working at Downer in a temporary traffic management role but is on her way to further training, enabling her to take on more responsibility. The mother of four who previously worked in food production, merchandising and healthcare loves being out and about.

“Every day is different. Some days I’m on the road I might be pilot driving, driving the team and helping them set out.”

Initially she had plans to train as a nurse but the switch to traffic management is good for her and her family.

“This has been a positive move really, it has helped us financially. It’s something totally different that I didn’t think I would get into…. I stepped outside my comfort zone.

“Potentially this could take me to where all the tickets I have, are being put to good use in other parts of the company.”

Meanwhile, another Axiom graduate, Haydnn (pictured left) is driving delivery trucks for Bidfood and relishing the opportunity. A former painter and plasterer, he was forced to contemplate a career change after the combined effects of breaking his leg and COVID lockdowns slowed business down.

He started applying for jobs but found it tough going and signed up to a Jobseeker benefit for the first time in his life. He was referred to the Axiom course and while heading ‘back to school’ for three months was “tough on the brain cells,” the whole process paid dividends, he says.

Contact a Taranaki MSD Work Broker for a range of business support.

Find out more about our Recruitment services.

Call our Employer Line on 0800 778 008 to be connected with our regional team 24 TARANAKI BUSINESS REVIEW

Visit workandincome.govt.nz/employers to find out more.

Email our Taranaki work brokers | Mahi_Taranaki@msd.govt.nz SPRING 2022

6334CLA_Taranaki COC_A4 Advert

“Now I’m getting a good wage, working over 40 hours and there’s more certainty than being self-employed.”

Landing the job with Bidfoods was a great transition. He started with work experience at the multinational company, who were then happy to take on a mature worker with his trademark hats – he has seven of them and says without a hat on his head he feels bereft!

“A big thumbs up to MSD. Keep giving people career opportunities. If you are out there [on a benefit] give it a go and put the work in because you’ll end up with a job that you will enjoy.”

NEW! NEW!

Postgraduate Postgraduate studies studies in Taranaki in Taranaki

Take Take youryour career career to the nextto level the next leve Extend Extend your expertise your expertise and capability and when you capability gain an advanced when you gain an advanced qualification qualification in applied inmanagement. applied management.

Part-time options with Part-time options with evening evening classesclasses available. Choose available. from: Choose from: •• Postgraduate Postgraduate Diploma Diploma • Postgraduate Certificate • Postgraduate Certificate (1 year (1 year full-time) full-time) and major and (6 major months full-time) (6 months full-time) in Business in Business Analytics or Analytics or Healthcare Healthcare Management Management

Introducing Introducing Steve Scott Steve Scott Postgraduate Postgraduate Tutor Tutor

Steve Steve has ahas keen interest a keen in entrepreneurship interest in entrepreneurship and and innovative innovative learning. learning.

“I’m “I’m excited excited to teach at toWITT teach for their atfirst WITT for their first offering offering of the of Postgraduate the Postgraduate Certificate/DiplomaCertificate/Diploma ofof Applied Applied Management.

Management.

I want the postgraduate I want the postgraduate study study at WITT at to WITT be about tostudents be about exploring students exploring ideas ideas and critiquing and critiquing them while encouraging them while encouraging out-of-the-box out-of-the-box thinking.” thinking.”

Postgraduate Postgraduate Study Study Information Information EveningEvening Come Come alongalong to the Postgraduate to the Postgraduate Study Study Information Information Evening.Evening.

Get advice about Get choosing advice about choosing courses, courses, career career pathways and pathways hear from a and guest speaker. hear from a guest speaker.

When: When: Thursday Thursday 8 September 8 September | Time: 5.30pm | Time: 5.30pm Where: Where: Impressions Impressions Restaurant Restaurant (WITT (WITT New New Plymouth Plymouth Campus) Campus) Register Register for thefor event the or find event out more: or find out more:

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The generous collaborative actions of partners, employers, not-forprofits, schools, government agencies, and individuals help us to achieve our goal of connecting people and business through employment and training.

The New Zealand Institute of Highway Technology (NZIHT), Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and Chamber Hub have coordinated work experience placements for five students enrolled in the New Zealand Certificate in Infrastructure Level 2 course.

Combining work experience with training increases sustainable employment outcomes and contributes to a healthy and prepared pipeline of talent for industry. Thank you to Whitaker Civil Engineering, Downer and Offshore Plumbing for offering their services to provide employment for the five students.

