Bay of Plenty Business News October/November 2016

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2016 VOLUME 1: ISSUE 5 WWW.BOPBUSINESSNEWS.CO.NZ FACEBOOK.COM/BOPBUSINESSNEWS 

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2 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS October/November 2016

BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS October/November 2016 3 

Warm business welcome for civic leaders 

Leading Bay of Plenty business leaders 

are optimistic that October’s local body 

election results will continue to favour 

business development in the region. 

By VIV POSSELT 

While Rotorua settles 

into a confident 

‘more of the same’ 

routine with the re-election 

of mayor Steve Chadwick 

for another three-year term, 

Tauranga heralded in a new era 

by electing Greg Brownless as 

its new mayor. 

The philanthropist and former 

funeral parlour owner has 

been welcomed into the hot 

seat by local business leaders, 

with Tauranga Chamber 

of Commerce chief executive 

Stan Gregec saying he expected 

the new council to “remain 

business-friendly, and committed 

to the course of growth that 

Tauranga is on”. 

“The new [TCC] council 

has new people with business 

and council experience, 

who have the potential to be 

a strong team taking the city 

forward,” Stan said. 

“Greg Brownless will bring 

a sensible, pragmatic and prudent 

style of leadership to the 

council – which will not be too 

different from what we had 

under Stuart Crosby. 

“The big challenges will 

be around prioritising council 

spending, and bringing further 

reform and efficiencies to the 

way council itself operates. 

“The intention to review 

some of the decisions made 

by the previous council around 

the Civic Heart project and 

other elements in the revitalisation 

of the Tauranga CBD 

will be important indicators of 

the direction this council will 

take, and how interventionist 

and visionary it plans to be.” 

Stan described the absence 

of the younger people on the 

council as “one noticeable 

casualty of the election”. 

“It will be a challenge for 

the new council not just to 

be seen as a return to the old 

guard, and to maintain the 

confidence and perspective of 

the younger generation of our 

community.” 

His views around development 

of the city’s CBD were 

echoed by Greg Simmonds, 

Rotorua mayor 

Stevie Chadwick. 

We hope the new 

elected members 

on both councils 

take advantage of 

opportunities as they 

arise to stimulate 

economic growth in 

partnership with the 

business community. 

interim chief executive of the 

Tauranga-based economic 

agency, Priority One. 

Status quo from 

Eastern Bay elections 

Rotorua Chamber 

of Commerce chief 

executive Darrin Walsh. 

Greg said hopes were high 

for a long-term vision for the 

city that extends further than 

the three-year electoral cycle, 

as well as for “strong, bold 

leadership to fulfil Tauranga’s 

potential”. 

“This would include a continued 

focus on revitalising the 

city centre, and the creation of 

city amenity projects such as a 

museum and performing arts 

centre. Cities that are thriving 

throughout the world are those 

that offer attractive environments 

and rich cultural life. 

“Arts, culture and quality 

architecture in the city centre 

are essential elements which 

will significantly enhance our 

ability to attract skills, talent 

and businesses, as well as to 

stimulate further private sector 

investment.” 

Greg said Tauranga and 

the Western Bay was going 

through a strong period of population 

and economic growth, 

and much of what was achieved 

in terms of sustainable economic 

development outcomes 

Interim chief 

executive Priority One, 

Greg Simmonds. 

Tauranga Chamber 

of Commerce chief 

executive Stan Gregec. 

was based on the collaborative 

relationship between Priority 

One and Tauranga and Western 

Bay councils. 

“We hope the new elected 

members on both councils take 

advantage of opportunities as 

they arise to stimulate economic 

growth in partnership 

with the business community. 

“There is also room for the 

local authorities to increase 

collaboration and build partnerships 

with the private sector, 

particularly in terms of 

the delivery of public amenity 

projects and funding major 

developments.” 

He said the recently elected 

mayor and councillors at 

Tauranga City Council all had 

previous local government 

experience, and he was confident 

that they understood the 

“vital role” local authorities 

play in supporting economic 

development. 

Meanwhile, there is an 

expectation that a return to 

the Rotorua mayoralty by 

Steve Chadwick will represent 

“business as usual” for 

her second term. 

Rotorua Chamber of 

Commerce chief executive 

Darrin Walsh said that the town 

had experienced “significant 

growth in its economy” during 

Steve’s first term in office. 

“Business confidence 

has climbed to new heights, 

and things are looking very 

good for business owners in 

Rotorua. 

“Under Steve Chadwick’s 

lead, the council adopted portfolio 

leads and set some goals 

in the 2030 plan. 

“I would imagine a lot of 

what has been achieved should 

be set as business as usual for 

her second term, however there 

has been some change to the 

make-up of council. We have 

gone from 12 to 10 councillors 

… how this will affect council 

is yet to be determined.” 

Darrin certain, however, 

that business owners would be 

confident of continued growth 

as the town headed into its 

busy summer tourist season. 

Opotiki mayor 

John Forbes. 

Whakatane mayor 

Tony Bonne. 

Kawerau mayor 

Malcolm Campbell. 

By KATEE SHANKS 

Local body elections 

in the Eastern Bay of 

Plenty have resulted in 

little change within the three 

electorates. 

In Whakatane, incumbent 

mayor, Tony Bonne made history 

when he was re-elected 

for a third term, finishing 330 

votes ahead of Whakatane 

Intermediate School principal, 

Doug Mclean. 

Whakatane voters have 

never before returned a mayor 

for a third term. 

“Apart from two new councillors, 

we don’t really have 

much change,” Mr Bonne said. 

“I believe we’ve got a good 

team we will work well together. 

I am also pleased to be able 

to continue working alongside 

Kawerau mayor Malcolm 

Campbell [re-elected for a 

sixth term] and Opotiki mayor 

John Forbes [also re-elected 

for a sixth term]”. 

Mr Bonne said council’s 

main business focus would be 

on the marketing of the Piripai 

Block. The block is on the 

outskirts of Whakatane and is 

being marketed as land for a 

retirement/lifestyle village and 

residential sections. 

Kawerau would continue 

to market itself as a desirable 

location for manufacturing 

business. 

“We are in negotiations 

with a Chinese company who 

are looking to set up a manufacturing 

plant,” Mr Campbell 

said. “We are also finalising 

the purchase of land for a rest 

home and council still plans to 

buy, renovate and sell, local 

homes.” 

Opotiki mayor John Forbes 

said the continuity of mayor 

and councillors was good for 

the town. 

“Most of the things delivering 

awesome outcomes in 

Opotiki have come from a 

platform built a decade ago. 

To do these takes a long time 

and a lot of hard work.” 

He said a lot of people 

were unaware councils were 

“moribund” in legislation and 

regulation and it was actually 

“bloody hard” to make change 

– especially in a short time. 

“We will continue to ensure 

local businesses have the infrastructure 

they need to grow. 

“That’s our job. It’s not flash, 

it’s not sexy – but it’s our job.” 

Eastern Bay Chamber of 

Commerce chief executive 

officer, Gerard Casey said the 

status quo could be seen as 

both a good and a bad thing. 

“Quite honestly I’m not 

sure businesses have the view 

that their success or growth 

is dependent on council,” Mr 

Casey said. 

“We need our councils 

focused on business growth 

and on understanding the competitive 

advantages, strengths 

and weaknesses of our region.” 

Mr Casey said councils had 

to set the best platform for 

growth within the Eastern Bay. 

“Businesspeople, and just 

about everyone else, want the 

place where they live, work 

and play, to be the best possible. 

They want a city or a town 

with a future, and for councils 

to state what it looks like and 

how they are going to make it 

happen.” 

“It needs to be easy to do 

business with our council. 

Regulations, compliance and 

consenting must be development-friendly. 

We want our 

council to build a culture that 

is quick to facilitate action and 

not put up barriers. 

“In particular, we want our 

three councils to work with 

the Chamber of Commerce 

and other business organisations 

to tell the story of 

our region, build our local 

brand, and develop a marketing-based 

strategy. Doing 

this will show the council 

is onside with business and 

employment.” 

He said the chamber and 

others already had resources 

and experience in place to 

enable business growth and 

employment.

4 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS October/November 2016 

Visitors flock for 

summer cruise 

migration 

Eighty-three cruise ships are expected to 

arrive in Tauranga this cruise season. 

Tauranga businesses are readying for 

an annual migration of visitors who, 

like godwits, head south to escape the 

northern winter every year. 

By RICHARD RENNIE 

But unlike the diminutive 

godwits, Tauranga’s visitors 

will be disembarking from the 

dozens of cruise ships berthing 

between now and autumn. 

The arrival of the Sun 

Princess in October marked an 

early start to the cruise season 

which continues to play such a 

big part in boosting the regional 

economy, dispersing tourists 

as far west as Matamata and 

south as Rotorua during the 

ships’ short visits. 

Tourism Bay of Plenty 

chief executive Kristin Dunne 

is only six months into her 

role, but is well familiar with 

the statistics and percentages 

of local business the industry 

makes up. 

This season promises to be 

no exception. 

“Overall we are expecting 

83 cruise vessels this year, 

up from 78 last year, adding 

about $39 million of expenditure 

into the local economy. 

“We are looking to be 

down in visitor numbers due 

to one company not coming 

this year, but still expect to 

have 153,000 visitors coming 

through the port.” 

Kristin said this year 

marked the first for ships 

arriving and staying overnight. 

Typically they will 

berth early in the morning 

before casting off later the 

same evening. 

Five ships will be overnighting 

with the largest the 

121,000t “Celebrity Solstice” 

accounting for three of those 

visits, and by far the largest 

vessel carrying 2850 passengers 

and 1250 crew. 

“The overnight visits are a 

big thing for Tauranga and the 

Mount because they will offer 

a significant opportunity for 

the local hospitality industry, 

and we are all working to 

make the town vibrant and an 

exciting place to be over that 

time,” Kristin says. 

Overall we are 

expecting 83 cruise 

vessels this year, 

up from 78 last 

year, adding about 

$39 million of 

expenditure into the 

local economy. 

Regulations require the 

ship’s on board casinos and 

retail outlets to close, further 

expanding the opportunity for 

locals to capture some of the 

cruisers’ passenger spend. 

Mount Mainstreet manager 

Ingrid Fleming said the retail 

organisation is working closely 

with the likes of Tourism 

Bay of Plenty to make the most 

of the opportunities the overnight 

stays offer this year. 

Representing 220 businesses 

in the Mount area she 

is intending to make a “big 

deal” out of the overnight stay 

of the Celebrity Solstice over 

December 10-11. 

“We are intending to create 

an atmosphere down here 

that will encourage visitors to 

want to stay and enjoy themselves 

rather than head back 

to their ship.” 

She is encouraged by the 

huge response enjoyed to 

the Mount Busking Festival 

which attracted 5000 people 

to downtown. 

“We have to be realistic, 

we are competing with what is 

often a high standard of entertainment 

on board the ships, 

but we are very reliant upon 

our ‘greeters’ who welcome 

the passengers ashore, to point 

out the options for entertainment 

and dining on land.” 

The shores around the 

Mount are also likely to be 

packed with ship spotters 

when the enormous “Ovation 

of the Seas” rounds the channel 

buoys on December 26. 

This 168,000t ship is the 

largest ever to visit New 

Zealand and will disgorge 

up to 4180 passengers and 

1300 crew.Measuring 348m 

in length, it matches the Aotea 

Maersk that visited in early 

October on its inaugural visit 

to mark the start of the first 

big container ships’ arrival. 

“It is largely thanks to the 

deepening of the port channel 

we are able to see a ship this 

big, one that cannot yet tie 

up in the Ports of Auckland,” 

said Kristin. 

February 5 will be a red 

letter day for the region’s 

retailers and tour operators, 

with the arrival of three ships 

including the Ovation of the 

Seas and Emerald Princess 

delivering more than 9000 

passengers and crew as visitors 

over a 12 hour period. 

Almost a third of passengers 

may sign up for a tour 

through to Rotorua attractions 

while still at sea, but of the 70 

percent that don’t, about 15 

percent of them will book and 

partake in locally arranged 

tours on arrival. 

“There is a misperception 

everyone goes to Rotorua, and 

while it is a vital attraction 

we work in with, there is still 

a great opportunity for local 

operators to capture business, 

either as local trips, Rotorua 

trips, or over to Hobbiton,” 

Kristin said. 

Destination Rotorua marketing 

manager Tom Worsp 

said the growth in cruise ship 

visits was welcome in his city, 

and operators were putting 

more focus on how best to 

draw visitors to its attractions. 

“We have not put a massive 

amount of focus on it 

in the past, as it is still a 

small proportion of visitors, 

but we have operators like Te 

Puia doing much to appeal to 

cruise visitors.” 

He said having a Te Puia 

director on the board of the 

lobby group Cruise New 

Zealand was a big asset in 

pitching the region to the 

giant tour operators. 

Having experienced 600 

percent growth in the industry 

in 10 years there have 

understandably been growing 

pains. Tauranga is the second 

most visited port after 

Tourism Bay of Plenty chief 

executive Kristin Dunne. 

