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WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS
November/December 2014
Thriving Taupo... a new home for your business If you’ve been pondering a business expansion, relocation or simply a change of pace, then Taupo is definitely worth considering.
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aupo has a strong and growing economy with low unemployment and a thriving business sector. The region has an abundance of affordable commercial property available for lease or purchase, as well as significant tracts of undeveloped land ideal for those that require a purpose-built facility. One of the main perks of basing your business in Taupo are the affordable operating costs such as lower rent and wages and many other business expenses when compared with the main centres around New Zealand. Taupo also offers you and your family a dream lifestyle. It has the big city amenities and features without the
hassle and stress of big city living – and importantly, an ideal environment in which to raise a family. “It is a safe place, with a strong local community and sense of civic pride,” says Kylie Hawker-Green, from Enterprise Great Lake Taupo. “People who live here, love the lifestyle. “We are committed to rolling out the red carpet for new businesses in Taupo,” says Kylie. “We want to prove to business owners who are considering a move here that Taupo is filled with great opportunities for business. “So to prove it, we’re encouraging them to register for a Taupo Tiki Tour. “We’ll host you in Taupo for a day, introduce you to
Sam Coxhead and Keri Harper moved to Taupo from Auckland to raise their family, love the lifestyle and community; and have established the award-winning Design Builders Taupo in partnership with ex-Kapiti Coast builder Matt Corelison property developers and land owners, discuss your requirements, answer any queries you have and connect you with the right people,” she said.
For those who decide to make the move, the ‘Welcome Home to Taupo’ pack provides a $20,000+ package of benefits for those who are bring-
Three ways to take a break without leaving work It’s November and the heat is on as we head towards Christmas and the end of year. Now is not the time to push yourself through blocks {hoops]. During the ‘silly season’ backing off and taking a break is much more effective. When you feel yourself
flagging, get up from your desk and try one of these one minute exercises to free up your energy and creativity. • Breathe – deeply and consciously. Breathe in for six seconds, and out for six seconds. Consciously relax from head to toe. Feel a wave of relaxa-
tion flow through you. Continue until you feel calm and clear. • Put all your attention in the present moment – close your eyes. Feel both feet flat on the floor. Now focus on each sense in turn. What can you feel? What can you smell?
ing their business to Taupo. The pack includes everything you need to get your business established such as stationery, signage, printing, power, engi-
neering and planning advice, telephone and internet, marketing, advertising, memberships to local groups and even the Mayor’s cellphone number. A recent arrival from Auckland, says living in Taupo is like always being on holiday. “In summer, by 5:30 I’ve finished work, grabbed the family, and we’re out on our boat enjoying a swim and a barbecue. “Back in Auckland, we wouldn’t have even arrived home by then, let alone hooked the boat up.” Kylie says: “We want our local businesses not just to exist, but to be booming. “We have so many strong businesses here that are succeeding at a local, national and international level and we think there are others out there who’d like to do the same.” To register for a Taupo TikiTour, or find out more about bringing your business to Taupo, visit www.greatopportunities.co.nz
Peak Potential Tips >
by jasmine sampson
Jasmine Sampson is a Peak Potential Coach based in Hamilton. Contact her via her website www.JasmineSampson.com •
What can you hear? What can you taste? Linger a little on each sense. Breathe and relax. Bend over as if going to touch your toes – just as far as is comfortable.