There is high demand for heavy vehicle operators. Axiom Training reached out to Chamber Hub for support to find candidates for their New Zealand Certificate in Commercial Road

and suicide in trades, James enlightened everyone on the ever-changing motor industry, the impact of clean car regulations (both good and bad) and the struggle to find qualified technicians amid immigration restrictions.

A FORUM FOR TRADES AND TRADES-BASED BUSINESSES Supported by Chamber Hub In July Chamber Hub South hosted the Network of Trades at Tasman Toyota in H wera. Those who attended were inspired and informed by some excellent speakers including Chamber Hub Placement Coordinator Tina Parata, Christina Lorth from Building Wellness Taranaki and Tasman Toyota CEO James Crighton.

While Tina and Christina touched on the important topics of youth employment

Rivet hosted in August at its workshop in Strandon. Surrounded by an eclectic mix of hand-crafted metal creations, guests were treated to speeches from the two contrasting characters at Rivet, Steve Scott and Andy Carnegie.

Transport (Heavy Vehicle Operator) course which started on 22 August.

A Women in Trades Event is on 22 September at HEL Rimu in collaboration with Chamber Hub, WITT, Building Wellness Taranaki Trust and Whitaker Civil Engineering.

If you need staff, or know someone looking for work, call us today. There is no cost or obligation to register and you may find the future talent for your business.

all of their project work in Taranaki as opposed to Auckland.

Andy, who was no less intriguing, spoke of his experiences in the food production industry, how he developed a relationship with Steve and then dived in to the prickly topic of mental health.

Melissa Keith Placement Support Coordinator

melissa@taranakichamber.co.nz

Steve, the ever-captivating joker, gave insight into the history of the business, started by him and his father 30 years ago as Scott Sheetmetal & Heating. He also spoke of how Covid-19 has changed operations, and that they now do almost

Tina Parata Placement Support Coordinator

tina@taranakichamber.co.nz

TAKE THE PLEDGE AND JOIN OUR NETWORK OF BUDDIES AND MENTORS Contact Christina Lorth – help@buildingwellness.co.nz – 027 322 0606 26 TARANAKI BUSINESS REVIEW

SPRING 2022

Ci rculate

NOT FOR PROFIT PARTNERSHIP “Creating a strong business and building a better world are not conflicting goals, they are essential ingredients for long term success.” Bill Ford. (Great grandson of Henry Ford).

THE EVOLUTION OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was a term first used in 1953 and has become an integral part of every business’s strategy. If it is not, the business is likely to start missing out on opportunities. As evidence shows, consumers are increasingly purchasing from companies that support causes they care about and actively avoiding companies that cannot show how they are giving back. One recent survey indicated that nearly 90% of consumers would purchase a product because a company supported an issue they care about, while 75% would refuse to buy a product if the company had a different stance on an issue.

In an increasingly competitive employment market, CSR can also be a key factor influencing where talented employees choose to work. Companies are well aware that CSR is not only better for society, but is often better for business as well.

More recently, CSR has evolved again following the release of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development goals which cover a wide array of focussed areas including gender equality, poverty reduction and care for our environment and its species. CSR is aligning itself to these goals with socially responsible companies visibly showing they are working to combat discrimination and reduce their carbon footprint.

While not every corporation follows CSR principles and those that do are far from

perfect, it is encouraging that businesses are beginning to recognise the myriad ways that they affect society and can change it for the better.

The increasing severity of climate change and cost of living increases due to resource shortages, means CSR will only become more important for business going forward. Circulate can help SMEs who are interested in exploring how their CSR strategy is fit for purpose.

Visit www.taranakichamber.co.nz/ membership/not-for-profit/

Simon Cayley CEO BAF

CIRCULATE – HOW CAN WE HELP? Community groups and businesses both have a vital part to play in community wellbeing in so many ways.

When people work in a community organisation they want to make a difference. They are passionate about the purpose they serve. When a business practices Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), they are adding contribution to the wellbeing of their community and environment, to what is a ‘marker’ of their businesses success.

As you explore your CSR strategy, and what options are available to you, let us at the Chamber help you connect to a community group where you share similar values. Similar values to what you, your business and your staff stand for. Values that align with who you are and what you do. Where you can

develop a relationship that benefits you both and where there can be a genuine ‘working together’. The most powerful CSR will be out of relationship and core values and a genuine desire to ‘make a difference’. This creates an impact that has the potential to grow and bring real community change, as you partner together.