Auckland, accounting for 13 

percent of port days, the same 

as Wellington. 

Funds have been found for a 

new temporary visitors’ arrival 

point on the port grounds. 

“Our hope is in the next 

few years we will have built 

a permanent visitor centre on 

Salisbury Ave.” 

Kristin says the port’s 

operational demands, alongside 

a city keen to see the 

cruise sector continue to grow, 

bring challenges. 

“This is why all stakeholders 

have been working together 

on the Cruise Maximisation 

Plan which will outline some 

recommendations early next 

year.”


Cruise ships part of a bigger 

tourism success story 

The value of the cruise ship 

sector to the Bay of Plenty 

region is impressive at 

$39 million of expenditure this 

year but remains a small part of 

the region’s larger and growing 

tourism success story. 

Tourism Bay of Plenty 

chief executive Kristin Dunne 

said the Bay has experienced 

31 percent growth in tourism 

value since 2009, well ahead 

of the national average of 25 

percent, and much of this has 

been in the past three years. 

“In fact the region went 

through a period where growth 

was negative, in domestic and 

international visitor terms, and 

we had quite a despondent 

industry at that time. 

“However we are now 

averaging 10 percent average 

growth a year for international 

and domestic visitor value 

combined.” 

In fact the greater Bay of 

Plenty region, when combining 

Western, Whakatane 

and Rotorua, now equals 

Queenstown for tourism value, 

equating to $1.6 billion of 

expenditure a year. 

Domestic visitors still 

account for the majority of the 

$873 million coming into the 

Western Bay of Plenty region, 

with 80 percent of those coming 

from Auckland and Waikato. 

Tourism Bay of Plenty is 

working on a 10-year plan that 

can integrate into the council’s 

10 year plan, allowing 

for growth and infrastructure 

development to cope with 

Inspiring Kiwi businesses 

to turn Innovation into Gold 

Businesses wanting to protect 

their products and be 

inspired by Kiwi business 

success stories have the 

opportunity to learn from the 

best, through a series of new 

regional events. 

Turning Innovation into 

Gold is a nationwide seminar 

series organised by national 

intellectual property specialists 

James & Wells to champion 

Kiwi innovation. 

The series will see James 

& Wells teaming up with 

Innovation Council and a host of 

Kiwi innovators who will share 

their stories on how they’ve 

turned innovation into sustainable 

commercial success. 

James & Wells founding 

partner and seminar series 

panelist, Ceri Wells says New 

Zealand is an innovative country 

“but we have a dismal record 

by OECD standards for successfully 

commercialising our 

innovations. 

Although innovation is on 

the boardroom agenda like never 

before, there is little point if you 

can’t transform your inventions 

into sustained commercial success.” 

Ceri says New Zealand business 

has to “up its game” in 

this area. 

“We’re far from our markets 

so the ideal product for us is one 

that can be sold, licensed and 

delivered electronically. 

“The seminar series will be 

very relevant and hugely beneficial 

for Kiwi businesses, especially 

those with an eye on the 

future growth. 

“The big issue is around having 

an internationally recognised 

high quality hotel and conference 

facilities here in Tauranga, 

and it is something we hope will 

develop in the near future.” 

Another facility on the 

organisation’s wish list are 

new, visible and well positioned 

visitor centres. 

“We have live projects 

underway discussing this with 

the council, including one near 

the port at Salisbury Ave.” 

export market.” 

With support from regional 

hubs including Christchurch 

Chamber of Commerce, 

Export New Zealand Bay of 

Plenty and Waikato Innovation 

Park, the series has secured 12 

speakers including ARANZ 

Medical CEO Dr Bruce Davey, 

New Zealand Mānuka Group 

CEO Karl Gradon, Gallagher 

Research and Development 

executive Rob Heebink 

and StretchSense CTO and 

co-founder, Todd Gisby. 

Top tips for capturing 

cruise tourist dollar 

Earlier this year Cruise New Zealand chairman 

Kevin O’Sullivan outlined to Tourism Bay of Plenty 

delegates some key hints to help local businesses 

attract the business of cruise tourists over the 

duration of their often short visits. 

• Put out a sign welcoming the specific ship that 

is in port that day. Cruise tourists comment that 

they enjoy the personal welcome here in the Bay of 

Plenty, one that makes it first equal for enjoyment, 

alongside Dunedin. 

• Keep flexible opening hours, recognising the 

variations in ship arrivals and departures will make 

visitors feel less stressed and time constrained. 

• Consider emphasising tax free and discount 

offers you can promote. 

• Make it as easy as possible to spend money, 

whether it is alternative currency, credit cards and 

other payment options. 

• Recommend things to do and see in the area 

that are easy to get to. 

• Know how to guide people back to their ship 

with easily understood instructions, helping take the 

stress out of worrying about missing the boat. 

THE SEMINAR SERIES 

Innovation is on the boardroom 

agenda like never before. 

Everyone is talking about it, but 

what is the point of innovation 

if you cannot transform it into 

sustainable commercial success? 

Join James & Wells, Innovation 

Council, ExportNZ Bay of Plenty 

and a host of Kiwi innovators 

as they travel the country 

sharing their stories on how 

they’ve turned their innovation 

into gold. With the spotlight 

on New Zealand’s changing 

innovation landscape, our 

panelists will share how to 

maximise innovation in today’s 

fragmented and challenging 

business world, successfully 

commercialise innovation 

and build channels to market. 

Tauranga 

Tuesday 15 November, 7.30am - 10.00am | ASB Baypark Stadium, 81 Truman Lane, Mount Maunganui


Bay innovators gain 

recognition 

Bay of Plenty businesses formed a strong contingent of 

contenders for this year’s New Zealand Innovation awards, 

with Zespri picking up two key prizes at the glittering event. 


It’s not uncommon for busy people in businesses – 

especially smaller ones – to put marketing on the back 

burner or make off the cuff decisions. 


With a strong focus on 

the agri-tech and primary 

production sector, 

the Bay of Plenty firms 

included Robotics Plus director 

and design engineer Alistair 

Scarfe who made the short list 

for the NZ Innovator of the 

Year award. 

Organic vanilla company 

Heilala Vanilla was a finalist 

in the innovation in food and 

beverage section, and the marketing 

and communications 

section. The company picked 

up a highly commended award 

in the marketing and comms 

section. 

Bluelab Corporation, 

designers and manufacturers of 

horticultural diagnostic equipment 

were also picked as finalists 

for the innovation in technical 

solutions, and the marketing-communications 

sections. 

Zespri’s joint venture 

with Plant and Food with the 

SunGold fruit launch picked 

up twin awards for innovation 

sustainability, and export 

innovation. 

Overall Bay of Plenty businesses 

featured strongly with 

the four businesses being nominated 

13 times over nine award 

categories. 

The Zespri- Plant and Food 

SunGold entry featured in five 

category nominations, followed 

by Robotics Plus with four 

nominations. 

Zespri’s joint operations 

manager with Plant and Food 

for new cultivar development 

Bryan Parkes said the award 

was the result of a massive 

joint effort between the two 

entities, and a tribute to efforts 

of the entire industry to pull 

out of the impact Psa had in 

2010. 

“With such a strong story 

we were cautiously optimistic 

about picking up something at 

the awards, but we certainly did 

not expect to win two,” he says. 

He says the company took 

the sustainability award as a 

particularly strong compliment. 

“You can get a cultivar 

going, but to have it sustained 

successfully really depends 

on having good management 

throughout the sector, which 

we have.” 

He says SunGold is gathering 

quite a trophy haul, having 

recently been awarded fruit 

of the year by German and 

Spanish consumers. 

“We are getting a bit of 

momentum building, and it 

certainly adds to the SunGold 

story.” 

But he said the greater success 

lay behind the consumer 

acceptance of the fruit. 

Zespri has calculated the 

cultivar has helped create 6800 

jobs in the sector, and by 2025 

will contribute to the existence 

of 16,000. 

“We are in a hugely optimistic 

period right now,” he says. 

Priority One chairman Brett 

Hewlett said it was good to 

see local BoP businesses recognised 

over so many categories. 

“Over the last few years we 

have seen a significant increase 

in entrepreneurial activity in the 

Bay of Plenty, and we have a lot 

to be proud of. 

“This is putting the region 

on the map nationally and 

internationally as a place where 

innovation is happening.” 

11202 

My focus is to get to know my client’s 

business first so I can help identify 

what we can offer to help with their 

current marketing ideas. Bottom line 

is to help them grow their businesses. 

Having worked in media for the 

last 15 years – the last four of which 

involved looking after clients from 

Auckland to Taupo - it was time for 

me to forgo the travelling and base 

myself firmly back in the Bay. 

I also help my husband run a small 

business in Tauranga so I am well 

aware of the day to day challenges 

and responsibilities that come with 

the privilege of owning a business in 

New Zealand. 

Brett and I have four adult 

children between us and we both 

follow motorsports, especially 

motorcycling. We’ve recently 

enjoyed travelling to the UK and 

Italy for the latest rounds in the 

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you need any advice or information 

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to hearing from you. 

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TAURANGA BUSINESS AWARDS 


EmployNZ “winner among stars” 

Tauranga’s Westpac Business of the 

Year EmployNZ was described by head 

judge Raimarie Pointon as “a winner 

amongst stars” because of the high 

calibre of finalists at this year’s awards. 

The private training provider 

which employs 

40 people took the top 

award at a glitzy, packed out 

awards ceremony at ASB 

Baypark in October. 

“There were some very 

strong contenders for Westpac 

Tauranga Business of the Year, 

resulting in five finalists - all 

of which needed to reach a 90 

percent benchmark in excellence 

across their business. 

So this is indeed an excellent 

The Retail Excellence – Small – Award, 

sponsored by Gartshore Retail Interiors, 

was won by Furnish. 

sign for businesses in the Bay,” 

said Raimarie. 

“What stood out for the 

judges about EmployNZ 

was the overall excellence it 

showed in how it operated and 

managed its business and its 

outcomes.” 

With the highest judging 

score, EmployNZ was a standout 

in all judging categories. 

Its unique approach to business 

management and development 

included an ‘open door policy 

Bay of Connections – Social Enterprise Award went to EmployNZ Ltd. 

And they had every right to be happy as later in the evening they took 

out the prestigious Westpac Tauranga Business of the Year Award. 

for good ideas’ such as holding 

a Dragon’s Den where all 

staff participated in providing 

ideas for the strategic plan, 

said Raimarie. 

EmployNZ director and 

general manager Jay Banner 

said the company succeeded 

because it gave its clients the 

tools to reach their potential. 

It also operated a very open 

door policy in which its 40 

staff were encouraged to make 

suggestions. 

“A lot of the things we have 

implemented have come about 

from staff identifying opportunities,” 

he said. 

EmployNZ partners 

with the Ministry of Social 

Development, The Tertiary 

Education Commission and 

NZQA to provide clients with 

training and development programmes. 

The business which has 

offices in Tauranga, Rotorua 

and Taupo, was set up in 2000 

and bought by Diane Meikle 

and Jay three years ago. 

EmployNZ also won the 

Social Enterprise category and 

was a finalist in Innovation and 

Customer Service categories. 

Jay said the judges told 

them EmployNZ received the 

highest marks they had ever 

handed out. 

“We’re pretty rapt with 

that.” 

It is the first time EmployNZ 

has entered the awards and 

Jay said the entry was very 

much driven by staff. A post 

on EmployNZ in response to 

the victory read: “Awards like 

this are not won by individuals 

alone, but by the performance 

of each and every team member. 

EmployNZ is so proud of 

you all.” 

Raimarie said EmployNZ 

has strong leadership, empowerment 

and succession planning 

evident across the leadership 

team, meticulous knowledge 

and understanding of their 

business. 

She said EmployNZ has 

focused planning within 

the areas of their control and 

detailed diversification options 

outside of these areas identified. 

The quality of the awards’ 

entries was also acknowledged 

by Westpac regional manager 

commercial, Central North 

Island, Lynn Walker. 

“As proud supporters of 

local, regional and national 

businesses, Westpac is 

delighted to help with a programme 

that inspires organisations 

to strive for and 

celebrate success,” she said. 

“Congratulations to the 2016 

Westpac Tauranga Business 

Awards winners – we’re sure 

this is a stepping stone to even 

greater business success.” 

This year’s winner of 

the Excellence in Business 

Leadership sponsored by 

Powerco was Tom Roper. Tom 

was described as a very worthy 

winner who tends to fly 

Continued page 8 

The Retail Excellence – Large – Award, 

sponsored by Gartshore Retail Interiors, 

went to YOU Travel. 

The Manufacturing &/0r Logistics, sponsored by Cooney 

Lees Morgan went to Modern Office & Office Furniture 

Warehouse. They also took out the Business Innovation 

Award sponsored by Balance Agri-Nutrients. 

Congratulations to EmployNZ Supreme Winner 

of the Westpac Tauranga Business Awards & 

Canopy Tours Supreme Winner of the Westpac 

Rotorua Business Excellence Awards. 

JN14967 

Westpac New Zealand Limited.