Keep your knees soft. Hold for three – five deep slow breaths. Let your mind become still. Relax and let your body drop gently a little lower. Feel the stretch in your
hamstrings. When you’re done, bend your knees to protect your back and come up slowly Stay sane – and I will talk to you again next month. © 2014 Jasmine Sampson
Waikato entrepreneurs grateful for internship programme One brings the no nonsense approach, the other provides the voice of reason; together they balance each other out. It’s this great working relationship that has helped Timoti Daymond and Geoff Davies successfully create and drive forward their Waikato company, Tian & Davies Ltd. Tian & Davies was formed late last year and was designed to provide business development solutions for small businesses. Their services include implementing processes for office administration including setting organisational process mapping, key performance indicators, 3D augmented reality-based factory layout planning, human resource management support, as well as offering advice on supply-chain management and logistics. “Smaller companies are often faced with more chal-
lenges when it comes to successfully implementing and managing these processes. We saw a need for services for this target market so Tian & Davies was born,” says Daymond. Daymond and Davies’ relationship formed when they were both participants of the 496 A Management Internship programme, offered by the University of Waikato’s Management School. Working with three companies of the Huntly Joinery Manufacturing Group, they helped to create human resource, strategy and supplychain management systems for each. “At the end of our internship, we were approached by one of the companies, Zealand Distribution Ltd, to take on a short-term contract with them. This opportunity enhanced our skills further and deepened our interest in this line of work,”
says Daymond. Both men are particularly grateful to the internship programme which pushed them beyond their limits and is part of the reason they are now entrepreneurs. “For our team it was a tough programme with five reports and a four-hour presentation at the end, but it really does prepare you for working in a real business environment. Without the internship experience, I doubt Tian & Davies would exist today,” he adds. Now keen to give something back, the pair approached the Waikato Management School’s internship convenor, Glyndwr Jones, about potentially utilising students for work experience within their company. “We valued the experience so much and want other students to be given the same opportunity, so we are keen to come on board and work
Waikato scientists uncovering the secrets of manuka trees The results of a University of Waikato study surveying the flowers of manuka trees around the North Island has been published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. The research conducted by the University of Waikato honey chemistry team was led
by Associate Professor Merilyn Manley-Harris. “Manuka honey contains bioactivity that originates from a chemical called dihydroxyacetone (DHA) in the nectar of the manuka flower. “However not all manuka trees produce the same amounts of DHA and therefore manuka
trees are not necessarily equal in their ability to create bioactive honey,” says Assoc Prof Manley-Harris. The Waikato honey team spent the past few years surveying the flowers of manuka trees around the North Island and testing their nectar for DHA.
with Mr Jones as a supporting organisation of the programme,” he says. Daymond, who is originally from the Chatham Islands, is in the final year of a Bachelor of Management Studies, majoring in Electronic Business and Strategic Management, while UK-born Davies has just completed his Bachelor of Management Studies, majoring in Human Resource and Supply Chain Management. “It’s this unique blend of expertise that has made our business partnership so strong. I bring the no nonsense, cut to the chase attitude while Geoff provides the practical approach and ability to work effectively with people,” says Daymond. “Our current focus for Tian & Davies is on the Waikato and Bay of Plenty market. However this month we have booked to meetings with a number of groups in Melbourne and in Throughout the study the team classified the nectars as high, medium or low based upon the quantity of DHA in the nectar. Variations from low, to moderate or high were observed between years for the same trees in some locations and differences between regions in the North Island were also observed. “Perhaps most significantly trees within a 100 metre radius in one location showed variation from low to high.” An Australian species relat-
Young Entrepreneurs: Timoti Daymond and Geoff Davies have formed business development company Tian & Davies Ltd. time we hope to expand further abroad to South America – it’s good to dream big.” The 496 A Management Internship programme is offered to students enrolled
in a Bachelor of Management Studies at the Waikato Management School, University of Waikato. For more information visit, www.management.ac.nz
ed to manuka was also sampled from northern New South Wales. The species also displayed DHA in its nectar, in some cases at high levels. Assoc Prof Manley-Harris says that surprisingly, some garden cultivars originating from New Zealand displayed extremely high levels of DHA which were significantly (two to three times) higher than most trees found in the wild. Cultivars which displayed red, single flowers were most likely to show this behaviour. “It should be possible to
grow manuka plantations to support the supply of bioactive honey, but it is also necessary to understand the genetics and physiology of DHA production in the tree and why it shows this particular trait. “Once we know the underlying genetic component, physiology and how external factors impact on the production of DHA, we may then be able to control the variability of this molecule in plantation manuka. “Until that point it is a case of planting and hoping.”