Recently at our annual Chamber Business Showcase, we were pleased to have a number of community groups who had expo stands. It was an ideal opportunity for them to connect with many businesses and spectators and discuss who they are, what they do, and how people can partner with them.

A big thank you to Big Brothers Big Sisters, Taranaki Health Foundation, Heart Kids, On the House, Air Ambulance, Taranaki Safe Families, Life Education, Hospice, Access Radio, Building Wellness Taranaki, CCS Disability, and New Plymouth North Rotary.

For more information contact Maura.

Maura Young

maura@taranakichamber.co.nz

THE TARANAKI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS PROUD TO SUPPORT NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANISATIONS

Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Zealand Tuakana Teina

ACCESS

TARANAKI

Your voice, your choice.

SPRING 2022

TARANAKI BUSINESS REVIEW 27

MEMBERSHIP At the Chamber, we are here to help you connect to the wider business community. Liken us to a doorway, that opens opportunities for you to create relationships with others in business, and find help, support and encouragement as and when, you need.

Often, when you are working hard on the day-to-day operations, it is easy to lose the focus and motivation to take the time to ‘work on’ your business. The days can become long with the challenges staff shortages, flu and Covid creating additional pressure on day to day issues, all while balancing family commitments.

This can lead to missed opportunities, which ultimately can have a big effect on future growth.

That is why networking with other businesses inside and outside of your

industry, talking about experiences, and sharing resources and advice can help you gain perspective and create new insights.

Open and walk through one of the doors to utilise the Chambers’ benefits and opportunities.

As a Taranaki business operator, the Chamber is here to help you be the best you can be. I encourage you to attend an event, consider training that will give you an edge with a new or improved skill, review our current member-to-member offers and think about offering one yourself, reach out and get involved.

“Opportunities don’t just happen you create them”

There are a multitude of benefits available, you could find that next staff member, the next great idea, or create a new collaboration.

Rebecca Mende Membership Coordinator

rebecca@taranakichamber.co.nz

Every business is unique, as is everyone in business, so consider what aspects will work for you that build added value to your business, this is not just important - it is essential.

PARTNERSHIP New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME). Congratulations are in order for the amazing team at NZME Taranaki who have won the prestigious 2022 New Zealand Radio Award for ‘Sales Team of the Year’.

This is such a fantastic achievement and is the result of their hard work and dedication to finding the best solutions for their clients. Well done!

NATIONAL PARTNERS

Excellence Awards. Taranaki was wellrepresented at the awards this year, held at the impressive, new architectural landmark, Te Pae in Christchurch. These awards highlight achievements across the country and recognise initiatives that transition us to low carbon sources of energy. Tickets for 2023 are already on sale.

Freeman Media is known amongst other things for its up to date, informative, sector publications including ‘Energy News’ and ‘Inside Resources’. They also publish ‘Capital Letter’, an online information service for the legal sector, which provides latest judgement summaries and updates on legislation and law. To find out more about these publications visit www.freemanmedia. co.nz/publications

DIGITAL BOOST The Chamber in partnership with Innovation HQ, and Learner Me (professional IT trainers), are facilitating the government’s Digital Boost programme. Business owners will be provided with a customized digital action plan, access to digital resources and the means to use them. One on one support will also help to implement these learnings to the specific business models.

A standout event run by Freeman since 2010 is the New Zealand Energy

This is an exciting opportunity for SMEs and sole traders to improve their digital

28 TARANAKI BUSINESS REVIEW

skills. The topics to be covered are small business accounting, digital marketing and websites, and digital tools. This includes booking systems and tradie tools, amongst other things.

New Partner Opportunity. We are looking for a Category Partner for Network of Trades. Please email Maura if you are interested or would like some more information.

Maura Young Partnership Manager

maura@taranakichamber.co.nz

SPRING 2022

NATIONAL PARTNERS

Joshua JoshuaFerries Ferries

Param ParamSingh Singh

JenFraser Fraser Jen

Heidy Southerland Heidy Southerland

Contact us We offer products and services tailored to your business. Give us a call or book a visit to arrange your 30-minute business tech check. How easy is that?

0800 625 448 Or HubTaranaki@spark.co.nz