The Tourism and Hospo Award, sponsored by 

Tourism Bay of Plenty went to Pacific Coast Lodge & 

Backpackers. 

The YOU Travel sponsored Service Excellence 

Award went to Nurtured at Home. 

Waipuna Hospice won the Digital 

Innovation Award, sponsored by Vodafone. 

The Business Leadership Award, sponsored 

by Powerco, went to Tom Roper. 

From page 7 

under the radar, but has been 

contributing to the community 

since being in business. 

The winner of this award 

is an acknowledged successful 

business person, and equally 

this award acknowledges their 

contribution to community. 

In 1969 Tom joined his 

father in-law at A Balfour Ltd, 

which was sold in 1986 and is 

now called Steel & Tube. 

Tom’s business interests 

have involved retailing manufacturing, 

kiwifruit, farming, 

property investment and 

development. Zariba Holding 

Limited has been operating in 

the property industry for 30 

years. The Roper Group interests 

are managed by Zariba. 

Community service has 

always been a big part of 

Tom’s life, serving in Jaycees, 

while he chaired the Pyes Pa 

School Board, served on the 

St Peter’s School board of 

Trustees in Cambridge, was 

a Trustee of Tauranga Boy’s 

College Charitable Trust, and 

Trustee on the Bay Education 

Trust for eight years. 

Tom was a founding board 

member of the Bay of Plenty 

branch of the Property Council, 

Main Street and Priority One, 

where he is a life member. 

Currently Tom is a Trustee 

of The Waipuna Hospice 

Foundation which he re-established 

in 2003 and chaired for 

14 years. In 2012 he established 

and chairs the Tauranga Riding 

for Disabled Foundation. 

In 2013 he was awarded the 

Tauranga Boys College Old 

Boy of the year award. 

Tom set up The Hillsdene 

Charitable Trust in 1986 

which is funded solely by 

the Roper family interests 

and has assisted many individuals 

by way of education 

scholarships, Outward Bound 

courses, sporting and cultural 

activities as well as local 

Continues page 9 

The Waikato Management Schoolsponsored 

Corporate Leadership Award 

went to Sanford. 

Z Retail Outlets won the ACC-sponsored 

Workplace Safety Award. 

The Customer Service Award, sponsored 

by Trustpower went to Fresh One Ltd. 


Congratulates all category winners, 

finalists and entrants in the 

2016 Westpac Tauranga Business 

Excellence Awards. 

Congratulations! 

We look forward to seeing you 

all again next year. 

Fresh One Ltd 

J3364A 

Winners of the Trustpower Customer 

Service Award. 

Trustpower also congratulates all 

those entered into the Customer 

Service Award category at the Westpac 

Tauranga Business Excellence Awards. 

Trustpower Limited, Private Bag 12023, Tauranga Mail Centre 3143 

trustpower.co.nz | facebook.com/TrustpowerCommunity 

D5289K



THE WINNERS 

Retail Excellence – Small 

Sponsored by Gartshore Retail Interiors 

Winner: Furnish 

Finalist: Waihi Beach Chemist 

Retail Excellence - Large 

Sponsored by Gartshore Retail Interiors 

Winner: YOU Travel 

Finalist: Z Retail Outlets 

Finalist: Modern Office & Office Furniture 

Warehouse 

Manufacturing &/or Logistics 

Sponsored by Cooney Lees Morgan 

Winner: Modern Office & Office Furniture 

Warehouse 

Tourism and Hospo 

Sponsored by Tourism Bay of Plenty 

Winner: Pacific Coast Lodge & Backpackers 

Finalist: 850 Cameron Motel 

Finalist: The Phoenix 

Finalist: Waimarino Ltd 

Finalist: Little Big Events 

Service Excellence 

Sponsored by YOU Travel 

Winner: Nurtured at Home 

Finalist: The Relocatable House Company 

Finalist: Modern Office & Office Furniture 

Warehouse 

Social Enterprise 

Sponsored by Bay of Connections 

Winner: EmployNZ Ltd 

Finalist: Waipuna Hospice 

Customer Service Award 

Sponsored by Trustpower 

Winner: Fresh One Ltd 

Finalist: YOU Travel 

Finalist: EmployNZ Ltd 

Finalist: AJC Distribution 


Workplace Safety Award 

Sponsored by ACC 

Winner: Z Retail Outlets 


Digital Innovation 

Sponsored by Vodafone 

Winner: Waipuna Hospice 

Business Innovation 

Sponsored by Ballance Agri-Nutrients 

Winner: Modern Office & Office Furniture 

Warehouse 

Finalist: EmployNZ Ltd 

Finalist: Waimarino Ltd 


Business Leadership 

Sponsored by Powerco 

Tom Roper 

Corporate Leadership 

Sponsored by Waikato Management School 

Sanford 

Westpac Tauranga Business of the Year 

Winner: EmployNZ Ltd 

Finalists: Modern Office & Office Furniture 

Warehouse 

Finalists: Nurtured at Home 

Finalists: YOU Travel 

Finalists: Z Retail Outlets 

Listed below the winners and finalists of the 

Westpac Tauranga Business Awards 2016. 

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From page 8 

community amenity projects 

such as the all-weather athletics 

track at the domain, the 

Waipuna Hospice expansion 

programme, Tauranga Riding 

for the Disabled all weather 

arena and the Garden and Art 

Festival. 

In 2003 Tom along with 

his good friend Des Ferrow 

developed the Pillans Ridge 

Apartments with all the proceeds 

going to local charities. 

Over the years the Ropers 

have been consistent sponsors 

and financial supporters of 

many local events such as 

the Carrus Golf Open, The 

CIB Charity Luncheon, Bay of 

Plenty Rugby, The Tauranga 

Arts festival, Priority One, 

the Bay Oval Trust and the 

Tauranga Food Bank. 

The business recognised for 

its Corporate Leadership this 

year was Sanford. 

J5110A 

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Rotorua’s visitor industry 

celebrates more records 

Rotorua has followed up its recent tourism 

award success by racking up the best 

August ever for visitors nights and visits to 

attractions and activities. 

Data released by Statistics 

New Zealand reported 

a record August for 

nights spent in commercial 

accommodation in Rotorua 

with hotels, motels, backpacker 

hostels and holiday parks 

collectively hosting 139,300 

visitor nights for the month. 

That was up 20,900 nights or 

18 percent (versus a six per 

cent increase nationally) on 

August 2015. 

The Rotorua Attractions 

and Activities Monitor also 

reported a record August with 

180,800 visits, up 19,100 

(or 12 percent) on the pre- 

vious year. Both sectors had 

increased growth with visits 

to activities up 29 percent and 

visits to attractions up 11 percent. 

Rotorua Canopy Tours 

operations manager Alex Barr 

says that August has finished 

off what was a great winter for 

their business. 

“Not only was it a great 

winter, but our forward bookings 

are already looking strong 

for summer,” says Ms Barr. 

“We can’t wait to see what the 

peak season brings.” 

Destination Rotorua acting 

chief executive Andrew 

Wilson says 2016 is proving 

to be a great year for the local 

visitor industry. 

“This exceptional August 

has followed on from a 

record breaking July,” says 

Mr Wilson. “Rotorua’s visitor 

industry is the region’s largest 

employer and certainly looks 

to be in great shape after continuing 

to record such strong 

numbers through the shoulder 

season.” 

“It’s also the latest in a 

string of positive announcements 

with Rotorua Canopy 

Tours last month receiving 

New Zealand’s Supreme 

Tourism Award.” 

It was the second consecutive 

year a Rotorua business 

has won the award with 

Skyline Rotorua the supreme 

winner in 2015. 

Rotorua’s Canopy Tours highlighted the city’s 

tourism dominance by winning the 2016 Air 

New Zealand Supreme Tourism Award 

“To have a fledging business 

like Rotorua Canopy 

Tours take out New Zealand’s 

ultimate tourism award shows 

Rotorua is a great place to 

establish a tourism business. 

This continues a legacy of 

other successful tourism ideas 

being pioneered in Rotorua, 

a number of which have 

expanded to other regions and 

beyond.” 

Rotorua Canopy Tours was 

the star of the show winning the 

Visitor Experience Award, the 

Environmental Tourism Award 

and New Zealand Tourism’s 

top accolade, the 2016 Air New 

Zealand Supreme Tourism 

Award. Destination Rotorua 

won the Industry Alignment 

Award for the Rotorua Tourism 

Investment Partnership and 

Jared Adams from Rotorua 

Top 10 Holiday Park was a 

finalist in the emerging leaders 

category. 

“Last year Skyline Rotorua 

took out the 2015 Supreme 

Tourism Award and for the 

region to retain the industry’s 

top accolade is a major coup,” 

says Destination Rotorua general 

manager Oscar Nathan. 

Mr Nathan says the Rotorua 

visitor industry has a pool of 

exceptional operators, talented 

staff and a large number of 

new and exciting investment 

projects underway and/or in 

planning. “As visitor numbers, 

retail sales and spending 

all continue to increase, the 

future continues to look very 

positive for Rotorua.” 

Neighbouring Hobbiton 

Movie Set was another major 

winner on the night taking 

out the Tourism Marketing 

Campaign Award, the People’s 

Choice Award and the Business 

Excellence Award (annual 

turnover above $6m). 

Mr Wilson said growth 

in Rotorua’s visitor activity 

is being driven by both the 

domestic and international 

markets. 

“The Famously Rotorua 

domestic marketing campaign 

has helped to raise Rotorua’s 

profile among domestic visitors, 

while improved air connectivity 

into New Zealand 

continues to open up and reinvigorate 

Rotorua’s international 

markets,” says Mr Wilson. 

Data released by the Ministry 

of Business, Innovation and 

Employment (MBIE) illustrates 

how the direct flights by US 

airlines have impacted Rotorua, 

with US visitor expenditure 

in Rotorua for the month of 

August 2016 increasing 36 

percent (versus a 13 percent 

increase nationally) during the 

previous year. 

Strong positive growth 

from the North American 

market was also reported in 

the APR Consultants Rotorua 

Attractions & Activities 

Monitor for the same period 

with visits by North Americans 

up 2100 visits or 43 percent to 

7000 visits. 

New campaign has 

Aucklanders Rotorua-bound 


If they ever needed it, 

Aucklanders are about to 

be given yet another compelling 

reason to leave home 

when the Destination Rotorua 

campaign “Love Life, Live 

Rotorua” campaign starts to 

cut across their media. 

As the country’s largest 

city continues to be beset 

with grindingly slow traffic, 

soaringly unaffordable housing 

and evercrowding growth, 

Rotorua is gearing up to offer 

an appealing lifestyle switch 

along with attractive job 

opportunities. 

Destination Rotorua consumer 

marketing manager Tom 

Worsp says following the successful 

“Famously Rotorua” 

domestic tourism campaign, 

the Love Life promotion represents 

a natural progression. 

The Famously Rotorua 

campaign is regarded as central 

to turning the city’s tourism 

fortunes around over the past 

four years, driving up growth 

that was being funnelled to 

other more popular spots. 

Total domestic tourism 

spend has reached a high of 

$400 million annually, and latest 

data for August indicates a 

record month for nights spent 

in commercial accommodation, 

up 18 percent on August last 

year at 139,300 visitor nights. 

This followed a record 

breaking July, and winter culminated 

with Rotorua awarded 

the New Zealand Supreme 

Destination Rotorua 

consumer marketing 

manager Tom Worsp. 

Tourism Award for the second 

year in a row. 

Tom says the Love Life 

campaign runs to support 

and also be separate from the 

Famously Rotorua campaign. 

“Aucklanders want a good 

career, but they want to enjoy 

freedom and have a life as well 

– they want everything Rotorua 

has to offer, we just need to be 

part of the conversation and 

their consideration,” he says. 

Stage one of the campaign 

launched in late October, with 

outdoor media, case study videos, 

social media and on-line 

advertising. 

The message Rotorua has 

to push is a compelling one for 

any family considering escaping 

the Queen City. 

Data supplied by 

Destination Rotorua shows 

average house prices in 

Rotorua at $325,000 compared 

with Auckland’s $842,000. 

Yet despite the vast gap in 

house prices, average household 

incomes are close, with 

Rotorua averaging $81,675 

a year, compared with 

Auckland’s $89,183. 

The mortgage repayment 

difference between the 

two cities is significant, with 

Auckland average weekly payments 

at $690 compared with 

$217 for a Rotorua household. 

Research by Destination 

Rotorua found Aucklanders 

are generally well disposed 

towards Rotorua, regarding it 

as a friendly, fun place to visit 

with an adventurous outdoor 

lifestyle. 

However many have limited 

knowledge of living 

in Rotorua, linking it more 

to tourism than family life. 

Perceptions existed around 

the city’s job opportunities, 

crime, and a perceived lack 

of vibrancy around cafes and 

nightlife. 

Tom says Hamilton and 

Tauranga are active with 

Aucklanders seeking a new 

life in those cities, and it is 

Rotorua’s time to be up for 

genuine consideration. 

The campaign’s survey data 

indicates a third of Aucklanders 

have considered moving away 

in the past two years due to 

house prices. Another third had 

not considered it, but thought it 

was a good idea. 

“The objective of phase one 

is to raise awareness of Rotorua 

as a place to live, work and 

learn. Phase two will then seek 

to convert active considerers to 

New boss at Rotorua Airport 

move to Rotorua,” Tom says. 

The primary target for the 

campaign includes families 

with children up to 20 years 

old, of mid to high socio-economic 

status. 

The campaign will be supplying 

support material and 

information to local businesses 

Rotorua Airport has 

appointed a new 

chief executive, 

Mark Gibb, who will take 

up the role in January, 

2017. 

Airport chairman Peter 

Stubbs says Mr Gibb brings 

strong asset and investment 

management expertise to 

the airport, with 28 years’ 

experience in a range of 

different industries. 

“Mark has strong expertise 

in finance, governance, 

management and strategic 

planning, combined with 

proven leadership skills 

that will continue to lead 

the airport’s goals. 

“His substantial experience 

in New Zealand’s 

most internationally successful 

company will be 

invaluable over the next 

decade as the airport enters 

its next phase of development.” 

Mr Gibb is currently the 

general manager of global 

property and facilities 

at Fonterra Cooperative 

Group, where he is responsible 

for a team of 35 staff 

across Fonterra’s global 

property and facilities portfolio, 

comprising 980 sites 

across 28 countries. 

Mr Stubbs said the airport 

board was pleased 

with the quality of the 

shortlisted candidates. 

“The interest in the 

role is further proof that 

because of the community’s 

combined efforts, 

Rotorua is starting to be 

seen as a great place to 

relocate to, offering a fulfilling 

work-life balance.” 

Mr Stubbs said the airport 

board would like to 

acknowledge current chief 

executive, Nicole Brewer, 

who will step down at the 

beginning of November to 

embark on her new career 

in motherhood. 

“Nicole has done a 

great job as chief executive 

and leaves with our sincerest 

thanks and best wishes 

for the future. 

“She has put extensive 

efforts in developing and 

driving the airport strategy, 

and the progress the company 

has seen in her time 

as chief executive is testament 

to her hard work.” 

Fire and operations 

manager John Harrison 

keen to recruit from Auckland 

in an ever tightening labour 

market. 

Case studies will also play a 

big part in the Auckland pitch 

says Tom and he encourages 

locals to get on board with 

social media promoting their 

region and their life in it. 

will act as chief executive 

until Mr Gibb takes up his 

role in January. 

Mr Gibb said he 

was looking forward to 

the new role and would 

continue to build on Ms 

Brewer’s commitment in 

developing and driving 

the airport strategy. 

“It will be important to 

ensure that airport planning 

feeds into and aligns with 

the Rotorua growth strategy 

and I look forward to 

working with local agencies 

such as Destination 

Rotorua, Rotorua Lakes 

Council and the wider 

tourism and business communities. 

“I am deeply passionate 

about what I do, as well as 

Rotorua and Bay of Plenty, 

and am excited to be part 

of the community and support 

Rotorua as it moves 

forward.” 

Mr Gibb and his wife 

already have a strong 

attachment to the city 

and its community, having 

holidayed in Rotorua 

for many years, while Mr 

Gibb is also the president 

of the Ohau Anglers Club. 

“We are looking for inspiring 

people who live and breathe 

the essence of Rotorua, people 

who make the most of the outdoors 

and love their job.” 

To learn more contact Tom 

Worsp at Destination Rotorua 

– tom@rotoruanz.com or 

(07) 351 7100.


Port makes step to big ships 

Port of Tauranga had another page written 

into New Zealand’s shipping history with 

the arrival of the largest container ship ever 

to visit New Zealand. 

The Aotea Maersk 

berthed at Port of 

Tauranga. 


The Aotea Maersk’s arrival 

was celebrated in a 

high profile ceremony 

with dozens of invited exporters, 

freight operators and 

industry executives witnessing 

the massive 348m long vessel 

rounding Mount Maunganui 

and berthing at the Sulphur 

Point container facility. 

Maersk managing director 

Gerard Morrison acknowledged 

he felt a lot happier seeing the 

huge vessel safely berthed after 

being spun 180 degrees by Port 

of Tauranga tugs and nudged 

into its wharf facility. 

“It has taken a lot of hard 

work, including willing and 

understanding business partners 

to get here, and looking 

at it tied up does make me 

smile,” he said. 

The ship had been especially 

renamed the Aotea Maersk 

to honour the significance of 

its arrival in New Zealand. 

“While unlike the Maori 

canoe it is named after, it is 

not the first boat to call in to 

New Zealand, but it does mark 

a new era for shipping in this 

country.” 

He noted it was only 20 

years ago Maersk celebrated 

the arrival of another specially 

named ship, the Maersk Taupo, 

which had an 1100 20ft container 

(TEU) capacity and provided 

a fortnightly service to 

Singapore. 

In contrast the Aotea and 

her 10 sister ships have a 

9500TEU capacity, and will be 

calling every Tuesday, offering 

direct delivery to Taiwan and 

on to other significant Chinese 

and northern Asian ports. The 

ships form part of Maersk’s 

revamped Triple Star service 

that incorporates stopovers in 

South America before berthing 

in Tauranga. 

Importantly the large ship 

schedule has been developed 

to accommodate arrivals 

from Australia, putting 

Port of Tauranga in a useful 

trans-shipment port role for 

Australian exporters also seeking 

rapid delivery into Asia. 

Port of Tauranga chief 

executive Mark Cairns said 

the increased capacity of the 

ships promised to push the 

port’s annual container handling 

volume to more than 

one million a year, putting it 

five times ahead of any other 

port in the country for export 

volume. 

“From having bigger ships 

visiting here there is expected 

to be $350 million worth of 

benefits flowing from Asian 

trade alone,” he said. 

The arrival is also backed 

by significant infrastructural 

investment that stretches from 

the port’s land-based facilities 

all the way back to freight 

operators in Auckland and the 

upper North Island. 

The port has invested about 

a third of a billion dollars in 

dredging and facility expansion, 

including an additional 

two Super Post Panamax 

cranes capable of unloading 

the larger ships. 

The dredging programme 

has resulted in a main and 

outer channel 1.5m deeper to 

handle the larger ships’ draft. 

In South Auckland freight 

logistics company Coda, 

formed between Port of 

Tauranga and Kotahi, cut the 

ribbon earlier this year on a 

critical rail link between its 

Savill Drive freight hub and 

the main rail line to facilitate 

greater train freight movement 

into and out of the facility from 

Key strategic 

Pdecisions P 

lead 

to PPS Industries’ success 

Kotahi chief executive David Ross, Transport Minister Simon 

Bridges, chief executive Port of Tauranga Mark Cairns and 

Maersk managing director Gerard Morrison. 

P.P.S. 

around the North Island. 

Developed partly in 

anticipation of the larger 

freight volumes such ships 

will generate, the rail link up 

P 

P P 

S 

P 

P.P.S. 

P.P.S. 

Industri 

Industries Limited 

METAL FINISHING SPEC 

Industries S 

METAL FINISHING 

Limited 

SPECIALISTS 

ABRASIVES-POLISHING-PLATING-ENGINEERING SUPPLIES 

METAL FINISHING SPECIALISTS 

ABRASIVES-POLISHING-PLATING 

PPS Industries a proud to be associated with Stainless Kitchens. 

ABRASIVES-POLISHING-PLATING-ENGINEERING FREEPHONE 0800 657 894 FREEFAXSUPPLIES 

0800 454 445 

AUCKLAND - HAMILTON - TAURANGA - HASTINGS - 

PALMERSTON NORTH - NELSON - CHRISTCHURCH - DUNEDIN 

PPS Industries a proud to be associated wi 

FREEPHONE 0800 657 894 FREEFA 

PPS Industries “When a proud you are up there to as be associated with Stainless Kitchens. 

an industry leader somebody 

is always biting at your heels 

FREEPHONE to 0800 take your position. 657 A key 894 Experts FREEFAX in the Metal 0800 Finishing 454 Industry 445 

strength we have is in the 

for more than 40 years. 

PPS Industries’ success 

and growth in a competitive 

and demanding 

market can be attributed to a 

few crucial factors, according 

to company general manager, 

John Davidson. 

John has been with the 

company for more than 20 

years, a longevity he shares 

with several other staff and 

this is one of the reasons, he 

says the company has developed 

into the market leader it 

is today. 

“We have been very lucky 

with our staff,” said John. “We 

have some who have been 

with the company for well 

over 20 years and even though 

in the last 8 – 10 years we have 

seen a lot of the younger ones 

go to Australia, the average 

term of our staff is about 10 ½ 

years. This is a real strength,” 

he said. “And with the company’s 

strategic decision, when it 

was founded in 1974, to diversify 

over the years from its 

core business of servicing the 

electroplating industry it has 

meant that PPS Industries has 

been in a good position to cope 

with the evolutions the company 

has embraced.In the early 

days there was something like 

119 electroplating businesses, 

now there are only 20. 

“While we still support the 

electroplating industry, we’ve 

diversified to embrace ser- 

S 

vicing the general engineering 

industry and this side has 

really grown,” said John. PPS 

Industries Ltd manufactures a 

range of chemicals and products 

for the metal finishing 

industry. It also imports and 

distributes abrasive products, 

polishing buffs, compounds, 

chemicals, welding consumables, 

power tools and finishing 

products. In 1997 PPS 

Industries moved from its 

scattered situation, spread over 

five buildings in Auckland to 

a new purpose-built factory in 

Hugo Johnston Drive, Penrose. 

John says the move into one 

base, where the company’s 

specialties, like its chemistry 

facilities and testing labs, 

could all work side-by-side 

was a turning point, setting it 

up to grow from strength-tostrength 

ever since. As general 

manager, John says he most 

enjoys getting his head around 

new products and up-skilling 

his 14 strong sales team about 

them. 

“We have really strong 

relationships with our suppliers 

overseas,” he said. “We 

source our products only from 

world industry leaders in their 

area and our reputation stands 

on the quality of product and 

service we provide.” 

As for the stainless steel 

fabrication industry, John 

ranks his company as New 

Zealand’s No.1 supplier. 

To maintain this position 

requires vigilance and an interest 

in the constant stream of 

new products emerging on the 

market. 

He makes annual trips to 

Europe and the States meeting 

suppliers, seeing and talking 

about their new materials and 

products. 

AUCKLAND - HAMILTON - TAURANGA 

PALMERSTON NORTH - NELSON - CHRISTC 

amount of stock we carry. A 

AUCKLAND lot of companies - HAMILTON just don’t - TAURANGA - HASTINGS - 

have the financial capacity to 

PALMERSTON NORTH - NELSON - CHRISTCHURCH - DUNEDIN 

do so. 

"We’ve probably got, at 

any one time, about $3.5 million 

of stock at arm’s-length.” 

John says a real threat to 

the industry is the proliferation 

of companies supplying 

cheap products without the 

depth of science behind them. 

Companies that don’t have the 

overheads his company does; 

working on slim margins. 

“I think it’s got worse in 

the last three or four years. It’s 

become ridiculous and it is not 

uncommon for customers to 

return to us, having tried these 

cheaper substandard products,” 

he said. 

PPS Industries 

09 579 1001 

www.pps-industries.com 

10333 

will also reduce the number 

of truck journeys required 

through the Auckland-Bay 

of Plenty-lower North Island 

region by 8000 a year. 

Coda chief executive Scott 

Brownlee said the pieces of 

the logistical jigsaw were now 

in place to ensure a rapid, efficient 

flow of product through 

the region. 

Mark Cairns took the 

opportunity of the Aotea’s 

arrival to again challenge the 

abundance of ports in New 

Zealand, and question whether 

it was time for a hierarchy to 

develop that matched the facilities 

and locations of different 

ports, backed up by greater 

coastal shipping deliveries to 

larger hub ports. 

“New Zealand is a funny 

country from a port perspective. 

It is the same size as 

Victoria, Australia which only 

has three ports.” 

He lamented the low 

level of return some ports in 

New Zealand are generating, 

including one unnamed port 

returning only one percent on 

capital. 

Transport minister Simon 

Bridges agreed with Mark 

Cairns’ views on port status, 

and said there would be even 

more infrastructure development 

to follow on from that 

already completed in coming 

years. 

“The efficiency from these 

ships will fundamentally help 

New Zealand as we sell more 

to the world and lift our standard 

of living,” he said. 

FREEPHONE 0800 657 894 

FREEFax 0800 454 445 

AUCKLAND - HAMILTON - TAURANGA - 

HASTINGS - PALMERSTON NORTH - NELSON - 

CHRISTCHURCH - DUNEDIN


Waihi Mitre 10’s Pre-nail Frame and Truss plant. 

New plant a testament to 

Bold family faith in Waihi 

Waihi Mitre 10’s new edition is a purpose built Pre-nail Frame and 

Truss plant. The old facility opposite Mitre10 has closed and been 

rebuilt on the corner of Victoria and Consols Streets. 

Owners Greg and 

Nicky Bold made 

the decision to 

keep the plant in Waihi, 

as strong growth in trade 

from the region in recent 

years showed the investment 

in Pre-Nail and 

Truss services was needed. 

to invest. 

The Bold family are 

Mitre 10 through and 

through. Greg and Nicky’s 

parents Ted and Judith 

devoted their lives to 

Mitre 10. Ted was a director 

and chairman for five 

Inside the purposely built plant. 

years before he passed 

away in 2013. Their commitment 

and service to 

Mitre 10 was recognised 

when Ted and Judith were 

inducted into the Mitre 10 

Hall of Fame in 2016 at 

Mitre 10’s International 

Conference in China in 

April. Tragically, Judith 

passed away shortly after. 

Judith’s death was a huge 

blow but the Bold family 

influence and spirit 

remains as strong as ever 

across the Bay of Plenty’s 

Mitre 10 Mega stores. 

“As a family run business 

it is important to 

us to look at our history 

and make decisions that 

have a positive effect on 

the communities we are 

involved in,” says Nicky. 

“Mum and Dad purchased 

the Waihi store in 

1992 and this new development 

is a continuation 

of their faith in the Waihi 

area. 

“This is a sign of 

our continued interest 

in Waihi, and we now 

employ 75 people in the 

town. We made a commitment 

to develop the store 

here so the continued 

investment in the growth 

of the new plant and local 

services also made sense. 

Although we did have to 

jump through a few hoops 

to get it done, it is great 

to see it finally up and 

running.” 

The Bold group comprises 

Waihi Mitre 10, 

Tauranga Mitre 10 Mega 

and Rotorua Mitre 10 

Mega. 

General manger of the 

Pre-nail Frame and Truss 

plant, Warren Hurley says 

the Bold family investment 

has been great for the 

town and has given young 

employees the chance to 

train and upskill. 

“We have a lot of boys 

on NZQA Apprenticeships 

and learning truss and 

frame making as a job. “ 

“They are the next generation 

of employees for 

us. We are future proofing 

ourselves and have built 

up a really good culture 

among the team,” he says. 

This is a sign of our 

continued interest in 

Waihi, and we now 

employ 75 people in 

the town. 

Nicky was based in 

Waihi for a number of 

years and is pleased to be 

involved in more expansion 

in the town. 

Greg and Nicky looked 

at other locations for 

the new plant as it has 

been built to supply a 

wider group of stores. 

Ultimately they decided 

the support from the team 

at Waihi and the history 

of the business meant 

Waihi was the right place


NEW PLANT IS “HUMMING” 

Waihi’s new Prenail 

Frame and Trust 

plant “punches above its 

weight”, according to 

Warren Hurley. 

There are always issues 

with a new plant and an 

immense amount of work 

went into the design and 

set up phases, but the 

plant is beginning to hum. 

“We took the opportunity 

when we built the 

new plant to improve 

systems as a whole,” he 

says. “We conducted a 

full review of the plant’s 

business and it has paid 

off hugely.” 

The result for the 12 

man team is better morale 

and increased production. 

“The team love it. 

Because it’s purpose built 

the manufacturing lines 

runs like a conveyer belt. 

It’s a lot more efficient 

and there’s a lot more 

space to work with.” 

The plant has also 

plenty of room for expansion 

should it ever be 

needed. And that should 

never be ruled out considering 

how busy the plant 

is. Business is booming 

as construction in 

Waihi, the Coromandel 

Peninsula, Waikato and 

Bay of Plenty roars on. 

This year the team has 

produced nearly twice as 

many houses as last year 

and the plant is in huge 

demand to cater for the 

building boom. 

“It’s ideally situated 

for where it is,” says 

Warren. 

“Based in Waihi, we 

push into both sides of the 

Coromandel and into the 

outskirts of the Waikato 

area. We do Tauranga’s 

work as well, and we haven’t 

even scratched the 

surface of our own business 

in Rotorua yet.” 

The plant also has a 

contract to build Just 

Cabins for the North 

Island. They are built 

on site, transported to 

Omokora for finishing 

and then shipped to their 

destination. 

Pre-nail Frame and Truss. 

NO SUBSTITUTE FOR LOCAL 

Satisfying local demand 

is the number one priority 

for Warren and his team 

at the Pre-nail Frame and 

Truss plant. 

“It’s all about being 

locally owned for the locals 

in and around the area. 

They are the priority.” 

The plant’s clientele has 

been developed over many 

years – going back to when 

the plant started 45 years 

ago as a timber merchant 

yard. 

“You have that existing 

client base that stays with 

you and has built up over 

the years. For the builders 

we service, this is an ideal 

plant,” says Warren. 

“We have the added 

advantage of being local, in 

comparison to most of the 

other big suppliers where 

the material gets made in 

Hamilton and brought out. 

With us everything from 

the detailing right through 

to delivery is done here. 

They can come and watch 

their frames and trusses 

being made.” 

If anyone is managing 

their own building project 

or contemplating building 

a home or major addition, 

they should ask for an 

Estimator Quote which at 

present takes about three 

weeks. 

With a stamped council 

plan, the plant’s team can 

have the entire house production 

from start to finish 

in four or five weeks. 

Warren says the key to 

the plant’s success is its 

incredibly experienced and 

knowledgable team, many 

of whom have been at the 

plant for 20 to 30 years – or 

longer. On the administrative 

side alone he can count 

100 years of experience. 

“These guys are so hard 

to find in the marketplace. 

We are lucky here. They 

are dedicated to the place 

and they are loyal.” 

Mitre 10 repays this 

dedication by going to 

every possible length to 

look after the team, ensuring 

optimum health and 

safety. 

Production Supervisor 

Adrian Parks says the new 

plant is far more comfortable 

than the old site 

with a flat floor and more 

space which has helped 

them emphasise health 

and safety. 

“We just really embrace 

the new Health and Safety 

Act. There are two staff 

members here whose 

responsibility revolves 

around health and safety. 

“We want the guys to go 

home safely to their families 

at the end of the day. 

It’s so important to us. It’s 

the most important thing 

of all.” 

Waihi Mitre 10’s Prenail 

Frame and Truss plant 

is as local as it gets and 

as far as Warren Hurley is 

concerned, that’s the key to 

success. 

“It’s a case of local guys 

serving local builders and 

doing the whole job from 

slab to letter box.” 

Rodger Norton - Production Yardman. 

Adrian Parks - Production Supervisor. 

MITRE 10 MEGA - TAURANGA 

1066 Cameron Road Gate Pa Tauranga 

Phone: 07 5714 700 

Fax: 07 5714 707 

Email: tauranga.mega@mitre10.co.nz 

MITRE 10 MEGA - ROTORUA 

1542 Amohau Street Rotorua 3010 

Phone: 07 343 6060 

Fax: 07 348 3711 

Email: mega.rotorua@mitre10.co.nz 

MITRE 10 - WAIHI 

Seddon Street Waihi 

Phone:07 863 8087 

Fax: 07 863 8536 

Email: office.waihi@mitre10.co.nz 

www.mitre10.co.nz


What makes an 

employee of the year? 

With another year of business awards behind us it has been both 

motivating and inspiring to see organisations across Bay of Plenty 

putting themselves forward to be judged on how their business 

performs across various function of the business. 

Congratulations to the 

businesses and individuals 

who took the 

time and put themselves out 

of their comfort zone to be 

recognised among their business 

peers. 

As both a sponsor and judge 

of the Talent ID Employee 

of the Year Award for the 

Westpac Rotorua Business 

Excellence Awards and as a 

judge of the Service Award 

for the Westpac Tauranga 

Business Excellence Awards, 

it has certainly been a busy 

couple of months. 

Both award competitions 

were rewarding and awe-inspiring 

as well as being an 

incredibly challenging task. 

There were a high calibre 

of entries this year across the 

award categories, a reflection 

of the businesses across Bay of 

Plenty and the value they place 

on aspiring to be the best. 

The Bay of Plenty region 

is experiencing strong growth 

and in a strong economy businesses 

tend to view the awards 

process as an internal audit of 

sorts – testing where they currently 

sit, what they can perhaps 

do better and what opportunities 

there may be for future 

growth and performance. 

As a business, Talent ID 

has made a conscious decision 

to partner with awards which 

celebrate the people aspect of 

business, whether it be from an 

employee or team viewpoint. 

In Rotorua, the Employee of 

the Year award is a fantastic 

example of this. 

It recognises the outstanding 

contribution that someone 

makes to a team and organisation 

as a whole. 

As judges, one of the questions 

we always come back to, 

is what makes an employee of 

the year? 

What outstanding attributes 

do they demonstrate over and 

above the norm? What is the 

difference between what is 

expected from a good employee 

to how an exceptional 

employee is measured? 

A common link we have 

observed in the winners during 

our past seven years of 

involvement with this award 

is the impact that these individuals 

have on other people’s 

lives. 

The manner in which they 

take accountability for their 

roles, taking them out into the 

community and making a difference 

to others through their 

generosity. 

We have seen employees 

who have dedicated many 

hours of volunteer time as part 

of their role, adding value to 

both the organisation and the 

community in which they live, 

in a selfless way. 

Each year as judges we 

meet inspiring individuals. 

This year there were four 

finalists in the Talent ID 

Employee of the Year Award 

– Linda Irwin, Provincial 

Childcare Holdings Ltd, 

Bradley Syben from the 

Rotorua Top10 Holiday 

Park, Akiko Yamamoto from 

Abracadabra Café and Bar, and 

the winner Sashah Macleod, 

also from the Rotorua Top 10 

Holiday Park. 

It is important to also 

HUMAN RESOURCES 

> BY KELLIE HAMLETT 

Director, Recruitment & HR Specialist, Talent ID Recruitment Ltd 

acknowledge that no person 

can work alone within an 

organisation and be successful. 

A proactive and supportive 

team environment, with good 

leadership encourages and 

allows people to perform at 

their best. 

It makes sense to have 

employees engaged and working 

together towards organisational 

vision and goals. 

Artificial Intelligence’s growing dominance 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is 

expected to be smarter than 

humans within 24 years, so it’s 

critical New Zealand acts now, 

says the Institute of Directors 

(IoD) and Chapman Tripp who 

are calling on the government 

to take the lead. 

The IoD and Chapman Tripp 

have developed a call to action 

paper highlighting the risks, 

opportunities and challenges 

AI presents. The paper calls 

on the government to establish 

a high-level working group to 

help New Zealand deal with 

AI, IoD chief executive Simon 

Arcus says. 

“AI is an extraordinary challenge 

for our future,” Simon 

says. “Government and business 

leaders need to work 

together to promote greater 

development of AI technologies 

to ensure there is a coordinated 

approach to prepare 

for the impact AI will have 

on work, education and welfare. 

This requires big-picture 

thinking, long-term vision and 

appropriate oversight.” 

A recent international survey 

suggests 50 percent of 

respondents believe AI will 

be smarter than humans within 

the next 24 years, with 90 

percent believing it will be 

within 60 years. The Future of 

Life Institute says significant 

parts of the world’s economy 

including finance, insurance, 

actuarial and many consumer 

markets could be susceptible 

to disruption through the use 

of AI technologies that learn, 

model and predict human and 

market behaviours. This has led 

to many voicing concerns over 

safety, and the risk of losing 

control. 

As AI systems become 

more interconnected in our 

daily lives and are used more in 

critical infrastructure, they will 

become an increasing target for 

cyber-attacks. 

The IoD and Chapman 

Tripp say New Zealand must 

move now to ensure it can manage 

all the risks AI may present, 

but also capitalise on the opportunities. 

“A working group with 

experts from science, business, 

law, ethics, society and 

government, should be tasked 

with considering the possible 

impacts, identifying areas of 

opportunity and concern and 

A culture which allows 

ownership and development 

promotes success, and can be 

achieved through recognising 

some of the key elements 

which engage the workforce. 

Again we congratulate 

all of the finalists and winners 

across the Tauranga and 

Rotorua Business Excellence 

Awards. 

making recommendations on 

how New Zealand should prepare 

for AI-driven change,” 

Chapman Tripp Partner Bruce 

McClintock says. “New 

Zealanders need to be prepared 

for the human resource implications 

of AI.” 

“While the impact of AI on 

the New Zealand economy is 

unquantifiable,” says Simon. 

“Many sectors should be investing 

more in AI technologies to 

make the most of their full 

potential. This extends from 

start-ups, to SMEs and corporates 

to government agencies 

and educational institutes. AI is 

an extraordinary challenge for 

our future. Establishing a government 

led high-level working 

group is critical in helping New 

Zealand rise to that challenge.” 

07 578 9144 

Tauranga Windscreen 

54 First ave, Tauranga 3110 

info@taurangawindscreen.co.nz 

www.taurangawindscreen.co.nz 

15094 

Hamilton Windscreen LWP.indd 1 

2/12/10 9:23:50 AM


New Tauranga CBD 

campus design 

confirmed 

A design concept for Waikato University’s 

tertiary campus development in Tauranga’s 

CBD has been approved by its three 

regional funders – Tauranga City Council, 

Bay of Plenty Regional Council, and 

Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust. 

The concept has also 

been approved by the 

Tauranga Tertiary Campus 

Charitable Trust, the entity 

responsible for overseeing the 

interests of the three regional 

funders. 

The approved design concept 

highlights the facilities that will 

be built to create flexible, modern 

undergraduate and postgraduate 

teaching. Features include 

customisable teaching spaces, a 

200-seat lecture theatre, a multi-function 

space, computer labs, 

and common areas for studying 

and socialising. 

The design is by architecture 

firm Jasmax, with project management 

by Greenstone Group. 

University of Waikato senior 

deputy vice-chancellor professor 

Alister Jones says the 

concept sign-off marks a major 

milestone in the campus development 

project. 

“We know the key to delivering 

a vibrant and engaging campus 

is getting everything right 

from the beginning, and thanks 

to the input of our stakeholders, 

alongside a great design, 

we’ll be able to work together 

to deliver on our promise to 

develop a campus that plays a 

big role in the Bay of Plenty 

region’s future.” 

The University of Waikato 

leads the development of the 

CBD campus on behalf of the 

Tertiary Education Partnership. 

The new facility will work 

closely with Waiariki Bay of 

Plenty Polytechnic’s Bongard 

Centre on Cameron Road, 

bringing closer the vision of a 

tertiary precinct in the Tauranga 

CBD. 

Dr Neil Barns, interim chief 

executive of Waiariki Bay of 

Plenty Polytechnic says the 

sign-off represents how much 

momentum has been gained in 

the project. 

“We have a tremendous 

opportunity to create a distinctive 

experience for tertiary students 

in Tauranga. Careful planning 

from now will dictate the 

programmes that will be offered 

at the campus, and the increased 

opportunities we will be able to 

deliver to our community, both 

in terms of study options and 

attracting students outside the 

region.” 

Concept sign-off comes after 

the university announced in 

May plans to spend an extra $15 

million, on top of the original 

$10 million committed to the 

project, to produce a Tauranga 

CBD campus of the highest 

possible standard. The campus 

already had $30 million of community 

funding from the Bay 

of Plenty Regional Council and 

the Tauranga Energy Consumer 

Trust, and will sit on land donated 

by Tauranga City Council. 

Bill Holland, chairman of 

Tauranga Energy Consumer 

Trust says he’s delighted the 

project has reached the sign-off 

stage. 

“The design provided is fantastic 

and caters to everything 

the CBD campus is about – 

collaboration, flexible teaching 

and learning, and the integration 

of technology to create a truly 

modern tertiary environment,” 

he says. 

Tauranga City Council chief 

executive Garry Poole says the 

approved concept design takes 

the city another step closer to 

delivering a vibrant education 

Artist’s impressions of Waikato University’s campus in Tauranga CBD. 

hub in the central city. 

“The campus is going to 

bring enormous benefits for the 

city and the region and create a 

real buzz in the CBD.” 

Bay of Plenty Regional 

Council’s chief executive Mary- 

Anne McLeod says the development 

is something that will help 

define the region in a similar 

way the development of the port 

did. 

“The campus development 

will provide for 1000 full-time 

students and is a tangible investment 

in education and skills 

development to further our economic 

growth. I have no doubt it 

will further define this region as 

first-choice for living, working 

and learning.” 

The University of Waikatoled 

campus will be shared with 

other parties in the Bay of Plenty 

Tertiary Education Partnership, 

Te Wānanga o Awanuiārangi 

and Waiariki Bay of Plenty 

Polytechnic. It’s expected to 

open by 2020. 

A real cash crime 

When it comes to running a business, a lock-up 

isn’t a criminal offence, but it should be. 

In my view it is a crime 

against that most essential of 

business elements, cash flow. 

A lock-up means that while 

you do have cash, you cannot 

access it yet need it in order to 

fix or improve cash flow problems 

within your business. 

So how does cash become 

‘locked up’? To continue the 

prison analogy, there are three 

key crimes that cause a cash 

lock-up in businesses. 

One is the debtor (specifically 

poor debtor management), 

of which most businesses 

have plenty and indeed, 

over the past few years would 

have seen an increasing trend 

of more customers taking 

longer to pay. 

The second crime is having 

too much finished stock on 

hand awaiting sale. 

This can be a difficult balancing 

act as not enough stock 

may mean a loss of sales while 

too much stock will definitely 

tie up your cash. 

Thirdly, having raw materials 

or work in progress which 

are yet to become finished 

stock will lock up cash. And, 

the longer this transformation 

process takes, the bigger the 

problem. 

Every business experiences 

this - even service industries 

including accountants 

where client work is delayed 

to the point where it cannot 

be invoiced because of hold 

ups in the job completion 

process. 

In order to prevent and/or 

manage a lock up, there are 

some key areas business owners 

should concentrate on. 

Debtors – Focus on selling to 

your better customers; not necessarily 

those who purchase 

the most, but those who actually 

pay on time! If you do have 

poor payers be sure to chase 

them immediately and place a 

stop on credit. 

Finished stock - Improve your 

stock management to reduce 

the potential for carrying old 

or obsolete items and then 

being forced to fire sell them. 

Negotiate better terms with suppliers 

for delivery, pricing and 

payment. Ensure you understand 

your costs so that you are 

clear about your margins. 

Raw materials or work in 

progress - Improve the completion 

of the transformation 

to finished stock. Cash won’t 

be actually received until these 

products are turned into finished 

stock, sold and the customer 

has paid. 

Along with the basic causes 

of a lock-up, there are many 

common pitfalls that will escalate 

problems with cash flow. 

MONEY MATTERS 

> BY STEPHEN GRAHAM 

Stephen Graham is director and managing partner at BDO 

Rotorua, Chartered Accountants and Advisers. To find out more 

visit bdorotorua.co.nz or email rotorua@bdo.co.nz 

These range from constantly 

extending creditors’ payments 

and missing due dates on priority 

creditors (such as IRD and 

loan repayments), to increasingly 

discounting prices in an 

effort to move outdated stock. 

These factors result in losing 

market competitiveness, 

bank confidence, internal 

funds and eventually your abil- 

ity to execute your strategic 

business plan. 

At a time when banks 

are crying “Cash is King”, 

knowing how to manage the 

above-mentioned aspects of 

your business could make for 

a healthier relationship not 

only with your bank, but other 

stakeholders including suppliers, 

staff and shareholders.


ROTORUA BUSINESS AWARDS 

Canopy Tours continues its great ride 

Rotorua’s Canopy Tours has continued its 

golden year, taking out the Supreme Award 

– along with two others – at the Westpac 

Rotorua Business Excellence Awards in 

October. 

The glitzy awards evening 

was held at the Rotorua 

Energy Events Centre, 

with DJ Max Key and Kiwi 

singer Anika Moa entertaining 

the large crowd. 

The zipline operation with 

a conservation emphasis based 

just out of Rotorua wowed 

the judges who said they were 

“simply blown away” by the 

commitment to conservation, 

pursuit of business excellence 

and the drive for a 100 percent 

world class experience. 

The judges said Canopy 

Tours did a fantastic job of celebrating 

and promoting all that 

was wonderful about Rotorua 

and the region - its beautiful 

natural environment and 

opportunities for adventure. 

Abracadabra Café and Bar won the Rotorua, 

Bay of Plenty, Waikato Monthly Visitors’ Guide 

- Hospitality Business Award. 

Canopy Tours also won 

the Rotorua Bay of Plenty, 

Waikato Monthly Visitor’s 

Guide Attractions Business 

Award and Bay of Connections 

- Excellence In Sustainable 

Practices Award. 

The tourism operation 

which has been going since 

2012 has had a huge October. 

Earlier this month Canopy 

Tours claimed three titles at the 

New Zealand Tourism Awards 

- including the industry’s highest 

accolade, the Supreme 

Tourism Award. 

Canopy Tours managing 

director James Fitzgerald 

acknowledged it has been a 

great month and said he was 

“pretty stoked” and staff were 

over the moon. 

A golden year for Canopy Tours winning the Bay of 

Connections Excellence in Sustainable Practices Award 

then taking out the Supreme Westpac Business of the 

Year for 2016. 

Photos Event Impressions 

“They all now know that 

we have to be even better than 

last month. So there’s more 

pressure now,” he joked. 

Asked to account for the 

key to Canopy Tours’ success 

James said the operation 

probably exceeds customers’ 

expectations. 

“I just think things have 

really started to come together 

this year. It’s a very environmentally-based 

experience. 

Customers are excited about 

the zipline but then they are 

also really intrigued by all the 

other stuff we have going on.” 

“People come out with so 

much more than they expected. 

That’s what I think has been 

driving it so much.” 

Domino’s Rotorua team lines up for the 

Pukeora Oruawhata Holdings Limited - 

Retail Business Award. 

“We’ve done a few things 

differently right from the start. 

And we’ve stuck to that and 

kept on doing that, pushing it 

out into the marketplace.” 

Property developer Ray 

Cook took out the night’s other 

big award, being named Rotorua 

Business Person of the Year. 

Mr Cook has contributed 

to Rotorua and the nation’s 

tourism and economic growth 

through his work as a property 

developer and board member 

for more than 25 years. 

He has been managing 

director of four major and 

privately owned companies 

for which he provided the 

concept, design, management 

and development and which 

are linked to the tourism 

sector - R&B Consultants, 

Rotorua Lakeside Resort, 

The Wall Backpackers 

and Activity Centre and 

Rotorua International Airport 

Company. 

Among the many other 

delighted winners was 

Domino’s Rotorua, which took 

out the Retail Business Award. 

Brothers Liam, 21, and 

Kaedyn Stops, 22, opened the 

pizza store in the Redwoods 

Centre just over three years 

ago as teenagers. 

The popular Abracadabra 

Café and Bar took out the 

Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, Waikato 

Monthly Visitor’s Guide- 

Hospitality Business Award. 

The Deloitte – Service Provider Business Award 

went to Osbornes Funeral Directors. 

It’s all smiles from the Flip Out Rotorua team 

who won the Rotorua Lakes Council – Emerging 

Business Award. 

Congratulations to EmployNZ Supreme Winner 

of the Westpac Tauranga Business Awards & 

Canopy Tours Supreme Winner of the Westpac 

Rotorua Business Excellence Awards. 

JN14967 

Westpac New Zealand Limited.



The Talent ID Recruitment – Employee 

of the Year Award was won by Sashah 

MacLeod (centre with flowers) 


Professionals McDowell Real Estate 

wins the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce 

– Social Responsibility Award. 

A Community Organisation Business Award 

sponsored by The Hits was won by the 

Rotorua Youth Centre. 

Congratulations! 

The Ngongotaha Early Learning Centre 

won the Healthy Families Rotorua - 

Health and Wellness Award. 

Osbornes Funeral 

Directors 

Winners of the Trustpower Customer 

Service Award. 

Trustpower also congratulates all those 

entered into the Customer Service 

Award category at the Westpac Rotorua 

Business Excellence Awards. 

Volcanic Hills Winery took out the Holland Beckett 

Lawyers – Manufacturing and Trade Business Award. 

Trustpower Limited, Private Bag 12023, Tauranga Mail Centre 3143 

trustpower.co.nz | facebook.com/TrustpowerCommunity 

D9209K



THE WINNERS 

WESTPAC ROTORUA BUSINESS 

EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 

Holland Beckett Lawyers 

- Manufacturing and Trade 

Business Award: 

Volcanic Hills Winery 

Pukeroa Oruawhata 

Holdings Limited - Retail 


Domino’s Rotorua 

The Rotorua, Bay of 

Plenty, Waikato Monthly 

Visitor’s Guide- Hospitality 


Abracadabra Cafe and 

Bar 

Rotorua Chamber 

of Commerce Social 

Responsibility Award: 

Professionals McDowell 

Real Estate 

TrustPower - Customer 

Service Award: 

Osbornes Funeral 

Directors 

Healthy Families Rotorua 

Health and Wellness 

Award: 

Ngongotaha Early 

Learning Centre 

Ray Cook was judged 

the Red Stag Timber 

Business Person of 

the Year. 

The Rotorua Bay of Plenty, 

Waikato Monthly Visitor’s 

Guide Attractions Business 

Award: 

Canopy Tours 

Deloitte - Service Provider 

Business Award: Osbornes 

Funeral Directors 

Bay of Connections - 

Excellence In Sustainable 

Practices Award: 

Canopy Tours 

Ministry of Education 

Young Entrepreneur of the 

Year Award: 

Loren Skudder-Hill 

The Toi – Ohomai Institute of 

Technology – Emerging Young 

Leader of the Year Award went to 

Richard Fuller. 


The Ministry of Education – Young 

Entrepreneur of the Year Award 

went to Loren Skudder-Hill. 

Rotorua Lakes Council - 

Emerging Business Award: 

Flip Out Rotorua 

The Hits -Community 

Organisation Business 

Award: 

Rotorua Youth Centre 


- Employee of the Year 

Award: 

Sashah MacLeod 

Toi - Ohomai Institute of 

Technology - Emerging 

Young Leader of the Year: 

Richard Fullard 

The Rotorua Bay of 

Plenty, Waikato Monthly 

Visitor’s Guide Attractions 

Business Award Judges 

Acknowledgement of 

Excellence: 

Rotorua Museum 

Supreme Award Westpac 

Business of the Year 

Award 2016: 

Canopy Tours 

Red Stag Timber Business 

Person of the Year: 

Ray Cook 

A Judges’ Acknowledgement of Excellence went to the 

Rotorua Museum in the Rotorua Bay of Plenty, Waikato 

Monthly Visitors’ Guide Attractions Business Award. 

Ministry of Education proud 

to be involved in awards 

By EZRA SCHUSTER 

Director of Education, 

Bay of Plenty-Waiariki 

The Ministry of 

Education was proud 

to sponsor the inaugural 

Young Entrepreneur of 

the Year Award for the 2016 

Westpac Rotorua Business 

Excellence Awards. 

Our five finalists were 

outstanding and their 

schools, friends and families 

should be extremely 

proud of them. 

I was approached by 

several business and community 

leaders during the 

evening who were stunned 

with the calibre and maturity 

of the entries. 

From establishing an 

online campaign to promote 

positive online behaviour 

and anti cyber-bullying, 

to developing a company 

to sell low-sugar ginger 

ice-pops at regional and 

national expos our finalists 

were amazing. 

Our winner Loren 

Skudder-Hill, a year 13 student 

from John Paul College 

was unable to attend the 

evening as she was in China 

furthering Ukuda, the organisation 

she founded three 

years ago so a friend accepted 

it on her behalf. 

Ukuda is a not-for-profit 

social enterprise aimed at 

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Coffee star back home 

making brilliant coffee 

There’s an unspoken rule at Whakatane’s Straight Up Espresso 

Cafe. If the music is too loud, don’t ask for it to be turned down. 

Likewise, if you don’t like the genre, just smile and deal with it. 

Because if you like great coffee, the music is irrelevant. 

By KATEE SHANKS 

Straight Up Espresso is 

the second Whakatane 

cafe opened by Simon 

McKenzie. The first, The Bean 

Cafe and Roastery, went on to 

gain international recognition 

as well as scooping an armful 

of coffee awards. 

From 2002 until 2010 and 

under Simon’s ownership, 

The Bean was a great place 

to chill, to drink exceptional 

coffee and to be treated to 

snippets of Simon’s unique 

personality. 

But in 2010 the barista was 

struggling with the familiarity 

of it all. 

“To have a high public profile 

for a long time lends to 

a perception you are public 

property,” he said. 

Chasing anonymity, Simon 

sold the cafe and opened a 

coffee booth on Auckland’s 

Karangahape Rd. 

Riding on the coat tails of 

The Bean’s success, he mistakenly 

believed once doors 

to his new venture opened, the 

customers would come. 

The booth lasted six months 

and, for the three years follow- 

Another cup 

of exceptional 

coffee. 

ing, Simon worked part-time at 

another cafe. 

Christmas 2014 and while 

back in Whakatane with family, 

Simon walked past a vacant 

Boon St premises. 

“The plan was to go back 

to Auckland but I’d often 

thought about opening another 

cafe in Whakatane and was 

keen to work for myself once 

again. I saw the store and felt 

the timing was right.” 

After a meticulous taste testing 

process Simon settled on 

coffee beans from Red Cherry 

Roastery near Cambridge and 

sweet treats from Whakatane’s 

Cake Works. 

In April last year Straight 

Up Espresso reconnected 

Simon with the town’s caffeine 

junkies. 

“The first winter was tough 

and, while I had hoped my 

former regulars would come 

back, I had no guarantees.” 

They did and now 20 

months down the track, Simon 

has re-cemented his spot on 

Whakatane’s ‘places to get an 

exceptional coffee’ list. He 

says Straight Up Espresso is 

the closest he has come to a 

perfect business. 

“Doing things a for second 

time allows an opportunity to 

implement lessons learned the 

first time around. While the 

Simon McKenzie 

at Straight Up 

Expresso Café. 

business model is not 100 percent 

perfect, it’s a lot closer 

than it was when I started out 

14 years ago.” 

And this time round he is 

embracing the familiarity. 

“I’m not sure it’s because 

I’ve grown up or it’s simply 

not bothering me as much as it 

used to but I’m enjoying being 

back in the public eye.” 

And chances are, if you’ve 

been in more than twice and 

ordered your favourite coffee, 

you shouldn’t have to ask for 

it again. 

“Names I’m not so good 

with, faces I’m a little bit better, 

but I’m great at remembering 

what coffee goes with 

who.” 

It’s a good thing his memory 

serves him well, because 

sometimes with the music and 

the background babble of conversation, 

it’s nice to be able 

to walk in and just pay for 

your coffee without speaking 

a word. 

Say goodbye to procrastination 

GROWING YOUR BUSINESS 

> BY DARREN MCGARVIE 

Darren McGarvie is co-founder and chief coach of the Firestation, 

the Bay’s only business growth centre. To find out more go to 

www.thefirestation.nz or email grow@thefirestation.nz 

If you’ve found yourself putting off important tasks, you’re 

not alone. We are all guilty of procrastinating at some point 

but if it is having a negative impact on your output or your 

organisation you need to break this destructive habit. 

The key to controlling 

procrastination is to first 

recognise it, understand 

why it happens (even to the 

best of us) and take active 

steps to manage your time and 

outcomes better. 

In a nutshell, you procrastinate 

when you put off things 

that you should be focusing on 

right now, usually in favour of 

doing something that is more 

enjoyable or that you’re more 

comfortable doing. 

If you’re honest with yourself, 

you know when you’re 

procrastinating. 

Common ways to procrastinate 

include filling your day 

with low priority tasks, deciding 

you need a coffee or water 

immediately after deciding to 

start a high priority task, having 

an important item on your 

to do list for a long time or 

waiting until the “right mood” 

or the “right time strikes. 

Another cause is simple 

disorganisation. 

Organised people manage 

to fend off the temptation to 

procrastinate by prioritising 

work with to do lists and 

schedules. 

This helps emphasise how 

important the piece of work 

is, identify precisely when it’s 

due and breaks down the work 

into manageable next steps. 

But even the most organised 

of us can get caught out 

and procrastinate. 

So next time you are putting 

off doing an important 

job, here are some tips to get 

you motivated: 

Set yourself rewards for 

completing the task. 

Promise to do something 

fun if you’ve completed a certain 

task and make sure you 

notice how good it feels to 

finish things. 

Alternatively ask someone 

else to check up on you. Peer 

pressure does work. 

Or simply identify the 

unpleasant consequences of 

not completing the task. 

Finally, procrastination 

is common for a business 

owner. 

With so many competing 

priorities for your energy and 

time, it’s easy to freeze like a 

possum in the headlights. 

A simple strategy is identifying 

how important the task is 

and how urgent. 

If it’s going to grow your 

business over the medium or 

long term then it’s important 

and most likely non-urgent. 

Address these first every 

morning and then tackle the 

important and urgent. 

Do this every day and over 

time your business will grow 

far quicker and you won’t feel 

overwhelmed with the unimportant.


MAKE THIS 

SUMMER count towards 

your FUTURE 

Summer school is a great opportunity to try something new or 

give your career a boost. 

The University of Waikato offers two six-week 

summer semesters. Available for study online 

or at our Tauranga Campus, here are some of 

the papers you can choose from: 

T semester 

(7 November – 18 December 2016) 

• FINA403 - 16T (NET) - Small Business Finance 

• HDCO322 - 16T (TGA) - Motivation and Behaviour 

Difficulties: Strategies for Educators 

• INMG311 - 16T (NET) - The International Business 

Environment 

• LAWS105 - 16T (NET) - Introduction to New Zealand Law 

and Society 

• LAWS205 - 16T (NET) - Foundations in Legal Studies 

• MCOM332 - 16T (NET) - Professional and Public 

Relations Writing 

• MCOM334 - 16T (NET) - Public Relations Cases 

• MCOM432 - 16T (NET) - Professional and Public 

Relations Writing 

• MCOM434 - 16T (NET) - Public Relations Cases 

• PHIL103 - 16T (NET) - Critical Reasoning 

• PHIL218 - 16T (NET) - Ethics at Work 

• SPLS213 - 16T (TGA) - Principles and Practices for 

Leading Outdoors 

S semester 

(4 January – 19 February 2017) 

• ACCT302 - 17S (TGA) - Financial Accounting 

• ACCT581 - 17S (NET) - Professional Development 

Capstone 

• ALED225 - 17S (TGA) - Dance and Education 

• ENVP217 - 17S (NET) - Environmental Ethics for Planners 

• FINA305 - 17S (NET) - Business Analysis and Valuation 

• FINA313 - 17S (NET) - Capital Markets 

• GEOG209 - 17S (NET) - Contemporary Cultural 

Geographies 

• INMG501 - 17S (NET) - E-Global Business: Strategic 

Management and Marketing 

• MSYS121 - 17S (NET) - The World of Electronic 

Commerce 

• MSYS221 - 17S (NET) - Entrepreneurial Electronic 

Commerce 

• MUSI113 - 17S (NET) - Introduction to Songwriting 

• PHIL204 - 17S (NET) - Language and Communication 

• PHIL217 - 17S (NET) - Environmental Ethics 

• POLS300 - 17S (NET) - War and Religion 

• SSRP202 - 17S (NET) - The Practice of Social Science 

Research 

• STMG222 - 17S (NET) - Net Ready: Navigating the 

Competitive Landscape 

For more detail and to apply visit: 

waikato.ac.nz/go/summerschool 

Where the world is going 

waikato.ac.nz

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 


How to get your KiwiSaver decisions right 

KiwiSaver has been prominent in the media recently as it nears its 

tenth anniversary. Over that period it has grown to more than $35 

billion in funds under management, with 2.6 million members. 

Based on recent population 

figures, perhaps 

another 600,000 working 

age New Zealanders are 

yet to sign up for KiwiSaver* 

In my view there are four key 

decisions to make with regard 

to KiwiSaver: 

– Should I sign up to 

KiwiSaver or not? 

– How much should I 

contribute? 

– Who should I sign up with? 

– What investment option 

should I take? 

1) Signing up to KiwiSaver 

will depend on an individual’s 

own set of circumstances, but 

generally, it makes financial 

sense for all employees to sign 

up due to the matching of contributions 

by their employer to 

a certain level, and the government 

contribution. 

For self employed, there is 

still a financial incentive due 

to the government contribution 

at minimum levels, but the 

advantage is not as great. 

KiwiSaver is a means to 

initiate a regular savings discipline 

for retirement, which for 

many is lacking. 

Other than for a first home, 

generally accessing those savings 

can’t be done until age 

65. Overall, it makes sense 

for most individuals to be in 

KiwiSaver at some level. 

2) Although the $1000 kick start 

payment by the government 

was removed in April 2015, the 

Government still contributes 50 

cents for every $1 contributed, 

up to $20 per week. 

If your contributions 

are being matched by your 

employer, then on the first $20 

per week you contribute, your 

return equates to a guaranteed 

150 pecent ($30 for every $20 

contributed per week), excluding 

any investment return. 

This is about as close to a free 

lunch as you can get in investment 

terms. As an employee 

you can choose to contribute 3 

percent, 4 percent or 8 percent 

of gross salary or wages. 

If self-employed, you can 

make voluntary contributions 

at any time, either regular or 

lump sum contributions. 

Calculators on KiwiSaver 

provider websites such as 

Summer KiwiSaver’s at www. 

summer.co.nz, or others such 

as the government’s www.sorted.org.nz, 

are available to estimate 

how much savings might 

grow to over time, and assist in 

planning for retirement. 

In terms of what level of 

contribution to make, at least 

contributing the minimum 

would ensure you receive full 

entitlement to the government 

and employer (if employed) 

contributions. 

3) Of the current KiwiSaver providers, 

two KiwiSaver schemes 

manage more than $5 billion in 

assets while another eight manage 

over $1 billion. Together 

these schemes represent nearly 

87 percent of members. 

Eight schemes are default 

providers, which mean those 

employers, and KiwiSaver 

members who have not chosen 

a specific provider, get allocated 

one of the default providers. 

Bank schemes dominate the 

space, and switching between 

schemes is common place and 

easy to do. 

As individual KiwiSaver 

balances grow, those providers 

who are able to provide 

advice and assistance to investors 

are likely to pick up more 

business. 

Rather than being allocated 

a default provider, employers 

may see real benefit for their 

staff and business by choosing 

providers who offer advice and 

assistance. 

While media reports focus 

on low fees and the highest 

returns as a means to select 

providers, this is a bit of a red 

herring, as returns are driven 

more from which underlying 

types of assets the KiwiSaver 

funds are actually invested in. 

4) The investment option 

decision is arguably the most 

crucial decision to make, and 

will have the biggest impact on 

the end result achieved come 

retirement. 

Going in to a default option, 

i.e. not making a decision at all 

is probably the worst thing you 

can do. 

As a general guide, the 

longer you have before retirement, 

the higher the level of 

risk you can afford to take, as 

growth assets have much more 

time to recover from any significant 

downturn. 

It is worth taking the time to 

make the most of KiwiSaver, 

regardless of whether you are 

an employer, employee or 

self-employed. 

If needed, seek advice. 

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR MONEY 

> BY BRETT BELL-BOOTH 

Investment Advisor with Forsyth Barr Limited in Tauranga. 

Phone: (07) 577 5725 or email brett.bell-booth@forsythbarr.co.nz 

The Summer KiwiSaver 

Scheme is managed by Forsyth 

Barr Investment Management 

Ltd. 

You can obtain the 

Scheme’s product disclosure 

statement and further information 

about the Scheme at 

www.summer.co.nz, from one 

*(figures courtesy of KiwiSaver Annual Market Report 2016 by David Chaplin). 

of our offices, or by calling us 

on 0800 11 55 66. 

This column is general in 

nature and is not personalised 

investment advice. Disclosure 

Statements for Forsyth Barr 

Authorised Financial Advisers 

are available on request and free 

of charge. 

If you are considering your current 

investment arrangements, perhaps 

it’s time to get a complimentary review 

Forsyth Barr is a New Zealand owned firm with 21 offices nationwide 

including three offices in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions. 

Supported by Forsyth Barr’s research and investment expertise, our Authorised 

Financial Advisers can work with you to deliver a personalised approach taking 

into account your investment objectives, preferences and your tolerance for risk. 

To make an obligation free appointment to discuss your investment 

arrangements, contact your local Forsyth Barr office by calling 0800 367 227. 

We look forward to discussing how our investment advice can work for you. 

Disclosure Statements are available on request and free of charge. 

Fees and charges will apply if you elect to have a continuing relationship with Forsyth Barr. 

TAU5162-01 – © Forsyth Barr Limited August 2016 

Business wellbeing key to success 

PressGo is a 

boutique business 

providing tailored 

information, support 

and education to 

other businesses 

seeking to become 

healthy and vibrant. 

By identifying the wellbeing needs of your 

business, PressGo will help you to create 

an appropriate and relevant solution wherever 

you may be in New Zealand. 

Workplace wellbeing in not only the 

‘airy, fairy, touchy, feely’ fashionable 

trend that at best gets overlooked and 

at worst is ignored completely. It is, if 

left unrecognised and not responded to, 

something that can derail your business 

completely. 

Considering that most of us spend a 

third of our day at work, it is becoming 

more important for the decision makers 

in your business to invest in creating a 

positive work environment for your team. 

A healthy and vibrant workplace, will 

help you to: 

• Attract and retain the right staff; 

• Build a strong reputation; 

• Improve morale; 

• Reduce absenteeism; and 

• Reduce the effects of stress. 

PressGo helps business owners and 

managers to improve the quality of their 

own wellbeing and that of the business. 

Stress and burnout are key indicators 

that something isn’t right and if you’re not 

looking after yourself, how can you look 

after your business and its most valuable 

asset – your staff? 

Karen Covell and Angela Meyrick 

PressGo provides a tailored solution 

to your wellbeing need. We can cover 

anything from a wellbeing workshop 

for your team, through to creating and 

reviewing business documents and systems. 

And, we will make every effort 

to fit the cost to your budget. 

Between them, PressGo’s team has 

almost 50 years’ experience working in 

the health and wellness environment, 

and we are confident we can find a 

solution for you and your business. 

PressGo is a division of Progress to 

Health. We have transferred the expertise 

of working with individual people 

to improve their own wellbeing to a 

business setting. 

If you are wanting to build a healthy 

and vibrant business – PressGo. 

www.pressgo.co.nz 

email: angela@pressgo.co.nz 

mob: 027 229 6998 

For more than 25 years Spurdle Accountants 

has provided solutions for the self employed 

client right through to businesses with multimillion 

dollar revenue. 

We have developed a niche in looking after 

medical professionals and their practices. 

For some fresh eyes and ideas call Craig 

Kilmister, Director of Spurdle Accountants Ltd. 

Craig Kilmister CA,BCA,BBS 

Director 

1488 Hinemoa Street,Rotorua 3010 

PO Box 12100, Rotorua 3045 

DDI 07 349 5008 

P 07 349 5000 

M 027 455 9301 

E craig@spurdle.nz 

W www.spurdle.nz 

30389 

15425


Inaugural Maori-focused 

fashion show in Rotorua 

Rotorua’s steam pools and geysers offered 

an authentic framework for an inaugural 

fashion extravaganza predicted to rival one 

of the country’s best-known events. 

By VIV POSSELT 

Under the title Tiki 

Ăhua, and themed 

Kă Mura: Set Alight, 

the September 24 event was 

held at Rotorua’s famed Te 

Puia, set within the historic Te 

Whakarewarewa Valley. 

Te Puia is the acknowledged 

heart of traditional Maori arts, 

crafts and culture. Home to the 

world-famous Pohutu geyser, 

its mud pools, hot springs and 

silica formations have long 

breathed life into treasures and 

traditions of the past. 

It is here that Maori wood 

carving, weaving and carving 

have been shared with visitors 

for more than 170 years – 

and here, last month, that Tiki 

Ăhua opened a new chapter of 

participation. 

Inspired by the Maori 

sisters of fire, Te Pȗpȗ and 

Te Hoata, the event brought 

together fashion designers, artists 

and performers before a 

500-strong audience. 

The 22 designers from 

Rotorua and beyond presented 

a wide range of streetwear, 

daywear, adornment, eveningwear 

and avant-garde. 

Traditional Maori arts were 

presented in a completely new 

way, with pounamu and bone 

carvings on the runway and 

live tă moko tattooing taking 

place throughout the evening. 

Entertainment was provided 

by top-selling NZ artist Che 

Fu, guitarist and singer/songwriter 

Seth Haapu, X-Factor 

runner-up Whenua Patuwai, 

and hip-hop dance group, 

Street Candee. 

Te Puia general manager 

sales and marketing, Kiri 

Atkinson-Crean said the event 

had exceeded all expectations. 

Tickets had sold out three 

weeks ahead, validating longterm 

plans to bed in a five-year 

vision for Tiki Ăhua to grow 

from a one-night spectacle into 

a week-long festival of art, 

design, dance and culture. 

“Rotorua is famous for 

its traditional Maori arts and 

crafts,” she said. “In fact, Te 

Puia/NZMACI [New Zealand 

Maori Arts and Crafts Institute] 

has a mandated responsibility 

to ensure those traditions are 

preserved. 

“But we also want to support 

and highlight our contemporary 

artists and designers, 

and give them an opportunity 

to shine. Tiki Ăhua has certainly 

done that.” 

New Zealand First 

Rotorua Office 

Fletcher Tabuteau List MP 

Office Hours: 10am - 3pm 

Drop in or call for an appointment 

07 347 4045 

Level 6, Hinemoa Tower 

1154 Hinemoa St, Rotorua 

PO Box 1561, Rotorua, 3042 

Interest is being shown by 

the world of commerce in 

incorporating Leilani and Anastasia 

Rickard’s Natura Aura designs into 

corporate logos. 

Some of the unique rainwear 

and hosiery shown by Natura 

Aura at the event. 

Artistic director Turanga 

Merito described the event as 

an “epic journey … an incredibly 

large magic puzzle brought 

together which has been 

rewarding and emotional.” 

Among those featured was 

Henare Jewellery designer 

Nerida Johnstone. She found 

the event reinforced existing 

business contacts and helped 

build new ones. 

“I’m extremely excited 

and overwhelmed, and it’s 

been amazing to have been 

involved.” 

Ranui Samuels from Rise 

Supply Co described Tiki 

Ăhua as “awesome” and said it 

marked the beginning of great 

things. 

“Fashion is an essential 

part of who we are as Maori. 

We are now reaching that 

design into daywear, eveningwear 

and couture, and extending 

further than traditional art 

and craft.” 

Also on board for the 

evening was the grandmother/granddaughter 

duo making 

up the Rotorua-based design 

team, Natura Aura. 

Anastasia and Leilani 

Rickard featured in the July/ 

August issue of Bay of 

Plenty Business News, hot on 

the heels of having won the 

Established Designer Award 

in the Miromoda Indigenous 

Maori Fashion Apparel 

Competition. 

They had also showcased 

their work at J Model Management’s Autumn 

Fashion Show in Paris in 2015, 

and just a couple of months 

ago, exhibited their range at 

the New Zealand Fashion 

Week. Some of that selection 

was featured at Tiki Ăhua. 

Natura Aura is making a 

name for itself with its unique 

fusion of fashion and science, 

where microscopic images of 

harakeke translate into striking 

designs onto fabric. 

The range is now marketed 

at various North Island 

stockists, and plans are in progress 

for runway shows to be 

The raw and eclectic 

edge of Henare 

Jewellery’s Nerida 

Johnstone, along with 

Masami clothing, 

was popular on the 

runway. 

Rise Supply co-creator Ranui Samuels’ 

Papua New Guinea upbringing shone 

through in his collection, with tribal 

markings and military-styled streetwear. 

held at popular tourist spots. 

Businesses are also showing 

interest in incorporating their 

designs into corporate logos. 

Anastasia said she and her 

grandmother had found Tiki 

Ăhua to be a “memorable and 

enjoyable” experience. 

“We’re now looking forward 

to next year and the next 

Tiki Ăhua.” 

The success of Tiki 

Ăhua prompted comment 

from Rotorua Mayor Steve 

Chadwick, who was a guest on 

the night. 

Suggesting it could become 

Photos Graeme Murray/ 

Te Puia. 

to Rotorua what the original 

World of Wearable Arts event 

was to Nelson, she said: “This 

is a proudly Rotorua and Te 

Arawa event, and it couldn’t 

be held anywhere else by here 

in the Te Whakarewarewa 

Valley. 

“It has surprised and 

delighted the audience … it’s 

a bit cheeky and very slick 

and I don’t think it was what 

anyone was expecting. It’s just 

incredible.” 

www.nzfirst.org.nz


First 

BAY OF PLENTY 

on 

BUSINESS 

the 

NEWS October/November 

scene 

2016 23 

Abracacabra Café hosts a Rotorua Chamber of Commerce BA5. 

1 

1 Pam Jenkins and Anne Norton, Xquizit Limousines. 2 Michael Staite and Marama Meikle. 

2 

3 

3 Marinus Koppe, Print & Apparel Solutions; Trevor Maxwell, Rotorua District Council. 4 Justin Kala Genest, Abracadabra Café; Ian and Kathy Hawker, Hawker Investments. 

4 

5 6 

5 Jon Dimock, Ministry of Education; Paul Verney, Eves Realty; John Joyce, Elite Business Systems. 6 Karen Heard, Suzie Evans and Lorrin Robinson, Motor Trade Finance. 

7 

7 Nadia Christensen and Marilyn Christian, Mcdowell Real Estate. 8 Geoff Taylor, Bay of Plenty Business News; Justine Knowles, NZME. 

8 

9 

9 Senor Joseph and Vijo Jose, Quadgroup Cleaning Services. 10 Dina Wickers and Sarah, Scion. 

10

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helloworld Whakatane 45 Kakahoroa Drive, Esplanade Mall whakatane@helloworld.co.nz 07 307 0122 

*Conditions: Bonus Fly Buys: Valid on UK or Europe package bookings for travel in 2017, made & paid in full between 1 Sep 16 & 16 Dec 16. Must book 2 return airfares & a land booking for 2 people (including accommodation, tour or cruise). Land booking must be over the value of $5000 per booking. Valid on new bookings purchased in store. Further 

conditions apply. Fly Buys standard terms & conditions apply & can be viewed at www.flybuys.co.nz. Q Card: helloworld Fee of 3.5% applies. No Payments and no interest for 15 months (“Payment Holiday”) available on Q Card Flexi Payment Plans for in-store purchases only. Minimum purchase of $999. Offer expires 16 Dec 16. Q Card lending criteria, 

fees, plus further terms & conditions apply. Rate & fees are correct as at date of publication, subject to change. Free Cabin Bag: Minimum spend of $1000 required with Helloworld Rotorua, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga, or Whakatane. Only one bag per booking. Free bag subject to availability and only offered until sold out. HW0760 

*Conditions: Bonus Fly Buys: Valid on UK or Europe package bookings for travel in 2017, made & paid in full between 1 Sep 16 & 16 Dec 16. Must book 2 return airfares & a land booking for 2 people (including accommodation, tour or cruise). Land booking must be over 

the value of $5000 per booking. Valid on new bookings purchased in store. Further conditions apply. Fly Buys standard terms & conditions apply & can be viewed at www.flybuys.co.nz. Q Card: helloworld Fee of 3.5% applies. No Payments and no interest for 15 months 

(“Payment Holiday”) available on Q Card Flexi Payment Plans for in-store purchases only. Minimum purchase of $999. Offer expires 16 Dec 16. Q Card lending criteria, fees, plus further terms & conditions apply. Rate & fees are correct as at date of publication, subject to 

change. Free Cabin Bag: Minimum spend of $1000 required with Helloworld Rotorua, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga, or Whakatane. Only one bag per booking. Free bag subject to availability and only offered until sold out. HW0760

Bay of Plenty Business News October/November 2016

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